Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 325/ 28 OCTOBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2016 / £3
@BathLifeMag
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LIMITED EDITION COVER
CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE CITY
WONDER WOMEN
S M A R T, S A V V Y A N D SUPERCHARGING B AT H B U S I N E S S ISSUE 325/ 28 OCTOBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2016 / THE LUXE LIST
NEW BUILDS ON THE BLOCK ALL ABOARD FOR BROAD STREET
T H E H O L B U R N E M U S E U M ’ S C E L E B R AT I O N O F PR E C I O U S M E TA L AND
R E A D E R O F F E R AT K I LV E R C O U R T / D I N I N G AT LU C K N A M PA R K / LU X U RY B U YS
EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 325 / 28 OCTOBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2016
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SILVER LININGS Historic and contemporary silver creations await at the Holburne Museum’s latest exhibition
The lap of luxury Luxury is a difficult word to define. It’s all down to perception. Some would consider the purchase of luxurious items which are obscenely expensive to be a rare treat for special occasions only. Others may consider them a necessity; why work hard if you can’t enjoy yourself? So we’ve dedicated this very special issue to sumptuousness, starting with not one but two covers, because we’re fancy like that. On the covers, you’ll find two very different views of Theresa Nguyen’s Spiritus centrepiece, which is one of the many beautiful and precious creations within the new Silver: Light and Shade exhibition at The Holburne Museum, Bath. Flip straight to page 34 to see more of these magnificent delights, and shop for the ultimate ‘gilty’ pleasures on page 76. On our quest for the finer things in life, we dined at Lucknam Park’s chandelier-lit restaurant which has just retained its Michelin star for the 12th year running (page 60); took a look around a 35-bedroom estate for sale in Chippenham (page 110); and asked our columnist Flats just how important splashing out is to him (page 29). We also caught up with Broad Street’s passionate traders to find out what’s new with them and to remind ourselves why the thoroughfare is truly great (page 86); met the women who moved mountains to start their own businesses (page 104); and took a tour of the shiny new builds in and around Bath (page 119). Enjoy! Lisa Evans, Editor Follow us on Twitter: @BathLifeMag Follow us on Instagram:@bathlifemag
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EVERHOT RANGE COOKERS
GARDEN FURNITURE
FEATURES / ISSUE 325 / 28 OCTOBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2016
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STREET LIFE
We get broad-minded with the eclectic and energetic folk of Broad Street
130 Bath Lives
Meet Melanie Crump, makeup artist extraordinaire
REGULARS / ISSUE 325 / 28 OCTOBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2016 M E E T T H E T EAM
THE ARTS
Editor Lisa Evans lisa.evans@mediaclash.co.uk
45 Arts intro We’re in adoration of Carl Melegari’s Adora
Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: David Flatman and Nic Bottomley Senior advertising manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Justine Walker justine.walker@mediaclash.co.uk Sales executive Sophie Speakman sophie.speakman@mediaclash.co.uk Sales executive Alana Medforth alana.medforth@mediaclash.co.uk
46 What’s on Time to update the events diary
57 Bookshelf Truth be told with Nic Bottomley’s non-fiction picks
FOOD 60 Restaurant We get lucky with a Lucknam Park gourmet menu
Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager Christina West christina.west@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Charlie Pinder charlie.pinder@mediaclash.co.uk
71 Food & drink news Gather café, The Clifton Sausage and the Bath’s aromas
Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk
SHOPPING 72 Special offer Get jolly with your seasonal shopping at Kilver Court
Bath Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash
76 Editor’s choice In praise of luxe, enjoy these ‘gilty’ pleasures
BUSINESS 99 Business insider News, views and interviews from the city’s professionals
104 Women in business Meet the local ladies storming ahead in their fields
PROPERT Y 110 Property showcase Not just Grade II but a Grade II* for this 35-bed country house
© All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.
104 119 New builds Take a look at how Bath’s modern architecture is settling in with its ancestors
About MediaClash We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs. (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag) and wedding title Vow (@VowMag). Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk
DEPARTMENTS 13 19 29
Spotlight Society A man’s world
On the cover Theresa Nguyen’s Spiritus centrepiece is part of the new Silver: Light and Shade exhibition at The Holburne Museum. See the feature on page 34
BATH: ITS LIFE AND TIMES
Clockwise from left: L’odyssée, A United Kingdom and FanGirl Quest’s sceneframing of The Duchess, are just a few of the cinematic events on offer at the Bath Film Festival
POETRY COMPETITION
TRAIN OF THOUGHT Former Blur bassist, writer and cheesemaker Alex James has teamed up with Great Western Railways to launch a national poetry competition. Alex explains, “Rail travel has long been the source of inspiration for many poets – just look at Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, who created much of his work aboard a GWR train. “I’ve penned a landscape-inspired poem, written whilst travelling along a scenic GWR line. I love switching off and being immersed in what I can see out of the window. I’m excited to see how people will interpret their creative thoughts.” The winner will receive free rail travel on GWR for a year, with a specially prime view window seat, and their poem featured on station posters across the GWR network. The closing date for entries is 3 November 2016. For more: www.gwr.com
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PHOTO CREDIT: FANGIRLQUEST.COM
Alex thinks up some inspirational lines
BATH FILM FESTIVAL
THE FILM CREW Bath Film Festival, the South West’s longest running film festival, returns on 3 November with an 11-day programme of classic and new including L’odyssée starring Audrey Tatou, A United Kingdom with David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, along with director talks, talent awards and yet more chances to salute women in film through the festival’s fastspreading F-Rated initiative. Festival director Holly Tarquini says, “We also have new Queer Film and Pan Asian strands, which are an extension of our commitment to championing equality
and inclusion, and we are delighted to be working with both the Natural Theatre Company and FanGirl Quest.” FanGirl Quest is a travel writing blog but with a sceneframing twist. “We’ve been exploring movie locations since 2013,” explain Tiia Öhman and Satu Walden, who are visiting the festival to talk about their work. “We then align a screenshot from the film with the background. We also write about all the locations, and things to do nearby.” For more: www.bathfilmfestival.org.uk
SPOTLIGHT
AWARD-WINNING
BLOOM WITH A VIEW Bath has been awarded a prestigious silver gilt award for its South West in Bloom entry in the Business Improvement District (BID) category for 2016, with judges praising the reinvigorated Parade Gardens and new Orange Grove plantings both of which are managed by B&NES council’s parks team. “Bath in Bloom is key to enhancing the
look and feel of the city centre,” says Louise Prynne, chief executive of The Bath BID Company. “Our team supported the entry, ensuring the city was looking its best, and the new tower planters, supported by the BID, at the bottom of Milsom Street provided an attractive gateway into Green Street.” For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk
Bath Moonlight Walkers are stylish record breakers
FUNDRAISING
A FEATHER IN THEIR CAPS
The B&NES team enjoy park life
Dorothy House Hospice Care is now a Guinness World Record Title Holder for ‘the largest gathering of people wearing boas’. Helping to achieve this was the women who took part in Bath Moonlight Walk event on 10 September in support of the charity. Emily Knight, Dorothy House’s fund raising organiser, explains, “Some walkers wore frilly tutus and pink bunny ears, many sported pyjamas or onesies but everyone completed their outfit with a pink or purple feather boa. Before the race began, each boa was carefully counted and logged and the number of boas that created this brand new record was 675.” To assist with the counting of the boas, the Southgate branch Barclays, a Dorothy House corporate supporter, volunteered their services as well as match funding support for Barclays’ employees who helped to fundraise. For more: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk
Autumn offer:
Adventures in party-going
David Pascall and Geraldine Sanglier
SCENE
Max Graham and Andrew Allen
AC ROS S B AT H , O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E
GREEN PART Y Kayleigh Clarke and Louise Alley
It was a well attended welcome-toBath party for Graham & Green, the family-run interior and gift store, which first opened in doors in Notting Hill in 1974. 130 invited guests enjoyed an evening of fizz, Juice Collective tipples, goodie bags, and Sam’s Kitchen canapés on 6 October in the stunning surrounds of their new Walcot Street shop. Photos by Philip Field www.philipfield.com
Chris Boundy and Abi Dare
Athena Cauley-Yu and Rose McGrandle
Jenny Cudworth, Katherine Fraser and Nick Cudworth Louise Graham and Mel Roberts
Colin McCarraher, Paul Jacksow and Blue Jacksow
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 19
SOCIETY
MAKING IT COUNT
Chris Elliott, Jane Elliott, Charlotte Parker, Wendy Carriero and Giacomo Carriero
Pearson May, the chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers based in Great Pulteney Street, took themselves and 300 guests, to the Roman Baths on 22 September to celebrate 175 years since the company was first founded. Entertainment was provided by the Natural Theatre Company Paparazzi, along with nibbles and champagne. Photos by Peter Travers www.petertravers.co.uk
Alex Timms and Sally Challoner
Debbie Newman, Jeff Williams, Huw Thomas and Sue Stockley Maria Mwaitenda, Jo Richards and Annette Brune
Jonny Wheeler, Carrie Wheeler and Geoff Banwell
Jimmy Mercer, Martin Bridle, Phil Ramsey and Ben Withers
Josefa Angelo-Sparling, Suzannah Angelo-Sparling, Tony Williams and Gill Hunter
20 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
SOCIETY
THE WRITE WORDS
Gill McLay with the Natural Theatre Company performers
The Bath Children’s Literature Festival recently celebrated their 10th birthday and launch event at the Guildhall. The evening saw authors, illustrators and industry professionals, as well as local independent business owners gather to mark a decade of remarkable and memorable literary events in the city, along with entertainment from the Prior Park College Big Band. Photos by Julian Foxon www.jfoxon.co.uk
Kate Austin and Zillah Austin
Julia Green and John McLay
Martin Brown and Liz Pichon
Moira Young, Janine Amos and Clare Furniss
Jamie and Louise Graham
Suresh Ariaratnam, Steve Kamlish and Roz Streeten
22 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
SOCIETY
CREATIVE THINKING
Vanessa Sayce Ben Taylor
It was An Evening of Food & Design At Anthropologie last month when a selection of Bath’s design businesses including The Camden Creative Company and The Marmalade House got together for workshops, activities and latenight shopping. Plus there was the opportunity to sample delights such as dishes from Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa Cookery School. Photos by Anthony Prothero www.anthonyprothero.co.uk Vicky Hurst and Mary Rodger
David Kerrigan and Sheila Ozsoy
Lisa Peirce
Katie Wyatt and Jill Bendry
Serra Kerrigan
Anabel Drake, Emma Kayne, Heidi Laughton and Georgina Backhouse
24 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
SOCIETY
DRIVE TIME
Tony Williams and Les Ely
With its 66 year history, Castle Combe Circuit has always provided tried and trusted motor sport entertainment, and this year’s event on 1 October was no exception. The Autumn Classic race meeting, with its celebration of vintage motors, was enjoyed by thousands of attendees. Kevin Sargeant and Nanda Evans
Photos by Beata Cosgrove www.beatacosgrovephotography.com
Paul Davies and Guy Davies
Joe Mackrell, Claire Giles and Colin Gale
Androulla Karanicola, Zoe Tainton and Samantha Walker
GET FIZZ-ICAL The Roman Baths Kitchen transformed its bar and terrace area to open Bath’s first dedicated pop-up champagne bar in celebration of National Champagne Week, 1 - 7 October. Searcys teamed up with Lanson to enable guests to enjoy special champagne tastings along with complimentary nibbles.
Alicia Cubezo, Lucasz Masiak and Lauren Noble
Photos by Beata Cosgrove www.beatacosgrovephotography.com
Stephen Derrick and Anita Jaynes
26 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Hannah Cordell, Will Morrish, Amanda Jones, Marcus Whittington and Barbara Gerhat
A MAN’S WORLD
DAVID FLATMAN
SPLASHING OUT Frivolity or necessity? Flats ponders how important the finer things in life really are…
I
am sitting comfortably on a train to London Paddington as I type this on my little machine with my large, creaking thumbs, sipping my second (surprisingly delightful) GWR coffee, periodically admiring whizzing views, and all is generally well. Except, that is, for my shirt. My shirt is fine. It’s white, it’s crisp, it’s decent quality, and it’s very clean. However, the inescapable truth is that it doesn’t quite fit. Nobody will notice this slightly outsized garment underneath my lovely jacket (made by Brown in Town in Bristol – I’d look him up if I were you), and there will doubtless be plenty of chaps at the event to which I am headed in far sloppier get-ups. But I know, and I know that I know. Please don’t mistake me for one of those slightly sad larger gentlemen who think trendy clothes look good on them; I know enough to know that doesn’t fly. But what does look good on anybody is a shirt that fits properly. And we’re not just talking about bespoke clothing here, we’re talking about certain standards that really ought to be a minimum. The thing is, though, that these standards can be costly to achieve and maintain. Due to genetics and Mother’s habitual feeding, I have to have all jackets and suits made. Whatever the cost, it’s my only option. So, said jacket was not cheap, but it is high quality and it will last me a very long time. I also love it, so I’ll inevitably take better care of it. Even though tailoring is forced upon me (Nuray Tailors in the Broad Street car park alters every off-the-shelf item I buy), it still feels like a luxury. If I tried hard enough, I’m sure I could find a
cheaper option, but that doesn’t interest me. I’d rather have fewer possessions and make sure those which I do own are good stuff. I’ve a friend who, as long as I’ve known her, has battled with her faulty French cars. They work for a while, then they disintegrate. The lower asking price soon reveals itself as a false economy. Still, she regards spending more on a higher quality vehicle as an indulgence, but I hope to change her outlook soon enough. Many luxuries, then, aren’t as frivolous as a standard definition might suggest. Often, I think, indulging yourself in the short term can both raise your mean standard of living, and can give you increased gratification in the longer term. “My 20 quid watch tells the same time as yours,” my friend often jostles. “Yes,” I respond, “but do you love it? Do you cherish it and plan to give it to your daughter when she grows up?” Of course, one man’s passion is another man’s sleeping pill, but hopefully you get my point. What you regard as a luxury might just be worth prioritising more often. If it’s a new car to cart the kids around, a visit to a local spa for a facial, or even eating out more often, my advice is to ignore restraint every now and then and see where it takes you. This shirt I’m wearing was half the price of my bespoke ones from Gieves and Hawkes, and I’ve regretted buying it every time I’ve worn it. Lesson learned: be luxurious. It’ll suit you far better.
IGNORE RESTRAINT EVERY NOW AND THEN AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES YOU
David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidflatman
new holt showroom now open
Pietra
Wood & Stone
Wiltshire Showroom & Head Office 400 Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire BA14 6PX 01225 783 527 London Showroom 198 Wandsworth Bridge Rd, Fulham SW6 2UE 0207 610 6111 Opening Hours Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Email info@pietrawoodandstone.com Website www.pietrawoodandstone.com
Luxe of the matter From completely free to eye-wateringly expensive, ‘luxury’ has many different meanings for many different people, so, here, Bath’s great and good tell us what the word means to them... By L I SA E VA NS 34 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
LIFE’S LUXURIES Opposite page: Silver Millennium dish with champlevé and basse-taille enamel, engraved and enamelled by Jane Short, and made by Clive Burr; this page: Malcolm Appleby and Jane Short’s Tectonic beakers in Britannia Silver. Both works feature at The Holburne Museum’s new exhibition, Silver: Light and Shade
LUXURY CAN BE FOUND IN THE SMALLEST DETAIL, AND IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS ABOUT PRICE
T
he good things in life come in many different guises, from the colossal to the minuscule, so read on to discover what the experts at some of Bath’s most glamorous businesses say luxury means to them, and what the most extravagant items in their shops are worth right now – from a 24-carat gold bathtub to a £53k speaker…
ART AND SOUL
Sometimes, as the saying goes, the best things in life are free (or the price of an entry ticket, anyway) and that’s the case with a new enchanting art exhibition, Silver: Light and Shade, at The Holburne Museum on Great Pulteney Street. Catrin Jones, the curator of decorative arts at the museum, believes that luxuries don’t have to cost the earth and, very often, an experience or sight can be worth more than money can buy. She considers that to be the case when it comes to this new display, which showcases old and new silver masterpieces from the 15th century to the present day. “Guests will discover an amazing range of silver by some of today’s most exciting silversmiths,” she says. “This includes sculptural pieces,
tableware and beautiful jewellery. It brings together historic and contemporary silver masterpieces to investigate the texture, form and colour of this precious metal. It shows an extraordinary selection of objects on loan from many UK museums and private collections which are displayed alongside highlights from our own collection. “Luxury can be found in the smallest detail, and is certainly not always about price,” she adds. “Something I love about silver is its visual and tactile nature, and how it can change over time. Enjoying the feel and look of things that make you happy, can change how you experience the world around you.” Strong principles, an out-of-the box way of thinking and an unwillingness to follow the norms – this combination is what Miles Hartwell, co-founder of Bath’s SplinterWorks, based in Queen Square, believes makes his ‘useable art’ business unique. “Everything we design and produce is made to exceptionally high standards, which is a luxury in itself,” he says. “But the tangible difference between us and other high-end companies is the luxury of our fresh design approach. Our works don’t follow the usual rules and so turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Owning such pieces gives everyday pleasure that is a genuine privilege.” Some of their sculptural work, Miles admits, is deemed expensive by most people’s standards, but he says it’s a fair price given the w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 35
LIFE’S LUXURIES
Hammock bathtub in 24-carat gold, designed and produced by Bath’s SplinterWorks
quality and craftsmanship of the finished pieces. “We offer a 24-carat gold hammock bathtub that costs just over £45,000,” he says. “And furniture-wise, we do a spherical Dime cabinet priced at £26,700. “For me, a luxury is something that should make you happy,” he says. “The joy of owning something beautiful and rare which fulfils its purpose perfectly is a real motivator.”
look of an outfit. But if you were to talk about a pair of pure silk pyjamas, for example, most people work very hard and are entitled to spoil themselves, so why not do it with silk?” When it comes to accessorising an outfit, Henry Nicholds, the sales manager at Mallory jewellers on Bridge Street thinks it’s important to “reward your inner feelings with something special” from time to time. “The sky’s the limit if you wish it to be,” he says. PASSION FOR FASHION “Needless to say we can offer a tempting piece of As the co-owner of Kingsmead Square’s Grace jewellery for a few hundred pounds, to an iconic & Ted – a boutique specialising in pre-owned Patek Philippe watch which could be priceless. designer clothing, shoes and accessories – Emma Luxury could be described as an indulgence, but Savage believes that money doesn’t come into on occasions this could be something as simple play when it comes to the meaning of ‘luxury’, it’s as a Links of London charm, to a Gucci watch about a feeling. or a diamond eternity ring; there are times when luxury becomes a “It’s about whatever makes you feel special,” she says. “We started necessity. the shop [where you’ll find items such as Christian Louboutin shoes, “Luxury items are precious,” he adds. “They could mark an Chanel bags, Yves Saint Lauren jackets and Hermès scarves] with engagement, an anniversary, or a reward for something well done. a view to offering luxury items at more affordable prices, and whilst Luxury usually ensures quality which should last there are pieces that cost thousands, we have beautifully made a lifetime.” items that cost £20. What makes you feel a million dollars Bath-based designer Bibi Herron, whose is individual to each person and that’s what we love studio is based on London Road, thinks about fashion. if something is made with love, care and “We’re programmed to believe that ‘treating exceptional skill, it’s special. ourselves’ is a bad thing and that we should “It’s all about the detail and making of always be thinking sensibly, but sometimes it’s an item,” says Bibi, who specialises in silk nice to say ‘what the hell’ and just do it,” she scarves and pocket squares, but is also soon adds. “We love seeing our customers treating to branch out into homeware. “It’s something themselves to something really special; no one that doesn’t just serve a purpose, but is, at ever regrets it.” the same time, something that awakens the Tessa Brand, the owner of lingerie, beach senses, feels incredible against the skin, smells and nightwear boutique The Dressing Room wonderful, sounds blissful and looks beautiful.” on Quiet Street, Bath, quotes a saying coined Bibi feels it’s important to be kind to yourself as by Coco Chanel, ‘luxury must be comfortable, often as you can; she suggests finding what you love otherwise it is not luxury’, with a few and basking in it. exceptions, though. “It’s amazing how much better we can feel after Yellow and blue sapphire “I will confess that years ago we did sell a a treat,” she says. “Not only this, but we have become such ring, set in 18-carat gold limited edition Swarovski Crystal bra for £1,240,” a ‘disposable’ culture, which really devalues certain arts and with diamond shoulders, she says. “It was as beautiful as it was impractical. skills which are important to be kept alive. Luxury is about from Mallory, Bath “In general, though, I don’t consider underwear to be keeping these arts alive by creating something that can be a luxury particularly. Properly fitted lingerie can change the whole coveted for generations rather than just following the newest trends.” w
WE’RE PROGRAMMED TO BELIEVE THAT ‘TREATING OURSELVES’ IS A BAD THING
36 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
LIFE’S LUXURIES
ESCAPE REALITY
Time is one of the commodities most of us wish we had more of, and Brian Benson, hotel manager at The Gainsborough Bath Spa on Beau Street, thinks that spending precious moments with those we’re closest to is the best luxury of them all. “Having the time to spend with loved ones is priceless, be it a walk around beautiful Bath, an intimate dinner and cocktails, or a break at an indulgent spa,” he says. “Life’s precious and we should make the most of it and our time together. “At our Spa Village, guests can enjoy access to Bath’s naturally warm mineral-rich waters,” he adds. “We also have 99 bedrooms, some of which have access to these waters, and a restaurant with a sterling six-course tasting menu.” Indulging in a spot of pampering with top-of-the-range skincare products is something that Betsi Hughes, the owner of Bath day spa Green Street House, feels is important, too. “One of the most luxurious offerings we have is the The Big Chill Package which includes a one-hour Elemis facial, a full body massage, tea and cake, followed by a pedicure. You can’t put a price on something, or someone, that makes you feel beautiful.” Sometimes, escaping ‘real life’ for a weekend, or longer, can recharge the batteries. Marcus Whittington, the managing director of Bath Boutique Stays – a holiday rentals specialist on Sydney Place – describes a luxury as ‘something better than we have at home’ and thinks that we should all give ourselves some time away from the daily grind. “Add all your utility bills and council tax together, let this number scare you a little, and then make a budget and some time for yourself and the people you love,” he says. “We offer luxurious Bath property rentals and Georgian gems where you can expect organic toiletries, freshly roasted coffee and champagne on ice awaiting your arrival. Our most luxurious offering at the moment is a stay in a penthouse on The King’s Circus with breathtaking views over the city and a private chef.”
38 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Top: Hermès scarves – available at Kingsmead Square’s Grace & Ted – will add a touch of glamour to any outfit; below: spherical Dime cabinet from Bath’s SplinterWorks
HOME COMFORTS
Transforming environments into inspirational spaces that are both functional and enjoyable is an indulgence worth investing in according to Matt Prall, managing director of bespoke kitchen and furniture design company Papilio, in Frome. “To me, a luxury is something that will often cost more than you can afford but is worth every penny for longevity and overall effect,” he says. “We cherish and take more care of luxury items, and, as a consequence, they generally last longer.” Kitchen expert Stephen Graver thinks what’s expensive for one client can seem cheap to another, but it’s often the simple things that can look and feel right without you having to try. “Everyone has a budget which they want the very best for,” says the owner his eponymous company in Steeple Ashton. “We’ve made furniture ranging from a few hundred, right up to hundreds of thousands of pounds. The item that causes most gasps of amazement would be the Zaha Hadid kitchen tap that we have supplied for a mere £11,000.” Kate Vincent of Walcot Street interiors store Graham and Green, the headquarters of which opened in Bath in October this year, suggests to try ignoring prices and see what you’re naturally drawn to, rather than only looking at the items in your price point, as this may surprise you. “Luxury is all about how something feels,” she says. “You might spend £6,000 on a sofa, but if it doesn’t feel right then it will always lack luxury. Similarly, if you don’t feel thrilled when you buy it, then it’s not for you.” At Holt’s Tim Wood Limited, expect meticulously tailor-designed pieces made to order, from a small jewellery box to the fit-out of an entire house. “Something that exudes a depth of quality, is a pure pleasure to own and often incorporates the unusual or unique, is how I’d describe luxury,” says Tim Wood, the business’s founder. “These items can give a huge amount of pleasure to the owner.” Martin Pelling, owner of Wiltshire’s Rock Pools & Spas agrees w
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LIFE’S LUXURIES A remodel completed by bespoke kitchen design company Papilio, based in Frome
PHOTO BY SIMON PLANT
and adds that luxury is the sense or feeling you may get from an experience or an item. “These are the things which enrich our lives” he says. “Luxuries, regardless of how small, can make us feel special.” One of the most lavish offerings you’ll find at his business right now is a bespoke swimming pool and spa combination, for homes or businesses, incorporating the latest technologies and luxury features such as glass-sided hydrotherapy pools, salt rooms, heated loungers and audio-visual systems.
TECHNO TECHNO
With many people living busy lifestyles, Dave Henderson, the director of intelligent design, planning and installation business BrownHen Solutions in Bath, thinks that anything which helps make life easier is worth doing. “Intelligent lighting or heating control, for example, can help
make savings on energy use and proper integration of technology can also add value to your home,” he says. “Whether it’s replacing the collection of remotes on your coffee table with a single remote, or installing a whole home automation solution, we tailor our solutions to you. Although some of these things are undeniably luxurious, they also have many practical benefits.” When it comes to shopping for the latest high-end gadgets for your home, Shaun Houcke, marketing manager at audio and video manufacturer Bang & Olufsen of Bath says, “Our current most luxurious item is the BeoLab 90’s. It won’t be for everybody, but it will be for the right somebody. Three years in the making, this loudspeaker [priced at £53,990] is the culmination of the wildest dreams of our acoustics department; creating the future of sound. “Life’s too short,” he adds. “if you’ve got it, spend it. No one wants to be the richest man in the graveyard.” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 41
a d v e r tisi n g feat u r e i n t e r i o r s
Crafted by nature
By the time a lot of furniture leaves the workshop, the elements that made its materials so unique have often been removed – discarded to produce generic, catalogue-ready pieces. Forest to Home believes in a different approach...
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hen William Hibbert and Samuel Baker met, working on a country estate in Lacock, they quickly discovered a shared passion for the environment, nature and surrounding forest. It was this meeting, and over 20 years’ experience of handcrafted design, that provided the catalyst for Forest to Home. Every piece of furniture that Forest to Home crafts in their workshop, which is still based on the Lacock estate, celebrates the raw beauty of the wood that inspired it. Born from a belief that there is no better designer than nature, they look to preserve the wood’s live edge and enhance its splits, checks and knots – parts many furniture makers consider to be blemishes. William explains, “We both recognised just how much wastage there is in the furniture industry, and how the naturally designed, beautiful parts of the wood are often removed and discarded. These are the parts we love.” While the wood’s story is at the heart of every design, the furniture itself is far from old-fashioned. Always looking to push the boundaries of interior design and utilise new materials, William and Samuel have developed their own distinctive, modern style. One that is instantly recognisable as Forest to Home. The latest addition to this growing portfolio is the Seasons range. A collection that
“We approach each piece as a collaboration with nature”
Keeping the natural beauty of wood at the heart of each piece
celebrates how Britain’s forests are influenced by changing conditions, and how weathering these seasons brings distinctive attributes to the wood that is hewn. Alongside these lead collections, Forest to Home offers one-of-a-kind pieces and limited sets, handcrafted from raw slabs of wood that would be impossible to find again or imitate. This exclusivity, along with a bespoke, handmade-toorder service, invites customers to furnish their homes with pieces that are truly unique. But it’s not all about appearances – how the wood is sourced is just as important to William and Samuel. With a belief that buying wood responsibly is the bare minimum that should be expected of a furniture maker, they only purchase British wood from responsibly managed sources. As well as being ethically sound, this helps them to trace the story of the piece. Keen to give back as much as they take, the team has recently launched their Forest Preservation Project. An initiative that sees the company plant ten trees for every one they purchase. Since launching in early 2016, Forest to Home has built a reputation for crafting furniture that is artful yet practical, raw yet elegant – each design its own evolving story. And as people welcome these pieces into their lives, they too are becoming part of that tale.
William concludes, “We approach each piece as a collaboration with nature. We simply see our furniture as the next chapter in the wood’s story. There’s something incredibly satisfying about that.”
www.foresttohome.com 07792 302327; william@foresttohome.com
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Music/theatre/film/more
ADORING ADORA
Carl Melegari is a Bristol-based painter, who regularly exhibits his work with Edgar Modern, Bath, and is, unsurprisingly, rapidly gaining worldwide recognition for his mesmerising work. His sombre, brooding nudes and portraits employ a radically sculptural mode of painting that subverts the traditional methods of representational art. Human figures struggle to emerge from within the thick ridges of paint, looming from under heavy drips that appear perpetually in slow motion, as demonstrated beautifully in the hypnotic Adora. Carl Melegari’s Hidden Presence exhibition can be seen at Edgar Modern, Bartlett Street, Bath, from 29 October – 10 November 2016; www.edgarmodern.com
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29 October - 26 November
Poet John Hegley gets funny with his spoken words on his New & Selected Potatoes tour at Komedia on 11 November; See Anna Marrow’s Tangerine Dream at the Rostra Gallery; Sebastião Salgado brings his profound photojournalism project Genesis, which explores our fragile planet, to the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
Exhibitions U N TI L 1 4 N O V E M BE R
POP! Rostra Gallery’s new exhibition brings a burst of colour to the autumn months with a nod to one of the most exciting art movements that emerged in the 1950s. POP! will showcase new and archive works by artists that were instrumental during the 1950s Pop Art period, as well as artists working today that have been inspired by the groundbreaking work from this time. Rostra Gallery; www.rostragallery.co.uk
talent from both established and emerging artists. The shortlisted works, which will be displayed in the main gallery, have the chance of winning a series of impressive prizes. Black Swan Arts; www.blackswan.org.uk.org U N TI L 2 0 N OV EMBER
FALL A carefully curated collection of mixed media work to usher in the autumn, including Patricia Volk’s sculpture, jewellery from Holly Belsher, clothing by Carole Waller and ceramics by Gary Wood. One Two Five Gallery; www.onetwofivegallery.co.uk U N TI L 2 7 N OV EMBER
U N TI L 1 9 N O V E M BE R
BLACK SWAN ARTS OPEN The 14th Black Swan Arts Open in Frome promises to showcase a wealth of local and exciting
KENNETH ARMITAGE This major, retrospective exhibition features over 65 sculptures in bronze and plaster together with paintings and
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drawings from all phases of Armitage’s career. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk UNTIL 11 DEC EMBER
DAILY DELIGHTS OF GEORGIAN BATH Using Thomas Rowlandson’s famous 1798 satirical etchings, The Comforts Of Bath, as inspiration, the more decadent side of Bath is celebrated in this enjoyably different exhibition, which includes a gilted cricket cage. No. 1 Royal Crescent; www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk
visual interpretations of quantum dynamics, nanotechnology, genetics, the cosmos and the diseases of old age. Art at the Heart of the RUH; www.artatruh.org UNTIL 22 J ANUARY 2 0 1 7
SILVER: LIGHT AND SHADE This exhibition brings together historic and contemporary silver masterpieces to tell a new story about the texture, form and colour of this extraordinary and precious metal. For more, see page 34. The Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org
UNTIL 12 J ANUAR Y 2017
SCI-ART SYNERGY When art meets science the results can astound, as this exhibition proves. Scientists are using creative works to show their research in a new light and these exciting collaborations include
UNTIL 12 F EB RUARY 2 0 1 7
RED – CULTURE, HISTORY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP This exhibition explores the many different aspects of this bold primary colour in Chinese culture, from the materials used
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to produce the shade, to the symbolism of the colour, and the rapid advancement of red wares during the Ming dynasty. Museum of East Asian Art; www.meaa.org.uk UNTI L 1 2 M ARC H 2 0 1 7
DRAWN TO THE LAND This ongoing and exploratory project by award-winning documentary photographer, Sophie Gerrard takes an intimate look at the contemporary Scottish landscape, through a series of fascinating photographs of female farmers. Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock Abbey; www.nationaltrust.org.uk UNTI L 1 J ANUARY 2 0 1 9
A HISTORY OF FASHION IN 100 OBJECTS The Fashion Museum presents 100 ‘star’ objects that illustrate a history of fashion from the 1600s to the present day, referencing huge, groundbreaking moments in history, as well as more personal stories. Fashion Museum; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk
2 9 O C TO B E R – 9 N OV E MBE R
BATH ARTIST PRINTMAKERS A vibrant and diverse exhibition of work produced by members of Bath Artist Printmakers, with etchings, aquatints, linocuts, monoprints and collagraphs, displayed together with the tools, materials and methods used. BRLSI; www.brlsi.org
3 – 2 4 NO V E M B E R
CELIA COOK This latest show from the Larkhallbased artist will feature a series of dynamic abstract woodblock monoprints, which were made at the Ink on Paper Press in Wiltshire. Adam Gallery; www.adamgallery.com 4 – 2 6 NO V E M B E R
GEORGE TUTE A solo exhibition of paintings, many which have a surreal and dreamlike aura, by Bristolbased artist George Tute, alongside figurative ceramic sculpture and his commercially successful woodblock prints. Bath Contemporary; www. bathcontemporary.com 4 – 2 9 NO V E M B E R
LYDIA CORBETT: LA DANSE DE LA VIE Coinciding with a major exhibition of portraiture by Pablo
Picasso at London’s National Portrait Gallery, this exhibition shows the paintings and a selection of ceramics by one of his muses, Lydia Corbett, or Sylvette David, as she was then known, who inspired 40 of his paintings. A biographical book on her fascinating life is also being launched. David Simon Contemporary; www. davidsimoncontemporary.com 1 1 – 1 9 N OV EMBER
SEBASTIÃO SALGADO Local collective PhotoBath have been working with the BRLSI to create this unique opportunity to see a selection of black and white images from one of the world’s greatest photographer. Sebastião Salgado is a social documentary photojournalist and has recently completed Genesis, a profound and ambitious eight-year-project, which is being seen as a visual tribute to our fragile planet. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution; www.brlsi.org 1 4 – 2 0 N OV EMBER
FIND ANOTHER BATH This exciting exhibition also celebrates the launch of a new art book, which draws together the creative talents of some 40 local artists and writers from the city, who together present creative aspects of Bath’s often forgotten or neglected history, including our contribution to industry. 44AD; www.44ad.net
Top to bottom: See Find another Bath’s exhibition at 44AD; In Pursuit of Silence being screened at the Little Theatre on 1 November, explores noise pollution 18 NO VEMBER – 9 J ANUAR Y
WINTER WONDERLAND Tis the season to get arty with the Rostra Gallery who are exhibiting a collection of affordable prints, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery and cards. Rostra Gallery; www.rostragallery.co.uk
Plays/Shows 1 NO VEMBER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AMERICAN SERVICEMEN IN BRITAIN The Americans see the Brits as a strange race. Get ready to judge for yourself in a night of joyous laughter as a crack team of experts attempt to explain everything from cricket, to warm beer. 7.15pm,
£12. Widombe Social Club; www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk 3 NO VEM B ER
HANCOCK’S HALF HOUR: ONE MAN, MANY VOICES To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Hancock’s Half Hour, written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, James Hurn – a talented actor and impressionist – will be performing three great episodes of Hancock’s half hour, and is voicing the entire cast. 7.30pm, £14. The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk 6 NO VEM B ER
JASON BYRNE IS PROPPED UP Jason is bringing his warmth and generous stagecraft to town, with w
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PHOTO CREDIT: PARIS MATCH/GETTY IMAGES FROM I WAS SYLVETTE BY ISABEL COULTON, PUBLISHED BY ENDEAVOUR BOOKS LTD, 2016
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ridiculously silly props including giant ducks, rubber hands, owls, big wooden pegs and amazing magic stunts. 6.30pm, £17.50. Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 11 N O V E M B E R
JOHN HEGLEY: NEW & SELECTED POTATOES The UK’s favourite performance poet, comedian and musician hits the road, mandolin in hand, with a performance of pieces new and older, sung, spoken and awoken with dance: meditations upon family, celery and happier Daleks. 8pm, £14. Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk
16 – 1 9 NO V E M B E R
DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER Platform 8 return to The Mission Theatre with this boulevard comedy. When Jacqueline decides to visit her mother for a few days, her husband Bernard sees an opportunity for a cosy weekend with his mistress, with disastrous results. £12. The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk
Music 4 NOVEMBER
WHOLE LOTTA LED Since their formation in 1996, the band have continually led the field of Zep tributes and, with over 1,300 shows to their name, they have performed Stairway To Heaven more than any other band in the world – including the real Led Zeppelin. 7pm, £15. Komedia, www.komedia.co.uk
Picasso created 40 works inspired by Lydia Corbett, or Sylvette David as she was known then. Her own pen and ink, and ceramics work can be seen at David Simon Contemporary between 4 – 29 November, where her autobiography can also be purchased
a non-stop drive and energy, that infectiously spreads to the crowd. 7pm, £18. Komedia, www.komedia.co.uk 9 N OV E MBE R
8 NOVEMBER
BATH YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2016 Five talented young musicians have been invited to compete for this prestigious title, with last year’s winner Sebrina LambertRose and her cello, returning to perform. 7.30pm, £10/£5. The Pump Room, Bath; www.midsomersetfestival.org.uk 8 NOVEMBER
SKINDRED With a never-ending list of influences and musical genre infusions including rock, metal, dancehall, ska, jungle and many more, Skindred has it covered. Their songs incorporate themes of social unity and positivity in the face of political and social issues, whilst providing
THE ZOMBIES Since topping the US charts in 1964 with their debut single, the timeless She’s Not There, The Zombies are still giving audiences what they want after five decades. 6.30pm, £22.50. Komedia, www.komedia.co.uk 1 1 – 1 9 N OV E MER
BATH MOZARTFEST Over the past 26 years Bath Mozartfest has built an enviable reputation for artistic excellence in chamber and orchestral music. In its annual nine-day, 16-concert festival, it presents the finest classical music performed by world-renowned artists. For information on all concerts, venues and prices, please visit www.bathmozartfest.org.uk
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12 NO VEMBER
BATH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The programme takes the 400 years anniversary since Shakespeare’s death as its inspiration, and includes the much-loved, sparkling overture to Midsummers Night’s Dream, composed by a teenage Mendelssohn, and the dramatic overture Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky. 6.30pm, £15. Wiltshire Music Centre; www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk
Family fun 30 O C TO BER
DAY OF THE DEAD FIESTA Enjoy a fiesta to celebrate the Mexican festival of Day of the Dead, with sugar skulls, dancing skeletons, music from Mariachi Tequila and piles of marigolds. Fancy dress welcome. Drop-in, booking not necessary, recommended age 3+. 1pm-4pm, price included with gardens only admission. American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org
5 NO VEM B ER
BATH ROTARY CLUB FIREWORKS DISPLAY The Rotary Club of Bath will be holding their annual, and always astounding, fireworks display on the Bath Recreation Ground. Gates open 5.30pm for 7pm start, £6/£4. Bath Recreation Ground; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk 5 – 6 NOV EM B ER
THE OWL & THE PUSSYCAT This gorgeous new ballet takes a fresh and humorous look at the famous Edward Lear poem of those two seemingly mismatched lovers, who danced by the light of the moon. Suitable for 2+. £8.50. the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 8 – 12 NO V EM B ER
HORRIBLE HISTORIES BARMY BRITAIN From battling Boudicca to grooving with Queen Victoria, taking in Dick Turpin, Henry VIII and the plague along the way, this special w
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production of Barmy Britain, uses talented actors and stunning 3D Bogglevision, to ensure historical figures and events come alive. No wonder this has become the longest running children’s show in West End history. £24.50-£10.50. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 11 N O V E M B E R – 2 JANUARY 2 0 1 7
FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND AN EDWARDIAN CHRISTMAS IN LONGLEAT HOUSE Throughout the festive season of 2016, Longleat will be continuing their celebrations fit for a king by hosting a display of huge lanterns. Alongside the extravagant outdoor spectacles; Longleat prestigious Elizabethan stately home will be dressed in traditional Edwardian festive décor, plus listen out for the Amazing Singing Christmas Tree. Included in general admission prices. For more details, please visit www.longleat.co.uk 18 N O V E M B E R – 3 JANUARY 2 0 1 7
BATH ON ICE Blade runners get ready to experience ice skating in the centre of Bath when Bath’s festive outdoor real ice rink and Glow in the Dark Mini Golf return to Royal Victoria Park, along with an indoor fully-licensed bar and café. £7.25/£8.75. Royal Victoria Park; www.bathonice.com
Other 1 NOVEMBER
IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE This powerful and haunting film looks at noise pollution and represents it as a global crisis that negatively impacts upon us all on a daily basis. 6.15pm, £10.50. Little Theatre Cinema; www.picturehouses.com 1 NOVEMBER
CREATIVE BATH: BUSINESS BREAKFAST The Creative Bath Business Breakfasts provide an important forum for senior-level discussion about current opportunities and challenges in the creative sector. Along with the monthly opportunity for networking, there are round table discussions. 8am-10am, £10. Igloo, The Abbey Hotel; www.creativebath.org
2 N OV E MBE R
JEREMY PAXMAN The near-legendary Newsnight presenter and quiz master of University Challenge talks about his witty, incisive and frank memoirs Life In Questions. Organised by Topping & Company Booksellers. 7.30pm, £20 for book and voucher, which admits two people. Christ Church, Julian Road; www.toppingbooks.co.uk 3 – 1 3 N OV E MB ER
BATH FILM FESTIVAL The festival has renewed its fast-spreading championship of women in film by including even more F-Rated screenings in this 11-day programme of new-to-view and classic features, documentaries and shorts that will be screened all over the city, including at the Odeon multiplex, Komedia and Chapel Arts. Turn to page 13 for our story on visiting Finnish duo, FanGirl Quest, and for more information on dates, venues and pricing please visit www.bathfilmfestival.org.uk 7 N OV E MBE R
COLLECTIONS OF NAPOLEON & JOSEPHINE This lecture, conducted by the Bath Evening Decorative and Fine Arts Society, delves behind the scenes using their correspondence, to discover the hidden truths of this fascinating couple. 7.15pm, £8. BRLSI; www.bedfas.co.uk 1 7 N OV E MBE R
THE GREAT HOUSE LATE NIGHT SHOPPING EVENT, WITH KILVER COURT AND BATH LIFE A special event with mulled wine, seasonal entertainment, jolly activities and great shopping offers at The Christmas Room in Kilver Court Designer Village. For more details and an exciting reader offer, please turn to page 72. 5.30pm-8pm, free. Kilver Court Designer Village; www.kilvercourt.com 1 8 – 2 0 N OV E MBER
WALCOT WINTERFEST The amazing artisans, makers and businesses of Walcot have pooled their talents and organised three days of light displays, music, open studios, scavenger hunts, delicious food and much, much more. For more details visit their page on www.facebook.com
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Enjoy the sounds of Vervato, a Norwegian string quartet at the Bath Mozartfest; Some Skindred spirit from Newport rips it up at Komedia on 8 November
a r t ad v e r tising feat u r e
Find another Bath
A new book and exhibition, compiled by Anna Kot and Carlos Ordenez with Jacob Nash, in association with Fringe arts Bath, which celebrates the many faces of Bath, is about to launch...
Mark Thomas, In a Certain Way
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Sally Politzer, Pipe Dreams
“It is an exploration of how the Bath of yesterday is hidden underneath bath of today” quarrying of Bath stone, that not only built this city but also many buildings across the land. It also reveals the harsh reality of life for many of the city’s inhabitants – the slums of Avon Street, the workhouses and the nameless numbers buried in the Pauper's Grave at Odd Down. The extent of hardship and poverty that was as much part of Bath is highlighted by also contrasting this with the elegance and decadence that is more commonly associated with the Georgian city. While its radical past is also touched upon with references to Annie’s Arboretum, for instance and other outsiders that came here. But Find another Bath is not pretending to be anything more than an artist-led book. It does not present dates or list facts or place events in a coherent chronology and nor does it comment on what is presented. Instead it is a rich mix of works and subjects that celebrate the many facets of our city, but which also includes another, unexpected, theme – the effects of passing time and how things change, are erased, suppressed or forgotten. It is an exploration of how the Bath of yesterday is hidden under the Bath of today. The few square acres where nearly 4,000 people lived in the 19th-century has in recent years been
Marc Parrett, I love to Luff Photo by Beata Cosgrove
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ind another Bath is primarily an art book drawing together the creative talents of 40 local artists and writers – presenting aspects of Bath's often forgotten or neglected history – offering glimpses of the industrial story and lives of the working people who enabled this. The book launches on 15 November alongside an exhibition at the 44AD Art Gallery in Abbey Street which, until 20 November, will display a diverse collection of art genres and Sally Politzer, "Pipe styles, including paint, print, sculpture and Dreams" poetry as well as video and documentation from walks and performance. When you open the book's covers, you will discover both the traditional and the contemporary; the familiar alongside the more obscure. To produce these works, artists, performers and writers respond to lesser known aspects of Bath suggested to them or to an idea or interest of their own. The result is a surprising array of references that demonstrate where Bath has made its presence felt in the commercial, industrial and cultural landscape of Britain. For instance, the manufacture of cranes and invention of level-luffing at Stothert & Pitt that served the world; the first corset factory in the country which opened here in 1892; the busy textile mills in Twerton and the extensive
home to a car park, Bath College and is soon to become a landscaped riverside. Some of the mill buildings now house students and where miners worked in the 18th century, the Bath stone quarries which have been filled in and made safe by their 21st century counterparts. As well as celebrating some of the creative talent of the city and honouring Bath’s unsung deeper or darker history, Find another Bath also reminds us of the ongoing changing nature of the world around.
The exhibition will run at the 44AD Art Gallery in Abbey Street from Tuesday 15 – Sunday 20 November, 10.30am – 5.30pm. The book will be available to buy at the gallery during the exhibition or you can request a copy via email. For further information please contact anna@annakot.co.uk or ordonezc@btinternet.com or visit www.44AD.net
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Thursday 1st December 2016
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THE ROUTE to your
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(Fitzcarraldo, £14.99), again confining her own active voice to the sidelines and appearing in the book only to the extent that she is adding nuance and impact to the words of the firsthand witnesses she has interviewed. This time the subject matter is the collapse of the Soviet Union – the narrators collectively unpicking its impact on their day-to-day lives with a strong presence of nostalgia for aspects of life lost in the move towards a more capitalist society.
THIS TIME THE SUBJECT MATTER IS THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION
LIFE STORIES This week, discover the non-fiction masterpieces which have picked up literary gongs for their true excellence By N IC BO T T OM L E Y
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riefly, this month, I thought there was a new literary prize on the scene. Word came through of a particularly intriguing longlist for the ‘Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction’. What, I thought, will the folk at the ‘Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction’ be making of this upstart? But of course the Baillie Gifford is just the Samuel Johnson by a new name. If football’s ‘League’, ‘Milk’, ‘Littlewoods’, ‘Rumbelows’, ‘Coca-Cola’, ‘Worthington’, ‘Carling’, ‘Capital One’, ‘EFL’ Cup can live in a perpetual state of identity crisis; then why shouldn’t a literary gong be immune to the odd rebrand. In fact, it’s another indicator of the upwardly mobile book industry that a massive investment management company like Baillie Gifford is adding to its existing backing of litfests by boosting the nation’s leading award for non-fiction. And their faith has been rewarded by a longlist that is an advert for the vast potential scope of factual reading – biographies (auto and otherwise), nature-writing, travel, narrative journalism, history, art and science are all represented.
The life stories told by the books on the long-list range from Velazquez (in Laura Cumming’s The Vanishing Man) and Thomas de Quincey (in Frances Wilson’s Guilty Thing) to more recent characters. Author Margo Jefferson’s memoir Negroland (Granta, £12.99) shines a provocative light on her own background in privileged black Chicago – a world away from that city’s more volatile neighbourhoods. By sharing her own upbringing in this protected and atypical black community, Jefferson demonstrates how guilty we often are of simplifying society’s compartments and making assumptions about an individual’s perspectives on questions of class and race. Moving from West to East, when the 2015 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Svetlana Alexievich I was to be found, not for the first time, scratching my head and hastily researching the winner’s work. This autumn I’ve been catching up by reading Alexievich’s masterpiece of eye-witness history, Chernobyl Prayer (Penguin, £9.99) in which she gives eloquent voice to those whose lives were devastated by the Chernobyl disaster. Alexievich employs the same narrative tactics in the longlisted Second-Hand Time
Another man with a tough tale to tell is Libyan novelist Hisham Matar whose memoir The Return (Penguin, £14.99) recounts his quest to locate his father who was originally kidnapped when Matar was in his late teens. The fall of Gaddafi meant the opportunity for Matar to return to his homeland and attempt to trace his father after years living in distant European cities, laden with grief and feeding on unreliable scraps of news. The Return is an eye-opening account of just how soul-destroying it can be to be suddenly and irreparably separated from family, and homeland, by political conditions completely out of your control. The last long-listee I want to pick out is an eccentric one. In Being a Beast (Profile, £8.99) Charles Foster sets himself the challenge of experiencing the lifestyle of various indigenous species of British wildlife. And it turns out that when Foster decides to do something, he decides to do it properly! How can you get a badger’s view of the world, he reasons, unless you switch to a diet of worms and make an underground hole your home? True enough, but few would go through with it and fewer still would persuade their son to join the feral fun. Similarly bizarre, earthy and invariably comic episodes ensue as Foster goes on to seek empathy with the existence of red deer, otters, the urban fox and more, along the way creating a unique piece of nature-writing that succeeds in shedding a light on how the creatures around us live their lives. We eagerly await the news which of the 10 very different long-listed titles is going to pick up the Baillie Gifford Prize in November.
Nic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; 01225 331155; www.mrbsemporium.com
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a d v e r tisi n g feat u r e d e s i g n s e r v i c e s
Websites and houses – they’ve more in common than you think... Philip Field has been designing websites since setting up his own graphic design business in 2006. Having recently moved to Bath, Philip now operates both as a freelance graphic designer and photographer, working for individuals, start-ups and SME’s
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hen asked “What makes a great website?” Philip has an interesting analogy that might just prove useful if you’re in the market for a new website. “Building a website is much like building a house. If you’re after something special then you’d seldom employ a builder to do the whole job. Instead, you’d first seek out a great architect to fully understand your vision and requirements. It is their job to then exceed these dreams and develop an idea into a wonderful final design. Only when the plans are signed-off would you then assign a builder to construct the house (overseen by the architect). It is this exact process that a great website should follow except in this case, the architect has been replaced with a dedicated graphic designer and the builder with a specialist web developer.” The idea of employing a separate designer and developer may sound expensive, but Philip explains that receiving the very best in website design doesn’t mean breaking the bank. “We live in a connected world where highly talented freelancers work daily with one another through the internet. Combining these specialist skills is a powerful combination, and with no expensive business premises to cover, superb and highly effective websites can be created at very affordable prices.” There’s also no need to worry about managing lots of people, as Philip describes through his own experience. “When you use a freelance designer like myself, I am there to act as your personal
“I am there to act as your personal in-house creative”
in-house creative. I’ve formed great relationships with my clients over the years by offering a friendly, plain speaking (no techno jargon), start-to-finish service. When it comes to websites, I endeavour to meet up face to face and fully understand your requirements. I’ll then head off and digitally produce several concepts that within a couple of weeks will be presented to you. From there, the chosen design will be developed until finally a complete page-by-page preview of your website, both for desktop and mobile, will be delivered. Once signed-off, I will then issue the design to one of my trusted web developers to build the website to the very latest web standards. The entire process is project managed by myself until the site is launched in its full glory. On-going, all websites are designed to allow easy and full client access for updates and both myself and my developers are all locally based.” Philip’s clients also agree, with glowing five star reviews all around. Jack Cooper of Sands of Luce Holiday Park says,“Phil has a very professional approach to his work. His natural
creativity and highly developed understanding of web site design has resulted in a beautiful and efficient web site perfect for our needs. His services come highly recommended.” Philip Field lives in Lower Weston, Bath and works as a freelance graphic designer and photographer (including for Bath Life). From logos through to websites, brochures and wedding invites, Philip provides a one-stop shop for all things creative.
07538 075784 pf@philipfield.com www.philipfield.com
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60 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
R E S TA U R A N T
FOOD
The Park As Lucknam Park has just retained its Michelin star for the 12th consecutive year, LISA EVANS checks into the grand hotel to fine-dine in the splendour of its formal restaurant
I
’ve scarcely seen a grander sight as the one on approach to Lucknam Park. Via a magnificent, mile-long, beech tree-lined driveway, you reach the honey-hued mansion and you instantly feel as if you’re immersed in a period drama. After being shown around the spa – which has deluxe hydrotherapy and salt-water pools – within the hotel’s walled gardens, we’re taken to our room. Inside the grand and breathtaking suite proudly stands a four poster bed – dressed with Egyptian cotton no less – a sumptuous chaise lounge and stunning antique furniture, and in the marble underfloor-heated bathroom is the deepest free-standing bath I’ve ever seen up close. It also has the cosy seclusion of a separate sitting room in which to enjoy the warmth of an open fire. It’s a setting of pure splendour and refined extravagance and looks out over spectacular views of the handsome estate and exquisitely pruned gardens. Once settled, we head down to the majestic drawing room for preprandial champagne and top-notch canapés (and a meet-and-greet with the hotel dog, Daisy) before being escorted to the sophistication of The Park to commence our evening of fine dining under the sparkle of chandeliers. Before we indulge in the eight-course gourmet tasting menu – of which there’s a vegetarian version too – we absorb the decadent décor of the former ballroom and admire its high ceilings adorned with a sky fresco, all of which transports you to a bygone era of elegance. To start, for me, it’s crispy Ellbridge Farm quail eggs, sweet peas and girolles finished with sweet cubes of mint jelly, and for my dining partner there’s the confit of citruscured Duart salmon, avocado and pickled radish, topped with yuzu dressing. It’s a lovely touch to see how the dishes are served – always by two waiters, one holding the dishes on a silver platter while the other serves. Then come plates of pillow-soft tarragon gnocchi with heritage carrots and a flavoursome raisin and caper dressing; stacked Wye Valley asparagus and globe artichoke salad with Wiltshire truffle and creamy gribiche dressing; boat-fresh scallops with spiced pork croquette; and duck foie gras presented two ways, and served with pickled peach and a honey and chamomile jelly.
THE DISHES ARE PAINSTAKINGLY
PRESENTED WITH IMPRESSIVE TALENT BEHIND THE TASTE
The dishes are painstakingly executed with impressive talent behind the taste. We’re not surprised to learn that The Park has just retained its Michelin star for the 12th year running. The restaurant has a culinary brigade that goes from strength to strength, and two of executive chef Hywel Jones’ protégés have won their first stars this year too. Since his appointment in 2004, Hywel has raised the standards of the cuisine to a phenomenal level and is passionate about locally sourced ingredients including micro salads, vegetables and herbs from Lucknam’s own kitchen garden. Next out is a braised fillet of turbot and buttered iceberg and Cornish crab with neat, hand-rolled macaroni glistening with Wiltshire truffle butter; and a noticeably curry-flavoured lasagne stuffed with butternut squash, goats’ cheese and spinach, served with glazed onions and morel mushrooms. A particular stand-out dish of mine is the rich sweetcorn risotto mingled with spring onion, cep mushrooms and piquant sherry vinegar jelly cubes; and my dining partner’s showstopper is the Andrew Morgan blushing Brecon lamb two ways, with sweet peas, fondant new potato, grelot onion and girolles. The courses, although delectable and memorable on their own, are further lifted by wine pairings from the exceptionally thorough head sommelier Michael Myers who takes time to detail each wine – from the ‘English garden-scented’, palette-cleansing Danebury Madeleine Angevine from Hampshire, to the New Zealand Tinpot Hut Marlborough – and to answer any questions with a friendly, knowledgeable Californian charm. Before dessert, a theatrical trolley of British and continental farmhouse cheeses is rolled towards us and each of the blocks are explained before we make our selection, which is served with truffle honey, grapes and gossamer crackers, all washed down with Graham’s 10-year-old Tawny Port. The pre-dessert is a Heston-style miniature lollipop which fizzes and pops on the tongue and is served upsidedown in a sherbet-dusted shot glass. And to finish is a show-stopping Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée, gariguette strawberry salad, and fluffy mini strawberry doughnuts. Aside from its culinary excellence, there’s an awful lot to experience at Lucknam, and a night’s stay certainly isn’t enough time to enjoy it all. Along with a cookery school, there’s an equestrian centre within the 500-acres of unspoilt grounds, all meeting the same exacting standards of distinction and luxury that are synonymous with the award-winning country house hotel itself.
DINING DETAILS The Park restaurant at Lucknam Park Hotel, Spa and Estate, Colerne, Chippenham; 01225 742777; www.lucknampark.co.uk Prices The gourmet menu is priced from £95 to £110 per person Vegetarian choice Entirely inclusive, with extensive choice Wine list There’s an expert sommelier and impressive wine list featuring rare and aged world wines Rates Classic rooms from £290 per night, based on two adults sharing Service/atmosphere Extremely attentive, and opulent without being uptight
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D I N I N G A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
DINING in BATH Bath Life’s selection of the best places to eat out in Bath and the surrounding area
BRITISH THE BATH PRIORY Weston Rd, Bath; 01225 331922; www.thebathpriory.co.uk Michelin starred fine dining overlooking hotels award-winning gardens THE BEAUFORT 1 Beaufort, London Road, Bath; 01225 422033; www.thebeaufortbath.com Family run restaurant in the heart of Larkhall cooking creative, seasonal food CIRCUS RESTAURANT 34 Brock Street, Bath; 01225 466020; www.thecircusrestaurant.co.uk Voted number four in the UK in The Times “20 secret restaurants that foodies love” THE DOWER HOUSE, ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL 16 Royal Crescent, Bath; 01225 823333; www.royalcrescent.co.uk/dining AA 3 rosette fine dining at one of Bath’s most iconic locations HENRYS 4 Saville Row, Bath; 01225 780055; www.henrysrestaurantbath.com Imaginative modern dining offering a classic menu and also full vegetarian and vegan menus JOHANN LAFER, THE GAINSBOROUGH Beau St, Bath; 01225 358888; www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk Menus inspired by Johann Lafer’s “Dining Without Borders” philosophy MENU GORDON JONES 2 Wellsway, Bath; 01225 480871; www.menugordonjones.co.uk Multi award winning fine dining with constantly changing surprise tasting menu THE OLIVE TREE RESTAURANT, THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL Russell St, Bath; 01225 447928; www.thequeensberry.co.uk One of Bath’s longest established restaurants, overseen by Chris Cleghorn with 3 AA rosettes
CAFÉS & COFFEE SHOPS CAFÉ LUCCA 1-2 Bartlett Street, Bath; 01225 335394; 62 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
www.cafelucca.co.uk Stylish contemporary café situated at The Loft on Bartlett Street offering a Mediterranean inspired menu with barista coffee and sumptuous homemade cakes GREEN BIRD CAFÉ 11 Margaret's Buildings, Bath; 01225 487846; www.greenbirdcafe.co.uk Independently run cafe located between the Circus & Royal Crescent ST JAMES CAFÉ 5- 6 St James St, St James Square, Bath; 01225 336106 Recently refurbished café and deli THE KINGSMEAD KITCHEN 1 Kingsmead St, Kingsmead Square, Bath; 01225 329002; www.fieldfireandfeast.co.uk Laid-back, modern cafe-bar open daily from 8am until 6pm for breakfast, brunch, lunch and tea using own farm produce
THE CURFEW 11 Cleveland Pl, Bath; 01225 313747 www.thecurfewbath.co.uk Friendly central pub under new ownership. Bar food with locally sourced ingredients THE GARRICKS HEAD 7-8 St John's Rd, City Centre, Bath; 01225 318368; www.garricksheadpub.com City centre pub and dining room next to Theatre Royal THE HARE AND HOUNDS Lansdown Rd, Avon, Bath; 01225 482682; www.hareandhoundsbath.com Airy, relaxed spot with modern British gastropub menu, extensive wine list and scenic outdoor area
CALIFORNIAN
THE LOCKSBROOK INN 103 Locksbrook Rd, Bath; 01225 427119; www.thelocksbrookinn.com Recently opened canal side gastropub in Bath, open every day for drinks, brunch, coffee, lunch, evening meals and grazing in between
THE FIREHOUSE ROTISSERIE 2 John St, Bath; 01225 482070; www.firehouserotisserie.co.uk Californian and Tex-Mex dishes, prepared over a wood-fired grill in a rustic setting
THE MARLBOROUGH TAVERN 35 Marlborough Buildings; 01225 423731; www.marlborough-tavern.com Award winning gastropub using seasonal local produce
FRENCH
THE RICHMOND ARMS 7 Richmond Place, Bath; 01225 316725; www.therichmondarmsbath.com Hearty dishes with menu changing on a daily basis
LE BISTROT PIERRE Princes Buildings, 4 George St, Bath; 01225 321840; www.lebistrotpierre.co.uk/bath Regional French dishes
GASTROPUBS GPT SMOKEHOUSE 44-45 Lower Bristol Rd, Bath; 01225 429509; www.gptbath.com “Dude Food” menu cooked with authentic handmade American hot smoker KING WILLIAM 36 Thomas St, Bath; 01225 428096; www.kingwilliampub.com Pub with an upstairs dining room serving a modern British menu based on west country produce THE CHEQUERS 50 Rivers St, Bath; 01225 360017; www.thechequersbath.com Inventive British food served in a welcoming pub atmosphere close to the Royal Crescent
INDIAN THE EASTERN EYE 8a Quiet St, Bath; 01225 422323; www.easterneye.com Classic traditional Bengali cuisine in grand Georgian interior space THE MINT ROOM Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Rd, Bath; 01225 446656; www.themintroom.co.uk Creative and classic Indian cuisine in a contemporary setting
ITALIAN MARTINI RESTAURANT 8-9 George St, Bath; 01225 460818; www.martinirestaurant.co.uk Traditional Italian food served in a cosy atmosphere
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E D I N I N G
PONTE VECCHIO Spring Gardens Rd, Bath; 01225 466833; www.pontevecchiobath.com Fantastic central location next to Pulteney Bridge SOTTO SOTTO 10 N Parade, Bath; 01225 330236; www.sottosotto.co.uk Classic Italian menu with a contemporary twist in candlelit vaulted cellars
MOROCCAN TAGINE ZHOR 1a North Parade, Bath; 01225 466437; www.taginezhor.co.uk Bath’s only Moroccan restaurant serving authentic cuisine in atmospheric surroundings
PIZZA DOUGH The Corridor, Bath; 01225 443686; www.doughpizzarestaurant.co.uk World class pizza from Massimo Nucaro
THE OVEN 21 Westgate St, Bath; 01225 311181; www.theovenpizzeria.co.uk Neapolitan artisan pizza using local and Italian imported produce REAL ITALIAN PIZZA CO 16 York St, Bath; 01225 330121; www.realitalianpizza.co.uk Family owned pizzeria. Wood fired pizza with fresh authentic ingredients
STEAK HOUSES THE HERD 12a Argyle St, Bath; 01225 316583; www.theherdrestaurant.co.uk Locally sourced meat of the finest provenance alongside a simple, seasonal menu HUDSON STEAKHOUSE 14 London St, Bath; 01225 332323; www.hudsonsteakhouse.co.uk Award winning steakhouse in listed building specialising in prime aged steaks and delicious starters with a fusion twist
TAPAS MADRID 5 Chapel Row, Bath; 01225 423417; www.madrid-tapas-bath.com Bringing a taste of Madrid to Bath – traditional Spanish tapas with a modern twist OLÉ TAPAS 1 John Street, Bath; 01225 466440; www.oletapas.co.uk Charming, authentic Spanish tapas – one of Bath’s best kept secrets
THAI KOH THAI TAPAS 36 Broad St, Bath; 01225 311232; www.koh-thai.co.uk Award winning small Thai tapas plates and cocktails THAI BY THE WEIR 16 Argyle St, Bath; 01225 444834; www.thaibytheweir.co.uk Restaurant overlooking the weir, serving a classic Thai menu
OUTSIDE of BATH BRITISH THE FIELD KITCHEN 1 Brook Ln, Holt BA14 6RL; 01225 784081; www.glovefactorystudios.com/kitchen Serving fresh seasonal dishes within the Glove Factory Studios THE GREENHOUSE RESTAURANT The Pavilion, Wadswick Green, Corsham SN13 9RD; 01225 585880; www.thegreenhousewg.co.uk Smart, stylish and relaxed new dining destination
COUNTRY HOUSE HOTELS LUCKNAM PARK Colerne, Wilts, SN14 8AZ; 01225 742777; www.lucknampark.co.uk Michelin Star fine dining at the renowned Park restaurant and more informal dining at the stylish contemporary brasserie at 5 star country house hotel WIDBROOK GRANGE HOTEL Trowbridge Rd, Bradford-on-Avon
BA15 1UH; 01225 864750; www.widbrookgrange.co.uk Modern farmhouse cuisine, locally sourced and freshly prepared
GASTROPUBS BIDDESTONE ARMS Biddestone, Wilts SN14 7DG; 01249 714377; www.biddestonearms.co.uk Whitewashed country pub with upmarket, robust British fare in a beautiful Cotswold stone village BUNCH OF GRAPES 14 Silver St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1JY; 01225 938088; www.thebunchofgrapes.com Bar and restaurant inspired by the village bistros of South West France THE FOX AT BROUGHTON GIFFORD The Street, Broughton Gifford, Wilts, SN12 8PW; 01225 782949; www.thefox-broughtongifford.co.uk Famous for Sunday Lunches using own produce and wide range of beers and wines
THE LAMB ON THE STRAND 99 The Strand, Semington, Trowbridge BA14 6LL; 01380 870263; www.thelambonthestrand.co.uk Classic British menus and real ales in a family-run pub and restaurant, plus a garden with kids' playground THE LONGS ARMS Upper South Wraxall, Wilts, BA15 2SB; 01225 864450; www.thelongsarms.com Award winning modern British food and cask ales in country inn THE PEAR TREE INN Top Ln, Whitely, Wilts; SN12 8QX; 01225 704966; www.peartreewhitley.co.uk An elegant revamped country inn with an acclaimed restaurant and contemporary rustic-chic bedrooms
FARM SHOPS MEADGATE FARM SHOP Weekesley Ln, Timsbury, BA2 0NH; 01761 470089; www.meadgatefarmshop.co.uk Shop and café selling local produce
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F O R BO OKING S PH O NE
01 225 4436 86
1 4 – 1 6 T H E CO R R I D O R , BAT H
C H R I S T M A S M E N U AVA I L A B L E 24 N OV E M B E R – 24 D E C E M B E R Prosecco on arrival • Chef’s special sharing platter, speciality doughs • Metre pizza (choose your own toppings) • Glass of wine or soft drink • Neapolitan baba and panettone • Limoncello liqueur £30 per person
D O U G H P I Z Z A R E S TA U R A N T. C O . U K
CHEZ DOMINIQUE Modern French Dining in Bath
Family run and providing quality food and service since 1985 SAME QUALITY, SAME SERVICE, NEW LOOK.
chezdominique.co.uk 15 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ 01225 463482
CHRI S BOO TMAS NOW KINGS BE TAKE ING N
1-2 New Street, Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AF Tel: 01225 466377 www.pekingrestaurantbath.co.uk a @PekingBath f pekingrestaurant Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 noon – 2.00pm and 6.00pm – 10.30pm | Closed Sundays.
We are a friendly, family owned inn offering hearty home cooked food, in a small country village setting. Whether you are local or travelling from further afield, you are guaranteed a warm welcome.
Christmas menu out now PUB • RESTAURANT • FUNCTION ROOM • ACCOMMODATION
Quality food • Great location • Free delivery
Our new website is now LIVE! Please use the code: ILOVESUSHI to get 10% discount. www.bathsushi.co.uk 01225 330508 3 Victoria Buildings, Bath BA2 3EH
Tunley Road, Tunley BA2 0EB • 01761 470408 Email: kingwilliamtunley@live.com • f T @kingwilliam84 www.kingwilliaminn.co.uk
Come and join in the fun at Martini Restaurant. Book your Chirstmas party with us today - our full Christmas menus are available online now!
Fur and Feathers A dining event celebrating the best in British game on Friday 18th November To celebrate the launch of the shooting season our executive chef Phillip Carroll has devised a locally sourced menu to showcase the best in British game. Join us for pre-dinner drinks and canapés followed by a sumptuous six course fur and feathers meal. Arrive for drinks at 7.00pm, and take your seats for dinner at 7.30pm. Booking is essential, please call
01225 864750 or email us to book.
THE MENU £37.50 per head Drinks 7pm on arrival – Spiced pear Collins Followed by Pheasant canapés Sausage roll, scotch egg, satay Dinner to be served at 7.30pm Widbrook rabbit, parsnip & blackberry broth, sage fritters Seared pigeon breast, spiced pear soufflé, walnut bread Smoked Highland venison, caramelized red cabbage, bitter chocolate, baby turnip fondants Watermelon ice Eve’s pudding, homemade clotted cream, apple doughnuts Coffee & Tiffin
Widbrook Grange Hotel Bradford on Avon BA15 1UH stay@widbrookgrange.co.uk • www.widbrookgrange.co.uk widbrookgrangehotel
@widbrookgrange
8/9 George Street, Bath BA1 2EH Tel: 01225 460818 reservations@martinirestaurant.co.uk www.martinirestaurant.co.uk
The
Guildhall Delicatessen
Situated in Bath’s famous indoor market
We stock a wide range of vegan, vegetarian and meat based products as well as delicious cakes and Bath Buns. Ideal for lunches, any time snacks or winter warmers. Come and order you food and collect it when you need it. We can even cater for small business lunches. Our range includes: Vegan, lamb or chicken samosas, veggie or meat pasties, bhajis, vegan or pork sausage rolls and veggie or pork scotch eggs. We also stock a range of speciality scotch eggs, pies and vegetarian quiches. Why not add a Lovely juice drink to your lunch time selection.
Open Mon - Sat, 9.30 - 17.00
www.thesweettricycle.co.uk
#thesweettricycle
helen@thesweettricycle.co.uk 07951 205409
St. James’s Café ~ Deli Freshly Prepared Daily:
h Lunch g h Breakfast g h Food to go g h Ready Meals g h Smoothies g h Cake g h Speciality Tea g h Coffee g
8 Guildhall Market, Bath BA2 4AW • Tel: 01225 427195 email: guildhall-deli@hotmail.co.uk twitter: @GuildhallDeli
Editor, Salisbury Life We're currently looking for an experienced, talented and highly motivated editor for our Salisbury Life magazine (based at our Bath office). You’d need great organisational and grammatical skills, creative nous, social media know-how, pin-sharp attention to detail, a passion for magazines and an ability to meet deadlines, along with being a top team player. If you think this sounds like you, please contact Deri Robins: deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk
Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm • Saturday 8am - 4pm Closed Sundays
5/6 St James's St, Bath BA1 2TW Phone: 01225 336106
www.mediaclash.co.uk
FOOD & DRINK W H AT ’ S M A K I N G T H E G O U R M E T N E W S I N B AT H
Lizzie really nose her stuff
Café owners Lucy and Andy gather their thoughts
MAKES SENSE
GATHER TOGETHER IN THEIR NAME The first year can be particularly hard for businesses, and none more so than restaurants and cafés, so Gather is proud to be celebrating a successful 12 months. Lucy Loran, who co-owns the Batheaston café with husband Andy, explains, “We wanted to open a food place 12 years ago but with four young children, the timing wasn’t right. “Then we realised following your dream would be a good example to set them. And so we established a café, one which we would
love to go to ourselves – quality food, in a thoughtfully-sourced interior, with a relaxing environment.” The couple, who also run Loran and Co, which specialises in refashioned furniture, plan to have more evening and social events with guest cooks. “These could be already established chefs, or maybe people who are thinking of a career change, but can’t afford to commit to running their own restaurant.”
Aromas are as much as part of the enjoyment of food as taste, and from 31 October, guests at Francis Hotel, Bath, will be able to indulge in afternoon tea and cocktails, which have been created with scent in mind. Renowned scent historian Lizzie Ostrom explains, “I have created three new fragrance collections inspired by the heritage, personality and individual stories of the three Sofitel hotels, including the Francis.” She has drawn on the hotel’s unique positioning and from archival research on eighteenth and nineteenth century perfume. “Guests can also learn about some of the individual notes and materials that make up each scent, via the specially-created signature cocktail and afternoon tea,” adds Lizzie.
For more: www.gathercafe.co.uk
For more: www.francishotel.com
CLIFTON SAUSAGE IS ON A ROLL
The Clifton Sausage is doing a Bath / Bristol mash up
The Clifton Sausage restaurant and bar made its way to Bath on 22 October. Simon Quarrie, who has run the Clifton village sausage-centric eaterie in Bristol with his wife, Joy, for two years, explains, “Last year our customers ate more than 100,000 sausages and we made ten tonnes of mash by hand. And now we are able to offer Bath our unique service of classic British food”. They moved into the Bladud Buildings on the site previously occupied by The Cowshed, and along with bangers, they are also offering many British classics on their menu, including roast dinners, game specials and steak and chips. For more: www.cliftonsausage.co.uk
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Christmas at
KILVER COURT We’ve teamed up with Kilver Court Designer Village to offer our readers the perfect late-night Christmas shopping experience…
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n 17 November, Kilver Court Designer Village – created by Mulberry founder and English designer Roger Saul – is exclusively inviting all Bath Life readers to visit their ‘most magical room of the year’, The Christmas Room at The Great House, for a late-night holiday shopping experience like no other. At the event, discover festive delights from Christmas trees, wreaths, decorations, cards and wrapping to lifestyle gifts, fashion and food and drink. FOOD • Creighton’s Chocolaterie • Barú Chocolate • Hadji Bey’s • Truffle Hunter • Bay Tree
GIFTS • Daylesford • Joseph Joseph • Neom • Men’s Society • Garden Trading • Jelly Cat • House of Marbles
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Whether your go-to style is inspired by Nordic, vintage, kitsch or woodland looks, search for your perfect Christmas story and style here. Choose overtly dazzling electric blue peacocks and purple velour stags, or go for the old-world glamour of tarnished gunmetal, pewter and copper decorations. Not only is The Great House a festive feast for the eyes, seasonal treats for your taste buds await, as does a delight for the ears as the All Halls Chapel Choir will be singing carols to add some festive cheer. To top it off, all Bath Life readers who visit the exclusive event will recieve special gifts throughout the night, as well as a free gift wrapping service. CHRISTMAS • Broste Copenhagen • Gisela Graham • Treasure Tree • PomPom Galore
Above: The Christmas Room at Kilver Court’s Great House; below: Gisela Graham decorations; opposite page, clockwise from top left: assorted decoration and woodlandinspired carvings; shoppers at the designer village, creator of Kilver Court and Mulberry founder, Roger Saul
READERS OFFER
SHOPPING
THE DETAILS: Date: Thursday, 17 November Time: 5.30pm – 8pm Taste: Mulled wine and mince pies Hear: All Hallows Prep School Choir Receive: Special gifts with purchases when you spend over £20, and gift wrapping service on the night www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 73
Our chosen charity for 2016 is Unicef. Supporting children in danger worldwide.
My Small World
Private Shopping Nights!
My Small World Little Southgate, Bath Tel. 01225 938338
BARTLETT STREET
ANTIQUES
Offering a diversity and quality of stock to rival London’s Bond Street or the Portobello Road. For the most comprehensive collection of quality Antiques, Jewellery, Fine Silver, Vintage Collectables and Fine Art outside of London with in-house working Goldsmiths. Over 70 specialist dealers showing on stands and displaying in showcases.
#BartlettStreetQuarter Bartlett Street Antiques Centre 8 Bartlett Street Bath BA1 2QZ • Email: bartlettstreet@yahoo.co.uk Open 10am - 4.30pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays and Public Holidays
To contact individual dealers by telephone please use our website:
www.bartlettstreetantiquescentre.com
GoldHandmade & Platinum Studio and Bespoke Jewellery
Fine jewellery designed and traditionally crafted on the premises Bespoke I Valuations I Remodelling I Repairs I Resizing 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR I Tel: 01225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk I Email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk
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UNLEASH YOUR INNER MAGPIE WITH THESE GLISTENING TREATS
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1. GILTY PLEASURES
2. GOOD AS GOLD
3. LIGHT THE WAY
4. IN HER SHOES
5. PUT A RING ON IT
Suzie Horan cuff, £290 There’s an exciting opportunity to collect some exhibition-quality pieces of art in Bath right now, which have been handcrafted by some of the best silversmiths in the country From The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath; www.holburne.org
Angel wing pendant, £325 Crafted in yellow gold and set with an oval pink sapphire, this beautifully detailed necklace will bring together an outfit perfectly From Gold and Platinum Studio, 19 Northumberland Place, Bath; www. goldandplatinumstudio. co.uk
Multa lamp, POA With its shiny pewter flamingo legs and its glorious multicolour feathery shade, this lamp, designed and made in Bath, will make a loud and proud statement in the home From Temple & Ivy; www.templeandivy.com
Buell boots, £170 Designed in Frome, these rustic bronze leather ankle boots are the perfect dayto-night footwear From Ted & Muffy, 33 Milsom Street, Bath; www.tedandmuffy.com
Life’s Journey ring stack, from £35 A part of the latest own-brand collection to launch at Bath’s Fabulous, the rings’ shapes and finishes represent the detours and challenges we face in life From Fabulous, 17 St Lawrence Street, SouthGate, Bath; www.fabulouscollections.co.uk
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ED’S CHOICE
SHOPPING
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6. FLYING HIGH
7. LISTEN UP
8.THE WRITE STUFF
9. SPLISH SPLASH
10. TIME TO REFLECT
Butterfly mirror, £150 This beautifully delicate mirror surrounded by gold butterflies makes for a cheerful and uplifting wall display From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen. co.uk
Bose QuietComfort headphones, £289.95 Drown out background sounds, ditch the wires and lose yourself in the music with these slick, noisecancelling headphones From Farpoint, The Old Red House Bakery, 90c Walcot Street, Bath; www.farpoint.me
Lamy Special edition fountain pen, £425 The pen comes with a brushed, galvanic surface and 14-karat gold nib, creating a sensual writing experience From Woods the Stationers, 12 Old Bond Street, Bath; www. woodsthestationers.co.uk
Bateau Bath, £4,350 Handmade from solid copper and finished in hand-plated tin, submerge yourself in pure luxury with this traditional-meetscontemporary bath From Brissi, 38 Milsom Street, Bath; www.brissi.com
Borealis spoon rest, £16 With its hammered, light-reflecting finish, this stainless steel spoon rest is a stylish way to keep your surfaces spotless From Anthropologie, 1-4 New Bond Street, Bath; www.anthropologie.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE LIFE II 77 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON 69
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LULLABY of BROAD STREET We chat to some of Broad Street’s biggest characters to find out more about the diverse and intriguing selection of boutiques and stores that reside here
S
By L I SA E VA NS Portraits and street view by JESPER MATTIAS
teeped in history, Broad Street is known for its many one-of-a-kind businesses and fabulous sense of community spirit. From fine art and specialist magazine galleries to designer label boutiques and an American-inspired makeup bar, we delve into some of its best shops, get to know the passionate local traders and remind ourselves why the thoroughfare is truly great – something internationally famous designer Matthew Williamson already knew when he handpicked one of the street’s retailers to stock his new furniture range...
ARTS AND CREATIVES
Her first job in the arts was one in which she put her classics degree to good use by working with police to track stolen or looted antiques from around the world, and now Jeni Weinberger has set up her own gallery on Broad Street. “I’ve always worked in the art world, from major auction houses to independent dealers, and for the past 15 years, for myself,” says Jeni who, along with Sian Piper, owns the newly opened Art Salon. “We specialise in exhibiting, selling and discussing British modern and contemporary fine 86 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
art as well as key pieces of 20th century design and furniture from the Georgian period to the modern day. “By working closely with young designers and artists from around Britain we grow alongside them and give them a place amongst the established masters.” The decision to set up shop in Broad Street was an easy one for Jeni who was attracted by its almost entirely independent nature and its hardworking community. “It’s so far from run of the mill, it’s like a breath of fresh air. It even has its own car park. One of my favourite businesses on the street is Magalleria – a minefield of stunning imagery and intelligent conversation. It’s a quietly spoken shop with a lot to shout about. The collection of worldwide magazine publications is second to none, and the owner’s knowledge and passion is thoroughly contagious.” Daniel McCabe, who co-owns Magalleria with former archaeologist Susan Greenwood, believes that the business may be the only in Europe which purely retails carefully selected magazines in such depth. “We sell fine, independent and specialist magazines,” says Daniel, who used to work in
Clockwise, from top left: Daniel McCabe, co-owner of Magalleria; Andrew Craske, owner of Audience; the historic Broad Street; Ann-Marie James, who co-owns Rossiters of Bath with her husband, Peter
A MINEFIELD OF STUNNING IMAGERY AND INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION, IT’S A QUIETLY SPOKEN SHOP WITH A LOT TO SHOUT ABOUT
STREET LIFE
book publishing. “The ones people tell us they read or hear about but never get to see. “We conceived the shop as an airy, gallerytype space with a range of about 150 well-chosen magazines decorating the shelves like works of art (because often they are). Today we carry over 700 titles from all over the world and it looks more like a sort of bazaar, which I much prefer. You can really dig around to find stuff. Or just come in and ask, of course.” For him, Broad Street has a distinctly independent look and feel, with a healthy balance of old and new businesses. “We have great neighbours, from The Knob Connection to Mack Daddy’s. I’m told this was traditionally the street you went to for a haircut. We have three excellent barbers beside us, so that hasn’t really changed.”
“Broad Street is very eclectic with lots of oneof-a-kind independent retailers,” says director Daniela Benson who owns the shop wither two sisters. I love having a browse around Rossiters to look for homey bits.” Along with the melting pot of fashion and accessories stores in Milsom Place which can be accessed from Broad Street, you’ll find bespoke creations in the jewellery, fine art and craft boutique Icarus. The business is owned by Dilek Koroglu, who designs many of her own pieces, along with being a journalist and human rights activist when she’s not at the shop. Most, if not all of the businesses on the street have owners at the helm who have colourful stories to tell. Take makeup teacher Katherine Spreadbury for example. She has brought an USA vibe to Bath with her Little Lab brand. She trained in makeup and hair in New York and in LA, in one of the most highly regarded makeup schools in America, and was taken under the wing of Patrice Miranda, the chief makeup and hair artist to Madonna, Britney Spears and Sir Paul McCartney. Katherine has also worked on large-scale campaigns for the likes of Burberry and Vogue.com. Her business specialises in makeup workshops and airbrushing, has an award-winning nail bar and offers professional products sourced from the USA. “We were the first company to bring the Airpod Airbrush kit for consumers in the UK,” she says. “We have grown massively over the past two years; grown our team, expanded our services and created a very modern brand for Bath. We’re excited for what next year brings.” She believes Broad Street to be a perfect destination for her business as it’s “visible but slightly off the beaten track so we can provide a calm and premium service for our regular and new clients”. “There are some amazing independent shops here,” she adds. “I love Best of British for Sarah’s amazing cakes.” w
HAIR, BEAUTY AND FASHION
Clockwise, from top left: Founder of Little Lab, Katherine Spreadbury; Kirstie Davey, one of the three sisters who own Grace & Mabel; Sarah Greenwell, who runs the Best of British deli; artwork at Mack Daddy’s salon
Mack Daddy’s – which specialises in creative cutting and colours for ladies and gents – is a place where the lines between art and hairstyling blur in the best of ways. “We don’t sing from the same hymn sheet as other salons, we are different,” says Sean Homes, hair stylist and owner of Mack Daddy’s. “We have a monthly urban art exhibition on the second floor, which is great to pop into and check out the amazing collections that we feature, and have drink before moving on to another bar. Music is a large influence on our working environment, too – kicks off a Friday nicely.” Another shop with a difference is fashion boutique and quirky lifestyle gift retailer Grace & Mabel. At the store, you’ll find individual designer labels – such as Paul Smith, Malene Birger, Ilse Jacobsen and Munthe – that have been individually handpicked. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 87
STREET LIFE FOOD AND DRINK
“I’m an Australian running the Best of British,” laughs Sarah Greenwell, owner of the deli which is popular for its made-to-order sandwiches, homemade quiches, cakes, sausage rolls and salads. “I took over the business just over three years ago and have seen the shop get busier and busier. Not only do we do the day-to-day sandwiches, but we also cater for business lunches and have recently catered for a wedding.” The location is a definite plus in Sarah’s eyes, too. “It’s a fabulous little community full of friends who support each other and sometimes drink together. I love Annette from Boho and all the amazing clothes I get from her, as well as Maggie and the ladies at Definition – they always dress me up for special occasions. All the guys at Broad Street Studio and Jay at Dappa will always have a laugh with me, too.”
HOME INTERIORS
This autumn, internationally renowned fashion designer Matthew Williamson personally chose Rossiters of Bath as a stockist for his first bespoke furniture collection with Duresta. “Duresta works with the best furniture retailers across the globe,” he tells us exclusively. “We carefully handpicked those we felt would be passionate about the collection and excited to introduce it to their most valued customers. I am very confident Rossiters of Bath will draw on its design expertise to inspire customers to create their own, personalised Duresta for Matthew Williamson pieces. “Bath is a wonderful, inspiring city steeped in history,” he adds. “I’ve visited a few times in the past but now have all the more reason to come and visit as I know my designs will be very at home here.” The department store – specialising in
88 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Top: Jeni Weinberger, the owner of the newly opened Art Salon Bottom: Icarus’s owner Dilek Koroglu
YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED. FOR ONE STREET, IT’S INCREDIBLY DIVERSE
“everything useful and beautiful for the home as well as gorgeous gifts for everyone” – is owned by husband and wife Ann-Marie and Peter James. “Rossiters is 55 years old this year and since opening in has significantly grown in size, consistently identifying new design talent and discerning which new trends will most appeal to our customers,” says Ann-Marie. “We opened a second store in 2007 and a fully transactional website in 2012. We have recently introduced Matthew Williamson’s first furniture collection and luxury fashion brand Winser London.” It’s not just the shops that’s have advanced and progressed, the street itself and its offering of interior-based companies has too, so says Michelle Sames, the director of The Salcombe Trading Company, where you’ll find a unique blend of Scandinavian interiors and British artisans’ work. “Broad Street has developed greatly since we moved here eight years ago,” she says. “We share our customers with our neighbours, such as Mandarin Stone, to offer a full service for an interior makeover.” Ros Butt, the Bath studio shop manager at Robert Welch – an award-winning company creating luxury cutlery, kitchen utensils and tableware – agrees. “The street is a go-to for interior design,” she says. “You can get everything you need, from bathroom tiles at Fired Earth to hi-fi and home cinema from Audience. For one street, it’s incredibly diverse; we have independent hairdressers, cafés, pubs and even a makeup bar. You really can do all your shopping here and then grab a bite to eat at the likes of Koh Thai Tapas and Taka Taka. “It also has a wealth of history. I recently learnt that Broad Street derives its name not from the width of the street but after the prominent broadcloth weavers who lived here at the height of the wool trade in the late Middle Ages.”
Now Open 21 Broad Street Bath BA1 5LN artsalon.co.uk 01225 422220 Fine Art Furniture Design
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Bath’s ďŹ nest bespoke tailoring, dressmaking and alterations service We cater for all types of tailoring from handmade business suits to bespoke garments for both men and women
25 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG t: 01225 920 263 info@citytailors.co.uk www.citytailors.co.uk
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E V E T E R I N A RY C A R E
MOBILITY IS THE KEY... Is your pet slower to get up after lying down? Do they have problems jumping in and out of the car? Are they less keen to exercise?
I
f you have noticed any of the above changes in your pet then they may be suffering from arthritis or painful joints. It is a very common disease in both dogs and cats and surprisingly studies suggest as many as 90 per cent of cats in the UK over 12 years old may be affected. Arthritis is a progressive deterioration of joint function usually, but not exclusively, seen in older animals. Joint problems occur when normal cartilage wears away faster than it can be replaced and this leads to the joint becoming swollen and painful. Signs of arthritis that you, the owner, may notice include: ● Lameness / limping ● Stiff gait ● Reluctance to exercise or to jump up or down from heights ● Lack of grooming in cats ● Increased periods of sleep and decreased interaction with the owner ● In-growing / longer claws ● Withdrawn behaviour People often report these issues are aggravated by prolonged periods of exercise; by long periods of rest / lying down and by
cold, damp weather. Although joint issues can often not be reversed, there are usually ways you and your vet can help manage your pet’s problems to keep them mobile and comfortable. Simple measures include: ● Weight reduction for pets that are classed as being overweight or obese; ● Correct exercise - little and often exercise and avoidance of soft surfaces such as sand and high impact surfaces such as pebbles; ● Medications such as anti-inflammatories; ● Non-pharmacological treatments including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, laser treatment and acupuncture; ● Diets designed to support joint function and joint supplements, such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, or green lipped mussel extract. Other lifestyle changes can be helpful too, for example: ● Ramps or steps to get in and out of the car or onto the sofa, ● Padded bedding, ● Dog coats to help keep joints warm ● Horizontal scratching posts for cats.
If you think your pet may be suffering with painful joints, please contact your local vet’ or vet nurse who will be able to examine your cat or dog fully and offer you advice and guidance that will help you find ways to enhance your pet’s quality of life.
Lisa Walters, Registered Vet Nurse Bath Veterinary Group Rosemary Lodge, Wellsway, Bath BA2 5RL 01225 832521 www.bathvetgroup.co.uk
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Professional studio Families Portraits Events Weddings
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HOMESTAY HOSTS IN BATH to host both short-term and long-term students. We teach adults and teenagers, and need both single and twin-room accommodation. For further details, including rates of payment, please contact our Accommodation Manager: Sarah Wringer, KIE Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB Direct Line (01225) 473502, Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com
Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions
B AT H G E T S S ER I O US The Resourceful Earth team are raring to go
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE
“I HAD LUNCH NEAR ST MARK’S SQUARE AND RETURNED THE SAME DAY – BEST DAY TRIP EVER”
RENEWABLE ENERGY
FULL OF ENERGY A renewable energy power station gets underway near Keynsham Resourceful Earth has started construction of the £8million renewable energy power station at Queen Charlton Quarry, near Keynsham. By late spring 2017, the completed plant, which will also create 20 job opportunities, will convert waste food into enough electricity to power 80 per cent of Keynsham’s homes which, once approval has been gained, local residents and businesses will be able to purchase at a discount. Nicholas Stubbs, the company’s director, explains, “This safe and proven technology, known as anaerobic digestion or AD, uses ‘decompositor’ bacteria to create odourless methane gas from organic waste, such as food. Methane, i.e. mains gas, is then fuel for large generators, producing power. The digestion occurs in a sealed system to capture all of the gas while protecting the environment. At the end of the process, the pasteurised nutrient-rich leftover material, known as digestate, becomes an excellent natural fertiliser for farmland.”
She continues, “We are absolutely delighted to be making this huge leap towards a sustainable future. AD is incredibly good at reducing global warming – so much so that, in this one project, we will offset the entire carbon footprint of Keynsham. We must all play our part if we are to avoid a global disaster.” Councillor Martin Veal believes that this project is exactly what B&NES needs, “Through our core strategy, the council is very keen to increase the amount of renewable energy generated in the district and to improve further the responsible management of food and other biodegradable waste. The renewable energy power station at Queen Charlton Quarry is an excellent example of local entrepreneurs tackling the challenge of climate change head on, and we wish them every success.” For more: www.resourcefulearth.co.uk
This well-travelled person likes to lunch in style. Find out who on page 100
£8m THE BIG NUMBER
The cost of the renewable energy power station at near Keynsham. See more opposite
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BUSINESS INSIDER
ONE TO WATCH
STEVE GILES
We talk travel tips, the effect of the internet and a day trip to Venice with the travel expert and co-founder of the new Bath-based travel agency, C The World
Where are you from? I was born and bred in Bath and have lived here my whole life, as did my parents. What did you want to be when you were growing up? I dreamed of being a long-distance truck or train driver; my desire to travel was born early! Who has inspired you throughout your career? My father. Like his father before him, he started work on the railways for GWR, before progressing to Thomas Cook who organised rail journeys around Europe. From there, he went into travel and eventually co-founded World Market Travel with his brother, Tim. When I left college in 1983, I joined the company, and he inspired, guided and taught me most of what I know. My mother and sister also worked there. My dad also worked closely with Julie Pymm, and we’ve been colleagues since 1985, and have since gone on to found C The World. How does C The World make itself a viable alternative to people booking online themselves? C The World Bath has 97 years of travel industry experience, and by knowing our clients’ requirements, we can cut through the vast amount of, often confusing, online information. For example…? It can take someone who’s been there to really add value. For example, on an African safari, there are specific guides in each camp who are better suited to honeymooners, young families or solo travellers. Without first-hand experience of this, you’d never know, but details like this can make or break your holiday. How does C The World intend to grow? We’ve opened two branches, one in Bristol and one 100 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
in Bath, but our goal is not to open as many offices as possible. We’re motivated to provide the best service in our area, so we’re focusing on what we already have, rather than looking to expand beyond those borders.
As day trips go, Steve found that Venice really floated his boat
What changes have you seen over the years in your field? Because of the internet, people are more knowledgeable and well informed, which means they have a better idea of what they want from a holiday, which assists us. The online revolution has also enabled us to reach customers around the world, grow our database, communicate more efficiently and keep up to date with the latest trends in the travel industry. Where was the first place abroad you visited, and what has been your most memorable trip? My first visit abroad was to Amsterdam at the age of 18, and the one journey that particularly stands out is flying supersonic on Concorde to Venice. I had lunch near St Mark’s Square and returned the same day – best day trip ever! What has been your dream holiday? Flying business class to Australia was a fantastic start to a wonderful holiday which included visiting Perth, Ayres Rock, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as calling in on Singapore and Bangkok. Two top travel tips please... Do you really need everything you are planning on taking? Probably not. Be ruthless with your packing. The usual rule is put half the clothes back in the wardrobe. And the second – take more spending money.
For more: www.ctheworld.co.uk
I DREAMED OF BEING A LONGDISTANCE TRUCK OR TRAIN DRIVER; MY DESIRE TO TRAVEL WAS BORN EARLY!
BUSINESS INSIDER
MOVERS, SHAKERS, ETC
The spirited Chris Cook, Jeff Williams, Nathan Catt and Matt Garvey
Sarah Lane toasts success
ROCK STEADY BREW Bath-based law firm Stone King is helping Wadworth expand into London as part of the Wiltshire brewery’s growth strategy. Sarah Lane, who heads Stone King’s business property team, explains, “Our commercial team is advising Wadworth on all licensed property deals including a lease assignment for the Kings Arms in Fulham, which the brewery has just acquired from Greene King.” www.stoneking.co.uk
SMART THINKING Former army officer Felix Spender of Bath-based North Light Solutions, and an expert in conflict management, has visited India as part of plans to develop cities in the country and help get people out of poverty. “I met with politicians, university representatives and other business owners at the Innovation India conference in Mumbai. The plan for smart cities looks at a range of approaches including technologies, urban planning, public / private partnership and policy change.” www.northlightsolutions.com
BATH RUGBY NEWS Bringing you the latest from the Bath Rugby headquarters Bath Rugby has formed a new partnership with Chase Distillery, which sees Chase Vodka and Williams Gin become their official vodka and gin brands. Founder William Chase says, “We are tremendously excited about this new partnership with one of the top sports clubs in the country and seeing our award-winning products exclusively on show at the Recreation Ground throughout the 2016/ 2017 season. As well as cheering on the teams, supporters will be able to treat themselves to our special GB&T’s, along with Great Chase Cocktails at our own horsebox bar.” Matt Powell, business development director of Bath Rugby, adds, “We’re delighted to align ourselves with a prestigious, international brand such as Chase Distillery. This will further increase the offering we can give supporters at the Recreation Ground on a match day.” • Bath Ales has also renewed its two-year-old partnership with Bath Rugby. The extended agreement
includes renaming the refurbished West Stand at The Rec as the Gem Stand after the brewery’s flagship bitter. The new work has meant around 1,000 new seats, which increases the ground’s capacity to 14,500. Bath Ales head of marketing Karin Ashwell says, “We have enjoyed working with Bath Rugby immensely over the past two years and are so pleased to continue and grow the partnership with the club. “Bath Rugby, like Bath Ales, is a key part of the local community, a genuine, hardworking and dedicated team – a natural fit for us. We’re putting our full support and commitment behind Bath Rugby and we hope for a very successful season ahead for this talented side.” Tarquin McDonald, Bath Rugby’s managing director, adds, “We have established a very successful and enjoyable partnership with Bath Ales, so we are delighted to have extended the agreement. We are very appreciative of the support they have given the club to date, and look forward to a further two years of working together.”
TAX BENEFITS Chartered accountants Monahans has appointed Richard Brooks as partner specialising in private client tax. He says, “Monahans is the ideal size firm, with an outstanding pedigree, reputation and client base as well as offering the opportunity to live and work in Bath, such an economically vibrant part of the country.” www.monahans.co.uk
For more: www.bathrugby.com
Coming fixtures: 30 October, 3pm, Aviva Premiership, away against Exeter Chiefs 4 November, 7.45pm, Anglo Welsh Cup, home against Leicester Tigers Gem have got a lot of bottle
11 November, 7.05pm Anglo Welsh Cup, away against Scarlets www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 101
BUSINESS INSIDER
BREAKING NEWS
Judgement calls at the Bath Life Awards
FANTASTIC FOUR GIVE THE RUN AROUND Vitality Bath Half Marathon have announced JustGiving as its Official Online Giving Partner for the 2017 race. Mel Taylor, the charity’s director, explains, “JustGiving is the world’s leading online fundraising platform and the perfect match for the Vitality Bath Half, so we are delighted. “We were very impressed with the resources JustGiving has developed to help charities identify key messages and timings to incentivise fundraisers, both to create their donation pages and to engage with their sponsors, and also with JustGiving’s range of analysis tools allowing charities to monitor their fundraiser activity during the run up to the event. “Our charity partners are always at the heart of our event and we hope to smash Nicholas is a diamond bloke
all previous fundraising targets for the 2017 race.” The Bath Half, which raised over £2.2 million for over 130 different charities in 2016, next takes place on 12 March 2017.
PHOTO BY PAOLO FERLA
Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing or important local business stories right now
JUDGEMENT DAY
For more: www.bathhalf.co.uk
Hands up if you want to help
CALL OF THE WYLDE Award-winning Bath jeweller Nicholas Wylde is about to celebrate a milestone anniversary of 30 years dealing with precious stones. Nicholas, who is one of the few jewellers in the world with their own registered and patented diamond cut – the Wylde Flower Diamond, says. “I’ve seen many changes over the years, for example, yellow gold was usurped by white gold but is now making a comeback. However, diamonds and sapphires have always remained popular.” To mark the occasion, the Northumberland Place store is launching The Colourful World of Sapphire, 10–11 November. Nicholas explains, “Along with free-to-attend talks on their history, there’ll be a dazzling display of the gems, plus details of a brand new Carousel collection, which uses coloured sapphires to wonderful effect in circular design items of jewellery.” For more: www.nicholaswylde.com
Invitations to judges for the Bath Life Awards are being made as momentum builds with less than a hundred days to go to the prestigious event, taking place 23 February 2017 at the Assembly Rooms. Every year a panel of independent judges are chosen from disparate areas of Bath’s business world, to reflect the diversity of the Awards. Their role is to read the finalists’ nominations, consider any supporting material, and then make the all-important decisions after discussions with fellow judges. For 2016, our judges were: Christina Slade (VC, Bath Spa Uni), Matt Powell (Bath Rugby), Sharron Davies (BBC, Olympian), Marcus Whittington (Bath Boutique Stays), Ann-Marie James (Rossiters), Paul Tagent (Bath Marketing), Peter Greatorex (The Apartment Company), Richard Carter (hobsons|choice) and Paul Morris (Bishop Fleming). “We had a terrific, heavyweight group of judges once more this year – and our challenge is to find a similarly strong team for 2017,” says event manager, Steph Dodd. “We’ll be talking with people who both know Bath and who know excellence.” Nominations open on 1 November and the first, strictly limited, Associates Tables go on sale on 8 November – both via the Bath Life Awards website. For sponsorship enquiries please contact pat. white@mediaclash.co.uk and to be involved on the night, stephanie.dodd@mediaclash.co.uk For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk; Twitter @BathLifeAwards
FIRST CLASS TRAVEL Local travel agency boss Miles Morgan received an Outstanding Contribution to the Travel Industry award at the prestigious TTG Travel Awards, just as his firm, Miles Morgan Travel, celebrate their 10th anniversary. The win, which he collected from the Lyceum Theatre, London, last month, comes just after the company, which has 14 shops and employs 70 staff, scooped Best Travel Agent in the South West and South
Wales 2016 at the Travel Weekly Awards. Miles, whose 30-year career started in a travel agency in Devon, says, “Our success has a lot to do with the grounding I have had within the travel industry. Having done almost every job for the bottom up, it really helps in understanding what we need to do to be successful. At the top of the list is recruiting great people.” For more: www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk
Miles Morgan is a very special agent
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Ladies first Meet the local business women who are storming ahead in their fields
Photo by emily kelly
By L i sa E va ns
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ne moved her business from California to Bath after an earthquake struck; one went from living in a teepee with no electricity, to opening her own home furnishings store; and one swapped professions after a close encounter with a terrorist attack. Here we get to know the business women in and around the city who defied odds, moved mountains and jumped off career ladders to get to where they are now…
Emma Rice
She’s lived in a horse box and a teepee, and the owner of Cleveland Terrace’s Owl in the Ivy is fascinated by what makes a space a home What’s your background? I’ve lived in every conceivable type of home, from a horse box and a bus, to a teepee and a boat. My whole adult life has been based around the concept of what makes a ‘home’, what elements I can’t live without and which I can. Until two years ago I never had a house that had mains electricity, never owned a hair dryer or iron, but lived very happily. Tell us about Owl in the Ivy… My husband and I started it seven years ago as a market stall at the bottom of Walcot Street. I had always loved saving pieces of furniture from street corners as we travelled around Europe (in Barcelona, everyone puts their unwanted things out 104 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
on a Thursday night and you can take your pick!) So when Soma was born, Darren and I figured we could work out a plan to share the baby bit and do something a bit more interesting for work.
I’ve lived in every conceivable type of home, from a horse box and a bus, to a teepee and a boat
What can be found at the store? Furniture of a certain distressed look. It comes from as far as Hungary, France and Marrakesh.
Sue and Amy Adams
The mum and daughter own The Brow Place on Abbey Gate Street. Amy, the current Miss Bath, tells us how she’s planning to set up her own pageant, specifically for curvy women How did the business begin? I’ve worked in large cosmetics companies for most of my life, but this meant that my sales targets were put ahead of customers’ needs, and animal testing policies were questionable. I wanted to be in charge of these elements. I told my mum about my idea of setting up a drop-in brow and lash salon and she was completely on board. Have you always been interested in beauty? I used to model and I’m the current Miss Bath GB for the second year running. I strutted my size 12 stuff proudly in a bikini on the catwalk and the experience was so empowering that next year I’m planning my own pageant specifically for curvy women. I’ve learnt that if you want something to change, you need to go out and change it.
WORKING WOMEN Do you face challenges in this line of work? People make assumptions about knitters being grannies, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our community is incredibly diverse. Knitting has really exploded in the age of social media.
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
What Bath business women do you admire? Carole Waller of One Two Five Gallery; Zita Alves at Zest Bootcamp; Kate Austin and Emily Ingram of Spotty Herberts; Athena Cauley-Yu of Meticulous Ink; and Jenny Pollitt of Lane House Arts.
Opposite page: Emma Rice, the owner of Owl in the Ivy; this page, top: Sue and Amy Adams who run The Brow Place; bottom: Katrina Nicholas and Susie Sage of Wild & Wool
Do women face challenges in your field? There’s a stigma surrounding the beauty industry, that it doesn’t take the hard work and intelligence it does. Actually, it requires a vast knowledge of the body, different skin types and conditions and the treatments themselves, as well as the emotional intelligence to read clients. Running the business on top of that requires even more focus. The biggest challenge women in our field face is being dismissed and not taken as seriously as we often deserve.
Surprise us… Once upon a time I was a (athletic) hammer thrower and I held the record at my university for a few years.
DAWN BURDEN
She’s the director of Bath’s My Small World, and has a secret circus school past What inspired you to set up in business? Although it’s become somewhat of a ‘mumpreneur’ cliché, after I had my children I struggled to find toys I loved. I also realised that toyshops weren’t very child-friendly. I started buying toys from French, German and Scandinavian websites, and friends began asking me to order toys for their children too. Then came the lightbulb moment. w
SUSIE SAGE AND KATRINA NICHOLAS
The two friends are partners at the Bath-based online business Wild & Wool, set up last year What can be found at Wild & Wool? Susie: We craft needle-felted woodland creatures from British wool. We also create metre-high animal characters dressed in Harris tweed and Liberty fabric garments for retail window display. Where did the business stem from? Susie: The passion for needle felting started as a hobby for both Katrina and I. When we moved to Bath, I was approached by Oddbins to create feature animals for their 2015 Christmas campaign. This was the catalyst to start Wild & Wool. What inspires the designs? Katrina: There’s a nod to the beauty of nature and a wink to the funny side of life.
CARMEN SCHMIDT
The former au pair owns Walcot Street’s A Yarn Story, which specialises in hand-dyed yarns and luxury fibres from all over the world Take us back to the start of your business… When I started to get back into knitting, I realised I couldn’t find any of materials I wanted; that’s when I had my ‘ah ha’ moment.
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
What Bath business women do you admire? Katrina: Emma Webber of Natural Spa Factory; Madeleine Waters, director of Co.Co; Laura Shipley, owner of Wool; and Ellie Scotton of The Bolt Tree.
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WORKING WOMEN Share a quirky fact about My Small World… Our rocking horse was made by the Stevenson Brothers, who make rocking horses for Prince George; and we play with every single toy ourselves to test them. How do you find being a working mum? There’s the challenge of juggling work and home life, but it means being disciplined and working late into the night when they are in bed.
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
What Bath business women do you admire? Jane at Society Café, she totally understands her customers; and Emma at Grace & Ted whose drive and enthusiasm is a super positive influence on all of us independents. Surprise us… I trained at circus school, and from the age of 17, I worked as an actor, touring the UK in a huge variety of shows.
MAUREEN LECHMERE
Top: Dawn Burden, the director of My Small World; bottom: A Yarn Story owner, Carmen Schmidt
After an earthquake left its mark on her shop in California, she brought her business, San Francisco Fudge Factory, to Church Street, Bath How did the business begin? I ran a shop in San Francisco on the esteemed Pier 39. I weathered the great earthquake of 1989, and a year later met my English husband-to-be, Mark. The earthquake had left its mark on the traders, and it was at this point I decided to leave. Bath shares so many characteristics with San Francisco that we made it our intent to recreate the Pier 39 shop here in 1995.
Which Bath women inspire you most? Hillary who owns Bloomsbury; Natalie who owns Natajaq; Dawn from Marshfield Ice Cream; and Melanie who co-runs the Bath Half Marathon. Surprise us… I have a hot air balloon licence, and I have married into the third oldest family in England; the Lechmeres have lived in Hanley castle in Malvern since 1055.
NICOLA MCHALE
How has it developed since then? When I opened the Bath shop with my husband, we
THE EARTHQUAKE HAD LEFT ITS MARK ON THE TRADERS,
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
AND IT WAS AT THIS POINT I DECIDED TO
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had no children, and very few staff. I’m now blessed to have three children and 19 members of staff.
LEAVE
The mum-of-two, who lives near Walcot Street, is the chairwoman for the South West branch of the worldwide business mentoring company, Vistage What’s your role at Vistage? I run a Mastermind Peer Group for CEOs and business owners, ensuring they make better decisions, become better leaders and achieve even better results. You’re also the founder of Vi International… Yes, I coach and train executives in the corporate world, challenging them to be the best they can be. What’s the story behind your business? I started Vi International in 1988 to fill a gap in the market for leadership impact and management development, and grew it to be one of the most trusted suppliers in the corporate world. And now, at Vistage, using my experience, I can help others. What’s your top advice for making a good first impression? A massive 93 per cent of communication is non verbal. You’re always communicating a message, even if you’re not speaking. Only 15 per cent of what you say will be remembered, so make sure it’s the right message.
Is the notion that women face more challenges in business than men an outdated one? Yes. Women face no challenges. It’s up to us. You need high self belief, self confidence and a determination to succeed.
ELISABETH ANDERSON
The Wingfield-based florist owns Amamini Flowers, which she set up in 2014 What makes your business different? Being a studio-based florist, I offer a fully bespoke service for every piece of floral work I take on – from weddings to events. Without huge shop overheads I can offer very affordable yet beautiful flowers. If I took on your wedding flowers, your wedding flowers would be the only ones I would be doing that week. What inspired you to go it alone? Someone suggested I do something that I felt passionate about. Taking a degree in jewellery design together with a knowledge of garden design and plants, when the opportunity came about to retrain as a florist, I took the chance. What sums up your style? ‘Garden-inspired floristry’; I follow the seasons with a great attention to detail. Name a Bath business woman you admire... Rachel Wardley of Tallulah Rose Flower School.
AMELIA ROLFE
The personal trainer and nutritional therapist founded Moovit in a private gym at her home in Lansdown
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
Which Bath business woman impress you? I’m amazed at all the women entrepreneurs around Bath. Shops I love are Chanii B and Fabulous.
Top: Miranda Sidwick, owner of the Guildhall Deli; middle: Elisabeth Anderson, founder of Amamini Flowers; bottom: Founder of Moovit, Amelia Rolfe (centre), with Moovit personal trainer, Anna Barton, and Moovit yoga teacher, Bex Bridgford
What makes yours different from other gyms? It offers women-only personal training and fitness classes such as bootcamp, yoga and kettle bell training as well as pre, and postnatal, personal training and nutrition advice. How did the business start? My passion for science (heavily influenced by grandfather who taught chemistry at Monkton) coupled with a fascination of nutrition, led me to do a degree in food science. I soon realised fitness was also a vital ingredient to healthy living. I then became hooked and Moovit was born. Do women face any challenges in this field? Strength training has been seen as more of a man’s game. This is changing now with more women becoming leaders and inspirers in the fitness field.
SALLY FREEMAN AND MELANIE EYLES
They own The Curtain Exchange in Widcombe, and have worked on some of the most spectacular properties in Bath including those in The Royal Crescent and The Circus Why curtains? Sally: Bath has some of the most beautiful windows in the country. I’ve always loved fabrics and design, and this was a perfect way to combine those passions.
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
What challenges come with your business? Sally: It’s always hard to balance working and being a full time mother. I was a single parent who was trying to set up a business at the same time. However, I feel that my children have benefited from knowing that working is a reality for most people and particularly for their generation.
JENNY WISCOMBE
The artist owns Pug & Puffin – a gift shop for dog lovers – on Northumberland Place, Bath Tell us about Pug & Puffin... We specialise in high-end products for dogs such as tweed collars and natural, healthy treats, as well as quirky cushions and mugs for dog owners. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 107
WORKING WOMEN
Where did the idea come from? My dad and I are both artists. We thought up the idea for the shop as a new angle for creating and selling our artwork. It also makes our shop unique, most of the items in the shop are painted by us. We also manufacture our own line of collars, leads and bandanas.
KATE WILLINGHAM
After spending 14 years working in New York, the owner of See+Quin – an international fashionfocused embellishment studio –moved her business to Glove Factory Studios in Holt Tell us about See+Quin… We use traditional techniques of beading, embroidery, appliqué and fabric manipulation and elevate these time-honoured skills into modern, whimsical and inspiring concepts. Each swatch is designed and created individually and are used to inspire fashion and homeware designers. We create most of our work at the Glove Factory.
PHOTO BY RUPERT BARKER
Name a Bath business woman you admire… Lauren from HoundBound – a woman whose life revolves around dogs, just like mine.
Above: Kate Willingham, the founder of See+Quin – an international fashion-focused embellishment studio in Holt; below: Lucy Aston, owner of Yogadoo
What’s your background? I spent 14 years working in New York, but with demanding work commitments, a fast-paced lifestyle and being a mother of two, it became hard to fit it all in. I have the luxury of owning my own business, so I have more control over my time.
What does your business focus on? Yoga and mindfulness classes for children and young people in schools, communities and workplaces across Bath and Bristol. We’ve also started teaching beginners yoga to adults.
Name a Bath business woman you respect… Caroline Santos who owns Mette, based at Glove Factory Studios. I love her approach to design and her passion.
What’s your background? I spent a very happy six years at the BBC as a producer, news reporter and presenter, travelling around the county on a broadcast bus.
MIRANDA SIDWICK
The former primary school teacher is the owner of the Guildhall Deli, where you’ll find savoury snacks and cakes, in Bath’s Guildhall Market Take us back to the business’s beginnings… The deli has existed for many years but I have owned it for the last three. My sister already worked in the deli so I bought her knowledge as well. What inspired you to take over? I needed a lifestyle change after being suddenly widowed, and the opportunity to buy it came up at just the right time. Do you encounter any challenges? Sometimes it’s hard to be recognised as a business woman and not a shop assistant.
LUCY ASTON
Being minutes away from a terrorist attack made the former BBC reporter reconsider her career path, leading her to found Yogadoo in Bath Why did you start your business? My son Freddie said he would like me to get involved more at his school ‘like other mums’. He suggested I start an afterschool yoga club as I’ve 108 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
practised for 20 years. I booked a place on a training course in Paris last November. Shortly after I arrived in my room, I realised there had been a terrorist attack minutes away from me. The shock made me reassess my life and career. I began teaching at my son’s school and completed my training in Goa, and then, Yogadoo was born.
Name a Bath business woman you respect… Kate Smith, the co-founder of crafting business, The Makery.
THERE
HAD BEEN A TERRORIST ATTACK. IT MADE ME
REASSESS MY LIFE
EMMA SUMMERS
The mum-of-two, who lives near Castle Combe, sold her car and used the money to start her business, Juice Recruitment How did you start your business? Juice was started with the £7,000 I made from selling my car when I was 26. Juice means fuel, power and energy. I wanted to bring a fresh approach to recruitment. We specialise in providing temporary, and permanent staff in areas ranging from administration to marketing. Share a quirky fact about Juice... Everyone from Juice goes on holiday together, every year. Do women face any challenges in your field? Personally, I don’t believe they do. Male or female, business is business and both genders can be equally successful.
PROPERTY
SHOWCASE
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SHOWCASE
PROPERTY
GREAT ESTATES A former school, this jaw-dropping house and estate on the edge of Grittleton has everything you may expect of a Grade-II* Jacobean manor, and then some By E V E LY N GR E E N
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PROPERTY
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n these pages, we usually showcase dream homes, but this time it isn’t just a home, it’s an entire estate complete with a historic Grade-II* listed country house, separate Grade-II listed stables, plus a coach house, lodge and quadrangle within over 38 acres of beautifully manicured grounds. A former prep school, the incredibly impressive Grittleton house and estate in Chippenham is currently used as a residential study centre, a function and wedding venue, and an occasional filming space, but the handsome 35-bedroom home, on the edge of the pretty and traditional Wiltshire village of Grittleton, 14 miles northeast of Bath, is now under offer. It’s first mentioned in records from as far back as 1660, when the original house was a three-bay Jacobean manor. In 1828, the sizeable estate was purchased by Joseph Neeld, a London-based solicitor who had inherited wealth from his uncle. He set about redesigning and extending the house, beginning in 1835 and ending in 1856 with the original design by James Thompson and later alterations designed by Henry Clutton. The house and estate remained in the Neeld family until it was rented by the current owners in 1967 and subsequently purchased in 1972. As you make your approach onto the strikingly decorated ground floor of the principal wing of the main building, you’ll find it has a number of well preserved and presented rooms with grand proportions and ornately decorated ceilings including the library, yellow gallery, red gallery and an opulent orangery, which is complete with a large swimming pool. The first and second floors, which flow effortlessly, comprise what’s currently used as nursery and 112 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Clockwise, from top left: inside the ornate orangery you’ll find a large swimming pool which looks out over beautiful scenes; just one of the 10 vast reception rooms; wonderfully maintained gardens within the 38 acres of land; a grand and breathtaking staircase
HOUSE NUMBERS
101,998 square foot of space
20-35 bedrooms
£5M price
38
acres of land
classroom space and some dormitory accommodation with shared facilities. There are extensive cellars under the main house including a luxurious former restaurant area which historically had served the general public. There are further ancillary outbuildings, as well as four outdoor tennis courts and an indoor tennis court within a semi-permanent inflatable structure. At the main entrance to the estate lies west lodge, a beautiful four-bedroomed, three-reception roomed house, with an immaculate garden, which has been sympathetically extended and modernised. To the back of the main building is the former headmaster’s house, ‘Tanglewood’, which is extensive and made up of five bedrooms and four reception rooms and looks over a stunning area of untouched woodland. Then there’s the Grade-II listed Clocktower building, offering a mammoth 26 en suite bedrooms, a dining room and two former stable buildings where you’ll find study and events space. Adjacent to this area of the site is the ‘Quadrangle’, inside, which sits a separate threebedroomed residential unit, plus five en suite bedrooms and a charming, as yet undeveloped, barn with existing residential consent. Add into the mix lush, green, captivating views as far as the eye can see, two separate private driveways and formal, wonderfully maintained gardens with substantial grounds laid to lawns, and you have a very enticing prospect and a rare opportunity to acquire such a magnificent, historic estate. Savills Bath, Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EN; 01225 474501; www.savills.co.uk
LD SO
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Bradford-on-Avon, £1,175,000
Kingsdown, £795,000
Kingsdown, £775,000
Bradford-on-Avon, £625,000
Holt, £620,000
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Monkton Farleigh, £675,000 LD
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Winsley, £695,000 SO
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Kingsdown, £775,000
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After a summer with 33 sales we need similar properties for the busy Autumn market.
Bradford-on-Avon, £575,000
Tel: 01225 866747 27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk
P R O P E R T Y A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
THE AWARD-WINNING AGENTS ARE THREE-TIME WINNERS
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Triple gold for THE APARTMENT COMPANY in the allAgents.co.uk awards 2016
e have been celebrating this week as the allAgents. co.uk awards for 2016 were announced. We are incredibly proud to have won three gold awards and silver, and what makes these awards so special is that they are based on your experience with an agent. At The Apartment Company, we always believe it is your opinion that matters, which is why we continually invest to ensure that whether you’re selling, buying, letting or renting a home with us, you will always receive exceptional service at every step of the process.
is amazing and went beyond the call of duty. Their marketing strategy is excellent and, as a marketing consultant, I know a thing or two about marketing. Choose them to market your property – you won't be sorry.” Hazel Longuet (vendor)
GOLD – Best Estate Agent in Bath and GOLD – Best Estate Agent in Somerset “I sold my apartment with The Apartment Company and was able to achieve a price that was £60k greater than any of the other estate agents quoted as their upper valuation. The team
Our approach is simple: a serviced centred on people and memorable experiences. We may be skilled at truly understanding the quirks of the apartment market, but where we excel is the connection we make with our clients. We know no sale or let is the same so they are never treated
GOLD – Best Letting Agent in Bath and SILVER – Best Letting Agent in Somerset “From first meeting, through to managing the letting of my apartment while I worked abroad, I found The Apartment Company to be professional, efficient and communicative. If I rent out a property again in the area I'd go back to The Apartment Company.” Paul Brett (landlord)
as such, working with our clients we advise, support and resolve any issues quickly, allowing them to, dare we say, enjoy the process. If you’re looking to buy, sell, let or rent an apartment in Bath, choose the agent who has the golden touch, we invite you to experience The Apartment Company.
For more advice visit our blog at www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk Sales: 01225 471144 Lettings: 01225 303870 www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk
Ian Hobbs Technical Services offer an array of commercial & industrial service solutions, all under one roof
Air Conditioning
Refrigeration
Plumbing & Heating
Electrical
Renewables
w: www.ianhobbs.com t: 01225 444171 e: info@ianhobbs.com /ianhobbstech @ianhobbstech
Moving t imes
NEW BUILDS
We examine how the new builds on the blocks are settling in with their architectural ancestors By SA R A H MOOL L A
ear reader, to the uninitiated, Bath is a place full of bustles, bonnets and Sally Lunn’s buns. To those in the know, it is a thriving, creative and forever-evolving city. Nestled in the surrounds of the magnificent Bath Abbey, first built in 1499, are the innovative indies, chichi shops and radical retailers bucking the trend and not just surviving
hard times, but positively flourishing. Housed in many of the honey-stone Georgian builds are media, digital and IT companies attracting nationwide trade and worldwide attention. As Bath’s reputation as a city that successfully blends heritage with prosperity continues to strengthen, more skilled professionals are looking to make a move here, which in turn has naturally seen a growth in the housing market. Here we take a look at some of the stylish, handsome and statement new homes gracefully taking their place in and around Bath…
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Crest Nicholson’s exciting new residential quarter has totally transformed land that had been previously derelict for 25 years
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Classically-styled homes set in a secluded location above Sydney Gardens and bordering Kennet and Avon Canal
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RED LION QUARRY An innovative brownfield development of a former Bath Stone quarry and civil engineering works
MULBERRY PARK Residents of Mulberry Park will be part of an exciting new community with state-ofthe-art facilities, including a new school
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NEW BUILDS
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LINDEN HOMES
www.lindenhomes.co.uk
Set in an elevated position in Lansdown, Linden Homes’ Ensleigh development consists of new three, four and five bedroom, high-standard executive homes, just minutes from the city centre. “The design is contemporary but pays homage to Bath’s classic architecture, and Ensleigh’s elegant style ensures it complements its surroundings,” says Sue Scholfield, sales and marketing director. “It really is a beautiful development and there are some absolutely gorgeous views over the rolling countryside. The homes are of a high quality and have been finished in stone and white render, with attractive slate roofs.” KERSFIELD www.kersfield.co.uk, www.savills.co.uk
“Our Lansdown Fields development offers quality architecture,” explains Kersfield’s chief executive David Newton. “The development and individual properties are sympathetic to the character and appearance of the World Heritage Site and adjacent conservation area.” The new homes, which range from £975,000 £1,650,000, have been designed by worldclass design studio Conran and Partners. “The landscaped site boundary to the plateau will minimise the visual impact of development whilst in addition, the large amenity spaces within the site provide a positive contribution to the skyline.” • Other developers on Ensleigh include Bloor Homes (www.bloorhomes.com) with homes ranging from terraced family starter homes to five-bed detached builds and boutique private housebuilder Charlcombe Homes (www.charlcombehomes.co.uk) whose luxe ‘boutique’ style contribution to Bath’s New Contemporary Quarter, have nearly all sold.
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BATH RIVERSIDE www.crestnicholson.com
“The 44-acre, £400 million development is providing new homes and public spaces, which enhance and complement those in Bath,” says Mary Timlin, sales and marketing director for Crest Nicholson. “It is an excellent example of inner city regeneration and has shown what can be achieved with careful planning, commitment and passion and once complete, will have created over 2,200 new homes.” Along with the classic, light-coloured Bath stone, the new builds have incorporated the Georgian townhouse design, plus there is a myriad of sculptures and artworks linking back 122 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
to the site’s industrial past, such as the engineers, Stothert & Pitt.
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www.holburnepark.co.uk
A former Ministry of Defence site in Bath is being transformed into a new neighbourhood of over 200 classicallystyled homes with expansive views of the city’s historic skyline and open countryside beyond. “The façades of the homes will be made of locally-sourced Bath stone and natural materials with bespoke detailing to blend in with the classic architecture and character of the area and wider city,” says Francis Firmstone, a director at HardRock Development. “Important touches like natural slate roofs and timber windows mean that this new development, set in landscaped, tree-lined grounds, will be sensitive to its surroundings.”
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MULBERRY PARK www.curo-sales.co.uk
Mulberry Park is a development of 700 new homes, community facilities and open spaces, laid out over 47 acres on the southern slopes of the city. “As the scheme develops, new residents will benefit from a scenic woodland walk and Bath’s first new park for 100 years,” says sales director Lisa Howells of Curo, the not-for-profit housing and support organisation based in Bath and developers of the 700 new homes, community facilities and open spaces on the former MoD site at Foxhill. “Designed by internationally renowned architects HTA Design, the new homes at Mulberry Park blend the best in contemporary design with references to Bath’s architectural heritage, including generous ‘piano nobile’ windows that create light-filled interiors and reflect Georgian design traditions.”
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RED LION QUARRY
www.crossmanhomes.co.uk www.timbennettandassociates.co.uk
Crossman Homes, who are committed to utilising Bath-based businesses for their housing developments, launched Red Lion Quarry in association with Tim Bennett & Associates. The old quarry has been transformed into 14 elegant homes. “It utilises and maximises a little known and surprisingly large low impact site,” explains Tim Bennett. “Carefully chosen materials like golden English cedar cladding, reconstituted Bath stone elevations and robust grey slatelike roof tiles give the property depth, substance and comfort creating a new Bath classic.” Crossman Homes will also soon be bringing Morris Lane to market, an exclusive luxury development of contemporary detached villas tucked away in a Bathford cul-de-sac.
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Red Lion Quarry, Odd Down, Bath £365,000 Price Guide
Woodford, Berkeley, South Gloucs Prices from £525,000
Morris Lane, Bathford, Nr. Bath Price on Application
‘ONLY 3 REMAINING’ 3rd & final Phase of this exclusive tucked away brand new development by local developers Crossman Homes situated on the South western corner of Bath.
COMING SOON! 4 new brand new contemporary styled detached barn type homes in this exclusive development of 6 elegant professional homes within 5 miles of Thornbury.
COMING SOON! A luxury development of only four contemporary detached villas in this tucked away cul de sac situated on the North Eastern outskirts of Georgian Bath.
A choice of 5 ‘south facing units’ (2 NOW RESERVED!) 4 beds (including GF study/ bed 4), large kitchen/diner & elegant FF living rm. Generous & stylish interiors with modern bathrooms & en-suite shower rm to master. Pkg to front & split level gdn to rear. Build completion November 2016.
4 beds (with en-suites to master & guest rms). Spacious dual aspect living rm, dining rm, stunning fitted k/breakfast rm and separate utility. Vaulted ceilings to FF. Bold, confident yet reassuringly traditional. Now under construction build completion expected Spring 2017.
4 bedrooms (one hse with GF master bedroom) plus study/bedroom 5, Fitted kitchen breakfast room, separate utility room, large living/family room, ground floor cloak room, Garage, parking and garden. Build completion expected Summer 2017.
T: 01225 471116 crossmanhomes.co.uk
T: 01225 325857
timbennettandassociates.co.uk
Crafting beautiful homes in stunning locations Bath Somerset Wiltshire Cotswolds Dorset Timeless design Refined quality Bespoke specification
01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk
SERVICES GUIDE
ROOFING
GUIDE to SERVICES
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d 197
lishe
Estab
D R Vowles & Son Ltd are highly reputable roofing contractors based in Bath, Somerset. We provide premier roofing services for residential, commercial and industrial clients with properties throughout the south west.
For more information please call Liz today
01225 425232
Upper Weston Farm, Weston, BATH BA1 4HL
drvowlesandson.co.uk
in the
GARDENING
CITY TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL THE BATH LIFE TEAM ON 01225 475800 GARDENING
THE CLASSIC GARDENER
Richard Brook POND & AQUATIC SYSTEMS
TOPIARY PLANTS POTS ORNAMENTS FURNITURE LEADING GROWERS OF TOPIARY IN THE SOUTH WEST WEST KINGTON, BATH SN14 7JQ OPEN TUES, THURS, SAT 10-4:30 EMAIL TOPIARY@THECLASSICGARDENER.CO.UK OR CALL 01249 783880 WWW.THECLASSICGARDENER.CO.UK
Luxury & local The most sophisticated audience is just a call away
DESIGN � CONSTRUCTION � CLEANING � MAINTENANCE BLANKET WEED SOLUTIONS AND MORE T: 07834 973945 E: richard.brook9@btinternet.com
WWW.PONDANDAQUATICSYSTEMS.CO.UK DECORATING
Paul Swift Painting and Decorating
45 Old Fosse Road Odd Down, Bath BA2 2SP Tel: 01225 352437 07894 210446 Fax: 01225 350429
✆ 01225 475800
STONE SPECIALISTS
Member of Painting, Decorating Association
DAVIS MASONARY Natural stone specialist Bath stone restoration Walling Re-pointing t: 07910 621 316 e: jack_fb_123@hotmail.co.uk
SERVICES GUIDE
ALLERGY TESTING
MARKETING
ALLERGY TESTING Feeling unwell? May I help you?
ARE YOU FIT INSIDE AND OUT?
uk co. st. yte erg all w. ww
Headaches & migraine, tiredness & fatigue, weight problems, eczema or other skin problems, asthma, catarrh & sinus congestion, IBS & digestive disorders, anxiety & depression. If you suffer with any of the above complaints, an hour’s test could change your life!
For your nearest tester please contact Cindy on 07747 800097 or Email: allergytesting@churchviews.co.uk / www.allergytest.co.uk For local appointments please contact: Clarion Health, 2-4 Henry Street, Bath Tel: 01225 448348
PLASTERING
PLUMBING A family run business, installing, servicing and repairing boilers and heating systems in Bath for 25 years. Landlords Gas Safety Inspections also undertaken
Accredited Installer
MADDISON
T 01225 837025 E steve.maddison@virgin.net maddisonplumbing.co.uk
plumbing heating & gas services ltd.
STONE SPECIALISTS
NORTON MASONRY LTD Repairs, Restoration Alteration of Stone Buildings New Build Stone Cleaning Stone Carving Fireplaces
Tel: 01225 462688 / 07968 697091 Email: Julian@bathstonemasons.co.uk
www.bathstonemasons.co.uk
Stonework Specialists & General Builders 38 LONG BARNABY, MIDSOMER NORTON, RADSTOCK BA3 2TZ
Tel/Fax: 01761 419422 Fax: 01761 232480 Mobile: 07901 712232 / 07899 927276
Email: nortonmasonryltd@hotmail.co.uk
www.nortonmasonryltd.co.uk Over 30 Years Experience
JEWELLERY
To advertise here call ✆ 01225 475800
SKIPS
Nigel Dando WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition.
Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk
Friendly, local skip company Fast, reliable service A range of skip sizes available 01225 862574
07831 233957
w w w. c o u n t r y m i n i sk i ps. com
B AT H L I V E S
Q&A
F
our years ago she created an elite training facility for aspiring makeup artists in her home town of Bath, and now, Melanie Crump’s Bath Academy of Media Makeup (BAMM) on Julian Road, has an Oscar-winning makeup designer as its artistic director and is one of the UK’s leading makeup schools. Here she tells us more about the business and its new large-scale charitable venture for ‘Movember’. When did you first get into makeup? I left Bath as a teenager to train as a makeup artist in London. Since 2002, I’ve worked in many fields of the media – from television dramas and entertainment, including being makeup artist to Yvette Fielding on her show Most Haunted, to editorial, news, sport and current affairs – but I soon turned my attention to my second dream of creating an elite training facility for aspiring makeup artists in my home town of Bath in 2012. Tell us a little about your academy… It’s a private over-18s school for makeup artistry within media and fashion. We have an Oscarwinning makeup designer, Peter Swords King – who has worked on films such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Pirates of The Caribbean and Star Wars – as artistic director, and we provide courses in prosthetics and special effects, as well as in makeup styles such as theatrical, period and high fashion. Having trained our makeup artists to such a high standard, and with our industry links, we have been able to successfully place our graduates on jobs ranging from wigmaking to Hollywood blockbusters. What else sets your business apart? We are the only academy in the UK that has a specialist afro caribbean hair and makeup for black skins module. Our success rate of students entering into the industry is over 90 per cent and we believe this is down to the excellent business module, which we have incorporated into our syllabus. Why did you open in Bath? It was an obvious choice, not just because it’s where I was born and bred, but also because it is a stunning city with a strong connection to the creative industries. Bath has been the historical backdrop for many great television dramas and films. The South West hadn’t had a dedicated centre of excellence for aspiring makeup artists wishing to pursue careers in film, TV, theatre and fashion, until BAMM opened its doors. Bath was also recently rated as the second safest place in the world to live – very reassuring to students wishing to leave home to study here.
130 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
MELANIE CRUMP The Bath Academy of Media Makeup founder talks Hollywood blockbusters, moustache-making and getting married What exciting courses do you have coming up? Our current one is The Peter King Television & Film Makeup course, designed for anyone wishing to work within the creative fields of makeup for TV, film, theatre, fashion, SFX, prosthetics, editorial and bridal. We will be hosting a big ‘Movember’ campaign here at BAMM too and will host a moustache-making weekend on 5 and 6 November. So if you’re a man whose facial hair is a bit of a let down, with our short course you will learn a new skill and also create a moustache, whilst also raising huge sums for Prostate Cancer Research. Under the expert tutelage of Carol Robinson (Pirates of The Caribbean and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory) you will make a realistic, hairy masterpiece made of human hair, for your face. What do you love most about the makeup industry? It’s a challenging and rewarding career where no two days are ever the same; the team of individuals you will work with are truly inspirational and you will meet some incredible
people, in some amazing locations. Makeup artistry is also one of the highest paying six-figure salaries according to Forbes (and you don’t even need a university degree). For me this has to be one of the best careers in the world. To succeed you need passion, determination, stamina and great personal skills. How do you like to spend your free time in Bath? When I’m not busy working, I like to spend quality time with friends and family. What’s your most prized possession? My engagement ring. I’m getting married next year, and am so very excited! Surprise us… After filming a series of Most Haunted, I took myself off to the church next to BAMM and got blessed. It was a scary time!
www.bammakeup.com
The Flying Pig Renovation Company
THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS Property Renovation Project Management
Interior Design
Ashley House, 4 Gloucester Road, Bath BA1 7BH Tel 01225 420370 Email andy@flyingpiginbath.co.uk www.flyingpiginbath.co.uk