Bath Life – issue 327

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 327 / 25 NOVEMBER 2016 - 9 DECEMBER / £3

@BathLifeMag

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE CITY

A BATH PAINTER’S TRAVELS

Hitting the road with Pete the Street ISSUE 327 / 25 NOVEMBER - 9 DECEMBER 2016 / THE XMAS FACTOR

OH CHRISTMAS SPREE Dozens of jolly good gift ideas

FESTIVE SPIRIT

STREET LIFE

PARTY SPARKLE

The precious pieces making local jewellers’ worlds rock

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS THIS SEASON

The traders putting the heart into Bartlett Street Quarter

PHOTO BY EMILY KELLY

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 327 / 25 NOVEMBER – 9 DECEMBER 2016

Bloomin’ marvellous

70

PICK OF THE BUNCH

Try a festive wreath-making course at Passion just in time for Christmas

Although some Scrooges may argue that festive cheer shouldn’t be fired up yet, we’re in full excited swing right now. The shopper’s magical paradise, the brilliant Bath Christmas Market, has opened its chalet doors, the city is twinkling with decoration, and shop windows are decked out in all-singing, tinsel-tastic, fairy-light-festooned style, so it’s most definitely high time to celebrate the party season.

The glittering joviality starts with the first instalment of our annual gift guide in which dozens of perfect prezzies from Bath’s boutiques and markets await to be discovered (page 38). And there’s plenty of dazzling inspiration to be gained from our jewellery feature in which we uncover sparkling showstoppers and meet some of the most creative independent makers and designers in the city (page 94).

Once you’ve ticked off the important people on your to-buy-for list – and indulged in a spot selfgifting, of course – then, as you may have gathered from our front cover, you might want to learn how to make the ultimate Christmas wreath (page 70).

Elsewhere, we’ve put our focus on the muchloved north Bath enclave that is the Bartlett Street Quarter (page 102), got a taste of what it might be like to live in a stylish penthouse apartment in Lansdown (page 126) and chatted to the muchadmired local artist Pete the Street who’s exhibiting at the Victoria Art Gallery next month.

See you in a fortnight for a whole lot more festive fun…

Lisa Evans, Editor Follow us on Twitter: @BathLifeMag Follow us on Instagram:@bathlifemag

BONITI

NATURAL STONE FLOORING

TIMBER FLOORING

PLEASE SEND ENQUIRIES TO SHOWROOM@BONITI.COM 01225 892 200 WWW.BONITI.COM

EVERHOT RANGE COOKERS

GARDEN FURNITURE

The Alternative to Production Line Hairdressing Phylosophie 16 Northumberland Place, Bath 01225 484952 www.phylosophie.com Phylosophie @phylosophiehair phylosophiehair

FEATURES / ISSUE 327 / 25 NOVEMBER – 9 DECEMBER 2016

94

JEWELLERY

We talk precious things with the city’s jewellers

38

Christmas gifts A super selection box of the best presents for those on the nice list

REGULARS / ISSUE 327 / 25 NOVEMBER – 9 DECEMBER 2016 M E E T T H E T EAM Editor Lisa Evans lisa.evans@mediaclash.co.uk 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: Emma Bond, Nic Bottomley, David Flatman and Deri Robins 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

102 THE ARTS 57 Arts intro The Instagrammers of Bath come offline with a city centre show

58 What’s on

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

Time to update the events diary

64 Exhibition Going to town with the prolific Bath painter, Pete Brown

70 Art class

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

We get passionate with our posies with Flowers by Passion

73 Bookshelf Mr B’s Nic Bottomley gets our vote with his election specials

FOOD 74 Restaurant The Clifton Sausage rolls into Bath and we get stuck in

81 Foodie Four

64

Check out our selection for Happy New Year eats

112 Gardening

83 Food & drink news

Emma Bonds advises how to bed down for winter

Noya’s Kitchen, Celia’s cakes and the Après Ski Bar

LIFEST YLE 102 Street Life We talk to the traders who make Bartlett Street so special

BUSINESS 117 Business insider News, views and interviews from the city’s professionals

Bath Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

PROPERT Y 126 Property showcase Living the high life with a high-end Lansdown apartment

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 15 19 31 138

Spotlight Society A man’s world Bath Lives

On the cover A festive wreath by Passion florists in Bath. Turn to page 70 for some top winter floral tips. Image by Emily Kelly

BATH: ITS LIFE AND TIMES

Laura Pearce, Michael Eavis, Nicola Noble, Lydia McGivern and Emily Lynch are hoping for a mud-free May

Mary Berry meets with the Widcombe Junior School’s garden club

PARK LIFE

FLOUR POWER Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry joined Widcombe Junior School’s garden club at Parade Gardens to help plant some Dutch tulip bulbs that have been given to the city.

The event, held on 16 November, celebrated 70 years of twinning between Bath and Alkmaar in the Netherlands, when starving Dutch children were brought to the UK in 1945 to help the families at the end of the war.

Afterwards, children from each city made trips to the other in 1945 and 1946.

“My brother Roger was in the first group of Bath children to make the trip,” says Mary, a former Bath resident herself.

“He absolutely loved it, and made lifelong friendships from it.”

The bulbs, which should bloom in spring in the park’s flag flower bed, are a selection of 5,000, which have been distributed to 18 local junior and infant schools to be planted on their grounds.

For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk

T050

CHARITY

MICHAEL’S NEW GIG

The legendary Glastonbury festival founder Michael Eavis CBE has become an ambassador for the Walk of Life, the popular annual fundraising event for Forever Friends Appeal.

“The Royal United Hospital in Bath has always been close to my heart, having myself received excellent treatment there in past years,” explains Michael. “When Walk founder Nic approached me with her story and asked if I would consider becoming an ambassador for the Walk Of Life, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Since 2005 the festival has supported the appeal with various fundraising activities,

including our pre-Glastonbury staff annual skittles match.”

The Walk was started in 2006 when sisters Vanessa Kyte and Nic Noble approached the appeal, who are the primary charity for Bath’s Royal United Hospital, about holding a walk to raise money to improve the hospital’s cancer facilities. In 2007, Vanessa sadly passed away seven years after her cancer diagnosis, with Nic’s final promise to her being to continue fundraising in her memory to see a new cancer centre built at the RUH. For more: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT

BATH HALF

GOING THAT EXTRA MILE

THEATRE

SEEING STARS From the holiday-romancing Shirley Valentine to the suburbanly sinister Abigail’s Party, and from the creepy and the kooky Addams Family to the opinionated and legendary cricketer Geoff Boycott, it’s fair to say Theatre Royal Bath has all bases covered in their new spring season programme.

Among the star names on the bill are Amanda Abbington, who is best-known for her roles in Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, playing Abigail; double Olivier Award winner, comic and writer Griff Rhys Jones returning to the stage in Moliere’s The Miser; and Matthew Kelly and Felicity Montagu who star as Mr and Mrs Bennet in the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice.

For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Matthew Kelly and Felicity Montagu, Geoff Boycott, and Amanda Abbington are part of Theatre Royal’s new season

CHRISTMAS

MARKET LEADERS Oh Christmas spree, oh Christmas spree

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas thanks to the arrival of the 16th Bath Christmas Market.

For a glorious 18 days, having started on 24 November, 170 decorated chalets are lining the Roman Baths and the Abbey.

85 per cent of all stallholders are businesses from the South West, the majority of which design and make their own high quality products themselves and include such products as reversible jewellery, Christmas sheep, Bollywood baubles and Wraxall wine.

“There is also an animated light display, a downloadable map to navigate the site, and free wifi available throughout,” says David James, chief executive of VisitBath who are the organisers for the Christmas Market.

For more: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

Top Lane, Whitley, Wiltshire SN12 8QX 01225 704966 www.peartreewhitley.co.uk

T f @peartreewhitley

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015, Peter Patton was determined to try and carry on as normal. He also discovered running helps mitigate some of the effects of the disease and signed up to the Vitality Bath Half – which Bath Life is the Official Media Partner of – to raise money for Parkinson’s UK, one of the race’s official charities.

His daughter Madeleine Patston was so in awe of her father, she offered to travel back from Germany, where she now lives, to take part in the event on 12 March next year. She explains, “I just couldn’t believe it when he said he was going to run the Bath Half. It is an impressive feat for anyone, but much more for somebody who has an awful illness that attacks the motor system. I offered to run with him as support and to boost his fundraising total.”

For more: www.bathhalf.co.uk Peter Patston and daughter Madeleine Patston are in the running together

Adventures in party-going

SCENE

Andrew Cowen

Bianca Moore

AC ROS S B AT H , O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

VIVA LA VERVE Michelle Farmer and Susan Parsons

Founders Jacqui Edmiston and Michelle Aitken of Verve, the London Road furniture and art styling store, recently welcomed friends and colleagues to their first anniversary party. Together they celebrated a successful year with drinks, nibbles and speeches including one from Les Redwood of VisitBath.

Photos by Jeni Meade www.jeni-meade-photography.com

Jacqui Edmiston, Michelle Aitken and Leslie Redwood

Neill Menneer, Cameron Shields and Gillian Ryan Claire Williams, Maria Sailes and Fiona Parashar

Jessica Charleston and Dan Askham

Louise Rashford, Lisa Doerr and Julie Johnson

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 19

SOCIETY

CLASSICALLY ST YLISH

Val O’Reilly, Sandra Haydon’Crookes and Sue Ramsdale

Wadswick Green recently hosted their Women’s Week event, which along with welcome drinks and a three-course dinner, residents and their invited guests enjoyed a fashion show organised by Devizes-based Spirit Fashion, showcasing their latest contemporary range aimed at women of all ages.

Photos by Sophie Speakman

Carolyn and Tim Barton

Vernon and Stella Worrall

Pat Jones and Ruth Rogers Valerie Tanner Judy Webb and Sally Phillips

Chantelle Strangward and Tim Clarke

Debbie Gregory and Louise Clarke

Penny Scambler and Clare Jones

20 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SOCIETY

KOOKS AND SPOOKS

Adam Collier, Beth Wall Emma Newton and Candice Webb

It was a fright night at Sub 13 to celebrate Halloween when party organiser Josh Tully hosted a Dead Disney event. An invited guest list enjoyed pumpkin punch and halloween-inspired cocktails, with DJ Xtopher providing the background whilst the guests partied the night away as dead Bambi, evil Mickey Mouse and a bloodied white rabbit.

Photos by Sam Short www.soul-media.co.uk Jess Singer, Lucy Waters, Anna Morgan, Connor Oatley and Milly Ollis

Arron Leakey and Bobby Taunton

Alice Dennison and Rachel Perkins

Jemima Thomas and Rhodri Davies

Josh Tully and Tim Whelehan

Chris and Mia Hayes

22 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SOCIETY

CHALKING IT UP

Lyn Dauncey and Rob Iles

The Chalk Paint legend Annie Sloan recently visited The Marmalade House in The Loft, Bath, to sign copies of her new book Annie Sloan Paints Everything. She revealed the reason she selected the business as the only Bath stockist of her bestselling products was down to her friendship and strong working relationship with Marmalade owner Vanessa Sayce.

Annie Sloan Lisa Carney and Piu Bose

Photos by Beata Cosgrove www.beatacosgrovephotography.com

Natasha Dos Santos, Gaye James and Helen Drake

BUSINESS TALKS Bath Business Partnership held a drinks reception and dinner with key members of the community at The Recreation Ground on 13 October. John Glenn MP for Salisbury, was one of the notable speakers, who discussed the government’s plans for business following on from the outcome of the EU referendum.

LĂŠonie Spencer, Mathew Knockton, Chris Goodenough and Sarah Knocton Louise Prynne, David Attinger and Kim Wilkinson

Photos by Neil Watson www.neilwatsonphotography.co.uk

Michael Hillier, Martin Grixoni, Emma Wyatt and Andrew Pinnell

24 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Cathy Colston, Hannah Goodenough, Alistair Colston and Natasha Cottell

Ellie Rose Bridal

Ti Adora by Alvina Valenta

Hayley Paige Occasions

Blush by Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige

7 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP | 01225 443 988 | info@ellierosebridal.co.uk www.ellierosebridal.co.uk |

SOCIETY Zoe Martson, Olivia Stevenson and Hannah Taylor

SOFA SO GOOD

Jo Slaven and Ann-Marie James

Matthew Williamson’s much anticipated sofa collection was revealed exclusively in Rossiters of Bath, the Broad Street department store, last month. Selected guests, who enjoyed fizz and nibbles, were able to browse the new range, which combines bold and brilliant fabrics classic, with contemporary furniture styles.

Photos by Derryn Vranch www.derrynvranch.com

Dom Beaven, Ali Beaven, Katherine Raderecht and Peter James

Helen Bennet, Kim Paterson and Stuart Gates

INTO THE BLUE Blue held an autumn fashion show at their The Loft home in Bartlett Street on 13 October in support of Macmillan Cancer support. Invited guests enjoyed bubbly, Café Lucca canapés, a spectacular catwalk show showcasing this season’s trends as modelled by the store’s customers, plus a discounted shopping opportunity.

Photos by Jeni Meade www.jeni-meade-photography.com

Astral Blanchard and Nuala Sheehan

Jennifer Randall and Maya Renwick

26 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Jane Welsh, Sarah Welsh, Hilary Vowles and Jean Woods

Hazel Goad

SOCIETY

JUST DOUGH IT Massimo Nucaro and Emiliano Tunno, long-time friends and owners of Dough pizza restaurant in The Corridor invited more than 100 local businesses and supporters to toast their first few months in business, and to showcase their authentic artisan pizzas and speciality doughs, which includes hemp, chocolate and new seaweed dough.

Sam Daniels and Neal Wood

Emiliano Tunno

Photos by Christina West www.christinawest.co.uk

Rosie, Babington, Jan De Jong and Hannah Eustace

Tim Moss, Elizabet Season, Miles Rhodes and Annie Moss

Jamie Eastman, Anita Taylor and Shonagh Manson

PICTURE THIS The Jerwood Drawing Prize 2016, which showcases the best in UK-based drawing practitioners, officially opened on 4 November.

Guests were invited to view the contemporary drawings on display at The Andrew Brownsword Galleries at The Edge, the new contemporary arts venue based at the University of Bath.

Andrew Brownsword and Christina Brownsword

Photos by Owen Bryant www.edgearts.org.

Giles Brown and Melissa Mahon

Nicola Grellier

28 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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A MAN’S WORLD

DAVID FLATMAN

HINT HINT Christmas is a time for sharing and giving, but when it comes to choosing gifts for Flats, it’s a conundrum

A

pparently I’m difficult to buy for at Christmas. I’d like to think that this is because, being all about mindfulness and spiritual perspective, possessions mean little to me when compared with those aspects of life that really matter.

This isn’t it, though. I’m tough to buy for as, when I see something I want, I go and buy it. Now please realise, I’m not seeing Ferraris and Patek Philippes and ordering them before the kettle boils. No, I’m talking about what I see as reasonable purchases.

This behaviour is fun, but it is also probably immature! As poor old Paul at Fidelius will confirm, I am awful with money. It’s not that I’m reckless and have spiralling debts, it’s just that I have almost no idea what I earn, nor what I spend. I just try not to go too mad (this expression makes poor old Paul so, so mad). My approach to life doesn’t involve strict budgeting or, frankly, much real restraint. This serves me well lots of the time but there are times, like Christmas, when it seems to to backfire somewhat as I receive the worst presents imaginable. Mum was so stumped a couple of years ago that I unwrapped what I thought was an as yet untaxidermied Alaskan malamute. It was in fact a faux fur gilet. Such was her conundrum.

Nobody won that day.

I’ll give you some examples of where my bank cards have been most aggressively exercised this year, and let you decide whether you think playing Santa chez moi would be all that hard. I became sick of Mrs F’s ‘bargain’ (read: cheap for a reason) pans in the kitchen, so I raided the Robert Welch shop and, well, I’ll never buy pans anywhere else again. They are quite immense. I also became

sick of our sitting room sofas – yes, more Mrs F bargains – so went to Brissi and went large. They haven’t arrived yet, but when they do Mrs F will, I’m certain, see the value in going for quality over pure, immediate cheapness. I reckon this often saves one money in the long run, as it happens. At least that’s what I tell myself. The Brogue Trader is always a lovely place to shop, and so it goes on.

My awkward and especially unique proportions dictate that buying clothes as gifts is a futile exercise, and I already have all the BBQ accessories I can handle, but I maintain I’m not a hard case.

Subscriptions, therefore, are the way forward.

My mum reads this column, so allow me to drop some hints. I chew through audiobooks as I waft all over the national motorway network, so an Audible subscription seems a decent idea. I’m a coffee addict (and ignorant, pretend snob), so one of those coffee clubs would make my week, every week. And socks! Did you know you can actually join sock clubs now that deliver fresh, new socks monthly in order to maintain the highest standards in male underwear? Madness! Except I love it.

And meat, of course. Google Field and Flower and you’ll see where my favourite pounds go. Boxes of amazing meat and fish, delivered to my actual house. I’m already signed up there, admittedly, but I remain keen for someone else to shoulder the cost in the interest of Christmas, a time for giving. And I’d rather unpack a nice steak than another Labrador tank top.

I UNWRAPPED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN AS YET UNTAXIDERMIED ALASKAN MALAMUTE

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

BEFORE

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The WISH list

Christmas decorations, from £4 These vintage-style figgy pudding and raw-look gingham and wool festive decorations are especially handmade for the Foodie Bugle Shop by artist Julie Aston From The Foodie Bugle Shop, 2 Abbey Street, Bath; www.thefoodiebugleshop.com 38 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTO BY JASON INGRAM

It’s already that time of year again. The festive season is in full, fabulous swing, the decorations are twinkling in the city and most of us have started thinking about Christmas gifts for our nearest and dearest.

So we’re here with the first instalment of our annual gift guide. We’ve shopped ’til we’re ready to drop and reckon we’ve come up with some crackers for even the most difficult-to-buy-for…

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Bose QuietControl 30 Headphones, £229.95 You can’t control how noisy your environment is, but you can control how much of it you hear with these Bose wireless headphones featuring a lightweight neckband designed to conform to your body for all-day wearability From Farpoint, The Old Red House Bakery, 90c Walcot Street, Bath; www.farpoint.me

Pols Potten candleholders, £45 each Adding a few of these multi-coloured glass, brass-based candleholders would be a perfect way to achieve that all-important feeling of hygge at home From Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Copper lamp, £89 At Lola Swift’s pop up shop, which is open until 30 December, you’ll find this sleek, contemporary, tap-on lamp with three levels of brightness From Lola Swift, 21 Milsom Street, Bath; www.lolaswift.co.uk

Bubbles earrings, £50 You’ll find these hallmarked silver earrings at Karen Parker’s open studio on 9 and 10 December, or at Bear Flat Christmas Market on 3 December From Karen Parker Jewellery, 55 First Avenue, Oldfield park, Bath; www.karenparkerjewellery.com

Dinosaur Light, £38 Enter the Jurassic era and discover your playful side with this cute and colourful origami-inspired T-Rex lamp From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

The Mouse Princess & The Pea, £35.95 Inspired by the classic fairy tale, this delightful Danish-made mouse princess wears a sparkly dress and gold crocheted crown as she sleeps on padded mattresses and a hidden pea From My Small World, 19-21 St Lawrence Street, Bath; www.mysmallworld.co.uk

Emperor penguin ice bucket, £50 Bow-tied, tuxedoed and stately in stainless steel, the rotund penguin ice bucket adds comical class to the countertop and holds 50 ounces of Antarctic-cold cubes From Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com

Limelight candles, from £6.50 each With a burn time of over 12 hours for the mini versions and up to 65 hours for the extra large three-wick variety, these luxury candles, handpoured in Bath, are loaded with high intensity fragrance and come exquisitely wrapped From Limelight Bath, Barn Piece, 5 Trimnells, Colerne; www.limelightlimited.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Radford carving set, £95 This two-piece set, presented in an oak veneered box, is designed to complement the timelessly classic Radford cutlery range. Both pieces are polished to a mirror finish From Robert Welch, 6 Broad Street, Bath; www.robertwelch.com

Bowers & Wilkins, T7 speaker, £300 With its stunning honeycomb design and golden finish, this portable, wireless Bluetooth speaker offers beautifullybalanced audio for high quality sound wherever you go From Moss of Bath, 45 St James’ Parade, Bath; mossofbath.co.uk

TopSteer Challenge supercar, £250 This children’s TSC Lambo Supercar features MP3 and radio, steering suspension, lights and engine sounds.

We also have our eye on TopSteer’s swegways and hoverboards for adults From TopSteer Challenge, 3 Northumberland Buildings, Bath; www.topsteerchallenge.com 40 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Claus Porto hand creams, £16.50 These chemical-free, all-natural creams with argan oil will leave hands freshly scented and deeply hydrated From Article, 3 Bartlett Street, Bath; www.articlebath.com

Deauville body, £131 Comfort and elegance defines this Ruby Gold body, the timeless design of which appeals to women of all ages From The Dressing Room, 7 Quiet Street, Bath; www.dressingroombath.com

Decorative boxes, from £85 From keepsake cases in saddle leather, to jewellery boxes in faux shagreen, these storage chests are inspired by travel essentials from the colonial era which were practical and rugged, yet beautiful From OKA, 26-27 Milsom Street, Bath; www.oka.com

Mini embroidery frame sets, £6 each Use embroidery, cross stitch, appliqué, or just a lovely piece of fabric to create your own mini masterpiece with this gorgeous set. The possibilities are endless: from necklaces and brooches, to earrings and keyrings From The Makery, 19 Union Passage, Bath; www.themakery.co.uk

CRESCENT FLOWERS Tel: 01225 312999 www.crescentflowers.co.uk

XMAS MARKET SHOPPING GUIDE

FANTASTICALLY FESTIVE BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET GIFTS

Stag artwork, £35 Whether you live in a country cottage or an urban apartment, this handsome, shimmering stag will bring an element of glamour to your home From Bertie and Jack; www.bertieandjack.co.uk

As the Bath Christmas Market is now on (until 11 December), we’ve hunted through the chalets’ treasures to bring you some unique gift ideas from local businesses

Rapeseed truffle oil, £30 Nestled inside luxurious packaging, this truffle flavoured single cold-pressed extra virgin rapeseed oil comes in a limited edition bottle, so each one is unique From Frome-based Fussels Fine Foods; www.fusselsfinefoods.co.uk

Gingerbread houses, from £8 These fairytale gingerbread houses, handbaked in Bath, come deconstructed and ready to create at home with the kids From Bickie-boo; www.bickie-boo.co.uk

Mischievous mutt keyrings, £5.95 each Other dog designs are available too, but we just adore these Sweet William Dachshund four-legged friends From Bloomsbury; www.bloomsburystore.com 42 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Companion set £195, The Holcombe-based creative metalwork company sculpts practical and pretty designs such as these fire-side accessories From Stray Sparks; www.straysparks.com

Country hare cushion, £29.95 Graphic artist Kathryn Shayler hand-crafts her textile and gift products in Bath. We particularly love this chic and simple cushion From Keylime design; www.keylimedesign.co.uk

Round Hill Roastery coffee, £5.95 per bag Hamper company Taste of Bath specialise in hyper local artisan food and drink sourced within a 10-mile radius of the city, including this seasonal harvest coffee Available from Taste of Bath; www.taste-of.co.uk and Round Hill Roastery; www.roundhillroastery.com

Christmas bookmark, £10 Local designer Ellie Dale specialises in one-off products like this snowflake beaded bookmark, so you can give something truly unique this Christmas From Elliegant Gems; www.elliegantgems.co.uk

It Moose be Love pendant, £45 This Bath-based business specialises in whimsical handmade silver jewellery. We love this moose silhouette which sits on a silver chain along with a tiny hand-cut silver heart From The Silver Shed; www.folksy.com

Night Before Christmas chocolate set, £18 Carrots for the reindeer, plus a tipple and a mince pie for Santa – this fun and quirky chocolate Christmas Eve selection made by a Rode-based business, has it all From Choc on Choc; www.choconchoc.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 43

Bunny Princess & Th e Pea £94.95

Matchboxes Maileg Mice in from £15.95

ig BroWorld ther Racer M MyBSmall ouse in Matchbox £ 18.95 Little Southgate, Bath Tel. 01225 938338

use Dream & Tooth Fairy Mo £18.95

First Christma s Angel Mice from £9 .95

.95 s Ark £59 Maileg Noah’

Our chosen charity for 2016 is Unicef.

Supporting children in danger worldwide.

NEW FOR MEN FULL RANGE AVAILABLE FROM END OF NOVEMBER

7 Quiet Street Bath BA1 2JU T: 01225 330563 E: info@dressingroombath.com www.dressingroombath.com

WHITEHALL Garden Centres

GREAT GIFT IDEAS

LIGHTING

ENTERTAINMENT

REAL ICE RINK & SANTA’S GROTTO Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2LZ Tel: 01249 730204 Norton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0BT Tel: 01275 832296 www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk

Osborne’s Christmas Trees On the Fosseway, nr Colerne, SN14 8AH Open from Saturday 3rd December daily 10am until Dark

Fresh from the Forest • Traditional trees • Potted • Large trees • Nordman Fir • Fraser Fir • Wreaths • Mistetoe and holly • Logs in bags • FREE REINDEER DUST

www.o-christmas.co.uk Tel: 07870 466179

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Woods the stationers

OUR SHOP HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN BATH FOR OVER 200 YEARS

GIFTS ACCESSORIES INTERIORS INDULGE IN AN ECLECTIC FUSION OF PATTERN AND COLOUR, A FEAST OF DESIGNER BUYS AND UNDISCOVERED ARTISANS OPEN 1 NOVEMBER UNTIL 29 DECEMBER 28 MILSOM STREET, BATH SHOP HOURS MON-SAT 10AM-5.30PM SUN 11AM-4PM

Come in for all your day to day and gift stationery

WWW.LOLASWIFT.CO.UK

12 Old Bond Street, Bath Tel: 01225 445 347

Students receive 20% off e ve Mon & Tu ry es

Appointments and walk-ins welcome 13A WESTGATE BUILDINGS, BATH BA1 1EB TEL: 01225 335511 Opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm

12 Margaret's Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP 01225 420333 www.mimiyuyu.com

Silver Bear Jewellery & Gifts

34 Wellsway, Bear Flat, BATH BA2 2AA 01225 422225

Lady Lena

Vouchers are available and make an ideal gift for any occasion.

Handmade coasters of Bath

ANNIVERSARIES | FAMILY OCCASIONS | WEDDING EVENTS For a truly memorable and unique experience, private charter of this magnificent, historic boat starts from ÂŁ100 for 2 people for a champagne cruise, or ÂŁ200 for up to 10. We are a small, family run business so can tailor the trip to your needs.

Sit back in the cushions for a glass of complimentary champagne on arrival, listen to the unusual story of the discovery of the boat or the history of the canal as you pass by whilst enjoying a home made cream tea or a picnic of your choice.

For more information or to make a booking please call us 01225 834250 or email info@ladylena.co.uk

WWW.L ADYLENA.CO.UK

Gorgeous silver jewellery from Smile Jewellery Ltd Lots of fabulous party games for all the family Many more lines in stock, come have a browse and keep an eye on our Facebook page for our up and coming Christmas mulled wine evening. Avoid the crowds... shop with us!

S H O P P I N G advertising feature

FOR a MERRY shop this christmas, keep it local Whether it's bamboo socks, limited edition art or contemporary homeware you're after, here' s our Yuletide pick and mix of the best shopping experinces in the region

paprika gifts

8D Chelsea Road, Bath BA1 3DU 01225 443246; www.paprikagifts.co.uk At Paprika Gifts our aim is to provide our customers with the widest possible choice of quality items that they wouldn’t find together anywhere else. We have a carefully curated range of gifts including jewellery, accessories, homewares and decorations. We are proud to say that almost all our products are sourced from design led UK companies.

Whether you should want some bamboo socks for the man in your life, a cute toy for a new arrival or stylish Ted Baker stationery, you’ll find something for everyone on your Christmas list at Paprika Gifts.

Spotty Herberts

5 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HE 01225 331834; www.spottyherberts.com Find Spotty Herberts on cobbled Queen Street in the centre of town – a shop for children from 0-10 years, where you will find British brands of unisex clothing together with small toys and treasures from around the world. Lots of Christmas gifts now in stock and ready to be wrapped – just ask. Now also open 11am to 4pm on Sundays.

CASTLE FINE ART

13 Old Bond Street, Bath BA1 1BP 01225 789298; www.castlegalleries.com Castle Fine Art on Old Bond Street offers a wide range of original and limited edition art exhibited in a stunning Grade-II building. Since being officially opened by the mayor in June 2014, the gallery has established itself firmly on Bath’s cultural scene, hosting events and exhibitions for a number of internationally renowned artists such as Alex Echo, Romero Britto and Andrew Kinsman. With a dynamic programme of fine art focuses in its dedicated exhibition space, showcasing artwork by Bob Dylan, Raphael Mazzucco and Lorenzo Quinn among others, the gallery is well worth a visit next time you are in town.

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VINTAGE TO VOGUE

28 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DG; 01225 337323 www.vintagetovoguebath. co.uk An independent clothes purveyor located in the heart of Bath stocking high quality vintage women's and men's clothing and accessories.

Specialising in items from the 1920s to the 1970s, including fabulous designer pieces, classics and rare couture garments. Selling vintage clothing from the establishment for over fourteen years Vintage to Vogue has been voted one of the top fifty vintage shops in the UK. Suppliers to stage, film and TV including Downton Abbey, Mr Selfridge, and Indian Summer. Offering personal styling, guidance and a friendly service. A perfect place to find those unusual and desirable Christmas gifts including gift tokens. Find us tucked away down the corridor leading to Broad Street car park behind 28 Milsom Street and TM Lewin.

ad v ertisi n g feature S H O P P I N G

Spirit Fashion

3 High Street, Devizes SN10 1AT 01380 729933; www.spiritfashion.co.uk Spirit Fashion is one of a wide range of excellent independents situated in the historic market town of Devizes, Wiltshire.

Aimed at both 'mother and daughter', their contemporary brands hail from across Europe and the UK, ranging from the Dutch jeans label Garcia to French occasionwear Onjenu and Spanish Indi & Cold.

Other brands include Amazing Woman, French Connection, Great Plains, Dr. Denim and Seasalt which sit alongside a carefully hand-picked selection of footwear, accessories, jewellery and lingerie.

Fashion is their passion and they are always on the hunt for yet more new and exciting styles to bring to Wiltshire.

The opening times are 9.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook and Instagram; they’ll love you for it!

Pitch26 – art of architecture

3 Church Street, Bath BA1 1NL 07930 930009; www.pitch26.com Bath's newest art gallery in the heart of the city, pitch26 is the working studio and gallery of Bath-based architect and artist, Robert Kann. The iconic scenes of Bath, London, Oxford and various other UK towns are all hand drawn using Indian ink pens and digitally coloured and printed to a incredibly high quality to produce incredibly vivid, vibrant and eye-catching pieces of art.

With Christmas round the corner, the pitch26 gallery is offering its amazing contemporary limited edition architectural artwork ranging from £20.00 to £600.00.

Where better to find beautiful local artwork, than in pitch26?

Sisi & May

9a Bartlett Street, Bath BA1 2QZ 01225 442250; www.sisiandmay.com Sisi & May is a colourful fashion and lifestyle boutique stocking an eclectic mix of perfumes, jewellery, scarves, bags pieces for the home and clothing labels that are carefully sourced from all over the world.

Underneath the french mirrors and chandeliers you will find racks of names you might not of heard of.

There are feminine floral print dresses from London based Primrose Park and Rixo, sumptuous silk blouses from Dea Kudibal and Cashmere jumpers from Claudia Nicole in pretty colours. PK Berry is one up and coming label everyone is excited about, and, of course, no one can go without the star jumper.

Every nook and cranny is filled with beautiful scarves, or shiny things from affordable gold bracelets to embroidered clutch bags, all this with the waft of the ever popular scent from Molecule Eccentrics filling the air.

Homefront interiors

10 Margaret's Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP; 01225 571711 www.homefrontinteriors.co.uk Homefront Interiors is an unique, independent interior design shop full of beautiful vintage and contemporary homewares and gifts.

Everything in the shop follows our ethos of sustainability, whether that means recycled materials, Fairtrade origins, small-scale handmade production, or simply showing a little love and care to vintage finds.

It’s not just about the old, though – at Homefront we love the juxtaposition of vintage and contemporary styles, and stock exquisite handmade work from a number of local artists, including ceramics, textiles and jewellery.

Pop in to our beautiful shop where we’d be delighted to see you. We can assist you in selecting something that’s just right for your home or help you find that special gift for a loved one this Christmas.

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Crafting beautiful homes In and around Bath

01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

Music/theatre/film/more

THE GRAMMYS

The Bath Pizza Co will be supporting a new exhibition at their sister business the Green Park Brasserie, to celebrate the best photography of Bath, by the people of Bath. Partnering with the @igersBath Instagram group, the exhibition will feature 25 images taken locally, selected from more than 700 entries made on the #igersBathGreenPark hashtag on Instagram.

Lloyd Evans, an @igersbath moderator, explains, “Instagrammers Bath is a photography community, hosted within the Instagram app. We aim to bring together people with a common interest, photography and a love for the city they live in. We want to encourage residents to be tourists in their own city, so by using the #igersBath hashtag, they can explore places they haven’t before, and find inspiration on their doorstep. Then if they use the same hashtag when sharing their photos, they can help others do the same.”

The Instagrammers Bath Exhibition, which includes this image by Jon Godfrey, can be seen at Green Park Brasserie until May 2017; www.bathpizzaco.com/exhibition

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26 November – 24 December

Maria Rivans’s Anya can be viewed at the Modern Artbuyer Open House as part of an exciting collection of new talent; Liza Goddard and Robert Powell star in the Alan Ayckbourn classic comedy Relatively Speaking at the Theatre Royal Bath; Havana Hurricane headlines Club Paradis at the Chapel Arts Centre on 10 December

Exhibitions UNTIL 30 NOVEMBER

YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR Nick Cudworth’s latest exhibition of paintings and prints, centres around his collection of hats and shoes, and includes the humorous Carnival of Soles and Head in the Clouds. Nick Cudworth Gallery; www.nickcudworth.co.uk UNTIL 30 NOVEMBER

SUSANNA LISLE Susanna Lisle’s new paintings combine geometry and pattern as a metaphor for the experience of the natural world. Together they reflect and evoke the rhythm and mystery of the landscape; its tangibility and elusiveness is recalled over and over again.

Lane House Arts; www.lanehousearts.co.uk UNTIL 8 DECEMBER

MY KIND OF VISION This mesmerising collection of 21 new oil paintings by Ronald

F. Smith, who has turned 70 this year, are his response to landscape and seascape of his travels, and is his fourth solo exhibition with the Edgar Modern. Edgar Modern; www.edgarmodern.com UNTIL 11 DECEMBER

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

UNTIL 17 DECEMBER

JERWOOD DRAWING PRIZE The Jerwood Drawing Prize, the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK, can be viewed in Bath for the very first time at the university’s new centre for arts. This year’s works include

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hand-drawn, digital, moving image and sculptural practice.

The Edge; www.edgearts.org UNTIL 24 DECEMBER

COMFORT AND JOY Alongside the distinctive work of Carole Waller and Gary Wood, there’s exquisite jewellery by Annie Beardsley, Kaz Robertson and Holly Belsher, and a selection of stunning prints by Orson Kart.

See page 94 for more.

One Two Five Gallery; www.onetwofivegallery.co.uk

a new light, and these exciting collaborations include visual interpretations of quantum dynamics, genetics and the cosmos. Art at the Heart of the RUH; www.artatruh.org UNTIL 22 JANUARY 2017

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. The Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

UNTIL 9 JANUARY 2017

WINTER WONDERLAND ‘Tis the season to get arty with the Rostra Gallery, who are exhibiting a seasonally inspired collection of affordable prints, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery and cards. Rostra Gallery; www.rostragallery.co.uk UNTIL 12 JANUARY 2017

SCI-ART SYNERGY Scientists have used creative works to show their research in

UNTIL 12 FEBRUARY 2017

RED – CULTURE, HISTORY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP This collection explores the many different aspects of this bold primary colour in Chinese culture, from the materials used 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

UNTIL 19 FEBRUARY 2017

PETER BROWN: A BATH PAINTER’S TRAVELS This exhibition features over 100 new oil paintings and drawings

by Bath-based artist Peter Brown, commonly known as Pete the Street for his habit of painting his home-city outdoors in all weathers. See page 64 for full feature. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk UNTIL 19 FEBRUARY 2017

JEAN ROSE: THE POETRY OF THE EVERYDAY Jean Rose was among the first artists to enrol at the Bath Academy of Art in the late 1940s.

Sixty five years later she is still at work in the city, with beautiful works celebrating everyday social activities. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk UNTIL 5 MARCH 2017

DJORDJE OZBOLT: THE GRAND DETOUR By ‘invading’ the grounds of the museum the artist creates new, works from old collections and leads us to discover exciting, fresh perspectives on the past.

The Holburne; Museum; www.holburne.org UNTIL 12 MARCH 2017

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 26 – 27 NOVEMBER

MODERN ARTBUYER OPEN HOUSE The open house pop-up gallery in Limpley Stoke features an exciting collection of artworks by established and emerging artists from across the UK including Jane Emberson and Maria Rivans. Sylvan Lodge, 1 Cliffe Drive, Limpley Stoke, Bath; www.modernartbuyer.com 29 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER

JACKIE HARDING Local artist Jackie Harding’s paintings are predominantly concerned with colour, together with structure and space and have been described as

David Simon Contemporary’s Mixed Winter exhibition features this atmospheric painting by Andrew Lansley titled Filey

“luminous, exquisitely coloured oil paintings that distill the feelings and totality of experience engendered by different places.”

44AD; www.44ad.net 30 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER

BATH. LIFE. A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION An exhibition of 40 images by local amateur photographer, Steve May, celebrating life in the city of Bath from every angle and in beautiful colour. Walcot Chapel, Walcot Gate. For more contact via Twitter @Steve1May 2 – 24 DECEMBER

MIXED WINTER An exciting, eclectic showcase of gallery artists as well as new faces including Andrew Lansley, who achieves a direct connection to the elemental quality of landscape using egg tempera and watercolour. David Simon Contemporary; www. davidsimoncontemporary.com

Plays/Shows UNTIL 17 DECEMBER

TROUBLE IN MIND Trouble In Mind, which stars the Olivier and Evening Standard Award nominated Tanya Moodie, smartly satirises the white-dominated theatre scene of the time, with knowing humour and richly drawn characters. £19.50. Ustinov Studio; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

English, Relatively Speaking, was Alan Ayckbourn’s first West End hit and turned him into a household name. Greg only met Ginny a month ago but has already made up his mind that she’s the girl for him. He decides to ask for her parents’ permission to marry, except they’re not her parents, and comic confusion ensues. Stars Liza Goddard and Robert Powell. £21.50-£31.50.

Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

27 NOVEMBER

SHAPPI KHORSANDI Shappi is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her arrival in Britain from Iran with a tour in which she reclaims patriotism and sends a love letter to her adopted land – all delivered with a deliciously mischievous charm. 8pm, £15.

Wiltshire Music Centre, www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk 28 NOVEMBER – 3 DECEMBER

RELATIVELY SPEAKING The beautifully crafted, uproariously funny and charmingly

1 DECEMBER

BONBON CABARET A scintillating array of fine, local talent in a variety show format and includes Tina Turner Tea Lady and Marty Skiver. 8pm, £14. Widcombe Social Club; www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk 2 DECEMBER

80s MANIA Prepare to experience Europe’s ultimate 80’s concert show, featuring 25 chart-topping pop icons authentically recreated with w

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live band and awesome dancers, presented by former Radio 1 Mike Read. 7pm, £21.50. The Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk 4 DECEMBER

RICKY GERVAIS AND GUESTS – WORK IN PROGRESS Brand new eagerly awaited material from The Office creator comes to Bath for one night only.

7.30pm, £20. Theatre Royal; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 4 DECEMBER

ONLY MEN ALOUD The famous Welsh vocal group will perform a whole selection box of music, ranging from traditional Christmas favourites to rock and pop classics, all delivered with their trademark whit, exquisite voices and musical panache. 7.30pm, £27. Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 6 – 10 DECEMBER

IN PRAISE OF LOVE The stage is set for a real-life chess game, in this Terence Rattigan’s moving drama, as the loves and loathings of the four protagonists – a married couple, their ambitious son and the family’s best friend – play out in a series of tactical power-struggles. £12. The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk 8 DECEMBER – 8 JANUARY

ALADDIN The thrilling and magical story of a boy, a lamp and a genie, Aladdin is this year’s Bath panto with star names Coronation Street’s Bill Ward and CBBC’s Mark Rhodes, plus local favourite the comic actor Jon Monie. Theatre Royal Bath; £23£33; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 10 DECEMBER

CLUB PARADIS The international burlesque performer Havana Hurricane shimmies her way to headline a spectacular cabaret night of Hollywood smiles, bump’n’grind and take-your-breath-away costumes. 8pm, £25. Chapel Arts Centre; www.chapelarts.org

Music 29 NOVEMBER

LIGHT UP A LIFE Bath Camerata donates its services once again to Dorothy House for an annual service of

Good reef! The guys from Reef are back, stronger than ever, and playing Komedia on 30 November

consolation, remembrance and reflective candlelight in Bath Abbey. 6pm, free. Bath Abbey; www.bathabbey.org 29 NOVEMBER

KAYLA PAINTER Bristol-based ambient and electronic music aficionado Kayla, crafts her experimental soundscapes from intriguing and restless rhythms. 7pm, £3.

Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 30 NOVEMBER

REEF Since the arrival of Ronnie Wood’s son Jesse Wood on guitar, Reef are back stronger and better than ever, mixing a set of inspired new songs with all the loved classics. 7.30pm, £19. Komedia, www.komedia.co.uk 6 DECEMBER

CELEBRATION OF ENGLISH AND FESTIVE SONG Enjoy a lunchtime treat of folkmusic inspired melodies and Christmas songs, with soprano Lucy Simon and pianist Patricia Robertson-Glasgow, combining their talents to perform a festive recital of English song from composers such as Benjamin Britten and Peter Warlock.

1.10pm-1.50pm. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

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9 DECEMBER

TANKUS THE HENGE Tankus the Henge are six, well dressed yet slightly bedraggled, gentlemen hailing from London Town, with tunes drawing from an array of influences including rock, ragtime, reggae and Django.

8pm, £12. Chapel Arts Centre; www.chapelarts.org 21 DECEMBER

PURPLE RAIN – A CELEBRATION OF PRINCE A world-class celebration of the life, legacy and music of Prince, played by Jimi Love, with an eight-piece live band delivering a non-stop, hit packed show spanning. 7pm, £15. Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

Family fun UNTIL 18 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS TREASURES A celebration of traditional toys and games from American history, with each of the museum’s period rooms embracing festive fun by showing a different seasonal pastime.

American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org UNTIL 2 JANUARY 2017

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’s 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 information, visit www.longleat.co.uk UNTIL 3 JANUARY 2017

BATH ON ICE Blade runners get ready to experience ice skating in the centre of the city when Bath’s festive outdoor real ice rink, along with Glow in the Dark Mini Golf, return to Royal Victoria Park, as well as an indoor fully-licensed bar and café. £7.25/£8.75. Royal Victoria Park; www.bathonice.com UNTIL 15 JANUARY 2017

ROBIN HOOD Action packed, fast paced and fantastically funny, this year’s egg Christmas show brings to life the legend of Nottingham’s muchloved outlaw Robin Hood, who brings with him daring deeds, w

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Tankus The Henge, playing the Chapel Arts Centre on 9 December cite rock, reggae and Django as just a few of their musical influences; Tanya Moodie stars in Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress at the Ustinov Studio, an acclaimed play-within-a-play dealing with prejudice and stereotypes amongst a supposedly liberal theatre company

a cast of four Merry men and a female ska band. £18/£12. the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

ice rink and nearby carol services.

For more information, visit www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

20 DECEMBER

26 NOVEMBER

NUTTY NOAH: WEAR YOUR PANTS WITH PRIDE The legendary Nutty Noah delivers his very silly show of comedy, music, magic and unbridled fun, which will delight children and adults alike. Everyone will be pleased this comes guaranteed with positively no educational content whatsoever. 1.30pm, £7/£6.

Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 22 DECEMBER

THE SNOWMAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF BATH PHILHARMONIA Bath Philharmonia will perform Howard Blake’s music live to the Christmas classic Raymond Briggs’ magical animated film, The Snowman. 3.30pm, £18/£12.

The Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

Other UNTIL 11 DECEMBER

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET With over 170 chalets lining the streets surrounding the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, no wonder this is considered a shopper’s paradise. There’s also food in The Lodge, Santa’s grotto, the outdoor

CLOTHES SWAPPIN’ FOR OXFAM A clothes swap organised by Oxfam Bath Fundraising Group, plus an upcycling workshop hosted by local artist Ellie Mawby.

2pm-6pm, £4. The Green Park Tavern; www.gptbath.com

1 DECEMBER

WHITE ROW FARM CHRISTMAS SHOPPING NIGHT Let the Christmas spree commence with an afternoon and night of tastings, mulled wine, cooking, a brass band, a choir, Christmas trees, flowers and gifts at this Beckington Farm seasonal event. 3-8pm. White Row Farm; www.whiterowfarm.co.uk 3 DECEMBER

26 & 27 NOVEMBER

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Make your seasonal gifts special this year. All the items for sale are the work of the exhibitors, with no mass-produced products.

11am–4.30pm. American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org 28 NOVEMBER

CREATIVE BATH: PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM Find out about the future of offices for creative companies and how to make the most of the valuable space you have. 6.30pm-8pm; Komedia; www.creativebath.org 29 NOVEMBER

CREATIVE BATH: WINTER SOCIAL There’s a free drink on arrival and plenty of opportunities to network, relax and chat with Bath’s creative industry. 6pm–late. Circo; www.creativebath.org

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CHRISTMAS AT PRIOR PARK Mix old and new traditions with a celebration of folk music, crafts and mulled wine, in a pretty-asa-Christmas-card setting. Prior Park; www.nationaltrust.org.uk 3 DECEMBER

BEAR FLAT CHRISTMAS MARKET Bear Flat Artists join up with the Bear Flat Association to present their annual Christmas Market and features more than 15 local artists, alongside artisan stall holders selling tasty goodies, local vegetables and plants.

10am to 4pm. Methodist Church Hall, Bruton Ave, Bear Flat; For more information please contact yvonne-elston@tiscali.co.uk 6 DECEMEBR

AN EVENING WITH DAME JULIA HIGGINS Professor Higgins, one of Britain’s leading scientific thinkers, comes

for an evening of discussion about her work involving molecular organisation and is also taking questions about the important work she has undertaken, and the role of women in science. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution; www.brlsi.org 6 DECEMBER

CREATIVE BATH BUSINESS BREAKFAST The Creative Bath Business Breakfasts provide an important forum for seniorlevel discussion about current opportunities and challenges in the creative sector. Along with the monthly opportunity for networking, there are round table discussions.

7.45am-9am, £10. Igloo, The Abbey Hotel; www.creativebath.org 7 DECEMBER

CREATIVE BATH INSPIRES: REAL SFX An exclusive, geek-tastic event with the Real SFX, the special effects company behind Doctor Who, Sherlock, and Star Wars.

The team deliver an amazing behind-the-scenes insight into their fascinating, otherworldly, work, plus there’s whisper of a few surprises.

6.30pm-9pm. Komedia; www.creativebath.org

November 29th – December 4th paintings at

44AD Gallery, 4 Abbey St. Bath, BA1 1NN 10.30am - 7.00pm

AA RR TS TS

SC EU XL HPI B T IUTRI O EN

HE’S REGULARLY CITED AS BRITAIN’S BEST PLEIN AIR PAINTER

BROWN in TOWN Peter Brown has a new exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery next month – and this time it’s not all about Bath

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A Pete’s travels have taken him to London (May Afternoon, Fleet Street, left), and he loved the atmosphere at Glastonbury (Brexit Morning, above) – but when it comes to the rainy streets he likes to paint, you can’t beat Bath: Absolutely Chucking it Down: George Street is one of two giant canvases in the new exhibition

round 22 years ago in Bath, I did something very smart, and something very stupid, all within the space of a couple of weeks.

The very smart thing I did was to buy a picture from a young guy selling drawings on Union Street.

It was a long, smudgy charcoal – a view of the city, from Beechen Cliff. The very stupid thing I did was to accidentally send the picture to Rolfey’s in the bottom of a wardrobe when we were having a house clear-out.

A few years later I went to meet Peter Brown, Bath plein airist par excellence, at his home in Weston. Halfway though our conversation (you don’t really ever interview Pete, exactly, you go around for a nice cup of tea and a rambling chat), I realised that this now-lauded artist, whose technique has been admired by critics and collectors in both Bath and London, and whose work now commands justifiably high prices, was the same street seller. I felt like the bloke who’d passed on the Beatles.

By then, Pete’s oils were fetching for a few thousand upward (they’re still going up). He’s regularly cited as Britain’s best plein air painter. “Brown is to Bath what Caneletto was to Venice”, Jon Benington of Victoria Art Gallery said once; other distinguished art experts have compared him favourably with Sickert. “If you had to put me in a whatsit, I’d be a British Impressionist”, Pete once told me.

Known locally as Pete the Street, due to his preference for working in plein air, he can be seen out with his paints and canvasses in all weathers; he’s become as much a part of the  www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 65

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landscape as the city he paints. He cheerfully puts up with everything Bath throws at him, from sleeting rain to giggling school children asking him to put them in his paintings; in his time he’s had to field such baffling questions as “are you a painter?” “did you mean to paint in the rain?’ and “did you do it yourself?” One father passing him by in London turned to his son and said, “Look! That man is painting a photo.”

Pete’s work continues to go up in value, but he remains as down-to-earth as ever; he still has the air of a bloke who can’t quite believe his luck. I have met more pretentious plumbers.

In recent years, his subject matter has started to range far beyond Larkhall, Lansdown and London, to take in Udaipur, Andalucia and Ireland; what attracts him to a place is the bustle, the people, the shifting moods. Since 2008 we’ve had a running conversation about how he should really get himself over to Bristol. He keeps promising that he will; I’m feeling very optimistic about 2017.

Pete’s fans will be delighted to learn that he has another major exhibition coming up at the Victoria Art Gallery next month, with 141 new oils and drawings priced from £650 upwards, all annotated in his trademark witty style; the ‘free audio guide with commentary by the artist’ should also be an entertaining listen.

I paid him a visit shortly before the final selection was due to be collected by the framers.

Dozens of canvases are stacked up against the walls and hung on the walls; a study of the Alhambra is propped up on an easel.

“I didn’t think I could have done another whole show just on Bath,” says Pete. “I travel a lot more now, I love it – so the idea is to do half Bath and half other places. There’s a bit of India, a little bit of London – I’ve also gone on some of these mad, very short trips to Seville and Granada, Dublin …” … oh, and Glastonbury? We saw his instagrams in June...

“Glasto, yes, great! It was my first visit. Lovely atmosphere and people. It’s a bit how I imagine Bristol would be like…” It is, Pete, it is.

One of the more sensible questions people ask him is: how do you decide what to paint for your collection?

“I just think, oh that looks nice, I’ll paint that.

There isn’t a structure to it at all. The structure side gets put on the end. I love painting people – I think it’s what I wanted to do all along, really, though I keep getting distracted by ‘wow, look at the river…’”

As well as ringing the changes, travelling also helps him to keep a fresh perspective on his home town, where it’s sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees. “After 20 years, I get a bit Bath’d out. When you stay anywhere for a long period of time, you can’t really see anything clearly, can you?”

As well as a much wider geographical span than before, another surprise for visitors will be the sheer size of two of the canvases – gigantic pieces, done in the studio (unusually for Pete) from plein air studies.

To better appreciate of one of these pieces, 66 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

NIGHT IS THE NEW WET. THE SKY’S BLACK, THE STREETS ARE LIGHT – IT’S ALL THE

WRONG

WAY ROUND

we go up to the top of his stairs and gaze down at it. It’s a huge study of George Street; an atmospheric, rainy scene, street and car lights reflected blurs in the slicked pavements. Pete loves the wet stuff; some of his most memorable paintings were done in snow, sleet and rain.

So could this be the next thing for you – really big paintings?

“Yeah, I’d love to really nail them, but I find it hard to work this way, it feels a little unnatural for me. Even after I’ve finished, I have to go out at the end, and redraw, say, that building on the left, because I didn’t quite trust what I was working from.”

How much for this piece, then Pete? “Thirty grand”. He smiles almost sheepishly. It clearly makes him a bit uncomfortable.

Final question – has his technique changed much, since we first featured him in Bath Life nearly 20 years ago? “I bloody hope so! I like to think I am getting more fluid.” Oh, and wait until you hear what else he’s into at the moment.

“Night! Night is the new wet. The sky’s black, the streets are light – it’s all the wrong way round”.

Sounds intriguing – will any of these nocturnal studies be at the VAG next month? Possibly.

Bring a torch.

See Peter Brown’s exhibition at the VAG from 3 December – 19 February.

For more: www.peterbrowneac.com

Above: around half the canvases in the new exhibition were drawn and painted in Bath; for example, St Michael with Saint Paul, night; Below: Pete at home with his canvases – ready to be sent off for framing

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It’s already beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, and top floral designer Johanne Wood of Passion is getting into the festive spirit by running special winter wreath-making workshops throughout December

By L i sa E va ns 70 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Photo by emily kelly

Budding talent

COURSES AND CLASSES

TRADITIONAL MISTLETOE AND HOLLY TO RED BERRIED POPULOUS AND

Opposite page: handmade wreaths at Passion’s barn in Upper Swainswick; this page, clockwise from above: a colourful display by Passion’s florists; flower arranging course at The Gainsborough Bath Spa; Johanne Wood, owner of Passion

DON’T MISS PASSION’S WINTER WORKSHOPS 2 December – Babington House, Frome (members only) 13 December – The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath 19 December – Calcot Manor, Tetbury 19 December – Barnsley House Hotel, Barnsley

TOP WREATH-MAKING TIPS FROM PASSION… 1) Use long and strong wires to attach your decorations to the wreath 2) Use different sizes and shapes of decorations to create interest 3) Don’t forget to decorate the sides and middle of the wreath 4) Use different varieties of pines and spruces for your wreath base 5) Don’t be afraid to forage in your back garden for branches, twigs and leaves to use on your wreath

PHOTO BY JENI MEADE

ROSES

T

asteful arrangements, which exude a natural sophistication and have an eclectic edge, are the name of the game at Passion’s workshops.

The business has been bringing refined, elegant blooms to the homes and events of Bath and beyond for 15 years now, and when I attended their latest small group course at The Gainsborough Bath Spa, I instantly saw why the business is so fruitful. Owner Johanne Wood, an award-winning floral designer who lives in Whitley near Bath, has had many a great moment during her career – from working on a music video in Rome for Andrea Bocelli, to being invited to Downing Street for a wedding appointment. Jo is, she admits, utterly obsessed with flowers, and it’s this appetite and ambition which has clearly helped the business thrive.

Jo headed up our hands-on flower arranging workshop herself and shared her vast array of talents with us. Now that we’re moving into December (or are already in December, depending on when you’re reading this) the focus has shifted to Christmas, and the next Passion class to get excited about is a merry wreathmaking one.

Our course, however, concentrated on how to perfectly arrange flowers in any vessel – a useful skill to know for every season. One of the challenges to creating a flower arrangement is getting your blooms to stay where you placed them, and a trick that Jo let us in on was ‘the grid’ tip – a taping technique which helped space the flowers evenly and hold them in an upright

PHOTO BY JENI MEADE

PHOTO BY TSCHORNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

EXPECT EVERYTHING FROM

position. We used strips of thin, transparent tape, sticking three strips horizontally across the pot, and then overlaying them with three strips vertically, creating a grid pattern. Every flower we then placed inside the vase, stayed in position.

Next, from around a dozen buckets, we selected the foliage we each wanted to use, meaning that even though we were all drawing on the same materials, each display ended up looking really different and impressive.

And when it comes to festive flora, expect everything from traditional mistletoe and holly to skimmia, red berried populous and roses, not forgetting seasonal fragrances such as cinnamon and pine, that bring warmth to the home.

So, treat yourself to an early present and book one of Passion’s upcoming winter-themed workshops; you even get to take your creations home and use them to proudly deck your halls.

For more, see www.flowersbypassion.com or call 01225 859994

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 71

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BOOKS

ARTS

WE GET A CLEAR LOOK AT HOW AMERICA’S WHITE WORKING CLASS HAS BECOME SO VULNERABLE TO CERTAIN POLITICAL APPROACHES

TRUMP CARD

This week, the spotlight is on U.S. politics; here are a few reads which may shed some light on the electoral system…

By N IC BO T T OM L E Y

B

y now the world has had a week or two to get familiar with the new U.S. President.

Whatever we thought the result might be (probably not the one that happened to be honest), I think it’s fair to assume that we are all still in a fog of incredulity about exactly how the electoral system and the engines of power function in America; so I thought I’d pick out a few books that might give us all some insight.

The Speechwriter by Barton Swaim (Simon & Schuster, £8.99) is the memoir of a man who for three years headed up the communications (AKA marketing) team of South Carolina’s Governor, Mark Sanford.

As you might imagine, it soon emerges that penning the speeches for an egocentric power-hungry American politician is no easy ride and that the office of the governor is not for the faint-hearted, the needy or the easily offended. Swaim becomes adept at crafting speeches dowsed in spin and geared not to the audience in the room, but to the media that will hopefully pick up the right soundbites.

The real drama and humour in Swaim’s book comes from his particular circumstances though. He happened to work for Sanford during a period that saw the

Governor weigh-in controversially on the 2008 Presidential election, go missing (from his staff, security team and indeed from his wife), admit adultery, face questions over his use of public funds and ultimately face impeachment. Through it all, and often ignorant of the truth, Swaim struggles to put a positive slant on his boss’s actions, or at least to distract the attention from that day’s most damaging story.

If you’ve enjoyed the chaos and comedy in Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ TV show VEEP, which centres on the dysfunctional staff office of an inept but ambitious VicePresident, then you’ll enjoy drawing the real-world comparisons in The Speechwriter.

By the way, without wanting to stray into the territory of a DVD review column, if you haven’t seen VEEP, then do – it is truly hilarious.

Now six years old, American Caesars by Nigel Hamilton (Vintage, £14.99) is just as relevant to understanding the role of the Presidency as it was when it first appeared.

The book consists of short biographies of the dozen American Presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush, looking at their backgrounds, the context of their “reigns” and their political, moral and personal triumphs and failings. There are many fresh insights here into the character

traits of these most powerful men, and the links between the chain of command are also explored – particularly where the Bush family is concerned. A re-read of the Clinton chapter seems especially apposite for 2016.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis (William Collins, £14.99) offers a very different view of modern American politics but can bring us closer to understanding how a man like Donald Trump can suddenly become the voice of a large proportion of a nation. With Vance’s memoir we’re nowhere near the seat of power. Instead we are thrown into the world of the author’s family – blue-collar folk from an Ohio steel-town where jobs are tough to come by and the people and their lives are just plain tough.

Vance doesn’t blame the troubles of his home-country squarely on the political administration though; perhaps unexpectedly he regards the feckless hillbilly folk he grew up amongst as equally responsible for their own plight. Through the lens of his own experiences, we get a clear look at how America’s white working class has become so beaten down and so vulnerable to certain political approaches.

And finally, I can’t pen any piece about American politics and society without namechecking again a book to which I dedicated a whole column earlier this year. If you want a thought-provoking black perspective on the inequalities and prejudice that blights America right now then rush out and read Between the World and Me by the frank and inspiring Ta-Nehisi Coates (Text, £10.99).

That’s a book that’s going to remain crucial for some time to come.

Nic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; 01225 331155; www.mrbsemporium.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 73

74 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

The Clifton Sausage The unpretentious British restaurant which opened in Bath last month is all about loud flavours and down-to-earth vibes

By L I SA E VA NS

W

ith every new restaurant that comes to city, especially those with already great reputations, there’s always a huge amount of pressure on them to live up to high expectations. With its upmarket look, attention to seasonal British cooking, and wonderful location, on the surface, The Clifton Sausage seems to have every box ticked, but of course, we have to taste the food for ourselves to find out why it’s been a perennial favourite in Bristol since 2002.

Going on the appellation alone, you’d be forgiven for believing this is a restaurant which only serves bangers and mash, but there’s a lot more besides – from Cornish fillets of fish and Wiltshire game, to 28-day dry-aged steak and slow-roasted pork belly with cider gravy. It’s a new menu section, far removed from its core dishes, and looks rather tempting, but being a Sausage virgin, I simply have to opt for one of their signature dishes, and there are 10 to choose from.

Before I discuss the main event, though, I must first rhapsodize about my appetiser. Whenever garlic mushrooms are on a menu, I have to order them, they’re a favourite of mine. It’s obvious, then, that I’ve had my fair share of good and bad versions over the years, but I can safely say this is the best I can ever remember having. The English wild fungi is served in a delicately creamy sherry and garlic sauce atop a soft, sink-into brioche toast and is sprinkled with translucent parmesan shavings. It’s a dish of dreams and impossible not to eat in a gluttonous fashion. My dining partner opts for the steamed Cornish mussels, smoked bacon and Old Jollop cider but changes his mind at the last minute to indulge in the baked Somerset camembert studded with rosemary and garlic.

On to mains, and from sausage options including Gloucester Old Spot pork, beef and Butcombe ale, and

CAERPHILLY AND

CHEDDAR SEXILY OOZE OUT ON TO THEIR SPRING ONION CHAMP MASH HILLOCK

Cotswold lamb, mint and apricot, I plump for the soft-onthe-inside, crisp-on-the-outside Glamorgan. There are three of them; they’re golden, crumb-coated and stuffed with sweet leek, Caerphilly and Cheddar which sexily ooze out on to their spring onion champ mash hillock – an unshowy and pleasingly hearty assemblage. I allow them to wallow in the shallot gravy for a moment or two to become properly saturated and shameless before I get lost in their lactic creaminess. Regrettably, I can’t finish the meal due to its sheer volume (maybe I shouldn’t have ordered the cauliflower cheese side), but being served too much is, in my eyes, always better than having too little.

For my comrade, it’s the succulent and substantial pork, apple and black pudding bangers – as colourful (in flavour terms) as the Warhol-style Porcine artworks which adorn the walls. They come with the same trimmings as mine, only his gravy is much richer, darker and more intense. He describes his meal as ‘fine’, not spectacular but not a dud either; however, for me, this has swiftly become a favourite restaurant which I can’t wait to return to. Its unpretentious gastropub-like informality alongside the fact that it’s wholly itself without trying to be something else, is what draws me to it. In my opinion, head chef Karl Ogden, who worked previously for Homewood Park Hotel, The Bath Priory and The Cowshed – the restaurant which previously occupied this exact Grade-II space in Bladud Buildings – is a master of unfussy ingredients which still wow when you take the first bite.

That’s the owners’ very philosophy: food cooked simply and well. The family business is run by husband and wife Simon and Joy Quarrie, and Bath has long been a city they’ve yearned to open a second stylish and comfortable restaurant in.

“The building we occupy in Bath is a near perfect fit for our offering,” says Simon. “We wanted a characterful property, open kitchen, outside space and comfort with a touch of class. It was relatively easy for us to fit our restaurant into this beautifully restored building and the views over to Bathwick and beyond are just spectacular for a city centre location – the icing on the cake.”

I’ve already booked to go back – this time at the chef’s table – during the Christmas market when my friends visit; I can see the reindeer and cranberry sausage special, and the views stretching out long across the rolling hills, going down a treat with them.

DINING DETAILS The Clifton Sausage, 5 Bladud Buildings, The Paragon, Bath; 01225 433633; www.cliftonsausage.co.uk Prices Starters £6 – £13.50; mains £10.45 – £21; dessert £6 – £8 Wine list A good selection including bin end sale wines Service/atmosphere Extremely friendly staff who go above and beyond to ensure your comfort, and the surrounds are simple yet sophisticated

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 75

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

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

CALIFORNIAN 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

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 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

FRENCH

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

JOHANN LAFER, THE GAINSBOROUGH Beau St, Bath; 01225 358888; www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk Menus inspired by Johann Lafer’s “Dining Without Borders” philosophy

LE BISTROT PIERRE Princes Buildings, 4 George St, Bath; 01225 321840; www. lebistrotpierre.co.uk/bath Regional French dishes

THE MARLBOROUGH TAVERN 35 Marlborough Buildings; 01225 423731; www.marlborough-tavern.com Award winning gastropub using seasonal local produce

MENU GORDON JONES 2 Wellsway, Bath; 01225 480871; www.menugordonjones.co.uk Multi award winning fine dining with constantly changing surprise tasting menu

WOODS 9-13 Alfred St, Bath; 01225 314812; www.woodsrestaurant.com One of Bath’s oldest restaurants serving French influenced British cuisine

THE RICHMOND ARMS 7 Richmond Place, Bath; 01225 316725; www.therichmondarmsbath.com Hearty dishes with menu changing on a daily basis

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

GASTROPUBS

INDIAN

GPT SMOKEHOUSE 44-45 Lower Bristol Rd, Bath; 01225 429509; www.gptbath.com “Dude Food” menu cooked with authentic handmade American hot smoker

THE EASTERN EYE 8a Quiet St, Bath; 01225 422323; www.easterneye.com Classic traditional Bengali cuisine in grand Georgian interior space

CAFÉS & COFFEE SHOPS

KING WILLIAM 36 Thomas St, Bath; 01225 428096; www.kingwilliampub.com Pub with an upstairs dining room

THE MINT ROOM Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Rd, Bath; 01225 446656; www.themintroom.co.uk Award winning contemporary Indian fine dining

HENRYS 4 Saville Row, Bath; 01225 780055; www.henrysrestaurantbath.com Imaginative modern dining offering a classic menu and also full vegetarian and vegan menus

CAFÉ LUCCA 1-2 Bartlett Street, Bath; 01225 335394; 76 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E D I N I N G

ITALIAN MARTINI RESTAURANT 8-9 George St, Bath; 01225 460818; www.martinirestaurant.co.uk Traditional Italian food served in a cosy atmosphere PONTE VECCHIO Spring Gardens Rd, Bath; 01225 466833; www.pontevecchiobath.com Fantastic central location next to Pulteney Bridge

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

SOTTO SOTTO 10 N Parade, Bath; 01225 330236; www.sottosotto.co.uk Classic Italian menu with a contemporary twist in candlelit vaulted cellars

THE HERD 12a Argyle St, Bath; 01225 316583; www.theherdrestaurant.co.uk Locally sourced meat of the finest provenance alongside a simple, seasonal menu

PIZZA

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

DOUGH The Corridor, Bath; 01225 443686; www.doughpizzarestaurant.co.uk World class pizza from Massimo Nucaro

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 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 THE WHEELWRIGHTS ARMS Church Lane, Monkton Combe, BA2 7HB; 01225 722287; www.wheelwrightsarms.co.uk Pub featuring modern takes on British classics, plus understated, individually decorated guestrooms

FARM SHOPS MEADGATE FARM SHOP Weekesley Ln, Timsbury, BA2 0NH; 01761 470089; www.meadgatefarmshop.co.uk Shop and café selling local produce

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 77

Enjoy Christmas with a touch of Indian magic at...

Christmas menu 2 courses £30 • 3 courses £35 Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB • Tel: 01225 446656 12-16 Clifton Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AF • Tel: 01173 291300 Email: info@themintroom.co.uk • www.themintroom.co.uk

fa

FOODIE FOUR

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EAT!

Komedia’s got it all going on

1 3

Say hello to 2017 with a plate of old spot pork

2

A stylish way to start your year

Made any New Year’s resolutions yet? We’ve made a couple of early ones – in fact one will be implemented on New Year’s Eve. It’s to eat out more. There’s such a wide and wonderful range of choices of eateries in the area, it’s almost rude not to. And here’s our selection box of four to try for your New Year’s night out

1

THE ONE WITH BELLS ON

KOMEDIA, sales and marketing manager Erica Pease Why choose Komedia for a New Year’s Eve event? What’s not to love? From live stand-up from some of the best comics on the circuit right now to Motown’s greatest hits served with a hefty dose of rock and roll, all in the beautiful Neo-classical beauty of the former Beau Nash cinema.

Any dishes being served that are worth a special mention? Our VIP menu includes herb-crusted fish of the day served with pea veloute, salted gnocchi, citrus-dressed watercress and falafel croquettes.

How will you celebrate the 2016/2017 handover? First up, Krater Comedy Club NYE Special brings laughs from four great 4

Enjoy a happy ever afters

stand-ups. Then it’s Motorcity Gold, which has the deserved reputation as being the best party in town.

Previous memorable New Year moments?

Last year a couple got engaged at midnight, which was lovely to be a part of. www.komedia.co.uk

2

THE ONE WITH THE FAIRY TALE SETTING

ORCHARDLEIGH ESTATE, owner Christopher Vincent How will your guests see in the New Year?

Our enchanting Victorian walled garden comprises a grand and light-filled orangery and stunning Italian garden, surrounded by extensive grounds and graceful water features.

Any special events? The Orchardleigh’s Black Tie Ball, which involves enjoy a glass of fizz before being seated for a delicious four course dinner.

The highlight of the night? The fireworks really are exceptional.

Any predictions for 2017? The trend for al fresco drinking and dining will continue to increase in a big way. www.orchardleigh.net

3

THE ONE WITH THE GYM

THE CENTURION HOTEL, head chef Sean Horwood Why choose The Centurion Hotel for a New Year’s Eve event? Most of the night can be all under one roof – the meal, rooms,

music – but you have to step outside for the fireworks. Arrive early and use the spa facilities.

What is special on the menu? Duck galantine – it’s an old classic but tastes and looks amazing with all the different ingredients on full display. Also, the scallops are the best and tastiest dived scallops from Scotland.

Any New Year resolutions? Start going to the gym – we have one here, so no excuses.

Any predictions for 2017 food trends?

I think fermented foods will be as big as “avocado on toast” by the end of the year. www.centurionhotel.co.uk

4

THE ONE WITH OLD-SCHOOL CHARM

RING O BELLS, manager Daniel Freeth How would you describe your New Year’s Eve celebrations? Special but intimate, with only one sitting in our small restaurant and a spectacular seven-course menu crafted by our head chef.

What is special on the menu? The fish course is sure to be fantastic, but the teasmoked duck breast with a sweet plum sauce will be a showstopper.

Best drink for the midnight toast? Our special NYE prosecco cocktails – a French 77 or a raspberry bellini.

Any New Year resolutions? It will bring more of what we’ve been doing, but always getting better, including the revamping our function room. www.ringobellswidcombe.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 81

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

HAVING HER CAKE

Noya’s cooking is the perfect mix

A local cake making company has become a finalist in a national awards ceremony that celebrates the skills and achievements of bakers and related trades in both large and small businesses.

Bath Cake Company, based on Lansdown Mews, was recognised for its exceptional customer service and became a finalist in the recent Baking Industry Awards, organised by British Baker and William Reed Business Media, which took place at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.

“As finalists for The Customer Focus award, we have demonstrated how we not only strive for quality customer service, but have created a strong community with our customers,” says managing director Celia Adams. “We are so pleased to have been nominated for such a wonderful award, as we place a lot of focus on bringing a quality service to our customers, whether that’s when ordering a cake or attending our cake decorating classes.”

For more: www.bathcakecompany.co.uk

Celia and cakes make a winning team

CREATING QUITE A STIR When Noya Pawlyn turned her artistic skills to Vietnamese food, she had no idea just how successful a career she was cooking up.

“I studied fashion textile at university, and worked as an artist for many years, but my friends who loved my food urged me to try my first pop-up supper club at The Bear Pad in Bear Flat,” explains Noya.

The reaction to what is Bath’s only Vietnamese food eaterie, was so positive, Noya, who also teaches Vietnamese cooking, decided in 2013 to create Noya’s Kitchen. “I found I was

putting much more creative passion into my food than my art.”

Noya, who arrived in Britain in 1979 as one of the refugee boat people, has recently returned from a trip to Vietnam. “It was the first time my family had travelled back together since we left, and it was a very emotional journey.”

Noya is now looking for a permanent Bath base for her business. “Somewhere I can run my classes, supper clubs, catering and maybe a small café serving deliciously simple Vietnamese lunches.”

For more: www.noyaskitchen.co.uk

CHILL YOUR BOOTS

Skip to the good bit at The Après-Ski Bar

If you can’t get to the mountains this winter, then the Abbey Hotel will bring the mountains to you. Their legendary award-winning Après-Ski Bar is back for its fourth season.

“You can sip ski-boot cocktails or glug steaming mulled wine in the snow-capped chalet or under the starry night sky, wrapped up in cosy blankets on the terrace,” explains Ian Taylor, proprietor of the independently-owned hotel.

“Also new for 2016, we have irresistible fondue feasts – lashings of melted cheese, crusty bread and crudités to share with family or friends.”

For more: www.abbeyhotelbath.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 83

OPEN NOW

NEW YEAR’S EVE OPTION 1

5 COURSE FORMAL DINNER IN THE RESTAURANT, FOLLOWED BY DJ PARTY IN THE CATHERINE ROOM WITH FIREWORKS AT MIDNIGHT – 7PM ARRIVAL £60.00 PER PERSON

OPTION 2

PARTY WITH DJ IN THE CATHERINE ROOM WITH FIREWORKS AT MIDNIGHT – 8PM ARRIVAL £25.00 PER PERSON

NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU CRAB BISQU, YUZU PEARLS DUCK GALANTINE, SPICED BREAD SCALLOP, BACON, AVOCADO SHORT RIB OF BEEF, SMOKED MASH CHOCOLATE AND PASSION FRUIT

Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel Charlton Lane, Midsomer Norton, Nr Bath BA3 4BD @seanhorwood RestAtCent 01761 417711

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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

Christmas Celebration Menu Available from th 26 Nov – 24th Dec 2 courses £22 3 courses £27

New Year’s Eve 4 courses Fizz on arrival £55 per person

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY

& Top Lane, Whitley, Wiltshire SN12 8QX 01225 704966 T f @peartreewhitley

www.peartreewhitley.co.uk

Buffet in the bar 2 courses £15 per person 9.30pm Bookings only

Award winning Gastropub

Bring in the New Year in style at Ring O Bells 31st December 2016 from 7pm Enjoy a unique 7 course menu with Champagne and canapés on arrival for £60 per person.

ringobellsbath.co.uk | 01225 448870

hon fusion chinese restaurant

tel 01225 446020 opening hours mon - sat: 12noon - 11pm sun & bank holidays: 25 claverton buildings • widcombe • bath ba2 4ld 12noon - 10pm

Quality food freshly prepared for you

Classical Thai cuisine in a relaxed and friendly authentic Thai environment Party bookings are welcome

Book your Christmas Party today!

Friday Night Disco Nights Dinner & Disco

99 The Strand, Semington, Trowbridge, BA14 6LL

t 01380 870263

e restaurant@lambonthestrand.co.uk www.thelambonthestrand.co.uk

the home of rice and noodles New Hot Pot Menu Traditional East Asian cuisine, consisting of a simmering metal pot of stock at the centre of the dining table with ingredients placed in the pot, cooked at the table and served with a dipping sauce

01225 444 834

16 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BQ info@thaibytheweir.com | www.thaibytheweir.com

Visit orientalrugsofbath.com or call 01761 451764 at Bookbarn International, Wells Rd, Hallatrow, Bristol, BS39 6EX

10 York Street, Bath BA1 1NH 01225 447920 leatherchairs.co.uk

T H E C U R TA I N E X C H A N G E For the best dressed windows

IN BATH

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ad v ertisi n g feat u re d i n i n g

Find your silver service INSPIRATION THIS CHRISTMAS Let the team at Robert Welch Designs, Broad Street, help you express your festive style CREATING THE PERFECT LOOK

With a comprehensive range of tableware, candlesticks, glassware and serving pieces, the Robert Welch Studio Shop provides an abundance of inspiration when it comes to creating your own Christmas look. The friendly team has a wealth of knowledge and a passion for style and are always delighted to advise customers on perfect choices for themselves or gifts for loved ones.

Radford Bright Cutlery sets from £90

CHRISTMAS SPARKLE

The lighting in a room can instantly announce the arrival of Christmas. Soft candlelight creates a beautiful setting and candleholders and candlesticks can become a focal point on the table. From the elegant Windrush candlestick to the striking Sesame tealight holder, Robert Welch has a lighting option to suit all budgets.

DINE IN STYLE

Do you want to upgrade your cutlery collection this festive season? Or are you looking for a special gift? With over 60 years of experience in cutlery design, the Robert Welch team has all the information you need to choose which design is right for you.

And if it’s hard to visualise the cutlery on your table – just bring along an example of your dinner service to see how the cutlery looks alongside it. The company also offers a returnable sample service for you to try the designs at home.

Robert Welch Designs offers a number of different cutlery set options, all of which

“Quality, ease of use and fine design in harmony”

Sesame Tealight Holder from £22

represent a saving versus buying separate pieces. All of these can be added to at a later date with any number of additional dining and serving accessories.

THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE

Radford Carving Set £95

Robert Welch, appointed Royal Designer to Industry, was one of Britain's leading industrial designers of the 20th century. After training at the Royal College of Art in London, he specialised in stainless steel production design, ultimately establishing a company in his own name in 1955.

From the outset the Robert Welch mission was to combine a search for innovation with a sincere respect for the traditions of the past. Quality, ease of use and fine design in harmony. Today the company continues to produce award winning designs from the Old Silk Mill in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.

Robert Welch Designs Studio Shop, 6 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ 01225 336530 www.robertwelch.com

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J E W E L L E RY

TREASURE CHEST Meet some of Bath’s most creative jewellery designers, makers and traders who tell us what’s new for the festive season and share the stories behind their own most valuable pieces

By L I SA E VA NS

F

rom one of the few jewellers in the world with their own patented diamond cut, to a successful designer who creates sassy accessories for pets and owners alike, we get to know the jewellery experts in Bath and beyond. Read on to find out what bold trends are going to be turning heads during the festive season, whose designs are inspired by David Bowie, and which maker has worked with the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Van Cleef….

include enamel pins and necklaces. She works from her home studio on Argyle Street, Bath

HELLO HARRIET

What are the top trends of the moment?

Layers of minimal gold jewellery with chokers.

Our slogan necklaces lend themselves perfectly to adding some sass to your outfit.

Harriet Gray’s business began when she started designing temporary tattoos which she sold on Etsy. The initial success enabled her to quit her day job and focus on building her range of products to 94 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Talk us through your design process…

I’m inspired by all things cute; I begin with simple pencil sketches and then develop them with ink and brush pens before fine-tuning them digitally and sending them to be manufactured.

And you don’t just design for people…

I am obsessed with cats and I try to include them in my business in anyway I can; our pendants, for example, can be attached to pets’ collars.

www.helloharriet.com

Keyrings for pets and their owners, designed by Bath’s Harriet Gray, owner of Hello Harriet

J E W E L L E RY

SUSANNAH WAY CONTEMPORARY

After working as a designer for Nicholas Wylde, Trowbridge’s Susannah turned her jewellerymaking hobby into a business and sells her products at the likes of Bath Artisan Market in Green Park Station and Bath’s Nicholas Wylde Tell us about your jewellery…

It’s contemporary silver. I love texture such as frosted and hammered finishes, or creating lace patterns in metal. I love bold geometric shapes, too, and am a huge fan of all things retro.

What are the current trends in accessories?

Glossy, silvery, shimmery things, as well as botanical motifs.

Your most sentimental piece?

I once designed and made a 9ct white and rose gold pendant with a Tahitian pearl. It was based around my love of David Bowie. www.swayjewellery.com

BILL SKINNER STUDIO

Above: local designer Susannah Way; clockwise, from left: vintage cuff, £15, Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; crystal earrings, £140, Alexandra May, 23 Brock Street, Bath; sapphire and diamond ring, £2,435, Philip James Jewellery, 5 Northumberland Place, Bath; Theodora Warre rose quartz earrings, £75, Found, 17 Argyle Street, Bath; star necklace, £14.95, French Grey, 1 Burton Street, Bath Far right: nature bracelet - £135 Bill Skinner Studio, 5 Northumberland Place, Bath

Bill has worked for revered brands and people including Van Cleef & Arpels, and Vivienne Westwood. In the 80s, his success grew to attract critical acclaim worldwide and he went on to complete a number of royal commissions. The designer can often be seen crafting pieces at his boutique on Northumberland Place, Bath Describe the style of your jewellery…

Floral and English heritage-inspired with a quirky twist.

What are the go-to trends for party season?

Pretty, vintage, romantic features, as well as ear cuffs and climbers.

What does jewellery mean to you?

At its best it’s an expression of joy. www.billskinnerstudio.co.uk

LOTTY LOU

Wiltshire’s Charlotte Gilbert set up her business after a ‘happy accident’. She designs and makes everything herself and sells at local markets and online Where did your love of jewellery stem from?

After university, I visited a bead shop on my birthday. I learnt, through YouTube, how to make earrings and necklaces until I had so many, I decided to sell them at a local fair. I did better than expected so I booked another one; it all started from there as a happy accident. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 95

J E W E L L E RY

Describe your designs...

They’re vintage-inspired and based on the traditional style of charm bracelets and old fairy tales. Before each bracelet is ready to sell, it has to pass the test of a family member guessing the theme correctly (Cinderella, Peter Pan etc). www.lottylou.com

MAGPIE & BEAR

Not wanting to go back to the corporate lifestyle, Karen Keenan founded her shop on Green Street, Bath, which, among other accessories, sells a collection of jewellery from mainly British brands and designers

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER STONE

What’s the signature style of the jewellery?

There’s reason why I have the nickname Magpie as there are quite a few sparkly pieces, but it ranges from everyday items to those that are more party wear. As for our men’s range, we opt for the classic, functional pieces such as cufflinks, leather bracelets and chains.

The hottest trends for party season?

Statement pieces and the ear jacket with studs. www.magpieandbear.com

MILES MANN JEWELLERS

Miles has been in the trade since 1985 but his family can trace their roots in the jewellery business back to 1741. At the Cheap Street shop in Bath you’ll find an eclectic range of antique, vintage and modern jewellery What are the trends of the moment?

Statement pearls and cuff bangles.

What does jewellery mean to you?

It’s at the centre of everything I do. After 30 years in the trade, I’m still keen to open more stores and expand our ranges. www.milesmann.co.uk

QUERCUS SILVER

Su Trindle’s business, based in Bath Artists’ Studios on Comfortable Place, specialises in modern jewellery in silver and resin What’s the theme of your work?

There’s a retro feel to much of it, and a recurring source of inspiration is the abstract works of early 20th century sculptors and designers. My designs often start with photography of architectural details or shapes, which I digitally manipulate to find forms I can use in my jewellery. w

96 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Above: Su Trindle, owner of Quercus Silver, at her Bath studio; below, clockwise from top left: cake earrings, £6, Lotty Lou, Wiltshire; Chimi earrings, £220, Magpie & Bear, 7 Green Street, Bath; Athena necklace, £45, Treaty, 15 Northumberland Place, Bath; vintage diamond sapphire bangle, £2,950, Miles Mann, 9 Cheap Street, Bath; pop rings, £90, Quercus, Bath Artists’ Studios, Bath

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN FIFE

J E W E L L E RY

WHAT PIECE OF JEWELLERY COULDN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? Jo Stroud, owner of Fabulous, SouthGate, Bath My Dower & Hall cherish locket. My husband bought it for me and filled it with treasures that are relevant to our relationship.

Alexandra May of Alexandra May Jewellery, Brock Street, Bath My cushion cut Alexandrite engagement ring by Theo Fennell.

Alexandrites are very rare as they change colour from green to purple.

Mike Parsons, owner of Gold & Platinum Studio, Northumberland Place, Bath My 18ct gold pocket watch and chain. Originally it was a gift to my great grandfather in the 19th century. It’s survived two world wars.

Maggie Allonby-Briggs, the owner of Treaty Jewellery, Northumberland Place, Bath A black onyx cocktail ring, which I bought in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul 10 years ago. It was the beginning of my love affair with Turkish jewellery.

Elisabeth Barry, owner of Elisabeth Barry Ceramics, Claverton My silver wedding ring, made by jeweller Rhiannon Lewis. It’s simple, understated and slightly unusual.

Annie Beardsley designs and makes jewellery from her home studio in Fairfield Park, Bath

What trends do you love for the party season?

Bold pendants and sculptural cocktail rings to add individuality and glamour to the little black dress.

Your most treasured piece of jewellery?

A sapphire ring designed for me at Bath’s Nicholas Wylde. I enjoyed the process of commissioning a piece to celebrate a special occasion.

What are the main upcoming trends?

Sparkle and crystals. The choker-style necklaces are very on trend, as are charms with symbolic meanings.

What’s your most sentimental piece?

My mum, who sadly died at a young age, gave me seven gold bracelets for love and calm every day of the week. www.nickieportman.co.uk

www.quercussilver.co.uk

NICKIE PORTMAN JEWELLERY

Bath’s Nickie Portman is currently on the look out for a shop space in the city. Her collections can be found locally at the likes of Rossiters of Bath, and Magpie & Bear Describe your current collection…

Effortless style encapsulates the collections. We use beautiful semi precious stones, freshwater pearls and silver.

98 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

FOUND

Olivia Brewer and Nik Blake set up their shop on Argyle Street to showcase independent designers from around the world that are not easily found in the UK What’s your favourite trend at the moment?

Although we try to sidestep trends, there’s definitely a move towards multiple piercings.

Opposite page; dragonfly pendant, £2,495, Orton Jewellery, 6-7 Market Street, Bradford on Avon; studs, £35, Kaz Robertson Jewellery; this page: clockwise, from top: Chlobo stack, £455, Fabulous, 17 St Lawrence Street, SouthGate; silver necklace, £250, Icarus, 27 Broad Street, Bath; tourmaline and diamond ring, £4,250, Mallory, 1-5 Bridge Street, Bath; bespoke sapphire pendant, Nicholas Wylde, 12 Northumberland Place, Bath

Why do you believe jewellery to be important?

You can tie so many memories to jewellery, especially if someone gave it to you, if it’s a family heirloom, or if it was bought to mark a celebration. www.foundbath.co.uk

NICHOLAS WYLDE

He’ll be celebrating 30 years in business next year and Nicholas Wylde is one of the few jewellery designers in the world with their own registered and patented diamond cut – the Wylde Flower Diamond. His shop is based on Northumberland Place, Bath

ONE TWO FIVE GALLERY On show now until Christmas Eve at the gallery on Abbey Green, Bath, is the Comfort and Joy exhibition featuring jewellery created by guest artists Annie Beardsley, Kaz Robertson and Holly Belsher. Meet all three:

Annie Beardsley

After taking classes at Bath College, she started producing statement pieces in sterling silver and hand-printed aluminium. Her workshop is at the end of her garden in Fairfield Park What does jewellery mean to you?

It is a way of reflecting your personality and identity, as well as a signifier for important people and memories in your life.

Your all-time favourite piece?

A locket that has photos of my great grandmother and her son, who was killed in a shooting accident.

Tell us about your signature diamond…

It has more cut facets than any other brilliant cut diamond for a special sparkle you won’t find anywhere else in the world. It combines the beauty of both diamonds and flowers.

What’s your typical style of jewellery?

I love to combine straight lines and curves for dramatic and colourful designs that bring out the best in gemstones and precious metals.

What will we be seeing this festive season?

After 20 years of white gold being popular, this year yellow gold has made a big comeback. www.nicholaswylde.com

MALLORY You should not be partying without mismatched earrings.

E.P. Mallory & Son opened in 1898 and is a family run business now in its fifth generation. Marketing director Katie Vander Woerd tells us more...

What is your typical style?

I create jewellery which has interesting hidden features such as reversible pendants, or little magnets allowing the wearer to stick them together.

What are the trends for this year’s Christmas season?

Diamonds and pearls are always a classic; the two complement each other perfectly.

www.kazrobertson.co.uk

Holly Belsher

Holly started out over three decades ago by making brass earrings sprayed with car paint, but she’s now creating precious jewellery which she has sold to the likes of Liberty London.

Tell us an interesting fact about your business…

We are a traditional working jeweller employing three full-time goldsmiths at our Bridge Street workshops who are dedicated to creating beautiful pieces. www.mallory-jewellers.com

How would you describe your jewellery style?

I always use a reticulated textured surfaces and I cast from natural forms (such as twigs) with semiprecious stones, beads and freshwater pearls.

www.anniebeardsley.com

Kaz Robertson

She focuses on creating fun pieces using materials such as resin and magnets Top trend for the festive season?

What’s the importance of accessorising?

It’s the most basic thing human beings do. They adorn themselves to signify who they are. www.hollybelsher.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 99

Part of the new collection by Elie Beaumont, this watch is finished in Rose Gold, the colour for fashion accessories in AW16.

To see the range of over 20 different colours and designs, all priced at £49.00, call in at The Silver Shop of Bath.

We also have Bath’s largest range of beautiful silver jewellery and a unique collection of gifts, all in an independent shop, established 65 years ago next year.

The Silver Shop of Bath 25 Union Passage, Bath, BA1 1RD T: 01225 464781 www.thesilvershop.eu.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

AFTER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS

IS HAVING A MASSIVE

CLEARANCE

SALE

We will be closing temporarily in the new year for an exciting refurbishment and will reopen as a unique and fabulous jewellery shop.

EVERYTHING MUST GO Stock up on Christmas decorations, Jellycat toys, Burleigh China, mugs, candle holders, clocks, chimes and hundreds of stocking fillers *Jewellery not included

23 BROCK STREET BATH BA1 2LW 01225 465 094 WWW.ALEXANDRAMAY.COM

DESIGNS ON

BARTLETT

STREET Sarah Moolla finds out just who is putting the art and heart into the beautiful artisan quarter of Bartlett Street M a i n pic t u r e by PH I L I P F I E L D

IT IS LOVELY TO BE AT THE TOP OF THE TOWN IN AN AREA THAT CELEBRATES INDIVIDUALITY AND INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES. IT IS TRULY THE ARTISAN QUARTER OF BATH 102 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

STREET LIFE suggest the ladies of Evans & Owens store used to parade around the shop in fashionable clothing, and we recreate this tradition, with our own loyal customers, in our annual fashion shows.”

Also housed in The Loft, is Café Lucca which many of the Bartlett Street residents single out for praise, along with Boston Tea Party, in helping bring increased footfall to the surrounding roads.

Café Lucca owner and restaurateur Richard Fenton returns the compliment to his fellow traders, “Together we have brought back the original elegance of the area, which really is the gateway to Georgian Bath,” he says.

When Lucy Simon, owner of Article, was looking for premises for her floristy-and artinspired gift and home accessories store, it was Café Lucca where she would sit and take stock. “It was that very moment that we looked out of the window and noticed a ‘to let’ sign in the building opposite; we couldn’t believe our luck and knew that it was the one for us.

“Being pedestrianised, the street has a calm and safe atmosphere, where visitors can amble around the smart, independent shops, galleries and cafés at their own pace.”

Lucy’s husband, David, happens to be her next door neighbour retailer, with his David Simon Contemporary gallery. He was drawn to the area because of its historical connection to many great artists. “Going north from George street, this area used to be known as ‘Upper Town’ and is believed to be the vibrant haunt of famous artists including the Georgian portrait painter Sir Thomas Lawrence, Thomas Gainsborough and Joseph Wright,” he says. “They all would have certainly w

T

here are some words we’re a little wary off when describing an area, and ‘artisan’ and ‘quarter’ are two of them. A quick Google of the term ‘artisan quarter’ and it throws up blocks of flats, shopping centres and a predicted 2017 style trend involving skinny jeans and Stan Smith trainers.

It’s a phrase that’s been hijacked because the true definition of an artisan quarter is ‘street markets where local artisans display handwoven textiles, painted ceramics, and leather goods’.

So we love that our very own Bartlett Street is rightfully reclaiming the phrase and displaying the message ‘Bartlett St Quarter’ in a recently renovated iron overthrow, restored by Ironart of Bath, to welcome discerning shoppers to a very special, and yes, artisan-driven, enclave, with the prestigiously named Saville Row also in its orbit.

So what is it about this pretty row of shops that nestle, bustle and lean together up a cobbled incline, that makes it work so artfully well? We caught up with just a few of the traders for their take on their lovely location.

“Bartlett Street is one of the oldest thoroughfares in Bath,” explains one of the many traders in the Bartlett Street Antiques Centre, which is a warren of veritable wonders. “Mr Evans, a draper was originally on here and then joined by his uncle Mr Owen and they expanded into a department store selling material, furniture and such like.”

Blue, which is situated in The Loft, have even resurrected some of the traditions from the past and incorporated them into the now. The mother and daughter owners, Suzanne Temple and Chloe Harrison-Temple, explain, “Archive pictures

From top left to right: David and Lucy Simon have adjoining businesses; Sisi & May’s Emma Mandell-Lynn has always loved Bartlett Street; The renovated ironwork sign links to the two sides of the street; The old Evans & Owens store sign is visible at the feet of Blue’s Suzanne Temple and Chloe Harrison-Temple

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 103

STREET LIFE Top to bottom: Zac Fennell and Philip Thompson of Artizan thrive off the Bartlett Street vibe; Vanessa Sayce has found the right home for her The Marmalade House business; BIBICO’s Snow is great friends with her fellow traders

walked right past my gallery in the 18th Century, and it does cross my mind what they would think about my exhibitions.”

Simona Hernandez was also able to stop her year-long search for a location for her Yoga Bodhi workshops and classes when, as she explains, “I found this site above Bartlett Street, which used to be a greasy spoon. Before that nothing ticked the boxes but this had a special feel to it.”

Philip Thompson, director of the awardwinning, hair salon Artizan, echoes the ‘special feel’ sentiment and believes, “You have to have an independent spirit and love the quirky aesthetic to make this area work for you, and everyone here puts in so much energy into making their work inspiring and vibrant.”

Francesca Randese and Kelly Evans, the pair who estalished Number Three hairdressers in 2008 on Saville Row, are also full of praise for their fellow residents. “A particularly memorable time was the Bartlett Street party in 2015, which was to mark the restoring of the sign,” they say.

“We also love collaborating for evening events, and for Bath in Fashion.”

Nieves Ruiz Ramos, otherwise known as Snow, who founded the ethically produced womenswear shop BIBICO, agrees, “Bartlett Street is a good fit for our unique business. It’s a friendly street and we know our neighbours well.” So well in fact, they are have an adjoining arch with the boutique next door, the exclusive designer-led clothing shop Sisi & May, owned by Emma Mandell-Lynn, who says, “Growing up in Bath, I used to frequent the Old Orleans bar and the punky market on this street. Now I’m here working and loving my store’s big windows that face out to sunshine.”

There are nooks and crannys to the quarter hiding all sorts of delights including Dawn Robertson’s beauty salon All About You, which is above ground level and as she states, “it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city – perfect for my clients’ tranquillity and relaxation”, and Celia Adams’ acclaimed Bath Cake Company situated in Lansdown Mews.

Henry Scott is relatively new to the Bartlett Street scene, having opened his Saville Row Henry’s Restaurant in May this year, and has already found the camaraderie a bonus, revealing, “Here I’ve found a close community that is very supportive and accommodating to each other.”

Fellow newcomer Vanessa Sayce, who moved her professional furniture-painting business, The Marmalade House, into The Loft in May, also believes she has found the perfect home for her trade. “It is lovely to be at the top of the town in an area that celebrates individuality and independent businesses. It is truly the artisan quarter of Bath.”

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A DIRECTORY OF THOSE ARTISTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE TAPESTRY OF THE BARTLETT ST QUARTER Article: www.articlebath.com All About You: www.allaboutyouinbath.com Artizan Bartlett St: www.artizan.co.uk Bartlett St Antiques Centre: www.bartlettstreet antiquescentre.com Bath Cake Company: www.bathcakecompany.co.uk Bea’s Vintage Tea Rooms: www.beasvintagetearooms.com BIBICO: www.bibico.co.uk Boston Tea Party: www.bostonteaparty.co.uk Café Lucca: www.cafelucca.co.uk Common Rooms: www.commonroombath.co.uk Edgar Modern: www.edgarmodern.com Felix Lighting Specialists: www.felixlightingspecialists.co.uk Henry’s Restaurant: www.henrysrestaurantbath.com Ironart of Bath: www.ironart.co.uk Marmalade House: www.themarmaladehouse.co.uk Number Three Hairdressing: www.numberthreebath.com Same Same But Different: www.same-same.co.uk Sisi & May: www.sisiandmay.com TOAST: www.toa.st Westbury Fine Art: www.westburyfineart.co.uk Woods Restaurant: www.woodsrestaurant.com Yoga Bodhi: www.yogabodhi.co.uk

Want to work at Bath's biggest and best independent salon?

We're currently looking for a new apprentice!

Call 01225 420611 for more information

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

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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

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE We all want our pets to live a long, healthy life and the best way that you, the owner, can help with this is through preventative care

I

t is estimated that nearly 26 per cent of the UK population own a dog, 25 per cent are cat owners and there are nearly 1.3 million pet rabbits. Whether it is regular vaccinations, control of parasites, neutering and feeding them a good quality diet, all these factors help keep your pets as healthy as possible, helping avoid future veterinary treatment.

Vaccination is an important part of routine preventative healthcare for your dog, cat or rabbit. When puppies and kittens are born they are usually protected from infections by a natural immunity from their mother’s milk (providing she has been regularly vaccinated herself). However, this protection only lasts a few weeks so they need to start their own vaccinations from an early age, and then receive yearly boosters, to maintain this immunity.

Dogs should be routinely vaccinated against: canine parvovirus, canine distemper, several forms of leptospirosis, Infectious canine hepatitis & parainfluenza virus and bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).

Cats should be routinely vaccinated against: feline infectious enteritis, feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus (cat flu) and feline leukaemia virus.

Rabbits need regular vaccinations as well and the two diseases which we can protect against, myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), are both fatal.

Dogs and cats frequently get parasites during their life and are susceptible to a number of different infections, several of which are zoonotic (meaning they possess the ability to infect people as well as animals). Parasite prevention is not only important for the health of your pet, but also for the health of your family.

Fleas and ticks are parasites of the skin known as ectoparasites. Flea and tick prevention is important because they can cause severe skin irritations and subsequent self-trauma and infection and can also lead to anaemia. They also possess the ability to transmit a number of infectious diseases to your pet. Fortunately, there are many safe and highly effective products available that can both treat and prevent flea and

tick infestations.

The most common endoparasites (live inside the body) in dogs and cats include various worms (hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, lungworm and tapeworm), which possess the ability to cause illness in your pet. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, coughing and poor overall condition; although parasites can affect your animal’s health long before you notice any outward signs. Fortunately there are many licensed veterinary products available to treat and prevent these infestations.

Please contact your local branch to make an appointment to establish the best healthcare routine for your pet.

Lisa Walters, Veterinary Nurse Rosemary Lodge, Wellsway, Bath BA2 5RL 01225 832521 www.bathvetgroup.co.uk

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I usually find that any maintenance done at this time of year pays off in the spring

BEDDING DOWN As the days get shorter and the cold takes its toll, here are five easy ways to improve your winter garden, from knowing what to prune and weeding out the weeds

By E m m a Bon d

Make the most of evergreen shrubs in your garden

66 I CLIFTON LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

GARDENING

possible. Any taller sturdy perennials can be left, as well as Phlomis, Cardoons, poppy heads, Echinacea, Nigella, Old Man’s Beard, Allium Purple Sensation or Cristophii, Eryngium and sunflowers.

Anything that is likely to get black and slimy such as Alchemilla mollis, Cranesbill Geraniums, or other perennials touching the soil, I will generally tidy up.

However, there are no hard and fast rules and I advise using your judgement and decide what you like the look of, and what you don’t.

3

WINTER CHEER

Above: don’t tidy up too much, leave some areas for overwintering insects; below top: use brightly coloured winter annuals; below bottom: rose hips are an attractive bonus for the winter garden

N

ow is a good time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for winter. I am not a huge believer in the idea of putting your garden to bed as I think that gardens can still be appreciated and used during the colder months. However, much depends on the kind of planting and trees that you have. The days are still bright and fresh and, although it gets dark early, there is still plenty of time to get a few things done.

I usually find that any maintenance done at this time of year pays off in the spring, so rather than leaving everything completely over the winter, which is what most people do, try some of these ideas:

1

WEED OUT THE WEEDS

The weeds will continue to grow with abandon while the weather is still relatively mild. Annual favourites include Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens). These are all the bane of my life, and it is important to keep on top of these over winter as they will continue to spread and make life even harder in the coming spring and summer months.

Bittercress is a very successful self-seeder, and is also edible. However, if you do not fancy eating it, the best way to remove it from your borders is to hoe it off at the roots, lift it out of the soil and dispose of it.

Bindweed needs its own special treatment but does die away sooner than the others, however, pulling it out of the ground does not work in the long term, it will inevitably return unless properly dug out, which is not an easy task. Creeping buttercup needs persistence and a consistent approach to eradicate it, as it travels via runners and once it gets into grass is very hard to remove.

However, in borders keep on weeding it and eventually it will vanish.

2

PRUNE AND DON’T PRUNE

At this time of year I generally leave anything with seed heads on for birds and insects. However, if you like your garden tidy it is worth cutting back some of your perennials and leaving some with their heads on.

Any blasts of wind can knock down Verbena bonariensis, but I do like to leave this as long as

Plant some cheerful containers to bring some colour into the garden. Even a couple of strategically placed pots can vastly improve a front door area or window box. I particularly love the tiny purple violas and pansies as these can flower for months and with some evergreen planting look really pretty.

I am also a fan of Sarcococcoa confusa at this time of year and keep a plant by my front door, so that the tiny white flowers release their jasmine-like scent greeting me when I come home from work.

Some beautiful Helleborus niger also look good in a container and these can be kept close to your front door so that you see them every day.

4

MAKING SHAPES

Use winter to shape any evergreens to create a good framework in your garden. At this time of year, they may be the only plants making a statement so sharpening up the edges and giving them a little trim will make the world of difference and takes a few minutes with some good sharp shears.

In the long term think about planting trees that give interesting winter shapes for your garden, or that produce berries that stay on branches. There is something very beautiful about the bare stems and branches of a tree against a bright winter sky.

5

TIDY AWAY

Most gardens have a random collection of pots and containers with dead planting left over from the summer. Take some time to tidy up outside and make the view from your windows more pleasing.

There is not much more depressing during the winter than looking out onto a view of pots full of dead things and general mess and untidiness. Put away any summer garden furniture, sweep leaves away from your paving, even get the jet wash out and give things a quick spritz to clean them up.

Just half an hour spent doing these tasks will really improve your immediate environment and make the winter view slightly less gloomy.

Any leaves can be swept up and saved to use as compost in the garden. A simple bin made from chicken wire or black plastic bags can be used to store the leaves as they make the best compost and they do not take long to rot down.

Emma Bond, Bath Garden Design and Landscaping, Orchard Studio, Old Orchard, 88a Walcot Street, Bath; 07968 727415; www.bathgardendesign.com Photos © Emma Bond

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 113

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Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

B AT H G E T S S ER I O US ARTS VENTURE

A FESTIVAL WITH A WEALTH OF MATERIAL

SPONSORED BY:

The news of a new multiarts festival for Bath has been welcomed by the city as great news for business The Bath Festival, which launches in May 2017, is set to position itself alongside Edinburgh as a major multiarts event in the UK. The various festivals Edinburgh hosts, including the Fringe, is reported as generating over a quarter of a billion pounds worth of additional tourism revenue for Scotland (£261m) in 2010. The economic impact figure for Edinburgh is £245m, with the Edinburgh Fringe alone contributing £142 million of this.

Business sponsors already lined up to back The Bath Festival are Wessex Water and the Bath-based engineering firm Rotork, and the festival organisers will also work closely with the Bath BID (Business Improvement District) to extend its reach. “The festival will also provide a platform for the year-round extensive Creative Learning Programme that Bath Festivals run for over 6,000 young people, many with few opportunities to engage with the arts,” explains Bath Festivals’ chair John Cullum.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, cabinet member for economic development for Bath & North East Somerset Council, says, “We welcome the new Bath Festival for engaging a wider range of people and creating memorable experiences in Bath’s amazing spaces. This is now

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“I WAS SELECTED TO REPRESENT GB AT THE CALGARY WINTER OLYMPICS BIATHLON” We can just ‘picture’ this businessman taking gold on the slopes. Find out who on page 118

an enterprising endeavour that other organisations will want to support for its potential to make more of Bath, drawing in investment and visitors to the city while serving Bath residents.”

One of the aims of the new festival is to shake off Bath’s ‘elitist’ reputation with a more eclectic and contemporary programme, which will include new talent, high profile performers from the world of music and literature.

The new Bath Festival is helping light the way for future business growth

£2546.25 THE BIG NUMBER

For more: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

The amount recruitment agency Juice raised for The Prince’s Trust Find out more on page 121

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 117

SPONSORED BY:

BUSINESS INSIDER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MARTIN TRACY Meet the owner of multi-awardwinning The Framing Workshop, based on Walcot Street. He also happens to be a former army man, a trained cartographic draftsman and pretty good at cross-country skiing and rifle shooting…

Where have you lived, apart form Bath?

I was born in Nairobi and, due to my background as a military officer, I have lived in West Germany, Norway, Berlin, Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland, as well as countless towns and cities across the country, from Arbroath to Plymouth. Until I moved to Bath 30 years ago, I hadn’t lived anywhere for more than two years at a time.

PHOTO BY PAOLO FERLA

What was your first job?

I trained as a cartographic draftsman, which was then the making of maps by hand.

How did you progress into working with The Framing Workshop?

When I left the forces 27 years ago, I turned my longterm hobby of framing into a business.

Who has been one of your most memorable ‘framing’ clients?

For the Lord of Bath at Longleat House; we framed two sets of eight of his oil paintings of his ancestral family.

Each painting was two foot square, and back lit with blue glass. Also, every painting had to be interchangeable so he could display whichever family member or relative was coming to visit. It was a huge challenge, but worked magnificently.

What makes your business stand out from your competitors?

We have over 70 combined years of experience, and pride ourselves in being able to frame pretty much anything. We also set a high benchmark in the specifications of the materials we use; preservation is as important as the presentation in the framing.

What is your own most precious framed artwork?

It is a needlework of 11 multi-coloured frogs made by my daughter Philippa.

WHEN I LEFT THE FORCES 27 YEARS AGO, I TURNED MY LONGTERM HOBBY OF FRAMING INTO A BUSINESS

Any local talented artists that have caught your eye?

There are so many, but I particularly love the work of Bath sculptor, Anna Gillespie – it is so full of energy and passion.

What do you love about Bath?

Having lived in some pretty miserable places, I consider it a privilege and a pleasure to live in Bath. And within that, I adore Walcot Street; its craftsmen and women, its mix of independent-family owned businesses and also the comprehensive range of eateries.

Any hidden talents?

I was selected to represent GB at the Calgary winter Olympics winter biathlon, which is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. This was in 1988 – the same year Eddie the Eagle took part.

Unfortunately my army superiors couldn’t allow me to go due to the amount of time off I would’ve needed to train.

For more: www.theframingworkshop.com

118 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED BY:

BUSINESS INSIDER

MOVERS, SHAKERS, ETC

• The Bath Rugby players have voted with their feet and chosen to shop local. Loake, the Green Street shoemakers, recently visited the training ground at Farleigh House to fit the first team squad, academy squad, coaches and backroom staff, with their shoes.

“It was a real mix of sizes, ranging from a small 8 to a very wide 13,” reveals James Hughes, head of business. “We have a great relationship with the guys and they often pop into the store for a quick chat and a coffee.”

Something that prop Kane Palma-Newport confirms, “I always walk into the Loake store when I’m in town because there is always a friendly face meeting me there. The guys are so accommodating and know what works with the clothes I have. I enjoy the comfortable atmosphere and having the ability to browse at my own leisure without being given the hard sell.

“It’s also nice to support a local business; plus it’s a nice touch the drinks fridge is always stocked if you venture in!”

Ludvig and James join the firm

NEW FACES

LAW MAN Law firm Thrings has added to its tax planning and trusts offering with the appointment of Michael Westbrook as partner. Joining from Burges Salmon in Bristol, Michael brings a wealth of experience.

“There’s mounting public pressure to change legislation and we can see more complicated rules emerging,” says Michael. “It is therefore hugely important that people know where they stand in the current climate and what their options are.” www.thrings.com

Josh aims high

For more: www.loake.com

BATH RUGBY NEWS Bringing you the latest from the Bath Rugby headquarters • Josh Bayliss, the 19-year-old back row, has been named as the BMT Academy Player of the Month. The former pupil from Millfield School, joined the Bath Rugby Academy in the summer, and as well as running out for Bath United, he has been getting extra game time at Clifton Rugby Club and attended the recent England U20s training camp.

Josh says his strong performances are down the regular game time and training he’s had since the summer. “Playing every weekend and training everyday at Farleigh has really helped me in terms of getting some consistency in performance.

“My development on and off the pitch have been hugely helped by the coaches and the other players. They have so much experience that it’s really just about taking as much information on board as possible.”

For more: www.bathrugby.com

PHOTO BY ROY NEWPORT

Bath-based Epoch Wealth Management has made two new appointments. Ludvig Frick, who speaks English and Swedish, joins as an adviser and James Calvert-Jones, who is training to become a financial adviser. Epoch founding partner Markas Gilmartin says, “It’s great to welcome more new faces to our expanding team of financial advisers.” www.epochwm.co.uk

Kane Palma-Newport takes the weight off his feet, with Keiron Macnamara, Chris Macnamara, and James Hughes of Loake

Coming fixtures: 27 November, kick off 3.15pm, Aviva Premiership, away against Harlequins 3 December, kick off 12.15pm, Aviva Premiership, home against Saracens 10 December, kick off 2.30pm, European Challenge, away against Cardiff Blues

SPONSORED BY:

BUSINESS INSIDER

BREAKING NEWS...

TERRIFIC THREE

Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing and important local business stories happening right now…

UP, UP AND AWAY Bristol Airport has been announced as the new Platinum Sponsor, which is the best individual category winner, for the Bath Life Awards.

The airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair explains, “The Bath Life Awards are established as highly prestigious business awards and we are delighted to be the Platinum sponsors.

We’re proud to serve the business community in Bath every day, so helping to celebrate excellence at these awards will be particularly special for us. We look forward to hearing about business success stories in Bath and meeting the inspirational people behind them.”

Steph Dodd, the events manager for the Bath Life Awards, adds, “We are absolutely thrilled that such a major company as Bristol Airport which is so strategically important has backed our Awards. It’s a major endorsement of how the event is building and having this prestigious

endorsement adds great lustre.”

The latest line up of sponsors, including six more new announcments is: the Royal Crescent & Spa With Bristol Airport onboard, it’s going to a first class night Hotel (Headline), Bristol Airport (Platinum), Bath Volkswagen, Bath Rugby, Bath Audi, Bluefin Sponsors). For any remaining sponsorships Insurance, Fidelius, First Bath, Novia, Savills, please contact pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk and Tile & Flooring, Apex Hotels, Minuteman Press, to be involved on the night, stephanie.dodd@ Clifton Marquee Company, Stone King, Hawker mediaclash.co.uk.

Joinery, & Kersfield (Category Sponsors), Vistage, Circo & SearchStar (Feature Sponsors), For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk; and Thrings, Bath Holiday Rentals, Mogers Twitter @BathLifeAwards Drewett, RBS & Epoch (Silver-level Associate

HE’S A CAPITAL CHAP

Jeremy and the Juice team rejoice in the fundraising power of pedal

Jonothan McColgan, the director of combined financial strategies in Bath was presented with Financial Adviser of the Year Award at the 2016 Growth Investor Awards.

The ceremony, which was organised by Intelligent Partnership, and held at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel, Mayfair on 3 November, was attended by more than 400 industry professionals and hosted by BBC Broadcaster Steph McGovern and comedian Mark Watson.

“Words do not do justice to how happy and honoured I am to be recognised as Financial Adviser of the Year,” says Jonothan. “Winning this award against such tough competition from all over the country is the highlight of my career.”

For more: www.growthinvestorawards.com

THE POWER OF JUICE

Steff McGovern and the sponsor, Jack Rose of LGBR Capital, with a delighted Jonothan

Juice, the South West recruitment agency, recently embarked on a charity cycle challenge to raise money for the Prince’s Trust.

The team pedalled between the Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath and Trowbridge offices, clocking up 60 miles and raising £2,546.25.

“The Prince’s Trust is an inspirational charity,” says managing director Emma Summers, whose cyclists were welcomed back by former rugby player Jeremy Guscott. “It spreads a real message of positivity and productivity – encouraging people to make the most out of the opportunities before them and to find a successful career path. There’s a real synergy between this and the ethos of Juice Recruitment – we want to get the best out of our candidates and help them to succeed.”

For more: www.juicerecruitment.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 121

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ad v e rti s i n g f e at u r e F I N A N C E

THE TAX BENEFITS OF GIVING TO CHARITY

Whatever your reasons are for donating to charity, an added bonus can be the tax breaks that are available Gift Aid

Donating through gift aid means that charities can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate.

Any donation you make under gift aid is deemed to have been made net of basic rate tax of 20 per cent, recognising that you have already paid income tax on the cash donation that you are making. For example, if you made a donation of £80 then the charity would be able to reclaim an additional £20 from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

However one of the requirements of donating under gift aid is that you have paid sufficient tax in the tax year to cover the tax that the charity reclaims from HMRC, otherwise it is your responsibility to pay over the difference to HMRC. If, for example, your income is covered by your personal tax allowance then you may not be paying any tax. If you make charitable donations under gift aid then in the above

Jacqui Bowden BSc(Hons) ACA

example you will also have to pay the £20 over to HMRC. The changes to the taxation of investment income and dividends introduced in 2016/17 may mean that more people fall into this category as dividend tax credits, for example, will no longer be available to cover the basic rate tax withheld. If you fall into the above category then charitable donations can of course still be made, but they should not be made under gift aid.

Gift aid donations can be “carried back” and treated it as if they had been paid in the previous tax year. This can be a useful planning tool if, for example, you will only be a basic rate taxpayer in 2016/17, but had tipped over into the higher rate tax bracket in the year ended 5 April 2016. However, the donation must be made before the tax return is submitted and you must make the appropriate entry on your tax return.

Higher rate taxpayers (or additional rate taxpayers) can reclaim an additional 20 per cent (25 per cent for additional rate taxpayers) from HMRC by gift aiding any donations to charities and notifying HMRC accordingly. Consideration should also be given before 5 April to making gift aid donations as these may be sufficient to bring these taxpayers back into a lower tax bracket or to avoid the withdrawal of personal allowances for those with taxable income in excess of £100,000, thereby potentially saving tax at 60 per cent.

General Exemption from Inheritance Tax (IHT)

Donations to charities during an individual’s lifetime (which generally includes most

museums, universities and community amateur sports clubs) are exempt from IHT. Any amounts left to charities in your will are deducted from the value of your estate on death before IHT is calculated.

Reduced rate of IHT

If at least 10 per cent of the ‘net’ value of an individual’s estate is left to one or more charities, the rate of IHT payable on the estate is 36 per cent rather than 40 per cent. In broad terms, the ‘net’ value of your estate is the value of your assets on death, after deducting any liabilities, IHT reliefs and exemptions and the nil rate band.

Depending on the estate’s ‘net’ value, the IHT reduction could be substantial.

It is possible to vary a will within two years of the death to ensure that at least 10 per cent of the estate is bequeathed to charity.

The above is for general guidance only and no action should be taken without obtaining specific advice.

- Celebrating 175 Years -

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a d vertising feat u re d e s i g n s e r v i c e s

Bespoke wedding stationery and branding in Bath Designer and photographer Philip Field can ensure your special day is reflected in every single detail, right from the start...

H

aving tied the knot last March in an idyllic evening ceremony at The Roman Baths, Philip Field knows first hand the joy weddings bring.

However, this wasn’t Philip’s first foray into the wonderful world of weddings as, for the past six years, bespoke wedding branding, stationery and websites have formed part of his graphic design and photography business.

After attending numerous weddings of friends and family, Philip realised that many couples were looking for a truly unique way to represent their big day but didn’t know how to go about it.

“As a graphic designer, I’m used to creating branding, printed material and brochures for businesses. The real enjoyment for weddings is the personal involvement with the couple. Getting to know them, understanding their vision and then translating these ideas into reality is what I really love. From the engagement party invites through to their thank you cards, everything is tailor made and bespoke to the couple.”

Philip is also an experienced award-winning photographer, shooting for Bath Life, recognised as an Associate of The Royal Photographic Society and with an international client list including Sir Richard Branson.

“The beauty of both designing and photographing for a couple’s wedding is, that by the time the wedding day arrives, we have formed such a great relationship, which allows me to capture them at their most relaxed and happy.

“everything is tailor made and bespoke to the couple”

I want couples to think of me as their friend, not as ‘the photographer’. It also means I’m around to make sure the displays and branding are exactly as we imagined.”

Philip’s clients also agree.

“We used Phil to design our wedding stationary prior to our big day, and after the event he designed our wedding album. He came up with some fantastic ideas and designs for our invites and we were delighted with our choice. Phil has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He is incredibly professional, timely, attentive and accommodating – his works truly speaks for itself.” Michelle C “Phil designed all the stationary for our wedding including invites, place names, thank you cards, order of service and the table plan.

He personally branded it for us giving us our own unique logo that we were able to use on everything. Phil is really friendly and approachable; he took our ideas and turned them into really high quality work that everyone commented on. Phil was also amazing value for money, he worked to our budget, as he was able to manage all the print runs himself.

I'd highly recommend him to anyone looking for a personal touch to what they want to create.” Nicola L “We were thrilled with our bespoke wedding stationery. Philip really has an eye

for detail, making the design process flawless!

Thank you!” Sam B Packages start from £500, and can include, but are not limited to: l Bespoke branding l Engagement party invites l Save the date cards l Invites l Order of service l Seating / table plans l On the day signage and displays l Thank you cards l Professional photography l Wedding albums l Framing and print of images l Personal website with RSVP and gift list facility In case you’re wondering, Philip’s wife was very happy with the wedding stationery and website he created for their own big day!

07538 075784 pf@philipfield.com www.philipfield.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 125

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE 126 LIFELIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk 112 II BATH CLIFTON I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Do you dream of owning an elegant and stylish penthouse apartment in one of Bath’s most sought after areas?

Take a look inside…

By E v e ly n Gr ee n

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE LIFE II 127 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON 113

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

W

hen you think of a typical apartment, you may associate it with being a small, cramped space. But, sitting at the top of an impressive period house in the sought after Lansdown area, you’ll find a high-end penthouse apartment which offers surprisingly spacious, open-plan living in a seriously stylish setting. High ceilings, large sash windows and design-conscious interiors that include wooden panelling, Georgian style architraves and detailing, create a chic, sophisticated atmosphere throughout, and that’s not to mention the expansive and incredible views you’ll get over south west of the city and beyond.

Upon walking through the dwelling’s impressively vast and ornate statement hallway, which is complete with a cloakroom, you’ll come to a sizeable, floorboard-clad sitting room on your right and roomy kitchen on your left. The sitting room boasts a central picture window framed by two sash windows which run along the entire width of the room, creating a beautifully bright space.

Another two focal points that can be found in here come in the form of a working gas coal fire with a striking marble surround and a feature radiator. This room offers an ample space for dining too. In the warmer months – or now, with a chunky coat on – you can also dine al fresco on the wide private balcony terrace which is accessed from the kitchen.

The kitchen itself is fitted with a range of wall and base cupboards with wooden work tops, a stainless steel sink 128 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Clockwise, from top left: When you walk through the front door you’re greeted by an expansive, grand hallway; the spacious lounge area, complete with a window wall; in the kitchen you’ll find double doors leading out onto the balcony; the immaculate bathroom

HOUSE NUMBERS

970

square foot of space

1

communal garden

£595K price

2

bedrooms

and intricate, yet neutral, mosaic-tiled splash backs. The modern fittings include spotlighting, a Neff gas hob, an extractor fan, an integrated fridge and separate freezer, with another feature radiator setting the room off nicely.

It’s here you’ll find double doors opening on to that sunshiny veranda which is laid with artificial soft grass and has welcoming outdoor mood lighting. That’s not the only outdoor space that comes with the property, there’s also a well manicured communal garden to enjoy as well as useful allocated parking spots.

Back inside and there are two immaculately presented double bedrooms to lust after; first, let’s talk about the master suite. It’s a neat and spotless room which is larger than the kitchen and is decorated with ceiling roses, has sash windows to allow natural light to come flooding in, and is complete with a handy built-in wall of wardrobes with plenty of hanging space.

In the second bedroom, which is currently used as a study area, you’ll find double doors opening into the sitting room, creating flow through the home, and nearby is the floor-to-ceiling tiled, white suite bathroom with a tasteful monochrome motif.

There’s no debating that this top floor apartment offers an exceptional modern-meets-Georgian refurbishment of the highest order; so much so, in fact, that you really won’t need to lift a finger to make it liveable. So, if you’re on the look out for your very own design-led slice of the Bath property market, especially in an area as desirable and convenient as Lansdown, we reckon this unique opportunity is where it’s at.

The Apartment Company, 1 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HA; 01225 471144; www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

Bradford-on-Avon. Guide price £695,000.

“A very attractive period home with character, lovely spaces, two pretty gardens, garage and parking.”

It seems the stars align at 3 Crown Court, this one has it all! A handsome terraced house, very well presented throughout and sporting some very modern elements which combine seamlessly with the original to create an instantly comfortable home, a place for relaxing.

The ground floor has a long sitting room with fireplace and a lovely view over the garden. The fitted kitchen has a fabulous feature window very nearly bringing the gardens into the room! As well as the dining room, we find a utility shower room and wc. Four bedrooms; the master is particularly impressive with a high ceiling. The gardens to both front and rear are clearly a work of pride and joy; a labour of love. Both are very different, very pretty and must be seen.

Tel: 01225 866747

27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk

THE APARTMENT COMPANY

Great Pulteney Street £390,000 Grade I Listed • Georgian • Ground floor • One double bedroom • High ceilings • Drawing room • Prestigious address

Sales: 01225 471144

Henrietta Street £385,000 Grade I listed • Georgian • First floor • Two double bedrooms • Well presented • City centre • Approx 744 Sq Ft

abrd

Lansdown Place West £380,000 Grade II Listed • Georgian • Lower ground floor • Stylish kitchen • One bedroom • Courtyard • Private vaults

LD SO LD SO SO

LD

Connaught Mansions £495,000 Prestigious building • Second floor • Beautiful décor • Two bedrooms • High spec kitchen • Private parking

Catharine Place £400,000 Grade II Listed • Georgian • Second floor • Two bedrooms • Communal gardens • Bright • 604 Sq Ft

LD

St James Street £420,000 Grade I Listed • Georgian • Maisonette • Private entrance • Three bedrooms • Central location • Approx 1,091 Sq Ft

Northanger Court £550,000 Modern building • Ground floor • Three bedrooms • Communal garden • Lift • Approx 956 Sq Ft

SO

LD SO LD SO SO

LD

Park Street £500,000 Grade II Listed • Lower ground floor maisonette • Two bedrooms • Modern kitchen • Garden • Spacious

LD

LD SO LD SO LD Cavendish Place £450,000 Grade I Listed • Georgian • Second floor • One bedroom • Fitted kitchen • Prime location • Approx 784 Sq Ft

Northanger Court £575,000 Modern building • Second floor • Three bedrooms • Allocated parking • Lift • Approx 950 Sq Ft

SO

SO

LD

Camden Crescent £495,000 Grade II Listed • Georgian • Lower ground • Two bedrooms • Stunning interior • Approx 1,195 Sq Ft

Marlborough Buildings £500,000 Grade II Listed • Georgian • Top floor • Two bedrooms • Stunning views • Approx 1,005 Sq Ft

SO

SO

LD

Grosvenor Place £525,000 Grade I Listed • Georgian • Lower ground floor maisonette • Two double bedrooms • Garden • Parking

Lansdown Crescent £700,000 Grade I Listed • Georgian • Ground and lower ground • Three bedrooms • Garden • Approx 1,530 Sq Ft

LD

SO

LD

Portland Place £700,000 Grade II Listed • Georgian • Two reception rooms • Two bedrooms • Terrace • Lift • Approx 2,234 Sq Ft

SO

SO

LD

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Bloomfield Road £375,000 Period property • Three bedrooms • Stunning refurbishment • Far reaching views • Approx 1,163 Sq Ft

Southbourne Mansions £1,100 Georgian • Second floor apartment • Two bedrooms • Stunning views • Period features • Modern kitchen

Lettings: 01225 303870

Druids Garth £1,100 Period property • Two bedrooms • Garage and parking • Sought after location • Communal gardens

abrd

St James Square £1,200 Georgian • First floor • Two bedrooms • Unfurnished • Sought after location • Open plan sitting room kitchen

Rochfort Court £1,100 Modern building • Ground floor • Two double bedrooms • Furnished • Level walk to the City centre • Well presented

let let

Camden Crescent £1,625 Georgian • Second floor • Three bedrooms • Shower room • Stunning refurbishment • Beautiful views

let

Portland Place £1,350 Georgian • Maisonette • Two bedrooms with en suites • Lift • Delightful terrace • Luxury bathroom • Period features

Cavendish Place £1,100 Georgian • Second floor • One double bedroom • Good decorative order • Suit professional couple • Period features

let

let let Park Street £1,500 Lower ground floor • Two double bedrooms • Stylish interior • Courtyard • Modern bathroom and en suite

let

let let Catharine Place £1,250 Georgian • Lower ground floor • Two double bedrooms • Vaults • Open plan sitting room kitchen • Well presented

Royal Crescent £1,700 Georgian • Lower ground floor • Private courtyard • Two bedrooms • Well presented • Prestigious address

let

let

Green Park - £1,250 Georgian • First floor • Two bedrooms • Well presented • Period features • Approx 1,089 Sq Ft • Central location

West House £1,550 Victorian • Three bedrooms • Luxury open plan kitchen • Fabulous views • Garage and parking

let

let

Cavendish Lodge £1,600 Prestigious building • Two double bedrooms with en suites • Allocated Parking • Communal gardens

Marlborough Buildings £1,800 Georgian • Second floor • Three double bedrooms • Well presented • Two luxury bathrooms • Prime location

let

let let

Great Pulteney Street £1,850 Georgian • First floor • Beautiful interior • Two double bedrooms • Luxury en suite & bathroom • Furnished

Weston Lodge £1,050 First floor • Two double bedrooms • Allocated parking • Communal garden • Unfurnished/Furnished

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

PRESENTING YOUR APARTMENT FOR THE BEST RENTAL RETURN What are today’s tenants looking for? By understanding their wants and needs you can ensure that your apartment is presented to achieve the best rental return

A

t The Apartment Company, we attract professional tenants whether they are working locally or further afield, all they are really looking for is not a property to let but a home.

There are many things you can’t change to make your apartment more appealing, such as location, transport, and amenities.

Tenants want to have a home they feel proud of even if it’s not their own, so focus on the things that you can change and will have an impact. This can be achieved by staging your property to let.

Imagine walking into an unfurnished apartment, there is no furniture, no warm furnishings, just a cold empty space. Although the property may have some alluring features, you are relying on the tenant’s ability to be able to ‘see’ the apartment as a home.

Landlords who stage their apartment to let

don’t only achieve the best rental returns but we also find their properties rent quicker and have minimal void periods. At The Apartment Company, we are extremely selective in the apartment we accept to let and manage. We want to give our tenants the finest choice in Bath.

Attracting these tenants is advantageous as they look after your apartment as if it was their own which means they stay longer and are happier in their tenancy.

Remember to not neglect your apartments outside space and even communal areas, adding plants and flowers can really transform a space as can the use of lighting. As we are slowing etching our way into winter the afternoons are getting darker quicker which means that your prospective tenant may be viewing your property in the dark. Make sure any outside lights are working and add a couple of solar lights if

needed so your apartment greets tenants with a warm welcome.

For more advice on how to achieve the best rental return for your apartment, contact the apartment specialists on 01255 303870.

For more advice visit our blog at www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk/newssearch.aspx Sales: 01225 471144 Lettings: 01225 303870 www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

Bath’s leading marble & Granite co. for over 30 years Free no obligation site survey for quotation purposes

• Sinks and taps now available at competitive prices • Kitchen worktops • Bathrooms • Fireplaces • Flooring • Natural stone tiles & memorials • Bespoke templating and fitting service Office and Showroom open 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 9am - 1pm Tel: 01761 412934 • Fax: 01761 417068 • hobbsmarblegranite@btinternet.com Radstock Road, Midsomer Norton, Bath, BA3 2AA • www.hobbsmarbleandgranite.co.uk

Morris Lane, Bathford, Nr. Bath Price on Application

Woodford, Berkeley, South Gloucs Prices from £525,000

Red Lion Quarry, Odd Down, Bath £365,000 Price Guide

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.

JUST RELEASED. 1st 2 of 4 brand new contemporary styled detached barn style homes in this exclusive development of only 6 elegant professional homes within 5 miles of Thornbury.

‘ONLY 1 REMAINING’ 3rd & final phase of this exclusive tucked away brand new development situated on the South western corner of Bath.

4 bedrooms (one 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 Spring 2017.

4 beds (with en-suites to master & guest rms). Spacious dual aspect living rm, dining rm, stunning fitted k/breakfast rm, cloakroom and separate utility. Vaulted ceilings to FF. Bold, confident yet reassuringly traditional.

Now under construction build completion expected Spring 2017.

T: 01225 471116 crossmanhomes.co.uk

A choice of 5 south facing units, 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.

T: 01225 325857

timbennettandassociates.co.uk

NORTON MASONRY LTD Stonework Specialists & General Builders

Repairs, Restoration Alteration of Stone Buildings New Build Stone Cleaning Stone Carving Fireplaces

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

Tel: 01225 462688 / 07968 697091

www.nortonmasonryltd.co.uk

Email: Julian@bathstonemasons.co.uk

Over 30 Years Experience

Nigel Dando

www.bathstonemasons.co.uk

A family run business, installing, servicing and repairing boilers and heating systems in Bath for 25 years.

Landlords Gas Safety Inspections also undertaken

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

Accredited Installer

MADDISON plumbing heating & gas services ltd.

T 01225 837025 E steve.maddison@virgin.net maddisonplumbing.co.uk

LIFE ER H T BA R OFF t un DE REA disco ec.

10 % Nov/D ing dur Quote 10 as istm r h C

Professional studio Families Portraits Events Weddings Fashion Jewellery

BeataCosgrovePhotographer beatacosgrovephotography

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www.beatacosgrovephotography.com

B AT H L I V E S

Q&A

V

ictoria, who lives just outside the city, considers Bath to be a great source of writing inspiration.

Here, the author of six books tells us about her newest novel, The Santiago Sisters.

When it comes to how you became a published author, what’s your story?

I always knew I wanted to write stories for a living, and was determined to achieve my dream.

I used to work as an editor in publishing and one day I had an idea for a book of my own. In my evenings and on weekends, I wrote a story based around the London Olympics. I sent it to an agent and the very next day she offered me representation. Funnily enough, that book didn’t end up being published – it wasn’t the right debut. But I knew I was on to something, and someone believed in me, so I quit my job and gave myself two months to complete a new novel. Money is a great motivator: two months was all I could afford. I wrote Hollywood Sinners during that time and in the spring of the following year I landed a three-book deal with Harlequin. It wasn’t without struggle mind you – 11 publishers turned it down – but in the end I found the right and best publisher for me.

What are the best and most challenging parts of being a writer?

The best bit is being alone with my imagination.

When I’m in the middle of a story and it’s going well, it’s a special feeling, like carrying around a wonderful secret. The most challenging part is... being alone with my imagination! When I get stuck, I wish for someone else who knows the book as well as me, and can help me untangle where I’ve gone wrong.

Where do you live and what are the pleasures of being there?

Our house is in the Chew Valley, about 25 minutes from the centre of Bath. Bath is beautiful. I love the Georgian architecture, the climbing streets, the gorgeous Bath stone buildings, the shops and cafés, the museums and the open countryside. There’s always something creative and inspiring going on, while at the same time it’s possible to find a quiet corner and feel totally at peace. I love that contrast.

Your favourite shop, bar and restaurant?

Topping & Company for a heavenly bookish experience; Sub 13 on George Street for a killer cocktail to kick off the night; and for fun, informal, delicious dining it really has to be Olé Tapas on John Street.

138 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

VICTORIA FOX The local author on cocktails at Sub 13, why Bath is her muse and meeting her inspiration Jackie Collins Share a favourite view in the city…

Walking up Sydney Place; I can almost believe I’m in a Jane Austen novel.

hasn’t happened to my sister and me, but I’m sure I drew on aspects of our relationship for the sisterly dynamic.

Is your work ever inspired by your surroundings?

Definitely. Moving out of London inspired me greatly, I just felt I had more space and peace in which to write. When I come into Bath and see the splendour of the town houses or the lovely arc of the bridges, it’s impossible not to be inspired. I’m always borrowing elements from places I visit, imagining who might live there and what their lives might be like.

Your most treasured possession?

My Audi convertible. I bought it with my first ever royalty cheque and it symbolises a great deal of hard work.

What was the inspiration behind your latest book, The Santiago Sisters?

My honeymoon to Argentina. It is a magical country and I knew I had to set a book there. My husband and I went on a horse trek in Patagonia and it moved me greatly. I’m still in touch with the gaúcha who took us and I sent her a copy of The Santiago Sisters when it was published.

Is there any truth in it from your own life?

Although we’re not twins, I do have a sister and I’d wanted to try a novel about sisters for a long time, I just had to find the right setting. In The Santiago Sisters, Calida and Teresa are very different – just like my sister and me. One is fiery, passionate and impulsive, while the other is sensible and reliable. It’s a story about their deep affection and deep rivalry when one twin is adopted by a world-famous actress and whisked away from their beloved ranch. Obviously, this

Your biggest achievements?

Judging a competition with Jackie Collins for ITV’s Lorraine. We were on the hunt for the next big voice in romantic fiction, and the winner secured a book deal with Mills & Boon. It was a thrill to be able to give a new writer the breakthrough she deserved and, for me, getting to meet Jackie Collins and tell her how much she’s inspired my books was a dream come true.

What would you change about Bath if you owned it for a day?

I’d make houses on Royal Crescent cheaper, so I could move into one of them!

Victoria Fox’s The Santiago Sisters is out now (MIRA, £7.99); www.victoriafox.net