Bath Life – issue 425

ISSUE 425 / 28 MARCH - 11 SEPTEMBER 2020 / £3

#BathTogether

ISSUE 425 / 28 MARCH - 11 SEPTEMBER 2020 / BACK FOR GOOD

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Bath Coffee Co: cheery as ever, though we all know to keep our distance

B

ack in the day, when you had a product that was limping along, it could limp along for quite a while.

But to my mind that half-life has shortened over the last six or seven years. And now, well, lame ducks hardly get to waddle along at all.

This doesn’t, however, mean things are all doom and gloom for struggling businesses – far from it. And amongst the many positives, actually, that can be taken from this most bizarre of years, one is that smart organisations, ones that are lightning on their feet, can often adapt and change and find a way through this.

Yes, hospitality needs are going to be different going forward; retail needs are going to be very different; office needs markedly different too. In six months or a year, some of these will be back to normal, but many others won’t. And that means that the streets around us will change, with some familiar names dropping out of view.

What will replace them? That remains to be seen, but perhaps more co-working spaces (but not many), more health care uses (typically fairly recession proof), and maybe even some housing returning to the high street. Those ‘experiential’ uses that can’t easily be replicated online – a popular way to revitalise public areas in recent years – perhaps seem less attractive than they did six months ago, however, be they restaurants or cinemas, gyms or beauty salons. We hope most

will bounce back as COVID fears recede, of course, but it would be bold to expect them all to – gyms, for instance, offer a service that seems remarkably happy online.

One area that does seem interesting, though, is the humble grocery store, one of the retail categories that sat front-and-central in our minds at the height of the pandemic. They tend to survive recessions, people feel good about them, they fit into spaces big and small – and they draw customers again and again. This issue we’ve talked to a cross-section of Bath outfits about their experiences over the past few months, and their hopes going forward, and a surprising number of them – The Pulteney Arms, the Circus Restaurant, Larkhall Butchers – mutated at the crisis’s height, many of them into greengrocers of a sort.

It’s a strange halfway-house situation we’re in at the moment, then, though what in 2020 hasn’t been strange? But Bath is definitely back in business, coming alive again, and we’re thrilled to be back too, to act as its cheerleader. Things have changed, and will continue to change with us also – for one thing, you’ll have a new editor next issue; she’ll introduce herself then – but the core essentials remain the same. We’ll publish every fortnight going forward, keen to support this most excellent city. If anything is certain, it’s that it’s good to be back in the saddle again. #BathTogether

MATT BIELBY Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag Instagram @bathlifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 3

Issue 425 / 28 March – 11 September 2020 COVER Trevor Gilham, after Katharine Hamnett

WE’RE BACK!

10 From retail to hospitality, we spoke with Bath’s traders and

other leaders about the panics and pivots of life during and after lockdown – and checked in with how they’re feeling about the future, too

THE ARTS

41 ARTS INTRO The last of the hot days at Francis Gallery 42 WHAT’S ON Bath’s culture is reawakening – slowly 44 FILM Hip hip hooray for the return of cinema!

46 THEATRE All about Alan 48 BIG INTERVIEW The Holburne’s Dr Chris Stephens is

no stranger to navigating fragile finances – or great art

FOOD&DRINK

59 FOOD & DRINK NEWS New spots, new shops and

a dash of digital fun

60 TRY 5 The best sweet treats in town 62 RESTAURANT Cracking Corkage

SHOPPING

68

65 INTRO It’s all gone to the dogs 66 EDITOR’S CHOICE Your new favourite colour combo 68 CAROLE WALLER Her new, Italian-inspired collection 70 ANDREW RICHMOND Sketching through lockdown

BUSINESS

75 BATHWORKS On the frontlines of Bath’s recovery

PROPERTY

83 PROPERTY INTRO Old meets new in this quirky new

development on Lansdown Road

84 SHOWCASE A rural escape, and then some 92 RESIDENCE Making the most of light and colour in

glorious Georgian luxury

DEPARTMENTS

31 SPOTLIGHT 33 A MAN’S WORLD David Flatman 34 BATH TOGETHER Greg Ingham 98 LIVES Sarah Robinson

84

Editor Matt Bielby matt.bielby@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Editor Lydia Tewkesbury lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk Managing Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Editor’s Photo Damon Charles Contributors David Flatman, Anna O’Callaghan, Greg Ingham and Sophie-Claire Mcleod Group Advertising Manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Advertising Manager Justine Walker justine.walker@ mediaclash.co.uk Account Manager Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Production Manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Production Designer Matt Gynn matt.gynn@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk 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.

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 and Exeter. 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

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

BATH REBORN

CARRY ON REGARDLESS You can ‘pop a cap in Bath’s ass’, as we believe the kids might say, but like Wolverine, it’ll just twitch, grimace, squeeze the damn thing out so it clatters onto the ground, and carry on regardless. Every Bath business and institution has a different lockdown story, and a different rebirth tale too. Here are some of our favourites…

By Matt Bielby Pictures by Nick Cole IT’S CERTAINLY BEEN A GIDDY, UNPLEASANT RIDE

“Like most other people, I’ve found the last few months have been stuffed full of new, unfamiliar and uncomfortable experiences,” says Dr Chris Stephens, director at The Holburne. “It has – to grab a cliche – been a rollercoaster ride. There was a moment in March when I thought the Holburne might be closed for good, but the furlough scheme that enabled us to pay the staff even though we had no income, and the amazing response to our emergency fundraising appeal, has seen us through. For the last couple of months we have been focused on our preparations for reopening and managing the museum and the public under the new, distanced terms. We are now looking further to the future, preparing for lean times ahead and trying to plan – while not knowing what kind of world we are planning for.”

AND WHAT IF YOU’RE STILL LOCKED DOWN?

“We have, of course, been hard hit compared to many, as we’re still locked down,” says manager Bryn Williams at The Forum.

“Essentially, indoor mass gatherings are what we do – and that’s the one thing we aren’t allowed to do! We’re Bath’s largest venue, so it’s been pretty dire. The main auditorium is on a full stop still right now, but at least our rather lovely coffee house has gone socially distanced, and people are loving and discovering it, so we hope that bodes well for the future. Also on the plus side, there are events in the diary that we’re hopeful for, running between now and Christmas. And 2021 looks like being a massive year. Fontaines D.C. are coming in May 2021, for instance – they’ve been battling Taylor Swift for the No.1 slot in the album charts, and it’s really something for Bath to host them. So I’m hopeful that people will really respond to live cultural offerings when we return. Good physical and mental health is at the front of many people’s minds, and the arts – and music, in particular – have a very big role to play in that.”

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SHUTTING UP SHOP WAS HEARTBREAKING

“It’s been an incredibly scary time for everyone over the past five months,” says Mason Pollock, general manager of the Little Theatre, “and we certainly found that here at the Little. It was truly heartbreaking to have to close our doors in March, but it was without doubt the right thing to do. Our team got engaged in lots of lockdown activities – from regular Zoom quizzes to volunteering – and I got myself the cutest lockdown puppy, who you can come along and meet at our next Dog Friendly screening!”

IT’S NOT EASY WHEN YOU’RE SMALL

“As we’re Little by name and little by nature, the most challenging aspect was deciphering how we create a one way system in such a small space,” says Mason at the Little Theatre. “Our booking system has been updated too, so social distancing is adhered to when choosing where to sit, and our film schedule is staggered to allow safe entrance into and out of the building.”

“Good physical and mental health is at the front of many people’s minds, and the arts – and music in particular – have a big role to play in that”

That’s the spirit: it’s all thumbs-up and smiles behind the masks at Walcot’s Landrace Bakery

BATH REBORN

It’s sometimes hard to remember where we have to wear a mask and where we don’t, but we’re all embracing pavement dining

BUT THERE WAS STILL FUN TO BE HAD DURING LOCKDOWN

At least for some of us. “We had seven family members here, aged two to 65,” says Caroline Kay of Bath Preservation Trust, “so at least we had a lovely big social ‘bubble’ to enjoy the great weather and neverbetter garden with. The littlest person was just happy to revel in the sunshine and the company, rather than worry about the state of the world – we should all look through the eyes of a toddler occasionally!”

LITTLE BEATS OPENING THE DOORS AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

“Watching a film on the big screen again after being in lockdown for five months has been a real thrill,” says Mason at the Little Theatre.

“With so many films being delayed, we’ve now got an incredibly strong slate of new releases lined up, from Tenet and the new Bond film, No Time To Die, to The Courier and West Side Story. As a small, two screen cinema we are simply spoilt for choice.”

EMERGENCY FUNDS HAVE BEEN A LIFESAVER

“The last five months have been immensely challenging, of course, as we lost 90 per cent of our income when we closed our four museums,” says Caroline Kay, chief exec of Bath Preservation Trust, which runs No.1 Royal Crescent, Museum of Bath Architecture, Beckford’s Tower and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. “But we used furlough heavily, and reduced expenditure as far as we could. It was not until we received a Heritage Emergency Fund grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in July that we could confidently plan to open any of our attractions again. It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure – for me, personally, I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard!”

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IT’S ENFORCED, BUT ATTRACTIONS CAN SEEM MORE ‘EXCLUSIVE’ NOW

“A visit to No.1 Royal Crescent perhaps feels more ‘exclusive’, as there are fewer visitors,” says Caroline Kay. “Through a self-guided tour, people can form their own impressions while learning more from our website and guidebook. By September we also hope to be offering exclusive small group tours at all our museums, as well as further learning activities. We’re actually getting very positive feedback from visitors who are coming to us – I think they’re pleased to see that we’ve managed to open, and recognise that we’re doing our best.”

“It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure – for me, personally, I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard!”

Margaret’s Buildings: it’s always seemed vaguely European on a sunny xxxxx day, but now more so than ever

BATH REBORN

REVISED BUSINESS MODELS ARE A MUST

“We’re determined for Bath Preservation Trust, its planning role and its museum activities, to survive and gradually grow again as part of the Bath heritage scene,” says Caroline Kay, “but we know that our visitor base – and, therefore, our income – will stay suppressed for a long time. We’re applying for a further Lottery grant to support our recovery until March 2021, at the end of which, if successful, we hope to have a revised business model which is viable and has the potential to grow, but is necessarily considerably smaller than before.”

BUSINESSES ARE TEMPORARILY REINVENTING THEMSELVES

“It’s been challengingly pleasurable,” says Moe Rahman at The Mint Room and Bandook.

“The first three weeks of lockdown we were completely closed, and feeling like everything had come to a halt. But then we re-strategised and decided to reopen as a takeaway and home delivery service, something we’d never done previously. Many of the staff went on furlough, but at the same time we were temporarily able to recruit local people to help with delivery, while our small kitchen team found themselves working harder than ever. We delivered meals every week to the RUH and Julian House, which has been spirit lifting and rewarding.”

WE’RE BACK IN ACTION, BUT WE CAN’T GUARANTEE IT

We’ve all spent time perfecting our masked ‘smize’, but few mask are cooler than this one

“We’ve recently managed to reopen both our restaurants and have taken 80 per cent of our employees out of furlough,” says Moe Rahman, “and we’re currently fully booked Monday-Wednesdays with the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Of course, we don’t know what trade will be like once that ends – and there’s always the fear that a second COVID wave could put us right back to square one, with a bleak future and great uncertainty.”

THE ’NEW NORMAL’ NOW ACTUALLY FEELS QUITE NORMAL

“What I’ve found a shock to the system is how normal it all feels,” says Steph Wilder, managing director of Good Day Cafe on Upper Borough Walls. “There might be big screens up and gaps between tables, but the support from our guests and customers has been just as strong as it was before lockdown – and it feels like town is as busy as it’s always been! The vibe is actually super positive and happy, and I find myself optimistic for the future. Of course, I fully acknowledge the benefit we’ve had from Eat Out to Help Out and flexible furloughing, and do wonder if spending habits will be the same once government support ends.”

WE’VE LEARNED NEW SKILLS

“I was fortunate enough to stay on site during lockdown,” says Silmiya Hendricks, commercial director of Lucknam Park, “and had to learn to look after our horses! There was a small number of us taking care of the 500 acre estate, and every Thursday we’d create videos for Clap for Carers – one made it to Rainbows for the NHS at Piccadilly in London. We shared gardening tips and recipes from exec chef Hywel Jones too, and took the opportunity to look at the landscaping of the estate, creating beautiful little gardens for future guests to enjoy.”

“What I’ve found a shock to the system is how normal it all feels”

MANY ARE BENEFITING FROM A STAYCATION BOOM

“The biggest stumbling block has been managing the reopening of the spa,” says Silmiya at Lucknam, “and it’s been annoying not being able to welcome non-residents to the restaurant for dining – though this will start again in September. The South West has managed to keep its infection rate low in comparison to the rest of the country, and we hope that the trend continues.”

THE BEGINNING, ESPECIALLY, WAS VERY SCARY

“Firstly, there was the massive uncertainty,” says Alison Golden, owner of The Circus Restaurant. “Our trade had dropped close to zero even before Boris Johnson said all restaurants must shut, and we had to quickly figure out a plan, rapidly changing our business into a ‘food distribution hub’, selling essentials along with leftover stock from the front of the restaurant. We began this literally the day after we were all told to shut, but it went down really well and we soon added fresh fruit and veg from Bristol wholesale market, which people loved.

Then we added home delivery of fruit and vegetable boxes, along with bread, meat, cheese and milk from our usual restaurant suppliers. This

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“We’ll survive this, and we’ll keep doing our thing, no matter what happens next”

This year Bath has been on our side, and we’ve all felt especially blessed by our plentiful public green spaces

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BATH REBORN

became the Bath Veg Box Project, @bathvegboxproject. Within 10 days, we had somehow created a fully functioning shop and home delivery operation which, at its peak during lockdown, was delivering well over 100 veg boxes daily. Our usual dining area became a packing station, and the al fresco seating became our shopfront. It was an absolutely crazy time, but we’re proud that we adapted so quickly and provided a service that people enjoyed and will remember. It all meant we could re-open the restaurant at the start of August as financially strong as ever, and without losing a single member of staff. And we’ve since had our busiest month on record!”

A RECESSION IS A FEAR, BUT NOT AN INSURMOUNTABLE ONE

“Even if there is a recession, we think it will work in our favour,” says Alison Golden of The Circus Restaurant. “When people have less money, they generally become more choosy about where they want to spend it, and do more research on the restaurants available. Without wishing to sound arrogant, we’re at the top of many review sites, and are recently named by Tripadvisor as one of the top one per cent of restaurants in the world! The Circus Restaurant was born during the financial crisis of 2008 – we survived that, we’ll survive this, and we’ll keep doing our thing, whatever happens next.”

HAVING FAMILY AROUND HAS BEEN A GODSEND

“Unsurprisingly, it’s been a rollercoaster,” says Tessa Brand of The Dressing Room. “I’d been working on my own for a little while before lockdown, as both my ladies felt uneasy coming into Bath during that time, and we’d made the decision to close for the duration on 21 March – then Boris made his announcement two days later. I spent three days on permanent ‘hold’ on the phone, trying to speak to the bank, the council and advisory services, all to no avail, but fortunately my son was at home with me – he isn’t usually – and was a very calming influence, so I didn’t panic too much. And, after a few days, I started getting phone calls and emails from customers saying, ‘I don’t suppose you would post me this…?’ or ‘I quite fancy that…’. After that, it didn’t really stop!”

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BATH REBORN

Masks save lives, guys – and at many shops you have to queue to get in

REOPENING CAN FEEL TOO SOON

“When it was announced that we could re-open on June 15, I didn’t feel ready for it at all,” says Tessa at The Dressing Room. “I decided to do so on June 18, but even that felt too soon. But I had so many regular customers turn up in those first few days, really just to show their support – no pun intended! – that it took me no time at all to get back into the groove. And here we are, two months later, and I’m almost feeling normal. Really, the only difference is the mask wearing, hand sanitising, forever cleaning part of the job. The rest is just the same.

Lovely customers, lots of nattering, generally having fun. I personally haven’t had any experience of a real stumbling block yet, thank goodness. Yes, I’m still doing five or six days a week on my own – which is tough – but I’m also a control freaky Virgo, so I’m really enjoying it!

It reminds me of the early days when I first bought the shop over 17 years ago…”

THERE’S NO WAY TO KNOW THE FUTURE

“Honestly?” says Tessa at The Dressing Room. “Who knows what will happen? I am literally taking every day as it comes, and feel I can do no more than that – not least, for the sake of my sanity! I will say, however, that I think this year has been the easy bit. It’s the next 12-24 months which are going to be trying…”

LIFE’S CERTAINLY BEEN UNPRECEDENTED

“In 58 years of trading, Moss of Bath has never before been instructed to close,” says director Tim Moss. “These are unprecedented and challenging times for any business. Classed as a non-essential retailer, our showroom shut on March 24 and reopened

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on June 14, although our installation teams restarted on June 1. During lockdown we maintained an over-the-phone and email customer care service, though, providing remote assistance where we could. And since reopening we have been incredibly busy, posting our best July in over ten years – so there is definitely a pent-up demand for our goods and services. In the same way that we all tune into local radio on a snow day, there appears to have been a marked shift towards support of local, independent, dependable businesses.”

THE FUTURE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT

“There will inevitably be many more business closures and, sadly, more redundancies in the coming months,” says Tim from Moss of Bath.

“The high street, unlike office or warehouse space, is highly visible, and empty units are often seen as an economic barometer as to the general health of a city. It will be those businesses, those passionate retailers, who are truly customer-focused, provide exceptional customer care, are innovative in their product or service offering and have historically managed their finances, who will ultimately survive and shine. I truly believe that the future is bright for the independent in Bath.”

“I truly believe that the future is bright for the independent in Bath”

BUSINESSES HAVE BENEFITED FROM WORKING TOGETHER

“Even before lockdown, the traders of Larkhall decided to launch a joint delivery service, combining orders and drivers to increase our capability to help,” says Peter Milton of Larkhall Butchers.

“Part of this effort was a conscious decision to not put a ceiling on what we were doing, just increase the hours that we were running and hire as many staff as we could sustain to help with the pressures.

With so many people becoming out of work in various industries, we felt that it was the right thing to do to both help get essentials to struggling people, and also do our bit to help the local economy.”

WHEN THE RESTAURANTS CLOSED, IT IMPACTED MANY BUSINESSES

“A large amount of our business is the supply of local restaurants and cafés,” says Peter of Larkhall Butchers. “Naturally this all but stopped overnight, and we had to completely rethink things. It was hard, but I am hugely proud of how my team adapted to overcome the myriad problems that ensued. Both the delivery service and the shop trade has begun to subside now, with the restaurants and catering still not where they were, but, despite this, we are all working flat out to try and provide the best service we can – it’s just that the dynamics of that service have completely changed.”

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PEOPLE WILL STILL NEED TO EAT

“I’m worried about the ensuing recession,” says Peter at Larkhall Butchers, “though people will still need to eat – and there’ll always be a market for quality local produce! I’m so confident of this, in fact, that we’ve taken on a second premise in Widcombe, and I hope that this will provide a service that is otherwise lacking in the area.

Having trained new members of staff over the last few months, we feel that it’s the right time to be making the move and look forward to introducing a whole new group of people the wonderful produce that comes from around Bath.”

FEELINGS HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE

“It’s been a real mixture of emotions,” says Nick Woodhouse, co-owner of interiors and gardens outfit Woodhouse and Law. “Though building works were permitted to continue through lockdown, we were concerned about the ongoing safety of our team and clients by working in people’s homes, so decided to concentrate on the design and procurement aspect of our projects, responding to client queries remotely and with no physical contact. Luckily our team were amazing at adapting to the new style of work, flexible and positive from the get-go. We realised, too, just what a wonderful, loyal customer base we have, checking in with encouraging messages and placing orders throughout lockdown. And it was so lovely to be able to open our showroom doors recently and see people face-toface again, even if we couldn’t give them a hug.”

BATH REBORN

From museums to shops, restaurants to food, you feel people are more keen to support local than ever

“It was so lovely to be able to open our showroom doors again recently and see people face-to-face again, even if we couldn’t give them a hug” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 21

BATH REBORN PEOPLE ARE ESPECIALLY KEEN TO IMPROVE THEIR HOMES

“We’re really hopeful for the future,” says Nick at Woodhouse and Law. “We’ve been very lucky to have won several large projects over the last few weeks; there seems to be a real appetite for long term improvements to the home or garden, perhaps down to clients spending more time at home and realising the value of investing in those changes to their living spaces. It was great, too, to see Dexter’s coffee chop opening next door to us over lockdown; there seems to be a renewed sense of community on Bathwick Hill, with people wanting to support local businesses like ourselves.”

RIDE THE CHAOS

“It’s been chaotic,” says Julia Davey of the eponymous homeware and gift shop at Bear Flat, “and slightly like a roller coaster in the dark!

It felt of control – something that’s not naturally easy for me – and we’ve had to think and act fast to keep trading. When the shop closures were announced, and not even our local post office wanted to take our parcels, we took time to plan our next move. But two weeks later we had an updated website and a new delivery service for locals twice a week.

xxxxxxx

Just sitting on a bench, looking out across the city, and you can feel like nothing has changed

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It’s something we continue to offer on a Tuesday, as so many are still shielding. When it became clear we might be able to reopen in June, we set about creating a completely new layout for the shop, and brought in about 40 per cent new product. That was a scary expenditure for us, but did make it seem like we were opening our doors for the first time!”

SPACE IS A HUGE ISSUE

“Our biggest stumbling block is that our back room is too small to hold our craft workshops, while allowing for social distancing,” says Julia Davey. “We’ve had to find a new venue until the new year, which has allowed us to convert the rear room into more retail space. I’m concerned that people will continue to be wary of booking group courses, though. To compensate, we’ve started a new YouTube channel of craft videos, so customers will be able to buy the kit from the artist then follow along online, with the option for Zoom troubleshooting too.

I’m a perpetual optimist – in retail, you have to be!”

BATH REBORN

SOME BUSINESSES TRANSFORMED OVERNIGHT

“The last four or five months have been confusing and difficult, exciting and scary,” say Dean and Sasha Brookman, who converted their Pulteney Arms pub into Bathwick Greengrocers for the duration of lockdown. “We set it up the night we were forced to close, so went straight into a business that should have taken six months to arrange overnight. We provided over 500 home deliveries to people during the first couple of months – it was a very stressful but a rewarding time, and allowed us to continue to help our community, and also people we wouldn’t have met had lockdown not happened. We’ve built an online Click & Collect shop for all the produce we’re still able to get in the pub since our reopening, and we’re going to be running a fruit and veg store in the back room too, Wednesday – Friday afternoons, so we’re optimistic that will help us make up for the loss of trading for the kitchen and the days when we’re closed.”

UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS CAN BLINDSIDE YOU

“Both of us have struggled quite heavily with the weight of reopening, so it’s been was a testing time,” says Sasha at The Pulteney Arms. “In our six years at pub, we’ve never really stopped, working six days a week and having one holiday a year – at most. Then, three weeks before reopening, Dean’s appendix blew – and that threw a massive spanner in the works. Still, we managed to reopen on 5 August, and had a great time back, offering table service and seating only inside the pub. And we’re actually now quite enjoying the feel, with people not crowding around the bar. Yes, the legs and the back are already struggling, but it’s been very rewarding.”

COVID HASN’T GONE AWAY

“The threat? Well, we all know what that is,” say Dean and Sasha at

From street visors to witty signs and a newly rediscovered (for many) Parade Gardens, there are many different faces of the new normal

The Pulteney Arms. “We had one scare on our first week back, and that really did crush us, but fortunately the protocol in place kept everyone who came into contact with that person safe. By the end of the year, we’ll hopefully be able to start employing more staff, though only when we see what trade – which has been fantastic so far – looks like going forward.”

FOR SOME, LOCKDOWN WAS FAIRLY STRESS-FREE

“It was, of course, somewhat daunting when lockdown was announced,” says Mike Parsons of the Gold and Platinum Studio on Northumberland Place, “but there’s been incredible support from our many clients, as well as financial help from very understanding landlords, Bath Council and the government. All of this has made it a relatively peaceful and stress-free time to get on with work unimpeded – not least as I’ve enjoyed such a traffic-free cycle to work and back! I’m running the business on more of an appointments basis now, which seems to suit most people.”

LOCKDOWN SEEMS TO HAVE MADE PEOPLE MORE DECISIVE

“Engagements keep happening, and plenty of weddings are being planned for next year,” says Mike of the Gold and Platinum Studio.

“Others are having something made to celebrate an occasion, especially if the event or holiday got cancelled. People have become more discerning about what they are buying, often avoiding mass produced imported goods and turning to local craftsmanship.

Naturally, it’s a trend that I hope continues.”

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BATH REBORN

“There seems to be a renewed sense of community”

YOU HAVE BEEN READING

Bandook; bandookkitchen.com Bath Preservation Trust; bath-preservation-trust.org.uk The Circus Restaurant; thecircusrestaurant.co.uk The Dressing Room; dressingroombath.com The Forum; bathforum.co.uk Gold and Platinum Studio; goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk Good Day Cafe; gooddaycoffee.co.uk Woodhouse and Law; woodhouseandlaw.co.uk The Holburne; holburne.org Julia Davey; juliadavey.com Larkhall Butchers; larkhallbutchers.co.uk The Little Theatre; www.picturehouses.com Lucknam Park; lucknampark.co.uk The Mint Room; mintroom.co.uk Moss of Bath; mossofbath.co.uk The Pulteney Arms; thepulteneyarms.co.uk

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Cafés like Lucca are doing a roaring trade in the sunshine; Bath has never seen so much outdoor seating

SPOTLIGHT New to Bath

STAYCATION GOALS

At long last, Hotel Indigo is set to open on 9 September – and we couldn’t be more excited. This impressive 166-room rabbit warren – immediately one of the biggest hotels in the city – spans numbers 2-8 South Parade, and is all Grade I listed, honeycoloured Georgian bliss on the outside.

Inside, though, it’s actually a quirkier and more dynamic mash-up of the kooky and the opulent than you might expect. Rooms, for instance, come in five different styles, from Romance & Mischief – the sort of place George Wickham might have stayed with a lady decidedly more fun than Lizzie Bennet – to utterly modern underground dens known as The Vaults, making the entire experience elegantly eclectic. The multi-award-winning Mike Robinson is at the helm at restaurant The Elder, which will serve a sophisticated a la carte menu; meanwhile the south facing terrace bar – Bath’s new drinks and small plates destination – makes for a desirable spot to lounge away the last evenings of summer.

For more: www.bath.hotelindigo.com

Ready to check in

© PETER HALL

Creative Bath

CREATIVITY THRIVES

So far it’s been a hit with the locals

The American Museum & Gardens

The Creative Bath Awards, a much needed celebration of all those often overlooked innovators who work in the city, took place on 27 August – this time around as a virtual-only event. “The creative, tech and cultural sector is highly inventive and highly adaptable – if ever there was part of Bath’s business culture which could step up to the challenge of a creating a dynamic virtual event, it’s this one,” says Creative Bath’s founder and chair, Greg Ingham. “Congrats to all the winners and many thanks to our sponsors, led by our headline sponsor, Bath Spa Uni. Creativity’s the winner – always.”

Bath’s trainer-loving types gathered on Zoom in their best Creative Bath blue outfits (Pantone 2995C, fact fans) for the ceremony, which was presented live from a bespoke studio and co-hosted by BBC Bristol’s Laura Rawlings. They enjoyed films showcasing local creativity and live reveals of the happy winners.

For more: www.creativebathawards.org

The American Museum & Gardens has a new Children’s Garden.

In collaboration with the Green Play Project, the museum has drawn inspiration from Native American culture and its own highly Instagrammable surrounds to create a magical new space for the kids to engage with both American history and the natural world while they play. One for climbers, it features all things elevated: ‘nests’ overlooking the dramatic parkland, a rope swing that promises to ‘propel children high above the ground’ (exciting!), and multi-level climbing towers to explore. Perhaps loveliest of all, the whole area is surrounded by a mix of native and American plants that create a feel of being lost on the frontier.

For more: www.theamericanmuseum.org

© SOUL MEDIA

PLAY IT NATURAL

Until next year, when we hope to meet in person once again

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 31

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A MAN’S WORLD DAVID FLATMAN

Blurred lines

© TAKING PICTURES

Are we out of this yet? Not nearly. But, says Flats, it feels like we’re winning

“The ending of one memorable period and the commencement of the next are a blended, blurred period”

W

hen in the midst of a less than pleasurable experience, we tend to think of the day it ends.

The moment the joy returns.

That click of the circumstantial fingers. More often, though,the ending of one memorable section of time and the commencement of the next are a blended, blurred period.

I found myself looking back at the day I heard the rumour that schools might shut until September, and how I guffawed at the television at the unimaginable ridiculousness of the notion, yet here we are. I scrolled back a few months to read some messages exchanged with my agent, the general tone being: “If this goes on for more than a month or two, we are screwed”, yet here we are. I thought about the slightly angsty four-hour wait on hold to the bank to arrange a mortgage holiday, and how I just didn’t see how ‘the system’ could possibly make it work, yet it did.

I’ve thought about the beers and bubbles I drank and the laughs I had at the Cheltenham races in March, and how stupid that now makes me feel. I’ve thought about how, for the first time in my adult life, I got so ill in February that I called the emergency doctor (yes, I’m one of those who’s telling folks they’ve definitely had it, despite not having any proof whatsoever).

I’m trying not to think about how unproductive I’ve been in the last few months, when really I ought to have been writing my book (I don’t have a book, but that seems to be the said thing), choosing long walks with stroppy kids and Netflix over laptop-based idea generation.

Lots of us, in our own ways and with infinitely varying degrees of intensity, will have panicked a bit at some point, as COVID-19

wrought its hell. Many will still be very worried today. But, doubtless with the odd bump in the road still to come, we are proving our resilience. I guess we are proving it because there is no other choice, but we are progressing nonetheless and, some day, we ought to take a few minutes to be proud of that.

Perhaps not yet, though.

COVID’s silver lining has, for many, been the chance to step off the treadmill and decompress.

It is forced decompression, of course, so not the noble type, but it still counts. Waking up with my daughters buzzing about, bowls and cutlery clanging, naughty giggles echoing through the house, TV turned up way too loud, with no plans for the day but to hang out and pass the time has been one of the great pleasures of my life. I will not forget it; I treasure it hugely and feel grateful for it.

Home schooling was a bit dull, to be frank, but we got it done and scraped by. As well as those who work for our NHS, I now have a new, augmented appreciation for our children’s teachers. At times it seemed interminable, but we found a way to make it through.

A lovely friend of mine would post things on social media throughout lockdown, and he would attach the hashtag “This too shall pass”. He wouldn’t know, but for some reason my unconscious mind clung to this hashtag. We may not be clear yet, and the virus continues to impact the lives of so many people across the world, but it feels like we are winning. There has been no clicking of the fingers, no instant return to the life we knew, but we will get there, that much we now know.

David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidflatman

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 33

#BATH TOGETHER GREG INGHAM

After the Great Pause…

Reality has been outsourced and today’s heresies are tomorrow’s orthodoxies. So how have we been changed? And what might change further from here? MediaClash CEO Greg offers his take on the pandemic…

I

n the worst of times, people show their best.

We should be proud of this city. It’s been touching to see the good that people and organisations have been doing.

How much will endure, we cannot know. But the world of Bath has seemed a better place in these continuingly-weird, tough times – one of the many paradoxes of the pandemic.

Here’s my take on what’s been happening:

1

LOCKDOWN MADE EVERYTHING LOCAL

We’ve fallen in love anew with this city; wandered its locales unhurriedly, had our thoughts washed by serenity, beauty.

There is limitless fascination in the free beauty of vistas, of parks, of the palimpsest of forgotten layered histories inked with obscure buildings, odd nooks, quirky remnants.

Park the outside world, the national world: this inspirational place buoys the soul, rewards us, makes us feel so fortunate to live or work or play here.

We have been bequeathed inspirational grandeur from centuries-back, enduring creativity paid forwards. As we start afresh, remember the joys of experiencing Bath on foot.

Don’t forget that spring

sensation. Make it a lasting holiday romance, a love affair with this city. And those love letters to our city need writing – and we will, issue in, issue out with Bath Life.

2

VENERATE THE INDIES

We’ve learned to appreciate yet more the distinctive, thoughtful offerings of our indies as they’ve supported others or cleverly pivoted to new ways, responding with ingenuity, humanity and plain decency. Our trust is better granted locally – in people and places we know, and can evaluate directly.

The big shift is under way towards re-evaluating and re-discovering our communities, friendships and the importance of our cities to us. We’re all responsible. Local responsibility, local living, local eating, buying, exploring, enjoying – with shared experiences increasingly mattering so much more than physical products.

3

HERE COMES THE HYPERLOCAL

People working from home will be buying more from shops, cafés and restaurants within a 10-minute walk of where they live.

It’s hyperlocal time. There will be fewer days in the office. Not just short term, but permanently.

Many like working from home:

“We’ve fallen in love anew with this city” 34 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

lunchtime walking distances will matter more.

4

THE GREAT PAUSE IS ALSO THE GREAT ACCELERATOR

Another paradox: this time of contemplation, of monastic slowness, has also seen rapid change. In how we work (much more distributed, infinitely more trusted). In a greater sense of purpose, in better health, in our interest in local provenance, an increased trust in local and regional brands versus national, a better regard for the value of family and friendships, and a deeper regard for care workers and teachers. We’ve greater green/climate emergency awareness too.

Multiple changes, at least short term but potentially profound.

Let the Great Pause also be the Great Accelerator.

5

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, NOW

Expect a surge of home improvements, as our homes have been over-lived in and perhaps over-scrutinised. Paradox: our homes will become havens once more, our personal worlds of interiors. Yet we will also develop a better accommodation with working from home.

Just as nature has been busy reclaiming swathes of cityscapes in lockdown, so domesticity will reclaim our hybrid working homes. Spruce-ups, improvements, new designs, new aestheticisms.

Or a reworking to allow

better home-working. Or even a move to places with more space, trading longer commutes from outlying villages and towns for fewer days travelling to that quaint twentieth century legacy construct, an ‘office’.

6

FURTHER APART YET CLOSER STILL

Another paradox of the pandemic is that we have never been further apart yet closer together. That’s due to technology. We’ve all seen inside homes we wouldn’t have entered, all know more about more people than ever before.

But it’s also because in our otherwise atomised world, we have all shared the same existential experience – all been in the same storm, albeit in different boats.

7

THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

This has been a tough time. But this too shall pass.

Enduring good can come out of these unimagined, unchartered experiences which we’ve all been facing, personally and professionally. This Great Pause may not usher in all of the hoped-for caring, softer, more thoughtful, decent society. But it will change us, and has already.

Let’s take our learnings from these times. Let’s try to emerge as better people.

Idealistic? Sure! But what positive change has ever happened without first having hope? #BathTogether – always…

ADVERTISING FEATURE

MULTI-FACETED, MULTI-DIMENSIONAL… MULTICOMS is a dynamic company offering a diverse range of reliable and high-quality communication, electronic security and custom audio-visual services to customers in the South-West and beyond. Since launching Multicoms in 2008, directors Matt Trott and Dean Pendry have led with a firm commitment to delivering exceptional tailored installations while ensuring the customer’s experience is second to none

A

s a premium brand, Multicoms works closely with the award-winning ELAN Home Systems providing smarthome automation. ELAN is intuitive and responsive, connecting electronic systems, whether for security or entertainment, across the home. All devices are controlled by a thoughtfully engineered reliable automation system which can be personalised to the customer’s needs.

With this easy to use system you can turn on your home cinema room, dim lights, draw shades and adjust room temperature, all surrounded by perfectly-equalized sound. With ELAN’s home entertainment system, a single command using just your voice and Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa turns your media room into a total cinematic experience – all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the show. ELAN home automation systems run seamlessly alongside your busy everyday schedule, at home or away, by intuitively creating perfect moments of comfort when you’re at home and conserving energy when you’re not.

“Home automation brings numerous practical benefits,” explains Dean. “For example, your property’s security systems can be monitored remotely, with notifications of any activity sent live, providing you with security and peace of mind. ELAN turns on smart lighting to greet you when you wake up or return home, and, when you’re ready for bed, it double checks that all lights are off and security is on, keeping your home comfortable and energy-smart without a second thought. Intelligent features automatically anticipate your needs for indoor temperatures, managing shades, heating and cooling systems. Remote access also helps you heat and cool more efficiently, with the ability to turn off systems if you’ll be away for longer than expected. Smart homes are also always more energy efficient. ELAN even provides a detailed history of your energy consumption, enabling you to monitor usage and make informed decisions, all of which has a positive impact on cost and the planet.

“However, the biggest benefit of a Smart home is the convenience factor: connecting these devices saves the home owner a great deal of

time. As authorised ELAN installers, our team will talk clients through the entire installation process, syncing every device to the centralised system controller with its intelligent touch panels, face recognition, voice control and elegant product design. All of this can be controlled via your Smartphone, so it has never been easier to manage one’s home smartly ensuring it’s fully optimized, efficient, safe and sound.”

As well as full Smart homes, Multicoms specialises in bespoke audiovisual projects. With the growth in popularity of cinema rooms in homes, Multicoms can ensure the best possible audio-visual cinema experience meeting both brief and budget, whether you’re looking for a simple TV mounting, bespoke home cinema or full video wall. Multicoms offers wireless multi-room audio systems using high-end Sonos and Bose audio products for instant streaming of your entire music library anywhere in your home. When it comes to visual, Multicoms’ multi-room video matrix systems are also truly bespoke. Centralised equipment allows distribution of 1080 HD and 4K UHD video content to any screen in your home, giving you complete control of where you watch.

Customers are consulted at all stages of a project to ensure that they receive the best possible solution for their requirements.

“Its really important to understand what the client is seeking to achieve,” says Matt. “The changes in technology over the last 10 years mean so much is possible now. We pride ourselves on providing seamless, costeffective and bespoke solutions on time and on budget.”

0117 955 7140; mail@multicoms.co.uk; multicoms.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 37

THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B AT H ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

SUN WORSHIPPERS

Bold curves and a distinctive colour palate of dusty orange, terracotta, ochre and brown typify Say Your Words to the Sun, Ekun Richard’s first major solo show. Like a love letter to the summer months, this collection celebrates the season even as it slips through our fingers. The depth and complexity of colour in the oil on canvas – which Ekun can spend hours at a time mixing and building – evoke warmth and languor, casting the mind back to those oppressively hot hours of the dog days of summer, where all you could do was lie sprawled in the shade and the options were twofold: surrender, or shoot off a quick Tweet of complaint, plus sweating emoji.

Each work is a snapshot of the season, reimagined under Ekun’s gaze.

Say Your Words to the Sun by Ekun Richard; until 12 September at Francis Gallery, www.francisgallery.co

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 41

© WILSON SMITH

WHAT’S ON August & September

Energy, music, fun: the Three Inch Fools in a nutshell

24 August – 24 September

ECHOING A unique listening experience created by young artists from Bath and the local area, Echoing is an audio tour with a difference. Made up of so-called ‘digital breadcrumbs’, the tour follows a series of QR codes placed around the city which, when you scan them with your phone, reveal original audio created by The Egg’s young artists during the lockdown summer school. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

3 September

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Bath’s cultural revival is officially in progress as outdoor theatre returns to the city with this performance from Three Inch Fools. This fastpaced, musically-driven reimagining dances between genres – one minute sounding all folk-ey, pivoting to classical before flipping through to good old rock ’n’ roll. It’s a vibrant performance of the summertime classic that’s showing up right in time to fill that live theatre-shaped hole in all our hearts.

Doors 6pm; show starts 7pm; £15; The Holburne Museum; www.threeinchfools.com

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

Always check COVID-19 restrictions and instructions with venues before your visit

15–27 September

CRISS-CROSS: A KIND OF MUSIC Artists Tony Martin and Martin Cody have teamed up for a tour. An ongoing series of drawings and prints that transforms with every gallery stop, Martin’s work (the ‘A Kind of Music’ part) channels the spirit of jazz and classical musicals, creating unique and frenetic line works. Tony meanwhile (the ‘Criss-Cross’ of the collection), follows self-imposed rules – stuff like the number of lines he’s allowed to use – to create bold prints.

Mon-Sat 1-5pm; Sun 1-4pm; 44AD artspace; www.44ad.net

24 September

ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS Theatre Royal Bath is joining forces with Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and Plush Theatricals to stream a live performance directly into our homes. The critically acclaimed musical Romantics Anonymous will be performed live onstage at the Bristol Old Vic every night for a week on a ‘digital tour’, spanning 30 partner theatres around the world, each selling tickets for different nights of the week – all for the audience to enjoy from home. Romantics Anonymous is all about Angélique, a

5–6 September

BEAR FLAT ART TRAIL

We’re thrilled the Art Trail is back! But what can we expect this year?

Although the trail is smaller than usual, says organiser Kate Marshall, we have an incredible 23 artists showing in 16 different venues – all within walking distance of Bear Flat. We’re really pleased to welcome new artist Natasha Sweeting in Lower Oldfield Park, new photographer Matt Roberts in Greenway Lane, and two emerging artists – Sammy Hayward, an illustrator in Longfellow Avenue, and Emma Philippa Maeve, an artist working with fabric who will be showing in Lynbrook Lane. We have some familiar local artists who are returning after a break – milliner Jo Willis in Kipling Avenue, photographers Michael Stevens and James Fox in Longfellow Avenue, and mosaic artist Lorelei Hunt in Lynbrook Lane. Finally, of course, we have the long-established members of the art trail, exhibiting ceramics, jewellery, prints and paintings.

And what does it mean to engage with an event like the Art Trail in this current climate of uncertainty?

More than ever it is important to support your local community.

Being based at home for the last six months has been a real challenge for many people, and the importance of neighbours, local friends, and local businesses has been highlighted for all of us. Whilst being creative has helped many people cope with lockdown, and certainly having the Art Trail to work towards has been an enormous boost for me personally, many of our artists have been unable to sell through their normal channels since March, and the future is also looking uncertain. So, please come along and see what we have all been getting up to during this strange time – and support your local artists!

Please visit www.bearflatartists.co.uk for up-to-date info on all the artists taking part and the necessary COVID19 safety requirements.

WHAT’S ON WIDCOMBE SOCIAL CLUB Bath Comedy Club nights at Widcombe Social Club

with free live music from 6-8pm Friday Night Jazz in the Wharf Bar

4 SEPTEMBER: Sally-Anne Hayward, Stu Goldsmith (TBC) 18 SEPTEMBER: Arthur Smith, Susan Murray

style, not to mention beautiful original tunes.

Every other Friday, 8.30pm show

Also at Widcombe Social Club 19 SEPTEMBER: Barry Cryer and Colin Sell

Barry Cryer, still a “Sprightly Veteran” (Undertaker’s Gazette) and Colin Sell (a“Legendary Virtuoso” writes Pensioner’s Weekly) aim to entertain you with songs, jokes – and the amazing realisation that they’re still here.

Doors 3.30pm, show starts 4pm; www.bathcomedy.com Friday Night Social Open to all in the Waterside Bar,

ABOVE: Get your live music fix at Green Park Brasserie RIGHT: Widcombe Social Club is back in business BELOW: ‘Dodo’, by Bear Flat artist James Nunn BOTTOM: Romantics: stream it live at home

Saturday Night at the Movies

Waterside Bar open to all. Free entry from 6.00pm-late.

Ticketed film screenings 7:30pm in the Wharf Bar, now with added old-school Pearl & Dean charm, cartoons/B-feature, intermission, ice cream and popcorn. Cinemaquality projection and great sound.

5 September: Your Name

This milestone anime remains the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, and won many awards. www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk

gifted chocolate maker so crippled by social anxiety she faints when people look at her. But when she meets Jean-René, the awkward, self help tape-reliant manager of a failing chocolate factory, a fragile (yet doubtless sweet) love affair unfolds.

Stream begins 7pm, show starts 7.30pm; £15, rising to £20 after 20 September; one ticket allows the customer to view on one device; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

THE REGULARS

Until 3 January 2021

WALCOT STREET FLEA MARKET When did you last pop down to the Walcot Street Flea Market?

Dig through a treasure trove of antiques, vintage clothes, bric-abrac and other such curiosities – you never know what you might find. Catch it from 8am Friday (and 7am on Saturday, if you’re really keen!)

GRAYSON PERRY: THE PRE-THERAPY YEARS We couldn’t be happier with the news of the extension of The Holburne’s Grayson Perry exhibition until next year. The return of the explosive and creative pots and plates he made back in the ’80s shines an intriguing light on his use of the pottery medium to address radical issues – some of them his own!

Mon-Sun 10am-5pm; £12.50; The Holburne; www.holburne.org

Until 20 December

© STEVE TANNER

25 SEPTEMBER: Iain Ballamy Trio Melodic, thoughtful, freethinking

NIGHT & DAY: 1930S FASHION AND PHOTOGRAPHS First curated by the Fashion and Textiles Museum in London, this exhibition is the ultimate experience of 1930s glam. Think floor length gowns in satin, velvet or crêpe – complete with diamanté accessories, obviously. It’s the perfect escape from the present; cast yourself in the role of ’30s femme fatale as you wander the display, picturing yourself at the wild parties of yesteryear. £11.50; American Museum and Gardens; www.americanmuseum.org

BATH FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday from 9am-1pm, Green Park Station transforms into a showcase for tip top local, artisan foodie fare. You’ll find fresh bread, beautiful fruit and veg, treats for the sweet of tooth and so much more piled high for hungry visitors. www.bathfarmersmarket.co.uk

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BRAZ In need of a live music fix? Live jazz, funk and swing has returned to Green Park Brasserie every Friday and Saturday night from 7-9.30pm. Enjoy some of Bath’s finest musicians in the historic old booking hall at Green Park Station. www.greenparkbrasserie.com BATH FLEA MARKET On the first Sunday of every month, Green Park Station fills with an eclectic range of antique and vintage goodies. Serious thrifters and casual shoppers alike will inevitably find something they will fall in love with. ■

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

FILM SOPHIECLAIRE MCLEOD FROM FAR LEFT:

Six Minutes to Midnight; Tenet; Les Misérables

Spy hard Hard to understand, at any rate. But then that’s what makes Christopher Nolan’s mysterious Tenet – the film to welcome us all back to the cinema – so intriguing…

T

he theatres may still be shut, live music and comedy hard to see, but at least we have films back at last. Here at The Little, we’ve been working hard to tailor the cinema experience so all can enjoy it safely, with social distancing measures in place and trained staff ready to help you navigate our new one-way and queueing systems. Luckily, the films we get to kick off with are rather special too, demonstrating brilliantly everything that the movies have to offer: a highly original time-traveling epic, a hard hitting French drama and a gripping British thriller.

First up, of course, is Tenet, the latest science fiction action film with a brain from multi-award winning director Christopher Nolan, he of Interstellar, Dunkirk and the Dark Knight trilogy. What’s it about? Well, it’s hard to say with any certainty at this point – very little has been revealed – but it looks, at least, like a vague relative to his earlier, mind-bending spy-heist flick Inception.

Nolan is often tight lipped, but this is quite possibly his most mysterious project to date.

The slim plot synopsis that has been released certainly gives little away: “Armed with only one word – ‘tenet’ – and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a character named simply ‘the Protagonist’ journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

Not time travel, but ‘inversion’.” The trailer is similarly enigmatic, full of spectacular special effects (car crashes taking place backwards and so on) but giving sod all away. We think we know that John David Washington’s lead character is tasked with preventing World War III, but that’s about it – oh, except for that it’s not the war we’re expecting.

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

Alongside Washington – the former pro-American football player who made his name with a spectacular turn in Spike Lee’s BlacKKKlansman – are a heavyweight cast led by Kenneth Branagh, Elizabeth Debicki, Robert Pattinson and Nolan regular Michael Caine.

A production as expensive as it is intriguing, this is surely one of those films that simply demands to be seen on the big screen – and a great way to welcome back the cinema.

Even more surely, it’s no accident that the title is a palindrome, a word that sounds the same backwards as forwards. Hmm…

“A production as expensive as it is intriguing, this is surely one of those films that simply demands to be seen on the big screen” Contemporary French film Les Misérables – not to be confused with the Victor Hugo novel, or the subsequent musical of the same name – is a hard-hitting drama based on a real-life incident: police violence that took place in Montfermeil, a suburb in Paris, in the aftermath of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Our story revolves around a trio of local police officers – a new guy, Stéphane (Damien Bonnard); the laid back Gwada (Djebril Zonga); and the loud, obnoxious Chris (Alexis Manenti), whose nickname is ‘Pink Pig’, as he enjoys truffling for trouble, or creating it where

none exists. We also follow Issa (Issa Perica), a neighbourhood tearaway who steals a lion cub from a local circus, which leads him to be targeted by the three cops. But when their arrest attempt goes terribly wrong, and they discover that the encounter has been filmed by a drone, unity collapses: Stéphane wants to help the now injured Issa, while Chris and Gwada are determined to find the owner of the drone. And things go downhill from there…

This is an intense, engrossing drama with an especially unnerving ending, one that – of course – has extra resonance in the current political landscape. Director Ladj Ly is certainly adept at showing how seemingly small events can spin out of control, and at making us think about racism, police brutality, and what we can do make a change.

Finally we have Six Minutes to Midnight, a new wartime thriller starring (and co-written by) Eddie Izzard, backed up by a brilliant cast including Dame Judi Dench, James D’Arcy and Jim Broadbent. It’s the summer of 1939, and teacher Thomas Miller (Izzard) is sent to a finishing school on the Sussex coast. There he discovers that, hidden amongst his students, are daughters of the Nazi High Command, who’ve been sent to learn the language and become ambassadors following a future invasion. Miller tries to raise the alarm – but it’s not easy, when the authorities believe he is the problem. It’s a great idea, and a real treat to watch too.

Sophie-Claire McLeod is duty and marketing manager at The Little Theatre, 1–2 St Michael’s Place; 01225 466822; www.picturehouses.co.uk

THEATRE

Northern soul

With the theatre away for a bit, but our love for it unremitting, we thought we’d celebrate its greatest hits. First up, Alan Bennett, Armely’s favourite son…

By Anna O’Callaghan Pictures by Nobby Clark

T

here are certain authors whose work animates audiences at the Theatre Royal. They’re charmed by the comedies of Noël Coward and Oscar Wilde; there’s invariably interest in the thought-provoking plays of Yasmina Reza and Florian Zeller; and I’d bet that anyone who saw Will Eno’s The Realistic Joneses at the Ustinov Studio early this year will be scouring the programme for his name in the future. But beyond all these, Bath audiences – myself at the top of the list – have one of the UK’s greatest living writers, Alan Bennett, embedded in their hearts. Although a master of comedy, his contemporary classics are many-faceted and frequently sad, poignant and very funny all at the same time.

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

I first became aware of Bennett’s dramatic brilliance with the BBC drama An Englishman Abroad in 1983, in which the incomparable Alan Bates played Cambridge spy Guy Burgess, who is visited in exile in Moscow by actress Coral Browne (who played herself).

We’ve staged this one-act play here numerous times over the years as part of the Single Spies double-bill, with Robert Powell (twice), Nigel Havers and Nicholas Farrell as Burgess.

1972 saw the first Alan Bennett play ever performed at the Theatre Royal – Getting On – which starred Richard Greene (he of 1950s TV hit The Adventures of Robin Hood) as an MP coming to terms with failure and

impending old age. A Plays and Players review rather wonderfully described it as ‘Waiting for Godot in Sunday supplement settings’, while the programme reveals that unreserved tickets were just 30p in those days. After an inexplicable intermission (and a slight price increase), his work next appeared in Bath in 1988 with the fruity farce Habeas Corpus, produced by Mobil Touring Theatre, who visited annually in the late ’80s and ’90s.

The show was also part of the 2006 Peter Hall Season, with Sir Peter himself directing James Fleet, Annette Badland and a buxom Barry Stanton as Mrs Swabb, the charlady.

The Peter Hall Season returned to the Bennett back catalogue in 2008. Written in 1980, Enjoy had – when first performed – been one of the rare theatrical flops in Bennett’s career. It’s set in his home town of Leeds, where, as one of the last terraced houses is about to be demolished, a sociologist arrives to observe residents Wilf and Connie’s daily life. In 2008, however, the time was obviously right for this hilarious dark comedy.

Christopher Luscombe directed Alison Steadman, David Troughton and Carol Macready in a Theatre Royal Bath production which was hailed as a rediscovered

“His contemporary classics are many-faceted”

CLOCKWISE: Alan Bennett (green tie, centre); Daniel Weyman and Matthew Kelly in Kafka’s Dick; Sarah Kestelman stars as The Lady In The Van; Daniel Weyman and Samantha Spiro in Kafka’s Dick; Alison Steadman and Carol Macready in Enjoy

masterpiece, and which went on to open in the West End to the biggest ever advance box office sales for an Alan Bennett play, before triumphantly returning to Bath in 2010.

Peter Hall’s final Season in 2011 concluded with an exceptional production of The Madness of George III, featuring David Haig’s magnificent performance in the role of the unravelling monarch. In 1992 the original National Theatre production of this play had brought Nigel Hawthorne to Bath with a performance which was also one of the highlights of his distinguished career.

Over the years we have presented The History Boys three times, Kafka’s Dick twice, and The Old Country and Forty Years On once apiece. Both Dora Bryan and Stephanie Cole have performed the classic Talking Heads monologue, A Cream Cracker Under the Settee. And Susan Hampshire, Nichola McAuliffe and Sara Kestelman have each transformed into The Lady in the Van, the eccentric Miss Shepherd, who gate-crashed the real Alan Bennett’s front garden in Camden with her clapped out Bedford van and lived in it there for fifteen years.

One of Alan Bennett’s latest works, 2009’s The Habit of Art, was due to make its Bath debut at the end of April. It is a play within a play about an imagined meeting of two of the twentieth century’s most remarkable artists, the poet WH Auden (Matthew Kelly) and the composer Benjamin Britten (David Yelland).

I really hope that the show might make it to Bath at some time in the near future, filled as it is with the humour, depth, wit and observational brilliance which marks Bennett’s work. It is a celebration of all that is wonderful in the theatre, and a perfect reminder of what we’re all missing in these unprecedented times.

Anna O’Callaghan, marketing manager, Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose; 01225 448844; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

No-one likes a cliché, but the last year really has been a roller coaster ride for Dr Chris Stephens and the institution he’s director of, the Holburne Museum. In 2019 they made a profit for the first time in, like, forever. This year, they began with a blockbuster exhibition – Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years – which earned them rave reviews and international attention. And then COVID nearly killed them – and may still yet. What does the future hold? “I am wary of making any predictions,” he says, understandably, “as so little is yet known…”

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

suggested Grayson when I first arrived,” says Dr Chris Stephens, the Holburne’s director these past three years, “as I really wanted to bring contemporary art to the museum.” And raise its national profile too, of course, which couldn’t have gone better – more column inches were written about the gorgeous but surprisingly bijoux art gallery this January than we can remember, well, ever.

Chris arrived here in 2017, following decades at London’s Tate Britain, where he was both head of collection displays – overseeing 30 or so rooms – and head of modern British art. Amongst his great memories are hit exhibitions of Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and – the last one he did – David Hockney. Chris is engaging company with lots to say, but endearingly loose about dates and details; more than once he does a theatrical little ‘goodness knows’ face when he can’t remember something.

What was it like at the Tate?

When I started, it had this weird identity as both the national gallery of British art from 1500, and the national gallery of modern art from 1900; there’d be this eccentric amalgam of stuff you’d go through, from the Tudors and the Stuarts to the Georgians and the Victorians – and then, suddenly, you’d get Cézanne and van Gogh and Picasso. So when Tate Modern opened in 2000 and all the non-British stuff moved out, what was now renamed Tate Britain suddenly enjoyed a tighter focus. That brought its own problems, of course – like, how do you talk about art without putting it into the context of history and culture? And how do you talk about one nation’s art when everything’s interconnected?

Dr Chris Stephens in his element; opposite: the museum itself, the extension very much not visible

And why did you leave?

After 22 years, I thought I’d probably done everything I was going to do, and wanted to be at a smaller institution in a smaller city. The quality of life in Bath is a joy, of course, and though the Holburne was already well established with a great reputation for eye-catching exhibitions, there was definitely work to do. The finances just weren’t working, for a start. And the programme to reach a wider audience was too narrow. Our remit is to bring art and culture to as many as possible – and that’s hard to do if you’re just concentrating on 17th and 18th century art.

There are two aspects to this place, aren’t there?

The collection, and then the building…

The Holburne family left their art collection to the

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“How do you talk about art without putting it into the context of history and culture?”

city back in the 1880s, and most of what you see at the museum was theirs. As well as all their paintings, though, we also have little groups of things that are outside the core collection, like the Islamic artefacts given to the museum in the ’20s or ’30s by an amazing solo female traveller who’d visited Iran and Iraq in the 1890s.

That happens quite a lot, actually – people have small collections of ceramics or whatever that they donate, often coming completely out of the blue.

And what about the building?

It was originally built as the entrance to Sydney Gardens.

People call it a hotel, but I don’t think it was in the familiar sense; it was more a place where you’d come to enter the pleasure gardens, buying your token on the way through, but also getting distracted by the bars and dancing and card games here. Later on, it did become a proper hotel – apparently Napoleon III stayed here – and in the late 19th century was a reform school. When the Holburne Trustees bought it during the First World War it was just sitting here with broken windows, so they

started getting more ambitious. The initial plans for an extension were three times the size of the one we have, with an auditorium and everything. Yes, the current version is fantastic – but it really should be twice the size.

How do the finances work here?

Like I say, for 20 or 30 years from the ’70s on we were part of the university, so got some government money until the early 2000s, I believe. But then that disappeared.

Really, though, we’ve never had any core funding. The Victoria Art Gallery was established as part of Queen Victoria’s jubilee, 15 years after the Holburne – and that became the municipal art gallery in Bath. It’s almost as if everyone forgot that the city already had one, just around the corner!

And that’s meant… what?

Well, the people of Bath have two big galleries to enjoy, for one thing. But it’s also forced us to be highly independent – and the Holburne’s story has been one of an endless struggle to make ends meet. We have to fundraise all our income, and it’s amazing that we do it – I can’t think of another UK museum of this size and status that doesn’t get public funding. But we manage to raise half a million pounds a year, and add the same again through ticket sales, the café and shop. It gives us enough to operate – though 2019 was the first year we broke even in forever, I think.

© EVOKE

Let’s get back to the extension again. How did it actually happen?

In the early 2000s we had new management, eventually including director Alexandra Sturgis, and the possibility of money through the National Lottery; links with important collectors and philanthropists, like the Sainsbury family, also helped hugely. Together they got the architect Eric Parry involved. Initially the extension was going to cost £12 million, but that got shaved back to £10 million – and negotiations over planning took five years. A big issue was the council’s decision that the extension shouldn’t be seen from the front of the building, so it had to be shrunk down in both height and width. And then things started to get financially sticky

brought in the architect Reginald Bloomfield, and a lot of what you see now is by him. Most of the interior – the walls, the floors – is 20th century; in fact, Bloomfield took an entire servant’s floor out to give the galleries such high ceilings. When you look at the front, you’ll see blanked out windows along the top tier. All those scrolls and Grecian urns on the front and roof were added by him in 1915 too.

So it’s not exactly pure!

But I like all that. This building is seen as part of the great Georgian infrastructure of Bath, when actually it has evolved over time. Which makes it somehow appropriate that we’ve now stuck a 20th century bit on the back.

Except nobody ever had the money for it! From the ’20s through until the ’60s, the Holburne was run in quite an amateur way, and the only reason it survived is that key figures would repeatedly bail it out. In the ’70s, though, it became part of the university, and that’s when people

© EVOKE

Ah yes, the famous extension. That was years in the planning, wasn’t it?

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THE BIG INTERVIEW uses ceramics, which riffs on our permanent collection.

We already have here one of the greatest collections in Britain of 16th century pots and plates with narrative, and he’s just the 21st century equivalent of that.

You seem especially excited about the gardens…

I don’t really know what an acre looks like, but I know the whole of Sydney Gardens is 12 acres and we have two of them. Remember, this used to be a pleasure garden, and the building was a pleasure palace for that pleasure garden, so I think that should inform what we do. More interesting than thinking of Barbara Hepworths and Henry Moores might be to think about sculptures that are fun and joyous and interactive. There were balloons and fireworks and automatons and all sorts here in the heyday, and – though we’ve renewed the building – we haven’t quite renewed the culture of the place. It still feels slightly too traditional in terms of atmosphere and approach to reflect its entire history – perhaps because we present it like a house, in a Georgian palate of colours, all very elegant. I can’t help wondering what the Holburne would be like if you came into the hall and there was an artist’s installation right there, in your face, all over the walls and the ceiling. We have an amazingly eclectic collection, but also this great historic site of licensed misbehaviour and pleasure and entertainment – and we should be playing with that.

© BET T Y BHANDARI

But how?

after the economic crash of 2008 – I believe the last million or two were very hard won.

Grayson Perry at the launch of Grayson Perry: The PreTherapy Years at the Holburne

But now you’ve got the extension, and the place makes sense…?

Our reputation has certainly grown since it opened, and the ambition levels have too – we now put on exhibitions with a national profile. Before the closure in 2008-2009, the rooms here were rammed with old V&A cast off cases with all our ceramics and silver squeezed into them; it hadn’t changed since the 1910s, really. And our café used to be a tea room in an air raid warden’s hut. These days the presentation has been transformed.

How is the audience here?

Surprisingly diverse, as Bath isn’t simply the comfortable middle class city people on the outside see it as – not to mention there are four million visitors here each year, all looking for nice things to do. So we love it when it rains!

You’ve said that the current plan is for a diverse programme, but one that seems relevant to the city, too…?

You couldn’t bring just anything here. I find it hard to imagine an exhibition of some minimalist painter, for instance. (That said, I’ll probably end up doing one now!) But someone like Grayson Perry is perfect – he’s famous and contemporary, but also a major artist who

“I always find the Holburne at its most exciting when there are loads of school kids sprawled all over the floor drawing”

I suppose the idea would be to move away from the idea of a museum as a repository of old things, and towards it being a centre of creativity and imagination – where the old things might influence and inspire you, yes, but it’s much more interactive too. We have a learning space downstairs and another in the gardens, and I always find the Holburne at its most exiting when there are loads of school kids sprawled all over the floor drawing.

Do you let them in to see Grayson Perry?

We’ve have had school groups come to see him. Though there is some very rude and challenging imagery there, it’s mediated through drawing – and the fact that it’s, you know, a pot. You have to sometimes look quite hard to see the shocking elements – and then you do, and it makes your hair stand on end. The use of swastikas and stuff is very early ’80s, for instance – we’d just had the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie and the Banshees and all that – but these days that seems much more problematic, to me, at least, than the fetishistic sex stuff. Grayson was working through a lot of demons back then, and there’s certainly an element of his older work that was shocking for shocking’s sake. He would say he was angry with everybody, sticking two fingers up at the world.

It goes without saying it’s been a genuine hit of an exhibition, right?

It’s been a dream for us, and it’s hard to know how to follow it. Because we don’t have any funding, bums on seats is a big part of what we do – and Grayson has a great following. He’s also wonderful to work with, and it’s great for the people here to get the experience of working with a major contemporary artist. The response has been amazing, and earlier this year the place was buzzing.

Grayson’s certainly a PR magnet…

Both locally and nationally. People in London are always saying they must come down. The challenge is to find

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THE BIG INTERVIEW a follow up with the same recognition. There’s a small number of artists whose names are recognised beyond the committed art going public, and very few of them are easily reachable by a place of this size. You start filling tanks with Damien Hirst sharks, and they’re very expensive and difficult to have around – and we couldn’t fit too many in! Maybe David Hockney? But it would be hard to pull off a really exciting exhibition that has never been seen before…

Because of the small size of the gallery, you really need one that will work in a single room too…

Which has its downsides, but also gives us a chance to focus in on things. So much of the Holburne is about small things in small spaces, so concentrating on more intimate forms of art is perfect for us. I’d like to do a Gwen John exhibition, for instance – a very intimate and quiet but psychologically intense painter.

Are there similar galleries around the country you can look at and take inspiration from?

I imagine, with those places, that they’re the only game in town?

Whereas, in Bath, there are, like, 15 museums – and another art gallery at the far end of the street!

In any other city everyone, from the public to the politicians, would be saying the Holburne is a major economic force – but in Bath we’re just part of a much wider tourist draw.

© EVOKE

The Holburne is pretty unique in its scale, and its commitment to historic art – a lot of the recent growth in regional galleries has revolved around contemporary art and urban regeneration. There’s a reason why the new galleries are in Walsall and Nottingham, and they’re doing a slightly different job to the one we do.

Café tables are currently more widely spaced than before, but there’s further potential for the garden going forwards

You charge rather more to get in now than you used to, of course.

Which made a big difference to our income! We used to only charge for the special exhibitions, but now we charge for the permanent collections too – and our ticket income doubled. Our Friends have almost doubled in number too – people recognise that if you don’t have a public subsidy, you can’t give it away for free. (Except we sometimes do, of course: on Wednesday afternoons we like to let people into the permanent collection for nothing, and the last Friday night of the month we like to open late, with the collection free then too.)

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Yes, and were one of the first museums in the country to do so. We re-arranged Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years with a new one-way system, and the masks, sanitisers and regular cleaning throughout the day are all new. The audience has been slow to come back, as many have found – but is growing steadily. Unsurprisingly, our Garden Café has proved really popular and is even better than ever, with the tables and chairs spread out across the garden, under the dappled light of the trees.

Finally, what does the future look like for you?

So before COVID, what was in your five year plan?

It’s more of a ten year plan, but includes redeveloping the garden so it becomes a destination in itself – one that’s as imaginative and creative as the rest of the museum. I’m loath to lose the car park – it’s a useful source of income, and we can’t afford to lose any of those! – but a garden designer might have other ideas. I’d also love to find office space nearby, so we can use the currently not-very-good offices as extra exhibition space instead – this is really too small a building to be trying to squeeze all the people who work here in alongside the galleries.

Until recent months the finances had been hugely better than three years ago – we were losing quite a lot of money each year back then, and drawing it out of the reserves to cover things. Last year we actually put money back in, but it’s always a very fragile situation. Even the first part of this year was very volatile in all sorts of ways.

Post-lockdown, you reopened in July, didn’t you?

“It’s always a very fragile situation”

I am wary of making any predictions, as so little is known. If we have to close again, as seems likely, without the furlough scheme that will be extremely challenging. As I keep saying, we’re completely reliant on visitor income and philanthropy, operating on very tight margins and very exposed to slight downturns in attendance or capacity, and in corporate or private support. On the positive side, during lockdown we developed online activities which will continue and develop, offering an opportunity to extend the Holburne’s reach to those unable to visit.

I think the perilous position in which the virus put us also helped raise awareness of art and wellbeing and the museum’s value, both to the city of Bath and the wider national cultural ecosystem. We now need to find ways of working more closely in collaboration to ensure we are part of larger, stronger partnerships, more resilient to such unexpected catastrophes as the one we’re all currently trying to manage. n Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years now runs at the Holburne until January 3, 2021; www.holburne.org

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Nature boys and girls

Steve Ojomoh, former Bath and England rugby player and now owner of LITTLE WILLOWS DAY NURSERY talks about the importance of outdoor learning

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uring lockdown it was clear to all that spending time outdoors has massive benefits to our mental and physical wellbeing.

Accessing an environment to exercise, play and appreciate the weather was something that many of us incorporated into our daily routines.

Back at the end of 2019, Little Willows spent time with a local company developing a new outdoor play space for our children. Due to lockdown the children and staff team have only now really been able to explore and make lots of use of the new outdoor play space.

The children now spend a large proportion of their nursery days becoming a chef at the popular mud kitchen, serving some of the most delicious mud pies you will ever pretend to eat! Once our bellies are full, then it’s over to check and see if we have any visitors at the Little Willows bug hotel.

Some children get to tackle their way through the spider’s web, chased by monsters, while others will transform the climbing frame and take us on an adventure to the choppy seas on a pirate ship searching for treasure – and dodging those pesky sharks. Once we’ve come back from our adventures, then the outdoor stage is a perfect place to tell our stories, have a singsong and tell a joke or two. The nursery garden

also homes a large undercover outdoor sandpit, a water wall full of chutes and artificial grass to make the garden an all-weather area.

Little Willows is built on one level and the main garden surrounds each of the playrooms.

Each room has doors that open up onto the main garden creating a free flow, outdoor environment, so children can safely and securely explore their own curiosity and creativity.

“We feel it’s really important to get the children at our Nursery into an outdoor environment,” says owner, ex-Bath and England rugby player Steve Ojomoh. “There can be a danger that too much of early years education is ICT and technology-based, and while taking nothing away from the importance of those subjects, getting children outdoors is also vitally important.

“Research shows that children actually absorb information better outside, so our ethos is to take learning that normally happens inside to the outdoors to provide a fresh environment.

Science, for example, can be taught through the bug hotel – by investigating insects and their lifecycles, encouraging children to get used to creepy crawlies by digging for ‘worms’ for a messy play tray, and spotting snails in the garden. We cook outside, finishing off with al fresco dining. All of the children (and staff) at Little Willows Bath have been enjoying some

cosmic kids yoga in the garden recently, too, taking some time out, relaxing and breathing.

Outdoor play activities create different opportunities and scenarios for children to connect that simply would not have been the same indoors.”

Now in its tenth year, Little Willows Day Nursery works with parents across Bath and Corsham to provide the very best education and childcare possible for children aged between three months and 12 years. Their philosophy is to empower children to make their own decisions, and they pride themselves on going the extra mile to provide the best possible care and learning for their children, forming strong relationships and partnerships with their parents. n

Bath: 01225 332296; info@littlewillowsdaynursery.co.uk Corsham: 01249 701 444; corsham@littlewillowsdaynursery.co.uk www.daynurseryinbath.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 57

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FOOD & DRINK S N A P S H O T S O F B AT H ’ S F O O D S C E N E If we learned anything during lockdown, it’s the importance of a decent cocktail

MEATY NEWS Tunley Farm Butchers has a new home. The butchery and Green Park Station shed staple of the last six years is moving into unit four at the Station. Though owner Mark Brinkworth turned down the unit when it was first offered to him at the end of last year, but when he was approached again in June decided to go for it. Along with his wife, Vanda, who’s joining Tunley Farm after a career in nursing, he’s now managing an expanding empire: the new shop will include the beloved butchery, of course, but also a delicatessen and general store.

“We have a good customer base in Green Park Station anyway, and taking this on means we now have the space to do all the things we wanted to,” Mark says.

For more: www.tunleyfarmbutchers.co.uk

ARMCHAIR EXPERTS University of Bath Business School graduate Julia Kemp has founded a digital learning platform for the hospitality industry. Knowledge Recycled hosts online classes with industry-leading experts, including Michelin-trained chefs, worldrenowned sommeliers and award-winning mixologists, where newbies and those already in the industry can build their skills.

“We’ve been blown away by the number of experts who have got in touch to be involved,” says Julia. “However, this is a clear sign of the turbulent times the hospitality industry is currently facing. We’re looking to fight back by re-connecting communities and bringing joy back into people’s living rooms.”

For more: www.knowledgerecycled.com

ALWAYS GROWING

Mark and Vanda can’t wait to get started in their new shop

Always Sunday House is expanding. They’re taking over the old King William on Thomas Street – sadly now closed – to launch Always Sunday TOWN+HOUSE, set to open in late September. Chef Connor Pouncy (who fans will know from the Always Sunday Supper Club) will be at the helm of this contemporary conceptual addition to Bath’s foodie and social scene. Drawing on his Nordic travels, Chef Connor has designed a menu that combines the Always Sunday Supper Club’s family-style feasting platters with options to expand the offering for larger appetites. The TOWN+HOUSE will also have a tasty daily brunch menu – a natural evolution of Second Breakfast Club, another of Connor’s creations – and a continuation of the Always Sunday roast delivery, which was a gift to many during lockdown.

Follow @always_sunday_townhouse on Instagram for more

The Always Sunday Roast delivery proved unsurprisingly popular

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SWEET TREATS

Global pandemic, recession, celebration, any random Friday – there’s always a good reason to treat yourself. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite sugary treats for those times when you really need to satisfy the sweet tooth

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DIDICAKES If you’ve ever taken a stroll along Walcot Street, you know DidiCakes. Towards the London Road end of Bath’s indie haven, the enticing smell of freshly baked goodies wafts outward onto the pavement. This brings on a sort of hypnotic state, where the entranced are helpless to resist the pull inside. Even better than the smell is the source, a range of delectable beauties; big cakes, cupcakes and tarts among other tasty treats. Bath Life can confirm from personal experience that the salted caramel cupcakes are to die for – a rich chocolate sponge filled with sticky salted caramel and topped with whipped salted caramel butter cream. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it. www.didicakesbath.com

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MRS POTTS CHOCOLATE HOUSE With treats made in-house by an expert chocolatier tucked away in the upper floors of the sprawling café at 7 York Street, Mrs Potts Chocolate House is offering something special for the sugar addicted amongst us. Seriously – one look at their Instagram will take your breath away. Pure indulgence produced by knowledgeable hands, everything on their menu is created with love, and it shows.

Whether you’re after a cookie, brownie, cake or one of their six hot chocolates (which are basically a religious experience), Mrs Potts has got you covered. www.mrspottschocolatehouse.co.uk

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GOOD DAY CAFÉ They’re a bunch of good eggs at the Good Day Café. Not only do they make brownies so good they are somehow life affirming (if you don’t think that’s a ‘thing’, clearly you’ve never tried one), but the café on Upper Borough Walls has used the irresistible pull of the perfect sticky, chocolatey snack for good throughout this challenging time, donating 25 per cent of profits from their brownie and cake boxes to the NHS and Black Lives Matter. Though the café is thankfully open again, the delivery boxes are still going strong. Make sure to try a ‘brookie’ – essentially an extra-fat cookie stuffed with a whole brownie chunk and other such goodness. www.gooddaycoffee.co.uk

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THOUGHTFUL BAKERY Is there anyone who doesn’t know about Thoughtful Bakery’s doughnuts at this point?

Perhaps one of the most in-demand treats in the city, the bakery on Barton Street takes the simple snack once associated with Homer Simpson and levels it up. They have different flavour options pretty much every week, but you can rely on creamy, sticky, perfection every single time – and there’s always a vegan option too. The doughnuts highlight the creativity of the folks at Thoughtful, with past specials like s’mores (chocolate ganache, biscuit and marshmallow), salted caramel (a particular bias of ours, clearly), vegan strawberry mojito and summer berry meringue flying off the counter week after week. www.thoughtful-bakery.myshopify.com

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HOMEMADE BY ELLA Known for her work at her erstwhile café The Cakery in Widcombe, these days Ella specialises in made-to-order goodies with her new businesses, Homemade By Ella. If you’re on the hunt for some seriously extra vegan baking, Ella is your woman. Vegan Oreo loaf cake, vegan peanut butter chocolate cookie cake and lockdown favourite of the masses, vegan banana and chocolate loaf cake, number only a few of Ella’s egg and dairy-free creations. Dairy fiends don’t fear, she’ll cater for you too – but her vegan bakes remain a particularly convincing argument for the plantbased lifestyle. n www.homemadebyella.co.uk

CORKAGE

Expert wine choices, great food to share, the cheerful buzz of a busy restaurant; we’ve missed it all. And where better than Corkage – the Chapel Row version now open for business at the busy end of the week – to remind us just how good eating out can be? By Matt Bielby

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o we can eat out again – what a treat! But where should we pick for our first proper restaurant meal? Bath is clearly awash with old favourites – the Hudsons, the Circuses, the Mint Rooms – and they’d all be great choices. What we plumped for in the end, though, was the mighty Corkage, a Bath fixture these past five years.

Richard Knighting and Marty Grant’s baby launched in late 2015 as a pop-up, doing so well it quickly became a permanent fixture on Walcot Street. Marty had worked in the wine trade for decades, Richard trained in Michelinstarred kitchens, and the original Corkage stood out from the crowd by treating both aspects of a good night out equally. Here, there were no real menus or wine lists, just knowledgeable staff who talked things through, got a feeling for your tastes, then brought wine and food to match. Sounds risky, but I’ve never heard of anyone being disappointed.

More recent is the second, somewhat larger site, just off Queen Square on Chapel Row; this is the old Beaujolais building, full of ancient wood with a conservatory towards the back and a small, two-level garden. It’s here that we ate, Walcot Street not having reopened yet – and it won’t for a

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while yet, either. The Chapel Row Corkage breaks even in these precarious times, we’re told, if its by-necessity 38 per cent reduced capacity is constantly full the few days it opens – Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and dinner, Saturday brunch, lunch and dinner, and Sunday brunch and lunch – whereas Walcot Street would lose money whatever they did.

Wow, though – it was good to be back. We came for an early service (restaurants do much better if you’re happy to eat at 6.30 or at 9, rather than insisting on 7.45 all the time), but the place was already buzzing; it being a warm evening we sat outside, under a canopy. (In the nearish future they’re going to rejig things out here, creating more space and making more of their outdoor covers weather resistant.)

Though this bigger Corkage also has a quite minimalist approach, it’s slightly more traditional than the original. Here you’ll find blackboard menus, though they won’t tell you much: expect descriptions like ‘Crab’, ‘Duck’ or ‘Tomatoes’, plus someone to come around and tell you what each actually means. These are small plates, mostly around £6.50, and it’s recommended you take two or three each. Dishes are constantly changing, depending upon what’s good and in season, but there are normally about 16 to choose from,

RESTAURANT

plus a few choices of steak and some daily specials, towards the upper end of the cost spectrum: tonight’s were ‘Sardines’, ‘Hake’, ‘Venison’ and a lobster roll in a brioche bun. It means you can tailor your meal to suit – you could spend under £20 on food easily enough, or more than twice that – and it’s the same with the wine, which is probably more fun to buy by the glass than the bottle, not least because the very chatty Marty clearly knows his stuff.

We began with two different glasses of English fizz – a white and a rosé from Furleigh Estate in Dorset – followed by a pair of wines we’d never heard of before, and all hit the mark. (The Crosby Chardonnay from the Napa Valley was an especial hit – a rich, deep yellow with coconut and pineapple flavours, it’s nothing I’d normally pick but went down a treat.) The food? Well, it appears to just come as it comes, though in an order that makes a sort of sense, so the second dish we picked actually turned up second-to-last.

In the order we ate them, then, we took crab (I’m going to stop with the capitals and speech marks now), figs, hake (from the specials), ox, cabbage and pork, a range that started well and, if anything, got better as the meal progressed.

White Devon crabmeat (£11) sits in a celeriac remoulade on toasted Bertinet sourdough; it’s fresh and mild. A trio of figs, one of the prettiest dishes, are honey roasted with a cheese mousse, chicory and hazelnut (£6.50). Both were great, but the beautifully cooked hake (£16) was better, coming on a bed of veggies, nuts, olives and the like and topped with broccoli – pleasingly (and perhaps accidentally), it arrived roughly where a fish course would in a more traditional meal.

But then the ox heart, fairly thinly sliced, seared, and presented with bacon, shallot, capers and egg on toast, was possibly even better – a great cut of meat, lean, clean tasting and not gamey or offaly at all. Finally, the cabbage (the shock of the night, so boring does it sound) was a revelation, two sweet, pointy-shaped hispi cabbages, chargrilled and generously coated in miso butter and Gran Padano cheese.

Delicious, as was the crackling-coated pork belly with braised carrot and caramelised ginger sauce we had alongside (£12).

Sated, but not defeated, we took the sweet mini-meringue rubble over fresh, sweet strawberries and cream that is the ‘Mess’ and the pleasingly sharp edged lemon and orange posset (£6 each) from the short dessert board, which also features brownies, and ice cream and cheese options.

We left around 9pm, the late evening crowd just starting to fill the place up again, discussing our favourite dishes – the hake and the pork got more than a few mentions, though we could have made an argument for any of them – and wondering about the ones we’d skipped. Next time, of course – and there will be a next time. Restaurants this good can be habit forming, and it’s so exciting to have Corkage back. n

“Wow, though – it was good to be back” DINING DETAILS Corkage, 5 Chapel Row, Bath, BA1 1HN; 01225 423417; www.corkagebath.com We ate: Small plates of assorted prices and sizes, including pork belly, hake, crab and ox heart Vegetarian options: Yep, loads, including our cabbage and fig dishes, which in no way let the side down next to the meat, and are rather more pursefriendly too Prices: Small plates generally range £5 – £15, with most around the £7 mark; desserts mostly £6 Wine list: There is no written list unless you use a handy QR code; then it’s endless, with dozens by the glass and more by the bottle. Me, I’d just have a little natter and take their recommendations Service/atmosphere: Very friendly, chatty and knowledgeable – ideal What else? One of Bath’s great posh-yet-relaxed eateries has its game face on, and is making things work. Luckily, supporting somewhere this good is hardly a hardship!

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 63

Interiors & Homewares Work from local artists and makers Prints, Cards & Gifts

To welcome you back we are offering 10% off new commissions and remodelling jobs till the end of September 2020 to all our Bath Life readers.

Quote BLIFE10 in store to claim.

Engagement and wedding rings Handmade bespoke jewellery | Repairs and remodelling

10 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP homefrontinteriors.co.uk T: 01225 571711 E: info@homefrontinteriors.co.uk

Handmade, Reclaimed, Sustainable & Vintage

14 & 15 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD t: 01225 920 210 kelly@thebathframer.co.uk www.thebathframer.co.uk

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

BITE CLUB

The company name may reference a well known capital city in the vicinity, but Mongel London was actually born out of a Bath-based lockdown, put together by famed dog lover Emily Hunt within sight of Vicky Park. “All the toys I bought for my rescue dog Ella would end up in tatters on the floor, with me on my knees pulling stuffing out of her mouth,” Emily says. “It seemed nonsensical that I was spending £10 a week on toys that would last ten minutes, do harm to my dog and be an eyesore in my home.”

Her resulting alternatives are fashionable, fun, hardwearing, machine washable and eco-friendly, double stitched for strength and packed with stuffing made from recycled plastic bottles, as opposed to the harmful Polyfibre found in many soft toys. Each has a secondary lining to prevent mess should Fido bite through the thick canvas exterior, and an internal squeaker. Best of all, 10 per cent of all profits go to UK charity The Wild at Heart Foundation, organisers of overseas dog rescue trips and a real favourite of Emily’s. But that’s another story…

Dog bone toys £19 each in three colourways; www.mongrel-london.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 65

FACE MASK, £12 UK made in familar stripes, and they do a matching bandana for Fido, too From Flamingo, 7 Widcombe Parade; www.flamingobath.co.uk

BLACK & BLUE

Rugby’s back (hurrah!), so here’s our pick of local finds in (near enough!) team colours

JONI PULLOVER, £80 This cotton v-neck is only blue in the vaguest sense; we still love it, though From Anthropologie, 1-4 New Bond Street; www.anthropologie.com

MARBLE BOWL, £20 From Danish outfit Tine K Home, experts at somewhat Bohemian linens, ceramics and bamboo furniture From Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

LIAM SOFA, £1,215 Elegant, masculine, and now marked down by a useful £135 From Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street; www.rossitersofbath.com

SPACE ROCKET, £4.95 Looks French, but UK made!

From My Small World, 19-21 St Lawrence Street; www.mysmallworld.co.uk 66 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE OCEAN MOHAWK HAIR CLAW, £39 Designer Julie Svendal’s quirky, eco-friendly Seoul Import hair accessories are made in South Korea From Found, 17 Argyle Street; www.foundbath.co.uk

MARIE JO JANE BRA, £91, AND STRING, £43 The Mary Jo range is celebrated for its fit, but the colours and detail are on point too From The Dressing Room, 7 Quiet Street; www.dressingroombath.com

JULES & CLEM EARRINGS, £32 Vibrant, modern and botanically-themed From Julia Davey, 20 Wellsway; www.juliadavey.com

SILK FLORAL PRINT DRESS, £319 Easy to wear and superversatile, this maxi dress would look as good with heels as with Cons From Brora, 6 Bridge Street; www.brora.co.uk

FOLD-UP DECK CHAIR, £76 Smirk quietly at your friends sitting on the grass when you rock up with this bad boy From Graham & Green, 92 Walcot Street; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 67

SHOPPING

DON’T LOOK NOW… …but Carole Waller is back, and with a spectacular new AW20 collection inspired by the moody off-season Venice of classic thrillers

Photos by Egle Vasi

T

his is Carole Waller’s newest collection, called The Woman Who Knew Too Much and inspired by the paintings and churches of Florence in January, a place and month that, of course, once also ignited the imaginations of writer Daphne du Maurier and filmmaker Nicolas Roeg.

“I so enjoyed the rich colours and dark shadows in the bright low sunshine of the season,” Carole says. “In particular, I was impressed by the ‘The Woman Who Knew Too Much’, who stares at us from Masaccio’s Holy Trinity fresco in the church of Santa Maria Novella. This, and the other churches of Florence, informed my ideas about colours, as I watched the amazing spectacle of sunlight casting coloured light through stained glass windows onto columns, floors and niches. I took earthy colours from the well known frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel, and Fra Angelico’s serene images in San Marco friary – plus the the landscape of Tuscany, the paintings of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the light and dark of the streets in January – which I used when thinking about colours and mood. The collection features a mixture of painted silk and cotton to create easy-to-wear, timeless clothes and scarves.”

Each piece is made by Carole herself at her Batheaston studio showroom, and is an original painting on silk or organic cotton.

“I use colourfast dyes,” she says, “so it’s all very practical – and they can be washed!”

The clothes are relatively unstructured – “to take advantage of the fluidity of the cloth and the movement implied in the painting,” Carole says – and are designed to be worn by all ages, the sort of ‘slow fashion’ that’s often handed down through the generations.

Until recently, Carole and ceramicist Gary Wood had a shop on Abbey Green in Bath as well as the studio, but the COVID crisis put paid to that.

“We’re very sad to have lost the shop due to youknow-what,” she says, “but we’ve happily moved our showroom to Box Road, where our studios are, and where we operated the gallery for years before moving into the city centre five years ago. We’ll miss Abbey Green very much, but we shall survive.”

Here you can buy Carole’s collections of clothes and scarves, commission bespoke outfits, and explore both Gary’s ceramics and Carole’s glass work, larger scale panels being displayed in their garden.

Appointments are needed to visit; call them on 07803 033629. n For more: www.wallerandwood.co.uk; www.carolewaller.co.uk

“The sort of ‘slow fashion’ that’s handed down through the generations”

left to right: ’Santa Maria’ painted silk crepe dress, £395; ‘Ledger’ painted silk velvet devore blouse, £395;

‘Uffici’ painted silk doupion shawl collar jacket, £650 worn with Aluminium cuff by Annie Beardsley £55

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

’Stripe’ painted silk doupion shawl collar jacket, £650, worn with concrete pendant by Rhiannon Palmer, £65

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 69

far left: the Linear Park in shadow; South Hayes House, Wells Road

LOOK BACK TO LOCKDOWN

You may not know the name Andrew Richmond, but he’s Bath Life’s senior art editor, and his daily lockdown sketches made life, for many, more tolerable

D

id you take up anything new during lockdown?

Perhaps you began making bread rather than buying it, or revisited that long stalled novel? For Andrew Richmond – normally in charge of the look of Bath Life each issue – the way the whole world ground to a halt at end of March 2020 was scary – but also offered an opportunity. “With Bath Life temporarily on hold during lockdown, I was put on furlough – but fortunately had an empty A6 sketch book, which, along with my wife, became my salvation,” he says. “Toilet roll, pasta and hand sanitiser were

in short supply. We clapped for carers every Thursday. Summer came early and didn’t stop.

We exercised once a day and shopped once a week. We had food delivered to our door and baked banana bread. We were asked to: Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”

“My one walk a day was spent discovering new areas around Oldfield Park, where we live, and I would take photographs as reference, then draw them into my sketchbook from the comfort of home. Over the months our walks got longer and took us further afield; we’d go to Newton St Loe, to Midford through the Two Tunnels, or past Weston Village and up to Beckford’s Tower. In time, I ended up with dozens of sketches, and wondered what to do with them all, putting them on

“We clapped for carers every Thursday”

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

Instagram and eventually deciding to publish them as a small book. Beckford’s Tower is the furthest point I could see from our house, and has always intrigued me. That’s why it features on the cover. I’m now starting to take commissions to draw your house or place of work too; contact me at the email address below. Whatever happens next, my sketches will continue – that’s perhaps the one thing I know for sure.”

Lockdown and Other Drawings is published this autumn by Richmond Press; www.andrewrichmondart. com; for a drawing of your house, email arichmond01@gmail.com

ART MOORLAND ROAD IS AMAZING Making Facebook friends

“During lockdown the Facebook group Moorland Road Is Amazing has shown great support for my work,” Andrew says. “Hundreds of local people liked and commented on my posts – from a video in late spring to my announcement about this book. I started drawing local businesses when they were closed – and, sometimes, on the day they reopened. As a thank you to Moorland Road, I then decided I’d try to draw all of them. Since I’ve painted them, some shops have reopened or changed their frontages, while others have remained closed. For me, the important thing was to capture the road as it was at the time.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Norland College, Oldfield Park; pathway leading up

to a gate behind Millmead Road; Mary Magdalen Chapel at Holloway; The Moorfields Pub; house on Kipling Road; sunflowers on West Avenue

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Achieving ambitions

“What makes girls from a girls’ school so successful?”

Emma Yates, headteacher at HAYESFIELD GIRLS' SCHOOL is often asked this by prospective parents when they come to visit. Here, she gives her answer...

F

or me, the definition of success is leaving school with the qualifications, skills and character needed to pursue your chosen career, which in turn leads to a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. Hayesfield has just been awarded top place in the Real School’s Guide for secondary state schools in B&NES for the second year running. This award, which gives a far more comprehensive picture for parents than traditional league tables alone, is particularly valued by us given its focus on measures such as attendance and progress of students alongside GCSE headline results. It shows that girls’ schools really do make successful girls.

I have spent over twenty years in education, six as headteacher at Hayesfield. I spent my first ten years in co-educational schools and my first experience of working in a girls’ school was as an assistant headteacher back in 2006. I was

absolutely shocked at the cultural difference. My classes charged through the work at a rate I had never witnessed before – and they were enjoying it! We could have focussed class discussions! Girls stepped forward to take leadership roles and to support each other! The can-do atmosphere was intoxicating. In fact, I enjoyed being in such an inspirational environment so much that, for the first time ever, I thought about the real possibility of becoming a headteacher myself. And here I am now, happy and proud to be headteacher at Hayesfield.

So, what is it that makes girls from a girls’ school so successful? Girls’ schools are empowering places. There is no stereotyping.

Self-confidence is actively developed and there are no limits set for aspirations. Girls’ schools, like Hayesfield, give girls a real taste for all that is possible in life. What more could you ask for your daughter? ■

Image caption 3mm inset from edge

Emma Yates with the Year 7 girls

Upper Oldfield Park, Bath BA2 3LA; Brougham Hayes, Bath BA2 3QX 01225 426151; information@hayesfield.com www.hayesfield.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Lockdown lessons Local legal expert HELEN STARKIE takes a look at what has changed over the past few months…

I

t has been a disturbing five months – and there is more to come – So what has changed since last we met – and what lessons we have learned during lockdown that we can apply in future?

Well, arranging for signatures to be witnessed in a safe and socially distanced way has called for some lateral thinking in my profession! Witnessing on Zoom or Skype is not yet acceptable (although it shortly will be, and retrospectively), and had to be in-person, so many documents have been signed and witnessed by masked and gloved figures through open windows, in gardens and on landings of blocks of flats. But it has worked – and the absurdity of the scene has been a good icebreaker for some clients who might otherwise have found signing official paperwork stressful.

The lesson? We can get round most problems with a little ingenuity!

Many people have been unable to go to their place of work. A significant majority has now decided that working from home suits them far better and allows for a better work/life balance – and quite a number of employers have found that that scheme suits them, too. They need less office space and staff save on travel time.

This new attitude has led to people wanting to opt out of living in towns and cities near offices and transport hubs and move to more peaceful surroundings. Most are able to afford a larger property out of town than they could in.

The property market has therefore gathered pace very noticeably. We have had many Londoners heading West to enjoy a new quality of life – and local residents are taking the opportunity to cash in on the demand for property here and move to somewhere more rural themselves. We have been kept very busy!

All this has been helped by the current Stamp Duty Land Tax amnesty. There is an understandable keenness to make the most of it while it lasts. The lesson here? Take and make the most of opportunities when they arise – and be prepared to make changes.

In my office we were inundated, when lockdown started, with requests for Wills.

Younger people had suddenly woken up to the fact that they, too, are mortal; it is not only the aged who can die. The demand has continued (albeit at a slightly steadier pace than in the initial couple of weeks) and that is a good thing.

Everyone, regardless of age, should have an up to date Will in place.

Many of those we have advised during the past weeks had no idea what the effect of dying

“MOST HAD ASSUMED THAT IF THEY WERE MARRIED OR IN A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP THEIR ESTATE WOULD SIMPLY PASS AUTOMATICALLY TO THEIR PARTNER – BUT THAT IS BY NO MEANS ALWAYS THE CASE” intestate would have been on their families.

Most had assumed that if they were married or in a civil partnership their estate would simply pass automatically to their partner – but that is by no means always the case. For example, if there are children, they, too, may be entitled to a share. The surviving partner would be entitled to receive the deceased partner’s personal possessions, together with a set amount of £270,000. What is left after that would be divided 50 per cent to the partner and 50 per cent to the children. That would almost certainly not be what the deceased would have wanted and has, in more cases than you might imagine,

resulted in the surviving partner having to sell their home to pay off the children. Who on earth would want their partner to have to do that?

The lesson? Do not store up trouble for your family. Make a proper Will with properly qualified advice. (I know – I keep on peddling this particular message! It really is that important.)

Many of our clients are over 70 and have had to self-isolate. Those who live alone have found the experience very stressful, being lonely and having to rely on family, friends and neighbours (where there are any) to do their shopping, deal with domestic crises and visit the bank for them. Many of these people do not use internet banking (many have no access to internet at all).

But there are steps which they could have taken, had they known what was coming, to facilitate the management of their affairs during the lockdown period. The lesson here? Be prepared for the unexpected. ■

Helen Starkie Solicitor 38 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; 01225 442353; www.helenstarkie.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 73

SERVICES GUIDE HOME CARE

STONE SPECIALIST

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

Tel: 01225 462688 / 07968 697091 Email: Julian@bathstonemasons.co.uk

www.bathstonemasons.co.uk STONE SPECIALIST

NORTON MASONRY LTD Stonework Specialists & General Builders 38 LONG BARNABY, MIDSOMER NORTON, RADSTOCK BA3 2TZ

Tel/Fax: 01761 419422 Fax: 01761 232480 Mobile: 07901 712232

Email: nortonmasonryltd@hotmail.co.uk

www.nortonmasonryltd.co.uk Over 30 Years Experience

• Domestic and commercial roofing specialists • Covering Bath, Bristol and the South West • Trading since 1985

JEWELLERY

Nigel Dando WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition.

Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk

Tel: 01225 421499 Email: mail@youngsroofing.co.uk www.youngsroofingbath.co.uk Braysdown Lodge, Woodborough, Peasedown St John, Bath BA2 8LN

It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>BATH BID SUPPORTING RECOVERY (75) >>B IN BATH NETWORK (77) >>BLACK SAILS BARBER SHOP (78) Xxxx

Allison Herbert (far right) celebrates Bath reopening with the Mayor, Minuteman Press and Bounce Back Bath

The road to recovery

C

onnecting Bath’s businesses became more important than ever during lockdown. Bath BID has been in constant dialogue with its members throughout the pandemic, proving to be a vital resource for signposting and clarity following often confusing government announcements. As Bath settles into its recovery, we caught up with Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID, for some insight into how the city is responding to these extraordinary times.

So, Allison, what have you most admired about Bath’s response to the pandemic?

This has been an incredibly difficult time, and businesses have had to adapt very quickly to a rapidly changing situation. I have been really impressed by the way that our businesses have diversified and extended their offering in accordance.

We have also seen some great examples of partnership, with businesses supporting each other – businesses that weren’t open amplified the voices of businesses that were, others donated some of their takings to local charities, and the city rallied around the crowdfunding efforts of organisations who were struggling to see a way through.

In our own work, we have been pleased to develop new connections with our local business community and have strengthened partnerships with different departments in the Council.

As the city has reopened, the new enthusiasm for outdoor dining and pedestrianisation has led to a completely new way of experiencing Bath, and we hope that this more ‘European’ style will endure beyond these difficult times. At the time of writing, Bath’s customers are responding very positively, and we are now seeing around 75 per cent of the visitors we saw at the same time last year.

What are some of the major challenges you’re seeing still?

With businesses reopening and the furlough scheme coming to an end, the biggest challenge is undoubtedly ensuring financial viability.

High street businesses will continue to be challenged until social distancing is no longer necessary, but at the same time, the background shift in shopping patterns will continue to drive change and the city needs to be ready to adapt to a new reality as a place where people gather but don’t always want to shop.

Away from the high street, people are working from home more, and our office sector members are reconsidering their need for office space. We anticipate this will lead to further changes in the way people use the city centre and the lack of office workers will continue to be felt by the hospitality sector beyond the current phase of social distancing.

Addressing and responding to change is one of the things which we can best tackle together, and there has never been a more important time for the collaboration and shared working delivered by a local BID.

How can we all support Bath’s recovery?

I hope that one positive to come out of this situation is that people have a better understanding of the place where they live and work and what it has to offer. Even though Bath will continue to draw visitors as it has for centuries, we would love to see a closer relationship between people and the businesses who make up our city’s community continuing beyond the crisis. Taking the time to rediscover and enjoy our city will do a great deal of good for the local economy. It is worth remembering that behind every city centre business there are real people who provide service, colour and life to this amazing city.

For more:www.bathbid.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I BATH LIFE I 115 75

BATHWORKS

NEW to Bath

BACK IN BUSINESS We’ve now got a Bath Life YouTube channel, featuring – amongst other goodies – our new range of Business Clubs and Surgeries.

Throughout the Great Pause, MediaClash has been running free Bath Life Business Club panel sessions, with stories about how companies and charities are navigating these rough waters, where we’re all in the same storm but in different boats. We’ve also been sharing our Bath Life Business Surgeries,

BATH LIFE BUSINESS CLUBS

Here’s what you’ve missed, but you can still watch at the Bath Life YouTube channel

Andrew Taylor, Bath Half; Arron Collins-Thomas, ToniqLife; Ben Danielsen, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa; Bill Vasilieff, Novia; Chris Stephens, Holburne Museum; David Flatman, TV (and Bath Life!); Eddie Ilic, Eddie’s Street Cuts; Evan Wienburg, Truespeed; Helen Rich, Taste of Bath; Ian Stockley, Bath Festivals; James Byron, Dorothy House; Kate Morton, Bath Mind; Katherine Spreadbury, LittleLAB; Kathryn Davis, Visit Bath; Laurence Beere, Queensberry; Les Redwood,

Citizens Advice B&NES; Lucy Stone, YOGADOO; Luke Brady, Savills; Lynne Fernquest, Bath Rugby Foundation; Martin Buckland, Datasharp Integrated Communications; Nickie Portman, Portman; Nicky Palmer, Theatre Royal; Penny McKissock, Southside; Phillippa Watson, Dorothy House; Richard Barrington, Brewin Dolphin; Rosie Phillips, DHI; Tamsin Eastwood, Stone King; Tim Moss, Moss of Bath; Toby Talbot, Talbot Clinic; Zara Perry, Zara Perry Hairdressing

BATH LIFE BUSINESS SURGERIES

These surgeries are currently available on

IN IT TO WIN IT

The highly-successful Bath Property Awards are back, but with a change of date to 22 January 2021. Nominations are now open for the Awards, and entry is free – indeed, any business working in the Bath property sector can put themselves forward. The event will be held once more at Apex Hotel.

“We are delighted to be producing the Bath Property Awards again,” says event organiser Annie Miekus of MediaClash. “It is more important than ever that companies come together to celebrate excellence and generate business once more.”

Headline sponsored by Mogers Drewett,

Meet the new characters on the Bath business scene

and they’ve provided deep dives into key business areas, such as legal, finance, tech and digital. All are available on our new Bath Life YouTube channel; specifically, at bit. ly/2EcY6do.

Thanks to all who’ve contributed, for your wisdom and candour: both are much appreciated in these times.

Want to know more? Then get on the invitation list, by contacting events@mediaclash.co.uk the Bath Life YouTube channel too Datasharp Integrated Communications: Technology and the Post-Lockdown Workplace (Brad Snow and William Wood) Mogers Drewett: Employment and HR, and Return to Work (both Sean McDonough and Lucy Cotterell); Wills (David Hill and Luke Watson); The Way Ahead in the New World (Maeve England and Tom Webb) OJO Solutions: Digital Transformation (Nathan Baranowski and Jo Wren) Unividual: Financial Planning During Lockdown and After the Great Pause (both Cherie-Anne Baxter and Greg Harris)

Here are Jasmine and James Van Vliet, the minds behind Dubbel Creative So guys, what do you do?

We create outstanding films for standout brands across Wiltshire, Somerset and the South West. Our main focus is on working alongside companies, identifying what their brand story is and telling that story in a creative, memorable and visually stunning way. From branded video content and online adverts to content creation and events coverage, we work closely with our brand partners to demystify the filmmaking process, making sure everyone walks away from the project with a film that really adds value to their company.

the Bath Property Awards is the largest gathering of property professionals in the city. Please get in touch with Rosanna Hood (rosanna.hood@mediaclash.co.uk) if you’re interested in finding out more about the benefits of becoming an Awards sponsor.

All tickets purchased for the postponed ceremony will be valid for the new date of 22 January. The awards are held on a Friday lunchtime to facilitate convivial business conversations.

For more: www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk

Tell us about a particularly exciting project that you’ve worked on?

We made a film for University College London (UCL) to promote the culture of innovation at the Faculty of Engineering, showing new entrepreneurs how UCL could help to turn their engineering knowhow into a successful business.

As the film was for the Engineering department, we got to play with some pretty cool tech – which is always fun!

What have some of the challenges been in setting up Dubbel Creative?

We’re finding businesses are often still quite daunted by the idea of creating branded video content. I think a lot of companies see it as a complicated process and a resource that is maybe reserved for bigger brands, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Branded film content is a great way to succinctly explain what a product does or what your brand story is in a short, entertaining and shareable piece of content. Yes, it can be a technical process at times – but that’s what we’re here for! © ADAM CARTER

We look forward to seeing each other again in 2021

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

Dubbel’s new documentary series, Going Going, is live now.

A series of documentary portraits, it showcases traditional crafts around the British Isles and the characters who are striving to keep them alive. www.dubbel-creative.co.uk

BATHWORKS

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

Renée Jacobs Alison Allen

HIGH NET WORTH

BELONGING IN BATH B in Bath is a new local professional network launched by Renée Jacobs to support people from underrepresented backgrounds in their careers. The network is all about belonging (the ‘B’ in B in Bath), serving the city’s ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, disabled and other underrepresented communities So, Renée, what inspired you to create B in Bath?

After more than 15 years in the world of work, and as a person who really enjoys working, I wanted to use my skills and time to support others to feel the same way. I had become very aware of how things that are outside of our control – socio-economic background, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, etc – can impact our experiences in work unfairly, limit our access to opportunities, and make the workplace uncomfortable. It had also become evident to me how ‘good connections’ benefit people in advancing their careers. I wanted to create a way for people without such connections already to be able to access them, along with the training and support they might need to build successful careers and an enjoyable work life.

And the mentoring programme?

The mentoring programme is being set-up right now, so if you’re interested in becoming a mentor or mentee you can sign-up by registering on the B in Bath website.

When people first hear the word ‘mentor’ they often feel intimidated, like a mentor is a person who has reached every milestone of success imaginable. They aren’t. Do you ever give more junior colleagues advice or tips about work? You are already being a mentor!

What would you consider are the key aspects required in creating a safe, inclusive workplace?

The first step is in being open to understanding the differences between people, and take into consideration how these might impact people in the workplace.

I am not sure I like the word ‘inclusive’; it can be ambiguous, which is why I use the word ‘belonging’ with B in Bath. Everyone understands how it can feel to belong somewhere, and, conversely, everyone understands how it can be to feel that you don’t belong. I want us to be able to create workplaces where everyone belongs.

What sort of events can we expect to see from B in Bath?

We are working on a collaboration with Tech Spark for Black History Month, where we will be highlighting some amazing people in tech from the South West, and with Fairfield House CIC on a project for schools to teach children in Bath more about the House, Haile Selassie, and his legacy.

What have you loved about running the network so far?

I have been really inspired by all of the wonderful people I have met/video called in the past few months – building relationships with so many great people from Bath and the wider region has buoyed me during these hard corona-times. Every relationship I have is one that I can bring to the network for the benefit of everyone, so watch this space for more exciting things to come.

Bath law firm Stone King is celebrating recognition in the prestigious Chambers High Net Worth Guide. Five partners in the Private Wealth Law Team were named in the Guide: Alison Allen, Dan Harris, Andrew Mortimer, David Whitworth and Paul Sutton. They were ranked by independent journal research lawyers across the UK, who interviewed their clients and went through their work with a finetooth comb. www.stoneking.co.uk

Picture perfect: the new showroom

ALL ABOUT THE OPTICS

Bath’s country-leading specialist in binoculars and telescopes has moved. After 29 years on Green Street, Ace Optics has departed to a new showroom on Lansdown Road.

“The new location has a garden with amazing views over Bath to Sham Castle and fantastic bird watching opportunities, not least with Ollie the Owl at the end of the garden – all of which are perfect for testing out our optics range,” says manager Ian Reader-Schofield. www.actoptics.co.uk

STEPPING UP

Dr Giles Mercer is now the chair of governors at Downside School. As the former headmaster of Stonyhurst and Prior Park Schools, his credentials as a leading educationalist are second to none. The team at Downside are thrilled to have him join to build on the legacy of Adrian Aylward, his predecessor. www.downside.co.uk

For more: www.bib-network.org

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BATHWORKS

© FOCUS FIRST MEDIA

The Black Sails team: Brad, Paul and James are all masked up and ready to go

ONE TO WATCH

Paul Taylor

We caught up with Paul to get some insights into life at Black Sails Barber Shop, the place to go if you’re looking for a classic cut Tell us about reopening after lockdown. How’s it going?

Reopening post COVID-19 has been amazing, especially since James Harris has joined Black Sails.

(Give him a follow on Instagram @ thatjameskiddd_barberlife) We are very pleased with the safety measures we’ve taken to keep safe, with wearing and offering PPE. It’s been amazing to talk to people again, too, as a barber shop traditionally was the cornerstone in any community.

Black Sails Barber Shop has such a distinctive brand – from the style of cuts to the photographs on your Instagram. Did you always have a clear vision for what you wanted the salon to be like?

Thank you so much. The main thought I had was that there wasn’t a shop specialising in traditional, classic haircuts in the city. However, we are always evolving and pushing ourselves to keep up with modern changes.

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

How did you get to where you are? Did you always know you wanted to be a hair stylist?

No, I haven’t always wanted to be a barber. When I was growing up, I was studying music at college and had bright pink hair! So that gave me the opportunity to model for the local barbershop, which is when I found my passion – and I haven’t looked back.

I managed to get where I am now from just pure hard work and dedication. I’m always pushing myself to be better, which has led to the contacts I have now and the people I’m involved with, like BabylissPro, Ruezel and Mizutani – all three of them are incredible brands that I’m very proud to work with.

You’re a project artistic member with Mizutani – something you’ve called one of your proudest achievements. Tell us a bit about these guys – and what your role means.

Yes, when this was announced it was one of my proudest moments,

because my relationship with the brand started while I was working in Rotterdam at Schorem Barbier – a salon famed for its offering of old school haircuts and hot towel shaves.

It was my job to test the prototype for their left-handed signature scissors.

Since returning to England I’ve been offered a full sponsorship, not only for myself but for the shop and my team, while providing international education for the brand.

You do some teaching as well, don’t you? What do you teach?

Yes, that’s correct. I really enjoy the educational side of the job. I am very fortunate that people want to learn from me. I mostly teach classic haircuts, focusing on understanding the correct process to achieve the perfect silhouette.

What are some of the men’s hair trends we should be on the lookout for? Anything surprising going on out there? ’90s curtains are coming back with a

bang! Especially since lockdown has made a high percentage of people enjoy and appreciate longer hair, and the styles they can achieve with that. Mullets have also made a definite return to the streets of Bath.

Finally, tell us more about James, the new face here My newest team member, James, is a 22-year-old barber from Bath who’s been barbering for six years now, working in a couple of shops around the city. He completed a Level Two NVQ Diploma in Barbering when he studied at Bath College. He’s a friendly, sociable guy, with a passion for cutting hair.

He has settled in well and already learnt some techniques from training lessons I have provided.

I’m very excited to see Black Sails build in this beautiful city of Bath.

The only way is up – and I’m looking forward to it.

www.blacksailsbarbershop.nearcut.com

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Meet the employment expert Your guide to navigating a post-COVID workplace

DAVID LESTER

FOUNDER & CEO, CITRUS HR LTD 0333 014 3888; citrusHR.com What’s the best bit of advice you can give employers at the moment?

Stay calm but up to date. Keep up with fast-changing detail on COVID-secure workplaces, Test and Trace, and exiting furlough to avoid expensive mistakes. Get leaner and more efficient by embracing flexible partial remote working where possible – and use HR software to save money and handle your HR admin.

What’s the biggest challenge facing employers post COVID-19?

LUCY COTTERELL

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT, MOGERS DREWETT 01225 750 000; www.mogersdrewett.com

What’s the best bit of advice you can give employers at the moment?

Communication is key. With the impact of COVID-19, employees are generally more open to exploring different options, such as pay cuts, reductions in hours or taking unpaid leave in the short term to support the business and ultimately protect their jobs. Flexible working is also more valued and important than ever.

Similarly for those employees currently furloughed, regular communication with them will help them to stay connected to the business and their colleagues.

Why should one use an outsourced HR consultant?

Outsourcing your HR resource will help your business become more efficient as you can switch the resource off and on when it is needed. HR is extremely important in any business whether that is to ensure the wellbeing of your teams, to motivate them and retain your good people or to manage potentially contentious processes such as disciplinary or redundancy. It is a role that requires expertise to avoid costly employment claims but also one that may not be needed all of the time so having access to a specialist resource when required can be more financially efficient.

Undoubtedly it’s managing in a tough, uncertain economy. Lots of firms are already seeing really spiky demand, making it hard to have enough staff, but not too many. We’re helping companies facing staff burnout and mental health challenges, too. We’ve never been busier, as so many companies need so much help at the moment.

What makes you different from others in your profession?

That’s easy – we are the only HR service to have an employment lawyer in-house and our own HR & payroll software linked to Xero and QuickBooksOnline. This joined-up approach saves clients hours and gives them amazing information instantly. And we only work with smaller companies – small is beautiful!

PETER WOODHOUSE STONE KING 01225 326 753; www.stoneking.co.uk

Why might now be a good time to recruit?

Businesses thrive with the right people who believe in their ethos and feel motivated.

Now may be a great time to recruit key people who will boost your business when it most needs it. Some employees may also be unhappy with their employer’s reaction to COVID-19 and more open to changing jobs.

What’s the biggest challenge facing employers post COVID-19?

Predicting the new normal. How many employees will rush back to the office because they miss interaction? How many prefer their home bubbles? Employers need to have confidence in their strategic decisions, including around employment, making it particularly important for businesses to engage with staff and each other.

What’s the biggest mistake an employer could make post COVID-19?

Making long-term strategic decisions based on medium-term COVID-19 impacts.

Employers should be wary of irreversible decisions intended to boost the bottom line that may adversely affect the business over the life of its strategic plan. Many businesses are adapting and finding new opportunities rather than closing them down. Any necessary redundancies should be considered in the context of a recession, not a pandemic.

ANGELA WEST

ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR & HEAD OF EMPLOYMENT 01249 475880; www.goughs.co.uk What’s the best bit of advice you can give employers at the moment?

It is expected that health and safety at work claims/whistleblowing claims will increase, due to employees being concerned that appropriate safeguards at work have not been put into place.

Planning ahead is vital. Ensure you have open channels of communication with all employees and take time to understand individual circumstances including concerns of those who have been shielding or have a disability, childcare issues and even concerns if public transport is required to attend the workplace.

How can employers make returning to the office safe?

There are legal requirements on organisations to have COVID-19 risk assessments in place. Take the time to understand your workplace, one size does not fit all and areas of high risk will vary.

Consult staff in creating the risk assessment and engage them to help ensure all aspects of the business are considered. The risk assessment is a living document so don’t just file it away, reconsider and revise it regularly. We are living and working through unprecedented times, so the need to adapt is essential. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 81

PROPERTY P L A C E S T O L I V E , W O R K A N D P L AY

NEW!

BIGGER PROPERTY SECTION

New build

HEAVEN’S GATE

Bath is full of quirky historical details, and now you can enjoy one of them in your very own garden…

Beckford’s Gate, or ‘Embattled Gateway’, is a strange little Grade II Listed monument on the slopes of Lansdown Road, a folly-cum-practical gateway believed to have been designed by renowned local architect H.E Goodridge during the late Georgian period. Basically, it looks like a little cartoon castle, maybe ten metres tall.

Now it gives its name to, and provides a centrepiece for, a development of four newly-built luxury apartments, designed in the classic Georgian villa style. Each offers three bedrooms, and include a large lateral penthouse with its own roof terrace and direct lift access and a further lateral apartment with its own private garden. Then there are two large maisonettes, each with a private terrace. Marble kitchens and bathrooms and hard wood flooring abound throughout, plus there’s off road parking and – as well as private outdoor spaces for each apartment – access to a large communal garden.

The Embattled Gateway itself sits on one side of this, and is available to all residents – an engaging detail to surely make you smile.

For more: The Beckford Gate apartments are marketed by Savills, priced from £1,350,000; 01225 474 591; www.savills.co.uk

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PARKS AND RECREATION

The airy feel of this versatile family home, nestled in the glorious countryside of Midford Vale, comes with a most desirable added extra: almost 11 acres of rolling parkland

By Matt Bielby 84 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY

D

uring lockdown we’ve all come to value our outdoor spaces – private or shared – more than ever, so how does almost 11 acres of outdoors sound? And here it’s all highly usable too, the bulk made up of high quality pasture immediately to the south of the house and gardens, and protected from the road to the east by a high stone wall. With trees – oak, beech, chestnut, pine – planted in clumps throughout, this is basically classic parkland, great to ride across, wander around or simply enjoy looking at from the house. A public footpath runs through it, but it’s essentially your own private kingdom; all it needs is a small herd of deer.

But the outdoor treats don’t end there. Nearer the house are wide, sweeping lawns, a large and attractive terrace area, mature shrub borders and various ornamental trees – limes and hollies amongst them – as well as tennis courts, a large and sheltered outdoor swimming pool (gentle steps into it mean making your

entrance or exit has never been so elegant), and a small rose arch leading to a delightful secret garden with its own secluded terrace. You enter this entire miniature fiefdom down a wide driveway that begins with impressive stone pillars, passes a Lodge House – under separate ownership – and opens onto a large forecourt with ample parking to the east of the house.

So the grounds are pretty amazing, but the house isn’t exactly shabby either. In fact, it’s a good-looking Regency country villa in mixed Gothic and classical styles, dating back to the early 19th century. There’s a handsome double pedimented façade on the south side with a large central conservatory, and great views from every room across the gardens to the neighbouring Midford Vale, an area of outstanding beauty, and then the countryside beyond.

A note on Midford Vale, which is a particularly pleasing location: just four miles to the south of Bath, it’s bordered by pretty hamlets – Midford on one side, South Stoke on the other – that give a bucolic feeling of country living, despite the city being right on your doorstep. (The shops of Bath suburb Combe Down, after all, are just minutes away by car – and there’s a lovely flat cycle ride into town via the Two Tunnels.)

Inside, the entrance porch opens onto a frankly glorious reception hall, all wooden flooring and pale colours, leading to the principal ground floor rooms.

To the left, a trio of beautifully proportioned reception rooms run along the southern elevation, starting with

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PROPERTY

an informal sitting room or snug, followed by a 22’ x 15” dining room and an even bigger dual aspect drawing room, all enhanced by big bay windows and that conservatory. There’s a generous utility room down here too, a loo, a couple of pantries and a large kitchen-breakfast room. And there are French doors all over the place, leading onto the garden. Meanwhile a second, northwest wing to the house comprises an internal garage, a garden store and a tack room.

Architectural details are exquisite, and all original, throughout, with chimneypieces, ceiling mouldings, panelled doors and architraves – the reception rooms even have their original working shutters on the main windows, while the original bell pulls are still to be found by the fireplaces.

Upstairs there’s a fine barrel vaulted ceiling to the large galleried landing, plus three bathrooms and five large (in some cases, very large) bedrooms with fine views. A useful self-contained apartment occupies the first floor above the garages and tack room, enjoying separate access from the rear of the house – this would make a perfect granny flat or guest house, featuring a bedroom, sitting room, kitchenette and bathroom. As, however, there’s also a connecting door from here to the principal landing, this accommodation could easily also provide an extra bedroom or two to the main house – whatever suits you best. There are also two cellars and an external log store.

All very cosy, then, and almost as covetable on a wet November morning as on a warm August afternoon.

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

HOUSE NUMBERS Square footage 5,300 Total acreage:

10.76

Bedrooms:

6

Bathrooms:

3

Outside: Pool, tennis courts,

secret garden, vast paddock Price: Where:

£3,300,000 Midford, Bath

Savills, Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath, BA12EN; 01225 474500; www.savills.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

How video continues to change the way we do business

F

Peter Greatorex from THE APARTMENT COMPANY explains…

or a number of years, we at The Apartment Company have been utilising video within our business.

Back in 2016, our video tours were an extremely popular trend amongst our clients looking to sell their homes. Even back then, those clients who opted for video tours saw an increase in engagement with their online listings, sometimes up to 25 per cent. In 2019, 81 per cent of businesses used video as a marketing tool and now, as we are adapting to life in a pandemic, video continues to change the way we do business.

VIEWINGS We have been offering video tours for a few years but in the last few weeks this has moved up a notch as now we can provide you with a virtual viewing. You may be wondering if they are worth it, and whether buyers really make an offer from simply seeing a virtual tour of a property? The

simple answer is, yes they do! When you combine the virtual tour with a detailed floorplan, and our honest and in depth description, which we give verbally to everyone who wishes to undertake such a viewing, people can gain detailed insight and a true reflection of the property.

What this situation has certainly done for many businesses is made people rethink and push the boundaries of how they deliver their business.

What may have seemed unrealistic in the past is now being tried and tested, and we are seeing some fantastic results. “If a picture paints 1,000 words, then one minute of video is worth 1.8 million” – Forrester Research FACEBOOK Facebook, like many social media platforms, has opened new opportunities for how we can reach our clients, and this is the medium we have found to be most successful for us. Not only that, our advice may reach people who may not be actively

looking to move, giving them the reassurance they need when the time is right.

THE FUTURE Video is helping us to continue to connect in a disconnected world, and we have no doubt it will continue to play a huge part in our business in the years to come.

Let’s stay connected. n

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Fabulous show apartment launches at Belvedere House, Lansdown Developer JUNIPER HOMES has achieved their uncompromising vision for this luxury development

F

rom the moment you step into Belvedere House, this select eight apartment development simply exudes style and quality.

Designed to make the most of its unrivalled position, Belvedere House is perfect for discerning buyers. The meticulous attention to detail and bespoke design shines throughout.

Set in a delightful landscaped environment, apartments are at ground and first floor levels. All four ground floor apartments enjoy private courtyard space. Two of the first floor apartments have a private balcony and two are exceptional duplex penthouses, enjoying a rooftop terrace with far-reaching views.

There is also a residents garden with two charming arbours.

Internally, nothing has been left to chance.

From the open plan living space with highspecification kitchens through to superbly specified bathrooms and bedrooms that include thoughtful finishing touches such as walk in wardrobes – in a nutshell, the interiors are stunning.

“Lansdown is a much sought-after community,” says Anna Fairman, head of

residential development sales for Savills in Bath. “Residents will enjoy large open plan living spaces, uncompromising in style and quality. Contrasting clean modern lines with the softer tones of Bath stone, the apartments strike an architectural balance that offers the best in contemporary living offset by the comfort of a warm and inviting space.”

With open countryside on your doorstep and Bath city centre a little over a mile away, residents can enjoy the best of both worlds; great gastro-pubs and Lansdown Golf Club on your doorstep, and easy access to Bath with its culinary expertise and cultural events.

Belvedere House is ideally positioned for it all.

Prices start at £575,000 and reservations are now being taken. Each apartment includes two dedicated private parking spaces. n

The Show Apartment is open to view by appointment, please call: 01225 474591 or visit www.belvederehouse.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 89

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FOR THE HOME Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your home needs for autumn

HAPTICITY ARCHITECTS & INTERIORS LTD

Hapticity Architects Ltd provide a bespoke service tailored to each client’s individual needs for all stages of residential construction projects, from feasibility studies to interior packages. Their designs counterbalance contemporary interventions with historic properties, creating exciting spaces for modern living.

Tel: 01225 443679/07494 901999; www.hapticity.co.uk

SHUTTERCRAFT SOMERSET

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

www.clairstrong.co.uk

Bath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and flue specialist. From classic to contemporary, concept to completion, their team of experts can work with you to achieve your perfect interior. Brands include Chesney’s, Barbas Belfires, Hwam, Stuv and Jetmaster. Get in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7HD. info@mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk, Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

ETONS OF BATH

Shuttercraft Somerset provide premium madeto-measure shutters and blinds for your home.

Shuttercraft give you the best privacy whilst retaining style with a huge variety of colours and materials to choose from. Price matching available on like for like products from your local expert.

Contact your local expert, Simon today.

Tel: 01225 459 389; www.shutttercraft.co.uk

Based in the heart of Bath and specialising in bespoke, handmade kitchens, Bath Kitchen Company become personally invested in every kitchen they design and build. It’s about attention to detail at every stage – creating a beautiful space that enhances the way you live. 7-9 North Parade Buildings, Bath BA1 1NS; Tel: 01225 312003

WESTSIDE DESIGN

CHEVERELL

www.westsidedesign.co.uk

www.cheverell.co.uk

Westside Design is a family-run Bath based company offering a tailored design, manufacturing and installation service for all aspects of cabinet making and joinery. Specialising in contemporary bespoke kitchens and interiors.

Contact Michael on 01225 330843 or 07976 268458 or email info@westsidedesign.co.uk

MENDIP FIREPLACES

Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, creative company based in Bath, providing a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients. Her portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as sports clubs, offices and other commercial venues.

Contact Clair on 01225 426906 or 07855 79731

www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk

Cheverell is set in the heart of Wiltshire with a stunning showroom and workshop, offering a full bespoke design, manufacturing and installation service in kitchens, bedrooms, and interiors. Established in 1989 it has over 30 years of experience to guide you through the whole process. Cheverell, Waller Road, Hopton Park, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2GH; Tel: 01380 722722;

Founded in 2006, Etons of Bath is the UK’s only specialist interior design practice focussed on refurbishing, renovating and reinvigorating Georgian and Regency homes and hotels. Their team of 12 interior designers, planners and project managers can help you design and deliver classically inspired interiors that add value, turn heads and improve the use of space.

Tel: 01225 639002; www.etonsofbath.com

BONITI

Boniti is based on the outskirts of Bath and offers a wide range of quality interior and exterior products: natural stone and timber flooring, Everhot range cookers, garden furniture and Kadai firebowls. As well as the vast selection of products on offer, a friendly and personal service is at the heart of all that they do.

Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton,Wiltshire SN14 8JA; Tel: 01225 892 200; www.boniti.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 91

RESIDENCE

18 CENTURY LIVING TH

Words by Lydia Tewkesbury Photos by Chris Wakefield

Sarah Latham and Charlie Salter are just about as Bath as it gets. As the founder/ creative director and director of Etons of Bath, a well-known interior design company specialising in period homes, it’ll come as no surprise that they live inside an exquisitely decorated Georgian Townhouse themselves.

Sarah let us take a peek inside their Grade I listed property on Henrietta Street 92 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

B

uilt in 1793, this is one of 16 houses designed

by Thomas Baldwin, an architect famous for some of Bath’s most well-known buildings (he worked on the Guildhall), as well as notorious for his dodgy finances.

How long have you lived here, Sarah, and what did the house look like when you got it?

We bought it in March 2018. As with all Georgian houses, every owner is a custodian for a while who hopes to improve, maintain and adapt the house a little during their time. The building was a hotel until 1990, and was then converted back into a house and very lovingly restored. We bought it from a couple who had really looked after the place and improved things, so it was by no means a wreck! For us, it was just a case of updating the spaces and the interiors to our style and taste. We did look at buying other Georgian houses that were in a bad state of repair, and it was tempting to take those on, as it’s what we do for a living. However, at Etons of Bath we were already working on three such large Georgian home and hotel transformation projects for clients at the time, so decided to focus on those rather than our own home.

Georgian houses actually beg for rich, deep colours: the high ceilings and large windows can take it

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RESIDENCE

What was your vision for the décor here, then?

I love to mix the classic with contemporary – striking colours creating contrast with the existing beautiful features. The cornices, windows, doors and fireplaces are already absolutely stunning in this house, so we designed the interiors around those features to create rooms that fitted our lifestyle.

What are some of the more common pitfalls that people can fall into when redecorating?

Often, they like to play it too safe. In Georgian houses, it’s key that you base rooms around what the natural light is like, and not be tempted into neutral colours where something with more contrast will set off the features of the property and create a more atmospheric space.

Equally, planning the lighting and electrical specification around the room’s layout, and what you will use the room for, is essential before any colour, window dressings, flooring or furniture are picked.

In Georgian houses, it is important to design around where natural light falls

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

In your opinion, which room should you start with when redecorating and why?

Start with the kitchen, main living space and the master bedroom. They are such key areas, and critical in ensuring that the styles will flow throughout. I advise Etons of Bath’s clients that our design thinking is completed across the whole house before you make a start with the physical act of redecorating. That way, you have a master plan and know that it will work cohesively.

The last spaces to decorate should always be the hall, landing and stairs, since these are the high traffic areas that will get knocked by trades people and furniture deliveries for other rooms in the house.

Who or what are your inspirations when it comes to style and décor?

My design icons are: 1) Sir John Soane – the simplicity of his roundel fireplaces sum up the clean lines that I enjoy in Georgian architecture, and 2) Russell Sage, who grew up in Bath and who designed the Zetter Townhouse and large parts of the Goring Hotel. His style is eclectic and colourful, but with a classic contemporary twist that works so well in Georgian buildings.

RESIDENCE

clockwise: A blend of classic and contemporary design runs throughout the house; Sarah Latham

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RESIDENCE

What local shops did you source your décor, homeware and accessories from?

We have a bank of local and national suppliers who we trust and who work well in Georgian spaces. However, we’ve used some fantastic local traders too, including upholstery, curtain makers, garden designers, artists and specialist restorers, who are tried and tested and many of whom are experts in working on listed buildings.

What are your favourite independent homeware shops in Bath?

I absolutely love Katherine Fraser on Walcot Street, with her handwoven over-sized cushions. We also bought a stunning Lorenzo Quinn sculpture for our mantelpiece from Castle Fine Art on Old Bond Street.

Do you have a particular favourite room, or is there any part of the house you are especially proud of?

Our drawing and withdrawing rooms, without doubt.

They are on the first floor, which was the Georgians’ entertaining space (known as piano nobile), and are linked by large wedding doors. A newly restored salvaged floor completed the look in a way that is so in keeping with the house, that you wouldn’t believe it hadn’t always been there. The dark blue walls (F&B Hague Blue) create the most wonderful backdrop for large mirrors, crystal chandeliers and those amazing windows. The upholstery in the drawing room is mink and blue velvet, whereas the withdrawing room has bright orange, fuscia and turquoise pops of colour, inspired by the contemporary art we have on the walls, including an original piece by Rob and Nick Carter.

What was the most challenging room to design?

We have his and hers studies on the ground floor, which were probably the most difficult. As with many houses in Bath, and especially on the Crescents, this street is on a curve, so the rooms are rhombus shaped. This means the layouts for furniture can be harder to get right.

What do you want people to feel when they enter your home?

That’s a great question, and one of the first questions I ask my clients when I start working with them. I would like them to feel welcomed and feel like it’s a treat to be in such a special Georgian house. I hope we have created something that’s both classic and cohesive, but also surprises visitors and friends with the variety across the floors and rooms. We love entertaining (and in Bath you’re never short of old friends who want to come and stay!), so I want people to feel completely at home.

What did you learn from designing your own home?

Even though I’ve been designing and delivering projects on Georgian houses for nearly 15 years, I learn something new on every project. With this tall townhouse I learnt just how important it is to have a laundry room part way up the house, and even a fridge and sink for cocktails in the drawing room.

Satisfying pops of colour provide contrast

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

Does the interior of this home reflect both of your personalities?

I think the interiors and garden that we’ve designed reflect three things: our lives as a busy family, where we need close time as well as space to relax indoors and out; our love of entertaining friends and family, hosting big parties and showing people a good time; and, lastly, our love of art and design that complements the incredible proportions of the Georgian rooms we’re lucky enough to live in.

Finally, what’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about your home?

‘How soon can I come back?’ We have many house guests, and the best thing anyone says is that they’ve come away feeling pampered. I believe our interior environments have such an impact on how we feel. It’s not just how we act that makes people feel that way, but the attention to detail throughout the house that ensures that they not only have whatever they need to hand, but also get to experience the beauty of a gorgeous home. We appreciate just how lucky we are to live in such a property in such a great city and we love sharing that with others. www.etonsofbath.com

Got an amazing local home? Want it to feature in Residence? Contact lydia.tewkesbury@ mediaclash.co.uk

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BATH LIVES

“Daily walks, meditation and tending my garden have helped bring structure to my days” At the moment my most popular classes are yin yoga and restorative yoga, which are slow, nurturing and calming styles of yoga. To find calm, and slow down in a stressful world, is its own special magic – a type of magic I explore in my second book, Yin Magic, which is coming out 31 October.

Meditiation is an important

SARAH ROBINSON Yoga, witchcraft, writing – oh my!

The local yoga teacher and author tells us all about blending her passions Being a witch is all about

finding and celebrating the joyful magic present in daily life. For me, that’s the magic I find within teaching yoga and holding space for my gorgeous yoga students. It’s a connection to my own heritage as well – following the seasons, the cycles of the moon, and engaging with myth, magic and folklore.

Like many people from Bath and Somerset, I’ve found there is magic and witchcraft woven throughout my family lines.

There’s wonderful folklore and history in this land.

My witchcraft practice follows

the cycles of the moon and the wheel of the year.

Aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, simple spells and rituals are all part of my practice for myself – but are also how I share my craft with others.

So many simple crafts are already known to many of us; growing and using herbs, connecting to the lunar cycle,

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living in tune with the seasons – once these skills were simply part of daily life. The crafts of healers, herbalists, weavers, medicine women and many traditional crafts and skills that once were described as witchcraft are being embraced and celebrated once more, which is wonderful.

My personal practices have changed as a result of COVID19. I rely on simple rituals of

intention and connection; daily walks, meditation and tending my garden have helped bring structure to my days. We passed through the festivals of Beltane, Summer Solstice and Lammas during lockdown – I celebrated them with simple rituals of gratitude to note the turning of the wheel of the year.

I have also been running free weekly Yoga For Witches Zoom classes, where I use yoga and meditation as a ritual to note the seasons, moon phases and other elements that can help us orientate through the year.

part of yoga practice. As we seek to find calm in the body, breath and mind, each part of the practice is as important as the other to really reap the full benefits of yoga.

In a very real way, you are changing your brain for the better when you meditate.

Neuroimaging techniques have shown us that many areas of the brain are affected during and after meditation. With practice, people become calmer, more focused, have a higher capacity for empathy and compassion and tend to respond to life events in a more balanced way.

I have an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience.

Neuroscience is particularly useful when I am explaining the benefits of meditation. I did part of my studies here in Bath, and then was very lucky to study for a year over in America at Harvard University, where the neuroscience and behavioral labs I worked in were just starting to explore an amazing new field of study known as contemplative neuroscience, which is closer empirical study of just such practices as yoga and meditation – so I was there at exactly the right time.

Of course, COVID-19 affected my teaching, but being

able to bring yoga to my students via Zoom is a gift.

I’ve had students attend my

classes from America, Australia and the Netherlands – my classes are more accessible than ever. I continue to teach four free Zoom classes every week (if you’d like to join me, you can find all the details you need on my website), and many of my students have found they have had a chance to practice more yoga. But maybe most importantly, it’s been a chance for us to connect via yoga and find a little calm in an uncertain time.

When I started writing Yoga For Witches, it seemed

everything came together.

I had this seed of an idea that combined yoga with my love of all things myth, magic and folklore. I wanted to create a book drawing on my pagan heritage and weaving it respectfully with the heritage of yoga to create something new.

It was hard work. I was writing alongside teaching classes and workshops all around Bath, so I had many early mornings – especially during the autumn and winter of 2019 – getting up in the dark, making a big pot of coffee and typing away at my desk for a few hours before heading out for a day’s teaching.

I loved the process of creating and crafting something with words – and the fact that people are reading it and enjoying it, is the icing on the cake. It’s been an Amazon bestseller and is one of my publisher’s top sellers as well. During lockdown I wrote book number two, Yin Magic, and again, that habit of writing in the quiet early hours of the morning has served me very well. n

For more: www.sentiayoga.com

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