Bath Life – Issue 447

TAKE ME

UPPER CRUST

FROM KITSCH TO CLASSIC – THE AFTERNOON TEAS OF BATH

TRADING PLACES

EXPLORING LOCKSBROCK AND BRASSMILL

BEST IN THEIR FIELD

LUXE, LUSH AND LOCAL CAMPSITES

100 YEARS OF DOROTHY COLEBORN SCHOOL OF DANCING

RICE AND SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE

PITCH PERFECT

CAMPING MADE GORGEOUS

THE COLOUR PURPLE

THE LAVENDER FIELDS OF SOMERSET

ISSUE 447 / 2 – 15 JULY 2021/ £3

ISSUE 447 / 2 – 15 JULY 2021 / ON POINTE

CHASSÉ YOUR DREAMS

CURRY FAVOUR

PLUS / STORYHOUSE / THE OLD BARN WIDCOMBE / MR B'S E MPORIUM BOOKSHOP

© W W W.KIER AWILLIAMSPHOTO.COM

EDITOR’S LETTER

H

ow’s the pandemic been treating you then? It’s the new ‘going anywhere nice for your holidays?’ small talk. I’m in the middle of an app-induced self-isolation period (our publisher Greg Ingham shares a great insight into his experience of this on page 75). I’m stuck in the house along with two teenagers whose whole school year groups were sent home. Events couldn’t be attended, trips were cancelled, and no-one could go out to play. We are fine but I know in two days’ time I’ll be running out and about in my beautiful city with such renewed energy I’ll probably be jumping for joy, probably very much like Lucy Hind, pictured above.

Lucy, who studied at Bath’s 100 year old Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing and just happens to be Dorothy’s great granddaughter, has been accepted to the Royal Ballet. Read this remarkable tale of generational ballet success over on page 14.

On page 50, in the spirit of 2021 holistaying, we go exploring local campsites. I love camping – whether it be for a holiday or a festival, it’s one of my favourite activities.

But during last year, I found it, not just fun, but pretty sanity saving. We pitched our tent just 10 minutes down the road at the gloriously cheerful and characterful Tucker’s Grave, and found a special kind of calm and escape in the open space.

But if you don’t fancy wrestling guy ropes and yielding mallets, there’s always the upmarket, five-star yurt options.

There’s also a round up of the best afternoon teas in Bath (page 40); on page 36 we visit to a wellness retreat at Homewood (with gin and with Olympian Amy Williams); plus take a tour around one of the most successful and productive business hubs in Bath (page 60).

Enjoy, stay grounded, and see you in two weeks!

© CHRIS DAW

above: The high flying success of the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing (page 14) below: Exploring Somerset Lavender (page 56)

SARAH MOOLLA

Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag Instagram @bathlifemag

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Issue 447 / 2–15 July 2021 COVER Lucy Hind, great-granddaughter of Dorothy Coleborn, photographed by Kiera Williams; www.kierawilliamsphoto.com

COVER STORY

14 DOROTHY COLEBORN Generations of Coleborn

women celebrate the dance school’s 100th anniversary

THE ARTS

21 ARTS INTRO The Minotaur comes to Bath 22 WHAT’S ON Art, performance, music, and more coming

40

up in the next few weeks

29 BOOKS Bite-sized books recommendations from Mr B

FOOD&DRINK

33 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Good Day Café is growing 34 TRY 5 Hot and fiery curries 36 REVIEW A wellness and fitness retreat at Homewood

Hotel & Spa with Olympian Amy Williams

40 AFTERNOON TEA Where to go for the quintessentially

English outing

SHOPPING

47 SHOPPING The ultimate summer hammock 48 EDITOR’S CHOICE Be prepared for a field trip with the

right camping accessories

LIFESTYLE

50 CAMPING From five star glamping to farm land wild 56 GARDENS Somerset’s lavender fields

BUSINESS

60 LOCKSBROOK & BRASSMILL Exploring one of Bath’s lesser known business hubs 67 BATHWORKS News, views, and interviews from our

successful local businesses

71 BIZ CLUB How the pandemic has impacted gender

equality in the workplace with Dr Johanne Ward-Grosvold from the University of Bath 72 BIZ Q&A Rachel Lawrence, founder of Storyhouse

PROPERTY

79 INTRO Acorn property is going for green 80 PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market 82 SHOWCASE Practical but chic farmhouse living

DEPARTMENTS

7 SPOTLIGHT Bath is on track for its second UNESCO award 11 FLATLINE Flats’s glamping trip comes with an unexpected

amount of admin

75 GREG INGHAM Musings from self isolation 90 BATH LIVES Ian Shearman shares a glimpse of life as

a glass blower

50

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@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 Contributors Nic Bottomley, Eleanor Duke, David Flatman, Katy Hancock, John Mather, Matilda Walton and Nick Woodhouse 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 Account manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@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.

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SPOTLIGHT Art

Bath is on the way to earning a second UNESCO World Heritage inscription

UNESCO

THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL Bath is on track to receive a second UNESCO World Heritage inscription for international importance to spa culture and architecture. The 44th UNESCO World Heritage Committee is meeting in Fuzhou, China this month to decide whether to add the Great Spas of Europe, eleven spa towns of which Bath is one, to World Heritage List.

“This is very promising news,” says councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture. “It has taken over ten years of work to progress The Great Spas Project to this point and whilst we are not across the finish line yet, it is firmly within sight. This accolade would further confirm that the heritage of Bath is acknowledged to be of global importance.”

Spa culture was a European phenomenon from the 1700s to the 1930s, and of the hundreds of spas built around the world, only a handful remain in a good state of conservation, like Bath. This nomination reflects their importance the international heritage.

For more: www.greatspasofeurope.org

The Holburne Museum is putting our artistic assumptions to the test with a new exhibition. ‘My kid could’ve done that!’ – we’ve either heard it or said it. In response, The Holburne is staging an exhibition of brand-new work by 15 contemporary artists – and their children.

“Much of what will appear in the exhibition will depend on what parents respond to Astrid Cooper, five, co-curator of when making with My Kid Could’ve Done That! at their kids,” says Will the Holburne Museum Cooper, contemporary art curator at The Holburne, who came up with the concept. “Every studio visit I’ve made so far has had some version of the same conversation – ‘my kid is into making this at the moment’. That’s likely to change between now and when the show opens, so it will be fascinating to see the results.”

My Kid Could’ve Done That! will be on display at The Holburne’s partner Edge Arts at the University of Bath from 26 July.

For more: www.holburne.org © WILL COOPER

© ALICIA COOPER / IG @ALICIA _ PAIGE_

ART: THE EARLY YEARS

Jemima Penny stars in Missred

The Missred cast are hard at work rehearsing ahead of their August performances

Theatre

‘MISS RED’ THE SITUATION Missred is coming to The Bath Forum in August. The family musical from Dare We Productions and sponsored by The Forum tells the tale of Fran – Miss Red – a foster kid in 1930s South Devon. New to town, Miss Red is a boisterous live-wire, and the close-knit seaside community is suspicious of her unusual behaviour. But, despite the division she leaves in her wake, it turns out Miss Red might just be the spark of life the town desperately needs.

Missred stars Sophia Guarino (Nativity! The Musical, Musicals: The Greatest Show, BBC1) opposite Jemima Penny (The Voice Kids UK), with a supporting cast of 60 kids and adults.

Missred is at The Forum 6-7 August.

For more: www.missredthemusical.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 7

SPOTLIGHT

Enjoying the long summer evenings in beautiful Bath

Enjoy the ultimate romantic atmosphere at the Roman Baths’ Torchlit Summer Evenings

Roman Baths

CARRY A TORCH

From 23 July, The Roman Baths will keep the doors open until 10pm as their popular Torchlit Summer Evenings return for the season. Soak up the romantic atmosphere of the Baths in the soft evening light, and make the most of the pop-up bar besides the Great Bath, which will be selling Champagne, Prosecco, soft drinks and ice cream.

At Longleat, they take an unusual approach to weighing the koalas

“There is a magical atmosphere around the Great Bath as the sun begins to set and the torches are lit,” says councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture.

“We’re delighted to be able to open late and invite visitors to enjoy this special experience.

Admission is free for local residents, and I hope that many local people will come along and soak up the fantastic atmosphere.”

For more: www.romanbaths.co.uk

@colourinfocus

Longleat

WEIGH TO GO!

The keepers at Longleat have come up with a creative new way of weighing their koalas. Instead of attempting the near-impossible of getting the adorable marsupials to sit on a weighing machine, keepers have made their own set of scales using an adapted wooden branch that the koalas will happily hold on to.

“We decided to get them to sit on the branch as that’s where they spend the vast majority of their day and it’s also somewhere they feel safe and comfortable,” says keeper James Dennis.

“Weight is a really useful measure of how well an individual animal is and, in the case of the females, to check whether they might be pregnant.

“It also means they can get used to being close to us and, while they’re hanging about, we can feed them, give them a drink and also carry out an overall health check.”

For more: www.longleat.co.uk

Hannah Gormley / IG @hgormleyphotography_

@rhianwirtz

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

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FLAT LINE DAVID FLATMAN

Organised fun

© TAKING PICTURES

Between work, camping trips, school pickups, and moving house, Flats is flat out

“Maybe I need a PA to organise a glamping trip with my girls”

T

o give you a sense of perspective as to my ability to manage time and personal admin, I’m typing these words on my phone (I do all of my writing on my phone, which some ‘proper’ writers seem to find odd) between sets of (fairly pathetic) dumbbell-based efforts in a moodily lit gym in town. This doesn’t make me Mr. Successful and Busy, it makes me Mr. Still a Rugby Player Who Doesn’t Acknowledge Deadlines.

Anyhow, I mention this partly because I want subtly to brag to you, dear reader, that I have indeed done some meaningful exercise this week, and also because, as someone who just isn’t brilliant as juggling twelve balls but has to anyway, I have one particularly admin-heavy cloud looming with leering intent over my sweating head: Glamping.

The idea is such a nice one. IS such a nice one. Our glamping adventure begins this Saturday at 14.00 when the children are driven by my girlfriend to the glamping site to commence raucous, sleep-light fun. The thing is, I’ll be in London then, about to commentate on a rugby match that begins at 16.00. Add to the mix that, for baby-related reasons, said girlfriend and driver can’t do any heavy lifting. Friday night, therefore becomes a busy one for me as I prepare luxury tents fit bedding, transport barbecues and charcoal and meat and vegetables.

Except I’m in London all day and night on Friday, too.

So yes. What to do. What to do is to get ahead of the game and do all of said prep on Thursday instead. Except it’s Thursday tomorrow and I’m moving house.

‘Daddy will we have marshmallows to roast?’

‘God yeah – wouldn’t be camping without them, would it?’

‘Daddy, can you make sure I have the pillow I like but not with the unicorn pillowcase on it

please?’

‘Sure, darling. No probs.’

‘Daddy can we swim in the lake?’

‘Defo!’ (Calls ahead – is there a lake?).

I guess the reality here is that all of the stress and spent beads of perspiration surround this trip to a field (reminder: must find out address of glampsite) is down to my poor planning, and is not the fault of the activity itself. It’s hard at this point, though, not to associate the whole plan with negative chemical reactions within my body.

As I type on, I am walking between the gym and my car as I have to collect the children from school in 13 minutes and I think I might have overdone the hour-and-a-half limit on the old Sainsbury’s parking… we’ve all done it so don’t judge.

This began as a column in which I wanted to describe my excitement at seeing my daughters legging it about with their best mates, smashing in and out of the (potentially fictional) lake I’d mentioned to them while trying initially to drum up some enthusiasm to ease the pain of the cash outlay, of sitting in ethically sound fleeces with icecold beers around a big campfire on which we would roast steaks and marshmallows and pieces of organic West Country chickens.

It’s ended up being a column that serves almost solely to make me anxious as I try to work out who precisely will ensure that said ice cubes actually make it to site. It has also served, though, to paint as clear as day an image of someone who needs a hand. I mean, simply checking my diary and occasionally saying no would be a decent start, but it already feels like it might be too late for that. Maybe I need a PA to organise a glamping trip with my girls. Yes. That’s the answer. It was actually obvious all along.

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 11

TURNING POINTE

Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing celebrates 100 years Words by Katy Hancock Main photos by Kiera Williams Photography 14 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ARTS Lucy Hind, great granddaughter of Dorothy Coleborn, has successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden

Lucy dances outside Bath Abbey

N “There was so much love in that auditorium”

estled in a quiet, leafy valley, just off Englishcombe Lane in Bath, the passion, commitment and unrelenting determination of the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing has cultivated dance success, not just for the tens of thousands of students who have attended over the 100 years, but also the family members who are part of this dance dynasty.

A century after her great-grandmother Dorothy Coleborn founded the school, Lucy Hind, aged 16 has successfully auditioned for one of 14 internationally coveted places at the Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden. In a felicitous fairy-tale twist, one of Lucy’s teachers, ex-Royal Ballet principal artist, Karen Paisey was Dorothy Coleborn’s own protégée, and became the first Bath student to gain a place at the Royal Ballet School. Lucy’s second teacher, Tony nominee, and Royal Ballet first artist, Leanne Cope, was also taught by a Coleborn descendant; Dorothy’s granddaughter Annette, and current principal of the dance school.

To top it all off, Lucy is one of a staggering 18 pupils over the past 10 years to successfully secure a place at the Royal Ballet. In the last 10 years, a further 37 have gained places at some of the world’s most prestigious full time dance schools including; Elmhurst, London Studios, Central School of Ballet, The Doreen Bird College and Arts Ed. The school also teaches dozens of students who have successfully auditioned for vocational associate programmes, including Royal Ballet Junior Associates, Tap Attack, Ballet Boost Associates, Bristol Dance Associates, Ballet Cymru, Vale Dance and Stagebox. Furthermore, the school can claim kudos for training over 50 students to go on to take up roles in professional productions noting memorable performances in Martha Graham Company, An American in Paris, La La Land, Billy Elliot and Matilda. Not to mention 26 Theatre Royal Bath pantomimes.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 15

ARTS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Borne out of an indignation at Mr Whittle’s refusal to let his daughter join the stage with Gracie Fields, Dorothy aged just 14, founded ‘The Dainty Dots’ dance school in a church hall in Portsmouth. A born performer, and a bright and determined young woman, Dorothy married naval man Alan Coleborn in 1934 and, after setting up dance schools across the country as far afield as London and Scotland, the family settled in Bath in 1941.

THE MIGHTY ATOMS

Three generations of Coleborns, left to right – mother Annette, daughter Lucy, and grandmother Annabel – are keeping the dance school spirit alive, as founded

by Lucy’s great grandmother, Dorothy Coleborn, pictured below

Nine months later and Dorothy’s first dance display of ‘The Mighty Atoms’ at the Pump Rooms proved a sell-out success. However with the explosion of the atom bomb, she felt it prudent to change the name of the school and so the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing was born.

With the roof of the Locksbrook Hall now leaking on her baby daughter Annabel, the family moved into 33 Englishcombe Lane in 1946 and transformed the downstairs rooms into teaching studios.

During the war, Dorothy didn’t let rationing dampen spirits. Home dyed tracing cloth was transformed into eclectic costumes for morale boosting performances, with Dorothy playing the piano whilst instructing her students over the top of her music.

Dorothy’s first dance display of ‘The Mighty Atoms’ at the Pump Rooms in Bath was a huge success

FAMILY LEGACY

Dorothy Coleborn’s ethos was for children to experience the joy and fulfilment of dance

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

By the time Dorothy reached retirement, both her daughter Annabel and her granddaughter Annette had taken up the running of the school.

Ready to take the next grand jeté into expansion, in 1993, the dance school moved to the purpose-built, spacious studios at Englishcombe Court, and today both Annabel, and her daughter Annette, continue the family legacy, proudly leading a fantastic team to teach the next generation of talented students on roll ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop and modern.

Annette says, “I am very proud of my grandmother’s legacy. She set a very high standard that we have built upon and developed. We want children to experience the joy and fulfilment of dance and believe that there is no limit to their potential. Our expertise is finding it and helping students believe that they can accomplish anything with hard work and quality teaching.”

Lucy is one of 18 Dorothy Coleborn pupils over the past ten years to successfully secure a place at the Royal Ballet

“Dorothy played the piano whilst instructing her students over the top of her music”

ARTS THEATRE ROYAL BATH

Every two years, the dance school performs at EuroDisney, Paris, but the highlight is always the show at the Theatre Royal, Bath, where every child aged three to 18 gets a chance to perform on stage. In December 2019 Kitty Dimbleby wrote in The Daily Mail: “I reckon we saw some future stars that night …But that wasn’t the best part. No, it’s that your eyes well with tears of affection and pride and you yell and clap . . . for other people’s children. Their pure talent and energy, and the effort they’d put in (and their teachers), was balm for the soul. There was so much love in that auditorium. The glorious show made me feel so optimistic.”

SURVIVING THE PANDEMIC

During the first lockdown, the school didn’t falter from its ‘dance for all’ policy and offered free online dance classes, audition support and workshops with ex-students, Broadway star Leanne Cope, and West End director Aisling Duffy. As the pandemic continued to bar the doors of the dance school, Annette pivoted and between the teaching staff, they delivered thousands of Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and ISTD (Imperial Society of Dance Teachers) exam preparation classes on Zoom. You can see why, in the last five years the school has celebrated 1,049 ISTD for modern and tap and 471 RAD ballet distinctions.

The school also goes the extra mile for the families most challenged by the pandemic fallout. Fiona Masud, whose daughter SairaJane has cystic fibrosis, says, “Over lockdown Saira-Jane spent weeks in hospital and despite being attached to intravenous medication, has not missed a single Zoom class. Annette always finds time to Face Time and liaises with Saira’s physiotherapists to enable her to do what she loves most – dance.”

If the post-pandemic survival of the school was not cause for celebration in itself, now, a century on from Dorothy’s vision, the school will yet again be providing dancers for their 27th Theatre Royal Bath pantomime and has provided 22 cast members and choreography for the August performance of Miss Red at the Bath Forum.

“I drew strength,” says Annette, “from knowing that my grandmother managed to

“I drew strength from knowing that my grandmother managed to keep children dancing throughout the Bath Blitz” 18 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Lucy learned to dance in the purpose-built, spacious studios at Englishcombe Court

keep children dancing throughout the Bath Blitz, war rationing, and family members fighting abroad, so I knew I could run a dancing school during a pandemic.”

THE FUTURE

Now teaching the children and grandchildren of more than 50 ex-students, does Dorothy’s legacy weigh heavy on Annette and Annabel’s shoulders? “If Dorothy was looking down now, I think she’d be very proud of everything we’ve done,” says Annette. “She was always ambitious and forward thinking and we strive to keep the standards of teaching high whilst giving the children fun memories to last a lifetime.” ■ For more: www.dorothycoleborn.co.uk

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

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS Beth Carter, whose work can be seen at Beaux Arts from 10 July, creates powerful and poignant bronze sculptures that reference the characters of the Hellenic and European pantheon, bringing them to life as brooding, mysterious protagonists, lifted into the contemporary everyday. They are conceptually and technically rich, meticulous and complex. In their personification and re-situation into the contemporary world, her sculptures are at once other-worldly, haunting and strange, and then strangely familiar.

Beth says, “Working within the realms of a sculptural tradition where the symbolic use of animal imagery is a potent and continuous source, my work creates allegories by, amongst other things, integrating the human form with animal forms. The resulting imagery holds both a timeless significance and a contemporary relevance despite and because of our separation from the natural world.”

Beth Carter exhibition, 10 July – 28 August at Beaux Arts, 12-13 York Street, Bath; www.beauxartsbath.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 21

© MANUEL HARL AN

Told by an Idiot’s acclaimed production of Charlie and Stan comes to Theatre Royal Bath on 17 July

WHAT’S ON 3 July 1 August

EXHIBITIONS Until 1 August

PRECIOUS AND RARE: ISLAMIC METALWORK FROM THE COURTAULD Ten remarkable highlights from the spectacular Courtauld’s world-class collection of Islamic metalwork are on display. These include the exquisite Courtauld Bag, made in Mosul (present-day northern Iraq) in around 13001330 which is recognised as one of the finest pieces of Islamic inlaid metalwork in existence. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 30 August

NICHOLAS POPE In Portraits of a Marriage, ten sculptures – in characteristically entertaining, abstract but also honest and poignant form – depict the artist and his late wife at different stages of their 40 years of marriage. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

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

Until 4 September

MONUMENTS, EMPIRE AND SLAVERY The exhibition focusses on a number of the Abbey’s memorials that reveal the not always fair and just relationships between those commemorated in the Abbey, the city of Bath, the British Empire, and the slave trade in the 1700 and 1800s. Bath Abbey; www.bathabbey.org

Until 5 September

CANALETTO: PAINTING VENICE This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition will enable visitors to enjoy and study up-close 23 beautiful paintings that present not only cultural and historical themes of 18th-century Venice and the Grand Tour, but also explores the artist’s life and work.

Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 8 September

THOMAS LAWRENCE: COMING OF AGE The Holburne Museum’s online

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

exhibition will give insight into the early life of the great portrait painter, who honed his talents as a child, sketching in his father’s inn in Devizes, before then coming to capture Bath society. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 31 October

OUCH! This online exhibition from 44AD draws on themes explored by research undertaken by the Bath Centre for Pain Research. Based at the University of Bath, the Centre is made up of an interdisciplinary team of researchers exploring how pain affects how people live – from everyday aches to long-term and chronic pain. www.44ad.net

Until 31 October

SHOOTING STARS: CARINTHIA WEST, BRITAIN AND AMERICA IN THE 1970S Features a collection of 63 intimate natural portraits, including Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood, and

lifestyle shots taken in America and the UK by 1970s model and actor, turned journalist and photographer Carinthia West. American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org

Until 2022

SHOEPHORIA! Discover the fascinating evolution of shoe style over the last 300 years, from the actual footwear worn by Queen Mary and Queen Victoria through to the recent contemporary designers, such as Vivienne Westwood and Jimmy Choo. Fashion Museum; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

7 – 18 July

ROSTRA GALLERY & MODERN ARTBUYER POP UP Bath-based galleries Modern ArtBuyer and Rostra Gallery have joined creative forces once again for this Milsom Place pop-up to bring you the best of their artist portfolios with artists to include Trudy Montgomery, Ben Wild and Jane Emberson. www.rostramabcollab.co.uk

WHAT’S ON MUSIC 8 July

MELVYN TAN & BATH PHILHARMONIA Bath Philharmonia and pianist Melvyn Tan, one of the world’s most critically acclaimed Mozart interpreters, present a unique double bill of two most-loved piano concertos ever written.

From the intimacy and fragility of Piano Concerto No. 23 to the sublime beauty of Piano Concerto No. 21 (widely known as the Elvira Madigan Concerto), this poignant concert is sure to let your mind soar and to capture your heart. The Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

COMEDY 10 July & 17 July

ABOVE: Jane Emberson is just one of the artists appearing at the Milsom Street pop-up from 7 - 18 July MIDDLE: The exhibition of rare and precious Islamic Metalwork finishes at the Holburne on 1 August BELOW: The funny and fearless Dana Alexander is performing at Komedia Bath on 10 July

10 July – 28 August

BETH CARTER Beth Carter’s work, with birdheads and cat-heads appearing as her less predatory take on the Minotaur legend, conflates and complicate those classical myths and those of contemporary masculinity at the same time.

Find more on page 21. Beaux Arts; www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

10 July – 19 September

FREUD, MINTON, RYAN: UNHOLY TRINITY This unique exhibition will celebrate the life of Adrian Ryan (1920-1998), and his friends John Minton (1917-1957) and Lucian Freud (1922-2011). In the tight community of the art world of pre-war London, the three artists were colleagues and friends. As ambitious figurative painters with – at first – hopeful and promising career trajectories, all three explored a relaxed intimacy behind closed doors, especially during the war years. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

© ALE XIS DUBUS

11 July

BATH CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS’ FAIR Browse and shop some of the best of contemporary art on display including fine art, photography, sculpture, and textiles. All created by talent from in and around our city of Bath, and just beyond.

Green Park Station; www.bcaf.co.uk

KRATER COMEDY CLUB Laugh along to comics Dana Alexander, Jake Lambert and Nabil Abdulrashid with MC Morgan Rees on the 10 July, and the following week it’s the turn of Maisie Adam, Marlon Davis, Lloyd Griffith with MC Sally Anne. The cabaret style seating comes with several dining options as well as table service. Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

16 July

SIMON EVANS – THE WORK OF THE DEVIL Comedian, presenter and panellist has a new show that raises the stakes. His usual excoriating views of a world on fire are given a perspective shift from personal revelations that turned his world upside down this year. Widcombe Social Club; www.bathcomedy.com

THEATRE / CINEMA 5 – 10 July

THE WOMAN IN BLACK Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation. A lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a woman in black, engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. As they reach further into his darkest memories, they find themselves

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 23

WHAT’S ON

8 – 9 July

PARADISE LOST (LIES UNOPENED BESIDE ME) There is a possibility that God made everything because he was terrified of doing nothing. Here is a retelling of the story of the beginning of everything inspired by Milton’s Paradise Lost – told by Ben Duke through words, music and the easily misunderstood medium of dance.

Ustinov www.theatreroyal.org.uk

10 July

SUNNYMEADE COURT From her balcony, Marie blasts out the same tune, every day at 11am.

Stella, in the tower block opposite, tends to red geraniums bursting with colour and life. After a chance encounter in a hailstorm, they embark on a romance conducted from the safety of their balconies.

Ustinov; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

14 July

THE CURSE OF THE SAPPHIRE BLADE Two rival bounty hunters, a mercenary, a pixie, a living legend, and everlasting life – what could possibly go wrong? Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

17 July

DEERSKIN In this black comedy of middle-aged masculinity gone awry, Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist) is a recent divorcee who becomes obsessed with a vintage fringed deerskin jacket that begins to exert an uncanny hold on him.

The Little Theatre; www.picturehouses.com

17 – 24 July

CHARLIE AND STAN This tells the musical story of what could’ve been when in 1910, the then unknown Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel set sail onboard a steamer from Liverpool to New York as part of Fred Karno’s famous music hall troupe. On the voyage, they shared a cabin, comedy routines, and a brief friendship. In later years, Laurel often spoke of Chaplin, but Chaplin never said a word about the encounter. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

21 July

WONDER WITH GRIMM An evening of enchanting storytelling full of magic, puppetry

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and music suitable for five years+.

Pack a picnic, dress for the weather and don’t forget to bring something to sit on for the telling of family-friendly, modern-twist fairytales. American Museum; www. americanmuseum.org

21 & 22 July

HITCHHIKER Dougie has dropped out of uni halfway through his third year to start a sci-fi radio show from his bedroom. With music, dance, and aliens, Hitchhiker is a brand new comedy by Jessy Roberts, about running away, perspective, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

23 & 24 July

SAVING BRITNEY Saving Britney is a hilarious, heartbreaking and critically acclaimed look at celebrity obsession, sexuality and growing up in the early noughties; featuring more nostalgia than you can shake a Tamagochi at.

Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

FESTIVALS Until 5 July

BOUNCEBACK FESTIVAL A socially-distanced, outdoor celebration of live music and picnics, bringing together international music artists including Claire Martin, The King’s Singers, and Joe Stilgoe, in the beautiful countryside of Iford Manor. www.ifordmanor.co.uk

Until 31 July

BATH FRINGE 2021 A bumper packed programme that includes events from Fringe Arts Bath, Bath Arts Workshop, and Bedlam Fair. There’s theatre, live music, comedy, and visual arts popping up all over the city. Look out for the Saw Close gameshow Mufti Games on 17 July and Rimski & Handkerchief in Kingsmead Square on 22 July. www.bathfringe.co.uk

22 – 25 July

WOMAD 2021 Charlton Park in Malmesbury is transformed into a weekend of much needed musical discovery with UK talent such as A Certain Ratio, Greentea Peng and The Comet is Coming, performing alongside Chinese classical musician Cheng Yu and Silk Breeze, Ireland’s Dublin Calling Big Band, and Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra from Nigeria.

There’s also a world of children’s

above: Mick Jagger, baby Jesse Wood (now 46) and Ronnie Wood captured

by Carinthia West whose work is currently being shown at the American Museum middle: Psychedelic R’n’B singer songwriter Greentea Peng is just one of the artists performing at WOMAD below: It’s love across the Sunnymeade Court balconies, starring Remie Milner and Gemma Lawrence

© KEVIN NTOW

caught up in an eerie world of tragic secrets and murky pasts. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

WHAT’S ON entertainment, delicious global cuisine, and fun workshops and activities.

WOMAD; www.womad.co.uk

face painting, craft workshops and arts activities. www.welcometobath.co.uk

24 – 25 July

DIGGING DEEP LIVE Jamie’s Farm, where the team combine the ethos of farming, family and therapy on their working land to help the disadvantaged, are hosting talks, workshops and activities as well as a seat at the feasting table, before the evening of celebration with music and dancing. Camping will be available to all ticket holders at no extra cost.

Jamie’s Farm; www.jamiesfarm.org.uk

TALES OF THE GARDEN Experience specially commissioned sculptures blooming up across the expansive landscaped grounds of Longleat. Using a variety of materials and crafting methods, designed and curated by UK-based artists, these nine installations tell the unique and fascinating story of Longleat, such as the time kangaroos roamed the lawns in the 1800s.

Longleat; www.longleat.co.uk

23 – 25 July

15 July

30 – 31 July

FARMFEST Farmfest started as a small party for friends and has retained that feeling 15 years on. It remains completely independent and sponsor-free with this year’s headliners to include Ibibio Sound Machine, Beak>, and Sophie Hunger. www.farmfestival.co.uk

10 – 12 September

VINTAGE NOSTALGIA FESTIVAL A fun and fabulously charming family festival in Stockton Park celebrating a rose-tinted past with jazz, swing, classic cars, vintage fashion, and dance. www.vintagenostalgiafestival.co.uk

OTHER

Until 1 August

BATH ON THE BEACH Along with big screens showing UEFA Euro 2020, table tennis, pétanque, and adventure golf, there’s summerinspired cocktails, wood-fired pizza, loaded nachos and fries in Bath’s Caribbean-inspired beach bar, located at the Royal Pavilion in Victoria Park. www.bathonthebeach.co.uk

Until 29 August

SUMMER SUNDAYS Every Sunday around the city centre, there’s going to be a range of pop-up, free performances including Jane Austen dancers, samba bands, and street theatre. Bath Flea Market is happening on 4 July. And there’s free

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JENNY CHANDLER Jenny Chandler is at Toppings bookshop for the launch of her Green Kids Cook, a recipe book that aims to encourage and teach children around the seven to 14 age group how to cook and eat food that is both good for them and good for the planet. www.toppingbooks.co.uk n

© TRISTR AM KENTON

BATH BOULES Taking place in the heart of Bath each year, the much-loved and longstanding Bath Boules tournament weekend is all about having fun whilst fundraising.

The three-day event, which is now in its 31st year, sees 64 teams competing on each day in Queen Square and activities for both participants and passers-by to enjoy. www.bathboules.com

Until 12 September

above:

below:

The spine chilling Woman In Black comes to Bath 5 - 10 July; Widcombe Social Club plays host to comedian Simon Evans on 16 July

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Journal lists Suggested reading for those in-between tomes moments

“To say it is shocking and eye-opening is an understatement”

B

etween embarking on novels or longer narrative non-fiction books I always like to have books at hand to dip in and out of and progress in those smaller snatched reading moments. Whatever section of the bookshop you like to browse in, there are always some ittybitty books that allow for grazing on a few pages at a time rather than devouring whole.

Grand (One Grand Books, £10) is just such a book – in fact it’s arguably a journal rather than a book and therefore, by its very nature, designed to be explored in any order and over whatever time-scale you fancy. This journal is the brainchild of a small but perfectly formed independent bookshop in Narrowsburg, New York – a small wooded town alongside the Delaware River. The bookshop is all about curation and features lists put together by many well-known contributors – Tilda Swinton, Richard E Grant and Nigella Lawson are amongst the dozens of personalities who’ve had fun putting a book list together.

That same spirit of curation feeds into this printed output from the bookshop team.

Photography segments, short fiction and longer essays and interviews featuring authors such as Robert Macfarlane sit alongside more bite-sized segments – a pair of poems or a recollection of reading John Fante’s Ask the Dust in its native L.A. Wandering the columns and articles of Grand is such a pleasurable experience, full of serendipity and unexpected discoveries and all presented in an understated and refined graphic style.

For decades American investigative reporter and commentator Barbara Ehrenreich has been ahead of the curve on the big issues affecting society. She pointed out – eloquently and forcefully – the injustices of low-wage America and explored inequities in gender, racial bias, access to healthcare and many other areas, long before these issues became firmly entrenched at the top of the social and political agendas.

A new anthology of some of her long-form journalism, Had I Known (Granta, £10.99) picks out some of her most celebrated and influential essays. There are 40 in all plus an introduction by the author setting the context of her remarkable career to date, divvied up

into thematic groupings such as ‘Haves and Have Nots’, ‘Men’, ‘Women’, and ‘Bourgeois Blunders’. The opener is the original essay from Harper’s that eventually became her seminal book Nickel and Dimed: Undercover in Low-Wage America.

The essay has the even more overt subtitle On (Not) Getting by in America and consists of her act of immersive journalism, undertaken in 1998, in removing all comforts and credit and joining the low-wage workforce to find out how, and if, it is possible to make rent, keep a job and put up with endless demeaning behaviour. You know this is going to be no pleasure ride when she begins her first job with a chain hotel for $2.43 per hour plus tips and arrives to witness a member of the kitchen team swearing and throwing steaks at the wall.

To say it is shocking and eye-opening is an understatement. And reading it now, 23 years after it was written, is perhaps even harder; safe, as we are, in the knowledge that since its publication little if anything has changed for the better. But that’s the thing about this whole collection – not everything discussed has been resolved just yet, but you’re left so grateful that Ehrenreich continues picking away at what ails society and shining a light on its unfairness.

The ultimate indulgent bit-by-bit read is, of course, the recipe book! One that’s perfect for the warm summer lunches ahead (fingers crossed) from long-time London superchef Theo Randall. The Italian Deli Cookbook (Quadrille, £26) was put together during lockdown and features achievable recipes based around a core group of high quality but readily available supplies, enhanced each time by a few fancier or fresher ingredients. The result is a cornucopia of colourful Mediterranean dishes, from brutally simple and familiar dishes set up perfectly – such as spaghetti with garlic, chilli and parsley chickpeas – to the equally manageable, but more unusual, such as chickpeas with braised summer vegetables and basil or sausage and squash risotto. Whatever you opt for, there’s an entire trattoria’s worth of dishes to recreate in South-West England this summer.

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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 29

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THE ENTREPRENEUR SERIES EXPLORE, EMPOWER, EXPERIMENT

Louis Bollard, MBA student at the University of Bath’s School of Management, explains how the Bath MBA is kick-starting his sports business after Covid-19

“I’M STARTING OFF WITH RUGBY SUPPORTERS SO BATH IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR IT. THEN I HOPE TO COPY INTO FOOTBALL AND OTHER SPORTS TOO”.

Louis Bollard, MBA student at the University of Bath’s School of Management

A

mbition, to me, means having a clear goal and knowing where you want to go – though not necessarily how you’re going to get there, as that always needs to adapt. I wouldn’t have described myself as ambitious in the past, but studying at the University of Bath’s School of Management rubs off on you. It sets you up very well for impressing future employers, and if you want to do your own thing, they’ll help you make those first steps.

“THE MBA HAS REALLY HELPED ME NETWORK AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE CITY” Louis Bollard, MBA student at the University of Bath’s School of Management

Since graduating with a degree in business, I founded my own company, Play Away Stay Away, a community of like-minded sports fans who host travelling supporters in exchange for being hosted on their away games. I thought, if nobody else is doing this on a big scale, I might as well be the one to do it! The idea of bringing people together, breaking down typical sports rivalries and connecting like-minded people brings a strong experiential value.

I started the business just before Covid-19 hit, not realising what was around the corner.

Fortunately, the Deb Lewis MBA Scholarship

offered an opportunity for me to use my year productively. It’s designed to help members of the regional community whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic to get back on track. There are still Deb Lewis scholarship awards available for the FT MBA and Executive MBA for 2021, visit the website for more information - go.bath.ac.uk./deb-lewis-scholarship The MBA has really helped me to network and build relationships with people around the city. You’re surrounded by interesting people and really good lecturers with strong academic backgrounds – it’s a great place to be. I would say to any prospective students looking at Bath – don’t hesitate, just do it. You will realise the benefits once you’re there. Take the first step and go for it.

Are you a graduate of the School of Management with a story to share? Connect with us: alumni@management.bath.ac.uk Interested in studying a business or management course? Find out more on our website: www.bath.ac.uk/management www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 31

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

KEEP ON TRUCKING

The Bradford on Avon Food Festival is returning to Victory Fields this month. On 17 and 18 July, a scrumptious selection of artisan producers will descend on the town to showcase their products, and celebrity chefs including Masterchef Champions Ping Coombes and Jane Devonshire and stars of The Great British Bake Off Steven Carter Bailey and Briony May will take to the stage for cookery demonstrations.

In between snacks, visitors can enjoy live music, Julia’s House Children’s Activities for little ones and even a circus workshop tent and dog show from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

For more: www.scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk

Good Day Café is expanding into a new production space

FOR THE GREATER GOOD

The Bradford on Avon Food Festival will feature artisan producers like The Truckle Truck

Good Day Café is expanding. The café on Upper Borough Walls has taken over the unit next door so they can expand their production space. It’s a massive step for the business, which has grown its range of goods a great deal over the last year, introducing popular new treats like their scotchies, cookie pies and cookie dough slices.

“Over the last year we have seen a steady rise in love for our brownies and other sweet treats, to the point that we couldn’t keep up all the baking and our brunch kitchen in one space,” says Steph Wilder, managing director for Good Day Café. “Luckily the shop next door for us was available to let, so we can continue doing everything in our fave corner of town. We are super excited about the new things we can make and increasing our production levels, so everyone can get a slice of what they fancy!”

For more: www.gooddaycoffee.co.uk Refillable’s owners, mother and daughter team Leny and Stamena Dimitrova enjoying their new alfresco seating

Refillable, the low-waste shop on the corner of London Bridge and Cleveland Road now has its own café-style seating, where guests can sit and enjoy a coffee or cold-pressed juice with a delicious hand-baked cakes, Bertinet pastry or raw chocolate treat from Chocbox UK. The family-run, female led business provides an environmentally-friendly shopping experience without plastic, where shoppers can bring containers to fill up from home (or buy them to fill up from the store). They also offer a drop and collect service where users can drop in containers to be refilled, as well as a click and collect service for goods ordered online.

They’ll home deliver for free, too, if you live within their delivery zone.

New for the summer months, Refillable has launched a series of ‘meet the producer’ events. Keep an eye on their social media for the latest updates and booking information.

For more: www.refillable.shop

© PATI.SHA Z AD

COFFEE CULTURE

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TRY FIVE 2

3

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CURRIES

When the craving for curry hits, Bath is completely spoiled for choice Words by Eleanor Duke

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MANTRA Mantra, a progressive Indian restaurant with a beautiful roof terrace, aims to defy the Western oversimplification of Indian cuisine – something they absolutely achieve with a healthy but rich and extensive menu filled with dishes from across India. The restaurant on Bladud Buildings uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and the menu always has spectacularly mouth-watering curries to offer, whether it be the flavourful Punjabi tandoori chicken tikka masala, or aromatic North Indian black lentil daal. www.mantraofbath.co.uk

2

THE COCONUT TREE Filled with a welcoming, lively energy, The Coconut Tree on Broad Street offers an authentic taste of Sri Lankan street food. The menu is absolutely heavenly, ranging from the amba maluwa – a sweet and tangy mango curry with a deliciously aromatic coconut sauce – to their innovative, signature Cocotails, which are packed with fresh and fiery ingredients. What’s more, the vibrant menu is perfect for vegetarians and vegans (as well as all meat-lovers), and the tapas-style serving means you make the most of the extensive menu. It’s a try-a-bit-of-everything scenario. www.thecoconut-tree.com

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3

NOYA’S KITCHEN With their thrice-weekly Pho, Curry & Noodle Night, Noya’s Kitchen makes for the perfect spot to try Southeast Asian curries, brimming with fresh ingredients and packed with rich herbs and spices. A trip to Noya’s Kitchen on St James’s Parade isn’t complete without a taste of Noya’s own mother’s cari ga (a Vietnamese chicken curry), as well as other delicious curries from across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Check out their Instagram page @noyaskitchen for heavenly photos of their colourful curries and other vibrant delicacies. www.noyaskitchen.co.uk

4

THAI HUT Thai Hut can be found nestled within the market stalls at Green Park Station. Offering a broad menu full of flavourful Thai street food, with all the classics from Thai green curry to chicken pad Thai, Thai Hut’s authentic (and generously sized) dishes are an explosion of flavour and originality. It is undeniable that the food here is superlative – and worthy of the ever-present queue.

Instagram and Facebook @thaihutbath

5

BANDOOK Located in Milsom Place, Bandook was

5

created by the brilliant team behind The Mint Room, and serves up Indian street food to Bath with its own modern twist. The menu is packed full of authenticity and originality, with their hearty curry bowls, including Grandma’s chicken curry (Bandook’s scrumptiously succulent signature dish), and the railway lamb curry, which draws inspiration from the curries served to first-class railway passengers during the British Raj, topping the charts as absolute must-try dishes. ■ www.bandookkitchen.com

WORK OUT, REST & PLAY

Lydia Tewkesbury escapes to Homewood for a wellness and fitness retreat

T

he day I went to Homewood, England turned tropical. I was attending a wellness and lifestyle retreat with Amy Williams MBE, Bath’s own former Olympian skeleton racer and gold medallist. Amy recently joined the Homewood team as Wellness Ambassador to the hotel, which means she’ll be running these overnight retreats every few months, in addition to monthly fitness classes with Homewood’s spa members, who also get exclusive access to Amy’s newsletter, where she shares her wellness tips, as well as meet and greets, lunches and dinners where members can enjoy her motivational talks and get the inside scoop on how an Olympian lives her best life.

I arrived sweaty (I made the choice to walk from Freshford train station to Homewood. It is mostly uphill but includes passing through the magical village of Freshford itself where every street is lined with rose-clad cottages of dreams, so I highly recommend this option) and was whisked by friendly and attentive staff into the cool surrounds of the bar, immediately served water and

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

introduced to my fellow wellness retreaters, as well as Amy herself.

At Homewood, there are no luxuries spared. From the snack stations scattered throughout the hotel featuring popcorn (sweet and salty available), sweets, biscuits, drinks and even ice cream covering basically any and all late night cravings, to the kitchen garden guests can wander and the utter tranquillity of the spa and outdoor pool, being at Homewood feels like another, kinder world. One where snacks are plentiful and everyone knows your name – something I was so impressed by how many staff remembered and used.

A retreat with Amy is an entire wellness experience, from the menu to the workouts to the attitude.

We started with salad. At Homewood, salads are a sumptuous affair. Served in a bowl bigger than my head, I was presented thick, juicy tomatoes piled high with tangy mozzarella and tossed in a bed of crisp salad leaves and springy giant cous cous. It was one of those meals that felt like self care, one of those meals that made me think – why don’t I make salads like this for myself ?

WELLNESS RETREAT

above: Amy partners with the chef to design a healthy menu:

far right: Cosy and eclectic rooms; right: Enjoy a meal with your

fellow wellness retreaters; bottom: Luxury at Homewood

Because that’s the point of these retreats, it’s not just a weekend one-and-done, it’s a motivational intensive for living a wellness-led, salad eating life.

Every little piece of the Homewood experience is curated with care, from the fruit-stuffed bottles of water served with meals to the refreshing gin and tonic with their own Kaleidoscope gin, made with botanicals grown in their kitchen garden.

All of this – perhaps with the exception of the gin – made for excellent work out fuel. Though, to be clear, the retreat isn’t solely about feeling the burn. There’s plenty of spa time and lots of eating (my pre-work out breakfast was a perfectly balanced avocado and poached egg on toast eaten on the delightful Olio terrace in the sunshine), with Amy’s cheerful and enthusiastic workouts that feel like a welcome addition – you really earn your pool time and gin.

Amy keeps it casual, and the idea with these retreats is you can participate in as much or as little working out as you choose. If you want to join all of the sessions though, it’s totally doable. Amy plans a well-balanced mix of high intensity interval training, low impact sessions, ab burners and stretching – starting at 7.30am in the already bright sunshine with a morning stretch was honestly heaven as soon as my feet hit the mat for my first downward facing dog of the day. It’s worth rolling out of bed for, I promise. The work outs are totally adaptable to the skills of the group, and for every exercise, Amy offers levels of difficulty so if, like me, you cannot do a push up to save your life, there are still options for you.

I left feeling lean and limber, with fresh exercises to implement into my routine, a head brimming with ideas for all the future fancy salads I am going to make (sadly they will not be sourced from my own kitchen garden), and a stark reminder of the importance of taking a bit of me time. n

“You really earn your pool time and gin”

RETREAT DETAILS The next retreats take place 4-6 September and 4-6 December.

Starting price for a wellness and fitness retreat with Amy Williams is £1,400 fully inclusive single occupancy and £2,000 for double occupancy

DINING DETAILS Where Olio Restaurant Opening hours Olio is open 7 days a week from 12-9pm Owners Ian and Christa Taylor (Also owners of Bishopstrow, The Bird, and No.7 Upper Lansdown) Head chef Jamie Forman Established Homewood relaunched in January 2020 after a full refurbishment. The Olio terrace was launched in July 2020 when lockdown restrictions lifted Covers Olio seats around 80 covers at one time on the terrace Disability access The terrace is fully accessible and all facilities are on the ground floor For more: www.homewoodbath.co.uk

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WELLNESS RETREAT Amy Williams trains in the beautiful grounds of Homewood Hotel & Spa

GOLD STANDARD How Amy Williams incorporates wellness into every day

By Lydia Tewkesbury

A

my Williams knows how to work. A gold medal-winning Olympian skeleton racer (the one where they ride the skeleton bobsled down a frozen track head first), in the early days of her athletic career she fitted in training around studying for her Sports Performance degree and shifts at Hotel Chocolat.

When she and her fellow racers of Team GB arrived in Vancouver for the fateful 2010 Winter Olympic Games, winning a medal wasn’t a matter of pride, but one of necessity – the sport was in danger of being cut in the UK. Many would crumble under the pressure – Amy walked away the first GB female individual gold medallist in 58 years.

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Ten years on, her motivation hasn’t faded. A mum to two boys under five, she decided to get her personal trainer (PT) qualification while she was pregnant with her youngest, now two years old. She transformed the double garage at her Bathampton home into a gym (part new business, part ten-year medal anniversary gift to herself) and started taking on clients in the time she could find while the boys went to nursery – then the opportunity came up to partner with Homewood Hotel as their wellness ambassador. It was perfect – a short ten-minute drive from home to train in gorgeous surrounds. Who would say no?

As a mum young children, Amy’s approach to fitness is all about doing what you can, with the time you have.

“My tagline is fitness, wellness and performance – so, everything. It’s not just about lifting heavy weights, it’s about lifestyle and making healthy choices every day,” she says.

There are no crazy diets or commitment to starting every morning at 6am in the gym.

“Even if you don’t get that hour in the gym to lift the weights, don’t be harsh on yourself. Could you just do a lovely stretch and roll about on a foam roller, or get a resistance band out while you’re watching TV for ten minutes at the end of the day? While the kettle is boiling you could do a press up against the work surface, and when you’re cleaning your teeth at night can you do some little calf raises. It sounds silly, but bringing in little tiny things throughout your day makes it manageable.” For Amy, this looks like taking the kids out for walks and bike rides, combining activity and family time.

Her retreat with Homewood adopts a similar ethos – yes you can get up at 7.30am for yoga (and I recommend it), but you don’t have to. It’s an experience you can tailor, to be enjoyed by married couples, people flying solo, hen parties, exercise fanatics, and those looking to hit the fitness reset button. “I really want it to be for everyone. You don’t have to do all these sessions but there is a schedule here, you can come along to everything, you can dabble, you can dip in and out – you can go to the swimming pool and the spa and then come and slot in another session later on. There’s something aimed for every ability,” Amy says.

If the personal training, wellness ambassadorship and small children weren’t enough, Amy has also found time to write a book, Talent to Triumph: How Athletes Turn Potential into High Performance, which will be out later this year.

“It’s aimed at teenage athletes but definitely could be for 12-year-olds-plus – even a mum or dad could pick it up and learn from it. I share ten chapters of guidance on things like selecting your sport, barriers, team work, fear, mind-set, setting goals, having routines.

“It’s not an autobiography but it’s got all my stories and examples from around the Olympics – with 35-plus amazing quotes, contributors and endorsements from other top medallists and Olympians, so it’s a real gem of top tips that you can take away and increase your performance – whether that’s to get on your school football team or go all the way to the Olympic Games.”

With her PT clients, her sessions at Homewood and soon, her book, Amy makes wellness realistic, even when it seems as if there are never enough hours in the day.

Whether you’re on a wellness retreat or not, there are always opportunities to feel better.

“You never regret choosing to exercise,” Amy says.

“You always feel good afterwards.” n For more: www.amywilliams.com

Woolley Grange is offering a Wind in the Willows themed afternoon tea for the summer

SPILL THE TEA Where to experience the quintessential British treat, the afternoon tea Compiled by Lydia Tewkesbury 40 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I

t doesn’t get much more indulgent than an afternoon tea.

You arrive with only one intention: to eat. You have to sample every sandwich, otherwise you’re simply doing it wrong. That ramekin of clotted cream? Not a serving suggestion, but a challenge. If there isn’t enough scone to accommodate it all, we go in with a sneaky teaspoon when our server’s back is turned.

Sometimes, we pocket what remains of the miniature jar of jam for tomorrow’s breakfast.

As for the tiny cakes? They are just small enough that we can convince ourselves we have room.

The reason the afternoon tea is always served in such beautiful surrounds is because after making your way through every tier from sandwiches to scones – you simply can’t move. You are forced to sit in post-tea stupor and absorb the view – whether that’s a tranquil hotel garden or the opulent décor of a drawing room. It is the ultimate treat, and Bath knows how to do it – from the quintessential experience at Sally Lunns, a Bath institution, to the modern approach at The Bird, where the quirky crockery is just as important as the cakes.

Here, a few of Bath’s best hotels share makes their afternoon tea experience so special.

AFTERNOON TEA Silmiya Hendricks, commercial director at LUCKNAM PARK, Colerne, Thickwood, Chippenham; www.lucknampark.co.uk The tea: The full afternoon tea features a selection of sandwiches including classics like ham and tomato, egg and cress, and home-made preserves, a selection of dainty patisserie prepared by Lucknam’s pastry chef and a selection of leaf tea or coffee.

Price: £34 per person. Add a class of Joseph Perrier Champagne for £16 per person.

The experience: The afternoon tea is served in our 18th century Palladian mansion set amidst 500 glorious acres of beautiful gardens and unspoilt parkland.

What’s the story behind the tea? Our head chef is Hywel Jones, who has held a Michelin star for his restaurant since 2006.

Hywel uses a recipe inspired by his Welsh grandmother to create the welsh cakes in our afternoon tea.

A note from Hywel “As a child we used to go to my grandparents ‘Nain a Taid’ (in Welsh) most Sundays. We were always treated to a fabulous Sunday roast, but the highlight for me was my Nain’s freshly baked Welsh cakes. As I grew up and became interested in cooking, I asked her for her recipe but she never had one! She made them so often she could do it with her eyes closed and without weighing anything. Years later we made Welsh cakes together and I weighed the ingredients as she was pouring them in to bowls so I’d finally have her recipe. She still didn’t understand and said the love you put in to making Welsh cakes is more important than weighing the ingredients.

When I cook these for my family now I know exactly what she meant.”

Lucknam Park’s afternoon tea can be enjoyed in their traditional drawing room

“The love you put in to making Welsh cakes is more important than weighing the ingredients”

Dig into your afternoon tea in Lucknam Park’s picturesque 500 acres

Guillaume Lesage, general manager at NO.15 GREAT PULTENEY, Great Pulteney Street; www.guesthousehotels.co.uk The tea: Traditional fare of dainty sandwiches, canapés, scones and cakes made with fine British ingredients and incorporating playful flavours. The afternoon tea is also available as a picnic.

Price: £30 per person, sparkling afternoon tea £38 per person.

The experience: The experience doesn’t start when you’re seated at your table, but as you walk down the majestic Great Pulteney Street, and continues as you enter our beautiful listed Georgian building that carries untold inherent beauty and grace. The perfect afternoon tea combines savoury and sweet treats. Our tea honours that noble tradition but brings playful flavours together to give it a twist for today.

What’s the story behind the tea? Matt Gillard, our head chef, has always been fascinated by the beautiful petit gateaux you find in the windows of French patisseries. He uses vibrant colours and texture to create some British classics with nostalgic touches. Don’t be surprised to find a chocolate tea cake and battenberg on the menu.

The tea in three words: Beautiful, tasty delight.

What’s your favourite part of the tea? I think it’s the tea sets, the tea cups, the plates, the saucers. We designed ours to match the décor, so they are bespoke to No.15 and crafted by talented people in Birmingham.

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

AFTERNOON TEA

“Our head chef has always been fascinated by the beautiful petit gateaux you find in the windows of French patisseries”

No. 15 have their own bespoke tea sets

Caroline Browning, general manager at ROSEATE VILLA BATH; Henrietta Road, Bath; www.roseatehotels.com The tea: Traditional afternoon tea with everything from the bread of the sandwiches to the delicate cakes made in house, served in the Henrietta Bar or the Roseate Villa’s tranquil garden, which looks out across Henrietta Park.

Price: Starts from £27.50 per person.

The experience: Ideal for a special occasion – or just an afternoon treat – enjoying an afternoon tea in our Henrietta Bar or garden is the perfect way to spend an indulgent hour. You can be tempted by our sweet and savoury bites, from smoked applewood cheddar with homemade seasonal chutney sandwiches to freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, which can be paired with an extensive selection of teas or a glass of Champagne.

Who are the team behind the tea? Roberto and Norma, our talented bakers, who never fail to create something outstanding.

Together, they worked hard to perfect our menus in order to offer those who dine with us the absolute best experience. From our homemade jam for our afternoon tea, to our delicious charcuterie board, they have covered every detail to ensure guests are catered for. Both Roberto and Norma are eager to serve you mouthwatering food in The Henrietta Bar and garden. Guests who dine with us will truly taste the love that has been put into each sandwich and sweet treat.

The tea in three words: Unparalleled, moreish and exquisite.

What’s your favourite sandwich option? For me it is the smoked salmon with horseradish cream and rocket.

What’s do you love most about an afternoon tea? Hearing guests debate on whether the cream or jam goes first!

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

Mary Stringer, marketing manager at THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath; www.royalcrescent.co.uk The tea: The Royal Crescent Classic and the Royal Crescent Classic Vegetarian. Each option features a selection of elegant finger sandwiches, a classic Bath Bun, a warm scone, exquisite pastries and intricately decorated cakes, complemented by a choice of Ronnefeldt teas from around the world, sourced exclusively for guests of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. Children’s afternoon teas are available.

Price: £37.50 per person, £50 with a glass of Champagne, £65 with a flight of Champagne. £19.50 per child.

The experience: Afternoon tea at The Royal Crescent is an unforgettable affair, especially when enjoyed in our acre of hidden gardens. The experience begins as soon as you turn the corner onto The Royal Crescent and take in the majesty of the iconic Grade I Listed building. When you walk through the front doors you are greeted with warm and attentive service, then led through our gardens to your table. Your server will present your afternoon tea and describe each sandwich, pastry and cake, then leave you to enjoy the experience.

Who is the mind behind the menu? Our afternoon tea offering is headed up by our new head pastry chef, Mikey, who continually develops the menu, and updates the cakes seasonally. Mikey takes inspiration from our classic English country garden, so you’ll enjoy mouthwatering flavours such as fresh raspberry, and vibrant colours that jump off the plate.

The tea in three words: Elegant, plentiful, memorable! above: There’s nothing like afternoon tea in the sunshine at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa; left: Delicate cakes at Roseate Villa Bath are painstakingly crafted by pastry chefs Roberto and Norma

Marc Mac Closkey, general manager at THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA, Beau Street, Bath; www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk The tea: All the hits – delicate cakes, exquisite finger sandwiches and the option for Champagne if you fancy.

Price: £30 per person, Champagne afternoon tea £46 per person, Rosé Champagne afternoon tea £49 per person.

The experience: Our afternoon tea is served daily in The Canvas Room. The room is quintessentially British and irrefutably modern.

Its understated elegance makes it the perfect venue for a classic British afternoon tea. We have chosen to partner up with JING Teas as our exclusive tea supplier. They specialise in finding rare and precious teas to create the artisan blends that underscore the perfect afternoon tea at The Gainsborough.

What makes your afternoon tea especially indulgent? Our warm fluffy scones, baked in-house by our dedicated pastry team combined with Somerset’s finest clotted cream and local strawberry jam are a wonderful indulgent treat.

The tea in three words: An extraordinary treat.

What’s your favourite sandwich combo? Breast of chicken with tarragon mayonnaise on sourdough.

What’s your favourite part of the afternoon tea? Enjoying a chilled glass of rosé Champagne on a warm summer’s afternoon while trying to decide which pastry to have next!

Sue Williams, front of house manager at WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA, Malmesbury; www.whatleymanor.com The tea: Traditional tea with perfectly crumbly buttermilk scones, taken in The Garden Room, the Drawing Room or on one of Whatley Manor’s beautiful terraces.

Price: £34 per person, add a glass of Gusbourne sparkling wine £46.50.

The experience: The atmosphere in the Garden Room is light, elegant and relaxing, in a pretty and tranquil location set in the heart of the Cotswolds. Take a stroll around the 12 acres of gardens with 26 different areas. Listen to birdsong and the soothing sounds coming from

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

above: They serve only Somerset’s finest clotted cream at The Gainsborough; below: The canvas room at The Gainsborough: quintessentially British and irrefutably modern

the water fountains on the terrace. Or sit a while in one of our hanging chairs in The Loggia Garden with lily pad water sculpture and look out onto the surrounding countryside.

What are the influences in the menu? The kitchen team create a seasonal afternoon tea taking inspiration from the ingredients available at the time. Fruits from our kitchen garden are used whenever possible.

The tea in three words: Luxurious, satisfying, enjoyable.

What’s your favourite sandwich filling? Sliced beef, horseradish cream and rocket.

Caroline Mackay, marketing manager at WOOLLEY GRANGE HOTEL, Woolley Green, Bradford on Avon; www.woolleygrangehotel.co.uk The tea: A selection of freshly made sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, a selection of patisserie and cakes, a choice of loose-leaf teas, coffees or soft drinks.

The price: £27 per adult, £15 per child.

The experience: Afternoon tea is served on fine white porcelain in this beautiful Jacobean manor, which has a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Set in 14 acres of grounds, the country house is part of the Luxury Family Hotels collection. Enjoy a pre- or post-afternoon tea ramble around the grounds and admire the produce growing in the Victorian walled garden, the chickens, rabbits and runner ducks, the ancient orchard and, if you have children with you, the playhouses, swings and giant trampoline.

What makes your offering unique to Woolley Grange? Themed teas run at different times of the year. Until the end of September you can enjoy a Wind in the Willows-inspired afternoon tea, complete with Ratty’s lemon posset and Badger’s chocolate & berry swiss roll.

Who’s the team behind the tea? French pastry chef Sebastien creates mouth-watering delicacies, overseen by head chef Dean Westcar, who was formerly head chef at Lucknam Park’s Restaurant Hywel Jones.

The tea in three words: Delicious. Relaxing. A real treat…whoops that’s four words…or five!

What’s your ultimate sandwich filling combo? That’s so difficult

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

AFTERNOON TEA to choose, but these three are really popular, using lovage from the garden: egg and cress, smoked trout and watercress and cold chicken and lovage.

Beth Perry, senior events and marketing coordinator at THE PUMP ROOM, Stall Street, Bath; www.thepumproom.co.uk The tea: All the hits with a less-than-traditional addition of savoury bites like miniature chicken and tarragon pie and salt-beer and gruyère toasty.

Price: £36.50 per person The experience: Once at the very centre of Bath’s Georgian social scene, The Pump Room remains one of Bath’s most delightful spaces in which to while away an afternoon. With tables dressed in crisp white linen, gold and burgundy drapes at every window and the original spa fountain trickling away, it is a unique experience.

Who’s behind the tea? Our delicious menu is designed by our talented executive chef, Mark Pearson. For Mark, it’s really important to source local produce, from both a sustainability perspective and to support local businesses. Our afternoon tea menu is therefore designed with the ‘best of British’ in mind, using locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible to create a luxury experience with a little something for everyone.

Our head pastry chef, Luciana, has a real eye for perfection and enjoys the delicacy and detail of the afternoon tea ceremony – the hand-crafted decoration on the chocolate opera cake and the lightness with which one must treat the scones when baking them. n above: A classical atmosphere for tea at The Pump Room: below: Afternoon tea at Whatley Manor is a tranquil affair

“On a sunny day take tea on the terrace, overlooking the front lawn with views across the valley”

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 45

Successful, well-established year-round language school in the centre of Bath requires

HOMESTAY HOSTS IN BATH to host both short-term and long-term students.

We teach adults and teenagers, and need both single and twin-room accommodation.

For further details, including rates of payment, please contact our Accommodation Manager: Sarah Wringer, Kaplan International Languages Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB Direct Line (01225) 473502, Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

SWING BEAT

A sofa, a swing, a cocoon to read in, or simply a space to gently rock yourself to sleep – a hammock can be all things to all people.

This Palma hammock with portable metal stand is designed to be waterproof, long-lasting, and the polyester and cotton blend, makes it as soft as it is comfortable.

The Palma hammock, £185, Graham & Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47

COLEMAN WEATHERMASTER 8XL TENT, £1,399.99 A bestselling family tent with blackout bedrooms, completely waterproof and no trip hazards. Better still despite its generous size, it inflates in minutes.

From BCH Camping, 30 Southgate Street, Bath, www.bchcamping.co.uk

SEA TO SUMMIT WILDERNESS WASH, £4.50 A super-concentrated liquid that’s gentle on fabrics and skin but also effective on dishes and laundry stains. It is biodegradable, fragrance-free, and comes in a super strong, no-leak bottle.

From Bath Outdoors, Unit 8, Broadway Court, Miles Street, Bath; www.bathoutdoors.co.uk

PITCH PERFECT Best in their field camping accessories

WILDERNESS MULTI TOOL, £20 Handy multi-tool features an abundance of stainless steel tools held within a compact handle including a knife blade, a saw, bottle opener, a corkscrew, a flathead screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver and a removable flint rod.

From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk INDUSTRIAL STYLE FIRE PIT, FROM £175 Crafted from raw steel with a beautiful basket style brazier and three sturdy legs, this statement fire pit will make a striking and warming centrepiece.

From Cox & Cox, www.coxandcox.co.uk

NI GLOW SELF GLOWING KIT MARKER, £6.99 These battery-free glow-sticks quickly recharge by sun or artificial light sources to produce 10 hours of neon light – use to locate tent zips, bags, keys in the middle of the night.

From The Bath Bushcraft Shop, 151 Locksbrook Road, Bath; www.thebathbushcraftshop.com

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

ED’S CHOICE ED MOLLY MID HEIGHT PRINTED WELLIES, £44.95 Heritage-inspired prints make these side buckled, mid-calf wellies a colourful option even on the greyest of days.

From Joules, 12 Northgate Street, Bath; www.joules.com

RAB SOLAR 2 SLEEPING BAG, £125 Providing both comfort and warmth, this lightweight, packable and water repellent sleeping bag comes with an with internal stash pocket.

From Cotswold Outdoor Bath, 2 Abbeygate Street, Bath; www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

ISHAN RECLAIMED FOLDING DINING & COFFEE TABLE, £395 This Ishan folding table, perfect for occasional outdoor use, are made from reclaimed wood and distressed metal in a unique design. The pieces include two sets of legs, a long and a short allowing you to use the piece as a dining table or a low coffee table.

From Nkuku, stockists Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com

BEAU NUAGE L'ORIGINAL UMBRELLA, £32 Each of these gorgeous, beautiful to handle umbrellas, seen here in lagoon blue, comes with its own absorbent cover that utilises three-layer technology allowing the wet umbrella to be placed in a bag or a pocket and stay dry.

From Grace & Mabel, 3 George Street, Bath; www.graceandmabel.co.uk

WHITE SUGAR RAINCOAT, £165 A functional and funky midi-length raincoat

by Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen with hood, welded pockets, two-way zip, in a glossy white waterproof fabric.

From Grace & Mabel, 3 George Street, Bath; www.graceandmabel.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 49

CAMPING

“In the absence of festivals for another year, the Nesta team have focussed on creating the dreamy staycation” 50 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

THE FEELING IS IN TENTS

The Big Red Bus Bar can be found at Nesta Yurt Camping in Frome

Who needs passports and euros, when we’ve got pastures and yurts?

By Sarah Moolla www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 51

CAMPING

I

s there anything more liberating, more Bear Grylls, more survivalist, than putting up a tent and calling it your home for a few days? Until recently camping has been seen as the preserve of the hardy festival goer trudging around the muddy pop-up canvas city of Glastonbury, but thanks to the pandemic curbing overseas jaunts, many of us have been reclaiming the guy ropes and rediscovering the joys of not doing very much at all in an open field. And as most of the delicious enjoyment comes from the fields, fires, bbq’d food and maybe some marshmallows, you don’t have to travel very far to get all that and more, especially when you live in this neck of the woods…

THE ONE WITH A BIG RED BUS

Nesta Yurt Camping, Critchill Manor Estate, Frome; www.nestacamping.co.uk Created in 2021 in the absence of festivals for another year, the Nesta team have focussed on creating the dreamy staycation, offering restorative vibes and ambience with their experienced festival touch.

The four acres of field and woodland, sleeps up to 100 people in various sized traditional yurts with prices from £40 pp per night.

The dizzying array of activities and amenities include hot showers, compost loos, the bookable Wild Tribe Forest School, massage therapists, yoga shala classes, gong baths, woodfired hot tubs, the on site Nesta Bistro, entertainment nights from guest and resident artists, fire pits, and of course that Big Red Bus Bar with stretch tented bistro and lounge area. The team can also point you in the direction of plenty of wild swimming spots just a short drive from the site.

THE ONE WITH CIDER

Tucker’s Grave Inn and Campsite, Tucker’s Grave Inn, Faulkland Bath; www.tuckersgraveinn.co.uk The Tucker’s Grave Grade I listed historic pub is believed to be one of the smallest in Somerset and has been around since the beginning of time, well since 1827 and has pretty much stayed as it looks now since World War I. The ten acres of grounds provides up to 50 pitches and also with electrical hook ups for caravans campers, and motor homes, and prices starting from £8 per person per night. The essence is pretty much wild camping with no shower facilities but bags of charm, character and activities including tractor parades, dozens of ciders to choose from, full English breakfasts in the barn, visiting foodie vendors, and live music.

And for some extra stardust magic, The Stranglers wrote a song about it, actually called Tucker’s Grave, and Glastonbury farmer Michael Eavis is known to play here with his band.

THE ONE ON THE FARM

Great British Glamping at Rainbow Wood Farm, Claverton Down, Bath www.greatbritishglamping.com / www.rainbowwoodfarm.com This is an exclusive pop-up glamping site on the historic Georgian farm of Rainbow Wood, which can accommodate 15-20 pitches allowing for

below: The exclusive pop-up glamping site on Rainbow Woods; right: The Stranglers wrote a song celebrating Tucker’s Grave

“The farm covers some 300 acres of grazing and woodland areas” 52 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

above: Rediscover the joy of not doing very much at all in an open field; right: The tucked away cabin of Hidden Wood

ample space for each, and costs from £85 per tent per night.

The farm covers some 300 acres of grazing and woodland areas and the site is situated alongside ancient hedgerows in a large meadow with woodland views and beautiful sunsets. Rachel and James, who farm the land, can provide pre-arranged farm tours for the guests to meet this year’s lambs, the two bulls and their herd, and may even be given the chance to feed Harry The Pig. The natural canvas bell tents can house up to four or five guests in each, with slightly smaller bell tents ideal for couples. Amenities include luxury loo and showers available to guests; free car parking; log-fuelled fire pits for toasting marshmallows and sharing stories around once the sun begins to set.

THE ONE WITH A SCANDI CABIN

Hidden Wood Glamping, Corsley, Warminster; www.hiddenwoodglamping.com On the doorstep of Longleat, surrounded by the unspoiled Wiltshire countryside and an ancient bluebell wood, these pitches consist of one cabin and one pod, with prices start from £130 per night. Both pitches have their very own Scandinavian wood burning hot tub, hammocks, fire pit and barbecue, with fully stocked kitchens plus self-contained toilets and showers within.

Kids and dogs can enjoy the large paddock for balls games and running in, which is fenced in securely giving carers peace of mind, plus there is a swing hanging from an oak tree. Canimore Woods and Clef Hill are also near by and great for walks.

THE ONE WITH THE INN

Glamping on the Hill, The Vobster Inn, Lower Vobster, Nr Radstock; www.glampingonthehill.co.uk Set in four acres, there are two Mongolian yurts that sleep up to six with

prices at £175 per night, and two shepherd huts for couples from £100 per night. As well as being on the site of the gastronomic delights of The Vobster Inn, there are private facilities for each unit including log burners, firepits, linen, towels, cooking utensils, electricity and electric heating, and free wifi in the Inn. It also happens to be located a mere two minutes from Vobster Quay, with the centre offering open water swimming and scuba diving options.

THE ONE WITH RIVER SWIMMING

Stowford Manor Farm Campsite, Stowford Manor Farm, Wingfield, Trowbridge; www.stowfordmanorfarm.co.uk The campsite, with room for around 30 pitches and prices starting at £24 per night, is situated on a family run working dairy farm. Along with wood fired sourdough pizza every evening, cream teas in the afternoon, regular coffee and ice cream vans doing the rounds, locally produced barbecue and breakfast boxes, and the occasional crafting

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 53

CAMPING

“Many of us have been reclaiming the guy ropes” above: A Mongolian yurt from Glamping on The Hill that sleeps up to six people;

right: The River Frome plays a big part in stays at Stowford Manor Farm Campsite; right bottom: Luxury Family Hotels’ pop-up glamping in the grounds of Woolley

Grange Hotel

workshop, the River Frome plays a big part in stays here offering the chance to fish, swim, paddling board, and even boat with small fees payable to the Farleigh and District Swimming Club.

THE ONE WITH FIVE STAR LUXURY

The Luxury Family Hotels’ pop-up glamping in the grounds of Woolley Grange Hotel, Woolley Green, Bradford on Avon; www.woolleygrangehotel.co.uk / www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk There are eight luxury glamping suites, and each suite features one large master bedroom with a double bed dressed with crisp, cotton bed linen and bedside tables with atmospheric lamps. A second bedroom features two single beds, bedside tables and a book shelf featuring a selection of classic children’s books. Both bedrooms have direct access to a private bathroom with a flushing toilet, a contemporary standalone shower with hot and cold running water 24/7, and a separate wash basin.

The whole family can enjoy the Hideouts pizza, paella, curry and BBQ nights, followed by toasting marshmallows over the firepit.

Adults will enjoy the food and drink, sipping cocktails in the Hideout or booking into the restaurant for a slap up meal by award winning head chef Dean Westcar. There’s also the option of an indulgent spa treatment in the Elemis spa or perhaps a quiet read on their balcony whilst the children are looked after in the Woolley Bears’ Den. Prices start at £375 per night per two bedroom suite, minimum stay 2 nights.

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

GARDENS

PURPLE REIGN

How one local family replaced herds of cows for fields of lavender Words by Nick Woodhouse Pictures by Somerset Lavender

O

n paper, a lavender farm in Somerset shouldn’t work. Perhaps in the Provençal hills, where the weather is decidedly warmer, the soil more free-draining. But less so in the village of Faulkland, ten miles south of Bath. Despite the natural drawbacks, one family has successfully farmed the aromatic and evergreen shrub ever since planting their first lavender field in 2004. A field soon to come into its full summer glory, row upon row of silver foliage draped in a hazy purple mist.

The decision to move to harvesting lavender was one borne out of necessity. The family originally took on Horsepond Farm in the 1930s, when former miner Joseph Green chose a new way of life in response to the closure of many of the area’s mines. He initially rented

in almost ultra-violet rows.

Sourcing a harvester in a country not known for its lavender production was however a challenge. Francis and Judith responded to a small ad in Farmers Weekly, placed by a broker offering to help anyone in search of specific farm equipment. Following a call to the broker, a suitable option was soon found, in the Luberon massif in central Provence. Francis and Judith duly booked a flight to Montpellier, renting a car to drive to the village in question.

It was lunchtime when they arrived, the villagers mid-aperitif, so they had to wait a little while see the harvester. A sale was soon agreed however, a handshake transcending all previous language barriers.

On returning home, they found themselves waiting quite some time for news on the harvester’s possible delivery. They had almost given up on its arrival when they received a phone call; the machinery was on its way and would be with them within the hour.

The very harvester has, along with much of the farm’s machinery, been adapted over the years to suit the everchanging needs of the farm.

Fortunately, Francis worked as an agricultural engineer before taking over the reins and has been able to share this knowledge with the family’s next generation. Today, Francis and Judith are joined by son Chris and daughter Amy in the day-to-day running of the Somerset Lavender farm, which now runs to two five-acre lavender fields and over 50,000 plants. This year, an additional six acres have also been dedicated to the growing of sunflowers, for the benefit of birds and visitors in equal measures.

There are three harvests at the farm over the summer months; the first for hand-cut dried flowers, the second for the distilling of essential oils, the third for dried lavender bags and potpourri. The timing of each harvest is crucial; the flowers need to be fully open, so the harvester will tend to be seen out on a warm sunny day, late in the afternoon.

The flowers are cut by one of the farm’s two vintage Massey Ferguson tractors; it’s a slow,

“The oils are distilled on the farm…and left to mature for six to nine months” the 50 acres, developing a mixed farm with a milking herd, hens, geese, and pigs. Over time, he bought the farm and specialised in milk production, adapting to the quotas on offer. When the current generation, Francis and Judith Green, took over the reins in 1994, they extended the milking herd to include more Jersey and Guernsey cows, producing the creamy milk for which the Channel Islands are so renowned. Like many farmers however, they were unable to weather the unprecedented downturn in milk prices that was to follow, and an alternative source of income had to be found.

After considering a wealth of options, the family chose lavender in place of herds. It was a huge learning curve, one that involved extensive research and trials of many a variety of the plant. The first field to be planted is the one that welcomes visitors today, where the lesser-known variety, Folgate, still stands proudly

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

traditional process that lasts about six weeks through July and August, with just one or two rows cut each day to ensure the essential oils are fully preserved.

These very oils are distilled on the farm, using traditional steaming methods, and left to mature for six to nine months. The farm shop on site is a testament to the versatility of the herb. Hand-tied bunches of lavender sit next to pillow mists, natural plant wax candles, soaps and tea. This versatility is equally as evident in the café where the menu offers home-made recipes such as lavender and almond cake. The farm’s flower and vegetable garden provides produce such as asparagus and lettuce for the lunches on offer too.

It’s not only the food miles that are low here; all the plants on sale in the farm’s former slurry store are also grown on site. As well as a wide range of perennials and climbers, these plants also include many of the varieties of lavender on display in The Lavender Garden. It is here that enthusiasts can see first-hand the habit and colours of over 20 varieties of the shrub, from English varieties (Lavandula angustifolia) to their French counterparts (L. stoechas) and onto the larger, fragrant hybrid group (L. intermedia).

Somerset Lavender is, above anything else, a working farm. The antithesis perhaps to recent, big-budget projects such as Hauser and Wirth’s Durslade Farm to the south; more polished projects that often grab our attention with greater ease. It is surely however this very contrast that makes this farm so very special, its story even more engaging. A family’s tale of determined perseverance and devotion, set not a year in Provence, but now, and on our very doorstep.

For more: www.somersetlavender.com

Nick Woodhouse is the co-director of interior and garden design company Woodhouse & Law on 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The farm runs to two five-acre lavender fields

and over 50,000 plants; just a few of the Somerset Lavender products made on the farm; there are three harvests over the summer months; the first lavender field was planted in 2004; the farm used to specialise in milk production

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Top of the range KUTCHENHAUS offers contemporary German designed kitchens from the centre of Bath

T

he challenges thrown at businesses in Bath over the last twelve months have certainly been like none faced before, with local firms in all sectors under unprecedented strain. Despite this, there are positive stories to tell of new openings and investment in the city, together with resilience and opportunity.

One such good news story is the opening of the Kutchenhaus kitchen showroom. Off the back of their success in Bristol, owner Rob Cash opened the doors last July to their new central Bath showroom on Saracen Street, which showcases the best contemporary kitchen design.

“It’s been a long established ambition of mine to open a showroom in Bath,” Rob says. “We’d been looking for the right site and then this fantastic location in the centre of the city came up.

It needed to be the right place to showcase the Kutchenhaus brand and we’ve found it.

“This year has been undeniably tough, but I’m proud of the fact that we’ve been able to keep operating all the way though to provide a service to customers, utilizing remote meetings and socially-distanced site visits together with a remote design service that hasn’t compromised our high standards.

"Another source of pride is the fact our opening created employment opportunities, with our new team comprised of local kitchen experts who had lost their previous roles through closures.

“We are now open for appointments in our Covid secure showroom, where across two floors our displays present the latest kitchen design trends, along with top-of-the-range appliances. The Kutchenhaus ethos is about offering the best quality German engineering at highly competitive prices, enabling us to create a kitchen to suit any budget.

Starting with our free design service, our kitchen design team can guide you through the whole process and make your dream kitchen a reality." n

Visit in person or book a virtual appointment at: www.kutchenhaus.co.uk Saracen Street, Bath, BA1 5BR | 01225 634025

The Flying Pig Renovation Company w w w. f l y i n g p i g i n b a t h . c o. u k

Locksbrook Inn, owned by The Bath Pub Company, sits on the canal

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STREET LIFE

ESTATE ASSEMBLY John Mather finds entrepreneurs, big businesses, pubs, and delis happening at the Locksbrook and Brassmill trading estates

W

hen we here at Bath Life do these local area features, we normally get to wax lyrical about the beautiful stonework and historic buildings; the diverse and supportive indies; and the sense of community. But this is a trading estate – a brutal looking series of ugly but functional industrial units, yards, and warehouses. You’re looking at corrugated roofs, shuttered frontage, and concreted drives with rows upon rows of white trade vans. Not pretty but many of the plain façades house a hive of productivity, entrepreneurship, and probably, all in all, bring more wealth and employment to the area than you can shake a Georgian wig at.

The canal side trading and industrial estate is home to dozens of hugely successful businesses including international manufacturing giants Rotork; the multi-million online sex toy makers Lovehoney, and Bath Spa University has taken over the huge Herman Miller site (see page 80 for more on this) as their new Locksbrook campus. Plus there’s colour printer experts Ralph Allen Press; the family-owned design and construction firm Flying Pig Renovation Co; alongside bathroom suppliers, building merchants and plumbing specialists, and delis, a gastro pub, and a brewery. Here we explore just a few of those trading estate gems...

The Locksbrook Inn – gastro pub, www.thelocksbrookinn.com

When did you first arrive on Locksbrook Road? And how many of you work at the pub now?

Assistant manager Zoe Brown: We opened The Locksbrook Inn on 23 May 2016. We have around 50 team members at the pub, and we are part of The Bath Pub Company, which means three sister pubs all in Bath.

It gives us an instant support network just a few minutes away.

Why refurbish this particular pub [previously called The Dolphin]?

We chose this pub as we felt the area was under served with few places for people to eat, drink and meet. Having the local businesses gives the area a buzz during the day when many of the neighbours are at work, and it means there is never really a quiet time at the Locksbrook. And we mustn’t forget those beautiful views of the canal and all the people passing by at all hours.

“The area feels a bit like one big family now”

What other businesses on the estate do you work with?

We’ve worked with the Electric Bear Brewing Co. and The Flying Pig Renovation Company (who have helped build much of the garden area), and we are loving our new neighbours Basil’s Bakery. We often host meetings at the pub for local businesses, and keep in regular contact with many of them to help improve the area, pass on news or just share stories.

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contemporary kitchen spaces

emersonliving

Call to make an appointment to visit our showroom

01225 571943

www.emersonliving.co.uk

your space, your way.

STREET LIFE Indian Pizza Company – speciality pizzas, as well as Grocer Events Catering – outside catering; www.indianpizzacompany.co.uk / www.thegrocercafe.co.uk When did you first establish your business at Windsor Villas?

Owner and chef Nick Peter: We first set up here 11 years ago, originally as The Grocer Café and catering services, which worked really well. But when the pandemic hit we had to completely change our business module to survive, and so in 2020, the Indian Pizza Company, and Grocer Kitchen Takeaway catering service was born.

Why did you choose this area?

Both my partner and I were drawn to Locksbrook as we have lived in the area for the past 30 years and wanted to give something back to the community. We also saw so many interconnecting paths from Bristol cycle tracks, river walks, Victoria Park, and the positive building plans surrounding it. It really is the hub of many things. There is also a great sense of community that runs along from Locksbrook up to Chelsea Road .

How has your location benefitted your businesses?

The whole operation of the Electric Bear Brewing Co stems from the estate

Is there a sense of community here?

We found the businesses really supportive and quickly got to know many of the people working locally, which was a real benefit when starting up. The area feels a bit like one big family now. We get to know their routines, plus we’ve shared many of their celebrations including leaving dos, work get togethers, team meetings, and Christmas dinners.

Electric Bear Brewing Co – brewery of hop forward craft beer; www.electricbearbrewing.com

You’ve been on Brassmill Lane since September 2016 – why here?

Digital sales and marketing’s Rebecca Muirhead: It is a great, well looked after estate, enough parking on site and a real mixture of businesses.

We chose here as it is a frequently visited area by the locals and residents of Bath. Some come down for paint from a nearby trader, and then leave with 12 beers! We have a massive car park which gets turned into our taproom outdoor space at the weekends, so the space is fully flexible to our needs.

Myself, wife and daughters work for the business and over the years the great advantages have been getting to know the locals and workers on the trading estate and building up working connections and loyal friendships. It’s a real hard-working and supportive community. We have also hosted outside catering events at the Electric Bear, which I have really enjoyed.

Emersonliving – designers and makers of bespoke kitchens and furniture; www.emersonliving.co.uk

Why did you choose Brassmill Enterprise Centre for your furniture and kitchen design business?

Director/designer James Emerson: I was previously based near Radstock and had been looking to move into Bath and have a showroom for a while. There is a real shortage of decent commercial/workshop properties of this size. So when this finally came up ten years ago, I jumped at the opportunity.

The family owned Indian Pizza Company was born during the pandemic

Who makes up the team, and are you all based on the estate?

We have five brewers – Ian, Alex, Martyn, Guy and Ash. Laurie, Conor and myself – who work in the office at the brewery; JC is our amazing delivery driver who is out and about in the van; and Tom is our sales guy, hopping around bars and restaurants all over the South West. There is also Will, and the taproom warriors who run our bar from Thursday to Sunday. Our whole operation stems from the estate from the brewing, packaging, our Taproom and our brewery shop.

What are the direct benefits of the location?

We wanted an area that was close to Bath, as this was important for us, to supply other local businesses and be easily accessible for visitors to our taproom. It is great being so near to the Bristol Railway cycle path as well – we get a lot of customers who finish their cycle with a beer.

What are the other estate businesses useful to you?

We are regulars at Tool Station for brewery bits and bobs, and even new work shorts for the brewers on a warm day! We use the garage for our van servicing, along with Europarts. The brewers love the addition of Basil’s Bakery, a stone’s throw away for great bread, and vegan sausage rolls.

Is there a sense of camaraderie here?

The area has a real sense of community. The locals have been incredibly supportive over lockdown and we have created a great friendship with our regulars over the years.

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STREET LIFE What’s your working space like?

We have a workshop on the ground floor, and have converted the office space upstairs to a showroom for our kitchens. I have one employee and we both work at the business address, when we are not installing our furniture.

Any changes over the years?

The main change has been the refurbishment of the bathroom suppliers Roper Rhodes which has greatly improved the appearance of the area.

What are the benefits of being on a trading estate?

I suppose the biggest benefit is that people visiting Total Bathrooms for example, also notice us. In terms of community, people take in deliveries for others and look out for each other’s businesses and property.

James Emerson director and designer of Emersonliving

What other nearby businesses do you frequent?

Mostly La Bottega, it’s a very handy Italian suppliers and deli counter.

Total Bathrooms – suppliers of bathrooms, wetrooms and steam rooms; www.totalbathrooms.co.uk Since establishing yourselves on Brassmill Lane in 2000, what changes have you seen?

Marketing manager Tom Northway: There is a lot more diversity and smaller businesses in the area now, not just the larger industrial companies as in the past.

Why did you choose this area for your business?

Because of the proximity of Roper Rhodes, the independent supplier of bathroom furniture and bathroom products, with whom we work very closely. We have a unique setup with them where we sell their clearance / end of line stock at amazing prices as well as their full range of new stock.

“There is a lot more diversity and smaller businesses in the area now”

Who works at the site?

We have 18 staff members including nine designers, a cleaner, and a few warehouse and office staff, who are all based in the premises.

What are the benefits of being here?

Free and plentiful parking. Being a destination store, most of the customers who visit the showroom are serious about their projects. It’s also great getting to know our neighbours as it’s not a through road, which means there is less traffic, low pollution, and it’s pretty peaceful.

Do you liaise much with your neighbours?

Being so close to dozens of other friendly businesses we often help each other out such as lending our forklift and driver when required. There is the Italian food supplier near us La Bottega with a great retail shop attached to their warehouse, which is perfect for food and beverages. We also have great relations with All Things Liquorice, the team at Rotork, Toolstation, Howdens for supplies, Avon Tool Hire for equipment, and we use The Locksbrook Inn for meetings.

Hurley Engines & Garden Machinery, sells services and repairs garden machinery, www.hurleyengines.co.uk

Why did you move to The Maltings Industrial Estate, and what were your first impressions?

Director Paul Hurley: We opened here in 1983 to expand the company, going from just engine reconditioners, to providing sales, servicing, and repairing garden machinery of all shapes and sizes. It was lovely area to move to then, and still is today. Unlike other business parks, this one has a lot of greenery which helps keep the premises looking smart and attractive to customers. Over the years, the units have changed colours to help make them look more attractive.

Why are the advantages for Hurley Engines in being based here?

The benefits are that we have enough space to be able to carry out the kind of work we do daily without any trouble. Also, on this trading estate, we are close to our customers around the Bath and surrounding areas for them to travel to us and for us to travel to them. Customers do not have to pay for parking, and they can also discover us as they visit other popular companies on the estate. We are also outside the clean air zone which benefits many of our customers.

How many of you are based in your unit?

We have nine members of staff in our team, all based in the premises – three in the stores, five in the workshop, and one in the office.

Have you got to know the other traders?

Total Bathrooms have been on Brassmill Lane since 2000

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On the estate, we all try to help one another where we possibly can. Whether that is providing machines to employees of other businesses, or having work done on our premises by the companies who we share with. n

Open daily from 8:30am for breakfast, lunch & dinner  Great tasting, home cooked food  Craft beers, local ales & ice cold beers  Barista coffee, tea & healthy smoothies  Outside bar & riverside terrace  Homemade, hand stretched pizzas  Cracking cocktails

www.thelocksbrookinn.com 103 Locksbrook Road, Bath BA1 3EN Tel 01225 427119

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It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>8 HOLLAND STREET RETURNS (68) >>BIZ CLUB WITH DR JOHANNE WARD-GROSVOLD (71) >>BIZ Q&A RACHEL LAWRENCE, FOUNDER OF STORYHOUSE (72)

Neil Madle, founder of CityFibre, the full-fibre platform behind a £25 million project in Bath

Speed of light Bath’s digital amibitions are set to get a boost from a new, super-fast broadband network

B

ath’s broadband woes may soon be over.

CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform has broken ground on their £25 million project to create a citywide network.

“Bath is an historic city most often associated with the likes of Jane Austen and its Roman Baths, but it’s also a forward-looking area with one of the fastest growing tech economies in the UK,” says Neil Madle, CityFibre’s city manager for Bath. “I’m immensely proud to see work getting underway in Bath today as it means businesses and residents will soon have access

BUSINESS CLUB

to the best infrastructure available. It’s important to remember that any short-term disruption will pay off tremendously in the long-term. Once the network is built, it will serve the community’s connectivity needs for decades to come and underpin the city’s digital ambitions.”

CityFibre is working in partnership with builders Kier Group and Bath & North East Somerset Council to deliver the full fibre network, which uses 100 per cent fibre optic cables to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection, enabling speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for upload and download,

near limitless bandwidth and dependable connectivity.

“This is a once in a generation upgrade that will future-proof our network infrastructure at a time when connectivity has never been so important,” says councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Resources and Economic Development with B&NES Council. “Access to fast, reliable broadband is vital to the recovery of the local economy, enabling local businesses to attract the best talent and more residents to access or return to employment through flexible working.”

For more: www.cityfibre.com

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Bath Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 115

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HOLLAND, SOMERSET

Jody Cory has created a range inspired by Bridgerton

London and Bath-based design store, 8 Holland Street is expanding with a new spot in Mells. For their new countryside outpost in the historic Somerset village, they have transformed a former garage neighbouring The Talbot Inn into an atmospheric showcase for the brand’s trademark collection of ceramics, textiles, furniture, artworks and general store items. “‘The General Store’ was once the heartbeat of village life,” says Tobias Vernon, founder of 8 Holland Street. “I want to reclaim that sense of community whilst injecting modernity into this tradition. It’s fun to add something unexpected to this vibrant part of Somerset and to show that innovative shopping destinations don’t have to be confined to the city.”

8 Holland Street will also return to Bath this autumn with a new space on the corner of Margaret’s Buildings and Brock Street. They are going to take over the whole townhouse with a new gallery and retail space on the ground and lower ground floors, and an exciting new project on the upper floors including a curated apartment space and retail concept.

For more: www.8hollandstreet.com 8 Holland Street is opening a new space in Mells

FIT FOR A DUCHESS Jody Cory Goldsmith has launched a brand-new range inspired by Bridgerton. Designed right here in Bath, the pieces evoke the grandeur and romanticism of the Georgian period – and, if you’re lucky, might just catch the eye of a passing duke.

“With our love of Bath and Bridgerton we have created this Bridgerton-inspired jewellery range based on designs from the Regency period,” says Jody. “It was a very romantic time, which is reflected in the elegance of the beautiful necklaces and delicate rings.

“We can’t wait to see the next romance in the Bridgerton family.”

For more: www.jodycory.co.uk

DARK MATERIALS

Diane Harding with her debut book

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Bath-based author, Diane Harding has released her debut memoir, Always in the Dark with BLKDOG books.

Going through her mother’s things following her death, Diane came upon a secret box, the contents of which would change her life forever.

“Always in the Dark, published by BLKDOG Publishing in London is a deeply moving memoir that tells of secrets, scandal and survival; an unimaginable tale of growing up in a ménage à trois in the 1950s that had been cleverly concealed from me during my formative years,” says Diane. In her mother’s things, Diane uncovers the secret about the strange visitor who joined the family when she was only three years old and became ensconced in their everyday lives.

“My search for the truth sent me on numerous missions to talk to many people, only to discover that I was the last to know about my dysfunctional family. My goal was to hear an apology for my ruined childhood,” says Diane.

Always in the Dark is available now from Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights and Oldfield Park Bookshop.

For more: www.blkdogpublishing.com

Diane with her mother, who’s difficult life story she tells in Always in the Dark

The team at Abode PR are celebrating a year of success

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS

Award-winning Bath-based global B2B technology public relations agency Abode PR is celebrating an excellent year. With new international clients like Breezeway and Operto in the holiday accommodation sector, a growing team and a brand refresh, Abode have cemented their place in the local and international business landscape.

“It’s been an exciting and busy time for Abode PR, which has been worth celebrating,” says founder and director Jessica Gilligham. “We’re especially proud to have carved out a name for ourselves in the industry internationally from our hub in the South West and hope to inspire other local start-ups in doing so.” www.abode-pr.com

Councillor Richard Samuel; Ellie Leiper, owner of The Grapes in Westgate Street; Councillor Kevin Guy; Allison Herbert, chief executive of the Bath BID

AT THE HUB OF IT The High Street Hub is now open on Cheap Street. The Hub will be a temporary base from which the council can provide swift and direct support to high street businesses, and is funded by government Covid-19 response grants.

“These are hugely challenging times for our high street businesses and we want to offer them direct and targeted support,” says Richard Samuel, deputy

leader and cabinet member for Economic Development & Resources. “I’m pleased that the creation of High Street Hub will mean that we have a physical presence in the heart of the city, where traders can come and speak with us and get the right help for their business.”

The High Street Hub will be open Monday-Friday.

For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk

ROYAL RECOGNITION

Sue Turner, CEO of Quartet Community Foundation from 2015 until September 2020, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of her commitment to social justice.

“This is a wonderful achievement for Sue personally, as well as for Quartet Community Foundation,” says Sue Mountstevens, chair of Quartet. “It recognises the extraordinary work undertaken by Quartet under Sue’s leadership.

Her time with Quartet coincided with a period of exceptional growth, one that has seen Quartet work ever more closely with communities in the West of England. It has become an important and respected thought leader in the community and voluntary sector.” www.quartetcf.org.uk

GOING FOR GOLD

University of Bath alumna Sara Parfett is set to make her Olympic debut this summer. She joins fellow alumni Helen Glover and Rio medallist Vicky Thornley on the Team GB rowing squad for Tokyo 2020. All three began their rowing careers at the Team Bath Sports Training Village and Minerva Bath RC, where they were picked up by the British Rowing World Class Start talent identification and development programme.

Helen Glover, a double gold-medallist, will become the first British rower to compete at the Olympics after having children.

“This is the thing I was aiming for when I first came back,” says Glover. “I genuinely thought it was an impossible mission this time last year but I always had this day in my sights and I feel really proud that it’s here and that I’ve made the Olympic team.” www.teambath.com

Catch up with EntreConf on YouTube

EXPERT INSIGHT The new conference for entrepreneurs, EntreConf took place 1 July, just before this issue of Bath Life was published. All the videos from it are on the EntreConf YouTube channel, including keynotes from TED Conferences owner, Chris Anderson, former Google chief of staff Ann Hiatt, and Ecotricity owner and green pioneer Dale Vince.

The dynamic new event was created to inspire local entrepreneurs and offer

practical advice from thought leaders across industries in subjects like futurology, trend watching and the psychology of entrepreneurs.

Experienced business people offered wisdom gained through years of experience alongside showcases of new, promising scale-ups with the bulk of their success still to come. Look out for full coverage in Bath Life’s next issue due out 16 July.

For more: www.entreconf.com

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SPONSORED BY:

BATHWORKS You can watch Dr Johanne Ward-Grosvold's conversation with Greg Ingham on Bath Life's YouTube channel

TIP THE SCALE The Bath Life Business Surgery hosted Dr Johanne Ward-Grosvold of the University of Bath for a discussion about the disproportionate impact Covid19 has had on women’s professional lives it was often cheaper for mum stop working and stay at home compared to dad. As long as that gender pay gap persists, there is always going to be a financial incentive for women to drop out of the workforce in response to crisis.

D

r Johanne Ward-Grosvold is an associate professor at the University of Bath’s School of Management.

Prior to her academic career, Johanne had corporate roles in the media, energy and financial services sectors.

These days, her main areas of research cover corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and representation of women on corporate boards. She recently joined the Bath Life Business Surgery for a conversation about her current research: the asymmetric impact of Covid19 on women and their leadership ambitions.

Why did you move careers from the private sector to academia?

Becoming an academic allowed me to bring my authentic self to work. Academia is very accepting and has a huge manifold of individuals, where everyone brings their own unique strengths to the table. One of the things that struck me when I was going for interviews in corporates was always the questions of 'how do you operate in a team?' and 'do your values align with the corporate culture?'

That’s not really a thing in academia, and that brings opportunities for allowing people to be who they are – that’s what makes academia a great place to be.

In what ways has the pandemic highlighted gender inequalities?

There is a vicious circle around the issue of the pay gap. We know that women on average make less than men, and what became clear is for a family faced with prolonged home schooling, economically

Have the industries hard hit by the pandemic impacted women especially?

The fact that our hospitality was hit so very hard has been absolutely devastating. It’s an industry that because of its nature employs a lot of women who are trying to fit income generation around school and nursery drop offs and pick-ups, and where there’s a lot of part time employment.

Have women from ethnic minorities felt the impact more acutely?

The project we’re in the early stages of working on looks at the intersection of race and gender.

Women from ethnic minorities have often had a double whammy because not only are they subjected to issues of institutional racism but they are more likely to work in precarious employment situations and less likely to have full time, permanent jobs.

We can’t shy away from the difference of experience – that has been very sharply demonstrated by this pandemic.

Is there still a place for women-only development programmes?

I have found them personally beneficial.

However, one of the challenges women face is that we don’t have the right networks. The problem comes when you only have women, none of who know the right people, networking with each other – that isn’t going to solve anything. It’s an annoying answer but I think it’s a bit of both – opening up spaces to women to develop those business competencies in a way that is conducive to how they learn and how they think, but also providing the opportunity to make connections and contacts.

What do you think about quotas for genderbalanced hiring practices?

My basic premise is this: we’re missing out on good talent, we’re missing out on good people, we’re missing out on value creation and we’re missing out on innovation. We shouldn’t let that happen.

How can businesses guard against unconscious bias?

Unconscious bias is hugely difficult to ward against. I think the first step is to know what your unconscious biases are. You need to be prepared to be really honest with yourself – it’s going to be painful and awkward. Take the opportunity to start the conversation, start thinking about bias, and not shy away from seeking out people who are going to challenge you on how you think and how you perceive things.

Has Covid made you more or less optimistic about the future for gender equality?

There are conversations taking place right now in businesses that were unheard of when I started this work. My incredible students are so switched on about issues on inequality, of gender and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Yes, I am hopeful, but I don’t think we can be complacent. What has been very clearly shown is we have a long way to go, but I think we can absolutely take heart from how far we have come.

For more: www.bath.ac.uk The Bath Life Business Surgery is a regular free Zoom meeting where local businesses can access expert advice and insight from local professionals across a range of disciplines. Follow @bathlifemag on social media for information about the latest clubs and how to sign up.

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

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BATHWORKS

“WE CAN TAKE GREATER RISKS” manuscript for fiction, an area we don’t publish in. I’d recommend checking the ethos of the publishing house and ensuring your title is a good fit.

There are hundreds of publishing houses in the UK alone. There is a good up to date directory online at www.indiepublishers.co.uk.

BIZ Q&A

Rachel Lawrence

The founder of independent publisher Storyhouse on producing picture books that inspire the imagination Tell us about your career so far After studying at Norwich School of Art, I moved to Bath to complete a degree. My first publishing job out of university was as an editor before I joined Penguin in London. I returned to Bath for a role as children’s publisher but whilst on maternity leave, I decided to set up on my own. We needed greater flexibility as a family.

What do you love about publishing children’s books?

I’ve been working with children’s books for over 20 years. You never forget the stories you loved as a child, they have that enduring quality. Watching my own children read and seeing their imaginations develop is so special.

Please could you tell us a bit about what indie publishing is and how it works – how does it differ from mainstream publishing?

We operate on our own as an independent publisher rather than

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as part of any large corporation. The advantage is that we have complete autonomy of decision making and we’re quick at making them! Our contributors have greater input as there are fewer stakeholders to keep happy and we can publish books with less obvious commercial appeal and we can take greater risks.

Why did you decide to go out on your own and launch an indie publisher?

Just before I set up Storyhouse, I met many inspiring parents at toddler classes. They had interesting jobs or plans for really creative initiatives. Many conversations and the support of a brilliant life coach here in Bath helped me to decide to set up my new business.

Chance meetings turned into something life changing.

What sort of children’s books do you publish?

We’ve focused on picture books. It’s a really hard genre to get right yet

looks deceptively easy and it’s such a competitive area but there is so much scope for creativity.

Why is it important to you to publish children’s books about wellbeing and care for the planet?

I’ve always felt that great stories are part of books and there is room to add more. Our stories gently entwine ideas about friendship, teamwork, caring for the environment… Children navigate so much whilst growing up and I wanted our books to in some way provide support.

Are you open for submissions?

We do accept submissions for picture books via email. It is a small list so we have to be selective.

What are some of your top tips for authors submitting manuscripts?

Definitely research carefully before sending anything. Today I received a

What are some of the challenges unique to children’s publishing?

For indie publishers, the main challenge is the number of other children’s publishers and books out there. It’s a brilliant industry to be in which makes it extremely popular.

The large UK publishing houses have bigger budgets and can sign established and/or recognised authors more easily.

For authors and illustrators, it’s also about the level of competition. I always suggest taking a look at some great short courses which can help you to shape your portfolio such as those on www.makeartthatsells.com.

What are some of your favourite children’s books of all time?

I still love the Brambly Hedge Books series. The level of detail in the illustrations is magical. Where’s Spot is a favourite too and perfect for toddlers.

I worked with the author Eric Hill during my time at Penguin and was responsible for the Spot list. A brand new book I love is If You Go Down to the Woods Today by Rachel Piercey and Freya Hartas. It’s the book that I wish I’d published, it’s so beautifully written and designed.

What have you got coming up?

Our next book, The Last Seaweed Pie, is out in September and is endorsed by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). It’s a story about ocean conservation, recycling and the importance of working together.

Three per cent of the printed cover price will go directly to the MCS. Although Bath is not by the coast, our rubbish still finds its way into our oceans, so this story contains an important message for everyone.

For more: www.storyhousepublishing.com

SPONSORED BY: © SOUL MEDIA

It’ll for our first big night in over a year so we’re dressing to impress

© SOUL MEDIA

BATHWORKS

Georgina McLaren and Nathan Baranowski from digital wonderlab

The Bath Life Awards celebrates the best of Bath’s businesses, from professional services to cafes, retail to charity

Just the ticket The Bath Life Awards tickets are live

T

he tickets frenzy for the Bath Life Awards 2021 is upon us. The waiting list is closed, priority booking is almost through, and after that we expect a surge to claim the remaining few seats for the ceremony in September.

Due to the popularity of the event, tickets are only open to finalists.

With the announcement of the judges (check out the awards website to learn more about the biz brains our finalists will have to impress this year), the countdown to awards night really begins. It’s almost time to celebrate the best of the best of Bath’s local businesses, from hospitality to retail, charity, health, wellbeing, technology, innovation and beyond. The Bath Life Awards is a special space where we shine a spotlight on all that makes our city great – and every year we’re blown away but just how much creativity, invention and tenacity we find. We all know Bath is great, obviously – but there’s nothing to remind you how great like the Bath Life Awards.

This year is additionally special of course – celebration on top of celebration at the gathering itself. For many of us, it’ll be the first big night in over a year – so we’re dressing to impress.

You’ve got two months of outfit planning time, so there’s no excuse.

Do make sure you grab those tickets while you can – we’d hate to see anyone miss out. It’s going to be quite a party.

There are still limited opportunities to get involved in the festivities. Ball Room silver sponsorships have sold out, but a few remain in the Tea Room. At this point, sponsoring is one of the only sure-fire way to get tickets to the night itself.

We don’t know about you, but we’re counting down the days.

For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

TESTIMONIAL

“It was a huge accolade for us, as our local area is at the heart of everything we do; we work, live in and breathe Bath and the surrounding area.”

Nathan Baranowski, digital wonderlab, Business Services winners 2020

SPONSORSHIPS For remaining options, please contact annie.kelly@ mediaclash.co.uk or pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk

Limited number of silver sponsorships, which include a table at the Awards. Please note: we sell out every year with many on the waiting list.

TICKETS See social media for updates.

AWARDS The uberglam Bath Life Awards

will be held in the Bath Assembly Rooms on 9 September 2021.

Nothing beats being there…

SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on @bathlifeawards Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for all updates.

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

#BATH TOGETHER GREG INGHAM

Isolation chamber

S

It’s not ‘appy news but Greg goes with the flow o I was told to isolate. Not the most arduous of asks or tasks. And nothing at all like what so many have experienced over these months. Or indeed at different life stages. Of course. But a jolt nonetheless.

We’ve all become used to the imprecations of ministers, prime or otherwise; of the role-playing of parents and bosses and teachers about doing the right thing and then doing some other right thing; and even the admonishings of friends as we have all attempted to navigate what, on balance, in the circumstances, may just be permissible in terms of masks, distancing, touching, if not of jaunts to Barnard Castles.

We’ve largely all been compliant, fully taking on our social responsibilities, understanding our role in the collective while occasionally being sniffy about the loose actions of what others deem to be covidiots. (In passing, how

dull that much public discourse is more diametric, reduced to rude simplicities. The nuancing of multiple greys becomes the apparent certainties of dialled up black or white, with the worst full of Yeatsian passionate intensities.)

This felt more personal. The app beeps and the state tells me to stay indoors. I’d been tracked and traced. They’d got me.

Impersonal, immediate and inarguable; incomplete too: I didn’t know and couldn’t know where I had apparently had contact with someone who was diagnosed as positive.

First though, the survival reflex cut in. Time for a Lateral Flow Test (in passing again, for these are discursive times, surely that phrase needs a rebrand, a reworking? What does it actually mean? Why those words? What exactly is Flowing? Google hasn’t caught up: what it is, of course, is explained, but not its etymology.

Though I did discover that it is also known as a Lateral Flow Assay, which sounds rather louche and much more attractive. I’ll do one of those: I shall assay an

“The app beeps and the state tells me to stay indoors ”

Assay. But I digress again, as I did on that day: anything to defer the moment of addressing isolation). And yup, the test was duly, dully negative. Good.

Then what?

Here’s the thing. Nothing.

Felt like I couldn’t do anything.

Couldn’t even pop out to the shop, let alone anything like socialising or walking or nipping over to Cardiff for Father’s Day or, or… anything. Option paralysis of multiple choice became a memory; when faced with an inevitability there was no point in having an opinion.

In truth, it was such a marginal deprivation of liberty for a few days, the thinnest sliver of restrictions in the grand scheme of things. And yet, without over-thinking it [Warning: he’s about to over-think it – Ed], I had the briefest, merest insight into what it is like to have no agency over your actions. Of course, we all had that in Lockdown 1: The Seismic Shock and then in Lockdown 2: The Really Tedious Sequel. But even then, you could step out for, ooh 2,000 seconds a day or whatever it was. This time, I couldn’t.

But who would know? What are the sanctions? Does this isolation do any good? Does it actually matter? Does anything actually… I pondered how I was descending from the Kafkaesque of not knowing what had happened (“Somebody must have

made a false accusation against Joseph K, for he was arrested one morning without having done anything wrong”), to the Beckettian weltschmerz of feeling adrift, outside, othered.

Briefly, admittedly. And more by way of roleplay tbh, of seeing what it felt like.

Then on to the practical, of cancelling social stuff, of contacting people I’d been in contact with, a little embarrassedly: it wasn’t my fault but it also somehow wasn’t not my fault either. Bit weird. The app perked up. My isolation was ending that night at 23.59. So I perked up. Great: I shall go for a walk at midnight to celebrate!

The treat of Bath in the quiet dark. But it was raining. So I didn’t. And normal life of being able to consciously decide not to do things had resumed… #BathTogether – always…

Greg Ingham was a journalist back in the day and runs MediaClash jointly with Jane Ingham. He chairs Creative Bath, and can be found @gregingh

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

Bailbrook Lane, Bath A stunning development of two individual, contemporary, luxury homes in a secluded setting with magnificent views.

Only one remaining!

01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

FINALIST

Protect our vanishing rainforests The Bath-based charity Rainforest Concern has protected over 5 million acres of threatened forests since it was founded 27 years ago. To find out how you can become a member, corporate partner or for other ways to help, see www.rainforestconcern.org “The work of Rainforest Concern becomes more vital every day as deforestation continues around the world.

They have saved many acres of forest and we must help them continue this vital work.”

Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS, former Director of Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

01225 481 151 | info@rainforestconcern.org | Registered charity: 1028947

rainforestconcern

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Matthew Leonard Director

Lucy McIlroy Director

Denise Latham Lettings Manager

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

Hope House is an example of Acorn taking on an existing building with heritage and reworking it into new homes

Sustainability

GREEN HOUSES Acorn Property Group launches Acorn Green to help achieve net zero carbon in 2035

In a move towards achieving the net-zero carbon goal by 2035, housebuilder Acorn Property Group has launched Acorn Green, a sustainability focused vision that encompasses their full development portfolio. It has appointed Energist, specialists for sustainability planning and building regulations, as a longterm partner, who will assess existing and future developments from both construction and operational perspectives.

With a focus on South West of England as well as London and South Wales, Acorn, which

is committed to reusing buildings wherever possible, currently has 14 live sites including Hope House on Lansdown, and a further 10 in the pipeline, all of which are unique, with many featuring existing or historical buildings.

The first landmark development to champion the Acorn Green kitemark will be Saxonvale, the regeneration of 10-acre brownfield site in Frome, Somerset. A high-quality bespoke residential led mixed-use development; it is set to offer circa 300 new homes, a variety of commercial spaces including offices, live-work units and other commercial space.

Saxonvale will create a sustainable living and working community that capitalises on proximity to Frome town centre and the presence of the river with its associated network of footpaths, enables lifestyles for which access by foot and bicycle are central features.

Julian Hampson, group design director and Acorn Green ambassador for Acorn Property Group, says, “As a regeneration specialist, we pride ourselves on working carefully with architects, heritage experts and local communities on how to transform sites whilst incorporating their history into our designs, often by retaining existing buildings. They say the greenest building is the one that already exists, and we embrace that wherever possible; the resulting homes reduce embodied carbon in addition to retaining unique character and a rich sense of place and space, something our buyers really appreciate.

“This method does mean we need to develop bespoke approaches for each site to meet our green goals without compromising the complex nature of each construction programme.”

For more: www.acornpropertygroup.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 79

PROPERTY NEWS

left: Cleveland Bridge in an engraving from 1830 by FP Hay which shows the toll houses open below: Cleveland Bridge in more recent times

Cleveland Bridge

SPANNING THE YEARS Bath’s historic Cleveland Bridge has been closed for essential repairs to safeguard its future. The £3.8 million project to renovate the Grade II* listed structure is expected to last three months, reopening at the beginning of September.

Cleveland Bridge was designed by the architect Henry Goodridge and built in 1826 using the warm golden Bath Stone and an elegant cast-iron arched span created by the English ironmaster William Hazledine. It was named after the 3rd Duke of Cleveland, and its purpose was to take traffic of that time – horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians – over the River Avon. The bridge now carries 17,000 vehicles a day. Despite routine maintenance, it needs extensive major structural repairs for it to continue to function safely, as well as preserve its heritage value.

For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk Fascinating history runs along Bath’s river line including the Herman Miller Factory, which is now Bath School of Art and Design

Bath River Line

RIVER DEEP The Bath River Line, which will create a linear 10km park following the River Avon from Batheaston to Newbridge, is calling for people to share their memories of landmarks and places along the route.

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

The BRL project designed to “connect beautiful green spaces and city landmarks, tempting pubs and peaceful water meadows” wants this side of Bath, beyond the Georgian glamour, to be celebrated, protected and explored, and hopes for this to be enhanced by collective experiences being pooled. “Perhaps you worked at Stothert & Pitt or the Herman Miller Factory and have some photos from

that time?,” ask the BRL organisers. “Or you remember walking when it was still lined with old cloth and woollen mills. Perhaps you know the story behind the Haile Selassie memorial beside the river, or maybe you simply remember lazy days fishing, swimming or boating in the river.” Visit the website to participate and add your memories.

For more: www.bathriverline.co.uk

THE OLD BARN Matilda Walton explores a modern farmhouse

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

T

here is a sort of calm tranquillity at the top of Widcombe Hill, where The Old Barn sits at the border of the Bath Skyline Walk.

A detached four bedroom in an exclusive development built around 20 years ago on the site of an old stone quarry, the property is utterly suited for family life. With its spacious wrap-around garden, which offers plenty of running space for the little ones in addition to a multitude of secluded spots for rare parental lounging opportunities, and direct access to the National Trust cared-for Skyline trail – for the family that likes to spend time outdoors (and after the year we’ve had, who doesn’t?), The Old Barn is perfection.

Bath’s property scene may be primarily known for its Georgian town houses, but its modern developments have a shine all their own. As the name implies, The Old Barn is modelled in the style of a farmhouse, so think stone elevations, and interiors that are charming and characterful, but practical too. It’s flawlessly contemporary, with recent renovations including a sleek, modern kitchen with rustic limestone flooring, and family bathroom designed by Ripples. The double glazing is new too, so you’ll be cosy when the winter months roll back around.

It’s a gorgeously light and bright property, with a scattering of French windows throughout the ground floor offering direct

PROPERTY

access to the garden. The drawing room is particularly special, with a double aspect outlook and no less than three sets of French doors, offering a refreshing fluidity between inside and out. There’s nothing like throwing open those doors on a warm evening and letting the air drift in, suffusing the home with the warm cut grass scent of summer.

Space is plentiful, from the entrance hall (roomy enough that the current inhabitants use it as an office), to the sitting/dining room and kitchen/breakfast room, the multi-functionality of it all creates a flowing, open-plan feel. It also benefits from utility and cloakrooms, for tucking away clutter.

Upstairs is equally spacious, with four well-proportioned bedrooms (three complete with fitted wardrobes) – with an en suite shower room in the principal bedroom, so you can wave goodbye to competing with the kids for bathroom time in the mornings. Much the same as downstairs, natural light floods in, giving the bedrooms an open, fresh feel. They’re the sort of rooms where you imagine you might leap out of bed in the mornings, rather than rolling over and hitting snooze for the third time. Whether or not this is the reality, the feeling remains – these bedrooms have a cheerful air.

With the shops, cafés and pubs of Widcombe only a short march downhill in one direction, and the lush woodland walking of the Rainbow Woods on offer in the other, The Old Barn sits in a truly enviable location with a lifestyle to match.

HOUSE NUMBERS Price £1.1m Sq ft

2,110

Bedrooms

4

Bathrooms

2

Garages 2 For more: Savills, Edgar Buildings, 17 George Street; tel: 01225 474500; www.savills.co.uk

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

Excellent - 4.9* out of 5

QUOTE ‘BATH LIFE 1’ QUOOKER 2 EE and receive FR .

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NEW QUOOKER LIVE DEMONSTRATION AREA OPENING THIS JUNE Our doors are open and we welcome customers back in to the store.

If you’re looking for advice or have any queries, you can of course also reach us by phone, email or via the website.

01225 311811 | enquiries@coopers-stores.com | coopers-stores.com Coopers Stores, 13/15 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN

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That little something extra

W

Peter Greatorex from THE APARTMENT COMPANY offers some unexpected ways to make your apartment more attractive to buyers…

hen selling your Bath apartment there are many things that you can do to increase its appeal. Giving it a deep clean, a full declutter and fixing those niggling jobs you have been putting off are always top of the agenda. These are things buyers expect as standard, but what if you want your home to have that little something extra? This is where you need to think outside the box and find ways to make your abode a little more interesting. Here are some of our ideas for unexpected ways you can make your apartment more attractive to buyers.

THE SMART APPROACH Whether you’re a lover of smart technology or not, according to data from Juniper Research there will be 1.3 billion connected smart homes in the world by 2024. And this figure will keep increasing as technology evolves and buyers start to add these features to their wish lists. Even today, as we tour apartments on valuations, we see Amazon Echoes gracing rooms, Ring doorbells, and smart home

security systems, giving people more control of their home and security at their fingertips.

If you have installed any smart systems, it’s worth mentioning this to your estate agent, as it could be a real draw for those that want to be highly connected, even at home.

HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE When you’re looking to buy a new home, it’s often not until you head down the sales process that paperwork is presented when requested by a conveyancer. But imagine if you went to view an apartment and copies of any paperwork associated with the apartment were there for you to check.

The boiler certificates, any documentation to certify works you have had done, any specialist maintenance – how much more confident would you be about placing an offer when the sellers are proving they have nothing to hide?

tired curtains can instantly transform a space and make it look more attractive to potential buyers.

Curtains can also make ceilings appear higher, which is fantastic if you have a room which is on the smaller side. You can achieve this by hanging the curtains right under the ceiling and making sure they are long enough to brush the floor – this visually lifts the ceiling and makes windows appear bigger too.

At The Apartment Company, we believe in delivering experiences for potential buyers through our marketing, our communications and our relationships. For that unexpected and wonderful experience when selling your home, give our team a call. n

THERE IS MAGIC IN CURTAINS One piece of your home’s interior that is often overlooked and underestimated is curtains, which can have a real impact on a room. Simply replacing

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

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T: 01761 431354 E: enquiries@ashleycollinspainting.co.uk

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PHOTO BY CHRIS DAW

“I am aware that these things have been passed on, verbally, for thousands of years” IAN SHEARMAN

The gaffer of Bath Aqua Glass on working in a furnace 24/7 As well as a glass blower, Ian is a gaffer at Bath Aqua Glass on Walcot Street. The gaffer oversees the running of the ‘hot-floor’ in a glass blowing workshop, meaning Ian looks after the furnace, which runs all year round, as well as managing the glass blowers and assistants.

I grew up in a sleepy little village in Dorset called Sturminster Marshall, and have lived in Bath

since 2001.

My first job out of school was at a jewellers in Dorset, changing watch

batteries and fixing people’s broken keepsakes. After that I worked as a tin smith and briefly at a foundry, before deciding to go to art college.

I studied sculpture at Bath Spa University. Between the second and

third year of my degree I got a job as a glass maker’s assistant at Bristol Blue Glass and discovered that I enjoyed making glass more than I did being at university.

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

My girlfriend had thrown a local paper in my lap and in

it was a tiny advert for ‘a glass blower’s assistant’ which caught my eye. I’m sure I still have the advert somewhere – cut out and stuck in a sketch book that is probably in the loft.

I spent four years commuting from Bath to Bristol because

I didn’t want to move out of Bath. Having grown up in the countryside, I found Bath to be just big enough to have a lot going on, but not so big that it was too much like ‘the big smoke’.

I started working at Bath Aqua Glass in 2007. This

was a much shorter commute, as my girlfriend (now my wife) and I were renovating a flat in Larkhall, just a ten minute walk from Walcot Street.

It is an expensive business running the hotfloor, the furnace

burns at over a 1,000 degrees for 24 hours a day.

The glass blowing community is pretty close knit. When you

meet a glass blower you only have to mention a couple of names before you find someone you have both worked with. I spent a year in Australia and still found friends of friends in various hot-shops. It is a really interesting industry to work in – full of characters that range from mildly eccentric to completely bonkers.

We have new half day or full day courses that we are running and I’m really enjoying

those. They are proving to be really popular. The customer hires the hot-floor, me, and an assistant.

It is really satisfying giving people a taste of what glass blowing is like.

Every time I share glass making knowledge to an employee,

or to somebody on a course, I am aware that these things have been passed on, verbally, for thousands of years. Some of the people we have taught in courses revisit us years later, adding to the connected glass community.

My wife, Emma, works for a fantastic charity called Golden Oldies who run singing sessions

for elderly people across the South West and Wales.

We have two children, Sam aged 12 and Lilian, eight.

The eldest is creative in a totally different way to me and amazes us with his skills on the computer.

He loves coding and creating digital worlds. Lillian loves animals and is lucky enough to be able ride my sister’s pony Whisper once a month.

One of mine and my wife’s big achievements was renovating our flat in Larkhall. We knew

very little about such things, but we drew a plan, got planning permission, ripped out all of the wiring, the plumbing and the stud walls, before spending a year learning how to re-fit everything.

This was before we had children and we both had full time jobs. We would go to work

all day, come back and work until we pretty much collapsed into the pile of rubble that never seemed to go away.

We did make one major mistake during the renovations work – we managed to flood the

local butchers. We turned Larkhall Butchers walk in fridge into a ‘wade in fridge.’ n For more: www.bathaquaglass.com