Bath Life – Issue 465

TAKE ME

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2022 WINNERS REVEALED

ISSUE 465 / 11 – 24 MARCH 2022 / £3

ISSUE 465 / 11 – 24 MARCH 2022 / ON SHOW

THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM GEARS UP FOR THE RETURN OF BRIDGERTON + GORGEOUS INDIE GIFTS FOR YOUR MOTHER SUPERIOR / FROM OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT WILLIAM KEELING / LORDING IT AT THE MARLBOROUGH TAVERN / WHY THE LONDON ROAD IS SUCH A CAPITAL PLACE TO BE / ON DUTY WITH THOMAS SHEPPARD THE HIGH SHERIFF OF SOMERSET

ABOVE: How Bridgerton’s new

family has influenced the costume designs (page 40) BELOW: Get the Bridgerton look at home (page 45)

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know Bridgerton isn’t exclusively Bath. But it kind of is isn’t it? That heart-stopping moment when we were watching the biggest show on the planet of 2021 and you realised Eloise and Penelope were promenading round the back of the Primark. It was such a thrill.

Now series two is back on Netflix on 25 March and promises to be even brighter, sexier, and bolder, which is why we’re celebrating with our amazing Holburne Museum cover, which doubles as Lady Danbury’s home in the show, and here has been given a vibrant makeover by the artist and interior designer Lisa Todd.

We also find out from Spencer Hancock, head of Holburne’s visitor services, what it’s like to have the Bridgerton production crew descend on your place of work (page 43) and over on page 40 we chat to the show costume designer Sophie Canale about how the arrival of the new Indian family the Sharmas has influenced the costumes’ designs and colours. On page 45 interior designer Clair Strong has come up with some creative ways to inject a little Bridgerton elegance into our homes.

Elsewhere we explore the eclectic, bustling, and indietastic London Road (page 14); have a gastro-great time at the Marlborough Tavern (page 54); and celebrate the upcoming Mother’s Day with some locally sourced love (page 47).

And over on page 12 there’s a glitteringly gorgeous list of all the wonderful Bath Life Award winners who were crowned at a suitably celebratory and high-spirited events ceremony at the Assembly Rooms on 3 March. Our next issue, out in two weeks, will be a bumper edition with all technicolour triumphs of the night. See you then!

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© NETFLIX

EDITOR’S LETTER

SARAH MOOLLA Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag Instagram @bathlifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 5

Issue 465 / 11 – 24 March 2022 COVER The Holburne Museum is given a stunning makeover

by Lisa Todd Designs; www.lisatodddesigns.com

RIGHT UP OUR STREET

14 LONDON ROAD reveals its secrets to all who take the time to

explore it

THE ARTS

27 ARTS INTRO Victoria Art Gallery exhibits Bath artist Jean Rose 28 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, family entertainment, comedy,

art and fun in Bath and beyond

14

35 BOOKS Nic’s picks to make us laugh 36 BIG INTERVIEW Former foreign correspondent William Keeling

on elle Nash and the sunken sou

40 BRIDGERTON RETURNS Costume designer Sophie Canale on

creating those sumptuous Bridgerton looks

43 BRIDGERTON IN BATH The Holburne’s Spencer Hancock

reveals what it’s like when Netflix’s Bridgerton comes a-filming

SHOPPING

47 SHOPPING INTRO Made by hand for Mother’s Day 48 EDITOR’S CHOICE Mother’s Day beauties

FOOD&DRINK

52 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Meet Bath Life’s new foodie columnist,

Verity Genco

54 RESTAURANT Good food, good vibes and good company at

The Marlborough Tavern

57 TAKE 5 Helen Lawrence on Rachel Demuths’ hefty legacy

BUSINESS

67 BATHWORKS Local business news, views, and interviews 70 BIZ Q&A Horse racing veterans Noel Fehily and David Crosse 71 AWARDS Q&A Bath Festivals’ winning moment

RETIREMENT

47 52

76 CARE HOMES Do your golden years right

PROPERTY

58 GARDENS Exploring the organic grounds of Whatley Manor

Hotel & Spa with head gardener David Pearce

81 PROPERTY LEAD A new city centre hotel opens 82 PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market 84 SHOWCASE A dreamy property for a dreamy lifestyle

DEPARTMENTS

8 11 23 63 90

SPOTLIGHT The full programme for The Bath Festival is out INSTAS Blooms of spring FLATLINE Flats is in it for the long haul EDUCATION Prepping for exam season BATH LIVES Thomas Sheppard, the 0th High Sheri of Somerset

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, Lauren Coton, David Flatman, John Mather and Matilda Walton Group commercial manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@mediaclash.co.uk Business Development Executive Kyra Hardy kyra.hardy@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 / Gemma Bourne gemma.bourne@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bath Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 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

The Bath Festival

THE NAME GAME Meghan as seen on Oprah with Meghan and Harry wearing the Giorgio Armani

Fashion Museum

DRESS TO IMPRESS

© TOKS ABENI

Davina McCall, PJ Harvey, Marian Keyes and Marcus Brigstocke are among big names heading to the city for the 2022 Bath Festival.

The festival, which celebrates music and books in historic and beautiful buildings, will run from 13-21 May. New for 2022, there will be a lively Festival Hub in Queen Square for the first weekend, with live performances and food and drink traders.

Highlights include: the free packed party in the city on 13 May, the Bath Festival Orchestra performing beside the Roman Baths, Davina McCall talking about her new book, Menopausing and exciting new writing talent like Jendella Benson and Kasim Ali. Three authors, Marian Keyes, Nina Stibbe and Lucy Mangan will be in conversation, and Public Service Broadcasting will play The Forum – and so much more besides.

Tickets are available now.

For more: www.thebathfestival.org.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Davina McCall; Marian Keyes; Marcus Brigstocke; Jendella Benson

Art

The Fashion Museum has announced the Dress of the Year 2021: the Giorgio Armani worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the CBS television special Oprah with Meghan and Harry. The two-hour interview was one of the defining pop cultural moments of last year, and drew in an estimated audience of 60 million worldwide.

This year’s selectors, Dazed magazine’s Ibrahim Kamara and Gareth Wrighton say, “In today’s hyper-stylised pop culture, the Dress of the Year now has the potential to also be ‘meme of the year’ and we both latched upon Meghan and Harry’s now iconic interview with Oprah as the definitive anti-establishment moment that will forever endure in the British collective consciousness.”

The dress is on display in the Fashion Museum now.

For more: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

Longleat’s Photographer of the Year exhibition is a celebration of beauty and character

A new exhibition showcasing more than 100 images taken at Longleat by staff and visitors will be on the display until 27 March. The Longleat Photographer of the Year exhibition celebrates the beauty and character of Longleat, its exotic animals and the landscape of the surrounding estate.

“We have always been amazed at the standard of photographs taken by our visitors over the years and posts on social media, so we decided to create an exhibition to celebrate their achievements,” says Longleat’s Daisy Mercedes.

“There are also a number of highly-talented photographers working here and this is a great way to share their images, which often feature close up shots of many of the exotic animals, with a wider audience.”

For more: www.longleat.co.uk

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© MEGAN PARKER

GO WILD

SPOTLIGHT

BURSTING INTO BLOOM Spring has finally sprung, and Bath is bright with flowers once again

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Squee by Bev Milward, the artist behind the Window of Dreams

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t’s a funny spot, London Road. The entrance to Bath for so many, it is often more thoroughfare than tourist attraction – and, since the beginning of the never-ending Cleveland ridge works, a constant tra c am to be avoided at all costs. But, look a little closer and the road reveals its character from the fleet of anti ues shops like Michael Sa ell and T Anti ues, arty spots like the Window of Dreams at number 16, inhabited by ev Milward’s charming and creepy porcelain figurines, must-stops like Ripples for interiors lovers, in addition to charming pubs including Chapter One – a fantastic brew pub where you can order in your favourite takeaway or even bring a meal from home for a sociable evening – to recently overhauled stalwarts like The Curfew and the former King William, now occupied by TOWN+HOUSE

by Always Sunday. es, London Road will reward any who venture beyond Walcot Street to explore it.

LONDON’S CALLING Lydia Tewkesbury explores the hidden charms of London Road

STREET LIFE Window of Dreams, 16 London Road, Bath;

www.bevmilward.com The Window of Dreams is one of London Road’s most unique curiosities. A project by Bristol-based artist Bev Milward, it arose following a serendipitous meeting between Bev and the owner of the house during the lockdowns, when she was searching for new and creative ways to display her work with galleries closed for the foreseeable.

How did the project come to life? Bev says, “With a huge amount of input from friend and designer Will Datson, we set about making a box that fits snugly into the window. Will and I made the golden frames and I often show my porcelain and collage alongside the hand finished prints of my good friend Lilly oxx, whose work has a wonderful ethereal quality that has the power to draw the viewer in.

The pro ect is called the Window of Dreams because as a child I loved the idea of having a shop where I can put beautiful things to make people curious. At first things are twinkly but there can be a dark edge.

The Piano Shop Bath, Canton Place, 1&2 London Road,

Bath; www.thepianoshopbath.co.uk The piano showroom holds many of the finest models around, including unique instruments given special makeovers in the downstairs workshop, where the team also restore pianos – a sustainable spirit reflected in the shop’s show-stopping recycled window display.

Tell us about that stop-you-in-your-tracks shop window… Jon elly, owner says, It is an ever-evolving feature of the shop and the result of a collaboration with several artists who we feel have created something dynamic and totally unique. We are proud to have been able to show our appreciation to the local community by supporting other establishments and nurturing individual talent. It’s important to us that we give something back to this area.

Visage Gallery, 7 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath; www.visagegallery.co.uk Visage Gallery mainly deals in decorative works of art, sculpture and glass on the secondary market.

Tell us about one of your favourite artists… Owner James Dillon says, “My favourite art works at the moment are by the late Bernard Robinson, the set and production designer for the Hammer House of Horror films. ernard designed some of Hammer’s greatest films. He was known in the film industry as the most creative and sought out by all the top Hollywood directors of the day to design sets at ray and Pinewood Studios. Bernard painted privately and for himself, just 15 oil paintings in all and I have 14 in the upcoming summer show.

BELOW: The Piano Shop also restores instruments;

© LYDIA BOOTH PHOTOGR APHY

RIGHT: Works by Edwin Cripps feature at Visage Gallery

“At first things are twinkly, but there can be a dark edge” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 15

STREET LIFE

“Meet like-minded people and get involved in the community”

ABOVE: Burdall’s Yard is a new venue available for hire for comedy, dance,

music and theatre; RIGHT: Mebyl is at the heart of the London Road community; BELOW: Hobson’s Choice Bath showroom

Burdall’s Yard, 7a Anglo Terrace, Bath;

www.burdallsyard.co.uk Burdall’s Yard reopened this month as a brand-new community centre and arts hub. It’s the latest project from the Mission Theatre’s resident company, Next Stage Theatre Company and aims to provide a space for creative community activities. In the daytime Burdall’s Yard is available for hire for those who would like to run classes and, in the evening, it is a performance space for comedy, dance, music, and theatre.

How can people get involved? Ann Ellison, BEM artistic director of Next Stage Theatre Company and ecca e eris, urdall’s ard venue manager say, “If you would like to join the team here at Burdall’s Yard we are on the hunt for volunteers to help during events. Volunteers who would like to help Next Stage by working behind the bar or front of house get a free ticket to an event of their choice – and it is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and get involved with the community.”

Hobson’s Choice, London Road, Bath;

www.hobsonschoice.com Hobson’s Choice specialises in designing and installing bulthaup kitchens, traditional handmade kitchens, spa-style bathrooms, contemporary interior sliding doors, and bespoke storage solutions.

What do you wish more people knew about Hobson’s Choice?

Design consultant Natasha Townsend says, “Aside from the high-end kitchens and bathrooms for which we are known, we o er a collection of products from Rimadesio, which can transform the living spaces of a property elegant sliding glass doors that glide e ortlessly along flushfitting ceiling tracks, bespoke bedroom and walk-in wardrobe storage systems finished in glass, metal and luxury textiles, and wall panelling in a variety of materials including leather, textiles and wood.”

Mebyl, 4 Cleveland Terrace, Bath; www.mebyl.co.uk

Mebyl (rhymes with pebble) is a vintage furniture shop o ering a uirky and eclectic range of reclaimed, vintage and anti ue furniture.

Tell us about life on London Road… Owner Emily Oliver says, “From going out for Christmas together to campaigning to the council, it’s always good to be part of a community. T Anti ues and myself have our furniture on the pavement and are often chatting outside

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with passers-by. We know lots of people who walk past and most like to say hello. Some are customers, but we also have what we like to call our ‘regular non-purchasing customers’ who just pop by for a chat. It’s great to know the community and there have been occasions where we’ve helped out, like the man whose car started rolling into tra c that we stopped, or the arguing couple who deserted their car in the middle of the road and we helped move it and calmed them down, to simply accepting parcels for the people who live nearby. We’re a friendly bunch of misfits who are an important part of the community.

STREET LIFE

“Always strive for something original and magical” The Bath Framer, 14&15 Walcot Buildings, London Road;

www.thebathpictureframer.co.uk The ath ramer o ers a bespoke framing service. rames are made on site by the ine Art Trade uild commended framer with a diverse range of techni ues available to suit di erent artworks.

Tell us about something a bit special in store now… elly Ann erry, director of The ath ramer says, We currently have for sale a large L’Oeil print that has pride of place in our window. We also love to use our gorgeous veneered mouldings to frame anti ue maps and prints.

Chapter One Brewpub and Verse Brewing & Distilling,

1a Piccadilly Place, Bath; www.chapteronebath.co.uk Michael and mma Heap opened Chapter One in May 201 . The freehouse pub serves independently produced beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, in addition to Michael and mma’s own beer and gin.

Chapter One doesn’t have a kitchen, but customers are encouraged to get their favourite takeaway delivered some even bring dinner from home.

Michael and Emma recommend… Our Tangerine and ink epper gin the citrus bursts through and is tempered nicely by the small hint of pepper. It mixes very well with Mediterranean tonic.

Genesis Life Projects, Gateway Centre, Snow Hill, London Road, Bath; www.genesistrust.org.uk/lifeline The enesis Trust o ers immediate and long-term help to hungry, homeless and vulnerable people in ath. The ateway Centre on London Road is home to its Life ro ects Lifeline, which is practical crisis support like food parcels, clothing and advisory sessions; Life Skills, a range of practical, creative and therapeutic activities; and the Life Course, a 10-week course designed to teach people in recovery from addiction, trauma and poor mental health how to care for themselves, manage unhelpful thinking patterns, build and maintain healthy relationships and live both independently and interdependently.

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TOP: The eye-catching window at The Piano Shop

ABOVE: The Bath Framer is Fine Art Trade Guild commended

What is the aim of the courses? Supporting people is a long-term

process, so the connection between Lifeline, Life Skills and the Life Course is vitally important. The Life Course focuses heavily on wellbeing; how to live well in recovery. Life skills supports people by o ering health and well-being activities, meanwhile Lifeline supports people with income and home issues and as those issues are tackled, wellbeing follows. ut the opposite is also true if well-being improves, it’s easier to deal with issues in your home or your income.

STREET LIFE Refillable, 2-3 Cleveland Place East, Bath; www.refillable.shop Refillable is a family-run ero waste grocery shop selling a wide range of food, house and essential products without any wasteful packaging. It also houses a caf where shoppers can en oy a co ee and a slice of something sweet.

What’s your favourite thing in the shop right now?

Stamena Milusheva, owner of Refillable says, I absolutely love the hair conditioner and shampoo bars from Natural Spa. It was an absolute revelation for me trying these products during our sampling. oth work like a regular soap but for hair. Wet the hair, glide on the shampoo and lather well, rinse well and then repeat with the conditioner.

Leave to work while washing and then rinse well. All natural ingredients help to balance the pH of the scalp and they leave my hair soft, smooth and shiny.

Ice House Design, 2 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath; www.icehousedesign.co.uk rand design consultants Ice House Design have been in ath for almost 27 years eight of them in their London Road o ce. They refresh and build brand identities and creative communications for organisations from small to mega global and everything in between.

What’s your design philosophy? ack Owen, brand consultant and owner says, The feeling in our studio is there is very little di erence between making work with a commercial imperative and a self-initiated brief. The important part of the creative process remains true. It is incumbent on our designers to always strive for something original and magical not only pushing our clients, but challenging us creatives as well.

Michael Saffell Antiques,

3 Walcot Buildings, London Road The eye-catching display of curios in the window of Michael Sa ell calls to pavement passers-by you can’t help but pop in for a browse through the packed vintage emporium, which has appeared on the C1’s auction show Antiques Road Trip multiple times.

What’s in the shop? Michael says, I sell anti ue, decorative and collectors’ items and specialise in anti ue and decorative tins biscuit, confectionery, tobacco you name it!

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: The Small Shop is known for its collection of natural objects;

Ripples offers beautiful bespoke bathrooms; Creative ideas come from Ice House Design

“We’re a friendly bunch of isfits wh are an i rtant art the c unity”

Ripples Bath, Chelsea House, London Road; www.ripplesbathrooms.com ath was home to the very first Ripples showroom, back when the brand first launched over 30 years ago. The bespoke bathroom providers specialise in show-stopping designs to elevate any home.

How can we take our bathrooms to the next level? Neil Curtis, senior designer at Ripples says, It’s important to create a space that you actually want to spend time in. So particularly in a shower area, try and think about ease of using and gaining access to your products. This may be within feature alcoves or clever ledge tops. We regularly design uni ue benches within a shower one. Having a bench you can sit on whilst washing your feet and legs is much more luxury.

TOWN+HOUSE By Always Sunday,

36 Thomas Street, Bath; www.astownhouse.com TOWN HO S y Always Sunday is a relative new comer to London Road. A cosy little pub o ering seasonal, fresh menus paired with mixologist specialist cocktails and a curated wine list, TOWN HO S is divided across two floors a social hub downstairs around the bar, and two small and intimate dining rooms upstairs.

What’s new? ounder Lexi Dart says, I have fallen in love with our new brunch menu that has this incredible layered potato hash which can be paired with anything from fried duck eggs with North African beans, crispy cured steak bacon, confit portobello mushroom, sausage, and scrambled eggs, or the spiced chickpea fritter with harissa cherry tomato, smashed avocado and yoghurt.

TOP: Get your zero-waste groceries, gifts and even a cup of coffee in Refillable; ABOVE: An Always Sunday roast

The Small Shop, 11 Walcot Buildings, Bath; www.thesmallshopbath.co.uk Anti ues, art, curiosities and taxidermy fill aptly named The Small Shop, owned by Anna Woodhead. The shop is known for its interesting collection of natural ob ects like minerals and fossils, as well as furniture decorated with natural materials like broken ostrich shells.

What are people loving right now? Anna says, Most popular sales at the moment are natural shells, vintage corals and sea fans, which we mounted on ath Stone. We also have bracket fungus, which I particularly love. n www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 21

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FLAT LINE DAVID FLATMAN

“I’m happy to waddle for a bacon sarnie one or two mornings a week”

Retirement plan There’s no manual labour going on in Flat’s vision of his old age

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used to wander past the big Empire block of retirement apartments in the middle of town and wonder how I might find a loophole and get myself one. The location is ridiculously good, there’s parking, you could watch a game at the Rec free of charge (once binoculars are purchased), and all you have to do is be quite old. I thought about buying one for my grandmother in about 2005 but was scuppered when, after roughly three minutes of research, I read that she would actually have to live there. This wasn’t a possibility, so I considered just applying myself and ticking the box marked ‘Are you over 65?’ Yes, another dead end.

Countryside and pleasing expanses of green and brown space are all well and good,

but when you’re quite old and you begin to move quite slowly like quite old people do, having tea rooms and sandwich shops and a few pubs very close by is the way to go. As noble as I thought my grandfather to be as he painstakingly maintained his garden and driveway well into his nineties (he built an extension at 85 – alone!), I’m not sure I could be bothered. My version of ‘a day in the retired life of ’ does not involve much manual labour beyond managing to get dressed and press the button that makes co ee drop into a little cup.

I’m happy to waddle for a bacon sarnie one or two mornings a week, and even for a pint every other Sunday, but things need to be within easy reach. I know some old people who live in a beautiful house in the Kentish countryside. They moved there – from a local

town – to retire. They went rural in order to escape the hustle and bustle, the noisy cars and delivery vans, the drunk students screaming at one another in the early hours as if they are, in that hour, the only human beings on the planet, and the only ones to have discovered that being drunk is brilliant. They’ve made a mistake, though. It won’t work.

When you first move into town from somewhere more be-tree’d, the uplift in general ambient noise can feel stark. In the early days you might well be woken at night by said boozers, you might have to turn up your television a notch or two because of a lorry.

It doesn’t last, though; you get used to it, and quite quickly.

When we bought our house in town last year, it was after a good period of debate over whether we should indeed buy into city living or increase our search radius with a view to having more grass to mow and more space to house piles of logs and bags of charcoal. or the first little while in the house, we found ourselves unconsciously talking about the place as a home for the next five years, maybe 10. There was just an unspoken presumption that, when we got tired of being in the mixer, we would of course sell up and go green.

That feeling of it being a somewhat temporary stay has now gone. I walk out of my door and I shu e to erdoulat bakery, or the reen ird, or the local shop for some milk and bin bags. I walked to Walcot House last week (goodness me, the beef was quite sensational), had a lovely time, and walked home. I walk my one-eyed dog to Vicky Park every day. I walk to the gym. I walk almost everywhere. I don’t see why anyone would swap that convenience for isolation in old age. Fast forward 20 years and my habits won’t have changed, I’ll just have swapped a vaguely energetic shu e for a relaxed retirement waddle.

David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him n witter da id at an and nsta d at an

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

SCENE T H E L AT E S T A DV E N T U R E S I N PA R T Y- GO I N G AC ROSS BAT H Dine Romero and Shelley Bromley

Frances Abebreseh Chika Anisiobi

Zainab Ali Khan and Jonny Taylor

Tatjana Humphries, Eric Sanders and Lisa Pearce Sarah Moolla

TV STARS

Bath’s Assembly Rooms was the venue for a celebration of the outh est as a filming location for et i productions including Bridgerton, Robin Robin, The Last Bus, and David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet round people attended and en oyed cocktails, canap s, and speeches from nna allett, et i hysical roduction for , and the est of ngland etro ayor an orris et i s investment in the region is estimated to have created over , obs across the supply chain urn to page for more on the return of Bridgerton.

Photos by Nick Ray

Finn Askew Michelle Owusu

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www.nickrayphotography.co.uk

Netflix at the Assembly Rooms

Mason Pollock and Reuben Collings Anna Mallett, Dan Norris and Benjamin King

SOCIETY

Edward Baynton-Coward, Thomas Sheppard and Shirley Ludford

Jules Mantra and Nik Aarre

Nikki Heal, Stephanie Hill and Clare Harris Neil Taylor and Shaun Smith

Chloe Ovens, Charles Hobhouse, Simon McNeill-Ritchie, June Player, Steve Fountain and Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst

ON THE RADIO

Radio Bath recently held its delayed launch reception.

Founding patrons of the local radio station Colin Skellett OBE from Wessex Water and Mayor of Bath Councillor June Player were on hand to celebrate, alongside VIP guests including homas heppard the igh heriff of Somerset (turn to page 90 for our interview with homas , ir harles obhouse the igh heriff of Wiltshire, Shirley Ludford the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Edward Baynton-Coward the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and Chloe Ovens the Mayoress of Bath. Others guests included musician Neil Taylor and many of the radio station’s 40 presenters.

Photos by Paul Gillis Photography www.paulgillisphoto.com

Josh Dixon and Lauren Dixon

Davina with Petra Jones

Lizzie Heffer and Paulina Gillespie Greg Harris and Cherie-Anne Baxter

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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

ean ose was one of the first artists to enrol at the ath cademy of rt in the late s and an impressive years later she is still at work in the city er art celebrates the everyday shoppers, street vendors, dog-walkers, and garden centre visitors whilst paying homage to the methods of earlier painters such as douard uillard and iero della rancesca ow in her nineties, ean completes a painting a week, and during lockdown she turned to ydney ardens for inspiration, with many of the works on sale at her current solo e hibition at ictoria rt allery Jean Rose: People, Parks and Plants can be seen at Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath until 4 May; www.victoriagal.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 27

WHAT’S ON 12 March – 7 April

EXHIBITIONS Until 31 March

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Beautifully created images depicting a slice of Bath history entwined with contemporary art is the collaborative work of Jason Dorley-Brown and Emma Taylor. The exhibition is to help raise awareness of and funds for the local mental health charity Bath Mind. ArtBar at Abbey Hotel Bath; www.abbeyhotelbath.co.uk

Until 3 April

A DUET OF LINES Frome-based Guy Watts and Bristolbased Daniel Mcgirr are exhibiting together and both specialise in producing meticulous pen and ink drawings. Guy works at a tiny scale – each drawing is composed of hundreds of fine pen marks, which build up to create detailed images that are both dreamy and complex.

Daniel works at a much larger scale and is inspired by both the natural and manmade world. Black Swan Arts; www.blackswanarts.org.uk

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

Until 21 April

PROTECTING OUR PLANET Bristol-based charity Wildscreen have brought together a vibrant series of photographs from indigenous people across the world focusing on the theme of ‘community’ being displayed in the corridors of the RUH sites.

Curated in collaboration with If Not Us Then Who and their network of artists, which includes dgar anayk akriab , and Irati Dojura. www.artatruh.org

Until 24 April

SHOEPHORIA! Discover the fascinating evolution of shoe style over the last years, from the actual footwear worn by ueen ary and ueen ictoria, through to the recent contemporary designers, such as anolo lahnik and Vivienne Westwood. Fashion Museum; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

Until 30 April

LIGHT AT MARSTON PARK An immersive light exhibition by

The Old Ghosts exhibition

by Mick Peter includes a playful riff on the Holburne’s role as a film set

internationally acclaimed British artist Bruce Munro at Marston Park in Frome. The artist’s ephemeral light-based works have featured in urban landscapes and remote rural areas around the globe, including the acclaimed ield of Light, currently illuminating Uluru in Australia. www.marstonpark.co.uk

Until 2 May

PEOPLE MAKE MUSEUMS Showcasing over 20 sculptural pieces that have been specially made for this exhibition. The aim is to celebrate the creativity and the importance of people in museums and capture some of these comple , personal moments of connection; revelations, eeting conversations, thoughts, and feelings evoked by museum spaces and objects.

Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 2 May

IDA APPLEBROOG Feminist pioneer Ida Applebroog has consistently explored the interconnected themes of power,

gender, politics, and se uality throughout her career. The new e hibition at urslade arm, Bruton consists of highlights travelling from the artist’s largest survey to date at Museo Reina of a, adrid, alongside important new works created over the past year ow in her nineties, the comprehensive survey speaks to Applebroog’s radical introspection as a woman and an artist, presenting life as it is and the repetitive patterns of our existence. www.hauserwirth.com

Until 4 May

JEAN ROSE As a student at Bath Academy of rt at orsham ourt, ean ose rubbed shoulders with Kenneth Armitage and William Scott.

Inspired by the intimate interiors of uillard, she developed her warm painterly patterns in park scenes and oral sub ects that reveal the clarity and focus ean, now in her nineties, sees in the world around her Turn to page 27 for more. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

WHAT’S ON Until 4 May

FROM HOGARTH TO HODGKIN The From Hogarth to Hodgkin e hibition will offer visitors a walk through the history of printmaking, starting with old masters such as ranach and urer and then brings the story right up to the present day with contemporary works by rayson erry, ornelia arker and aula ego Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 8 May

THE TUDORS: PASSION, POWER AND POLITICS n partnership with the ational ortrait allery, London, and the alker rt allery, Liverpool, the olburne useum s new e hibition featuring famous udor portraits he fascinating and e tensive collection includes the five monarchs of the time spanning enry , enry , dward , ary and li abeth Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 14 May

TOP: The Adam Gallery’s first exhibition this year features the artist Richard Cartwright; MIDDLE: Ebony Feare plays Josephine, which performs at the Egg on 26 March; BELOW: See the thought-provoking work of feminist pioneer Ida Applebroog at Hauser & Wirth

GLOBAL SINO PHOTO AWARDS he annual lobal ino hoto wards is an international photography contest, which aims to communicate hinese culture through remarkable imagery re ecting the skill, creativity and imagination of the photographer, and to connect photographers internationally Museum of East Asian Art; www.meaa.org.uk

Until 15 May

OLD GHOSTS Old Ghosts by artist ick eter takes a wry and affectionate look using a cartoons-come-to-life tableau , at the idea of history as an industry t s a narrative trail through the museum and its garden that humorously criti ues the conventions of heritage sites through various encounters, like that with a hapless signwriter who is desperately trying to complete his task of refreshing the useum s signage nside there is also a screen test area a playful riff on the olburne also as a filming location Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

22 – 27 March

JO SAURIN o is a painter working in omerset, and in Liguria, taly he is interested in the whole concept of connectivity, so her work is more about her spontaneous emotional response to a sub ect and environment than visual realism 44AD artspace; www.44ad.net

30 March – 21 April

RICHARD CARTWRIGHT he dam allery s first show for is by ichard artwright, a ristol artist who they ve been working with for years e believes art to be spiritual, transcendent and mysterious, and that a picture re uires a melody of colour, light and form evident in his landscapes, nocturnes, nudes and interiors www.adamgallery.com

THEATRE / CINEMA 17 – 26 March

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of arole ing s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband erry o n, to her relationship with other writers, culminating in becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history in our time, having written countless classics including You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, You’ve Got a Friend, and So Far Away. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

23 – 26 March

THE WASP eather and arla haven t seen each other since school heir lives have taken very different paths

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

WHAT’S ON – Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high- ying career, a husband, and a beautiful home nd yet, here they are in a caf having tea and making awkward conversation That is until Heather presents Carla with an unexpected proposition…

Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

24 – 26 March

RICE hen a high- ying e ecutive and an o ce cleaner meet, an unlikely, but always easy, friendship forms ritten by ichele Lee, this is a moving tale of migrants of different generations and the complex relationships they forge with both their new home and each other Ustinov; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

CHILDREN 17 – 19 March

UNDERWATER multi-sensory dance and music show for babies and their families hen a ballerina meets an octopus beneath the waves of the deep blue sea, the pair form a beautiful friendship and dance a loving duet to a twinkling soundtrack The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

26 March

JOSEPHINE ased on the true story of osephine aker, the dancer, actor, activist, campaigner, spy and mother to a multicultural ainbow ribe tars bony eare, adi asego and aniel ofi ealthyland The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

MUSIC 14 March

LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ir imon attle and the London ymphony rchestra make a triumphant return to ath orum with ristol eacon rom annah endall s st-century classic The Spark Catchers, through vo k s playful homage to the ew orld, to Schumann’s most personal symphony, the show programme promises to take the audience on a fantastic emotional ourney Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

18 March

THE BLUES OTHERS emember this t s miles to hicago, we ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it s dark

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

and we re wearing sunglasses it it ig out your shades, dust off the trilbies and locate that sharp black suit but please don t smoke it s bad for you as this all local -piece band pay musical tribute to the Blues Brothers lues thers members include two paramedics, a farmer, and a teacher Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

19 March

XODUS’ BOB MARLEY TRIBUTE BAND ounded in by a band of seasoned musicians from irmingham, brings the best of the selection to their live performance setlists with favourites like Buffalo Soldier, Is This Love, Waiting In Vain, and I Shot The Sheriff.

Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

23 March

ANTOINE PRÉAT inner of the ward , ranco- elgian pianist ntoine r at presents a iltshire usic entre lunchtime concert that is defined by intensity and air and includes Lis t s staggering one movement sonata inspired by Dante’s Inferno, which stretches pianists to the very edge of virtuosic and skilled techni ue www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

24 March

BARENAKED LADIES ver the course of years, the beloved folksy, poppy with a touch of hip hop, anadian uartet who are widely acknowledged as one of the best live acts on the planet, have sold 15 million records worldwide and built up an arsenal of mega hits including If I Had $1,000,000, One Week, and The Big Bang Theory Theme Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

26 March

UNIVERSITY OF BATH CHAMBER CHOIR he niversity hamber hoir was formed in with the goal of singing a wide range of choral music from allis to utter, ivaldi to hitacre is performing at t ary s hurch at pm www.thesubath.com

30 March

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE ince bibio ound achine was formed by illiams and a runhard in the London-

TOP:

Rice by Michele Lee comes to the Ustinov on 24 March; The Wasp performs at the Rondo Theatre 23-26 March

ABOVE:

WHAT’S ON based group has become renowned for their irresistible grooves, pulsating afro-beat rhythms, and energetic, dynamic live shows.

Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

31 March

HANNAH JAMES AND TOBY KUHN Hannah’s and Toby’s debut album Sleeping Spirals is a journey through music and emotion, bringing together English folk and European melodies in an engaging dialogue between the two skilled musicians.

Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

1 April

KENNY THOMAS The soul dance vocalist Kenny Thomas who went from the multiplatinum-selling album Voices and Brit Award nominations in 1991 to giving everything up to live in a monastery, returns to performing 30 years on. Supporting him is Acantha Lang who blends Staxinspired funk with Southern blues and spirited, shimmering grooves.

Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

COMEDY Every Sunday

DRAG KARAOKE AT MANDALYNS Most days of the week the welcoming LGBTQIA+ Mandalyns bar has always got something upbeat, fun, and groovy happening, and Sunday nights are no exception. Their drag karaoke nights are in fact so darn good, Sunday is the new Saturday. www.facebook.com/mandalynsbath

23 March

ONE WORD: WOW It’s time for a little get together; so pull up a chair, get all cosy and let Lou Sanders (aka Dr Giggles) tell you about the time she gave this horse a boner. Lou’s previous celebrated show Say Hello To Your New Step-Mummy was selected as a top show to see by The Times, The Sunday Times, and The Guardian.

Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

23 March

NISH KUMAR: CONTROL It has been a period of upheaval and uncertainty with Covid and the political situation. Nish, a twotime Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and host of The Mash Report, is definitely taking all of these things very personally.

Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

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

SPORT

13 – 14 March

TEAM BATH NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE There are two opportunities to watch Team Bath in Vitality Superleague action in just over 24 hours. Celtic Dragons make the short journey from Wales to the Team Bath Arena on 13 March (2pm centre-pass) before Team Bath face defending champions Loughborough Lightning in a rematch of the 2021 Grand Final on 14 March (5.30pm). University of Bath; www.netball.teambath.com

19 March

BATH FOOTBALL CLUB V HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN The National League South is approaching the tail end of the 2022 season. Bath City FC, who will target a strong finish to their campaign, have two crucial home fi tures in the ne t month first being when the Romans host mid-table Hemel Hempstead Town. i off at T erto ar www.bathcityfc.com

26 March

BATH RUGBY V SALE SHARKS & BATH RUGBY LADIES V BUCKINGHAM SWANS LADIES Two games, one day out. Bath Rugby’s commitment to women and girls’ rugby continues as the double-header returns to the Rec with Bath Rugby Ladies set to take to the field following the men s Gallagher Premiership match.

Recreation Ground; www.bathrugby.com

OTHER

Last Friday of every month

JANE AUSTEN AT NO.1 ROYAL CRESCENT The new Jane Austen tour looks at life in Britain in the 1790s – 1820, including when Austen was writing, and, for a time, living in Bath. Using the rooms of the house as inspiration, passages and conversations from Austen’s novels bring to life the activities that took place in such domestic spaces. he other days, o offers an immersive tour, bringing the house to life through the story of a family – their way of life, minor gossip, and ma or con icts are all discussed, as well as their relationship with the servants. No 1 Royal Crescent; www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk n

TOP: Comedian Lou Saunders will be wowing us at Komedia on 23 March RIGHT: Nish Kumar is at Bath Forum on 23 March taking things very personally; BELOW: 44AD are exhibiting the striking work of Jo Saurin 2227 March

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BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Comic relief To help us through these dark times, we need to read some lighter material

“A pithy commentary on identity, sexuality and gender, all peppered with the utterly zany”

I

feel I’ve said this before a few times these past couple of years – I think we need something to make us laugh.

As we limp from pandemic fear into invasion outrage, it feels like some books with laughter and some grit combined might be called for.

My Mess is a Bit of a Life by Georgia Pritchett (Faber, £9.99) is a memoir in tiny vignettes that take us through the comedic television writer’s life. Pritchett is perhaps best known for her work on shows such as Succession, Veep, and The Thick of It, and plenty of choice moments from her working life are included.

Through chapters with names like ‘Bums’, ‘Chicken’, and ‘Not a Guinea Pig’, Pritchett reveals all sides of her personality, from her self-deprecatory humour to her anxiety. In its serious moments the writing is moving as she delves into her family’s encounters with depression, autism, physical and mental health challenges. At other times it’s the dry humour that shines through – for example when she’s explaining how constrained she feels by her British awkwardness in revealingly titled chapters such as ‘I’m Fine Thanks, how are you?’.

Whatever the subject, Pritchett’s writing feels un inchingly honest and even points of personal pride are described warts and all. Take the moment, working on Veep, when she cracked the issue of how one character would deal with a moment of great triumph. While co-writers toyed with impressive verbal reactions, she figured out that this always up-tight character would simply succumb to a nose bleed. Because that’s exactly what she would do – and indeed that’s exactly what she does do, once her idea for the scene gets accepted and wildly praised by the other writers.

Enter the Aardvark by Jessica Anthony (Transworld, £9.99) is a short novel containing

two seemingly unrelated stories with a peculiar link namely a stuffed aardvark he first side of the story is set in 19th century Britain where a famous taxidermist is presented with a amibian aardvark to be stuffed a creature that neither he nor anyone else has ever seen before.

Meanwhile, the present-day storyline, a self-obsessed Republican congressman involved in a clandestine gay love affair receives on his doorstep an enormous parcel containing, you guessed it, a stuffed aardvark a delivery which, it turns out, precedes a swift unravelling of his career and reputation. At times charmingly grotesque and extremely witty, Enter the Aardvark is a parody of current-day American politics as well as a pithy commentary on identity, sexuality and gender, all peppered with the utterly zany.

Lastly, I wanted to give you advance notice of a new novel by one of my all-time favourite masters of edgy and darkly humorous fiction, teve olt he author of the magnificent A Fraction of the Whole (Penguin, £9.99) – an epic debut about a dysfunctional father-son relationship – is returning soon with his third novel. Here Goes Nothing (Hodder, £18.99) features Angus Mooney, a man who grew up in many foster homes but is now due to marry the fiery racie, who is e pecting their first child. No sooner do you get to know Angus though, and he’s dead and the action moves to the afterlife. From here, Angus observes those he’s left behind and we explore life, death and faith (or lack thereof) in this scathing look at a modern world on the cusp of a pandemic.

Proving, perhaps, that even comic writing can’t take us fully away from real life…

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 35

William Keeling has been interrogated, deported, accused of being a spy, and has never stopped writing

Former foreign correspondent William Keeling on why he chose to write about the grandson of Beau Nash

By Sarah Moolla

BIG INTERVIEW

W

illiam Keeling may seem like a mild-mannered writer specialising in historical fiction, but the former foreign correspondent has been arrested, accused of being a spy, interrogated, and deported s well working for the Financial Times, illiam, also known as ill, found himself in the middle of a military coup whilst working for an investment bank in ndonesia e now lives in athwick, and until recently owned a prestigious chocolate company e has ust published his second novel, Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé which tells the true story of elle ash, grandson of eau ash, and how a sunken sou came to reveal a festering uagmire of corruption and bigotry in genteel ath in

ournalist but it resulted in my being thrown out of a country that loved Any other, less stressful, jobs?

spent four entertaining years working for an investment bank in ndonesia he ob came to a sticky end in 1997 thanks to an economic Belle Nash was a Bath city councillor and as openly gay as was possible in the 1830s

Tell us a little about your upbringing…

rivileged and competitive, am one of four brothers brought up on my late-grandfather s country estate in usse alongside eight cousins, all of whom were boys he estate had a certain grandeur -acre oak wood, fivehole golf course, swimming pool, tennis court, cro uet lawn and a cricket pitch adly, m still trying to fulfil my sporting potential

How long did it take you to write?

What was the first thing you remember writing?

t was an article for the Financial Times in 1989 in which compared hana s faltering, but emerging, economy to Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang spreading its wings whilst backfiring What is it about a life in journalism that attracted you?

s we can see from our political leaders, the opportunity to tell other people what to do based on a scant understanding of the facts is enormously appealing ut the task of better understanding how others live, the commonality between people, and the roots of bigotry and tolerance, is also endlessly fascinating Living in est frica and ndonesia for ten years provided me that opportunity

Best and the worst moments in this role?

t was the same moment n , whilst living in igeria, broke a story of a multibilliondollar government corruption scandal was arrested, accused of being a spy, interrogated and summarily deported t was the best piece of work had done as a

elle ash was the grandson of eau ash and a ath city councillor e was also gay and as openly out as one could be in the s when same se relations between men were punishable by death n the period, issues we consider pertinent today racism, misogyny and homophobia among others were also rife riting about elle ash is a satirical e ercise going back into history to cast a light on today y late uncle, r eeling of ay treet, fortuitously did the research for me, leaving a trunk of documents to me in his will uch illustrious personages as rs aia hampion of omerset lace, who became Lady agistrate of ath in , and iss hyllis rim, the city s pre-eminent knitter, would have been lost to history were it not for my uncle s work

s a young child wanted to be a baker, which would have been terrible at my bread loaves can usefully be used as doorstops ut was never of a vocational mind became a foreign correspondent to get away from the and my cosseted e istence

And what was the first thing you had published?

For your new novel, what was the attraction of Belle Nash?

How did you research this?

Did you always want to be a writer?

wrote stories in my pre-teens recall iss arnett, my nglish teacher, congratulating me on my alliteration t is but bats in the belfry he was a fearsome spell-checker, so if you got toboggan wrong you d be in trouble

it with a childhood trauma when melted a urly- hirly on my mother s fur coat had visited cocoa farms in hana and knew that side of the industry ut the honest reason for making the ac uisition is that was suffering an early mid-life crisis d lost my ob in ndonesia and my father had died without my ever e plaining my se uality to him ereft and con icted, ac uiring restat offered me stability

“I became a foreign correspondent to get away from my cosseted existence”

collapse that coincided with the overthrow of the uharto regime d always wanted to live through a coup d etat and finally had, so can t complain lso, my sudden unemployment led to my ac uiring restat, the historic ritish chocolate brand, with my brother ick What’s the background to that?

n , restat was founded by ntoine ufour following his family s creation of the chocolate tru e restat tru es were adored by oald ahl and its clientele include he ueen hen my brother and ac uired it in , it had two employees e turned it into an integrated manufacturing, wholesale and retail business employing people before selling it to the lly family of taly in pray the new owners look after it Was this driven by a love of chocolate?

always liked chocolate but had associated

ve been working on the series for eight years n his final decade, my late uncle sadly used many of the documents to line his cat s litter tray m indebted to the ritish Library s historical manuscript team for recovering these papers Belle Nash & the Bath Soufflé took two years to piece together

Where do you like to write?

like to write on trains his allows me to log the prohibitive cost of travel on reat estern ailways as an e pense y ritual is to drink copious amounts of tea and not to seek to write too many words in a day hat s either a sign of la iness or maturity, m not sure which, but it works for me What are your writing ambitions for the future?

am currently writing a series entitled The Book Club that draws on my own alleged e perience as a spy t s the story of how an ordinary book club run by two uropean ommission diplomats in russels became infiltrated by spies t s a tale of international espionage and political corruption nd it s true ny takers n Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé by William Keeling (£9.99, published by BroadsheetBooks, an imprint of EnvelopeBooks) For more: www.gaystreetchronicles.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 37

ALL PHOTOS © NETFLIX

Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Shelley Conn as Mary Sharma, Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma

DRESSING UP!

S

Bustles, romps, and colourful costumes – yup Bridgerton is back on our screens

By Sarah Moolla

umptuous, soapy and sexy Netflix’s Bridgerton was the unexpected worldwide mega hit of two years ago, watched by an incredible 82 million households.

Inspired by the romantic novels of Julia Quinn, the stories are set in London, and much of the filming happened in ath.

While this second series, returning 25 March, couldn’t be filmed in ath as extensively, our fair city is still evident, especially as the Holburne Museum home of the Lady Danbury (turn to page 43).

This time round Bridgerton focusses on the love life of the eldest Bridgerton, the roguish Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and the arrival of the captivating and feisty Sharma sisters Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina (Charithra Chandran). Here we talk to Bridgerton’s costume designer Sophie Canale about creating the show’s beautiful wardrobe

How do the costumes on Bridgerton help transform the actors into their characters?

Clothing defines us who we are, what we do, what we believe in. The costumes help the actors understand their characters, especially on a period drama like Bridgerton. It’s a ourney

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

Sophie Canale, right, has emphasised the Indian origins of the Sharma family through their clothes

ARTS from the very first fitting. The costumes change an actor’s stance, the way they sit, the way they walk, even the way they breathe. As soon as a woman puts on a corset, her posture completely changes. And then we develop the costume, from the corset to the dress to the headdress to the ewellery. I always find in fittings that as soon as we add the last element, the gloves, the women are fascinated. And then they hold a reticule [handbag], and the character comes to life in front of you.

And the men?

With the men as well, they walk into the fitting room in jeans and a t-shirt, and we put them in tighter waistcoats and jackets, and full front trousers which is a di erent style of trouser than any man would wear today, higher at the waist — so that changes the men’s posture.

There’s a strong collaboration between the cast and costuming team. We really have become a family. I want them to feel like they’re stepping into their character’s shoes.

Tell us a little about the new family...

This season we have a new family, the Sharmas, and it’s been so exciting because they’ve travelled from India and so I’ve pushed forward their Indian origin through their costumes. And this season we travel to the Royal Races, and we have the beauty of the balls – each script and episode gives us a new journey to go on.

and contemporary costume. I was fortunate enough to be part of their design team last year and they’ve given me this amazing foundation to build on. We have a new leading man and lady this season, so that gives us an immediate di erence. ou can see that Anthony is a lot darker this season in his colour palette, he’s very serious this season, he’s looking for a wife so that is reflected in the colour palette of his costumes.

Colour palettes play such a key role across all of the world building in Bridgerton…

What were some of the inspirations that you drew upon when you created the costume designs for this season?

How did you approach the clothing colours, especially for the new characters?

Looking at historical references is always my starting point because if you’re combining contemporary and period, you need to know the rules to be able to break them. We mainly used the internet and books this season.

Due to being in prep during a pandemic, I was unable to go to museums or to research centres, which is what I would usually do.

There are aspects of Sophia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette, the pastel colour palette, that I wanted to push forward as Ellen did in season one. And then we also push forward to the catwalk and take inspiration from there as well.

In season one, we established the look between households — the Bridgertons in their pastel colours, the Featheringtons in their citrus colours. Colour, to me, also helps identify the feeling of the character. When the audience sees a character in costume, I’d like them to have an understanding of the character before they even say a word.

For the Sharmas, I very much wanted to incorporate the dual colours of India and the tone. Kate is the strongest character in that family so you can see that in her bolder colour palette. She has a very strong connection to her home, so I’ve kept that in all of her colours.

Edwina Sharma has arrived in this new world in London and she really wants to be accepted, so I’ve kept her in softer colour palettes. We do have some pops of pinks to represent her origin, but I did want to keep her in this really soft, naive colour palette so she is closer to the Bridgerton palette. And Mary Sharma, their mother, is in softer pink tones because she herself is softer, more vulnerable. Last season Lady Danbury was in lots of purples, but this season we’ve moved her more into the reds, because as much as she is part of the Sharma world, I still wanted her to be distinctive in her own right.

How do you strike the balance between period and contemporary costuming?

What was your vision for the costume design coming into season two?

In season one, costume designers Ellen Mirojnick and John Glaser created this amazing, fantastic world. It’s so bright and colourful, and it’s a combination of period Sophie Canale fits Jonathan Bailey who plays Anthony Bridgerton into one of his more ‘sombre’ suits

We start with a period silhouette, and then most of the design comes from the fabric choices. I have an amazing team of buyers who will source fabric for me and we will then start draping fabrics on a stand, that’s how we start our process. The element of the fabric really brings a new look to life, and the silhouette gives it the period element.

Can you talk us through the immense level of detail that goes into the costuming?

It’s all about the details. Each button is thought about – you’ll see the Bridgertons have silver buttons, the Featheringtons have gold buttons.

All the men have watch fobs, and each ribbon is chosen to match their colour palette. There are just endless details, and so much thought and craft goes into every piece on the show.

And how many pieces do you make?

Kate Sharma arrives all guns blazing to shake up the love life of Anthony Bridgerton

We make every item of costume for our principal cast. It’s important to do this because it’s important for the cut of a costume, and we need to make sure that the costumes fit perfectly. It’s very rare to be able to do this with a cast so huge. I have the most amazingly talented team, and it is a mammoth job, but it’s not a job that comes round very often. It’s an absolute joy to work on. n r

re www net i c

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

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© NETFLIX

ARTS

Bridgerton season two will once again feature the Holburne museum as Lady Danbury’s home

SET DESIGN

Once again the Holburne Museum takes a leading role in Bridgerton

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ne of the reasons Bridgerton thrilled so much, (well yes those reasons too) was the appearance of famous Bath landmarks including the Holburne Museum, which doubles as the home of Lady Danbury, played

by Adjoa Andoh. Here Spencer Hancock, head of Holburne’s visitor services, tells us how it all came about and what it’s like to have Netflix descend on your place of work.

Was the museum sealed off?

The grounds were not intentionally sealed o but because of some of the outside set dressing (additional rose bushes and other flora and

We were approached in early spring 2019 initially by the location scout. We then had further meetings with the location manager, followed by the head of props and the design team. This was shortly followed by a visit from the director and her team.

The production team were fast and efficient

Working with the production team was a dream. It was a huge team, very e cient, everything went very smoothly. The majority of the team had years of experience working on productions in museums and heritage properties so understood and respected any

© SPENCER HANCOCK

When did filming for season one start?

What was it like being at the Holburne during filming?

How long did the transformation take? © SPENCER HANCOCK

When and who approached you?

The filming took place towards the end of the summer in 2019. I remember the weather being ama ing for the entire time they filmed, which was such a relief as the majority of the action took place outside.

fauna) there was not much to see for passers by. The additional green screen on the front garden also would have blocked any view. It was huge! Much like what they would use for an Avengers or Star Wars movie.

concerns that we may have had. The set up was incredibly fast and came together very quickly. It’s a very well-oiled machine.

The transformation took about a day and half.

Day one was mostly the addition of thousands of rose heads to our existing rose bushes, and covering our balcony in flowers and ivy. Then came the addition of giant urns and carriages.

All the windows had net curtains fitted and the entrance hall was given a very grand face lift (although in reality not that grand, a bit of movie magic was introduced here). All our outdoor signage was covered in this amazing material that was the same colour as Bath stone. Still to this day I have no idea what that was, but it’s great stu .

Did you see many of the cast around?

The green screen on the front garden

We were very lucky to meet Lady Danbury and the Duke from season one, and many of the Bridgerton children used our garden café, in our modern extension, as a green room.

It was quite amusing seeing them all in their period costumes in a modern setting with their iPhones in between scenes. Everyone was very friendly. We really enjoyed working with the whole cast and crew. Everything went so smoothly and it was a lot of fun to see how everything was put together. r

re www h lburne rg www net i c

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

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INTERIORS

MOODBOARD

As Bridgerton returns to our screens, interior designer Clair Strong celebrates the Regency look

I

nspired by the interiors of Bridgerton, Clair has created a few simple ways to achieve that Regency look. She says, “Bridgerton is set in Regency times between 1810 and 1820.

It was a romantic period full of balls and duels, intrigue and extravagance, fashion and style. You don’t need a house like the Bridgertons or Featheringtons to get the look, just mix up a few items with some modern shapes and textures for a subtle nod to the style.”

For more wwww.clairstrong.co.uk Writing letters was a daily ritual in Regency times and this Palais de Normandy writing desk from the French Bedroom Company will complement both modern and traditional room schemes.

Soft pastels like yellow, rose, blue and soft ivory were popular colours of the era.

1. Borrowed Light

by Farrow and Ball 2. Dayroom Yellow

by Farrow and Ball 3. Light Peachblossom by Little Greene 4. Oval Room Blue

by Farrow and Ball 5. Regency White

by Craig and Rose

We may not use silver tea pots and sugar jugs any more but this silver-plated tin for holding treats from Soho Home is a fun nod to the era.

Add hand dyed silk cushions such as this French blue Japanese style from The French Bedroom Company.

Regency rooms were lit with candle sconces. Get the candle lit look with a distressed gold leaf sconce from Besselink & Jones.

New printing techniques meant wallpaper and fabric wall coverings became popular and expeditions to the Orient led to new styles such as Chinoiserie like this Hummingbirds by Cole & Son, and the delicate small-scale damask like Woolverston from Cole & Son. In 1772 Wedgwood opened a showroom in Bath and the bone china remains hugely popular today – like this Wedgwood Cuckoo design two-tier cake stand, which will make every tea time an event.

Every drawing room had a crystal chandelier. Look out for an antique at Antique Textiles and Lighting of Bath, or the classic Stately Empire Chandelier from Sweetpea & Willow.

Hand-carved furniture like this Versailles Sofa from the French Bedroom Company with its antique gilding and exquisite damask silk are perfect for an elegant Regency style bedroom or entrance hall.

Mirrors were placed opposite windows to reflect the light as well as the trees outside the windows. This Ballygannon gilded mirror from OKA would look wonderful over a fireplace.

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

SOVEREIGN DAMP & TIMBER LTD We offer a comprehensive service for all kinds of damp proofing, basement waterproofing, timber treatment and specialist replastering.

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SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

Looking for a heart-felt, hand-tied way to say thanks to mum this Mother’s Day (27 March)? Wedding consultant and orist Lauren le ander is holding a bou uet workshop at atheaston illage all on arch, ust in time to create your own fresh bunch of owers for a unday delivery he and ied ou uet orkshop will be a wonderful way for you to escape the everyday and immerse yourself in the beautiful scents and colours nature has to offer, says Lauren our creation will be crafted by your own hands and perfect as a gift to you, or a loved one and there s aftercare guidance to keep the blooms fresher for longer The Hand Tied Bouquet Workshop with Lauren Alexander will be held at Batheaston New Village Hall, School Lane, Batheaston between 11.45am – 1pm amd costs £45. To book a place visit www.laurenalexanderweddings.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47

CASHMERE BLEND LOUNGE SOCK BY CHALK, £20 Super gentle, warm, and cosy in the softest of pinks – these make the ideal bed or boot sock.

From Luca & Fig, 6 Widcombe Parade, Bath; lu aand o SILVER INFINITY BIRTHSTONE NECKLACE, £70 his infinity pendant is handcrafted with either sterling silver or k gold-fill, and personalised with the relevant birthstones – or a colour of choice if preferred. Shown here is October’s pink opal.

From Honey Willow, 8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath; www.honeywillow.com

PINKIE PROMISE

PINK FACES COIN PURSE, £14 A stylish pink leather purse made in Scotland by a small family-run maker, with a funky, unique, illustrated design, to keep coins or cards tucked inside.

From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

With Mothering Sunday coming up 27 March, vow to show her your love with these blush-rose beauties

DISH WITH FLOWERS

BY CHARLOTTE MCLEISH, £490 East London-based ceramicist Charlotte McLeish makes elegant stoneware vessels, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Egyptian ceramics.

From 8 Holland Street, 23 Brock Street, Bath; www.8hollandstreet.com

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

TWO ICE CREAM BOWLS, £45 Made from ceramic and crafted into the shape of a classic wa e cone, these tall, powder pink ice cream bowls make desserts taste even sweeter.

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

ED’S CHOICE LITTLE STEPS BY FREYA CUMMING, £40 Limited edition silkscreen print with gold and silver leaf by the Scottish-born, Bristol-based artist. Each piece has been handprinted using water-based inks.

From Rostra Gallery; www.rostragallery.co.uk

MOVING CHAINS WITH LOCKS BAG SCARF, £60 This colourful bag scarf in icy pink and made of recycled polyester features a playful gold locks print. Tie it around bag handles or wrap around wrists, neck or a ponytail.

From Mulberry, 38 Milsom Street, Bath; www.mulberry.com

TRAVEL CUTLERY SET, £12 Forget single use plastic and teeth-on-edge wooden cutlery with Lund London’s travel cutlery set. Made from a rice husk mix it includes a knife, fork, spoon and a set of chopsticks.

From Homefront Interiors, 10 Margaret’s Building, Bath; www.homefrontinteriors.co.uk

PINK CHESTERFIELD SOFA, PRICES START FROM £2,705 his classic hesterfield three-seater sofa in the Camden design, boasts a high scroll arm and traditional deep buttoning. o So as & Stu Ne anal Sal s u so asandstu o

ENGLISH ROSE STEM, £17 ive a gift of a classic ower that’ll last forever. Add a single stem of this dusky pink bloom to a tall bottle vase, or go big and create a whole bouquet.

From Neptune, One Tram Yard, Walcot Street, Bath; www.neptune.com

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

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MADE WITH LOVE HONEY WILLOW handcrafts meaningful jewellery in Bath that represents loved ones and life’s milestones

H

oney Willow began online in 2010, founded by local mum, Rhiannon Hamilton, who named the business after her daughters. With three young children at the time, and Crohn’s disease, Honey Willow was born as a means for Rhiannon to work from home. In the early days she would make jewellery at the kitchen table in the evenings, and by listening to her customers and creating products for them, the business grew.

After 12 years operating online, Rhiannon recently opened the first Honey Willow shop on historic Pulteney Bridge. The jewellery workshop is in nearby Argyle St, where everything is handmade to order by a team of creative makers – local people employed by Honey Willow and trained in jewellery-making and silversmithing skills.

Honey Willow donates 50p from the sale of every bestselling links birthday and anniversary necklace to Crohn’s and Colitis UK, a charity particularly close to Rhiannon’s heart as another young team member at the company has

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

recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

The family-centred ethos at the heart of Honey Willow makes its jewellery a truly special and personal Mother’s Day gift. Here, Rhiannon picks a few favourite pieces to celebrate mum:

1

9KT GOLD STACKING RINGS

This gorgeous set of 9kt gold stacking rings are hand-stamped with the names of Rhiannon’s three children and set with their birthstones.

2

9KT YELLOW, ROSE AND WHITE GOLD NECKLACE

3

SILVER BANGLE

name necklace incorporates the family names along with their birthstones.

5

CHOKER NECKLACE

This delicate choker necklace, perfect for layering, was designed by Rhiannon’s daughter, Honey with a birthstone for each family member.

6

9CT GOLD FAMILY DIAMOND BANGLE

A luxurious 9ct gold family diamond bangle, with a diamond for each loved one.

This 9kt yellow, rose and white gold necklace was made for a friend’s 50th birthday, each link to represent her five decades, with five birthstones for each member of her family.

A stunning silver bangle, hand-stamped with a personalised message, with silver links moving around the bangle – one for each loved one.

4

DOUBLE LINK NAME NECKLACE This personal and stylish silver double link

8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AX; 01225 422339; www.honeywillow.co; jewellery@honeywillow.com; Shop Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm.

SPONSORED CONTENT

MOTHER'S DAY

EXPERIENCES Show mum some love SPA DAYS AT THE GARDEN SPA BY L’OCCITANE Give mum an afternoon of relaxation and peacefulness. Better still, join her for some special time together as you choose from our restorative range of 30 or 60-minute spa treatments. Unwind together in the pool, aroma steam room and sauna. Take it slow and wander aimlessly around The Bath Priory's award-winning gardens before sitting down to lunch (on the terrace if it’s sunny!), perhaps with a glass of Champagne to complete the experience.

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VINTAGE STYLE MOTHER'S DAY MATCHBOX

Consciously You

A perfect alternative Mother's Day card, this vintage style matchbox contains the heartfelt message 'thank you for helping me grow', and a miniature bottle filled with wildflower seeds. The seeds have been specially selected to create a stunning display, as well as providing habitat and food for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

For more information, please visit: www.consciouslyyou.co.uk

LUXURY HAIR TREATMENTS Treat mum to a Midtown Blow Dry throughout March and April, and she will experience the REDKEN Acidic Bonding Concentrate shampoo, conditioner and treatment for FREE. REDKEN's Acidic Bonding Concentrate range supports healthier hair by adding protein, moisture and PH, and the three-product regimen results in 56% less breakage, 82% less visible split ends and 11x smoother hair.

It conditions and strengthens hair making it look shiny and smooth, and offers the ultimate repair, intense conditioning and colour fade protection.

To book in please call us on 01225 444178 or visit www.zphairdressing.co.uk

DELICIOUS MOTHER'S DAY LUNCH MENU Green Park Brasserie will run its popular Sunday roast lunch menu alongside the main menu from its award-winning kitchen for Mother’s Day on Sunday 26 March. In addition to the Mother’s Day Sunday Roast, Green Park Station will host the popular Sunday markets. The Bath Pizza Co terrace will also be open (12-9pm) with award-winning pizza and plenty of fizz to go around.

Book a table online via www.greenparkbrasserie.com or on 01225 338565

F o r mo re in fo rmatio n ab o u t th e se e x periences a nd their terms a nd conditions, plea se visit the compa ny’s webs i te. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 51

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

HOUSE OF CARDS

IN SEASON Our new foodie columnist, VERITY GENCO, shares her top seasonal produce for the month of March In March, things start looking up – the days grow longer, and the vernal equinox on the 20th and 21st mark the halfway point to the midsummer solstice. I call March the intermittent month – everyone is waiting for the full bounty of produce that arrives with spring, but there is still much to enjoy.

March brings blooming wild garlic, sorrel, and nettles to forage. The damp conditions found in the woodlands of Prior Park make it the perfect place to gather up leafy green wild garlic to season your table with condiments like garlic butter, garlic pesto and much more.

This month, we say goodbye to the shortseasoned blood oranges, and I encourage you to make the most of Yorkshire forced rhubarb while it’s in season and at its best. All delicious – but my chosen ingredient for the month for my first Bath Life column is purple sprouting broccoli (PSB). It’s hard to believe this vegetable could ever produce much excitement – it is often associated with mass catering and childhood memories of watery mush, placed haphazardly on the plate – but, done right, this handsome purple-hued beauty will dazzle you.

Purple sprouting broccoli contains more antioxidants than green broccoli

After two years, Sleight Bar is finally set to reopen on 26 March. The close-up magic bar on York Street has a completely new look, from the branding to the menu, which features an all-new slate of delicious, Instagram-friendly and atmospheric cocktails.

“If you had told me Sleight would be closed for two years, I wouldn’t have believed you,” says owner Paul Brookes, who is also the resident magician at Sleight. “It has, however, given us this time to rebrand and to give Sleight the look it deserves. Working hard alongside some of Bath’s top local talents has really made our vision come to life and we’re looking forward to creating many more magical memories for everyone.”

For more: www.sleightbar.com

Although PSB shares common nutty, peppery, subtley sweet and bitter flavours with all brassica vegetables, it o ers a welcome change to winter roots like cabbage and leeks. Cultivated since Roman times, PSB takes at least 180 days to mature, and is a tough and hardy plant built to grow in and withstand the blustering cold winter. Unlike other broccoli plants, which produce a single large head, PSB produces smaller heads with a greater number of tender side shoots, and you can eat the leaves and stalk, discarding only the thick or woody stems.

PSB is known to contain a higher content of antioxidants compared to green broccoli, packed with vitamin C, A and B, iron, folic acid, calcium and fibre. The key to retaining most of these nutrients and flavour is to gently steam it for ust four to six minutes – never boil. Try your perfectly steamed S with flaked chilli or toasted almonds, a dash of fresh lemon juice, too, and a scrunch of salt. inish it o with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil – I suggest one of our local award-winning suppliers, Raphael’s Greek EVOO. Head over to my Instagram page for more PSB inspiration.

Verity Genco is the food stylist, cook, baker and caterer behind nstagra rthe a ur, where she creates recipes inspired by the seasons

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

Cocktails and close-up magic at Sleight Bar, opening 26 March

FLOUR POWER The Bertinet Bakery has thrown its support behind the Real Bread Campaign to raise awareness of genuine sourdough as an accessible alternative to a standard sliced loaf. The move follows the launch of the bakery’s fresher-for-longer, sandwich-friendly sliced sourdough range in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado last year.

“Our vision is for everyone to have the chance to choose real bread,” says Chris Young, Real Bread Campaign coordinator. “It’s good to see Bertinet Bakery putting real bread (and genuine sourdough bread at that) on supermarket shelves within reach of millions of people. The rise of local real bread bakeries and home-baking remains at the heart of our campaign, but Bertinet Bakery working at scale to give everyone access to all-natural bread that can be popped in the toaster is key to changing perception of what is possible.”

For more: www.bertinetbakery.com Bertinet Bakery has joined the Real Bread Campaign

The Hideout is one of the top 50 cocktail bars in the UK

SHAKING THINGS UP The Hideout has made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list for the second year running.

This time around, the bar in Lilliput Court jumped up 11 places, to claim 35th best bar in the UK on the list, which is compiled by experts in the industry.

“London has always been seen as a global leader for cocktails but as you’ll see from the 2022 list, other major cities across the UK are now catching up,” says Christopher Lowe, Top 50 Cocktail Bars publisher. “Our newly launched website will help cocktail connoisseurs discover the best of the UK bar scene with many of these very much still under the radar.”

For more: www.hideoutbath.co.uk

STAR QUALITY The Beckford Bottle Shop has retained its Bib Gourmand for the second year in a row, the Michelin guide award that recognises good quality, good value restaurants.

“Retaining our Bib Bib Gourmand approved dishes at Gourmand is incredible,” says The Beckford Bottle Shop Beckford Bottle Shop’s head chef, James Harris. “We are so proud and it is a testament to the hard work the team has put in over a particularly challenging year.”

It’s been a good start to the year for the bistro on Saville Row, which also recently received a glowing review from renowned critic Jay Rayner for its small plates and extensive wine list.

For more: www.beckfordbottleshop.com

LEFT: Lunch like Lady Danbury; RIGHT: Take a Bridgerton tour of Bath

DINE LIKE A BRIDGERTON Season two of Bridgerton is coming up – flip to page 40 for more on that – and just in the time, the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa has come up with an experience that’ll make you feel like Lady Danbury. Its ‘Promenade like a Bridgerton’ package includes a two-night stay in a room or suite, an utterly decadent Champagne afternoon tea in the English country gardens, traditional English breakfast each morning and a private Bridgerton-themed tour of Bath with Curious Strolls.

For more: www.royalcrescent.co.uk

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

THE MARLBOROUGH TAVERN This cosy gastropub more than earns its place among Bath’s favourites

By Lydia Tewkesbury

T

he Marlborough Tavern has a beckoning quality no matter the season. In the summer, its intimate beer garden pulls in strollers escaping the crowds and barbecue-packed Victoria Park for a calmer spot, while during the chilly, grey days of our February visit, its glowing lights and chilled, friendly vibe made for the perfect retreat from Bath’s drizzly streets. We slotted into a cosy alcove for two amidst the buzzing tables of fellow diners and the post-work pint crowd at the bar, and eased into the evening with a glass of wine.

The Marlborough Tavern is one of those pubs that just has a resounding sense of goodness to it – perennially busy, there’s an energy about the place that tilts comfortably into the right side of raucous. Part local to the Royal Crescent and St James’s Square adjacent crowds, part after-o ce watering hole, and part family

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

and visiting Airbnb-ers spot, there’s an eclecticism to our fellow diners that re ects the comfort of the place It really is a pub for everyone – from hardcore foodies to those looking for a cosy spot to gather after work. My companion and I fall somewhere in between the two.

Our cosy gathering needs more than adequately catered for, it was the food that really knocked our socks off After a good deal of um-ing and ah-ing – the menu is generous, varied and filled with multiple points of indecision – I started with the falafel, which came on a bed of rose harissa with tahini, pomegranate and molasses mayo he avours were perfectly, mouthwateringly well balanced, with the gentle spice of harissa offset by the sweetness and nutty avours of the tahini and pomegranate. It’s the sort of dish you want to inhale on instinct, but I controlled myself, taking small bites to make the most of the experience. My friend, meanwhile, went for the beautifully presented pork belly terrine –

RESTAURANT

“It’s the sort of dish you want to inhale on instinct, but I controlled myself” a newbie to The Marlborough’s menu, it comes with strong avoured and salty serrano ham, sumptuous black tru e aioli and a satisfying crunch of toasted focaccia nto the main with yet more um-ing and ah-ing over the myriad options across the mains and pub classics sections of the menu finally opted for the wild mushroom and o uefort arancini with roasted celeriac puree, purple sprouting broccoli and toasted pine nuts risk, as it turned out thought knew what arancini was, but soon discovered did not or some reason thought it was pasta but, fortunately my misunderstanding turned out to be a blessing he crispy, deep fried, cheesy, mushroom-y rice balls were an utter melt-in-the-mouth delight might not have chosen to follow falafel had known m so glad didn t my e perience was all the better for it y friend, meanwhile had he arlborough avern beef burger from the pub classics menu, and it was a feast he thick, uicy burger and soft, pillowy bun was packed with avourful smoked bacon and maple am, ed Leicester cheese and fresh lettuce and tomato with a side of fries, of course t was a burger so huge it ultimately re uired some deconstruction and the obligatory should eat this with my hands dance that happens at least once during any good pub meal e had a little break before pudding my friend needed it more than me already knew e actly what wanted, and the custard, apple and blackberry tart was everything hoped art fruit, sugary crumble top and a deliciously naughty dollop of clotted cream rounded out my evening nicely again, made myself take the small bites t was the sort of dessert you want to make last savouring every tasty, te tural bite y friend, after declaring herself definitely too full to eat anything else had a couple of scoops of ice cream ow could she not e finished stuffed, sleepy in our cosy alcove, and most of all, content n

DINING DETAILS The Marlborough Tavern, 35 Marlborough Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LY. tel: 01225 423731; www.marlborough-tavern.com Opening hours Monday – Saturday, 11.30am – 11pm; Sunday 11.30am – 10.30pm Names of owners Joe Cussens and Justin Sleath Names of head chef Jack Scarterfield Established 2006 Type of food served Modern gastropub Covers Approx 45 Specialities / recommendations The menu

changes seasonally, with new dishes added regularly. Dishes take inspiration from available ingredients, are packed full of flavour.

Cost Starters £7.50 - £12; mains £15 - £27; desserts £7.50 - £9 Drinks choice A full range of soft drinks, local beers, draught beers, an extensive wine list, delicious cocktails and low alcohol options.

Vegetarian options Plenty. There’s always a range of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten and dairy free choices Disability access Full access Atmosphere Buzzing, friendly and cosy whether you’re craving a full meal or a drink at the bar

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 55

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FOOD & DRINK © EAT PICTURES

Helen Lawrence, head chef and co-owner of Demuths

© EAT PICTURES

After every cookery class, Helen and the team join the students to eat what they’ve made

TAKE 5 Helen Lawrence, the head

chef and co-owner of Demuths Cookery School shares a slice of life at the helm After a career dedicated to delicious vegan food, Rachel Demuth, founder of Demuths Cookery School, retired in 2019. On leaving, she handed the reins to head chef Helen Lawrence, who along with her fellow co-owner, manager Georgia Barton, continues to build on the legacy of healthy, tasty and creative vegan dishes that made Demuths a household name in the city.

How did it feel, stepping into Rachel’s shoes to run Demuths?

Rachel Demuth is the matriarch of plant-based cooking in Bath, with former chefs of Demuths Restaurant going on to start

their own businesses – Oak, The Green Rocket and Janifa’s Kitchen to name a few. We are very proud that she has entrusted us to carry on the Demuths legacy here at the cookery school.

How’s it been for the business since the takeover?

Rachel retired in August 2019.

It’s safe to say a global pandemic isn’t quite what we had in mind for our first year of running a business!

As for everyone in hospitality, it has been a hard couple of years but we have adapted to the situation as best we can and things are getting better, with off to a good start

What is it like being head chef at Demuths?

Teaching at Demuths is incredibly varied – one day we have a room full of professional chefs, the next day it’s one of our beginner courses, then the following day we are doing a private supper club for someone’s birthday.

Veganism has grown massively over the last few years and ingredients that were not so common, such as nutritional yeast or jackfruit, are now very familiar.

Everyone seems to know what aquafaba is these days! It pushes us to keep inventing and finding new things to wow students with.

What do you love most about your work?

Why should everyone try out a cookery class?

Imparting my knowledge and witnessing people’s learning is best bit of the job and very satisfying – that’s why I’m still here over 12 years later.

We believe food is a pleasure to cook, eat and share, and we love to share our knowledge and inspire people’s confidence in the kitchen in a fun and relaxed manner. Our classes are not just for vegans but for anyone looking for new ways of working with food.

“Witnessing people’s learning is the best bit of the job”

If you had to choose, what’s your favourite recipe?

A perk of the job is that every class we sit down to eat what we’ve cooked that day – we joke that ‘this is my favourite until tomorrow, then that’s my favourite’, so it is too hard to name one thing. But when it comes to baking, we have a chocolate cake recipe that is impossible to not love. Not only is it vegan but it’s gluten free too – not that you could tell.

Has your role and approach changed as attitudes to veganism have evolved?

Finally, where are your favourite local vegan spots?

It’s a treat for chefs to be cooked for. My favourites are The Green Rocket, just over the road from us, Rooted café in Newbridge and Koocha Mezze Bar in Bristol.

Next on my list is the Harp and Crown in Corsham.

For more: Demuths Cookery School, 6 Terrace Walk, Bath; www.demuths.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 57

GARDENS

ploring the organic grounds of hatley anor otel pa with head gardener avid earce

By Nick Woodhouse

F

ollowing his appointment as head gardener at hatley Manor last summer, David earce certainly hasn t been resting on his laurels. There are after all different sections within the 12-acre gardens of the Cotswold hotel and spa to attend to, each with its own distinct feel, each with its own challenges and delights.

The Rose Garden for instance, with over hybrid and oribunda roses, anked by two otswold stone summerhouses and centred on an elegant ornamental fountain.

Or the Hot Garden, taking its inspiration from more tropical climes, and offering vibrant colour combinations that range from burnt oranges to dark chocolate hues. Or perhaps the Loggia arden, with its contemporary sculpture by imon llison and swing chairs in the loggia itself.

project that was undertaken on the garden between 1998 and 2001, and that David is looking to develop and honour further.

The estate’s renowned Kitchen Garden was the first priority for avid on taking the helm at the gardens of hatley roviding produce to both of the hotel’s restaurants, including the two-Michelin-starred dining room, the gardens are integral to the hotel’s far-reaching sustainability pledge which aims to achieve net- ero emissions by s part of this commitment, David has introduced a no-dig policy to the kitchen gardens a regime that works with nature rather than against it. y avoiding the disturbance of the soil, this approach to growing not only helps to reduce weeds, but also minimises the disruption to mycorrhi al fungi and increases biodiversity within the soil. s well as using organic principals throughout the peat-free gardens, the team has also moved to electric, rather than petrol-powered, tools.

Yet David is keen to reference traditional techni ues too, recently experimenting with the Three Sisters method of companion planting.

Long before the arrival of European settlers in the early th century, ative mericans considered corn, beans and squash as three inseparable sisters that needed each other to grow and thrive. This summer, visitors to hatley will see rows of towering sweetcorn supporting the climbing of beans, which, in turn will fi nitrogen in the soil for ne t year s crop t their base, shallowrooted squash will act as a living mulch to suppress weeds and reduce water evaporation.

It is the restoration of the woodland garden to which avid and his team are currently drawing their attention. Running to 1.5 acres, the area had become overrun by nettles the restoration pro ect aims not only to make it safe again for visitors but also to extend the garden’s interest through the seasons. The recent planting of shrubs such as witch hazel will bring a fresh burst of colour to the winter months, closely followed by the arrival of

“David has introduced a ‘nodig’ policy to the kitchen gardens; a regime that works with nature rather than against it” he manor house at hatley started life as a farmhouse in the th century ince then, it has changed hands aplenty and has seen many additions and modifications he gardens we see today however took shape on the purchase of the estate by o in The Canadian made internal alterations to the farmhouse, added a wing, extended the stable courtyard and built a new coach house keen hunter, he also bought neighbouring land to extend the estate, and laid out a small park and a collection of ornamental gardens. uch of this work was done in the style of rts and rafts movement, for which the Cotswolds had become an important hub in the early decades of the th century t was these original garden plans that were to become the blueprint for the restoration

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

spring bulbs such as snowdrops, hyacinths and daffodils, and onto anemones for early summer colour. t was perhaps on his family s small holding in rural ew orest that avid first discovered his love of nature. Keen to forge a career in the great outdoors, he successfully applied for an apprenticeship at Ventnor Botanic Garden after completing his -Levels e spent two years here, inspired by the world-famous collection of sub-tropical plants made possible by the uni ue micro-climate of the sle of ight s ndercliff aving honed his craft further through studies at isley, avid later took on a full-time position at Highgrove. rowing produce for rince harles, he worked across Highgrove’s two large orchards and the walled kitchen garden. Before moving to hatley last ugust, avid also won the title of runner-up in the much-contested Young Horticulturist of the Year competition. avid is oined on the team by full-time gardener aniel, who has recently made the career change from marketing to horticulture, and part-time gardener Sarah, an olive specialist with her own olive grove in icily Completing the team is apprentice Sarah, who has also changed careers of recent, having previously worked for ath ats and ogs ome his year the team are running a series of garden tours throughout the summer. ach two-hour tour is followed by lunch or afternoon tea, with an aim to offer an insight into the inspiration behind this collection of very uni ue gardens For more: www.whatleymanor.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

© CLIVE NICHOLS © JO HANSFORD

© ANDREW CALL AGHAN CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Whatley Manor’s head gardener David Pearce; there

© JO HANSFORD

are 26 different sections to the grounds including this Knott Garden; the Hot Garden takes its inspiration from more tropical climes; modern sculpture can be found in and amongst the formal gardens

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ASSISTANT HEAD ACADEMIC AND YEAR 5 TEACHER, THE PARAGON SCHOOL BATH 01225 310 837; www.paragonschool.co.uk What are the qualities of a good teacher?

Building and then sustaining positive relationships with children and colleagues is imperative. They are the catalyst to providing children with the opportunities and confidence in which they can thrive. Through understanding how each child you teach ‘ticks’, you are able to then deploy, for example, individualised questioning and scaffolding which both challenge and support children to achieve.

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Sitting at the core of our academic focus for this year is our approach to the teaching of reading, and how, as a school, we are fostering a love for reading for every child. Another focus is the continuous and purposeful onus to develop excellent teaching and learning. The staff are the greatest asset to any school, and, therefore, investing time and providing exciting opportunities to develop teaching and learning through research informed approaches is essential to improving pupil outcomes.

DIRECTOR OF EXPRESSIVE ARTS, MONKTON COMBE SCHOOL 01225 721100 www.monktoncombeschool.com

Pete Fowler

Richard Mainwaring

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Describe your typical day…

What a privilege and joy it is to have the new role of Director of Expressive Arts here at Monkton, bringing together our fantastic Dance, Drama, Media and Music departments. My typical day might start with a rousing hymn in Chapel (as a Welshman, this is always a winner!), followed by a year 9 lesson teaching songwriting in our music IT suite. After break, it might be time to assist the A Level Music Technology students mixing a recent session in the recording studio, followed by a streamed lunchtime concert in the Music department’s Studio 1@1 series. Afternoons are currently often devoted to preparations for our forthcoming production of School of Rock. It is wonderful to witness the combined skills and passion of the Expressive Arts team directing, choreographing and coaching the 60-strong cast in a whirlwind of enthusiasm, hilarity, hard work and seriously loud music! And after supper, how about a trip to Monkton’s theatre to watch a short play devised and performed by one of our year 11 or 13 drama classes? Who could want for a better job?!

HEAD OF ACADEMIC MUSIC, DOWNSIDE SCHOOL

01761 235100; www.downside.co.uk What do you most enjoy about teaching?

I am passionate about teaching children to sing, especially those who start from the point where they can’t sing back a note in tune. I have helped countless teenagers to find their voice, quite literally, but watching them grow in personal confidence at the same time is utterly wonderful – together, we know that we are unpacking something which will last them for a lifetime, and that is very rewarding for pupil and teacher alike. For the past 10 years I have run a ‘Choir who can’t sing.’ The name takes all the pressure off in performance – after all, who in the audience is going to expect perfection?

What challenges come with the role?

One of the more delightful challenges as a newcomer is finding my way around the labyrinth of endless wood-panelled corridors. Downside is a truly magnificent site, steeped in history but equally wellequipped for the digital age.

What do you find most satisfying about the job?

The fact that each and every child is unique and that I get to walk alongside these amazing individuals and encourage and equip them for life after school.

Drawing out the confidence of a young person is as important, if not more important, than the subject specific skills which they also get in their lessons.

JAYNE DAVIS

PRINCIPAL AND CEO, BATH COLLEGE 01225 312191; www.bathcollege.ac.uk

George Bevan

Jayne Davis

How many schools/colleges have you worked at?

This is my second appointment as principal and CEO. My first was at The Henley College in Oxfordshire. That was a short tenure as I needed to move west to be closer to my family at the time. It’s a great college, though I was particularly excited to get this role at Bath College. I already love the College after working here for six years as deputy.

What challenges come with the role?

Covid-19 recovery, ensuring funding is used in the best possible way for the College; making a positive working environment for staff and the best learning environment for students on limited and partially lagged funding, ensuring the College keeps up with local, regional and national initiatives (of which there are many at the moment).

What do you find most satisfying about the job?

Seeing learners progress across such a wonderfully wide range of provisions from full-time 16-18 year olds, apprentices, part-time adults, international learners, HE, our learners in the community, those online, learners with special educational needs and those enjoying leisure courses. It’s so satisfying to know that the College is improving the futures of so many different people in our society.

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SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND

Once study leave starts encourage them to stick to a normal school day-type routine

Ready… steady… revise As exam season approaches, here’s how parents can help with revision

W

ith half term squarely behind us and the summer exam timetable finally published, it’s the time of year when teenagers across the land suddenly bulk buy highlighters and take a keen interest in tidying their bedrooms. While a great deal has shifted in the landscape of GCSE and A levels in the past two years, procrastinating in the name of revision has not. Add a mobile phone into the mix, and parents may be wondering where to start in terms of helping their son or daughter to focus on study.

The good news is that this is prime planning time. Don’t wait for the Easter holidays when stress levels will be high and even mentioning the ‘R’ word becomes grounds for Grade 9 door slamming. Start now with a kitchen table conversation about a basic revision plan and help them take their first organisational baby steps. Check what your child’s school has already provided in terms of planning templates. Key for 2022 will be ensuring they are clear on the reduced exam content. Looking together at what

they DON’T have to revise is a brilliant gateway conversation to what they DO. Next, encourage them to spend the next couple of weekends figuring out what revision technique works best for them.

One of the most common study strategies is to re-read but it’s actually the least e ective.

Re-reading feels like revising because the content becomes more familiar.

But retrieval practise is massively more helpful and there are a range of methods that force pupils to pull knowledge ‘out’ and examine what they know. These include making flash cards, creating mind maps, testing themselves via online quizzes, building a wall of post-it notes worthy of a CSI crime scene and tackling practise papers.

This deeper processing can feel miserable at first as it’s designed to expose weakness. But the most successful learners follow the ‘Three Bears Approach’: revision shouldn’t be too hard or too easy, but somewhere in the middle

that’s just right.

We all know cramming doesn’t work but it’s not just about last minute panic. It also applies to the negative e ect of revising one unit or subject too intensively. Breaking subjects down into topics and sub dividing into sections will help structure revision. Then they can then revise in 45 minute chunks – the maximum time for which the brain can focus e ectively, according to research – and rotate across subjects.

Resting for around 15 minutes between blocks has also been shown to ensure material gets lodged in the memory. Bursts and rests are best.

Talking of focus, if you do nothing else for your son or daughter, help them develop the habit of leaving their mobile phone away from their study space. A distraction-free zone is a priority, and this includes turning o music which studies show can actually disrupt learning.

Finally, it may sound a bit Nanny McPhee to bang on about

“A distractionfree zone is a priority”

the importance of good food and sleep but well-rested, hydrated, nourished students perform better – FACT. Once study leave starts, encourage them to stick to a normal school day-type routine.

If they become nocturnal, it will be much harder to get up for 9am exams. Also try to get them to bank a run of decent kip ahead of exam week; just in case nightbefore nerves get to them.

Overall, encourage them to ‘Do A Dolly’ and work 9-5 each day in four or five smaller sessions with a proper break for lunch. That way they have their evenings free to eat, exercise and relax. Yes, it’s a slog but structure the slog and timetable plenty of ‘legal skiving’ and the next few months may not be as hard as you think.

Victoria Bond is founder and CEO of School Guide, an easy-to-use website that helps parents discover exam results, catchment maps and parent reviews for all their local schools.

For more: www.schoolguide.co.uk

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

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It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>BATH LIFE AWARDS 2022 (68) >>BIZ Q&A NOEL FEHILY AND DAVID CROSSE (70) >>BLA Q&A BATH FESTIVALS (71)

The Bath Christmas Market will return in full glory this November after two years

All we want for Christmas

B

The Bath Christmas Market is set to return in November ath Christmas Market will return to the city this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

After two years away because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s market will run for 18 days from 24 November until 11 December as part of the Bath at hristmas festive offering “I am so pleased to be able to announce our traditional Bath Christmas Market is back and that we ll be celebrating its th anniversary this year,” says councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for hildren and oung eople, ommunities and ulture s we all know, over the past two years the large-scale market couldn t go ahead due to the pandemic espite that we worked with our

partners to make ‘Bath at Christmas’ a success in 2020 and 2021 and we really want to build on that. lanning is already under way to make it a very special anniversary year he market gives a huge boost not ust to the stall holders, many of which are local businesses, but also to our retail, accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors t will play a crucial role in helping both hospitality and retail after a such a tough time and we hope everyone will get behind it and support ath hristmas arket ore than chalets will sell a range of seasonal gifts, food and drink, including new start up carts for new, small artisan sellers available for short lets in the heart of the market.

For more: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

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BATHWORKS Kartini Sutoto catching the action live at the 2021 Awards

© SOUL MEDIA

REALITY BITES Bath Spa University applicants can now take a virtual tour of the Newton Park campus thanks to a new augmented reality (AR) app. AR Campus was created by Dr Matthew Freeman, research lead for Film and Media and course leader for Media and Communications at Bath Spa, in collaboration with Bristol-based ZubrVR. “Many people have recognised the potential of immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality. Up until now, though, few UK universities have harnessed such technologies to better promote the university experience to its student body,” says Matthew, who also runs Immersive Promotion Design, a marketing consultancy that supports virtual (VR) and AR creatives and businesses. “We know that going to university is about developing skills and knowledge for a future career, but it’s also about forming new networks and connections, and benefitting from impromptu opportunities and creative learning – most of which is often invisible to the naked eye during a one-off open day he ampus our app is our way of starting to make some of these invisible university experiences visible for everyone to see.”

For more: www.bathspa.ac.uk

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Bath’s best and brightest gathered in The Assembly Rooms on 3 March for the 2022 Bath Life Awards. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we drank lots and lots of wine – but most of all we celebrated another year’s worth of incredible, inventive, and downright wonderful Bath businesses. A huge congratulations to this year’s winners listed on page ou can find out more on the

Bath Life Awards website and enjoy all the techinicolour action in the upcoming 25 March issue of Bath Life, which will be filled with photos from the night itself. Prepare yourself for pages filled with oy and memorable fashion moments. It was an occasion to appreciate the wonderful city we live in – and a night that (despite all the wine) we won’t soon forget.

For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

Prospective Bath Spa students can now take an AR tour of the campus

EVERGREEN

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw joined children at King Edward’s Pre-Prep to plant a tree in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee

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

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw joined children at King Edward’s Pre-Prep to plant a tree for the Queen’s Jubilee. The event forms part of the UK-wide tree planting project to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.

“It is such a pleasure to plant trees to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee because they will last for many years into the future,” says HM Lord-Lieutenant Annie Maw. “These children will be able to return, when they reach my kind of age, to see how much their tree has grown and re ect on the remarkable service that Her Majesty has given to us all over these last seven decades. Our nation has grown during Her Majesty’s historical reign just as this tree will have done, and they will be able to feel proud that they planted it.”

For more: www.queensgreencanopy.org

Propagator Penny Jones in Westonbirt’s new Quarantine House

© DAVE HUGHES

A mentoring plus mentor and mentee with Mentoring Plus CEO Ruth Keily

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC WINNING NUMBERS

Bath-based charity Mentoring Plus has been awarded £30,000 per year for the ne t five years from the ational Lottery ommunity und The funding will enable the charity to support volunteer mentoring in BANES, including recruiting, training and supporting new mentors Ruth Kelly, CEO of Mentoring Plus says, “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can mentor more young people, offering an individualised service and give them hope for their future his will make a big difference to local young people s lives www.mentoringplus.net

GREEN LIT estonbirt rboretum has a new uarantine ouse he specialist facility within the Propagation Unit ensures new plant material brought into the arboretum doesn t present a potential risk to the collection, as pests and diseases can travel in seeds and other organic material he arboretum had

a range of measures already in place, but the new Quarantine House updates their biosecurity further, in line with standards of industry e cellence “This Quarantine House means that all new plants and seeds can be separated from other plants in the Propagation nit and from those in the

living collection, says enny ones, propagator at estonbirt e are now able to constantly monitor and inspect new plants and apply the correct biological controls if needed The project was funded by estonbirt s charity, riends of estonbirt rboretum For more: www.forestryengland.uk

PAGE TURNERS

wo ath-based small presses are finalists in the ritish ook wards mall ress of the ear wards d oc iction and eally ecent ooks have both received nods for the CPI Group sponsored Awards, which celebrate the UK’s grassroots publishing scene verall, has proved to be a gnarly year for the UK and Ireland’s small presses, says hilip ones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judges for the British Book wards ollowing an adrenaline fuelled , many publishers faced issues around re it, a fickle supply chain, and the ongoing disruption to high street bookshops due to the pandemic, culminating in a choppy but ultimately champion year for many with a number of important books breaking through his was small press publishing at its best, smart and nimble, with ama ing attention to detail, and always with an emphasis on the reader at the heart of it all www.thebookseller.com

Bath City Football Club has joined the National Lottery Football Weekends Campaign

A HOME GAME WIN ath ity ootball lub has oined the ational Lottery ootball eekends ampaign, which gives fans the chance to watch their local football teams for free he , tickets to be made available for selected matches on a buy-oneget-one-free basis are a way of saying thank you for the over million of ational Lottery unding that enabled community clubs including ath ity to survive the pandemic shut-downs he offer is available at one clubs, including in ath where it applies to ath ity ulwich

amlet home game happening on pril t was a di cult time for so many during the pandemic and our club faced huge challenges, says ath ity director, on ickley o have National Lottery players step in and help us get through to welcoming fans back through the gates was ama ing his is a great way to celebrate that support and to give people the chance to sample the uni ue e perience of football at this level e can t wait to welcome new fans to werton ark For more: www.bathcityfc.com

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

© SOUL MEDIA

BATHWORKS

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2021

Steph Massie, head of development, Kate Abbey, senior literature programmer, Jasmine Barker, head of marketing and communications and Kate Hall, programme director

Stephanie Massie, head of development for BATH FESTIVALS on what made 2021 their winning year EVENT WINNER SPONSORED BY

we helped bring both of these elements to the classroom and home, reaching 155,000 children in 67 countries. We’re proud of that achievement.

What sets you apart?

So tell us, what was it like to win a Bath Life Award?

It was a huge boost for our team as it came in the week we launched our live Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2021 and the second digital Reading is Magic Festival. The Award gave us all a real buzz that what we do is recognised and valued in the city.

Where have you put the Award?

It is, pride of place, in the Bath estivals new o ce in he orum Why do you think you won?

Our digital Reading is Magic Festival changed the future of Bath Festivals. In a year when children missed education and fun, 70 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Our team’s passion and drive; the city’s beautiful and unique venues; our many partnerships and collaborations; the fact that we attract national and international artists as well as showcasing the wealth of local talent; sharing our love and the joy of books and music with audiences of all ages.

What do you really love about your job with Bath Festivals?

Connecting with people; enabling organisations to support the arts in their own city and knowing from experience the importance of live events, music and books on our mental health.

Where do the frustrations lie?

Fundraising always has its frustrations, but it’s been an

especially challenging year for all arts organisations. People really value what Bath Festivals brings to the city as it makes a hugely positive impact, but we rely on the ongoing support of local people and businesses to make sure the festivals will be here for their future.

What’s the best part about working in Bath?

The supportive, creative people.

Also it’s a beautiful place to work and most places are within easy walking distance.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

My grandpa was always giving us

“PEOPLE REALLY VALUE WHAT BATH FESTIVALS BRINGS TO THE CITY”

quirky snippets of advice which I can’t forget 25 years on, including ‘you’re not sugar, you won’t melt’, ‘be good, and if you can’t be good, be careful’, ‘be kind, or be quiet’ and ‘be yourself ’.

Any exciting plans for this year?

Always! We’ve got lots of cool book and music events, writing workshops, walks and exciting venue collaborations in this year’s Bath Festival.

Tell us something surprising about Bath Festivals

People are always surprised to hear that Bath Festivals is a small charity (11 in the team and six of them are part time). We run a year-round Creative Learning Programme of music and literature projects which give children and young people opportunities to grow their passions and interests and offers them access to cultural and creative events.

For more: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

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BATHWORKS

David Crosse

“WE ALL LOVE THE BUILD-UP AND THE TENSION” winner’s enclosure at last year’s Cheltenham Festival when ‘Come on eddy finished a very creditable third was right up there. It’s such a buzz to have a runner during the Festival, and to have ‘Come On Teddy’ run such a competitive race and finish in the first three was a definite highlight ‘Goodbye Dancer’ will always be very memorable also as our first winner at Cheltenham Festival.

Noel Fehily

BIZ Q&A

Noel Fehily and David Crosse The horse racing veterans on their latest venture

N

oel Fehily and David Crosse have used their combined 45 years of horse racing experience to launch a syndicate from their stables just outside of Trowbridge. Noel and avid offer up to ten shares per horse on a range of high-quality racing horses, and manage each syndicate of owners, and communications with trainers. A relatively new enterprise, the syndicates have enjoyed 28 wins since launching in November 2019.

How did you both get into the sport of horse racing?

NOEL: I started riding when I was about six – my dad took me and my sister, and I got bitten by the bug.

I turned professional in 2000. By 2001 I was Champion Condition Jockey – think of that as being a top-of-the class apprentice y first heltenham Festival win was in 2007 on Silver Jaro. That was quite a day – there is nothing like riding at the most exciting and famous jump festival in the world.

I can still recall the feeling as I rode Silver Jaro into the winner’s enclosure – it was electric!

DAVID: I’m a native of county Tipperary in Ireland. My father was a farmer and my mother a teacher. At the age of 14 I had a weekend job with local trainer, Edward O’Grady with the intent of becoming a jockey.

I relocated to England when I was 16 to work for trainer Charlie Mann, and it was here first met oel Whilst with Charlie, I was Champion Amateur, before turning professional 2001. Throughout my riding career I rode 207 races, broke a lot of bones and experienced my fair share of bad horses, but had the time of my life.

What are the benefits of being part of a horse racing syndicate?

DAVID: It’s a social event, being a member of a syndicate and an opportunity to meet a variety of people who share the same passion.

Members are part of a team and feel the camaraderie which comes with the

inevitable highs and lows associated with horse racing. There are also the other obvious benefits, such as dividing the cost of ownership – essentially training fees – gaining race day admission and being welcomed to the horse training yard to meet your horse.

What is it that makes your syndicate unique?

NOEL: Myself and David hope to use our own race riding experience and contacts to purchase suitable horses which members will not only have fun with, but are hopefully good enough to compete at Cheltenham and all the big festivals. Where possible we ride potential horses before making a purchase and we periodically sit on them when in training to offer feedback to the trainer and syndicate members.

What would you say have been your best moments?

NOEL: We have had two winners at Cheltenham, but being in the

You have local business partners for the syndicates too, right?

NOEL: Last year we started a fantastic sponsorship with MONUSKIN – they are a professional skincare company in Cheltenham. The owner, Laurent van Bekkum is one of our syndicate owners and he certainly got the bug! We started talking about that connection with nature, performance, the broader racing community – so many more women now involved – and it just clicked. Every syndicate owner receives the most incredible box of skincare now too.

What has kept you in horse racing for all these years?

DAVID: There’s the obvious buzz and excitement associated with racing, but it s the horses themselves and figuring out the key to every one that does it for me here are so many different elements involved when it comes to horses and racing, from pedigrees to form, that it can never become boring.

NOEL: The Cheltenham Festival is a big part of it. We all love the build-up and the tension – being there in the thick of it all. I’ve been a winning jockey, a spectator, and now a syndicate owner. It’s four glorious days, the highlight in the racing calendar, and we are part of that in a meaningful way. If you want to ask my why I’m still in horse racing, one answer – ‘the crack’! As an Irish man, I’m allowed to end with that!

For more: www.noelfehilyracing.com

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

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TURN UP THE HEAT Jonathan Hetreed from HETREED ROSS ARCHITECTS shares his advice on listed historic buildings...

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iving or working in historic buildings like this listed terraced house in Larkhall may seem to rule out eco refurbishment, but there are still many changes that can be acceptable for listed buildings.

Some fall into ‘de minimis’ category, requiring no listed building consent. But be warned, altering a listed building without consent can be a criminal offence, so never assume – ask!

In order of eco-cost-effectiveness: Draught strip windows, doors, loft hatches and service entries.

Insulate roofs, floors and walls, in that order.

Upgrade windows with secondary glazing, clear roller blinds, shutters or thermal curtains.

For new windows, you may be allowed double glazing – but don’t assume so.

Upgrade your heating controls with TRVs at least, and then with zone controls and weather compensation, so that unused areas of the building are not wastefully heated and our changeable weather patterns are accounted for.

As far as ventilation is concerned, once buildings are thoroughly draft stripped, adequate venting becomes more critical.

With multiple bathrooms, kitchens and utilities, heat reclaim systems are increasingly viable, and current systems can be over 90 per cent efficient in reclaiming heat with very low power fans. However, the complexities of installing the necessary ductwork for these systems can rule them out of all but the most comprehensive refurbishment.

If boilers need replacement, consider heat pumps – ground source ideally, or air source – both need to work with underfloor heating or very large radiators to be efficient: high capital cost (even with the grant) but long life and trouble-free; or clean burn biomass – logs, wood pellets, straw etc, which are lower cost but higher workload; solar thermal or solar PVs can be acceptable for a ‘discreet roof slope’ or at ground level, but freedom from shade – trees, roofs, chimney stacks, etc – is critical, especially for PVs. Solar needs to be combined with storage for

best value – high volume thermal stores for solar thermal or PVs; and battery installations for widest use and car charging – they need space of course, but are likely to count as de minimis in your newly comfortable listed building. n

Hetreed Ross Architects, Attika Workspace, Bath Brewery, Toll Bridge Road, Bath, BA1 7DE; enquiries@hetreedross.com; 01225 851860; www.hetreedross.com

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TAX YEAR END APPROACHES Local legal expert HELEN STARKIE offers advice on planning for the new tax year...

A

new tax year begins on 6 April, making this is a good moment to check that you have made the most of opportunities available in the current one, whilst planning

for the next.

If you have been thinking about passing on assets to others (perhaps one of your children needs a deposit to help them get on the housing ladder?) now is a good moment to do so. In any one tax year each individual is entitled to make a gift of £3,000 to another without it being taken into account for inheritance tax on their estate should they die within the next seven years. If they did not make a gift in the previous tax year, they can carry forward that year’s exemption, too (but only for the one year). This means, for example, that a couple who have not made gifts in this or last tax year could between them make a gift of £12,000 to their children (or whoever) now – and another £6,000 between them on 6 April when the new tax year is under way.

If the couple do not make a gift this tax year, then last year’s exemption will be lost to them and they will only be able to give £12,000 in total before 6 April 2023, rather than £18,000.

There are other annual gifts which can be made in addition to this particular exemption, and some relating to specific occasions – the wedding of a child or grandchild, for example.

Take advice if you want to ensure that you have maximised your opportunities to reduce the potential taxable value of your estate when you die.

If making gifts will involve you selling assets to do it, make sure you utilise, if you can, any unused capital gains tax allowance for the current year (£12,300 per person) and if you are planning gifting as a couple and will still have capital gains tax to pay after taking the allowances into account, ensure that the asset(s) realised belong to the spouse or partner, if there is one, who pays a lower rate of income tax than the other.

Are you considering making contributions to grandchildren’s school fees – or perhaps helping out with the children’s monthly living expenses? To the extent that your normal expenditure exceeds your day to day living needs this should be done by way of an agreement to make regular payments out of unused income – again avoiding the risk of the payments being added back in to the value of your estate for inheritance tax purposes should you die within seven years of the gift. (This

“IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT PASSING ON ASSETS TO OTHERS, NOW IS A GOOD MOMENT TO DO SO” exemption is quite separate from the £3,000 exemption mentioned above and can be used in addition to it). Set the arrangement up this tax year to ensure that any gifts of this type made during the 2021/22 tax year are included in the exemption.

Saving? Have you used your whole £20,000 ISA allowance for this year? If not, now is the time to top up – and you can add another £20,000 on or after 6 April.

Finally, make sure that your affairs are up to date as the tax year ends. If you have made gifts make sure that you have recorded what you have done and ask your solicitor to store details of them with your Will, if they are holding it for you.

It goes without saying that if your solicitor is not holding your Will for you because you have yet to make or update it, now is the moment. n

Helen Starkie Solicitor 38 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; 01225 442353; www.helenstarkie.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 75

Quality time with the family is a major part of the Rush Hill Mews philosophy

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE Don’t be shy and retiring about planning your future

By John Mather

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

I

f we want to spend our later years enjoying our retirement, then we need to start taking charge of our future right now. There’s nothing to stop us considering what sort of retirement home might suit us, or a loved one, whether it be a monitored on-site community, at-home support, or a residence offering full-time care ere we put those frequently asked questions to three care home experts to help e plore our options and find out a little bit more

Caroline Carter, general manager of Care UK’s Rush Hill Mews, Clarks Way, Bath; www.careuk.com

What’s your care philosophy?

t ush ill ews, we put residents personal preferences, well-being, independence and safety at the heart of everything we do. From spending quality time with families, enjoying a spot of gardening or having a stretch in an exercise class, we support residents to live fulfilling, rewarding and happy lives through meaningful activities and e pert care ulfilling lives is instilled in our values of being caring, passionate and embracing teamwork. These shape how we work as caring professionals.

RETIREMENT Are there different packages to select from?

t ush ill ews we provide a wide range of round-the-clock care to suit different needs, including residential, nursing, dementia, respite and end of life care. Everything we do is suited to the needs and preferences of each individual, encouraging independence wherever possible, so residents can continue to enjoy a great lifestyle tailored to the level of care suitable for them.

What sort of activities and facilities are on offer?

From trips out to making wishes come true, holding events with the community, to birthdays and celebrations in the home, no two days are the same at ush ill ews care home here is always an en oyable and varied daily programme of events and activities for residents, from baking and arts and crafts to Tai chi and visiting entertainers. If there are activities residents would really like to do, or perhaps are keen to start, such as a new hobby or craft, the team will support the resident to make that happen.

I’m worrying about developing dementia and being properly cared for…

very colleague at ush ill ews has received specialist dementia training to enhance their understanding of what it may be like to live with dementia. Care UK regularly work with academic partners to ensure everything we do is informed by the latest research; from the food and dining e perience to finding new ways to empower residents to have maximum control over their daily life and environment. ush ill ews has been purposely designed to be dementia friendly throughout, by balancing colour schemes and providing regular wayfinding and points of interest which create a safe, homely and easily understood environment. Residents are also encouraged to LEFT: Wadswick Green’s on-site restaurant provides a wide choice of delicious and seasonal dishes; BELOW: an elegant apartment space at Wadswick Green

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

RETIREMENT personalise their rooms with pictures and other belongings, while memory boxes outside each room can be filled with special items to make it easier to navigate while providing meaningful conversations between residents and team members.

Angela McKimmie, sales and marketing director of Rangeford Villages, Wadswick Green, Rowan Lane, Corsham; www.rangefordvillages.co.uk What sets Wadswick Green apart?

Award-winning Wadswick Green has established itself as a true lifestyle village for the over 60s, successfully changing people’s perception of what retirement properties should look like. Thanks to engaging events, social groups, amenities and a popular on-site restaurant that is open to the public, Wadswick Green stands out as an inclusive community that celebrates and supports a carefree retirement.

What happens when needs change?

We support independent living for as long as it’s possible but should the re uirements for a resident change, we can offer a range of care and support services at Wadswick Green. As CQC registered and members of the Homecare Association, which is a recognised trade body for providers of care in the home, Rangeford Villages comply with their code of conduct and our ualified care staff are dedicated to meeting our residents’ needs. Our on-site care services can be adapted to meet residents’ changing needs which gives them, as well as their family, peace of mind and the knowledge that they are in safe hands.

What sort of activities are on-site?

At Wadswick Green, our residents can enjoy an abundance of on-site amenities including a pool, steam room and sauna, gymnasium, hair salon and on-site restaurant with outdoor terrace, croquet, boules, and the putting green. Our team creates a regular events calendar and encourages residents to start their own social groups as well. As a result, adswick reen offers a number of opportunities for residents wanting to socialise.

Whether you are a keen walker, enjoy singing or performing or want to exchange thoughts in a book club, there’s bound to be an activity for you. Our teams and residents do also organise days out, such as trips to Bath or cinema visits. Although many of our residents still drive their own car, adswick reen also provides a chauffeur service, making it convenient to get around.

What’s the food like?

Thanks to our on-site restaurant, The Greenhouse, residents have a choice of delicious and seasonal dishes. Prepared by our chef and his team, you might want to try the salmon fish cakes served with pak choi, red peppers and courgette ribbons, or the leek and walnut steamed pudding with creamy spring green cabbage, laced with tru e and roasted s uash puree here is also the bar coffee shop serving paninis and cakes.

James Grundy, village manager at Avonpark, Limpley Stoke, Near Bath; www.avonparkvillage.co.uk What exactly is Avonpark retirement village?

Avonpark is made up of 91 apartments and bungalows. Residents have exclusive access to clubhouse facilities which include a bar, bistro, library and a conservatory overlooking the beautiful Avon Valley. Set within 15 acres of land, Avonpark sits in the heart of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside and only a 15-minute drive to the centre of Bath.

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

ABOVE: Avonpark retirement village is made up of 91 apartments and bungalows overlooking Avon Valley; BELOW: The stylish on-site hair salon at Rush Hill Mews

What sort of lifestyle packages do you offer?

If immediate assistance is needed, our community-based care team are there to provide a call-out-first-response service, and this emergency call-out support is covered within the management fee. The Live Well Hospitality packages can be tailor made to suit and provide support such as housekeeping, utilities, and home-cooked meals. Our planned care service is another option to help independently living in the comfort of your home, either through a community-based care team, or a local provider.

When should I start saving / planning?

It’s never too early to plan for retirement! But you can only join us if you’re over 65 – or your partner is. For some it’s a destination, for others it’s to be closer to family or to move to a home with less maintenance.

Choosing to live as part of an integrated community in retirement can offer the support and inspiration to continue to lead an active and fulfilling lifestyle ith a huge variety of creative, active and social opportunities on offer at our locations across the country, living in a retirement community offers a strong foundation of communitybased independence to retire with purpose. n

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

Hampton by Hilton Bath City on Avon Street has seven floors

Hotel

ROOM SERVICE

A new Bath city centre hotel opens up offering 202 guest rooms Hampton by Hilton Bath City on Avon Street has opened for business. The hotel, which was developed by ominvs roup, offers guest rooms across seven oors, a bar, a restaurant, and a -hour fitness centre The rooms feature large windows, private en-suites, air-conditioning, 55-inch TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge and ergonomic workstations, as well as offering a free hot breakfast for guests.

Angela Humble, the hotel’s general

manager, says, “We are excited to welcome guests to the opening of this beautiful new hotel. Hampton by Hilton Bath City is set to impress with its modern design, prime location, and excellent amenities. We are so proud to open such a wonderful space in the heart of this historic city, ready for visitors from all over the world to experience.”

Construction began on the hotel in September 2019 and was completed by McAleer & Rushe. Jay Ahluwalia, principal

at Dominvs Group, says, “We’re pleased to expand our partnership with Hilton with the opening of this hotel. It serves as a brilliant addition to the city centre, and we could not have done it without the hard work of our partners. The hotel is an ideal destination for visitors to sample everything that Bath has to offer, and we are delighted to make another great addition to our fast-growing portfolio.”

For more: www.bathcity.hamptonbyhilton.com

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

PROPERTY NEWS Museum

TOWER ABOVE

Cllr Sarah Gibson, John Potter, Chairman of the Preservation Trust and Cllr Dr Mark McClelland

© TREVOR PORTER

A public appeal is now underway to raise £10,000 in 2022 for the project, Our Tower: Reconnecting Beckford’s Tower and Landscape for all n the two centuries since the death of William Beckford in 1844, the original walls of the tower garden fell into disrepair, the paddocks became overgrown and other parts of the ride passed into different ownership eckford s ower was added to the National ‘At Risk’ Register in ctober Alex Sherman, CEO of Bath Preservation Trust explains, “Public support is a crucial element, and donations help to demonstrate the appeal of the project to local residents, visitors to the museum and others which will benefit For more: www.beckfordstower.org.uk

Preservation

Rather than seeing a street in Bradford on Avon tarmacked, the town council, Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust and Wiltshire Council are working together to relay the footpath between Church Street and Barton Orchard with pennant stone, which was sourced from a reclamation yard in erthyr ydfil John Potter, chairman of the Preservation Trust, explains, “The pretty, and much used, little footpath is being restored with pennant slabs as a part of Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust’s scheme to replace damaged pavements made of pennant with the correct material rather than tarmac patches “We are very pleased to have worked closely with The Town Council and Wiltshire Council on this project, which has been greatly helped by a generous donation towards the costs from a member of the rust For more: www.bradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk

© DUNK /FLICKR

ON THE RIGHT PATH

A public appeal has been launched to help restore Beckford Tower

The virtual Property Symposium is back on 29 April

Bath Property Awards

BRICK BY BRICK The Property Symposium 22, the virtual property conference organised by the Bath Property Awards and happening on 29 April from 9am–1pm, is focussing on sustainability initiatives, policies and guidance changes that will affect all organisations connected to construction Speakers include Jennet Siebrits, head of research at CBRE who operate across every dimension of commercial real estate, and Lucian ook, head of residential research at avills Along with the research-based keynotes, there will be panel sessions and online networking opportunities with other property professionals For more: www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk

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

A PLACETO CALL HOME

ST STEPHEN’S HOUSE Lauren Coton explores the perfect home for your new life of luxury

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

PROPERTY

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estled among an abundance of conveniences, St Stephen’s House stands proud, a showcase balancing both traditional and contemporary designs that form its foundations. Situated in Lansdown, an a uent suburb northwards of Bath’s city centre, t tephen s ouse offers the perfect location to absorb the city’s picturesque maze of architecture and westerly views, appealing to the discerning staycation-er who doesn’t feel the need to venture too far. The detached house allows for privacy, but not complete isolation from other homeowners in the area – it caters to the homebody, but with an engaged

and friendly community nearby. Constructed in 2017, St Stephen’s House begs ownership by one willing to accentuate and appreciate its contemporary bespoke design without diminishing the traditional elements that link the house to the period homes that surround it. To take up residence in this house is to immerse yourself in its opulence – from the rooftop terrace and private courtyard that take ‘sit back and relax’ to another level, to the professional integrated home gym on the ground oor s there any greater lu ury orget setting out your work out gear the night before – nothing will get you in shape so fast as not needing to leave the house for it.

But it’s not just in added extras where St Stephen’s House excels. On entrance, you are immediately welcomed by a grandiose entrance hall and L-shaped living room – a spacious but comfortable place to relax with family members, or simply alone with a glass of wine on a night in. The copper adorned walls of the lower ground oor kitchen and breakfast bar emphasise the rustic but modern feel this property exudes.

The four bedrooms seem to seek a luxury-loving yet comfort-seeking occupant, one who can maintain the rooms effortless grandeur with their own individual sense of interior design. Bathe in the splendour during a soak in the depths of the brass-lined bathtub situated in the en-suite bathroom – timeless in a way that makes the bather feel the same. When you sink into this tub, the outside world simply ceases to exist.

The location of this property couldn’t be more

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 85

PROPERTY

convenient, with Bath Spa train station a mere mile away, and the city centre less than a ten-minute drive south, as well as a range of schools. It’s safe to say that the size and strategic location caters to a variety of home seekers, from families to business orientated individuals who are searching for the perfect home for a daily routine with a luxurious and stylish twist.

Picture this: step through the French doors onto the roof terrace and take in the idyllic panorama of the scenic countryside surrounding Bath, then head downstairs to the gym – the gawking, prying eyes of other gym goers no longer a concern as you begin to work out in perfect privacy. St Stephen’s House is a lifestyle property to its core and it offers an enviable life indeed.

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

HOUSE NUMBERS Price Square foot Bedrooms

£1.75m 2,354 4

Bathrooms

2

For more: Hamptons Sales, Bath, 32 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; www.hamptons.co.uk

We happily take on domestic, commercial and industrial contracts; from a simple home redecoration through to a large scale business renovation.

It is our company policy to ensure that every project is dealt with in a high quality professional manner and we are happy to make recommendations regarding materials to suit your needs and budget.

We use all varieties of paint and wallpaper from all of the major brands, including; Farrow & Ball | Dulux Trade | Crown Trade | Neptune | Little Greene

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

www.ashleycollinspainting.co.uk

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

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is a Bath based family business specialising in painting and decorating, plastering, tiling, sash window restoration and other property restoration. Nexus have built a reputation for the highest standards of workmanship with experience across a range of projects from listed buildings through to new builds, with a complete commitment to customer service and health and safety Tel: 01225 300414; www.nexusofbath.co.uk

and traditional interiors, valued for their individual, beautifully tailored characterful design. With 25 years of expertise delivering space planning, detailed design, procurement, art curation and project management. An award-winning practice with studios in Bath & London, WOOLF are accredited designers of historic, period, listed houses and hotels. Tel 01225 445670; woolfinterior.com

ath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and flue specialist. rom classic to contemporary, concept to completion, their team of experts can work with you to achieve your perfect interior. Brands include Chesney’s, arbas elfires, Hwam, Stuv and etmaster. et in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, ath A in endi fire lacesbath c uk, Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

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O ering stylish, innovative flooring solutions to meet the needs of the savvy Bath homeowner. Virtuoso employ the largest team of experienced fitters in ath.

Their dedicated team are ready to turn your dream floor into a reality. Call now for a free consultation or visit their new show room on Moorland Road. en uire, e ail in irtu s ring c uk r call 01225 972715; www.virtuosoflooring.co.uk

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

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

Contact Clair on 01225 426906 or 07855 79731

Based in the heart of Bath and specialising in bespoke, handmade kitchens, Bath Kitchen Company become personally invested in every kitchen they design and build. It’s about attention to detail at every stage – creating a beautiful space that enhances the way you live. rth arade uildings, ath A Tel: 01225 312003 www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk

Providing bespoke kitchens and made-to-measure interiors across the Bath area for more than 35 years, Schmidt ath o ers luxury solutions for the home at a ordable prices. With a dedicated in-house fitting team, your project will be completed to the highest standards.

Visit their showroom to see the latest ranges and more of what they can o er. 1 Park Road, Bath BA1 3EE; Tel: 01225 337276; www.schmidt-bath.com

Coopers Home Appliances is an independent retailer trading continuously since 1947 and specialises in kitchen appliances. We have built an enviable reputation, delivering great products with an eye for the unusual. alue driven and customer focused. Striving to make shopping a pleasurable and human experience – a real antidote to the soulless online shopping ‘trip’.

01225 311811; www.coopershomeappliances.com

A specialist in real wood flooring with a showroom based in rome. O ering the area’s widest range with parquet, herringbone, planks and decorative panels to choose from. Ted Todd & Woodpecker showroom partners. Together with their own in-house installation craftspeople. Their boutique paint & wallpaper store is next door too. 43 to 44 Vallis Way, Frome BA11 3BA; 01373 228388; www.thewoodenflooringstudio.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 89

BATH LIVES

“The most unusual part of being High Sheriff has been the uniform” one to check up on you and in each county each igh heriff does it their own way. This gives a wonderful carte blanche to pack in as many visits to as many different people as possible nd what an eye opener it has been.

The biggest surprise about Somerset is how big it is. From

THOMAS SHEPPARD The 960th High Sheriff of Somerset on supporting local communities and how carrying a sword is part of the job description A multi-generational Bathonian, and Thrings lawyer, Thomas Sheppard has been involved with a myriad of charities across the region for decades. And in March 2021, he was appointed by the Queen to be the 960th High Sheriff of Somerset.

The office of High Sheriff is, after the British monarchy, the oldest official post in England and Wales, tracing

back up to 1,000 years to the reign of the Saxon King ‘Ethelred the Unready.’

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

The High Sheriff has always represented the monarch in their county; for many centuries

this included the collection of rent and taxes and maintenance of law and order – think a kindhearted heriff of ottingham These days the role is still about being the Queen’s representative but with a greater focus on supporting and encouraging communities across their county – and saying, ‘thank you’.

Being High Sheriff is what you make it. Whilst respecting the

Royal appointment, there is no

Exmoor to the Somerset levels, from Bath to the Blackdown Hills and everything in between – the county has a huge variety of landscapes with so many different communities and such a rich tapestry of history.

Some visits have highlighted the need for dramatic change.

The plague of county lines is a sad one with young children being drawn into the trade of dealing in illegal drugs. Another is a creaking prison service struggling with reoffending

Overall, discovering Somerset has been a great joy. I have

been welcomed everywhere.

Mayors have proudly shown off their towns communities have shown me their eclectic ceremonies; and I have met so many individuals everywhere, all sel essly doing ama ing things for other people.

It’s difficult to choose the most special moment of the role. The cutting of the Holy

Thorn ceremony must be in the

Top Ten… every December, the eldest child of St John’s Infant School in Glastonbury cuts a sprig from the Glastonbury Thorn (which legend has it grew from the staff of oseph of Arimathea – who placed Christ’s body in the Tomb). The sprig is then sent to the Queen to decorate her table on Christmas day. It is a beautiful ceremony highlighting the long-standing connection between Somerset and the monarchy.

Possibly the most unusual part of being High Sheriff has been the uniform. Approved

in 1820 by the Privy Council, in order to be ‘respectable’ when meeting the monarch in court; the dress code is quite extraordinary and is still made by the same family of tailors who made it then ertainly, the first time you walk down the street in a frock coat, stockings and a sword it will determine the confidence you need to make your year a success!

I stand down as High Sheriff on 20 March and if I could give

any advice to an upcoming High heriff, it would be this fit as much as you can into your year and enjoy it. It really is an allsinging, all-dancing backstage pass to Somerset. n o

oe

h hshe so e set o u