Bath Life – Issue 467

TAKE ME

16

egg-centric gift ideas

EASTER SERVICE HOLIDAY RECIPES THAT RISE TO THE OCCASION

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

EXPLORE A BEAUTIFUL LANSDOWN CRESCENT HOME ISSUE 467 / 8 – 21 APRIL 2022/ £3

ISSUE 467 / 8 – 21 APRIL 2022 / GROWTH INDUSTRY

IN DOGS WE TRUST

WHY POOCHES (AND A CAT) MAKE FOR A HAPPIER WORK PLACE

SOAP OPERA

70 YEARS OF THE BATH LIGHT OPERATIC SOCIETY

PLUS MICHELLE COLLINS BILL BLOCKHEAD N O Y A’ S KITCHEN

STILL

EAT, SLEEP, SPA, REPEAT

THE RESTORATIVE WONDERS OF WHATLEY MANOR

FLOURISHING THE BATH CREATIVES AND THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM LOCKDOWN

EDITOR’S LETTER

up the work place (page 38) BELOW: Easter gifts that are indie and cracking (page 56)

I

thought long and hard before writing this. Going under witness protection is not always the easiest of options but I know it might be the only viable path open to me once I make my confession. I’m not a dog lover. Now I can already hear the baying for my blood and demands for my sacking (I mean how can I be taken seriously in Bath when all of Bath has a dog?) but as a child of immigrants neither of whom had pets, and then a childhood upbringing in an inner city central ondon at animals ust weren’t in my orbit.

I freaked out when we moved to the country and dogs were allowed to chase ice-cream vans and roam the streets with swag, checking out my 99. lowly the fear subsided and I got to know and get confident around my friends’ dogs – Buttons the yappy and exuberant Yorkshire Terrier, Harry the laid back cross-breed with silky ears and the sweetest disposition, and the mighty Ulysses who seemed born to sleep and smile – there’s been many a canine I’ve cared for I ust don’t fall into the I love all dogs’ enn diagram.

But I have to admit this Cruella hard heart of mine has been melting at stories of the Bath canines (and a cat or two) over on page who all bring oy to their owners’ work days.

Of course the lockdown puppy, rightly or wrongly, became a bit of thing back there as many people struggled to fill the pandemic void. Only two years on it seems strange how our worlds were turned on their heads.

Starting on page 10 we look at how 13 of Bath’s creatives including wedding planner Matthew Oliver as seen on our cover, coped during this period and how their world is progressing now. And yes, there is a dog, and a lion… n oy and see you in two weeks

© LOUIS SMITH; W W W.STUDIOWHISK.CO.UK

ABOVE: Meet the dogs cheering

SARAH MOOLLA

Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag Instagram @bathlifemag

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Issue 467 / 8 – 21 April 2022 COVER Portrait of wedding planner Matthew Oliver taken by oe hort as part of the award winning pro ect All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go; www.joeshort.com

ALL DRESSED UP...

10

10 AND NOWHERE TO GO Thirteen of Bath’s creatives share how

they have fared through two years of pandemic

PETS AT WORK

38 WORKER’S BEST FRIEND The dogs – and occasional cats –

making our working day lives even better

THE ARTS

29 ARTS INTRO Ukranian artist Alina Maksimenko exhibits at the

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

30 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, family entertainment, comedy, art

and fun in Bath and beyond

52

34 BATH OPERATIC SOCIETY A look back over 70 years 37 BOOKS There are chemists turned TV cooks and murderous

psychiatrists in ic’s latest off beat selection

FOOD&DRINK 47 48 50 52

FOOD & DRINK NEWS Making the most of new potato season TRY 5 Easter indulgences RESTAURANT A fairytale experience at Whatley Manor RECIPES It’s not just about chocolate eggs this Easter

SHOPPING

55 SHOPPING INTRO Update your home for Easter with these

spring accessories from Cox & Cox

56 EDITOR’S CHOICE aster egg stravagan a

BUSINESS

63 BATHWORKS Local business news, views, and interviews 67 BATH LIFE AWARDS Q&A latinum and estaurant Award

winners Noya’s Kitchen

68 BIZ Q&A Hollie Markham shares all on House of St John’s,

a newcomer to the ath co working scene

PROPERTY

73 PROPERTY LEAD Inspired by the Great Outdoors 74 PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market 78 SHOWCASE Ultimate luxury in Lansdown Crescent

DEPARTMENTS

6 9 21 61 82

SPOTLIGHT A new season of music is coming to Longleat INSTAS Check out Bath’s wildlife (and farm animals!)

FLATLINE lats reckons the o ce isn’t all bad EDUCATION hy better is a no brainer BATH LIVES Bill Blockhead is leaving politics behind

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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 Victoria Bond, Nic Bottomley, Lauren Coton, David Flatman, Dionne McCulloch, Simon Scott, Joe Short 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.

We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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SPOTLIGHT Music

READY TO ROCK

Summer is in sight, and with the warmer weather comes the new Live at Longleat concert series set in the beautiful 900-acre grounds of the residence of the Marquess of Bath. So far for 2022 Longleat has announced performances from Tom Jones, blue eyed souls Simply Red, disco queen Diana Ross, Ball and Boe AKA dream team Michael Ball and lfie oe and s rockers ears for ears, who will all be a earing at the spectacular outdoor venue throughout June and July.

For more: www.longleat.co.uk

Hollie de Cruz will appear at the fundraiser

Ukraine appeal

HELPING HANDS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Simply Red; Ball and Boe; Tom Jones; and Diana Ross

A group of Bath mums have come together to raise funds for the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) kraine umanitarian eal by selling tickets to an in- erson e ent and an online ra e he fundraising e ent will take lace on ay at assia, with guest s eaker social entre reneur, hy no-birthing educator and best-selling author ollie de ru , alongside an online ra e with ri es totalling , hat can see, is a strong wa e of su ort, kindness and so much love to try and counter the horrors for those displaced by war,” says event director Samantha ardyman m des erate to do something to feel like I am contributing in some small way, so I’m going to do what I do best; deliver an event and hopefully raise lots of money.” a e ri es ha e been donated by inde endent ath and ristol businesses and include a lee y oe oucher, oucher for umber hree airdressing, ouchers for oya s itchen, the gg theatre, three days at he aragon chool summer cam , two tickets for a ilates retreat worth , and a hotogra her shoot and images worth For more: Instagram @iamsamhardyman

Books

A NEW CHAPTER

he ath hildren s o el ward has been won by former ath ollege student Rachel Darwin. The Doll’s House Mouse saw off com etition from close to one thousand manuscripts from writers worldwide after charming the ward s team of junior judges, aged se en to The Doll’s House Mouse is a family fairy tale about a girl called Lottie and a magical mouse, who together repair the doll’s house her late grandpa made achel wrote the book following the death of her own grand arents during the pandemic when restrictions meant she was unable to visit them. think a large art of writing this book was a way for me to try to rocess the grief of losing my grand arents in such a di cult and alien way,” she says. he ath hildren s o el ward is an international ri e for emerging no elists that has hel ed many writers find literary agent re resentation For more: www.bathnovelaward.co.uk Former Bath College student Rachel Darwin won the Bath Children’s Novel Award 6 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE We may be a city, but Bath is packed with wildlife – and the occasional farm animal

@mrbenreed

@ellisreed

@henrietta_park_bath

@jake3945_

@aishling_jana

@seeninbath

@stacksproperty

@jane_takestoomanyphotographs

@travelsofmark

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ARTS

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ALL CHANGE Two years on from lockdown, we meet the creatives whose livelihoods stopped, to discover what happened next Words by Dionne McCulloch Pictures by Joe Short; www.joeshort.com

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SAR AH MOOLL A

D

uring the pandemic photographer Joe Short and writer Dionne McCulloch embarked on the award-winning project All Dressed Up & Nowhere To Go, to explore the effect of the andemic on those who work in the arts and erform for a li ing hey disco ered a world of resilience, rein ention, and ho e ow we catch u with those athbased artists to find out what they re doing two years on MAXIMUS is the Bath Rugby mascot; www.bathrugby.com s a lion, understand the need to sur i e, but to see it ha en to the humans in my community layers, staff, and the , young eo le from disad antaged backgrounds that the ath ugby oundation

su orts was ainful he reality was scary e hel young eo le de elo life skills and create aths to independence, work that became challenging during lockdown. t s okay to be not okay and go through tough eriods he andemic had a de astating im act on the mental and hysical health of families on low incomes and disengaged teens, but we also saw our community come together and help one another. o hear the roar of the crowd in a full stadium makes the hairs of my mane stand on end want to be more connected with my city than e er before, to li e in the moment and never let an opportunity to make a memory ass me by think we have all learnt to never take anything for granted and to a reciate the incredible community we have at ath ugby

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ARTS Opera and concert singer CLAUDIA HUCKLE from Lyncombe Vale; www.claudiahuckle.com “2020 would have been my biggest year as a singer. I was supposed to sing in Milan at La Scala, in Paris, and then a concert tour across Europe. Everything was cancelled.

We need our audience: it’s a profound relationship which can’t be replaced by a camera and a screen. When a concert ends and there’s no applause, only empty seats, it’s heartbreaking.

Work started to come in again last summer 2021, after months of ery little t first it was a lot of last minute work and mostly concerts in Europe. I have just been in Madrid for two months working at Teatro Real, singing two roles in Wagner’s Götterdämmerung. Because we all cannot afford to catch o id and risk illness and cancellations (if we don’t sing we don’t get paid), I spent most the time in Madrid on my own, which is a big change from when we’d all hang out together after rehearsals and performances. I only met the whole cast for a drink for the first time after the final show

“We need our audience: it’s a profound relationship which can’t be replaced by a camera and a screen”

STEVE EVANS is a David Bowie performer and musician living in Bath; www.bowie-live.com “We had 30 shows planned, our most ambitious productions yet, all cancelled. Being fearless has given me the opportunity to create something on the scale of my dreams ince the first lockdown, I’ve built up a studio and practice space in Wiltshire. If we can’t play live we’ll recreate Bowie’s TV appearances from the 70s, and continue recording.

The pandemic has coincided with my mum’s struggle with terminal illness. Her courage and daily determination combined with the present threat to all our health has emphasised how fragile our lives really are, and put me squarely in the ‘now’. If we laugh each day then life is good. There is daily struggle and con ict, but there is also lo e and kindness

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PAVEL DOUGLAS is an actor and lives in Oldfield Park “I’ve been an actor all my life. I live to work and ha e done countless film, radio, and theatre erformances, but was when everything stopped. Whatever work was available was spread thinly and if it were not for the help of charitable organisations such as Actors’ Children rust and quity haritable rust, and other actors and our families would have had a hard time surviving.

Creativity can atrophy. One has to e the creati e muscle wrote a no el, Medusa Mews, and worked for free doing script readings via Zoom to stay in touch with fellow creati es, but missed being part of a company like the Natural heatre om any in ath, with whom I’ve performed for 45 years.

My acting working life has not returned to re-co id le els, bookings are only just starting to return. I have mood swings now, worry about finances and have faced full-on depression. I have become agora hobic and withdrawn, two symptoms that badly suit my rofession owe er, we now only sho locally and have learned that caring for others is more im ortant and fulfilling than catering solely to one’s own desires.”

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Performance poet, writer and theatre maker TOBY THOMPSON lives on Bailbrook Lane in Bath; www.tobythompson.net “I felt like I lost half my life. In 2020 I had just won an award for Best Show for a play I wrote and performed, and myself and the Egg theatre in Bath had an international tour planned across America and Canada, with a further tour to Australia, New Zealand and Ireland – all cancelled. Performing is integral to writing for me, so what I write loses purpose without an audience.

Yet the irony is I never felt so connected.

Isolation helped me foster my sense of gratitude, I became aware of what I missed and that longing moved from an intellectual idea to an emotional reality n the first week of arch felt almost giddy with the sense of connection to the whole world. Like being part of history. It encouraged me to live on a smaller scale, to focus on what’s to hand and the people who are close.

I’m about to tour China for four months, but it feels the creative retreat I began during lockdown hasn’t ended. I’ve yet to emerge from the chrysalis I’ve been in for two years. Lockdown that granted me permission to withdraw from the fray, to hang out in ambivalence and ambiguity. To work vaguely. To really explore my ideas without the rushed sense of an end game. One way or another life goes on. I now create for creation’s sake, instead of working towards a goal that may disappear. I feel free.”

CARMEN JONES who lives in Lansdown was a belly dancer and is now training as a forest school leader “Performing has always been my identity, my therapy and my fun. It’s who I am. I’ve lost my old self now, but I’m not sad. I have a new direction. As a forest school leader I can make a difference by ins iring a assion for nature in others. y concern for our lanet dee ened during the pandemic. During lockdown I had more time to s end in nature and re ect he beauty and the wonder that surrounds us is in peril; urgent action is needed. Through my work I hope to reach out to the next generation, educating them to cherish and protect wilderness.

I am opening a Climate Emergency Centre here in Bath. Dancing used to be my all, my every breath, now it can just be frivolous and fun while I pour my deep passion into protecting the planet.”

“I had more time to spend in nature and reflect” 14 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ARTS LUKE EMMETT is a freelance arts professional from Bathford; www.lukejohnemmett.co.uk “My work and my fun, my entire life, revolves around live events. Live theatre, music gigs, festivals, Christmas shows, Party in the City — everything that earns me money is also my best times, and all of it was cancelled.

Online worlds have opened up the doors so that almost anyone can now access the work.

We can connect to audiences all over the world.

I’m currently lucky to still be very busy with a mixture of virtual and hybrid events as well as some theatre work and production management roles ork in the real world has definitely picked up and it feels like audiences are slowly coming back again.

Virtual is here to stay in one form or another, and I think that’s a good thing. We can help theatre reach further, and connect with audiences who are excluded from live events. In the ‘new normal’, we have the opportunity to build back better. What the past two years have instilled in me is that actually it’s okay to say no to projects.

It’s okay to have time to yourself.

I’m more careful and choosy about what projects I take on now. I won’t accept badly paid work – still a commonplace trait in the arts industry. I’m much more careful and choosy about what projects I take on now.”

MATTHEW OLIVER is an international wedding planner based in Bradford On Avon; www.matthewoliverweddings.com “It was surreal. The world went quiet, our business dark. The worst was not being able to comfort and support our clients. Our job is to take away the worry for them, to have the answers, but suddenly we had nothing.

We lost an entire year of big budget, international events and incredible creations. We had two huge events in Oman planned then BOOM, lockdown happened. Above all else, we missed being creative, meeting new people and hugging.

I turned to plants. Before now any lants had would suffer as was always traveling, but over the past year I’ve learned about their individual behaviours, personalities and needs.

Now work is back and we are crazy busy. As a destination wedding planner we are still having to deal with postponements as the rules in various countries change. There’s a silver lining to dealing with all these new hassles, we’ve become experts at managing the wedding couple’s stress!”

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ARTS

Makeup artist and hair stylist LEANNA BIGGS lives in Weston; www. leannabiggsmakeupandhair.com “My business was devastated by the pandemic with huge numbers of weddings postponed and cancelled.

Every day was uncertain. I had no idea whether my business would survive the storm. ut work did resume t first, it was hard to get back in the swing. had lost a lot of confidence, but it s returning. I feel stronger and more capable than I did pre-Covid. I’m now busier than I’ve ever been, which is incredible, and have launched a second business, The Hair & Makeup Hub, which brings together hair and makeup professionals from across the South West.

I have a restored faith in myself for having survived so much turmoil and I hope that my resilience is a lesson to my kids that you can come together, as a family, and do whatever it takes to get through the hard times.”

CHARLIE JONES is a musician living in Bath “I’ve been a musician my entire life. Last summer I was playing bass with Goldfrapp, at festivals and a show at Royal Festival Hall as well as sessions in studios. The work is never guaranteed for a musician, but 2020 was the longest I’d gone without performing in my life.

I’m so grateful to have seen two of my kids use this period to grow creatively as musicians themselves.

I also have gratitude for my second assion, riding and fi ing u motorcycles. Yes, I’m a musician with a Harley, what a cliché!

The lockdowns and my daughter helped me appreciate what it means to hear silence, no tra c, the beauty of birdsong. It’s been healing through this time to discover the outdoors. We all need nature to thrive, and to look after one other with kindness and compassion.”

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“I have learnt the importance of perseverance” Actor and writer JON MONIE lives in Holt; www.jonmonie.co.uk It was devastating to see my industry go dark eryone was suffering eo le in the creative industry have a certain sensibility e re ery aware e re keyed into emotions t s the language we work in, so it was di cult to see jobs disa ear and eo le s an iety and distress mount f e er there was an industry that can ada t

creati ely to a challenge it s the theatre, es ecially comic erformances, where redominantly work, but without an audience to laugh with you and react against, you re oiceless hile theatres ha e reo ened, the industry is still hanging by a thread roducers, enues and audiences are understandably ner ous taging roductions carries a huge financial risk and, after a bruising months, urse

strings are tighter than e er think it will take at least another year, maybe two, before the theatre industry is back to where it was before the andemic ife as a jobbing actor was ne er easy and the andemic has made sur i al e en more di cult o ortunities are e en harder to come by ot all is lost ha e learnt the im ortance of erse erance attle on and kee going, head down and hands washed

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ARTS

Harpist RUTH KENYON lives in Widcome; www.ruthkenyon.com “I usually play around 50 spring and summer weddings each year as well as concerts. Losing the audience for so long was hard.

I’m used to being surrounded by people buzzing, and happy.

Instead I was alone. I did play for myself, but it wasn’t the same, and there was little incentive to practice in the same way.

Since restrictions have lifted weddings have returned, but concerts are slow to resume. I probably enjoy the occasions when I am performing more than ever before. It’s always been a pleasure to play for people when they appreciate it – I think there’s an increased level of joy on both sides. Both artist and audience appreciate what it means to enjoy a live performance.”

WILLIAM LACEY, who lives in Lyncombe Vale, was a conductor and is now training to be a barrister “I realise now how I took it for granted: the connection, the electricity, the idea that you can gather people in crowds and perform to them. I haven’t conducted an orchestra since before the first lockdown and now feel the loss of this magical experience.

I would have been conducting three operas for two Moscow theatres, the Bolshoi and the Stanislavski. Opera houses are very crowded – the orchestra pit is elbow to elbow, the audience is crammed in. The proximity lends the show its atmosphere.

In March 2020 I was in a state of shock; but the weather in Britain was unusually warm and sunny for weeks on end. Like much of the country, I did a lot of gardening. When that energy ran out, I went to law school. Last year I decided that my change of direction is going to be ermanent ha e now finished the law con ersion degree, and almost finished the barrister training course. I also love having a student railcard!”

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

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“They compete as to who can dial into team meetings from the most exotic location”

Our flexible friend Flats suggests there is a middle ground for the hybrid home / office workers

T

here are lots of bosses I’m sure who very much dislike the impact Covid has so far had on what they used to call their working environments. o significant rearranging of the status uo can please everybody and while the working from home revolution for which the pandemic has acted as the ultimate accelerant has indeed served to improve the professional lives of so many some won’t and don’t like it.

A friend of mine has worked standard hours for five days a week for the last years in ondon. uring lockdown he moved to orfolk old family gaff why not and did a great ob from there earning a record bonus for his efforts. is boss though likes people to be in the o ce like before. he doesn’t much

like the notion of exible working either so it’s am until . pm onday to riday or it’s not going to work sorry. The obvious answer here is for said friend to bin the ob and get a new one but it’s not always so simple as that and he has overheads like children and a abrador. To give up his ob would represent a huge gamble at a stage in life when he doesn’t particularly want to make blind bets.

Another friend has given up o ce life for good and thinks he’ll never go back. is boss loves remote working and encourages them to compete as to who can dial into team meetings from the most exotic location. They have retained some desks in ondon for those who like all of that or who want to get out of their homes by day but there is no obligation and not even any record of who has been in and who hasn’t. ost folks will likely end up somewhere in

the middle and it of course helps if those in charge can be exible and open to set ups that differ from what they used to know and often love. ut one theme I’ve noticed while talking to yet more friends and friends of friends is that any boss who demands that employees do come into o ces a certain amount is declared to be behind the times and missing the point of work in . I understand that while I may benefit from the social and professional interaction of sharing a workspace with ob and ue ob and ue may get nothing from it whatsoever so everybody shouldn’t have to bend to the apparent needs and desires of others. If your boss though genuinely believes that there are real advantages to people being physically present they mustn’t automatically be labelled dinosaurs.

I guess you could say that my obs are creative ones and I would say that while I didn’t miss people’ during lockdown as such I did notice that every ounce of creativity for my work had to be generated from a standing start by my locked down brain which felt both exhausting and finite in potential. I have noticed since we became freer once more that the conversation and okes and perspectives and habits and smells of other human beings has made being creative infinitely easier.

There is much that we can experience alone but for those who need their imaginations to fire on a daily basis human contact is so often vital however much we all want to stay in our py amas and watch Top Boy on et ix.

There are myriad balances to be struck in a million different lines of work but I have found myself reminding some pals of mine that they did have rather a good time at work in the old days and that while perhaps there’s no longer a need to commute so regularly and so rigidly the retention of some of the old routines might give them ust the spark they need. . I’m writing this at home in my py amas but then I always did David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidflatman and Insta @dflatman

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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 Jamie Williams and Graham Craig William Bertram

Paul Oaten and Alex Schwarz Benjamin Jagger and Natalie Luckham

Lucy Cotterell and Dave Dixon

BUILDING BLOCKS

Local professionals gathered at the Royal Crescent otel a for the first Bath Life Business Club in two years. Following informal networking drinks and a delicious two-course lunch in the Hotel’s Dower House Restaurant, guest speaker 82-year-old architect William Bertram, founding member of Bath-based practice Watson Bertram and Fell, and the architect behind the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa itself, spoke live with edia lash s reg ngham about his long and varied career.

Photos by Soul Media

Sarah Clacker, Alison Treble and Patrick Brady

www.soul-media.co.uk

David Collins and Ross Jones

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Tracey Knight and Rafi White Will Maslin, Caroline Baxter, Steve Shepherd and Matthew Valander-Blower

Alison Miles Manning and Andy Ginn

George Martino and Sam Lander

Daniel Byrom, Jon Wood and Reanna Brackstone

Anthony Holden and Caroline Holden

Lucy Holden and Jay Rayner

Emmanulle Ginn and Maddy Somers-Eve

A REAL PAGE TURNER

Freelance journalist and resident dating columnist at The Evening Standard Lucy Holden celebrated the launch of her first book, Lucid: A memoir of an extreme decade in an extreme generation. The memoir details Lucy’s e eriences mo ing back in with her arents following a trauma that brought a wild decade of hedonistic city life to an end. Lucy hosted a wine rece tion at r s m orium with special guest Jay Rayner and 40 attendees.

Photos by Gareth Hoskins

Kath Martino and Kris Hallett

www.garethhoskinsphotography.com

Ella Gammell, Adam McClenaghan, Natalie Milburn and Felicity Walsh

Paulo Baigent, Susie Wright and Steve Marsh Peter Greenleigh and Duncan Campbell

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SOCIETY

Titiana Lucantoni and Molly Sherman Sarah Baker and Jason DorleyBrown

Mark Humphries and Debbie Hicks

Liv Softley and Emma Taylor

Hannah Roper and Christine Swift

ART IN MIND

Artists Emma Taylor and Jason DorleyBrown hosted a private view of their latest exhibition, Behind Closed Doors, which is in support of Bath Mind. Mayor June Player and Bath Mind’s Hannah Roper both spoke to the guests assembled in The Abbey Hotel’s Art Bar, where they shared more information about the work Bath Mind does and the help available locally.

Photos by Jason Dorley Brown and Emma Taylor www.bathmind.org.uk

Debbie Harniman and Clyve Aguarde

Karena Dorley-Brown and Rick Guest Hannah Roper, Josh Watts, June Player, Jason Dorley-Brown, Emma Taylor and Susan Walker

Olly Gerrish, Chloe Cooke and Phoebe Middleton 24 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

REAL BATHROOM STORIES A case study by GARDINER HASKINS showcases a striking deep blue modern bathroom renovation in a gorgeous chocolate box cottage

R

od was already a fond customer of Gardiner Haskins Interiors, so was familiar with the brand. A visit to a friend’s house to view their new bathroom renovation also convinced him to go to Gardiner Haskins.

Having a clear idea of the colour scheme for the bathroom right down to the flooring, tiles and bathroom cabinets, Rod required assistance with putting all his ideas down into a bathroom plan. David, one of our bathroom designers helped Rod decide on the brassware, furniture and other important details that shaped the bathroom design. Rod included on his wish list a tall cabinet, which he wanted somewhere in the room but couldn’t work out how this would fit. Slimline bathroom cabinet units made all the difference to the bathroom space, enabling Rod to have his tall bathroom unit behind the repositioned bath. The bathroom taps were also moved so that the bath now sits with perfect views of the countryside beyond. With David’s assistance, stunning brass tap and shower fittings along with WC and towel holder fittings adorn the bathroom complimenting the deep, blue cabinetry beautifully. There is also plenty of other storage in the bathroom cabinet underneath the sink unit.

Rod’s favourite feature of the bathroom? He loves the shower, although the bath comes a

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

close second, where it has been positioned to make the most of the magnificent countryside views of the fields and farmhouse beyond.

He speaks very highly of David, the bathroom designer who was very positive about Rod’s ideas – a complete contrast to a visit from another company to compare. Not forgetting the fitters, who have been installing Gardiner Haskins projects for over 10 years. They installed the bathroom in just over a week with no problem at all, noting that nothing was too much trouble.

The beauty of coming to Gardiner Haskins Interiors is that everything can be sourced by our bathroom designers and project managed for you from start to finish, which was another reason Rod chose GHI. n Bathroom designed by David Rodgers Photography by Carine Butcher

Thinking of renovating your bathroom? Start your bathroom journey today. Visit us at Gardiner Haskins Interiors in Bristol or call 01179 292288; www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk

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

ARTISTIC FREEDOM A solo exhibition of paintings by Ukrainian artist Alina Maksimenko is going on display at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in collaboration with Axle Arts from 21 April to 5 June.

As a result of the war on Ukraine, Alina, who is a professional artist with a career spanning some 30 years, has been displaced and has had to leave everything behind in her hometown Kyiv. She is currently sheltering in Vienna after a seven day ight to escape the violence.

This exhibition and sale of her work is in support of helping Alina to re-establish herself.

For more: www.axlearts.com / www.royalcrescent.co.uk

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ON

9 April – 5 May

EXHIBITIONS Until 21 April

RICHARD CARTWRIGHT he dam allery s first show for is by ichard artwright, a ristol artist who they e been working with for years e belie es art to be s iritual, transcendent and mysterious, and that a icture requires a melody of colour, light and form e ident in his landsca es, nocturnes, nudes and interiors www.adamgallery.com

Until 24 April

SHOEPHORIA! isco er the fascinating e olution of shoe style o er the last years, from the actual footwear worn by ueen ary and ueen ictoria, through to the recent contem orary designers, such as anolo lahnik and i ienne estwood Fashion Museum; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

Until 30 April

LIGHT AT MARSTON PARK n immersi e light e hibition by

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’S

internationally acclaimed ritish artist ruce unro at arston ark in rome he artist s e hemeral light-based works ha e featured in urban landsca es and remote rural areas around the globe, including the acclaimed Field of Light, currently illuminating luru in ustralia www.marstonpark.co.uk

Until 2 May

PEOPLE MAKE MUSEUMS howcasing o er scul tural ieces that ha e been s ecially made with the aim of celebrating the creati ity and the im ortance of eo le in museums and ca turing com le , ersonal moments of connection Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 2 May

IDA APPLEBROOG ow in her nineties, the com rehensi e e hibition s eaks to feminist ioneer da lebroog s radical intros ection as a woman and an artist, resenting life as it is and the re etiti e atterns of our e istence www.hauserwirth.com

There’s a chance to see pianist Alexandra Dariescu performing alongside Bath Philharmonia for free at the Bath Forum on 22 April

Until 4 May

Until 8 May

JEAN ROSE: PEOPLE, PARKS AND PLANTS student of the ath cademy of rt at orsham ourt, Jean ose is ins ired by the intimate interiors of uillard, and has de elo ed her warm ainterly atterns that re eal a clarity and focus in the world around her ow in her nineties, this remarkable ath-based artist com letes a ainting a week Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

THE TUDORS: PASSION, POWER AND POLITICS n artnershi with the ational ortrait allery, ondon, and the alker rt allery, i er ool, the olburne useum s current e hibition features famous udor ortraits and includes the fi e monarchs of the time s anning enry , enry , dward , ary and li abeth Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 4 May

Until 14 May

FROM HOGARTH TO HODGKIN The From Hogarth to Hodgkin e hibition offers isitors a walk through the history of rintmaking, starting with old masters such as ranach and urer from a time when before industrial techniques and artists could only make rints in limited quantities, through to the contem orary works of artists including rayson erry, ornelia arker and aula ego Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

GLOBAL SINO PHOTO AWARDS he annual lobal ino hoto wards is an international hotogra hy contest which aims to communicate hinese culture through remarkable imagery re ecting the skill, creati ity and imagination of the hotogra her, as well as connecting hotogra hers internationally inners include uaifeng i, ingjun uang, and ongyu ang Museum of East Asian Art; www.meaa.org.uk

WHAT’S ON Until 15 May

OLD GHOSTS Old Ghosts by artist Mick Peter takes a wry and affectionate look using a cartoons-come-to-life tableau , at the idea of history as an industry t s a narrati e trail through the museum and its garden that humorously critiques the con entions of heritage sites through arious encounters Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 27 May

JAKE SHEPPARD The Bath artist creates abstract and im ressionistic works in oil aints and inks, and uses a mi ture of geometry, colour theory and dynamic symmetry to form the structure of his work Widcombe Social Club; www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk

TOP: Acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Duncan brings her folksy electronica sounds to Chapel Arts on 21 April; MIDDLE: Hope and Humanity in the Commonwealth is the new RUH exhibition; BOTTOM: The printmaking art of Howard Hodgkin can be viewed at the Victoria Art Gallery

Until 31 May

HOPE AND HUMANITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH EXHIBITION his e hibition is a celebration of the oyal ommonwealth ociety ath and istrict ranch its alues, and the su ort it gi es to the local community ocal artists were asked to res ond to the theme of o e umanity and the collection includes work from od raig www.artatruh.org

Until 3 July

DRESS TO REDRESS n e hibition of the work of contem orary nishinabe artist and isual anthro ologist r eleste edri- ade comes to uro e for the first time The American Museum & Gardens; www.americanmuseum.org

12 – 17 April

LEMON SQUAT endacious art dealershi on ssociates showcase their e citing new ortfolio of artists, including ill and etty lockhead who will be residing in the gallery for the duration of the show and erforming daily long with new aintings and scul tures by ill, other contributing artists are on Junior age si -and-a half , master forger eon ough, and an e traordinary historic collection of still life aintings urn to age for our inter iew with ill lockhead 44AD Artspace; www.44AD.net

18 April – 31 May

LET THERE BE LIGHT he e hibition celebrates the history and beauty of churches, and features more than glass works by local artist helley shkowski uch

of helley s collection uses acrylic gouache aint, s ecifically chosen for its high igmentation and matt finish to ro ide ibrant colours, with many ieces embellished with gold leaf to add o ulence to the finished work www.bathabbey.org

26 – 30 April

BATH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ath hotogra hic ociety resents its nnual hibition s onsored by the ondon amera change, at t ichael s ithout hurch n dis lay is the aried work of local amateur hotogra hers and includes landsca es and tra el to nature, ortraits and abstracts www.bathphotographicsociety.org.uk

THEATRE / CINEMA 12 – 16 April

PRIVATE PEACEFUL y the rolific author ichael or urgo, -year-old ri ate ommo eaceful is in the trenches of orld ar and reli ing his most cherished memories of family, friendshi and lo e Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

14 – 23 April

EVITA THE MUSICAL he ath ight eratic rou tell the story of the life of the legendary rgentine olitical leader a er n, the second wife of rgentine resident Juan er n, following her early life, rise to ower, charity work, and death urn to age for a fascinating look back at years of The Roper Theatre; www.bathlightoperaticgroup.com

17 – 18 April

BARRY HUMPHRIES n intimate, confessional e ening seasoned with highly ersonal, sometimes startling, and occasionally outrageous stories from the The Man Behind the Mask Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

CHILDREN 12 – 14 April

HAMELIN hen a mysterious i e- laying stranger comes to the illage of amelin romising to sol e the rat troubles, will the townsfolk hold u their end of the bargain The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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

WHAT’S ON

THE FAMILY SEX SHOW Using real life bodies, personal stories, songs and movement, The Family Sex Show has fun and no shame with the painfully awkward subject of sex. It will be exploring names and functions, boundaries, consent, pleasure, sex, sexuality, gender and relationships, to help make this a celebration of difference, equality and liberation. The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

MUSIC 21 April

AMY DUNCAN Acclaimed Scottish singersongwriter Amy Duncan with a 15 -year recording career has released her new album Cocoon, which blends warm yet minimal folk and electronica sounds with intimate vocals. Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

22 April

BATH PHILHARMONIA & ALEXANDRA DARIESCU Appearing at Bath Forum with one of the South West’s leading professional orchestras, the Bath Philharmonia, is the enchanting pianist Alexandra Dariescu who will be performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, the light-hearted and ravishing masterpiece of orchestral colour. But making this even more special is the opportunity to see this for free as the orchestra is gifting local people 1,000 tickets to the community. www.bathphil.co.uk

22 April

WHEN RIVERS MEET The husband and wife team, Grace and Aaron Bond, have a unique and distinctive harmonic vocal-led approach to song writing with a charged contemporary blues rock sound that echoes 1970s classic rock with hints of the 1930s blues.

Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

28 April

SPIRITUALIZED Space rock band formed in 1990, which has always been Jason Pierce plus a rotating cast of supporting musicians, bring their grand, emotive sweeping orchestral arrangements and cascading walls of uplifting gospel harmonies to the Forum.

Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

29 April

MESSIAH Handel’s moving will be performed during the season of Easter by the

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

Abbey choir of girls and lay-clerks who will be joined by baroque instrumentalists, Rejouissance in an elegant and stylish performance.

Bath Abbey; www.bathabbey.org

COMEDY Every Sunday

DRAG KARAOKE AT MANDALYNS Most days of the week the welcoming and upbeat 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

Until 21 April

BATH COMEDY FESTIVAL A bumper-packed programme of mega comics and rising talent comes to venues all over Bath. There’s the new act competitions at Revolution, comedy at the Bell pub and Rondo Theatre from upcoming talent including Jen Ives and William Stone, and the household hitters including Jasper Carrott, Josh Widdicombe, Sandi Toksvig, and Sarah Millican are playing at the Forum. www.bathcomedy.com

14 April

JOSH WIDDICOMBE A show that will change your life and how you perceive your place in the world. Bit much? Fine, it’ll be a very funny night of grumbles and jokes in which Josh will finally tackle the hot comedy topics of advent calendars, pesto and the closing time of his local park. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

21 April

SANDI TOKSVIG LIVE! The comedian, broadcaster, writer, campaigner and all-round good egg with her brand-new show, Next Slide Please… in which Sandi explores reasons to be cheerful after many long months of coronacoaster gloom. Expect fascinatingly funny facts, silly jokes and a quick-fire Q&A. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

28 & 29 April

MARK THOMAS The undisputed godfather of political comedy, Mark Thomas is picking through the myths, facts, and figures of our national identities to ask how we have so much feeling for such a hollow land.

Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

© STEVE ULL ATHORNE

28 – 30 April

TOP: The Bath Photographic Society presents its annual exhibition at St. Michael’s Without Church; ABOVE: This way please to the Rondo Theatre for a night of fine political comedy with Mark Thomas

MY CULTURE CLUB Michelle Collins

Favourite arts place in Bath I have lots of friends that have played at the Theatre Royal Bath, so I’m excited to now be performing there too. My daughter, who is an actor and was at Bristol University, did a show at the Rondo Theatre in Bath just before lockdown, Also, my mum worked at the Bath Oliver biscuit factory on Manvers Street when she was a young lady.

A film I could watch over and again...

Either Oliver! or The Sound of Music. My mum took me to see those films when going to the cinema was a big day out – and I kind of became obsessed with them.

A painting that means something to me About 25 years ago the artist Harland Miller, who is a friend of mine, asked me what my favourite childhood book was. He then got the book of Alice in Wonderland, ripped all the pages of it and made it in to a huge canvas and created a surreal picture of me.

My lockdown boxset was...

Shtisel on Netflix – it’s sort of an Orthodox Jewish soap opera set in Jerusalem. The man in it wants to be an artist but that isn’t accepted in the Jewish faith. I also really loved Unorthodox. Also on the list were Tiger King, The Undoing with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. I also finally caught up with Succession which I loved.

Best TV show ever…

Only Fools and Horses and Cheers can still make me laugh even though I’ve seen them before.

The book I’d happily re-read Great Expectations by Dickens. Most Dickens you can read over and over again, they are classics. I hate throwing books away, I always try to keep them or loan them to people but then I become one of those annoying people who asks, “Can I have that book back please?”

Last live music gig I really enjoy being introduced to new and different types music and the last band I went to see was Wet Leg, who my friend is managing. They are two girls from the Isle of Wight, and they’re amazing and going to be massive.

My karaoke go-to Carole King’s You’ve Got A Friend, I bore people mad with that or my second choice is Madonna’s Material Girl.

For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

© EMIL HUSEYNZ ADE

Best known for her roles in the soap operas EastEnders and Coronation Street, actor and presenter Michelle will be starring in Cluedo as Miss Scarlett at Theatre Royal Bath from 25 – 30 April

TOP: Catch Candice Carty-Williams at Toppings on 4 May talking about her new novel People Person; BELOW: Bath Rugby play Northampton Saints at home on 23 April

SPORT 15 April

BATH CITY V HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE The Romans came up trumps against Havant & Waterlooville in their previous encounter this season when Jerry Gill’s side defeated The Hawks 3-1 away from home last December. i o m at Twerton ar www bat it f om

23 April

TEAM BATH NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE At the Team Bath Arena the Severn Stars make the short journey from Gloucester for the second West Country derby of the season. Team Bath scored three late goals to win LEFT TO RIGHT:

the first find out if they can complete a league double from pm. niversit of at netball teambat om

23 April

BATH RUGBY V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS The penultimate 2021/22 this fixture will be full of internationals and homegrown talent. i o m e reation round www bat ru b om

OTHER 4 May

CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS The journalist, screenwriter, and ueenie author is at Toppings to celebrate her new novel eo le erson www to in boo s o u n

Michelle Collins with Cluedo co-stars Etisyai Phillips, Tom Babbage, Judith Amsenga, and Daniel Casey www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 33

LOCAL TO THE ARIA

A look back at more than 70 years of the Bath Light Operatic Group

By John Mather

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t started out as Oldfield Park Methodist Rangers Company back in 1948 performing in the youth hut and now, more than 70 years later, the renamed Bath Light Operatic Group performs once a year at the Theatre Royal Bath and also has a major songs from the shows production at the Roper Theatre.

Here Helen Feierabend, the group’s chairperson, takes us through a few key moments in the BLOG’s history.

1

HIAWATHA 1948 The beginning of the group can be traced back to when the Oldfield ark Methodist Rangers Company presented a performance of Hiawatha – obviously not a production that would ever be considered now. In 1951 it was decided that male voices should be added for the first time and the company was named Bath Youth Operatic Group with an acting membership of 45. This was renamed the Bath Light Operatic Group in to re ect that there was no longer an upper age limit.

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THE GEISHA 1956 The Pirates of Penzance was produced at Oldfield ark ethodist outh ut the venue then changed in 1952 and The Mikado was performed at t ary’s Church all in Guinea Lane. 1953 saw the group perform Patience at The Pavilion, Bath and the 1954 and 1955 productions were staged at The Palace Theatre. It was in 1956 the group presented its first show at the Theatre oyal ath The Geisha, and we have continued to perform there every year since.

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REHEARSALS AT THE ROPER e rehearse at ayesfield irls’ chool

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

and currently have 80 members and a dedicated backstage team of 15 people – from teachers to bank managers, to HR professionals, lawyers, fund raisers, IT experts, and retirees. We are an extremely diverse group, with an age range from 16 to 91, and where everyone is welcome.

We rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday evening for two and a half hours. As the date of our production approaches, we will rehearse on undays too.

wishes to join the society to perform has to sing a song of their choice, act a piece of their choice, and perform some movement that is set on the day. The process is very informal, and we do our utmost to put prospective new members at ease.

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CHOOSING A SHOW We produce two shows a year. A spring production, which usually takes the format of a show songs style concert. We perform this at The oper Theatre ayesfield chool.

Our autumn production is a full-scale musical at the Theatre Royal Bath. This production is chosen by the management committee and will depend on what licences are available for amateur groups to perform.

“It was a fantastic example of what can be a ieved in adverse 7 circumstances” 4

LOCKED DOWN AND ONLINE Pre-lockdown, as well as rehearsals, we would regularly hold social and fundraising events including quizzes, bingo, and Christmas parties. To go to nothing was very di cult for us all, so eventually we started regular singing rehearsals via Zoom, and then our musical director Matt Finch had the genius idea of hosting virtual choir shows. More 30 choirs from all over the country and abroad, took part in six shows, each one raising money for charity. Matt really put us through our paces, blending all our voices together and editing our videos – it was a fantastic example of what can be achieved in adverse circumstances.

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HOW TO JOIN BLOG has won the prestigious Evening Post Rosebowl Award for Best Musical six times, the last one being in 2018, for our 2017 production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Anyone who

42ND STREET 2018 This is from 42nd Street in 2018, which we previously performed in 1995 and 2008. Our Annual ongs from the how concerts began in 1968 with the aim of raising money to go towards our running costs. This has developed into a three-night concert, originally staged at The Pump Rooms, and now presented at The Roper Theatre.

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EVITA 2022 We are making our 2022 comeback at The Roper Theatre from 14 to 23 April, with the Bath amateur première of Evita. We are also planning our return to the Theatre Royal Bath in autumn 2022, with the family friendly musical Scrooge.

The Bath Light Operatic Group are performing Evita from 14 until 23 April at The Roper Theatre, a es eld ool at or more www bat li to erati rou om

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www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 35

E: info@dressingroombath.com www.dressingroombath.com |

THE FINEST IN LINGERIE,BEACH & NIGHTWEAR

7 Quiet Street Bath BA1 2JU | T: 01225 330563

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Career move

Three gripping novels offering insight into the worlds of a dubious psychiatrist, an ahead of her time chemist, and a tortured film editor

“A gripping and tense slow-burn thriller with a melee of unreliable narrators”

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eading fiction can prove escapist in so many different ways. In a few extreme cases I’ve been reading recently books can act as offbeat career guides even giving an insight into obs you never new existed or that otherwise might seem completely out of reach.

Lessons in Chemistry by onnie armus Transworld . is set in the early s and begins with the main character having a very unusual career breakthrough. li abeth ott intelligent feisty and ambitious has overcome a challenging childhood to land a ob as a lone female chemist in a California research lab. er male dominated work environment is toxic and dangerous and whilst she holds her own and refuses to be completely downtrodden when an opportunity for a fresh start materialises she takes it eagerly.

As a single mum and a chemist li abeth ott has been cultivating her unorthodox culinary skills a eston lumenthal before her time and now finds herself landing a role as an early T chef showing women across America how to cook nutritious meals. he soon becomes something of a phenomenon using her platform and esty character to empower her audience.

Though dark and caustic at times Lessons in Chemistry is a funny and ultimately hopeful novel told in short sharp bursts of witty prose with an incredibly likeable and memorable lead character.

The eponymous character of Karoo by teve Tesich intage . on the other hand is most definitely not likeable. ut therein lies the brilliant humour of this novel. aul aroo is a wealthy ew orker with an unusual ob in the entertainment industry. is cohorts know him as doc’ because rather than writing films he fixes them turning duff films into future hits by digging deep for lost scenes to reinstate in post production or chopping up and improving underwhelming scripts. hen we first meet aroo he’s at an

uptown party sparring with his estranged wife avoiding emotional connection with his adopted son and faking being drunk because being drunk is what’s expected of him. The trouble is that aroo’s alcoholism has become so pronounced that however much he drinks it no longer has any impact. And that’s ust one of many comically dysfunctional aspects of a life teetering on the edge of absurdity which emerge in this acerbic satire on modern families the entertainment industry and anhattan living. inally Case Study by raeme acrae urnet araband . is a sophisticated psychological crime novel that doubles up as a fictitious expos of the dark side of psychotherapy. ike Lessons in Chemistry we’re cast back to the s. ut this is ondon and the novel begins with a young woman booking herself in to sessions with controversial rimrose ill psychotherapist Collins raithwaite the former confidante of her sister eronica who has recently died by suicide. he’s convinced raithwaite is responsible for her sister’s death and the novel unfolds in part through her accounts of her suspicions and her meetings with him. Interspersed with her narrative are chapters from raithwaite’s own academic work discussing encounters with his patients and portions of a biography of raithwaite being constructed by a writer coincidentally named like the author.

Through this triplicate telling a portrait emerges of a man in a position of power and psychological in uence who may very well have misused that position. Case Study is a gripping and tense slow burn thriller with a melee of unreliable narrators which definitely doubles up as an anti advert for s psychiatric practice.

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 37

FUR-EVER FRIENDS

The paws-itively purr-fect pets helping Bath’s businesses thrive

By Lydia Tewkesbury

Nat and Meg of the Happy Donut Bakery recently adopted Chinchilla Persian cat Elton

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

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PETS AT WORK

here are few greater joys than a workplace pet. Whether you’re bringing your four-legged bestie to the o ce or out shopping when a new furry friend pops a head up from behind the counter. Here we meet some of the work pets from o ce pooches to Instagram stars that populate Bath’s businesses.

MEG SMITH, CO-OWNER OF HAPPY DONUT BAKERY; www.thehappydonut.co.uk Six-month-old Chinchilla Persian cat Elton is the newest member of the Happy Donut Bakery family where he has made uite a splash with the brand’s loyal Instagram following. He’s even got his own account elton.hdb

What are Elton’s favourite things?

ood feather toys cuddles and sleep.

What does he hate?

Being brushed and anything to do with keeping him clean.

What’s the naughtiest thing he’s ever done?

e once stole an entire bag of treats took them to his bed to hide them and ripped the bag open so he could help himself.

Describe Elton in one word

DIVA!

Does he do any tricks?

e can make anything into a toy. A box a pen tickets from the fair plants pom poms you name it he’ll find a use for it.

Dexter is always up for a hi-five; INSET: Meet one-year-old Dolly, Dexter’s new little sister

Any quirky habits?

He loves to watch us writing orders down because he loves to attack pens…

CLAIRE ABERNATHY-HARDY, OWNER OF DEXTER’S COFFEE SHOP, 1 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; www.dexterscoffeeshop.com Anyone who knows dexter’s knows the caf ’s namesake year old ack ussell exter.

“He came from riding stables that were in Hunstrete just outside of ath so really a country boy by heart and not a townie’ although he absolutely loves his days in the shop with me says Claire. A more recent arrival is puppy olly a ack ussell of one year she isn’t uite trained up for full days in the coffee shop yet.

“I can’t imagine life without him”

What do the pups love?

Dexter loves to be given a treat from his own treat tin on the fireplace above his bed in the shop.

If you ask him nicely he’ll give you a hi five very dog who visits dexter’s gets a treat. It’s a thing. olly loves to fetch a ball over and over. And she’s peanut butter obsessed.

How are dexter’s customers with the dogs?

It’s funny I didn’t realise the importance of the name of a shop. ut since opening customers actually ask to see the real exter. They make special visits. e’s the crowd puller I feel like I should have a ag ying for when he’s in residence.

How has having a pet changed your life?

The unconditional love and loyalty is unreal. I can’t imagine life without him.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

PETS AT WORK KATE JAY, SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER AT NO 15 BY GUESTHOUSE, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath; www.guesthousehotels.co.uk As pet friendly as it is luxury boutique hotel No 15 welcomes many four-legged guests.

Does anyone working at the hotel bring their dog to work with them?

es our general manager has bought his renchie lla into the o ce and I have bought my Shih Tzu Merlot in a few times.

I will be bringing in my puppy Shih Tzu Pinot in soon to help her socialise with our lovely team. We also have people bringing their cats in too.

Do you have any fun stories about your four-legged guests?

We had some guests staying with us and they had arranged for a local friend to look after their dog when they went to the spa. Sadly their friend was unwell so was unable to help. The guests called reception to explain and ask to cancel the treatments but the team instead offered to look after the dog. She had a great afternoon and even helped us check in some guests.

Aspire to Move’s Will Maslin with office pups Nelly and Willow

CAROLINE BAXTER, DIRECTOR, ASPIRE TO MOVE, 1 Saville Row, Bath; www.aspiretomove.co.uk Nelly and Willow are the doggies in the window at award-winning letting agents Aspire to ove. ou’ll often find the pair of pups sitting in their basket watching the world go by at the Alfred treet o ce where they go to work every day with their owners Aspire’s directors Caroline Baxter and Will Maslin.

What’s the best thing about bringing your dog to the office?

It is wonderful being able to bring our dogs to work they love nothing more than company and the attention they get from passers-by. They have brought us much attention and we are now known as the o ce with the two cute dogs. Our new starter Rachel was asked what she loved about working for Aspire To Move and one of her highlights is working in an o ce with dogs.

Are your clients fans?

We have had many people stop to talk with us after seeing the cute duo in the window. This has led to us knowing lots more people in the community and from that we have received many new clients as a result.

“We are now known as t e o e wit t e two ute do s 40 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ABOVE: Pooches get the premium experience at No 15 by Guesthouse; INSET: sales and marketing manager Kate Jay brings her Shih Tzu, Merlot to work with her

© BET T Y BHANDARI BR AND PHOTOGR APHY ABOVE: Emma Rose always has faithful pup Kizzy at work with her in the studio; RIGHT: new arrival Chilli is one naughty kitten

EMMA ROSE, ARTIST; www.emmaroseartworks.com Emma Rose is an artist based in Wellow, where she has a house full of pets alongside her art studio.

Who are the four-legged members of the household?

We have a Lurcher called Kizzy that we rescued. We had her as a tiny puppy, and have been in love with her ever since. Right from the start she sat on my lap in my Art Studio, and watched me paint – 12 years later she is still doing the same thing, though she sits on a chair now, and I stand. …And the rest?

We also have three cats, brother and sister Marco (stripy) and Maria (grey), and recently Chilli the kitten. Marco and Maria came to us on holiday in Italy. We bumped into some friends and shared a glorious lunch, half way through the other family held up a mobile and showed our daughters two kittens that their cat had just had… two bottles of prosecco later, we found that we had agreed to have them.

Who’s the newest addition?

Chilli came to us to comfort our girls during lockdown. Being a ginger boy makes him completely mad. I didn’t believe this until we experienced it. Anything left on the table or sides he pushes on the oor pens candles mobiles vases of owers plant pots but all while looking at you taunting us with his confident naughtiness.

What’s the naughtiest thing he’s done?

He once stepped in some paint and ran over completed paintings ready to be delivered.

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

KAT DAWE SCHMEISSER, DIRECTOR OF THE ART COHORT, 13 Chelsea Road, Bath; www.the-art-cohort.myshopify.com Kat recently adopted her puppy Otto, a Hungarian Vizsla, and you can often find him now making friends with customers at the Artspace on Chelsea Road.

How have your customers responded to Otto’s arrival?

In his first few weeks at The Art Cohort he loved being snuggled up on a lap behind the counter. Our visitors were delighted and surprised to find a sleeping puppy on duty when they brought things to the till.

Have there been any challenges, having a puppy in the shop?

Otto is still learning not to chew stock at The Art Cohort. Our rolls of wrapping paper have fared particularly badly since he’s arrived…

How has he changed life at The Art Cohort?

When I was thinking about getting a puppy, I asked the team at The Art Cohort their thoughts on having an Artspace puppy as it was important for me to be able to take him to work. Everyone was so excited to have a dog as part of the team. It’s a team effort during the day looking after Otto, feeding and walking him and it’s been a great bonding experience for us all. He’s brought fun, humour and lightness to our workplace.

ABOVE: Cassia Collective dogs Buddy and the mischievous Moira Rose;

RIGHT: Kat Dawe Schmeisser had the support of the team to bring her puppy

Otto to work with her

ANNA SABINE, OWNER OF CASSIA COLLECTIVE; Sovereign Point, Bath; www.cassiacollective.co.uk Buddy (named after Elf) and Moira Rose (named in tribute to Schitts Creek) are the Cassia Collective cocker spaniels. (“I also have two cats,” Anna says. “But since the dogs arrived no one is interested in them.”)

What do they love?

Working cockers love everything – but mainly they love balls, they are completely ball obsessed.

Do you have any stories about customer interactions with the dogs to share?

None that could be repeated here, and all involving Moira Rose.

What’s the naughtiest thing your pet has ever done?

Moira Rose is steadily working her way around my house chewing the skirting boards and windowsills, I have no idea how I’m supposed to repair them...

If you had to pick one word to describe your pet, what would it be?

Energetic.

Does they have any clever tricks?

None at all, they are hopeless.

What are their most annoying habits?

Stalking me everywhere, including to the loo.

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

PETS AT WORK MATTHEW VALANDER-BLOWER, DIRECTOR OF FINE & COUNTRY, a treet, Bath; www. ea dco tr .com onty a cute cavapoo from Carmarthen is the resident pooch at ath estate agents ine Country.

What does he love?

eorgian property and helping addy renovate houses.

What does he hate?

ikes in interest rates.

What’s he like in the office?

Always loves to see children and the elderly in the o ce.

What’s great about bringing him to work with you every day?

e en oys sitting in the window in the sun prospecting for business.

What one word best describes Monty’s personality?

egal.

Does your pet have any clever tricks?

e is good at sales.

ABOVE: Pepsi at Tilian Kids; INSET: Dolly and Pepsi are

rescues from Turkey; RIGHT: Matthew Valander-Blower with Fine & Country assistant pooch, Monty

NURAY MORRIS, OWNER OF TILIAN KIDS AND GIFTS, 142 Walcot Street, Bath; www.tiliankids.com Alongside the beautiful children’s gifts, toys and clothes in the pastel hued Tilian you’ll find uray’s two rescue dogs epsi and olly who came to her from the ocek Animal escue ome in Turkey.

Do customers interact with your pets much?

hen I was redesigning the shop I put epsi in the window where she went to sleep. he attracted much more attention than my subse uent display did.

What’s the naughtiest thing the pups have ever done?

epsi left my husband in idcombe on their way home and made her way back to the shop. I was so shocked when she walked through the door on her own.

How has having pets changed your life?

e have come to appreciate ath and the beautiful surrounding countryside in all weathers.

Do the dogs impact your work day?

hen they are in the shop they tend to sleep on the sofa which means no room for me. They attract a lot of attention though and have proved a great conversation starter.

Any quirky habits?

olly makes a high pitched s ueal when she sees a s uirrel. he sounds like she is in pain and a lot of people have asked us if she is okay it can be very embarrassing.

“He has brought fun, humour and lightness to the workspace” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 43

PETS AT WORK NICK WOODHOUSE, DIRECTOR OF WOODHOUSE AND LAW, 4 Georges Place, Bath; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk Interior designers Woodhouse and Law have two o ce dogs ylan an year old springer spaniel and Otto a standard wire haired dachshund age seven. ylan is a new addition to our home says ick. e was previously my mum’s dog before she became too ill to look after him. e was a very nervous thing when he first came to stay with us but has gained confidence and is loving all the new attention at the o ce.

What do your pets love about coming to work with you?

Otto particularly makes sure he gets a fuss from anyone new to the showroom and is convinced that a belly rub is standard practice with any new ac uaintances. They both really en oy the interaction with our colleagues and customers alike so would much rather be in the o ce than at home.

And what do you love about having them with you all day?

I think we all get as much from the dogs being in the o ce as the dogs do themselves. Their naughty habits and demands for attention can be a welcome distraction and are guaranteed to raise a smile. They get us out and about too away from our desks for walks helping us recharge our batteries and ensuring we get some daily exercise even on the rainiest of days. n

“We all get as much from the dogs being in t e o e as t e dogs do themselves” Dylan and Otto love coming to work at Woodhouse and Law; INSET: It’s important to make sure your workplace is a positive environment for your pet

MAKING A PET-FRIENDLY WORKSPACE Rachel Jones, CEO of Bath Cats and Dogs Home, The Avenue, Claverton Down, www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk “It is worth thinking carefully about your pet’s sociability when deciding whether to take them to the office. Sociable dogs may well enjoy office life but some will prefer to skip the daily commute and stay home in a familiar and peaceful environment with some company throughout the day.

Dogs need mental stimulation and attention so will enjoy chews, toys and games to keep them occupied in the office as well as several short walks to keep them happy until home time. Try to find a quiet space for their day bed so they can escape people and noise when they need to and bring something that smells of home to help them settle in. And of course, make sure your colleagues are happy to have a dog in the office with them!”

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

The Nick Cudworth Gallery Nigel Dando WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

COOKING BY THE FIRESIDE ROBUN head chef, Jon Claro, talks about Yakiniku – the art of Japanese barbeque his team has brought to Bath What is Yakiniku?

Yakiniku is the Japanese word for grilled meat – yaki means grilled and niku means meat. It’s often thought of as Japanese BBQ outside of Japan.

Where did it originate?

When eating beef became legal in Japan in 1871, Japanese writer, Kanagaki Robun wrote a book about Yakiniku; the grilling of meat and vegetables on charcoal grills. Yakiniku grew in popularity through the 20th century and our restaurant is a tribute to Robun and his seminal work.

How is it cooked?

At Robun, we use a traditional Robata grill – heated by a charcoal fire with different levels to control the cooking temperature for each dish.

The Robata originates from a centuries old style of cooking by northern Japanese fishermen around a communal sunken fire, called an Irori, which served both as a cooking area and a source of heat.

What can diners expect at Robun?

We use the Robata to cook our signature meat and fish dishes, combining traditional techniques with my own take on Yakiniku. Our Ribeye Wagyu with truffled teriyaki, red namjim and pepper sauce is a real favourite, as well as dishes such as Lamb Cutlets, Iberico Baby Pork Ribs and Black Cod with a den miso marinade. n

To reserve your table at Robun, call: 01225 614424, email: bookings@robun.co.uk or visit: www.robun.co.uk

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

LET THEM EAT CAKE oolley range has partnered with The oald ahl tory Company to offer a magical atilda Afternoon Tea. The tea which includes a menu for children and adults is available from April with spaces booking online now. The atilda Afternoon Tea has been crafted to celebrate the story’s memorable food moments from the cosy after school bread and margarine in iss oney’s Cottage to ruce ogtrotter and his infamous chocolate cake and even the newt slipped into the Trunchbull’s water ug makes an appearance. or more www woolle ran e o u

IN SEASON VERITY GENCO tells us how to make the best of spring’s new potatoes April’s edible offerings are as diverse as its weather. From the earthy honeycombed shaped orel mushroom to the ing of fresh dandelions and tender spring greens it’s a month of mixed blessings. It’s when new potatoes arrive an all weather ingredient perfect for the inconsistent environment fit for a warming stew or a spring day salad.

There are two main types of potato distinguished by how long they are harvested. The main crop’ longer maturing are harvested in the autumn stored for months and have a oury texture perfect for mashing baking and chipping. The earlies’ new potatoes are the uickest to mature and one of the first to arrive is the ersey oyal. irst discovered in the s by a ersey farmer who bought two enormous potatoes from his local store that had eyes with new plants sprouting. e and his friends cut the potatoes

Jersey Royals are a sure sign spring has arrived

into pieces then planted them on a steep slope. The following spring they produced an early crop of kidney shaped tubers. The unmistakably nutty tender sweet summery potato has a light waxy finish making it ideal for boiling as well as roasting. or best results cook for minutes drain steam dry and top with a small knob of butter and herbs. team your ersey oyals with other in season vegetables such as asparagus snap peas and spinach for a fresh spring salad add a free range poached egg with a dash of Tabasco for a fancy brunch. ild salmon with butter garlic parsley ersey oyals meanwhile makes a ma estic centrepiece at the aster table or you could roast slow cooked lamb shoulder with roasted wild garlic ersey oyals for unday lunch.

The ultimate indulgence though has to be oven baked ath oft Cheese with black sesame seeds chilli akes and a dri le of honey atop a bed of them crisp baked to perfection.

Check my Instagram forthe avour for more ersey oyal inspiration to make the most of the season.

Verity Genco is the food stylist, cook, baker and aterer be ind Insta ram @fort eflavour w ere she creates recipes inspired by the seasons

The Matilda Afternoon Tea celebrates the story’s best moments; INSET: Unlike Bruce, you don’t have to eat the whole cake

FEELING CHIPPER The Oyster hell has made the list of the ’s est ish Chip Takeaways . The chippy on oorland oad was the only one in omerset to make Fry Magazine’s prestigious list.

It’s such great news for the shop and our team to be named as one of the top takeaways in the for the first time says arry osser chef and director of The Oyster hell. It’s been a challenging few months recovering from the effects of the pandemic and rexit but we’re passionate about bringing the best of ritish fish and chips to the local community here in ath and plan to push on and build on this success.

Garry Rosser and The Oyster For more: Shell team are celebrating www t eo sters ell o u top 50 chippy success

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47

TRY FIVE 2

1

EASTER TREATS

Make the most of the season with Bath’s best Easter indulgences

1

SUGARCANE STUDIO These Easter-themed macarons from 2022 Bath Life Award-winning café Sugarcane Studio are almost – almost – too beautiful to eat. The limited-edition Easter special boxes come with four animal macarons – bunnies, sheep and chicks – and four egg-shaped macarons. As with all patisserie chef Fang-Yu Lin’s creations, the a ours are beautiful think orange and white chocolate, earl grey and milk chocolate, lemon and white chocolate and banana hazelnut and milk chocolate. www.sugarcanestudio.co.uk

2

GOOD DAY CAFÉ You can always rely on Good Day to bring a little festive indulgence no matter the time of year, but at Easter, owner Steph Wilder really takes it up a notch. This Easter sees the return of last year’s Cheggs – which, for the uninitiated, is a large chocolate aster egg filled to the brim with cheesecake, biscuits, sauces and chocolates. It’s available for the Easter weekend only, and the mouth-watering a ours a ailable include iscoff caramel, alteaser chocolate and passion fruit and raspberry with Italian meringue. dda c ee c

3

LANDRACE BAKERY A freshly baked hot cross bun is the ultimate spring comfort food. Have it best with a latte and a generous serving of salted Jersey butter at Landrace, where you can enjoy yours often still

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

3

warm from the oven in the stylish surrounds of its upstairs restaurant, which opens at 9am from Wednesday to Saturday. It’s hard to imagine a better start to the day than the original sweet and fruity Easter treat. www.landracebakery.com

4

THE COCONUT TREE The Sri Lankan street food spot is celebrating Easter with the return of its limited edition Creme Egg Choccy Hopper. The bowl-shaped pancake made from fermented rice our and coconut milk is cris y around the edges and thick at the bottom. For Easter, The Coconut Tree is throwing tradition out the window and instead of serving the Hopper with the usual savoury spicy sambals, it comes with a seasonal twist of melted chocolate, crushed mini eggs and a smashed Creme Egg. www.thecoconut-tree.com

5

CHOC ON CHOC Shake things up this Easter and make your own chocolate eggs with a fun Melt & Make kit from Rode-based Choc on Choc. Each simple kit contains moulds for two eggs, the chocolate for melting and a selection of sweets for decoration. There’s even a paper chef ’s hat – because we like to feel professional. Scrap the traditional egg hunt in favour of something craftier – sure, technically it’s for kids, but there’s no reason for adults not to get in on the egg-making action. n www.choconchoc.co.uk

4 5

S PA N I S H C A F É A N D D E L I

Breakfast, brunch, lunch and coffee with a Spanish twist 17 Milsom Place Bath BA1 1BX @veros.bath Email: veronica@verosbath.co.uk

01225 789 650

RESTAURANT

WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL AND SPA

Sarah Moolla discovers expressions chakras and the most ex uisite of stays at the almesbury country hotel

Y

ou know that part of the fairytale when the heavy wooden doors slowly swing open to reveal an enchanted magical space? In this case an adjoining curve of picturesque and statuesque 19th century farmhouses – all handsome honey stone anked by lavender borders trailing wisteria and soft walls of ivy – this is the Whatley Manor welcome. The walled courtyard instantly enfolds you in a luxe meets rustic Cotswold hug and invites no actually insists you leave behind whatever pressures and stresses you’ve brought with you on the minute drive from ath. e’ve stepped into another world and there’s an instant vibe not ust that we’re staying in an upmarket bedroom ichelin starred country hotel but we’re actually staying with friends. It’s a gorgeous feeling. ven the d cor feels like it’s been crafted through love and not some anonymous glossy mag cut and paste of what a country manor should look like yes there’s the Chesterfield leather sofas wide sweeping staircases the wood panelled walls the huge sunlight ooded mullion windows but also sculptural art traditional anti ues amusing knick knacks of woodland animals oral displays walls of black and white photos telling the story of the once named Twatley anor wherever you look there’s something different to absorb and intrigue.

Ready for further restoration we head to the spacious spa complete with a large hydropool which ows to the outside bubble pool a tepidarium

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

calidarium a steam grotto and large sauna. It’s uietly soothing and reassuringly grown up if we did nothing else during our stay this alone will have been worth it. There is also a gym and airy studio space if you wanted to take it up a notch but I’m slipping down a gear with a aia uilibrium facial. ike most things at hatley anor this is something else something uite special. y therapist eth moves like a ghost around me confidently and tenderly as she starts with a gentle foot massage before moving onto a specialised facial treatment incorporating aromatherapy oils rhythmic massage and advanced massage techniques whilst applying pressure points. I realise later the sinus and irritating cough I’ve had for about a week yes it was that cold we all got the one that wasn’t Covid has subsided and I am breathing clearly and deeply for the first time in ages. eth ends the treatment on a Chakra stone reading which is utterly fascinating and whether you believe in such spiritual things or not it doesn’t matter allowing time for a little self re ection can never be a bad thing and certainly suits the Whatley experience. ou know that most overused of reality show phrases a ourney well I’m reclaiming it here for our time at hatley. This evening we are on a culinary ourney with icki eston the young executive chef who only stepped up to the hatley anor plate in ecember and in ust one month managed to retain one of hatley’s ichelin stars. To toast this incredible achievement we are invited to the drawing room for a glass

“If you want to come away feeling rejuvenated then Whatley is the way to go”

of Gusbourne Brut Reserve Twenty Eighteen – a peachy and deep berry avour with a toasted perfumed finish which we enjoy with nibbles of fat green olives and roasted broadbeans before heading through to the kitchen. ere we stand watching the slick team of at work like the coolest rock’n’roll ever before icki then takes a few minutes out to present us first with a softly steaming light suet pudding of fermented beetroot with pine thyme and uniper followed by a cup of caviar custard layered with shreds of chicken tiny cubes of parsnip and dressed in sherry vinegar which is eaten with a small spoon like a tri e. It’s a powerhouse of avours aromas and textures. The seafood salty richness of the caviar pops against the creamy luxe sweetness of the custard and the substantial chew of the succulent chicken. These little dishes are called expressions’ explains icki. e feel they introduce the menu in the style that we want to achieve they are an expression of the menu. The inspiration behind the dishes was wanting to go back to English heritage dishes and traditional British ingredients trying as much as possible to use local produce and understanding the provenance of the ingredients. And we use classic techni ues within the cooking of the menu but finished in more of a modern style.

An enthusiastic imaginative and thoughtful approach is evident in every single dish from the aged duck rolled with duck and date mousse served with slivers of carrot and roasted fennel fennel pollen plump dates and a berry duck sauce to the fresh pickled cockles served with sweet shallots and crunchy cucumber along with a smooth trout roe on an oyster leaf bed to name ust a few of the many highlights. There’s some really clever touches too my companion’s vegetarian dishes often aesthetically mirror the meat option. The potato filled with halibut mousse marinated halibut skirt lemon est lightly powdered with scallop roe and vinegar powder is echoed in her thinly stacked artichoke dri led with a mustardy and buttery hollandaise sauce. This a well conceived theatrical event as well as a sensationally well thought out tasting feast. leep in the sumptuous all amenities suite comes easy that night and following a hearty locally sourced breakfast it’s a leisurely stroll around ust a few of the landscaped gardens in the acre site. There’s something good for the soul in this place maybe it’s the fact the owners insist it’s shut every onday to allow staff to recharge maybe it’s their commitment to net ero carbon emissions toiletries here come in reusable ars and there’s no shrink wrapped plastic or maybe it’s the team’s obvious dedication to putting guests first whatever it is if you want to switch off relax feel indulged and come away feeling re uvenated then hatley is the way to go. n

STAY DETAILS Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB. tel: 01666 822888; www.whatleymanor.com Established July 2003 Owned by Christian Landolt and Alix Landolt Rooms 23 bedrooms, classic rooms start at £279 and the deluxe suite is £804 Gardens 12 acres Chef Ricki Weston Grey’s Brasserie 70 covers ad serves modern British dishes from Wednesday to Sunday, and lunch on a Sunday. Starters £11 - £13, mains £24 - £28, desserts £11 - 16 The Dining Room 40 covers serving creative contemporary cuisine Wednesday to Sunday. Chef’s Menu is £175 per person.

Aquarias Spa A range of luxurious spa treatments for the face and body; a gym and studio; underwater recliners in the hydrotherapy pool and light refreshments served in the spa lounge with views to the spa garden and countryside beyond. Treatments from £105 for a sixty-minute treatment; float Pod – 60 mins £56, £140 Essential Escape Half Day Spa (Mon/Fri) and £215 (Sat/Sun) Hire of the cinema £40 Activities Vélosophy bikes are available to hire from reception – for every Vélosophy sold, they donate another bicycle to a schoolgirl in a developing country. Wild Carrot is an electric bicycle hire company that also offer biking tours.

Good to know The team at Whatley are committed to creating a business that delivers a luxury guest experience whilst reducing its impact on the planet and are working towards the goal of scope 1 & 2 net zero by 2028.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 51

I

t s all about the eggs at aster but did you know the best eggs in ritain are roduced down the road acock is the of the freerange home of larence ourt traditional breed birds and we re not just talking hens there s duck, quail, bantam, goose, guinea fowl, heasant, ostrich, turkey and rhea eggs ere larence ourt home economist i ence suggests two delicious aster time treats

CLARENCE COURT RHEA EGG SCRAMBLED AND SERVED WITH JOHN ROSS SMOKED SALMON AND HOMEMADE RYE CRACKER BREAD Serves 10-12

Pip says, “This is a simple and elegant way of presenting a beautiful yellow shelled Rhea egg for a brunch or breakfast spread with friends and family. You’ll have enough to serve up to 12 guests. Make your own cracker bread or serve with your favourite shop bought.”

Ingredients for Rhea egg 1 Clarence Court Rhea egg teas oon freshly ground black e er lus e tra for ser ing teas oon sea salt lus e tra for ser ing g unsalted butter g ack smoked salmon lemons cut into wedges

Ingredients for rye cracker breads 1 Clarence Court Burford Brown (egg white) g wholemeal rye our, lus e tra for dusting teas oon sea salt and freshly ground black e er lus e tra for s rinkling teas oon baking owder teas oon fennel seeds g mi of seeds, such as o y, sesame, sun ower or um kin teas oon honey or ma le syru tables oon butter, melted

Method arefully crack the to of the hea egg with a s oon and gently click away small amounts of the shell until you can ti the egg out into a large mi ing bowl for whisking idy u the shell clicking away any more shell until the o ening is large enough for ser ing eel away the inner membrane and carefully wash the shell inside and out with hot, soa y water and rinse under the ta llow to dry eanwhile whisk the egg well and season with teas oon freshly ground black e er and sea salt lace a medium sauce an on a low medium heat, add the butter and melt until just bubbling our in the whisked egg and use a s atula to gently scramble the egg in the an to your liking t s best to just under cook the egg as will continue to cook in the an with the heat off et the slices of smoked salmon ready to go. lace the clean shell on a clean lant ot or cu and fill with scrambled egg, arrange some of the salmon on to ne t to the egg er e the cris breads with the remaining salmon and lemon wedges

Method reheat the o en to an as ine baking sheets with grease roof a er lace the our in a large mi ing bowl, stir in the salt and e er, baking owder, fennel seeds, g mi ed seeds, honey and butter ake a well in the centre and then our in ml water, stirring with a dinner knife then mi ing with your hands until you ha e a soft, sticky dough lour a clean work surface well with our ut the dough ball in half and roll the dough out to a rough rectangle around 1cm thin. arefully transfer to a baking tray and lace to one side whilst you roll out the other iece of dough. hisk the egg white well and brush all o er the to of each iece of dough rinkle o er the remaining seeds and s rinkle o er a round inch of salt and e er then lightly ress down lace the trays in the o en and bake for minutes or until golden and cris llow to cool on a wire rack nce cool break u into shards or ieces

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

RECIPE

ALPHA FOODIE’S CLASSIC CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING Serves 12

Pip says, “A delicious yet simple classic carrot cake recipe with cream cheese frosting. This afternoon tea classic is a sweet, lightly spiced, carrot walnut cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting.

Any leftover carrot cake can be stored covered in the fridge for up to five days.

Alternatively you can freeze the unfrosted cakes for between 2-3 months. Simply double wrap it tightly in some plastic wrap or an airtight freezersafe bag, to maintain texture and avoid freezer burn. Allow it to thaw overnight then frost before serving.”

Ingredients for cake 150g carrots, grated 3 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs 220g brown sugar ml egetable or sun ower oil 120g walnuts or pecans, chopped g raisins o tional teas oon anilla essence g cu s all- ur ose our

teas oon baking owder teas oon baking soda teas oon cumin teas oon ginger owder inch of salt Ingredients for the frosting g cream cheese room tem erature g owdered sugar, sifted g butter room tem erature Decorations dible owers Chopped walnuts Method 1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC and grease a cm round tin lternati ely, you can use a square tin of to cm ou can also use a layer of archment a er to line the base n a large bowl mi the eggs and sugar hisk them until the sugar has com letely dissol ed radually add the oil into the mi and whisk

after each addition nce you obtain a homogeneous mi ture, add the grated carrots, walnuts, raisins, and anilla e tract i well ake for about minutes until the to turns golden brown and it s cooked through ou can check with a wooden skewer if the cake has cooked through it should come out clean llow the cake cool down com letely on a wire rack eanwhile, re are the cream cheese frosting eat the butter until it s uffy and light Then add the cream cheese and powdered sugar eat until it s all well incor orated and you achie e a creamy te ture lace the frosting in the fridge for at least minutes before you s read it on the cake 9. Once the cake has cooled down and the frosting has chilled, you can roceed with decorating the cake irst s read the frosting o er the cake ou can go for a uffy messy look or for a more smooth look hen add your fa ourite to ings For more: www.clarencecourt.co.uk

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

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

A bauble isn’t just for Christmas – it can be for life. And an Easter decoration can be more than just some daffs in a ase hese dried ower glass baubles are perfect for a Scandi ins ired decorati e refresh for the holidays he egg-sha ed glass baubles hold delicate posies of carefully dried grasses and owers of muted inks and soft white sus ended within ie to existing bouquets and branches arranged in a jug for an instant table centre piece. r

dr ed fl

er a

a

e c andc

c

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

EASTER EGG CANDLE BOX, £20 From the The Recycled Candle Company in Devon, these are all made from 100 per cent recycled wax. Each box comes with two pink, two blue, and two yellow egg-shaped candles.

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

EGGS’ CHOICE We’re deeply dippy about these egg-centric indie homewares and gifts

BLACK TOAST SET OF 3 EGG CUPS, £32 Boxed by Emma Bridgewater, these make an ideal present for those most egg-scellent of friends.

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

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

PINK EASTER EGG BY MAILEG, £8.50 A wonderful keepsake metal egg gift that can be refilled with treats and used year after year.

From Honey on The Hill, 30 Catherine Hill, Frome; www.honeyonthehill.co.uk

HARE EGG CUP, £14.95 A delightful addition to your morning breakfast, this ceramic egg cup has been beautifully made and hand-painted.

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

OSTARA EGG DECORATIONS, SET OF 12, £50 Painted in dark red and blue, these pretty life-sized ceramic eggs can be suspended from an Easter tree or drawer handle.

From OKA, 26-27 Milsom Street, Bath; www.oka.com

EDITOR’S CHOICE OLNEY EGG CUPS, SET OF 6, £27 Flax blue, beautiful, and decorated with a 19th-century spongeware potteryinspired thistle design.

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

FUNNY EGGS NAPKINS, £3.99 Add instant Easter to your party with this pack of 20 napkins in a colourful Easter-themed egg print.

From Vinegar Hill, 16 Milsom Street, Bath; www.vinegarhill.co.uk

BATH BOMBS, £2 EACH Egg-shaped banana, cherry and coconut scented bath bomb, all perfect for the postEaster hunt chill.

From Consciously You, 1 Kennington Road, Bath; www.consciouslyyou.co.uk

THE MANDALORIAN CHILD EGG CUP AND TOAST CUTTER, £8.99 Take your breakfast to another world and Star Wars-inspired level.

From Jollys, House of Fraser, 13 Milsom Street at e ra er c

DIPPING DELICIOUS PRINT BY DAVID LOFTUS, £65 The award-winning and internationally acclaimed food photographer is celebrating Team Dippy Egg with this delightful print.

From Clarence Court; www.clarenceboutique.co.uk

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

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REVITALISE SKIN CARE is an exclusive medical clinic with an ability to deliver great aesthetic results whilst maintaining the highest standards of patient care based on the team’s exacting levels of knowledge professionalism and training. rior to every treatment full consultations with patients are offered to discuss options. ey treatments include wrinkle reduction in ections dermal fillers non surgical face lifts and advanced laser hair removal.

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icolle Appleton a fully ualified utritionist with years experience in Al heimer’s disease research. he is a specialist in optimising the health and wellbeing of those affected by Al heimer’s dementia and arkinson’s disease. Our diet can deeply affects our minds and our lives get the knowhow on nourishing your brain with the choice of strategy sessions and months programmes. nicolle.appletonnutrition@gmail.com; 07894086663; www.appletonnutrition.co.uk

is a medical Aesthetics clinic situated in idcombe ath offering a bespoke service for all your aesthetic needs. ith an emphasis on natural’ r ucy uses rinkle relaxing ermal illers rofhilo and esotherapy’s to deliver outstanding natural results from anti ageing to tweaks which enhance or disguise certain features.

10 Rossiter Road, Bath, BA2 4JP; 07887514154 www.doctorlucy.co.uk

LITTLE LAB offer award winning beauty classes and beauty salon treatments; they are no strangers to makeup classes. They have been teaching people how to achieve a three to five minute daily routine for over eight years in their shop in ath and have taught people their bespoke routine. Think of it as shy of makeup mentoring aimed to give confidence. ook ive for your beauty appointments. 20 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LN; 01225 310849; www.littlelab.co.uk

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nutritionist and naturopath specialising in helping people overcome chronic and mystery illness using food as medicine. ith food and nature at the core of her practice ebecca is passionate about supporting those who have struggled to find answers to their health issues. he works with clients both locally and internationally through her online and in person practice in ath. info@rebecca-oreilly.com; www.rebecca-oreilly.com

BISHOPSTROW HOTEL & SPA

The newly designed ot Tub unior uites are ust one of the latest additions to ishopstrow otel pa. ach suite sits on a private terrace surrounded by hedges adorned with uni ue art pieces under oor heated and offers a walk in rainforest shower experience. hat better way to connect body and mind than a private countryside retreat? Boreham Rd, Warminster BA12 9HH; 01985 804680; www.bishopstrowhotel.com

HOMEWOOD BATH

The all new C spa treatment collection at omewood is one of the first of its kind in the area.

Including a C body treatment and facial these deeply soothing experiences combined with the natural healing properties of C will increase your energy and spiritual enlightenment. Abbey Lane, Freshford, Somerset, BA2 7TB; 01225 580439; spa@homewoodbath.co.uk; www.homewoodbath.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 59

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

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

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

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

Revitalise SkinCare Clinic Ltd is a CQC registered (Care Quality Commission), exclusive, well established medical aesthetic clinic based in Bath and Wiltshire. Founded in 2013 by Arvin Hassanpour, we are experts in medical facial aesthetics.

Our key treatments include: Wrinkle Reduction Injections (Botox), Dermal Fillers, Non-Surgical Face Lift with PDO Threads, Prescription Skincare for Acne, Rosacea and Hyperpigmentation, Mole and Skin Tag Removal, Hyperhidrosis treatment (excessive sweating) and Advanced Laser Hair Removal.

Our Philosophy is to achieve the best results for our patients through safe, high quality services and acting in their best interests.

Being the principal and founder of Revitalise Skincare clinic, Arvin is a Registered General Nurse as well as independent nurse prescriber with overall experience in emergency, cardiology and dermatology nursing for many years. Arvin is a member of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) and Association of Nurse Prescribing (INP).The clinic is Registered with CQC (Care Quality Commission), the approved register to make sure you are in good hands.

Bath Clinic Flat 1, Lombard House, St James Parade, Bath BA1 1UJ

Wiltshire Clinic Unit 21(3) The Courtyard, The Gateway, Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8FZ

www.revitaliseskincareclinic.co.uk | 01225 760 556

SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND

There are calls to make PE part of the core curriculum

Let us play

C

Time to prioritise active play and PE in the school’s catch up plans hief Medical cer ir hris Whitty has been the bearer of some sombre messages over the last two years, but his recent announcement that children could see their lives cut short due to significant worsening in obesity le els has finally blown the whistle on the need to prioritise active play and PE in schools. he latest figures show that 28 per cent of children in England are overweight or obese by the time they start school n some areas, figures are twice as high as before lockdowns and school closures, and ha e caused health o cials to warn of substantial long-term damage to children’s well-being, including mental health problems and rising cancer rates.

Even pre-pandemic, there were worries about cuts to the amount of PE on timetables. The Youth Sport Trust estimates this could be as many as 42,000 hours in state secondaries across a decade.

A major report on play habits also confirmed that most children now turn 11 before they are allowed to play outside unsupervised.

It’s a perfect storm that involves children being both overprotected by parents and under protected by a politicians who have ignored

the benefits of lay and hysical exercise for too long.

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, recently conducted the largest ever survey of school pupils, The Big Ask, and says that children told her in huge numbers that they want to “get outside, take part in activities at school, enjoy sport, and simply play out and have fun.” There is also the science.

Physical activity has been shown to enhance cognition, emotional regulation, concentration and is associated with higher levels of academic achievement.

It’s no coincidence that the best schools put PE at the heart of the school day and see better performance in the classroom as a result. Movement is a no-brainer if we want our children to do better at maths.

Olympian Sharron Davies agrees; and recently joined forces with School Guide to call for the government to prioritise PE in catch up plans. “PE should be inspected by Ofsted along with maths and English,” she said. “It’s

so important we teach children skills for life: how to read food labels and the long-term benefits of exercise. I meet so many grown ups who tell me they regret giving up on sport at school. PE was never a priority.”

Thanks to advocates such as Davies, calls to #PrioritisePE are finally being listened to in Westminster.

Last month a new Lords report called for PE to be made a core subject, and MPs debated the idea saying there was “a very real prospect of changing the trajectory of young people towards a healthier life.” Schools in Wales and Scotland are already judged on measures such as minutes of PE per week alongside targets for literacy and numeracy.

Change can’t come quick enough for many parents: two thirds are worried that levels of physical activity have dropped dramatically since lockdown.

It’s of particular concern for secondary school children, who often rely on school to provide their only structured physical outlet of the week.

“Movement is a no-brainer if we want our children to do better at maths”

However, according to Dr Liz Durden-Myers, senior lecturer in Physical Education at Bath Spa University, it’s really important that parents understand that active play and everyday movement counts just as much as timetabled PE. “We all know the 5-a-day eating guidelines but not many parents know that children are recommended to be active for 60 minutes per day. It can sound a lot for busy mums and dads to organise but anything that encourages children to get slightly out of breath counts towards their active minutes. It could be a bounce on a trampoline during an after-school playdate or a walk or bike to school for an older pupil.”

Albert Einstein once said play is the highest form of research.

Almost a hundred years later, it seems play may be something we need to help our children to learn again – before it’s too late.

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 61

PERIOD CHAIRS & SOFAS FOR SA LE

Walcot Upholstery are moving We are now trading from: 6 Cleveland Terrace, Bath BA1 5DF Please come and see us as we continue to serve the people of Bath for all their upholstery needs.

Traditional and modern upholstery.

01225 460483 | info@walcotupholstery.com | www.walcotupholstery.co.uk

It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>DAN NORRIS LAUNCHES JOBS CONNECT (64) >>BATH LIFE AWARDS PLATINUM WINNER NOYA’S KITCHEN (67) >>BIZ Q&A HOLLIE MARKHAM (68)

Bath College is supporting parents learning English with free crèche sessions

Breaking down barriers

B

Bath College is providing free crèche sessions to support refugees learning English

ath College has launched free crèche sessions to support parents on its English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course. The brand new crèche opened this academic year, and is used for the students on Childcare and Early Years courses to learn in, in addition to the su ort it offers for parents attending classes at the College.

Many parents wishing to take ESOL experience childcare as a barrier to attendance, so Bath College set up free crèche sessions to coincide with ESOL classes. Half of the families utilising the free crèche and ESOL course are refugees who came to England in a hurry, with little English and no family or friends close by.

“The crèche is helping a lot, they look after the kids and the students and staff are ery, ery sweet, says ha ajeh, an student who has twin baby boys in the cr che am ery thankful to be able to finish

my studies, as don t ha e any family here and at home couldn t study, but with the cr che, my life changed he children attending the cr che ary in age, from babies to fouryear-olds, and are from countries all o er the world including yria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and Lebanon. ath ollege s childcare students ha e also benefitted immensely from the regular sessions, which allow them hands-on e erience at ollege in addition to their placements. en nu un, who is studying the e el ransition to hildcare e el , is really enjoying watching the children de elo y first language isn t nglish, it s hai, so can really relate to the children who are all here learning nglish, she says really enjoy watching them make friends and bond they re from similar backgrounds For more: www.bathcollege.ac.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I BATH LIFE I 115 63

Dan Norris and James King launching Jobs Connect

SUPER NANNY The latest gardening volunteers at Camden Meadow are proving quite a draw. Goats Gilbert and Brownee have been recruited by the Friends of Camden Meadow, a volunteerdriven group working to transform the space into a sustainable and biodiverse natural habitat. The goats will help maintain the land by eating their way through the plants that might otherwise require expensive power tools to manage.

“They normally live at Brown’s Folly,” says Friends of Camden Meadow founder and co-lead John Long. “Street Goat provide them (and many others) to Avon Wildlife Trust on a similar basis to what they’re doing here with Friends of Camden Meadow.”

The plan is to bring the goats to the land three to four times a year when the vegetation needs to be managed.

For more: www.camdenmeadow.org

TALENT SPOTTING Metro Mayor Dan Norris launched Jobs Connect, a new website connecting job seekers to opportunities in the region’s hospitality industry with a visit to The Salamander. The website, commissioned by the West of England Combined Authority and built by Bath-based software company Cognisses enables users to share their CV with recruiters, search and apply for positions and test their skills through online games.

Businesses meanwhile, can use the platform to list vacancies.

“As a hospitality careerist, from bartender to chef to management to business owner, I have felt the struggles of recruitment within the

Gilbert and Brownee are Camden Meadow’s newest volunteer gardeners

industry from all angles,” says James King, owner and company director of The Salamander on John Street.

“This is especially the case after Brexit and a pandemic, with so many staff heading home to uro e “The impact on hospitality frontline workers, having to push harder to co er the staff shortfall and the di culties for management and owners to fill those ga s, has been great.

“Jobs Connect aims to bring together the right staff for the right businesses, with the addition that staff can test their skill set, hel ing point them towards jobs best suited to them.”

For more: www.jobsconnectwest.co.uk

LIFE IS SUITE

King Edward’s School’s new Creative Media Suite will provide pupils with key creative and digital skills

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

King Edward’s School (KES) has a brand-new Creative Media Suite. Developed in partnership with Lenovo and Microsoft, it comprises 26 new Lenovo T5 desktop systems, which will provide pupils with key creative and digital skills while giving a home for the school’s co-curricular esports programme.

“This new facility will be used for curriculum activities and as part of our co-curricular programme,” says David Middleborough, deputy head at KES. “We have seen that pupils want to bring more digital media work into their studies, and there are ob ious benefits to being able to work with better quality photo and video editing facilities in subjects such as ICT, drama, art, and photography.

However, we have also seen that pupils want to use these skills in all subjects whether it is filming a ideo for a history assignment, putting together a news report in English or creating an animation of a geographical process. This wonderful new facility will allow pupils to fully realise these creative ambitions.” also lans to offer the s ace as a hub for wider use by young people from the local community.

For more: www.kesbath.com

BATHWORKS The Lord-Lieutenenant of Somerset Annie Maw (in red in foreground) with senior Lovehoney staff (L-R) James Saxon, Bonnie Hall, Steve Moore, Debbie Bond, Tobias Zegenhagen, Helen Balmer and Thuve Bremen

SPREAD THE LOVE

fter a o id delay, o ehoney finally received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for boosting international trade from Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw. The crystal chalice and scroll is the highest o cial award for British businesses who excel at international trade, innovation or sustainability – and this marks the brand’s second recognition. he ueen is the s greatest trade ambassador and to have her backing as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee means the world to us,” says Lovehoney Group chief operating o cer, ebbie ond rands with a Queen’s Award are trusted – so to win two over the last six years shows the henomenal effort by e eryone working for the Lovehoney Group.” www.lovehoney.co.uk

POWER COUPLE

Monkton Combe School and All Hallows Prep School are merging.

“This merger allows us to take full advantage of shared resources, facilities and expertise, helping All Hallows ourish and grow whilst ensuring each child has the same individual attention they need, says r re or ichards, headmaster at All Hallows.

Monkton has 700 pupils across prep and senior schools, and All Hallows, which offers day and boarding re school for ages three to 13, has 275. Both schools will retain their own leadership, management, teaching and support staff, as well as uniform and site, but go ernance will be unified www.monktoncombeschool.com/ www.allhallowsschool.co.uk

© @JONCR AIG_ PHOTOS

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

Tim Edwards, co-founder of Network N was the guest speaker at the latest EntreConf networking dinner

THE SOCIAL NETWORK Network N co-founder Tim Edwards on teamwork, restructure and the future Tim Edwards, co-founder of Network N gave an in-depth, revelatory live interview at the latest EntreConf dinner at the on orge by otel u in in Clifton, a networking event with leading business figures, s onsored by ocketmakers Network N is the largest independent games media business in the world, with a network of more than 150 websites reaching over 60 million users every month – all built in 10 years with no external financing t s com rised of three businesses: publishing, an advertising network and an advertising agency, all naturally emerging in the early days, and now in the process of ‘de-merging’ through a corporate restructure, that will allow the three businesses to stand independently.

Network N’s exponential growth has made restructuring essential, but, Tim shared – it wasn t always so successful t took three years to hit a million users, and the early days were filled with doubt e recounted one experience following a press

trip to the E3 Expo trade event, “The Sunday morning following the show, we looked at analytics and there were three people looking at our website,” said Tim. “One of them was me, one of them was my co-founder James inns, and then realised had my la to on in the other room…” t was a stressful time but Tim says now it was those hard moments and mistakes that ultimately made the business a success. eams might s end fi e years making a game – they start from scratch with the pieces of understanding what makes it fun, what makes it exciting, how to make it successful. hey s end fi e years learning that, and then they put out the product. The sequel is always so much better because they’ve got all these lessons already think that’s true for the business in general, too.”

Some lessons Tim has learned? Sometimes it is worth going to the professionals for help – chartered accountants Bishop Fleming and

inde endent law firm urges Salmon are both advising on the restructuring process; a leadership structure based around pairs allows everyone to play to their strengths; and, if you’re going to set up an employee shares scheme – get your ducks in a row r t. t all leads to one, final question: is all this in preparation to exit? According to Tim, not right now – and maybe not ever. take a lot of meaning from managing the business,” he shared f wasn t doing this, would want to be doing another business and ha e a cou le of things that want to do can t imagine not working ntre n a rt a c n erence r entre rene r n t e t e t eat r n t t eader ract ca n t n ed e ar n and t e rt n t t ca e e c t n ne e t r n n ne e de nter e a a a e t atc a a n n t e ntre n e te r

re

entrec n c

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 65

BATHWORKS © SOUL MEDIA

Noya and Daniel celebrate their double Bath Life Awards win

“I WAS COMPLETELY SPEECHLESS – NORMALLY I’M SO NOT” What’s the best part about working in Bath and being part of the local business community?

I think the Awards night showed that Bath is a city of togetherness in so many ways, with the business community supporting each other and showing pride in our city.

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2022

The big winner of the night shares the secrets to success RESTAURANT WINNER SPONSORED BY

PLATINUM WINNER

T

his year’s Restaurant and Platinum Awardwinner, Noya’s Kitchen prides itself on offering a warm welcome with food served from the heart. Led by Noya Pawlyn and Daniel Pawlyn, Noya’s Kitchen offers a home-cooked ietnamese food experience – whether that’s the lunch and dinner service, Noya’s fi e-course su er clubs or her cookery classes.

How did it feel to win not one, but TWO Bath Life Awards?

Completely overwhelmed, followed swiftly by totally ecstatic!

Tell us about that moment you learned you’d won the Platinum Award

When collecting the Award I was

completely speechless – normally I’m so not. The reaction from the crowd in the room, the vibe, the support and congratulations after we won were just amazing, and one to store in the memory bank for sure!

the people of Bath. We have worked incredibly hard to be fair – the whole team has – and our customers can see that in the experience we deliver.

Where do you keep your Awards?

Owning your own business gives you the freedom to be, and to create whatever you want, from the food, ambience and beyond.

I also love working with my team, gi ing young eo le their first employment and seeing them grow in confidence

In the restaurant, in pride of place on our bar.

Why do you think 2022 was your winning year?

A combination of things, I think.

We started the year by winning Gousto’s Cookstarter initiative, where we were voted one of the s to fi e inde endent restaurants. We innovated through the lockdown from Jan-May with our Dishes to Go, and then we had our busiest year on record once diners could visit us again, enabling us to build our team again, hiring great people.

What set you apart in your category, do you think?

hat s a tough one as all the finalists were strong. I think the fact that we’re independent, and had built a strong following through the lockdowns meant that we had so much wonderful support from

What do you really love about your work?

What would you say are some of the frustrations of the restaurant industry?

It’s been a hell of a year for our supply chain! Noodles from South ast sia, beers from ietnam, and wines from New Zealand have all been affected by the andemic so you adapt. Customer no-shows can still be a frustration, but I think people are now kinder and more considerate than they were before Covid. I hope that continues!

Finally, we love the restaurant space we have and the vibe it delivers, but with around 35 covers, it’s also a frustration that we can’t welcome more people as regularly as we and they want to.

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

Just say yes and then go for it with all your heart – you’ll work it out as you go!

What at work are you excited about right now?

Spring is in the air, so I can’t wait to get our garden looking lovely and welcoming diners outside for our most summery dishes and our Banh Mi. Longer term, we have plans in to extend our indoor dining space, create a new outdoors dining area and potentially a new space for our cooking school – a big project for the next couple of years.

What was one moment that made you realise you were onto something with this business?

I think it was the reaction we had from the first few o -u u er Clubs I ran. People loved the whole experience, and as I interacted with our diners, I could feel that it was something that could work pretty well.

Finally, tell us something surprising about you

I trained as a textile designer, and Daniel also works in the travel industry, so neither of us had any restaurant experience. We just went for it and are still learning as we go.

I do love cooking for people, and truly believe that bringing people together for special shared moments is pretty powerful.

For more: Noya’s Kitchen, 7 St James’s Parade, Bath; www.noyaskitchen.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 67

BATHWORKS

“IT OFFERS THE ULTIMATE IN FLEXIBILITY” for the roject it s been an e tremely busy few months for me.

What attracted you to this job?

One of the main factors was the social purpose of the House. I felt my re ious roles were lacking that feel good, give back, do better’ factor that des erately wanted ur rofits will be gifted to our charity partner, St John s oundation, s ecifically for their Foundation Fund, which supports disadvantaged children in our community.

BIZ Q&A

Hollie Markham The head of operations of House of St John’s on Bath’s newest co-working space

H

ouse of St John’s at Number 1 Queen Square is a stylish new co-working space in the city centre.

The House has informal communal work areas, ri ate o ces, bookable boardroom, elegant event space, a lounge, a bar and even an outdoor terrace. It’s a charity partner of the St John’s Foundation, which means the rofits from the s ace will be gifted to the Foundation to support local children in need.

en ironment, and we fully e ect our members to change their whereabouts in the House to best accommodate the task at hand.

What kinds of businesses tend to use the House of St John’s?

We don’t believe there is a particular type of business that will choose to access our workspace. Everyone and anyone can be a member – even more so, post-pandemic, with the hybrid working lifestyle becoming more common. There are many benefits to mi ing u your working

Why is co-working such an attractive prospect? ecause it offers the ultimate in e ibility any eo le are now looking for that third s ace that is to say, a place that is neither your home, nor your o cial work lace, but a s ace outside of these areas ost of us don t ha e the lu ury of a se arate o ce area in our homes and no longer

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

How does the House accommodate different needs?

The interior design of the House means that when focus is required, you can book one of our private meeting rooms, while our ermanent o ces offer a home-from-home en ironment with access to our co-working lounges – giving individuals the choice that best suits their working day.

welcome the encroach of the o ce onto the dining room table ost people need that demarcation between work and home – even for part of the week.

What else have you got to tempt people out of their home offices?

The team at the House has done all it can to make its members feel as comfortable, if not more, as they would at home. Keeping it local, I have added beautiful greenery from otanica tudios, lu ury toiletries from Natural Spa Factory, artwork from odern rt uyer, and a vast collection of reading materials and the full collection from our local bookshop, Persephone.

This is a relatively new role for you, isn’t it?

I joined the House of St John’s team in October 2021 as their head of operations at a pinnacle moment

How are you enjoying it so far? ince started fi e months ago, not one day has been the same for me.

I love the variety of hosting client tours, meeting su liers, finalising room designs – all while continuing to romote our offering in ath e spend so much time at work and it’s important to enjoy what you do.

I’m thrilled to have joined St John’s foundation and be a member of the House of St John’s team. m equally e cited that we are o cially o en for business, and can t wait to see what this year has in store for us.

What makes the House a unique co-working offering? ecoming a member of the ouse not only supports your business and personal growth, but also positively in uences the community around you ith rofits from membershi s donated to our charity partner, St John’s Foundation, simply by signing up to become a member, you are helping to create a positive impact on disadvantaged children in our region.

Furthermore, we are hopeful that our members will naturally form networks of like-minded people committed to making our society that bit better.

What’s your management philosophy?

I would never ask someone to do something that I wasn’t willing to do myself like to listen and be e ible to other’s needs – I’ve always found this management style has allowed me to get the best out of people.

For more: House of St Johns, 1 Queen Square, Bath; www.hosj.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

MEET THE B CORP The companies committed to doing good

JO LORD

ADVISOR RESETTING THE POTENTIAL AND PURPOSE OF BUSINESS, BYEN

with a triple bottom line focus, and have embedded social and environmental responsibility in your decision-making process.

jo@byen.co.uk; www.byen.co.uk What was it that drew you to the B Corp movement?

Their Impact Assessment tool. byen was set up to support founders on a mission to balance people, planet, and profit. B Corps’ Impact Assessment tool (BIA) and UN SDG Manager support the framework used to provoke insightful, engaging discussions that really define what stakeholder engagement looks like for your company.

What makes the B Corp certification process unique?

Comprehensive in detail and scope across five areas of business: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, B Corp certification is a clear sign that you are a business

What advice would you give to companies that want to achieve a B Corp certification?

The key is leadership buy in and the ability to engage your team to take them on the journey with you. Use the BIA to get a clear understanding of what you do well now, what you can quickly achieve and what you aspire to. Don’t rush the process, it’s about embedding change, not just gaining the 80+ points needed, as you will need to evidence every answer you give. An advisor can ensure you are on the right track and provide invaluable support and guidance.

BOB MYTTON

MYTTON WILLIAMS 01225 476476 www.myttonwilliams.co.uk What was it that drew you to the B Corp movement?

Committing to being a better business – a business that is a force for good. Profit is always going to be at the forefront of any business owner’s mind, but the danger is that we put financial gain before people and the planet.

What advice would you give to other companies that want to achieve a B Corp certification?

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

When you first approach B Corp it might seem complicated, but don’t let that put you off. Make use of the support that B Corp provide. Get the whole team on board, not just with what’s needed for the process, but that sense of

GROUP HEAD OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY, LOMBARD ODIER GROUP www.lombardodier.com What makes the B Corp certification process unique?

It is a very holistic approach to sustainability within a company, taking into account not only products and their impact, but also a company’s environmental policies, the well-being of employees, community impact, and solid risk governance. At Lombard Odier, we very much appreciate this approach because we believe that sustainability must be integrated in all parts of a company and it must be measurable. The due diligence process is very thorough and a good opportunity to add to our sustainability road map.

What is the most rewarding element of being part of the B Corp movement?

It has made us reflect on how we approach design projects and decisions when we propose solutions and develop strategies.

This has strengthened our ability to have conversations with clients who are also reflecting on sustainability and need to think through the implications for their brands and communications.

realisation among the team that we didn’t know what ‘good’ looked like. This was when we came across B Labs, the organisation that created the B Corporation certification. It was transformative in that for the first time we could effectively benchmark our progress against a stringent set of criteria, and this in turn would enable us to implement clearly defined targets and steps that could be taken to achieve these goals.

EBBA LEPAGE

What is a key advantage of becoming a B Corp?

A B Corp certification is a stamp of approval of our sustainability strategy and integration. It shows that we align our product strategy with our own operations. We walk the talk. The B Corp community is a fantastic network for sharing best practices with likeminded entrepreneurial businesses, who want to step up their business to contribute to the good of society.

Our B Corp certification is a source of pride for our employees.

It is also a good example of our commitment to sustainability in discussions with new employees, from a generation that truly wants to ensure that a company’s values align with their own.

greater purpose and doing good.

PAUL MACKENZIECUMMINS, MD, CLEARLY PR

01225 694349; www.clearlypr.co.uk What was it that drew you to the B Corp movement?

Clearly had already kick-started its drive to become a more sustainable and responsible business, and whilst we were making steady progress towards this there was a growing

What makes the B Corp certification process unique?

It is hard – extremely so. There is a surge in the number of businesses seeking to become a B Corp, and social media is filled with many of them stating they have made their submission to become one. But many may find it’s harder to gain accreditation than first thought.

The demands and standards that must be met to become certified are (rightly) exceptionally high, so it requires a real level of commitment and work. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 71

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Over 30 Years Experience

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

New project

HIVE MIND Bath-based architects new project is inspired by nature and beehives Bath-based architects Batterham Smith have recently completed a new home in Pensford which has been inspired by the Australian Great Outdoors. The project was to convert a dilapidated agricultural barn set in a paddock with visiting deer into a sustainable family space that helps celebrate the surrounds and the wildlife.

Architect Ben Smith explains, “Our challenge was to retain the drama of the steel framed barn without compromising on the backup spaces. Open plan living works best when supported by the more private spaces for bedrooms and bathrooms and this design allows for both. master bedroom suite at first oor sits above two family and a guest bedrooms.

There are views over the adjacent orchard and large windows – all give views of sky and scudding clouds he o en lan first oor living space spills out onto the garden terrace and to the paddock with a small copse with badger sett beyond.

“The star of the show is the ‘hive’, sitting within the hallway an organic sculptural element conceived of boat building technology and reminiscent of a beehive. The first oor home o ce within has a round desk and has a matching circular oculus view of the sky. A staircase wraps around it taking you on a journey through the building that has now been brought back to life.”

For more: www.batterhamsmitharchitects.co.uk

ABOVE: Interior view of the innovative ‘hive’; BELOW: Batterham Smith Architects worked

with a family to create their dream ‘Great Outdoors’ home in Pensford

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

PROPERTY NEWS Sustainability Symposium

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

The Property Symposium is 29 April; Lucian Cook of Savills BELOW: CBRE’s Jennet Siebrits INSET TOP:

The Property Symposium is back on 29 April and is running a virtual conference on sustainability. The morning event, which is sponsored

by GA Energy, Interaction and Futureground and runs from 9am to 1pm, is bringing together industry experts for panel sessions and networking opportunities.

The Thought Leadership segment offers dynamic insights ia exclusive research into residential and commercial property with Lucian Cook, the head of residential research for Savills, and Jennet Siebrits, the head of research at CBRE. Panellists include senior players from Coutts, JLL, Principality, Interaction, CBRE, Futureground, GA Energy, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Sero, Socius and BDP – with more to follow.

The Property Symposium is powered by a multi-channel regional marketing campaign, building on the success of the Property Awards in Bath, Bristol, ardiff and eter For more: www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk

Tree planting

TREE-MENDOUS EFFORT! Pupils at Bathwick St Mary Church School have planted a commemorative oak tree at Bath’s new Holburne Park development as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Pupils who are school councillors were invited to plant an oak tree in parkland for The Queen’s Green Canopy, which visitors and residents at Holburne Park will be able to enjoy for generations to come.

For more: www.bathwickstmary.org / www.holburnepark.co.uk

Pupils at Bathwick St. Mary Church School with (BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT): BECT’s customer care manager Ali Gatehouse, BECT operations director Jonathan Matthews, and headteacher of Bathwick St. Mary Church School Kevin Purkiss

74 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.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

LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE We are passionate about providing the highest standards of customer care, showcased in an exceptional review platform and with our team of all employed fitters offer a quality of traditional care and regard that in our day and age is often hard to find.

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We have an extensive customer base of both domestic and commercial clients. We offer all flooring specialities, from luxury vinyl tile, design floors, wood, carpet, vinyl, safety flooring and artificial grass.

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Shop Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 10.00am - 3.00pm

4 LANSDOWN Live the quintessential Bath experience Words by Lauren Coton

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

I

t doesn’t get more quintessentially, luxuriously Bath than living in one of the city’s crescents – and an opportunity to live that ultimate Bath life has come up for sale: 4 Lansdown Crescent, one of the most sought-after addresses in the city. Placed high on the slopes above the centre of town, the views are unmatched – expect to lose time gazing from one of the many windows, and to be pulled from the house for regular walks to make the most of the exceptional vista below.

Settled comfortably among the crescent-shaped stonework, 4 Lansdown Crescent stands as an example of the finest eorgian architecture he si -bedroom townhouse caters to our innate aestheticism, but with an added touch of regality and class. Upon entering, you are greeted by a classic-style hallway. Picture an incoming butler running to take your hat and gloves – that s the ibe o the right of this is, you ll find the large drawing room and connecting kitchen, giving the house a feeling of grandeur that ows it is as user friendly as it is lu urious he bes oke o en- lan kitchen e udes

PROPERTY

contemporary charm, with a built-in island unit and state-of-the-art appliances – the vibrant, fresh and new feel kitchen cabinets and units contrasts the old-timey e terior and entryways to e quisite effect Step back into the 18th-century again on entering the study library on the first oor, com lete with showstopping Georgian style moments including the marble fire lace and antique furniture it s a r ennett-ty e cave, a cosy, peaceful spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the household Following the entryway to the back of the house, you are greeted with your own private landscaped terrace, and a lower courtyard area, where you can sit back and relax after a long day, letting the sun cleanse away your stress in the summer months lternati ely, head down to the lower ground oor and find the second kitchen and living room, and also the vaults, additional spaces offering a multitude of o tions erha s a home gym, wine cellar or even secondary accommodation for guests, aging arents, and adult children yet to y the nest he ro erty is ast, making it erfect for large families who want to li e in style ith ath s bustling city centre a mere fi e-minute dri e south, and a range of schools and amenities nearby, number couldn t be more con enient for your new life of lu ury

HOUSE NUMBERS Square foot

6,312

Bedrooms

6

Bathrooms

5

Living areas Price

4 £4.25m

For more: Savills,17 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EN; www.savills.co.uk

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

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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 ue 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 wam tuv and etmaster. et in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7H ; info@mendipfirep acesbath.co.uk, Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

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

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A bespoke, tailor-made, client-focused interior design consultancy service based in Bath. Specialising in residential interior design and providing a truly personal service adapted to each client’s needs ennifer’s uni ue style blends seamlessly between period and contemporary homes. The aim is simple – to create spaces that bring joy, re ecting her clients’ lifestyles and personalities.

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Coopers ome 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.

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

BATH LIVES

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA O’NEILL

“Rope is the new cardboard and it makes me look 10 years younger” Art has always featured in my life. In

BILL BLOCKHEAD The postmodern artist on lemons, loving Betty Blockhead, and not standing for election Bill Blockhead stood for the seat of Bath MP in the 2019 election as a local protest candidate. His campaign slogan was ‘Don’t Vote for Bill’, and yet he ended up with 341 votes, more than half of the 642 votes for the privately funded Brexit Party candidate.

His manifesto pledges, which included free annual summer and winter parties for all to be funded by any Bath resident in the 40 per cent tax bracket, proved particularly popular with young idealists.

Since his bid to not become MP for Bath, Bill has developed a much improved head and entered into life partnership with Betty Blockhead. The pair were recently taken under the wing of P.A. Non, the founder of

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

the all-new Bath-based art dealership, PAnon Associates, and together they will be appearing at the 44AD gallery from 12 – 17 April with their new show Lemon Squat, which is an absurd contemplation of life, art, and lemons.

My dad was an inventor and my mum a naturalist. That’s

where I get my love for the natural world from, which comes out in my work. There were few rules at home, apart from ‘express yourself’.

I wanted to be a cartoonist or illustrator when I was child, and wasn’t particularly a

fan of school. I spent more time daydreaming and looking out of classroom windows, thinking of other things I’d rather be doing.

primary school a teacher noticed my talent for drawing Trafalgar Square pigeons.

I decided to enter a life in politics in the run up to the 2019 General Election,

whilst sitting in the car after a day at work.

I wanted to bring a new approach to politics, hence my election slogan ‘Don’t Vote for Bill’. With this I was

offering an alternati e way and saying something about politics.

Some people couldn’t help themselves and voted for me.

A few of my manifesto pledges were for the UK to leave the solar system by 2028; to personally dig up the

London Road and plant it with spring bulbs and perennials (to reduce tra c congestion, and to fill all the otholes in ath with a mixture of Battenberg cake (bottom layer) and candy oss to layer The Labour Party was the friendliest. Wera Hobhouse

of the Liberal Democrats was quite friendly to be fair, but then she knew she was going to win. The Brexit party were decidedly unfriendly.

I’ve changed my face recently

as I thought it was about time I had a substantial makeover.

Rope is the new cardboard and it makes me look 10 years younger.

I met Betty at university.

She was dating another blockhead at the time but fell for my obvious good looks and charm. Betty thinks it was the other way round.

My secret talent is that I can

balance three lemons nose to tail on my right elbow.

At our 44AD show I’m planning some lemon DIY projects and musical interludes,

and Betty is getting some new guinea pigs. There will also be a chance to see more of my art works and that of other artists represented by the mysterious P.A.Non.

P.A. Non is now my wonderful and gracious new art dealer,

although I’ve never truly met him. Following our unfair eviction, he arranged temporary accommodation, installing us in 44AD art dwellings.

I have no interesting stories about celebrities but I did

meet Ali Vowles, the BBC Bristol local news presenter once. And Ian Dury hit me with his rhythm stick, which is how I got my name. n For more: www.44ad.net