King Richard: in conversation with Richard Hawley

A deep-and-meaningful with devout northern soul Richard Hawley – on life and death, chess and underdogs, ploughing your own furrow and fraternising with Fontaines D.C. 

Read the full feature on The Bath Magazine website: thebathmagazine.co.uk | See Richard Hawley play as part of River Town at Bath Forum on 6 July, 7.30pm; tickets from £22.50, available from bristolbeacon.org

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £30 for 12 issues, £15 for six issues or buy a copy for just £3.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Recipe by Melissa Blease

Crab and Sweetcorn Soup with Brioche Croutons

Fresh crab is abundant at this time of the year. But unless you happen to be reading this while holidaying on the South West coast (or you happen to have a fantastic fishmonger in your neighbourhood), it isn't as readily available to urbanites as it should be. Fortunately, however, picked, fresh, sustainable Cornish crab is indeed readily available in little pots in the fish or delicatessen section of most large supermarkets – and yes! Somebody else has already done the tricky job of cooking and picking it for you.

Crab is massively tasty and exceedingly versatile... and a little goes a long, long way in bisques, pasta dishes, salads and, of course, classic crab sandwiches. But this elegant soup allows the intrinsically salty/sweet, slightly nutty flavour of both white and brown crab meat (the white meat being light and creamy; the brown slightly richer) to enjoy centre stage spotlight, turning the dish into the prandial version, if you like, of an oceanic breeze wafting in on a softly sweet, creamy tide while the delicate brioche croutons add further texture and bite.

This recipe makes two portions of soup, suitable for a light lunch. But if you want to turn it into a more substantial, British seaside-themed supper, few people would complain if you were to plonk a plateful of hot, fresh, salted, vinegary fries on the table too...

Method

1. Heat a large frying pan until just above medium hot and tumble the brioche cubes straight into it (you won't need any butter or oil). Dry sauté the cubes for around 3-5 minutes until they've magically turned into golden croutons and set to one side.

2. Melt around 1 tbsp butter in the hot pan and sauté the peeled, finely-sliced shallot with the curry powder for around 2-3 minutes, or until the shallot has just softened and the curry powder is fragrant.

3. Add the sweetcorn (and all the liquid from the can, if you’re using canned sweetcorn) and the white wine to the pan along with enough water to just about cover. Bring to a simmer, add the double cream, stir well, pour the soup into a blender or food processor and blitz to smooth puree.

4. Return the soup to the pan, add the fresh dill (or chives) and gently heat through without allowing to boil. Serve immediately in warm, shallow bowls topped with the fresh crab, the brioche croutons, generous drizzles of soured cream... and those 'optional' fries.

Vino Italiano - 25% off Italian Wines

If you're into the UEFA Nations league then you'll be looking forward to Saturday night, when England host Italy at the Molineux Stadium (K/O 19.45). 

A traditional way to celebrate international football is to appreciate the wine and cuisine of the visiting country.... Okay, so our segway might be sounding pretty tenuous, but seriously: who needs an excuse, especially when The Great Wine Co are slashing 25% off their cellar of Italian wines? There are some great producers too – here we've singled out a fabulous winemaker, Bertani, who has been making traditional Italian wines for over 150 years and they are very, very good. Cin cin!

Soave 'Sereole'
The nose opens up with sweet scent of elder and pear blossom and develops into apricot, pineapple and melon. Was £16.95 | Now £13.95

Valpolicella
Decanter 2022 World Wine Award – Silver. Attractive violet red colour. Intense notes of blackcurrant, plum, raspberry, black cherry and spice. Was £17.75 | Now £14.79

Bardolino Doc Le Nogare
This is a cracking wine full of luscious red berry fruit flavours and zippy acidity – utterly delicious, it's so soft and low in tannin why not try it chilled? Was £13.95 | Now £11.62

Due Uve Bianco Pinot Grigio-Sauvignon
A clever combination of the body and elegance of Pinot Grigio with the aromatic notes typical of Sauvignon Blanc, achieving a truly original creation rich in personality and character, a fusion of two of the world's most famous grape varieties. Was £15.95 | Now £13.29

BertaRose Chiaretto
A lychee-pink colour. Fresh aromas of pomegranate and red-currants with notes of white flowers. Delicate balance on the palate between body and acidity. Excellent length. Was £15.50 | Now £12.91

Amarone Valpantena DOCG
This wine comes from the hills of the Valpantena, the only "cru" subzone in the Valpolicella area. Superb weight of fruit and a real purity come across in this dry style of Amarone; wonderful with food this delicious Valpentena is the reason people should seek out Amarone. Was £49.50 | Now £41

Explore Bertani and the full range of excellent Italian wines at The Great Wine Co.

Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?

Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!

Town+House by Always Sunday

A contemporary, yet cosy gastro pub situated on the bustling London road, Town+House is one of Bath’s newest culinary gems serving locally sourced British food, curated wine and cocktail lists as well as premium beers. Set in a Georgian public house you’ll find something for everyone including local events, brunch, set menu, à la carte dining and Sunday roast. Monday– Thursday, 2pm–late; Friday–Sunday, 10am–late. To book visit: opentable.co.uk/r/town-and-house-bath

36 Thomas Street, Bath BA1 5NN
Tel: 01225 428096 | Instagram: @always_sunday_townhouse

It’s Mille Miglia week!

Originally started in 1927 by an Italian Count and a group of car enthusiasts in the town of Brescia, the Mille Miglia (15-18 June) is a 1,000 mile, open-road rally circuit in Northern Italy; apart from WWII, the race took place every year until 1957.

The Mille Miglia was always fiercely contended and Sterling Moss scored a famous victory in 1955 with a record time of just over 10 hours in his Mercedes. The race was also gruelling and notoriously perilous – and due to increasing accidents and fatalities (drivers and spectators) it was pulled in 1957.

The race was revived in 1977: this time more of a grand tour for well-heeled gentlemen and a 1000 mile parade of classic and vintage cars – although to this day some of the playboy drivers still like the rush of competitive adrenalin.

Luxury brand Chopard has long been associated with the Mille Miglia as principal sponsor, and every year it creates a new limited-edition timepiece to celebrate the event: all drivers are presented one as a trophy for their endurance.

Here’s two beautiful Mille Miglias by Chopard. The blue dialled watch on the left is the Mille Miglia GT Power Control 42mm rose gold and steel automatic – note how much ‘juice’ is available on the power gauge (between the 8 and 10 o’clock markers); £8,760. On the right is a simpler Mille Miglia GTS in a steel 43mm case – and the rubber watch strap is more than a passing nod to Dunlop tyre treads of the 1960s; £5,050

All Miglia Millia watches feature a striking ‘1000 Miglia’ arrow design at the date marker, closely resembling the red road signs used along the route.

It’s a great backstory and these lovely watches make a great acquisition for any classic car enthusiast, playboy, or just someone who appreciates a modern classic; £5,080

Find out about these and more from the range at Mallory.

Rose swimsuit from Pearl Lowe

Handmade in Somerset by local seamstresses, Pearl Lowe's swimwear and hats are all vintage-inspired and made to flatter and accentuate the feminine figure.

The Rose (left) is a beautiful 50s style swimsuit made from the finest Liberty Print stretch swimwear fabric | £195

Visit the Pearl Lowe website to browse the collection: pearllowe.co.uk

Marchbank Jewellery

Marchbank Jewellery is a highly successful, long established jewellers based in Frome. 

Headed by Goldsmith-designer Stephen Thomas, the jewellers offer beautiful bespoke commissions, repairs, remodelling and restoration of all fine jewellery and antique items. Marchbank Jewellery also stock a range of stunning handmade jewellery from other designers.

Shop the Marchbank Jewellery collection at marchbankjewellery.com. 

Photographed: 18ct yellow gold, Tanzanite & Diamond Dress Ring | By Commission Only 

BBC: Everything I Know About Love

Four friends. One story of great love. A messy, raucous stumble into bad dates and heartaches - and surviving your twenties. 

Based on Dolly Alderton's best selling memoir of the same name, all seven episodes of Everything I Know About Love are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer: bbc.co.uk/iplayer

Sundance Film Festival comes to The Little Theatre Cinema

'The Sundance Film Festival: London Tour' brings the best of the renowned festival to cinemas all across the UK – and this year, three special screenings are coming to 'The Little'.

• Friday 10 June: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (+ Q&A) 
• Saturday 11 June: Free Chol Soo Lee (+Q&A)
• Sunday 12 June: A Love Song (+Q&A)

Tickets are available via The Little Theatre Cinema website: picturehouses.com

Featured image: Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Tidal is the side project of US commercial photographer and art director Anna Wolf, whose clients include the likes of Levi’s, Madewell, Microsoft and Delta Airlines. If you’re about to stop reading at this point, stay with me because we think this colour-drenched, imaginative narrative-driven fashion and lifestyle magazine is one of the most entertaining and unconventional things around around. A distinguished art director remarked to us that reading Tidal was "like opening a can of fresh air". It’s almost impossible to find in the UK and we sold out the last one. After a brief hiatus the latest issue is here with fab features on the likes of Mae Martin, Bedouine and Vagabon, so don’t miss it. £15.99

Bath Contemporary Artists' Fair, 12 June 10am-5pm, Green Park Station

The award-winning monthly Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair (BCAF) continues its season on 12 June.

Committed to bringing the best of contemporary art from the city and beyond to the heart of Bath, the fair has created a regular space where artists can network, share ideas, connect with the public, and where the public can connect with art. Visitors can browse the works of local artists and admire fine art, photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics and much more, all under the vaulted glass roof of Green Park Station.

For updates and exhibiting artists visit the BCAF website: bcaf.co.uk

Featured image: Agnes Pollock

The Hilliard Society of Miniaturists 40th anniversary exhibition, 11-18 June

The Hilliard Society of Miniaturists are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their annual miniature art exhibition. It's been forty years of miniature masterpieces depicting a vast range of subjects: from animal and wildlife to landscape, still life, portraits and the fantastical.

The exhibition takes place in the main hall of the Town Hall in Wells, appropriately England’s smallest city. 

Enjoy looking at over 250 paintings and sculptures, often just a couple of inches wide, and talk to experts about how it is done. Enter the Ruby Raffle; £5 per ticket for your chance to win one of 60 exquisite original miniature paintings. Entry to the exhibition is free and the paintings are for sale alongside cards, limited editions and anniversary calendars.

The exhibition is a rare opportunity to see work by some of the leading miniaturists in the country, and prices for these stunning pieces are a fraction of their larger counterparts. As one collector said: “Collecting miniatures is addictive; you can have so many more on the wall than just one large painting and I never tire of looking at the variety”.

Exhibition open from 11-18 June (closed Sunday 12), 10am-4pm (last entry); free entry; disabled access. hilliardsociety.org

Pub in the Park, Royal Victoria Park, 17-19 June

From 17–19 June, Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park festival will return to Bath’s Royal Victoria Park with a must-see line-up of music and chefs, plus a mouth-wateringly good line-up of restaurants, bars and pubs to enjoy.

On Friday night, you can look forward to show-stopping performances from Faithless (DJ set), The Sugar Hill Gang Ft. Grand Master Melle Mel, The Furious 5 and Scorpio, plus Matthew Kent and Livi Lester all on the main stage. Simon Rimmer, James Golding and Stephen Terry will be on Friday's Chef Demos stage, whilst T Bone, Owen Morgan and Steve Horrell are set to appear on the Firepit Stage.  

The event’s celebrity chef hosts, Tom Kerridge, Simon Rimmer and Andi Oliver will be popping up around the festival to sign books, share tricks on the Chef Demo stage and reveal all in VIP Q&A sessions. The park will be transformed into a foodie paradise serving a whole host of delicious dishes created by some of the UK’s most talented chefs.

Tickets are selling fast so be sure to book yours today: pubinthepark.com/bath

Bradford on Avon Food and Drink Festival, 11-12 June

At the Bradford on Avon Food & Drink Festival, you’ll find produce at its very best, with an artisan market, street food market, chef demos, workshops and tastings as well as cooking ‘lessons' all weekend for children aged 3 and over. There’s also a children’s activity area with circus workshops and face painting.

Visit the festival at Victory Fields, BA15 1LE, Sat 10am–6pm and Sun 10am–5pm. £8 adults, £3 children 12–16, under 12s free.

scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk

Swig Wine Tasting at the Holburne Museum, 30 June 7pm-9pm

“Swig do for wine what Mr and Mrs Smith do for hotels” - Victoria Moore, The Telegraph

Set in the historic Holburne Museum in beautiful Bath, Intrepid wine explorers, and award-winning online retailer Swig have an exquisite range of wines to taste from old Swig classics to brand new discoveries.

Here's just some of the names that will be on show: Champagne Moutardier, Wiston Estate, Badenhorst, Chateau de Messey, Keermont, Le Grand Cros, Blank Bottle, Fitapreta, Stephane Ogier, Lopez de Heredia, Boekenhoutskloof, Nicola Ferrari, La Durbane – and that's just for starters.

With over 50 wines open to taste, it's time to get that swirling arm ready, those nostrils on sniffing duty and the sleepy taste buds working again for an evening of wonderful wines. Click here to buy your ticket (£25).

The Handful: 'The Loves of the Poets', St Mary The Virgin, Saturday 25 June

The Handful explores the theme of love through poetry and history, from Shakespeare to Verlaine, from folk songs to opera and beyond. In celebration of the 150^th birthday of Ralph Vaughan Williams, at the heart of the programme is his Serenade to Music, a beautiful choral meditation on the nature of music and its power to enrapture. 

Edgar Cosma’s Les amours des poètes includes settings of both medieval and romantic French poetry and The Handful are proud to present the UK première of Part 1 of this exquisite work. Sitting alongside these musical gems are works by Orlande de Lassus, Thomas Morley, Henry Purcell, Amy Beach, Matthew Harris, Cecilia McDowall and more.

The Handful is delighted to be joined by Bath Spa Quartet and pianist Jamie Hamilton for this musical celebration of love and poetry. 

This concert will take place on Saturday 25 June, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 (£5 for under 25s, free for under 16s). Available from the Bath Box Office on 01225 463362, or via the Bath Box Office website: bathboxoffice.org.uk

Learn more about The Handful on the choir’s website: thehandful.org

'We are Every Child' concert, Bath Abbey, 16-17 June 6.30pm

To mark the Queen's Jubilee, Voices for Life commissioned a new song called We are Every Child – with lyrics by the award-winning children's author Jamila Gavin and music by musical director and composer Francis Faux – which conveys a strong message of staying united whilst overcoming adversity. 

On 16 and 17 June, you can hear 200 children premiere We are Every Child; the concert will also act as a culmination of a three month wellbeing, confidence and singing project called 'Stardust'. Voices for Life have been delivering weekly workshops in 6 primary schools and the children will be performing the 45 minute work, which takes the audience on a journey through space, joining six characters and overcoming challenges on each planet they visit. The performances will be accompanied by the Bristol Ensemble, narrated by Bath pantomime's Jon Monie and directed by Francis Faux.

Visit Bath Box Office for concert details: bathboxoffice.org.uk; you can also listen to We Are Every Child by clicking here. 

Your Dad's Mum, Rondo Theatre, Friday 10 June 8pm

Nominated for Best Debut Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2020 and a sell out at The Gilded Balloon, Edfringe 2021. 

Join Your Dad's Mum – Northern club comic Pat Bashford (Kevin Dewsbury, creator of Kev's Komedy Kitchen) and over-woke barmaid Cheri-Anne (Bexie Archer, BBC Comedy Room, Chortle Award winner) for an explosive, gag-packed sketch comedy game show. Expect high-octane performances, clever skits, games, prizes, a breakdown and hysterical musical numbers.

Click here for tickets (£12-14)