Behind Closed Doors is a unique exhibition celebrating Bath’s historic buildings and offering an insight into the life and stories behind their doors. 

The exhibition is an exclusive collaboration by Bath creatives Jason Dorley-Brown and Emma Taylor. Abbey Hotel Bath, Jason and Emma are generously celebrating and raising funds for Bath Mind – with 35% of any sales being donated to the charity. Beautifully created images depicting a slice of Bath history are entwined with contemporary art – and a stroke of storytelling thrown in for good measure!

Josh Watts, General Manager at Abbey Hotel Bath, comments: "We are thrilled to be able to have this exhibition on display in the hotel and we are great supporters of the dynamic creative sector in Bath. We feel this is a very exciting collaboration and are very proud to be able to support Bath Mind, such an incredible local charity that does so much for our community. For this reason, the hotel will be donating 100% of its share of the proceeds from the exhibition to the charity".

The exhibition will be on display between 7 February and 31 March; a Private View evening will take place on 10 February, from 6 to 8pm. Free entry to the exhibition via Abbey Hotel Bath entrance.

You can visit the Abbey Hotel Bath’s website here: abbeyhotelbath.co.uk. Learn more about Bath Mind on their website: bathmind.org.uk

If you, or someone you know needs help or support with their mental health and wellbeing, Bath Mind is there for you. You can self-refer via the Bath Mind website above, where you can also find lots of useful support and resources.

Our February magazine features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses. We really hope you'll enjoy the read!

Every month we deliver 15,000 copies door to door, but if you don't get a copy at home then you can pick up a copy at many places around town and from our floor stands at: Waitrose, Sainsbury [Green Park], M&S Foods in Twerton, Tesco in Weston Village, and at The Holburne Museum. 

Enjoy our February issue by clicking here.

It’s the scent of Provence on a clear spring day: aromatic, invigorating and lightly floral, thanks to the wild flowers that blossom in abundance across the Southern French hills.

HERBAE par L’OCCITANE Clary Sage is the embodiment of this scent. Refreshing notes of wild grass, are expertly intertwined with a herbaceous heart of clary sage whilst zesty top notes of bitter orange, bergamot and red thyme invigorate. The perfect transitional spring-summer scent. Eau de Toilette, 50ml, RRP £55.

Shop the scent now at: uk.loccitane.com

Bath Opera presents a rare opportunity to see large scale, live opera in this production of Tchaikovsky's thrilling masterpiece Eugene Onegin.

With professional soloists, large chorus, full orchestra and dancers too ... a costume drama which promises to be quite a spectacle. This opera has fabulous world famous music, pathos, passion and tragedy all leavened by a sprinkling of humour in what is a very wry observation of human behaviour. 

Bath Opera’s Eugene Onégin will play on 24, 25, and 26 February, at the impressive, airy and comfortable Roper Theatre on the Hayesfield School Campus in Bath. 

Tickets can be booked on the Bath Box Office: bathboxoffice.org.uk. You can learn more about the Bath Opera by visiting their website: bathopera.com

Texas have announced additional dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England, playing Westonbirt Arboretum in June.

Formed in Glasgow by singer Sharleen Spiteri and bassist Johnny McElhone, their debut single, I Don’t Want A Lover, brought Texas to the world’s attention with a global hit in 1989 beginning the Scottish band’s illustrious career.

Forest Live is a major outdoor live music series that introduces forests to new audiences in unique, natural woodland arenas around the country. Going to a concert helps Forestry England create beautiful places for people to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Every year they plant some 8 million trees sustainably, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests and welcoming 296 million visits annually.

Tickets for the Westonbirt Arboretum show are available from 9am today (Friday 4 February) at forestryengland.uk/music

Featured image: Sharleen Spiteri

The Frome Gallery at 22 Christchurch Street, West Frome BA11 1EE is a new gallery from Bath Art Sales featuring works from the six artists exhibiting at the Woolverton Gallery in a beautiful contemporary environment. bathartsales.com | Image : Stall Street Rendezvous by David Wilkie

The Woolverton Gallery welcomes art lovers to its Winter Exhibition featuring the work of the gallery’s six resident artists. You’ll find wonderful new creations from Ray Jones, Lynn Baxter, Brian Baxter, Amanda Bee, Alex Howell and David Wilkey. bathartsales.com | Image by Ray Jones

Take part in the Walk of Life event this year on Saturday 21 May, and support your local hospital to provide extraordinary healthcare for everyone.

Walk the marathon 26.2 miles, or take the 10 mile route, either way you’ll be going the extra mile for people in our community. Take part with friends, your dog, or go solo. It will be a day full of countryside views, thousands of steps and plenty of cheers!

This event is organised by the Royal United Hospitals Bath charity, The Forever Friends Appeal and there are two options to choose from – either walk the full 26.2 miles from Bishops Canning near Devizes, along the beautiful Kennet and Avon canal to the finish line at Holbourne Museum in Bath. Alternatively, there’s the 10 mile distance, where you can join the walkers in Bradford on Avon in the afternoon.

The Walk of Life event is open to everyone, and costs £15 to register (£8 for children under 18 years old). Participants are asked to raise a minimum £100.

In return, The Forever Friends Appeal will provide walkers with lots of fundraising and training support, as well as complimentary refreshments and lunch, as well as a medal and t-shirt, and plenty of finish line celebrations.

Sign up today by visiting foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk

Image credit: Paul Gillis

Join Dorothy House for the ‘Men’s Walk To Support’.

This eight-mile walk is an opportunity for guys to join together in solidarity and raise vital funds to help Dorothy House provide crucial end-of-life care for the local community.

The walk starts at 12 noon from Dorothy House, Winsley, and participants will set off on the route that follows along the canal and finishes at Bath Pavilion.

Whether someone you knew has died, you’re dealing with a life-limiting illness yourself, or just want to come together to celebrate a man in your life, Dorothy House would love you to join in this special walk for a great time and a great cause. Best of all, you get to celebrate your epic achievement with a well-earned free pint and food in the Pavilion at the end!

Entry is £25 and all participants will receive a free event t-shirt along with their free pint and food at the end. Whether you’re walking to show your support for Dorothy House, to find some support yourself, or in memory of a loved one, Dorothy House would love for you to join them.

Dust off your walking boots and sign up today by visiting the Dorothy House website: dorothyhouse.org.uk

A hundred years or so ago, life wasn’t always as simple as some people make out. Take fresh milk, for example. Today, it’s just a question of picking it up from a supermarket or a convenience store or petrol station and sticking it in the fridge when you get home, where it should keep for about a week. If you’re lucky, you may even have a milkman to deliver it to your doorstep. In the early 20^th century, though, refrigeration was almost unknown, both at home and in shops, so in hot weather milk had to be used almost straight away. As well as buying it from a local dairy, of which there were over 50 around Bath in the early 1900s, you could order it from milkmen like the one seen here, who poured it from their churns into pewter cans. Often, there was more than one delivery a day, and the milkmen would shout ‘Milk-milk oh!’ or some such refrain to let their customers know they were coming. All very picturesque, of course, but also very inconvenient, and the quantity of milk which must have been drunk when it was ‘on the turn’ doesn’t bear thinking about.

akemanpress.com

We celebrate the Platinum Jubilee this month by remembering the visits to Bath by The Queen, who came to the city as Princess Elizabeth on the occasion of the stand-down of the Women’s Land Army in October 1945 (see image above) . She took a salute from the Women’s Land Army outside the Guildhall, went on walkabout in the High Street and sampled the water in the Pump Room with Mayor Clements.

Residents in Bath and North East Somerset wanting to make progress with their careers, improve their skills and access training or business support are invited to a New Opportunities event in Bath. 

Practical support will be available to help people reach their employment goals at the free event run by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Employment & Skills Pod at the Podium from 10.30am to 1.00pm.

A range of local organisations including Bath College, We Work for Everyone, Julian House Employment, Women’s Work Lab and Youth Connect will be attending. Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, will be opening the event.

To find the full list of participating organisations, and to book your place in advance, visit the Eventbrite page by clicking here. You can also drop in on the day. 

The council’s Employment & Skills Pod is a free service available to all residents of Bath and North East Somerset Council who wish to get back to work, change careers or upskill in their current jobs.

Head Coach Neal Hatley has made two changes to Bath Rugby’s starting XV for the Gallagher Premiership trip to Saracens.

The Blue, Black and Whites head to the StoneX Stadium following back-to-back league wins, seeing off defending champions Harlequins in an impressive performance last time out.

Jaco Coetzee made his return from injury as a replacement in the victory, showcasing his carrying ability, and earns his second start of the Premiership season, lining up at openside flanker with new recruit Nathan Hughes retaining his spot at Number 8.

At lock last week, Mike Williams switches to six to complete a physical back row while Will Spencer comes into the second row alongside captain Josh McNally.

Props Arthur Cordwell and D’Arcy Rae played the entire 80 minutes against Quins and continue in the front row with Jacques du Toit selected at hooker.

The backline, which looked slick and made some smart attacking combinations in Round 14, remains unchanged.

It means Academy centre Max Ojomoh keeps his place at fly-half, outside experienced scrum-half Ben Spencer. Back from Scotland duty, Cameron Redpath earns further minutes in the 12 jersey and links up with Jonathan Joseph in the midfield.

Will Muir made it five tries in nine Premiership games in 2021/22 with two finishes in the 21-17 win and is joined in the back three by Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Semesa Rokoduguni.

On the bench, Tom Dunn and Valeriy Morozov are involved following injury and Academy lock Josh Dingley could make his league debut.

Keep up with Bath Rugby by following them on twitter: twitter.com/BathRugby

This fabulous Jan Constantine Woollen Tiger cushion features a bright orange Siberian tiger on a turquoise blue background. It is made from felt wool, appliqued and hand embroidered with a beautiful prowling tiger using blanket stitch and embroidered stripes. The edges of the cushion are blanket stitched in black and it has mother of pearl buttons to the back. Delivered with feather insert. £120

Purchase from the Homefront Interiors website: homefrontinteriors.co.uk

Homestead South West specialises in the professional supply and installation of Easigrass: a top of the range artificial grass solution for residential and commercial needs throughout Somerset.

If you’re looking to rejuvenate a lawned area in your home or are considering artificial grass as part of a larger garden design project, or development – this company will find the perfect synthetic grass solution and guide you through every step of process.

With over 30-years’ specialist experience using Easigrass natural-look grass range is designed using some of the most advanced technology in the market and enjoys an outstanding reputation with expert guidance and advice, all backed by a 10-year warranty on your quality artificial lawn.

Visit the Homestead South West website to learn more: my-homestead.co.uk

Offered for sale by Wentworth Estate Agents

This is an immaculately presented Grade two listed Georgian Townhouse situated in Bathwick, within easy walking distance of the city centre, two picturesque parks and the canal. The property boasts flexible accommodation, set over five floors, along with pretty enclosed gardens to the rear. There is also the option to create a self-contained apartment in the lower ground floor.

On entering the property, an internal porch leads to a hallway where there are stairs leading up to the first floor and down to the lower ground as well as door leading to the rear garden. Off to the left is a lovely light and airy, open plan kitchen/dining room. The dining room is to the front and boasts wood flooring along with a fireplace with inset wood burner and marble surround.

The kitchen has a range of wall and base units with wooden work tops, a 'Belfast sink' with mixer taps, space for fridge/freezer, plumbing for a dishwasher and 'Smeg' range cooker with extractor over. To the rear of the ground floor there is a cloakroom with w.c. and wash hand basin.

On the first floor to the front of the property there is a beautifully proportioned drawing room with three large sash windows allowing light to flood through the room, a fireplace with inset wood burner and marble surround, be-spoke storage and shelving. To the rear there is a further reception room which is currently dressed as a twin bedroom, which could also make an ample home office with built in storage and views out over the garden to the rear.

On the second floor you will find the master en-suite bedroom which also benefits from built in storage. The en-suite has a walk in double shower, w.c. and wash hand basin with storage under. To the rear there is a further double bedroom, again with built in wardrobes and views.

The third floor provides you with two further double bedrooms to the front, a family bathroom with walk in double shower, separate bath with handheld shower, w.c. and wash hand basin. There is also a storage cupboard on the landing and access to the loft space.

The accommodation is completed on the lower ground floor where you have a kitchen/utility room. This has a range of wall and base units with wooden work tops, a built in electric oven and hob as well as fridge freezer and 'Belfast' sink unit with mixer taps. There’s also plumbing for a washing machine, dishwasher, space for a tumble dryer and door out to a rear courtyard. To the front there is an en-suite double bedroom with built in wardrobe, door to a front courtyard with steps up to street level. The en-suite benefits from a double shower w.c. and wash hand basin. This area could also be closed off to create a self-contained apartment if desired.

Outside, the rear garden features an al-fresco dining and seating area. The garden is bound by walls and there is a range of mature trees, hedges and shrubs. It is a low maintenance space with gravel areas as well as a patio area to the rear where you will find a timber shed. Price guide £1,100,000

For further details, more images and to arrange a viewing, click here to see the property on the Wentworth estate agents website: wentworthestateagents.com