A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath

AFFECTIONATE ARCHIVE  |  THE SPIRT OF THE 70s

Model, actress and IT girl of the 1970s, Carinthia West always had her camera with her. She also had some very cool and rather famous friends, including Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Eric Idle, Helen Mirren and Anjelica Huston. A selection of her portraits are currently being shown at the Shooting Stars exhibition at the American Museum & Gardens, which runs until 31 October. 

Enjoy a 10 minute read here: thebathmagazine.co.uk

BATH FESTIVAL AT HOME  |  THE FESTIVAL GOES ON

The Bath Festival is offering its audience the chance to enjoy highlights from the May 2021 festival of music and books with The Bath Festival At Home, a digital broadcast for people to watch at home.

The 2021 programme features events from talks and discussions to poetry, concerts and theatre. A dozen of these has been chosen for The Bath Festival At Home digital offering, which will be available from Friday 28 May to Friday 11 June.

So enjoy some of the brightest talent from the worlds of music and books, along with discussions about the big issues of our time and listen to best-selling authors and experts in their field sharing their experiences.

The 12 events at the Bath Festival At Home include:

• Bestselling author, health campaigner and palliative care doctor, Rachel Clarke talks about her new book, Breathtaking: Inside the NHS in a Time of the Pandemic, an insider's account of medicine in the time of coronavirus. 

• The Gesualdo Six, Britain’s leading choral consort perform a programme of Sorrowful Songs beside the waters of the Roman Baths.

• The Time Traveller’s Guide to Regency Britain. Journalist Ian Mortimer lifts the lid on what life would have been like in Regency Bath. 

• Comedian Tez Ilyas talks about his life as a young British Muslim growing up in a time of race riots, fear and prejudice. 

• Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, mother of seven young classical musicians, brings two of her celebrated offspring to perform as she talks about what it is like to raise such a remarkable family.

• Entertainer Mel Giedroyc talks to Fran Beauman about her debut novel The Best Things, a big-hearted story of a family on the brink.

• The Bath Festival Orchestra play in Bath Abbey and at Green Park Station. The orchestra’s concert will be the first live performance in the abbey, which has been closed for major refurbishment for two years. 

• Caroline Hirons, Skincare Queen and beauty blogger shares some of the billion-pound beauty industry’s secrets.

• The Life of Music with Nicholas Kenyon, former director of the BBC Proms and current MD at the Barbican Centre.
  
• The Heath Quartet's concert features Beethoven's String Quartet Op 18 No 3 in D major and Op 130 in B flat major. 

Each of the At Home events will be introduced by presenter Francesca Beauman, who was recently appointed Vice-Chair of the Holburne Museum. 

All events in The Bath Festival at Home are FREE to watch but please consider donating to Bath Festivals, a registered charity. All donations will support future festivals and creative learning projects with young people in the local community.

The Bath Festival At Home has been filmed by Mechanical Mouse, a Bristol based video production company which works all over the world.

thebathfestivalathome.org.uk

OUR JUNE ISSUE  |  IS OUT AND ABOUT

Or if you would like to have a copy sent in the post then we offer a postal subscription for a single copy it's £3.95, or £15 for a 6 issue subscription, or £30 for 12 issues.

WEEKEND WINE  |  HOLIDAY FAVOURITES 

Assyrtiko  - Kir-Yianni
£13.30 Greece
The great white of Santorini, transplanted to Amyndeon in northern Greece. Aromas of lemon zest, white peach and honeysuckle. On the palate, it displays beautiful balance between Assyrtiko's hallmark long, lean, stony, salty character and more rounded, fleshier, fruitier, generous traits. An excellent wine.

Alvarinho Pouco Comum - Quinta da Lixa
£12.95 Portugal
A fantastic display of both the fruit and floral character of the Alvarinho grape. Notes of peach, lemon and grapefruit with floral tones and a generous, full texture on the palate.

Chianti Riserva DOCG - Castellani
£11.50 Italy
Extremely perfumed and aromatic nose, with fresh fruit (cherry and raspberry) and floral flavours. A medium body with a dry and harmonious taste complemented by fruity notes of raspberry and blackberry.

Rioja Blanco Heredad de Tejada, Bodega Classica – Vintae
£10.95 Spain
A straw yellow colour wine. Ripe fruit, dates and banana notes stand out on the nose in combination with the nuances of a crianza, making it an interesting and complex wine.

Le Petit Pas, Côtes du Roussillon, François Lurton, Mas Janeil
£12.95 France
Beautiful garnet red. Intense aromas of fresh fruit and spice, gradually developing hints of liquorice and smoke. On the palate, the intense flavours mingle with plump, well-integrated tannins. The supple structure, good length and freshness make this an extremely drinkable wine.

Explore even more countries and discover old favourites at The Great Wine Co

WEEKEND RECIPE |  ALL STEAMED UP

Few people can refuse a steamed pudding – but then again, few people want to put the time and effort into making one. But this comforting, straightforward little dessert offers similar results in very little time at all, and comes laden with a big surprise: what looks like a bit of a gloopy batter going into the oven comes out around 50 minutes later as a light, airy lemon sponge (with that intrinsic steamed pudding consistency) magically resting on a layer of thick, creamy, lemony custard; magic, yes? 

If you want to add a cheffy edge of yet more magic, sprinkle the pudding with a handful of fresh lemon thyme leaves before baking (yes, really!).

Ingredients (serves 6)

100g room temperature butter
175g caster sugar
The juice of 3 lemons (plus the finely grated zest of 2 lemons)
4 large eggs, separated 
50g plain flour
500ml whole milk
A scant handful of fresh lemon thyme (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4 and butter a 2-litre ovenproof dish. 

2. Cream the butter with the sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy (an electric whisk really helps here.) Add the lemon juice and zest and whisk again, but don't worry if the mixture appears to curdle a bit – it won't make any difference to the end result. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then add the flour and the milk to create a smooth-ish batter (again, don't worry too much about a slightly curdled appearance).

3. Rinse your whisk and beat the egg yolks until they turn into soft, snowy peaks before folding them into the lemon batter with a metal spoon. Pour the batter into the buttered dish and sit it in a roasting tin deep enough to add enough cold water to come halfway up the sides of the dish. 

4. Bake for 45–50 minutes until the sponge has risen and a thick, lemon-infused custard has appeared underneath it. Serve warm, with cream.

OBJECTS OF DESIRE  |  MIKIMOTO 

In 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created the world's first cultured pearls.

His obsessive love for these precious organic gems has become known world over as Mikimoto – the Japanese jewellery house associated for with cultivating the finest quality cultured Akoya, South Sea, Tahitia and freshwater pearls and turning them into sophisticated and iconic pieces of beautiful jewellery. Highly sought-after, a Mikimoto piece is a pleasure to wear and a timeless statement of elegance.

Here are just a few from the Mikimoto display at Mallory:

Above: Mikimoto Classic. 18ct yellow gold Akoya cultured pearl stud earrings with a post and scroll fitting. Pearl size: 7–7.75mm. £520.

Mikimoto Bubble. 18ct yellow gold Akoya cultured pearl and diamond ring. Pearl size: 4.75–6.25mm. £1,400

Below:  Mikimoto Pearls in Motion. 18ct white gold Akoya cultured pearl necklace with a signature Mikimoto clasp. Pearl size: 5.5–7.5mm Necklace length: 45cm. £1,850.

Mikimoto Infinity. 18ct white gold Akoya cultured pearl and diamond necklace with a diamond set clasp. Pearl size: 6.5–7mm. Necklace length: 48cm £7,150.

To see these and the full range click here and visit the Mikimoto collection at Mallory

FASHION  |  RELAXED TAILORING

LAUNCHED TODAY  |  FATHER'S DAY GIFTS

ON THE BOX  |  LOCALLY FILMED SCANDI NORI

TALES FROM THE ZOO  |  GORILLAS IN OUR MIDST

Bristol Zoo Gardens is the perfect fresh-air destination this bank holiday weekend and half-term with over 12 acres of outdoor space and the chance to see animals from all over the globe. 

Meet the babies, Hasani, (shown here, so cute) is one of two western lowland gorillas, a sloth and tiny mouse deer, among 400 incredible species. Run around the adventure playground, climb the high ropes course ZooRopia, rediscover Bug World, the Aquarium, and Seal & Penguin Coasts, and eat-in or takeaway at The Hide restaurant.

Bristol Zoo has a one-way system, social distancing measures and additional hand washing facilities in place to ensure a fun and safe day out. Book online in advance.

ON THE BIG SCREEN  |  NEW FILMS AT THE LITTLE

Don't miss out on the latest cinema releases at The Little Theatre this week. Here are four to whet your appetite:

First Cow (12A), from 28 May

In the 1820s, a taciturn loner and skilled cook travels west to Oregon Territory, where he meets a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune. Soon the two team up on a dangerous scheme to steal milk from the wealthy landowner’s prized Jersey cow – the first, and only, in the territory.

Starring Toby Jones, John Magaro, Rene Auberjonois, Orion Lee. Director Kelly Reichard

Frankie (12A), from 28 May

Unfolding over the course of a late summer’s day in the stunningly beautiful Portuguese town of Sintra, the wonderful new film from acclaimed director Ira Sachs follows a family that has gathered for a holiday organised by family matriarch Frankie (Isabelle Huppert). In this fairy tale setting, husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and lovers – all stirred by their romantic impulses. With an outstanding cast, Frankie delivers a funny and utterly engaging cinematic treat.

Starring Brendan Gleeson, Isabelle Huppert, Jérémie Renier, Rory Kinnear, Marisa Tomei. Directed by Ira Sachs

Minari (12A)

A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family.

Starring Steven Yeun, Will Patton, Yuh-Jung Youn, Yeri Han. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung.

The Father (cert tbc), from 11 June

Anthony is 80, mischievous, living defiantly alone and rejecting the carers that his daughter, Anne introduces. As we experience the ebb and flow of his memory, how much of his own identity and past can Anthony cling to? How does Anne cope as she grieves the loss of her father? THE FATHER warmly embraces real life, through loving reflection upon the vibrant human condition. 

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Olivia Colman. Directed by Florian Zeller.

picturehouses.com/whats-on

CITY ARTS  |  NEW GALLERY IN WOOLVERTON

The Woolverton Gallery’s first-ever exhibition features the work of well-known Bath artists such as David Wilkey, David Ringsell and Brian Elwell, as well as many other contributors from further afield. There will be exhibits from the majority of its resident artists, with over 60 paintings on view in its five display areas. The emphasis is on colourful, contemporary artwork in a variety of styles.

Ray Jones, the owner of the gallery, will be present to show guests around and to answer questions about all the wonderful exhibits. 

The gallery is staggering its opening celebrations to a number of small Champagne receptions (each restricted to a maximum of eight guests) through most of June. Contact the gallery to book a place on one of the Champagne receptions and get an exclusive preview of the work on show.

Woolverton Gallery, Woolverton BA2 7RH, from 1 June; bathartsales.com

Image: Getting on the Tram in Lisbon by Ray Jones

SHOPPING  |  VINTAGE POP-UP SHOP

Mayfair based Lilac Blue London, the UK’s leading seller of vintage and pre-loved Birkin, Kelly, Chanel and Louis Vuitton designer handbags is inviting you to their exclusive pop-up shop and exhibition in Bath from 23 June – 2 July 2021, coinciding with the reopening of society and intended to be a fun celebration of being able to go out and about to socialise more.

Whether you’re looking for a pre-loved addition to your wardrobe or for a valuation to sell a lockdown clear-out find the Lilac Blue team are available for private appointments in Altitude and Attitude, Nelson Place East and are hosting an evening exhibition, sale and talk on the rising popularity of luxury handbags at Portman, Milsom Street on 25 June.

In 1954, Grace Kelly fell in love with the classic Hermes handbag, which later took her name. Since then, and the subsequent creation of the Birkin bag for Jane Birkin in the 1980s, these two handbags have become icons for tasteful luxury and glamour. But you can’t just walk into a Hermes boutique to buy one - you have to get to know the people in the shop and then go on a waiting list for several years. To answer this problem, Lilac Blue London has been the market leader since 2007 and carries a wide selection of bags in stock so you can find the colour and style you covet. The team is expert in authenticating bags and even trains auction houses to make valuations. Beautiful bags are increasingly being collected for their investment value as their worth increases with prices rising by around 17% year on year, the team will also advise on current trends and which bags are most sought after.

To arrange a private appointment to see the collection or to have your bags valued at Altitude and Attitude please email contact@lilacblue.com or call 0845 2248876.

To reserve your place on the guest list at Portman on 25 June please visit lilacblue.com

TAKE CHARGE BIKES  |  BACK ON THE ROAD

An all-rounder for any terrain: the AllMtn 3! 160mm travel and a powerful 4th generation Bosch Performance CX motor make for top performance even over challenging terrain. The optional Range Extender will expand your battery capacity by 500Wh to a total of 1.125Wh, raising your eMTB experience to new levels. Different wheel sizes round off the package: 29" wheels at the front offer precise and comfortable rollover behaviour, while the 27.5" wheels at the back give the eMTB perfect traction to master the steepest uphill and downhill slopes. £4,499.

COMING SOON  |  AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM & GARDENS

The gardens at the American Museum offer serenity, nature and stunning views. In partnership with Bath YMCA yoga experts, the museum is delighted to offer wellbeing sessions in a beautiful setting, listening to the sounds of nature. There is no better place in the city to practice yoga, relax and to calm the body and mind.

On Fridays during school holidays the museum is excited to offer Children’s yoga classes for ages 4–7 and 8–11. The classes are designed to allow children to explore yoga and mindfulness around a story or a theme that changes each week, ending with relaxation.

Visit the website to find out more and book your place!

Yoga classes – ages 4–7: americanmuseum.org

Yoga classes – ages 8–11: americanmuseum.org

And don't forget the museum is giving away a free Marshfield scoop ice-cream to every child who visits on Monday 31 May! Book your tickets now and don’t forget to collect a voucher for scoop ice-cream on arrival: americanmuseum.org

WHAT'S ON |  EXHIBITION ON SLAVE TRADE LINKS 

Bath Abbey is holding an exhibition revealing its links to colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade through the history of its monuments and ledgerstones.

The Monuments, Empire and Slavery exhibition, which runs until 4 September, will focus on a number of the Abbey’s memorials that reveal the relationships between those commemorated in the Abbey, the city of Bath, the British Empire, and the slave trade in the 1700 and 1800s. It will also explore the presence of the Abolitionist movement in Bath and aims to encourage visitors to reflect on past injustice and the need for racial equality now and in the future.

Between 1572–1845, 891 ledgerstones (gravestones) and 635 wall tablets were erected in Bath Abbey commemorating around 20% of the approximately 7,000 people buried in the church and only those from the middle-to-upper classes. In the same period, Britain established an empire by creating colonies (seizing control of lands and peoples across the world). Those with a monument in the Abbey are therefore often connected to that exploitation and were paid for from the profits of slavery and Empire.

The Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey, said: “Slavery should have no place in society, and must be renounced utterly. It is shameful that it was practiced for so long, without effective challenge by church or nation. At Bath Abbey we deeply regret the hateful industry of human exploitation, whether by ignorant complicity or evil design, that certain of our 18th and 19th century memorials make evident.

Using a range of memorials, images and documents from the Abbey archives, the exhibition will examine accounts of the lives of three people in particular who were linked to the slave trade in the 1700s and 1800s, until the Slavery Abolition Act was finally passed in 1833. However, the exhibition does not end here. The final two panels depict striking and thought-provoking images by contemporary black artist, Manoel Akure, and lay out the Abbey’s future plans for work towards equality, anti-racism and justice.

Alongside the exhibition, Bath Abbey is hosting a panel discussion to explore the Abbey's historical connections with slavery and empire, and how we can all learn from the past to shape the future. The event will be held on 25 June, 7–8.30pm via Zoom in front of a live virtual audience. Tickets are free and will be available online from Eventbrite.

bathabbey.org

 CITY NEWS |  UNDERNEATH THE ARCH

Bath’s new World Heritage Centre and Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre (together the Archway Project) have come a step closer to opening, as construction work has finished, and the buildings have been handed over to the Council by Beard Construction.

The Council’s project team, working with architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, will now focus on the fit-out of the buildings ready for opening later this year. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will provide:

• A World Heritage Centre in York Street with free admission, where people can find out why Bath is so special, and pick up trails and guides to help them explore the World Heritage Site
• A Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre for pre-booked school and community groups, with three state-of-the-art learning rooms, and a hands-on Investigation Zone among real Roman remains
• New areas of the Roman Baths including a Roman gym and laconicum (a type of sauna) which will be brought to life for visitors by projections and sounds depicting the Roman spa experience

Council Leader Kevin Guy, who toured the Archway Project last week, said: “After a huge amount of hard work by the project team, architects and construction company, it’s wonderful to see the buildings looking so spectacular. We look forward to opening these three areas to the public later this year.”

Councillor Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, added: “The new, purpose-built facilities will improve the quality of children's visit to the Roman Baths dramatically, with specially designed learning rooms and a hands-on Investigation Zone for primary school children.”

Mike Hedges, director at Bristol-based Beard, said: “The Romans were renowned for their innovative building and engineering skills. So as a construction firm with a specialism in the heritage sector, it was a truly unique experience to work among the remains of their construction work. It is a project that will bring this fascinating part of our history to life for future generations.”

romanbaths.co.uk/archway

LOOKING BACK  |  AUSTINS LINED UP

After last week’s photo of a train speeding through Bathampton Station, this week we turn from rail to road, moving forward to the 1950s when this shot of a line-up of Austins outside the Bear Garage on Wells Road was taken. 

Occupying the site of the Bear Brewery, which had closed in 1902, the garage was opened by Victor Smith as the Victor Motor Co around 1919. It was renamed the Bear Garage in 1925, and, after several changes of ownership, was taken over by Westward Renault in 1980. After they relocated to the Lower Bristol Road in 1987, the buildings seen here were demolished and replaced by the mixed-use development which stands there today, part of which is now home to the Royal Photographic Society.

akemanpress.com

ON THE BOOKSHELF  |  GENDER EXPERIENCE

INTERIORS  |  BIG VISIONS

THE KIOSK  |  MAGAZINE MOMENTS

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK  |  A STYLISH CITY APARTMENT

This is a truly unique property in the heart of the Georgian centre of the city. It is ideally situated with a short level walk to the shops, bars, restaurants , theatres and all that the city has to offer as well as the glorious Henrietta Park is just across the road.

The property is a three bedroom lateral apartment spanning two Georgian townhouses. Located on the first floor this wonderful property benefits from the grand proportions throughout, with seven street facing sash windows, period features and high ceilings associated with what would have originally been the principal reception rooms of the townhouses.

The accommodation comprises three bedrooms, a large Drawing room with three sash windows and high ceilings, an open plan spacious Kitchen/Dining room, Bathroom and separate W.C. 

Mixing period charm with a contemporary styling the apartment is tastefully decorated and finished to a very high standard. Priced at £925,000

For further details click here to see more images and link to the Winkworth Bath website.