The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are here and Italy is gearing up to kick off the 'the greatest show on Earth' with the opening ceremony later today. 

While the action began on Wednesday, the Games officially get under way this evening when the opening ceremony takes place at Milan's iconic San Siro stadium.

Multiple big names are set to appear, including multiple Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

BBC coverage of the opening ceremony starts from 6.30pm, live on BBC Two and iPlayer.

 The University of Bath's world-class Bobsleigh and Skeleton training base – the only push-start track in the UK – has long been the heart of the nation’s sliding sports. 

Building on a proud Olympic legacy, Bath’s athletes will once again take to the ice track with the skill, strength, and determination that have made the university a cornerstone of Team GB’s success in these two sports.

Back in our January issue, we chatted to the Bobsleigh and Skeleton olympians who trained in Bath, including Matt Weston, Adele Nicoll and Brad Hall, who has been selected as a Team GB flagbearer.

Click here to read our Winter Olympian feature.

Tune into tonight's opening ceremony on BBC Two and iPlayer from 6.30pm.

Visit teambath.com/sport/skeleton and teambath.com/bobsleigh for more information.

Information from bbc.co.uk

Photo credits: Anna Barclay/Team Bath & IBSF

Recipes

Sticky Chinese Pork Belly

If you’re planning on celebratingChinese New Year later this month, gallop headlong into the Year of the Horse with this rich, treatsome celebratory dish: a classic on Chinese/Cantonese restaurant menus for very good reason,
perfect as part of a sharing feast.

Read online

Read more of Melissa's recipes online

Food Events

Peking Restaurant: Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse

The year of the Fire Horse is rare event which occurs every 60 years, it celebrates intense passion, rapid change, and bold actions. 

Why not make the best start by seeing in this special occasion at Bath’s finest Chinese restaurant, Peking in Kingsmead Square. The extensive menu offers a variety of specially selected dishes created from Cantonese, Szechuan and Peking cuisine. 

To book visit pekingrestaurantbath.co.uk

Weekend Wines

Wines of the Lebanese mountains

Lebanon enjoys warm summers, cool winters and dramatic landscapes. One of its outstanding wines is IXSIR, established in 2008, which uses fruit from Lebanon's finest sites, including the dramatic Ainata vineyard, which at an awe-inspiring 1,800m elevation is higher than any vineyard in Europe. Vines grown this high make wines with spectacular, soaring fruit, and exhilarating balance and complexity.

Grande Reserve Red Ixsir | £35

Grande Reserve Rose Ixsir | £22

Grande Reserve White Ixsir | £29.50

Visit greatwine.co.uk to discover these and more Lebanese Wines

One watch, two ways to wear it. The Tudor Pelagos Ultra is an essential piece of kit this summer with a self-adjusting titanium bracelet and supplied rubber strap.

The new Pelagos Ultra was built for deep-sea diving with a 43mm titanium case to meet a staggering depth rating of 1,000 metres. Luminescence has been thought through to increase visibility with two different colours: blue and green. The bracelet has also been completely redesigned with this deep-diving brief in mind.

Tudor Pelagos Ultra Titanium, 43mm | £5,260

mallory-jewellers.com

The Tonkin is the ideal casual shirt for those cooler spring evenings. Made from mid-weight organic cotton herringbone twill, it layers comfortably over a tee and features large utility-style lower patch pockets.

finisterre.com | £115 | 27 High St, Bath BA1 5AJ

This year, Chanel transforms Valentines Day into a declaration of love unlike any other. Because for Chanel, to love means to think big.

In response to this bold declaration of love, the CHANCE scents are now available in unique new formats, for gifts that rise to the intensity of even the most
all-consuming feelings.

Three fragrances— Chance Eau Splendide, Chance Eau Tendre, and Chance Eau Fraiche —each take the form of three different experiences: Liquid Soap, Moisturising Lotion, and Body Oil. Dispense them into the palms of the hands or apply them directly to skin.

chanel.com

India Farnham serves her time at Theatre Royal Bath and reports back on the big-hearted performances and touches of symbolism to be found in this slick adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Production images by Jack Merriman.

Read online | Showing at Theatre Royal Bath until 7 February

MEAA presents Reimaginings, a new exhibition by sculptural artist Hannah Lim.

In 2025, artist Hannah Lim was invited to visit the MEAA to create work in direct response to its collection. The resulting exhibition features a mix of new and existing artwork displayed alongside objects from the Museum’s collection, co-curated and
reimagined by Lim.

The exhibition will also present a selection of Lim’s snuff bottles, a recurring form in her practice. Larger than their eighteenth century counterparts, her ‘bottles’ are inspired by folklore and mythology and oen take on anthropomorphic forms, with animal-like limbs.

12 Bennett Street, Bath | meaa.org.uk | Image: Pink Lotus Snuff Bottle, Hannah Lim

10 February, 10am onwards - Silver, Vertu, Jewellery, Watches & Pictures

11 February, 10am onwards - Furniture, Clocks, Rugs, Collectors,
Ceramics & Works of Art

Sales held at The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 8AB

Can’t get to the saleroom? The team are happy to visit you at home - No charge, No obligation. Lawrences are proud to share their expertise with communities
across the West Country.

To make an appointment, call or email | 01460 73041,
matthew.lacey@lawrences.co.uk

 lawrences.co.uk 

A chance to engage with a vibrant and eclectic selection of artworks at Sandra Higgins Gallery in Shires Yard. Expect to see some familiar works with new additions from the gallery collection and at the ART STOP boutique within the gallery, providing a rich selection of artworks to choose from.

This exhibition will highlight the galleries Art Advisory Service, offering personal appointments for advice on starting or developing a collection which can be booked by email at sandra@sandrahiggins.com.

41 Milsom Street, Shires Yard Units 12 & 13, Bath | sandrahiggins.art

Above: Top Left: Donald Smith, Tondo; Top Centre: David Ferry, Desert 5; Top Right: Robin Sewell, Four States of Water Bottom Left: Usha Pearce, Temporal Space; Bottom Centre: Louisa Burnett-Hall, Trivial Pursuit; Bottom Right: Gina Parr, Coast, Exmouth

The Copper Crew Wines is teaming up with The Little Theatre this February to give you a special opening night screening of “ Wuthering Heights”, the ultimate Valentine’s week watch, bringing together film, literature and wine for a unique evening
out in the city.

Taking place on Thursday 13 February, the event begins a little earlier than usual, with a short pre-film reading from Wuthering Heights hosted by the Copper Crew. Guests can enjoy a can of Copper Crew wine during the reading before settling in for the
film, which starts at 8pm.

Each ticket includes a free popcorn and a can of Copper Crew.

7.30pm | St Michael's Pl, Bath BA1 1SF | picturehouses.com

coppercrew.com

Celebrate Valentine’s night with an unforgettable evening of music in the stunning, candlelit setting of Bath Abbey. 

This special concert features an exquisite programme of romantic piano masterpieces, ranging from the beauty of Chopin’s Nocturne in G-sharp minor, Liszt’s passionate Liebestraum No. 3 to Beethoven’s iconic Moonlight Sonata and many more celebrations of love, all performed by acclaimed concert pianist Maiko Mori, renowned for her expressive touch and captivating artistry. 

Bath Abbey, BA1 1LT | 7.30pm | For tickets: bathabbey.org

This year Parterre are offering something a bit different – a sensory celebration to enjoy together, creating your own perfumes.

During this session you will be encouraged to explore your fragrance preferences and personal scent associations. Then, working with high quality oils, you will be expertly guided through the process of designing and blending your own perfumes. By the end of the afternoon you will each have a 50ml bottle to take home and enjoy. Expect an engaging afternoon and magical scents accompanied by complimentary fizz! £195 for 2

All workshops are held in central Bath and run by niche, luxury
perfume house, Parterre Fragrances.

2.30pm - 5pm | Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2

For further information and to book go to parterrefragrances.com

Join The Performing Arts Institute this February half term for a full day of Wicked fun!

Sing, dance and learn drama scenes from this iconic and well loved musical.

All abilities are welcome, and you do not need to be a student of The Performing Arts Institute to attend.

10am - 3pm | Prior Park College, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH

£35, 25% sibling discount

theperformingartsinstitute.co.uk

This is a fully staged production of Bizet’s Carmen one of opera’s most passionate and dramatic tales. Set in sun-drenched Seville, Carmen tells the story of a free-spirited woman whose defiance and desire lead to love, jealousy, and tragedy. 

Conducted by Francis Faux and directed by Naomi Rose-Mock, this vibrant new production features a talented cast of professional, emerging, and experienced singers, supported by Bath Opera’s accomplished chorus and orchestra – bringing Bizet’s unforgettable music to life.

6.15pm ( doors open) - 9:45pm | Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School BA2 3LA

Tickets: £10-£30: bathopera.com

The Blue, Black and White hit the road this weekend as they face Sale Sharks in a return for the PREM Rugby Cup.

Johann van Graan has named his side for the trip to the CorpAcq stadium, seeing Scott Kirk and Kieran Verden joined in the front row by hooker Dan Frost.

In the second row, Will Jeanes and Harvey Cuckson link up to complete the tight five.

Across the back row, Ethan Staddon and Thompson Cowan take the flanks, with Arthur Green completing the pack at Number 8.

Bernard van der Linde earns his first start in Bath colours at scrum-half and is joined by Will Roue of the University of Bath who starts at fly-half.

Will Butt captains from inside centre, joined by Jack Harrison who makes his professional debut.

Will Muir provides his experience on the left wing, joined by Charlie Griffin on the right.

Austin Emens completes the starting line-up at full back.

Offering their impact from the bench, Ioan Emmanuel, Jasper Spandler and Mikey Summerfield are named as the replacement front row.

Jack Bennett and George Timmins are named as replacement loose forwards.

Completing the matchday squad, Neil le Roux returns from injury joined by James Linegar and Tyler Mason. The latter joins the Blue, Black and White as a guest.

The game kicks off on Sunday 8 February, 3pm at the CorpAcq Stadium.

bathrugby.com

12 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms

An impressive semi-detached Victorian villa, currently configured as a 7- and 5-bedroom HMO, generating a strong 8.4% yield. The property offers 12 bedrooms, 3 kitchens, 5 bathrooms and 2 spacious sitting rooms, along with off-road
parking and a private garden.

Tenancies are already agreed for the next academic year, providing a projected income of £9,000 pcm and an enhanced yield of 8.64%. The property consists of three kitchens, two sitting rooms, four bathroom, 12 bedrooms. Off road parking and a rear garden. The property also offers the exciting opportunity to be converted back into a family home.

Widcombe lies on the sought-after southern side of Bath, just across the River Avon, and is widely regarded as one of the city’s most desirable residential areas. This vibrant neighbourhood boasts a thriving high street lined with independent shops, boutiques, cafés, delis, convenience stores, and traditional pub, offering a true sense of
community and charm.

To view more images, details and a floor plan, visit Right Move

zestlovesproperty.com