The final weekend of the 2024 Paris Olympics approaches!

This week Team GB secured its 1,000th ever medal in sporting competition at the Olympic Games as Ethan Hayter, Daniel Bigham, Charlie Tanfield and Ethan Vernon secured a silver in the cycling men’s team pursuit at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Athletes from Team Bath have made their mark, with medals for Ben Proud (Swimming Freestyle/silver), Becky Wilde (Double Scull/bronze), Tom Dean and Kieran Bird (4 x 200m Freestyle Relay/gold). Also University of Bath alumna Prisca Awiti-Alcaraz who won a silver in Judo for Mexico.

Team Bath Athletes still competing in the final weekend are Joe Choong (Modern Pentathlon), who is in the semi final fencing bonus round this Friday (today) at Chateau de Versailles at 4.40pm. Also Kate Shortman (Team Bath) who pairs with Bristol-based Isabelle Thorpe in the Artistic Swimming Duet Technical Routine on Friday (today) at 6.30pm and in the Duet Free Routine on Saturday 11 August at 6.30pm.

The Olympic Games will end this weekend with a closing ceremony to mark 16 days of incredible sporting action. The closing event in the Stade de France has been given the title 'Records'. It is believed the ceremony will depict a 'futuristic world where the Games have disappeared'. Tom Cruise is rumoured to be making an appearance!

The Olympics Closing Ceremony will air on BBC One from 7pm on Sunday 11 August, running until 10.30pm.

olympics.com

OUR AUGUST ISSUE IS OUT NOW! PICK UP YOUR COPY AND ENJOY!

You'll love our marvellous August magazine which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses.

This month we spoke to comedian Nish Kumar about the business of making people laugh – which he says he has been practising all his life. Another interview is with a figure who has also made us laugh many times, Jane Horrocks (Bubble in Ab Fab), but everything has got more serious as she takes the lead in Pinter's The Birthday Party at Theatre Royal Bath. We also talked to Bath FC manager Jerry Gill on how he qualifies success and his hopes for the approaching football season. There's also fashion, shopping, food, culture, city personalities, interiors and so much more!

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's [Green Park], M&S Foods in Twerton, Tesco in Weston Village, and at The Holburne Museum. 

Click here to enjoy the digital version of our current issue! 

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Perfect Scones: a Masterclass

August 12-18 is Afternoon Tea Week; get your bake on with a batch of perfect scones.

For the perfect end result, handle your scone dough as little as possible (you are not – I repeat not – kneading dough for a loaf). Don't use a rolling pin on your dough either; patting the dough is a much gentler method. Meanwhile, dipping the cutter in flour between each scone and gently easing the scone from the cutter rather than twisting it guarantees that the edges of the scone aren’t compressed and allows the greatest possible rise.

Now all you have to consider is The Big Scone Question: cream (clotted, please!) or jam on first? That's entirely up to you...

Ingredients (makes 8 scones)

350g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
100g fridge-cold butter
3 tbsp caster sugar
150ml whole milk
1 egg, beaten

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6 and line a baking tray with baking paper.

In a large bowl, stir the flour, baking powder and salt together with a fork, sifting and lifting the flour as you go.

Cut the cold butter into 1cm cubes and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until you've created 'breadcrumbs'. Stir the sugar and salt through the mixture, then add the milk. Use a knife to start combining the mixture and then, as it begins to come together, briefly use your hands to form a soft dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Sprinkle a little more flour and gingerly pat the dough into a layer around 4cm deep.

Use a 5cm scone or biscuit cutter to stamp rounds out of the dough, flouring the cutter between each scone and lifting it up and away from the dough rather than twisting it around after each cut. Transfer the cut scones to the lined baking tray and bring the remaining dough back together to a 4cm layer. Continue stamping scones until all the dough is used up.

Paint the top of each scone with the beaten egg, taking care that the egg wash doesn’t drip down the sides of the scones as this will inhibit the rise.

Bake for around 12 minutes or until the scones are well risen and golden on top before transferring to a cooling rack.

The scones will keep in an airtight container for up to two days, but are at their very best eaten on the day of baking.

Australian red wines at The Great Wine Co.

Things are not quite what they seem down under! Though our good friends in Australia may appear so relaxed and laid back, in terms of winemaking their lightning responses to market changes and sharp understanding of customer needs has speedily propelled them to the forefront of this ever-changing industry. Thanks to increasing interest in Australia's diversity as a tourist hotspot, vinophiles are really beginning to appreciate the variety in terms of climate and terroir that make the country's wines not generic expressions of warm climate classics, but unique expressions of a diverse topography.

The Laughing Magpie, D’Arenberg | £22

Dark brooding fruit is apparent on the nose with earth, spice and dried herbs. The palate is round and luscious with an attractive black olive and sage character persistent throughout the palate. This wine has fantastic fruit weight, with great supporting tannin and balanced acidity. It still looks very youthful and should easily cellar for the next ten years.

"Butch" Merlot, Smokin' Barrels | £13.30

Ripe plum and mulberry, mocha and herbal spices combine with dark fruit flavours and soft rounded tannins on the palate providing a smooth finish to this fruit driven wine.

Luccio Novello, Pikes | £13.30

A vibrant showing of fresh red fruits, boiled lollies, red confectionary, pomegranate and crushed rose petals. Slight hints of dried herbs as the wine warms and opens in the glass. Following through from the aroma is a mouthful of delicious red fruits. Redcurrant, red cherries, pomegranate, and red plums. Light to medium bodied, the popping acid line keeps things lively until whispers of savoury tannins bring things to a close.

Are You Game? Pinot Noir, Fowles Wine | £18.50

Are You Game? is a fun and bright Pinot Noir with exciting, distinctive aromas of vibrant red cherry, clove and crushed mint leaf. These vivid aromas become more subtle and savoury in the mouth, with leather, rising bread dough and baking spices. Fresh, balanced and with gentle, nicely filled-out texture, this is a lovely wine with good sustain on the finish. Great with...um...duck. Located in the dramatic, high-altitude, granite landscape of Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, the Fowles family crafts some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines. The region is characterised by massive granite boulders that have given rise to nutrient-poor sandy loam soils which produce fruit with great intensity.

Visit greatwine.co.uk to explore more

By Marco Bicego

Every piece of Marco Bicego jewellery features a combination of fine Italian craftsmanship and creativity. The designs are based on three signature features: multi-coloured gemstones, the finest detailing and hand engraved 18ct gold.

The Paradise collection is a declaration of love for the infinite shades of natural gemstones such as amethyst, tourmaline, quartz and topaz interspersed with gold elements that have been hand-engraved with the ancient Florentine ‘millerighe’ burin technique and colour-matched by the designer himself.

Shown here: Marco Bicego Paradise 18ct Yellow Gold Multicoloured Gemstone Three Strand Necklace: £6,100
Find Paradise by Marco Bicego at Mallory | mallory-jewellers.com

The Ordinary NEW body care range

The Ordinary Lab is constantly listening to feedback on their product offerings, and after being asked so many times if a product can “also be used on the body,” it just made sense to formulate body care products that encourage people to treat their body’s skin the same way they treat their face.

Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum | £14.30 

• A lightweight exfoliating serum designed to improve skin clarity, by targeting pore congestion and smoothing skin texture. 

Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion | £11.70 

• A lightweight multi-functional formula designed to help even the appearance of skin tone, contributing towards more radiant skin whilst smoothing texture across the face and body. 

Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum | £14.30 

• A lightweight exfoliating serum designed to improve skin clarity, by targeting pore congestion and smoothing skin texture. 

Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin Body Lotion | £13.80 

• A lightweight body moisturiser formulated to provide immediate and lasting hydration, for softer-feeling, smoother-looking skin. 

Click to explore the new range

Beat the Heat with Whistles

As temperatures climb, stay cool in lightweight and billowy fabrics, perfect for relaxed summer days, complimented by considered details and enduring shapes that bring modern femininity and day-to-night versatility.

Designed in a fitted midi style, this skirt comes in a bold stripe design to make summer statements with. It has been finished in an elegant wrap shape with a tie waist fastening. 

Whistles | £99

Click here to buy now or visit the store at  1 New Bond St, Buildings, Bath BA1 1BL

Uber Clothing

Uber Clothing is an independent boutique which has been trading for nearly two decades. It offers European high-quality accessories and clothing in natural fabrics, with a quiet luxury for both men and women of discerning taste with more than a flicker of fun. The business is well known for its personal service and love of helping clients find the perfect piece for them. Nestled in a fabulous location, with other exciting independents, on a pedestrianised street between The Royal Crescent and the Circus, a warm welcome awaits you.

6 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP
Tel: 01225 464737 Web: uberview.co.uk

Barista perfection - the SMEG Coffee Machine with Grinder

Prepare authentic espresso, cappuccino and lattes from the comfort of your own home with the SMEG EGF03 espresso machine. Using freshly ground coffee to bring out the inner barista in you, you can prepare coffee at the correct temperature and pressure with a sophisticated double thermoblock heating system which allows for faster switch-on times and precise water temperature control for brewing, steam and hot water.

Benefiting from optimum 15 bar pressure, the machine produces perfect results it also has a milk wand/frother for cappuccinos by mixing steam, air and milk, dense creamy foam is created and a built in grinder.

And with 4 different pre infusion profiles; short, standard, long and progressive and 4 different temperatures – the coffee experience can be personalised to suit different tastes.

For up to date prices on SMEG coffee machines and many more top quality kitchen must haves, visit: Coopers Home Appliances, 13/15 Walcot Street, Bath. coopershomeappliances.com

Chapter 22 Roots & Records

Proudly Independent, Chapter 22 Roots and Records is a ray of sunshine in the beautiful streets of Bath, having won the ‘Best’ shop front display in Bath for the past two years, its unique floral and plant displays are a sight to behold. This is truly a unique concept that combines plants, vinyl records and a coffee shop. It’s not just a shop, but also a visual experience with walls adorned with graffiti artwork from local artists.

8 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ
Tel: 01225 780230
Web chapter22rootsandrecords.com

Click here for more great Bath shops!

Shard Outdoor Fire

Add a little Scandinavian design to your patio and garden area with the Shard from RW Knight & Son. This sleek, modern fireplace will completely transform your garden, while blending in with almost any garden space.

• Black painted steel construction
  
• Optional grill
• Integrated log store
• Timeless design
  
• Weight 26kg – easy to move around
• Dimensions – 1480 h x 450 w x 400mm d

Shard Outdoor Fireplace – £350; BBQ Grill -–£70; Fire Screen – £100. Prices includes VAT. 10% discount if collected from Castle Farm.

RW Knight & Son, Castle Farm, Marshfield SN14 8HU; knight-stoves.co.uk

Curated by Daniel McCabe

APOCALYPSE is a biannual magazine about motorcycle pop culture from France that travels around the world – particularly to the more dangerous or edgier borderlands as well as back in time – using the motorcycle as a cypher or motif to explore varied range of subjects and stories. We’ve seen this kind of material moving through a range of very different publications (music, sport, photography etc.) over the years and it’s great to see a publisher curating it like this where it all feels connected. There’s a lot in it and it’s very stylish to boot. | £20

magalleria.co.uk

Mr Doodle returns to Bath on Sunday!

If you missed Mr Doodle in May when he doodled the Holburne Museum’s walls, floors and ceiling for his exhibition ‘Museum Mayhem’, he is returning for one day only on Sunday 11 August.

The world-famous artist will be doodling three large canvases in the museum’s Ballroom, followed by short selfie sessions to grab a photo with the man himself.

Visitors to the museum can witness his mesmerising ‘graffiti spaghetti’ live, which has captivated his 2.9 million Instagram followers. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, but with three sessions there should be opportunity for everyone.

• Canvas 1 – 11am
• Canvas 2 – 12pm
• Canvas 3 – 1pm

The Holburne Museum, Bath, BA2 4DB 
Click here for more information

PIRATE TAXI, outdoor family circus show, Sunday 11 August

On Sunday 11 August at 3pm and 7pm The Grotto Paddock welcomes an outdoor family circus show by Pirates of the Carabina. Taking place in, on and around an old-school London cab, with live music, an ingenious set, humour, and air-bound performances. 

PIRATE TAXI is performed by a cast of two and is suitable for all ages. Bring a blanket/folding chair. Refreshments including will be available, including freshly cooked wood-fired pizza!

Travel: The Grotto Paddock is a field, situated 500 metres south of Beckford's Tower. It is one stop from the Lansdown Park & Ride.

Sunday 11 August, 3pm and 7pm. Grotto Paddock, BA1 5T.

Book tickets here

Open-Air Cinema at Clarks Village
6-18 August at 12pm, 3.30pm and 7pm

Clarks Village launched its open-air cinema this week. With three screenings a day until August 18, the Somerset shopping outlet is welcoming guests to enjoy blockbuster hits, family favourites and 80s classics hosted on the lawn of the adjacent Alfred Gillet Trust. The summer cinema is the perfect way to round off a trip to Clarks Village with discount outlet prices, landscaped gardens, wide paved malls, restaurants and adventure play park plus new brands for 2024 including Wagamama, Slim Chickens, Rituals, French Connection, Moss and a new ice cream and hot chocolate bar at Lindt.

Tickets start from £8 for under 12s, £12 for adults and VIP tickets with a prime-positioned deckchair and treat box for £20. The daily 12pm movie is discounted to £5 per person or £18 for a family of four. Under ones are free.

Click here for more information and to book tickets
Clarks Village shopping outlet, Farm Road, Street, BA16 0BB

Millfield athletes bring home seven Olympic medals

Millfield athletes have had a successful campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, bringing home seven Olympic medals.

The gold medals were achieved by Team GB’s James Guy, Matthew Richards and Kieran Bird in the men’s 4x200m freestyle swimming relay, and Rory Gibbs in the men’s eight rowing event. Helen Glover brought home a silver in the women’s fours rowing, Matthew Richards complemented his gold with a silver in the men’s 200m freestyle whilst Annie Campbell-Orde achieved bronze at her debut Olympic Games in the women’s eight rowing.

In the upcoming Paralympics, swimmer Suzanna Hext, cyclist Daphne Schrager and Millfield Fencing coach Glen Golding have been selected by Great Britain. The seven selected swimmers is the most Millfield have ever had at the Games.

Millfield’s 14 selections are made up of eleven Old Millfieldians, two staff and one Millfield Performance Squad member. Millfield’s Performance Squad consists of 12 British swimmers who have spent the year training at Millfield ahead of the Paris Olympics, under the guidance of Millfield Performance and Team GB coach Ryan Livingstone.

Millfield’s Olympic legacy consists of 82 Olympians, with a Millfield athlete being present at every Olympic Games since 1956. Millfield’s Olympians have won 26 medals in that time, including 11 golds, seven silvers and eight bronzes.

Millfield now looks forward to the new Olympic cycle ahead of the 2028 LA Olympic Games.

Click here to learn more about Millfield School.

Limpley Stoke, Bath

Offered for sale by Cobb Farr estate agents in Bath.

This detached bungalow set in a level and generous plot offers huge scope for extension and improvement. Set on the edge of Bath and convenient for Bradford on Avon.

On the ground floor a glazed inner hallway leads to the sitting room with front and side aspect, double-glazed opening windows and Jetmaster fire with slate hearth. Glazed double doors lead out into the vaulted garden room, with two other doors leading to the kitchen and to the inner hall.

The garden room is glazed to three sides with two Velux windows and double doors leading out onto the decking. The kitchen has a rear aspect double glazed window and door out to the decking. The inner hall leads to 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a shower room and airing cupboard.

There are three bedrooms, two with front aspect and one with rear aspect. Also a bathroom and shower room with corner shower enclosure with thermostatic shower and a rear aspect double glazed frosted window.

To the front of the property there is a generous level lawn with mature hedgerow and weeping willow tree, and a double garage. There is gated side access to the rear garden which is level and enclosed with 6ft fencing. A generous area of decking with steps down onto the lawn, summer house. | Price from £750,000

Click here to view the property shown above on the Cobb Farr website.