Party in the City for free

Join Bath’s biggest free party tonight (17 May), from 5pm till late, as the city centre will be filled with live music of every genre with over 150 bands performing, including jazz, folk rock, classical, acoustic, swing, soul and more. 

Music will ring out from churches and chapels, including Bath Abbey, St Michael’s Without and St Swithin’s Church. Enjoy performances at museums and galleries, including the Holburne Museum, Victoria Art Gallery and BRLSI. 

Pubs and bars, cafés and shops will also be hosting live music. As well as music indoors, there will be stages and stalls in Parade Gardens and at Green Park Station. Bring family and friends and join in to celebrate the opening night of The Bath Festival.

Click here for more information. 

READ OUR MAY ISSUE NOW!

You'll love our marvellous May 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 went to the Holburne Museum and narrowly avoided being doodled by Mr Doodle (who is only happy when doodling), and asked him why doodling is the biggest thing in his life – and why he’s been doodling obsessively in the museum… and in Bath. We also spoke to fashion director of The Times Anna Murphy who is coming to The Bath Festival and has some uplifting advice about how to feel fabulous whatever your age. There are more interviews with journalist and art critic Will Gompertz, actor Tamsin Greig and jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins. You can also find out about the amazing new Dyson Cancer Centre at the RUH in an in-depth piece about this innovative project, which has been supported enthusiastically by the local community. Plus 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 [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

Lamb Koftas with Harissa Aubergines

An authentic taste of the Middle East, delicious as a stand-alone supper or as part of a mezze feast alongside hummus, tzatziki, salad, pickles and flatbreads.

Harissa is a spicy aromatic paste widely used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines. The inherent spiciness varies from brand to brand, so taste yours before using and adapt your recipe according to personal taste.

If using bamboo skewers for your koftas, soak them in cold water for 15 minutes before use.

Ingredients (serves 4 as a stand-alone supper; 8 as part of a mezze)

For the aubergines:
3 large aubergines
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp ground cumin
75g butter
2 tbsp harissa (see note above)

For the koftas:
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
½ bunch of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
4 bushy mint sprigs, leaves picked and roughly chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp tomato purée
Scant tsp caster sugar
500g lamb mince
1 tbsp freshly-chopped coriander
2 tbsp pomegranate seeds

Method

1. First, make the aubergines. Heat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Combine the oil and cumin in a small bowl and season well. Slice the aubergines into long, lengthways strips and arrange in a roasting tin. Brush with the fragrant oil and roast for 45 minutes, or until soft. Melt the butter in a small pan, sauté the harissa with a pinch of salt for 3 minutes and drizzle over the cooked aubergines. Cover with foil and keep warm.

2. To make the koftas, put the garlic, shallots, parsley, half the mint, the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, tomato purée and caster sugar into a blender or food processor. Season well and blitz for around 1 minute, to create a paste.

3. Tip the lamb into a large bowl, add the spice mix and stir well to thoroughly combine. Using clean, damp hands, form the lamb mixture into evenly-sized meatballs and thread onto the skewers, slightly flattening the meatballs as you go.

4. Heat a griddle pan to high and griddle the koftas for around 6 minutes on each side, or until the koftas are chargrilled and 'gnarly' on the outside and the meat is cooked through but still juicy.

5. Divide the warm aubergines between 4 plates and top with the koftas (or, if serving as part of a mezze spread, serve on one big platter). Scatter with the remaining mint, coriander and pomegranate seeds – and tuck in!

Deals on New Zealand wines at Great Wine Co.

This May, you can enjoy discounts on a superb selection of New Zealand wines. Renowned for its crisp, aromatic Sauvignons and delicate yet richly textured Pinot Noirs, the land of the long white cloud has something for everyone.

Summerhouse, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc | £13.29 (save £2.66)

Nestled in windy Blind River, the vineyard faces Marlborough's harshest conditions, cultivating unique character. Bathed in sunshine and cooled by ocean breezes, the family-owned grapes undergo gentle pressing and diverse yeast fermentation.

Peregrine Wines, Organic Reisling | £24 (save £4.85)

Flavours of elderflower, lime and lemon peel are balanced by wonderful mineral acidity. It has just enough maturity to show some sumptuous roundness of texture, while still possessing an edge of vibrant, primary fruit character.

Seresin Estate, Organic Chardonnay | £20.83 (save £4.17)

Presenting a gorgeous delicate golden hue, this Chardonnay evokes elegance and texture. The nose is lifted with notes of fleshy stone fruits laced with brioche. The palate is refined, layered, creamy and complex, all brought into sharp focus by the bright acidity.

Frost Pocket, Sauvignon Blanc | £9.86 (multi-buy deal save £1.09)

This bottle is Great Wine Co.'s best-selling Sauvignon Blanc. The wine has classic gooseberry aromas, with hints of refreshingly cool cucumber, as well as dill and home-grown tomato.

Visit greatwine.co.uk to explore more

Party in the City with Bath Pizza Co.

Bath Pizza Co will be hosting Party in the City in Green Park Station tonight (17 May) from 5pm–10.30pm. 

Don't miss this warm summer's evening with incredible alfresco live music and dancing across Bath. Bath Pizza Co will be hosting several bands throughout the evening alongside live music inside at Green Park Brasserie. So bring your dancing shoes!

Click here for more information. 

Chanel Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow Palettes | £36

The Chanel Ombre Essentielle has an ultra-soft, lightweight powder texture with sensory appeal. A formula enriched with sage oil, to ensure comfort and provide long-lasting wear, up to eight hours.

It accentuates the brows with a hint of bold colour. Chanel has designed eyeshadow palettes that can be applied in three different ways and worn on its own or layered, to create a multitude of makeup looks.

A new range of 14 modern shades combine some of the House's most iconic colours. Reimagined by Cécile Paravina, you will discover bold new hues in matte, satin and metallic finishes. 

Click here to purchase. 

Slouchy's Pro Recycled Change Robe - Khaki & Orange | £150

These popular Changing Robes are now available again and make the perfect accessory for your summer trips in the UK! The weather can quickly change here, but Bath based Slouchy has got you covered with its Changing Robes.

Designed with a unique green/orange colour combination it is a great all purpose and stylish waterproof coat.

The big hood is perfect for keeping your head out of the rain and wind. And the 2-way zip makes it easier to change and zip right up to keep the warmth in.

Click here to purchase. 

By Lalique, the Champs-Elysées Vase - Large

Inspired by spectacular rows of plane trees lining “the most beautiful Avenue of the World” is the design of the finely engraved crystal leaves that adorn Lalique’s Champs-Elysées range of vases and bowls. Created by Marc Lalique in 1951, his sublime crystal sculptures capture light like no other.

This is a fabulous work of clear crystal art, handmade in France and weighing in at a hefty 20.5 lbs (9.2kg). Dimensions 33cm high x 28.5cm diameter. £5,190

See this and many more Lalique objets d’art at Mallory

Food Prints | £24

These prints are by graphic designer and illustrator Sarah Derry Wilson who created bright collages inspired by natural food and produce. They form part of her seafood collection and would be ideal prints for a kitchen.

Click here to browse the collection. 

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Sociotype Journal has just released its third annual issue, this time on the theme of ‘Home’ and asks us: ‘What makes a home?’ We’ve encountered quite a few magazines asking and exploring the same idea of late, but the Sociotype approach is rather different. It’s published by London design studio Socio and named after their own offshoot foundry Sociotype. Its typeset in a very clean mid-century-inspired grotesk typeface formulated just for this job. Issue 3 promises a ‘top-down and bottom-up investigation’ of domesticity, from masterplanned utopias and Potemkin villages, McMansions and sham castles, to cube farms, spite fences, coffin homes and more. | £25

magalleria.co.uk

Voices For Life perform at Bath Abbey

Voices For Life, the charity that encourages children to make music to promote wellbeing, is performing a new work Elements on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 June at Bath Abbey.

Join children from local primary schools for the world premiere of the choir's new work The Elements Cantata, written by Russell Hepplewhite and Jamila Gavin. This performance rounds off a year of activity for the charity's musical relay to send a message of goodwill to Team GB for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The evening will also feature songs from Extraordinary! including the choir’s anthem Let’s Go.

Performed by 250 local primary school children, Voices for Life Children’s Choir, BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2023 Winner Belinda Gifford-Guy and directed by Katrine Reimers.

(Please note these dates were incorrect in Richard Wyatt's column in The Bath Magazine's May issue.)

Thursday 27 June, 7pm | Friday 28 June, 7pm
Click here to book your tickets. 

Get ready for Rec Fest

As the men in Blue, Black and White take on Northampton Saints on 18 May, the Rec is throwing its biggest party yet as the Shoe Army head south to Bath.

Expanding its fan village right across the Recreation Ground's outfield, there will be live music from a host of performers, fun and games for the family, street food from our delicious vendors and much, much more - not to mention the exciting rugby happening on the pitch, kick off at 3.05pm.

In the climax of the regular Premiership Rugby season, all 10 teams will be kicking off at the same time. 

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Josh Bayliss, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Matt Gallagher

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Alfie Barbeary, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Miles Reid

Click here for more information. 

Illustration of people dressed fancy | Hardeep S Dhindsa

Assembly Rooms host a grand fancy ball

The Assembly Rooms will host a grand ball of two halves on 15 June from 6.30pm–11.30pm.

The evening will start as a Georgian fancy ball where people can have a go at dancing like they did in the 18^th century, try Georgian card games and embellish their outfits at the accessories wardrobe and make-up table. 

From 9pm onwards the Ball Room will switch to a more modern type of assembly and a DJ will take over for guests to dance the night away. Booking is essential for the Fancy Ball. Tickets are £15 per person, concession £9, and includes one complimentary drink.

For those wanting the full Georgian experience there is the optional extra of an afternoon of specialised workshops teaching Georgian dances and card-games before attending the Fancy Ball in the evening. Booking is essential, workshops are £55 per person and include entry to the Fancy Ball.

Click here for more information. 

Image shows American Museum and Gardens Plant Fair

Plant Fairs to enrich your garden

Two Plant Sales on 18 May and 19 May

The plant sale on 18 May by Dorothy House includes new and donated plants for indoors and outdoors, along with a fantastic selection of new garden goods for you to shop – perfect for getting your garden summer-ready! All profits from the sale will go towards supporting Dorothy House's vital end of life care in our community. Click here for more information.

Then for all plant lovers and garden enthusiasts, the Rare Plant Fair on 19 May at the American Museum & Gardens is an excellent opportunity to buy beautiful, interesting and unusual plants. A selection of specialist nurseries, all with genuine plant experts, will offer advice and expertise to help you create your dream garden. Enjoy a horticultural day out with a visit to the museum's unique gardens, refreshments on the sun-soaked terrace, and exciting plant shopping. The Deli will be serving a select menu on this day. Click here for more information.

Royal Opera House screens 'The Winter's Tale' at The Little Theatre Cinema

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, The Winter's Tale is an award-winning modern ballet classic and is being screened on 22 May at The Little Theatre Cinema at 7.15pm. 

King Leontes of Sicilia is crippled with an all-consuming jealousy when his friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, stays with him and his wife Hermione. What follows is a tale where a marriage is destroyed, a child is abandoned and all hope is seemingly lost for two lovers. 

This film is packed with emotional turmoil heightened by Joby Talbot's compelling score and Bob Crowley's atmospheric designs.

Click here to book your seat. 

Bath Canine Society Championship Show

The Bath Canine Society's championship show will be taking place on 24–27 May at Three Shires Field. 

Judging starts at 9am each day with the group finals around 3pm each day. Dogs are welcome to come into the show on a lead at a cost of £5 per dog. 

Different breeds are scheduled each day. Friday – Working and Pastoral breeds; Saturday – Utility and Hound breeds; Sunday – Toy and Terrier breeds; Monday – Gundog breeds. An array of trade stands selling dog-related items will also be in attendance as well as a food outlets, Lilleys cider bar and Marshfields ice cream.

Bath is one of the largest championship shows in the UK with an anticipated 7,000 dogs competing over the four days from all over the UK and some from Europe. The judging panel is made up of experienced judges from the UK and overseas.

There is a charge of £10 per car in the car park (payable with cash or contactless). 

Visit the website at bathcaninesociety.org

Jazz Stroud music festival

Don't miss Jazz Stroud music festival on 23–26 May, where there will be live music and club events in Stroud town centre spread across multiple venues with a wide spectrum of musical styles. 

This year’s line-up in the Brunel Goods Shed features headliners including keyboard maestro Joe Armon-Jones (of Mercury Prize-winners Ezra Collective) here leading his own hugely talented band; Mercury nominated saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi appears with her thrilling electronica jazz trio un.procedure, and Stroud-based composer Daniel Inzani brings his new 8-piece ensemble for one of many performances across the weekend taking place 'in the round’ - bringing the focus of the music to the centre of room, plus more!

This is just a glimpse of Jazz Stroud’s packed long-weekend of top names on this year’s line-up – for full details, day and weekend passes visit jazzstroud.org
SVA, 4 John Street, Stroud GL5 2HA

Gallery Nine's Spring Exhibition and 'Meet the Artist’ event

Don't miss Gallery Nine's 'Spring Exhibition' showing until 31 May. You can also meet artist, designer and educator Jonathan Gibbs who is visiting the gallery to talk about wood engraving on 25 May from 12pm–3pm.

This exhibition presents ceramicists Allan Manham, Kathryn Sherriff, artists Tessa Pearson and Jonathan Gibbs and jewellery by Adele Brereton and Lesley Strickland.

Gibbs works in wood engraving, drawing and painting. His pieces encapsulates book illustration, printmaking and editorial & pattern design. Gibbs work has been published in a variety of books, magazines, and printed artefacts as well as in digital formats and web design.

He makes some of his own boxwood and holly blocks, into which images are engraved and printed onto Japanese paper by hand-burnishing with a bone spoon.

Come find out more about printmaking and hear Gibbs speak about his creative practice!

9B Margaret's Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP
Click here to visit the website.

Image Credit: Andrew Milligan PA Images Alamy

King retains his Royal Patronage of Bath Preservation Trust

The King has confirmed his wish to retain his Royal Patronage of the charity following a detailed review of patronages held by the Royal Household.

In 1973, Bath Preservation Trust became the first Royal Patronage of the then Prince of Wales. At that time, the Sack of Bath was well underway but with the support of a high-profile Royal Patron, the demolition of the Georgian heart of Bath was ended.

This support helped to pave the way for the City of Bath to be inscribed on the World Heritage list, recognising the unique importance of one of the finest and most coherent assemblages of architecture in the world.

Alex Sherman, CEO of Bath Preservation Trust, says: “His Majesty’s interests in conservation, craftsman-led quality architecture and the natural environment are well-documented. 

We are delighted the King has chosen to retain his Royal Patronage as we look forward to continuing and extending our work as a champion for sustainability, the historic built environment, design excellence and responding to the climate and nature emergency.”

For more information about Bath Preservation Trust, visit bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

Link Barn 5 Uplands Farm Barns Wellsway Keynsham BS31 2SZ

Offered for sale by Cobb Farr estate agents

A beautifully presented curtilage listed barn conversion with the benefit of 4 bedrooms, 2 stunning reception rooms and an attractive good sized garden.

Uplands Farm Barns consists of a series of listed properties which were converted approximately 7 years ago by Ashford Homes, a highly reputable development company within the local area.

The property known as Link Barn, is so called due to the most attractive garden room which links the older properties together. A particular feature of this stunning property is the living room/kitchen, which comprises a large room with high Apex ceiling with roof-light windows and an aspect of three sides.

In addition, there is a most attractive garden/sitting room which has large sliding glazed doors leading out to the main garden and from which the property has attractive views.

A wonderful, vaulted entrance hall with oak staircase leads to the second bedroom with en-suite shower room.

The bathrooms and shower rooms are fitted to a high standard, with Villeroy and Boch sanitary ware, together with Hansgrohe fitments throughout. All of the bedrooms are of a generous size.

The whole property has a light and airy feel and has been cleverly modernised combining the character of the original barns but with all the benefits of a modern home.

The gardens to side and to the rear are of a good size and the whole property is immaculately presented throughout. It also has the benefit of a double carport to the front and additional parking to the rear. It is set within a gated community which is very well maintained by the residents.

This is a stunning and exceptionally appointed property and is in a superb location for both the cities of Bath and Bristol. | Offers in excess of £1,200,000

For more information visit Cobb Farr website.