The Queen, Patron of Theatre Royal Bath, will watch part of the technical rehearsal for the community production of David Copperfield and meet some of the 100 participants from the region who are involved in the production. 

In our February issue, Melissa Blease spoke to the director of David Copperfield, Sally Cookson, about bringing this production to life over the past two years.

Read our interview with Sally Cookson on our website.

Her Majesty will also visit the space within the theatre that will be transformed into a new community studio theatre, Venue 4, to give local people access to performing
arts at low and no cost.

Find out more about the plans for Venue 4 online.

theatreroyal.org.uk | Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, Avon, BA1 1ET

Recipes

Scallop, Prawn and Red Pepper Linguine

The heat is on for the most romantic day of the year! Love it up with this simple but sophisticated seafood dish: the perfect special supper for anybody you enjoy sharing the love with on any day of the year, bringing a classic combination of sweet seafood, silky pasta, subtly smoky red pepper and an indulgent creamy sauce together in perfect harmony.

Read online

Read more of Melissa's recipes online

Weekend Wines

From the Fowles Family Vineyards

Great Wine Co.'s much-loved supplier, Fowles Wine, in Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia, has been seriously affected by wildfires. On 8 January, fire struck their 300 acres of vineyards, also causing significant loss of livestock.

You can help by buying their wines, which will advance Great Wine Co.'s ordering, and bring in much-needed cash for recovery. To help you to help Fowles, this voucher code gives you reduced prices: HELP-FOWLES.

Great Wine Co. recommends: 

Are You Game? Sparkling | £17.75

Ladies who Shoot their Lunch Chardonnay Fowles Wine | £29.50

Are You Game? Pinot Noir Fowles Wine | £19.50

Visit greatwine.co.uk to discover these and more Fowles Family Wines

Inspired by the natural world’s most beautiful shapes, the Georg Jensen Curve is a true expression of the timeless quality of perfect proportion, quality and craftsmanship.

Discover the collection at Mallory.

Georg Jensen Curve Ring, Sterling Silver | £440

Georg Jensen Curve Bangle, Sterling Silver | £950

Georg Jensen Curve Earrings, 18ct Yellow Gold and Silver | £1,475

mallory-jewellers.com

Whether a delicate shine, a satin or a bold matte, the finish of a lipstick can transform your look and modify your mood. Between the three Sisley lipstick families—Phyto-Rouge Shine, Phyto-Rouge and Phyto-Rouge Velvet—there’s a finish and shade to cater to every occasion and makeup sensibility at Sisley.

Sisley have a brand NEW shade extension of their Phyto-Rouge Shines available in 43 Sheer Scarlet, 26 Sheer Bel Air and 14 Sheer Acajou. £48

They also have their NEW creamy Phyto-Perfect Lip Liners in
shades 12 Carmin and 13 Beige Rose. £52

sisleyparis.com | Stocked at Space NK, 10 New Bond St Pl, Bath BA1 1BE

This weekend Bath is set to welcome a striking celebration of quiltmaking artistry that tells the story of an isolated African American community in Alabama.

This UK-exclusive exhibition at the American Museum and Gardens will showcase the extraordinary work of women from the remote river island community of Boykin, also known as Gee’s Bend, which is home to a 200-year tradition of quiltmaking.

With bold colours, unexpected patterns and uninhibited improvisation, the quilts are far more than decorative objects. Born out of necessity in a racially segregated and economically marginalised region in the Deep South of the USA, they speak of resilience, self-sufficiency and lived experience.

American Museum and Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD

americanmuseum.org | Read more about the exhibition on our website

Peter Malone will for the first time be having a solo show at Gallery Nine. Peter Malone has worked for Howard Hodgkin for the last thirty years: framing Indian paintings, mounting islamic tiles and preparing the supports on which to paint. Peter has illustrated a number of books for children and adults as well designing stamps for Royal Mail. More recently he has been commissioned to paint aerial view images of houses and gardens for clients such as The American Museum and Alan Titchmarsh. He has had articles on 19th century plaster-cast figure-makers published in both learned and not so learned publications and is the world authority on the plaster death masks of John Keats. He also has a great love of Islamic ceramics, the classical world and architecture.

galleryninebath.com | Gallery Nine, 9B Margarets Buildings, Bath

Private view: 14 February, 5pm - 7pm.  Drinks and nibbles.

Above: Peter Malone, Giverny III Gouache 370mm x 560mm

Step into the past at The Roman Baths.

Meet costumed characters, enjoy a kids‑only audioguide narrated by Michael Rosen and follow the Friendly Faces family trail, and get creative with crafts to celebrate the festival of Lupercalia. 

Plus..

Archaeology Adventures | 16 February - 20 February | 11am - 12pm & 12pm - 1pm

Back by popular demand! Archaeology Adventures lets kids get digging for artefacts and building like the Romans. Add-on charge of £6 per child.

Prebooking essential

romanbaths.co.uk | Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LZ

Join the world-famous Natural Theatre Company for Saints and Sinners, a brand-new immersive evening experience. Discover the Abbey’s ‘lost’ stories as you meet saints and sinners, kings and rogues, and enjoy a touch of theatrical nonsense.

This is not a traditional tour – the Abbey’s stories unfold all around you, combining history, humour, and a playful theatrical twist.

8pm - 9.15pm | Bath Abbey, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath, BA1 1LT

Limited capacity per performance – book early!

bathabbey.org | naturaltheatre.co.uk

Come to the Roman Baths for an unforgettable night of drama and intrigue! Step into 1897 and unravel the mystery of Major Charles Davis, found dead at the unveiling of the Roman Baths Museum, in this thrilling Murder Mystery experience.

Upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary drink and mingle with your teammates, then explore the ancient monument, interrogate the suspects and unmask the culprit in this captivating murder mystery experience.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event that is perfect for groups, teams, and anyone looking for a unique night out! Guests will be in teams of 12 - we can allocate you to a team or buy 12 tickets to create your own!

8.30pm - 10.45pm | £35 per ticket | The Roman Baths Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LZ

romanbaths.co.uk

Join to discover Bondarenko’s beautiful instrumental composition and a new version of “A Woman’s War“, uniting with vocal trio The Ruffians, Bath’s Argyle String Orchestra, and a host of volunteer vocalists, in the stunning setting of Bath Abbey.

7.30pm - 9.30pm | Bath Abbey, Bath BA1 1LT | bathboxoffice.org.uk

Hosted by the Rotary club of Bathavon in aid of Dorothy House and other Rotary charities this promises to be a great night out.

The fundraising evening will start with a challenging — but fun quiz at 7pm followed by the Mint Room's delicious Indian dinners. 

6.30pm onwards | The Mint Room, BA2 3EB

Tickets are £38 per person. Book your or your team's place by emailing rotarypeter@outlook.com or text or call: 07540 88963

eventbrite.co.uk

Everyone knows the iconic ‘Sunrise’ opening of Richard Strauss’s tone poem Also Sprach Zarathustra, used in Stanley Kubrick’s ground-breaking
film 2001: A Space Odyssey. 

Now hear Bath Symphony Orchestra's vast orchestral forces bring the rest of this epic work to life. Based on a philosophical novel by Nietzsche, it deals with the forces of Nature, mankind’s struggle to control his destiny and triumph over the challenges of existence. In the rest of the programme, we bring you much loved blockbuster film themes from Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Jurassic Park and
many other Hollywood favourites.

William Birkbeck is a dynamic and versatile conductor whose recent engagements include performances with the Sofia Philharmonic, Cameristi della Scala di Milano, Franz Haydn Orchestra at the Vienna Musikverein, Bucharest Radio Chamber Orchestra, and the Brandenburger Symphoniker. He also serves as Music Director of the Holborn Symphony Orchestra in London.

7.30pm - 9.30pm | The Forum, Avon, 1A Forum Buildings, Bath BA1 1UG

bathsymphony.org.uk

The Fulltone Symphony Orchestra returns to Bath and Cheltenham for one of the most powerful choral masterpieces ever written — Verdi’s Requiem.

A work of breathtaking drama and transcendent beauty, the Requiem takes audiences on an emotional journey from terror and turmoil to hope, light, and ultimate peace.

The Fulltone Symphony Orchestra & Chorus | Conducted by Anthony Brown

7.30pm - 10pm | Bath Abbey, Bath BA1 1LT

bathoffice.org.uk

Dorothy House is back with its incredible Men’s Walk to Support that creates a space for men to speak about their experiences of grief and bereavement as well as keeping active and staying outdoors. 

Men from all over the Dorothy House patch are signing up to get involved in this event and raise vital funds for end-of-life care in their area.

Join Dorothy House on Saturday 14 March 2026 for the ‘Men’s Walk to Support’. Team up with your brother, your son, your dad, your best mates, or take on the walk
solo – it's up to you!

So, whether you’re walking to show your support for Dorothy House, in memory of a loved one or because you’re in our care today – dust off your walking boots and sign up today by visiting dorothyhouse.org.uk or search for ‘Men’s Walk to Support’!

According to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), an estimated one million taxpayers missed the 31 January deadline for filing their 2024/25 Tax Returns. If you are one of them then the key message is to act as quickly as you can and submit your Tax Return without any further delay.

Read more from Pearson May about the Tax Return deadline on our website

Please contact Pearson May if you would like any assistance with bringing your tax affairs up to date or if there is anything else you would like to discuss.

Call 01225 460491 or visit pearsonmay.co.uk

In Round 8 of the PREM Rugby Cup, Bristol Bears make the short trip down the M4 to spend Valentine’s Day with the Blue, Black and White.

Bath Rugby will run out in front of a sold-out Rec crowd looking to make the most of the home advantage.

Johann van Graan has named his side seeing Scott Kirk, Dan Frost and Kieran Verden remain in the front row, with Frost fresh from his hat-trick of tries last weekend.

Will Jeanes is joined by Ewan Richards in the second row, who makes a welcome return after a spell on the sidelines.

Ethan Staddon, Thompson Cowan and Arthur Green remain in the back row looking to build on last week’s momentum.

Bath’s half-back pairing of Bernard van der Linde and the University of Bath’s Will Roue remain in tandem at 9 and 10.

In the midfield, Will Butt captains from inside centre, joined by Max Ojomoh at 13.

Will Muir, Charlie Griffin and Austin Emens bring their pace and finishing ability to complete the starting XV.

Providing their impact from the bench, Ioan Emanuel, Kepu Tuipulotu and Mikey Summerfield are named as replacement front row.

Jack Bennett and George Timmins complete the forwards, with Ieuan Davies, James Linegar and Chris Harris named as replacement backs.

The game kicks off on Saturday 14 February at 2.30pm.

bathrugby.com

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 3 Receptions

One of a cluster of seven sought after properties on the edge of Combe Hay village Rowley Cottage is an attractive local stone four-bedroom detached house located on the site of a former farm building.

Spanning two floors, the property was constructed in the early 1990s in a style unique to the local area ensuring that it blended seamlessly with its environment in the southern part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. ‘The farm was originally built in the mid-1800s, and although the cottage was constructed from scratch, it has retained a wall that is date-marked 1867’.

With a spacious drive leading to a double garage at the front and set with well-kept gardens to the south facing rear the property benefits from a conservatory overlooking the gardens and the valley beyond. ‘What struck us when we first viewed the property is how deceptive it looks on approach. To our delight, we discovered that, although appearing to be single storey from the front, the house drops a level at the rear, becoming a wonderfully proportioned family home with the most stunning valley views.’

The house is in excellent condition, with recent updates made to the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. The property features a tiered garden, complete with a patio, upper garden, and a lawn that descends to a spacious lower area. ‘The garden offers ample space with minimal maintenance required. It is bordered by part stone walls and fencing, creating a completely enclosed and private retreat that ensures we are not overlooked.’ At the bottom of the garden are a small shed and greenhouse, tucked away for convenience, as well as several hidden garden areas that invite exploration.

To view more images, details and a floor plan, visit the Bath and
Rural Estate Agents website