A specially curated guide to the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath
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An Evening with David Downton at 5* Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
The landmark, 5* The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath, is hosting a special dinner and conversation with one of the world’s most lauded fashion illustrators, David Downton, on 18th May from 7pm – 10:30pm.
David Downton will be in conversation with Connie Gray, fashion curator from Gray MCA, with inside tales from the world of fashion and celebrity!
The evening will start with a champagne canape reception in The Library, followed by an intimate three-course dinner by award-winning head chef, Martin Blake, overlooking the lush Royal Crescent lawns. After dinner, guests will listen to tales of David’s life as an artist, drawing the world’s most famous and beautiful stars.
Tickets cost £155 per person and can be purchased at royalcrescent.co.uk
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EUROVISION | LET'S HOLD THE SHOW RIGHT HERE
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Give that wolf a banana!
Liverpool [ hosting Eurovision for Ukraine ] will be buzzing on Saturday evening, but as always the real ball changing will be going on in homes across the globe, where nearly 200 million viewers will be wondering what the heck they’ve just witnessed.
True to form, and following on from Norwegian group Subwoolfer’s ‘banana’ entry last year, Saturday’s biggest gobsmacker will come from Croatia’s Let 3 who will perform Mama ŠČ! - The group are well known in Croatia for obscene lyrics and outrageously rude/nude live performances - Thankfully for Liverpool, they’ve dialled it down a notch - but be prepared folks - dressed as dictators in glittery underwear their performance of Mama ŠČ (an anti-war song) the vision will stay with you for many a week.
Finland and Sweden have really strong entries with Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä and Loreen singing Tattoo respectively. Loreen who has been keeping Liverpool’s nail bars busy all week, won the contest for Sweden in 2012, so knows how to boss it.
However it would be no surprise if the Spanish entry steals the show, the hauntingly beautiful voice of Blanca Paloma singing EAEA in Spanish with punchy synths and a Flamenco vibe is both dramatic and breathtaking.
Ukraine of course will feature greatly and Tvorchi with Heart of Steel will bag plenty of votes. The song stands out on merit but seriously which country would dare not to give at him least a 7.
The World would love Kyiv to be hosting next year.
UK is represented by Mae Muller. Mae is the final act of the 26 (following them crazy Croatian dictator boyz) with her ear worm entry I Wrote A Song. Quite rightly, Mae will get a huge reception from the UK crowd - The bookies reckon around 80-1 … harsh and not really fair - but does it all matter when ultimately the biggest demonstration of Euro soft power is the UK stepping in to stage the event. Two weekends in a row, we do a good show here. Chill that Lambrusco.
By Dara Foley
Main image: Let 3, the Croatian entry. Image source - Franko Kelam
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OUR MAY ISSUE | OUT NOW |
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You'll love our fabulous 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. We really hope you'll enjoy the read!
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 our current issue!
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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 – see our website.
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WEEKEND RECIPE | SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS
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Words by Melissa Blease
Baked Prawn and Red Pepper Risotto
All too often, we're all too afraid of getting risotto wrong; after all, it has a ritual-laden reputation that can be rather off-putting to the domestic cook. But as is the case with most classic dishes, there's a shortcut to success that doesn't detract from a superb end result – and in this instance, baked risotto is the way forward.
High starch, short grain rice is intrinsic to the creamy texture of the finished dish – no other rice apart from Italian Arborio will do (fortunately it's readily available in most supermarkets). Skimping on the quality of your stock, however, can ruin all your hard work; few of us have fresh stock to hand, but a 'stock pot' concentrate (again, readily available) is an admirably good substitute.
Raw prawns work well in this recipe (they 'poach' in the flavoursome stock), but I recommend large, fat king prawns rather than little tiddlers that will only get lost in the mix. If you're using frozen prawns, allow them to defrost before using.
Ingredients (serves 4)
2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp olive oil 2 shallots, peeled and finely-chopped 1 large red pepper, deseeded and sliced 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely-sliced ½ tsp dried chilli flakes 150g arborio risotto rice 125ml dry white wine 600ml hot fish, chicken or vegetable stock 300g raw king prawns, defrosted if frozen 150g frozen garden peas The zest and juice of 1 lemon
Method
Preheat the oven to 180c/gas mark 4 and put a shallow 1.5l ovenproof dish on the middle shelf to warm up.
Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the shallots and red pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until soft, adding the garlic and dried chilli flakes for the last minute or so. Add the rice and stir well to thoroughly combine all the ingredients before adding the wine and allowing the mixture to bubble briefly until the wine has reduced and the alcohol evaporated.
Transfer the mixture to the oven-warmed dish and cover with the hot stock. Stir well and bake uncovered in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the stock has almost been completely absorbed by the rice, which should be just about al dente at this stage.
Remove the dish from the oven and add the prawns, peas and lemon zest. Season with salt and white pepper, stir well and bake for another 5 minutes until the prawns have turned pink and the peas have heated through.
Allow the risotto to settle for 3-5 minutes before serving in warm bowls.
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CAFÉ SOCIETY | A BATH FAVOURITE
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Pulteney Bridge Coffee
If you're looking for a quintessentially British destination, look no further than Pulteney Bridge Coffee, situated between beautiful Georgian shops on the bridge.
The homemade scones are baked on the premises and are served warm with clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of loose leaf tea. There is the option to have different jam and/or a hot drink if desired. Situated on the World Heritage site of Pulteney Bridge these cosy coffee shops are an ideal spot to pop in, enjoy the freshly baked treats and take in the beautiful view. Cream teas are available to eat in or takeaway.
No booking required Open: 8.30am–5.30pm Monday–Friday | 9am–6pm Saturday | 9.30am–5.30pm Sunday
15-17 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AY
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WEEKEND WINE | IT'S EUROVISION PARTY TIME
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Did someone mention Lambrusco?
Bouze points! Get that party started with these Euro fizzies.
Brut di Pinot Nero Rosé VS (Magnum) – Ruggeri
Cherry red with a hint of salmon pink. The nose is fresh, fragrant and inviting, offering light red fruit aromas and hints of biscuity yeast. Finely textured with a consistent mousse. This wine is medium bodied and dry, but possesses a ripe cranberry fruit intensity that balances the bubbles and the crisp finish beautifully. Magnum at £34.22
Sassomoro Lambrusco di Modena – Castelvetro
Intense purple, with shocking pink foam. Morello cherries, elderberries, blackberries, gentle tannin and a little prickle from the bubbles. £13.95
Prosecco Extra Dry – Fiabesco
A lively crisp sparkling wine with a delicate lemony character and an aromatic, dry, refreshing finish. Lovely, light, fresh pear drop fruit with plenty of acidity; a great aperitif to get your party going with a touch of style. £12.20
NV Sparkling Love by Léoube Organic Rosé, Chateau – Château Leoube
In a bottle adorned with love hearts this fizz could not be more camp. Showing beautiful red fruit aromas of pomegranate, red berries, and grapefruit, it’s a great sparkler and perfect for all celebrations. £27.50
Asti DOCG – Fontanafredda
An aromatic medium sweet sparkling wine with notes of musk, sage and honey on the nose and a taste of just-picked grapes. £13.95
Vintage Brut Gran Reserva Cava - Pere Ventura This is a signature cava, which unites the body and structure of the Xarel·lo with the floral and fruity qualities of the Chardonnay. The result is a fine, harmonious and subtle cava, whose expressive aromas, creamy touch, and exquisite character are seductive… ooo-er! £37.50
Click the button below to see a fabulous selection of sparkling wines from Europe and across the globe at The Great Wine Company. greatwine.co.uk
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Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?
Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!
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CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES | BOUTIQUE OPENING
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DiGuardo Boutique opening
DiGuardo Boutique is an independent store selling clothing and accessories carefully curated from a handpicked selection of independent designers. They carry small collections with a unique sense of style.
DiGuardo boutique will be opening on 19th May until 10th June again at 21/22 Milsom Place, with beautiful summer collections and some great events.
Open Monday to Saturday 10-5pm and also by appointments if you can’t come during the opening time.
Click here to see more at diguardoboutique.com email: ldiguardo@gmail.com phone: 0797 114 8355 instagram and facebook: diguardoboutique
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CHANEL LE VERNIS |
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This spring, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio has proven that it has creativity at its fingertips, by revisiting the LE VERNIS line and designing a rich collection of 24 shades. CHANEL is introducing 17 new nail polish hues to match every mood and emotion this season while maintaining 7 emblematic shades.
Colour is envisioned as a language, to reflect a style, like the detail that makes all the difference. CHANEL explored its colour vocabulary to form this new palette. The 24 shade range features vibrant to mysterious shades, giving every personality and every creative spirit a voice.
With a wider brush for easier & faster application covering the entirety of the nail for neat contours in a single passage, this nail polish accomplishes lacquered shine, intense colour and longwear results.
Go to chanel.com to shop
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Isle of Eden |
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Whistles' second drop with New Zealand-based eyewear brand, Isle of Eden is now available online.
Designed in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Isle of Eden's designs balance form and function, pairing a bold yet minimalistic aesthetic with high-quality materials and wearable elements. Carefully crafted from responsible materials - including plant-based bio-acetate for frames and recycled cases- the glasses are designed to be styled and cherished for years to come. | £115
Click here to shop at whistles.com
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FASHION | POP OF COLOUR FROM SQUARE
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Essentiel Antwerp Daskur Dress - £220 |
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Essentiel Antwerp is all about refreshing, luxurious fashion with its bold prints and vibrant colours. Playful, graphic and floral prints rejuvenate women’s wardrobes with clothes that are always on trend, effortlessly wearable and above all original. The brand is Belgian based, founded by husband-and-wife team, Inge Onsea and Esfan Eghtessad who launched the brand’s first collection from their apartment in Antwerp with just 4 styles of t-shirt in a range of bold colours.
Go to squarebath.uk to purchase
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE | THE ROLEX DATEJUST 31
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More than a pretty face
Since its creation in 1945, the Datejust has continued to reinvent itself while symbolising Rolex’s definition of classic elegance.
A milestone in watchmaking history, it was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to feature a window displaying the date.
Magnified by Rolex’s iconic Cyclops lens the date is always in perfect view.
This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in Oystersteel and white gold is a recent addition and features the most beautiful azzurro-blue floral-motif face. It comprises of three different finishes – sunray, matt and grained - using high-tech finishing techniques and a shining example of refined dial-making expertise. The dial is enhanced by 24 diamonds of varying sizes, 18 ct gold settings which illuminate the centre of each flower.
At its heart, the perpetual, self-winding movement is powered by the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 2236 giving a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. It is waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet. Above all this attains the highest specification as a Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing). | £8,650, limited availability
Find out more by visiting Bath’s official Rolex retailer Mallory mallory-jewellers.com
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MAGAZINE KIOSK | MAGALLERIA
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Curated by Daniel McCabe
New York-based biannual Homme Girls is one of our favourite fashion indies and one we’ve watched go from strength to strength. Originally a quirky take on women dressing as men, it’s much expanded in size and travelled slightly towards the middle ground but remains one of the most refreshing magazines you can buy in this market. Issue 9 touts an outstanding set of cover stars including Paloma Elsesser, Kiko Mizuhara and Alek Wek, but we just know the covers featuring Kylie Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski are the ones that will fly. | £10
store.magalleria.co.uk
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Bath Valuation Day |
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If you would like to receive a free, no obligation expert valuation, please bring your items along between 10:30am-6pm
Sell your Fine Jewellery, Watches, Designer Handbags and Fashion - Zero Fees for selling
Bath Scouts, 7 Grove Street, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 6PJ | Tuesday 16 May
0207 096 8933 | valuations@elmwoods.co.uk elmwoods.co.uk
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EVENT | NEWBRIDGE ARTS TRAIL 2023
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Discover something new this May
Over the weekend of 20 and 21 May, 29 artists in the Newbridge area of Bath will open their doors to the public. Now celebrating its twelfth year, the Newbridge Arts Trail is an established annual event, bringing together professional and non-professional artists and makers with students, schools, business sponsors and the local or wider community.
For visitors, the trail provides an opportunity to meet artists, talk about their work and processes and see how much original art is created in our area. Visitors may even be inspired to start or resume a creative activity themselves. Artists can showcase current work and gain feedback on new directions they’re taking.
There’s an impressive array of original art to be seen, from painting and printmaking to photography; from jewellery to ceramics and sculpture. Much of the work is offered for sale at affordable prices.
Full details can be found online at newbridgeartstrail.org, with a list of venues, artist profiles and examples of their work. A printed trail guide, with map showing all locations, will be available from local shops, businesses and Bath Library.
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 May, 10.30am – 5.00pm
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EVENT | SULIS HOSPITAL BATH
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Protecting your skin and understanding the signs and symptoms of skin cancer
Staying safe in the sun is the most effective way to protect against skin cancer. A leading expert at Sulis Hospital explains how to stay safe whilst enjoying the sunshine. He will explain skin cancer in detail and talk through the three major types of skin cancer explaining how to detect suspicious changes early.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr Dominic Ayers is a skin cancer and skin lesion specialist at Sulis Hospital. He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and provides comprehensive treatments.
Come to Sulis Hospital Bath 6:15 pm for a pre-event drink.
Sulis Hospital Bath, Bath Business Park, Bath BA2 8SQ | Tuesday 6th June 2023 | 18:30 - 20:00
Go to sulishospital.com for more information
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The rise of the child friendly “Netwalk” - Award winning networking group Freelance Mum launches new hub in Bath today
Freelance Mum is launching a brand-new hub in Bath. The hub which is more than just a networking group will be run by two local business leaders and mums, Lucie Gray, a branding focused graphic designer, luciegray.co.uk and Jody Sparey who is a freelance product compliance manager, both based in Bath.
The group will meet once a month on a Friday to ‘netwalk’ from Newton St Loe Farm Shop, near Bath, for fresh air and focus questions and to enable mums in business to network and (crucially) bring their children. Not only does Freelance Mum offer networking, but the connections made offer invaluable support to many women who juggle running their own business and parenting. The also group offers an active online community of support and cheerleaders for women in business, with weekly online coffee mornings and member led sessions where all hub members across the country can come together and connect.
For more information, visit freelancemum.co.uk
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A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY | CREAM CORNWALL
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Cream Cornwall's window display for the Bath Festival
Walking by the lovely Cream Cornwall shop in Bath, one can't help but notice their beautifully curated window display set up for the upcoming Bath Festival
Interested in what Cream Cornwall has to offer? Here are two stunning pieces to spruce up any home:
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Cerulean Mini Crab Lampshade |
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Illuminate your space with the coastal charm of our mini crab lampshade. This unique lampshade boasts a gorgeous crab print, reminiscent of traditional block printing, and a stunning cerulean blue colour painted in a watercolour style. Coordinate this lampshade with other items in our Fistral range to create a complete coastal look in your home.
Click here to purchase at creamcornwall.co.uk
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Faux Mini Flower Blossom Spray |
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This mini blossom is so gorgeous. Shades of pink, peach and white make this blossom look so realistic. It looks beautiful with just a couple of stems in a vase or mix it with some other blooms for a gorgeous arrangement.
The stems can be turned up or cut to fit your container and you can even mix it in with real blooms as the water will not damage the stem.
Click here to purchase at creamcornwall.co.uk
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PROPERTY | AN ELEVATED DREAM HOME
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Bailbrook Lane, Bath, BA1
Offered for sale by Hamptons estate agents in Bath
Dating from 2009, this impressive detached family home has been updated since its original build and the finish now includes high quality bathroom and kitchen fittings. The split-level accommodation takes full advantage of the gently sloping plot that provides elevated views to the south.
A spacious entrance hall with stairs to the first floor has an engineered oak floor that continues into the main reception rooms. A triple aspect drawing room is entered via double doors from the hall with French doors to the rear terrace, there’s a central stone fireplace with a gas fired log burner.
The dining room has a second staircase to the upper floor and a short flight of stairs down to a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room, just off the dining room is a rear facing study.
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The kitchen/breakfast room has a tiled floor and under stairs storage. Glazed doors open to the spacious rear terracing. The Kitchen is very well fitted with contemporary gloss black cabinets and an island, and a superb range of integrated appliances.
The fabulous, triple aspect family room is located on the first floor half landing with tiled floor and French doors to the garden. This makes a versatile additional reception space. This wing also comprises of the main bedroom suite with plenty of storage and southerly views. A refitted and luxurious, marble tiled en-suite shower room with twin sinks. and W.C. The other four bedrooms include two with luxury en-suite shower rooms and there’s a family bathroom.
Outside being situated on an elevated and thoughtfully landscaped plot, this wonderful position offers far-reaching views through the trees along the Avon valley. With a number of paved terraces, paths and steps lead up the gently terraced lawns to raised seating areas. With a selection of shrubs and mature foliage and fenced surrounds, the gated drive provides parking for a number of vehicles to the front of a double garage. Guide price £1,850,000
For all the images and details click here to see the property on the Hamptons' website
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