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A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath
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NEWS FROM THE CITY | CENSUS 2021
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| A snapshot of modern society |
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Households across Bath and North East Somerset will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021. The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941, and is run by the Office for National Statistics.
This year is the first census run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.
Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at Office for National Statistics, said: “A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed.
“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”
Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.
Councillor Dine Romero, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “The census is of vital importance in helping to build up a picture of Bath and North East Somerset and collects some fascinating data about the way we live and work. It informs us how best to shape council services for our residents, so please do fill in the census questionnaire for your household once you receive a letter containing your online code in March.”
The census will include questions about sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. For the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.
census.gov.uk
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WEEKEND WINE | LA VIE EN ROSÉ
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If you want to take your rosé palate from Kylie or Whispering Angel to new heights then here’s some lovely French bottles to taste.
Porte Noire Rosé
Following an impressive list of celebs doing rosé, this is possibly one of the more notable bottles of rosé. Launched by actor and musician Idris Elba last year, the Porte Noire Rosé is from Château Sainte Marguerite and was awarded Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020. This delicate wine has a delightfully floral nose, with heady passion fruit. It has a strong backbone of acidity, supporting a palate of peach and orange peel. £29.50.
Pretty Gorgeous Rosé
A pretty, dainty rosé, ideal during the warmer months. Intense lychee and strawberry notes are greeted with hints of violet and good acidity. £8.85.
Rosé Brut Veuve Ambal
Sparkling pink rosé from Provence, brimming with strawberry, raspberry and a little cherry, with a touch of spice in the nostrils. £14.75.
Rosé Les Mougeottes
This wine displays a pale Provencal pink hue with raspberry and strawberry notes on the nose hinting at a light touch of blossom. This is an elegant rosé with refreshing acidity. £10.95.
Love by Léoube Organic Rosé
From the excellent Château Leoube, this quintessential, dry and elegant Provence rosé has a vibrant acidity and a lovely finish, this is a wine to come back to again and again. £39.50 France
Visit the online cellars of the Great Wine Co to find out more: Click here
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TV REFLECTIONS | THE SOUNDS OF BRIDGERTON
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By Emma Clegg
The Netflix period drama Bridgerton, much of which was filmed in Bath, has taken us by storm in lockdown, allowing us to location spot from scene to scene. The series – based on the books of Julia Quinn, produced by Shonda Rhimes and written by Chris Van Dusen – has given us Georgian romance and intrigue in abundance, with more sexually explicit content than is traditional in the genre. It also brings diversity with a number of black actors cast in leading roles, which feels refreshingly modern as well as true to the era, which was ethnically diverse, a fact not represented in Austen’s books and most often overlooked by Georgian dramas.
Another element that has given fresh energy to Bridgerton is the choice of popular contemporary music over pieces in the style of the period, with reworked instrumental versions of songs by award-winning artists such as Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and Billie Eilish. The words are absent, but as contemporary anthems the melodies and their lyrics are firmly embedded in the memory of the audience, and they resonate effectively with the universal themes of love and marriage played out in the drama.
Vitamin String Quartet, an ensemble formed in the late 90s who specialise in classical covers, have provided the bulk of the classical versions of these songs, and amazingly they have reported a 350% increase in the number of people streaming their work since the show was released.
Another mesmeric song, The End, by relatively unknown singer JPOLND – played in its original form during a controversial sex scene with Daphne and Simon in Episode 5 – has proved a massive hit on Spotify, despite not being included on Netflix’s official Bridgerton playlist.
Bridgerton was conceived as a period drama with a difference, one that would break down barriers and register with a modern audience. This has been firmly endorsed with its use of modern music, both original, and reinvented.
The main clip above shows the Vitamin String Quartet's cover of Bille Eilish's 2019 Grammy winner Bad Guy, played in episode 3. The 'bad guy' is Simon as he pretends to get jealous about other men asking Daphne to dance.
Want more?
Click here to read more about the drama's use of music in our feature, The Sounds of Bridgerton. And check out the Spotify playlist here (load images in browser to see player).
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OBJECTS OF INTEREST | LOVE IS...
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NEWS FROM THE CITY | SUPPORT GRANTS
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| Support grants now available for businesses impacted by third lockdown |
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More than 1600 businesses across Bath and North East Somerset that received Government support grants during November’s national lockdown are being invited to renew their applications and claim thousands of pounds in in additional support.
Hundreds of local businesses have been forced to close as a result of the current national lockdown and Bath & North East Somerset Council has emailed all those that previously received a Local Restrictions Support Grant to let them know them know that they can now apply for more financial support.
Those who received discretionary grants in the last lockdown are also being invited to renew their applications.
Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Resources, said: “It’s really important that we help businesses weather this third lockdown by processing applications for financial support quickly. If the information you are providing hasn’t changed, simply renewing your application rather than submitting a new one will help us speed up the process of getting your grant to you. If you have not applied for a grant before and you think you may be eligible, please apply as soon as possible. If you would like some help and advice with your application, then contact Our Invest in Bath team.”
Businesses should only make a new application if they have not previously applied for the grant. New applications can be made online at: Beta.bathnes.gov.uk
The LRSG Addendum payment is designed to support businesses which were open as usual and providing services to customers in person from their premises, but then required to close as a result of the lockdown imposed on 5 January.
The grant is for businesses in the following sectors that pay business rates on their premQualifying businesses will receive an LRSG(C)A payment together with a Closed Business Lockdown Payment for each property liable for business rates from the period 5 January 2021 to 15 February 2021:
Discretionary grants are also available for businesses that are open but have been severely impacted by the restrictions. Businesses that are mandated to close but are not registered for Business Rates may also be eligible.
For more information on these grants and eligibility criteria, visit the Government webpage gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Visit investinbath.co.uk to find out about the range of support and advice available to local businesses.
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HEALTHY EATS | CROWNED WITH AN EGG
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| Recipe by Melissa Blease |
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| Bipimbab |
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Fun to say, easy to make and absolutely delicious to eat, Bipimbap – a Korean rice dish packed with all manner of tastebud-tantalising goodies – is guaranteed to shake your senses out of a deep midwinter slump. It's even supposed help the body excrete and burn unwanted fats.
This recipe uses chicken, but thinly sliced frying steak or cubes of drained, firm tofu work equally well. Gochujang, Sriracha and white miso paste are readily available in supermarkets, and the pickles are an optional flourish but, as they're really quick and easy to make too, they're highly recommended. As for the addition of the fried egg on each portion: the rich, creamy yolks add a super-sensual layer of luxury to the whole affair, while the smooth white adds yet more texture – mashisoyo indeed!
Ingredients (serves 2)
200g skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil (plus extra, to serve)
130g rice
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 thumb-size chunk of root ginger, peeled and grated
50g spinach
2 tbsp Gochujang or 4 tsp Sriracha (or to taste)
1 tbsp white miso paste
2 large eggs
Sesame oil, for marinading and serving
Vegetable oil, for stir-frying
For the pickled vegetables:
½ a cucumber, peeled, deseeded and cut into matchsticks
1 large shallot, peeled and finely sliced
3 tbsp rice or white vinegar
1 tbsp caster sugar
½ tbsp grated ginger
½ tsp salt
Sprinkle of dried chilli flakes (optional)
Method
1. For the pickled vegetables: stir the sugar into the vinegar until dissolved. Add the ginger, salt and chilli flakes (if using) and stir again. Add the sliced vegetables and mix well. Leave to stand, stirring occasionally, while you make the Bipimbap.
2. As you're making up the rest of the recipe, cook the rice according the instructions on the packet.
3. Put the chicken in a bowl with the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir well and put to one side.
4. Heat around 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan or wok and stir-fry the carrot sticks over a high heat for around 2 minutes. Add the spinach and continue to cook until the leaves start to wilt (around 1 minute.) Remove the vegetables from the pan and set to one side.
5. Add a bit more oil to the pan if necessary, and stir-fry the chicken at a high temperature until browned all over (around 5 minutes). Add the Gochujang or Sriracha and the miso paste and stir-fry for a further 3 minutes. Meanwhile, fry two eggs until the yolks are just set.
6. Divide the cooked rice between two deep, warmed bowls. Pile the chicken mixture on one side of the rice and the carrot/spinach mixture on the other, and top each bowl with a fried egg. Drizzle the eggs with a splash of soy sauce, a couple of extra dollops of Gochujang or Sriracha, a few drops of sesame oil and a sprinkling of chilli flakes and serve straight away, adding the pickled vegetables to taste as you're tucking in.
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ON THE BOX | AN EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY
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Directed by Simon Stone and based on the 2007 novel of the same name by John Preston, The Dig details one of Britain’s most notorious archaeological digs and reimagines the events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.
Starring Hollywood legends Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes and Monica Dolan, this is not one to miss.
Watch it on Netflix now
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RICHARD WYATT DEBATES | THE MEDICAL MUSEUM
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| Medical history on Bargain Hunt |
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A long and illustrious history as a hospital came to an end when – after medical facilities were transferred to a new unit at the RUH – the Min was sold to become an hotel. That's if the developers can get planning permission, of course.
But the sale left one user of the Grade II Mineral Water Hospital in search of a new home. The contents of Bath's Medical Museum have had to be put in storage, apart from a few items that are on display at a doctor's surgery in Great Pulteney Street. With ambitious plans for the future, the charity is currently working on a major funding application as without financial support the future of the museum will be in serious doubt.
However, in the meantime, Stephen Dunning, the museum's manager and director, has told me that last year he was interviewed on behalf of Bath Medical Museum for a feature on Bargain Hunt, which was filmed at Bath Racecourse.
"In the interview, I discussed some aspects of medical history, including bloodletting, autopsies, and the history of the Min, and showcased a few of the objects from our collections", Stephen explained.
The episode will be aired on BBC1 at 12.15pm on Friday 5 February and will be available afterward on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Bargain Hunt website.
bathmedicalmuseum.org
Images show The Mineral Water Hospital and a sedan chair, which is part of the collection that was at the Mineral Water Hospital, and is now in a GP surgery in Great Pulteney Street.
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MUSEUM NEWS | SO LONG, FAREWELL RICHARD
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The Chairman of the American Museum & Gardens, Gareth Thomas, has announced that Richard Wendorf intends to retire as Director of the Museum at the end of 2021.
Gareth Thomas pointed out that "December will mark 12 years of Richard's leadership at Claverton Manor and the completion of a number of major developments, including the relaunch and renaming of the museum two and a half years ago. Most recently he has spearheaded the renovation of the Mount Vernon Garden and the creation of the New American Garden and the Children's Garden. He is currently building a new leadership team for the museum. In 2011 he led the museum through its 50th-anniversary year with three exhibitions, three publications, and the opening of the renovated Coach House, Stables, and Folk Art Gallery. He has written Director's Choice for the Museum, as well as an exhibition catalogue for the Angela Conner show. He has recruited eight new trustees for the museum, and he has initiated a unique series of video documentaries of every exhibition we have mounted since 2011. And, of course, he continues to lead the museum through the pandemic and into its aftermath."
The President of the Halcyon Foundation in New York, Linda Hackett Munson, has said that "Richard has been a spectacular director in every way. With incredible energy and commitment he has fulfilled more than the wildest dreams of my Uncle Dallas Pratt and his friend John Judkyn: to strengthen British and American ties through beautifully curated collections in the Manor House and now the grounds. Although we will miss his elegant presence, we are happy to know he is not leaving the Bath area, and know that he will still be part of the museum as he pursues his many varied interests in the coming years."
In the wider community, Richard has served as a trustee of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, as a Visiting Professor at Bath Spa University, as a Visiting Fellow at Exeter College, Oxford, and as an active committee member of the Athenaeum in London. Throughout his tenure he has continued to keep his work as a scholar active, most notably with the publication later this year by Oxford University Press of Printing History and Cultural Change: Fashioning the Modern English Text in Eighteenth-Century Britain, marking the culmination of over 25 years of research and writing. Richard also published a memoir, Growing Up Bookish, in 2017.
The process of searching for Richard's successor will begin soon.
americanmuseum.org
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PREPARE FOUR | IT'S TOFU IN LOCKDOWN
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| Recipes by Melissa Blease |
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Sweet and Sour Tofu
Serves 4, vegan
Cut 1 x 280/300g block of drained, firm tofu into bite-sized cubes and toss each cube in cornflour, taking care to coat each cube thoroughly. Add a generous amount of vegetable oil to a frying pan or wok (for best results, the oil needs to be around 1cm deep) and fry the tofu cubes over a medium heat until golden brown all over. Remove the cubes with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Turn the pan heat up, add a drizzle more oil if necessary and stir-fry 2 large deseeded, chopped peppers (a mixture of red and green peppers works well) with one large, peeled, chopped onion for around 2–3 minutes. Add a generous handful of pineapple chunks and stir-fry for a further minute or so before adding 2 tbsp ketchup, 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce and 2 tbsp white wine vinegar to the pan. Stir well, introduce the fried tofu cubes back to the pan and heat through thoroughly before serving on a bed of rice, scattered with sliced spring onions.
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Scrambled Tofu Brunch Muffins
Serves 1, vegetarian
Crumble 100g of drained, firm tofu into a bowl. Add ½ tsp ground turmeric, mix well and allow to marinate for 20 minutes. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan or wok, add the tofu and sauté over a medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring regularly. Season well and allow to cool slightly before adding 1–2 tbsp natural yogurt (or vegan alternative). Mash ½ large, ripe avocado with a squirt of lemon juice and a sprinkling of chilli flakes (optional). Spread the avocado on the base of a toasted English muffin and top with the tofu scramble, a splash of Tabasco Sauce (optional), a handful of watercress leaves (optional) and the top of the muffin.
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Tofu Burgers
Serves 2, vegan
Preheat oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4. Carefully slice 1 x 280/300g block of drained, firm tofu into 2 slabs. Using a fork, gently pierce the slabs on each side and place them on a shallow platter. Whisk 100ml soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sauce and 1 tbsp tomato purée together in a small bowl and pour the mixture over the tofu slabs and allow to marinade in the fridge for at least 1 hour. When you're ready to cook your burgers, heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the tofu slabs on one side for 3 minutes. Turn over and fry for a further 3 minutes before brushing with Dijon mustard, turning and frying for a further minute. Serve in lightly toasted burger buns topped with vegan mayonnaise, sliced tomato, fried onions, ketchup and mustard.
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Satay Tofu
Serves 4, vegan
Slice 2 x 280/300g blocks of drained, firm tofu into strips around 2cm in diameter and place in a deep bowl. Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp grated ginger and 1 sliced red chilli (deseeded if you can't take the heat) with ½ a 400g can of coconut milk (reduced fat is fine) and pour the marinade over the tofu. Allow to marinate while you mix 1 heaped tbsp peanut butter, another heaped tsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp soy sauce and the remainder of the can of coconut milk together in a small saucepan and heat gently, stirring occasionally and adding more peanut butter if necessary to create a thick sauce. In a large frying pan over a medium heat, fry the tofu in a little vegetable oil for 2–3 minutes on each side until crisp and golden. Serve the tofu on a bed of boiled rice topped with the warm satay sauce, a sprinkling of coriander and a handful of crushed roasted peanuts.
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FASHION FIX | BACK IN STOCK
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| Whistles' Dogstooth Funnel Neck Coat |
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Crafted from only the most luxurious fabrics, each piece in this collection is made to a strictly limited run, so exclusivity is guaranteed.
This coat is made from wool-tweed woven with classic houndstooth checks in shades of beige and white. It has a high-collar wrap detail and will elevate everything from jeans to leather trousers.
£349; whistles.com
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BATH ARCHIVE | POSTCARD FROM THE PAST
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By Andrew Swift
Old photographs and postcards not only open an evocative window into the past; they can also remind us how very different familiar scenes once looked. Take this postcard showing a horse-drawn barge heading up through the locks at Widcombe around 1905. Lower Lock, in the foreground, is still there today, as is Thimble Mill, on the left, along with the row of houses beyond it and the bridge in the distance. The rest of the scene, though, has been transformed almost beyond recognition. Waterloo Buildings, on the right, with washing hung out to dry, were bulldozed in 1969 to make way for Rossiter Road, which now sweeps across the canal just where the lock in the distance stood. This was Chapel Lock, named after Ebenezer Chapel – now Widcombe Baptist Church – to the right of it. As Chapel Lock also had to be demolished to make way for Rossiter Road, Bridge Lock – which stood, as its name suggests, just beyond the next bridge – had to be rebuilt to do the job that two locks had previously done, raising or lowering boats 5.92 metres, making it the second deepest lock on the English canal network.
akemanpress.com
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THE KIOSK | MAGAZINE MOMENTS
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Curated by Daniel McCabe – Magalleria
MacGuffin is a unique Dutch magazine exploring the life of an ordinary, everyday object in each issue. They’ve examined the bed, the table, the sink, the ball and even trousers. Their ninth volume is dedicated to ‘The Rug’ and invites us to enter ‘a bazaar packed to the rafters with carpet jungles, carpet beaters, carpet traders, war rugs, hairy rugs, prayer rugs, magic carpets, airport carpets, travelling carpets, doormats, tatami mats, coconut mats – even floor coverings made of brick, concrete and peanut butter. MacGuffin is regularly voted independent magazine of the year, and this release would appear another winner.
£18; magalleria.co.uk
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GREAT READS | FROM THE ARCHIVES
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During lockdown and wishing to abide by the guidelines, we have temporarily suspended our print editions. In view of the increased risks, we feel that it is not appropriate to deliver magazines door-to-door. We hope to resume publishing soon.
In the meantime, if you fancy catching up on some great reads that you may have missed, there's an often overlooked link on our website, which will take you to a wondrous digital bookshelf of The Bath Magazine's back issues. Explore and enjoy. It'll help keep you off Netflix.
Delve into the bookshelf here
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ON THE BOOKSHELF | TALES OF SELF-DISCOVERY
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| Review by Saskia Hayward, Topping & Co. |
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| The Lost Pianos of Siberia |
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The Lost Pianos of Siberia is the stunning debut from journalist and writer Sophy Roberts. It is an elegy to the last two centuries of Russian history, a story anchored by pianos, created during the 19th century boom, that scatter the vast and enigmatic landscape.
Following the 1917 revolution, beautifully crafted pianos were sent east, distributed across the remote reaches of Siberia. In 2015, Roberts found herself in Mongolia, in conversation with a talented pianist from the Lake Baikal region in Russia who lacked a piano to play. Thus began her search, not only to unite her friend with an instrument, but to unlock the talismanic image of these isolated pianos, to trace the stories that brought them here. It is an entry point that unearths a history of the region, of the people that remain, and of the remarkable power of music. Interspersed with photographs taken from her journey, it is a story as evocative and expansive as the landscape itself.
£18.99, Doubleday, publishing 6 February; toppingbooks.co.uk
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| Review by Matthew Leigh, Topping & Co. |
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| Luster |
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Luster, the debut novel from 30-year-old American author Raven Leilani, is a taut and witty tale detailing the ever messier interior life of a young black woman living in New York. Trapped in an unsatisfying job in an all-white office, she searches for fulfilment in a lengthy series of sexual encounters with the wrong men. Then Eric arrives into her life. A white, middle-aged married archivist, Eric somehow becomes the first engaging relationship that Edie has experienced for a long time – at least before she accidentally meets his wife, Rebecca.
This is a charming, intelligent novel that is often beautiful in its self reflection. Tonally similar to Sally Rooney's Normal People, but with a dryer wit and a completely different focus, Luster is one of the most impressive debuts for years, and seems destined to become wildly, and deservingly, popular.
£14.99, Picador; toppingbooks.co.uk
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This season, Loaf are adding 12 new tootsie-pleasing rugs to their collection. As well as biggies such as the flat-weave Loom and Berber-style rugs such as Riad, Wilder and Casbah for the living room, they’ve even designed a handful of nifty smaller size rug bedside beauties, but with all the squish – just curl those toes last thing at night and first thing in the morning… Who needs slippers? With new colours and many sizes available, find a perfect fit from just £145.
The 12 new designs are landing on Thursday 4 February over at loaf.com
Shown above: the Loaf Riad and Loaf Loom
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LOOK OUT FOR | VIRTUAL OPEN DAYS
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King Edward's School hosts virtual open morning
On 6 February, King Edward's School is hosting a virtual open morning for Pre-Prep and Nursery and the Junior School.
The event will consist of pre-allocated Microsoft Teams meetings, which will be offered to prospective parents at a specified time, conducted by a member of the experienced team.
Parents will have the opportunity to hear about the School and to ask questions. Should you have any questions prior to registering, contact the Admissions Team.
kesbath.com
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The College of Naturopathic Medicine's Health Coach Online Open Evening
Find out why the CNM online or in person Health Coach course is right for you in this free webinar. Learn about the course and have a personal consultation with the course consultant. The evening will offer an insight into the unique experience that the Health Coach Course offers you, and answer any questions you may have about studying with CNM.
9 February; 6.30pm–7.30pm; book your tickets here: eventbrite.co.uk
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| Bath Rugby take on Bristol Bears |
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Bath Rugby travel to Ashton Gate this evening looking to bring an end to table topping Bristol Bears' rich vein of form (kick-off 19:45, live on BT Sport 1).
Bath are make seven changes to the starting XV for this highly anticipated West Country derby.
The forward pack are altered for the match with Charlie Ewels, Will Stuart and Beno Obano missing as they begin their preparations for England's Guinness Six Nations campaign as they face Scotland next week.
Juan Schoeman and Christian Judge come into the front row and sit either side of Tom Dunn, with Josh McNally takings over captaincy in Ewels' absence and is partnered by Elliott Stooke in the second row.
Josh Bayliss replaces Taulupe Faletau at blindside, Miles Reid comes in for Sam Underhill, and Zach Mercer keeps his place at No. 8.
Josh Matavesi returns to the starting line-up in midfield to partner Jonathan Joseph and the smiling Fijian comes in for Cameron Redpath, who has spent the week with Scotland following his first call-up in preparation for the Guinness Six Nations.
Gabriel Hamer-Webb is the only other change coming onto the wide channel with Ruaridh McConnochie.
Bath's starting line up is: 15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Ruaridh McConnochie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Josh McNally (C), 5. Elliott Stooke, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Miles Reid, 8. Zach Mercer
Bristol Bears solitary defeat in their last seven encounters was 38-51 at home to Clermont in Round 1 of the European Champions Cup. Bristol have lost only once at Ashton Gate in Gallagher Premiership Rugby since December 2019: 22-25 to Exeter Chiefs in August.
Bath Rugby's most recent victory (excluding the win over London Irish) was 33-17 at Worcester in Gallagher Premiership Rugby on 5 December. Bath have not been victorious at the Rec in the competition since beating Gloucester there in Round 21 last season.
Bristol's only defeat in their last five fixtures against Bath was 19-26 in "The Clash" at Twickenham in April 2019. Bath's only previous victory at Ashton Gate in Premiership Rugby was in March 2008.
bathrugby.com Watch BT Sport
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PROPERTY OF THE WEEK | AN APARTMENT AT THE TOP
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Situated in the heart of Bath, moments away from its famous architectural sites including The Circus and the Royal Crescent and with great views across the city’s rooftops to the south and overlooking the Assembly Rooms and Lower Lansdown to the north. This fully refurbished 2-bedroom apartment occupies the top floor in a Georgian townhouse and comprises of: a spacious sitting/dining room with original feature fireplace, bespoke fitted kitchen, master bedroom with fitted storage, a second double bedroom and luxury bathroom. With a fashionable city centre location and well proportioned accommodation, viewing is highly recommended. On the market at £385,000.
Click here or contact The Apartment Company for further details.
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GARDENS | TIME FOR THE SNOWDROP
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The milky snowdrop may not be from these parts, but it’s earned squatters’ rights, says garden designer Elly West
Galanthus nivalis, the Latin name for the common snowdrop, is from the Greek ‘gala’ meaning milk, and ‘anthos’ meaning flower, while nivalis means ‘growing near snow’. There are hundreds of cultivated varieties including giant, double and rare yellow flowers. Although they are typically white, with nodding heads marked with green on the inside, small variations in the position, size and shape of these markings can lead so-called galanthophiles to pay £50 per bulb or more for the rare varieties. After a quick Google search, I found the most expensive snowdrop was apparently sold on eBay in 2015 for £1,390 (plus £4 postage). It was a bulb of Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Fleece’, and while it does look pretty, I’m sure there are better deals to be had...Although snowdrops aren’t strictly native to the UK, having hopped across from Europe – originating from the Pyrenees eastwards – they are so thoroughly naturalised I think they can claim squatters’ rights. When you see their colonies en masse in wild-looking habitats such as moist woodlands, or on the banks of a stream, where they’ve merrily spread in their thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, it’s hard not to believe they are native wild flowers. On a sunny day, the effect can be uplifting and remarkable – and they release their fragrance in the sunshine. Winter would not be the same without snowdrops, and it’s hard not to let your heart be lightened by the sight of them as they take centre stage on a cold and gloomy day.
Many of us know and love the snowdrop – elegant in its simplicity, and made extra special because of the time of year when it’s in bloom. There’s something wonderful about such a delicate flower pushing its way through frozen earth, braving the cold: Brutal as the stars of this month / Her pale head heavy as metal (in the words of TedHughes). Usually seen in drifts, whether in gardens or in woodland, by streams or road sides, they can be put in the ground and then forgotten about – their appearance always a welcome surprise and a sign that spring is on its way. As a garden designer, I usually like to position plants, particularly bulbs and perennials, in drifts rather than singly,echoing the same plants or colours around the garden and when we think about snowdrops, it’s that carpet of white that we imagine, weaving its way through bare-stemmed shrubs and under trees. Even a small space can accommodate a goodsized gathering of these low-maintenance bulbs, guaranteed to brighten a winter day.
Snowdrops are easy to grow, either from dry bulbs or ‘in the green’. The latter tends to have a better survival rate, planted when the leaves start to die back and they have finished flowering. However, I’ve had success growing them from bulbs too. Because the bulbs are so small, they do dry out quickly, so buy them as soon as they’re available and plant them straight away. Try to dig a hole that’s deeper than you might expect – aim for 10-15cm. Choose a partly shaded site and incorporate leaf-mould or compost into the soil when you plant them, making sure not to let the soil get too dry over the summer.
Being under deciduous trees or shrubs suits them well, as they’ll be in sunshine when they emerge, but kept in cooler shelter when they lie dormant. The great thing is, once planted, you can leave them alone – overcrowding doesn’t bother them, and they’ll just keep spreading, by seed and by the bulbs multiplying below ground. And if you do end up with too many, it’s easy to lift a clump and replant them in another part of the garden, or pass them on to a friend. Everyone has room for some snowdrops!
During lockdown we urge readers to try and find local places to spot and enjoy Snowdrops and not travel beyond the government guidelines.
Garden Designer Elly West can be contacted on: ellyswellies.co.uk
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