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NOVEMBER ISSUE  |  GREAT WRITING, GREAT READING

MIDWEEK RECIPE  | WINTER LOCKDOWN COMFORT

Scrumping or collecting windfall apples? Some might be a little beaten and bruised on the outside, but chop off the bits you don’t like the look of and you’ll end up with a great way to make good use of the last of the autumn apples with this soul pleasuring recipe. Delicious with a cup of tea or served warm as a comforting and yummy, old-fashioned pudding with custard. 

And during lockdown what could be seriously wrong with having a slice for breakfast?

Ingredients (makes one large cake, serves 6-8)

450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped into rough 1cm pieces
225g plain flour
175g dark brown sugar
110g butter
2 eggs, beaten
2-3 tbsp milk
1 tsp ground mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder

To top: 
Warmed honey
Golden caster sugar

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 170’C, 325’F, Gas 3
2. Grease and flour an 18cm (7 inch) cake tin
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and dark sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and gradually mix in a little of the flour to prevent curdling and then fold in the sieved flour, spices and baking powder. You can substitute 25/30g flour with ground almonds for a slightly nuttier flavour.
4. Mix in the apples and enough milk to bring to a soft dropping consistency then transfer the mixture to the tin.
5. Bake until firm to the touch and test with a skewer or knife which will come out clean when inserted into the centre of the cake.
6. Allow to cool but when still slightly warm, drizzle approx 1 tbsp runny honey across the cake, spread thinly and sprinkle lightly with caster sugar to create a lightly crunchy topping.

Serve warm on its own or with custard, ice cream, (try rum whipped cream) or whatever takes your fancy. 

JOIN IN |  SHARE YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR BATH

Dream Space is an exciting new community-led project created by generosity network, Good for Nothing, which is inviting Bath residents (15 years+) to share their personal stories of the defining issues of our time – from the social inequalities revealed through Covid-19, the climate crisis and racism. Until 15 November, with support from the National Lottery’s Emerging Futures Fund, the Dream Space team is giving Bath locals a platform to speak openly on these important issues. 

Film it, write it or speak it - it’s up to you. These stories will be brought together in a number of vibrant and inspiring ways to connect and empower Bath’s communities and inspire change. There are three online gatherings coming up over the next few weeks, find out how to join in at: thedreamspace.co.uk

OBJECT OF INTEREST  |  THE RETURN OF AN ICON

On the eve of its 50th anniversary, Mulberry is kicking off celebrations with the return of one of its most desired silhouettes, the Alexa – with key sustainable updates.
First launched in 2010, the iconic satchel-style bag was inspired by Alexa Chung and quickly became one of the brand’s signature pieces and the most sought-after Mulberry bag of a generation.
The relaunched Alexa has been refined in style and reflects Mulberry’s commitment to responsible innovation. The range is made with leather from gold standard, environmentally accredited tanneries and has been crafted at the brand’s carbon neutral UK factories. The result is an update to this iconic laid-back satchel shape that epitomises a modern, sustainable approach to luxury.
The Alexa colour palette ranges from tranquil, earthy neutrals (charcoal, chestnut, chalk), to neon shades to light up the festive season (neon pink and neon yellow) as well as the key hues of the signature Mulberry palette (Mulberry green, deep amber and black). The Alexa collection comes in three sizes, a classic, a mini and a bold oversized version.

Shop Mulberry's new Alexa here

MIDWEEK WINES  |  THE RISE & RISE OF RIESLING

The Great Wine Company's fine wine manager, Tom King, makes his recommendations each year with a selection of fine wines from the portfolio. Here are three of the finest Rieslings from the celebrated German producer Weingut Leitz

Riesling 'Eins Zwei Dry' Rheingau
Full, spicy, ripe yet dry Riesling, with pineapple, tangerine and grapefruit, with delicate yet lively acidity that reflects its origins. A crisp, appetising finish. £12.20

Rüdesheim Riesling Rheingau
This would please anyone who loves Chablis, Sancerre, and other bright, dry wines. A crisp and beautifully-balanced Rhine wine, this has lime zest, peach and stone-like character, with excellent sustain on the finish. Superb. £15.50

'Grand Cru' GG Berg Schlossberg Riesling
A wine of true pedigree, with beautifully refined and complex aromas of beeswax, honey, white peach, frankincense and honeysuckle. The aromas may suggest sweetness, but the palate is as dry and stony as the terrifyingly steep hillside (Schlossberg) on which the grapes are grown. It has terrific intensity, but if you can hold on to a few bottles for two or three years, it will undoubtedly reward patience. £36.00

There's very good wines to be tried and, as always, good savings with the multi-buy options.

Explore the range at The Great Wine Co.

RICHARD WYATT DEBATES  |  JUST ADD WATER?

Currently, you have to look hard for some light relief in the daily happenings of our World Heritage city - lost as it is in the global gloom of a pandemic and another impending national lockdown.

However, two things caught my eye - the first (rather aptly) being a social media discussion about why the festive street lights have not been put up yet and - for some - why bother wasting money on doing so as Christmas will be rather subdued this year. It’s my understanding the Xmas lights are going up and - as the Council has a standing contract - it would have cost the authority more to cancel them.

Personally speaking, I am more interested in the other little matter and that concerns what is left of the fountain in Laura Place. It was a rather grand and ornamental affair when first switched on in 1877 but was ‘re-modelled’ a century later after the antics of the student rags of the 1960’s inflicted damage on this rare Bath example of an ornamental water display.

A newly sculpted top earned it the nickname - ‘the ashtray’ and - despite the efforts of council staff to keep its pump working and ensure that each summer Laura Place was filled with the delights of cascading and splashing water - a recent collision with a vehicle has literally knocked the edge of this ‘much-loved’ street installation.

B&NES says it’s sending in an expert to do an estimate on what needs doing and how much it’s going to cost.

In the meantime the idea has been floated about stripping the fountain of its pump and pipes and turning that bottom bowl into a flower bed. Cheaper to maintain and no more expensive cleaning interventions every time someone thinks they are the first to tip detergent into the water.

Just recently Bath Flower School dressed the empty basin with flowers and autumn foliage to promote their business but also highlight how neglected that poor old structure is.

It gave some idea of how things might look if B&NES decided to go down that floral route. Social media - and my website - have been buzzing with different points of view. Some people favour flowers with a smaller fountain on top, some a full restoration of what is there while others would settle for nothing less than sweeping it all away and erecting a statue in its place. Not much of an enthusiastic local history for those though is there? Though we do have a mini Mozart in Parade Gardens and Queen Victoria sitting half way up the Victoria Art Gallery wall.

The world - of course - is currently full of more important things to deal with but let’s hope - in the fullness of post-Covid time - this architectural centrepiece can be shown some much needed TLC.

bathnewseum.com

BOOKS SPECIAL  |  PIONEERING GARDENING IN JAPAN

Twenty years ago, Dan Pearson was invited to make a garden at the 240-hectare Tokachi Millennium Forest in Hokkaido, Japan. Tuning into the physical and cultural essence of the place, the world-class designer created somewhere with its heart in Japan’s long-held respect for nature and its head in contemporary ecological planting. These excerpts from the recently published book focus on the Meadow Garden, and its creative mixture of garden and native plants.

Enjoy our ten minute read

ON THE BOX  |  AN ADDICTIVE WATCH

Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, The Queen's Gambit follows the story of Beth Harmon who, after losing her mother ends up in an orphanage in the late 1950s. With the help of the caretaker in the basement she quickly masters the game of chess and displays huge potential, meanwhile her life upstairs leads her to the addiction of tranquilisers provided by the state as a sedative for the orphanage children. Her prodigious talent doesn't go unnoticed and she rises through the chess rankings, an isolated female fighting for glory on the board but also doing battle with her own demons off the board. If you love chess, you'll love a lot of the finer detail, if you're not a player then sit back and enjoy this thoroughly engrossing storyline develop.

Miniseries now showing on Netflix

INTERIORS  |  INTERESTING & COOL ECO GIFTS

Modern and eco-conscious gifts from Priormade are available online this Christmas! 

Designer and maker Beck Prior can normally be found at Bath Christmas Market where her stall is a popular stop for customers looking for cool and interesting home products and gifts. Sadly no market this year, but Beck does have a new website to explore and is offering Bath residents a special discount. Use the discount code PRIORMADEBATH to receive 10% off until January.

www.priormade.store

INTERIORS  |  BLANKETS FROM BATH

With a deep love for Bath, the surrounding countryside, the south west's rugged coastline, plus the need to cosy-up and enjoy long evenings indoors. The Natural Blanket Company's blankets are impeccably stylish, luxurious and made from 100% natural Merino and pure wool. The company believes in environmental sustainability of all its products, as well as longevity and preserving the values of a much cherished heritage in textiles. All  products are sourced and woven in the British Isles to support British manufacturers and artisan producers with a firm commitment to quality and value. Prices from £40.00. 

Order online at: Thenaturalblanket.co.uk

PROPERTY UPDATE  |  NEW TO THE MARKET

Currently on sale by estate agents Andrews, this three bedroom, two reception terraced house has been beautifully modernised over recent years. Cork terrace is a charming row of Victorian properties enjoying a convenient position close to Victoria Park. To the front of the house is the south facing sitting room which overlooks Cork Street. There are many lovely features including the ceiling rose, coving and fireplace. The rear of the property has been transformed to create a wonderful open-plan living space. What used to be the formal dining room has utilised as a separate snug which opens through to the open kitchen and dining room. The kitchen is stylishly fitted and space to entertain family and friends with bifold doors opening into the rear garden. On the first floor there's a stylish bathroom fitted with roll top bath and separate walk in shower. Bedroom one which is positioned at the front of the house and enjoys open views towards the river with bedroom two at the rear, which works perfectly as a guest room or child’s bedroom. The third bedroom is located on the second floor in what is believed to be an original design for a number of houses on the road. This room is currently used as a home office and further guest room. Outside the courtyard garden links to the house from the bifold doors and is a great space for alfresco dining or unwinding on a summer's evening. 

Currently on the market at £450,000

For further information, contact Andrews; andrewsonline.co.uk