Circus Journal Vol 19

An independent journal on style, creativity and community
Volume 19 Late summer 2022 Elements
Save our seas + Meet the growers
+ Fire cooking + Swim spots
+ Kids’ fashion + 48 hours in Totnes
+ Late summer events

People
Not just a beautiful boutique
hotel in the centre of Bath
There’s a lot more to love than great stays here. Our kitchen and bar
team serve up the essence of great British escapes, their dishes and
drinks feel familiar and original all at once. And our afternoon tea is
a joyful experience that can be enjoyed as a picnic.
Down in the quiet calm of our spa, skilled therapists listen carefully
to needs before tailoring treatments to address them. All in a gorgeous,
Georgian-townhouse setting on one of the city’s very best streets.
No.15 Bath, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4BS
www.guesthousehotels.co.uk
@guesthousehotels
Photography: Amelia Barklid
Hello
A quiet dawn river dip, or the first scent of bonfires.
Pulling potatoes from the earth. Nature provides,
whatever your story. This issue is a study of the
elements: earth, water and fire.
We revel in the joy of growing your own with three
allotmenteers, and tackle saving the waves with head of
Surfers Against Sewage, Hugo Tagholm.
Fire-cooking supper club hosts Ubuntu Food light the
coals, and we head to Totnes in Devon for a weekend of
art, culture and radical thinking.
Plunge into six of the best cold water swim spots,
and check out our edit of vintage and locally made
kidswear, perfect for mini adventures.
Finally, we round up the best late summer events,
and the folk behind Bath restaurant Corkage share an
elemental recipe. Happy reading.
Emily Payne, editor
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 5

Say yuup to
wonderfully wild
weekends
Discover hundreds of exciting local
experiences right on your doorstep.
Book or gift an experience at yuup.co
Contents
People
Wave power 19
Ocean campaigner Hugo Tagholm
Down to earth 25
Allotmenteers on the good life
Style
Archery in the
countryside
Glad rags 39
Togs for mini adventurers
Places
Six of the best 49
Swim spots in the south-west
48 hours in... 53
Join us for a weekend in Totnes
Food + drink
Fire with fire 61
Getting smoky with Ubuntu Food
Regulars
The Edit 11
Design, community + lifestyle
“Let’s not lose hope. This
isn’t a binary fight which
we win or lose. It’s about
how to win more and lose
less in the fight for
this planet.”
Learn to forage in Chew Valley
Directory 65
Indie businesses we love
The Guide 71
Events in August + September
Waves of Wellness: yoga,
breath and saltwater swim
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 7

Contributors
RESERVE
OFF-PLAN
Ready late
Autumn/Winter
2022
Best view in the south-west?
We asked the Circus team
On the cover
Photography by Nell Mallia
Sebastian Lander
Writer (p19)
Sunsets over south
Milton Sands, Devon
Natalie Paris
Writer (p49)
Dawn at the stone
circle, Glastonbury
Anna Turns
Writer (p53)
Snape’s Point over
Salcombe estuary, Devon
Emily Payne
Editor
Selsley Common
at dusk, Stroud
Nell Mallia
Photographer (p39)
Porthmoina Cove,
Cornwall
All our stockist deliveries
are now made using zeroemission
electric cargo bikes
The team
Creative director + founder
Kate Monument
kate@circusjournal.com
Publisher + founder
Simon Tapscott
simon@circusjournal.com
Editor
Emily Payne
emily@circusjournal.com
Sub editor
Camilla Cary-Elwes
Instagram: @circusjournal
circusjournal.com
Amanda Nicholls
Writer (p25)
Chew Valley Lake,
Woodford Lodge side
Kirstie Young
Photographer and writer (p61)
Coaley Peak, across
the Severn Valley
Camilla Cary-Elwes
Sub editor
Bath from
Bathwick Fields
Felicity Lynch
Stylist (p39)
Kelston Park,
looking over Bath
Advertising
To advertise in Circus, please
call Simon on 07816 322056 or
email simon@circusjournal.com
Stocking
Circus is available to pick up for
free at over 350 locations across
Bath, Bristol and the south-west.
To find your nearest stockist
please visit circusjournal.com.
Thank you to the advertisers,
whose support and encouragement
enables this project to happen.
This issue of Circus was first
printed in July 2022 by Zenith Print
Group, in Pontypridd, Wales.
James Beck
Photographer (p25)
The Wye Valley
from Penallt
Rosie Yates
Illustrator (p49)
Oudolf Field,
Hauser & Wirth Somerset
Simon Tapscott
Publisher
City lights from
Solsbury Hill, Bath
Kate Monument
Creative director
Rainbow Woods from my
kitchen window, Bath
Clemmie Millbank
Writer (p71)
Somerset Levels from
Ebbor Gorge
© Circus Journal 2022. All
information contained in this
publication is for entertainment
purposes only. Circus is published
by Do Good Things Limited who
do not accept any responsibility
for errors or inaccuracies that
occur in such information. While
every reasonable care is taken with
all material submitted to Circus,
the publisher cannot accept any
responsibility for loss or damage to
such material. All rights reserved.
This publication is copyrighted
and no part of this publication may
be used or reproduced without
the written permission of Do Good
Things Limited.
To visit the Marketing Pavilion contact
Rosemary McAndrew:
* Price correct at time of going to press. Images are CGIs.
READY
FOR
OCCUPATION
01225 302 888
rmcandrew@savills.com
holburnepark.co.uk
New build, Georgian-style homes
with contemporary interiors.
The Kinlet four bedroom houses from £865,000 *
Five bedroom villas from £1,590,000*
l Set in parkland with country and canalside walks on your doorstep
l Bath’s historical sights, restaurants and cafés nearby
l Easy commute to London from Bath Spa railway station
8
Circus Journal Late summer 2022

The Edit
Updates on design, community + lifestyle
Kitchen + Bar has arrived at Bristol Old Vic.
A fabulous place to socialise and enjoy a deli-fresh foodie offer that’s just
right for the summer. Our menu features a vibrant range of locally-sourced
dishes, from morning bakes and brunch to seasonal salads, filled Foccacia
rolls, and small plates for the evenings. Plus the best in coffee, local beers,
wines and now, cocktails on tap!
BREAKFAST
BRUNCH
LUNCH
DINNER
+ DRINKS
Open Mon–Fri 08:30
and Sat 09:00 ’til late.
King Street, Bristol
bristololdvic.org.uk
Open oceans
Hands up if you’ve ever
struggled getting into or
out of a wetsuit. Or if the
thought of skin-tight neoprene
puts you off getting in the
sea. Launched at The Wave
in Bristol earlier this year,
the Seasuit by Finisterre is
a full-coverage swimsuit,
designed to give women of
all faiths and preferences
access to the ocean. It’s easy
to slip into, roomy and allows
your limbs to move freely in
water. “From day one, this has
been a collaboration between
women, to take what they
love to do and make it easier,”
says Finisterre ambassador,
Easkey Britton. The Into the
Sea range is made up of the
Seasuit and accompanying
hijab, and is created using
recycled sea waste fabrics.
For each one purchased, the
Finisterre Foundation will
donate another to charity.
finisterre.com
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 11

The Edit
Water
Turning the tide
Championing a return to the wooden
surfboards of the 1960s, Bristolbased
maker Noah Addison Kay cuts
his hollow boards from Paulownia
timber. The result is almost as
lightweight as a foam board but more
eco-friendly. “Wooden surfboards are
a lot more durable, so can ride the
waves for decades,” says Noah.
vellamosurf.co.uk
Photography: Annina Korjus
Skate school
At Campus Pool, a swimming poolturned
skatepark in Bishopsworth,
inclusivity is actively encouraged.
There are weekly female, femaleidentifying
and non-binary sessions.
Founder Tim Nokes says: “I grew
up skating in the 1990s when it
was very male-dominated. Fast
forward 25 years and there’s been
a huge growth in female and queer
skateboarding. I’d like to think that
Campus plays a positive part in this.”
campusskateboarding.com
Water ways
Listen out for the debut album
from Bristol saxophonist and
composer Sophie Stockham.
Ria is inspired by the beauty
of our oceans and rivers, with
influences ranging from Björk to
Mary Lou Williams. Sophie plays
St George’s on September 14.
sophiestockham.co.uk
New brews
Head to Wiper and True’s lush new taproom
in Old Market for beer brewed on site (try
the tasty Iced Tea Pale Ale), incredible food
from Eatchu, and wines chosen by Cave.
wiperandtrue.com
Seaside dreams
Walls calling out for beach-themed art?
We love the simplicity of this seashell
print by Natalia Bagniewska, as spotted
on Glasette. It’s also available from
Mon Pote in Bedminster.
monpote.co.uk
NEW HANGOUT
Words: Natalie Paris, Emily Payne and Valentina Hernandez Gomez
Splash time
Keep the kids cool in
this cute paddling pool
in muted tones by Liewood
from Devon-based lifestyle
store, Folk Interiors.
folkinteriors.co.uk
Suits you
The Wylding weatherproof
boiler suit comes with a
cosy fleece lining, dries
quickly and is designed for
easy dress ing – perfect for
cold water pursuits.
wylding.co.uk
12 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 13

The Edit
Earth
Plant list
● Iris Germanica ‘Wondrous’
● Rosa ‘Lark Ascending’
● Geum ‘Mai Tai’
● Papaver Somniferum ‘Lauren’s Grape’
● Verbascum ‘Helen Johnson’
pollyannawilkinson.com
Mum’s the word
“This too shall pass” is the mantra
of the Mothers for Mothers Garden,
entered into the RHS Chelsea Flower
Show this year by Pollyanna Wilkinson
for the Bristol charity of the same
name. Now relocated to Hartcliffe City
Farm, the garden depicts challenges
faced by mothers. The luminescent,
apricot clouds of the rose Lark
Ascending, and others, denotes hope.
hartcliffecityfarm.org.uk
15% OFF
use code
CIRCUS15
Smell the roses
Owen Mears and Emily Cameron,
the brother and sister team behind
small-batch perfume company
Ffern, grew up in Somerset, near
a herb farm. “I remember late
summer evenings, when the scent
of cinnamon, cumin and cardamom
would drift into the garden,” says
Emily. Sign up to receive four
seasonal fragrance samples per year,
dropped each equinox. Summer 22 is
an enchanting mix of zesty kumquat,
dusky rose otto and sultry nutmeg.
ffern.co
Green garms
Focusing on zero-waste garments and
‘post-pandemic elegance’, menswear brand
Neem London is tackling climate change one
effortlessly stylish shirt at a time.
neemlondon.com
Picture perfect
Starting out as a stall at local
markets, Bath’s Botanica Studio
is now a thriving plant shop with a
new photography studio upstairs.
@botanica_studios
A simple life
Built with timber from
nearby woods and named
after the great-greatgrandfather
of owner Tim
Bowles, Abel is the new
cabin at off-grid glamping
site Campwell Farm in
Winsley. Abel farmed here
in Wiltshire in the 1800s.
Harking back to a simpler
time, the cabin uses wood
fuel and is insulated with
sheep’s wool. Guests can
enjoy walks, swimming,
foraging and bushcraft.
campwell.co.uk
E S C APE
14 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 15

The Edit
Fire
All the gear
The Garden Cook is an online store based in
Stroud. It’s packed with must-have outdoor
cooking tools and accessories, including
elegant tongs and steel pans. Forged by hand
in Somerset, they’re perfect for fire cooking and
made to last a lifetime.
thegardencook.co.uk
Hyle by
Lotte Scott
Homely glow
Autumn at Graham and Green brings
homeware with lashings of whimsy,
in russet, terracotta and ochre.
Townhouse tea light holder, pictured.
grahamandgreen.co.uk
NEW SHOP
Fresh from
the Farm
Did you know we deliver fresh and pantry
groceries from our estate to the Bath area?
Shop a range of delicacies plucked from the
land around us. Lovingly prepared by our team
of farmers, gardeners, chefs, butchers, bakers,
cheesemakers and cyder makers.
Free
home
delivery
Plus choice picks from our Somerset neighbours
and wines from our sister estate, Babylonstoren.
Burnt embers
Somerset artist Lotte Scott is inspired by
traditional rural industries like coppicing and
lime-burning. She runs charcoal-making courses
at Clayhill Arts in Bridgwater, and will be showing
at Somerset Art Weeks Festival in September.
lottescott.co.uk
Love and light
Behind climbing roses in Lacock,
OLIV is the cute new lifestyle shop
from Olivia and Oliver Thomas, a
couple who began pouring candles
in lockdown to relieve stress. Their
vegan soy wax creations come in
fragrances like Tuscan leather and
are piled beside pastel-hued journals
and illustrated matchboxes. Candle
workshops run upstairs.
olivhomeware.co.uk
Shop our farm grocery range at
shop.thenewtinsomerset.com
@thenewtinsomerset
16 Circus Journal Late summer 2022

People
GREAT MUSIC IN EXTRAORDINARY PLACES
WE BELIEVE THAT OPERA IS FOR EVERYONE
Whether you’re new to opera, an opera aficionado, or a family looking
for a new summer tradition, we have something for everyone.
Picnic in the stunning grounds of Belcombe Court, Bradford on Avon,
or join us at the If Opera bar for Prosecco and Gin Cocktails before
experiencing an unforgettable evening of music right here on
your doorstep.
LOCAL HERO
Into the blue
Ocean activist and head of Surfers Against
Sewage Hugo Tagholm on wave power,
river health and never losing hope
Words
Photography
Sebastian Lander
Nick Pumphry
18 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 19

People
Wherever you live,
however you live,
the ocean is vital
to your existence.
The sea is the world’s thermostat. It’s
the driver of a lot of food for people. It is
the provider of oxygen. It also gives us
the biggest opportunity to protect and
restore nature. It has an incredible ability to
rebound, given the chance. More pristine
areas of the ocean give us a better balance
of nature versus humans on this planet.
That’s what we need.
I’ve always been in awe of all things
wild and wonderful on our coastline. My
childhood was filled with that: scouring the
tide-line for shells, being fascinated
by rock pools and all of the life the ebbing
and flowing tide would bring to the
seashore. I had a huge collection of things
I found in nature. To this day, seeing the
different wildlife out there – whether that’s
dolphins, whales or basking sharks – gives
me a real spark.
Surfing’s a great antidote to some of the
ills of the modern world. It gives you a
place to check out, be in nature, get some
endorphins, disconnect. Waves might have
come from hundreds, if not thousands, of
miles away. You’re riding that bit of energy
in a wave that’s yours and only yours, that
comes, dissipates its energy and leaves.
It’s an incredible privilege. The most
memorable surfs I have are with my 14-yearold
son. The look of joy on his face and in
his eyes as he gets his wave. The whole
experience – the sun shining, crystal clear
water, seaweed, animals around us – there’s
nothing better. That’s life.
There have been some big steps forward
to stopping sewage discharges around
the coastline since the 1990s. But we see
the spectre of sewage pollution returning,
due to the decreasing investment from
water companies in treating sewage
pollution. They discharge millions of hours
of sewage pollution into our rivers and
coastline every year.
I’ve swum through slicks of sewage,
sadly. I might be surfing at the mouth of a
river and smell the familiar smell of sewage
and see the remnants of it around me. Often
there’s quite a lot of debris; sometimes
sanitary items. We’ve got this amazing
app called the Safer Seas & Rivers Service,
which gives people real-time information
for bathing water. And we’re calling for
200 bathing waters by 2030 to help drive
investment and improvement of water
quality and river health around the country.
Surfers Against
Sewage
The Cornish charity
was created in 1990,
in Porthtowan Village
Hall, Truro.
It is dedicated to the
protection of oceans,
beaches and wildlife,
and advocates for water
quality and the creation
of plastic-free coastlines.
Its interactive map
tracks CSOs (combined
sewage overflows) and
pollution around UK
rivers and coastline.
sas.org.uk
20 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 21

The Wave
Bristol’s Inland
Surfing Destination
The Wave Giveaway
Seven Weeks of Summer
People
Cornwall’s best
beaches
Find Out More
Photography: Jake Oates
Pollution is something we can
all act on. You can reduce your
plastic footprint: refill your coffee
cup and water bottle, look at how
you’re getting products for your
house, avoid single-use items
and take a packed lunch to work.
In terms of water quality, avoid
putting the wrong things down the
loo, wet wipes for example, that
can cause blockages and end up in
the sea.
Surfers Against Sewage has a
whole raft of things people can
get involved with. From beach
cleans through to plastic-free
communities and parliamentary
petitions to get behind. Lending
your voice to an organisation or
an issue you care about is one of
the biggest things you can do to
create change.
I think you can manage [climate]
anxiety with hope and purpose.
We try to give people practical
tools to use in their day-to-day
lives, things to get involved with
that can build good communities
and resilience. That proactive
approach and connections with
other people can be really helpful.
Let’s not lose hope. We still live
on an incredibly beautiful planet.
We’ve got some big challenges
ahead. This isn’t a binary fight
which we win or lose. It’s about
how to win more and lose less
in the fight for this planet. How
can we restore nature in the
biggest way we can, and live the
most sustainable life that we can
within our society? Let’s look
optimistically about how to make
those things happen.
Hugo is a speaker on Ocean and River
Conservation at this year’s Blue Earth
Summit in Bristol, October 11-13.
blueearthsummit.com
“The Cornish coast is so
varied and beautiful.
You’ve got so much
coastline. There’s
invariably a wave in one
corner or another you
can surf.”
Perranporth, north
Cornwall
“A huge beach with
excellent waves, golden
sand and dunes for the
kids. And there’s a beach
bar – fantastic for
watching sunsets.”
Gyllyngvase, Falmouth
“Perfect for a day out –
take a dip or a longer swim
around the buoys. When
it’s calm, crystal clear
waters await, and the
seaweed forests are
spectacular in spring.”
Crantock, near Newquay
“A stunning spot which
has great walks and a
good variety of waves
breaking off the river
mouth and headlands.”
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 23

lordarchitecture
b e s p o k e a r c h i t e c t u r e & i n t e r i o r s
lordarchitecture
bespoke architecture & interiors
Lord Architecture is an award-winning Bath based architectural practice with a passion for design,
contemporary architecture and the re-imagining of historic buildings. We offer a bespoke service working
across a range of scales, budgets and at all RIBA stages. Our services include design consultation, feasibility,
pre-application, planning and listed building applications, through to implementation and construction.
People
C mm n
gr und
We meet growers across the south-west to
talk seed sharing, no-dig and the infectious
joy of living off the land
Words Amanda Nicholls
Photography James Beck
lordarchitecture
7-9 NORTH PARADE BUILDINGS
BATH BA1 1NS
E e : info@lordarchitecture.co.uk
: info@lordarchitecture.co.uk
W w :
:
www.lordarchitecture.co.uk
:
@lord_architecture
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 25

People
Soil behaves like Dust in a Philip Pullman novel: it
organises itself spontaneously into coherent worlds,”
writes George Monbiot in Regenesis: Feeding the World
Without Devouring the Planet. “Yet we treat it like dirt.”
In his new book, the environmentalist speaks of an
agricultural industry in flux; a broken farm-to-shop model
and monoculture fields upsetting the natural balance.
Acknowledging the complexity of the food crisis, he calls
for an equally complex tapestry of solutions.
One of them is living off the land in a localised way –
whether it’s an edible window box, allotment or patch of
soil on a street corner – and it’s flourishing. Inflated living
costs and the fallout of the pandemic have given rise to
grassroots groups establishing their own regenerative
systems. Growing your own is having a moment.
It’s not about neat borders, but protecting natural
processes. It’s about slowing down; taking five from
the hectic world we’ve constructed, and the pleasure of
autonomy. The local area is full of ambitious plot-potterers
nurturing the land, recognising it as a place of sanctuary
and self-sufficiency. We met three of them…
26 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 27

People
is a former GB Olympian – so
the physical nature of growing
appeals. “As my grandad says:
when you’ve done half an hour’s
digging, you know about it! I
feel connected to my history
here. I love being able to give
my grandparents food – making
sure they’re healthy – and I enjoy
watching ecosystems breed;
all the little components. It’s the
circle of life.”
The 33-year-old uses his produce
to run a Caribbean cuisine pop-up.
“Being self-reliant makes me feel
empowered. During the war, the
government encouraged people
to grow their own, but we’ve lost
those skills. It’s rewarding, good for
your health, something you can
always go back to and rely on.”
I feel connected to
my history here.
And I enjoy watching
ecosystems breed. It’s
the circle of life.”
Ashley Burrowes
Founder of Jerk King catering
Where I grow
Thingwall Park Allotments,
Bristol
What I grow
Jamaican spinach (callaloo) –
“Cut it when it’s young and it
grows into a self-sowing red
flower” – plus scallions, chillies,
garlic, squash, beans, cucumber,
rhubarb and Jamaican pumpkin.
Why I grow
Ashley feels an affinity with the
Fishponds land he inherited
from his grandfather and greatgrandfather.
His own father was
part of the Windrush generation,
many of whom tended the
disused plots abandoned due
to World War II civilian losses,
finding them places of peace
and refuge, pre-civil rights era.
As well as green fingers, there’s
fitness in the family – Ashley’s
weightlifter dad Newton Burrowes
Allotment life
Three times a week, Ashley heads
to Thingwall and still gets tips from
his grandfather’s 90-year-old pals.
There’s wheelchair access, and
a plot available to any disabled
person or group wishing to take
it on. “Learning from older, wiser
people, you’re building your
knowledge about life. I feel very
wealthy to have that opportunity.”
Seed sharing between
neighbours makes for a sociable
atmosphere, and there are lots
of big characters. “One guy, Sam
Gordon, who made it to the age
of 98, had 12 plots! Everyone’s got
something in common, so there’s
not much prejudice; what you’re
growing is always the main topic.”
Best allotment creations
“Vegan pumpkin curry, sweet
plum chilli and green seasoning
using my red-bottomed scallion.
I blend them down with garlic.
Callaloo with onions is a popular
breakfast side complementing
ackee and saltfish.”
ASHLEY’S TIPS
“Put minerals back into
the ground. Don’t let the
moisture out; try no-dig
[avoid digging over the plot
to minimise disturbance to
the soil]. Don’t overgrow –
rest the ground rather than
taking too much out of it.
Try copper mesh to protect
plants and water them once
the sun has gone down.”
28 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 29

People
Katie Wales
Founder and maker at plastic-free
shop Cotton Lily
Where I grow
Roots allotments, Bath
11-13 October 2022 — Bristol
TICKETS ON SALE NOW — BATCH 2 CLOSING SOON
Harnessing the power of the outdoors
to inspire positive change.
What I grow
Parsnips, beetroot, radishes, dill,
tomatoes, strawberries, onions,
carrots, peas, beans, courgettes,
squash, garlic, coriander, peppers.
Why I grow
Katie, 38, lives off-grid on a 65ft
narrowboat with partner Scott,
and Pomeranian pooch Lily. She
is one of a huge boating set
who don’t have gardens, but
discovered the ‘world’s first fully
no-dig allotment community’ while
seeking to become more selfsupporting.
West country outfit
Roots – opened in April by William
Gay on his family farm, with friends
Ed Morrison and Christian Samuel
– welcomed Katie as one of its
first customers.
Join Hugo and 5,000 other
people in business taking
positive action.
blueearthsummit.com
You invest weeks,
waiting and weeding,
then get some sunshine
and it all starts coming
through. It’s fulfilling.”
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 31

IKATIE’S T
9 July —
2 October
2022
—
Free entry
Tuesday — Sunday
11am to 6pm
People
FOREST:
WAKE
THIS
GROUND
explore the forest with …
Rodrigo Arteaga / Mark Garry / Alma Heikkilä
Eva Jospin / Jumana Manna / Zakiya McKenzie
David Nash / Maria Nepomuceno / John Newling
Rosa Nguyen / Ben Rivers / Ai Weiwei
Hildegard Westerkamp
16 NARROW QUAY, BRISTOL BS1 4QA
@arnolfiniarts arnolfini.org.uk
Rosa Nguyen — Leaf Becoming, 2021. Glazed porcelain, black clay, combusted botanical matter. Photo: Angela Moore
“We always wanted an allotment, to live
like Tom and Barbara in The Good Life – my
first birthday present from Scott was the
DVD. When we moved onto the boat in 2021,
we wanted a plot between Devizes and Bath
but it didn’t look achievable with the council
waiting list.” The pair now has one of Roots’
couples patches, and access to toolkits,
courses and speaker events.
“Working with the land: I love it. You invest
weeks, waiting and weeding, start to get
disheartened, then get some sunshine and
it all starts coming through. It’s fulfilling.”
Inspired by Blue Planet, Katie tries to live
plastic-free, making reusable face cloths
and beeswax wraps from her floating shop.
“Pre-Covid, supermarkets were selling
loose vegetables, then we had to take a step
back, and now it’s hard to find places that
do it. At the allotment we can be plasticfree,
plus we know where our produce has
come from; what we’ve put into the soil and
our bodies.”
PS
“We’ve tried all of the old
wives’ tales – eggshells,
coffee grounds – but
keeping the brassicas alive
is a struggle. We’ve lost
broccoli and cabbages,
and had to start again, so
we’ve invested in higherquality
covers and tied
them down.”
Allotment life
“There’s a Facebook group where people
post ideas and successes, and a tipi [soon to
offer yoga] where you can have lunch or get
out of the rain. It’s nice to have a proper chat
with people we pass on the canal; we’d only
been able to exchange a wave previously.”
In essence, anyone can be an
allotmenteer, but years-long waiting lists
can make it seem like an exclusive club –
besides, who knows if you’ll even be living
in the area when you reach the front of the
queue? Roots gets people planting within
months. It also tackles another allotmentkeeping
barrier – commitment – with
maintenance help at hand for holidays.
Best allotment creations
“The peas are lovely sautéed in proper
butter with chilli.”
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 33

People
Live music from
LUCA WILDING
AMY YON
FOOD, DRINK, AND MUCH MORE.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. DRESS CODE: WILD AND UNTAMED
DONATE HERE
1st Oct 2022
5pm-1am, Marston Park
Line Up
DJ’s
BRANDON BLOCK
DAISY BELL
CARLY FOXX
Well-being workshop
ARRON COLLINS-THOMAS
Pop Ups inc
THE YELLOW SHOP
VICTORIA TOPPING
CHAI WALLA
BURRITO BOI
Join us on Saturday 1st of October for the
Love Is Power festival to fundraise for refyou.me.
A Bath based community group working with
refugee charities on the ground in Calais.
WWW.REFYOU.ME
£35PP inc. a drink on arrival
courtesy of our drink sponsor
FOLLOW US
ON INSTAGRAM
RSVP
Malcolm Dowling
Hedge-laying teacher, founder of
Grandad’s gardening services
Where I grow
The walled garden, Backwell
Down
What I grow
Apples, pears, apricots, mint,
sage, rhubarb, strawberries, figs,
grapefruit, runner beans, broad
beans, tomatoes, kaffir lime,
peppers, coriander, oregano,
purple sprouting broccoli, leeks,
sweetcorn, asparagus, turnips,
cauliflower, cabbage, onions.
Why I grow
“You can’t beat fruit and
vegetables from the garden.
During the war, when there were
horse-drawn ploughs and it was
a different country, everyone dug
their allotment. Good Friday was
planting day with Dad – snow on
the ground or not. We’d put chaff
on the potatoes to insulate and
fertilise them.
“Every day was about growing.
There were leek competitions,
everybody knew everybody. It was
great. Being hands-on with the
land was normal. I’d gather gorse
for the local farmhouse to cook
Christmas turkeys on; collect
apples for three pence a bag and
suck cider pulp through a piece
of straw.”
England’s second-oldest
hedge-layer, 80, is fascinated by
the way plants grow. “I saw on
television how they get chillies so
strong in Mexico: every time you
cut them back, they grow back
hotter because they think it’s an
animal trying to eat them!”
He grows for security, too.
“Once, I was made redundant and,
while times were hard, we always
had blackberries, wild plums and
damsons to freeze. But with the
loss of our hedgerows, and the
resulting soil erosion, we’re not
getting the wild stuff in like we
used to.”
Allotment life
Malcolm works at the walled
garden at Backwell Down near
Bristol – home to one of only two
Mexican pine trees in the country,
where he and his grandson take
their sandwiches after a morning’s
gardening. “It’s like a cathedral,
over 100 years old, 20 metres high.
Pine cones the size of pineapples.”
Like Katie, the professional
gardener practises no-dig, and
doesn’t use any chemicals on the
land, instead using green manure
to enhance the soil. Purple catmint
and silky phacelia abound, putting
goodness back into the ground
and helping with its fertility, as well
as contributing to the garden’s
pollinator-friendly zone. “We’ve got
30 varieties of bees, 15 butterfly
species. It’s so peaceful.”
Best allotment creations
“Elderflower cordial, strawberry
flans with my own purée, red
onion chutney, pork chops with
runner beans and new potatoes,
and baby mushrooms pickled in
malt vinegar – we eat them cold
with salad.”
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 35

People
More folk
rethinking
how we
produce food
FLEXIBLE OFFICE
SPACE IN FROME
Private studios a short walk from Frome town centre
with full access to The Old Church School. Ideal for
freelancers and small or growing teams. Find out more
and book a tour at motorworksfrome.co.uk
1GB fibre | 24/7 access | Prices from £400* p/m
Street Goat
Urban goat-farming
cooperative striving
for food sovereignty
through projects
that see local people
manage and care for
livestock, producing
milk, fibre and meat.
streetgoat.co.uk
Down to Earth Stroud
Growing schemes,
a seed bank and a
fruit exchange, plus
the development
of unused ground
at Vale Community
Hospital into allotments
available on social
prescription.
downtoearthstroud.co.uk
motorworksfrome.co.uk
@motorworksfrome
01373 888 108
MALCOLM’S TIPS
“Respect the soil. Clear
up your leaves or you’ll get
slugs under them. Don’t use
sprays. Put basil between
tomato plants to stop white
fly; plant marigolds beside
salad potatoes to stop black
fly. Wear perfume by Victoria
Beckham to avoid horsefly
bites – they hate it!”
Adrian Boots
Landscape ecologist
and Mendips forager
running wild food
activities, designing
nature trails and
helping farmers
gain maximum
environmental benefit
from their land.
walkthemendips.com
*excluding VAT
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 37

Style
No. 1 Queen Square, Bath
A WORKSPACE POWERED BY
SOCIAL PURPOSE
Glad
rags
Private Offices Dedicated Desks Lounge Membership Co-working
From vintage finds, all frills
and flowers, to hand-sewn
togs made to last generations.
We pick out the loveliest
kidswear labels in the west
Photography
Styling
Nell Mallia
Felicity Lynch
Book your viewing now at HOSJ.co.uk
Odetta wears tulle and
satin formal dress, £175,
Margo Marché
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 39

Both pages: Coralie wears
organic cotton jumpsuit
in Hungry Bugs print, £32,
Humphries & Begg, and
vintage leather jacket, £85,
Butterworth’s Vintage Company
Josephine wears Leinikki
gingham nightdress in
strawberry, £160, Projektityyny,
and vintage suede jacket, £75,
Butterworth’s Vintage Company.
Wes gingham quilt in rusty
blush, £160, Projektityyny
40 Circus Journal Midsummer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 41

Style
Above: Josephine wears 1950s
cotton floral pyjama set, £65,
Margo Marché. Top right: Millie
wears oversized collar stripe
top, £36, and denim barrel-leg
jeans, £30, from Whistles Kids,
and Kelila pink cotton scarf,
£14.90, Honey on the Hill
Right: Coralie wears crochet
headscarf, £18, and Libertyprint
top by Beatrice & Bee,
£21, Tilian Kids, and Porter
short bib and brace dungarees,
£80, Monty & Co
Opposite page: Odetta wears
folk blouse, £65, Susie Petrou,
and shorts in Blue Bridge print,
£28, Humphries & Begg
42 Circus Journal circusjournal.com @circusjournal 43

People
Style
Nursery | Prep | Senior | Sixth Form
Day | Boarding
Wrap
around care
7:30 - 18:00
flexible
sessions
available
Learning through discovery
Nursery for ages 3 -4 Situated in the heart of Weston Village
Join us for one of our Nursery in Action days
Girls making their mark
Josephine, as before. Millie
wears red stripe 1940s
dress, £50, Margo Marché.
Quilt as before
www.royalhighbath.gdst.net
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 45

Right: Josephine wears
hand-embroidered
headband, £14, Tilian Kids,
and blue floral 1940s dress,
£65, Margo Marché, and
Easton faded rainbow
sunglasses, £30, Leosun
Below: Odetta wears Paula
dress, Le Petit Mico, £38, and
socks, £6, Tilian Kids. Millie
wears oversized collar stripe
dress, £45, Whistles Kids,
and socks, £6, Tilian Kids.
Coralie wears 1940s school
dress, £45, Margo Marché,
and crochet headband, £14,
Tilian Kids
projektityyny.com
margomarche.com
humphriesandbegg.co.uk
montyandco.com
tiliankids.com
butterworthsvintage.com
honeyonthehill.co.uk
whistles.com
leosun.co.uk
@susiepetrou
Shot on location at the site of
Swainswick Explorers in Bath
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 47

6 OF THE BEST
Places
Swim
spots
Ahead of the reopening of
Bath’s Cleveland Pools, we round
up the region’s best places
for a late summer dip
Words
Illustrations
Natalie Paris
Rosie Yates
Creators of high quality bespoke furniture
and interiors throughout the south west and
beyond, from design through to completion.
liamrushdesign.com liamrushdesign@gmail.com 07860 950 662 @liamrushdesigns
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 49

Places
Cleveland Pools
The UK’s oldest lido is set
on a bank of the River Avon
in Bath. Following a
mammoth fundraising
effort, the Georgian
changing rooms and pools
have been restored and
will finally reopen to
swimmers this September.
Only cold water swims will
be possible initially, but
there are plans for the lido
to be heated sustainably
(to 27°C), using a river
pump, from next spring.
clevelandpools.org.uk
Marine Lake
Knightstone Road,
Weston-super-Mare
Safe sea-swimming whatever the
tide. While Clevedon’s nearby
marine lake has plenty of
dedicated fans, 30,000 tonnes of
silt were dredged from Weston’s
version in time for summer,
restoring the water’s original
depth. Swimmers can gaze out to
sea for miles and the sunsets are
truly spectacular.
westonmarinelake.co.uk
River Avon
Bradford on Avon
On Barton Bridge, spot the
dazzling blue flash of kingfishers
in the early morning and find the
entry point beside the WWII
pillbox. Alternatively, follow the
bend to the first muddy bank for a
quieter swim. Hot drinks are sold
opposite, near the Tithe Barn.
bradfordonavon.co.uk
Farleigh and District
Swimming Club
Farleigh Hungerford, Bath
Forget muddy toes – new stone
steps lead into the River Frome at
this historic swimming club. Water
rushes over a small weir and there
is 70 metres of river to navigate,
as dragonflies flit about. A pizza
van arrives on hot Friday nights.
farleighswimming.co.uk
ReWild Swim Club
Elmore, Gloucester
This club outside Gloucester offers
members an exclusive, tranquil
swim in a lake fringed by bulrushes,
set in the beautifully rewilded
landscape of Elmore Court.
Access the lake on foot, change
in a yurt warmed by a log burner
and try the wood-fired sauna.
rewildswimclub.com
Dundas Aqueduct
Monkton Combe, Bath
The canalside views from Bath’s
Dundas Aqueduct are lovely,
but a bigger thrill comes from
swimming through the arch
beneath. Hit the Dawdling Dairy
canal boat for ice cream, bask on
the pontoon, then float past sheep
in the river’s moderate current.
canalrivertrust.org.uk
Cromhall Quarry
Cromhall, Gloucester
The limestone cliffs of this flooded
quarry, between Bristol and
Stroud, provide a dramatic
backdrop for a serious swim. Plus,
the delightfully clear water,
beginners classes and seating for
warming up afterwards make it
well worth the drive.
cromhallquarry.com
Read the Outdoor Swimming Society’s
safety advice before taking the plunge.
outdoorswimmingsociety.com
50 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 51

48 HOURS IN...
Private Bridgerton Tours
Places
at No.1 Museum
Channel your inner Duke or Duchess
and give the ‘ton something to talk about!
This exclusive evening tour will let
you immerse yourself into true
regency life as you wander around
this authentic eighteenth century
house – otherwise known as the
home of the Featheringtons!
It’s the perfect way to spend an
evening with friends.
Tot nes
Private tours cost £30 a head,
with prosecco and luxury nibbles
available for an additional £10
a head. Booking is essential –
call 01225 428126 or email
no1royalcrescent@bptrust.org.uk
Opening Times
Tuesday – Sunday
10am – 5.30pm
Last entry 4.30pm
The Bull Inn
South Hams’ creative hub stays true to its
alternative roots; challenging the status quo
and protecting its independents. Here’s how to
spend a weekend in this vibrant market town
Words
Anna Turns
no1royalcrescent.org.uk
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 53

YF RI D A
Places
Publican and entrepreneur
Geetie Singh-Watson
outside The Bull Inn, her
ethical pub with rooms
6pm
Canteen feast
First, head to Ticklemore Street, an
area full of tasty food offerings. Go for a
home-cooked Japanese feast by
Yoshimi Taguchi and Keiko Storey at
the town’s own ‘comfort food canteen’
Taguchi-Ya (taguchiyacanteen.com).
Dishes are understated and big on flavour,
plus there are plenty of vegetarian and
vegan options, like the inari: delicious
deep-fried tofu parcels. Special events
include ramen nights.
The Bull Inn
Dartington Trust
10pm
Time to sleep, organically
On the corner of Rotherfold Square, The
Bull Inn (bullinntotnes.co.uk) is a radical
pub that has been beautifully restored
by ethical entrepreneur, Geetie Singh-
Watson. Everything – from the seasonal
dishes and biodynamic wine to the bed
linen and toxin-free mattresses – is
sustainably sourced and organic, but
it’s far from elitist. Local drinkers are
as welcome as far-flung travellers, and
upstairs nine bedrooms are finished with
reclaimed furniture and vintage fabrics.
And there’s a new self-catering apartment,
The Albatross, over the road.
Photography: Rachel Hoile
The Curator café
S AT U R D AY
10am
Coffee pitstop
The gorgeous Curator café
(thecurator.co.uk) on The Plains has
become something of an institution
since it first opened a decade ago.
It’s a little slice of Italy in sunny
Devon, with bistro tables spilling
out onto the pavement on warm
days and the best specialty coffee in
town, freshly roasted. Traditional
cannoli pastries are optional but
very much advised.
11am
Up the Dart
Take a stroll upstream along the
River Dart to Dartington Trust
(dartington.org), a centre for social
justice, arts, crafts and ecological
thinking, first founded by the
Elmhirst family in 1925. Clock the
Henry Moore sculpture among
the Grade II* listed grounds and
gardens, or follow the familyfriendly
nature trail that will inspire
plenty of den-building and bughunting
along the way. Once you’ve
worked up an appetite, stop off for a
nutritious lunch at The Green Table.
Until August 20, the Dartington
Music Summer School & Festival
offers a mix of relaxed concerts
and family-friendly workshops,
plus a lineup of classical, jazz and
folk artists. This year’s programme
celebrates the power of music
through four elements – water,
earth, fire and air – with acclaimed
performances from folk trio Leveret,
soprano soloist Carolyn Sampson,
and the Brodsky Quartet.
54 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 55

Places
Ben’s Wine
& Tapas
3pm
Sustainable shopping
Totnes High Street is full of
delightful one-off surprises.
From The Potting Shed
(thepottingshedtotnes.com),
bursting with leafy greens
and colourful plant pots, to
homeware at Holly Keeling’s
interior design emporium
(hollykeelinginteriors.co.uk), and
natural kidswear and toys from
SMALL-FOLK (small-folk.co.uk).
Halfway up the hill, stop to
browse at Totnes Market for fresh
produce, jewellery or antique
knick-knacks, and grab a bite to
eat from one of the street food
sellers to refuel. Then delve into
the trove that is Revival Clothing
(facebook.com/revivaltotnes),
perfect for one-off army dress
jackets, varsity paraphernalia or
1940s floral tea dresses.
6pm
Spanish farm-to-fork
At Ben’s Wine & Tapas
(bensfarmshop.co.uk) the emphasis
is firmly on seasonal ingredients,
and there’s an easy, casual vibe.
Run by Nell Watson, daughter
of Ben, whose family first founded
Riverford Organic, must-try small
plates include manchego with
membrillo and walnuts, beetroot
borani and feta with toasted
focaccia, and English asparagus
with lemon aioli and an anchovy
crumb. The impeccable wine list
comes directly from local growers
and winemakers.
8pm
Totnes spirit
Saturday is live music night at
The Barrel House Ballroom
(barrelhousetotnes.co.uk), with DJs,
bands and emerging songwriters
performing in this intimate,
buzzing grassroots venue. Over the
years, artists like Seth Lakeman,
Ben Howard and Metronomy have
raised the roof here. Continue
the evening downstairs at the
Totnes Brewing Company
(thetotnesbrewingco.co.uk), which
serves craft beer brewed in small
batches, plus an impressive array
of artisan ales and spirits.
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 57

IT’S NOT TOO
LATE TO APPLY
for September
Get the career you want at Bath College
Sandridge Barton
Places
ANDREW
Sport & Exercise Science Level 3
Sport, Coaching & Exercise Science FdA
After Bath College I’m going to University to do a PGCE degree so
I can become a PE teacher. The courses at college have helped
me learn multiple new skills and gain experiences that have
increased my confidence to pursue my career goal.
EMMA
Animal Management
Level 3
I have always loved animals and I
especially enjoy studying the aquatic
subjects at college. I want to work
in Marine Rehabilitation and Rescue, so
I’m going to University to study
Marine Biology.
To apply go to:
www.bathcollege.ac.uk
@bathcollege
Xxxxxxx
S U N D AY
The Almond Thief
9am
Breakfast of kings
Before it even opens, there are
queues forming outside the
Almond Thief (thealmondthief.com)
at the top of South Street.
Loaves are baked using organic
Shipton Mill flours and locally
grown heritage grains milled
at Almond Thief HQ in nearby
Dartington, using a stone mill.
Sourdough, rye, brioche and
cardamom buns… divine.
1pm
Vine to wine
A couple of miles from Totnes, in
nearby Stoke Gabriel, the familyowned
Sandridge Barton winery
(sandridgebarton.com) produces
60 tonnes of fruit per year from
this 32-acre vineyard overlooking
the Dart Valley. Follow a walking
trail through the vines or book a
guided tasting experience in the
new low-carbon visitor centre to
sample fine English wines and
award-winning locally-produced
Sharpham cheeses. The perfect
finish to a delicious weekend.
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 59

Food + drink
Stoking the fire
Shop in store or online
Commission and reworking service available
33 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5NH
T: +44(0)117 9090225
www.dianaporter.co.uk
We get smoky and seasonal with Ubuntu Food
at Chew Magna’s magical Limeburn Hill Vineyard
Words and photography
Kirstie Young
DP_Circus_LateSummer2022_vertcial.indd 1 15/07/2022 15:32:28
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 61

Food + drink
he directions to Ubuntu Food’s supper club arrive as
a beautiful hand-drawn note, marked with things like
‘owl box’ and ‘tree hive’. In the middle: the word FIRE,
with a heart scrawled beside it.
This enchanting map points to the Limeburn Hill
Vineyard near Chew Magna, owned, tended and run by
the biodynamic winemaker, Robin Snowdon. And
there, among flourishing hand-planted vines, stands
chef and Ubuntu Food founder Imke Potgieter, her
little dog Rusty, and a steel fire pit piled high with
ripe and colourful produce.
A connection with nature is at the centre of how
Imke cooks. There is no fiddling with vents and
gadgets. It’s a ceremonial, intuitive opportunity to
slow down and see the elements of fire and air at
work. “The style and menus are guided by the cycles
of the year,” she explains. “We are inspired by what
the land and sea is able to provide us as we move
through each season.
“By deepening our relationship with the natural
cycles of the world, we develop a much more ecological
approach to cooking. One that delves into our food
history, exploring the cultural ways people would
work with local produce at a time when shopping for
ingredients out of season just wasn’t an option.”
Imke grew up as one of four children in a big South
African family living on the Norfolk coast. From an
early age, she acted as a kitchen-hand to her parents,
running to and from the fire, and spent years observing
older friends and family members cook. It’s this
sense of community that she aims to replicate in
her workshops and supper clubs.
Additional photography: Jacob Ponting
Left to right:
Imke cooks
seasonal food
over fire; Limeburn
Hill Vineyard;
scenes from
a supper club;
smoking salmon
An evening with Ubuntu Food is an immersive
experience, this is ‘smoke in your eyes, elbow-to-elbow
with the other diners’ kind of eating. Dishes are served
down the middle of a long table, where reflective, lively
conversations can thrive. This is somewhere for people
to come together and challenge how the food system
works, and Imke hopes to remove the disengagement
that so often happens when people eat in restaurants.
The team is currently developing a venison and
smoked cherry dish after talking with the Limeburn Hill
winemakers about managing deer numbers on the land
to minimise the destruction of the vines. The intention
is for the venison course to spark debate about how
places like the vineyard approach land management and
find the right balance within a farm ecosystem.
Much of what guests eat is influenced by Imke’s
South African heritage. On the day we meet, the food
is based on a Cape Malay flavour palate: a delicious
combination of sweet and salty with a touch of the
spicy heat beloved of the Malaysian people who settled
in the Cape when the spice trade was prolific. After
feasting on a plate of the sweetest tomatoes, charred
sweetheart cabbage, salty halloumi and sweet doughnut
peaches, I bag myself a couple of tickets to the next
supper club. I suggest you do the same.
ubuntufood.com
GET INVOLVED
Where to
find Ubuntu
Food
August 6
Cooking over fire
demo, Valleyfest
August 13
Fire cooking
workshop, Limeburn
Hill Vineyard
August 26 + 27
Immersive demo,
talk and tasting at
Shambala Festival
September 3
Seafood lunch club,
Arnos Vale woodland
62 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 63

Directory
Showcasing independent businesses in the south-west
RODE COMEDY FESTIVAL
Somerset's Greatest Littlest Comedy Festival
8-11
SEPTEMBER
2022
4 nights of world-class comedy under canvas in a beautiful field near Frome & Bath. Line-up includes...
WOULD YOU LIKE
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
CIRCUS DIRECTORY? EMAIL
simon@circusjournal.com
ALAN DAVIES JEN BRISTER ED BYRNE NICK HELM NINIA BENJAMIN
Tickets from: rodecomedyfestival.com
SHOPPING
Truce
An independent lifestyle store based in Clifton Village, Bristol
and Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Truce features a selection
of modern design pieces, from Scandinavian homeware and
statement furniture, to home scents, accessories and artwork.
truceonline.co.uk
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 65

Promoted content
SHOPPING
The Bristol Artisan
A curated space for contemporary
design and craft, supporting
independent makers from Bristol
and beyond. Stock up on ceramics,
jewellery, clothing, cards, candles,
prints, vegan products and dried
flowers. Get 10% off online using
the code CIRCUSTBA.
thebristolartisan.com
ART
Sandra Higgins Art
Advice on art for your home, office
or commercial project. With years
of experience in the international
art world, Sandra sources artwork
from established and emerging
artists, and can arrange studio
visits, so you get to know the
artist and their work personally.
sandrahiggins.art
SHOPPING
Homefront Interiors
This independent Bath-based
store follows a simple ethos: to
source sustainable and ethically
made items for your home. You’ll
find work by regional artists
and makers displayed alongside
handmade, fair-trade interiors
products from across the globe.
homefrontinteriors.co.uk
FOOD + DRINK
Corkage
At this award-winning independent
restaurant, bar and bottle shop in
Bath, you can expect creatively
cooked, locally sourced food and
tasty daily specials. Plus, there’s a
broad range of wines from around
the world, and a beautiful covered
terrace and courtyard garden.
corkagebath.com
DIGITAL SERVICES
Manage My Website
A friendly Bath-based team of
approved experts who build great
websites, train people to use
Squarespace and advise on SEO/
online marketing. If you need a
new website, a refresh or would
like to learn to build your own,
they’d love to hear from you.
managemywebsite.com
WORKSPACE
House of St John’s
The perfect place to work, connect
and grow. The elegant building, at
1 Queen Square, offers co-working,
dedicated desks, offices, meeting
rooms and an events space.
High-end fittings and ultra-fast
broadband are complemented by
a relaxing lounge and bar.
hosj.co.uk
FOOD + DRINK
Lo Rapitenc
This Frome deli and tapas bar sells
a range of Spanish specialities
such as Iberico meats, cheese and
olives, as well as wine, beer and
sherry. Evening menus change
every month to reflect the season.
Book your table now on the
website or social media channels.
lorapitencspanishfood.com
SHOPPING
Joodaboo
Handcrafted crystal jewellery and
crystals for the home. Peruse the
store in Wincanton, near Bruton,
for unique designs for both men
and women. Joodaboo also offers
bespoke commissions and tailormade
talismans. Find them on
Instagram @joodaboojewellery.
joodaboo.com
CREATIVE SERVICES
We Are The Loves
An experienced and creative
team of designers, brand experts,
photographers and filmmakers,
with a background in business
strategy. Bath-based We Are The
Loves offer a full-service multidisciplinary
agency, in an agile,
accountable team of two.
wearetheloves.co.uk
SHOPPING
Julia Davey
An independent lifestyle shop
located in Bath, with a focus on
locally made gifts and homeware.
Curation based on colour, form
and natural materials. Sitting
alongside these items are Julia’s
handmade lampshades and
unique upholstered furniture.
juliadavey.com
ECOMMERCE
Noughts & Ones
The people at Bristol-based
Shopify agency Noughts & Ones
are champions of sustainable
commerce. The all-round lovely
bunch partner with planetconscious
ecommerce brands
to help them sell their products
the right way on Shopify.
noughtsandones.com
WORKSPACE
Rengen House
A home-from-home community
to co-work, host meetings and
events, and relax with clients
or colleagues. With high-end
finishes and a cool, laid-back
vibe, Rengen House offers
a refreshing change to the
traditional office environment.
rengenhouse.com
66 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 67

Promoted content
WORKSPACE
Cassia
Cassia’s mission is to change how
people work, eat and socialise;
to create spaces where you can
grab a coffee, work at a desk for
a few hours, take a yoga class
or attend a talk, all in one place.
Whatever you do there, you’ll leave
feeling connected and uplifted.
cassiacollective.co.uk
MARKET RESEARCH
Customer IQ
Through rigorous, cost-effective
research, the experts at Customer
IQ can help organisations to
understand their customers’
needs, collect feedback and
ultimately make great decisions
more of the time. Get in touch with
Gideon for a chat.
customer-iq.com
SHOPPING
Potters
A Bristol co-operative shop
founded in 1996, by its members
for its members. Featuring the
work of 25 local ceramic artists,
including guest potter Ali Tomlin,
there is functional ware and
ceramic art for every taste. Now
accepting new members.
pottersbristol.com
WELLBEING
Verve Wellness Festival
Unwind by day with yoga,
sound healing, breathwork and
meditation. Relax in the spa,
enjoy the best in local food and
drink, and listen to expert talks
on health and wellbeing. Then at
night, party to Huey Morgan and
Will Streetwise. September 17.
feeltheverve.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES
McKenzie & Co Financial
Consultants
Financial adviser Jonathan Knee
DipPFS specialises in providing
high-quality, face-to-face financial
planning advice for individuals,
families and businesses. A
vouched for ‘Top Rated’ adviser
in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
linktr.ee/jonathanknee
JEWELLERY
Honey Willow
A homegrown independent
jewellery shop on historic Pulteney
Bridge. Running since 2010, the
company is named after the
owners’ daughters: Honey and
Willow. Meaningful personalised
jewellery is designed and handmade
in the Bath workshop.
honeywillow.com
WELLBEING
Hybrid Health Physiotherapy
Situated in the heart of Bath,
Hybrid provides bespoke
physiotherapy and specialised
services to help with pain, injury
or muscle tension. Treatments
include individual exercise plans,
sports massage, acupuncture, dry
cupping and running analysis.
hybridhealthphysio.com
WELLBEING
Leaven
A space to transform, to live and
feel better. Founded by Syreeta
Challinger, who sensitively and
intuitively helps you to find a path
to success through workshops,
podcasts and bespoke coaching
sessions. Step towards the life you
want. Positive change is possible.
thisisleaven.com
FOOD + DRINK
Raphael’s Mediterranean Deli
Looking for the perfect dinner
party nibbles this summer?
Choose from the award-winning
and delicious Mediterranean
product range, from olives to
herbs. Take 5% off your first
online order with code
CIRCUSJOURNAL-SUMMER.
meddelifood.co.uk
SHOPPING
BAM Store + Space
A non-profit independent shop
in Easton selling art, cards, gifts,
books, vinyl, toys, games and
other treats designed to provide
a mood boost. Shop in-store or
online, and check out the creative
workshops with local makers in
this happy, colourful place.
bambristol.co.uk
LIFESTYLE
MAMA Coaching
Bristol-based support for parents
to flourish – in creativity and
business. Online and in-person
1:1 and group sessions create the
time and space for reflection, and
provide the accountability to make
tangible progress. Programmes
run during term-time only.
mamacoaching.org
JEWELLERY
Taylor Black Jewellery
Fine jewellery with an affordable
price tag, made using unusual,
carefully chosen stones. Headed
up by designer and maker Philippa
Taylor, whose shop in Tetbury
allows visitors to see her working,
and buy or commission her
beautiful pieces.
taylorblack.co.uk
68 Circus Journal Late summer 2022 circusjournal.com @circusjournal 69

9 . 3 0 A M - 6 P M
9 . 0 0 A M - 3 P M
THE EDIT
IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO PROMOTE YOUR EVENT
ON THESE PAGES,
PLEASE EMAIL
simon@circusjournal.com
The
Guide
Late summer events in the south-west
Words
Clemmie Millbank
Traditional Gentlemen's Barber
T U E S DAY - FRIDAY
SATURDAY
S U N DAY - MONDAY
C L O S E D
A P P O I N T M E N T S A N D W A L K - I N S
W I D C O M B E
B A 2 4 N G
B O O K O N L I N E B O O K S Y A P P
Libby Dillon at Berdoulat
W W W . F I N E A N D D A N D Y B A R B E R S . C O M
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 71

Art
FIND MORE
AWESOME EVENTS AT
circusjournal.com/
whats-on
In partnership with
RWA
Bristol
In partnership with
The THE Guide EDIT
NEW BREWERY ARTS
Cirencester
Forest: Wake
This Ground
at Arnolfini
Amitai Romm: Hum
Spike Island, Bristol
Until September 18
In his first solo UK exhibition,
Amitai Romm explores how
scientific modelling relates to the
world around us. Blending and
blurring the lines between art and
science, the artist encrypts and
relays data from an environmental
sensing system set up in a mature
beech forest in east Denmark, to
produce new works in sculpture
and sound.
spikeisland.org.uk
Forest: Wake This Ground
Arnolfini, Bristol
Until October 2
Dig a little deeper into the forest
floor with this major new group
exhibition at Bristol’s harbourside
gallery. Featuring artists, writers,
filmmakers and composers from
across the globe, works will
be inspired by forests’ ancient
rhythms and the changing
climate, as well as exploring
stories, myths and folklore passed
down through the centuries.
arnolfini.org.uk
Mary Fedden: Simple
Pleasures
Victoria Art Gallery, Bath
Until October 16
Celebrating the life and work of
Bristol-born artist Mary Fedden, this
exhibition concentrates on the joy
she found in simple compositions
and still-lifes. Featuring over 100 of
her works, from both private and
public collections, this curation
will shed new light on her working
practices and showcase the
development of her artistic career.
victoriagal.org.uk
Earth: Digging Deep in
British Art 1781-2022
Until September 11
The summer exhibition
looks at how artists have
represented our environment
over four centuries, inviting
us to consider the planet in all
its abundance, precarity and
preciousness. With work by
Richard Long (pictured), JMW
Turner, John Constable, Yinka
Shonibare and more.
After Hours at RWA
August 18, 6-9pm
A chance to see and enjoy the
newly-transformed RWA, soak
up the atmosphere outside
on the remodelled forecourt
and immerse yourself in the
galleries after-hours with a
drink in hand.
Art classes at RWA
Ongoing
Art classes for all abilities
are back. Courses and
workshops include woodblock
printmaking, bookbinding,
painting for beginners, life
drawing and more.
Head to rwa.org.uk
to see more
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
Hestercombe Gallery, Taunton
Until October 23
Pulling together exciting new
work from five different artists,
this exhibition explores art and
sustainability in the face of the
climate emergency and declining
biodiversity. The artists will
continue to grow and develop
their work throughout the
summer, with highlights including
a giant camera obscura created
overlooking Hestercombe’s
formal garden.
hestercombe.com
Reveal and Conceal
East Quay, Watchet
September 10 – January 1
Mary Fedden
at Victoria
Art Gallery
The latest exhibition by Welsh
sculptor Laura Ford will present
a surprising cast of both old and
new characters in a reconfigured
installation of more than 30
sculptures. Featuring humansized
comical cats, a pink-knitted
poodle and a frog facing the
wall, Ford’s sculptures are easy
to connect with, but complex in
what they portray, combining the
tender, satirical and political.
eastquaywatchet.co.uk
Welcome to My World:
ceramics with narrative
August 13 – October 15
Thirty-five contemporary artists
address cultural, social and
political issues through the
medium of clay. Each find a
powerful way of conveying
messages using everyday,
domestic and commonplace
items as their canvas.
Autumn courses and
workshops
Throughout autumn
Gain a taste for a particular
craft in a workshop or create
larger, more intricate work
that requires time to progress
during a course.
Autumn residential
workshops
October 22 + 23
Have a break, immerse yourself
in craft and enjoy a two-night
stay in the heart of the beautiful
Cotswolds at New Brewery
Arts’ stylish accommodation.
newbreweryarts.org.uk
@newbreweryarts
72 Circus Journal Late summer 2022 circusjournal.com @circusjournal 73

The THE Guide EDIT
Theatre + comedy
INSPIRATIONAL GLAZING
ASPIRATIONAL LIVING
Ready to make the most of your Vyoo?
vyoowindows.com
05523-July-vyoo-Circus half page page V1a.indd 1 15/07/2022 10:33
Jane Eyre: Heartbreak
Productions
The Bishop’s Palace, Wells
August 11
Step right up to an outdoor
production of Charlotte Brontë’s
classic – complete with acrobats,
jugglers and death-defying
escape artist Jane Eyre. With
Bishop’s Palace gardens as a
backdrop, watch as Jane escapes
from her school, the moors and
(spoiler alert) finally finds safety
with her true love, Mr Rochester.
bishopspalace.org.uk
The Beast Will Rise
The Holburne Museum, Bath
August 12
Created by playwright Philip
Ridley, this show features two
monologues written in lockdown.
It’s an out-there celebration of
the ‘glittering dark’ and takes
audiences to a place where a
starling haunts a lover’s fever, and
Chihuahuas are held to ransom in
an apocalyptic landscape.
holburne.org
Adventure Cinema:
The Princess Bride
Dyffryn Gardens, Glamorgan
August 28
Experience the 1987 cult
classic in one of the National
Trust’s most beautiful outdoor
locations. With the film starting
at around 7.15pm (just after
sunset), snuggle up on a picnic
blanket for a daring tale of
swashbuckling romance and
comedy that turns the old
damsel-in-distress trope on
its head. Inconceivable?
Absolutely not.
nationaltrust.org.uk
Ed Gamble at
Bristol Old Vic
Ed Gamble, Electric
Bristol Old Vic
September 4
You’ve probably seen Ed
popping up on Taskmaster,
Great British Menu, Mock the
Week and Live at the Apollo,
or you may have heard him on
his hilarious podcast Off Menu,
which he hosts with fellow
comedian James Acaster. His
latest stand-up tour, Electric,
has had dates added due to its
popularity, so be sure to catch
him when he rolls into Bristol’s
iconic Old Vic.
bristololdvic.org.uk
GET BADMINTON
OUR COMMUNITY
Whole School Open Day Saturday 1 October 2022
Book your place online now | admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk | badmintonschool.co.uk
Sun & Moon Theatre:
Much Ado About Nothing
Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol
August 20-21
While away an afternoon with this
Shakespeare favourite about love,
deception and second chances.
Set in 1945 and featuring live
music and razor-sharp wit, it takes
place in the open-air surroundings
of south Bristol’s city farm.
windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
74 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 75

The THE Guide EDIT
Music
FIND MORE
AWESOME EVENTS AT
circusjournal.com/
whats-on
If Opera: La rondine
by Puccini
Belcombe Court,
Bradford on Avon
August 26 + 29, September 1 + 3
Where better to set a tale of young
love and heartbreak than in the
stunning grounds of the Grade I-
listed Belcombe Court? Immerse
yourself fully in the waltzes, foxtrots
and soaring melodies, including
one of Puccini’s most beautiful
compositions, the quartet Bevo al
Tuo Fresco Sorriso, which translates
to ‘I drink to your beautiful smile’.
ifopera.com
Summer Solstice: Outdoor
Garage Rave
Motion, Bristol
August 27
GET BADM INTON
WHAT YOU LOVE
Sixth Form Open Evening Friday 23 September 2022
Book your place online now | admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk | badmintonschool.co.uk
Kurt Vile at
The Forum
Green Gathering
Near Chepstow,
Monmouthshire
August 4-7
Going beyond the usual festival
hedonism, Green Gathering
focuses on environmental and
social justice. Powered by wind
and solar (and the passion of
those that run it), this not-for-profit
event features an impressive
lineup of great music – headliners
include Seize the Day and 3 Daft
Monkeys – as well as ethical
traders, inspiring raconteurs and
craft and wellness workshops.
greengathering.org.uk
The Bristol Ball, Part 1
Trinity Centre, Bristol
August 13
Strike a pose. The Bristol
Ballroom Community is inviting
you to Bristol’s first official
voguing ball. Witness the
spectacular fusion of dance,
fashion, performance and gender
expression. If you’re feeling in the
mood you can even ‘walk’ the
ball. Beware, there are different
tickets for spectators and a whole
load of categories to choose from
for walkers, so do your research
before you pick.
trinitybristol.org.uk
Get your fill of old-skool garage
bangers with ten hours of anthems
and a top-secret headliner spot.
Enjoy a one-day festival vibe with an
outdoor rave space, glitter stations
and lineup of UK garage legends,
including Artful Dodger, Lisa Maffia
& Romeo, Crazy Cousinz, and DJs
Redhot, M1 and Bad Boy Brown
(plus, many more).
motion-bristol.com
Kurt Vile and the Violators
The Forum, Bath
August 27
Join the acclaimed Philadelphia
musician, songwriter and producer
for an excellent night of offbeat
indie rock, accompanied by his
band The Violators, plus special
guests. The European leg of Kurt
Vile’s tour will feature tracks from his
epic ninth studio-length solo album,
Watch My Moves, brought to life in
Bath’s former Art Deco cinema.
bathforum.co.uk
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 77

The THE Guide EDIT
Bringing
to Bath
We offer a complete service, from
design effortlessly through to
build completion.
Delivering your vision to the highest
standards of quality and finish.
Call: 01225 874 676
Email: info@saltfordkitchens.com
Showroom: 439 Bath Rd, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3AZ
saltfordkitchens.com
INTERIOR DESIGNER
OF THE YEAR
05523-July-SK-Circus HALF page Horiz-V1a.indd 1 15/07/2022 10:50
Wim Hof fundamentals at Goldney House
Workshops
Campfire cooking
Brocks Adventures, Bath
Throughout August
Have you always wanted to
master the perfect outdoor fire?
Get your Bear Grylls on in this
relaxed course, where a friendly
instructor will assist your group
in building the ideal campfire in
your own little woodland glade.
Once it’s roaring away, it’s time to
cook a basic dinner, followed by
cuddling up with a hot choc and
toasted s’mores.
brocksoutdooradventures.com
Wim Hof fundamentals
Goldney House,
Chipping Sodbury
August 28
Known in the health and wellness
world as the Iceman, the Wim
Hof method uses breathing
techniques and cold water
therapy to challenge the body
and improve mindset. At Goldney,
you’ll work with a certified
instructor, Jack Witts, on a fourhour
fundamentals workshop and
finish with an (optional!) ice-bath.
goldneyhouse.co.uk
Bookbinding – decorative
and dyed papers
Dillington House, Ilminster
September 5
This in-depth course encourages
participants to crumple, colour,
manipulate, dye, rearrange and
weave paper to make one-of-akind
decorative sheets for use
in bookbinding and crafts. You’ll
experiment with spirit and waterbased
dyes, paste-papers and
layering. Come armed with plenty
of ideas and dressed for many
messy experiments.
dillington.com
Mini masterclass in oil paint
with Libby Dillon
Berdoulat, Bath
September 13
Feel free to explore any subject
matter, whether it’s still-life,
portraiture or landscape, with this
two-and-a-half-hour masterclass
from professional painter and
teacher Libby Dillon. Bring
along photos and ideas for your
composition, get to grips with oil
paints and learn tips for working in
an alla prima (wet-on-wet) style. All
materials and a glass of wine from
the Berdoulat cellar included.
berdoulat.co.uk
Forest bathing at Miserden
Miserden Estate, near Stroud
September 16
Start this three-hour experience
in a private woodland clearing of
the Miserden Estate. Led by Rosie
Mockford, learn to slow down and
tune into the natural world around
you as you bathe in the sights,
sounds and smells of the forest. Oh,
and don’t panic, you do keep your
clothes on for this kind of bath.
miserden.org
HS282_HM_Hockney_Circus Mag Advert_150x103.5mmL_OUTLIEND_AW.indd 1 10/05/2022 16:55
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 79

The THE Guide EDIT
A complete building solution,
from initial planning all the
way through to completion
sbsdesignandbuild.com
01225 874676
info@sbsdesignandbuild.com
@sbsdesignandbuild
Food +
drink
Sheppy’s cider tours
Bradford on Tone, Taunton
Various dates until November
Dating back to 1917, this familyrun
cider farm is a Somerset
institution. Treat yourself to a
guided afternoon around the site,
with a visit to the orchards, press
house, vat house and rural-life
museum. Round off the tour by
sampling the vast array of awardwinning
ciders and picking up
something to swig at home.
sheppyscider.com
Cook & Dine: Spanish tapas
Thyme, Southrop Manor
Estate, Gloucestershire
August 18
This half-day course starts in the
kitchen garden, where attendees
learn all about Thyme’s field-tofork
techniques. Then take a trip
through the flavours of Andalusia
and Catalonia, with a look at
traditional Spanish plates, learning
how to recreate these flavour
sensations in your own kitchen.
thyme.co.uk
Thyme
Vegan Fast & Delicious:
cookery course
Demuths, Bath
August 20 + September 17
Looking for some more go-to
midweek meals? This full-day
course will improve your plantbased
repertoire, introduce you
to some new cupboard essentials
and sharpen up your knife skills.
Expect to create dishes such
as miso-glazed aubergines and
sesame tofu chips.
demuths.co.uk
Fire & Feast Summer at
Wild Herb
Glove Factory Studios,
Bradford on Avon
September 2
Experience what the chefs at the
Wild Herb kitchen can do with
the very best seasonal produce
cooked over roaring coal fire-pits.
Enjoy a welcome drink and threecourse
dinner overlooking the
idyllic fields and lakes at Wild Herb,
where much of the produce has
been locally sourced.
glovefactorystudios.com
Introduction to fermented
veg with Get Pickled
Lo Rapitenc, Frome
September 12
Get to know your kimchi from your
sauerkraut, and unscrew the jar
on the history, process and health
benefits of fermentation with this
fantastic two-hour introductory
course. Inspired by a zero-waste
approach, Get Pickled aims to
make the most of fresh food
surplus and transform it into food
with a longer shelf-life. You’ll also
come away with a one-litre jar of
your very own pickled creation.
getpickledsomerset.com
MUST DO
In partnership with
CASTLE FARM
Bath
Tuscan summer
supper clubs
August 6 + 13 + 20
Head over to the barn this
August as the Castle Farm
team cook up favourite dishes
from Italy. The menu is inspired
by balmy summer holidays
in Tuscany, and paired with
sunkissed organic produce
from the garden and specially
selected wines.
Welcome to Hawkins
August 27 + September 3
For two nights only, the folk at
Castle Farm will be dressing up,
giving the venue a makeover
and rustling up a menu entirely
inspired by the hit show
Stranger Things. A must for
fans to immerse themselves in
total 1980s joy.
Castle Farm Curry Club
Fridays
Friday night is curry night! With
an array of delicious, spicy
Malaysian and South Indian
dishes on the menu, mopped
up with the ever-popular
roti canai, booking is highly
recommended for this weekly
feast for the senses.
castlefarmcafemidford@gmail.com
castlefarmmidford.co.uk
All supper clubs are booked
through the website
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 81

Food + drink
Recipe
Serves 2
Elements-inspired roast scallops,
sobrasada butter and wilted spinach
from Corkage restaurant in Bath
Wool is
Ingredients
4 scallops
125g butter
200g sobrasada
6 tarragon leaves
Cooking oil (not extra
virgin olive oil)
2 thyme sprigs
250g baby spinach
Salad leaves of choice
(or seaweed)
Sea salt and black pepper
• Naturally insulating
• Hard-wearing
• Easy to care for
• Sustainable
• Hypoallergenic
• Naturally fire resistant
Method
Dry the scallops on a cloth or
kitchen paper.
Soften the butter and blend
with about half the sobrasada.
Turn on the grill.
Chop the tarragon leaves.
Heat the pan and add the
cooking oil. Season the scallops
with salt and pepper and
carefully add to the pan.
Slightly reduce the heat and
allow the scallops to colour but
do not turn. Once the scallops
have caramelised a bit, turn
them over and add a knob of
sobrasada butter and the thyme.
Cook for another minute
and a half, spooning the melted
foaming butter over the scallops.
Don’t allow the butter to burn.
Remove the scallops from
the pan and put on a heatproof
tray. Then add the spinach,
remaining sobrasada and
tarragon to the scallop pan,
season and allow to wilt.
While the spinach is cooking,
spread the sobrasada butter
over the scallops and place
under the grill.
To plate
Put the wilted spinach on the
plate first, then the scallops and
butter. Dress with salad leaves
and serve.
PAIR WITH...
Neck of the Woods
‘Madhouse’ Pinot Gris 2020
“Citrus and fruit notes in this
Kiwi Pinot Gris balance the spice,
sweetness and salt in the
scallop dish,” says head chef
Richard Knighting. “You’ll get pear,
elderflower, lemon zest and vanilla
bean on the nose, with citrus
notes to follow. White blossom
and stone fruit on the front palate
lead to a long and fresh finish.”
corkagebath.com
82 Circus Journal Late summer 2022
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