Circus Journal Vol 22
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Style, creativity and community
in the south-west
Volume 22 Early spring 2023 Rituals
8 ways to improve your day
+ The art of bookbinding
+ Joyful seasonal events
Spring hikes + Retail rebels
+ 48 hours in Cheltenham
+ Win a spa treatment & stay
Hello
Welcome to the first issue of 2023. This time,
we turn to rituals – the seasonal customs and
everyday habits that shape our existence.
We shrug off winter with four exhilarating
hikes, taking in sweeping valleys, proper pubs
and a forgotten stone circle. And suggest
simple ways to bring lightness to your days.
A bookbinder in Bath basks in the craft’s rich
history, relishing in centuries-old methods.
Plus, we nip over to Cheltenham for a buzzy
weekend of shopping, food and culture.
Meet the retailers bringing joy back to the high
street – offering everything from homeware
swaps to rug-tufting courses. Then check out
the best local events in early spring.
Finally, head to the back page for your chance
to win a night for two (including dinner,
cocktails and a spa treatment) at No.15 by
GuestHouse, Bath. Happy reading.
Emily Payne, editor
AN EMPORIUM OF TREASURES FOR YOUR HOME
FIND US ON 92 WALCOT STREET, BATH, BA1 5BG
WWW.GRAHAMANDGREEN.CO.UK
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 3
Contents
Regulars
The Edit 9
Design, community + lifestyle
Directory 57
Indie businesses we love
The Guide 63
Events in February + March
People
Win a night
for two at No.15
by GuestHouse, Bath,
including dinner
and a spa treatment.
See p74.
Page turner 17
Meet the bookbinder
Ideas
8 spring rituals 23
Dust away the cobwebs
Retail rebels 31
Shops shaking it up
Places
Best foot forward 39
Hikes in the west
48 hours in... 49
Culture hub, Cheltenham
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 5
Contributors
Meet some of the talented people who
helped to create this issue
Show Home Open Day
Saturday 4th February 10:00am—3:00pm
Please call 01225 302 888 to make your appointment to view
View our
brand new
show home
CGI
Writer Tola Fisher lives in
Cheltenham. Her book,
Still Standing: 100 Lessons
From An ‘Unsuccessful’
Life is out now.
Spring ritual: Wishfully
digging out summer clothes.
James Beck is a
Bristol photographer
contributing to the New York
Times and Channel 4.
Spring ritual: Finding
outdoor pursuits to turn into
photographic projects.
Sarah Baxter is a
Bath-based travel writer,
editor and hiker.
Spring ritual: Attempting
to walk every inch of
footpath on my local
OS Map.
All our stockist deliveries are
made using zero-emission
electric cargo bikes
CBP016816
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
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 395 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 printed
in January 2023 by Zenith Print
Group, in Pontypridd, Wales.
© Circus Journal 2023. 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.
Reflecting Bath’s Georgian architecture, Bridgetower Drive comprises
four and five bedroom townhouses and villas featuring Bath Stone
facades that add a traditional feel to these contemporary houses.
Northside Townhouses from £1,725,000, ready for occupation Autumn 2023
Southside Townhouses from £1,325,000, ready for occupation Winter 2023
The Marketing Pavilion: Holburne Park, Warminster Road, Bath BA2 6SF
Rosemary McAndrew: rmcandrew@savills.com | 01225 302 888 | bridgetowerdrive.co.uk
6
Circus Journal Early spring 2023
Disclaimer: This CGI was prepared from preliminary plans and specifications before the completion of the development. It is intended only as a guide. Details may have changed during construction
and final finishes could vary. Prospective purchasers should not rely on this information but must get their solicitor to check the plans and specification attached to their contract. January 2023.
THE
Edit
Design, community + lifestyle
Colour me beautiful
Welcome spring daylight
into your home with walls
from Anthropologie’s collab
with Morris & Co. The Arts
and Crafts paint brand has
40 colours, available in
chalky matt and eggshell
finishes. We love rich
Madox Madder, pictured,
named after Pre-Raphaelite
artist Ford Madox Brown.
anthropologie.com
BATH BESPOKE
Handmade Interiors
Cabinetry Architectural Joinery Kitchens Flooring
enquiries@bathbespoke.co.uk 01225 920 900 @bathbespoke
Hartley Farm, Winsley, Nr Bath, BA15 2JB
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 9
The Edit
Morning
Words: Natalie Paris
Boat life
Imagine waking up on a narrow
boat decked out like this. The
Bath family behind Marwood
Makes refits boats and vans,
turning them into clean, dreamy
spaces with strong Scandi vibes,
pastel-tiled nooks, genius
shelving and retro-style fridges
tucked between purpose-built
birch ply cabinets.
@marwood_makes
Wild breakfast
Try freshly baked treats
made with ingredients foraged
from the Jurassic Coast at
chef Harriet Mansell’s new
wild food bakery in her Lyme
Regis restaurant, Robin Wylde.
Specialities include woodruff
palmiers, nettle and wildflower
pinwheels, and gorse and
winter citrus Danishes.
@robinwyldedining
One-step beauty
Liha Okunniwa, co-founder of
LIHA Beauty, draws inspiration
from her Nigerian heritage and a
love of aromatherapy. The brand’s
multi-use lotions are designed
to simplify your skin routine. The
Oju Omi Cleansing Mud unclogs
pores, exfoliates and can reduce
breakouts. Products come in
100% recyclable packaging.
@lihabeauty
10 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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The Edit
Cosy days in our Restaurant,
Bar and Spa 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.
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
Booming ‘shrooms
The Flushrooms began in a shed
in Montpelier last year. Its
founder Antony Potts now grows
posh funghi for restaurants,
shops and markets at St Anne’s
House – a community centre
run by social enterprise Bricks.
Find its lion’s mane, shiitake and
oyster mushrooms at Poco Tapas
Bar and Hugo’s Greengrocer Deli.
@theflushrooms
Noon
Chocolate fix
Sip a mug of vegan hot chocolate
at Cacao Circle, a tasty pop-up
that opened in December on
Bedford Street in Stroud. The
venue hosts exhibitions and
meditation workshops, and is
run by Coco Caravan – chocolate
makers who blend ethically
sourced cacao beans with
coconut blossom sugar.
cococaravan.co.uk
Frame it
Great art deserves to be framed
and shared, say the people at
Somerset-based frame-makers,
MOUNT. The company’s first
collection is a set of architectural
drawings dating as far back as
the 16th century, carefully
displayed in handmade frames.
Composition I by Iakov Chernikhov
c.1920-40, pictured.
mountcollective.co.uk
12 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 13
The Edit
Sustainable
Night
Garden Rooms
Handmade in Bristol
www.littlegreenrooms.co.uk
Out out
Bristol Beacon has a banging
line-up of live music throughout
the city in 2023. We’re looking
forward to catching Brightonbased
psych-folk duo Native
Harrow, at Crofters Rights on
February 25. The band’s new
album Old Kind of Magic is a
gorgeous set of songs with an
off-kilter 1960s vibe.
bristolbeacon.org
Cuddle up
Wool from smallholdings across
Wales and the south-west was
going to waste until Gather’s
co-operative began making
100% British wool blankets.
Native-breed wool is spun by
British mills and the natural
colour is preserved. Blankets are
numbered, so can be traced back
to individual flocks.
gatherwool.co.uk
Hit refresh
Bed down at the Royal Crescent
Hotel, where the suites have
been given a lick of paint and the
restaurant is about to follow suit.
Visitors to the hotel during Bath’s
reBalance festival (February
7-25) can learn Indonesian Satria
yoga with WE.DNTPLAY, who
teach flowing sequences rooted
in martial arts.
royalcrescent.co.uk
14 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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People
3 MONTHS AT BOXWORKS
APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY
MY DESK
By the book
boxworks.co.uk/startup
The dexterous acts of old-world craft
are steeped in ritual. At a Bath bookbindery,
Sim Orme preserves the historic practice
Words Amanda Nicholls
Photography James Beck
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 17
People
This trade might not be
around forever, and with
that comes lost skills. I hope
to one day pass them on
through teaching.”
The age-old processes in
bookbinding can involve
around 100 elements
ost people walk past the Victorian gables of George
Bayntun Fine Bindings and Rare Books without
paying too much attention. But behind the stone
archways and mullioned windows is a wonderfully
antiquarian shop and bindery barely altered since
the 1930s. It’s a singular specimen still crafting the
way it did a century ago, with an old library out
back that looks like the opening setting of an
adventure film.
Surrounded by hefty, ancient Bibles and
Shakespearean tomes stacked in gilt-edged profile;
among brass finishing blocks from early publications
of Winnie the Pooh; and beloved children’s classics sent
in for careful restoration from as far as Hong Kong and
Hawaii, Sim Orme works as a forwarder.
Having studied at the Royal Bindery at Windsor
Castle, and spent time in Europe learning from
bookbinding maestros, Sim receives the text block (the
body of the book) after its pages have been cleaned,
treated, repaired, folded and sewn. Trimming, rounding
and backing the book, they gild the edges, prepare and
attach the boards, sew the end bands, adhere the spine
linings and cover the book in leather. It is then passed
on to the finisher, on the next workbench, for elaborate
gold tooling or decorative debossing.
Sim has recently finished a protective slipcase for an
Art Deco-styled copy of Dickens’ Bleak House, and
is about to bind a prized first edition of Lord of the Rings
for a young Texan collector.
Old habits
It takes at least two months to bind a book at Bayntun’s
– awarded the Royal Warrant in 1950 by Queen Mary
by way of payment for her visits during the wartime
years. The processes often involve around 100 elements
before a book is put into the press.
Over the years it takes to internalise these elements
and their order, the binder will often develop their own
daily customs and idiosyncrasies that get them into the
focused mindset for such painstaking precision work.
In the old days, founder George Bayntun would take
snuff after selling a certain number of books, believing
his subsequent sneezes would release ‘fresh energies’.
Meanwhile, all the binders would stop, like clockwork,
for elevenses, then again at 3.30pm for tea.
18 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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People
Libraries
I love
● Birmingham Library
It’s amazing for
working, hanging out
and learning. I took
British Sign Language,
Arabic and French
courses there.
● The National Library
of Malta
For the feels. It’s a big
space; a dark, cool
room lined with a lot of
vellum bindings.
● My personal library
A collection of book
art, fine bindings,
friends’ books and
charity shop finds.
Top: Ancient volumes in
various states of repair
Below: After Sim has
bound the book, it is
passed on to a finisher
for gold tooling or
decorative debossing
For Sim, a creature of habit, mornings
involve black coffee and yoga before
cycling to the bindery, laying out their
go-to tools (bonefolder, scalpel, Japanese
square ruler) and tuning into some
French electro and techno, or maybe
some drill or drone music to get into the
zone. “It touches my body in a totally different way,
although it’s quite intense and gets inside your brain so
can get emotional,” says Sim. “I listen to a lot of music,
pop too. I’ve just recently got back into 50 Cent… Candy
Shop – so good!”
Connection to the past
There are days when it’s easier to bind a book because
the atmosphere is right, and days when the gold just
won’t stick, and procrastination comes with its own set
of practices. “I’m still a bit uncomfortable with buffing
leather so will naturally gravitate towards trimming
books, fraying their cords or making end papers to
avoid it,” says Sim, who shakes off the studiousness by
running and bell-ringing a couple of evenings a week.
Or heading out to favourite haunts Beckford Bottle
Shop, The Bell Inn and Bristol’s Strange Brew.
While there’s access to over 15,000 unique, hand-cut
instruments for carrying out intricate manual work, it’s
not the done thing to borrow another binder’s tools.
“You get attached to them, and they become incredibly
personal. All my weights have personalities,” says Sim.
“Most binders will insist you can’t use their paring knife
because it’s moulded to their hand. And they do change
shape through the way you use them.”
It’s a satisfying craft. “When I started, I couldn’t get
over the fact I’d taken a piece of board, covered it with
cloth, completed all these little steps and ended up with
this object that I was utterly amazed I’d made. There’s a
sense of connection – in the same way that if I took a walk
in a field I’d probably feel better than I would watching a
bit of TV. It’s really nice just to touch all the materials.
“With no bookbinding schools left in England, this
trade might not be around forever, and with that comes
lost skills. I hope to one day pass them on through
teaching. It’s incredible to be doing something so
historic and I do take pride in that.”
georgebayntun.com
Reading list
Local booksellers suggest
books on rituals
The Practice
of Not Thinking
by Ryunosuke Koike
Bookhaus, Bristol
“A simple guide to mindful
living by a Japanese
former Buddhist monk.
This is one of our
bestsellers and it’s a book
that could alter your life.
bookhausbristol.com
Daily Rituals by
Mason Currey
Topping & Company
Booksellers of Bath
“The routines of the
world’s great minds, from
philosophers to artists.
This collection details how
their differing routines
aided their success (vices
and all!).”
toppingbooks.co.uk
Rituals for Life
by Isla Macleod
Hunting Raven Books,
Frome
“A beautifully presented
manifesto on how we can
use everyday rituals to
help connect us to find
peace, joy and intention in
our everyday living.”
huntingravenbooks.co.uk
The Almanac
by Lia Leendertz
Max Minerva’s Marvellous
Books, Bristol
“A month-by-month guide
to the night sky, tides and
gardening tasks, with songs
and recipes. A wonderful
way to reconnect with the
natural world.”
maxminervas.co.uk
20 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal
21
Ideas
INTERNATIONAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
EXHIBITION 164
The world’s longest running
photography exhibition
Discover over 100 contemporary
images by 46 photographers
28 JAN - 7 MAY 2023
Free
Entry
Mon - Sun, 10am - 5pm
RPS Gallery
337 Paintworks
Bristol
BS4 3AR
rps.org/IPE164
#IPE164
© Frederic Aranda, Vogue House
Spring
rituals
Simple tricks to break
the daily grind
22 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Words
Sonia Zhuravlyova
Ideas
No. 1
Learn
Dry January is over. Here comes Try February (and March,
April, May…). Trying a new skill helps to keep you sharp
and can boost confidence. For something a little different,
Stroud-based School of Larks (schooloflarks.com) offers
classes in everything from handstands to trapeze. Or
go practical with carpentry skills or DIY plumbing at
TouchWood (touchwoodsouthwest.com), a female-led
not-for-profit carpentry and joinery company in Devon.
Want to up your food game? Learn how to make your
own cheese at Bristol’s Coexist Community Kitchen
(coexistcommunitykitchen.org).
No. 2
Mend
The perfect antidote to throw-away culture
is repairing your own clothes. “I love the
ritual of mending and the meditative
process of darning by hand,” says Lizzie
David, who runs darning workshops across
the south-west (@little_moth_mends). “It’s
rewarding to bring clothes back to life.
Darning requires only a few basic stitches
and you don’t need much: a needle,
some yarn and a darning mushroom.” Got
something larger to fix? Try one of the
south-west’s growing collection of repair
cafés – one recently opened in Sea Mills,
Bristol – where you can get things fixed
and learn how to mend things in future.
No. 3
Doodle
Artist Lisa Stickley hosts
online doodle workshops
from her kitchen in London
(lisastickleystudio.com).
Participants are sent a
kit packed with covetable
stationery, including crayons,
neon paint, vintage papers and
a Tunnocks chocolate caramel
wafer for good measure. She
says: “Life has its ups and
downs. Losing my mum two
years ago made me realise
that drawing is my go-to. It
stretches the creative strings,
unblocks the flow. Guided
drawing takes away all the
thinking and allowing you to
just create. It’s then that the
magic happens.”
No. 4
The healing power of singing is well known. A
recent article in the New York Times reported
benefits ranging from the release of endorphins
to beating stress and increasing lung capacity. It
can also help with memory and concentration, as
it involves focusing on multiple things at once.
Luckily, having a ‘good’ voice isn’t a prerequisite
– the Big Noise Chorus (bignoisechorus.co.uk),
which is active from Exeter to Torquay, and the
Birch Tree Folk Choir (birchtreechoir.com) in Bath
and Bristol, are community-based groups that
encourage everyone to join in.
24 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Ideas
No. 5
Breakfast stretches are a thing. “Waking up the vertebrae and
switching on your core releases endorphins and gets oxygen
into your muscles,” Bath-based Olympic skeleton racer and gold
medallist Amy Williams tells us. “If you’re pushed for time, just
stretch your hands up, then bring them down, placing your chin
to your chest and rolling down through the whole vertebrae along
your spine, with a soft bend in your knees. Then slowly come
back up again,” she says. “You can do it while boiling the kettle!”
No. 7
Grow
Tending to plants – whether on an allotment,
in your garden or a window box – can reap great
rewards. You’ll end up with a tasty crop or some
beautiful shrubs, and feel stronger, both physically
and mentally, for nurturing something. Plus, gardening
gets you outside, upping your vitamin D. Roots
Allotments in Bath (rootsallotments.com) has recently
opened in Bristol, and its no-waiting-list patches
are perfect for newbies. Down to Earth Stroud
(downtoearthstroud.co.uk) holds seed exchange
events at Stroud Farmers Market in early spring.
No. 6
Read
2023 is set to be a corker for book releases. The
people at Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath
suggest: Old Babes in the Wood, a collection of stories
by Margaret Atwood; Small Worlds, an exploration of
family relationships by Caleb Azumah Nelson, and The
Late Americans by Brandon Taylor, who is a masterful
chronicler of contemporary life. A good book, whether
a thriller, romantic novel or self-help manual, can be
a tonic. Read Around Bath (readaroundbath.org.uk)
runs Better with a Book sessions at Keynsham Library
for people suffering from bereavement, depression
or chronic pain. Meanwhile, Bristol Central Library
(bristol.gov.uk) holds a range of free events, from
lunchtime lectures to pop culture discussion groups.
26 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Ideas
No. 8
SWITCH
Doom-scrolling, especially first thing
in the morning, can be overwhelming,
leaving us feeling gloomy and
depleted. How many hours have we
lost to Twitter and Instagram et al? A
recent study from the University of
Bath suggests that even a week-long
break is enough to reduce anxiety and
improve overall wellbeing. “We’re still
trying to understand whether taking a
longer break has longer-term benefits
for people,” says Jeffrey Lambert,
lecturer in health and exercise
psychology at the University of Bath,
who carried out the research.
OFF
28 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Ideas
Bringing joy to our high streets,
these new openings have kinship and
creativity at their core. Make way for
the retail revolutionaries
Words
Vishaka Robinson
Mark Welland Harriet Whyatt Amy Magee
Tom White
Angela Melkis
Giles Ward
“I recently purchased a fabulous painting from Clifton Fine Art.
The service was impeccable. The communication throughout was first rate.”
STEVE S
“I’m so pleased we have found Clifton Fine Art. It has a great
selection of quality artwork for all tastes. We’re very pleased
with my purchases from them.”
TINA B
“We recently bought Our Walk by Cat Croxford from Clifton Fine Art and I have
to say, the whole experience was very good indeed.”
ROBIN T
Soul
stores
www.cliftonfineart.com 12 Perry Road BS1 5BG
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 31
Ideas
This page and previous page:
East of Home in Bath, where
you’ll find ethical lifestyle brands
and a host of workshops
For bookworms and
fashion lovers
TwoSixFour, Bristol
From keen bibliophile Cat Dickie and
fashion designer Carla Diogo, St George
newcomer TwoSixFour is the result of
the pals’ overlapping passions. They’ve
filled it with objects they covet, like
Carla Llanos prints, vintage glassware,
Our Lovely Goods candles and Florence
Ceramics. “We didn’t want it to look like
a traditional shop, and wanted everything
we sell to work in harmony,” explains Cat,
who has put together their bookshelves
to focus on under-represented authors.
She started up an in-store book club in
January and book swaps are in the pipeline.
Carla has cultivated her talents, selling
her handmade clothing in-store, where
samples, such as her scallop-necked Ronnie
blouse, are on show. “I only make what has
been ordered so there’s no waste, and no
excess buying or making,” explains Carla,
who also runs popular sewing classes.
@twosixfourbristol
For style seekers
East of Home, Bath
Stylist Felicity Lynch has devised this new
shop, perched at the top of Walcot Street, to
be more than just retail, giving prominence
to a long farm table to use for super clubs,
talks and events. “In our window I have
a quote that encapsulates our ethos: ‘In
community we teach each other.’ I want it to
be somewhere people can feel comfortable
and learn something new among friends.”
Workshops are all based around a slower
lifestyle (e.g. make do and mend with Little
Moth Mends and natural dyeing with Tuck It
In Quilts). And the place is laden with quality
ethical brands like Nadinoo, Jaggery London
and Runaway Bicycle, candles from Wiltshirebased
Sinceris, and dried flowers from Bristol
florist Lunaria.
eastofhome.com
32 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Ideas
APPRENTICESHIPS
& CAREERS FAIR
THURSDAY
9 TH MARCH
10AM-3PM
in the Guildhall, Bath
Meet 80+ national
& local employers
offering jobs &
apprenticeships
REGISTER
TODAY
SCAN ME
bathcollege.ac.uk/apprenticeships
FIND THE RIGHT FIT
If you are a business and
would like to exhibit,
please get in touch
For meeting the makers
The Iron Gates, Frome
Set in a Grade II-listed 17th-century pile (which
was once a pet shop – you can see the old sign
framed in the entrance), the Iron Gates opened
last summer after a six-month renovation. Now,
Forest Symphony green paint by Valspar and
flagstone floors make for stylish digs for a family
of talented craftspeople. “I wanted to create
somewhere people can make and sell in the
same space, so you can see the process behind
the products and engage with it,” explains
co-founder Alfie Lay. Residents include textile
guru Laura Holden (known for her pear-shaped
cushions), upholsterer Electra Danielle and
jewellery maker Emma Aitchison. Workshops
are planned in everything from ring carving to
still-life drawing and plant medicine.
theirongates.com
For home renovations
Atelier Ellis, Bath
Paint maven Cassandra Ellis has
quietly overseen the transformation
of a townhouse in Bath’s Walcot
area. Set to open this spring, this
concept store will be spread over
the building’s four floors. Cassandra
is creating a set of colours to
celebrate Bath – and each room
will display these. Customers will
be able to shop the collection of
90 paints, all hand-mixed in a
manufactory a short cycle from the
store. “My husband and I love Bath,
and have been visiting for many
years,” says Cassandra. “The paint
is natural and breathable, so perfect
for listed buildings too.” The team
has an allotment nearby, so staff can
lunch together on seasonal produce.
And there are plans to host regular
exhibitions and events which
share stories of the home through
photography and hand-making.
atelierellis.co.uk
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 35
Ideas
AMERICA
IN CRISIS
ORGANISED BY SAATCHI GALLERY
ORGANISED BY SAATCHI GALLERY
A major American
photography exhibition
exploring social change in
the US through the lens of
a diverse group of artists
American Museum & Gardens
Bath BA2 7BD
americanmuseum.org
Matt Bigwood
For surprising
finds
Hidden, Bath
The brainchild of eventsplanner-turned-shopkeeper
Natty Whiting, Hidden is
tucked down a side street of
Georgian houses in the centre
of Bath. Inside it’s split in two:
a shop at the front, laden with
Natty’s cherry-picked finds
(scalloped straw pendants
from Hastshilp, Lola’s Leads
extension cords and Wild
Rising Skincare); then behind is
a high-ceilinged events space,
earmarked for an ever-changing
mix of experiences. “I want to
deliver thoughtful workshops
and experiences,” explains
Natty (who has devised
interactive events for the likes
of Sony Music). A pre-loved
homeware exchange, handpainting
your own candles, and
an Easter table display how-to
are all on the cards. This spring,
it’s set to become a chic toddler
hang-out with kit from Little
Squishy Soft Play Co.
@hiddenstorebath
For timeless crafts
Weven, Stroud
Weven is a hub of craft, community
and creativity. Its frontage is
adorned with medieval emblems
(painted by local artist Alex Merry)
and the whole place – part-shop,
part-workshop space – operates
as a not-for-profit. Founder Rhia
Davenport says: “I wanted to find
a way to support makers who
celebrate folklore alongside ancient
and traditional country crafts, folk
skills and techniques.” The idea
is that you can find out who made
your object and how, often with
the opportunity for you to learn
how to make it yourself at one of
Weven’s workshops. Expect a litany
of interesting events planned for the
coming year, from gansey knitting
and wallpaper-making to rug-tufting
and smocking.
weven.co.uk
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 37
Places
Walk
this way
Putting one foot in front of the
other is often the answer. Try these
energising hikes in the south-west
Words
Photography
Sarah Baxter
Felix Russell-Saw
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 39
Places
Marshfield +
St Catherine’s Valley
Where? South Gloucestershire
What? Hidden-feeling hiking on the
city’s edge
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 3.5-4.5 hours
St Catherine’s is a beautiful valley.
Especially in spring, when the
hawthorns are in brilliant white
bloom. The wildflowers can be
outrageous, sprinkling slopes that rise
and plummet in great green pleats.
Admittedly it can be muddy, so wait
for a dry spell or prepare to squelch –
it’s worth it either way.
The village of Marshfield, with its
grand Cotswold high street, two pubs,
tea room and shop, is a good starting
point for a fairly testing eight-mile
loop. From the church, head south
across the fields towards Ashwicke
Grange, then around Clift Wood – just
beyond are jaw-dropping views. Then
descend steeply to the valley bottom,
with St Catherine’s Court visible
opposite. This striking 16th-century
pile was originally a grange for Bath
Abbey; more latterly it’s been used as
a recording studio (Radiohead made
OK Computer here).
Follow the waymarked Limestone
Link along the brook, eventually
climbing, dipping and climbing again
to reach Cold Ashton’s Jacobean
manor. The Cotswold Way passes
here, but ignore it to traverse a hillside
and return to Marshfield instead.
Pit stop: Order a well-deserved real
ale at the charming 17th-century
Catherine Wheel in Marshfield
(thecatherinewheel.co.uk).
Stand-out views: The whole loop has
the wow factor, but linger on a bench
in front of Cold Ashton Manor and
admire the valley’s dramatic folds.
Info: Use OS Explorer Map 155.
40 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 41
Places
Bradford on Avon Walking Wheel
Where? Wiltshire and Somerset
What? Superb signed network for bespoke
walking adventures
Distance: 46 miles
Time: 3-6 days
Bradford on Avon is an official Walkers are
Welcome hub – which is no surprise. This
handsome Wiltshire wool town is cradled
in cracking terrain, all plunging valleys and
rolling hills, speckled with golden limestone
houses and good country pubs.
Bradford on Avon’s star offering is its
wonderful Walking Wheel. This wellwaymarked
set of trails comprises a 6.5-
mile inner circuit, a 25-mile outer loop and
eight spokes linking the two, which can be
walked in multiple combinations – there’s
something for everyone. There’s so much
scenic variety too, from easy stretches along
the river and canal (look out for spring
ducklings) to yomps via lush fields and
woodland pungent with wild garlic. Also en
route lies 15th-century Great Chalfield Manor,
the impressive aqueducts of Avoncliff and
Dundas, and pretty villages such as Monkton
Combe and Holt.
Pit stops: For good food and stylish rooms
try Timbrell’s Yard (timbrellsyard.com). Also
make a beeline for the New Inn at Westwood
(thenewinnwestwood.co.uk), No.10 Tea Garden
(avonclifftea.com) for cake overlooking
Avoncliff Aqueduct, the fancier Longs Arms
(thelongsarms.com) in South Wraxall, and
Hartley Farm (hartley-farm.co.uk) for locally
grown goodies.
Stand-out views: There are sweeping
southward vistas from Monkton Farleigh,
and lovely valley views from the bench in
Monkton Combe churchyard (last resting
place of Great War veteran Harry Patch).
Info: Buy the Walking Wheel map
(walkbradfordonavon.org).
42 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 43
People Places
Chew Magna +
Stanton Drew
Where? Chew Valley, Somerset
What? Intimate encounters
with a forgotten stone circle
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
The spring equinox will likely see
1,000-plus revellers descend on
Stonehenge. But 40 miles west lies
another stone circle – England’s
third-biggest complex of prehistoric
standing stones – that most people
have never heard of. Erected
4,500 years ago, the 26 remaining
megaliths of Stanton Drew’s Great
Circle loiter quietly in a farmer’s
field; you might meet a druid or two
on March 20, but usually there’s no
one else about.
See the site on a gentle loop
through the rolling Mendips, from
the village of Chew Magna. Pick
up the Three Peaks Walk and head
northeast over flowery fields to
the villages of Norton Hawkfield
and Norton Malreward, then on
to Pensford, passing beneath the
mighty arches of the abandoned
19th-century viaduct. From here,
return west, following the Two
Rivers Way along the wiggly River
Chew and through Stanton Drew.
Pit stops: The Druid’s Arms
(thedruidsarms.co.uk) sits next to
the stone circle, with a cluster of
three large stones called The Cove
in its beer garden. Find sustainable
seafood and Chew Valley Gin at the
Lazy Lobster (lazylobsterltd.com) in
Chew Magna.
Stand-out views: Gaze at Maes
Knoll Iron Age hill fort from Norton
Hawkfield. See the viaduct loom on
the approach to Pensford.
Info: It costs £1 to see the stones
(english-heritage.org.uk). Use OS
Explorer Map 155.
44 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 45
Places
UPCOMING SHOWS IN 2023
DRIVE YOUR PLOW MOG THE
YOU BURY ME
OVER THE BONES FORGETFUL CAT
OF THE DEAD
Now On Until 11 Feb 14 – 18 Feb | Half Term 24 Feb – 4 Mar
Olga Tokarczuk’s criticallyacclaimed
whodunnit is adapted
for the stage, presented by
international touring company
Complicité.
The Wardrobe Ensemble presents
an enchanting adaptation of the
Judith Kerr classic, with songs,
live music and a menagerie of
creatures little and large. Ages 3+.
Coming of age in the aftermath
of the Arab Spring, six young
Egyptians navigate friendship,
loss and secret Grindr dates in the
city that made them.
WALDO’S CIRCUS OF
MAGIC & TERROR
VENUS
PRIDE & PREJUDICE*
(*SORT OF)
11 Mar – 1 Apr 3 & 4 May 8 – 20 May
A dazzling and uplifting new
circus theatre musical about a
story of forbidden love which
balances on the tightwire.
Feb – May 23
Tickets from £8
A quadruple bill of new work
from IMPERMANENCE following
a decade of creating cutting-edge
dance for stage and screen.
bristololdvic.org.uk
A unique and audacious retelling
of Jane Austen’s most iconic love
story, direct from its triumph in
the West End.
0117 987 7877
Charity No. 228235
Dan Booth Round
Where? Bath
What? Terrific trig point tour
offering a full 360 of city highs
Distance: 26 miles (ish)
Time: One long day, or up to
10 day trips
Dan Booth was a local ultra
runner who died suddenly in
2011, aged just 42. This brilliant
memorial challenge, linking
the ten Ordnance Survey
trigonometry points around Bath,
was one of his training runs. You
don’t have to do it in one brutal
dash. Base yourself in Bath and
tick off the stone pillars at a more
sedate pace.
For instance, try a northerly
route, tracing a section of the
Cotswold Way via the trigs on
Penn Hill, panoramic Kelston
Roundhill and Hanging Hill (also
home to a Civil War monument).
From here, you could peel off,
walking via the Norman church at
Langridge and wildflower-strewn
Woolley Valley, to climb to the trig
on Little Solsbury Hill. Drop down
to the Avon and follow the canal
back into Bath.
Or continue clockwise. The other
six markers are at Bannerdown (a
steep haul), Bathampton Down
(lovely open strolling), Widcombe
(the actual marker is inaccessible),
Englishcombe Knoll (big views),
Southdown (more urban) and
Newton St Loe (near the
charming village).
Pit stops: The Yard
(theyardinbath.co.uk) is a smart
Bath base. The Packhorse
(packhorsebath.co.uk) in South
Stoke is a splendid communityowned
inn, and Newton Farm
(newtonfarmfoods.co.uk) has a
brilliant café and deli.
Stand-out views: So many!
But from the top of Little
Solsbury Hill you can see great
green valleys spidering off in all
directions. Listen for skylarks too.
Info: Buy OS Explorer Map 155;
see fastestknowntime.com.
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 47
IN...
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.
Places
No38 The Park
S48 HOUR
Cheltenham
Thanks to its prized food, shopping and art scene,
this grand spa town is a Cotswolds must-visit.
We plan the perfect weekend break
Words
Tola Fisher
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 49
S AT U R D AY
Places
Ritual Brew Bar is open Friday
to Sunday each week for
coffee, cake and brunch
Ritual Brew Bar
No38 The Park’s rooms are
beautifully designed and
several come with opulent
antique claw-foot tubs
F R I D AY
8pm
Sing for your supper
Head for drinks, nibbles and
karaoke at Filipino haunt Pyesta
(pyesta.uk) on Clarence Street. Its
name means fiesta – and that’s
exactly the atmosphere owners
Rose and Portia bring to this cute
restaurant. Get your song list ready
and sample traditional flavours from
the Philippines while you wait your
turn. Try the delicious ukoy crispy
vegetable fritters served with spiced
white vinegar, or the lechon kawali
– deep-fried pork belly – along with
lashings of local beer.
11pm
Hunker down
No38 The Park (no38thepark.com) is
a beautifully remodelled Georgian
townhouse in leafy Pittville, on
the outskirts of town. This dogfriendly
hotel has members’ club
vibes thanks to its tastefully deckedout
bedrooms and unique art.
Downstairs, there’s an open kitchen
and bright dining room leading out
onto a private courtyard. If all you
want is a bed for the night, check
out the newly opened Crescent
Place (crescentplace.co.uk) with
apartments in the centre of town.
9am
Coffee injection
The Scandinavian Coffee Pod
(thescandinaviancoffeepod.com)
is a sleek glass and yellow steel
container on Royal Well Place.
Sit outside with a flat white and
a tasty ginger and date friand,
baked by Cheltenham local Lara
Bryce-Morris. Or try The Artisan
Baker (theartisanbaker.co.uk) next
to the Town Hall, which does
excellent coffee, croissants and
perfect loaves for lunch. Ritual
Coffee Roasters (ritualcoffee.org)
on Lansdown Industrial Estate
is home to a community-focused
roaster and brew bar. Its new all-day
brunch menu is full of flavour – see
berry-soaked brioches, spicy steak
sandwiches and fried cornbread.
50 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 51
Places
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INTERIOR DESIGNER
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11am
Hit the shops
Cheltenham Literature
Festival has welcomed
the likes of Joan
Collins, Jamie Oliver
and Stephen King. For
full literary immersion,
pop into Hatchards
(hatchards.co.uk) on The
Promenade, an 18thcentury
bookseller with rare books and first
editions. Towards Montpellier, MIMMO
Studios (mimmostudios.com) is a womenswear
and homeware concept store. Ambitious
founders Lil Gardiner and Katie Brown are
on a mission to reinvent retail, and excellent
local brands – like Stroud-based Mussi
knitwear and LIHA Beauty – take precedent.
Brands like Carhartt, Ganni and Patagonia
find their home at lifestyle store The Union
Project (theunionproject.com) on nearby
Queens Circus.
1pm
Cotswold views
Have lunch with a view at the town’s new
rooftop bar and restaurant, The Nook
(thenookcheltenham.co.uk). Since opening
in November 2022, this fifth-floor eatery
has wowed diners with dishes like venison,
wild mushrooms and pickled blackberries,
and vista onto the impeccably kept
Imperial Gardens, nearby Cleeve Hill and
Leckhampton Hill. The seasonal menu is
centred around produce from the Cotswolds,
Herefordshire, Worcestershire and
Oxfordshire. Ask the sommelier to take you
through the wine list – one zingy highlight is
the Pulenta Estate Naranjo orange wine.
4pm
Feast the eyes
The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum
(cheltenhammuseum.org.uk) reopened in
2022, following huge renovations. It is now
home to resident artists and a changing
rota of exhibitions, including displays from
Clockwise from top:
Rooftop bar and restaurant
The Nook; lifestyle store The
Union Project; Lil Gardiner and
Katie Brown at their beautiful
womenswear and homeware
shop, MIMMO Studios
Grayson Perry and designer
Milligan Beaumont, who
has made clothes for Helena
Bonham Carter. The gallery
also contains fascinating
collections, including
watercolours made by Edward
Wilson, an explorer who
accompanied Captain Scott to
Antarctica, and 43 Dutch and
Belgian paintings given by the
Baron de Ferrières in 1898.
8pm
Dinner time
Awesome diner Smokey Joe’s
(smokeyjoescheltenham.co.uk) hosts live music,
comedy and jazz. A fourth-generation family
business, the burgers, fries and milkshake may
feel like a throwback to Grease, but there
are no sticky tables or cracked linoleum to be
seen. Food is made ‘fresh not fast’, and artists
from across the UK perform here. You’ll find
Japanese and Korean food with your own
table grill at Nagomi (nagomi.uk) and tasty
falafels at Habibah (habibahcafe.co.uk). Or head
to Muse Brasserie (musebrasserie.com), where
Mumbai street tapas meet confit duck, okra
and caviar; thanks to the pairing of Parisien
Chef Grillet and Indian Chef Pramod.
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 53
S U N D AY
Places
VISIT OUR TAPROOM
ON THE EDGE oF BATH
JOIN US FOR
CRAFT BEER
STREET FOOD
LIVE MUSIC
INTL. SPORTS
OPENING HOURS
THU 5-10
FRI 5-10
SAT 2-10
SUN 2-6
ELECTRIC BEAR BREWING CO.
UNIT 12, THE MALTINGS. BRASSMILL LANE, BATH BA1 3JL
DESIGN | SUSTAINABILITY | COMMUNITY
"RETAIL IS BROKEN, LET'S MEND IT"
@MIMMOSTUDIOS
MIMMOSTUDIOS.COM
6 & 7 MONTPELLIER WALK, CHELTENHAM
7am
Get your hike on
Grab your hiking boots, bike or dog and
head to nearby Leckhampton, a Cotswolds
Area of Outstanding Beauty. Here, you can
follow a three-mile circular trail starting
at Old Bath Road, which takes around an
hour and 40 minutes to complete. You’ll
amble alongside Lilley Brook golf course,
Leckhampton Hill and up towards Pilley
Bridge Nature Reserve. Expect livestock!
For a warming coffee and some wholesome
breakfast, stop off at The Sober Parrot
(recoveryhub.co.uk) on St James’ Square, a
not-for-profit café owned and operated by
The Nelson Trust, a charity that works with
people who are affected by addiction.
12pm
Vintage joy
The Suffolks Market takes place on the
last Sunday of every month and hosts
independent traders selling handmade
crafts, candles, one-off pieces of jewellery
and art. This area of town is full of
interesting vintage boutiques, including
Willow Hilson (willowhilson.com), which
famously dressed Kate Middleton. Round
the corner in Tivoli is the wonderfully
named Department of Joy, Hope & Wonder
(thedepartmentofhopejoywonder.com). Owner
Catherine Colebrook stocks an array of
uplifting trinkets, and there’s a secret coffee
shed in the pretty pebbled courtyard.
2pm
One for the road
DEYA Brewery (deyabrewing.com) has two
taprooms on Lansdown Industrial Estate.
The on-site taproom serves up 25 beers on
draft and in cans, and around the corner
is the mixed fermentation taproom, which
also offers natural cider and wine. Think
informal bench seating, food trucks varying
from Thai food to falafels, and a general
hipster vibe.
Above: Rainbow-coloured
candles at The Department of
Joy, Hope & Wonder in Tivoli
Left: DEYA Brewery, home to
a huge range of draft beers,
natural wines and cider
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 55
Directory
Showcasing independent
businesses in the south-west
WOULD YOU LIKE
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
CIRCUS DIRECTORY? EMAIL
simon@circusjournal.com
REVOLUTION,
PROPAGANDA,
ART:
Printmaking
in Modern China
12 October 2022 - 3 June 2023
In Partnership with The Muban Educational Trust
Photography: Felix Russell-Saw
SERVICES
Float Projects
A contemporary picture-framing studio in Bristol that combines
conservation methods with experimental design. They also offer
framing services that can be carried out at your home or gallery,
and consultation and management for large-scale projects.
floatprojects.co.uk
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 57
Promoted content
Hot Property and Cold Storage by Richard Walker
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
ART
Sandra Higgins Art
A tailored art advisory service,
helping clients build art collections
in their homes and commercial
spaces, with work sourced from
a diverse range of established
artists. Artworks can be viewed
in person (by appointment), via
visits to artists’ studios and online.
sandrahiggins.art
WELLBEING
Yoga for Beginners with Eliana
Eliana offers accessible yoga
for beginners in and around
Bristol, with the intention of
growing confidence in a studio
environment. She breaks down
key yogic teachings in a playful
way to build the foundation of
a rounded yoga practice.
yogawitheliana.co.uk
FOOD + DRINK
Corkage
An award-winning restaurant, bar
and bottle shop in Bath, serving
seasonal dishes using local
produce. Wine comes from across
the globe and is served by the
bottle or glass. Open for dinner,
Monday to Saturday, and lunch on
Fridays and Saturdays.
corkagebath.com
INTERIORS
Bath Bespoke
Bath Bespoke designs, makes
and installs handmade interiors.
Offering a single point of contact
for clients with large-scale
projects. Services include dressing
rooms, libraries, kitchens, boot
rooms, hardwood flooring, and
interior and exterior joinery.
bathbespoke.co.uk
WORKSPACE
House of St John’s
The perfect place to work, connect
and grow. The elegant building at
1 Queen Square, Bath, offers coworking,
dedicated desks, offices,
meeting rooms and an events
space. Premium fittings and ultrafast
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
in-store and online. Serving small
plates and daily specials, it’s the
perfect cosy venue for a special
Valentine’s lunch or dinner. Check
their website and socials for
seasonal food events.
lorapitencspanishfood.com
SERVICES
Obladee
A graphic design partnership
aiming to bring your projects to
life while positively impacting the
world we live in. With over 25 years
of collective experience, the team
at Obladee combine great ideas
and good values with a unique
purpose-led design process.
obladee.co.uk
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
SHOPPING
Julia Davey
An independent lifestyle shop in
Bath with a focus on locally made
gifts and homeware, including
Julia’s handmade lampshades and
upholstered furniture. Curation is
based on colour, form and natural
materials. Use the code CIRCUS
for 10% off online.
juliadavey.com
SERVICES
Noughts & Ones
The people at Bristol-based
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
SHOPPING
Sprouts of Bristol
So much more than a plant
shop, Sprouts stocks botanically
themed gifts and homeware
from over 50 indie brands, artists,
designers and craftspeople.
Plus, there’s a diverse range of
plants and the best plant care
brands in UK.
sproutsofbristol.co.uk
58 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 59
Promoted content
FOOD + DRINK
Retribution Distilling Co
Whisky, rum and gin distillery
based in Frome. Retribution is
the first distillery to start whisky
production in Somerset, and uses
local ingredients to produce a
truly local spirit. The rums and
gins have won awards, both
regionally and internationally.
retributiondistilling.co.uk
SERVICES
Customer IQ
Are you the founder of a new
business, or are you planning
on leading a start-up? If so, then
validation of your business idea
with market research could
be a game-changer for you.
Get in touch with Gideon at
Customer IQ for free advice.
customer-iq.com
SERVICES
Manage My Website
A friendly Bath-based team of
experts who can build great
websites, train people to use
Squarespace, and advise on SEO
and online marketing. Get in
touch if you need a new website,
a refresh or would like to learn
to build your own.
managemywebsite.com
WELLBEING
Hybrid Health Physiotherapy
Bath-based Hybrid provides
physiotherapy and specialised
services for pain, injury or muscle
tension. Treatments include
exercise plans, sports massage,
dry cupping and running analysis.
Book online for 10% off with code
CIRCUS10 in February and March.
hybridhealthphysio.com
SHOPPING
The Bristol Artisan
A curated space for 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 by using the
code CIRCUSTBA.
thebristolartisan.com
SERVICES
2A1M Studio
Adriana, Lauren and Josh form this
young architectural practice based
in Bath, Bristol and across the
south-west. They are passionate
about thoughtful design and
believe that understanding a
client’s brief is key to finding
imaginative architectural solutions.
2a1m.co.uk
WORKSPACE
Rengen House
A home-from-home community
to co-work, host meetings and
events, and relax with clients
or colleagues. With a high-end
finish and cool, laid-back vibe,
Rengen House offers a refreshing
change to the traditional
office environment.
rengenhouse.com
PROPERTY
The Curated Property Company
A bespoke high-tech property
management company in Bath and
London. Using cutting-edge data
analytics, international marketing
platforms, guest vetting and
dynamic pricing, the team brings
a more profitable perspective to
the world of short-term letting.
curated-property.com
SERVICES
Plural Studio
An architectural design studio
born in Berlin and based in
Bristol. Whether in the cultural,
commercial, educational or
residential sector, Plural offers
architectural, interior and furniture
design, delivering sustainable
material choices to fit your needs.
plural-studio.net
SERVICES
Second Mountain Comms
Ben Veal is an award-winning
comms consultant specialising
in copywriting, media relations
and marketing support. Based
at Holt’s Glove Factory Studios,
Ben is passionate about working
with charities, not-for-profits and
ambitious company founders.
secondmountaincomms.co.uk
SHOPPING
Luca & Fig
A home, gift and clothing shop in
Widcombe, Bath, just over the river
behind the station. Find a mix of
beautiful, unusual and affordable
gifts for everyone. Luca & Fig
sources everything from ethical
suppliers around the world, as
well as supporting local makers.
lucaandfig.com
SHOPPING
May Hofman Jewellery
Timeless, ethical jewellery infusing
intricate, bold and minimal design,
inspired by the mechanics of
nature. May Hofman crafts all
commissions using consciously
sourced metals, including recycled
and Fairmined gold that supports
small-scale miners.
mayhofman.com
60 Circus Journal Early spring 2023 circusjournal.com @circusjournal 61
9 . 3 0 A M - 6 P M
THE EDIT
The
Guide
Early spring events in the south-west
Words
Clemmie Millbank
IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS
ON THESE PAGES,
PLEASE EMAIL
simon@circusjournal.com
Traditional Gentlemen's Barber
Claw cups collection designed by Clare Chandler
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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
Photography Kym Grimshaw
Women in Wine at KASK Wine
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 63
The THE Guide EDIT
Wellbeing
Restore Day Retreat at
Campwell Woods
reBalance Festival
Eating for Resilience with
Sarah Bayliss
Cooking It, Bristol
February 5
Kick-start your metabolism with this
useful workshop and practical cookalong,
which includes essential tools
for becoming a well-balanced eater.
sarahbaylissnutrition.co.uk
reBalance Festival
Bath
February 7-25
Bringing together various venues,
hotels, therapists and practitioners,
Bath’s first ever wellbeing festival
promises a diverse programme of
events to rejuvenate and refocus.
welcometobath.co.uk
PS, I Love You – Writing,
Reflection and Meditation for
Self-Love on Valentine’s Day
Persephone Books, Bath
February 14
Led by local author Sarah Robinson,
this relaxed mini writing workshop
features enchanting tales and a
guided visualisation on love. Don’t
forget to bring a pen and paper to
jot down your own reflections.
persephonebooks.co.uk
Mindfulness for Stress and
Anxiety
Rengen House, Bath
February 16
Nicola MacDonald, founder of
Bath Mindfulness, is hosting this
free event which will introduce
you to the incredible power of
mindfulness as an antidote to
stress and anxiety. The session also
includes a seated body scan.
bathmindfulness.co.uk
All details correct at the time of going to press. Please check event websites and social media for updates.
Photography Felix Russell-Saw
Aromatherapy and Herbs
for Wellbeing
Prior Shop, Bristol
February 16
Follow your nose to this sweetsmelling
workshop. Learn about
the science of blending, and
make two of your own bespoke
products to take away with you.
priorshop.uk
Restore Day Retreat
Campwell Woods, near
Chippenham
February 18
Set in magical woodland, this
one-day retreat is a holistic
experience, with yoga, breathwork,
meditation, reviving cold water
dips, comforting saunas and
healing gong baths.
campwell.co.uk
Metabolic Health Retreat
Combe Grove, Bath
February 20-27 + March 27–April 2
Combining medical science with
a tailored wellbeing programme,
this brand new retreat takes place
in 70 acres of mature woodland
and meadow in Bath. It features
acupuncture, kinesiology, shiatsu,
counselling and more.
combegrove.com
Trika Yoga North Devon
Retreat by the Sea
Watermouth, Devon
March 2-6
Bristol’s North Street Trika Yoga
studio is on tour. This extended
weekend break will be filled with
good food, sea views, lovely
company and dynamic yoga.
trikayoga.co.uk
Spring Equinox Retreat
Somercecil, Badminton
March 17-19
Awaken from your winter
hibernation and embark on a
weekend of foraging, stretching,
meditating, feasting on plantbased
deliciousness and, finally,
taking part in Somercecil’s
memorable cacao ceremony.
somercecil.com
Bright Blue Yoga Mini
Relaxation Retreat
Upper Swainswick, near Bath
March 18
Can’t manage a whole weekend
away? Book yourself in for an
afternoon escape to a countryside
yurt, complete with woodburner,
gentle yoga stretches, guided
relaxation and hot herbal teas.
brightblueyoga.co.uk
Icebreakers
Women’s Wellness Summit
Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Bristol
March 25
Time to talk all things womanhood
and hear from some of the
south-west’s leading experts
on pregnancy, menopause and
mental health. Plus, you’ll pick up
an amazing goodie bag too.
stokebishopvillagehall.co.uk
Icebreakers
Warleigh Weir or Dundas
Aqueduct, Bath
Sunday and Wednesday mornings
Take the plunge with a group
of friendly fellas braving the icy
water each Sunday (at 8am)
and Wednesday (for a spicy
6.30am start!). Message the guys
on Instagram if you fancy an
invigorating start to your day.
@icebreakers.uk
64 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Let the power
of a full symphony
orchestra sweep
you away this
spring!
Standard tickets start from £15 incl. bf
Plus £10 tickets available for U26s
Bristol Beacon presents
London Symphony Orchestra
with Barbara Hannigan
7pm, Mon 13 March 2023
Bath Forum
Olivier Messiaen – L’Ascension
Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 4
bristolbeacon.org / 0117 203 4040
bathboxoffi ce.org.uk / 01225 463 362
Art
Wake the Tiger
Bristol
Throughout February + March
Have you been to the Meridia
Luxury Homes marketing suite
yet? No? Well, you’re in for a
treat. Step into Bristol’s own
amazement park, where
everything is something, and
nothing is what it seems.
wakethetiger.com
Photo Open Exhibition
RWA, Bristol
Until May 1
An open-call exhibition which
invites artists at any stage of
their career to submit their best
photographic works. Prepare to
be astounded by the quality,
talent and range on offer.
rwa.org.uk
Rodney Graham: Getting it
Together in the Country
Hauser & Wirth, Bruton
Until May 8
Into photography, painting,
sculpture, film, video and
music? Luckily, polymath Graham
brings all these art forms and more
to his latest exhibition.
hauserwirth.com
Bristol Light Festival
Across Bristol
February 3-12
This ten-day event will light up the
centre with commissioned works
from a variety of artists. Don’t miss
the bright halos in Broadmead
or the mesmerising holographic
Ophelia in St Mary Redcliffe Church.
bristollightfestival.org
The Printed Line
The Wilson Art Gallery and
Museum, Cheltenham
February 18 – May 14
Explore how artists use
printmaking, through works by
Matisse and Picasso, Bridget Riley
and David Hockney, and Rachel
Whiteread’s LOndOn 2012.
cheltenhammuseum.org.uk
Howardena Pindell: A New
Language
Spike Island, Bristol
February 18 – May 21
Absorb Pindell’s six-decade career
with this exhibition, featuring early
abstract paintings and later political
works tackling slavery, violence
against black and indigenous
people, and the AIDS pandemic.
spikeisland.org.uk
Garry Fabian Miller: ADORE
Arnolfini, Bristol
February 18 – May 28
In his third show at the Arnolfini,
Fabian Miller presents an
expansive look at his work and the
recurring themes and characters
that have inspired decades of
no-camera photography and
darkroom experiments.
arnolfini.org.uk
Bath Art Fair
Bath Pavilion
February 24-26
Discover over 80 of the UK’s best
artists at this mega weekend for art
lovers. From original paintings to
hand-finished prints, and unique
jewellery to figurative sculptures,
you can find it all under one roof.
bathartfair.co.uk
Thiébaut Chagué
Messums Wiltshire
March 4 – April 30
Witness the act of making
becoming part of the exhibition, as
Chagué creates an on-site woodfired
kiln, and fires a series of new
pieces to be displayed alongside
existing works.
messumswiltshire.com
Physiotherapy & Wellbeing
Specialising in arthritis pain relief & musculoskeletal conditions
Physiotherapy • MBST ® Therapy • Soft Tissue Therapy
At The Core, Unit 3, Beehive Yard, Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BT info@thecore.health | 01225 46 1205
Wildlife Photographer
of the Year
M Shed, Bristol
Until May 29
With entries from over 90
countries across the world, this
treat of an annual exhibition
showcases the beauty and
brutality of nature in 100
powerful images.
bristolmuseums.org.uk
The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 67
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Women in Wine at KASK
In partnership with
CASTLE FARM
Bath
Bistronomie
February 4
This February, for one day only,
enjoy an indulgent, lazy bistrostyle
lunch in the barn. Guests
will be treated to an Italian feast
where homemade pasta is the
star of the show.
Food + drink
Wellness Cookery and Yoga –
Three-day Course
Natural Cookery School,
Nailsworth
February 17-19
A nurturing course stuffed with
restoring yoga sessions and cookery
classes. Rebalance your body and
mind, and master the skills of baking
and seed sprouting along the way.
naturalcookeryschool.com
Feast Night
Yard Space, Cirencester
February 21 + March 24
Need a little more banqueting in
your life (don’t we all)? Book in for
a feast at Old Gore Barn and wait for
a plethora of delicacies and delights
to come your way.
yardspace.co.uk
A Fermentation Deep Dive by
Get Pickled
Redford House, Frome
February 25
Give your gut some love by learning
how to make your own ferments,
including milk kefir and fermented
vegetables (which are a lot tastier
than they sound). Includes a
nutritious fermented lunch.
getpickledsomerset.com
Curing and Smoking Day
Empire Farm, Templecombe
February 26
Learn about hot and cold smoking
processes, salt curing and more.
Plus, you’ll produce plenty of
appetizing preserved treats to take
home with you.
empirefarm.co.uk
Photography Kym Grimshaw and Leah Morrison
Wassail Prune
The Newt, Bruton
March 3
Combine the ancient pagan
custom of chasing off evil winter
spirits and welcoming in good
spirits, and the practical tradition
of giving the apple trees a final
prune before spring arrives.
thenewtinsomerset.com
Women in Wine
KASK, Bristol
March 8
Celebrate International Women’s
Day – with wine! KASK will pop
the cork on bottles crafted by
some of the bar’s favourite female
winemakers, and offer a selection
of cheeses to pair with each.
kaskwine.co.uk
Spring Feast at fforest
Spring Feast
fforest, Cardigan
March 31 – April 2
Featuring plenty of smoked
stuff, cured stuff, stuff roasted
over fires, sharing plates piled
high with fish, meat and cheese
– and even some vegetables.
A bountiful celebration of the
greenest season.
coldatnight.co.uk
Bristol Cider & Cheese Festival
Cider Box, Bristol
April 1
Indulge in a day of cider and
cheese from the finest indie
suppliers, while participating in
talks and workshops, and jiving
along to live music.
theciderbox.com
That’s Amore
February 11, 18 + 25
Exploring the theme of
romance in Italian culture and
history, the Castle Farm supper
clubs for February will share a
love for Italian food.
Indian Road Trip
March 4, 11, 18, 25
Inspired by a road trip around
India, exploring Kerala, Delhi,
Agra and Jaipur, Chef Pravin
returns with the dishes he
experienced on his travels. A
journey through Indian food,
not to be missed.
castlefarmcafemidford@gmail.com
castlefarmmidford.co.uk
All supper clubs are
booked through
the website
68 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
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Beautiful Design, Wholly Considered
Architecture & Interior Design Studio
room-studio.co.uk
info@room-studio.co.uk
01225 311528
Workshops
Moonrise Face Oil Workshop
Weven, Stroud
February 5
Learn how to blend your own
skincare potion and welcome in the
Snow Moon with an afternoon of
plantlore, plus a gentle introduction
to the wonder of folk magic.
weven.co.uk
Sew Your Love Embroidery
Workshop
Hidden Store, Bath
February 9
Personalise a favourite shirt with
details, emblems or initials, guided
by fabric fanatic Clemency Calkin.
Bring a shirt or choose from a
selection in store. Hot drinks and
snacks provided.
@hiddenstorebath
Weave a Cushion Cover
Creative Space, Bristol
February 10 + 11
Weaver and textile designer Angie
Parker will thread up the loom with
your desired colours (there’s loads
to choose from) and guide you on
technique and weave structures, until
you have your own cushion cover.
creativespacebristol.co.uk
Robots Stay & Play
Children’s Scrapstore,
Bristol
February 17
Scissors and glue sticks at the
ready! The Scrapstore is inviting
children and their parents in to
design and build their very own
scraptastic robots.
childrensscrapstore.co.uk
My Wild City: Winter Bird
Survey Walk
Lawrence Weston Moor,
Bristol
February 19
Take a walk in the low winter sun
and be wowed by the local wildlife.
Your guide will explain where and
how to record what you see, and
help conservation action.
avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Papermaking & Sculptural Forms
Hole & Corner, Bruton
February 25
Follow artist Jane Ponsford as she
demonstrates how to make paper
sheets, then explore this medium
creatively by making a vessel or
sculptural organic paper form.
holeandcorner.com
Casting with Plaster
East Quay, Watchet
February 25
Sculptor Melanie Deegan goes
through the process of casting with
plaster to create simple tiles and
ornaments. Design a mould, cast a
plaster object and decorate it.
eastquaywatchet.co.uk
Embroidery Workshop at
Hidden Store
Paint by Wine Workshop – Lupins
Studio LX, Bath
March 10
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon painting
pretty lupins in this fun instructorled
boozy art workshop with all of
the kit supplied.
paintbywine.com
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 71
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Performance
Generously supported by:
The Quantum Horse
The Cube Cinema, Bristol
February 4
Take an adventurous canter
through time and space with this
21st-century re-imagining of the
classic panto. It’s behind you,
it’s in front of you... it’s all over
the place!
cubecinema.com
Lissie at Komedia
Until 8 May 2023
finance
now available.
Terms apply.
INSPIRATIONAL GLAZING
ASPIRATIONAL LIVING
Stuart and Bianca Roden
HS339 – HM_Alberta Whittle_Circus half_150mm W x 103.5 mm H_AW.indd 1 12/01/2023 10:58
Ready to make the most of your Vyoo?
To arrange a visit to our Saltford showroom call 01225 874 676 or email info@vyoowindows.com
vyoowindows.com
Sophie Duker: Hag
Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol
February 9
The Taskmaster favourite is back
on tour and taking us on a chaotic
journey into her thirties, complete
with travels across Ghana with her
badass fedora-clad grandmother.
thewardrobetheatre.com
The Shawshank Redemption
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
February 13-18
Based on the Stephen King novella
and following in the footsteps
of the acclaimed movie, this
stage show charts the life of
Andy Dufresne as he is handed a
double life sentence for the brutal
murders of his wife and her lover.
everymantheatre.org.uk
Slapstick Festival
Various Bristol
February 14-19
Get ready for belly laughs at this
multi-venue celebration of silent
and visual on-screen comedy.
This year, to celebrate patron Sir
Michael Palin’s 80th birthday, you’ll
be treated to his hand-picked
comedy film favourites, plus
introductions from him and his
Monty Python pals.
slapstick.org.uk
Lissie
Komedia, Bath
February 16
Taking her fifth, and most personal
album, Carving Canyons, on tour,
be dazzled by Lissie’s indelible
melodies and honest vocals.
komedia.co.uk
Spark
Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
February 18
An antidote to all the sickly
sweet Valentine’s messages,
this show is a celebration and
exploration of unconventional
love in all its surprising and
wonderful forms.
tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Noughts and Crosses
Theatre Royal, Bath
February 28 – March 4
Malorie Blackman’s Romeo and
Juliet-inspired story of racial
and social divides comes to
the stage in this adaptation by
Sabrina Mahfouz. A captivating
tale of love and revolution.
theatreroyal.org.uk
Gordon Buchanan: 30 Years
in the Wild
Cheese & Grain, Frome
March 23
Having produced some of the most
popular wildlife programmes on the
BBC, Buchanan draws on stories
from 30 years of working both
behind and in front of the camera.
cheeseandgrain.com
Ritual Union
Dareshack, Bristol
March 23
Taking place across four Bristol
music venues, this one-day festival
features headliners such as Porridge
Radio and Bristol fave Rozi Plain,
plus plenty of undiscovered gems.
dareshack.com
Orbital
O2 Academy, Bristol
March 31
The electronic music duo are back
with their tenth album, Optical
Delusion. Partly written during
lockdown, there’s a darker edge
to the infectious beats.
academymusicgroup.com
circusjournal.com @circusjournal 73
Competition
Win a stay
Fancy a night at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath with
dinner for two and a spa treatment? We thought so…
EOH
How to enter
For your chance to win,
head to Instagram
on February 14.
@circusjournal
A sustainable lifestyle store,led by the changing seasons.
EAST OF HOME
74 Circus Journal Early spring 2023
Competition time
The lovely people at No.15 by
GuestHouse, Bath are offering one
lucky Circus reader the chance to
win dinner, bed and breakfast for
two, plus a Time Together spa
treatment worth £230. The
indulgent 60-minute treatment
features a side-by-side massage and
tailored-to-you mini facial with
relaxing face, neck and shoulder
massage. The winner and their
guest will sleep in one of the hotel’s
elegant high-ceilinged Pulteney
rooms, which come with dreamy
super-king four-poster beds and
marble-topped washstands.
guesthousehotels.co.uk
7 LONDON STREET BATH
Follow our programme of forthcoming
seasonal workshops @eastofhomelondonst
www.eastofhome.com
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COOK
MODERN HERITAGE
STAYS IN THE
HEART OF BATH
THECURATEDCOLLECTION.CO.UK
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