What's on in Bath this Christmas?

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Here's a little taster!

Those that are beady eye'd among us have perhaps seen the Christmas Market is starting to take shape in Bath.  This sparkling centrepiece well and truly signifies that the Christmas season is getting underway very soon.  Here a sample of things that are happening if you wish to indulge!

Bath on Ice & Glow in the Dark Mini Golf

17th November – 2nd January 2018

Get competitive with your work mates in Royal Victoria Park! The festive ice rink and glow in the dark mini golf is bigger and better than ever this year with a fully licensed indoor bar and wood fired pizzas. 

Bath Christmas Market

23rd November – 10th December

Soak up the sights, smells and sounds as you wander around the market.

Après Ski Bar at Abbey Hotel

23rd November – 12th December. 10am-11pm

Keep out the chill with warming mulled wine, hearty food and plenty of woolly blankets!

Kingsmead Square Festive Street Food Market

24th & 25th November, 1st & 2nd, 8th & 9th December. 12-9pm

Feast on some festive fare at Kingsmead Square this Christmas. Try something new from some of the South West’s best street food traders who will be serving up lunch and dinner time treats

Shoppers’ Carols at Bath Abbey

25th November, 2nd & 9th December. 1-1.20pm

Drop into Bath Abbey for an informal service with traditional carols. Ideal for weary shoppers!

Christmas Craft Fair at the American Museum

25th – 26th November

Meet a diverse range of crafters and makers and buy wonderful handmade Christmas gifts. 

Dickensian Christmas at the Corridor & Northumberland Place

7th, 14th & 21st December. 5-7.30pm

Step back in time and celebrate Bath’s most famous resident from the Victoria era. The Corridor was the first fashionable shopping arcade in Britain and will play host to costumed characters, musical entertainment and traditional festive treats.

Victorian Carousel

14th – 30th December

Enjoy a spin on the beautiful Victorian carousel which can be found on Stall Street.

Festival of Light at Longleat

5th November – 2nd January

Stunning Chinese lanterns will once again light up the historic grounds at Longleat House & Safari Park this Christmas. You’ll find all your favourite classic fairytale characters, bringing to life the magic of storytelling.

Designs of a different kind!

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Some of us spent our lunchtime in the office designing our own pumpkin lanterns for Halloween. There was an impressive array of designs. See the gallery below! 

Harry Potter quiz night at Revolution #Bath

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How quick can we tap?!

Our wizardry brains were in full swing at the smartfone quiz at Revolution last week! The theme was Harry Potter and it felt like half of Bath had turned out to compete on their Harry Potter knowledge.

In spite of the heavy competition (and a couple of cocktails) our two teams did well, particularly Chris's team, who came third!

A really fun evening. Thanks for organising Lizzie.

Site visit to Milton Park

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Some of the team went on a site visit to Milton Park this week to visit 141, 142 and 143 Milton Park as well as 95 Park East Drive, which are currently under construction.  Here are some pictures from the day. 

“A very enjoyable site visit! Thank you to Matt, Will and David who gave brilliant explanations of the building designs and their possible uses. We were all left with good insights into the different construction elements of the buildings as well as the different materials that are being used to build them.”
— Karen

A wonderful Canadian trip

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Recently Jacob went to Canada and had an amazing road trip around Cape Breton Island.

Cape Breton Island is situated on the Atlantic coast of North America and part of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Its name may derive from Capbreton near Bayonne, or more probably from the word Breton, the French adjective form of the proper noun Bretagne, the French historical region. Read more about this interesting island here.

An Interesting fact: Cabot’s landing is the very spot and beach where John Cabot landed from Bristol in 1497. One can probably imagine it hasn’t really changed much since then as it’s so remote!

Here are some of Jacob's lovely photographs.

Enjoy delicious gluten free lime drizzle cake

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Ingredients:

175ml (6 fl oz) sunflower oil
175g (6 oz) caster sugar
2 large eggs
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
125g (4½ oz) ground almonds
25g (1 oz) desiccated coconut, plus 1 tblsp
75g (3 oz) polenta
½ tsp g-f baking powder

FOR THE SYRUP
75g (3 oz) caster sugar
shredded zest and juice of 2 limes

Method:

 1. Line the base of a 20cm (8in) spring release cake tin with baking parchment and lightly grease the sides.  Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.

 2. Whisk together the sunflower oil, caster sugar, eggs, and zest and juice of 1 lime, then fold in the ground almonds, 25g (1oz) coconut, the polenta and baking powder.  Spoon mixture into tin and bake for 50 minutes in the centre of the oven or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean(ish).

 3. While the cake is baking, make the syrup.  Place the sugar and lime juice in a small saucepan and heat gently until the sugar dissolves.  Bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute or until syrupy.  Remove from the heat and add the lime zest.

 4. Loosen the cake from the tin by running a knife around the edge.  Skewer the cake all over and drizzle with the syrup while it is still warm.  Sprinkle with the remaining coconut.  Allow the cake to cool, then release from the tin.  To serve, cut into wedges.

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Architecture volunteering

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Adam is looking into the possibility of doing some architecture voluntary work. He has completed some research to see what organisations he would like to contact and thought it would be good to share the websites with the team in case anybody else is interested. Here you go:

Build abroad : https://www.buildabroad.org/

Building Trust: http://buildingtrustinternational.org/

Journey man international : http://www.journeymaninternational.org/

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Video work for Bridgemead Care Home

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Filming and production has started on a video to document and showcase our work with Bridgemead Care Home.

Through discussions with Bridge Care, we have devised a storyboard for a video to assist with their fundraising plans, as well as go into detail about our approach to working with charity clients.

Recently, we met with Geoff, who is the Chair of Trustees at Bridge Care. Armed with a selection of questions about the project, we interviewed him at Bridgemead and this forms part of the video. The next stage of the production includes an interview with Emma McDermott and use of a 3D model of the care home that we commissioned to film and demonstrate the designs we have put forward for the building.

Video is a powerful marketing tool that is still growing in popularity amongst small and medium sized businesses. We felt that with a client such as Bridge Care, and within our charity focus in general, a video is the best approach as it tells a story in a far more efficient way than words. It is also naturally a human focussed and empathetic sector, so hearing someone talk about a project and their love for their charity is one of the best ways of communicating the message!

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Fun and frolics at the photographers!

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Chris goes the extra mile!

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Many congratulations to Chris who proposed to Sam in Cornwall recently. 

 

Alex's holiday snaps!

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Thank you to Alex who has sent us a few of his holiday snaps from Beer in Devon. 

“Thought I’d send you all a few obligatory holiday snaps, you know...to make you all feel...better?!!?

See you all next week, with some tasty treats to tuck into!”
— Alex
 

SRA summer party 2017

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Despite the clouds and rain, there were a record number of people at this year's SRA summer party at Larkhall Sports Club!

We enjoyed a fun day with a delicious feast of BBQ food and tasty salads that set us all up to take part in the afternoon Boules competition. With brief interludes of sunshine we joined in our matches and had the friendly volunteers on-hand to help guide us through the competition rules, providing a tape measure when required. 

Play stopped mid-afternoon for some tasty tea and cake and then we restarted play: for some of us it was boules - for others - the bouncy castle, giant Jenga and Connect 4!

The 'Finals' took place on the skittle alley with Sinead and Patrick taking first place.

A very big thank you to Emma and Amy who organised the event and made sure everything ran so smoothly. Also to all the team and their family members that braved the weather and created a fun atmosphere on the day.

 

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A handsome arrival!

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Senan James Lock has arrived!

“Senan James Lock was born 5 days overdue on Friday 7/7/17 (good DOB isn’t it!!) at 22:15 by c-section in RUH. He was only a little one at 6lbs 9oz although quite long so takes after his Daddy in that respect. 

It was a tough day yesterday but we’re both doing really well. Still in RUH - mostly for my recovery - and will be for another day or two. 

He’s just amazing - we’re completely besotted! We’ll be in to visit soon - here’s a few photos in the meantime.

Well done to whoever wins the sweepstake!!  😊

All the best,

Suzanne, Rich & Senan xx”

The Brutalist playground

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“Just as a quick synopsis, we spent some time in the exhibition to start, which was followed by an introduction from Bath Uni’s Director of Arts, then short talks from a speaker of RIBA London (as RIBA commissioned the piece, I believe it is ultimately their decision where the artwork tours to etc), then by the creators of the work Simon Terrill and a member of the Assemble collective (speaking in one of the pictures).”
— Fred

The Brutalist Playground exhibition is on until 9th September 2017.

Commissioned by the RIBA, The Brutalist Playground shines a light on the abstract concrete playgrounds designed as part of post-war housing estates in the mid-twentieth century. Often made from concrete, such playgrounds were cast into housing estates such as Churchill Gardens, Pimlico; Seamount Court in Aberdeen and the Park Hill Estate in Sheffield in sculptural forms, presenting a distinct move away from previous playground design.

2015 Turner Prize winners ASSEMBLE and artist SIMON TERRILL have worked with RIBA curators to recreate these play structures in reconstituted foam, creating an interactive playground where the viewer becomes participant and in this way completes the work while offering a renewed understanding and critique of the architects’ original designs and intentions. Archive images of the original playgrounds are projected on the walls.

The Edge and the University of Bath are delighted to bring this family friendly exhibition to Bath for the first time during the University’s 50th Anniversary year. It’s the first of two exhibitions acknowledging the concrete origins of Bath’s 1960s campus which went on to incorporate buildings designed by celebrated architects of the era including proponents of British Brutalism Alison and Peter Smithson.

OPENING TIMES: TUES-SUN, 11AM-5PM (CLOSED MONDAY) 

The Edge, University of Bath
Claverton Down
BA2 7AY Bath

See map: Google Maps

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SRA summer tunes

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New SRA team play list

“The books are still open if you still want to get yours in.

We have over 70 songs and 5hrs of music.

Here’s the playlist in full (I think), and don’t ask me who chose what!”
— Laurence

 

 

  1. Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday (of course!)
  2. Puddle of Mudd - Blurry
  3. Wolf Alice - Silk
  4. Wolf Alice - Moaning Lisa Smile
  5. Alex Mills - Be Somebody
  6. Kasabian - LSF
  7. The Roots - The Seed
  8. Lisa Hannigan - Ora
  9. Lisa Hannigan - Undertow
  10. Dennis Lloyd - Nevermind
  11. Laura Mvual- Phenomenal Woman
  12. The Black Keys – Lonely Boy
  13. Beastie Boys – Sabotage
  14. Used to get high – John Butler Trio
  15. Golden Touch - Razorlight
  16. Heavy – Collective Soul
  17. Masterplan – Oasis
  18. Going home – Dire Straits
  19. Romeo & Juliet - Dire Straits
  20. The Fun Lovin’ Criminal – Fun Lovin’ Criminals!
  21. Another Day of Sun - La La Land
  22. A Well Respected Man (The Kinks) – Juno
  23. Love Theme – Cinema Paradiso
  24. Nobody’s Empire – Belle and Sebastian
  25. Ghosts – Laura Marling
  26. Lovefool – The Cardigans
  27. Bon Iver – 8 (Circle)
  28. NWA – Express Yourself
  29. Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock
  30. Belle & Sebastian – ease your feet into the sea
  31. Norah Jones – Summertime
  32. Bob Marley – everything’s gonna be alright
  33. Nadine Shah ‘Out the Way’
  34. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah ‘The Pilot’
  35. Spoon ‘Hot Thoughts’
  36. Swedish house mafia – one
  37. Sum 41 - In too deep
  38. Sum 41 - Fat lip
  39. Royal blood – lights out
  40. Muse – Hysteria
  41. Muse – Stockholm syndrome
  42. Coldplay – Adventure of a Lifetime
  43. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower (Official Audio)
  44. Eric Clapton - Sunshine of your love
  45. Mark Knopfler - So Far From The Clyde
  46. Echo and the Bunnymen - The Game                                                      
  47. DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince – Summertime                              
  48. Manic Street Preachers - Europa Geht Durch Mich                            
  49. The Universal – Blur
  50. Donavan – Sunshine superman
  51. The Lumineers – Ho Hey
  52. I’m still standing – Elton John
  53. Mr Brightside – Killers
  54. Moves like Jagger – Maroon 5
  55. I predict a riot – Kaiser Chiefs
  56. Bitter sweet symphony - Verve
  57. Roy Ayers: Everybody Loves the Sunshine
  58. Paul Simon: I Know What I Know
  59. Q-Tip: Let’s Ride
  60. Crystal Fighters – You & I
  61. Ja Rule – Always on Time
  62. Blu Cantrell – Hit ‘Em up Style (Oops!)
  63. Santana – Maria Maria (Radio Mix)
  64. Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life
  65. Jamiroquai – Love foolosophy
  66. The Rolling Stones- Paint it Black
  67. Mad Dog Mcrea – A Longer Road
  68. Mad Dog Mcrea – Almost Home
  69. Gorillaz – 19-2000 (Soulchild Remix)
  70. Elbow – One Day Like This
  71. Alt-J – Breezeblocks
  72. Underworld – Caliban’s Dream
  73. TIEKS - Sunshine
  74. Clean Bandit - Rather Be

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Thank you from Melissa

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“Thank you so much for the card and flowers that are currently brightening up my sitting room!

Thank you too for the messages I’ve been getting, you are all very kind!

I am so pleased to say that the operation went well and instantly my leg pain has gone! We are still waiting for histology results and there is still a way to go yet with my recovery but I’m up and about and came home from hospital after just two days which is incredible!

We are so thankful to God for bringing me through yet another operation and I hope to be back in the office before to long.

Thank you so much! ”
— Melissa

SRA Team Bath Boules

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Thank you to everybody that came along on Saturday to Bath Boules and made it such a fun day!

The team spirit certainly was apparent as we cracked open the beer and pimms around 11am. This spurred us on winning a total of 3 games. 

Here are some photos from the day. Click on the photo to see the full image. 

 

 

 

First family holiday with Evie

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For those that weren't here last week, Jane popped in with little Evie. She shared a few pictures from their first family holiday with Evie. I couldn't resist posting them as they are so cute!