Local arts trail programme starts this weekend!

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Celebrating a wealth of the city's creative talents

Summer is coming - perhaps... it's difficult to tell with the weather at the beginning of the week! However, it is supposed to be nice this weekend for the bank holiday, so if you happen to be around Bath and enjoy art,  why not check out the first of the Art Trails starting this weekend; others run throughout May, with one in September. 

Bath Open Studios runs the Trails in Bath. Here's the programme dates with links to the individual websites:

 

How to make classic Spanakopita

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YUM, yum! With another great bake-off under our belts (thanks to Adam and Sinead), here is how to make classic Spanakopita: perfect for a pack-lunch, weekend picnic, or anytime perhaps! The picture below is BIG so you can truly appreciate this tasty recipe :O)

What is Spanakopita?

A Greek savory pastry. The traditional filling comprises chopped spinach, feta cheese, onions or scallions, egg and seasoning. The filling is wrapped in filo pastry with butter or olive oil. Read more about the tradition of this tasty dish here.  I personally liked our bake-off version which had fresh herbs and leeks added to the mixture. 

How To Make Classic Spanakopita

Makes 12 servings

What You Need

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, Greek or another good-quality, fruity variety preferred
  • 1/2 large Spanish or yellow onion, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
  • 1 shallot, peeled and diced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half and grated, any green centers discarded
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 pounds baby spinach, roughly chopped, any thick stems removed
  • 4 to 6 fronds fresh dill, finely chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
  • Leaves of 3 sprigs fresh marjoram or oregano, chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
  • Leaves of 3 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
  • 12 ounces(2 cups) crumbled feta cheese
  • 7 large eggs, lightly beaten 

For the crust:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, Greek or another good-quality fruity variety preferred
  • 6 dried or 3 fresh bay leaves
  • 1/2 pound frozen filo dough, defrosted in the refrigerator

Instructions on how to make it can be found here.  There are also some useful hints and tips for when you make it for the first time. Enjoy! 

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Apricot & Almond Truffles

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No added sugar, dairy or gluten!

This recipe is taken from 'Energy Balls' by Sophie Ryan.

Ingredients

  • 150g (5oz) almonds
  • 150g (5oz dried apricots
  • 75g (30z) raisins
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon boobab powder (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon desiccated (shredded) coconut
  • 1 tablespoon water (optional)
  • Extra coconut for rolling

Method

Place all the ingredients into a food processor and mix until chunky and sticky. Scoop out a spoonful of mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat for the remaining mixture. Scatter some coconut on a plate and roll the balls in it. Store them in an airtight container. 

 

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Danny and Sarah in the snow!

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Many congratulations to Danny and Sarah on their recent engagement in Tromso, Norway!

Thanks for sharing some photographs Danny.

Salon offer for SRA (or wives & partners!)

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Material Hair in Bath are offering a local business staff promotion where you can receive 3 salon visits for just £39.95 (in total!). 

Tempted.....?

Visit 1:

  • Cut & Blow Dry
  • inc Mini Head Massage
  • Shampoo & Conditioning

Visit 2:

  • 10 Highlight Foils
  • OR Colour Glossing
  • inc Head Massage & Blow Dry

Visit 3:

  • Second Cut & Blow Dry!
  • inc Mini Head Massage
  • Shampoo & Conditioning

 

To purchase

Buy online via the Elevate website by clicking here and entering the passcode STAFFPASS3 to gain access.

OR contact Jake Hebb from Elevate UK (Material Hair marketing agents) on the numbers below. Jake can take payment over the phone and answer any questions. Your Corporate Pamper Package card will be posted the same day as purchased.

Mobile: 07933 329 348 | Office: 0208 226 2148

 

Half Price consultation and treatment!

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March only!

The Medical clinic are offering half price consultations and treatments at their Bath healthcare centres.  And there is a practice a couple of minutes away from the office, which is handy!

Available: chiropractors, physios and sports massage therapists

Location

32a Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AN

 

Booking

  • Telephone: 03303 334 123
  • Book online
  • Email: info@themedical.co.uk

Terms: quote 'BATHLIFE'.  Offer limited to one consultation and treatment per person. Offer ends 30th March 2018. 

 

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Relish Running Races

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Two Tunnels 2018 - Registrations Open!

18th February, 6th May, 8th July and 19th August

New interlocking medal to collect

Registrations are open for all the 2018 Two Tunnels races, from 300m Colourburst to 50km Ultramarathon, there is a race for everyone!

18th Feb - 300m & 1 Mile Colourburst, 5km, 10km
6th May - 300m & 1 Mile Colourburst, 5km, 10km (2 routes), Half Marathon (2 routes)
8th July - 300m & 1 Mile Colourburst, 5km, 10km, Half Marathon
19th August - 300m & 1 Mile Colourburst, 5km, 10km, Half Marathon, Marathon, 50km

Sign up for all four 5km races, or all four 10km races and get one race for free!

Useful links

Bath Two Tunnels events and prices

All Relish Running Races

Two Tunnels Railway Races Challenge registration form (you sign up for a number of challenges, which can lead to you being awarded a special commemorative trophy)

Half Marathon registration form

 

Farewell to Claire

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It was Claire's last day with SRA recently. We all said a fond farewell and shared some food and cocktails at local restaurant: Absurd Bird. We wish Claire every success in her new role. 

 

It's officially #CornishPastyWeek !

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What's your favourite part of the pasty?

Are you a pastry lover, or all about the filling?#pastysmile

Turning the spotlight on Cornwall’s favourite and most iconic food, the first ever Cornish Pasty Week will be celebrated throughout Cornwall and across the country.

There is a whole week of activities underway, culminating in the ‘Oggy Oscars’ – the seventh-annual World Pasty Championships – held on Saturday 3rd March at the Eden Project, Cornwall.

Today only!

You can try any size and any flavour Pasty for only £1.99. Visit your local West Cornwall Pasty shop.  And as a thank you for all their customers over the last 20 years, they have selected some Cornish gifts, which are up for grabs! Enter here.

#pastysmile - Pay It Forward

Let Them Eat - a wheat and diary free bakery in Cornwall - believe good food tastes better together. Click here to buy a hot pasty for a homeless person and they will match your donation and deliver two hot pasties. 

Tweet your #pastysmile!

 

Recipe: Vegan millionaire's bars

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Thanks to Jonathan C who made some delicious vegan millionaire bars for this week's Monday morning bake-off! Here is a link to the recipe, in case you fancy replicating at home! 

These vegan, gluten-free chocolatey treats with dates, cashews and maple syrup are just as sticky and moreish as the original Millionaire's shortbreads.

Recipe courtesy of BBC good food. 

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Countdown to Andy and Adam running the Half Bath!

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It is countdown time to Half Bath Marathon on 4th March 2018.  Both Andy B and Adam are taking the challenge to run in the event and raise valuable funds for two charities.

Andy is running in support of the Compassion, which supports children who are born into poverty by providing them with their basic human needs and an education.   He has set up a secure donation page here.

Adam is running to support the charity Prostate Cancer UK.  He has set up a secure donation page here.

Both would be grateful of any contributions that you feel you want to give.

Check out the handy pocket size Race Day Guide for: Course maps, recommended spectator points and travel information.

 

 

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Festive Fun Friday!

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Here are a few snapshots of Festive Fun Friday!

Thank you to Emma and those involved in organising a great day for us all. A big thank you to the Partners for their generosity and giving us the opportunity to celebrate. 

Christmas Jumper Day

We raised £53 for Save The Children. Thank you for joining in and donating! In total, the Christmas Jumper campaign has raised £167,950 nationally (so far!)

Secret Santa fun!

Thank you to all our Secret Santa’s for all the great gifts – so much fun was had!

 

Christmas Party 2017

There are lots more photographs to be seen here:
X:\Administration\OfficeEvents\Christmas Parties\Christmas 2017\Photos

 

Slipping and sliding social

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Lizzie organised a festive ice skate followed by dinner last week. 

Everyone was in the Christmas spirit - in more ways than one! There were no slipping or sliding mishaps, just lots of smiles!

Jack and the Beanstalk panto fun!

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“Jimi and I were recently in Jack in the Beanstalk, our local village pantomine. It is the first time we have done anything like this.

After working hard all year with the rest of the cast, we put on 5 shows at the end of November. There was much fun and frolics, particularly with Buttercup the panto cow!

It really was a brilliant experience and well worth all the hard work. Looking forward to next year already!”
— Karen

Bringing you a little sunshine!

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Holiday snaps from Mexico

“Here are some pics from my holiday in Mexico where we had 13 days of travelling in Cancun, Tulum, Bacalar, Playa de Carmen.

We did a lots of swimming in caves, zip lines, adventures park, full moon beach party, and the most beautiful beaches. 

Enjoy the pictures!”
— Lucia