An operatic gift bathnewseum.com/2025/12/09/a...

An operatic gift Fiona Gray writes: "I wondered if you might share some news about our upcoming Bath Opera production, as Bath Opera have just launched our Early Bird ticket offer, available until 31 December — a great chance for people to secure seats for one of opera’s most iconic works. This…

New plan for Nature Reserve bathnewseum.com/2025/12/09/n...

New plan for Nature Reserve It's already a very special place, but l was pleased to hear about a brand-new plan for managing Charlcombe Community Nature Reserve over the next five years, which has been published. It sets out an ambitious roadmap to restore habitats, boost biodiversity, and deepen…

Pic of the day. Tuesday, December 9th bathnewseum.com/2025/12/09/p...

Pic of the day. Tuesday, December 9th Just thought we could all do with seeing some blue sky. This corner of the Guildhall roof looks so Indian in its architecture to me.

Noticeboard. Just a reminder about the Carols in the Circus event coming up this coming Friday at 7 pm. Meanwhile, Zhenya Shkil writes: "Could I ask you to help promote our upcoming 4th anniversary concert for Ukraine? Please highlight that we are offering an early bird discount valid until 31…

Saved – at last! One abandoned and much vandalised part of Bath's pre-smartphone past is finally coming in from the cold. The old money-in-the-slot red telephone box at the side of the steps leading onto Bath's historic Gravel Walk is about to take on a new role. I met with Alex Sherman, CEO of…

Pic of the day. Monday, December 8th All things must pass. It was a great celebratory year, but Jane's big anniversary comes to an end.

That's the spirit bathnewseum.com/2025/12/07/t...

That’s the spirit Good to hear from Julianne Mackrell that community spirit, as well as Christmas spirit, is alive and well in her part of Bath. She writes: 'The Odd Down Community Association (ODCA) volunteers pulled together businesses, churches and residents to illuminate Odd Down. As you go…

Pic of the day. Sunday, December 7th bathnewseum.com/2025/12/07/p...

Pic of the day. Sunday, December 7th It's one of the most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in the centre of Bath - an iconic Grade 1 listed landmark. Should we perhaps be more sensitive about what exactly we are shoving two sheds in front of?

Just saying… Above - a few years ago. Below - now.

That's classic bathnewseum.com/2025/12/06/t...

Remembering Christmases past. When l do a 'Wyatt's Place' podcast - which you can listen to on Spotify - l lay down the audio only. However, in making a return visit to a previous interviewee, l have decided to do a visual version which l can spread around my social media. Ralph in his 'Lady…

Pix of the day, Saturday, December 6th Visit Bath recommends Jane Austen fans who want to follow in her footsteps: "Begin at Gravel Walk, the Lover's Lane of Jane Austen's day and the setting for a touching love scene in Persuasion. As you stroll along Gravel Walk, look out for the discreet door…

Don't forget the Indies! bathnewseum.com/2025/12/05/d...

Oh what a Circus! Five B&NES councillors were due to gather in the Guildhall next Tuesday to decide the fate of a Grade 1 listed house that forms part of the earliest segment of The Circus. The majestic Circus - designed by John Wood the Elder, built by John Wood the Younger - 1755-67. However, l…

Town House for sale bathnewseum.com/2025/12/05/t...

Town House for sale More details have been revealed now regarding B&NES decision to sell what is known as Ralph Allen's Town House. This Grade 1 listed historic house with an amazing facade and in the centre of Bath is on the market for offers in the region of £350,000. The building is offered for…

Abbey advert bathnewseum.com/2025/12/05/a...

Abbey advert Not everyone, it would seem, is happy with Bath Abbey's event notice strung across the West Front. Not the place, say some, for a banner to be hung. It's the most famous side of the building and is much photographed by our visiting tourists. I took this up with Frank Mowat, the…

Pic of the day. Friday, December 5th Saying it with real flowers. What a lovely entrance to Shire's Yard from Milsom Street.

e-bike extension bathnewseum.com/2025/12/04/e...

e-bike extension This isn't going to please everyone, l know, but more people will have access to more sustainable travel choices from today as the West’s e-bike and e-scooter trial gets bigger. Dott, the operator of the shared e-bike and e-scooter trial service in the West of England, is…

Noticeboard

Noticeboard bathnewseum.com/2025/12/04/n...

Pic of the day. Thursday, December 4th Bath in a misty mood.

Cleveland Pools latest l last posted something about the fate of the Cleveland Pools on November 5th last month. There was talk that, following the devastating flood damage, it might not be possible to reopen the lido. That’s after spending more than nine million pounds restoring it – much of it…

On fire! bathnewseum.com/2025/12/03/o...

On fire! Avon Fire and Rescue Service has wasted no time in getting down to constructing its new temporary home at Roseberry Place on the Lower Bristol Road. My thanks to Mark J Rose for these images. The Service recently received planning permission to demolish the existing fire station on…

Set in stone bathnewseum.com/2025/12/03/s...

Set in stone Spotted on Instagram. How sad!

Some movement at last! bathnewseum.com/2025/12/03/s...

Some movement at last! I see Fragrance UK (Bath) Ltd have put in a detailed planning application to B&NES, listing various amendments to the original permission they were given to turn the old and listed Mineral Water Hospital they bought some years ago, into a hotel. According to the Design…

Kids go free bathnewseum.com/2025/12/03/k...

Kids go free Well there was one welcome present being unwrapped before Christmas beside Bath's Abbey Church Yard tree last night. The West of England Mayor, Helen Godwin, announced plans for the popular Kids Go Free on local buses to return from 20 December to 4 January.  It means that 150,000…

Pix of the day. Wednesday, December 3rd bathnewseum.com/2025/12/03/p...

Pix of the day. Wednesday, December 3rd Bog Island is living up to its name again. Shame the temporary loos around town can't become permanent. Surely someone could sponsor them? Also quite sad to see what is left of Peroni's Fountain illuminated for Christmas with blue light. Is that supposed to…

A Tudor Christmas So, you thought the Victorians invented the Christmas traditions we enjoy today? Well, you are going to have to think again! From present-giving to mince pies and mulled wine, it seems it was the Tudors who revelled in Christmas festivities almost as much as we do today. As part…

Textile tree Every year, the Friends of Bath's Victoria Art Gallery sponsor a local artist to create and decorate the Christmas tree in the foyer of the building. This year, they've commissioned local artist and textile designer Carole Waller, and last night was the great reveal! Carole has…

Pitch perfect The last Saturday of November saw Bath's MP Wera Hobhouse join a crowd of 1130 at Twerton Park for the Bath City men’s match v Enfield Town in the National League South. Their numbers were boosted by those who also came for a celebration of Bath City Women’s and Girls’ football,…

Pitch perfect bathnewseum.com/2025/12/02/p...

Here's to the next! bathnewseum.com/2025/12/02/h...

Here’s to the next! My congratulations to all those involved in the Climate Hub, which has just celebrated its first anniversary in the Rotunda at Bath Bus Station. It rounds off a full year of community climate action, collaboration, and connection across Bath and North East Somerset and beyond.…

Bach at St Swithin's bathnewseum.com/2025/12/02/b...

Bach at St Swithin’s Bath's Minerva Choir will be teaming up with a newly-named musical body for a performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio at St Swithin's Church. It's all happening on Saturday, December 13th and involves the Southern Consort, which has been launched by Southern Sinfonia as its…

Don't run out bathnewseum.com/2025/12/02/d...

Don’t run out People who rely on regular medicine to stay well are being urged to avoid the pre-Christmas rush, and to order any medicine they may need during the festive season earlier than usual. Pharmacies across the region are likely to be busier than usual in the run-up to the big day, which…