Walking through the SouthGate shopping centre, l was aware that many shoppers had stopped to point their smartphones at the central star-spangled tree. What was it they had spotted? I have never se…

Walking through the SouthGate shopping centre, l was aware that many shoppers had stopped to point their smartphones at the central star-spangled tree. What was it they had spotted? I have never seen anything like it in my life. Scores of small birds had gathered to roost in the leaf-bare branches of this dearly-loved tree. It was difficult in the glare of the decorations to make out which variety it was, but l think l'll plump for blue tits.

Night had fallen by the time my train from Cardiff pulled into Bath Spa station. Gave me a chance to appreciate our Christmas illuminations as I walked up through town to unlock my bike and cycle home. It was great to see our Christmas Market in full swing, in this its 25th year, but why did l get the feeling the city wasn't quite as well 'lit-up' as it normally is at this time of year?

Christmas comes around again in Cardiff. Another trip elsewhere.

Christmas comes around again in Cardiff. Another trip elsewhere.

I have a festive tale to bring you. A Christmas story about something that has become a November/December fixture in Bath. Something that helps light up the night sky and bring even more visitors into our Heritage city. Do you know how our Christmas Market began? Marian McNeir MBE is about to reveal all. She's a local lady who has filled her life with many local activities.

Another giant bow for Bath! Reflected in a Guildhall window – this one’s in place above the entrance to the Corridor. It’s where the ornate canopy will be once again next year aft…

My husband Darren was in town last night and able to capture some of the early evening atmosphere as this year's Christmas Market opened for business. Last night it was 'locals night' with discounts on offer if you had a 'Discovery Card', which is a must-have for local residents. He also popped into the new Heal's store, which has just opened on Milsom Street.

[library image] Government proposals to allow English Regional Mayors the power to introduce a tourism levy has been welcomed by Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Counc…

Government proposals to allow English Regional Mayors the power to introduce a tourism levy has been welcomed by Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council. Bath attracts around six million visitors every year, making it one of the UK’s most visited heritage cities. While tourism brings jobs and supports local businesses, it also places significant pressure on infrastructure and services.

Not perhaps the best of timings for a store opening, but let’s give a warm welcome to Bath to Heal’s of London. A big name with a big reputation in the world of designer furniture, ligh…

Not perhaps the best of timings for a store opening, but let's give a warm welcome to Bath to Heal's of London. A big name with a big reputation in the world of designer furniture, lighting and homewares. Then on Thursday, from even further afield (and also in Milsom Street) it's the turn of Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams to open its doors.

With one day to go before the Chancellor delivers her budget, local Liberal Democrat MPs Wera Hobhouse and Anna Sabine have said she “must deliver real change” in Somerset by cutting electricity bills for households, boosting economic growth, and providing the investment public services desperately need. Sabine and Hobhouse, both South West Liberal Democrat MPs, say this Budget must be a turning point in delivering real economic growth.

To Bath from 'down under'. Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams is opening its newest UK store at 42 Milsom Street on Thursday, November 27th, in a building first constructed in 1788. Two histories, shaped on opposite sides of the world, now meet in Bath’s newly reimagined Shires Yard. A Store Built Around Its History Founded in 1932 in a modest workshop in South Australia, R.M.Williams was built on the principles of making things that last.

Good to see some local involvement in the recently held COP 30 Climate Conference. November saw climate activists from across the globe come together for the most significant Climate Conference in the world. Held in Belém, Brazil, from 6 - 21 November, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) brought together negotiators, scientists, and civil society to discuss priority actions to tackle climate change, focusing on the essential efforts needed to prevent global temperature increase to over 1.5°C.  

Jo Slade is a Bath artist who loves painting the landscapes around our city. She has exhibited in many galleries, but l wonder how often her work has featured on street furniture?! This work is entitled 'Stars Over Bath', and you'll find it on the fencing currently surrounding the Rebecca at the Well statue which is due for a clean-up in the New Year!

The buried heart of a vicar; a children's gravestone paid for by the generosity of people around Europe; a visible sign in the stonework of five centuries of prayer, and an ancient loo. These and other discoveries are to be found at St James’ the Less Church in Foxcote, which sits alongside the parish of Shoscombe, and dates from the 12th century.

Use the Park and Ride is you can says the local authority in a bid to encourage people to use public transport when visiting the city's forthcoming annual festive street event. Bath’s Christmas Market runs from 27 November to 14 December and is expected to bring a large number of people to the city, with last year’s event attracting around 444,000 visitors.

Joe Wicks - aka The Body Coach - will be headlining next year's ReBalance Bath, which returns for another three-week celebration from 28th January – 16th February 2026. With a focus on feel-good, mindful experiences to help audiences start the year refreshed and rebalanced, the festival promises an inspiring programme of events across the city. Known worldwide as The Body Coach…

A break from the rain.

A break from the rain.

A two-hour drive up the M5 to visit friends in Wolverhampton for the weekend, and a visit to Wightwick Manor – a Victorian house commissioned in 1887 from the architect Edward Ould by Theaodr…

A two-hour drive up the M5 to visit friends in Wolverhampton for the weekend, and a visit to Wightwick Manor - a Victorian house commissioned in 1887 from the architect Edward Ould by Theaodroe Mander of Mander Brothers, a local and successful paint and varnish manufacturer. It's a significant example of a domestic building constructed, decorated and furnished under the influence of the Aesthetic and Arts and Crafts movements.

Don’t you just love Walcot Street?