Local Events

01 January 2010 to 31 December 2010
Vionnet Dresses at The fashion Museum Bath
The Fashion Museum, working in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Bowes Museum, has saved a collection of rare 1930s evening dresses by Madeleine Vionnet, one of the greatest 20th century couturiers, for the nation.
The two dresses acquired by the Fashion Museum, both of which are exquisite examples of Vionnet’s skill in manipulating fabric, will be on display in the Fashion Musuem galleries from 5 December 2009.
The dresses were acquired with the assistance of The Art Fund, The V&A / MLA Purchase Grant Fund, Bath and North East Somerset Council, the West of England Costume Society, and many private individuals and supporters.

Venue:Fashion Museum, Central Bath

01 January 2010 to 31 December 2010
17th Century Gloves Exhibition - Bath
It is only very occasionally that fashionable dress from the 17th century is displayed in museums in this country. This is because dress from over 400 years ago just does not survive for posterity. On the 22 September, however, the Council-run Fashion Museum in Bath opened a small display of some of the rarest surviving historic pieces of fashions from the 17th century in any museum anywhere in the world.

The display at the Bath & North East Somerset Council-run museum, includes nearly 20 examples of beautifully decorated gloves, ranging in date from the early years of the century when James I was King to the 1660s when his grandson Charles II was restored to the throne.

All of the gloves are on loan to the Fashion Museum from The Gloves’ Collections Trust, a special body set up by the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London to care for what is possibly the finest collection of historic gloves in the world. The collection is known as the Spence collection, as it was formed by antiquarian Robert Spence and given to the Worshipful Company in 1959.

For more information on the Gloves exhibition, and the Fashion Museum log onto www.fashionmuseum.co.uk. The Museum is open daily, 11.00-17.00, exit 18.00.
Venue:Fashion Museum, Central Bath
Fashion Museum
Assembly Rooms
Bennett Street
Bath
BA1 2QH

Tel: +44 (0) 1225 477173

Fax: +44 (0) 1225 477743

13 March 2010 to 31 October 2010
Treasure & Terror - Discovering the Americas
Spurred on by thoughts of treasure – particularly gold, silver, gems and spices – European travellers mapped the Americas in the 15th – 17th centuries. This period of ocean travel to the ‘New World’ and the Indies became known as the Age of Exploration. One of the reasons driving so great an investment in such perilous ventures was the story of ‘El Dorado’ – the legend of the Golden Man, which had its source in the Colombian highlands. The story of El Dorado drifted across the Americas and was, in time, transformed into an idea of a mythic city of gold. European searches for this El Dorado were unremittingly vicious, bringing destruction and terror to the native populations.This exhibition will be lavishly illustrated with Renaissance maps and beautiful artefacts from the Americas before the coming of the Europeans. This venture has been made possible through the generosity of private collectors who have loaned many pre-Columbian pieces for this exhibition.

Full admission to Museum, Grounds and Exhibition:
Adults £8.00, Seniors/Students £7.00, Children (5 – 16) £4.50, Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £21.50
Grounds and Exhibition only:
Adults £5.50, Seniors/Students £4.50, Children £3.50
The American Museum in Britain
Claverton Manor
Claverton Down
Bath
BA2 7BD

Tel: +44 (0)1225 460503

Fax: +44 (0)1225 469160

13 March 2010 to 31 October 2010
Classic American Quilts at The American Musuem
The museum’s collection of 240 American quilts is acclaimed as the finest of its type in Europe and the equal of many premier collections in the United States. Ranging from the 18th to early 20th centuries, these exuberant works of art and craft are visually bold, technically assured and often proudly patriotic. To celebrate the publication of Classic Quilts from the American Museum in Britain (Scala Publishers) the museum will be showcasing some of its greatest quilt treasures in this special exhibition for 2010.

Contact our personal accommodation booking service: + 44 (0) 844 847 5256.
Venue:American Museum in Britain, Greater Bath

Opening Times
Contact DetailsThe American Museum in Britain
Claverton Manor
Claverton Down
Bath
BA2 7BD

Tel: +44 (0)1225 460503

Fax: +44 (0)1225 469160

16 March 2010 to 16 September 2010
Siege & Surrender Tours
Join our Civil War soldiers for these brutal re-enactments of Civil War sieges

Seige & Surrender Tours
Dunster Castle
National Trust
Dunster
West Somerset

Tel: 01643 821314
Email: dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

01 May 2010 to 31 October 2010
Lions of Bath 2010
A giant pride of 100 individually decorated, life-size lion sculptures, will be taking up residence in and around the World Heritage City of Bath from May to October 2010 in a unique cultural event to raise funds for local charities and bring a smile to the faces of residents and visitors alike.
www.visitbath.co.uk

The lion sculptures, sponsored by businesses, local communities and individuals, will be decorated by artists and craftspeople using their skill and imagination to produce eye-catching artworks from the beautiful to the bizarre. At the end of the summer all of the lions will be auctioned for charity to end their days as fabulous works of art in offices, homes and gardens.
www.visitbath.co.uk

02 May 2010 to 31 December 2010
Th Dress Of The Year - Bath
Fashions by Mary Quant, Ossie Clark, Jean Muir, BodyMap, John Galliano, Rifat Ozbek, Paul Smith, Julien McDonald, Versace and Tom Ford are on display at the Fashion Museum.

These are all pieces from the museum’s famous Dress of the Year collection: each year since 1963 a fashion expert has chosen the best fashions in the world for the museum collection. New selections for 2006, 2007 and 2008 are included.

The collection now includes over 50 pieces along with some stunning accessories. A must see is a grey flannel button-through pinafore dress by Mary Quant from 1963 chosen by the Fashion Writers' Association.

One of the newest collections and winner of Dress of the Year 2008 are two ‘linked’ dresses: a navy blue and gold star trouser ensemble by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, which was worn by Kate Moss to her 34th birthday party in 2008; and a button through polka dot dress with 1940s / 1970s shoulder pads by Kat Moss for Topshop, selected by TV’s Paula Reed.

01 July 2010 to 31 August 2010
The Roman Baths By Torchlight
Explore the torch-lit Roman Baths.
As darkness falls, the ruins of this vast Roman building are an awesome sight. By the light of flickering torches, you can walk on 2000 year old pavements and really sense the spirits of the ancients, providing a truly magical atmosphere which no other venue can surpass. With its steaming waters and Roman artefacts this is an unforgettable and unique experience.

19 July 2010 to 23 August 2010
Cheddar Caves - Bat Patrols
BAT PATROLS
As the sun disappears and the shadows lengthen in Cheddar Gorge,
bats of many different species emerge from the caves, scanning the night
air for moths and insects.
Cheddar Caves are home to many of Britain’s endangered bats, so
join Jon Hill, our Conservation Officer, on a Bat Patrol to discover
how these remarkable little animals manage to survive.
Monday nights from 19 July to 23 August 2010
(start times depend on sunset - 7.30pm, 7.45pm or 8.00pm)
Cost £12.50 per person. Maximum of 20 on each patrol.
Book on 01934 - 742343 or come up to the Caves’ Office.
Free parking available.

23 July 2010 to 07 August 2010
International Guitar Festival In Bath
This pioneering festival has been growing steadily over more that 10 years and now stands as a major music event that embraces the guitar’s influences in all kinds of music and art forms, and appealing to every taste and age group. Classical, Metal, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Acoustic and Alternative Guitar are all here, played by international headline artists from Venezuela, Italy, Spain, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Senegal, USA, Cameroon, Switzerland, Holland and the UK come together in a feast of concerts, workshops and masterclasses.
Various venues
Bath

Tel: +44 (0) 1225 463362

30 July 2010 to 01 August 2010
Bristol Harbour Festival
Bristol's liveliest and largest Harbourside event

www.visitsomerset.co,uk

31 July 2010
Somerset Chamber Choir - Wells Cathedral
The dreamers of dreams. Sara Fulfoni ( mezzo - sopranol) Alan George (viola)
Oliver Walker (organ) Graham Caldbeck (conductor)
Elgar the music makers
Vaughn Williams toward the unknown region, Flos Campi
Tickets £10 - £25 Wells Tourist information centre , Wells Cathedral Box office
Music box 01225 3490101 & at the door.

05 August 2010
Summer Organ Festival
Mathew Owens (Wells Cathedral)
Organist & master of the choristers) gives the third recital of the summer organ festival, including works by J S Bach, Pachelbel, Kelly, Franck & Dupre.
Tickets £8 including a glass of wine, available from the Wells cathedral box office & at the door

06 August 2010 to 08 August 2010
Festival Of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park
This fabulous event takes place at Gatcombe Park, home of the Princess Royal and her family and incorporates the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships.In addition to top class eventing there will be something for all the family with a shopping village, arena attractions and entertainment.
Gatcombe Park Box Office
BA3 4DF

Tel: +44 (0) 1423 339423

06 August 2010
The Chapterhouse Theatre Company at The Bishhops Palace Wells
Outdoor theatre company established in 1999.

"Chapterhouse Theatre Company tours open-air venues throughout the UK and Ireland. In the tradition of the original touring company's we perform at different sites virtually on a daily basis. We are lucky enough to perform at some of the most beautiful gardens in these country's and have become renowned for our productions of Shakespeare."

Yo may also be intersted in the company performing jane Austens Pride & Prejudice.
Tickets available for the Bishops Palace Box Office

03 September 2010 to 05 September 2010
National Amatuer Gardening Show at the Bath & West Showground
Glorious weather, spectacular garden displays, a feast of flowers, fruit and vegetables, TV celebrities, top gardening experts, help to make the National Amateur Gardening Show a must visit for everyone.

The Bath & West Showground
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 6QN

Tel: +44 (0) 1749 822200

Fax: +44 (0) 1749 823 169

09 September 2010 to 12 September 2010
Porlock Art Festival
Each year this picturesque Somerset village, set in the stunning scenery of Exmoor National Park, hosts a four-day Arts Festival.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

17 September 2010 to 26 September 2010
Jane Austen festival
The tenth Jane Austen Festival will begin with the annual colourful costumed parade through the city centre. The week long programme includes talks and productions, readings and tours, and draws Jane Austen fans from around the world.
www.visitbath.co.uk

17 September 2010
The sixteen choral pilgramage 2010 - Wells Cathedral
Ceremony & Devotion - Music for the tudors
The choral pilgramage focuses on some of the finest music by three leading Tudor composers. William Boyd, Thomas Tallis and John Sheppard.
Tickets details to be announced available form the cathedral box office

16 October 2010 to 23 October 2010
Bath Bach Festival Weekend
Bach Festivals have been taking place at intervals in Bath for 50 years.
The Festival is organised and promoted by the Chantry Singers, one of the leading small choirs in the South West.

Bath Festivals Box Office
Church Street
Bath
BA1 1NL

Tel: +44 (0) 1225 463362

For 2010, Andrew Marr has agreed to be our Festival Patron, and the artists will include Catherine Bott, Florilegium, James Gilchrist, Dame Emma Kirkby, Dame Gillian Weir and the Academy of Ancient Music. The Academy of Ancient Music will be playing the complete Brandenburg cycle of 6 Concerti.

29 October 2010 to 07 November 2010
Bath Film Festival
The Bath Film Festival is a celebration of great cinema, with screenings and events taking place at a range of venues across Bath. These include the Little Theatre Cinema, The Rondo Theatre, Chapel Arts Centre, The Michael Tippet centre and the University Hall of Bath University.

Various Venues
Bath
BA2 4DB

Tel: +44 (0) 1225 463362 / 0871 7042061

12 November 2010 to 20 November 2010
Bath Mozart Festival
As the days shorten and leaves begin to fall, music-lovers across the region turn their attention to the annual Bath Mozartfest. Each year the Mozartfest celebrates the maestro’s music, and that of his contemporaries or those influenced by him, in a glorious nine-day feast of classical music.

The Bath Mozartfest was made possible by the A M Purnell Charitable Trust, created at the bequest of Mrs Mary Purnell in memory of her son Mark. It remains privately funded and is indebted to its generous sponsors and individual supporters, although financial support continues to be sought to prolong the life of this very special festival.

Bath Festivals Box Office
Abbey Chambers
Abbey Churchyard
Bath
BA1 1LY

Tel: +44 (0) 1225 463362

Fax: +44 (0) 1225 310377

15 November 2010
Western Super Mare Winter Carnival
The processions of illuminated floats are part of an ancient tradition, which stretches back as far as the 1600's when many parts of Somerset commemorated the Gunpowder plot.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

25 November 2010 to 12 December 2010
Bath Christmas Markets
The 2009 Christmas Market has now finished. The event was really successful and the provisional dates for the 2010 Bath Christmas Market are Thursday 25th November - Sunday 12th December.

Make a date to visit Bath's unique outdoor Christmas Market for the very best of seasonal shopping, fine food, family fun and excellent entertainment enhanced by Bath's stylish and spectacular Christmas lights.

Bordered by the famous Bath Abbey and Roman Baths, more than 120 traditional wooden chalet stalls will showcase the cream of independent retailers. With an eyecatching array of original hand crafted gifts, decorations, toys, cards, festive food and drink, you'll find something special for everyone on your shopping list.

03 December 2010 to 04 December 2010
Dunster By Candlelight 2010
Each Christmas the Medieval village turns its back on the present and lights it's streets in the soft glow of candle lanterns..
Location:Dunster
Dates:03/12/2010 to 04/12/2010