Residents and tourists have been enchanted this summer by the arrival of King Bladud’s Pigs to Bath and surrounding areas. On every corner, and in some cases in trees and above doors, stands another pig, each decorated in an array of colours and materials. This public art project, which sees 100 life-size individually painted pig sculptures appearing in and around Bath, began last month and will continue until September. Sponsored by businesses, local groups and individuals, the pigs were made into works of art by local and national artists and schools. For a map of the pigs and more information visit www.kingbladudspigs.org
The project of King Bladud’s Pigs will end when all the pigs are gathered in at the end of September. However, the team of organisers hopes to arrange a Farewell Pigs event in October when visitors will be able to see all the pigs together for one last time. After this, all 100 of King Bladud’s Pigs will be sold through auction, becoming quirky pieces of art in offices, homes and gardens, along with the few that will hopefully survive in public places around the city.
The grand live auction is on 31st October
Held at the Assembly Rooms, interested bidders are invited to visit www.kingbladudspigs.org to register. The minimum auction price for the pigs will be £1,250. There will also be an opportunity for buyers to bid for individual pigs on the website, and the team hopes to make provisions for remote bidding for those who can’t attend on the day. The net proceeds from the Auction will go to the Sustrans Two Tunnels Project which will open up an interesting, level walking and cycling route between Midford and the centre of Bath. The tunnel will make a useful and exciting attraction out of two disused railway tunnels, one of them a mile long. The paths were once the Somerset and Dorset Railway Line. For more information see www.twotunnels.org.uk
Racing at Bath Racecourse
Cider Festival, Featuring The Wurzels Fri 01 August 2008
Flat Racing. First Race: 6:05pm Last Race: 8:45pm
Bath Racecourse Family Funday and Sunday Motorshow
Sunday 17 August 2008
Stuck for fun, good value days out this summer holiday? On Sunday 17th August, Bath Racecourse will be holding their annual Family Funday and Sunday Motorshow. A unique and exciting day out suitable for all the family this summer holiday.
For the racing purists this Sunday's meeting is one of the highlights of the season featuring some competitive handicaps, the highlight being the listed EBF Dick Hern Stakes.
As well as six live, exciting horse races to watch, there will be lots of FREE children's entertainment, suitable for all ages. Bouncy castles, inflatable assault courses, facepainters, magicians and fairground rides can all be enjoyed for FREE at Bath Racecourse this coming Sunday! There will also be a new car motorshow, showcasing 12 different brands from top local dealers - MRG Volvo, Platinum Group & Wellsway Ltd, Hunters Land Rover and Bristol Honda.
In addition to the FREE entertainment available, all ages will enjoy the atmosphere and buzz of watching a live horse race, eyeing up the horses in the parade ring and spotting the winning horses and jockeys in the winner's enclosure after the race. Jo Miller, Commercial Manager at Bath Racecourse said "A day at the races is fantastic fun for a variety of ages. You don't have to be a horse racing enthusiast to be able to enjoy watching the racing and experience the atmosphere here on a raceday. In my experience children always love seeing the horses up-close in the parade ring and winners enclosure, and really delight in watching a live horse race! Children under 16 get in free and on this day there is also free children's entertainment, so it's also fantastic value for a family!"
Also, taking place on Sunday will be two Charles Owen pony races. Pony Racing's popularity has soared since this series was introduced in 2004 and continues to play an important role towards increasing the number of young people choosing racing as a career.
The series of races are run at racecourses throughout the country for youngsters aged between 11 and 15, the series climaxes in a final race being held at Aintree Racecourse. At Bath this Sunday two races will be run over a distance of 1m2f and 1m3f after the last race at 5:00pm. Clerk of the course, Tim Long said "Bath is pleased to be staging Pony Racing and who knows, we may see a future Champion Jockey in action"
Gates open at 12:30pm and the first race will start at 2:30pm, the last race will take place at 5:00pm and the two pony races will finish off the afternoon. Children under 16 go FREE when accompanied by an adult and tickets start at £10.00 per person for a ticket in the centre course, where you can park your car and have a picnic. To experience all the luxury of a trip to races, premier enclosure tickets cost £20.00 per person and allow you to have full access to all the public areas and best facilities. Parking is free and tickets can be booked online at www.bath-racecourse.co.uk or through the racecourse directly on 01225 424609.
Racing at Bath Racecourse
Bath Ales Beer Festival Fri 22 August 2008
Flat Racing. First Race: 5:30pm Last Race: 8:00pm
Visitors to Bath Racecourse who enjoy their real ale are in for a real treat this season as the Lansdown venue opened the doors of its Bath Ales Real Ale Bar recently. The bar offers Bath Ales local favourite Gem Ale straight from the barrel to quench the thirst of Bath’s racegoers throughout the summer meetings. It will also offer the bottled versions of this popular ale which is brewed to 4.8%, along with pies and pasties.
Mark Harding, Sales Director for Bath Ales commented: ‘We’ve now had a long standing relationship with the Racecourse and we’ve been sponsoring the annual Beer Festival Racemeeting there which takes place on the 22nd August for four years. So it’s great to now have a bar on the racecourse where our customers can get their favourite pint and enjoy a great view of racing’.
The bar is situated in the Premier Enclosure of the racecourse and overlooks the finish line, and the Premier Enclosure has also been re-aligned to create a beer garden outside the bar which overlooks the parade ring and the track.
The new Bath Ales Real Ale Bar will be open throughout the exciting season planned at Bath Racecourse for 2008. The Cider festival featuring the West Country legends ‘The Wurzels’ is back once more, with three times as many bars as last year including a Gaymer’s Cider tent. Bath Racecourse is also proud to present a Bonza Aussie Beach Party, starring the legendary Rolf Harris and of course, the Bath Ales Beer Festival, which will be taking place on Friday 22nd August, with a performance by the Rolling Clones after the evenings racing.
International Balloon Fiesta! Thursday 07 to Sunday 10 August
Celebrating their 30th Anniversary, promising to be a special event with plenty of fantastic things to look forward to.
Bristol's skyline will be filled with colour at the Fiesta with over 100 balloons! www.bristolfiesta.co.uk
(above) YouTube video of the the Balloon Fiesta.
'Party On The Hill' - Bath Racecourse
Saturday 09 August 2008
On the 9th August Lansdown Hill will be alive with the sound of music, although it will be a far cry from the music that featured in the classic movie. Instead of Julie Andrews warbling you will be able to listen to some of the finest talent Bath has to offer.
Party on The Hill is a joint venture that has locality high on its priorities. Bath Racecourse plays host to the event and is being jointly promoted with The Bath Events Company whose previous events include the University of Bath Summer Ball, Single’s Wine Tasting at the Green Park Brasserie, and the New Year’s Eve Champagne Ball at the Bath Guildhall.
The party includes a main stage area where you will be able to see Bath band the Duckworths and Choker, a dance tent with local DJ’s Jamie Tack and Andy Newman and a Jazz Café. As well as live music there is inflatable human table football, funfair, free casino, and a cider tent!
Party On The Hill runs from 8pm-2am at Bath Racecourse and the course’s Events and Venue manager Mike Hill is excited by the prospect: “Our music nights have always done well after racing and although we have dipped our toe in the water with other music events we believe this event could grow year on year. Bath has a fantastic pool of musical talent and we want to highlight this with party on the Hill. With our fantastic venue and The Bath events company experience it is sure to be a truly superb event.”
Tickets are only £15 in advance and available from Bath Racecourse either online at www.bath-racecourse.co.uk or call 01225 424609. For more information about the event call 01225 421215 or go to www.thebatheventscompany.com
UK School Games 2008
BRISTOL & BATH 28 to 31 August 2008
The UK School Games is a multi-sport event for the nation's most talented school age athletes. Held every year until 2012, designed to replicate the feel of events like the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, with opening and closing ceremonies and athletes' villages. www.ukschoolgames.com
Somerset Chamber Choir at Wells Cathedral
Songs of War and Peace Saturday 2nd August 2008, 7pm
Somerset Chamber Choir & Southern Sinfonia.
Three 20th-century choral masterpieces are brought together in a moving and life-affirming programme about the struggle to achieve freedom and peace on earth. Reserve this date and share this special occasion with us.
Tickets: £7.50 - £25 (children & Students £2, subject to availability) available from MusicBox Tel: 01275 349010 www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk
The Great Bath Piggy Treasure Hunt
Sunday 24th August 2008 3pm Start
(takes about two hours) £10 per team (max 6 in a team)
Starting from outside The Trinity Public House in James Street West.
The winning team will receive a hamper full of all that’s best in Bath.
A walking treasure hunt for all the family this Bank Holiday will be held to raise funds for Zenith Youth Theatre Company and Bladud’s Pigs Two Tunnel Project. Clues will lead you around the city from pig to pig on a trail that will highlight some of the porkers and make you look at Bath in a way that you have never done before. The winning team will receive a packed hamper full of the best Bath has to offer (including Marshfield Bakery, discount vouchers for Picnic Deli on Chelsea Road and even sausages from Bartlett Butchers to name but a few).
Everyone is welcome and to register your team please text Pigs and (your team name) to 07733242087 (texts cost just normal rate - no premium rates apply) or just turn up on the day. To find out more about these wonderful pigs please click here or click here to find out more about the Two Tunnel Project Listings The Great Bath Piggy Treasure Hunt Sunday 24th August - starts 3:00pm (last about 2 hours) Outside The Trinity Public House in James Street West £10 per team (max 6 in a team) Enquiries please call 07733242087
Bath Aqua Glass
Watch Bath's beautiful glass being blown. An exciting creative Bath visitor attraction located in Walcot Street, Bath. www.bathaquaglass.com
Demonstration Times:
10.15, 11.30. 12.15, 2.15,3.15, 4.00
Adults £3.50 / Family (4) £8
Child under 16 £2 / Children under 5 free
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy contained, we cannot accept responsibility in respect of any error or ommission which may have occurred. Events may be subject to change. If in any doubt, please check with the venue and organisers.
