Footprints

In a 2-part series of the canals and rivers of Bath, this month we paddle along the Somersetshire Coal and the Kennet and Avon canals, and find out how they contributed to the building of Bath. We meet a woman who runs pottery workshops from her boat and a man who illuminates the life of a 'continuous cruiser'. Finally I hitch a ride on the back of Dan's bike to the Claverton Pumping Station where we explore the early industrial revolution and meet the machine which has pumped water up to the Kennet and Avon canal for two centuries. It dates back to the year Pride and Prejudice was published - 1813! Bathscape Manager Dan Merrett and his daughter do the paddling while I drop a hydrophone into the water and listen to the birds! This is the life! Music: Audionautix Produced by Pommy Harmar Links Somersetshire Coal Canal Society - www.coalcanal.com Jessica Styles - Insta and Facebook - @towpathpottery Claverton Pumping Station - www.claverton.org www.canalrivertrust.org.uk www.naturalbristol.wordpress.com

This episode is all about trees! We find out about Bath's plans for a series of tree trails and meet the trees in Hedgemead Park with tree enthusiast Fiona Bell. Woodland Trust site manager Joe Middleton gives us his expert knowledge and experience with ash dieback. And we go wassailing at Bath City Farm with 'January' played by Oliver Langdon from Kilter Theatre Company. Tom Sheppard, High Sheriff of Somerset and Cllr June Player, Mayor of Bath make an appearance. For more information about Bathscape visit www.bathscape.co.uk Credits Music: Audionautix Produced by Pommy Harmar Links www.hedgemead.org/tree-trail www.woodlandtrust.org.uk www.bathcityfarm.org.uk www.kiltertheatre.org

This episode is all about farming. In fact it’s all about one farm, and we hear from 4 generations of people connected with the farm since its beginnings 105 years ago. When the Ashcombe Estate was sold off in 26 lots in 1917, Marianne Brunt's grandparents bought Lot 4, Manor Farm Langridge. Our story starts with her as she grew up at Tadwick farm across the valley. We then meet Rachel de Fossard whose family farmed there for 50 years, before meeting the current owners Donald MacIntyre and Jane Lipington. Finally Donald's daughter Laurie talks about her work on the farm. We hear about the changes in machinery, how water was piped to the farm using a Ram (no, not a male sheep!), what life was like before electricity and just how harsh the life was before central heating. Credits Music: Audionautix Produced by Pommy Harmar Links www.bathscape.co.uk www.naturalbristol.wordpress.com

In this episode we look back at how we remember our ancestors and loved ones in Bath. We start at the Bath workhouse burial ground where 3000+ people were buried in unmarked graves in a field on the Wellsway near St Martin's Hospital. We hear from Richard White from Bath Spa University who created the Walking the Names project and on that day, Bathscape had organised an event to plant more than 40 trees as one way to memorialise the people buried there. John Payne tells us about the workhouse and how his great grandparents are buried up there. His leaflet From Workhouse to Hospital is available from Oldfield Park Bookshop and the Museum of Bath at Work. Proceeds go to the Burial Ground Appeal. He has also written a book called A West Country Homecoming - see link below. Finally in our Expert Eye section, Dr Molly Conisbee, University of Bristol talks about the various ways we have marked death and remembered our loved ones over the centuries. Music: Audionautix Produced by Pommy Harmar Links (Dr Molly Conisbee, University of Bristol) (From Workhouse to Hospital leaflet by John Payne) (A West Country Homecoming, John Payne, Hobnob Press 2020) (Richard White, Walking the names Project) (www.bathscape.co.uk) www.naturalbristol.wordpress.co.uk

Starting off season 2 with Visions of Bath, this episode has been inspired by Bathscape’s Views and Vistas project where volunteers are researching and monitoring historically important viewpoints and where appropriate, restoring or enhancing them. We see the city from three different hill tops and I am joined by people who have worked or walked the land for decades. Starting on Twerton Round Hill, Di Sheppard, Landscape Architect with Bath and North East Somerset Council gives an insight into why Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site and introduces us to her favourite word palimpsest! On Kelston Round Hill we meet Andy Dinham whose family has farmed in the South West since the seventeenth century, and Dick Bateman who has walked the hill 1400 times (both pictured). Billie Brocklehurst joins us from Brocks Outdoor Adventures for a cuppa! I tramp up Little Solsbury Hill with Barry Cox, Cotswold Warden and we get ambushed by the boss of Bathscape himself Dan Merrett. Also making an appearance on the top is Nicole Daw, Cotswolds National Landscape, Rob Kendall, Cotswold Warden & Little Solsbury Commoner and John Bartram, Cotswold Warden & Chair of the Cotswold Way Association. Credits Music: Audionautix Produced by Pommy Harmar Links Bathscape - www.bathscape.co.uk Cotswold AONB - www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk Brocks Adventures - www.brocksoutdooradventures.com www.naturalbristol.wordpress.com

Season 2 is about to take off.....find out more in our short trailer! For more information about Bathscape visit: www.bathscape.co.uk Produced by Pommy Harmar

Welcome to our second episode in September - this one following (Bathscape's) highly successful 2021 walking festival! I caught up with Lucy Bartlett before she went off on a much deserved rest, to find out how the festival had gone. Walks - we hear in turn from: LGBTQ+ Social History walk with Robert Howes My Postcard Walk to You with Victoria Wells Bath's Uncomfortable Past with (MR B's Emporium of Reading Delights) - a walk discovering Bath's links to the transatlantic slave trade with Mr D (aka Sam Drew) and Richard White, Senior Lecturer, Bath Spa University. A suggested reading list is (here) and you can download the original Bath’s Uncomfortable Past walking route here: (Bath Uncomfortable Past Walking Map) Bat walks with Bathscape's Julia Kennaby and Dan Merrett Homes Not Hutches Tour of Bath's Southdown Housing Estate with Mark Batterham Circuit of Bath 20-mile fundraiser for (Julian House) with Pommy Harmar. You can donate (here.) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

This is the first of a two-parter for September! It's only a few days until the festival starts and we hear all about it from the festival's tireless planner and organiser Lucy Bartlett. There are 73 walks on offer this year with something for everyone from social history to postcard-making to long rambles through Bath's beautiful countryside. Sign up now (HERE!) Where do walking festivals originate? I dig down a little and discover (Hebden Bridge Walkers Action group) are behind the (Walkers Are Welcome initiative) which has led to the development of more than 150 walking festivals around the UK. I decided to try out recording a walk for this episode and I chose the self-guided walk devised by the (Cleveland Pools) project. Download the walk (here )and also find volunteers talking about the Cleveland Pools restoration project on Saturday 11th September from 11-3pm at Kensington Meadows. Bathscape Walking Festival (timetable is here.) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

It's August and in this episode we hear all about the (Cotswold Way) as it celebrates 50 years. Margaret Reid, Head Warden for the (Cotswolds Natural Landscapes) and Nicole Daw the Trails and Access Officer join us. Lucy Bartlett gives us the latest on the walking festival. Sign up for walks (here). And in our Wise Words for Walking Women section we talk about safety - first aid kits, blisters, power banks and an amazing way to find and communicate your location very precisely - (What3words) We finish with a walk recorded very kindly for us by artist Richard White. He takes us through Sydney Gardens and along the Kennet and Avon canal. He uses walking and audio to help us explore and face our uncomfortable histories and reluctant heritage. If you're intrigued, you can find out more by signing up to his walks - Remnants, resonances and ghosts of Bath’s Union Workhouse on Sunday 12 Sept and Botany, Empire and Deep Time on 19th September. Bathscape Walking Festival timetable Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

Welcome to the July episode of Bathscape's Footprints Podcast! This month we meet (Bristol Steppin Sistas), a hugely popular new walking group for women of colour. Sophie Brown and Ruth Pitter tell us about their love of walking, what they get up to with the group and descibe some of the barriers women of colour face when venturing into the countryside. Plus ... in our section Wise Words from Walking Women, we turn the tables and Lucy finds out from me about the joys and mechanics of long distance walking.... And finally ... Lucy goes for a walk with one of Bathscape's regular walking groups - this one is for older people and those who want to start taking exercise. You can find out more about Bathscape (here) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

Welcome to the June epiosde of Bathscape's Footprints Podcast! This month we celebrate the Ramblers and talk to Chair of Bath Ramblers Mary Young and footpath maintenance wizard Keith Weller. Plus ... in our section Wise Words from Walking Women, Lucy and I talk about footwear - fabric or leather, boots or trainers, on pair of socks or two.... And finally ... I spend the day with good friend, radio colleague and ex-Bath resident Angel Mel trying out the (Go Jauntly )app which takes us both on a history tour of St Paul's courtesy of (Bristol Walkfest)! You can find out more about Bathscape (here) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

Welcome to Bathscape's May Footprints Podcast! This episode goes out in the middle of (Mental Health Awareness Week) with the theme this year of Nature. So who better to talk to than Tom and Maria, two volunteers from (Bath Mind). Plus ... in our section Wise Words from Walking Women, Lucy and I discuss our favourite picnic food and snacks to take on a walk.... And finally ... I spend the day at the (Julian House Circuit of Bath )20-mile fundraising walk and put my microphone in the way of some of the 700 intrepid walkers! To find out more about Bathscape do visit the (website) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

Welcome to Bathscape's April Footprints Podcast! In this episode we start in the west of Bath and meet up with Jim Hardman, local community-minded, outdoor enthusiast from Whiteway. He talks about what he loves about the area and how it’s changed over the years. Plus ... in our section Wise Words from Walking Women, Lucy tells me how not to get lost! This month it's maps, apps, books and all things navigation. And finally ... (National Trust) Ranger Tabi Collins guides us on a circular walk up and down the steep south-eastern slopes of the city, taking in Rainbow Wood, Popes Walk and Bath Abbey Cemetery. To find out more about Bathscape do visit the (website) Also Bath City Nature Challenge info is (here) and the Julian House Circuit of Bath info is (here) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar

Welcome to Bathscape's first Footprints Podcast! In this episode we have an interview with (Bathscape Walking Festival) organiser, Lucy Bartlett. She talks about what we can expect from the upcoming festival in September and how to get involved. Plus ... in our section Wise Words from Walking Women, Lucy tells me what's in her rucksack! This month it's all about gear and we discuss waterproofs, walking poles and rucksacks. And finally ... Bathscape Manager Dan Merrett takes us on a circular walk around Fox Hill, Horsecombe Vale, the two tunnels cycle path, South Stoke and a section of the Wansdyke! To find out more about Bathscape do visit the (website) Music (Acoustic Guitar 1,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library. (Words,) Audionautix, YouTube Audio Library Host and Producer: Pommy Harmar