Officialdom, patriarchy, state security, greed, rape, infidelity, betrayal, snobbery – you name it and in Alan Ayckbourn’s Arrivals and Departures the playwright takes aim at all the negative aspects of today’s society but also shining a light on friendship and self-affirmation. To paraphrase guileless protagonist Barry: if you think the best of people, you might be disappointed, but if you think the worst, you’ll be miserable.

Using two central characters in fractured Ez and cheery Barry – who are thrown together on a disused railway platform as part of a security operation – the drama unfolds in a series of flashbacks as we discover why the unlikely duo are the characters they are.

Using a traverse stage as the railway platform (which lends the play its title in one sense) the Next Stage Theatre Company’s ensemble cast appeared as distraught parents, bickering families, bungling security personnel and as Ez and Barry’s younger selves.

An excellent and slightly formidable Francesca McBride as downcast soldier Ez dominated the setting with her hard to like glum persona which slowly melts as chatty Barry begins to lighten her mood. Andrew Ellison as the cheery Yorkshireman was exceptional value in the night and day contrast of the two characters.

Supported by the wonderfully pompous Major Quentin Sexton (Brian Hudd) who set up the comically incompetent security scenario and aided by a brilliant Miranda Webb as the young Ez (Esme) and Mike Stevens as wet-behind-the-ears as young Barry the drama fell into two halves that mirrored each other. The first being Ez’s back story and the second act the life of Barry. Complicating matters but adding the laughs were the cast of military bods pretending to be normal people at the station. Tiana James and Dave Shaw as students, Christine Saunders as a non-English speaking tourist, and Alistair J Davey as the comically unsuspecting suspect to name but a few.

There were tantalising glimpses of Ez’s and Barry’s past very English lives which director Ann Ellison fleshed out in the flashbacks or mini scenes set outside schools, inside hospitals and even a motorway service station – achieved with a dip in lighting. Costumes (Christine Anderson) also helped to paint pictures of those in the lives of Barry and Ez – something that can be taken for granted – but the right school uniform, the period suit or mumsy dress quickly establishes visually a character who may only appear for a few moments.

The strength of the production was the acting which was worthy of any stage. Brian Fisher, Kay Francksen, Alex Hawkins and Ellie Turner completed an exceptional cast in Ayckbourn’s dark satire that perhaps took aim at too many targets when the life stories of Ez and Barry would have sufficed. But then Ayckbourn’s restlessness as a creative writer would never be satisfied with the conventional. Perhaps the railway platform could have done with more litter, leaves and the odd suitcase but the simple layout kept the comings and goings and indeed the arrivals and departures going at a pace that kept the audience’s attention throughout in this exceptional production.

Harry Mottram

The play runs to January 29^th, 2022.

Details and tickets at http://www.missiontheatre.co.uk/

Harry Mottram is the news editor of Bath Voice monthly magazine covers news, views, reviews, previews and features as well as what’s on in Bath and events for residents in Bear Flat, Widcombe and Oldfield Park and the wider Bath area. Delivered door to door in south Bath and available in shops and supermarkets. See the Facebook site for details.

More news of Bath’s chic community in Bath Voice magazine – now out – or read online at https://issuu.com/bathvoice

For details for the work of the journalist Harry Mottram visit www.harrymottram.co.uk and follow him on all social media sites.

See:  https://www.facebook.com/bathvoice)
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Sign up to be in the Axbridge Pageant on Saturday Jan 22, in the town hall, when it takes place in August 27-29 – and become Tudor Countess, a Saxon warrior or a Victorian lady – so many roles and we’ve got the costumes. Free tickets available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/axbridgecommunitytheatre from Liz Welch – phone 07851-569751. It’s an all day event so just pop in. He’s the timetable: 11.00: Welcome from the Pageant’s artistic director John Bailey)11:05: An introduction to The Redress of the Past Pageants Project by Professor Mark Freeman, University College London11:25: Pageant Fever! Historical Pageants in Britain, 1905-present. An illustrated talk by Professor Paul Readman, King’s College London12:20: The material culture of historical pageantry: souvenirs and mementoes. An illustrated talk by Ellie Reid, Oxfordshire History Centre1:00pm: Lunch1.45pm: Pageants on film. A talk with film screenings by Trevor Bailey (Windrose Rural Media Trust)</p>2.20pm: Music and Historical Pageants. An illustrated talk with musical accompaniment by Dr Parker Gordon (University of St Andrews)Followed by live theatre – a preview of some of the scenes in the pageant including The Monmouth Rebellion, The Fighting Vicar of Axbridge the Reverend Gould who clashed with the reformer Hannah More – and the arrival of the collector of folk songs Cecil Sharpe at the turn of the century in Edwardian England.Plus in the evening there’s a separate live rock concert in the town hall – tickets available on the door or the Post Office and Chemist – only £5 – plus the Happy Mexican food and a licensed cash bar.

On Saturday all attendees to the pageant preview day in the town hall will get a copy of this book – which has a feature on our own pageant. Plus the acclaimed academics who are visiting will have copies of their books Restaging the Past for £20 and The Pageants of St Albans for £10 for those interested in how history has been portrayed by communities in Britain. Free tickets available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/axbridgecommunitytheatre from Liz Welch – phone 07851-569751. It’s an all day event so just pop in.

This is a link to The Redress of the Past project website of the Historical Pageants Kings College London and UCL who are promoting our Historical Pageants Day and there is a convenient link to our free on-line ticketing. Do book a seat if you want to 100% certain of getting in! https://historicalpageants.ac.uk/ Free lectures, films, drama, music and a chance to find out more about the pageant in August – and sign up to join the town’s biggest event.

Rehearsals are under way for next Saturday’s free Axbridge Pageant event in the town hall. Sarah Kendall, Tony Wilson and Phil Saunders return to the town of the 17th century in a live theatre production as part of the day’s programme. The drama was performed in London last summer – it’s a must see – and it’s free so get your tickets now! Tickets available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/axbridgecommunitytheatre from Liz Welch – phone 07851-569751. If you don’t get a ticket you may get in on the door – but numbers are restricted so it’s best to be safe and get one.

A reminder for next Saturday’s pageant preview in the town hall from 11am – for the daytime events you can book a FREE ticket at www.ticketsource.co.uk/axbridgecommunitytheatre but it is likely you can get in without one as it is all day – and they wanted to keep numbers to about 40 or so – or phone Liz Welch – phone 07851-569751. Tickets for the Stopcocks’ concert in the evening are available from The Chemist and the Post Office – £5 – or from Pete Harding on 07765 527377 or on the door.

Support the Axbridge Pageant by rocking to the rock steady beat of the Stopcocks and Looper on Saturday night – 22nd January in the Town Hall – only a fiver – grab a ticket from the Chemist, the PO or on the door – licensed bar – one for the diary – don’t miss out! Tickets available at The Post Office and the Axbridge Chemist and on the door or from Pete Harding on 07765 527377.

Covid-19 Regulations and the Axbridge Pageant Preview on Saturday 22nd January in the Town Hall.
FOR THE DAY’S EVENT ONLY please wear a mask or face covering unless you are exempt or are eating or drinking – no need for passports or NHS apps.
For those attending the EVENING STOPCOCKS event ideally should have some evidence of being Covid negative within the last 48 hours or they can show a vaccination card or a Covid passport from the NHS app on entry but don’t have to wear a mask. We hope to have some lateral flow tests available on the door for people to use.
Please use you common sense!

More news on the FREE Pageant Preview and Recruitment day on Saturday 22nd January in Axbridge Town Hall. Talks, films, live theatre, sign up for the pageant, talk to those involved, displays and sample costumes – plus a separate live rock concert in the evening.

11.00: Welcome from the Pageant’s artistic director John Bailey

11:05: An introduction to The Redress of the Past Pageants Project by Professor Mark Freeman, University College London

11:25: Pageant Fever! Historical Pageants in Britain, 1905-present. An illustrated talk by Professor Paul Readman, King’s College London

12:20: The material culture of historical pageantry: souvenirs and mementoes. An illustrated talk by Ellie Reid, Oxfordshire History Centre

1:00pm: Lunch1.45pm: Pageants on film. A talk with film screenings by Trevor Bailey (Windrose Rural Media Trust)

2.20pm: Music and Historical Pageants. An illustrated talk with musical accompaniment by Dr Parker Gordon (University of St Andrews)

Followed by live theatre – a preview of some of the scenes in the pageant including The Monmouth Rebellion, The Fighting Vicar of Axbridge the Reverend Gould who clashed with the reformer Hannah More – and the arrival of the collector of folk songs Cecil Sharpe at the turn of the century in Edwardian England.

Make sure you don’t miss the event and come along for part of the day and find out about the town’s big event over the August Bank Holiday weekend 27-29 August.

More details at http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/axbr…/axbridge-pageant-2020/

and http://axbridgepageant.com/Axbridge_Pageant_News

Short-selling

City traders have started the year with a rash of short selling targeting some of the stock market’s biggest names. The HUT Group, Asos, Ocado Bohoo and AO World have all been subject to the practice – reported on the This is Money website – part of the Mail Online group. Neil Craven of the business desk for the Daily Mail and Mail on the second Sunday in January reported on the short selling by city traders of the HUT Group – owner of many beauty and fashion brands – causing the share price to fall. He noted: “The number of contracts out on loan – so-called short positions which controversially allow investors to profit from a drop in the share price – have doubled in the past fortnight, hitting a new high. The value of shares held by short-sellers is now £110million. The sustained short attacks are threatening to derail a recovery in the share price. They come despite persistent rumours that the company’s billionaire founder Matthew Moulding, also its largest shareholder, may seek to take it private.”

Short-selling is where a trader borrows shares and sells them at the market price hoping they fall in value. They then buy them back at a lower price before returning them to the owner having made a profit equal to the difference in price. GameStop was the subject o short selling last year but fans rallied and pumped in cash to restore the share price so it doesn’t always work.

Famously in the 2015 movie The Big Short trader Michael Burry played by Christian Bale realises the USA housing market is about to collapse due to sub-prime mortgages loaned by the banks to people who can’t repay the loans. As the first to see this he makes a series of loans of shares to short sell knowing the shares will fall in value – which happened – creating the 2008 Credit Crunch. Burry made a lot of money from the practice – an activity repeated from time to time by other traders spotting overpriced businesses but it remains a controversial activity.

About ICSM Credit

ICSM Credit has more than four decades of experience as a credit intelligence group whose members gain inside information about firms in trouble allowing them to avoid bad debts and rogue traders. To join costs less than a tank of fuel – while at the moment there’s a special free temporary membership offer during the Covid-19 crisis which gives access to free legal letters. ICSM also has an effective debt collecting service which has a global reach – ask for details from Paul.

For details about ICSM Credit call 0844 854 1850 or visit the website www.icsmcredit.com or email Ian at Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com on how to subscribe and to join the UK’s credit intelligence network to avoid bad debts and late payers. Follow ICSM Credit on FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube and Ian Carrotte on LinkedIn.

To keep up to date subscribe to the FREE ICSM Credit Newsletter to hear all the latest insolvency news and to see who has gone out of business click on the orange panel on the top left of the home page of the website www.icsmcredit.com or send an email to Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com

For details for the work of the journalist Harry Mottram visit www.harrymottram.co.uk

The official website is at http://axbridgepageant.com/Axbridge_Pageant_News It is a bit out of date but from now on it will be slowly updated – otherwise I run everything on my own website here: http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/axbridge/axbridge-pageant-2020/

More news on the FREE Pageant Preview and Recruitment day on Saturday 22nd January in Axbridge Town Hall. Talks, films, live theatre, sign up for the pageant, talk to those involved, displays and sample costumes – plus a separate live rock concert in the evening.

11.00: Welcome from the Pageant’s artistic director John Bailey)

11:05: An introduction to The Redress of the Past Pageants Project by Professor Mark Freeman, University College London

11:25: Pageant Fever! Historical Pageants in Britain, 1905-present. An illustrated talk by Professor Paul Readman, King’s College London

12:20: The material culture of historical pageantry: souvenirs and mementoes. An illustrated talk by Ellie Reid, Oxfordshire History Centre

1:00pm: Lunch1.45pm: Pageants on film. A talk with film screenings by Trevor Bailey (Windrose Rural Media Trust)

2.20pm: Music and Historical Pageants. An illustrated talk with musical accompaniment by Dr Parker Gordon (University of St Andrews)

Followed by live theatre – a preview of some of the scenes in the pageant including The Monmouth Rebellion, The Fighting Vicar of Axbridge the Reverend Gould who clashed with the reformer Hannah More – and the arrival of the collector of folk songs Cecil Sharpe at the turn of the century in Edwardian England.

Make sure you don’t miss the event and come along for part of the day and find out about the town’s big event over the August Bank Holiday weekend 27-29 August.Wear a mask – and all Covid regulations will be followed to make you feel safe.

More details to follow. See http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/axbr…/axbridge-pageant-2020/

Authorities claw back fraudulent claims for CBILs, Bounce Back Loans, Furlough Payments and Covid-19 Support for Rural Businesses that see a string of convictions – but millions are still missing

Anecdotally those in the business community regular hear of fraudsters who saw the Government’s financial help to business as free money.

ICSM sources have heard of company directors taking the money on offer by giving misleading information about the viability of their business. One source said they had known of company directors who had claimed their firm was viable on the application when in reality they were hugely in debt and had no chance of ever breaking even with the help of a loan.

Stories like this are two a penny and it would seem are born out by a string of court cases brought by the Insolvency Service as they seek to claw back some of the lost cash.

Previously the Insolvency Service brought Raashid Khan in Birmingham to book who took a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan before transferring the full amount out of the company’s account to himself just days before his company went into administration. A year ago the Insolvency Service petitioned the Courts to wind up five limited companies with one taking a £240,000 CBILs on the basis of false information.

ICSM’s source said many of the company directors who completed the loan application assumed there would be no consequences. He said: “Some saw it as a way to wind up a business by taking the cash and promptly folding the firm having secured themselves a dividend. It doesn’t work like that – fraud in a criminal offence.”

The Inland Revenue has also been hunting down fraudulent claims for the furlough scheme announcing last year they had been doing spot checks on businesses. The taxman was also open to ‘whistle blowers’ contacting them – over 4,000 reports sent to them during the first period of the furlough scheme.

ICSM’s Ian Carrotte said the classic examples were where a firm had expected their workers to continue working for them while also claiming furlough payments. He said: “We’ve heard through the grapevine of managers have asked furloughed employees to do ‘a little bit of work on the side’ which was illegal and there have been cases where someone has left a firm but the company continued to claim their furlough cash.”

HMRC and the Treasury said they designed the schemes to protect public money against error, fraud and abuse and sifted out 100,000 applications for rejection. However fraud and mistakes with the schemes which are backed by the tax payer and not the banks who facilitated the loans are expected to see somewhere north of £7bn in lost cash.

About ICSM Credit

ICSM Credit has more than four decades of experience as a credit intelligence group whose members gain inside information about firms in trouble allowing them to avoid bad debts and rogue traders. To join costs less than a tank of fuel – while at the moment there’s a special free temporary membership offer during the Covid-19 crisis which gives access to free legal letters. ICSM also has an effective debt collecting service which has a global reach – ask for details from Paul.

For details about ICSM Credit call 0844 854 1850 or visit the website www.icsmcredit.com or email Ian at Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com on how to subscribe and to join the UK’s credit intelligence network to avoid bad debts and late payers. Follow ICSM Credit on FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube and Ian Carrotte on LinkedIn.

To keep up to date subscribe to the FREE ICSM Credit Newsletter to hear all the latest insolvency news and to see who has gone out of business click on the orange panel on the top left of the home page of the website www.icsmcredit.com or send an email to Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com

For details for the work of the journalist Harry Mottram visit www.harrymottram.co.uk

Save the date: Saturday, 22nd January, 2022, Axbridge Town Hall for a FREE Axbridge Pageant information and recruitment day for the community event running from 27-29 August in the Town Square. The day in the town hall runs from 11am-5pm and includes a chance to learn about the town’s big event, volunteer and sign up to take part as a group or as an individual. There’s videos, display boards, talks by academics from London, a chance to talk to the organisers and those involved in previous pageants and live theatre – plus a separate rock concert in the evening – so pop along and wear a mask but find out more. More information to follow with the usual provisos for late changes in these unusual times. Look out for more details soon. More at http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/axbr…/axbridge-pageant-2020/ and on social media and at http://axbridgepageant.com/Axbridge_Pageant_News

BBC Radio Somerset’s coverage of our 22 January Pageant Re-launch is on at about 1.22 on this link, for about 15 minutes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bccjfc

Review: Five Children and It at The Egg theatre, Bath

Be careful what you wish for is the theme at the core of Edwardian novelist E Nesbit’s cautionary tale: Five Children and It. Whatever wish the purple clad sand fairy grants to the children always has unexpected consequences. The children wish to fly but become stuck on a church tower, they are granted gold coins which sees them accused of theft and the youngest child becomes a monstrous baby when they accidently ask for Lamb to grow up.

Bucket Club Theatre’s production of the classic children’s novel is a five star hit in the cosy confines of the Egg Theatre in Bath. Director Nel Crouch created a believable children’s world of wonderment as the five (well four really as baby Lamb is safely confined to a pram for much of the play) as they squabble and argue over what wishes they should ask for from the Psammead or sand fairy.

Set against a stage of sweeping white curtains, stable doors and a balcony complete with ladders, Rebecca Wood’s design allowed for maximum use of the space with a piano tucked in one corner. Versatile Patrick Bridgman as Uncle Paul made use of the piano to accompany several of the songs while Craig Edwards as the desperate-for-a-holiday sand fairy made the most of his role as the instigator of dreams come true. His switch to the grumpy owner of a pony and trap as well as an irate chef were some of the highlights of the drama.

An excellent ensemble cast of Hanora Kamen as bookish sensible Jane, Hannah Bristow as naughty boy Robert and Doxah Dzidzor as dreamy Anthea were added to by understudy Peta Maurice as Cyril who seamlessly filled the roll of the stiff upper lip Edwardian brother.

Strong production values including Jenni Jackson’s movement direction which added so much as well as lighting, sound and music made for a perfect show – and above all created a drama which engaged the very young as well as adults with its constant wit and humour.

The largely young audience seemed transfixed by the action that included song and dance, movement and mime and numerous delightful creative sequences. The pony and trap journeys, the purple flight over the world and the interjections with Uncle Paul on the farm and the lost ferret running joke all added to a complete narrative with the theme of: be careful for what you wish for. And underlying the story was the unseen subplot of the children’s absent mother who was battling the authorities for female suffrage – reflected in Edith Nesbit’s own life story.

Harry Mottram

The play runs to January 16th, 2022.

Details at https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/five-children-and-it/

Harry Mottram is the news editor of Bath Voice monthly magazine covers news, views, reviews, previews and features as well as what’s on in Bath and events for residents in Bear Flat, Widcombe and Oldfield Park and the wider Bath area. Delivered door to door in south Bath and available in shops and supermarkets. See the Facebook site for details.

More news of Bath’s chic community in Bath Voice magazine – now out – or read online at https://issuu.com/bathvoice

For details for the work of the journalist Harry Mottram visit www.harrymottram.co.uk and follow him on all social media sites.

See:  https://www.facebook.com/bathvoice)
(https://twitter.com/bath_voice)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-mottram-a3613920/detail/recent-activity/
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Call to complete a consultation in Bristol before Friday, January 28th, 2022

South Bristol Voice reader Alex Lingham who cycles in the city has asked residents in Bristol to complete a Consultation on the Number Two Bus serving Knowle and Wells Road.

He writes: There is currently a consultation on the no.2 bus route (https://number2busroute.virtual-engage.com/), specifically about the travel corridor (Wells Road…) and this represents our chance to ask for proper cycling infrastructure. However, the council are being very tentative and the plan is not fit for purpose. South Bristol is pretty badly served by safe cycling routes. In Knowle, where I live, I don’t think there currently are any safe routes (protected from traffic)!

This is going to be the only chance to make meaningful changes for a generation, so it’s important that people are aware of the key points:

• Cycling on the Wells Road through Knowle and Totterdown isn’t very safe. On average once cyclist a year is seriously injured or killed (Wells road, Broadwalk to Bath Bridge). Another 3-4 have less serious incidents with pedestrians suffering the same fate.

• You might expect cyclists to argue in favour of the proposal but they are largely disappointed with what’s on offer for South Bristol – see this article from Bristol Cycling (https://tinyurl.com/44pw5ttd)

• In the early engagement survey undertaken by the council about the number 2 bus route changes, 87% of people agreed that the so-called ‘transport corridor’ should be a place to walk and cycle, however the current proposal does not provide for this.

• The proposal is patchy. Particular flaws include:o There is no proposed change at all between Bath Bridge and Three Lamps, an area that could very easily be improvedo An indirect and confusing cycle route off the travel corridor through to Redcatch Park (where it seems to end)o A rejig of the Airport Road junction which doesn’t appear to change much (no new cycling facilities, and pedestrian routes which could still include six separate crossings!).

• If the solution they build is confusing and indirect, existing cyclists will stay on the main road and it won’t encourage would-be cyclists to get going. This would be a waste of money and a wasted opportunity.

Please take a little time before Jan 28th to respond to the consultation and tell the council to do what we already asked for – create continuous, high-quality cycling and walking routes on the travel corridor which are safe for everyone, from children to experienced cyclists.South Bristol Voice is committed to reflecting the concerns of those south of the river and so completing the consultation will hopefully help make Bristol better.

South Bristol Monthly News Magazine is free. Thousands of copies are delivered door to door in Bedminster, Knowle, Southville, Totterdown and Ashton every month – and to shops, libraries and super markets in Bristol. More at https://issuu.com/southbristolvoice and https://www.facebook.com/southbristolvoice/ and https://www.southbristolvoice.co.uk/…Harry Mottram is the news editor of South Bristol Voice monthly magazine and a freelance journalist. Visit http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/harry.speed.9275/

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Review: Robin Hood and the Legend of the Forgotten Forest, Bristol Old Vic

Great performances, brilliant set pieces and with a quiver full of comedy, The Wardobe Theatre’s production of their devised Robin Hood and the Legend of the Forgotten Forest at Bristol Old Vic is an enjoyable examination of the story of the outlaw of Sherwood Forest.

 As a mash-up of ideas and a send up of some of Hollywood’s film versions it also lacks some of the charm of the story as it moves away from some of the ingredients of the folk tales. There’s no archery contest and no robbing from the rich to give to the poor – and no traditional portrayal of Robin and Marion, and a distinct lack of merry men.

Apart from the obvious changes with a damaged and grumpy female Robin (Kerry Lovell) and a ferociously aggressive Maid Marion (Katja Quist) the story centres on shy schoolboy JJ (Alex Roberts) who lands in 12^th century Nottinghamshire to meet his heroes. With unbounded enthusiasm he rallies the disparate band together to carry out a heist on the Sheriff of Nottingham’s castle.

As a devised play there is something of a committee feeling to the story with numerous creative ideas and in-jokes that appeal to adults of a certain age. Green tights, Kevin Costner, Errol Flynn and Disney are the butt of several send-ups which were lapped up by a disappointingly small audience. There is a pantomime feel to the show with a very pantomime baddy in the Sheriff (James Newton) but no King John or Sir Guy. One for the grown-ups but a production that may disappoint those hoping for the romance of the outlaw of Sherwood Forest.

Harry Mottram

More at https://issuu.com/southbristolvoice 

and https://www.facebook.com/southbristolvoice/ 

and https://www.southbristolvoice.co.uk/…

Harry Mottram is the news editor of South Bristol Voice monthly magazine and a freelance journalist. Visit http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/