Ceramicist, Rupert Blamire is one of hundreds of local businesses who were looking forward to today’s official launch of this year’s Bath Christmas Market.

Over 170 wooden mini-chalets line the streets in the city centre and will offer an amazing range of Christmas gifts right through to December 13th.

It’s an annual event that attracts thousands of people – many of them coached in from other parts of the West and Wales.

Rupert has a business based in Bristol and produces everything from olive bowls and oil dispensers to salt cellars and whisky water jugs. This year his artist wife Hope will also be selling her specially designed tea towels in colours which compliment the pottery range.
He sells to the National Trust and you can buy his wares at the Roman Baths Museum shop.

Slight disappointment this year as the carousel that normally delights the young members of this market shopping crowd will not be in its usual place at the Pump Room end of Bath Street.

Instead organisers have installed a large wooden chalet and told the Virtual Museum: ‘to keep the Market fresh this year we’ve got a new Lodge, a heated spot to rest & refuel during your shopping.’
I passed by there this morning and saw several beer lorries busy unloading – as if we needed another pub!
Sorry kids. It’s a shame.