Putting Bath in the shade

Richard Wyatt

A couple of ‘pointers’ from my trip to Paris.

The first is how obvious it is that, in our changing climate, trees are SO important to the urban environment.

Tourists shelter under them in the yet-to-be-completed square outside the newly restored Cathedral of Notre Dame.

While in the Marais district, residents and visitors alike seek sanctuary in the shade of these natural heat and light barriers.

Bath needs MORE trees. Everywhere.

We, the citizens of this city, should also take responsibility for caring for them. They will give back so much.

The second point is IKEA. I came across the city store.

Such a thing would be perfect for the old M & S store.

I, for one, would be delighted if B&NES could attract this mega company onto our ‘high street ‘, where, with three universities to factor in, I am sure it would prosper.

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.

6 Comments

  1. My mother, Mrs Jean Fry, campaigned vigorously but in vain for more fountains, despite support from some councillors and Stan Hitt, who was in charge of parks. Can you take up the baton, Richard? They do cool down spaces.

  2. Paris trees were an obvious asset on Sunday Tour de France finale . It really struck me and not just Bath but London need more trees.

  3. It would be great to see IKEA in the old M&S but as most purchases would not be suitable for taking home on a bus or bike and BANES are unlikely to support a development where car transport is the only realistic option. Maybe this is why IKEA tend to prefer out of town locations.

    PS glad you enjoyed your birthday celebrations in Paris. My upcoming 79th will be spent locally but with family and friends
    Mike

  4. People always say Bath needs more trees everywhere, but this debate has actually been raging for over two centuries! Back in the Georgian era, John Wood purposefully left trees out of his designs so people could admire the stone architecture. History shows why keeping them is tough, Great Pulteney Street’s trees were completely chopped down in 1920 just because of the leaf litter, and today’s remaining trees constantly pop up on FixMyStreet for shattering pavements and creating trip hazards. The biggest hurdle, though, is hidden right under our feet. Many Georgian townhouses have hollow vaults that stretch out from the basements straight under the pavements. Because of how the city was engineered hundreds of years ago, there is simply no dirt to plant trees in without breaking into someone’s cellar!

  5. Bath needs not only more trees but also green walls and roofs – I’ve often wondered whether it would be possible to ‘green’ the Walcot Street wall which would be visually attractive and improve air quality. And, thinking about food security, what about urban farming? Singapore provides some inspirational ideas for ‘greening’ a built-up area. With this in mind, could you approach Andrew Grant of Grant Associates to discuss the potential for a greener Bath?

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