Bath Medical Museum Volunteer and Heritage Studies Student, Karen Espinoza, popped into The Hetling Pump Room on Saturday to check measurements and plans for her upcoming exhibition, “The Bath Beazer Garden Maze as a Wellbeing Tool,” which will be staged from May 25th to June 2nd.
Karen expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m very passionate about labyrinths and the positive effect their use can have on people’s wellbeing. Unlike mazes, they are not designed as puzzles to get lost in, but rather as meditative pathways.”
She further explained that the origins of labyrinths can be traced back thousands of years and have been found in various ancient cultures around the world.
Karen’s exhibition will describe the history of labyrinths, as well as explaining how the Beazer Garden Maze offers a unique opportunity for improving personal wellbeing. She hopes that her exhibition will provide a serene and contemplative environment for visitors to engage in mindfulness practices, reduce stress, reconnect with nature, and have fun.
The Beazer Garden ‘Maze’ is located within the city (Spring Gardens Rd, Bath BA2 6PW), along the banks of the River Avon, near Pulteney Bridge. Although called a maze, the design is technically a labyrinth with a maze-like touch. Unlike a maze, which has only a single line woven back and forth, true labyrinths are impossible to get lost in. You can go in any direction you choose and eventually reach the place where you began. The land where the maze stands was donated by Mr. Cyril Beazer in 1973. Cyril Beazer was a prominent figure in the reconstruction and housebuilding industry in Bath and the surrounding region during and after World War II. He was also involved in the local community through his association with the Bath Rugby Club.
The exhibition has come to an end, and we thank you for your generous support and contribution, which have made it a huge success.
Over the Easter Holidays, Bath Medical Museum invited Bathonians to remember the disaster of 1088 when the city was burnt to the ground, rather than focusing on 1066. It was during this time that two of Bath’s most influential heroes began their work.
All families were invited to join in with a series of free Easter Holiday activities at Bath Medical Museum in The Hetling Pump Room, just opposite Bath Thermae Spa and very close to the Cross Bath in Hetling Court. The activities included an exhibition which dealt with ‘Medicine in Bath during Norman Times’, and the life and work of the scholar Adelard of Bath and Bishop John of Tours.
Thank you for your participation, we hope to see you again soon. Please continue to support us!
As part of our programme of ReBalance Bath Festival of Wellbeing, Bath Medical Museum collaborated with Designability and researchers at the University of Bath to present a small-scale yet highly significant and enlightening exhibition showcasing the importance of creating supportive environments and aids to promote ‘Wellbeing’ and ‘Wellness’ for everyone.
Thank you for your participation, we hope to see you again soon. Please continue to support us!
Thank you for your participation, we hope to see you again soon. Please continue to support us!
Events
Regency Health, Wellbeing, Medicine and ‘The Waters’
10:30 & 11:30 (duration 20 minutes)
Venue: Bath Medical Museum, Hetling Pump Room, 1 Hetling Court BA1 1SH
A unique opportunity to visit The Hetling Pump Room, pre-eminent location for taking The Waters in 18th century Bath before the Grand Pump Room opened. It was here the Austens came on one of their early visits in 1799 so that Edward could take the waters. Share the experience and listen to a short talk explaining the etiquette, effectiveness and expense of ‘taking the waters’ in the 18th century. There will also be an opportunity to share stories and scandal!
Free Event – please reserve your place. To learn more about the festival programme 2024, click here.
The collaborative workshop with the University of Bath is coming back again in summer 2024!
The Age-friendly VIP is organising an interactive gardening session that aims to foster intergenerational connections by bringing together older and younger adults. Participants will engage in a handcraft activity, such as the delightful art of painting mini terracotta pots, at the Bath Medical Museum.
Date: 17 June 2024 (Monday)
Time: 2 – 4pm
Venue: The Hetling Pump Room, Bath Medical Museum
To register, please go to
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/age-friendly-vip-gardening-for-wellbeing-tickets-892119813377?aff=oddtdtcreator
The partnership with the University of Bath, Department of Health, is going well. Every fortnight, a PhD researcher has visited the Hetling Room and shared their research with members and volunteers on a variety of subjects. The programme runs until June 25th, and the presentations are free to attend.
On Tuesday, April 9th, we had a really inspiring presentation by Ian-Ju Liang, who demonstrated and explained a programme for ‘exercise snacking’—that is, undertaking very short bursts of activity at regular intervals during the course of each day. We are hoping to publish the suggested programme of exercises later in April. It was a truly inspiring session, and Ian-Ju is to be congratulated on her creative research.
Coming up next on 7th May 2024, from 2pm to 3pm:
The next short talk in our series featuring cutting edge ‘medical’ research will be ‘Exploring barriers to type 2 diabetes self-management support’, given by Amy Herbert. The research is based in the department of psychology at the University of Bath.
Amy Herbert says, “I am puzzling through the mystery of why uptake to diabetes self-management support is so low despite its evidenced benefits. Please join me as I delve into the perspectives of both patients and healthcare professionals to uncover the barriers that hinder participation in this crucial aspect of diabetes care.”
This fascinating short talk is free and is open to everyone. The audience will have time to ask questions and also have the opportunity to give feedback to help with improving presentation skills. Please come along and support our local PhD student.
To make a reservation or read the full programme, click here.
400+ visitors crowded into The Guildhall on Sunday 21st April when Trustees and Volunteers staffed a BMM stand advertising the work of The Museum as part of Bath World Heritage Day.
It was very successful. The BMM included the ‘virtual’ model of The 1942 RNHRD Building, a pill making machine, rocks and explanation of the Bath Landscape in the context of ‘the healing waters’, a table top ‘zen garden’ for relaxation and well being, a quiz based around the famous painting of Dr ‘biscuit’ Oliver’s consultation with 3 patients, activities for families along with a small collection of Tibetan ‘wellbeing’ devices, an opportunity for children to colour in ‘microbiomes’ and learn about hygiene, and several medical devices including a ‘fleam’ for bloodletting and a prosthetic hip.
Notable visitors to the stand included The Mayor, The Chair of Directors of Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, citizens from Italy, France, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xian, India and well as friends form Bath itself. It was great fun and BMM is very very grateful to the volunteers who made the day possible by working hard and engaging with all the members of the public who visited us. One of the BMM trustees Richard Meunier was supervising his own stand which illustrated the work of the Bath Archives and friends from the BRLSI who recently supported us in our exhibition about Bishop John and Adelard were our immediate neighbours. It was a very successful day thanks to the volunteers who helped.
Walking Trails
>> (NEW) Three original Bath Medical Trails by BMM are now available! Download BMM Bath Medical Trail.
>> Try this Biscuit Oliver Trail designed by Bath Medical Museum below, that visits key locations associated with the life and work of Dr William Oliver FRS.
Thank you for your generous support and contribution, which have made the exhibition a huge success.
The Bishop John and Adelard exhibition has come to an end. Below are some of the cherished moments during the event.
For more information, visit the BMM website at bathmedicalmuseum.org.
Ella Parfitt, on secondment to the BMM for a year from her studies at Loughborough University, serves as the Coordinator of the exhibition. Hannah Rustomjee, a recent graduate from Amsterdam University and a BMM volunteer, researched and contributed to some of the exhibits. Roger Rolls and Linda Watts, BMM Trustees, provided guidance and ensured accuracy.
