Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution

Tomorrow night at BRLSI: Dr Mark Harper, consultant anaesthetist and author of #Chill #TheColdWaterSwimmingCure, on the science and medicine of cold water swimming, from his clinical trials on anxiety and depression to #TheDoctorWhoGaveUpDrugs.

Drawing on literature, psychiatry, politics and his own experience in mental health care, Filer explores psychosis without reducing it to illness or metaphor. https://ow.ly/Kb4z50ZZft3

A Personal View: a free exhibition from four Bath Artists Group artists. 20 to 31 Oct, Mon to Sat 10am to 4pm. Private view Tue 20 Oct, 2pm to 6pm. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/a-personal-view/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=personal-view #BathArtists #Exhibition

🗳️ Did we only dream democracy? Peter MacFadyen, author of Flatpack Democracy, asks whether any society has truly practised it, and how we should make collective decisions now. https://ow.ly/OHwQ50ZY4EW #Democracy #Bath

Who were the men who fought at Trafalgar? Lt Cdr Ray Aldis, Historian to the Nelson Society, tells their story. Mon 19 Oct, 7:30pm. Tickets £4 to £8. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-men-of-trafalgar/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=trafalgar #Trafalgar #Nelson

🌍🌱Tomorrow night Professor Kristín Vala Ragnarsdóttir, will discuss how we can build an economy that restores ecosystems, strengthens communities and puts humans before GDP. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/eco-talks-at-brlsi-collapse-or-prosperity-crafting-a-regenerative-economy-for-wellbeing/

New 4-week Nature Drawing course with artist Jane Hildreth Starts Thursday. Exploring graphite, charcoal, inks and aquarelle pencils. Keep an eye out for upcoming courses via brlsi.org/whatson or sign up for our newsletter!

Musician and choirmaster John Sandford explores what makes music “prog”, why it divided opinion, and what the genre needs to stay relevant today. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/pastfutureprogrock/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prog-rock&utm_content=event-post

Psychoanalyst Daniel Jeffreys, who has interviewed Trump twice, draws on Freud and Lacan to explore loss, certainty and the unconscious forces behind political life. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/mad-about-trump-maga-on-the-couch/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=trump-talk

Tonight, Naval historian Peter Goodwin, former Keeper of HMS Victory, on the ships of Trafalgar and their fates. Tickets £4-£8. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-ships-of-trafalgar/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ships-of-trafalgar #Trafalgar #NavalHistory #BathEvents #BRLSI

NBAC Autumn Open Art Exhibition! Come and get lost in Art in Bath and support local artists while you’re at it. @newbathartsclub Autumn Open Art Exhibition is on now, and it’s completely free to wander in. Open NOW - Saturday 17th Oct Mon to Sat 10am to 4pm #NBAC #ArtInBath #BathArt #Art

Thanks to everyone who attended #FixFest today and to all the wonderful volunteers who came along from #DorothyHouse #ShareandRepair #BRLSI. We really couldn't have managed without you!

This is what a truly sustainable city looks like! Still time to join us at #FixFest #BRLSI #Bath #ChildrensActivities are free! #DorothyHouse #BRLSI #Bath https://www.brlsi.org/series/fixfest-2026/

Looking for some fun today? Come to #FixFest at 16 Queen Square , Bath and help create a minature city, or even have a go at making a sock puppet! Open until 4pm. #BRLSI https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/fixfest/

#Style has no age limit. #BettySuchar for #FashionDoctors at #FixFest today. Come and pick out something nice. #DorothyHouse #ShareandRepair #BRLSI Open between 10am-4pm. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/fixfest/ #ThingstodoinBath #Bath #FashioninBath #todayinBath

If you love #fashion, but your bank balance never felt up to a #stylist, get yourself out for the #FashionDoctors at #FixFest today. All for a great cause. #DorothyHouse #ShareandRepair #BRLSI Open between 10am-4pm. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/fixfest/ #Bath #todayinBath

#FixFest is this Saturday! Join #BRLSI with #ShareandRepair and #Dorothyhouse for a fun-filled day celebrating creativity, practical skills and sustainable living. #Bath -Sat 10 Oct 10am - 4pm www.brlsi.org/whatson/fixf...

🌍🌱 Eco Talks at BRLSI: Prof Kristín Vala Ragnarsdóttir on building a regenerative economy for wellbeing. 📅 Thu 15 Oct, 7:30pm 📍 BRLSI https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/eco-talks-at-brlsi-collapse-or-prosperity-crafting-a-regenerative-economy-for-wellbeing/ #EcoTalks

See Francis Lockey's rare calotypes, 1849–1861 in Worlds Apart until Sat 26th. Fear not, you can also see them here... https://www.brlsi.org/collections/library/lockey-calotypes/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=lockey_calotypes&utm_content=bluesky_post #BRLSI #Bath

📖Keepsake Family History Workshop Turn memories into the beginnings of a digital life story 🗓️ Sat 26 Sept, 1:00–4:00pm 💷 FREE https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/keepsake-family-history-workshop-a-free-event/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=keepsake_workshop&utm_content=bluesky_post

🏆🐦‍⬛ We have a winner! Congratulations to Tania Orgill, whose beautiful photo of a juvenile robin at Dundas in Monkton Combe has won our bird photography competition. A brilliant response from everyone who entered, thank you!

Debbie Harry once said she wanted to play a real life mystic on screen. This Friday, we find out why… 🎟️Fri 18 Sept, 7.30pm visit www.brlsi.org/whatson #debbieharry #brlsi #bath #bathevents #blondie

🧠 Why does Freud still matter in an age of brain scans and quick fixes? Join us Sat 12 September for "Why Freud Still Matters – The Talking Cure in the Digital Age" 📅 Sat 12 Sept 2:30–4:30pm https://youtu.be/MB7Ph3ENWVs?si=7PGVu12TRdpSZT2B

🌍 Nature Positive isn't just a buzzword - it's our future. Join us for a screening + live Q&A with Dr Marco Lambertini ahead of UNCBD COP17. 🎬 📅 Tue 1 Sept, 7:30pm @BRLSI #EcoShorts #NaturePositive #Sustainability https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/eco-shorts-at-brlsi-becoming-nature-positive/

Craving adventure? 🌍 BRLSI's new talk series 'Ready for Adventure?' has you covered. Hear bold, unfiltered tales from explorers who've spent a life chasing the horizon. Curated by Jacki Hill Murphy — the perfect antidote to winter wanderlust! www.brlsi.org/series/lets-...

Did you know BRLSI hosts a number of popular language classes? This September, get started with Beginners' Italian ! Starts Thu 17 Sept 1:45pm–3:15pm Led by experienced tutor Cinzia Azzali 📩 Email cinziaazzali@gmail.com

📸 EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY: Talbot, Herschel & More 📸 Saturday 12 September, 9.45am–5.30pm BRLSI, Bath, or watch online 🌍 🥪 Lunch (plus coffee and closing drinks) included ☕🥂 https://www.brlsi.org/early-british-photography/ #PhotoHistory #HerschelSociety #BRLSI

📸 🦉BRLSI's photo competition is open! Enter your bird shot for the chance to win a BRLSI goodie bag and talk tickets Email your photo to reception@brlsi.org +Celebrate Heritage Open Days with "Let Nature Work its Magic" https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/heritage-open-day-let-nature-work-its-magic/

From the wheel to the monumental 🏺✨ Alma Boyes MA shares 40+ years of ceramics, sculpture, and scaling up work for icons like #Paolozzi. Fri 4 Sept · 7:30pm https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/enlarging-eduardo-paolozzi-other-projects/ #ceramics #sculpture #pottery #almaboyes #paolozzi

🛠️FixFest is one to save the date for! ✨ BRLSI, #ShareandRepair & #DorothyHouse bring this FREE family festival celebrating repair, reuse and sustainable living. 📅 Sat 10 Oct 10am – 4pm Thanks to @bwce.bsky.social & #storesomer 🔗 Book your spot https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/fixfest/

FixFest 2026! Join us with #ShareandRepair and #Dorothyhouse for a fun-filled day celebrating creativity, practical skills and sustainable living. -Sat 10 Oct 10am - 4pm https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/fixfest/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fixfest&utm_content=event_post

☕ Ahead of his BRLSI talk on Tue 1 Sept, philosopher Julian Baggini answers 5 questions on Taoism, Zen & why a cup of coffee holds as much wisdom as a mountain hike. Join us for the talk - & coffee! 👇 👉 Read the full interview: https://www.brlsi.org/tao-zen-and-a-cup-of-humanity/

🌿 Still time for BRLSI members and their guests to grab a quiet desk this summer at BRLSI! ☕ Wi-Fi, tea & coffee, quiet first-floor rooms 🕐 Mon-Fri, 9-1 & 1-5 💷 £4/session 📞 Call 01225 312084 to check availability #brlsi #bath

🌍Eco Shorts at BRLSI Thu 10 Sept, 7:30pm. Climate & conservation stories from around the world, including a film starring Michael Sheen. Introduced by James Godman of the Frome International Climate Film Festival @frome.climate.film.festival.25 https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/eco-shorts-at-brlsi/

🎭✨Join author Thomas Messel as he uncovers the real story of the "Nightingale of Bath", drawn from archives and letters. 📅 Wed 2 Sept, 7:30–9pm 🎟️ https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/elizabeth-linley-the-troubled-nightingale-of-bath/

📖 Genius or traitor? Can we separate the poet from the politics? Join Duncan McGibbon as he explores Ezra Pound, the man who reshaped modern poetry, then sided with Mussolini against the Allies. Does treachery erase artistic authority? https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/ezra-pound-is-dead/

🚪Join the BRLSI community😀 https://www.brlsi.org/become-a-member/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=bluesky_post

🎻The plaque at Bath's 11 Royal Crescent simply says Elizabeth Linley eloped with Richard Brinsley Sheridan on 18 March 1772. But behind those words is a much darker story... 📅 Wed 2 Sept, 7:30pm 📍 BRLSI www.brlsi.org/whatson/eliz...

For 14 years, sculptor and ceramicist Alma Boyes worked as an enlarger at the Morris Singer Foundry, turning original ideas into monumental bronzes for artists including Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. Join her for an inside look🏛️ 🎟️https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/enlarging-eduardo-paolozzi-other-projects/

☕ Tao, Zen & a Cup of Humanity with Julian Baggini Tue 1 Sept, 7:30pm, BRLSI ☕ #Baggini reimagines #Okakura's 1906 Book of Tea for the coffee age: #Coffeeism, a #philosophy of the here and now, no gods required. https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/tao-zen-a-cup-of-humanity/

🗳️ TONIGHT at BRLSI ! How did British & American ideas about democracy first diverge? Historian Joanna Innes traces the splitting of political paths... Tickets from £4, grab yours before doors open! 🔗 www.brlsi.org/whatson/how-... #DemocracyUnderThreat #Bath #History

Is Democracy under threat? Interesting panel discussion @brlsi.bsky.social examining how to bring political debate and decision making closer to voters, limit the power of big money, confront the public with political trade-offs and detoxify political dialogue to avoid polarisation.