2024 is a year of some special anniversaries across the city.
This year, there will be commemoration services and events for the 850th Anniversary of the St John’s Foundation, the 200th anniversary of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, the 90th anniversary of the Forum Bath and the 60th anniversary of Britain in Bloom. Find out more about each institution below:
St John’s Foundation
As one of the UK’s oldest charities, the St John’s Foundation proudly serves Bath and the surrounding area.
Founded in Bath on Christian principles by Bishop Reginald Fitzjocelyn in 1174, the St John’s Foundation challenges the status quo and seeks to fix systems in society that are broken or failing.
They provide almshouse accommodation and help children from birth to 12 years old, older people aged over 55 and people who have come to a point of crisis in their lives.
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI)
An independent treasure promoting Science, Literature and Art to the City of Bath, BRLSI is a not-for-profit business that provides world-class lectures, a community hub for cultural activities and maintains a renowned and important geographical and ethnological collection.
Proposed by prominent residents in the 19th Century, BRLSI was originally housed in the Lower Assembly Rooms on Terrace Walk. Sadly, a devastating fire consumed the building and they now can be found on Queen’s Square.
BRLSI’s mission is to provide a cultural hub for the people of Bath and the surrounding area and contains regular exhibitions on archaeology, zoology, mineralogy, botany, ethnology and palaeontology
Britain in Bloom
Inspiring community groups in towns, cities and villages, Britain in Bloom is a nationwide gardening competition that has been running for the last 60 years!
Did you know that Bath won the very first Britain in Bloom competition in 1964?!
The Bath Forum
The largest theatre-style music venue in Bath, the Bath Forum is a beautiful example of art deco splendour.
It was opened in 1934 as a cinema and today opens its doors to internationally acclaimed musicians, celebrities and shows. It even has its own Coffee House to enjoy a hot drink or something to eat before a show.