In the inter-war years Bath was both a cultural and industrial centre, which was confronted with a series of social, economic, medical and technological challenges. The rise of Fascism and Communism provoked a growing sense of insecurity in Britain. How insulated was Bath from global events and threats? What of the city’s heritage and tourism? For answers, listen to this talk on what life in Bath was like a hundred years ago, and what disturbing echoes it holds for us in 2025.

David Williamson was head of History at Highgate School in London. He has written several school text books about international relations during the first half of the twentieth century and now lives in Bath.