Aug 2026 – devizine.com

May 1936, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I stood with his exiled family on Paddington Station. Before being advised to flee Ethiopia, so he could address The League of Nations, he fought with his poorly equipped armies against Mussolini’s fascist regime, as the invaders launched chemical weapons at the country’s forces. Through Jerusalem to Gibraltar they trekked, but were transferred to a public liner heading for England, sparing the government the cost of a state reception…..

For the next two months, the family stayed in London, but, it is said, mustard gas wounds to the Emperor’s hands might benefit from the natural springs of Bath. In August Emperor Haile Selassie purchased Fairford House in the city, where he stayed for five years, and afterwards gave the house to the city. Fairford House remains more than a museum to the Emperor, also a bustling centre for multi-cultural events. This August they celebrate ninety years since the Emperor first arrived in the city.

It was, perhaps, Jerusalem which would have been the most symbolic place for Halie Selassie to attend on his exile. The Solomonic Dynasty were descendants of the House of David, Selassie directly descended from Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon of ancient Israel. It was this biblical connection which, linked to Jamaican scholar Marcus Garvey’s prophecy for his countrymen to look toward the crowning of an African king before departing for the USA to form the UNIA, would be the root to Rastafari. Citing Halie Selassie, birth-right name Ras (Ethiopian for ‘king’) Ta Fari Makonnen, as the one deity for a blossoming philosophy and religion in Jamaica.

It is crucial then, for Fairford House to, not only be a repository for Bath’s historians and Ethiopian community, but also a shrine to Rastafari. Fairfield House is open on Sundays for historical guided tours and visitor open days, and on various significant occasions, the house is open for events. From 3pm on the first Saturday of each month the house holds a Rastafari Sabbath Observance, for Rastafari worship and community gathering. And wherever there’s Rasta, you’ll also hear the sound of Nyabinghi drumming, and the most poignant soulful music, reggae.

Running from August through November, a citywide commemorative programme will mark the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Royal Family becoming resident in Bath, celebrating a significant chapter in the city’s history and its enduring international connections.

The programme will bring together partners from across Bath, including cultural organisations, educational institutions, community groups and heritage partners, to present a series of events reflecting on the historic relationship between Ethiopia and the City of Bath.

The commemorative programme aims not only to recognise a notable moment in the city’s past, but also to explore themes of exile and displacement, WWII, racial justice, faith, heritage, international friendship, cultural exchange and shared history that continue to resonate today.

Fairfield House chairperson, Fisseha Gizaw Combley expressed, “the Ethiopian Royal Family’s presence in Bath forms an important part of the city’s modern story. The special gift to Bath, Fairfield House, the former home of Emperor Haile Selassie I and the Ethiopian Royal Family, is a powerful symbol of resilience, community kindness and the connections that can be forged across nations and cultures.”

The launch party on 22nd August will be held at The Roman Baths, presenting an evening of reggae and Ethiopian Jazz, with Fairfield House community DJs. Part of Summer Lates at The Roman Baths. Keith Bowers offers an Imperial Exile City Tour on 29th August.

During September there will be a screening of Footsteps of The Emperor at The Little House Theatre on the 6th, and activities day for the Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association held at Fairford House. A Kingdoms in Exile & Human Rights dinner, also at the house, and Enkutatash & Meskel celebrations on the 26th.

October brings an exhibition at The Shoemakers Museum, lantern lectures at Fairford House, banquets, and evensong at Bath Abbey. Novembers sees further lantern lectures, some on the impact of WWII, an anniversary of the Emperor’s Coronation, a Rastafari community celebration, with more announcements to come about this fascinating chapter in the history of Bath.

Tickets for the Roman Baths event HERE. For more information on the celebrations and Fairford House, HERE.

It was back in March last year when I last mentioned Devizes author Dave McKenna, reviewing his debut, The Killer & The Catalyst. He’s returned with another breakneck thriller novelette, Death Wish…

As a writer myself I can be particularly critical of books when reviewing; apologies in advance, though I’ve nothing bad to say about this particular outing! That I’m aware of the struggles of self-publishing levels out the criteria somewhat; it’s a labour of love which deserves praise for being this alone.

The Killer & The Catalyst is a gripping read, using a technical and difficult multiple point-of-view narrative, which, doubled with flashbacks can muddle the reader’s continuity. While Death Wish builds the suspense using similar flashbacks it rolls along a more convenient single timeline, making it easier to digest. Dave describes it to me as “more linear,” and it’s a major factor to why I was much more deeply engrossed in this one than the first.

No Charles Bronson in this, but the characters in Death Wish are equally better defined and rounded than The Killer & The Catalyst, you identify with them, especially in their differences, and their conversations flow well with biting reality. These coupled meant it had me hooked, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Death Wish concerns a group of ex-school friends at a reunion, but as well as the natural passing of time, a terrible accident towards the end of their school years and the pact they made to keep schtum about it has caused division in their relationships.

An ex-officer on a case which resulted from said incident, returns half-heartedly under request of the police chief. But as the friends are individually picked off by an unknown serial killer in the most gruesome manner, it’s a whodunnit which will make you question each and every character.

I found myself suspecting various ones, and swapping my conclusions throughout, though I didn’t see the truth coming, as the plot thickened and the twist revealed reasoning; the very fashion of what a good mystery should do. Dave knows precisely what buttons to press to keep you wondering, and for this much if not more, can craft an exceptionally gripping read.

It’s fast-paced pulp fiction, written loosely with contemporary plain English, which again invites casual readers into its forum. Yet in the safe hands of Dave McKenna, it thrills and engages you, and if I dislike the cliche term “page-turner” it best describes the action!

Here it is on Amazon, and I believe you can pick up a copy in Devizes Books in a week or two, the faithful towards local authors bookstore. I suggest you do, then hold onto your seat, it’s a rollercoaster read.

I love reading, dammit, but not enough local authors approach us for a review. This isn’t the Amazon marketplace, mate, I don’t bite! Well, not hard. Send use your efforts, for I know it can be a harsh and often lonely world out there for authors; group hug!