MEET SALLY POLLITZER: Sally and her other half, Robert O’Farrell, have lived on the lower end of Bloomfield Road for about 11 years. The attraction of Bath’s theatre & music and the opportunity for Robert to row on the River Avon drew them to the city but Sally does miss aspects of her previous life which felt more edgy. Prior to coming to our area, Sally & Robert lived on top of the Mendips near Batcombe. And while she does miss village life she has found that Bath is really a collection of villages. But living within the city meant giving up her large studio, a former cowshed; the current one is petite by comparison. Born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Sally trained at Newton Park College (now Bath Spa University). Both she & Robert were teachers by profession; they met later in life through mutual friends. Sally had always been artistic but found her niche working with stained glass. And not just ornaments; Sally specialises in architectural stained glass; some of her work is on a grand scale. Her work can be seen locally most notably in the Royal United Hospital (RUH) Spiritual Centre, a nondenominational centre for all faiths or none; a place for quiet reflection or meditation. The feedback she has from clients and others make the hard work worthwhile. Recently she opened the front door to find a grocery delivery driver supplying her neighbour. A bit of chatting revealed the driver had recently received a cancer diagnosis at the RUH; the driver told how she found solace by visiting the Spiritual Centre & drawing strength inspired by the beautiful stained glass. When Sally shared she had created the piece there were tears all round. It is this emotional connection with her clients and observers which often drives Sally’s artistry. Sally is the author of a book entitled “Art Through Glass”. For more information about Sally’s work or for commissions please see her website https://sally-pollitzer.co.uk. She also likes to give lectures on stained glass in all its aspects. Sally finds the time to help out in the local community as well. She is a Friend of Bloomfield Green helping to look after the trees, mending tree guards and clearing litter. She is also part of the Bear Flat monthly Saturday market, baking popular cakes. Up until very recently Sally was the Chair of CitySound Voices choir; a post she held for 3 years. Always a singer, Sally enjoyed a repertoire of principally classical & sacred music. City Sounds Voices sings a mix of popular, classical, opera and more; as Chair Sally worked to balance different musical preferences and manage choir dynamics. When a new Musical Director was required the position was advertised. Sally & her team found themselves awash with applications. When the choices had been reduced to 5 contenders the team met around the kitchen table with the applications laid out in front of them. Soon 3 candidates were ruled out but the team was having difficulty making the final call. That was until Sally’s cat leapt up onto the table & placed a paw on the application from Matt Finch. That was a savvy old cat; Matt has proved himself an inspirational Musical Director. City Sounds Voices candidates do not have to read music. The choir is always recruiting enthusiastic new members with a particular need for tenors. For information about how to join or to attend their November concert in Marshfield and their Christmas concert at St. Stephen’s Church please use www.citysounds.org.uk. You are welcome to come along to one of the rehearsals & see if the choir is right for you. These take place in the crypt of St. Stephen’s Church Centre on Lansdown Road (BA15SX) every Wednesday from 7:30-9:30. Sally will be exhibiting both her stained glass, linocuts and recent water colours of Italy at the Bear Flat Christmas Market in the Methodist Hall 22 November and at the Bear Flat Artists Open Studios event which takes place over the second May Bank Holiday. If you are out walking on Bloomfield Road and meet Sally please say ”hello” to One Amazing Neighbour!