In June Fairfield House hosted Bath’s first refugee festival. Sudanese, Palestinian, Ukrainian, Afghan and other visitors were welcomed to the sanctuary of Bath’s most famous refugee for a festive day of music, food and talks.
New Mayor of Bath Bharat Pankania spoke powerfully about the need for diversity and welcome. Afghan guest Mir Abdullah spoke poetically about the power of hope.
Fairfield House welcomed the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a first Securing the Future progress report. Our Heritage Fund investment manager, relationship manager and their consultant came and heard first hand from project manager Emma Lewis about a successful start to the project. We also discussed how to manage change where Fairfield House’s needs have evolved.
Maintaining excellent relations and earning the confidence of the Heritage Fund team is of prime importance to securing the future of HIM’s legacy because of the urgent need for significant capital expenditure on the fabric of the building.
Fairfield House staff Pauline Emma and William meet the Heritage Fund team which funded the Securing the Future project.
In early June we had a special moment happen on the historical guided tour. Carlos and Tanya from Lima, Peru, got engaged at Fairfield House, Home of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Congratulations!
Thank you to Carlos for planning this special surprise moment and for sharing it with everyone on a Sunday. We wish them both a long and sacred union like that of His and Her Imperial Majesty.
Fairfield House Director Pauline Swaby-Wallace attending the awards ceremony.
Bath Spa University was the first institution formally to support Fairfield House Bath CIC on its journey to becoming a viable social enterprise and an established partner in Bath’s heritage scene. In a funded partnership, Fairfield House offers the University student placements and research opportunities, and hosts events for visiting dignitaries.
Now BSU has recognised Fairfield House as its External Partner of the year in the Vice-Chancellor's Awards 2025. You can see the award-winning moment here.
Operations Manager Ras Benji said: "Everyone at Fairfield will be so happy to receive this award from Bath Spa University. We have worked with BSU for twenty years this year and recently it was Bath Spa University who stepped up to support Fairfield House at a critical time of our development, working to safeguard the vibrant legacy of Emperor Haile Selassie I in the City of Bath and beyond.
“Today our partnership goes from strength to strength. In addition to student placements at Fairfield House that make such a great impact for us, we have collaborated on many events together with BSU, and we look forward to many more.
“In October we had a very special moment on campus with the Emperor’s great granddaughter Princess Esther planting a tree in memory of His Imperial Majesty's visit to Newton Park 70 years ago. We are sure that the Emperor, who is known as the Father of Africa, is smiling on Bath Spa University again today."
If any other University would value a mutually beneficial partnership with Fairfield House please email trustees@fairfieldhousebath.co.uk
Fairfield House team members Ras Chris, Ras Habbakuk, Pauline Swaby-Wallace and Ras Benji with our VC award at Bath Spa University, Newton Park campus.
Fairfield House welcomed a range of esteemed and interesting guests during May and June, including visiting academics from the University of Adelaide, Australia, Northeastern University from Massachusetts, USA, and the Avon Retired Teachers Association.
To arrange a bespoke visit to Fairfield House email operations@fairfieldhousebath.co.uk
Alumni of Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Professor Julian Murphet and Dr Jessica Ford from the University of Adelaide, Australia
Prof Murphet has a special personal connection to HIM: his grandfather attended the Emperor’s Coronation in 1930 in Addis Ababa!
The Avon Retired Teachers Association visit Fairfield House.
The 133rd Birthday Celebrations of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I will be taking place at Fairfield House, Bath, UK in July 2025 over two events:
All communities and supporters of Fairfield House are invited. The day will start with a prayer service by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with contributions throughout the day from Rastafari, Ethiopian, BEMSCA and local people of Bath offering musical, educational and spiritual tributes for the Emperor in anticipation of the 133rd anniversary of His birth.
Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day. Free entry: please donate.
Donate to support Fairfield House
On the day of the birthday of His Imperial Majesty, a traditional Rastafari celebration will take place at Fairfield House. All mansions and nations are welcome in joyful celebration, in the practice of the late Ras Bandele Selassie. Ital food and refreshments available. Please donate to Fairfield House.
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For news and updates of these and other events, please keep checking our website or visit our social media : @houseofhismajesty on Instagram and Facebook.
Historical Guided Tours on all Sundays in July:
Sat 12 July Fairfield Ethio Jazz live at Roundhill Barn, Kelston: book here
Sat 19 July HIM 133 Legacy day 2025
Sun 20 Imperial Bike riders and Historical Guided Tour
Wed 23 July HIM 133 Rastafari celebration
Wed 30 July BEMSCA Click café
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