Weston Lock

Joanna runs a society known as the Water Owls. They are a loose group of people who met online, and bonded over experiences of meeting the goddess. Perfect interview fodder, although we weren’t sure if they would tell us off for stealing their schtick, or attack us for not getting the details right

Their base was a building made of wood in Scout Hut style. Her society is invite only, and she didn’t want us to reveal the exact location, so this is not one for the map. We will only reveal it is within fifteen minutes walk of Weston Lock. However, the conversation was fascinating. We are at least not alone in chasing the goddess. 

Us: Joanna, many thanks for joining us today.

J: Pleasure

Us: So, can you explain the Water Owls for  us?

J: Of course. The Water Owls is an organisation that brings together people who have experienced the goddess of the waters of Bath. You already spoke to Andi in your post about the bridge from a while back. She’s the one who made me get in touch. 

I started my group off via Reddit. We had loads of bumpf and nonsense in, as I am sure you have dealt with too. But a handful of regular posters seemed keen and sincere, so we managed to organise a pub trip. The Water Owls grew from there. 

Us: Can you tell us about your own experience?

J: Sure. I’ve read your stuff, and mine is a similar experience to many of the others. 

In Sydney Gardens near the Holbourne museum there’s a pond shrouded by trees. Discover this spot, and it will become one of your favourite places in Bath. I had the day off in the middle of a baking summer, and decided to enjoy the sunshine for a few hours. It was just gone nine in the morning, and my only company was the gentle rustling of leaves. Until the footsteps started.

Where I differ from a lot of the people you’ve interviewed is that I recognised who she was. 

I grew up in the city, and have visited the Roman Baths loads of times, both pre and post the new installation. I have read tons of books on the goddess, and seen that face staring at me from dozens of posters, pictures and mugs. Is there a more famous face in Wiltshire? 

She stood gazing into the water, a bit too close to be safe. Not safe for a human anyway. I had that weird sensation of spotting someone in the flesh you know so well, despite never seeing them before. I had it with Keith Richards near the Pump Room. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. The smell of metal followed. Something bubbled in the water.I was too much in awe to panic.

You must understand, she didn’t vanish. It was more that she went sideways. Like she ducked behind a curtain that wasn’t there, and thus was no longer visible.

Well, my day off took a change. I went straight to the Roman Baths to triple check my findings. You get in for free with a Discovery Card. And when I got into that temple room, the one with the statue in? Well, there was no doubt. 

I set up the Reddit post the following weekend. Found some people with similar experiences. And so the Water Owls were born. 

Us: So, what do you actually do in your group? 

J: We talk about our experiences. Then we recommend books, find any new articles. This is how we came across yours. It’s more of a kind of loose collective really. One member sketches images of our different experiences, another writes poetry. But if our membership expands, who knows? 

Us:  Is there a religious aspect to your group? 

J: No, no, there isn’t, but it’s a fair question. But there isn’t. Well, maybe. I mean, I genuinely think I’ve seen a goddess, so there’s got to be some kind of religious aspect to that right? 

For me it’s more that we’ve united over a experience of something metaphysical. It’s notable enough that we should mark it in some way. 

Us: So  what do you think the reasons for these sightings are?

J: Reason is a very strong word. I think the goddess is beyond our comprehension. We should simply marvel. 

Don’t forget, as I think you wrote yourself, it is incredible that the head of the goddess survived. In well over a thousand years since the Romans were here, despite all the chaos and building works of humanity, we have a perfect image of her head. Is that really a coincidence?

Us: Can you tell us about the badge you are wearing?

J: Yeah, of course. So this is a little owl. We ask that everyone in the club gets some kind of owl badge, and wears them at meetings. Sounds a bit cultish when you say that, doesn’t it? You don’t have to get a specific one, and you don’t have to sacrifice anything to earn your place. It’s just for fun. 

I spent a relatively large chunk of money on mine. It’s brass, and the details on the outstretched wings are awesome. Proper intricacy on the feathers. But even a pin badge is fine. Someone’s got one with an owl on a motorbike, and another owl smokes a pipe. 

Us: So, are you looking to expand? Are you going to use our interview as a beacon to keep your group going?

J: We are wary of too many new members. Not because we are a creepy cult, but because we don’t want anyone ripping the piss. So far, it’s just been people we’ve met online, then had a chat with down the pub, and let in from there. We are a core little group, who get on well. Why ruin that for unnecessary expansion?

That said, I’d love to hear from people who have had an encounter. Anyone who has contributed to your project would be perfect. Maybe one day spotting her will be a normal part of a trip to Bath. Maybe one day our doubt will be quaint. 

The bridge near Weston Lock