THE LAST WORD
Each week Bath Business News lets a prominent member of the area’s business community have the last word on its weekly e-bulletin.
This week Peter Cusick, partner and head of agriculture at commercial law firm Thrings, answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST: 
Last film you watched?
Boyhood (coming-of-age drama, filmed over a 12-year period, with Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke). An incredible concept. I really enjoyed it, although I was in a minority of one as far as my wife and three teenage daughters were concerned.
Book you read?
Hanns and Rudolf by Thomas Harding. Superbly researched and a true story I knew nothing about. I’ve also just finished The Dirtiest Race in History by Richard Moore. It provides an account of circumstances surrounding the 100m final at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and what has happened to each of the competitors since.
Music you bought?
Pink Floyd’s The Endless River. They have created some of my favourite music so I was very much looking forward to hearing it. I listened to it during a long car journey as the sun was rising, and found it a perfect accompaniment. I kept thinking it was going to burst into ‘Comfortably Numb’ but it never happened. Interesting and atmospheric.
Concert or play you went to?
This question reminds me that I haven’t been to a concert in ages but I hope to hear a Thrings colleague of mine (Natalia Sokolov) play in the Brunel Sinfonia programme in Bristol on 22 March. It includes Mahler’s Symphony no. 1. I hope I can make it as Mahler is one of my favourite composers.
Sporting event you attended?
I participate in and attend a lot of sporting events. I am a runner and a duathlete. My next race is the nine-mile Lungbuster in Swindon followed by the Bath Half in March, which I am running for the Prince’s Trust. I am still trying to organise my fancy dress – if it goes to plan it’s likely to be too restrictive to repeat my 1hr 19 min run from a few years ago when I ran in a banana suit. I am also competing in the European Duathlon Championships in Madrid towards the end of April.
Holiday you went on?
I had a great family holiday in Skiathos last year. It was a pain to find the time in everyone’s diaries but well worth it. I loved the island but not the airport’s runway. I am a nervous flyer at the best of times, but that runway (and its proximity to the sea) is something else.
Restaurant you ate in?
We eat out quite a lot. The last time was at the Northey Arms in Box which is one of our favourites. I commuted past it for years without ever going in it and it was only when something recommended it that we went in. We also like the Rudloe Arms in Corsham (especially the quirky bar). From a business lunch perspective, we are rather spoilt for choice in Bath, but the short walk from the office to the Firehouse Rotisserie, Brasserie Blanc or Yum Yum Thai is often called upon.
Thing that annoyed you?
Probably something to do with traffic jams. I cannot stand them and try and commute by cycle (or run) whenever I can. They just seem such a massive waste of time.
Thing that made you laugh out loud?
Well that happens all the time. It’s good to see the funny side of things. One of my daughters made me watch A Million Ways to Die in the West very recently. That had a few laugh out loud moments.
Piece of good advice you were given?
I play chess for Bath and Somerset and someone told me “it’s always a mistake to take”. You probably have to play chess to understand it, but it was an excellent piece of advice although of course not always true. And, of course I also always listen very carefully to any advice my wife gives me!
Born and raised in the South West, Peter Cusick is a partner and Head of Agriculture at Thrings. Since joining the firm in Bath in 1992, he has provided advice to farmers and growers, farming organisations, agribusinesses and horticultural clients on matters relating to pollution, Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, statutory nuisance, abatement notices and various waste-related regulations. Peter regularly contributes articles to specialist agricultural publications and frequently speaks on farming issues on television and radio.
