Originally established in Clifton, Bristol in 1935 by John Goatman. He then passed the practice on to his two sons. Peter Goatman served as the optometrist whilst Michael Goatman was the dispensing optician. In 2002, Gordon Batham and his wife Julia bought the business with the aim to expand the range of products available and continue the family feel that had been present in the practice since its founding.
About Us
Who we are
Gordon Batham BSc (hons) MCOptom
After completing his training in Bath and Bristol practices, he qualified with the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians the following year and registered with the General Optical Council. Gordon worked at range of small practices around Bristol and Bath before joining Boots Opticians in 1986, where he was involved in training and continuing education programmes for both qualified and postgraduate students. During this time, he became an examiner for the College of Optometrists at Professional qualifying level. Mainly examining in Contact lens practice, advanced instrumentation, and binocular vision anomalies (squints), which eventually led to him becoming a senior examiner with responsibilities in examiner standards and exam conformity.
For three years he was seconded to the Department of Optometry at Cardiff University, where he taught general practice and contact lens fitting third year students and introduced the first course in the UK on Professional Awareness Skills.
Gordon Batham graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1982.
He is also a member of the British Contact Lens Association and has completed a course in Dry Eye management at the Vision Care Institute. Furthermore, Gordon has served as an elected member of the Council of the College of Optometrists and as a distance learning tutor in Light and Vision for the University of Manchester’s Health and Safety Course for Doctors and allied Professionals. He has written published articles on Contact Lens practice and Ocular Pathology.
Mr Batham is fully DBS checked with certification in both adult and child safe guarding. We offer a full chaperone service on request.
Dispensing Team
Rachael Borley BSc (hons) FBDO
Starting off as a receptionist in a Bath Opticians I progressed to take the necessary qualifications to become a Dispensing Optician. I joined Goatman and Batham in 2011 as Practice Manager and Dispenser. Alongside dispensing I take particular interest in curating and refining our Lindberg frame collection.Sarah Wells
I have been working in Optical practice in the Bath and Bristol area. I first worked for Goatman and Batham alongside Micheal and Peter Goatman. After a period of living abroad I rejoined the team.
In addition to my dispensing role, I enjoy working in our inhouse lab glazing frames with lenses. Reception Team
Juliana Batham
I have been involved in optics for most of my working life. Firstly, as receptionist for a small group of opticians around Bristol and Bath then moving onto Boots Opticians Head Office training and updating staff in accounting procedures and then onto computerisation of practice systems.
My favourite role within our practice is frame purchasing. I endeavour to reflect fashion forward trends and classic styling to cater for the diverse tastes of our customers.Rebecca Melluish
Starting in February 2024, I am the newest addition to the Goatman and Batham team. After graduating Bath Spa University in 2018, I worked as an optical receptionist for 2 years before working in education.
I am passionate about helping customers choose the frame that is right for them.