Our full event programme and tickets will be published in early May 2025!
3rd JulThursday
4th JulFriday
5th JulSaturday
6th JulSunday
10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Public Talk
Sharon Varey
What’s in a name? Understanding place-names and their link with the local landscape
Names are everywhere but do we ever stop to question their meaning and think about how somewhere got its name? This talk will make you more aware of place-names and demonstrate the rich variety within our local Cheshire and Borderland landscape. Place-names are fascinating. Come along and find out more!
11.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Exhibition
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
Discover Cheshire Archives’ historic recipe collection through the lens of local artists.
Using some of the archives’ more unusual recipes as inspiration, community arts groups across the county present their interpretations of flummery islands, transmogrifying meat dishes, and fitting the solar system into jelly!
11.30 AM – 12.30 PM
Public Talk
Simon Gwyn Roberts
Around the world in 800 languages
A non linguist’s view of minority languages, the talk will discuss minority languages in an informal way, weaving views and anecdote. The talk revolves around travels in some of the world’s most linguistically diverse regions.
11.30 AM – 12.30 PM
Public Talk
Steven Jones
The Suicide and Self Harm Pandemic: Working in Low- to Middle-Income Countries
Suicide and self-harm are major global public health concerns, the burden of which is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sadly, numbers are increasing globally and the cost of suicide on the family unit is devastating, irrespective of culture.
1.00 PM – 2.00 PM
Public Talk
Graeme J White
Magna Carta: Take Two
Come along to hear a talk about two documents arising from King John’s Magna Carta of 1215: the ‘Cheshire Magna Carta’, granted by the Earl of Chester to his local barons, and King Henry III’s Magna Carta of 1225, which became the definitive version and the 800th anniversary of which we celebrate this year.
3.00 PM – 4.00 PM
Public Talk
Anthony Annakin Smith
Unforgotten Children: the Moving Story of the Foundling Hospital at Chester
A moving talk on a forgotten aspect of Chester’s past when hundreds of young children from London’s Foundling Hospital – many illegitimate – were taken into care in Chester and nearby during the 1760s. Includes why and how the local hospital was established, and discussion of the children’s care, education and employment.
3.00 PM – 4.00 PM
Public Talk
Michelle Ravenscroft
Places in Literature: Exploring Isabella Banks’s Chester
Manchester-born Isabella Banks is best known for her popular novel, The Manchester Man (1876). However, her first work of fiction, God’s Providence House (1865), was influenced by family links to Chester. This talk will take a literary walk through the city and surrounding area, to explore the places that inspired her.
7.00 PM – 8.30 PM
Awards Evening
Paul Dowsell
Cheshire Prize for Literature Awards Evening
The Cheshire Prize for Literature showcases the literary talents of writers with a connection to the Cheshire area. Now in its 21st year, the awards evening will announce the winners in the primary, secondary and adult categories for poetry, short stories, children’s literature and scriptwriting.
We are delighted to welcome guest speaker Paul Dowsell who will provide an insight into his writing career. Paul is a prize-winning author. His best-known work is Auslander, described by the Financial Times as ranking ‘among the very best of wartime historical fiction.’ Eight of Paul’s other novels have won or been short-listed for The Historical Association book awards. He has been a visiting professor at Manchester Metropolitan University and is a frequent visitor to schools across the UK. His most recent book is the non-fiction Aliens – The Chequered History of Britain’s Wartime Refugees.
Booking required for this event through the weblink.
11.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Exhibition
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
Discover Cheshire Archives’ historic recipe collection through the lens of local artists.
Using some of the archives’ more unusual recipes as inspiration, community arts groups across the county present their interpretations of flummery islands, transmogrifying meat dishes, and fitting the solar system into jelly!
11.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Public Talk
Claire Chatterton
Tales from Chester Asylum
The County Lunatic Asylum for Cheshire opened in Chester in 1829 and was later to be known by a variety of names including Upton Mental Hospital, the Deva Hospital and West Cheshire Hospital. This talk will consider some of the staff and patients who lived and worked within its walls in its first hundred years.
12.00 PM – 2.00 PM
Drop In Event
Riverside Museum
Handling Objects from the University of Chester Riverside Museum
Discover curiosities from the worlds of medicine, nursing, midwifery and social work from the collection of the Riverside Museum. Meet the volunteers who will share their extensive knowledge about the objects with visitors of all ages.
12.30 PM – 1.30 PM
Public Talk
Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead
The Making of Chester’s Smallpox Physician: An Exploration of Dr John Haygarth’s Early Life in the Yorkshire Dales
John Haygarth (1740-1827) founded Chester Smallpox Society in 1788 to prevent and control the disease. Regarded as an outstanding and visionary physician who significantly contributed to the foundations of public health, his early life in a remote Yorkshire Dales village is equally fascinating and not as well known to the public.
2.00 PM – 3.00 PM
Public Talk
Ricardo Tejeiro
The Creation of ‘A Really Short, Entertaining, Fully Graphic and as Accurate as Possible History of Chester’
Find out the background to this new light-hearted look at Chester’s history from its author, O. B. Appledore, in this illustrated talk. Gain an insight into how this innovative book has evolved, including the selection of topics, the drawing of Chester illustrations and maps and the accompanying cartoon characters.
2.00 PM – 3.00 PM
Public Talk
Hannah Cockroft
Hannah Cockcroft: In Conversation
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Hannah Cockcroft, one of Great Britain’s most successful Paralympians, holder of nine gold medals. Known for her incredible achievements on the track, including multiple gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 400m, Hannah’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers.
In this exclusive event, she will speak to Kirstie Simpson, Dean of Chester Business School, sharing insights into her career, the barriers she has overcome, and her thoughts on ways to maintain success. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a champion who continues to inspire with her commitment to excellence.
Now Dean of Chester’s award-winning Business School, Kirstie’s background is in sport management education, working with a variety of National Olympic Committees as well as European and national sports federations to enhance the work they do with federated clubs to professionalise practice. She is committed to inspiring inclusive leadership at all levels of the organisations with which she works and was selected as one of the North West Business Leadership Team’s ‘Rising Stars’ – a network of female business leaders.
3.00 PM – 4.00 PM
Public Talk
Grosvenor Museum
1000 years of pots – changes in the use and supply of pottery in Chester from the 10th to 19th century.
This talk will look at what pottery from excavations in and around Chester tell us about how pottery was used, if at all at certain times, its role in households and where and how was it was sourced. Using examples from selected excavated assemblages this talk will look at the changes that took place from the early medieval period to early 18th century, from times when very little pottery appears in use to the great abundance of the post-medieval period.
6.30 PM – 7.30 PM
Public Talk
Natalie Haynes
Natalie Haynes – Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth
Bestselling author Natalie Haynes returns to the world of Greek myth she so wittily explored in Pandora’s Jar and this time examines the role of the goddesses. These goddesses are as mighty, revered and destructive as their male counterparts. Isn’t it time we looked beyond the columns of a ruined temple to the awesome power within?
10.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Drop In Event
Incredible Oceans
Incredible Oceans
Join Incredible Oceans in a drop-in, hands on, family friendly event to be transported into underwater realms, bringing the ocean to you in their pop-up Ocean Dome! Experience the magic of marine life, engage with interactive exhibits, and immerse yourself in the vibrant world beneath the waves. Discover our travelling ocean museum of teeth, bones, shells, jaws and even an orca skull!
11.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Exhibition
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
Discover Cheshire Archives’ historic recipe collection through the lens of local artists.
Using some of the archives’ more unusual recipes as inspiration, community arts groups across the county present their interpretations of flummery islands, transmogrifying meat dishes, and fitting the solar system into jelly!
11.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Public Talk
Grosvenor Museum
Meet your Museums
Explore the long and interesting histories of Cheshire West and Chester’s museum sites from their very beginnings to how we care for and curate our collections today.
1.00 PM – 2.00 PM
In Conversation Event
Dr Amir Khan
The Natural Health Service: Reclaiming Wellness in a Modern World
Discover how the pressures of modern living—from chronic stress to poor sleep and unhealthy diets—can take a toll on our health. Dr. Amir Khan explores how reconnecting with nature and understanding our body’s evolutionary needs can help us regain control over our well-being.
From the healing power of outdoor spaces to actionable tips on improving sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness, this talk provides practical insights into creating a healthier, more balanced life.
10.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Drop In Event, Pre-School
Incredible Oceans
Incredible Oceans
Join Incredible Oceans in a drop-in, hands on, family friendly event to be transported into underwater realms, bringing the ocean to you in their pop-up Ocean Dome! Experience the magic of marine life, engage with interactive exhibits, and immerse yourself in the vibrant world beneath the waves. Discover our travelling ocean museum of teeth, bones, shells, jaws and even an orca skull!
11.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Exhibition
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
Discover Cheshire Archives’ historic recipe collection through the lens of local artists.
This event will have a quiet and sensory friendly hour from 11-12noon today on 6th July.
Using some of the archives’ more unusual recipes as inspiration, community arts groups across the county present their interpretations of flummery islands, transmogrifying meat dishes, and fitting the solar system into jelly!
11.00 AM – 1.00 PM
Drop In Event
Liz Montgomery, Senior Curator and Julie Edwards, Archaeological Officer, West Cheshire Museums
Beneath our Feet: Archaeological finds from the heart of Chester
Join curators from West Cheshire Museums to take a look at fascinating multi-period archaeological finds from the very heart of the city. Get up close to artefacts from the Old Market Hall, Hamilton Place and the most recent Northgate excavations.
1.00 PM – 2.00 PM
In Conversation Event
Kate Adie
Kate Adie: In Conversation
Join us for an exclusive afternoon in conversation event with Kate Adie, one of the most respected and pioneering figures in broadcast journalism. With decades of experience reporting from the frontlines of history, from the Iranian Embassy Siege to the Gulf War, Kate will share her remarkable journey into the world of journalism, the challenges of reporting in war zones, and the evolving role of women in the media.
This event offers a rare opportunity to hear first-hand from Kate some of the stories that defined her career, the power of journalism in times of crisis, and the lessons learned from decades of reporting under extreme pressure.