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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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.

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!