What’s in a name? Understanding place-names and their link with the local landscape
Innovate and Inspire: University Students’ Research Exhibition
Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge research from students across various fields! Our poster exhibition features innovative projects, showcasing research findings. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, social studies, or the arts, you’ll gain valuable insights and be inspired by the fresh ideas shaping our future. Don’t miss the chance to see what research is currently being conducted at the University of Chester.
Dreams of a Generation
A thrilling verbatim drama, dance and singing performance from Lymm High School Performing Arts students incorporating the students’ voices exploring their dreams about the future: dreams which encapsulate the young people’s hope for their personal futures, but also their dreams for the future of society, and the environment. This uplifting and dynamic performance showcases the positivity of this generation of high school students – with the voices of students from year 7 to year 13.
Voice of the Children – who should we remember from the past?
The children will take on the role as people who were held at the Chester Workhouse, explaining what their life was like. They will take on the role of other Victorian children and give an insight in to their work and life – statues who come to life as you pass them!
This is a drop-in event.
News Flash – the ideas are flowing to clean up our River Dee.
The aim is to create a “news flash” that will be the creative result of working together in teams to discuss answers to these 4 questions at the workshop:
- How do you think our rivers get polluted, and who is responsible?
- What are the consequences to wildlife and humans?
- What can be done to prevent this?
- How do we capture people’s attention to get action?
These “news flash” recordings can be used to engage the wider community to spark further projects across Chester.
Shaping the Future: Public Consultation on the Grosvenor Museum Objects Resource Database
Join us for a drop-in public consultation event to share your thoughts on the ‘Grosvenor Museum Objects Public and Educational Resource Database’ project. This initiative aims to create an accessible, comprehensive digital resource showcasing the Grosvenor’s museum objects for educational use and public enjoyment. Your feedback is crucial in shaping the project and database’s development to ensure it meets the needs of both educators, the public and community groups.
Sanctuary Seeking: interactive community art exhibition
Join us at the Seaborne Library for an inspiring exhibition showcasing artwork on the theme of sanctuary seeking and the refugee experience. Explore and understand the experience of those seeking sanctuary within our communities. The exhibition runs Thursday – Saturday, with an official launch on Thursday 3 July. All students, families, and the public are welcome to visit, explore and engage with the exhibits during library hours.
A Wild Wander for Wellbeing
Discover how Chester Zoo has joined technology with the natural world through the Wild Wander App. Explore one of the app’s trails as you are guided on a mindful walk.
Meet at Abbey Square, Chester Cathedral.
Illuminating Cultures: A VR Lantern Festival Experience.
Step into a world of light and culture at our Lantern Festival Experience! Drop in anytime to explore stunning lantern festivals in VR, craft your own lanterns, and share your hopes on our Wishing Wall. Enjoy authentic Chinese teas and foods while networking with researchers and guests. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in creativity, culture, and conversation! Join us and share your experience using #VRLanterns.
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
The Story of Surnames: Past, Present and Future.
This talk will present the fascinating story behind the origin and development of English surnames. It will show how an understanding of our surname history can provide insight into England’s history and diversity. By also looking at current trends in surname development and possible reasons for the decline of certain names, we will consider what might happen to surnames in the future and what implications this might have for our sense of national and individual identity.
Around the world in 800 languages
The Suicide and Self Harm Pandemic: Working in Low- to Middle-Income Countries
Magna Carta: Take Two
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of European Architectural Heritage Year in Chester.
Chester has played a central and internationally recognised role in the conservation of our shared built heritage, so what can we do to build on that legacy for the next 50 years?
Wildlife Champions: Microtraining
Come and learn what it takes to be a Wildlife Champion with Chester Zoo. In this interactive workshop you will learn how to provide food and shelter for nature as well as record wildlife on your doorstep.
Meet at Abbey Square behind Chester Cathedral.
Cads and Criminality: Jane Austen and the Birth of Detective Fiction.
In 2025, Jane Austen turns 250 and is still celebrated for her wit, feisty heroines and brooding heroes. But mystery and crime are there in Austen’s novels. Join Dr Lucy Andrew as she delves into the darker side of Austen, examining the influence of her work on the development of detective fiction. Lucy will reflect on writing her own Austen-inspired crime narrative in her forthcoming cosy-crime novel, A Very Vexing Murder (2026), which reworks Austen’s Emma with Harriet Smith as the detective.
https://www.lucyandrew.com/Wild Rumpus: Rewilding the Imagination In conversation with Rowan Cannon
Discover Heritage Skills: Careers in Craftsmanship and Conservation at Chester Cathedral.
Explore exciting career opportunities in heritage and craftsmanship at Chester Cathedral. This half-day event, designed for pre-university students, features short talks, a panel discussion, and a Q&A session with professionals in the field. Afterwards, you’ll have the chance to visit interactive stalls where recently qualified craftspeople and experts will share their skills and insights. It’s a great chance to discover the world of heritage and craftsmanship in a fun and engaging way!
Places in Literature: Exploring Isabella Banks’s Chester
Unforgotten Children: the Moving Story of the Foundling Hospital at Chester
People and Pets: Rewarding relationships and carbon pawprints
People love their pets and the relationships we have with animals are some of the most meaningful, even surpassing those we have with humans. We will discuss the wide range of benefits they bring, especially to our wellbeing, but we will also raise some questions to consider; for example, are these relationships always mutually beneficial? We will introduce our research with the RSPCA and consider how we can work together to help people and animals coexist in an increasingly uncertain world.
The psychology of ‘The Traitors’.
Diversify your children’s library: twilight session for teachers, students and other interested adults
Explore new children’s books that reflect the diverse world we live in! This session will introduce recent publications that support inclusive reading. Join us for informal book talk and recommendations. It would be great if you would like to share your favourites too. Finding the right book for the child helps foster the desire to read for pleasure. This event welcomes teachers, students and book lovers to share insights and discover new literature for their classroom and homes.
Cheshire Prize for Literature Awards Evening
Sanctuary Seeking: interactive community art exhibition
Join us at the Seaborne Library for an inspiring exhibition showcasing artwork on the theme of sanctuary seeking and the refugee experience. Explore and understand the experience of those seeking sanctuary within our communities. The exhibition runs Thursday – Saturday, with an official launch on Thursday 3 July. All students, families, and the public are welcome to visit, explore and engage with the exhibits during library hours.
Design and Sustainability Workshop
Do you always forget your shopping bag? Fed-up of plastic bags ripping? Can’t fit a massive bag-for-life neatly in your pocket? Worry no more…The children of Grosvenor Park Academy will be hosting a workshop where you can express your creativity whilst also helping the planet. We will incorporate design and sustainability at our canvas bag decorating workshop. Come along to decorate a practical and stylish canvas bag that you will want to use again and again and again!
Reserve your free ticket here – we will share your email address with Storyhouse so they can send you a ticket and keep you up to date with the event.
The Making of ‘Three Ravens’ :a film made for the 2024 Chester Heritage Festival
In 1656, John Bradshawe, regicide and Chief Justice of the County Palatine of Chester and North Wales, was involved in two witch trials in Chester and Flint. In this talk I will describe how I used these trials as a basis for my film. Contains court transcripts and bloopers. Watch the Three Ravens film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwPBjv8RDAs
The Immersive Chester Amphitheatre
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
Tales from Chester Asylum
Innovate and Inspire: University Students’ Research Exhibition
Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge research from students across various fields! Our poster exhibition features innovative projects, showcasing research findings. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, social studies, or the arts, you’ll gain valuable insights and be inspired by the fresh ideas shaping our future. Don’t miss the chance to see what research is currently being conducted at the University of Chester.
Handling Objects from the University of Chester Riverside Museum
Future Tense: Imagining Tomorrow, Acting Today – Decade of Action: What Will Our Legacy Be?
The Making of Chester’s Smallpox Physician: An Exploration of Dr John Haygarth’s Early Life in the Yorkshire Dales
Debunking the Lone Genius Myth: How Big Teams Have Shaped Modern Science
Who really makes scientific discoveries? We often picture a lone, Einstein-like figure secluded in a lab, but science is rarely a solo endeavour. From historic partnerships to today’s massive research collaborations—Big Teams and Citizen Science—this talk explores the power of teamwork in shaping what we know about the world. Discover how dozens or even hundreds of researchers and everyday people working together have pushed the boundaries of knowledge.
Game on! Learning through play.
The Immersive Chester Amphitheatre
Vivid Victorians: Marie Duval’s Mountaineering Bustle
Climbing mountains is a tricky business. You need the kit – the ropes and crampons. What if you also had to wear a dress, a corset, bustle and button boots? In the 1870s, cartoonist Marie Duval drew comic strips about the English abroad, on mountaineering holidays and mountain tours. Join Simon Grennan for a rollercoaster introduction to the vicissitudes of Victorian bustles and mountain climbing, corsets, crampons and filthy foreign money, as seen by cartoonist Marie Duval. http://www.simongrennan.com https://www.marieduval.org
What Is The Screentime Epidemic Doing To Our Brilliant And Sensitive Brains?
Morwenna Lewis, UKCP Psychotherapist and Parenting Coach asks ‘how is the screen time epidemic changing our brilliant and sensitive brains?’ and explores what these changes mean for the future of the human species. She will delve into these questions from social, psychological and evolutionary perspectives, and for the gamblers amongst you she will ask ‘would you put your money on team homo sapiens?’. This talk received high accolades at TEDx Aberystwyth 2025. https://www.morwennalewis.com/ https://www.youtube.com/live/IFdC5d__bzk
Roman Chester: Looking beneath the surface
Walking tour of Roman sites in Chester (especially the defences), looking at details that escape the interpretation panels.
The walk will start at canal bridge on Upper Northgate Street, following walls, Roman Gardens and streets to Minerva shrine in Handbridge; return to Town Hall Square.
Hannah Cockroft: In Conversation
Murder in East Germany: Cold War Crime Stories
In 1981, a horrific murder case required police in East Germany to go door-to-door collecting thousands of handwriting samples to track down the killer. There was no public outrage, however, because they were not told about the crime. In this talk, Dr Richard Millington discusses this case and more in an account of his research into crime and criminality behind the Berlin Wall.
The Creation of ‘A Really Short, Entertaining, Fully Graphic and as Accurate as Possible History of Chester’
Of People and Place – a discussion with Hannah Maule-ffinch, multi award-winning photographer
1000 years of pots – changes in the use and supply of pottery in Chester from the 10th to 19th century.
War and Remembrance: What should happen to the enemy dead?
Mindfulness to enhance resilience – the evidence and a practical workshop
Zine workshop
The Dying Art: A Film and Conversation on Cultural Heritage
Natalie Haynes – Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth
Innovate and Inspire: University Students’ Research Exhibition
Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge research from students across various fields! Our poster exhibition features innovative projects, showcasing research findings. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, social studies, or the arts, you’ll gain valuable insights and be inspired by the fresh ideas shaping our future. Don’t miss the chance to see what research is currently being conducted at the University of Chester.
The Songs That Stay With Us: A Living Archive of Music and Memory
Music is a time capsule, holding emotions and memories in ways words cannot. “The Songs That Stay With Us” invites visitors to explore the deep connection between music and memory. Listen to real stories of songs tied to life’s moments, from childhood melodies to defining soundtracks. Scan the QR code or write in the notebook to add your own song and story, contributing to a growing archive that celebrates the power of music to shape who we are.
Sanctuary Seeking: interactive community art exhibition
Join us at the Seaborne Library for an inspiring exhibition showcasing artwork on the theme of sanctuary seeking and the refugee experience. Explore and understand the experience of those seeking sanctuary within our communities. The exhibition runs Thursday – Saturday, with an official launch on Thursday 3 July. All students, families, and the public are welcome to visit, explore and engage with the exhibits during library hours.
Digital on Tour at the Festival of Ideas
Family Fun Day: Create your own ID Badge
Family Fun Day: Fake news expert or fake news phoney
Fancy a Bushtucker Trial? Insects as sustainable food (Entomophagy) – why not?
Family Fun Day: Bee Friendly with the Grounds and Gardens Team!
Family Fun Day: Board games and Scavenger Hunt: Fun, Learning and Family Bonding!
Incredible Oceans
Family Fun Day: Practical Basic Life Support Skills for Everyone
Behind the Scenes at the Grosvenor Museum
Family Fun Day: Family Storytime (Primary School Children)
Family Fun Day: Mini Scientists
A Wild Wander for Wellbeing
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
The science of endurance sports: what does it take to break a world record?
Family Fun Day: Learn to design and build your own video game!
Making Progress on Health Inequalities: Reflections on Wicked Problems
Weathering the Storm: How Climate Change affects us all
Cheshire Cheese, Please, Storytime with Cheshire Archives
Family Fun Day: Practical Basic Life Support Skills for Everyone
Family Fun Day: Mini Scientists
Umbrellas and Birds Eco Art Workshop
Chester Zoo: Connecting Communities
Drop in with Chester Zoo as they provide fun wildlife related activities. Learn about their work with local communities and get to know the people connecting with nature and each other.
Family Fun Day: Learn to design and build your own video game!
Playing with Food: Salt Art Workshop with Iain Davidson and Cheshire Archives
The Natural Health Service: Reclaiming Wellness in a Modern World
Have you got what it takes to be an elite athlete?
Biblical Women Ageing Disgracefully: Sarah Lightman Exhibition and Artist’s Talk (‘In-Conversation’ with Dr Dawn Llewellyn)
Meet your Museums
Wildlife Champions: Microtraining
Playing with Food: Salt Art Workshop with Iain Davidson and Cheshire Archives
The Art of Living Well in Retirement: An exhibition of activities and a discussion of the psychological benefits.
My personal journey: Turning hardship to success
Galleries Which They Call The Rows’ Part 1: Building in the Shadow of Rome?
Incredible Oceans
Innovate and Inspire: University Students’ Research Exhibition
Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge research from students across various fields! Our poster exhibition features innovative projects, showcasing research findings. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, social studies, or the arts, you’ll gain valuable insights and be inspired by the fresh ideas shaping our future. Don’t miss the chance to see what research is currently being conducted at the University of Chester.
Chester Zoo: Connecting Communities
Drop in with Chester Zoo as they provide fun wildlife related activities. Learn about their work with local communities and get to know the people connecting with nature and each other.
Food for Thought: Artistic Imaginings of Cheshire’s Historic Recipe Collection
Battles and Barricades: A walls walk of Chester’s Civil War Siege
Beneath our Feet: Archaeological finds from the Heart of Chester
Jane Lasonder: Hidden in Plain Sight: Unmasking Trafficking and Slavery in Our Communities
- Expose the hidden signs of trafficking and exploitation, enabling the audience to recognise potential victims.
- Challenge common misconceptions about who is affected and where these crimes occur.
- Share her powerful personal experiences as a survivor of child sexual exploitation and trafficking in the UK. She will recount years of being trafficked, her experiences in and out of the hospital, feeling invisible despite being in plain sight, not being identified at school, living as a runaway child on the streets, and her later work rescuing trafficked women forced into prostitution in Amsterdam’s red-light district and on UK streets. Jane will also discuss her journey to becoming an international author, a speaker at the UN, a voice for the voiceless, an advisor to governments and policymakers, a media commentator, and a recipient of a parliamentary award. Showing that no matter your circumstances there is always hope and if you are determined to succeed you can!
- Empower audience members with knowledge and resources to take action and make a difference in their communities.
Play Smart: Beat Superbugs with the Antibiotic Resistance Board Game!
Reconstructing the Roman River Dee
So Muse, tell me about a Woman: bringing women, real and mythical, from ancient history to the foreground
Charity Christmas Club Hit Music Single – The Next Steps
Community Bioblitz at City Forest Garden
Chester Intersections
Nourish to Flourish
Kate Adie: In Conversation
Exploring Chester’s History: An Interactive Map Workshop for Educators
Are Twinning Links still relevant?