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X-WR-CALNAME:Festival of Ideas
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Festival of Ideas
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T120000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T131952Z
UID:10000642-1782990000-1782993600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Cheshire as a Palatinate
DESCRIPTION:As Cheshire proceeds with plans for devolution as part of a Mayoral Combined Authority\, this talk examines the county’s history of semi-independence from central government. Beeston castle (pictured)\,visible across Cheshire\, was an assertion of the self-governing authority of the medieval earls of Chester\, in relation to both England and Wales. The county’s relative autonomy continued after the earldom passed to the crown under Henry III but was curtailed in the sixteenth century and extinguished in 1830\, only now to be revived in a modern context.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/chester-as-a-palatinate/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Beeston-castle-for-FoIdeas-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T133000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132023Z
UID:10000644-1782995400-1782999000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Finding the Battle of Brunanburh: Was This Definitive Battle of 973 Located at Bromborough in the Wirral?
DESCRIPTION:This illustrated talk by the authors of a new book will outline the case for Bromborough as the location of the ‘great war’\, as it was known\, of 937. King Athelstan of Wessex defeated a coalition of Irish\, Norse\, Scots and Cumbrians in a massive and deadly conflict. Many places have been suggested as the site of the battle. In this talk\, the evidence from literature\, history\, geography and archaeology will be presented to show that it very likely happened on Wirral.  
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/finding-the-battle-of-brunaburgh-was-this-definitive-battle-of-973-located-at-bromborough-in-the-wirral/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_0027.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T150000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132055Z
UID:10000651-1783000800-1783004400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:How old am I?  Trying to date buildings in our rural and urban landscapes
DESCRIPTION:Our villages\, towns and cities are full of buildings which date from many different periods. Many have a story to tell. This introductory talk will look at the buildings around us (both rural and urban) and offer some hints and pointers to dating houses\, churches and civic buildings. Become aware of the distinctive features\, and possible red herrings\, which help when trying to date a building from visual clues. You too can become a building detective!
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/how-old-am-i-trying-to-date-buildings-in-our-rural-and-urban-landscapes/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HJ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_0032.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T150000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132126Z
UID:10000643-1783000800-1783004400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Early Neston Collieries: Seven Reasons Why They Were Remarkable
DESCRIPTION:The collieries at Neston on the Wirral were worked for hundreds of years but few people know much about them. The early mines were\, however\, remarkable for their industrial\, social and commercial innovation. Among other things\, we will hear about underground canals\, blatant acts of sabotage and workers’  healthcare. Anthony has studied and written about the mines for years and will show why he believes they were where the Industrial Revolution started in west Cheshire. 
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-early-neston-collieries-seven-reasons-why-they-were-remarkable/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_0025.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T153000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132152Z
UID:10000647-1783002600-1783006200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:On Holy Ground: Experiencing Life in Relationships
DESCRIPTION:This lecture explores the idea that life is all about relationships\, and that the experiences that we have with ‘others’ are holy ground where we can develop in dialogue with those we are in relationship. This presentation will draw on James’ experiences in education and inter-faith to fully explore what it means to live life in relationship. It will contrast an approach to life that Martin Buber describes as ‘I-It’: where everything and everyone are things to be used. The argument of this lecture is that we should adopt an ‘I-Thou’ approach to life where we view others in a relationship of love.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/on-holy-ground-experiencing-life-in-relationships/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81U71gAgaBL._SL1500_.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T153000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132221Z
UID:10000645-1783002600-1783006200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Walking and Cycling to a Better Future?
DESCRIPTION:Cycling is well known as an essential part of sustainable transport planning. This public lecture from Peter Cox\, Emeritus Professor at the University of Chester and internationally acclaimed writer on cycling and sustainable travel\, will explore the implications of taking walking and cycling as the starting point of thinking about movement; not just including them in travel plans.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/walking-and-cycling-to-a-better-future/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Peter-Cox-9781908258113.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T163000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132241Z
UID:10000646-1783006200-1783009800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:What Am I Looking At? Following Chester’s Buildings Through Time
DESCRIPTION:Chester is filled with beautiful and distinctive buildings\, but in a place where people have lived for more than two thousand years\,  things are rarely as they seem. Combining an introduction to European architectural styles with a more detailed look at some of Chester’s most interesting architecture\, this illustrated talk will explore the ways in which buildings survive and change through the centuries\, and what they can tell us about their makers.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/what-am-i-looking-at-understanding-chesters-rich-architectural-history/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HJ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Chantal-Bradburn-FoIArchitectureImage26.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260418T144311
CREATED:20260107T070002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T132610Z
UID:10000641-1783166400-1783170000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Chaos of Roman Britain with Greg Jenner
DESCRIPTION:Come and join us for a family friendly event with Greg Jenner exploring how\, why\, and when the Romans first invaded. Greg is a public historian\, author\, and broadcaster best known as the historical consultant of the award-winning TV series Horrible Histories. Blending humour with fascinating facts\, he brings the past to life for audiences of all ages. Beyond television\, Greg hosts the popular podcast You’re Dead To Me and writes bestselling books including Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy that make history as entertaining as it is educational.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/chaos-of-roman-britain-with-greg-jenner/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HJ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_0023.jpeg
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