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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Festival of Ideas
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T143000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T141302Z
UID:10000715-1783087200-1783089000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Immersive Chester Amphitheatre
DESCRIPTION:Take a step back in time and experience Chester’s virtual reality Roman amphitheatre! Following on from last year’s festival event\, this is designed for attendees to experience an immersive digital reconstruction of Chester’s Roman amphitheatre currently under development by University of Chester\, IMITO\, Julian Baum\, Grosvenor Museum and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Stand in the footprints of gladiators and help us bring the past back to life through cutting edge technology.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-immersive-chester-amphitheatre-4/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park Campus – Downes Sports Hall\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151743Z
UID:10000712-1783087200-1783094400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Roman Chester: Looking beneath the surface
DESCRIPTION:Join Peter for a walking tour of Roman sites in Chester (especially the defences)\, looking at details that escape the interpretation panels. The walk will begin at the canal bridge on Upper Northgate Street\, following the walls to the amphitheatre and Roman Gardens\, then through the streets to Town Hall Square. Participants are encouraged to dress for the route and weather. \nWe regret that this event is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties\, due to the nature of the City walls. However\, an online guide can be supplied\, with a route map that shows a wheelchair-friendly alternative that can be followed independently.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/roman-chester-looking-beneath-the-surface-2/
LOCATION:canal bridge on Upper Northgate Street\, Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 4EE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Walk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/65.-Roman-Chester.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T153000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142242Z
UID:10000716-1783089000-1783092600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Designing Inclusion: The Kairos Experience
DESCRIPTION:Join a Chester-made business start-up to discover how everyday choices can shape more inclusive communities. Kairos provides culturally inclusive snacks and products for students and communities through socially driven vending solutions. In this interactive workshop\, attendees will have the opportunity to explore global snacks and the stories behind them\, learn how lived experiences can inspire business ideas\, and take part in a creative challenge to design their own inclusive vending concept. Fun\, hands-on and thought-provoking for all ages.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/designing-inclusion-the-kairos-experience/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/51.-Designing-Inclusion-The-Kairos-Experience.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T153000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142305Z
UID:10000717-1783090800-1783092600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Immersive Chester Amphitheatre
DESCRIPTION:Take a step back in time and experience Chester’s virtual reality Roman amphitheatre! Following on from last year’s festival event\, this is designed for attendees to experience an immersive digital reconstruction of Chester’s Roman amphitheatre currently under development by University of Chester\, IMITO\, Julian Baum\, Grosvenor Museum and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Stand in the footprints of gladiators and help us bring the past back to life through cutting edge technology.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-immersive-chester-amphitheatre-5/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park Campus – Downes Sports Hall\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080014Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151811Z
UID:10000728-1783090800-1783094400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Randolph Caldecott: Illustrating Victorian Life
DESCRIPTION:Join one of West Cheshire Museums’ curators to learn more about this Chester-born artist. Best known as an illustrator of children’s books\, Caldecott was a wide-ranging\, varied artist\, admired by Gauguin and Van Gogh. He illustrated novels and travel books\, drew cartoons and caricatures\, and exhibited sculpture\, paintings and drawings. This talk will look at his life and work\, asking whether the apparent nostalgia in his work was an escape from an increasingly industrialised world.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/randolph-caldecott-illustrating-victorian-life/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142439Z
UID:10000743-1783090800-1783094400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Wild Hope: Why the Arts and Nature Matter More Than Ever
DESCRIPTION:Join Uná Meehan in conversation with Rowan Cannon\, Founder and Artistic Director at Wild Rumpus. In an era defined by ecological crisis\, climate anxiety and rapid technological change\, many people feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenges we face. Yet across the UK a growing movement is using arts\, culture and shared experiences in nature to reconnect people with each other and with the living world. Wild Rumpus\, the creative force behind festivals such as Just So and Timber\, has spent over a decade designing immersive cultural experiences in forests and wild landscapes. Their work invites thousands of people each year to step away from everyday life and encounter nature through storytelling\, performance\, music and collective participation. But can experiences like these do more than entertain? Can art in nature help us imagine different futures\, rebuild community\, and nurture hope in the face of environmental uncertainty? In this conversation\, Rowan Cannon and colleagues from Wild Rumpus explore: Why shared experiences in nature can transform how we see the world\, The role of imagination\, creativity and storytelling in responding to the climate crisis\, How festivals and cultural events can create collective moments of hope and possibility\, Why connection to nature is increasingly vital for wellbeing and resilience. The session will also invite the audience to reflect on their own experiences of nature\, creativity and community\, and to consider how small cultural moments can contribute to wider social and environmental change.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/wild-hope-why-the-arts-and-nature-matter-more-than-ever/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Discussion Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260519T104918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T104918Z
UID:10000752-1783090800-1783094400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Body Speaking: Functional Seizures and The Place of Trauma
DESCRIPTION:Join Professor Paul Bissell\, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of Chester\, and Dr Marian Peacock\, Honorary Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research to learn more about this fascinating\, and often ignored\, topic.  Paul and Marian will argue that the medical gaze continues to overlook the profound roles of gender\, class\, trauma and suffering in shaping the experiences of individuals with diagnoses of functional seizures. 
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-body-speaking-functional-seizures-and-the-place-of-trauma/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080523Z
UID:10000667-1783092600-1783096200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Screening Siblings: Brothers and Sisters on Film
DESCRIPTION:What can brothers and sisters on film tell us about the state of a nation? In the 21st century\, siblings are everywhere on screen\, from superhero blockbusters to horror films\, teen movies and slice-of-life dramas. Dr Katie Barnett\, senior lecturer in Film Studies and the author of Screening Siblings in Contemporary American Film (Bloomsbury\, July 2026)\, explores what this shift towards horizontal relationships on screen reveals about power\, politics\, and changing ideas of family. \nsibstack.substack.com
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/screening-siblings-brothers-and-sisters-on-film/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/49.-Screening-Siblings.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142529Z
UID:10000718-1783094400-1783096200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Immersive Chester Amphitheatre
DESCRIPTION:Take a step back in time and experience Chester’s virtual reality Roman amphitheatre! Following on from last year’s festival event\, this is designed for attendees to experience an immersive digital reconstruction of Chester’s Roman amphitheatre currently under development by University of Chester\, IMITO\, Julian Baum\, Grosvenor Museum and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Stand in the footprints of gladiators and help us bring the past back to life through cutting edge technology.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-immersive-chester-amphitheatre-6/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park Campus – Downes Sports Hall\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T173000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T082705Z
UID:10000668-1783096200-1783099800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The University of Chester in 15 Objects
DESCRIPTION:This event will showcase the history of the University from its opening in 1839 to the present day. We will present fifteen objects from across the decades and discuss how each of them relates to an important event in the university’s history.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-university-of-chester-in-10-objects/
LOCATION:Senate House\, Exton Park Campus\, University of Chester\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/22.-The-University-of-Chester-in-10-Objects-rotated.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T173000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142606Z
UID:10000719-1783098000-1783099800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Immersive Chester Amphitheatre
DESCRIPTION:Take a step back in time and experience Chester’s virtual reality Roman amphitheatre! Following on from last year’s festival event\, this is designed for attendees to experience an immersive digital reconstruction of Chester’s Roman amphitheatre currently under development by University of Chester\, IMITO\, Julian Baum\, Grosvenor Museum and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Stand in the footprints of gladiators and help us bring the past back to life through cutting edge technology.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-immersive-chester-amphitheatre-7/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park Campus – Downes Sports Hall\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T180000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T145048Z
UID:10000729-1783098000-1783101600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Queering Britain:  Keeping LGBTQ Stories Alive
DESCRIPTION:This research began in Blackpool\, exploring its rich drag scene and LGBTQ+ histories. It has since grown into a wider project gathering stories from towns and cities across the UK. Through voices that connect generations and place\, Helen is starting to explore how identity is shaped by place and heritage. Reflecting on the legacy of Section 28\, preserving and sharing these stories publicly matters now more than ever. This talk will focus on stories from the seaside town of Blackpool.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/queering-britain-keeping-lgbtq-stories-alive/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/39-Queering-Britian.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T190000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260107T070034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151942Z
UID:10000650-1783101600-1783105200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Mariella Frostrup: In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Join Mariella Frostrup for a dynamic conversation on why closing gender gaps is not just a social ideal but an economic necessity. Reflecting on her work as Chair of the Women in Work Summit\, co‑founder of Menopause Mandate\, and long‑time gender equality advocate\, this event will explore how pay\, wealth and health gaps shape women’s working lives and why addressing them is critical for productivity\, growth and long‑term competitiveness. Mariella will be in conversation with Professor Emma Rees\, Director of the University of Chester’s Institute of  Gender Studies and editor of the Routledge Companion to Gender\, Sexuality and Culture. \n(photo credit: Kate Martin)
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/mariella-frostrup-in-conversation/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park School of Education\, University of Chester\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:In Conversation Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Mariella-Frostrup3-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T190000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260107T070037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T134422Z
UID:10000640-1783101600-1783105200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Royal Institution: Do it Yourself Community Show
DESCRIPTION:Dive into science and be ready to get hands-on with surprising experiments\, shocking facts and the odd explosion! This show is packed full of experiments for families to try at home as well as the Ri’s trademark fiery demos. Join us as we learn how to build a rocket……… and launch it!\n\nAll children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-royal-institution-do-it-yourself-community-show/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park Campus – Binks Building\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_0022.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T203000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260107T070006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152001Z
UID:10000637-1783107000-1783110600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Gary Younge: In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an illuminating conversation with Gary Younge\, award-winning author\, broadcaster\, and Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester. A former editor-at-large at The Guardian\, Younge brings decades of journalistic insight and academic rigor to discussions on race\, identity\, and resistance. His latest book\, Pigeonholed: Creative Freedom as an Act of Resistance\, explores the power of storytelling in challenging societal constraints. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with one of the most compelling voices in contemporary journalism and social thought. \nGary will be in conversation with Professor Tim Grady\, Director of the Culture and Society Research and Knowledge Exchange Institute at the University of Chester\, which brings together 200 researchers with an interest in exploring and challenging the influences that have shaped\, and continue to shape\, our culture and society.  Tim is an international scholar of twentieth century British and German history and is keen to explore through this discussion the role of the media in modern democracies and\, crucially\, how we can engage young people in democratic politics in such tumultuous times.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/gary-younge-in-conversation/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park Campus – Binks Building\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
CATEGORIES:In Conversation Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_0021.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080636Z
UID:10000672-1783162800-1783166400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Medieval Treasures: Hold and Create History
DESCRIPTION:Step into Chester’s past at our Medieval Object Drop-In Handling Workshop. Explore authentic artefacts alongside the Historic Towns Trust map of Chester\, uncovering untold stories. Enjoy hands-on\, creative activities for all ages: touch history\, make\, draw\, and imagine the medieval city together. \nhttps://mob.chester.ac.uk/ \nhttps://www.historictownstrust.uk/maps/an-historical-map-of-chester
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/medieval-treasures-hold-and-create-history/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Drop In Event,Interactive / Creative Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/48.-Medieval-Treasures.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T123000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T143052Z
UID:10000703-1783162800-1783168200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Sustainability Walk - Travel
DESCRIPTION:This led walk\, which is also “wheels accessible”\, is one of four themed routes staged as part of the 2026 “Festival of ideas” that uses examples from the existing cityscape to demonstrate various aspects of the overall theme of ‘Sustainability’. \nThis walk focuses on the Sustainability dimension of ‘Travel’ visiting various sites in and around Chester City Centre to illustrate live examples of what are demonstrations of sustainable low carbon travel.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/sustainability-walk-travel/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Walk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142935Z
UID:10000737-1783162800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Retracing Footsteps: The Past\, Present and Future of Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon
DESCRIPTION:Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon is Wales’s most iconic mountain\, hosting 650\,000 visitors each year. This exhibition takes us on a journey that considers the past\, present\, and sustainable future of the mountain. Contemporary photographs are juxtaposed with extracts from the 19th-century Snowdon summit hotels’ visitor books. The exhibition is part of an ongoing\, interdisciplinary project at the University of Chester\, in collaboration with Bangor University and Eryri National Park Authority.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/retracing-footsteps-the-past-present-and-future-of-yr-wyddfa-snowdon-3/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T105320Z
UID:10000748-1783162800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Talking Tours: Let’s Talk History
DESCRIPTION:Lace up your plimsoles and sprint through the last century of Cheshire’s sporting past with Let’s Talk\, History. Using historic sound recordings from Cheshire Archives’ collections\, this free audio trail tells 100 years of stories about the county’s competitive\, recreational and\, at times\, amusing sports. From the football field to the polo field. George Best and his team cheating their way to victory against Chester FC to street-side boxing matches to win £5. Follow the trail map and scan the free QR code on the Let’s Talk\, History posters at each location to hear the stories of our sporting stars from yesteryear. The ball’s in your court! \nPick up your trail map from the info point in Chester Town Hall to get started!
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/talking-tours-lets-talk-history-3/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Walk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/000.-Generic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T143003Z
UID:10000709-1783162800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Peaces We Keep\, Make\, Transform
DESCRIPTION:This is a participatory art work inviting visitors to sit\, pause\, and write a promise of peace for themselves\, someone they love\, or the wider world. You may keep it\, dissolve it in water\, or place it in a box. Promises in the box are later transferred to the chair\, allowing it to hold community voices. On the final day\, staff and dance students from the University of Chester will present a live performance responding to the chair and its collected promises.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-peaces-we-keep-make-transform-4/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/105.-Peaces-We-Keep-Installation.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175734
CREATED:20260518T080054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T142902Z
UID:10000739-1783162800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Living ROOTS\, Moving FLOWS: Field narratives of environmental care and resilience
DESCRIPTION:This exhibition invites you into a living lab where the roots of indigenous knowledge meet the flows of water\, soil and climate change. Through photographs and voices from wetlands and mountains\, the exhibition shows how long standing traditional practices – from reading soils and water levels to shaping wetlands and planting patterns – are active\, evolving tools for environmental management today.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/living-roots-moving-flows-field-narratives-of-environmental-care-and-resilience/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Staffed Table / Event / Exhibit
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T123000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T143155Z
UID:10000673-1783164600-1783168200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Climate catastrophe - where are we heading?
DESCRIPTION:Does it feel like you are seeing more extreme weather? The science suggests we might be heading for a 3 degree world\, but action globally doesn’t suggest people are concerned.\nSo what is the truth? Join me as I explore the different pathways we could follow over this century depending on whether we act now or delay action to mitigate climate change.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/climate-catastrophe-where-are-we-heading/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260107T070002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T143420Z
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\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152135Z
UID:10000678-1783166400-1783170000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Making Academic Literature Accessible Through Comics
DESCRIPTION:The session is built around Captain Knowledge and Graphic Leadership\, projects that were undertaken to make academic literature/theory/research more accessible. Captain Knowledge explores the lived experiences of teachers in a UK sixth-form college\, and presents the findings in comic format to engage the wider population and those outside of academia. Whereas Graphic Leadership focuses on using comic literature to teach leadership theory to students at varying levels. The talk covers the research that informed both projects and the specific production process\, before presenting for the first time the semi-animated version of the Captain Knowledge comic.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/making-academic-literature-accessible-through-comics/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152116Z
UID:10000730-1783166400-1783170000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Future of Museums
DESCRIPTION:Join curators at the Grosvenor Museum for a talk exploring the future of our museums. How might they look 50\, 100 years from now? What might we collect\, and which stories might we tell? How might the role of museums need to evolve as society and our audiences change?\nLearn about the challenges that our museums face in the present\, and be part of the conversations that shape our future.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-future-of-museums/
LOCATION:Grosvenor Museum\, Chester\, 27 Grosvenor Street\, Chester\, CH1 2DD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T143907Z
UID:10000679-1783168200-1783173600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Afternoon tea: art\, health\, science and environment
DESCRIPTION:In this packed workshop\, get your hands on wonderfully decorated Victorian and modern teacups and saucers\, design and make your own\, taste hot world teas while learning about the health benefits of tea drinking\, learn about the environmental footprint of tea today – cultivation and processing to packaging and transport\, looking at the sustainability of loose-leaf tea versus tea bags. Step into and influence the global historic and contemporary world of tea.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/afternoon-tea-art-health-science-and-environment/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Bar\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event,Workshop
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080737Z
UID:10000732-1783170000-1783173600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Tapping into calm with EFT: A practical technique for daily life
DESCRIPTION:Discover ‘Tapping’ (Emotional Freedom Techniques)\, a gentle and effective way to quieten a busy mind and relax your body in minutes.\nThis friendly\, informal and practical workshop teaches you how to tap on specific points to release tension and feel more grounded.\nNo special equipment or experience is needed – just a curious mind.\nYou’ll leave with a practical “calm kit” you can use anywhere\, helping you handle life’s ups and downs with more ease\, confidence\, and peace of mind. \nwww.tapintotransformation.co.uk\nhttps://www.instagram.com/tap_into_transformation
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/tapping-into-calm-with-eft-a-practical-technique-for-daily-life/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T144045Z
UID:10000731-1783170000-1783173600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Improving biodiversity in your space - A Network for Nature with Chester Zoo
DESCRIPTION:Join Chester Zoo to discover how communities across Cheshire West are connecting habitats\, monitoring wildlife\, and transforming local spaces through the Networks for Nature initiative. This session reveals inspiring progress\, showcases easy tools anyone can use\, and invites attendees to see how small collective actions can support ecosystems and boost biodiversity. \nhttps://www.chesterzoo.org/conservation-science-education/global-conservation-programmes/conservation-campaigns/networks-for-nature
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/improving-biodiversity-in-your-space-a-network-for-nature/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T143000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260518T080029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152303Z
UID:10000680-1783171800-1783175400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Through the looking glass: Postcards to my younger and older self- exploring the psychology of ageing
DESCRIPTION:Ever wondered what you would have said to yourself when you were younger\, or what you would tell your older self? Opening with an exhibition of postcards written by students at the University of Chester to their older self and members of Chester U3A to their younger self\, we will explore messages and their meanings\, applying psychological principles to discuss aging and its representation. Come along to find out what the key messages in the postcards are and what psychology has to say about them.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/through-the-looking-glass-postcards-to-my-younger-and-older-self-exploring-the-psychology-of-ageing/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T150000
DTSTAMP:20260525T175735
CREATED:20260107T070044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T144731Z
UID:10000636-1783173600-1783177200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Mya-Rose Craig: In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr Mya-Rose Craig\, a remarkable environmentalist whose journey began as a young birdwatcher and led to the founding of Black2Nature – a movement championing ethnic diversity in nature conservation and the environment. Mya-Rose will share how focus\, motivation\, and commitment can turn passion into meaningful action. Don’t miss this chance for an optimistic look at how we can better engage young people\, particularly\, in care for nature. \nReflecting the University of Chester’s commitment to dialogue and partnership with young people to address social and environmental issues\, Mya-Rose will be in conversation with Dr Rebecca Collins. Rebecca is the Director of the University’s Sustainability and Environment Research and Knowledge Exchange Institute (SERKEI)\, which brings together over 150 researchers with expertise relevant to sustainability and the future of our environments.  She also leads the university’s work to embed learning for sustainability across undergraduate curricula.  She is particularly passionate about how we can best engage young people in how to care for nature\, in the face of so much anxiety about the future. \n 
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/7304/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:In Conversation Event
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END:VCALENDAR