Festival of Ideas

You can write a song! 10 ways to get started.
2026-07-04 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Storyhouse Garret Theatre, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
“I wish I could write a song, but I don’t know where to start…”
This is a super practical workshop to remove the fear of the blank page and give you tools to start writing your own songs.
We’ll look specifically at lyric-writing. No instrument needed!
Adam Kirkup is a Chester-based songwriter, musician and coach. He’s performed with New York alt-folk luminary Kimya Dawson, toured with a WWE wrestling champion and attended the respected Chris Difford songwriting retreat.
adamkirkup.com
instagram.com/adamkirkup

Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Skills, Apprenticeships & Regional Priorities
2026-07-04 16:30 - 17:30 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
A panel of apprentices, employers, Chamber of Commerce, LSIP & DWP discussing what are the skills needed now and for the next 3 – 5 years in the region, highlighting apprenticeships benefits for the apprentice & employers.
The panel will discuss topics such as:
• What are the skills that you are looking for when hiring an employee?
• What government projects are helping the youth and those unemployed get the skills needed for the job vacancies advertised?
• What is available for people who wish to upskill?
• Why did you choose an apprenticeship route, & what do you plan to do next in your career?
To find out more about University of Chester degree apprenticeships: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/degree-apprenticeships/
To find out more about the Chamber of Commerce: West Cheshire & North Wales: https://wcnwchamber.org.uk/

Retracing Footsteps: The Past, Present and Future of Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon
2026-07-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
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.

The Peaces We Keep, Make, Transform
2026-07-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
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.

The Cheshire Longbowmen: England's Elite Archers
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
Join us to explore why the Cheshire longbowmen were regarded as some of the finest archers in history. Discover what made the longbow such a powerful weapon, how their skill shaped events like the rebellion of Hotspur, and why this formidable force is no longer part of Chester’s story. Uncover the rise, impact and legacy of these remarkable medieval warriors.

Leprosy and Smallpox: how our Chester ancestors experienced the devastation of these ancient diseases
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Storyhouse Garret Theatre, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
Leprosy and smallpox are two of the world’s oldest and most stigmatising illnesses. Both conditions bring shame from the fear of contagious disease and disfigured bodies and Chester’s history offers an authentic approach to their identification and treatment. From the founding of St Giles’s Leprosy Hospital in the early twelfth century, to the formation of the Smallpox Society of Chester in 1778, find out how the city’s inhabitants managed the challenges of these devastating diseases.

The Peaces We Keep, Make, Transform
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
A celebratory performance in response to the participatory artwork that will be in the Town Hall foyer over the four days of the Festival (see details below). In this event, staff and dance students from the University of Chester will present a live performance responding to the chair and its collected promises.
The artwork will have invited visitors to sit, pause, and write a promise of peace for themselves, someone they love, or the wider world. Visitors are welcome to keep that promise, 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.

Mindfulness and self-compassion in an uncertain world: A 60-minute experiential session for the Festival of Ideas
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
Join this session for a gentle, practical introduction to mindfulness and self-compassion in uncertain times. Through simple guided exercises, reflection and discussion, you’ll explore how to steady your mind and respond to challenges with greater kindness. No experience needed, just curiosity and an openness to pause, breathe and reconnect.

Sustainability Walk - Biodiversity
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Outside Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street Chester, Chester, CH1 2HQ, United Kingdom
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.
This walk focuses on the Sustainability aspect of ‘Biodiversity’ visiting various sites in and around Chester City Centre to illustrate live examples of what are demonstrations of active work supporting enhancement of biodiversity.

Archaeological Finds in the Market
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Chester Market, Exchange Square, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
Archaeologists from the Grosvenor Museum will be in Chester Market on Sunday morning with some of the finds from excavations in the city centre. Come and see in close-up objects used and worn by people living and working in Chester from 2000 to 300 years ago. A great opportunity to ask questions and find out more about some of the fascinating finds from the museum’s archaeological collections. All ages welcome.

Let’s Talk History
2026-07-05 11:00 - 16:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
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!
Pick up your trail map from the info point in Chester Town Hall to get started!

Nourish to Flourish (Photo Exhibition)
2026-07-05 11:00 - 16:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
Nourish to Flourish is a school-based project led by Kate and Ellie, helping children feel confident about healthy eating through creativity. Supported by the Bluecoat Charity, the Westminster Foundation and Crossing Borders, with evaluation support from RECAP (University of Chester). This year children explored artists from around the world and created artwork using food as material. The event includes a photo exhibition.

Enhancing Inclusivity and Sense of Belonging in Higher Education
2026-07-05 11:30 - 12:30 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
This session explores research into how sharing lived experiences can enhance inclusivity and a sense of belonging for students. Drawing on reflections from staff who identified as under represented during their studies, it highlights key insights and successful outcomes. The audience will be invited to consider the power of sharing and listening to lived experiences as a way to expand their understanding of how to create a more inclusive, supportive learning environment.

Victorian Boots and Neon Lights, or how we messed with Chester Grosvenor Museum’s historic collections
2026-07-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
What happens if items from an historic museum collection are brought together with everyday goods and services available nearby? International artists’ team Grennan & Sperandio decided to find out – in Chester! In this entertaining talk, watch as they manage to get a foot in the door and create six new sculptures. Learn the differences between collections and landfill. See how the histories of the high street connect past and present, making places that travel through time.

‘It turned us yellow all over’: Health Care Provision for Munition Workers During the First World War.
2026-07-05 12:30 - 13:30 | Storyhouse Garret Theatre, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
This talk will discuss the background to the enormous expansion of munitions’ factories and production in Britain, as a result of the ‘Shells Scandal’ of 1915, including within the local area around Chester. This necessitated the recruitment of thousands of munitions workers (many of whom were women) and they were to be exposed to a myriad of health problems because of their work. These health issues will be discussed and the health care and welfare provision made for munition workers during World War One will be outlined. The contribution that medical and nursing staff made, in an early forerunner of what is now often referred to as occupational health, will also be discussed.
Picture Source: Leeds Library and Information Service.

In Conversation with Lucy Andrew, author of A Very Vexing Murder
2026-07-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
Join Dr Lucy Andrew, former Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Chester, as she introduces her debut novel, A Very Vexing Murder, a cosy crime retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, and discusses her path to becoming a published author.

David Baddiel: In Conversation
2026-07-05 13:00 - 14:30 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
Join us for an in‑conversation event with David Baddiel—award‑winning comedian, bestselling author, and acclaimed cultural commentator. Renowned for his intelligence, originality, and distinctive humour, Baddiel has shaped British comedy and public debate through his work across stand‑up, television, radio, and writing. This event offers a rare opportunity to hear him in conversation as he shares sharp observations and thoughtful perspectives from a remarkable and wide‑ranging career. David will be in conversation with Dr Hannah Ewence, historian and Head of Humanities, Cultures and Environments at the University of Chester.

Murder (flock) of Crows Eco Art Workshop
2026-07-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
Please join me so that we can collectively make a Murder (flock) of Crows, they are intelligent, have their own language and can communicate information, are a translucent multi color, not black as they seem. We will be making and decorating from templates, using recycled materials a collection of these magical and mystical birds( as referred to in the Mabinogion: Adar Rhiannon’s magical birds)
nataliepapworth.artweb.com

'How NOT to Flee a War'
2026-07-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
How NOT to Flee a War is a first-hand talk by Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko, co-presented with her partner Jez Myers, telling the story of their attempt to escape Kyiv as Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.
What begins as a surreal morning of explosions and disbelief quickly becomes a frantic and uncertain decision: whether to stay, where to go, and how to leave a city rapidly emptying under threat. Built around their real journey out of Ukraine, the talk uses personal storytelling and images from the road to show what the first days of invasion felt like from the inside.
Rather than a polished narrative of survival, Maria and Jez describe the experience with blunt honesty and dark humour – the endless traffic, exhaustion, panic, misinformation, and the reality of borders under pressure. Through Maria’s perspective as a Ukrainian, and Jez’s as a British partner caught inside the unfolding disaster, the talk becomes both a gripping personal account and a wider reflection on displacement, resilience, and what it means to lose your home overnight.
Biographies
Maria Romanenko is a Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of All For Ukraine. Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Hromadske International, one of Ukraine’s best-known news organisations, she is the only Ukrainian recipient of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. Since relocating to the UK, Maria has focused on supporting displaced Ukrainians and raising awareness through talks, including the widely delivered How NOT to Flee a War. She has conducted over 1,000 mainstream media interviews since arriving in the UK and is a regular commentator across national and international channels.
Jez Myers is a community champion and CEO of All For Ukraine. A recipient of Manchester City Council’s prestigious Pride of Manchester Award, he brings a dual background in business consultancy and civic engagement. After fleeing Ukraine with Maria, Jez has advised local and national bodies on supporting displaced Ukrainians, as well as assisting multiple Ukrainian charities. He is also Chairperson of the Spirit of Manchester Awards, the largest voluntary sector awards in the North West of England.

Tea Party- Conversations on Nature, Conservation and Hope
2026-07-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HQ
Join us for a Chaplaincy nationally and globally award-nominated tea party event exploring conservation, sustainability, and our relationship with the planet.

Through relaxed small-group discussions, creative prompts, and a calm, green-inspired setting, we’ll explore eco-anxiety, everyday climate action, and how communities can protect biodiversity. Expect thoughtful conversation, practical ideas, and space to reflect on building greener futures together.

Dress code – floral or wildlife themed outfits- completely optional, just for fun!

The science of fuelling for endurance sports: what's on the plate?
2026-07-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
Ever wondered how athletes fuel their endurance engines? This session will explore how ‘the plate’ of an endurance athlete can influence their performance. We will uncover the science behind nutritional strategies to enhance endurance performance, discussing key controversies such as the carbohydrate vs. fat debate. The session will be led by Dr Ed Gray, Lecturer in Applied Sport Physiology. Ed is currently conducting research investigating how different fuelling approaches influence exercise.

Merlin's Isle: Acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite's explores the Christian elements to the myth and why it has been eroded
2026-07-05 14:30 - 15:30 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
The Merlin’s Isle epic ballad series is acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite’s masterwork, a lifetime in the making. Malcolm Guite is the former Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge. A performance poet and singer/songwriter, he lectures widely on poetry and theology in Britain and the US. His latest book blends myth, theology, and lyrical mastery. Guite re-enchants the legend of King Arthur for a new generation, restoring its original power and mystery in this sweeping four-volume series.

Nourish to Flourish (Photo Exhibition and Workshop)
2026-07-05 14:30 - 16:30 | Storyhouse Garret Bar, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
Nourish to Flourish is a school-based project led by Kate and Ellie, helping children feel confident about healthy eating through creativity. Supported by the Bluecoat Charity, the Westminster Foundation and Crossing Borders, with evaluation support from RECAP (University of Chester). This year children explored artists from around the world and created artwork using food as material. The event includes a photo exhibition and a family workshop.

Interviewing the IRA: Criminological Approaches to Research in Post-Conflict Zones
2026-07-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10 Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
Discover the untold stories of Strabane, one of the forgotten frontlines of the Northern Ireland Troubles. This talk explores the lived experiences of those who grew up or took part in the conflict, showing how their memories, identities, and communities have shaped life in a post-conflict society.

The talk will engage with themes related to political violence, conflict, and lived experiences of the Northern Ireland Troubles. While the session will be handled sensitively and will not include graphic detail, some audience members may find the topics emotionally challenging
