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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Festival of Ideas
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T120000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151049Z
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:20260702T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T120000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151025Z
UID:10000656-1782990000-1782993600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Tea Party- Conversations on Nature\, Conservation and Hope
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a nature-themed tea gathering exploring global 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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/tea-party-conversations-on-nature-conservation-and-hope/
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/2026/04/69.-Tea-Party.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T123000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T150824Z
UID:10000662-1782991800-1782995400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Voices\, Evidence and Change: A Conversation about Rough Sleeping
DESCRIPTION:Rough sleeping remains one of the most urgent and visible social challenges facing our communities today. Voices\, Evidence and Change brings together academics\, community partners\, practitioners and people with lived experience\, to explore how research and collaboration can contribute to meaningful responses to rough sleeping. \nThis public research event creates a shared space for dialogue between the University of Chester and the local community. Too often\, discussions about rough sleeping happen without the direct involvement of those most affected. This event seeks to challenge that pattern by centring lived experience and critically considering how we can amplify diverse voices that are too often overlooked in policy and practice discussions. By bringing together different forms of knowledge\, the event aims to foster a more holistic and compassionate understanding of the issue.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/voices-evidence-and-change-a-conversation-about-rough-sleeping/
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:20260702T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T133000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151204Z
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:20260702T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T133000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151138Z
UID:10000663-1782995400-1782999000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Sustainable (workplace) flexibility and how to achieve it
DESCRIPTION:This interactive session explores what sustainable workplace flexibility looks like and how it can be achieved in practice. A short mini lecture introduces key tensions in research and practice\, highlighting why current approaches can feel fragmented. Participants will then take part in a workshop style group discussion\, examining key stakeholders\, potential solutions\, and what makes workplace flexibility genuinely sustainable.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/sustainable-workplace-flexibility-and-how-to-achieve-it/
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:20260702T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152806Z
UID:10000721-1782997200-1783000800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:A Practitioner Panel on Trauma Informed Approaches to Support Expectant Families
DESCRIPTION:Led by practitioners from Warrington Borough Council\, this event convenes a panel of practitioners from Tameside Council and CWaC to discuss trauma-informed and relationship-based practice through the RESTORE programme. RESTORE is a Warrington-based five-year voluntary initiative supporting expectant families who have experienced\, or are at risk of\, having children removed from their care. The discussion will be relevant to those working in family and parenting support roles interested in trauma
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/a-practitioner-panel-on-trauma-informed-approaches-to-support-expectant-families/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Discussion Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/61.-Practitioner-Panel-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151226Z
UID:10000664-1782997200-1783000800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Lasting Powers of Attorney: what are they\, and how can our students help you complete them?
DESCRIPTION:Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are hugely important documents that enable you to nominate trusted people to make decisions about your health\, welfare\, property and finances in the event you lose mental capacity. Join this event to hear about how LPAs work\, the risks of not having one\, and how our students at the University of Chester Law School can help you complete your LPAs free of charge.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/lasting-powers-of-attorney-what-are-they-and-how-can-our-students-help-you-complete-them/
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:20260702T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T150000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T140912Z
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\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
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:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151335Z
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:20260702T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T150000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T150934Z
UID:10000723-1783000800-1783004400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Scriveners\, Priests\, Feasts...and Huge Quantities of Objects - Medieval and Later Finds from Chester Amphitheatre
DESCRIPTION:Linked to the Grosvenor Museum’s exhibition ‘Chester Amphitheatre – an 8000 year story’\, join the museum’s Archaeological Officer for a talk on medieval and later finds from the 2004-6 excavations at the Amphitheatre. The site of Chester Amphitheatre is well known for its Roman gladiators but who was using the site when the combats had ceased? This talk looks at some of the great variety of objects found in the excavations and the people who might have used them.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/scriveners-priests-feasts-and-huge-quantities-of-objects-medieval-and-later-finds-from-chester-amphitheatre/
LOCATION:Grosvenor Museum\, Chester\, 27 Grosvenor Street\, Chester\, CH1 2DD\, 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:20260702T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T150000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151246Z
UID:10000658-1783000800-1783004400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Why write a biography of Alfred Mond? The Many Lives of Chester's Forgotten MP
DESCRIPTION:Who today knows of Alfred Mond? Once one of the world’s greatest tycoons\, Mond has largely vanished from British public memory. Yet\, elsewhere in the world the picture is very different. In Israel\, there are streets\, statues and even a museum in honour of the former Chester MP. As Tim Grady will discuss\, Mond lived many different lives: politician\, industrialist\, leading Zionist and architect of the Imperial War Museum. It’s 90 years since the last biography. Is the time ripe for a follow up?
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/why-write-a-biography-of-alfred-mond-the-many-lives-of-chesters-forgotten-mp/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/78.-Why-write-a-biography-of-Alfred-Mond.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T153000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151402Z
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:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151422Z
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:20260702T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T203000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260107T070023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151509Z
UID:10000649-1783018800-1783024200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Cheshire Prize for Literature Awards Evening
DESCRIPTION:The Cheshire Prize for Literature showcases the literary talents of writers with a connection to the Cheshire area. Now in its 22nd year\, the awards evening will announce the winners in the primary\, secondary and adult categories for poetry\, short stories\, children’s literature and scriptwriting.  \nThe winners will be joined by renowned author Ele Fountain. Ele worked as an editor in children’s publishing where she was responsible for launching and nurturing the careers of many prize-winning and bestselling authors\, and was shortlisted for the British Council’s Young Creative Entrepreneur Award.  \nShe lived in Addis Ababa for several years\, where she wrote her debut novel\, BOY 87\, which went on to win four awards and was nominated for ten more\, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Carnegie Medal. Her second novel\, LOST\, was a Guardian Children’s Book of the Year. FAKE has been selected as a BookTrust Future Classic. WILD was a Financial Times Best Book of the Year. Her latest novel\, STORM CHILD\, was a Times Book of the Week. Her books have sold to 13 countries worldwide and received more than 30 award nominations between them.  \nShe has talked about books and reading on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour\, BBC Radio London\, BBC Radio Scotland\, BBC World Service\, and to anyone who happens to be passing. She speaks regularly at schools and literary festivals\, delivering talks and workshops drawing on 20 years’ experience in the publishing industry. Ele currently holds a post as RLF (Royal Literary Fund) Fellow at the University of Reading.  \nThe event will start at 7pm with a complimentary drink available beforehand.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/cheshire-prize-for-literature-awards-evening-2/
LOCATION:University of Chester Exton Park School of Education\, University of Chester\, Parkgate Road\, Chester\, CH1 4BJ
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ele-Fountain-2-July-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T213000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T135503Z
UID:10000665-1783018800-1783027800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Research is a Laugh - Stand-Up Comedy Night!
DESCRIPTION:Think academic research isn’t your thing? Think again! \nJoin us for an evening stand-up comedy\, a new event for 2026! Researchers from across the North West will swap jargon for punchlines and take to the stage to share their work. Expect fascinating research\, silly stories\, and lots of laughs. No prior knowledge required\, just come along and discover what happens when research meets comedy! \nThis year’s Chester Festival of Ideas line-up includes: Luke Chaplin\, Kate Slade\, Sahir Hussain\, Erin Beeston\, Bethany Facer\, and Sarah McGrath!
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/research-is-a-laugh/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Performance
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:20260703T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T113000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151554Z
UID:10000666-1783074600-1783078200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Rows of Chester: A Unique Creation or a Unique Survival?
DESCRIPTION:The uniqueness of Chester’s Rows lies first in the imaginative adaptation of a common medieval building form to the city’s hilly site. However\, they would not have seemed so unusual had comparable buildings elsewhere survived better. The talk will look at parallels for the building type\, how it was adapted to the landscape\, and the historical circumstances that prompted it.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-rows-of-chester-a-unique-creation-or-a-unique-survival/
LOCATION:Chester Town Hall\, 33 Northgate Street\, Chester\, CH1 2HQ
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/66.-The-Rows-of-Chester.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151622Z
UID:10000670-1783080000-1783083600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:What have doctoral researchers in health and social care ever done for you?
DESCRIPTION:Our doctoral researchers in health and social care grapple with real-world problems that have an impact on people’s lives. From searching the literature to find out what we know and don’t know\, to exploring what happens in the real world and identifying how we can change the way we do things\, they work hard to have a positive impact on the services that you use. Some of our students will present their work to show how it can improve people’s lives.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/what-have-doctoral-researchers-in-health-and-social-care-ever-done-for-you/
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:20260703T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T133000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151650Z
UID:10000702-1783081800-1783085400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:In a World of AI\, Your Greatest Advantage is How You Relate
DESCRIPTION:AI can write your emails. Generate your leads. Build your systems. Draft your strategy. Build your business. \nThe one thing AI cannot do? Build a real relationship. \nWe need to stay present when things get hard. Navigate difference. Repair trust when it breaks. These are the key skills of the next decade. Because most challenges are relational\, not transactional. \nTEDx speaker\, author and relationship psychotherapist Kerry-Lyn Stanton-Downes has worked with over 2\,000 individuals and teams across 17 countries. In this talk she shares why the ability to regulate\, relate\, reconnect is your greatest competitive advantage and offers practical ways to start building relational capacity right now. Because the future is not about what you know. It is about how you relate.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/in-a-world-of-ai-your-greatest-advantage-is-how-you-relate/
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:20260703T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T143000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080435Z
UID:10000671-1783085400-1783089000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:From Grassroots to Greatness: why community mental health is vital to supporting local health and wellbeing
DESCRIPTION:Strong communities are the foundation of good mental health. But how do grassroots initiatives translate into real improvements in wellbeing? This panel explores the vital role of community-led mental health support in strengthening local health and resilience. Bringing together diverse perspectives\, we’ll discuss what works\, the challenges communities face\, and how local action can drive lasting change in mental health and wellbeing. \nwww.chaptermentalhealth.org
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/from-grassroots-to-greatness-why-community-mental-health-is-vital-to-supporting-local-health-and-wellbeing/
LOCATION:Chester Picturehouse\, Unit 10 Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR\, United Kingdom
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:20260703T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
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:20260703T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T160000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T173000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151904Z
UID:10000668-1783096200-1783099800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The University of Chester in 10 Objects
DESCRIPTION:This event will showcase the history of the University from its opening in 1839 to the present day. We will present ten 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:20260703T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
CREATED:20260518T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T151923Z
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T190000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T203000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195707
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195708
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:20260518T195708
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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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195708
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:20260704T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T143000
DTSTAMP:20260518T195708
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
END:VCALENDAR