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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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T120000
DTSTAMP:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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:20260518T194833
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
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