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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Festival of Ideas
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260702T153000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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:20260703T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T163000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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:20260703T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T173000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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:20260518T184154
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
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:20260703T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T190000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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:20260703T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T203000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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
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:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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
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:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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
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:20260704T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T143000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
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
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:20260704T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T150000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184154
CREATED:20260518T080052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T153152Z
UID:10000674-1783173600-1783177200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Rome's Cutting Edge: The Auxiliaries
DESCRIPTION:Discover Rome’s cutting edge: The Auxiliary Soldiers. Recruited from across the empire\, these specialist troops helped the Roman army conquer new lands and face unfamiliar enemies. Often dismissed as second-class legionaries\, they were in fact essential to Rome’s success. Join us as we uncover who they were\, what they did\, and why their story matters.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/romes-cutting-edge-the-auxiliaries/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/26.-Romans-Cutting-Edge.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T153000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T152500Z
UID:10000744-1783173600-1783179000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Ship that Chester Built: Exploring Chester’s links with slavery
DESCRIPTION:In 1750\, the St George was built in Chester’s shipyard. In three separate voyages\, she carried a total of 662 enslaved people from Bonny on the coast of West Africa to plantations in the Caribbean. Join the project team for an interactive walking tour of some of the key sites in Chester connected with the history of transatlantic slavery. We’ll explore vanished shipyards\, sugar refineries\, shops and workshops. And we’ll see where some of the people who invested in such slave voyages lived. \nThis walk starts at 30 St Werburgh Street (part of the Cathedral complex) and ends in the Cathedral itself. Please access 30 St Werburgh Street using the entrance on Werburgh Street\, which was previously the customer entrance to Barclays Bank. \nYou will be visiting a historic site/area – please mind your step. The walk will run come rain or shine\, do come prepared.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-ship-that-chester-built-exploring-chesters-links-with-slavery/
LOCATION:Chester Cathedral\, St Werburgh Street\, Chester\, CH1 2DY\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Walk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/95.-Ship-that-Chester-built.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T170000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080848Z
UID:10000654-1783180800-1783184400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:You can write a song! 10 ways to get started.
DESCRIPTION:“I wish I could write a song\, but I don’t know where to start…” \nThis is a super practical workshop to remove the fear of the blank page and give you tools to start writing your own songs. \nWe’ll look specifically at lyric-writing. No instrument needed! \nAdam 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. \nadamkirkup.com\ninstagram.com/adamkirkup
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/you-can-write-a-song-10-ways-to-get-started/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Interactive / Creative Event,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/18.-You-can-write-a-song.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T120000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T145806Z
UID:10000683-1783249200-1783252800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Cheshire Longbowmen: England's Elite Archers
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-cheshire-longbowmen-englands-elite-archers/
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/2026/04/25.-The-Cheshire-Longbowmen-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T120000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080010Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T153302Z
UID:10000696-1783249200-1783252800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Leprosy and Smallpox: how our Chester ancestors experienced the devastation of these ancient diseases
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/leprosy-and-smallpox-how-our-chester-ancestors-experienced-the-devastation-of-these-ancient-diseases/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/86.-Leprosy-and-Smallpox.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T133000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T080941Z
UID:10000686-1783254600-1783258200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:‘It turned us yellow all over’: Health Care Provision for Munition Workers During the First World War.
DESCRIPTION: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. \nPicture Source: Leeds Library and Information Service.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/it-turned-us-yellow-all-over-health-care-provision-for-munition-workers-during-the-first-world-war/
LOCATION:Storyhouse Garret Theatre\, Hunter Street\, Chester\, CH1 2AR
CATEGORIES:Public Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/94.-It-turned-us-yellow-all-over-caption-required-see-spreadsheet-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152441Z
UID:10000688-1783256400-1783260000@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Lucy Andrew\, author of A Very Vexing Murder
DESCRIPTION:Join Dr Lucy Andrew\, former Senior Literature 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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/in-conversation-with-lucy-andrew-author-of-a-very-vexing-murder/
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/2026/04/57.-In-conversation-with-Lucy-Andrew.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T143000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152522Z
UID:10000690-1783258200-1783261800@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:'How NOT to Flee a War'
DESCRIPTION: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.\nWhat 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.\nRather 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. \nBiographies\nMaria 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.\nJez 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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/how-not-to-flee-a-war/
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/2026/04/21.-How-NOT-to-flee-a-war.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T150000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152458Z
UID:10000689-1783260000-1783263600@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The science of fuelling for endurance sports: what's on the plate?
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/the-science-of-fuelling-for-endurance-sports-whats-on-the-plate/
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/2024/05/32.-The-science-of-fuelling-for-endurance-sports-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T153000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T152542Z
UID:10000714-1783261800-1783265400@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Merlin's Isle: Acclaimed poet Malcolm Guite's explores the Christian elements to the myth and why it has been eroded
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/merlins-isle-acclaimed-poet-malcolm-guites-explores-the-christian-elements-to-the-myth-and-why-it-has-been-eroded/
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/2026/04/36.-Merlins-Isle.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260705T160000
DTSTAMP:20260518T184155
CREATED:20260518T080052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T150633Z
UID:10000691-1783263600-1783267200@festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Interviewing the IRA: Criminological Approaches to Research in Post-Conflict Zones
DESCRIPTION: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. \n  \nThe 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
URL:https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/event/interviewing-the-ira-criminological-approaches-to-research-in-post-conflict-zones/
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/2026/04/88.-Interviewing-the-IRA.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR