As world leaders gather in Glasgow for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) to make their pledges and set out their plans to combat the climate and ecological crisis, Chester Cathedral look to tackle the question “What impact can little old me really make?” The exhibition with over 20 exhibits including topics such as Energy, Transport, Waste, Climate action, Education and much more. Organisations in attendance include Chester Supertrees, The Beaver Trust, HyNet North West and Vauxhall. There will also be free talks from experts in the field of Transport, Land Use and adaptation, Waste and Carbon Capture with panel discussions including local MPs about the big sustainability questions facing society in the coming decades. Free entry.
Members of one of Chester’s top male voice choirs have re-dedicated an oak tree in Chester’s Grosvenor Park as part of special events to celebrate the choir’s 80th Anniversary. The tree, planted 30 years ago to mark The Cestrian Male Voice Choir’s 50th Anniversary had all but been forgotten about until John Walsh, Chairman of the choir which is now known as Chester Male Voice Choir, was told about it by long-serving member Lance Howie. To John’s amazement, Lance presented him with a photograph of the tree planting ceremony in Chester’s Grosvenor Park which was held way back in 1991. Luckily for the choir, Lance remembered the oak tree’s location in the park and so members set out to find it and make plans to provide a new commemorative plaque as part of its current 80th anniversary celebrations. Speaking about re-dedicating the tree for the Choir’s 80th Anniversary, John Walsh said “Despite having been a member of the choir since 2010 and being Secretary and Chairman over 5 of those years, I was not aware that we had a 50th anniversary commemorative oak tree planted in Grosvenor Park until earlier this year when I was given a photo of the planting ceremony by long serving member Lance Howie. Lance was there but took the photo so he’s not on it! He told me where the tree was located and we went to find it. We hadn’t imagined how big it would be 30 years later! – it’s now a beautiful mature tree over 10 metres tall.”The choir is now looking forward to filling its diary with concerts and events post lockdown including a special 80th Anniversary concert at Chester Cathedral on 16th July 2022 with special guests, the famous and world renowned Foden’s Band. Full details of the choir, upcoming concerts, events and how to get involved can be found at www.chestermalevoice.com
The tree planting in 1991 30 years later…
Now open on the University of Chester campus is The Reduce, Reuse Recycle Sustainable shop. The shop open 9 – 4.30 Monday to Friday offers a drop and swap clothing area where students can swap items or buy clothes for as little as £1. The team at University of Chester said: “We have a large range of weigh and save products from pasta to hand wash. People can bring their own containers or buy reusable bottles from the shop. We also stock university grown produce and plants from our gardeners! Finally there is a community fridge which has a range short dated food too good to waste! Portions of curry for example that otherwise would ha r gone in waste are chilled down and sold for £1. we also have introduced a fresh milk dispenser! The main thinking behind it is to reduce waste and become more sustainable but it also helps students (and indeed staff) who may be struggling financially with cheap food. ”
Trading Standards departments in Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, and Warrington Councils are inviting local businesses to a free workshop to help them comply with crucial laws and regulations around food allergens and labelling. The online workshop will take place on Wednesday 10November from 2pm to 4:30pm. The workshop comes after Natasha’s Law came into force on 1 October which brought significant changes for labelling of food pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS). PPDS is food which is packaged at the same place it is offered or sold to consumers and is in this packaging before it is ordered or selected. It can include food that consumers select themselves (for example, from a display unit), as well as products kept behind a counter and some food sold at mobile or temporary outlets. This law is named after the late Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction at just 15 years of age after eating an ‘artichoke, olive and tapenade’ baguette purchased at Pret a Manger. Natasha had a sesame allergy and wasn’t aware that sesame seeds had been pre-baked into the bread. Any food business selling PPDS food will be required to label it with the name of the food and full list of ingredients with allergenic ingredients emphasised within the list. To sign up for the online workshop which will take place, businesses are asked to go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/managing-allergens-for-food-and-drink-businesses-tickets-190199781667. You will have an opportunity to submit your questions in advance and the link to attend will be sent directly to you.
8- 14 November is North West Sexual Violence Awareness Week with organisations across the North West coming together to raise awareness of sexual violence and the support services available to survivors. The initiative is led by North West Police and Crime Commissioners, police authorities, and sexual assault and abuse services. Each day throughout the week a county will be hosting their own dedicated event/activity to raise awareness within their communities. These range from art installations from university students to moments of reflection and remembrance in the form of vigils, all of which aim to engage local communities and promote the support available to survivors of sexual violence. In addition, iconic buildings such as the Blackpool Tower, Chester’s Clock Tower and Merseyside’s Radio City tower will all be lit up purple in solidarity for survivors of sexual violence. Cheshire events on Friday 12th November include : A live Q&A on Cheshire Polices Facebook page with experts from the support services and police (11am). from 12-3 there will be a stalled event at the University of Chester Campus featuring representatives from local support organisations which is open to everyone. From 8-9pm there will be a vigil at the Cross for people to take a moment and reflect and remember those who have experienced sexual violence. For the full programme of events visit https://sexualviolencesupport.co.uk/campaigns/nwsvweek/
Events at Garden Social (Catherine Street) over the next few months include : Comedy Night on the 14th November (Sold out, but the venue are happy to put names on list for returns) 21st November- Supper club hosted by Meze and more . Macrame workshop on 25th November with Knot Half Bad and a Christmas Market on 11th December . The coffee shop opened in the Garden quarter back in March.
Hoole lights are crowdfunding for their annual switch on event. Say the Committee : “The amazing Hoole Christmas lights have been a part of the local community for the past 21 years. It brings the community and surrounding areas together during the festive period and is a lovely addition to the neighbourhood. All of this requires a lot of organisation behind the scenes which starts early in the year. A big part of this is ensuring that the lights are safe and meet the required regulations, this unfortunately brings with it associated costs. If everyone in Hoole could spare just a few pounds it would ensure the safety and the future of the Hoole lights for many more years to come.” The lights will be switched on Saturday 20th November, one person who donates will be drawn from a hat and will win the honour of turning on the lights. At time of writing 50% of the £1500 target has been raised. To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hoole-christmaslights
Coming up on the 18th November : ‘Cheshire Crimes and Capers’ , Cheshire Archives and Local Studies and Cheshire West and Chester Libraries are partnering up to deliver an online exploration of true crime through time. If you want to hear some of the tales from Cheshire’s grizzly underbelly, this streamed story-telling event will be perfect for you. Featuring tales of highwaymen, murder mysteries, alleged witchcraft, and prolific local thieves, this event will be a chance to find out about the criminals, both alleged and proven, who have made Cheshire their home over the years. The event will feature staff from both services discussing the controversial characters and events they’ve found most intriguing, and discussing how they shaped the history of the Cheshire. It will be livestreamed via Cheshire West Libraries’ Facebook page at 7pm. While everyone is welcome, some of these stories may not be suitable for young children, so please be aware when watching from home. Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cwaclibrary
Finally a new sculpture has been erected outside the long awaited Shot Tower development. The work by Colin Spofforth Studio is entitled ” Mr Walker”. The life size figure made of bronze and stainless steel, the art celebrates the history of the lead shot industry. The Shot Tower was famously used to make lead shot for muskets in the Napoleonic wars and is one of only 3 towers still standing in the UK. http://colinspofforth.com/about.php
The Chester blog 