A partnership between Barclays Bank plc, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Cathedral will see a major piece of the Cathedral’s architectural heritage return into the Cathedral’s care during the summer/autumn of 2023.

In 2021 the Cathedral initiated discussions with Barclays Bank and the local authority to investigate bringing the Cathedral corner currently occupied by the bank back into its care.

Not wishing to leave the city, Barclays Bank worked closely with the Cathedral and Cheshire West and Chester Council to identify new locations for the bank’s revitalised high-street banking offer.  These plans are now in place, with Barclays relocating to the Forum on Northgate Street and a second site in Abbey Square.

Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford notes “I’m delighted that the Board of Barclays Bank were so receptive to the idea of returning such an important element of the Cathedral’s fabric back into our care, and without any loss to the city – of service or employment.”

Redevelopment of the wing will be the focus of an £11m project at today’s prices – Project Discovery – which will seek to reconnect the Cathedral with the city centre and its communities, revealing the building and its contents to new and wider audiences and re-affirming it’s part in city life.

Joe Appleton, Customer Care Director for Barclays said: “By working collaboratively with Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and the Cathedral, Barclays has decided to re-locate from St Werburgh Street to two new prominent sites in the city centre that will continue to support customers with their banking needs whilst growing our local community presence.

“Barclays have operated in Chester for many years and as our customer needs evolve, it gives us the opportunity to reshape our physical branch offering to focus more on what our customers need today and in the future.

“No immediate action is required by Barclays customers and we will be in touch as soon as more details are available.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Chester Cathedral presents not only spectacular architecture but also forms part of the very history of the city that continues to place us on the world map.

“This move and huge investment into the city is the latest example of how Chester continues to build confidence and maintain its position as both a highly desirable area for residents and visitors alike. The Council is pleased to have played an important part in Barclays relocation to a prominent location that will help enliven Town Hall Square since the closure of the Forum shopping centre. I’d like to wish the best of success to both the Cathedral as it starts on its Project Discovery and to Barclays Bank as it moves to its new home.”

Work on Project Discovery is intended to commence in autumn 2023, and be substantially complete in 2028.  Updates will be available on chestercathedral.com

Chester based Sykes Holiday Cottages has become the first member of the West Cheshire Museums Adopt an Object Scheme. Launched in April the scheme encourages businesses to adopt an object to support work and collections in all four museums. Sykes Holiday Cottages have adopted a life size model of a Roman Soldier at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum. Brittany Lange and Chloe Jones from Sykes Holiday Cottages recently visited the museum to see the model and meet Kate Harland, Museums and Heritage Manager and Elizabeth Montgomery, Senior Curator for West Cheshire Museums. Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “I am delighted that Sykes Holiday Cottages, are continuing to support the Grosvenor Museum as supporters of this new scheme. Our museums house hundreds of wonderful objects and by adopting some of these businesses can support West Cheshire Museums in caring for their collections and engaging with visitors of all ages.” Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages commented: “Sykes Holiday Cottages are proud to be ongoing sponsors of the Grosvenor Museum. As a B Corp certified business, we aim to contribute positively towards both the planet and its people. We’re thrilled to be doing so by supporting the wonderful opportunity provided by our local gem, Grosvenor Museum.” Photo from left to right: Kate Harland, Museums and Heritage Manager, Brittany Lange and Chloe Jones from Sykes Holiday Cottages and Elizabeth Montgomery, Senior Curator, next to the model of the Roman Soldier at the Grosvenor Museum.ENDS

New bins that will compact an impressive 1,000 plus litres of rubbish inside are to be installed across Chester city centre.

During June, Cheshire West and Chester Council teams will install 57 of the new bins, which use innovative solar technology so energy can be collected, even without direct sunlight, ensuring optimum performance all year round.

The new bins will also include a foot pedal, so you don’t have to use your hands to open the bin and they even have the option to thank people for depositing their rubbish with a cheery voice message.  It is hoped this facility will be activated soon after installation.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said: “These smart bins are ideal for use in very busy areas with high footfall, like the city centre.

“They store over 1,000 litres of rubbish and use smart technology to let us know when they’re ready to be emptied, ensuring our street stay litter free while making efficiency savings and cutting C0₂ emissions, by reducing the number of vehicle journeys to empty them.

“We made a commitment in our Waste Management Strategy to provide good quality and appropriate bins that make it easy for residents and visitors to dispose of their waste in the right way.”

The Council will ensure minimum disruption while the new bins are being installed, but there may be missing or duplicate bins in some areas for a very short time.

Following installation of all bins, QR codes will also be applied to the bins, so any damage to the bin can be reported.

Chester Festival Chorus will take to the stage at Storyhouse on Sunday 18^th June at 3pm as they join The Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) for an uplifting concert featuring works by celebrated composers including Brahms, Beethoven and John Tavener. The concert in Chester follows on from a successful series of concerts staged by the NCO during 2022 and will be conducted by Ellie Slorach, Founder and Artistic Director of Kantos Chamber Choir.

Entitled “Songs of Destiny”, the concert will take the audience on a journey through musical history from Hildegard Von Bingen’s 12^th century plainchant Spritus Sanctus Vivificans through to James MacMillan’s ‘O Radiant Dawn of 2007. 

The concert’s title comes from Brahms’ work Schicksalslied, “Song of Destiny”. It is based on the classical German poem Hyperions Schicksalslied which contrasts the euphoric lives of Immortals in heaven with the uneasy existence of mortals.

Speaking about the Composers whose work is included in the concert, Andy Ashton of Chester Festival Chorus said “Several of the composers in the programme have something in common – they have either themselves experienced visions, or the music is based on the visions of others. From early childhood, Hildegard von Bingen’s spirituality was rooted in what she called the reflection of the living Light; visions that inspired her writings. Sally Beamish’s Showings uses texts by 14th century anchoress Julian of Norwich, who received a series of visions during an illness. In her teachings, Julian presents an extraordinary hopefulness and serenity in the face of the significant suffering of her time. Beamish’s composition does not exist in recorded form, nor can it be downloaded so it can only be experienced live. John Tavener is also known for his expressions of deep spirituality in music, and Song for Athene, written in tribute to a family friend who passed away in an accident, came to him fully formed at her funeral and expresses hope beyond the grave. In this astonishing work for voices only, the second Basses sing only one note, but it lasts for the entire lenght of the piece.”

Speaking about the concert, The Northern Chamber Orchestra said “We are thrilled to be joined for this concert at Storyhouse by the Chester Festival Chorus, one of the Northwest’s leading large-scale mixed-voice choirs for what we are sure will be a joyous, celebratory afternoon of music.”

Ahead of the concert, Chester Festival Chorus have put together a special Spotify playlist which features the songs which are set to performed at Storyhouse. To download the playlist, simply search @ChesterChorus on Twitter and click on the link.

Full details of “Songs of Destiny” can be found at www.storyhouse.com where tickets can be bought online. Alternatively, contact the Storyhouse Box Office on 01244 409 113

Storyhouse is set to fill Grosvenor Park with a spectacular and unmissable programme of performances, events and activities this summer. 

The Great Midsummer Spectacular from Storyhouse will fill Grosvenor Park this summer and will include comedy, music, children’s theatre and a murder mystery evening, all taking place within the atmospheric surroundings of the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre village. 

There will also be events around Chester Disability Pride and an open mic night. 

The programme runs from 2 July to 27 August and has been designed to create a fantastic festival feel and complement the annual open air theatre season which this year features productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Great Gatsby. 

The Great Midsummer Spectacular opens on Sunday, 2 July with a return to the park for popular Chester duo Me + Deboe.  

Last season the talented pair created original music for Grosvenor Park’s Romeo and Juliet. Expect witty lyrics and sumptuous vocal harmonies when they perform a set amid the atmospheric, fairylight surroundings of the open-air theatre tepee. 

The tepee bar is also playing host to a series of Comedy Nights, hosted by Danny McLoughlin who brings his sharp wit, likeable persona and strong stage presence to Grosvenor Park. 

The first comedy evening takes place on Thursday 6 July and along with Danny McLoughlin it features Bethany Black and Martin Mor. 

A second comedy evening runs on Saturday 15 July where he will be joined by Hatty Preston and Louise Young, while the third will take place on Sunday 23 July and features guest comedians Justin Moorhouse and Adam Staunton. 

Mai 68 Records continues its association with Storyhouse. The Chester-based independent record label and gig promoter programmed last summer’s music sessions in the park as well as co-producing the popular Storyhouse Sessions at Hunter Street. 

Now it returns to stage Storyhouse Summer Sessions in the tepee on Friday 7 July. 

The third Chester Disability Pride Parade – part of the annual Kaleidoscope Festival – takes place on Monday 10 July, with the route starting at Chester Town Hall and ending at Grosvenor Park where there will be a performance from actor and disability activist Paul Wilshaw, poetry, choir and brass band performances, and pop-up workshops and activities as well as a chance to mingle, eat, drink and relax.   

Dee Sign Choir takes over the tepee at teatime on Sunday 16 July. Based in Chester, Dee Sign Choir was established in 1997 as one of the UK’s original signing choirs and has been entertaining and enthralling audiences ever since. 

And on Saturday 22 July it’s the turn of the Port Sunlight Sea Dogs to entertain. Hoist the mainsail and listen to shanties and wistful ballads which tell of a sailor’s hard life, of heroes and villains, of distant ports and cruel seas. 

The August programme opens with City of Curses: A Murder Mystery Trial. The event on Sunday 6 August

Chester Ukes appear in the tepee on Sunday 13 August. The ‘Ukes’ bring pazazz and panache to any event, with a wide and lively repertoire of songs delivered with that distinctive ukulele sound. 

Then on Saturday 19 August there is an Open Mic night. Catch some talented performers as they step up to the microphone in the tepee bar as part of 2023 Pride weekend celebrations. 

And finally, Storyhouse associate artists Goofus Theatre visit the park from Friday 25 August to Sunday 27 August to enchant and entertain young theatre-lovers. The Knutsford-based theatre company for children mix singing, music, actors, acrobats, clowning and puppets into one irresistible storytelling style.   

Storyhouse Producer Helen Redcliffe says: “We’ve got a fantastic summer of entertainment planned for Grosvenor Park this season. 

“Last year was the first time we had staged a whole programme of events around our main shows, and it was really well received by our audiences. 

“We’re building on that this year in our Great Midsummer Spectacular with its mixture of returning favourites and new performers, and a programme which embraces music, comedy and theatre along with celebrations for both Chester Disability Pride and the city’s main Pride weekend too. 

For more details and to book visit www.storyhouse.com