The exhibition will be held at D’Meltin Pot, Watergate Row, Chester.

The viewing will be held on September 17th with the exhibition open to the public until September 26th.

uRbaN Relations @ D’Meltin Pot

An exhibition of work by 18 year old local artist, Ali Holden, goes on show at D’Meltin Pot, Chester from September 17th. This work is a combination of paintings and photography, covering everything from seascapes to football, urban decay to portraiture and landscapes to architecture.

“It’s a real eclectic mix of subject matter and I like to work in lots of different media building up layers of information.” said Ali Holden, “ It’s my 1st solo exhibition and I just hope that lots of people get to see it, as I think there is something for everyone.”

Please join us uRbaN relations exhibition :

Private Viewing : Friday September 17th : 7pm
D’Meltin Pot
Watergate Row
Chester DJ : Bar : Music : Exhibition

The exhibition will remain open to the public until September 26th. For further information please call 07849110398 or email j.holden@staffs.ac.uk

Victoria Road

Chester

CH2 2AU

01244 380 444

About Northgate Arena and CADSART

Northgate Arena Leisure Centre is the biggest sports and recreation centre in Chester. Built on the site of the old Northgate railway station in the 1970s the facility houses swimming pools, sauna, gym, two large sports halls, two smaller halls, three squash courts and other smaller rooms for other sports.

Northgate Arena is currently run by the Chester and District Sports and Recreation Trust (CADSART); who operate as a non-profit organisation. Contracted by the local authority, CADSART was one of the first Trusts of its kind. Their success at the Northgate Arena and their other sites has led to many similar Trust relationships with authorities providing excellent results for the community.

Not just a Swimming Pool!

Not stopping at simply being a sports centre, the halls are hired out and used for all sorts of events including antique, toy, train, postcard and computer fairs.

The Leisure Centre is also the chosen venue of a variety of martial art clubs who use the smaller sports halls to practise their art. Disciplines you can see here at the Northgate Arena include ju-jitsu, kung-fu, Thai boxing and Ninjutsu.

As an integral part of the Chester community the Northgate Arena is also the base to a number of local sports teams including the Chester Jets and the Wheelchair Jets, the Chester Ladies Netball League, the Pepsi Max Junior Handball League and the West Cheshire Athletic Club.

For special events the two large halls can be set-up to form one large venue and is particularly known for holding significant boxing and kick boxing matches, some of which are screened on satellite television. For these events the Northgate Arena can hold up to 1,200 spectators.

Northgate Arena Opening Times

Northgate Arena is open from 6.30am until 10.30pm and has free parking for its visitors.

Revive Cafe

Refreshments can be taken in the Revive Cafe:

Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm

Weekends 9am to 5pm

The Arena can be booked for children’s parties, meetings and conferences for up to a huge 800 people.

Creche Facilities

There is a small crèche, looked after by fully trained staff, available for visitors to the centre.

There are only places for 15 children so it is best to ring ahead and book, if you want to use this service.

The crèche is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 12.30am, perfect timing for a long swim and relax in the sauna before you go back to your day.

Get Fit!

The centre runs over thirty different kinds of fitness classes, so no chance of using boredom of routine as an excuse not to work out!

Gym facilities are open during centre opening times and with over one hundred exercise stations you will be feeling  fit after a full work-out.

If it is your first time, or you simply are not sure of how to use the equipment for the best results, the team here will help set you up and even design a personal plan of exercise for you.

Other centres managed by CADSART
http://www.cadsart.co.uk/
info@cadsart.co.uk

Christleton Sports Centre
Christleton High School
Plough Lane
Christleton
Cheshire
CH3 7AS
01244 336664

Woodford Lodge
Woodford Lane West
Winsford
Cheshire
CW7 4EH
01606 596 984 (after 5pm)
 
Malpas Sports Centre
Bishop Heber High School
Chester Road
Malpas
Cheshire
SY14 8JD
01948 860487 Mon-Fri 5-11pm,
outside this time 01244 336664

Westminster Park Golf Club
Hough Green
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 8JQ
01244 681605

Caldy Valley Neighbourhood Church and Centre
http://caldyvalleychurch.org.uk/

Caldy Valley Road

Chester

Chester

CH3 5PR

01244 318450

Caldy Valley Neighbourhood Centre has its own coffee bar which is open from 130am until 4.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and from 10.30am until 12.30am on Saturday mornings.

Caldy Valley is not only a church but home to all sort s of regular events for the community such as: the Frantic Club, Hectic Club and Manic Clubs – youth clubs aimed at particular age groups with activities they will all enjoy. The Brownies also meet here on Tuesdays.

Alongside regular prayer groups a number of societies use the Caldy Valley Neighbourhood Centre as a meeting place. Why not come along and join the Rambling Club or try your hand at indoor bowling or the Sewing and Handcraft Group.

Elton Community Centre

http://www.eltoncommunity.webeden.co.uk/

School Lane

Chester

Cheshire

CH2 4LT

01928 726 461

Elton Community Centre is wholly financed by its fundraising capabilities and is a registered charity.

Regular events are held throughout the week including exercise classes, kick-boxing, taekwondo, line dancing and the over 50s club.

Rooms are available to hire for your event or special occasion on Saturdays and Sundays.

Blacon Community Centre

http://www.blacon.org.uk/

Church Way

Blacon

Chester

Cheshire

CH1 5HS

01244 372 370

Blacon Community Centre is a small centre but still manages to look after its community with the playgroup, afternoon dance sessions and club for the elderly in the area.

Blacon Community Centre can be booked for special occasions and if you wish they will open the licensed bar for you event.

The centre is also used to host charity events to raise funds for the Community Association.

Hoole Community Centre

Westminster Road

Chester

Cheshire

CH2 3AU

01244 342 741

Hoole Community Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until around 11pm; and from 2.30pm to 11.30pm on Sundays.

Hoole Community Centre is a hive of local activity with regularly held Bridge, Line Dancing, Ballet, Bingo, Dog Training, Thai Chi, Yoga and Art.

A host of adult and further education courses are available during term-times and many of the local clubs and organisations use Hoole Community Centre as their meeting point.

Rooms are available to hire whether for an event, meeting or for celebrations.

Lache Community Centre

http://www.lachepark.co.uk/

Hawthorne Road

Chester

Cheshire

CH4 8HX

01244 674 887

Lache Community Centre is an integral part of Lache. Plenty of local groups use it as their base and practise centre including:  children’s dance troupe, martial arts, Lache Luncheon Club, Saturday morning children’s Club and two voluntary Bingo Clubs.

Lache Community Centre has a number of different areas and its own licensed bar which can be hired from the Council for your special event or occasion.

The Centre is also home to the Lache Community Development Project.

Vernon Institute

Saughall Community Centre

Church Road

Chester

Cheshire

CH1 6EN

01244 880 474

Vernon Insitute is a grand looking building, with an impressive clock-tower, on Church Road in Saughall, Chester.

The community centre is a great place for all the locals to meet and is home to many regular group meetings.

Here at the Vernon Institute you will find the Saughall Gardening Club, Golden Link Club, Junior Badminton Club and the School of Spirit.  There are two day centres for the elderly at the Vernon Institute as well as very popular meetings of Rainbow, Brownies and the Guides. Other youth groups who meet here include football, table-tennis, cricket and snooker clubs.
 

http://www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.co.uk/
The Castle

Grosvenor Street

Chester

Cheshire

CH1 2DN

01244 327617

The Cheshire Military Museum is a fascinating museum which can be found in the grounds of Chester Castle. The museum has so much military history that it is bursting at the seams.

The Cheshire Military Museum centres on the military history of regiments from the Chester and Cheshire area including the Cheshire Yeomanry, the Cheshire Regiment, the 3rd Carabiniers and the 5th Royal Iniskilling Dragoon Guards.

The Military Museum also has a section dedicated to remembering the importance of the role women held within the armed forces, during and after World War Two. This exhibition offers an insight into the lives of women during the war when they were left alone as their men left the home to fight for their country.

The Cheshire Military Museum is open all year, seven days a week from 10am to 5pm, with the exception of two weeks over the Christmas period when it is closed.

To find out the charges to visit the museum or book a place then a simple telephone call to the museum will arrange everything for you. For those who want a souvenir there is a shop on site.

How to get to the Cheshire Military Museum

To visit the Cheshire Military Museum by car follow the A483 towards Wrexham and turn off of the city ring road at the A5268. Turn right onto Grosvenor Road and follow the road into Pepper Street where there is a car park.

Once out of the car walk westwards towards the A483 and A5268 junction where the Chester Castle will be visible.

To visit the museum by public transport it is a twenty minute walk from the train station.

Chester Credit Union
Trail Federation Offices
Henry Place
Newtown
Chester
CH1 3HY

01244 399 006

01244 399 040

The Chester Credit Union is a non-profit organisation, has been operating since 2004, and works entirely to meet its member’s needs.

Chester Credit Union aims to help its members re-organise their finances to enable them to cope with daily financial demands; as well as helping them to budget, with the possibility of saving and reducing their chances of getting into financial difficulties in the future.

What is the Chester Credit Union?

Credit Unions have been established in the UK since the 1960s.

The Chester Credit Union offers an alternative to the loan-shark when you are really struggling to make ends meet; and it is their intention to make the UK loan-shark free.

There is nothing worse than trying to decide between paying the rent, the credit card or the gas bill. When the responsibility falls to you to simply keep your household intact if you don’t feel you will get the response you need from your bank, or don’t even have a bank account, then the Chester Credit Union may be able to help you.

At the Chester Credit Union services are managed by financial professionals from the local area who give their time voluntarily to help the local community with money matters. Professionals also ensure that the Chester Credit Union is operating within the Financial Services Authority (FSA) guidelines.

Chester City Council are sponsors of the Chester Credit Union and help them to achieve their aims.

What services can the Chester Credit Union offer me?

Chester Credit Union offers advice and action on helping you with financial problems. They have developed a ‘Safekeepers’ account for junior members; as it is never too early to start learning how to be careful with your money.

The Credit Union in Chester is also working to encourage employers to operate direct payroll deductions into savings accounts with the Credit Union. This is a great way to save money; as if you never receive it you can’t spend it!

Loan- sharks will lend anyone money in their time of need but you will find that they are regulated only by themselves. Extortionate rates of interest are put on their loans and they will change the terms and conditions of that loan anytime they feel like it. It is not unheard of for loan-sharks to use threatening and violent tactics when money is not repaid.

Chester Credit Union can provide extremely low rate loans and will lend very small amounts, unlike the banks, with low weekly payments. Total amounts repayable are much lower than standard loan rates.

How can you help the Chester Credit Union?

As a non-profit organisation the Chester Credit Union is always looking for volunteers to help run its collection points, keep the accounts straight and to help with administration.

Volunteering at the Chester Credit Union is a fantastic way to help out in a really useful way for your community. You will learn new skills, with full training provided, meet loads of new people and be able to genuinely help people in need with the Credit Union’s services.

How do I join the Chester Credit Union?

If you live within the local area or district you may qualify for membership of the Chester Credit Union. You can visit their website and fill in an application form at www.chestercreditunion.com.

If you don’t have access to the internet, or simply prefer to speak to someone face-to-face, all the services provided by the Chester Credit Union can be accessed at their collection points in Chester:

Kingsway Coffee Shop                                    
Kingsway
Newton
CH2 2LJ
Fridays 10am to 12pm

Hoole                                                                  
30-32 Charles Street
Hoole
Chester
Thursdays 12 noon – 3pm

Chester and District Housing Trust Offices   
19 The Parade
Blacon
Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 12pm

Blacon Library                                                                                 
Weston Avenue
10am to 11.30am

Blacon Community Centre
Fridays 7pm to 8pm                                

Lache Community Centre                                 
Hawthorn Road                                                  
Lache
Mondays 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Thursdays 7pm to 8pm

Chester and District Housing Trust Offices    
Centurion House
Northgate Street
Chester
CH1 2HQ
Mondays and Wednesdays 10am to 2pm

Spanning a length of 2 miles (3 kilometres) are protected and cared for by Cheshire County Council, with much of the wall being Grade I listed. Also, being designated as a scheduled ancient monument denotes the walls as significant of ‘national importance’ in our country’s history.

Dating back to AD79, the walls were put up to defend the newly built Roman fortress against the Welsh. The earth and wood structure, which enclosed a rectangular area typical of Roman cities, was rebuilt with more defensive stone walls as early as the 1st century, and through to the 3rd. The new walls were more solid in structure; with the inclusion of gates to enter the city by.

After the demise of the Roman Empire, around AD400, the walls were largely left to deteriorate. Only the threat of invasion by the Vikings, around AD907, encouraged Queen Ethelfleda to order the Saxons to extend the walls further down the River Dee; and to ensure the renewed fortification of the City.

The walls were further extended, around AD1070, after Chester Cathedral had been built. This addition was designed to protect the, then called, Roodee; which was a shipping port, and is now the site of the Chester Racecourse.

Thereafter, it was the Norman’s who were responsible for completing the walls to encircle the entire city. During this time towers and more decorative gateways were added, although many are no longer present.

The Chester walls failed to protect the city during the attacks on the Royalists and King Charles I, by the Parliamentarians, during the English Civil War. The city walls were badly damaged during the successful invasion. After King Charles had fled; the city had no choice but to surrender.

During the Georgian period, many of the towers and gates placed by the Normans were removed and the extensive breaches made by the Cromwell’s men were repaired and restored. The Georgians added many of the stylish arches and made the walls into the promenade around which we walk today.

The Victorians made their own mark to the city walls, most famously with the addition of the Eastgate clock, in 1899. This clock, which commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, is often pictured on postcards of Chester, and is an ideal place to start your walk around the city walls. From Eastgate, you can look right down Eastgate to see the black and white buildings and the vitality of the city below.

Walking around the city walls of Chester will take around an hour and a half, and will take you through some enchanting attractions. Some areas can be a little difficult to pass, though there are access/exit points all along the walk.

The walls will take you past the Cathedral and the relatively new Addleshaw Bell Tower; built in 1975, as the Cathedral’s tower was no longer strong enough to support the bells.

Other sites you will see include: Kaleyards Gate, Deanery Fields, Phoenix Tower (also known as King Charles; this is the tower from which King Charles watched the attacks on the city before fleeing), Shropshire Union Canal, remains of the original Roman Wall, Northgate, St.Martin’s Gate, Watergate, Chester Castle, Bridgegate, Watchtower, Newgate, Wolfgate, Roman Amphitheatre and Thimbley’sTower.

The Friends Group was established in 1991 and their aim is to preserve the beauty and integrity of the Park not only for visitors but for the wildlife. Almost one hundred different bird species have been spotted at the Park with the water-fed areas attracting kingfisher, moorhens and mallards. Records show over 280 different species of flower within the Park and twenty species of butterfly.

Many species found in the Park are very rare in the region as a result of excessive building on surrounding areas; making Caldy Nature Park an essential haven for wildlife.

The Caldy Nature Park was formed in the 1980s, during the development of Boughton Heath and Huntington, when Chester City Council requested pockets of the land to be donated to create a space for wildlife to inhabit and for people to enjoy.

The Friends Group, Chester City Council and Mike O’Kell have worked to establish different environments within the Park’s land to increase the variety of species of plants and animals who wish to inhabit the Park. You will find ponds, streams, wetlands, wildflower meadow, butterfly garden and areas of woodland and scrub.

Numerous members of the Friends work tirelessly to provide tours around the Nature Park and also to carefully record numbers and types of species within the Park. The Friends also make sure that all the wildlife are living harmoniously together and make reports of any works required to maintain the stability of the habitat.

The Park has been designated as a Site of Biological Importance by Chester City Council, which allows it to be protected from some of the processes involved in planning and building on land.

Pond dipping is popular at Caldy Nature Park with all sorts of discoveries to be made in the ponds at Wellfield, Malcolm’s Scrape and the Brook. You can borrow the equipment needed and charts to help you identify what you have found from the Friends at the Park.

Caldy Valley Park holds regular events throughout the year. If you are local you can find details posted on the notice-boards at the Park entrances.

Caldy Valley Park
http://www.clocsen.org/caldy/welcome.html

Address:
Caldy Nature Park

Caldy Valley Road

Huntington

Chester

Cheshire

01244 351 066

Though unconfirmed, it is thought that Chester Castle was mounted on fortifications built by the Saxons. What is known is that the castle was built in 1070, in the motte and bailey style, with a wooden tower.

The castle was built by Hugh Lupus, the first Earl of Chester, also referred to as ‘The Wolf’; who was an important man in Norman England. In Norman style Hugh Lupus built himself a large and imposing castle to ensure that the English people of Chester understood who was in charge.

By the 12th century work was underway, under the watchful eyes of Henry III and Edward I, to improve the habitability of the castle. The original entrance to the inner bailey gave way to the Agricola Tower, an impressive stone tower structure which offered greater protection to those within.

In the 13th century an outer bailey was built to increase the size of the castle and later on a gateway with towers either side were constructed with a draw bridge over a moat.

Also built around this time was the Chapel of St Mary de Castro which had its ancient paintings revealed during refurbishment and removal of whitewash from the walls in the 1980s.

In the 1640’s the castle saw the civil war of England come to its doorstep with the castle holding Royalist soldiers besieged by the soldiers of the Parliamentarians. Upon the finish of the civil war the castle became a prison, like many castles in England at the time, and was also used as a court and tax office.

Chester Castle Today

The medieval shire hall at the castle today holds the Chester Crown Courts. The imposing Grade I listed shire hall building gives an air of grandeur that offers the Crown Courts a magnificent place to uphold the law.

To the left of the shire hall are the old barracks of the castle that have held many Cheshire regiments over hundreds and hundreds of years. Today this building is the home of the Cheshire Military Museum which gives superb insights into the military history of Chester and the surrounding Cheshire areas.

From within the Castle you can see the vestiges of possibly the oldest of the stone towers. Once a tower standing at the centre of the motte with impressive wooden palisade right around its top the Flag Tower is still standing but only its lower half remains.

Visiting Chester Castle

To visit Chester Castle by car follow the A483 towards Wrexham and turn off of the City ring-road at the A5268. If you turn right here and follow the road you will come to Pepper Street which has a car park. Once out of the car park turn west and walk back to the junction of the A483 and A5268 and you will see the Castle to your left. This walk is roughly four to five minutes.

By public transport the castle is about a twenty minute walk from the local train station and is sign posted throughout the city and so is easily located.

Some areas of the castle are still free to roam around but others do have a charge of £3 for an adult (£2 for concessions) and £1 for children.

Opening times are 10am to 5pm daily, with last entry at 4pm. The castle is closed for two weeks over the Christmas period.

Chester Castle
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2DN
01244 327 617