Date: 03 April 2023

Reference Number: 6111

Charities, Organisations and businesses across the borough can apply to the Cheshire West and Chester Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund, for project funding from Monday 3 April.

The Council is allocating £1.805m to support heritage, cultural and community projects as well as those that support business start-up and growth over the next two years.

This is an opportunity for local organisations to show how they can offer solutions to meet needs across the borough.  The funding will encourage innovative and sustainable projects that will have a positive lasting impact across the whole of west Cheshire.

There is funding available for both activities and capital works that can address local challenges, fill gaps in provision and help residents, communities and local businesses to thrive.

This will be the first opportunity for organisations who feel they can help deliver in the local area, but the Council will also hold some funding back until Autumn 2023 to enable partners who need a little more time to prepare proposals or better understand the cost of capital work. 

The funding is part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances though investing in three themes: Communities and Place; Supporting local business; and People and Skills. The Cheshire West and Chester Investment Plan sets out the focus and outcomes for each of these themes and was approved by Government in December 2022. To apply to the Shared Prosperity Fund visit: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/shared-prosperity-fund/communities-and-place

For further details email: UKSPF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Date: 28 March 2023

Reference Number: 6107

Giant observation wheel will provide breath-taking views of Chester this Easter

Chester’s Grosvenor Park will be home to an observation wheel this April, giving visitors breath-taking views from 35 metres above the ground.

The wheel will be offering rides for visitors to the park between 1 to 28 April.

Users will experience 360° views of the surrounding area, which means on a clear day a view of up to ten to twelve miles is possible.  The wheel will have 24 gondolas each holding up to six people.

Some gondolas are also available to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility scooter user and two people.

The price for a standard ticket is £7, a child under 1.4m is £5 and a family of four £20. Riders can expect a minimum of two rotations to take in the views.

There is a dedicated website with info, opening times and where discount tickets can be purchased online:

www.chesterwheel.com

This attraction will add to the Lodge Café, miniature railway, and Victorian carousel already available in the park this spring.

While the wheel is in the park an archaeological dig will also be taking place alongside it, so people on the wheel will have a bird’s eye view of the dig in action.

Cheshire West and Chester Council maintains a variety of great outdoor spaces available to hire for public events.  The Council works with several event organisers each year, to increase the visitor experience in its parks, helping to boost the local economy, create a strong sense of community, support local innovation and imagination, and to create an environment for culture to thrive.

Date: 21 March 2023

Reference Number: 6101

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council, will be sharing a slice of their artistic programme for the spring season, at various venues across Cheshire.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Reserve your seats now for some great shows. This spring season includes music from the 1920s and 30’s a story about fierce Lancashire Women and some tall tales especially for children. “The Rural Touring Theatre will be appearing at venues across our area including Great Budworth, Tarvin, Kelsall, Weaverham, Neston, Backford, Ellesmere Port and Farndon. Have a look at the website for more details about the many different shows and venues.”

Performance details and online booking is available on the CRTA website: www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk

‘About Time’

Multi-talented Mitch Benn, a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show for more than a decade and described by The Times as “the country’s leading musical satirist”. ‘About Time’ combines music and comedy and is his first touring show in years.

‘Routes to Classics’, ‘Splendidly Spiffing Musical Fun & Frolics from the 1920’s and 30’s’, ‘A Night of Swing Jive Music with the 309s’

There are three music shows, starting with the welcome return of classically trained fingerstyle guitarist, Gus Glyn; his show ‘Routes to Classics’ traces the music we love today from its roots in traditional folk and blues, through to contemporary classics and all-time favourites.

Followed by The Casablanca Steps: ‘Splendidly Spiffing Musical Fun & Frolics from the 1920’s and 30’s’; these four exceptionally talented musicians and entertainers will bring a Great Gatsby band experience.

Rounding up this musical menu is ‘A Night of Swing Jive Music with the 309s’ a fantastic high energy swing jive band featuring twin vocals, swinging rhythms and soaring fiddle – guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your eyes smiling.

‘Miss Nobodies’, ‘Gertrude Lawrence: A lovely Way to Spend an Evening’

Ruth Cockburn brings her two-hander ‘Miss Nobodies’ a funny, poignant, heart-warming show about fierce Lancashire women and the mark they’ve left on this country’s history, including Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, a writer who is cited as the UK’s first working class female novelist.

The latest collaboration between gifted actor and singer, Lucy Stevens and pianist Elizabeth Marcus brings ‘Gertrude Lawrence: A lovely Way to Spend an Evening’; telling the story of the woman Noel Coward wrote Private Lives for, who became the leading lady of the West End and on Broadway; this play is funny, revealing, and full of music.

‘Moonsmile’ and ‘The Extraordinary Time -Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’

There are new shows for children and families; Goofus Theatre present ‘Moonsmile’ (ages 4+) the story of a lonely museum Caretaker, who loses something dear to him and finds himself on the moon where the Moonlings, with a ritual of trust and friendship, help him restore what was lost; blending music, movement, puppetry, play, and mask this nonverbal performance immerses audiences in storytelling, where imaginations thrive.

‘The Extraordinary Time -Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (ages 6+) is Jackanory meets Whose Line Is It Anyway, creating amazing tales elegantly told.  Three top comedians are challenged to invent ridiculous tall tales using their wits, some silly hats and the (not always kind) suggestions of an audience of children to ensure it all ends happily ever after. Featuring pirates, princesses, unicorns, dragons, swordfights, and spacemen. All the stories are completely and irrefutably true, winner: Best Children’s Show at Leicester Comedy Festival and Greater Manchester Fringe.