Tatton Park Biennial is a finalist for two prestigious awards: the Lever Prize 2011 and a European Garden Award. Read full article.....HERE

The curtain was raised on 15th July 2010 on Chester’s brand new season of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre – with a stellar cast taking to the stage and the season set to become an annual highlight of the North’s cultural calendar. 

The theatre, set in the stunning park in the historic city, has been inspired by London’s famous Regent’s Park outdoor theatre, which attracts star names of the calibre of Dame Judy Dench. 

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre was created to meet demand – as there is no permanent performing arts venue in the city – and its aim is to become as popular and loved as the capital’s annual summer outdoor venue. 

Shakespearean comedy Much Ado About Nothing and a brand new, action-packed family adaptation of the mythological Greek hero Hercules form Chester’s first summer season programme, which runs until August 8. 

Part of Visit Chester and Cheshire’s Eventful Escapes programme of summer events and produced by Chester Performs, the season has attracted a talented cast of well-known stage and television names – including Liam Bergin, who plays Danny Mitchell in EastEnders – as well as internationally-acclaimed directors. 

Other cast members include Thusitha Jayasundera (Holby City, The Bill and Royal Shakespeare Company), Jake Maskall (EastEnders), Alan Cox (Young Sherlock Holmes, An Awfully Big Adventure and Midsummer Murders), Susan Twist (Brookside) and Russell Richardson (Coronation Street and Hollyoaks). 

Andrew Bentley, Director of Chester Performs, said: “Our aim is to make something that Chester can be really proud of on an international scale. 

“We are delighted with what the artistic team have put together for Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. We’re sure their wealth of experiences will form a firm foundation for what’s set to be an exciting era of theatre in Chester.” 

The company aims to recreate the unique feel of Regent’s Park and Andrew added: “We want to create as relaxed an atmosphere as possible, so families can feel comfortable bringing small children and those perhaps new to theatre will feel very welcome.” 

Victorian Grosvenor Park, with its manicured lawns, sits just outside Chester’s city walls, close to the Roman Amphitheatre and the River Dee, providing an air of tranquillity amongst the lively bustle of the city centre. 

The theatre has been built in a horseshoe shape to create a close connection between the actors and the audience, who can enjoy picnics in front of the stage. 

There are eight performances a week, including 2pm matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays, and a tea-time special on a Sunday at 5pm. 

The re-telling of Hercules, directed by Alex Clifton, is action packed with wild beasts and acrobatics – and the Roman element of the story resonates perfectly with Chester’s architectural heritage. 

Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Ed Dick, is performed in a more traditional way, against the suitably pastoral setting of the park. 

Tickets, from £10, are on sale now. You can book online at www.chesterperforms.com, call 0843 208 0500 or visit Chester Tourist Information Centre.  

To find out more, visit www.chesterperforms.com or log on to www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk 

Or, for details about all of the big events taking place in Chester and Cheshire this summer as part of the Eventful Escapes programme, please visit www.visitcheshire.com/events

A real blockbusting weekend awaits visitors to Chester and Cheshire – with everything from high performance cars and high octane power-boating to top-level showjumping, a world-class art extravaganza…and even escaping rhinos! 

For this weekend is one of the highlights of a busy summer of festivals and major events taking place across the county. 

As part of Visit Chester & Cheshire’s ‘Eventful Escapes’ programme, visitors are set to flock here to enjoy a short break, taking in: 

‘Cholmondeley Pageant of Power’ – the weekend of 17th and 18th July sees Cholmondeley Castle as the setting for mindblowing powerboats, air displays, motor racing and fireworks on Saturday (17th July) and Sunday. 

‘Bolesworth Castle Show Jumping Classic & Country Fair’ – set in the stunning location of Bolesworth Castle, home to the Barbour family for 150 years, it offers top-level showjumping.  Enjoyed by both enthusiasts and newcomers, this show has something for everyone, from horses to celebrities, and runs throughout the weekend, to 18th July.

‘Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre’ – Enjoy ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ or ‘Hercules’ in a scenic park setting, with big names taking to the stage. Grosvenor Park, with its manicured lawns, sits just outside Chester’s city walls. It’s an ideal location for a picnic near the stage, with performances running until 8th August. 

‘Tatton Park Biennial’ – over 20 internationally-renowned artists and writers bring the parkland to life in a spectacular and surprising display of cutting-edge arts and culture, which continues until 26th September. 

‘Rhino Mania’ – Follow the trail of colourful and creative rhinos, which have sprung up across Chester city centre in a unique, world-class art event, running until September.
 

And, for those thinking of staying over into next week, the finishing touches are being put to the ‘RHS Show Tatton Park’, where there are breath-taking displays of plants, furniture, floristry and fashion at the North’s greatest gardening show between 21st-25th July. 

Plus, there’s masses more to see across Chester and Cheshire – which already attracts one in every eight visits to a public garden anywhere in the UK – from the county's peerless‘Gardens of Distinction’ to Elizabeth Gaskell’s bicentenary celebrations in Knutsford and Cheshire’s hidden gem of the western Peak District. 

There’s too much to fit into one day, so to plan a short break and take advantage of great deals on hotel stays using the ‘Eventful Escapes’ website – see www.visitcheshire.com/events. For details of train times and best fare bargains visit, www.virgintrains.com.

Virgin Trains has confirmed that the baby rhino, being cared for by staff at Crewe station has been given a warning after it made a second attempt to travel to London. Virgin Trains has said that it will be allowed to complete its journey to London in the next few days.

The rhino, when just a day old was spotted onboard a Virgin Train trying to get to London. There was concern that such a vulnerable and young rhino was out on its own late at night.

Now it has emerged that the baby rhino was arrested, but released with a warning, after causing a disturbance at Crewe station earlier today, whilst trying to force its way onto a train at the station. Passengers and staff were concerned as the Rhino charged down the platform. 

Virgin Trains Group Station Manager Anita Brown said: "We understand that baby rhino wants to be reunited with its dad, Maximus Rhinoceros, who is now on the main concourse at our Euston station in London and we have arrangements in place for that to happen. We do have major work taking place to repair the roof covering platform 5 at the station and we are urging all passengers to take extra care due to the scaffolding on the platform and we certainly dont want passengers – or rhinos -  taking risks by running along the platform ". 

In order to keep baby rhino occupied, until it is able to travel to London a part time role has been found in the ticket office at Crewe station, selling tickets.

Rhino Mania is the most ambitious and all-inclusive public art project Chester has ever staged and will animate the city’s streets and public spaces for ten exciting and unforgettable weeks, further establishing Chester’s reputation as a must-see European visitor destination. Virgin Trains has the only large Rhino to be located outside of the North West region and courtesy of Network Rail stands under the main departure indicator on the concourse at London’s Euston station. Baby rhino, who Virgin Trains staff will name, will make its home in the First Class Lounge at Euston station.

Flora is on walk about around Cheshire, if you’re the first to find her you could win an overnight stay for two at the Queen Hotel in Chester, winners of the Large Hotel of the Year at the recent Visit Chester & Cheshire’s Tourism Awards. More...

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is back for summer 2010

Lord Cholmondeley has announced that this year’s Cholmondeley Pageant of Power will be held over the weekend 17th and 18th July 2010.  This will be the third festival at Cholmondeley Castle that blends high-octane action on track, water and air – a celebration of speed, nerve and flair with exceptional design and engineering.  Read more...

A host of well known names from television and stage, including Eastender's bad boy Danny Mitchell, have confirmed they are taking part in Chester's brand new open air theatre season, due to start in Grosvenor Park on July 15th. Read more...