Following a tough and turbulent time for colleges and schools throughout the area, The Chester Standard has announced it will now be launching Education Awards for 2023. In the last few years, many events have been delayed or cancelled because of COVID-19. Event organisers believe that now it is high time that those in and around Chester to celebrate all that is great within the region. This includes highlighting the efforts of dedicated faculty members providing teaching and tuition, as well as others invested in the education sector. The new awards for 2023 are designed to recognise the achi ..read more

The heart of live music in Chester will be welcoming a world-renowned synth pop band who rose to fame during the 1980s to its stage this summer. China Crisis will play The Live Rooms in Chester in May, allowing fans from around the city to hear them play classic tracks from their extensive back catalogue. The band was formed in 1979 in the town of Kirkby, Merseyside by guitarist Eddie Lundon and singer Gary Daly. Both artists are still part of the present line-up, ensuring audiences enjoy an authentic China Crisis experience. Creating a sound forged by their love of bands like Steely Dan and s ..read more

Celebrated conservation charity and popular attraction Chester Zoo recently announced a new addition to its collection of over 350,000 animals. In light of its ongoing aim to protect endangered species across the world, the zoo is celebrating the birth of a giant anteater pup. While the newborn has not yet received his name, the pup is just the third of its species to be born at Chester in the 92 years it has existed. To avoid intrusion, the youngster’s birth was captured by hidden cameras operated by Zoo staff who watched as the anteater arrived and climbed onto its mother’s back. Zoo experts ..read more

Chester Zoo recently captured and released footage of two of its latest residents – twin Sumatran tiger cubs. The video caught the two cubs emerging from their Chester Zoo den for the first time since their birth in January. Under the watch of their proud mother Kasarna, the two cubs can be seen having a playful wrestle in the green leafy habitat designed to resemble their natural environment, the forests of Sumatra, Indonesia. Carnivore Keeper for Chester Zoo, Dayna Thain, commented on the recent footage: “They’re one of the world’s rarest tiger subspecies and so to see these two cubs thrivi ..read more

Acclaimed attraction ChesterBoat is renowned for taking visitors on inspired and informative tours along the Dee. However, it also offers a unique experience for those looking to celebrate with friends and their favourite music. Dubbed “Party Nights Afloat” these themed events are dedicated to music from specific eras and offer arrival drinks, an onboard DJ and barbeque buffet feasts. Party boats set sail at 7:30 pm from the North side of the Dee on Souter’s Lane, The Groves and return to Chester for 10:30pm. This April, ChesterBoat has two such evenings in the offing. The first cruise will ta ..read more

The internationally acclaimed racing event known as the Boodles May Festival will be returning to Chester’s renowned racecourse next month, with three days of excitement for race fans. The oldest active racecourse in the world, the Roodee will host the iconic event, which will launch with City Day. This also marks the first fixture of the racing season for 2023. For another year City Day will be sponsored by the celebrated jewellers, Boodles marking another key milestone in the world-leading company’s relationship with the race world. The event organisers are inviting race fans to bring along ..read more

World-renowned conservationist and city attraction Chester Zoo has announced its plans to design and build an all-new habitat for snow leopards are moving ahead. The welcome news follows local councillors for Cheshire West and Chester giving their approval to the project. The new habitat will be constructed in the Zoo’s Himalayan-themed area and provide a home for a pair of snow leopards, which are a part of an endangered species that is now under threat. Wildlife specialists at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimate that there are fewer than 3,500 of the big ca ..read more

Cheshire Racecourse, also known as the Roodee, has been selected to host the 23rd edition of the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival, which will take place throughout Easter Weekend. The upcoming event officially opens tomorrow, April 8, at 10:00 am with Chef Simon Rimmer of Sunday Brunch taking the headline spot for the first day of the festivities. Other activities on opening day will include acclaimed experts on the demo stage like platinum jubilee dessert competition victor Jemma Melvin, Jamie Pickles of Knutsford’s Rose & Crown and 2022 Cheshire Cocktail champion Tristan Brady, amo ..read more

Flowing east by way of Cheshire, the Dee has earned a reputation for being a perfect river to dip your toe in the water for kayaking. From its source in Snowdonia, to its mouth in Liverpool Bay, the river’s course features glittering lakes, man-made waterfalls, meandering flats and natural rapids of varying white-water intensity. Whether you’re looking to steer your own adventure or gain new skills and experience, below are two operators in Chester to check out. Dee River Kayaking At Dee River Kayaking, all skill-levels of kayaker can access exciting experiences. You might be well-versed in ri ..read more

For visitors seeking verdant greenspaces and a taste of ancient history, Chester has plenty to offer. Among the many sites around the city, is the Water Tower Gardens. An attractive area of parkland within the walls, the gardens are an important community hub and offer a wide range of activities and many points of interest. Activities for all ages The Water Tower Gardens features a phenomenal wooden play area for children, making it a firm family favourite for many who live and visit Chester regularly. However, the perfectly placed city centre park also has a community pavilion and a range of ..read more