Grosvenor Park Rediscovered

One of the things I had never noticed before it was pointed out to me, was the beautiful wishbone railing around the area overlooking the River Dee and Meadows. Amazing how much attention they paid to detail when first designing and laying out the park.

 

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Cathedral Details

Wandering round the Cathedral with my camera, various small details caught my eye. They were glowing in the afternoon sun, and looked pleasingly polished and cared-for. The top two are from memorials for bishops.

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J J O'Shea

Out at Kelsall Equestrian Centre is a local owner and trainer of racehorses - J. J. O'Shea. A lovely man, and very friendly and helpful, he has had recent successes over the jumps. Just the person to know if you are looking for somewhere local to stable your racehorse.

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Chester Races - 4th Aug 2013

We went to Chester Races last Sunday - tickets were two-for-one for the County Concourse, and they are also two-for-one on Tattersalls for the 30th August, so get booking. Everyone had a good time, and even some of the jockeys managed a smile. Bizarrely, there were Christmas Elves wandering around, advertising the Racecourse Winter Wonderland - www.winterwonderlandchester.co.uk

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Canoe Clubs

There are at least two canoe clubs in Chester, and plenty of places to practise on the River Dee, and, for beginners, in Northgate Arena. More about them here:
www.chestercanoeclub.org.uk and www.devacanoeclub.org.uk

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Moonlight Flicks

Moonlight Flicks have been taking place for the last few weeks in the Roman Gardens, and have been enjoying the recent spell of good weather. They continue every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until the end of August. More here: http://www.moonlightflicks.co.uk

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Chester - County Palatine

A county palatine or palatinate was an area ruled by an hereditary nobleman possessing special authority and autonomy from the rest of a kingdom or empire. Counties palatine were established in the 11th century to defend the northern (Scottish) and western (Welsh) frontiers of the kingdom of England. In order to allow them to do so in the best way they could, their earls were granted palatine ("from the palace", i.e. royal) powers within their territories, making these territories nearly sovereign jurisdictions with their own administrations and courts, largely independent of the king, though they owed allegiance to him.

The County Palatine of Chester was ruled by the Earls of Chester. Chester had its own parliament, consisting of barons of the county, and was not represented in the parliament of England until 1543, while it retained some of its special privileges until 1830. The earldom of Chester has since 1301 been associated with the title of Prince of Wales which is reserved for the heir apparent to the throne or crown of the UK (or the throne of England, as it was then).

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St John's Repairs

St John's parishioners have managed to raise the money to repair the leaky roof, and the inside of the church is now covered in scaffolding. I was told that many of the beams were added later, for decorative purposes, and are now having to be removed so that the underlying fabric can be inspected.

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Mediaeval Housekeeping

Also on display at the Mediaeval Day were some household wares. Shown below are a mediaeval shower set, used for damping down rushes on floors, or anywhere else dust needed to be kept down; a jug; a cover for fire embers, so that you could keep a fire in overnight and didn't have to re-light; and a rodent trap - the blocks drop to squash the rat or mouse.

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Mediaeval Archery

There was an archer at the mediaeval day, and showing and explaining that arrow tips came in different types for different purposes. He also explained the tactics used at the Battle of Agincourt, and showed how arrows were made.

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Mediaeval Spicer

The mediaeval spicer at the castle on Saturday was a mine of information. Amongst the more interesting tidbits of information were the fact the England had ravioli in the 14th century, and that there was no real concept of sweet/savoury. Photos, clockwise from top left: an ember day (no meat, no fish) meal with onions, milk, and currants; ravioli (in dish); a cone of sugar; mediaeval gingerbread; flatbreads cooked on an open fire with cheese.

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Car Boot Sales

A typical Sunday morning pastime around Chester is browsing (or selling) at car boot sales. The main two are at the Countess of Chester and, during the summer, the Rugby Club (which doesn't start until 10am and is therefore better for those of us who like a lie-in).

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Medieval Day

Today was Mediaeval Day, with activities at the Castle (open for the first time in a couple of years), the Grosvenor Museum, and the Amphitheatre. The living history displays at the Castle were very interesting and informative, and more of them later.

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Holy Ascension Church, Upton

Out on Church Lane, Upton, is the Holy Ascension Church. Built in 1853, it has a beautiful lychgate and an atmospheric graveyard. English Heritage have given it Grade II listing. More information about it can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Ascension_Church,_Upton_by_Chester

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John Pearson

In the Cathedral there is a monument to John Pearson, Bishop of Chester 1672-86. He was a very great theologian, and took a prominent part in the discussions which led to the present Prayer Book becoming the service book of the Church of England in 1662. You can find out more about him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pearson_%28bishop%29

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RAF Memorial

The tour of the Grosvenor Park also alerted me to the RAF memorial, which I had never noticed before - the decluttering is really working.

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Springhead

Down in the Groves, behind what are now public toilets, there used to be a spring, and a springhead was constructed there. When the spring fell into disuse, the springhead was moved into Grosvenor Park, and has now been uncovered once more by the renovations.

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Grosvenor Park Refurbishment

Grosvenor Park is currently undergoing a three million pound refurbishment, the result of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. At the moment it all looks a bit of a mess, but trees have been removed, vistas opened up, a new playground is being constructed and a cafe and tearooms created, and a new toilet block is being built. Overall, there should be a huge improvement, and there are opportunities to go on a tour with the Friends of Grosvenor Park to find out more about it, or there are display boards in the centre of the Park.

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Cyrano de Bergerac

Last night we went to see Cyrano de Bergerac at the open air theatre in Grosvenor Park, and had a really good time. The acting was excellent, and, for once, the weather was perfect. Seats are still available, so what are you waiting for?

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Kelsall Equestrian Centre

Heading out of Chester on the A51 is the Kelsall Equestrian Centre. It has everything the discerning rider (and horse) could possibly need, and the staff are friendly and helpful. You can find out more about them here: www.kelsallhill.co.uk

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Northgate Festival - Ukelele Day

Northgate Festival continues with a Ukelele Day this coming Sunday. There will be more than one hundred players performing, and a chance to design or build you fantasy building out of cardboard. Sounds like fun!

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Kaleyards Gate II

The Kaleyards Gate was, as previously reported here, historically always locked at 9pm (to keep out marauding Welshmen). This had been discontinued, but now it has been reinstated and you can once again hear the curfew bell just before 9 and see the gate being locked. It also means that you occasionally have to walk a little further, but you have been warned!

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River Trips II

As well as the cruises, you can take out a rowing boat, a pedallo, or a motor boat. All three are the same price, but you get the longest for your money in a rowing boat, and all of them take up to four adults.

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River Trips

There are many ways of taking a trip on the river, but one of the most popular is the river cruiser. Currently there seem to be two of them plying their trade, and you can go for either a 30 minute or a two hour trip.

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Gone Fishing

The River Dee used to throng with salmon, but now they are few and far between. Reasons for the drastic reduction include water pollution and over-fishing. Still, there are fishermen still hoping to catch something (in this case I was told chub or dace).

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Katie Moore

There is a shop in Rufus Court where you can see the work of upholsterer Katie Moore. I love the quality and feel of the fabrics she uses, and the work is quirky and interesting. Buy now before she gets too well-known and expensive! You can see more of it here: www.katiemoore.co.uk

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