Happy 2014!

To all our members, let's hope this year is healthy, happy and harmonious! We are trying to come up with an interesting mix of events for this year, if you have any suggestions we are always open to new ideas.  Don't forget, if you are going to an event and you would like some company, you can always send an invite the group. 

We hope this year sees a growth in our membership so we can enjoy the company of new and exciting members who will encourage us to venture out of our safety zones. We had some flyers made up last year - if anyone would like to take a few to hand out to people you would like to invite to join the group, please let us know. 

For now, here are some ideas of what we would like to add to our  schedule over the next few months:

• Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich
• Hilbre Island, Wirral
• Puffin Island and walk around the Great Orm, Llandudno
• more Sunday lunches, pub nights, film nights, etc.

January events

Here are a few things that our members are attending this month. If you would like to join them, please contact the appropriate members:

• Michaela & Paul are going to see Swanlake at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Tuesday 28th January.
  They are in seats F14 and 15. Tickets are £22 (no concessions). Book your tickets and meet them in the foyer before the show.
• Debra is going to see Giselle at the Vue Cinemas at Cheshire Oaks on January 27th. Book your ticket and meet her there.

Other notable events

At this time there are no other members attending these events, but you could start a trend!

• 21st January - Deer Walk and Lunch at Tatton Hall.
• 22nd January - Tour of Pre-Raphaelite Paintings at Lady Lever Art Gallery
• 25th January - The Battle of Nantwich
• 30th January - Coriolanus at Vue Cinemas. 

Newcomers AGM March 20

This year we are going to hold the AGM as an evening event, rather than have it as part of our monthly coffee morning, so that more of you can join us. We will have the AGM first, then those who would like to can stay on for dinner. It will be at the Cheshire Cat in Christleton, please add the date to your calendar so you don't forget.

November Nuggets

Here are our offerings for November. If you have a suggestion, please let us know and we will add it to the list.

November 23 - Christmas Market, Ludlow
This a destination which offers something for everybody; history, shops, brewery, markets, medieval (craft) fair, castle, architecture!  In short, a place where you can walk around and not get bored. Ludlow is about an hour and a half drive away, so we have looked into hiring a coach to get those who are interested to and from there.  The idea is to leave around 9:30 am and return at 9:00 pm, leaving enough time to explore the town, have an evening meal there and get back at a reasonable time.  As this would double up as our Christmas event, NTC will contribute towards the cost of the transport, keeping it at a very reasonable price of £10/pp. If you would like to join us please contact Renee van der Laan.



Other Suggestions
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Here are some other events that are on in November. If you are interested in any of them, perhaps you would like to choose a date that is good for you and email the other members to see if anyone would like to join you. 

November 15 - 17 - Chester Arts Fair, Chester Race Course  A high calibre of local, national and international Artists and Independent Art Galleries will be featuring at the event, including Sir Peter Blake, Kerry Darlington (No 1 Best Selling Published Artist in the UK 2012) and Nick Elphick (who was commissioned to sculpt the Queen for the Jubilee last year as well as the Olympians), with work by artists such as Antony Gormley and Michael Bennett also featuring. Featuring a wealth of paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, ceramics and original prints, all shown in a friendly and relaxed environment, the Chester Art Fair really does have something for everyone.

November 21 - Chester Christmas Lights Parade  The annual Christmas Light Switch-On parade announces the arrival of Christmas in Chester and also kicks off the Christmas events programme.

November 21 - January 5 - Winter Wonderland at Chester Racecourse  Winter Wonderland at Chester Racecourse sees the whole of the Paddock area turned into a magical festive fantasyland filled with fun and excitement for all the family. See more at: http://www.winterwonderlandchester.co.uk/

September

Here are our offerings for September. If you have a suggestion, please let us know and we will add it to the list.

September 14 - Evening of Bellydance When:  Saturday 14th September  8-11
Where:  All Saints Church Hall, Vicarage Rd, Hoole
What: An evening of music and dance with Hossam and Serena Ramzy. Hossam Ramzy, the world famous percussionist will be performing. There will be dancing from Serena, and the best dancers from the Region, ( and Debra! ) The cost is £10 and you can bring your own food/nibbles and drink to share. This is a rare opportunity to see world class performers and to bring a little taste of Egypt to Chester. Everyone welcome. For tickets email yaraqs@hotmail.co.uk.

September 15 & 29 - Sunday Lunch  At Oscars Brasserie in the Rossett Hall Hotel. Lynda and Sue have booked a table for 12:15 pm  and it would be great if any of you would like to join them.  We could meet at 1 pm for a drink at the bar first if you wish. They have a brilliant deal on - £10 for 3 courses (with 4 or 5 choices for each course), virtually half price.  Sue had dinner there recently and the food and service were very good. We left the table size open but we will have to let them know soon.  If you would like to join us please contact Sue Timms.


Other Suggestions
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Here are some other events that are on in September. If you are interested in any of them, perhaps you would like to choose a date that is good for you and email the other members to see if anyone would like to join you. 

September 6, 7, 8 - Nantwich Food Festival  This is one of the best food festivals in the area. There are over 100 food and drink stalls, and lots of activities going on all weekend - there is even a bouncy castle for the kids. It is easy to get to and there is lots of parking. If you don't want to drive there is also a bus that leaves Chester Bus Station every half hour. Jacqui will probably be going on Saturday so contact her if you want to meet up at the festival.

September 12-15 - Chester Heritage Open Days  This event celebrates the architecture and culture of Chester. It provides you with an opportunity to visit interesting properties, many of which are not normally open to the public, such as the Bishop's Palace, The Guildhall, Watergate House and many others. There are also free tours and other activities. For more information go to http://www.heritageopendayschester.co.uk/.

September weekends - Helfa Gelf Art Train  171 Welsh art and craft artists are opening their studios to the public, in conjunction with workshops and several exhibitions in venues across North Wales. More information on the studios and exhibitions can be found at http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/en/

August Proposals

Here are our offerings for August... why not join us? If you have a suggestion, please let us know and we will add it to the list.

August 11 - Cyrano de Bergerac  At the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. Michaela and Paul have tickets for the 4:00pm performance, and have booked picnic terrace seats. If you are interested in going, book you tickets here then contact Michaela for where and when to meet before the performance so you can all sit together.

August 21 - Summer Lunch  As you may remember, we don’t have a Coffee Morning in August. Instead we have lunch at The Red Lion in Dodleston. We have booked a table for 12 people for 12:30. RSVP Barbara George to let her know whether you can come or not. Do feel free to bring any visitors along if you have someone staying with you, we can easily change the number of seats.

August 26 - Ffestiniog Railway Ramble  Meet at Chester Railway station at 9:15 to catch the 9:42 train to Blaenau Ffestiniog, change at Llandudno junction, arrive 11.30. Or, meet in the car park at Blaenau Ffestiniog station at 11:30. We will do a 7 mile walk (about 3 hours) on mostly clear paths and tracks, with one modest climb to end up at Tan-Y-Bwlch station. Picnic at the near-by Llyn Mair. Bring good footwear, a picnic and plenty to drink. A change of clothes and sun/rain protection may be a good idea. RSVP Michaela if you are interested in joining the walking party.

Other Suggestions
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Here are some other events that are on in August. If you are interested in any of them, perhaps you would like to choose a date that is good for you and email the other members to see if anyone would like to join you. 

August TBD - Chagall: Modern Master At the Tate Liverpool until October 6. A few members have expressed an interest in going, but we have not pinned down a date as yet. We plan to meet at Chester Railway Station around 10am, then go to the exhibition followed by lunch somewhere in Liverpool. RSVP Jacqui if you are interested in going.