25th Anniversary

In November this year, Newcomers to Chester will celebrate 25 years from its foundation - we can hardly believe it!
The celebration will take place a little early to catch the last summer weather (?!?), so please mark your calendar:

Saturday September 17, 2016

2:30 - 5:30

Afternoon Tea with Pimms

at Edgar House

a lovely, elegant venue in the heart of Chester, up on the city walls with views of the river.

We are looking forward to seeing you and having a great time!

Summer 2015

I know it is supposed to be the beginning of summer, but where is the sun? I hope it appears soon so we can have another truly British summer like last year. You cannot beat the English/Welsh landscape when the days are dry and balmy.

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

Museum Exhibitions

• June 11: Picturing Venice, Lady Lever Art Gallery. Jacqui is going to this exhibition on Thursday 11, June, but it is also on until 27 September in case you cannot make that date.

Musical Events

• June 30: Eaton Hall Concert, 7:30. Please contact Betty for more information and tickets/
• June 3-13: Chester Music Festival. Jacqui is going to the Sophie Rosa concert on June 5 at 8pm. If you are interested in going to any other event, please choose the date and let the other members know in case they would like to join you. 
• June 19: Tenovus Concert in Wrexham. Barbara G is in the choir, so come and support her and the charity by purchasing a ticket from her for the event.

Film Night

We are trying to make this a regular event, so if you want to see a special film, invite the group the last Wednesday of the previous month for something that is on in the first week of the following month. Let everyone know what you plan to see, where, and when - we are sure you will get a lot of film buddies!

Farewell Lunch for Luisa and Tim

As many of  you already know, Luisa and Tim are moving to be closer to their grandchildren. They have been wonderful longstanding members of  Newcomers and we are sorry to see them go. To help them celebrate their new ventures elsewhere (which have been delayed for various reasons), we hope to give them a good sendoff and have a glorious lunch sometime in the Summer. As soon as we have a firm date and location, we will let you know.

Spring 2015

At last we are beginning to see signs of spring, and an idea of what it could be like this summer if the weather systems allow! Hope your gardens are full of colourful bulbs and blossoms, and that you are ready for a year packed with interesting and exciting Newcomers events.

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

Theatre Evenings

Simon would like to attend a few events at the theatre in the next fews months. He has made some suggestions and some possible dates (see below). If you would like to go along, please contact him to arrange to meet, and book your tickets directly through the theatre:

• Wed 15/04: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Everyman Theatre
• July TBD: Arthur Miller's Hook - Everyman Theatre

Film Night

We wanted to make this a regular event, so we decided we would set a date to go to the cinema on the first Tue/Wed/Thu of the month, depending on who is going and what they are going to see. Watch our for email invitations, or if you want to see a special film, invite the group the last Wednesday of the previous month. Let everyone know what you plan to see, where, and when - we are sure you will get a lot of film buddies!

Afternoon Tea - Grosvenor Garden Centre - Monday April 20, 2:30pm

Barbara S. has suggested a fancy afternoon tea at the Grosvenor Garden Centre (just south of Chester on the Pulford/Rossett road). They do what sounds like a delicious spread @ £19.95 for two. The venue is a great place for browsing for gifts and food as well as garden stuff. She has booked a table for 6, please let her know if you would like to attend (even just for a quick cuppa!). You can also pop in on the day if you cannot commit in advance. 

Farewell Lunch for Luisa and Tim

As many of  you already know, Luisa and Tim are moving to be closer to their grandchildren. They have been wonderful longstanding members of  Newcomers and we are sorry to see them go. To help them celebrate their new ventures elsewhere, we hope to give them a good sendoff and have a glorious lunch sometime in the Spring. As soon as we have a firm date and location, we will let you know.

September to December

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

September/October/November - Theatre and Film at Theatr Clwyd

Barbara would like to attend a few events at the theatre in the next fews months. She has made some suggestions and some possible dates (see below). If you would like to go along, please contact her to arrange to meet, and book your tickets directly through the theatre.

• 'Ghosts' by Ibsen which is on from 25th September to 18th October:  Barbara S can go on Friday and Saturdays 10th and 11th Oct, and 17th and 18th October.
• Mr Turner' the film about the life of the painter Turner:  Barbara S can go on 21st November at 8 pm and 26th Nov. at 2 pm or 8 pm.

December 17th, 12:30 - Christmas Lunch, West Cheshire College, Ellesmere Port Campus

We have reserved a table for lunch at the West Cheshire College, Ellesmere Port Campus Off Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 7BF on Wednesday 17 December 2014. Lynda has sent out the lunch menu which is on offer for the day. This lunch will take the place of the December Coffee Morning at the Cheshire Cat. The cost of the three course lunch will be £12.95. The College will require payment by early October and they would like us to give the order for courses upfront nearer to the time.

August Revels

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

July/August, 7:30pm - Chester Open Air Theatre

This year the open air theatre is performing two Shakespeare plays - "Macbeth" and "Comedy of Errors," and an adaption of "The Secret Garden." There is also Moonlight Flicks in the Roman Garden to enjoy. Simon is going to see several performances, so please  book your tickets for the following dates, then contact Simon to meet at the venue. If you plan to go to any performances other than those listed below, please send the details to Jacqui to add to this list:

• July 25th, Vertigo, Moonlight Flicks
• August 1st, Comedy of Errors

August 20th, 12:30 - Annual Lunch, Royal Oak, Kinnerton 

As you know, we do not have a coffee morning for our August meeting, but instead meet for lunch. This year we have a table for 10 booked at the Royal Oak. Please let Barbara George know by Friday 15th August as to whether you will be joining us.

July Offerings

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

July 6th, 12:30 - Sunday Lunch at Chester Golf Club

Why not enjoy the summer by spending a lovely few hours with Newcomers over Sunday Lunch? Those who have been before will know that the Golf Club food is excellent and the setting just gorgeous. The booking has been made initially for 10 people, and we will meet at 12-30pm for a 1-00pm meal. Please do bring guests if you have someone visiting you. You can have either 2 or 3 courses with coffee....£10:95 for 2 courses or £11:95 for 3 courses, and can decide when you get there. I hope that we can get a good number able to come as it is always nice to have a good get together and catch-up. Please let Barbara George know by Friday 4th July as to whether you will be joining us.

July 19th, 8:00pm - Chester Cathedral

You are warmly invited to a very special concert, the final act of this year’s Music Festival in Chester Cathedral. This will be one hundred years to the day after Austria took the fateful decision to invade Serbia, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand three weeks earlier. Over the following weeks these fateful happenings led to the outbreak of the First World War, bringing Russia, Germany, France and Britain into a conflict whose momentous events still shape our world.
In one of the most important concerts in the region this year the Chester Festival Chorus will combine with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the rising young conductor, James Burton, and the wonderful soloists Judith Howarth and William Dazeley, to perform pieces of music by two of Britain’s finest composers, Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
The programme comprises:

• Elgar – Sospiri 
• Elgar – Spirit of England 
• Vaughan Williams – Dona Nobis Pacem 

Elgar’s Spirit of England, written in 1915, is a setting of three poems by Laurence Binyon which include ‘For the Fallen’ with its words ‘...at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them’. Ralph Vaughan Williams, who served on the Western Front, wrote ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ in 1936 and it paints a picture of war and a prayer for peace.
The concert will begin with Elgar’s ‘Sospiri’. You’ll find booking details on the website http://chesterfestivalchorus.org.uk/ under ‘This year’ but David Pawson could buy tickets for you at a performers’ discount of 15%.

July 21st, 7:30 - Nantwich Civic Hall

Tim and Lui have tickets to see Sue Townsend's Bazaar and Rummage performed by The Nantwich Players on the 21st. If anyone would like to join them, their seats are G3 and G4. The play is directed by Jo McDonald. In 'Bazaar and Rummage' Sue Townsend takes an hilarious view at the politics of self-help groups.... Tickets are available from Nantwich Civic Hall from 9am or ring 01270 600 727. 

June Jewels

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

June 26, June 28 - Music Exchange Concerts

Len and Betty are members of People to People International, which promotes cross-cultural communication within and across nations. They are currently hosting the student who is on the Music Exchange Scholarship within the program. She is a talented violinist and will be giving performances in the Chester area in June and July. The dates are:
June 26, Nantwich Church at 12:30
June 28, Wesley Chapel, Chester, 12:45
July 1st, Eaton Hall, 7pm. Tickets for this event are £10 and must be purchased beforehand from Betty)

Other items of interest 

You may enjoy attending one of these other events that have been suggested by our members:

• May 31  - June 15, Chester Music Festival, Chester Racecourse. Created and staged by the performers themselves and uniquely billed as the ‘musicians’ festival’, the MBNA Chester Music Festival sees the city sing to the tune of some of the world’s greatest music. This year’s festival will mark the centenary of the start of WW1 and the loss of our ‘Age of Innocence’ with a series of themed concerts; world-class tenor James Gilchrist will perform Vaughan Williams’ rarely-heard On Wenlock Edge with Chester’s own Ensemble Deva before paying tribute to composer George Butterworth with his setting of A Shropshire Lad. The Ensemble will also play a haunting version of Messaien’s Quartet for the End of Time, a piece that truly embodies the transcendent power of great music Check their website for all the details.

May Moments

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

May 22 - 7pm Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Vue Cinema, Cheshire Oaks

Mark Haddon’s celebrated, multi-award-winning novel is beautifully and imaginatively adapted into a stage play for the first time. Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog, Wellington. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in his book to solve the mystery. He has an extraordinary brain, exceptional at maths but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world. Go to the website to book your seat, then meet in the Foyer at 6:45pm. 

April Activities

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

April 14 - 7:45pm Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog, Theatre Clwyd

A theatrical journey through the prose writing of Dylan Thomas. Barbara Shapton has a ticket for Monday night in the Gallery area (unreserved seating). The cost is £9.50 concessions or £11.50 for you young folk. See www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk for more info and to book. Let her know if you're coming and she will meet you in the bar beforehand.

April 24 - 7pm Vikings Live from the British Museum, Vue Cinema, Cheshire Oaks

Broadcast directly from the British Museum comes this cinematic event. Showcasing the British Museum’s new, major exhibition Vikings: Live from the British Museum invites you to see behind the scenes of this exciting new exhibition. With an introduction from Michael Wood and Exhibition Curator Gareth Williams you’ll experience the magic of this fascinating exhibition from the comfort of Vue cinemas! Go to the website to book your seat, then meet in the Foyer at 6:45pm. 

Other items of interest 

You may enjoy attending one of these other events that have been suggested by our members:

• April 19-21, Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival, Chester Racecourse. With over 25,000 people expected this Easter on the Chester Racecourse, right in the heart of the city, he Chester Food Drink & Lifestyle Festival is the biggest event of its type to take place anywhere in the UK this Easter. Over 150 exhibitors highlight the best the county, region and country has to offer and means that for your, the visitor it is simply a wonderful culinary experience. See more on the website.
• April 14-20, National Gardening Week, Ness Botanic Gardens. A week long programme of events, talks, demonstrations and activities for all the family. Check their website for all the details.

Mix it up in March

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

March 22 - 7pm "Field Notes" music and art, Bickerton Village Hall.
Tim and Lui are going to this musical evening and thought other members may be interested. Bickerton Village Hall is the first venue in Cheshire to host an evening of creative magic with internationally renowned artists,'Field Notes' is a unique collaboration that proves it's the unfamiliar creative experiences which are often the most memorable and intense. Using old county maps and graphic scores as common starting points, composer Howard Skempton and artist Matthew Harris have each created a brand new work for this performance. Harris' freestanding textile artwork of old maps will transform our village hall into a gallery and a concert hall as four of BCMG perform Skempton's new piece 'Field Notes'. Skempton's joyous, sparse enigmatic music has featured at the BBC Proms and has been widely performed by many of the UK's top orchestras and ensembles. Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 8pm. Tickets are £8 and include a Ploughman's, and there will be a bar. Ring Carol Shadbolt at 01829 782392 or email her at shadboltcarol@gmail.com for tickets.

March 27 - 7pm AGM and Dinner at the Cheshire Cat 

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 at 7pm, then those who would like to can stay on for dinner. It will be at the Cheshire Cat in Christelton, please add the date to your calendar so you don't forget.

Other items of interest 
You may enjoy attending one of these other events that have been suggested by our members:

• Various dates, Everyman and Playhouse Theatres. Simon is looking for members who may be going with him to a variety of different plays that will be on in Liverpool during March, April, May, June and July. Sample offerings are Twelfth Night, This May Hurt a Bit, and Spring Awakening. Please contact him directly if you are interested.
• March 8th, Hoole Community Centre, International Women's Day. Each year around the world, International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March.  Hundreds of events are held not just on this date but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Activities arranged included, music and dance performances, market stalls, displays and information, tombola, raffle, and cafe.

Fun in February

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

February 4 - "12 Years a Slave" at the Vue Cinema in Cheshire Oaks 

A few members are going to see the 19:15 showing of this film, if you are interested contact Renee. She will be at the cinema around 19:10, at at Frankie & Benny's from 18:45 if you want to meet for a drink first. If you sign up for Super Tuesday you can get reduced price tickets whenever you go on a Tuesday. If you cannot make Tuesdays and you have an Orange (EE) phone, you also have Orange Wednesdays! There are some good movies on at the moment, and coming up in the next few weeks, so we hope to have a few more outings to the cinema. Don't forget you can also book tickets for Live Feed events (opera, ballet, theatre) at the Vue Cinemas so checkout what they are offering and let the other members know if you are interesting in attending any of them. These are really good, they give you an opportunity to see something you would otherwise miss.

February 13 (or 15) - "Useless Beauty" at the Forum Theatre in Chester 

Tickets are only £7, and Viv is planning on going either on the 13th or 15th, depending on who wants to go along and when. Book now for this exciting new play or call the Box Office on 01244 341296, then let Viv know when you are going.

February 20 - 7:30 Dinner at the Cock O Barton, Malpas 

It has been a while since we have all been together for dinner, and at this time of year we really need something to look forward to. Lynda has bagged us a 50% off voucher at the Cock O Barton, so this will be a really good deal. We have booked a table for 12, but we could squeeze in a couple more. If you would like to join us, please email Barbara G. 

PLANNING AHEAD
------------------------------

March 27 - Don't forget to put the Newcomers AGM into your calendar

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 at 7pm, then those who would like to can stay on for dinner. It will be at the Cheshire Cat in Christelton, please add the date to your calendar so you don't forget.

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
---------------------------
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
---------------------------
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
---------------------------
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.

July Jaunts

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

July 1 - Chester Mystery Plays  The Chester Mystery Plays is an extraordinary community theatre lasting two weeks which tells the greatest stories ever told! They are only performed every 5 years, and people from all over the globe flock to see them. Meghan & Debra have tickets for the 7:30pm performance. They are meeting for dinner at Duttons beforehand. RSVP Meghan if you would like te meet them at the restaurant, and for more details.


July 20- Lady Heys Craft and Antiques Center, Frodsham  This is a great place to find unusual gifts for family, friends and yourself. There are numerous independent craft and antique stalls to choose from - see their website for details. RSVP Renee for where and when to meet.


Other Suggestions
---------------------------
Here are some other events that are on in July. 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. 

July 25-28 - RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park The North's greatest garden party has lots of fresh ideas for visitors who enjoy growing their own fruit and veg. See them at the Great British Allotment area, or if ornamental plants are more your thing, head to the Floral Marquee to find a huge choice from some of the UK's top nurseries. If anyone is interested in going, please let other members know so you can carpool or meet at the park.

July 20 - Macbeth, National Theatre Live, Cheshire Oaks Directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, this electrifying new production of Shakespeare’s tragic tale of ambition and treachery unfolds within the walls of an intimate deconsecrated Manchester church. The performance starts at 8:30pm.

June Jollies

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


June 1st - Dinner at the White Horse This is the new restaurant on the race course. We've heard some good reports, but think the setting alone, right on the race course, is worth giving it a try. It also has a cosy looking interior and (most importantly?!) a good, varied menu (and for Jim, their own brew!)
So, please come along: RSVP Michaela to book a place.

June 8/9 - Tilston Garden Trail  10.30am - 5pm, entrance fee £6 .  Gardens taking part are posted at the start at near the Carden Arms public house in the centre of Tilston.  Many of the owners offer coffee and cakes at a reasonable price. RSVP Lynda Busler to let her know which day you would prefer to go. Once a day is chosen, we can decide where and when to meet.

June 15 - Thornton Hough Circular Walk  Calling at Brimstage Craft Centre where we can have coffee and cakes, or we can book for a lunch at The Country Mouse Restaurant.  Park in Thornton Hough (suggest bottom of the cricket field by the public lavatories) and meet outside the Seven Stars Public House at 11am. RSVP Lynda Busler just so she know how many to expect.

June 24- Book Club We meet every six weeks at 8pm at the Cheshire Cat. We intend to meet up on a Monday - a quiet evening there by their own admission, so there should be a quiet corner for us.  We picked 8 pm, to give any people who want to have a bite before we begin, time to do so. We will discuss the book "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce. This was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2012. You can get it from Amazon as a printed book or as downloadable version to read on your computer. It is also available at Sainsbury's for just under £4. Let Renee know if you intend to be there, we look forward to a good crowd, bring spouses, friends, anyone who might be interested!
FYI: The next book club evening is planned for 27 August; the book for that night is "Notes from an Exhibition" by Patrick Gale.

Sunshine and Smiles at the Cheshire Cat Monthly Meeting
We had a lovely morning sitting outside for out meeting this month. We even had a visit from a founder member, Barbara, who now lives in Portugal. We are so glad she came on a sunny day!

May Mayhem

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


May 3rd - Jewellery Making with Luisa Heaton Following a recent successful ‘taster Jewellery making Session’  at her house attended by some of the Committee members, Lui is offering you a chance to learn to make some jewellery yourselves. The session will be from 10am to around 1pm. Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided, so will all the tools, beads, findings, etc. for the session which will cost £20. She will talk about the many jewellery making methods, will have samples of most if not all - and you  will use 2 of the methods in the necklace you will make. She only has room for 6 persons on the day, please let her know asap if you would like to attend. RSVP Luisa Heaton to book a place and for directions to her house.

May 9th - Book Club (new!) Many members have asked us to revive the book club, so the current plan is to meet every six weeks at 8pm at the Cheshire Cat. We intend to meet up on a Monday - a quiet evening there by their own admission, so there should be a quiet corner for us - although, in good tradition,  we start with an exception to the rule, as the first meeting is set on Thursday, 9 May at 8 pm.  We picked 8 pm, to give any people, who want to have a bite before we begin, time to do so.We will discuss the book "Stranger in My Life" by Janet Holt. This is a very interesting autobiography, and recommended by Debra, so it should be a good read. You can get it from Amazon as a printed book or as downloadable version to read on your computer. Let Renee know if you intend to be there, we look forward to a good crowd, bring spouses, friends, anyone who might be interested!.

May 11th - Walk and Pub Lunch The days are finally getting warmer, so it is time to dust off your walking boots/wellingtons and blow off the cobwebs! We will meet at the Glasfryn in Mold (please park in the upper right hand corner of the parking lot), then carpool to Halkyn Mountain for a three-hour walk. This is a remarkable upland limestone plateau situated between the Clwydian Hills and the Dee Estuary in North Flintshire. It runs roughly parallel with the Dee estuary and overlooks the towns of Holywell and Flint. After this breathtaking scenery we will need to replenish ourselves, so we will return to the Glasfryn for a well-deserved lunch. If you don't fancy the walk, just meet us at the Glasfryn for lunch at 1:30pm. If the weather is too horrendous for a walk, we will still meet for lunch. RSVP Lynda Busler so we know how large a table to book.
(Please note: this is the rescheduled walk that was abandoned due to the March snowstorm - let's hope nothing stops us this time!)

April Frolics

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

April 6th - Theatre Clywd Some of our members have expressed an interest in going to the theatre, so here is the first offering for this year. Renee and Gary have tickets to see Fences at Theatre Clwyd, starring Lenny Henry, for the 7:30pm performance. Also, Lynda is going to the 2:30pm matinee performance and would love to have someone to enjoy it with. If you would like to attend, please book your tickets, then contact Renee or Lynda to meet up beforehand.

April 13th - Tatton Park Art & Antiques Show A wide range of antiques, traditional and contemporary art, sculpture and decorative pieces will be on sale, including period furniture, Arts & Crafts and 20th century pieces, English watercolours, Persian rugs and carpets, Victorian and 20th century jewellery, fine silver, glass, enamels, prints, English clocks; decorative mirrors and much more. Prices range from less than £25 to more than £25,000. Exhibits are vetted for quality and authenticity. The entrance fee to the show is £5, and there is a £5 parking fee - so we will carpool to keep down the costs.RSVP Jacqui Seddon so we can arrange a place to meet for carpooling.


April 10th, 17th, 24th - Liverpool Playhouse Simon has proposed going to the theatre to see A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. He can go any Wednesday (see dates here), and would welcome your company.  If you would like to attend, please let Simon know which date works for you, then book your tickets and  meet at the theatre.

Update

Some members went to sample the menu at the new Istanbul BBQ in Chester on April 5th. The consensus was that it was all very good food and they would recommend it to other members. Here are the attendees enjoying their dinner:

March-ing On in 2013

Here are our offerings for March... which ones do you fancy?

March 1st - Film Showing Barbara has kindly offered to open her home to us so we can have a comfortable seat for a special showing of "The Best Marigold Hotel" The film will begin at 7:30, so get there early to claim a good seat. Bring your own popcorn or other movie snacks! RSVP Barbara Shapton

March 7th - Dinner at the Architect Sadly we missed this last month so we are going to try again! Meet us at the Architect at 7pm. There is limited parking at the pub, but plenty across in the public car park. RSVP Renee van der Laan.

March 17th - Sunday Lunch We have a few members who are also members of the Chester Golf Club near Curzon Park. The Club has a good restaurant and chef, so we are reserving a table for Sunday Lunch to sample their wares for ourselves. We hadn’t realised, when we chose the date for our next Sunday Lunch, that it was also St. Patrick's Day. Now, we can’t promise that we will be surrounded by leprechauns (a leipreachán is a type of fairy in Irish folklore, usually taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat)or that they will serve our food, but we can promise that you will have a fabulous meal with good friends from Newcomers to Chester. Please let Barbara George know by the 15th March at the absolute latest if you are able to join us.

March 23rd - Walk & Pub Lunch The days are getting longer and warmer, so it is time to dust off your walking boots/wellingtons and blow off the cobwebs. We will meet at the Glasfryn in Mold (please park in the upper right hand corner of the parking lot), then carpool to Halkyn Mountain for a three-hour walk. This is a remarkable upland limestone plateau situated between the Clwydian Hills and the Dee Estuary in North Flintshire. It runs roughly parallel with the Dee estuary and overlooks the towns of Holywell and Flint. After this breathtaking scenery we will need to replenish ourselves, so we will return to the Glasfryn for a well-deserved lunch. If you don't fancy the walk, just meet us at the Glasfryn for lunch at 1:30pm. If the weather is too horrendous for a walk, we will still meet for lunch. RSVP Lynda Busler so we know how large a table to book.