University-run Chester Festival of Ideas returns with record turnout

The four-day summer highlight, held earlier this month (July) by the University of Chester with the support of partners for its third year, offered celebratory, entertaining, creative, informative and inspiring events for all ages and interests.

With almost 4,000 event attendances, the festival saw an increase of 13% on last year, with feedback including: “Really enjoyed the Festival of Ideas, fantastic guests and interviewers. Also a large thankyou to all involved in putting this together front and behind the scenes. Looking forward to next year’s festival.” Another visitor said: “Well done all of the team who have made it so brilliant for the third year running.”

Events were hosted at venues across Chester, including Chester Town Hall - the festival hub, event spaces across the University of Chester, Storyhouse, the Grosvenor Museum, Chester Cathedral, Chester Market and Chester Picturehouse cinema.

Guests for this year included:

• Comedian, writer and broadcaster, David Baddiel.
• Journalist, broadcaster, author and campaigner, Mariella Frostrup.
• Author, broadcaster, former editor-at-large at The Guardian and Professor, Gary Younge.
• Greg Jenner, best known for working on the award-winning BBC TV series, Horrible Histories as its historical consultant, and for creating and hosting the BBC podcast, You're Dead To Me.
• Environmentalist, ornithologist, campaigner, author and broadcaster, Dr Mya-Rose Craig.
• Professor Dame Jenny Harries, University of Chester Chancellor and former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England.

The programme also featured:

• Royal Institution representatives presenting exciting science shows.
• Experts from Reaseheath College and Chester Zoo who, among other activities, joined with University of Chester colleagues at a Wild Futures drop-in.
• Schools hosting a range of events around the theme of ‘Our Future in Our Hands’.

Furthermore, the free festival provided a fantastic opportunity to find out more about public engagement and research led by the University, with academics sharing their insights on subjects from Lasting Powers of Attorney to the animal-human bond, and inter-generational mentoring.

The four days included exhibitions, performances, interactive activities, workshops sustainability and history walks and the opportunity to stand in the footprints of gladiators with a Chester virtual reality Roman amphitheatre experience.

Katherine Wilson, Director of Chester Festival of Ideas and Professor of Later Medieval European History at the University of Chester, said: “Previous years’ festivals have given us great momentum, with this year's surpassing our hopes again. After months of planning behind the scenes, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the festival embraced so avidly, with so many people enjoying the events.

“The audiences and the feedback have been amazing. It’s been an honour to run the festival, and welcome people to more than 100 free events across Chester, joining together in learning, fresh ideas, sharing, inspiration, fun, celebration and shining a light on our city.

“Our thanks go to everyone who has been a part of the third Festival of Ideas. The festival wouldn’t have been possible and proved so popular without the support, time and dedication of colleagues and partners from across the Cheshire community and beyond - from our planning team, steering group and guest speakers to those running venues, all the event leaders and volunteers - and without all our visitors’ fantastic enthusiasm, creativity and input.

“We hope to return next year with another exciting programme of events. In the meantime, keep an eye on www.festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk for updates, or sign up via the website to join our mailing list and be among the first to hear about future festivals.”

Images (from top):

• The Royal Institution led a trio of science shows.
• Mariella Frostrup at the festival.
• Greg Jenner meeting attendees, with Roman soldiers from Chester Roman Tours.
• David Baddiel in conversation.
• Getting up close to the past at the Medieval Treasures: Hold and Create History event.