Some highlights of the social calendar in and around Cheshire throughout 2013

Some highlights of the social calendar in and around Cheshire throughout 2013 Compiled by Rachael Hogg

January26th Holly Holy day, NantwichBattleofNantwich.co.ukSince 1973 the troops of the Sealed Knot have gathered to re-enact the bloody Battle of Nantwich, which took place in 1644. Take a trip back to the 17th century and the four-year-long first English civil war between the cavaliers (royalists loyal to Charles I) and the Parliamentarians. There will also be Morris dancers, period musicians, a musketry demonstration, singing and dancing from The Funky Choir, X-Academy and the Nantwich Players staging a period tableau.

Also this month...Practice your best ‘he’s behind you’ for the Bollington Festival Players’ Cinderella panto at Bollington Arts Centre. Dates between January 5th-12th, call 01625 875326 for tickets.

February16th-24th Scarecrow Festival, Tatton ParkTattonPark.org.ukSpend half-term at Tatton Park for the Scarecrow Festival, where the historic estate will be home to over 30 scarecrows. Explore the Tudor Old Hall, the mansion, the gardens and the rare-breed farmyard, full of cattle, horses, pigs, goats, poultry and donkeys to find them all. You can even have a go at making your own scarecrow. Worzel Gummidge would be proud.

Also this month...The North of England Orchid Show heads to Saint Peter’s Church Assembly Rooms, Hale, on February 16th. Orchid.org.uk

March8-18th Irish FestivalManchesterIrishFestival.co.ukThousands of visitors will arrive in Manchester to celebrate the St Patrick’s Day Parade. The festival market features Irish arts and crafts and the best of Irish food, while in the marquee there’ll be typical Irish entertainment.

Also this month...Test your cycling skills with the Wiggle Cheshire Cat on March 24th. KiloToGo.com

AprilMarch 30th-1 April 1st Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle festivalChesterFoodandDrink.co.ukTheir 12th event and organisers promise it will be the biggest and best yet. Over 120 exhibitors will attend and there will be chef demonstrations and workshops for children. The Restaurant Garden will return with culinary delights from 15 local restaurants. And of course, there’s the ever-popular annual cheese rolling event.

Also this month...Boogie at the 17th Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music festival, held across Easter weekend from March 28th - April 1st. NantwichJazz.comGet back to nature at Abbeywood Gardens in Delamere at the Plant Hunters’ Fayre on April 14th. PlantHuntersFairs.co.uk

May27th Warrington Horse Show, DaresburyWarringtonHorseShow.co.ukThis is a highlight of the north west show-jumping calendar and will feature 2,000 competitors showcasing their horsemanship skills in qualifiers for various prestigious events and the Royal International Horse Show. Originating in the 1890s, the event always attracts show-jumping stars and show classes from shire horses to miniature ponies, the Iberian Fiesta and children’s fancy dress. There will also be a dog show, strong man competition, farmers’ market, trade stands and donkey rides.

Also this month...Say cheers at the 19th annual Macclesfield Beer Festival on 10-11 May at Macclesfield Rugby Club. See MacclesfieldBeerFestival.org.uk for details.Be enchanted by the ‘secret gardens’ of Oxton on May 12th. Visit OxtonSociety.org.uk for full details and tickets.

June21st -23rd Macclesfield Barnaby FestivalBarnabyFestival.org.ukFor one weekend Macclesfield centre will be transformed with live music, street entertainment, comedy, visual arts, talks and walks. The Barnaby Fair began in the 13th century when the town was granted a borough charter. The tradition died out some years ago but in 2009 it was revived and has been growing ever since. So join them in June for some jubilation.

Also this month...Cheshire County Show, June 18th and 19th, at Tabley Showground near Knutsford, will attracts thousands of visitors. CheshireCountyShow.org.ukPlus, at Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas, there will be cars vintage and new, motorboats and more at the Pageant of Power June 14-16. For details visit cpop.co.uk

JulyThroughout July BUGS!Chester ZooChesterZoo.orgGiant bugs descend on Chester Zoo in July, as part of a new larger-than-life exhibition. Alongside the elephants, monkeys and tigers, huge animatronic bugs and insects will be taking over the zoo to put invertebrates in the spotlight and raise awareness about the need to conserve them. The robots are being custom-built by a studio in the USA and it will be the first time the giant creations will be seen. This world-first exhibition could be your worst nightmare, but it’s guaranteed to get people buzzing!

Also this month...Have a blooming marvellous time at the RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park, July 25th-28th. See rhs.org.uk for information and tickets.Enjoy the fun of the farm and sample award-winning cheese at the Nantwich Show on July 30th. NantwichShow.co.uk for details

August16-18 Just So Festival, Rode HallJustSoFestival.org.ukWhisk the family off for a weekend of art, music and literature in the parkland around Rode Hall. There will be something for everyone and enough to keep the family entertained all weekend. With everything from bug hunting to the eccentric dreamcatcher picking up your dreams in the morning, you can expect to be entertained and enchanted.

Also this month...Visit the north’s biggest motorsport event, the Gold Cup at Oulton Park on August 26th-27th. oultonpark.co.uk.Wirral Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of all things home-grown. Check it out on August 26th-27th. For information: WirralFoodFestival.co.uk.

September6th-8th Nantwich Food and Drink festivalNantwichFoodFestival.co.uk‘For the love of food’ get yourself to the 2013 Nantwich Food and Drink Festival. The festival boasts a food demonstration theatre, food halls at the Civic Hall and Bowling Green car park, and many fun activities for children. There will be tastings, al fresco dining, stalls, beer and wine tastings, and locally produced samples to enjoy.

Also this month...Throughout the month, visit Mount Pleasant Gardens at Kelsall to see their annual sculpture exhibition featuring artists from across the UK. MountPleasantGardens.co.ukEnter the North West Triathlon in Nantwich on September 8th, aimed at all abilities. See Fun2Tri.co.uk/north_west for sign-up details.

October29-30 Spooky Science, Quarry Bank MillNationalTrust.org.uk/Quarry-Bank-MillQuarry Bank Mill in Styal will be filled with crazy science experiments and exotic animals during their spooky science week. Learn how to make dry ice – a must-have for any horror scene – see electricity flying out of a plasma ball and create screeching balloons. Visitors can also get up close to critters such as snakes, lizards and skunks. Brave souls are taken around the mill at night and told spooky stories based on the mill’s history.

Also this month...Experience an eerie evening at Halloween at the Lion and Swan Hotel, Congleton. Enjoy an evening meal, spooky tales, a ghost hunt, medium readings and paranormal investigations. Eerie-evenings.com for details.

November22nd-24th Tatton Park Antiques and Fine Art FairTattonPark.org.ukWith prices ranging from less than �25 to more than �25,000, there is something for everyone at the Tatton Park Antiques and Fine Art Fair.

Also this month...Craft and Gift Weekend at the popular Lady Heyes Craft and Antiques Centre, Frodsham, will offer an alternative shopping experience where you can buy a Christmas gift or two. November 30th-December 1st. Call 01142 879 671 for details.

DecemberFirst week of December Christmas Floral Extravaganza, Arley HallArleyHallandGardens.comBeautiful Arley will be decked out with more than 1,000 flowers in a festive celebration. Pick up tips on decorating your house in style and attend the Christmas party night and craft fair. There will also be candlelight and carol evenings and children from local schools will be decorating Christmas trees for the annual competition.

Also this month...The Alderley Edge Hotel is the place to be on the first Thursday of December (5th) for the annual Champagne Oscars black tie dinner: a truly sublime and sophisticated dining experience. Tel 01625 583033 for details.Victorian Christmas at Quarry Bank Mill, with parlour games, seasonal snacks, carols, and storytelling. Dec 7-8 and 14-15. See NationalTrust.org.uk/Quarry-Bank-Mill.