Cheshire Life’s guide to the events you can visit without leaving home

CREATE

BAKE OFF

Spend some quality time in the kitchen and try out Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa head chef’s delicious doughnut recipe.

grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk/delicious-doughnuts-recipe

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SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN

The Hollies’ garden nursery is open at Little Budworth with hanging baskets, veg plants and bedding plants as well as geraniums and non-stop begonias. A one-way system is in place and only limited numbers will be allowed in at once, so why don’t you make the most of it and pick up some local produce from the farm shop while you’re there?

theholliesfarmshop.co.uk

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#LOCKDOWNLIFE

The North West Film Archive is calling for video footage of life during coronavirus to paint a picture of ‘what it was really like’ and preserve the experience for future generations. Ideas include videos of social distancing, connecting with loved ones virtually, empty streets, Zoom gatherings and the experiences of key workers.

Send your videos via email, WeTransfer or dropbox to n.w.filmarchive@mmu.ac.uk

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SOCIALLY DISTANCED FUN

PICK YOUR OWN

Warrington’s Kenyon Hall Farm has once again opened its fields for you to pick your own fruit and veg. Things will kick off with the strawberry season, which will continue throughout July and August, but picking numbers will be restricted to socially distance in line with government restrictions.

Book online at kenyonhall.co.uk/pick-your-own

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CONTACTLESS GOLF

Enjoy the sunshine and book a tee time playing socially distanced, contactless golf at Carden Park Hotel’s Cheshire and Nicklaus courses.

cardenpark.co.uk/book-golf

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CHESTER ZOO

After a heart-wrenching #saveourzoo campaign, Chester Zoo re-opened its doors on June 15th and visitors are invited to enjoy the zoo and its 35,000 animals once again. Visitor numbers are limited though and people – even members – are urged to book online ahead of their visit.

Book your ticket through chesterzoo.org/visit-the-zoo-new or donate via justgiving.com/campaign/ChesterZooFuture

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FEEL GOOD

Every Wednesday, 7-8pm

ARTISAN HOUR

Enjoy an hour of virtual shopping from the comfort of your own home with artisan stalls for gorgeous gifts, clothing and accessories.

Run by JayKay Events and Casa Scents via Facebook live facebook.com/events/828484807662575

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Every Wednesday at 7pm

QUARANTINE KARAOKE

Get your hairbrush mics at the ready for Storyhouse’s Quarantine Karaoke, led by George West. There’ll be a new theme each week but don’t worry – your microphone will be muted.

storyhouse.com/event/quarantine-karaoke

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LIVE ONLINE BARRECORE

Join Barrecore’s Alderley Edge Studio in virtual express, signature and restore sessions – known for quickly sculpting strong and lean physiques.

barrecore.com/barrelive

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10-4pm daily

PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Chester Cathedral is open for private prayer and reflection, but numbers will be limited and hand sanitisers will be available at appropriate points. The Cathedral gardens are also open for people to pray, relax and reflect, and weekly digital services are available.

Watch services online via chestercathedral.com/stream

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OVER THE RAINBOW

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (CWP) healthcare heroes have come together for a virtual rendition of Over the Rainbow which they say is to highlight the importance of staying in touch and looking out for one another. CWP chief executive Sheena Cumiskey says: “In the face of real challenges, staff at CWP have been magnificent in their response to Covid-19. As always, they have worked tirelessly to provide the best possible care to the people we serve and this wonderful gesture highlights their commitment to improving experiences and brightening people’s day.”

Watch the CWP Choir performance of Over the Rainbow at youtube.com/watch?v=_zwZbRBFib4

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BRING THE OUTSIDE IN

June 25th

VIRTUAL GARDENS DAY

The Wilmslow Wells for Africa charity is hosting its first ever virtual open grdens day where gardeners will share stories, photos and videos about their own gardens. All money raised from the virtual event, plus the charity’s ‘not going out’ fundraiser (asking people to make a donation using money not spent from a coffee or meal out) will go towards helping people in Africa access clean water.

More info via Facebook @wilmslowwellsforafrica or through the website wilmslowwells.org

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June 28th

MANCHESTER FESTIVAL OF NATURE

The Manchester Festival of Nature will this year be a virtual event. A spokesperson says: “We are all working to encourage people, young and old, to engage more and help protect wildlife in our fantastic city.”

For updates follow @mancnature on Twitter or visit lancswt.org.uk/events/manchester-festival-of-nature

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CULTURE

July 20th

CULTURE SESSION

Author, podcaster and Transition movement founder Rob Hopkins is joining Wild Rumpus’s virtual line-up for its next culture session, a monthly gathering of the cultural curators who are shaping arts activity across Cheshire. Rob will talk about the power of asking good ‘what if?’ questions and how they can unlock fresh, bold, audacious thinking.

Book your free tickets at wildrumpus.org.uk/events

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June 26th to 28th

GOBE AT HOME

The UK’s only free festival to celebrate the music, dance, culture, food and drink of the legendary region of Transylvania has gone online. Góbéfest (a Góbé is a friendly word for a ‘crafty Székely’) was due to take place across Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens and Exchange Square, but now Góbé At Home brings a taste of Transylvania to your living room. Expect livestreamed workshops, dance performances and an excyclopedia of music spanning folk, jazz, classical, opera and pop, as well as home cooks, top chefs and street food stars sharing foodie secrets and hard-to-find recipes from the region.

Stream Góbé At Home for free via gobefest.com, its Facebook page or on YouTube.

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GOING DIGITAL

With the support of Arts Council England, Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is revamping its website to ensure the stories from its remarkable collections are not left untold. Home to ancient artefacts from across the globe, extraordinary tales and pioneering art, the museum’s new digital platform opens the door to a higher level of accessibility, hoping to reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing.

wmag.culturewarrington.org

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