Friday 30 November 2012

Walk of Light Parade marks World AIDs Day in Chester


Walk of Light Parade marks World AIDs Day in Chester 
By Claire Henderson Friday 30 November 2012  

A ‘Walk of Light’ parade and remembrance vigil is taking place in Chester to mark World AIDs Day. 

The walk will begin from the Cross at 4pm on the 1st December 2012 and will end with a vigil at the Amphitheatre in remembrance for the loss of lives through AIDs and a celebration of hope. 

Lights are available for the walk for a small donation. The donations go to Body Positive Cheshire and North West, to improve the quality of life for people who are affected of living with HIV and AIDs.  

The event is organized by the newly formed Lions’ Pride Steering Group. The group consists of Cheshire West and Chester Council, University of Chester, Chester Students’ Union, Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation, Body Positive Cheshire and North Wales and LGBT Youth North Wales. 

Paul Marsh, Director of Services at Body Positive Cheshire and North Wales said: “The event for World AIDs day is an opportunity to join people worldwide in the fight against HIV and AIDs, to show support for people living with HIV and pay tribute to those who have died.”  

There are more than 90,000 people living with HIV in the UK with a quarter of those unaware they have the virus. “There are no specific symptoms caused by the HIV or AIDs, which is why it is important to be tested,” said Mr Marsh. It is simple and pain free to be tested and an earlier diagnosis enables medical support to be given sooner. 

Medication has advanced dramatically since the early days and as a result of medical developments and advances people living well. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Equality and Diversity Champion, Councillor Razia Daniels said: “World AIDs Day is celebrated all over the world and Cheshire West and Chester Council is happy and proud to be working alongside its partners in organizing this local event.” 

The highest number of HIV cases in Cheshire are found in Cheshire West and Chester. Body Positive Cheshire and North Wales provides a holistic service, which enables people living with HIV to access medical and social care services together. 


Tuesday 27 November 2012

Lantern Magic lights up Chester Zoo.


Lantern Magic lights up Chester Zoo.
 By Emma-louise Rawlinson and Claire Henderson
Tuesday 27 November 2012 

CHESTER Zoo, home to over 8000 animals and 400 different species is host to an astonishing Christmas event named ‘Lantern Magic’. Families can walk around the zoo in the dark hours carrying their handmade lanterns amongst a trail of wondrous lights and life sized animal lanterns. 

The Lantern Magic walk trail is 0.75 miles each way with the experience lasting up to an hour. A lantern workshop for the children provides them with their own mini-lantern to guide their way, as well as large lanterns for the rest of the family. 

Staff are spread out around the zoo to guide you in the right direction, as some of the areas of the zoo won’t be open. For safety reasons they ask the public to keep to the trail. The Fruit Bat Forest is open until 19:30pm. 

Families can collect their glow in the dark star from Mother Christmas and place it on the Cedar Wish Tree before meeting Father Christmas. A professional photographer is there to take your photograph which can be purchased at a kiosk. 

Samantha Ricketts, 20, Guest Services Assistant from Upton, said:

“Being Mother Christmas, I interact with the kids; telling jokes and listening to their wishes which I send to my husband, Father Christmas. I hand out the glowing stars, hold them in my hands as they make their wish and then they hang them on the tree.” 

The Lantern Company has been commissioned to create the life sized animal lanterns and illuminated costumes, which are worn by staff members.  

Holly Jenkins, 22, Guest Services Assistant from Ellesmere Port, said: 

“It’s been a good event so far and brought in a lot of families and the event has been sold out for the first two days. With it being the preview weekend, a few things have gone wrong, such as realising we needed shelters for the staff and public with the weather being so terrible.” 

The Lantern Company’s work ranges from small to large-scale theatrical experiences, to big outdoor shows, community artwork shops and training. They produce giant puppets and kinetic professional floats as well as sculptural lanterns for day and night time events. 

“The costumes are great, but they take so long to get on, sometimes up to half an hour,” said Miss Jenkins. 

The preview weekend has proved to be a fun and successful event for all ages and hopefully it will be reoccurring event for other years to come.   


One of the lanterns on display at Chester Zoo.



Saturday 24 November 2012

Cineworld joins Dimensions to screen Autism Friendly Films.


Cineworld joins Dimensions to screen Autism Friendly Films. 
By Claire Henderson Saturday 24 November 2012 

CINEWORLD will be showing their first Autism friendly screening in partnership with Dimensions in December.  

The screenings will be happening at Cineworld cinemas all over the country including the Chester branch at the Greyhound Retail Park at 11am on the first Sunday of every month. People with sensory differences and autism can attend with friends and siblings in an inclusive environment.  

Autism Friendly screenings differ from regular screenings, the lighting with be kept on low throughout the screening, the volume levels will be reduced, there are no trailers or advertisements, customers can move around the cinema and make noise and customers will be able to bring their own food and drinks. 

Kayley Worsley, the PR and Communications officer for Dimensions said, “Currently Cineworld are showing the films across 21 cinemas- December’s film will be their first one- but it is hoped this will increase in future months.” 

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger will be showing on the 2nd of December at 11am.


Thursday 22 November 2012

Chester's Victorian Christmas market brings spirit to town.


Chester's Victorian Christmas market brings spirit to town. 
By Claire Henderson
Thursday 22 November 2012 

CHESTER'S Christmas market has something for everyone with a variety of stalls which sell a range of gifts and food. 

From November 22nd to December 24th, Chester will have a Victorian Christmas Market outside the Town Hall and the Library. 

This year the Christmas Market includes several local independent traders and traders from further away, including the Bethlehem Artisans selling olive wood gift products. 

A range of gifts are available at the stalls including clothing, decorations, cards and art as well as food stalls selling nibbles to meals.  

Rochelle Reynolds, 22, a student from Brighton said: “The market really got me into the Christmas spirit, with all the lights and the smell of the food stalls.”  

Miss Reynolds explained that she liked the stalls because they are not selling the usual Christmas gifts you could find on the high-street. “They have a huge range of gifts, from metal sculptures to bath bombs and winter woolly hats,” she said. 

“The sellers in the stalls were also dressed in top hats to follow the Victorian era and the food was wonderful, I had a venison burger and a hot dog cooked on the massive grill, it is all very exciting!” said Miss Reynolds. 

The other events happening throughout November and December are, the Christmas Parade of Light (November 22nd), the Winter Watch Parades (December 6th and 13th) and the Roman torch lit Saturnalia Parade (December 20th).

Stalls at the market.

Christmas Parade which went through town.



Cheshire Oaks switch on their Christmas lights.


Cheshire Oaks switch on their Christmas lights. 
By Claire Henderson Thursday 22 November 2012 

TONIGHT Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet switched on their Christmas lights, which marks the start of their four-day shopping festival. 

With no celebrities appearing this year, up and coming singers and Radio City 96.7’s presenters Jay and Claire from hit breakfast show Rossie and Co. appeared at the event, along with the charity ‘Claire House’ raising funds. 

The entertainment consisted of the choir, Harmony of Handbags, signing ‘Sleigh Ride’ and Jessie J’s famous tune ‘Price Tag’, followed by the Manchester Airport choir singing ‘Help’ by The Beatles and ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’. Celebrity Vocal coach, Yvie Burnett, who has been a coach on X-Factor and various other shows, also took the stage to get the crowd’s vocal chords warmed up. 

Charlotte Parry-Ashcroft, 14, from Broughton said, “It has been a bit disappointing, this is my first year here and it only lasted 40 minutes and there was no one famous, I heard there is always someone famous.”  

Abi Smith, Cheshire fundraising manager at ‘Claire House’ was there to explain what they do for children and young adults with a life threatening or life limiting condition, as well as their families. The stage then filled with children from ‘Claire House’ to help push the plunger, which would light the Christmas tree and set off a spectacular fireworks display. 

“The best part of the night was the children lighting the tree, and the fireworks! They were absolutely brilliant,” said Laura Williams, 18, from Chester.

Cheshire Oaks Christmas tree.