EVENTS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

CHESTER: Three Little Mice – William Monk hid three little mice in one of his etchings in Gallery Two. can you spot them? Have a look, then come and make some mousy ears to take home and wear at the Grosvenor Museum Newstead Gallery from 2-4pm. Free drop-in.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3

ELLESMERE PORT: The National Waterways Museum will be echoing to the sound of evocative street organs as they are played in the nooks and crannies of the site – bringing a real flavour of the streets of days gone by. Takes place every day until Sunday, August 11, from 10am-3pm. Prices: Adult £6.50, conc £5.50, child (five-16) £4.50, under fives, annual pass holders and friends of Canal & River Trust free. For information see www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum or 0151 373 4373.

MACCLESFIELD: National Gardens Weekend open day at Ashmead, Bramhall Way, from 1-5pm. Admission £3, children free.

UPTON: The Chester and District Fuchsia Society will be holding its 23rd annual show at Upton Village Hall, Heath Road, from 1-4pm. Admission is free and there will be cultivation tips and demonstrations, tombola and refreshments. For further information call 01244 383475.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

ALTRINCHAM: National Gardens Scheme open day at Dunham Massey from 11am-5.30pm. Admission £8, children £4. Call 0161 941 1025 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

FLINT: Bows ‘n’ Arrows – learn the ancient craft of bow and arrow making and then defend the castle from marauders at Flint Castle from 11am-3pm. Dress up in knights’ outfits and reclaim the castle. Packed lunch required. Charge £1. Booking essential on 01244 814931.

MACCLESFIELD: National Gardens Weekend open day at Ashmead, Bramhall Way, from 1-5pm. Admission £3, children free.

NORTHWICH: National Gardens Scheme open day at Arley Hall and Gardens from 11am-4.30pm. Admission £7, children free. Call 01565 777353 or visit www.arleyhallandgardens.com.

PENYFFORDD: National Gardens Scheme open day at Dove Cottage in Rhos Road from 2-5pm. Admission £3.50, children free. Call 01244 547539.

MONDAY, AUGUST 5

ELLESMERE PORT: Say it in cross stitch – make a room sign – at the Paperboat Gallery from 1-3pm. Call 07533 809839 or email: info@paperboatgallery.org.uk.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6

CHESTER: Midsummer Night’s Dream Masks – Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is being performed in Grosvenor Park this summer. Come along and make a character mask from the play, at the Grosvenor Museum Newstead Gallery from 2-4pm. Free drop-in session.

ELLESMERE PORT: Say it in cross stitch – make a room sign – at the Paperboat Gallery from 1-3pm. Call 07533 809839 or email: info@paperboatgallery.org.uk.

RUTHIN: National Gardens Scheme open day at Firgrove in Llanfwrog from 11.30am-3.30pm. Admission £3.50, children £2. Call 01824 702677 or visit www.firgrovecountryhouse.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

CHESTER: Defending A Medieval City – join some colourful medieval characters and discover more about unrest and defence in medieval Chester with a 21st century guide on hands throughout the day to help you find out more about Chester Castle from 11am-4pm at the Grosvenor Museum and Chester Castle. Free drop-in session.

CORWEN: National Gardens Scheme open day at Aberclwyd Manor, in Derwen, from 11am-4pm. Admission £3, children free. Call 01824 750431.

ELLESMERE PORT: Say it in cross stitch – make a room sign – at the Paperboat Gallery from 1-3pm. Call 07533 809839 or email: info@paperboatgallery.org.uk.

HALKYN: Children’s pond dip at Halkyn Mountain Common – join the ranger to see what creatures live in one of the mountain ponds from 1.30-3.30pm. Please wear wellies, dipping equipment will be provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free activity. Booking essential on 01244 814931.

WEPRE: Wet Walk into Wales - Another chance to experience the expanse and splendour of the Dee estuary salt marsh and learn about its rich history and wildlife, guided by members of the Dee Wildfowlers from 6-10pm. Courtesy of the landowners, the MoD and the RSPB. Wellies and waterproofs essential. Cost £3.50 per person. Booking essential on 01244 814931.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

CHESTER: The Waverton Christening Gown – explore the fascinating story of the Waverton Christening Gown using photos, maps and local records and then start your own family tree at the Grosvenor Museum Newstead Gallery from 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.15pm. Free drop-in session.

MUSIC

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

CHESTER: Manchester organist David Hardie plays music by Liszt, Bach and Franck, in his lunchtime organ recital in Chester Cathedral at 1.10pm.  Admission £5.45, concessions £4.50.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3

CHESTER: The Royal Buckley Town Band in concert in The Bandstand at The Groves.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

CHESTER: Llangollen Silver Band in concert in The Bandstand at The Groves.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6

CHESTER: Glyn Williams, organist at St Andrew and St Mary’s Church, Condover and Shrewsbury Abbey, plays music by Bach, Bonnet, Vaughan-Williams and Archer in his Tuesdays-at-One organ concert in St Werburgh’s Church, Grosvenor Park Road. Retiring collection.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

LLANDUDNO: Resident organist Norman Rimmer gives the first organ concert of the series in Holy Trinity Church.  Retiring collection for the organ fund.

ST ASAPH: Mervyn Cousins gives the monthly organ recital in St Asaph Cathedral at 7.30pm. Admission £5 including programme, etc.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

CHESTER: Roger Fisher plays music by Stanford and Archer in his lunchtime organ recital in Chester Cathedral at 1.10pm. Admission £5.45, concessions £4.50. Also 10 tickets for £35. Accompanied children under 16 free.

SHOWS

CHESTER: August 3 – Comedy Live! presents Dave Ward at Alexander’s, Rufus Court. Admission £12, members £10. Call 01244 340005 or visit www.alexanderslive.com.

CREWE: August 3 – Joe Longthorne on stage at the Lyceum Theatre in Heath Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £19. Call 01270 368242 or visit www.crewelyceum.co.uk.

MOLD: August 1 – Kill For A Seat Comedy Club presents Paul Sinha and Iszi Lawrence, with compere Silky, in the Clwyd Room at Clwyd Theatr Cymru at 8pm. Tickets £10, concessions £8. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theratr-cymru.co.uk.

EXHIBITIONS

BICKERTON: July 27-August 4 – The annual exhibition of more than 500 paintings by local artists will be held at the village hall. Open daily between 11am and 6pm except on the final Sunday when the closing time is 4pm. As well as paintings and cards for sale there will also be refreshments with homemade cakes. For more information see the website www.bickertonvillagehall.co.uk or contact 01829 782348.

CHESTER: July 5-25 – Life Room – an exhibition of work by Ann Reeve at Contemporary Art Space Chester, University of Chester, Kingsway. Call 01244 515870 or visit www.chester.ac.uk.

CHESTER: July 1-September 27 – Past, Present, Perfect? – This photographic exhibition takes modern, well-known buildings and strips back the layers to the pubs, houses, streets and shops that occupied prime spots in the city in years gone by, in the Chester History and Heritage Centre.

CHESTER: July 1-September 27 – Trips and Treats – This small photographic exhibition explores past summer days, family outings and day trips away from the city with work or school, in the Chester History and Heritage Centre.

CHESTER: June 19-September 12 – Paintings by Stubbs, Claude and van Diepenbeeck – lent by the Duke of Westminster, in the Grosvenor Museum Art Gallery One.

CHESTER: May 4-September 22 – Discover a Medieval City: Places, Voices, Journeys – exhibition exploring life in medieval Chester, investigating the role of religion and the city’s significance as a place of pilgrimage, in the Grosvenor Museum Exhibition Gallery One.

FRODSHAM: June 25-August 5 – Cheshire Artists Network present Home at Castle Park Arts Centre. The theme of this exhibition has been chosen not only because Castle Park Arts Centre is the home gallery of Cheshire Artists Network, but it’s also a subject that everyone can relate to. Whether it is a perfect showcase or just a place to lay the head, our home is one of the most important aspects of our lives. Without it lives fall apart. This is an opportunity for artists to express their hopes and fears; the choices and responsibilities that tie us to a physical place on earth.

WIRRAL: July 19-August 4 – The National Exhibition Wildlife Art at Gordale Garden Centre.