An American tourist in Chester

We recently met a very interesting American tourist in the fair city of Chester.
Russ Widger visiting from Tampa , Florida.
I asked Russ what he thought of Chester and this was his reply:

Wow! I am really impressed! Chester came as such a surprise to me. What a picturesque town and great people.
I especially loved the incredible history...walking the Roman Wall, along the canal and river Dee.
The pub crawls have been great too! My first two nights here  started off great with visits to some of the oldest pubs in Chester - with the Saturday beer fest at the Pied Bull, visits to the pubs of lower Bridge Street...even a Sunday Roast dinner at the Bear & Billet pub with music from the Raven Club
( live jam session) that followed.
They say the Raven Club meets there every Sunday with an open mic night for musicians playing folk music. There was everything from guitar to bagpipes, tin whistles and mandolins. A fun night.
There was something to see and do each day- just walking through the town and enjoying the historical buildings and shops. Love the rows and the hidden doorways we discovered there.
Chester offers so much!

My daughter moved here several months ago ( a local blogspotter.)
:)
We had great fun exploring.
The friendliness of the locals was really impressive too.
Local businesses are very wonderful- and people like Torrey, Alex and the team at Kash
( a local restaurant and brewery on Brook Street ) make you feel very welcome!
There is so much to do in Chester but if you have a chance while visiting here do try to take a day tour to North Wales. We spent a day driving through towns like Llangollen and enjoyed some amazing scenery. Especially along the "Horseshoe Pass "
a mountain road with amazing views and lots of sheep!!
I will be back- that's for sure!
.
Thanks Russ! You can come back anytime!!

PASSIONATE ABOUT CHESTER. 

For a  really fun  way to tour North Wales-- check out Busy Bus Tours 
Leaving from Chester and Liverpool
www.busybus.co.uk

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back to PassionateaboutChester!

We have been really quiet lately....but have been out and about gathering ideas! The people of Chester have been keeping us busy- and we have some great posts and interviews coming up soon!

1. 
   

Meet:  The Bread Makers

Wesley Methodist Church Community Centre
in St Johns Street Chester

What an amazing group of people!

 Bread making classes are offered  every Wednesday morning  at the Wesley centre. Come along to meet some wonderful Chester locals, bake bread (all ingredients included...) and share a few hours getting to know some new people.

Andrew Herbert is the Mission Development Office at the Wesley Centre and is always there with a smile.

Volunteers (like Steve pictured below ) are on hand to assist in every way.

The church has gone through a big refurbishment and a brand new luxury bread oven was purchased and is in use for the classes. The classes promote a sense of community for many locals and a cozy and familiar place to gather.

All the proceeds go to the church.... a small fee of  £1.50 is asked for the bread class. All bread you make is your to take home. Classes start at 9:30am and finish at approx 12:45.

Anyone is welcome to join in! This is a warm and wonderful group- always happy to welcome newcomers.

The centre also hosts a casual and family friendly children's play area, coffee bar and fair trade shop. All open to the public Monday-Saturday  10:am-4:pm.
info@wesleychester.co.uk

                                Steve - Wesley volunteer

Meet : Chester Newcomers .....

chesternewcomers.blogspot.co.uk

A group of  warm souls welcoming any and all who are new to Chester.  Join their group and meet some friendly people!

I was lucky enough to find this group  a few weeks after arriving in Chester. I attended one of their monthly coffees -- and was delighted!



Pat Pawlson started this group in Chester 21 years ago!

After having lived abroad for many years herself...and then settling in the Chester area. She realized just how difficult it can be to meet new people and friendly faces when re-locating. 
The Chester Newcomers was born and has welcomed hundreds of women..and their families over the years.
Thanks to Pat , and her many member- helpers , people joining the club  have been able meet new friends. Discovering all that Chester has to offer along with some wonderful people.

The group offers activities to fit every lifestyle from a monthly coffee to evening wine tastings.
Recent events included :  cinema evening, Sunday lunch, theater outings, dinners , day trips- really anything!

If  you are interested in knowing more about the group please have a look at their blog:

• Chesternewcomers.blogspot.co.uk

Our next post will be about a wonderful group of women.. From Chester and beyond!
Stayed tuned :)

Passionate about Chester.....
every day!

Getting to know Chester.....: meet : KASH BAR AND RESTAURANT

Getting to know Chester.....: meet : KASH BAR AND RESTAURANT: Meet KASH WELCOME TO KASH  - One of The best Places to go in Chester for a great home cooked meal and pint. I discovered this wonder...

meet : KASH BAR AND RESTAURANT

Meet KASH

WELCOME TO KASH  - One of The best Places to go in Chester for a great home cooked meal and pint.

I discovered this wonderful haven when I first arrived to Chester. A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere awaits all who happen here....

Torrey is originally from Delaware, USA and her husband Alex from London.

They started Kash together as their own business just over a year ago.

Located at the end of Brook Street -- walking down Brook Street toward the train station- -
they are situated in a beautiful building hosting a large beer garden and plenty of space inside.

Alex is master Brewer - brewing all his own brand of handcrafted ales and lagers.
" BLUEBALL"  is the brand and his brewery is in Runcorn.

His beer is unique, flavorful and very popular! With names like SPANK, KITTY MAIBOCK and INDIE GIRL. Who could resist trying these fantastic brews.
There are hand pulled and craft keg beers on offer always...

Alex started  brewing  in Portland , Oregon and has perfected  his talents here in the Chester area.
The selection on tap changes regularly and one can try different varieties ... From Black Betty to Rooster...

Torrey runs the show in the kitchen and does an amazing job! The food served is homemade, fresh, prepared to order and delicious.
Everything is made from scratch by Torrey - even her delicious sauces!
The food is flavorful, spiced to perfection and simply something special. Try the
"Dirty Sanchez Burger" complete with guacamole and salsa or the " Bomb Burger" covered in Torrey's homemade chili.
American inspired meals served in generous portions the cuisine is made to go well with the beers. A perfect combination.

All of Kash's dishes are bursting with Torrey's spicy style-- a real treat for the senses.

The friendly staff at this local Chester business will be happy to see you!
Two full time members : Tom as head barkeeper and Neil in the kitchen do an awesome job along  with Torrey and Alex.
They will  welcome you to Kash with a smile.

Look out for Mondays : movie night with free popcorn, Tuesday £ 2 pints .... A free pint with every burger  any night of the week and live  music many weekends....
Go to Kash and live the experience!

Kash is located at 121 Brook St, CH1 3DU. Tel. 01244 401777
www.kashchester.com

Stay turned for our next interview: a very cool local Chester business and its owners.
A fun team of people and great place to go in Chester!!!

KASH TAP ROOMS
A FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD BAR AND RESTAURANT .....

Chester's Town Crier

Hear ye

People of Chester ....
For our first interview on Passionateaboutchester.blogspot we were able to speak with the Chester Town Crier!
Mr David Mitchell ( see photo ) has been a Town Crier for over 20 years.
From May1st-August 31 he performs the "mid day proclamation" at the Cross on Bridge Street just outside St Peters Church.

A fun , entertaining and educational experience enjoyed by one and all. Not only tourists to Chester love to be entertained by this booming voice.

David was a teacher for many years in Cheshire. He is interested in history- especially that of the Town Crier. His book  on the history of Town Criers

" For Crying out Loud" was published in 2010. It can be purchased in Chester. Look for it at the Town Hall and Visitors Center.

David is a Town Crier/ public speaker at events including after dinner engagements and weddings. He can even stand under your bride-to-be's bedroom window and wake her on the day of the wedding!

His elaborate and beautiful historical costumes are made by his wife.

David lives  in Hoole and is passionate about Chester. he says he loves the fact that Chester is small enough to discover on foot- and it is like living in a museum- history every where you walk.

Look out for events to come including a possible World Town Crier Tournmament in Chester in 2013.

For this Chester local who quotes the Greek saying " a town should only be so big as to hear a human voice from one side to the other" - Chester is just that place.

Photos of the Town Crier and a wee Scottish Lass .... arrested for spending too much money shopping!   All in good fun!

some basic history.....

Some basic history of Chester

Chester is in the county of Cheshire and has approx. 80,000 inhabitants.

I am not a historian... here a few fun facts about Chester and what you can expect to see here:

Chester was founded as a Roman Fort in approx AD 79--- and was at the time a bustling trading port.

Chester is a walled city on the River Dee... walking along the river and  "walking the walls"  are still two musts when in Chester. Walking the walls takes about an hour and gives you a wonderful view over the city, the famous Race Course, river, old castle (ruins), the canal and residential areas...

Tudor Design reigns in the city (black and white)..... The Eastgate Clock
(said to be the second most photographed clock in the UK after Big Ben)
-- welcomes visitors into the city.

---- Chester is very close to the border of  Wales.....

by way of introduction...

First Post

Welcome to my BLOG! Getting to know Chester..... since moving here 9 months ago (eek has it been that long already?!!)
I have become passionate about Chester... its history, architecture, people, sights and sounds. There is alot to love about this place!

I have met some fascinating people... and want to introduce them to you too! Add some fun fotos..  news about things that are happening around town... all rolled into one.
Meghan's take on Chester-

One of the things I would like to do is introduce you to the many faces of Chester....
but I guess I have to start with myself first.....

I moved to Chester in December 2011....
Originally from Detroit Michigan USA (Motown, The Motor City , the Red Wings, The Tigers The Lions and home to the Osborne &! Widger extended families) :)   I moved here with my husband  (job transfer)

after living in Hamburg, Germany for 20 years.
LOVED Hamburg and to say it was difficult to leave is a very big understatement. However....  I knew right away that Chester was warm, welcoming and going to prove be an amazing adventure.
Fast forward a few months.... moving, settling in, finding my way about town, landing a job , meeting interesting people, having friends come to stay and visit--- the months have flown and Chester is really beginning to feel like home.