STIGMA TATTOO CHESTER

Meet Tim Irvine
of Stigma Tattoo in Chester
www.stigmatattoo.co.uk

7 Rufus Court Row
Chester CH1 2JB

Meet Tim from Stigma Tattoo-----

I recently had the chance to visit Tim's studio with a friend of mine. She wanted a tattoo (her first) and Tim came highly recommended as a local artist.
Tim took his time and worked with her on a design that would be best. He really took extra time planning out the design...going over different possibilities with her-- and made sure she was 100% happy with the result. She loved it!!

He told us he stands behind all the art he creates-- and wants to be sure that his customers are really happy and satisfied  with the finished product.


Tim has been working in the tattoo industry for over 15 years.
He studied Art and Design at college and apprenticed at a tattoo studio in Wrexam.
He takes great pride in and is very passionate about his work.

Tim and his wife Lucy opened their first studio in Liverpool-- and expanded to their Chester location three years ago.
Working alongside Tim  at the Chester Studio
is Becky.
Becky is also a passionate Tattoo Artist and designer-- with over 15 years experience. She has been with Stigma for two years.

We had the chance to watch both Tim and Becky at work. The detail in their work is amazing. Their experience shows in their work.

The Studio is located at Rufus Court-- easy to find. A very clean and professional environment.


Tim and Lucy have been brave enough to go out on their own-- starting two businesses and all  their hard work shows! Its great to see local people putting their heart and souls into local small business. They are putting their amazing artistic talents to work!

If you are interested in more information about the team at Stigma . for either the Chester or Liverpool location-please check out their website or call 01244 630 414 to make an appointment.

There are already a lot of happy customers in Chester.

A very happy customer!!

initial design for Julie

TIM

LUCY

BECKY

The Visitor Centre Chester

        Today we would 

        would like to recommend the :

 

 

               Chester's Visitor Information Centre

              located directly between the Forum Shopping Centre

       and The Town hall

 

 

****

 WELCOME to Chester and the Visitor Information Centre

 

What a wonderful wealth of information and ideas one can find here!!

 

The Centre is not just for "tourists"--

 locals enjoy their services as well.

Come here to discover tickets sales for local events : The summer outdoor theatre and cinema tickets were sold here, the upcoming Literature Fest Tickets, Tours with Jones Bus Tours, National Express Bus Tickets, local walking Tours including the famous

GHOST TOUR

 of Chester,

 Bus passes, local sightseeing buses including The Heritage Bus

 

www.chesterheritagetours.co.uk

 

 and  discounted tickets to the Chester Zoo are all among the offerings.

 

You can find maps from Chester, Wales and surrounding areas ..as well as loads of great

cycle maps.

There are souvenirs for all ages ... postcards , sweets you name it and they offer it!

 

This is a great place to stop in when you are in town to pick up the local news on what's happening in town.

 

The staff are also wonderful and friendly :)

 

pop in and say  hello!!

Busy Bus North Wales Adventure

Not just for tourists.....

I was recently lucky enough to join in on a 

Busy Bus North Wales Adventure Tour. 

What a fabulous day out!!

Busy Bus is a locally based company - started by Peter Rosenfeld. 

The company is run today by Pete, his lovely wife Vera and a group of competent and friendly driver/guides.

They offer the Wales Adventure Tour from Chester and Liverpool, package trips to Alton Towers, 3 Peak Tours -- and are available for private hire as well.

Their web site has all the information you need to make a booking. 

Tickets for Wales are also  on sale through the Chester Visitor Centre in town. 

We were picked up in a beautiful new mini bus just across from the Chester Railway Station-- and whisked into the heart of Wales for a busy day of fun.

First stop-- Llandudno. We were driven up to the top of the Great Orme by our fun loving and informative guide Frank. The views were fabulous!!  Our first coffee of the day was enjoyed walking along the beautiful Llandudno Pier---enjoying the morning sunshine.

Busy Bus emphasises having fun and a great day- and it was easy to tell that Frank loves his job. This was an upbeat and  positive day!

 From there it was a short ride to Conwy. We toured the beautiful Conwy castle, walked along the harbour, took photos of the smallest house and toured the town. 

Frank was waiting for us and whisked us away to Snowdonia national park from there - with lots of interesting facts along the way...and great tunes... we ended up in a beautiful spot in the national park where we could enjoy the awesome views, waterfalls and could enjoy the fresh air and walks....

As if that were not enough we continued on from there to the beautiful town of

 Betws-y-Coed.  Here we visited the village church, railway cafe and walked thru the town. A lovely atmosphere and we will be going back to enjoy the walks and maybe the 9 hole golf course !

Frank even took us by the Pontcysyllte  Aqueduct on the way back to Chester. A full and amazing day. We loved it.

 I would highly recommend this tour for the WOW effect...We also enjoyed not having to drive  ourselves- very relaxing. We also got to see more in one day then we would have done on our own.   A great day!!

http://www.busybus.co.uk/

Sleeping Rough in Chester

Passionateaboutchester 

 

 recently met up with some street Angels in the city.

They roam the streets of Chester looking for homeless people or "rough sleepers" and bring them to a shelter.

They explained to me that they encourage them to come along to the shelter located across from the Grosvenor Museum. There they can have a night stay and a shower.

They can also get advice and information on possibilities available to them.

http://www.talkingwestcheshire.org/talking_together_direct/news_talking_together_direct/media_releases_for_2012_-_ttd/december_2012_-_talking_togeth/new_homeless_provider_reaches.aspx

There are possibilities for those interested in turning their lives around. Admittedly , not always as easy as it sounds... There are organizations here that are willing to help.

 

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/rough-sleepers-chester-tell-story-5114880

A new homeless shelter/ hostel is being planned in Boughton.

There is a lot concern about this issue from

local residents . 

Read more about that here:
http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/119654/chester-homeless-shelter-fury.aspx

One step at a time.

Also helping out in Chester: among others :)

http://www.cath.org.uk/

http://chesterellesmereport.foodbank.org.uk/

The Welsey Methodist Church in Chester

http://chesterellesmereport.foodbank.org.uk/donate

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Helping Out on the Streets of Chester:
from The Enterprises NW Foundation
Outreach Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chester

Weekend of Festivals!!

on this sunny bank holiday weekend-- Chester celebrated in STYLE with two wonderful and fun street festivals.

 

The NORTHGATE Quarter  Festival 

is a celebration of the historical Northgate Street and Rufus Court area. 

The festival started last year as a part of the Queens jubilee celebrations and

will  run on a series of Sundays and
 aim to provide a platform for local communities to develop their artistic expression.

The next dates  IN THE SERIES  are  four themed Sundays in July, the themes being a Choir Day, Art Installations and Literature, a Retro Day and a Traditional English Village Green 

there will be one also on  the bank holiday Sunday in August.

Highlights of the lively street fair include the numerous artists displaying their work- including on the spot portraits and scetchs.

 Music from local artists on stages on Northgate street- at Alexanders in Rufus Court and on Abbey Green. 

 There was fun for all ages - and something for eveyone.
 All the restaurants providing drinks and food  for sale 
on the street-
 a musical George and the Dragon parade and A JESTER!
A stage where the Deva Flamenco Dancers performed.

There was even a huge mural of Northgate street - placed out in the street for the for the entire community to assist in painting!

The large sheet had an outline of both sides of Northgate Street and one and all were able to stop- grab a paintbrush and help to color in the design.

you may see the wonderful mural hanging from the bridge at the next festival!

 

All of the local businesses took part in welcoming visitors to the historical Northgate Street-- The Handel's Court Gallery (located in the old butcher shop) hosted a photo-mash of old/new photographs of Northgate and Rufus Court----

One local business had a lovely stand of beautiful homemade cupcakes and cakes....served on vintage china at little tables they had set up in the street. The home based business is called KINGS ACRE and they provide tea party service at your home- or where ever you like. they provide all the decoration and lovely tea and cakes (see photo)

They can be reached at tel. 07886 559048. 

"Table ware for all occasions- Weddings,Parties,High tea- fun!

I think its very fair to say that all who attended had a lovely time - and are looking forward to the series  of upcoming events!

BROOK STREET 

also hosted their street festival on Sunday-

wonderfully loud and fun music  on two large stages- definatly attracted the crowds and encouraged dancing in the streets!! 

On what is certainly one of the most  culturally colourful streets

 in Chester- a host of nationalities and cultures were represented in the celebrations. 

The Brook Street eateries including the varied  Indian Restaurants and  Istanbul BBQ had loads of food on offer for sale outside...

 Istanbul BBQ had Turkish Dancers performing-wonderful!

Reggae Music played loudly from a Jamaican DJ outside his shop-- 

The kids were happily entertained with rides, games - anyone want to win a goldfish?- Glitter and Henna tatoos---- loads of fun for everyone!

Local business people sold their goods including some beautiful handmade jewelry and very interesting baked goods by

 Take it-Bake it (check them out on Facebook at Take it-Bake it / very cool gift ideas!)

The weather certainly had everyone out and enjoying not only the gorgeous weather but the wonderful Chester hospitality and community spirit---------- Celebrating together!

12th May 2013

The Chester 1/2 Marathon

 The Chester Half Marathon!! What a great and well attended event in our fair city!
Over 6,000 runners and just as many supporters crowed the city-- and cheered the morning away!!
Starting at the Chester Racecourse and finishing at the city centre - the runners go through  Saughall and Blacon among other local areas-- all on closed roads.
A mostly flat run --it is challenging none the less!!

 

 This was the 32nd NIKE Running Challenge in Chester....Many runners commented on the amazing reception from Chester residents many people out in the streets cheering the runners on!

The day also hosted about 500 children and families in a family run around the race course!
Many runners ran in support of charities to raise money for issues close to their hearts.
A fantastic event enjoyed by one and all-- a tribute to Chester --- and the energetic runners!!

Trains Trains Trains ........

Chester and Train Travel 

The train services from Chester are fantastic!! 

To get to Manchester or Liverpool it's a short 40 minute direct train - getting you to the center of either town. 

Manchester and Liverpool both offer fantastic shopping, theaters and great restaurants ....

Today I hopped on the train to go to Manchester Airport! Such a breeze- one quick change and I was inside the airport and at the terminal in just over an hour.

Love how easy it is! 

With visitors coming soon - in May  and June ... I will be planning train trips galore! Look out guys!

It always helps to shop for prices-- I recently started a trip to Glasgow from Liverpool instead of Chester. This lowered the ticket price considerably. 

A friendly hello too to the awesome team at Chester railway ticket center- the ticket office is open from 

5:30-11pm ( wow! ) and the service has always been wonderful!

 Smiles and lots of extra info - and advice on prices - really great!