Has It Stopped Raining Yet?

Well, what can you say about this weather. I know that in many cases we Brits talking about the weather is a bit of a “no-no” really. A boring topic of conversation to many. But, come on, let’s have it right. This weather so far this “summer” is absolutely pants isn’t it!! I mean there’s rain and there’s rain. This is constant. And it’s cold as well isn’t it. Let’s have a look outside – has it stopped raining yet?

Yay……it has. Incredible, get the sun lounger out, hang the washing……oh, hang on a minute!! Let me ask that question again. Has it stopped raining yet? Er, no….it hasn’t. False alarm a few moments earlier.

Still, look on the positive side. With all this raining there are so many plus points. I mean there’s the…….the……er….you know…..the….er…..or, there is the other upside. You know. All this rain means……er…..er….er….I won’t have to mow the lawn. There you go, I knew there was a significant plus point all this rain is providing us. Hang on a mo…..we don’t have a lawn!!!

So, has the answer to “has it stopped raining yet?” actually stopped us doing things and getting about and about. Or, is it likely to? Let’s have a look around shall we.

Has It Stopped Raining Yet?

Was it raining last weekend? Indeed it was. Silly question really. So, wouldn’t that mean Chester Races was cancelled? No, not so. As I reported last week in this article HERE, a part of the racecourse was closed off. But was it completely rained off. Not at all.

Yes, attendance figures were down by about 3,000 but nevertheless, an impressive 18,000 racegoers still turned out to enjoy the day’s events.

The next event on the calendar is Friday, June 28th. This is the “Ladies Evening” meeting. So ladies (and you menfolk as well of course), you may want to ask the question, “has it stopped raining yet?” before you dress up in all finery and head gear. But maybe not. Go along anyway even if it is raining. You’ll still have a great time anyway.

Has it Stopped Raining Yet? – Who Cares!!!

I’m fairly sure I’ve mentioned it before, but if not I’ll say it now, We are big fans of Aldi. What a great supermarket. Last Thursday (13th June) saw the opening of the latest Aldi store to be opened.

Despite the heavy rain, more than 200 people queued for the grand opening of Aldi’s store on Parkgate Road. Yes, I like Aldi. But stand queuing in the pouring rain? Maybe not. Having said that, we did pop along on Friday. And fair do’s the new store is impressive. Much bigger than the others. And, as ever, great value throughout.

Who Else Didn’t Care About The Rain?

An orthopaedic consultant from Chester and his son, that’s who. Mark Webb and 17 year-old son, Joseph climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon (the way you do!!) on Saturday, 8th June for charity.

Did they enjoy nice weather? No, they didn’t. Did they care? No, they didn’t. The object of the perfectly normal “Three Peaks” challenge in dreadful weather and being stuck on the M6 motorway on their way to one of the peaks, was to raise money for the Share Shop charity in Northgate Street, Chester.

In case you didn’t know, I mentioned the incredible achievement of the Share Shop last week in this article HERE. Share support local homeless people and refugees across Europe and last week I mentioned that they had raised an incredible £100,000+ for their “buy-a-brick” campaign.

This campaign is aimed at raising enough money to buy a property to help the plight of homeless people in Chester. And, fair do’s, the Share Shop have managed it.

Mark and Joseph’s brilliant exploits has raised another £1,500 towards the “buy-a-brick” cause. In case you are wondering, you can still contribute if you wish. You can donate to this excellent campaign HERE.

Share Shop Chester – What Are They About? Find Out More HERE.

Has It Stopped Raining Yet – They Weren’t Alone

Mark and Joseph weren’t alone as it happens. They were joined by the “Tip Toppers” – a group of normally out of shape middle-aged guys (someone’s playing my song!!) looking to raise money for Christie’s hospital as their way of saying “thanks” for looking after their friend, Jonny.

These “Tip Toppers” raised £4,800 for Christies. Well done guys. You all made a brilliant effort. And even more a case of well over and above the call of duty it seems when you see the conditions they were up against.

Some More Great Fund Raising Achievements

There have been other great fund raising events going on as well. In excess of 500 walkers took part in the 5k “Sparkle Walk” charity walk last Friday, 14th June.

Sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb, the walkers strolled to raise money in aid of Backford charity, the “Hospice of the Good Shepherd”. The walk commenced at Grosvenor Park at 10:30pm and finished up at the Amphitheatre. A great night had by all it would seem. As contributions are still being received it is not possible to announce the total amount received yet.

Well done again one and all for your efforts.

Has It Stopped Raining Yet? It Doesn’t Really Matter

These events were held indoors so it didn’t really matter if it rained or not. Unless of course you got wet walking from your car!! First, Merseyside Wing Air Cadets held an awards evening to honour the fine efforts, hard work, achievements and dedication of the Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers.

The event was a way to say “thanks” to those that given their best efforts to all the “Royal Air Force Cadets across Merseyside and Cheshire, including of course Chester and Ellesmere Port as well.

Charity Ball

A really impressive £30,000 was raised to help children with a rare genetic disease at a charity ball at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall.

Local business, Rawson Digital, organised the event for the eighth time to help families who are looking to cope with the strains and the stresses of coping with – Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T).

That is some serious wonga raised isn’t it. Well done everyone.

How’s Our Indali Hi-Way Doing?

Has it stopped raining yet so our heroic Indali Hi-Way can get out and about and say “Hello” to her public? By all accounts, Indali is still looking good and well on the way to a full recovery I understand.

Let’s hope this horrible rain has not put too much a dampener on all the animals at Chester Zoo. No doubt the Zoo’s attendance figures will have suffered. Hopefully we will get a “proper summer” soon…….please!!!

Upcoming Events

Plenty of things to do in Chester with or without the rain. Have a look at some of these upcoming events……

Chester Heritage Festival

The Chester Heritage Festival returns from the 21st June to the 29th. These extremely popular events are delivered on our streets, buildings and open spaces.

The events tell the story of our city and its people. Rather poignantly maybe (in keeping with this article title of “has it stopped raining yet”, many of the events this year have a waterways theme. Stories will unfold about our River Dee and Chester canal.

Visitors can enjoy performances, exhibitions, walks, talks and much more. So many events will be of interest for all the family, so bring along younger family members to a host of activities.

Take part and try out new events and some favourites from previous Festivals.

Carry on reading to find more details of all events and activities below.

Festival booklets are available at the Visitor Information Centre, the Grosvenor Museum, and other outlets around Chester.

A point to note-there have been some amendments and updates since the booklet’s publication. These amendments and others will be added as necessary.

To make it easy, you can follow all the updates on Twitter by heading on over to HERE.

In the meantime, you can download your free festival brochure HERE.

With or without the rain, here are a few other events that may be of interest.

Refugee Week

To mark “Refugee Week” a variety of events are being held in Chester by the “Chester City of Sanctuary Group”. These events are running until Sunday, 23rd June at a number of venues.

More specifically, there is an “I-Welcome” photo exhibition at Chester Cathedral running until the 22nd June.

Also on the 22nd June there is a celebration of food made by resettled residents going on at Unity Centre, Cuppin Street. It is free entrance and it is open from noon to 4pm.

Chester Cathedral is also holding morning services on Sunday (23rd June) at 10am and 11:30am with national refugee co-ordinator, Nadine Daniel attending as guest speaker.

To cap it all off, you can check out a screening of “Britain On Film: Welcome To Britain” at Storyhouse at 3:15pm.

Blacon Festival

The Blacon Festival is taking place on 6th July at Queen Elizabeth Fields from 11am to 3pm. Music and entertainment will be the order of the day as this fun-filled Blacon celebration returns.

This year’s event has a 1960’s theme. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in their best 60’s clobber. Taking part can win you a prize in a costume competition. Prizes are to be awarded for the best adult and children’s fancy dress costumes.

So get to it folks. Check out your wardrobes for any “60’s-esque” clobber. If you don’t know what was all the rage in the 60’s – have a look HERE.

No good asking me by the way. I was more of a 70’s and 80’s social scene ninja!! So, “Lionel Blairs” or Martin Fry-esque snazzy jackets are more me!!!

A Couple Of Well Worthy Charitable Events

As it happens there a couple of well worthy events taking place on the same day. Sunday 7th July to be exact.

Cancer survivor and mother of two, teaching assistant, Juana Marti Nieto, is taking part in the “Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life” at Chester Racecourse.

This is the first year that the event is open to women, men and children. For more details have a look HERE.

Memorial Footie Match

On the same day there is a third fundraising memorial football match taking place at Airbus UK’s ground in tribute to former Airbus employee, John “Badger” Park.

” Badgers Boys” will again be taking on a team of celebrities from the “Once Upon A Smile” charity. Famous faces like Emmerdale’s, Aaron Dingle (aka Danny Miller) and Ralf Little from “Royle Family” fame will be donning their boots and having a go.

Monies raised for this event will be split between “Once Upon A Smile” and the “British Heart Foundation”

Gates open at 12:30pm and the game is scheduled to kick-off at 1:30pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults; £3 for children under 16. Family tickets of 2 adults and 2 children cost £15.

For more details take a look HERE.

No doubt there’s more events and news to mention but I think there’s plenty here to be going on with.

So, next time you ask the question “has it stopped raining yet?” – don’t let it put you off doing things. Just take a look at what some of the above managed to do with all the crappy weather.

You watch, before you know it, it will be cracking the flags. (Fingers crossed!!!)

Must go, things to do. It’s stopped raining!!! But just before I go, I must tell you about……

Rum Festival At The Carriage Shed

Whether raining or not, this may be of interest to many of you. Saturday, 22nd June sees the return of the UK’s first travelling Rum Festival to Chester.

This rumptious occasion brings you rum, rum, rum ,rum, cocktails, food and music from around the globe.

If interested, get yourself along to the Carriage Shed next to the railway station. Get your dancing shoes on! More details and ticket information HERE.

Chester Lifestyle

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Things To Do In Chester

There are plenty of things to do in Chester. And there are plenty of places to visit. For more information, have a look HERE. So, if you are worrying about “has it stopped raining yet” – don’t fret. Get out and about anyway, you’ll still have a great time.

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