Monton House Hotel welcomed 2012 in style, with a successful New Year’s Eve evening held in the Monton Suite.

After the recent fun filled festivities it is easy to get the January Blues this month. Why not take a look at what’s on in Chester this month to lift your spirits and make a great start to the year.

Until 8 January

Treasured Possessions from Chester’s Past

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 10.30am -5pm (1 – 4pm Sunday) Free

9 January – 30 March

Lunatics, Lovers, Poets & More

Heritage Centre, Bridge Street Row, 10am – 4pm Monday – Friday, Free

14 January – 1 April

The Head That Wears the Crown: Decoding Royal Portraits in Chester

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 10.30am -5pm (Sunday 1 – 4pm) Free

28 January – 7 May

Colourful Impressions: The Joy of Modern Prints

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 10.30am -5pm (Sunday 1 – 4pm) Free

4 January

Scottish Country Dancing

Caldy Valley Centre, 7.45 – 10pm, £2

6 January

The Moo Cows

Telfords Warehouse, Free before 9pm (£4 thereafter)

7 January

The Suns

Telfords Warehouse, Free before 9pm (£4 thereafter)

8 January

Cheshire Jets v Guildford Heat

Northgate Arena, Victoria Road, 5.30pm, £10 to £14 (Concession £7 to £11, Child £5 to £9, Family ticket £28 to £40)

Baby Brave & the Lovebites

Telfords Warehouse, Free before 9pm (£4 thereafter)

10 January

Chester Federation of Arts: Lunchtime Concert

Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, 12.45pm, £3 at the door

11 January

Celebrity Concert

StMary’s Centre, St Mary’s Hill, 7.30pm, £12

Scottish Country Dancing

Caldy Valley Centre, 7.45 – 10pm, £2

Nestor Bayona Pifarré (piano)

St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s Hill, 7.30 pm, £12

Art and Cultures of the Mediterranean

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 1.30 – 3.30pm, £3

12 January

Paul Jones & Dave Kelly

Alexander’s, Rufus Court (Off Northgate Street), £16 (£15 in advance)

Anais Labelle

Telfords Warehouse, Free

13 January

Emanuel & The Fear (USA)

Telfords Warehouse, Free before 9pm (£4 thereafter)

15 January

Trevor Carlisle Quartet

Alexander’s, Rufus Court (Off Northgate Street), 2 – 5pm, Free

17 January

Chester Federation of Arts: Lunchtime Concert

Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, 12.45pm, £3 at the door

18 January

Scottish Country Dancing

Caldy Valley Centre, 7.45 – 10pm, £2

20 January

World Upside Down

Alexander’s, Rufus Court (Off Northgate Street) £5

21 January

The Chester Chamber Orchestra

Wesley Methodist Church, St John’s Street, 7.30pm, £10, (Concession £8, U18s & students £5)

Dave Roberts Quartet

Alexander’s, Rufus Court (Off Northgate Street), 2 – 5pm, Free

The Reads

Telfords Warehouse, Free before 9pm (£4 thereafter)

Bill Powell’s ‘Borneo Adventure’ plus Climbing Kilamanjaro, Mike Round (Chester Globetrotters Travel Club)

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, Doors open at 1pm, £3 (refreshments included)

22 January

Cheshire Jets v Essex Pirates

Northgate Arena, Victoria Road, 5.30pm, £10 to £14, (Concession £7 to £11, Child £5 to £9, Family ticket £28 to £40)

24 January

Chester Federation of Arts: Lunchtime Concert

Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, 12.45pm, £3 at the door

People of Pakistan by Afzal Ansary

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 7.30 – 9.30 pm, £3 pay at the door

25 January

Chester Music Society Club

St Mary’s Centre, St Mary’s Hill, 7.30pm, £5

Scottish Country Dancing

Caldy Valley Centre, 7.45 – 10pm, £2

A Town Most Royal: Illustrating Chester’s Links with the Monarchy

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 1 – 2pm, £3 pay on the door

English Civil War: Battle of Rowton Moor & the Siege of Chester 1642-46

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 7.30pm, non-members £4, students £2 

27 January

Victor Michael & His Orchestra

Methodist Church, Hamilton Street, 7.30pm, £10

28 January

Mersey Mania

Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, 7.30pm, £12 (Concession £10)

29 January

Cheshire Jets v Leicester Riders

Northgate Arena, Victoria Road, 5.30pm, £10 to £14, (Concession £7 to £11, Child £5 to £9, Family ticket £28 to £40)

30 January

Chester Society for Landscape History

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 7.30pm , Visitors welcome, £4

31 January

Impressions of the Landscape by Pierino Algieri

Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, 7.30 – 9.30pm, £3 pay at the door

Chester Federation of Arts Lunchtime Concert

Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, 12.45pm, £3 pay at the door

Best Wishes for 2012!

With the festivities about to begin and panto season starting to gain momentum how does Manchester compare to other cities in the region?

Well according to some of the countries top publications including How-Do the Manchester theatre scene has never been more vibrant and the number of shows is increasing year on year. Manchester is also attracting some of the Europes leading productions and theatres here able to put on specialist shows by local celebrities.

The number of theatres in the city is also impressive as it currently has nine leading theatres. These are not small theatres either in both stature and size. Some of the better known theatres in Manchester include the Octagon, the Royal Exchange, the Opera House and of course the Lowry. Each location has its own unique facilities and has something for everyone.

There has never been a better time to take in a show at one of Manchester’s theatres. The city is full of life with the Christmas markets in town and the ice rink down at Spinningfields. Hotels also have some excellent rates on offer and the raw talent on show at theatres is a must.

Some of the shows that you won’t want to miss at the moment include:

Aladdin
Hairspray
Christmas With The Rat Pack
The Sound Of Music
Porridge

for more information on these shows check out the Manchester Theatres Site

This wealth of choice in both the shows you can see and the theatres you can watch it gives Manchester a great advantage over other cities in the area. The city is also home to numerous stage schools and talent from these establishments are pooled into the local theatres.

Theatres here are for the best part centrally located which means people can easily access them. Visitors often come into the city for the night take in a show and drive back the next day. So why not take in a show this winter…

Cycling has become one of the UK’s most popular weekend activities and the north west is home to some of the countries most exciting trails. The area has literally something for everyone with routes for people of all abilities. Routes in the region are also open all year round and make a great day out for families.

If you are coming to the region then there are a couple of trails that you wont want to miss. For example Hadrian’s cycleway offers a fascinating insight into Roman England and stretches over 174 miles. Of course cyclists are welcome to do just small stretches of the trail and the 174 mile trip is a challenge for any hardcore cycling enthusiast.

For those of you who like to be pushed to the limit then you might want to try out the Altura Trail in Whinnlatter Forest Park. The purpose built mountain bike trail spans 19km and was developed by the world renowned Clixbys. If challenging jumps, cork screws, rocks and table tops are your thing then you wont want to miss this trail.

http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/routes/20080922_altura_trail.aspx

If you want to blend cycling with beautiful scenery then Grizedale Forest could be for you. It is home to 3 easy to moderate trails and has shops, tea rooms and tourist information facilities. The forest also hosts events all year round and makes a perfect day out for any family.

http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/routes/archive_route_139.aspx

Whatever your looking for the north west will have something for you. After a hard days cycling you might also want to relax with a nice meal, a few drinks and a nice in a warm comfortable hotel like Venture hotels. Our hotels have access to all the major routes and we welcome group bookings. Hope you enjoy the trails.