Culture from your home

As many people are still looking for activities to keep connected and active during the time spent at home, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Arts team has put together a list of cultural events, activities and resources that can all be accessed from home.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council said: “Our Arts team has put together a list of activities available locally from the Council and partners. 

“There are creative challenges to engage with; karaoke, drama, writing, craft and more plus a wide range of ebooks and emagazines to download.” 

More organisations and individuals are developing activities and online content to stay connected in these challenging times.   The resource pages: www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/culture-from-your-home/ will be kept up to date when they are available.  

There are a wide range of activities available online, the Get Creative Festival in May has been cancelled but follow #GetCreativeAtHome to find activities to inspire you to have a go at something creative www.getcreativeuk.com. 

Added Councillor Gittins: “If you are aware of more online activities that are open for others in our community to join locally please get in contact with us by email: artswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.”

Archives

• Cheshire Archives and Local Studies

Although the Record Office is closed there are still online archives that can be viewed from their website www.cheshirearchives.org.uk.  For example you can search:

• The Cheshire Collection
• browse Find my Past record.
• See the Cheshire First World War Servicemen’s Index.
• Browse historic photographs at http://cheshireimagebank.org.uk/ 

Craft

• West Cheshire Museums are regularly uploading activity templates for adults and families that will help to make the collections accessible on-line whilst they can’t be enjoyed in person. Activities will range from crochet patterns to cut and colour fashion dolls:http://westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/ 

Dance

• Fallen Angels Dance Theatre will be doing 10 minute dance taster sessions, on Facebook Live, for all ages, to help combat anxiety. Planned for: Wednesdays and Thursdays between 4pm and 5pm www.facebook.com/fallenangelsdancetheatre. Their YouTube channel includes some of their performances https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXbAVtkaU51gyLmVK5kdvg/videos 

  and their website includes links and inspirational blogs:  www.fallenangelsdancetheatre.co.uk 

  Drama

• Storyhouse

  A series of five minute fun sessions are available online for primary aged children and their families: www.storyhouse.com/event/young-storyhouse-family-sessions 

• Cheshire Rural Touring Arts

  The Mystery of Raddlesham Mumps, by ATT, toured the network in the autumn.  A studio recording of the children’s play is now streaming for free on: www.soundcloud.com/matthew-linley/the-mystery-of-raddlesham-mumps  There are also work sheets to support home schooling available: www.raddleshammumps.co.uk/activity 

• Chester Mystery Plays

• Minerva Arts

  Cheshire’s Minerva Arts are setting Theatre Thursday drama challenges.  Follow them on Facebook to see the challenge, have a go and you can also upload your own response:

  www.facebook.com/minervaarts 

• Action Transport Theatre

  Action Transport’s Youth Theatre groups are being run remotely via Zoom.

  For details of this and any other projects from Action Transport visit:
  http://www.actiontransporttheatre.org/lockdown-participation-projects-resources   

  Drama Drop-in (12 to 17 yr olds) starting 15 April

  Drama Droplets (7 to 11 yr olds) starting 6 May 

  Films

• Storyhouse

  has partnered with online cinema platform Mubi to give a free 90 day trial period to enjoy cult, classic and independent films – with a new film every day.  Every week Storyhouse will be posting a round-up of films to watch on Mubi and other streaming services:   Mubi.com/storyhouse 

  Karaoke

• Storyhouse

  are doing a Quarantine Karaoke on Wednesdays at 7pm on Zoom.  www.storyhouse.com/event/quarantine-karaoke 

  Lectures

• Storyhouse

  Lunchtime lectures a collaboration between Storyhouse and University of Chester is on the third Tuesday of each month.

  On Tuesday 21 April two, free, lunchtime lectures will be available via Zoom: www.storyhouse.com 

  Libraries

• The library service is available 24/7 for free audio downloads, eBooks and eMagazines. 

  The books will stay on your device for three weeks before they are automatically ‘returned’ to the library.  You’ll need your card number and pin, but if you’re not already a member you can now join the library online: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/libraries 

  The libraries team have also compiled a list of e-resources on their webpage to help people, study and research from their own homes:

  https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/libraries/eresources.aspx 

  Libraries are also sharing short how to videos on Facebook and taking several of their clubs online on Facebook Live @cwaclibrary. 

  Virtual Lego club, Saturdays 10am

  Each week will be a different theme, everyone is invited to share their creations with the Libraries team via social media. 

  Online Rhymetime –Tuesdays 10.30am

  Not only good old classic rhymes but also some basic signing to help everyone in the community join in. 

  Digital animation sessions Wednesdays 11.30am

  Another wonderful, regular session usually delivered in libraries but now offered online as a reminder/tutorial on how to create your own animations at home. 

  Storytimes to be shown at 3pm (normal end of school day) – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

  Poetry

• Testify Poetry

  The Chester based group have set up a Testify Facebook group and each day they will post prompts, writing exercises and submission opportunities.  Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never been to Testify before: www.facebook.com/groups/497889481117650 

  Storytelling

• Storyhouse

  There is an 11am family story www.storyhouse.com/event/11am-family-story

  and a 6pm story (or poem, speech or excerpt) www.storyhouse.com/event/6pm-story  

  Each is read by a familiar face from Storyhouse and friends.  Previous readings are stored on the website page. 

  Theatre

For a limited time from Easter weekend the DVD recording of the 2018 production of Chester Mystery Plays is available to watch on YouTube.  For more information visit: www.chestermysteryplays.com 

Writing

• The Boaty Theatre Company

  Are setting a Tuesday writing challenge for kids.  Visit: www.boatytheatre.co.uk for more information or follow them on social media 

  Coming Soon

• West Cheshire Museums

Will also shortly have a Youtube channel which will hosts films:

• films for school pupils/teachers,
• mini lectures for adults
• activities for families
• career chats for high school students 

The BBC have collated a range of arts and culture events that you can enjoy from home www.bbc.co.uk/arts

Cheshire West and Chester Council does not have any responsibility for the content of most of these links and have shared them in good faith.