Blog Categories - Leisure & Tourism

DELAMERE Forest is to host a world record attempt for the most people hugging trees at once.

The Forestry Commission needs at least 350 people to help set the mark for the ‘Largest Tree Hug’ at the forest in Cheshire on September 11.

World record rules state that participants will have to hug a tree for a minute. Only two people will be allowed to hug each tree and their arms will not be allowed to touch.

"It will be a symbolic way for people to show their love and support for their forests,” said Jeni West, Delamere Forest Ranger.

"This is a great way for anybody to help break a world record, but families can also combine it with a day out in the forest.”

Delamere’s world record attempt will mark International Year Of Forests and organisers will have to video and photograph those taking part in order to prove to Guinness judges that they successfully passed the test.

A series of events are being held at forests across the country, but only Delamere is hosting a world record attempt.

In recent weeks visitors to the forest have seen posters on trees inviting them to ‘Hug me’.

But the idea of ‘tree hugging’ is not new. It became famous in the 1970s after women in a village in India used the symbolic gesture to protect local trees from being chopped down.

The Forestry Commission simply want the world record attempt to show how much the British public love and support forests.

Pam Warhurst, Forestry Commission Chair, said: "The world record attempt for the largest tree hug is a fun way for people to get involved with the Forestry Commission and share their love for trees and the environment.”

Would-be record breakers are being asked to pre-register on the website www.forestry.gov.uk/hug however, they can just turn up on the day.

Supervisors are also needed on the day. Please email jeni.west@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you can help

Anyone taking part on September 11 will be given a wristband and a small wooden medal to commemorate the occasion.

Other events on the day – between 10.30am and 4pm – include guided nature walks, organised cycle rides, nursery tours, trade stands, competitions, quizzes and much more.

To take part in the tree hug make sure you are at Whitefield Car Park by 1.15pm and go to the registration marquee. All car parking for the celebration day and the tree hug will be at Whitefield Car Park.

BRIDES-TO-BE who have been inspired by the recent Royal wedding are being given the chance to visit one of Cheshire’s premier venues.

The four-star Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa – part of the prestigious Macdonald Hotels & Resorts group – in Tarporley is holding a series of free wedding open days with the first one later this month.

Brides-to-be will be able to speak to the hotel’s expert team of wedding coordinators, indulge in a free glass of bubbly and canapés, view the suite set for a wedding and wander around the grounds, which include three golf courses that provide the perfect photographic backdrop.

"These open days are about giving people the chance to see the fabulous facilities and level of luxury and service they can expect from the hotel for both wedding receptions and civil ceremonies,” said General Manager Jerrod Latham.

"Our private grounds offer spectacular views of the Cheshire plains from the moment you approach the hotel and it only gets better from there.

"The panoramic views are carried on at the hotel’s double AA rated restaurant and our two wedding suites, one of which overlooks the Premier 18-hole golf course.

"A wedding day is the most special day of many people’s lives and with our team of expert wedding coordinators and award-winning spa facilities, we aim to make it as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.”

The first open day takes place between 4pm and 8pm on June 30 with others in July, August and October.

The hotel is also hosting a free wedding fayre on September 25 with bridal catwalks, a free glass of bubbly and canapés and exhibitions on everything a bride needs to make her the day special including table centres, chair covers and the all important wedding dress.

Anyone wanting to attend a wedding open day or the wedding fayre should contact the hotel on: 0844 879 9082.

Dylan Lewis, one of the world's foremost sculptors of the animal form, with one of his creations at Arley Hall & Gardens. Picture by Nick Jones.

BRONZE sculptures have been craned into the gardens at Arley Hall in Cheshire for a unique exhibition.

The statues of African big cats – by South African artist Dylan Lewis – are on display around Arley’s famous double herbaceous borders, ilex columns, walled garden and outside the entrance to the Hall.

They will be on view to the public until June 5.

Chris Beardshaw, who will attend Arley’s Garden Festival on June 25 and 26, said: "Arley’s gardens are spectacular at this time of year and they provide a great stage in which to have an exciting exhibition such as this.”

More than 20 works by Dylan Lewis, one of the world'sforemost sculptors of the animal form, are being exhibited at Arley – the first time he has shown his work outside of London.

"I was looking for a contrast between the wild African animals
of my sculptures and a beautiful English country garden and I think the effect is magnificent. It is a huge privilege to be able
to exhibit my sculptures here,” said Dylan.

Christie’s will be auctioning the collection in London on
June 16.

Lord Ashbrook, whose family has owned the Arley Estate for more than 500 years, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Christie’s has chosen Arley for this rare viewing of such important artworks.

"It is a particular honour for us to host the Dylan Lewis exhibition as I know Christie’s had the choice of many other fantastic gardens in the region.

"They look very striking against the backdrop of the gardens and will really give our visitors another dimension to a day at Arley.”

North West Director for Christie’s Jane Blood said: "The captivating beauty of the gardens at Arley Hall and their accessibility to towns historically connected with the arts make them the perfect setting for Christie’s May exhibition.

"Dylan Lewis always dreamed of being able to hold his own exhibition in an English garden, and he is thrilled with Arley.”

Left to right, competition judges Mike Roberts, Jason Palin and Nigel Evans.

ROBERTS Bakery is asking all budding chefs to use their loaves and submit their best recipes incorporating bread as an ingredient.

The master chef who comes up with the best creation will have it reproduced in the Food Live Theatre at this year’s Cheshire County Show in June.

"As well as being great for toast and sandwiches bread is also a fantastically versatile ingredient; from bread and butter pudding to chicken goujons there’s a huge number of ways to use it.

"We’re looking for the region’s budding chefs to take a loaf of Roberts bread and use it to create an exciting and original recipe, ideally also utilising some of Cheshire’s other delicious produce,” said Carolyn Chadwick, Marketing Manager for Roberts Bakery.

An expert panel of judges will whittle through the applications to find the
best three recipes and the amateur cooks who submitted them will be
invited along to the Cheshire Cookery School for a MasterChef-style cook
off in early June.

Judges will include local celebrity chef Jason Palin, Executive Director of the Cheshire Show Nigel Evans and the ultimate bread connoisseur, Mike Roberts, deputy chairman of Roberts Bakery.

"I can’t wait to taste the delicious dishes created using Roberts bread. I use bread in a range of dishes including a crunchy homemade fish finger, a hearty soup and it’s also great for making some stunning summer canapés” said Jason Palin.

The winner of the competition will receive a pair of tickets to this year’s Cheshire County Show and a year’s supply of Roberts Bakery bread.

They will also be invited to join Jason Palin on stage in the Roberts Bakery Food Live Theatre to help demonstrate their dish in front of the audience at the show, which is held at the Tabley showground in Knutsford.

Roberts Bakery are proud to support the show for a sixth consecutive year and will sponsor the popular Food Hall and Food Live Theatre – where more than 100 food producers from across the country will display a range of produce for the public to enjoy.

In the Food Live Theatre some of Cheshire’s top food experts will give live cookery demonstrations on how to produce a range of mouth-watering delights.

Executive director of the Cheshire Show Nigel Evans said: "Cheshire is a county of bread lovers and we want to celebrate this as part of our successful partnership with Roberts Bakery by finding out how the public is using their loaves.”

To enter the competition visit www.robertsbakery.co.uk.

The Cheshire County Show takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday June 21 and 22. Advanced tickets are available by calling 0845 124 9822 or for more information visit www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk

Mark Davies from Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre with two of the lambs.

MOST families only have one black sheep to worry about, but Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre has three to keep their eye on.

The trio of black lambs were born at the centre in March and are already proving a hit with visitors.

The lambs have settled into life in the centre’s 50 acres and are providing the perfect spring picture for amateur photographers.

Janet King, who runs the centre with her husband Alistair, said: "The little black lambs are absolutely adorable and are so far behaving very well.

"Seeing them gambolling around makes it really feel like spring is finally here.”

THE first woman to train a Grand National winner is set to oversee a prestigious competition for young riders at this year’s Cheshire County Show.

Jenny Pitman, who won with Corbiere in 1983, will judge the Lord Leverhulme Gold Cup at the two-day event held at the Tabley showground.

The cup, contested by riders aged between 14 and 25 years, is awarded for style and performance.

It will be held on June 22.

Talking of the show itself, Jenny said:”It is really important the public understands and has a connection to the countryside because we all enjoy it and it should not be taken for granted.

"I love the opportunity to see horses up close and meet riders competing at shows, particularly the younger generation, and if I can offer any support to them I will do.

"I am delighted to be judging at such a popular and well respected county show in such a lovely area of the world as Cheshire.”

FUNERAL scenes from Coronation Street were filmed at Arley Hall’s 166-year-old chapel in Cheshire recently.

Viewers saw the character Joy Fishwick laid to rest on Friday (February 4) after she died in Britain’s favourite soap.

Arley staff arrived for work on the day of the filming to find the area around the chapel transformed as programme makers went to great lengths to create the right setting for the emotional scenes.

"They had even dug graves and put in gravestones, which are not normally there,” said Hall Manager Simon Wilson, from Crewe.

"There was great secrecy around the storyline so we were not able to get too close to the filming.”

Coronation Street fans have been gripped by the storyline of murderer John Stape and further drama unfolded in the scenes filmed at Arley Hall near Northwich.

The scenes showed John Stape’s wife Fiz attending Joy’s funeral – but did any of Joy’s relatives realise Fiz’s deception?

Arley’s chapel is unusually large for a private place of worship. It was designed by Anthony Salvin and consecrated in 1845.

It retains original features and has an amazing amount of character that can be experienced by visitors to Arley Hall.

General Manager Garry Fortune said: "Arley’s beauty attracts thousands of visitors every year and is also popular with television producers who regularly use the estate for various programmes.

"It was great to see the chapel play a part in such a key storyline in Britain’s biggest soap.”