Chester World Development Forum

Wed 17th Mar – ICAHD Webinar: ‘Critical young Israelis speak about the future’
2021-03-17 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Webinar session
Webinar at 5.00pm. Recently a group of 60 Israeli students have refused to join the army and have written a very powerful letter calling on all young people in Israel to follow their lead. It is also a letter to the rest of the world to support them. In their letter to fellow High School Seniors they say “ So long as Palestinians live under an occupation, which deprives them of Human Rights and National Rights, we can never achieve peace”.
Read the letter Here
To register for the webinar go to https://icahd.org/2020/07/0 9/icahd-uk-webinars-2/
ICAHD = Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions

Tues 16th Mar - "Tellus": Eco-Communities Crowdcast
2021-03-16 19:00 - 20:30
Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
Chester FoE run Eco Communities TV on Tuesdays 7pm each week. If you have something you want to say, a community project you’re involved in, or you want to talk about or anything in the eco/ sustainable world you think people should know about get in touch. You can follow our Eco Communities TV Channel on Crowdcast- click here The Tellus TV remaining March programme:

Tuesday 16th – Why we should all keep up the shopping local habit. Keep our small independents in our villages, towns and cities in business
Tuesday 23rd – Our Green Jobs Special

Further information: Helen helenchesterfoe@hotmail.com

Tues 9th Mar - CWDF Forum-by-Zoom
2021-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Session
Our Forum meeting will include a talk by Martin Evans, Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University:
“Development interventions and social realities in paddy rice farming, South Senegal” –
Email bernard.payne691@btinternet.com for Zoom link

Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
2021-02-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Session
Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
Chester FoE run Eco Communities TV on Tuesdays 7pm each week. If you have something you want to say, a community project you’re involved in, or you want to talk about or anything in the eco/ sustainable world you think people should know about get in touch. You can follow our Eco Communities TV Chanel on Crowdcast- click here Further information: Helen helenchesterfoe@hotmail.com
23rd Feb – we start with a talk from the planned Sustainable Chester Centre, with John Egan and Niall MacFadyen.

Mon 22nd Feb – Sun 7th Mar - Fairtrade Fortnight
2021-02-22 - 2021-03-07
Mon 22nd Feb – Sun 7th Mar – Fairtrade Fortnight
For two weeks each year at the end of February and start of March, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks, mine our gold and who grow the cotton in our clothes, people who are often exploited and underpaid.
In Fairtrade Fortnight 2021, we will highlight the growing challenges that climate change brings to farmers and workers in the communities Fairtrade works with. The facts are straightforward. Farmers and workers in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Honduras, who have done the least to contribute to climate change, are disproportionately affected by it.
For local information contact Heather Swainston: heather@cheshiredec.org

Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
2021-02-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Session
Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
Chester FoE run Eco Communities TV on Tuesdays 7pm each week. If you have something you want to say, a community project you’re involved in, or you want to talk about or anything in the eco/ sustainable world you think people should know about get in touch. You can follow our Eco Communities TV Chanel on Crowdcast- click here Further information: Helen helenchesterfoe@hotmail.com
16th Feb – following on from our Active Travel special, we have brought in an expert – Rachel Aldred, Professor of Transport and Director of the University’s Active Travel Academy, University of Westminster, London.

Sun 14th Feb - National Cycling Day of Action,
2021-02-14
This event seeks to give voice and presence to the pro-cycling lobby. Sean Anglish of Greenpeace is coordinating this for Chester: s.anglish@yahoo.com

Thurs 11th Feb - Achieving Global Justice in International Debt
2021-02-11 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom event
7.30pm Zoom session
Global Justice Shropshire is hosting a public talk by Revd Canon John Nightingale, Chair of Jubilee Debt Campaign Birmingham, for a virtual talk and Q&A on ‘unjust debt’ in February. The coronavirus pandemic has brought debt in developing countries into sharp relief. Members of Chester World Development Forum and friends would be very welcome to attend.
For Zoom details email suzanne.freegard@gmail.com

Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
2021-02-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Session
Every Tuesday 7pm – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
Chester FoE run Eco Communities TV on Tuesdays 7pm each week. If you have something you want to say, a community project you’re involved in, or you want to talk about or anything in the eco/ sustainable world you think people should know about get in touch. You can follow our Eco Communities TV Chanel on Crowdcast- click here Further information: Helen helenchesterfoe@hotmail.com
9th Feb – Kriss Kazmierrski from ExsqueezeMe tells us why he felt it was important for his business to invest in an electric van for deliveries. Then Stephen Savory from Chester Community Energy, will be on to talk about the successful community solar in the region.

Tues 2nd Feb & every Tuesday – “Tellus” : Eco-Communities Crowdcast
2021-02-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Session
Chester FoE run Eco Communities TV on Tuesdays 7pm each week. If you have something you want to say, a community project you’re involved in, or you want to talk about or anything in the eco/ sustainable world you think people should know about get in touch. You can follow our Eco Communities TV Chanel on Crowdcast- click here Further information: Helen helenchesterfoe@hotmail.com
2nd February Tellus programme:
We look at reducing your carbon footprint and going flight free in 2021, with Anna Hughes, Flight Free UK. Do you understand Hydrogen power? If not join us and hear from John Egan and Niall MacFadyen on the Cheshire West HyNet project.

Tues 12th Jan - CWDF Forum-by-Zoom
2021-01-12 18:45 - 21:00 | Zoom event
Speaker Ciara Hogan, on her work as Community Participation Cooordinator for CAFOD – the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. Ciara’s responsibilities cover the Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury, (extending from Birkenhead in the north down to Telford in the south) fostering the work of local groups.
Please email bernard.payne691@btinternet.com for Zoom joining details.

Sat 19th Dec - Chester Friends of Palestine Vigil: Against Arms to Israel
2020-12-19 14:00 - 15:00 | The Cross, Chester
2.00 -3.00pm The Cross, Chester
We will not be holding our usual vigil at the end of November but if it’s possible we hope to have one on this, the Saturday before Christmas, with placards on a Bethlehem theme. To let us know you are coming, and for further information please email: chester4palestine@gmail.com

Wed 16th Dec 2020 - Stories, Poems, and Music for Advent and Christmas
2020-12-16 19:30 - 21:00 | St Mary’s Without-the-Walls, Overleigh Road, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7HL
‘Do you want to hold him for a moment?’
Stories, Poems, and Music for Advent and Christmas, with Trevor Dennis and Friends
We really need Christmas this year, but whether our churches will be able to hold the usual carol services remains doubtful. So this Christian Aid event may be particularly important. A ray of hope!
Trevor Dennis will introduce and read seven of his published stories and poems on the themes of Advent and Christmas, while Brian and Claire Heald from Wesley Church will provide some wonderful music.
Unless more severe Covid restrictions are imposed, about 100 people will be able to attend. You will need to reserve a place by emailing Trevor on trevordennis11@gmail.com with your name(s) and phone number, or by ringing him on 01244 638441. Christian Aid envelopes will be put out on the socially distanced seats.
Alternatively you will be able to attend remotely via Zoom, and then you will have a chance to donate to Christian Aid through a JustGiving page, or by sending a cheque to the St Mary’s Centre.
Should Covid make it impossible for so many to meet in the church, we still plan to go ahead on Zoom.

For Christian Aid

Thurs 10th Dec - International Human Rights Day
2020-12-10 | Virtual
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on this date every year. The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Write for Rights”: In December 2019 Chester & Wrexham Amnesty International Group held a successful event at Storyhouse. We are unable to hold a public event this year, but we do hope that you are still able to support Write for Rights 2020 by sending messages in support of those either suffering human rights abuses or working for human rights justice. The Write for Rights booklet can be downloaded from amnesty.org.uk/write-rights-2020-get-started It gives feedback from last year’s campaigns and details how to participate this year. Write for Rights 2020 runs until 31 December 2020. Further information from Mike Johnson, Chair Chester & Wrexham Amnesty International Group mikerj51@hotmail.com

Wed 9th Dec - Chester Friends of Palestine: Zoom session
2020-12-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual
Wed 9th Dec – Chester Friends of Palestine: Zoom session
6.30pm Our next meeting is in the form of a Zoom call with Hala Rashed, an associate professor at Bethlehem University. Hala will talk about life in Bethlehem today, particularly relevant as we approach Christmas.
For further information or to get the Zoom link for the meeting please email Brian on brian.r.rowe@gmail.com

Sat 28th Nov – Sustainable Christmas: Virtual Eco Fair
2020-11-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Friends of the Earth and Eco Communities’ Winter Fair is usually face to face, but like the Virtual Eco Fair held in June they are taking this event on line.
For programme details go to https://chesterfoe.co.uk and follow the link, or email: helenchesterfoe@hotmail.com

9th -16th Nov - Exhibition and Conference “Our Journey to Sustainability” POSTPONED TO 2021
2020-11-09 - 2020-11-16 | Chester Cathedral, St Werburgh Street, Chester, CH1 2DY
By putting on this exhibition with Chester Cathedral, the Chester Sustainability Forum aims to display the wide range of responses to the climate emergency that are being planned and implemented by the many faith groups, environmental groups, businesses, and political parties which share the common objective of improving the environmental sustainability of Chester and its surrounding area.

Associated event ,“All Creation Waits” A dance theatre piece created by Claire Henderson Davis. See clairehendersondavis.com/all-creation-waits

Please note that these events were originally planned for May 2020 but provisionally postponed to these November dates in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cathedral and the Chester Sustainability Forum have now taken the decision to postpone again, possibly to May 2021, but the situation will be reviewed again in January 2021. CSF has duly notified the event supporters and exhibitors.

For further information please contact Diane Williams, djw0417@btinternet.com

Tues 3rd Nov - CWDF Forum-by-Zoom
2020-11-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Session
Please note this date is one week earlier than the Forum’s traditional 2nd Tuesday slot.
Prior to the Forum business meeting Stephen Maund will be giving us an update on his work in Malawi with the Capacity Foundation. Their activities are focussed on northern Malawi, and seek to end aid dependency by enabling people to educate themselves and to make a living. The unique locally-run Social Action Fund replaces unreliable aid with a sustainable-funding model.
For Zoom joining details please email bernard.payne691@btinternet.com

Sat 31st Oct – Chester Friends of Palestine Vigil Against Arms to Israel
2020-10-31 14:00 - 15:00 | The Cross, Chester
Our recent vigils have been very successful, catching shoppers’ attention, the group standing in front of empty shops and conveniently situated for maximum visibility. The Group knows that some avoid these events, feeling uncomfortable handing out leaflets. At this event leaflets are only given to those who approach us.
Come and support us! To let us know you are coming, and for further information please email: chester4palestine@gmail.com

Wed 14th Oct – Chester Greenpeace: A Green Recovery, future of transport in Chester
2020-10-14 18:30 - 20:00
Greenpeace nationally has started a Transport campaign. Locally we wish to organise an event, Wednesday 14th October at 6:30 pm, where we can engage our local authorities to speak on local transport issues, and particularly seeking contributions from groups that are campaigning on the intersections of race and transport, and the accessibility of transport, and who understand the local context.
Further information about this event: Sean Anglish, Local Group Coordinator Chester Greenpeace, s.anglish@yahoo.com
Topic: A Green Recovery: the Future of Transport in Chester
Time: Oct 14, 2020 06:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://greenpeace.zoom.us/j/98661096058?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 986 6109 6058
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Fri 9th – Sun 11th Oct - What If...? Imagining our green and fair recovery
2020-10-09 - 2020-10-11 | Zoom Session
A Virtual weekend, where a variety of contributors will be speaking on a range of environmental and social topics. Each session will last around an hour with time for Q&A from the audience.
Sessions will take place across the whole weekend and anyone can register to watch as many sessions as they like, live via Chester FoE and Eco Communities on CrowdCast.
Further information here: LINK
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/our-second-virtual-event-what-if-tickets-117306957267?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

Thurs 1st Oct - CWDF Q&A (Zoom) session with Chris Matheson MP
2020-10-01 18:00 - 19:15 | Zoom Session
Joining at 6.00 for start at 6.15pm. Issues to be raised and discussed with Chris include: the Foreign Office/International Development merger; working towards Zero Carbon Britain; post-EU Trade Deals; Covid and developing country Debt.
The session will be Zoom-hosted and chaired by Gill Miller. We hope you can join in. To participate please email bernard.payne691@btinternet.com and we’ll send the necessary joining instructions.

Sat 26th Sept – Chester Friends of Palestine Vigil Against Arms to Israel
2020-09-26 14:00 - 15:00 | The Cross, Chester
2-3.00pm The Cross, Chester
Last month’s Vigil was very successful, catching shoppers’ attention, the group standing in front of empty shops and conveniently situated for maximum visibility. The Group knows that some avoid these events, feeling uncomfortable handing out leaflets. At this event leaflets are only given to those who approach us.
Come and support us! Further information chester4palestine@gmail.com

Thurs 17th Sept - Chester CND
2020-09-17 19:30 - 21:00 | The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
This meeting, like the one that had to be cancelled in March, is to discuss the future of the group. When this incarnation of CND was set up, there was the possibility of cancelling the next Trident order, but in the current climate, there is no obvious immediate focus for our activities. The group can of course just hibernate for a while, but it feels as if spring is a long way off, and there are perhaps at the moment other more pressing issues for activists to be involved in.
If you can come to this meeting please do – if you can’t come but have ideas on these points please reply to chestercnd@gmail.com and we can take your thoughts there. We will of course let everyone know what decisions we come to.
In peace, Margaret & Dai.

Tues 8th Sept - CWDF Forum-by-Zoom
2020-09-08 19:00 - 21:00
Our first meeting of the 2020/21 period takes place in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and before restrictions and constraints have fully eased. This Forum will therefore be run as a Zoom session.
Our speaker will be Namrata Bhattacharya-Mis (Namrata), giving a talk “Global Health Update” based on her current research. Namrata is Gill Miller’s successor at Geography and International Development at the University, and her talk on a vital topic at this time.
We will send further details nearer the time. The number of Zoom screens will necessarily be limited and specific invitations will be sent to those wishing to participate.

Thurs 6th Aug - Hiroshima and Nagasaki Flower Memorial
2020-08-06 20:00 - 21:00 | The Bandstand, The Groves, Chester
Here is the poster for this year’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki Flower Memorial on August 6th at 8pm. Our usual pattern has been adapted to meet social distancing, so all the group events will take place on The Groves. If you and your friends then want to walk onto the bridge to drop flowers, or walk over to the Peace tree on the south bank to leave them there, please do this at the end of the readings, in small groups.
It’s the 75th anniversary this year, but we still face the threat of nuclear destruction, along with climate change and the current pandemic. It’s a dangerous place we live in, so it’s all the more important for us to commit ourselves to remembering, and to working for a safer world.
In Peace, Margaret and Dai

Tues 14th Jul - CWDF Forum - CANCELLED
2020-07-14 18:45 - 21:00 | The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
Our final Forum meeting before the summer break. Speaker TBA
MEETING NOW CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

Mon 18th May - Workshop "Money Makes Change" - POSTPONED
2020-05-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
A workshop run by Chester Quakers as an event associated with the Cathedral Exhibition “Our Journey to Sustainability”

Learn about how the way you spend, save and invest money can make a huge impact on the world around us.
Free of charge but please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/money-makes-change-tickets-99010602377 if you would like to attend.

Fri 15th May - "All Creation Waits" - NOW 10 NOVEMBER, CATHEDRAL
2020-05-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
A dance theatre piece created by Claire Henderson Davis, and run in association with the Cathedral Exhibition “Our Journey to Sustainability”
More information + tickets available at www.storyhouse.com/event/all-creation-waits.

Tues 12th May – CWDF Forum AGM - CANCELLED, AGM POSTPONED
2020-05-12 18:45 - 21:00 | The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
Prior to our AGM business we’ll be hearing from Stephen Maund, providing an update on community development projects in Malawi.
6.45pm – 9.00pm The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
