Chester World Development Forum

Tues 22nd Jan – I Gas Public Inquiry: day 5
2019-01-22 | Chester Town Hall Square, Chester
15-18 & 22-23 Jan – I Gas Public Inquiry
10am, Chester Town Hall, Chester, CH1 2HQ
This is the Public Inquiry concerning the Appeal by I Gas into the planning refusal for gas well testing at Portside, Ellesmere Port. The scheme raises broad issues of climate change as well as significant local environmental and amenity concerns. The Frack Free Dee group are presenting evidence opposing the scheme, and hope that as many people as possible come in for an hour or two, or stay with the Inquiry team to support them.
Further information at www.facebook.com/FrackFreeDee

Wed 23rd Jan – I Gas Public Inquiry: closing day
2019-01-23 | Chester Town Hall Square, Chester

Sat 26th Jan – “Stop Arming Saudi” Silent Vigil
2019-01-26 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | The Cross, Chester, United Kingdom
12.30 – 1.30 at The Cross, Chester. All are welcome to join – please wear black if possible. Organised by Chester CND. Further information chestercnd@gmail.com
Unless otherwise advised the Vigil is held on the last Saturday of each month.

Sun 27th Jan - Syrian Stories
2019-01-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Garret Theatre, Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
A unique event where you will have the opportunity to hear from two women – Lamis Muqdad and Yasmin Sofi – who have experienced life as a Syrian refugee.
Both are now settled in Chester and North Wales and now want to share their personal stories in a special conversation with Faith Agaba (Red Cross) who is currently working as a refugee support worker across Merseyside. As well as this Faith has expertise and interest in language and public speaking.
Event free (booking required). This is part of the Storyhouse Festival of Languages, 23-27 January.

Wed 30th Jan - "Hope Over Fear in International Politics"
2019-01-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
Andrew Lane,
Director of the Quaker Council for European Affairs, Brussels
HOPE OVER FEAR IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
How are European and International Affairs changing, who will be
affected and what can be done to build a more just world?
At the Quaker Meeting House, Union Walk, Frodsham
Street, Chester CH1 3LF
Wednesday 30th January 2019
Doors open at 6.15pm for 7.00 pm start
Refreshments available
Admission free – collection towards costs

Wed 30th Jan – “Walking for Justice: 5000km from Sweden to Palestine”
2019-01-30 19:00 - 21:00 | The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
Come and hear Benjamin Ladraa talk about his marathon walk. The 25-year-old Swedish human rights activist set out from Gothenburg in August 2017, to walk to Jerusalem, a journey of almost 5,000 kilometres across 14 countries, walking for almost a year, often for eight or 10 hours a day. Without conscious planning, his walk took him along the same routes used by refugees and migrants seeking safety and stability in Europe – only in reverse. All welcome, Free entry.
Further information ChesterFriendsofPalestine@hotmail.com

Sat 2nd Feb - Street campaigning in Chester City Centre
2019-02-02 10:30 - 11:30 | Eastgate Clock, Chester
Meet at 10.30 am outside HSBC, near the Eastgate clock.
Further information chesterfriendsofpalestine@hotmail.com

Sat 9th Feb - Show the Love Craft Event
2019-02-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Just Footprints, The Forum Shopping Centre, Chester, CH1 2BY
Help us make green hearts to highlight the issue of climate change. Working with Chester Devas WI, we want to spread green heart bunting around Chester and make heart brooches to wear. All as part of the ShowTheLove campaign which runs this year from 5th – 24th February. Further information chesterfoe@hotmail.co.uk

Tues 12th Feb - 'Eritrea and Human Rights'
2019-02-12 19:30 - 21:00 | Best Building, University of Chester, Exton Park Campus, off Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ
A lecture by Alex Jackson, Amnesty International Country Coordinator for Eritrea. He offers insights into human rights issues in Eritrea, particularly since the political agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopa.
All staff, students and visitors welcome. For further information contact Gill Miller 07941 629236.
7.30 – 9.00pm, Best Building, University of Chester, Parkgate Road campus
Eritrea talk 12-2-19

Wed 13th Feb – “A New Economy for Climate Justice”
2019-02-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
A talk by Olivia Hanks, Programme Manager for Economics and Sustainability, Quakers in Britain.
It is now clear that to avoid catastrophic climate change, we must make big changes to our society. But what kind of changes? and how can we avoid repeating the injustices that many face today? Join us to explore how we start to imagine and build an economy where people, communities and ecosystems can flourish.
Free admission but donations welcome to help continue Quakers’Economics and Sustainability work.

Tues 19th Feb – Climate Change – update from “COP 24” Poland
2019-02-19 18:45 - 21:00 | The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
This event is arranged by CWDF in association with Chester Sustainability Forum and Chester & District friends of the Earth. It will include a report back from Catherine Green who attended the climate conference in Katowice as part of the CAFOD delegation. It will also include observations on climate change matters raised at the ongoing I Gas public inquiry, along with a run-down of other local actions and initiatives on climate change awareness, with a view to sharing ideas and resources.

Wed 20th Feb - #ShowTheLove Climate Change Debate
2019-02-20 19:30 - 21:30 | The Custom House, Watergate Street, Chester, CH1 2LB
7:30-9:30 pm, Custom House, 65 – 67 Watergate Street, Chester, CH1 2LB
A ShowTheLove event hosted by Chester & District Friends of the Earth and Chester Deva WI. Further information chesterfoe@hotmail.co.uk

Sat 23rd Feb - Fair Trade Coffee Morning
2019-02-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Hoole URC, Hoole Road, Chester, CH2 3NT
10.00am to 12.00 noon Hoole United Reformed Church, Hoole Road, Chester CH2 3NT
Organised by Chifundo UK. Tickets £1 coffee/tea and biscuits.
Proceeds for women’s tailoring courses in Malawi.

Sat 23rd Feb – “Stop Arming Saudi” Silent Vigil
2019-02-23 12:30 - 13:30 | The Cross, Chester, United Kingdom
12.30 – 1.30 at The Cross, Chester. All are welcome to join – please wear black if possible. Organised by Chester CND. Further information chestercnd@gmail.com
Unless otherwise advised, the Vigil is held on the last Saturday of each month.

Mon 25th Feb – Sun 10th Mar – Fairtrade Fortnight 2019
2019-02-25 09:15 - 2019-03-10 16:30 | Various venues
Each year Fairtrade Fortnight is a big opportunity for campaigners, businesses, schools and places of worship show their support for the farmers and workers who grow our food in developing countries.
The Chester Fairtrade Steering Committee have secured a prime location stall in the Chester Market for the entire fortnight. The stall will be shared between And Albert, Chifundo, and Chester Fair Trading (Wesley shop), with the aim of opening every day the market is open (not Sundays) between Monday 25 February & Saturday 09 March. Ideally, two or three people should be on the stall at all times between 09:15 and 16:30 each day (20:00 on Fridays), so volunteers will be needed (please contact Heather Swainston on 01244 312487 if able to help) .

Tues 26th Thurs 28thFeb – Resumed sessions, I Gas Public Inquiry
2019-02-26 09:30 - 17:00 | Chester Town Hall Square, Chester
9.30am, Chester Town Hall, Chester, CH1 2HQ
This is the continuation of the Public Inquiry concerning the Appeal by I Gas into the planning refusal for gas well testing at Portside, Ellesmere Port. The scheme raises broad issues of climate change as well as significant local environmental and amenity concerns. The Frack Free Dee group hope that as many people as possible come in for an hour or two, or stay with the Inquiry team to support them. Further information at www.facebook.com/FrackFreeDee and https://drillordrop.com/ellesmere-port-inquiry-january-2019

Wed 27th Feb – Chester Friends of Palestine
2019-02-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
This meeting is in the informal atmosphere of Storyhouse, to allow those who wish to attend the 6.00 pm screening of the documentary film The Judge which offers a unique portrait of Palestinian lawyer Kholoud Al-Faqih’s brave journey as a lawyer, and her tireless fight for justice for women. See www.storyhouse.com/event/the-judge

Wed 27th Feb – Chester Friends of Palestine
2019-02-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
This meeting of Chester Friends of Palestine is in the informal atmosphere of Storyhouse, to allow those who wish to attend the 6.00 pm screening of the documentary film The Judge which offers a unique portrait of Palestinian lawyer Kholoud Al-Faqih’s brave journey as a lawyer, and her tireless fight for justice for women.
For information and tickets for the film see www.storyhouse.com/event/the-judge

Tues 5th Mar – Talk by Nick Dearden “Rising National & Personal Debt & Impact on Aid”
2019-03-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Best Building, University of Chester, Exton Park Campus, off Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ
Nick Dearden is Director of “Global Justice Now” (formerly World Development Movement). Their campaigns include Aid issues – urging the adoption of a new progressive vision for UK aid, focused on principles of social justice and the redistribution of economic and political power in the world.
Nick Dearden 5-3-19

Sat 9th Mar - International Women's Day
2019-03-09 11:00 - 15:30 | Chester Town Hall Square, Chester
Chester Women’s Aid’s annual celebration of IWD to be held on Saturday 9th March in the Town Hall and Storyhouse, 11.00am – 3.30pm. With live performances, market stalls, information stalls 7 raffle.

Sat 9th Mar - Quiz Night with Palestinian Buffet
2019-03-09 19:00 - 21:30 | Wesley Church Centre, St. John Street, Chester, CH1 1DA
This Quiz Night is a fund raising event in aid of the Amos Trust West Bank Home Rebuild Project 2019. The evening includes a Palestinian Buffet.
For information or tickets contact Andrew on andrewherbert1967@gmail.com or 07930 639246

Mon 11th Mar – Christian Aid Lent Lunch
2019-03-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Quaker Meeting House, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF.
This is the first in the series of Lent Lunches arranged by City Centre Churches Together. Please join us for a simple meal. £5 donations to Christian Aid: “Working to end poverty and injustice worldwide”. 01244 375606.
[The further Monday dates at Quaker Meeting House are 18 and 25 March and 1 April. On the final date of Monday 8 April the Lunch will be in the hall at St Mary’s Handbridge]

Tues 12th Mar - CWDF Forum
2019-03-12 18:45 - 21:00 | The Unity Centre, Cuppin Street, Chester, CH1 2BN
The second Forum gathering of 2019. Open session on local responses to the concerns of climate change and climate justice. It will include an update from Jude Limb on Christian Aid’s “Big Shift” campaign (away from fossil fuels) and the lobby of HSBC. (Details to be confirmed). 01244 350323.

Mon 18th Mar - Christian Aid Lent Lunch
2019-03-18 12:00 - 13:30 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Quaker Meeting House, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF.
This is the second in the series of Lent Lunches arranged by City Centre Churches Together. Please join us for a simple meal. £5 donations to Christian Aid: “Working to end poverty and injustice worldwide”. 01244 375606.
[The further Monday dates at Quaker Meeting House are 25 March and 1 April. On the final date of Monday 8 April the Lunch will be in the hall at St Mary’s Handbridge]

Thurs 21st Mar – “Eye Witness” : Stories from the West Bank & Israel
2019-03-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
7.30-9.00pm, Quaker Meeting House, Frodsham Street Chester, CH1 3LF.
Come and hear first-hand from two recently-returned volunteers from the Quaker’s Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. What is daily life under the occupation really like? What is the Israeli peace movement doing? What can we do to promote a just peace in Israel-occupied Palestine?
All welcome – please tell others!
More information at www.quaker.org.uk/eappi or from 020 7663 1144.

Mon 25th Mar - Christian Aid Lent Lunch
2019-03-25 12:00 - 13:30 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Quaker Meeting House, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF.
This is the third in the series of Lent Lunches arranged by City Centre Churches Together. Please join us for a simple meal. £5 donations to Christian Aid: “Working to end poverty and injustice worldwide”. 01244 375606.
[The further Monday dates are 1 April at Quaker Meeting House, and 8 April – when the Lunch will be in the hall at St Mary’s Handbridge]

Wed 27th Mar - AGM, Chester Friends of Palestine
2019-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Room 204, Riverside Building, University of Chester, Castle Drive, Chester, CH1 1SL
We are looking for new members for the committee. What are YOUR talents? Let us know what you can do! Further information contact ChesterFriendsofPalestine@hotmail.com
7.00-9.00pm, Room 204 Riverside Building, University of Chester

Sat 30th Mar – “Stop Arming Saudi” Silent Vigil
2019-03-30 12:30 - 13:30 | The Cross, Chester, United Kingdom
12.30 – 1.30 at The Cross, Chester. All are welcome to join – please wear black if possible. Organised by Chester CND. Further information chestercnd@gmail.com

Mon 1st Apr - Christian Aid Lent Lunch
2019-04-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Quaker Meeting House Chester, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Quaker Meeting House, Union Walk, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3LF.
This is the fourth in the series of Lent Lunches arranged by City Centre Churches Together. Please join us for a simple meal. £5 donations to Christian Aid: “Working to end poverty and injustice worldwide”. 01244 375606.
[The final Monday date will be 8 April, when the Lunch will be in the hall at St Mary’s Handbridge]

Thurs 4th Apr - Christian Aid "Big Shift" Local Lobby
2019-04-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Outside HSBC Chester, 45 Eastgate Street, Chester, CH1 1LR
The “Big Shift” is part of Christian Aid’s campaign on climate change, with the big banks seen as a major part of the solution if they can stop funding fossil fuel developments. “Big Shift” is focussing on HSBC as one of the biggest banks in the world, and CA aims to get the message delivered to every HSBC branch in the country during Lent. In our case, it is Chester on 4th April, Ellesmere Port on 11th April.
If you can join in please contact Katy Rowe, 01244 674448.
See also www.christianaid.org.uk/campaigns/climate-change/the-big-shift
