Festival for the Future at West Cheshire Museums

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

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Festival for the Future at West Cheshire Museums

Grosvenor Museum, Chester Lion Salt Works, Cheshire
1-30 July 2022

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

west Cheshire museums
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Over the duration of July, West Cheshire museums are teaming up to curate a month of climate friendly activities, talks, films and ways to engage with this often intimidatingly urgent topic. The Festival for the Future is a collaboration between Eco Communities, Weigh of the world, the local councils and a group of four museums. You can expect to find a good mix of ecologically focused happenings such as giant litter picks, clothes swaps and insightful exhibitions, but with a good sprinkling of summer festival fun thrown in with outdoor yoga, face painting and climate focused pub quizzes.

wildlife workshops from the RSPCA and sessions where you can make your own upcycled and reusable wax wraps and washing up scrubbers

Pictured above is the Ghost Whale. This giant whale made entirely from plastic currently lives in the Grosvenor Museum and is part of a wider exhibition about plastic pollution and climate change. If you’re someone who’s been actively trying to use less plastic and have intriguing artefacts that have helped you on your plastic reduction journey, get in touch via the website and your submission might end up alongside the Ghost Whale.

The climate crisis takes place globally and this can be seen in the festival through circus performances that comment on our individual relationships with the world. However, there are always ways we can impact the planet locally. Learn how you can actively make small yet significant impacts on your local environment with wildlife workshops from the RSPCA and sessions where you can make your own upcycled and reusable wax wraps or washing up scrubbers.

Each weekend sees a packed programme of film screenings, augmented reality exhibitions, special events and performances. Most of these are drop in or free to attend but be sure to check the programme as some events, such as the eco open mic night or the Ceilidh on the final night of the festival, require booking ahead.

Where to go near Festival for the Future at West Cheshire Museums

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St Mary’s Creative Space

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Oddfellows hotel inhabits a Georgian townhouse right bang in the middle of Chester, only moments away from the river.

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St Mary’s is a fantastic rehearsal, performance and exhibition space right in the heart of Chester, and is available to the whole community.

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Weasel and The Bug believe that you should buy well and pass on, and that toys should be powered by children, not batteries. Taking care of the planet is a priority for many parents and pleasingly, Weasel and The Bug only stock products which are sustainably sourced.

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Watergate Street Gallery

This contemporary Art Gallery In Chester displays and sells original and affordable works, with regular new exhibitions listed on their website.

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The Antiques Shop

The Antiques Shop is housed within the Rows of Chester and has been owned and run by the same antiques dealer for nearly 30 years, selling British antiques and vintage items.

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