20 Questions

Zoe Ellis lives with her husband in Chester and is owner of the award-winning bar and restaurant Palm Cocktail Bar and Eatery in the city. She is also the creator of Curve festival, Europe’s leading plus-size fashion festival – a staple in the calendar for many retailers such as Boohoo, Marks & Spencer, River Island and New Look

1What’s your full (real) name (including any embarrassing middle names!)? Zoe Tracey Ellis, nothing embarrassing. My middle name is after my mum.

2What do you do? I own Palm Cocktail Bar & Eatery in Chester – we’re known for our “Instagram-able” features. And I also run Curve, a major retail event.

3Who shares your life? My husband and two chow chows, Shelby and Bear. My brother Leo is at my house all the time, and my five-year-old nephew is around a lot. My parents are often there too, doing little jobs, because I’ve just moved in.

4The highlight of the last 12 months? Working in the hospitality industry, when we re-opened it was such a joy to see all our customers back enjoying themselves.

5And the worst bit? Not being able to run Curve. We kept postponing, which at least gave us some hope. But having to cancel altogether was a low point.

6If you could come back as any animal, what would you be and why? A bird in any Disneyland resort. The food is unreal and it’s everywhere! 14What is your favourite drink? Palm’s signature cocktail. I’d say Palm 19, Palm 19, 15If you had to take part in a reality TV show, which would you have the best chance of winning? Bake-O is out, I can’t bake for toffee. And I have two left feet, so I’d have no chance on Strictly. I’m a go-getter and always up for a challenge so definitely I’m a Celeb.

16What is your guilty pleasure? I love watching YouTube travel vloggers – where they’re going, their airport routine, what outfits they’re taking with them.

17When did you last laugh uncontrollably and why? We went to York Christmas market and my dad put on a leather cowboy hat. We thought it was a joke but then he said “Sold! No need for a bag…” and moseyed off, tipping his hat to everyone he passed.

18You’re hosting a celebrity dinner party for four guests – who’s on the list? Kevin Hart and The Rock – they are so funny together and can keep everyone entertained. Walt Disney – I have so many questions for him. And Princess Diana, so we can talk fashion.

7Your desert island single and what it means to you? Out walking I always listen to Boyz II Men. I love a good power ballad and they remind me of growing up.

8If you could have one superpower what would it be? To freeze time, so I can go shopping, whizz around for what I need and not queue to pay.

9Who is your all-time hero? My family – and Walt Disney. My family are so supportive in everything I do. They have a definite ‘get back up again’ attitude. Walt Disney’s ethos for business and his passion for people is inspiring. He created a culture that valued and empowered employees, and it’s still relevant today.

10Fears or phobias? Not being in control.

11What would be the fi rst thing you’d buy if you won the lottery? I’d buy my younger brother a house so he can move out of my spare room. And buy my older brother a house so he stops threatening to move into my spare room!

12What would be your dream job (other than your own)? Prime minister or CEO of Disney World. 13If you were representing your country in the Olympics which sport would you choose? Whatever needs the least amount of effort! 19What’s your favourite place in the world? New York – I got engaged there so it’s special. And Disneyland, for the attention to detail and great service. And Chester, of course!

20And your proudest

achievement?

Coming through the last two years. When you start a business, you think of all the things that can happen, but you don’t expect a pandemic to bring the world to a standstill. Getting through it as a team makes me really proud.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

7TH-28TH JANUARY

•Until 9th January,

Sublime Symmetry: De Morgan Ceramics, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight

Famed for the lustrous glazed tiles and pottery with bird and dragon decoration, behind the fantastical beasts and fanciful fl ora that wrap themselves around De Morgan’s work is a rigorously planned mathematical structure. This stunning exhibition showcases around 70 objects on loan from the De Morgan Foundation. Open Tuesday-Sunday and bank holidays, 10am-4pm. Facebook @ladyleverartgallery

•9th January & 6th February,

Orchestra dell’Arte, Heswall United Reformed Church

Serenades on Sundays include I Due Amici: songs and arias from two tenors, and Musica Argentina for guitar and string quartet. 3pm. Tickets £6. Visit dellarte.co.uk to fi nd out more.

•12th & 19th

January, Candle-making Workshop, Wirral Candle Co., Heswall

Over two sessions create a scented glass candle, a travel candle and tea-lights. Includes barista co ee/tea and locally made cake. 6.30-8.30pm. Tickets £45.

enquiries@thebarnwirral.co.uk

•16th January, Thornton

Manor Wedding Open

Day Start planning your dream day with experienced and dedicated wedding coordinators and fabulous suppliers. Open midday-5pm.

thorntonmanor.co.uk/events/

•28th January, Oh Yes We

Can, Ellesmere Port Civic Hall

Oh Yes We Can is a pantomime project created by the Action Transport Theatre working with Vivo Care Choices. 2pm. For details and tickets, contact

info@actiontransport theatre.org

CULTURE TAKES TO THE STREETS

An art gallery with a di erence… Based around its emerging Victoria Quarter, New Brighton has a fantastic array of open-air street art. Rockpoint Leisure commissioned works from both local and international street artists, and the result is a dazzling chronicle of key events, locations and interesting characters from pirates to pier divers who have shaped the seaside town over the past three centuries.

Check the map at newbrightonstreetart.com to plan your art-spotting trip!

DID YOU KNOW?

New Brighton once had the world’s largest open-air pool

A PARADISE ISLAND

e Hilbre Islands are one of the loveliest spots in Wirral for wildlife and can be reached on foot in an hour at low tide. Grey seals haul up on the sands, and dolphins have also been sighted. Check hilbreisland.info for tide times before you set out.

WALKIES!

Need somewhere secure and fun to exercise your pup? Bark Park in Raby is a huge, purpose-built dog play park with a range of activities for you and your pooch to enjoy, including off-leash play and socialisation sessions and doggy daycare. You can even hire the park privately. Check times and prices at dogsgo.co.uk

Talent blossoms at the Floral Pavilion

McCartney - e Songbook, 15th January

Masterworks spanning six decades from the producers of at’ll Be e Day. 7.30pm. £26.25

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny, 28th January

Jimmy’s new show features all kinds of terrible things – just jokes, not the things. 8pm. £31.25

Bram Stoker’s Dracula, 13th February Are some things better left buried? Starring James Gaddas (Bad Girls, Medics). 7.30pm. From £22.75.

Kiki Dee & Carmelo, 25th February

Acoustic covers of songs by Kate Bush and Frank Sinatra and of course Kiki’s own hits. 7.30pm. £22.50 Box o ce 0151 666 0000

PARK LIFE All the fun of the farm

A masterpiece of landscape design and the inspiration for New York’s Central Park, Birkenhead Park is a designated conservation area. Escape urban life and enjoy the woodland walks and fitness trail. There’s also a visitor centre and café, a kids’ playground, tennis courts, bowling greens, football pitches and two fishing lakes. Email birkenheadpark@wirral.gov.uk Need to get outdoors after being cooped up all winter? Church Farm is re-opening on 18th February. A tractor ride is still included in the admission price, and there are lots of animals to feed, including alpacas, goats, sheep, ponies and emus!

Kids can let o steam on the space hoppers, pedal karts, boats and mini diggers, and there’s an indoor play area with sandpit and tractor TV. Visit churchfarmevents.co.uk for times and prices.

COME INTO THE GARDEN…

Ness Botanic Gardens spread across 64 acres, with stunning views of the River Dee and North Wales, and are open every day from 10am-4.30pm. In January you can enjoy the stunning tree barks, bright berries, a host of spetacular seedheads, the rst clumps of snowdrops, and a surprising beam of colour in a bleak period – witch hazel.

In February the gardens start to spring into action, with early species of bumblebee out foraging on warmer days, and the plump flowerbuds of the magnolias preparing to burst into waxy glory. Check liverpool.ac.uk/ness-gardens for entry prices.

DID YOU KNOW? Artifi cial ponds at Ness are used for climate research

SHIP SHAPE

Hoylake and West Kirby Sea Cadets need you! Whether you’d like to train as an instructor or just lending a helping hand, volunteers are always welcome You don’t need a background in the Navy or in watersports – just a positive attitude. Email hoylake188@outlook.com to make a real di erence.

Scavenger hunt

In ‘What’s Left Behind’ at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, Birkenhead, sculptor Brigitte Jurack explores environmental adaptability, focusing on animals that we share long cultural entanglements with, such as crows, foxes and monkeys.

williamson artgallery.org

Kent is true blues

Legendary Delta bluesman Kent DuChaine has travelled and played with most of the great Blues men and women his whole adult life. And now you can share these experiences at West Kirby Arts Centre on 25th & 26th February for only £10! Book at westkirbyartscentre.org.uk.

THEATRE GOLD AT THE GLADSTONE

Cinderella, 13th-16th January Join Hoylake & West Kirby eatre Group as a sprinkling of fairy dust works its magic… Various times. Tickets from £8.

e Grand Old Lady, 22nd January

A celebration of over 125 years of football at Goodison, this play is based around the Everton Lock-Up (Prince Rupert’s Tower) which has stood on Everton Brow since 1787. 7pm. £17.50.

An Evening with Liverpool Legends,

4th February HC Promotions proudly bring the stars closer to you. With John Barnes, Steve McMahon and Phil ompson. 7.30pm. Tickets from £35

e Legends of American Country Show,

12th February Acclaimed tributes to stars including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Kenny Rogers. 7.30pm. £22.50 gladstonetheatre.org.uk

AN EDWARDIAN SOAP OPERA

e Port Sunlight Experience allows visitors to not only uncover the history of this special village at the museum, but also experience what life was like over a century ago in the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage, and enjoy the story of soap at the interactive SoapWorks exhibition. Book this unique package at

tickets.portsunlightvillage.com

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

3RD-25TH FEBRUARY

•3rd February, Drink and Draw

at Make Hamilton, Birkenhead

If you want the chance to do some life drawing in a friendly atmosphere, check out this monthly class. Price includes a complimentary glass of wine and cheese plate. 6.30-8.30pm. Entry £12. Contact hello@makecic.org

•7th February, Psychic

Readings, The Halfway House,

Childer Thornton Psychic Nights o ers you a one-toone reading with one of their psychics, who do clairvoyance and Tarot readings. Pre-booking required. From 2.30pm. Readings £25 per person. Call 07950 350 810 or email

james@psychicnight.co.uk

•Voirrey

Crafts, Carr Farm Garden Centre, Meols

Our regular knitting and crochet workshops are very informal and welcome everyone, from complete beginners to those seeking a refresher course, as well as more experienced crafters. £16. Call 07887 399605 or email

mail@voirreycrafts.com

•19th February, The Beatones, Heswall Hall The 1960s – when Britain ruled the airwaves! Featuring songs from The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits, The Who, The Kinks, Small Faces, The Searchers and many more, this live show will transport you back to the greatest decade in music history. 7.30pm. Tickets £18 at beatones.co.uk

•25th February, Night Beats, Future Yard, Birkenhead Texas psych-punks Night Beats released their fi fth album, the acid-fried rock’n’roll riot Outlaw R&B in May 2021, and this promises to be a fearsome live show. 8pm. Tickets £13.75 from futureyard.org

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

4TH-26TH JANUARY

•4th-6th January, Boxing Day. Orbit Cinema,

Wellington Eke out Christmas with this festive feel-good movie about a British author living in the US who returns home to London to introduce his fi ancée to his eccentric British-Caribbean family. Tickets £8, concessions available. 7pm. www.

wellingtonorbit.co.uk

•6th January, Shropshire Wildlife Trust New Year Social, Ellesmere Town Hall

A chance to celebrate the year with local wildlife photographs, a fun quiz, some nibbles and a few surprises! 8pm. £3 for members, £4 non-members. Booking essential. www.

shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

•6th-8th January, Beauty and The Beast, Shawbury Village

Hall Shawbury Village Players are back on stage with their traditional panto, promising a fun evening out for all the family. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test will be required for audience members, along with face masks for adults. 7.30pm. Adult £10, child £5 plus booking fee. www.

shawburyvillageplayers.co.uk

•14th January, Flicks in the Sticks: No Time to Die, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre

For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet (or can’t turn down the chance to see Daniel Craig in a tux one more time) the latest James Bond outing No Time to Die (PG-13) starts at 7pm. Food and a licensed bar are available from 6pm. Adult £5, child £3, family ticket £15. Advance booking essential.

www.shropshirehillsdiscovery centre.co.uk

•26th January, Autistic Bikini Queen Tour, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

Catch the sharptongued Scot and well-known TV persona Fern Brady in this solo stand-up performance. 8pm. Tickets £26.

www.henrytudorhouse.com

Rock ’n’ raunch at The Place

DID YOU KNOW? Back in the ’90s Steve Steinman won Stars in their Eyes as Meat Loaf

There’s plenty to see at The Place, Telford, this new year. Here are some of the highlights:

Dirty Dusting, 18th January A laugh-out-loud adult comedy about three cleaning ladies threatened with redundancy, who chance upon their own idea to make some spare cash. Starring Vicky Entwhistle (Coronation Street) and Vicky Michelle (’Allo ’Allo!). Over-16s only. Tickets £24.50.

Vampires Rock, 3rd February The musical sensation that has been rocking the nation for over 20 years, starring Steve Steinman. A tongue-in-cheek story and an incredible cast leave audiences dancing in the aisles. Expect over 30 of the greatest rock anthems of all time. Tickets £29.50

An Evening with Jasper Carrott and Alistair

McGowan, 6th February The comedy legends split the bill – and your sides – with a night of stand-up and impressions. Age guidance 14+. Tickets £31.50. www.theplacetelford.com

Jog off your jumper

As the festive season draws to a close, here’s a last chance to wear your Christmas jumper! The one-mile fun run at Attingham Park on 3rd January starts at 10am, with registration from 9.30am. Runs will not be timed, but every participant will receive a medal. Accompanied children are welcome, and the route is accessible to all-terrain buggies. Booking essential. Standard entry to the park applies, plus £6 run entry.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on

Buzzin’ at The Hive

The Hive in Shrewsbury is screening several world cinema films throughout January and February, including Honeyland (PG-12) on 21st January. This absorbing documentary was filmed over three years and relates the life of Hatidže Muratova, one of the last independent keepers of wild bees in Europe. Tickets cost £6.

To book, or to see full programme listings, visit events.hiveonline.org.uk//

One for the fans…

Classic car enthusiasts can explore a wealth of traders, jumblers and service providers at the International Triumph and MG Spares Day on 22nd January at Telford International Centre. Meet fellow hobbyists and pick up tips. There may even be live restorations taking place. £14 (£11 in advance), under-12s free. www.mgandtriumphsparesday.co.uk

The curious life of Marie Curie

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

28TH JAN-4TH FEB

The name Marie Curie looms large in the world of science. The Nobel prize-winner lived an extraordinary life and made incredible discoveries against unbelievable odds. Learn DID YOU KNOW? Polonium, the fi rst element Curie found, was named for her native more in this light-hearted Poland musical comedy The Element in the Room. The award-winning show is performed by Tangram Theatre on 12th February at Wem Town Hall. 3pm. Tickets are £12 for adults, £5 for children. www.wemtownhall.co.uk

Tour a distillery

For anyone not having a dry January, Henstone Distillery in Oswestry is o ering tours on 29th January. Visitors will get to see the impressive 1000-litre hybrid still and learn how spirits are made. Tours are limited to 10 attendees and tickets cost £20 per person and must be booked in advance. e tour includes a G&T on arrival, a tour of the distillery and stores, tasting of all available products and a 10% discount on purchases made on the day. e tours run on other dates too. See www.henstonedistillery.com New life for old items

Telford Repair Cafe is one of 1,500 worldwide ghting climate change by bringing communities together to cut waste. On 29th January, it will be at Brookside Central to help mend clothing, furniture, toys, tech and electricals. Specialist repairs by arrangement. Donations welcome. 10am-2pm. www.

telfordrepaircafe.co.uk

Crafty creatures

The Wild at Art at Maws studio has a full schedule of craft workshops throughout January and February, beginning with Recycled Wooden Animals on 9th January. The session is led by Ian Good from Tactile Timber, a Birmingham-based studio with a repurpose ethos. 11am-1pm. £35. Book via @wildatartatmaws on socials.

FUN WITH PHILEAS FOGG

e Rain or Shine eatre Company returns to eatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth on 4-5th February with Around the World in 80 Days. e swashbuckling tale of our hero Phileas and his valet Passepartout as they set out to win their bet and circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, in spite of the best e orts of some dastardly enemies, is played out with plenty of tomfoolery and lashings of laughs. 7.30pm. Tickets £10, concessions £7. www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk

•28th January, Beginners’ Crochet Workshop, Loudwater Community Arts Centre, Ludlow

A morning workshop to get you started with crochet, from creating Granny Squares to understanding patterns. Price includes all materials and a hook to take home, to put all your newly acquired skills into practice. 10am. £20. www.

loudwaterstudio.org.uk

•28th January, Oswestry

Artisan Market A regular fi xture on the last Friday of every month, selling the best in local produce including fresh pies and pastries, meat and fi sh, cheeses, cakes and much more. There is always something interesting to tempt you!

www.oswestrymarket.co.uk

•29th January, Burns’ Night Ball, Oswestry

School Honour the famous bard at this black-tie and tartan event hosted by Friends of Oswestry School. Tickets include a three-course traditional supper, table wine and a dram of whisky. 7pm. Tickets £38, or £48 to include whisky tasting. www.trybooking.com

•30th January, Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups, The Stiperstones Inn, near Shrewsbury

Suki Silver Tongue straddles the worlds of storytelling and poetry in this entertaining evening, delivering decadent versions of classic tales as you’ve never heard them before. 8pm. Tickets £12.50.

www.sukisilvertongue.co.uk

•4th February, Carducci String Quartet, The Lion

Hotel, Shrewsbury The versatile, award-winning string quartet perform their fi nal ‘Vienna to Moscow’ concert, featuring pieces by Schubert, Beethoven and Shostakovich. 7.30pm. Tickets £19, under-25s £9.50. www.

shropshiremusictrust.co.uk

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

11TH-20TH FEBRUARY

•11th February, Darwin Day Run, Shrewsbury Sport

Village Celebrate the birthday of Shrewsbury’s famous son Charles Darwin with this speed challenge event. 5k, 10k, half and full marathon options over what is expected to be a quick course. Chip-timed. 9am. Entry from £26. www.codrc.co.uk

•13th February, Jamali Maddix: King Crud, Henry

Tudor House Critically acclaimed comedian Jamali Maddix, seen on C4 and BBC2, is on tour with a brand-new show, tackling more home truths and universal issues. 18+ only. 8pm. Tickets £16. www.

henrytudorhouse.com

•13th February, Darwin Memorial Lecture, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at Oxford University, discusses ‘Social evolution in Darwin’s World’ in this afternoon lecture, followed by audience Q&A. 2.30pm. Tickets £12.50.

www.theatresevern.co.uk

•18 & 19th February, Wrenbury and District Model Railway Club, Tythe Barn Community

Building, Whitchurch The club will have several layouts running at this free-to-enter exhibition, adjacent to Sainsbury’s car park. Friday 6-8pm, Saturday 10am4.30pm. whitchurch.info/events

•20th February, The Royal Ballet: Romeo and Juliet (live screening), SpArc Theatre, Bishop’s Castle

The modern ballet classic is shown via satellite in this matinée performance. The tale of doomed lovers is set to a moving score by Prokofi ev. 2pm (includes two intervals). Tickets £8-£13. sparctheatre.co.uk

Hunt for treasure in Oswestry

Oswestry Antique and Collectors Fair takes place at Oswestry Showground, Park Hall, on 19th and 20th February. You can expect to find an array of indoor and outdoor stalls offering an eclectic mix of antiques, vintage, collectibles, architectural salvage, mid-century and decorative items at affordable prices. On-site parking is free and the show is dog friendly. Admission costs £3.50 in advance or on the gate, and children go free. From 8.30am Saturday, 9am Sunday. www.jos-events.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW? The Fair is held bi-monthly at the 34-acre site. See website for details

January japery at Festival Drayton Centre BIG COUNTRY ON TOUR

Join one of the nation’s most soughtafter joke writers, Gary Delaney, for an evening of comedy at Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton on 29th January in his new show Gary in Punderland. A long-standing special guest on Mock the Week and star of Live at the Apollo, Gary has been described as having “more quality jokes in one hour than most comics have in their entire careers”. 8pm. Tickets £18. Age 16+. festivaldraytoncentre.com

Winter wander at Attingham Park

From 8th January to 18th February young visitors to Attingham Park can enjoy Percy the Park Keeper’s Winter Wander Trail, based on the much-loved nursery character. Have fun giving Percy and his friends a helping hand as you explore the estate’s beautiful parkland, walled garden and ‘Field of Play’. Activity packs, £2, available from reception. 8.30am-3.30pm. Standard entry fee applies, pre-booking not required. www.

nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on

Eighties’ rockers Big Country bring their Wonderland tour to e Buttermarket, Shrewsbury on 14th January. eir signature sound – guitar-driven Scottish folk with pounding military-style rhythms – brought the band worldwide success in the early ’80s with the singles ‘Fields of Fire’, ‘Chance’, ‘Look Away’ and their major hit, ‘In a Big Country’. ey have toured alongside many rockgreats including e Rolling Stones, U2 and e Jam. 7.30pm. Tickets cost £27.50 from www.thebuttermarket.co.uk

Art of the Borderland

Borderland Visual Arts presents its Art Show and New Year Open Exhibition at the Willow Gallery, Oswestry from 15th January to 5th March. Highly collectable artwork from this talented group includes sculpture, jewellery, paintings, textiles and more. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. www.willowgalleryoswestry.org

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

FEBRUARY & ONGOING

THEATRE SEVERN TOP PICKS

No need to sit out the winter at home, Shrewsbury’s Severn Theatre has something for everyone:

DID YOU KNOW?

The original Calendar Girls have raised £5 million for charity! •22nd February, Guided tour of Acton Scott Hall and grounds The Acton family continues to care for the historic house and grounds in South Shropshire and a will have you ‘craughing’ – laughing until you cry. family member will lead the 2.30pm and 7.30pm. From £19. Age 12+. tour. 10.30am-12.30pm. Tickets £20 (includes refreshments).

www.actonscott.com

Severn Jesters Comedy Club, 23rd January

Discover the new stars of stand-up as the hugely popular comedy club returns. Tonight’s line-up includes Adam Rowe, Eddy Brimson, Sally Anne Hayward and Simon Lomas. 8pm. Tickets £12.

Calendar Girls The Musical, 3rd-6th February True story of one WI group’s extraordinary fund-raising escapade. Tim Firth and Gary Barlow’s musical

An Evening with Sir Geoff Hurst, 20th February

England’s hat-trick hero talks amusingly about his career as a professional footballer with West Ham and England. 7.30pm. £26.50.

Ray Mears: We Are Nature, 22nd February The survival expert shows how to improve your senses and highlights the problems facing nature today. 7.30pm. Tickets £27. www.theatresevern.co.uk

South Shropshire run is Icing on the Cake

Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy trail running at its best on 5th February with the Icing on the Cake run – full and halfmarathon routes across the Shropshire Hills. 8.30am/9am start. Entry £35/£32 includes a medal and refreshments. Parking £2 at Church Stretton School. Booking via www.codrc.co.uk

FANCY-DRESS GALA CONCERT

The Shrewsbury Concert Band will perform an uplifting programme of music from stage and screen at The Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton on 21st January. Fancy dress is optional – come as a character from the featured shows: Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mission Impossible or Frozen, anyone? 7.30pm. Tickets £12 plus booking fee, includes a welcome drink. Book in advance at Church Stretton council offices or online at www.silvesterhorneevents.co.uk

The best of body art

On 5th-6th February Telford International Centre hosts Tattoo Freeze, a convention for all admirers of body art. As well as the opportunity to get some new ink, expect live music, burlesque and magic shows, plus plenty of stalls to browse. Resident tatooists are offering booked slots in advance and fewer ‘walk-ups’, so check how your chosen artist is working. Advance weekend tickets £20, under-18s free (with paying adult). www.tattoofreeze.com

Family fun at Shropshire Kids Fest

Fun is guaranteed at Shropshire Kids Fest on 26th-27th February. Among the host of activities on o er at Telford International Centre are giant in atables, a silent disco, STEM activities, Nerf wars, baking, arts and crafts, and an under- ves zone. Covid safety guidelines in place. Family ticket £35 (online). www.shropshirekidsfest.co.uk

•The Angel Gallery, Broseley

This intimate independent gallery is open Wednesdays to Saturdays 11am-5pm. Refreshments are available. Entrance is free, and advance booking is not essential.

www.theangelgallery.co.uk

•Holly Farm Garden Centre, Whitchurch

Thinking ahead to preparing your garden for spring? Holly Farm Garden Centre is open Monday-Saturday 9am5.30pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Treat yourself to a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake in the café, which o ers indoor and outdoor seating. www.

hollyfarmgardencentre.co.uk

•Weekends at Wroxeter

Roman City Roman Britain’s fourth largest town is open at weekends during winter. Take an audio tour to learn all about the site, abandoned in the 7th century. 10am-4pm. Ticket prices vary according to peak/non-peak times.

www.english-heritage.org.uk

•Whitchurch Walkers This walking group o ers two regular walks per month, as well as small group walks and occasional mid-week walks. New members are always welcome. For details visit www.

whitchurchwalkers.co.uk