A weekend for everyone, celebrating women and girls 24 – 26 April 2020 storyhouse.com
Storyhouse Women
FULL PROGRAMME 2020
All weekend
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Hello!
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All Weekend
Welcome to Storyhouse Women – created to celebrate women and girls and explore topics that affect anyone who identifies as one. This is a safe space to discuss and tackle global issues together, with incredible speakers, real stories and inspiring events to galvanise and enable us to create change. @StoryhouseLive #Storyhousewomen
Market Place FREE
The Kitchen 9.30am – 3.30pm Explore a range of organisations and projects including:
How to book
Age guide
Access
Book now storyhouse.com
All events are recommended for people aged 14+. Unless stated otherwise.
All Storyhouse events are as inclusive and accessible as possible. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any requirements, or if you are registered Deaf so we can book a BSL interpreter (subject to availability).
01244 409113 Storyhouse Hunter Street Chester CH1 2AR
Prices Day Pass £15 (Full) / £10 (19 – 26s) Weekend Pass £20 (Full) / £15 (19 - 26s) Free Passes There are a limited number of free passes for young people aged 11-18 and those who cannot afford them. To register for your free pass, head to storyhouse.com/ women Individual Events £5 and some are FREE
Please see the Great for Kids! Badge on events that are suitable for younger children. Babies under 12-months are welcome at all events.
Buddy scheme Storyhouse Women is a year round programme of activity with an aim to build a new community of like-minded girls and women. If you would like to find a possible new friend to attend events with, please register for the buddy scheme online and we will do our best to match you.
Call 01244 409 113 (option #1)
Birds’ Eye View: Reclaim The Frame
Code Nation – Next Generation Tech Education
A BFI Audience Fund backed project that aims to grow audiences for films told from the female POV. Anyone can join it’s free, they host screenings and events of new releases and classic titles in 12 cities across the UK.
Software Development apprenticeship provider and coding school in the heart of Chester. They create technically mature, commercially aware and industry savvy talent in just 12 weeks via their immersive bootcamp.
Food and drink The Kitchen serves brunch, lunch and dinner. thekitchenstoryhouse. co.uk
Positive Birth Movement
Breastfeeding Friendly Chester
A free global network focusing on bringing positivity surrounding birth.
A scheme highlighting businesses in Chester that are particularly welcoming to breastfeeding families.
Bank of America Here to discuss their many projects supporting women and girls.
Chester Women’s Aid No excuse for domestic abuse.
SisterHub Supporting and empowering women in business.
Hair Heals Promoting alopecia awareness.
VIP Tresses Suppliers of high-quality wigs, hair pieces and hair extensions.
Storyhouse Women Podcast Broadcasters Rama and Parsley, former hosts of flagship local radio show Flipside Weekly, are back to interview speakers and attenders for an exclusive podcast which will be available to download at mixcloud.com
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Friday 24 April
Friday 24 April
Saturday 25 April
Saturday 25 April
Saturday 25 April
TAKE PART
Storytelling: Hidden Heroines Join the Storyhouse Women Young Leaders as they lead a storytelling session to celebrate some of the women who inspire them. Followed by arts and craft activities.
PERFORMANCE
Beach Body Ready It’s the season of cutting carbs, hitting it hard at the gym, and shaving everything from the chin down. Summer has rocked up and the media has us thinking about how our bodies aren’t up to scratch and there are companies ready to capitalise on that. Join The Roaring Girls for a defiantly feel-good show which sticks two fingers up at how the media says you should look. Garret Theatre 8pm The cast will be joined by Emi Lou Howe from BodEquality for a post-show chat about body positivity. Not included with a pass – tickets from £10
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TALK
Weekend Launch with Ngunan Adamu The BBC Radio Merseyside presenter talks to writer, performer, director and associate artist at Shakespeare’s Globe, Athena Stevens, Poet and artist Natasha Borton and artist and researcher Donna Leishman. They will discuss what’s coming up over the next 2 days. Storyhouse Theatre 10.15am FREE
CINEMA
Mulan (PG) Mulan, a young Chinese woman, disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father. A liveaction feature film based on Disney’s Mulan (1998), and the narrative poem The Ballard of Mulan. Released: 2020 Duration: TBC Directed by: Niki Caro Starring: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Gong Li, Jet Li Storyhouse Cinema Saturday and Sunday 10.30am Not included with a pass – tickets from £4/£8.50
The Den Saturday 25 April 11.30am & 3pm Sunday 26 April 11am & 12.30pm FREE
Great for Kids!
TAKE PART
Mindful Sharing Circle A safe space to share, be heard and relax whatever your story. Co-ordinated by Samantha Bull, Womb Healing and Fertility Massage Practitioner. Guided relaxation Over 16s only Meeting Room 11.30am Free with pass
TAKE PART
Django Girls Coding Taster Workshop Django Girls Chester is part of a worldwide charity that wants to empower more women into the IT industry. They run inclusive annual workshops for women in Python and Django and aim to change women’s lives by giving them new technical skills and a gateway into a new industry. In this workshop you will learn the basics of HTML and CSS and how to make your first website. Perfect for beginners, we will introduce you to the tools and languages you will need for website development. Computers are not provided, so please bring your own laptop to use. (It would be helpful if you created an account on codepen.io before attending the workshop) Age 16+ Garret Bar 11.30am £5 / Free with pass
TALK / PERFORMANCE
Keynote: Athena Stevens followed by Young Company Scratch Performance An event of two halves. Athena Stevens will discuss the importance of putting language to trauma in regard to creating art, both as a political and creative act. The talk will be followed by Storyhouse Young Company exploring the themes of Stevens’ discussion including feeling alone, lost, frustrated and trying to ask for help. This scratch performance will focus on particular the experience of homelessness for young people. Audiences are invited to see the piece of theatre in its development phase. The final performance will be staged on 2 & 3 July. Storyhouse Theatre 11.30am £5 / Free with pass
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Saturday 25 April
Saturday 25 April
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TALK
Perinatal Mental Health Perinatal mental health (PMH) problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. Perinatal mental illness affects up to 20% of new and expectant mums and covers a wide range of conditions. Dr Rehana Jawadwala will chair a panel of experts in this field including consultant psychiatrist Dr Bhairavi Sapre and founder of Milestone Mums Sarah Finlay.
TALK
Panel Discussion: Industry Leaders A rare opportunity to hear from some of the UK’s most influential and accomplished women. An inspiring panel discussion with women in senior leadership positions, including Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Anna Rothery, principal crown advocate for the CPS West Midlands Deborah Gould, world renowned scientist Dr Diana Leitch MBE and Strategic Advisor Michele Greene, who is also NonExecutive Director Bank of Ireland. Garret Theatre 1.30pm £5 / Free with pass
Babes in arms welcome. Cinema 1.30pm £5 / Free with pass
TAKE PART
Speed Mentoring: Career / life TAKE PART
Life Coaching 1:1 Coaching with Dr Karen Llewellyn a leading education and business coach. 4 x 15-minute sessions available to weekend pass holders. Advance booking required. Please fill in the form on the web page so we can allocate you a place. Ages 18+ Meeting Room 1.30pm Saturday 12.30pm Sunday Free with pass
Do you have a problem you may be trying to solve, an issue with your education or career, or some questions to ask other women about their careers or lives? Sign up for our speed mentoring session and speak to women from all walks of life to get a different perspective and the wisdom of their experience. Garret Bar 1.30pm Saturday 12.30pm Sunday Free with pass
TALK
PERFORMANCE
Panel Discussion: Chester Dance Why Feminism The University of Chester’s award-winning dance needs to be company will give a Trans Inclusive spellbinding performance. LGBT+ and Transgender rights campaigner Kate Hutchinson will chair a panel consisting of women who are part of or allies to the trans community to discuss the current state of trans rights in the UK and why feminism needs to be inclusive of all women. Joining Kate: Hollyoaks actor Annie Wallace, Lisa Power MBE a trans ally and co-founder of bisexual and transgender rights charity Stonewall and transgender rights campaigner and journalist Jane Fae. Storyhouse Theatre 1.30pm £5 / Free with pass
The Kitchen 2.30pm
FREE
TAKE PART
Improv Workshop Join Maggie Nolan, an experienced improviser who will lead a session guiding participants through a range of skills including working collaboratively, focusing, accessing creativity and imagination and listening and communicating effectively. Garret Bar 3pm Free with pass
TAKE PART
Game for Life
Rare chance to be part of a discussion on endometriosis, the menopause, fertility and menstruation led by midwife and fertility practitioner Samantha Bull.
Gamification is about applying the motivational techniques that make games so engaging to the real world. During this workshop we will create game concepts around issues that affect many women such as gender equality, the gender pay gap and leadership.
Storyhouse Theatre 3pm
Meeting Room 3pm
£5 / Free with pass
Free with pass
TALK
Women’s Health
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Saturday 25 April
Saturday 25 April
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Michelle Parsons: Michelle will talk about being one of the lost generation of neurodivergent (a concept where neurological differences are to be recognised and respected as any other human variation ) women who didn’t discover until adulthood the reason why she had always felt ‘different’. Ceridwen Hughes: the Founder and Creative Director of Same but Different. Same but Different uses the arts for positive social change by working in partnership with organisations, communities and individuals to highlight inequalities and bring communities closer together.
TALK
Panel Discussion: Women in Theatre A rare chance to hear from some of theatre’s most influential women. The panel will feature Helen Redcliffe Associate Producer at Storyhouse, prolific choreographer, intimacy and fight director Yarit Dor and writer, performer, director and associate artist at Shakespeare’s Globe, Athena Stevens Garret Theatre 3pm £5 / Free with pass
TALK
10-minute tales Short, inspiring stories on a range of crucial topics followed by a Q&A. Speakers include: Lois Brookes: Lois is a Romany Gypsy activist based in the North West, and founder of Roma and Sinti Holocaust Memorial and education initiative, The Phyllis Foundation. Lois will be discussing her experiences of persecution, culture, pride, and grief in a story surrounding her Grandmother Phyllis Annie Arnold. Ilmarie Braun: Ilmarie will discuss her campaign to access medicinalcannabis for her son Eddie, who lives with severe, intractable epilepsy.
Ceridwen will talk about how she initially set up the organisation to raise awareness for rare diseases and disability, and how their work has evolved to include highlighting homelessness and reducing isolation. Claire Namukolo: Hair Loss Activist & Transformation Life Coach Claire is a professional Transformation Life Coach and the Founder of Hair Heals Organisation providing help, advice and support to anyone living with the effects of any form of hair loss. Cinema 3pm £5 / Free with pass
TALK
Saturday Finale An opportunity to come together to explore the issues discussed during the day.
FILM SCREENING
Chaired by activist, speaker and writer Helen RutherfordGregory (Sister Hub), who will be joined by Oscar winning producer Mia Bays (Six Shooter) of Reclaim the Frame and one of Storyhouse’s Young Leaders.
Rocks 12A
The story of a teenage girl growing up in London’s East End. A largely female cast and a predominantly female film crew come together to create a film that movingly celebrates the power of female friendship.
Storyhouse Theatre 4.15pm £5 / Free with pass PERFORMANCE TAKE PART / TALK
Women in Film A social event for everyone but particularly those people who would like to hear short talks from local female film makers and influencers working with Reclaim the Frame – a British Film Institute backed project that aims to grow audiences for films told from the female point of view. Garret Bar 5pm Free with pass
Mrs Pankhurst’s Players Present: Sugar, Daddy? Finish the day with some brilliant theatre! Edinburgh festival favourite, feminist theatre collective committed to making high quality, politically engaged, text-based theatre. A firstlook at their latest show Sugar, Daddy? Garret Theatre 7.30pm £5 / Free with pass
Film screening will be followed by panel discussion led by Reclaim the Frame. Released: 2020 Duration: 93 mins Directed by: Sarah Gavron Starring: Bukky Bakray, Kosar Ali, D’angelou Dsei Kissiedu, Ruby Stokes Christoph Waltz Cinema 8.30pm Not included with a pass – tickets £9.50
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At a glance
At a glance
Saturday 25 April
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Sunday 26 April
What
Where
When
Cost
What
Market Place
The Kitchen
9.30am – 3.30pm
Free
Weekend Launch
Storyhouse Theatre
10.15am
Free
Mulan
Cinema
10.30am
Storytelling: Hidden Heroines
The Den
11.30am
Minful Sharing Circle
Meeting Room
11.30am
Free with pass
Django Girls Coding Taster Workshop
Garret Bar
11.30am
£5 / Free with pass
Keynote: Athena Stevens
Storyhouse Theatre
11.30am
£5 /Free with pass
Panel Discussion: Industry Leaders
Garret Theatre
1.30pm
Life Coaching
Meeting Room
Perinatal Mental Health
Where
When
Cost
Fallen Angels Dance Theatre Garret Theatre
10am
£5 / Free with pass
Market Place
The Kitchen
10.30am – 3pm
Free
£4
Mulan
Cinema
10.30am
£4
Free (booking required)
Take Part: Wellbeing Workshop for Autistic Girls
Meeting Room
11am
£5 / Free with pass
Take Part: Save Me From What I Long For
Garret Bar
11am
Free with pass
£5 /Free with pass
Panel Discussion: Basic Instinct
Storyhouse Theatre
11am
£5 /Free with pass
1.30pm
Free with pass
Panel Discussion: Invisible Illnesses
Garret Theatre
11am
£5 / Free with pass
Cinema
1.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
11am
Garret Bar
1.30pm
Free with pass
Storytelling: Hidden Heroines
The Den
Speed Mentoring
Free (booking required)
Panel Discussion: Why Feminism needs to be Trans Inclusive
Storyhouse Theatre
1.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
Panel Discussion: Feminism for Boys
Storyhouse Theatre
12.30pm
Free
12.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
The Kitchen
2.30pm
Free
Panel Discussion: Childfree by Choice
Garret Theatre
Performance: Chester Dance
12.30pm
Garret Theatre
3pm
£5 / Free with pass
Storytelling: Hidden Heroines
The Den
Panel Discussion: Women’s Health
Free (booking required)
Imposter Syndrome
Garret Bar
2.30pm
£5 /Free with pass
Storytelling: Hidden Heroines
The Den
3pm
Free (booking required)
In Her Shoes: 100 Years of Feminism
Cinema
2.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
Improv Workshop
Garret Bar
3pm
Free with pass
Spoken Word
Storyhouse Theatre
2.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
Game for Life
Meeting Room
3pm
Free with pass
2.30pm
Free with pass
Storyhouse Theatre
3pm
£5 / Free with pass
How to Communicate More Effectively
Meeting Room
Panel Discussion: Women In Theatre
2.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
Cinema
3pm
£5 / Free with pass
Saturday Closing Finale
Storyhouse Theatre
4.15pm
£5 / Free with pass
Beyond Repeal: The 8th Amendment and right to abortion in Ireland
Garret Theatre
10-minute-tales Talk: Women in Film
Garret Bar
5pm
Free with pass
Weekend Finale
Storyhouse Theatre
3.45pm
£5 / Free with pass
Shextreme
Cinema
4.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
Performance: Sugar, Daddy?
Garret Theatre
7.30pm
£5 / Free with pass
Film Screening: Rocks
Cinema
8.30pm
£9.50
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Sunday 26 April
Sunday 26 April
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Sunday 26 April Market Place FREE
The Kitchen 10.30am – 3pm
A chance to talk to our Young Programmers on the activity they do to help shape the weekend of events
Chester Sexual Assault Service A friendly team of women, working with survivors of sexual abuse to help them feel supported and safe.
Chester Soroptimists Women’s voluntary group who focus on project work, transforming the lives of women and girls.
TAKE PART
Wake up gently with Fallen Angels Dance Theatre. Take a movement journey through creativity and connecting with yourself and others that will leave you relaxed, energised and ready for the final day of Storyhouse Women weekend. No experience necessary.
Covering topics such as identity, mental health, self-care and making life choices, this workshop is designed to empower young autistic females, age 11-16, to be confident in who they are and to advocate for their own needs. It is delivered by Michelle Parsons who is an autistic adult and mum to two neurodivergent children.
Morning movement workshop
Explore a range of organisations and projects including:
Storyhouse Women Young Programmers
TAKE PART
The Grunge Monkey Chester based clothing and accessories label.
Junkbox Apparel An independent lifestyle brand.
The Hygiene Bank Cheshire Part of a network of hygiene banks that exist to support people in crisis and those struggling on low income (donation welcome – soap, toothpaste, sanitary ware).
Talk Twenties Here to support people through arguably the most transformative decade of your life.
The Female Hospitality Network A growing international members network designed to educate, empower, develop, inspire and connect females in all roles across the hospitality, events, travel and tourism sectors.
Gateway Women This group offers friendship and support to those who are Childless Not By Choice either as a result of infertility or circumstance.
Garret Theatre 10am £5 / Free with pass
Wellbeing Workshop for Autistic Girls
This will be a relaxed environment – you can bring anyone that you are comfortable with (a friend or guardian) or just attend on your own. If you purchase a pass, please fill in the form on the web page so we can allocate you a space. Meeting Room 11am £5 / Free with pass
TAKE PART
Save Me From What I Long For Dr Donna Leishman is the creator behind Storyhouse’s next digital art commission. The Edinburgh-based new media artist and researcher is Associate Professor at Northumbria School of Design. Her work has been presented across the world including New York, Toronto, Melbourne and Milan. Her new series of installations, which launch at Storyhouse in May 2020, are entitled To Have & To Hold and will explore marriage myths and rituals in Cheshire. During Storyhouse Women she will lead a creative workshop exploring the lighter and darker sides of aspirational thinking. The workshop is also an opportunity for participants to contribute to Leishman’s latest work. Garret Bar 11am £5 / Free with pass
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Sunday 26 April
Sunday 26 April
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TALK
Panel Discussion: Basic Instinct are we losing track of what is a healthy relationship? How can we draw on historical, cultural and zoological patterns of behaviour to understand the basis of how we form relationships? In a society where we are bombarded with external influences, are we losing track of what is a healthy relationship? Chester Women’s Aid has brought together an exciting panel chaired by Professor Emma L. E. Rees, Director of the Institute of Gender Studies at University of Chester, comprising; historian Dr Mary Hoburn, animal behaviour scientist Leah Williams, Principal Crown Advocate Deborah Gould and relationship counsellor cat Williams to discuss what we can learn and how we can benefit from understanding all types of family and relationship structures. Garret Theatre 11am
£5 / Free with pass
TAKE PART
Imposter Syndrome
TALK
Panel Discussion: Invisible Illnesses Panel discussion on the specific challenges posed to women living with invisible illnesses or disabilities. Considering physical impairments, mental health, and conditions which are sometimes invisible and sometimes not, this panel will pose the question: is there a specifically gendered experience of disability?
The panel will discuss the intersection between physical and mental health, plus how being a disabled woman impacts experiences of sexuality, sensuality, body-image, relationships and work. We will interrogate the language around invisible illnesses and disabilities, uncover the preconceptions challenged when diagnosed with an invisible illness or disability, and offer our best sex toy recommendations for disabled women. Led by Rio Matchett, chair of Storyhouse’s Equality and Diversity working group within the Board of Storyhouse, where she serves as a Trustee. She is the Furnace Coordinator at Leeds Playhouse, and a freelance dramatist. Age 16+ Storyhouse Theatre 11am £5 / Free with pass
TALK
Panel Discussion: Feminism for boys Storyhouse’s Artistic Director Alex Clifton in conversation with members of the Young Company cast of Blue Stockings about the role of men and boys in making this a fairer and more equal world. What does it mean to be a male feminist? Storyhouse Theatre 12.30pm FREE
TALK
Panel Discussion: Childfree by Choice From Oprah Winfrey, Renée Zellweger, Kim Cattrall and Ellen DeGeneres, to the (not quite as famous) members of this panel, more women are actively choosing not to have children and are identifying as childfree, childless by choice, and elective or voluntary childless. In this session, we’ll explore some of the reasons that women decide not to take the step into motherhood, despite the dominant expectations and social pressures. Garret Theatre 12.30pm £5 / Free with pass
Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalised fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. This interactive session, delivered by the University of Chester’s Dr Nicola Lasikiewicz, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Kathryn Leighton, HR Manager Diversity will investigate the concept of Imposter Syndrome. Who is it for: Anyone who feels they may be suffering from Imposter Syndrome! Even if you are not sure what it is, come along to find out more. Garret Bar 2.30pm Free with pass
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Sunday 26 April
Sunday 26 April
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Weekend Finale
TAKE PART
How to communicate more effectively An interactive and practical workshop on the different styles of communication we each have, and how an understanding of them can positively influence other aspects of your life.
TALK
In Her Shoes: 100 Years of Feminism The Storyhouse Women Young Leaders will be exploring ideas of feminism in in the past hundred years, considering the developments of feminism decade by decade in their own unique ways. Cinema 2.30pm £5 / Free with pass
Led by professional facilitator, Uyen Vo. Meeting Room 2.30pm Free with pass PERFORMANCE
Spoken Word BBC Upfront presenter Ngunan Adamu will host celebrated artists from across the North West including multi awardwinning, stand-up comedian Jackie Hagan, weekend poet-in-residence Natasha Borton, poet, photographer and filmmaker Kiara Mohamed and Liverpool based poet Mary Olive. Storyhouse Theatre 2.30pm £5 / Free with pass
TALK
Panel Discussion: Beyond Repeal: The 8th Amendment and right to abortion in Ireland Ireland’s abortion referendum in 2018, and the subsequent change to the Northern Ireland Act in 2019, were crucial moments in contemporary Irish history and for women’s reproductive rights around the world. This discussion will explore how the force of Irish women’s voices changed their future and what’s next for women across Ireland. Chaired by Uná Meehan, senior lecturer in education (and passionate Irishwoman!) Garret Theatre 2.30pm £5 / Free with pass
Multi award-winning standup comedian Jackie Hagan will explore the highlights of the weekend whilst Natasha Borton will conclude with a performance of her poem specially commissioned for Storyhouse Women. Bringing the weekend to a thoughtprovoking and celebratory close. Storyhouse Theatre 3.45pm £5 / Free with pass
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Sunday 26 April
Want to be part of Storyhouse Women 2021 and beyond? Register your interest online at storyhouse. com/storyhouse-women to help shape future programmes / discussions / topics and events.
CINEMA & TALK
Shextreme Leading the charge for gender equality in adventure filmmaking, Shextreme’s UK tour takes the best of the 2019 festival out on tour. Plus panel discussion: Sport and Wellbeing. Dianne Parrish: Founder of social swim group #ChesterFrosties - open water swimming 365 days a year regardless of the weather; offering friendship and fellowship for new and experienced wild swimmers across Cheshire and the North West, North Wales, North Shropshire, Wirral and Merseyside, with over 1,600 FB members to date. My adventures into the wild open water started after a New Year’s eve epiphany - on 1st January 2013, making a ‘New Year’s pledge’ to shake off my limiting beliefs and jump out of my comfort zone!
Holly Nelson: In February 2017 I was hit by a car. At 75kph. And had a 13% chance of recovery when I arrived at hospital. Thankfully, however, I beat the odds and survived doctors say it was in part thanks to my high level of fitness at the time. Three years on, 1 wheelchair, 2 crutches, 8 operations, 11 medical experts and 17 pieces of metal later, I’m back on my feet. Katrin Blake: Freelance Broadcast engineer for BBC, Sky and ITV and others in my day job, adventure film and outdoor enthusiast in my spare time. As keen skier, snowboarder, cyclist, and fan of all things watersport, there is little in the world of adventure sport, that I won’t give a go, not to the extreme, but for the fun of it! Cinema 4.30pm £5 / Free with pass
Storyhouse partners, corporate sponsors and funders PERFORMANCE There will be performances throughout the weekend at various times by a host of artists and performers. Find out more at storyhouse.com
Key partner
Funded by
Principal sponsor
Corporate sponsors
The Kitchen Times vary
Children’s Literature and Young Leaders Programme Sponsors: Chester Municipal charities Couch Charitable Trust Megan Gwynne-Jones Charitable Trust Film Hub North BFI Film Audience Network Matt and Uyen Stevenson
Cover image: Kim Carpenter on Unsplash
Book now storyhouse.com 01244 409 113 Hunter Street Chester CH1 2AR @Storyhouselive