Santa's Dashed through Chester for Charity

SANTA’S filled the streets of Chester on November Sunday 8^th to raise money to support two local charities.

Almost 1,400 people took part in the Santa Dash fundraiser to show their support for the ‘Baby grow appeal’ at the Countess of Chester Hospital and ‘Hospice of the good shepherd charity.’

[caption id="attachment_942" align="alignright" width="300"] Santa's gearing up to start the dash (pic: Countess of Chester fundraising team)[/caption]

In total the two previous dashes have raised just under £80,000 and organisers hope to increase this sum significantly when calculations of this year’s dash are confirmed in January.

Proceeding from this year’s dash will contribute to the £3 million appeal to build a new neonatal unit more than double the size of what the hospital currently has for better facilities and more privacy for the patients and families.

The 3k run started at the Riverside Innovation centre and made its way around to the finish line at The groves near the well-known restaurant, Hickory’s.

Ricky Challinor from the Doubletree by Hilton Chester team won the race in just 10 minutes and 10 seconds, whilst others strolled around taking up to half an hour or more.

Mr Challinor is a regular runner; he has represented GB in mountain running and completed the Chester half marathon last year.

As well as serious runners the event attracted various participants from babies being pushed around in buggies to older members with walking sticks.

[caption id="attachment_941" align="alignright" width="300"] Participants pushing themselves to get through the last stretch of the course (pic: Eddie Evans, Flickr)[/caption]

Kathy Kenney, events fundraiser at the Countess of Chester is very pleased with the success of the fundraiser, she said: “We are trying to encourage people to send in all of the fundraising money to us as soon as possible, every penny is very important to us.

“Like last year we have a competition for those who have managed to raise over £50 and pay it in by January. Those people will be entered into a draw for the chance to win £750 of wining, dining and shopping vouchers.”

Links to Charities:

http://www.hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/

http://www.coch.nhs.uk/fundraising/babygrow-appeal.aspx

Chester Intelligencer reporter, Lisa Jones

Review: The Pied Bull

If you are looking for a place to stay in Chester for a cosy winter weekend or simply fancy somewhere to enjoy a refreshing pint, The Pied Bull, the oldest licensed building in Chester is something a little special from the rest.

The Pied Bull is situated in the heart of the city centre along side the roman walls and is full of history as it dates all the way back to 1155.

From the outside of the pub the brickwork remains almost untouched, with the inside reflecting its distinctive heritage with deep wooden open fires, broad oak beams and original paintings.

Apart from the Bull’s rustic appearance what makes the place somewhat more novel than the average Cheshire pub that fact that it has its own brewery, which is the only one within the city walls. The brewery serves an award winning range of quality ales that combine the best of brewing tradition with contemporary styles.

As well as the brewery, The Bull serves top quality food sourced from local farmers in Cheshire. On the menu are a variety of traditional English dishes from fresh fish & chips to delicious roast dinners serving meat from local butchers in Hoole.

The Bull is a popular place with both tourists and locals for its authentic appeal and colourful history. For the more superstitious guest, The Pied Bull is famous for having its fair share of ghosts, including a haunted cellar man and chambermaid who haunted two rooms in the 19^th century. If ghost stories do not phase you, the Pied Bull has a selection of comfy, traditionally decorated bedrooms to stay the night in.

[caption id="attachment_384" align="alignnone" width="225"] Outside The Pied Bull, Chester[/caption]

With a building steeped in history, filled with the finest of local foods and award winning ales the Pied Bull is the must to go during the festive period to enjoy a quite drink or stay after doing your christmas shopping.

Rating ****

By Rebecca Jones