What’s On & Featured Events
‘The North West Times recognises that families in the UK are always looking for something new and something exciting to try. Our ‘What’s On’ Features have become increasingly popular over the years. We ask our readers; “So you’re trying to plan another day out for the whole family, but just aren’t sure where to start?” And then naturally, we give them some ideas!
Our advertisers range from smaller, more localised attractions or tourist hot spots around the North West through to the bigger, national theatres, theme-parks, castles and events.
A favorite amongst readers have always been the the more subtle atmosphere and educational aspect of the more local parks, farms, zoos and aquariums. Everyone likes a trip to the Zoo – today it’s more about conserving our world wild life and children can learn about the caring aspect, as well as have a super day out. In addition to featuring numerous zoos scattered throughout the UK – there have been plenty of specialized wild life centres specialising in small animals, birds, insects and butterflie that have benefited from their feature in the ‘North West Times’.
One successful feature we ran recently for example was;
“For those who what a change why not visit an exhibition or museum?”
We focused here on the fact that ‘Museums are no longer those stuffy places to visit you might remember when you were younger; instead they now provide hands-on experiences for even the youngest children and cater for all types of genres.’ We explained to readers that; ‘Whether its dinosaurs, a celebrity or certain time period that you and your family are interested, if you look hard enough there is certain to be a specialist exhibition in a museum somewhere to cater for your desires.’ The advertisers featured in this piece commented after the feature that the response was even better than predicted.
Below are some of our regular advertisers who have all benefited from the North West Times marketing their business and their products to the numerous couples, families and groups that pick up our publication.
Adventure Smart
AdventureSmart UK & Ireland is a strategy for outdoor safety that encourages participation in the safe, responsible enjoyment of outdoor recreation.
Theatr Bara Caws
Community is at the heart of the Company’s vision. Over the decades, the Company has built a close relationship with its audience – from the Reviews to the Club Shows to the surprise plays, in a variety of venues. The chapel, pub, community centre, and local theatre.
Bara Caws delights the audience, and the audience recognises Cheese Bread.
Your Advert Here
With coverage all over the UK, your advertising campaigns will reach your audience directly and conveniently. Built on a digital, subscriber platform every article, picture and advert is seen by our dedicated subscriber base with no waste, nor any paper environmental impact.
Westmorland County Show
Located on the fringes of the Lake District, Westmorland County Show is a fantastic day out – voted as one of the UK’s favourite Shows and enjoyed by over 37,000 visitors every year. A major livestock Show with classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and alpacas, heavy and light horses too, there’s plenty to see.
Gwyl Machynlleth Festival
Nestled in the foothills of Snowdonia, the vibrant market town of Machynlleth opens its arms every August to play host to a week-long Festival of Welsh and International music, culture, and heritage. We are thrilled to welcome you back this summer for another year of exceptional music making in the wonderful surroundings of Y Tabernacl.
Park In The Past
Step into a living time capsule where history comes to life. Discover our full-scale Roman fort and evolving prehistoric landscapes and immersive re-enactments. Every corner of the park tells a story, crafted with care, authenticity, and a deep respect for the past.
Nantwich Show
The Nantwich Show has been a key event in the South Cheshire calendar since 1897, celebrating British agriculture, rural traditions, and local businesses. What started as a small cheese show at St Joseph’s School has grown into one of the UK’s most respected one-day agricultural events.
Peregrine Circus
Mold Food Festival
A feast of food, drink, music and family fun!
Come and experience the very best in Welsh, local and international food and drink!
We’ve also got award-winning chefs, local pop-up pubs, great music, children’s entertainment, a community hub, all at NO additional cost!
Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
Explore 70 acres of woodland and discover 2000 years of fascinating history, including agriculture, social, and industrial heritage. Enjoy serene lakes, streams, ancient monuments, and historic factories. Have fun in our giant adventure playground, engaging educational activities for children, and meet our resident animals.
Folksy Theatre presents Robin Hood
Folksy Theatre invites you to experience a brand new musical adaptation of this classic tale, touring open air throughout summer 2025!
Set against the enchanting backdrop of the eerie Sherwood Forest, this whimsical production sees King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham trying to thwart the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood and his band of merry men as they steal from the rich to give to the poor.
Will Robin and his band escape the Sheriff’s clutches? And whose side is Maid Marian truly on?
Vintage Vehicles
Celebrate your love for classic cars at the ultimate season finale! Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply appreciate timeless design, discover an incredible array of marques and models, each with its own story. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of all things classic!
Classic Motor Show
Launched in 1984 The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show is now the world’s biggest classic vehicle club event. Celebrating its 40 Anniversary this year, it is the UK’s number one national indoor classic motor show. The show is the ‘Grand Finale’ to the classic car season, where car and motorcycle clubs show of their cherished vehicles before they are put away for the winter.
Lancaster Theatre and Cinema
Get the feeling you’re not in Lancaster anymore…
Dorothy is desperately searching for fluffy runaway Toto when a storm sweeps her away from her home in Lancaster into a world full of surprises and wonder.
Classic Motor Show
THE UK’S LARGEST & BEST-LOVED CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW
Celebrate your love for classic cars at the ultimate season finale! Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply appreciate timeless design, discover an incredible array of marques and models, each with its own story. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of all things classic!
Mid Wales Autumn Fayre
Join us this year at the Mid Wales Autumn Fayre 2024 with some returning favourites and exciting new activities! Watch this space as we continue to announce who will be attending this year’s fayre!
Wonderwool Wales
Wonderwool Wales is the premier Wool & Natural Fibre Festival in Wales and is held annually on the last weekend in April at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys.
Chipping Steam Fair 2025
In 1997 the old Chipping Village Hall was in desperate need of a replacement and the village had to start fundraising for a new build. A family fun day was organised with lots of different events taking place all around the village including street stalls and a car boot sale. Mary Harrison BEM came up with the idea of gathering together a few classic vehicles owned by some of the locals and congregating on the Talbot Public House car park.
Classic & Retro Car Revival
Passion for Power Classic Motor Show is undergoing an exciting transformation, now emerging as the Classic & Retro Car Revival, set to captivate enthusiasts and families alike this August at Tatton Park. The Show offers the perfect opportunity to look at hundreds of classic & retro cars, along with allowing you to find everything you could ever want or need at the various trade stalls.
Titanic Exhibition Manchester
Experience the story of the Titanic. Trace its journey from the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, through its fateful voyage and sinking, to its rediscovery at the bottom of the Atlantic.
Tir Prince
The Biggest and Best Retail Market on the coast, a fabulous Amusement Park together with our very own Harness Racing Track – Tir Prince is a Premium North Wales and Northwest Visitor Attraction.
Oswestry Show
On Saturday 3rd August 2024, the 137th Oswestry Show, one of the country’s leading one-day agricultural shows, will bring together over 120 trade stands, hundreds of exhibitors and a large variety of displays and activities to the town, all with the aim of promoting Agriculture and Rural Ideas.
The Wheel Liverpool
The Wheel of Liverpool is an iconic city landmark, and part on the incredible Liverpool skyline. The Wheel is an awe-inspiring 60m tall, and has 42 fully enclosed climate-controlled gondolas, including a luxury VIP capsule with a glass floor, leather interior, and of course, chocolate and bubbly, providing the ultimate experience above the city of Liverpool.
Canoe Wales
We’re the national governing body for paddlesport in Wales.
We’re here to support our members, advocate for canoeing and kayaking in Wales and help paddlers at every step of their paddlesport career – whether they’re recreational paddlers just looking to enjoy our gorgeous lakes and rivers or competitive paddlers on their way to an Olympic or Paralympic podium.
Visit Essex
Visit Essex, a beautiful county in the UK with an abundance of things to do, places to eat, and great places to stay. Essex has something for everyone, from the coast and countryside in towns such as Maldon and Mersea Island to the urban city centres of Colchester, Chelmsford and Brentwood.
Eureka
Eureka! Science + Discovery is designed for children and young people up to 14 years to discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) influence and shape their lives. Through connecting the everyday with the extraordinary, we ignite curiosities and present possibilities.
Tir Prince
Family fun that never stops!Get ready for an exhilarating treat – Family Fun doesnt get any better than a trip to our amazing Tir Prince Amusement Park.
There is so much to do for all ages, and the fun never stops!
Solfest 2024
Solfests values are rooted in equity and we are committed to embedding inclusivity in everything we do. We’re working closely with Anti Racist Cumbria, FLAPS, local LGBTQ+ community and are actively working towards an Access Charter award under Attitude is Everything.
Penkridge Open Air
Already got your tickets to Penkridge Open Air but want to upgrade to VIP? Now you can! Our VIP Upgrade tickets are now available from www.penkridgeopenair.co.uk or from Trudie’s Sweet Shop on Penkridge High Street.
Festival At The Edge
Festival at the Edge is the oldest storytelling festival in England and has something for everyone.
A weekend of fantastic storytelling, tall tales, terrific tellers, music and more… surrounded by breathtaking views of Hopton Court, and the Cleobury Mortimer countryside.
Lake District Summer Festival
Located in the heart of an UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ve done some incredible things since our foundation in 1985. At the centre of everything was this formula to unite an international music festival and truly world-class training amidst the inspiring backdrop of the Lake District.
Fairfield Mill
Farfield Mill is owned and run by Farfield Mill Limited, a charitable community benefit society.
We are proud to be a cooperative organisation, owned and run by our members for the benefit of the wider community. As a charity we are subject to an asset lock, and (apart from receiving modest interest on their investment, if we can afford it) our members themselves do not profit from our activities.
Live Escape Rooms at Escapism
The priceless Relic of Danvik has just been delivered to your local Museum for one night only and is under strict security. You must retrieve the artifact and replace it with a fake without detection. It is up to you to find your way in and your way out.
The 1921 Census
It is an exciting time for family historians with the release of the 1921 Census for England and Wales at the beginning of January this year by Findmypast. This is the most detailed census to date and will be the last to be released until 2052, as the 1931 census was lost in a fire and no census was taken in 1941 because of the Second World War. The census gives us an insight into life in the early 1920s, after the First World War and the Spanish Flu pandemic and during the period of the miners’ strikes.
The threat of the strikes had forced the Government to move the census date from 24 April to 19 June. This change meant that many people were not at home and where you would expect to find them at the time of the census, but were perhaps on holiday and possibly recorded in a hotel. There is an increase therefore in the number of people recorded in holiday resorts compared to the 1911 census.
So, what information was requested on the form? The instructions are much more complicated than before and often the person completing the form did not understand them. So as to record ages more accurately, age was asked for in years and months for the first time. Also, under 15s were asked if their parents were alive and to indicate if ‘both were alive’, or if ‘father was dead’ or ‘mother was dead’.
The ‘Place of Birth and Nation’ column is slightly different this time too, as County and parish were to be noted. If a person was not born in the United Kingdom, they should indicate whether they were a ‘British Occupant’ or not and they were to state whether they were living in Britain or visiting and in what country they were born.
For the first time, respondents were asked to note their education – whether it was full-time or part-time, together with details about occupation. It also asked what kind of work was undertaken and for the first time, asked the name of the employer and where the individual worked.
Another new column is ‘Name and age of all children and stepchildren under 16’. It was required that all children living in the same house or elsewhere were noted, however often these details were omitted or only the children in the same house are noted. But, where the column is filled correctly, this can lead to the discovery of other unidentified children.
The last column in Wales is the one that asks which language is spoken – Welsh, English or both. It should also be remembered that the form was available in both English and Welsh in Wales.
How can you access the 1921 census? You can go to the Findmypast website (www.findmypast.co.uk) and pay for each image or you can visit the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, which is one of three access hubs in Britain, and access it for free. All you have to do is sign up for a reader’s ticket before visiting https://www.library.wales/visiting-a-ni/visit-pack/reading- tickets!
Beryl Evans
Research Services Manager
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
