Guided tours of the stained glass and mosaics in Chester Cathedral followed by a short walking tour of Chester

A Tour of the Cathedral Mosaics and Stained Glass with Linda and Aleta Doran (the Emeritus Artist in Residence at Chester Cathedral). The Cathedral has an impressive collection of mosaic work and internationally significant stained glass, ranging from medieval fragments to the 21st century ‘Creation Window’.

Chester City Walking Tour with Angela Williams. A short walk through the city centre, starting at the steps to the Town Hall and stopping to take in some of the iconic Victorian buildings along St Werburgh St, Eastgate Street and the Rows with discussion on their significance to the City of Chester.

Aleta Doran is Emerita Artist-in-Residence at Chester Cathedral and was a professional mosaic artist, researcher, and member of the British Association for Modern Mosaics for over twenty-five years. Aleta now focuses her research on the career of Trena Cox, 1895-1980, a twentieth-century stained-glass artist who worked in Chester. You will see some early examples of Trena Cox’s work during the tour

Angela Williams is an experienced Heritage Consultant with Donald Insall Associates and former Chester City Council Conservation Officer who previously served on the Northern Region Victorian Society Buildings Sub Committee.

Itinerary

11.30 am: A Guided Tour of the Cathedral Mosaics and Stained Glass with Aleta Doran; The Cathedral has an impressive collection of mosaic work and significant stained glass, ranging from medieval fragments to the 21st-century ‘Creation Window’. Many of the major Victorian firms are represented. There are impressive 20th century examples, including the magnificent west window by Shapland, and into the 21st century, the most eye-catching window is in the refectory, where Rosalind Grimshaw’s 2001 interpretation of the six days of creation is an arresting explosion of colour and form. It is widely regarded as her masterpiece. Lunch Break: You can take advantage of the Cathedral refectory or alternatively use this time to explore some of the other features of Chester Cathedral.

1.45 pm. A Chester City Guided Walking Tour: with Angela Williams (Donald Insall Associates). Meet outside the Cathedral Entrance. Angela Williams will lead a short walk through the city centre, starting at the steps to the Town Hall and stopping to take in some of the iconic Victorian buildings along St Werburgh St, Eastgate Street and the Rows with discussion on their significance to the City of Chester.

Aleta Doran is Emerita Artist-in-Residence at Chester Cathedral and was a professional mosaic artist, researcher, and member of the British Association for Modern Mosaics for over twenty-five years. Aleta now focuses her research on the career of Trena Cox, 1895-1980, a twentieth-century stained-glass artist who worked in Chester. You will see some early examples of Trena Cox’s work during the tour.

Angela Williams is a Heritage Consultant with Donald Insall Associates, a firm of architects with a long and proud association with the city of Chester.

Travel Details Park and Ride car park. E.g. Upton Park and Ride CH2 1LH. If using Upton, take the (PR3 service) link bus to Chester Bus Station (Buses every 15 to 20 mins). Other Park and Ride car parks have similar link bus arrangements. On arrival in Chester City Centre, it is a short walk to the Cathedral. If travelling by train to Chester Station, you can take either a 20-minute walk to the cathedral or board the city link bus directly outside the station. Alight at the central bus station and then take a few minutes’ walk to the Cathedral. If starting off from Liverpool there are regular train services direct to Chester from Liverpool Central Station.

Description supplied by the event organiser.