spring/summer 2010- Verve 1

VERVEChester’s own lifestyle magazine

Spring/Summer 2010 £3.00

Chester races special- Verve

talks with horse training

great- Barry Hills.

Verve turns all French and

dines at Chez Jules.

Stuck for ideas this

Summer? Read our guide

section.

+Much More

Verve - spring/summer 20102

With spring very much upon us and summer just around the corner, we have much to

look forward to here in Chester.

And what better way to celebrate than to launch a brand new magazine, designed

especially for the people of Chester.

Here at Verve, we deliberated in great detail as to when would be the best time to launch

the publication, and eventually we agreed on a spring/summer edition to get us

started… and aren’t we glad we did.

With so much going on in Chester over the next few months, we were not short on

content.

For us, and for many of you I’m sure, the Chester races meeting in May is something

crowds and TV coverage, Chester is a hub of activity, and we love it.

In order to gain a better understanding as to why Chester races appealed so much, not

just to spectators, but to trainers and jockeys as well, we decided to ask someone who

With the general elections dominating the agenda in recent months, we thought it would

be silly not to cover it ourselves. Enjoy our “In the hot seat’ section where every

edition we will ask a well known face some important questions. Labour’s

We also have much more inside including a restaurant review, a ‘what’s on guide’ and

September for our next installment

Your Editor

Matthew Hand

spring/summer 2010- Verve 3

Spring/Summer 2010

R e v i e w

4- Chez Jules Restaurant

I n t e r v i e w s

6- The hot seat

7- Run, Run, Run

F e a t u r e

G u i d e

10- What’s going on

11-

Contents

Guide- Page 10

Review- Page 4

Feature- Page 8

Verve - spring/summer 20104

Review

Steeped in thousands of years of history, Chester is the quintessential English City. With its

Roman Walls and Tudor fronted Buildings , Chester oozes everything we associate with our home nation. However despite all this Englishness, When it comes to dining out, there is no shortage of quality foreign Restaurants to choose from. Chez Jules, specializing in everything French, opened

heart of the city, the restaurant promises to produce the

Verve decided to check it out. On the last Wednesday of every month itsGastronomic evening. Five courses of French cuisine for

disappointments, wern’t we glad we did.

presented with the menu.

served with our chosen drinks, a Corona for me, and a large glass or rose for my partner. Having studied the menu for some time we were asked to make our

lacked any kind of French twang.

soup) which was served with a generously sized cheese

was delisious. The essence of onion was strong, yet not overpowering and the Croute was a lovely touch.

whilst Lisa choose the selection of salamis and

delicious. Despite it containing small pieces of

scrumptious. It was accompanied with a pleasant creamy sauce and the pastry had a

certainly looked the part, whilst the pickled veg was a really nice accompaniment.

We were anxious not to repeat the famous

overindulgence of Mr Creosote.

Wscemes, time was clearly of the essence for the front of house staff, who produce the next course a little to quick, with little time left for us to mull over the quisine or enjoy the live pianest.

-ple portion of Pot-au-feu found itself in front of us

Restaurant ReviewChez Jules

VAlue

Quality

Service

spring/summer 2010- Verve 5

making it lean and effortless to eat. The stock was very

with only a few migor pieces making it on to my plate. The dish was accompanied with an ample portion of

all piping hot and once again well cooked. The Veg had

potatoes were delightfully creamy. With the feeling of fullness vastly approaching we were

cheeses were pleasantly consumed with minimal effort.

faulted.

W

for the deep fried sweet choux pastry with orange and grand marnier syrup. Once again there were no

not to repeat the famous overindulgence of Mr Creosote. The choux pastry was cooked to perfection and the orange twang went down really well

gluttony.

The setting is walm and welcoming, with the paianist in

enquired as to weather the meal was to our satisfaction.

My only gripe lies with the production line esque

feast.

Verve - spring/summer 20106

In the Hot Seat

This Month, Labour’s Christine Russell, agrees to sit in the Verve’s

hot seat, and we take the

Christine plans to do if she retains her status as MP for Chester on

May 6th

Verve- What’s your answer to claims made by Conservative candidate Stephen Mosley that you have been the Labour Party’s representative in Chester rather than Chester’s representative in Parliament?

Christine Russell- Rubbish! I have always made sure that Chester has received its fair share of resources from the Government for education, health and the police, plus Government support for key local manufacturing industries like Airbus, Vauxhall and Green Technology businesses.

Verve- If elected will you support the expansion of student accommodation within the city?

Christine Russell- Yes, Chester needs more student housing to accommodate the growing number of students – ideally new-build schemes rather than the conversion of existing housing to houses of multiple occupancy

what do you put your success down to?

Christine Russell- Hard work and staying in touch with local people

Vein culture with the recent demise of our football club and still no

improvements will you make if elected?

Christine Russell- I fully back CFU in their endeavours to establish a phoenix football club at the Deva Stadium and have recently been in touch with the FA to support their bid for registration I set up and am the Chair of the Odeon Action Group that is pressing CWaC to broker an agreement between the owners of the Odeon

companies – Reel and City Screen – who are both keen to open a cinema.

what would it be?

Christine Russell- I have been a strong voice for Chester in Parliament and examples of successful lobbying have included:a) £7million for regeneration programmes in Blaconb) £2.4million funding for cycling initiatives and the designation of Chester as a “Cycling Town”c) Millions of pounds for affordable housing schemes in Blacon, Upton and Tower Wharfd) 13 direct train services to London from Chester.

spring/summer 2010- Verve 7

Having willingly admittied to a distinct dislike of running within the opening minutes of my interview, I was somewhat perplexed as to

volunteered to run 13 miles.

makes what this young students

half marathon, in the process raising

Just four days after her mammoth

Southern Thailand where she will personally deliver the money raised to a childcare centre and spend four weeks helping to care for deprived children. She insists it’s the thought ofhelping these disadvantaged children, which insures her motivation doesn’t diminish “I openly admit that I don’t really enjoy running and it doesn’t come naturally. On occasions its hard to

the thought of helping children who live a tough life keeps me going”.

you fail to prepare, prepare to fail”

“Training is going ok. I run three times a week and am gradually

time”

of her student house on Liverpool Road, a group of what looks likeexperienced runners effortlessly

trainee teacher.

it. I can just imagine myself trailing

it look so easy”. When asked why she has chose to run for this particular cause and

her services, she provides an honest and emotional answer. “These children often live tough lives. Their parents leave them at

even weeks. I know what eversponsorship I earn will go to areally good cause and help children who really need it”

school teacher once she graduates

gaining added experience of working

will make her revaluate what’simportant in life.

with these children I will appreciate what you have much more and will no longer take things for granted.

Run, Run, Run

Anna is training hard ahead of her half marathon in June

Words By Matthew Hand

Verve - spring/summer 20108

+++++++Feature

King of the Hill

Whilst others of his

indulging themselves in the luxury of retirement, attending painting classes or topping up the tan on a

on only one thing…winning. The 73 Year old former jockey

horses out for over 40 years, and doesn’t plan to stop now “Whilst I’m enjoying myself there is no need for me to stop.

want to keep on winning” From an early age Barry took a keen interest in racing at his family home in Worcester and it wasn’t

of impressive performances, which included nine wins, he was signed as head jockey for trainer John Oxley.

turned his attention to training, and in 1969 he acquired his license and

years. In 1990 he returned to

widely acknowledged as the most impressive yard in the country. With over 3000 victories to his name at racecourses all over the world, Hills has ample amounts of fond memories to reminisce on. But it is the particular fondness he shares with the Chester races that Verve was

With four previous winners in Chester’s feature race, the ‘Chester Cup’, its no surprise he enjoys it here. “I’m proud to have had four winners in that particular race in the past, and hopefully we can do well here again this year”, Hills explained.

meeting, which won the cup twice.

“Blood is thicker than water and I believe they do a great job for

me”

However it’s not just the roodee track that entices Hills to these parts, he genuinely has a fondness for

“Being in May we are normally

always a good start and the course

shinning, with the surrounding walls, it’s just an ideal setting.”

about his love for the Chester Races and the City he has

regularly visited for over 40 years

spring/summer 2010- Verve 9

+++++++

“It’s a lovely part of the world and its full of history. I enjoy the shops and the hotels, as well as the lovely sights such as the amphitheater. I often spear enough time for a quick drink in Telfords Warehouse”.

me.” Hills continued. When he is not cheering on his winners from the county concourse

improve his handicap with a round of golf in Delamere .

riding for his Dad. Richard, along

senior explains that it doesn’t always go to plan. “Richard rode an excellent race last year to win on Darrahem and its even more special when your son rides you a winner. When a fancied horse doesn’t win we look for excuses and

“With having such a good record in the race it will be a shame if he

doesn’t make it”

Having such a successful yard

determination, something Barry knows

would call it a day and hand the yard over to his son Charles. Never one to give up, Hills kept on

level. So what does he put his success down to?

I know what I’m doing” he chuckled.

dislike off loosing, always helps. I hate loosing. Fundamentally, success comes with hard work, and I would like to think I have deserved my victories”. Hills victories are vast, with winners in Group one races in England, France

win came in 1973 when Rheingold

“That was a special victory for me, and one I will never forget” Barry

When evaluating his chances in

“If the ground suits then Tastahil

will run and will have a decent chance. It’s all so dependent on

having such a good record in

doesn’t make it”

One thing is for sure, whether Hills has a runner or not in the

there.

religiously for so long now and I

lifetime”.

Words By Matthew Hand

Left- Hills speaks after being

awarded for his contribution

to racing (photograph

courtesy of Barryhills.com)

Below- Telfords Warehouse

where Hills visits

The May Chester Races

meeting runs between

Wednesday 5th- Friday 7th

May.

Verve - spring/summer 201010

Summer Music Festival

Simply Red at Delamere Forest

Deva Divas Ladies Triathlon

WITH THE SUMMER MONTHS FASTLY APPROACHING, THE VERVE’S ‘WHAT’S GOING ON’ GUIDE LISTS A SELECTION OF THE BIG

EVENTS TO HIT CHESTER OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS

MAY

5th-7th

16th

20th

22nd

31st

chester Races

Shell Chester Half Marathon

Delamere Summer Trial Series

Roman Day

MBNA Chester Marathon

JUNE

4th- 5th

6th

11th- 14/07

15th-19th

19th-20th

21st

JULY

1st- 14th

2nd

18th

International polo Weekend

Deva Triathlon

Chestival

World Town Crier Competition

Midsummer Watch Parade

City Centre Cycle Race

Guide

spring/summer 2010- Verve 11

With the Sun far from guarenteed to

shine, heres the Verve’s guide to three

future blockbusters which are well worth a

watch when the weather turns sour.

released- May

2010

Director-

Ridley Scott

Starring-

Russell Crowe &

Cate Blanchett

adventure.

expert archerer who travels to the corrupt town of Nottingham where he falls for Lady

Hoping to earn the hand of Marion and

army who prey on the upper class and correct injustices under the sheriff.

However, with their country weakened from

war

The Twighlight

Saga: Eclipsereleased- June 2010

Director- David Slade

Starring-

Kristen Stewart, Robert

Pattinson & Taylor

Lautner

In the third installment of the Twighlight series Bella once again

mysterious killings and a relentless vampire continues her quest for revenge.

further as she is forced to choose

that her decision may ignite the

werewolf.

Bella must make the most important decision in her life, and she must get it right

The creators of the much loved Toy Story

new adventure starring all our favorite

depart the family home for a life at college,

uncertain future.

adventure that lands the toys in a room full of

for their very existence, making sure no one is

released- June

2010

Director-

Lee Unkritch

Starring-

Tom Hanks and

Timothy Dalton

Toy Story 3

Robin Hood

Verve - spring/summer 201012

Chester

Narrowboats

Excellent one to one service

Advanced booking discount

Call 01244654469

or visit chboats.co.uk

Fully modernised narrowboats

The quickest way to slow down