Award For Blue Planet Aquarium

We were delighted to learn that one of our long-standing clients, Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, was recently presented with the much prized Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service accreditation.

The VAQAS (as it is better known) is a consumer-focused scheme that was first created by VisitBritain and is supported in our service area by Visit Chester & Cheshire - another valued client of LDSTS - to recognise British attractions which give visitors the highest quality experience. Each attraction is assessed by a sort of mystery shopper-type inspector and have their accreditations reviewed annually.

A collective pat on the back goes out from everyone at LDSTS to the management and staff at Blue Planet Aquarium!

Festive Fun at the Frost Fair!

Last week Jenny and I were lucky enough to be invited to an opening night at Chester Zoo. This is the second year of the Frost Fair, which has proved very popular over the winter period. It is such an innovative way of attracting people all year round. The zoo has already had a good year with record breaking visitor numbers and the Frost Fair is sure to sustain that popularity.

I had fully prepared for the evening by wrapping up in my woolly hat and scarf. Walking up to the entrance of the zoo, I could see it had been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. There were twinkling lights to guide us to the entrance and as we walked through the gates we even got a blast of snow to get us in the mood. It looks so magical when you first walk through, not like the Chester Zoo I'm used to.

Robin Cousins was the special guest for the evening and he declared the Frost Fair open. Unfortunately there was no ice skating display from himself but we were able to see some of the skaters from Deeside Ice Rink show off their skills. Jenny and I decided we wouldn't showcase our skating skills that evening, so we went exploring to see what else the Frost Fair had to offer.

As you can see from the picture, we came across some interesting characters on our travels. There was so much to see and it is an excellent attraction for families. There was a carousel, face painting, Santa's Grotto, mulled wine, mince pies and you can even go and see the Asian Elephants getting ready for bed! The shop is still open late into the evening, so we took the opportunity to find some unusual Christmas gifts.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Frost Fair, and we were full of festive spirit by the time we had to leave. I can't wait to return and enjoy it with my family and I may even risk a spin on the ice this time. Why not take your family along as a Christmas treat?

Tatton Park Biennial 2008

We were extremely excited to learn of Tatton Park's Biennial 2008 - a new contemporary art event for the UK. To be launched during Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 and supported by various bodies, it will be staged from May to September 2008.

A valued client of LDS Tourism Services, Tatton Park is an impressive historic estate which receives in the region of 750,000 visitors every year - all of whom come to enjoy its Georgian Mansion, Tudor Old Hall, award winning gardens and 1930s rare breeds farm. The 1,000 acre deer park is home to Red and Fallow deer and the estate also boasts speciality shops, adventure playground, restaurant and a year-round events programme.

The 2008 Biennial supports the work of emerging and mid-career artists through a commissioning process that reveals the history of the Park and is a launch pad for future events that will further understanding of exceptional artistic practice within the laboratory of this National Trust property.

With up to 6 semi-permanent works, 12 evolving commissions and a substantial programme of tours, performances and talks that lend further depth to the grounds, the Biennial will reflect the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Tatton Park. A specially curated film programme and an active Education and Access programme will extend to major cities, taking in a range of new visitors through specially devised and targeted schemes. A full-colour publication with commissioned essays, a novella by Giles Waterfield and an artist’s multiple will be produced for the opening.

The year long Cheshire Year of Gardens ‘08 has a crisp start at Chester Zoo’s Frost Fair in January 2008, unveiling the lavish flowers beds of Cheshire which will be making surprise appearances in Liverpool, at international gateways and at the RHS Flowers Shows.

The programme line up for the year is bubbling with a mixture of music, art, theatre, sport and food and drink events at major garden locations, including Lyme Park, Chester Zoological Garden, Arley Hall and Gardens, Jodrell Bank, Ness Gardens, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Capesthorne Hall, Gawsworth Hall and Norton Priory.

Cheshire can boast some of the finest gardens in the world, many of international importance; others are modest or even tiny expressions of someone’s urge to create a beautiful corner of the landscape. Whether part of an historic estate or simply colourful attractions in their own right, these stupendous bouquets are estimated to attract an additional 300,000 visits for the 08 celebrations.

Bloomin’ Marvellous!

Chester has been named as the region’s ‘best’ in the prestigious North West in Bloom Awards.

Beating off close competition from Wigan (which was named as Best Improved entry), the city impressed the judges with the quality of its new landscaping schemes, clean streets and community involvement. In addition to this impressive accolade, Chester Zoo also received a visit after winning the Chester in Bloom trophy for the second year on the run.

It would seem that the zoo can’t put a foot (or should we say "paw"?) wrong at the moment!