THE second annual Chester Residents’ Association Group Conference returned to Chester Racecourse on Tuesday (October 22) with an impressive showing from the student delegation.

The event carried the theme of ‘Chester: on the Move’ and the day’s programme was based on participant feedback from last year’s inaugural conference, focusing on the River Dee, culture and heritage.

The event was attended by almost 200 delegates from the Chester area, including town crier David Mitchell, and 22 local students from Blacon High, Christleton High, Upton High, The King’s and The Queen’s School. Sponsors were host venue Chester Race Company (CRC), with student delegate’ places supported by Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) councillors and Chester Business Club (CBC).

CRC chair, Ian O’Doherty welcomed delegates to the County Long Room, followed by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Razia Daniels, who officially opened the proceedings and later commented: “I would like to congratulate the CRAG team on organising such a successful conference. It was truly inspiring to see so many people in attendance, particularly the young students who actively participated throughout the event. CRAG24 has once again demonstrated the power of collaboration within our community, I commend everyone involved for their dedication to making this conference a meaningful and impactful gathering.”

Next, video-messages of support were played from Chester MPs Aphra Brandreth (Chester South & Eddisbury) and Samantha Dixon (Chester North & Neston).

Professor Eunice Simmons, vice-chancellor of the University of Chester (UoC) delivered the keynote address – speaking powerfully about the enthusiasm, activity and life of the city – referring to the UoC’s three faculties, its citizen student strategy, Chester future skills curriculum, fostering good community relations, international recruitment, sustainability and future ambitions for its School of Education and a School for the Creative Industries.

Following the keynote speech, an update on the One City Plan (OCP) was given by Cllr Richard Beacham, CWaC deputy chair and Leader’s Champion for the OCP who chose the event to formally launch the website: https://www.chesteronecityplan.co.uk/, where residents can find out more about OCP projects and sign-up to receive regular newsletters.

The panel for the first session ‘Our River as a City Asset’ included: Emily Pardoe, river quality liaison manager, Welsh Water; Peter Powell CEO Welsh Dee Trust and Professor Namrata Bhattacharya-Mis, UoC. The session was moderated by Chester Business Club chair and honorary vice-president of Chester Regatta, Jan Chillery.

Kathy McArdle, newly appointed CWaC executive director of place and growth, moderated the final morning session, ‘Best of Art and Culture,’ with panellists: Suzie Henderson, creative director, Storyhouse; Bense Burnett, Lead ‘Experiencing’ group OCP; Paul Newman, archives manager, CWaC and Dave Southern, chair of Chester Buskers Association.

The lunchtime quiz was dominated by the student delegates, who showcased their local knowledge by winning all five prizes – tickets to the family-friendly Pepper Street venue, Rooftop Social Club, scheduled to open in November.

In the afternoon the remaining session: ‘Our City Landmarks, their Goals and Heritage’ was chaired by Cllr Katrina Kerr, Leader’s Champion for History and Heritage and ward councillor for City of Chester and the Garden Quarter. The panel included: Tony Barton, conservation architect and heritage consultant, Donald Insall Associates; Andy Farrall, urban planner and Lead for the ‘Making’ group of the OCP; Ted Comer, clerk of works, Chester Cathedral and Dr Niall McFadyen, chair, CHASE CIC.

And finally, another new element for 2024 – Residents’ Roundtable – gave delegates the opportunity to join interactive and facilitated discussion groups focusing on addressing the day’s key themes. Once again, students excelled as individual facilitators, having listened to group outputs and provided feedback to conference.

Jane Archibald, director of external relations at The Queen’s School commented on the reaction from participating students: “CRAG’s invitation to young voices perfectly aligns with our mission to educate and empower more young women to lead and shape the world in which they live. Taking part allowed our students to actively contribute to Chester’s future, ensuring their voices, as tomorrow’s leaders, are both heard and valued.”

John Walker, vice-chair CRAG and conference lead organiser said: “The CRAG Conference was developed to bring together people who feel as passionately as we do about Chester. Working with Chester’s network of schools and our partners CRAG wants to inspire and empower young people to shape their communities, institutions and society, building skills and knowledge for life. Hopefully today’s event may have lit the spark of active citizenship which will help them thrive in and contribute to society now and in the future.”

The CRAG24 conference can be viewed in full via YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zQenPxyIfI.