Chester Racecourse gets ready to sparkle for Fundraising Fireworks Extravaganza

FAMILIES are invited to soak up an evening of sparkling fun in aid of a series of local charities, as Chester Racecourse holds its annual Lord Mayor's Fireworks Extravaganza.

Taking place on:- Saturday, 8 November 2025, the much loved event promises a show-stopping firework display, thrilling fairground rides and delicious treats.

The family-favourite show is just 1 of the ways Chester Racecourse gives back to the community, providing the venue for free. The Chester Racecourse team also give their time voluntarily to organise the event to maximise the amount raised.

This year, the funds raised will go directly to homeless charity Share Chester and Storyhouse's art program for local residents.

The event also supports the Lord Mayor of Chester's charities: Women's Aid and The Heath Youth Club.

The line-up will include a junior fireworks display at:- 6.45pm, followed by the main display at:- 7.30pm.

General admission tickets are priced at:- �13 per person, with children aged 4 and under going for free.

For those seeking an enhanced experience with an added touch of sparkle, VIP tickets are available from �35, and includes:= access to a private viewing area, a hot meal, tea, coffee, or a soft drink, and unlimited fairground rides between:- 5pm and 7pm,.

Sam Martin, Head of Marketing and Communications at Chester Racecourse, said:- "Our annual Fireworks Extravaganza is a real highlight in our calendar, bringing together families of all ages to make memories and enjoy a magical evening. We are incredibly proud to be able to raise funds for Share Chester and Storyhouse this year, and to support the amazing work they do in our community.The atmosphere is always fantastic; whether you're coming with family, friends, or little ones seeing fireworks for the 1st time, this is an experience you won't want to miss!"

To book tickets to the Lord Mayor's Fireworks Extravaganza, visit:- Chester-Races.Com.

Hugh Baird College Named Finalist in Prestigious BRILLIANT Awards 2025

HUGH Baird College has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the highly competitive:- "Engineering Changemakers" category at the BRILLIANT Awards 2025, sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction. The College, which was recently rated:- 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, is 1 of only 3 finalists in this category; an incredible achievement that highlights its leadership in innovation, sustainability, and employer engagement.

The BRILLIANT Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and partnership across the UK education sector, with a focus on:- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and industry collaboration. They acknowledge Schools, colleges, and universities that are leading the way in preparing students with the future-ready skills for industry.

This recognition places Hugh Baird College alongside some of the UK's most respected educational institutions, including:- UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, University of Glasgow, and King's College London.

The College's STEM Department earned this nomination through its outstanding work on the:- "Float Your Boat" Challenge (2024 to 2025); an employer-led project that brought together students, educators, and industry partners to reimagine sustainable maritime engineering.

The project, initiated as part of the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society's Maritime Heritage, Maritime Futures programme and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, challenged students to design and build a model vessel that maximised cargo capacity, minimised cost, and championed low-carbon innovation.

The result was the:- "Ply Jute Voyager," a vessel that went on to win the Sustainability Award for setting new standards in sustainable maritime design. Students developed a innovative lightweight composite material from low-carbon sources, directly contributing to the sector's decarbonisation efforts.

The "Engineering Changemakers" category celebrates institutions that lead the way in sustainable, practical, and forward-thinking education. Hugh Baird College's success in this space is thanks to a truly collaborative effort:-

Project Lead: Dr Charuni Dissanayaka, STEM Technical Lead at Hugh Baird College.
Mentors: Lukuman Mohammed (Course Leader - T Level Design, Surveying and Planning on Construction) and Kabir Abdulwahab (Course Leader - HE Foundation Degree in Advanced Manufacturing)
Industry Advisors: Canal and River Trust, Svitzer, KS Composites, Maersk, and Cammell Laird.
Project Funding: Shaping Futures.

The challenge engaged over 85 students from Degree, BTEC, and T-Level courses across disciplines including:- construction, carpentry, engineering, painting, and manufacturing. Working alongside industry mentors and faculty experts, students gained hands on experience in design, stability analysis, propulsion systems, and prototype testing, preparing them for real-world careers in the evolving engineering sector.

The BRILLIANT Awards Ceremony will take place on:- 11 November 2025, as part of the BRILLIANT Festival in Liverpool. The Hugh Baird project team and students, alongside Cathriona Bourke, Learning and Participation Manager at the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, will proudly represent the College at the event.

Speaking on behalf of the College, lecturer and STEM lead Charuni Dissanayaka said:- "This recognition is a massive validation of our innovative approach to education and our deep rooted commitment to employer partnerships. We are incredibly proud of our staff and students whose creativity, skill, and dedication continue to push the boundaries of what's possible."

For more information about Hugh Baird please go to:- HughBaird.AC.UK today!

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Chester Racecourse gets ready to sparkle for Fundraising Fireworks Extravaganza

Hugh Baird College Named Finalist in Prestigious BRILLIANT Awards 2025