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May Lecture: Hooton Hall and Park

Hooton Hall and Park – A Remarkable History – From Medieval Manor House to Vauxhall Motors

Thursday, May 21 2026, 2pm. at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace

The Stanley family built manor houses at Hooton in 1488 and in 1788. By 1849, they had sold the Hall and estate to Richard Naylor, a Liverpool businessman. Naylor enjoyed horse racing and added a racecourse to the property. In 1914 the War Department requisitioned the Hall and Park. The Park was also turned into an airfield. It became a flourishing centre for aviation.

In the 1960s Shell Research used the runway for car fuel development and in 1962 Vauxhall Motors purchased the site. In recent years the Belfast Hangars have been restored and now host events run by the Hooton Park Trust.

David Mottram gave us a walk and talk last year on Eastham Ferry. He returns this year with a talk about Hooton Hall and Park. David’s talk will be followed by refreshments. The cost will be £7.

Please click this Link to book a place: https://chestercivictrust.org.uk/hooton/

You will only be notified, if you do not have a place at the event.

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April Lecture: Update on Chester One City Plan

First produced in 2012, the One City Plan (OCP) was revised in 2022 through a large engagement process coordinated by Cheshire West and Chester Council. It’s time period covers 2022 to 2045 with its vision for Chester as a place ‘that is proud of its history and confident about its future’.

April’s lecture on Wednesday, 15th April 2026 at 7.30pm. from Andy Farrall will provide an update on the 45 actions areas to be delivered by 2045. It is now in delivery mode. This is being achieved through 5 partnership delivery groups:

  • Making – development, regeneration, investment, heritage, the environment, green and blue networks, enterprise and skills, digital and the public realm.
  • Connecting – transport and mobility
  • Experiencing – culture and health
  • Visiting – the visitor economy and tourism
  • Being-in – safely, management and maintenance.

For info on the Chester OCP go to: https://www.chesteronecityplan.co.uk where you can also subscribe to the OCP newsletter.

Speaker Andy Farrall BA(Hons) MA PGDIP MRTPI chairs the ‘Making Group’ – the delivery partnership that is delivering the development, regeneration, economic growth, environment, heritage and investment stream of the Chester One City Plan.

Born in North Wales, Andy is a chartered town planner and urban designer of some 45 years-experience working in the private and public sectors. Starting in South Wales and in the city of Hull, Andy then led the planning and urban design team at London-based Tibbalds working on major commissions across the UK for major public and private sector clients.

Andy was Executive Director, Development and Regeneration at Chester City Council and then Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director at Warrington Borough Council. He then become Managing Director for Marketing Cheshire and Deputy CEO at the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership. He now leads his own firm, Andy Farrall Limited, providing consultancy advice for developers, investors, government agencies and local communities. Andy is also a trustee of the Chester Bluecoats Charity and serves on the board of Chester BID.

The lecture will take place at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm. Civic Trust members have FREE admission to the lectures at the Grosvenor Museum. Guests are welcome £5 on the door.

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