Chesterfield’s creative and community spirit shines with exciting events and initiatives
Chesterfield organisations are continuing to support the area with initiatives centred around creativity and community spirit.
Local children, artists, athletes, charities and businesses have worked collaboratively across a range of exciting projects and events.
From a new public art installation to dance festivals, apprenticeship fairs, and charity runs, our Chesterfield Champions have been busy creating a buzz in the local area.
3K and 5K races added to Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K weekend
The Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K is expanding its lineup with the introduction of two shorter races – a 3K and 5K – on May 10, 2025, ahead of the main 10K event on May 11. Sponsored by plant-based nutrition company Nuzest, the new races aim to make the event more accessible to runners of all abilities.
Adrian Beckett, CEO at Nuzest, said: “We are thrilled to return as a partner for this wonderful event, and especially excited to be sponsoring the new 3K and 5K events this year. Our company was founded on the principle of helping others lead healthier lives, and we see the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield races as an excellent opportunity to support that mission in the community.”
John Timms, Event Director at MLS Contracts, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing more opportunities for people to get involved in our race weekend. The addition of the 3K and 5K events mean that runners of all abilities and experience levels can be part of this special weekend.
“It’s also great to have Nuzest join us again this year as a sponsor for what looks like will be our biggest event to date. I look forward to seeing everyone on both the Saturday and the Sunday at the start line.”
The event will raise funds for local charities, including Ashgate Hospice, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and Cavendish Cancer Care.
Chesterfield schoolchildren help create public art
Children from Bramley Vale Primary School have teamed up with artist Rob Neith-Nicholson to create a new piece of public art that will be unveiled this spring at the entrance of the Earl’s Park housing development in Holmewood.
Commissioned by Junction Arts for Avant Homes, the artwork aims to celebrate local identity and mining heritage. The students, aged from years one to six, explored their local environment, foraging for natural materials and using recycled cardboard to craft sculptures that reflect Chesterfield’s rich industrial past and its transformation into green spaces.
Artist Rob Neith-Nicholson said: “It’s been a pleasure working with the children at Bramley Vale. We designed the sessions not only so that they could be a vital part of our design process for the final piece, making the work a real part of the community, but also so that they themselves gained great value from being involved. I think the sessions were a great success on both counts.”
Junction Arts Project Coordinator, Nathan Hamer added: “Public art is important because it’s accessible to everyone, you don’t have to visit a gallery or museum to enjoy it – it’s simply there. We were delighted to be part of this project, bringing a professional artist together with the community to create a meaningful piece of art that we hope will give a sense of belonging to new residents and be enjoyed by many generations to come.”
Jenny Etchells from Bramley Vale Primary School commented: “Thank you so much for giving Bramley Vale pupils the opportunity to take part in such an interesting project. The children gained a lot from trying something new creatively. The children enjoyed the sessions; some of them even said they were planning to make another relief sculpture at home!”
The final piece, a wooden sculpture celebrating the area’s history while looking toward the future, will be a lasting symbol of connection and pride.
Mud run fundraiser for High Ashes Rural Project
Chesterfield Champion Dominic Wish is calling for runners and volunteers to take part in the High Ashes Rural Project Mud Run on April 6.
The 5K muddy challenge raises funds for local charities and supports High Ashes’ work with individuals with learning difficulties.
Phil Coates runs High Ashes Rural Project with his wife Vanessa. He commented: “We have been running the mud run for 9 years now and whilst it is a great event for us at High Ashes, we are very keen for groups of people to obtain sponsorship for their own local charities, like Ashgate Hospice or Aquabox. We can therefore all enjoy the day together making wonderful memories and helping out some really great causes at the same time. Our next event is on Sunday 6th April , there are still a few places left.”
Dominic Wish, of HMX UK Ltd, said: “I have known Phil for many years through his volunteer efforts in Chesterfield Rotary and the fabulous work he does running the High Ashes Rural Project (HARP). I have met many of the people with learning difficulties who are enjoying their time at High Ashes Farm.
“To see these vibrant and happy people relaxed and learning new skills in a rural environment; mostly outdoors working with animals, growing vegetables, rebuilding a dry-stone wall, or just enjoying a cup of tea in front of the log burner is an absolute joy. I am proud to be helping Phil, and his fabulous team, organise the Mud Run this year.”
For more information, email info@highashes.org.uk
Chesterfield Children’s Festival to feature ‘Everybody Dance’
Year six students at Spire Junior School are taking the lead in choreographing Chesterfield’s biggest dance routine for the Chesterfield Children’s Festival this summer. Under the guidance of professional dancers Karla Jones and Jack Stephenson, the students have been exploring different dance styles and creating original moves for Everybody Dance, a mass dance-along event in Queen’s Park on July 26.
Jemma Burton, Project Manager at Junction Arts, explained: “Everybody Dance was a big success last year, we had children, parents and grandparents joining in, it was such a feel-good activity that we wanted to do it again! This year, we have invited young people to co-create the dance with us, developing the moves and having a say in how the dance comes together.
“Dancing together makes people feel good, and we want to bring that to the festival, giving people the opportunity to be part of something big!”
The Chesterfield Children’s Festival, held on July 26-27, will be a free event featuring music, theatre, art workshops, and games for families to enjoy.
Chesterfield photographer donates artwork to new NHS centre
Local photographer Scott Antcliffe has generously donated one of his landscape photographs, Bluebell Woods, to Walton Hospital’s Community Diagnostic Centre, opening in summer 2025.
Chosen by the public through a voting process, the image will be displayed in the reception area to provide comfort to patients and visitors.
Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital said: “We offer our huge appreciation and thanks to Scott for donating his wonderful photograph, which was chosen by our local community and colleagues.
“The Community Diagnostic Centre is going to be a wonderful purpose-built facility that will see thousands of visitors and patients each year. Knowing that we will have a welcoming and calming image in our main reception area will make a real difference to our patients’ experiences whilst they wait for important tests and results. Thank you.”
Scott, who has a personal connection to the NHS, hopes his work will create a calming environment: “I have lots of thanks to share to everyone in the NHS for everything they do. The NHS has always got a place in my heart, and I think we are incredibly lucky to have it.
“If I can give back to my local community and the NHS for all the amazing work they do, then that is such a nice feeling. You are all amazing at what you do, and it is such an honour to donate this image.”
Chesterfield FC Community Awards 2025 open for nominations
Chesterfield FC is set to honor the town’s unsung heroes with the Chesterfield Community Awards 2025. The awards will recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community, whether through acts of kindness, sportsmanship, or innovation.
Residents can submit nominations now, with winners celebrated at a grand ceremony at the SMH Group Stadium on June 7, 2025.
Supporting future careers: apprenticeship & technical education event
Young people in Chesterfield are being given valuable career guidance following the success of the Apprenticeship and Technical Education Event in Hasland. The event, which took place in February, provided aspiring professionals with direct access to industry experts in construction, healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing.
Focusing on careers in construction, engineering and manufacturing and health and social care, businesses in attendance included Frank Shaw Associates, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Eyesite View, DANCOP, Nottingham Trent University, Joined Up Careers and United Cast Bar as well as Chesterfield College who offer a variety of courses to get young people workplace ready.
Chesterfield College work closely with employers to do a ‘skills scan’ of potential apprentices to determine current knowledge and experience to understand which course will be best for them. They found that Tom who joined MSE Hiller last year, would be best suited to the Level 3 Mechanical Engineering course as he had already completed a year at university in a different subject.
Tom explained: “I attended this event after deciding that I wanted to reskill into the engineering industry where I could learn new skills and find a career that brought me personal fulfilment. I have been working with the company for six months now and I am enjoying the role. The work is challenging but due to the advice and support from my colleagues, mentors and management, I am encouraged to expand my skill set and become more confident in my role”.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “Apprenticeships allow young people to grow in their chosen career, whilst working alongside industry experts. They are a good starting point for anyone who wants to learn skills ‘on the job’ that will build on their academic knowledge. These opportunities are also great ways for us to help to build our future workforce and grow our local economy.
“There is another event planned in May this year, so I would encourage young people and their families to join us to find out more about what opportunities are available locally.”
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Portfolio Lead for Skills & Employment at East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), said: “The EMCCA Careers Hub are delighted to fund another successful Apprenticeship and Technical Education event, with a new location in Hasland. It is important for these events to be accessible by all members of the local community, and to create an environment where parents/carers and young people can learn about vocational pathways and ask the questions that are important to them, in order to make informed decisions about their next steps.
“I’d like to thank Chesterfield Borough Council for coordinating this latest event, and to the wide range of employers and education providers who shared their knowledge and experience with the attendees.
“There’s clear evidence that when parents/carers work with schools to support their children’s exploration of their place in the world of work, that outcomes are far better for our young people, with higher aims and motivation for their learning across the curriculum.”
A second event is scheduled for May 21 at Chesterfield Football Club, offering another opportunity for students and job seekers to explore vocational pathways.
Find out more about apprenticeships in Chesterfield.
Chesterfield Postcard Show returns to support Cosy Crafts project
Artists of all abilities are invited to submit postcard-sized artwork for the Chesterfield Postcard Show, which returns for its fourth year from May 6-16 at West Studios. This year’s theme, Home, will raise funds for Cosy Crafts, a community art project supporting residents during the cost-of-living crisis.
Last year’s event featured nearly 500 original pieces, and organisers hope for even greater participation this year. Submissions are open until April 24, with all artwork sold for £10 each to support the expansion of Cosy Crafts.
Hannah Bowdler, Fundraising Coordinator at Junction Arts said: “The Chesterfield Postcard Show is back and this year we want more people to get involved to help us raise money for a very worthwhile cause.
“This year, funds raised will specifically help expand our Cosy Crafts project, which currently has a waiting list, by establishing a second regular session. This will provide more people with access to a safe and creative community space in Chesterfield.
“The brilliant thing about the postcard show is that it allows artists of all levels to see their work in a professional exhibition, it also gives art lovers the chance to buy original art for the bargain price of £10! It’s open to people of all ages and abilities and every postcard that is sent to us will feature in the exhibition. Your postcard could be a painting, a photograph or digital artwork, you can use whatever material you like, as long as it’s A6 size and is based on the theme of home.”
Hospital Trust Chair and Destination Chesterfield Board Member to abseil down Chesterfield Town Hall for charity
On Sunday (23 March), Chesterfield Town Hall will witness an extraordinary sight. Chair of the Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust, Mahmud Nawaz, along with two ‘willing’ helpers on behalf of the trust’s Charity, will be abseiling down its iconic façade.
The daring act aims to raise funds for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity, Rural Action Derbyshire – Feeding Chesterfield and the Derbyshire Law Centre – the three charities proudly chosen as the 2024/25 Mayor’s Charity of the Year.
When asked about the challenge, Mahmud quipped: “I’ve faced some tough meetings in my time, but nothing quite prepares you for dangling off the side of a building. It’s all for a fantastic cause, though, so bring it on!”
The Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity supports vital projects that enhance patient care and staff wellbeing. By taking on this feat, Mahmud and the charity reps – Karen Johnson and Destination Chesterfield Board Member, Karlie Thompson – aim to inspire everyone to contribute to this worthy cause.
Mahmud added: “We wanted to raise funds for all three charities but more than that, we’re key players in the local community and we’re excited to be engaging in such a fun and joyful event at one of our most iconic buildings. I’d like to thank the Mayor and Mayoress – I think!! – for this opportunity!! Let’s raise some vital funds for three great charities! I’d urge everybody to give anything they may be able to – the difference made is huge for organisations like ours – where our charity provides equipment, training and opportunities which the NHS budget cannot stretch to.”
You can support the team’s efforts by donating to their cause here.
