About Chesterfield

Offering opportunities for local apprentices

5th March 2019

This National Apprenticeship Week, Chesterfield residents are benefitting from apprentice opportunities thanks to Chesterfield Borough Council’s involvement in the Apprentice Town initiative.

National Apprenticeship week runs from 4 to 8 March and celebrates the work carried out by apprentices of all ages. In 2017/18 1,120 apprenticeships were delivered in the borough.

One development which is benefitting from local apprentices is The Skylarks development on Dunston Lane building two to five bedroom family homes in 15 different designs. The developer, William Davis Homes, has employed four local people as apprentices.

Apprentice Kieran Moulds said: “The benefits of doing an apprenticeship is that you actually get to do more practical work than theory – you do theory at college but I prefer to do more practical.”

Gary Long, Apprentice Manager at William Davis Homes added: “From day one, all of our apprentices have shown tremendous application, from interview to present day.”

“They give 120 per cent both on-site and off-site; their work ethic is second-to-none.”

As a partner in the Apprentice Town initiative, the council is committed to offering and promoting apprenticeship opportunities for local people of all ages.

Councillor Terry Gilby, the council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We think apprenticeships are really important; it gives a lot of people a chance to find employment.”

“Apprenticeships are not just for young people – it doesn’t matter what your age is you can take up an apprenticeship and learn new skills.”

Apprenticeship opportunities available at the council and with other local employers are listed on Chesterfield Borough Council’s website.

There are lots of opportunities available – not only for manual work such as building and construction but also in a variety of roles including business, administration, marketing, healthcare, working with animals and beauty.

Visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies to see the current vacancies.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Chesterfield’s Memory Market to return in May

5th March 2019

Chesterfield’s Memory Market will take place on Thursday 23 May 2019 to help show dementia patients and their families where they can turn for help locally.

More than 3,800 patients are living with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia in North Derbyshire and Hardwick. Across the same area it is estimated that a further 2,000 patients are probably living with the early signs of the illness, which affects people’s brain function and memory, and is more common among older people.

Chesterfield-based NHS nurse Trevor Hall is co-ordinating the Memory Market Place on 23 May in Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel from 12pm – 4pm.

Trevor said: “By 2025 the number of people over 85 is expected to rise by 76%. As there is a positive relationship between the number of older people and the number of people with dementia the need for us to create dementia-friendly communities has never been stronger.”

The Chesterfield Memory Market Place – now in its fifth year – has grown in popularity and size as a way to bring together, under one roof, a whole range of support organisations for patients, their carers and families living with dementia.

The free event is open to all, to come and see the range of help available and to get ideas and support for how to live well with dementia. Trevor, who is based at Walton Hospital, added: “This event is aimed at everyone who is worried about a loved one’s memory, is already living with a diagnosis of dementia or simply wants to know more about what’s on offer.

“People can call in for five minutes or stay all afternoon – it is completely free and easy. They’ll have the opportunity to visit stalls, meet and talk in a relaxed and informal environment about all elements of living with dementia or just find out what’s available.

“It’s a unique opportunity to make contact with so many different organisations and agencies who come together jointly to offer help and guidance.”

The different agencies represented will include health, social care, voluntary and private sector organisations.

For more information click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Talk on Chesterfield Canal to take place at the Winding Wheel

5th March 2019

On Wednesday 13th March at 7.30 pm, John Lower, a long-term volunteer at Chesterfield Canal Trust, will be giving a talk at the Winding Wheel on ‘The History and Restoration of the Chesterfield Canal’.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is a charitable company run entirely by volunteers. Their aims are to promote the full restoration and appropriate development of the Chesterfield Canal, and to campaign for the construction of the Rother Valley Link, a navigable waterway to join the Chesterfield Canal to the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

John Lower has been a volunteer on the Chesterfield Canal since 1981, most recently involved in the construction of a replica wooden horse-drawn narrowboat of a type unique to the Chesterfield Canal. He is a well-known writer of waterway guides and magazine articles who has given hundreds of talks about the Chesterfield Canal right across the country.

John’s presentation will feature an illustrated journey along the beautiful and historic Chesterfield Canal. On the way, attendees will discover its history, the 12 miles of restoration already completed and what work is still required to once again link Chesterfield with the River Trent. Guests can also learn about the varied activities of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and its more than 1800 members.

For more information and to book click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

#ChallengeDerbyshire charity ball raises over £170,000

5th March 2019

On Saturday 2^nd February the iconic Devonshire Dome in Buxton hosted the second annual #ChallengeDerbyshire Charity Ball. The event was attended by nearly 500 guests and raised a staggering sum in excess of £170,000, taking the total amassed by the initiative so far to well over three quarters of a million pounds.

#ChallengeDerbyshire was formed in 2015 to support the three amazing end of life care charities in North Derbyshire; Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust.

David Hopkins, CEO of M Markovitz Ltd and Co-Founder of #ChallengeDerbyshire said on the night: “Excellent end of life care provided by our three charities should not be a ‘nice to have’ and with all three of our charities receiving barely 30% of the funds they need from government, it is essential that as local business owners and employers we play our part in helping to bridge that shortfall. We are very proud to cover the costs of running #ChallengeDerbyshire, meaning that every penny of every pound donated to our cause goes directly to providing end of life care by our three amazing charities.”

The fabulous evening, hosted by High Peak Radio’s Paul Jenner and Damian Senar, included a lavish four course dinner, live music from band Function Fever, as well as a fantastic guest performance from Derbyshire children’s choir Perfect Pitch, who continue to support #ChallengeDerbyshire, having themselves raised over £10,000 for the cause.

Caroline Morgan, who used the services of Ashgate Hospicecare and Blythe House Hospice when her husband Dean died, gave an emotional speech, saying, “People think of a hospice as a place of palliative care and death… I think of it as a place that gives life to those left behind. Your support is so vital, not just for the person with the illness or life limiting condition, but also for families like mine and for children left to cope with life after loss.”

Many local businesses contributed to the success of the evening and the event organisers expressed particular thanks to the University of Derby for their most generous support, which undoubtedly helped contribute to the incredible total raised.

Co-Founder Esther Wakeman went on to say, “Currently one in four families who need hospice care can’t get it, that’s about sixteen families a week across North Derbyshire. #ChallengeDerbyshire’s support is changing that and giving local people the choice to die at home, free from pain, with dignity and respect. Please help us be there for every family when they need us.”

David urged any people with business links to Derbyshire to consider lending their support to #ChallengeDerbyshire. For more information please contact Jennifer McBain on 01298 72021 or events@challengederbyshire.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Young people blazing a trail for apprenticeships in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire

4th March 2019

Apprenticeships are being put under the spotlight nationally from 4 – 8 March 2019, during the 12^th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2019).

Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, NAW is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider community.

Apprenticeships are key to Chesterfield’s growing economy, so much so the town became the first to declare itself an Apprentice Town.

Led by Chesterfield Borough Council the Apprentice Town initiative aims to raise awareness of apprenticeships and promote cooperative working across the education, business and learning community.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “One of the council’s top priorities is improving the quality of life for local people and ensuring our residents have good employment and training opportunities is key to that. This is why we worked with our partners to establish Chesterfield as an Apprentice Town in 2017.”

In Chesterfield there are currently more than 50 apprenticeship vacancies in a wide range of sectors, including project management, animal care, IT, hospitality, childcare and auto care, being advertised by employers in the town.

In 2017 alone, 1120 apprenticeship starts were delivered. Almost half of the apprenticeships delivered were at Level 3 or above, including 100 Higher Level Apprenticeships. Initial figures for the first quarter of 2018/19 show an 14% increase in apprenticeship starts compared to the same quarter in 2017/18.

With more than 14,000 young people in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire set to leave school over the next five years, apprenticeships are at the top of the agenda for many businesses who are keen to attract the next generation.

Blaze a Trail’ is the theme for this year’s NAW. There are thousands of young people already using apprenticeships right now to blaze a trail in their careers in businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Here are just some of them:

Name: Jack Charlesworth

Age: 22

Employer: Capgemini

Apprenticeship: Degree Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management

Jack’s advice: “If there’s something you want to do for a career, have a look and see if there’s an apprenticeship that could be linked to that career. No matter how weird or wacky it is, you might be able to find an apprenticeship that can help you get onto the right route.”

Prior to joining Capgemini, Jack completed his A Levels in IT, Business Studies and Economics. The fact a degree apprenticeship eliminates university fees and gave him the opportunity to earn while he learned, meant Jack decided that it was time to get working.

He commented on his decision: “I’d learnt so much already at school but not put anything into practice. I really didn’t want to go on to university to take on a load more skills and have nowhere to apply them, so an apprenticeship was definitely the right route for me.

“When I first joined Capgemini and it was all completely fresh to me. I received the support I needed to really kickstart my career. Since then, I have gained experience in being a project manager and feel like I am seen as a normal part of the workforce. I’d love to progress with the company and gain more responsibilities going forward.”

Name: Joshua Bown

Age: 17

Employer: Learning Unlimited, Chesterfield College

Apprenticeship: Level 2 Business Administration

Joshua’s advice: “Look forwards and work your way backwards to see if an apprenticeship aligns with what you want to do.”

Before starting his apprenticeship at Chesterfield College, Josh was studying Travel and Tourism full-time at college. However, he was ready to get hands on and start to apply the skills he’d learned, so turned to an apprenticeship.

He said: “It’s been a huge positive change in my life moving onto an apprenticeship. Not only am I still learning, but the work experience is benefitting me massively and the wage I’m earning has allowed me to become a lot more independent.”

Josh has really enjoyed being part of a team and working with people and hopes that he can pursue that area of his apprenticeship going forward: “I’ve found my passion in interacting with people, whether that be a colleague or with people enquiring about apprenticeships at the college, and that’s definitely something I want to be incorporated in my job for the foreseeable future.”

Name: Maddie Cornwell

Age: 19

Employer: JP Ward & Associates

Apprenticeship: Level 3 Dental Nurse

Maddie’s advice: “Once you’ve found what you want to do, you should apply to as many places as possible. That way, you’re going to give yourself the best opportunity to find the right apprenticeship for you.”

Maddie previously completed her A Levels in Health and Social Care, Psychology and Business Studies, but she always knew that university wasn’t for her. After encouragement and support from her mum to apply for apprenticeships, she found one at JP Ward & Associates as an Apprentice Dental Nurse.

Maddie, who currently spends most of her days assisting in surgery, said: “I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship so far and I definitely prefer the practical learning environment to the one I experienced during my A Levels. It reinforces what I’m learning when I’m able to actually put it into practice on a day-to-day basis.

“I’ve always been interested in working in the medical sector, so I’m really excited to see where this apprenticeship will lead in the future.”

Name: Liam Richardson

Age: 22

Employer: Chesterfield Borough Council

Apprenticeship: Apprentice Bricklayer

Liam’s advice: “Never give up. You could apply for 20 apprenticeships and they could all say no, but there could be that one apprenticeship out there that is waiting for someone to come and take that opportunity.”

Prior to starting his bricklaying apprenticeship with Chesterfield Borough Council, Liam worked in a number of sectors including driving and retail. When he was 22 years old, keen to start a career that gave him long-term prospects, Liam entered into an apprenticeship.

He commented: “I’ve done a bit of everything such as driving and working in retail, but I really wanted something that I could potentially look at doing for the rest of my life. With me being a bit older I didn’t know if it was too late for me to do an apprenticeship, but I’ve been able to drop back into learning, getting qualifications whilst still earning a wage.”

Liam has used an apprenticeship to change careers. The accompanying wage has enabled him to retain his independence. He hopes to progress through his apprenticeships and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

If you’re interested in starting an apprenticeship, discover more here https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/ )

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Made in Chesterfield

Kerry Katona to star in Chesterfield’s Easter pantomime

4th March 2019

Can’t wait for Christmas? Anton Benson Productions’ Beauty and the Beast pantomime comes to Chesterfield on Saturday 13th April.

Former Atomic Kitten star, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here winner and household favourite Kerry Katona stars as the Atomic Fairy. Kerry will be joined by long-serving Heartbeat cast member Tricia Penrose as her sparring partner, the evil Enchantress. National Treasure Basil Brush will play sidekick to the Beast and X-Factor finalist turned CBBC’s Got What It Takes presenter Lauren Platt will play Belle.

Completing the cast are returning Easter Panto favourites Ryan Greaves as Wally and Phylip Harries as the Dame Dolly, plus Karl Greenwood as the Beast and Michael Winsor as Claude. Juvenile dancers will be provided by local dance schools. All accompanied by fantastic live musicians.

Belle lives a quiet provincial life in the village of Ooh La La until her father accidentally stumbles across a terrifying Beast and she is taken captive. Now it is up to the Atomic Fairy, the village idiot Wally and his mother Dame Dolly to pit their wits against the evil Enchantress and rescue Belle from the Beast…

Audiences can expect two and a half hours of toe-tapping song and dance, stunning costumes, fantastic sets and effects all wrapped up in a hilarious laugh-a-minute script.

Producer Anton Benson said “A panto is for life and not just for Christmas. The regulars at our home venues love our annual Christmas shows and given how much of a hit our previous Easter panto tours have been, we are delighted to be back out on the road with this hilarious Easter production.”

To find out more click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Perez set to compete in double Porsche campaign

4th March 2019

Seb Perez, Chesterfield’s 19 year old race ace is set to mount a double competitive motorsport campaign for this season. 2019 will see him back at the wheel for his second year running in his Team Amigos Porsche 911 GT3 in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship. He will also drive a 1977 Porsche 911 rally car in European stage rallies.

Thanks to his impressive on-track success last season, Perez will make the leap into the Pro category of the ultra-competitive Carrera Cup GB and will be joined once again by Nottinghamshire team mate George Gamble who will drive the sister Amigos Racing supercar.

Perez will compliment his Carrera Cup outings competing on selected stage rallies in Europe, driving a 2700cc historic specification Porsche 911.

The Chesterfield driver kick-started his rallying season last weekend (23 February) at Rally Sol de Ponet in Mallorca with co-driver Gary McElhinney alongside, scooping a fastest stage time in the classic machine on his way to taking a giant-killing fourth overall.

Perez is no stranger to rallying and following in his Father Steve Perez’s footsteps said “I actually came here last year in a Ford Escort Mk2 and finished 11^th overall so the aim was always to beat that, and in this machine (the Porsche 911) it was a challenge I was well up for” he said after the event.

“It was a great rally and I`m looking forward to getting out to Europe and doing as many as I can when my Carrera Cup calendar allows”.

Perez is one of the Country’s best racing drivers, he has enjoyed a consistent rise to the top in his racing career after switching from stage rallying in 2014 to the Ginetta Junior Winter Series, followed by a full assault on the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship for the next two years which ran alongside the British Touring Car Championship.

Following the natural ladder of progression, he embarked on a campaign in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup with his still current Team mate George Gamble before a move in to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB last season.

2018 was his best season yet with Porsche, he overcame a difficult start to the year to take six ProAm victories from the 16 rounds of the GB series with many double-header victories along the way.

“I really enjoyed last season in the Carrera Cup, and it was certainly the best of my racing career,” said Perez.

“It was a shaky start and I think I ended race one at Brands in the gravel but like everything you learn by your mistakes and keep fighting. I suffered a little with the qualifying pace last season so want to see if I can sort that out this year but having the knowledge and data of a year under my belt will certainly help. It certainly won’t be easy though, it’s mega close racing out there so I`ll need to be on top form to get near the podiums”.

Perez is ready for the step into the Pro category with a new team, Stockton On Tees based Redline Racing, Porsche race and rally car specialists and have a proven track record in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Having a year of the potent GT3 race car under his belt, Perez is realistic about his chances this season and looks forward the contrast between his modern specification 911 GT3 race car and his 40-year-old rally version in Team Amigos livery as well.

“Some of the guys in the Carrera Cup have been doing it for years and still trying to find that elusive tenth of a second here and there,” he commented

“There will be some big challenges this season so I think if I can get a podium or two I`ll be very happy. It’s looking like another ultra-competitive line up in the championship so that’s not going to be easy but that’s to be expected. It’s great to have the support of Amigos once again this year, Redline Racing my new team and having George as a teammate will help. It should be a good season”.

“Whilst I made the switch to the circuits a few years ago, I’ve been fortunate enough to compete in several stage events as well but taking the Porsche out last weekend for the first time was a fantastic experience.”

“It’s a great opportunity to compete in two iconic machines this season and I can’t wait to kick start the Carrera Cup in April. If I can get fourth place like in Mallorca in the 911, I`ll be happy with that!”.

The Amigos backed Carrera Cup team will be officially unveiled at the annual media day and the first test of the year at Silverstone on 18 March, whilst Perez will also contest Rally Classico Almira Capital – Puerto Portals in just over a week’s time, back in Mallorca.

The Championship of 16 rounds are ran over 8 championship race weekends The action starts at Brands Hatch 6th to 7th April, followed by the local round at Donington Park on 27th and 28th April.

As usual the Championship will be part of the support racing to the KwikFit British Touring Car Championship and televised live on ITV4.

Side image and editorial courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

Seb Perez in action on last weekend’s Rally Sol de Ponet in Mallorca. Image Credit: Carlos Moya Foto Art

Posted in About Chesterfield

700 new homes planned for Chesterfield’s Staveley Works site

27th February 2019

A planning application has been submitted to build up to 700 new homes as part of a vibrant new community at Staveley in what is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the Chesterfield area.

As well as new two, three and four-bed housing, redevelopment of the 100-acre brownfield site, known as Staveley Works, will include a primary school, a marina on the Chesterfield canal, retail and community facilities, a cycle and footpath network, and new wildlife habitats.

Formerly an iron and steel works, the site will benefit from more than £100m of investment, which will link the communities of Brimington, Hollingwood, Staveley and Barrow Hill. The first homes are expected to be available in around five years time while redevelopment is scheduled to last around ten years in total. During the building and infrastructure work, the development is expected to create around 200 construction jobs. The completed development is expected to support around 800 jobs in the commercial, leisure and education sectors.

The plans have been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, part of the Chatsworth estate, which has owned the land since the 17th Century.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director: “Since closing as an industrial site, Chatsworth has been keen to put something back into the community by redeveloping Staveley Works in an attractive and creative way that provides modern housing, community facilities and jobs for people in the area.

“We held a public consultation in December and got a very positive reaction to our plans. We believe we’ve put forward imaginative ideas to redevelop the site. We can’t wait to get started.”

The planning application is the latest stage in a regeneration process that links with the overall aims of Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council to deliver new investment and infrastructure into the area.

The once-bustling Staveley Works site has been derelict for several years when its 200-year history of industrial development, including mining and iron and steel making, came to a close.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Plans submitted for offices at Chesterfield Waterside

27th February 2019

Chesterfield’s premier regeneration scheme, Chesterfield Waterside is set to take significant step forward in 2019.

A Reserved Matters planning application has been submitted for the construction of a six storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million development, in line with the planning permission granted in May 2017.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the office accommodation will begin later this year and will be the first building to be constructed in phase 1 of Basin Square.

In addition to the office accommodation, Basin Square also has outline consent for residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a public realm area and newly constructed canal basin.

The building will deliver circa 35,000 sq ft of much needed high quality, Grade ‘A’ office space to Chesterfield, and is the first step in creating a new business district for the town. The developers are in already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space contained within the new building.

The office planning application follows hot on the heels of an application in January by Avant Homes to construct 177 homes in The Park neighbourhood of the 16-hectare site.

Recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Chesterfield Waterside is being led by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

As a result of Waterside and Chesterfield Borough Council receiving a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant in 2016, extensive site remediation works have been completed to facilitate the delivery of the phase 1 Basin Square construction works.

Peter Swallow, managing director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “The submission of the planning application at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and will deliver the first spade in the ground for this new neighbourhood.

“I am delighted at the progress Chesterfield Waterside is making in 2019. There is great interest in Phase 1 of Basin Square from both investors and occupiers, which has been brought about by the enabling works and granting of consent for the heights and massing of the buildings. It is an exciting time in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the news, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “I am pleased that the Waterside development is progressing and the planning application for the office accommodation has now be made.

“The decision on the development will be made by my fellow councillors on the council’s planning committee in the coming months.”

Chesterfield residents have shown their support for the site. A survey last year found it is the development local people are most looking forward to seeing complete.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Mayor ‘on-board’ with cancer campaign

26th February 2019

There was a special ‘bus stop’ outside Chesterfield Town Hall when Chesterfield’s Mayor, Cllr Stuart Brittain, met project workers on a local town centre bus to promote the latest Be Cancer Safe initiative which is delivered by Derbyshire Voluntary Action.

The Mayor said “This is a great campaign which is close to my heart and as a Be Cancer Safe Champion I will be having conversations with family, friends and colleagues about these important messages”

Jacqui Willis who developed the project in North Derbyshire said: “We are delighted that the mayor is supporting our campaign and joins over 4000 other Be Cancer Safe champions across North Derbyshire. Through talking and sharing stories ‘champions’ are raising awareness and bringing home that, whilst anyone can be affected by cancer, treatment is likely to be more successful if diagnosed early.”

The overall aim is that everyone in North Derbyshire will know about the signs and symptoms of cancer and what screening is available to them.

If you’d like to know more about the project and become a cancer champion, please visit www.becancersafe-nd.org

Posted in About Chesterfield

Briefing sessions for potential local election candidates

26th February 2019

People considering standing as candidates in the forthcoming local elections on Thursday 2 May are invited to attend briefing sessions held by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The sessions for candidates who are planning to stand in elections to Chesterfield Borough Council, Brimington Parish Council or Staveley Town Council and their agents will be held as follows:

Thursday 7 March, 6pm at the Town Hall, Rose Hill
Tuesday 12 March, 6pm at the Town Hall, Rose Hill.
Tuesday 19 March, 6pm at the Speedwell Rooms, Staveley

The sessions are free to attend and are open to potential candidates and their agents.

Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s returning officer, said: “I will be leading the sessions which will focus on standing for election and the nomination process.

“Anyone who is planning to stand in the local elections or to act as a candidate’s agent is welcome to attend.”

Potential candidates should only attend one session.

For further information or to register interest in attending, contact Julie Briggs, Chesterfield Borough Council’s elections manager by emailing elections@chesterfield.gov.uk or calling (01246) 345806.

Posted in About Chesterfield