The organisers of Chesterfield’s community poppy cascade are looking for volunteers to prepare the spectacle which will be on display this autumn.

People from Chesterfield and north Derbyshire – including ex pats from across the world – have smashed the original target to produce 15,000 knitted, crocheted or felt poppies to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War with more than 40,000 produced.

Now, the organisers are asking for people to come forward to help attach these poppies to nets to cascade from buildings in Chesterfield. These will include Chesterfield Town Hall, which will provide a fitting backdrop to the remembrance services held at the war memorial on Rose Hill on Sunday 11 November.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have taken the time and effort to produce these poppies to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

“People have been extremely generous and we hope people will come forward to make sure we are able to display poppies across Chesterfield to mark this special anniversary.”

Sessions will take place from Tuesday 18 September to Friday 26 October 2018 in the Drill Hall of Wallis Barracks, Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield.

People can volunteer on the following days and times:

• Mondays, 10am to 2pm (four hours)
• Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm (four hours)
• Thursdays, 10am to 2pm (four hours)
• Fridays, 10am to noon (two hours).

They are looking for 20 volunteers per session who, for security reasons, must book a place to allow them access to the Wallis Barracks.

To book for a session please email Rob Nash, the project lead, by email nash364@outlook.com. He will confirm your booking and provide additional details of the work.

Members of Chesterfield Bowling Club have raised vital funds for the Mayor’s Appeal thanks to the annual charitable Mayor’s Cup Competition held at the historic bowling green on Beetwell Street on Wednesday 22 August 2018.

Bowling club president Bob Meakin presented a cheque for £350 to the Mayor of Chesterfield, Cllr Stuart Brittain, who also competed in the fund-raising competition. The Mayor’s Appeal this year is supporting two local charity projects:- Chesterfield Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and Ashgate Hospicecare’s Sponsor a Nurse.

For the second year running, the winner of the prestigious Mayor’s Charity Cup was bowling club member, Geoff Mitchell. The cup was originally presented to Chesterfield Bowling Club by a former Mayor of Chesterfield, W B Taylor, in 1944, and has been competed for ever since over the last 74 years.

Chesterfield Bowling Club President Bob Meakin, Mayor of Chesterfield Cllr Stuart Brittain, cup competition winner Geoff Mitchell.

Billy Godleman has committed his future to Derbyshire by signing a three-year contract extension to keep him at the Club until the end of the 2021 season.

The 29-year-old joined Derbyshire in 2013 and has been Club Captain since 2016, leading the county in both first-class and List A cricket.

Godleman has played 67 first-class matches for Derbyshire, scoring 3,882 runs at an average of 33.17, with 11 centuries and a top-score of 204.

In total, the opener has scored 7,329 runs in 136 first-class matches at an average 31.72.

Godleman has also been a consistent performer in white ball cricket for Derbyshire. The left-hander has hit 1,684 List A runs at an average of 48.11 and a top-score of 137 achieved in May this year.

He has also scored 782 Twenty20 runs for Derbyshire, including a top-score of 77, also recorded this year.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey, said: “We’re delighted that Billy has committed his long-term future to the Club.

“As Club Captain, he plays an integral part in our cricket strategy both on and off the field moving forward.

“He has shown for many years that he can perform consistently across all formats and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.”

Godleman added: “I really enjoy playing cricket for Derbyshire and it’s an honour to be Club Captain.

“We have a great group of guys here in the dressing room and behind the scenes who are all passionate about Derbyshire, and I couldn’t be happier to commit my future to the Club.

“We have a core group of experienced players and some very talented youngsters. We need to continue to encourage the development of our young guys, these will be the backbone of the Club in years to come.

“Together, we must now build on the progress shown over the last couple of years, continue to improve and compete for major honours.

“All the players are grateful for the support we receive from Members, supporters, sponsors and the local community, and we hope we can reward them in the years to come.”

Pictures by David Griffin

Students in Derbyshire have done themselves and the county proud by doing well in their GCSEs. Just over 7,000 students across the county’s 45 secondary schools received their results yesterday.

The traditional A* to G grades have been replaced with a nine to one system, with nine being the highest mark. A seven is equivalent to an A under the old system and a four is equivalent to a C.

Provisional results show that 75% of Year 11 students in Derbyshire achieved grades 4 to 9 in English and 59% achieved grades 5 to 9. In maths, 70% of Year 11 students achieved grades 4 to 9 and 50% achieved grades 5 to 9.

Councillor Alex Dale,Cabinet Member for Young People said:

“We’re delighted that early indications show our GCSE students have done really well in their exams and I want to congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication.”

“I’d also like to say a big thank you to heads, teachers, staff, governors, parents and our school improvement service for supporting our young people through this important time in their lives.”

“We wish all students the very best of luck as they make the next step in their career.”

Further education or training options open to Year 11 students are:

• full-time education such as sixth form, college or work-based learning
• an apprenticeship
• part-time education or training if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week

Councillor Dale added:

“Whatever results students may have received it’s important they know what options are open to them as they stay on in education or training.

“Even if students don’t do as well as expected in their GCSEs, schools can put them in touch with advisers who can go through all the options open to them. These include a wide range of vocational qualifications and apprenticeships which will be showcased at our Derbyshire Skills Festival.”

The Derbyshire County Council Skills Festival is Derbyshire’s largest careers event for young people and is aimed at students aged 13 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school. This year’s Chesterfield event will be held at:

• Proact Stadium, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 8NZ on Wednesday 26 September 2018

Lots of training providers, larger employers and community adult education services will be on hand to talk to young people. They will also be invited to take part in a range of have-a-go activities.

Click here for more information on the Derbyshire skills Festival.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has signed the Armed Forces Covenant pledging support for current and future employees who are members of the military community.

The event took place on 14 August at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital when the Trust Chief Executive, Simon Morritt, signed the Covenant; Colonel Adam Fraser-Hitchin, Deputy Commander (Reserves) from the Army’s HQ 7th Infantry Brigade sign the Covenant on behalf of Defence.

In signing the Covenant, the Trust commits to support the Armed Forces community, recognising the value that Serving personnel, regular and reserve, veterans and military families contribute to society. The Covenant aims to make sure that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect and face no disadvantage.

Two members of staff who used to work for the Armed Service represented the Trust. Jennifer Clarke is an HR Advisor, she served in the Army and was a Warrant Officer Class One, Regimental Sergeant Major. Meanwhile Mike Haywood served as a Corporal Class One in the Royal Military Police, serving in Germany and Ireland amongst other countries. He is now the Trust’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, showing skills gained in service can be transferred to the NHS.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital employs a number of former Service people and reservists; the Trust understands the range of transferable skills these individuals can bring to the NHS. Chief Executive Simon Morritt from the Trust explained: “We’re delighted to have a number of colleagues who have previously served in one way or another and it represents the diversity of both the armed forces and the NHS in terms of the variety of careers and the desire to serve the public. I hope that, by signing this covenant in the presence of some of those colleagues, that we have cemented our commitment to them and underlined our relationship with the armed forces and those who join our ranks in the future.”

John Wilson, the Ministry of Defence’s Regional Employer Engagement Director in the East Midlands helped to organise the signing. He said: “I am delighted that the Trust has signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Through their military training, reservists, and former regular members of the Armed Forces develop a wide range of skills and attributes that are beneficial in a modern working environment; the Chief Executive of this Trust understands this and that a relationship with Defence will be mutually beneficial.”

To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk

Mike Haywood, Col Adam Fraser-Hitchen, Jennifer Clarke, Simon Morritt and John Wilson