About Chesterfield

Help Chesterfield Borough Council plan the future of Chesterfield’s open spaces

16th April 2018

A public consultation is being held to get the views of residents about Chesterfield’s open spaces, ranging from parks to canal towpaths.

Chesterfield Borough Council is asking what people think of the area’s open spaces now so it can plan to ensure there is a good mix of different open space sites across the borough that meet the current and future needs of local residents.

The consultation begins on Monday 16 April and closes at 5pm on Friday 1 June. Further details, including the consultation survey, can be found at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/openspaces

A separate version of the survey has also been produced to get the views of young people.

The survey is looking at most types of open spaces apart from sports pitches and facilities. This includes:

Local parks or gardens
Country parks
Nature reserves, commons or woodlands
Play areas for young children
Play areas for teenage children
Grassed areas
Allotments and community schemes
Public space areas within cemeteries and churchyards
Civic spaces and war memorial gardens
Cycle paths, footpaths and bridleways

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:-

“We know open spaces are some of the most important facilities for residents because they are spaces to meet, exercise and have fun.

“Some are run by us but others are managed by our partners, like Derbyshire County Council, town and parish councils and voluntary sector organisations.

“This consultation is important because to plan for the future we first need to know who is using open spaces now, how often they are used, what people think about them, how far they travel to use them and what activities they are being used for.

“We then want to get the views of local people about what would improve those open spaces in the future and to find out whether we have the right type and quality near enough to where people live for them to be used regularly in the future.”

The information gained from the consultation will help develop the borough’s next Local Plan. This guides future development needs and is also used when assessing planning applications.

Councillor Terry Gilby, cabinet member for economic growth, said:-

“The Government asks all local planning authorities to carry out studies which identify the right level of accessible, open spaces to meet the needs of local communities, residents and visitors.

“I would encourage all residents in the Chesterfield borough to take part to ensure that we have the most accurate information to base future plans on.”

Paper copies of the survey will be available in Chesterfield Borough Council’s Customer Service Centre in New Square, at the Queen’s Park Sports Centre, the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley and Chesterfield Library.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Volunteer Centre Chesterfield looking for public vote to win £40,000 of national lottery funding

16th April 2018

A local community group in Chesterfield is calling for the public to vote to help them secure £40,000 of National Lottery funding as part of this year’s People’s Projects.

The Safe & Sound Project, which is based within The Volunteer Centre in Chesterfield and which provides emergency care to elderly and vulnerable adults, is one of five groups in The Calendar South ITV region in the running for a share of up to £150,000 of funding.

Now in its 13th year, the Big Lottery Fund, ITV and The National Lottery are teaming up to give the public a chance to decide how National Lottery funding should be put to good use in their local area.

Designed to celebrate some of the incredible projects the Big Lottery Fund has supported over the past year, 95 community-based schemes are now shortlisted across the UK. In each region, the three with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £50,000. This will help them to continue their work to improve local people’s lives. The entire amount up for grabs across the UK is a life-changing £3 million.

On Thursday April 19th on ITV, The Volunteer Centre in Chesterfield will showcase its Safe & Sound project, on ITV Calendar South regional news at 6pm. To be in with a chance of winning, The Volunteer Centre is calling on viewers to support its bid. Voting opens at 9am on Monday 16 April here.

If successful, The Volunteer Centre will use the grant to expand the current project by recruiting more volunteers giving them greater capacity to tackle as wider range of tasks as possible.

Dave Radford, Manager of The Volunteer Centre, said:-

“This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and support for our work and, with your help, to secure further much-needed funding. We urge local people to get behind us. If successful, our project will make a real difference to our local community by allowing us to recruit and support more volunteers and offer much needed support to those in most need.”

Joe Ferns, UK Funding Director of the Big Lottery Fund, said:-

“As the largest funder of community activity in the UK, we are proud to support grassroots groups that are using the vision, determination and drive of local people to strengthen communities. The People’s Projects showcases the best of these and is a chance for you to have your say on how National Lottery funding can benefit your local community.”

Since 2005, around £39 million has been awarded through the Big Lottery Fund, National Lottery and ITV/STV partnership to 865 Good Causes across the UK.

Voting closes at midday on Monday 30 April 2018. People can vote once per region and will need an email address to vote.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Champion UKATA awarded certificate of commendation

16th April 2018

Chesterfield Champion UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), has been awarded a certificate of commendation for the Campaign of the Year, at the Safety and Health Excellence Awards on 11 April at VOX, Resorts World, Birmingham.

Hosted by Rory Bremner, the event saw UKATA join more than 400 of the UK’s leading specialists for an evening of networking that celebrates excellence in all things health and safety.

Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe Campaign, delivered thousands of hours of free asbestos training to small business and sole traders nationwide. With asbestos still the biggest killer in the UK workplace, the campaign was conceived to offer free asbestos training to those who need it most yet are least likely to be aware of the dangers.

Victoria Castelluccio, Events & Marketing Manager at UKATA, said:-

“Our campaign to spread awareness of and combat the risk of asbestos in the Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe Campaign was given recognition for the significant improvement in health and safety intended. On a personal level, collecting the award on behalf of UKATA was a true honour, to receive official praise (outside of the organisation) for a campaign that I have been responsible for organising and managing, means a lot.”

The awards were judged by a vastly experienced panel comprising many years’ experience in health and safety including the chief executive of NEBOSH Teresa Budworth, Neal Stone – former policy and standards director of the British Safety Council and Colin Webb advisor to Oxford University.

UKATA was up against Jaguar Land Rover and Edinburgh Airport to name but a few of the competition.

UKATA is the leading authority for asbestos training provision in the United Kingdom. Tasked by the HSE in 2008 to manage the licensed asbestos training providers, UKATA has gone from strength to strength and now has over 180 member organisations from all corners of the UK. For further information visit.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Another 100 apprenticeships on offer at Derbyshire County Council

12th April 2018

Derbyshire County Council are offering apprenticeships for more than 100 young people.

The apprenticeships are in 12 different occupations, based across the county, and are in catering, ICT, mechanics, civil engineering technician, health and social care, customer service, electrical, business administration, pipe fitting, vehicle body repair, planning technician and transport strategy.

Councillor Angelique Foster, Cabinet Member for Council Services, said:-

“Creating opportunities for young people is a key aim for the council and I’m delighted that we are advertising another 100 apprenticeships.

“These apprentices will join 140 who started with the council since May 2017.

“Apprenticeships are a great way for a young person to get a start on the career ladder and I’m delighted that we have so many opportunities available.

“With an apprenticeship you can earn while you learn, receive on-the-job training and gain a qualification that employers really value.”

Derbyshire County Council will accept applications from anyone aged over 16, either school leavers or those looking to train in something new.

Chesterfield is the first town in the UK to declare itself an Apprentice Town – demonstrating its commitment to growing the future and careers of young people alongside business and the economy by retaining and developing young talent in the town in order to attract more employers to invest here.

The closing date for applications is 29 April. To find out more visit Derbyshire.gov.uk/apprenticeships

Derbyshire County Council are offering apprenticeships

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town

Ashgate Hospicecare commission new car park thanks to support from Derbyshire Contracting Services Ltd

11th April 2018

Late last month, Ashgate Hospicecare officially opened their new car park thanks to the support of Derbyshire Contracting Services Ltd.

The car park, which has created an additional 22 spaces, will now enable patients and their families to have accessible parking day or night. A turning circle has also been added which will decrease congestion and ensure patients who need hospice care receive it quicker.

Matt Corbishley, Director of HR and Support Services at Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“As the number of people needing hospice care has increased, the ability to park has become more difficult. It is important that patients who need our care receive it straight away and that our patient’s visitors can continue to visit their loved ones at any time, day or night.

“Without the support of Derbyshire Contracting Services the extension simply would not have been possible, thank you to Mark and his team for their wonderful support.”

Lucy Piekarski, from Chesterfield in North Derbyshire, highlights how important the hospice was to her and her family after her dad, Tony Piekarski received care on Ashgate Hospicecare’s Inpatient Unit. She said:-

“Our family were able to rebuild many of the bonds that were strained over the years by the stresses of care-giving.

“When he came into the Inpatient Unit, we were able to spend valuable time together as a family. I was able to be a daughter again and my dad was able to be a dad.”

Mark Gregory, Director at Derbyshire Contracting Services, added:-

“We are really proud to have supported Ashgate Hospicecare in making a difference to local people, it has been a pleasure.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

New £1.2 million purpose built storage facility to open in Chesterfield

11th April 2018

J & R Self Storage will celebrate the grand opening of their newest facility in Chesterfield on Friday 20 April.

The £1.2 million purpose-built facility will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Chesterfield Borough, Maureen Davenport. More than 75 guests are expected to attend the opening including local businesses and members of the community.

The public are invited to join them between 11am to 4pm and enjoy complimentary buffet and celebratory drinks and take a tour of the facility.

Boasting over 200 storage units of varying sizes and a state-of-the-art security system with 24-hour CCTV, intruder alarms and unique PIN code entry access.

Chris Dell, Managing Director and Owner of J & R Self Storage, said that he hoped Chesterfield could make use of the extra ‘space.’ He continues:-

“I don’t think there is ever a time when we don’t find ourselves wishing for an extra room in the house! Almost 50% of Brits don’t think they have enough space for their worldly possessions – and that’s where we can help.”

“Whether it’s a place to hide that golfing equipment you don’t want your wife to find out about, a place to store the drum-kit you never want to see again but don’t want to sell or somewhere for the sentimental bric-a-brac.

“We have rooms ranging in size, whether you need something long or short term – consider us an extra room in your home. Every room is clean, dry and individually secured. You are the only key holder so you are able to come and go as you please.

“We provide temporary and permanent storage solutions for personal household items for when you’re de-cluttering.

Mr Dell said the facility was a total business storage solution ideal for small, medium or large organisations for archiving, bulky equipment, stock and secure destruction.

“The team and I are very excited to be part of the Chesterfield business community and we look forward to working with you in the future,” said Mr Dell.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Town knitted together by Poppy tribute

10th April 2018

A work of art to commemorate Chesterfield servicepersons killed in World War One has been unveiled at the Crooked Spire.

Chesterfield Parish Church has partnered with the Chesterfield branch of the Royal British Legion to commemorate the 1,574 soldiers who fell in the 1914 -18 conflict.

To mark the centenary of the end of the war, local volunteers from across the community have knitted an individual poppy for each serviceperson from the town who gave their life. The 1,574 poppies have now been pieced together to create a magnificent handcrafted installation, hanging in the medieval church.

The cascade of flowers was formally blessed and opened by Revd Patrick Coleman, vicar of Chesterfield, on Saturday with Councillor Maureen Davenport, mayor of Chesterfield, in attendance.

Revd Patrick Coleman, speaking at the opening ceremony said:-

“This display is a important remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice made by over 1,500 people from this town- around one in seventy of the local population at the time.

“It also gives us today the opportunity to pledge to redouble our resolve to pray and work for peace, so that this disastrous loss of life isn’t repeated.

“I thank all the volunteers – aged from 18 months to over 90 – for creating this poignant piece of art.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

Anastacia set to join Lionel Richie at the Proact

10th April 2018

Anastacia will join Lionel Richie when he performs at the Proact on Thursday, June 21.

Special guest Anastacia will join the ‘All The Hits’ tour in Northampton, Perth, Lincoln, Shrewsbury and Chesterfield – making it the perfect opportunity to see her present her electric pop music live.

Anastacia burst onto the global music scene with her debut ‘Not That Kind’ and has since gone onto massive world renowned success achieving over 20 million worldwide sales, making her one of the fastest and biggest selling artists of the new millennium.

With over a dozen Top 40 entries to her name, spurred on by multi-platinum, global hits ‘I’m Outta Love’ and ‘Left Outside Alone’ and major hits ‘Sick and Tired.’ Anastacia has achieved number one hits in 19 countries, a shower of gold and platinum awards, more than 100 million YouTube views, three BRIT Award nominations and more.

These will be Lionel’s first UK shows since receiving glittering reviews for the ‘All The Hits’ tour which included three nights at London’s The O2. The dates followed a phenomenal Glastonbury performance which drew the biggest crowd of the weekend as over 200,000 people flocked to the Pyramid Stage.

Lionel’s incredible success continued as his album ‘The Definitive Collection’ topped the charts and provided his first UK Number 1 in 23 years.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Proact to stage FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final

9th April 2018

The FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final will be staged at the Proact Stadium on Sunday, April 29.

Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, second and fifth respectively in the Northern Division, will battle it out for supremacy.

Carol West, Chairman of the FA Women’s Premier League, said:-

“The Proact Stadium is a fitting platform for our showcase Cup Final.

“The FA Women’s Premier League Cup is an institution in its own right and I know that both Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City will more than do it justice on the day.

“Both clubs are worthy finalists after very hard-fought campaigns and I’m sure both will be determined to lift the Cup and have their name etched into this competition’s long and distinguished history.”

Gemma Donnelly, Blackburn manager, said:-

“This is the first senior league cup final that Blackburn Rovers have reached in the history of the ladies’ team.

“We are both extremely proud and excited to be involved in this competition. We look forward to the occasion and will enjoy the experience.”

Jonathan Morgan, Leicester boss, added:-

“To reach our first ever national final is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club.

“Players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and all our supporters should be proud of this milestone for Leicester City Women and should know that they have all played a big part in getting the team this far.

“We are thoroughly looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

The Proact is celebrating also being chosen as host of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament in May. Chesterfield will host the opening game, 2 groups games, a quarter final and a semi final match.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield Pride returns for fourth year

9th April 2018

Chesterfield Pride returns to Chesterfield on July 22^nd to a new location at Stand Road Park.

This year marks the fourth anniversary of the event and it is growing from strength to strength. Last year over 4500 people attended the event and this year is set to be even bigger.

This year sees a star-studded line up of acts including MOBO award winning Big Brovas, who will be performing their hits “Nu Flow”, “Favourite Things”, and “Baby Boy”.

Also headlining the event are 00’s pop star Lolly (who had 5 top 20 hits) and International dance act Booty Luv. Joining them are a mix of X Factor stars, Pride favourites and local performers.

Dan Walker, Organiser of Chesterfield Pride, said:-

“We are really proud how far the event has come and how well it has been received. The event has a real buzz about it and it continues to grow. Everyone is welcome.”

At the event there will be food outlets, a licensed bar, children’s area and market stalls. The event will be donation only and VIP passes are also available on the day. For more information about the free event click here.

Chesterfield recently celebrated the LGBT+ community with an exhibition at the museum between February and April. The Other Stories exhibit was held in partnership with Derbyshire LGBT+, exploring the personal stories and social history of the LGBT+ community in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Brands Hatch Start for Perez in Porsche

4th April 2018

18 year old Chesterfield motor racing ace Seb Perez is in gear for his first race of the season this weekend at Brands Hatch (7-8 April) in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

It will be the first outing in the championship for Perez with Team Parker Racing and his 21 year old teammate Nottinghamshire’s George Gamble in the £130,000 Amigos livered and sponsored second generation Porsche Type 991 911 GT3 cars that look absolutely stunning.

Over the past few weeks Perez has been busy testing the car at Silverstone and at local circuit Donington Park and pleased the way things have gone bearing in mind being a rookie to the car.

The first test session at Silverstone was the official media launch for the drivers and their cars and saw heavy rain conditions most of the day with very little track action during the first test session. Rains eased and saw both Perez and Gamble out still on damp tarmac in the second session of the day and both in the top 5 places and topping speeds of over 135 mph over the 1.64 mile circuit.

The later test session saw Perez complete 21 laps of the circuit and by the end of the day both drivers were in the top 10 placing of testing.

Similar weather faced them at Donington Park just over 2 weeks ago and saw Perez 3rd fastest over the 1.97 mile test with Gamble taking fastest at one stage and gain finishing in the top 10 places. Gamble finishing 4th and Perez 8th.

Both drivers have tested in Monza Italy recently, one of the circuits on the calendar later in the season

The new car and championship will be a challenge for Perez, the car is bigger and more powerful and an even more demanding championship lies ahead.

The championship has a lot to offer past Porsche Carrera Cup GB champions have progressed to such as driving for teams in the British Touring Car Championship.

For the past three seasons Perez has raced in Ginetta cars, last season saw Perez in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Championship where he finished tenth overhaul. During 2015 and 2016 he competed in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship, finishing 10th place, taking his maiden pole position, a fastest race lap and four podiums, a first and three third places.

Perez said at the end of last season “My last three seasons with Ginetta, have been fantastic. Last year was a super tough season but of course all part of the learning process,”

A winning combination is hoped, George Gamble from Southwell Nottinghamshire is no newcomer to Perez they were teammates last season as well that saw him finish third in the Ginetta standings and was a GT5 Champion back in 2014.

Team Parker Racing have been in motorsport for many years now, they have an incredibly experienced team with lots of years in Porsche cars under their belt this should help both drivers during their first season, they are doing a great job with the cars and drivers.

Motorsport is no stranger to the Perez family, he is son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion and Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez, Chairman of Chesterfield based drinks brand development business Global Brands Ltd and owner of Amigos Tequila Flavoured Beer and Kick Energy Drink Brands.

Seb has competed in many motorsports including rallying, at the wheel of a Nissan Micra rally car in the Kick Energy Junior 1000 Rally Championship. Recently over the past few weeks has been rallying in a Mk2 Ford Escort on the Rally Clásico Isla de Mallorca where he took a podium place finishing third and Father Steve piped him at the post to take second in his epic Lancia Stratos rally car

When asked about his racing career to date Perez said

“The Ginetta GT4 Supercup was a great progression from the Juniors as it offered a similar weight distribution but obviously the power increase and the slick tyres were what made the jump significant, enabling me to learn about handling additional power and getting the most out of the tyres in a qualifying run.”

He added “Porsche Carrera Cup GB offers a fantastic playing field for drivers to progress throughout their career and has turned out some of the best. I feel it is important to always progress within your career, and we all felt like Porsche was the next logical step as I also have age on my side!”

When asked about his new car he said ” The Porsche is a unique car to drive with near enough all the weight over the rear, where on paper the Ginetta is a lot more of a balanced car. The speed difference is something that just comes with time and getting the power in at the right time, but the handling aspects of the car are something more unique. You almost drive the car as if you are in the wet. Stop it, turn it, go. As it won’t carry the corner speed like the Ginetta so to extract the time out of the car over a lap is going to be interesting.”

He added “ I am in the Pro-Am class of the series, as I can have a true season of learning but still get some trophies on the way. My main goal will be to win Pro-Am class.”

The Championship is ran over 8 race weekends and is a support to the ever popular Dunlop British Touring Car Championship. After the action this weekend, its followed by the local round at Donington Park on 28th and 29th April.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business