About Chesterfield

Visitors welcome to Chesterfield Museum’s open day

Visitors to Chesterfield Museum can join in a range of activities for the museum’s open weekend.

The popular attraction, owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council, hosts the event on Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Monday 28 August.

Activities on offer include:

  • Creative crafts for children each day from 10am to 4pm
  • Behind the scenes tours at 1pm and 2.30pm each day – tours are free but must be booked in advance, call (01246) 345727 to book
  • Meet George Stephenson each day at 10am – find out more about the North East’s railway pioneer who made his home in Chesterfield
  • A talk by the Derbyshire Records Office on Friday 25 August at 11am
  • Spire stories at noon and 1.45pm on Saturday 26 and Monday 28 August

The current exhibition features the history of St Mary and All Saints’ Church – the ‘Crooked Spire’.

The church will be offering hour long tours of the tower on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August at 2.30pm and Monday 28 August at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“We’re proud to welcome thousands of visitors to Chesterfield Museum each year. The open weekend gives people the chance to look round and find out more about this popular attraction.

“There are activities suitable for all ages so it is a great opportunity for families to enjoy themselves together this bank holiday weekend.”

Visitors

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield College A Level students succeed in new style exams

The first Chesterfield College students to complete the newly reformed A Level syllabus have collected their results today and there was plenty to celebrate.

There was an increase in the number of students gaining the highest grades of A*, A and B compared to last year which is significantly above the national increase. The overall pass rate was 91% and six subjects gained 100% pass rates.

Science enthusiast and A* student, Beth Shouk, age 18 from Holmewood, was delighted with her results gaining 3 A* and 1 A grades in her chemistry, biology, sociology and psychology exams. Beth has applied for a job as a junior chemist and hopes to study for university-level qualifications after a gap year.  She said:

“It feels amazing. All the effort I put in has amounted to something. I was nervous because of all the changes in A Levels and grade boundaries but I am so happy with my results. I can choose from so many universities with these grades.”

Cameron Ashby, age 19 from Chesterfield, was thrilled with his A* in English literature, B in English Language and C in Philosophy which secured him a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study creative writing.

Lauren Hill, age 18 from Eckington, is off to University of Sheffield to study English and History with an A, two Bs and a C. Her goal is to become a secondary school teacher and she says that studying A Levels at college was the best thing she did.

Aisling Wragg, aged 18 from Chesterfield, secured a place at University of Derby to do a nursing degree and hopes to become a mental health nurse in the future. She came to collect her results with her family today who were all keen to celebrate with her.

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group, said:-

“I would like to congratulate our A Level students who have received their results today. It is wonderful to see so many students with places at university or apprenticeship positions secured because of the hard work and commitment they have put into their studies so far. I wish everyone all the best for the future and I look forward to welcoming some students back in September to study in our University Centre.”

A Level

Posted in About Chesterfield

Just two weeks left for Chesterfield parents to claim extra free childcare

Working families are being reminded that they have just two weeks left to apply for extra free childcare.

All three and four year old children in the county are currently entitled to up to 15 hours free early education a week.

But from September working parents may qualify for double that amount − up to 30 hours a week − so they can work more hours if they want to.

Derbyshire County Council are now reminding parents who work to check if they qualify and to apply for the extra childcare before the upcoming deadline of 31 August 2017 by visiting Childcare Choices.

If families are eligible, children can take up a place from the start of the next full term after their child’s third birthday. Parents who want to take up the extra childcare from September must apply before 31 August 2017.

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People at Derbyshire County Council, said:

“This is very welcome extra funding from Government which will enable parents to work more hours if they want to while giving their children the opportunity to socialise and learn.

“I’d encourage all working parents with three to four year olds to visit the website as soon as they can and see if they qualify − the deadline to check if they’re eligible is coming up fast.

“We want local families to know what support is available to them and make sure they’re getting the help they are entitled to.”

Across Derbyshire it’s estimated that more than 8,200 children could benefit from the extra hours, saving working parents up to £2,280 a year.

Derbyshire County Council are working with schools, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders to encourage them to offer the extra free hours flexibly to meet the needs of working families.

To be eligible, families must meet the following criteria:

  • both parents must be working (or the sole parent in a single parent family)
  • each parent must earn on average at least £120 a week − equal to 16 hours at national minimum or living wage, including those on zero hour contracts
  • each parent does not earn more than £100,000 a year.

Families may still qualify where one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, adoption leave or statutory sick pay − or if one parent is working but the other is unable to work because of a disability or caring responsibilities.

Even if parents don’t qualify for the extra hours they will still be entitled to the universal 15 hours of free early education.

The extra hours are Government funded and eligibility is assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

childcare

Posted in About Chesterfield

Jobseeker claimant count continues to fall

Data recently released from the Office for National Statistics reveals that the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Chesterfield in July was 1,225 – down 20 from last months figure of 1,275 and the lowest figure recorded since February 2017.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of people in work nationally is at the highest level since records began in 1971.

The record figures have been driven by increases in the number of people in secure work – over 75% of the increase in employment over the past seven years has been in full-time work – according to the Department for Work and Pensions.

There are now 338,000 more people in work compared to this time last year, the Government said, with much of the increase attributed to “workers recruited to higher-skilled positions”.

Whilst the figure in Chesterfield is the lowest it has been for a number of months, it is still 100 claimants higher than the figure recorded for the same month the previous year. This mirrors the reversal of fortune for the East Midlands region that has seen a decline of employment.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“Local figures would seem to suggest that inflationary pressures, which had not previously significantly manifested themselves, are now beginning to be felt in the East Midlands.

“This morning’s figures have not come as any great surprise but they do suggest that more needs to be done to aid job creation in the East Midlands, to encourage the creation of sustainable businesses and to help regional employers manage inflationary pressures.”

claimant

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Boyband star with a passion for farming is announced as president for Chatsworth Country Fair

Former boyband star turned award-winning farmer, with a passion for educating children about the origins of their food has been announced as the president for this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair.

JB Gill (30) rose to fame as a member of one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS. They dominated the charts for five years, boasting five number-one singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and a multitude of awards.

Four years ago, JB set up a farm in the Kent countryside, where he lives with his wife, Chloe, and two-year-old son, Ace. Their smallholding successfully produces award-winning, KellyBronze turkeys and free-range Tamworth pork.

Now an established member of the farming community, JB has used his success within the entertainment industry to highlight his passion to educate children about the origins of their food and he is the lead presenter on CBeebies’ BAFTA-nominated television series, ‘Down On The Farm’ created for children aged 0–6 years, teaching them about life on a farm and outdoors. He also works closely with The Prince’s Countryside Fund, which seeks to celebrate and promote the value of family farms, rural affairs and the countryside to British society.

JB said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be named as president of the Chatsworth Country Fair 2017. The countryside is such an important part of our British society and I’m excited to represent, support and meet the many contributors and guests the fair will welcome over the weekend.

“I’ve always heard of the incredible beauty of Chatsworth Park and I was able to witness this incredible place whilst filming recently with BBC Songs Of Praise. Needless to say, I am overjoyed to have been asked to be Country Fair President 2017, joining the esteemed list of past presidents, who have all shared the same admiration that I have for this stunning countryside venue. My family and I are also looking forward to exploring the fair and getting stuck into everything it has to offer. It’s going to be an exciting weekend!”

In 2014, JB launched a diploma course at Sheffield College, ‘JB’s School of Entertainment Industries’, which teaches those enrolled a vast array of skills required to embark on a career in the entertainment industry.

He will be out and about exploring the country fair throughout the opening day (Friday 1 September).

As well as the thrilling line-up of Grand Ring entertainment, running from 10.45am to 6.30pm each day, the Chatsworth Country Fair also offers lots of shopping, fun and games for all the family, animal antics and much more. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and there’s even the chance to enter the family pooch into a dog show!

The three-day celebration of the countryside set in the beautiful Chatsworth parkland is offering a feast of family entertainment, from the whirlwind that is Dzhigitovka! – The Way of the Cossack Warrior, to what is set to be one of the last displays by the army’s world famous motorcycle display team The White Helmets.

boyband

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Derbyshire Connect services to be rolled out countywide

Community transport users will continue to receive life-line services as Derbyshire Connect buses are rolled out countywide.

Derbyshire County Council have pledged to continue supporting Dial-a-Bus (DAB)- style ‘shopping’ buses and aCTive Travel journeys to healthcare appointments.

These services are for people unable to use conventional transport because of mobility difficulties or because they live in areas − usually rural − where public transport is limited.

A new Derbyshire Connect service has been trialled in the Ashbourne and Wirksworth area since February. Contracts to operate the service across the county have now been awarded and will start in October − continuing to take people to supermarkets, shops, banks and medical appointments at hospitals, clinics, the doctors, dentists and opticians.

Councillor Trevor Ainsworth, Cabinet Support Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure at Derbyshire County Council, said:

“This is great news for community transport users. We are aware that there have been concerns among some passengers that their services were ending because funding was being withdrawn. This is not the case − funding is being provided in a different way.”

Councillor Ainsworth added:

“We know how important getting out and about is for people to retain their independence and we are clear on our commitment to continue to support the most vulnerable, particularly in rural and isolated communities, ensuring they have the same opportunities as they currently have, to travel to vital services.”

Funding for DAB and aCTive Travel services is currently provided by the council to the county’s six community transport schemes through grants.

Following a legal challenge, which makes it more difficult to provide funding in this way, the new Derbyshire Connect services will be run under contract.

Community Transport for Town and County (CT4TC), based in Chesterfield and Ripley, will run shopping buses in Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Erewash and North East Derbyshire.

And CDGi Training Limited − a specialist healthcare transport provider based in Eckington – will put on aCTive Travel services in Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

Like the current DAB and aCTive travel services, the new Derbyshire Connect services will still need to be booked but will continue to run door-to-door with passenger assistants on hand to provide extra assistance, where necessary.

Councillor Ainsworth said:

“These new Derbyshire Connect buses will offer better value for money − around £7 per passenger to run compared to an average £16.57 for the current service − and provide a more customer focused service. Gold Card holders will also be able to travel for free − currently they have to pay − and in the longer term we expect them to develop into more flexible services to meet the needs of a wider range of customers.”

Derbyshire Connect

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Cautious welcome given to Government’s plans for future trade with the EU

A Government paper outlining future customs arrangements with the EU has been given a cautious welcome by the biggest business-representation organisation in the Midlands.

East Midlands Chamber, the second-largest Chamber of Commerce in the country, said the plan offered greater clarity of Government intentions for the region’s exporters.

But it warned that the Government’ stance on future membership of the EU customs union did not mean the terms would be accepted by the other 27 members of the EU.

Countries inside the customs union don’t impose tariffs – taxes on imports – on each other’s goods and every country inside the union levies the same tariffs on imports from abroad.

Publishing the paper setting out proposals for a future customs relationship with the EU, David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, said the approach would “avoid a cliff-edge for businesses and individuals on both sides”.

He said:-

“The way we approach the movement of goods across our border will be a critical building block for our independent trade policy. An interim period would mean businesses only need to adjust once to the new regime and would allow for a smooth and orderly transition.

“The UK is the EU’s biggest trading partner so it is in the interest of both sides that we reach an agreement on our future relationship. The UK starts from a strong position and we are confident we can deliver a result that is good for business here in the UK and across the EU.”

Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:-

“Our proposals are ambitious, and rightly so. They set out arrangements that would allow UK businesses to continue to trade with their European partners in the future, while expanding their markets beyond the EU.”

Laura Howard, the Chamber’s Head of International Trade, said:-

“With the caveat that this is a negotiating position and therefore subject to agreement, I know that Chamber members will welcome attempts to retain frictionless trade between the UK and the EU that reduces bureaucracy and costs. Today’s announcement offers greater confidence for businesses trading with the EU.”

The Chamber processes export documentation for goods being sent to over 140 countries worldwide. In the six months to the end of June this year, the Chamber’s international team processed documents for £218,296,122 worth of commercial goods being shipped outside the EU. It also provides training to help businesses understand procedures, thereby saving time and money when trading with the EU.

eu

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Funds raised for Alzheimer’s Society on Ernie Moss Day

Valuable funds will be raised for the Alzheimer’s Society at Saturday’s game between Chesterfield and Port Vale when the Spireites stage a second ‘Ernie Moss Day’ to honour the legendary former striker, who is suffering from a form of dementia.

Ernie, who also played for Port Vale in a career which saw him score 245 goals in 749 league appearances, will be introduced to the crowd before kick-off and fans will be encouraged to applaud after eight minutes in recognition of his old shirt number.

Hospitality guests in the SBK Computers Spires Restaurant – including Ernie and members of his family – will be treated to a menu of Ernie’s favourite food while Brampton Brewery’s special ‘Ernie 8’ ale will be on sale on the day. The matchday programme will include a number of tributes to Ernie, together with a photo montage on the cover.

T-shirts featuring a ‘Badly Drawn Spires’ image of Ernie on the front and ‘8’ on the back will be available to buy from the Club Superstore, priced at £10. Fans will also be able to buy limited edition blue and white wristbands inscribed with ‘Ernie Moss Day 2017’, again sold in the Club Superstore, for a minimum donation of £1. Money raised from the sales, together with a collection on the day, will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Ashley Carson, Director & company secretary at Chesterfield Football Club, said:-

“Ernie’s goalscoring exploits have quite rightly made him one of the most popular players in the history of the club. Fans talk fondly of watching him in action and he is fully deserving of his legendary status.

“Dementia is a cruel disease and it is heartbreaking to see someone like Ernie suffer in this way. Our staff have received training to learn how to deal with people who are affected by dementia and we will do all that we can to help promote awareness of the disease and raise funds for charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society.”

Now 67, Ernie is Chesterfield’s record goalscorer, scoring a total of 191 goals over three spells with the club. He netted 23 times for Port Vale in 74 appearances.

After his playing career came to an end, he managed various non-league clubs including Gainsborough Trinity, Leek Town and Matlock Town.

Alzheimer’s Society

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

City region’s Growth Hub smashes business support targets

Figures released today show that in its first year the Growth Hub team at Sheffield City Region smashed its own targets for business support many times over.

By the end of April this year the Growth Hub – the region’s central point for all business support – and its spokes of specialist advisors had worked with 4122 businesses. The target was 500.

And the region’s businesses are pleased: the feedback is that they are getting ‘excellent’ support and the Growth Hub has been awarded a satisfaction rating of 89% across the three different levels of help – light, medium and high.

The bulk of inquiries over the year have been about help to grow businesses and finance, while help with skills training, starting a new business, and innovation were roughly equally in demand.

David Grimes, Head of the Growth Hub, said:-

“This is a very pleasing set of figures. The Growth Hub and its partners have been working extremely hard to help create growth and jobs across the region, and I am delighted that so many people have taken advantage of our services.

“This demonstrates that there is a huge appetite for businesses to grow and create jobs and prosperity across the region.

“Enterprise has always been at the heart of what we do in this region. It’s a tribute to the hard work ethos here which is helping to attract, retain and develop skills in the region which are so important for sustainable growth.”

growth hub

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

‘Find Your 10 Minutes’ with the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge this September

Throughout September the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge will be encouraging workplaces across the county to kick-start their autumn by getting active.

The summer break can be a time when good habits slip, and so the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge will be supporting people to get back into activity with its new campaign ‘Find Your 10 Minutes’.

Public Health England recommend that adults should aim for 10 minute (or more) bouts of activity to help build up to the overall goal of 150 minutes each week.

September is a month to make the most of the last of the year’s better weather, and so we are encouraging people to get up and about before, during and after work – wherever they can find ten minutes throughout the day.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, which runs the challenge, said:-

“For many people, finding the time to be active can seem difficult. But building ten-minute blocks of activity into their day, whenever they can, can start to build up and really make a difference -whether it be a ten-minute walk to work, a lunch time jog or swim or a quick bike ride after work.”

The challenge will work in much the same way as previous challenges, with participants logging activity to earn points and work their way up the leaderboard – with a host of prizes on offer. Various activities can be logged to gain points, including walking (10 minutes = 35 points), cycling (10 minutes = 80 points) and gardening (10 minutes = 20 points).

Participants are also encouraged to share their photos of how they are getting active by using the hashtag #FindYour10Mins

New participants can sign up for the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge for free by visiting www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire

The ‘Find Your 10 Minutes’ challenge will run from Friday, September 1 to Saturday, September 30, with a number of prizes on offer throughout. All participants need to do to be in with a chance of winning is log their activity a minimum of three times during the month.

Derbyshire Workplace Challenge

Posted in About Chesterfield

Heritage Lottery Fund Chairman to lead Barrow Hill Roundhouse re-launch celebrations

Sir Peter Luff, Chairman to the Board of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund will visit Barrow Hill Roundhouse on Thursday 21st September 2017 to view the comprehensive National Lottery-funded restoration and officially open the new entrance building at the unique Midland Railway roundhouse.

The celebrations to mark the completion of the £1.2 million restoration, made possible by National Lottery players, will continue as the Grand Reopening Gala commences on Friday 22nd September, continuing on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September. 

The gala will star two icons of steam, the National Railway Museum’s A3 60103 “Flying Scotsman” and A1 60163 “Tornado”.  This will be the first visit to the Roundhouse by “Flying Scotsman” since a Barrow Hill Roundhouse Open Day in 1974.

It will also be the first opportunity for many to get up close to the locomotive alongside her sister East Coast racehorse, the 100mph “Tornado” – recently the subject of a BBC4 documentary – against the unique and authentic backdrop of the Roundhouse.

Tickets are now also on sale for “Down the Line”, a professionally produced play commissioned as part of the celebratory events to mark the reopening of Barrow Hill Roundhouse and supported by The Arts Council.

The show will involve a cast of professional actors and hundreds of local people, including a community choir and Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Brass Band.  The audience will be an integral part of the play as they follow the drama in and around the Roundhouse building. The Roundhouse team is delighted to announce that the play will include a guest appearance by “Flying Scotsman”.

Mervyn Allcock, General Manager of Barrow Hill Roundhouse, said:-

“We are very honoured that Sir Peter Luff has agreed to open the new extension building and lead our celebrations.   We are looking forward to welcoming him to our unique Roundhouse and showing much we appreciate the financial assistance the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us.”

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:-

“As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the evocative story of the UK’s dazzling railway heritage. There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings and locomotives that survive from that time, and that combination is what makes this place so special. That’s why I’m really excited to open the new extension, and see the finished restoration, all made possible thanks to National Lottery players.”

barrow hill

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting