About Chesterfield

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood to cook up a storm at Chatsworth Country Fair

18th July 2016

The opportunity to see The Great British Bake Off judges, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, create their favourite dishes in a series of live cookery demonstrations is just one of the fantastic treats in store for visitors to Chatsworth Country Fair this September 2, 3 and 4.

TV presenter and baker Paul Hollywood will be appearing for the first time at the fair. Paul is widely known for being a judge on The Great British Bake Off alongside Mary Berry and specialises in artisan baking. He will be cooking up some treats for the Derbyshire crowd on Friday 2 September.

Queen of baking and favourite of the fair, Mary Berry OBE returns for a fourth year and will be performing cookery demonstrations on Saturday 3 September using recipes from her upcoming book.

With the hottest chefs from across the region packing out a full timetable each day, the Cookery Theatre is sure to be a highlight for visitors. Also cooking up some treats in the tent will be Matt Gabbitas of Masa, Derby’s Restaurant of the Year 2015; Jon Hardy, winner of Derbyshire Life Chef of the Year 2015-2016; and Tom Lawson, co-owner of Rafters restaurant in Sheffield which is featured in the Michelin Guide.

Around the showground, there will be plenty of wonderful shopping opportunities, alongside returning favourites such as the Olde Tyne Fairground, The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the vintage car parade and the incredible Red Arrows, who will be taking to the skies on the Friday and Sunday of the fair.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield athletes encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Rio stars

15th July 2016

High-performing athletes ambitious to match the achievements of Olympians Adam Peaty, Liam Pitchford, Mollie Renshaw and Paralympian Lewis White are invited to apply for Derbyshire’s ICON bursary programme, now open for 2016-17 applications.

Chesterfield ABC boxer Jade Ashmore, who won a silver medal at the British Championships in June and is now ranked second in Britain in the 51kg category, was on the ICON programme in 2015-16.

The 18-year-old, from Heath, North East Derbyshire, said:-

“The support that I have received from ICON this past year has helped me cover travel costs to and from squad and attending competitions all around Europe also kit expenses so I could get the training done.

“Not only did ICON help me financially, they also gave me access to a local leisure centre where I can carry on progressing and getting that step closer to achieving my goals of competing at the Olympics and being known as a world-class boxer.”

There were 127 athletes awarded bursaries totalling £23,150 on the 2015-16 ICON programme, run by Derbyshire Sport.

That was made possible by the contributions of all 10 Derbyshire local authorities, including Chesterfield Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Bolsover District Council, plus a number of business members from across the county.

Go to www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/icon-applications to find out more about the funding.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield community set to cycle for Ashgate Hospicecare

14th July 2016

200 people are set to take part in the Heroica Hospice Ride for Ashgate Hospicecare on July 17.

The route, which is set to start from Ashgate Hospicecare and wind through the Peak District, will involve a 25 mile, 50 mile and a new 100 mile option. With the support of their main event sponsor, The Manor at Brampton, the hospice is pulling out all the stops to try break last year’s record of 138 cyclists taking part.

Charlotte Gratton, Events Fundraiser at Ashgate Hopsicecare, says:-

“It’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm within the local community for this year’s Heroica Hospice Ride. We hope everyone taking part has a brilliant time, all whilst raising money for patients and their families in North Derbyshire.”

All cyclists will be able to have full access to feed stations, back up vehicles, a photographer, a goody bag and the mini festival finish where your friends and family can come and enjoy live music, food, drinks, games and welcome you back over the finish line.

Cyclists will be able to enter on the day for all three ride options at Ashgate Hospicecare. Entry for the event is £35 and the money raised will go towards people in North Derbyshire who are in need of Ashgate Hospicecare.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

£13 million to help jobseekers and boost economy

14th July 2016

A £13 million funding package to help the long term-unemployed, young workers, those looking to progress in their career and to boost the economy is now available, via the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership which promotes economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The substantial funding is available through four programmes; which project organisers can bid for to tackle a range of issues relating to business growth by providing training and skills, helping the long term unemployed to find work, and aiding young people termed NEETs (not in education, employment or training).

The programmes that are being funded include:

EMPLOY Local that will focus on help those unemployed for a long period of time; by helping them access additional support and gain basic work skills, to assist them in competing for jobs.

CAREERS Local which looks at helping young people aged 15 to 25 – particularly those termed as NEETs, or who are at risk of becoming NEET – to participate in the jobs market and in further learning. This is done providing them with information, and giving advice and guidance to increase the number of young people in employment, education and training.

The Youth Engagement Initiative that is about increasing employed people’s skills levels to help them progression their careers, and increase the number of people with technical and job specific skills. It will also address the basic skills needs of employed people – particularly in small and medium sized (SME) enterprises and micro-businesses – to help people go on to higher and advanced level apprenticeships, to support business growth.

SKILLS Local which will look to support business growth across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by providing training and skills which will benefit the existing workforce.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said:-

“The aspiration is to support D2N2’s employment and growth needs, and have in place an easily accessible system, from which employers and individuals can all benefit.”

Organisations have to be on the national Skills Funding Agency’s ‘Register of Training Organisations’ to apply. They can view further details about these funding opportunities and complete a funding application online, on the SFA e-Tendering portal at https://skillsfundingagency.bravosolution.co.uk

Free information sessions for organisations interested in bidding and delivering programmes’ projects, will be held next week, click here for more information.

Posted in About Chesterfield

New owners for Chesterfield Antiques Centre

14th July 2016

Two years after they first rented space in Chesterfield Antiques Centre, Bob & Wendi Lindsay have recently bought the centre.

The Antique Centre has over 50 dealers renting spaces and cabinets over 2 floors and the newly taken over Grey’s Café serves Barista Coffee, Teas & snacks in a contemporary setting.

The centre sells Antiques and Vintage including collectables like Star Wars figures to Die Cast Vehicles to Beswick and Doulton, names such as Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff & Royal Worcester. Vintage Jewellery & Silver. Exquisite tea sets, furniture and stylish accessories. Vintage clothing, vinyl singles and LP’s, militaria, medals and mantiques! African tribal masks and handcrafted items, ephemera including Edwardian postcards, luggage and much more!

Wendy Lindsay said ” We love our hometown of Chesterfield and the Flea Market on Thursday which is a stroll away from the centre! Buying and selling antiques is very addictive and a real buzz! Young and old visit the centre with a big trend for the younger generation wanting a piece of history or the vintage and retro look in their homes!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield businesses call for action in wake of referendum

13th July 2016

Businesses across the Sheffield City Region are calling for stability, clarity and action from Government as the UK navigates its withdrawal from the UK.

They made the call at a meeting in Chesterfield, which was held to check the mood of local businesses following the outcome of the EU Referendum. More than 80 local business leaders attended the event, which took place at Ringwood Hall.

The event was facilitated by East Midlands Chamber and sponsored by RBS, in partnership with the Barnsley and Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chambers of Commerce and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

It was aimed at giving business leaders the chance to talk openly about concerns they have following the outcome of the EU Referendum.

Focusing on stability and investment in the SCR economy, a panel featuring Scott Knowles – the Chamber’s Chief Executive, Nigel Brewster – Vice-Chair of Sheffield City Region LEP, John Burrows – Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Martin McKervey – of Nabarro and Steve Roberts – Director of Fripp Design and Research, talked about the immediate impacts on the regional economy of the vote to leave.

Also on the agenda was a panel discussion on the importance to business of superfast broadband and the progress of the Government’s programme to roll it out across the country, along with a consultation on devolution, with a focus on the Sheffield City Region.

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Director of Policy, said:-

“Businesses at the event made clear that what they want to see is stability, clarity and action from Government, which must work to bring stability to markets, clarity on the timetable for changes to our relationship with Europe, and action on the many issues that matter for growth.

“While nothing will change in the immediate term, this event made clear that businesses across the Sheffield City Region want speedy clarity around fundamental issues such as the future trade deals the UK will seek, the type of legislative framework that may be introduced and the broader vision for a successful UK outside of the EU.

“And given the disconnect between the way London voted in the referendum compared with other parts of the UK, including the Sheffield City Region, there is a general consensus that devolution to our region should be viewed as a huge opportunity.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Ernie Moss charity match cheque presented at the Proact

13th July 2016

A cheque for £14,000 from funds raised at the Ernie Moss Charity Match has been presented at the Proact Stadium.

Ernie, who is suffering from a form of dementia called Pick’s Disease, was at the presentation together with his wife Jenny and one of his daughters, Sarah.

Sarah Moss, thanked the Chesterfield fans for their generosity. She said:-

“It’s absolutely fantastic. We hoped we could get about £10,000, so to get £14,000 is absolutely unbelievable. It was a fantastic turnout on the day and it just proved to us how much the Spireites love Dad and respect and support him.

“We want to raise awareness of dementia to help fight this vile disease for future generations and we’d just like to thank the Spireites immensely for what they have done.”

The Proact hosted the fundraising match in May between a Chesterfield legends side and the Once Upon a Smile team, comprising of soap stars and other celebrities. The money raised will be split between Dementia UK and the Once Upon a Smile charity.

Former Spireites star Phill Walker, who also helped organised the event, spoke of his admiration for Ernie, who is Chesterfield’s record goalscorer. He said:-

”We are trying to get a road named something like ‘Ernie Moss Drive’ to pay respect to Ernie. They say no one is bigger than a club, but I think Ernie must come very close.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield schools among winners at Derbyshire School Games

13th July 2016

Teams from Brockwell Junior School, St Mary’s Catholic High School, Hasland Hall Community School, Brampton Primary School and Holly House School were among the winners at the Derbyshire School Games event at Mount St Mary’s College, attended by 1,000 young people.

The multi-sport event saw around 800 school children from Derbyshire’s nine school sport partnerships compete in 12 events across eight different sports – cycling, cricket, tennis, QuadKids athletics, golf, rounders, Boccia and football.

A further 200 young leaders volunteered as event officials, marshals and media leaders to ensure the smooth running of the event.

Each of the teams taking part had already excelled to get through to this stage, having qualified by winning their district competition, and on the day they were cheered on by sporting stars and special guests Gail Emms and Sophie Bradley-Auckland.

Posted in About Chesterfield

University campus on track for completion this autumn

12th July 2016

Construction of the University of Derby’s new Chesterfield Campus is on track, with completion due for autumn 2016 when the first students will be welcomed to the St Helena building on Sheffield Road. Opening the new campus will broaden the range of health and social care courses the University already offers in Chesterfield and allow collaborations with partner organisations to introduce new ways of learning and education relevant to Chesterfield’s economy, particularly for engineering, IT and business courses.

The new campus will provide businesses with access to facilities and support services through the Innovation Centre, which is supported by the Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE). Here the University will have a laboratory containing the latest product development and testing equipment to support SMEs and business start-ups along with incubation units, access to expertise, funding, knowledge transfer partnerships and student talent to facilitate accelerated growth. Professional development and accreditation of in-company training programmes will also be available.

The University of Derby’s new Chesterfield Campus has received investment from partners including £3.48million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (promoting economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire). Funding and support from the European Regional Development Fund is contributing to the costs of equipment and support of the Innovation Centre at the Chesterfield Campus, to support innovation and business growth (as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in the D2N2 area).

The University’s Business Development Team can provide access to funding to help support business growth. For instance, the Invest to Grow programme is designed to support private sector businesses to innovate, grow and create jobs. In the East Midlands, there is £16m of Regional Growth Fund available to businesses.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

University fund available to ‘give back’ to Chesterfield community

12th July 2016

As the University of Derby prepares to open its brand new campus in Chesterfield this autumn, they are delighted to introduce a Community Fund available to the town and surrounding areas.

Over the next year, the University will be handing out grants to inspirational projects that seek to benefit the community. Such projects could be conservation, wellbeing programmes or youth work. Anything that benefits the local community.

John Phillips, Community Liaison Officer at the University of Derby, said:-

“The University of Derby’s Community Fund was launched in September 2014 as a way to ‘give back’ to local people through grants for inspiring projects that benefit the local community.

“Since then, the University has contributed around £20k to community groups throughout Derby and Derbyshire. With the opening of our new Chesterfield Campus scheduled for autumn 2016, we are encouraging charitable organisations within Chesterfield to apply for our Community Fund,”

For more information about the Community Fund visit derby.ac.uk/communityfund

The University are holding a drop in session to discuss projects on July 27, click here for more information.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Still time left to sign up for county’s largest careers event

12th July 2016

Employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations are encouraged to book their place at this year’s Derbyshire Skills Festival. The festival is the largest careers event for young people in Derbyshire, last year attracting 11,000 people.

The event, which will be held at Queens Park Sports Centre on 15 September, is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school. There will also be sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) will also be invited.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:-

“Lots of employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations have already signed up for this year’s Skills Festival but we do still have a few places left.

“Last year, more than 11,000 people came along to the festival over three fantastic days and we’re getting ready for another great year so don’t forget to book your place.”

The festival is an opportunity for young people leaving school or college or looking for a job with training to talk to the experts and get all the information and guidance they need under one roof. Visitors to the event will also be able to take part in have-a-go sessions to test their skills and give them an idea what different careers might be like.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield