About Chesterfield

Young Chef of the Year lands a job with top chef

28th June 2016

Since winning the accolade of Young Chef of the Year at the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards last October, Chesterfield College student, 19 year old, James Greatorex’s career has gone from strength to strength. His passion for food and expertise in the kitchen has just landed him his dream job with famous chef Heston Blumenthal.

The young chef is due to start working in Blumenthal’s famous restaurant, the Fat Duck in Berkshire, next month where he will work alongside other expert chefs in one of the many kitchens at the establishment, preparing food for customers who pay £255 for a unique dining experience.

James’ passion for cookery started at home at a young age where he would experiment with creating menus for his family. After leaving school he got a part time job in a kitchen of a local pub and came to college to enhance his skills. Following the his competition win last autumn, one of the judges, Chris Mapp from the Tickled Trout was so impressed with James that he gave him a job where he has been able to enhance the skills he was learning at college.

James said:

“Working in a professional kitchen, studying at college and taking part in the Young Chef of the Year competition has really helped me to get to this stage in my career. I have had a brilliant lecturer who has always allowed me to develop and experiment which meant I could practice new techniques. I learnt skills at college that I hadn’t seen before and then was able to put them into practice in a commercial environment at work. The competition taught me a lot about cooking under pressure and was good practice for when I did my trial at the Fat Duck.”

Ian Matthews, lecturer at Chesterfield College said:

“When James came for his interview before he started his course it was clear that he had massive potential. For someone of his age, the way he spoke about food, the recipes he’d worked on and his drive to work in the industry stood out. I am not surprised that he has been snapped up by such a high profile restaurant so early in his career and we know he’ll go on to achieve great things.”

James has also been a massive inspiration for the three finalists in this year’s Young Chef of the Year competition. The finalists found out about James’ new job just before they completed their cook off for the 2016 competition. Winners will be announced in October at Chesterfield’s Food and Drink Awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure

Linacre Road site to be sold for 300 new homes

28th June 2016

Land at Linacre Road is to be put up for sale by Chesterfield Borough Council.

A public consultation was held in October last year into a masterplan which will guide development on the 37-acre site. It proposes using the land for 300 new homes.

More than 200 people attended the consultation events, with around 80 making comments.

After taking into account the issues raised a revised masterplan has now been agreed and the council’s cabinet has approved plans to put the land up for sale in the autumn.

The original plans had proposed creating a landscaped wildlife buffer zone between any housing development and Ashgate Plantation. But following concerns raised during the consultation that a buffer zone could create anti-social behaviour or fly tipping problems it is now proposed to build homes with longer gardens that would back on to the plantation site instead.

Access to the site could either be off one of two sites in Linacre Road or through Leadhill Road, although the final decision on which to use would form part of the decision for councillors when a planning application is made. Members of the public would have the opportunity to comment on any future planning application.

All councils are required by the Government to have enough land available to meet the demand for new housing in the next five years. In Chesterfield, this equates to 380 new homes being built each year to meet the growing needs of the area.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said: “To meet the demand for housing in Chesterfield we need to bring forward sites like this for development, as not all the housing can be built on brownfield or previously used sites.

“The land will now go on the market to prospective buyers in the autumn. Once we have agreed a sale the housing developer would need to make a planning application to put forward detailed proposals of the type and exact number of houses they would want to build.”

If a buyer is found, and planning permission is given, it is expected that work could start on site in summer 2018.

Councillor Gilby added: “As with all developments of this type, we will be seeking for up to 30 per cent of the housing to be affordable homes.

“Developers would also have to make a Community Infrastructure Levy payment that will contribute to the cost of providing school places, playgrounds or green spaces or other community needs generated by a development like this.”

The Linacre Road land was originally bought by the council in the 1970s to meet future housing needs and is a site identified for in the council’s Local Plan Core Strategy, which was approved in 2013.

The revised masterplan for the site includes ground conditions, ecology and archaeological reports. All of these would need to be considered as part of the planning application process.

Further information about the development, including the masterplan and a frequently asked questions section that provides answers to questions raised during the public consultation, can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/linacre-road

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Museum looks for Chesterfield’s wedding stories

28th June 2016

Chesterfield Museum is asking residents for their stories of love and marriage ahead of a new exhibition this autumn.

The exhibition, Rites of Passage, will be held at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run attraction from 8 October to 17 January.

It will explore customs relating to birth, marriage and death in the borough’s history as well as telling the stories of first school, first job, first house; the milestones that make us who we are.

As part of the exhibition, the museum is asking for Chesterfield residents to share stories from their own weddings.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre and Visitor Economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“We have a wonderful variety of objects relating to the rituals around births, marriages and deaths in the stores at Chesterfield Museum but we want to make this exhibition more personal by including the stories of Chesterfield people.

“From wedding stories to help us reminisce about our own special day, stories to bring a lump to the throat and marriages that represent different communities and cultures, we are asking for people to share their stories with us.”

Anyone who would like to take part can bring in a photograph from their wedding day along with their stories to the museum on St Mary’s Gate during normal opening times. Staff will also be on hand to help record memories. They can also email them to museum@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Chesterfield Museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Chesterfield Museum

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Hooper’s to sponsor Summer Nights Film Festival

28th June 2016

Hooper’s Alcoholic Fruit Brews are fast becoming a feature of the best British events throughout the summer months. The next event in the Hooper’s calendar is the spectacular Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival, a series of outdoor events screening popular films in beautiful heritage locations.

The Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival arrives at Hardwick Hall on Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th August and promises a picture-perfect cinematic experience that consumers will never forget.

Whilst the audience enjoy screenings of Ghost (12A) and Spectre (12A), Hooper’s will be providing a relaxed bar and picnic seating area, where attendees can try each of the six flavours.Hooper’s Alcoholic Fruit Brews are a collection of premium drinks, with six flavours including Cloudy Lemonade, Strawberry & Elderflower, Raspberry & Nettle, Dandelion & Burdock, Ginger Brew and Plum & Sloe, all of which complement the flavours of traditional British dishes.

Simon Green, Marketing Director of Global Brands, said:-

“Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival is a chance to enjoy the British summertime with Hooper’s refreshing, nostalgic flavours at beautiful English heritage sites.

“The events embrace Hooper’s #GreatBritishPicnic campaign to support new ways to enjoy the British summertime. We are incredibly excited to be exclusive drinks vendor, especially as this is the first year hospitality options have featured onsite.”

For more information about the Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival please see our event page.

To enter our competition to win two free tickets to the festival, please click here .

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised

Spireites announce new match-day programme deal

27th June 2016

Chesterfield Football Club and O Publishing Media are delighted to announce a new three-year partnership.

The agreement will see the UK’s leading sports publisher produce the Chesterfield match-day programme from the start of the 2016/17 season.

O Publishing Media’s clients include the EFL, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Scottish FA and over 40 football and rugby clubs.

Richard Herrick, Managing Director and Founder of OPM, said:-

“We are delighted to have Chesterfield on board – I was impressed by the club’s desire to work closely with ‘O’ in developing and producing their new, impressive match-day programme.

“I am confident the fans and club will see a huge improvement in quality and we are looking forward to a successful partnership.”

Kevin Fitzgerald, Head of Commercial & Marketing at Cheserfield Football Club, said:-

“I have known Richard and OPM for a number of years now and I know that their quality and professionalism is second to none.

“I’m already looking forward to the first home game of the new season to see the fresh, new match-day programme that we will have on offer. It will be a fantastic product for our supporters.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our previous programme publisher, Rubicon Print and wish them all the best for the future.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Crush Design ‘shaking things up’ for Pronto Paint

27th June 2016

Innovative Chesterfield based company Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of their brand new website.

The attitude of ‘shaking things up’ has been applied to their new customer focused website created by Crush Design, Chesterfield based design, digital and marketing agency.

The website showcases the brand’s forward thinking and technology driven approach; boasting a brand new e-commerce site that includes a digital custom-made colour chart and selection system so that customers can find the exact colour match that is right for them. The digital colour selector, along with an interactive map to locate distributors and a growing library of technical knowledge, can all be easily viewed on any device, be it a phone, tablet or desktop computer.

Hannah Tomaszewski, a representative from Crush Design, said:-

“It is great to see a manufacturing company such as Pronto Paint take such a modern view on developing their customer’s experience.”

Crush Design ‘shaking things up’ for Pronto Paint

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

New bridge milestone for cycle path

24th June 2016

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield between Queen’s Park and the train station reaches a major milestone this weekend.

A new 30-metre span bridge for pedestrians and bikes will be lifted into place over Hollis Lane next to the railway line during the early hours of Sunday morning. This will provide a direct route from the station across a series of new and re-furbished bridges to connect with existing paths linking to Derby Road, the Ravenside retail park and the Hipper Valley Trail to Somersall.

The new path is being installed as part of the Chesterfield Cycle Network − a long-term project to link shopping areas to the train and bus station and main residential areas in the town.

Hollis Lane and the A61 off-slip road will be closed at the railway bridge from 8pm on Saturday evening until 9am on Sunday to allow the work to take place. Signs will be in place to divert traffic during the road closure.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Dean Collins said:-

“This project will provide a safe and easy route for people to cycle through Chesterfield. We know more and more are using bikes to get from A to B − it’s better for the environment, cheaper than running a car and it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy too.

“We’re carrying out this work at night to cause the least disruption to motorists as possible and apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Uncategorised

Hurdler gets thumbs up for World Championships

23rd June 2016

Alicia Barrett has been selected for the IAAF World Junior Championships taking place from July 19 to 24 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The 100m hurdler, from Newbold, Chesterfield, is one of 16 athletes to have been chosen to represent Great Britain so far, with a further announcement expected.

Chesterfield and District AC runner Alicia, 17, competed at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia last year, finishing sixth in the final. It was an event that saw her set a United Kingdom under-18 record after clocking 13.40secs in her heat.

Jo Summers, Team Leader for the British Junior team, said:-

“The team is looking good for Poland and there is still time for a few more athletes to step up and secure selection.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Spireites make fourth pre-season signing

23rd June 2016

The Spireites have made a fourth pre-season signing with former Dundee defender Paul McGinn agreeing a two-year contract.

McGinn, who will officially join the club on July 1, is a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at Dundee.

Commenting on the signing, Spireites chief executive Chris Turner said:-

“Paul’s arrival will greatly strengthen the level of competition for a place on the right-hand side of defence. He is very athletic and comes highly recommended.”

The 25-year-old started his career at Queen’s Park and then had spells at St Mirren and Dumbarton before joining Dundee in the summer of 2014.

McGinn will join fellow new recruits Kristian Dennis, Jon Nolan and Ched Evans when the players report for the start of pre-season training on July 4.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Clean-Up on the Chesterfield Canal

23rd June 2016

A group of over 30 employees, from three local McDonald’s stores, supported a clean-up of the Chesterfield Canal and the surrounding areas on 21st June; from litter picking, to weed pulling and painting the iron footbridge that crosses the River Rother.

Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Rangers also played their part, by cutting back undergrowth and removing the dozens of bags of litter and weeds that had been collected during the day.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, Cllr Steve Brunt and Mrs Jill Manion-Brunt, joined the Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Cllr John Burrows, at Tapton Lock Visitor Centre to thank the volunteers for their hard work.

Jordan Ball, speaking as a representative for McDonald’s, said:-

“This has been a really worthwhile event. McDonald’s is committed to LWYL – Love Where You Live – and we hope to repeat the exercise next year.”

Clean-Up on the Chesterfield Canal

Posted in About Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Young chefs shortlisted in 2016 Food and Drink Awards

23rd June 2016

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner of the Young Chef of the Year award, James Greatorex who has recently joined Heston Blumenthal restaurant The Fat Duck, three catering students from Chesterfield College have been shortlisted for the prestigious title in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Jordan Elliott (18) from Codnor, Sophie Warren (18) from Bolsover and Josh Clark (17) from Walton, level 2 catering students at Chesterfield College, have all been shortlisted for the Young Chef of the Year Award.

A live ‘cook-off’ involving the three students preparing a main course and a dessert which were tasted and judged by three professional chefs – Adam Warwick, head chef at Blu Bistro on Chatsworth Road, Chris Mapp chef and owner of The Tickled Trout in Barlow and Adam Stockton, head chef at Calabria Cocina on Glumangate, was held recently to decide the winner.

Sophie prepared a cod fish pie on a bed of warm tartar sauce followed by chocolate fondant with spiced pear and Chantilly cream. A nervous, but happy Sophie commented: “It was great to be shortlisted; it was not something I expected. Everything went to plan and I was very pleased with the two dishes that I produced. The competition has really helped my confidence.”

Josh wowed the judges with rack of lamb with summer vegetables followed by gooseberry and custard tart. Josh, who sites Gordon Ramsay and Keith Floyd as his food heroes, added: “It was a great experience. My dad and grandma got me into cooking. Her meat and potato pie is the absolute best; even my dad agrees.”

Jordon, who described the competition as ‘nerve-wracking’, prepared roast rump of lamb and baby lettuce followed by strawberry and black pepper sponge cake for the judges. He said: “I don’t like competitions as I am out of my comfort zone, however I really enjoyed the cooking and learnt a lot of helpful tips from the judges.”

The Rev Patrick Coleman from the Crooked Spire Church (St Mary’s Church) which sponsors the award category also took part in the judging. He said: “I was really interested and excited to see three young people doing such great work. The Church encourages young people on their way through life and the Young Chef of the Year Award is a great foundation for any young chef’s future career.”

The winner of the Young Chef of the Year title will be announced at the glitzy award ceremony at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building on Wednesday 26 October. This year, the ceremony is being hosted by celebrity cake maker to the stars and royalty Mich Turner MBE who will announce the winners of 12 award categories.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with headline sponsor the Chesterfield College Group, the awards aim to showcase the very best in the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

The College also uses the awards ceremony as a learning exercise for its hospitality students. This year, 50 students from the College will also be catering and silver serving a two course meal to more than 250 people attending the event, working over three days on all areas, including kitchen and front of house. Last year Jordan, Sophie and Josh worked at the awards serving the food. This year, they will get to enjoy the two-course meal prepared, cooked and served to them by their fellow students. Chris Mapp from the Tickled Trout advised them to “make the most of it and enjoy every minute.”

Adam Stockton from Calabria added: “College and work situations are a very different environment and Sophie, Jordan and Josh should be very proud of themselves and what they produced today. They all did extremely well.”

Other supporters of the awards include arvarto, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Black Eyed Susan, Casa Hotel, Central Technology Ltd, Chesterfield Borough Council, Custom Solar, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber, Holdsworth Foods, Kier, Jumble Design, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, MSE Hiller, Peak FM, ra Information Systems and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting