About Chesterfield

Fencing Champion Hannah Lawrence wins Gold

10th May 2016

Chesterfield fencing star Hannah Lawrence has retained her British Women’s Epee Championship for a second year at SportsDock, University of London.

In the direct elimination stage Hannah beat some of the top British epeeists with stylish and gutsy fencing. She won four out of five poule fights to be seeded number four on the day.

Hannah’s only troublesome opponent came in the semi-final – Lizzie Powell of Kenilworth Sword, who was a close match finishing 15-14.

In the final Hannah got back into swing of things and beat Great Britain Under -23 fencer Hannah Nesbitt 15-6, to lift the title for the third time, having first won in 2009.

Speaking of her success, Hannah said: “This is a great time to be fencing with the two clubs located in the Chesterfield area – Wingerworth Fencing Club and The Derbyshire Epee Academy.

“All the years of training by fencers and coaches are paying off; not only am I getting some great results, but so are a lot of the younger fencers. Last week three fencers finished in the last eight in the British Youth Championships in various age groups. Liam Deneley of Shirebrook Academy won the Ullman Trophy a senior competition in Leeds, Matt Cooper has won two senior opens and finished third at the first junior GB squad qualifier of this season.

“There are a lot more fencers on the cusp of getting excellent results and we all have a few things in common, we turned up and gave it a go one night, then we worked hard with the coaches to make the results happen.

“Over the last ten years I have travelled the world to fence for GB and England. I would urge young people in the area to come and try the sport on a free beginner’s course and find out where your potential can take you.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Spireites sign new striker

10th May 2016

Chesterfield have made their first signing of the summer, securing the signature of Kristian Dennis, who has been a prolific striker at non-league level.

The 26-year-old, who was a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at Stockport County, is delighted to have been given another chance in the Football League. He said: “I’m buzzing and hopefully I can repay the faith shown in me. I believe in my own ability and anything can happen if someone believes in you.”

Spireites boss Danny Wilson said: “He’s a very level-headed boy who is determined to do well in the Football League and become an established player. He is prolific and I think he can offer us a great deal.”

Dennis began his career in the Football League with Macclesfield Town before playing for the likes of Woodley Sports, Mossley and Curzon Ashton. He spent the 2015/16 season on loan from Stockport to National League side Macclesfield and scored 29 goals in 45 appearances.

Image courtesy of Tina Jenner.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Canal prepares to host National Trailboat Festival

10th May 2016

Work to restore Chesterfield Canal has reached another milestone with the installation of new gates at Staveley Town Lock ahead of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) National Trailboat Festival later this month.

The new lock gates were installed on Thursday 5 May 2016 as part of a long-term project led by Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Canal Trust to restore the canal and boost tourism.

Up to 30 volunteers from the trust have been working to prepare the area where the new lock gates have been installed in time for the National Trailboat Festival.

Around 8,000 visitors from across the country are expected to flock to the IWA festival which is being held jointly with the trust’s annual festival at Staveley Town Basin on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May 2016.

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

“We’re committed to helping to improve Derbyshire’s economy and tourism has very important role to play.

“By restoring the canal, we can bring more fantastic events like the IWA National Trailboat Festival to Derbyshire bringing more visitors to the area.

“A lot of hard work has gone into restoring 37 miles of the canal so far and we’re very grateful to the many volunteers who have given up their time to help make the project a success.

“We look forward to welcoming the boating community to Derbyshire to enjoy our beautiful county and all it has to offer.”

The lock gates were manufactured and installed by Hargreaves Foundry Ltd in Halifax using £50,000 from Derbyshire County Council and £37,500 from The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The Landfill Community Fund is a national scheme which uses money from landfill tax for community and environmental projects.

Malcolm Marshall, a trustee of The Veolia Environmental Trust, said:

“It was great to see the closing stages of this ambitious project.

“We hope that the new gates mark the start of an exciting new era for the canal and Staveley.”

The admission for the festival will be £3 and free for under 12-year-olds. For more information see www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/iwa-national-trailboat-festival-and-chesterfield-canal-festival/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Atomic Kitten star joins 911 frontman for Chesterfield Panto

10th May 2016

A magic carpet tale of adventure is set to touch down in Chesterfield with two multi-million selling pop stars leading the line-up of the family favourite pantomime Aladdin this Christmas at the Pomegranate Theatre.

Atomic Kitten star and Celebrity Masterchef winner Liz McClarnon, will take to the stage as the stunning Princess Jasmine, while 911 frontman and star of the stage, Lee Brennan, will take on the title role as our hero Aladdin.

Liz is best known as one third of Britain’s most successful girl group of the noughties: Atomic Kitten. The group experienced phenomenal success, going on to have 15 singles reach the top 10 in the UK, including the number 1 hits Eternal Flame, The Tide is High and their biggest selling single Whole Again which sold over a million copies in the UK alone. The girls’ popularity led to global record sales of over ten million, chart success and sell out arena tours at home and throughout Asia and even a slot to perform at Buckingham Palace in front of a TV audience of millions for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in 2002.

After the girl group went their separate ways, Liz achieved chart success in her own right, landing a top 5 hit with her version of the classic Barbara Streisand song Woman in Love, which was produced for her by Bee Gee Robin Gibb.

Away from the music world, 2008 saw Liz back on our screens for an altogether different reason – swapping microphone for apron, she embarked on a new challenge when she entered Celebrity Masterchef. Five million people regularly saw her take on everyone and every challenge put in front of her, where her natural culinary ability and hard work helped secure her the title of Celebrity Masterchef 2008!

Cooking took Liz into the world of television, leading to regular appearances on panel shows and opening doors for her as a presenter. She has hosted the National Lottery for BBC1, interviewed the hottest names in music for MTV and fronted her own series for BBC3. Not forgetting her musical roots, Liz took to the stage in the lead female role in The War of the

Worlds starring opposite Jason Donovan and hit the road in the touring production of Legally Blonde where she starred as Paulette.

Fast forward to January 2013 and Liz was back with Atomic Kitten, starring in ITV2’s huge smash hit fly on the wall documentary The Big Reunion, which documented the real life ups and downs of being part of a reunited pop band. Watched by over two million people, an arena tour followed which saw Liz and the kittens perform to over 200,000 people along with bands Five, Atomic Kitten, B*Witched, Blue, Liberty X and 911!

After joining forces for a smash hit tour of pop nostalgia, Liz is set to be reunited with fellow popstar Lee Brennan, the lead singer of hit boyband 911. Lee and the lads shot to fame with chart-topping hits such as A Night to Remember, Bodyshakin, Don’t Make Me Wait and A Little Bit More. The band’s debut album The Journey spent 17 weeks in the UK charts, was awarded a gold disc and even went 12 times platinum in Malaysia, such was their success and appeal.

Four more studio albums, including a Greatest Hits, and 14 singles kept the boys in the charts and the public eye from 1996 to 2000. As the millennium approached the hit-makers were one of just five acts in the decade to achieve 10 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK. The lads had become one of the biggest and most recognisable faces of the 90s pop scene, selling more than ten million records and playing to thousands in sell-out arena tours in the UK, and 70,000 people in Singapore alone on their tour of Asia.

Away from the group, Lee has clocked up years of experience on the stage. He has played to thousands in headline pantomime roles around the country, including four consecutive appearances as Peter Pan, and a headline role cutting loose on stage in Footloose, The Musical alongside stage star Maureen Nolan.

Liz and Lee will star in Aladdin at the Pomegranate Theatre from Friday 2 December 2016 to Tuesday 3 January 2017. Tickets are available from the Chesterfield Theatres Box Office by visiting www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/panto or by calling 01246 345 222. Further cast members will be announced soon.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Start-up support programme launched for Chesterfield and North Derbyshire entrepreneurs

10th May 2016

A free and comprehensive support service has been launched to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up and run successful new businesses in the Sheffield City Region.

Sheffield City Region Launchpad is a new fully inclusive and co-ordinated programme of start-up support which aims to help create hundreds of new businesses across the region over the next three years.

The £4 million programme is being delivered through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership last month, and involves a consortium of the region’s local authorities, and the Princes Trust.

Through Launchpad people just starting to think about working for themselves and new business owners keen to grow their companies and create jobs can quickly access a wide range of new and existing business advice, workshops, seminars, one-to-one coaching and mentoring services.

SCR Launchpad programme manager Anna Smith said: “Launchpad has been set up to ensure that wherever entrepreneurs are based in our region, whether in the city of Sheffield, in our growing towns or in rural communities, everyone has equal access to the best quality business development support.

“Its aim is to ensure that no-one misses out on the support they need to help them set up and grow their business. Wherever they are based they can contact Launchpad and a start-up business advisor will talk through their business aims, discuss their needs and signpost them to the most appropriate support.”

Launchpad is being delivered through a collaboration of the region’s local authorities and business support organisations, led by Barnsley Council’s business support arm, Enterprising Barnsley.

Developed and delivered under the SCR Growth Hub banner, Launchpad brings together the wide range of start-up support services provided by these partners and combines them with new services being provided through the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

The initiative is backed financially by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and has attracted £2,359,613 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Europe Union’s support for the region’s economic development.

Chair of the Sheffield City Region European Structural Investment Funds Sub-Committee James Newman said: “Through unprecedented collaboration across the Sheffield City Region’s local authorities and business community we have co-ordinated all our efforts to identify and support pre-start and early stage businesses with growth potential.

“Our ultimate aim is to increase economic growth and create jobs through fostering the development of new businesses across the whole region. The simple message is that if you want to set up and grow a business in the City Region you should contact Launchpad and its team of advisors can help you access a region-wide network of support.

“This is exactly the type of programme that European funding should be supporting and we expect Launchpad to become the definitive springboard for successful business start-ups in the Sheffield City Region.”

Launchpad is open to new businesses in Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster and North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield and offers entrepreneurs anything from access to free workshops and events to one-to-one mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and business owners. The Princes Trust will provide business support to 18-30-year-olds across South Yorkshire.

Entrepreneurs and new business owners can contact Launchpad through the SCR Growth Hub gateway on 03330 00 00 39 or growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk Visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk to find out more.

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, through which Launchpad has been developed, is designed to be a single point of contact for all businesses across the nine local authority areas. It was launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership last month.

The overall ambition of the Sheffield City Region LEP is to help create 6,000 new businesses and 70,000 new jobs by 2025, by encouraging innovation, investment and collaboration.

Similar Launchpad start-up support programmes have been established by LEPs through their Growth Hubs in other city regions across the UK.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Death Cafe will get people talking

9th May 2016

Death is often a topic that many people avoid, but it’s the one certainty in life – unlike other occasions such as weddings and having children – that is guaranteed to happen to everyone.

To promote Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from 9th to 15th May, Chesterfield-based Ashgate Hospicecare is holding a ‘Death Cafe’ to show how it can be helpful both to ourselves and those close to us to talk about it.

Taking place on Thursday 12th May at Chesterfield Library, the ‘Death Cafe’ will give members of the public the opportunity to discuss subjects around death and dying in an informal and comfortable atmosphere. There will also be opportunities to ask questions to professionals including a funeral director, solicitor and staff from the hospice.

Rebecca Littlewood, Communications Manager at the hospice, said: “At Ashgate Hospicecare, we understand the importance of being open and honest about death and dying and actively encourage people to talk about it.

“The Death Cafe will provide an open and comfortable space for anyone to drop in, join conversations on varying subjects and help people explore questions, such as what they want from their own funerals, explore what is on their bucket list for life and more.

“Having the ‘big conversation’ and opening up the dialogue about death and dying can help people make the most of their own lives, support the people they care about and help to ensure that we all know what we want, right up to the end of our lives.”

Everyone is invited to go along to the Death Cafe on Thursday 12th May from 10.00am to 4.00pm at Chesterfield Library in Meeting Room 2 where coffee and cake will be available to purchase. All contributions will go directly to Ashgate Hospicecare.

To find out more please call Rebecca Littlewood on 01246 568801 or email rebecca.littlewood@ashgatehospice.nhs.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Queen’s Award for Home Instead Senior Care

9th May 2016

Chesterfield home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care is celebrating after being awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The nationwide business received the top accolade for the innovation its service has brought to the home care sector.

Home Instead introduced its unique service to the UK in 2005 specialising in the care of older adults. It aims to change the face of ageing by delivering companionship-based care built around the individual needs of its clients.

Nigel Metham, Director at Home Instead Senior Care Chesterfield commented:-

“Our aim is to build up good relationships between the caregivers and the clients. Our visits are no less than an hour as this gives time to provide the care needed but also time for the caregiver to sit and chat to the clients over a cup of tea, which is really appreciated.

“Our caregivers make an effort to get to know clients well and find out about their interests. This award is dedicated to our caregivers who find their work so rewarding and share our ethos of wanting to offer the right kind of support.”

Trevor Brocklebank, Chief Executive of Home Instead Senior Care said, “On behalf of our national network we are honoured to receive this prestigious business accolade.

“Together we provide five million hours of relationship-led homecare each year. We couldn’t do this without our dedicated army of CAREGivers on the ground. This award pays testimony to their devotion to our mission to change the face of ageing in the UK.”

Image: Nigel and Steph Metham, owners of Home Instead in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Animal magic at Chatsworth International Horse Trials

9th May 2016

Dogs of all shapes and sizes, ducks, sheep, ponies and falcons will join the equestrian line up at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials this weekend for animal magic to delight all the family.

One of the country’s leading dog display teams will put on an entertaining display encouraging the crowd to get involved with tricks and games. Run by former police dog handler Stuart Brace, The Paws for Thought Dog Display Team has appeared at Crufts; Britain’s got Talent and the CBBC show, Who Let the Dogs Out?

Dog owners can get involved in the action and put their pups through their paces with ‘Have a Go Agility’ classes. An expert team will be on hand to help entrants learn how to fly over jumps; race through tunnels; up and over A frames and in and out of weave poles.

For something less energetic, visitors can enter their canine into the Family Fun Dog Show to find the Most Handsome Dog; Best Rescue and Best Child Handler to name a few of the show classes available to enter throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Sam Horrell, CEO at Dodson & Horrell said:

“We are delighted to be back at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials for a fourth year as title sponsor and to have the opportunity to see some of the world’s best riders compete in such a fantastic setting. It is always great fun to watch the variety of family entertainment staged over the weekend including gun dog displays, have-a-go dog agility, the dog show and the hound parade alongside the array of other activities for all the family to enjoy.”

For those with a less than perfectly behaved dog, The Dog and Duck Show is a must see. Stuart Barnes and his team use trained and untrained sheep dogs to herd ducks, using the show to educate visitors about common dog behaviour issues and how these can be resolved. The show demonstrates how untrained and poorly behaved dogs still have a programmed natural instinct, giving the audience a new understanding of the ‘Way of the Dog’.

For more canine insight, the Mullensote Gun Dog Display will provide an educational yet fun show which incorporates various training methods, human and dog psychology and will demonstrate with dogs of varying breeds and ages from a puppy to fully trained dogs.

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet the ‘Rescue Bears’ – a very special group of canine lifesavers, from the National Newfoundland Display Team. Children can have a photo taken with them, a quick bear hug or a cart ride.

Watch miniature ponies take on large cob ponies in the British Scurry and Trials Driving as their drivers tackle an obstacle course which is made from cones, temporary barriers, flags, arches and ramps all against the clock. The competitions are family friendly and the rules are easy to follow.

Appearing at over 120 shows a year in front of an estimated 2.5 million people, the Sheep Show run by New Zealander Richard Savory has captured the hearts of many with it amazing sheep. Nobby, the Norfolk Horn stands centre stage while others are introduced to their podiums, all to their own theme tunes. The shearing demonstration will have the audience captivated while the ‘Sheep Show Hustle’ or dancing sheep will surely be a crowd pleaser.

Ye Old Red Tail Falconry brings the ancient art of Falconry into the modern age with a fast and exciting display that is guaranteed to thrill audiences of all ages. Ray and Wendy Alliker take the wonderful world of nature and, expertly, deliver it into the arena – giving the audience a chance to see the natural abilities of the birds, how they live, fly and hunt in the wild, combined with atmospheric music, costumes and a captivating commentary.

Away from the arena, children can also meet the Chatsworth Farmyard animals, have their face painted, drive a mini Land Rover and let off steam in a giant bouncy castle.

Adult day tickets on the gate for the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials are £12 Friday; £16 Saturday and £18 Sunday. Children under five get in free; children aged five to 14 inclusive are £5 each day. Discounted advance tickets can be purchased up until 10 May on the Chatsworth website.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Fake Festival will rock Chesterfield this summer

9th May 2016

A music festival is coming to Chesterfield for the first time this summer, with three top tribute acts set to perform at Stand Road Park on Saturday 25th June.

UK-touring tributes to Queen, Oasis and U2 will all hit the stage during the evening in the form of Flash, Oasish and New2.

They will also be supported from 12.30pm by popular local bands including Cracking Right Foot, Trinity Road, Spitfire and The Nameless, and there will be free drink tokens available to those arriving before 2.00pm.

George Thomas, Licensee for the event said:

“I’ve always been a huge music fan, and my wife and I have supported previous Fake Festivals, so we are familiar with the set up.” When the opportunity came along for me to run a festival in Chesterfield, I jumped at the chance.”

“Fake Festivals is pretty well represented in the north of the UK, but Chesterfield was missing out, which didn’t seem fair. Now it’s easy for people to enjoy the festival atmosphere in their own community. We hope everyone will embrace it, come along and have a great day.”

George is hoping that the Chesterfield Fake Festival will become an annual live music event suitable for all ages and families and will benefit the local community. There will be food and entertainment stalls outside the giant music marquee as well as a main bar inside.

George said:-

“We’ve been amazed with the response from in and around Chesterfield. The town has a great community spirit, and the event will be an opportunity for family and friends of all ages to come together and have an amazing day’s entertainment.”

Discounted tickets are on sale until 25th May, priced at £16.50 for adults, £9.00 for young people aged 10 – 17 years old, £42.00 for a family of 4 and free for children under 10. Tickets are available both online and at Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre and The Healthy Living Centre, Staveley.

For more information see http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-fake-festival/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

German investment comes to Markham Vale

9th May 2016

Markham Vale partners, Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments Ltd have recently announced another major deal bringing new jobs with the car industry giants Ferdinand Bilstein UK.

Ferdinand Bilstein UK will be moving its current distribution operations in Kent and Pontefract to a new purpose-built distribution centre. Established in Germany in 1844, the company operates worldwide producing, marketing and distributing car parts for a range of vehicle makes and models including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover and Ford.

Paul Dodgson, operations director at Ferdinand Bilstein UK (2^nd from right) said:

“We made the decision to move to Markham Vale as the development offers excellent transport links to the main motorway network, which was a key requirement of ours.

“We also required a bespoke and high-quality building to fit with the company brand and ethos, and we were confident Henry Boot Developments and Derbyshire County Council could deliver this.

“Our relocation to Markham Vale was mainly due to how close we can be to some of our biggest UK customers. We are excited to become a part of this high-profile development.”

The building of the firm’s new 224,966 square feet distribution centre started at the beginning of May and is set to be completed by December this year creating around 150 jobs initially with further opportunities to follow.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Perez plans for success at Thruxton

5th May 2016

16-year-old Seb Perez will be back on track again this weekend in his Ginetta G40 race car at Thruxton, Hampshire in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship.

On reflection after a three week break following Donington Park, the son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion, Steve Perez says he is focusing on “determination not disappointment”.

Donington proved to be a challenging weekend for Seb and his team JHR Developments, however Perez took things in his stride despite mechanical and engine problems, being pushed off the circuit and a mixed bag of weather conditions.

Preparation saw him finish the qualifying round in 13th position; getting 10 laps in around the national circuit at Donington with a top speed of 81.42mph and reaching up to 103mph on parts of the circuit.

For race one Seb lined up on the 7th row alongside local Castle Donington driver and rookie to this year’s championship, Tom Wood, however dropped 9 places by the end of lap one.

A heavy sleet storm made track conditions difficult, however this didn’t stop Perez, who climbed back up to 15th place by lap 5 and finished the race on lap 9 in 11th position.

The second race of the weekend saw Perez line up 11th on the grid alongside Enzo Fittipaldi; the 14 year old grandson of famous F1 driver Emerson.

By lap 2 Seb’s race was over after an incident caused him to retire with a damaged car.

The final race of the weekend saw Seb at a disadvantage starting on the last row of the grid due to retirement in race two.

Battling through, Seb make up six places to finish in a very respectable 16th place in the 10 lap race with a top speed of 75.13mph.

The 16-year-old still has a long way to go to the end of the season – with 20 more races by the beginning of October.

Perez said “Donington was a nightmare for me and the team; we put a lot of hard work into it and came out the best we could and look forward to Thruxton.”

Last Year Perez finished just outside the top ten in his Ginetta at Thruxton and hopes to improve on that this year.

All the action at Thruxton will be televised live on the Sunday on ITV 4.

Editorial and images courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure