About Chesterfield

George Stephenson launches Made in Chesterfield 2015

10th November 2015

Month long manufacturing festival aims to reach thousands of young people

Chesterfield Museum’s very own George Stephenson officially launched Made in Chesterfield 2015 at a special event on Tuesday 3 November.

The month long Made in Chesterfield festival aims to raise awareness of the town’s manufacturing and engineering sector to young people and schools in the hope they will consider a career in it. Last year more than 400 young people were introduced to the sector in just a week and this year organisers Destination Chesterfield are hoping to reach thousands during Made 2015.

As part of the celebrations schools from throughout North East Derbyshire, including Tupton Hall, The Bolsover School, Shirebrook Academy and Parkside School, will be visiting companies and training providers in the sector to gain hands-on experience.

At the launch Councillor Amanda Serjeant, vice chair of Destination Chesterfield and cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Engineering has always played a major part in Chesterfield’s economy and these events show that this heritage is continuing today.

“Engineering companies are also at the forefront of work in the town to create apprentices to give young people high quality job opportunities.

“This festival is an opportunity to showcase all they do and raise awareness of the many different types of products being manufactured in the town.”

The museum is also hosting a special Made in Chesterfield Exhibition, celebrating the wide range of amazing and sometimes quirky products being made in Chesterfield both today and bygone days, including George Stephenson’s cucumber straightener.

As well as George Stephenson, Chesterfield is welcoming a number of high profile names from manufacturing and engineering during the festival, including Mantra – AMRC’s travelling showcase for advanced engineering, which pupils from across the county will be visiting at MSE Hiller.

A life size replica of Bloodhound, the vehicle which is Britain’s latest attempt to break the world land speed record, travelling at a speed of 1,000mph, will also be rolling into Chesterfield College for the festival.

The arrival of Bloodhound in Chesterfield has special significance for the town as local industrial weighing specialists Weightron Bilanciai Ltd, has supplied the weighing systems that have been use throughout the build of the project. The company is also supplying a system to measure the weight distribution through the wheels of the car, to allow the balancing of the vehicle.

Ivan Fomin, managing director of MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering, said: “The support of companies in the sector is vital to the success of Made in Chesterfield. Manufacturing is the lifeblood of the economy, feeding other sectors such as retail and leisure, and its continuing success relies on today’s students considering it for a future career. Made in Chesterfield is designed to open their eyes to this and show them the varied job roles available and also how the sector has changed. However, we can only do this of companies come forward and actively get involved.”

Made in Chesterfield is organised by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, Natwest, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Chesterfield College, Derbyshire County Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Placing Futures, NLT Training, UKTI, East Midlands Chamber, Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Positive 4 Young People.

To find out more about any of the Made in Chesterfield business events and to register to attend, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/made

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield accountants appoints grants and finance specialist

10th November 2015

Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers has appointed FCCA Qualified Accountant Hari Mehta.

Hari (33), from Nottingham, joins from a leading Derby firm of accountants. His appointment further strengthens Mitchells’ Corporate and Care Home team which has reported more than 300% of growth in transactional financial due diligence assignments in 2015.
Amongst his considerable experience, he specialises in accessing government grants and corporate finance, having secured more than £1m of Regional Growth Fund funding for clients in the last 12 months. In addition to grants and finance, Hari also has extensive experience with Auto Enrolment and his appointment further secures Mitchells as being one of only a few accountants in the UK to provide specialist auto enrolment services.

Mitchells has enjoyed a period of impressive growth since the beginning of the year. Earlier this year the firm appointed two new partners and committed to creating five new jobs, which includes three qualified accountants within the firm before the end of the year, one of which is Hari’s appointment.

Explaining what attracted to him to the new role at Mitchells, Hari said: “Mitchells is an ethical company which is long established with ambitious growth plans. The enthusiasm, honesty and integrity shown by the team in dealing with their clients attracted me to both the role and firm.”
Hari, who is married, enjoys boxing and playing golf outside work. He is also a keen traveller, having family based all over the world.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Walking and cycling superstars at Westfield Infants

6th November 2015

Westfield Infants School in Chesterfield has received a national award for encouraging pupils to enjoy a more active, safer and greener commute.

The Modeshift STARS bronze accreditation recognises the school’s efforts in getting more children to travel on foot, by bike or via other sustainable means of transport, such as scooters, public transport or car sharing.

Supported by parents, staff, Derbyshire County Council and Sustrans – a national charity working towards sustainable travel – the school has taken part in a number of practical initiatives over the past academic year. These included ‘Scooter Smart’ training run by the County Council, and ‘Skills to Ride’ delivered by local cycling safety experts, Wheely Fun Wheels.

Westfield Infants has delivered great results, having more than doubled the amount of children walking, cycling or scooting to school on a daily basis.

The bronze award was presented to pupils at a school celebration held on Wednesday 4th November by Philip J. Smith, Senior Transport Officer from Derbyshire County Council, and Lisa Hopkinson, a Sustrans volunteer.

Mr Whitham, of Westfield Infant School, said: “Undertaking the Modeshift STARS award scheme has helped to raise the importance and profile of travelling in a sustainable way. Children loved the engaging assembly to kick-start the program. More and more of our children are coming to school on scooters and bikes, we are even looking into purchasing a new bike shelter to hold all the bikes!”

Following the successful bronze initiatives, the school is continuing the scheme and hopes to achieve the silver award in 2016.

Every school in England can participate in the Modeshift STARS scheme for free, and achieve bronze, silver or gold level awards. It is supported by 52 local authorities and more than 11,000 schools nationally.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Local sporting stars up for county awards

6th November 2015

A host of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire athletes, teams and officials are in the running to win a Derby Telegraph Sports Award.

Representatives from the two areas have been invited to attend the county’s premier sports awards night – to be held next Thursday, November 12, at Derby’s Roundhouse – which this year celebrates its 10^th anniversary.

Among those contenders are Staveley taekwondo player Aaron Cobley, who has won gold medals at the UTIF British Championships, MWTA British Championships and UITF English Championships and, as a result, has been shortlisted as Young Sportsman of the Year.

He is attending the WKU World Championships in Spain, where he will represent England in four events and is targeting the senior World Championships in Argentina in 2017.

The 16-year-old will go up against two other talented performers from the county in the shape of High Peak judoka Eric Ham and Derby golfer Bradley Moore.

In the Young Sportswoman of the Year category, Chesterfield’s Alicia Barrett will go head to head with Shirland’s Niamh Emerson and High Peak swimmer Abbie Wood.

Alicia, from Newbold and a student at St Mary’s RC High School, is a member of Chesterfield and District AC and on the Derbyshire Institute of Sport programme.

The 17-year-old made the final of the 100m hurdles Commonwealth Youth Games final and finished sixth at the IAAF World Youth Championships, having set an UK Under-18 record in a qualifying round.

Among those vying for the title of Junior Team of the Year is Tupton Hall School Girls Under-12s Football Team, who have been shortlisted alongside Mickleover Sports Dynamos Under-13s Football Team and the Noel-Baker School Basketball Team.

Their outstanding achievements as a tight-knit group include winning the FA Youth Futsal National Championship, finishing as Football League Kinder+ Sport Northern runners-up and reaching the semi-finals of the ESFA National Cup.

Shortlisted in the Club of the Year category is Unit 1/BKKA, a martial arts club based in Chesterfield, who have made the top three alongside the UDSU Buxton Sportability Club and Glossop North End AFC Juniors, both of the High Peak.

The inclusive club has more than 500 members, ranging from four to 75 in age, teaching the core values of respect, humility, discipline, teamwork and dedication.

Inter-club tournaments are held, while members compete at regional, national and international events, with 41 world title winners among the ranks.

They have raised around £40,000 for local and national charities over the last few years with ‘Kickapolooza’ events, while free self-awareness/self-defence sessions are held for women and a coaching programme runs for 14 to 24-year-olds.

Those successful winners around Derbyshire’s nine districts and boroughs were automatically forwarded as nominees at county level and a shortlist of individuals, teams and clubs were then selected by a panel of sports officials, together with Derby Telegraph sports staff.

Awards will be handed out in 15 categories in all, recognising the cream of sporting talent both in performance-level and participation sport.

Photographs show Young Sportswoman of the Year finalist Chesterfield’s Alicia Barrett

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Brave team at BHP kick off Macmillan fundraising mission

4th November 2015

Two partners and four employees at Barber Harrison and Platt (BHP) have had their legs waxed for charity, raising £800 for The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal.

This is the first event of several BHP is planning to help fundraise for what they see as a vital project for the area. The firm says it is a cause which has struck a chord with many businesses in Chesterfield.

Partner Dominic Staniforth said “The local community is very important to us – and we encourage staff to do all they can to support the causes that they are passionate about. Sadly, cancer affects a huge amount of people and has touched on many people’s lives.

“The new cancer centre will be extremely welcome in the area, helping to make what will always be a difficult time that little bit more bearable. We think that both Macmillan and the hospital are doing a great job and are pleased to be able to do our bit to support them.

“We would very much like to thank the staff and students from the Beauty Department of Chesterfield College for their generous support in our first event.”

On 26 November BHP is running a Race Night which is already gathering support – with sponsors MTM Products, NatWest and Padley and Venables already signed up to really help make it a success. For tickets or sponsorship information email tanya.addy@bhp.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Construction of the Great Bear development to begin

4th November 2015

Construction of the 480,000 sq. ft. building will commence on 9^th November after planning permission had been secured for the Great Bear development on Plot 1 at Markham Vale.

Following the completion of all legal agreements, Derbyshire County Council’s development partner Henry Boot Developments Ltd has appointed a building contractor.

At 480,000 sq. ft. the building will be the largest to date on Markham Vale. When fully operational, the facility will employ 400 people across a variety of roles and disciplines within the logistics sector.

Markham Vale is an 80 hectare business park offering direct access to the M1 Motorway via a dedicated new junction, J29A. This prime development site offers industrial, warehouse and office accommodation in a range of unit sizes from 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) up to one million sq ft (92,900 sq m). Markham Vale occupies a high profile location in the M1 Corridor and is available for immediate development.

There has been fantastic progress at Markham Vale over the past six years with more than 732 jobs created on site so far and 700 more in the pipeline.

Key recent investment includes:

National distribution and warehousing company Great Bear signing a deal to move on site in 2016 creating 400 new jobs;
The build new premises for gas, water and electric meter supplier Meter Provida, creating 40 jobs on site in January next year;
Packaging firm Inspirepac moving on-site with a view to creating up to 100 jobs as the company grows over the next two years;
Around 50 jobs created at Gould Alloys which moved on site in June;
Beginning of work to expand the site and turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area

Find out more about Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield begins

3rd November 2015

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield between Queen’s Park and the train station is gathering pace.

The new path is being installed as part of the Chesterfield Cycle Network by Derbyshire County Council. It is a long term project running until April next year to link shopping areas to the train and bus station and main residential areas in the town.

The first section of the path to be built is around 100 metres long and will run from Hipper Street South, between Markham and Ravenside Retail Parks to Lordsmill Street where there will also be a new footbridge.

An additional footbridge over Hollis Lane will also be built − linking the final part of the route through to the train station. Work will start on Monday 9 November 2015.

While the work takes place, the A61 southbound exit slip road before the Horns Bridge roundabout will be closed from Monday 9 November until Friday 4 December 2015.

The slip road will be closed up to its junction with the A632 Hollis Lane where the permanent traffic lights will be replaced with temporary ones during this time. Motorists are being advised to leave extra time for journeys as there may be delays.

Access will be given to emergency vehicles but a signed diversion route will be in place for other motorists via the A61 bypass southbound − A617 Hasland bypass − A617 exit slip road onto Spital Lane − A632 Hady Hill.

Traffic travelling southbound into town on the A61 bypass can travel through to the Horns Bridge roundabout and up onto Lordsmill Street.

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

“We’re committed to making it easier and safer for people to bike around Derbyshire as it’s better for the environment, cheaper than running a car and it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy too.

“Although the diversion is only around a mile long, we are still advising motorists to allow extra time for journeys as there may be some delays.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope motorists will bear with us while this work takes place.”

Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Remembrance Events

2nd November 2015

Chesterfield residents have the opportunity to gather to remember those who have died in the First World War and subsequent conflicts in events for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

The annual Remembrance Sunday service takes place on Sunday 8 November at 2.30pm at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the Crooked Spire.

Everyone is welcome to attend but residents are advised to be seated by 2pm as the church becomes very full.

The service will be followed by a parade from the church, through the town centre and along Knifesmithgate to the war memorial at Rose Hill, opposite the Town Hall.

Residents and visitors are welcome to watch the parade which will include: Chesterfield’s mayor and mayoress, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and Derbyshire’s lord lieutenant, high sheriff as well as Chesterfield’s MP and representatives from Chesterfield Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Staveley Town Council.

Members of the public are also welcome to attend the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial from approximately 3.30pm.

Councillors may also be attending events in their local areas on Sunday morning.

Members of the public are also invited to attend a service of remembrance organised by the Chesterfield branch of the Royal British Legion from 10.40am on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November.

The service will include the Last Post, a two-minute silence at 11am and Reveille. More than 400 young people from local schools and Chesterfield College will take part.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance, said: “Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day are two of the most solemn dates in the calendar as Chesterfield meets to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country.

“Everyone is very welcome to come along and pay their respects.”

Tideswell Male Voice Choir will also perform a concert entitled A Remembrance Spectacular on Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, from 7.30pm. To book tickets, visit www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk or contact the Chesterfield Theatres box office on 01246 345222.

There will be a service at the Crooked Spire Church at 10.30 on Sunday 8th November followed by a wreath laying at 11.00.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Cocina named as Chesterfield’s Restaurant of the Year

29th October 2015

Cocina at Casa Hotel has been crowned Chesterfield’s best restaurant in the town’s prestigious Food and Drink Awards last night.

Judges described Cocina’s menu as ‘imaginative’ and the quality of food as ‘excellent,’ highlighting the ‘provenance of locally-sourced food.’ They also praised the overall ‘quality dining experience.’

The prestigious Restaurant of the Year award is another to add to the trophy cabinet of Chesterfield’s four star hotel, owned by local entrepreneur Steve Perez. Earlier this year it was announced as one of the top 5 hotels in the UK in the Trip Advisor 2015 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Steve Perez said: “It’s always wonderful to receive awards, especially when you are in the company of other great shortlisted restaurants. Here at Casa we always try and put our customers first so it feels extra special when they make their voices heard in such a brilliant way. Cocina focuses on both the food product and the customer – using the best quality locally sourced ingredients in the kitchen, and friendly, professional service in the dining room.”

As well as Cocina, 11 other food and drink establishments, producers and individuals were also named as Chesterfield’s finest at the sell-out awards ceremony hosted by celebrity chef Theo Randall. Discover the full list of winners

Theo Randall said: ““Chesterfield’s food and drink scene is thriving; the strong field in the Best Newcomer category is testament to that. I commend all the finalists in this category knowing only too well myself, when I opened my first restaurant, Theo Randall at the InterContinental in 2006, the courage, commitment and belief in yourself it takes to set out and do it on your own.

“Good food is one of life’s simple pleasures. The support shown for the awards in both the nomination phase and the awards shows that good food is a passion of many people in Chesterfield.

“The awards are a great demonstration of how the food and drink scene in Chesterfield has evolved in recent years. It is now catering for many tastes, from authentic Japanese and Jamaican to Italian and Great British. The town has everything and is continuing to develop its thriving and increasingly successful hospitality scene.”

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with Chesterfield College, the 2015 awards were the biggest yet and tickets sold out weeks in advance. More nominations than ever were received from the public resulting in 10 businesses being first time finalists in the awards.

As well as sponsoring the awards Chesterfield College also hosted them with 50 students, studying NVQ and BTECs in catering and hospitality, catering and silver serving a two course meal to more than 250 people attending the event. The college also trained the winner of the Young Chef of the Year James Greatorex.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College added: “The Food and Drink Awards are the go to event in Chesterfield. There is a wealth of outstanding food and drink establishments in the town and Chesterfield College is delighted to be training the future stars of the industry. Our mission statement is ‘inspiring futures, changing lives’ and the Food and Drink Awards enable us to do just that, giving the many apprentices we train real hands-on experiences at the ceremony each year.”

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “Each year we have seen an increase in the number of people nominating businesses for the awards and this year was no exception. The support across Chesterfield has been phenomenal, with people keen to see the town, and the businesses and people working within its hospitality sector succeed and grow.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Christmas, Visiting

Chesterfield woman recognised as one of top engineering and construction apprentices

27th October 2015

A young woman from Chesterfield has beaten more than 13,000 hopefuls to be named one of the top engineering and construction apprentices in the country.

Casey Allen (17), an engineering apprentice at Foxwood Diesel in Old Whittington, narrowly missed out on being named the overall winner of the prestigious Group Training Association (GTA) England Apprentice of the Year Award.

Casey, who is about to complete level 2 of her apprenticeship and start level 3, was put forward for the award by her apprentice training provider NLT Training Services based in Brimington. She was pipped to the post for overall winner by a level 4 engineering apprentice.

Delighted to win Casey said: “I’ve only been in the industry for about 18 months so to get this award is brilliant. I didn’t expect to be shortlisted let alone the runner up.”

The award was presented by Nick Boles, Minister of State jointly for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education, at a ceremony held at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in Westminster, London.

Minister for Skills Nick Boles said: “The GTA England awards ceremony highlights the talent, energy and skill apprentices bring to businesses both large and small across the country.

“Apprenticeships play a vital role in building a modern, highly skilled workforce. This is why we are working with organisations like GTA England and its members to deliver 3 million apprentices by 2020.”

Andy Sheppard, CEO of NLT Training Services who was at the award ceremony explained: “Casey’s enthusiasm for engineering is infectious, matched only by her performance both in our training centre and at Foxwood Diesel. She is an outstanding student who ticks every single box and we are delighted that she has been recognised at such a high level. She is a credit to apprentices and the engineering profession.”

Casey is the only female employed on the shop floor at Foxwood Diesel where she is known as ‘The Turbo Queen’ by her colleagues because of her love of stripping down and reconstructing diesel engines. She began working at the company when she was 15 as part of a work experience organised by her school.

Owner of Foxwood Diesel Ken Worsdale, workshop manager Matt Jamson and Casey’s mum also accompanied her to the award ceremony.

Ken Worsdale added: “We’re all very proud of Casey. She did very well to be up against people who are five years into their apprenticeship. She is an asset to Foxwood Diesel. She’s only been here for just over a year but every day she impresses us with her self-motivation and effort she puts into the job.”

Casey added: “Foxwood is a great company to work for. They’re really supporting me. What I’m doing with my employer, combined with the training and qualifications I’m getting at NLT, will give me skills for life.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to gain experience, learn skills and get paid. I plan to get to the highest level I can until I’m fully qualified. Eventually though I would like to combine my skills with teaching and have my own turbo specialist business where I can employ people and teach them like I’ve been taught.”

NLT Training Services is a specialist training and provider of apprentices in welding, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering and is one of only 40 technical training providers recognised by GTA in England.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Kiwi defender joins Spireites

27th October 2015

Chesterfield have signed New Zealand U20 international defender Liam Graham following a spell on trial.

The 23-year-old right-back, who was a free agent, previously played for Italian clubs Ascoli, Monza and Pro Patria.

Commenting on the deal, Spireites manager Dean Saunders said: “Liam is not a player who will immediately be in contention for a place in the first team, but we feel that we can work on developing him as a player in the reserves.”

Graham said: “I’ve played two games for the reserves and already I feel a pretty good connection with the players I’ve been playing with. Now I’m excited to get going.“

Graham, who was born in Melbourne, remains eligible to represent New Zealand or Australia.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting