About Chesterfield

Chatsworth Road Festival returns this October

10th August 2015

The annual Chatsworth Road Festival is quickly approaching! Look out for promotions, events and activities up and down Chatsworth Road 1-4 October 2015.

This year Chesterfield’s Chatsworth Road Festival has been shortened to four days to provide a tighter focus and a more concentrated period of activity.

However fewer days has actually meant MORE events with over 120 varied activities, promotions and competitions scheduled.

This festival differs from others in that it doesn’t feature a fun fair, 5-a-side football or marching bands – instead it aims to more widely promote businesses and organisations based on or near to the ever-more vibrant Chatsworth Road in the West of Chesterfield.

The area is a real gem with great pubs, restaurants and an eclectic mix of shops that sell everything from wellingtons to wedding dresses and fantastic pottery to fairtrade coffee.

The Festival aims to provides something for all tastes and ages and full details will be listed in the free guide available at the beginning of September, in the Festival edition of S40 and on the Festival website. Updates and late registrations will also be featured via Facebook and twitter.

Here’s just a small insight into what you can look forward to

The Mayor will officially open the Festival at ‘both ends’ of Chatsworth Road on Thursday 1^st October. At 9.30am he will mark the opening by putting up some bunting at St Thomas Church before moving on to the Carers Centre on West Bars for the start of their “Best Breakfast” event at 10.00.
Derbyshire’s Poet Laureate, Helen Mort, pops in early evening on Friday to the Real Ale Corner to share her verse
The Brampton Food Market 10.00 on Saturday 3rd celebrates its 4th birthday, and hosts various “pop-up” Festival stalls from apple pressing to seed swapping.
Geocaching has become hugely popular – watch out details of the festival’s own fun version; don’t get trampled in the rush !
The Festival “Char Challenge” will see local tea rooms vie for the title as a mystery shopper gives their preference.
Sunday Sounds will add some volume as nine venues offer live music on the 4th October from lunch to late

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Family golf tees off in Chesterfield

10th August 2015

Families in the region can now ‘putt’ their best foot forward on the golf course, thanks to brand new sessions at one of Chesterfield’s top courses.

Tapton Park Golf Course has launched Family Golf – family only sessions which take place on the venue’s nine-hole academy course.

The sessions, which take place every Sunday, are designed to allow families to spend some quality time together, whilst introducing youngsters to the sport and allowing parents to hone their skills.

A fully qualified PGA coach will be on hand to give both the adults and children tips on their game, helping to introduce youngsters to the world of golf.

Andy Carnall, golf manager at Sheffield City Trust (SCT) which runs Tapton Park Golf Course, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming families from across the region to enjoy our brand new family golf sessions.

“They are a fantastic way for families to do something different together, whilst allowing those that haven’t played before the chance to learn a new skill and those who have played to get some practice in.

“Golf is also a great sport to keep you fit and healthy, so to get the whole family involved in exercise in this way will be hugely beneficial.”

Family Golf sessions take place every Sunday from 1pm and cost £20 per family (up to two adults and four children).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

Rugby World Cup Winner Brings it Back to Chatsworth

4th August 2015

On Sunday 9 August former England Captain Neil Back MBE will be visiting Chatsworth with rugby’s greatest prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, which he helped to win as part of the victorious England team that lifted the trophy at the 2003 World Cup.

Nowadays a successful coach, Neil Back will watch as Chatsworth welcomes the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour with an invitational ‘Mini Tag’ Festival on the South Lawn featuring players in the under-8 age grade from local Derbyshire clubs.

The Webb Ellis Cup will be on public display at Chatsworth on Lodge Hill from 1pm until 2pm before it moves through to the South Lawn for photographs. Neil Back will be reunited with the Webb Ellis Cup as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour ahead of this year’s tournament, which starts in September.

Sam Heath, Honorary President of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire RFU, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the Webb Ellis Cup to Chatsworth as anticipation builds for the biggest event in the rugby calendar. This is the perfect opportunity for fans to come along and see the trophy in the heart of Derbyshire and share their tournament experience with us”.

Launching on June 10, with 100 days to go to the opening match, the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour began its journey through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England and will arrive at Twickenham Stadium on September 18 ahead of the Opening Ceremony.

The journey throughout the UK and Ireland aims to engage fans and give them the opportunity to build unforgettable memories as part of their own Rugby World Cup 2015 story.

Rugby is at the heart of the Trophy Tour engaging with over 100 rugby clubs, organisations and rugby festivals, from grassroots to elite. In addition Host Cities, Match Venues, community and legacy programmes, sports events, stakeholder visits, Worldwide Partner activations and iconic landmarks will feature as part of the Trophy Tour with over 300 events programmed across the 100 day continuous tour.

Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour information can be viewed at rugbyworldcup.com/trophy-tour, with full details on locations and events available.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Local restaurant swaps beer for vegetables

3rd August 2015

A Chesterfield restaurant is asking it customers to swap vegetables in return for beer

The Tickled Trout in Barlow is currently involved in a vegetable exchange. If you have too many vegetables on your allotment, take them to the pub and exchange them for a beer!

Chris Mapp from the Tickled Trout said ” I know what it’s like with surplus veg from my Mum’s garden and we never seem to be able to have enough time to use it at home, so instead we are giving our loyal customers a chance of swapping veg for beer. We know it will probably be organic and it has been grown with a lot of love and hard work over the past few months. We also love engaging with our local community!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

New sustainability training course launched in Chesterfield

3rd August 2015

A new course which could be instrumental in helping companies in Chesterfield win business, reduce energy costs and avoid prosecution, is now being delivered by leading Chesterfield-based training provider NLT Training Services.

Following accreditation by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), leading training provider NLT has been announced as the sole training provider in the East Midlands and Humberside for the Level 2 Working with Environmental Sustainability course.

NLT’s accreditation is being hailed as a significant step forward in helping businesses in the area understand one of the most talked about and urgent issues affecting the whole planet right now: sustainability. Sustainability is at the forefront of new policies and government agenda. The course may prove vital in winning bids for tenders and can reduce the risk of fines and prosecutions.

The new one-day course, is being held on 24 August at NLT’s Chesterfield offices in Brimington.

It covers everything from sustainable buildings to design and operations across all industry sectors, providing a practical introduction to Environmental Sustainability, equipping delegates with the knowledge, understanding, and motivation to make a positive difference within their organisation.

Andy Sheppard, Chief Executive of NLT said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this course and anticipate high demand for it. It represents a big step forward for sustainability issues amongst businesses in the region. Companies cannot afford to ignore sustainability any longer; it is top of the Government’s agenda, having been announced in the recent Budget that it is pushing for a global climate deal that keeps the goal of limiting global warming to two degrees.

“I would urge businesses now to begin embedding environmental sustainability not only into the fabric of the company but also job roles within it; the Level 2 Working with Environmental Sustainability course will enable them to do that.”

Places on the courses are limited and companies are being urged to sign up now for the course which costs £300 per delegate, or is available for a limited period with a special introductory offer of £250 per delegate.

NLT Training Services is one of the region’s leading training providers, operating from sites in Chesterfield and Scunthorpe. It is a specialist trainer and provider of apprentices in welding, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering as well as industry-leading commercial training courses.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Tower poppies could head to Chesterfield in 2016

30th July 2015

Part of the poppy sculpture by Chesterfield artist Paul Cummins could be heading to the town as Chesterfield Borough Council makes a bid to display the commemorative artwork next year.

The council, together with Chesterfield College, Destination Chesterfield and ex-servicemen’s organisations, has completed an expression of interest to host the Weeping Window sculpture, which was part of the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red on display at HM Tower of London in autumn 2014 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War.

The display features 2,800 ceramic poppies, which will cascade from a building of some height. Options for displaying the sculpture include the Town Hall, Rose Hill.

Paul came up with the original idea for the sculpture after looking at some First World War archives while visiting the local studies and family history section of Chesterfield Library.

He was inspired by a line in the will of an unknown soldier, who died at Flanders, which said: “The blood-swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread.”

This gave him the idea of making an installation with ceramic poppies representing each of the dead.

The decision on whether the borough will host the sculpture will be made by a panel including Paul Cummins; 14-18 NOW, the official First World War Centenary cultural programme and the Imperial War Museum.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy and vice chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The First World War was a watershed in our history. Hosting the Weeping Window sculpture would be fitting for us to remember the many Chesterfield men and women who gave their lives during the conflict.

“As the artist, Paul Cummins, is from Chesterfield, this would also be an opportunity to show our pride in him and his work in his home town.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Cestrefeldians all felt immense pride when Paul Cummins’ poppy installation received such international acclaim. The chance to have the poppies on display here in Paul’s home town, the place where he got the inspiration for this magnificent artwork, is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

They represent so much about Chesterfield, not least the many men who lost their lives in the war; it seems only fitting that the artwork returns to its spiritual home. I hope the entire Chesterfield community – businesses and residents – join the campaign to make this happen. If successful, this will be momentous for Chesterfield and put our town further on the map for investors helping create jobs.”

The decision on whether Chesterfield could host the sculpture will be made in September.

If successful, the artwork could be on display in the town in 2016.

The council will seek sponsorship to cover the cost of displaying the sculpture. Anyone with any suggestions for funding should contact: Bernadette Wainwright, cultural and visitor services manager by email: bernadette.wainwright@chesterfield.gov.uk or calling 01246 345779.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Ashes in Chesterfield

30th July 2015

Queen’s Park plays host to a One Day International on Friday 14 August when England under-19s play their Australia counterparts.

The game is being staged by Chesterfield Cricket Club with the valued support of Chesterfield Borough Council and admission is free of charge although there is a £5 charge for the limited amount of car parking by the ground.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to see the crème de la crème of the two country’s young cricketers which may well include test players of the future,” said Mike Taylor, chairman of Chesterfield Cricket Club.

“It’s a considerable honour for Chesterfield that the ECB have selected the town for this international and we have taken the decision to make the game free of any entry fee to open up opportunity for everybody to enjoy the event.”

A tea bar alongside the pavilion will be selling tea, coffee and cakes throughout the day and snacks and soft drinks will be available from the pavilion bar. A barbecue will be running at various times and a range of drinks including Brampton Brewery’ award winning Golden Bud will be on sale.

The 50 over a side game starts at 10.30am. No tickets are needed but spectators are welcome to bring garden chairs to guarantee a seat for what promises to be a wonderful day of top class cricket at Chesterfield’s beautiful Queen’s Park ground.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

Chesterfield Marathon organisers launch business clubs

29th July 2015

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins is calling on local businesses to join the Chesterfield Marathon‘s new business clubs – the Top 50 and the Top 100.

Organisers of the annual event say the clubs will help to create a lasting legacy for the town and ensure that as much money as possible is shared with all charities involved.

Those taking up membership will enjoy a range of benefits and discounts including member networking events, VIP tickets to the marathon’s hospitality marquee on race day, tickets to the charity’s annual dinner and PR opportunities.

Mr Perkins, who is also the Shadow Small Business Secretary, said: “The Chesterfield Marathon is a fantastic event for our town, bringing real economic benefits, especially to all the shops, restaurants, hotels and bars which visitors will flock to on marathon weekend.

“I’d encourage as many businesses as possible to support the marathon by joining the business clubs, and help the race organisers to grow the event and make it a huge success each year, for the benefit of everyone living here,” added Mr Perkins.

Mike Hyman, co-founder of Kids ‘n’ Cancer and the Chesterfield Marathon said: “It is our aim to make the marathon one of the UK’s largest running events, bringing thousands of runners and visitors into our town every year.

“Research shows that for every runner between 2 and 6.5 visitors will come to the town. With well over 1,000 runners in last year’s event, the marathon brings people to Chesterfield from all over the country, Europe and indeed other parts of the world; people who would not be spending their money in Chesterfield if it were not for the marathon,” added Mr Hyman.

The Chesterfield Marathon takes place on Sunday 20th September and involves a full, team-relay, half marathon and fun run, as well as an all-day party in Queens Park.

This year the charities which will benefit include Kids ‘n’ Cancer, MacMillan (Chesterfield Cancer Centre Appeal), Ashgate Hospicecare, the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Images: Portrait: Inaugural member of the Top 100 Club – Maison MesAmis – (L-R) Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, James and Marcella Kirk, with daughter Darcy, and Mike Hyman of Chesterfield Marathon

Landscape: Inaugural member of Top 50 Club – Dunston Lodge, (L-R) Julie Harrington, Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, Richard Harrington with sons Charlie & Fraser, Mike Hyman of Chesterfield Marathon

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chatsworth set for summer with late garden opening

29th July 2015

Chatsworth is helping visitors to make the most of the summer with special extended openings of its beautiful 105 acre garden taking place for the first time this August.

A new hop-on-hop-off Garden Train will take visitors to the furthest reaches of the garden, passing under the Cascade through Paxton’s coal tunnel; a feature of the garden not normally open to visitors. It will run every 45 minutes from outside the Orangery shop and have four other stops around the garden, located near Blanche’s vase, the Grotto pond, the Kitchen garden entrance and the Willow Tree fountain.

Flora’s Temple and the Laurent Perrier Champagne Bar on the Broadwalk will be open while all the iconic water features from the Cascade to the Emperor fountain will continue to play up until 8.30pm.

Bands will be playing every weekend in the Rose garden and a classical string trio will be adding ambience during the late garden openings.

Summer garden games based at the maze will also take place throughout the school holidays.

The garden will now stay open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays from August 8 to 29 inclusive to allow visitors to experience the garden at dusk when it really comes into its own.

With no additional cost to daytime admission, there is also an option to buy a discounted evening-only ticket for visits from 6pm – available on the gate or via www.chatsworth.org with free entry for Friends of Chatsworth.

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

Eastwood Park receives its first Green Flag

28th July 2015

Eastwood Park in Hasland has been declared one of the country’s finest green spaces, after receiving a prestigious Green Flag award.

The park, which is owned and maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council is one of five spaces in the borough to receive the national accolade this year.

Eastwood Park reopened in June 2013 after a redevelopment funded by the council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

This included restoring the fountain, creating a community garden, mini orchard, rose garden, wildlife area, a new play area for children as well as improvements to the car park, footpath, drainage and war memorial.

Work was also carried out to Hasland Village Hall and a new sports pavilion opened in the park this year with the project carried out by the council’s builders and apprentices.

Eastwood Park also has an active friends group and community gardeners.

The other parks in Chesterfield, which have retained their Green Flags are:
• Queen’s Park
• Holmebrook Valley Park
• Poolsbrook Country Park
• The grounds of Chesterfield and District Crematorium.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “I’m pleased that Eastwood Park has been awarded a Green Flag Award to complement our other four award-winning parks.

“Eastwood Park is well used with a thriving friends group and community garden who take great pride in the park.

“I’d also like to thank our staff who have worked hard throughout the year to maintain each of our parks.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd added: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme.

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

Shortlist announced for 2015 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

28th July 2015

The votes for the 2015 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are in and have been counted.

24 eateries, pubs, bars and venues have been shortlisted across 10 categories in the popular awards which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College, who are headline sponsor and host of the awards for the third year running.

The shortlisted establishments were selected from hundreds of nominations received by the competition organisers Destination Chesterfield.

This year sees the introduction of a brand new category – Conference Venue of the Year – and also 11 new contenders for the awards, including The Tickled Trout, Batemans Mill, Chesters, Little Castle, H&F Tea Rooms, Libby’s, Four One Three, Coffee St, Qoozies, Three Cottages and the Proact Stadium.

A secret panel of judges is now set to visit the shortlisted establishments in order to decide the winner of each category which will be announced in October by award winning restaurateur Theo Randall, who is a familiar face on prime time TV.

Chesterfield Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Blu Bistro & Coffee House

Calabria

Cocina at Casa Hotel

Cafe/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier

H & F Tea Rooms

Libby’s

Stephenson’s Coffee and Tea House

Gastro Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield College

The Tickled Trout

Red Lion Bar and Bistro at Peak Edge Hotel

Three Cottages

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Hoopers

COCO Bar Bistro

The Manor

The Market Pub

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt

Four One Three

Coffee St

Qoozies

Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber

Blu Bistro & Coffee House

Stephenson’s Coffee and Tea House

Libby’s

Best Out of Town

The Tickled Trout

Red Lion Bar and Bistro at Peak Edge Hotel

Bateman’s Mill

Chesterfield Food Producer – sponsored by NatWest

To be announced soon

Chesterfield Food Hero – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

To be announced on the evening

Young Chef of the Year – Sponsored by the Crooked Spire Church

To be announced

International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller

Dehli 41
O-Tokuda
Indian Blues

Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design

Chesters
The Manor at Brampton
Little Castle

Conference Venue of the Year – Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants

Casa Hotel
Proact Stadium
Peak Edge Hotel

As well as the winners of the nine categories, Theo will be announcing the winners of three additional categories – Food Producer of the Year, Young Chef of the Year and Food Hero – at the glittering award ceremony being held on Wednesday 28 October at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building.

Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield Cllr Amanda Serjeant said: “The success of the Food and Drink awards is all down to the general public and, once again, they haven’t let us down voting in their droves for their favourite food and drink establishments.”

“The awards are recognition of the contribution Chesterfield’s thriving hospitality industry makes to the local economy. Restaurants, cafes and bars are an important part of Chesterfield’s future leisure offering and are integral part of our recently launched Town Centre Masterplan.”

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Franke Sissons, Holdsworth Foods, Banner Jones, the Crooked Spire Church, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities still remain. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2015 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards they should contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207

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