About Chesterfield

Derbyshire V Yorkshire at Queens Park is Sold Out

11th July 2015

Derbyshire can announce that Sunday’s NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, is now SOLD OUT!

The Club received unprecedented demand for the eagerly-awaited local derby against Yorkshire with over 4,000 supporters purchasing their matchday tickets in advance.

With capacity now reached, only matchday ticket holders will gain entry into the ground and tickets will not be available for sale on the gates. Members and Six Pack Ticket holders who have not already claimed a matchday ticket will also not be unable to gain entry.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “This fixture is always the highlight of our week here in Chesterfield and we’re delighted that local fans are keen to come out and support the Festival.

“Queen’s Park is a beautiful venue for Twenty20 cricket and whilst some fans will be disappointed they have not be able to get a ticket, we have the safety and comfort of those who attend the match in Queen’s Park as a top priority.

“The whole operations team are gearing up for a busy day with extra chairs ordered, a higher number of safety stewards on duty and additional bars and toilets already in place.

“It promises to be a great occasion and I know the team will enjoy playing in front of a packed house.”

Supporters with matchday tickets are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and to give plenty of time to arrive at the ground. Gates open at 12noon.

All supporters are reminded that due to ECB Ground Regulations, NO ALCOHOL can be brought into the ground for this NatWest T20 Blast Match.

Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Image: David Griffin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Details announced for top careers event – Derbyshire Skills Festival

10th July 2015

The county’s largest careers event – the Derbyshire Skills Festival – will this year take place at Chesterfield College on Tuesday 29th September.

Organised with Derby City Council, the event is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school. Visitors to the event will be able to talk to employers, training providers and voluntary organisations, as well as having an opportunity to take part in have-a-go sessions to test their skills and give them an idea what different careers might be like.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“Last year, more than 11,000 people came along to the festival. Because all young people now need to stay in education or training until they’re 18, it’s really important for them to find out what options are out there.”

The event will open from 3.30pm to 8pm on the day. There will also be sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) will also be invited.

Organisations interested in having a stand at one or more of the venues should contact Derbyshire County Council for more details on 01629 536545 or email skillsfestival@derbyshire.gov.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer

Three Chesterfield schools triumph at Derbyshire School Games

10th July 2015

Three schools in Chesterfield have seen considerable success at the Derbyshire School Games – a national competition, this year featuring sprint stars Jonnie Peacock MBE and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Top achievers at Springwell Community College were proud to receive both gold and silver medals in the Tennis Plus, while Tupton Hall School took home silvers in a total of three events – Cricket Plus, the Super Sixes Golf Plus and the Quadkids Athletics Secondary competition.

Also celebrating are students at Brookfield Community School who were pleased to scoop bronze in the Super Sixes Golf Plus.

Paralympian Peacock – London 2012 gold medallist in the T44 100m – was interviewed during the opening ceremony about his rise to stardom and spoke about how he had been inspired as a School Games athlete.

“These Games are so important because it teaches the kids so many different things on so many different levels,” he said. “If they can look at my journey and emulate that in any possible way, that’s going to be a huge win for me.”

World, European and Commonwealth medallist Aikines-Aryeetey was just as popular, giving a speech about the importance of having a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.

Aikines-Aryeetey said: “It has been really fun, an honour to be here. I really enjoyed listening to the young people talking about their experiences in sport, watching them in action and seeing the enjoyment on their faces.”

Both athletes took part in the opening ceremony, which saw captains from each of the school sport partnerships act as flag bearers, accompanied by athletes on the Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS) programme.

A Heritage School dance group also performed at the opening ceremony and then assisted Katherine Wilkins from Deda in leading the warm-up routines.

Others to show their support at the Derbyshire Sport-led event were nine-time Paralympic swimming medallist Martin Mansell, Paralympic footballer Leon Taylor and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Caroline Povey.

Almost 1,000 young people from across the county attended the Derbyshire School Games Event at Trent College – all competing in 11 events in a total of seven sports.

Each of the 87 teams from 58 schools taking part – from High Peak to South Derbyshire – had already excelled to get through to this stage, having qualified by winning their local area competition.

Image: Tupton Hall School students with DIS athlete and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Caroline Povey and Paralympic CP footballer Leon Taylor.

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

Chamber reacts to summer budget

8th July 2015

Commenting on Chancellor George Osborne’s first Budget on a Conservative mandate, Chris Hobson, Director of Policy and External Affairs at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Before the Budget, the Chamber called on the Chancellor to deliver a package of measures focused more on boosting growth than austerity and what was announced today will, by and large, provide stimulus for the economy while continuing the tough task of eliminating the deficit at a steady pace.

“However, given that the Chancellor was in Derby only last month to state his ambition to make the Midlands an ‘Engine of Growth’ for the UK, it was disappointing that he didn’t say anything specific about fuelling that engine. There was a lack of any real action on infrastructure spending – which plays a critical role in generating growth – beyond the proposed road improvement fund, to be paid for by ring-fenced Vehicle Excise Duty.

“While it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, we await further details about two infrastructure initiatives mentioned in the written Budget which will have a real impact here in the East Midlands – the commitment of £5m of additional funding for Midlands Connect, to help develop its vision and strategy for transforming transport connectivity across the region in order to drive economic growth, and the allocation of the extended New Stations Fund to support a local bid for stations on the Robin Hood Line to Edwinstowe and Ollerton, subject to a business case, linking Nottingham city to the north of the county.

“There were, however, several measures announced that will be welcomed by business. Firms across the East Midlands are reliant on the roads for the movement of their goods and people, so a further freeze in Fuel Duty is a good thing.

“The Chamber has long campaigned for more clarity and certainty around Annual Investment Allowances and although we knew it was going to fall from its current level of £500,000, to just £25,000 from 1 January 2016, it was pleasing to see it will now be set at a new long term level of £200,000-a-year. This will provide a significant incentive for businesses to invest in their future and hopefully go some way to addressing the productivity puzzle.

“Reductions to the headline rate of Corporation Tax to 19% in 2017 and 18% by 2020 will be welcomed by business, as will the increase of the NIC employment allowance from £1,500 to £3,000. This could help to offset the expected increases to the National Minimum Wage, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission, which may well have a disproportionate effect on smaller employers already facing financial pressures as they implement pensions auto-enrolment.

“While there is still more specific detail to come, the commitment to set time scales for many of the measures set out in today’s Budget will offer the certainty to support businesses with their planning processes as they look to invest, recruit and grow.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Bowring Bell to be unveiled at Queens Park

8th July 2015

A specially-made bell will be rung for the first time on Day Three of the LV= County Championship versus Glamorgan as part of the Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

The bell commemorates the life of Trevor Bowring, who passed away in August 2014, and his commitment to the development of cricket in Derbyshire.

Trevor Bowring was Chairman at Derbyshire County Cricket Club from 1998 to 2005 and oversaw the return of first-class cricket to Chesterfield in 2005, and this summer marks the tenth successive year back at Queen’s Park.

He later served as Derbyshire President from 2005 to 2007 and also President of the Chesterfield Cricket Lovers’ Society which meets during the winter in the Pavilion at the ground where he enjoyed watching county cricket.

Mike Taylor, Chairman of Chesterfield Cricket Club, said: “It’s a generous gesture by Trevor’s family and it will be a wonderful way of remembering Trevor’s critical role in bringing county cricket back to Queen’s Park.

“Members of the Chesterfield Cricket Lovers’ Society will be present for the inaugural use of the bell when Trevor’s wife Shirley and son Ross hope to be present.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer

High demand for last match of the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

8th July 2015

Derbyshire County Cricket Club has received unprecedented demand for Sunday’s eagerly-awaited NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.

The fixture, which is expected to be a sell-out, is the final game of this year’s Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Tickets are still available for the fixture and the Club are encouraging supporters to buy their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tickets can be purchase online HERE, over the phone by calling 0871 350 1870 or in person at the Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre or at The 3aaa County Ground.

The fixture is the penultimate North Group match in this summer’s competition and will see Derbyshire, led by Captain Wes Durston and featuring overseas duo Hamish Rutherford and Nathan Rimmington, go head-to-head with a Yorkshire Vikings side that includes Australia batting pair Arron Finch and Glenn Maxwell, and England duo Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan.

Buy your matchday tickets in advance and save £4 per adult ticket (£16) purchased, while under-16s can save £1 per ticket (£4) purchased in advance.

Members and Six Pack Ticket holders are reminded are reminded that they need to claim tickets in advance for the fixture with Yorkshire Vikings. Those without a matchday ticket may be refused entry to the ground, subject to capacity.

Supporters with matchday tickets are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and to give plenty of time to arrive at the ground. Gates open at 12noon.

Image: David Griffin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chatsworth chosen to host RHS Flower Show

6th July 2015

A new annual RHS Flower Show is set to be held in the beautiful 1,000-acre parkland of Chatsworth.

The iconic Peak District attraction will hold the show in 2017 alongside Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, Tatton Park and London.

Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, said: “We’re thrilled that in 2017 we will be hosting an RHS Flower Show in partnership with Chatsworth on its breathtaking grounds. The amazing estate with its gorgeous surroundings has a rich gardening heritage and we’re honoured and excited to soon be a part of it.

“RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will join our current portfolio of shows at Cardiff, Malvern, Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, Tatton Park and London. It will be an incredible new show – a stunning addition to the flower show calendar, bursting with fresh ideas that will delight visitors. It’s a fabulous opportunity for exhibitors and a great platform to showcase and sell their amazing plants to a new audience.

“The show will be held on the banks of the River Derwent, providing some of the most magnificent views in the country amid the landscape of ‘Capability’ Brown,” said Sue. “The spectacular home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire will give the event a dramatic and beautiful natural backdrop.”

Nick Mattingley, RHS Head of Shows, said: “It’s so exciting to be in the new role of Head of Shows at the RHS, as we announce the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show. The show will be full of innovation and fresh ideas – it will be unlike anything we’ve done in previous years.

“I can’t wait to speak to exhibitors about being part of this fabulous new show – what an incredible time for the RHS, UK growers and nurserymen, garden designers and, of course, the public. RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will be like no other.”

The Duke of Devonshire commented: “After our wonderful experience at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Amanda and I could not be more thrilled that the RHS has selected Chatsworth for its new show. There is so much happening in the garden at Chatsworth and we very much hope the RHS Flower Show will encourage more garden lovers to come to see us.”

In May, Chatsworth exhibited at an RHS Flower Show for the first time. ‘The Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth Garden’, designed by Dan Pearson, was awarded Gold and won RHS Best Show Garden 2015 at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The garden was a beautiful representation of a small – and less-trodden – part of Chatsworth Garden. Inspired by Chatsworth’s ornamental trout stream and Paxton’s rockery, the garden gave Dan an opportunity to demonstrate his passion for naturalism.

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will be an annual event. It will take place for the first time on
7 – 11 June 2017.

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

Extra week to enter Chesterfield in Bloom competition

6th July 2015

The deadline for residents to enter the Chesterfield in Bloom competition has been extended until Friday 10 July.

Organisers at Chesterfield Borough Council have so far received 127 entries in nine categories.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “We are pleased with the number and standard of entries to this year’s Chesterfield in Bloom competition.

“We know that there are several people who would like to enter but have not had the time so we are pleased to extend the deadline for entries for another week.

“You don’t need a large garden, there are plenty of categories to enter including best container garden and best hanging basket.”

Full details and entry forms are available on the council website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Local lad wins Derbyshire Student Chef of the Year

3rd July 2015

Chesterfield pupil Ryan Bruce has been crowned Derbyshire Student Chef of the Year at ceremony held at The Dome in Buxton.

The proud 15-year-old won the title on the back of his freshly-made sweet and sour chicken and wholegrain rice followed by chocolate, orange and raspberry cake.

Dishes had to include some seasonal, local produce, reflect cultural diversity and be suitable for serving to 14-year-olds in school.

To be named overall winner Ryan, who studies at Whittington Green School, also had to ensure his menu for two was on budget at just £2 per head.

Open to students from years 9 to 11, the competition − now in its fifth year − was organised by Derbyshire County Council’s school catering service.

Ryan was presented with a certificate, trophy and £100 of shopping vouchers from Councillor Caitlin Bisknell, deputy cabinet member for children and young people, who praised all winners and finalists for their fantastic culinary skills.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said:

“The standard of cooking was superb. They all did extremely well in a very pressured environment.”

Also commended from Chesterfield was Leah Roberts, 15, another pupil at Whittington Green School.

(Image shows Ryan Bruce from Whittington Green School with judges: Primary Catering Manager Kevin Hill, Menu Development Officer Katie Woods and Karen Stanley, lecturer in hospitality and catering at Buxton College.)

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

Young Chef of the Year tickles taste buds with local recipe book

3rd July 2015

Chesterfield’s Young Chef of the Year 2014, Natasha Hart, has been cooking up interest for ‘Taste’ – a new, mouth-watering, local cook book featuring favourite recipes from top food spots and keen cooks living and working in the town.

Collated by Chesterfield College, ‘Taste’ is designed to raise vital funds for Ashgate Hospicecare and is part of a bigger campaign by the college to raise £30,000 for the hospice’s £1 million Urgent Bed Appeal. Natasha visited the charity this week to help launch the new book as well as offering some tips for making her recipe at home.

Packed full of savoury and sweet delights, the book includes delicious treats like a stuffed chicken recipe from the Chesterfield Football Club Physio, Jamie Hewitt and a chocolate and caramac Roulade from Andrea Loomes, Head Chef at Ashgate Hospicecare.

Local restaurants and food retailers like Calabria and Jacksons the Bakers have shared their favourite recipes too, making the book a must for any self-respecting foodie to have on their cook book shelf!

Mhairi Herring, from Ashgate Hospicecare said “Thanks to all who have contributed to the Taste book and to Chesterfield College for producing it.

“Every penny from the sale of Taste will raise vital funds to allow us to provide care for people with life limiting illnesses. So grab a copy and get cooking.

“The recipes look delicious. I can’t wait to try Ainsley Harriott’s sticky toffee pudding. I wonder if the calories won’t count as it is all for charity!”

The books are now on sale for £5 from Ashgate Hospicecare shops, Chesterfield College, Chesterfield Football Club, Calabria, Jacksons the Bakers and Maison Mes Amis.

Natasha Hart was named Chesterfield Young Chef of the Year at the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. This year’s Young Chef of the Year will be crowned alongside 12 other winners at a glittering ceremony taking place at Chesterfield College in October.

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

Spireites defender extends contract

2nd July 2015

Chesterfield have been boosted by the news that experienced central defender Ian Evatt has signed a one-year contract extension.

Evatt, who began his second spell with Chesterfield two years ago, is now tied to the club until the summer of 2017.

After penning his new deal, Evatt said: “I’m delighted to stay. There were a few rumours about clubs being interested in me, but I feel that I’m one of Chesterfield’s own. I love the area and I’m settled here so hopefully I can finish my career here. It’s a club that is very close to my heart and hopefully we can have some more success in the future.

“The manager is such an enthusiastic character and his enthusiasm rubs off on everyone else. We’re not a million miles away, as the gaffer knows, so that’s why I wanted to stay.”

Spireites manager Dean Saunders added: “It’s great news for everyone that Ian has agreed an extended deal. He’s an experienced player who has a key role to play for the club. I will use him to help bring the young players on because you learn from experienced pros.”

Saunders has revealed that he is also in negotiations with other players who are in the last year of their contract.

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