About Chesterfield

Top honours for Tupton Hall footballers

25th September 2015

Tupton Hall School Under-12s Girls Football Team had an evening to remember at last night’s (Thursday) 2015 Derbyshire Schools’ Sport Association (DSSA) Awards after winning the Secondary Team of the Year category.

They pipped Ecclesbourne School KS3 Girls Badminton Squad and Noel-Baker School Basketball Team to the prize at the ceremony held at Chesterfield FC’s Proact Stadium in front of more than 200 guests.

Tupton were nominated after being crowned National Champions at the FA Youth Futsal Festival National Finals, having progressed from district and county finals.

The team also went on to make the last four of the ESFA National Cup and the last eight of the Football League Kinder+ Sport competition, just one game away from a national final at Wembley Stadium.

The top award of the night, Sportsperson of the Year, was retained by Allestree Woodlands School golfer Bradley Moore, but the North East Derbyshire district had two individuals highly commended in that category.

Eckington School’s Tilly Simpson, 14, was nominated as the reigning English Schools Junior Girls 800m Champion and national outdoor and indoor 800m champion, while Tupton Hall School’s Lauren Hill was put forward as a gold medal winner at the English Schools Athletics Cup Final in the javelin.

The Chesterfield area had its own share of successes, too, with Josh Ryder-Flint of Hasland Hall Community School highly commended in the Young Leader / Ambassador – Secondary School category.

Adult volunteer Nia Yule and Media and Arts contributor to School Sport Katie Marshall, both of Brookfield Community School, were highly commended in their respective categories.

Also announced on the night were the winners of the Derbyshire School Games championship trophies, with Dronfield Henry Fanshawe confirmed as Secondary Champion School.

Joint Primary Schools’ Champions were North East Derbyshire School Sport Partnership, along with High Peak School Sport Partnership, while Chesterfield School Sport Partnership were both Secondary Schools’ Champions and Competition Plus Champions.

Special guest for the night was shot putter Sam Ruddock, who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympics, while also in attendance was the Mayor of Chesterfield, Cllr Barry Bingham.

Image: Secondary School Team of the Year. Winners: Tupton Hall School Under-12s Girls Football Team. Back, Students are, from left – Katy Webster, Mollie Stanley, Abbie Greaves, Leah Harrison, Elizabeth Clayton, Elodie Edwards. Front – Olivia Buckley, Aidan Greenfield, Emma Wilbourne, Millie Standen, Georgia Hagues-Stirk, Maisie Glasby-Hemmings.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Skills review to create best local job opportunities for students

24th September 2015

Business leaders from Local Enterprise Partnership Sheffield City Region have come together with nine local colleges including Chesterfield College to review the area’s future economic and educational needs.

The Area Based Review (ABR) takes place as the LEP negotiates proposals with Government on a second devolution deal, which would see further powers and funding handed to local leaders to create 70,000 jobs and 6,000 new businesses over the next decade.

An ABR Steering Group has been set up to oversee the Review and it will be co-chaired by private sector LEP Board members Julie Kenny and Nigel Brewster. The Group will be made up of Chairs of Governors from the ten Sheffield City Region colleges, supported by their chief executives and/or principals. Government commissioners and representatives from Education Funding Agency (EFA) and Skills Funding Agency (SFA) will also make up the Group.

Julie Kenny (CBE), ABR Steering Group co-chair, said: “Our Review is being designed to grow the local economy and ensure that young college leavers in Sheffield City Region are getting the skills that our local businesses need, now and in the future. Improving opportunities for local young people to get the qualifications to succeed is at the heart of this work.”

Nigel Brewster, ABR Steering Group co-chair, said: “This Review will give local leaders and colleges a firmer business case as we negotiate greater control over funding and powers from Westminster. I’m looking forward to working closely with these nine high quality colleges to make sure our skills provision and business needs are the closest match possible.”

The nine Colleges involved are already working together collaboratively and in a joint statement said: “We will be actively involved in the area review and work with all of the stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome for further education provision in the Sheffield City Region. There is an opportunity to increase our contribution to employers by addressing skills gaps and supporting regional economic growth which, in turn, will help to create jobs and careers for our students, and support our local communities.”

The first Sheffield City Region ABR Steering Group will take place on Monday 28 September and the Review is expected to be completed by Spring 2016 with recommendations being followed over the next four years. Sheffield City Region is among the first wave of areas in the UK to undertake an ABR, alongside Birmingham and Greater Manchester.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield pottery to appear on BBC 2’s Great British Menu

21st September 2015

The work of award-winning Chesterfield ceramicist Clare Gage will be showcased on BBC 2 next month, when it appears on The Great British Menu displaying the culinary creation of top chef Pip Lacey.

Pip Lacey, head Chef at Murano London, Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred restaurant in the Heart of Mayfair, is one of 24 talented chefs who are in competition to cater a banquet which will celebrate the centenary of the Women’s Institute at London’s historic Drapers Hall.

Pip used the plates, cups and saucers from Clare’s range to display her dessert course – ‘a play on scones’ – to Great British Menu judges – Prue Leith, restauranteur Oliver Peyton and award-winning critic Matthew Fort.

Originally from Leicestershire, Pip’s menu is appearing in the Central heat of the competition, where she will go up against two other chefs from the region who have been challenged to produce 21st-century dishes that honour the custodians of first-class home cooking.

The first part of Pip’s four course meal will go before the judges on Monday 28 September, with her dessert course being shown on BBC 2 at 7.30pm on Thursday 1 October 2015.

Clare Gage’s textile inspired ceramics celebrate the British tradition of afternoon tea, so were the perfect accompaniment to Pip Lacey’s very British dessert of scones. Clare Gage’s ceramics are designed and made by Clare herself in Chesterfield. Her work features lace, buttons, patchwork, cross stitch as well as knitted and woven fabric designs. The beautiful range includes cups and saucers, mugs, tableware, vases, jewellery and hanging decorations.

Explaining her decision to choose Clare Gage’s creations to display her menu, Pip Lacey said: “I chose to use Clare’s cups because of the link to the brief: Celebrating the Women’s institute. They are very unique, hand crafted and made by a woman. The Institute is all about learning new crafts and Clare’s style was perfect for the dessert I did – a play on scones. Scones are something that the Women’s Institute would eat at tea breaks when knitting, so the style of Clare’s cups tied in perfectly. Knitting and baking still go together now.

“I know that the crew liked the cups, but I have no idea as to anyone else’s reaction to them or even myself as I’ve not seen any of the show yet.”

Clare added: “It was an honour to have my work selected by Pip. My collection stems from a real affection for the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea, so to have my designs used for a dish that will celebrate the Great British Institution that is the WI seems very fitting.”

The winners of each regional heat will go on to compete in the final where 4 chefs – one for each course, will be selected to cater the banquet. Finals Week and the Banquet show will be aired the week commencing Monday 5 October.

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

Who will be Chesterfield’s Young Chef of the Year?

16th September 2015

Chesterfield College student set to be named as 2015 Young Chef of the Year

Three budding chefs are hoping to take the title of Young Chef of the Year at the 2015 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by Chesterfield College. The winner of the award will be announced on Wednesday 28 October.

Chesterfield College students James Greatorex, Leanne Billyeald and Liam Slinn, all in year two of the Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery course, have been named as the three finalists in the tough competition after preparing a two course meal for judges.

Judges included winner of the 2014 Chef of the Year title Adam Warwick from Blu Bistro, category sponsor Patrick Coleman, the Vicar from The Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints ( the Crooked Spire Church) and Chris Mapp chef and owner of The Tickled Trout in Barlow, Chesterfield.

James Greatorex (18) from Chesterfield, who also works at The Devonshire Arms at Middle Handley, prepared Szechwan Lamb and Lemon Grass and Coffee Pavlova for the judges. He said: “I am used to working in a busy kitchen producing high quality food for customers but I know I had to do something extra to impress the experienced judges. I was pleased with what I produced but the dishes the other competitors produced looked really impressive too so you never know. We’ll have to wait for the results on awards night.”

The judges were wowed with Leanne Billyeald’s menu of Roast Corn Fed Chicken Breast and Lemon and Passion Fruit Cheesecake. Leanne (18) from Chesterfield said: “It’s brilliant to be part of the Young Chef of the Year competition. I hope I managed to control my nerves and impress the judges. Cooking in those kind of conditions really tests your skills and it’s brilliant experience for working in the industry.”

Liam Slinn (18) from Chesterfield served up roast belly pork and lemon meringue pie to judges. She said: “This competition really puts everything you learn at college and in work to the test. It proves how much I have learnt since I decided I wanted a career as a chef. Cooking for judges who are so well respected in the local industry adds some extra pressure but I enjoyed the challenge!”

The winner of the Young Chef of the Year title will be announced at the glitzy award ceremony at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building, which is being hosted by celebrity chef Theo Randall. As well as sponsoring the awards, the College also uses the awards ceremony as a learning exercise for its hospitality students. This year, fifty students from the College will also be catering and silver serving a two course meal to more than 250 people attending the event, working over three days on all areas, including kitchen and front of house.

38 businesses and individuals are up for 13 awards in this year’s Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. A full list of the finalists can be seen at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Franke Sissons, Holdsworth Foods, Banner Jones, Black Eyed Susan, Reflections, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Chesterfield Borough Council, East Midlands Chamber, Hooper’s, Jumble Design, BHP Chartered Accountants, Kier and MSE Hiller,

To find out this year’s winners of the Chesterfield Food and Drink awards live on the night, follow @DesChes on Twitter using hashtag #cfda15 or visit www.chesterfield.co.uk

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

Artists Turn up the Volume at Chatsworth

16th September 2015

More than 25 leading artists, curators and writers are heading to the Peak District this weekend (Friday 18 – 20 September) to launch ‘The Chatsworth Festival – Art Out Loud’, a major new literary festival dedicated to art.

Festival speakers include Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry CBE considering art history’s web of connections and influences and what they mean for artists; and the writer, broadcaster and art historian Tim Marlow talking about Ai Weiwei as a major new exhibition of the artist’s work opens at the Royal Academy.

They are joined by journalist and author Simon Jenkins; portrait artist Jonathan Yeo; BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz; novelists Esther Freud and Hannah Rothschild and many more (see ‘notes to editors’ for full list) to discuss their work, their influences and inspirations and the latest developments in the arts world.

Conrad Shawcross, who stole the show at this year’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, will also be speaking about his work including his vast modular sculpture ‘The Dappled Light of the Sun’. A variation of this sculpture is on view at Chatsworth as part of ‘Beyond Limits: The Landscape of British Sculpture 1950-2015′ (14 Sept-25 Oct), Sotheby’s 10th annual monumental sculpture exhibition, which is running in the garden.

Talks will take place in a marquee on the private South lawn and in the historic Theatre. Tickets are on sale at www.chatsworth.org priced at £12.50 per talk and include entry to the garden and the sculpture exhibition, Beyond Limits.

‘Art Out Loud’ continues Chatsworth’s long association with the literary world. The Duke of Devonshire owns the antiquarian bookshop ‘Heywood Hill’ in Mayfair where his aunt Nancy Mitford, author of ‘Love in a Cold Climate’, worked during WWII, while his mother Deborah Cavendish was a successful published author of more than a dozen books including ‘Wait for Me’ and ‘Tearing Haste’.

‘Art Out Loud’ is the latest addition to a burgeoning arts scene at Chatsworth. As well as ‘Beyond Limits’, the ‘Make Yourself Comfortable’ exhibition of contemporary seating takes place in the house until October while the ‘Grand Tour’ programme of exhibitions and events began in July in conjunction with Nottingham Contemporary, the Harley Gallery and Derby Museums.

Beyond Limits features more than 30 monumental sculptures in the grounds at Chatsworth – the largest Beyond Limits show to date. Other highlights include Barbara Hepworth’s ‘Three Obliques (Walk-In)’ and Anthony Caro’s ‘Sunshine’, alongside works by Antony Gormley, Sarah Lucas, Reg Butler and Philip King.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Employment continues to rise in Chesterfield

16th September 2015

The number of people out of work and claiming job seeker’s allowance in Chesterfield fell again in August, according to figures released this morning.

There were 1071 JSA claimants in Chesterfield – 84 fewer than in July and 540 fewer than a year ago.

Chesterfield is now below the national average for the percentage of claimants for the first time since records began in 2006.

In the East Midlands as a whole, the number of people in employment increased over the three months to the end of July to 2,172,663, a rise of 18,539 compared with the 2,154,124 in the previous three months.

The employment rate for the region over the same periods rose from 74.4% to 75% and unemployment dropped from 5% to 4.8%.

Scott Knowles, Acting Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “Yet again, Derby and Derbyshire are recording strong employment growth. That is excellent news, especially as there will have been a cohort of 18-year-olds leaving school this summer – the first since the school-leaving age was increased from 16 – and appearing on the figures for the first time.

“What is important is that these jobs are sustainable, which means they must be created alongside improvements in productivity [output per employee] if regional growth is to be sustained.

“Over the next few months we can expect to see a spike in employment as companies recruit temporary staff, some on zero hours contracts, to cope with the Christmas rush.

“What we must hope is that, come the new year and the end of those contracts, we don’t see a large dip in employment or spike in JSA claimants.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Aviva Secures landmark deal at Markham Vale

16th September 2015

Henry Boot Developments has recently completed the sale of two distribution and industrial investments at Markham Vale in Derbyshire, to Aviva Insurance, for a price reflecting a net initial yield of 5.3%.

The newly constructed properties comprise a 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility let to Smurfit Kappa, which is currently occupied by inspirepac, a national corrugated packaging company acquired from the Logson Group in 2014.

The sales also include the 52,000 sq ft distribution warehouse at Markham Vale West which is let to Gould Alloys, one of the fastest growing specialist metals stockholders in the country. The sale to Aviva follows the successful £36million forward funding deal of Great Bear’s 480,000 sq ft new distribution facility by M&G Real Estate earlier this year.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said “The demand for these fully let investments demonstrates the confidence in Markham Vale as a location of choice for both occupiers and investors.

We are extremely pleased with the recent deals announced this year, and with our next phase of development currently underway, we are offering a wealth of opportunities for investors and occupiers at Markham Vale.”

Markham Vale’s strategic location adjacent to Junction 29a of the M1 alongside its Enterprise Zone status has seen excellent levels of take up over the last couple of years. The next phase of development, Markham Vale North, is currently being prepared for development and there is already a strong interest from a number of parties for large scale distribution buildings.”

Burbage Realty and JLL represented Henry Boot Developments in the latest Aviva investment deal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

East Midlands Chamber Welcomes Rail Franchise Extension

16th September 2015

East Midlands Trains has secured an investment of around £13m from the Department for Transport to improve services for customers as part of a new rail franchise.

The current East Midlands Trains franchise was due to end in October and the operator had been in discussions with the DfT for a number of months about a Direct Award to the franchise.

Stagecoach, East Midlands Trains’ parent company, has now secured an agreement with the DfT that will see services continue to run until at least March 2018.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber*, said: “This is fantastic news for the region and for one of our key members, East Midlands Trains, which will ensure that rail passengers can continue to access the same award-winning service for at least the next two-and-a-half years.

“The announcement of this franchise agreement is timely, given that the Chamber is leading a delegation of business – including East Midlands Trains – and local authority leaders to Westminster today to meet with local MPs and get their support for the electrification of the Midlands Main Line, which is currently on hold.

“The Midlands region, and the East Midlands in particular, has created jobs at a faster rate than anywhere else in the country over the past 18 months and has been a significant driver of the growth of the UK economy from recession to recovery. Businesses here stand ready to push the economy forward again, but they need support.

“The electrification of the Midlands Main Line is critical to the delivery of a modern, cost effective and reliable transport system serving the economy of the East Midlands and should proceed without delay.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Runners prepare for Chesterfield’s big race day

16th September 2015

More than a thousand runners are preparing to hit the streets of Chesterfield this weekend when they take part in one of the town’s biggest mass participation events.

Chesterfield Marathon Road Closures and Route Information

Runners from as far afield as America are expected to take part in the Drainage 2000 Chesterfield Marathon on Sunday 20 September, raising funds for Kids ‘n’ Cancer and many other worthwhile local causes.

Participants will be running in the full marathon, half marathon and the team relay event, where four competitors take a share of the course, with all events starting and finishing at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.

In addition to the races, Kids ‘n’ Cancer has organised a massive ‘Party in the Park’ to bring the community of Chesterfield together to celebrate another fundraising achievement.

There will be something for everyone to enjoy, from a cocktail with local bar and restaurant Maison Mes Amis, to hours of fun at Proctor’s Fun Fair and activities including a rodeo bull and sumo wrestler suits.

The park will also be full of food and market stalls, as well as face painting, hair braiding, and target football. Live music on the main stage will kick off at 1.30pm to keep the music lovers entertained until 8:30pm, bringing the day to an end with a firework display.

The full and half marathons and the team relay race will all start at 8.30am and road closures will be in place on race day around the route, with local diversions in place.

Organisations that are already set to benefit from the scheme include MacMillan, The Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and the British Heart Foundation, as well as community groups like Chesterfield District Scouts and the Friends of Holmebrook Valley and Eastwood Park groups, thanks to the volunteers that have already registered.

The event will also see the reunion of around youngsters who have received proton therapy treatment at either the ProCure Proton Therapy Centre in Oklahoma City or the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, US.

Former patients, aged between three and 20, and their families from around the country will come together on race day, with doctors and welfare staff also travelling from the US to Derbyshire for the reunion.

Mike Hyman, co-founder of Kids ‘n’ Cancer, said: “We’re really excited that race day is nearly upon us and we can’t wait to see people of all ages and abilities taking to the starting blocks at Queen’s Park.

“Last year was an absolutely fantastic day and we are looking forward welcoming spectators and supporters to help us celebrate and raise vital funds for some incredibly worthwhile causes.

“We hope the race will help to put Chesterfield on the map and, with people coming from abroad to support runners, it will be fantastic for the local economy. We are sure it will be a memorable day for everyone.”

The Chesterfield Marathon route will see runners head out of Queen’s Park, through the town centre onto the A617, then looping around onto Slack Lane, Park Road and Chesterfield Road before hitting Mansfield and Hasland Road.

Once the runners hit Hady Hill the Half Marathon participants will then head back towards Queen’s Park for the finish, with Full Marathon runners making their way along the A61 to the Casa Hotel, towards Pevril Road and through to Dunston. From there, the route will pass through Loundsley Green and Holme Brook Valley Park before reaching Ashgate Road and heading back towards the town centre – finally returning to Queen’s Park for the finish.

The event was recently granted an official road race licence from UK Athletics (RunBritain), which now means that runners who are affiliated to a club can now take their time from the event and add it to their official results from the racing calendar.

The male and female winners of the full marathon will receive a cash prize of £250 and free entry for next year, and the half marathon winners will get £200 and free entry next year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Warnock relishes Spireites return

15th September 2015

Controversial football personality Neil Warnock is looking forward to returning to Chesterfield to attend the club’s popular sporting dinner.

Warnock scored two goals in 24 appearances for Chesterfield after starting out as a winger with the Spireites in 1967. He went on to play for seven other clubs, including Rotherham United and Barnsley.

He then enjoyed a colourful career in management with a host of clubs including Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, QPR and Leeds United, often clashing with officials, opposition managers and players.

Looking ahead to his appearance at the All-Star Events dinner at the Proact Stadium on Thursday, October 1, Warnock said: “I am really looking forward to going back to Chesterfield. When I was asked if I would talk at a dinner, I jumped at the chance because I have fond memories of Chesterfield and I know chairman Dave Allen and chief executive Chris Turner.

“I will talk about the run-ins I had with various high-profile figures over the years and there will also be an opportunity for those attending to ask me questions. It promises to be a great night.”

The event, which starts at 7pm for 7.30pm and includes a superb three-course meal, also features further entertainment from hilarious comedian Max Pressure. Tickets, priced at just £39, can be booked by phoning 01246 269300 (ext 4153) or emailing richardkew@chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Twist magazine publishers up for two national awards

14th September 2015

The company behind a series of north Derbyshire glossy magazines – including Chesterfield’s Twist magazine -has once again been shortlisted in two categories at the 2015 Magazine Publishers’ Awards.

Director Mike Firth said: “We’ve come away from the awards night with trophies for the past two years and we would be delighted to make it a hat-trick this year.

“But there has been a 64% increase in the number of entries this time around, so competition is fierce and we’re delighted to have been shortlisted.”

Heron Publications has been selected in both the ‘Best Social Media’ class – partly due to their busy ‘Dronfield Eye’ facebook content – and also for ‘Best General Interest Editorial’, recognising the quality of journalist Deborah Wain’s feature looking at 100th anniversary of the Women’s Institute.

Last year, Heron Publications Ltd was Runner-Up in the ‘Best Magazine Editorial’ category and in 2013 the company was Runner-Up in the ‘Best Magazine Front Covers’ section.

This year’s winners will be announced by the Association of Independent Magazine Publishers on October 2nd.

(Image shows Mike Firth at the 2014 Magazine Publishers Awards.)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business