About Chesterfield

Famous chefs make for a tasty line up at Chatsworth Country Fair

12th August 2015

This year’s Chatsworth Country Fair offers the chance to watch two of the most famous chefs in Britain demonstrating their favourite dishes.

Hugely popular TV presenter and chef John Torode will be appearing for the first time at the fair. John will be sharing dishes from his new book, ‘My Kind of Food’, which is due out in mid-September. He will be carrying out three demonstrations on Sunday 6 September at 11.00am; 1.30pm and 4.30pm.

Baking queen Mary Berry CBE returns for the third year after proving a huge hit with the Derbyshire crowd. Visitors will be able to see the doyenne of cooking demonstrating three of her favourite recipes from her book, ‘Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites’ at 11.00am and 3.30pm on Saturday September 5. She will show the audience how to create her delicious Summer Ring Pavlova; Garlic Mushrooms Penne Gratin and Gavaldalax followed by book signing afterwards.

With children under 14 admitted free, the Chatsworth Country Fair is great value for a family day out with something for everyone – from the energetic Ukrainian Cossack Stunt Team to the popular Red Arrows. This year the fair takes place from 4th to 6th September. For more details visit the Chatsworth website or click here.

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

Positive job figures for Chesterfield

12th August 2015

The number of people out of work and claiming jobseekers allowance in Chesterfield has fallen again this month.

Across the three counties the overall claimant count fell by 38 to 1155 in July compared with 1,193 in June and by 505 from 1660 in July 2014.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy for East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) said: “The overall trend continues to be very positive, especially the year-on-year figures across the three counties covered by the Chamber.

“Job creation is a really important part of economic growth and it’s great to see that the East Midlands is still one of the leading regions in the country in this regard.

“It is important, though, that the jobs created are accompanied by increased productivity so that the growth in jobs is sustainable.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Duke praises university’s “rescue plan” for Chesterfield building

11th August 2015

The Duke of Devonshire has praised the University of Derby for rescuing one of Chesterfield’s best-loved buildings.

Generations of Chesterfield women owe their start in life to an education at the former St Helena’s Grammar School on Sheffield Road, which will open as the University’s new campus in September 2016.

The Duke, who is the University’s Chancellor, said: “What a rescue. It is very, very exciting. It’s immensely worthwhile and will be great for the University and Chesterfield,”

The Duke had a tour of the Victorian red-brick building, whose light and airy corridors and classrooms provided a pioneering design for schools which was widely admired across Europe and America.

The Duke’s, ancestor, the ninth Duke, officially opened the building in 1911.

The Duke heard how the University’s Nursing courses, run in collaboration with Chesterfield Royal Hospital, will move into the listed building, complete with a mock ward containing robot or “sim” patients that simulate human responses to treatment.

There will also be Engineering and Computing classes, plus a suite of offices which will be used as business incubator units for the town’s entrepreneurs.

Most of the original features and lay-outs will be retained, although the former indoor netball court will become the main entrance. The only part of the existing building which is in need of demolition is a small extension built in the 1960s.

“The way it is going to be modernised while keeping the best of the old seems to be very much the way in which the University maximised the benefit of the Devonshire Dome at Buxton,” the Duke added.

The University has been training local people to work in Nursing and Health Care for many years. The NHS has found that training people locally means they are more likely to stay in their home town, which has meant Chesterfield Royal Hospital has retained excellent, local staff.

This emphasis on training for local people will not only help to meet demand for highly-trained workers, but also keep their spending power within the Chesterfield economy.

Read about the development in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Council pays tribute to Alderman Jim McManus

11th August 2015

Chesterfield Borough Council is paying tribute to Alderman Jim McManus, who died peacefully this morning.

Jim was a member of the council for 28 years. He was first elected in 1987 and retired at the recent elections held in May.

He served as the borough’s mayor in 2001 to 2002 and was the council’s executive member for housing from 2011 until earlier this year.

During this time, all of the council’s housing reached the Decent Homes standard for the first time and work began on building the new purpose-built Parkside older-persons’ accommodation on Stand Road.

Jim was created an honorary alderman in a special ceremony last month.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader said: “It is with great sadness that I heard of Alderman Jim McManus’s passing.
“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with Carol, his wife, and the family.

“I have personally lost a true friend and colleague – his advice and guidance on complex local government issues will be greatly missed by me and all his colleagues.”

Arrangements for Jim’s funeral will be announced in due course.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

The Chesterfield Marathon has got some bottle!

10th August 2015

A family owned business in Chesterfield is backing the town’s marathon by providing vital water for runners.

Family-owned Dunston Lodge, a top local dog boarding and grooming salon, is sponsoring and has secured the delivery of 10,000 bottles of water for the Chesterfield Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 20 September.

The event will see approximately 1500 runners from across the UK take to the streets of Chesterfield, running in the full marathon, team relay marathon and half marathon events – all in aid of many local and national charities, including Kids ‘n’ Cancer. An all-day party in Queens Park, where all the races will start at finish, will also take place.

Ten drinks stations will be located along the full and half marathon route with ample supplies of water to keep runners hydrated, along with pots of jelly babies to give runners the extra boost they may need.

The runners’ safety will be ensured by more than 400 volunteer ‘Marathon Makers’, who will stationed along the route and manning drinks stations, who will also be provided with refreshments, including water.

Richard Harrington, managing director of Chesterfield Champion, Dunston Lodge said: “The Chesterfield Marathon is a massive event for Chesterfield, bringing in runners and visitors from all over the country to our town.

“We wanted to offer our support to the marathon by taking care of this vital element and ensure the water was delivered and in place well ahead of the event.”

Andrea Hooley of the Chesterfield Marathon said “Although Kids ‘n’ Cancer is a national charity, we rely on a small team who work on both the charity and the marathon to make this event happen. The support of local businesses like Dunston Lodge, who have given both financial support as well as resource in purchasing and organising delivery of the water make a huge difference to us”

“The more businesses like Dunston Lodge that come and support the marathon through sponsorship and/or joining one of our business clubs, the bigger and better we can make this event, which benefits the whole of our town and all the charities involved.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Peak FM extend partnership with Chesterfield FC

10th August 2015

Chesterfield Champion’s Peak FM will continue to provide full commentary on every Chesterfield home and away game this season as part of an ongoing partnership between the two organisations.

Commenting on the news, Peak FM station director Sam Fielding said: “Coverage of the Spireites features prominently in our Total Sport show and we are delighted to have reached an agreement to broadcast live commentary of every home and away match.

“Tom Hilton and Pete Farries make a great team and bring with them a huge amount of passion and enthusiasm. We are looking forward to an exciting season.”

Nick Johnson, Chesterfield’s head of media & communications, added: “We enjoy an excellent relationship with Peak FM and long may that continue. Fans who are out of the area can also hear the commentary provided by Peak FM online on our Spireites Player platform. This is the only way that commentary can be accessed via a PC, laptop or mobile device.”

Peak FM is the number one commercial radio station covering north Derbyshire. The Total Sport show is live every Saturday from 2pm.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

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