About Chesterfield

Local Cancer Charities Share Donation from Franke Sissons

Local cancer charities Nenna Kind and Ashgate Hospicecare have each received £1250 following a successful fundraising dinner dance hosted by Chesterfield manufacturer Franke Sissons.

Both charities are close to the company’s heart and both receive regular donations of monies and equipment. This latest round comes from the raffle and auction donations at the company’s annual dinner event held in March.

Andy Dukelow, Managing Director at Franke Sissons, who also auctioned a day of his own services said: “Both of these charities undertake remarkable work for the communities of North Derbyshire and we are proud to support them in whichever way we can.

“I’d like to thank all those that organised and attended the dinner and allowed us to raise such an impressive amount.”

ASHGATE HOSPICECARE BENEFIT FROM FRANKE SISSONS ANNUAL DINNER

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chiquito to Open in Chesterfield

Chiquito has confirmed it is to open a restaurant in Chesterfield this autumn creating around 80 jobs for the town.

The popular mexican eatery is coming to Alma Leisure Park this October at the site of the former Wacky Warehouse.

Jody Millward, Regional Marketing Coordinator at Chiquito said:-

“We’re thrilled to announce that Chiquito is to join Chesterfield’s growing food and drink offering and hope to be open to the public in October.

“The combination of our quality food, quality drinks and cocktails, soaked up in our authentic and fun surroundings will take you to places you haven’t been before! Fresh, vibrant and colourful!

“Our team is the heartbeat of our restaurant and we look forward to meeting local candidates who are as passionate as we are about food, drink and all things Tex Mex.”

Recruitment has already begun for Chesterfield’s new Chiquito. More information is available on the Chiquito website under careers.

Chiquito Chesterfield

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

Classic Car and Bike Show Comes to Renishaw Hall

Hundreds of classic cars and bikes from all eras will be converging on picturesque Renishaw Hall, Eckington, near Chesterfield this June.

Organised each year by the Rotary Club of Chesterfield, the event, in association with Autoworld, is set to raise thousands of pounds for three local charities, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and Ashgate Hospicecare.

Main organiser, Stuart Bradley of Stuart Bradley Ltd Jewellers, said: “Renishaw Hall is the perfect venue for this charitable event which we have run successfully for several years now in support of these important local charities.”

There will be musical entertainment on the day from Direction Theatre Arts, a variety of stalls and amusements, plus refreshments and a bar. Admission is £5 a vehicle.

The Classic Car and Bike Show will be at Renishaw Hall on Wednesday 10 June 2015 from 3.00pm until 8.00pm.  For more information please contact main organiser Stuart Bradley on 01246 222777.

Classic Car and Bike Show Renishaw Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

More Young People to Benefit from b_line Scheme

Thousands more young people are to get help with travel costs after Derbyshire councillors gave the thumbs up to the new b_line scheme.

Plans have been approved to extend b_line − introduced in 2001 – to include all young people aged up to 19 living in Derbyshire. Previously only students in full-time education qualified for the reduction on adult bus and rail fares.

Now, from Saturday 1 August 2015, apprentices and those on training courses or looking for work will also qualify for the discount on local bus and train services – extending the benefit to an extra 6,000 young people.

Councillors also agreed to withdraw the travel discount for the under 16s who instead will qualify for the bus or train operators’ own cut-price tickets. In most cases these are currently better than or match the b_line discount.

Councillor Dean Collins, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said:

“Since b_line started there are more options, other than more traditional study, open to young people and the extension of our b_line scheme, to include wider groups of young people, reflects this.

“b_line is an optional scheme and although we are having to make unprecedented cuts we recognise the importance of supporting young people in getting out and about, particularly when they may be making the challenging step from education to training or work.”

Under the new scheme the two types of card will be:

b_line1 − an orange card for 11 to 16-year-olds. This provides proof that the cardholder is entitled to a child fare or operators’ discount.

b_line2 − a purple card for 16-year-olds up to 19th birthday. This gets the cardholder 25 per cent off adult fares on all bus and train journeys in Derbyshire and on some trips to nearby towns and cities that start or finish within the county.

For those attending Derbyshire or Derby city schools new cards will, in most cases, be issued automatically through schools. Other eligible young people will need to complete a b_line application form.

b_line is run in partnership with Derby City Council. Both cards also entitle the cardholder to discounts at around 600 local shops and other businesses and to borrow at any Derbyshire or Derby City library.

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

Talbot Signs New Contract with Spireites

Long-serving defender Drew Talbot has committed his future to Chesterfield by signing a new one-year contract.

After putting pen to paper, Talbot said:

“I had a career-threatening injury, but I’m over that now and I’m raring to go. Chesterfield have always been good to me – especially over the last 18 months – and I wanted to repay their faith in me.

“I had a couple of offers to go elsewhere and I could have gone for a lot more money, but I love it here and it means I don’t have to move.

“It’s an exciting time. The manager has tried to sign me in the past and I was interested to hear his plans for the club.”

Spireites boss Dean Saunders said: “I’m really pleased to have kept Drew because I can rely on him and that’s the type of character I want. He’ll run through a brick wall for you.”

Talbot, who joined the Spireites after leaving Luton Town six years ago, has made over 200 appearances for the club. After regaining full fitness last season, he had a successful spell on loan at Plymouth Argyle.

Talbot Signs New Contract with Spireites

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

Chatsworth Turns on Fun with Water Spectacular

A week-long event starting on Saturday 23rd May will see Chatsworth’s water features played in all their original glory this half term holiday with the Emperor fountain expected to reach a staggering height of 200 feet – the equivalent of 14 double decker buses!

As well as the Emperor fountain – which was named after Tsar Nicholas I Emperor of Russia in anticipation of a visit that never took place – visitors will be able to enjoy the impressive site of water tumbling over the roof of the Cascade house before it flows over the stone slabs created to mimic the sound of music.

Another water feature to look out for this May Bank Holiday is the Willow Tree Fountain. Designed as a practical joke when it was first ‘planted’ in its own little dell back in the 17th century, the copper tree often catches out the unwary with its spurts of water.

Free waterworks tours will take place five times a day, starting from the Cascade house and culminating in a countdown as a member of the public is invited to turn up the Emperor fountain to its full 200 feet, more than double its usual playing height of 75 feet.

Chatsworth’s Paul Hayes said: “These water features rarely get played to this level, the last time we had them all on was for the Queen’s visit last year. It’s an amazing opportunity to see them in their full glory as they were originally intended to be viewed.

“To give an idea of how impressive the plume from the Emperor Fountain will be, it’s likely spray can be felt in the car park if the wind blows in the right direction!”

Also on offer over the weekend will be bee themed activities in the Stickyard; a new educational space in the garden, where a series of hands on fun activities looking at native bees will be taking place, and packs of bee friendly plant seeds will be handed out for visitors to plant at home.

Chatsworth

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

Chesterfield Retail Awards shortlist announced

Six Chesterfield retailers are hoping to retain their titles at next month’s Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Northern Tea Merchants, aGeek, Vivienne’s Hairdressing and Beauty, Babyluv, Fred’s Haberdashery and Pelican Cycles have once again been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

They join a total of 33 Chesterfield retailers shortlisted across 14 categories in the annual awards, which recognise the very best independent shops, high street stores and market traders in the town.

The shortlisted retailers will now go head-to-head, with the winner in each category being announced by Peak FM breakfast show hosts, Becky Measures and James Summers, on Wednesday 24 June at The Winding Wheel.

The winners of each category will also fight it out for the prestigious Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber. Last year, Pelican Cycles scooped the coveted award.

Organised by the town’s inward investment campaign, Destination Chesterfield, the Awards are sponsored by Learning Unlimited – part of Chesterfield College Group.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College said: “We work with many local retailers already and the apprenticeships that we offer in relation to retail are growing increasingly popular, such as customer service and sales apprenticeships, so are delighted to be involved with such a key retail awards ceremony in Chesterfield. We hope that we continue to work successfully with more and more local retailers in regard to their staffing and training needs as we look to help grow this area’s economy, giving the community a real boost.”

The shortlisted retailers across the 14 categories are:

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Learning Unlimited
Adorn Jewellers
Blanc
R P Davidson Cheese Factor

Market Hall Business of the Year – sponsored by Kier
1001 Vac and Electrical spares
A Little Bazaar
Lambs Cupcakes

Best New Store – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
A Little Bazaar
Meadowfresh
PK House

National / Multiple Retailer of the year – sponsored by Vicar Lane
Carphone Warehouse
Debenhams
Specsavers Opticians

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – sponsored by BHP Accountants
Meadowfresh
Northern Tea Merchants
R P Davidson Cheese Factor

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – sponsored by In the Works PR
Badger
Blanc
Moo Fashions

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
Vivienne’s Hairdressing
Phunk’d Hair & Nail Lounge
The Therapy Lounge

Jewellery & Accessories Retailer of the Year – sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre
Adorn Jewellers
M’s Gallery
Moo Fashions

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
Curious Goods
Libby’s
New Dawn

Children’s Clothes, Toys and Accessories Retailer of the Year
Babyluv
Debenhams
Giraffe Nursery Store

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors
aGeek
Chips Computers
Tech CPR

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor) – Sponsored by Peak FM
Fred’s Haberdashery
StraightCurves
Pelican Cycles

Market Trader of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
David Wood Fine China
Ibbotson’s Fresh Produce
Tiddlywinks

Independent Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Jumble Design
R P Davidson Cheese Factor
Libby’s
Pelican Cycles

This year, the awards are hosting an additional category – Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s Retailer of the Year Award, which will name town’s favourite retailer based on Vicar Lane and Steeplegate in the town centre. Voting for this award was done directly with Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, however the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s Retailer of the Year Award

Carphone Warehouse
Holland and Barrett
New Look

Other supporters of the awards include eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

You can keep up-to-date with the awards on social media by using the hashtag #retailawards15.

To find out more about the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards.

Chesterfield Retail Awards 2014, held in the Market Hall Assembly Rooms.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Welcomes New Mayor

Councillor Barry Bingham became the town’s 375th mayor at a ceremony held at Chesterfield Town Hall this week.

Councillor Bingham was raised in Old Whittington and New Whittington and he worked at the Staveley Coal, Iron and Chemical Company for 38 years.

He has served as a Liberal Democrat councillor since 2007 and was re-elected as councillor for the Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward at the borough elections held on 7 May.
Councillor Bingham says: “I am honoured and very proud to become Chesterfield’s mayor.”

“Over the course of the next year, I am particularly looking forward to meeting residents from across the borough and hearing their stories and experiences.”

Councillor Bingham’s wife, June, will serve as his mayoress for the coming year.

Mrs Bingham was also born and raised in Chesterfield and worked at Boots in the town centre for 40 years.

The couple married in 1977 at the same time as celebrations took place for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

Residents are invited to attend the civic service at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the Cooked Spire, on Saturday 23 May from 11am.

There will be a civic procession from the Town Hall to the church. Anyone attending the service is asked to be seated for 10.40am before the arrival of the procession.

The service will be followed by a further procession from the church to the Town Hall. There is likely to be congestion in the town centre and the car parks around the Town Hall will also be closed until after the service.

The couple replace Councillor Alexis Diouf and his wife, Vickey-Anne, who served as mayor and mayoress during 2014/15.

New Mayor Chesterfield

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

Chesterfield Museum Remembers Local Navy Stokers

A special art installation at Chesterfield Museum will remember local men who served as stokers in the First World War.

Sheffield-based Kidology Arts will take over art gallery space with a large scale art installation based on the local men who were stokers in the Royal Navy during the First World War.

This will be on display at the Chesterfield Borough Council attraction from Saturday 23 May until Saturday 18 July.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The First World War was a defining moment in our history and this exhibition will allow many of our young visitors to see the men from Chesterfield who served their country 100 years ago.

“Our thanks go to Arts Council England for funding the project and to the Sheffield artists, Richard and Amanda Johnson of Kidology Arts, for their artwork.”

The exhibition takes the form of an art and music installation. Beyond what has been uncovered, very little is known about the stokers and their contribution to the war effort has not been recognised.

The piece of visual art is a detailed, life-size recreation of the front room in the family’s terraced house and the exhibition will highlight what the stokers did and explain how, through the collieries, they were recruited into the Royal Navy from Derbyshire – the county furthest from the sea.

Chesterfield Museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.

Chesterfield Museum

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Jim Brown Named Spireites Club Hero

Spireites stalwart Jim Brown was named as Chesterfield’s ‘Club Hero’ at the recent Football League Awards event.

All Football League clubs were asked to nominate someone who has made a valuable contribution and photos of all the Club Heroes were shown on a big screen at the gala ceremony held at The Brewery in London.

Jim first joined the club in 1972. Following a two-year spell at Saltergate, he moved to Sheffield United and then played in the United States. He rejoined Chesterfield in 1983 and was handed the role of commercial manager three years later, although he retained his playing registration until 1997 and was often an unused substitute.

Jim was instrumental in setting up the highly successful ‘Blues on the Move’ lottery, which raised valuable funds over a 30-year period and at one point had over 9,000 members. He also set up the 50/50 draw, which continues to generate revenue for the club.

He bravely stood up to then-chairman Darren Brown when financial problems threatened to cripple the club, keeping records that helped to later convict him of fraud.

The 63-year-old also edited the matchday programme for a number of years and looks after matchday hospitality guests.

Spireites chief executive Chris Turner paid tribute to the popular Scot, saying: “Jim has served the club loyally for many years, making a tremendous contribution and raising valuable funds. Every club needs someone like Jim.”

Jim said: “It’s always nice to be recognised in your job but it’s been a privilege to serve the club both as a player and commercial manager for over 30 years.

“I obviously enjoyed my time as a player, but as commercial manager I really do have to thanks our sponsors, advertisers, lottery agents and programme sellers who over the years have supported the club and myself through the good and the bad times. The support I have received is very much appreciated.”

Jim Brown Named Spireites Club Hero
(Photo: Jim Brown is pictured receiving his Club Hero award from Spireites director Ashley Carson at half-time in the play-off semi-final, first leg against Preston North End. Courtesy of Tina Jenner.)

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

Brampton Brewery Sponsors New Club Lounge at the Proact

The Spireites have agreed a substantial long-term deal with Chesterfield-based Brampton Brewery for sponsorship of the new 1866 Club Lounge at the Proact Stadium.

The agreement will result in the lounge being named the ‘Brampton Brewery 1866 Lounge’ and a special ‘1866 Best Bitter’ being brewed.

Chesterfield’s head of commercial & marketing, Kevin Fitzgerald, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Chris Radford and his fellow directors for supporting what we are trying to achieve off the field at the Proact Stadium.

“Not only is the deal worth a substantial amount of money to the football club over a long period of time, it is with a local company who produce some very popular beers that have been available on the concourses.”

Brampton Brewery managing director Chris Radford said: “I was very encouraged to hear that the lounge would be re-designed because it makes perfect commercial sense. As it will be more of a pub/bar environment, it is something we were very keen to be involved in.

“It is a very significant deal for us and I’m really looking forward to being involved. Our beers have been well received on the concourses and this development strengthens our association with the club.”

Brampton Brewery Sponsor New Lounge

(Photo shows Brampton Brewery managing director Chris Radford (centre) with Chesterfield players Aaron Chapman & Mani Dieseruvwe. Courtesy of Tina Jenner.)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting