About Chesterfield

Arts Festival Something to Shout About at Chatsworth

Chatsworth is set to launch a major new arts festival this September.

‘Art Out Loud‘ is a three-day event featuring a stellar line up of more than 20 speakers drawn from the literary world, art, tv, museums and journalism.

The festival, which runs from 18th to 20th September, has been inspired by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s passion for the arts.

The Duke said:-

“Over the past few years Chatsworth has developed a fantastic programme of arts-related exhibitions and events, which has been very well received.

“We are delighted that the Chatsworth Festival will be joining this programme in 2015, giving our visitors the opportunity to hear some of the world’s best authors, journalists and artists share their thoughts and experiences.”

‘Art Out Loud’ is the latest addition to a burgeoning arts scene at Chatsworth and the event will run alongside the 10th anniversary of the ‘Beyond Limits’ monumental sculpture exhibition in the garden starting in September.

Speakers include Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry CBE; author and filmmaker Hannah Rothschild; BBC Arts Editor, Will Gompertz; and the Duke of Devonshire who will be talking about the Devonshire Collection, one of Europe’s most significant art collections.  A full programme for the festival will be announced in June.

Chatsworth

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Spireites Prepare for True Blue Day

Chesterfield’s game at home to Bristol City on Saturday will be ‘True Blue Day’, with Spireites fans urged to wear blue to show their support for the club.

The aim is to be as many fans as possible wearing blue at the Proact Stadium on Saturday 25th April, whether it be a replica home shirt, t-shirt or scarf.

The dress code in the corporate areas of the stadium will also be relaxed on the day, allowing those in the lounges to wear replica shirts.

Spireites Chief Executive Chris Turner said:-

“We want to generate a party atmosphere to celebrate what has been a fantastic season and it would be fantastic to witness a sea of blue in the stands when the teams run out.

“There is a limited stock of home replica shirts on sale in the Club Superstore and we also have some blue t-shirts and scarves available. The players and management have done superbly well to put us within touching distance of the play-offs so let’s make True Blue Day an unforgettable occasion.”Chesterfield Football Club Chester the Field Mouse

 

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

Daredevil Stunt Team Joins Chatsworth Country Fair

Three exciting new acts have been announced for this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair – including the energetic Ukrainian Cossack Stunt Team which is set to wow visitors with mind-blowing stunts – from balancing on a saddle whilst galloping at full speed to hanging from a stirrup with just one leg.

The world-famous group will be joined at the event by The Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers, who will perform a medley of traditional army marches, as well as a selection of well-known hits and current chart toppers.  Appearing at numerous state occasions, the band continually achieves wide public recognition through its many broadcasts, recordings and concert performances, most notably playing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Essex Dog Display Team will top off the action-packed schedule of new talent, with 10 various breeds of dogs and their handlers carrying out an exciting display of ambitious exercises and agility obstacles, which may even see them jumping through flaming hoops!  A big hit with royals and celebrities alike, the team has performed in venues ranging from the grounds of Blenheim Palace and Windsor Castle to the studios of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

Held in the beautiful Chatsworth parkland surrounding the house in the heart of the Peak District, the popular three-day event will feature all three acts in the prestigious Grand Ring, along with many more performers yet to be announced.

This year’s Chatsworth Country Fair promises bigger and better entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. For more information visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chatsworth-country-fair/.

The Ukrainian Cossack Stunt Team coming to Chatsworth Country Fai

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

Job Figures Keep Improving

The number of unemployed people in the East Midlands has fallen by almost 2,500, according to new job figures released by the Office for National Statistics.  The rate is now at 5.1% which is below the national average of 5.6%.

People (aged 16-64) in employment in the region has increased by 10,400 to 2,152,769 in the three months to February, meaning there were 66,549 more people in work than in the same period last year.

The number of people in Chesterfield claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) stood at 1404, which is 562 lower than the figure announced in March 2014.

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has welcomed the figures.

Chief Executive, George Cowcher, said: “This was another extremely positive set of employment figures, with the number of JSA claimants across the region falling significantly over the year, the number of people in work increasing and the unemployment rate in the East Midlands now well below the national average.

“Over the past five years, the unemployment rate in the East Midlands has fallen by 2.3% and largely this has been driven by the efforts of local businesses in creating the jobs and generating the growth needed to secure and sustain the economic recovery.

“Wage increases are also now higher than inflation and are boosting living standards – a focus on improving productivity from businesses will ensure this is sustainable.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre up for Prestigious Award

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards For Excellence 2015.

The centre, based in Rykneld Square and owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, is in the running for Visitor Information Provider of the Year and faces competition from the City of London Information Centre, Durham Visitor Information Network, Simply Staffordshire and The Welcome People in London.

Alyson Barnes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Tourism, Museums and Events Manager said:-

“We provide a welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors both prior to and during their stay in Chesterfield, delivered by enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff.

“The staff are ambassadors for Chesterfield, promoting the town and the Peak District to allow visitors to get the most from their stay, increasing visitor spend and supporting the local economy.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on Monday 11 May 2015 at the Sage, Gateshead and all finalists are guaranteed to receive either gold, silver, bronze or highly commended.

James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland said:-

“It’s been another successful year for our excellence awards as we’ve received hundreds of applications of an extremely high standard. That’s why all the finalists should be incredibly proud that they’ve been short-listed against such tough competition.

“I’d like to congratulate all the finalists who now represent the top five in their category in England and wish them all the very best of luck on awards night.”

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre

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

Queen’s Park named as one of the top ten Cricket outgrounds in the Country

Queen’s Park in Chesterfield is one of ten outgrounds to visit this year according to the Independent.

The picturesque setting at the ground and the enchanting old-school pavilion makes it a must visit destination for Cricket fans this summer.

The Chesterfield Festival of cricket  which returns this summer, will feature three Derbyshire matches, to mark a tenth successive year for the festival.

Queen’s Park will play host to the visit of Northampton Steelbacks in the NatWest T20 Blast on Sunday 5 July, before Glamorgan arrive the following day for the start of the LV= County Championship fixture.

The festival concludes the following Sunday, with Derbyshire meeting Yorkshire Vikings the NatWest T20 Blast, in a clash that is expected to draw in a huge crowd.

The ground will also host international cricket in the summer with England U19’s taking on Australia U19’s

Read more about the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

Read More about England U19’s V Australia U19’s

Chesterfield Festival of Cricke

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Franke Sissons lobbied for change at Westminster Briefing

Franke Sissons Ltd, who have been manufacturing for over 230 years, has headed a hard-hitting parliamentary discussion to outline the lack of surveillance for genuine CE Marking, required by UK Law, on products fitted in commercial buildings.

Franke Sissons Ltd employs the majority of its staff from the Derbyshire area and says it could expand its business and create even more employment opportunities if mandatory proof of CE Marking at tender stage was instigated.

The Company, based at Carrwood Rd, Chesterfield has solicited the support of local MP Toby Perkins and the industry body that supports manufacturing in the bathroom industry, The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), to host a hard hitting briefing session for MP’s in Westminster.

Aiming to highlight the obvious shortfalls of legislation that currently goes completely unchecked, the briefing detailed to MPs how contractors are regularly substituting unlawful and inferior products in the final fit, through either lack of knowledge in the law or in ignorance for the cheapest option.

Franke’s Managing Director, Andy Dukelow explains, “This is a problem right across the building industry not just in our sector. Without a CE Mark on products for bathrooms and washrooms, consumers may endure scalding injuries, product failure under load and ultimately products will fail completely, there is no back up and absolutely no guarantee.  Those manufacturers and suppliers who have made the investment to comply, with what is actually a law not just a guideline, will continue to be undercut by non-conforming companies putting UK jobs at risk.  I am personally deeply frustrated by the slow pace of understanding at Government level, this is a UK Law, and one of the few that could offer UK business a tangible level of support and actually add longevity to cash savings to the British tax payer.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

American Partnership for Chesterfield FC

A partnership has been agreed between the Chesterfield FC development centre and the Gordon Hill International Football Academy, based in Florida.

As part of the agreement, up to nine youngsters from the USA will spend time in the UK with the Chesterfield FC development centre.

Chesterfield’s head of youth recruitment, Liam Sutcliffe, believes the link-up is a major step forward for the club. He said: “Joining forces with the Gordon Hill International Football Academy will provide us with the opportunity to tap into a source of emerging young talent in the United States, which is a very exciting prospect.”

Gordon Hill, who starred for the likes of Manchester United, QPR and Derby County, points out that the partnership will present many aspiring young footballers with the chance of a lifetime. “They have a desire to play and I help them develop,” said Hill.

“I know Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner very well from our time with Manchester United and Chris said to me that with Liam Sutcliffe, who runs the development centre, these kids will get a good chance.

“It’s only a matter of time before the players start making their way over here so I bring them over so clubs like Chesterfield can have a look at them, take them into the development squad and hopefully take them into the youth squad and then push them into their reserves and first team.”

Hill, who won six full England caps during his time at Old Trafford, recently brought some of his players over to this country and they took in a visit to the Proact Stadium. He said: “After looking at the training ground and the stadium, the lads were saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t think it was this serious’!”

Spireites chief executive Chris Turner said: “The link-up provides a great opportunity for Gordon’s players and for us as a club. Forging links with players and business partners can only be a positive step forward for all concerned and we are delighted to have established the relationship.”

Chesterfield Football Club

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Candidates Announced for Parliamentary and Local Elections in Chesterfield

The candidates for the Parliamentary and local elections in Chesterfield have now been announced.

Chesterfield Parliamentary Election

The following candidates are confirmed as standing in the Chesterfield constituency in the general election on Thursday 7 May:

  • Julia Dawn Cambridge (LD)
  • Matthew James Genn (Green)
  • Tommy Holgate (Peace)
  • Toby Perkins (Lab)
  • Mark Richard Egner Vivis (Con)
  • Matt Whale (TUSC)
  • Stuart David Yeowart (UKIP)

Most people in the Chesterfield borough will vote to elect the MP for Chesterfield. However, voters in the Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward and the Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward fall within the North East Derbyshire constituency, so they will vote to elect the MP for that area.

Polls are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May.

Votes for the Chesterfield constituency will be counted at the Queen’s Park Sports Centre, Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield after the polls close at 10pm on Thursday 7 May. The result is anticipated between 2am and 3am.

Chesterfield Borough Council elections

Elections to Chesterfield Borough Council will be held on Thursday 7 May.

All 48 seats on the council across 19 wards are up for election.

Listed below are the candidates standing in each ward.

Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward – three seats

  • Phillip Bailey (Ind)
  • Joanne Iris Barnett (Lab)
  • Richard Bexton (UKIP)
  • Barry Bingham (LD)
  • Jane Stephanie Collins (LD)
  • Lisa-Marie Derbyshire (Lab)
  • Susan Gibbons (Con)
  • Christopher Kevin Edward Heels (UKIP)
  • Andy Jakins (LD)
  • Shelton Joseph Mann (Ind)
  • Sissy McMahon (Ind)
  • Lewis Mark Preston (Con)
  • Linda Rowley (Con)
  • Paul Christopher Stone (UKIP)
  • Marion Thorpe (Lab)
  • Matt Whale (TUSC).

Brimington North ward – two seats

  • John Burrows (Lab)
  • Jolyon James Favreau (LD)
  • Terry Frank Gilby (Lab)
  • Richard Gingell (Con)
  • Harry Edward Holloway (LD).

Brimington South ward – three seats

  • Andy Bellamy (Lab)
  • Ian William Callan (Lab)
  • Joanne Favreau (LD)
  • Paul Gibbons (Con)
  • Tricia Gilby (Lab)
  • Keith Doran Shutler (LD).

Brockwell ward – three seats

  • Steve Brunt (Lab)
  • Maureen Davenport (LD)
  • John Anthony Dickinson (Lab)
  • Jill Mannion-Brunt (Lab)
  • Ray Russell (LD)
  • Chris Slack (LD)
  • Simon John Temperton (Con)
  • Stuart David Yeowart (UKIP).

Dunston ward – three seats

  • Sue Christopher (LD)
  • Lee Anthony Cooper (UKIP)
  • Sarah Hollingworth (Lab)
  • Alexander Joseff Millward (UKIP)
  • Patrick Proctor (LD)
  • Mark David Rayner (Lab)
  • Gordon Simmons (Lab)
  • Irene Wilkinson (Con).

Hasland ward – three seats

  • Mick Brady (Lab)
  • Steve Cadywould (LD)
  • Lorna Hall (LD)
  • Andrew Hollyer (LD)
  • Amanda Jayne Serjeant (Lab)
  • Andy Slack (Lab)
  • Anne Margaret Sterland (Con).

Hollingwood and Inkersall ward – three seats

  • Mick Bagshaw (Ind)
  • Barry Dyke (Lab)
  • Helen Ann Elliott (Lab)
  • Claire Gratton (LD)
  • Anthony Hill (Lab)
  • Andrew Jervis (Con)
  • Paul Alan Mann (Ind)
  • Ruth Marina Perry (Ind).

Holmebrook ward – two seats

  • Glenys Falconer (LD)
  • Keith Falconer (LD)
  • Stephen Paul Hitchin (Lab)
  • Tommy Holgate (Peace)
  • Suzie Perkins (Lab)
  • Annetta Jean Woodhead (Con).

Linacre ward – two seats

  • Jeannie Barr (LD)
  • Peter Ian Barr (LD)
  • Sharon Buxton (UKIP)
  • Ian Leslie Jerram (UKIP)
  • Andrew Oakley (Lab)
  • Diane Marie Oakley (Lab)
  • Gordon Franklin Partington (Con).

Loundsley Green ward – two seats

  • Christopher John Patrick Beirne (LD)
  • Kevin John Maher (LD)
  • Terry McMahon (Ind)
  • Avis Joan Murphy (Lab)
  • Luigi Postiglione (Ind)
  • Mick Wall (Lab)
  • Richard Frederick Woodhead (Con).

Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward – two seats

  • Christopher Robert Austin (Con)
  • Dean Collins (Lab)
  • Lisa Kelly Collins (Lab)
  • Joe Mann (Ind)
  • Michelle Joan Mann (Ind)
  • Malcolm Benjamin Rowley (Con).

Middlecroft and Poolsbrook ward – two seats

  • Alice Georgina Blyth (LD)
  • Chris Ludlow (Lab)
  • Margaret Ann Moss (Con)
  • Donald Parsons (Lab).

Moor ward – two seats

  • Sonia Marie Allen (LD)
  • Keith Brown (Lab)
  • Kate Caulfield (Lab)
  • Lisa Kate Gingell (Con)
  • Tony Rogers (LD).

Old Whittington ward – two seats

  • Norman Andrews (Con)
  • Joan Bentley (UKIP)
  • Laura Bentley (UKIP)
  • Jean Mary Innes (Lab)
  • Peter Innes (Lab)
  • John Arthur Rimington (LD)
  • Sean Vickers (TUSC).

Rother ward – three seats

  • Clive Archer (LD)
  • Stuart Brittain (Lab)
  • Jenny Flood (Lab)
  • Stella Louise Hunt (Con)
  • Keith Miles (Lab)
  • Lisa Danielle Pritchard (TUSC)
  • Carl Walters (UKIP).

St Helen’s ward – two seats

  • Helen Claire Bagley (Lab)
  • Fran Lomas (UKIP)
  • Keith Lomas (UKIP)
  • Daniel Wayne Marshall (LD)
  • Tom Murphy (Lab)
  • Michelle Elizabeth Stevenson-Briggs (LD)
  • Jonathan James Wilkinson (Con).

St Leonard’s ward – three seats

  • Sharon Lesley Blank (Lab)
  • Maggie Cannon (LD)
  • Shelley Dale (Con)
  • Ken Huckle (Lab)
  • Yvette Denise Nicole Marsden (LD)
  • Adrian Mather (Ind)
  • Kate Sarvent (Lab).

Walton ward – three seats

  • Graham Frederick Barnett (Lab)
  • Helen Blair (Lab)
  • Paul Dale (Con)
  • Alexis Saliou Diouf (LD)
  • Vickey Diouf (LD)
  • James Liam Hunt (Con)
  • Gordon Alexander McLaren (Lab)
  • Nick Redihough (LD)
  • Bentley Strafford-Stephenson (Con)

West ward – three seats

  • Howard Borrell (LD)
  • John David Lee Boult (Con)
  • Ray Catt (Lab)
  • Rod Harrison (UKIP)
  • Marcus Stanton Linsey (Con)
  • Paul Adam Niblock (LD)
  • Shirley Anne Niblock (LD)
  • Paul Packham (TUSC)
  • Rachel Rush (Lab)
  • Nigel Robert Sterland (Con)
  • Sharon Wall (Lab)
  • Robert Christopher Warwick (UKIP).

Polls are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May.

Votes for the Chesterfield Borough Council elections will be counted at the Queen’s Park Sports Centre, Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield, from 11am on Friday 8 May. The first results are expected around noon, with the final results expected by 2pm.

Sixteen current councillors have decided not to stand for re-election. These are:

  • Councillor David Stone (Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward)
  • Councillor Julie Lowe (Brimington South ward)
  • Councillor Bob Gibson (Brockwell ward)
  • Councillor Dave Allen (Hasland ward)
  • Councillor Martin Stone (Holmebrook ward)
  • Councillor Mark Higinbottom (Linacre ward)
  • Councillor Michael Fanshawe (Loundsley Green ward)
  • Councillor Vicki Lang (Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward)
  • Councillor Jim McManus (Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward)
  • Councillor Graham King (Moor ward)
  • Councillor Neil Rayner (Old Whittington ward)
  • Councillor Steward Bradford (Rother ward)
  • Councillor Linda Clarke (St Leonard’s ward)
  • Councillor Chris Collard (Walton ward)
  • Councillor Keith Morgan (Walton ward)
  • Councillor Denise Hawksworth (West ward).

Key:

Key:

Con = Conservative Party

Green = Green Party

Lab = Labour Party

LD = Liberal Democrats

Peace = Peace Party

TUSC = Trade Union and Socialist Coalition

UKIP = United Kingdom Independence Party.

Ballot Box

Posted in About Chesterfield

Videos show latest progress at Markham Vale

Work to develop a Chesterfield regeneration site at Markham Vale is gathering pace.

Derbyshire County Council have been filming the progress of two of their latest developments, inspirepac and Gould Alloys.

The first development is a 50,000 square feet building for Chesterfield-based metal distributors Gould Alloys which is due to be completed in April.

And work to build a 100,250 square feet printing factory and office building for Derbyshire-based company inspirepac is due to be completed in May.

Read more about developments in Chesterfield

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Visit England Chooses Chatsworth For Excellence Awards

Chatsworth has been chosen as a finalist in the ‘Large Visitor Attraction’ category of Visit England’s Excellence Awards – a celebration of the cream of English Tourism.

The winner will be announced at a glittering Awards Ceremony at the Sage Centre in Gateshead on 9 May 2015.

Chatsworth has seen significant investment in recent years. More than £14 million was invested in upgrading the visitor experience as part of the Masterplan programme of improvements while major events like the ‘Beyond Limits’ monumental sculpture exhibition in the garden, the ‘Chatsworth Country Fair’ and the ‘Chatsworth Festival – Art Out Loud’ draw in thousands of visitors.

The Large Visitor Attraction category covers visitor attractions of all kinds, with over 50,000 visitors per annum, including attractions that offer pre-booked tickets, museums, interpretation centres, theme parks, historic houses and castles. Chatsworth is facing competition for the top prize from Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in Shropshire, Liverpool Cathedral, The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall and the Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath, Somerset.

James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland said: “It’s been another successful year for our Excellence Awards as we’ve received hundreds of applications of an extremely high standard.

“That’s why all the finalists should be incredibly proud that they’ve been short-listed against such tough competition. I’d like to congratulate all the finalists who now represent the top five in their category in England and wish them all the very best of luck on Awards night at the Sage Centre in Gateshead – a spectacular venue to celebrate the industry’s best.”

Chatsworth House West Front

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting