Celebrate Chesterfield

Tokyo target for Chesterfield boxing star Jade Ashmore

8th June 2016

Chesterfield boxing star Jade Ashmore starts her bid for the 2020 Olympics this weekend when she begins her Great Britain assessment.

Supported by the ICON bursary programme, Jade, 18, from Heath, is due to undergo ‘three to four’ trials in a bid to earn a place on the podium potential squad.

This follows her success in winning silver at the British Championships last weekend, leaving her now ranked second in Britain in the 51kg category.

Jade made it through to the final of the event at Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre, Scotland, but lost out to Wales’ Lynsey Holloway.

“I felt I boxed well and kept to my tactics,” she said. “I thought I’d got the bout, only for the decision to go in Lynsey’s favour, but I’m not too disheartened.

“I only started my senior career in January and I’ve only had six bouts as a senior and I am developing with every bout.

“I never look out of place in the ring and it just shows that I am up to the standards of some of the world-class boxers I’ve faced.”

Jade qualified for the British Championships thanks to her performances at the English National Championships.

Having won her semi-final unanimously, she lost out to vastly-experienced world silver medallist Lisa Whiteside in the final.

As Whiteside went on to box in the World Championships at 54kg, Jade was asked to fight in the Brits at 51kg.

Jade added: “I am pleased with the way I have boxed in my first year as a senior.

“When I faced Lisa, I knew I had my work cut out as I’d only had four previous senior bouts and she has had over 100 senior bouts at an elite international level.

“I showed skill and determination but narrowly missing out on that gold, putting up a good performance against a seasoned boxer.”

After the GB trial this weekend, Jade will box for the English title belt on June 19.

The ICON programme supporting Jade gives 127 athletes from across the county financial support, a free leisure pass in their area and valuable PR exposure during 2015-16. For more information search online for ICON Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

International trade and investment on the agenda for Sheffield City Region

7th June 2016

Business leaders from across the Sheffield City Region (SCR) are preparing to attend the world’s largest business festival – the International Festival for Business (IFB 2016), taking place in Liverpool from 13 June to 1 July.

Participants from across the region will have the opportunity to meet with business leaders from across the UK and around the world to discuss the many valuable trade and investment opportunities that the SCR has to offer.

The IFB 2016, which is free of charge to participants, will comprise over 75 events, 85 international delegations, and 40,000 delegates (including 10,000 international visitors). The festival, taking place at Liverpool’s purpose-built Exhibition Centre, is an excellent opportunity for UK businesses motivated to grow or trade overseas, and for international companies that want to expand in Britain.

The SCR is committed to supporting IFB 2016 as part of its broader objectives to support the region’s businesses in their internationalisation strategies, and to increase the amount of foreign direct investment into the SCR. The region is recognised for its reliability and its ability to deliver; it has built innumerable global business partnerships driven by an innovative and straightforward approach.

The SCR LEP welcomes meetings with businesses across all sectors during the event. Opportunities for SCR-based business at the IFB 2016 include:

• Three weeks of cutting-edge events, speakers, conferences, seminars and showcases;
• A chance to join the IFB 2016 Business Club for match-making appointments allowing participants to access business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world to explore ideas, network and build partnerships;
• Access to Meet-the-Expert seminars and workshops designed for SMEs with growth and export ambitions;
• Meet your Future Deal, the world’s biggest ‘Meet-the-Buyer’ event with free, one-to-one meetings with buyers, suppliers and investors;
• Meet your Specialist Advisor: free one-to-one appointments with leading industry experts offering bespoke advice
• Live export opportunities;
• Available funding streams for eligible SMEs.

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said:“The International Festival for Business is a globally significant business festival which the Sheffield City Region is excited to be supporting. We look forward to showcasing to international business leaders all that the Sheffield City Region has to offer – our no-nonsense approach to business and our highly-efficient regulatory systems make the SCR an incredibly attractive place to do business in the UK, and it is time to promote these qualities to the global business community. I hope to see many of the SCR’s business leaders and entrepreneurs at this event – the SCR is standing by to help you and your business make the most of this excellent opportunity.”

William Beckett, Chairman of the International Trade Forum and Export Private Sector Lead for the Local Enterprise Partnership stated: “We are delighted to work in partnership with the Sheffield City Region to support IFB 2016 in Liverpool. The Festival offers numerous valuable opportunities for companies to increase their international activities across various sectors of the global marketplace.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Queen’s Award for Chesterfield & District Athletics Club

3rd June 2016

Chesterfield & District Athletics Club has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service; the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK – and equivalent to an MBE.

The voluntary group from North East Derbyshire has worked in the community since 1978 to offer athletics coaching and competition, winning a Derbyshire Sports Award in 2008 as Club of the Year (pictured below).

Now based at Tupton Hall School, the club has twice-weekly sessions when its volunteer coaches offer instruction in all the athletics disciplines to around 70 young athletes per night. It also offers all-year round competition in track and field, cross-country and sportshall athletics.

Chairman Jon Baker and Membership Secretary Kerry Baker attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where they met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Chesterfield AC will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mr William Tucker, later this summer.

Club Secretary Frank Gorman said: “We are thrilled to have been selected to receive this award, which recognises the fantastic work that all our volunteers are currently doing, and all the work done by previous volunteers to support the Club since it started in 1978.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.

“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”

Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, said: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements. The huge amount of work and commitment these organisations put into their local communities is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer. I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a more compassionate society.”

Image from Derbyshire Sports Awards 2008 (Chesterfield & District Athletics Club wins Club of the Year 2008.)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Nominations now open for the Active Chesterfield Sports Awards 2016

2nd June 2016

It’s time to get your nominations in for the Active Chesterfield Sports Awards 2016. You can nominate at http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/active-chesterfield.aspx

Now in its third year, the awards ceremony is delivered by the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership and Chesterfield Borough Council and aims to recognise and reward Chesterfield’s sporting heroes.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield on Thursday 29^th September. Split into separate school and community categories, there are 26 awards to acclaim junior stars, teams, volunteers, coaches and community clubs.

Last year’s Sportsman of the Year, Liam Pitchford, will be in contention again this year, following an impressive performance at the UK championships that saw him reach the semi-finals.

Collecting the award on his behalf last year, his father said: “Liam left for Germany aged 17. He’s given up a lot and you could say he’s missed out on some things but he’s achieved so much more. He’s put the effort in and still has things he wants to achieve.”

In 2015 we received a great many nominations for hundreds of deserving candidates. The past year has seen more sporting success for Chesterfield’s sports people, teams and schools, as well as dedication and hard work from coaches and volunteers. To support and celebrate this hard work please send your nominations in before the closing date on Monday 1^st August.

A full list of the awards categories:

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sportsman of the Year
Sportswoman of the Year
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
Team Achievement – Primary
Team Achievement – Secondary (11-18 years)
Team Achievement – Disability
Team of the Year
Media and Arts contribution to School Sport
Individual Young Leader of the Year
FE Sports Leader of the Year
FE Outstanding contribution to Sports volunteering
Manager/Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Community Award
Club of the Year
Active workplace Award
Young Sportsman of the Year (13-18 years)
Young Sportswoman of the Year (13-18 years)
Junior Sportsman of the Year
Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Junior Sportsperson of the Year
School Staff of the Year
FE Sportsperson of the Year

You can nominate at http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/active-chesterfield.aspx

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Hundreds of Derbyshire workers get active

1st June 2016

Hundreds of workers across Derbyshire played a part in this year’s Workplace Health Week, which provided inspiration and opportunities for employees to become more active at work.

The initiative, which is now in its second year, is run by Workplace Challenge in collaboration with Derbyshire Sport and other County Sports Partnerships across England.

Despite a government target that all adults should exercise for 150 minutes each week, nationally 40 per cent of us do not exercise enough and time is listed as the biggest barrier to physical activity.

This was the driver behind a week-long schedule of activities, support, tips and advice for local businesses, focusing on flexible working and active lunch breaks to bring physical activity into and around the working day.

Chesterfield Borough Council and The Post Office were among the organisations in Chesterfield which got involved in Workplace Health Week, and the highlight of the week was the Midday Mile, which saw workers ditch their desks to run, walk, jog or cycle one mile at 12noon on Thursday 26 May.

Workers from the Post Office No1 Future Walk team in Chesterfield also took part in lunchtime activities such as table tennis and rounders.

Participants have been logging their activity on the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge website; an online activity log challenge which allows colleagues to track how much sport and activity they are doing, and work together to earn activity points and work their way up an online leaderboard.

Now organisers are urging businesses to deliver their promise and continue giving their employees the encouragement and opportunity to keep active.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer and lead for the Workplace Challenge at Derbyshire Sport, said: “It’s been fantastic to see organisations from across Derbyshire get involved with Workplace Health Week 2016. It’s hugely encouraging to see so many employers take up the challenge and the important thing now is to keep up the momentum.

“Not enough people in Derbyshire achieve the target of 150 minutes of exercise each week and we want local businesses to help their employees do this.

“Giving workers the flexibility to bring physical activity into and around the workplace, including during their lunch break, will reap rewards not just for the wellbeing of employees, but for the business too by reducing absence.”

For more details, including information about how your business can get involved with Workplace Challenge and seek to introduce physical activity into and around the working day, search online for Derbyshire Workplace Challenge.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Green + Benz scoop coveted Chesterfield Retailer of the Year title

26th May 2016

Four retailers retain titles in 2016 awards

Only six months after opening its new flagship store, Green + Benz has scooped the coveted title of Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber at the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Green + Benz was among 14 Chesterfield retailers to scoop one of 18 prestigious awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The Chesterfield College Group.

The awards which returned for the third year running were the biggest yet and saw four retailers – Adorn Jewellers, R P Davidson Cheese Factor, Libby’s and Debenhams, retain their 2015 titles.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Green + Benz also took the title of Best New Store following the relocation of its Chesterfield store on Glumangate to 120sqm of premium retail space on South Street in December last year.

The increased space means Green + Benz can accommodate an open shop floor, a private viewing room and a workshop for bespoke commissions. Inside, the store boasts luxurious leather and velvet upholstery, glittering chandeliers and individual branded display bays which are framed by polished chrome edge details and numerous mirrors, which all adds to the overall sense of glamour of the store. Figures for Green + Benz showed a 68% overall growth in prior year sales results in December 2015 following the opening of the new store.

Manager of the Chesterfield store, Abi Noakes was presented with both awards at the sell-out award ceremony, which was held at the town’s Winding Wheel venue and hosted by Peak FM breakfast show presenters Cat and Stu.

Abi said: “We’re so overwhelmed and very proud and happy to receive the awards. It means so much that the awards have come from Chesterfield and everybody in Chesterfield. We really try and strive to make our clients ultra-happy and give them the best service that we can.”

Peter Swallow, Chairman of Destination Chesterfield said: “Once again the retail awards were a huge success and highlighted how strong Chesterfield’s retail scene is. The town has an excellent mix of independent and high street retailers as well as an historic market and a key reason why so many people, locally and nationally, visit each year. It’s a winning mix that consistently sees Chesterfield buck the trend for shop vacancy rates, contributing significantly to our growing economy.”

Discover all the winners of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards

Spireites announce second summer signing

25th May 2016

Chesterfield have made their second summer signing, clinching the signature of midfielder Jon Nolan.

The 24-year-old was a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at Grimsby Town.

Nolan, who started his career with Stockport County before spells at Lincoln City and Wrexham, played a key role in Grimsby’s return to the Football League via the play-offs. The Mariners also enjoyed another trip to Wembley in last weekend’s FA Trophy final.

Nolan joins striker Kristian Dennis in signing for the Spireites since the end of the season.

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

Ringwood Hall Hotel named best wedding venue

24th May 2016

Ringwood Hall Hotel in Brimington was named Best Venue in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire at the I Do Magazine Wedding Awards this month.

Shortlisted alongside four local venues (Bentley Brook in Ashbourne, Hotel Van Dyk in Clowne, The Maynard in Grindleford and Best Western in Retford), Ringwood Hall Hotel scooped the accolade at a ceremony held at Sheffield City Hall on Tuesday 17th May.

Votes for the category were cast by bridal couples who had used the services of wedding suppliers and held their wedding receptions at participating venues.

A spokesperson for Ringwood Hall Hotel said “We are absolutely delighted and thrilled to have won this award. We have an exceptional wedding team, and our beautiful Georgian grade 11 listed Manor House with its six acres of award winning formal gardens and 23 acres of parklands, is the perfect location for bridal couples to enjoy their special day.

“What makes this award even more special is that the votes were cast by bridal couples who had held their wedding day at Ringwood Hall, and to have so many happy and satisfied brides is a testament to the service we provide in the planning towards the wedding day, and the operation of the wedding day itself.

Ringwood Hall Hotel is a unique and quirky venue that provides an exceptional wedding experience for our bridal couples, and I think the I Do Magazine Award is clear evidence of this.”

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

Celebrity host of 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards confirmed

24th May 2016

Professional cake designer to the stars, Mich Turner MBE, has been confirmed as the celebrity host of this year’s Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Founder and director of London-based Little Venice Cake Company, Mich has created cakes for Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Gordon Ramsay, David Beckham and Pierce Brosnan. Her bespoke cakes start from £2500.

As well as her high profile cakes that have been featured in films, Mich has also presented and judged Britain’s Best Bakery, one of the top five performing daytime TV shows on ITV, as well as her own Mich Turner’s Couture Cakes for Sky. In addition to her TV credits, Mich also has five international best-selling books to her name.

Delighted to be hosting the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Mich Turner said: “I am a firm believer in using quality ingredients whether you’re creating indulgent cakes or a memorable meal. A cake, like any food or drink, should be a feast for the eyes and a memory for the palate.

“Chesterfield has a thriving food and drink sector we all have our own personal favourites. It will be wonderful to see so many businesses and individuals within the sector recognised at the awards.”

Mich will be announcing the winners of 13 awards at a glittering award ceremony which will, once again, be held in Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building. The popular awards return for the fourth year running and are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.

The winners of the Chesterfield Food and Drink awards are decided following a public nomination. People can nominate cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs and food producers online across 10 categories in the awards until midnight on Monday 13 June at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards

The 10 categories in which you can nominate in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by arvato
Pub / Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Accountants
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Best Out of Town (within 10 miles of Chesterfield) – presented by Chesterfield College
Chesterfield Food Producer – sponsored by Casa Hotel
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Holdsworth Foods, Banner Jones, the Crooked Spire Church, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Central Technology Ltd, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Visiting

Proact hosts world’s largest first aid lesson

23rd May 2016

A new world record for the largest first aid lesson was set at the Proact Stadium on Friday 20th May when 1,795 people learned essential lifesaving skills.

The event was organised by the Community Save a Life Scheme and Bolsover District Council, with support from Chesterfield FC, the British Heart Foundation, Rotary International and Inner Wheel.

Children from a number of local schools were joined on the pitch by residents of the town to beat the previous record figure of 1,700, set in Abu Dhabi three years ago.

The participants watched videos demonstrating key lifesaving skills before carrying out their newly-learned first aid methods on the pitch to hone them.

Dr Cheryle Berry, one of the organisers, expressed her delight at the achievement. She said: ”This is a dream come true for all of us and I’m particularly proud of all the children. It was like waiting for your exam results all over again and my knees were trembling as we waited for the numbers to be announced!

“As soon as the numbers were said there was huge euphoria and pride, because this will mean a lot. We wanted to give the football club a lovely birthday present for their 150th year.

“We also wanted to give Chesterfield a boost because it’s a town that deserves to be put on the map and we feel that in our little way we’ve done that.”

The attempt was overseen and verified by Glenn Pollard – an official Guinness World Records adjudicator – who gave his observations after confirming that a new record had been set.

He said: “I had been working with the organisation team leading up to the event and explaining what I would be looking for. Right from the very start, I got a real sense of the organisation that had gone into it.

“I was overwhelmed by the organisation and the hard work and I have to say that it is one of the best organised events I have been to.

“This is about a Guinness World Records title, but it’s also about training people in first aid. If one person is able to save a life on the street as a result of what they have learned, then it’s been worth it. The certificate is the icing on the cake for what they’ve achieved.”

Images courtesy of Tina Jenner.

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

NLT Training Services achieves UK first

20th May 2016

Chesterfield Champion NLT Training Services has become the first training provider in the country to achieve the new matrix+ accreditation.

NLT, which provides apprenticeship training to young people throughout the region, was selected to be involved in the pilot of the brand new Government matrix+ standard earlier this year.

The new advanced standard is an extension of matrix, a unique quality standard for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services, which ultimately supports individuals in their choice of career, learning, work and life goals.

The higher level matrix+ quality standard has been introduced to meet demand from existing holders of the matrix standard who want to challenge themselves in the business critical areas of strategic positioning, leadership principles and people engagement.

NLT’s Chesterfield office, based on Station Road in Brimington, underwent the rigorous inspection at the end of last year and was successfully awarded the prestigious standard in April.

The government accreditation recognises excellence in leadership and management in training organisations that are funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).

Following the successful attainment of Matrix+, the standard is now being rolled out to training organisations across the UK.

Delighted to be the first in the country to receive the advanced accreditation, Andy Sheppard, Chief Executive of NLT Training Services said: “We train, advise and support hundreds of young people every year so for our services to be recognised as exemplar is a wonderful achievement. I am very proud that NLT is the first in the country to achieve the matrix+ accolade. It is testament to our great team that we are leading in our field.”

Paul Bridle, Chairman of Assessment Services Ltd which is the sole provider for the matrix Standard, said: “We are delighted that NTL undertook the Matrix+ and congratulate them on their success. Organisations like NLT understand that ongoing success and improvement requires constantly challenging yourself. By embracing the matrix+ approach they have demonstrated their desire and commitment to discover the best of who they can be.”

NLT Training Services, which was established more than 40 years ago, has offices in both Chesterfield and Scunthorpe. It is renowned in the industry for delivering specialist engineering and manufacturing training as well as apprenticeships in business skills.

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield