Staveley Town Council are celebrating after the success of their 2016 Christmas Fair which attracted more than 2000 visitors this week.

The event, the latest in a line of successful community events organised by Staveley Town Council this year, offered the locals an opportunity to skate on their mobile ice rink, purchase quirky and bespoke gifts at the 23 market stall or take a ride on the fairground rides.

Three local school choirs also performed carols and festive songs for the attendees.

Staveley Town Council have received a positive response with the local community and the council  plan to build on this success and extend the event in 2017.

Chris Ludlow, Leader of Staveley Town Council, said:-

“I am very pleased that Staveley Town Council delivered this fantastic event for the local community.”

Christmas shoppers need look no further than Chesterfield markets for their festive food and presents this year.

Chesterfield Borough Council is holding extra markets in the run-up to Christmas with a variety of produce from local suppliers and special present ideas.

There will be a market taking place each day from Thursday 8 December until Christmas Eve, Saturday 24 December.

This will include the monthly farmers’ market on Thursday 8 December and the weekly flea market each Thursday.

There will also be a Christmas special Chesterfield artisan market on Sunday 18 December in association with The Market Co.

Since it began in spring 2015, the artisan market has attracted people with the very finest produce from local providers and also top-quality craft items.

Chesterfield Market Hall will be open each day, including Sunday 11 and Sunday 18 December – selected traders will be open on Sundays.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:-

“Christmas shopping can be a bind for many families, running around trying to find the perfect presents and the finest food but people need look no further than Chesterfield town centre.

“Come along and support Chesterfield traders by shopping local in our markets, Market Hall and shops in Chesterfield town centre.”

Chesterfield borough residents can also take advantage of the residents’ free parking before 10am and after 3pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays.

Residents and visitors to Chesterfield can join in the fun of the town’s Christmas lights switch-on event this Sunday, 20 November.

The annual event, organised by Chesterfield Borough Council, gets underway with a market, games, fairground rides and entertainment from noon.

Youngsters will also have the opportunity to meet children’s favourite Peppa Pig in Rykneld Square at 11am, 12.20pm, 1.40pm and 3pm.

Chesterfield Market Hall will also be open from 11am to 6pm on the day with selected traders open.

Children will be able to meet Santa in the Market Hall from noon to 4pm. Santa will be upstairs on the mezzanine level, overlooking the sales hall. A visit to Santa will cost £3.50 and each child will receive a present.

Many of the independent and high street shops in the town centre will also be open to allow people to stock up on special Christmas items.

The Christmas lights stage show in New Square gets underway at 3.30pm with presenters from Peak FM hosting the show offering opportunities for people to join in the fun.

Stars from Aladdin, this year’s pantomime at the Pomegranate Theatre will be on stage including Lee Brennan, lead singer of late 90s boy band 911 who plays Aladdin; Keith and Ben Simmons who play the Chinese Policemen and Greg Ashton who plays Dame Gladys Twankey.

The lights will be switched on a at 4.45pm by Chesterfield mayor, Councillor Steve Brunt, with panto star Lee Brennan and Peppa Pig.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:-

“Each year our Christmas lights event gets bigger and better and this year is no exception.

“We hold the event each year as part of the council’s commitment to hosting fun, family-friendly events and it’s a great opportunity for families to come together and get into the festive spirit.

“It’s also a great opportunity to bring people into the town centre and support the vast array of Chesterfield businesses by shopping local for their Christmas presents.”

Chesterfield residents can use their parking disc to park for free in the following Chesterfield Borough Council off-street pay and display car parks:

• Albion Road
• Derbyshire Times
• Devonshire Street
• Durrant Road
• Hollis Lane
• Holywell Cross
• Queen’s Park (North and South)
• Spa Lane
• Station Road
• St Mary’s Gate
• Theatre Lane
• West Street.

The Nutcracker was joined by Clara, The Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen ballerinas at Chatsworth for the opening of The Nutcracker themed festive season, which opened this weekend and is running until 3 January 2017.

Attracting more than 100,000 visitors during the festive season, Christmas at Chatsworth has become one of the must do events for families across the region. With the house transformed into The Nutcracker, this year is set to be more magical than ever.

Christmas at Chatsworth will transport everyone to a fairytale world populated by Nutcracker soldiers; elegant ballerinas and dancing snowflakes. All the important characters are represented – from the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Nutcracker and Clara – as the story unfolds in a series of stunning tableaux throughout the house. As well as the room guides dressed in characters costumes, a ballet dancer will be present each day, adding a touch of magic to the stunning story.

In the tale, a box of performing toys charms the children and adults alike, but it is the Nutcracker doll that enchants Clara the most. As the curtain rises on Christmas Eve, visitors will be able to share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by the Nutcracker Prince to a wonderful place where the magic really begins.

Along the way, the beautifully dressed rooms will tell the story of The Nutcracker with all the classic scenes from Clara’s dream; from the waltz of the snowflakes to the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Janet Bitton, Head Housekeeper at Chatsworth House, said:-

“The Land of Sweets in the Great Dining Room is the highlight for me. The only light is from the chandelier, like a moon above the city with its twinkling lights through the windows, and the glow from the huge Christmas trees in each corner is magical.”

In a clever twist, the visitor is able to experience the story as though they are both in the audience at the theatre and stepping backstage at the ballet. Guides become stage managers and wardrobe mistresses.

For a special added thrill, visitors of all ages are invited to enter into the magic of the story and try on one of the specially made costumes created by the inhouse textiles team, who have also made all the costumes for the room guides from flower fairies and outfits for the residents of the Land of Sweets to opera capes for the men and Victorian skirts for the women.

There will be an opportunity to enjoy an evening visit on selected dates for the month before Christmas, as the house will be open until 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays from 24 November until 16 December.

As well as the main event in the house, there is a whole host of festive themed activity around the estate from truly magical nativity performances in the farmyard starring the farm animals, to gourmet evenings, floral workshops and wreath making demonstrations.

The annual Christmas Market located on Lodge Hill takes place from 12 to 30 November with more than 100 stalls offering a wide range of Christmas gifts and decorations, crafts, homeware, seasonal produce, toiletries and clothing as well seasonal food and drink to enjoy on site or take home. Christmas Market parking is priced £5 weekdays; £10 weekends but is free when combined with a visit to the house or garden pre-booked online.