Christmas

Pupils cook up donations for Macmillan Cancer Centre

15th December 2015

Year six pupils at St Peter and St Paul’s School in Chesterfield have created a unique cookery book featuring a wonderful collection of recipes from celebrities and influential people – including dishes from the Prime Minister, David Cameron and Gino D’Acampo, amongst other well-known names, as well as local business people, and staff and pupils from the school.

Published locally, The Big Cookbook is an idea cooked up by a group of children who were challenged to raise as much money as possible for the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal, starting with only £203 (the cost of funding a Macmillan nurse for a day).

The Macmillan Cancer Support’s Biz Kids initiative is an opportunity for pupils to learn entrepreneurial skills and includes support from local businesses. John Nettleship, a solicitor at Chesterfield law firm, BRM Solicitors, worked with the school on the project, providing support and advice in the weekly sessions in which the book was produced.

John said: “The pupils and staff of St Peter and St Paul School should be very proud. The book is a fantastic achievement, and is sure to raise a lot of money for the Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal. It is already selling extremely well, and there is work ongoing to get the book into local and national retailers.”

Michele Farrand, tutor of the Year 6 class who produced the book added:

“We are grateful to all the contributors who have taken the time to submit their recipes for inclusion in the recipe book. The children have worked hard to make this a success and have valued the business advice given by John Nettleship from BRM Solicitors and Tim Ward from the Digital Print Company. We, at St Peter & St Paul School, are thrilled that we have been able to make this contribution to the Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal.”

The Big Cookbook is now available to buy for £12 from the St Peter and St Paul School, and BRM Solicitors on Saltergate, Chesterfield. A small amount of proceeds will go towards printing costs, with the rest to be donated to the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal. Copies are also available by mail, with an additional £2 payable to cover postage and packaging. Please telephone 01246 555111 or email macmillan@brmlaw.co.uk to place your order.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Christmas, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Theatres announces new season

10th December 2015

From comedians and concerts to dramas and dance nights, there are a variety of fantastic shows are on the way to Chesterfield Theatres this spring including the return of the legendary Agatha Christie thriller The Mousetrap starring Louise Jameson from EastEnders and Dr Who.

Other highlights at the Pomegranate Theatre will include new Yorkshire-grit comedy Shafted!, Jesus Christ Super Star, David Copperfield the musical and plenty of fun family shows including Northern Ballet’s Tortoise and the Hare, We’re going on a Bear Hunt and The Gruffalo’s Child.

The Winding Wheel is excited to present hit Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Tell Me on a Sunday starring Jodie Prenger in March, as well as concerts from American legend Chubby Checker, Gerry & the Pacemakers, and Paul Carrack.

Keeping us laughing this spring will be Gary Delaney, Lee Nelson, Romesh Ranganathan and fascinating Aidas Dillie Keane, as well as more fantastic stand-up comedians to look out for at Chesterfield Theatres’ own Spotlight Comedy Club.

To view all shows on sale at Chesterfield Theatres, visit www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk or visit the theatre’s box office now found in the Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square.

An online brochure can also be downloaded by clicking here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Nonnas to share cooking secrets

8th December 2015

Cookery lessons will soon be on the menu at Nonnas in Chesterfield as the restaurant prepares to launch a series of classes early in 2016.

Aimed at foodies of all abilities, Nonnas Chesterfield Cookery School will be open on Mondays and will run full-days courses from Pasta & Bread making to Regional Specialities days and Chef’s Skills.

The courses will be hands-on, with special demonstrations from Nonnas’ chefs. Guests will get to enjoy lunch with wine match, receive exclusive goodies as well as take home the fruit of their hard work.

Gian Bohan, Founder says:“The Nonnas Cookery School has always been in the pipeline for us as we love to share our passion for cooking, Italian foods and ingredients”.

Nonna’s first full-day course will take place on Monday 15th February 2016 and will teach budding chefs how to create the perfect fresh pasta and gnocchi with Head Chef Jamie Taylor. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy lunch in the new look all-day dining area surrounded by their award winning wines.

Courses can be booked on an individual basis or as private hire and corporate team building days. For further information about events & on how to book contact Chiara at info@nonnas.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Peak FM and Autoworld Christmas Toy Appeal bigger and better than ever!

7th December 2015

Peak FM and Autoworld have once again joined together for the 2015 Toy Appeal.

Over the past four years, people in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have helped to deliver thousands of toys to children in need locally and it’s hoped that this year’s appeal will bring even more festive cheer.

Residents and visitors who would like to show their support are invited to buy an extra gift with their Christmas shopping to be donated to local children’s charities in time for Christmas day.

Judith Barcroft, Marketing and Communications Manager at Autoworld said:-

“Autoworld is a proud member of our community and we have a desire to improve the area in which we all live and work.

“In recent years we have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the people of North Derbyshire and have been able to help lots of charities locally, such as Ashgate Hospicecare, North Derbyshire Woman’s Aid and Fairplay, just to name a few.

“Gifts of new toys can make a massive difference to a family in need and we’d urge everyone to get involved again this year.”

Anyone who would like to support Autoworld’s Toy Appeal is invited to take an unwrapped, new Christmas present down to any of the Autoworld showrooms on Brimington Road North in Chesterfield by Tuesday 15th December. They will then be forwarded to local charities.

For further information please visit the Peak FM website at http://www.peakfm.co.uk/local/toy-appeal-2015-thank-you/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Visiting

Proact to host free Christmas Party

3rd December 2015

Chesterfield Football Club is inviting one hundred people to join them for a free Christmas celebration this December.

Taking place on Wednesday, December 16, from 6pm to 8pm, The HUB car park at the Proact Stadium will turn into a Christmas wonderland with lots of activities for families to get involved in.

The Chesterfield FC Community Trust is organising the big event in partnership with Lifehouse Church. Food and drink will be provided for free, with a barbecue, hot drinks, desserts and much more on offer.

The entertainment programme includes a free raffle, live music, free penalties at the speed cage and many Christmas-themed activities for everybody to have a go at. Santa will, of course, be there and there will also be opportunities for photographs with Chester the Field Mouse.

Michael Noon, from the Community Trust, said: “It’s going to be a really fun event. All our staff will be there, making it a good Christmas atmosphere. The idea is that people can come down with their families just to have a good time. It’s all about having fun and getting into the Christmas spirit.”

There is a maximum of 100 free tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis and they must be redeemed before the event. Tickets can be collected from The HUB at the Proact or from Lifehouse Church on Chatsworth Road.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas

Casa celebrates AA Silver Award on 5th birthday

27th November 2015

Casa Hotel in Chesterfield has been awarded the prestigious AA Silver Award – a commendation received by the team on the eve of the hotel’s fifth anniversary.

Casa’s reputation as one of the leading hotels in the country continues to grow, attracting the country’s top companies, worldwide guests and hosting more prestigious events each year.

Over the last five years, Casa has received many awards and accolades, including being voted one of the UK’s top ten hotels in a prestigious list included London’s Goring hotel and Corinthia hotel.

More recently Cocina restaurant was voted the best restaurant in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. Casa has also been voted top hotel in the East Midlands area by Trivago.

Operations Director at Casa, Stuart Downham says: “The team at Casa work tirelessly to ensure the best stay for our guests. Being an independent hotel we are able to really tailor our service to the needs of our guests and every decision we make is made with the guest as our number one priority.

“It is a very happy coincidence that we were awarded the prestigious AA Silver Award on the eve of our 5^th anniversary’.

These thoughts are echoed by the hotel’s owner, Steve Perez, who has built the business from a building site to the multi-award winning hotel. He said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 5 successful years in the industry and look forward to an exciting future ahead. I am incredibly proud of what Casa has achieved in such a short period of time. Throughout this period we have never swayed from our promise to deliver the best customer experience and we will continue to do this in the years to come.”

It is this passion for the best customer service that has seen over the last 5 years, a massive 125,604 breakfast served using Walton lodge eggs and Walton sausages, 368,412 glasses of wine and 39,538 portions of delicious tapas. Casa has accommodated 113,769 sleepers and served 373,577 dinners between our gastro bar Barca and our 2 rosette restaurant Cocina.

Casa has also had a positive impact on local business and employment. Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield the town’s inward investment campaign, said: “Having a four star hotel in the town has helped put Chesterfield on the map nationally, opening investors’ eyes to the potential of developing here particularly along the A61 corridor.

“The fact Casa is one of the top five hotels on TripAdvisor demonstrates the great pool of talent the town has within the customer service sector. Destination Chesterfield shares Casa’s pride in everything it has achieved since opening in 2010.”

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

Spireites launch Christmas Toy Appeal

27th November 2015

Chesterfield Football Club’s first Christmas Toy Appeal has been launched this week – aiming to put smiles on the faces of underprivileged children and families in the local area on Christmas Day.

Fans are being encouraged to drop gifts off at the club during the lead up to Christmas.

An appeal has gone out to all Spireites fans, the general public and businesses to pick up an extra children’s present while Christmas shopping and donate it to the appeal.

The players visit various hospitals and charities every Christmas and the presents donated will be handed out during those trips.

Kevin Fitzgerald, the club’s head of commercial and marketing, said: “We are very much the hub of the local community and we want to do all we can to help local children and families this Christmas.

“We are hoping that the kindness of our fantastic supporters will enable the club to give more to charities and children than ever before.

“With the help of the Chesterfield community and local businesses, we want to ensure the children of struggling families have presents to open on Christmas Day.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Proact Stadium reception during normal office hours and on match days.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Volunteers needed to help with Macmillan Shining Stars Christmas Appeal

24th November 2015

Volunteers are being called on to help fundraise for the very first Shining Stars Christmas Appeal at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers and BRM Solicitors, both based on Saltergate in Chesterfield, have joined forces to back the appeal and have sponsored a huge, real Christmas tree.

The 16ft tree will be displayed outside the front of the entrance of the hospital from Monday 7 – Saturday 19 December, where volunteers will be fundraising for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support’s Appeal to raise £2.5 million towards the new Cancer Centre which is expected to open in 2016.

The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre is an exciting new development that will mean that people with cancer in North and North East Derbyshire will be able to receive vital treatment, care and support in one purpose-built centre providing joined up services closer to home.

More than 20,000 people are expected to see the spectacular tree at the hospital which will be accompanied by carol singers on some days, mince pies and other festive treats to ensure everyone gets into the Christmas spirit.

Rob Turner, senior fundraising manager for Macmillan in Chesterfield said, “If you’re visiting the hospital why not pop over to the Christmas tree and our marquee to see us? We’ve got all sorts of exciting activities planned over the two weeks including carol singing, chocolate tombola, Christmas cards and mince pies for a donation. You’ll also get the chance to have your picture taken using our star-shaped prop and to write a message in memory of a loved one to remember at Christmas.”

Richard Trueman, managing partner of Mitchells said: “We’re delighted to be involved with the Macmillan Shining Stars Christmas Appeal. Cancer affects so many people including a Mitchells’ member of staff. This is a great way for us to show support to our colleague as well as the 1,500 people in North and North East Derbyshire diagnosed with cancer each year.”

Rob Woodhead, director and Head of Wills and Probate at BRM said, “The new Macmillan Centre will bring very welcome advances in the standard of cancer treatment services available to our local community. My colleagues and I are very proud to be able to support a project that will have a positive, tangible impact on the lives of people suffering with cancer, and their families.”

Volunteer event assistants are required Monday – Saturday from 9am – 12.30pm and 12.30pm – 4pm throughout the two week period the tree will be on display. If you’re interested in volunteering, please specify which day(s) and shift(s) you can do and contact Rob Turner on 07545 419 725 or email rturner@macmillan.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Celebrate a magical Christmas at Chatsworth with Mr Toad

24th November 2015

Chatsworth has once again taken inspiration from a children’s classic for its much anticipated festive season. Christmas at Chatsworth with Mr Toad takes visitors through the adventures of those best of animal friends; Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad as they get ready to celebrate Christmas.

With the lower floors of the house transformed into scenes loosely based on Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic Wind in the Willows, the Painted Hall serves beautifully as the Baronial Toad Hall dressed with sumptuous garlands and a magnificent Christmas tree while the house itself is generously decorated with festive flowers and giant Christmas trees throughout.

The enchantment continues with scenes of the riverside folk getting ready to celebrate Christmas at Toad Hall before they come in for a shock. Visitors will discover Mole helping to dress Ratty’s Christmas tree before loading up his little boat with gifts to take to Toad Hall. With many charming scenes unfolding on the journey through the house, this year’s festive celebration is sure to enchant all that come under its magical spell.

This year, Chatsworth is also transforming the Great Chamber and the Guest Bedrooms into the scenes from the evergreen story to extend the festive route throughout more of the house.

Children will enjoy discovering the hiding places of the little mice all along the route, placing their wish on the Wishes Trees and dressing up in the costumes made especially for Christmas with Mr Toad by the in house textiles team.

Once again, it’s been a huge effort from the talented Chatsworth in house team with staff from Textiles; Housekeeping; Joinery and Gardening coming together to create the costumes for characters and guides; painting backdrops; making scene-setting items such as Ratty’s jetty and Badger’s house and putting together the garlands and other festive flower displays.

Tickets for visits at Christmas now offer timed entry into the house to reduce queuing times. Visitors planning to make a trip to the house this festive season are advised to book in advance to secure their time slot and make the most of their visit. Free parking is included with all online bookings.

Christmas at Chatsworth with Mr Toad continues until 3rd January 2016. For more information visit http://www.chatsworth.org/attractions-and-events/christmas-at-chatsworth

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield set to sparkle

16th November 2015

Visitors and residents are getting excited ahead of the annual Christmas lights switch on, which takes place this Sunday, 22 November.

The festive event gets underway at noon with a magical market featuring entertainment, stalls and rides in the market place and in New Square. The indoor market hall will also be open from noon to 6pm.

A live stage show will begin at 3.30pm with Peak FM presenters providing plenty of fun and competitions, including the chance to win a family ticket to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Pomegranate Theatre.

Stars from the pantomime, including Eurovision queen, Nicki French and impressionist, Philip Green, best known from his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, will switch on the lights at 4.45pm.

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

“The Christmas lights event is a highlight in the calendar allowing families to come together and get into the festive spirit.

“I’d encourage people to come along and visit the indoor and outdoor markets to pick up some of their Christmas presents, before joining in the fun of the stage show and seeing the Christmas lights switched on.”

Chesterfield borough residents are reminded that they can use their parking permits to park for free in the following council-run car parks on the day:

Albion Road
Ashgate Road
Derbyshire Times
Devonshire Street
Durrant Road
Hollis Lane (excluding on-street bays)
Holywell Cross (the Donut)
Spa Lane
Station Road
St Mary’s Gate
Theatre Lane
West Street.

For more top Christmas events, Christmas shopping and places to meet Santa visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/Christmas

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

Two of the top ten East Midlands hotels are in Chesterfield

10th November 2015

Hotel search website trivago.co.uk have revealed the results of their inaugural Top Hotel Awards and the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield has been named the top-rated hotel in the East Midlands.

trivago.co.uk have used aggregated online user ratings in order to recognise the best rated hotels, both regionally and nationally

The majority of the top-rated hotels are clustered towards the centre of the East Midlands region, with easy access to the Peak District. Two hotels are located in Chesterfield, alongside first place Casa Hotel is the Peak Edge Hotel which was named equal 5th in the survey.

To view the full results, please visit: checkin.trivago.co.uk/2015/11/04/trivago-uk-top-hotel-awards- 2015/#EastMid

Stuart Downham, Operations Director, Casa Hotel: “We are thrilled to be named as the number one hotel in the East Midlands for trivago’s 2015 Top Hotel Awards, the team at Casa work tirelessly to ensure the best stay for our guests. Being an independent hotel we are able to really tailor our service to the needs of our guests and every decision we make is made with the guest as our number one priority. We value all of the feedback we receive, we use it to get a little bit better every single day and recognition for our consistently high levels of service will give us all even more motivation to exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Denise Bartlett, UK Public Relations at trivago.co.uk said “With their attention to detail and attentiveness towards their guests, it is easy to see why Casa is our top-rated hotel in the East Midlands this year. Given the high number of independent hotels and guest houses in the top 20 for this region, it is only fitting that an independent hotel should take this title.

The trivago Top Hotel Awards aim to judge all accommodation fairly, whether they are chain hotel in Lincoln, a guest house in the Peak District, or a luxury independent hotel. It is really encouraging to see such a range of accommodation, both in terms of price and geographical location, in our top 20.”

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