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Chesterfield Theatres and Chesterfield Museum receive lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

Chesterfield Theatres and Chesterfield Museum have been awarded more than £400,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future; the Culture Secretary has announced today.

A total of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support including a Real Time Live in Chesterfield.   £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

The Grade II-listed theatres, the Pomegranate Theatre and The Winding Wheel Theatre, are proudly owned and managed by Chesterfield Borough Council. The theatres have received £249,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The Theatres’ broad range of events, which includes drama, musicals, dance, comedy, concerts, talks and cinema came to an abrupt halt midway through March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In July, the Theatres reintroduced cinema screenings, followed by live theatre performances in October. The previous closure and the current requirements for events to take place with a reduced seating capacity has been challenging for the venues whose income from ticket sales, bar sales and venue hire are integral to the Theatres’ survival.

The Culture Recovery Fund will ensure the theatres can continue entertaining audiences in the current climate.

Chesterfield Museum tells the story of Chesterfield, from its beginnings as a Roman fort, the expansion of the Market and the Industrial Revolution, which brought ‘Father of the Railways’, George Stephenson, to town. The Museum, which is owned and managed by Chesterfield Borough Council has received £165,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The Museum regularly holds a wide range of events for the whole family to enjoy. It also holds regular special exhibitions that explore different areas of history.

Whilst the Museum has still not reopened since closing in March, the team have continued to create online events and activities to help people connect with the history of Chesterfield.

The Culture Recovery Fund will ensure that the museum can continue to maintain its impressive collection and will be able to reopen when it is safe to do so.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said “This funding is vital to ensuring the future of our historic theatres and museum which are an important part of our town’s cultural identity. Despite the theatres reopening in July we have still faced a number of challenges because of the reduced seating capacity but this funding will ensure we can continue to deliver performances for the people of Chesterfield and help to support the theatre industry. Unfortunately, we are still unable to reopen Chesterfield Museum due to social distancing requirements, but this funding will ensure we can continue to care for our collections and reopen them to the public when it is safe to do so.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.   These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said “Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Check out cultural events happening in Chesterfield.

Festival of Remembrance

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

Augmented reality fly-through brings Chesterfield Waterside to life

Ahead of construction starting on the new seven storey office block at Chesterfield Waterside on 19 October, Chesterfield’s £340million mixed-use regeneration scheme has been brought to life in a new augmented reality film created by local company Oasis Studio.

Combining drone footage with illustrations, the film brings to life the 16-hectare Chesterfield Waterside site which is located on the edge of the A61 corridor adjacent to the River Rother and Chesterfield Canal.

Existing drone footage of the site has been overlaid with the five colour-coded neighbourhoods which make up the scheme, to show what Waterside will look like and how it will sit within the local environment once complete.

The fly through details each of the five neighbourhoods – Waterside Quarter, Basin Square, Waterfront, Riverside East and Station Place – and the buildings which will be constructed in each of them. The construction phase alone is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.

Tony Buck, Associate Director of Oasis Studios, commented: “It’s the first time we’ve combined real life moving drone footage with superimposed buildings but we are delighted with the result. It takes the conceptual stage of the project to another level.”

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group Plc which is leading the Chesterfield Waterside scheme, instructed and worked alongside the team at Oasis to create the flyover animation.

He added: “The film is an important element of the marketing campaign for Waterside. Rather than just seeing a patch of land, potential investors can now see the scale of the scheme and understand its significance to the town. It also gives a clear picture of the scheme’s prominent location, adjacent to both the town centre and train station. Chesterfield Waterside will completely regenerate the north east side of the town centre creating an attractive environment in which to both live and work.”

Recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Chesterfield Waterside is being led by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Last month it was announced that Chesterfield Borough Council has secured a forward funding agreement with Chesterfield Waterside Ltd, to bring forward construction of No.1 Waterside Place in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the development.

Britcon (UK) Ltd, a leading Civil Engineering, Building and Steel Frame Solutions company, has been appointed as the main contractor to construct the office building and will start on site on Monday 19 October. The building is being marketed by property agents Knight Frank FHP.

Already, construction at Waterside Quarter is underway. House builder Avant Homes began construction of 173 two, three and four bedroom homes in the neighbourhood and in August the showhomes were opened to the public. Avant Homes is reporting strong interest in the development.

Avant Homes Central Managing Director, Stuart Rowlands, said: “Waterside Quarter is a hugely important development for us.

“Waterside Quarter is a development that we believe will be ideal for a number of different buyers such as those looking for their first home and young families. As well as quality, attainable, design-led homes for those living in Chesterfield, we believe that it will also help bring other buyers to the area, further boosting the town.”

In addition to the office accommodation Basin Square, the first commercial element of Chesterfield Waterside, will comprise Grade A office accommodation, 350 Built-to-Rent apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a high quality public realm area overlooking the newly constructed canal basin.

Find out more about Chesterfield Waterside

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Ashgate Hospicecare launches ‘The Life and Death Podcast’

Ashgate Hospicecare, which provides specialist palliative and end of life care to adults and their families across North Derbyshire, has launched its first ever podcast series in order to highlight the importance of good end of life support.

The series is called ‘The Life and Death Podcast’, and it launches on Friday 9th October as Hospice Care Week draws to a close.

The series will be hosted by Stephen Rumford, senior physiotherapist at Ashgate Hospicecare, and will feature frank and honest conversations around death and what ‘dying well’ really means. Each episode will welcome both givers and receivers of end of life care, to discuss their unique relationships, hospice life, and how death affects the living.

Ashgate Hospicecare is hoping that, in launching ‘The Life and Death Podcast’, listeners will feel more comfortable discussing this often sensitive, awkward and often brushed over topic.

Stephen, who has spent over ten years’ in his current role at Ashgate Hospicecare, believes that now is the perfect time to be launching a podcast such as this – referring to how, despite people seeing each other less during COVID-19, a death and its lasting effect on those left behind remains just as devastating for those involved.

The first episode, which airs today, features Ashgate Hospicecare patient – Roy – who is a father, a grandfather and recently a great-grandfather. Roy starts by reminiscing on his childhood, before changing the discussion to how hospice life is for Stephen. At one point, further into the episode, Roy turns to Stephen and remarks: “It’s one’s duty to live, to bring pleasure to those around you. It’s why you’re on this earth.”

When speaking about the podcast, Stephen said: “I’m really looking forward to hosting the podcast – it’s going to be an exciting project! I’ll be talking about my experience of working in palliative care, working with the dying and giving an insight into Ashgate Hospicecare and our patients’ lives. Every day I see the impact Ashgate is having on families and I can’t wait to share some of those stories.”

The podcast can be listened to here, through your desired podcast platform, or on Ashgate’s website and social media. With a new podcast airing every two weeks, make sure you subscribe too. Please rate and review the episode if you can and let Ashgate know what you thought!

Ashgate Hospicecare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

East Midlands Chamber comments on Government’s extension to Job Support Scheme

Responding to the Government’s extension to the Job Support Scheme to support businesses forced to close due to lockdown restrictions, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) director of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson said: “While the Government is yet to confirm any further lockdown restrictions, the targeted extension to the Job Support Scheme sets a clear trajectory of decision-making that could have a significant impact on the beleaguered hospitality industry.

“For affected businesses, it is good news that they won’t need to cover the cost of wages or make redundancies when they’re forced to shut. It’s also a welcome development for employers to be aware of the financial support available to them before any restrictions are imposed, which hasn’t always been the case during this pandemic.

“However, it’s important to note that businesses in the hospitality industry – and their supply chains, which won’t necessarily be covered be this – work to very tight margins.

“Many will lose money they have spent on perishable goods, as well as on implementing safety procedures, not to mention the ongoing costs of running a business and having a property. For many, the £3,000 monthly grant will only go part way to covering losses incurred.

“Ultimately for business, there is no amount of support that is an adequate substitute for being able to open and operate safely. Government focus and efforts must be placed on putting in place the necessary measures that will allow the economy to get open and stay open.”

East Midlands Chamber supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Eleventh Hour Gin to support the Royal British Legion produced by Derbyshire Distillery

The directors at Chesterfield-based Derbyshire Distillery are delighted to announce a corporate partnership with The Royal British Legion to produce Eleventh Hour Gin. £3 from the sale of each bottle of the new gin will go directly to the charity.

The label has been designed in association with acclaimed British fashion designer, Nigel Cabourn — famous for his menswear collections that are influenced by military dress and vintage clothing.

The concept for the new gin was the brainchild of ex-serviceman, Richard Aspinall, sales manager at Derbyshire Distillery, who wanted to do something with the company to help support the work of this charity.

Having served in the British Army for five years, Richard has had first hand experience of The Royal British Legion and how they support ex-service personnel and their families: “I have lost good friends and have seen how some injuries can change the life of those that served alongside me.

“The Royal British Legion is always there for the Armed Forces community and I was keen to do something to help, especially this year where every donation and every poppy really does count. As an employee of a gin distillery the idea just came to me: why not create a new gin that would help to raise funds for this worthy cause? Gin remains very popular, so I just put the two together.”

Commenting on the new concept, Phil Meakin, a founding director at the distillery, said: “The Royal British Legion has been very supportive of the new gin from the outset. During the last few months we have been refining the gin, developing the brand and sourcing bottles, and we’re now ready to launch the gin.

“It is such a worthy cause and we’re delighted that Richard took the initiative to develop the idea that will help to support the charity that he will be a part of for the rest of his life.”

The Eleventh Hour Gin is a traditional dry gin distilled with a unique blend of botanicals, including juniper, coriander, angelica, orris root, cassia, ginger, sour cherry, lemon and poppy seeds.

Every bottle purchased will contribute to supporting those from the Armed Forces community past and present, aiding The Royal British Legion to make a difference and enabling people to show their support in 2020.

Derbyshire Distillery supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Photos: Simon Turton

Gin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Derbyshire’s Test and Trace making positive connections

Derbyshire’s public health team is hitting the phones to protect residents in the fight against coronavirus.

By following up on the work of the national NHS Test and Trace programme, the team can build up a detailed picture of what is happening across the county.

Residents who are contacted will be asked more in-depth questions about their movements and who they’ve been in contact with and it’s important everyone gives all the correct information to protect their friends and loved ones.

This vital work will help Derbyshire County Council’s public health team, together with district and borough councils, build up a comprehensive picture of where transmissions are happening across Derbyshire.

And it means they can make important links between cases allowing them to respond more quickly to local outbreaks and put effective measures in place – possibly avoiding the need for a local lockdown.

Derbyshire’s Director of Public Health Dean Wallace said:

“It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

“Although these residents will already have been contacted by the national Test and Trace programme our work in Derbyshire is helping is to create a more detailed picture of what’s happening locally.

“This all means that we will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently when we see a pattern of outbreaks occurring.

“By responding earlier to identified outbreaks, it could avoid the need for any extra lockdown restrictions in a particular area. So I’d urge anyone who is contacted by members of my team to do the right thing and give all the correct information.

“It is important to remember that this virus hasn’t gone away. We all want to get back to doing the things we love and by working together we can do that more quickly.”

People are urged to continue to follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus by:

  • washing their hands regularly
  • staying 2m apart
  • wearing a face covering when required, unless exempt
  • keeping social gatherings to no more than 6 people – including children – both indoors and outdoors

If anyone develops any of the main symptoms – a new, continuous cough, high temperature or change or loss to your sense of smell or taste – they should immediately self-isolate for 10 days.

They should book a free test online or by calling NHS 119 and continue to self-isolate until they get their results.

People who test positive will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace team by email, text or phone and any close contacts will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Under new laws, it is an offence to knowingly provide false information about close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Like the national test and trace programme, public health staff will never ask for payment or bank details.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

Chesterfield secures funding to deliver Green Homes

Chesterfield Borough Council has secured £500,000 of funding to enable energy efficiency improvements for local residents.

The funding comes from the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme and will allow the council to support owner occupiers and landlords whose homes have a low rating in terms of energy efficiency.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This funding will help tackle the ongoing issue of fuel poverty in Chesterfield while also ensuring that the we can meet our objective of creating a carbon neutral Borough by 2050. In Chesterfield almost 60% of annual greenhouse gas emissions are from buildings, by ensuring buildings are more energy efficient this will lead to a significant reduction in emissions. To help tackle the emissions from homes we will work with homeowners and landlords to deliver this funding where it is most needed.

“I want to remind residents who are homeowners and landlords that they can also now apply for the Green Homes Grant directly from the government, which can be used to support a wide variety of energy efficiency improvements. However, the timescales are very tight, so it is crucial that they apply for this funding as soon as possible.”

Chesterfield Borough Council will use its funding to enable improvements to homes that currently have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or below but the national scheme is open to homes with higher ratings.

The funding covers a wide range of retrofit measures including insulation, double or triple glazing, new thermal efficient doors and the installation of heat pumps or other low carbon heating solutions.

If you are a private tenant, please speak with your landlord about improvements that can be made and highlight how they can apply for funding to help improve the energy efficiency of the home you rent.

Chesterfield Borough Council will release more details about how homeowners and landlords can access funding from the council to improve energy efficiency in the next few weeks. Details will be released on the council’s website and social media channels.

Find out more about the Green Home Grant and if your property is eligible by visiting: www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/pages/green-homes-grant

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Town leaders secure £500,000 cash boost for Staveley community projects

Residents in Staveley are set to benefit from a range of community improvements after town leaders secured £500,000 as part of wider plans to regenerate the area.

A new state-of-the-art all-weather sports pitch at Springwell Community College, new play equipment for King George V Playing Field and new CCTV equipment for the town centre are among the projects which will benefit from a cash boost.

The proposal to the government’s Accelerator Fund was submitted by Chesterfield Borough Council on behalf of the Staveley Town Deal Board.

This initial money will be used to kick-start improvements ahead of the Board’s submission of the Staveley Town Investment Plan, which is currently being finalised ahead of submission to the government’s Towns Fund. The Plan aims to secure up to £25m to help build a stronger economy for the area.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, Destination Chesterfield board member and managing director of local business MSE Hiller, said: “This initial slug of government funding is great news for the area and signals the start of positive change for Staveley.

“These projects align with the Board’s long-term regeneration plans for Staveley, which we will shortly be setting out for government as part of our ambitious Town Investment Plan.

“Our collective aim is to create new jobs for local people and a stronger and more resilient local economy.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair, said: “Being able to invest in grassroots facilities and projects like these now means we can bring real and immediate improvements that will benefit local people.

“These are positive investments in key facilities which support people’s health and well-being at a time when Staveley, like so many towns up and down the country, is struggling to weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s about doing all we can to help our communities build back stronger for the future.”

The projects which will receive funding are:

  • George V Playing Field – to provide play spaces and outdoor gym equipment
  • Springwell Community College – installation of a 3G all-weather sports pitch
  • Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club – to provide drainage for three pitches as part of the Club’s wider pitch redevelopment project
  • Staveley town centre – to upgrade CCTV equipment in the area
  • Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) project – to support site development for a new rail training and innovation centre at Barrow Hill Roundhouse

The Staveley Town Deal Board has been established to oversee the development and implementation of a long-term Town Investment Plan for the Staveley area.

It is made up of elected members and senior officers from Chesterfield Borough Council, Staveley Town Council and Derbyshire County Council, both local members of parliament, representatives from local charitable organisations, Derbyshire Police, education leaders and representatives of the local business community.

Staveley Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home

Long-term Covid-19 recovery plan agreed to help Chesterfield communities overcome the impact of coronavirus

Tackling social isolation and supporting young people to overcome the impact of the pandemic are among the top priorities set out in a new long-term recovery plan by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Continuing to work closely with partners and the voluntary and community sector, and ensuring the borough takes the opportunity to promote a ‘green’ recovery, are also at the heart of the Covid-19 Strategic and Community Recovery approach.

The plan, which was adopted on 29 September, builds on the work already set out in the council’s Economic Recovery Plan, which was approved in July.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “While the threat of coronavirus remains very real and we continue to prioritise our response to local need, it’s important that we look at how we move forward as a borough.

“Our community has shown such solidarity and resolve over recent months – standing side-by-side to support and protect the most vulnerable.

“The council will continue to build and support resilient communities and embrace the sense of community that people have demonstrated during this very difficult period.”

Dedicated work programmes will be developed in support of the new priorities, and an initial £30,000 Community Wellbeing Fund has been approved to help support this work.

Tackling social isolation, which many people have experienced during the pandemic – especially those who have limited access to technology – is a key focus and the council will now look at how it further supports projects and initiatives which promote social connectedness.

Supporting young people to build their skills and boost their job prospects despite the current challenges is also a top priority. The council will look to build on projects such as the recently-launched My Future platform – an innovative online careers and employability platform, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Underlying all of this work is a commitment to a ‘green’ recovery and carbon reduction as part of the council’s climate change pledge.

Councillor Mannion-Brunt added: “Although these last few months have undoubtedly brought huge hardship and challenge to our communities, there are positives that we can build upon and opportunities to make sure key commitments – like tackling climate change – are an integral part of our recovery plans.”

It follows the recent announcement that up to £15,000 of neighbourhood funding is now open for applications through the Community Infrastructure Levy. Local charities and community groups in Chesterfield can bid for the cash to help support local community initiatives.

For more information about the neighbourhood funding, contact Wendy Blunt, Health and Wellbeing Officer, wendy.blunt@chesterfield.gov.uk or 01246 959657.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

DBCP makes a trio of appointments to meet industry demand

The demand for increased space in homes together with the ongoing tightening of building regulations, has triggered a trio of new appointments at Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP).

The company, which is a Local Authority approved representative of building control standards in Derbyshire, has appointed two new building control surveyors and a new member of its office based technical-support team.

Together they will help DBCP meet increased demand from both residential and commercial sectors across Derbyshire.

Lee Carl and Sarah Purvey have joined DBCP as Building Control Surveyors. They bring 30 years of combined building control experience to their new roles. Bev Glasgow has joined DBCP’s technical support team.

Sarah, who has made the move from North West Leicestershire Council, will be covering south east Derbyshire building control applications in the Ripley, Oakwood, Somercotes and Belper areas. She has a passion for historic buildings and is looking forward to the varied case load.

She said: “I really enjoy building control, particularly the variety of buildings and projects that I visit. I am impressed with DBCPs facilities and procedures it has in place as they give me the ability to be highly responsive; particularly where dangerous structures are concerned DBCP’s responsiveness is second to none.”

Colleague Lee Carl returns to his old stomping ground having begun his career in building control with Bolsover Council in 2006. In his new role at DBCP he will be undertaking building control inspections across North Derbyshire.

Lee makes the move to DBCP from a Sheffield-based Approved Inspector business. He said: “Local authority building control is integral to the future of building control standards which are becoming more rigorous as we move to a safer built environment. I am delighted to join DBCP. It is an exciting time for the sector and DBCP is at the forefront of the evolving building control regulations.”

Primarily field-based, Sarah and Lee will be supported by DBCP’s office-based technical team which is joined by Bev Glasgow who makes the move from a construction skills apprentice training company.

Within her new role, Bev will be part of DBCP’s team which provides telephone assistance to customers, arranges building inspections and process online applications.

She said: “Having spent four years with my previous employer dealing with apprentices and trainees entering the construction industry, it is now great to see the other side of it. My previous experience has given me a wider understanding of the sector and the pressures that people working within it face on a daily basis.”

For expert building control advice and guidance, please get in touch with the DBCP team at www.dbcp.co.uk or call 0333 880 2000. 

DBCP New Recruits

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Meet the winners of Chesterfield’s Still Blooming

The winners of Chesterfield’s Still Blooming, an online competition led by Chesterfield Borough Council to find the borough’s best sunflowers have been announced.

Chesterfield’s Still Blooming was launched in May in response to the cancellation of Britain in Bloom and the Chesterfield in Bloom competitions. It aimed to find tallest sunflower, biggest flower head and most sunflowers on one plant. The council received lots of great entries and can now announce the following winners who will all be receiving a small prize and certificate.

The tallest sunflower was grown by Thomas Bown (8) and Jack Bown (6), their sunflower reached a massive 11 feet and they got their dad David to pose with the enormous sunflower.

The most sunflower heads on a single plant was won by Ollie Walker (6) and Kyla Walker (3) who managed to get 26 flower heads on a single plant.

The biggest sunflower head was grown by Lina Rutkauskiene and the flowerhead had a diameter of 20 inches.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I want to thank everyone that took part in this great competition, we received loads of great entries. It was such a shame that the In Bloom judging was cancelled this year but if we can get as much support next year as we have for the online competitions, then I’m certain we will do very well.”

As well as receiving lots of great entries for the competition, there was also lots of positive feedback about the competition and families explaining how they have used the competition as one of their activities to keep busy during the lockdown.

In 2020 Chesterfield was due to take part in both the East Midlands in Bloom competition as well as the national competition, Britain in Bloom competition. However, these competitions were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. This meant the annual Chesterfield in Bloom competition for residents also had to change.

As well as the Chesterfield’s Still Blooming competition the council also hosted a virtual flower festival on its website. The gallery for the festival is still available to view on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/latest-news/chesterfield-s-still-blooming

Chesterfield in Bloom

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure

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