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Chesterfield schoolgirl seeks votes to progress in CBBC singing competition

Georgie Mills, a 14-year-old student from Chesterfield, is currently a contestant on the hit CBBC show ‘Got What It Takes?’ and is appealing for residents to cast their votes for her in the upcoming semi-final.

In ‘Got What It Takes?’, eight teen singers compete for a life-changing prize with the help of their mums. Each week, the contestants learn about an aspect of the music industry, with the two challenge winners receiving a place in the sing-off. The third place in the sing-off is awarded to the contestant whose mum wins the physical activity challenge. The contestant who has won the most sing-offs at the end of week 8 automatically goes through to the final, with the other three finalists being decided by the public vote. The final four performers will compete in the final for the chance to perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Series 5 began on 8 January 2020 and is shown every Wednesday evening on CBBC as well as being available on BBC iPlayer. The semi-final takes place on Wednesday 4th March, where the voting will open for only 24 hours.

Georgie currently attends Outwood Academy in Newbold and lives in Newbold village. Georgie has won local competitions such as Eckington‘s Got Talent, Dronfield’s Got Talent and Chesterfield’s Got Talent, as well as singing for over 3,000 people at the Ashgate Hospicecare Sparkle Night Walk.

On Saturday (1 February), Georgie appeared in the Grand Final of TeenStar UK, where she came third in the ’13 & Over’ category. In addition, Georgie was nominated for ‘Best Young Breakthrough Artist’ at the National Entertainment Awards.

Georgie said: “Performing at the TeenStar UK final on Saturday was a great experience for me and I was delighted to come third. To perform at The O2 was amazing and something I’ll never forget.”

Georgie now has her sights set on the ‘Got What it Takes?’ semi-final vote. She added: “I would absolutely love for everyone to vote for me in March so I can reach the final. I love to be on stage and I have been performing for as long as I can remember.”

Jo & Andy Mills, Georgie’s parents, said: “Singing is her dream and appearing on ‘Got what it Takes?’ is a fantastic opportunity for her. We’re now looking for all the help we can and for as many people to vote for Georgie as possible – the vote is only open for 24 hours so every vote counts! To see Georgie progress to the final would be absolutely amazing”.

Votes can be submitted for 24 hours from 4th March through the CBBC website here. Voting is free however please check for terms & conditions before voting. Previous episodes are available on BBC iPlayer for those who would like to watch Georgie’s journey so far.

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

Spire Radio and S40 & S41 Local magazines announce partnership

Chesterfield Champions Spire Radio and S40 & S41 Local magazines are partnering to offer discounted advertising packages across radio and print.

The new partnership will help businesses get their name and services out to a wider and more diverse local audience. Companies or organisations can benefit from a healthy discount (between 20 and 25%) when advertising packages on radio and in the magazines are arranged together, helping Chesterfield’s businesses reach even more potential clients. Along with the advertising packages, Spire Radio, are also offering all S40 & S41 Local advertisers, new or existing, 10% off any quoted event price.

S40 Local is one of two popular printed publications, that together form the online hub, Chesterfield Local. S40 Local magazine has been helping support local business, encouraging a sense of community and championing local events for over 11 years. Sister publication, S41 Local, was launched in 2018 and follows the same ethos as the original magazine with tailored content for the community based to the North West of Chesterfield, together delivering to 14,500 addresses.

S40 Local delivers to areas including Acorn Ridge, Ashgate, Brampton, Brookside, Holymoorside, Somersall and Walton, S41 Local to Ashgate Heights, Brockwell, Brushfield, Cutthorpe, Dunston (Skylarks & businesses) Highfield, Linacre, Newbold, Piccadilly, Sheffield Road (businesses) and Spital. Plus, both are delivered to a small selection of independent town centre businesses. (Please note: S40 & S41 Local do not cover the entire postcodes for S40 and S41 as distribution has grown organically).

Paul Chapman, Editor and Owner of S40 Local, said: “I’m excited to be pairing our services alongside Spire Radio. Like Spire Radio, I’m keen to support our town and the great independent businesses within it. This partnership will enable businesses to make the readers of S40 and S41 Local, together with the online listeners of Spire Radio aware of the great services they have to offer.”

Simon Paterson, Editor of S41 Local, said: “Having seen the great work that Spire Radio do at many of our local events, championing our town and providing quality entertainment, I am proud to be a part of this forward-thinking partnership. It’s great when two local, independent businesses work together, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this great venture.”

Spire Radio is a lifestyle branded online community radio station, broadcasting 24 hours a day from their Chesterfield Town Centre studio. They have the biggest range of live shows broadcast from Chesterfield (they do not syndicate shows with other stations), with over 80 hours a week of local, live content. They are coming up to their 5th anniversary, which will bring a range of changes to the station, including a significant investment to be announced in Spring 2020.

Jordan Hartshorne, Director of Social Media and PR at Spire Radio (right), thinks working together reflects the community spirit of Chesterfield: “Spire Radio is really excited to be working with S40 and S41 Local magazines on these new packages which will help Chesterfield businesses reach more people in the community”.

Businesses who are interested in the new packages can get in touch via email on sales@spire-radio.com, paul@s40local.co.uk or Simon@s41local.com. The combined radio and print offers are available to new advertisers only.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield

UKATA urges employers to ensure apprentices are asbestos aware

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2020 (3 – 9 February) the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is urging employers to deliver asbestos awareness training to all apprentices.

The message comes amid efforts by UKATA, which is one of the UK’s leading authorities on asbestos training, to halt the growing numbers of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases.

Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing deadly asbestos related diseases than older workers.

Providing apprentices with key information about asbestos at an early stage will enable them to challenge poor work practices and protect themselves.

Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA urged: “With the death toll from occupational exposure reaching crisis levels in the UK, UKATA is calling on all employers of apprentices working in trades, to receive asbestos awareness training as soon as possible, whether that’s through a college or with their employer.”

Apprentice electricians, plumbers, carpenters. joiners, heating and ventilation engineers, painters and decorators are just some of the 1.3 million tradespeople that are at risk from exposure to the killer building material. And the facts are startling:

  • Asbestos kills around 20 tradespeople in the UK every week, making it the single biggest cause of work-related deaths (Health & Safety Executive)
  • Electricians are almost 16 times more likely than the general population to develop the killer lung disease mesothelioma in their lifetime. (Occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in the British population: a case-control study.)
  • Asbestos exposure kills 4 plumbers every week (Health & Safety Executive)
  • 598 carpenters and joiners died between 1991-2000 as a result of an asbestos disease
  • 1 in 17 British carpenters born in the 1940s will die of mesothelioma (Cancer Research UK and Health & Safety Executive)
  • The UK has the highest death rate from mesothelioma in the world. The risk is highest in people who were exposed to asbestos before age 30. (Institute of Cancer Research)

Despite the well-publicised health risks posed by asbestos, a 2017 survey conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of 500 tradespeople showed that less than a third were aware of the correct ways to deal with and handle asbestos in the workplace.

Craig explained: “It’s never too early to deliver asbestos awareness training to your workforce. The statistics show that the earlier in a person’s career they receive the appropriate training, then the better protected they are against developing asbestos related cancers in later life.

“A simple half day awareness course could prevent them from contracting a deadly disease and also ensure they don’t expose others to the dangers of asbestos.”

To ensure young people have access to asbestos awareness training before entering the workplace, UKATA is supporting the Learning Occupational Health by Experiencing Risks (LOcHER) project.

The LOcHER project idea originated within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and aims to support colleges to help students develop valuable employment and life skills, so they feel equipped to lead change in their careers and the industries into which they progress.

For employers whose apprentices are yet to receive asbestos awareness training, UKATA advises that they access UKATA approved asbestos awareness training, either with a local provider or online.

“Asbestos awareness training is low cost and readily available. I urge all employers to book their apprentices on these half-day courses and provide them with a safe foundation for a long and safe career within the construction industry,” added Craig.

UKATA approved asbestos awareness courses are available both online and in training centres throughout the UK. Alternatively, the training provider may deliver on site.

To find out more about UKATA, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Planning application for revitalising the former Chesterfield Hotel site

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with the owners of the Chesterfield Hotel to explore opportunities for the future use of the site.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield Hotel is a landmark building and a venue that holds very happy memories for many of us. Sadly, the costs to refurbish and bring the building back into productive use have proven beyond the means of the many investors and developers that have had a look at it.”

“I can therefore confirm that Whittam Cox Architects has recently applied for outline planning permission, on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council and Prestige Hotels (Midlands) Limited, to build offices on the site.”

“This is a first step of many that the council plans to make with our partners to re-vitalise the Chesterfield station area, which is one of our long-term regeneration priorities”.

Whittam Cox Architects are acting as agents for Chesterfield Borough Council and the owners of the Chesterfield Hotel, Prestige Hotels (Midlands) Limited.

The owners of the Chesterfield Hotel were successful in obtaining planning permission to demolish the current structure in December 2019.

Councillor Tricia Gilby continued: “The council is currently in the process of finalising the HS2 Chesterfield Station Masterplan, which will be available later this year for public scrutiny and comment.”

Click here to learn more about the Northern Gateway development and what it means for Chesterfield town centre

Click here to learn more about HS2 in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Local arts festival helps school children to commemorate VE Day anniversary

Friday 8th May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day and to celebrate this historic event, North Wingfield Parish Council have worked with Chesterfield Champions, Dronfield Arts Festival to produce commemorative mugs for students at North Wingfield Primary and Nursery School.

Every child at the school will receive a mug as a way to help connect them to the past and as a memento for the future. As well as supporting the history curriculum, it will help the children to understand the importance of remembering significant events from history and to gain an appreciation of what life was like 75 years ago.

As the war in Europe ended and the guns fell silent, millions of people took to the streets to celebrate peace and remember the enormous courage and sacrifice of those who were lost. This year’s local celebrations will be the perfect opportunity to get the children involved in a whole range of events designed to commemorate and celebrate Britain’s finest hour and the arrival of peace in Europe.

The Parish Council sourced the mugs from Dronfield Arts Festival, who are working alongside Dronfield Town Council to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day in Dronfield and District, as part of the national celebrations organised by SSAFA.

The Festival will be delivering a programme of 1940s themed events in Dronfield throughout the bank holiday weekend from Friday 8th May until Sunday 10th May 2020. A donation will be made to SSAFA the Armed Forces charity from proceeds made during the weekend.

If you would like to find out more about how to support and celebrate this historic event, Dronfield Arts Festival have a range of official VE Day merchandise that can be personalised to mark this momentous occasion and which you can purchase online at https://www.dronfieldartsfestival.co.uk/

If you would like to get involved, you can find out how you can be part of the official national VE Day celebrations at https://www.veday75.org/

VE Day Mugs

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

Handelsbanken bolsters local team to meet growing demand

Handelsbanken Chesterfield has appointed a new Individual Banking Manager in response to increasing demand for its local relationship banking services.

Kate Sangwin joins the Chesterfield team after over 10 years of banking experience, the last 18 months of which have been with Handelsbanken in Derby. She will be involved in developing existing customer relationships as well as welcoming new customers to Handelsbanken’s bespoke approach to local banking.

A strong focus on long-term relationships and high levels of personal service has seen the Bank rated top for customer satisfaction 11 years running in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers*. Branches are responsible for making all day-to-day banking decisions based solely on their customers’ requirements, free from product and lending targets or bonus incentives.

Kate commented  “What initially attracted me to Handelsbanken was its pure focus on serving the customer. As experienced local bankers we have the power to make all the decisions that matter to our customers, swiftly and sensibly here in the branch. The bank provides customers with an extremely high level of service, and products structured to meet their individual needs.”

The branch, established in 2012 and located at Spire Walk Business Park, has developed a reputation for traditional banking, financial strength and high standards within the local business and professional services community.

Phil Walker, Branch Manager, added:   “I am very pleased to welcome Kate to our team. Her appointment means that we can continue to meet the growing needs of both existing and new customers in and around the town, whilst maintaining the high levels of service for which we are renowned. Kate lives in the town and knows the area well, so is excited by the opportunity to work for Handelsbanken in Chesterfield.”

Originally from Sweden, Handelsbanken now has approximately 750 branches in 19 countries and has been named the joint top-scoring commercial bank in Global Finance’s ranking of the World’s Safest Banks 2019**. In the UK, where it has established its wholly-owned UK subsidiary, the Bank supports customers in over 200 communities across the country.

HANDELSBANKEN BOLSTERS LOCAL TEAM TO MEET GROWING DEMAND

Posted in Business, Home

Liza Bakes to open new bakery and store

Chesterfield Champion, Liza Bakes has recently relocated to Clay Cross, occupying the space of the old Orwins Butchery Shop on Main Street.   The bakery and retail store officially opens this weekend (Saturday 1st February)

Phyllis Bown and her team have been producing cakes in Derbyshire since 2014 for a range of clients from local businesses and farm shops to the general public requiring special celebration cakes.

The new bakery will produce a range of cakes, tray bakes, drip cakes, cupcakes and handmade biscuits, utilising as many locally sourced ingredients possible. It will of course also be the new home of your favourite signature baked goods, including the infamous and “Great Taste Award Winning” gluten free orange polenta cake, fruit & ale cake, chocolate beer cake, Victoria sandwich and carrot cake to name a few.  The expansion allows development of the business,including a room for gluten free products for the ever growing gluten free market.

Phyllis Bown, Owner of Liza Bakes said “This ideal Clay Cross location will provide more room for the team to flex their uniquely creative take on fresh baked goods as they continue to push the boundaries of baking.”

The new location will also be the home to a cake shop.  The glass fronted  shop, has been painstakingly remodeled as a Victorian cake shop and named affectionately Harriet’s Couture after Phyllis’ Grandmother, who not only taught Phyllis to bake, but who also inspired her to develop her own range of signature bakes.  Harriet’s Couture will be selling Liza Bakes Cakes alongside an extensive range of their decorated wedding and celebration cakes.

The official opening of the bakery and retail store takes place on Saturday 1st February 2020 from 9.45 am – 3.00 pm, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am to officially open the bakery.

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

Very high-speed rail comes to Chesterfield

Talgo UK and Chesterfield Borough Council today (28th January) took another step forward towards bringing advanced rail skills and technology to the town.

Talgo is a leading specialized rolling stock engineering company mainly focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing technologically differentiated, fast, lightweight trains, with a presence in 44 countries.

Talgo UK recently established a Head Office in Chesterfield, and confirmed ambitions to develop an ‘Innovation Centre’, co-located with Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

The company has ambitions for the UK that include not only Chesterfield, but also a major manufacturing plant at Longannet, in Scotland. The two sites will work together to ensure that the expertise and knowledge needed to build and export ‘state of the art’ trains will be embedded in the UK.

Talgo UK has a philosophy of ‘true manufacturing’. Instead of assembling kits from overseas, the company intends to reinvigorate the UK supply-chain, and source from it wherever possible.  This approach upskills workers, protects jobs, and keeps more money in the local and national economies of the UK.

Now those ambitions are becoming a reality, with an anticipated ‘framework agreement’ between Chesterfield Borough Council and Talgo UK, and the delivery of a very-high-speed rail vehicle to the site, for training and education purposes.

Perhaps more Tangible to the casual observer, is the delivery of one of Talgo’s 250kph coaches, which comes with Talgo’s world-beating and unique ‘Rodal’ technology installed. The coach was today gifted to Chesterfield Borough Council.

Talgo is bringing its technology to the UK, as part of a programme to explain new technologies, to transfer knowledge to the UK and to boost UK domestic capacity for Research and Development. Chesterfield will play a key part in the process, coordinating efforts across the UK.

Carlos de Palacio, President of Talgo, said: “I am delighted to deliver a high-speed present from Spain today. This is part of Talgo’s plan to generate better understanding of Talgo’s technologies that are being used around the world, but which have so far eluded the UK.”

He added “I hope that it is not long before we see the next generation of Talgo’s products built in the UK, with technical knowledge and innovation being provided by a team headquartered in Chesterfield, and drawing on the knowledge and expertise of the whole UK’”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I am extremely pleased that Talgo remains committed to Chesterfield and shares our ambitions to maximise the opportunities presented by unprecedented growth in the rail sector and transformational infrastructure projects, including HS2.

I am delighted to announce that in February Chesterfield Borough Council expects to enter into a framework agreement with Talgo UK.

The agreement will recognise the recent establishment of Talgo UK’s Headquarters here at Barrow Hill and will set out the milestones for the delivery of an Innovation Centre from where Talgo will develop its ‘all Britain Strategy”.

Talgo’s proposals for the Innovation Centre follow a major piece of collaborative work, involving key partners including Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield College, The University of Derby, Newcastle University’s NewRail and Midlands Rail Forum.

The partnership has commissioning Focus Consultants and Maber Architects to progress a feasibility and RIBA stage 2 design study, bringing closer the ambition of DRIIVe (Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle).  DRIIVe encompasses a modern rail innovation and training centre that will deliver over 3400sqm of floorspace, 190 jobs and a complete pathway of rail provision from level 2 through to level 7 for 1800 learners over 10 years.

Talgo Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Jessica’s delight at Redbrik promotion

Leading estate agency, Redbrik, has promoted its very own Jessica Risorto to a senior management role.

Jessica will now serve as Area Manager for Redbrik’s Chesterfield Sales office, in what will be her fifth year with the award-winning estate agent, which was established in 2013.

Having risen through the ranks at Redbrik, Jessica is viewed by company directors as ‘perfectly placed’ to lead the Chesterfield Sales Office, having developed a thorough understanding of local homeowners and the challenges they face.

The 29-year-old, who has held every role at Redbrik from Viewings Representative to Property Consultant, commented: “I’m delighted at the progression in my role here at Redbrik and have loved every minute so far.

“Redbrik is a fantastic company to work for and offers so many opportunities for personal development. I am really excited to grasp this opportunity with both hands and look forward to helping Redbrik continue to achieve its objectives and exceed the expectations of our customers in 2020 and beyond.

“I have a real passion for providing exceptional customer service, a passion I know we all share here at Redbrik. To me, that means offering knowledge and personal experiences to our customers to help them make good choices in regard to property and solve any problems they may face.

“Working in many roles in my five years here at Redbrik has given me opportunity to contribute significantly to the team and the wider community, something which I am keen to continue. It’s such an exciting time for the company and for Chesterfield, I can’t wait to further my work in the town and am so excited about its ongoing growth and development in the region”

Mark Ross, Managing Director at Redbrik, said: “This promotion is fully deserved for Jessica – she’s well-equipped to take on the role and I can’t wait to see her thrive in it.

“In addition to our commitment to providing exemplary customer service, we also pride ourselves on being a fantastic company to work for – we really strive to develop our staff.

“With five valuable years of experience at Redbrik under her belt, Jessica understands homeowner needs and brings a lot to the table. She is also very engaged with the local community so in this new role, at the heart of Redbrik, she will further strengthen our relationship with the people of Chesterfield, as their agent in property.

“We are already excited about the opportunities for real growth in 2020, and for Redbrik to become more of an integral part of homeowners’ lives. We have always prided ourselves on our innovation and the ability to solve our customers’ problems, and we plan on doing so this year through the launch of new services to the property sector.”

Redbrik, which recently celebrated its seventh year in business, was ranked as the number one estate agent in the Yorkshire and Humberside region by the 2019 Best Estate Agent Guide.

Mark Ross, Redbrik Estate Agents

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Former RBS Commercial Director joins Bridge Help

Bridge Help has announced the appointment of respected former RBS Commercial Director Darren Marshall as Head of Risk and Underwriting at the firm.

Darren (right) has been enticed out of early retirement to join the rapidly growing Chesterfield-based bridging finance company which provides short term loans for commercial property.

He joins Bridge Help as a non executive director and brings a wealth of high level experience in the banking sector to the company.

His 38-year career with the RBS Group has given him a proven track record in business development which he now brings to the team at Bridge Help. His appointment will assist in driving forward the firm’s ambitions to lend £100 million per year both direct to individuals and through a broker network.

Prior to his early retirement in 2018, Darren covered South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire in his RBS role, building an extensive knowledge base of the local marketplace. After choosing to leave the finance sector through early retirement he and his partner moved from near Rotherham to the North Yorkshire coast from where he will continue to be based.

Darren explained: “Since choosing to retire I have received a number of job offers but the one with Bridge Help genuinely excited me for a number of reasons, but primarily because of the firm’s agility.  Working with Bridge Help also enables me to work remotely which suits my new lifestyle.”

Central to Bridge Help’s agility is video conferencing technology which is enabling it to deal face-to-face with clients, brokers and solicitors in order to speed up the application process.

Bridge Help’s Chief Executive Chris Sellars (below) welcomed Darren onboard, saying: “In my previous role as a solicitor in North Derbyshire, I had the privilege of working alongside Darren on a number of my clients’ deals and have long respected his professionalism and approach. It is a considerable coup for Bridge Help that we have been able to entice Darren out of retirement to join the team. His appointment represents an exciting stage in Bridge Help’s development in the marketplace.”

His appointment follows the decision of Chris Sellars earlier this year to fully commit himself to the business and leave a successful 30-year legal career to focus on the bridging finance firm.

Darren added: “I have known Chris a long time and the chance to work with him was too good to miss.”

For further information about Bridge Help visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield museum celebrates inspirational local women

Chesterfield Museum is celebrating the lives of local women who have made a significant contribution to their communities and the country overall.

The extraordinary women exhibition runs to 28 March, and features the lives of many inspirational women, including political campaigners such as Emma Miller and Barbara Castle, and the story of suffragette Winifred Jones.

Visitors can also learn about Florence Robinson, who ensured that Robinsons had some of the best working conditions and work social facilities in Derbyshire. The exhibition also explores the story of Violet Markham, social welfare, educational reformer and political pioneer, who became the first female Mayor of Chesterfield.

The exhibition also includes the story of the ladies’ football tournament – which took place during the First World War – possibly the first of its kind to be played anywhere in Britain.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member town centres and visitor economy, said: “It is important that we continue to remember the stories of our local heroes and we’re encouraging as many of you as possible to come down and learn about the lives of these local women who have helped shape our  communities in to the way we know them today.”

“We hope that anyone visiting this exhibition regardless of their age, gender or background will be inspired by the achievements of these extraordinary women.”

The exhibition is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm. The museum is free to enter, however donations are welcomed.

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