Leisure

Dog-friendly bar to open at Vicar Lane

18th November 2019

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is excited to announce the opening of a brand new, dog-friendly, pop-up bar in the Centre, in the run up to Christmas.

The Cap and Whippet is the brainchild of the owner of local, award-winning bar ‘Brimming with Beer’ which is already a firm favourite with locals. Brimming with Beer was set up in the Summer of 2016 and this year was awarded ‘Chesterfield CAMRA Pub of the Season-Summer 2019’ as well as being entered into the Good Beer Guide.

The Cap and Whippet will serve up a thirst-quenching menu of beers and spirits, all produced at Derbyshire breweries and distilleries. Customers will also find a range of Christmas gifts to purchase and take home.

The Cap and Whippet is named after owner Ben’s Whippet called ‘Tan’ and her favourite flat cap. The bar will be open from 10am – 10pm (midnight at the weekend), 6 days a week from 29^th November until Christmas Eve.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re really excited to welcome The Cap and Whippet to Vicar Lane this festive season. The dog-friendly bar will offer a thirst-quenching drink to warm the cockles in the approach to Christmas, as well as providing a great venue for friends, colleagues and their dogs to enjoy after work drinks or a night out in Chesterfield.’’

Find out what else is happening at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre this festive season here.

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

Winners of Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019 announced

15th November 2019

The winners of the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019 have been announced, with local company O’Connor & Co Removals named 2019 Business of the Year.

The awards ceremony took place at Chesterfield’s Casa Hotel on Thursday 14th November and honoured the very best of trade and commerce in the area, as well as recognising the outstanding contribution of local business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Chesterfield’s Fairplay, a children’s charity that supports children and young people with disabilities and their families, was named Charity of the Year.

The Derbsyhire Times website states: “Our awards attract a wide range of entries from across all sectors from both small and larger organisations. But the winners all have one thing in common – they are truly excellent at what they do and have proved this by winning a Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Award.”

The headline sponsors for the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019 were Global Brands & Casa Hotels.

A full list of winners can be found below.

Winners

Innovation Award
Winner: Jane-Louise Photography UK
Shortlisted: UK Asbestos Training Association

Community Contribution
Winner: Men-Talk
Shortlisted: Move with Mumma, Bookworms

Customer Service Award
Winner: O’Connor & Co Removals Limited
Shortlisted: Casa Hotel, Dales and Peaks, Morley Hayes

Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Millie Walker – Auto Windscreens/ Markerstudy Group
Shortlisted: Carrie Price – KT Hair Academy for NJUK and Megan Thompson – Van Dyk by Wildes

Independent Retailer of the Year
Winner: Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
Shortlisted: OhSoBoss, Timeless Life Casting & Keepsakes

Leisure and Lifestyle
Winner: Morley Hayes
Shortlisted: Casa Hotel, Matlock Farm Park and Peak Edge Hotel & Red Lion Pub and Restaurant

New Business of the Year
Winner: Edwards Employment Solutions
Shortlisted: Jane – Louise Photography UK, O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd, Timeless Life Casting & Keepsakes

Professional Services Award:
Winner: BHP
Shortlisted: Dales and Peaks, Mortgage 1st, Shorts

Small Business of the Year:
Winner: Dales and Peaks
Shortlisted: Dawson Radford Solicitors, Moss Valley Fine Meats, Recruit 2 You Ltd, The Accountancy Recruitment Group

Excellence in Manufacturing
Winner: Moss Valley Fine Meats
Shortlisted: H D Sharman Limited

Charity of the Year
Winner: Fairplay
Shortlisted: Nenna Kind

Business Person of the Year:
Winner: Peter Botham – Shed Grounds Maintenance Ltd
Shortlisted: Jon Stones – Mortgage 1st and Tom Currey – Dales and Peaks

People Development Award
Winner: Banner Jones

Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Robert Banner, Banner Jones

2019 Business of the Year
Winner: O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd

Winners of this years Business Excellence Awards pictured. Picture: NDET-14-11-19-DTBusinessAwards-1

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield

Win a tasty Window at Vicar Lane

15th November 2019

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is excited to continue their new competition that gives customers the chance to win a new prize every month.

‘Win the Window’ continues with a brand new competition starting on Thursday 14th November and running until Thursday 5th December. This month’s prize up for grabs is a tasty £20 voucher from Quoozies. The prize is displayed in the winning window, located opposite F. Hinds at Vicar Lane.

This competition follows the first which saw the popular Chesterfield shopping centre giving away a generous £30 F. Hinds gift card and the second which saw one lucky person winning a giant teddy from Holmes Amusements.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “‘Win the Window’ is all about giving customers something new and exciting to look forward to each month. We plan to give away a variety of fabulous prizes throughout the year, so there’s something for everyone.’’

For the chance to win the latest prize, customers should simply visit the Centre’s winning window opposite F. Hinds and follow the simple instructions, or comment on the official competition post on Facebook. Terms and conditions apply.

Vicar Lane with festive cheer from 11am until 3.30pm on Sunday 17^th November for the Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On. Enjoy a live brass band filling the air with festive nostalgia, plus free festive face painting for the little ones to get you in the spirit of the season before the big switch on.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Mortgage 1st raise £1,648.94 for local charities

12th November 2019

7 members of the Mortgage 1st team took part in this year’s Chesterfield Redbrik Half Marathon and Peak FM 5 Mile Run on 20th of October in support of two great local charities, Ashgate Hospicecare & Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Mortgage 1st encouraged their team to sign up earlier this year as part of the Pronto Paints Wellbeing challenge and kindly offered to pay all their entry fees. The majority of those who signed up weren’t already runners but fully committed to the challenge and began their training.

On the day, 6 members of the Mortgage 1st team ran the Peak FM 5 mile and all completed it within an hour or less. The 7th team member Ethan, ran the full half marathon in 2 hours exact.

As a team they raised a whopping £1,648.94 in donations which they have shared equally between the two charities, meaning they will receive just over £820 each.

Lisa Stones, Marketing Director at Mortgage 1st said: “When I asked around the office who wanted to take part I was delighted when 7 of our team said yes. They all did brilliantly with their training and it was great to hear how their health & fitness started to improve as a result.”

“On the day there was a large group for us from Mortgage 1st along with their friends and family all cheering them on, the atmosphere in Queens Park was great and we’re all already talking about next year’s event.”

More than 1,500 people registered for the event’s three elements – the 13.1-mile Half Marathon, Peak FM Five Mile Run and Blachford UK Fun Run – with new course records also set by both the female and male Redbrik Half winners. Read more here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Fun for all the family at Chesterfield Christmas lights event

12th November 2019

Chesterfield residents and visitors can enjoy the town’s annual Christmas lights-switch on, which offers fun for all the family.

Taking place on Sunday 17 November, the event will see children’s favourite Peter Rabbit appearing in Rykneld Square outside Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre from noon to 12.30pm, 1pm to 1.30pm, 2pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 3.30pm.

There will be a market from noon in the market place with stalls offering some great Christmas gift ideas, games and fairground rides.

Many local shops will also be open on the day with a variety of Christmas gifts allowing people to shop local. Chesterfield Market Café in the Market Hall will also be open offering a hot drink and refreshments for visitors.

The stage show will get underway in New Square from 3.30pm with Peak FM providing the fun as presenters, including breakfast presenters Ricky and Becky, take to the stage.

There will also be opportunities for everyone to join in the fun with games and prize giveaways courtesy of Peak FM.

As well as a host of local acts, stars from Jack and the Beanstalk, this year’s pantomime at the Pomegranate Theatre, will also perform on stage. They will be joined by Peter Rabbit for the big switch-on, which takes place at 4.45pm.

Alyson Barnes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Tourism, Museums and Events Manager, said: “The Christmas lights switch on event is one of the biggest in Chesterfield’s annual calendar of events attracting thousands of people each year. I would encourage families to come along to enjoy the day and also to shop local and support our market and local shops.”

Chesterfield residents can use their free parking pass to park at the following council-run car parks:

Albion Road
Derbyshire Times
Devonshire Street
Durrant Road
Hollis Lane (excluding on-street bays)
Holywell Cross (the ‘Donut’)
Queens Park (North and South)
Spa Lane
Station Road
St Mary’s Gate
Theatre Lane

There’s a full programme of entertainment for Christmas in Chesterfield from traditional markets to stand up comedy and from gigs to musical concerts.

Find out more about what’s coming up as part of Christmas in Chesterfield here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Peak Pharmacy branch launches 24/7 prescription collection service

11th November 2019

Peak Pharmacy, owned by PCT Healthcare, has officially launched its 24/7 automated prescription collection system at its pharmacy at Ashgate Medical Centre in Chesterfield.

At an opening ceremony on Friday 8th November, Oliver Atkinson (right), a Year 6 student at Brockwell Primary School, cut the opening ribbon after pupils entered a competition to name the new machine. Oliver’s winning entry ‘Medi-Tron’ was revealed by Joe Cattee, Director of PCT Healthcare. A sign with the new name will be soon be displayed near the machine. Oliver was joined by Florence Rix (Year 3), Noah Rix (Year 5) and Holly Bradbury (Year 5). The pupils received a small gift for taking part and were the first to try the new machine.

The machine is the first of its type in the area and one of only a few devices in the country that offers 24 hour a day prescription collection for patients with regular repeat prescriptions, giving patients the convenience of being able to collect their medication whenever suits them.

Patients simply need to let the team know they want to use the collection point, then arrange for their doctor to send their prescription directly to the pharmacy. Peak Pharmacy will then dispense the prescription in advance and package securely ready for collection from the collection point. Customers will receive a text message to let them know that their prescription is ready for collection and can be collected whenever they wish – with no more waiting in queue’s or having to arrive within normal trading hours.

Darryl Dethick, Head of Business Development said: “We believe this additional option for collecting prescriptions makes life easier for our customers and shows our continual commitment to ensuring we offer the best possible prescription service in the area. If anyone would like to find out more details then please call our pharmacy on 01246 208647 or pop in and see us at Ashgate Medical Centre.”

The collection point is conveniently located at the Peak Pharmacy on Ashgate Road, which offers ample free parking, and allows pre-dispensed prescriptions to be collected even when the pharmacy isn’t open.

Holly Bradbury (Year 5), Noah Rix (Year 5), Florence Rix (Year 3) and Oliver Atkinson (Year 6) were invited to the opening by Joe Cattee, Director of PCT Healthcare.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Derbyshire County Cricket Club set to celebrate 150th anniversary

11th November 2019

With their 150th anniversary just one year away, Derbyshire County Cricket Club is preparing to celebrate with a host of commemorative events in 2020.

Next year will mark a century-and-a-half since the club was founded by Walter Boden on 4 November 1870, with Derbyshire eager to recognise the achievements of each generation.

Players past and present will be involved to help the club celebrate its 150th year, with a number of celebratory events set to be announced.

The club is working closely with former stars to organise a legends team for a special match during the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, the details of which will be announced in due course (subject to fixture list).

There will be a service held at Derby Cathedral, while parts of the club’s heritage will be preserved in a time capsule.

A special gala dinner will be held to mark the special year, while there are numerous other events planned throughout Derby, giving Members the chance to be a part of a historic 2020 for the club.

A variety of limited edition merchandise, such as clothing and badges, will also be produced to commemorate the 150th anniversary.

It promises to be an exciting year, and you can experience it all and be a part of history in 2020 with Club Membership, available for just £169 before 01.02.2020.

Members will gain admission to all regular-season home cricket, as well as a host of additional benefits including free guest passes, exclusive use of the Pattonair Members’ Lounge and discounts, all for less than £4.50 per matchday.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Celebrating the town’s food and drink scene and relaunching Made in Chesterfield

7th November 2019

I have to kick off this month by congratulating everybody that was involved in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards 2019. I look forward to these sell-out awards every year as it involves a room full of people invested not only in their industry, but in its success in our town.

The black-tie event, held at the historic Winding Wheel Theatre this year, brings the celebration into the heart of the town, where darker evenings are soon to be illuminated by the stunning Christmas lights which are to be switched on on the 17 November.

At the 2019 Chesterfield Food & Drink Awards, Chris Mapp, Head Chef and Owner of The Tickled Trout, was awarded the prestigious Chesterfield Food Hero award.

There are few things that bring people together quite like Christmas. It’s all too easy to get caught up in day-to-day life and put things like family time to one side, but Christmas is a great reason to make time especially around a dinner table.

Chesterfield has a plethora of places to eat and drink that we have never had before. Real ale pubs, gastro pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, Italian, Indian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, French… you name it – Chesterfield’s food and drink scene has it.

There’s a full programme of entertainment for Christmas in Chesterfield from traditional markets to the annual pantomime and from stand up comedy to musical concerts.

Variety, as they say, is the spice of life and as the town grows, we are able to offer more job roles and career opportunities to young people. Nowhere is this more evident than in our manufacturing and engineering sector.

Once again, we’ll be raising awareness of the breadth of jobs and roles in this sector with the annual Made in Chesterfield campaign in November. The programme brings together schools and businesses in the sector in order to open young people’s eyes to the opportunities in the local area – something increasing in importance with increased local developments, investment and, of course, Brexit.

There’s lots going on in the area, festive and otherwise. Let’s fully embrace the community and Christmas spirit and come together to talk up the town. There are fantastic things happening around us that can be easy to dismiss in our day-to-day lives. Let’s all take a moment to appreciate them as 2019 draws to a close (already!).

Blog by Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Made in Chesterfield is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and delivered in association with the University of Derby.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Local care company urging public to help combat loneliness

7th November 2019

Companionship is key to a healthy life but more needs to be done to reduce loneliness amongst the elderly, according to research carried out by Home Instead Senior Care.

Home Instead Senior Care surveyed more than 2,000 over 65s with 9 in 10 stating that regular companionship would help them to stay mentally and physically healthy for longer.

Despite this, it was revealed that many older people felt lonely with over a quarter of over 65s saying they spent 8 hours alone daily, with almost half (49%) of over 85s facing at least ten hours a day alone.

Now the Chesterfield home care company is urging the public to take action to help older people in the community feel less lonely.

Stephanie & Nigel Metham (below), owners of Home Instead Senior Care Chesterfield, said: “In many cases, it’s simply having a friendly face pop by for a cup of tea and asking if they need assistance with their shopping. So our message is this; visit your grandma, take your parents out for lunch as often as you can, befriend older neighbours and, if you are looking to turn your compassion into a rewarding career, consider becoming a caregiver.”

The survey also revealed that 83% of older people want to live at home so as to not lose their independence and 70% also feel safe in the comfort of their own home.

Stephanie & Nigel continued: “It comes as no surprise to us to find that most people want to live at home for as long as possible. For most of us, our home is our sanctuary throughout our lives. When we get older, we’ve raised our families and earned our rest, we should get to enjoy the comfort of our own space.”

“This is why our care works so well because our caregivers can provide companionship and support as well as encouraging older people to engage and be part of the community.”

The home care company this month launched a television campaign to highlight how care at home works, as well as highlighting the rewarding role of working in care.

Home Instead’s service is personal and tailored to the needs of each individual. It’s a unique proposition that centres around visiting clients for a minimum of one hour at a time and matching them to caregivers who have common interests.

There is a shortage of caregivers in our society at the moment. Home Instead Senior Care recruits people of every age, regardless of employment background; basing hiring decisions on an applicant’s passion for care rather than experience.

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of older people or to find out more about the work of Home Instead Senior Care, call 01246 398824 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Chesterfield to remember the fallen

6th November 2019

Chesterfield residents have the opportunity to pause and remember those who have died in battle this month.

The annual service of remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, Sunday 10 November, will take place at 2.30pm at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the ‘Crooked Spire’.

The service will remember all those killed in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.

Everyone is welcome to attend but residents are advised to be seated by 2pm as the church becomes very full.

The service will be followed by a parade from the church, through Burlington Street, High Street, Glumangate onto Rose Hill allowing those taking part to see the poppy displays in the town centre.

Residents and visitors are welcome to watch the parade which will include Chesterfield’s mayor and mayoress and other local dignitaries.

Members of the public are also welcome to attend the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial from approximately 3.30pm with the poppy cascade created last year to mark the centenary of the First World War as a backdrop. This features 16,000 poppies donated by people from across the world.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance said: “Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day are two of the most solemn dates in our calendar as we come together to remember the fallen.

“I would like to invite everyone to take part in the events to remember those killed across the borough.”

There will be the usual parish mass at the Crooked Spire church at 10.30am on Sunday 10 November during which a wreath will be laid at the war memorial outside the church at 11am.

Staveley Town Council will hold an event in Staveley at 11am on Sunday 11 November at the war memorial.

Brimington Parish Council will hold a parade and service in Brimington at 3pm.

Residents are also invited to attend a short service at the war memorial, Rose Hill on Monday 11 November from 10.45am. The service will include the national two minute silence at 11am.

The silence will also be held in other council buildings.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Plans to be considered for 250 new homes

31st October 2019

A proposal for 250 new homes is due to be considered by North East Derbyshire District Council’s planning committee next week.

Inspire Design and Development, based in Clay Cross, has submitted an application to develop the land east of Williamthorpe Road and south of Tibshelf Road, Holmewood.

The plans indicate a £40 million project comprising of a mixture of high quality semi-detached and detached two story houses, 50 of which would be affordable homes, and investment in local schools, medical practices and faster broadband infrastructure.

As well as a commitment to work with local contractors, the proposals also reserve four hectares of land for the creation of open greenspace, footpaths and landscaping with connections to the Five Pit Trail and surrounding roads and rights of way.

When the plan for the 30-acre site was first submitted to the authority, the applicant was originally seeking the go-ahead for 300 homes.

The site currently consists of two residential properties with adjacent gardens, buildings and land currently used by a commercial plant nursery, as well as three vacant fields next to the Five Pit Trail.

Lee Barnes, Managing Director of Inspire Design Group comments: “There is a clear need for more affordable and sustainable housing in North East Derbyshire, and this development will help meet that need and provide a significant spending boost to the local economy. This proposed development has been meticulously planned by people who know the area and care deeply about the communities involved.”

Landowner, Mr Richards added: “This new development will breathe new life into the area, provide a huge boost to local trades and bring a significant amount of local spending power to the area. Farming is no longer viable at this site, but it could still be used to provide affordable, sustainable housing for families and play a major role in the further regeneration of two former coal mining communities.”

Images credit: The Derbyshire Times

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure