Leisure

Last few places remain at 2019 Chesterfield Investment Summit

The final speaker line up for the 2019 Chesterfield Investment Summit has now been confirmed.

With less than 20 places remaining at the popular annual business event, which is taking place on Wednesday 11 September, people are being urged not to miss out on booking their free place.

Future investment and development opportunities in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire will be unveiled at the annual event, which is being held at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield from 8.30am – 12 noon.

With one of the 100 most influential women in technology, Polly Barnfield OBE, already leading the speaker line up at the free to attend event, delegates will also hear from a number of other key business figures at the summit.

This year, the full speaker and panellist line up includes:

  • Mark Warrilow, Skills Stakeholder Manager – Phase 2 (Skills Employment and Education) at HS2 Ltd.
  • Peter Storey, Head of Markham Vale at Derbyshire Country Council.
  • Dr. Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council.
  • Mark Jones, Head of Technical at Kier Living.
  • Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council.
  • Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Economic Partnership Board member.
  • Cllr Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Derbyshire County Council
  • Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield.

The event is organised by Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Destination Chesterfield and Marketing Derby joint partners in the EU funded Invest in D2N2 project with a focus on promoting Derbyshire both nationally and globally as the place to invest for growth and quality of life. The event is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Commenting on the event, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and who will also be taking part in the question and answer panel at the event, said: “We are delighted to be able to have such great speakers at this year’s Chesterfield Investment Summit. It’s not only an opportunity to learn about the exciting investment plans for the area, but also and opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the direction of the growth and development of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.”

To secure one of the final places at the event, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-investment-summit/

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

Jarvis Cocker in a different class at Chatsworth

The Chatsworth Arts Festival returns for its fifth edition this September with talks, performance, music and film from an eclectic line-up of international artists, curators, collectors and writers working in design, music, theatre, sculpture, painting, dance, textiles, ceramics, books and gardens.

Running from 20-22 September, headline acts for this year’s festival include musician, writer and poet Jarvis Cocker, a figurehead for Britpop as frontman of Pulp and a revered cultural figure; one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists Mark Wallinger who represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 2001 and won the Turner Prize in 2007; gardener, cook and tv presenter Sarah Raven; plus Gucci ‘Artist in Residence’ Rachel Feinstein, whose stay at Chatsworth has inspired her recently unveiled, baroque-styled sculpture ‘Britannia’, found in the estate’s garden.

More than 25 artists will fill out the bill for the three-day festival which takes place across the famous house and garden at the Peak District home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, who are passionate supporters of the Arts. The full programme can be found here and this year’s key exhibition is ‘The Dog – A Celebration at Chatsworth’. Artist Ben Long will be giving a talk in the shadow of his 8-metre high Dog Scaffolding Sculpture, which overlooks the festival site.

Supported by Sotheby’s, Laurent-Perrier and Golden Bottle Trust, the festival is the only UK event of its kind, featuring public talks about art, workshops and performances, by artists, makers and designers. Previous festivals have hosted the likes of contemporary artist Grayson Perry CBE, visual artist Cornelia Parker OBE, fashion designer Erdem and garden designer Dan Pearson.

Taking place at locations across the house and garden, this year’s festival-goers will also be able to enjoy the remodelling of the 5-acre Rockery, the first part of the biggest transformation of Chatsworth’s world-famous 105-acre garden for 200 years. The garden project follows the completion in 2018 of the 10-year restoration of the house and its interiors.

Images courtesy of Chatsworth House Trust

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Behind the scenes tour of the Mayor’s parlour

Chesterfield residents will have the opportunity to visit the Mayor’s parlour this September as the council open the doors to celebrate Heritage Open Days in the borough.

Every September, organisations and volunteers across the country organise events to celebrate the country’s history and culture, and for the first-time residents can book to get a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the mayor’s parlour.

The mayor and mayoress, Councillor Gordon Simmons and Councillor Kate Caulfield, will also talk about their roles at the council and duties they carry out on a weekly basis.

Two tours will take place on Friday 20 September and will take around one hour to complete. Refreshments will also be provided. A maximum of 30 people can attend each tour so booking is essential if you would like to come along. To find out more and to book your place click here.

You can register to attend one of the below tour times:

• 1pm – 2pm
• 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, has helped to organise the events. She said: “Heritage Open Days are events that take place around the country each year. The events are all about celebrating history and the communities in which we live, so we are delighted to be opening up the mayor’s parlour for tours in 2019.”

Cllr Gordon Simmons (mayor), Cllr Kate Caulfield (mayoress)

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

Chesterfield’s Food Producer of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the 2019 Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year title have been selected after a special tasting event held at Casa Hotel.

Crooked Pickle Co, Derbyshire Distillery and Moss Valley Fine Meats are all named as finalists in the category, which is sponsored by Edge Events Management Ltd.

The winner of the Food Producer of the Year title will be announced by celebrity chef, Brian Turner, at the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony, which is being held at the Winding Wheel in October later this year.

The food and drink producers now join over 30 businesses that have been shortlisted across 14 categories in the seventh annual awards.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by The Chesterfield College Group, the prestigious awards recognise the very best food, drinks, service, venues, apprentices and apprentice employers in the town’s growing hospitality sector.

Read more about all the food producers who took part in the tasting session in the latest blog by Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield here.

Crooked Pickled Company prides itself on its ‘tasty and inventive pickled vegetables’ and supplies its range to shops, delis and cafés throughout Derbyshire. Delighted to be shortlisted, Owner Felix Mendelsöhn commented: “It validates all of the effort that has gone into the business in the short time of its existence and shows that we are doing something different to the norm. We combine traditional pickling methods with unusual recipes to offer customers unique and exciting products.”

New business Derbyshire Distillery is based in Staveley and was established in 2018. It produces small batch gins, vodkas and liqueurs. David Hemstock, Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Derbyshire Distillery said: “It’s fantastic to have made it as a finalist in the Food Producer of the Year category, especially in our first year of trading. We are passionate about the quality of our products and are now investing heavily in increasing production and extending our sales outside the local area.”

Moss Valley Fine Meats, which is run by fourth generation farmers, joins Derbyshire Distillery and Crooked Pickle Company in the finalist line up. It produces pork, bacon, ham and sausages at its own butchery from pigs bred and reared on the farm in North East Derbyshire. Delighted to be a finalist, Stephen Thompson, Owner at Moss Valley Fine Meats, said: “We are really pleased to be shortlisted. We are busy expanding the butchery to be able to supply across Derbyshire and this is a great springboard to help us showcase our products.”

Details of all finalists in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards can be found here.

As well as Edge Events Management Ltd, other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, Distinctive Magic, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd), Shorts Chartered Accountants and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre.

Chesterfield Champions are welcomed to the Food Producer Tasting event by Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure

Vicar Lane to host charity draw to win £1,000 Chair

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is working in partnership with The Pilgrim Bandits, to offer customers the chance to win a stunning chair worth over £1,000, upholstered in a replica of the uniform of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE, in their charity draw.

Tickets for the draw are priced at just £5 each and available to be purchased online, right up until the day of the draw itself. All proceeds of the ticket sales will go to the registered charity, The Pilgrim Bandits. To purchase a ticket/tickets, visit the Vicar Lane Facebook page or website for more information.

The draw is a fantastic way for members of the public to show their support for a cause that does so much to help those who make such great sacrifices to serve and protect our country. It is also a fabulous opportunity for one lucky individual to walk away with a unique, statement piece of furniture for their home that is sure to be a talking point for years to come.

The winner will be drawn at 4.30pm on Sunday 18th August – also the day of Chesterfield Motor Fest – and the chair will be presented to the winner, in person, by Ben.

The Pilgrim Bandits were established by a small group of Special Forces veterans in 2007 and registered as a charity in 2010, with the sole aim of using their unique training and experience to help and inspire injured personnel to live life to the full.

Pilgrim Bandits’ primary aim is to help those in need directly, with no compromise. Soon, those who needed help, become those that give it. By pushing injured men and women into physically and mentally demanding situations that they would not have dreamed possible; kayaking extraordinary distances, climbing mountains, jumping from aircraft, running races, trekking across inhospitable terrain, self-confidence is restored and self-belief instilled – Always a Little Further. Pilgrim Bandits pushes those that have already endured so much, to go beyond endurance – to embrace life again and in doing so, inspire others.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “As the date of our draw grows ever near, we’re incredibly excited to provide our customers with the opportunity to obtain such a unique piece of furniture, while showing their support for a charity that helps so many people. ”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Summer Play Season opens at the Pomegranate Theatre

Chesterfield’s Summer Play Season opened at the Pomegranate Theatre last night, running until Saturday 7th September.

Theatre goers in Chesterfield can enjoy a series of popular plays as the annual Summer Play Season is underway. The plays are staged at the Pomegranate Theatre, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council and are presented by Paul Taylor-Mills, Olivier Award-Winning Producer and he is also Advisory Producer to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and his repertory company.

The plays include:

Present Laughter (Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 August)

Present Laughter follows successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry has to deal with women who want to seduce him, placate both his long-suffering secretary and his estranged wife, cope with a crazed young playwright, and overcome his impending mid-life crisis.

The Kings Speech (Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 August)

David Seidler’s original play brings the audience face to face with Bertie, Duke of York, as he is thrust onto the world stage as King George VI following his brother’s abdication. With the Nazi threat looming and civil unrest at home, royal secrets explode around Bertie as he struggles to find his voice as King.

Wife Begins at Forty (Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 August)

George, believing he has a happy marriage, is shattered to be told by Linda, his wife of 18 years, that she is going to leave him. With advice from their son, his father, and Roger from next door, George takes drastic steps to rejuvenate his marriage with hilarious consequences.

Dangerous Corner (Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 September)

At their stylish country retreat, Freda and Robert Caplan host a dinner party for their colleagues and friends. Young, beautiful and successful they have the world at their feet. Then a cigarette box and an ill-considered remark spark off a relentless series of revelations and other, more dangerous, secrets are painfully exposed. As the truth spills out about the suicide of Robert’s clever, reckless brother the group’s perfect lives begin to crumble.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “I am proud that the council is able to invest in drama by offering the Summer Play Season at the Pomegranate Theatre, which we own and maintain.”

“The plays on offer will appeal to seasoned theatre-goers as well as someone just looking for an enjoyable evening out.”

Paul Taylor Mills, who presents the Summer Play Season with his repertory company, added: “I am delighted that my summer play festival company are returning to present another season at the lovely Pomegranate Theatre.”

“For our third year we are presenting four great plays including a classic comedy from the master Noel Coward, a fascinating story of a monarch suddenly thrust into the spotlight, a hilarious comedy of suburban manners and an edge of your seat drama from JB Priestley.”

“We are all looking forward to meeting our wonderfully supportive audience again in August and September and hope everyone will enjoy another brilliant season of plays”.

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

More support to help Derbyshire businesses prosper

Support for local businesses was at the centre of discussions when Derbyshire County Council met with rural businesses in Ashford in the Water.

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, visited Ashford Business Units to discuss how the county council could offer local firms more support and guidance to help them grow.

Local produce distributor SaucedHere.co.uk, Peak Ales microbrewery and Peak Venues, which specialises in holiday accommodation catering for large groups, praised the support currently offered by the county council and Derbyshire Economic Partnership but the group highlighted that work needs to be ongoing to raise the profile of Derbyshire and the need for larger properties for very small businesses to expand into.

Luke Osborne, Founder of SaucedHere.co.uk said: “It was a pleasure to have been visited by Tony. He took a genuine interest in our work and how it boosts the income of the 40 Derbyshire and Peak District farmers, food and drink producers and businesses we collaborate with. The support from the council has been very encouraging.”

“Our key need going forward is to spread the word about the products listed on our site and continue to grow our customer base.”

“Derbyshire and the Peak District is an unsung food capital of the UK and SaucedHere.co.uk makes it easier for customers to buy local rather than automatically reaching for a national supermarket chain. Anything the council can do to help promote local produce and how to obtain it is gratefully received.”

Councillor King said: “Driving economic growth is a vital part of our ambitious plans for the future because it’s good for business and benefits us all.”

“We know we need to think and do things differently to provide the 21st century services local people want and need – that’s what our ‘Enterprising Council’ approach is all about. So it was great to hear from businesses first-hand about what they think we can do to help them prosper.”

“Our proposals for a Festival of Derbyshire are geared towards raising the profile of our great county so it was good to hear that this is the kind of activity that local businesses such as those in the tourism and food and drink sector want us to drive forward.”

“It’s also worth reminding local people to ‘shop local’ too. Derbyshire has a lot to offer whether it’s in food and drink, tourism or manufacturing and for every £1 spent locally it generates £1.76 for the local economy.”

Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board which is supported by the county council, has developed a campaign to encourage more visits to the area by highlighting the county’s gastronomy offer.

Local brewers, producers, farmers, eateries and creators within the local food and drink industry are being showcased over the next 12 months as part of the ‘Eat, Drink, Explore’ campaign.

Work has also started to raise the profile of the county among the business community and encourage more companies to invest in the area with the launch of a new service called “Invest in Derbyshire”.

The service has been designed to support the county’s ambition to be a destination of choice for investors and businesses and it will:

  • Raise the profile of Derbyshire globally to secure investment and create new jobs, acting as a shop window for why Derbyshire should be a destination of choice for investors
  • Make it easy for investors to choose Derbyshire by providing a one-stop shop offering quality business support tailored to individual businesses’ needs ranging from help and support to choose the right site in Derbyshire to providing information on workforce skills and assisting with recruitment as well as offering guidance on financial incentives
  • Use market intelligence to target businesses in growth sectors to attract them to Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council are also enhancing the level of business support on offer across the county by recruiting our first dedicated business advisor. The new member of staff will support local businesses working alongside and in partnership with advisors at the D2N2 Growth Hub.

Find out more about investing in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council  Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King (second in from the left) talks business support with Rob Evans from Peak Ales Microbrewery (left), Luke Osborne from SaucedHere.co.uk (centre) next to Justin Heslop from Peak Venues and Derbyshire County Council Business Development Manager, Amanda Brown.

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

Chatsworth Country Fair’s biggest ever hot air balloon lift and introducing Julia Bradbury as President

The spectacular sight of the biggest ever meeting of hot air balloons gliding majestically across the parkland will greet visitors to this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair (30 August-1 September 2019).

Billed as one of the best meets in Britain, the organisers of the lift have more than 65 pilots registered to take part with dawn and dusk flights scheduled for all three days, weather permitting.

Eye-catching special animal shapes will be among the colourful balloons taking to the skies with pilots coming from all over the UK for the rare opportunity to fly over Chatsworth, a no go zone for the rest of the year.

The skills of the pilots are put to the test with trophies for those who can manage to throw bread buns into a picnic basket on the ground during their flight; plus the chance for a quick ‘splash and dash’ in the river Derwent.

Organiser Rachel Percival, one half of the father and daughter team from the East Midlands Balloon Group, said: “It’s such a beautiful setting that so many pilots are keen to come and experience flying at Chatsworth. We throw in the competitions for a bit of extra fun but it is a real test of skill. If they touch the ground, they’re disqualified and they need to take into account wind speed and direction.”

“For visitors, it really is a fantastic sight to see from miles around when they are arriving and again at dusk. Generally the pilots like to have pootle around for a couple of hours and then will come down and land all over the fair site, from the main arena to the car parks, so get here early to catch the action.”

Chatsworth Country Fair is also delighted to welcome Julia Bradbury as this year’s President. Outside her life on television and following her dedication to environmental causes and caring for the great outdoors, Julia Bradbury co-founded The Outdoor Guide (TOG) with her sister Gina. TOG is an online resource that brings all outdoor-related information into one, easy to use, digital space. From where to walk and visit in the nearby area, to the best pubs for a locally brewed pint, to the best places to stay in the countryside as a wheelchair user, TOG is aiming to make the outdoors accessible to all. Chatsworth is featured on TOG, along with several stunning walks to take nearby. Julia is also the ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and The Camping and Caravanning Club to name but a few.

Julia said: “I’m honoured to be the guest of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for this special weekend and to have been given the prestigious title of President of Chatsworth Country Fair, where the best of the British countryside will be showcased.”

“I’m really looking forward to heading back to this part of the UK – Derbyshire is so close to my heart; having spent my childhood here walking with my Dad in the beautiful Peak District, this is where my infatuation with our countryside all began. This part of the country is so full of surprises – from the quaint market towns brimming with history and culture, to underground limestone caves where you feel like you’re in another world. Although I could spend forever rambling the peaks, I could also spend days on end walking around the stunning garden at Chatsworth, which is most certainly a beating heart of the county.”

“I have been waiting all summer with great anticipation for some quintessentially British attractions including the scurry and trial driving which will see ponies and their drivers tackling a huge obstacle course, falconry demonstrations and vehicle parades. I’m hoping to catch a ride in a hot air balloon if I’m lucky and if not, you’re most likely to find me in the food village… probably at any stall selling chocolate!”

Other highlights announced for this year’s Country fair include The Ukrainian Cossacks, the UK’s leading motorcycle display team, the Bolddog Lings and the Poppy Parachute Team.

The Stoves Cookery Theatre has a fantastic line up of top chefs across all three days led by Queen of Baking and Fair favourite Mary Berry on Friday, James Martin on Saturday and wrapped up by The Hairy Bikers on Sunday.

There is plenty to appeal to children of all ages all day long, with pony rides and exotic animals, the climbing wall and zorb balls for the daring, as well as face painting and the vintage fairground for some old-fashioned fun.

On the gate prices for adults are £25 each day and includes parking, while children under 14 get in free. Book in advance to take advantage of 10 percent off all day tickets until midnight 26 August 2019.

Gates open at 9am each day, with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. For more information on the event and to book tickets, please visit click here.

Image by Geraldine Curtis

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Summer Blooms at Vicar Lane with the chance to win a £50 voucher

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has given itself a little floral makeover this summer in celebration of ‘Chesterfield in Bloom’.

A number of stunning floral installations have been instated at the centre and will remain in place right across the summer. Visitors are invited to take a look at the flower cart, or pose for a selfie with the Centre’s fabulous floral phone box – perfect for adding that floral touch to anyone’s Instagram feed!

Plus, they are running a competition to name their newly moo-ved in grass cows, for the chance to win a whole lot of moolay – or in this case, a £50 gift voucher. Customers should head to Vicar Lane’s Facebook page to find out more. Terms and conditions apply.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “Chesterfield in Bloom is such a fabulous initiative – a real community effort to make the town more attractive to locals and visitors alike. We’re thrilled to support this with our summer floral theme and hope that everyone enjoys admiring our installations and the photo opportunities that they offer, with the added bonus of the chance to win a £50 voucher!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

School children launch business enterprise to raise vital funds for Ashgate Hospicecare

Thanks to a unique partnership between Capgemini, Placing Futures and Brookfield Community School, school students have launched a business enterprise creating and selling botanical-themed merchandise to raise vital funds for a Horticultural Therapy Project at Ashgate Hospicecare.

Mark Lodge from Capgemini initially developed the idea. Capgemini has been supporting Ashgate Hospicecare for the past two years, donating £1,000 towards the Horticultural Therapy Project which aims to get patients gardening again to support physical and mental wellbeing.

Thanks to the hard work of the students at Brookfield Community School, the enterprise is hoping to raise an extra £230 in from the total sales of aprons, mugs and canvas bags designed by the students. This project will be the first of many such ventures and fundraising initiatives led by the students that will raise funds for patients at Ashgate Hospicecare, as well as developing the creative and business skills of the students involved.

Mark said, “We know how much Ashgate Hospicecare’s Day Hospice patients really enjoy spending time in the hospice garden. Many people with a life-limiting illness have lost the physical ability or confidence to garden, or lost enjoyment of their own garden because they feel so emotionally or mentally low. The Horticultural Therapy Project has given them back the confidence to garden again in a safe and sociable way. It’s been amazing to help this project grow and to see that the hours Capgemini staff have volunteered getting the project set up has made a real difference to the lives of patients.”

Mark is also an Enterprise Advisor, volunteering his time in schools to increase students’ engagement with businesses and awareness of career opportunities. “It was whilst at Brookfield Community School that the idea was born to run a competition for GCSE textile students to design items that could be sold to raise money for the Horticultural Therapy Project at Ashgate Hospicecare.”

The designs were then judged by Day Hospice patients and the winning three were turned into merchandise. By doing this, not only have the students been able to develop their entrepreneurial skills, they’ve also gained an insight into what the hospice does and why the money they are helping to raise is so important.”

Director of Placing Futures Limited, Gail Widerman added, “Having worked for several years as an Enterprise Coordinator (an affiliate to the National Careers and Enterprise Company), it is my directive to engage local businesses with schools in order to enhance careers guidance for students in Chesterfield, North Derbyshire and Bolsover.”

“This collaborative project that raises money for Ashgate Hospicecare is very close to my heart, having lost several family members to cancer over the last few years. It was my pleasure to initially finance the project with Brookfield Community School. The hope is that this project will be the start of an enterprise challenge that future GCSE students can engage in for years to come, raising yet more funds for patients under the care of the hospice.”

Dawn Jepson, Occupational Therapist at Ashgate Hospicecare and Horticultural Therapy Project Lead, said, “Capgemini and Placing Futures’ continued support, alongside Brookfield Community School engagement, of the Horticultural Therapy Project, both financially and practically, has been greatly appreciated by all the staff here at Ashgate Hospicecare. The feedback from patients has been very positive, whether they have actively participated in the gardening activities, some of whom thought they would never get their hands dirty in soil again, or simply sat and enjoyed the outdoor space. For our patients who have never gardened before, it has given them the opportunity to learn new skills.

We hope to continue to build links with our local community, such as has been achieved through this exciting project with Brookfield Community School. The Horticultural Therapy Project continues to grow, and we are now supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and abilities who help to run sessions, come up with new ideas and maintain our grounds. We hope to attract further support and would welcome anyone who may wish to volunteer in the gardens or help towards funding the project.”

If you would like to purchase any of the products designed by the students, volunteer or help to fund the Horticultural Therapy Project at Ashgate Hospicecare, please email dawn.jepson@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk.

Side picture credit: EKRPICTURES, volunteer photographer for Ashgate Hospicecare

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Leengate Valves extend Spireites sponsorship

Leengate Valves have agreed to continue as Chesterfield’s back of shirt sponsor for the first-team kit, extending their long association with the club.

The deal, which covers the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, will also feature the Leengate Valves logo on the team’s shirt sleeve.

Chesterfield commercial manager Jim Brown said: “Steve and his family have been major sponsors, as well as supporters of the club, from our days at Saltergate. We very much appreciate their continued support.”

Leengate Valves’ Managing Director Steve Pickering said: “I’ve been a supporter for over 50 years and it’s great that we have been able to have our name on the back of the shirts for over ten years.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to wish the team all the very best this season.”

Leengate Valves are a leading industrial valves wholesaler and a trusted provider of specialist calibration, actuation, and valve engineering services.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

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