Traditional rural skills like falconry and dry-stone walling are being taught in hands-on sessions at the Chatsworth Farmyard this spring half term (26 May-3 June) as well as the chance for budding young farmers to muck-in and help care for farmyard animals including horses, pigs and sheep on select days.

Dry stone walling, fly fishing, wool weaving and spinning, falconry and a host of other rural skills (see below for dates) are being taught by seasoned experts to show children and families the centuries old skills still used in rural communities.

Visitors can get ‘hands on’ and build a mini dry stone wall as well as learning about their history from Sally Hodgson who has nearly 30 years experience of dry stone walling and is committed to retaining the heritage of the beautiful Derbyshire landscape.

SMJ Falconry are family-operated bird of prey specialists and will be displaying birds of all sizes as well as giving a flying display. Meanwhile Stuart Crofts will be making fishing flies to imitate the natural food that trout feed on and children will be able to make their own flies in the farmyard.

And any budding young farmers, aged between 6-11, will be able to join the farmyard team for some hands-on involvement in caring for the Chatsworth farmyard animals.

Meanwhile, in its famous 105-acre garden, Chatsworth will be celebrating its fabulous waterworks. Free garden tours will take in water features including the 18th century Cascade, Willow Tree Fountain, Ring Pond and Emperor Fountain, which will be played at its full height of 90 metres.

Spring half-term

Saturday and Sunday 26 & 27 May, Sally Hodgson’s dry stone walling: build your own dry stone wall and hear about the history of these iconic feature of the Derbyshire landscape.

Monday 28 May, SMJ falconry: get up close and personal with more than a dozen magnificent birds of prey.

Tuesday 29 May, Stuart Crofts river creatures: Get close up to the many fascinating creatures found in the river Derwent.

Tuesday 29 May, Margaret Robson, wool spinner: Learn about the process of turning fleece to wool by spinning and weaving.

Wednesday 30 May, Stuart Crofts fly tying workshop: make fishing flies to imitate the natural food that trout feeding on.

Thursday 31 May, Margaret Robson, wool spinner: Learn about the process of turning fleece to wool by spinning and weaving.

Friday 1 June, Bobbie Harvey, Willow & wool workshop: Use simple weaving techniques to make willow and wool “god’s eyes” decorations.

Various dates from 30 May-22 August, join the farmyard team in caring for the farmyard animals.

Chatsworth reopened on 24 March 2018 following the biggest restoration and conservation of the house, garden and park since the 1820s. The 10-year long programme, costing more than £32m, sees Chatsworth restored to its full glory, inside and out.

The Chatsworth Renewed exhibition, running between March and October, highlights the work of those involved in the restoration process. From rebuilding the Belvedere turrets to replacing vast tracts of lead on the roof; carving the tiniest details in stone using dentistry tools to replacing huge blocks in the walls; careful restoration of priceless artworks to the renovation of famous water features in the garden; over the last decade Chatsworth has been fully restored and made ready for the next century.

In 1981, the charitable Chatsworth House Trust was set up by the 11th Duke to ensure the long-term survival of the house and collection. Since 1949 the entrance money paid by more than 25 million visitors has made a vital contribution to the maintenance of the house and garden and it is this income, rather than any public funding, that has enabled the current restoration works to be completed.

Ashgate Hospicecare are pleased to announce that X factor star and winner of Dancing on Ice 2018, Jake Quickenden, will be the celebrity guest at this year’s Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk which will take place on July 7^th.

The singer and reality TV star will be showing his support for the local hospice by performing on stage at the event to get the thousands of walkers warmed up and ready for the 10k walk ahead, which starts and finishes at the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield.

Coming from a semi-professional footballing background, 29 year old Jake was a contestant on The X Factor in 2012, where he made it through to the judge’s houses, and again in 2014 when he got through to the live shows. Later in 2014, Jake entered the jungle on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! where he was a runner up. In 2018, he was the winner of Dancing on Ice where he was partnered with professional German figure skater Vanessa Bauer.

Jake said:-

“It’s such a privilege to support Ashgate Hospicecare. I lost both my dad and brother to cancer and can say that it makes such a difference to the lives of families to know that the people they love most in the world are being well looked after throughout such a horrible illness.

“I can’t wait to be part of Sparkle this year and I hope you all have a fantastic time and raise loads of money for such a worthy cause!”

This is Ashgate Hospicecare’s 4^th Sparkle Night Walk since it was rebranded from the Midnight Walk. Last year, over 2,500 walkers with their pink t-shirts and flashing bunny ears walked together and raised an incredible £202,500 in sponsorships, which all helped towards providing hospice care to patients with a life-limiting illness and their families throughout North Derbyshire. This year, the Hospice are expecting over 3,000 walkers to sign up.

Jack Wood, Events, Lottery and Digital Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“We’re incredibly excited to have Jake Quickenden on board and supporting the Sparkle Night Walk this year, especially considering Jake’s personal experience of cancer in his family, something that we understand very well here at the Hospice. We can’t wait to have him there, cheering us all on on the night.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Chesterfield is returning to town to raise vital funds.

This year’s event will set off from Queen’s Park at 10.30am on Sunday 3 June and follow a different route to previous years, which it is hoped will also reduce disruption to motorists.

Participants will complete a double lap of Queen’s Park and Boythorpe Avenue as part of a 5km route instead of going through the town centre.

As a result there will only be road closures on Boythorpe Avenue and Park Road – between Boythorpe Avenue and the exit from the Ravenside Retail Park in Markham Road – from early morning until early afternoon.

To enable the event to run smoothly Chesterfield Borough Council will also temporarily close the Queen’s Park North and Albion Road car parks. The other town centre car parks at Rose Hill, Soresby Street, Holywell Cross (Donut) and Ashgate Road will remain open as normal.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy said: “We are pleased to support Chesterfield’s Race for Life event each year because it is such a good cause.

“All of us will have been touched by cancer at some time in our lives either through having the disease or knowing someone who has.

“The revised route this year will hopefully keep any disruption in to a minimum and roads and car parks will reopen as soon as possible after the race has finished.

“We hope that as many people as possible will either take part in the race or come down to watch it as a spectator.”

Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival is back for an eighth year at thirteen fabulous locations across the UK. Presented by QUAD on an inflatable twelve metre screen, Summer Nights Festival screenings offer the chance to enjoy the great outdoors for a unique cinematic experience.

This year the festival will be back at Hardwick Hall for screenings of The Greatest Showman (PG) and Dirty Dancing (12A).

Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron star in The Greatest Showman, the musical re-telling of P.T. Barnum’s creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. After Barnum (Hugh Jackman) loses his job as a clerk, he takes out a bank loan to enter the amusement industry, eventually opening Barnum’s Circus. After being berated for simply running a ‘freak show’, Barnum hires a young playwright (Zac Efron) in order to appeal to a more highbrow audience. Featuring all the dazzling spectacle of the circus itself, the film proved to be an unexpected box office sensation with the song ‘This is Me’ going on to become a Golden Globe winner.

In Dirty Dancing drama, music and romance are the order of the day for Frances “Baby” Houseman as she spends summer in a holiday camp and falls in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze).

Hardwick Hall will be screening The Greatest Showman on Friday 17^th August, Dirty Dancing on Saturday 18^th August.

QUAD is Derby’s centre for art and film, a mixed arts venue based on the Market Place. The centre has been at the heart of Derby’s cultural scene since it opened in September in 2008, and is internationally recognised for providing quality and excellence in the Arts.

QUAD delivers an exciting, innovative and diverse programme which is popular with visitors of all ages, with a reputation in Photography, digital innovation & family friendly events. The venue organises Derby Film Festival, FORMAT International Photography Festival and Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival.

Getting up close to the world’s leading riders and their magnificent horses as they gallop around the cross country course winding through the stunning Chatsworth parkland is just one of draws at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials (11-13 May 2018).

Have-a-go fun dog agility and displays; a fun dog show open to all; pony club games; the popular Rescue Bears and a hilarious Sheep Show ensure there is something for all the family to enjoy at this year’s event.  Around the Chatsworth parkland, the programme is packed with demos, shows, have-a-go activities and children’s entertainment on both Saturday (12) and Sunday (13) along with a quality food and shopping offer.

In the Arena British scurry and driving trials see ponies and their drivers tackle an obstacle course which is made from cones, barriers, flags, arches and ramps all against the clock. It’s loads of fun with miniature ponies taking on large cob ponies and single ponies pitted against multiple teams.

On Sunday, the popular Pony Club mounted games will see teams taking part in a competition which requires courage, determination and all-round riding ability. Young riders will also battle it out taking their ponies over the show jumps in the Pony Club show jumping competition.

Don’t miss the chance to have a bear hug with this very special group of canine lifesavers, the Newfoundland Rescue Bear Dogs. Originally bred as a water rescue dog, these gentle giants weigh in at 90kg and can to glide through the water with minimal effort. History is full of amazing stories about Newfoundlands who have saved the lives of people drowning.

Dog owners can put their canine friend to the test with the Autarky fun have-a-go dog agility. Your dog will love flying over jumps, racing through tunnels, up and over A-frames, and negotiating in and out of weave poles in this fun agility activity. Or enter your pet pooch into one of the Autarky Show Classes: Most Handsome Dog, Prettiest Bitch, Best Rescue, Best Veteran, Best Child Handler 7–12 years and Best in Show can all be signed up for on the day.

The Paws For Thought team, run by ex-police dog handler Stuart Brace, demonstrate entertaining tricks and games that can be done with dogs showing that real fun can be had training a dog, whatever the breed. For more insight into canine behaviour, the Mullinscote Gun Dog Display Team will give a fun show employing various training methods, human and dog psychology, featuring dogs of varying breeds and ages from a puppy to fully trained dogs.

The Sheep Show, featuring some real woolly characters, has captured the hearts and attention of many. New Zealander Richard Savory and his presenters Stuart and Warren entertain and educate with their fantastic sheep. Nobby, the Norfolk Horn, stands centre stage while others are introduced to their podiums, all to their own theme tunes. Learn about each breed’s attributes and how wool from the sheep’s back becomes a jumper to wear. The shearing demonstration will have the audience captivated. However, the highlight will be the ‘Sheep Show Hustle’ or dancing sheep!

For an insight into working animals, The Yorkshire Countryman will demonstrate how he trains his spaniels and birds of prey to work together, along with the chance to see his popular ferrets, known for their inquisitive nature and playful behaviour.

From face painting and pottery painting to a giant bouncy castle, there is something for all children and those young at heart. Learn how to juggle balls and clubs, diablos and devil sticks, master olympic ribbons and cups and balls. Walk on cups or fun stilts and pedal-go’s, spin a plate or a rope or hula hoop.

The drop in pottery painting offers lots of fun ways to get creative – draw, paint, stamp or sponge a piece of pottery to create a special piece to take home.

Sam Horrell, CEO at Dodson & Horrell, commented:-

“The setting at Chatsworth provides a wonderful backdrop to host an array of fun attractions for all the family. We are looking forward to an exciting weekend of competition and experiencing the unique atmosphere with competitors and spectators alike.”

Gail Dale, Chatsworth, said:-

“The Horse Trials are a wonderful family day out offering something for everyone. We’ve got loads going on all weekend alongside the equestrian sport, whether it’s browsing the shopping village and fine food walk or taking a picnic to enjoy by the river.”

Day tickets on the gate for Saturday and Sunday are £20 for adults and £5 for children aged 5-14. Children under the age of five are free. All tickets include free parking. Discounted tickets are available to buy online up until 6 May.

Anastacia will join Lionel Richie when he performs at the Proact on Thursday, June 21.

Special guest Anastacia will join the ‘All The Hits’ tour in Northampton, Perth, Lincoln, Shrewsbury and Chesterfield – making it the perfect opportunity to see her present her electric pop music live.

Anastacia burst onto the global music scene with her debut ‘Not That Kind’ and has since gone onto massive world renowned success achieving over 20 million worldwide sales, making her one of the fastest and biggest selling artists of the new millennium.

With over a dozen Top 40 entries to her name, spurred on by multi-platinum, global hits ‘I’m Outta Love’ and ‘Left Outside Alone’ and major hits ‘Sick and Tired.’ Anastacia has achieved number one hits in 19 countries, a shower of gold and platinum awards, more than 100 million YouTube views, three BRIT Award nominations and more.

These will be Lionel’s first UK shows since receiving glittering reviews for the ‘All The Hits’ tour which included three nights at London’s The O2. The dates followed a phenomenal Glastonbury performance which drew the biggest crowd of the weekend as over 200,000 people flocked to the Pyramid Stage.

Lionel’s incredible success continued as his album ‘The Definitive Collection’ topped the charts and provided his first UK Number 1 in 23 years.

The FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final will be staged at the Proact Stadium on Sunday, April 29.

Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, second and fifth respectively in the Northern Division, will battle it out for supremacy.

Carol West, Chairman of the FA Women’s Premier League, said:-

“The Proact Stadium is a fitting platform for our showcase Cup Final.

“The FA Women’s Premier League Cup is an institution in its own right and I know that both Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City will more than do it justice on the day.

“Both clubs are worthy finalists after very hard-fought campaigns and I’m sure both will be determined to lift the Cup and have their name etched into this competition’s long and distinguished history.”

Gemma Donnelly, Blackburn manager, said:-

“This is the first senior league cup final that Blackburn Rovers have reached in the history of the ladies’ team.

“We are both extremely proud and excited to be involved in this competition. We look forward to the occasion and will enjoy the experience.”

Jonathan Morgan, Leicester boss, added:-

“To reach our first ever national final is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club.

“Players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and all our supporters should be proud of this milestone for Leicester City Women and should know that they have all played a big part in getting the team this far.

“We are thoroughly looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

The Proact is celebrating also being chosen as host of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament in May. Chesterfield will host the opening game, 2 groups games, a quarter final and a semi final match.