Local T20 Blast derbies against Yorkshire Vikings and Notts Outlaws have once again been handed prime dates, as the Club looks to secure sell-out crowds for both in 2018.

Last year, the clash versus Yorkshire at Queen’s Park sold out five days in advance, with demand at an all-time high, and the sides will go head-to-head again at Chesterfield on Saturday 28 July.

The East Midlands derby against Notts Outlaws, meanwhile, has been given a prime Friday night slot at the height of summer, taking place on Friday 13 July.

Derbyshire begin their home T20 Blast campaign versus Lancashire Lightning on Friday 6 July and face Leicestershire Foxes in the final home group stage fixture on Saturday 11 August.

T20 Blast tickets for all home games go on general sale in March 2018, while all home regular season games are included in Club Membership.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “We received terrific support in 2017, with more people than ever watching T20 Blast cricket in Derbyshire.

“The local derby versus Yorkshire at Chesterfield is always a special occasion and we had unprecedented demand last summer with the fixture selling out well in advance.

“Both local derbies have once again been given great dates in 2018 and we’re hoping local people will once again get behind the Falcons and we can secure a double sell-out.”

A report to Chesterfield Borough Council is recommending that the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre site is used for an all-weather artificial sports pitch, with the surrounding area restored to parkland.

If councillors support the proposal work will be carried out to enable a planning application to be submitted in early 2018, seeking permission to:

• Install a 55 metres x 33 metres 3G all-weather artificial sports pitch suitable for seven-a-side matches, which can also be split up for two five-a-side matches. This will help meet a need identified by Sport England for artificial pitches within the borough and supports efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
• Restore the surrounding area to parkland, landscaping the area to merge in with the existing grade 2* listed park.

Before a planning application could be submitted a heritage assessment would need to be completed to assess how well the proposal would fit in with the grade 2* listed park.

The old Queen’s Park Sports Centre was demolished earlier this year. The centre closed at the end of December 2015, a few days before the new £11.25 million Queen’s Park Sports Centre opened further up Boythorpe Avenue in January 2016.

The recommendation to councillors follows the completion of a detailed business case which looked at various options for the site, taking in to account the views given during the public consultation held in autumn 2016.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader, said: “Queen’s Park is one of the most popular recreation areas in Chesterfield and this is an opportunity to make it even better.

“The artificial sports pitch would be flexible so it can be used for one seven-a-side match or split up so two five-a-side matches can happen at the same time, which will increase the opportunities for residents to use it.

“Having a pitch like this will help us meet some of the need for artificial sports pitches in the borough which Sport England has identified, while also generating an income to pay for its maintenance, running and the security measures that we want to put in place.”

If cabinet members back the plan when they consider it on Tuesday 5 December the matter will go to a full council meeting on 13 December for a final decision.

The business case includes plans for the maintenance of the pitch, and installation of CCTV cameras and a security fence to reduce the likelihood of anti-social behaviour. The lights will be designed to reduce light pollution beyond the pitch area.

On Sunday 10^th December, Ashgate Hospicecare will officially turn on their Christmas lights and remember loved ones at this year’s Light up a Life ceremony.

The popular ceremony, which will be held on the hospice grounds from 6pm, is now in its 15^th year and has raised over £580,000 since it first began in 2002.

Pam Garvey, one of Ashgate Hospicecare’s Hospice at Home team, switched on the lights at last year’s ceremony. She said:-

“I was so proud to be able to turn on the Christmas lights at last year’s Light up A Life switch on ceremony.

“The atmosphere at the event is simply fantastic. I feel very lucky to work for Ashgate Hospicecare and would like to thank each and every one of you as I simply wouldn’t be able to do what I do without your help.”

Over 200 of you have already dedicated a star to someone they love so far in the first week, with more dedications coming in each day.

Sue Mason, In Memoriam and Legacy Giving Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“The support we have had already for this year’s Light up a Life campaign has been amazing”.

“Dedicating a light is a lovely way to commemorate a very special person and without your support, Ashgate Hospicecare wouldn’t be able to provide its valuable services to local people”.

Michael Cherwell, from Clowne in north Derbyshire, said:-

“What a wonderful way to remember someone you dearly love. Remembering someone, especially at Christmas, is so important to so many. Thank you Ashgate for everything you do.”

In return for a Light up a Life donation, you will receive an invitation to our Light up a Life switch on ceremony, a specially personalised Light up a Life card and a special Light up a Life gift.

A project which is set to unearth the untold stories of Markham Colliery has been given the green light thanks to £35,000 awarded from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to Derbyshire County Council.

Research into the lives of the thousands of local men who worked at the site between 1882 and 1993 will be carried out as part of ‘The Story Mine’ project and shared on a new website.

And residents will be invited to a number of events organised by the Markham Mining Memorial Community Working Group − which supported the grant application − to hear about the project’s latest discoveries.

The working group is made up of 25 members including former miners, local historians, representatives from schools in Derbyshire and relatives of those who worked at the site.

Markham Colliery has now been reclaimed by Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments and is home to the Markham Vale regeneration scheme which is working to create 4,100 jobs for local people.

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:-

“We’re delighted to receive this grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help us unearth more of Markham’s mining history which we can share with future generations for years to come.

“Markham Colliery was at the heart of this area for a long time and lots of people including myself will have many memories of the site and the brave men that worked there.

“I’d like to thank the Markham Mining Memorial Community Working Group for all their fantastic work and the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Lottery players for making the project possible.”

Derbyshire County Council have already made great strides at Markham Vale to remember its mining history with the permanent ‘Walking Together’ memorial which will eventually feature 106 figures stretching between the village of Duckmanton in Chesterfield and the former pithead. It symbolises a miner’s journey to and from work and represents the 106 men who lost their lives in three accidents at the site in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

The Walking Together memorial has been designed by Cheshire-based Artist Stephen Broadbent.

Local pubs are being urged to support a campaign to promote sensible drinking, which was launched at the Proact Stadium.

Yvonne Henchliffe, whose son Christopher passed away after a drink-related incident in Chesterfield town centre last year, came up with the initiative called ‘Stay Cute & Dilute – One Punch Kill’.

Yvonne is encouraging all pubs in Chesterfield to support her campaign by serving soft drinks at half price on November 11.

“We’re asking all pubs in Chesterfield to sign up and on that date, serve half-price soft drinks and make their own mocktail,” said Yvonne.

“I’m determined to make a change. There was nothing out there when Chris first died so I decided to start my own campaign.”

The initiative also has the support of Derbyshire Constabulary and Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, who said:-

“A year ago, Christopher Henchliffe was tragically killed by a single punch after a late-night incident in Chesterfield. His mum Yvonne has run a really positive campaign, trying to encourage more people to take soft drinks, which I think is a great idea.”

Representatives from Neurocare, the Royal British Legion and Ability all attended the launch event at the Proact. Also supporting the campaign are The Blue Bell Inn in North Wingfield, The Britannia at Brampton and The Olde House in Newbold.

Sarah Spencer from The Britannia said:-

“We do a lot in the pub to make sure people stay within reasonable limits.

“I think our customers would embrace the mocktail and they’ve already started thinking of ideas and names that they can come up with.”

Julie Wood of The Olde House commented:-

“It’s about trying to discourage people from throwing alcohol down their necks and actually just taking their time to drink sensibly.

“We always have facilities where they can help themselves to water so they don’t have to go to the bar. I don’t want them to have to think they’ve got to go and queue.”

Chesterfield Champion, online radio station Spire Radio, has updated its schedule for Winter 2017 as it welcomes presenters old and new as part of a revamped schedule.

Chris Walters, Programme Director at Spire Radio, says:-

“I’m excited about the new shows we are able to bring our listeners, our schedule is stronger than ever and we are still offering a wide range of music for all tastes.”

Making sure that Chesterfield wakes up with a smile on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday is their new Breakfast presenter, Maisie Saikia. The LOL Laughter Girls Debs and Denise will continue to wake up North Derbyshire the only way they can on Wednesday from 7am.

On Monday & Tuesdays, from 3pm-6pm Chesterfield College Media Students will also take to the air, extending the partnership between Spire Radio and the College as the students learn in a practical environment.

Wednesdays from 3pm its Afternoon Tea with Ken and Dee. Reunited after spending time together at a community station in Clowne, Ken and Dee bring their unique look at life to Spire Radio, with great music and chat, highlighting some great local causes.

On Thursdays from 3pm, George and Mel O’Neil take to the air entertaining Chesterfield with interviews and guests from all around Derbyshire.

Ellie Marie Scott, fresh from a summer of concerts overseas, is returning to Spire Radio to take over the 2-3pm slot. Ellie will be bringing flair to Friday afternoons in only the way she can.

Saturday’s are full of fun on Spire Radio, after the Weekend Wake Up, join Evie our 5 -year-old superstar as she presents Spire Radio’s Kid’s Club for an hour of music just for the kids from 11am. At 12 noon, Ali M returns to Spire after some time away with R and R Time. Great music to fit a weekly theme along with some health and well-being tips just for you.

And finally Sunday evenings are becoming more relaxed. From 7pm, Martin Green goes back in time during the Chart Archives, while Chris Heathcote rounds out your weekend with an hour of the best Big Band and Swing in Chesterfield from 9pm.