Chesterfield businesses and voluntary groups are invited to work with Chesterfield Borough Council to help plan commemorations in the borough to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Armistice Day on 11 November this year will mark 100 years since the signing of the Armistice which brought an end to more than four years of fighting in which an estimated 37 million people were killed.

It is anticipated that a range of organisations in Chesterfield may be planning events during the year and in particular for the period 11 October to 11 November.

The council has put together a 2018 World War One commemorations working group with a remit to collate events. Anyone planning events during the year is asked to contact the group with details so that the events can be publicised.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“The end of the First World War was a significant moment in modern history and we anticipate a range of organisations – schools, colleges, the University of Derby and local businesses – may be planning events during the year.

“As a council we will be staging events at the Pomegranate Theatre and the Winding Wheel, including a new play commissioned by the council, a series of First World War films, together with a special exhibition at the Museum and the annual October CAMRA Beer Festival on a First World War theme will also be included.

“We are planning a ‘poppy fall’ either side of the entrance to the Town Hall and would like to see our town centre bathed in commemorative displays during that month.

“We asking that anyone planning events or activities – be it window displays in local shops or specific activities relating to the commemorations – should be in touch. Our aim is to collate all the information, publish it on our website and through our communication channels.”

Anyone planning events should contact Rachel Appleyard, senior democratic and scrutiny officer, by emailing rachel.appleyard@chesterfield.gov.uk or calling (01246) 345277.

In June, the Chesterfield Canal Trust was selected as a recipient for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017. This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

On December 16th, the award was presented formally to the Trust by the Duke of Devonshire, who was acting for the Queen in his role at the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

The brief ceremony was held at the Trust’s headquarters at Hollingwood Hub before an audience of some of its volunteers. There were other dignitaries in attendance, including the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and the Mayor of Chesterfield.

Robin Stonebridge, Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, welcomed the Duke and the other guests, saying how proud he was that this honour had been awarded and also how proud he was of the volunteers who had given more than 40,000 hours of their time last year. He explained that 12 miles of canal had already been restored along with 37 locks, 11 major road bridges and 2 marinas. However, nearly nine miles still await restoration. To loud applause, he said that the Trust was campaigning for the completion of this restoration by 2027, the 250th anniversary of the canal’s opening in 1777.

The Duke spoke about his admiration for the Trust and the work it does to get the Chesterfield Canal restored. He wished all the volunteers the very best of luck in the future. He then presented a certificate, signed by Her Majesty The Queen, to David Fox and a domed English Crystal with the QAVS logo insignia to Richard Allsopp. Both David and Richard were original members dating back to 1976.

The award was created by The Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.

Besides the awards mentioned above the Trust has permission to use the official QAVS logo and Kath Auton (Membership Secretary) and Richard Allsopp represented the Trust at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June.

After the formalities, all the dignitaries stayed to talk to the volunteers.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is a charitable company run entirely by volunteers. Its aims are to promote the full restoration and appropriate development of the Chesterfield Canal. It has 1,700 members.

Amongst many other activities, it runs four trip boats and a promotional trailer. Work Parties take place on the canal every weekend and often during the week. There are many other volunteers doing tasks ranging from canal maintenance, to gardening, to running its shop. It expects to take over 2,000 people on its current Santa Special cruises.

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.