Leisure

Lottery cash set to help unearth mining history at Markham Vale

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.

unearth

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Award winning artist Linder Sterling takes up residency at Chatsworth

The influential British artist Linder Sterling has been welcomed as the inaugural artist-in-residence at Chatsworth ahead of a major exhibition of her work next year.

Linder – who has just received the largest art prize in the UK –  has exhibited internationally, and is one of only three artists to be the subject of a major touring retrospective, originating from the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville in Paris.

The work informed by her time at Chatsworth – the first ever artist residency at the stately home – is to be shown at Nottingham Contemporary (24 March—17 June 2018) as part of a wider exhibition and major retrospective titled The House of Fame. An exhibition of some of the pieces created from her residency will also be shown at Chatsworth (24 March-21 October 2018).

The announcement comes just after Linder received the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award which is intended to give artists the freedom to develop their creative ideas and to grow both personally and professionally.

Linder has worked with the photographic image for over four decades. She works with found photographs from the early 20th century to the present day, utilising the techniques of photomontage to create new imagery and new meanings distinct from her source material. Linder’s photomontages are often incorporated within other disciplines, including fashion, ballet, cosmetics, performance, film and interior design (see accompanying images).

During her residency, Linder will immerse herself in the life of the estate for six months, experiencing the landscape, changing seasons and everyday lives of those who live and work at Chatsworth. She will create a new image bank to provide a resource for future photo montages as a way of taking Chatsworth ‘out into the world’. Other ideas she is exploring include: producing an incense from the aromatic woods and plants on the estate; creating images on textiles in collaboration with fashion designers; recording oral histories, and using the everyday sounds of the house within musical compositions.

Linder said:-

“After my first month at Chatsworth, I’ve already learned how to turn back the hands of time, both literally and metaphorically. At the end of October, I turned the hands of the church clock backwards to mark the passing of British Summer Time. The hands of the church clock groaned, as if they knew that they were moving contra natura. I’ve also become adept at time travel, studying various treasures from the collection in order to steer my course through centuries past. Time here folds in upon itself, it’s a very heady sensation, one that’s hard to resist. The new works that I’m making in situ will mirror this and all of the above.”

The Duke of Devonshire said:-

“Chatsworth is pleased and proud to welcome the artist and musician Linder Sterling as our very first artist-in-residence. We are tremendously excited to invite Linder to interpret Chatsworth through her own particular lens as she seeks to create new ways to communicate and transport experience of her encounters beyond Chatsworth.”

Chatsworth will also be making a number of loans from its collection for the Nottingham Contemporary exhibition which forms part of the Grand Tour – supported by the Arts Council – bringing together cultural organisations across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Photoraphy by Emile Holba

Linder Sterling

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Investment agreed for the Winding Wheel

A £426,000 scheme to improve the customer experience at the Winding Wheel has been approved by councillors – in the year the venue celebrates its 30th anniversary.

It will see:

  • An attractive new entrance area created to welcome customers, which will incorporate a combined café bar, information and ticket collection point, and ice cream and confectionary sales area. This will provide better facilities for customers before, during and after shows, and for people attending conferences and other functions.
  • New toilets installed on the ground floor
  • Wi-fi installed throughout the area

The investment will also help protect the historic grade two listed building and see an extension in to a former opticians shop next door to create part of the seating area for the café bar.

It will be paid for by the Theatre Restoration Levy, which is a charge added to ticket prices to provide a fund to improve customer facilities at the town’s theatres.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “It is fitting that in the 30th year since we took over the former cinema and turned it in to the Winding Wheel that we are once again investing in improving the building.

“It is vital that the Winding Wheel constantly improves its offer for customers so that it can compete against other venues in the region – whether that is people coming to shows, those attending conferences, or individuals or groups booking it for private functions.

“We know from customer feedback that there is a demand for improved bar and catering facilities in support of the Winding Wheel’s varied events programme.  Opening the café bar will enable us to do this, as well as provide a space for conference visitors and shoppers to stop in for a drink and something to eat in a relaxing environment with wi-fi available.

“Thanks to the loyalty of our customers who have attended theatre shows over the past few years we have the funding in place to repay their faith in us by improving facilities and ensuring the Winding Wheel remains a modern and attractive venue to visit.”

The investment is part of a medium term plan to reduce the cost to tax payers of running the council’s two theatres – the Winding Wheel and the Pomegranate Theatre.

The combined running cost of both venues has already fallen by just under 50 per cent from £687,930 in 2011/12 to £345,850 by 2016/17.

Last year the Winding Wheel hosted 149 performances which were seen by 37,745 people. The building was also hired another 131 times for conferences, dinners, meetings, parties, weddings, religious services, a beer festival, blood donor sessions, dances, and fairs and exhibitions.

Investment agreed for the Winding Wheel

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

New business opens at Penmore House

Penmore House, Hasland is now the new home to Midlands Hair Clinic specialising in Scalp Micropigmentation, Teeth Whitening & Aesthetics Treatments.

With over 11 years experience in the barbering industry owner Casey Foster-Miles wanted to provide a service to men and women experiencing hairloss.

Based in heart of Derbyshire at the beautiful Georgian listed building, Penmore House, the team have worked within the barbering industry for over 10 years and have Harley street trained skilled technicians that know how to create the perfect style and hair transformation.

The treatment can be used during varying hair loss stages and can treat baldness, alopecia or thinning hair. The clinic is also stockists of the fantastic Naturawhite products helping to achieve a perfectly white smile within a one hour treatment.

On why he decided to invest his business in Chesterfield, owner Casey Foster-Miles said:-

“I moved to the area after meeting my partner Charlotte who is from the town. I have found the area to be a very busy and vibrant town and the ideal location to set up my new business.

“The setting of Penmore House also went very well with the idea of the business and is close enough to the M1 for clients commuting to the clinic.”

 

Micropigmentation

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Chesterfield lights up for Christmas

Chesterfield is set to be bathed in Christmas glow yet again with the annual Christmas lights switch-on event.

The event takes place on Sunday 19 November with a special market taking place from noon offering entertainment, stalls, games and rides in the market place and New Square.

Youngsters can also meet one of their favourite characters as Chase from Paw Patrol makes appearances outside the Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square, outside the Crooked Spire church at noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

The stage show gets underway in New Square at 3.30pm with Peak FM presenters Cat and Ricky taking to the stage offering opportunities for the audience to join in the fun.

Stars from the Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, this year’s pantomime at the Pomegranate Theatre, will perform on stage and will perform the switch on at 4.45pm with Chesterfield’s mayor and Chase from Paw Patrol.

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

“Each year thousands of people come along to take part in Chesterfield’s Christmas lights event. It is a great opportunity for families to come together and get into the Christmas spirit.

“We organise the event as part of our commitment to make Chesterfield a thriving borough and to improve the quality of life for local people.”

Chesterfield residents can use their free parking disc to park for free in the following Chesterfield Borough Council off-street pay and display 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.

Free coach parking is available by arrangement with Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre.  For more information telephone 01246 345777/8.

There’s a full programme of entertainment for Christmas in Chesterfield from traditional markets to stand up comedy. Find out more about Christmas in Chesterfield here.

Christmas lights switch-on

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Peak tourist board to lead £1.2 million international walking trails campaign

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is to spearhead a new national campaign worth more than £1.2 million to promote the challenging, yet comfortable experience offered by England’s great walking trails to key overseas markets.

The official tourist board has secured £1 million from VisitEngland’s £40 million Discover England Fund – matched by £200,000 from the private sector – to sell the magic of seven long-distance walking trails, cosy pubs, locally-brewed beers, fine local food and welcoming accommodation providers.

Discover England’s Great Walking Trails will develop the international appeal of the Pennine Way, South West Coast Path, North Downs Way, Hadrian’s Wall, Norfolk Coast Path, Cleveland Way and Cotswold Way for potential visitors from Germany, The Netherlands, France and the USA by:

  • Creating walking tour itineraries for each trail, with a selection of three- to 14-day options
  • Putting together a programme of trade and travel show visits, PR and media familiarisation visits
  • Developing relationships with the travel trade and tour operators to stimulate group bookings in target markets
  • Increasing the number of visits from the target markets by two per cent each year to 2024
  • Raising the profile and improving England’s image in the target markets, including the variety and quality of the country’s food and drink

It will build on the success of a pilot project led by the South West Coast Path Association during year one of the Discover England Fund initiative, which created bookable walking breaks along the 630 miles long coastal trail through Dorset, Devon and Cornwall for the German and Dutch markets.

“We are delighted to have won this bid from the Discover England Fund to lead a campaign to develop world class walking holidays in England for a wider audience,” said Jo Dilley, the tourist board’s Managing Director.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to bring in overseas visitors who enjoy challenging walking and want to experience the real English countryside, but like to eat well, sample quality local beers and stay in comfort at the end of the day.

“It’s also sure to appeal to keen walkers from across the UK who want to visit, stay in and explore some of England’s loveliest destinations.

“We’re now looking forward to working with all our public and private sector partners to raise the profile of all seven routes, both internationally and nationally.”

Sally Balcombe, Chief Executive, VisitEngland, said:-

“The quality of submissions to our Discover England Fund reflects the innovation in product development thriving across the country’s tourism landscape.

“The successful projects will boost international and domestic growth, creating a step-change in the industry and spreading the economic benefits of tourism across England.

“This project will package walking trails up with cosy pubs and accommodation, creating itineraries that will show off England’s hospitality along with its outstanding rural and coastal beauty.”

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire will work in close partnership with other tourist boards, the South West Coast Path Association, Local Enterprise Partnerships, councils, transport providers, the National Trust, National Parks, the British Beer and Pub Association, Stay in a Pub/Cask Marque, The Camping and Caravanning Club and other businesses to deliver the project from now until March 2019.

walking trails

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Proact hosts campaign for sensible drinking launch

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.”

sensible drinking

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Spire Radio refreshes its schedule for Winter 2017

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.

Winter 2017

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield remembers the fallen

Chesterfield residents can remember those who have lost their lives in war at a series of events organised by Chesterfield Borough Council.

On Armistice Day, Saturday 11 November, the national two-minute silence will be marked with an event at the war memorial, Rose Hill opposite Chesterfield Town Hall at 11am.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event where the service will be marked by the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille. People wishing to take part should be in place by 10.45am.

The silence will be marked in other Chesterfield Borough Council buildings including the Customer Service Centre in New Square, Chesterfield Market Hall, Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square, Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley.

Other shops and businesses will also mark the silence.

The annual Remembrance Sunday service takes place at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the ‘Crooked Spire’ on Sunday 12 November at 2.30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend but people are asked to be seated by 2pm as the church becomes full quickly.

Following the service, a civic parade with the mayor and other civic representatives, the Royal British Legion, members of armed forces’ organisations and uniformed and voluntary organisations will head to the war memorial at Rose Hill for the wreath laying ceremony.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance, said:-

“Events to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are the most solemn in our calendar.

“Everyone is welcome to come and join our events to remember those who have died in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.”

A service organised by Staveley Town Council will take place at 11am on Remembrance Sunday, 12 November, at the Memorial Gardens, Staveley.

Other remembrance events will also be held in the borough.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield announced as a host venue for UEFA European Under-17 Championships 2017

UEFA and The Football Association have named the venues which will host the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament in May next year.
Chesterfield, Burton Albion,Loughborough University, Rotherham United, St. George’s Park and Walsall have all been selected to host the annual UEFA tournament.

The competition for Europe’s 16 elite nations will be played at venues across the Midlands and South Yorkshire with St. George’s Park at its heart.

Chesterfield will host the opening game and Rotherham United will stage the final, with fixtures taking place between 4-20 May.

Tickets will go on sale in January with the final draw taking place at St. George’s Park in April.

Wayne Rooney, Eden Hazard, Paul Pogba and Mario Götze are some of the famous names to have appeared at this level in the past with the competition acting as the perfect platform for young players to showcase their talents. England who won the European Under-17 title in 2010 and 2014, and also finished runners- up to Spain in 2017, qualified automatically for the tournament as hosts.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said:
“The European Under-17 Championship gives football fans an early opportunity to watch talented young footballers as they start out on what they hope will be successful careers in the game.

The competition also provides the youngsters with an ideal chance to perform on an international football stage.
I am very happy that the finals are being staged in England. The Football Association are experienced hosts of major football events, and we are all looking forward to an exciting and entertaining tournament.”

England U17s head coach Steve Cooper added:

“We are very proud to be hosting the men’s European Under-17 finals next summer.”
“St. George’s Park will be at the heart of training and matches and all six venues will give the players an opportunity to perform at different stadiums.”
“Rotherham and Walsall have hosted a number of England development and women’s team fixtures in the past while Burton Albion and Chesterfield are fantastic venues.”

“Loughborough University is a world-renowned sports and educational establishment.”

“The tournament gives the towns and regions an opportunity to see the best young talent from across the continent and we are very much looking forward to the challenge.”


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

Local runner wins Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon

A local runner has become the first person to cross the finish line at the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon – and was one of a number from the region to triumph in the race.

Charlie Baker, a member of Hallamshire Harriers running club, crossed the line with an impressive time of 1:18:52. Runner-up, John Sanderson from North Derbyshire RC clocked a time of 1:21:08, followed by Marcus Nicholson in third with a time of 1:22:33.

When accepting his trophy, Charlie said: “I’m feeling very pleased with myself, the most difficult part was one of the hills towards the end, and constantly running into the wind, but I’m very happy to have completed it and to cross the finish line in first place.”

Ashleigh Barron from the Steel City Striders was the first female to cross the line with a remarkable time of 1:30:15, followed by, Sheffield based TeamGB Duathlon and Triathlon athlete, Fiona Kesteven, who ran in 1:31:22. Deborah Lock rounded off the top three females running in a time of 1:31:33.

Ashleigh explained how she got through the miles: “I just kept having a word with myself, saying to keep going, that I have put all this hard work in and not to give up, I’m out in the storm, just go for it.”

Just under 1,000 people took to the streets of Chesterfield last weekend to take part in the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon and the Peak FM Fun Run to raise money for their chosen charity.

The half marathon course started in Queen’s Park, went through the town centre visiting Hasland, then returned to Chesterfield via Brampton and Ashgate before returning to Queen’s Park.

The race was held in aid of local and regional worthy causes, primarily supporting event charity partners – Chesterfield-based Ashgate Hospicecare and North Aston-based Bluebell Wood Children’s hospice.

Local estate agency, Redbrik, was the headline sponsor for the 2017 event as part of the new five-year partnership deal.

John Timms, Events Director at MLS Contract Ltd, organiser of the event, said: “We were thrilled with the turnout of the event despite the traditional British weather.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our entrants for taking part and completing the race in such difficult circumstances.

“I would also like to thank all those who were affected by any road disruptions across Chesterfield for their good will and co-operation throughout the day. We must thank the 200 volunteers who helped marshal the course and gave up their valuable time to ensure a successful event”.

“This event will have enabled our hospices to do more work for those most in need in our local communities and all our partners wanted to support this.”

Mark Ross, Director at Redbrik Estate Agency, who also took part in the event himself, said: “We are delighted to have been involved with such a successful event – The turnout was tremendous considering the wind.

“It’s been great to really get behind such a brilliant occasion and to be the main sponsors of the event – it made us so proud to see the participants and the huge crowds that turned up to cheer on the runners, it felt like the whole town came together.”

The event also held a successful family-friendly 2.5km Peak FM Fun Run which ran tandem to the main event.

Main charity partner Ashgate Hospicecare provides care to patients across North Derbyshire at the hospice, in the community and at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice looks after children and young adults with life-threatening and life-shortening conditions across North Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire.

Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Ladies and mens winners

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting