Leisure

Love Brewing turns beer making into a social occasion with new product

Chesterfield’s Love Brewing has launched a new range of products aimed at turning the art of beer and cider making into a social activity.

‘Love Brewing Together’ is a new way to enjoy home brewing that can include your friends, family or colleagues. Customers are invited to choose their group of participants (5 minimum) and what they want to brew – either beer or cider. The company says more options will be available in the future.

The group is then given the opportunity to meet virtually, and have an expert talk through the process from start to finish in an online video meeting.

Business Development Manager for Love Brewing, Rob George said: “At love Brewing we’ve been thinking of ways that people who are new to home brewing can give it a try and share the experience with others in a fun and sociable way.

“We make it as easy as possible by packaging together the equipment and beer kits, and if required, our experienced staff will host an online meeting and guide everyone along at a pace to suit.

“With remote working being more common, and people who’ve missed their friends and family, or live at a distance, it’s a great way to catch up, have a few laughs and create some delicious drinks along the way. It’s also an ideal team bonding exercise, and we’ve had a lot of interest already from business owners who want to give their staff a fun experience that can be done from home.

“The founder of Love Brewing, Richard Blackwell, has been putting content online for years, and our YouTube channel gets thousands of visitors every day from people learning how to make home brew, so there’s a huge wealth of knowledge for people to dig into if they wanted to learn more, but these online events are aimed at complete beginners. We’ve many experienced staff who are passionate about home brewing and happy to share their knowledge.

“I personally have an online catch up with a group of university friends who are spread around the UK, so I’m going to see if they fancy joining me to make a Beerworks IPA from the Craft Brewery series. It’ll be my first try at home brew, and considering I work for Love Brewing, I had better make sure it turns out nice!”

To find out more about the new ‘Love Brewing Together’ packages, head over to the company’s website.

Love Brewing supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Dozens help with Chesterfield Canal clean ups

Fifteen volunteers helped to tidy-up one of Chesterfield’s best outdoor spaces last month, with Chesterfield Litter Picking Group and Chesterfield Canal Trust working together to get rid of litter and debris along the canal.

The team got together for the effort on Saturday 24th April, including several canoeists and paddleboarders, who did a superb job clearing the towpath and the canal above Tapton Lock in Chesterfield in the morning. They even removed debris that had got stuck on tree branches in floods.

They saw lots of newly hatched ducklings and even a newt that was found under an old mattress along the bank.

The volunteers also intend to make contact with the companies backing onto the water to encourage them to refrain from dumping their rubbish onto the banks.

In the afternoon, a second group totalling 35 people of all ages, tackled the currently unrestored section of the canal in Renishaw. They cleared a huge amount of rubbish, mostly drinks bottles and cans, but also a tyre, a roadsign, a fire extinguisher and a garden seat. A large elm tree that had collapsed into the canal was cut up and cleared.

This group also cleared vegetation along half a mile of towpath stretching from Main Road Bridge right back to Hague Lane. This is usually impassable in the summer because it gets smothered in brambles, but it is more pleasant for walkers than the adjacent the Trans-Pennine Trail.

This clear-up will be repeated on the last Saturday afternoon of every month. The Chesterfield Canal Trust is keen to set up a group of local volunteers in Renishaw who will eventually manage their section of the canal and look after the adjacent woodland and fishing pond.

In the autumn, the Trust is set to start a major project at Renishaw, making good a previous restoration attempt and extending it to a total of 1,000 metres. This will eventually link up to the Doe Lea Valley restoration section for which the Trust has recently received planning permission.

When all these works are finished, probably sometime in 2024, it will extend the restored canal in Derbyshire from 5 miles to 7½ miles. The highlight will be a 37 metre long aqueduct, nearly 10 metres above the River Doe Lea.

Besides providing a wonderful towpath for walkers, cyclists and mobility scooter users, it will give new fishing grounds. Opportunities for the hire of boats, canoes, paddleboards and cycles will be created. There will be a need for refreshments and it will attract people to the area, thereby benefitting local businesses.

Kath Auton, the Trust’s Membership Secretary, said: “Today has been wonderful. We have met so many local people who are keen to help get the canal restored and back in water. It will be a real asset to Renishaw. I can’t wait for the next clear-up on May 29th.”

Chesterfield Canal Trust supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Progress continues on development of 120 new homes in Holmewood

A housing development comprising of 120 new homes is continuing progress in Holmewood, with the developer opening the doors to its marketing suite on the site this month.

Thorpe Meadows is the latest development by housebuilder Harron Homes, which has also been working on the Regents Green development in nearby Grassmoor.

Set in a picturesque area of North East of Derbyshire, Holmewood boasts the Five Pits Trail, a country park which is a haven for wildlife, while Chesterfield is just a short drive away for major retailers as well as leisure and entertainment options.

The village is also in close proximity to the M1, providing commuters with convenient access to Sheffield and Nottingham, both of which are approximately 20 miles away.

Construction work is progressing, with a showhome expected to be available to view by July 2021. This development comprises of a collection of three and four bedroom homes.

Harron Homes says ecology will be a priority on the site with bird boxes, bat boxes and hedgehog homes and highways all being incorporated in the development.

Natalie Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Director at Harron Homes North Midlands, said “We’re delighted to bring our collection of sought-after homes to this stunning area.

“Given the popularity of our last development in the region, we don’t anticipate these homes staying on the market for long, so be sure to register your interest early!”

The first homes are expected to be complete by Autumn 2021.

If you would like to find out more about living and working in Chesterfield, our website has plenty of useful information here.

There are several developments currently taking place across the town, bringing a variety of new homes, leisure facilities, office space and retail units. You can keep track of all the major regeneration taking place across the town on our developments page.

 

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Date announced for Ashgate Hospicecare’s Sparkle Night Walk

Ashgate Hospicecare has announced that its much-loved Sparkle Night Walk will return later this year – in a safe, socially distanced way that will retain the fun and atmosphere the event is known for.

The popular fundraiser, which sees family and friends come together to help fund the hospice’s vital care by walking 10km through the streets of Chesterfield, set to take place on 25th September.

Previously, the event, sponsored by Vertu Toyota, has taken place in July, but the charity has pushed back the date this year in light of the ongoing roadmap out of lockdown.

Ashgate hopes the new September date will allow the hospice to hold a socially distanced event while ensuring the safety of its supporters, volunteers and the local community.

Staggered start times from Chesterfield FC’s Technique Stadium will help ensure participants enjoy the fun and vibrant atmosphere of the event in a safe way. Walkers will be waved off from the start line every 15 minutes from 8pm.

Carl Jones, Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We’re delighted to be able to open registrations for the return of our annual Sparkle Night Walk in September.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming back our supporters and seeing some familiar faces, as well as those new supporters taking part for the first time. It’s been a long time since we have all been together and that is why this event will feel even more special.

“While we are hopeful that the event will take place, we will of course closely monitor the COVID situation over the coming months.

“It is our priority to keep our wonderful walkers safe whilst ensuring there is the very best chance of the event going ahead.

“Our fundraising team will be sure to keep everyone updated should there be any further changes to our plans.

“We hope to welcome you all back for the much-anticipated return of our Sparkle Night Walk in September!”

Like last year, a virtual option will also be offered, for those who would prefer to choose their own route and complete it separately.

Ashgate is encouraging their local community to sign-up to the Sparkle Night Walk and help raise much needed money to fund the specialist end-of-life care they provide.

To date, the charity is reporting losses of more than £3 million from its usual income streams during the pandemic, due to the cancellation of fundraising events and repeated closure of its shops. The hospice is grateful to its generous supporters who have rallied together to fundraise and support its recent crisis appeal campaigns in an effort to overcome the losses.

This year’s event has been kindly sponsored by Vertu Toyota. Participants are encouraged to sign up before June 14th and get early bird entry for just £10.

To find out more about Ashgate Hospicecare’s Sparkle Night Walk and to register, click here.

Ashgate Hospicecare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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New online docuseries follows Stanedge Golf Club owner’s one-woman mission to transform golf

A unique new docuseries telling the remarkable story of one woman’s mission to turnaround a rundown golf club and make it a friendly, accessible and inclusive community venue is now streaming online.

In a first for the golf industry, the fly-on-the-wall documentary, Changing the Business of Golf, follows former Ladies European Tour professional Fame Tate as she breaks with tradition and aims to transform the course and customer experience at Stanedge Golf Club, Derbyshire.

In the first episode, Fame recalls the life-changing decision to acquire the golf course and how she is turning the club into an open, friendly venue at the heart of her local community.

Meanwhile, as the team prepares for a new season, they are faced with the prospect of preparing the golf course for reopening without their head greenkeeper.

“If you’d said to me one day you’ll own a golf club, I’d have probably sat there are laughed,” says Fame, whose playing career was cut short by injury.

“My vision from day one was to break away from the traditional golf club model. It’s about making a place that’s welcoming, affordable, accessible, inclusive.”

Working closely with her greenkeeping team – and revealing how she rolled up her sleeves to get stuck in to groundwork – Fame is investing in a major course upgrade to improve playing conditions.

The series documents day-to-day happenings, including course management work led by head greenkeeper Christian ‘CJ’ Johnson.

“It was a tough task for Fame and everybody involved to get the course back to where it was,” says CJ. “But since then we have really tried to improve it as a team and get it moving forwards.”

Just one year after acquiring the club, Fame faced the potentially catastrophic challenge of the Covid pandemic and enforced lockdown, forcing her and the team to call on their inner reserves of strength and resilience to keep the business afloat.

Will she realise her vision and succeed? The series will follow Fame and her team as she reopens Stanedge Golf Club and takes on the business of golf.

Watch the first episode now on Syngenta Golf: https://www.syngentagolf.com/changing-business-golf

Stanedge Golf Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Noonah launches new covid-safe product personalisation service

Chesterfield-based engagement Specialist Noonah has announced the launch of ‘Personalize’, a new covid-safe product personalisation service.

The company says with Covid restrictions being lifted, the high-street and event planners face the considerable challenge of how to re-engage with their customer base and stimulate footfall in an uncertain landscape.

It will come as no surprise that online sales grew a massive 36% in 2020 while the high street suffered ‘the worst decline on record.’ But with lockdown easing and public spaces reopening, the team at Noonah believes re-engaging customers lost to e-commerce is not an impossible task.

Matt Franks, Noonah CEO said: “The solution is dependent on traditional bricks and mortar embracing the opportunities that tech offers. The High street needs to play to its strengths, using technology like Personalize to offer what online pure-players can’t, an engaging, physical brand experience.”

“Product-personalisation was on the rise long before Covid 19 and major brands such as Levi’s and Nike used it to elevate their stores from places where goods were sold, to truly experiential destinations. Noonah has long been the market leader in providing product-personalisation tech to its wide array of clients and understands better than anyone the massive potential it holds for brands, retailers and live events in the post-covid landscape.”

The biggest challenge for Noonah was around how to make the technology available to everyone and not just those with the biggest budgets. The new platform is designed to offer product personalisation to all, from the independent retailer to the international brand.

Personalize can be tailored to suit any brand, market and almost any product. Being a cloud-based technology, the software can be operated through a terminal in-store or by using the “Covid-safe” option of the customer’s own mobile phone.

The company also says the software is truly scalable and depending on the size, budget and strategy Noonah can help organise installations as pop-up events or long-term fixtures. The Personalize printers (provided by Noonah as part
of the Service), can print any design to almost any product.

Matt added: “Above all Personalize is about engagement and re-establishing customer loyalty at a time when the high street and live events need as much help as they can get.”

For more information visit: https://noonah.com/personalize/

Noonah supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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UK’s largest jumping pillow installed at Matlock Farm Park

The largest bouncy pillow in the UK is now open to visitors at Matlock Farm Park, following the attraction’s recent reopening.

Visitors have been welcomed back to the park since covid-19 restrictions were relaxed earlier this month, giving families their first chance to see and feed the wide variety of animals being looked after

The huge jumping pillow is the latest addition to the Park, which offers indoor and outdoor play areas, both of which have been carefully designed with younger children in mind. The outdoor play area features a wooden pirate ship, slides and climbing areas, with a large sandpit, Wendy house and sit-on original tractor.

Lotty Hawkins, Assistant manager at Matlock Farm Park said: “We’ve been so keen to have a new outdoor play area for a while to provide an even better day out to our customers and whilst it’s been a very tough year financially with the closure, we decided to really go for it and buy the UK’s largest Jumping Pillow! It’s a been a huge hit with visitors.”

The attraction recently gave people a sneak preview on its social media channels, by releasing some drone footage of the new pillow:

Currently staff at the park aren’t allowing children under the age of two years to use the pillow at regular times for safety reasons, but there will be opportunity in the park’s parent and toddler mornings which run during term time, Monday-Friday between 10:00am-11:30am.

The park also has a variety of events taking place throughout the summer for all ages, including an interactive reptile weekend and birds of prey day. In addition, The Snow Sisters and The Big Bubbleman will also be paying visits to the park on selected dates in May and June.

Matlock Farm Park supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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Chesterfield’s Still Blooming returns for 2021 

Chesterfield Borough Council is repeating its popular competition for residents called ‘Chesterfield’s Still Blooming’ that aims to find the best sunflowers in the borough.

Chris Turner, Chair of the Chesterfield in Bloom committee said: “In Bloom is always a great event for Chesterfield because lots of residents, businesses and schoolchildren get involved and help brighten the town and borough.

“I hope lots of residents will once again take this opportunity to grow sunflowers and learn more about the plants in their gardens. I know competitions like this can be that spark of inspiration that encourages everyone to get their hands dirty and put some work into their gardens.”

There are three entry categories:

  1. Tallest sunflower – from the top of the soil to the top of the flower (please make sure your picture is taken next to a tape measure).
  2. Largest Sunflower – the largest flower head based on diameter or width (please make sure your picture is taken next to a ruler or tape measure).
  3. Most Sunflowers – plant with the most sunflower heads (please try to make sure all flower heads are visible in your photo).

To enter please send a picture of your sunflower, stating your name and the category you wish to enter to green.spaces@chesterfield.gov.uk.

‘Chesterfield’s Still Blooming’ will run from Tuesday 20 April until Friday 10 September 2020.

Winners will be given a special certificate and will also have the satisfaction of knowing they grew one of the best sunflowers in the borough.

Whilst growing your flowers, a great way of keeping children engaged is to start a plant diary and allow them to track the growth of your sunflower. This is also a good way of teaching them about how plants grow and what they need to survive. The council will be awarding prizes and special certificates for the most creative growth diaries. Please send pictures or copies of your growth diaries along with your entry to green.spaces@chesterfield.gov.uk.

April and May are the best time to start to grow your sunflowers indoors before moving them outside ready to bloom by late summer.

The council will announce the winners in the October edition of Your Chesterfield and on social media.

Find out more about the competition here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/in-bloom

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Airline staff assist Chesterfield Royal Hospital as VIP Wellness Lounge takes off

A brand new VIP lounge has been launched at Chesterfield Royal Hospital to improve the wellbeing offer for staff, with the help of airline or aviation staff who are currently furloughed, grounded or made redundant due to the pandemic.

The crews used their exceptional customer service skills and expertise to provide the hospital staff with a little bit of respite, as well as an opportunity to chat and share experiences.

The initiative, known as ‘Project Wingman’ got off to a flying start with 70 of staff swapping their boarding passes for a well-deserved break, along with a cuppa and biscuits.

Part of the Wingman team at the Royal Charlotte Turner, First Officer (TUI) says: “I normally work as a Senior First Officer at TUI – so I fly the Boeing 737’s out of Doncaster on the short haul flights. Usually I’m there and back in one day. I really miss it and can’t wait to get back!

“I saw Project Wingman advertised and I thought it was so lovely. NHS workers do such an incredible job and have been working throughout – everyone must be absolutely shattered, having long shifts in a tough environment. We work in an environment that’s really lovely and where we are trying to get people to come on holiday and make you feel amazing. We can’t do that at the moment so we’d like to give it back by bringing it in to Chesterfield Royal Hospital”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Workforce Health & Wellbeing Lead, Andy Picked said: Project wingman is an innovative initiative ran by airline crew, pilots and aviation sector staff to provide a decompression space for NHS Staff away from the challenges of the work environment – especially important during a pandemic.

“Project wingman has contributed to a comprehensive staff health and wellbeing support programme already in place at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and provided an opportunity for staff and airline crew to share a conversation over a drink and a few treats in line with social distancing and covid rules.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with these professional who have volunteered their time to run their first class refreshment lounges. The Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity funded the refreshments and logistics of the intiative.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Plans to restore further stretch of Chesterfield Canal approved

Plans to restore the Chesterfield Canal by 1.6 miles have been approved. This will extend the navigable section in Derbyshire by a third from Staveley almost to Renishaw. It will include a 37m long aqueduct almost 10m above the River Doe Lea.

There remains lots of preparation to be done, but there should be works on the ground by the end of this year or early in 2022.

The restored canal currently ends at Eckington Road Bridge in Staveley, where the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s volunteer Work Party has built a new lock and restored a further 300m of canal. The new section will go through a disused railway line and across the Doe Lea Valley on the Staveley Puddlebank. This is a huge embankment nearly 800m long and up to 10m high that was a wonder of the age when constructed in 1776. The canal then turns north and runs parallel to the Doe Lea to the borough boundary.

The towpath will be a 3m wide all-user trail alongside the canal, so walkers, cyclists and mobility scooter users will be able to join boaters, canoeists and paddleboarders in enjoying the new route.

The application was submitted by the Chesterfield Canal Trust through its Development Manager, George Rogers. Although endorsed by lots of members of the public and numerous organisations including the Ramblers, Chesterfield Cycle Campaign and Chesterfield Civic Society, HS2 Ltd. objected. The canal runs underneath HS2’s proposed line to a maintenance depot. However, negotiations with HS2 earlier in the year led to the objection being withdrawn, leaving the way clear for council approval.

Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, Peter Hardy, said: “We are delighted that our planning application has been approved. This is a substantial step on the path to achieving our ambition of reopening the canal fully by 2027. We would like to put on record our thanks to our many supporters and partners who have backed us so far and who we know will stick by us in the exciting years ahead.”

The Trust is hoping to start its Rewatering Renishaw project in the coming months, which will bring a further 1,000m of canal back to life. This will mean that there could be a total of 7½ miles of canal from Chesterfield to Renishaw by the end of 2023.

Once this has been achieved, lots of opportunities for tourism will open up including the hire of dayboats, weekend boats, canoes, paddleboards and cycles. There will be a need for more pubs and cafés, and anglers will be delighted by new opportunities.

At the same time, Staveley Town Basin, now renamed Staveley Waterside, will be developed by Derbyshire County Council and there are plans for a whole new village on the old Staveley Works site, including a hotel and small marina.

Rod Auton, Publicity Officer for the Trust, said: “The next few years will see an incredible transformation along the canal which will bring a massive economic boost to the area. It is our hope that the Chesterfield Waterside development will also continue, including opening the canal basin. This would connect the town directly into the beautiful, green and tranquil oasis that is the Chesterfield Canal.”

Chesterfield Canal Trust supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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New online directory launched to support Chesterfield’s local businesses

A new directory of Chesterfield’s independent businesses has been launched, featuring the best of the town’s shops, restaurants, food suppliers and more.

Un-hampered has been launched following a collaborative effort between S40 and S41 Local magazines and Chesterfield-based creative agency Defeye, after many of the town’s local businesses begin their recovery following the enormous challenges of the pandemic.

Paul Chapman, owner of S40 Local said: “Our local businesses have been hit hard over the last year, but have risen to the enormous challenge, created an online presence in record time and have changed their offering to provide delivery, takeaway or click and collect services.

“These independent businesses are the foundation of our town, when you shop with them they, in turn, feed money into the local economy. When you eat at a local independent restaurant, chances are they’ve purchased the veg from a local grocer, they may have bought it from a local farm, the farmer services his van at the local garage, the garage owner advertises with us, we eat in the same restaurant – the money stays local and helps build the local economy.

“The Un-hampered directory is the first phase, we have so much more to offer and we’ll be bringing you news as we launch each new development. We really do want to modernise access to the traditional high street and help businesses maintain a physical presence.

Matt Pritchard from Defeye explains, “when Paul first came to us to talk about what would go on to become Un-hampered, we were on board straight away. As luck would have it, we’d been discussing how we wanted to work on a self-generated project of our own that could really help push the independent businesses in town that we love. Then magically, the next week we got an email from Paul asking us if we wanted to meet up to discuss his idea. It felt like Kismet.

“Although the idea has evolved and changed through this incredibly challenging year, the ultimate goal has remained fixed. ‘Create a platform that showcases local independent businesses and gives customers an easy way of finding them’. We were lucky enough to create the Shop and Support local video campaign for the council last year and it gave us the opportunity to talk to so many incredible businesses, strengthening our resolve to get Un-hampered launched so that we could show our support to them.

“We’re excited to get phase one off the ground finally and we hope it will be a platform that helps local businesses at a really critical time.”

If you would like to view the directory or find out more about it, head to www.un-hampered.co.uk

S40 Local and Defeye Creative support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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