Leisure

Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa announce new General Manager

7th February 2020

The Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa are pleased to announce they have appointed a new General Manager.

Tim Cadman has been named as the General Manager following the retirement of Rona Davies after 21 years of service. Tim brings with him a wealth of knowledge, including 19 years of General Manager experience, three years of which were at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield.

Tim said “I am delighted to be joining the property which has undergone huge refurbishments in the past two years. I am very excited to be joining Ringwood as they embark on a bright future and overseeing further developments. On behalf of the whole team and I, we would like to wish Rona a very happy retirement”.

Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa is a splendid Georgian grade 2 listed Manor House, set in 29 acres of grounds. In 2018, the hotel opened its new Garden Secret Spa featuring a Vitality Pool, Herbal Sauna, Foot Spas, Himalayan Salt Sauna, Blossom Steam Room, Ice Fountain, Experience Showers, Relaxation Lounges, 7 treatment rooms and its own Brassiere.

Click here to find out more about Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Celebrating our apprentices in Chesterfield

6th February 2020

Sometimes national celebrations are specifically relevant to a local area, and that is the case with this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, taking place from 3 to 7 February.

One could argue that Chesterfield celebrates apprenticeships 52 weeks a year as we were the first, and I believe still remain the only place, to declare itself an Apprentice Town nearly three years ago.

Apprentices and apprenticeships are fundamental to Chesterfield’s ongoing success.

There is more than £1billion worth of investment, development and redevelopment taking place in and around the town which, it is estimated, will create will bring the opportunity to access up to 10,000 new jobs. I for one want local people and school leavers to benefit from these jobs, but they can only do this if they have the right skills and are aware of the opportunities available.

Chesterfield was the first town in the UK to declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town’

The Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference on 26 February will, I hope, further this conversation. The conference brings together business and education leaders to discuss how as a town we can develop our young people in order to improve the employability and skills offering for the future.

Let’s not wait for the conference however. If you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend – make sure young people around you are aware of apprenticeships and the value they bring to their personal and professional development and the town’s prosperity.

The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Look Beyond’. It celebrates the diversity and value that apprenticeships bring to employers, apprentices and communities across England today. From highlighting the breadth of industries and roles available to the talent and energy apprentices bring into the workplace. Let’s all ‘look beyond’ when we’re giving young people post 16 careers advice.

Baasit Siddiqui, star of Gogglebox and expert on Education and Social Mobility, will be the key note speaker at the event.

More than 14,000 students in North Derbyshire are set to gain their GCSE and A Level qualifications in the next five years. As these young people weigh up their futures and decide how best to forge their career path, I believe it’s vital that apprenticeships are presented as viable options alongside University and A Levels, to pupils in schools.

We all have a role to play in ensuring that Chesterfield is future-proofed. Having a skilled workforce is key to ensure our town continues to thrive for generations to come.

“Apprentices and apprenticeships are fundamental to Chesterfield’s ongoing success”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

New Chesterfield events company to bring interesting celebrities to the town

5th February 2020

A&P Events, a new events company set up by Spire Recruitment‘s Lee Ashley and his cousin Leigh Priestley, is aiming to bring more celebrities to Chesterfield with their events.

A&P Events wants to give the people of Chesterfield a chance to see their favourite celebrities from the world of music, sport and more, in an up close and personal setting. The events will be held at the Proact Stadium, home to Chesterfield FC. The celebrities will start each event by talking about their life, career and experiences. This will be followed by a question and answer session where the audience will be given the opportunity to ask a direct question to the celebrity. A DJ will also be playing music from start to finish and the bar will be open throughout the event.

Lee said: “I am very excited to be starting this business with my cousin, hopefully if we can make this first booking a success, we can go on to bring further exciting events and people to the town!”

Their launch event, An Evening with Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, will take place on Saturday 23rd May at The Proact Stadium, where guests can enjoy an interview and Q&A with the legendary former England footballer. Meet and Greet packages are also available.

Click here to find out more or to book your tickets.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield schoolgirl seeks votes to progress in CBBC singing competition

4th February 2020

Georgie Mills, a 14-year-old student from Chesterfield, is currently a contestant on the hit CBBC show ‘Got What It Takes?’ and is appealing for residents to cast their votes for her in the upcoming semi-final.

In ‘Got What It Takes?’, eight teen singers compete for a life-changing prize with the help of their mums. Each week, the contestants learn about an aspect of the music industry, with the two challenge winners receiving a place in the sing-off. The third place in the sing-off is awarded to the contestant whose mum wins the physical activity challenge. The contestant who has won the most sing-offs at the end of week 8 automatically goes through to the final, with the other three finalists being decided by the public vote. The final four performers will compete in the final for the chance to perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Series 5 began on 8 January 2020 and is shown every Wednesday evening on CBBC as well as being available on BBC iPlayer. The semi-final takes place on Wednesday 4th March, where the voting will open for only 24 hours.

Georgie currently attends Outwood Academy in Newbold and lives in Newbold village. Georgie has won local competitions such as Eckington‘s Got Talent, Dronfield’s Got Talent and Chesterfield’s Got Talent, as well as singing for over 3,000 people at the Ashgate Hospicecare Sparkle Night Walk.

On Saturday (1 February), Georgie appeared in the Grand Final of TeenStar UK, where she came third in the ’13 & Over’ category. In addition, Georgie was nominated for ‘Best Young Breakthrough Artist’ at the National Entertainment Awards.

Georgie said: “Performing at the TeenStar UK final on Saturday was a great experience for me and I was delighted to come third. To perform at The O2 was amazing and something I’ll never forget.”

Georgie now has her sights set on the ‘Got What it Takes?’ semi-final vote. She added: “I would absolutely love for everyone to vote for me in March so I can reach the final. I love to be on stage and I have been performing for as long as I can remember.”

Jo & Andy Mills, Georgie’s parents, said: “Singing is her dream and appearing on ‘Got what it Takes?’ is a fantastic opportunity for her. We’re now looking for all the help we can and for as many people to vote for Georgie as possible – the vote is only open for 24 hours so every vote counts! To see Georgie progress to the final would be absolutely amazing”.

Votes can be submitted for 24 hours from 4th March through the CBBC website here. Voting is free however please check for terms & conditions before voting. Previous episodes are available on BBC iPlayer for those who would like to watch Georgie’s journey so far.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Spire Radio and S40 & S41 Local magazines announce partnership

4th February 2020

Chesterfield Champions Spire Radio and S40 & S41 Local magazines are partnering to offer discounted advertising packages across radio and print.

The new partnership will help businesses get their name and services out to a wider and more diverse local audience. Companies or organisations can benefit from a healthy discount (between 20 and 25%) when advertising packages on radio and in the magazines are arranged together, helping Chesterfield’s businesses reach even more potential clients. Along with the advertising packages, Spire Radio, are also offering all S40 & S41 Local advertisers, new or existing, 10% off any quoted event price.

S40 Local is one of two popular printed publications, that together form the online hub, Chesterfield Local. S40 Local magazine has been helping support local business, encouraging a sense of community and championing local events for over 11 years. Sister publication, S41 Local, was launched in 2018 and follows the same ethos as the original magazine with tailored content for the community based to the North West of Chesterfield, together delivering to 14,500 addresses.

S40 Local delivers to areas including Acorn Ridge, Ashgate, Brampton, Brookside, Holymoorside, Somersall and Walton, S41 Local to Ashgate Heights, Brockwell, Brushfield, Cutthorpe, Dunston (Skylarks & businesses) Highfield, Linacre, Newbold, Piccadilly, Sheffield Road (businesses) and Spital. Plus, both are delivered to a small selection of independent town centre businesses. (Please note: S40 & S41 Local do not cover the entire postcodes for S40 and S41 as distribution has grown organically).

Paul Chapman, Editor and Owner of S40 Local, said: “I’m excited to be pairing our services alongside Spire Radio. Like Spire Radio, I’m keen to support our town and the great independent businesses within it. This partnership will enable businesses to make the readers of S40 and S41 Local, together with the online listeners of Spire Radio aware of the great services they have to offer.”

Simon Paterson, Editor of S41 Local, said: “Having seen the great work that Spire Radio do at many of our local events, championing our town and providing quality entertainment, I am proud to be a part of this forward-thinking partnership. It’s great when two local, independent businesses work together, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this great venture.”

Spire Radio is a lifestyle branded online community radio station, broadcasting 24 hours a day from their Chesterfield Town Centre studio. They have the biggest range of live shows broadcast from Chesterfield (they do not syndicate shows with other stations), with over 80 hours a week of local, live content. They are coming up to their 5^th anniversary, which will bring a range of changes to the station, including a significant investment to be announced in Spring 2020.

Jordan Hartshorne, Director of Social Media and PR at Spire Radio (right), thinks working together reflects the community spirit of Chesterfield: “Spire Radio is really excited to be working with S40 and S41 Local magazines on these new packages which will help Chesterfield businesses reach more people in the community”.

Businesses who are interested in the new packages can get in touch via email on sales@spire-radio.com, paul@s40local.co.uk or Simon@s41local.com. The combined radio and print offers are available to new advertisers only.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield

Planning application for revitalising the former Chesterfield Hotel site

31st January 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with the owners of the Chesterfield Hotel to explore opportunities for the future use of the site.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield Hotel is a landmark building and a venue that holds very happy memories for many of us. Sadly, the costs to refurbish and bring the building back into productive use have proven beyond the means of the many investors and developers that have had a look at it.”

“I can therefore confirm that Whittam Cox Architects has recently applied for outline planning permission, on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council and Prestige Hotels (Midlands) Limited, to build offices on the site.”

“This is a first step of many that the council plans to make with our partners to re-vitalise the Chesterfield station area, which is one of our long-term regeneration priorities”.

Whittam Cox Architects are acting as agents for Chesterfield Borough Council and the owners of the Chesterfield Hotel, Prestige Hotels (Midlands) Limited.

The owners of the Chesterfield Hotel were successful in obtaining planning permission to demolish the current structure in December 2019.

Councillor Tricia Gilby continued: “The council is currently in the process of finalising the HS2 Chesterfield Station Masterplan, which will be available later this year for public scrutiny and comment.”

Click here to learn more about the Northern Gateway development and what it means for Chesterfield town centre

Click here to learn more about HS2 in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Local arts festival helps school children to commemorate VE Day anniversary

30th January 2020

Friday 8th May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day and to celebrate this historic event, North Wingfield Parish Council have worked with Chesterfield Champions, Dronfield Arts Festival to produce commemorative mugs for students at North Wingfield Primary and Nursery School.

Every child at the school will receive a mug as a way to help connect them to the past and as a memento for the future. As well as supporting the history curriculum, it will help the children to understand the importance of remembering significant events from history and to gain an appreciation of what life was like 75 years ago.

As the war in Europe ended and the guns fell silent, millions of people took to the streets to celebrate peace and remember the enormous courage and sacrifice of those who were lost. This year’s local celebrations will be the perfect opportunity to get the children involved in a whole range of events designed to commemorate and celebrate Britain’s finest hour and the arrival of peace in Europe.

The Parish Council sourced the mugs from Dronfield Arts Festival, who are working alongside Dronfield Town Council to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day in Dronfield and District, as part of the national celebrations organised by SSAFA.

The Festival will be delivering a programme of 1940s themed events in Dronfield throughout the bank holiday weekend from Friday 8th May until Sunday 10th May 2020. A donation will be made to SSAFA the Armed Forces charity from proceeds made during the weekend.

If you would like to find out more about how to support and celebrate this historic event, Dronfield Arts Festival have a range of official VE Day merchandise that can be personalised to mark this momentous occasion and which you can purchase online at https://www.dronfieldartsfestival.co.uk/

If you would like to get involved, you can find out how you can be part of the official national VE Day celebrations at https://www.veday75.org/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Liza Bakes to open new bakery and store

29th January 2020

Chesterfield Champion, Liza Bakes has recently relocated to Clay Cross, occupying the space of the old Orwins Butchery Shop on Main Street. The bakery and retail store officially opens this weekend (Saturday 1st February)

Phyllis Bown and her team have been producing cakes in Derbyshire since 2014 for a range of clients from local businesses and farm shops to the general public requiring special celebration cakes.

The new bakery will produce a range of cakes, tray bakes, drip cakes, cupcakes and handmade biscuits, utilising as many locally sourced ingredients possible. It will of course also be the new home of your favourite signature baked goods, including the infamous and “Great Taste Award Winning” gluten free orange polenta cake, fruit & ale cake, chocolate beer cake, Victoria sandwich and carrot cake to name a few. The expansion allows development of the business,including a room for gluten free products for the ever growing gluten free market.

Phyllis Bown, Owner of Liza Bakes said “This ideal Clay Cross location will provide more room for the team to flex their uniquely creative take on fresh baked goods as they continue to push the boundaries of baking.”

The new location will also be the home to a cake shop. The glass fronted shop, has been painstakingly remodeled as a Victorian cake shop and named affectionately Harriet’s Couture after Phyllis’ Grandmother, who not only taught Phyllis to bake, but who also inspired her to develop her own range of signature bakes. Harriet’s Couture will be selling Liza Bakes Cakes alongside an extensive range of their decorated wedding and celebration cakes.

The official opening of the bakery and retail store takes place on Saturday 1^st February 2020 from 9.45 am – 3.00 pm, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am to officially open the bakery.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield museum celebrates inspirational local women

25th January 2020

Chesterfield Museum is celebrating the lives of local women who have made a significant contribution to their communities and the country overall.

The extraordinary women exhibition runs to 28 March, and features the lives of many inspirational women, including political campaigners such as Emma Miller and Barbara Castle, and the story of suffragette Winifred Jones.

Visitors can also learn about Florence Robinson, who ensured that Robinsons had some of the best working conditions and work social facilities in Derbyshire. The exhibition also explores the story of Violet Markham, social welfare, educational reformer and political pioneer, who became the first female Mayor of Chesterfield.

The exhibition also includes the story of the ladies’ football tournament – which took place during the First World War – possibly the first of its kind to be played anywhere in Britain.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member town centres and visitor economy, said: “It is important that we continue to remember the stories of our local heroes and we’re encouraging as many of you as possible to come down and learn about the lives of these local women who have helped shape our communities in to the way we know them today.”

“We hope that anyone visiting this exhibition regardless of their age, gender or background will be inspired by the achievements of these extraordinary women.”

The exhibition is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm. The museum is free to enter, however donations are welcomed.

Click here to see more events in Chesterfield

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield going for gold after being named as Britain in Bloom finalist

24th January 2020

Chesterfield has been named as a finalist in the RHS’s nationwide gardening competition, Britain in Bloom.

Following the success at the East Midland’s in Bloom awards over the past four years, Chesterfield Borough Council and local residents will now put their horticultural skills to the test as they prepare to battle it out on a national level in the small city category of Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) competition.

Britain in Bloom is the UK’s longest running gardening competition. It provides a regional and nationwide platform for community groups to brighten up their town or city. Finalists are put forward to the national final based on their progress regionally and will be scored by a team of RHS national judges in summer this year.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Britain in Bloom is such a great campaign and we are delighted to have been selected as finalists this year. It shows just how well we have done on a regional level in the last few years.”

“As a council we are committed to improving the local environment and projects such as this really do help. It’s also great to see that the bloom projects and competitions in Chesterfield bring a variety of people together throughout the year, so being selected as a finalist is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together once again and show Chesterfield at its best.”

Judges will visit some the borough’s parks and green spaces on Friday 7 August, including main sponsor, Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, before the winners are announced later in the year.

More information on Britain in Bloom can be found here.

Click here to find out more about the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2020

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Headline sponsor of Sparkle Night Walk aims to reach £1m raised for Ashgate Hospicecare

21st January 2020

Local company M Markovitz Ltd have been confirmed as headline partners for the Sparkle Night Walk for the fourth year running, as they aim to surpass £1 million raised for Ashgate Hospicecare.

Savannah Redhead, Events Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospicecare said: “The 2019 Sparkle Night Walk set new records with over 3,000 walkers taking part. Collectively over the years, the event has raised more than £700,000 for patients and their families across North Derbyshire and we are hoping that 2020 will raise over £300,000. This would take the total amount raised over the last four years to £1,000,000! ”

“The ongoing support Markovitz provides means that the money people raise on the night goes directly to caring for patients in their own homes and at the hospice. We are aiming for another record sell-out event when it returns on Saturday 11 July 2020 with an improved route and additional capacity for more walkers – and the support of Markovitz has been integral to that growth.”

Barbara-Anne Walker, Chief Executive at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “What an amazing four years it has been for the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk and Ashgate Hospicecare’s Events Team. The event continues to beat all expectations and raise phenomenal amounts for the hospice each year, something we couldn’t have done without the support of David Hopkins and Markovitz.”

“We can’t put into words how grateful everyone at Ashgate Hospicecare is for the amazing support and kindness all those involved have continued to show. The Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk has made an enormous contribution to the hospice and difference to the care that patients and their families across North Derbyshire have been able to receive.”

“It means a huge amount to all of us at Ashgate to have had your support at our flagship event over the past four years.”

David Hopkins, CEO of Markovitz, said: “2020 will be our 4th year as proud sponsors of the Sparkle Night Walk. Thanks to the thousands of local people who year after year support this fantastic event, in this short time over £700,000 has been collected. Hopefully this year will see us smash through the £1million.”

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to all those supporting the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk. With everyone’s help we must ensure that Ashgate Hospicecare remains able to support those in need at the most difficult of times.”

Ashgate Hospicecare encourage any local business who might consider supporting with this fantastic event to get in touch with our team at Ashgate Hospicecare. If you or your business would like to sponsor Chesterfield’s biggest fundraising event in 2020 and make a huge difference to the lives of local people, please get in touch with Ali at alison.ward-foster@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk before the end of February 2020.

Registration for the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk 2020 on Saturday 11th July is now open. If you register before 14^th April you will receive our Early Bird Discount, reducing entry to JUST £10 per person.

Click here to find out more and to book your place at the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk

Click here to find out ore about Ashgate Hospicecare

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting