Leisure

Young people to have their say about how they influence county council decisions

Children and young people are set to be asked for their views on the best way for Derbyshire County Council to involve and consult with them on decisions that they make.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet is to consider a proposal at its meeting on Thursday 16 January 2020 to carry out a consultation about changing the Derbyshire Youth Council (DYC) for more representative arrangements to increase the number of young people taking part in local democracy.

The DYC was set up in 2002 and has 36 members aged 11 to 19 voted into office by children and young people through the ‘Big Vote’ process every two years.

As well as hosting the DYC we also support a variety of other opportunities to encourage youth democracy including Locality Youth Forums, the Children in Care Council, School Councils, the Care Leavers’ Council and countywide locality youth forums.

An independent review of these groups carried out in 2018 identified that they were all valued by young people, but that a significant proportion of available staff time and resources was devoted to the DYC which in comparison only benefited a relatively small number of young people.

The Cabinet will consider a recommendation to carry out ‘The Big Consultation’ on a proposal for the DYC to be disbanded and replaced with a strategic network developed around the current School Council and other structures.

If Cabinet agrees to approve the consultation it would run for 12 weeks from Friday 24 January 2020 to Friday 17 April 2020 and gather views from:

  • children and young people
  • schools
  • voluntary organisations
  • youth service providers
  • councillors
  • children’s services managers and staff

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People, said: “We are committed to involving young people in our decision-making processes for a variety of reasons including the opportunities for them to learn about democracy and to help us plan services and make the best use of our resources by listening to what they have to say.”

“Young people have told us that the DYC is a great way to discuss relevant issues and make a difference, but they also raised concerns that it was not always representative and only allowed for a small number of young people to be involved and benefit from the experience.”

“That’s why we’re asking Cabinet to consider approving a consultation around a proposal which would focus resources on supporting opportunities young people think would enable and encourage more of them to get involved in local democracy and influence our decision-making process.”

Representatives from the DYC and some schools took part in an initial consultation to help shape the consultation options. The feedback was that it was ‘great to be part of the DYC’ but it was only available for a few young people and funding should be used to enable more young people to be involved in council decisions and that existing groups could be developed using technology to improve communication and connections between them.

 

And the issues young people were most interested in included:

  • the council’s long-term plans and how it is meeting its environmental responsibilities
  • how budgets are spent
  • the quality of schools and services
  • equality and diversity

Current DYC members were due to end their two-year term in office in March 2020 but that would be extended for a further year while proposals for possible future arrangements were considered.

Derbyshire county council are committed to involving young people in local democracy and decision-making and this is supported by legislation including the Children Act 1989, the Education Act 2002 and the Health and Social Care Act 2001.

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

Derbyshire County Cricket Club apppoints Head of Talent Pathway

Daryn Smit has been appointed Derbyshire County Cricket Club‘s new Head of Talent Pathway, with the aim of enhancing the number of local home-grown players progressing into the first team.

The 35-year-old will oversee players developing within the Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with The University of Derby, working closely with the Derbyshire Cricket Board and local clubs.

Smit will now transition into his off-field role, bringing his 16-year playing career to an end after making his last appearance for the club at Finals Day.

He already has experience working with developing players, having captained the Second XI side which saw Fynn Hudson-Prentice break through in 2019.

Head of Cricket, Dave Houghton said: “Daryn is a tremendous young coach and he has shown great leadership qualities throughout his work with the Second XI.”

“With this appointment, there will be more emphasis on the Academy and the long-term goal of developing local players to play professional cricket for Derbyshire.”

Smit added: “My goal was always to go into coaching and this is a brilliant opportunity for me, at this stage in my career. To finish playing now to take this role is a small sacrifice to make.”

“I have had a long and enjoyable playing career, the club have been brilliant to me, so this is a chance for me to give back to them and the youngsters that are coming through our pathway.”

Smit will now be tasked with increasing the number of Academy graduates playing professional cricket for Derbyshire and, potentially, England.

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

Secrets, surprises and stories at Chatsworth this winter

In a new series of winter talks, the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and others from the great Chatsworth Estate are set to reveal some of the secrets of its success.

Sixteen generations of the Cavendish family have built Chatsworth into the thriving, modern estate it is today. Viewers of the recent Channel 4 programme ‘Christmas at Chatsworth House’ will have seen some of the vital work done behind the scenes by the housekeeping, collections and garden teams who conserve the past and safeguard for the future.

In its long and celebrated history, Chatsworth has played host to an extraordinary cast of characters from Mary Queen of Scots to Elizabeth II, John F Kennedy to the Mitford sisters, and Charles Dickens to Evelyn Waugh but these talks also look at the unsung heroes who, for centuries, have kept the great estate running in good order.

All talks are taking place in the Hartington room. While the house, garden and farmyard are closed for the winter (reopening on 21 March 2020) the stables shop and restaurant are open daily from 10.30am to 4.00pm, while the farmyard and playground are also open during half-term, 15-23 February 2020. Free parking is available at Chatsworth during this time and at the nearby Calton Lees car park.

Secrets & surprises: Behind the scenes tours: Selected dates from 20 January 2020–12 March 2020

Explore behind the scenes this winter while the house is normally closed to visitors as it undergoes its annual ‘deep clean’. These guided tours are exclusively available to guests booking a ‘Secrets and Surprises’ accommodation package.

A year in the life of a Chatsworth seamstress: 21 January and 27 February

What does a seamstress at Chatsworth do all day? With miles of fabric to care for, Marie, an expert seamstress on the textiles team, will take you through a ‘typical’ year, highlighting some of the projects she has been involved with over the last five years, from conservation to Christmas, and much more.

Life Stories: An exhibition preview: 7 February 2020

This year’s main exhibition is ‘Life Stories’, which brings to life real people associated with Chatsworth through portraits and objects from the Devonshire Collections.

Connecting with nature: 21 February 2020

What does it mean to connect with nature? Explore the relationships between art and the natural world and why Chatsworth is the ideal setting to do so.

Joseph Paxton at Chatsworth: 28 February 2020

An illustrated talk by Steve Porter, Chatsworth’s Head of Gardens and Landscape, will explore the fascinating history of Joseph Paxton at Chatsworth and the mark he made on the garden including the Great Conservatory.

Garden development: past, present and future: 6 March 2020

Steve Porter, Head of Gardens and Landscape, will give an illustrated talk about its history and present developments, from RHS Chelsea in 2015 to Arcadia in 2019/20 and everything in-between.

Contemporary Chatsworth: 13 March 2020

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire reflect on the contributions to the Devonshire Collections, house and garden from 16 generations of the Cavendish family.

Dressed to impress: 2 April 2020 and 23 June 2020

Join Marie, an expert seamstress from the textiles team, for an insight into how the Devonshires and their servants were ‘dressed to impress’.

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

Physical activity game Beat the Street is coming to Chesterfield

An innovative game that has already helped more than one million people get active is coming to Chesterfield from Wednesday 26 February to Wednesday 8 April.

Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to leave the car at home and see how far they can walk, cycle, scoot or run during the six-week game.

The game is open to anyone of any age and there are prizes for the teams and individuals who travel the furthest.

Beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes will be placed on lampposts across the borough.

Prior to the game, primary school pupils will be provided with fobs while parents and teachers will receive a card from the school so they can accompany children.

The wider community can pick up a contactless card from a distribution point.

Players then walk or cycle between the 120 Beat Boxes which are spaced half a mile apart – tapping the fobs or cards as they go. The further players travel, the more points they score.

Chesterfield residents are also encouraged to enter workplaces, community groups and sports groups into the game.

The game was devised by GP Dr William Bird MBE in 2010 to get communities active and to make physical activity accessible to everyone.

So far, the game has been played all over the UK including East London, Leicester and Liverpool as well as Norway, New York and beyond.

Beat the Street Chesterfield is funded as part of a £3.3 million National Lottery funding grant from Sport England; it is supported by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by Intelligent Health.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt (right), Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Beat the Street to Chesterfield and can’t wait to see how far everyone is able to walk, run, cycle and scoot during the challenge.”

“The idea of the game is to encourage people to get more active and then to continue these new healthy lifestyle habits beyond the end of the game.”

“The feedback from players in other towns who have experienced Beat the Street is often that people find it quite addictive and are not only doing great things for their health, getting out as a family and finding new places close by that they’ve not visited before.”

“It’s also a great way of saving money on fuel, helping reduce congestion and also air quality.”

“It’s open to everyone, so please keep an eye out for more information including where you can pick up a free card.”

More information is available at www.beatthestreet.me/chesterfield and on social media @ChesterfieldBTS.

Chesterfield derbyshire World Mental Health Day 2019

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Banner Jones Solicitors partners with Chesterfield rugby club

In celebration of its centenary anniversary this year, Chesterfield Panthers RUFC has purchased new 1919 replica shirts for its mini teams, thanks to sponsorship assistance from Chesterfield Champions Banner Jones Solicitors.

Based on Dunston Road, the club provides facilities for 18 teams, ranging in ages from 2-18 – including two dedicated female teams – each of which practice at the site twice a week.

The minis, which consists of seven teams who compete regularly against clubs across the Midlands region in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, debuted their new striking red-and-white striped shirts at their most recent games against Derby.

Being a non-for-profit organisation, the sponsorship from Banner Jones Solicitors will allow the club to invest its funds elsewhere supporting the day to day running of the club.

President of Chesterfield Panthers RUFC, Maria Allford, commented: “We are constantly looking to develop our facilities at Dunston Road to better support our players and the wider community and it is sponsorships like this which allow us to continue in this work.”

“Thank you, Banner Jones, our players are delighted with their new shirts, and we hope this is the start of a long partnership.”

Ann-Marie Lowe, Marketing Manager at Banner Jones added: “As a firm we are big supporters of grassroots sport and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sponsor the new shirts. The core values of rugby are very close to our own and as such we will continue to support the club as best we can.”

“As Panthers is one of the largest rugby clubs in the local area, we think it is important that these facilities continue to strive, and we have everything crossed for another successful 100 years ahead!”

Click here to find out more about Banner Jones Solicitors.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure

Win a SONY PlayStation at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is excited to continue their Win the Window competition in 2020, which gives customers the chance to win a new prize every month. This month, there is a chance to win a SONY PlayStation from CEX to celebrate the New Year in style.

The competition starts on Monday 6th January and runs until Sunday 26th January. The prize is displayed in the winning window, located opposite F. Hinds at Vicar Lane.

This competition follows the first which saw the popular Chesterfield shopping centre giving away a generous £30 F. Hinds gift card, the second which saw one lucky person winning a giant teddy from Holmes Amusements and the third, which saw a customer walking away with a tasty £20 Quoozies voucher. In the run up to Christmas, customers had the opportunity to win a fabulous bundle, filled with goodies from a variety of stores at the centre, worth over £170.

For the chance to win the latest prize, customers should simply visit the Centre’s winning window opposite F. Hinds and follow the simple instructions, or comment on the official competition post on Facebook.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “We’re sure our January ‘Win the Window’ competition will be a popular one!’’

Terms and conditions apply.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Preparations in place for progress in Chesterfield during 2020

There is an undercurrent of excitement in Chesterfield. The progress the town made in 2019 means we cannot escape the positivity we feel for 2020.

Forget Brexit and the General Election outcomes, I am proud to say the town has forged ahead with its plans regardless of the political uncertainty of recent years. And it shows.

This year we will see even more projects come out of the ground – Northern Gateway’s new innovation centre, and the office block and family housing being delivered at Chesterfield Waterside being just a few examples.

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted reserved matters approval for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the seven-storey office building at Chesterfield Waterside.

These developments send a clear message to local, national and even international investors and occupiers – Chesterfield is open for business regardless of the political uncertainties.

While many towns and cities chose to bunker down during the last recession, and even in the current climate of political uncertainty, Chesterfield purposefully chose to forge ahead with its plans, looking forward for ways to achieve growth for the town, rather than back.

That positivity is evident in all that has been achieved, and the plans we have for the town going forward in 2020 and beyond.

Did you know that more people are now employed in the businesses at Markham Vale than in its hey day as a colliery?

The brand new 55,000 sq. ft. industrial building at Markham Vale, MV55,  is now available for immediate occupation.

Having successful major regeneration sites like Markham Vale and a council that is open to doing business, means that Chesterfield is now invited to sit at the same table as major cities. I’ve even heard Chesterfield referred to as a small city in investment circles.

We may not be a city, or even want to be one, but what we share with our larger counterparts is a vision to be a centre of success for residents, businesses and investors. There are no small town attitudes where the future of Chesterfield is concerned, there is only room for positivity.

Create Change Chesterfield

Blog by Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Free swimming lessons to kick start 2020

Free 30-minute swimming lessons are being offered at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre this weekend to urge more people to learn to swim.

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging residents to secure their place at the open swimming sessions being held on Saturday 4 January 2020 between 9am and 11am where they will be able to find out more about the learn to swim programme and this valuable life skill.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We’re encouraging people to head down to Queen’s Park or the Health Living Centre and take advantage of these free sessions on Saturday, regardless of their current swimming ability. Learning to swim is a vital skill that can last a lifetime and is also a great was to keep fit.”

“The new year is a perfect time to try something new and we believe that these taster sessions are a great way to get you started.”

“Chesterfield has some of the worst health statistics in the country across a range of indicators, so by offering people the opportunity to get out there and try something new, we hope to encourage more people to get active in 2020.”

The sessions are available to children from 3 years at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and to children from 12 months at the Healthy Living Centre.

Those wishing to attend the sessions will need to book in advance by calling Queen’s Park Leisure Centre on 01246 345 555 or the Healthy Living Centre on 01246 345 666.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Details for Chesterfield Street Food & Grooves Festival 2020 announced

The Street Food and Grooves Festival is back for its third year and 2020 is set to be the biggest and best year yet, with a brand new festival layout and something for everyone to enjoy.

The festival will kick off with its opening night on Friday 5th June where there will be bars, a choice of hot food and a fantastic line up of some the area’s best live music. The whole weekend will be free entry and everyone is welcome to come down to and join in!

Set in the heart of Chesterfield Town Centre, the weekend is set to have a real celebratory feel with lots of things going on including live music, market stalls, seating areas, and for the food fans there will be a huge choice of delicious street food and drink form around the world.

On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June, trading will start at 9am with a plethora of different hot and cold street food to sample, including vegan and vegetarian as well as artisan alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. As part of the event, the New Market Place will be open with traders selling crepes, olives, preserves and other cold food.

In the New Market Square, hot food traders will be selling food from around the world and bars, all selling from their own unique trailers and gazebos. All of this will be accompanied by a line up of talented local singers, duos, trios and bands performing a range of genres on the ‘Soundbites stage’.

The festival is organised by Chesterfield-based company Edge Events Management. Co-Organiser Laura Ashby states: “We are so excited to be announcing 2020’s Street Food and Grooves Festival and hope people will travel from near and far to support this growing event.”

She added: “Being from Chesterfield ourselves we are passionate in delivering high quality events which will be enjoyed by the whole family. We just love the fact that people are embracing the bubbling food and drink scene in Chesterfield and we are excited to organise a festival which can bring people together to celebrate the talents of regional food producers and musicians.”

Click here to find out more about Street Food and Grooves Festival.

Click here to find out more about Edge Events Management.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Geeks Headquarters host national Pokemon tournament

Independent retailer, Geeks Headquarters (GHQ), hosted a national Pokemon tournament at their Chesterfield store on Sunday 15th December.

There were 48 competitiors for the store’s Pokemon “Cosmic Eclipse” League Cup. The winners were:

Junior Division: Thomas Lambert
Senior Division: Callum Wun
Master Division: Luke Parks

League Cups are the next Premier Events on the competitive Pokémon TCG ladder, right above League Challenges. They not only provide players with the opportunity to earn a greater amount of Championship Points, but they also offer players the chance to win exclusive Champion-stamped playmats and Promo cards that can’t be earned anywhere else.

Taking place on the same day was the Yu-Gi-Oh! Christmas Charity tournament, where rather than paying entry with money, entry was paid with tinned food for the Chesterfield Foodbank. The event was sponsored by Konami, who donated all the prizes for free.

A total of 28 players entered the tournament and 152 tins of canned food were donated. The overall winner was Luke Bowkis.

Geeks Headquarters is a unique retail store that specialises in a wide range of gaming products, such as boardgames, trading card games, miniature games and roleplaying games, with an eye for collectibles and comics. They also produce unique custom made 3d printed items as additional service for our customers.

Since it opened in 2015, the shop has thrived thanks to a large gaming community of all ages, based locally and in the surrounding areas. The events and tournaments hosted by GHQ have attracted a big crowd of gamers from all the midlands and even further.

The Geeks Headquarters Christmas Party takes place on Sunday 22nd December, find out more here.

Find out more about Geeks Headquarters here.

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

Nominations now open for relaunched Chesterfield High Street Awards 2020

Recognising the changing face of the high street, the annual Chesterfield Retail Awards have a brand-new name and look for 2020 – the Chesterfield High Street Awards – as well as two new categories.

The popular awards are now open to almost every business on Chesterfield’s high street from shops, market traders, events and regeneration projects to estate agents, banks, solicitors and accountants.

The new High Street Business category has been added to this year’s awards’ line up to reflect the diversity of Chesterfield’s high street and is open to all non-retailers except food and drink businesses. While the new Future High Street Award recognises the physical improvements and regeneration of high streets across Chesterfield.

Nominations are now open in the quest to find the best customer-facing high street-based businesses across the borough of Chesterfield.

Organiser of the annual awards, Destination Chesterfield, wants you to say which businesses on the town’s high street are your favourites and why. Nominations are open until midnight on Friday 14 February.

All nominated businesses will be evaluated and a mystery panel of judges will visit businesses shortlisted in 11 of the 15 categories before the winners are announced at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony at Casa Hotel on Wednesday 24 June.

The awards’ relaunch recognises the town’s exceptional businesses, people, events and regeneration projects that are working together to overcome the challenges of a rapidly changing retail environment.

Now in its seventh year, the awards have gone from strength-to-strength; mirroring the town’s economy.

Commenting on the relaunch of the awards for 2020, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The new 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards recognise the contribution that every business based on high streets in the borough is making in creating jobs, attracting visitors to the town, delivering great customer service and collectively helping drive the success of Chesterfield’s economy.

“I urge everyone to get involved and put forward their favourite businesses. We want to celebrate as many as possible in the awards.”

People can now nominate across 12 categories in the 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards:

• High Street Business of the Year
• Future High Street Award
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
• Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year
• Best New Store 2019/2020
• Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
• Home, Gifts & Leisure Retailer of the Year
• Market Trader of the Year
• Independent Retailer of the Year
• National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year
• Best Town Centre Event 2019/2020

The 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors, including Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College Group, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), eBusiness Works, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Peak FM and Q2 Creative.

You can nominate online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/highstreetawards until midnight on Friday 14 February 2020.

Information about the various sponsorship packages are available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/highstreetawards or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator, by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207207.

Nominate Now

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting