Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is working in partnership with The Pilgrim Bandits, to offer customers the chance to win a stunning chair worth over £1,000, upholstered in a replica of the uniform of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE, in their charity draw.

Tickets for the draw are priced at just £5 each and available to be purchased online, right up until the day of the draw itself. All proceeds of the ticket sales will go to the registered charity, The Pilgrim Bandits. To purchase a ticket/tickets, visit the Vicar Lane Facebook page or website for more information.

The draw is a fantastic way for members of the public to show their support for a cause that does so much to help those who make such great sacrifices to serve and protect our country. It is also a fabulous opportunity for one lucky individual to walk away with a unique, statement piece of furniture for their home that is sure to be a talking point for years to come.

The winner will be drawn at 4.30pm on Sunday 18th August – also the day of Chesterfield Motor Fest – and the chair will be presented to the winner, in person, by Ben.

The Pilgrim Bandits were established by a small group of Special Forces veterans in 2007 and registered as a charity in 2010, with the sole aim of using their unique training and experience to help and inspire injured personnel to live life to the full.

Pilgrim Bandits’ primary aim is to help those in need directly, with no compromise. Soon, those who needed help, become those that give it. By pushing injured men and women into physically and mentally demanding situations that they would not have dreamed possible; kayaking extraordinary distances, climbing mountains, jumping from aircraft, running races, trekking across inhospitable terrain, self-confidence is restored and self-belief instilled – Always a Little Further. Pilgrim Bandits pushes those that have already endured so much, to go beyond endurance – to embrace life again and in doing so, inspire others.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “As the date of our draw grows ever near, we’re incredibly excited to provide our customers with the opportunity to obtain such a unique piece of furniture, while showing their support for a charity that helps so many people. ”

Chesterfield’s Summer Play Season opened at the Pomegranate Theatre last night, running until Saturday 7th September.

Theatre goers in Chesterfield can enjoy a series of popular plays as the annual Summer Play Season is underway. The plays are staged at the Pomegranate Theatre, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council and are presented by Paul Taylor-Mills, Olivier Award-Winning Producer and he is also Advisory Producer to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and his repertory company.

The plays include:

Present Laughter (Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 August)

Present Laughter follows successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry has to deal with women who want to seduce him, placate both his long-suffering secretary and his estranged wife, cope with a crazed young playwright, and overcome his impending mid-life crisis.

The Kings Speech (Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 August)

David Seidler’s original play brings the audience face to face with Bertie, Duke of York, as he is thrust onto the world stage as King George VI following his brother’s abdication. With the Nazi threat looming and civil unrest at home, royal secrets explode around Bertie as he struggles to find his voice as King.

Wife Begins at Forty (Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 August)

George, believing he has a happy marriage, is shattered to be told by Linda, his wife of 18 years, that she is going to leave him. With advice from their son, his father, and Roger from next door, George takes drastic steps to rejuvenate his marriage with hilarious consequences.

Dangerous Corner (Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 September)

At their stylish country retreat, Freda and Robert Caplan host a dinner party for their colleagues and friends. Young, beautiful and successful they have the world at their feet. Then a cigarette box and an ill-considered remark spark off a relentless series of revelations and other, more dangerous, secrets are painfully exposed. As the truth spills out about the suicide of Robert’s clever, reckless brother the group’s perfect lives begin to crumble.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “I am proud that the council is able to invest in drama by offering the Summer Play Season at the Pomegranate Theatre, which we own and maintain.”

“The plays on offer will appeal to seasoned theatre-goers as well as someone just looking for an enjoyable evening out.”

Paul Taylor Mills, who presents the Summer Play Season with his repertory company, added: “I am delighted that my summer play festival company are returning to present another season at the lovely Pomegranate Theatre.”

“For our third year we are presenting four great plays including a classic comedy from the master Noel Coward, a fascinating story of a monarch suddenly thrust into the spotlight, a hilarious comedy of suburban manners and an edge of your seat drama from JB Priestley.”

“We are all looking forward to meeting our wonderfully supportive audience again in August and September and hope everyone will enjoy another brilliant season of plays”.

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has given itself a little floral makeover this summer in celebration of ‘Chesterfield in Bloom’.

A number of stunning floral installations have been instated at the centre and will remain in place right across the summer. Visitors are invited to take a look at the flower cart, or pose for a selfie with the Centre’s fabulous floral phone box – perfect for adding that floral touch to anyone’s Instagram feed!

Plus, they are running a competition to name their newly moo-ved in grass cows, for the chance to win a whole lot of moolay – or in this case, a £50 gift voucher. Customers should head to Vicar Lane’s Facebook page to find out more. Terms and conditions apply.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “Chesterfield in Bloom is such a fabulous initiative – a real community effort to make the town more attractive to locals and visitors alike. We’re thrilled to support this with our summer floral theme and hope that everyone enjoys admiring our installations and the photo opportunities that they offer, with the added bonus of the chance to win a £50 voucher!”

Ashgate Hospicecare is sad to announce that their Open Air Cinema and Summer Fair events, due to take place this weekend, have been cancelled due to forecasted severe weather conditions, specifically high winds.

The following events were due to take place on Ashgate Hospicecare’s meadow over the weekend as follows:

Friday 9th August 2019: Mary Poppins Returns, Open Air Cinema (7pm onwards)

Saturday 10th August 2019: Summer Fair (11am – 4pm). Please note, the Rainbow Ribbons ceremony which was scheduled to be held as part of the Summer Fair will no longer be taking place.

Saturday 10th August 2019: Bohemian Rhapsody, Open Air Cinema (7pm onwards)

Carl Jones, Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We’re extremely disappointed to have to cancel our Open Air Cinema and Summer Fair events this weekend. Both fundraising events raise vital funds for the hospice so having to cancel them is devastating.”

“The safety of our supporters, staff, volunteers and suppliers is our first priority. With the severe weather warnings in place, the potential risk is too severe for us to continue with these events at this time.”

“Following conversations with the main events sponsor, Vertu Toyota, we are now planning a ‘Movie Night-In’ over the weekend which we hope the people of North Derbyshire will embrace. Keep an eye on our social media channels for more information.”

If you have booked for the event this weekend and would like your donation refunding, please contact the Ashgate Hospicecare Fundraising Team on 01246 567250. If you have any further questions, please contact fundraising@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk.

Indulge at Chatsworth this summer with an alfresco afternoon tea, on offer for the first time in the garden, as well as the classic luxurious afternoon tea experience in The Flying Childers served on beautiful Wedgwood teaware.

Afternoon tea at Chatsworth showcases the best of local produce, as well as the talents of its bakers who have created an array of delicious cakes and pastries, for the ultimate English experience.

‘Afternoon tea at the Maze’ is available from 26 July to 29 August and includes free parking and admission to the garden. Located under cover by the Maze, this outdoor afternoon tea is the perfect way to sit back and enjoy an indulgent treat and take in summer views of the historic 105 acre garden.

The menu includes hand cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream & Chatsworth jam and an array of sweet treats: individual Bakewell tart, summer fruit sherry trifle, elderflower delice topped with a gin jelly, raspberry and chocolate opera cake and a piña colada pavlova.

Alternatively, the luxurious afternoon tea experience in the The Flying Childers, located in the Stables, is served on Wedgwood teaware and is available to book every day between 11.30am and 4.30pm.

There’s even a special afternoon tea menu so little ones can join in the fun too. The afternoon tea platter designed especially for children starts with a stack of scrumptious jam, ham and cheese sandwiches followed by freshly baked scones piled high with clotted cream and jam and more.

To find out more, and book online, visit www.chatsworth.org/shopping-dining/afternoon-tea