Summer

Ashgate Hospicecare’s Open Air Cinema is back with a bang showing Bohemian Rhapsody and Mary Poppins Returns this summer!

Ashgate Hospicecare is thrilled to announce that their Open Air Cinema is returning this summer with box office hits Bohemian Rhapsody and Mary Poppins Returns.

The events, which will take place from 7:30pm over two nights (Mary Poppins on Friday 9th August and Bohemian Rhapsody on Saturday 10th August), are one of the most successful events in the calendar year and will take place under the night sky on the hospice meadow.

Carl Jones, Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who has already bought tickets for this year’s Open Air Cinema showings. Because of your amazing support, we’re able to care for people across North Derbyshire who really need us the most.

“There are still tickets left for both showings, promising two great films for all the family to enjoy. There will also be a bar on the night with food and drink, including alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee and hot chocolate available for purchase, so come down and enjoy an amazing night knowing that you will be helping to support those in need of hospice care.”

The event is kindly sponsored by Vertu Toyota Chesterfield and the audio visuals will be provided by Urban Entertainment. Because of their amazing support, all donations received from tickets sales will go directly to the hospice.

Claire Fallaway, from Chesterfield in North Derbyshire, said: “I can’t wait for this year’s Open Air Cinema. We came to Ashgate Hospicecare to watch The Greatest Showman here last year and it really was one of the best events we’ve ever been to.”

“The hospice is such an amazing place that supports the local community, so to be able to support them whilst having fun with friends and family really is a win-win. I promise it’s an event not to be missed!”

Parking is available across the road from Ashgate Hospicecare in Ash Green (S42 7JE). Disabled parking will be in Ashgate Hospicecare’s main car park. There is also a free park and ride service from DXC Technology, Manor Road, Brampton.

Check out ideas of more things to do in Chesterfield this year at www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Celebrating the best local produce

There is an abundance of food producers in and around Chesterfield and nine businesses nominated by the public last week took part in the final of the Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Check out our latest blog from Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager.

There is a diverse range of food and drink available from suppliers and producers located within ten miles of Chesterfield.  The produce available at this year’s final ranged from tea to gin, from pickles to sausages and from cakes to chocolate.

The Food Producer of the Year final allows producers to showcase their products to local businesses, as well as raising the profile of their businesses through being part of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

It is important to Destination Chesterfield to build links and be able to tell the story of these unique businesses as part of the work we do to promote Chesterfield.

It’s also a great opportunity to remind both businesses and local residents to shop local and trade local.  There are plenty of opportunities to try and buy from these excellent businesses – from restaurants and bars, local markets, independent shops and directly from the producer’s premises or online.

There are lots of reasons why to support our local producers:-

  • It is good for the local economy!   By spending money with local producers, who employ people who live in North Derbyshire, more will go back into the local economy than spending elsewhere;
  • The local produce we grow and make is part of the town’s distinctiveness and an important part of what visitors want to experience when they are on a short break or holiday;
  • These businesses help to raise the profile of the area as they grow and supply goods further afield;
  • Reducing the amount of food miles in your purchases will have a positive impact on the environment;
  • Most importantly it tastes amazing!

We will be announcing the three finalists of the Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year soon, but you can find out all about the businesses that took part in the judging below; please do go and try them out.


All things brownie beautifulAll Things Brownie Beautiful

From exceptionally rich dark chocolate, to farm sourced free range eggs and pan-simmered, salted caramel, All Things Brownie Beautiful is a prime example of ‘the proof is in the pudding!’  Its secret recipe brownie batter provides the base to over 30 flavours with many ingredients currently in season.

The popularity of its flavour combinations and the loyalty of its customers has allowed an increase in weekly production and sales now average at 1000 brownies per week.  All Things Brownie Beautiful travels the country spreading a chocolate-y smile at food festivals, farmers markets and county shows, where the team speaks proudly about Chesterfield and their delight in living here.

Find out more and order brownies

 


Original Recipes Ltd

Original Recipes Ltd

Original Recipes was founded in 2012 by Will and Alistair Sutherland – a father and son team with a real desire to introduce quality and unadulterated pâtés, terrines and potted meats into a market flooded with low-quality products.

After five successful years, Will and Alistair decided to enter the food service market – and Pro Chef was born. Since 2017, the main focus has been on producing terrine, pâté and parfait products for chefs.  Pro Chef incorporates the company’s small batch, clean label, chef led ethos whilst providing chefs with peace of mind through consistent quality in each slice.

Find out more.


 

Liza Bakes

Liza Bakes

Liza Bakes creates delicious cakes, puddings, tarts and scones. The team makes premium, award-winning, authentic, artisan products using natural and where possible, locally sourced ingredients.  Liza Bakes is proud to cater for customers with Gluten, Dairy, Nut or Egg intolerances as well as Vegetarian or Vegan preferences…so everyone can enjoy Liza Bakes Cakes!

Customers range from local farm shops to high street stores and coffee shops to pubs and restaurants.

Liza Bakes has won numerous ‘Great Taste’ awards over the last few years, including a prestigious 2 star award for its delicious Orange Polenta cake in 2017.  It was also a finalist in the ‘British Baker’ awards ‘free from’ category last year for its Coffee and Walnut cake.

Find out more.


Moss Valley

Moss Valley Fine Meats

Moss Valley Fine Meats produces pork, bacon, ham and sausages in its own butchery from pigs bred and reared on its farm in the beautiful Moss Valley.  The family has farmed locally for a hundred years in farm buildings dating from the 9th, 14th and 16th centuries. It also grows around 200 acres of cereals and oilseeds, all of which go back trough the pigs.

The business is run by Karen and Stephen and their eldest son, Oliver, who works both on and off the farm.

Moss Valley Fine Meats supplies over 60% of the restaurants in the Sheffield / NE Derbyshire area.

Find out more.


Little Morton Farm

Little Morton Farm

Little Morton Farm is a small family farm based in North Wingfield, Chesterfield, specialising in keeping pigs, pig arks and supplying chickens. Run by Tom Beckingham and his family, the main objective of Little Morton Farm is food production of the highest quality.

Find out more.


 

Cacoa Pickle Co

Cacoa Elora

A local producer working to raise the quality of the standard of chocolate, which is available to the consumer in north Derbyshire, using lower levels of sugar, sourcing cacao responsibly and raising awareness of the fine cacao which is grown and available.

The company is one of only 25 or so such producers in the UK, has received a Great Taste Award and is currently awaiting the result of the Academy of Chocolate Awards 2019.

Find out more! 


Crooked Pickle Co

The Crooked Pickle Co. was established in 2018 after realising that there was a distinct gap in the UK market for inventive and tasty pickled vegetables. Sure, you can find “pickles” such as chutney on every local market, but freshly-picked vegetables preserved in a pickling vinegar are hard to find. Supermarkets usually only offer the same old fare of pickled onions, gherkins and beetroot.  Nothing wrong with that, but it’s been the same since 19-whenever.

Crooked Pickle is based in the shadow of Chesterfield’s famous Crooked Spire church and because all of its veg is hand-cut and not always straight, it thought there was really no better name!

Find out more.


Derbyshire Distillery

Derbyshire Distillery was set up early in 2018. Its aim was simple: to produce fantastic gins, vodkas and liqueurs using the best local and international ingredients and fresh, cool Derbyshire water.

It uses a combination of traditional copper alembic stills alongside its state-of-the-art Genio Still to deliver beautifully crafted, small batch spirits.

Find out more.

 


Cup and Saucer

Cup & Saucer is a small independent business, based in the heart of Derbyshire, just a stones throw away from the beautiful Peak District, which influences many of its products.

The business is passionate about good-quality tea, and provides customers with a variety of unique flavours.

Find out more.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Destination Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Life’s a Beach at Vicar Lane

Summer may mean sun, sea and sand for some, but for the many that are not going to make it to the coast to feel the sand between their toes this summer, Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has got the perfect solution.

Once again, the centre will be making their very own beach, so that customers can come and enjoy some seaside fun – with 20% of all proceeds going to charity.

From 7th – 17th August 2019, customers are invited to kit the kids out with a bucket and spade and sink their toes into the centre’s giant sandpit, while the little ones create the monster of all sandcastles. There will be the chance to treat them to a ride on the teacups, challenge them to a game of hook-a-duck and spoil them with mouth-watering sweet treats – because we all do like to be beside the seaside!

Ashgate Hospicecare is Vicar Lane’s chosen charity this summer and 20% of all proceeds of your summer fun at the Vicar Lane beach, will go towards helping those affected by life-limiting illness, to live a more comfortable life through hospice care and a range of therapy and support services.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “It can be quite a challenge for parents and carers of young children, to keep them entertained for the entire 6 week break, so we wanted to provide something to give them a little helping hand with the added bonus of giving a little something to such a worthwhile cause.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Vicar Lane’s Doggy Day Was a Bone-a-fide Hit!

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is like a dog with two tails following the success of their event, which was dedicated to the furry four-legged friends in our lives, from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 20th July.

Vicar Lane invited customers to come along with their canine friends to enjoy a variety of activities plus free treats (for the good girls and boys).

During ‘Yappy Hour’ our furry friends enjoyed free dog treats and bottomless water from the drinking stations, while their humans enjoyed a free mocktail* (*while stocks lasted).

There was also the opportunity for customers to ‘strut their mutt’ around the centre’s mini agility course, which included a series of play jumps, seesaws, tunnels and slaloms. With rosettes for star performers and dog treats in abundance for all!

The centre’s pawfect event assistants were on hand to ensure that all four and two-legged guests had a wag-tastic time – and that, they did!

The event saw a steady stream of visitors with their four legged friends pop in to enjoy the day with customer feedback including:

“We heard about this event through Facebook and stayed all day, it was excellent!”

‘’We spent a good few hours at the event, watching all the dogs and taking part, there was nothing they could have done better.”

“We saw this as we were waking past and only stayed for ten minutes, it was great and there were some really funny dogs.”

“Loved the day, we saw our dog Princess included and liked seeing all the other dogs.’’

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re absolutely thrilled at the success and popularity of this event. We’ve become increasingly aware of the number of dog-lovers throughout the town, so it was great to host an event, especially for them!”

doggy day

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Five Chesterfield parks keep their Green Flags

Five of Chesterfield’s parks maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council have once again received Green Flag awards.

The parks and open spaces, maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council, received the recognition from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy after inspections held last month.

The Green Flags were awarded to:

  • Eastwood Park, Hasland
  • Holmebrook Valley Park
  • Poolsbrook Country Park
  • Queen’s Park
  • The grounds of Chesterfield and District Crematorium in Brimington, which are maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council on behalf of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee, which consists of Bolsover District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I’m really proud of the quality of the parks and open spaces we have here in Chesterfield.”

“They are appreciated by our residents and visitors and are a credit to the staff and volunteers who work hard year-round to maintain them to the highest standards which have once again been recognised by the Green Flag award.”

This international award is a sign to the public that the green spaces space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

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

Derbyshire vs Yorkshire at Queen’s Park is sold out!

Derbyshire County Cricket Club have announced that Saturday’s Vitality Blast opener against Yorkshire at Queen’s Park is now SOLD OUT.

The match sees the return of explosive Twenty20 cricket to Derbyshire, as the Falcons take on Yorkshire as the climax of the BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

For the third-consecutive year, the game will be played in front of a sellout crowd at Queen’s Park, with Dominic Cork’s side aiming to make it three wins in-a-row over their rivals.

The club received unprecedented demand for the eagerly-awaited local derby against Yorkshire with almost 5,000 supporters purchasing their matchday tickets in advance.

With capacity now reached, only matchday ticket holders will gain entry into the ground and tickets will not be available for sale on the gates. Members and Six Pack Ticket holders who have not already claimed their matchday ticket will also not be able to gain entry.

Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “Facing Yorkshire is always one of the highlights of the season and we’re really pleased that the fixture has once again sold out.

“It’s great that our first Twenty20 match of the season will be played in front of a capacity crowd in Chesterfield to round off another well-supported week of cricket in the north of the county.

“This is a fantastic summer for the sport, with the World Cup victory, an Ashes series on home soil and a packed domestic calendar. It’s pleasing to see the continued support for county cricket and we look forward to what is now an exciting block of Vitality Blast matches.

“We’re continually grateful to our Members and supporters and we know we have a strong base in Chesterfield. We’d also like to thank our Principal Partners, Pattonair, Festival sponsors, BRM Solicitors, and Chesterfield Borough Council for their continued support.”

Rainbow at Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

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

Judges visit blooming marvellous Chesterfield

Chesterfield played host to judges from the East Midlands in Bloom committee to judge the borough’s entry into the regional competition.

Chesterfield in Bloom is a year-round campaign, led by volunteers working with Chesterfield Borough Council to make continual improvements to the borough’s environment.

As part of the tour on Friday 12 July, the judges visited some of Chesterfield’s parks and green spaces, including the Green Flag award winning parks at Queen’s Park and the grounds of Chesterfield and District Crematorium. They also met volunteers and residents who have entered the Chesterfield in Bloom best kept garden competition.

Caroline Pollard, East Midlands in Bloom judge said: “It’s a very vibrant town centre, we’ve seen a very busy market and we’ve seen how some really colourful floral displays make such a big difference to the town centre, they really make it a lovely place to be.”

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “Chesterfield in Bloom is such a great campaign, it takes part in helping to improve the local environment. It’s great to see that the Bloom projects and competitions throughout Chesterfield bring a variety of people together throughout the year.”

Chesterfield won three gold awards in last year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition. The results of this year’s awards will be announced in September.

Chesterfield In Bloom

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Pronto Industrial Paints to sponsor Wellbeing Challenge for the second year running

Following the success of last year’s sponsorship, Pronto Paints is pleased to be announced the latest official partner of the 2019 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, set to take place in October this year.
They will be returning as the sponsor of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Wellbeing Challenge. In 2018, the Wellbeing Challenge saw more than 15 teams enter as a group into the 13.1-mile Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, the Peak FM Five Mile Run and 1km Blachford Fun Run.

This year, they are calling on businesses, community groups, schools and families to engage with the Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge to promote a healthy lifestyle.

David Beckford, Managing Director at Pronto Industrial Paints added: “we all know that health and wellbeing is important, both inside and outside working environment.

“We’re passionate about health and wellbeing at Pronto Paints and always promote physical activity to our employees, who encourage each other to be more physically active.
“The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Wellbeing Challenge, and the idea behind it, fits with our company ethos which is why we’re delighted to have returned as a partner of the 2019 event following a fantastic first outing in 2018.”

John Timms, Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Event Director, said: “We’re really pleased to have Pronto Paints back on board for the 2019 Half Marathon.

“The Wellbeing Challenge was a great success last year and we’re looking forward to it growing it this time out. It’s a superb event to enter providing a bit of healthy competition between friends, family and colleagues.”

For more details or to enter the Wellbeing Challenge contact the Redbrik Half Marathon team via the events official website to declare entry into the Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge and receive a discount code for all team member to use.

The discount is available across all three races on the day including the Redbrik Half Marathon, Peak FM Five Mile Run and Blachford Fun Run.

Find out more about the Chesterfield Half Marathon

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

Strut Your Mutt at Vicar Lane’s Doggy Day!

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is excited to announce plans for a day completely dedicated to the furry four-legged friends in our lives, from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 20th July.

On the day, Vicar Lane is inviting customers to come along with their canine friends, to enjoy a variety of activities, plus free treats (for the good girls and boys).

During ‘Yappy Hour’ our furry friends will be able to enjoy free dog treats and bottomless water from the drinking stations, while their humans will be able to enjoy a free mocktail* (*while stocks last).

There will also be the opportunity for customers to ‘strut their mutt’ around the centre’s mini agility course, which includes a series of play jumps, seesaws, tunnels and slaloms. There will be a rosette for star performers and dog treats in abundance for all!

The centre’s pawfect event assistants will be on hand to ensure that all four and two-legged guests have a wag-tastic time!

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re so excited to welcome our four-legged friends and their families to Vicar Lane for one great day of doggy fun! We’re sure the day will create some fantastic laughs and camera-worthy moments for everyone to enjoy!”

Vicar Lane Doggy Day

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

New sports pitch to inspire future athletes

Chesterfield’s new artificial sports pitch on the site of the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre is now taking bookings in readiness for its opening during the summer.

The floodlit all-weather pitch built and maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council is big enough to support either one seven-a-side game or two five-a-side games at a time.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, the council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “With the success  of the Women’s World Cup and the great results so far the England team inspiring a new generation of sportswomen, the need for somewhere for them to train and play their games is greater than ever.”

“I would encourage any group, club  or organisation wanting to access this excellent facility to make contact as soon as possible as we are expending demand to be high given the high specification of the development.”

The pitch helps to meet a need identified by the Football Association and Sport England to increase the number of artificial pitches available in the borough.

The pitch is built on the site of the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

Anyone interested in using the pitch, contact the team at Queen’s Park Sports Centre by emailing qpscenquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk or call (01246) 345555.

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

Vicar Lane Joins Forces with The Pilgrim Bandits

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, has announce a partnership with The Pilgrim Bandits, to offer customers the chance to win a stunning chair, upholstered in a replica uniform of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE, in a charity draw.

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.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re proud and excited to be working in partnership with The Pilgrim Bandits for their worthwhile cause. It’s a great opportunity for one lucky person to acquire a totally unique piece of furniture, while showing their support for a charity that helps so many people.”

The chair is worth over £1,000 and tickets are priced at just £5 each, available to be purchased on the  right up until the day of the draw itself all proceeds of the ticket sales will go to the registered charity, The Pilgrim Bandits.

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

Chesterfield MotorFest is a must-visit for classic car fans, petrol heads and families alike, with over 200 cars on display throughout the town including an American car showcase and supercar experience in Vicar Lane itself, as well as live music and stalls.

To purchase a ticket/tickets for the prize draw visit https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/vicarlanecharitychairdraw

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting