The 2017 OVO Women’s Tour in Derbyshire promises to be an amazing cycling spectacle – and we’d love to see how women and girls across the county have been inspired!

That’s why in the lead-up to Stage Four on June 10, as well as on the day itself, we want you to post your cycling snaps on social media using your smartphones.

The best image of women and girls that promotes cycling and encourages others to get out their bikes will win a Women’s Tour cycling jersey.

Remember – any kind of cycling counts, whether you are getting the bike out of the shed for the first time since school, or clock up the miles every chance you get.

Your picture could be riding with your family in the local park, or along one of Derbyshire’s many, easy access, traffic-free cycles routes.

You might be a keen mountain bike or track cyclist, have pictures of your daughter at a School Games cycling event or be gearing up for the Eroica Britannia Cycling Festival, which is taking place from June 16 to 18.

Whatever imagery you have, please share it with us so we can highlight to others the huge health and social benefits of cycling, as well as savings on travel costs.

Simply post your entries on the Derbyshire Sport, Cycling Derbyshire, Derbyshire County Council, Chesterfield Borough Council  or ChesterfieldUK Facebook or Twitter pages, using the hashtag #OVOWT.

Images will then be added to a gallery on Derbyshire Sport’s 2017 OVO Women’s Tour website page, where you can also find when and where the race passes through your area, plus all the latest news.

The best picture will be judged by a panel from Derbyshire Sport, Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council. Its decision will be final.

Closing date for entries is Wednesday June 14 at 5pm and the winner will be announced soon after.

You can also keep up to date through the Women’s Tour pages of Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, who are joint sponsors of stage four through Derbyshire.

Their valued support is part of the push to make Derbyshire the most connected and integrated cycling county in England by 2030, as outlined in The Derbyshire Cycling Plan.

The county wants to be recognised as a world class cycling destination for all, with more people of all ages and abilities on two wheels on a regular basis for leisure, active travel, commuting and sport.

Chesterfield Borough Council and Cancer Research UK have teamed up for the town’s ninth Race for Life on Sunday 11th June.

Women of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities can walk, jog or run 5k to raise money to help beat cancer. All women are welcome and boys under 11 are welcome too.

Residents are also being encouraged to volunteer at the event. There are a variety or voluntary roles available to help make the event run smoothly on the day.

• Event Day Volunteer – Get stuck in with anything – from pitching flags and hanging banners to handing out water and medals.
• Course Marshal Volunteer – Cheer on the runners, walkers and joggers as they take on the course and lift some spirits along the way.
• Enquiries Volunteer – Help ease the nerves by supporting runners and spectators with their queries

For more information about volunteering or to sign up as a volunteer click here.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy said:-

“All of us will at some point have a personal experience with cancer and, for this reason, we are pleased to welcome women taking part in the race to Chesterfield.

“There will be some disruption for road users and people wanting to park in the town centre but we have worked to keep this to a minimum to allow us to support this worthy cause.

“The very best of luck to everyone taking part.”

The event starts from Chesterfield Town Hall on Rose Hill at 10.30am.

To enable the event to run smoothly Chesterfield Borough Council will temporarily close Queens Park North car park, Rose Hill car park and Albion Road car park.

During the race alternative parking can be found at Holywell Cross (Donut), Ashgate Road or Queen’s Park South car parks.

Soresby Street car park will also open only for participants in the event. It will reopen to the public once the race is finished.

Several roads around the town centre including around the Town Hall, Knifesmithgate, Elder Way, around the Crooked Spire church and sections of West Bars, New Beetwell Street, Boythorpe Avenue and Park Road will also be closed for periods between early morning and early afternoon while the race takes place.

Chesterfield is set to experience a blooming riot of colour this summer as residents get set to enter the annual best kept garden competition as part of the Chesterfield in Bloom campaign.

Chesterfield in Bloom is led by a committee of local residents supported by Chesterfield Borough Council.

More than 100 people took part in the competition last year, which is open to all Chesterfield borough residents.

There are nine categories in the competition:

• Best front garden – sponsored by Dunston Hall/New Leaf Garden Centres
• Best back garden (up to 80m²) – sponsored by Chesterfield Markets
• Best back garden (larger than 80m²)
• Best container garden/hanging basket
• Best blooming pub/restaurant
• Best kept allotment site (two acres and above)
• Best kept allotment site (less than two acres)
• Best kept individual allotment plot (150m² and above). – sponsored by the Friends of Eastwood Park
• Best kept individual allotment plot (less than 150m²).

Everyone who enters the competition is automatically entered into the best overall garden category – sponsored by N T Killingley Ltd.

The judging will be carried out by Chesterfield in Bloom committee members and Chesterfield Borough Council staff.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said:-

“Chesterfield in Bloom is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our wonderful borough.

“It’s not only for people with large gardens, people who have hanging baskets or grow the best fresh veggies on their allotments can also enter.”

Chesterfield in Bloom forms the borough’s entry into the regional East Midlands in Bloom competition.

Last year, Chesterfield won gold in the small cities category of the competition.

Visitors are invited to explore outdoors this half term at Chatsworth with a week-long Water Spectacular featuring magnificent displays from the Emperor Fountain, reaching the staggering equivalent height of 14 double decker buses.

With the May bank holiday set for glorious weather, visitors can also marvel at the impressive site of water tumbling over the roof of the Cascade House before it flows over the stone steps designed to mimic the sound of music.

Other spectacular water features on display are the Ring Pond and Willow Tree Fountain. A survivor from the 17th century garden, the Ring Pond’s original columns originally stood in the garden at Chiswick House in west London but moved to Chatsworth in 1893. The Willow Tree Fountain was designed as a practical joke when it was first ‘planted’ in its own little dell back in the 17th century. The artificial tree of brass often catches out the unwary with its sprays of water.

Free drop-in tours of the water features will take place five times a day. Starting from the bottom of the Cascade, tours will focus on the waterworks with a short five minute talk before each feature is turned on.

Chatsworth’s Paul Hayes said:-

“With glorious sunshine predicted for the bank holiday, we’re confident visitors will be in awe of the spectacular water features here at Chatsworth. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the full potential of our waterworks and a chance to cool off in the spray of the impressive Emperor Fountain as it shoots 200 feet into the air, more than double its usual playing height of 75 feet!”

Hands-on activities will also be on offer over the weekend (27-28 May) in the Stickyard. Visitors are invited to join the education team and volunteers from Moors for the Future and discover more about moorlands and the plants and animals that live on the moors above Chatsworth.

Face painting, shire horse and dray rides plus live performances from the barrel organ will also be taking place throughout the holiday, offering visitors the perfect family-friendly day out this half term.

Local people and visitors to Chesterfield can have a go at the traditional Derbyshire art of well dressing at an event organised by Chesterfield Borough Council this bank holiday weekend.

The event takes place at Revolution House from Saturday 27 to Monday 29 May.

This historic house is open each of these days from 11am to 4pm.

Visitors can have a go at the art and create their own masterpiece.

Chesterfield Borough Council will also have a well dressing on display at the RHS Flower show being held at Chatsworth House from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 June.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“Each year, people come from near and far to visit our well dressings and this event will give them the opportunity to try out the art of well dressing for themselves.

“I’d encourage families to come along and take part in the activity together.”

Over 50% of tickets for the NatWest T20 Blast local derby versus Yorkshire at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, have already been sold – with two months still to go. The fixture is part of the Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council which runs from Monday 4 July to Saturday 8 July.

Further details of the Derbyshire stage of this year’s Women’s Tour have been announced.

Organisers finalised the route after driving it as part of a nationwide “recce” of the five-stage race.

Top women cyclists from across the globe are set to take to Derbyshire’s roads on Saturday, 10 June 2017, to battle it out for first place in the penultimate stage of the hotly-contested race.

As the Tour’s toughest stage, it will take in a wide mix of rural and urban areas starting and finishing in Chesterfield and passing through some of the county’s best-known market towns including Belper, Bolsover and Wirksworth.

Today organisers named the locations of some of the stage’s most exciting elements − the Eisberg Sprints and SKODA Queen of the Mountains sections.

Eisberg Sprints will take place in Belper and Staveley, while the SKODA Queen of the Mountains climbs will be in Crich and Middleton Top. Final details are due to be confirmed in May.

Women’s Tour Stage 4 Route – Courtesy of Derbyshire Sport

Derbyshire County Council, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure Councillor Dean Collins said:

“Bringing this prestigious race back to Derbyshire is a great opportunity for us to showcase the county on an international stage.

“The best cyclists from around the world will be competing to win what’s going to be a very tough stage and I’d urge everyone to get involved.

“This year it takes in lots of places it didn’t visit last year, including Bolsover and Staveley, and now we know the exact route families can plan the best place to watch it from. I hope people will come along and enjoy everything it offers − a very exciting event in one of the country’s most spectacular counties.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:

“This is going to be a great weekend for people in Chesterfield and Derbyshire with The Women’s Tour, the RHS Flower Show at Chatsworth House and the Race for Life taking place in Chesterfield on the Sunday.

“There will be lots of places for people to follow the action of The Women’s Tour with the start and finish in Chesterfield town centre and I’m particularly pleased that the route will go through Staveley this year − allowing residents to join in the excitement.

“We are planning cycle and fitness activities and we will be releasing details about them closer to the event.”

Women’s secretary of the Bolsover and District Cycling Club, Jay Stocks, said the whole club was excited to see the race coming to their “patch” and would be out in force to support it.

She said:

“It’s even more accessible because it’s on a Saturday this time, so more people will be able to come and see it.

“We have some cracking hills around here with amazing views and we’ll be riding the route ourselves before the race.”

All of the world’s top 15 teams will take part in the race, which is a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour. It includes the world’s number one team Boels Dolmans, of defending race champion Lizzie Deignan (formerly Armitstead), ensuring British fans can again look forward to cheering on the world’s best riders.

In addition the British-based Drops and Sheffield-based WNT teams will complete the 17-team field.

Highlights of every stage will be broadcast on ITV4 and available on demand via the ITV Hub.

Mick Bennett, race director for The Women’s Tour said:

“We’re delighted to be returning to Chesterfield and Derbyshire after the success of last year’s stage. With the stage coming on a weekend we’re hoping it will be even bigger and better than ever.”

Find out more about the event here.

Great Britain’s heptathlon star, JESSICA ENNIS-HILL, has today stepped up her mission to help get the nation fit and healthy, by teaming up with Vitality to launch VitalityMove – two incredible events that combine her passion for running and music and her desire to encourage everyone to take achievable steps to a healthy life.

The event at Chatsworth scheduled for the 9th July is set to attract 10,000s of people and will play host to a range of great activities for families, beginners and committed runners alike. From one mile music fun runs and family races, to the more traditional 5k and 10k distances, VitalityMove represents an exciting new format for events in the UK, with a focus on encouraging people to move more by making running fun.

All of the runs will take place alongside themed music that will be specifically developed by Jessica’s friend – legendary DJ, TREVOR NELSON. Trevor will be attending both events alongside Jessica, using his music expertise combined with an understanding of what the British public run to, to help inspire the nation to get active.

Speaking about the event, Jessica said: “I have been so lucky to have got so much out of my sport – not only a career but a lifestyle. Leading a healthy and active life does not have to be a chore – it really can be enjoyable. I have teamed up with Vitality to create new events that aim to be inclusive and to appeal to as many people as possible – using music and running together to create a fun atmosphere. Whether you are a first time runner or a seasoned athlete we will cater for you – and hopefully make it a day to remember. But above all we want the experience leaving you to want to do more events.

Vitality’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives, and the partnership with Jessica to stage VitalityMove is a great way to highlight the importance of health and wellness.

Baking superstars Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry joined Olympic Medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill to ensure a golden year for the Chatsworth Country Fair in front of tens of thousands of visitors.

As honorary Country Fair President, Jessica Ennis-Hill opened the annual event on Friday alongside the Duke of Devonshire. The Grand Ring delivered an action-packed schedule on all three days, with show-stopping entertainment coming from The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the hugely popular Household Cavalry Musical Ride; and a parachute display from Jump4Heroes.

The crowds were also be treated to an awe-inspiring aerobatic display by the Red Arrows. The Royal Air Force team famous for their trademark combinations of close formation flying, dynamic loops and rolls, appeared on Friday and Sunday.

Over in the Aga Rangemaster Cookery Theatre, a star-studded line-up of top TV food celebrities shared their top culinary tips, led by Great British Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood on Friday; queen of baking and show favourite Mary Berry on Saturday.

After opening the show Jessica Ennis-Hill travelled around the showground meeting visitors, exhibitors and performers. “I have always loved visiting Chatsworth – it is such a beautiful venue with the most amazing grounds.  It is not far from home and when I get a day off I often visit for a walk and relax. Now I have a little boy I enjoy visiting the adventure play area with him and we always pop into the farm shop on the way home for a few bits of local produce.”

The Duke of Devonshire: “We’ve seen some wonderful performances including the Household Cavalry and, of course, the Red Arrows, and we’ve been delighted to have Jessica Ennis-Hill as Country Fair President. They’re all great ambassadors for our country and I’m sure the thousands of visitors who have been here for the past few days have enjoyed seeing them as much as we have.”

Jessica Ennis-Hill joins an illustrious list of fair presidents from BBC gardening favourite Alan Titchmarsh, England cricketer Michael Vaughan and IAAF President Sebastian Coe to Countryfile presenter Adam Henson and the Olympic rower and former Red Sock Matthew Pinsent CBE.

Dates for next year’s Chatsworth Country Fair have been confirmed as 1-3 September 2017.