The efforts and achievements of individuals and groups who are using physical activity to help improve the lives of people across Derbyshire have been recognised at the first ‘Towards an Active Derbyshire’ Awards.

The event showcased individuals who have used physical activity to achieve outstanding change in themselves, as well as some incredible tales of what others have done to transform the lives, health and wellbeing of members of their communities.

The awards celebrated all of the amazing work happening in our communities and Active Derbyshire, who organised the event, wanted the opportunity to thank the volunteers, groups and staff who help to make physical activity the norm.

The inaugural Towards an active Derbyshire Awards, organised by Active Derbyshire, were held at the Sports Direct Auditorium in Shirebrook on Wednesday, March 6, and sponsored by Chesterfield College, Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Strategic Leisure, Legacy Leisure, Active Nation, and Derbyshire County Council.

Attended by 200 guests, the event was hosted by Colin Hazelden (right) and included performances from choir CoDA Chromatics, dance group Trinity Warriors, and a spoken word performance from Rhythmical Mike.

The winner of the Change4Life Award was 64-year-old Norman Todd, who joined Livewell, Derby City Council’s free healthy lifestyle service, four years ago. Through physical activity and healthy eating Norman lost ten stone in one year alone, and is now physical active for up to three hours every day.

The This Girl Can Award was presented to Sophie Widdowson from Duckmanton (below) who has lost weight after taking part in multiple sporting sessions and activities and also going on to regional and national success in both tennis and basketball.

Martial arts coach Dave Cartawick, who has been coaching in Chesterfield for more than 25 years, was named Community Coach of the Year. He is passionate about engaging young people in sport and activity and works with local schools, Chesterfield College and community groups to increase participation in sport in general and martial arts in particular, running regular classes to encourage children and teenagers to become more active.

Chesterfield College’s Healthy Lifestyle project was named Project or Innovation of the Year. Funded by Sport England through the Tackling Inactivity in Colleges stream, the project is designed to open out physical activity opportunities to students that have been identified as physically inactive, primarily women and girls, disabled students and students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Active Derbyshire works in partnership with the local authorities and a wide range of other partners to get people active in Derbyshire.

A full list of winners and runners-up can be found here.

Photography credit: Ian Hodgkinson- PictureIt Media

Chesterfield’s Memory Market will take place on Thursday 23 May 2019 to help show dementia patients and their families where they can turn for help locally.

More than 3,800 patients are living with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia in North Derbyshire and Hardwick. Across the same area it is estimated that a further 2,000 patients are probably living with the early signs of the illness, which affects people’s brain function and memory, and is more common among older people.

Chesterfield-based NHS nurse Trevor Hall is co-ordinating the Memory Market Place on 23 May in Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel from 12pm – 4pm.

Trevor said: “By 2025 the number of people over 85 is expected to rise by 76%. As there is a positive relationship between the number of older people and the number of people with dementia the need for us to create dementia-friendly communities has never been stronger.”

The Chesterfield Memory Market Place – now in its fifth year – has grown in popularity and size as a way to bring together, under one roof, a whole range of support organisations for patients, their carers and families living with dementia.

The free event is open to all, to come and see the range of help available and to get ideas and support for how to live well with dementia. Trevor, who is based at Walton Hospital, added: “This event is aimed at everyone who is worried about a loved one’s memory, is already living with a diagnosis of dementia or simply wants to know more about what’s on offer.

“People can call in for five minutes or stay all afternoon – it is completely free and easy. They’ll have the opportunity to visit stalls, meet and talk in a relaxed and informal environment about all elements of living with dementia or just find out what’s available.

“It’s a unique opportunity to make contact with so many different organisations and agencies who come together jointly to offer help and guidance.”

The different agencies represented will include health, social care, voluntary and private sector organisations.

For more information click here.

Can’t wait for Christmas? Anton Benson Productions’ Beauty and the Beast pantomime comes to Chesterfield on Saturday 13th April.

Former Atomic Kitten star, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here winner and household favourite Kerry Katona stars as the Atomic Fairy. Kerry will be joined by long-serving Heartbeat cast member Tricia Penrose as her sparring partner, the evil Enchantress. National Treasure Basil Brush will play sidekick to the Beast and X-Factor finalist turned CBBC’s Got What It Takes presenter Lauren Platt will play Belle.

Completing the cast are returning Easter Panto favourites Ryan Greaves as Wally and Phylip Harries as the Dame Dolly, plus Karl Greenwood as the Beast and Michael Winsor as Claude. Juvenile dancers will be provided by local dance schools. All accompanied by fantastic live musicians.

Belle lives a quiet provincial life in the village of Ooh La La until her father accidentally stumbles across a terrifying Beast and she is taken captive. Now it is up to the Atomic Fairy, the village idiot Wally and his mother Dame Dolly to pit their wits against the evil Enchantress and rescue Belle from the Beast…

Audiences can expect two and a half hours of toe-tapping song and dance, stunning costumes, fantastic sets and effects all wrapped up in a hilarious laugh-a-minute script.

Producer Anton Benson said “A panto is for life and not just for Christmas. The regulars at our home venues love our annual Christmas shows and given how much of a hit our previous Easter panto tours have been, we are delighted to be back out on the road with this hilarious Easter production.”

To find out more click here.

There were celebrations at the Pomegranate Theatre as the popular venue, owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council, celebrates its 70^th anniversary.

A reception was held where actors, directors, writers, regular customers and Chesterfield Theatre Friends mingled with councillors and theatre staff to celebrate the achievements of the last 70 years.

Then known as Chesterfield Civic Theatre, the theatre was opened by well-known film and stage actress Kathleen Harrison on 19 February 1949.

It was the first civic theatre in the country following legislation brought in by Atlee’s post-war Government and was originally a repertory theatre offering a new show each week.

Among the original company of actors was Peter Sallis, best known for playing Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine and for voicing Wallace and Gromit. Other actors to tread the boards in the early years include Dame Penelope Keith, best known for The Good Life and To the Manor Born and John Challis, known as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses.

Chesterfield Borough Council continues to own and maintain the venue, which was extensively refurbished in 2014 with funding from the council and Arts Council England.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are proud of the history of the Pomegranate Theatre which has entertained so many people from Chesterfield and beyond for the last 70 years.

“We are also proud to fund and maintain the theatre, which with its programme of drama, comedy, dance and film continues to go from strength to strength – here’s to the next 70 years.”

The theatre is currently hosting a repertory season to commemorate the anniversary. To book, visit: www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk.

An exhibition celebrating the history of the theatre as well as the 25^th anniversary of Chesterfield Museum and the 140^th anniversary of the Stephenson Memorial Hall where they are both housed is currently open at  the museum on St Mary’s Gate.

The museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, Admission is free but donations are welcome to cover the cost of events.

Ashgate Hospicecare’s Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk is back with a bang! This year it will be held on Saturday 6th July starting at 10pm. Take full advantage of the early bird offer of only £10 ending on Friday 22^nd March at midnight.

Chesterfield’s biggest fundraising event keeps growing year on year and, last year, saw over 2,500 people come together to raise over £200,000 for those in need of hospice care.

Ebony and Sam, from Fresh Ideas on Chatsworth Road, spoke to the team at Ashgate Hospicecare about why they are walking the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk. They said: “We’ve been walking the Sparkle Night Walk for four years and the atmosphere is always very happy, especially near the main stage when everybody’s lining up and they’re all jolly and eager to get going.

Whether you’re a business or a group of friends, just sign up! Absolutely anybody can do the Sparkle Night Walk – no excuses!”

Jack Wood, Events Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said “This year’s Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk promises to be the best one yet. There is so much more going on this year and we can’t wait to surprise you with what we have in store.

Thousands of walkers donned their pink t-shirts and bunny ears last year and raised vital funds for Ashgate Hospicecare. It was a night to remember. We can’t wait to see those familiar faces and new ones this year!”

Thousands of local people gave fantastic feedback on last year’s event. Eileen Lowe, from Matlock in Derbyshire, said, “What an amazing night. Walking down the bypass was surreal, the atmosphere was electric. Thanks to all the volunteers & public who cheered us on. Such a worthwhile cause!”

Maggie Harrison, from Alfreton in Derbyshire, said, “I had never done the night walk before but now I have made it an annual event in my calendar. (Excuse the pun but) it was a very moving experience. Beautiful!”

Are you interested in Chesterfield’s biggest fundraising event? Registration for the Markovitz Sparkle Night Walk 2019 on Saturday 6th July is now open. If you register before Friday 22rd March you will receive our Early Bird Discount, reducing entry to JUST £10 per person.

You can enter online at https://sparklenightwalk.org.uk/ or by phoning the events team on 01246 233404.