Visiting

Something wicked this way comes…

30th August 2016

Visitors to Revolution House, in Old Whittington, can find out about the witch hunts of the 17^th century in a special event this September.

The event takes place at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run attraction on Sunday 4 September from 11am to 4pm.

As well as learning about witch hunting, visitors can make a witch pot with a trained potter.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Town Centre and Visitor Economy, said:-

“People of all ages have heard about witchcraft because of the Harry Potter stories and films.

“This event at Revolution House will offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to find out about the real witch hunts that took place throughout England in the past.”

Revolution House is open each Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm until Sunday 25 September. Admission is free.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Family fun at Chesterfield’s museums

16th August 2016

Visitors to Chesterfield’s museums can take part in fun-filled activities as part of two special events.

This Sunday, 21 August, sees an event take place at Revolution House in Old Whittington where youngsters can find out more about life during the First World War through drama, roleplay, authentic songs and historic artefacts.

The event, at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run venue, will explore issues such as why the war started, what life was like in the trenches and the role of women during the war.

Revolution House is open each Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday from 11am to 4pm until Sunday 25 September. Admission is free.

On Thursday 25 August, the animals will be taking over Chesterfield Museum on St Mary’s Gate.

To tie-in with the current exhibition, Chesterfield Menagerie, the museum will host a variety of animals from White Post Farm including: rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chickens, ducklings, a snake, cockroaches and snails.

Visitors will be able to handle the animals and find out more about them.

Chesterfield Museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

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

“The events we hold at our museums always prove popular.

“The First World War is such an important event in history and, at Revolution House this Sunday, children will learn not only about the War but how it affected the lives of everyone, whether fighting on the front line or living at home.

“Children of all ages enjoy animals and I’m sure the event at Chesterfield Museum on 25 August will prove extremely popular as visitors can handle the various animals and learn more about them.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield’s award winning parks

9th August 2016

Five of Chesterfield’s parks and open spaces have retained their prestigious Green Flag awards, meaning they are among the top in the country.

The parks and open spaces, maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council, received an inspection from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Those retaining their Green Flags are:

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, have also retained Green Flag status.

The award, now in its 20^th year, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “One of the council’s top priorities is to improve the quality of life for local people.

“We are proud to have five Green Flag award winning parks and open spaces here in Chesterfield offering our residents places to visit, play, get fit and active, and admire wildlife.

“I would like to thank all our staff and the members of our friends of the park groups for all of their efforts throughout the year in keeping the parks up to the highest possible standards.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the awards.

“All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Superstar Jessica Ennis-Hill revealed as this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair President

8th August 2016

Sheffield’s superstar athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill has today been announced as this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair President and will be opening the event on Friday 2 September.

Taking place on three days from Friday 2 September to Sunday 4 September, Jessica will be coming along with her family on the first day and meeting and greeting stallholders and visitors.

Jessica said: “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.

“I am really delighted to be President of the Chatsworth Country Fair, I have yet to visit the event, but this year with my husband and son Reggie I hope to take in all of the stalls and meet lots of exhibitors and visitors too.”

Jessica will join 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.

The Grand Ring is offering 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 will 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 appearing on Friday and Sunday.

Over in the Aga Rangemaster Cookery Theatre, a star-studded line-up of top TV food celebrities and the best professional chefs from around the region will be sharing 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 and broadcaster Valentine Warner on Sunday.

Tickets for Chatsworth Country Fair are £25 for adults per day and free for children under 14 years old.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Craft company appoints managers for new Chesterfield store

1st August 2016

Global craft supplies company, Crafter’s Companion, has appointed two senior retail managers to head up operations and drive the launch of its new store in Chesterfield.

The store, which will be housed within the Dobbies Chesterfield Garden Centre and Shopping Village, follows the opening of the company’s first UK outlet in May and represents a further £250K investment as part of an ongoing retail expansion plan.

Scheduled to open in September, the store is designed to be a community hub and includes themed shopping areas covering papercraft, arts, sewing, home décor and haberdashery, along with demonstration areas for workshops and group sessions.

Gurvinder Barn, 39, from Doncaster will be taking on the role of store manager at the new outlet, while Sarah Jane Elliott, 29, from Matlock, will be joining as assistant store manager.

With over 23 years’ experience in retail management, Gurvinder, has previously worked for major household brands including Nike and Office.

The new store manager is hoping that his wealth of retail experience can help to inspire his team to deliver exceptional service to customers and make the company’s second UK store a success.

“I’m delighted to be part of such an innovative company, with such an incredibly inspiring story behind it,” said Gurvinder.

“Retail management is a real passion of mine and to join the business from the early stages of this project is a really exciting prospect for me, I can’t wait to get going.”

Assistant store manager Sarah has a keen interest in the craft industry having run her own business selling haberdashery and making bespoke wedding ribbon and products.

She previously held a position at The Works managing a number of stores and hopes to combine her love of crafting and her retail knowledge to make a positive contribution to the new store.

Sara Davies, founder of Crafter’s Companion, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Guv and Sarah to our family, they really fit into the Crafter’s Companion culture and they should make a great team when it comes to running our new store in Chesterfield.

“The shopping village is already a destination for many customers and hopefully our store will help to attract craft enthusiasts from all over the country to the area as well.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for us and we can’t wait to see the store start to take shape.”

Focusing on education, enjoyment and inspiration, the 5,500 sq ft outlet will give both craft enthusiasts and people who are trying the hobby for the first time the opportunity to learn about craft and get to know the brand.

Crafter’s Companion, which was founded by Sara in 2005, specialises in manufacturing and distributing crafting tools and products to a global audience.

Having traditionally sold its products online via its website, on TV shopping channels across the world and via independent retailers, the new store will be the latest step in the company’s ongoing retail expansion plan.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Visiting

Finalists announced in 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

18th July 2016

Cocina at Casa Hotel is hoping to retain its prestigious Restaurant of the Year title for a second year running in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. The 2 Rosette, 4-star restaurant is joined by 27 other eateries, food producers, pubs and bars who have all been shortlisted across 12 categories in the annual awards.

As well as Cocina, three winners from last year’s awards – H&F Vintage Tearooms, The Proact Stadium and the Red Lion Bar and Bistro, are hoping to retain their titles for a second year running.

Two other restaurants – The Manor at Brampton and Delhi 41 – are also hoping to retain their Family Friendly and Best International Restaurant titles respectively for a third year running.

Now in its fourth year, the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are more popular than ever before. This year, six new establishments have been shortlisted in the competition, including Einstein’s, The Craft Burger Company and The Lilypad, who will fight it out for the Best Newcomer of the Year title.

The Rose & Crown at Brampton, Chandlers and Harry Ramsdens at the Wingerworth are also first time finalists this year.

Organisers Destination Chesterfield, in association with Chesterfield College, had hundreds of nominations from the general public who put forward their favourites across the 12 categories in the popular awards. The nominated restaurants, cafes and bars will be mystery shopped and taste-tested by a panel of judges over the summer and the winner of each category will be revealed later this year.

The winners will be announced by celebrity chef and couture cake maker to royalty and the stars, Mich Turner MBE at a glittering award ceremony which is being held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building on Wednesday 26 October 2016.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “This year we’ve had more nominations than previous years and also more businesses put forward for the awards, which is testament to Chesterfield’s food and drink scene.

“Every shortlisted business can count themselves as one of the best in Chesterfield. Everyone has their own favourites, however there can be only one winner. Unfortunately, we can’t reveal that until the award ceremony. It’s going to be a tense few months for the people and businesses that have all been shortlisted.”

The finalists in each category are:

Restaurant of the Year –sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Blu Bistro and Coffee House
Calabria
Cocina at Casa Hotel

Café and Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Stephenson’s Coffee Shop
H&F Vintage Tearooms
Northern Tea Merchants

Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Arvato
The Tickled Trout
Red Lion Bar and Bistro
Chandlers

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Barca Bar
The Market Pub
Rose and Crown – Brampton

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
Einstein’s
The Craft Burger Company
The Lilypad

Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Chandlers
H&F Vintage Tearooms
Cocina at Casa Hotel

Best Out of Town – presented by Chesterfield College
The Tickled Trout
The Red Lion Bar and Bistro
Stones

Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Casa Hotel
Lambs Cupcakes
Liza Bakes
Teresa Lambarelli

Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by The Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints
Jordan Elliott
Josh Clark
Sophie Warren

International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Delhi 41
O-Tokuda
Indian Blues

Family Friendly – sponsored by Jumble Design
Chesters
Harry Ramsdens at The Wingerworth
The Manor at Brampton

Conference and Banqueting – sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and
Business Advisers
Casa Hotel
Peak Edge Hotel
Proact Stadium

A further award Food Hero, which is sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors, will also be announced at the awards ceremony. The Food Hero award is presented to a local business or individual who has made an impact on the local food scene.

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Holdsworth Foods, Central Technology Ltd, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.

More information about the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

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

Chesterfield community set to cycle for Ashgate Hospicecare

14th July 2016

200 people are set to take part in the Heroica Hospice Ride for Ashgate Hospicecare on July 17.

The route, which is set to start from Ashgate Hospicecare and wind through the Peak District, will involve a 25 mile, 50 mile and a new 100 mile option. With the support of their main event sponsor, The Manor at Brampton, the hospice is pulling out all the stops to try break last year’s record of 138 cyclists taking part.

Charlotte Gratton, Events Fundraiser at Ashgate Hopsicecare, says:-

“It’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm within the local community for this year’s Heroica Hospice Ride. We hope everyone taking part has a brilliant time, all whilst raising money for patients and their families in North Derbyshire.”

All cyclists will be able to have full access to feed stations, back up vehicles, a photographer, a goody bag and the mini festival finish where your friends and family can come and enjoy live music, food, drinks, games and welcome you back over the finish line.

Cyclists will be able to enter on the day for all three ride options at Ashgate Hospicecare. Entry for the event is £35 and the money raised will go towards people in North Derbyshire who are in need of Ashgate Hospicecare.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Yorkshire fixture at Chesterfield Festival of Cricket switched to Derby

6th July 2016

Derbyshire Falcons’ NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings has been moved to The 3aaa County Ground, Derby, to give the game the best chance of going ahead.

Due to a saturated outfield at Queen’s Park, no play was possible on any of the first four days of the Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Following an exceptionally wet June, the pitch has been drying out more slowly than expected, despite the last four days of sunshine. As a result, the Club has made the decision today to move the fixture to Derby on Sunday and remains a 2.30pm start.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “Chesterfield is a special venue and everyone puts a huge amount of time, planning and preparation into delivering a successful festival each year.

“Unfortunately, following the recent bad weather over the last few weeks, the outfield has taken on a huge amount of water and is still saturated despite the recent sunshine. In the interest of player safety, no play has been possible.

“With the current conditions, we have determined that we should move this Sunday’s fixture to Derby to give the game the best possible chance of going ahead.

“It’s clearly very disappointing that the weather has beaten us this year but we remain committed to bringing county cricket to Queen’s Park.

“The Festival is so much more than just cricket and helps put Chesterfield on the map. Since county cricket returned to Chesterfield in 2006, we have been able to build strong partnerships with Chesterfield Cricket Club and Chesterfield Borough Council.

“We also work closely with local schools and businesses such as local renewable energy specialists, Custom Solar, to provide a unique annual Festival.

“We look forward to returning next summer as part of our on-going partnership.

“In the meantime, we’re sure that the derby with Yorkshire Vikings at The 3aaa County Ground will be another great occasion.

“Whilst we understand the switch will cause some inconvenience to supporters, we need to make sure we do everything to ensure the game can go ahead.”

The match is an all ticket match. Tickets already purchased for the fixture will be accepted on the gate on Sunday at The 3aaa County Ground, which open at 12.30pm.

Members and Six Pack Ticket holders wishing to attend this Sunday are also reminded that they must claim a ticket, free of charge, in advance of the day of the game from the ticket office.

Posted in Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Museum looks for Chesterfield’s wedding stories

28th June 2016

Chesterfield Museum is asking residents for their stories of love and marriage ahead of a new exhibition this autumn.

The exhibition, Rites of Passage, will be held at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run attraction from 8 October to 17 January.

It will explore customs relating to birth, marriage and death in the borough’s history as well as telling the stories of first school, first job, first house; the milestones that make us who we are.

As part of the exhibition, the museum is asking for Chesterfield residents to share stories from their own weddings.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre and Visitor Economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“We have a wonderful variety of objects relating to the rituals around births, marriages and deaths in the stores at Chesterfield Museum but we want to make this exhibition more personal by including the stories of Chesterfield people.

“From wedding stories to help us reminisce about our own special day, stories to bring a lump to the throat and marriages that represent different communities and cultures, we are asking for people to share their stories with us.”

Anyone who would like to take part can bring in a photograph from their wedding day along with their stories to the museum on St Mary’s Gate during normal opening times. Staff will also be on hand to help record memories. They can also email them to museum@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Chesterfield Museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Chesterfield Museum

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Young chefs shortlisted in 2016 Food and Drink Awards

23rd June 2016

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner of the Young Chef of the Year award, James Greatorex who has recently joined Heston Blumenthal restaurant The Fat Duck, three catering students from Chesterfield College have been shortlisted for the prestigious title in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Jordan Elliott (18) from Codnor, Sophie Warren (18) from Bolsover and Josh Clark (17) from Walton, level 2 catering students at Chesterfield College, have all been shortlisted for the Young Chef of the Year Award.

A live ‘cook-off’ involving the three students preparing a main course and a dessert which were tasted and judged by three professional chefs – Adam Warwick, head chef at Blu Bistro on Chatsworth Road, Chris Mapp chef and owner of The Tickled Trout in Barlow and Adam Stockton, head chef at Calabria Cocina on Glumangate, was held recently to decide the winner.

Sophie prepared a cod fish pie on a bed of warm tartar sauce followed by chocolate fondant with spiced pear and Chantilly cream. A nervous, but happy Sophie commented: “It was great to be shortlisted; it was not something I expected. Everything went to plan and I was very pleased with the two dishes that I produced. The competition has really helped my confidence.”

Josh wowed the judges with rack of lamb with summer vegetables followed by gooseberry and custard tart. Josh, who sites Gordon Ramsay and Keith Floyd as his food heroes, added: “It was a great experience. My dad and grandma got me into cooking. Her meat and potato pie is the absolute best; even my dad agrees.”

Jordon, who described the competition as ‘nerve-wracking’, prepared roast rump of lamb and baby lettuce followed by strawberry and black pepper sponge cake for the judges. He said: “I don’t like competitions as I am out of my comfort zone, however I really enjoyed the cooking and learnt a lot of helpful tips from the judges.”

The Rev Patrick Coleman from the Crooked Spire Church (St Mary’s Church) which sponsors the award category also took part in the judging. He said: “I was really interested and excited to see three young people doing such great work. The Church encourages young people on their way through life and the Young Chef of the Year Award is a great foundation for any young chef’s future career.”

The winner of the Young Chef of the Year title will be announced at the glitzy award ceremony at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building on Wednesday 26 October. This year, the ceremony is being hosted by celebrity cake maker to the stars and royalty Mich Turner MBE who will announce the winners of 12 award categories.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with headline sponsor the Chesterfield College Group, the awards aim to showcase the very best in the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

The College also uses the awards ceremony as a learning exercise for its hospitality students. This year, 50 students from the College will also be catering and silver serving a two course meal to more than 250 people attending the event, working over three days on all areas, including kitchen and front of house. Last year Jordan, Sophie and Josh worked at the awards serving the food. This year, they will get to enjoy the two-course meal prepared, cooked and served to them by their fellow students. Chris Mapp from the Tickled Trout advised them to “make the most of it and enjoy every minute.”

Adam Stockton from Calabria added: “College and work situations are a very different environment and Sophie, Jordan and Josh should be very proud of themselves and what they produced today. They all did extremely well.”

Other supporters of the awards include arvarto, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Black Eyed Susan, Casa Hotel, Central Technology Ltd, Chesterfield Borough Council, Custom Solar, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber, Holdsworth Foods, Kier, Jumble Design, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, MSE Hiller, Peak FM, ra Information Systems and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield FC launch summer Soccer School

20th June 2016

Chesterfield FC Community Trust are set to launch a series of Soccer School sessions for 5 – 13 year olds this August.

Taking place at St Mary’s Catholic High School, the sessions will be delivered by FA qualified Chesterfield FC coaches in a fun environment and feature a technique and skills masterclass, as well as free-kick and penalty challenges.

Michael Noon from the Chesterfield FC Community Trust said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the Chesterfield FC Soccer School. Our aim is for the kids who attend to receive top quality coaching and enjoy themselves at the same time.

“There will be appearances from club mascot Chester the Field Mouse and we will also have tours of the Proact Stadium on Friday afternoons.”

The sessions are open to ages 5-13 and will take place from 9am to 4pm. Those attending need to bring trainers/shin pads and football boots (if available), along with a packed lunch.

Pre-booking costs just £15 per day or £60 per week while pay on the day costs £20. All those pre-booking will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed Spireites shirt.

To book, please phone 01246 264030 or email activities@chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

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