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.