Visiting

Spring Exhibition Opens at StraightCurves

StraightCurves‘ Spring Exhibition is now open to the public. The Hallway Gallery features original pieces and framed prints by local artists and craftspeople including Liz & Kate Pope, Abi Burlingham, Wildgoose Designs, English Tilly and Dianna Lee amongst others. As well as traditional artwork, it also showcases pieces created in clay, crochet, wood, felted wool and vintage fabrics.

Looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors to see the Spring Exhibition, Owner Karen Rogers said:-

“It’s great to have so much local artwork on show here at StraightCurves and we hope everyone will pop in for a browse and a brew.

“The gallery is also a perfect companion to the range of workshops and courses we offer here – many of which are taught by the artists whose work is on display. We have a range of great gift items available too, including textiles, jewellery, craft kits and a wide range of cards – again from a range of local craftspeople.”

StraightCurves and the Hallway Gallery are open 10am – 4pm Monday-Friday, and are located at 104 Saltergate in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Local Rock Group Gears up for Charity Gig at Real Time Live

A band formed by staff at BRM Solicitors and Cheetham Jackson will appear at Real Time Live in Chesterfield on Friday 27th February.

Rock, Stock, and Gavel, were the surprise entertainment at a function hosted by BRM last summer. After their set of classic and modern rock covers proved a hit with guests, the band continued and the gig at Real Time will be their public debut.

Tickets are only £2 and are now available to purchase from BRM Solicitors or Real Time Live. All proceeds will be donated to Breast Cancer Care.

Doors will open at 6.30pm on the night.

To book email andrew.robinson@brmlaw.co.uk or realtimemusic@hotmail.co.uk.

Posted in Visiting

Hear all about it at Hollingwood Hub

An audio post has been unveiled as the latest attraction at Hollingwood Hub on the Chesterfield Canal.

Visitors can now hear eight short messages about the canal, the trust and local history. Wherever possible, the recordings have been made by people who have worked on the canal or by people with detailed local knowledge.

Chesterfield Canal Trust Secretary, Bev Hunt, said:

“We are very grateful to the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation for awarding us the money for this splendid audio post. We are sure that it will increase the public’s enjoyment and knowledge of the canal and the amazing history of the immediate locality.”

Joanne Rhodes, manager of Yorkshire Building Society’s Dronfield branch added:

“I’m delighted the Charitable Foundation – which is funded by our members through Small Change Big Difference, has been able to support the Chesterfield Canal Trust and its audio post project.

“The commitment and enthusiasm that the trust members have for what they do shone through! They do an amazing job and are so passionate about their work, the canal and also the history of the area.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

X Factor’s Amelia Lily to Join Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

Amelia Lily is set to bring yet more X Factor to the Winding Wheel in this year’s production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat as she steps into the role of Narrator alongside fellow X Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels, who plays Joseph.

Amelia, who was mentored by former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, finished third on The X Factor 2011, and then went on to have chart success with her debut single You Bring Me Joy, which got to number two.

No stranger to the bright lights, the star was also the support act for Girls Aloud’s farewell tour in 2013, and for Olly Murs at the INTRO Festival.

Coming to Chesterfield in April, the colourful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours stars will once again star Lloyd Daniels as Joseph.

Lloyd became the X Factor’s youngest contestant in 2009 and got to the final five out of 250,000 contestants to perform in front of 10 million TV viewers. Since then he has performed to sold-out arenas on a 56 date X Factor tour and released his popular single Suburbian Girl.

The musical also sees the welcome return of Matt Lapinskas who will be donning his Elvis outfit once more to reprise the role of the Pharaoh. Best known for playing Anthony Moon in BBC EastEnders, Matt was also runner up in the penultimate series of Dancing on Ice. He joined the Joseph cast in 2014 for the UK, making his first musical theatre role.

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat will be at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 April 2015. Tickets can be booked via the Chesterfield Theatres Box Office by calling 01246 345 222 or visiting chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk.

Posted in Visiting

JE James Manager Takes on Derbyshire Times Flagg Challenge

Big-hearted cycling firm JE James is leading by example as preparations get under way for the Derbyshire Times Flagg Challenge for Ashgate Hospice.

Manager Dean Poole, based on Brimington Road North, has pledged to tackle the Peak District himself now the cycle shop has stepped in for the second time to support the event.

Dean said: “The hospice does a fantastic job and we want to be able to help raise as much money as possible by supporting this charity ride.”

The 44-year-old former Sunday league footballer is doing the ride despite suffering with a cruciate ligament injury in his left knee and cartlidge damage in his right knee.

He added: “It’s all about the challenge and being able to achieve something for the hospice so we’re encouraging as many of our customers as possible to get on board.”

The fourth Flagg Challenge sets off from the hospice from 9am on July 26 and goes out as far as Flagg and back again via Chatsworth and promises to be bigger and better.

Entrants have a choice of a 50 or 25 mile marshalled route and they receive maps, a guide, and a training programme. Everyone participating will be armed with fundraising tips and raffle tickets and a range of interactive web and social media updates. There will also be fundraiser prizes.

Early-bird £20 entry form availability will be announced very shortly. For details contact Jon Cooper on 01246 504524, jon.cooper@jpress.co.uk or the hospice’s Charlotte Gratton on 01246 567250 and charlotte.gratton@ashgatehospice.nhs.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Primary School to Celebrate Chinese New Year at Vicar Lane

Two dragons will be paraded down Steeplegate and Vicar Lane next week to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Currently being designed and made by pupils at Mary Swanwick Primary School, the dragons are part of a School and Community Project suggested by Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield.

The children and their dragons will be at Steeplegate and Vicar Lane at around 11.00am on 19th February 2015. Visitors are encouraged to join the parade or cheer them on.

Amanda Thomas from Vicar Lane Shopping Centre said: “The pupils at Mary Swanwick school have been involved in several artistic projects which have been displayed at Vicar Lane in the past, including making bunting, Christmas decorations and recycling projects. They are always enthusiastic and produce some fantastic work, which the public then get a chance to see at Vicar Lane.

Claire Rumsey, ART HLTA from Mary Swanwick Primary School said: “As always, we are delighted to be involved in a Vicar Lane event. The children are eagerly anticipating their work being on display for the public.”

Head teacher, Joy Nunn said:

“Claire and the children have given up many lunch times to create their dragons. I’m delighted and very proud of their efforts.”

Posted in Visiting

England Under 17s Prepare For Proact Visit

The England Under 17s are to play at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium in March and coach, John Peacock is hoping a large home backing can roar his side into the European Championship in Bulgaria this summer.

Peacock’s Young Lions welcome Norway, Slovenia and Romania to these shores next month for their Elite Round European qualifiers, where a place in the top two in the group of four will seal a spot in this summer’s tournament.

“It’s great to get home advantage for these fixtures, being based at St George’s Park and playing the games locally is a massive boost for us,” Peacock told TheFA.com. “We have three tough games against Romania, Slovenia and Norway, which won’t be easy, but if the players play to the best of their ability we have a great chance of qualifying.”

The head coach guided last year’s crop of Under-17s to glory, winning the Euros in Malta last May – the second time he has managed the feat, having lifted the crown in 2010 also.

And with Chesterfield and Burton Albion playing host to England’s matches, Peacock is hoping three victories in front of a vocal home support will be the first steps on the road to glory again.

“It would be nice to emulate last year by winning it again but we have to qualify for the finals in Bulgaria first and these matches will provide tough tests for our players,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get some good attendances and people will come out and watch these young players of the future. In past games at Burton and Chesterfield we’ve had some strong crowds and the clubs have been fantastic in hosting these fixtures and prompting the matches.

“To win the Elite Round and qualify for the Finals is always tough, but we have reached many semi-finals and finals in the past, so let us hope we can continue our good run of the past several years.”

He added: “We’ve achieved a couple of successes and with a bit of luck, hopefully there will be more to come. We are fortunate in that the clubs are producing some good players which should make us competitive against some tough opposition.”

Tickets for the Young Lions clash with Slovenia at the Proact Stadium, which takes place on Monday, March 23 (7pm), are available online (subject to £1 booking fee) at www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/tickets or by calling 01246 488232.

Tickets are priced at just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions (those aged 18 and under/65 and over). The concession rate is also available to season ticket holders and membership card holders. Tickets can be purchased on the night.

In preparation for the Elite Round, Peacock and the England Under-17s travel to Portugal next week for the Algarve Tournament, where they will face the hosts, Holland and Germany.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Princesses and Pirates Descend on Chatsworth Farmyard this Half Term

Chatsworth is opening its doors for a fortnight of pirate and princess-themed fun on the high seas of the farmyard and adventure playground this February half term.

Children will be given water shooters as they ride on the tractor and trailer ‘galleon’ to blast those pesky pirates hiding out in the ‘high seas’ of Stand Wood.

The Oak Barn will ensure no self respecting pirate or princess will be without their hat or crown as they take part in the fun and craft activities will run every day.

It’s a great time to visit the farmyard as young guests will be able to get up close to creepy crawlies from around the world in sessions running Monday to Friday inclusive each week.

There will be also be opportunities to cuddle a guinea pig in one of the frequent sessions running every day of the half term.

A visit to Chatsworth’s newest additions – a litter of piglets born on 6 January – is also recommended.

As ever, the woodland adventure playground will provide the perfect setting to let children run, jump, slide, swing and bounce, with sand and water play for little ones too.

As well as the indoor picnic room, the cafe will be open throughout half term serving hot food and kids’ lunches for a great day out this half term.

For more information and ticketing options, visit www.chatsworth.org

Posted in Visiting

Spireites Boss Agrees Contract Extension

Chesterfield Manager Paul Cook has signed a one-year extension to his contract.

Cook, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2016, is now tied to the club until the summer of 2017, together with his assistant, Leam Richardson.

Cook joined the Spireites in October 2012 and has overseen the club’s rise from League 2 as champions in 2013/14 and their stabilisation in League 1 during the current campaign.

The contract extension comes in the wake of the January transfer window, which saw the Spireites bring in five new players and sell striker Eoin Doyle to Championship side Cardiff City for a seven-figure fee.

Cook is delighted to commit his future to the club given the volatile nature of football management.

He said: “Along with the rest of the coaching staff, I was brought in to do a job and in football it’s always a difficult job in an ever-changing world.

“I’ve been here now for two years and four months and I think I’m in the top 20 longest-serving managers, which is quite amazing.

“I’d just like to thank the chairman, Chris [Turner], the board of directors and all the supporters for all the faith they’ve shown in me.”

The manager described his feelings for the club and the importance of displaying togetherness and loyalty.

“We feel we have a very strong unity here together as a club,” said Cook. “Any manager will be clamouring for time, but in football today we don’t get that.

“The club is very important to us all. Loyalty in football now is a very hard thing to come across and as a manager or a player I think you need to show that.”

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner, who emphasised the need to continue the club’s forward momentum, feels strongly that Cook and his staff are the right people to ensure that happens.

Turner said: “It’s important that we keep this project going forward. After the developments of the transfer window, where we brought in five new players and Eoin [Doyle] left the club, we’re showing that everything’s positive at the club.

“In the two-and-a-half years that Paul’s been here, the progress has been there for all to see. Out on the field of play we’re fifth in League 1, challenging for a play-off spot and we’ve just sold our first million pound Chesterfield player.

“For the first time in a long time there’s a very positive and bright looking future in front of us.”

Posted in Visiting

The Christians to Perform at Chesterfield’s Player of the Year Dinner

The Christians, who had a string of hits in the late 80s/early 90s, will perform at Chesterfield FC’s Player of the Year dinner.

They will perform well-known tracks such as Harvest for the World, Forgotten Town, Born Again and Ideal World at the event on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4.

Commenting on the news, Spireites Chief Executive, Chris Turner said: “We were keen to include live music from a well-known group to add something extra to the event and The Christians certainly fit the bill.

“It promises to be a great night. Around 75 per cent of the places have already been filled so I would urge anyone who wants to attend to make a booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

It will be the club’s biggest-ever Player of the Year dinner, with a marquee on the pitch at the Proact Stadium accommodating 500 people. In the event of the club being involved in the play-offs, the marquee will be erected on the stadium car park.

Tickets for the dinner are priced at £50 and £75. To book, phone Janice Kew on 01246 209765 (ext 4153) or email janicekew@chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Posted in Visiting

Spireites Sign Cheltenham Striker

Chesterfield have signed striker Byron Harrison from Cheltenham Town for an undisclosed fee.

Harrison, 27, has joined the Spireites after agreeing an 18-month contract. He has scored seven goals in 27 appearances this season after finding the net 15 times last term.

Spireites Manager, Paul Cook said: “We have been monitoring Byron closely for some time and we believe he has the necessary attributes to be a valuable addition to our squad.”

Harrison, who was previously with AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage, said: “I’ve been very impressed with the club after having a look around.

“I like their style of play – it goes well with the type of player I am and I can’t wait to get going.”

Posted in Visiting