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Chesterfield FC Community Trust secures National League Trust grant

Chesterfield FC Community Trust has secured funding from the National League Trust to support delivery of sports clubs in the community.

The project is aimed at engaging parts of the community that don’t always have the capacity to access sporting opportunities.

Keith Jackson, The Trust’s head of sport and activities, said: “It’s fantastic news that we have again secured funding from the National League.”

“This will enable us to increase our offer for those in deprived areas, those with disabilities and other hard to reach groups.”

“We owe a huge thanks to the National League Trust for supporting our project again.”

The recent Chesterfield FC match against Ebbsfleet United last weekend marked the Time to Change fixture for Chesterfield FC Community Trust. Time to Change is a nationwide campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Winners Revealed: Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards 2020

Shining stars of the local tourism industry were announced at the prestigious Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards last night (5 March).

Designed to recognise and reward excellence in the area’s valuable £2.3 billion visitor economy, the awards brought together 31 finalists in 11 categories for a glittering ceremony at Buxton’s Grade II* listed Devonshire Dome.

Some of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s finest hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks, pubs, visitor attractions and experiences were amongst those recognised at the awards evening, which was organised by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire with support from the University of Derby and the European Regional Development Fund.

Demonstrating the quality and diversity of the area’s tourism offer, awards were hotly contested and nominees progressed through shortlisting, mystery shopping and a rigorous judging process by panels of experts to arrive at last night’s much anticipated awards ceremony.

The evening was enhanced by a sparkling drinks reception which included tastings from White Peak Distillery, the area’s first full-scale craft distillery, and a three-course meal prepared by students from the University of Derby’s Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism.

Host James Berresford, former CEO of VisitEngland, congratulated finalists as Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners were announced, shining a spotlight on the best of the area’s visitor economy.

Gold award winners were each presented with a hand-crafted plaque sponsored by Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery.

In a further boost, Gold winners will now represent the Peak District and Derbyshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence on Tuesday 16 June in Hull.

Brendan Moffett, of sponsors the University of Derby, said: “We’re delighted to host this wonderful celebration of the area’s tourism industry at the prestigious Devonshire Dome in Buxton.”

“The University of Derby is keen to use our location at the heart of the Peak District to continue to support the growth of our excellent tourism businesses and develop the next generation of talent to meet future challenges, ensuring the industry can remain strong and competitive.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “It is our privilege to celebrate some of the talented businesses who offer that extra special service and experience for some of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s 42 million visitors each year.”

“All of our finalists are shining examples of quality, excellence and innovation. It is this emphasis on quality that keeps us firmly on the map as a world-class visitor destination. Congratulations to all our worthy winners and finalists!”

The Winners:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

  • GOLD: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
  • Silver: Croft Bungalow Accessible Holiday Let, Birchover
  • Bronze: Hope Cross Cottage at Vicarage Farm, Wheston

B&B and Guest House of the Year

  • GOLD: Underleigh House, Hope
  • Silver: Grendon Bed & Breakfast, Buxton

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

  • GOLD: Landal Darwin Forest, Matlock
  • Silver: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
  • Bronze: Hayfield Camping and Caravanning Club Site

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

  • GOLD: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
  • Silver: The Devonshire Arms, Pilsley

Experience of the Year

  • GOLD: Pure Outdoor Ltd
  • Silver: Acclimbatize Ltd
  • Bronze: Live for the Hills Ltd

Hotel of the Year

  • GOLD: The Peacock at Rowsley
  • Silver: CASA Hotel, Chesterfield
  • Bronze: Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, Chesterfield

New Tourism Business Award

  • GOLD: White Peak Distillery, Ambergate
  • Silver: myGuidedWalks Ltd
  • Bronze: Tagg Lane Dairy Ltd, Monyash

Pub of the Year

  • GOLD: The Prince of Wales Village Pub & Restaurant, Baslow
  • Silver: The Devonshire Arms, Beeley
  • Bronze: The Royal Oak, Hurdlow

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

  • GOLD: Ashford Mill, Ashford-in-the-Water
  • Silver: Peak District Holidays Ltd, Matlock Bath
  • Bronze: Peak Venues – Redhurst Barn, Wetton

Taste of the Peak District & Derbyshire

  • GOLD: Fischer’s Baslow Hall
  • Silver: The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
  • Bronze: The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

Visitor Attraction of the Year

  • GOLD: Chatsworth
  • Silver: Matlock Farm Park
  • Bronze: Haddon Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Manufacturing, Summer, Visiting

Clarissa’s Interiors opens at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is pleased to announce the opening of a brand-new independent pop-up shop at the centre.

Clarissa’s Interiors is run by mother and daughter team Jayne and Clare. They started out in 2016, making hand crafted glass jars and lanterns with floral designs and animals as well as creating bespoke designs for customers. They sold these on a stall at Chesterfield’s Thursday market, which was followed by a gazebo at Vicar Lane on a Saturday. This worked in tandem with them working the local country show and event circuit, so the pop-up shop is the next step in their exciting venture.

The store is located opposite CEX and sells a range of home interiors / home décor collections. These include Clare’s hand-crafted items along with beautiful items for the home – from mirrors, and clocks, to wall art, cushions, lamps, occasional chairs and tables, small accessories, candles, ornaments and more.

The store is open from 9am – 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re very pleased to be able to support yet another young, local business spread their wings and grow, in the heart of Chesterfield and are very excited to see the range of products on offer at Clarissa’s Interiors.’’

Click here to find out more about Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Manufacturing, Visiting

New exhibition to showcase people, possessions and perceptions at Chatsworth

A new exhibition will present some of the fascinating figures that have shaped Chatsworth’s past and present over the centuries, by placing their portraits alongside key objects that both illuminate their story and influence perceptions about Chatsworth.

Life Stories traces the lives of friends, artists, politicians and others associated with Chatsworth. Running from 21 March to 4 October, the exhibition pairs portraits and objects, inviting visitors to look closer and meet the many faces of Chatsworth.

Artists Lucian Freud and Angela Conner, the playwright Tom Stoppard, the poet Sir John Betjeman, and ceramicist Natasha Daintry are paired in new and unexpected ways. Objects such as the abandoned paints used by Freud on an unfinished work found in the Sabine Bathroom are used to illustrate their relationship to Chatsworth.

Famous names and objects, Devonshire family members, and staff such as cellarman Edmund Marsden invite visitors to look again at works in the Collection. Founder Bess of Hardwick’s portrait is shown with a modern reproduction of her necklace of 1000 pearls, footage recreating the moment film star Adele Astaire met her future family introduces moments of humour and humanity, while new pieces of jewellery by contemporary artist Tarka Kings are inspired by Chatsworth’s collection of portrait miniatures.

Dr Alexandra Hodby, Curator of Exhibitions & Engagement, Chatsworth said: “We wanted to make the famous faces seen all around Chatsworth more human and easier to relate to – to reduce the distance that their name or the grand setting can sometimes create. In the end, they are human beings like the rest of us and by linking them to a very personal object we make it easier to understand them as people and the impact, great or small, they have had on Chatsworth over the years,”

Click here to find out more about the Life Stories Exhibition

Skin Deep by Natasha Daintry © Natasha Daintry © The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth. Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Festival of Cricket Vitality Blast tickets now on sale

Tickets for the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket Vitality Blast fixture in June are now on sale.

The Derbyshire Falcons return to Queen’s Park on Saturday 20 June to face the Yorkshire Vikings as part of the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket.

The fixture was a complete sell out in both 2018 and 2019, with similar demand expected for 2020.

Prior to the visit of the Vikings, Derbyshire will face Worcestershire in a County Championship match at the picturesque Queen’s Park to begin the week-long Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Derbyshire will face the Yorkshire Vikings in the newly-structured Royal London Cup at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield on Sunday 26th July. The List A visit by Yorkshire will be the sixth day of cricket in Chesterfield next summer.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2020 and will play 17 days of home weekend and Bank Holiday cricket in 2020, with all but one home County Championship match spanning a weekend.

Click here to find out more about the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

Chesterfield Festival of Cricket Image David Griffin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Route confirmed for 2020 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon

Organisers of the 2020 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon have confirmed the route for this year’s race.

Download the Chesterfield Half Marathon Route

Download the Chesterfield 5 Mile Route

Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Guide

Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures

The race begins in the Park, before runners head through the town centre to be cheered on by the crowds in the market square and looping around the town’s famous crooked spire and southwards onto the A617.

Runners will then get the unique opportunity of not only running along the dual carriageway, but on right-hand side of the road, before heading towards Hasland Road and coming back towards the town centre, passing the halfway point in Hasland.

The runners will then have another chance to lap up the atmosphere of the busy crowds as they head back towards the town centre, past headline sponsors Redbrik Estate Agents, the town hall and out onto Chatsworth Road. They then then head towards event charity partner Ashgate Hospicecare, before looping back onto Chatsworth Road and heading for the finish line in Queens Park.

The 1km Fun Run will also take place during the main event in Queen’s Park.

John Timms, Event Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re delighted to confirm the route for this year’s Half Marathon.”

“Following feedback from runners, Chesterfield Borough Council and event partners, we’re building on the route to not only provide an enhanced experience for our runners, but also provide easier movement for traffic, to keep the people of Chesterfield moving around the town as much as possible.”

“It also offers more opportunities for people to come and watch the event, with more time spent in the town centre and Queen’s Park. Friends and family can easily see runners a few times within walking distance of the start.”

“We’re really excited about this year’s event and we can’t wait until it starts.”

Entries remain open for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, which is being held in aid of Ashgate Hospicecare, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and countless other good causes.

Enter the Chesterfield Half Marathon

2020 Chesterfield Half Marathon Full Route

Chesterfield Half Marathon 5 Mile Route

 

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield FC ‘Time to Change’ fixture raises awareness

The Chesterfield FC match against Ebbsfleet United last weekend marked the Time to Change fixture for Chesterfield FC Community Trust.

Time to Change is a nationwide campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems.

Statistically, one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Participants from the Trust’s A Spire Right programme volunteered their time to engage with supporters at the Ebbsfleet game by giving leaflets out that focused on three points:

1. They are the same person as you. When someone tells you they have a mental health problem, don’t treat them differently.

2. Don’t just talk listen. Showing you are paying attention can make the world of difference.

3. Be careful with your language. Making a joke of someone’s mental health can be really isolating.

Andrea Parkinson, the Trust’s senior education and wellbeing officer, says: “There are two main fixtures at the Proact Stadium every season that focus on mental health and suicide prevention.”

“Dedicating matchdays to try and end the stigma regarding mental health is very important for our community and it also works alongside the messages we deliver on our mental health courses.”

“The participants gain from engaging with supporters and it is also a great way of raising awareness of our mental health projects.”

For more information regarding the health and wellbeing courses, please email andreaparkinson@spireitestrust.org.uk

Chesterfield FC Proact

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

State-of-the-art wellness clinic opens in Chesterfield

360 Wellbeing Centre is a new state-of-the-art clinic, now open on Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield, offering a range treatments looking at all aspects of bodily, spiritual and mental wellness.

To celebrate their opening, the clinic has organised the 360 Wellbeing Seminar at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium on 19th March, to give the local people an opportunity to meet the team, learn about what the clinic has to offer and to increase their knowledge of health and wellness related subjects.

Commenting on the event, Samantha Woodcroft, one of founding Directors of the clinic said: “Despite the advances in science, the research shows an continuing annual increase in conditions such as heart disease, anxiety, depression, cancer and type 2 diabetes. These are all conditions that can positively affected by good nutritional practice and supplementary treatments.”

“Helping people to address and overcome their health challenges is one of our primary reasons for being and we thought hosting a seminar would be an appropriate way to celebrate the launch of 360 Wellbeing whilst sharing some high quality speeches from leading experts in their field with the people of Derbyshire.”

The event has designed to be a fast-paced and engaging affair with short speeches covering a range of subjects. Attendees will enjoy a Gratitude Bag with gifts worth at least £60. Local Wellness Therapists in attendance will also have an opportunity to meet the 360 Wellbeing team and schedule some time for a formal meeting to discuss joint venture options.

Samantha added: “As well as hosting an agenda that we think offers subjects that will interest those local people who are focused on improving their mental and physical health, we are keen to add to our services and will seek to work with quality local therapists. We will also be explaining our recruitment process for this at the seminar”.

Click here to find out more or to book your place

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Get involved with Chesterfield Museum this March

There are lots of great events to get involved with at Chesterfield Museum throughout March.

From storytelling for pre-schoolers, to crafts for all and even a special session for antiques lovers there is bound to be something for the whole family to enjoy.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The team at the museum have worked really hard to put together some great events for March and I hope as many people as possible will come to the museum and get involved in some of these fantastic events.”

“We’ve got some great exhibitions this month too so I hope residents and visitors will take the chance to do something that interests them and learn more about the history of Chesterfield.”

Kicking the month off is World Book Day and the museum will be hosting a special World Book Day event on Thursday 5 March from 10am until 12 noon where pre-schoolers will be encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters and head along to hear some marvellous magical stories.

Dig out your antiques and art from the loft or garage as Bamfords auctioneers will be visiting the museum on Friday 6 March to hold a valuation day.

To celebrate International Women’s Day and British Science Week, a local social enterprise Kakou CIC will be holding an Explore Science event on Saturday 7 March to highlight the contribution women have made to science and technology. There will be loads of great hands-on activities for children and big kids alike covering a wide range of STEM subjects from code breaking to paper marbling.

Have you found a mystery object or archaeological treasure, but you can’t figure out what it is? The Finds Surgery on 14 March is here to help. Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s Finds Liaison Officer will be on hand to help identify all your mystery items and record them with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day is at the end of March. On Saturday 21 March, local artist Shirley Potter will be hosting a Mothers Day Card Making Workshop.

As well as these great events the Extraordinary Women exhibition which celebrates the lives of local women who have made a significant contribution to their communities and the country overall runs until 28 March. There is also an exhibition, DCAS – Only Time Will Tell, created by young people from the Donut Creative Arts Studio and a pottery exhibition that was inspired by William Gordon’s ceramics.

Entry to the museum and each event is free but donations are greatly appreciated. The museum opens Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm and is operated by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Click here to search more events in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Redbrik Half Marathon organisers target record year after successful 2019 event

Organisers of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon are targeting record entry numbers as the event’s Early Bird entry discount period draws to a close on February 29.

This year’s race, which takes place on 18 October and starts and finishes in Queen’s Park, has seen hundreds of entries in the first few weeks of 2020, having set advance entry records in each of the three events since its establishment in 2017.

More than 1,500 people registered for the 2019 event, a record advance entry total for a Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

The 2020 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon’s Early Bird entry discount period closes on 29 February, with runners able to enter the 13.1-mile Half Marathon for just £23 (usual price £29). Entries are also being taken for the event’s Peak FM Five Mile Run, which takes place in tandem with the Half Marathon, for £16 (usual price £19).

In addition, the event will also see the return of the Blachford Fun Run, with new events also in the pipeline in 2020 which will form part of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon weekend – details for which will be confirmed soon.

John Timms, Event Director for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re really excited for this year’s Redbrik Half Marathon, having seen a hugely positive start to 2020.

“We really want to build on the success of the first three Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathons by breaking advance entry records again, and with additional elements this year we’re confident we can achieve that.

“The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, in its short history, has achieved great things for the Chesterfield and north Derbyshire community, with more than £140,000 pledged for good causes including our event charity partners, Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“We look forward to the event continuing to blossom in 2020 with the amazing support of the people of Chesterfield.”

Mark Ross, Managing Director of event title sponsor Redbrik Estate Agents, said: “We’re proud to be such a big part of the Chesterfield Half Marathon, which has been very successful since it was established in 2017.

“We’re also incredibly grateful for the support of the Chesterfield community, with local people providing strong backing for the event every year.

“Exciting plans are in the pipeline for the 2020 event, too, with even more opportunities for people to get involved. Watch this space!”

The 2020 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will take place on 18 October, starting and finishing in Queen’s Park alongside the event’s Peak FM Five Mile Run.

For more information or to enter, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Free social swim for Chesterfield cancer patients

Residents in Chesterfield who are recovering from or have cancer are invited to take part in a new swimming session at Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

OutSwimming Cancer is a supported swim session that will take place once per week and is completely free to attend, thanks to funding from Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Lesley Rechert (right), a swimming instructor at Queen’s Park Sports Centre who organises the OutSwimming sessions, said: “Swimming is a wonderful activity for people who have experienced cancer – it’s fun, enjoyable and therapeutic.”

“Recovery from cancer can take a long time but swimming is really beneficial for the journey back to better health. It’s a great way for rebuilding your strength and confidence.”

“It can often be a challenge to return to swimming after suffering with cancer but quiet sessions like this aim to create an inclusive environment that is supportive as well as enjoyable.”

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are very proud to be supporting these sessions, it’s important that everyone in the Borough feels like they can pursue a healthy lifestyle and use our facilities for it.”

“It makes me proud that we can offer support like this to people who are going through such a difficult time in their lives.”

Lesley added: “A swim teacher will be available before, during and after the session to encourage, reassure and improve people’s swimming if they wish, so it is ideal for anyone who has had cancer and wants to start swimming or get better at it.”

Dr Ruby Osborn, grant officer at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We’re proud to fund this scheme to help anyone who has or has had cancer to enjoy swimming in a supportive environment.”

“Changes to the body following cancer and cancer treatment can make it difficult to begin or return to exercise, so these sessions with a dedicated swimming teacher to guide people will make a big difference.”

The sessions start on Monday 2 March and run between 2pm and 3pm. Booking is not required.

Funding for the OutSwimming Cancer sessions is provided by Weston Park Cancer Charity with support from Chesterfield Borough Council. Swimmers must be fit and healthy enough to be in the swimming pool, please consult your GP if you are unsure.

For residents who are unable to attend the weekly sessions, a limited number of OutSwimming Cancer vouchers are available for free to be used at either the Healthy Living Centre, Staveley and Queen’s Park Sports Centre, Chesterfield.

For more information about the sessions or to book individual vouchers please contact:  rebecca.truman@chesterfield.go.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting