Local firm supports Chesterfield railway heritage project
Local legal firm is continuing to support a major heritage initiative celebrating the town’s pivotal role in the birth of the modern railway, focusing on the legacy of George Stephenson, the famed ‘Father of Railways.’
George Stephenson played a key role in the development of modern rail transport and spent part of his early career working in the Chesterfield area, where he helped shape the engineering foundations that would later revolutionise railways across Britain. Stephenson is buried at Holy Trinity Church in Chesterfield, which now serves as the focal point for a major heritage initiative celebrating both his achievements and the town’s industrial past.
Led by Holy Trinity Church, the project has received a £240,600 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from local organisations including Chesterfield-based legal firm Graysons Solicitors.
The initiative marks the 200th anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger railway journey, made by Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 in 1825, and highlights our town’s industrial past, from rail to coal.
Work is well underway to transform Holy Trinity’s community rooms into a visitor facility, complemented by new interpretation displays, public events, school programmes, and volunteering opportunities, all designed to share Stephenson’s engineering achievements and the wider story of the town’s industrial heritage.
Peter Clark, managing partner at Graysons Solicitors, said:
“We’re delighted to be supporting a project that celebrates both Chesterfield’s rich heritage and one of the greatest engineering figures in British history. George Stephenson’s legacy continues to inspire, and we’re proud to help bring that story to life for future generations in the town we’ve called home for many years.”
The project also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, connecting the town’s past industries with contemporary conversations around sustainability and the future of engineering.
To find out more, please visit: www.graysons.co.uk
