Author: Dom Stevens

Kerry Katona to star in Chesterfield’s Easter pantomime

Can’t wait for Christmas? Anton Benson Productions’ Beauty and the Beast pantomime comes to Chesterfield on Saturday 13th April.

Former Atomic Kitten star, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here winner and household favourite Kerry Katona stars as the Atomic Fairy. Kerry will be joined by long-serving Heartbeat cast member Tricia Penrose as her sparring partner, the evil Enchantress. National Treasure Basil Brush will play sidekick to the Beast and X-Factor finalist turned CBBC’s Got What It Takes presenter Lauren Platt will play Belle.

Completing the cast are returning Easter Panto favourites Ryan Greaves as Wally and Phylip Harries as the Dame Dolly, plus Karl Greenwood as the Beast and Michael Winsor as Claude. Juvenile dancers will be provided by local dance schools. All accompanied by fantastic live musicians.

Belle lives a quiet provincial life in the village of Ooh La La until her father accidentally stumbles across a terrifying Beast and she is taken captive. Now it is up to the Atomic Fairy, the village idiot Wally and his mother Dame Dolly to pit their wits against the evil Enchantress and rescue Belle from the Beast…

Audiences can expect two and a half hours of toe-tapping song and dance, stunning costumes, fantastic sets and effects all wrapped up in a hilarious laugh-a-minute script.

Producer Anton Benson said “A panto is for life and not just for Christmas. The regulars at our home venues love our annual Christmas shows and given how much of a hit our previous Easter panto tours have been, we are delighted to be back out on the road with this hilarious Easter production.”

To find out more click here.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Perez set to compete in double Porsche campaign

Seb Perez, Chesterfield’s 19 year old race ace is set to mount a double competitive motorsport campaign for this season. 2019 will see him back at the wheel for his second year running in his Team Amigos Porsche 911 GT3 in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship. He will also drive a 1977 Porsche 911 rally car in European stage rallies.

Thanks to his impressive on-track success last season, Perez will make the leap into the Pro category of the ultra-competitive Carrera Cup GB and will be joined once again by Nottinghamshire team mate George Gamble who will drive the sister Amigos Racing supercar.

Perez will compliment his Carrera Cup outings competing on selected stage rallies in Europe, driving a 2700cc historic specification Porsche 911.

The Chesterfield driver kick-started his rallying season last weekend (23 February) at Rally Sol de Ponet in Mallorca with co-driver Gary McElhinney alongside, scooping a fastest stage time in the classic machine on his way to taking a giant-killing fourth overall.

Perez is no stranger to rallying and following in his Father Steve Perez’s footsteps said “I actually came here last year in a Ford Escort Mk2 and finished 11th overall so the aim was always to beat that, and in this machine (the Porsche 911) it was a challenge I was well up for” he said after the event.

“It was a great rally and I`m looking forward to getting out to Europe and doing as many as I can when my Carrera Cup calendar allows”.

Perez is one of the Country’s best racing drivers, he has enjoyed a consistent rise to the top in his racing career after switching from stage rallying in 2014 to the Ginetta Junior Winter Series, followed by a full assault on the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship for the next two years which ran alongside the British Touring Car Championship.

Following the natural ladder of progression, he embarked on a campaign in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup with his still current Team mate George Gamble before a move in to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB last season.

2018 was his best season yet with Porsche, he overcame a difficult start to the year to take six ProAm victories from the 16 rounds of the GB series with many double-header victories along the way.

“I really enjoyed last season in the Carrera Cup, and it was certainly the best of my racing career,” said Perez.

“It was a shaky start and I think I ended race one at Brands in the gravel but like everything you learn by your mistakes and keep fighting. I suffered a little with the qualifying pace last season so want to see if I can sort that out this year but having the knowledge and data of a year under my belt will certainly help. It certainly won’t be easy though, it’s mega close racing out there so I`ll need to be on top form to get near the podiums”.

Perez is ready for the step into the Pro category with a new team, Stockton On Tees based Redline Racing, Porsche race and rally car specialists and have a proven track record in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

Having a year of the potent GT3 race car under his belt, Perez is realistic about his chances this season and looks forward the contrast between his modern specification 911 GT3 race car and his 40-year-old rally version in Team Amigos livery as well.

“Some of the guys in the Carrera Cup have been doing it for years and still trying to find that elusive tenth of a second here and there,” he commented

“There will be some big challenges this season so I think if I can get a podium or two I`ll be very happy. It’s looking like another ultra-competitive line up in the championship so that’s not going to be easy but that’s to be expected. It’s great to have the support of Amigos once again this year, Redline Racing my new team and having George as a teammate will help. It should be a good season”.

“Whilst I made the switch to the circuits a few years ago, I’ve been fortunate enough to compete in several stage events as well but taking the Porsche out last weekend for the first time was a fantastic experience.”

“It’s a great opportunity to compete in two iconic machines this season and I can’t wait to kick start the Carrera Cup in April. If I can get fourth place like in Mallorca in the 911, I`ll be happy with that!”.

The Amigos backed Carrera Cup team will be officially unveiled at the annual media day and the first test of the year at Silverstone on 18 March, whilst Perez will also contest Rally Classico Almira Capital – Puerto Portals in just over a week’s time, back in Mallorca.

The Championship of 16 rounds are ran over 8 championship race weekends The action starts at Brands Hatch 6th to 7th April, followed by the local round at Donington Park on 27th and 28th April.

As usual the Championship will be part of the support racing to the KwikFit British Touring Car Championship and televised live on ITV4.

Side image and editorial courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

Seb Perez in action on last weekend’s Rally Sol de Ponet in Mallorca. Image Credit: Carlos Moya Foto Art

Posted in About Chesterfield

Redbrik acquire property management company

Leading regional estate agency Redbrik have strengthened their lettings proposition with the acquisition of Noble Hardy Property Management.

Redbrik has purchased the assets of the Chesterfield-based property management company and will take over managing the company’s portfolio with immediate effect.

Peter Lee, Lettings Director at Redbrik, said: “This acquisition is fantastic news for Redbrik as we look to expand our lettings service further.”

“We were attracted to the business as it had a very similar ethos to Redbrik in terms of delivering outstanding customer service and striving for 100 per cent occupancy. The company has been run very well by Wilson Spencer, aided by Sam Cauldwell and Joshua Whittaker, and we have inherited a great business with no debt or arrears. It is a really nice fit for the Redbrik brand and a great opportunity to expand our lettings offer in Chesterfield.”

“We are continually looking at ways to attract new landlords so we can work with them and help to maximise their assets. We have an extensive database of tenants waiting for properties and are always eager to add new properties to the market.”

Abigail Wilks, Redbrik’s Chesterfield Lettings Manager, added: “This is an exciting time for the business, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Noble Hardy’s Tenants and Landlords to Redbrik.”

“Providing unrivalled levels of customer service is at the heart of everything we do, and we offer a personal, consistent service with one Lettings Negotiator dealing with properties from beginning to end.”

“Our expert Lettings team provide Tenants and Landlords with a concierge-style service, which is entirely tailored to each individual. We understand what Landlords are looking for in a Tenant and go the extra mile to ensure they find the perfect match.”

When looking so sell Noble Hardy Property Management, Owner Wilson Spencer identified Redbrik as his preferred buyer for the business he started over fifteen years ago. He commented: “I have built a real bond with my clients and my primary focus when I knew I was selling was to choose an agency that would look after and take care of my landlords and tenants. I have known Redbrik’s co-founders Julie Bulheller and Mark Ross for many years, and when I knew they were interested, they were my number one choice.”

For more information, visit www.redbrik.co.uk

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

700 new homes planned for Chesterfield’s Staveley Works site

A planning application has been submitted to build up to 700 new homes as part of a vibrant new community at Staveley in what is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the Chesterfield area.

As well as new two, three and four-bed housing, redevelopment of the 100-acre brownfield site, known as Staveley Works, will include a primary school, a marina on the Chesterfield canal, retail and community facilities, a cycle and footpath network, and new wildlife habitats.

Formerly an iron and steel works, the site will benefit from more than £100m of investment, which will link the communities of Brimington, Hollingwood, Staveley and Barrow Hill. The first homes are expected to be available in around five years time while redevelopment is scheduled to last around ten years in total. During the building and infrastructure work, the development is expected to create around 200 construction jobs. The completed development is expected to support around 800 jobs in the commercial, leisure and education sectors.

The plans have been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, part of the Chatsworth estate, which has owned the land since the 17th Century.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director: “Since closing as an industrial site, Chatsworth has been keen to put something back into the community by redeveloping Staveley Works in an attractive and creative way that provides modern housing, community facilities and jobs for people in the area.

“We held a public consultation in December and got a very positive reaction to our plans. We believe we’ve put forward imaginative ideas to redevelop the site. We can’t wait to get started.”

The planning application is the latest stage in a regeneration process that links with the overall aims of Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council to deliver new investment and infrastructure into the area.

The once-bustling Staveley Works site has been derelict for several years when its 200-year history of industrial development, including mining and iron and steel making, came to a close.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Plans submitted for offices at Chesterfield Waterside

Chesterfield’s premier regeneration scheme, Chesterfield Waterside is set to take significant step forward in 2019.

A Reserved Matters planning application has been submitted for the construction of a six storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million development, in line with the planning permission granted in May 2017.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the office accommodation will begin later this year and will be the first building to be constructed in phase 1 of Basin Square.

In addition to the office accommodation, Basin Square also has outline consent for residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a public realm area and newly constructed canal basin.

The building will deliver circa 35,000 sq ft of much needed high quality, Grade ‘A’ office space to Chesterfield, and is the first step in creating a new business district for the town.  The developers are in already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space contained within the new building.

The office planning application follows hot on the heels of an application in January by Avant Homes to construct 177 homes in The Park neighbourhood of the 16-hectare site.

Recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Chesterfield Waterside is being led by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

As a result of Waterside and Chesterfield Borough Council receiving a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant in 2016, extensive site remediation works have been completed to facilitate the delivery of the phase 1 Basin Square construction works.

Peter Swallow, managing director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “The submission of the planning application at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and will deliver the first spade in the ground for this new neighbourhood.

“I am delighted at the progress Chesterfield Waterside is making in 2019. There is great interest in Phase 1 of Basin Square from both investors and occupiers, which has been brought about by the enabling works and granting of consent for the heights and massing of the buildings. It is an exciting time in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the news, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “I am pleased that the Waterside development is progressing and the planning application for the office accommodation has now be made.

“The decision on the development will be made by my fellow councillors on the council’s planning committee in the coming months.”

Chesterfield residents have shown their support for the site. A survey last year found it is the development local people are most looking forward to seeing complete.

Chesterfield Waterside Offices

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Mayor ‘on-board’ with cancer campaign

There was a special ‘bus stop’ outside Chesterfield Town Hall when Chesterfield’s Mayor, Cllr Stuart Brittain, met project workers on a local town centre bus to promote the latest Be Cancer Safe initiative which is delivered by Derbyshire Voluntary Action.

The Mayor said “This is a great campaign which is close to my heart and as a Be Cancer Safe Champion I will be having conversations with family, friends and colleagues about these important messages”

Jacqui Willis who developed the project in North Derbyshire said: “We are delighted that the mayor is supporting our campaign and joins over 4000 other Be Cancer Safe champions across North Derbyshire. Through talking and sharing stories ‘champions’ are raising awareness and bringing home that, whilst anyone can be affected by cancer, treatment is likely to be more successful if diagnosed early.”

The overall aim is that everyone in North Derbyshire will know about the signs and symptoms of cancer and what screening is available to them.

If you’d like to know more about the project and become a cancer champion, please visit www.becancersafe-nd.org

mayor, team and side

Posted in About Chesterfield

Briefing sessions for potential local election candidates

People considering standing as candidates in the forthcoming local elections on Thursday 2 May are invited to attend briefing sessions held by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The sessions for candidates who are planning to stand in elections to Chesterfield Borough Council, Brimington Parish Council or Staveley Town Council and their agents will be held as follows:

  • Thursday 7 March, 6pm at the Town Hall, Rose Hill
  • Tuesday 12 March, 6pm at the Town Hall, Rose Hill.
  • Tuesday 19 March, 6pm at the Speedwell Rooms, Staveley

The sessions are free to attend and are open to potential candidates and their agents.

Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s returning officer, said: “I will be leading the sessions which will focus on standing for election and the nomination process.

“Anyone who is planning to stand in the local elections or to act as a candidate’s agent is welcome to attend.”

Potential candidates should only attend one session.

For further information or to register interest in attending, contact Julie Briggs, Chesterfield Borough Council’s elections manager by emailing elections@chesterfield.gov.uk or calling (01246) 345806.

anzacs chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Specsavers store in Chesterfield backs Comic Relief with sale of funny frames

Specsavers is once again supporting Comic Relief and the store in Chesterfield is getting in on the act by selling funny frames which are sure to raise a smile.

It is the third Red Nose Day that Specsavers has supported the charity by launching the frames in store, with this year’s red glasses jester theme in keeping with the charity’s comic ethos. Since 2015, Specsavers stores have raised £848,000 and have pledged to raise £250,000 this year in their quest to break the £1 million mark.

This will be done through the sale of the Comic Relief frames which cost just £2, with 100% of the proceeds going to the charity. They will be available to buy in stores and, for the first time, the Comic Relief website.

Vicki Bainbridge, Retail Director at Specsavers Chesterfield says: ‘Our glasses this year are fantastic and we hope everyone gets into the fundraising spirit by picking up a pair in store and help us smash our £1 million fundraising mark. We are really proud to support Comic Relief and all the good causes they fund.’

Catherine Cottrell, fundraising and partnerships executive director at Comic Relief, adds: ‘We’re so pleased Specsavers is continuing to support us for the third year. It’s great to see people having fun wearing their Comic Relief specs to help us raise much needed funds on Red Nose Day and we’re thrilled to now be offering these on our online shop too.’

Frames are available in your local Specsavers store in Chesterfield now ahead of Red Nose Day on Friday 15 March. Customers who would like to recycle the glasses after Red Nose Day will be able to return them to their local store and they will be sent onto a specialist recycling company.

For more information visit www.specsavers.co.uk or www.comicrelief.com

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Royal Hospital Staff Survey Shows Improvement

Figures released by Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust show that it is moving towards its aim of being one of the country’s top 20 NHS Organisations to work.

Results from the 2018 national staff survey (published today, February 26 2019) show that it’s making real progress towards that aim – with marked improvements across the survey’s ten ratings of staff experience. The trust employs 4,000 staff  making it one of North Derbyshire’s largest employers.

The trust has one of the highest response rates in the country for an acute hospital – at 71% – more members of staff than ever before (2751) have had their say about what it feels like for them to be part of the NHS, working at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, community based services and Royal Primary Care GP surgeries.

Simon Morritt, Chief Executive says: “We’re really delighted at such visible progress. It’s a real step-change and it’s down to a new approach over the last two years that’s creating a culture where we all share the same positive values, beliefs, behaviours and ambitions. “Providing high-quality, safe and patient-centred care has to be at the heart of what we do and with a rating of GOOD from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) we’re well on our way to become outstanding in that respect.

However, it’s equally important to give the same attention to detail to our people. Taking care of their health and wellbeing, providing them with career development, education and training opportunities, putting them in charge of leading change and improvement, making sure their working environment is safe and that they are supported through compassionate leadership.”

Mr Morritt added, “By giving people the opportunity to get involved, by supporting our staff and enabling them to take the lead we’re creating an even better place to work.

Over the next few months the trust will be focusing on delivering ambitions set out in its People Strategy and Quality Strategy, both of which contain a host of plans designed to improve areas including work-life balance, leadership, education and training and patient care, safety and experience.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Local people urged to back the call for sprinklers in new-build developments

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) is urging people throughout Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to back the London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) call for a change in the law, which would see sprinklers fitted in more new-build residential developments.

The call follows the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017, where a fire at the London tower block led to the death of 72 people.

LFB wants all purpose-built residential blocks to have sprinklers installed, irrespective of height. Currently, in England, sprinklers are only a legal requirement in new residential blocks taller than 30 metres.

Worryingly, England is behind Wales where sprinkler legislation is concerned. In Wales, sprinklers have been required in all new houses and flats since 1 January 2017 under Wales, Part B (Fire Safety) – New Building Regulation 37A (1) (c).

The Government is currently consulting on building regulations that include a crucial section on sprinklers.

DBCP, which is the recommended provider of building control services in Derbyshire, is now joining LFB by emailing MPs across Derbyshire to urge them to change the law on sprinklers to make people and buildings in England safer.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP commented: “I fully support this move and would urge any developer to install sprinklers as a matter of course rather than waiting for a change in law. They are not as ugly as they used to be and can be made to look very discrete these days.

“Sprinklers should be installed in all flats and apartments no matter what the cost – you can’t put a price on people being safe in their own home.”

To support the call for all new build development to include sprinkler systems, simply email your MP and tell them you want sprinklers to be mandatory in:

  • all buildings housing vulnerable residents like care homes
  • all purpose-built blocks of flats over six storeys
  • all homes where vulnerable people live.

You can find the email address of your local MP at www.writetothem.com

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership

Posted in Business

The Oldest Civic Theatre in the Country turns 70

There were celebrations at the Pomegranate Theatre as the popular venue, owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council, celebrates its 70th anniversary.

A reception was held where actors, directors, writers, regular customers and Chesterfield Theatre Friends mingled with councillors and theatre staff to celebrate the achievements of the last 70 years.

Then known as Chesterfield Civic Theatre, the theatre was opened by well-known film and stage actress Kathleen Harrison on 19 February 1949.

It was the first civic theatre in the country following legislation brought in by Atlee’s post-war Government and was originally a repertory theatre offering a new show each week.

Among the original company of actors was Peter Sallis, best known for playing Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine and for voicing Wallace and Gromit. Other actors to tread the boards in the early years include Dame Penelope Keith, best known for The Good Life and To the Manor Born and John Challis, known as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses.

Chesterfield Borough Council continues to own and maintain the venue, which was extensively refurbished in 2014 with funding from the council and Arts Council England.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are proud of the history of the Pomegranate Theatre which has entertained so many people from Chesterfield and beyond for the last 70 years.

“We are also proud to fund and maintain the theatre, which with its programme of drama, comedy, dance and film continues to go from strength to strength – here’s to the next 70 years.”

The theatre is currently hosting a repertory season to commemorate the anniversary. To book, visit: www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk.

An exhibition celebrating the history of the theatre as well as the 25th anniversary of Chesterfield Museum and the 140th anniversary of the Stephenson Memorial Hall where they are both housed is currently open at  the museum on St Mary’s Gate.

The museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, Admission is free but donations are welcome to cover the cost of events.

Pomegranate Theatre 70th anniversary

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting