Author: Dom Stevens

Rail Ale 2017 lets the train take the strain as it adds new attractions to this year’s Festival

Highlights of this year’s event will include a prosecco bar and special train services calling at the unique Barrow Hill Roundhouse site.  The event organisers have teamed up with rail tour operators Rail Operations Group, Vintage Trains and UK Railtours to offer visitors a very different way of getting to Rail Ale 2017.

Rail Ale 2017 will take place on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Saturday 20th May, opening from 12.00 noon until 11.00pm on all three days.

On offer at this year’s Festival will be over 300 beers from around the UK, with one of the bars dedicated to real ales closer to home, as well as a wide selection of increasingly popular craft keg beers, a cider bar, bottled beers from around the world and the new prosecco bar adding a little sparkle to the drinks menu.

In a first ever link up with Rail Operations Group and Vintage Trains a unique train service will call into the Festival on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th May.  Two classic diesel locomotives will haul the special trains, picking up passengers from Derby, Chesterfield and Sheffield before heading into the Festival for a few hours of beer tasting, live music and cider drinking.  For those Rail Ale fans coming from further afield, UK Railtours will be running a repeat of their sell out 2015 rail tour, bringing visitors from London and the South East by high speed train into the Festival on Thursday 18th May. Starting at London St Pancras the tour will pick up passengers at Luton Airport Parkway and Bedford before heading north to the delights of Rail Ale.

Visitors to Rail Ale 2017 will also be able to enjoy a wide ranging feast of music from some of the best local bands and solo artists in the region on the Main Stage and jazz and brass in the Café Bar Marquee.  In between the music and the ever popular Rail Ale train rides on the Roundhouse site, the Festival food stalls will offer a selection of food to suit all tastes.

The dedicated free bus service will also be running from Chesterfield railway station throughout all three days.

Alexa Stott, Event co-organiser, said:-

“Rail Ale has evolved continuously since it started 16 years ago and we are looking forward to sharing our new ideas for this year’s Festival with our visitors whilst retaining the unique attractions from previous years that make this one of the must-do events of the year.”

For detailed information on Rail Ale 2017 click here.

Rail Ale 2017

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Weekend of Mixed Emotions for Seb Perez

17 year old Chesterfield race driver Seb Perez travels to Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire  this weekend (6/7 May) to compete in the Michelin Ginetta GT5 Challenge, he changes cars for the weekend  after a mixed weekend of racing at local circuit Donington Park just under three weeks ago in the  Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup Championship of which he is a strong competitor.

Perez swaps cars this weekend as the regular series isn’t on the timetable at Thruxton, one of two weekends during the year, he swaps his Ginetta G55 race car to the G40 model, a car similar to his junior car what he has raced for the last two seasons in.

Seb is doing well a student at the Motor Sports Association Academy  College in Loughborough – the home of young top and upcoming motorsport racers.

He took a lot of support to Donington with him in the way of local fans who were there to support him through the whole race weekend.

Donington was a tough weekend of mixed emotions and sadness both on and off track for Perez, to see his JHR Developments team mate and good friend, Billy Monger, involved in the horrific British Formula 4 crash and to learn that Billy had lost both lower legs.

Perez spoke about his friend Bill Monger:

“It was a emotional weekend for me and my team, Billy is a true hero, this weekend I will be racing for Billy, I wish him a speedy recovery and has a sport we all do as much as possible to help him recover”

The whole motorsport family worldwide have pulled together with more than £775,000 being raised online to fund the care, treatments and therapies he will need. Since the crash drivers teams etc have put stickers on there cars helmets and race suits with #BillyWhizz, Lewis Hamilton dedicated last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix to Billy.

Donington Park was Perez’s second full weekend out in the usual Ginetta Supercup car and a car that he is still getting to grips with gaining more experience every time out on track.

Saturday morning saw Seb go out for qualifying and finish in 11th position out of the 20 cars after an eventful few laps only to loose the car in his sixth lap at the Old Hairpin and take an excursion into the gravel and that was his qualifying session over. He had been topping speeds on parts of the circuit of  around 130mph.

Saturday afternoon saw one race with two races on Sunday.

The opening race of the weekend  saw Perez 10th on the grid on the 5th row and has the lights went out it wasn’t good enough for him to make any places up until lap 3 where he gained 2 places and after a sensational scrap with Higgins by lap 5 he was seventh.

He dropped to 8th place by lap seven with pressure from Hibbert, Higgins and White giving Perez a run for his money and by lap 12 had dropped into 9th position after being passed by the number 22 car of Green. He maintained 9th for the rest of the 15 lap race.

Perez commented after the race:-

“I am still getting used to the car, it is totally different to Ginetta Juniors”

Race two saw a 5th row position and 9th on the grid, by the end of lap one the safety car made an appearance after Minshaw and Tilley had a come together, as the lights on the safety car went out on lap 3 everyone had bunched together making it a difficult restart for Perez  and seeing him drop back 11th after being overtaken by Somerfield and Gamble.

By lap 8 Seb gained a place to 10th after the leader Pointon went off loosing places and had gained another move up in the pack to 9th a lap later, he finished 10th after loosing a place near the end of the 17 lap race.

After a re-scheduled race and last race of the day Seb was on 4th row place and 8th on the grid for race 3. It saw Seb have a bad start loosing a place by end of lap one into 9th. But pushing the car to its limit he made it back up to 8th by start of lap 3 and dropping back down again a lap later and in 11th by lap 7, he kept this position to take the chequered flag in 11th place.

Perez commented about the weekend:-

“Donington was a tough weekend and there were a few teething problems with the car, it is still a learning curve for me and by Oulton Park in a few weeks we should be getting there.

“JHR Developments have done a fantastic  job as usual on the car, with more  improvements to come.

“I’m looking forward to the slightly different challenge this weekend behind the wheel of a Ginetta GT5 Challenge car but cant wait for Oulton Park and back in my usual car”

Perez comes to Thruxton at the weekend in 8th place after dropping 3 places in the in the Professional Driver class with 91 points and his team JHR Developments take a drop to second in the Team Championship with 201 points.

You can follow Seb and all the action on Sunday on ITV 4 where races are televised live alongside the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

seb perez

Editorial and Images by Paul Horton Motorsport Media and Photography

Posted in About Chesterfield

Amigos Tequila kick off summer season with launch of limited edition pack

To support a 14 week summer campaign which begins with the celebration of all things Mexican, Cinco de Mayo, Amigos Tequila Beer have created a limited edition pack featuring a competition to encourage consumer purchase over the summer.

Amigos Tequila Beer, which is distributed by Chesterfield business Global Brands, is best sold during the summer with an uplift in the off trade of +36% during the warmer months*. The new packaging is bright, vibrant and instantly eye catching on shelf. Illustrated with a warm, evocative sun emblazoned with a ‘Start the Summer’ call to action, the pack drives home the link between sunnier weather and increased consumer spending.

The beer with Mexican spirit, Amigos is inspired by Mexican culture and Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of these traditions. The pack has been officially released on the 17th April ahead of the May celebration to mark the beginning of the season whilst continuously attracting attention on shelf throughout the summer.

The limited edition pack encourages consumers to purchase the 4-pack with a nationwide competition. The prizes offered through the promotion include 20 individuals winning a full case of Amigos as well as the one lucky winner receiving two tickets to the British Touring Car Championship race meet of their choice. After purchasing a pack, consumers simply head to Amigos website to enter.

Christian Sarginson, Senior brand manager, said:-

“Following the success of our limited edition Dia de los Muertos pack this new wrap has been designed to really stand out on shelf and catch consumers attention to start off our summer campaign. This season is a massive time for Amigos so to encourage our consumers to start the summer with us is our inclusive way of introducing the new pack. There are also great prizes available to our consumers which ties in with our fantastic motorsport activity”.

Amigos continue to support motorsport with sponsorship of driver Tom Ingram in the British Touring Car Championship. With the new season launching last month there’s full planned activation including social and video content to appeal to consumers as well as support Amigos’ #streetcerveza campaign.

amigos tequila

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

SEO CoPilot to sponsor Chesterfield drag race rider

Chesterfield-based search engine optimisation and web design company SEO CoPilot, have recently teamed up with Ian Chrichlow of Merlin Fibreglass Flat Roofing, who has announced he will be representing CoPilot at Santa Pod raceway.

The Fossil Fuellers racer and GRP Fibreglass company owner,  had his super bike sponsored by CoPilot and re-sprayed in their company colours with the addition of branding and logos. This partnership started when Ian Chrichlow contacted Guy from SEO CoPilot, looking for a fresh new updated website and SEO Campaign.

Guy Tomlinson, owner of SEO CoPilot, stated:-

“Ian was keen to improve the site and see a better ranking in searches. So, we met and assessed his site, it wasn’t performing well and wasn’t mobile friendly, we made some improvements, focused on SEO and he’s now on page one as a result. But more importantly we clicked and got on well.

“We thought this would be a great time to announce our partnership, as well as show off the new bike to the public.”

The team at SEO CoPilot are now planning to travel down to Santa Pod through the year to support Ian. As part of the sponsorship, the CoPilot team will be also be sporting specially designed apparel for the event, with hoodies showing the CoPilot brand as well as Ian’s Fossil Fuellers Logo.

SEO CoPilot

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Candidates for Chesterfield for Derbyshire County Council Elections 2017

Voters will take to the polls in the Derbyshire County Council Election on Thursday 4th May 2017.

The candidates standing in Chesterfield are as follows:

Birdholme County Council Election Candidates

Dave Allen – Labour
Amanda Brassington – Liberal Democrat
Paul Gibbons – Conservative

Boythorpe and Brampton South County Council Election Candidates

Keith Falconer – Liberal Democrat
Ron Mihaly – Labour
Sara Scotting – Conservative

Brimington County Council Election Candidates

Stuart Brittain – Labour
Adam Fowler – Conservative
Tony Rogers – Liberal Democrat
Paul Stone – Brimington Independents

Loundsley Green and Newbold County Council Election Candidates

Sharon Buxton – Chesterfield Independents
John Scotting – Conservative
Tom Snowdon – Liberal Democrat
Mick Wall – Labour

Spire County Council Election Candidates

Sharon Blank – Labour
Maggie Cannon – Liberal Democrat
Adrian Mather – Independent
Nigel Sterland – Conservative

St Mary’s County Council Election Candidates

Matthew Genn – Liberal Democrat
Jean Innes – Labour and Co-operative
John Levis – Green Party
Malcolm Rowley – Conservative
Kerrie Webb – UKIP

Staveley County Council Election Candidates

Mick Bagshaw – Independent
Helen Elliott – Labour
Stephen Hartley – Liberal Democrat
James Hunt – Conservative

Staveley North County Council Election Candidates

Barry Bingham – Liberal Democrat
Dean Collins – Labour
Oliver Scheidt – Conservative

Walton and West County Council Election Candidates

John Boult – Conservative
Gordon McLaren – Labour
Paul Niblock – Liberal Democrat

county council election 2017

Posted in About Chesterfield

Ashgate Hospicecare’s Make a Will Month returns this May

Throughout May, several local solicitors have agreed to support Ashgate Hospicecare’s ‘Make a Will’ Campaign.

The campaign, which is designed to educate the public on the importance of Wills and to encourage them to make one, will be supported by local solicitors who will offer a free service for the making of a basic Will in return for a donation to Ashgate Hospicecare.

Every year supporters of Ashgate Hospicecare help to ensure that the hospice can continue to help patients and their families whose lives have been affected by a life limiting illness by leaving a gift in their Will.

Alison chose to support Ashgate Hospicecare by leaving a gift in her Will after her husband, Mark, died in the Hospice. She said:-

“The Hospice kind of tracked our journey and came into and out of our lives as and when we needed it. We were absolutely overwhelmed at the kindness of everyone, just the smallest of things that the staff and volunteers did all built up and meant so much to us both.

“Ashgate Hospicecare is a community resource and I know that the gift I am leaving in my Will really will make a huge difference to those people facing a similar situation to ours.”

Each year, gifts in Wills help to ensure that the Hospice can go on helping patients and their families whose lives are affected by life limiting illnesses. In fact, one in five of our patients are cared for by using gifts in Wills. Without those gifts, it is likely that 275 fewer patients would be cared for by the Hospice each year.

Ashgate Hospicecare is encouraging those who haven’t made a Will to use this opportunity to do so. Appointments can be made directly with the solicitor and a list of those participating in the campaign can be found here.

Ashgate Hospice Will

 

Posted in Uncategorised

Former fashion student launches exciting new clothing company Blue Oxen

Talented former Chesterfield College fashion student, April Spence, age 20, launched her new ethical and sustainable clothing company, Blue Oxen at a special event in the businesses new base in West Studios on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield last week.

The event showcased her bespoke and eye catching clothing collections to invited guests including representatives from the local fashion industry the mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Steve Brunt, and Mayoress of Chesterfield, Mrs Jill Mannion-Brunt who congratulated April on her new venture. Guests were also treated to a dance performance and a chance to see the newly launched web site.

Her business idea came from a personal passion and the chance to explore sustainable fashion during her studies at college.

April sources materials that would otherwise end up in landfill, by using remnants or fabric she finds in charity shops and she also sources new materials that are created with the environment in mind. She designs and makes unique pieces of clothing for individual commissions which are a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles, with underlying African themes and inspiration.

She has planned and launched her business in just 4 months and says it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of former tutors, the staff and other tenants of West Studios who have helped her get her business off the ground.

April said:

“I didn’t want to go to university after I finished college and had always dreamt of owning my own business. It feels great to be making that happen here. West Studios is an ideal place for me to be creative, develop my business skills and see my idea come to fruition. My dream is to be a market leader in sustainable fashion.”

“Blue Oxen is all about sustainability with flair. I am creating exciting clothes that you can’t get on the high street. Eventually, when the business grows, I would like to be able to manufacture in some of the tribal communities which inspired my first collection of sustainable clothing as well as in the UK.”

Blue Oxen chesterfield college

Posted in Uncategorised

Make sure you’re registered to vote ahead of general election

Chesterfield Borough Council is reminding residents to make sure they are registered to vote in the general election on Thursday 8 June.

Chesterfield residents who are already registered to vote will automatically be sent poll cards to vote in the general election.

Residents have until Monday 22 May to register to vote in the general election.

The quickest and simplest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The process takes only a few minutes. People wanting to register will need details including: date of birth, address and National Insurance number.

Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s chief executive and electoral registration officer, said:-

“Since the general election has been called, our elections team has been contacted by people asking if they need to re-register to vote and we would like to reassure them that if they are already on the electoral register, they will be entitled to vote on 8 June.

“Time is running out, though, for anyone who is not already registered to vote in the general election and I would urge anyone who is not registered, to do this as soon as possible.”

The deadline for people to register to vote in the Derbyshire County Council elections on Thursday 4 May has now passed and it is too late for people who are not already registered to register to vote in these elections.

Anyone with any queries can contact the council’s elections team on 01246 345402 or email elections@chesterfield.gov.uk

Ballot Box

Posted in Uncategorised

First woman leader for Chesterfield Borough Council

Councillor Tricia Gilby has become the new leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, with Councillor Amanda Serjeant appointed as deputy leader.

Councillor Gilby is the first woman leader in the council’s 44-year history and the pair will also become the first all-female leadership team.

Both were formally confirmed in post after the council’s previous leader Councillor John Burrows decided to retire from his role and Councillor Terry Gilby, also stepped down from his position as deputy leader.

Councillor Tricia Gilby said:-

“I am very proud to be the first woman leader of the council and also to form part of the first female leadership team with Amanda.

“Councillor John Burrows has been a fantastic public servant to Chesterfield over the years but has decided now is the time to step back from a frontline role. He and Councillor Terry Gilby made a strong team so they will be a tough act to follow.

“While we have new ideas of our own we intend to build on the solid foundations that they have created so our approach will be one of evolution rather than revolution.

“We are committed to delivering the final two years of our four-year Council Plan, which sets out what we want to do as a council.

“We are looking forward to working with the council’s staff on delivering its three key objectives, which are: to make Chesterfield a thriving borough, improve the quality of life for local people and deliver value for money services.”

Councillor John Burrows, the previous leader, will step down from a frontline role but continue as a ward councillor for Brimington North, as well as being chair of the council’s employment and general committee.

Councillor Terry Gilby will remain a cabinet member but take up the economic growth portfolio as part of a new look cabinet team that was also confirmed at the meeting.

The other change sees Councillor Steve Brunt join as cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy following the completion of his year as mayor.

The full cabinet is:

  • Leader – Councillor Tricia Gilby
  • Deputy leader – Councillor Amanda Serjeant
  • Cabinet member for economic growth – Councillor Terry Gilby
  • Cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy – Councillor Steve Brunt
  • Cabinet member for health and wellbeing – Councillor Chris Ludlow
  • Cabinet member for homes and customers – Councillor Helen Bagley
  • Cabinet member for governance – Councillor Sharon Blank
  • Cabinet member for business transformation – Councillor Ken Huckle
  • Assistant cabinet members (special projects) – Councillors Ray Catt, Jean Innes and John Dickinson.
  • Cabinet member without portfolio – Councillor Alexis Diouf (leader of the Liberal Democrats)

The changes were all confirmed at the council’s annual business meeting last night (Wednesday 26 April).

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Council Plan can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/councilplan

Tricia Gilby

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield FC’s conference and banqueting team nominated for prestigious Hospitality Award

The conference and banqueting team at Chesterfield FC’s Proact Stadium has been nominated for the Directors Choice Award in the Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2017.

The awards, sponsored by Carlsberg, will take place in the new main stand at Anfield, home to Liverpool FC, on Thursday, June 1. Around 400 guests will experience a fine dining four-course menu and awards ceremony.

The prestigious event aims to recognise the efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every football and rugby stadium across the UK.

The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards is organised by Stadium Experience, a not-for-profit marketing collaboration of over 50 UK football and rugby stadia. The organisation was established in 2002 to promote and market the UK’s football stadia as venues to the conference and event market. In 2013, the organisation evolved to welcome rugby stadia venues for the very first time.

The Directors Choice Award – sponsored by FC Business – is voted for by directors at each club. They are asked to nominate the club where they had the best away experience when travelling with their team. They are specifically asked to consider the welcome, service and catering when casting their votes.

Collette Salmon, Stadium Experience chair person at Liverpool Football Club, commented:-

“Stadium teams work tirelessly, striving to bring excellence in their venues for both matchday hospitality and non-matchday events.

“These awards aim to recognise and celebrate all of this hard work and commitment. Congratulations and best of luck to all of this year’s award nominees – we look forward to announcing the results here at Anfield on June 1st!”

Ashley Carson, Chesterfield FC’s director & company secretary,  said:-

“The staff try very hard on a matchday to welcome our visiting directors and I believe we offer them amazing hospitality.

“I would like to congratulate all the team in conference and banqueting and whether or not we win the award, the recognition alone is to be celebrated.”

Chesterfield Football Club

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield apprentice shines in national education and training awards

An apprentice from Chesterfield has become just one of five apprentices nationwide to scoop the Electrical Distributors’ Association’s (EDA) Learner Achievement Award.

Jack Jones, who works at Newey & Eyre, Chesterfield, part of the Rexel group, beat off competition from 270 apprentices from across the UK to win the award, which was announced at a glittering ceremony at London’s iconic Shard recently.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Jack, who was joined at the ceremony by his father David and Newey & Eyre Area Manager, Harj Dosanji who added “Well done to Jack! He’s credit to the branch and to the company. I’ve been a big advocate of the EDA apprentice scheme, and over the last few years I am delighted to say we have produced some great talent for the future. Jack is one shining example.”

The EDA Learner Achievement Awards were presented to 5 apprentices whose hard work and dedication to their training mark them out as rising stars in the sector, and to 7 employees who have shown exemplary performance and dedication to their professional studies as part of the EDA’s Specialist Product Knowledge Programme.

Simon Barkes, EDA President who presented the winners their trophies, said:-

“Business success depends on inspirational managers who can create the right environment for talent to flourish. Equally, their apprentices and employees need to recognise the opportunities on offer and work hard to achieve outstanding results.

“Education and training is a key pillar of the EDA’s work and it is a privilege to celebrate the positive difference that we can create for individuals, teams and businesses.”

Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA Director, said:-

“The EDA is committed to developing a clear career pathway for the sector through a framework of life-long education and training.

“Our celebrations help us to raise the profile of career opportunities in the electrical wholesale sector and underline the investment that the sector is making in employee learning and development. Building talented teams is not easy but our winners are a real credit to the sector and their businesses.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business