Author: Dom Stevens

Spireites make fourth pre-season signing

23rd June 2016

The Spireites have made a fourth pre-season signing with former Dundee defender Paul McGinn agreeing a two-year contract.

McGinn, who will officially join the club on July 1, is a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at Dundee.

Commenting on the signing, Spireites chief executive Chris Turner said:-

“Paul’s arrival will greatly strengthen the level of competition for a place on the right-hand side of defence. He is very athletic and comes highly recommended.”

The 25-year-old started his career at Queen’s Park and then had spells at St Mirren and Dumbarton before joining Dundee in the summer of 2014.

McGinn will join fellow new recruits Kristian Dennis, Jon Nolan and Ched Evans when the players report for the start of pre-season training on July 4.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Clean-Up on the Chesterfield Canal

23rd June 2016

A group of over 30 employees, from three local McDonald’s stores, supported a clean-up of the Chesterfield Canal and the surrounding areas on 21st June; from litter picking, to weed pulling and painting the iron footbridge that crosses the River Rother.

Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Rangers also played their part, by cutting back undergrowth and removing the dozens of bags of litter and weeds that had been collected during the day.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, Cllr Steve Brunt and Mrs Jill Manion-Brunt, joined the Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Cllr John Burrows, at Tapton Lock Visitor Centre to thank the volunteers for their hard work.

Jordan Ball, speaking as a representative for McDonald’s, said:-

“This has been a really worthwhile event. McDonald’s is committed to LWYL – Love Where You Live – and we hope to repeat the exercise next year.”

Clean-Up on the Chesterfield Canal

Posted in About Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Young chefs shortlisted in 2016 Food and Drink Awards

23rd June 2016

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner of the Young Chef of the Year award, James Greatorex who has recently joined Heston Blumenthal restaurant The Fat Duck, three catering students from Chesterfield College have been shortlisted for the prestigious title in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Jordan Elliott (18) from Codnor, Sophie Warren (18) from Bolsover and Josh Clark (17) from Walton, level 2 catering students at Chesterfield College, have all been shortlisted for the Young Chef of the Year Award.

A live ‘cook-off’ involving the three students preparing a main course and a dessert which were tasted and judged by three professional chefs – Adam Warwick, head chef at Blu Bistro on Chatsworth Road, Chris Mapp chef and owner of The Tickled Trout in Barlow and Adam Stockton, head chef at Calabria Cocina on Glumangate, was held recently to decide the winner.

Sophie prepared a cod fish pie on a bed of warm tartar sauce followed by chocolate fondant with spiced pear and Chantilly cream. A nervous, but happy Sophie commented: “It was great to be shortlisted; it was not something I expected. Everything went to plan and I was very pleased with the two dishes that I produced. The competition has really helped my confidence.”

Josh wowed the judges with rack of lamb with summer vegetables followed by gooseberry and custard tart. Josh, who sites Gordon Ramsay and Keith Floyd as his food heroes, added: “It was a great experience. My dad and grandma got me into cooking. Her meat and potato pie is the absolute best; even my dad agrees.”

Jordon, who described the competition as ‘nerve-wracking’, prepared roast rump of lamb and baby lettuce followed by strawberry and black pepper sponge cake for the judges. He said: “I don’t like competitions as I am out of my comfort zone, however I really enjoyed the cooking and learnt a lot of helpful tips from the judges.”

The Rev Patrick Coleman from the Crooked Spire Church (St Mary’s Church) which sponsors the award category also took part in the judging. He said: “I was really interested and excited to see three young people doing such great work. The Church encourages young people on their way through life and the Young Chef of the Year Award is a great foundation for any young chef’s future career.”

The winner of the Young Chef of the Year title will be announced at the glitzy award ceremony at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building on Wednesday 26 October. This year, the ceremony is being hosted by celebrity cake maker to the stars and royalty Mich Turner MBE who will announce the winners of 12 award categories.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with headline sponsor the Chesterfield College Group, the awards aim to showcase the very best in the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

The College also uses the awards ceremony as a learning exercise for its hospitality students. This year, 50 students from the College will also be catering and silver serving a two course meal to more than 250 people attending the event, working over three days on all areas, including kitchen and front of house. Last year Jordan, Sophie and Josh worked at the awards serving the food. This year, they will get to enjoy the two-course meal prepared, cooked and served to them by their fellow students. Chris Mapp from the Tickled Trout advised them to “make the most of it and enjoy every minute.”

Adam Stockton from Calabria added: “College and work situations are a very different environment and Sophie, Jordan and Josh should be very proud of themselves and what they produced today. They all did extremely well.”

Other supporters of the awards include arvarto, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Black Eyed Susan, Casa Hotel, Central Technology Ltd, Chesterfield Borough Council, Custom Solar, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber, Holdsworth Foods, Kier, Jumble Design, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, MSE Hiller, Peak FM, ra Information Systems and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Schools invited to nominate sporting stars for annual awards

23rd June 2016

Derbyshire’s brightest and best sporting stars are to be recognised at a special awards ceremony later this year – with schools now encouraged to nominate their talented youngsters to ensure they don’t miss out.

The annual awards will return to Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium on October 19th – and teachers, schools, sports associations and area associations can now put forward outstanding performers who deserve recognition.

The Derbyshire Schools’ Sports Association (DSSA) Sports Awards honour young people who have excelled whilst competing in school sport or sport outside of school, as well as young people and adults who have been involved in voluntary roles off the playing field, court or gym floor.

Nominations are invited for individuals and teams from primary, secondary and special schools in Individual Achievement, Team Achievement, Young Leaders / Ambassadors and Adult Volunteer categories.

There is also a Special Award, for media and arts contribution to school sport, which recognises individuals and groups who have produced exceptional work such as photography, film, written reports, music or dance in relation to school sport.

The Individual Achievement, Team Achievement and Young Leaders / Ambassadors awards will be divided into Primary and Secondary School categories, as well as a disability category.

More information about the awards can be found at www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/dssa-awards, where an online nomination form is available. A nomination form can also be downloaded.

The closing date for all nominations is 5pm on Friday, July 29th.

Secondary School Team of the Year
Secondary School of the Year 2015: Tupton Hall School Under-12s Girls Football Team

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Manufacturing, Uncategorised

Macmillan marks milestone with celebration event

23rd June 2016

A topping out ceremony was held at the new Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre to celebrate the near-complete development. Held on 14^th June, the event was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, local schools and supporters, who visited to hear about the latest fundraising news.

Last month The National Gardens Scheme (NGS), a long standing partner of Macmillan, announced it would donate £1.5 million towards the new state of the art cancer centre. The donation is equivalent to over half of the £2.5 million Macmillan has committed to raise towards the Chesterfield appeal. It marks a significant step towards meeting the fundraising appeal target and towards the development of this much needed local service.

Rob Turner, Macmillan’s Senior Fundraising Manager for Chesterfield, said:-

“Being diagnosed with cancer is the toughest fight many people will ever face, so I am absolutely delighted that this generous donation from the NGS has brought us closer to the completion of the build which we can see taking real shape today.”

The new £8.9 million Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre is due to open at Chesterfield Royal Hospital in the autumn.

Macmillan still needs to raise just under £700,000 to hit the appeal target of £2.5 million. If you are able to help please contact Rob Turner on rturner@macmillan.org.uk or 07545 419 725.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Uncategorised

Archbishop of Canterbury visits Chesterfield

22nd June 2016

The Archbishop of Canterbury visited Chesterfield on the 22nd June as part of his tour of Derbyshire. This was Justin Welby’s first visit to the town since being appointed the Church of England’s most senior clergyman.

The Archbishop spoke at a business networking event at St Thomas’ Centre in Brampton, Chesterfield. His talk focused on the challenges facing businesses in the current economic climate and spoke of the need for businesses to be deeply embedded into the community. This was followed by a question and answer session which discussed credit unions, volunteering, the business management of the Church of England and the role business owners have in shaping culture throughout their companies.

During his tour of Chesterfield he also visited Chesterfield’s iconic crooked spire church where pupils from William Gilbert School, in Duffield, led a showcase of work on collective worship, in front of an audience of hundreds of local youngsters and the Archbishop.

Addressing the children, the Archbishop encouraged them to use the skills a church education offers to think for themselves and act for others. He continued: “It is obviously true that good schools help produce an educated workforce. But the Christian vision is a far greater one; it is about setting a framework for children as they learn, which enables them to be confident when faced with the vast challenges that our rapidly changing culture brings to us.”

Chesterfield Parish Church’s vicar, Revd Patrick Coleman, said “I am delighted to be able to welcome my church’s leader to the town’s most recognisable landmark.”

Bishop of Derby, Alastair Redfern said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury on his first pastoral visit to the East Midlands. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the important work being carried out across Derbyshire as we look to face the challenges together. We hope his visit will inspire many more to get involved in making our communities stronger whether through their church, workplace, social group, school or college.”

The Archbishop carries out two to three pastoral visits to dioceses a year, where he has a chance to witness the mission and ministry going on and to encourage them in their work.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield College inspires town to cycle at Aviva Women’s Tour

22nd June 2016

Chesterfield College students supported Chesterfield Borough Council’s role in the Aviva Women’s Tour of Britain cycling event last week, by helping school children, and members of the public, to get involved and get pedalling.

Students who are currently studying Public Service were involved in marshalling the event route and helping to run the schools event, where children got to ride part of the route and have a go on balance bikes in the market square. The students put their skills to the test to help with managing the crowds and ensuring the safety of spectators and riders.

Sports students and staff challenged members of the public in New Square, in the town centre, to see how far they could cycle in 2 minutes using a spinning bike. They were also on hand to encourage and advise women to take part in sporting activities, as well as carrying out fitness testing.

Stuart Allen, Director of Learning from Health, Wellbeing and Society, said:-

“This kind of high profile sporting event really brings communities together and inspires people to take part in sport. We’re delighted the college has been invited to play a role to help make it happen and to show how the people of Chesterfield can improve their health, fitness and wellbeing. Our students did a fantastic job at sharing their skills and expertise with people, young and old, in order to help them improve their health and fitness.

“I want to thank staff and students from our public services and sport courses for working so hard to make our involvement in the Aviva Women’s Tour so successful.”

Sports students from Chesterfield College encouraging members of the public to take part in a cycling challenge at the Aviva Women’s Tour event

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Uncategorised

Colleges collaborate to enhance further education provision

22nd June 2016

It has been announced that Chesterfield College will be forming key collaborations to improve the way learners and employers can access apprenticeship and further education provision, following a review of further education provision in the Sheffield City Region to meet the Government’s aims of creating resilient and efficient further education provision.

The report, produced at the end of the review, recommends that over the next 12 months Chesterfield College forms an apprenticeship company with other colleges in the region, including Barnsley College, Dearne Valley College, Sheffield College and the Rotherham and North Nottinghamshire College group. The apprenticeship company will make it easier for learners and employers to find and access apprenticeships, as well as reduce the costs of developing and marketing the apprenticeship offer for individual colleges.

The report also highlights that Chesterfield College is working on a new strategic partnership with a college outside the Sheffield City Region. Chesterfield College and Derby College are exploring opportunities for working in partnership to improve further education services for students, employers and local communities.

The aim of both colleges is to provide robust and locally responsive further education provision that will help to develop a highly skilled workforce for the region and improve employment prospects for young people and adults. Options are being explored that will strengthen the work of both colleges for the benefit of their communities.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal at Chesterfield College, said:-

“We are looking forward to working with colleges in the Sheffield City Region to grow apprenticeships and create a robust system that makes it easier for everyone to use apprenticeships to get the skills they need. Our plans to work with Derby College were born because both colleges share the same ethos, drive and quality approach to ensure we are developing a skilled workforce, so it makes sense to make the most of our strengths and geographical location by working together.

“Plans are in the early stages but the vision is to share our expertise to improve our offer to students and employers. Any partnership would look to improve and grow services that meet the priorities of our area. I look forward to working with the team at Derby College to develop the strategies.”

Mandie Stravino, Chief Executive at Derby College, added:-

“I am confident that much can be achieved through working together. Our focus will always be on ensuring we play our part in positively impacting on the prosperity of the communities we serve.”

Details of the strategic partnership are currently being developed and further details will be announced following the next area review, which includes colleges in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire region, planned to start in November.

Chesterfield College

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Manufacturing, Uncategorised

VK to support pride festivals across the UK this summer

21st June 2016

Chesterfield drinks firm Global Brands is set to wow festival goers with its VK brand this summer after sponsoring a total of nine events across the UK.

VK will support festivals in Portsmouth, Bristol, Hull, Oldham, Brighton, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow and Stoke – and will command an entire area at each event for revellers to enjoy.

Pride festivities include marches, parties and other events which celebrate individuality, freedom and acceptance. The events showcase a range of colours, which Global Brands believes matches up perfectly with VK flavours – blue, strawberry & lime, orange & passion fruit, black cherry, tropical fruits, apple & mango and ice.

At each event attendees will enter the VK area and be greeted with the opportunity to ‘VK themselves’ with colourful paint, glitter and sequins. The VK bus will be serving every flavour alongside 6ft tall letters where everyone will be encouraged to mark their hand print with UV paint.

A photo booth will also be on site to snap memories, which will then be available to post through personal social media accounts, as VK is dedicated to social output, using engaging content to connect with consumers.

During the weeks of pride, VK has also partnered with Gaydio, the UK’s first LGBT FM radio service, to launch an 8-week-long competition in support of the events.

The competition will give away 8 separate VK party packs to listeners who can enter online via the website or app. The partnership is a fantastic way to promote pride and raise awareness of the collaboration and will be supported with a social media campaign.

Simon Green, Marketing Director, Global Brands said:-

“The partnership with pride festivals symbolises VK’s brand promise to always bring excitement, refreshment and fun to the party. We are excited to be supporting the festivals for the second year running and look forward to more unforgettable events.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Celebrating success at Chesterfield College

21st June 2016

A ceremony has been held at Chesterfield College to recognise students, apprentices and employers for their hard work over the past academic year.

Awards were presented to recognise a range of academic and personal achievements including commitment to learning, outstanding achievements and investment in workplace training.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal at Chesterfield College said:-

“Our students and apprentices are all at different stages in their lives and have different aims and goals, but one thing they do have in common is their passion for learning and self-improvement and that is really something worth celebrating.

“Our awards tonight recognise those people and organisations who stand out as going the extra mile to make the difference on their own educational journeys or to influence others. It’s a really inspirational evening.”

Childcare student, Megan Talbot, aged 20 from Chesterfield, claimed the title of Student of the Year. Her tutors nominated her in recognition of resilience and dedication she has shown despite a difficult start and juggling the demands of studying whilst looking after a young child.

Tarmac Driveways, in Chesterfield, won the Employer of the Year award for their commitment to apprenticeships and the quality of the training and extracurricular development that they offer their engineering apprentices.

The Apprentice of the Year award was presented to Megan Cameron, aged 19 from Eckington. Despite a variety of personal issues, Megan has overcome many barriers to achieve her Level 2 apprenticeship – always with an overwhelming positive attitude, making the most of the support on offer to her through all levels of her traineeship and apprenticeship, showing an unbelievable commitment to achieving her dream of becoming a qualified childcare worker.

Other winners on the night included:

• Jasmin Senior, Health and Social Care student – Commitment to Learning Award
• Amy Sharpe, Sixth form student – Improvement Award
• Cheryl Booth, Beauty student – Inspirational Learner Award
• Natalie King, Hospitality Student – Outstanding Achievement Award
• Harrison Davies, Foundation Studies student – Foundation Studies Student of the Year
• Michael Davison, Access to Higher Education student – Adult Student of the Year
• Cuan Whitworth, BSc (Hons) Information Technology Student – Higher Education Student of the Year
• Slack & Parr Ltd – Investment in Workplace Training

Student of the Year, Megan Talbot with the Gill Parkes, Assistant Principal, Classroom-Based Learning of Chesterfield College and Jo Addy, Director of Time and Beauty Spa who was guest speaker.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Manufacturing, Uncategorised

Lizzie Armitstead takes stage win and Aviva Yellow Jersey in Derbyshire

17th June 2016

Lizzie Armitstead powered to an emotional victory in Chesterfield at the end of the third stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour, outsprinting a trio of breakaway companions to move into the Aviva Yellow Jersey of race leader with two stages remaining.

See pictures from the finish in Chesterfield

The reigning World Road Race Champion crossed the line pointing to the sky, dedicating her win in Derbyshire to the memory of Jo Cox, the Birstall MP who was murdered yesterday.

Armitstead crossed the line clear of second placed Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio to now enjoy a five second lead over the Cervelo Bigla rider on the Aviva General Classification, with overnight leader Marianne Vos leading the bunch in for fifth, 36-seconds down.

The Boels Dolmans rider had led Moolman-Pasio and Wiggle HIGH5’s Elisa Longo Borghini across to the day’s breakaway group, catching the group of 11-riders shortly after the Strava Queen of the Mountains climb of Bank Road in Matlock.

Those eleven, who went clear after the feed zone and around 47-kilometres of racing, included the likes of Hannah Barnes, Chantal Blaak and Australian national champion Amanda Spratt, who went on to finish fourth.

While the break were working well together, they were powerless to stop the pursuit of Armitstead, Moolman-Pasio and Longo Borghini, with the trio making the junction after the summit of Bank Road having gone clear on the flatter valley roads following the Chain Reaction Cycles Sprint at Darley Dale.

Having missed the move, Vos and her Rabo Liv team chased hard, but with around 15-kilometres to go Armitstead attacked again, at first joined by just Moolman-Pasio before Longo Borghini and Spratt also made the junction.

The quartet worked well to hold off the chasing Rabo Liv, whose pursuit saw the remnants of the breakaway caught, allowing them to contest the finish in Chesterfield’s Market Place, with Armitstead leading out the sprint to take victory, her second ever stage win in the Aviva Women’ Tour.

Behind Vos outsprinted Armitstead’s Boels Dolmans teammate Amalie Dideriksen for fifth, ahead of Leah Kirchmann and Giorgia Bronzini.

In addition to the Aviva Yellow Jersey and a five second lead overall, Armitstead also retained the Adnams Best British Rider Jersey, with Dani King her nearest challenger in that competition, 47-seconds back in 15th overall.

Despite losing yellow Marianne Vos retains the Chain Reaction Cycles Points Jersey, 11-points clear of Stage One winner Christine Majerus, with Vos’ compatriot Floortje Maackaij holding a 34-second lead in the Best Young Rider classification presented by Stoke-on-Trent, European City of Sport.

Having been in the day’s 11-rider move, Katie Hall led the race across both Strava Queen of the Mountains climbs at Winster and Matlock to take a 14-point lead over Ilona Hoeksma.

Highlights of Stage Three will be shown on ITV4 at 23:00 on Friday 17 June, with a repeat on Saturday morning at 08:55. The programme will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub catch-up service for 30-days.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting