People across Chesterfield are being encouraged to shake off the post-holiday season blues by taking part in the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge’s Shake Up September.

The campaign – administered by Derbyshire Sport – aims to help individuals of all abilities get into shape by joining forces with their work colleagues to log points from their fitness activities which are listed on a leaderboard.

Getting involved can also help you sleep better, reduce the risk of disease and stress and improve life expectancy.

It will also assist adults in meeting the government’s recommendation of getting at least 150 minutes of regular exercise every week.

And if you can get together a group of people from your organisation, you could win a team prize by earning the highest average number of points.

Vickie Maris, from Chesterfield, who works at Rykneld Homes in Wingerworth, took part in the January Workplace Challenge along with a number of her colleagues and is looking forward to ‘Shake Up September’ after recently getting married.

“The Workplace Challenge is something we use particularly when there are active challenges, such as the walking one which ran in May and the cycling one throughout August,” said the 28-year-old.

“Most of us at Rykneld take part in our own separate activities to get our points, but we do have a circuit session that we host on-site too, while we also have regular Walking Wednesday sessions when we walk a couple of miles.

“As you start to get your points, you can see how you are doing against previous weeks and also against other people in the office. Quite a few will be logging their points when they walk to work.”

To sign up for ‘Shake Up September’ go to http://www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire and for more ideas on what activities you might want to try go to www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/get-active

Over the next few weeks, more than thirty little ducks will be released in Chesterfield and the surrounding area.  But don’t call the RSPCA just yet! The ducks are all knitted or crocheted by the StraightCurves Charity Knitting Group and are part of a worldwide project aiming to raise awareness of the importance of blood and organ donation.

The Little Yellow Duck project was originally launched in 2014 in memory of Clare Cruickshank, who passed away aged just 26 whilst awaiting a double lung transplant. Due to a chronic shortage of organ donors here in the UK, Clare never got her second chance at life, but her friends and family pledged to her that they would try to change the situation so that other families don’t suffer in the same way.

They set about spreading random acts of kindness by making cute yellow ducks and leaving them in public places for strangers to stumble upon. Each duck has a tag with its name on, and finders are asked to take the duck home, record the spot where it was discovered on the project’s interactive map, and most importantly, to consider registering as a blood or organ donor. In just over a year, more than 4,500 ducks have been found in over 75 countries!

The StraightCurves Charity Knitting Group decided to join in with the project having seen first hand what a difference an organ transplant can make to somebody’s life. Studio Manager Roz Vincent explained some of the motivation behind the group’s decision:

“My father-in-law received a kidney transplant in 2008 after several years on the waiting list. The difference it has made, not only to his quality of life, but to our whole family is unbelievable.”

The group will be releasing their ducks in several locations around the local Chesterfield area in the run up to StraightCurves’ next Open Day on 5th September so keep your eyes peeled and if you’re lucky enough to discover one of the little ducks, log onto the project website at www.thelittleyellowduckproject.org and record your find. The World Map on the project website shows the locations of all the ducks that have been found, so you can also see if there was one nearby that you missed!

If you would like more information about StraightCurves or the StraightCurves Charity Knitting Group, call Karen or Roz on 01246 807575, visit the website at www.straightcurves.co.uk or pop in to the studio open day at 104 Saltergate, Chesterfield on Saturday 5th September from 10am until 2.30pm.

Chesterfield have signed Liam O’Neil from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee.

O’Neil, 22, who can play in defence or midfield, has made five Premier League appearances.

After completing the signing, Spireites manager Dean Saunders said: “Liam is a young player who has played in West Brom’s first team. He’s exactly what we want – a midfield player who can also play at the back, if required.

“He’s one for the future for us, having been tracked by the club for two-and-a-half years. We were going to loan him but we’ve managed to sign him permanently, which is great for the long-term future of the club.”

O’Neil admits that he cannot wait to get started. He said: “ I want to get some experience and develop as a player and I think I’ll be able to do that here. I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited.”

O’Neil revealed that Spireites manager Dean Saunders was an influential figure in his decision to sign. “The gaffer got in touch with West Brom and has shown good interest,” he said.

“He’s been on my case to get down here all the time and that’s what I like. He sees me as part of his plans and that’s what I want. I want to be getting regular football and that’s key for me now. I’m 22 and this is perfect timing.”

O’Neil made 22 appearances in League One last season while on loan at Scunthorpe United.

The length of the contract signed by O’Neil has not been disclosed.

Photo: Luke O’Neil is photographed after signing for Chesterfield (courtesy of Tina Jenner).

The search is on to find an outstanding Derbyshire organisation or individual who has used sport or physical activity to make a real difference to people’s lives.

New for 2015, the Active4Life Award recognises the role played improving the health, quality of life or wellbeing of the county’s people, or influencing their achievements.

Applications are welcome from schools, workplaces, community organisations or individuals with a compelling story to tell.

It could be a teacher who goes above and beyond the call of duty in supporting extra-curricular physical activity, or it could be a community club which has gone that extra mile to provide a wide range of activities for disabled people.

Deadlines for nominations are fast approaching, so don’t miss out, with a cut-off date of August 25 for Chesterfield Borough.

You can access an online nomination form, and find out more, by going to www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/nominate

Image shows Chesterfield table tennis player, Liam Pitchford.

A mini archaeological dig was carried out at Chesterfield Canal in Staveley at the weekend after volunteers unearthed the remains of the walls and floor of the original Eckington Road Bridge, built over the canal in about 1776.

Chesterfield Canal Trust says it is quite incredible the bridge has remained intact, because three other bridges and a railway line have all since been built within a few yards.

The site was roughly cleared by a mini digger, before a team of helpers set to work. There was lots of heavy clay that had to be shovelled and barrowed out, however the majority of the task was very slow and painstaking – with 24 volunteers on their hands and knees removing the last of the muck from the stonework using trowels and brushes.

As more and more was revealed, the story of how the construction was done began to emerge. It became obvious that the bridge had been constructed first and the towpath put in afterwards.

There were also lots of objects found in the mud, such as old bottles, miners’ lamp and candle holders, a gentleman’s sword stick and a clay pipe.

Of particular interest were three coins, including a George III half penny, dated 1772 or 1773.  Dr Geraint Coles, archaeologist and former Chesterfield Canal Development Manager said “This coin is probably a forgery as the obverse and reverse are inverted. This would not be unusual as the county was flooded with forged copper coins during the 1770’s. What a great find and bang on date!”

Now remaining are the tasks of accurately measuring and photographing the site and washing and cataloguing the finds.

Eventually the entire site will be removed because the new, restored canal has to be lower in order to get under a nearby railway, however there is now a desire to do more such digs. A Cuckoo boat, unique to the Chesterfield Canal, is believed to be buried not far away. It is hoped that this will be next on the list.