Author: Tara Underhill

Training and Apprenticeship Advice on Offer to Help Businesses Grow

Business owners and managers are invited to find out about local training and apprenticeship opportunities at a workshop being held at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield this March.

Hosted by Sheffield City Region, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), the event will include presentations from small businesses that have grown by developing their staff and taking on apprentices.

Sheffield City Region LEP Board Member Nigel Brewster said: “The benefits of taking on an apprentice or investing in skills training for staff are clear. However, we know that for some sole-traders and small businesses the whole process can seem time consuming and knowing where to start can be a barrier. These events will begin to tackle this by giving local business owners practical advice about how they can upskill their workforce. Business growth is at the heart of the LEP’s vision, and we recognise that if business owners and managers give employees the right skills then they will be better able to grow.”

Melanie Ulyatt, FSB Regional Chairman, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, said: “The FSB is passionate about helping small business to grow and succeed. That’s why we’ve teamed up with the LEP and SFA to host these events which will give businesses up-to-date information and effective advice about skills training opportunities in Sheffield City Region.”

The workshop will take place Tuesday 10 March, 9am to 1pm, Casa Hotel, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield.  Free to attend, businesses encouraged to register online as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. For booking information visit http://growththroughtraining.org.uk/skillsevents.

Posted in Business

Local Charities Benefit from Chesterfield Marathon Money

A number of local organisations have each received £100 thanks to money raised at last year’s Chesterfield Marathon.

More than £3,000 has been shared between charities including Ashgate Hospice, Fairplay, the Mayor’s Appeal and others during a special presentation of cheques, which took place at Maison Mes Amis in Chesterfield.

The rest of the money raised from the race has gone towards children’s charity Kids ‘n’ Cancer UK, which specialises in securing Proton Therapy treatment for young people with different forms of cancer.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield attended to receive their cheque for the Mayor’s Appeal.

Also at the event was 24 year old, Victoria Crampton, who is gearing up to take part in the Marathon De Sables – known as the toughest footrace on earth – in aid of Kids ‘n’ Cancer.

Victoria talked about her preparations for the challenge, which will take place in April 2015 and will see her run 150 miles, the equivalent of nearly six marathons, over six days in extreme temperatures of up to 50 degrees centigrade.

Victoria said: “I know it is going to be mentally as well as physically challenging and will be the hardest thing I will probably ever do. The heat, exhaustion and pain will be overwhelming! But I hope that thinking about the reason I am doing it will spur me on and keep me going.”

Mike Hyman, founder of Kids ‘n’ Cancer and organiser of the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon, said: “We are delighted to donate a share of the funds raised to these extremely worthwhile organisations and we hope the money goes some way to ensuring that the charities can continue the fantastic work they do.”

Registration is open for this year’s Chesterfield Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 20th September.  For more information visit www.chesterfieldmarathon.org.uk.

Posted in Uncategorised

JE James Manager Takes on Derbyshire Times Flagg Challenge

Big-hearted cycling firm JE James is leading by example as preparations get under way for the Derbyshire Times Flagg Challenge for Ashgate Hospice.

Manager Dean Poole, based on Brimington Road North, has pledged to tackle the Peak District himself now the cycle shop has stepped in for the second time to support the event.

Dean said: “The hospice does a fantastic job and we want to be able to help raise as much money as possible by supporting this charity ride.”

The 44-year-old former Sunday league footballer is doing the ride despite suffering with a cruciate ligament injury in his left knee and cartlidge damage in his right knee.

He added: “It’s all about the challenge and being able to achieve something for the hospice so we’re encouraging as many of our customers as possible to get on board.”

The fourth Flagg Challenge sets off from the hospice from 9am on July 26 and goes out as far as Flagg and back again via Chatsworth and promises to be bigger and better.

Entrants have a choice of a 50 or 25 mile marshalled route and they receive maps, a guide, and a training programme. Everyone participating will be armed with fundraising tips and raffle tickets and a range of interactive web and social media updates. There will also be fundraiser prizes.

Early-bird £20 entry form availability will be announced very shortly. For details contact Jon Cooper on 01246 504524, jon.cooper@jpress.co.uk or the hospice’s Charlotte Gratton on 01246 567250 and charlotte.gratton@ashgatehospice.nhs.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Primary School to Celebrate Chinese New Year at Vicar Lane

Two dragons will be paraded down Steeplegate and Vicar Lane next week to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Currently being designed and made by pupils at Mary Swanwick Primary School, the dragons are part of a School and Community Project suggested by Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield.

The children and their dragons will be at Steeplegate and Vicar Lane at around 11.00am on 19th February 2015. Visitors are encouraged to join the parade or cheer them on.

Amanda Thomas from Vicar Lane Shopping Centre said: “The pupils at Mary Swanwick school have been involved in several artistic projects which have been displayed at Vicar Lane in the past, including making bunting, Christmas decorations and recycling projects. They are always enthusiastic and produce some fantastic work, which the public then get a chance to see at Vicar Lane.

Claire Rumsey, ART HLTA from Mary Swanwick Primary School said: “As always, we are delighted to be involved in a Vicar Lane event. The children are eagerly anticipating their work being on display for the public.”

Head teacher, Joy Nunn said:

“Claire and the children have given up many lunch times to create their dragons. I’m delighted and very proud of their efforts.”

Posted in Visiting

Spireites Raise Over £3K for Dementia UK

The recent ‘Ernie Moss Day’ organised by Chesterfield FC saw £3,043.21 raised for Dementia UK.

Held to celebrate the career of the legendary striker, who is suffering from a form of dementia known as Pick’s disease, the match at home to Port Vale featured the sale of limited edition badges, Brampton Brewery’s ‘Ernie 8’ ale and a bucket collection.

A cheque was handed over to Dementia UK representative Will Hampshire at half-time in the game against Doncaster Rovers. Ernie and his daughters, Nikki and Sarah, took part in the presentation, along with Pete Whiteley from the Chesterfield FC Community Trust and Brampton Brewery director John Hirst.

Spireites Chief Executive, Chris Turner said: “It was great to be able to pay tribute to Ernie, who is one of the most popular players in the history of the club. We were delighted to be able to raise funds for a very worthy cause at the same time.”

Hilda Hayo, chief admiral nurse and chief executive of Dementia UK, said: “On behalf of Dementia UK and the thousands of families we work with, I would like to say a huge thank you to Chesterfield FC and all their supporters for supporting Dementia UK.”

Ernie’s family have set up a JustGiving page to raise funds online for Dementia UK. To donate, please visit: www.justgiving.com/Ernie-Moss.

Posted in Uncategorised

England Under 17s Prepare For Proact Visit

The England Under 17s are to play at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium in March and coach, John Peacock is hoping a large home backing can roar his side into the European Championship in Bulgaria this summer.

Peacock’s Young Lions welcome Norway, Slovenia and Romania to these shores next month for their Elite Round European qualifiers, where a place in the top two in the group of four will seal a spot in this summer’s tournament.

“It’s great to get home advantage for these fixtures, being based at St George’s Park and playing the games locally is a massive boost for us,” Peacock told TheFA.com. “We have three tough games against Romania, Slovenia and Norway, which won’t be easy, but if the players play to the best of their ability we have a great chance of qualifying.”

The head coach guided last year’s crop of Under-17s to glory, winning the Euros in Malta last May – the second time he has managed the feat, having lifted the crown in 2010 also.

And with Chesterfield and Burton Albion playing host to England’s matches, Peacock is hoping three victories in front of a vocal home support will be the first steps on the road to glory again.

“It would be nice to emulate last year by winning it again but we have to qualify for the finals in Bulgaria first and these matches will provide tough tests for our players,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get some good attendances and people will come out and watch these young players of the future. In past games at Burton and Chesterfield we’ve had some strong crowds and the clubs have been fantastic in hosting these fixtures and prompting the matches.

“To win the Elite Round and qualify for the Finals is always tough, but we have reached many semi-finals and finals in the past, so let us hope we can continue our good run of the past several years.”

He added: “We’ve achieved a couple of successes and with a bit of luck, hopefully there will be more to come. We are fortunate in that the clubs are producing some good players which should make us competitive against some tough opposition.”

Tickets for the Young Lions clash with Slovenia at the Proact Stadium, which takes place on Monday, March 23 (7pm), are available online (subject to £1 booking fee) at www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/tickets or by calling 01246 488232.

Tickets are priced at just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions (those aged 18 and under/65 and over). The concession rate is also available to season ticket holders and membership card holders. Tickets can be purchased on the night.

In preparation for the Elite Round, Peacock and the England Under-17s travel to Portugal next week for the Algarve Tournament, where they will face the hosts, Holland and Germany.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield’s Retiring Workers Offered Help to Receive Right Pension Advice

Chesterfield’s soon-to-be-retired workers are being encouraged to question their pension providers about options for their pension pot with only two months until major legislation changes.

The advice comes from Independent Financial Planners Cheetham Jackson, based on Saltergate, who are concerned that many people are not aware of new flexible pension rules that mean they may be able to access their entire pension pot from 6 April 2015.

According to Paul Bamford, an advisor at Cheetham Jackson, anyone due to retire prior to April 2015 should seek independent advice as their pension providers can only signpost information attached to their own plans and not give regulated advice.

He said: “We are speaking to an increasing number of people approaching retirement before April 2015 who haven’t been told of the options by their pension provider. I have concerns that people will be locked into an annuity which takes away options to use their own money in the most effective way. If the information isn’t being volunteered by pension provider, people assume an annuity is ‘the norm’. It is imperative people start to ask more questions about their options”

Cheetham Jackson offers complimentary, no-obligation drop-in advice sessions at its offices on Saltergate in Chesterfield, where advisors are on hand to offer impartial advice.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Princesses and Pirates Descend on Chatsworth Farmyard this Half Term

Chatsworth is opening its doors for a fortnight of pirate and princess-themed fun on the high seas of the farmyard and adventure playground this February half term.

Children will be given water shooters as they ride on the tractor and trailer ‘galleon’ to blast those pesky pirates hiding out in the ‘high seas’ of Stand Wood.

The Oak Barn will ensure no self respecting pirate or princess will be without their hat or crown as they take part in the fun and craft activities will run every day.

It’s a great time to visit the farmyard as young guests will be able to get up close to creepy crawlies from around the world in sessions running Monday to Friday inclusive each week.

There will be also be opportunities to cuddle a guinea pig in one of the frequent sessions running every day of the half term.

A visit to Chatsworth’s newest additions – a litter of piglets born on 6 January – is also recommended.

As ever, the woodland adventure playground will provide the perfect setting to let children run, jump, slide, swing and bounce, with sand and water play for little ones too.

As well as the indoor picnic room, the cafe will be open throughout half term serving hot food and kids’ lunches for a great day out this half term.

For more information and ticketing options, visit www.chatsworth.org

Posted in Visiting

Young Entrepreneurs Head to Chesterfield Market

Pupils from schools across North Derbyshire will be at Chesterfield Market on Thursday 5th February to wow shoppers with their products and services.

Chesterfield Borough Council is generously offering their facilities to host the annual trade fair, coordinated by the North Derbyshire branch of the enterprise education charity, Young Enterprise, which aims to equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise.

Eleven teams of students, aged between 14 and 19, will showcase a variety of goods, most of which they have made themselves.

“The scheme is designed to give students an insight into business and to inspire them to ‘learn by doing’. All participants are expected to operate in a professional manner as they would in the workplace,” said Jamie Toyne, Chair of the Young Enterprise’s North Derbyshire Area Board.

“The teams have been encouraged to be innovative and creative in the products they have developed and the ways in which they market their products to Chesterfield’s shoppers. We are all very excited to see what they have done so far and how they put their new skills into practice.”

In addition, two awards will be up for grabs on the day; judges will be visiting each of the stalls to judge the best trade stand and the best product or service. The panel of judges consists of local business people, Laura Jo of Adorn Jewellers, Vittorio Risorto from Calabria Cucina and the Mayor of Chesterfield, Cllr Alexis Diouf.

Speaking about the upcoming event, the judges said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for these students to get some valuable hands-on experience in business and the retail sector. We’re really excited about meeting the teams and finding more out more about them.”

Students will be trading at the small market place next to Dents Chemist from 9am – 5.00pm.

Posted in Uncategorised

Spireites Boss Agrees Contract Extension

Chesterfield Manager Paul Cook has signed a one-year extension to his contract.

Cook, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2016, is now tied to the club until the summer of 2017, together with his assistant, Leam Richardson.

Cook joined the Spireites in October 2012 and has overseen the club’s rise from League 2 as champions in 2013/14 and their stabilisation in League 1 during the current campaign.

The contract extension comes in the wake of the January transfer window, which saw the Spireites bring in five new players and sell striker Eoin Doyle to Championship side Cardiff City for a seven-figure fee.

Cook is delighted to commit his future to the club given the volatile nature of football management.

He said: “Along with the rest of the coaching staff, I was brought in to do a job and in football it’s always a difficult job in an ever-changing world.

“I’ve been here now for two years and four months and I think I’m in the top 20 longest-serving managers, which is quite amazing.

“I’d just like to thank the chairman, Chris [Turner], the board of directors and all the supporters for all the faith they’ve shown in me.”

The manager described his feelings for the club and the importance of displaying togetherness and loyalty.

“We feel we have a very strong unity here together as a club,” said Cook. “Any manager will be clamouring for time, but in football today we don’t get that.

“The club is very important to us all. Loyalty in football now is a very hard thing to come across and as a manager or a player I think you need to show that.”

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner, who emphasised the need to continue the club’s forward momentum, feels strongly that Cook and his staff are the right people to ensure that happens.

Turner said: “It’s important that we keep this project going forward. After the developments of the transfer window, where we brought in five new players and Eoin [Doyle] left the club, we’re showing that everything’s positive at the club.

“In the two-and-a-half years that Paul’s been here, the progress has been there for all to see. Out on the field of play we’re fifth in League 1, challenging for a play-off spot and we’ve just sold our first million pound Chesterfield player.

“For the first time in a long time there’s a very positive and bright looking future in front of us.”

Posted in Visiting

Combined Authority Plans Move Step Closer

Plans have moved forward for all of Derbyshire’s councils to work together as a combined authority to boost jobs and the local economy.

Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said it was a “historic day” as the council’s cabinet approved plans to bring together Derbyshire’s eight district and borough councils with Derby City Council and us to:

  • support local businesses to grow and prosper
  • encourage investment in businesses, transport and new homes
  • create more and better quality jobs.

If the proposals get the green light from all Derbyshire’s councils, it could also mean more government funding for the area.

A public consultation held to find out what local people thought of the plans received an overwhelming response and support compared to similar consultations carried out elsewhere in the country.

There were more than 750 responses to the consultation with 67 per cent saying they supported the idea and 70 per cent saying they agreed the geographical area of the Combined Authority should be Derby and Derbyshire.

Councillor Western said:

“This isn’t about merging local councils – each one would continue to run services in their own right.

“A combined authority is the key to unlocking a devolution deal from government and will put us on an equal footing with the big northern cities.

“It would mean councils across Derbyshire coming together to improve the local economy and conditions that support growth and create jobs for the good of the whole of Derby and Derbyshire. It will also mean we can access more Government funding to help do this.”

She added:

“We are setting the template for two-tier local government up and down the country. We’ve got huge ambitions we just need the tools to do the job properly.

“Working together on this proposal has already transformed relationships between councils across the county and I’m pleased that local people have recognised this is a brilliant opportunity to change the way councils do business and help us to work in a more efficient way.”

If the plans are approved by all 10 councils – including at a meeting of our Full Council on Wednesday 4 February 2015 – the proposals will be submitted during the next two weeks to central Government for further formal consultation with a view to setting up a combined authority in October.

Posted in About Chesterfield