About Chesterfield

Chatsworth Country Fair’s biggest ever hot air balloon lift and introducing Julia Bradbury as President

The spectacular sight of the biggest ever meeting of hot air balloons gliding majestically across the parkland will greet visitors to this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair (30 August-1 September 2019).

Billed as one of the best meets in Britain, the organisers of the lift have more than 65 pilots registered to take part with dawn and dusk flights scheduled for all three days, weather permitting.

Eye-catching special animal shapes will be among the colourful balloons taking to the skies with pilots coming from all over the UK for the rare opportunity to fly over Chatsworth, a no go zone for the rest of the year.

The skills of the pilots are put to the test with trophies for those who can manage to throw bread buns into a picnic basket on the ground during their flight; plus the chance for a quick ‘splash and dash’ in the river Derwent.

Organiser Rachel Percival, one half of the father and daughter team from the East Midlands Balloon Group, said: “It’s such a beautiful setting that so many pilots are keen to come and experience flying at Chatsworth. We throw in the competitions for a bit of extra fun but it is a real test of skill. If they touch the ground, they’re disqualified and they need to take into account wind speed and direction.”

“For visitors, it really is a fantastic sight to see from miles around when they are arriving and again at dusk. Generally the pilots like to have pootle around for a couple of hours and then will come down and land all over the fair site, from the main arena to the car parks, so get here early to catch the action.”

Chatsworth Country Fair is also delighted to welcome Julia Bradbury as this year’s President. Outside her life on television and following her dedication to environmental causes and caring for the great outdoors, Julia Bradbury co-founded The Outdoor Guide (TOG) with her sister Gina. TOG is an online resource that brings all outdoor-related information into one, easy to use, digital space. From where to walk and visit in the nearby area, to the best pubs for a locally brewed pint, to the best places to stay in the countryside as a wheelchair user, TOG is aiming to make the outdoors accessible to all. Chatsworth is featured on TOG, along with several stunning walks to take nearby. Julia is also the ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and The Camping and Caravanning Club to name but a few.

Julia said: “I’m honoured to be the guest of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for this special weekend and to have been given the prestigious title of President of Chatsworth Country Fair, where the best of the British countryside will be showcased.”

“I’m really looking forward to heading back to this part of the UK – Derbyshire is so close to my heart; having spent my childhood here walking with my Dad in the beautiful Peak District, this is where my infatuation with our countryside all began. This part of the country is so full of surprises – from the quaint market towns brimming with history and culture, to underground limestone caves where you feel like you’re in another world. Although I could spend forever rambling the peaks, I could also spend days on end walking around the stunning garden at Chatsworth, which is most certainly a beating heart of the county.”

“I have been waiting all summer with great anticipation for some quintessentially British attractions including the scurry and trial driving which will see ponies and their drivers tackling a huge obstacle course, falconry demonstrations and vehicle parades. I’m hoping to catch a ride in a hot air balloon if I’m lucky and if not, you’re most likely to find me in the food village… probably at any stall selling chocolate!”

Other highlights announced for this year’s Country fair include The Ukrainian Cossacks, the UK’s leading motorcycle display team, the Bolddog Lings and the Poppy Parachute Team.

The Stoves Cookery Theatre has a fantastic line up of top chefs across all three days led by Queen of Baking and Fair favourite Mary Berry on Friday, James Martin on Saturday and wrapped up by The Hairy Bikers on Sunday.

There is plenty to appeal to children of all ages all day long, with pony rides and exotic animals, the climbing wall and zorb balls for the daring, as well as face painting and the vintage fairground for some old-fashioned fun.

On the gate prices for adults are £25 each day and includes parking, while children under 14 get in free. Book in advance to take advantage of 10 percent off all day tickets until midnight 26 August 2019.

Gates open at 9am each day, with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. For more information on the event and to book tickets, please visit click here.

Image by Geraldine Curtis

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

Chesterfield’s Perez back on track and raring to go

Chesterfield’s Amigos Redline Racing star Seb Perez means to carry on where he left off after the six week mid season Summer racing break in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

The 19-year-old race ace travels to Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend for the next two rounds and currently lies in a good position in the championship in sixth place.

The season so far has seen Perez in action at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Croft and Oulton Park and also a very special race as a guest driver representing Great Britain in the Mobil One Porsche Supercup at Silverstone a few weeks ago as a support to the British Grand Prix and in front of record crowd of 141,000 people.

Each round of two races have had a story to tell and Perez is rearing to go and get behind the wheel and on track in the 485hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car again.

The season all started in April after some intense testing with his new 2019 team Redline Racing, fist two race up on the Calendar was Brands Hatch, Perez went to the Kent Circuit with his Porsche Nottinghamshire Teammate for the second season George Gamble both topping speeds of over 120 mph.

Perez was in the rankings in free practice and emerged the quickest from a challenging qualifying session in which changing weather conditions meant that there was a narrow window to post the teams fastest times on a drying circuit. He maximised the opportunity to secure himself a qualifying result of fourth.

Three weeks later, the racer had a tough weekend at local Leicestershire circuit Donington Park where high winds and rain made qualifying difficult but Perez finished sixth overall.

Perez was in fifth place in the Pro Class Championship as he went into the next two rounds at Croft in North Yorkshire and qualified in seventh taking into account the ever changing weather conditions of sun one minute followed by rain, making the track different on every lap. Perez finished sixth, showing his talent in such horrendous conditions.

Oulton Park at the end of June was next up before the summer break, despite the Cheshire circuit being a difficult track to overtake on, Seb passed three cars before zeroing in on Dan Vaughan ahead in race one, Closing the three-and-a-half second gap to the cars ahead, he became part of a six-car fight which continued until the last lap, where the teenager made up one more position, finishing eighth overall.

A good start off the line in race two and in eighth place saw Perez struggle by mid race and finished in ninth.

Onwards and upwards, Perez travels to the UK’s fastest circuit and its the first time he has been there for three years where he took a pole position in the Simpson Ginetta Junior Championship. It’s the first time Seb has raced the Porsche raced at Thruxton and will be a learning curve for him and the team.

Perez commented “I’m looking forward to getting back into the Porsche after the mid season break. Sixth in the championship is a respectable place at this time in the season and let’s hope we can build on it”.

“Thruxton is a very fast circuit, its three years since I got a pole there in Ginetta Juniors and let’s hope I can do it again. The Porsche is totally a different car to drive on the UK’s fastest circuit”, he added.

This year’s 16-race Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship series is one of the most highly regarded championships in Europe and follows the KwikFit British Touring Car package. You can follow Seb and the Championship live on ITV4.

Editorial and Images Paul Horton and Paul Horton Motorsport Photography

Posted in About Chesterfield

Summer Blooms at Vicar Lane with the chance to win a £50 voucher

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has given itself a little floral makeover this summer in celebration of ‘Chesterfield in Bloom’.

A number of stunning floral installations have been instated at the centre and will remain in place right across the summer. Visitors are invited to take a look at the flower cart, or pose for a selfie with the Centre’s fabulous floral phone box – perfect for adding that floral touch to anyone’s Instagram feed!

Plus, they are running a competition to name their newly moo-ved in grass cows, for the chance to win a whole lot of moolay – or in this case, a £50 gift voucher. Customers should head to Vicar Lane’s Facebook page to find out more. Terms and conditions apply.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “Chesterfield in Bloom is such a fabulous initiative – a real community effort to make the town more attractive to locals and visitors alike. We’re thrilled to support this with our summer floral theme and hope that everyone enjoys admiring our installations and the photo opportunities that they offer, with the added bonus of the chance to win a £50 voucher!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Entries now open for the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019

Entries are now open for the 2019 Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards.

Currently in its 11th year, the winners of the 14 categories will be announced on Thursday 14th November during an awards ceremony taking place at Casa Hotel. The categories for 2019 are;

  • Charity of the Year
  • Professional Services Award
  • Leisure & Lifestyle Award
  • Community Contribution
  • Small Business of the Year (sponsored by the University of Derby)
  • New Business of the Year
  • Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors)
  • Customer Service Award
  • People Development Award
  • Apprentice of the Year
  • Independent Retailer of the Year
  • Excellence in Manufacturing Award (sponsored by Shorts)
  • Innovation Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Future Life Wealth Management)
  • 2019 Business of the Year (sponsored by BHP)

Businesses can apply for more than one award and more information relating to each category can be found on their website here. The awards portal allows applicants to save an entry, and complete it at a later date.

Last year, Future Life Wealth Management’s Managing Director Jillian Thomas won the Lifetime Achievement award and this year the company is sponsoring the category.

Jillian said: “We are proud to be sponsoring this award and I want to be there to congratulate the new recipient.”

“Winning the award last year was a fantastic pat on the back. But it wasn’t about me, it was about the great team we have at Future Life Wealth Management.”

As well as sponsoring the category and being an associate partner, Jillian will be a judge. “I am looking forward to seeing the entries. I am sure the standard will be really high.”

“There are some amazing companies and individuals in our county and we want to be able to help celebrate them all,” said Jillian.

Last year, local hospice and charity Ashgate Hospicecare was recognised with two awards, Charity of the Year and Business of the Year (right). Other winners included Chesterfield Champions Shorts and Stephensons Tea and Coffee House.

The deadline to enter is 6pm on Thursday 19th September 2019. Finalists will be announced 3 weeks prior to the awards, and tickets for the awards ceremony will be on sale from Monday 7th October.

To enter and find out more visit www.derbyshiretimesbusiness.co.uk.

Winners and runners-up of Derbyshire Times Business Awards 2018 join together for a group photograph.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Manufacturing

School children launch business enterprise to raise vital funds for Ashgate Hospicecare

Thanks to a unique partnership between Capgemini, Placing Futures and Brookfield Community School, school students have launched a business enterprise creating and selling botanical-themed merchandise to raise vital funds for a Horticultural Therapy Project at Ashgate Hospicecare.

Mark Lodge from Capgemini initially developed the idea. Capgemini has been supporting Ashgate Hospicecare for the past two years, donating £1,000 towards the Horticultural Therapy Project which aims to get patients gardening again to support physical and mental wellbeing.

Thanks to the hard work of the students at Brookfield Community School, the enterprise is hoping to raise an extra £230 in from the total sales of aprons, mugs and canvas bags designed by the students. This project will be the first of many such ventures and fundraising initiatives led by the students that will raise funds for patients at Ashgate Hospicecare, as well as developing the creative and business skills of the students involved.

Mark said, “We know how much Ashgate Hospicecare’s Day Hospice patients really enjoy spending time in the hospice garden. Many people with a life-limiting illness have lost the physical ability or confidence to garden, or lost enjoyment of their own garden because they feel so emotionally or mentally low. The Horticultural Therapy Project has given them back the confidence to garden again in a safe and sociable way. It’s been amazing to help this project grow and to see that the hours Capgemini staff have volunteered getting the project set up has made a real difference to the lives of patients.”

Mark is also an Enterprise Advisor, volunteering his time in schools to increase students’ engagement with businesses and awareness of career opportunities. “It was whilst at Brookfield Community School that the idea was born to run a competition for GCSE textile students to design items that could be sold to raise money for the Horticultural Therapy Project at Ashgate Hospicecare.”

The designs were then judged by Day Hospice patients and the winning three were turned into merchandise. By doing this, not only have the students been able to develop their entrepreneurial skills, they’ve also gained an insight into what the hospice does and why the money they are helping to raise is so important.”

Director of Placing Futures Limited, Gail Widerman added, “Having worked for several years as an Enterprise Coordinator (an affiliate to the National Careers and Enterprise Company), it is my directive to engage local businesses with schools in order to enhance careers guidance for students in Chesterfield, North Derbyshire and Bolsover.”

“This collaborative project that raises money for Ashgate Hospicecare is very close to my heart, having lost several family members to cancer over the last few years. It was my pleasure to initially finance the project with Brookfield Community School. The hope is that this project will be the start of an enterprise challenge that future GCSE students can engage in for years to come, raising yet more funds for patients under the care of the hospice.”

Dawn Jepson, Occupational Therapist at Ashgate Hospicecare and Horticultural Therapy Project Lead, said, “Capgemini and Placing Futures’ continued support, alongside Brookfield Community School engagement, of the Horticultural Therapy Project, both financially and practically, has been greatly appreciated by all the staff here at Ashgate Hospicecare. The feedback from patients has been very positive, whether they have actively participated in the gardening activities, some of whom thought they would never get their hands dirty in soil again, or simply sat and enjoyed the outdoor space. For our patients who have never gardened before, it has given them the opportunity to learn new skills.

We hope to continue to build links with our local community, such as has been achieved through this exciting project with Brookfield Community School. The Horticultural Therapy Project continues to grow, and we are now supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and abilities who help to run sessions, come up with new ideas and maintain our grounds. We hope to attract further support and would welcome anyone who may wish to volunteer in the gardens or help towards funding the project.”

If you would like to purchase any of the products designed by the students, volunteer or help to fund the Horticultural Therapy Project at Ashgate Hospicecare, please email dawn.jepson@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk.

Side picture credit: EKRPICTURES, volunteer photographer for Ashgate Hospicecare

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Leengate Valves extend Spireites sponsorship

Leengate Valves have agreed to continue as Chesterfield’s back of shirt sponsor for the first-team kit, extending their long association with the club.

The deal, which covers the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, will also feature the Leengate Valves logo on the team’s shirt sleeve.

Chesterfield commercial manager Jim Brown said: “Steve and his family have been major sponsors, as well as supporters of the club, from our days at Saltergate. We very much appreciate their continued support.”

Leengate Valves’ Managing Director Steve Pickering said: “I’ve been a supporter for over 50 years and it’s great that we have been able to have our name on the back of the shirts for over ten years.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to wish the team all the very best this season.”

Leengate Valves are a leading industrial valves wholesaler and a trusted provider of specialist calibration, actuation, and valve engineering services.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Vicar Lane installs stunning backdrop of the Derbyshire Dales

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has transformed St. James Square with a breathtaking backdrop image, which depicts an iconic vista in the Derbyshire Dales.

Vicar Lane is inviting shoppers to identify the beauty spot pictured for the chance to win a £50 shopping voucher in their social media competition. Customers wishing to participate should head to the Vicar Lane Facebook page to find out more.

Visitors to Chesterfield are encouraged to visit the Centre this summer to enjoy a variety of floral installations and the grass cows that have moo-ved in for the summer period.  All of which offer perfect Instagram-worthy photo opportunities for visitors to enjoy.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “We’re thrilled to celebrate our close proximity to the Peak District with this stunning installation and the chance for our customers to win a little treat on us!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Ashgate Hospicecare’s Open Air Cinema and Summer Fair cancelled due to forecasted severe weather conditions

Ashgate Hospicecare is sad to announce that their Open Air Cinema and Summer Fair events, due to take place this weekend, have been cancelled due to forecasted severe weather conditions, specifically high winds.

The following events were due to take place on Ashgate Hospicecare’s meadow over the weekend as follows:

Friday 9th August 2019: Mary Poppins Returns, Open Air Cinema (7pm onwards)

Saturday 10th August 2019: Summer Fair (11am – 4pm). Please note, the Rainbow Ribbons ceremony which was scheduled to be held as part of the Summer Fair will no longer be taking place.

Saturday 10th August 2019: Bohemian Rhapsody, Open Air Cinema (7pm onwards)

Carl Jones, Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We’re extremely disappointed to have to cancel our Open Air Cinema and Summer Fair events this weekend. Both fundraising events raise vital funds for the hospice so having to cancel them is devastating.”

“The safety of our supporters, staff, volunteers and suppliers is our first priority. With the severe weather warnings in place, the potential risk is too severe for us to continue with these events at this time.”

“Following conversations with the main events sponsor, Vertu Toyota, we are now planning a ‘Movie Night-In’ over the weekend which we hope the people of North Derbyshire will embrace. Keep an eye on our social media channels for more information.”

If you have booked for the event this weekend and would like your donation refunding, please contact the Ashgate Hospicecare Fundraising Team on 01246 567250. If you have any further questions, please contact fundraising@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk.

Chesterfield council houses homes building Brampton

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Supporting Chesterfield’s growth

Read the latest blog of Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield.

August is upon us and we’re well into the summer holidays. If you’re looking to explore what our town has to offer you and your family, then this is the time to do it!

We have more festivals and events in and around the town centre than ever before. The shortlist for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards has also been released, offering a great starting point for the very best places to eat and drink.

It’s a great way to kickstart the summer holidays with the kids. What better way to entice them off their screens than with the promise of a tasty treat followed by a day of learning, disguised as fun and intrigue?

There’s a multitude of events going on in the area – from canal cruises, treasure hunts and miniature train rides to hands on history at Bolsover Castle, science roadshows and the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival. There is something to suit every taste (pun intended!).

As the events calendar has grown year on year, so has Chesterfield’s fortunes. I am delighted that we can, once again, turn the spotlight on the town in the annual Chesterfield Investment Summit. This year the theme is supporting communities through regeneration.

The increased footfall in the town centre and attendance at the many events is evidence that Chesterfield’s regeneration is successful.

More than £1bn of developments are on site and more are on the way. 2019 is the year that we are seeing spades in the ground on a number of much anticipated sites, like Northern Gateway, Elder Way and Chesterfield Waterside. All these sites are, in turn, creating employment opportunities.

There are now more jobs at Markham Vale that when it was a colliery. A record number of 2,236 people are currently employed at Markham Vale; that’s 200 more people than were employed at the former colliery site in its 1980s heyday. Proof that Chesterfield’s regeneration strategy is working.

And we have more success stories to look forward to. Avant Homes is to begin building 173 homes at Waterside later this year after receiving detailed planning permission. Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd have also acquired a new site that will treble their existing space.

Whether you’re a resident or business, it’s important that we come together as a community to support the town’s growth in order to safeguard our future success. Together we really do make a difference.

If you’re interested in the ongoing regeneration of Chesterfield and finding out about how you can support it and get involved, then register here to attend the Chesterfield Investment Summit which takes place on 11 September at Casa Hotel.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Manufacturing, Summer, Visiting

D2N2 businesses to benefit from £16.74m skills training fund

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP area are urged to take advantage of a £16.74m skills training fund to upskill their workforce.

The training is delivered as part of a programme called Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW), which Serco’s Employment, Skills & Enterprise business is managing across the D2N2 region. Under the 28-month programme which launched in April, Serco will work in partnership with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to provide skills development that focuses on upskilling employees in key priority sectors as identified in the LEP’s strategic economic plan;

  • Transport Equipment Manufacturing
  • Life Sciences
  • Food & Drink Manufacturing
  • Visitor Economy
  • Low Carbon
  • Transport & Logistics
  • Creative & Digital Industries
  • Construction

Through SSW, eligible businesses can benefit from funded training, tailored to their specific needs. Training is flexible and businesses can select full qualifications or mix and match individual units that are directly relevant to their work. Previous SSW programme participants have benefited from increased employee confidence, motivation and productivity and improved employee loyalty and retention.

Business participants will each benefit from a bespoke Training Needs Analysis that identifies requirements for upskilling or skills gaps in their workforce. Training for participant businesses could cover subjects such as IT and digital skills, leadership and management or more vocationally relevant courses.

The SSW programme in D2N2 also offers support and training for individuals at risk of redundancy or those who have been made redundant within the last three months.

To deliver the programme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Serco has partnered with expert training organisations to offer local businesses recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses, aiming to enhance employees’ skills and increase the competitiveness of the businesses.

Rob Matts, Head of Skills Support for the Workforce at Serco, said: “I am delighted that Serco has been selected by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to manage the SSW programme in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in partnership with the LEP. We have already supported more than 20,000 learners through our SSW delivery across England with more than 7000 businesses benefitting from this important service.”

“I would urge businesses or, individuals that may be facing redundancy, to get in touch with our team and take advantage of the funded training on offer. We look forward to enabling many more businesses to take advantage of SSW training to upskill their staff and grow their businesses.”

Chris Pook, D2N2 Growth Hub Project Manager said: “Nurturing skills within the workforce is essential to help businesses thrive. Companies that we speak to often require advice and support for them to access the right skills for their business and this programme will provide meaningful training which will help support business growth and productivity improvements in the local economy. We look forward to working closely with Serco on this opportunity.”

Businesses can contact Serco on skillssupport@serco.com or click here for more details and to find out if they are eligible for funded training through Skills Support for the Workforce.

driving business success

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Manufacturing

Derbyshire building boom prompts further recruitment for DBCP

Derbyshire’s building boom has prompted Chesterfield Champion Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) to further strengthen its team of building control surveyors.

Experienced building control surveyor Sarah Pearce and trainee building control surveyor Christian Ellis have joined DBCP.

Based out of the company’s Derby office, Sarah and Christian will be covering Derby and South Derbyshire working with builders, architects and property owners in the area.

Christian’s appointment addresses the construction industry’s concerns around a shortage of building control surveyors which could threaten the current growth rate of the UK construction sector. Christian is one of two graduate trainees and a building control apprentice employed by DBCP as it seeks to invest in its workforce at all levels.

Welcoming Sarah and Christian to DBCP, Managing Director Neil Johnson said: “Innovations in building technology and a government pledge to build a million new homes by 2020 all add to the future demands for building control expertise. This is why, as a business, we have really focussed on recruitment in recent months to further add to the resources, skills and experience of the team. We offer a strong service throughout Derbyshire, one that is matched to the current construction boom regionally and nationally.”

Christian, from Wirksworth, has recently completed a Biology degree at the University of Lincoln. He joins the company as a trainee where he will combine work and study over the next two years to complete a Level 4 Diploma in HNC Construction and the Built Environment.

He explained: “I’ve been around building all my life; I even grew up on a construction site and knew it was what I wanted to do when I left university. Although biology and building control seem very difference there are a number of transferable skills to take from my university course to this role.”

In his spare time, Christian likes to play and watch a number of sports and enjoys going to the gym with his friends.

Sarah, from Fleckney, in Leicestershire, has more than 15 years’ experience in building control and joins from Oadby and Wigston Council. She commented: “The move to DBCP has given me the opportunity to focus on my role and provide a great building control service. There is so much behind the scenes support at DBCP which makes it a great environment to work in.”

Outside work, Sarah enjoys cycling and runs her own cycling group on Saturday mornings. She is soon to complete RideLondon, a 100-mile bike ride to raise funds for Action Aid – a charity that works with women and girls living in poverty.

DBCP is the recommended building control service provider in Derbyshire and is responsible for ensuring that all new construction, conversions, alterations and extensions are built to a minimum standard and meet certain health, safety and welfare standards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development