About Chesterfield

Home Instead reaches new heights

Fiona Clark, head of operations at Home Instead Senior Care Chesterfield, raised an amazing £554 for the charity Mind, by trekking 5,895 metres up the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Fiona, 30, who lives in Chesterfield, decided to raise money for Mind, a mental health charity that offers advice and supports people experiencing mental health problems. Mind also campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health.

As well as celebrating reaching the summit, Fiona also celebrated Home Instead’s recent Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), England’s independent care sector regulator. Only three percent of home care providers have been awarded this rating, making this a truly impressive achievement.

Fiona said: “I am always up for a challenge and have always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, so when they opportunity arose, I just couldn’t say no. The climb wasn’t easy and took 7 days from top to bottom, but it was totally worth it. Reaching the summit and also receiving an Outstanding from the CQC was the icing on the cake.”

Stephanie Metham, co-owner of Home Instead Chesterfield said: “The team and I are incredibly proud of Fiona and the unbelievable accomplishment she has achieved. At Home Instead, we see how mental health affects our elderly clients every day and we know how important good mental wellbeing is. The money Fiona has raised will help Mind significantly.“

Home Instead Senior Care provides tailored support for older people that typically comprises companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, personal care, medication reminders, shopping and errands. The focus is on matching clients with their caregivers that share similar interests.

Home Instead Outstanding Award

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Speaker line-up announced for 2019 Chesterfield Investment summit

One of the 100 most influential women in technology, Polly Barnfield OBE, is headlining the speaker line-up at the third Chesterfield Investment Summit which is being held on Wednesday 11 September.

Founder and CEO of Maybe*, Polly is part of the UK Government’s High Street Task Force which was launched by High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP on 2 July to support local leaders to revitalise high streets and town centres.

As part of her presentation, Polly will address how Chesterfield businesses can use social media analysis to attract shoppers and revitalise the modern high street.

The free to attend business event, which is being held at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield from 8.30am – 12 noon, will give delegates a detailed overview of investment opportunities in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

The event is organised by Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Destination Chesterfield and Marketing Derby joint partners in the EU funded Invest in D2N2 project with a focus on promoting Derbyshire both nationally and globally as the place to invest for growth and quality of life. The event is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

In addition to Polly Barnfield, speakers at the event will also include by Peter Storey, Head of Markham Vale at Derbyshire County Council who will update on  the 200-acre business park considered to be Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme and Dr. Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council.

As well as the keynote speakers, there will be a networking breakfast, exhibition and a question and answer panel with speakers and local decision makers.

Commenting on the event, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “The town is renowned for bucking the trend, from retail figures to tourism, but we must not rest on our laurels. The annual Investment Summit is an excellent opportunity for the business community to come together and understand the investment potential of the town, be enthused for the future and work with each other to ensure we achieve Chesterfield’s potential.”

Places at the free business event are limited and booking is essential. To secure your place, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-investment-summit/

Chesterfield Investment Summit 2018

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

New executive directors appointed at Chesterfield Borough Council

Chesterfield Borough Council has appointed two new executive directors, Ade McCormick and Christine Durrant.

Ade joins the council from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council where he was chief officer for corporate services and transformation.

On joining Chesterfield Borough Council, he said: “When I spotted the advert for the executive director role I thought it looked really interesting, exciting and challenging.

“While Chesterfield will want to benefit from my experience of delivering major change programmes, the role also gives me the chance to broaden my horizons and develop new skills through exposure to fresh opportunities.”

Christine joins the council from Derby City Council where she was strategic director for communities and place and deputy chief executive.

Christine said: “Chesterfield Borough Council already has a great reputation in Derbyshire and the East Midlands as a local authority that delivers for its communities.

“I am especially attracted by the borough’s ambitious regeneration plans. It is clearly a town and borough that is moving in the right direction.”

Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Chief Executive, welcomed the two appointments: “I am delighted that the council has again been able to attract people of the calibre of Ade and Christine.

“We need senior officers with the wealth of skills, knowledge and experience that they will bring to provide the officer leadership that Chesterfield Borough Council needs to deliver on its vision and priorities.”

The new directors replace Michael Rich who left the authority in December to take up a new role as chief executive of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and James Drury who left in March for a new position as executive director – commercial at Lincolnshire County Council.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Five Chesterfield parks keep their Green Flags

Five of Chesterfield’s parks maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council have once again received Green Flag awards.

The parks and open spaces, maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council, received the recognition from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy after inspections held last month.

The Green Flags were awarded to:

  • Eastwood Park, Hasland
  • Holmebrook Valley Park
  • Poolsbrook Country Park
  • Queen’s Park
  • The grounds of Chesterfield and District Crematorium in Brimington, which are maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council on behalf of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee, which consists of Bolsover District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I’m really proud of the quality of the parks and open spaces we have here in Chesterfield.”

“They are appreciated by our residents and visitors and are a credit to the staff and volunteers who work hard year-round to maintain them to the highest standards which have once again been recognised by the Green Flag award.”

This international award is a sign to the public that the green spaces space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

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

Derbyshire Support and Facilities Services appoints new Managing Director

Derbyshire Support and Facilities Services (DSFS) – the subsidiary company launched by Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust at the end of March 2019 – has appointed a new Managing Director to lead the company’s strategy and with responsibility for ensuring a positive experience for patients and staff, service improvement and developing business opportunities for the future.

With more than 20 years commercial experience at Director level – both in the UK and in Europe,
Dennis Kentrop (right) has a strong facilities industry background and is well-versed in delivering a range of these support services to hospitals.  His knowledge of healthcare, pharmaceutical and other industries – along with business plan development, large-scale change programmes and creating service excellence – will enable him to grow the new company, through innovative approaches, new quality standards and a more dynamic business model.

Speaking about the appointment, Lee Outhwaite, the Royal’s Director of Finance & Contracting comments: “We are delighted that Dennis will join our subsidiary company.  As a wholly-owned entity of the Trust we were looking for a Managing Director who could bring a wealth of experience and a new dimension to our venture.  With a successful track-record in a number of commercial organisations Dennis will offer the Trust a different perspective from which to provide high-quality support services, at the same time as realising value for money and business potential.”

Dennis will join DSFS this month (July 2019) and is looking forward to leading and developing the company’s strategic direction.  “It’s exciting to become part of a subsidiary company that’s owned by the NHS.  With greater demand on clinical services than ever-before our support services play an enormous part in patient care and treatment, from electronic appointment systems, to well-maintained clinical equipment and buildings, clean wards and clinics, plus everything else in-between.  I want to make sure DSFS offers responsive, high-performing and best value services that underpin patient experience and the Trust’s reputation as a good hospital with first-class services.  I am also looking forward to working with DSFS Director colleagues, our Employee Associate Directors and all our staff to create a company that also offers a great place to work, where everyone has an opportunity to develop their career and to contribute to our future plans and proposals.’

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Upgrades to Chesterfield Railway Station included in new rail plan

An ambitious new plan for the future of the Sheffield City Region’s rail network has been launched by Mayor Dan Jarvis.

The Integrated Rail Plan, has been welcomed by the Department for Transport. It was produced by Sheffield City Region and its local authority partners, supported by organisations including Transport for the North (TfN).

It sets out a vision for how the region will be better connected by both high speed and conventional rail networks into the future – regionally, across the North, and nationally.

The plan recognises that, while the benefits of national investment in HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), should be maximised, there needs to be ongoing, complementary investment in the local and regional rail and road networks. By doing this, the plan can best improve capacity, reliability, affordability, and journey times for communities and businesses across the Sheffield City Region.

Key elements of the plan include a proposed new Barnsley Dearne Valley railway station, with the preferred location on a site in Goldthorpe; the creation of a new Midland Main Line station in Rotherham; an East Coast Main Line railway station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport; extension of the Tram-Train, the upgrade of the Hope Valley Line; and significant upgrades of the railway stations at both Sheffield and Chesterfield, to accommodate HS2 services.

Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “This is a landmark moment for our region. For the first time, Government, regional partners and our local authorities have come together to welcome a vision for the future of our rail services, creating a Plan that will revolutionise rail travel for our communities.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I welcome the integration and improvements plans of routes between Chesterfield and other locations in the north of the country.

“The arrival of HS2 in Chesterfield is a fantastic opportunity to improve transport links at our railway station and we are confident that our residents will benefit from these changes.

“This also opens great opportunities for local people in terms of our growing economy, new jobs and the improvement of journey times.

“The plan continues to emphasise the importance of delivering the HS2 Station Master Plan, but there are some other initiatives linked to the Northern Powerhouse investment decision that will help to achieve objectives including further track investment and the proposal of services stopping twice per hour in the borough.”

hs2

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield Borough Council declares a climate change emergency

A motion was agreed at Chesterfield Borough Council’s full council meeting last night (17 July) to declare a climate change emergency in the borough.

Deputy Leader Councillor Amanda Serjeant proposed the motion in front of councillors, school children and members of the public, emphasising this is an issue the council needs to provide leadership on across the borough.

Twenty students from both Brookfield Community School and Parkside Community School were invited to attend the meeting after voicing their concern about the impact of climate change on our environment.

Councillor Serjeant also responded to questions from members of the public which had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader Councillor Amanda Serjeant said: “I am delighted that the motion was accepted by my fellow councillors. By declaring a climate emergency in the full council meeting we as a council hope to show leadership in this important issue for our community.

“A working group will be set up including representatives from the council, community and business to establish how we can work together to make a real difference in our community.

“Tackling the effects of climate change is a key priority for the council. Therefore, I proposed the motion which will guide the future direction of the council to reduce its carbon footprint and to help others in Chesterfield work towards reducing their carbon use. I’d like to thank all the members of the public who came to hear the debate.

“Tackling this is very much about everyone making a difference. We can all do our bit as individuals, employees, within local businesses and in the voluntary sector. This way we can have the maximum impact and protect our environment together.”

Chesterfield Borough Council Deputy Leader with students

Posted in About Chesterfield

Derbyshire vs Yorkshire at Queen’s Park is sold out!

Derbyshire County Cricket Club have announced that Saturday’s Vitality Blast opener against Yorkshire at Queen’s Park is now SOLD OUT.

The match sees the return of explosive Twenty20 cricket to Derbyshire, as the Falcons take on Yorkshire as the climax of the BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

For the third-consecutive year, the game will be played in front of a sellout crowd at Queen’s Park, with Dominic Cork’s side aiming to make it three wins in-a-row over their rivals.

The club received unprecedented demand for the eagerly-awaited local derby against Yorkshire with almost 5,000 supporters purchasing their matchday tickets in advance.

With capacity now reached, only matchday ticket holders will gain entry into the ground and tickets will not be available for sale on the gates. Members and Six Pack Ticket holders who have not already claimed their matchday ticket will also not be able to gain entry.

Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “Facing Yorkshire is always one of the highlights of the season and we’re really pleased that the fixture has once again sold out.

“It’s great that our first Twenty20 match of the season will be played in front of a capacity crowd in Chesterfield to round off another well-supported week of cricket in the north of the county.

“This is a fantastic summer for the sport, with the World Cup victory, an Ashes series on home soil and a packed domestic calendar. It’s pleasing to see the continued support for county cricket and we look forward to what is now an exciting block of Vitality Blast matches.

“We’re continually grateful to our Members and supporters and we know we have a strong base in Chesterfield. We’d also like to thank our Principal Partners, Pattonair, Festival sponsors, BRM Solicitors, and Chesterfield Borough Council for their continued support.”

Rainbow at Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

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

Chesterfield Champions working together for local house hunters

Two Chesterfield Champions are now working together to provide house hunters in Chesterfield with a sleek and professional home buying service.

Chesterfield based mortgage advisers Mortgage 1st and local Estate Agent Pinewood Property Estates are now proudly working together to enhance the home buying experience for their customers in Chesterfield and surrounding areas.

When a customer visits Pinewood Properties in search of a new home or buy-to-let investment they are met by an award winning team of estate agents, led by Stacey Davies-Bowler, who will assist them in finding the ideal property.

To put in an offer to buy a property, the customer needs an AIP (Agreement in Principle) which is proof that they can get a mortgage. Mortgage 1st has a team of experienced mortgage advisers, led by Jon Stones, that can search the market to find the best mortgage deal available to them based on their circumstances.

The two local businesses have come together to do what they do best and will provide expertise, guidance and exceptional levels of service to meet the needs of the modern house hunter of today.

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

University of Derby Civic Roadshow

The University of Derby is hosting a ‘Civic Roadshow’ at its  Chesterfield campus, as part of a series of free events to provide the wider community with the opportunity to share their thoughts on how the University can help to deliver long-term positive impact for Derby and Derbyshire.

The roadshow event which will be held on 24 July at the University’s St Helena campus in Chesterfield is an opportunity for external stakeholders to find out more about the University of Derby’s civic ambitions. The University is keen to understand what the biggest challenges are facing the local community, businesses and organisations within the city and county, and how it can focus its civic endeavours.

All are welcome to attend the roadshow to help shape the University’s future civic direction. There is also an online survey to provide feedback for anyone unable to attend the events.

As part of the University’s commitment to becoming a true Civic University, it signed up to developing a Civic University Agreement, a document that will reaffirm its ongoing commitment to playing its part in the city and county’s prosperity and wellbeing.  

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “We are committed to becoming a true ‘Civic University’, responsible not only to our students and our staff, but also to the places around us. To ensure the impact we make is long-term and sustainable, we first need to understand what the real needs of our city and county are.

“The Civic University Agreement is an opportunity to set out clearly, coherently and creatively how we will fulfil our responsibilities. It will see us working closely with our partners to help deliver positive change across Derby and Derbyshire that makes a significant impact on the county’s local communities, businesses, organisations and overall prosperity.”

Under the Agreement, the University will be driven by the following principles:

1.       As a place-based institution, it is committed to attaching a high priority to the economic, social, environmental and cultural life of its local communities.

2.       Its civic role will be informed by an evidence-based analysis of the needs of its place, developed collaboratively with local partners and informed by the needs of its local community.

3.       It will collaborate with other anchor institutions and form partnerships to overcome the challenges facing local communities.  

4.       With its partners, it will be clear about what it does and how this is measured, so it can say with confidence what it has achieved – and how it might do better in the future.

The University of Derby Civic Roadshow is a free event taking place from 1pm-4pm on Wednesday 24 July at St Helena, 2 Sheffield Rd, Chesterfield S41 7LL

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

 Estate agency director joins property industry elite

Redbrik’s Managing Director Mark Ross is joining the estate agency elite after being chosen to be a guest speaker at the property industry’s flagship event.

Mark, a co-founder of Redbrik Estate Agents, is one of three Next Generation business owners selected to be interviewed on stage at the EA Masters 2020, by TV presenter Gabby Logan who is hosting the event.

He will be discussing Redbrik’s innovative and customer-driven focus that has driven their success in front of an audience of more than 1,000 property professionals, at the popular annual leadership and awards, exhibition and awards event.

It comes after Redbrik, which employs more than 50 staff across five offices in Sheffield and Chesterfield, was named in the top three per cent of all estate agencies in the country by the Best Estate Agent Guide 2019.

Last year Redbrik was named the number one estate agency in the region in the Best Estate Agent Guide, which assessed the performance of 25,000 branches across the UK, at the EA Masters Awards. Redbrik will find out in November which award it will add to its growing list of industry accolades by the leading nationwide guide.

Mark Ross, who co-founded the business in 2013, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been chosen by the EA Masters to speak at this prestigious event and share Redbrik’s incredible story.

“It’s recognition for our unique approach to property marketing, which is helping the company achieve significant success in residential sales,  lettings and new homes.

“In just over six years, we feel we have reset the benchmark for property marketing, service and results. The business has grown rapidly, but our original ethos of honesty, integrity and bespoke customer service for every single client still flows through everything we do.”

Host Gabby Logan will be supported on stage at the EA Masters by fellow BBC sports presenter and former rugby star Jonathan Davies and F1 broadcaster, Lucia France.

Josh Phegan, internationally renowned trainer and coach for high-performance real estate agents and agencies and Michael Pallier of Sotheby’s, Sydney, are amongst the other guest speakers.

The EA Masters 2019 will take place at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, on 10 October 2019.

Mark Ross Redbrik

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business