About Chesterfield

Foodie families wanted to help find Chesterfield’s best family-friendly restaurant

19th June 2017

Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s Food and Drink Awards, wants to know which eateries get the taste buds tingling of families in the area. And who better to judge the winner of the prestigious award than foodie families?

Two young families with children aged under 12, are wanted to judge the shortlisted family-friendly establishments. They will help decide who takes the Family-Friendly title in the 2017 Awards which are held in association with the Chesterfield College Group

Each family will win an all-expenses-paid meal for four. The lucky winners will also each receive two tickets to attend the glittering awards ceremony on Wednesday 25 October at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building.

Now in its fifth year, the Family-Friendly Award aims to find the town’s ultimate eatery that offers great food, excellent facilities for young children, special menus and goes the extra mile to make sure families enjoy their dining experience. As well as enjoying a meal, the winning families will be required to mark the establishments on food, ease of access, cleanliness and the quality and variety of children’s food. Last year the popular award, which is sponsored by Jumble Design, was won by Chester’s in 2016.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens commented: “Who better to decide the winner of the Family Friendly Award 2017 than families themselves? This competition is a great chance for families in the area to voice their opinion and get to enjoy a meal out too.”

Entries to the competition close on midnight on Friday 30 June and can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/family-judge-competition/

or by post to

Food and Drink Awards Competition,
Destination Chesterfield
Commerce House
Millennium Way
Dunston Road
Chesterfield
S41 8ND

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair hosted by celebrity cake maker to the stars Mich Turner MBE. In addition to the Family Friendly award, Mich will also announce the winners of a further 12 awards at the ceremony.

To keep up-to-date on developments with the 2017 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

Posted in About Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Bookings open for stalls at Chesterfield medieval fun day

16th June 2017

Bookings are now open for stalls in Chesterfield market place during the Chesterfield medieval fun day event.

The popular annual event, staged by Chesterfield Borough Council, takes place on Tuesday 25 July and always attracts crowds to the town centre.

Each year, registered charities take stalls at the event to raise money for good causes. Stalls at the event cost £15 for charities and £25 for general traders.

All stall holders will be encouraged to dress in medieval costume with £200 in shared prize money on offer to the three best traders in costume.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“The medieval fun day is always a popular event in the calendar. I’d encourage local good causes to take a stall at the event to raise money and join in the atmosphere on the day.”

Also at the event will be a medieval encampment in the grounds of the ‘Crooked Spire’ Church, medieval entertainment and ‘A day in the Middle Ages’ event at Chesterfield Museum.

For more information and to book a stall click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Local legend crowned at Peak FM star-studded Local Hero Awards

15th June 2017

Chesterfield’s record breaking pensioner Jack Reynolds has been presented with a lifetime achievement award at Peak FM’s Local Hero Awards 2017 in a glitzy ceremony headlined by pop stars and a selection of incredible Local Heroes.

The Great Grandfather, as featured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, became the oldest person ever to ride a roller coaster earlier this year and also holds the world record for the oldest person ever to have gotten a tattoo and he was the oldest person to take on the Ice bucket challenge. Good Morning Britain covered this year’s Local Hero Awards on their website, shining the spotlight on Chesterfield.

Jack’s daughter Jayne Goodwin paid tribute to her dad saying:-

“He is an inspiration and a hero. Despite his age he continues to live life to the full and loves to get out and about. He is a proper star and his spirit is something that rubs off.”

Every challenge that Jack takes on is in the name of a charity. He’s raised thousands of pounds for different causes and he claims to be the oldest fundraiser in the UK.

Jack said:-

“It’s a great honour to be recognised in this way. My secret to feeling young is to have a drop of whiskey in my cup of tea every morning and every night.”

Hosted this year by Peak FM’s Cat and Ricky, The Local Hero Awards are held annually to showcase outstanding, caring and selfless people of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. Video messages from Olly Murs and Alesha Dixon opened the show and led to live performances from Britain’s Got Talent stars Mersey Girls. Sheffield’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist Kyle Tomlinson got a standing ovation for his emotive rendition of Nessun Dorma. JLS star Aston Merrigold provided an uplifting close to the show which was followed by a selection of party songs played by Peak FM presenter James Summers.

Winners at this year’s Local Hero awards included Local Hero of the Year which went to the extremely brave Imogen Ellis, who at the age of 15 lost her leg to cancer; Molly Baker-Hunt won Child or Teenager of Courage after showing extraordinary strength while Ron Gains who runs the Unstone post office with his wife Jayne was awarded Adult of Outstanding Bravery after undergoing lifesaving surgery.

Tim Smith, Peak FM Content Controller, said:-

“The sheer goodwill and determination of people can really take you back and that’s why we pull out all the stops to make this annual event so special. It’s always an uplifting night of heart-warming stories, great live music and fantastic food as we celebrate the Local Heroes of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.”

The full list of winners can be seen at here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield College awards evening celebrates the achievements of students and employers

15th June 2017

Outstanding students, apprentices and employers were given special recognition at Chesterfield College Group’s annual awards ceremony last night. The event, held at the Proact Stadium, recognised the personal and academic achievements of students at all stages of their educational journey as well as employers who are committed to developing the skills of their workforce.

Staff from across the college nominated learners and employers, across the nine award categories, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and commitment over the academic year.

Gill Parkes, Deputy Principal of the Chesterfield College Group said:

“Tonight has been truly inspirational. I would like to congratulate everybody who has been nominated for an award. They have shown exceptional commitment to developing their own skills or the skills of others.”

“We have heard stories of students who have overcome adversity; proved their exceptional talent; demonstrated professionalism beyond their years and of those who have put in an extraordinary amount of hard work in and out of college to achieve their dreams. I am extremely proud that Chesterfield College Group can help them on their educational journey. I look forward to seeing where that leads in years to come.”

Student of the Year, Molly Bardwell, age 20, from Eyam, who is studying electrical engineering was nominated by her tutor, Ray Peet, for her consistently high commitment to her studies and her outstanding work ethic. He said:-

“Molly is determined to succeed by improving her academic and practical skills. She is constantly striving to achieve her goals.”

Inspirational adult learner Joyce Abumujor, age 50, from Sutton in Ashfield, was the winner of the Adult Student of the Year category. She received several nominations from her bricklaying and plumbing tutors. Joyce is originally from Nigeria and has lived in the UK for 12 years. She decided to come to Chesterfield College last year to learn construction skills to enable her to return to Africa to teach vulnerable young girls the skills they need to build a career and a brighter future.

Old Cesterfeldian’s Trust sponsored an award for a student who has demonstrated tenacity and resilience in pursuit of their studies, progressing from a level 3 course onto university-level study. A level student, Charles Blagdon, age 23, from Ashover, was named the winner of this award and presented with a prize of £200 to help support his studies.

Other winners at the awards ceremony were:

Inspiration Award – Sean O Hara

Apprentice of the Year – Abida Ndenga

Employer of the Year – Smith of Derby

Higher Education Award – Emily Summers

Foundation Studies Student of the Year – Declan Cotton

Improvement Award – Charlie Menezes

Posted in About Chesterfield

Young artists of the year named at the launch of an exhibition of their work

14th June 2017

Talented young artists, aged 11 to 18 years old, from across Derbyshire who entered a competition as part of Chesterfield College’s arts festival were celebrated at the launch of an exhibition of their work at West Studios on Sheffield Road. Winners, Michael Thompson (17), Becky Cox (12) and Taegan Morley (16) were named as young artists of the year.

The budding artists were asked to submit a piece of art work in any form, from fine art to sculpture and photography, which highlighted an aspect of their local landscape.

Entries included photographs and paintings of iconic Derbyshire landmarks like Chatsworth and Curbar Edge; sculptures of trees; 3d art of Chesterfield’s market place and many more.

Staff from the college’s art department selected the finalists from the entries received. Winners of each of the categories (age 11-14(Year 7-9); age 15+ (Year 10+) and Photography) were then selected by members of the creative community who are based in West Studios, including established artists, designers and sculptors.

Speaking at the launch event where the young artists gathered with their families and teachers, Head of Art from Outwood Academy Newbold, Melanie Tice said:

“Outwood Academy Newbold are extremely excited to be involved in such a creative and inspiring competition brief, accessible to all our secondary school students. The event in the West Studios was such a well organised evening, hosting finalists, their families and the community, which really led the way in showcasing the next generation of artists”

“We were immensely proud of all our finalists: Daniel Boot, Becky Cox, Hollie Clarke, Courtney Lewis, Ellie Ankers-Brookbank, Emily South, Tremayne Boulton and Michael Thompson.

“Our staff, students & their families were delighted when Courtney Lewis was awarded 3rd place and Becky Cox 1st place in the Y7-9 Category with Michael Thompson also awarded 1st place in the Y10+ category. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition brief.”

The Local Landscapes exhibition runs until 27^th June 2017 at West Studios and is open to the public from 9am to 4.30pm

Exhibitions of Chesterfield College students work in the annual Arts Festival will be open from 26 June to 29 June from 9am to 4pm in the Dome at Chesterfield College.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Successful Women’s Tour helps put town on cycling map

13th June 2017

Tens of thousands of people turned out to enjoy a day of world class cycling when the OVO Energy Women’s Tour returned to Chesterfield for the race’s challenging fourth stage.

For the second time in two years, the world’s top teams raced their way from Chesterfield through Derbyshire, battling it out on the county’s tough hills and steep descents.

Brought back to the county by Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, people flocked from near and far to cheer on the competitors.

Lots of family-friendly events took place in Chesterfield, including trying out balance bikes and cycling for school children in Queen’s Park on the morning of the race.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader, said:

“The people of Chesterfield and Derbyshire have shown that they love sport, they love women’s sport and they love cycling. We’ve had schoolchildren today having a ride and getting involved. We’ve been able to make a big family day of it. It’s been amazing.”

Councillor Simon Spencer, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, hailed Saturday’s race a great success. He said:

“It was a fantastic event, showcasing the world’s best cycling talent.

“Tens of thousands turned out to see it and the Derbyshire crowds did us proud, cheering on the riders along the route as well as in Chesterfield where it started and finished.

“Derbyshire is a great place to cycle, for beginners to the most experienced riders as well as the sport’s elite, and I’m really pleased we were able to showcase the county again at this great event.”

In Belper and Staveley crowds cheered on the cyclists during the sprint challenges. And at Middleton Top and Crich, many turned out to encourage the riders in the tough Queen of the Mountain climbs. Winner of Stage 4 in Derbyshire was Sarah Roy of the Orica-Scott team.

Giving out the awards at the end of the hotly-contested race were Chairman Councillor Linda Chilton from Derbyshire County Council and the leader of Chesterfield Borough Council Councillor Tricia Gilby.

Councillor Spencer added:

“Derbyshire is a great place to live and it’s also a great place to visit. Bringing world class events to the county not only gives local people something to celebrate, it also helps bring in visitors. I’m delighted we were able to put on such a good show.”

Women's Tour

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chamber’s cyber security lead to speak at Europe’s biggest conference

13th June 2017

The lead on cyber crime at East Midlands Chamber will be among the speakers at Europe’s biggest security conference next week.

Business Crime Manager Andy Watterson will be talking about cyber security at a time when the wannacry ransomware attack that crippled the NHS is still fresh in people’s minds.

He will tell his audience at IFSEC International 2017 that computer users are the first and last line of defence when it comes to protecting a business from a cyber attack.

And he will be issuing a stern reminder to delegates that when the pan-EU General Data Protection regulations come into force next year the consequences of getting it wrong will be considerably worse than today.

He said: “I’ll be talking about the importance of a well-trained workforce in dealing with cyber security.

“A great emphasis is being placed on the technological safeguards when it comes to cyber security but businesses really need to consider the people who are using that technology and ensure that they are aware of the need to use it properly.

“They need to be aware of the threats that are out there and know how to head them off. Wannacry highlighted how easily viruses can beat firewalls and anti-virus protection and the devastating effect they can have once they get through security protocols.”

He added: “I’ll also be referencing GDPR, which becomes law on 25 May next year, but only in so much as to remind businesses of the huge financial implications of getting it wrong and allowing a data breach.

“The impending changes to data protection laws provide a timely opportunity for businesses to review the way they handle data, and the governance structure within the organisation, to ensure that their policies are fit for purpose.”

Andy’s presentation at IFSEC International 2017 will be called Your First and Last Line of Defence and will explain how making workers aware of the threats will help to prevent their spread.

IFSEC International is Europe’s biggest expo and conference on fire and security and an estimated 30,000 people are expected through the doors of London’s Excel conference centre during the three-day (20-22 June) event.

Andy will be speaking to delegates in the Panasonic Security Management Theatre on the final day of the conference.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Royal makes commitment to carers

13th June 2017

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital has signed up to the Carers Charter, recognising their commitment to carers and the role they play in the treatment and care of their patients.

The charter, which supports the Key Standards the Trust has put in place for Carers, ensures that the Royal is committed to working together with the carers of patients receiving treatment at this hospital. It recognises that these carers are in a unique position because they know that patient’s personal needs and requirements on a daily basis and should be included in decisions about their care and treatment.

Rebecca Cowley is the Carers Project Lead, she said:-

“Carers do not always recognise that they are ‘carers’ in the broadest sense. They could see themselves more as husbands, wives, mothers, sons or close friends. It’s about recognising that fact and using the expert knowledge they have about that particular patient to help treat the patient, improve their experience and reduce their length of stay.

“But it’s more than that; we also have to recognise that the individual needs to be supported in their role as a carer. It’s up to us to recognise that role as a carer in visitors and relatives. One of our commitments is to ensure that staff are trained in carer recognition and to help these people by pointing them in the direction of support agencies that are available.”

The Charter has been signed as part of the Trust’s pledge to National Carers Week. Pledges have also been made to John’s Campaign, which supports the carer to stay and be part of the patient’s care whilst they are in hospital, to the Young Carers Pledge and Derbyshire Carers Pledge. As part of these pledges the Trust has also been highlighting the role of the Carers Champion.

Rebecca added:-

“Each ward will have a Carers Champion and it is their role to ensure the Charter is being met and that ward staff are looking after carers and involving them in the decision making in terms of treatment and discharge planning.

“It’s important for us to recognise these carers at first contact. It’s better for the patient in the sense that they have a familiar face who they can trust to ask the questions that they may not necessarily think to ask. They can help our clinical teams with the finer details such as what they like to talk about, how they like to be addressed and their little idiosyncrasies.

“This is a two way process and our Carers Champions are there to offer support and information for carers and colleagues. It’s about our ward teams working with carers, and vice versa, to get the best possible outcome for this group of patients and this Charter recognises this commitment.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Third Star Cast Member Announced for Chesterfield’s Panto at the Pomegranate Theatre

12th June 2017

Anthony Sahota from BBC’s `Let It Shine’ is to star alongside Dancing on Ice champion Sam Attwater and the lead singer of multi-platinum selling group Liberty X, Kelli Young in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the Pomegranate Theatre this Christmas.

Fresh from this year’s BBC smash hit singing competition Let it Shine, Chesterfield Theatres has announced that singing star Anthony Sahota, is set to tread the boards as Peter Pan, joining previously announced EastEnders’ star Sam Attwater and Liberty X’s lead vocalist Kelli Young in the swashbuckling family favourite pantomime.

Following a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Kingston University, Anthony starred in the BBC’s exciting new talent competition Let it Shine which aimed to find young performers to star in The Band, a new stage musical featuring the songs of Take That. The fresh new talent format was presented by Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc, with Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue and Martin Kemp serving as celebrity judges throughout the series.

A passionate singer and performer, Anthony had record deal offers prior to the show but decided to finish his degree before pursuing his singing dreams! He has his mum Caroline to thank for his starring role in the primetime show. She nominated him having seen ads online for the show, leading to an unforgettable moment for Anthony when Gary Barlow surprised him by turning up at his graduation to tell him he had been selected for the show!

Recalling the day Anthony said:-

“I was absolutely speechless. To be selected from hundreds of applicants for an opportunity like this and for it to be announced in front of all of my family by Gary Barlow was just the greatest feeling.”

Throughout the show Anthony received praise for his unique vocal style and beautiful renditions of current chart hits. A highlight was performing with his childhood favourite pop group Busted on national TV. He went on to reach the quarter final stage in the contest.

Pantomime Producer Paul Holman said:-

“Anthony is a talented young musician and performer with the right fun, energy and talent to play the adventurous and slightly cheeky chappy character Peter Pan. He completes a trio of sensationally talented singers in joining soap and stage star Sam Attwater and Liberty X’s lead vocalist Kelli Young in this classic family pantomime. With unbelievable singing talents, great comedy and spectacular costumes and scenery lined up this year’s pantomime truly does have something for everyone.”

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan opens on Saturday 2 December 2017 and plays till Tuesday 2 January 2018. Tickets are available here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Outstanding Test for Perez

9th June 2017

Chesterfield’s 17 year old race driver Seb Perez is looking forward to the next two rounds of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup Championship at Croft in North Yorkshire this weekend (10-11 June)

Last week (Wednesday) saw Perez up at Croft testing for this coming race weekend where he made good headway during the day in the JHR Developments team Ginetta G55 race car.

The days testing went to plan with five fantastic sessions on track and Seb consistently hitting the top 5 of the 20 cars testing. He made second and third fastest times during the day with gaps of around 0.5 seconds between himself and number one slot drivers and speeds on parts of the track of around 120mph.

After testing he commented:-

“I’m very pleased how testing has gone and consistently in the top 5 over the whole day and hopefully carry that on through into the race weekend”

Just over two weeks ago Perez encountered a tough weekend at Oulton Park in Cheshire for his latest two rounds in the Ginetta championship.

Drama started the weekend in qualifying where he missed a 5 minute window whilst in the pits due to a drying track currently sitting in 5^th with a potential 2^nd place that never happened.

Race one on Saturday afternoon saw Seb start from 6^th row placed 11th on the grid, by end of Lap one he had dropped two places after being overtaken by Colin White and Jason Baker and by lap 3 he was back in 11^th.

After a 6 lap safety car deployment he in was in 9^th place by the end of lap 10 where he stayed until the end of the 25 minute race.

Race two saw a 23 minute battle commence, starting on 4^th row of the grid, as the lights went out Perez had big issues loosing 5 places by end of lap one to 12th place and loosing another place to Jac Constable on laps 2 and 3. By lap 5 he was back in 12^th position that included the safety car making an appearance for two laps. On lap 11^th he managed a good move saw him take Adam Higgins and move into 11^th place taking the chequered flag after 14 laps in 11^th.

Perez spoke about the weekend and said “the weekend had been a tough one, Oulton Park is a difficult place to overtake, myself and the car is improving every time I get in it and it’s a massive learning curve from what I have come from, so its about getting everything right to stand me in a good place for the future”

He added “the car is performing very well and my team JHR Developments are doing a great job on the car”

The season finishes at the beginning of October and he was asked about his championship hopes with still a long way to go and commented “We are just looking at each race separately at the moment as the championship isn’t really in the bag; I just want to make sure we are still improving and getting the best results possible.”

Perez travels to the North Yorkshire circuit of Croft at the weekend in 8th place in the Professional Driver class with 121 points and his team JHR Developments take lead the Team Championship with 271 points.

You can follow Seb and all the action on Sunday on ITV 4 where races are televised live alongside the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Editorial and Photography by Paul Horton

Posted in About Chesterfield

Fundraisers to attempt epic bed push from Dronfield Pub to Chesterfield hospital to support Macmillan Appeal

8th June 2017

18 fundraisers will push a hospital bed 12 miles from a Dronfield pub to Chesterfield Royal Hospital to raise funds for the NGS Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The journey is planned to start from 9am, on Saturday 17 June, and is the second time the team will be taking on the challenge after the huge success of the event last year which raised over £9000.

It is being organised by Jolly Farmer pub landlord Ashley Tipper, 31, he said:-

“It was probably the most toughest thing I’ve ever done, believe me those beds weigh a lot more than you’d think and pushing it up Hady Hill was a huge challenge. But equally it was just a memory that all of us involved treasured so we thought – let’s give it another go!”

Ashley sadly lost his grandmother to lung cancer. Mary Tipper, a retired nurse had been treated for cancer in hospital for the fifth time in 3 months and was helping Ashley to plan the route before she sadly passed away on April 11, 2015.

He continues:-

“My world was ripped apart when I lost my nan, we were really close. I kept thinking, what do I do, how do I help, how do we cope. Me and my Nan often spoke about my fundraising and it is something she was very proud of and always supported me in whatever I did.

“I did what I do best and threw everything I had into fundraising and making a difference for the charity I am so passionate about. This time, it was more personal than ever before. I had to find a way to make this event happen, and thanks to wonderful support from the police, local authority and a traffic management company, we have made this happen.”

The bed will start at the Jolly Farmer pub, and head into Chesterfield town centre and onto Calow Lane for the uphill trek to the hospital.

The funds raised will go to the Macmillan Appeal to help build The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Centre, which will offer over 21 chemotherapy chairs, 2 treatment beds and 3 treatment rooms to North Derbyshire residents.

Ashley said:-

“I still and think about her lots, and we wanted to do the event again on the back of the incredible support and good will we received from the whole community when we did it last year. I am doing this in her memory and for all those who have also lost loved ones to cancer.”

To support the bed push team and Macmillan Cancer Support click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure