Derbyshire Falcons will host more NatWest T20 Blast cricket than ever next summer.

Five limited overs fixtures will take place at the height of summer from end of July and into August, while local NatWest T20 Blast derbies against Notts Outlaws and Yorkshire Vikings have once again be handed prime dates

The Club is anticipating capacity crowds for both derbies, which starts with the local clash against Yorkshire Vikings on Saturday 8 July at Queen’s Park, which will bring the curtain down on the Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

The Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket will also include a traditional first-class fixture, with the Specsavers County Championship fixture against Durham taking place from Monday 3 July – Thursday 6 July.

Simon Storey, Chief Executive of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, said:

“We’re delighted that our local derbies have been given prime dates. We were close to capacity at both fixtures in 2016 and we hope that Members, supporters and local people will once again get behind our side and we can secure a double sell-out.

“The Yorkshire fixture also confirms our return to Queen’s Park next summer.

“Chesterfield Borough Council has conducted a full investigation into the waterlogged pitch issues we encountered in July and is undertaking maintenance work to fix the issues. Chesterfield is a special venue for cricket and we’re committed to returning to the beautiful Queen’s Park for years to come.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, added:-

“The Chesterfield Festival of Cricket is one of the highlights of our sporting calendar and we’re delighted that Derbyshire will be returning in 2017.

“After play was not possible last year, we conducted a thorough investigation into the issues around the waterlogged outfield.

“Whilst the level of rain was exceptional in 2016, we’ve identified areas of the drainage system that can be improved that will minimise any risk of a similar problem occurring again.

“Work will be ongoing during the winter period and more frequent and improved on-going inspections and maintenance will take place throughout the year and, in particular, in the run-up to the festival.

“We once again look forward to hosting the week-long event and welcoming people to our town, with the economic benefits that brings.

“The festival also provides the opportunity for hundreds of local school children to watch top-class cricket right on their doorstep and we hope it can inspire many to live active and healthy lives.”

Talented automotive repair and refinishing apprentices and an engineering apprentice studying with Learning Unlimited, part of the Chesterfield College group, have brought two gold and one silver medal back to Derbyshire after competing in WorldSkills UK during the Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC last week.

After qualifying in regional heats, the apprentices took part in a gruelling three day competition designed to put their skills to the test, under the watchful eye of industry experts. During the event, 500 young people demonstrated 61 different skills in the competition which has been described as the ‘Olympic games of skills’.

Automotive Body Repair Apprentice, Shawn Dyson, working at Chartwell in Derby, and Automotive Refinishing Apprentice, Mike Massey, working at Alton Cars in Ashbourne won gold medals in the competition.

Sam Sibert, an engineering apprentice working at BG Engineering in Chesterfield won a silver medal after competing with the best of the best engineering apprentices from across the UK.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College, said:-

“It is fantastic news that our apprentices have been so successful in such a high profile competition.

“It is testament to their commitment and drive to be the best they can be in their chosen career as well as the support and guidance they get from their employers and tutors that they can compete at this level.

“They showed professionalism and technical know-how in very tough conditions, something that I know will stand them in good stead for their future careers.”

The gold medal winners now have the chance to represent their country at WorldSkills International in Kazan, Russia 2019.

Around 74,000 jobs could be created and £4billion added to the East Midlands’ economy if a planned HS2 high speed rail line is routed through the region, says a new report on the major project.

Phase 2 of the national HS2 high speed rail network plans for a western (Crewe to Manchester) and an eastern leg (West Midlands to Leeds). The eastern leg includes a regional HS2 ‘rail hub’ at Toton, Nottinghamshire, and a network maintenance depot at Staveley, near Chesterfield; and the western leg (towards Manchester) will bring associated benefits to north Derbyshire.

The Government announced on November 15 it would be taking the Phase 2 proposals forward as its preferred route. Further public consultation will be needed but if the route receives planning permission it could be operational by 2033.

An initial East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy report – launched November 18 – estimates the HS2 plans could create an extra 74,000 jobs in the East Midlands and add £4billion to the region’s economy by 2042, around ten years after trains begin running.

The East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy report details what the proposed HS2 regional route could do for the study area, which has a population of 3.15million and contains 109,000 businesses. Advantages laid out in the publication include:

• 74,000 new jobs (both directly related to HS2 and indirectly, such as supply chain companies) in a wide range of sectors; including local rail sector firms but also companies connected with engineering, manufacturing, construction, real estate and logistics.
• Quicker regional rail journeys, as HS2 removes some of the pressure from the current rail network, and faster connections between East Midlands’ cities and main towns and other parts of the UK. For example, Nottingham to London in 68 minutes (current average 104 minutes), Derby to Leeds in 50 minutes (current average 77) and Leicester to Newcastle in 142 minutes (current average 205).

Further advantages for Chesterfield include:

• A regional HS2 maintenance depot at Staveley, five miles north-east of Chesterfield, to serve Midlands’ HS2 lines. This site would also see the remediation of around 150 hectares of brownfield land; to create space for 1,500 homes and 30 hectares of employment land, with the site supporting up to 800 new jobs.
• Potential for enhanced economic benefits, from linking of the HS2 plans for the Chesterfield area into the new proposed growth strategy for northern and central Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire; and from the increased connectivity this will bring between the area and points east and west.
• Opportunities for passengers to get on/off high-speed services at Chesterfield Station would boost the local economy and increase north Derbyshire’s attractiveness for businesses looking to set-up, expand or relocate.

Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council and Vice-Chair of East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, added:-

“The benefits are clear. Routing HS2 through the East Midlands would boost the local economy, bring more jobs and provide opportunities for local businesses to expand.

“We’re continuing to work with HS2 Ltd to maximise economic benefit, while minimising the disruption to communities; and making sure we get the best possible outcome for Derbyshire residents, businesses and others along the route.”

Toby Perkins MP visited Chesterfield College today and pledged his support for a call to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to increase investment in further education when he makes his Autumn Statement on 23rd November.

As a member of the Association of Colleges, Chesterfield College has joined other further education providers from across the country urging the Government to ensure the provision of high quality technical and professional education and training can continue to meet local needs.

At a time when student numbers are rising but funding is forecast to fall, the Association of Colleges is urging for spending on education and training to increase from 4.5% to 5% of GDP. They point out this will help to train more teachers in maths, engineering, and health and care, for example. Publicly-funded further education and sixth form colleges are also currently subject to VAT. They believe that on the day that the UK leaves the EU, this must stop.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College highlighted the crucial role the college plays in making sure local businesses can recruit employees from Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire with the skills they need at the same time as improving the life chances of local residents. He said:-

“Colleges are at the forefront of providing a skilled workforce as well as inspiring futures and changing the lives of the students who we work with. Without investment in further education our ability to do that will be seriously compromised and local people will be seriously disadvantaged.

“I want to see this college, where I was inspired to follow the career path I love, to carry on making a difference to people and businesses in the area for many more years. That is why we are asking the Chancellor to consider how crucial his decisions are to current and future students.”

Toby Perkins MP said:-

“Britain’s future depends on improving productivity, where we lag behind our competitors. This needs a skilled workforce and investment in infrastructure.

“Colleges are crucial in providing the skills Britain needs but Further Education has borne the brunt of huge cuts.

“I hope the Chancellor will listen to this plea for the shot in the arm Chesterfield College needs.”