About Chesterfield

Chesterfield to Host International Cricket in 2015

3rd March 2015

Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, will once again be in the media spotlight when international cricket returns to the town in an Ashes summer when England Under-19s face Australia Under-19s in the second of five One-Day internationals in August.

The match is to be played on Friday 14 August and is a chance for supporters to watch the England and Australia stars of the future, including a potential appearance from Derbyshire fast-bowler Will Davis who was recently selected for the Under-19s tour of Australia.

The match will bring a second helping of high quality action for the Chesterfield public following Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s annual Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council. This will be held in July and includes LV= County Championship action against Glamorgan and NatWest T20 Blast fixtures versus Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Yorkshire Vikings.

Chesterfield Cricket Club Chairman Mike Taylor said: “We are looking forward to another great summer of cricket here in Queen’s Park.

“In July, we will host Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s Festival of Cricket and it’s great that we’ll bring the curtain down with an Ashes battle between the best young players in England and Australia.

“Hosting both these high profile events is great news for the town and also great news for Chesterfield Cricket Club. Watching some of the best players around always inspires our youngsters at the Club and local schools and these big matches provide us with opportunities for us to raise funds which help us continue to run a very successful league cricket club.

“We’re proud to host Derbyshire‘s Festival of Cricket and hope the Festival will continue for many years. It’s been great to host additional matches in recent summers like the England Women, Yorkshire versus the Unicorns and now the England and Australia Under-19s.

“It’s well documented that Sachin Tendulkar called our ground the most beautiful he’s ever played on. Hopefully we’ll send some English and Australian stars of the future away with a similar view.”

Entry for the match is free of charge beginning at 10.30am.

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

Chinese Tour Buyers Welcomed to Peak District

2nd March 2015

A group of Chinese tour buyers checked out some of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s top tourism highlights during a whistle-stop tour lead by VisitBritain.

The 20-plus delegation enjoyed a bird’s eye view of breathtaking countryside from cable cars at The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of Chatsworth and Haddon Hall.

The flying visit was part of a week-long fact-finding tour of key British destinations, including Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London – and is just one of a number of VisitBritain hosted trips showcasing the country’s finest attractions, accommodation and activities until March 6.

Latest figures from VisitBritain reveal that China is Britain’s 30th most important market for the volume of visits, and 13th for the amount spent by visitors. In 2013, Chinese tourists made 196,000, or 0.6 per cent, of all overseas visits to Britain, and spent £492 million pounds.

“China is one of Britain’s fastest growing visitor markets, so we were delighted that VisitBritain chose to include the Peak District and Derbyshire in – and worked in partnership with us to arrange – one of its escorted itineraries after ExploreGB,” said Jo Dilley, Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board.

“More and more Chinese visitors are coming to the Peak District and Derbyshire – including students at surrounding universities in Manchester and Sheffield, who are often visited by friends and relatives – and Chatsworth has already signed up to VisitBritain’s Great China Welcome Charter, as one of the country’s leading Chinese-friendly tourism businesses.

“We hope that this brief visit has given Chinese tour buyers an informative and interesting insight into the wide range of attractions, accommodation and activities that are available in our unique and accessible area – and that they will encourage more Chinese visitors to come and discover more of its many delights in the future.”

Charlie Li, Deputy Manager China for VisitBritain, added: “The Peak District and Derbyshire has everything that Chinese tourists are looking for – including heritage, culture and countryside, plus interesting literature and film links – so this was an ideal opportunity to showcase its assets to our key tour buyers.

“I’m sure they will all be considering how to build the area into their British itineraries to bring more Chinese visitors here as the market develops and grows.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Franke Sissons Sponsors Bike Racing Team

25th February 2015

RSR Racing, based in Hasland in Chesterfield has received another round of sponsorship from local manufacturer, Franke Sissons.

Rodger Turner, team principal and chief engineer explains “Franke’s support has been invaluable – and being supported by a local company is always a bit special too. Our Franke 125cc Bike won the championship last year so I hope we can build on the relationship.”

RSR Racing is a specialist road racing motorcycle team that enters races from the East Midland Racing championships. The team actively supports and encourages young riders to take up the sport and develop their skills both in the UK and Spain.

Managing Director, Andrew Dukelow from Franke Sissons says. “RSR Racing has enjoyed some notable success in the EMRA series and we are proud to be encouraging young people to get involved in the sport via our association. I wish the team all the best for the 2015 season which starts in March.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Locals Encouraged to Have Their Say at Community Assembly meetings

24th February 2015

Residents are invited to share their views at the latest round of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Assembly meetings.

Held four times each year, the meetings allow people to receive information and ask questions about projects led by the council and other partners that will affect them and their families.

On the agenda at the March meetings include: updates from the council’s scrutiny committee and Chesterfield College as well as a presentation from Derbyshire County Council’s public health team.

Derbyshire’s police and crime commissioner, Alan Charles, will attend the North, South and West Community Assembly meetings to give a presentation on Derbyshire’s police and crime plan.

The East Community Assembly meeting will feature a presentation on crime reduction by Derbyshire Constabulary.

Residents at the South, West and East meetings will also have the opportunity to vote on which good causes in their area can receive funding of up to £200 as part of the council’s minor grants scheme.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Customers and Communities said: “I’d encourage anyone with an interest in their local area to come along to our Community Assembly meetings.

“This is their opportunity to find out what is happening in their area and to ask questions of the council and other partners.”

The meetings will take place at the following dates:

Chesterfield North: Wednesday 4 March, St Hugh’s Church, Littlemoor
Chesterfield South: Thursday 5 March, Town Hall, Rose Hill
Chesterfield West: Tuesday 10 March, Town Hall, Rose Hill
Chesterfield East: Wednesday 11 March, Staveley Miners’ Welfare, Market Street, Staveley

Each meeting will begin at 6.30pm and finish at 8.30pm and there will be a local councillors’ surgery after each meeting.

Healthwatch Derbyshire will also attend the North and East Community Assembly meetings from 6pm to ask residents about their experiences of health and social care in the county.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Solar Farms Proposed for Derbyshire

24th February 2015

Plans are being put forward for a series of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) sites – better known as solar farms – to be built on currently-unused land owned by Derbyshire County Council. This includes former colliery or underused agricultural land unsuitable for growing crops.

Initial investigations have identified the following sites for potential development:

agricultural land at Swathwick Lane, Swathwick, Wingerworth
Westthorpe Hills, former Westthorpe Colliery
land at Pye Bridge, Alfreton
former Swanwick Colliery reclamation land
agricultural land at Mansfield Road, Temple Normanton
former Williamthorpe Colliery

It is expected that an energy supplier would pay Derbyshire County Council for each unit of electricity produced by the panels, with extra payments being made if the electricity is then exported to the National Grid.

The project, which is being put forward in partnership with the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) − an organisation that supports local authorities to deliver energy schemes − is in its early stages.

Further feasibility studies would still need to be carried out. If any of the sites get the go-ahead they could be up and running by March 2016.

But before any of the locations can be considered further, local residents are to be asked their views.

Next week (Tuesday 3 March), Cabinet will be asked to approve plans to consult on the initiative. If agreed, details of the consultation will be announced shortly.

Councillor John Owen, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said:

“These sites are not currently being put to their best use and turning them into solar panel farms could offer great potential to generate income for the council and so help protect services.

“Generally, these proposed sites are already screened off, in out of the way areas and in most cases are not overlooked. And largely they tend not to be of much environmental interest. In some cases they could provide a good opportunity to improve the local conservation.”

Councillor Owen added:

“We have made a public commitment in our Climate Change Charter to invest in renewable energy technologies to help reduce our negative impact on climate change and provide local, green sources of energy.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

Spring Exhibition Opens at StraightCurves

23rd February 2015

StraightCurves‘ Spring Exhibition is now open to the public. The Hallway Gallery features original pieces and framed prints by local artists and craftspeople including Liz & Kate Pope, Abi Burlingham, Wildgoose Designs, English Tilly and Dianna Lee amongst others. As well as traditional artwork, it also showcases pieces created in clay, crochet, wood, felted wool and vintage fabrics.

Looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors to see the Spring Exhibition, Owner Karen Rogers said:-

“It’s great to have so much local artwork on show here at StraightCurves and we hope everyone will pop in for a browse and a brew.

“The gallery is also a perfect companion to the range of workshops and courses we offer here – many of which are taught by the artists whose work is on display. We have a range of great gift items available too, including textiles, jewellery, craft kits and a wide range of cards – again from a range of local craftspeople.”

StraightCurves and the Hallway Gallery are open 10am – 4pm Monday-Friday, and are located at 104 Saltergate in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Further Refurbishment Planned for Council Houses in Chesterfield

20th February 2015

A further £69 million is to be spent on improving local council houses.

Chesterfield Borough Council is on target to ensure that all of the 9,500 homes it owns and manages will meet the government’s Decent Homes standard by the end of March, and can now begin additional upgrades to properties. The Decent Homes standard requires all houses to meet set criteria that ensure they are warm, protected from the weather and have modern facilities.

Additional work is scheduled to take place over the next three years to:

Install cavity wall insulation and replace older central heating systems in homes.
Replace roofs, old UPVC windows and install external wall insulation
Improve the environments of some housing estates, including the London Boroughs estate in Barrow Hill in 2015/16 and the Holmehall estate in 2016/17, for example creating roads, garden space and better parking areas
Construct four new build houses in Rufford Close, Boythorpe
Buy selected properties on the open market which meet a housing need.

Councillor Jim McManus, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said:

“It is a real achievement to have got our council homes to the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and delivers on our promise to tenants.

“But we don’t want to stop there because we believe council homes are not second class. They should be every bit as good as the private sector can offer.

“The extra £69 million investment we are now making over the next three years will enable us to maintain the high standards we have already met and then go over and above them.”

The funding for the housing improvements is separate to normal day-to-day council spending and cannot be spent on any other council service.

Recent changes in the rules mean councils can borrow money to invest in housing, with repayments funded by the income received from council tenants.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Hear all about it at Hollingwood Hub

17th February 2015

An audio post has been unveiled as the latest attraction at Hollingwood Hub on the Chesterfield Canal.

Visitors can now hear eight short messages about the canal, the trust and local history. Wherever possible, the recordings have been made by people who have worked on the canal or by people with detailed local knowledge.

Chesterfield Canal Trust Secretary, Bev Hunt, said:

“We are very grateful to the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation for awarding us the money for this splendid audio post. We are sure that it will increase the public’s enjoyment and knowledge of the canal and the amazing history of the immediate locality.”

Joanne Rhodes, manager of Yorkshire Building Society’s Dronfield branch added:

“I’m delighted the Charitable Foundation – which is funded by our members through Small Change Big Difference, has been able to support the Chesterfield Canal Trust and its audio post project.

“The commitment and enthusiasm that the trust members have for what they do shone through! They do an amazing job and are so passionate about their work, the canal and also the history of the area.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

JE James Manager Takes on Derbyshire Times Flagg Challenge

13th February 2015

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

Former Chesterfield Court building receives planning consent

10th February 2015

The former Magistrates’ Court in Chesterfield has been given planning consent for office, retail and leisure use.

The Grade II listed Knightsbridge Court, is centrally situated in the town on landscaped grounds and comprises space in excess of 24,000 sq ft spanning over three floors –with suites available to let from 1,000sq ft upwards.

The building will offer businesses a distinctive space, appropriate for a range of uses such as dining, leisure, retail, education or offices.

Stuart Waite, associate director at Innes England’s Derby office, is handling the lettings on behalf of a private client. He said: “Since we were appointed on Knightsbridge Court, we have been in serious discussions with a number of occupiers regarding this building for a variety of uses.

“Occupier confidence is growing and with the economic forecast for 2015 looking positive – we are confident that the timing of this re-launch, along with the successful approval of planning for alternative uses, will see early interest converted into deals.

“We are working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council on this project, who have identified the Rose Hill and West Bars area of Chesterfield as a key strategic location for growth in its masterplan for the town.”

The property also benefits from 70+ parking spaces within its grounds.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

England Under 17s Prepare For Proact Visit

6th February 2015

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