Celebrate Chesterfield

Rare 17th century tapestries on display at Chatsworth

29th March 2016

Two extremely rare and important 17th century English tapestries have gone back on display at Chatsworth following an intensive two-year conservation programme.

The important Mortlake Tapestries from the 1630s represent the birth of the English tapestry industry and are based on Renaissance painter Raphael’s cartoons of Acts of the Apostles.

It is believed that Chatsworth’s tapestries were acquired from the Mortlake workshops by the 3rd Earl of Devonshire (1617-1684) and moved into the State Drawing Room by the 5th Duke (1748-1811).

As well as the panel depicting ‘Healing of the Lame Man’, another section was found folded back behind the seam of the tapestry when the lining was removed. The rehang will see the ‘Sacrifice at Lystra’ reunited with ‘Healing of the Lame Man’ covering more than 50 sq metres of the back wall in the State Drawing Room.

The further missing half of ‘Healing of the Lame Man’ will also be brought out of storage. This had been conserved previously and hasn’t been seen for a number of years. It will provide a wonderful opportunity to see the tapestries in full. After this season, this third piece will go back into storage for its long-term preservation.

Susie Stoke, Head of textiles, Chatsworth, said: “It’s extremely exciting to be able to reunite these hugely important and beautiful tapestries and put them back on display. For the first time, visitors will have the opportunity to see the tapestries up closely to fully appreciate these beautiful works of art.”

The tapestries were both in urgent need of conservation due to exposure to atmospheric pollution in the 19th and 20th centuries. They were given extensive treatment by Shephard Travis conservation, which included washing to remove acidic pollutants, repairing the fabric, and adding a support cloth for extra strength.

The rehanging of the tapestries is a challenging manual process that takes several hours, and is carried out by Chatsworth’s in-house Textile team who have conservation training or experience.

The rare 17th century English tapestries will remain on display at Chatsworth until January 3rd 2017.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Major funding boost for historic railway site Barrow Hill Roundhouse

29th March 2016

Britain’s only surviving operational railway roundhouse is set to receive a £1.17m cash boost to help safeguard its future as one of Chesterfield’s top attractions.

The funding, confirmed by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will be used to repair and refurbish Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and transform it into a nationally-important museum.

High quality visitor facilities, a dedicated learning and meeting space and a conservation workshop will all be created at the site, which will also enjoy a new entrance, shop and café. A wide range of learning, training and skills activities will accompany these developments, ensuring that the roundhouse can attract a much wider and more diverse audience.

Mike Kennedy, chair of Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, said: “We are delighted by the news of our success. The project will enable us to safeguard the roundhouse for future generations, and provide the improved facilities that we need to attract a new audience, while retaining our existing audience of rail enthusiasts.

“It will also provide us with the expertise and equipment to tell the story of the roundhouse and its workforce to a wide range of people, particularly local people including families and schoolchildren.”

Barrow Hill Roundhouse was built in 1870 for the Midland Railway and houses an operational turntable serving 24 radiating roads or tracks. It was used to repair and maintain engines and rolling stock for the Staveley Iron and Coal Company.

As one of the few roundhouses to survive the transition from steam to diesel engines, it operated until the industry went into decline during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1991 it was saved from demolition by local campaigners with just 48 hours to spare and has since become a popular place to visit, primarily for railway enthusiasts. Visitors can currently see a host of rare locomotives and over 4,500 items including tools, lamps, uniforms and photographs.

Now the Engine Shed Society wants to attract local people as well, many of whom are unaware of what is on their doorstep and its history.

The main building also requires urgent attention to make it watertight and prevent the collections from getting damaged. There is also a pressing need to record the memories of people who worked at the site, many of whom are now elderly.

Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: “As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the story of the UK’s evocative transport heritage.

“There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings that survive from that time, so we’re delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we can support this much-needed project to repair the building and enhance visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of the site.”

HLF previously provided a £96,400 development grant in 2014 to work up plans for the project. Now, following a further application, the full grant has been awarded allowing the major works to commence.

It is hoped that work will start at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in June this year and be complete by mid 2019.

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

Chatsworth opens for exciting new season

23rd March 2016

Chatsworth House, Garden and Farmyard has opened for Easter ready for another great year of events with plenty of entertainment for all the family to enjoy from The Dodson & Horrell International Horse Trials to the Chatsworth Country Fair.

Exhibitions this season include the ‘bringing home’ of Dan Pearson’s award winning Chelsea Flower Show garden and a fascinating glimpse into the glittering social circle of Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire through a rare collection of photos by Cecil Beaton.

Chatsworth will celebrate the Grand Tour through the eyes and collection of the Devonshire Family with an exhibition including an evocative collection of drawings by Sebastian Vrancx, previously unseen at Chatsworth, as well as the final phase of Chatsworth’s momentous £32.7million Masterplan restoration project.

The Duke of Devonshire said: “2016 is set to be another remarkable year at Chatsworth, with exciting developments across the house and garden to enjoy. We’re delighted to present the rejuvenated Trout stream where features from the award winning RHS Chelsea Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth garden have been installed and planted under the direction of Dan Pearson.

“Whether it’s to admire the splendour of the house, explore the garden, meet the animals in the farmyard, enjoy afternoon tea and shopping in the stables, we always look forward to welcoming visitors for the new season.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Welcome Jeff Stelling to the Proact

22nd March 2016

The latest international to be staged at the Proact Stadium takes place when England U17s face their Turkish counterparts on Thursday evening.

Fans are encouraged to welcome Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, who will be arriving at the Proact at around 5pm as part of his charity walk. Jeff, who hosts Soccer Saturday, is walking from Hartlepool United to Wembley Stadium in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

Spireites representatives Chris Turner, Kevin Fitzgerald, Bob Newton and Nick Johnson will join Jeff on the walk from Rotherham United’s New York Stadium to the Proact via Hillsborough and Bramall Lane. Jeff will be interviewed by Nick at pitch-side before kick-off.

Admission to the game, which kicks off at 7pm, costs just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions. Tickets can be purchased by phoning 01246 269300, emailing tickets@chesterfield-fc.co.uk, or calling in at the ticket office at the Proact. They will also be available on the night.

More information about the England U17s v Turkey U17s match can be found here.

To make a donation to the fundraising effort, please visit www.justgiving.com/Chesterfield-FC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

DIY SOS star opens Chesterfield College Construction Centre with gold medal winning joinery apprentice

18th March 2016

Celebrity carpenter Mark Millar from DIY SOS helped to celebrate the opening of the new construction workshops on Infirmary Road today, along with Chesterfield College’s Worldskills UK gold medal winning apprentice, Jack Chambers.

The duo gave expert advice on how to carve a career in construction as well as judging a ‘We Built That’ competition for Year 8 & 9 school pupils from across Derbyshire.

School teams were given a brief to build the best rocket before spending the day working in the joinery, plumbing and painting and decorating workshops of the new construction workshops under the watchful eye of Chesterfield College students and tutors.

The competition finished with a rocket launch for VIP guests, prize giving ceremony for the winning team from Chapel-en-le-Frith High School and the official opening of the new building by Mark Millar, Jack Chambers and the Chair of the College Corporation Frank Smith.

Mark Millar said:

“It is a fantastic honour to be part of the opening of the new workshops and to be able to spend time with the next generation of construction experts. I can see already that the college is training people with the ability to shine. Who knows, they might be the construction stars of the future.

“When I started my career as a carpentry apprentice, learning at work and in a college, I never thought that I would be doing what I do. Not many carpenters end up on TV, but it is amazing where construction skills can lead to. It‘s fantastic to see young people being inspired and learning important construction skills in modern facilities like this because I know skilled employees are in demand.”

The new building was part funded by the Skills Funding Agency and houses several workshops and classrooms designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in a range of construction disciplines from plumbing and joinery to painting and decorating. The facility provides internal and external space for students to gain practical experience in areas that replicate real construction sites.

Joinery apprentice, 18 year old, Jack Chambers is one of the students benefitting from the facilities at Chesterfield College. He recently beat the best of the best to bring home the gold medal in joinery from the Worldskills UK competition. He says that mixing college study and his apprenticeship at Pennine Woodworking in Bradwell gave him the skills he needed to succeed and could help him compete internationally in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Jack spent some time explaining to the school teams where apprenticeships and studying at college can lead to. He said:

“When I left school I knew I would end up doing a hands-on job but I had no idea that learning a trade through studying at college and doing an apprenticeship would give me the chance to compete at an international level. It has given me a brilliant opportunity to prove what I can do and it has helped me to be better at the job I do every day too.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Waterside scheme moves into planning phase following £2.7m grant

16th March 2016

Chesterfield’s £320million Waterside scheme is set to take a major step forward following the award of a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant.

The grant, which was secured by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with developers Chesterfield Waterside Limited, has enabled the first phase of the development’s £75 million Basin Square scheme to be brought forward by the site’s developers.

A Planning Application for the Basin Square Site Enabling and Infrastructure Works, and Phase 1 Layout, has been submitted, comprising:

Clearance of the former Trebor factory site, preparation of building platforms and delivery of site infrastructure.
Relocation of the existing temporary carpark to the north of the site
Creation of an acoustic noise bund along the A61 on the former Arnold Laver site
Illustrative proposals indicating the proposed height and massing for the buildings to be constructed in Phase 1.

If approved, the planning applications will facilitate delivery of the development of Phase 1 at Basin Square, on the site of the former Trebor factory. The exciting mixed-use first phase of Basin Square is of a scale and quality not previously seen before in Chesterfield and will elevate the town’s profile, delivering office accommodation, apartments, a hotel and a multi-storey car park.

The applications are the result of months of planning and design work, which has included a full review of the proposals by Opun, the regional design panel.

Work on site infrastructure and preparation is expected to commence this summer and be completed by the end of 2016. Delivery of the works will pave the way for the development of the first phase of Basin Square in 2017, which is expected to create more than 300 new jobs.

Material excavated from the site as part of the site clearance will be used to construct the acoustic noise bund ahead of The Park residential development on the site of the former Arnold Laver Timber Yard, which also forms part of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

Chesterfield Waterside is recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and is being developed by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Plc said: “The submission of planning applications for the first phase of Basin Square is a significant step forward for the Chesterfield Waterside development. Once preparation works are complete and the infrastructure is in place, it will facilitate delivery of development on both Basin Square and The Park, enabling us to progress with the second phase of detailed planning applications for the buildings themselves shortly afterwards.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “By getting this funding from the Sheffield City Region we can kick-start development on this important and high profile site in the town.

“We will continue to seek grant and loan funding from every possible source to help grow businesses, build homes and secure and create jobs for Chesterfield people.”

Additional progress with the Chesterfield Waterside scheme includes the recent granting of planning permission to replace the road bridge over the river Rother on the former Laver timber yard site which will serve The Park residential development. The completion of the bridge and the acoustic bund will pave the way for approximately 300 family homes to be delivered in The Park area.

The first phase of residential housing at Chesterfield Waterside, comprising 19 new homes on part of the former Arnold Laver DIY site on Brimington Road, was completed in 2015 on behalf of Great Places Housing Association, and the properties are now fully occupied.

Read about all the regeneration sites in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Campaign launched to attract more visitors to Peak District & Derbyshire

16th March 2016

Young, hard-working professionals are being encouraged to escape to the beautiful Peak District to recharge their batteries and experience new adventures in a new campaign launched by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

‘The Land to Forget Time’ was revealed to unsuspecting shoppers at Birmingham’s Bullring on Saturday as a young, innocent bystander hit a flashing escape button before entering an Escape Pod and, just minutes later, re-appeared carrying a mountain bike over his shoulder looking blown away by a recent adrenaline-fuelled experience of bombing down some of the best mountain biking trails in the country. The audience watched in awe as TV and video screens suddenly flashed on, revealing a short captured moment of a mountain biking experience viewed from the riders’ handle bars!

This was just one of three fun social media flash events designed to gather audiences, connecting them together and encouraging them to participate by sharing the experience with others through social media.

The pace slowed down on Sunday when the adrenaline-charged Escape Pod was re-introduced as the ‘Recharge Pod’. Shoppers were invited to inhale the fresh air offered by the Peak District and Derbyshire and even getting a taste of it from the oxygen bar, whilst enjoying a complimentary head and shoulder massage, before being handed a goody bag full of exclusive offers and a few extra surprises.

Following on from this event, both Manchester and Birmingham commuters will be wowed by billboards and mega bus rears portraying some of the iconic attractions and things to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire. Online and printed coverage delivered by the Guardian and a well-planned social media strategy will make sure this campaign drives up a successful return on investment.

“This campaign is very exciting and has really captured the imagination of our partners with many helping to fund it. We have every confidence this campaign will capture the imagination of our target audience, and successfully influence their ideas for a short break. We want to encourage people to help us breathe real life into the campaign by taking their own short videos and GoPro films that capture ‘moments’ in time”, said Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

“Historically the area has always performed well in attracting families and over 50s – but this campaign has been carefully crafted to widen that reach by appealing to a young ‘hip’ urban audience, the results being twofold with the campaign attracting new additional visitors, increasing spend and boosting both the local and regional economy.”

‘The Land to Forget Time’ graphic is based on a photograph taken by Dronfield-based Mark Henson, one of Experience Peak District & Derbyshire’s Destination Partner Photographers.

To have your opportunity to get involved with this campaign simply take your own short video or GoPro film of your ‘moment’ in the Peak District and Derbyshire and upload it at www.thelandtoforgettime.co.uk for the chance to win a prize worth in excess of £2,000!

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

Digital marketing apprentice joins In the Works PR

16th March 2016

Ben Leach has joined leading Chesterfield PR firm In the Works PR, as Digital Marketing Apprentice.

Former A Level business studies student, Ben (17) from Edwinstowe near Mansfield, has joined the four-strong team as a Level 3 apprentice. He is the company’s first apprentice appointment and is an integral part of its plans to expand the digital communications side of the business in 2016.

As part of his role Ben will be developing his writing skills for website content, social media and the press, looking to progress to a level 4 apprenticeship with the business once he has successfully completed his 15 month Level 3 apprenticeship.

Commenting on his new role Ben said: “There’s a wide variety of clients at In the Works PR with very different requirements which will give me a broad range of experience and skills. It’s a face-paced, challenging and exciting environment to work. It’s great to be part of the growing, but tight-knit team at In the Works PR and I’m really looking forward to developing my career here.”

Anna Melton, Director of In the Works PR, added: “It’s great to have some young talent in the team. We’re all really looking forward to developing Ben and ensuring he has a long and rewarding career with the business. We know our clients will love him as much as we do.”

Outside work, Ben enjoys writing and is a published ‘contributing author’ to a writing anthology.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

eBusiness Works expands the team

15th March 2016

Joe Morton is the latest member to join the Chesterfield-based digital marketing company eBusiness Works.

Joe (16) from New Whittington, has joined eBusiness Works, based on Saltergate in Chesterfield, as a Digital Marketing Apprentice.

Prior to joining the company Joe was studying A-Levels at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School. As part of his new role Joe will be working alongside eBusiness Works Director Emma Loughlin learning about all aspects of the business during his 15 month apprenticeship and being developed into a Digital Marketing Executive.

Commenting on his new role Joe said: “It’s great to be part of what was already an amazing team and I’m looking forward to really getting into the role. The company has a great variety of clients which means every day is new and exciting in the office. There is never a dull day!”

Emma Loughlin added: “We’re delighted to welcome Joe to the business. He has a strong passion for writing which is ideal as we place such a strong emphasis on good online content – that’s what makes us different.

“We’re looking to build on the success of our Derbyshire Times Award in 2015 for Best Business Idea and Joe’s appointment is key to driving forward our development and growth.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Primary Dance Festival wows sell-out crowds

15th March 2016

Local parents and families were treated to a variety of carefully choreographed routines from nearly 30 schools at the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership’s eighth annual Primary Dance Festival.

Due to the popularity of the event, the festival was held over two days for the first time with over 1000 people attending over the four sessions held on 8th and 9th March.

With the 2016 Olympics around the corner, this year’s theme was ‘Rio 2016 Carnival’ and each school embraced it by dressing up in masks and bright clothing, playing drums and getting into the carnival spirit. There were many highlights, including Spire Junior School’s use of a large Brazilian flag as part of their energetic dance. Poolsbrook Primary also involved the majority of their school by bringing a samba band to play before the dance.

Mark Tournier, Partnership Development Manager at the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership, said: “The primary dance platform provides an opportunity for every young person to perform and showcase their personal best. It takes a huge amount of courage and determination to take the steps onto the stage and perform, and to see the self-confidence, pride and smiles as they leave the stage is why we do it.

“Our dance festival is a long-standing annual event and to see it grow over the past few years, to run over two days with four performances is testament to the support of the primary schools across Chesterfield and to the hard work of teachers and parents.”

Zoe, a dancer from Hollingwood, said: “My favourite part was dancing on the stage.”

Her classmate Tilly added: “I enjoyed watching everyone else” and Abigail said: “We’ve practiced really hard every dinner time and after school too.”

Larissa and Abbie, pupils at Brimington Junior, were delighted after their performance. Abbie said: “It took about ten weeks of practice to get the performance ready and the lifts. Everyone was brilliant.”

Larissa added: “Everyone was so colourful and when all the schools were downstairs it looked like a carnival coming together. I liked everyone’s dances and couldn’t choose a favourite.”

Miss Bailey, of Cutthorpe Primary, whose solely boys group opened the final session, said: “It was a really nice event, always fantastic. It’s been so colourful as well. The boys have been coming up with their own ideas for the dance and really got into it – they were brilliant.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

New Designer Store to Open In Chesterfield

15th March 2016

Local lads from Chesterfield have secured a place in UK fashion history this month, as they launch a unique men’s designer shop in Chesterfield town centre – securing an exclusive stockist, the only store outside of London.

The Chesterfield-born brothers, George and Joe Ward, have always had a passion for business, having worked for their dad’s retail company since childhood. George studied business at local Chesterfield College and both have always had a passion for fashion, so when the opportunity arose they jumped at the opportunity to start their own venture.

The boys’ local work ethic has secured them some of the UK’s most recognised fashion designer contracts, with none other than upcoming tailored suit designer, Joshua Kane.

Joshua Kane is well-known throughout Europe for his unique tailored styles, famously popular within sportsmen such as footballers and fashion conscious celebrities, with the likes of Dougie Poynter, model Oxford Neilsen and Portuguese football pro Raul Meireles. Shoppers have known to travel as far as Paris and Spain to his London store to shop!

Other stockists include Hackett, 7 for all Mankind and local clothing manufacturers Smedley’s, who will be providing their excellent range of casual t-shirts, cardigans and jumpers – all made just down the road.

The shop, appropriately named ‘Weekend Menswear’ after all it has everything a guy can need ready for the weekend – will open on the 18^th March with a fun-packed weekend launch – at Stephenson Place, Town Centre in Chesterfield. To celebrate the opening, Weekend Menswear are offering 10% discount off all casual wear over the opening weekend.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Visiting