Celebrate Chesterfield

More support to help Derbyshire businesses prosper

14th August 2019

Support for local businesses was at the centre of discussions when Derbyshire County Council met with rural businesses in Ashford in the Water.

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, visited Ashford Business Units to discuss how the county council could offer local firms more support and guidance to help them grow.

Local produce distributor SaucedHere.co.uk, Peak Ales microbrewery and Peak Venues, which specialises in holiday accommodation catering for large groups, praised the support currently offered by the county council and Derbyshire Economic Partnership but the group highlighted that work needs to be ongoing to raise the profile of Derbyshire and the need for larger properties for very small businesses to expand into.

Luke Osborne, Founder of SaucedHere.co.uk said: “It was a pleasure to have been visited by Tony. He took a genuine interest in our work and how it boosts the income of the 40 Derbyshire and Peak District farmers, food and drink producers and businesses we collaborate with. The support from the council has been very encouraging.”

“Our key need going forward is to spread the word about the products listed on our site and continue to grow our customer base.”

“Derbyshire and the Peak District is an unsung food capital of the UK and SaucedHere.co.uk makes it easier for customers to buy local rather than automatically reaching for a national supermarket chain. Anything the council can do to help promote local produce and how to obtain it is gratefully received.”

Councillor King said: “Driving economic growth is a vital part of our ambitious plans for the future because it’s good for business and benefits us all.”

“We know we need to think and do things differently to provide the 21st century services local people want and need – that’s what our ‘Enterprising Council’ approach is all about. So it was great to hear from businesses first-hand about what they think we can do to help them prosper.”

“Our proposals for a Festival of Derbyshire are geared towards raising the profile of our great county so it was good to hear that this is the kind of activity that local businesses such as those in the tourism and food and drink sector want us to drive forward.”

“It’s also worth reminding local people to ‘shop local’ too. Derbyshire has a lot to offer whether it’s in food and drink, tourism or manufacturing and for every £1 spent locally it generates £1.76 for the local economy.”

Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board which is supported by the county council, has developed a campaign to encourage more visits to the area by highlighting the county’s gastronomy offer.

Local brewers, producers, farmers, eateries and creators within the local food and drink industry are being showcased over the next 12 months as part of the ‘Eat, Drink, Explore’ campaign.

Work has also started to raise the profile of the county among the business community and encourage more companies to invest in the area with the launch of a new service called “Invest in Derbyshire”.

The service has been designed to support the county’s ambition to be a destination of choice for investors and businesses and it will:

Raise the profile of Derbyshire globally to secure investment and create new jobs, acting as a shop window for why Derbyshire should be a destination of choice for investors
Make it easy for investors to choose Derbyshire by providing a one-stop shop offering quality business support tailored to individual businesses’ needs ranging from help and support to choose the right site in Derbyshire to providing information on workforce skills and assisting with recruitment as well as offering guidance on financial incentives
Use market intelligence to target businesses in growth sectors to attract them to Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council are also enhancing the level of business support on offer across the county by recruiting our first dedicated business advisor. The new member of staff will support local businesses working alongside and in partnership with advisors at the D2N2 Growth Hub.

Find out more about investing in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King (second in from the left) talks business support with Rob Evans from Peak Ales Microbrewery (left), Luke Osborne from SaucedHere.co.uk (centre) next to Justin Heslop from Peak Venues and Derbyshire County Council Business Development Manager, Amanda Brown.

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

Chatsworth Country Fair’s biggest ever hot air balloon lift and introducing Julia Bradbury as President

13th August 2019

The spectacular sight of the biggest ever meeting of hot air balloons gliding majestically across the parkland will greet visitors to this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair (30 August-1 September 2019).

Billed as one of the best meets in Britain, the organisers of the lift have more than 65 pilots registered to take part with dawn and dusk flights scheduled for all three days, weather permitting.

Eye-catching special animal shapes will be among the colourful balloons taking to the skies with pilots coming from all over the UK for the rare opportunity to fly over Chatsworth, a no go zone for the rest of the year.

The skills of the pilots are put to the test with trophies for those who can manage to throw bread buns into a picnic basket on the ground during their flight; plus the chance for a quick ‘splash and dash’ in the river Derwent.

Organiser Rachel Percival, one half of the father and daughter team from the East Midlands Balloon Group, said: “It’s such a beautiful setting that so many pilots are keen to come and experience flying at Chatsworth. We throw in the competitions for a bit of extra fun but it is a real test of skill. If they touch the ground, they’re disqualified and they need to take into account wind speed and direction.”

“For visitors, it really is a fantastic sight to see from miles around when they are arriving and again at dusk. Generally the pilots like to have pootle around for a couple of hours and then will come down and land all over the fair site, from the main arena to the car parks, so get here early to catch the action.”

Chatsworth Country Fair is also delighted to welcome Julia Bradbury as this year’s President. Outside her life on television and following her dedication to environmental causes and caring for the great outdoors, Julia Bradbury co-founded The Outdoor Guide (TOG) with her sister Gina. TOG is an online resource that brings all outdoor-related information into one, easy to use, digital space. From where to walk and visit in the nearby area, to the best pubs for a locally brewed pint, to the best places to stay in the countryside as a wheelchair user, TOG is aiming to make the outdoors accessible to all. Chatsworth is featured on TOG, along with several stunning walks to take nearby. Julia is also the ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and The Camping and Caravanning Club to name but a few.

Julia said: “I’m honoured to be the guest of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for this special weekend and to have been given the prestigious title of President of Chatsworth Country Fair, where the best of the British countryside will be showcased.”

“I’m really looking forward to heading back to this part of the UK – Derbyshire is so close to my heart; having spent my childhood here walking with my Dad in the beautiful Peak District, this is where my infatuation with our countryside all began. This part of the country is so full of surprises – from the quaint market towns brimming with history and culture, to underground limestone caves where you feel like you’re in another world. Although I could spend forever rambling the peaks, I could also spend days on end walking around the stunning garden at Chatsworth, which is most certainly a beating heart of the county.”

“I have been waiting all summer with great anticipation for some quintessentially British attractions including the scurry and trial driving which will see ponies and their drivers tackling a huge obstacle course, falconry demonstrations and vehicle parades. I’m hoping to catch a ride in a hot air balloon if I’m lucky and if not, you’re most likely to find me in the food village… probably at any stall selling chocolate!”

Other highlights announced for this year’s Country fair include The Ukrainian Cossacks, the UK’s leading motorcycle display team, the Bolddog Lings and the Poppy Parachute Team.

The Stoves Cookery Theatre has a fantastic line up of top chefs across all three days led by Queen of Baking and Fair favourite Mary Berry on Friday, James Martin on Saturday and wrapped up by The Hairy Bikers on Sunday.

There is plenty to appeal to children of all ages all day long, with pony rides and exotic animals, the climbing wall and zorb balls for the daring, as well as face painting and the vintage fairground for some old-fashioned fun.

On the gate prices for adults are £25 each day and includes parking, while children under 14 get in free. Book in advance to take advantage of 10 percent off all day tickets until midnight 26 August 2019.

Gates open at 9am each day, with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. For more information on the event and to book tickets, please visit click here.

Image by Geraldine Curtis

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

Entries now open for the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019

12th August 2019

Entries are now open for the 2019 Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards.

Currently in its 11th year, the winners of the 14 categories will be announced on Thursday 14th November during an awards ceremony taking place at Casa Hotel. The categories for 2019 are;

Charity of the Year
Professional Services Award
Leisure & Lifestyle Award
Community Contribution
Small Business of the Year (sponsored by the University of Derby)
New Business of the Year
Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors)
Customer Service Award
People Development Award
Apprentice of the Year
Independent Retailer of the Year
Excellence in Manufacturing Award (sponsored by Shorts)
Innovation Award
Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Future Life Wealth Management)
2019 Business of the Year (sponsored by BHP)

Businesses can apply for more than one award and more information relating to each category can be found on their website here. The awards portal allows applicants to save an entry, and complete it at a later date.

Last year, Future Life Wealth Management’s Managing Director Jillian Thomas won the Lifetime Achievement award and this year the company is sponsoring the category.

Jillian said: “We are proud to be sponsoring this award and I want to be there to congratulate the new recipient.”

“Winning the award last year was a fantastic pat on the back. But it wasn’t about me, it was about the great team we have at Future Life Wealth Management.”

As well as sponsoring the category and being an associate partner, Jillian will be a judge. “I am looking forward to seeing the entries. I am sure the standard will be really high.”

“There are some amazing companies and individuals in our county and we want to be able to help celebrate them all,” said Jillian.

Last year, local hospice and charity Ashgate Hospicecare was recognised with two awards, Charity of the Year and Business of the Year (right). Other winners included Chesterfield Champions Shorts and Stephensons Tea and Coffee House.

The deadline to enter is 6pm on Thursday 19th September 2019. Finalists will be announced 3 weeks prior to the awards, and tickets for the awards ceremony will be on sale from Monday 7th October.

To enter and find out more visit www.derbyshiretimesbusiness.co.uk.

Winners and runners-up of Derbyshire Times Business Awards 2018 join together for a group photograph.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Supporting Chesterfield’s growth

8th August 2019

Read the latest blog of Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield.

August is upon us and we’re well into the summer holidays. If you’re looking to explore what our town has to offer you and your family, then this is the time to do it!

We have more festivals and events in and around the town centre than ever before. The shortlist for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards has also been released, offering a great starting point for the very best places to eat and drink.

It’s a great way to kickstart the summer holidays with the kids. What better way to entice them off their screens than with the promise of a tasty treat followed by a day of learning, disguised as fun and intrigue?

There’s a multitude of events going on in the area – from canal cruises, treasure hunts and miniature train rides to hands on history at Bolsover Castle, science roadshows and the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival. There is something to suit every taste (pun intended!).

As the events calendar has grown year on year, so has Chesterfield’s fortunes. I am delighted that we can, once again, turn the spotlight on the town in the annual Chesterfield Investment Summit. This year the theme is supporting communities through regeneration.

The increased footfall in the town centre and attendance at the many events is evidence that Chesterfield’s regeneration is successful.

More than £1bn of developments are on site and more are on the way. 2019 is the year that we are seeing spades in the ground on a number of much anticipated sites, like Northern Gateway, Elder Way and Chesterfield Waterside. All these sites are, in turn, creating employment opportunities.

There are now more jobs at Markham Vale that when it was a colliery. A record number of 2,236 people are currently employed at Markham Vale; that’s 200 more people than were employed at the former colliery site in its 1980s heyday. Proof that Chesterfield’s regeneration strategy is working.

And we have more success stories to look forward to. Avant Homes is to begin building 173 homes at Waterside later this year after receiving detailed planning permission. Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd have also acquired a new site that will treble their existing space.

Whether you’re a resident or business, it’s important that we come together as a community to support the town’s growth in order to safeguard our future success. Together we really do make a difference.

If you’re interested in the ongoing regeneration of Chesterfield and finding out about how you can support it and get involved, then register here to attend the Chesterfield Investment Summit which takes place on 11 September at Casa Hotel.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

D2N2 businesses to benefit from £16.74m skills training fund

8th August 2019

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP area are urged to take advantage of a £16.74m skills training fund to upskill their workforce.

The training is delivered as part of a programme called Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW), which Serco’s Employment, Skills & Enterprise business is managing across the D2N2 region. Under the 28-month programme which launched in April, Serco will work in partnership with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to provide skills development that focuses on upskilling employees in key priority sectors as identified in the LEP’s strategic economic plan;

Transport Equipment Manufacturing
Life Sciences
Food & Drink Manufacturing
Visitor Economy
Low Carbon
Transport & Logistics
Creative & Digital Industries
Construction

Through SSW, eligible businesses can benefit from funded training, tailored to their specific needs. Training is flexible and businesses can select full qualifications or mix and match individual units that are directly relevant to their work. Previous SSW programme participants have benefited from increased employee confidence, motivation and productivity and improved employee loyalty and retention.

Business participants will each benefit from a bespoke Training Needs Analysis that identifies requirements for upskilling or skills gaps in their workforce. Training for participant businesses could cover subjects such as IT and digital skills, leadership and management or more vocationally relevant courses.

The SSW programme in D2N2 also offers support and training for individuals at risk of redundancy or those who have been made redundant within the last three months.

To deliver the programme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Serco has partnered with expert training organisations to offer local businesses recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses, aiming to enhance employees’ skills and increase the competitiveness of the businesses.

Rob Matts, Head of Skills Support for the Workforce at Serco, said: “I am delighted that Serco has been selected by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to manage the SSW programme in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in partnership with the LEP. We have already supported more than 20,000 learners through our SSW delivery across England with more than 7000 businesses benefitting from this important service.”

“I would urge businesses or, individuals that may be facing redundancy, to get in touch with our team and take advantage of the funded training on offer. We look forward to enabling many more businesses to take advantage of SSW training to upskill their staff and grow their businesses.”

Chris Pook, D2N2 Growth Hub Project Manager said: “Nurturing skills within the workforce is essential to help businesses thrive. Companies that we speak to often require advice and support for them to access the right skills for their business and this programme will provide meaningful training which will help support business growth and productivity improvements in the local economy. We look forward to working closely with Serco on this opportunity.”

Businesses can contact Serco on skillssupport@serco.com or click here for more details and to find out if they are eligible for funded training through Skills Support for the Workforce.

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

Barrow Hill Roundhouse to restore railway gem

7th August 2019

Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield will bring an historic steam locomotive back to life after purchasing the 1880s gem.

The trading arm of Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society has agreed to buy the Class 1F Half Cab No 41708 from the 1708 Locomotive Preservation Trust for an undisclosed sum.

The locomotive, which has been on display at Barrow Hill Roundhouse near Chesterfield for the last 15 years, will be refurbished and returned to steam, 10 years after the first attempt by the charity to acquire the locomotive with the backing of the National Railway Museum at York.

The Half Cab spent the majority of its working life at the Roundhouse and Staveley Works, where it was allocated for shunting duties, between 1947 and 1965. It returned to Barrow Hill in July 1998 to star in the Roundhouse’s public reopening following the successful campaign to save the unique building from demolition. The locomotive made several further visits between 1998 and 2002 before returning to its home shed on a permanent basis in 2004.

Mervyn Allcock, Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society spokesperson said: “We have now finalised the deal and are looking forward to bringing the 139-year-old engine out of the shed and back into use with funds we have already set aside and with a fundraising campaign which will be launched in 2020, the 150^th anniversary of the opening of the Roundhouse.”

“The restoration and rebuild project will start with a detailed examination of the locomotive in order to understand exactly what needs to be done to bring it back into steam. We are very grateful for the support and advice given to us by Wake Smith which has enabled us to secure the locomotive’s future as an intrinsic part of the Barrow Hill story.”

The Class 1F locomotive was designed by Samuel Johnson, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Midland Railway from 1873 to 1903. Used for hauling freight, shunting and some branch line passenger use, 185 of the class were built in Derby. This particular locomotive was built in 1880, numbered 1418. It was rebuilt about 20 years later and re-numbered 1708.

It underwent another change of identity to 41708 when the locomotive passed into the ownership of British Railways in 1948. By the time it arrived at Barrow Hill in 1947, only 72 of the original 185 locomotives remained in service. By 1961 there were 11 class members and the last five, including 41708, were withdrawn in September 1965. The class only lasted as long as this because the Midland Railway had signed a contract for 100 years in 1866 to provide shunting engines to Staveley Works.

41708 is the only Class 1F to have been preserved. It is also one of only two locomotives which worked at Barrow Hill which have been preserved. The other Barrow Hill survivor is a diesel shunting engine, Class 10 D4092, which is also based at the Roundhouse.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse is the last surviving railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom with an operational turntable. Built in 1870, it was threatened with demolition in 1991 when the site was closed by British Rail. It was saved by a group of dedicated volunteers who transformed it into a unique railway museum and events venue.

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

Town unites to tackle Climate Emergency

3rd August 2019

More than 60 people attended Chesterfield’s first Climate Emergency People’s Assembly which took place on Sunday 21st July.

The day-long event gave those attending the opportunity to voice their concerns on climate change and work together to draw up strategies for taking positive steps as individuals and in communities towards a sustainable future.

The event was orchestrated by Clare Gage, a local mum and ceramicist, who through her membership of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has been supported to bring people together to form a ‘Peoples Assembly’ and put action into the hands of individuals.

A group ranging in age from 8 to 80 came together for the day and included individuals new to community action, as well as members of local campaign groups. The activities were led by Martin Yarnit and Perry Walker from Talkshop, making sure that everyone has a voice in the matters that concern them. The morning session was used to tease out key issues and establish areas of interest. Groups focused on specific issues such as transport, food production, environmental education and holding to account politicians and corporate business, all to encourage people to adopt new practices to help lessen our impact on the planet.

Some attendees agreed to continue meeting to further develop action plans and a follow-up People’s Assembly meeting will be held in September.

Toby Perkins MP and Cllr Amanda Serjeant were in attendance, a reassuring sign for the attendees that local council and central government alike are recognising the concern from local people about the issues.

Clare said afterwards: “As the organiser of the People’s Assembly I found it fantastic to see so many people from our town gather together.”

“We tackled tricky questions about how we could make a difference in the face of the climate emergency. Difficult issues were discussed, and we looked for practical solutions.”

“I am proud of how respectful our community was of one another and pleased to see what progress can be made when we come together as a team. This is just the start. Our town can be a place where people are empowered to create positive change.”

Follow up activity will take place in September with a meeting arranged for 15th September at 11am. Find out more at www.facebook.com/createchangechesterfield

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

Reserved Matters planning approval granted for office accommodation at Chesterfield Waterside

25th July 2019

Only weeks after the green light was given for the construction of 173 new homes at Chesterfield Waterside, permission has been granted to deliver 32,000 sq ft of high quality, grade ‘A’ office accommodation together with ground floor retail space of 5,286 sq ft at the £340million development.

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted reserved matters approval for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the seven-storey office building which represents the first step in delivering Phase 1 of the Basin Square neighbourhood at Chesterfield Waterside.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects, the new office building is the first grade A office building to be delivered in Chesterfield for some time and will provide much needed ‘grade A’ office accommodation for the towns businesses. The sites location adjacent to Chesterfield town centre will enable occupiers to benefit from the full range of services that the Town can offer. The site is also situated adjacent to Chesterfield train station and benefits from excellent access to the A61, providing an attractive location to businesses throughout the region.

Developer of the Waterside site, Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc, is already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space within the new building.

When complete, the first phase of the £75m Basin Square neighbourhood will also see the delivery of residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a high quality public realm area overlooking the newly constructed canal basin. Bolsterstone reports significant interest from both investors and occupiers in all aspects of Phase 1 of Basin Square and hopes to be in a position to make further exciting announcements shortly.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “I am delighted that Chesterfield Waterside continues to move forward apace. The granting of reserved matters planning approval for the office building at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and also Chesterfield’s business community, as the local property market is currently lacking in the supply of high quality, large floorplate office space. It is an exciting stage in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the news, Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader, said: “Chesterfield Waterside is a substantial development for the borough with business, retail and resident elements.”

“I’m really pleased to see the development move a step forward with the reserved matters approved for the high-quality office accommodation at Basin Square and look forward to work beginning on site.”

“With its central location and excellent transport links, Chesterfield is a great location for business and we have a proven track record of growing local businesses and for existing businesses locating here and this will complement the current business accommodation in the borough.”

The scheme is making significant progress in 2019 with Avant Homes beginning the construction of 173 two, three and four-bedroom homes at the site. Named Waterside Quarter, Avant Homes’ £36 million development will form part of The Park character area of Chesterfield Waterside and will be the company’s largest site in the Chesterfield area to date.

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

For further information about office accommodation at Chesterfield Waterside visit www.chesterfieldwaterside.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Speaker line-up announced for 2019 Chesterfield Investment summit

24th July 2019

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/

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

Five Chesterfield parks keep their Green Flags

19th July 2019

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 vs Yorkshire at Queen’s Park is sold out!

18th July 2019

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.”

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