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D2N2 launches call for funding

12th February 2020

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is opening a call for new projects from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation.

The Local Growth Fund is a Government Fund awarded to each LEP area to support economic growth in every region. D2N2 has an allocation of just over £250M which has been invested in projects since 2015 to unlock new jobs, housing and support skills development.

As the fund is coming to the end of the programme, D2N2 is looking to invite potential new projects that are ready to be delivered in the last year of the programme before March 2021 to utilise any remaining funds, that can support the objectives for a stronger, more productive and inclusive region.

The LEP is inviting organisations to put forward their proposals for capital projects that support the economic objectives for the region as set out in the Strategic Economic Plan and emerging Local Industrial Strategy. This can include projects such as facilities to support innovation, managed or incubation workspace for new and growing businesses, infrastructure to unlock new housing and employment sites including transport, and skills capital to support learners.

Sajeeda Rose, CEO of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We are looking for projects that are ready to go that will facilitate new jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses and contribute towards the growth of the regional economy.”

“These projects will help us to drive forward our shared growth agenda, delivering economic growth and regenerating and revitalising our communities.”

Projects that have previously received Local Growth funding through the LEP include city and town centre regeneration projects, road and rail improvements, flood defences, training facilities, and development sites.

For more information and further details on how to apply to the pipeline call, visit the D2N2 LEP website here.

The deadline for responses is Midday on the 2^nd of March 2020.

Over 200 delegates attended the 2019 D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Conference in November.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Local students find out how apprenticeships can kick start their career

10th February 2020

Chesterfield College students and pupils from schools across Derbyshire had the opportunity to meet local and national employers offering exciting apprenticeship opportunities last week.

The Apprenticeship Careers Fair, held at the college during National Apprenticeship Week, brought students and employers from a range of different sectors together.

Students found out more about the type of careers they could start or develop with an apprenticeship and employers promoted the range of apprenticeships they offered in everything from business to healthcare and engineering to the armed forces.

Engineering apprentices, Warren Feast and Aaron Leivers (right), enjoyed speaking to students about the benefits of their apprenticeship with precision engineering company, Nasmyth based in Pinxton. They also highlighted the practicalities of earning and learning.

Warren said: “For me the best way to learn is to be hands on. An apprenticeship gives you the chance to learn in real situations day in day out. Spending time at college and learning on the job gives you the best of both worlds.”

“I never imagined that doing an apprenticeship would give me the knowledge and the confidence to talk to people about aerospace engineering. It’s really good to be able to speak to people about what their interests are and whether an apprenticeship would lead them on the right path.”

Chesterfield-based drinks manufacturer and owners of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel, Global Brands, currently have 8 apprentices and they are looking for 3 more apprentices in varying hospitality and business functions.

Andrea Houghton, Talent Acquisition and Development Manager, said: “We’re here today to highlight the opportunities there are to develop a career with us. We offer apprenticeships from level 2 all the way up to level 6. Our apprentices come into a real job doing vital business functions working alongside experienced professionals. They learn how the business works and our goal is to develop and keep that talent.”

Construction students Leon Humphries and Bradley Edge both secured a trial with Dalton Roofing at the Careers Fair.

Leon said: “The event was a great opportunity to find an apprenticeship. I have been trying to find the right one for a while so it was good to be able to speak to Dalton Roofing today. I am looking forward to starting a trial next week and hopefully getting started with my apprenticeship soon after that.”

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group said: “It is vital to encourage young people to consider apprenticeships as a route to building a successful career. Providing our students and school pupils with the opportunity to meet employers and other apprentices at the careers fair is a fantastic way to highlight the significant benefits an apprenticeship can offer. It was wonderful to see so many employers talking enthusiastically about how they need the talent and skills of our young people in their organisations.”

“I am delighted that we can play a part in helping young people establish a career and help employers develop the workforce they need through apprenticeships.”

To find out more about the huge range of apprenticeships on offer visit www.learningunlimiteduk.com or call the Apprenticeship Hub at Chesterfield College on 0345 8501055.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Visiting

New on-street bins to allow recycling on the go

8th February 2020

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to recycle when they are on the go as the council has introduced new on-street bins in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Borough Council has installed three new bins in the town centre as part of a trial with more expected across the borough in spring this year if it is a success.

Located outside the Town Hall, at the bottom of Shentall Gardens and outside the Customer Service Centre, the new bins replace single black on street bins, with one side of the bin allowing people to recycle plastic bottles, glass bottles and tin cans while the other side will still be used for general waste.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: said: “In July last year, the council declared a Climate Emergency and following this, we’ve been asking local people to consider their waste, what can be reduced, reused or recycled.

“We’re always looking at ways that we can make it easier for our residents and visitors to make the right choices when it comes to waste, both at home and when out in the borough, and these new bins will make it easier for everyone to recycle when they are in the town centre.

“Recycling is a positive way that we can all make a difference in our communities so we’re urging people working, living or visiting Chesterfield to use the new bins and help us ensure that as much waste as possible is recycled.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

B&M donates £20,000 to Ashgate Hospicecare

7th February 2020

A cash injection from B&M will help transform Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospicecare, saving them vital funds.

The discount retailer has donated £20,000 to Ashgate Hospicecare which will help them continue to transform their ‘cramped and dated’ bay areas into nine beautiful bedrooms for their patients and families.

The hospice unveiled the brand new bedrooms to colleagues from B&M’s Chesterfield branch – and so far, the transformation is amazing.

Work on the three-bedded bay areas began in April this year and thanks to B&M’s donation they will be able to continue their transformation of the bays into nine private bedrooms.

With the donation the charity will be able to buy the essential items and fittings for one of the new bedrooms, enabling the hospice to provide the highest quality specialist care and emotional support for local people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Ali Ward-Foster, Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “Thank you so much to B&M for their amazing gift.”

“The new bedrooms will be a safe haven for so many patients and their families and will provide our patients and their loved ones with a spacious, private and homely environment when they need it the most. On behalf of everyone at Ashgate Hospicecare, thank you so much!”

The funds to help the charity were donated from B&M’s Community Fund which supports charities and projects within the communities their stores serve. The discount retailer looks for local causes which will make a real difference to their customers, our environment and to the communities in which our stores are based.

Area Manager, Joe Teague, said: “My team chose Ashgate Hospicecare because we wanted to help them with their journey to transforming the hospice.”

“The care the hospice provides can be a lifeline to local families so it is great that we can help and support local people in need.”

Click here to find out more about Ashgate Hospicecare

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home

Celebrating our apprentices in Chesterfield

6th February 2020

Sometimes national celebrations are specifically relevant to a local area, and that is the case with this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, taking place from 3 to 7 February.

One could argue that Chesterfield celebrates apprenticeships 52 weeks a year as we were the first, and I believe still remain the only place, to declare itself an Apprentice Town nearly three years ago.

Apprentices and apprenticeships are fundamental to Chesterfield’s ongoing success.

There is more than £1billion worth of investment, development and redevelopment taking place in and around the town which, it is estimated, will create will bring the opportunity to access up to 10,000 new jobs. I for one want local people and school leavers to benefit from these jobs, but they can only do this if they have the right skills and are aware of the opportunities available.

Chesterfield was the first town in the UK to declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town’

The Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference on 26 February will, I hope, further this conversation. The conference brings together business and education leaders to discuss how as a town we can develop our young people in order to improve the employability and skills offering for the future.

Let’s not wait for the conference however. If you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend – make sure young people around you are aware of apprenticeships and the value they bring to their personal and professional development and the town’s prosperity.

The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Look Beyond’. It celebrates the diversity and value that apprenticeships bring to employers, apprentices and communities across England today. From highlighting the breadth of industries and roles available to the talent and energy apprentices bring into the workplace. Let’s all ‘look beyond’ when we’re giving young people post 16 careers advice.

Baasit Siddiqui, star of Gogglebox and expert on Education and Social Mobility, will be the key note speaker at the event.

More than 14,000 students in North Derbyshire are set to gain their GCSE and A Level qualifications in the next five years. As these young people weigh up their futures and decide how best to forge their career path, I believe it’s vital that apprenticeships are presented as viable options alongside University and A Levels, to pupils in schools.

We all have a role to play in ensuring that Chesterfield is future-proofed. Having a skilled workforce is key to ensure our town continues to thrive for generations to come.

“Apprentices and apprenticeships are fundamental to Chesterfield’s ongoing success”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

New Chesterfield events company to bring interesting celebrities to the town

5th February 2020

A&P Events, a new events company set up by Spire Recruitment‘s Lee Ashley and his cousin Leigh Priestley, is aiming to bring more celebrities to Chesterfield with their events.

A&P Events wants to give the people of Chesterfield a chance to see their favourite celebrities from the world of music, sport and more, in an up close and personal setting. The events will be held at the Proact Stadium, home to Chesterfield FC. The celebrities will start each event by talking about their life, career and experiences. This will be followed by a question and answer session where the audience will be given the opportunity to ask a direct question to the celebrity. A DJ will also be playing music from start to finish and the bar will be open throughout the event.

Lee said: “I am very excited to be starting this business with my cousin, hopefully if we can make this first booking a success, we can go on to bring further exciting events and people to the town!”

Their launch event, An Evening with Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, will take place on Saturday 23rd May at The Proact Stadium, where guests can enjoy an interview and Q&A with the legendary former England footballer. Meet and Greet packages are also available.

Click here to find out more or to book your tickets.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield schoolgirl seeks votes to progress in CBBC singing competition

4th February 2020

Georgie Mills, a 14-year-old student from Chesterfield, is currently a contestant on the hit CBBC show ‘Got What It Takes?’ and is appealing for residents to cast their votes for her in the upcoming semi-final.

In ‘Got What It Takes?’, eight teen singers compete for a life-changing prize with the help of their mums. Each week, the contestants learn about an aspect of the music industry, with the two challenge winners receiving a place in the sing-off. The third place in the sing-off is awarded to the contestant whose mum wins the physical activity challenge. The contestant who has won the most sing-offs at the end of week 8 automatically goes through to the final, with the other three finalists being decided by the public vote. The final four performers will compete in the final for the chance to perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Series 5 began on 8 January 2020 and is shown every Wednesday evening on CBBC as well as being available on BBC iPlayer. The semi-final takes place on Wednesday 4th March, where the voting will open for only 24 hours.

Georgie currently attends Outwood Academy in Newbold and lives in Newbold village. Georgie has won local competitions such as Eckington‘s Got Talent, Dronfield’s Got Talent and Chesterfield’s Got Talent, as well as singing for over 3,000 people at the Ashgate Hospicecare Sparkle Night Walk.

On Saturday (1 February), Georgie appeared in the Grand Final of TeenStar UK, where she came third in the ’13 & Over’ category. In addition, Georgie was nominated for ‘Best Young Breakthrough Artist’ at the National Entertainment Awards.

Georgie said: “Performing at the TeenStar UK final on Saturday was a great experience for me and I was delighted to come third. To perform at The O2 was amazing and something I’ll never forget.”

Georgie now has her sights set on the ‘Got What it Takes?’ semi-final vote. She added: “I would absolutely love for everyone to vote for me in March so I can reach the final. I love to be on stage and I have been performing for as long as I can remember.”

Jo & Andy Mills, Georgie’s parents, said: “Singing is her dream and appearing on ‘Got what it Takes?’ is a fantastic opportunity for her. We’re now looking for all the help we can and for as many people to vote for Georgie as possible – the vote is only open for 24 hours so every vote counts! To see Georgie progress to the final would be absolutely amazing”.

Votes can be submitted for 24 hours from 4th March through the CBBC website here. Voting is free however please check for terms & conditions before voting. Previous episodes are available on BBC iPlayer for those who would like to watch Georgie’s journey so far.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

UKATA urges employers to ensure apprentices are asbestos aware

3rd February 2020

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2020 (3 – 9 February) the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is urging employers to deliver asbestos awareness training to all apprentices.

The message comes amid efforts by UKATA, which is one of the UK’s leading authorities on asbestos training, to halt the growing numbers of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases.

Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing deadly asbestos related diseases than older workers.

Providing apprentices with key information about asbestos at an early stage will enable them to challenge poor work practices and protect themselves.

Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA urged: “With the death toll from occupational exposure reaching crisis levels in the UK, UKATA is calling on all employers of apprentices working in trades, to receive asbestos awareness training as soon as possible, whether that’s through a college or with their employer.”

Apprentice electricians, plumbers, carpenters. joiners, heating and ventilation engineers, painters and decorators are just some of the 1.3 million tradespeople that are at risk from exposure to the killer building material. And the facts are startling:

Asbestos kills around 20 tradespeople in the UK every week, making it the single biggest cause of work-related deaths (Health & Safety Executive)
Electricians are almost 16 times more likely than the general population to develop the killer lung disease mesothelioma in their lifetime. (Occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in the British population: a case-control study.)
Asbestos exposure kills 4 plumbers every week (Health & Safety Executive)
598 carpenters and joiners died between 1991-2000 as a result of an asbestos disease
1 in 17 British carpenters born in the 1940s will die of mesothelioma (Cancer Research UK and Health & Safety Executive)
The UK has the highest death rate from mesothelioma in the world. The risk is highest in people who were exposed to asbestos before age 30. (Institute of Cancer Research)

Despite the well-publicised health risks posed by asbestos, a 2017 survey conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of 500 tradespeople showed that less than a third were aware of the correct ways to deal with and handle asbestos in the workplace.

Craig explained: “It’s never too early to deliver asbestos awareness training to your workforce. The statistics show that the earlier in a person’s career they receive the appropriate training, then the better protected they are against developing asbestos related cancers in later life.

“A simple half day awareness course could prevent them from contracting a deadly disease and also ensure they don’t expose others to the dangers of asbestos.”

To ensure young people have access to asbestos awareness training before entering the workplace, UKATA is supporting the Learning Occupational Health by Experiencing Risks (LOcHER) project.

The LOcHER project idea originated within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and aims to support colleges to help students develop valuable employment and life skills, so they feel equipped to lead change in their careers and the industries into which they progress.

For employers whose apprentices are yet to receive asbestos awareness training, UKATA advises that they access UKATA approved asbestos awareness training, either with a local provider or online.

“Asbestos awareness training is low cost and readily available. I urge all employers to book their apprentices on these half-day courses and provide them with a safe foundation for a long and safe career within the construction industry,” added Craig.

UKATA approved asbestos awareness courses are available both online and in training centres throughout the UK. Alternatively, the training provider may deliver on site.

To find out more about UKATA, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield museum celebrates inspirational local women

25th January 2020

Chesterfield Museum is celebrating the lives of local women who have made a significant contribution to their communities and the country overall.

The extraordinary women exhibition runs to 28 March, and features the lives of many inspirational women, including political campaigners such as Emma Miller and Barbara Castle, and the story of suffragette Winifred Jones.

Visitors can also learn about Florence Robinson, who ensured that Robinsons had some of the best working conditions and work social facilities in Derbyshire. The exhibition also explores the story of Violet Markham, social welfare, educational reformer and political pioneer, who became the first female Mayor of Chesterfield.

The exhibition also includes the story of the ladies’ football tournament – which took place during the First World War – possibly the first of its kind to be played anywhere in Britain.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member town centres and visitor economy, said: “It is important that we continue to remember the stories of our local heroes and we’re encouraging as many of you as possible to come down and learn about the lives of these local women who have helped shape our communities in to the way we know them today.”

“We hope that anyone visiting this exhibition regardless of their age, gender or background will be inspired by the achievements of these extraordinary women.”

The exhibition is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm. The museum is free to enter, however donations are welcomed.

Click here to see more events in Chesterfield

Click here for our Half Term in Chesterfield Guide

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield going for gold after being named as Britain in Bloom finalist

24th January 2020

Chesterfield has been named as a finalist in the RHS’s nationwide gardening competition, Britain in Bloom.

Following the success at the East Midland’s in Bloom awards over the past four years, Chesterfield Borough Council and local residents will now put their horticultural skills to the test as they prepare to battle it out on a national level in the small city category of Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) competition.

Britain in Bloom is the UK’s longest running gardening competition. It provides a regional and nationwide platform for community groups to brighten up their town or city. Finalists are put forward to the national final based on their progress regionally and will be scored by a team of RHS national judges in summer this year.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Britain in Bloom is such a great campaign and we are delighted to have been selected as finalists this year. It shows just how well we have done on a regional level in the last few years.”

“As a council we are committed to improving the local environment and projects such as this really do help. It’s also great to see that the bloom projects and competitions in Chesterfield bring a variety of people together throughout the year, so being selected as a finalist is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together once again and show Chesterfield at its best.”

Judges will visit some the borough’s parks and green spaces on Friday 7 August, including main sponsor, Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, before the winners are announced later in the year.

More information on Britain in Bloom can be found here.

Click here to find out more about the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2020

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield’s new housing strategy approved

22nd January 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council has approved a new four-year Housing Strategy which outlines the council’s priorities to enhance the borough’s housing offer and meet the needs of residents.

The new strategy highlights the council’s housing ambitions from 2019 to 2023 and is set out under three key objectives:

Delivery – ensuring that increased new housing provision meets the needs of current and future residents of Chesterfield to provide a home for every stage of life
Quality– the council will utilise internal and external resources to ensure that as many homes as possible are of decent quality
People – ensuring that the needs of all groups to access and sustain housing appropriate for their needs in Chesterfield, particularly those that are vulnerable.

Councillor Chris Ludlow (right), Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This strategy is really important as it sets out the framework for the council to meet the housing challenges in the borough.

“It will play a key role in helping us to deliver the council’s vision of ‘putting our communities first’ and help us achieve our priorities of making Chesterfield a thriving borough and improving the quality of life for local people.”

Residents and stakeholders were invited to consult on the housing strategy during September and October 2019. The consultation programme included an online survey for members of the public to complete and a session with tenant representatives.

Councillor Ludlow added: “For us, it was important to make sure that this new strategy takes into account people’s views and addresses the challenges currently being experienced by residents and stakeholders here in Chesterfield. By consulting with the public we’ve been able to make sure that the strategy focuses on the most relevant issues which will allow us to make the greatest impact over the next four years.”

The full Housing Strategy is available to view at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/housing-strategy

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home