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Local leaders to guide green growth and recovery in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

As the UK transitions to a low carbon economy there are significant opportunities arising at pace from the changes to technology, methods of production and forms of consumption.

In response the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has established a new Low Carbon Growth Group.

The group will convene and coordinate low carbon activity and programmes aimed at delivering opportunities for investment, business growth and jobs across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2).

The formation of the group comes as the Confederation of British Industry has set out its new UK Economic Strategy which emphasises decarbonisation as a critical factor in the UK’s economic recovery.

The new group aims to build on the LEPs ambitious plans to deliver the largest turnaround in carbon emissions in England, as part of its recovery and growth strategy. The group will also deliver on the goals of the UK’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

The group will be chaired jointly by Becky Rix, D2N2 Board member and Marketing Director at Roadgas and Wayne Bexon, Interim Corporate Director for Growth and City Development at Nottingham City Council. Other members include representatives from a wide range of key local private and public sector organisations

On the group’s agenda is:

• Supporting the region to reach net zero
• Developing and enhancing greater coordination of low carbon investment plans
• Developing a portfolio of development opportunities to attract more government and private sector investment in the area.

Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive at D2N2 said: “Underpinning the D2N2 Recovery and Growth strategy is our ambition to achieve the highest turnaround in carbon emissions in the country. Bringing together some of the region’s most influential experts to form the Low Carbon Recovery Group will provide the vision and action needed as our economy retools and moves towards a carbon-free tomorrow”

Becky Rix said: “I am delighted to be co-chairing the Low Carbon Growth Group and sharing my experience as we look for opportunities to deliver a low carbon agenda for the region. I think this as a very exciting time to be participating in the delivery of future developments as we focus on growth and a green recovery. I am looking forward to learning more about the opportunities and challenges, listening and learning from colleagues and ensuring collaboration for all interested stakeholders.”

Wayne Bexton said: “A Green Recovery has been referenced throughout the pandemic and this new group brings together expertise from across the private and public sector to target low carbon initiatives via a joined up approach. There is a unique opportunity ahead for carbon neutrality to be achieved alongside economic growth and Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire can be at the forefront for the UK on this agenda”.

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Families settle into towns first modular build homes

Families in Chesterfield are settling into their new homes following the completion of an innovative development to bring additional council houses to Brampton.

Ten new properties have been added to Chesterfield Borough Council’s housing stock after Fortem completed the ten-plot modular housing scheme at Heaton Court – making them the first properties of their kind in the borough.

The new sustainable housing, which is built off site and then transported to its location, offers the council a variety of affordable house types for local families. The innovative construction approach is becoming more popular in the UK and following this first successful development in Chesterfield, this approach will feature in the borough’s future plans to meet local housing need.

The new housing development at Heaton Court includes two four bed town houses, four three bed houses and four two bed houses – all of which were added to the council’s housing stock and let to local families.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said, “We’re pleased to see families settling into their new homes at Heaton Court. We’re committed to meeting the housing needs of local people – now and in the future – and these new properties will provide affordable, modern and accessible homes for families in our borough.

“As is the case across the country, we need more homes to meet the future needs of our communities and we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to achieve this locally. Building homes this way it creates less disruption on site for local communities and the end result is a much more sustainable and environmentally sound home.

“Living in a warm and energy efficient home is not only better for our planet, it will also reduce costs to run the property, offering affordable warmth to our tenants.”

Chesterfield Bourgh Council is committed to ensuring that all its housing stock is as energy efficient as possible, in response to the climate emergency that was declared by council leaders in July 2019. The lifecycle carbon emissions of the modular homes are around 12% lower, and it takes around 20% less energy to heat them compared to those that are traditionally built.

Electric charging points were provided to each dwelling as well as bird boxes and hedgehog runs in the gardens to support local wildlife. Landscaping works have also been completed across the site to allow off street parking and as much green space as possible.

The project has been a collaborative effort between Fortem and the council to ensure the quality of the modular builds was to the highest standard for tenants, whilst adhering to strict Government guidelines to build safely through Covid-19. Works were procured via Procurement Hub’s Built Environment Framework. This solution provides a holistic approach to urban developments to deliver projects that create environmentally low impact spaces.

James Taylor, Contracts Manager at Fortem, said “We’re extremely pleased to have completed the first modular housing scheme in the borough. This project has allowed us to provide essential, attractive new housing for the local community whilst delivering an innovative and sustainable solution.”

Louise Dodds, Client Relationship Manager at Procurement Hub, said “At Procurement Hub we love that our clients can benefit from the flexibility of our direct award Built Environment Framework. Chesterfield have worked closely with Fortem to deliver a unique, forward-thinking, and sustainable scheme that will benefit all in the community.

Cllr Ludlow added: “It is important that people looking for a new home have a choice of good quality properties to rent. Our ambition is to create an additional 100 new homes across town by 2023 and with the completion of these properties, along with others, we’re well on track to reach this target.”

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East Midlands Chamber helps create jobs for 400 young people in the region – but urges more to take advantage of vacancies

East Midlands Chamber has helped more than 400 young people in the region to find employment by playing a pivotal role in the Kickstart scheme.

Another 1,200 vacancies are live in the region after the region’s leading business representation group worked with 650 employers to create the six-month work placements. So far, there have been about 150 starters in Derbyshire, 100 in Leicestershire and 170 in Nottinghamshire.

Employers that want to create Kickstart roles – which are aimed at people aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit or at risk of long-term unemployment – often use gateway organisations such as East Midlands Chamber to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for a grant to cover the costs.

East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead Diane Beresford said: “We know young people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the huge amount of unemployment it has created, so the Kickstart scheme is an important mechanism for helping them to get the skills they need to prepare for the world of work.

“We’re so proud to have played a key role in giving young people a chance they may not otherwise have had. After spending many months working with employers on their applications, it’s incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the fruits of our labour as people now start their jobs.

“Businesses taking part are playing a vital role in their communities by supporting and preparing our future workforce, while they also benefit from a relatively risk-free opportunity to trial new roles that could lead to future growth.”

How does the Kickstart scheme work?

The number of people aged 18 to 24 claiming unemployment-related benefits increased by 263,700 between February 2020 and March 2021 – a 110% rise – according to Government data.

In response, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the £2bn Kickstart scheme as part of his Plan for Jobs to help young people into work and spur Britain’s post-Covid economic revival.

Funding pays for 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, national insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week.

Employers can choose to top up this wage and are also eligible for a £1,500 Government grant for training people on a Kickstart placement.

Once applications are accepted, young people are referred into the roles via a Jobcentre Plus work coach.

The scheme is due to run until 31 December – the date when Kickstart jobs must begin – with funding available until 30 June 2022. However, East Midlands Chamber recommends making applications by the beginning of August.

It began making applications at the beginning of October and has worked with councils in Mansfield, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Melton, as well as East Midlands accountancy firm Duncan & Toplis, to target businesses.

Overall, the Chamber has so far secured 2,770 vacancies – including more than 2,300 in the East Midlands – and dozens of vacancies are going live every week.

Diane added: “There’s still plenty of time for employers to sign up and we continue to work with local authorities to engage with companies about why they should take advantage of the scheme while they can.

“We also want to highlight the Kickstart scheme to young people on Universal Credit who might not be aware of it. There’s a very diverse range of roles available – from digital marketing and e-commerce to sales and admin positions – and they should get in touch with their local Jobcentre Plus work coach.”

Anyone aged 16 to 24 and claiming Universal Credit should speak to their Jobcentre Plus work coach. Find your local Jobcentre Plus branch at find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk.

Businesses interested in applying for a Kickstart scheme grant should contact East Midlands Chamber education and business partnership manager Pieter Eksteen on pieter.eksteen@emc-dnl.co.uk or 0333 320 0333 (Ext 2241).

 

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Chesterfield’s Corrugated Case Company creates eco-friendly furniture brand

A Chesterfield-based packaging company has launched a new venture aimed at creating eco-friendly home furnishings, children’s’ play pens and accessories.

Deckle & Chop has been created by the Corrugated Case Company to help fill the increasing demand for environmentally friendly and recyclable products.

The hand-crafted contemporary goods are made solely from cardboard, with the company initially releasing five designs from its toy range. The team behind Deckle & Chop say they’re now working on introducing new products on a regular basis, following a successful launch of home furniture products in March.

Lizzy Barker, structural packaging designer at Corrugated Case Company said: “Our journey starts over 20 years ago manufacturing standard cardboard boxes for business and commercial use. During our spare time, with our creative minds & understanding of cardboards amazing properties, we designed some pieces for the office and our own homes.

“We soon realised that these needed to be shared with the world and made available for purchase by everyone. We really hope that interest in our business and our products takes off and we are already working on new designs to add to our portfolio.”

Following the launch, Deckle and Chop has created a website and social media pages, in order to showcase the new products. Find out more at https://deckleandchop.com/ or on Facebook.

Recent designs include coffee tables, lampshades, and more recently play pens and an innovative ‘hot air balloon’ night light accessory centred around children.

Founded in 1996, The Corrugated Case Company continues to support a broad portfolio of clients ranging from local businesses to leading national brands — providing packing solutions for everything from products in transit to external customer-facing promotional packaging. The Corrugated Case Company’s products were also featured recently on an episode of the Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals. You can read more about that here. 

Corrugated Case Company supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Noonah installs selfie booths at Wembley Stadium, enabling fans to pose for photos with England stars

In readiness for a summer of live crowds, football and music, Chesterfield-based digital marketing company Noonah has partnered with Cake (Havas) to install two ‘Human Holograms’ Booths at Wembley Stadium for the EE project.

With software developed in-house at Noonah, the ‘EE Selfie Stations’ give fans the chance to have their picture taken with footballing stars including The Lionesses, Gareth Southgate or Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho & Harry Maguire.

Operated through your mobile phone, the kiosks use Noonah’s ‘covid-safe’ contactless technology which sends the photo souvenir directly to your inbox. The two kiosks are permanent installations in Wembley Stadium’s inner circle and mark an exciting milestone in the return to normal.

This video produced by Noonah shows how the technology works, along with detailing the installation at Wembley:

The company has been involved at Wembley before, previously helping the SSE Arena install a digital photo mosaic in order to say thank you to key workers during the covid-19 pandemic. Noonah has also worked with other big-name brands, such as Adidas, Vodafone, McDonalds, Sky TV and the BBC.

The Wembley installation is part of a wide range of augmented reality and digital experience projects carried out by the company, with other recent project including the Chesterfield Santa House last Christmas, along with the launch of a new product personalisation service available to small businesses.

Matt Franks CEO and Co-Founder of Noonah said “I’m extremely proud of the Noonah team in successfully delivering of this project for EE. It’s a new, innovative way of creating user generated content for brands in a post-Covid world the client is delighted with the outcome.”

Noonah supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Citizens Advice Chesterfield joins innovative charity shopping initiative

Local charity Citizens Advice Chesterfield, which provides a range of support to thousands of residents across the town has joined EasyFundraising, which enables people to support charities simply by shopping online.

For many, Citizens Advice is the first point of call when serious life changes occur. The charity offers free, confidential, impartial, independent advice & information for problems faced by residents & their families. It also campaigns to improve policies & practices affecting people’s lives.

Easyfundraising turns everyday online shopping into free donations for a nominated cause of the customer’s choice. To do this, start your online shopping first on the easyfundraising website, then shop as normal. The site’s associated retailers will then make a small donation to the chosen charity to say “thank you”.

There are currently 4700+ retailers to choose from and so far the site has raised over £35 million for thousands of community groups, schools, sports clubs, small and large charities across the UK.

Linda Moore, chair of Citizens Advice Chesterfield said: “As lockdown began last March, Citizens Advice Chesterfield completely changed delivery of services virtually overnight, with staff and some volunteers all working from home. At the same time demand for support increased. In the last quarter enquiries about loss of income, lack of food and loss of employment has increased by 29%.

“At the same time all fundraising events, including a Midsummer Ball and our increasingly popular Town Hall Abseil have been cancelled. We feel we can’t approach businesses which supported us in the past when they themselves are struggling with lockdown pressures.

“So we are trying Easyfundraising. Both individuals and businesses can sign up. Simply load up the Easyfundraising App, nominate “Citizens Advice Chesterfield” as your chosen charity, look for your favourite retailers and start shopping. A percentage from each sale is donated to us and it costs you nothing. It couldn’t be easier. And the more people sign up the better for us. It’s an easy way to help us help local residents.”

Citizens Advice Chesterfield supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Britcon welcomes construction students to One Waterside Place site

Chesterfield Waterside, Chesterfield Borough Council and Britcon (UK) Ltd have begun an eight-week activity partnership with Chesterfield College by welcoming its Level 3 Construction Management students on site.

The visit was held at One Waterside Place, the seven-storey Grade A office block currently under construction in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

As part of the site visit students were given an insight in to the whole build process, focusing on safety, cost, quality and time.

Britcon (UK) is the lead contractor on One Waterside Place. Nick Shepherd, Managing Director of Britcon (UK) Ltd and a former Chesterfield College construction student himself, said: “It was great to engage with a group of enthusiastic individuals and share some of our expertise with them on their journey within the construction industry. We are passionate about giving back to the community and this visit marks the first of an eight-week activity partnership that we have arranged with the college.”

Terry Brickles, Curriculum Operations Manager for Construction at Chesterfield College said: “Our goal is to ensure students leave us well prepared for the world of work and for a positive future. Working with Britcon has helped us to give our students a fantastic opportunity to get a greater understanding of how the skills they have been developing in college fit into a construction project like Chesterfield Waterside.

“It is vital to develop construction students’ first-hand experience, knowledge, understanding and practical experience of life on a building site. Not only does it give them an opportunity to use the practical skills they have learnt in a classroom in a real environment, it develops other skills which help to make them good employees for the industry too.”

Ahead of COVID restrictions easing, last year a camera was installed on the roof of Chesterfield College to record the entire build process of One Waterside Place.  As part of the partnership between the College, Chesterfield Borough Council, Britcon and Chesterfield Waterside, the footage has been shared with students throughout lockdown as part of their virtual learning studies.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Gaining industry experience is vital to helping ensure young people can meet their full potential and setting up the camera so they could do this digitally allows them to gain this experience remotely. It’s fantastic that Britcon and Waterside have made it possible for these students to visit the site. I hope this is the first of many visits because together with being able to access the camera footage, it really helps young people plan their future.”

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group Plc, the company leading Chesterfield Waterside added: “I’m delighted that restrictions have eased sufficiently to enable us to welcome local schools and college students to site. Virtual learning has been very effective during lockdown but to be able to get onto site and see a project taking shape on the ground can be really inspiring.”The seven-storey office block is the first phase of the Basin Square character area within the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme and is being developed for Chesterfield Borough Council. Last month BHP Accountants in Chesterfield announced that it is to take a floor in the new office block and relocate its office on Saltergate in the town centre to Basin Square.

Construction of One Waterside Place is expected to be completed later this year. As part of the contract with Chesterfield Borough Council, Britcon is utilising local labour and local contractors across the whole build process as well as working closely with the college. This ensures that the construction phase of the project not only helps develop skills it also provides an economic benefit to the local economy which will help support recovery from the pandemic.

Keep up-to-date with the latest developments at Chesterfield Waterside here, or follow the development on Facebook and Twitter.

Chesterfield College and Chesterfield Waterside support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Work begins on construction of new Jewson branch in Chesterfield

Morgan Sindall Construction and Chesterfield Borough Council have joined forces to celebrate the positive social impact that the build programme of a new Jewson branch in Chesterfield will have on the local community.

Jewson is one of the largest builders merchants in the UK, with nearly 500 branches located across the country. Its new branch on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield will replace the merchant’s former home in the town, which is no longer suitable due to the impact of works associated with the HS2 Station Master Plan. The new branch will be a one-stop shop for tradespeople, and will feature a vast supply of building materials, a customer sales area and storage facility.

The HS2 Station Master Plan sets out a vision to create a vibrant gateway to North Derbyshire, identifies potential development sites which could create around 850 new jobs and includes improvements in cycling, pedestrian and public transport routes.

The project was procured through Pagabo’s Medium Works Framework and is expected to complete in early 2022.

A groundbreaking event was held on the site of the new £4.4m facility on Sheffield Road, attended by representatives from Morgan Sindall Construction, Jewson, Chesterfield Borough Council and Pagabo.

As part of its work in Chesterfield, Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced work with Chesterfield College on a programme of activities to demonstrate to students the many different opportunities that a career in construction can offer. This has already seen virtual talks on the work that will be delivered at the Jewson site, with in-person site tours set to take place as soon as COVID-19 restrictions allow. Work programmes are also underway to develop opportunities for local jobseekers, as well as university students and graduates.

In order to ensure these programmes bring maximum benefit to the local area, Morgan Sindall Construction will work with Chesterfield FC Community Trust, D2N2 Careers Hub and Chesterfield Job Centre along with Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield College to ensure all employment and skills initiatives are mapped to community need.

Additionally, a charity football match has been organised between the specially created teams of Morgan Sindall FC and Jewson Property Professionals FC which will be held at Chesterfield Football Club Technique Stadium on the 17th June at 6pm. The match is being held to support The Chair’s Appeal for Ashgate Hospice Care and is being supported by Martin Thacker MBE, Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust, Jewson, Pagabo Foundation and Morgan Sindall Construction.

James Garnett, project director for Morgan Sindall Construction said: “We’re really pleased to have commenced works at the new Jewson branch in Chesterfield. The facility will bring an improved service to businesses and tradespeople in the region, and during the construction process we look forward to developing our relationships with the local community.

“We’re excited to be working closely with Chesterfield College and look forward to demonstrating to its students the many valuable careers that can be developed within our industry. Similarly, the charity football match next month is a great way to show our support and raise much needed funds for Ashgate Hospice Care, an organisation that does so much vital work for the people of North Derbyshire.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted to see works beginning as the development of this new site is vital to ensuring our HS2 Station Master Plan can be achieved. I look forward to seeing this site progress and also see how it can be used to help support skills development and economic recovery in Chesterfield.”

Jason Stapley, foundation chairman and managing director at Pagabo, said: “We’re happy to have supported Chesterfield Borough Council on their appointment of Morgan Sindall Construction following procurement through our Medium Works Framework. Social value is hugely important to us as a business and so it’s fantastic to see such a consideration for the local community throughout the project’s delivery and beyond.

“I’m also very much looking forward to dusting off my football boots before lighting up the Technique Stadium in support of the amazing work done by Ashgate Hospicecare.”

Steven Day, business unit director for Jewson, said: “We’re delighted that work has now begun on our new home in Chesterfield, and we’re excited to welcome tradespeople to our branch at the start of next year.

“We’re also proud to be able to play a part in inspiring the next generation of construction workers through Morgan Sindall Construction’s partnership with Chesterfield College, and in a few years’ time, some of those students could well be coming into the branch as tradespeople.

“Community is so important in Chesterfield, and we’re proud to have had a base in the town for over 25 years. To be able to give back to the community, in particular Ashgate Hospice Care, is so important, and we hope the charity football fixture will raise vital funds for an extremely important cause.”

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Chesterfield’s UK Asbestos Training Association ‘highly commended’ for mental health leadership

Chesterfield-based UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has been ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Senior Leadership Engagement Award’ category at The Impact Awards, hosted by mental health charity Mates In Mind.

These Awards are open to Senior Leadership from SMEs, Large size organisations and Projects who have shown inspirational leadership that has made a meaningful impact on the understanding and support for mental health amongst its workforce, as well as across their industry more broadly.

The commendation recognised the efforts of Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans, and Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon in a virtual ceremony on 27th May 2021.

“Being shortlisted for the Senior Leadership Engagement Award demonstrates the tightknit relationship between Debbie and myself. Working alongside one another for almost 10 years, has strengthened our partnership and undeniable rapport. It’s an honour to be recognised with my longest serving employee ” said Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans.

Mates in Mind is a registered UK charity raising awareness, addressing the stigma of poor mental health and promoting positive mental wellbeing across workplaces, helping to make sense of available options and support employers to address mental health within their workplace.

Each year Mates in Mind hold Impact Awards to celebrate their Supporters contributions to improving mental health within their workplaces and across the wider sector. The awards are an opportunity to highlight the impact of both large and SME organisations across the UK, as well as acknowledging individuals who have championed the development of mentally healthy workforces.

Established in 2008, UKATA is a highly respected, leading authority on asbestos training. The company’s passion is to both maintain and improve asbestos training, ensuring the highest standards are upheld by means of continually monitoring UKATA training provided by its members.

UKATA supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Stanedge Golf Club shortlisted at prestigious England Golf Awards 2021

The team at Chesterfield’s Stanedge Golf Club are celebrating, after being shortlisted in the ‘Club of the Year’ category at the 2021 England Golf Awards.

The event features seven award categories in total, which  recognises clubs, counties, volunteers and players. This year’s judging panels were drawn from the ranks of England Golf staff and the board as well as featuring industry and media colleagues.

The awards ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube at 6:30pm on Thursday, 3rd June so people can tune in to see if Stanedge can clinch the prize ahead of three other nominees.

Stanedge Golf Club owner and former PGA professional, Fame Tate, told us she was delighted that their hard work has been recognised: “I purchased Stanedge Golf Club in February 2019 and that now seems a very distant memory.

“At that time, it was important for me to create and continue to create a niche around our services and have a thorough understanding of our target market.  I have spent many hours looking at market segmentation and demographic research and the first step that I had to take was to build and create a new brand.  I had to give the club a new identity and literally raise awareness that we were actually open.

“For the first six months I can’t even hazard a guess or give you a figure how many people drove down the lane, past my office window and the clubhouse and turned around in the car park and went back out again.  They just wanted to see what was going on and if the golf club had actually reopened.”

“I was mindful from the start that everyone needed to see change quickly in order to reinstate faith and confidence back in the club and me and that is what we have done.  In the first 12 months we transformed the club in SO many ways.  I used to call the clubhouse “my little scout hut” but now it is so much more than that.  We have undergone a complete refurbishment internally and externally which has gradually taken place over the last two years and will continue.”

“As a business we are prepared to change in order to improve and form a new business strategy in order to compete indirectly with our competitors.”

Fame added that the Chesterfield business community has also played its part in bringing the club back to life: “Throughout all of the changes and renovations, I have sourced local tradesmen and businesses to meet our needs.  I think it is hugely important to support other local businesses particularly during these very tough times.”

“As a new business, we too have experienced the support of other local businesses through hole and score card sponsorship, with Il Mondo Travel being our headline score card sponsor.

Back in 2019 there was no golf shop at the club, just a very small area in the corner of the clubhouse that sold a few staple items.  As a consequence of this we joined the Foremost buying group, which enabled our members to buy products online.

“I also approached Glenmuir and Srixon as I was looking for a reliable supplier of high quality golf apparel, hardware, balls and gloves that could to tailored to meet our member’s buying preferences.  Since that time, we have added a workshop where we can carry out club repairs and a re-gripping service as a certified Golf Pride grip centre.”

Charlotte Dalton from Glenmuir commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with Fame and the team at Stanedge since 2019 and especially to see the club grow into the friendly, welcoming and quality venue that it has become today. In many ways the core values that Glenmuir holds dear as a business are the same as that of Stanedge Golf Club and this has enabled our joint relationship to flourish. From everyone here at Glenmuir, we would like to congratulate Fame and her team for the nomination of the England Golf ‘Club of the Year’ Award – this is well deserved and we look forward to working with Stanedge Golf Club for many more years to come.”

Fame also thanked the members of the club for their support of the club since it’s reopening and throughout the covid-19 pandemic: “I have always instilled from day one to my team the importance of providing excellent customer service and a customer centric experience.  I want everyone who walks through our door to feel welcomed and special.  They aren’t just a member or a golfer, they are someone who is vitally important to our business.

“We have created a deeper level of connection with all of members and guests.  All of members are greeted by their first names. All of the team take the time out to get to know our members.  We take pride in the fact that we remember all of their names, what they like, their favorite food and drink and such like, which for me are all vital “touch” points.  I also operate an open door policy for the office, so all of the members know that if they have any questions or queries I am there.”.

“The golf club is a business and it is run as a business but I want it feel like a home.  All of the changes and decisions that we have made and continue to make are for the best interests of the members, visitors and club structure, whilst retaining our core values and beliefs.

“Being nominated and shortlisted for this award, being one of only four clubs in the country fills me with a huge sense of pride.  I know that it has been challenging twelve months for us all but this national recognition makes all of the tireless hard work and the adversities that we have faced all worthwhile. I would like to congratulate and thank all of my team for all of their hard work and support.  We have achieved things together at Stanedge that none of us could have achieved alone.

“To me this is much more than a business venture……it is my life.  It is something that I am hugely passionate about and more importantly care about. In doing all of this, we have created a community and a culture; breaking barriers and changing people’s perception of what a “typical” golf club is like and we have certainly shaken the tree within the golfing industry particularly within the locality.”

Stanedge Golf Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield’s Seb Perez In Gear For Rally Debut

Editorial by Paul Horton

Chesterfield racing driver Seb Perez is all ready for this Bank Holiday Monday (31st May) debut in the first round of the British Rally Championship. He starts his 2021 season attack on the championship title in the Neil Howard Stages Rally at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

The 21 year old race and rally star, renowned for the last few years as a Porsche Carrera GB Champion is no stranger to the other side and changing from race track to rallying on tarmac or through forests at high speed.

Son of local drinks company entrepreneur Steve Perez who is a BTRDA rally champion twice over in his own rights has competed previously on rallies in the UK and Europe with a great track record of being on top spot. He started it all off as a Junior 1000 rally series driver back in 2013.

All eyes will be on Perez as he makes the full time swap to rallying coupled with his debut and previous rallying experience that could upset some of the well-known British Rally Championship contenders.

Sat alongside Seb will be his regular co-driver Gary McElhinney who will be responsible for reading the pace notes and maps to keep Perez on the right track, a rally partnership that goes back many years.

During the years Perez driven in such rally cars as his junior days in a Nissan Micra and progressing through a Ford Escort Mk2, RS1800Mk2, RS2000Mk2, Ford Focus RS WRC 07 and even an historic Porsche 911.

Perez’s office for the season is the M Sport sponsored Ford Fiesta Rally 2 or Fiesta R5 known by many an enthusiast.

Based on the popular Focus ST Line, M Sport has worked with Ford to create a championship winning rally car with pace and performance. It is M Sport’s most successful global rally car and development started on it in 2018 and saw Perez take it out in anger for the first time at the end of 2019 on the Grizedale Stages Rally and bring it home in 4th place.

An accolade for Perez to test the car for M Sport on its first rally and gave them essential testing data on an actual rally.

In 2019 Oulton Park Circuit played host to WRC Wales Rally GB and Perez will follow around the tracks where many World Rally Championship drivers have slipped and slide.

Seb has raced around the circuit many times and knows it well but in a rally car never with its tight infield tracks coupled with super-fast circuit layout which will favour the brave as gravel traps and frictionless grass outers will be ready to catch the unwary.

Perez will contest several historic race championships this year as well as the full British Rally Championship calendar and has a busy schedule this weekend where Saturday and Sunday he is back circuit racing at Brands Hatch in the Masters Historic Festival Gentleman Drivers Race in a 1965 Porsche 911 and then straight to Oulton Park for the rally on Bank Holiday Monday.

Perez commented this week “I have a busy Bank Holiday weekend with a mix of historic circuit action followed by the BRC at Oulton Park to finish it off. Both cars are extremely different to drive and both just as demanding”.

He added “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the #26 M Sport Fiesta R5 rally machine. It’s been quite a while since 2019, my rally in one at Grizedale where I took 4th place, and am thoroughly looking forward my new opportunity of getting behind the wheel and my debut in the 2021 Championship”.

“I think Oulton Park will be quite beneficial for me [as the first round] as I know the layout pretty well from my circuit experience and some single venue events there so it will just be a case of combining that all together. From Nicky Grist onwards it will be a little unknown but I`m feeling pretty optimistic about the season ahead”.

All images by by Paul Lawrence and Paul Horton

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