Leisure

Ernie Moss Day raises more than £3k

24th August 2017

More than £3,000 has been raised so far for the Alzheimer’s Society and Team Ernie through fundraising efforts as part of last Saturday’s Ernie Moss Day.

The money has been raised from the sale of commemorative t-shirts and wristbands, together with a collection made on the day and a donation from Chesterfield FC following the sale of programmes and Brampton Brewery’s ‘Ernie 8’ ale.

The Moss family said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the club and staff for all their support and our wonderful helpers on the day.

“Also a massive thanks to the fans for their never-ending support and to everyone who made Ernie Moss Day an emotional, proud day to remember…and of course to the lads for a win!”

A second Ernie Moss Day was held to honour Chesterfield’s record goalscorer, who is suffering from a form of dementia.

The fund will continue to grow as t-shirts and wristbands are still on sale in the Club Superstore at the Proact Stadium.

Photo by Tina Jenner: Ernie Moss carries the match ball out before Chesterfield’s game against Port Vale, joined by daughters Sarah (left) and Nikki.

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

Local community takes part in archaeological dig at Chesterfield Canal

23rd August 2017

Over 500 people from the local community joined the Chesterfield Canal Trust and a number of archaeologists to take part in the Last Cuckoo Project.

At the beginning of the year it was reported that the Chesterfield Canal Trust acquired funding from the Aviva Community Trust of £10,000 for the Last Cuckoo Project – an archaeological dig at Staveley – where it is believed that at least one Cuckoo boat, unique to the canal, could be found.

The dig, which took place over two weeks in August, unearthed a variety of material including pottery and bottles and – as expected – three boats, one which has been reported as almost certainly a Cuckoo.

The dig has received enormous community support. The funding for the project was made possible by the project gaining 9,500 votes in a public vote. The public support continued with over 500 places on the dig being snapped up by members of the community – including a number of local children.

To celebrate the findings, the Trust organised an open day, which was also well attended with over 300 people being given a guided tour of the trenches and the teams findings. The dig also gained regional coverage with a feature on BBC Look North.

As the project was an archaelogical dig and not a restoration project the findings where reburied. However the Canal Trust will be working hard to ensure that the findings are remembered.

Rod Auton, a representative from the Chesterfield Canal Trust, said:-

“There was never any possibility of lifting an incredibly fragile 70’ boat, then storing and preserving it, so everything was reburied at the end of the dig. When the restoration of the Canal reaches a certain point, they will be dug up again because there will be moorings on the site.

“However, part of the grant has been reserved to create an information board on the site, so that the whole event will be remembered in the time being.”

The Trust wishes to pay particular thanks to Mark Walker for his months of planning on the project, Elmet Archaeological Services – led by Christine Rawson – who had vast experience of community archaeology, T.C. Harrison/JCB who lent the Trust a mini-digger for the whole fortnight and Henry and Lorraine Day who allowed the Trust to use their field for camping, car parking and accommodation facilities.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

New hashtag campaign to highlight the Peak District’s hidden gems

23rd August 2017

Social media users are being invited to share their stunning shots of what they think is unique and inspiring about the Peak District and Derbyshire in a new hashtag campaign aiming to spread the word about its most special and secret gems.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, is about to launch #UniqueDistrict in a bid to promote the essence and spirit of the area with the help of the expanding online community.

Lindsay Rae, the tourist board’s Deputy Director, said:-

“We’re asking people to post images of their favourite features of the Peak District and Derbyshire – everything from breathtaking landscapes and fabulous attractions to their favourite cafés and restaurants serving locally-sourced food and drink.

“We’re looking for special shots that inspire them and will inspire other people too – and they can feature any subject, as long as it captures what’s best and beautiful about the area.

“We know the Peak District and Derbyshire is full of hidden treasures, and this is a brilliant opportunity to share them across the growing on-line audience.

“We’ll be posting the best entries across our Instagram and Twitter accounts, and there’ll be quality prizes on offer in a series of competitions from September to the beginning of November.”

#UniqueDistrict will be launched on the tourist board’s Twitter feed – @vpdd – on Friday September 1 at 1pm, when a video outlining full details of how to enter and details of the first prize give-away will be released.

After that, people can tweet their images, using @vpdd and #UniqueDistrict, and their submissions will go forward as competition entries until November 1. #UniqueDistrict will then continue to run for another ten months to encourage even more people to join the online conversation.

The video will become the campaign’s ‘pinned’ tweet and will stay at the top of the @vpdd Twitter page throughout September. It will also be posted on the tourist board’s website at www.visitpeakdistrict.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Ashgate Hospicecare raise a combined £18,437 at this year’s Summer Fair and Open Air Cinema

21st August 2017

Ashgate Hospicecare is thrilled to announce that a combined total of £18,437 was raised at last weekend’s Summer Fair and Open Air Cinema.

Both events, which were based on Ashgate Hospicecare’s meadow, hosted over a thousand people throughout the day and raised vital funds for patients and their families across north Derbyshire.

Beth Cole, Events Assistant at Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“We would like to thank everyone who came and supported the hospice over the weekend. It was amazing to see so many families enjoying themselves.”

Throughout the day, families enjoyed an array of activities including fairground rides, games, donkeys, craft stalls, food, a bar and live music as well as over a thousand-local people settling down and watching a screening of Grease later in the evening.

Jill Ashmore, from Chesterfield, said:-

“What a great night. Film brilliant, lovely atmosphere and the meteor display …. inspired. Next please.”

Stewart Oldham, Long standing car park volunteer, from Chesterfield, said:-

“From the volunteers on car park duty thanks for everyone’s cooperation and understanding what a great atmosphere and event. See you all next year.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Award winning coffee shop reopens after relocation

21st August 2017

Two time winner of the Café of the Year category in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards have reopened this weekend after a move to new premises.

Stephenson’s Tea and Coffee House, situated at Stephenson’s Place, have relocated down one floor of the building. The move downstairs provides the venue with more accessible accommodation, better views of the town and unique original Victorian features. This is the first phase of an extensive refurbishment of their premises on Stephenson Place.

Opening in 2014, the café have gone from strength to strength, now employing 14 people and 2 apprentices. It has also been nominated as Cafe of the Year in 3 consecutive Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards – winning twice in 2014-2016 – and also winner of the Best Customer Service award in Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards 2016.

In the last couple of years, Stephenson’s have introduced Afternoon Teas, acquired a license to sell alcohol and opened The Spire by Stephenson’s – also nominated in the Best Newcomer Category at the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards 2017. The move downstairs highlights its desire to be ever expanding and provide a venue accessible to all customers.

Claire Wood, Owner of Stephenson’s Tea and Coffee House, says:-

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Sam and I. We have retained the peaceful atmosphere our customers want, and will continue to serve our extensive menu including snacks, breakfasts, lunches, cakes, scones and much more, homemade from high quality ingredients and served by the friendly Stephensons Team.

“With so much investment taking place in Chesterfield Town Centre we feel privileged to be providing a service for the people of Chesterfield.”

Claire and Sam – her son – work very closely with their team of staff at both Stephenson’s Tea and Coffee House and in their second Coffee Shop, The Spire by Stephenson’s at 3 St Marys Gate.

She says:-

“We aim to ensure all our customers receive a friendly welcome and enjoy excellent food and drink in a relaxed atmosphere in either Stephensons Tea and Coffee House or The Spire by Stephensons.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Visitors welcome to Chesterfield Museum’s open day

21st August 2017

Visitors to Chesterfield Museum can join in a range of activities for the museum’s open weekend.

The popular attraction, owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council, hosts the event on Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Monday 28 August.

Activities on offer include:

Creative crafts for children each day from 10am to 4pm
Behind the scenes tours at 1pm and 2.30pm each day – tours are free but must be booked in advance, call (01246) 345727 to book
Meet George Stephenson each day at 10am – find out more about the North East’s railway pioneer who made his home in Chesterfield
A talk by the Derbyshire Records Office on Friday 25 August at 11am
Spire stories at noon and 1.45pm on Saturday 26 and Monday 28 August

The current exhibition features the history of St Mary and All Saints’ Church – the ‘Crooked Spire’.

The church will be offering hour long tours of the tower on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August at 2.30pm and Monday 28 August at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“We’re proud to welcome thousands of visitors to Chesterfield Museum each year. The open weekend gives people the chance to look round and find out more about this popular attraction.

“There are activities suitable for all ages so it is a great opportunity for families to enjoy themselves together this bank holiday weekend.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Boyband star with a passion for farming is announced as president for Chatsworth Country Fair

16th August 2017

Former boyband star turned award-winning farmer, with a passion for educating children about the origins of their food has been announced as the president for this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair.

JB Gill (30) rose to fame as a member of one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS. They dominated the charts for five years, boasting five number-one singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and a multitude of awards.

Four years ago, JB set up a farm in the Kent countryside, where he lives with his wife, Chloe, and two-year-old son, Ace. Their smallholding successfully produces award-winning, KellyBronze turkeys and free-range Tamworth pork.

Now an established member of the farming community, JB has used his success within the entertainment industry to highlight his passion to educate children about the origins of their food and he is the lead presenter on CBeebies’ BAFTA-nominated television series, ‘Down On The Farm’ created for children aged 0–6 years, teaching them about life on a farm and outdoors. He also works closely with The Prince’s Countryside Fund, which seeks to celebrate and promote the value of family farms, rural affairs and the countryside to British society.

JB said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be named as president of the Chatsworth Country Fair 2017. The countryside is such an important part of our British society and I’m excited to represent, support and meet the many contributors and guests the fair will welcome over the weekend.

“I’ve always heard of the incredible beauty of Chatsworth Park and I was able to witness this incredible place whilst filming recently with BBC Songs Of Praise. Needless to say, I am overjoyed to have been asked to be Country Fair President 2017, joining the esteemed list of past presidents, who have all shared the same admiration that I have for this stunning countryside venue. My family and I are also looking forward to exploring the fair and getting stuck into everything it has to offer. It’s going to be an exciting weekend!”

In 2014, JB launched a diploma course at Sheffield College, ‘JB’s School of Entertainment Industries’, which teaches those enrolled a vast array of skills required to embark on a career in the entertainment industry.

He will be out and about exploring the country fair throughout the opening day (Friday 1 September).

As well as the thrilling line-up of Grand Ring entertainment, running from 10.45am to 6.30pm each day, the Chatsworth Country Fair also offers lots of shopping, fun and games for all the family, animal antics and much more. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and there’s even the chance to enter the family pooch into a dog show!

The three-day celebration of the countryside set in the beautiful Chatsworth parkland is offering a feast of family entertainment, from the whirlwind that is Dzhigitovka! – The Way of the Cossack Warrior, to what is set to be one of the last displays by the army’s world famous motorcycle display team The White Helmets.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Derbyshire Connect services to be rolled out countywide

16th August 2017

Community transport users will continue to receive life-line services as Derbyshire Connect buses are rolled out countywide.

Derbyshire County Council have pledged to continue supporting Dial-a-Bus (DAB)- style ‘shopping’ buses and aCTive Travel journeys to healthcare appointments.

These services are for people unable to use conventional transport because of mobility difficulties or because they live in areas − usually rural − where public transport is limited.

A new Derbyshire Connect service has been trialled in the Ashbourne and Wirksworth area since February. Contracts to operate the service across the county have now been awarded and will start in October − continuing to take people to supermarkets, shops, banks and medical appointments at hospitals, clinics, the doctors, dentists and opticians.

Councillor Trevor Ainsworth, Cabinet Support Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure at Derbyshire County Council, said:

“This is great news for community transport users. We are aware that there have been concerns among some passengers that their services were ending because funding was being withdrawn. This is not the case − funding is being provided in a different way.”

Councillor Ainsworth added:

“We know how important getting out and about is for people to retain their independence and we are clear on our commitment to continue to support the most vulnerable, particularly in rural and isolated communities, ensuring they have the same opportunities as they currently have, to travel to vital services.”

Funding for DAB and aCTive Travel services is currently provided by the council to the county’s six community transport schemes through grants.

Following a legal challenge, which makes it more difficult to provide funding in this way, the new Derbyshire Connect services will be run under contract.

Community Transport for Town and County (CT4TC), based in Chesterfield and Ripley, will run shopping buses in Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Erewash and North East Derbyshire.

And CDGi Training Limited − a specialist healthcare transport provider based in Eckington – will put on aCTive Travel services in Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

Like the current DAB and aCTive travel services, the new Derbyshire Connect services will still need to be booked but will continue to run door-to-door with passenger assistants on hand to provide extra assistance, where necessary.

Councillor Ainsworth said:

“These new Derbyshire Connect buses will offer better value for money − around £7 per passenger to run compared to an average £16.57 for the current service − and provide a more customer focused service. Gold Card holders will also be able to travel for free − currently they have to pay − and in the longer term we expect them to develop into more flexible services to meet the needs of a wider range of customers.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Funds raised for Alzheimer’s Society on Ernie Moss Day

15th August 2017

Valuable funds will be raised for the Alzheimer’s Society at Saturday’s game between Chesterfield and Port Vale when the Spireites stage a second ‘Ernie Moss Day’ to honour the legendary former striker, who is suffering from a form of dementia.

Ernie, who also played for Port Vale in a career which saw him score 245 goals in 749 league appearances, will be introduced to the crowd before kick-off and fans will be encouraged to applaud after eight minutes in recognition of his old shirt number.

Hospitality guests in the SBK Computers Spires Restaurant – including Ernie and members of his family – will be treated to a menu of Ernie’s favourite food while Brampton Brewery’s special ‘Ernie 8’ ale will be on sale on the day. The matchday programme will include a number of tributes to Ernie, together with a photo montage on the cover.

T-shirts featuring a ‘Badly Drawn Spires’ image of Ernie on the front and ‘8’ on the back will be available to buy from the Club Superstore, priced at £10. Fans will also be able to buy limited edition blue and white wristbands inscribed with ‘Ernie Moss Day 2017’, again sold in the Club Superstore, for a minimum donation of £1. Money raised from the sales, together with a collection on the day, will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Ashley Carson, Director & company secretary at Chesterfield Football Club, said:-

“Ernie’s goalscoring exploits have quite rightly made him one of the most popular players in the history of the club. Fans talk fondly of watching him in action and he is fully deserving of his legendary status.

“Dementia is a cruel disease and it is heartbreaking to see someone like Ernie suffer in this way. Our staff have received training to learn how to deal with people who are affected by dementia and we will do all that we can to help promote awareness of the disease and raise funds for charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society.”

Now 67, Ernie is Chesterfield’s record goalscorer, scoring a total of 191 goals over three spells with the club. He netted 23 times for Port Vale in 74 appearances.

After his playing career came to an end, he managed various non-league clubs including Gainsborough Trinity, Leek Town and Matlock Town.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Heritage Lottery Fund Chairman to lead Barrow Hill Roundhouse re-launch celebrations

14th August 2017

Sir Peter Luff, Chairman to the Board of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund will visit Barrow Hill Roundhouse on Thursday 21^st September 2017 to view the comprehensive National Lottery-funded restoration and officially open the new entrance building at the unique Midland Railway roundhouse.

The celebrations to mark the completion of the £1.2 million restoration, made possible by National Lottery players, will continue as the Grand Reopening Gala commences on Friday 22^nd September, continuing on Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th September.

The gala will star two icons of steam, the National Railway Museum’s A3 60103 “Flying Scotsman” and A1 60163 “Tornado”. This will be the first visit to the Roundhouse by “Flying Scotsman” since a Barrow Hill Roundhouse Open Day in 1974.

It will also be the first opportunity for many to get up close to the locomotive alongside her sister East Coast racehorse, the 100mph “Tornado” – recently the subject of a BBC4 documentary – against the unique and authentic backdrop of the Roundhouse.

Tickets are now also on sale for “Down the Line”, a professionally produced play commissioned as part of the celebratory events to mark the reopening of Barrow Hill Roundhouse and supported by The Arts Council.

The show will involve a cast of professional actors and hundreds of local people, including a community choir and Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Brass Band. The audience will be an integral part of the play as they follow the drama in and around the Roundhouse building. The Roundhouse team is delighted to announce that the play will include a guest appearance by “Flying Scotsman”.

Mervyn Allcock, General Manager of Barrow Hill Roundhouse, said:-

“We are very honoured that Sir Peter Luff has agreed to open the new extension building and lead our celebrations. We are looking forward to welcoming him to our unique Roundhouse and showing much we appreciate the financial assistance the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us.”

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:-

“As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the evocative story of the UK’s dazzling railway heritage. There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings and locomotives that survive from that time, and that combination is what makes this place so special. That’s why I’m really excited to open the new extension, and see the finished restoration, all made possible thanks to National Lottery players.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield’s first botanical gin room to feature in new Italian restaurant

8th August 2017

Chesterfield’s first botanical gin room is set to feature in a new Italian restaurant for the town, Cipollini Ristorante Italiano.

The new restaurant, which specialises in homely traditional Italian cuisine, is set to offer a new experience in the already booming Chesterfield Food and Drink scene.

The restaurant will be situated on the mezzanine above the The All Saints Tap – a new food, drink and live sports venue, specialising in craft beers, cocktails, artisan burgers and pizzas which opened its doors last weekend.

A spokesperson from Cipollini said:-

“Our concept is simple, we’re not messing about with the classic recipes and ingredients that’s been served in Italy for century’s – no twists, nothing but fine Italian food done right by our chef Fabrizio.

“We pride ourselves on staying true to our Italian roots and recipes, and serving them with a smile.

“Our Gin room will be open at weekends for pre meal drinks and available to hire out for celebrations with your own bar tender and music of your choice.”

With a focus on the Italian tradition of families dining together, the restaurant are offering all children under 12 to dine for free at all times. Every Sunday they will also be offering half price pizza and pasta between 12pm-8pm.

The prominent building on St Mary Gate now home to The All Saints Tap was previously occupied by York House, in the buzzing and vibrant Real Ale Quarter just 50 yards away from the famous Crooked Spire.

The restaurant joins an number of new businesses that have recently opened in the town over the last year – including Odyssey, Spire by Stephenson’s and Bottle and Thyme – who are nominated in the Best Newcomer category at this years Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting