Over 120 children from Spireites Schools Partnership schools attended an ‘Educational Day’ at the Proact Stadium, organised by the Chesterfield FC Community Trust.

The day involved workshops such as Football Numeracy, aimed at engaging pupils with maths and Football Literacy, delivered by Chesterfield’s head of media & communications, Nick Johnson.

Derbyshire FA were represented by Cath Morton for a session on the importance of Respect in Football and in School. Tanya Noon from Central England Co-operative delivered a workshop on Healthy Eating, including giving the pupils a chance to make their own ‘fruit kebabs’. Diana Luke, who is a clinical therapist, came in to talk to the pupils about mindfulness and the power of positive thinking.

Emma Tooley, deputy head at New Whittington Primary School said:-

“The Educational Day was a fantastic experience for all of our pupils.

“They received an alternative insight into the football club and left feeling healthy, positive, informed and excitable! All the staff and players involved provided an excellent day and I’d like to thank them for their efforts.”

In addition to the workshops, the pupils were treated to a Q&A session with Chesterfield stars Ian Evatt, Sam Hird and Tommy Lee, along with new signing Scott Wiseman. Club captain Ian Evatt said:-

“We were delighted to be involved with the day.

“The kids told us what they had learned about healthy eating and we were happy to talk about the importance of that, as well as respect and how important mindfulness is during matches.”

John Croot, chief executive of the Chesterfield FC Community Trust, added:-

“All the kids thoroughly enjoyed the day, as well as learning key skills.

“We were happy to welcome everyone to the stadium – including some children who hadn’t been down before – to show them some of the great things we do with the community.

“The kids saw a different side to football and the work that we do and they relished the opportunity of learning while having a lot of fun. The event was a great success and we’re already discussing dates for next year!”

A range of organisations have joined together to discuss ways to tackle issues of homelessness and anti-social behaviour in Chesterfield town centre.

The Town Centre Summit, called by Derbyshire’s PCC, Hardyal Dhindsa, met for the first time on Friday (14 July).

The meeting saw representatives from Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police, Derbyshire Probation Trust, health agencies, the voluntary and community sector, East Midlands Chamber  and Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins unite to find sustainable solutions to a range of issues.

This proactive approach follows reports of anti-social behaviour around bus shelters in New Beetwell Street and key town centre sites, including the Crooked Spire church, related to alcohol or drug taking, as well as periods where the number of people rough sleeping on the streets has increased.

The group agreed to work together to address the behavioural problems but was also keen to get to the root causes of the issues and help to support people to get themselves out of the situation. The group will focus on:

• Enforcement – looking at what powers can be used to control problems of anti-social behaviour often related to drug or alcohol use
• Treatment and support – to focus on providing longer term solutions to enable the people concerned to receive mental health, alcohol or drug treatment as well as finding long term housing solutions
• Welfare policy – focusing on asking the Government to reconsider some of the changes to welfare reforms that are contributing to the issue.

Hardyal Dhindsa, Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said:-

“I was pleased to see such a good and positive attendance and would like to thank everyone who joined us.

“Everyone who came to the meeting had the best interests of the residents, business and visitors to Chesterfield at their heart and that is a good starting place.

“A lot of good suggestions were made and we have set up smaller groups to look at the issues identified and then provide practical solutions to them.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“I felt it was a very productive meeting and a good first step towards dealing with the issue but everyone around the table recognised that success will be judged by actions and not words.

“There are no simple answers to the issues because there are multiple causes and so many different agencies have a part to play in providing the answers.

“What came across was a real determination to resolve those issues for the benefit of everyone in Chesterfield.”

At the meeting the agencies involved agreed to share information better so that opportunities to link up activities are not missed.

Jacqui Willis, chief executive of NDVA, which works to support health and social care related voluntary organisations working in Derbyshire, said:-

“We are pleased that the authorities are working together with the local community and voluntary sector to tackle these issues.

“The voluntary sector has a key role to play in providing long term solutions to the problems that individuals are facing and by closer working the impact of that work can be enhanced.”

Andy Watterson, business crime manager at East Midlands Chamber said:-

“There are some great schemes happening in Chesterfield like the Northern Gateway and it is important that the issues we have seen don’t impact on the success of the economic focus of these schemes.

“Chesterfield is not alone in having problems like this but it is important that we tackle them so that they don’t discourage people coming to visit, go shopping and do business here.”

At the meeting it was agreed that the wider issue of welfare reforms that are contributing to the causes of many of the issues that have been seen in Chesterfield would be raised in Parliament by MP Toby Perkins.

He said:-

“To find effective solutions we need to look at the root causes and the experience in Chesterfield has been that these issues have been exacerbated by welfare cuts implemented by the Government.

“Ministers cannot simply expect councils to ‘clear’ the streets of homelessness without understanding that making poor people poorer inevitably leads to the unfortunate scenes we’re all working to address.”

Tapton Lock has retained the prestigious Green Flag award given to the country’s finest green spaces by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

It joins Shipley Country Park and Elvaston Castle who were also awarded the the coveted honour.

Councillor Simon Spencer, Cabinet Member for Highways Transport and Infrastructure at Derbyshire County Council, said:-

“We have some fantastic parks and countryside sites − but don’t just take our word for it. These awards show we provide some of the best in the country.

“Whether it’s a quiet stroll you’re after, cycling with friends or a picnic with the kids there really is something for everyone.

“Staff are constantly working to make Shipley, Elvaston and Tapton Lock even more appealing for visitors so why not make a date to visit this weekend and take a look for yourself.”

The awards, announced during national Love Parks Week, are given to parks which meet eight strict criteria including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

A second ‘Ernie Moss Day’ is being held next month, when Chesterfield play Port Vale, to pay tribute to the legendary former player.

Ernie, who is suffering from a form of dementia called ‘Pick’s Disease’, will be honoured when two of his old clubs meet at the Proact on Saturday, August 19.

The first Ernie Moss Day was staged when Chesterfield faced Port Vale two years ago, helping to raise awareness of dementia as well as honour the highly popular one-time forward.

With Ernie’s health sadly deteriorating, Spireites director & company secretary Ashley Carson felt that a second tribute should take place. He said:-

“Ernie is recognised as one of the club’s all-time greats and we will do all that we can to support him and his family.

“He is one of our own and I hope that fans will give generously on the day to support Ernie and help others affected by the awful effects of dementia.”

There will be bucket collections at the match, with the proceeds going to dementia charities. Ernie will go on the pitch and be introduced to the crowd and the special ‘Ernie 8’ ale, brewed by Brampton Brewery, will be on sale at the stadium.

There will be a section in the programme dedicated to Ernie’s career – with part of the purchase price donated to charity – and there are plans to produce a limited-edition t-shirt featuring an image of Ernie, with all the proceeds adding to the fundraising total.

The Moss family will provide flag bearers to greet the players as they run out and supporters will also be asked to applaud after eight minutes have gone in the match in recognition of Ernie’s old shirt number.

The Moss family said:-

”As a family we are delighted and honoured to have been asked by the club to participate in another Ernie Moss Day. Last time it was a huge success, raising a lot of money for amazing charities and giving us and the fans a wonderful day to remember.

“We hope to raise even more this year, with proceeds being split between the Alzheimer’s Society and Team Ernie. We would like to say a massive thank you to the club and to the fans for the ongoing support we receive, which is very much appreciated. Thanks also to the Port Vale fans for the support they have shown.

“Dad still loves attending matches and we’ll keep taking him to the Proact for as long as we can. We look forward to seeing everyone on August 19 to show our love and respect for Dad.”

Now 67, Ernie is Chesterfield’s record goalscorer, scoring a total of 191 goals over three spells with the club. He also netted 23 times for Port Vale in 74 appearances, with his career tally an impressive 245 goals in 749 league appearances.

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