Leisure

Chesterfield Half Marathon to go ahead

One of the region’s leading independent estate agents has been announced as the title sponsor of the 2017 Chesterfield Half Marathon.

Redbrik Estate Agency, which have five offices based in Chesterfield and Sheffield, has pledged its support to the event with a five-year sponsorship agreement with race organisers MLS Contracts Ltd, the region’s largest major events company.

The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will take place this year on Sunday 22nd October and is set to be one of the town’s biggest and most successful community participation events and is backed by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Applications for the half marathon are open from Thursday 22nd June and you can register by visiting www.redbrikchesterfieldhalf.com. A one mile fun run will also be held in conjunction with the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon at Queen’s Park which is open to people of all ages and abilities.

In addition, one of this year’s main charities for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon has been confirmed as Ashgate Hospicecare. The independent charity provides care to patients across North Derbyshire at the hospice, in the community and at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Mark Ross, Director at Redbrik Estate Agency, said:-

“We are delighted to have agreed a five-year sponsorship deal with the Chesterfield Half Marathon.

“The town of Chesterfield has really got behind and supported Redbrik since we opened and we feel a strong responsibility to contribute back to the community. We love this town and want to see it prosper. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone supporting this event, getting their running shoes on and raising money for some great local charities along the way.”

John Timms, Events Director at MLS Contracts Ltd, commented:-

“It is fantastic news that Redbrik are on board as event sponsors. They are such an innovative company and it will be a pleasure to work with Mark and his team over the next five years.

“Redbrik, Chesterfield Borough Council and MLS are passionate about making the Redbrik Chesterfield Half marathon a successful community mass participation event and we are confident that other supporters will be coming in behind Redbrik, the Council and ourselves in the near future,” added Mr Timms.

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

“I am sure our residents will be pleased that they can once again participate in the Chesterfield Half Marathon and the fun run events taking place in Queen’s Park.

“It is a fantastic event, which brings the community together and to raise money for a very worthy cause in Ashgate Hospice. We are happy to continue our support for the event – thanks to Redbrik for taking on the sponsorship and for MLS for running the event.”

John Timms, Events Director at MLS Contracts Ltd, said: “We are aware that are a number of people who previously registered for the KidsNCancer Chesterfield Half Marathon 2017. I would like to stress that the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon 2017 is not in any way connected to the aforementioned event.

“However, as a gesture of good will we have established a process to provide free entry to the new event to anyone who registered and paid to enter the cancelled event.

“The cancelled race entrants will need to register for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half marathon from Thursday 22nd June visiting www.redbrikchesterfieldhalf.com and agree to run the race in aid of Ashgate Hospicecare.

“Once they have raised more than £25 in sponsorship for Ashgate Hospicecare they will be eligible to receive a refund for their Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon 2017 entry fee.

“These steps need to be followed in order to do this:

– Take a screen shot of the total raised for Ashgate Hospicecare or copy of their sponsorship form,

– Proof of entry fee payment for the old event

– Email the documents above to events@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk

“On completion of this process their race entry fee for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon 2017 will be refunded within four weeks of Ashgate Hospicecare receiving the individual’s sponsorship money.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Foodie families wanted to help find Chesterfield’s best family-friendly restaurant

Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s Food and Drink Awards, wants to know which eateries get the taste buds tingling of families in the area. And who better to judge the winner of the prestigious award than foodie families?

Two young families with children aged under 12, are wanted to judge the shortlisted family-friendly establishments. They will help decide who takes the Family-Friendly title in the 2017 Awards which are held in association with the Chesterfield College Group

Each family will win an all-expenses-paid meal for four. The lucky winners will also each receive two tickets to attend the glittering awards ceremony on Wednesday 25 October at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building.

Now in its fifth year, the Family-Friendly Award aims to find the town’s ultimate eatery that offers great food, excellent facilities for young children, special menus and goes the extra mile to make sure families enjoy their dining experience. As well as enjoying a meal, the winning families will be required to mark the establishments on food, ease of access, cleanliness and the quality and variety of children’s food. Last year the popular award, which is sponsored by Jumble Design, was won by Chester’s in 2016.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens commented: “Who better to decide the winner of the Family Friendly Award 2017 than families themselves? This competition is a great chance for families in the area to voice their opinion and get to enjoy a meal out too.”

Entries to the competition close on midnight on Friday 30 June and can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/family-judge-competition/

or by post to

Food and Drink Awards Competition,
Destination Chesterfield
Commerce House
Millennium Way
Dunston Road
Chesterfield
S41 8ND

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair hosted by celebrity cake maker to the stars Mich Turner MBE.   In addition to the Family Friendly award, Mich will also announce the winners of a further 12 awards at the ceremony.

To keep up-to-date on developments with the 2017 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

Family Judge Competition

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Bookings open for stalls at Chesterfield medieval fun day

Bookings are now open for stalls in Chesterfield market place during the Chesterfield medieval fun day event.

The popular annual event, staged by Chesterfield Borough Council, takes place on Tuesday 25 July and always attracts crowds to the town centre.

Each year, registered charities take stalls at the event to raise money for good causes. Stalls at the event cost £15 for charities and £25 for general traders.

All stall holders will be encouraged to dress in medieval costume with £200 in shared prize money on offer to the three best traders in costume.

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

“The medieval fun day is always a popular event in the calendar. I’d encourage local good causes to take a stall at the event to raise money and join in the atmosphere on the day.”

Also at the event will be a medieval encampment in the grounds of the ‘Crooked Spire’ Church, medieval entertainment and ‘A day in the Middle Ages’ event at Chesterfield Museum.

For more information and to book a stall click here.

Medieval fun

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Local legend crowned at Peak FM star-studded Local Hero Awards

Chesterfield’s record breaking pensioner Jack Reynolds has been presented with a lifetime achievement award at Peak FM’s Local Hero Awards 2017 in a glitzy ceremony headlined by pop stars and a selection of incredible Local Heroes.

The Great Grandfather, as featured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, became the oldest person ever to ride a roller coaster earlier this year and also holds the world record for the oldest person ever to have gotten a tattoo and he was the oldest person to take on the Ice bucket challenge.  Good Morning Britain covered this year’s Local Hero Awards on their website, shining the spotlight on Chesterfield.

Jack’s daughter Jayne Goodwin paid tribute to her dad saying:-

“He is an inspiration and a hero. Despite his age he continues to live life to the full and loves to get out and about. He is a proper star and his spirit is something that rubs off.”

Every challenge that Jack takes on is in the name of a charity. He’s raised thousands of pounds for different causes and he claims to be the oldest fundraiser in the UK.

Jack said:-

“It’s a great honour to be recognised in this way. My secret to feeling young is to have a drop of whiskey in my cup of tea every morning and every night.”

Hosted this year by Peak FM’s Cat and Ricky, The Local Hero Awards are held annually to showcase outstanding, caring and selfless people of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. Video messages from Olly Murs and Alesha Dixon opened the show and led to live performances from Britain’s Got Talent stars Mersey Girls.  Sheffield’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist Kyle Tomlinson got a standing ovation for his emotive rendition of Nessun Dorma. JLS star Aston Merrigold provided an uplifting close to the show which was followed by a selection of party songs played by Peak FM presenter James Summers.

Winners at this year’s Local Hero awards included Local Hero of the Year which went to the extremely brave Imogen Ellis, who at the age of 15 lost her leg to cancer; Molly Baker-Hunt won Child or Teenager of Courage after showing extraordinary strength while Ron Gains who runs the Unstone post office with his wife Jayne was awarded Adult of Outstanding Bravery after undergoing lifesaving surgery.

Tim Smith, Peak FM Content Controller, said:-

“The sheer goodwill and determination of people can really take you back and that’s why we pull out all the stops to make this annual event so special.  It’s always an uplifting night of heart-warming stories, great live music and fantastic food as we celebrate the Local Heroes of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.”

The full list of winners can be seen at here.

Local Hero

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Young artists of the year named at the launch of an exhibition of their work

Talented young artists, aged 11 to 18 years old, from across Derbyshire who entered a competition as part of Chesterfield College’s arts festival were celebrated at the launch of an exhibition of their work at West Studios on Sheffield Road. Winners, Michael Thompson (17), Becky Cox (12) and Taegan Morley (16) were named as young artists of the year.

The budding artists were asked to submit a piece of art work in any form, from fine art to sculpture and photography, which highlighted an aspect of their local landscape.

Entries included photographs and paintings of iconic Derbyshire landmarks like Chatsworth and Curbar Edge; sculptures of trees; 3d art of Chesterfield’s market place and many more.

Staff from the college’s art department selected the finalists from the entries received. Winners of each of the categories (age 11-14(Year 7-9); age 15+ (Year 10+) and Photography) were then selected by members of the creative community who are based in West Studios, including established artists, designers and sculptors.

Speaking at the launch event where the young artists gathered with their families and teachers, Head of Art from Outwood Academy Newbold, Melanie Tice said:

“Outwood Academy Newbold are extremely excited to be involved in such a creative and inspiring competition brief, accessible to all our secondary school students. The event in the West Studios was such a well organised evening, hosting finalists, their families and the community, which really led the way in showcasing the next generation of artists”

“We were immensely proud of all our finalists: Daniel Boot, Becky Cox, Hollie Clarke, Courtney Lewis, Ellie Ankers-Brookbank, Emily South, Tremayne Boulton and Michael Thompson.

“Our staff, students & their families were delighted when Courtney Lewis was awarded 3rd place and Becky Cox 1st place in the Y7-9 Category with Michael Thompson also awarded 1st place in the Y10+ category. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition brief.”

The Local Landscapes exhibition runs until 27th June 2017 at West Studios and is open to the public from 9am to 4.30pm

Exhibitions of Chesterfield College students work in the annual Arts Festival will be open from 26 June to 29 June from 9am to 4pm in the Dome at Chesterfield College.

Young artists

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Third Star Cast Member Announced for Chesterfield’s Panto at the Pomegranate Theatre

Anthony Sahota from BBC’s `Let It Shine’ is to star alongside Dancing on Ice champion Sam Attwater and the lead singer of multi-platinum selling group Liberty X, Kelli Young in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the Pomegranate Theatre this Christmas.

Fresh from this year’s BBC smash hit singing competition Let it Shine, Chesterfield Theatres has announced that singing star Anthony Sahota, is set to tread the boards as Peter Pan, joining previously announced EastEnders’ star Sam Attwater and Liberty X’s lead vocalist Kelli Young  in the swashbuckling  family favourite pantomime.

Following a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Kingston University, Anthony starred in the BBC’s exciting new talent competition Let it Shine which aimed to find young performers to star in The Band, a new stage musical featuring the songs of Take That. The fresh new talent format was presented by Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc, with Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue and Martin Kemp serving as celebrity judges throughout the series.

A passionate singer and performer, Anthony had record deal offers prior to the show but decided to finish his degree before pursuing his singing dreams! He has his mum Caroline to thank for his starring role in the primetime show. She nominated him having seen ads online for the show, leading to an unforgettable moment for Anthony when Gary Barlow surprised him by turning up at his graduation to tell him he had been selected for the show!

Recalling the day Anthony said:-

“I was absolutely speechless. To be selected from hundreds of applicants for an opportunity like this and for it to be announced in front of all of my family by Gary Barlow was just the greatest feeling.”

Throughout the show Anthony received praise for his unique vocal style and beautiful renditions of current chart hits. A highlight was performing with his childhood favourite pop group Busted on national TV. He went on to reach the quarter final stage in the contest.

Pantomime Producer Paul Holman said:-

“Anthony is a talented young musician and performer with the right fun, energy and talent to play the adventurous and slightly cheeky chappy character Peter Pan. He completes a trio of sensationally talented singers in joining soap and stage star Sam Attwater and Liberty X’s lead vocalist Kelli Young in this classic family pantomime. With unbelievable singing talents, great comedy and spectacular costumes and scenery lined up this year’s pantomime truly does have something for everyone.”

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan opens on Saturday 2 December 2017 and plays till Tuesday 2 January 2018. Tickets are available here.

Pomegranate Theatre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Fundraisers to attempt epic bed push from Dronfield Pub to Chesterfield hospital to support Macmillan Appeal

18 fundraisers will push a hospital bed 12 miles from a Dronfield pub to Chesterfield Royal Hospital to raise funds for the NGS Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The journey is planned to start from 9am, on Saturday 17 June, and is the second time the team will be taking on the challenge after the huge success of the event last year which raised over £9000.

It is being organised by Jolly Farmer pub landlord Ashley Tipper, 31, he said:-

“It was probably the most toughest thing I’ve ever done, believe me those beds weigh a lot more than you’d think and pushing it up Hady Hill was a huge challenge. But equally it was just a memory that all of us involved treasured so we thought – let’s give it another go!”

Ashley sadly lost his grandmother to lung cancer. Mary Tipper, a retired nurse had been treated for cancer in hospital for the fifth time in 3 months and was helping Ashley to plan the route before she sadly passed away on April 11, 2015.

He continues:-

“My world was ripped apart when I lost my nan, we were really close. I kept thinking, what do I do, how do I help, how do we cope. Me and my Nan often spoke about my fundraising and it is something she was very proud of and always supported me in whatever I did.

“I did what I do best and threw everything I had into fundraising and making a difference for the charity I am so passionate about. This time, it was more personal than ever before. I had to find a way to make this event happen, and thanks to wonderful support from the police, local authority and a traffic management company, we have made this happen.”

The bed will start at the Jolly Farmer pub, and head into Chesterfield town centre and onto Calow Lane for the uphill trek to the hospital.

The funds raised will go to the Macmillan Appeal to help build The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Centre, which will offer over 21 chemotherapy chairs, 2 treatment beds and 3 treatment rooms to North Derbyshire residents.

Ashley said:-

“I still and think about her lots, and we wanted to do the event again on the back of the incredible support and good will we received from the whole community when we did it last year. I am doing this in her memory and for all those who have also lost loved ones to cancer.”

To support the bed push team and Macmillan Cancer Support click here.

Chesterfield hospital

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Singers from Chesterfield’s twin town are set to hit the high notes when they perform at the Crooked Spire

The Darmstaedter Kantorei – Darmstadt’s leading choir – are performing at Chesterfield Parish Church on Friday 16th June as part of their forthcoming visit to the UK.

The Sacred Music of Europe concert will be performed by the Darmstaedter Kantorei is directed by Christian Ross and accompanied by organist Misty Schaffert.

The choir has a formidable reputation as one of the best ensembles in the Frankfurt area and is known for its musical versatility which has been showcased across Europe. The choir’s programme for Chesterfield is to include music by Mendelssohn, Britten, Howells and Pärt.

The relationship with Chesterfields twin town Darmstadt goes back to 1959 when a twinning agreement was signed. Twinning links were forged in the decades after the war to foster contacts between ordinary people, so that the friendships formed would make a future European war unthinkable. Many Cestrefeldians have visited Darmstadt over the years and links between the two towns remain very important.

The Darmstaedter Kantorei is directed by Christian Ross and accompanied by organist Misty Schaffert.

The concert on Friday 16th June starts at 7pm. Entry is free, with a retiring collection taking place to support Chesterfield Parish Church. All are welcome.

chesterfields twin town

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Quirky Cows score a hit with VIPs at RHS Chatsworth

Rain may have stopped play as the wraps came off the first-ever RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, but guests in the Experience Peak District & Derbyshire show garden braved the elements in true British style – with a traditional countryside picnic.

They toasted official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s success in winning a Silver Gilt Medal with a glass of Derbyshire sparkling wine and the cream of local produce – including Bakewell Pudding, Hartington cheese and hand-made pies made with locally-reared meat (Tuesday June 6).

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire joined the celebrations alongside Sheffield-based designer Lee Bestall – fresh from his Silver Medal winning triumph at RHS Chelsea 2017 – in the eye-catching space, inspired by the richness and variety of the area’s landscapes and formal gardens.

Gardener, broadcaster and writer Alan Titchmarsh also dropped by before RHS show organisers were forced to abandon the media preview day because of bad weather – and was particularly impressed by three life-size model cows grazing in wild flower strewn meadows.

The cows, sprayed in eye-catching metallic colours – copper, chrome/silver and gold – and ‘branded’ with a blue and white hand-painted circular motif, were intended to add a touch of whimsy and humour and are proving a real talking point.

Lee, whose business Bestall & Co, is based at Renishaw Hall, said:-

“I decided to include them after reading a comment by the late Sir George Sitwell of Renishaw Hall & Gardens that white cows could be made more interesting if painted with a blue pattern.

“I don’t think his vision was ever realised, but it certainly stimulated my imagination as a quirky complement to the overall picture I wanted to create. I was delighted by the enthusiastic reception our cows received from our guests on the first day – including Alan Titchmarsh, who really liked them.”

Jo Dilley, the tourist board’s Managing Director, added:-

“Fortunately both the cows and our garden made a great initial impression before the bad weather took hold on the first day, and we are really pleased that the reaction has been so positive, especially from the show judges.

“Now we’re looking for a good home for the cows after the show has closed, and are accepting sealed bids so that anyone interested in giving them a permanent home can register an interest. We’d particularly like to hear from anyone wanting to keep them together as a herd!”

Visitors can find the Experience Peak District & Derbyshire show garden at site number 112 on the RHS Chatsworth Showground until Sunday June 11. Anyone interested in submitting a sealed bid can do so on the Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire stand next to the garden, can contact info@marketingpdd.com or can call 01246 212924 for further details.

After the show has ended, the award-winning garden – built by JPH Landscapes of Sheffield – will be recreated at Renishaw Hall as one of its garden rooms, minus the cows, so that even more visitors to the area can enjoy and appreciate it.

Main show garden sponsors, Derbyshire-based CW Sellors Fine Jewellery, are launching their new, floral inspired Tuberose jewellery collection at the show. Other sponsors are Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire; Hope Cement, A Breedon Group Company; Peak District Premier Cottages; The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Bakewell Bakery.

Local produce for the picnic was supplied by The Bakewell Bakery; the English Wine Project, based at Renishaw Hall; Hartington Creamery; Mettrick’s Butchers of Glossop and Thornbridge Brewery.

rhs chatsworth

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Tourism boost welcomed as RHS Chatsworth Flower Show opens

Up to 90,000 visitors are expected in Derbyshire over the next five days as the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show opens in the county for the first time.

As tickets for the show went on sale, demand for accommodation in the surrounding areas soared, with some hotels and guest houses reporting they were full within hours of the show dates being announced.

The event, which will be bigger than the Chelsea Flower Show in terms of garden space, is a collaboration between the RHS and Chatsworth, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

With the numbers of visitors flocking to the area local businesses are expecting a huge boost, with people visiting other attractions, local shops and food and drink establishments.

A highlight of the show is the Experience Peak District & Derbyshire garden, the show garden of destination management organisation for the area Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire. The organisation is encouraging people at the show to make sure they don’t miss visiting its garden.

Councillor Linda Chilton, Chairman of Derbyshire County Council, said:

“It was lovely to be invited to have a sneak preview of the flower show, look at all the wonderful displays and talk to the people responsible for putting them together.

“This event is drawing thousands of people to the county who may not have visited Derbyshire before. It is a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful county and will be a fantastic boost to local businesses and the area’s economy.”

Councillor Barry Lewis, the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome the RHS to Derbyshire along with the thousands of visitors this event will bring to the county.

“It’s an extremely prestigious event and will bring huge benefits.”

The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show opened to the public today (Wednesday 7 June) and runs until Sunday 11 June 2017.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Derbyshire gears up for big day of cycling

Derbyshire is gearing up for a big day of cycling when the OVO energy Women’s Tour comes to the county for the second year in a row.

The world’s top women cyclists will race through Derbyshire on Saturday 10 June 2017, starting in Chesterfield and taking in many of the county’s best-known market towns and landmarks before returning to Chesterfield for the finish.

Cycling fans will have the chance to catch the action at a variety of vantage points including Wirksworth, Belper, Crich, Bolsover and Staveley.

This is the second year running the Women’s Tour has come to the county and Stage 4 – raced over 123km and featuring more than 2,500 metres of climbing – is being hailed as its toughest leg.

Last year, Great Britain’s Lizzie Deignan (née Armitstead) won the Derbyshire stage, which finished in Chesterfield market place.

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Simon Spencer said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the county, offering cycling fans the chance to watch a top class international event for free.”

cycling

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting