Leisure

World’s Top Teams Will Come To Chesterfield For The Aviva Women’s Tour

26th April 2016

The world’s top ten professional teams will head to Britain this June to line-up for the third edition of the Aviva Women’s Tour, it was announced today (Tuesday 26 April) marking 50 days to go until the race gets underway on Wednesday 15 June. The riders will finish stage 3 in Chesterfield on Friday 17th June.

As of the latest UCI rankings (17 April) all of the world’s top ten teams will be racing led by the world’s number one ranked team Wiggle HIGH5 and the Boels Dolmans team of UCI Women’s WorldTour leader Lizzie Armitstead.

In total 14 of the world’s top 17 teams will be on the start line in Southwold, Suffolk for Stage One of the Aviva Women’s Tour, which will be the first European stage race of the 2016 UCI Women’s WorldTour.

Among the other high-profile teams racing will be Rabo Liv, who won the 2014 edition of the race with Marianne Vos, the Canyon SRAM team of defending champion Lisa Brennauer and a Great Britain national team, as they continue their preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

They will be joined by a third British team, the domestic Drops Cycling Team, who have been newly formed for 2016 and will be making their Aviva Women’s Tour debut.

The 2016 field will comprise of teams from 11 different countries, including four teams who will be making their Aviva Women’s Tour debuts in June as Astana, BTC City Ljubljana and the Cylance Pro Cycling team join Drops in making their first appearance in the race.

The full list of 16 teams for the 2016 Aviva Women’s Tour is:

• Ale Cipollini Galassia (Italy)
• Astana Women’s Team (Kazakhstan)
• Boels Dolmans Cycling Team (Netherlands)
• BTC City Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• Canyon SRAM Racing (Germany)
• Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling (Germany)
• Cylance Pro Cycling (USA)
• Drops Racing Team (Great Britain)
• Great Britain national team
• Hitec Products (Norway)
• Orica AIS (Australia)
• Poitou – Charentes Futuroscope 86 (France)
• Rabo Liv Women’s Cycling Team (Netherlands)
• Team Liv Plantur (Netherlands)
• UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)
• Wiggle HIGH5 (Great Britain)

Each of the 16 teams will field a six rider team in the Aviva Women’s Tour. Further announcements about the provisional rider line-up will follow during May.

“This June’s Aviva Women’s Tour will have its best ever line-up of teams, headlined by the fact that we will have all of the world’s top ten teams racing,” said Aviva Women’s Tour Race Director Mick Bennett.

“The response we have had from teams wishing to participate has been overwhelming leading to a very hard decision making process to select the final teams for the race, but this has enabled us to select our best ever line-up. We know this combined with the tougher parcours will make for a super competitive and exciting race with the world’s best racing for the Aviva Yellow Jersey.”

As a UCI Women’s WorldTour team, the top 15 ranked professional teams as of 1st January received automatic invites, with 13 of the those teams accepting their invite.

Highlights of each stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour will be shown on ITV4 and available on demand via the ITV Player.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Beat the Hill for Charity

25th April 2016

Entry to a new road race in Bolsover has opened and organisers are looking for walkers, runners and cyclists to conquer the Hill.

The Bolsover Hill Races will take place on Sunday 22^nd May.

It involves a series of 1 mile races where people can walk, run or cycle up a one mile course starting at Villas Road and finishing at Castle Street.

There are prizes for the fastest male and female who complete the course, and for the best fancy dress – it is only £10 to register and all proceeds will be donated to the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal.

Organiser, Mark Dixey, 55 from Bolsover, said, “The Bolsover Hill Races are for people of all ages and abilities However long it takes you to beat the Hill, for every person who has a go, you’ll improve the lives of local people and their families affected by cancer.”

The Running Race is sponsored by Great Bear Distribition and the Cycle Time Trial by Chesterfield Cycling Centre.

Rob Turner, Senior fundraising manager for Macmillan said, “This event is organised entirely by local volunteers and we really hope the people of North Derbyshire get behind this new, annual community event. Whether you want to take it less seriously and do it in fancy dress or want to be the fastest up the Hill – register now and join what will be a very fun day.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Gardner recalled by Spireites

22nd April 2016

Spireites midfielder Dan Gardner has returned to the Proact Stadium early following six weeks on loan with Bury.

Gardner, who made six appearances for the Shakers, is eligible for Chesterfield’s trip to Swindon Town on Saturday.

Wilson outlined the reasons behind the recall, saying: “From our point of view he needed to get some games and has been getting minutes on the pitch.

“I just feel now that going into these next three games, an extra addition with a little bit of an extra spark is just what we need and Dan will certainly give us that.

“You still need that player with a little bit of a magic wand to do something out of the ordinary and Dan can produce that.”

Image courtesy of Tina Jenner.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Spireites’ Humphreys lights beacon for the Queen

22nd April 2016

Spireites player and PFA chairman Ritchie Humphreys visited Hardwick Hall on Thursday evening to light a beacon in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday.

It was one of many similar events across the county, all marking the landmark birthday of the sovereign, with Humphreys reading out a proclamation from Prince Charles before lighting the beacon.

“I was delighted to do it,” commented Humphreys. “There were approximately 900 beacons being lit around the Commonwealth to mark the Queen’s birthday. I’m very proud and very honoured to represent the football club and the PFA.

“It’s been a fantastic turnout, with lots of people coming out. There was a band playing in the background on a beautiful evening, so I think it all went quite well.

“The community work that goes on around the country is, from a footballer’s point of view, outstanding. We’ve had 50,000 community visits this year around the country.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Afternoon tea restaurant opens at Chatsworth

22nd April 2016

Two of Britain’s most iconic and historic names have joined together at Chatsworth’s new restaurant to serve afternoon tea in famous Wedgwood china.

Named after the 2nd Duke of Devonshire’s legendary racehorse and located in the Stable Block, Flying Childers was opened on Tuesday 19 April by the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who took afternoon tea with Antony Robson and Heather Broadhurst from Wedgwood, the internationally renowned Staffordshire pottery firm.

The restaurant only serves afternoon tea and is open on Saturdays, Sundays, all bank holidays and every day during school holidays. The menu includes a selection of finger sandwiches, tea and scones and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne with a traditional Rose de Reims biscuit. All food and drink is served on Wedgwood’s Butterfly Bloom Collection, which features intricate patterns of graceful butterflies and colourful florals with each piece gilded with gold banding.

The Duke of Devonshire: “We are delighted that all of the tea ware and tea in our Flying Childers Restaurant has been provided in partnership with Wedgwood. Josiah Wedgwood began designing tea ware collections in response to the fashion for drinking tea, which flourished from the mid-18th century and which we’re delighted to continue that tradition here at Chatsworth in the present day.”

Sally Warmington, Marketing Manager, Wedgwood: “We are delighted to be embarking on our first collaboration with Chatsworth House. With Wedgwood being synonymous with tea drinking it fits that the Wedgwood Afternoon Tea is part of the launch of the Flying Childers Afternoon Tea Restaurant. This partnership offers us the perfect opportunity to encourage people to discover our delicious tea blends as well as showcase our beautiful designs such as Butterfly Bloom and Daisy which have been selected to complement the delicious afternoon tea experience at Chatsworth.”

Flying Childers began his racing career in 1719 at the age of six and over the following two years, racing at Newmarket and York, ran in a total of six races winning them all before being put out to stud. Such was Flying Childers reputation, the Duke received many offers including one to pay for the horse’s weight in gold!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Free tickets for Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

22nd April 2016

The Spireites are offering all 2016/17 season ticket holders a free day of explosive Twenty20 cricket action at picturesque Queen’s Park this summer.

To reward season ticket holders, the club, in partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, is giving away 500 pairs of tickets to the NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Northants Steelbacks on Sunday, July 3 at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.

To claim a pair of tickets, season ticket holders are asked to visit cricket.derbyshireccc.com/CFC and complete the online form. Tickets will be sent out in the post prior to the fixture.

Supporters who attend the fixture are encouraged to wear their Chesterfield FC shirts to turn Queen’s Park blue and show support for the local county cricket club.

For more information please contract info@derbyshireccc.com or call 01332 388 101.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Hosts for Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016 Announced

19th April 2016

Peak FM breakfast show presenters, Stu Haycock and Catherine Kilvington have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

The pair will host the glittering award ceremony, which will honour the town’s very best jewellers, independent stores, food and drink retailers, and multiple retailers at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel on Wednesday 25th May 2016.

The awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

More than 170 businesses have been nominated across 14 award categories, and the shortlist will be announced by the pair on the Peak FM Breakfast Show on Wednesday 20th April 2016.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We’re delighted Stu and Cat have agreed to host the awards ceremony and I’m sure they will make the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards ceremony a memorable event.”

For more information about the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards or follow on Twitter using the hashtag #retailawards16.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Tale of Mortimer Mouse to Raise Money for Macmillan Cancer Centre

18th April 2016

Two sisters recovering from serious illnesses have written and illustrated a children’s book, with all profits going to support the appeal to build the new Macmillan Cancer Centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Cynthia Evanson, 68, from Duckmanton, Chesterfield, was given a terminal cancer diagnosis in March 2013. Her only chance of survival was a six-month course of chemotherapy which thankfully proved to be successful.

Her sister Maggie Fielding, 51, from Hady, Chesterfield, is also making an excellent recovery from a serious blood disorder, diagnosed in August 2012.

Cynthia said: “The medical care we received was excellent, along with the very important love and care of our family and friends.”

She continues, “I was worried that I may never see the birth of any of my niece’s and nephew’s babies, but when my great-nephew, Oliver arrived, I felt inspired to put pen to paper, create some felt animals and a rhyming story to go with it…and the story of ‘Mortimer Mouse Messes Up’ was born.”

The book is aimed at children from birth to six years, and it tells the story of Mortimer and his friends’ adventure which leads to a serious telling-off from his Mother.

After reading the story, her sister Maggie, encouraged Cynthia to get the Tale of Mortimer Mouse published, and agreed to do the illustrations.

Margaret added, “We are two sisters who are so grateful for the amazing care we have received through the acute stages of our illnesses and during the most difficult time of our lives. To think that we have contributed in some small way would give us great pleasure and satisfaction.”

Cynthia is funding the book herself, and both the sisters will be promoting it by giving talks at mother and toddler groups, primary schools and various other community groups with all profits going to help build The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre.

Rob Turner, fundraising manager for Macmillan in Chesterfield said: “We really appreciate all the effort these truly inspirational ladies have put in to create this lovely book. We need to raise £2.5 million to help build the new cancer centre, and with the support of local people like Cynthia and Maggie – we can do it!”

The book is published by Bannister Publications and costs £6.99. To buy a copy, or to invite them in for a talk at your local group, call 07518 134 186.

Article written by Andrew Dempsey

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Seb Perez prepares for Donington

15th April 2016

Chesterfield racing driver Seb Perez will be back on the track again this weekend – this time at Donington – for the next round of the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship; the support race to the popular Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Despite mechanical problems, the 16-year old son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion Steve Perez showed tremendous determination in the first round at the beginning of the month at Brands Hatch where he raced at the high-speed Indy Circuit track for the first time in a fiercely competitive field of 23 cars.

His weekend began with a good free practice session finishing 13th fastest with a top speed of 81.9 mph.

Qualifying for race one was a somewhat slower affair however and Perez finished in 17th position after suffering brake issues. He recorded a time of 57.696 seconds with a speed of 75.37mph.

After a mid-race safety car period, Perez pulled out all the stops for race one and rose through the ranks to finish in 11th position – 12.272 seconds behind race winner William Tregurtha; with a top speed of 67.95mph on lap 9.

Driving for his team JHR Developments, Perez started race two from the 6th row on the grid in 11th place alongside rookie driver Enzo Fittipaldi. Perez reached the chequered flag in 10th place – only 8.666 seconds behind race winner, Stuart Middleton.

Despite a disappointing start due to brake and engine problems, the car has since been through extensive testing and is now performing better ready for Donington.

Perez said “After a tricky weekend at Brands Hatch with brake issues in Qualifying and missing a bit of pace over the weekend I’m looking forward to Donington Park.

“I tested at Donington last week with some good times in dry and wet conditions. A lot of work has been put into the car since by JHR Developments.”

The whole race season is televised live on the Sundays on ITV4.

Images and editorial courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Historic Hotel in Chesterfield Sold

14th April 2016

Ringwood Hall Hotel, a 19^th century grade 11 listed Georgian Manor House in Brimington, Chesterfield is now under new ownership.

The management team and the day to day operations under Rona Davies, General Manager for 18 years, will remain the same, providing and maintaining outstanding facilities and service to all Ringwood Hall Hotel`s customers.

The property has undergone significant refurbishment over the last 20 years under the stewardship of Lyric Hotels Ltd, and now provides 74 bedrooms, bar facilities, conference and banqueting suites, as well as the onsite Parklands Health & Fitness Club, with indoor pool, sauna, steamroom and well equipped gymnasium.

David Seton, owner of Lyric Hotels, took over Ringwood in 1999 when it was a partly derelict 21 bedroom hotel. Since then some £4.5m has been invested in the venue and the workforce has increased from 16 to 180.

Seton added “ You never actually own a place like Ringwood, you just look after it until the next person comes along. It has been an honour to have been custodian of Ringwood Hall for such a short time in its history, and I`m delighted to be leaving the hotel in a much better state than we found it in.

Rona Davies commented “Following the retirement of the previous owners, the whole team at Ringwood are looking forward to a new era in the hotel`s history, and I am delighted to reassure our customers that its business as usual going forward.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Summer of Cycling for Derbyshire and the Peak District

13th April 2016

Cycling fans can look forward to a midsummer feast of festival fun in the Peak District and Derbyshire – whether they prefer to take to the saddle themselves or watch world-class racing from the sidelines.

The area will once again play host to the stylish three-day Eroica Britannia event from Friday June 17 to Sunday June 19 – and this year will also welcome stages three and four of the Aviva Women’s Tour for the very first time, on June 17 and 18.

Tourism bosses are encouraging as many people as possible to make the most of the forthcoming cycle fest by booking a holiday so that they can enjoy both – and maybe extend their stay to try out some safe cycling themselves on the area’s extensive network of traffic-free trails.

“We’re delighted that Eroica Britannia and the Aviva Women’s Tour will be in the Peak District and Derbyshire over the same weekend,” said Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board.

“Both offer a great opportunity to come and stay in the area to experience two very different, but complementary, events, which are sure to have great appeal to both cycling enthusiasts and people who prefer to relax and watch the action.

“There’s also the chance to take to two wheels to discover our superb countryside on a wide variety of off-road trails, suitable for all ages and abilities – and there are plenty of centres where visitors can hire a bike if they haven’t brought their own.

“It’s the perfect excuse to book a few days away, taking advantage of a range of accommodation options, from ‘glamping’ and friendly B&Bs to welcoming pubs and both country house and boutique hotels.”

The third Eroica Britannia festival will again celebrate the ‘Best of British’ with a three-day celebration of live music, vintage, shopping, food, drink, camping and cycling at Bakewell Showground. This year’s irresistible mix will also include a Swing Night of music and dance and a Last Day of the Proms event to welcome riders back from their 2016 Great British Adventure.

This year’s routes – featuring regular local food and drink stops along the way – will attract cyclists from all over the world keen to explore the UK’s first National Park in the Peak District and Derbyshire’s peerless scenery on pre-1987 bikes and in vintage or traditional clothing. Three options – 30 miles, 55 miles and 100 miles – are available, featuring a selection of new locations as well as even more gruelling climbs on the long route.

Around 100 international riders representing 16 teams will take to the road for stage three of the Aviva Women’s Tour from Ashbourne to Chesterfield on June 17 – passing through some of the area’s key towns and villages, including Buxton, Matlock and the Chatsworth estate, and featuring breathtaking sprint sections along the way.

There’ll be a second chance to see the cyclists in action during stage four from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent on June 18, when the race will skirt Derby, between Long Eaton and Swadlincote.

For more information about Eroica Britannia, the Aviva Women’s Tour and cycling opportunities in the Peak District and Derbyshire, visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com/cyclingfestivals. To find out more about Derbyshire’s long-term ambition to become a world-class cycling destination for people of all ages and abilities and to encourage everyone to cycle more by 2030, visit www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/derbyshirecyclingplan.

Posted in Leisure, Summer, Visiting