Leisure

Chesterfield’s Twist Magazine sets up loyalty card scheme for local shoppers and businesses

Twist magazine responded to the coronavirus crisis by setting up the largest loyalty card scheme in Chesterfield, enabling any local business to offer money-saving offers to its readers – entirely for free.

The publication distributed 15,500 Twist & Save Cards to its readers and each month it publishes a list of local businesses and services where Chesterfield folk can claim discounts or other benefits.

Dozens of businesses have been quick to join the scheme, offering all manner of incentives to attract new customers.

Said Heron Publications director Mike Firth: “We had been considering a scheme such as this for a long while and, with many businesses going through the toughest of times in 2020, this was the perfect time to launch it.

“It’s one way we have been able to put something back into the community which supports our publication so well.

“Businesses can promote their own individual deals and card-holders can take advantage of all manner of special offers. Everyone benefits – and no-one has to pay a penny to be involved.”

Additional Twist & Save Cards are available from the magazine for people wanting to pass them on to relations or friends.

Added Mike: “Everyone knows the importance of dealing with local shops and services. When people can also show their Twist & Save Card to make a saving or pick up a ‘freebie’ locally, it’s a no-brainer for them.”

Heron Publications have launched similar schemes through its other three magazines – Wings, Dronfield Eye and Active8 – with a total of almost 52,000 cards distributed to readers.

The Twist & Save Card scheme is supported by Chesterfield Borough Council. To discover how your business or service can benefit, email twistcard@heronpublications.co.uk or call Mandy Goulding on 01246 416027.

You can find out more about local shopping in Chesterfield here.

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

Mike Firth, Heron Publications

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Development, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Greatest Hits Radio launches Christmas Eve Jingle to spread Christmas cheer

Greatest Hits Radio is encouraging locals across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to join the Christmas Eve Jingle and gather on their doorsteps to ring a bell at 6pm for two minutes on Christmas Eve.

Taking inspiration from the ‘Clap for Carers’ initiative that took the UK by storm during lockdown, families and communities are invited to take part and help create a spark of magic and cheer after what has been an incredibly tough year for all.

The idea was put together by a group of mums in Harrogate and the local campaign has been quickly gathering support across the UK and worldwide, with a Facebook group attracting close to 300,000 members.

Now backed by Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire and its network of sister stations across the UK, the campaign welcomes the reach of millions more people who can feel inspired and excited to help spread some much-needed cheer this Christmas.

What’s more, Greatest Hits Radio has made thousands of jingle bells available for purchase for anyone looking to take part. Priced at just £5 and available on the Greatest Hits Radio website, all profits from the bells will go towards their official charity Cash for Kids, whose mission is to respond to the needs of disadvantaged children and young people in our communities.

The sale of the bells will help raise a potential £30,000 for children living in poverty, and net proceeds from any bells purchased will go directly to the charity’s Mission Christmas campaign, which gifts young people Christmas presents who may otherwise go without.

Speaking about the event, Greatest Hits Radio presenter Steve Priestley said “Communities are at the core of Greatest Hits Radio and we’re privileged to have the ability and reach to take what started as local campaign and share it widely to get the attention it deserves. Spreading festive cheer across the country, we can’t wait for listeners in North Derbyshire to join us out on our doorsteps this Christmas Eve.”

Christmas Eve Jingle organiser Mary Beggs-Reid said “We are so thrilled to have the support of Greatest Hits Radio in helping reach as many people as possible for the Christmas Eve Jingle. We can’t wait to bring hope, magic and the spirit of Christmas to communities across the country.”

Greatest Hits Radio launched in North Derbyshire in September this year, providing a playlist of the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s, including music from iconic artists such as Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston.

Listen in on FM, DAB digital radio, online, on your mobile device or smart speaker to hear well-known presenters including Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier, Janice Long, Pat Sharp, Paul Gambaccini and many more, along with a selection of seasonal hits this Christmas.

To find out more about the Worldwide Christmas Jingle and download a poster to show that you’re taking part, head to the Greatest Hits Radio website.

You can find out more about the wide range of Christmas activities taking place in Chesterfield here

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

December blog- Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield chair Peter Swallow has provided an update to businesses and residents in Chesterfield, as we take a look back on the positive developments which have progressed in the town this year and look ahead to Christmas and 2021.

Peter Swallow Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Despite the challenges that 2020 has thrown at us all, we end the year on a positive note and a message of hope.

It would be very easy to write-off 2020 as an unmitigated disaster. We have all been bombarded with Covid-related bad news throughout the year. However, amongst the doom and gloom there has been some good news, and a common thread of hope throughout the year.

Development and investment, which will lay the foundation for future jobs in the town, has continued throughout 2020. Significant headway has been made on the new Enterprise Centre being constructed on the donut car park, and construction of the new ‘grade a’ offices at Chesterfield Waterside got underway.

Despite the imposed social distancing, I believe that Chesterfield’s communities have become closer and more supportive of each other during the pandemic. Although there are high hopes for the vaccine which has recently been announced, it is important that we maintain the Shop Local momentum over Christmas.

Chesterfield is a resilient and adaptable town and nowhere is this more evident that on our high street.

We have seen businesses adapt overnight – from doorstep deliveries of beer, tea and coffee, drive and buy fruit and veg on the market, to website launches and takeaway gourmet meals to cook at home. These small things have kept us all connected and smiling!

Non-food retailers, restaurants, bars and cafes have had it particularly tough. However, we have embraced the Shop Local message and gone out and supported local businesses enabling the survival of many.

In these challenging times it has never been more important to support each other. I am delighted that Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council have continued to work collaboratively this year on the Christmas in Chesterfield Campaign. Combining our efforts will reinforce the Support Local message.

We may not be able to physically get into the high street businesses, but many independent retailers, restaurants and cafes offer us access to their products and services from the comfort of our homes using our laptops, tablets, telephones and perhaps even carrier pigeons (OK, maybe not carrier pigeons——!)

Making the decision to choose an independent retailer for your gifts and food both now and beyond the pandemic will make a huge difference to our high street.

As we look to 2021, there can be no simpler message for the town other than ‘support each other.’

I wish you all a happy and HEALTHY Christmas and New Year.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Manufacturing, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

‘Shop local to help independent retailers overcome impact of lockdowns,’ says East Midlands Chamber

East Midlands Chamber has stressed the importance of shopping locally now the national lockdown has ended.

Ahead of Small Business Saturday on 5 December, the chamber of commerce says it has never been more important to support local businesses that have been badly affected by coronavirus lockdowns.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “As so-called ‘non-essential’ retailers are finally allowed to reopen after a month of national lockdown, it is vital that they receive the support of local people.

“Businesses have invested huge amounts of money into making themselves Covid-secure but have lost out through no fault of their own as they have been forced to close again. Customers who feel safe and comfortable to visit shops again once national restrictions are lifted should be mindful to support small independents in particular.

“At a time when our city and town centres are being decimated by the collapse of chains, these are the businesses that will hopefully remain once stores around them close. They are the beating heart of high streets and a huge part of the character in what makes towns and cities unique.

“Small Business Saturday is a great initiative that highlights the wide variety of businesses that people have on their doorstep, and in 2020 it’s perhaps never been more important to give them our support.”

On Friday 4 December, the Chamber will run a virtual roundtable event with Derby North MP Amanda Solloway to prepare for Small Business Saturday. You can find out more and book your place at the event here

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will speak to her local businesses about the impact of lockdown and their plans for the future.

Find out more about shopping locally in Chesterfield here. High street shops and Chesterfield’s market will also be extending their trading hours on the run-up to Christmas. Find out more and plan your shopping trip here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Bridge Help invites local businesses to help it support Chesterfield Food Bank this Christmas

Bridge Help is reaching out to Chesterfield Champions and asking them to help it support Chesterfield Food Bank with a little bit of luxury this Christmas.

Until Wednesday 16 December, Bridge Help is inviting local businesses to drop off donations of new and unopened packs of biscuits, chocolates, crisps, mince pies and Christmas cakes and puddings at the firm’s offices on Old Brick Works Lane off Sheffield Road.

Bridge Help will match all donations of luxuries with essential food, including cereal, long life milk and tinned goods, and then deliver everything to the Chesterfield Food Bank warehouse in Sheepbridge in time for Christmas.

December is the busiest time for Food Bank. The Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest network of food banks, expects a 61% increase in the number of food parcels needed this winter.

Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help, explained: “The team and I really wanted to support a charity this Christmas. Given the current economic climate and the predicament many people now find themselves in because of job loss, the Chesterfield Food Bank was the obvious choice for us all. As well as taking care of the necessities, we think it’s important to extend the spirit of Christmas by donating some small luxuries as well.

Chris explained the decision to offer up Bridge Help as a dropping off point for donations from the business community, saying: “With so many businesses working remotely, we hope we can help with their charitable efforts in the community this year by offering Bridge Help as a central dropping point for everyone who’d like to make a donation to Chesterfield Food Bank this year.”

To ensure a Covid-secure and socially-distanced donation, Bridge Help is inviting people to simply call ahead and arrange to drop their donation outside the door. A member of the Bridge Help team will collect the donation and store it safely until we make the drop off to the Chesterfield Food Bank

If you would like to make a donation, please call Phoebe on 0333 303 4681.

For further information about Bridge Help visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Report finds Chesterfield is one of the happiest places to live in East Midlands

A report published by Rightmove has found Chesterfield to be the second happiest place to live in our region. The property company compiles a list of happiest places to live across the UK each year, with St. Ives in Cornwall coming out at the top of the list nationally.

In the East Midlands region, Chesterfield sits just behind Loughborough who top the list, followed by Northampton, Derby and Lincoln.

The Rightmove study, now in its ninth year, asks residents to tell the company how they feel about where they live, as well as asking them to rank ten happiness factors.

The ten factors range from how friendly the neighbours are and how good the local services are, to the sense of belonging and the quality of nature and green spaces in the area.

Dom Stevens, Manager at Destination Chesterfield said “With stunning countryside and great outdoor spaces on the doorstep in the nearby Peak District – which proven to benefit mental health, great road and rail connectivity to major cities, superb local amenities and strong and supportive communities, Chesterfield really does have it all when it comes to the ingredients for a happy place to live.”

Rightmove says people living in rural and coastal areas were found to be happier with where they live than respondents living in cities and urban areas, which reflects a nationwide trend of people desiring better access to outdoor spaces.

The study also discovered that people living in rural and coastal locations were more likely to have developed a greater affinity with their local area during the initial lockdown period, with our study suggesting that accessibility to green spaces made people more appreciative of where they live.

Of the people who plan to buy or rent in the next 12 months, over half (56%) claimed they now place greater importance on access to nature and green spaces when deciding on the area and home they want to live in.

Rightmove data property expert Tim Bannister said: “Our latest research shows that despite all the challenges that this year has brought, many people have been able to reconnect with their local area and community which has had a positive effect on how they feel about where they live.

“Overall, I think lockdown has enabled people to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, and spending more time in their local areas has made people value their surroundings and communities so much more. This year’s study shows a greater appreciation for green spaces and nature, and a strong correlation between people living in coastal and rural areas and how happy people are where they live.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , ,

The Work-wise Foundation launches week-long virtual STEM careers showcase

Get Up to Speed with STEM, the area’s largest annual employer-inspired science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM) and construction careers spectacular usually held at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, is pleased to announce the launch of its first ever virtual showcase.

Organised by The work-wise Foundation and taking place from 22nd – 26th March 2021, Get up to Speed The Virtual Experience, will give young people the opportunity to learn about STEM industries and the careers available within the industries over the course of a week and from the comfort of their classroom, home or office.

During the interactive event, to be held in place of the organisation’s usual annual day-long expo to maintain safe social distancing, attendees will learn about what it is really like to work in the STEM sectors. This will be achieved through virtual company tours, live exhibitor demonstrations, ask the experts Q&A’s, competitions and presentations and panel discussions from businesses, inventors, apprentices and education providers within the industry.

John Barber, CEO of the work-wise Foundation and Chair of the Get up to Speed Steering Group, comments: “Young people have had a lot of restrictions placed on them this year, due to Covid-19 and we wanted to make sure they could still benefit from a real life experience of working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing. We’re thrilled to be introducing a week’s worth of virtual activities, hosted in conjunction with dozens of employers. We’re confident that Get up to Speed 2021 will be just as exciting as it has always been.”

Sponsored by Sheffield’s Liberty Speciality Steels, Chesterfield’s CBE+ and Rotherham’s AESSEAL plc, Get up to Speed The Virtual Experience will also support learning in schools by linking the curriculum with real life experiences. This will allow young people to explore the diverse range of career opportunities available in an engaging and interactive way, whilst contributing towards levels 2-7 of the Gatsby Benchmarks; a framework of guidelines that define the best careers provision in secondary schools.

All schools or young people taking part will be required to register in advance. By doing so they will be allocated a unique code which will provide access to all planned events, as well as activity workbooks for each attendee. All workshops, tours and seminars will then be available to access for 4 weeks following the event to provide ample time for each student or young person to complete the course.

Over the past 10 years, Get up to Speed, which is championed by employers and delivered through The work-wise Foundation alongside key partners in the private and public sectors, has showcased engineering career opportunities to over 19,000 young people and their families from across the South Yorkshire region and beyond. The event also gives companies the opportunity to showcase their business whilst helping to address the skills gap in STEM-related industries.

Get up to Speed with STEM 2021 is open to young people, families, individuals, schools and employers. For more details and to register, go to www.getuptospeed.org.uk.

Businesses wishing to take part in the event or that may be interested in signing up as a sponsor, should contact Emily Woods at Emily@work-wise.co.uk / 07847433088 or John Barber at john@work-wise.co.uk / 07500 331400.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Manufacturing, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield to fall under highest level of local restrictions (Tier 3)

Chesterfield – along with the whole of Derbyshire – will be under the highest level of local restrictions when the national lockdown ends on 2 December.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We understand the concern and frustration that today’s announcement will cause for many people, particularly local businesses which have already endured so much disruption and hardship this year.

“In particular, we know the county-wide tier three restrictions will hit our hospitality and tourism industry hard in the run-up to the festive period. This is something which I and all other Derbyshire council leaders highlighted in an urgent letter to Government this week, urging them to consider less strict rules for our area.

“But unfortunately, while we have seen some improvements in infection rates, they remain too high.

“We must all continue to play our part and abide by the updated restrictions when the national lockdown ends, to continue to slow the spread of the virus, reduce pressure on the NHS and protect the most vulnerable. In doing so we can lower infection rates, and hopefully move to a lower tier in time.

“Our community’s resilience will continue through these ongoing challenges, and as we prepare for the festive season I know this spirit will keep shining through, even though our celebrations must be different this year.

“As a council we will do all we can to keep essential services running for local people, as we have since the start of the pandemic. However, there will be some ongoing impact on some of our services when national restrictions end on 2 December – we are currently reviewing this and more information will be available on our website and social media channels as soon as possible.”

Find out more details about the current restrictions on the Government website: www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#very-high-alert

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Chesterfield wellbeing centre ready to bounce back from pandemic

Staff at a state-of-the-art wellbeing centre based in Chesterfield say they ‘cannot wait to be back,’ after facing setbacks due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

360 Wellbeing Centre, Chatsworth Road hosts a team of experts on all aspects of mental and physical wellbeing, both medical and complementary. The interior also features décor and artistry created by local artist Sally Anderson.

The centre hosted its grand opening just a month before the first coronavirus lockdown back in March, but had to put a number of big plans on hold as a result of the restrictions.

Managing Director, Samantha Woodcroft explains, it has not been easy: “We had so much planned, including a huge wellbeing event at the Chesterfield Technique Stadium for which we had already sold over 250 tickets. We were one of the first industries to be locked down and the last to reopen.”

However Samantha says she, along with her staff have still been busy behind the scenes further improving the centre and expanding its range of treatments: “It’s extremely frustrating but we’ve used our time wisely, we have developed an exceptional range of wellbeing products and CBD oils, our staff and nurses have been on additional training to add cutting edge treatments to the clinic.”

She added: “The residents of Derbyshire certainly have a fantastic health facility available to them and we’re back even stronger and ready to offer a service.”

Nutritional Director Kelly Hopley added: “Our success stories with clients have been superb and we really cannot wait to be back. Health & Wellbeing is a passion for our team and it is truly worrying the effect Covid is having in so many ways on the local community. We want to be able to support our community to stay well & healthy.”

“The treatment menu is bursting with therapies such as IV vitamin drips, colon hydrotherapy, expert facial treatments and psychotherapy not forgetting a full range of complementary treatments and ear irrigation. Chesterfield Champions can also benefit from 10% off.”

The clinic has recently added the ‘Hear to listen’ campaign giving clients access to a team of experts who specialise in all things mental health from anxiety and depression to PTSD. For more information on the cente, you can contact the team on 01246 938948 or by email: info@360wellbeingcentre.co.uk

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

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

New international scale tourism destination, PEAK, selects Green Biofuels as construction fuel partner

PEAK, a phased development of an all year leisure, education, wellness, and entertainment destination based on 300 acres of reclaimed parkland at the edge of the Peak District National Park and Chesterfield, has selected the UK’s leading provider of HVO fuel, Green Biofuels, as the sole provider of fuel for the construction of the site in order to fulfil its journey to sustainability from the outset.

The multi-million-pound development will include the UK’s first fully-serviced national park gateway linked to a resort and educational campus. With the principles of sustainable tourism at its core, PEAK will offer domestic and international tourists experiences based around nature, culture, heritage, and activity in the Peak District and its environs. Overnight and short stay accommodation will be available in hotel, hostel and lodge formats.

The first development at PEAK, the Summit is underway and will open 2021. In line with Summit Resort and Development’s sustainability agenda, the construction compound, machines and equipment will be fuelled with Green Biofuels’ low emission high performance paraffinic alternative fuel. All vehicles delivering fuel to the site, and all construction vehicles on site will run on Green D+, which is a drop-in diesel alternative, requiring no changes to engines. Green Biofuels is supporting PEAK’s environmental commitment by supplying the site with a 35,000-litre tank to hold the fuel, in order to reduce emissions resulting from fuel deliveries to a site.

Independent tests at the Millbrook specialist vehicle testing facility have shown that compared to standard diesel emissions, Green D+ has up to an 85% reduction in particulates, and up to a 30% reduction in Nitrogen Oxides, thanks to a special additive not found in any other HVO fuel. This means that emissions contributing to climate change are reduced, as well as pollution affecting the local air quality. The emissions savings at the Summit construction site will be monitored and results announced over the duration of construction.

Gateway developer, Milligan, has appointed Cundall as its key advisor on sustainability and transport, working alongside Birchall Properties the landowner and strategic partners the Peak District National Park Authority, Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby.

Alongside its regional attractions PEAK has planning permission for up to 2000 hotel rooms and 250 chalets. The overnight and short stay accommodation will be delivered in phases and in a range of formats from 5-star hilltop hotel with lodges, to village centre hotels with hostel accommodation. The aim is to deliver the quality and scope of accommodation and hospitality more familiar with an international ski resort.

Magnus Hammick, COO of Green Biofuels, said: “Green Biofuels is hugely proud to be on the journey toward sustainability with PEAK right from the start. As one of the UK’s largest privately funded construction projects, this partnership is especially important because it proves how easy it is for large-scale sites to instantly cut their emissions and protect local air quality with small and strategic changes. Ensuring low pollution is especially important at a site like PEAK because of its proximity to the National Park, so we have introduced a super-tank of 35,000 litres to supply the site, thereby reducing emissions from multiple fuel deliveries.

“This is a major commitment to clean air from the private sector, and I sincerely hope to see the Government making green construction practices a rule, so that our other national flagship projects are also built as sustainably as possible.”

The green ambitions of the project have attracted world renowned adventurer and polar pioneer, Robert Swan OBE. Through his ambassadorship of the Summit, Robert seeks to empower and enable people from all walks of life to participate in sustainability through their leisure activities and adventures.

Robert Swan OBE, said: “After everything I have seen and experienced, I have to say I am truly impressed and excited by what Green Biofuels are doing and what they will do for the green footprint of the PEAK construction.

“Now that the journey to sustainability at PEAK has begun, it is essential to take meaningful and strategic steps to ensure every choice is considered and weighed up against its environmental impact. It is for this reason that I am very encouraged to see PEAK select Green Biofuels as its construction fuel partner.”

Mark Hutchings, COO of Summit Resorts & Developments, said: “We as a company and indeed as individuals are passionate about our environment and the world in which we live. We want our legacy to be not only to provide something truly special for the local community and visitors to the area, but to deliver that in a way we can truly say is the most environmentally friendly way we possibly could. We believe that using Green D+ in every aspect of our operation from fuelling the plant and machinery on site to providing the power for our site cabins to run is a huge step towards achieving this.

“We are proud to be part of one of the largest developments in the U.K. at the moment that is adopting such a policy, and we believe that by doing this we will hopefully set a precedent for others to follow.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Chesterfield primary school introducing ‘daily mile’ track to improve health and wellbeing for pupils

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chesterfield is currently in the process of constructing a daily mile running track around the perimeter of its sports field. It is hoped the development will help promote health and wellbeing amongst pupils and the wider community.

Once completed, the track will run around the full perimeter of the grassed area of the field and will require 9 laps around it to complete a mile. The surface will be 1.2m wide and be made out of polyurethane bound rubber all weather material.

Rachael priest, chair of the school’s Parent-Teacher Friends Association said: “The field is a large part of the school’s outdoor space (making up almost half the outside play area available to the children) however, the British inclement weather means that it can typically only be used for a few months of the year. The nature of the material will mean that even through the winter months when the field is to muddy to utilise the children will still be able to use the track to complete their daily mile and for other activities.”

“The school is very keen to promote health, fitness and wellbeing and the introduction of the track would be a positive step in encouraging both children and staff to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle while also improving and enhancing the Schools outdoor environment. The school is eager to adopt the mile as a daily part of the school day and hope, in time, that the completion of the daily mile by each pupil becomes as routine as maths lesson or break time.”

“We hope that the effects of the daily mile will also be felt by the wider community with our pupils becoming positive, confident individuals passing on the message that exercise is good for both body and the mind and encouraging others to embrace a happier and healthier future.”

The school has currently raised £2000 of its £10,000 target through past events and currently have collection points in the classrooms and playgrounds where children can bring in small change and deposit them in a covid secure way.

It is now looking to  affiliate with a local running club in the future and hold sponsored running events with funds raised going towards the track. Other initiatives being planned include ‘sponsor a step,’ where people can help fund the track by buying a virtual step for a fee. In return the sponsors names or nominated names will be displayed on a sign in a similar way to buying a brick projects.

John Cannon of Cannon Events, who host a number of local fun-runs to promote exercise locally, said: “To have a facility like that in the school, for children to exercise every day, will benefit their physical and also mental health enormously and it’ll have a positive effect on their schoolwork as well. It is absolutely priceless. This track is going to make a huge difference.”

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