Summer

Vicar Lane launches ‘Summer Zone’ showing Wimbledon and other sporting events

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, in Chesterfield, is celebrating ‘all things summer’ at its Summer Zone in St James Square from 28th June.

The fun will start by serving up all the Wimbledon action on the big screen from 28th June to 11th July, meaning that customers can indulge in a spot of shopping and not miss out on any of the sporting action throughout the summer.

Plus, from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th July, customers can enjoy food and drink from pop-ups such as Salute (Pimm’s and prosecco) and Fairy Floss (strawberries and cream).

Customers will find an area especially laid to lawn, adorned with deck chairs and bistro sets, as well as a table tennis table and a giant ‘Up 4 It’ game.

Customers of Vicar Lane will find a wide range of stores, including H&M, Holland & Barrett, New Look, JD and Superdrug, as well as the popular indie stores, Nana B Baby Boutique, Gorilla Garms, Clarissa’s Interiors, Shop Indie and Precious Memories.

Visitors to the shopping centre can also enjoy a quick coffee (and cake!) break at Vintage Tearooms, or a relaxing lunch at Qoozies.

Shaun Brown, Operations Manager, Vicar Lane says, ‘’We’re really excited about summer at Vicar Lane. No matter what you’re up to in the heart of Chesterfield, there’s no need to miss a moment of the sporting fun this summer as we’ll be screening all the televised action on our big screen.’’

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

 

 

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Stanedge Golf Club owner to deliver coaching sessions at the 2021 Open Championship

The owner of a Chesterfield golf club has been selected as part of an elite group of coaches to deliver golf lessons to attendees at the eagerly anticipated 2021 Open Championship.

PGA Professional Fame Tate runs Stanedge Golf Club, which was recently shortlisted as a finalist for ‘Club of the Year’ at the 2021 England Golf Awards.

The team of elite coaches will deliver thousands of free 15-minute lessons to spectators attending this year’s event at Royal St. George’s from 11th-18th July, 2021.

This year’s lessons will be delivered under strict COVID-19 regulations, with social distancing in place for each lesson, while all PGA coaches will be wearing protective masks and sanitising equipment will also be provided.

In 2019 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the Swingzone team delivered more than 2,700 lessons throughout Open Championship week.

Commenting on being picked for the role, Fame said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as one of 16 coaches representing the PGA.

“I have worked in previous Swingzones at The Ladies British Open and The Solheim Cup so I am very much looking forward to the experience at The Men’s British Open and working with a fantastic team of coaches.

“The Swingzone is a superb chance to display how we work as coaches, giving more people the opportunity and accessibility to have a go at golf or develop their game further.”

Jonathan Wright, PGA External Relations Executive, said: “We are thrilled to be able to provide thousands of free coaching lessons once again at this year’s Open Championship.

“The Open Championship Swingzone is a fantastic opportunity for The PGA to showcase the valuable role our Members play in developing golf and inspiring more people into the game.

“We will of course be working under strict COVID-19 protocols so all lessons will be conducted in a safe and professional environment.”

The full complement of PGA Professionals at Royal St. George’s is: Alan Bradshaw, Alison Perkins, David Bartlett, David Gleeson, David Playdon, Fame Tate, Ian Bailey, Jak Hamblett, James Harraway, Joanne Taylor, Kevin Caplehorn, Matt Stables, Paul Warner, Peter Ball, Sarah Bennett, Sophie Daws.

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

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Chesterfield Digital High Street project helps small businesses to join the online revolution

The online revolution has been a key feature of the pandemic – and now small and microbusinesses in Chesterfield can embrace these digital trends in an innovative new support scheme.

The Chesterfield Digital High Street project helps those reliant on bricks and mortar to transition into an online world by creating highly visible e-commerce websites equipped with the latest forms of payment, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and modern shopping concepts like “click and collect”.

Funded by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered in partnership by East Midlands Chamber, it aims to support small outfits in sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure, which have been hit hardest by lockdown restrictions, to become more resilient.

Scott Knowles, chief executive at Chesterfield-headquartered East Midlands Chamber, said: “The pandemic has had a huge impact on small and microbusinesses in sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure, which have previously relied on their physical venues to trade successfully.

“While we’re all looking forward to a return to normality as we come out of lockdown, it’s crucial these SMEs are future-proofed by creating modern websites to embrace some of the consumer trends that were already noticeable pre-Covid.

“Not every company can afford to do this, however, so we’re delighted to be playing a key role in supporting businesses in Chesterfield to establish and maintain the latest e-commerce solutions on behalf of the project funder, Chesterfield Borough Council.

“We believe the Digital High Street project will go some way to ensuring the much-loved independent businesses on our high street continue to thrive in a sustainable fashion for a long time to come.”

How the Chesterfield Digital High Street project will support businesses

The support available to businesses via the programme includes access to a Digital High Street adviser with specific e-commerce and online skills, who will work intensively with at least 120 businesses to help them develop and maintain their new or existing digital presence.

They will also be able to attend dedicated webinars, delivered outside working hours, and use marketing resources for free.

Grants of £2,200 – covering 100% of costs – will also be awarded to 50 of these businesses to help them set up an e-commerce website that is search engine optimised, with the package also including web hosting provision for a year and access to ongoing digital training.

All participating businesses can also benefit from free East Midlands Chamber membership for a year.

Councillor Dean Collins, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “In Chesterfield, we have lots of fantastic local independent businesses and after the last 18 months, there has never been a more important time to support them. We hope this funding will help lots of these businesses sell more effectively online, which will help guarantee their future in our town and hopefully allow them to grow.

“It’s a really comprehensive support package and I would encourage as many local businesses as possible to sign up for the Digital High Street project because it will allow them to compete in a whole new way.”

Applications can now be made for the Chesterfield Digital High Street project at www.emc-dnl.co.uk/chesterfield-digital-high-street.

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Caring Ashgate Hospicecare colleagues swap scrubs for hiking boots to take on High Peak Trail challenge

Two Ashgate Hospicecare staff members who provide vital palliative care in the North Derbyshire community are getting their walking boots on for a charity hiking challenge – and they’re urging the public to join them.

Community Palliative Care Support Workers Dianah Whelpton and Fiona Hardy are taking on the charity’s brand-new High Peak Trail event this summer to help the charity fund care for the families they support.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, July 10th, will see the pair – along with Dianah’s husband Paul – hike 17 miles across the scenic Derbyshire countryside.

The trail, which also offers the option of a shorter eight-mile route, will see the group head along the route of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway.

Dianah, who has been working for Ashgate for the past two years, wanted to do something to raise funds towards the care after the charity had been forced to close its shops and cancel fundraising events during the pandemic.

“I decided to take part in the High Peak Trail walk for Ashgate to try and raise some much-needed funds after our hospice was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

“Our wonderful communities haven’t stopped raising money for us in all kinds of innovative ways and continue to make such a huge effort to support our services. So when I learned of this event, I thought that it would be a very good opportunity to join in with the efforts while exploring the wonderful Derbyshire countryside!

“It’s also a great opportunity to highlight the huge amount of work that the Community Nursing Teams do in caring for thousands of people in their own homes every year.

“I am inspired daily by the wonderful people that I am privileged to care for and I am raising funds to make sure that we can continue caring for years to come.”

The off-road linear walk is traffic-free and promises to be a fun day out with friends and family. There will be free parking at Cromford Meadows, and free transport will be provided to take participants to the start point of the walk so they can walk back to their vehicles at the finish line.

Fiona is urging people across North Derbyshire to join her, Dianah and Paul on the trail this July.

The 53-year-old, who started working at the hospice in 2002, added: “I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and walking is something I do on a regular basis, but I have to admit that 17 miles will be double the distance I usually go!

“It’s been a long time since I started at Ashgate and there’s been lots of changes to the hospice in its appearance and the number of staff working here.

“But the hospice values and compassionate care delivered by our community teams and Inpatient Unit staff has always been excellent.

“I’m looking forward to taking on the High Peak Trail in tribute to my amazing colleagues and the wonderful patients and families we care for. Come and join us – not only will you get to enjoy the stunning Derbyshire countryside, but you’ll be helping us fund care for the families who need our support most.”

There are a limited number of places for the event so people are being urged to sign up quickly. Entry costs £10 per person, which includes a t-shirt (if requested), medal, refreshments and more.

To sign up go to www.ashgatehospicecare.org.uk/events/high-peak-trail-walk/ or call Ashgate Hospicecare’s fundraising team on 01246 567 250.

To sponsor Dianah and Fiona’s team go to ashgatehospicecare.enthuse.com/pf/dianah-whelpton-2615a/post/586904

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

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Chesterfield Pride set to go ahead this August

Organisers of Chesterfield Pride have confirmed the festival is still set to return in 2021, despite an extension of government restrictions meaning the event cannot take place in July.

Due to a change in the planned lifting of restrictions the event has now moved to August 22nd 2021.

Chesterfield Pride is one of the biggest and best attended Pride events in the region, with 2019 seeing over 6000 attending the LGBTQ+ celebration.

Once again, a whole host of exciting acts have been announced on the line-up.

The Main Stage will see an array of amazing talent including Big Brovaz, Booty Luv, Kelly Wilde and Black Lace.

Organisers are excited to announce the return of our Cabaret Stage which will see a host of local artists perform including Rachael Webster, Yesterday’s Gone, HBBRD and Andrew Warner. The cabaret stage will also see some amazing drag performances from KY Kelly, Jackie Love, Donna Trump and star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Joe Black.

More acts are set to be announced for the festival soon.

The event will also see a market area packed with stalls, food outlets, bar area and VIP area which this year is having a makeover thanks to sponsors, Van Dyk Hotel. The event is held at Stand Road Park on Sunday August 22nd and is open to everyone.

This event will be subject to covid restrictions at the time, with the safety of attendees being the priority. The event will only go ahead if it is safe to do so.

Traders can still book stalls for the event, although there is limited space left available. To book a stall, email chesterfieldpride@hotmail.com

More information, including how to purchase your ticket for the event can be found over on our events page here.

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Chesterfield Festival of Cricket fixtures moved to Derby due to government restrictions

Due to the government’s delayed easing of lockdown restrictions, this summer’s BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket fixtures will move to The Incora County Ground.

The latest government announcement, which was made on Monday 14 June, confirmed that the current Stage 3 protocols for sports venues will remain in place until Monday 19 July.

The LV= County Championship match versus champions Essex (Sun 11 – Wed 14 July) and the Vitality Blast local derby against Yorkshire Vikings (Sun 18 July) will now take place in Derby.

The Club and Chesterfield Borough Council had hoped to continue with the festival in its traditional format this summer. However, the extension of the current restrictions, the limits on capacities and additional operational costs due to Covid-safe protocols, have had significant commercial and operational implications on the viability of the Festival.

All Members and ticket-buyers will receive an email over the coming days with full details on refunds and ticket validity and we kindly ask you not to contact the Club until you have read this correspondence.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said:

“The last 18 months have raised unprecedented challenges and forced tough decisions across cricket. For Derbyshire, this is arguably one of the toughest to date as the BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket is one of the highlights of the calendar.

“While we understand the government announcement is for the long-term benefits of the nation, it adds further challenges for the sports, leisure and hospitality sector and I’m bitterly disappointed for our Members, supporters and sponsors.

“I’m grateful to Chesterfield Borough Council and BRM Solicitors for their continued support and we look forward to returning to Queen’s Park for the hugely popular festival next summer, by which time we all hope restrictions have been lifted and we can welcome back sell-outs crowds to the north of the county.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The Chesterfield Festival of Cricket at Queen’s Park is one of the highlights of our annual events programme, and we had been looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming Essex to the Festival for the first time and to Derbyshire Falcons renewing their rivalry with Yorkshire Vikings in the Vitality Blast in front of a capacity crowd.

“It is bitterly disappointing that the Festival cannot go ahead next month. However, keeping residents and visitors safe in these uncertain times has to be our number one priority and it is therefore the right decision to move the matches to Derby where players, sponsors and supporters can be better and more safely accommodated.

“The council will very shortly enter into a new agreement with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which will secure the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket for the town and borough for the next five years. My thanks also to BRM Solicitors for their continued sponsorship of the Festival.

“We remain hopeful that Derbyshire’s Royal London Cup match against Yorkshire will still be able to take place at Queen’s Park on 8 August. It would give everyone a boost to see professional cricket being played again in one of the country’s most picturesque cricket grounds.”

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New bee-friendly ‘pocket park’ created by Chesterfield residents

Community-spirited residents have pulled together to create a new ‘pocket park’, with support from Chesterfield Borough Council.

The new space at Edinburgh Road Park features a number of raised beds that have been planted with wildflowers and plants to support pollinators like bees, new paving, 15,000 spring flowering bulbs and local urban artist Peter Barber has created a wall mural that celebrates nature behind the raised beds.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt said: “I had a great time getting stuck in and helping out at one of the planting sessions. The pocket park is a fantastic space for the local community and offers something unique for them to enjoy. We also had a wonderful array of daffodils in the spring thanks to the efforts of the group and the children who enjoyed planting in the mud!”

“Working together with The Healthy Friends of Edinburgh Road Park, to develop this park shows how projects like this can help bring the community closer together. I know local people of every generation have been involved in this project throughout and I hope they will all get to enjoy it for many years.”

The work is being led by The Healthy Friends of Edinburgh Road Park after securing funding worth almost £20,000. Working in partnership with the Healthy Friends of Edinburgh Road the council submitted a bid to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and were awarded £14,500, Chesterfield Borough Council through its Housing Tenant Participation programme provided £5,000 and Derbyshire County Council Public Health also contributed a further £1,000 towards the project.

More improvements are planned, and volunteers are still welcome to get involved.

James Green, Chairperson of The Healthy Friends of Edinburgh Road Park, said: “I’ve lived near Edinburgh Park all my life. As a child I used the play area and used to play football on the field. Nowadays, I walk my Border Terrier, Missy down there for exercise and a bit of relaxation.

“It was clear that Edinburgh Road Park was in need of some tender loving care so after many months of working with local residents, the council and a number of funding bodies it’s been pleasure to get to this point in the project. There have been many positive comments from local people on the improvements we’ve made. I hope more people visit the park to take a look!”

The first phase of improvements, including the raised beds and paving, were completed during the first lockdown in late spring 2020, closely followed by a socially distanced bulb planting in the autumn of 2020. In the autumn the group will complete the project with the planting of 40 trees in the same area as the bulbs and local people are still welcome to volunteer and get involved.

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Chesterfield’s Liam Pitchford qualifies to compete in his 3rd Olympic Games

Chesterfield’s Liam Pitchford will compete at his third Olympics as the British Olympic Association (BOA) announces the table tennis squad for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Pitchford has earned a place in the men’s singles by virtue of his world ranking of No 15 – he is the highest-ranked player not to have already qualified.

The 27-year-old competed in the team events at both London 2012 Olympic Games and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, helping Team GB to reach the quarter-finals in the latter, where they were defeated by the all-conquering Chinese team. He also competed in the singles in Rio, reaching the last 32.

Pitchford said: “Even though it’s been delayed for a year, it still feels amazing to qualify again. It’s going to be my third Olympics and I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I’ll have many more.

“I love being part of Team GB, we don’t get to experience that often, unlike some of the other sports. It’s just an honour, really, to be around so many great athletes and people wanting to achieve the same goals.

“It takes a bit of pressure off knowing you’re part of something that’s massive, and not a lot of people get to say they’re part of it.”

Also representing team GB is Tin-Tin Ho; the first female GB athlete to qualify for an Olympic Games since Atlanta 1996, although Team GB had a host-nation place for London 2012.

The 22-year-old from Paddington is currently a medical student at the University of Nottingham.

Pitchford and Ho have competed as part of the same England team at tournaments around the world for several years, including winning mixed doubles silver at both the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Pitchford added: “I’m really happy for Tin-Tin, and it’s not just for her but it’s good for women’s table tennis in Britain as well.

“It’s a massive boost in her career. She’s obviously performed well at Commonwealth Games and won medals. Hopefully, this will make her confidence go through the roof and that will help her to go out there and perform well.”

Team GB Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mark England said: “Congratulations to both Liam and Tin Tin on their selection to Team GB for Tokyo 2020.

“It is great to see Liam back competing at his third Games alongside Tin Tin, who is our first British female athlete to qualify for a Games since Atlanta 1996, a fantastic achievement for both her and the British Table Tennis Federation.”

Simon Mills, Table Tennis Team Leader for Tokyo 2020, added: “Congratulations to both athletes. For Liam to become a three-time Olympian at the age of only 27 is a huge achievement, while Tin-Tin’s qualification is a milestone in the development of the women’s game as well as a personal landmark. We look forward to supporting them to give their best possible performances in Tokyo.”

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Noonah installs selfie booths at Wembley Stadium, enabling fans to pose for photos with England stars

In readiness for a summer of live crowds, football and music, Chesterfield-based digital marketing company Noonah has partnered with Cake (Havas) to install two ‘Human Holograms’ Booths at Wembley Stadium for the EE project.

With software developed in-house at Noonah, the ‘EE Selfie Stations’ give fans the chance to have their picture taken with footballing stars including The Lionesses, Gareth Southgate or Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho & Harry Maguire.

Operated through your mobile phone, the kiosks use Noonah’s ‘covid-safe’ contactless technology which sends the photo souvenir directly to your inbox. The two kiosks are permanent installations in Wembley Stadium’s inner circle and mark an exciting milestone in the return to normal.

This video produced by Noonah shows how the technology works, along with detailing the installation at Wembley:

The company has been involved at Wembley before, previously helping the SSE Arena install a digital photo mosaic in order to say thank you to key workers during the covid-19 pandemic. Noonah has also worked with other big-name brands, such as Adidas, Vodafone, McDonalds, Sky TV and the BBC.

The Wembley installation is part of a wide range of augmented reality and digital experience projects carried out by the company, with other recent project including the Chesterfield Santa House last Christmas, along with the launch of a new product personalisation service available to small businesses.

Matt Franks CEO and Co-Founder of Noonah said “I’m extremely proud of the Noonah team in successfully delivering of this project for EE. It’s a new, innovative way of creating user generated content for brands in a post-Covid world the client is delighted with the outcome.”

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

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Stanedge Golf Club shortlisted at prestigious England Golf Awards 2021

The team at Chesterfield’s Stanedge Golf Club are celebrating, after being shortlisted in the ‘Club of the Year’ category at the 2021 England Golf Awards.

The event features seven award categories in total, which  recognises clubs, counties, volunteers and players. This year’s judging panels were drawn from the ranks of England Golf staff and the board as well as featuring industry and media colleagues.

The awards ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube at 6:30pm on Thursday, 3rd June so people can tune in to see if Stanedge can clinch the prize ahead of three other nominees.

Stanedge Golf Club owner and former PGA professional, Fame Tate, told us she was delighted that their hard work has been recognised: “I purchased Stanedge Golf Club in February 2019 and that now seems a very distant memory.

“At that time, it was important for me to create and continue to create a niche around our services and have a thorough understanding of our target market.  I have spent many hours looking at market segmentation and demographic research and the first step that I had to take was to build and create a new brand.  I had to give the club a new identity and literally raise awareness that we were actually open.

“For the first six months I can’t even hazard a guess or give you a figure how many people drove down the lane, past my office window and the clubhouse and turned around in the car park and went back out again.  They just wanted to see what was going on and if the golf club had actually reopened.”

“I was mindful from the start that everyone needed to see change quickly in order to reinstate faith and confidence back in the club and me and that is what we have done.  In the first 12 months we transformed the club in SO many ways.  I used to call the clubhouse “my little scout hut” but now it is so much more than that.  We have undergone a complete refurbishment internally and externally which has gradually taken place over the last two years and will continue.”

“As a business we are prepared to change in order to improve and form a new business strategy in order to compete indirectly with our competitors.”

Fame added that the Chesterfield business community has also played its part in bringing the club back to life: “Throughout all of the changes and renovations, I have sourced local tradesmen and businesses to meet our needs.  I think it is hugely important to support other local businesses particularly during these very tough times.”

“As a new business, we too have experienced the support of other local businesses through hole and score card sponsorship, with Il Mondo Travel being our headline score card sponsor.

Back in 2019 there was no golf shop at the club, just a very small area in the corner of the clubhouse that sold a few staple items.  As a consequence of this we joined the Foremost buying group, which enabled our members to buy products online.

“I also approached Glenmuir and Srixon as I was looking for a reliable supplier of high quality golf apparel, hardware, balls and gloves that could to tailored to meet our member’s buying preferences.  Since that time, we have added a workshop where we can carry out club repairs and a re-gripping service as a certified Golf Pride grip centre.”

Charlotte Dalton from Glenmuir commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with Fame and the team at Stanedge since 2019 and especially to see the club grow into the friendly, welcoming and quality venue that it has become today. In many ways the core values that Glenmuir holds dear as a business are the same as that of Stanedge Golf Club and this has enabled our joint relationship to flourish. From everyone here at Glenmuir, we would like to congratulate Fame and her team for the nomination of the England Golf ‘Club of the Year’ Award – this is well deserved and we look forward to working with Stanedge Golf Club for many more years to come.”

Fame also thanked the members of the club for their support of the club since it’s reopening and throughout the covid-19 pandemic: “I have always instilled from day one to my team the importance of providing excellent customer service and a customer centric experience.  I want everyone who walks through our door to feel welcomed and special.  They aren’t just a member or a golfer, they are someone who is vitally important to our business.

“We have created a deeper level of connection with all of members and guests.  All of members are greeted by their first names. All of the team take the time out to get to know our members.  We take pride in the fact that we remember all of their names, what they like, their favorite food and drink and such like, which for me are all vital “touch” points.  I also operate an open door policy for the office, so all of the members know that if they have any questions or queries I am there.”.

“The golf club is a business and it is run as a business but I want it feel like a home.  All of the changes and decisions that we have made and continue to make are for the best interests of the members, visitors and club structure, whilst retaining our core values and beliefs.

“Being nominated and shortlisted for this award, being one of only four clubs in the country fills me with a huge sense of pride.  I know that it has been challenging twelve months for us all but this national recognition makes all of the tireless hard work and the adversities that we have faced all worthwhile. I would like to congratulate and thank all of my team for all of their hard work and support.  We have achieved things together at Stanedge that none of us could have achieved alone.

“To me this is much more than a business venture……it is my life.  It is something that I am hugely passionate about and more importantly care about. In doing all of this, we have created a community and a culture; breaking barriers and changing people’s perception of what a “typical” golf club is like and we have certainly shaken the tree within the golfing industry particularly within the locality.”

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

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Chesterfield’s Seb Perez In Gear For Rally Debut

Editorial by Paul Horton

Chesterfield racing driver Seb Perez is all ready for this Bank Holiday Monday (31st May) debut in the first round of the British Rally Championship. He starts his 2021 season attack on the championship title in the Neil Howard Stages Rally at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

The 21 year old race and rally star, renowned for the last few years as a Porsche Carrera GB Champion is no stranger to the other side and changing from race track to rallying on tarmac or through forests at high speed.

Son of local drinks company entrepreneur Steve Perez who is a BTRDA rally champion twice over in his own rights has competed previously on rallies in the UK and Europe with a great track record of being on top spot. He started it all off as a Junior 1000 rally series driver back in 2013.

All eyes will be on Perez as he makes the full time swap to rallying coupled with his debut and previous rallying experience that could upset some of the well-known British Rally Championship contenders.

Sat alongside Seb will be his regular co-driver Gary McElhinney who will be responsible for reading the pace notes and maps to keep Perez on the right track, a rally partnership that goes back many years.

During the years Perez driven in such rally cars as his junior days in a Nissan Micra and progressing through a Ford Escort Mk2, RS1800Mk2, RS2000Mk2, Ford Focus RS WRC 07 and even an historic Porsche 911.

Perez’s office for the season is the M Sport sponsored Ford Fiesta Rally 2 or Fiesta R5 known by many an enthusiast.

Based on the popular Focus ST Line, M Sport has worked with Ford to create a championship winning rally car with pace and performance. It is M Sport’s most successful global rally car and development started on it in 2018 and saw Perez take it out in anger for the first time at the end of 2019 on the Grizedale Stages Rally and bring it home in 4th place.

An accolade for Perez to test the car for M Sport on its first rally and gave them essential testing data on an actual rally.

In 2019 Oulton Park Circuit played host to WRC Wales Rally GB and Perez will follow around the tracks where many World Rally Championship drivers have slipped and slide.

Seb has raced around the circuit many times and knows it well but in a rally car never with its tight infield tracks coupled with super-fast circuit layout which will favour the brave as gravel traps and frictionless grass outers will be ready to catch the unwary.

Perez will contest several historic race championships this year as well as the full British Rally Championship calendar and has a busy schedule this weekend where Saturday and Sunday he is back circuit racing at Brands Hatch in the Masters Historic Festival Gentleman Drivers Race in a 1965 Porsche 911 and then straight to Oulton Park for the rally on Bank Holiday Monday.

Perez commented this week “I have a busy Bank Holiday weekend with a mix of historic circuit action followed by the BRC at Oulton Park to finish it off. Both cars are extremely different to drive and both just as demanding”.

He added “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the #26 M Sport Fiesta R5 rally machine. It’s been quite a while since 2019, my rally in one at Grizedale where I took 4th place, and am thoroughly looking forward my new opportunity of getting behind the wheel and my debut in the 2021 Championship”.

“I think Oulton Park will be quite beneficial for me [as the first round] as I know the layout pretty well from my circuit experience and some single venue events there so it will just be a case of combining that all together. From Nicky Grist onwards it will be a little unknown but I`m feeling pretty optimistic about the season ahead”.

All images by by Paul Lawrence and Paul Horton

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