Summer

Events aimed at ambitious writers and keen readers

Arts Derbyshire has been awarded £14,950 from Arts Council England to run a project for writers and readers.

The project, called Writing Ambitions: Commissioning, is a partnership between Festivity, Writing East Midlands, Junction Arts and Derbyshire County Council.

It will commission five writers to work with a Derbyshire-based arts festival during 2020 to produce and perform pieces of writing in the local community.

All of the festivals selected are members of Festivity, which is the arts festival forum for Derbyshire, and a part of Arts Derbyshire. It includes:
•Tapton Lock Festival in Chesterfield
•Melbourne Festival
•Erewash Festival of Light
•New Mills Festival
•Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Discovery Days Festival

Each writer will also have the opportunity to collaborate with a local Derbyshire library.

A networking and information day will launch the project this autumn.

The writers will be supported with workshops and mentoring by well-established and award-winning writers and poets Cathy Grindrod, Jo Bell, Matt Black and River Wolton.

Workshop places are open to all writers and will offer support to those interested in working to commission, in other words, being paid to complete a special piece of work.

The commissioned writers will also collaborate on a piece of work providing advice to writers hoping to be commissioned in the future.

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

“This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced or budding writers to take their writing further. Not only will the project foster local talent but it will boost local events and communities as well.”

The project will also deliver the LoveLit series of literature events and writing workshops for readers and writers held in Derbyshire libraries.

On Tuesday 18 June 2019 at Chesterfield library social historian and broadcaster Hallie Rubenhold will talk about her new book ‘The Five’ which looks at the lives of the women murdered by Jack the Ripper.

Writing workshops with Mike Gayle, Professor Joe Moran and Joanna Courtney are among the other events being held.

And the first Derbyshire Noir Book Festival on Saturday 17 August 2019, celebrating crime and psychological thrillers, will feature panels, talks and a chance to network for crime readers and writers at Chesterfield library.

Writing Workshops Chesterfield Library

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Manufacturer’s Goods Selected for Famous London Retailer

Chesterfield business Ingmans is celebrating after a luxury briefcase which retails at £3,995 has been commissioned by Joseph Cheaney & Sons.

Their leather luggage brand “Cobb England” is manufactured in the heart of Chesterfield alongside their retail and cobbler business.

Andy Ingman said “To say we are proud to be commissioned by a 150 year old,  established English company, with such prestige as “Joseph Cheaney & Sons is an understatement of great magnitude.
Joseph Cheaney are one of the UK’s greatest quality, Goodyear welted shoe manufacturers. ”

“Great Britain ?? is  the cultivator of the shoe industry in the 18th century, and has held its own on a global front ever since. So for our company as small as it may be, shows craftsmanship, quality, consistency and tenacity has made us break through into our capital London. Not only that, Jermyn street which is famous for retail throughout the world.”

The business relocated to the former Burton’s Store in Chesterfield on Burlington Street in 2018.

Andy Ingman, added “We wanted to create a lovely place to shop with a unique experience where we can offer excellent customer service.  We have a beautiful stock of shoes, clothing & handmade leather goods and we have also created a wonderful workspace for shoe repairs.”

Ingmans have also been nominated as a finalist in the best new store category at the Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Manufacturing, Summer, Visiting

Get a Free Personal Caricature at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is excited to announce plans to offer customers the chance to receive a FREE personal caricature at the centre this spring bank holiday weekend.

They are inviting customers to come and take a seat for one of two professional caricature artists, who will be waiting with pens poised from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 25th May, to create a portrait of their cartoon likeness, completely FREE.

It’s the ideal occasion for visitors receive a unique piece of art for the wall or a memento of a day out with friends or family.

The artists will be located at St. James Square on the grass area throughout the day and Caricatures will be offered on a strictly first come, first served basis. These take just approximately 15 minutes to create, so customers are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We know how customers are expecting more and more from their shopping trip these days so we wanted to host a small-scale event to brighten their day. A free caricature is sure to make a unique and quirky addition to any home, so we’re sure customers of all ages will appreciate them.”

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Named as One of the UK’s Most Instagrammed Towns

Chesterfield has been named the 32nd most instagrammed town in the UK according to research by Cheaphotels4uk.

The travel website used Instagram to analyse where can you find the most picturesque towns in all of the UK.

It researched the photo sharing platform to find out which towns are the most Instagrammed, by examining how many times a post of every UK town had been shared on the site.

You can read the full results at https://cheaphotels4uk.com/travel-guide/best-towns-uk

Find out what is happening in Chesterfield on Instagram – Give us a follow here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Another New Retailer Opens at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

Brand new store, Inside Out, opened at Vicar Lane Shopping on Saturday 27th April 2019.

Customers can expect to find a range of home and garden décor, including retro furniture, cushions, novelty signs, pictures and other quirky decorations. The independent retailer has only a handful of stores based locally around the region, each offering a wide range of unique home furnishings.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re really excited to welcome Inside Out to our line-up. It’s a great store to have at Vicar Lane, offering customers somewhere different to find distinctive homeware, alongside the appeal of our high street fashion and ‘pleasure shopping’ offer.”

The shop is in a prime location in the heart of the town’s shopping district, situated next to O2 and opposite Holland & Barrett on Vicar Lane, and offers shoppers a place to find unique furnishings to decorate their home and garden with.

The new store will be open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sundays.

Find out more about shopping in Chesterfield

Inside Out Vicar Lane

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Summer, Visiting

Line up announced for Chesterfield Pride

Chesterfield Pride returns this Summer and they have announced their line up of performers.

Organisers have said the 2019 event which takes place on the 21st July at Stand Road is set to be even bigger with some new added features.  Last years event was attended by around 6000 people.

The line up on the Main Stage at Chesterfield Pride has an eclectic mix of performers. Headlining is 80’s star and TV personality SONIA, who will be performing her greatest hits including her number one single “You’ll Never Stop Me from Loving You”.  Dance legend SHENA who is the powerhouse vocalist behind the dance hits “The Weekend”, “Watch Out” and “Son Of  Gun” will also appear. There will also be stars of “The Voice”, “Britain’s Got Talent” and “The X Factor” keeping people entertained throughout the day.

New for 2019 is the cabaret tent. This will be bringing you the best in local performers and International Drag Queens. This includes the star of BBC ONE’S “All Together Now” Divina De Campo and the hilarious Ky Kelly as well as well known local performers including Jayrar, Rachael Webster and The Shambles.

“We are really proud how far the event has come and how well it has been received. The event has a real buzz about it and it continues to grow. Everyone is welcome.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Pride 

Chesterfield Pride

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Businesses urged to nominate their food and drink apprentices for top award

The search has begun to find Chesterfield’s Food and Drink Apprentice of the Year in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Sponsored by Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), the award was introduced last year to recognise the significant contribution young people are making to the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

Awards organiser Destination Chesterfield is urging businesses to now publicly recognise the hard work and dedication of their apprentices by nominating them for the prestigious award. Nominations must be made by midnight on Wednesday 5 June.

Last year the title was won by Corey Elliot (below), an apprentice at The Lilypad Café & Restaurant who plans one day to have his own restaurant.

As well as putting forward their apprentices, businesses can also nominate themselves for the Apprentice Employer of the Year award, which is sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group). Last year the award was won by Stephenson’s Tea & Coffee House.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “Chesterfield’s hospitality sector is growing steadily bringing jobs as well as new tastes and experiences to the town. It’s an exciting time for the sector. This award recognises the importance of apprenticeships in the sector to ensure the town has the skilled workforce to meet the demands of investors.”

“A new Premier Inn recently opened in the former Co-op on Elder Way creating 60 new jobs and more jobs and opportunities in the sector will be coming on board at Elder Way, Chesterfield Waterside and Peak Resort. These developments all need ambitious young people who are keen to build a career, not only in hospitality but also in Chesterfield.”

Neil Johnson, Assistant Director for Economic Growth at Chesterfield Borough Council, which leads the ground-breaking Apprentice Town initiative commented: “Apprentice Town is committed to raising the participation of young people in apprenticeships in Chesterfield.”

“The Award category sponsorship is an important part of the initiative’s drive to raise awareness of the many apprenticeships within the food and drink sector. Equally important, is recognising and celebrating the achievement of the young people who are currently undertaking their apprenticeship, and this award does just that.”

Other supporters of the awards include Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire. Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Shorts Chartered Accountants.

To nominate an apprentice, or put your business forward for an award, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/apprentices-and-apprentice-employers/

Posted in Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

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

Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s Food and Drink Awards is looking for a foodie family to help find the town’s best family friendly eatery.

Last year the popular Family Friendly award, which is sponsored by Jumble Creative Design, was won by Chesters Restaurant & Takeaway on Sheffield Road.

Now, the search is on to find 2019’s family friendly favourite and Destination Chesterfield needs you to help!

One young family with children aged under 12 is wanted to judge the shortlisted family-friendly establishments. They will help decide who takes the Family-Friendly title in the 2019 Awards which is held in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

The lucky family will win an all-expenses-paid meal for four at three local establishments.  They will also receive two tickets to attend the glittering 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony on Wednesday 23 October at the Winding Wheel in the heart of Chesterfield.

To enter the competition applicants simply have to tell Destination Chesterfield why their family should be chosen to mystery shop for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Entries to the competition close at midnight on Tuesday 4 June and can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/family-judge-competition or, they can be made by post to:

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

Now in its sixth 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 family will be required to mark the establishments on food, ease of access, cleanliness and the quality and variety of children’s food.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, commented: “Who better to decide the winner of the Family Friendly Award 2019 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.”

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair hosted by a celebrity chef (to be announced soon). In addition to the Family Friendly award, there will also be 14 other winners announced at the ceremony.

Other supporters of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way by Jomast Developments, FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM and Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Shorts Chartered Accountants.

To keep up-to-date on developments with the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Nominate now in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Nominations are now open for Chesterfield’s premier food and drink awards.

The seventh annual Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield, returns on Wednesday 23 October.

Ahead of the glittering awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel, Destination Chesterfield is calling on people to nominate their favourite restaurants, bars, cafés, pubs, food producers and tearooms in the 2019 awards.

Nominations across 10 award categories can be made online until midnight on Sunday 12 May at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

The categories include:

The shortlisted businesses will be revealed in July, including the shortlist for the coveted Restaurant of the Year title, which was won by Bottle & Thyme in 2018.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, urged people to get nominating. He commented: “It’s important that we recognise the contribution the town’s growing food and drink sector is making to the local economy. Many of the businesses within it are also helping put Chesterfield on the map nationally. The awards are designed to ensure that we recognise and celebrate businesses in the sector. If you have a favourite, make sure you nominate them.”

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of Chesterfield College Group, which is the headline sponsor of the awards, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards for 2019. The event is one of the highlights of the year and a mutually-beneficial partnership between Destination Chesterfield and the college.”

Other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Casa Hotel, Derbyshire Times, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM and Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd).

To find out more about the awards, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Food & drink 2018 winners

Food & drink 2018 winners

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Derbyshire Extend Partnership with the University of Derby

The University of Derby, a Top 30 UK University in the Guardian University Guide 2019, has agreed a deal to extend its partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

The relationship will see the University sponsor both the club’s training kit and the reverse of the Vitality Blast shirt, which will be worn throughout this summer’s biggest competition.

A longstanding Official Partner of the club, the University of Derby will also continue its partnership with the Cricket Derbyshire Academy.

The Academy has produced some of the club’s long-standing first-team players, including 2017 Player of the Year, Alex Hughes, as well as Matt Critchley and more recently Hamidullah Qadri.

Derbyshire continues to offer opportunities to Media and Marketing interns from the University, while members of the Derbyshire squad will also support events at the University.

University of Derby students will have the opportunity to play a competitive inter-university fixture at The Pattonair County Ground, and will have continued access to training facilities in the Air IT Elite Performance Centre.

Rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017, the University of Derby provides industry-relevant, expert teaching, and their partnership is one of a number of initiatives aimed at engaging the local community.

Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett said: “This is a growing partnership and I’m delighted to continue working with the University of Derby to provide opportunities through sport and education.

“The Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby is an integral part of our development pathway and through the University’s support, we saw eight graduates go on to play first-class matches for the county last summer.

Ollie Shearer, Director of Sport and Derbyshire Student Residences Limited at the University of Derby, said:

“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which will provide opportunities for our students to train and compete at the club, as well as undertake internships in roles off the pitch.

“Sport plays a major part in University of Derby life; our students have the opportunity to study a number of sports related degrees, and we encourage them, and the wider community, to make use our state-of-the-art facilities. This partnership reinforces our commitment to supporting the local community, helping to develop talent, and to strengthening our links to sport in the region.”

The Chesterfield Festival of Cricket returns to Queens Park this Summer.

 

Rainbow at Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Summer

Revolution House to open for the summer

Visitors to Revolution House can find out about the house’s history including its part in a plot to overthrow a king as it opens for the summer.

The popular visitor attraction at Old Whittington opens this Saturday for the summer season.

The house, then the Cock and Pynot Inn, was the meeting place of the 4th Earl of Devonshire, Lord Delamere, John D’Arcy, and the Earl of Danby as they plotted to overthrow King James II in 1688.

Alyson Barnes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s tourism, museums and events manager, said: “Revolution House is a popular attraction. Each year we have visitors asking about the house’s history and, this year, they will be able to find out more in this exhibition.”

This Sunday, 7 April, will also see the house host an event led by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust where youngsters can learn more about nature by leaf bashing – crushing and bashing leaves, using mallets, to make imprints onto a piece of material which can then be made into a flag.

If you are planning to visit the Revolution House, Admission is free but donations towards the upkeep of the house will be welcome.  It is open each Saturday, Sunday and bank Holiday Monday until Sunday 28 September from 11am to 4pm.

Find out more ideas of things to do over the Easter Holidays in Chesterfield

Revolution House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting