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Derbyshire Voluntary Action celebrates opening of new community hub

Friends of Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) gathered at a new community hub recently to celebrate ‘Feeling Connected Week’.

The Hub @ Low Pavement is DVA’s new pop-up community venue in Chesterfield’s town centre and will serve to promote better social connectedness and improved mental health and wellbeing for people in the local area.

The Hub will host activities, exhibitions and social get-togethers, as well as providing information about the local voluntary and community sector.

Chief Executive of DVA, Jacqui Willis, explains: “We’ve wanted to create an inclusive, welcoming and friendly place for members of the public and for volunteer-led community groups to come together and forge new connections for some time.  To have the opportunity to do this at accessible premises in the heart of Chesterfield is fantastic.”

The Hub will also be an important asset for DVA’s Feeling Connected project, which supports local people and groups to combat loneliness. During ‘Feeling Connected Week’ the project shone a spotlight on some of the great volunteer-led initiatives that bring people together week-in week-out in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield.

The aim of Feeling Connected Week was to inspire people to talk about what they have done to make themselves or others feel more connected, as well as encouraging people to come together and reconnect as group, whether it be with colleagues, friends or a social or special interest group.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) is an innovative independent charity, which strategically represents and champions the work of the health and wellbeing related voluntary and community sector in Derbyshire. It provides vital support to a diverse range of local charities and community groups, and connects people and resources to projects and ideas.

For more information about The Hub @ Low Pavement and the Feeling Connected project, contact Derbyshire Voluntary Action: info@dva.org.uk / 01246 555908.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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NLT strengthens team with new appointment

Increased course demand has promoted the latest appointment at NLT Training Services.

Emily Marriot joins the training provider to support with course booking and delivery across NLT’s Chesterfield and Scunthorpe sites.

She brings training and development experience to NLT, having completed a Business Administration apprenticeship with NLT’s training delivery partner Impulse Training Ltd. Emily is also currently undertaking a Level 4 Assessor Coach Apprenticeship which, once complete, will enable Emily to deliver a number of NLT’s courses.

Emily will also help deliver NLT’s Step into Employment programme which is funded by the charitable arm of the training provider. The free six-week Step into Employment programme delivers practical support and advice to people facing unemployment, helping them create their own personal roadmap back to the workplace.

Emily commented: “I love the variety of the role and the people I get to meet at NLT. I am working with experienced industry professionals, young people, later life career changers and refugee families. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both career and personal development.”

Outside work Emily is kept occupied with her two dogs and four horses which she rides five.

NLT Training Services, based in Chesterfield, has been delivering workplace training to individuals and companies since 1968. NLT is also registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.

NLT’s courses, whether bespoke or an industry requirement, are designed to ensure compliance with regulatory authorities and the due diligence requirements of business.

To find out more about the range of Health and Safety, Mechanical Engineering and Leadership and Management courses available at NLT, call 0333 880 3540 or browse the course catalogue on the NLT website at www.nlt-training.co.uk

Find out more about the vast range of training opportunities in Chesterfield here.

NLT Training supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield celebrates as parks and green spaces win Green Flag Award

In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, Chesterfield is celebrating retaining five awards.

Chesterfield Borough Council is raising a Green Flag Award for the 15th time at Queen’s Park, Holmebrook Valley Country Park, Poolsbrook Country Park, Eastwood Park and the gardens at Chesterfield and District Crematorium.

The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After 18 months that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Chesterfield has achieved these Green Flag Awards is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It’s fantastic that we have maintained our Green Flag Awards in these parks and is a real testament to the hard work our teams do to maintain these spaces. Green spaces are incredibly important for our communities, they not only serve as place to spend time with friends and family they can also support both physical and mental health. I hope that we can continue to provide high quality green spaces for all our residents to enjoy.”

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that Chesterfield has high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , ,

Inaugural Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k hailed a success  

The first-ever Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k has been hailed a great success by organisers, event partners and participants after more than 1,300 runners took part in the event on Sunday 17 October.

Thomas Shaw was the first to cross the 10k finish line with a time of 00:33:32 with Emma Holt the first female to finish in a time of 00:41:12

The oldest participant in the event was David Onion, aged 81, and Daniel Greatorex was the youngest at 15.

Max Taylor (10), and Sophie Bramley (12), were the winners of the City Taxi’s Fun Run, which took place within the boundaries of Queen’s Park in tandem with the main event.

Around 15 organisations also took part in the first Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge, a team entry into the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k’s events.

The event also helped raise thousands for good causes across the region, with £59,000 pledged for charities including main charity partners – Redbrik Community Foundation, Chesterfield-based Ashgate Hospicecare and North Anston-based Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, along with many other charities selected by the runners from across the region.

Following the event, John Timms, Event Director of the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k said: “We launched the 10k event in 2020 with a view to providing a fantastic experience for both participants and the local community, and as a way of generating revenue for the event’s charity partners.

“It was truly amazing to see how many people turned out to support the event, both in Queen’s Park at the start/finish line and out on route.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to making the event a success once more – including event partners and sponsors, and of course all those who took part.

“A special mention must go to all the volunteers who helped out on race day – who gave up their Sunday morning to help keep everything running smoothly, to assist runners and to help the general public. Without them, this event simply would not be possible, so a big thank you to everyone who helped out.

“I also want to thank anyone who was affected by the road disruptions across Chesterfield for their understanding throughout the day.

“Most importantly, however, the money raised by this event will go a long way to helping good causes like the Redbrik Community Foundation, Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and other charities all of which do so much fantastic work in the local community.”

David Cooper, Trustee of headline sponsor the Redbrik Community Foundation and a participant in the 10k said: “We are very proud to support this event, which has so much goodwill from all involved. It has been great to give something back to the town, who have continually supported our estate agency business, Redbrik, since we opened nearly nine years ago.

“The course really showcased what a beautiful town chesterfield is and when I was running it felt like the entire town had come out to support all the runners. It was wonderful.

“We love this town and we want to see it thrive. Events such as this help to do that, with huge numbers of people coming to Chesterfield from all parts of the country to support, contribute or take part. We can’t wait until 2022 already!”

Redbrik Estate Agents and Ashgate Hospicecare support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Multiple accolades for Brampton Brewery at prestigious regional awards

Chesterfield’s Brampton Brewery took home three Silver medals and one Bronze award at the annual SIBA Midlands Independent Beer Awards, which took place at the Trent Bridge Inn, Nottingham last week.

Their award-winning beers are listed as follows :

  • Terminus is a 4.2% session pale ale and won the Bronze medal in the Session IPA category.
  • Brampton Best is a 4.2% Best Bitter and won Silver medal in the British Bitters category.
  • Wasp Nest is a 5.0% Premium Bitter and won Silver medal in the Premium Bitters category.
  • Speciale is a 5.8% IPA and won Silver medal in the Cask IPA (5.5% – 6.4%) category.

Roy Allkin, SIBA Chairman commented: “Judges had a tough job separating the pack as the standard was extremely high once again. Lucky beer festival attendees at Nottingham CAMRA Beer Festival were able to try these and other award-winning beers immediately after the competition, something which is great for brewers too as they get to put their beers into the hands of real beer-lovers. The winners from the SIBA competition are officially the best independent craft beers in the Midlands region, something brewers should be extremely proud of.”

The SIBA Midlands Independent Beer Awards judge a huge range of beers across a number of styles in separate cask and small pack (bottle and can) competitions. As the awards are judged mostly by brewers, industry experts and beer journalists the SIBA Independent Beer Awards are very much seen as the prestigious ‘Brewers’ choice Awards’ by the industry.

Chris Radford from Brampton Brewery had this to say on their win: “It’s fair to say we’re all blown away by the success we’ve had at this year’s competition. It’s been a pretty miserable last 18 months for everyone, but none more so than in the Brewing industry and hospitality trade. We’re such a small team down at the brewery, but we’re just passionate about what we do and dedicated as to how we go about it.”

Brampton Brewery was re-formed in 2007 resurrecting a once-proud brewery name that traded successfully in Chesterfield and the North Midlands for well over 100 years until 1955.

The brewery now operates 3 pubs – The Rose & Crown, Brampton; The Tramway Tavern, Brampton and The Glassworks, Sheffield Road as well as licensed premises at the Brewery on Chatsworth Road itself. The Brewery produces a range of award-winning beers in Cask and Keg, as well as small-pack bottles and mini-kegs.

To find out more about SIBA’s Independent Beer Awards visit www.siba.co.uk/awards/

Brampton Brewery supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

Mitchells Corporate Agents takes top prize in its first year

New Chesterfield business Mitchells Corporate Agents capped its first year with a big win in the region’s foremost corporate finance awards last week.

The brand-new partnership, a collaboration between Chesterfield-based businesses Milestone Financial Planning and Mitchells Chartered Accountants, took top prize in the prestigious Insider Dealmaker Awards for its work in securing the sale of healthcare giant Heathcotes Group to partners Civitas and Envivo Group.

Michael Heath, Managing Director of Milestone Financial Planning, said of the win; “We’re incredibly proud to be taking home this award; it’s a testament to the hard work of our team over the last 18 months. We’re not new to the world of corporate finance, but our formal partnership with Mitchells is, so to gain this sort of prestige so early is a clear sign what we offer is innovative and works! “

Instruction for the sale of healthcare group Heathcotes, which has 72 healthcare facilities across the UK, was first received in March 2020 as COVID-19 reached its height, with the buyout agreed by the end of 2020.

On the sale, Tony Hornsby of Mitchells Chartered Accountants said; It has been a privilege to work with Heathcotes Group from initial incorporation, through to working alongside Milestone Financial Planning on the business sale. We are very excited regarding our collaboration with Milestone as Mitchells Corporate Agents and believe this will offer tailored solutions and guidance to owners looking for similar business exits.”

The Insider Sheffield City Region Dealmaker Awards were held on 7th October at Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel to celebrate expertise, leadership and innovation from across the corporate finance community.

Milestone Financial Planning and Mitchells Chartered Accountants support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , ,

Green-fingered residents brighten up communal gardens

Green-fingered residents in Chesterfield have been busy brightening up communal gardens – creating attractive places that they can enjoy together.

Throughout lockdown, keen gardeners living in Chesterfield Borough Council’s older persons housing schemes have come together to work on a number of projects that not only brighten up the gardens, but also help bring the community together after a difficult time for many.

Residents living at Markham Court – home to a number of avid gardeners – have gone all out after returning to their homes following the recent refurbishment project and the garden is now blooming with colour and ornaments. New vegetable plots have also been planted and the residents are growing produce in the greenhouse.

At Brocklehurst Court, the council has helped to install a greenhouse at the request of residents to allow them to grow their own produce to share with neighbours. This project will also provide residents to come together and socialise as well as provide a valuable respite activity for residents who are also carers.

New outdoor furniture has also been introduced to the courtyard at Brocklehurst Court, giving residents further opportunities to get together and enjoy the outdoor space.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, cabinet member for housing, said: “The past 18 months has been incredibly difficult for many people and due to the COVID-19 restrictions, residents living in our older persons housing schemes have not been able to get together as much as they have in previous years.

“Many people have experienced loneliness and social isolation throughout the pandemic, so we’re really happy that we could help the tenants with these projects and create outdoor spaces for them to enjoy. I’m really proud of our teams that have helped our tenants on these projects.

“Projects such as these not only help brighten up the outdoor areas, but they also provide an opportunity for our tenants to come together and get to know their neighbours. It helps create a really sense of community spirit.

“A number of our residents are already well-established gardeners but it’s been great to see even more residents get the gardening bug during lockdown and discover a new hobby.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , ,

Road closures confirmed ahead of Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k

Organisers of this year’s Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k race have confirmed road closures for the event, which takes place this Sunday, 17th October.

The route starts and finishes in Queens Park and will be centered on the heart of Chesterfield, taking in major landmarks such as the town’s famous crooked spire. It will also feature service and cheer stations on the course and will have a later 10am start.

Runners can sign up to the City Taxis Fun Run on the day at the Race Information Point in Queens Park.

In accordance with traffic authority regulations for Derbyshire County Council, an order has been made prohibiting and restricting the use of certain roads and road junctions by vehicles in order to facilitate the safe holding of the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K.

The event will require the closure of roads and road junctions, car parking restrictions as well as the suspension of a number of Traffic Regulation Orders between 07:00 until 13:00 on Sunday 17th October 2021.

A full list of closures, including approximate times, is provided below. You can find out more about the event and how you can get involved on the day at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-10k/

Chesterfield 10K Road Closures

Chesterfield 10K Parking Restrictions

Meanwhile, event organisers are set to launch the Pronto Paints Schools Wellbeing Challenge 2021 on Friday 15 October.

School children from across Chesterfield are set to take part in the event at Queen’s Park which promotes health and wellbeing among young people in our area.

Daniel Thompson, Head of Physical Education at Brookfield Community School, one of the schools taking part, said: “As a community school, when we were given the opportunity to be part of the first ever running festival to link with the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K, we did not hesitate.

“We are excited to be able to give our students the chance to participate in an event that not only challenges them, but is great for their health and well-being.  The fact that it is supporting such a worthwhile charitable event that such as the Chesterfield 10K that lots of our school community will be engaging in is even more reason to take part.  MLS have been amazing in the support they have provided and in setting up.  I can’t thank them enough.”

David Beckford, Managing Director of Pronto Paints, added: “We are very proud to sponsor this event. Anything which encourages children to focus on exercise and wellbeing is fantastic.

“In addition to this event, we are headline sponsors of the Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge, which is a great way for local businesses to join together and raise money for local charities.

“We are hoping to make the schools challenge an annual event and hopefully it will even bigger and better next year.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Grants on offer to help young musicians in Chesterfield

Young people, schools or other organisations in Chesterfield can now apply for grants to help them develop their music making.

Thanks to a bequest from a local resident, Derbyshire County Council is offering individual grants of £500 for those aged 5 to 18, and grants of £2,000 for schools and other organisations for those living in Chesterfield.

The money can help to support any kind of music maker either to buy equipment or pay for lessons or other support required. It can help pay for support which will nurture a young person’s musical talent, or can fund music-related trips or visits.

The County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale, said: “This generous bequest from a local resident means that we can offer grants to help our young people continue to make the sort of music they love.

“It also means that schools and other organisations can apply for funding to help them further develop their student’s music education, and maybe pay for visits that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to go on.

“I’d urge schools and families in the Chesterfield area to look really carefully at this grant scheme and to apply if they think they are eligible.”

  • Applications are welcome from or on behalf of anyone aged 5 to 18, or by schools or other providers of music activities to fund projects to further develop young musicians.
  • Applicants must reside or go to school in the Chesterfield area or live in Derbyshire and the organisation they attend must provide regular activities to young people in Chesterfield
  • Organisations or shcools must provide regular activities to young musicians in the Chesterfield area.
  • If you are unsure about whether this applies to you, please contact music.partnership@derbyshire.gov.uk
  • Feedback | Successful applicants will be required to complete a feedback from regarding the outcomes and impact of the grant.

For more information on the funding, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Comic-Con returns to Chesterfield this October

Chesterfield Comic-Con is back at Queens Park Sports Centre this October, with organisers promising yet another geeky, fun-filled event.

The Dark Lord, Darth Vader aka Spencer Wilding will be available for guests to meet on the day and he is sure to entice you over to the Dark Side of the comic-con galaxy. This will be Spencer’s first convention appearance in nearly two years.

Spencer is an actor, special creature performer and a martial artist. Although, he is well known for his role as Darth Vader in Star Wars Rogue One, Spencer has also appeared in so many other great movies and TV programs such as Doctor Who, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Men in Black: International, Guardians of the Galaxy, Green Street 3: Never Back Down, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Game of Thrones andbBatman Begins.

Joining Spencer will be Phill Martin and Billy Mansell. Phill Martin is a giant of an actor, standing at 7ft tall, and he has used this to his advantage gaining roles as a ‘Ghost Engineer’ for Ridley Scott in Prometheus, he then quickly went on to secure roles in Jack the Giant Slayer and Joe Wright’s Pan. Phill has also worked in TV playing ‘Thomas Garlic’ in ITV Encore production The Frankenstein Chronicles and also ‘Lanky John’ in the BBC comedy production Mountain Goats. His other experience has included short films ‘Joe Wilkinson & David Earles Summer : Giddy up Gunty’ for the Sky comedy shorts summer season and also competition winning short ‘The Confession’.

Billy Mansell started his acting career after attending comic-cons as a cosplayer. Billy is a huge fan of Alien and had a dream come true when he secured a role on set playing an iconic engineer. Billy’s film roles didn’t stop there and he landed parts in big films such as Jurassic World 2, Fantastic Beasts 2 (Crimes of Grindelwald) Detective Pikachu and king of Thieves Mission Impossible Fallout, plus had roles in some major TV programmes like Eastenders, League of Gentlemen and most recently Outlander S5. All three actors are available to meet as well as to sign photos or memorabilia as well as offer advice to any budding Chesterfield actors.

Other displays on offer for visitors include a photo opportunity inside the mouth of Jaws from Steven Spielberg’s classic movie series, or even the Gremlins cinema set. There’s also the massive Transformers Bumblebee, the Superheroes Cosplay Group, The Mos Eisley Misfits in their Star Wars costumes and even Daleks for any timelords in the town.

As well as guests and attractions there are comic creators, authors and loads of geeky traders with tons of geeky toys, comics, collectables, art, jewellery, VR gaming and more…

Attendees are also encouraged to dress-up as a TV, movie, game or anime character and entering the cosplay competition with a chance to win prizes on the day.

Sharon Hall of Unleashed Events said: “Our previous events in Chesterfield have always been so popular and it is great to be back!

“As usual there is loads of geeky stuff going on for you to see and do as well as geeky traders where you can purchase items that you simply won’t find on the high street. Our events are not just for the ‘geeky’ they are for people of all ages who want to come along and enjoy a great day out, something that all the family can enjoy with loads of photo opportunities to be had!”

Find out more about the event here: Chesterfield Unleashed comic-con – Destination Chesterfield | Destination Chesterfield

 

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Collaborative working from Chesterfield firms leads to landmark deal… and regional recognition

The success of the recent landmark buyout of Heathcotes Group by partners Civitas and Envivo Group has led to new opportunities, and awards, for the financial brains behind the deal.

The buyout, presented and managed in a unique collaboration between Chesterfield Champions Milestone Financial Planning Services and Mitchells Chartered Accountants, has led the two businesses to team up formally.

This brand-new partnership, Mitchells Corporate Agents, is already in line for their first award, being shortlisted in Sheffield City Region’s Dealmaker Awards later this week. And in the words of Milestone Financial Planning’s MD Michael Heath, this is just the beginning.

Michael said: “It’s great to be shortlisted for this award, but more than that, we’re so pleased to be taking our collaboration with Mitchells to the next level. Together, we take the time to get to know our clients so we can protect them from the complex nature of a business sale, it’s what makes Mitchells Corporate Agents so different from our large-scale competitors.“

Instruction for the sale of healthcare group Heathcotes, which has 72 healthcare facilities located across the UK, including here in Chesterfield, was first received in March 2020 as COVID-19 reached its height, with the buyout agreed by the end of 2020.

On the sale, Tony Hornsby of Mitchells Chartered Accountants said. “It has been a privilege to work with Heathcotes Group from initial incorporation, through to working alongside Milestone Financial Planning on the business sale. We are very excited regarding our collaboration with Milestone as Mitchells Corporate Agents and believe this will offer tailored solutions and guidance to owners looking for similar business exits.”

The Insider Sheffield City Regional Dealmaker Awards are being held this Thursday, 7 October at Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and celebrate the top dealmakers in the region, recognising expertise, leadership and innovation in banking, funding, legal and accountancy.

Milestone Financial Planning, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Heathcotes Group support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Left: Tony Hornsby, Right: Michael Heath

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

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