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Chesterfield FC ‘Time to Change’ fixture raises awareness

29th February 2020

The Chesterfield FC match against Ebbsfleet United last weekend marked the Time to Change fixture for Chesterfield FC Community Trust.

Time to Change is a nationwide campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems.

Statistically, one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Participants from the Trust’s A Spire Right programme volunteered their time to engage with supporters at the Ebbsfleet game by giving leaflets out that focused on three points:

1. They are the same person as you. When someone tells you they have a mental health problem, don’t treat them differently.

2. Don’t just talk listen. Showing you are paying attention can make the world of difference.

3. Be careful with your language. Making a joke of someone’s mental health can be really isolating.

Andrea Parkinson, the Trust’s senior education and wellbeing officer, says: “There are two main fixtures at the Proact Stadium every season that focus on mental health and suicide prevention.”

“Dedicating matchdays to try and end the stigma regarding mental health is very important for our community and it also works alongside the messages we deliver on our mental health courses.”

“The participants gain from engaging with supporters and it is also a great way of raising awareness of our mental health projects.”

For more information regarding the health and wellbeing courses, please email andreaparkinson@spireitestrust.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

State-of-the-art wellness clinic opens in Chesterfield

28th February 2020

360 Wellbeing Centre is a new state-of-the-art clinic, now open on Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield, offering a range treatments looking at all aspects of bodily, spiritual and mental wellness.

To celebrate their opening, the clinic has organised the 360 Wellbeing Seminar at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium on 19th March, to give the local people an opportunity to meet the team, learn about what the clinic has to offer and to increase their knowledge of health and wellness related subjects.

Commenting on the event, Samantha Woodcroft, one of founding Directors of the clinic said: “Despite the advances in science, the research shows an continuing annual increase in conditions such as heart disease, anxiety, depression, cancer and type 2 diabetes. These are all conditions that can positively affected by good nutritional practice and supplementary treatments.”

“Helping people to address and overcome their health challenges is one of our primary reasons for being and we thought hosting a seminar would be an appropriate way to celebrate the launch of 360 Wellbeing whilst sharing some high quality speeches from leading experts in their field with the people of Derbyshire.”

The event has designed to be a fast-paced and engaging affair with short speeches covering a range of subjects. Attendees will enjoy a Gratitude Bag with gifts worth at least £60. Local Wellness Therapists in attendance will also have an opportunity to meet the 360 Wellbeing team and schedule some time for a formal meeting to discuss joint venture options.

Samantha added: “As well as hosting an agenda that we think offers subjects that will interest those local people who are focused on improving their mental and physical health, we are keen to add to our services and will seek to work with quality local therapists. We will also be explaining our recruitment process for this at the seminar”.

Click here to find out more or to book your place

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Get involved with Chesterfield Museum this March

27th February 2020

There are lots of great events to get involved with at Chesterfield Museum throughout March.

From storytelling for pre-schoolers, to crafts for all and even a special session for antiques lovers there is bound to be something for the whole family to enjoy.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The team at the museum have worked really hard to put together some great events for March and I hope as many people as possible will come to the museum and get involved in some of these fantastic events.”

“We’ve got some great exhibitions this month too so I hope residents and visitors will take the chance to do something that interests them and learn more about the history of Chesterfield.”

Kicking the month off is World Book Day and the museum will be hosting a special World Book Day event on Thursday 5 March from 10am until 12 noon where pre-schoolers will be encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters and head along to hear some marvellous magical stories.

Dig out your antiques and art from the loft or garage as Bamfords auctioneers will be visiting the museum on Friday 6 March to hold a valuation day.

To celebrate International Women’s Day and British Science Week, a local social enterprise Kakou CIC will be holding an Explore Science event on Saturday 7 March to highlight the contribution women have made to science and technology. There will be loads of great hands-on activities for children and big kids alike covering a wide range of STEM subjects from code breaking to paper marbling.

Have you found a mystery object or archaeological treasure, but you can’t figure out what it is? The Finds Surgery on 14 March is here to help. Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s Finds Liaison Officer will be on hand to help identify all your mystery items and record them with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day is at the end of March. On Saturday 21 March, local artist Shirley Potter will be hosting a Mothers Day Card Making Workshop.

As well as these great events the Extraordinary Women exhibition which celebrates the lives of local women who have made a significant contribution to their communities and the country overall runs until 28 March. There is also an exhibition, DCAS – Only Time Will Tell, created by young people from the Donut Creative Arts Studio and a pottery exhibition that was inspired by William Gordon’s ceramics.

Entry to the museum and each event is free but donations are greatly appreciated. The museum opens Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm and is operated by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Click here to search more events in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Redbrik Half Marathon organisers target record year after successful 2019 event

26th February 2020

Organisers of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon are targeting record entry numbers as the event’s Early Bird entry discount period draws to a close on February 29.

This year’s race, which takes place on 18 October and starts and finishes in Queen’s Park, has seen hundreds of entries in the first few weeks of 2020, having set advance entry records in each of the three events since its establishment in 2017.

More than 1,500 people registered for the 2019 event, a record advance entry total for a Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

The 2020 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon’s Early Bird entry discount period closes on 29 February, with runners able to enter the 13.1-mile Half Marathon for just £23 (usual price £29). Entries are also being taken for the event’s Peak FM Five Mile Run, which takes place in tandem with the Half Marathon, for £16 (usual price £19).

In addition, the event will also see the return of the Blachford Fun Run, with new events also in the pipeline in 2020 which will form part of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon weekend – details for which will be confirmed soon.

John Timms, Event Director for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re really excited for this year’s Redbrik Half Marathon, having seen a hugely positive start to 2020.

“We really want to build on the success of the first three Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathons by breaking advance entry records again, and with additional elements this year we’re confident we can achieve that.

“The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, in its short history, has achieved great things for the Chesterfield and north Derbyshire community, with more than £140,000 pledged for good causes including our event charity partners, Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“We look forward to the event continuing to blossom in 2020 with the amazing support of the people of Chesterfield.”

Mark Ross, Managing Director of event title sponsor Redbrik Estate Agents, said: “We’re proud to be such a big part of the Chesterfield Half Marathon, which has been very successful since it was established in 2017.

“We’re also incredibly grateful for the support of the Chesterfield community, with local people providing strong backing for the event every year.

“Exciting plans are in the pipeline for the 2020 event, too, with even more opportunities for people to get involved. Watch this space!”

The 2020 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will take place on 18 October, starting and finishing in Queen’s Park alongside the event’s Peak FM Five Mile Run.

For more information or to enter, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Free social swim for Chesterfield cancer patients

25th February 2020

Residents in Chesterfield who are recovering from or have cancer are invited to take part in a new swimming session at Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

OutSwimming Cancer is a supported swim session that will take place once per week and is completely free to attend, thanks to funding from Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Lesley Rechert (right), a swimming instructor at Queen’s Park Sports Centre who organises the OutSwimming sessions, said: “Swimming is a wonderful activity for people who have experienced cancer – it’s fun, enjoyable and therapeutic.”

“Recovery from cancer can take a long time but swimming is really beneficial for the journey back to better health. It’s a great way for rebuilding your strength and confidence.”

“It can often be a challenge to return to swimming after suffering with cancer but quiet sessions like this aim to create an inclusive environment that is supportive as well as enjoyable.”

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are very proud to be supporting these sessions, it’s important that everyone in the Borough feels like they can pursue a healthy lifestyle and use our facilities for it.”

“It makes me proud that we can offer support like this to people who are going through such a difficult time in their lives.”

Lesley added: “A swim teacher will be available before, during and after the session to encourage, reassure and improve people’s swimming if they wish, so it is ideal for anyone who has had cancer and wants to start swimming or get better at it.”

Dr Ruby Osborn, grant officer at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We’re proud to fund this scheme to help anyone who has or has had cancer to enjoy swimming in a supportive environment.”

“Changes to the body following cancer and cancer treatment can make it difficult to begin or return to exercise, so these sessions with a dedicated swimming teacher to guide people will make a big difference.”

The sessions start on Monday 2 March and run between 2pm and 3pm. Booking is not required.

Funding for the OutSwimming Cancer sessions is provided by Weston Park Cancer Charity with support from Chesterfield Borough Council. Swimmers must be fit and healthy enough to be in the swimming pool, please consult your GP if you are unsure.

For residents who are unable to attend the weekly sessions, a limited number of OutSwimming Cancer vouchers are available for free to be used at either the Healthy Living Centre, Staveley and Queen’s Park Sports Centre, Chesterfield.

For more information about the sessions or to book individual vouchers please contact: rebecca.truman@chesterfield.go.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Trustees required by Friends of Queen’s Park Cricket

25th February 2020

Friends of Queen’s Park Cricket is seeking to appoint a number of Trustees to help achieve their objectives and to move forward the aims of the group.

Queen’s Park has seen cricket played there since 1894. The Friends want to celebrate that history and promote this iconic and historic ground in order to ensure the future of cricket at Queen’s Park.

Over the next couple of years, the Friends of Queen’s Park Cricket intend to:

Increase the membership and especially corporate membership
Raise funds in order to support investment in facilities and ground maintenance
Promote the Cricket Festival and increase the range activities to appeal to a wider audience
Increase the opportunities to play cricket in the park
Promote the historical significance as a world-renowned major cricket venue

Chairman Neil Swanwick stated: “We need help to achieve this and are looking to recruit additional trustees. In particular we are seeking skills and experience in Marketing and PR and using social media but above all else, we would value you anyone who shares our passion for cricket and the legacy of Queen’s Park Cricket and prepared to give us your time and commitment.”

Deadline for applications is 28 February 2020. Please click the below links to download more information about each role.

Social Media Trustee

General Trustee

Friends of Queen’s Park Cricket a Registered Charitable Organisation who: act as a voice for cricket in Queen’s Park; campaign to maintain high-standard facilities; strive to keep cricket in the park; ensure the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket continues and expands; develop the history and promote the playing of cricket at all levels and ages.

Click here to find out more about the Friends of Queen’s Park Cricket

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Stars of hit West End musicals to perform at Queen’s Park

24th February 2020

After successful sold out events in 2018 and 2019, Derbyshire County Cricket Club is bringing stars of London’s West End to Chesterfield this summer for An Evening of ABBA.

The event, which takes place on Sunday 21 June, will round off the popular Chesterfield Festival of Cricket in association with Chesterfield Borough Council, with crowds set to be wowed by a stunning display of ABBA’s back catalogue.

Performed by some of the West End’s brightest talents and featuring hits such as ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Waterloo’, it’s a night no ABBA fan should miss!

Set in the picturesque, tree-lined Queen’s Park, the outdoor concert is the must-see event of the summer in Chesterfield, full of singalong classics and entertainment.

Chief Executive Ryan Duckett said: “We have run sold-out events of this kind in Derby and it’s exciting to take the format to Chesterfield as part of the annual festival.

“We have strong ties to Chesterfield dating back to the nineteenth century and this is the latest chapter, bringing a new and vibrant concert event to Queen’s Park with a chance to welcome a new audience in the local community.”

Tickets for the outdoor concert spectacular are priced at just £25 and are on sale now via derbyshireccc.com , reception at The Pattonair County Ground or by calling 01332 388 101.

Only a limited number of tickets are available for this special event.

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

Chesterfield Museum showcases young artist’s work

22nd February 2020

Art work produced by young people from across the borough is currently being showcased at Chesterfield Museum.

Donut Creative Arts Studio (DCAS), are showcasing their paintings, collages, sculptures and music at the museum and Chesterfield residents are being encouraged to visit to show their support for local young people.

DCAS is a youth arts facility in Chesterfield that offers evening workshops and sessions in music and art for young people aged 11 to 19 years old. The theme of the exhibition is Only Time Will Tell and focuses on the past, present and future.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’re really pleased to be welcoming the team from DCAS and there are some great pieces of art on display.

“It’s important that we show our support for the young people across the borough, so I’d encourage as many of you as possible to visit the exhibition. We hope that the artwork on display will leave you inspired.”

Lucie Maycock, creative arts development worker, said: “At DCAS it is our mission to support young people in unlocking their potential through the creative arts, and we were delighted to be invited to create an arts exhibition at Chesterfield Museum as it gives the young people the chance to really show off their talents.”

“All the artwork on display comes from the thoughts and feelings of the young people at DCAS and we hope that you will enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed creating it.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday 28 March and is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm.

Click here to find out more

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Popular physical activity game Beat the Street is coming to Chesterfield

15th February 2020

An innovative game that has already helped more than one million people get active is coming to Chesterfield from Wednesday 26^th February to Wednesday 8^th April.

Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to leave the car at home and see how far they can walk, cycle, scoot or run during the six-week game. The game is open to anyone of any age and there are prizes for the teams and individuals who travel the furthest.

Beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes will be placed on lampposts around the town including the villages Duckmanton, Norbriggs, Poolsbrook and Woodthorpe.

Prior to the game, primary school pupils will be provided with fobs while parents and teachers will receive a card from the school so they can accompany children. The wider community can pick up a contactless card from a distribution point. Players then walk or cycle between the 120 Beat Boxes which are spaced half a mile apart – tapping the fobs or cards as they go. The further players travel, the more points they score.

Chesterfield residents are also encouraged to enter workplaces, community groups and sports groups into the game.

The game was devised by GP Dr William Bird MBE in 2010 to get communities active and to make physical activity accessible to everyone. So far, the game has been played all over the UK including East London, Leicester and Liverpool as well as Norway, New York and beyond. Beat the Street Chesterfield is funded as part of a £3.3 million National Lottery funding grant from Sport England; it is supported by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by Intelligent Health.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Beat the Street to Chesterfield and can’t wait to see how far everyone is able to walk, run, cycle and scoot during the challenge.”

“The idea of the game is to encourage people to get more active and then to continue these new healthy lifestyle habits beyond the end of the game. The feedback from players in other towns who have experienced Beat the Street is often that people find it quite addictive and are not only doing great things for their health, getting out as a family and finding new places close by that they’ve not visited before.”

“It’s also a great way of saving money on fuel, helping reduce congestion and also air quality.”

“It’s open to everyone, so please keep an eye out for more information including where you can pick up a free card.”

More information is available at www.beatthestreet.me/chesterfield and on social media @ChesterfieldBTS

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Derbyshire producers offered exciting opportunity to exhibit at Chatsworth Country Fair

14th February 2020

Derbyshire producers will get a chance to showcase and sell their products to thousands of visitors at Chatsworth Country Fair this summer thanks to an exciting opportunity offered by the area’s official tourist board.

For the third year running, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire (MPDD) is inviting local artisans to apply for a place in the Inspired by the Peak District and Derbyshire Marketplace at the major annual event, which attracts over 70,000 people from across the UK.

Held in the magnificent Chatsworth parkland, Chatsworth Country Fair (4 – 6 September 2020) showcases the best in traditional, British country pursuits with spectacular showground entertainment, quality trade stands and fun for all the family.

The opportunity is open to small-to-medium-sized businesses ranging from food and drink producers to artists and craftspeople, and is part financially supported by the MPDD-led European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project ‘Growing & Developing the Visitor Economy Within Derbyshire (Phase II)’.

Derbyshire-based businesses can apply for a place using the following link: www.chatsworth-country-fair-marquee-2020.eventbrite.co.uk

Applications are open until Friday 1^st May 2020. Successful applicants will be notified in early June 2020. Stalls provided to successful applicants will be subject to a charge of £100 plus VAT per business.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “We’re excited to once again offer local businesses the fantastic opportunity to showcase their products and services at Chatsworth Country Fair via our ERDF project.”

“The event is the biggest and best of its kind in the country and our Inspired by the Peak District & Derbyshire Marketplace offers a unique platform for businesses to reach a potential audience of thousands of people from across the UK.”

“Thanks to our funding support, it’s a great chance for businesses to assess – with little financial risk – the effectiveness of exhibiting at a show such as this, with the hope that they attend under their own steam in future years. Good luck to everyone who applies!”

Val and Nigel Hufton of The Tasty Cakery exhibited in the Inspired by the Peak District & Derbyshire Marketplace last year. They said: “Attending Chatsworth Country Fair was a huge boost for our business. It was the best fair we had ever attended and we not only sold plenty of products, but we gained good exposure to the public and also valuable trade interest.”

“It provided us with a fantastic opportunity to sell our products at an event that we probably couldn’t have afforded to exhibit at in our own right. It was also great networking with other local producers and there was fantastic camaraderie!”

Click here to find out more about the Chatsworth Country Fair

Applications are open until Friday 1st May 2020

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

ESS staff to take on the Peak District Challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation

13th February 2020

ESS team members Dave Newton and John Wright are taking part in the 100km-long Peak District Challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

1 in 4 people in the UK die of heart and circulatory diseases. The BHF use their resources to research treatments and support those suffering from these life changing conditions. Through their help, the number of people dying from heart disease has halved since 2005 but more can still be done.

This is a very personal cause for Dave in particular. Dave sadly lost his brother, Jono, to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (S.A.D.S) last year. S.A.D.S is a genetic condition which can cause sudden death to people who are otherwise perfectly healthy.

Jono was incredibly fit and healthy, working as a professional bodybuilder and personal trainer. Without any prior warning, he died in his sleep, leaving behind his partner and two children. There are many unanswered questions about S.A.D.S and additional funding to find causes and cures are desperately needed. Dave and John hope that their efforts can raise further awareness and resources to this end.

The Peak District Challenge, starting on 4^th July, consists of a tough 100km (61 miles) route through the Derbyshire hills. Dave and John will be completing a full continuous figure-of-8-loop through the peaks without stopping for sleep. They will start at their Bakewell base camp at 7am and won’t stop until they have crossed the finish line.

They are already well on their way to their £1,000 each fundraising target and every small contribution can make a difference. Just £24 is enough to pay for 2 hours of research. You can donate to Dave & John’s JustGiving pages via the links below.

Click here to find out more about Essential Site Skills

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting