Two of Britain’s most iconic and historic names have joined together at Chatsworth’s new restaurant to serve afternoon tea in famous Wedgwood china.

Named after the 2nd Duke of Devonshire’s legendary racehorse and located in the Stable Block, Flying Childers was opened on Tuesday 19 April by the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who took afternoon tea with Antony Robson and Heather Broadhurst from Wedgwood, the internationally renowned Staffordshire pottery firm.

The restaurant only serves afternoon tea and is open on Saturdays, Sundays, all bank holidays and every day during school holidays. The menu includes a selection of finger sandwiches, tea and scones and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne with a traditional Rose de Reims biscuit. All food and drink is served on Wedgwood’s Butterfly Bloom Collection, which features intricate patterns of graceful butterflies and colourful florals with each piece gilded with gold banding.

The Duke of Devonshire: “We are delighted that all of the tea ware and tea in our Flying Childers Restaurant has been provided in partnership with Wedgwood. Josiah Wedgwood began designing tea ware collections in response to the fashion for drinking tea, which flourished from the mid-18th century and which we’re delighted to continue that tradition here at Chatsworth in the present day.”

Sally Warmington, Marketing Manager, Wedgwood: “We are delighted to be embarking on our first collaboration with Chatsworth House. With Wedgwood being synonymous with tea drinking it fits that the Wedgwood Afternoon Tea is part of the launch of the Flying Childers Afternoon Tea Restaurant. This partnership offers us the perfect opportunity to encourage people to discover our delicious tea blends as well as showcase our beautiful designs such as Butterfly Bloom and Daisy which have been selected to complement the delicious afternoon tea experience at Chatsworth.”

Flying Childers began his racing career in 1719 at the age of six and over the following two years, racing at Newmarket and York, ran in a total of six races winning them all before being put out to stud. Such was Flying Childers reputation, the Duke received many offers including one to pay for the horse’s weight in gold!

The Spireites are offering all 2016/17 season ticket holders a free day of explosive Twenty20 cricket action at picturesque Queen’s Park this summer.

To reward season ticket holders, the club, in partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, is giving away 500 pairs of tickets to the NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Northants Steelbacks on Sunday, July 3 at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.

To claim a pair of tickets, season ticket holders are asked to visit cricket.derbyshireccc.com/CFC and complete the online form. Tickets will be sent out in the post prior to the fixture.

Supporters who attend the fixture are encouraged to wear their Chesterfield FC shirts to turn Queen’s Park blue and show support for the local county cricket club.

For more information please contract info@derbyshireccc.com or call 01332 388 101.

The Spireites are to entertain Derby County this summer in a testimonial match for Shane Nicholson.

Part of Chesterfield Football Club’s pre-season programme, the fixture takes place at the Proact Stadium on Tuesday, July 26 (7.30pm).

Nicholson played for both Chesterfield and Derby in a 21-year playing career and it is fitting that the two clubs will meet in a match to honour the former defender and reward him for his loyal service to the Spireites.

After retiring from playing during his second stint with Chesterfield in 2007, Nicholson was then employed by the club as a fitness coach and remained in the role until last summer.

Nicholson said: “Not only is it a chance for me to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, but more importantly be able to help a young special lady called Sheenam, who has suffered from Junior Huntingdon Disease (JHD) for the last 13 years. The adult version of the illness had sadly claimed the life of her father only a few weeks before Sheenam herself was diagnosed.

“On meeting Sheenam and her dearest mother Paramjit, it was clear the family had faced and continued to battle with one of life’s cruelest illnesses, however they never cease to both light up a room with their smiles.

“Both Paramjit and her daughter Sheenam have become close friends to my family and I’m honoured to be able to help towards the necessary life changing treatment in India. So please come along and show your support and be apart of something special for both myself and Sheenam.”

Further details regarding the testimonial match will be released shortly.

Image: Shane Nicholson – courtesy of Tina Jenner

Chesterfield-born Connor Dimaio has signed an extended contract with the Spireites, keeping the midfielder with the club until 2018.

The 20-year-old joined the club in January from Sheffield United and has shown his qualities in seven outings for the club – memorably scoring on his home debut against Crewe Alexandra.

Originally signing on at the Proact until the end of the season, Dimaio has already impressed sufficiently to be offered a longer deal at the club.

Dimaio’s form has also drawn attention internationally, with the player receiving his first ever selection by the Republic of Ireland under 21s last week and playing the full 90 minutes for his side away in Slovenia on Easter Monday.

After signing his new deal, Dimaio said: “It’s the best thing I could have dreamed of. I’m really happy to have signed and I’m so happy it’s worked out.

“I have a lot to thank the gaffer for as well as Chris Morgan and Ritchie Humphreys; they’ve helped me out and given me the opportunity to come here and play games. I’ve given what I can and I think I’ve done well.

“Now I’m really excited. Hopefully we can stay in League One this season, regroup and then push on next season with the plan to have a chance at getting to the Championship.”

Chesterfield racing driver, Seb Perez is preparing for his first race of the season this weekend at Brands Hatch in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship.

The 16 year old topped official testing at Brands Hatch last week, where he showed strong pace and fighting spirit in his first test session of the new 2016 season Ginetta Junior Championship, which is contested by 14 to 17 year-old racers.

Perez lapped the Indy Circuit in 56.357 seconds and topped a total of 21 Ginetta drivers out testing with three sessions on track.

Driving for his team, JHR Developments, he reached a top speed of 77.16mph on lap 24 out of 34 laps completed in the third and final session for the day.

Seb’s first full season in a Ginetta G40 race car last year was a total learning curve for him but saw him get top ten finishes at Croft and Snetterton, part of eleven top 15 places for the season. He finished 20th in the final standings.

He then made a podium finish and a top five place in the end to the season in the Winter Series Championship finishing fifth overhaul.

“I had a great first year with Ginetta,” said Perez.

“I’ve gotten used to the Ginetta G40 race car and the circuits we travel to, so I’m hoping that experience will come in handy when it comes to picking up more podium positions!”

“I’ve got a great team behind me with JHR Developments, and I’m really looking forward to getting back out on track,” he added.

Perez made the transition from rallying to racing and following in petrol head father’s motor sport footsteps at the end of 2014 where is raced a Ginetta at Brands Hatch in the final round of the series and part of a support race to the British Touring Car Championship.

He finished 18th and 16th for a first outing in a new car and totally different to driving through forests in a rally car.

Motor sport is no stranger to Perez Jnr, son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion Steve Perez, who has competed in the Kick Energy Junior 1000 Rally Championship at the wheel of a Nissan Micra rally car. The series is backed by Father Steve’s Global Brands business based in Chesterfield.

Father Steve Perez with Seb as co-driver also finished fourth overhaul and first in class in the MGJ Winter Stages Rally also at Brands Hatch in February.

The Chesterfield-based racing team teenager starts his attack this weekend in the 2016 Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship, as a support race series to the ever popular British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

He then races at local circuit Donington Park over the weekend of 16-17th April.

The whole race season is televised live on the Sundays on ITV4.

Images and editorial courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

One of Derbyshire’s oldest men is set to enter the record books – by having a tattoo for his 104th birthday.

Jack Reynolds – who hit headlines in summer 2014 when he became the oldest Brit to brave the ice bucket challenge – plans to get inked on his big day on Wednesday 6th April.

Jack, who is from Hollingwood near Staveley, is having the tattoo to raise money for Chesterfield-based charity, Ashgate Hospicecare.

The charity provides care to patients across North Derbyshire at the hospice, in the community and at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. All services are provided free of charge to patients and their families, which is mainly funded through donations, legacies and income raised through their 16 shops.

Jack said: “I really love using my age to help me with my fundraising and I’d love for people to help me support Ashgate Hospicecare – it’s a great charity and very close to my heart.”

Jack’s daughter Jayne added: “Dad wanted to do something to raise money for charity again and I suggested he have a tattoo which he agreed to. We all think it’s great.

“I think the tattoo should be his date of birth or his nickname, Jacko. He’s had a consultation with the tattoo artist and it’s been decided that the best place for him to have the tattoo is on the top of his arm. My dad’s absolutely amazing and everyone loves him.”

She added that Jack had a fall before Christmas and spent about two months in hospital with a broken hip – but was now back at home doing well.

Giving the secret to a long and happy life, Jack said: “Work hard, always smile, get plenty of fresh air and last but not least have a tot of Grouse whisky in your tea in the morning and a tot before bed.”

Jack’s family say Guinness World Records has confirmed he will be the oldest man to get a tattoo. Anyone who would like to support him can do so my visiting the Just Giving website and searching for Jack Reynolds.