chesterfield news

‘Leaving the door open’ – Chesterfield’s Property & Construction forum continues to highlight sustainability

Jillian Mitchell, Vice Chair of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group and Director of Lomas and Mitchell Architects has penned this month’s blog on how the group is coming together to highlight the importance of sustainability across the town.

I was asked recently to deliver a 15-minute talk on ‘how to make your home more sustainable’.  It’s a pretty tall order, given the magnitude of the subject.  The first question was ‘how on earth do I cover the subject in only 15 minutes?’  Definition of the word ‘sustainable’ is wide-ranging, covering anything from saving the planet to reducing energy bills, and everything in between.

It can be overwhelming and we often feel powerless to think that anything we do can make a difference, so it is tempting to do nothing.  It doesn’t help that there is a bewildering array of measures and targets out there, quoted in impenetrable units which are hard to put into any sort of context.  Take the example of your fridge.  If you regularly leave the door of the fridge open whilst trying to decide what to make for dinner, for example, you can be wasting 50 – 120kWh/yr.  These numbers don’t mean a lot on their own, but if you understand that 50kWh/yr could run your dishwasher twenty times or 100kWh/yr the washing machine for fifty cycles, the scale and context become much more tangible.

At the heart of the issue, however, is a simple message – we must all do something to contribute to reducing our energy consumption and our dependence upon finite planet resources.  It really doesn’t matter which sector you work in – everyone can do something to make a difference.  The current energy crisis has brought all these themes into sharp focus, and now is the time to capitalise on the opportunities to look at our consumption and behaviours and commit to making a difference.

The Construction and Property Forum have identified key themes, one of which is ‘Sustainability and Quality’, because we want to highlight the need for more ambitious targets across the region.  The challenge is to shift from historical drivers, such as shareholders and regulations, and move towards the over-arching target of net-zero carbon by 2050 whilst still demonstrating profitability and compliance.  The shift needed is seismic and not to be underestimated – but we all have to do something, and we need to do it now.

The Forum seeks to support and challenge our local authorities as they strive towards these ambitious goals whilst providing exemplars of best practice for our colleagues in the sector to learn from and share.  We are keen to explore who is working on these themes in our area and welcome input from colleagues across the sector.  You can get in touch by emailing PropertyGroup@chesterfield.co.uk

In the meantime, maybe it’s time to not leave the fridge door open.

Jillian Mitchell is a Chartered Architect and Director at Lomas and Mitchell Architects.  Jillian is a member of the steering group of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group and heads up the themes of  Sustainability and Quality.

Find out more at: www.lomasandmitchell.co.uk

Chesterfield Property and Construction Group

 

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Chesterfield residents encouraged to support local retailers over the Jubilee bank holiday

Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is only a few weeks away and residents and visitors are being encouraged to support our local retailers during the bank holiday weekend.

There are a number of events taking place across Chesterfield to help mark this historic milestone, as well as the market place and Market Hall being adorned in special Jubilee decorations, and the Market Hall Café offering a special Jubilee themed menu.

Local businesses are also being asked to consider taking part in the Best Dressed Window Competition over the bank holiday weekend, that will be judged by the new Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Tony Rogers.

If you are a business owner and would like to take part, you can use any materials you like to dress the window, but it has to have a Jubilee theme. Judging will take place on Friday 3 June 2022.

To take part or to register your interest in the competition as a business owner, please contact Rebecca.Bland@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Chesterfield Borough Council is continuing to work with Destination Chesterfield to celebrate everything that is great about our borough, through the Love Chesterfield campaign.

The campaign is centred around our town centre, high streets and shopping areas and aims to encourage everyone to discover or rediscover the great shopping, hospitality and leisure experiences we have on our doorstep.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are going to be a fantastic way to not only mark the Queen being the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service, but it is also a great opportunity for residents and visitors to come into the town centre to enjoy some of the events on offer, check out the Jubilee decorations, do some shopping and spend time in each other’s company.

“Following the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s never been more important for us each to do our bit to help support local businesses. I think there is going to be a great atmosphere in the town centre on the bank holiday, and we are encouraging as many retailers as possible to take part in our best dressed window competition to help us to celebrate this fantastic occasion.”

The council is also calling on residents and visitors to join in with the celebrations and has put together a programme of activities that people of all ages will be able to enjoy, including a tea dance, a fun-fair, and a royal exhibition. Residents and visitors can keep up to date with all of the events and activities planned over the Jubilee weekend by visiting https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/queens-platinum-jubilee

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

Charity’s transport service for Chesterfield cancer patients celebrates one year since launch

Weston Park Cancer Charity and several partners have celebrated a year since the launch of a Chesterfield transport service, which provides vital free travel for people living in Chesterfield who need cancer treatment at Sheffield hospitals.

In the year since the service launched, it has covered more than 14,000 miles, making more than 500 round trips to provide essential access to treatment – which may otherwise have been difficult for people in need of treatment and care which could change or save their lives.

A team of volunteer drivers has dedicated more than 4,000 volunteer hours over the last 12 months, with patients saving more than £33,000 on taxi fares and transport costs collectively, based on a £30 taxi fare each way between Chesterfield and Weston Park.

Most importantly, though, the transport aims to relieve the stresses and strains which travel to and from Weston Park can bring.

Figures suggest that around 20 per cent of patients at Weston Park Cancer Centre reside from Chesterfield, the equivalent of more than 3,000 patients at any one time and more than 1,300 each year.

The transport service launch in 2021 followed Weston Park Cancer Charity’s takeover of Chesterfield cancer charity, Nenna Kind, in 2020. It marked a ’major step forward’ for Weston Park Cancer Charity in its ‘commitment to care in every sense’ for cancer patients and their families in Chesterfield.

Graham, from Chesterfield, who travelled on the service 23 times during his treatment for prostate cancer, said: “What helps is that the drivers all have so many stories and anecdotes and some have been in similar situations.

“You got back onto the bus to come home and sometimes you can have banter on the way back – but the drivers always seem to know whether you want to talk or not. Some days I came on and I don’t think any of the drivers would have minded if I’d have had a nap – it was wonderful.

“It got to the point that the bus journey was the best part of going to the hospital because you knew you were going to be talking and having a laugh all the way. The drivers become your friends.”

Chris, who lives in Matlock also travelled on the Weston Park bus for 21 days during his radiotherapy treatment, said: “I’d never been to Weston Park before my treatment started, I didn’t understand the layout of the place or the parking, and I thought ‘I’m going to be really wound up if I drive there’.

“And then one of the Macmillan nurses mentioned to me about this service, I got in touch with Matt (Hadley, Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Transport Manager), he talked me through it all. And I’ve got to say the service is absolutely unbelievable. They’ve thought of everything.

“You feel at ease the drivers completely take your mind off everything – they’re so friendly, they’re so knowledgeable and they’re always happy to have a chat.”

The success and importance of the charity’s Chesterfield transport, which is operated in partnership with Community Chesterfield, Derbyshire Voluntary Action, the University of Derby, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, led to the launch of its Barnsley transport service in December 2021.

Emma Clarke, Weston Park Cancer Charity CEO, who oversaw the launch of the Chesterfield service along with Transport Manager, Matt Hadley, said: “We’re so thrilled to see and hear the impact which our transport has had since it launched a year ago in Chesterfield.

“We never want transport to prevent anyone accessing the treatment which could change, or even save, their life. That’s why our free, safe transport runs each day from St Helena Campus in Chesterfield, and Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley respectively.

“If you or anyone you know could benefit from our free transport, please don’t hesitate to get in touch as we are here to support you as we face cancer together – together at every step.”

Weston Park Cancer Charity’s transport service operates twice daily at 9.30am and 1.30pm between the University of Derby’s St Helena Campus in Chesterfield, and Sheffield hospitals.

For more information on Weston Park Cancer Charity’s transport services from Barnsley and Chesterfield, or to book a seat, call 0114 553 3330 or email transport@wpcancercharity.org.uk.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action, Community Chesterfield, University of Derby and Chesterfield Royal Hospital support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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BRM Solicitors appoints New Corporate Director

Regional law firm BRM solicitors are strengthening its corporate and commercial team with an internal promotion.

Trevor Bird has advised a multitude of businesses across the region, specialising in corporate finance, fundraising M&A, joint ventures, and corporate governance. Trevor is also an expert in start-up fundraising, venture capital, and real estate in the care sector.

Trevor said: “I am delighted to be promoted to Director at BRM, the promotion is the result of years of hard work, and I am looking forward to continuing my work with existing and future clients. I am especially looking forward to driving forward the corporate offering in the region. Especially with the fantastic opportunities with tech start-ups across the region.”

Head of Corporate Sarah Rowland said: “Trevor is already a key member of the team and will be an integral part of the firm’s future growth in the region. Trevor’s strong track record and breadth and depth of experience complement our growing client base.

Trevor’s well-deserved promotion is aligned with BRMs policy to recognise and reward talent and commitment and we wish him continued success with the firm.”

BRM Solicitors is one of the leading providers of commercial and private client legal services in the area. Many of the firm’s partners and staff were born in Chesterfield or nearby. Others were attracted to the area by the quality of its working environment and its proximity to areas of outstanding natural beauty.

The team believes its success and appeal is largely due to its mix of staff with city law firm experience and lifelong Chesterfield residents and its practice ethos is to deliver a city-style service to clients without forgetting our market town location and economy.

It is for these reasons that BRM is known nationally and continues to have a diverse client base ranging from local individuals to well known multinational businesses.

BRM Solicitors supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield company celebrates double win in Queen’s Award for Enterprise

A Chesterfield company has celebrated a double award win in the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Imagesound Group was founded in 1998 and has become a national leader for enhancing customer experience, using audio and visual channels within client venues.

From hotels and leisure through to retail and hospitality, Imagesound delivers to over 60,000 locations across 152 countries and 9 overseas Territories from their base in Derbyshire.

Imagesound has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, employing 128 staff at the Chesterfield HQ and a further 60 worldwide to service global offices in Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai, London, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and regional consultants in Tokyo, Bangkok, Bali, Delhi, Casablanca, Vancouver, New York and Sydney.

Working with global brands such as McDonalds, H&M, Adidas, national icons B&Q, Co‐op and Next, and independent hotels, businesses, and venues, Imagesound has been at the forefront of technology innovations to ensure expertly curated music and video content is of the highest quality and imaging can be deployed in each location.

Following an introductory event hosted by the Lord Lieutenant and Deputies in July 2021, designed to encourage more Derbyshire based companies to enter these prestigious awards, Imagesound worked with local award writing agency Pure Awards to prepare and submit the nominations to both the Innovation and International Trade categories.

Over the course of seven weeks, investing over 50hours work in each application, the nominations were submitted in September, followed by a six-month wait to find out the results.

Managing Director Phil Burroughes said, “These awards represent the best in British business today and we are extremely honoured that the Imagesound Group has been recognised in 2022 for our efforts and achievements.

“As a business that has grown substantially over the last few years it’s nice to receive recognition for our software that helps underpin our service and help deliver our international coverage so effectively.

“While we know it’s rare to win on our first attempt, it’s a reflection of the hard work that helped us achieve this. Our efforts have certainly paid off with the double win, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Lord Lieutenant for Derbyshire to our offices soon to officially receive our award along with joining the other 224 UK winners in a celebration event at Buckingham Palace in July.”

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious, comprehensive, and detailed business awards in the UK. The award lasts five years and elevates the reputation of each winning company to a superior level so they may achieve further growth, progression, and success in the coming years.

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Chesterfield’s Superior Wellness supports Mental Health Awareness Week

Chesterfield-based Superior Wellness has announced it is supporting the national Mental Health Awareness Week by helping to share the campaign and raise awareness.

The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 22nd year and runs from 9-15 May.

This year, the theme for the week is ‘Loneliness’. Across the country, people will be reflecting on loneliness and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Carol Claydon, Head of HR at Superior Wellness said: “We not only focus on physical health but mental health too.  I am a trained mental health champion and team members can speak to me any time.  Our culture is like one big family and we all support each other as one team.  We are also all based in the office and not at home which will help with those who may have struggled during the pandemic with loneliness.

“We do a huge amount at Superior Wellness as a team including a weekly team building activity, fitness classes and celebrating birthdays.  We even have a games room with pool tables and table tennis which team members use at lunch time or after work. We are very supportive as a team and ensure our work environment is a positive and happy place to be.”

Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic.

“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.

“Loneliness deserves more attention and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences. We must work together – as individuals, as a society and through government policy – to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.”

Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week:

  • During Mental Health Awareness Week use the hashtag #IveBeenThere to share experiences of loneliness to support others and give the campaign momentum.
  • Sign up to walk, run or job as part of our 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #IveBeenThere and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Superior Wellness supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield’s latest Mayor set to be sworn in

Councillor Tony Rogers is set to begin his term of office as Chesterfield’s 381st Mayor, taking over the position as the borough’s civic head for the coming year.

Councillor Rogers will be sworn in at Chesterfield Borough Council’s Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday 11 May.

On the following Saturday (14 May) Chesterfield residents are invited to come and celebrate Chesterfield’s new Mayor at the annual Civic Parade which will take place in the town centre.

Councillor Rogers said: “I am proud to be representing the residents of the borough of Chesterfield and would like to thank them for their continued support. I hope to meet as many residents as possible over the coming year.”

The Civic Parade is an opportunity to celebrate the new Mayor. The parade will leave from the Town Hall at 10.40am and will head through the town centre to the Church of St Mary and All Saints (Crooked Spire) where there will be a service at 11am.  At noon the parade will return to the Town Hall.

There will be several dignitaries from across Derbyshire in attendance at the parade, along with Freemen, Aldermen, and Former Mayors of Chesterfield, and organisations such as the Chesterfield Sea and Royal Marine Cadets will be out in force.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the parade and Church service, with seats being allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Originally from South-West England, Tony was born in 1938 and after leaving school he worked as an agricultural merchant at South Devon Farmers Limited, where he trained to be a manager and sold farming goods. At the age of 17, Tony was called up to serve in the British Army for two years. Upon return from his national service, he set up his own company, Tony Rogers Agricultural Ltd, selling animal feed, before managing Hotel Kildare, his family’s business in Kingsbridge, Devon for 15 years.

He married his wife Sharon in 1979 and together they moved to Chesterfield in 1990. Tony and Sharon now have eight grandchildren who they love to spend time with, and a rescue dog, Lottie, who came from Bulgaria to become part of the family.

Tony was elected as Liberal Democrat councillor for Moor ward and has served the community through several terms of office for over 11 years. Tony has dedicated a lot of his time to being on the board of trustees and the chairman of Hope Springs recovery centre, which was a day centre for residents recovering from alcohol and drug addiction and the associated mental health issues.

Sharon Rogers will serve as Mayoress for this coming civic year. Sharon was born in Michigan in the USA before moving to Nottingham in the 1950s. She followed a career in nursing, specialising in paediatric nursing and children’s intensive care, eventually becoming a Senior Sister. At the age of 21, Sharon was the youngest doubly qualified sister in the UK.

In retirement she worked as Manager of the Hope Springs Recovery Centre where she also served as a Trustee until it closed in 2019. She is currently an active board member for The Volunteer Centre in Chesterfield.

Councillor Rogers and his wife replace Councillor Glenys Falconer and Councillor Keith Falconer, who served as mayor and consort for an extended term of office due to the pandemic from October 2020 until April 2022.

Councillor Mick Brady will serve as Deputy Mayor, and the Deputy Mayoress will be Councillor Suzie Perkins.

The Mayor carries out civic ceremonial duties and chairs meetings of full council. They are elected on an annual basis by full council.

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From Ashgate to Arizona – hospice’s grief podcast goes stateside

Ashgate Hospice’s popular grief podcast is going stateside – as the charity meets guests from as far as Arizona who have experienced death, dying and bereavement.

The North Derbyshire hospice’s ‘The Life and Death Podcast’ explores frank and honest conversations around death and what ‘dying well’ really means.

Each episode welcomes experts, writers, doctors and people who have experienced end-of-life care to discuss their unique relationships, hospice life, and how death affects the living.

Amongst the guests featuring in season three include Sunday Times best seller and journalist Clover Stroud, author of the recently released ‘The Death of My Blood’ and neuroscientist Mary-Frances O’Connor, an author and associate professor at the University of Arizona.

Episodes will be released on Mondays every fortnight, with the first episode released on Monday 2nd May to coincide with Dying Matters Awareness Week. In the first episode, host and Senior Physiotherapist at Ashgate Hospice, Stephen Rumford, meets 45-year-old Kimberley Greaves to discuss life as a young widow and mum to two children.

The pair discuss the awkward conversations Kimberley faces when she tells people her husband has died to how her children kept her going through the darkest of times.

Stephen said: “The aim of the podcast from its inception was to look as openly and sensitively at all aspects of death and dying and how they extend into all aspects of life as human beings.

“The third series continues that line of conversation and what we have now are six episodes that will provide a great resource to anyone who is bereaved and anyone who is curious about the subject.

“This series guests includes those who have survived the death of a partner and face parenting alone. To an academic who has made it her life’s work to study and try to understand how the human brain processes and understands grief.

“Later in the series, I  chat with a former doctor, writer and cultural commentator about how it is that we manage death in modern healthcare settings.

“The series is a great conversation starter, a support for those who have experienced bereavement and incredibly thought-provoking. I hope our listeners enjoy the considered opinions of our guests as they share their unique experiences with us.”

Other guests include:

  • Mary-Frances O’Connor – neuroscientist, author and associate professor at the University of Arizona. Here she leads the grief, loss and social stress lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body.
  • Clover Stroud – Sunday Times Bestseller and journalist writing for the Daily Mail, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph and author of her new book, The Red of My Blood. Her book shares her grief story following the death of her beloved sister, Nell.
  • Stacey Heale – writer, Ted Talk contributor and well-known grief commentator on social media. Her husband, Greg Gilbert, lead singer of noughties indie-rock band the Delays, died of bowel cancer in 2021.
  • Seamus O’Mahoney – recently retired consultant gastroenterologist who worked most recently at Cork University Hospital in Ireland as well as at NHS hospitals in England. Seamus has established himself as a well-regarded commentator on modern medicine and healthcare systems and written extensively about our expectations around life, death, disease and the daily experiences he often had with patients in hospital.

Series one, two and the special one off Christmas episode are available to stream on all platforms by searching for ‘The Life and Death Podcast Ashgate Hospice’ or by clicking here. Episodes from series three will be released fortnightly over the next couple of months.

Listeners can subscribe to the podcast to ensure they never miss out on a newly released episode.

Ashgate Hospice supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield’s Whittam Cox Architects recognised for redevelopment of iconic Sheffield estate

Chesterfield-based Architects Whittam Cox has won an AJ Retrofit Award in the listed buildings category £5 million and over for it’s work on Beton House in Sheffield.

The AJ Retrofit Awards, by The Architects’ Journal, celebrate the design expertise behind the vital renewal and repurposing of existing buildings, setting a precedent for ways to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint in the process.

Béton House is the third phase of the redevelopment of Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill estate. Originally completed in 1961, Park Hill is the largest listed building in Europe and is regarded as a significant brutalist building of heritage. Working with Alumno Group, Whittam Cox created a new 8-bedroom 3 storey townhouse typology that fitted into the constraints of the unique Park Hill architecture.

At this year’s AJ Retrofit Awards, the judges commended Whittam Cox’s approach to retaining as much of the original scheme as possible, which has saved a total of 577 tonnes of CO2 emissions.  As a ‘holistic scheme’, they thought the model of adaption should be celebrated and described the completed scheme as ’a lovely project that captures the spirit of the Retrofit Awards’.

Nick Riley, Board Director commented, “Winning this design award is testament to the hard work and commitment from everybody involved in delivering this incredibly special and unique project.

“Our approach to the design was about being authentic and respectful to the structure and facades. We felt it was important to retain, repair and reinstate as many original elements as we possibly could. The addition of carefully selected coloured elements, both internally and externally, adds new character and identity which is rooted in its culture and history.”

Matthew Borland, Associate Director added: “As a team, we have worked incredibly hard to understand the deep roots of the original design which is clearly unique in architectural character.

“Our designs for Béton House retain and celebrate all of the important elements of the original scheme, while respectfully adding new layers of identity, using the famous ‘streets in the sky’ to create a unique student living offering in Sheffield city centre.

“Our aim was to be able to express Béton House as a coherent piece within the Park Hill estate as a whole that formed a framework for other collaborators to work within so that all new interventions could be well considered with a consistent and timeless feel.”

Whittam Cox supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Barrow Hill Roundhouse to be lit up with large-scale projections as part of Derbyshire ‘Shine a light’ campaign

Chesterfield’s iconic Barrow Hill Roundhouse will be lit up with spectacular light projections later this year, as it has been selected as one of the venues in the annual Derbyshire ‘Shine a light’ campaign.

Large-scale projections will light up Derbyshire landmarks with a unique fusion of music, visuals and sound when ‘Shine A Light’ returns this autumn/winter.

Visitors will be able to watch Derbyshire’s history unfold in magical night-time shows projected on to four heritage venues across the county as part of the new Shine A Light programme, which will run from September 2022 to February 2023.

Alongside Barrow Hill Roundhouse, The large-scale projections will take place for the first time at Elvaston Castle and the National Trust’s Hardwick Hall, whilst Cromford Mills will return to host the unique outdoor events for a second year.

In addition, the towns of New Mills and Bolsover will be working with the Shine A Light team to build exciting new additions for their annual community lantern processions and parades.

Providing fun for the whole family, the events will bring together awe-inspiring illuminations and projections in a visually stunning display that is unique to each venue and centred around the themes of climate change and water.

Delivered by internationally-renowned Derbyshire-born video projection artists Illuminos, Shine A Light is inspired by Voices From The Peak – a celebration of the county in sound created by local poet and performer Mark Gwynne Jones to celebrate the Peak District National Park’s 70th birthday last year.

The events have been commissioned by Derbyshire County Council following a successful pilot in 2021 when Shine A Light displays held at Chatsworth and Cromford Mills were enjoyed by more than 3,200 visitors.

Designed to celebrate Derbyshire’s rich history and heritage, extend the tourism season and boost the visitor economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the next instalments of Shine A Light aim to build on last year’s success with more awe-inspiring events.

Confirmed dates and venues are:

  • Cromford Mills, home of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first mill complex, in the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, on Thursday 27 October and Friday 28 October
  • Elvaston Castle, a Gothic Revival castle and surrounding parkland, run by Derbyshire County Council, on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November
  • Barrow Hill Roundhouse, the last surviving railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom with an operational turntable, on Thursday 8 December and Friday 9 December
  • Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan country house built by Bess of Hardwick in the 1500s, owned by the National Trust, on Friday 17 February and Saturday 18 February

Exciting new works will be displayed at New Mills Lantern Procession & Community Event on Saturday 24 September and Bolsover Lantern Parade on Saturday 26 November.

Tickets and more information will be available soon at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/shine-a-light.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We’re tremendously proud of what we achieved with Shine A Light last year but that was just the beginning.

“We’re coming back bigger and better this year with more venues added, each with their own story to tell as part of this ‘anthology’.

“With the visitor economy still feeling the after effects of the pandemic, it’s vital that we support its recovery in Derbyshire and we’re proud to be able to help support these unique experiences which will provide excellent entertainment for tourists and residents alike.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Last year’s Shine A Light displays provided magical entertainment for visitors and residents alike, and we’re delighted that this year’s programme has expanded to include three great new heritage venues and two community-based celebrations.

“These events provide an excellent opportunity to see Derbyshire’s rich history brought to life whilst enjoying the area’s great visitor offer in the typically quieter months, supporting the recovery of local businesses in the process.”

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire and Barrow Hill Ltd. supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Funding secured for new renewable energy battery storage facility in Chesterfield

Chesterfield has been named as one of the areas to benefit from investment in a battery storage facility, adding to the town’s green growth.

Santander UK has provided a £27m funding package to 4 Renewable Energy, the independent power producer (IPP) arm of RGREEN INVEST, an independent French investment management company specialised in equity investments and financing for energy transition and climate change adaptation infrastructure projects. The funding supports construction and operations of four new-build battery storage facilities in England that 4 Renewable Energy acquired last year.

The new local facility will be based on Back Lane in Chesterfield, with facilities also being built in Rochdale, Plymoth and Bexhill on Sea.

Battery storage is key to ensuring the UK’s homes and businesses can be powered by renewable energy. It plays an important role in boosting the nation’s capability to capture, store and release renewable energy, providing a more reliable and regular supply.

Owned 100% by RGREEN INVEST’s INFRAGREEN IV fund, 4 Renewable Energy has plans to expand its UK portfolio beyond its first four battery storage facilities. It is actively pursuing additional battery storage projects under development or ready-to-build in the UK and is establishing a local team.

RGREEN INVEST’s managed entities have invested in more than 1,500 renewable energy projects to date and in large battery storage facilities in France – on the mainland and overseas. 4 Renewable Energy has wind, solar and battery storage projects under development and construction in Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania and Poland. Its portfolio of renewable energy projects totals more than 1.5 GW.

Since the start of 2019, Santander UK has committed more than £250m to the battery storage sector. This funding is part of Santander’s global target to lend €120bn in green finance to businesses throughout the world by 2025. The funding package provided to 4 Renewable Energy was partly financed by Santander UK’s Environmental and Social Growth Fund, which is designed to support lending that benefits the environment or society and contributes toward the UK’s sustainability agenda.

Sébastien Rondel, Head of Direct Investment for RGREEN INVEST and Director of 4 Renewable Energy, said: “This is our first venture into the UK market, and we are excited to be an active player. Our banking partner, Santander UK, has greatly supported this venture and is helping us pursue our strategic development abroad. Our choice of the UK is significant as the nation has made an ambitious decision to accelerate its transition to renewable energy sources, and battery systems are poised to become a key component of this strategy’s success.”

Mark Cumbo, Director, Specialised and Project Finance at Santander UK said: “We are delighted to support RGREEN INVEST’s entry into the UK renewables market with funding for the construction of its four battery storage facilities. Santander UK strongly supports clients such as RGREEN INVEST that are bringing positive environmental change to the UK’s energy sector, and we are delighted to provide funding for these new battery storage facilities throughout England.”

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