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Exciting events programme revealed across Chesterfield for 2022

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging residents and visitors to ‘save the date’ as details of some of the key events happening in and around Chesterfield town centre this year are announced.

Designed to provide fun and unique experiences for our Chesterfield community, this year’s events programme will continue to support local businesses by encouraging people to spend more time in and around the town centre.

More details of each event will be published over the coming months, but key dates to note include:

  • 2-5 June – Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: A whole host of activities will be taking place across the borough to mark the Queen’s Jubilee – including during the celebratory bank holiday weekend which runs from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June. The town centre will be decked with Jubilee-themed decorations, with events and activities running at the council’s venues – people can check www.chesterfield.gov.uk/jubilee for the latest information.

 

  • 26 July – Medieval-themed Fun Day: The popular Medieval-themed fun day makes a return for the first time since the start of the pandemic, with families invited to kick start the summer holidays with a day on Tuesday 26 July. It’s a chance to step back into the Middle Ages and see Chesterfield’s history and heritage brought to life.

 

  • 27 October – 1940s Market: Fans of all things vintage will welcome news that the flagship 1940s Market is also confirmed for 2022 – with crowds expected to don period dress and flock to the town on Thursday 27 October. The event is a highlight in the national calendar for fans of this era and is held on a Thursday to tie in with Chesterfield’s much-loved Flea Market.

 

  • 20 November – Christmas Lights Switch On: Looking toward the festive season, the traditional Christmas Lights Switch on event will be held on Sunday 20 November in the town centre – and if people want to get their festive celebrations organised already, early-bird tickets for this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, are now on sale at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk (the show runs from Tuesday 6 December to Tuesday 3 January 2023).

Chesterfield Borough Council’s events programme is part of the Love Chesterfield campaign – launched in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to celebrate everything that’s great about the town, while supporting the trading ambitions of local retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “As we all enjoy the return to a more normal way of living, it’s fantastic to see this line up of popular events which always bring Chesterfield to life – and create an opportunity for people to come out and show their support for our amazing local businesses.

“We are funding a range of flagship events which always prove immensely popular and create a chance for residents and visitors alike to create lasting memories in and around our historic town centre.”

Motor Fest, which last took place in August 2019, will not be supported by Chesterfield Borough Council. The event had become very popular, meaning the scale has become too large for the town centre and as a result poses a risk to public safety. In particular the significant number of vehicles, attendees and other activities within the pedestrianised town centre, could make it difficult for emergency services to gain suitable access. The council is committed to supporting the organisers to search for a more suitable venue.

More information about the Love Chesterfield events programme will be published on the council’s website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/love-chesterfield and also on social media channels using the #LoveChesterfield hashtag.

Chesterfield 1940s Market

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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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Events and activities to take place across Chesterfield to mark Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Communities in Chesterfield are being encouraged to come together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – with a number of exciting events planned across the town to help mark this historic milestone.

Chesterfield Borough Council is 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.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The Platinum Jubilee is a great opportunity for local communities to come together and celebrate our Queen’s historic reign and we’d love to see the people of Chesterfield getting involved.

“To celebrate this anniversary, national events and initiatives will be taking place throughout the year and we’re really excited to join in the celebrations. We’ve also got plenty planned in the town centre over the bank holiday and throughout the year that the whole family will be able to join in with.”

Royal Chesterfield Exhibition

Although Chesterfield Museum is currently closed for a multimillion-pound refurbishment, local residents will still be able to take a look down memory lane as a pop-up ‘Royal Chesterfield Exhibition’ will take place at the Winding Wheel Theatre.

Open daily from 10am to 5pm, between Monday 30 May and Sunday 5 June 2022, visitors will be able to explore past royal visits and celebrations in Chesterfield, showing how local people marked Royal milestones. The exhibition is free to attend and features items from the collection relating to previous jubilees, going back to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Fun in the park

From Thursday 2 June to Monday 6 June, a fun-fair will be located in Queen’s Park with rides and entertainment on offer for the whole family.

A trip to the theatre

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, a unique documentary film on Her Majesty the Queen will be screening at the Pomegranate Theatre. Elizabeth – A Portrait in Parts, is a nostalgic, uplifting and fresh modern chronicle of the extraordinary 70-year reign of Her Majesty the Queen.

On Friday 3 June at 2pm, there will also be a feel-good performance at the Pomegranate Theatre. Starring comedy legend Jimmy Cricket and Leah Bell, ‘A right Royal Knees up’ is a feel-good performance with show-stopping scenes, sing-a-long memories and spectacular footage as we take a nostalgic journey through the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Further information on both events, including details of how to book tickets, can be found at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/jubilee

Platinum Jubilee Tea Dance

The Mayor of Chesterfield is set to join local residents to celebrate the Jubilee in style by attending a special tea dance in the Ballroom at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 1 June from 3pm.

The Ashby “Little” Big Band with eight musicians and a singer will play a mix of ballroom and sequence in the beautiful ballroom at the Winding Wheel Theatre.

Tickets are £7.50 and can be purchased at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk  or by calling the box office on 01246 345222.

More information about what’s on

For further information Jubilee events, including details of how to join in with national initiatives, residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the council’s social media channels and www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/queens-platinum-jubilee

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Chesterfield Escape Rooms gears up for 1st anniversary celebrations

One of Chesterfield’s most renowned visitor attractions, Chesterfield Escape Rooms is set to celebrate it’s 1st birthday in May by reflecting on a number of resounding successes since opening in 2021.

Based on Soresby Street, the games centre features several games where participants must complete a series of puzzles and challenges in order to ‘escape.’ In less than a year it has become one of the best rated escape rooms in the country.

In addition, the Escape Rooms has grown further into the Chesterfield Games Quarter, featuring VR and retro gaming offers for visitors alongside the Geeks HQ, which hosts regular trading card tournaments, board game events and much more.

Nick Hogan, founder and owner of Chesterfield Escape Rooms commented: “Wow, what a year after opening in the middle of a pandemic! We have had just on 10,000 players and unbelievably achieved the number 1 Escape Room in the UK according to Trip Advisor! Our intention was to get into the top 50 but to achieve the number 1 spot when there are 800 Escape Business in town is a real coup.”

Mr Hogan also explained how pleased he was to be providing a unique and modern visitor offer to Chesterfield’s historic town centre: “I for one am delighted to have opened in the town centre, giving something back to the town I have called home for 20 years. We believe in the region of 30% of our players have come from outside of town and most will stay for drinks and food elsewhere therefore contributing to the wider hospitality sector.  When we opened in May 2021, our building was unused and pretty derelict so its great to see something vibrant shine from something so run down.”

Speaking on the expansion into the innovative ‘games quarter’ attraction, Nick said: “The Games quarter is quite unique in that its a collaboration of 4 local businesses coming together in one space to offer lots of different gaming requirements. We have started offering cross business party packages for groups of varying sizes which has proved so popular so far.

“In the early days of opening, there was a government employment scheme called Kickstart and I focused very much on this. I initially employed 6 Kickstarters, who were people under 24 who had been unemployed for over 6 months. 12 months later 4 ex Kickstarters are now on our payroll as permanent employees. We have employed over 30 people in 21/22 so far and everyone of them has contributed to our success, I cant thank them enough.”

Nick is encouraging people in Chesterfield and beyond to keep an eye on further developments at the Games Quarter and Escape Rooms, with further plans to refresh the attractions to keep people coming back for more.

He said: “We try to refresh the games as often as possible, so having started with 3 titles we have had 5 in operation over the year. We are also considering adding least one new title this year as well as a new Xmas game from November. For those people that have played all of our physical rooms, well maybe its time they tried some of our state of the art Virtual Reality rooms as these are proving very popular and getting rave reviews!”

Chesterfield Escape Rooms 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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Newborns highlight Rare Breeds success at Chatsworth

While visitors have been enjoying the sights and sounds of its latest newborns this spring, Chatsworth Farmyard has been particularly celebrating the latest additions to its breeding programme for rare and sometimes critically endangered animals.

Two Albion calves, Bronte and Queenie, have been born in the past ten days. Originally called the ‘Bakewell Blues’ because of their origins in Derbyshire, Albions are listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) as the most rare ‘priority’ breed.

Meanwhile, Eugenie, Chatsworth’s Suffolk Punch mare is expecting another foal in the next couple of weeks, having successfully delivered visitor favourite ‘Huxley’ last year. The RBST considers the Suffolk Punch to be critically endangered with fewer than 500 purebred horses registered in the UK. Eugenie is one of only 72 female Suffolk Punches, making them more endangered than the Giant Panda.

Bagot goat kids and Gloucester Old Spot piglets are due soon and are listed as ‘at risk’ breeds while the farmyard is also hoping for some rare breed chicks from its Derbyshire Redcap chickens.

The Farmyard has been welcoming plenty of newborns this spring, though not all are rare breeds.  A Donkey foal, lambs, goat kids and piglets are all expected additions in the next few weeks.

Chatsworth Farmyard is home to a number of the country’s rarest breeds of livestock and equines, including Suffolk Punch horses, Shire horses, Albion cattle, Bagot goats and Cream Legbar and Derbyshire Redcap chickens, as well as British Landrace pigs and Eriskay ponies.

“We are delighted to welcome our two beautiful Albion calves. They’re incredibly rare and I have always wanted to have some of these wonderful cows here. Given their local heritage it feels like the perfect fit at Chatsworth Farmyard,” said Farmyard Manager, Melissa Underwood.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) awarded RBST accreditation to Chatsworth Farmyard last year, recognising its important contribution to the conservation of some the rarest livestock and equine breeds native to the UK.

RBST is the national charity that works to secure the future of rare breeds of native livestock and equines. Chatsworth Farmyard is now part of the 25-strong network of RBST accredited farm parks which take part in crucial conservation programmes, manage special breeding groups, and support education about rare breeds and why they matter.

Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground is open daily to visitors (www.chatsworth.org).

Chatsworth 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 Vegan Market launches

Chesterfield will host a regular Vegan Market in 2022 that adds to the line up of specialist Sunday markets held in the town.

The Vegan Market is run by Rainbow Monkey Events Ltd and the first one will be held on Sunday 8 May from 10am to 4pm in New Square. There will be a wide selection of vegan traders both from Derbyshire and from further afield.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The specialist Sunday markets are proving really popular amongst both visitors and residents. It’s great that we’re working with another partner to increase the variety of Sunday markets.”

Chesterfield Vegan Market will offer an amazing range of vegan products including cakes, chocolate, dog treats, fudge, jewellery, household goods, clothing, pies, pizza, plastic free and zero waste solutions and a selection of hot food.

There will also be animal charities and rescue centres promoting the services they offer and a selection of vegan artists and creatives selling their artwork. Everyone is welcome at the market whether they are vegan or not and visitors are also able to bring along their canine companions.

Sam Brundish, founder of Rainbow Monkey Events, said: “We have chosen to run some of our ethical vegan events in Chesterfield as I have a long connection with the town – I attended Chesterfield College for my Foundation Degree and I’ve been eating at Elliott’s since I first went vegan 20 years ago! And, having previously traded at the vegan markets which were run in 2019, we are keen to bring a regular vegan market to the folks of Chesterfield and beyond!

“We have already booked in a number of exciting stalls so whether you are new to veganism or interested in any aspect of it from the tasty food to the animal rescues which are local to you, we welcome you all to Chesterfield Vegan Markets starting in May 2022.”

Specialist Sunday markets in Chesterfield include the Artisan Market which takes place on the last Sunday of every month and the Chesterfield Record Fair which takes place on the second Sunday of every month.

On 8 May the Chesterfield Vegan Market will take place in New Square whilst the Record Fair takes place in the main market.

Future dates for the Chesterfield Vegan Market are Sunday 10 July and Sunday 4 September. All taking place in New Square from 10am to 4pm.

Find out more about the market at www.rainbowmonkeyevents.co.uk and follow the company for regular updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Revolution House reopens for the summer

Revolution House, a public museum with an important role in history, is set to reopen its doors and welcome visitors over the summer.

The Museum opens on Friday 15 April and will then be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays until Sunday 18 September. It is free to visit but donations are welcome.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Revolution House is a fantastic little attraction in our borough, it tells the story of a small piece of our history that not many people are aware of and is a chance to learn more about our heritage whilst Chesterfield Museum is closed. It is well worth a visit and is completely free. We’ll also be hosting some great events there over the summer so keep an eye on our website and social media pages for more details.”

Chesterfield Museum is currently closed as a multimillion-pound refurbishment is set to get underway at Stephenson Memorial Hall where both the Museum and Pomegranate Theatre are based.

The work will create a bespoke visitor attraction in the heart of Chesterfield which will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

Whilst the Museum is closed, the team will be arranging a series of interactive activities around the borough called Museum on the Move and Revolution House will also be open to ensure everyone can learn about the borough’s history.

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

At Revolution House, you can find out more about the Revolution of 1688 and there is also a collection of 17th Century furniture.

On Monday 2 May, professional Tudor minstrel Dante Ferrara will be performing at Revolution House. The instruments he will demonstrate are the lute, cittern, hurdy-gurdy, colascione and English bagpipes.

He will be performing five times throughout the day with the first performance at 11.15am and there will be the opportunity to ask him questions and take photographs with him.

More events will be hosted at Revolution House throughout the summer. Find out more details about upcoming events online at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revolutionhouse

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Chesterfield Area Walking Festival returns for 2022

The Chesterfield Area Walking Festival is returning for another year, with residents and visitors being encouraged to get outdoors and enjoy what the area has to offer.

The annual festival – taking place from Saturday 14 May to Sunday 22 May – features a variety of gentle strolls, family walks and hikes for those who are more experienced. Tickets for the festival will be available to book from Tuesday 1 March.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The festival really offers something for everyone to enjoy. We have so many beautiful countryside locations around Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, so taking part in this event is a great way to explore some new places or visit your favourite locations with friends and family.

“The festival is really popular and regularly sells out. If any of the events interest you, then book your ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

There will be a variety of walks to take part in – including Big Hikes such as The Chesterfield Round, Bolsover Boundary Walk and Ogston and Ashover Circular.

Evening walks such as Railway, Rother and Return or Hidden Treasures, which give walkers an opportunity to find out some interesting stories from inside Spital Cemetery, will also be taking place.

The popular Boots and Boat walks return allowing walkers to combine a canal side wander with a short boat ride.

There are a range of family friendly walks such as the Queen’s Park Buggy Walk, the Family Fun Wildlife Walk and the Family Adventure Journey.

Last year’s event was a huge success, with many more people embracing the outdoors due to the pandemic.

To ensure the festival can be delivered safely, there are a limited number of tickets available for each walk. Please note that booking is essential and anyone who has not booked an advance place may be turned away.

To book tickets for the festival visit: www.chesterfieldwalkingfestival.co.uk

There are also many other self-led walks available all year round in and around the borough. To find out more about these visit: www.visitchesterfield.info/walking

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Girls Aloud star announced as headliner for Chesterfield Pride 2022

The organisers of the popular Chesterfield Pride event have announced the iconic Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud will be headlining the main stage at this year’s event.

The annual LGBTQ+ celebration takes place annually at Stand Road Park, attracting thousands of attendees each year.

Girls Aloud are one of the biggest pop groups of the last 20 years and secured 21 top 10 singles in the UK charts.

The Main Stage will see the festival’s biggest ever line up of artists including Denise Pearson (lead singer from Five Star), S Club 7’s Jo O’Meara, 80’s heartthrob Nathan Moore, the Queen of Clubland Kelly Llorenna and back by popular demand Dene Michael of Black Lace. The festival has confirmed it will be announcing even more artists very soon.

The Kranlee Logistics Cabaret Stage will once again host some amazing local artists and drag performances. This stage has been an amazing success since it was launched a few years ago.

The event has once again teamed up with Van Dyk by Wildes to bring people an even better VIP experience. The VIP passes give people the chance to enjoy private toilets, private bar area, priority entry and also front stage access.

Lead organiser, Dan Walker said: “We are proud to be a community event that is open to everyone. The event has grown every year and is now one of the biggest LGBTQ+ events in the Country.”

Chesterfield will play host to a number of great events throughout 2022. Keep up with everything coming up across the town on our event listings page here.

Find out more about Chesterfield Pride 2022 at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-pride/

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Excitement builds as food & drink businesses move into The Batch House at Chesterfield’s Glassyard development

Excitement is building ahead of the opening of an all-new food and drink hotspot in Chesterfield.

The Batch house is set to open in The Glassyard on Sheffield Road at the beginning of March, with several new food and drink experiences on offer for visitors to try.

Destination Chesterfield recently paid a visit to the development as the finishing touches were being made to the food stalls ahead of next week’s grand opening.

The Batch House features a new pub/bar, ‘The Hop Lamp,’ serving a range of beverages, specialising in craft beer.

Darren Filsell and Ben Stephenson will be running The Hop Lamp. Ben said: “It’s all very new to us, hopefully it’s going to be very busy down here and with that comes a lot of excitement and anticipation.”

Darren commented: “It’s Craft beer that people will recognise, and we’ve got the keg wall for something a little more unusual. It’s going to be a good offering to compliment all the other independent food vendors.”

A gelato stall will also be open to the public, Giuseppes, serving more than 30 different flavours. Craig Paterson, who is opening the stall said: “We do all your typical flavours, but we do quite exciting ones like Biscoff and Percy Pig. We’ve been producing ice cream since 1926.

Craig explained why he chose to expand into the new development: “We really like the concept of it and have seen it done in a few other locations. It’s a good thing for Chesterfield and it’s exciting to be part of it.”

There will also be an artisan bakery, known as 4 eyes bakery providing some delicious breads and sweet patisserie treats. The stall will also be serving up artisan pizza during lunch and evenings, which will be available to eat in and take away.

Matthew Rhodes and Stuart Griffin are getting ready to open the business, Stuart said: “We just saw it as a great opportunity. There’s nothing like this in the area, and we have this purpose-built unit with everything in.

Matthew said: “We’re really excited. There’s all sorts of products that we’re going to be bringing to Chesterfield; coffee, cakes croissants that people are going to be able to buy on the day.”

John Tompkins, owner of The Devonshire Arms pub in Middle Handley  is opening six units in the new food hall, including ‘The Bubba Bar’ which will comprise of tapas dishes and small plates from around the world.

He is also opening stalls serving street food from India and Portugal, loaded hot dogs, along with a wine and prosecco bar, which will sit directly at the side of a deli serving cheeses and cured meats from across the globe.

John explained why taking up so much new business space in the Batch House was an easy decision: “I’ve seen other concepts that haven’t got a patch on this, I think this is Premier League.

“The landlord has got it right, and I’m one hundred and ten percent confident that we’re going to take it by storm. I think it’s going to be a tremendous success.”

The Batch House is only one part of The Glassyard development, which will also see a Hair and Beauty Salon, a bathroom showroom, 4D baby scanning services and a tattoo parlour open on site.

Find out more about the opportunities available here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/the-glass-yard/

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Chatsworth is growing children’s confidence with new gardening club

Chatsworth is launching its first children’s gardening club to allow young budding growers to nurture their very own growing patch throughout the seasons.

The Little Pips Gardening Club for children aged 3-5 will be filled with hands-on sessions growing fruit, vegetables and flowers, as well as lots of creative activities to give nature a helping hand from making butterfly feeding stations and a wormery to planting bee-friendly plants.

The fortnightly club launches 7 March with a sunflower planting session with other seasonal activities lined up for the months ahead to include making a pea propagator in April; going on a bumblebee safari in May and harvesting pumpkins planted earlier in the year in October.

The sessions will take place in the outdoor learning centre, Chatsworth’s Stickyard, where the children will be growing their own produce in specially created raised beds for vegetables, fruit and flowers, and having a go at watering, weeding and making sure all the plants are happy.

Tina Carter, Landscape Engagement Facilitator for Chatsworth, said: “As well as the benefits of being outdoors for children’s wellbeing, teaching children to grow their own produce is a fantastic way to build confidence, have fun and introduce them to new fruits and vegetables.

“We are hoping children will come regularly enough to see all their work develop as the seasons change; there is nothing more rewarding than planting a tiny seed and then watching it transform into a huge pumpkin in the autumn.  The club will give our budding gardeners the chance to enjoy being outdoors, make friends and learn new skills while having fun.”

Chatsworth will also be encouraging families to get outdoors this half term with the opening of the farmyard from 19-27  February. Little ones can get face to face with the farmyard animals, enjoy animal handling sessions, take part in creative crafts and explore the winter woods in tractor and trailer rides at no additional cost.

Visitors can also cosy up by a fire with Chatsworth’s first-ever fire pit bake-offs taking place 22-23 February. Bakers can have a go at making tasty campfire bread and orange chocolate brownies over a fire-pit, before finishing with toasting marshmallows and a warming cup of hot chocolate.

With plenty of suitable trails for all ages and abilities, family members of all ages can take advantage of the free parking throughout the winter season and explore Chatsworth’s variety of parkland and woodland walks.

To complete the perfect winter family day out, a selection of Chatsworth’s cafes, restaurants and retail shops, including the estate farm shop, remain open all year round.

For more information please visit the Chatsworth website. Chatsworth House and Garden will reopen to visitors on 26 March 2022.

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