Author: Tara Underhill

Engineering marvel arrives at Chesterfield College to inspire next generation of experts

19th November 2015

A replica of Bloodhound, the British-built and designed 1000 mph jet and rocket powered car, which will attempt the land speed record next year, is at Chesterfield College for two days to inspire the next generation of scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians.

120 pupils from schools across Derbyshire and more than 200 students from college are amongst some of the 100,000 young people in the UK who will get the chance to see the replica and find out how the best of the best in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) world have created this feat of engineering.

The young engineers have also built their own jet powered car, taken part in special science workshops and heard from key employers in the region like Rolls Royce, about the careers they could have if they studied STEM subjects.

The Bloodhound team is also on hand at Chesterfield College to meet businesses and engineers and offer a tour of the replica car. A first successful event was held for Chesterfield Champions yesterday evening and there will be another opportunity for local businesses to visit the college tonight.

In the East Midlands, between 2010 and 2020 more than two thirds of jobs will need engineering skills. That is 158,400 jobs that will need qualified engineers. However, over the last 7 years there has been a decline of 20.8% of students choosing STEM subjects. Almost two in five firms (39%) that require STEM-skilled employees report current difficulties in recruitment.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College said:

“Having such a high profile and exciting project in college is a fantastic opportunity to excite young people about where studying STEM subjects can lead. We know that STEM related jobs are on the increase but the number of students choosing to study the subjects that will get them the right qualifications to get these jobs has been in decline for some time now. As a college working in an area that is home to a host of key employers we know how important it is to inspire the next generation.”

To find out more about tonight’s Bloodhound event being held for local businesses please click here.

Bloodhound is in Chesterfield as part of the Made in Chesterfield Festival; a month-long celebration of the town’s manufacturing and engineering industry. More information is available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/made.

Photography by Les Wilcockson Photography and Chesterfield College.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

More cycling fun added to Five Pits Trail

18th November 2015

Adventurous cyclists can now enjoy a new purpose-built off-road cycling facility just off the Five Pits Trail.

The new trail, which is just under a mile long, runs from the western side of Williamthorpe Nature Reserve near Holmewood, and is suitable for cyclists of all ages with basic off-road skills.

The Five Pits Trail is a five-and-a-half mile off-road surfaced route which runs from Grassmoor Country Park to Tibshelf Ponds.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Dean Collins said:

“We’re delighted to announce that the adventurous bike trail has been completed.

“This is a great new trail for keen cyclists or mountain bikers looking for a new adventure. I’d like to thank our countryside team and volunteers who’ve logged an impressive 300 hours to build the new trail. They’ve all done a great job and should be proud of what they’ve achieved.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Get moving for Movember Workplace Challenge

16th November 2015

Men in Chesterfield and Derbyshire can win prizes by signing up to a new two-week Workplace Challenge taking place from 16th to 29th November.

Linking to the month of ‘Movember,’ which raises awareness of men’s health, the competition is designed to promote the benefits that physical activity has in helping to prevent cancer.

The Movember Workplace Challenge is free and easy to join with men simply asked to log their activity online over a two week period and there is a prize on offer for the best ‘Active Moustache’. All participants need to do to be in with the chance of winning is send in a photo of themselves sporting a ‘mo’ (moustache) and taking part in sport or physical activity to Derbyshire Sport.

The Chief Medical Officer (department for health 2011) recommends 150 minutes moderate intensity activity each week for adults. With this in mind, any men who successfully complete and log 150 minutes of activity before midnight on 29th November will automatically be entered into a prize draw.

This will be the final challenge in 2015 and will be followed by a brand new challenge in January 2016 to kick-start the new year.

For more information and to sign up visit www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Ashgate Hospicecare wins innovation award

16th November 2015

Ashgate Hospicecare has won the ‘Innovation in Income Generation Award’ at the 2015 Hospice UK Awards – together with Blythe House Hospice and Helen’s Trust.

Supported by The National Gardens Scheme, the national awards recognise the enormous contribution that individuals and innovative programmes have made to hospice care in local communities across the UK.

The three charities were praised for working collaboratively together on the #ChallengeDerbyshire campaign, which gives local people the opportunity to undertake a fundraising challenge whilst raising money for all three of the non-profit organisations. To date, the joint venture has raised over £30,000 which will be split equally between the charities.

Esther Preston, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Ashgate Hospicecare, says “Ashgate, Blythe House and Helen’s Trust had all experienced supporters, particularly corporates, who found it hard to support one charity over another. The obvious solution was to set up a joint fundraising venture, so we launched our #ChallengeDerbyshire campaign.”

Managing Director of Markovitz Ltd, David Hopkins, welcomes the idea of supporting three charities simultaneously and is a keen supporter of the campaign. David says, “Challenge Derbyshire is such an amazing initiative for our company to support. Not only does it benefit such worthy charities, it also champions how lucky we are in North Derbyshire to have these three wonderful organisations working together for our community. As a company employing people right across the region, we have found that the majority of our staff and customer’s families have been touched at one time or another by one or more of the charities it benefits. It is wonderful to know that every pound we raise for Challenge Derbyshire is equally benefiting three wonderful local charities. We will certainly continue to promote and support the project.”

To get involved in #ChallengeDerbyshire and support three local charities, visit http://www.challengederbyshire.org.uk/#!get_involved/c8k2

Photo: Left to Right – Dr Ros Taylor MBE, George Plumptre (NGS), Blythe House Hospice Director Janet Dunphy, Heidi Hawkins, Esther Preston and Lord Howard of Lympne

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield set to sparkle

16th November 2015

Visitors and residents are getting excited ahead of the annual Christmas lights switch on, which takes place this Sunday, 22 November.

The festive event gets underway at noon with a magical market featuring entertainment, stalls and rides in the market place and in New Square. The indoor market hall will also be open from noon to 6pm.

A live stage show will begin at 3.30pm with Peak FM presenters providing plenty of fun and competitions, including the chance to win a family ticket to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Pomegranate Theatre.

Stars from the pantomime, including Eurovision queen, Nicki French and impressionist, Philip Green, best known from his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, will switch on the lights at 4.45pm.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:-

“The Christmas lights event is a highlight in the calendar allowing families to come together and get into the festive spirit.

“I’d encourage people to come along and visit the indoor and outdoor markets to pick up some of their Christmas presents, before joining in the fun of the stage show and seeing the Christmas lights switched on.”

Chesterfield borough residents are reminded that they can use their parking permits to park for free in the following council-run car parks on the day:

Albion Road
Ashgate Road
Derbyshire Times
Devonshire Street
Durrant Road
Hollis Lane (excluding on-street bays)
Holywell Cross (the Donut)
Spa Lane
Station Road
St Mary’s Gate
Theatre Lane
West Street.

For more top Christmas events, Christmas shopping and places to meet Santa visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/Christmas

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Walking and cycling superstars at Westfield Infants

6th November 2015

Westfield Infants School in Chesterfield has received a national award for encouraging pupils to enjoy a more active, safer and greener commute.

The Modeshift STARS bronze accreditation recognises the school’s efforts in getting more children to travel on foot, by bike or via other sustainable means of transport, such as scooters, public transport or car sharing.

Supported by parents, staff, Derbyshire County Council and Sustrans – a national charity working towards sustainable travel – the school has taken part in a number of practical initiatives over the past academic year. These included ‘Scooter Smart’ training run by the County Council, and ‘Skills to Ride’ delivered by local cycling safety experts, Wheely Fun Wheels.

Westfield Infants has delivered great results, having more than doubled the amount of children walking, cycling or scooting to school on a daily basis.

The bronze award was presented to pupils at a school celebration held on Wednesday 4th November by Philip J. Smith, Senior Transport Officer from Derbyshire County Council, and Lisa Hopkinson, a Sustrans volunteer.

Mr Whitham, of Westfield Infant School, said: “Undertaking the Modeshift STARS award scheme has helped to raise the importance and profile of travelling in a sustainable way. Children loved the engaging assembly to kick-start the program. More and more of our children are coming to school on scooters and bikes, we are even looking into purchasing a new bike shelter to hold all the bikes!”

Following the successful bronze initiatives, the school is continuing the scheme and hopes to achieve the silver award in 2016.

Every school in England can participate in the Modeshift STARS scheme for free, and achieve bronze, silver or gold level awards. It is supported by 52 local authorities and more than 11,000 schools nationally.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Local sporting stars up for county awards

6th November 2015

A host of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire athletes, teams and officials are in the running to win a Derby Telegraph Sports Award.

Representatives from the two areas have been invited to attend the county’s premier sports awards night – to be held next Thursday, November 12, at Derby’s Roundhouse – which this year celebrates its 10^th anniversary.

Among those contenders are Staveley taekwondo player Aaron Cobley, who has won gold medals at the UTIF British Championships, MWTA British Championships and UITF English Championships and, as a result, has been shortlisted as Young Sportsman of the Year.

He is attending the WKU World Championships in Spain, where he will represent England in four events and is targeting the senior World Championships in Argentina in 2017.

The 16-year-old will go up against two other talented performers from the county in the shape of High Peak judoka Eric Ham and Derby golfer Bradley Moore.

In the Young Sportswoman of the Year category, Chesterfield’s Alicia Barrett will go head to head with Shirland’s Niamh Emerson and High Peak swimmer Abbie Wood.

Alicia, from Newbold and a student at St Mary’s RC High School, is a member of Chesterfield and District AC and on the Derbyshire Institute of Sport programme.

The 17-year-old made the final of the 100m hurdles Commonwealth Youth Games final and finished sixth at the IAAF World Youth Championships, having set an UK Under-18 record in a qualifying round.

Among those vying for the title of Junior Team of the Year is Tupton Hall School Girls Under-12s Football Team, who have been shortlisted alongside Mickleover Sports Dynamos Under-13s Football Team and the Noel-Baker School Basketball Team.

Their outstanding achievements as a tight-knit group include winning the FA Youth Futsal National Championship, finishing as Football League Kinder+ Sport Northern runners-up and reaching the semi-finals of the ESFA National Cup.

Shortlisted in the Club of the Year category is Unit 1/BKKA, a martial arts club based in Chesterfield, who have made the top three alongside the UDSU Buxton Sportability Club and Glossop North End AFC Juniors, both of the High Peak.

The inclusive club has more than 500 members, ranging from four to 75 in age, teaching the core values of respect, humility, discipline, teamwork and dedication.

Inter-club tournaments are held, while members compete at regional, national and international events, with 41 world title winners among the ranks.

They have raised around £40,000 for local and national charities over the last few years with ‘Kickapolooza’ events, while free self-awareness/self-defence sessions are held for women and a coaching programme runs for 14 to 24-year-olds.

Those successful winners around Derbyshire’s nine districts and boroughs were automatically forwarded as nominees at county level and a shortlist of individuals, teams and clubs were then selected by a panel of sports officials, together with Derby Telegraph sports staff.

Awards will be handed out in 15 categories in all, recognising the cream of sporting talent both in performance-level and participation sport.

Photographs show Young Sportswoman of the Year finalist Chesterfield’s Alicia Barrett

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Handelsbanken claims top spot for customer service

4th November 2015

Handelsbanken in Chesterfield is celebrating after being rated top for both customer satisfaction and loyalty for the seventh year running.

An independent survey – by European research institution EPSI Rating – confirms the locally-focused relationship bank has managed to maintain its top ranking during another year of strong UK expansion.

Since the financial crisis began seven years ago, the bank has announced over 140 new British branches. As well as the Chesterfield branch, Handelsbanken now serves individual and corporate customers in another 200 communities throughout Great Britain.

The bank puts customer satisfaction first, and believes local branches are best-placed to make all decisions relating to their customers. Chesterfield branch staff have full power to advise customers and agree individual product terms and pricing, free from targets or bonus incentives.

Phil Walker, manager of Handelsbanken’s Chesterfield branch commented:

Our decentralised approach provides customers with a local relationship banking service. The majority of decisions are made in the branch by our experienced staff who are empowered to do so. Our ever-growing reputation and close attention to customer care is supported by the latest survey results.”

Handelsbanken has also published its latest (Q3) financial results this week, revealing that net lending to UK households rose by 18% (to £4.9 bn) in the last 12 months. The bank also extended net lending to UK businesses by a further 11%, to £10.1 billion in total.

Handelsbanken’s group results also reaffirm its exceptionally strong capital and liquidity positions, and low credit loss ratios, which have earned it amongst the highest credit ratings of any international bank. Over successive years, the bank has been judged one of the strongest in the world, by financial information provider Bloomberg.

The Swedish-headquartered bank operates over 840 branches in 25 countries worldwide, with the UK representing its fastest-growing market.

A team of 5 bankers serves customers from Handelsbanken in Chesterfield, drawing on over 100 years of banking experience between them.

Posted in Business

Brave team at BHP kick off Macmillan fundraising mission

4th November 2015

Two partners and four employees at Barber Harrison and Platt (BHP) have had their legs waxed for charity, raising £800 for The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal.

This is the first event of several BHP is planning to help fundraise for what they see as a vital project for the area. The firm says it is a cause which has struck a chord with many businesses in Chesterfield.

Partner Dominic Staniforth said “The local community is very important to us – and we encourage staff to do all they can to support the causes that they are passionate about. Sadly, cancer affects a huge amount of people and has touched on many people’s lives.

“The new cancer centre will be extremely welcome in the area, helping to make what will always be a difficult time that little bit more bearable. We think that both Macmillan and the hospital are doing a great job and are pleased to be able to do our bit to support them.

“We would very much like to thank the staff and students from the Beauty Department of Chesterfield College for their generous support in our first event.”

On 26 November BHP is running a Race Night which is already gathering support – with sponsors MTM Products, NatWest and Padley and Venables already signed up to really help make it a success. For tickets or sponsorship information email tanya.addy@bhp.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield woman recognised as one of top engineering and construction apprentices

27th October 2015

A young woman from Chesterfield has beaten more than 13,000 hopefuls to be named one of the top engineering and construction apprentices in the country.

Casey Allen (17), an engineering apprentice at Foxwood Diesel in Old Whittington, narrowly missed out on being named the overall winner of the prestigious Group Training Association (GTA) England Apprentice of the Year Award.

Casey, who is about to complete level 2 of her apprenticeship and start level 3, was put forward for the award by her apprentice training provider NLT Training Services based in Brimington. She was pipped to the post for overall winner by a level 4 engineering apprentice.

Delighted to win Casey said: “I’ve only been in the industry for about 18 months so to get this award is brilliant. I didn’t expect to be shortlisted let alone the runner up.”

The award was presented by Nick Boles, Minister of State jointly for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education, at a ceremony held at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in Westminster, London.

Minister for Skills Nick Boles said: “The GTA England awards ceremony highlights the talent, energy and skill apprentices bring to businesses both large and small across the country.

“Apprenticeships play a vital role in building a modern, highly skilled workforce. This is why we are working with organisations like GTA England and its members to deliver 3 million apprentices by 2020.”

Andy Sheppard, CEO of NLT Training Services who was at the award ceremony explained: “Casey’s enthusiasm for engineering is infectious, matched only by her performance both in our training centre and at Foxwood Diesel. She is an outstanding student who ticks every single box and we are delighted that she has been recognised at such a high level. She is a credit to apprentices and the engineering profession.”

Casey is the only female employed on the shop floor at Foxwood Diesel where she is known as ‘The Turbo Queen’ by her colleagues because of her love of stripping down and reconstructing diesel engines. She began working at the company when she was 15 as part of a work experience organised by her school.

Owner of Foxwood Diesel Ken Worsdale, workshop manager Matt Jamson and Casey’s mum also accompanied her to the award ceremony.

Ken Worsdale added: “We’re all very proud of Casey. She did very well to be up against people who are five years into their apprenticeship. She is an asset to Foxwood Diesel. She’s only been here for just over a year but every day she impresses us with her self-motivation and effort she puts into the job.”

Casey added: “Foxwood is a great company to work for. They’re really supporting me. What I’m doing with my employer, combined with the training and qualifications I’m getting at NLT, will give me skills for life.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to gain experience, learn skills and get paid. I plan to get to the highest level I can until I’m fully qualified. Eventually though I would like to combine my skills with teaching and have my own turbo specialist business where I can employ people and teach them like I’ve been taught.”

NLT Training Services is a specialist training and provider of apprentices in welding, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering and is one of only 40 technical training providers recognised by GTA in England.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Kiwi defender joins Spireites

27th October 2015

Chesterfield have signed New Zealand U20 international defender Liam Graham following a spell on trial.

The 23-year-old right-back, who was a free agent, previously played for Italian clubs Ascoli, Monza and Pro Patria.

Commenting on the deal, Spireites manager Dean Saunders said: “Liam is not a player who will immediately be in contention for a place in the first team, but we feel that we can work on developing him as a player in the reserves.”

Graham said: “I’ve played two games for the reserves and already I feel a pretty good connection with the players I’ve been playing with. Now I’m excited to get going.“

Graham, who was born in Melbourne, remains eligible to represent New Zealand or Australia.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting