Author: Tara Underhill

Employment continues to rise in Chesterfield

14th October 2015

The number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Chesterfield and across the East Midlands continues to fall, according to figures released this morning by the Office for National Statistics.

In September, there were 981 claimants, which is 90 fewer than in August (1,071) and 568 fewer than in September 2014 (1,549). The current percentage of people claiming the benefit remains below the national average for a second month (1.5% for Chesterfield compared with 1.6% for the UK).

The number of claimants in Derbyshire fell by 169 to 5,725 in September from 5,894 August and compared with September 2014 the fall was 2,143 from 7,868.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy for East Midlands Chamber said: “The figures released this morning reaffirm the strength of the East Midlands jobs market and that the region continues to drive the national economy.

“A small element of the improvement will be down to seasonal recruitment as the logistics and retail sectors, in particular, start preparing for the Christmas rush. We would expect to see this recruitment continue through the final quarter of the year.

“Strong employment does, however, bring its own issues and our members continue to report problems recruiting people with the skills they need. And many, particularly in leisure, retail, hospitality, logistics and some manufacturing sectors, have expressed concerns about the introduction of the National Living Wage next April which, they tell us, will make them adjust their recruitment plans.

“We also need to be aware of what is happening in overseas markets, such as the slowing growth in the China economy. This ongoing turbulence has an inevitable impact on business confidence, which can influence investment plans and recruitment.

“Although today’s figures are, once again, very positive, now is not the time to be complacent.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Table tennis stars scoop major honours at Sports Awards

13th October 2015

Chesterfield’s Liam Pitchford and Isobel Ashley have been crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively at the inaugural Active Chesterfield Sports Awards. Both athletes have had a fantastic 12 months, with Pitchford winning three medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and Ashley breaking into the top 20 of the England Senior Women’s rankings for the first time.

Over 160 local athletes, mentors and school pupils attended the Winding Wheel for the much anticipated ceremony on Thursday 8th October. In association with Chesterfield Borough Council, the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership combined community sports awards with those for schools and school teams that have excelled over the past year.

In total 22 awards were presented to athletes across a wide range of sports including Inkersall Primary and Brookfield Community schools, who picked up the Primary and Secondary Team Achievement awards respectively. Inkersall had a fantastic year of sporting success as two of their under-11 football teams reached the district finals and one became the best in Derbyshire, winning at the county final, eventually losing out in the regional event. Brookfield Community School entered 12 teams into four badminton competitions and both the key stage three and four boys teams won at county level, rounding off a year of fantastic displays that are testament to coach Mr Petty.

There was similar success for Springwell Community College who were deserved winners of the Disability Team Achievement award. After entering every Competition Plus event, the school were crowned district champions in a number of events and were county winners in the Sports Hall Athletics and Mini Tennis Plus events.

Volunteers and coaches were rewarded too, with Oliver Couch winning the Volunteer of the Year award and John Jefferson the Lifetime Achievement award. The full list of winners is detailed below.

Mark Tournier, Partnership and Development Manager at the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership, said: “The Active Chesterfield Awards provided an exciting platform to recognise and celebrate local sporting success and honour the dedication of sports leaders and volunteers.

“Everyone involved in school and community sport in Chesterfield deserves praise and thanks. The Winding Wheel provided the ideal setting to give the worthy winners and highly commended nominees to receive their awards.

“The Chesterfield School Sport Partnership were delighted to partner the Active Chesterfield Awards to recognise the work that schools play in developing opportunities to shine through Sport and Leadership and to celebrate the success of individuals and teams across Chesterfield.”

The evening was a great success and something which the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership looks to build upon for the years ahead. Those interested in getting involved in the future should contact m.tournier@brookfield.derbyshire.sch.uk.

See more photographs from the event at https://www.flickr.com/photos/chesterfieldsspphotos/sets/72157659635443465/

Full list of winners – 2015

Team Achievement Primary School

Winner: Inkersall Primary School

Highly commended: Old Hall Junior School

Team Achievement Secondary School

Winner: Brookfield Community School

Highly commended: Springwell Community College

Team Achievement Disability

Winner: Springwell Community College

Highly commended: Brookfield Community School, Netherthorpe School

Media & Arts Contribution to Sport

Winner: Katie Marshall

Highly commended: Joe Roberts

Individual Young Leader of the Year

Winner: India Hollingworth

Highly commended: Josh Ryder-Flint, Melanie Oldale

School Sport Organising Crew

Winner: Brampton Primary School

Highly commended: Hasland Junior School, Old Hall Junior School

School Sport Organising Committee

Winner: Hasland Hall Community School

Highly commended: St. Mary’s High School

School Staff Award

Winner: Angela Barnston

Highly commended: Karen Kerry, Rachael Bates

Junior Sportsman of the Year

Winner: Jack Barker-Sabido

Junior Sportswoman of the Year

Winner: Elise Collins

Highly commended: Anya Bourne

Coach of the Year

Winner: Dave Cartawick

Highly commended: Andy Petty, Paul Chapman

Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Oliver Couch

Active Workplace Award

Winner: Chesterfield Borough Council

Highly commended: Chesterfield College, Kier Asset Management

Community Award

Winner: Newbold Community Football Training

Club of the Year

Winner: Chesterfield Triathlon Club

Highly commended: Unit 1 Martial Arts

Team of the Year

Winner: Chesterfield Football Club

Highly commended: Chesterfield Cricket Club First XI

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: John Jefferson

Highly commended: Denise Cooper

Young Sportsman of the Year

Winner: Aaron Cobley

Highly commended: Ryan Apsley, Jake Apsley

Young Sportswoman of the Year

Winner: Alicia Barrett

Highly commended: Ella Barrett

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year

Winner: Kevin Tann

Sportsman of the Year

Winner: Liam Pitchford

Highly commended: George Woolgar

Sportswoman of the Year

Winner: Isobel Ashley

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Funding boost for Derbyshire athletes

13th October 2015

Some of Derbyshire’s most promising sporting talent can look forward to a brighter future after being handed financial backing through the ICON bursary programme.

A total of 127 athletes from across the county will receive up to £250 of the £22,925 fund raised through county sports partnership Derbyshire Sport’s business network. They will also receive free leisure passes in the area where they train and be given valuable PR exposure.

Those supported in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire are listed below.

ICON was set up by Derbyshire Sport as part of the work to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games in Derbyshire.

The bursaries have been made possible by the contributions of all 10 Derbyshire local authorities, plus a number of business members from across the county.

Each successful applicant must live in one of the county’s nine district and boroughs or compete for a Derbyshire-based club and must already compete at a high level.

All should already be representing their country or Great Britain, have won a national championship medal, are part of a recognised development squad or a development squad aligned to a professional club or have been selected for the Derbyshire Institute of Sport.

Director of Derbyshire Sport, Ilana Freestone said: “It’s only through the continued support of the ICON programme from our business members that we are able to give so many athletes a helping hand, so we’re very grateful to them.

“There is a fantastic spread of sports and ages being backed by the programme, and we wait with bated breath to see what these champion performers can achieve as they move up the levels.”

Athletes supported in Chesterfield

Isobel Ashley (Table Tennis) from Barrow Hill.

Alicia Barrett (Athletics) Newbold (pictured above).

Ella Barrett (Athletics) from Newbold (pictured above).

Bradley Buckland (Tennis) from Brampton.

Aaron Cobley (Taekwondo) from Staveley.

Ashley Davies (Squash) from Chesterfield.

Emily Hedger (Equestrian) from Sheffield and a member of Dunston Park EC, Chesterfield.

Athletes supported in North East Derbyshire

Jade Ashmore (Boxing) from Heath.

Amy Bell (Swimming) from Killamarsh.

Imogen Clark (Swimming) from Morton.

Matthew Cooper (Fencing) from Dronfield Woodhouse.

Caitlin Emerson (Athletics) from Shirland.

Niamh Emerson (Athletics) from Shirland.

William Gascoyne (Cycling) from Wingerworth

Bess Heath (Cricket) from Holymoorside.

Lauren Hill (Athletics) from Grassmoor.

Oscar Kelly (Swimming) from Killamarsh.

Adam Morewood (Cycling) from Dronfield Woodhouse.

Tilly Simpson (Athletics) from Eckington.

Morgan Swales (Ice Skating) from Calow.

Calli Thackery (Athletics) from Killamarsh.

Jessie Westnidge (Swimming) from Marsh Lane.

Millie Wilkinson (Skiing) from Dronfield Woodhouse.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Women-only Workplace Challenge to kick start fitness push

9th October 2015

Women in Chesterfield have the ideal chance to kick start a healthy lifestyle later this month with Active Derbyshire’s new two-week mini Workplace Challenge.

Studies have shown just 20 minutes of physical activity each day brings significant health benefits and can reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 40 per cent.

It’s why the online, female-only challenge will run from Monday October 19 until Saturday October 31 to link in with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Wear it Pink Day, held on Friday, October 23.

Prizes will be awarded for the best Wear it Pink Day photo, which can be any picture of participants taking part in physical activity while wearing pink.

Other spot prizes will be available to those who achieve the department of health target of 150 minutes of activity each week.

Among the prizes are a cycling goody bag (hand pump, light, spare inner tube, water bottle and bike lock), courtesy of Cycle Derby and a pass for cycle hire in the Derbyshire Dales.

“The This Girl Can campaign has been hugely successful in increasing women’s awareness of the need to say fit and active – and now we want those across the county to show they are keen to act on it,” said Andrea Stone, Sport Development Manager for Active Derbyshire.

“Taking part in a Workplace Challenge event can give you added motivation as it is something you can do alongside your colleagues, and you can push each other along. You could also do something to support a breast cancer charity at the same time.”

The October challenge comes after the successful national #SeptemberShakeUp, which saw 178 people from across Derbyshire log a range of sport and activities, 62 of them ‘newbies’.

They travelled a total of 11,978 miles during the month – the equivalent of Derbyshire to Hong Kong and back – with the University of Derby, Netcomposites (Chesterfield), Derbyshire Dales District Council and Guilford Textiles (Alfreton) among the most active workplaces.

A similar two-week male-only challenge themed on ‘Movember’ is planned to follow next month from Monday November 16 until Sunday November 29.

Find out how you can get involved at www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Heritage Lottery Funding available to commemorate Armistice

8th October 2015

Community groups who are planning to commemorate the 2018 centenary of the First World War armistice are being urged by Derbyshire County Council to get their bids in soon.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has £4 million available in the East Midlands region for First World War community projects and the county council is holding an information day in Chesterfield on Friday 16 October to help Derbyshire groups apply for some of this money.

The free day is organised as part of the council’s Derbyshire Lives through the First World War project which helps groups to develop WW1 related projects and find the money to run them.

Derbyshire County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Ellie Wilcox said: “Our information day will be a great source of advice and support for groups who are organising events to remember their wartime heritage.

“It is not too early to get thinking about commemorations to mark 100 years since the First World War armistice of 1918. Our experience of helping groups to get funding suggests that the sooner they do this the better as the whole process of getting the idea sorted out and the application submitted can take some months.

“The 2018 anniversary will be the biggest of the centenary commemorations and I hope that many Derbyshire communities will be marking the day.

“We want to do all that we can to support these ideas and initiatives. They honour the Derbyshire people who were involved in the conflict – either in battle or by supporting the effort at home.”

The day is called ‘First World War: Different Perspectives’. Members of the Heritage Lottery Fund will be coming along. There will be talks from groups who have run successful projects and from First World War historians about different perspectives of the war. For the full programme and booking details click here.

Posted in Uncategorised

Major funding pot available for tourism businesses

7th October 2015

Current and new tourism and visitor economy businesses in Derbyshire can now bid for a slice of £350,000 in funding, through the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

D2N2 – a private sector-led partnership promoting economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – has tourism and the visitor economy as one of the eight key economic sectors for its area.

Businesses and organisations interested in growing the sector can apply for funding help to create a marketing plan for their idea, from £350,000 allocated to D2N2 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Growth Programme.

More than a third of the D2N2 area’s 880,000-plus jobs are in rural local authority areas but DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has identified issues to be tackled; including reduced farming income, lower than average wages and difficulty finding business investment.

Plans which might be funded through EAFRD, depending on their strength, could include those helping rural areas:

invest in developing and marketing a new large scale tourism activity, to attract visitors;
provide a service which enables businesses across the D2N2 catchment to target new markets;
facilitate activities which encourage visitors to increase the length of time they stay in the D2N2 area (according to 2014 figures, an average day visitor to the D2N2 area spent £30, whereas an overnight visitor spent closer to £200).

D2N2 wants to see better links and connectivity between different destinations and attractions, to encourage visitors to extend the length of visits and increase visitor spend.

The EAFRD funding panel is keen to hear how applicants would co-operate with each other in marketing tourism in the rural D2N2 area, and how this would create more jobs and safeguard existing ones.

D2N2 is also keen to increase the business activity of certain types of rural economic activity – including local markets, pubs and micro-breweries – as part of the area’s distinctive visitor ‘offer’.

D2N2 works closely with Visit Peak District and Derbyshire in driving forward growth for the visitor economy sector in its area. Businesses and organisations with ideas on how to improve the tourism offering of any rural area in Nottinghamshire and/or Derbyshire may wish to contact the tourism organisation to find out if there is an opportunity to collaborate with other organisations on a plan.

Up to ten projects in the D2N2 area will be funded from its £350,000. Individual grants will range from £35,000 to £140,000 and can cover up to half a project’s total costs, meaning a project must have a minimum total value of at least £70,000 to be eligible for funding through the EAFRD money.

Applications to the D2N2 EAFRD fund – which must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, January 8 (2016) – will be assessed by the Government and the D2N2 LEP. Those with the strongest business case will then be asked to make a further, full application for project funding.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire already receive tens of thousands of visitors each year, bringing millions of pounds into their local economy. There is capacity there for further growth, through the development of quality tourism attractions or interesting areas.

“This EAFRD funding is an excellent opportunity for tourism businesses, or those wishing to set one up, to get the help needed to create a detailed business and marketing plan for their ideas.”

For more information on how the D2N2 LEP is using European funding to boost the economy and jobs numbers in its areas see website www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding

Posted in Business

Chesterfield retains its silver gilt award at East Midlands in Bloom awards

6th October 2015

The judges made their visit to the town this summer and were given a guided tour of the borough and commented on the many improvements that have been made in the last year.

They were particularly impressed with the floral displays in the town centre, the parks and open spaces, including Chesterfield’s five Green Flag awarded parks, community involvement at sites including Boythorpe Allotments, as well as the amount of recycling carried out by residents and businesses in the borough.

They also noted the new Chesterfield in Bloom committee made up of local residents to organise the campaign and the number of community volunteers who have become involved.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “We are pleased to be awarded a silver gilt award in the East Midlands in Bloom competition. A lot of work has been put in by volunteers on the Chesterfield in Bloom committee and council staff working together to make our borough clean, green and inviting to visitors.

“If anyone is interested in joining the committee and becoming involved, we would like to hear from you.”

As well as the overall award for Chesterfield, the judges made two awards within the borough.

Steve and Jane Land of Moorland View Road won gold in the Frank Constable MBE award for the best residential garden in the East Midlands. Mr and Mrs Land won the best back garden (larger than 80 m²) and the best overall garden in last year’s Chesterfield in Bloom awards.

The judges commented on the immaculately-kept lawn, the brightly-coloured hanging baskets, the dense planting and the complete absence of weeds.

Ringwood Hall Hotel, the sponsors of the Chesterfield in Bloom competition, won gold in the best hotel/pub garden award.

The judges were impressed with the varied planting in the grounds which is in-keeping with a period property as well as the well-maintained lawns.

Chesterfield in Bloom is a council-led project to improve the borough’s environment and forms the borough’s entry into the regional East Midlands in Bloom competition.

To become involved in a range of volunteering opportunities, contact John Ramsey by email: john.ramsey@chesterfield.gov.uk or call 01246 345097.

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

Honour for two former Chesterfield councillors

2nd October 2015

Former councillors Stewart Bradford and David Stone have been made honorary aldermen of the borough in recognition of their long service to Chesterfield Borough Council.

They both received the honour at an extraordinary council meeting held on Monday 28 September.

Stewart Bradford was first elected as a Labour member of the council in May 1983 serving until May 1995 and again from May 1999 until retiring at the local elections earlier this year. During his time as a council member, he served on council committees including the licensing committee and the appeals and regulatory committee.

David Stone was elected in January 1984 as an SDLP council member (later Liberal Democrat) and was the longest serving councillor at the time of his retirement in May this year. He was mayor of the borough in 1995 to 1996 and later served as lead member for customer and corporate services and lead member for planning and asset management as well as sitting on various council committees. After leaving the Liberal Democrat party in 2012, he sat as an Independent member of the council until his retirement.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance said: “Between them, Stewart Bradford and David Stone have clocked up nearly 60 years of service to their communities by serving as borough councillors making this honour richly deserved.”

Honorary alderman status is the second-highest honour the council can bestow after the freedom of the borough and has previously only been granted on 11 occasions.

At the ceremony, they were each presented with a scroll and signed the roll of honorary aldermen. Their names will also be added to the board displayed outside the council chamber in the Chesterfield Town Hall.

Photo: David Stone (left) and Stewart Bradford (right) after receiving the award.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

£900m boost for Sheffield City Region in new devolution deal

2nd October 2015

Local politicians and business leaders have today secured an in-principle deal with the Chancellor George Osborne to transfer national powers and control over funding from national Government departments to the Sheffield City Region – as well as securing a massive £900 million additional cash boost over the next thirty years to deliver major regeneration, infrastructure and business growth schemes.

The proposed deal, which concludes a month of detailed negotiations between the City Region and Government, will need to be formally approved by each of the local councils within the Sheffield City Region (which includes Chesterfield) and is subject to a programme of consultation and engagement with residents and businesses over the coming months. The deal will also be dependent upon the Government delivering on the promises it has made in this and previous deals, and the City Region agreeing to the creation of a directly-elected Mayor.

Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: “This proposal marks the next step on our devolution journey and will enable local leaders to make bigger and better local decisions over skills, business growth and infrastructure. Over the coming months we will be speaking to local residents, businesses and partners about what this means for economic growth in their City Region.”

James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: “This deal will enable local leaders to accelerate delivery of the jobs and new businesses that our local economy needs to grow. This positions Sheffield City Region at the front of the Northern Powerhouse pack and strengthens our position as a world class centre for modern manufacturing and engineering technology.

Chancellor George Osborne said: “Manchester is not a one-off – far from it. In becoming the second great northern region to sign up to managing its own affairs with this ambitious agreement, Sheffield City Region is playing a vital part in helping to build the Northern Powerhouse.”

Posted in Business

Chesterfield duo to walk 30 miles to Proact for Ashgate Hospicecare

2nd October 2015

Spireites fans Glynn Hinchcliffe and Keith Thomson-Pidd are preparing to walk 30 miles from the City Football Ground in Nottingham to the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield in support of Hospice Care Week.

The nine-and-a-half hour challenge, which takes place on Saturday 10^th October, should see the pair reach Chesterfield in time for a big cheer from fans at the end of the of the Spireites’ home game against Gillingham.

Glynn says, “We’re doing this for a personal challenge but hope to raise much needed money for the hospice in the process.”

Hospice Care Week takes place between 5^th and 11^th October and aims to raise the profile of hospice care across the UK by encouraging businesses, schools and local communities to undertake a fun activity throughout the week.

Named recently as Chesterfield’s official charity partner this season, Ashgate Hospicecare looks after 2,000 patients every year and provides support to the people closest to them. To continue doing this, they need to raise £6 million this year alone to ensure their services are accessible to local people across North Derbyshire.

To make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/glynnhinchcliffe

If you would like to get involved in Hospice Care Week, visit www.ashgatehospicecare.org.uk/get-involved/hospice-care-week or call 01246 567250.

Photo: Glynn and Keith showing their support for Hospice Care Week

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Ashgate Hospicecare named official Spireites Charity Partner

1st October 2015

Chesterfield have announced that Ashgate Hospicecare will be the club’s official charity partner during the 2015/16 season.

Alison Ward-Foster, fundraising manager for Ashgate Hospicecare, is delighted with the partnership. She said: “We are so excited to be official charity partners of the much loved Spireites.

“Ashgate Hospicecare has been supported by the football club for many years and hosting our Sparkle Night Walk is just one fantastic way they have offered their support to the hospice.

“I have no doubt that working together as official partners will really make a difference to our patients and their families. Each year Ashgate Hospicecare nurses provide care to over 2,000 patients – that’s enough people to fill the Kop!”

Commenting on the new partnership, Chesterfield’s head of commercial & marketing Kevin Fitzgerald said: “Getting a local charity in partnership with the club is something that I have wanted to do since I joined the club.

“We have worked a lot more closely with Ashgate Hospicecare since the start of the season, and both Eleven Sports and Individual Homecare Services donated their respective matchday sponsorships for the recent home game against Wigan Athletic.

“I have come to understand what AshgateHospicecare means to the people of Chesterfield, so it made perfect sense to make them the club’s first official charity partner.”

Photo: Chesterfield players (from left to right) Aaron Chapman, Dion Donohue & Liam O’Neil are pictured with Sharon Needham and Rachel Abberley from AshgateHospiceCare. Courtesy of Tina Jenner.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business