Author: Tara Underhill

Tokyo target for Chesterfield boxing star Jade Ashmore

8th June 2016

Chesterfield boxing star Jade Ashmore starts her bid for the 2020 Olympics this weekend when she begins her Great Britain assessment.

Supported by the ICON bursary programme, Jade, 18, from Heath, is due to undergo ‘three to four’ trials in a bid to earn a place on the podium potential squad.

This follows her success in winning silver at the British Championships last weekend, leaving her now ranked second in Britain in the 51kg category.

Jade made it through to the final of the event at Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre, Scotland, but lost out to Wales’ Lynsey Holloway.

“I felt I boxed well and kept to my tactics,” she said. “I thought I’d got the bout, only for the decision to go in Lynsey’s favour, but I’m not too disheartened.

“I only started my senior career in January and I’ve only had six bouts as a senior and I am developing with every bout.

“I never look out of place in the ring and it just shows that I am up to the standards of some of the world-class boxers I’ve faced.”

Jade qualified for the British Championships thanks to her performances at the English National Championships.

Having won her semi-final unanimously, she lost out to vastly-experienced world silver medallist Lisa Whiteside in the final.

As Whiteside went on to box in the World Championships at 54kg, Jade was asked to fight in the Brits at 51kg.

Jade added: “I am pleased with the way I have boxed in my first year as a senior.

“When I faced Lisa, I knew I had my work cut out as I’d only had four previous senior bouts and she has had over 100 senior bouts at an elite international level.

“I showed skill and determination but narrowly missing out on that gold, putting up a good performance against a seasoned boxer.”

After the GB trial this weekend, Jade will box for the English title belt on June 19.

The ICON programme supporting Jade gives 127 athletes from across the county financial support, a free leisure pass in their area and valuable PR exposure during 2015-16. For more information search online for ICON Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

International trade and investment on the agenda for Sheffield City Region

7th June 2016

Business leaders from across the Sheffield City Region (SCR) are preparing to attend the world’s largest business festival – the International Festival for Business (IFB 2016), taking place in Liverpool from 13 June to 1 July.

Participants from across the region will have the opportunity to meet with business leaders from across the UK and around the world to discuss the many valuable trade and investment opportunities that the SCR has to offer.

The IFB 2016, which is free of charge to participants, will comprise over 75 events, 85 international delegations, and 40,000 delegates (including 10,000 international visitors). The festival, taking place at Liverpool’s purpose-built Exhibition Centre, is an excellent opportunity for UK businesses motivated to grow or trade overseas, and for international companies that want to expand in Britain.

The SCR is committed to supporting IFB 2016 as part of its broader objectives to support the region’s businesses in their internationalisation strategies, and to increase the amount of foreign direct investment into the SCR. The region is recognised for its reliability and its ability to deliver; it has built innumerable global business partnerships driven by an innovative and straightforward approach.

The SCR LEP welcomes meetings with businesses across all sectors during the event. Opportunities for SCR-based business at the IFB 2016 include:

• Three weeks of cutting-edge events, speakers, conferences, seminars and showcases;
• A chance to join the IFB 2016 Business Club for match-making appointments allowing participants to access business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world to explore ideas, network and build partnerships;
• Access to Meet-the-Expert seminars and workshops designed for SMEs with growth and export ambitions;
• Meet your Future Deal, the world’s biggest ‘Meet-the-Buyer’ event with free, one-to-one meetings with buyers, suppliers and investors;
• Meet your Specialist Advisor: free one-to-one appointments with leading industry experts offering bespoke advice
• Live export opportunities;
• Available funding streams for eligible SMEs.

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said:“The International Festival for Business is a globally significant business festival which the Sheffield City Region is excited to be supporting. We look forward to showcasing to international business leaders all that the Sheffield City Region has to offer – our no-nonsense approach to business and our highly-efficient regulatory systems make the SCR an incredibly attractive place to do business in the UK, and it is time to promote these qualities to the global business community. I hope to see many of the SCR’s business leaders and entrepreneurs at this event – the SCR is standing by to help you and your business make the most of this excellent opportunity.”

William Beckett, Chairman of the International Trade Forum and Export Private Sector Lead for the Local Enterprise Partnership stated: “We are delighted to work in partnership with the Sheffield City Region to support IFB 2016 in Liverpool. The Festival offers numerous valuable opportunities for companies to increase their international activities across various sectors of the global marketplace.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Take on a static bike challenge for Aviva Women’s Tour

7th June 2016

Chesterfield businesses are invited to enter an Aviva Women’s Tour-themed Workplace Cycling Challenge – for the chance to win three months’ membership at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and a cycling jersey.

Teams will complete in a static bike challenge in front of Chesterfield Town Hall between 8.30am and 1pm on Friday June 17th as a prelude to the Stage Three finish of the Aviva Women’s Tour.

Each team member will complete the equivalent of 250 metres (equal to one velodrome lap) as quick as they can and the team’s times will be combined to give a result.

Teams are to be made up of four people, but a workplace can book in as many teams as they like and the event will be managed by fully-trained staff.

If you are interested, but not able to get together a team of four in your business, please register your interest so you can be paired with other workplaces in the same position.

Three slots for teams will be available for every 20 minutes throughout the event and you can find out more or reserve your place by emailing cathy.hinde@Chesterfield.gov.uk

Stage Three of the Women’s Tour takes place exclusively in Derbyshire, starting in Ashbourne and finishing in Chesterfield, taking in the likes of Buxton (sprint venue), Chelmorton, Flagg, Monyash, Youlgreave, Alport (Queen of the Mountains venue), Winster, Darley Dale (sprint venue), Matlock (Queen of the Mountains venue), Beeley, Chatsworth and Baslow.

Bringing the Aviva Women’s Tour to Derbyshire is part of the long-term push to make Derbyshire the most connected an integrated county for cycling in England by 2030, as outlined in the Derbyshire Cycling Plan.

The county wants to be recognised as a world class cycling destination for all, with more people of all ages and abilities on two wheels on a regular basis for leisure, active travel, commuting and sport.

Find out more about the Women’s Tour Stage 3 finish in Chesterfield where there will be a full day of entertainment and activities.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer

Chesterfield Rotary makes history

6th June 2016

Chesterfield Rotary has seen the largest expansion for 36 years following the launch of a new group designed to give young professionals an opportunity to give something back to the local community.

The first ten founder members of the Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield (Central) were inducted into Rotary International by Chesterfield Rotary president Ian Gaunt at the club’s latest monthly meeting held at The Manor at Brampton on Wed 25 May 2016. A further four founder members are to be inducted this month.

Chairman and Independant Financial Advisor of the group, Peter Blant said: “My aim as chairman is to get the group established and set the foundations for this group to prosper in the future.

“I have always been a strong supporter of the Rotary movement but have not been able to commit the time during normal working hours. The new group has been designed to cater for people who work and may struggle to commit to a weekly lunchtime meeting so we intend meeting monthly on the last Wednesday of the month at 5.30pm so that people can attend on their way home from work.

“The meetings are very upbeat with lots of energy and good ideas being shared. It has been a great way to make new friends and contacts from the local business community.

“Our main objective is to support local causes in our community and make a difference whilst having fun in doing it. This week we will be providing stewards for the Chesterfield Rotary organised Eckington Classic Car & Bike Show being held at Renishaw Hall in aid of Ashgate Hospicecare, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.”

Also attending the historic induction ceremony were representatives from Rotary Distirct 1220, and members of the Chesterfield club, who welcomed the new Rotarians into the worldwide movement of Rotary International and wish the new club well.

The last significant expansion of Rotary in Chesterfield was in 1980 when the Chesterfield Rotary Club was instrumental in setting up the Rotary Club of Chesterfield Scarsdale.

For more information about the Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield (Central) contact its secretary
John.nettleship@brmlaw.co.uk or ring 01246 555111.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Specialists join Sheffield City Region Growth Hub

6th June 2016

Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub has appointed eight business growth specialists with more than 200 years of combined experience from sectors – ranging from creative industries and healthcare technologies to aerospace and rail.

The new service, which has core funding of £4.82m, is designed to be a single point of contact for all businesses across nine local authority areas – including Chesterfield – to access specialist support in key areas, whether that is from one of the eight specialists or from a partner organisation.

The partners include successful companies, consultancies, universities, chambers of commerce and local authorities, and national provision such as Innovate UK and UK Trade and Investment.

Head of the SCR Growth Hub, David Grimes, said: “It’s great to have these eight excellent business people ready and in place to help businesses far and wide to develop and expand. The eight business growth specialists all have different sectoral experience and can go in and help businesses from the word go.

“Everything is coming together for the Growth Hub and we can now start getting some results from businesses. I have great confidence that the people in place are going to be a huge part of that and they can impart their wisdom that they’ve accumulated over the years across the region.”

The Growth Hub offers support across the nine local authorities of Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The team of eight, appointed because of their backgrounds in a variety of different industries, have knowledge in areas including business planning, culture change, start-up support, leadership and management, and product innovation.

One of the business growth specialists, Antony Davies, has almost 20 years’ experience in business support, and has been managing director, director and co-owner of a successful innovation and enterprise support consultancy business. He has worked as far afield as Russia and Japan and has business experience in both retail and logistics.

Antony said: “It’s great to be given this chance to help businesses small and large to grow and expand. As individuals we all have differing strengths, but together we make a specialist team that is designed to be able to help any business across the region whether that be a brand new start-up or an established company.”

The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub aims to simplify all regional and national support that is available to businesses. It can offer support and advice in innovation, start-up, exporting, skills training, access to finance and growth demand. The Growth Hub can be contacted via telephone or email.

The Growth Hub can be contacted on 03330 00 00 39, emailing growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or visiting www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk.

Image shows six of the business growth specialists with head of Sheffield City Region Growth Hub David Grimes (front and centre). From left to right; Andy Sorsby, Tim Binns, David Grimes (Head of Sheffield City Region Growth Hub), Jim Goodare, Jim Scott, Jo Flanagan and Antony Davies. Not pictured in the photograph are Marcus Pearson and Robin Watson.

Posted in Business

National Trailboat Festival a huge success

6th June 2016

The IWA National Trailboat Festival 2016 has been hailed a terrific success after it returned to Chesterfield for the first time in over ten years.

Hosted at Staveley Town Basin over the spring bank holiday weekend, the event featured lots of family entertainment from boat trips to fire eaters, as well as the official opening of the new Staveley Town Lock.

A major project, the new lock was completed just in time for the event by volunteers from Chesterfield Canal Trust, along with support from volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group.

Cllr Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, attended the festival on the Saturday to cut the ribbon aboard John Varley II – Chesterfield Canal Trust’s brand new tripboat, which was featured alongside a score of small boats brought in on trailers to use the new slipway at the basin.

Rod Auton, Publicity Officer at Chesterfield Canal Trust said:-

“The boats made a wonderful, colourful spectacle when moored along the canal. They created great interest from the many walkers and cyclists using the towpath, as did Chesterfield Canal Trust’s 87 year-old ex-working boat Python, which was sponsored by Brook Garden Centre.

“Members of the public could also take a cruise on one of the trust’s five trip boats which were in operation. They went through the new lock, which had only been flooded two days earlier, and then up the canal past the moored boats and under three bridges.

“On the Saturday night, there was a parade of illuminated boats. All the trailboats and the trust’s trip boats were decked out in lights; many playing music. They cruised up and down the canal to the delight of large crowds; many of whom said that it was the best thing about the whole event.

“On the Monday, the festival itself was over, but the boats went in a flotilla all the way up the canal to Tapton in Chesterfield and back. Several actually reached the River Rother at St Helena’s, where the canal starts. This created great excitement amongst towpath users who usually only catch a glimpse of an occasional canoe or tripboat. It was a fitting finale to an unforgettable weekend, because it demonstrated what could happen when the canal is fully restored.

“The Chesterfield Canal Trust is very grateful to the Inland Waterways Association for allowing it to run this year’s National Trailboat Festival.”

Other highlights of the event included Learn to Drive a Digger run by volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group, Urban Gypsies belly dancers, fire eating from Captain Jackdaw and the Rumbucket, vintage cars, the Armed Forces Bikers, Birds of Prey, canoeing, a face painter, and the chance to stroke a tarantula or cuddle a skunk.

There were also dozens of stalls of every type, plus food and drink including a bar run by Brampton Brewery featuring their specially brewed festival ale called Brindley Bitter.

(Landscape image: Cllr Western cuts the ribbon (photo © John Lower)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Popular classic car and bike show returns to Renishaw Hall

6th June 2016

Enthusiasts from all over the region are set to visit Renishaw Hall this week to enjoy hundreds of classic cars and bikes at the popular Eckington Classic Car and Bike Show.

Organised each year by the Rotary Club of Chesterfield, the event will once again support Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospicecare, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Main organiser, Stuart Bradley of Stuart Bradley Ltd Jewellers, said: “Renishaw Hall is the perfect venue for this charitable event which we have run successfully for several years and raised over £50,000 for the designated charities.”

There will be a variety of stalls and amusements, plus refreshments and bar will also be available. Admission is £5 a vehicle.

The Eckington Classic Car and Bike Show takes place at Renishaw Hall, Eckington, near Chesterfield (S21 3WB), on Wednesday 8 June 2016, from 3.00pm until 8.00pm. For more information please contact main organiser Stuart Bradley on 01246 222777.

The date has also been released for this summer’s annual charity Ashover Classic Car and Bike Show which will be held once again at Rectory Fields, Ashover on Sunday 24 July from 10.00am.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Queen’s Award for Chesterfield & District Athletics Club

3rd June 2016

Chesterfield & District Athletics Club has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service; the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK – and equivalent to an MBE.

The voluntary group from North East Derbyshire has worked in the community since 1978 to offer athletics coaching and competition, winning a Derbyshire Sports Award in 2008 as Club of the Year (pictured below).

Now based at Tupton Hall School, the club has twice-weekly sessions when its volunteer coaches offer instruction in all the athletics disciplines to around 70 young athletes per night. It also offers all-year round competition in track and field, cross-country and sportshall athletics.

Chairman Jon Baker and Membership Secretary Kerry Baker attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where they met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Chesterfield AC will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mr William Tucker, later this summer.

Club Secretary Frank Gorman said: “We are thrilled to have been selected to receive this award, which recognises the fantastic work that all our volunteers are currently doing, and all the work done by previous volunteers to support the Club since it started in 1978.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.

“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”

Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, said: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements. The huge amount of work and commitment these organisations put into their local communities is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer. I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a more compassionate society.”

Image from Derbyshire Sports Awards 2008 (Chesterfield & District Athletics Club wins Club of the Year 2008.)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Employers – book your place at Derbyshire Skills Festival

1st June 2016

Employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to book their place at this year’s Derbyshire Skills Festival.

Organised by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council, the event is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.

This year the event will be held in Chesterfield at Queen’s Park Sports Centre on Thursday 15 September 2016 from 3.30pm to 8pm. It will include sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) will also be invited.

Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Councillor Damien Greenhalgh said:

“Last year, more than 11,000 people came along to Derbyshire Skills Festival over a fantastic three days.

“It is the biggest and best careers event in Derbyshire so it’s a great place for employers, education and training providers and voluntary organisations to speak to young people thinking about their future.”

The festival is an opportunity for young people leaving school or college or looking for a job with training to talk to the experts and get all the information and guidance they need under one roof. Visitors to the event will also be able to take part in have-a-go sessions to test their skills and give them an idea what different careers might be like.

Organisations interested in having a stand at one or more of the venues should contact Elaine Yates for more details, tel: 01629 536545 or email: skills.festival@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Hundreds of Derbyshire workers get active

1st June 2016

Hundreds of workers across Derbyshire played a part in this year’s Workplace Health Week, which provided inspiration and opportunities for employees to become more active at work.

The initiative, which is now in its second year, is run by Workplace Challenge in collaboration with Derbyshire Sport and other County Sports Partnerships across England.

Despite a government target that all adults should exercise for 150 minutes each week, nationally 40 per cent of us do not exercise enough and time is listed as the biggest barrier to physical activity.

This was the driver behind a week-long schedule of activities, support, tips and advice for local businesses, focusing on flexible working and active lunch breaks to bring physical activity into and around the working day.

Chesterfield Borough Council and The Post Office were among the organisations in Chesterfield which got involved in Workplace Health Week, and the highlight of the week was the Midday Mile, which saw workers ditch their desks to run, walk, jog or cycle one mile at 12noon on Thursday 26 May.

Workers from the Post Office No1 Future Walk team in Chesterfield also took part in lunchtime activities such as table tennis and rounders.

Participants have been logging their activity on the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge website; an online activity log challenge which allows colleagues to track how much sport and activity they are doing, and work together to earn activity points and work their way up an online leaderboard.

Now organisers are urging businesses to deliver their promise and continue giving their employees the encouragement and opportunity to keep active.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer and lead for the Workplace Challenge at Derbyshire Sport, said: “It’s been fantastic to see organisations from across Derbyshire get involved with Workplace Health Week 2016. It’s hugely encouraging to see so many employers take up the challenge and the important thing now is to keep up the momentum.

“Not enough people in Derbyshire achieve the target of 150 minutes of exercise each week and we want local businesses to help their employees do this.

“Giving workers the flexibility to bring physical activity into and around the workplace, including during their lunch break, will reap rewards not just for the wellbeing of employees, but for the business too by reducing absence.”

For more details, including information about how your business can get involved with Workplace Challenge and seek to introduce physical activity into and around the working day, search online for Derbyshire Workplace Challenge.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Defending champion Lisa Brennauer returns to Aviva Women’s Tour

1st June 2016

Defending champion Lisa Brennauer will return to the Aviva Women’s Tour leading the CANYON//SRAM Racing team and donning the number one placard, in the race that starts on Wednesday 15 June and arrives in Chesterfield at the end of stage 3 on Friday 17th June.

Brennauer won a stage and the Chain Reaction Cycles Points Jersey on her way to the overall Aviva Yellow Jersey in last year’s edition of the race.

The multiple World Champion has ridden in both editions of the Aviva Women’s Tour to date, and recently finished on the podium of the Energiewacht Tour in Holland, winning the Points Classification.

Speaking about her return to the Aviva Women’s Tour, Lisa Brennauer said; “I’m looking forward to coming back to the UK for the Aviva Women’s Tour. It’s been thrilling racing in front of big crowds and an amazing atmosphere last year. When I think back of all the fans along the course, at the finish and the award ceremonies I`m still having goose bumps. The Aviva Women’s Tour quickly made her way to one of the biggest events in women`s cycling.”

Joining her in the CANYON/SRAM provisional line-up will be Northamptonshire’s Hannah Barnes, winner of the final stage in 2015 and both the Best British and Best Young Rider jerseys.

Commenting on the race, Hannah Barnes said; “I always love coming back home to race. You get a buzz being on roads you know and having friends and family there watching. I’m particularly excited about the final stage. Starting and finishing so close to home and on roads I know is special.”

Italian National Champion Elena Cecchini will also return, having finished 10th overall in the first edition of the race in 2014, with former Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner Tiffany Cromwell the fourth rider in the squad.

Completing the line up will be multiple Belarussian champion Alena Amialiuski and Italian Barbara Guarischi, who finished second on the stage to Kettering in 2015, and won the Prudential RideLondon and Sparkassen Giro events in 2015.

Commenting on the provisional roster, Aviva Women’s Tour Race Director Mick Bennett said, “We look forward to welcoming Lisa Brennauer and her team back to the Aviva Women’s Tour in 2016 as a part of what is going to be a fantastic line-up for this year’s race.

“With Lisa, Hannah Barnes and the other riders in the squad, the CANYON//SRAM team have a very strong line-up for the Aviva Women’s Tour who we are sure will take the race to the other teams.”

The Aviva Women’s Tour stage 3 finishes in Chesterfield town centre on Friday 17th June. There will also be a host of activities during the day from fun fair rides to a workplace cycle challenge.

Fans can look forward to highlights of each stage of the race on ITV4 each evening, with repeats the following daytime and all programme’s available on demand via the ITV Player.

Images:
Landscape: Lisa Brennauer in the Aviva Yellow Jersey at the 2015 Aviva Women’s Tour (c) The Tour
Portrait: Hannah Barnes winning the final stage of the 2015 Aviva Women’s Tour (c) The Tour

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting