About Chesterfield

Celebrating success at Chesterfield College

21st June 2016

A ceremony has been held at Chesterfield College to recognise students, apprentices and employers for their hard work over the past academic year.

Awards were presented to recognise a range of academic and personal achievements including commitment to learning, outstanding achievements and investment in workplace training.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal at Chesterfield College said:-

“Our students and apprentices are all at different stages in their lives and have different aims and goals, but one thing they do have in common is their passion for learning and self-improvement and that is really something worth celebrating.

“Our awards tonight recognise those people and organisations who stand out as going the extra mile to make the difference on their own educational journeys or to influence others. It’s a really inspirational evening.”

Childcare student, Megan Talbot, aged 20 from Chesterfield, claimed the title of Student of the Year. Her tutors nominated her in recognition of resilience and dedication she has shown despite a difficult start and juggling the demands of studying whilst looking after a young child.

Tarmac Driveways, in Chesterfield, won the Employer of the Year award for their commitment to apprenticeships and the quality of the training and extracurricular development that they offer their engineering apprentices.

The Apprentice of the Year award was presented to Megan Cameron, aged 19 from Eckington. Despite a variety of personal issues, Megan has overcome many barriers to achieve her Level 2 apprenticeship – always with an overwhelming positive attitude, making the most of the support on offer to her through all levels of her traineeship and apprenticeship, showing an unbelievable commitment to achieving her dream of becoming a qualified childcare worker.

Other winners on the night included:

• Jasmin Senior, Health and Social Care student – Commitment to Learning Award
• Amy Sharpe, Sixth form student – Improvement Award
• Cheryl Booth, Beauty student – Inspirational Learner Award
• Natalie King, Hospitality Student – Outstanding Achievement Award
• Harrison Davies, Foundation Studies student – Foundation Studies Student of the Year
• Michael Davison, Access to Higher Education student – Adult Student of the Year
• Cuan Whitworth, BSc (Hons) Information Technology Student – Higher Education Student of the Year
• Slack & Parr Ltd – Investment in Workplace Training

Student of the Year, Megan Talbot with the Gill Parkes, Assistant Principal, Classroom-Based Learning of Chesterfield College and Jo Addy, Director of Time and Beauty Spa who was guest speaker.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Made in Chesterfield, Uncategorised

Toby Perkins MP visits new residential development

20th June 2016

Toby Perkins MP for Chesterfield has been welcomed to the new residential development, Pomegranate Park – located on Newbold Road.

The 10-acre plot of land was bought earlier this year by Avant Homes to build 82 high-specification new homes.

The visit included a tour of the development and the recently-opened marketing suite which provided Toby Perkins MP with site plans, information on house types, CGIs of the properties for sale and an onsite virtual tour.

Luke Simmons, Technical Director at Avant Homes said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Perkins MP to Pomegranate Park, which is set to become an outstanding development and one which is an excellent example of the high quality homes currently being built by Avant Homes in the area.

“It was important for us to highlight the methods we are implementing to ensure there is the minimum of interruption to the local community during the build, which includes the controlling of working hours and regular communications outlining when works will be taking place. Not only are we extremely proud of our product, but we are also committed to delivering it in the most efficient and timely manner as possible.”

Toby Perkins added: “I was pleased to visit the Pomegranate Park site to see how the plans are taking shape. It is great to see that it is a mixed use estate, whilst it is vital we build more affordable homes, we also need higher-spec housing to allow growing families and people currently in starter homes to progress further up the property ladder too.

“Avant Homes has responded favourably to the concerns of constituents that I have raised with them, and hope that constructive engagement with the local community continues.”

The development was officially launched at a VIP cocktails and canapés event at the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield, which provided pre-registered buyers with detailed information about the development.

The stylish development comprises a range of three, four and five-bedroom homes, with prices currently starting from £329,995. There are currently 5 house designs to choose from – The Danbury, The Westbury, The Rosebury, The Hartlebury and The Durham.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Catwalk collections wow audiences at Chesterfield College

20th June 2016

Fashion students at Chesterfield College held their annual fashion show last week to showcase a range of bespoke outfits they have created – all inspired by African tribes, sportsmen, rainforests and insects.

This year audiences of the two shows were treated to a visual spectacle of outfits created along the themes of ‘Regency Fashion’ and ‘Abstract Gardens’ as well as a collection inspired by Alexander McQueen.

Students from each level of the fashion and design courses produced garments for the show to demonstrate the range of skills and techniques they get to develop during their time at Chesterfield College. The models bring the work of the students to life as they demonstrate how garment production techniques, laser cutting skills, digital printing on fabric and many other design and manufacturing techniques come together to make stunning outfits.

Final year student, Penny Black’s wonderful collection of daywear inspired by moths featured faux fur, leatherette and wool. Coming from a creative family of women who have worked in the fashion industry, Penny’s mother was a fabric designer and her grandmother a lingerie designer and she is proud to have won a place at DeMontfort University in Leicester on a contour fashion course.

April Spence’s collection was perhaps the most economical and vibrant of the show made entirely from reused fabric found in charity shops and roll-ends costing just £30. April was inspired by the colour and textures in the garments of Ethiopian tribes after she did some research on Africa before creating her trousers, top, jacket and neckpiece.

Fashion tutor Laura Crawley said:-

“The fashion show is a brilliant opportunity for our students to show off their skills and experience the thrills and pressures of putting on a show like this. The students don’t just think about the clothes the models will wear they have to style them too to come up with hair and make-up that creates a stunning look which works with the clothes they are wearing to get their creations noticed. It also gives them a taste of some of the pressures of working in the fashion industry.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield FC launch summer Soccer School

20th June 2016

Chesterfield FC Community Trust are set to launch a series of Soccer School sessions for 5 – 13 year olds this August.

Taking place at St Mary’s Catholic High School, the sessions will be delivered by FA qualified Chesterfield FC coaches in a fun environment and feature a technique and skills masterclass, as well as free-kick and penalty challenges.

Michael Noon from the Chesterfield FC Community Trust said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the Chesterfield FC Soccer School. Our aim is for the kids who attend to receive top quality coaching and enjoy themselves at the same time.

“There will be appearances from club mascot Chester the Field Mouse and we will also have tours of the Proact Stadium on Friday afternoons.”

The sessions are open to ages 5-13 and will take place from 9am to 4pm. Those attending need to bring trainers/shin pads and football boots (if available), along with a packed lunch.

Pre-booking costs just £15 per day or £60 per week while pay on the day costs £20. All those pre-booking will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed Spireites shirt.

To book, please phone 01246 264030 or email activities@chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

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

Lizzie Armitstead takes stage win and Aviva Yellow Jersey in Derbyshire

17th June 2016

Lizzie Armitstead powered to an emotional victory in Chesterfield at the end of the third stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour, outsprinting a trio of breakaway companions to move into the Aviva Yellow Jersey of race leader with two stages remaining.

See pictures from the finish in Chesterfield

The reigning World Road Race Champion crossed the line pointing to the sky, dedicating her win in Derbyshire to the memory of Jo Cox, the Birstall MP who was murdered yesterday.

Armitstead crossed the line clear of second placed Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio to now enjoy a five second lead over the Cervelo Bigla rider on the Aviva General Classification, with overnight leader Marianne Vos leading the bunch in for fifth, 36-seconds down.

The Boels Dolmans rider had led Moolman-Pasio and Wiggle HIGH5’s Elisa Longo Borghini across to the day’s breakaway group, catching the group of 11-riders shortly after the Strava Queen of the Mountains climb of Bank Road in Matlock.

Those eleven, who went clear after the feed zone and around 47-kilometres of racing, included the likes of Hannah Barnes, Chantal Blaak and Australian national champion Amanda Spratt, who went on to finish fourth.

While the break were working well together, they were powerless to stop the pursuit of Armitstead, Moolman-Pasio and Longo Borghini, with the trio making the junction after the summit of Bank Road having gone clear on the flatter valley roads following the Chain Reaction Cycles Sprint at Darley Dale.

Having missed the move, Vos and her Rabo Liv team chased hard, but with around 15-kilometres to go Armitstead attacked again, at first joined by just Moolman-Pasio before Longo Borghini and Spratt also made the junction.

The quartet worked well to hold off the chasing Rabo Liv, whose pursuit saw the remnants of the breakaway caught, allowing them to contest the finish in Chesterfield’s Market Place, with Armitstead leading out the sprint to take victory, her second ever stage win in the Aviva Women’ Tour.

Behind Vos outsprinted Armitstead’s Boels Dolmans teammate Amalie Dideriksen for fifth, ahead of Leah Kirchmann and Giorgia Bronzini.

In addition to the Aviva Yellow Jersey and a five second lead overall, Armitstead also retained the Adnams Best British Rider Jersey, with Dani King her nearest challenger in that competition, 47-seconds back in 15th overall.

Despite losing yellow Marianne Vos retains the Chain Reaction Cycles Points Jersey, 11-points clear of Stage One winner Christine Majerus, with Vos’ compatriot Floortje Maackaij holding a 34-second lead in the Best Young Rider classification presented by Stoke-on-Trent, European City of Sport.

Having been in the day’s 11-rider move, Katie Hall led the race across both Strava Queen of the Mountains climbs at Winster and Matlock to take a 14-point lead over Ilona Hoeksma.

Highlights of Stage Three will be shown on ITV4 at 23:00 on Friday 17 June, with a repeat on Saturday morning at 08:55. The programme will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub catch-up service for 30-days.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Sheffield City Region working to improve further education

17th June 2016

Sheffield City Region (SCR) has become the first locally-led part of the country to complete its area based review.

Taking place across the UK, area based reviews aim to ensure that a region’s further education (FE) colleges remain financially resilient in the face of funding pressures, to ensure they can continue to deliver credible, high-quality professional and technical training.

The successful conclusion of the review sends a clear signal to Government that the SCR’s local leaders and FE colleges are at the head of the pack when it comes to working together to make decisions that impact on its economy and jobs.

This ‘first’ marks another important milestone in Sheffield City Region’s devolution journey which, by 2018, will see the local budget for adult education and training devolved to the combined authority.

This means that within two years, Sheffield City Region will take a direct role in ensuring that college education and training continues to meet current and future skills needs of employers and learners; crucial to the ambitious plans that Sheffield City Region has for the creation of new businesses and skilled jobs across the nine authorities.

All six of the City Region FE colleges and two sixth form colleges unanimously accepted the review’s recommendations.

The review started in late 2015 and makes eight recommendations which includes proposed mergers for some colleges and a collaborative approach for apprenticeship delivery with some colleges in the City Region.

Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), chaired Sheffield City Region’s Area Based Review. He said:-

“We are delighted with the outcome of the area based review and it has been really impressive how partners have joined together to make proposals that have learners and businesses at their heart. This puts Sheffield City Region in a strong position by ensuring that our further education sector can deliver the best outcomes for residents, businesses and ultimately the economic growth that Sheffield City Region is striving to achieve.”

FE Commissioner Sir David Collins, said:-

“It is excellent news that Sheffield City Region has successfully concluded its area based review and I am very pleased that the institutions involved all contributed so positively to the process. The Sheffield City Region’s partnership approach to this important work is very welcome and sets a precedent which other areas will be eager to follow. This review means that FE institutions will shape a stronger and more sustainable future for learners and businesses in the area.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme

17th June 2016

Chesterfield residents are invited to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme on Friday 1st July.

On the day Chesterfield’s mayor, Councillor Steve Brunt will blow a whistle three times at 7.30am to signal the exact time that the whistles were blown at the Somme to signify the beginning of the battle.

The event will also include a march with standards, a rendition of the Last Post and a two minutes silence followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance, said: “The Battle of the Somme was a terrible event in which hundreds of thousands of servicemen were killed within hours of the battle starting.

Chesterfield’s Battle of the Somme commemoration takes place at the war memorial on Rose Hill, opposite the Town Hall on Friday 1 July. People are asked to be in place for 7.10am.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Perez duo gear up for Father’s Day races

17th June 2016

Father’s Day on Sunday will be one to remember for Chesterfield’s well known rally driver Steve Perez with both Steve and his son set to compete in different Ginetta races at the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire.

Seb Perez, Steve’s 16 year old son, will compete in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship – the popular race series contested by 14 to 17 year-olds.

Father Steve, 4 times British National Rally Champion and 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion, is set to race in the more prominent Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge with his Amigos and Global Brands sponsored car.

More familar with the mud and dust of the forests of Wales in his VK Kick Energy sponsored Ford Focus WRC rally car, Sunday’s competition will be a big change for rally driver, Perez Senior.

Chairman of Chesterfield-based Global Brands, Steve Perez said, “It’s a very different discipline driving a race car on a circuit, but the Ginetta GT5 is a very easy car to drive; I just have to remember I am not in a group 4 Escort rally car on some deep forest track and cut out the Scandinavian Flicks!”

Son Seb will be in high spirits this weekend after his latest race weekend at Oulton Park just over a week ago in which he had a fantastic weekend. Seb jokes: “I’m sure he (Steve) will be doing some learning off of me for a change; it would be good to see him get a nice Father’s Day gift of a win at Croft.”

The end of the Ginetta Junior season is at the beginning of October and there is still a long road ahead for Seb to prove what he is made. Seb’s performance and all the action is broadcast live on the Sundays on ITV 4.

Editorial by Paul Horton.

Images – Landscape: Perez in action at Oulton Park: Jakob Ebrey Photography. Portrait: Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

Tickets on sale for first RHS Flower Show at Chatsworth

16th June 2016

Tickets are now available to buy for the much-anticipated RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

The iconic, spectacular 1,000-acre parkland – home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and set in the heart of the rolling Derbyshire countryside – is set to host the show for the first time in June 2017.

Nick Mattingley, Director of RHS Shows said: “RHS Chatsworth will be playful, fun and unforgettable for visitors from beginning to end. We, and our contributors, are developing really exciting ideas for show content, we’re looking forward to sharing them as they develop over the next year.”

“For the 2017 show, the overarching theme will be ‘Design Revolutionaries’, celebrating creative people through history, the present and future, who through their foresight and innovation change the way we think about and approach gardens and garden design.

The show will celebrate great historical revolutionaries such as Sir Joseph Paxton and Lancelot Capability Brown; both of whom have left a lasting legacy in landscape design and had a great impact on the Chatsworth Estate.

The Floral Marquee will take inspiration from Joseph Paxton’s Great Conservatory which housed a host of horticultural specimens, from exotic palms and aquatic plants, to brilliantly coloured flowers.

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

Opportunity to join D2N2 LEP Board

16th June 2016

New board members are being sought to steer the activities of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – the business-led organisation promoting economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Three more business people have the opportunity to join the D2N2 LEP, the board of which is composed of people from the business, local authority, skills and training, and community and social enterprise sectors.

Board members – led by Chairman Peter Richardson – are responsible for:

• Providing strategic input to help the Board drive economic growth in the area covered by the D2N2 LEP; the fifth largest of England’s 39 LEPs, covering a population of more than two million and with an economic output of around £42.9billion GVA (Gross Value Added).

• Promoting LEP interests where possible at networking opportunities, to influence Government and the business community, with the aim of securing inward investment.

• Contributing to a clear and informed view of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the D2N2 area’s economy; to enable the LEP to pursue its over-arching goal of creating 55,000 additional private sector jobs in its area by 2023.

• Championing the work of the board and its objectives, outcomes and results to relevant partners, organisations, networks and businesses.

Prospective board members should have significant experience of leading a successful business based within the D2N2 area, in a key sector, to demonstrate credibility and achievement as a driver of private sector growth in the D2N2 area.

They should be capable of clear strategic thinking, have excellent communication and leadership skills, and understand what drives economic prosperity. They should have strong connections within business communities, and be able to demonstrate these links with other businesses and organisations.

Board members serve for up to three years and must be free to attend regular LEP Board meetings, other events and to champion the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. It is anticipated that board members will on average need to contribute one to two days per month to fulfil this role, for which expenses only will be available.

The closing date for applications is 12noon on Friday July 8, 2016. It is anticipated that those shortlisted will be invited for discussions with LEP Board members in mid- July.

Applications should quote the reference PR/DR/9578 and should include a CV, and a covering letter of no more than two pages in length outlining how their experience and networks would benefit the LEP, paying particular attention to their experience and attributes.

Applications should quote the reference PR/DR/9578 and should include a CV with a covering letter no more than two pages long outlining how their experience and networks would benefit the LEP, paying particular attention to their experience and attributes.

All applications will be acknowledged.

Please submit your application by email to Sally Hallam, D2N2 Office Manager, at sally.hallam@d2n2lep.org email icon or by post, marked ‘Strictly Private and Confidential’ to David Ralph, Chief Executive, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, 8 Experian Way, NG2 Business Park, Nottingham NG2 1EP.

To make initial enquiries, which will be handled in confidence, please contact Sally Hallam on 0115 9578250 or sally.hallam@d2n2lep.org.

For information on the D2N2 LEP’s current Board members visit www.d2n2lep.org/about/board

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Over 50 new homes planned for former Newbold School site

15th June 2016

Plans have been announced for 56 new homes to built on the former Newbold School site in Chesterfield.

The 4.8 acres of land is to be sold to Miller Homes by Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council for a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom houses. Most of the houses will be two storey properties, with four planned to be two-and-a-half storey homes and one a bungalow.

The residential area would be accessed from Newbold Road and covers a rectangular area that is also next to Loundsley Green Road and Newbold Back Lane.

The land has been vacant since Derbyshire County Council demolished the former Newbold School in 2006. It is allocated as a site that is suitable for housing, although planning permission will be required before the development could go ahead.

When a planning application is submitted the council will seek agreement for up to 30 per cent of the houses to be affordable homes and require Miller Homes to make a Community Infrastructure Levy payment that will contribute to education and open spaces facilities, such as playgrounds, in the borough.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said: “This is an important site in the town and if planning permission is approved then having 56 homes on this site would make an important contribution to the borough’s housing needs.

“It would also deliver that housing on a brownfield site that is already allocated as being suitable for housing, subject to the correct planning permission being in place.”

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for council services, Councillor Andy Botham, said: “This proposal shows how two authorities can work together to provide much-needed affordable housing in Derbyshire.”

Miller Homes is intending to carry out initial public consultation with local residents in the coming weeks ahead of submitting a formal planning application.

Newbold School, which has since been renamed Outwood Academy Newbold, moved off Newbold Road in 2006 to merge its lower and upper schools on a single site in Highfield Lane.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure