About Chesterfield

Nominations now open for the Active Chesterfield Sports Awards 2016

2nd June 2016

It’s time to get your nominations in for the Active Chesterfield Sports Awards 2016. You can nominate at http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/active-chesterfield.aspx

Now in its third year, the awards ceremony is delivered by the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership and Chesterfield Borough Council and aims to recognise and reward Chesterfield’s sporting heroes.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield on Thursday 29^th September. Split into separate school and community categories, there are 26 awards to acclaim junior stars, teams, volunteers, coaches and community clubs.

Last year’s Sportsman of the Year, Liam Pitchford, will be in contention again this year, following an impressive performance at the UK championships that saw him reach the semi-finals.

Collecting the award on his behalf last year, his father said: “Liam left for Germany aged 17. He’s given up a lot and you could say he’s missed out on some things but he’s achieved so much more. He’s put the effort in and still has things he wants to achieve.”

In 2015 we received a great many nominations for hundreds of deserving candidates. The past year has seen more sporting success for Chesterfield’s sports people, teams and schools, as well as dedication and hard work from coaches and volunteers. To support and celebrate this hard work please send your nominations in before the closing date on Monday 1^st August.

A full list of the awards categories:

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sportsman of the Year
Sportswoman of the Year
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
Team Achievement – Primary
Team Achievement – Secondary (11-18 years)
Team Achievement – Disability
Team of the Year
Media and Arts contribution to School Sport
Individual Young Leader of the Year
FE Sports Leader of the Year
FE Outstanding contribution to Sports volunteering
Manager/Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Community Award
Club of the Year
Active workplace Award
Young Sportsman of the Year (13-18 years)
Young Sportswoman of the Year (13-18 years)
Junior Sportsman of the Year
Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Junior Sportsperson of the Year
School Staff of the Year
FE Sportsperson of the Year

You can nominate at http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/active-chesterfield.aspx

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

Seb Perez ready for Oulton Park

31st May 2016

Chesterfield’s young racing driver, Seb Perez is set to travel to Oulton Park this weekend in the next round of the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship.

The 16-year-old will be looking for a bit more luck after his last two outings at Donington Park and Thruxton have ended in a mixture of success and misfortune.

Race one at Donington saw Perez finish 11th, after changing weather conditions including a sleet storm and various position changes. He clocked up his fastest lap on the first and second sectors of the circuit, dropping to second during the third timed section of the track, only to find after the race his fastest lap had been disallowed.

Second race of the weekend saw him line up 11th on the grid, but unfortunately after a good start he retired with a damaged car after being shunted off the track.

After a battle to get the car ready for race three, his team worked wonders and saw him on the last row of the grid. Making up six places he finished in 16th position.

Despite the car sustaining 2 bent valves and brake problems at Donington, Seb’s team ensured it was running well for Thruxton.

The qualifying session saw Seb outrun every other driver on the circuit. Lap 3 was his fastest lap at 1:31.899s with a speed of 92.29mph to take his maiden pole position in the championship by one thousandth of a second.

Race one saw Perez in pole and in charge of the pack of the other 19 cars behind him. Black flagged for jumping the start and a drive through penalty saw him drop to 19th position, however he progressed through the field gaining a best race speed of up to 106.8mph and finishing 18th – still a success but a potential podium place could have been on the cards.

Race two saw Perez start from row 9 on the grid. After a good start on the first lap gaining essential places, disaster struck shortly afterwards and an incident saw Max Bird’s Ginetta retiring along with Perez.

After a month’s break with plenty of testing and some tweaks to the car he hopes that this will be a turning point in the season for him. Last season Seb finished 15th in both races at Oulton Park and hopes to improve on that this year.

He said: “I am really looking forward to Oulton Park this weekend, I enjoy racing on it and there will be a lot of local support there for me.

“The last two rounds at Donington and Thruxton hadn’t gone entirely to plan, but that’s racing for you; it’s always a learning curve and my team, JHR Developments has worked well on the car during the last 2 rounds to sort out the problems. We had a good test session at Croft just over a week ago and the car is performing great.”

Perez has still a long way to go to the end of the season at the beginning of October. Seb’s performance and all the action is broadcast live on the Sundays on ITV 4.

Editorial by Paul Horton. Landscape image: Jakob Ebrey Photography, Portrait image: Paul Horton Photography.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

£80k boost to help young people get active

31st May 2016

Young people across Derbyshire will have the chance to try a range of sports and activities thanks to an £80,000 boost which has been awarded to sports clubs and providers.

A total of 76 projects have been awarded a share of the funding which will see new sessions run in a huge variety of sports and activities, with everything from aerobics, boxercise, tennis, cricket and netball, to climbing, American football, dance and martial arts on offer.

The funding has come from Sport England’s Lottery-funded London 2012 legacy project Sportivate, which in Derbyshire is co-ordinated locally by Derbyshire Sport.

The programme aims to give more young people aged 11 to 25 the chance to discover a sport that they love, offering those who do not currently take part in sport and physical activity between six and eight weeks of free or subsidised coaching.

Once the course has finished, those involved will also be supported to continue playing sport.

Projects will take place across the county, including in Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derby, the Derbyshire Dales, Erewash, High Peak, North East Derbyshire and South Derbyshire.

Funding will be used to pay for new equipment, coaching, facility hire and training.

Lewis Adams, Sport Development Officer with responsibility for Sportivate at Derbyshire Sport, said: “Since its launch six years ago more than 10,000 young people across Derbyshire have taken part in sporting activities funded through Sportivate.

“This latest round of funding will allow lots more new and exciting activities to be kick-started and continue to help sports clubs and organisations to recruit new participants and get more young people active.”

To find out what Sportivate sessions are available in your area please contact Lewis Adams, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport by emailing lewis.adams@derbyshire.gov.uk.

The application process for a further round of Sportivate funding is due to open in August. Applications will be particularly welcomed from projects with a specific focus on inactive young people, women and girls, disabled young people, those aged between 19 and 25, and young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Working Towards an Active Derbyshire

27th May 2016

Derbyshire Sport has made tackling inactivity the number one priority in its new draft strategy for 2016 to 2021, Towards an Active Derbyshire.

The ambition is to engage 50,000 more people in physical activity and sport over the next five years as a response to a decline across the county in those getting regularly active.

The strategy acts as a call to action for partners and communities across Derbyshire to help address big inequalities in participation from one area to another.

It also sets out women, young people and those from lower socio economic groups as clear priorities.

“There is a need to work differently, understanding the attitudes, fears and barriers that stop people becoming more active and engaged in sport,” said Hayley, Lever, Director of Derbyshire Sport.

“We want organisations and people across Derbyshire to support and encourage less active people on a journey to happier and healthier lives.”

“There is a growing recognition nationally, that, for many people, activity and sport simply isn’t on their radar. Even for those who are engaged, many factors get in the way and people need information, support, encouragement and help to motivate and nudge them to change their lifestyles.”

The draft strategy, open for public consultation until June 20, calls for a commitment to change at every level and across sectors, including health, transport, business and planning, as well as sport and recreation.

It supports Sport England’s new strategy released last week – Towards an Active Nation 2016-2021 – which outlines that future investment will target seven key areas: tackling inactivity, children and young people, taking sport and activity to the mass market, supporting sport’s core markets, local delivery and creating welcoming sports facilities.

As part of its fresh approach, Derbyshire Sport has also adopted a new constitution and board, which features openly-recruited skills-based members.

New board chair Kathryn Mitchell added: “I’m delighted to join the new Derbyshire Sport board as Chair at this time of exciting change in the landscape of activity and sport.

“We welcome the opportunity to support the Sport England vision, working with our partners locally to create positive and sustainable changes for those living, working and visiting Derbyshire.”

The draft strategy, Towards an Active Derbyshire, can be viewed and downloaded by visiting the Derbyshire Sport website and searching for Derbyshire Physical Activity and Sport Strategy 2016-2021.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Green + Benz scoop coveted Chesterfield Retailer of the Year title

26th May 2016

Four retailers retain titles in 2016 awards

Only six months after opening its new flagship store, Green + Benz has scooped the coveted title of Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber at the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Green + Benz was among 14 Chesterfield retailers to scoop one of 18 prestigious awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The Chesterfield College Group.

The awards which returned for the third year running were the biggest yet and saw four retailers – Adorn Jewellers, R P Davidson Cheese Factor, Libby’s and Debenhams, retain their 2015 titles.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Green + Benz also took the title of Best New Store following the relocation of its Chesterfield store on Glumangate to 120sqm of premium retail space on South Street in December last year.

The increased space means Green + Benz can accommodate an open shop floor, a private viewing room and a workshop for bespoke commissions. Inside, the store boasts luxurious leather and velvet upholstery, glittering chandeliers and individual branded display bays which are framed by polished chrome edge details and numerous mirrors, which all adds to the overall sense of glamour of the store. Figures for Green + Benz showed a 68% overall growth in prior year sales results in December 2015 following the opening of the new store.

Manager of the Chesterfield store, Abi Noakes was presented with both awards at the sell-out award ceremony, which was held at the town’s Winding Wheel venue and hosted by Peak FM breakfast show presenters Cat and Stu.

Abi said: “We’re so overwhelmed and very proud and happy to receive the awards. It means so much that the awards have come from Chesterfield and everybody in Chesterfield. We really try and strive to make our clients ultra-happy and give them the best service that we can.”

Peter Swallow, Chairman of Destination Chesterfield said: “Once again the retail awards were a huge success and highlighted how strong Chesterfield’s retail scene is. The town has an excellent mix of independent and high street retailers as well as an historic market and a key reason why so many people, locally and nationally, visit each year. It’s a winning mix that consistently sees Chesterfield buck the trend for shop vacancy rates, contributing significantly to our growing economy.”

Discover all the winners of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards

Sheffield City Region secures funding for sustainable transport

25th May 2016

Sheffield City Region has been successful in its bid to the Department for Transport to continue with a programme of activity to make travelling to work better for businesses and employees.

The Local Sustainable Transport Fund is aligned to the Sheffield City Region Growth Plan, which aims to create 70,000 and jobs and create 6,000 new businesses over the next decade. The fund covers a range of projects which aim to realise the economic potential of sustainable travel, make cycling easier and safer, and support businesses to increase productivity and efficiency. Projects including loans for electric bikes, cycle training and a programme to make HGVs, buses, coaches and vans more fuel efficient.

Councillor Julie Dore, Transport lead for the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: “The news that Sheffield City Region has secured £2.5m of revenue funding from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund is very welcome. It will help us sustain a number of successful, locally developed schemes that encourage sustainable travel, and will provide a platform for more substantial bids later in the year.”

Martin McKervey, Sheffield City Region LEP Board member, said: “This investment by Government in sustainable transport in Sheffield City Region is excellent news. As a LEP we are committed to bringing together the public and private sectors to make it even easier to do business in the City Region. Connectivity is key to this and this additional funding will enable us to continue on our journey to build a better connected economy which supports businesses to grow and creates job opportunities for residents.”

The funding for Sheffield City Region Combined Authority is part of £20.6m that is being given out nationally for 23 sustainable travel initiatives across England that boost local economies by supporting people’s ambitions – offering cheap, clean and healthy travel options to access jobs and education opportunities.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Green transport cuts congestion and improves air quality. It also offers the cheapest and healthiest way for people to access jobs and education.

“Sheffield’s green travel scheme will make a real difference for residents and help provide better air quality for everyone. Our £21m funding across England shows we are committed to improving lives through investment in sustainable transport.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Spireites announce second summer signing

25th May 2016

Chesterfield have made their second summer signing, clinching the signature of midfielder Jon Nolan.

The 24-year-old was a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at Grimsby Town.

Nolan, who started his career with Stockport County before spells at Lincoln City and Wrexham, played a key role in Grimsby’s return to the Football League via the play-offs. The Mariners also enjoyed another trip to Wembley in last weekend’s FA Trophy final.

Nolan joins striker Kristian Dennis in signing for the Spireites since the end of the season.

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

Thrills galore at Chatsworth Country Fair

25th May 2016

Split second timing, breathtaking fire jumps and pyramids on wheels are just some of the stunning tricks crowds can expect at the Chatsworth Country Fair this September as the world-famous Imps Motorcycle Display Team returns for the first time in a decade.

The youngest member of the team is just five years old and will take part in a spectacular show of revving engines, billowing fire jumps and multiple motorcycle routines to bring visitors an unmissable display of discipline and skill.

The Imps Motorcycle Display Team forms part of the action-packed schedule of family friendly entertainment at the hugely popular annual event.

The Grand Ring will also be the site for thrilling landings from the Jump4Heroes human flight team, made up of serving and former members of the military. Continuing with the aerial attractions, visitors to the fair will once again be treated to an awe-inspiring aerobatic display by the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force team famous for their trademark combinations of close formation flying, dynamic loops and rolls appearing on Friday and Sunday.

The popular Household Cavalry Musical Ride will be back performing cavalry drill movements set to music showcasing the courage, skill, precision and discipline required by the riders. As part of the display, Stablemen, or “Rough Riders” lie on the ground with their horses, a skill which can take up to four months of training to teach and is a throwback to when horses went into battle and would need to take cover.

Birds and animals once again feature prominently over the three days. Always popular is CJ’s Birds of Prey, a unique father and daughter act lead by Charlotte Hill who has trained in the art of falconry in various countries across the world. The duo’s bubbling enthusiasm and skill has led to them becoming one of the most popular Birds of Prey display teams in the UK.

The Chatsworth Country Fair takes place from 2 to 4 September 2016 and discounts are available for tickets purchased in advance online. For more information click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting