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Newborns highlight Rare Breeds success at Chatsworth

While visitors have been enjoying the sights and sounds of its latest newborns this spring, Chatsworth Farmyard has been particularly celebrating the latest additions to its breeding programme for rare and sometimes critically endangered animals.

Two Albion calves, Bronte and Queenie, have been born in the past ten days. Originally called the ‘Bakewell Blues’ because of their origins in Derbyshire, Albions are listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) as the most rare ‘priority’ breed.

Meanwhile, Eugenie, Chatsworth’s Suffolk Punch mare is expecting another foal in the next couple of weeks, having successfully delivered visitor favourite ‘Huxley’ last year. The RBST considers the Suffolk Punch to be critically endangered with fewer than 500 purebred horses registered in the UK. Eugenie is one of only 72 female Suffolk Punches, making them more endangered than the Giant Panda.

Bagot goat kids and Gloucester Old Spot piglets are due soon and are listed as ‘at risk’ breeds while the farmyard is also hoping for some rare breed chicks from its Derbyshire Redcap chickens.

The Farmyard has been welcoming plenty of newborns this spring, though not all are rare breeds.  A Donkey foal, lambs, goat kids and piglets are all expected additions in the next few weeks.

Chatsworth Farmyard is home to a number of the country’s rarest breeds of livestock and equines, including Suffolk Punch horses, Shire horses, Albion cattle, Bagot goats and Cream Legbar and Derbyshire Redcap chickens, as well as British Landrace pigs and Eriskay ponies.

“We are delighted to welcome our two beautiful Albion calves. They’re incredibly rare and I have always wanted to have some of these wonderful cows here. Given their local heritage it feels like the perfect fit at Chatsworth Farmyard,” said Farmyard Manager, Melissa Underwood.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) awarded RBST accreditation to Chatsworth Farmyard last year, recognising its important contribution to the conservation of some the rarest livestock and equine breeds native to the UK.

RBST is the national charity that works to secure the future of rare breeds of native livestock and equines. Chatsworth Farmyard is now part of the 25-strong network of RBST accredited farm parks which take part in crucial conservation programmes, manage special breeding groups, and support education about rare breeds and why they matter.

Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground is open daily to visitors (www.chatsworth.org).

Chatsworth supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield Vegan Market launches

Chesterfield will host a regular Vegan Market in 2022 that adds to the line up of specialist Sunday markets held in the town.

The Vegan Market is run by Rainbow Monkey Events Ltd and the first one will be held on Sunday 8 May from 10am to 4pm in New Square. There will be a wide selection of vegan traders both from Derbyshire and from further afield.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The specialist Sunday markets are proving really popular amongst both visitors and residents. It’s great that we’re working with another partner to increase the variety of Sunday markets.”

Chesterfield Vegan Market will offer an amazing range of vegan products including cakes, chocolate, dog treats, fudge, jewellery, household goods, clothing, pies, pizza, plastic free and zero waste solutions and a selection of hot food.

There will also be animal charities and rescue centres promoting the services they offer and a selection of vegan artists and creatives selling their artwork. Everyone is welcome at the market whether they are vegan or not and visitors are also able to bring along their canine companions.

Sam Brundish, founder of Rainbow Monkey Events, said: “We have chosen to run some of our ethical vegan events in Chesterfield as I have a long connection with the town – I attended Chesterfield College for my Foundation Degree and I’ve been eating at Elliott’s since I first went vegan 20 years ago! And, having previously traded at the vegan markets which were run in 2019, we are keen to bring a regular vegan market to the folks of Chesterfield and beyond!

“We have already booked in a number of exciting stalls so whether you are new to veganism or interested in any aspect of it from the tasty food to the animal rescues which are local to you, we welcome you all to Chesterfield Vegan Markets starting in May 2022.”

Specialist Sunday markets in Chesterfield include the Artisan Market which takes place on the last Sunday of every month and the Chesterfield Record Fair which takes place on the second Sunday of every month.

On 8 May the Chesterfield Vegan Market will take place in New Square whilst the Record Fair takes place in the main market.

Future dates for the Chesterfield Vegan Market are Sunday 10 July and Sunday 4 September. All taking place in New Square from 10am to 4pm.

Find out more about the market at www.rainbowmonkeyevents.co.uk and follow the company for regular updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Chesterfield’s new Belvedere House Care Home spreads “eggstra-special” joy for the community

Residents, relatives and staff at Belvedere House Care Home in Chesterfield enjoyed getting involved with Gussies Kitchen, located at St Augustine’s Church, in celebration of the upcoming Easter weekend.

The growing Belvedere House family got together and discussed spreading some eggstra-special joy within their community and came up with the idea to raise Easter Eggs that would be donated to the Church.

The event became very popular and word spread so quickly that it resulted in a collection of 63 Easter Eggs and 21 freshly home baked cupcakes which were packed with love and care by residents.  The treats were then taken to the Church.

Shiva Sheikholeslami, Home Manager, said: “Easter is our first holiday and first celebration at Belvedere House.  We are all delighted to be involved with our local community and to have made the links with St Augustine’s Church is very important for our residents to be able to engage, interact, have faith and to have fun”

Lisa Blakemore, County Councillor, accompanied by all volunteers and organisers at the church kindly made time to warmly welcome the Belvedere House team stating: “This is only the beginning of a lifelong partnership between the care home and the community, and this humble gesture will go a long way to brighten up a lot of families on Easter Sunday”

Belvedere House is a newly opened care home located on St Augustine’s Rd, providing care services.

The facility built by Crown Care Group provides luxurious living accommodation, with 64 bedrooms as well as a range of facilities for residents to enjoy including a cinema, tea room, bar/ brasserie, garden room, hair salon and extensive landscaped gardens.

The home will generate up to 50 jobs within the local area when it is at maximum capacity. Find out more.

For all enquiries about the new care home, contact 01246 959200 or go to https://crowncaregroup.co.uk/our-homes/belvedere-house/

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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee grants available for Derbyshire Community celebrations

All 64 of Derbyshire’s county councillors have been given an extra pot of money to help local groups in their area mark the Platinum Jubilee and people are being encouraged to get their applications in now.

Every year each county councillor in the county receives £3,860, called the Members Community Leadership Scheme, which local groups can apply for to go towards community causes, and this year an additional £1,500 Platinum Fund has been added which is available now.

Groups seeking funding should contact their local county councillor explaining the nature of their project, activity or event, the amount needed, what other funding may be available and how it will benefit the community.

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Last year we doubled the amount councillors could spend in their areas to help and support communities with their efforts during the pandemic and this year we’ve added to their amounts again with the extra Platinum Fund.

“We see this as a really positive way of supporting all our councillors to help their communities and I’m sure local groups will have lots of ideas as to how they can put extra funding towards Jubilee celebrations and events in their area.”

Find out more about the Community Leadership Scheme and check the name of the local county councillor in your area.

During the 2021/22 financial year, a total of 500 applications were received by the County Council and approved which were aimed at supporting local organisations and activities through the pandemic.

Find information about Jubilee plans, events and initiatives, other grants that are available nationally and who to contact to apply for a road closure for a street party or other Jubilee event.

To keep up to date with the great local events taking place across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/events/

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Plans for Sensory Hub outlined by Chesterfield FC

Chesterfield Football Club has announced that plans for a Sensory Hub at the Technique Stadium are well underway.

Jane Cooper, who is a director of the club and a trustee of the Community Trust, has played an instrumental role in the project. She was a guest on BBC Radio Sheffield earlier this week to talk about the plans.

The Chesterfield FC Community Trust Sensory Hub is a stand-alone building which will be located opposite the entrance to Chester’s Den. It will be a safe, quiet space with sensory equipment and sensory lighting. There will also be a Sensory Garden to the rear.

The Hub is intended for the use of autistic people who need a quiet space to retreat from the noisy, often chaotic environment of a football ground. It will also benefit autistic people and people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in the wider community. It will support autistic youngsters to access the Community Trust’s activities and alternative education provision.

It will be a community resource, open for members of the wider community to hire on an hourly basis and will be a welcome alternative to Chester’s Den who find the play centre environment challenging.

Why is the Sensory Hub needed?

• Autistic people can often be overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells of the world around them and they can become ‘overloaded’ with information.

• This can lead to a ‘meltdown’ or ‘shutdown’ often meaning that they find it difficult to access busy and noisy environments such as a football stadium.

• This impacts on their life and that of their family, friends and those who support them.

The design of the Sensory Hub has been agreed and will be supplied by Rise Adapt. The club has planning permission from the local authority who have commended this provision. Chesterfield FC Community Trust is now applying to funding bodies for the circa £60,000 it will cost to create the Sensory Hub and the sensory garden to the rear. Other fundraising initiatives are likely to follow.

A statement on the Chesterfield FC Community Trust website said: “Chesterfield FC’s vision is to be THE most accessible football club in the country and providing the Sensory Hub will be a step towards achieving this vision. The Football Association motto is ‘For All’ and we intend to make that a reality.

“In the longer term we want to create a quiet viewing area of the pitch on matchdays. A full access audit of the site is underway which will identify other ways in which we can improve.”

Chesterfield Football Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield Young Persons’ Market to return this month

Young entrepreneurs in Chesterfield are being invited to set up shop and become a market trader for the day as the popular Young Persons’ Market returns to Chesterfield market.

The Young Persons’ Market is a national initiative being run across England, giving people aged between five and 25 the opportunity to increase their business skills and Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging local young people to get involved.

Young people are invited to open a stall in Chesterfield town centre and become a market trader for the day, selling second-hand products that they have created or bought.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The next generation of businesspeople are key to the future of Chesterfield’s economy, and the Young Persons’ Market is a great way of giving them a platform to develop their skills and passion for business.

“If you prefer buying instead of selling, you’re also welcome to come along and browse the stalls for new toys, books or clothes or grab a homemade gift for a loved one. You’re sure to find a bargain and you’ll be helping to support our young entrepreneurs.”

Chesterfield has successfully run a Young Persons’ Market for over five years. This year’s market is taking place on Sunday 24 April, Sunday 26 June, Sunday 28 August, and Sunday 30 October.

Each market takes place between 11am and 3pm. Market traders should be set up by 11am, as no cars are allowed in the marketplace during trading times.

Any children that are under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day.

Stalls can be booked online at: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/doing-business-in-chesterfield/sites-and-premises/trading-on-chesterfield-market.aspx

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Registration open for Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk 2022

People are once again being invited to register for one of the biggest events in the Chesterfield calendar, with the Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk set to return on Saturday, 9th July 2022, with early bird prices available until 18th April.

The charity event sees the local community, family and friends come together to remember loved ones and help fund the hospice’s vital care.

Those wanting to join the 10km walk through the streets of Chesterfield can now sign up via Ashgate’s website to get early bird entry for just £10.

Rachel Melland will be joining her sisters Helen, Hannah and Becky as they take part in the Sparkle Night Walk for the first time, in loving memory of their father Keith, who received end of life care at the hospice in 2021.

Rachel said: “The staff were just so attentive, compassionate and professional during the time Dad was in Ashgate’s care, I remember just days before he died, one of the wonderful Healthcare Assistants explained everything to me, not in a patronising way, but in a manner which I could understand.

“Their honesty and support was so comforting at such a difficult time, and I just knew his care was in the best hands it could have been.”

It’s because of this care that Rachel has chosen to take part in the Sparkle Night Walk to say thank you to the incredible individuals who went above and beyond for her family.

She adds: “Ashgate’s care relies so much on fundraising, and we want to do as much as we can to support Ashgate as it made our family feel as though we were at home from the moment we arrived.”

The early bird ticket includes a fundraising pack, a medal, a pink Sparkle T-shirt and a pair of bunny ears for walkers to look the part whilst raising vital funds.

Carl Jones, Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We can’t wait to bring our Sparkle Night Walk to the streets of Chesterfield in July this summer!

“We are really looking forward to welcoming back our supporters and seeing some familiar faces, as well as those new supporters taking part for the first time.

“Our Sparkle Night Walk promises to be a fun and special occasion for everyone – and currently you can sign up for just a tenner!

“Make sure you’re quick though, as our early bird entry prices end on 18th April, so our prices will go up after that date.

“We hope to welcome you all back for the much-anticipated return of our Sparkle Night Walk in July – see you there!”

The hospice, which relies on its supporters to fund £7 million of its income every year, is hoping that thousands of people in the local community will once again come together to join this year’s Sparkle Night Walk, raising funds to help the hospice continue to be there for families when it matters most.

This year’s event is once again kindly sponsored by Vertu Toyota.

To find out more about the Sparkle Night Walk 2022 sponsored by Vertu Toyota, and Ashgate Hospice, visit their website: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/sparkle-night-walk/.

Ashgate Hospice supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Largest council housing development in a generation set to welcome new families

Local families are set to move into their new homes after works on the biggest council housing development in the borough since the 1980s are complete.

A £4.1m development has seen 21 brand new properties constructed on the former Brockwell Court site in Loundsley Green – the latest development as part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable and accessible homes across the town.

The new development, named Badger Croft, comprises of ten two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses, four four-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom bungalow – all of which will be let to local families on the council’s housing resister.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re pleased to see that this development is complete and ready to welcome families to their new homes. It’s the biggest council housing development of this generation, so it’s a huge milestone in our efforts to increase the housing supply across the borough.

“Creating attractive places for people to live is at the heart of what we do and these new properties will provide affordable, modern and accessible homes for families in our borough.”

In response to the climate emergency that was declared by council leaders in July 2019, the council is committed to ensuring that all its housing stock is as energy efficient as possible.

Councillor Ludlow added: “It’s really important that new developments in the borough take account of environmental issues – contributing to a more sustainable future for us all.

“Living in a warm and energy efficient home is not only better for our planet, it will also reduce costs to run the property, offering affordable warmth to our tenants.”

Each of the new properties has increased levels of insulation throughout and electric vehicle charging points have been installed on properties with driveways to support lower carbon transport options.

Whilst works were ongoing on site, the council’s main contractor, Henry Boot Construction, worked with the local Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group to complete additional landscaping works and environmental improvements close to the new development that will help to enhance the wider local community. This included the creation of wildflower meadows and planting that will help boost biodiversity and support pollinators.

Ryan O’Loughlin, Director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “As a local contractor, it has been a pleasure working with Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver an exceptional development. Residential is a sector of strategic importance for Henry Boot Construction and this adds to our impressive portfolio of high-quality schemes.”

The council’s Local Plan encourages all schemes costing over £1m to include a work of art to the value of 1% of the total cost of the project, as part of the ‘Percentage for Art’ scheme which the council has operated since 1994.

This has been reflected with the development at Badger Croft where the council approached artists to submit proposals for an art installation that embraced a Badger theme associated with the area. After proposals were submitted, and through vigorous debate, local councillors made the decision to go with Coralie Turpin, who designed a 3.4m tall steel structure and then created a handmade mosaic design incorporating badgers and celebrating nature.

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Vicar Lane Celebrates Its First Wedding

The first-ever wedding reception took place at Vicar Lane last week, with guests enjoying a fabulous celebration in Chesterfield Town Centre.

Bride and groom Sam and Drew Hutchinson tied the knot last Friday (8th) at Chesterfield Town Hall. They later went on to celebrate at The Vintage Tea Rooms with opulent cakes and bubbles for an unforgettable celebration with friends and family. The wedding party later had a further top-up from the newly opened Pizza Pi in St James’s Square as the celebrations continued.

Vicar Lane’s Sarah Bowler said: “We are thrilled that the happy couple celebrated their wedding at Vicar Lane in such an individual way.”

“We have a few hidden secrets at Vicar Lane – Vintage Tearooms has its own function room which can be hired for everything from a birthday to a baby-shower. We also now have a beautiful wedding dress shop, Precious Memories, so for any future weddings we’re able to offer an even more complete service. We’re looking forward to playing host to more weddings in the future.”

A number of fabulous wedding venues have been highlighted across Chesterfield recently, with the Peak Edge Hotel being awarded the ‘best wedding venue in Derbyshire’ at the Hitched Wedding Awards. Meanwhile, Dronfield Hall Barn was recognised as one of the top wedding venues by Lux Life magazine in 2021.

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is home to a wide range of both quirky, independent shops and cafes, sitting alongside well-known national high-street retailers. Find out more about the shopping centre here.

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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Revolution House reopens for the summer

Revolution House, a public museum with an important role in history, is set to reopen its doors and welcome visitors over the summer.

The Museum opens on Friday 15 April and will then be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays until Sunday 18 September. It is free to visit but donations are welcome.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Revolution House is a fantastic little attraction in our borough, it tells the story of a small piece of our history that not many people are aware of and is a chance to learn more about our heritage whilst Chesterfield Museum is closed. It is well worth a visit and is completely free. We’ll also be hosting some great events there over the summer so keep an eye on our website and social media pages for more details.”

Chesterfield Museum is currently closed as a multimillion-pound refurbishment is set to get underway at Stephenson Memorial Hall where both the Museum and Pomegranate Theatre are based.

The work will create a bespoke visitor attraction in the heart of Chesterfield which will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

Whilst the Museum is closed, the team will be arranging a series of interactive activities around the borough called Museum on the Move and Revolution House will also be open to ensure everyone can learn about the borough’s history.

Revolution House, then the Cock and Pynot Inn, was the meeting place of the 4th Earl of Devonshire, John D’Arcy, and the Earl of Danby as they plotted to overthrow King James II in 1688.

At Revolution House, you can find out more about the Revolution of 1688 and there is also a collection of 17th Century furniture.

On Monday 2 May, professional Tudor minstrel Dante Ferrara will be performing at Revolution House. The instruments he will demonstrate are the lute, cittern, hurdy-gurdy, colascione and English bagpipes.

He will be performing five times throughout the day with the first performance at 11.15am and there will be the opportunity to ask him questions and take photographs with him.

More events will be hosted at Revolution House throughout the summer. Find out more details about upcoming events online at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revolutionhouse

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Chesterfield’s Pantomime moves to the Winding Wheel Theatre

Chesterfield’s annual pantomime will take centre stage at the Winding Wheel Theatre this year, while the Pomegranate Theatre undergoes a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

Discounted early bird tickets are now on sale for the performance of Sleeping Beauty, which will be presented by Paul Holman Associates from Tuesday 6 December 2022 until Tuesday 3 January 2023.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The pantomime is a Christmas tradition for many families in Chesterfield and it’s great that it’ll be back this year and that we can accommodate it in the Winding Wheel Theatre.

“Whilst the Pomegranate is closed for refurbishment, we’ll be making full use of the facilities at the Winding Wheel Theatre and ensuring that everyone can still enjoy a wide variety of fantastic performances and events.

“It’s a great opportunity to book at a reduced rate now and secure your tickets ahead of the Christmas rush later in the year.”

Paul Holman said: “We are delighted to have been selected one again to produce the pantomime for Chesterfield Theatres. Having produced the pantomime at the Pomegranate Theatre since 2012, we are really looking forward to presenting a pantomime in the Winding Wheel Theatre for the first time.”

The Pomegranate Theatre is set to close later this summer for works to begin on the multimillion-pound refurbishment project.

The work to Stephenson Memorial Hall, which is also home to Chesterfield Museum, will create a bespoke visitor attraction in the heart of Chesterfield – bringing together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

The Sleeping Beauty Pantomime is a fantastical tale full of fairies, bravery and enchantment. Featuring all of the best-loved panto shenanigans live on stage – with an abundance of laughter, dance and music along with dazzling scenery and costumes, spectacular special effects and plenty of audience interaction. This perfect Christmas treat with a star cast to be announced is for the entire family to enjoy!

There will be accessible performances including sign language, audio description and relaxed sessions. There will also be a touch tour of the set which partially sighted or blind customers will be able to book.

Discounted early bird tickets for the Pantomime are now on sale from at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/panto or by calling the box office on 01246 345 222.

Discover more about what is happening in Chesterfield.

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Visiting