PRIDE CAMPAIGN: Here's what's great about wonderful Chesterfield...

Let's show our pride in Chesterfield!
Chesterfield from above.Chesterfield from above.
Chesterfield from above.

The Derbyshire Times has always been eager to champion what’s great about the county’s biggest town – so this week we’re proud to announce the launch of our new Pride campaign.

As part of our drive, we’ll be highlighting all the very best about this part of the world and celebrating the good things going on in the area. It aims to really showcase the successes of Chesterfield’s pople, organisations, charities, businesses, schools, regeneration projects – and plenty more.

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To launch our campaign, a number of well-known Chesterfield names and residents tell us what they love about the town...

Our Pride campaign logo.Our Pride campaign logo.
Our Pride campaign logo.

Phil Bramley, editor of the Derbyshire Times

I have lived in Chesterfield all my life and I’m proud to call this place my home. There is so much going for this part of the world – and so much going on here too. Our campaign aims to champion Chesterfield and showcase all it has to offer – from its fantastic people and businesses to its food, drink, attractions and beautiful location. We want everyone to get involved and share their experience of why Chesterfield is simply the best.

Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield

This is a beautiful town, right on the doorstep of the Peak District, with our cobbled market square, mock Tudor buildings and the iconic Crooked Spire. The Northern Gateway project will add to the array of superb shops, bars, restaurants and hotels we have. The town has shown resilience and ingenuity to develop a new economic future after tough economic times. Most of all, I take pride in our people -warm, kind and down-to-earth. It is an honour to represent them.

Phil Bramley, editor of the Derbyshire Times.Phil Bramley, editor of the Derbyshire Times.
Phil Bramley, editor of the Derbyshire Times.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy

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I am very proud of all of the investment going into Chesterfield. We opened the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre, which has seen more people leading active lives. Our involvement in Sheffield City Region is seeing projects such as Northern Gateway and Chesterfield Waterside happen. We also have much to be proud of with our markets, the excellent variety of shows at our two theatres and the exhibitions and events at Chesterfield Museum.

Sergeant Dave Nicholls, in charge of the Chesterfield Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team

I’ve worked in various places but Chesterfield is my favourite. It’s a great place to work, shop and eat. People are welcoming and many will stop for a chat. Reported crime and anti-social behaviour has reduced during the last year and, in a recent survey, almost 80 per cent of people said that Chesterfield was a safe and friendly place to live. Charity events held in the town always do really well thanks to the generosity of local people. The town has some great facilities and open spaces and there are some exciting new developments planned.

Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield.Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield.
Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield.

Reverend Patrick Coleman, vicar at the Crooked Spire church

I love Chesterfield for the great, friendly people, fine built heritage, unique parish church and the commitment of so many in the statutory, business and voluntary sectors. So many visitors who come just to see the Crooked Spire go away enthusing what a lovely place this is. For them, for the families enjoying peace in the churchyard – for all of us – let’s work to keep it that way.

Ritchie Humphreys, player and coach at Chesterfield FC

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Chesterfield is a vibrant and thriving town and the football club is a central part of the community. Through football, we as a club seek to address issues from alcohol and substance misuse to gender inequality in sport. We work with the club’s Community Trust on various projects. Whether it’s visiting schools or doing charity work within our local community – which we do on a weekly basis – the players and staff at Chesterfield FC are proud to be an integral part of our town’s identity.

Sergeant Dave Nicholls, in charge of the Chesterfield Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.Sergeant Dave Nicholls, in charge of the Chesterfield Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Sergeant Dave Nicholls, in charge of the Chesterfield Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Dominic Stevens, manager at Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield is the perfect place to live; affordable living, good schools and excellent transport links. We have the Peak District on our doorstep and an amazing historic town centre. I have a young family so spending time together is important – that could be a walk around one of Chesterfield’s country parks or nature reserves, heading to Queen’s Park for a ride on the train and then a Fredericks ice cream or attending one of the many family shows at the Pomegranate Theatre.

Peter Swallow, in charge of Chesterfield Waterside

I like the character of Chesterfield – both the people and the architecture. I also like the fact the town has ambitions for the future which are firmly supported by the public, council and business community. It is a town of entrepreneurs and time and time again we show how we can adapt, change and overcome. It’s really exciting to see how everyone has come together and has a single vision to make Chesterfield great again.

Councillor Steve Brunt, mayor of Chesterfield

I’m so proud to be mayor of Chesterfield. Since taking up the role in May this year, my wife, Jill, and I have attended more than 100 engagements where we have met lots of amazing people with inspiring stories to tell. We have so much to be proud of in Chesterfield and my hope is that people will continue to talk up the town and shout about the achievements of our residents.

Reverend Patrick Coleman, vicar at the the Crooked Spire church.Reverend Patrick Coleman, vicar at the the Crooked Spire church.
Reverend Patrick Coleman, vicar at the the Crooked Spire church.

Staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital

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It’s sad to see Chesterfield’s reputation tarnished by the actions of a few. People in the town – and from across north Derbyshire – give the Royal absolutely fantastic support. Just look at the fundraising local communities are doing for the new Macmillan cancer centre! We have our Proud to Care values at the heart of our hospital and a campaign to put some pride back in the town is a great idea.

Anna Melton, director of In the Works PR

I have lived and worked in a number of towns and cities and chose to make Chesterfield my home in 1999. Quite frankly it annoys me when people who live here talk this town down. Chesterfield has so much going for it and it’s getting better all the time. Just look at the fantastic restaurants which have opened here in the last 12 months. I am spoilt for choice now. And, of course, the Chesterfield Waterside development. Other towns are envious of us. Trust me.

Michael Heath, director of Start Financial Planning

Chesterfield is a fantastic, growing place for everyone. I have visited towns across the country and had the opportunity to see how they measure up. Chesterfield is like no other – a place everyone here should be proud to call home. It has a community and a borough council which listens and has the drive and ambition to make it the best it can be.

Richard Trueman, managing partner at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

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Chesterfield, for Mitchells, has always been the main place of business right from 1868 when the first of four Mitchell generations advertised his services from an office on Marsden Street. Four moves later, the firm remains in the town centre on Saltergate where we employ nearly 50 people. For us, one of the main advantages of being in Chesterfield is the rich mine of ambitious, bright and outward looking business owners in the area, many of whom we are proud to call clients.

James Pogson, director of Northern Tea Merchants

I love the people, the location and the atmosphere. There are a lot of characters in Chesterfield and they all contribute to the vibrancy and uniqueness of this wonderful town. The location is second-to none – just over two hours on a main railway line to London, easy access to three M1 junctions and right on the doorstep of the beautiful Peak District. There is so much happening and to look forward to in Chesterfield – it is a good feeling to be part of this.

Laura Jo Owen, of Adorn Jewellers

We decided to grow our business in Chesterfield due to its diverse range of people, wonderful market and collection of independent shops, restaurants and bars. We are not city people but we wanted the feeling that only a thriving community can provide – bustling, busy, buzzing. We meet small business owners from many different sectors and the feedback we receive is that Chesterfield is good for business.

On the Derbyshire Times’ Facebook page, we asked readers what they love about Chesterfield.

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Loraine Thorpe said: “The friendliness of Chesterfield people.”

Debbie Rose: “The community spirit in the town – and the fantastic footy team.”

Peter Pop Wilson said: “The Crooked Spire.”

Owen Pavey said: “Chesterfield Canal, the Winding Wheel, the Pomegranate Theatre and very good public transport links by bus and rail.”

Niki Stephenson said: “Real Time Live and the music scene.”

Edwina Preston: “It’s a relaxed and nice place to shop or have lunch.”

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Claire Harlow said: “I was born in Chesterfield and lived here until I was 22. I moved to Leicestershire but I’m happy to report that I’m now home. I don’t feel happier anywhere else.”

Andrew Slack said: “The Peak Resort development will turn Chesterfield into a big tourist town and bring many jobs to the area.”

Kim Barthorpe said: “I’ve been all over the world but Chesterfield is the place where more people say hello.”

David Gascoyne said: “Best town, best people. Nowhere else on God’s earth comes close to the town of the Crooked Spireite. We are one big family. Kick one of us and we all limp. Love it.”

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