Author: Philip Cousins

  • Plaques progress

    There’s progress to report the Civic Society’s blue plaque scheme – one new to be installed shortly, with a replacement also planned. A new plaque – for the Winding Wheel The new plaque will be installed on the Winding Wheel, in February. It commemorates the building’s origins and current use – now a popular entertainment…

  • Town centre future discussion meeting

    The Civic Society wants your views on the future of Chesterfield’s town centre and we are holding a meeting to discuss this on the evening of 27 February. Though the borough council have successively invested in the town centre, like most other towns and cities, the changing face of retail is having an adverse impact.…

  • Cautious welcome for Tapton House decision

    Chesterfield and District Civic Society have given a cautious welcome to Chesterfield Borough Council’s recent decision on Tapton House and are welcoming ‘due diligence’ moves to be taken on the bid. At the council’s cabinet meeting on 13 December 2022 a decision was taken to lease the property to Stone Castle Enterprises Ltd.  for a 999-year term.…

  • Latest committee meeting

    Our committee meets around every two months or so to discuss issues around the Chesterfield area. Our latest meeting looked at arrangements for placing our next blue plaque – on the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield (probably in January) and progress on our planned town trail leaflet, amongst other issues. Like others, we remain concerned about…

  • Four Chesterfield buildings on at risk register

    Historic England have published their 2022 buildings at risk register. There are four buildings listed in Chesterfield borough – two at Brampton Manor, the Church of St Thomas, Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield and Walton Works, Walton Fields Road, Brampton. To view the Midlands list, which includes Derbyshire, follow the link below. Historic England – Heritage at…

  • Cycle route approved

    Derbyshire County Council have announced that Crow Lane in Chesterfield will close permanently to vehicles for a dedicated cycle and walking route. A cycle lane on Chatsworth Road will also be built and the current 30mph speed limit will be extended. These decisions were taken by Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport on 9…

  • Uncertain future for St Andrew’s Barrow Hill

    St Andrew’s Barrow Hill – the unique Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin church is unlikely to be reopened after services there were suspended around the outbreak of Covid. The sad task of trying to find a use for the contents and secure the future of the historic organ and the stained-glass windows is already being…

  • Response to Tapton House letter in the Derbyshire Times

    Chesterfield and District Civic Society have responded to a letter published in the Derbyshire Times edition of 22 September 2022. Our response refutes statements made in the letter by a representative from the so-called ‘Have Your Say Residents Group Chesterfield’. Letter to the Editor, the Derbyshire Times Steve Jones and his residents’ group have no…

  • Our 2022 AGM

    We had a good turn-out for our 2022 AGM held on 15 September. We discussed the 2021-2022 committee report (which you can download below), highlighting a busy year for the society. Officers were re-elected and the finance report discussed. There was also discussion on the east-west cycle route and the currently derelict former Robinson’s site…

  • Two guides published as only 10 days to go for Heritage Open Days 2022

    With only some ten days to go before 2022’s Heritage Open Days (HODs) the Civic Society now have two handy guides for local people to find out more about the event and the properties taking part. The Society’s recently published handy guide to the properties involved in events during the period 10 to 18 September…