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Hurst House sale
Chesterfield and District Civic Society hope that the ‘sorry’ saga over the sale of Hurst House, Abercrombie Street, Chesterfield, might now be nearing closure, with the announcement of its sale by auction on 26 September. The Grade II listed building, latterly used as an adult education centre, has been empty since 2014. The property…
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Heritage Open Days 2024
We have updated our Heritage Open Days (HODS) Page which you can view here. HODS events take place from 6-15 September 2024. Heritage Open Days (HODS) is England’s largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers. Every year in September thousands of people come together across England to celebrate…
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And then there were three!
We have fitted our third plaque this month – a replacement for a formerly inaccurate one on North Midland House, Malkin Street, on the approach to Chesterfield railway station. Like our plaque on the Portland Hotel it’s been sponsored by East Midlands Railway Community Fund. The old plaque it replaced stated that North Midland House…
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Second plaque marks Portland Hotel and former station
Chesterfield and District Civic Society’s second plaque to be unveiled in July marks the Portland Hotel and the adjacent, but 1973 demolished, Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway Station. The latest in the society’s blue plaque series was unveiled on 23 July by Wetherspoon’s area manager Joe Argyle, with the society’s chairman Howard Borrell. The…
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Latest plaque marks origin of walking football in town
The civic society’s latest blue plaque marks the birthplace of organised walking football – at Chesterfield Football Club’s stadium. The blue plaque was unveiled in a ceremony at the SMH Group Stadium on Wednesday 17 July 2024. The plaque is situated on the exterior of the East Stand, near the Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s facility…
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Views expressed on new powers to help combat empty high street shops
Our Chairman, Howard Borrell, has contributed to an article in the Derbyshire Times, which looks at the possible opportunities and downsides of a new power for local authorities, designed to combat high street vacancies. High Street Rental Auctions is designed to help them to take control of empty properties, renting them out to local businesses.…
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Member meeting on 18 April
At our member (and guests) meeting on Thursday 18 April Neil Johnson, Head of Economic Development at Chesterfield Borough Council, will be the speaker. Neil will be talking about current and planned developments in the borough. There will be a question and answer session following his presentation. It will also be a chance to have…
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Rethinking Chesterfield town centre
We’ve made available some of our thoughts on issues facing Chesterfield town centre. These were originally published in the run-up to a well-attended public meeting we held back in February 2023. We’ve slightly edited these, but think they still represent a good starting point on looking at and identifying the issues facing our town centre.…
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Latest Plaque unveiled – 87 New Square
Our latest plaque – actually a replacement for an inaccurate and life-expired one – was unveiled on Thursday 8 February 2024 by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield. It has been sponsored by Leverton UK who own and have renovated the Grade II listed property on which it sits – 87 New Square – as…
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Society regret over old courthouse demolition
Chesterfield and District Civic Society has expressed regret that the former courthouse complex on Brimington Road, near the train station, is being demolished (as January 2024). Says Civic Society Chairman Howard Borrell; ‘Many people will remember that this now privately owned building was latterly the Probation Service and was, some time ago, a martial arts…