Derbyshire news in brief

A teenager is bringing a Canadian charity event to Chesterfield in memory of her best friend.

Ellie Scott lost her “amazing, strong and courageous” pal Aliesha Pender – who had Cystic Fibrosis – in March. Every year Aliesha would take part in the Great Strides charity walk in Canada – where she received treatment – for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Ellie has spoken to the event’s US organisers and they have agreed for her to hold a Great Strides walk in Queen’s Park from 10.30am on Sunday. People can just turn up on the day. A celebration event will take place at the Victoria Club in Whittington Moor from 5.30pm on the same day. Ellie, of Chesterfield, will send all donations to the organisers. The 18-year-old said: “I want to make my best friend proud and help find a cure for this illness.”

• Harvester has unveiled a new-look restaurant in Barlborough – creating 30 jobs. Located on Chesterfield Road, the newly-refurbished venue opened to guests earlier this month following a four-week closure when the work and recruitment drive was undertaken. General manager Adam Brailsford said: “Bringing Harvester to Barlborough is really exciting for the whole team and guests have been very complimentary about the restaurant since it opened. Harvester is the go-to destination for family dining in the UK and we’re thrilled to be bringing our famous dishes, such as rotisserie chicken and unlimited salad bar, to Barlborough. The team is excited to welcome more guests into the restaurant,” added Mr Brailsford.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Patients in north Derbyshire are being encouraged to have a greater say in how health services are being run by joining a Patient Participation Group (PPG) at their GP practice. First established in 1972, PPGs help doctors’ surgeries to discover what a range of patients think about services, to establish their priorities and to test and modify plans GPs may have. A PPG also helps to identify where improvements can be made for patients and acts to ensure services, plans and activities respond to patients’ needs and priorities. They also provide practical support to practice teams, such as conducting patient surveys and organising health awareness events. Anyone wishing to become a member of their PPG should contact their GP surgery.

• A five-year-old and his dad are preparing to take part in a 10-mile bike ride for charity. Myles Lilleker and his son Alfie will be raising money for Little Hearts Matter. They are taking on the challenge after the little brother of Alfie’s best friend sadly died in February from only having half a heart. The event will take place at Hasland park from 12pm on Sunday. Refreshments will be available for a small donation. The pair will leave the park at 12.30pm, complete the 10-mile ride around Grassmoor Country Park and arrive back in Hasland at about 2pm.

• More than 1,000 people attended events as part of Derbyshire County Council’s Literature Festival last month. The council held more than 40 events in libraries and other venues which included Renishaw Hall for the first time this year. The nine-day programme drew in visitors from neighbouring counties and further afield and included writers from around the country as well as Derbyshire-based artists.

• Seventy two projects in the East Midlands have been awarded a total of more than £630,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The projects include Hunloke Primary School in Chesterfield which will use £9,975 to purchase play equipment and St Mary’s Community Centre in the Hope Valley which will use £7,697 for help with training.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

• Shirebrook Town Council is delighted after being awarded £15,000 by Arts Council England. The funding will benefit brass band projects in the town over the next two years. A spokesman for the authority said: “Shirebrook Town Council is thrilled to have secured this funding.”