Thursday 28th June 2011

The Mayor has officially unveiled a new facility (below) on an allotment site in Hasland, believed to be the first of it's kind in the area.


Plot holders of Penmore Allotments have taken delivery of a composting toilet and Roy Ackrill, the Penmore Allotment Association club secretary says  that the toilet was a must have "The members requested it, so we found the funding for it, mainly through grants which we were lucky enough to get and it fulfils the green credentials."



It wasn't an easy task to get it up and running though, "It took about 6 of us to fit it, after it arrived from the company in Wales - it's the size of a big skip and took a day to fit, but at least it comes with good instructions!"

The Mayor and Mayoress were invited to the Association's annual BBQ and were on hand to cut the ribbon (green of course) and plant a commemorative tree beside the toilet (NOT a Lava tree - we did all those jokes!!)

Allotments are of course becoming ever more popular, and that trend has taken hold in Chesterfield too.

Ron Barker is Chesterfield Borough Council's Manager of Parks and agrees that demand is high, "5 years ago we couldn't give them away, now for everyone we have waiting lists - they're all oversubscribed with people waiting for 2 or 3 years."

He went on to tell us that it's an enticing thing due to the financial climate, but also down to the healthy lifestyle trend as people recognise the importance of growing their own food.

It's an attractive proposition financially though says Ron, "We have 26 allotment sites in Chesterfield with around 1,000 plots. The rental charged by the Council is cheap though there are water rates and Association fees to add on but it's still a cheap source of food.

"Details of the allotment sites are on the council website: chesterfield.govuk - that will contain details of association secretaries who will know details of availability and waiting lists."

RECENT STORIES

THE MAYOR HARPS ON FOR CHARITY -
Despite the dismal weather people turned out in their hundreds to take part in Day One of Chesterfield's Annual Arts and Market Festival. More...

THE TALENT ON SHOW IS A CREDIT TO CHESTERFIELD -
Hundreds packed out Chesterfield's Winding Wheel on Saturday in order to watch 14 acts compete to become the winner of 'Chesterfield's Got Talent 2011' More...

MEETING OF THE MAYORS -
The Mayor of Chesterfield welcomed the Mayor of Kunshan, one of the fastest growing and highly successful areas of China, to the Town Hall this week. More...

MAYOR AND MAYORESS VISIT BIBLE EXHIBITION -
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield recently visited an exhibition put on by the Chesterfield Christadelphians. More...

MAYOR AND MAYORESS ENJOY A BEAUTY-FUL EVENING-The Mayor and Mayoress recently paid a visit to the Therapy Lounge, Hasland Road, to officially present them with Collin Resultime 5 Star Salon of Distinction Award. More...

PRIDE OF CHESTERFIELD -
16 new recruits to the Army, swore an Oath Of Allegiance to The Queen this morning in front of the Deputy Mayor of Chesterfield at the Town Hall. More...

FORMER MAYOR THANKS CHESTERFIELD FOR KINDNESS AND CASH -
It was a busy year for The Mayoral Couple of 2010/11, Cllr Keith Morgan and wife Pat, as they undertook many duties to raise the profile of the town and it's people. More...

REMEMBERING WHAT'S GONE
BEFORE -
This year marks the centenary of the 9th Duke of Devonshire being Mayor of Chesterfield, and to celebrate the occasion, the current Duke attended a ceremony at the Town Hall. More...

SURPRISE FOR CIVIC SECRETARY -
Chesterfield Mayor's civic secretary Vivien Miller has been presented with an award from the Parachute Regimental Association for her work with the Shoebox appeal More...

FORCES SHARE LIFE WITH CHESTERFIELD -
Once again Chesterfield today took part in a week aimed at supporting and honouring Armed Forces connected with the town, past and present. More...

MAYOR FLIES THE FLAG ABROAD -
Last week, His Worship The Mayor, Peter Barr had just returned from a trip to Darmstadt as we spoke with him. More...

TOWN PAYS ITS RESPECTS TO FORMER MAYOR -
Over 100 councillors and council employees lined the steps of the Town Hall today to pay their respects to former Mayor, Cllr Nicky Qazi More...

CHESTERFIELD ARMED FORCES DAY 2011 -
Chesterfield is to honour once again the Armed Forces Community, from current serving troops to veterans. More...

FORMER CHESTERFIELD MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR DIES -
It's been announced that Nicky Qazi, a much respected and admired former Mayor and Councillor of Chesterfield Borough Council has died, aged 81 years. More...

CROWDS TURN OUT FOR CHURCHES -
Despite heavy rain, hundreds lined the streets to watch the Annual Procession of Witness (the 'Whit Walk') through the town centre More...

MICK BAGSHAW, CIVIC THANKS -
We have today received the following Letter from Mick and his partner Ruth asking us to convey the message of thanks to residents of the Borough. More...

THE START OF THINGS TO COME -
Unsurprisingly it's been a quiet but pivotal week for Chesterfield's new Mayor Cllr Peter Barr. More...

NEW MAYOR'S PARADE BRINGS TOWN TO A STANDSTILL -
Today, in a Civic Service, the Mayor was introduced to the town and his Mayoralty celebrated with a service More...

SO WHO IS THE NEW MAYOR OF CHESTERFIELD? -
Peter Barr was born in Chesterfield in 1940 and as a young boy watched the craftsmen working in his Grandfather's coach building business, Metcalf's on Saltergate. More...

THE OUTGOING MAYORS SPEECH -
Cllr Keith Morgan responded to the New Mayor at the swearing in ceremony today with his outgoing speech More...

NEW MAYOR TAKES THE OATH -
Chesterfield has a new Mayor tonight after Cllr Peter Barr was sworn in as the 371st Mayor of Chestefield. More...

ON PARADE FOR THE MAYOR -
It was a case of 'all change' this week as this year's Mayoral Cadets were sworn in at the Town Hall by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield. More...

THE MAYOR DRAWS AT THE B2NET -
The Mayor's Appeal 'Football Raffle' was drawn during half time of the game against Bury on Easter Monday at the B2net. More...

PASTORS, POTATOES AND POPPIES -
It’s been another busy week for the Mayor, beginning with the visit of Camilla to the Royal hospital to officially open the new wards.More...

THE MAYORAL WEEK -
The Mayoral week began with the Complimentary Dinner, a 'thank you' to all the councillors and council workers who've been part of the Mayoral year. More...

PASTORS, POTATOES AND POPPIES -
It’s been another busy week for the Mayor, beginning with the visit of Camilla to the Royal hospital to officially open the new wards.More...

THE MAYORAL WEEK -
Last week was a relatively quiet one for the Mayor, as events pick back up after Christmas but, as ever, a productive one. More...

A DAY TO REMEMBER AND RESPECT -
The Mayor and Mayoress of pay tribute to those who suffered in the Holocaust, signing the Commemoration Book in the Town Hall More...

FESTIVE FUNDRAISING WITH THE MAYOR AND MAYORESS -
It's been a quiet Christmas for the Mayor and Mayoress - but, though there weren't many engagements over the Festive period, it was still a profitable one for their charities More...

PRIDE OF CHESTERFIELD -
Ten young soldiers, after undergoing a gruelling selection process, today swore their Oath of Allegiance to the Queen during an emotional ceremony at the Mayor's Parlour. More...

IN THE COURSE OF ANOTHER BUSY
WEEK -
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield had attended Pathways AGM. This Charity, situated on Sheffield Road,... More...

A BUSY WEEK -
Invitations are coming in to the Town hall all the time, unbelievably some already for Carol Concerts, and the Mayor expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Mayor. More...

TABLE TOP SALE AND FAYRE -
The event is part of the Mayors Charity Appeal and is in aid of Fairplay and the Samaritans. More...

CHESTERFIELD DOING WELL - Our Discussion with His Worship the Mayor of Chesterfield this week began on the subject of the Development of Chesterfield. More...

COUNTING CUPPAS- So, just HOW many cups of tea will the Mayor drink during official engagements in his year of office? More...

THE MAYOR AND THE ARMED FORCES. Chesterfield has very close links with all the Armed Forces and those ties remain something which the Town is immensely proud of.
More...

THE MAYOR'S FIRST COLUMN -
The Mayoral Parlour is a real paradox ... steeped in tradition with souvenirs from visiting dignitaries lining the cupboards and robes of office in the corner. More...