Chesterfield Town Trail launched

A new booklet which will guide visitors around Chesterfield to help them find out more about the town's history has been launched (on Monday, March 31) at the town's Tourist Information Centre.

Chesterfield Borough Council's Tourism Unit has worked with Chesterfield Civic Society, Blue Badge Guide Carol Brindle, Chesterfield Museum Service and the Council's Access Officer to produce a Trail that is both interesting and informative.

Did you know that there are 32 tons of lead tiles on the 'Crooked Spire'?  Or that Barnsley Building Society was once the Falcon Inn?  Why is George Stephenson's statue outside Chesterfield Railway Station?  Who was Thomas Secker and what is his connection to Chesterfield?

The hour-long Trail provides all sorts of fascinating information like this, highlighting 29 buildings and sites of interest in Chesterfield.  Starting at the Tourist Information Centre, the route circles the town centre and includes optional detours to Holy Trinity Church and Queen's Park.

The Trail allows for wheelchair access but, in parts, is too steep for manual wheelchair users.  A powered scooter is recommended and can be hired from Chesterfield Shopmobility.

The first Town Trail was produced by the Civic Society in the 1980s but was passed to the Tourist Information Centre to be updated.  The Council secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund to assist with the map and design work of the Trail.  This funding will also help to develop an audio tour of the town centre, due to be launched later this year.

Cllr Ray Russell, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: "We are seeing increasing numbers of visitors to Chesterfield and the Town Trail will help them find out more about Chesterfield's past and appreciate the many historic buildings which have been preserved while still allowing the town to develop and grow."

The new, full colour booklet costs £1.50 and is on sale now at the Tourist Information Centre.

Picture shows the launch with Cllr Russell and Carol Brindle (front) with, left to right: Tourist Information Centre assistant Cath Walker, Maurice Tither (Civic Society committee member), Anne-Marie Knowles (Chesterfield Museum Curator), Tom Roberts (Civic Society committee member), Philip Hinchliffe (Civic Society Chairman) and Alyson Barnes (TIC Tourism Services officer)
    
Ref: 56/08       March 31, 2008