A new heritage arts trail celebrating Chesterfield’s past has taken a major step forward, with designs for its centrepiece sculptures now unveiled.
‘A Sense of Chesterfield’ will guide visitors around the town centre with unique sculptures that celebrate part of Chesterfield’s rich history in five key locations. The trail will be accompanied by interpretation panels which give insight into the artwork and online content that will provide more information about the borough’s history and celebrate the community.
The new sculptures have been created by the Derbyshire based Sculpture Works.
Bernardine Rutter, from Sculpture Works, said: “Chesterfield has such a rich and exciting history and community. The aim of the pieces is to steer people to investigate more, to find out new facts and seek out lost and hidden stories through the project interpretation accompanying the work.”
The designs have taken inspiration from the borough crest and blend in elements from Chesterfield's past.
The trail focuses on five key themes - innovation, music and dancing, sports and leisure, parades and gatherings, and the people of Chesterfield. These themes were developed following workshops with local people and take inspiration from events, activities and people that were fondly remembered.
Each sculpture will reflect one of these themes, for instance the Sport and Leisure wall-based piece to be sited on the wall of the Shambles, will celebrate the invention of walking football, cricket in Queen’s Park, the importance of the Victoria Ballroom, Chesterfield Races, the tug of war competitions originally held by Robinsons weavers and represented here by an image from chesterfield schools and much more.
‘A Sense of Chesterfield’ has been awarded almost £80,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players. With additional funding from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Animate Chesterfield programme.
This has enabled a variety of different elements of the project and has allowed a variety of creative individuals and organisations to work on the project. This includes researchers, film makers, poets, interpretation specialists and public arts specialists.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic project that will celebrate the incredible achievements of our borough and the people that have lived here. Thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for supporting this project.
“The trail will help guide visitors around our town centre but will also rekindle treasured memories for many of our residents. I look forward to these works being installed and everyone having the opportunity to explore our borough’s rich history in a fun and engaging way.”
Organisations across the borough have been working together to develop the new trail, including community groups like the Chesterfield Civic Society, and Chesterfield and District Local History Society.
Howard Borrell, Chair of Chesterfield and District Civic Society, said: "Chesterfield and District Civic Society is thrilled that the well researched story will soon come to life and ensure that all age groups will have a better awareness of the key milestones in the town's detailed narrative. The town has a great history - it just needs conveying innovatively in ways that will connect with both visitors and locals alike.”
The new sculptures are funded through Animate Chesterfield, a public art programme that has been creating new artworks and activities for visitors throughout the regeneration programmes happening in both Chesterfield and Staveley.
It is organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by Beam, a leading cultural development organisation.
The trail is set to be installed in 2027, subject to planning approval.
Funding for the public art project was secured through planning agreements as part of the council’s percent for art scheme, which was part of the previous Local Plan (and now continues a voluntary basis), and the funding must be used for the delivery of public art.
To find out more about the new heritage arts trail and Animate Chesterfield visit the Animate Chesterfield page.
