S40 and S41 Local magazines work hard to champion our fantastic local businesses. Many of these businesses have been hit hard by Covid-19, but probably none more so than our beloved museum and theatres.
So to complement this months cover and support local venues we set about learning a little more about these wonderful buildings, what memories they carry and what the future holds.
The Winding Wheel
First opened in 1923 as a picture house, The Winding Wheel is one of Chesterfield’s most prominent venues when it comes to functions. Inside the Grade 2 listed, tudor-style building you can see a plethora of events being held each week. From West End Musicals to stand-up comedy, and music concerts to community events, there is something here for everyone. The space inside is home to a stage bar and three regularly used rooms – the auditorium, function room and ballroom which boasts a beautiful stained-glass dome over the dance floor. Over the years it has brought us some of entertainments biggest names including The Proclaimers, Paddy McGuiness and Sir Bob Geldolf!
The cinema closed in 1981 reopening in the 80s, The Winding Wheel has opened its doors to a wide variety of acts. Reasons to make a visit in the remainder of 2020 include popular tribute acts, comedians with household names, and some hidden gems of the UK music scene.
The Cavern Beatles (Tribute) - Thu 29 October
An Evening With Kevin & Joanne Clifton - Wed 11 November
Pomegranate Theatre
A two-minute walk from the Winding Wheel is another of Chesterfield’s prestigious venues, The Pomegranate Theatre. Formerly the Stephenson Memorial Theatre and before this The Chesterfield Civic Centre, it recently celebrated its 70th birthday.
In the 1950s you could find; Wilfred Brambell (Co-star of Steptoe and Son), Donald Sutherland (from the Italian Job and The Hunger Games), Diana Rigg (The Avengers and ‘Olenna Tyrell’ in Game of Thrones) and in more recent history the Oscar-winning star Gary Oldman and Claire Sweeny from ‘Brookside’ (the TV series, not the area!).
The theatre stages several live shows each year, along with satellite shows of the UKs most sought-after performances and events.
Here's a taste of some of the upcoming events.
Horrible Histories The Worst of Barmy Britain - Sat 10 October
Beauty And The Beast Pantomime - Fri 4 December to Sun 3 January
Autumn Play Season presented by Tabs Productions and Rumpus Theatre Company
Love Upon the Throne - Tue 13 to Sat 17 October
Dead Certain - Tue 27 To Sat 31 October
Live Bed Show - Tue 10 to Sat 14 November
ESpring Play Season presented by Tabs Productions and Rumpus Theatre Company
The Mating Game - Tue 19 to Sat 23 January 2021
The Fancy Man - Tue 26 to Sat 30 January 2021
All About Murder - Tue 2 to Sat 6 February 2021
For cinema and satellite broadcasts, please visit:
Chesterfield Museum
Established in 1994 on St Mary’s Gate is the Chesterfield Museum. Here you'll discover the story of Chesterfield from its origins as a Roman stronghold, the creation of the Medieval Market, said to be over 600 years old, through to the Industrial Revolution and beyond!
Built in 1879 as The Stephenson Memorial hall named after the father of the railways, George Stephenson, who spent much of his life in Chesterfield and is buried just up the road at The Holy Trinity Church on Newbold Road.
Although, at the time of writing, the museum is closed, they are engaging us in local history with online sessions, on both their website and social media, you'll find the different ways they are keeping all ages both entertained and informed with activities to do at home such as:
Dusting for fingerprints
Vikings
The Tudors
Fantastic Fermentation
Wartime recipes
Local history
On their Facebook page you can find a ‘Building of the week’ quiz and old photos from around the town. Head on over to Chesterfield Borough Council’s Youtube Channel and you will see three virtual events on behalf of the museum. If that’s not enough then on the museum’s website you’ll find things to do at home, past exhibitions, highlights from the collection, and lots more!
As the arts once again opens its doors and pulls back the curtain, it’s up to us as a town to ensure the comedians, actors, musicians and staff are met with big smiles and a full auditorium, albeit from a safe social distance.
For further information on all three venues please head over to their website.
Words: Simon Paterson
Images: Destination Chesterfield