My favourite things: Surprise View, and Chesterfield Arms gets borough council leader's vote

Julie Andrews sang about raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens in the film The Sound of Music but in the real world there is so much more to love.

Here in Derbyshire we’re spoilt for choice with beautiful countryside, lots of places to eat and drink and independent shops galore.

In the first of our new series, Councillor Tricia Gilby, who is the leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, tells us what she loves about living and working in the county.

Favourite place in Derbyshire

Surprise View above Hathersage. It was the first place I went to after the first lockdown was relaxed. The view up the Derwent Valley towards the moody plateau of Kinder

Scout is breath taking and as the name says a wonderful surprise as you travel along the road from Fox House.

Favourite landmark

Chesterfield’s Crooked Spire of course. It welcomes home comers and visitors as we approach the town from any direction. It has been the focal point of our community for hundreds of years and it will be well into the future that why Chesterfield Borough Council’s master plan for the HS2 Station / Waterside makes a point of framing the Spire.

Favourite place to eat

Anywhere attention is paid to providing locally sourced produce and good service. We are very lucky to have such a variety to choose from in the Chesterfield area from small cafes to award winning restaurants. The company makes it and like everyone I’m looking forward to being able to go out to socialise with friends whilst enjoying a good meal and wine.

Favourite pub

Terry, my husband, and I are long standing supporters of pubs who serve real ale. We have such a wide choice in Chesterfield now compared with 30 years ago. The Chesterfield Arms is the one we have visited the most over the last two years. Before the pandemic we used to go for a beer (cider for me) after council

meetings. During the short spell pubs were open in 2020 we were impressed with their COVID security measures. It is run by a very friendly and welcoming team.

They are dog friendly and have a great range of beer, cider and food.

Favourite shop?

I don’t have a particular favourite shop but I can say that the types of shops I like are small independent shops such as the ones we have in The Shambles and

the Yards in Chesterfield Town Centre. When I’m looking for that special gift I always find what I want from their lovely displays. I like to able to touch things too. I’ve noticed recently that Steeple Gate has a number of new shops so that’s where I’ll be heading when non-essential retail opens soon.

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Message from Phil Bramley, Editor

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