Legacy Chesterfield Hotel

Tourist Information Centre

by DavyJB

The Tourist Information Centre is situated at the side of the 'Crooked Spire' and has a mine of up to date local information such as booking guest houses or public transport timetables. It also won the Tourist Information Center of the year award in 2005.

BIRCHY PASSES THROUGH CHESTERFIELD

by birchy99

"A QUICK GLANCE AT THE CROOKED SPIRE"

We did a quick trip through the heart of Chesterfield as we were finding our way to a smaller community called Hasland located east of the Chesterfield city center. Actually we were concentrating so hard on driving and finding our way that we don't remember too much about Chesterfield proper. After arriving in Manchester that morning after an all night flight from the US west coast, we were a bit addled.
Fortunately we arrived in Hasland at our B&B unscathed and soon got a few hours rest.
Our purpose was to attend a dog show at the Hasland Community Center the next day. Shelagh, our friend and co-breeder of our wonderful Bearded Collie boy, Colm, was judging and we intended to knock her off her pins by surprising her before judging started. And surprise her we did! See the travelogue for more pictures of the Hasland dog show.
We spent two nights in Hasland, mostly talking dogs. We did get a glimpse of the famous spire from the community center.
We enjoyed our visit immensely and loved the small community atmosphere of Hasland and Derbyshire in general.

To see the weather in Chesterfield click here: Yahoo

To See a map of Chesterfield click here: Yahoo

THE BIG SURPRISE

by birchy99

"THE BIRCHYS DO A SURPRISE"

We had planned this surprise for several months. Shelagh, Colm's co-breeder was judging a show in May in Yorkshire. We decided to fly over and surprise her. Such a surprise it was. As you can see from the pictures, she was speechless for several minutes. I'm not sure how she managed to go ahead and judge the show but she did a magnificent job.

"Still Speechless"

What is really amazing is that Shelagh's daughter knew we were coming and the show committee knew and no one let the secret slip.

"Shelagh Judging the Beardies"

Despite her surprise, Shelagh managed to pull herself together, make the decision to brave the weather and move the judging outdoors, and continue to judge for the next five hours.
The weather was very windy, with partly sunny skies and to us, just sitting around watching it seemed bitter. But those hearty Brits were out there showing their dogs in their shirtsleeves, (no the dogs didn't wear shirts). Shelagh even shed her jacket midway through the show. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! I was wondering where that glacier was the wind was blowing off of.

"Who Is Winning???"

This is one way to keep track of who won in each class. Strips of papers are posted with the placements for each of the groups or classes. Then spectators who dozed off can get their catalogs caught up with the winners and losers by going by the judges table and finding this display.

"Going For the Prize"

These are prizes. Big Rosettes and silver trophies. We are always inpressed with the size of the ribbons in the UK shows. At home they tend to be little ribbons that you can stuff in your pocked. Often winners in the UK wear their rossettes as a matter of pride in their dogs.

"The Winners Line Up For Pictures"

After the show the winners pose with judge for pictures. Sometimes there are professional photographers, other times it is more casual. Because there are so many groups or classes in the show there are a lot of winners and a lot of pictures to be shot.

"Where Friends Meet"

A major function of a dog show is to bring friends together for some socializing. Many, many topics are covered for in the dog world there is much to discuss.
Here is Mrs. B and Colm's co-breeder, Andrea, with Bria (the brown dog) who is Colm's mom. Can't remember who the other dog but I'm sure someone will refresh my memory.