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Saving an important heritage building in Chesterfield, to create a new centre for youth education & skills which will help to regenerate our town & its environment, making our corner of the world a nicer place to live.
Our Mission
We're taking a derelict but critically important heritage building in Chesterfield town centre and converting it into a space for real change. A space where we can learn together & make a difference - for the environment & for our future.
The building will have a new future as a youth, education & environment workshop hub. We'll be doing practical stuff - fixing up the place then building bikes, repairing broken things & making new things from unwanted stuff. Along the way we aim to give some of the young people in our town a new start & way forward.
Our Vision
Cannon Mill will become a destination and collaborative learning/working space for people in our town (especially younger people) to strengthen community, make a difference, build their skills & improve the environment.
We will provide an opportunity for young people in the Chesterfield area to develop lasting, valuable skill sets that will enable them to proactively engage with their community, provide needed services such as repair workshops, and ultimately to enter the job market with confidence.
Why Cannon Mill?
Saving the Cannon Mill, which was built as the Griffin Foundry around 1775 will preserve one of the most important buildings in our area for future generations. Just like the water mill that made cannons through the 18th & 19th centuries, we'll be creating an innovative new project that will change the prospects of our town. We're really grateful for the collaboration of Robinson PLC: a local family firm who are supporting us to protect & rebuild the Cannon Mill.
Our Values
Community
We are humans. We work better together & achieve more. We believe in the power of people, and commit to creating a supportive and nurturing community.
Education
We beleive we learn from each other - not just in classes. Our workshops might just be fun, they might make a big difference or they might even find you a new path in life...
Change
Many of us are concerned about the future. Sometimes it's pretty scary, what with climate change, the economy, loneliness, life in our town...
Let's do something about it.
Action
We've all got valuable skills - our mission is to share them & use them to make our town a better place. Whether you're into bikes, craft, art, technology, or just making stuff - come & join in!
Our Trustees
Simon Redding
Simon has worked primarily with Voluntary/Charity, Environmental, Telecommunications and Logistics companies, spanning the public, private and third sectors. He is a qualified project manager, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce and a Chartered IT Professional. His areas of expertise include: Business change, strategy & innovation, Social entrepreneurship & business model options, Volunteer & community led organisations, Enterprise & solution architecture, Technology advice & hands-on work, Renewable energy technologies and business models.
Emma Knight-Strong
As a sustainability professional with 15 years’ experience in the environmental consultancy and sustainable finance sectors, Emma has covered a broad range of disciplines including: environmental impact assessment; investment due diligence; carbon footprinting; environmental risk management and policy and process development. She specialises in working with an extensive and varied range of stakeholders to deliver collaborative projects furthering sustainability. She is also a fellow of the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (FIEMA),
Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv).
Lucie Maycock
Lucie is a freelance artist, community artist and youth worker, with over 15 years involvement in a number of youth and community projects. Experienced in a number of areas including conception, development, management and evaluation of short term and long term projects. She is also the Co-ordinator the the Chesterfield Cultural Education Partnership, Chair of the board for Junction Arts and is currently co-developing a number of third sector community organisations in Chesterfield.
Jonathan Symons
Jonathan has worked as the Monkey Park cycle workshop coordinator for a number of years. Gaining first hand experience working with young people and young adults in Chesterfield. His knowledge and experience is key to the development from the first cornerstone tennant for the Cannon Mill to other community projects and start-ups.
Richard Godley
Richard is a community development professional linked with heritage, countryside and open space management, tourism and community projects. He has extensive knowledge and experience of sustainable development, carbon management, green issues, tourism, ecology, interpretation, leisure, waste management, heritage, landscape partnerships and local food initiatives. As well as extensive working knowledge of protected areas -AONBs, National Parks, Heritage sites and rural settings.
Nathan Hamer
Nathan is a communications, social media, public engagement, and youth voice specialist. He has a wide range of experience within communication, project building, community projects, non-formal education, and volunteer programmes. He has a passion for social action, community development, and creativity; which he channels through photography, design, art, and writing.
How the space looks at the moment
A lot of work and support is needed to help Cannon Mill achieve its potential and transition from its current form into a true community asset. If you have interest in the development of this project, we would love to hear from you and gain your support.
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