Overall, the college achieved a 97 per cent pass rate, with over 2,000 students sitting exams in science, maths and English, with a number of students achieving the highest possible grade of 9 – the first time the new grading system has been used.

Pat Brennan-Barrett, the principal, said: “We are delighted that our results in maths and english continue to improve in spite of changes to the grading system and the more challenging national environment. Passing these exams, in particular, is vital for future progression and our teachers have high expectations of all our students to achieve the highest possible grades.”

Among the standout students were Christina Martin, 31, who achieved the highest possible grade of 9 in english despite spending much of the year in hospital due to complications with her pregnancy. She gave birth to son Teddy five weeks ago, with top marks giving her cause for a double celebration.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I was just hoping to get a pass so a nine is unbelievable, I don’t really know how I’ve done it.

"I left school before taking any exams but came back to education later in life. I needed my english to help get my qualifications to be a psychiatric nurse so that’s my next target.”

Garn Charoencholwanich, a 50-year-old mature student, succeeded in achieving a grade 7 in maths (equivalent to an A under the previous system).

Originally from Thailand, Garn came to England 12 years ago knowing only three words of English. Currently working in a warehouse, he was encouraged by his college tutor to keep studying and working towards his ambition to study law at university.

He said: “It has been a hard journey to get here but I am really pleased with my grade. Coming to college has been a great experience for me and I would recommend it to anyone. I am determined to keep studying and will return again next year to do my English GCSE.”

Jasmine Beal, 25, passed her maths GCSE on the seventh attempt after achieving six D grades on previous attempts at school, college and even while she was at university. Having graduated in history from Oxford Brookes University, Jasmine knew she needed to pass her maths exam in order to enrol on a PGCE and become a history teacher.

Jasmine overcame the odds after she was unexpectedly hospitalised in the middle of the exams.

She managed to successfully achieve her grade 4 despite taking the new, tougher maths paper.

The college is standing by to provide advice and guidance to all students who have received their GCSE results.

There are plenty of places available on full-time study programmes starting this September.

For further information and to book an appointment visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 0300 123 2344.

A 21-year-old woman was subjected to a serious sexual assault in Corby.

The attack happened in Lyveden Way, close to the junction with Butland Road, at some point between 4.15am and 4.45am on Saturday (August 19).

The victim was assaulted by a man who is described as black, 6ft or just under and of an average build.

He was wearing a red top.

Det Insp Emma Nealon said: “This was an extremely rare incident, but officers are asking people to be vigilant and, as such, we have put on extra patrols in this area as a precaution.

“We want to hear from anyone that might have seen either the victim or any males matching this description in the area around that time as well as anyone that might have been passing through in a vehicle, or seen anyone fitting that description in the Corby area.

“Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.”

The camp of 30 caravans, which first appeared Lings Park a week ago, before moving onto Eastfield Park, has now split between Abington Park and Kingsthorpe Park.

At Abington Park, the travellers are position by a set of football pitches.

Both encampments have, again, been ordered to leave under section 61 of the Crime Justice and Public Order Act after complaints about the noise of quad bikes and motorcycles being used.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “The Countywide Traveller Unit has undertaken a full assessment of the unauthorised encampment in Abington Park, Northampton. A section 61 notice has been served, which gives the travellers until tomorrow to move from the site.”

A section 61 notice has also been issued at the Kingsthorpe site under the same time scale.

Lings Park and Eastfield Park have both been left in a state of disrepair after the group has left this week, according to reports.

It is still not entirely known why the camp has chosen to pitch up in several places around Northamptonshire.

Speaking about this particular group of travellers, chief Inspector Alexander-Lloyd of Northamptonshire Police, said; “Where there is a funeral, a wedding or a family occasion, we know why they are here.

“On this occasion, I am not aware that this is the case.”

One person living near to Abington Park said the site of the camp there has left people using the picturesque greens there dismayed.

She said: "There is a huge community that walks dogs through the part they have pitched up on. It is not just me who is frustrated. They have spread out a lot.

"What really frustrates me is that they are not really taking care of the land either. I saw them driving their cars down to the public toilets across the park."

The number 96 bus route was unveiled by Chris Heaton-Harris, MP for Daventry, councillors and staff members from London Midland and Stagecoach. Morning commuters were greeted at the station with complementary tea and bacon sandwiches, before catching their trains.

A joint collaboration between London Midland and Stagecoach, the new bus route will form a link between Northampton, Rugby and the commuter hub of Long Buckby station.

Chris Heaton-Harris, MP for Daventry, said: “Northamptonshire is increasingly being recognised for its excellent transport links, both to the north and south.

"Commuting from Long Buckby to London has become a viable option in recent years and the revised bus service represents a fantastic joined up approach to the region’s transport infrastructure.”

The new route and timetable come into service on Monday, September 4 and are the latest addition to Long Buckby’s transport links.

Tom Joyner, passenger services director at London Midland, said: “For commuters travelling to London, Northampton or Birmingham from Northamptonshire, this new bus service will no doubt be incredibly useful. The service has been planned with Stagecoach to ensure it allows enough time for connections to our West Coast services.

“Making travel simpler and easier for every single one of our passengers is a central goal for us and this service will mean people can access our services with ease, without having to travel out in the car.”

The new route will see the 96 bus run between Rugby and Northampton, and call at a number of stops including Long Bucbky station, Crick, and East Haddon.

For morning commuters, there are services arriving at the station to match with rail services. In the evening, there are further rush hour services, allowing commuters to catch connecting buses after arriving by train. Throughout the day the service will operate at regular intervals.

Further information about the number 96 bus timetable can be found here.

Outreach workers are set to make contact with a group of homeless people who have set up camp in a wooded area of Northampton.

A dog walker made the Chronicle and Echo aware of the makeshift camp in St James yesterday.

Two shelters, one covered by light and the other dark tarpaulin, appear to be housing a group of homeless people to the side of the Saints training ground.

A number of people have noticed the camp walking around Sharman Lake and have expressed their concern for the welfare of the group as well as a dog that appears to be with them.

Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for housing, Councillor Stephen Hibbert (Con, Riverside) said he would be looking into the matter.

“We always respond to information that we receive from the public to quickly locate people and offer access to support and accommodation. Our outreach team will be visiting the St James area as soon as possible to try to make contact with this group.

“If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, please tell us about it, including as much detail about the location and individual as possible via www.streetlink.org.uk or emailing outreachteam@northampton.gov.uk.”

Northampton's own chatty man Alan Carr is offering his home town a chance to quit their job on TV and walk away with a year's salary in prize money.

His new CHannel 4 series "I Don't Like Mondays" is looking for studio audience members who are prepared to take the plunge and fight for the prize of skipping work for a whole year.

The show brings together an audience made up of people from across the UK with a range of different salaries armed with resignation letters.

At the end of the show, one of them will resign there and then, and walk away with a year's salary.

Chris Fouracre, managing director of Alaska TV, which is producing the show, said: “We’ve all had that dread of the alarm clock going off on Monday morning, signalling the start of another working week.

"Hopefully I Don’t Like Mondays will be a televisual antidote to that universal feeling and Alan is the perfect man to deliver it.”

To apply to part of the audience, email the team at casting@magnumtv.co.uk.

A Northampton schoolgirl who took her first GCSEs when she was 13 has now racked up over a dozen A and A* qualifications.

Cerys Cooksammy-Parnell,16, a student at Northampton High School in Hardingstone, opened her results envelope yesterday (August 24) to find she had aced nine exams and scored 100 per cent in both her RE and Further Science tests.

The teenage girl made headlines five-years-ago when she scored an IQ of 162 when she sat the MENSA - at age 11.

In total, Cerys now has 13 GCSEs graded A or A* after passing three exams for Law, General Studies and Psychology when she was in Year 8.

Clutching her results yesterday, Cerys said: "I'm just amazed at how many pieces of paper there are. But I'm really happy with the results, it's a massive shock.

"Despite having academic success in the past, the only pressure I feel is from me. My parents say the only person holding you back is yourself."

Between revising sessions, Cerys also found time to talk her way to second place at the national finals of the Chrystall Public Speaking Competition arguing that 16-year-olds should be given the right to vote.

She is going on to the historic Rugby School for her A Levels, where she plans to take Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics.

They say that variety is the spice of life and that is certainly the case for up-and-coming star, Scott Reid, who appeared in smash hit crime drama, Line of Duty.

Having previously played a sex offender in the BBC show, he now appears in the lead role of Christopher Boone in the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, going to Milton Keynes Theatre next month.

It tells the story of Christopher Boone, who is fifteen years old.

He stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog, which has been speared with a garden fork. It is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion.

He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, the dog.

He has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths, while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.

Christopher has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road; he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Scott said: “He is an extraordinary character in terms of the way he carries himself, his physicality and his mannerisms. It is something completely different to the type of part I have played before. I also put an accent on for this show as well.

“Why wouldn’t you want, as an actor, to play something that challenges you every day. And with every performance, Christopher will be different depending on the fellow actors and the audience.

“The biggest challenge of this show is the physical nature of it. It’s not something that I have done much of before.”

It is not mentioned in either Mark Haddon’s novel or the stage play whether Christopher’s condition - and something which Scott said - is kept deliberately vague.

He said: “I think it is best to not put a label on it whether it was Asperger’s syndrome or high functioning autism. We did have a young lad who we were able to ask questions to but ultimately we had to have it as research but not rely on it because you are playing a character.

“People will also be able to relate some of Christopher’s actions regardless of what condition he has.”

The UK tour actually comes to an end at Milton Keynes and Scott is encouraging people to go along.

He said: “I don’t think there will be another stage show like this. I doubt this will be performed within the next five years so people should go along and see it.”

But he is also pleased to have the variety of the work whether it is on stage or on television.

Scott said: “Both mediums are a challenge and require different things of you.

“It was phenomenal working on Line of Duty, I was in the show when there was a lot of hype attached to it so it was great to be part of something like that.

“I was watching all of these great actors doing their work and I was in absolute awe at the skill they bring to it. It is something I shall remember for a long long time.

“I have been a professional actor for the last five years and consider myself coming to the end of the apprenticeship as an actor having these different experiences and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.”

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time can be seen from Monday, September 4 to Saturday, September 16.

For more details or to book tickets in advance, call the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.

A young couple had a noxious substance squirted at them as they stood at a zebra crossing, police say.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a suspected acid attack involving two males on a moped in Daventry early today (August 26).

A 23-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman had a noxious substance, believed to be acid, squirted at them as they stood at a zebra crossing in Park Leys shortly before 1.30am.

Two males on a moped pulled up beside the victims and then produced bottle before flicking a noxious substance at them. One of the offenders then produced a machete before they drove off.

The man suffered burns to his forehead and the woman to her legs. They were later treated for minor burn injuries at the scene by paramedics before being transferred to Northampton General Hospital.

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service were also called to the incident in order to secure the contaminated clothing.

The rider of the moped is described as wearing grey joggers, trainers, a cream-coloured hoodie and a white helmet.

The passenger was white and had dark hair. He was wearing dark clothing.

The substance used is now under analysis to determine what it was.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Hemingway, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “This was an extremely harrowing incident for the two victims who were making their way home after a night out.

“We would urge people to be extremely vigilant to this type of incident which, as evidence suggests, is becoming increasingly common in this country.

“We are appealing for anyone who has information to contact us. We are particularly keen to trace a moped which was seen in London Road at 12.45am as well as in other parts of the town centre around the time of this attack.

“Anyone with information should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident 53 of August 26, or call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.”

Protective barriers have been put up at Northampton General Hospital after a lorry backed up into the canopy outside A&E.

The awning over the entrance in Cliftonville was damaged at around 8am today (August 25) after a delivery truck reversed into it.

Members of the public and anyone attending A&E are being warned to stay clear of the spot for their own safety.

A spokeswoman for Northampton General Hospital said: "The department is still open and can be accessed, but we've had to cordon off an area to keep our patients and staff safe and allow essential repairs to be undertaken to the damaged canopy.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience. Please take extra care if you are entering or leaving the hospital by the Cliftonville entrance."

Cobblers defender Regan Poole has been called up to the Wales Under-21 squad.

The Manchester United loan man, who is still only 19, was today named in the Welsh squad for the start of their European Championship qualifying campaign.

Managed by former Cobblers boss Rob Page, Wales face a double header against Switzerland and Portugal.

The Welsh are on the road for both games, travelling to Biel to take on the Swiss on September 1, before taking on Portugal in Chaves four days later.

Poole’s call up means he will miss the Cobblers’ scheduled Sky Bet League One trip to Wigan Athletic.

The teenager has so far made one appearance for the Cobblers, starting in the 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood on August 12.

Wales Under-21 squad: Goalkeepers: Luke Pilling (Tranmere Rovers), Owen Evans (Wigan Athletic); Defenders: Cola Dasilva (Chelsea), Cameron Coxe (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (Brentford), Regan Poole (Manchester United - on loan at Northampton Town), Aron Davies (Fulham), Rhys Abbruzzese (Cardiff City), Joe Rodon (Swansea City). Midfielders: Matthew Smith (Manchester City), Nathan Broadhead (Everton), Jack Evans (Swansea City), David Brooks (Sheffield United), Mark Harris (Cardiff City). Forwards: Tyler Roberts (West Bromwich Albion), George Thomas (Leicester City), Harry Wilson (Liverpool), Daniel James (Swansea City - on loan at Shrewsbury Town).

The Cobblers’ Sky Bet League One clash with Wigan Athletic, scheduled for next Saturday (Sept 2), has been postponed due to international call-ups.

Wigan had three players called into international squads this week, in the shape of Samy Morsy (Egypt), Lee Evans (Wales) and Owen Evans (Wales Under-21s),

EFL rules state that clubs with three or more call-ups are entitled to reschedule league matches, and following the trio being selected for their countries, the decision has been taken by Latics managere Paul Cook to move the game.

Lee Evans and Morsy have both started all three of Wigan’s league one games this season, while Owen Evans has played one League Cup match, and been on the bench for three other fixtures.

The Cobblers were also due to be without Regan Poole for the match at the DW Stadium, as he has been called up by Wales Under-21s.

The new date for the fixture is yet to be confirmed and details will be announced in due course.

However, tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the re-arranged match.

Further details will be announced in due course.

Paul Askew and Liam Askew (Cold Ashby) added another county title to their collection as they lifted the NGL Stableford Cup with a magnificent score of 88 points on their home course.

The father-and-son combination, who clinched the Family Foursomes crown last year, finished five points clear of Rushden’s Lewis Miller and Will White, with two other pairings a further point back.

Solheim Cup

A wrist injury prevented Charley Hull from playing a full part in Europe’s attempt to regain the Solheim Cup as the team lost 16½-11½ at Des Moines in Iowa.

Despite carrying the injury into the biennial contest, the Kettering golfer played in both matches on the first day as she halved the opening foursomes game, before losing narrowly in the afternoon.

Hull, who did not feature at all on the second day as USA moved into a five-point lead, returned for the singles, but her one-hole victory was not enough to help the team turn the match around.

NGL Junior Opens

County junior champions Liam McNeela (Northants County) and Ellie Darnell (Wellingborough) remain the players to beat in Junior Opens after claiming the gross prizes at Northants County and Wellingborough.

Thomas Sandiford collected the boys’ net prize on his home course at County, while Ruby Smith was in fantastic touch at Wellingborough as the Kettering member compiled a brilliant winning score of net 63.

With all boys and girls who handed in a scorecard and stayed for the presentation entered into a draw to win a shirt signed by Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, Overstone member Mark Stockdale’s name came out of the hat.

Draws for other shirts signed by more star golfers will take place at the Junior Opens at Northampton and Peterborough Milton.

NGL Ladies Goodyear Cup

Six gross pars on the back nine helped Sue Pawson (Elton Furze) win the Ladies Goodyear Cup on countback from Francesca Brimm (Glen Gorse) with a net round of 68 at Kettering GC.

Carol Gibbs (Wellingborough) compiled the joint-best gross score of 75, thanks to birdies on the closing two holes.

NGL Scratch League

A good start and a magnificent finish proved decisive for Staverton Park in their division two home clash with Rushden as they completed a 6-2 victory.

Darren Barrett, Daniel Haynes and Duane Hayle grabbed the first three points for the hosts, before Rushden responded by taking games four and five.

Staverton, who had lost their previous two home outings against Kingsthorpe and Cold Ashby, avoided an unwanted hat-trick thanks to thumping wins from Joshua Morris, Michael Franklin and Andrew Swain.

In the battle to gain promotion into the second tier, Collingtree Park missed an opportunity to leapfrog above Kettering into first position in Division 3 as they crashed to a 6½-1½ loss at Whittlebury Park.

Although Neil Abery collected a half in the opening tie and Jonathan Gould took the next game 3&2, it was all downhill from then onwards as the hosts recorded a succession of comfortable wins.

NGL Ladies Cecil Leitch

Whittlebury Park took a big step towards their fourth Cecil Leitch title in five years as they defeated Northants County 5-2 in the semi-finals at Kingsthorpe GC.

With five of the seven ties going the distance, Whittlebury closed out victory thanks to points from Gill Long, Christine Coles, Tracey Mann, Tina Murdock and Juliette Parish.

Whittlebury, who triumphed in 2013, 2014, 2015 before losing to Overstone in last year’s final, will meet Peterborough Milton in the showpiece match after they beat Oundle 4-3 in the other semi.

Parfitts seal Collingtree win

Peterborough Milton C team couldn’t make it back-to-back away wins as they lost 2½-1½ against Collingtree Park A in Group A.

After a thrilling 3-1 victory at Northants County A earlier in the month, Peterborough halved the opening tie thanks to Sanjay Nithiyalingam, before Sam Ludlow grabbed a narrow win.

Collingtree brothers Jensen Parfitt and Jody Parfitt proved too strong in the other two games.

In Group B, points from Charlie Armitage, Jade Roberts and Oscar Bell helped Peterborough Milton B record an excellent 3-1 victory at Collingtree Park B team. James Bates replied for Collingtree in the final game.

In Group C Northants County B gave themselves a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals after they secured a 2-2 draw at Northampton A.

Jack Peters and Ronan McKay bagged the points for County, who now need a victory at Rushden in their last match to move above group leaders Staverton.

In Group D, Northampton B team reached the last four in clinical fashion as they backed up their 4-0 whitewash of Priors Hall with a home victory by the same margin against Wellingborough.

With Ben Lavender the only Northampton player to feature in both matches, the strength in depth in their junior section was evident as Jordan Matthews, Daniel Cichuta and Lara Auld recorded wins.

NGL Ladies Intermediate League

Overstone Park and Elton Furze were both successful by a single point in their latest matches against Northampton and Peterborough Milton at Wellingborough GC.

Points from Margo Lerin and Chris Gore secured Overstone’s 2-1 victory, while Elton Furze were thankful to in-form Sue Pawson and Pauline Hurley for their success against Milton.

Kingsthorpe’s Pat Bodily missed out on national glory but can still hold her head high after reaching the quarter-finals of the Women’s Two-Wood singles in the National Championships at Royal Leamington Spa.

Bodily did manage three excellent wins in the finals, two of those against current international players, but she was beaten 17-9 in her last four clash against Jamie-Lea Winch on Kingscroft BC in Leicestershire.

The match didn’t start well for Bodily as she was 7-1 down after seven ends.

Despite Bodily’s best efforts in keeping pace with her opponent in scoring shots over the remaining ends, and she did score eight to the 10 accrued Winch, she ran out of ends. Winch went on to win the national title.

Earlier, Bodily enjoyed a 16-3 first round win over Terri Watkinson of Palmers Green BC in Middlesex, and in the second round she saw off Harriett Stevens of Newton Abbott BC in Devon 14-13. The third round saw Bodily take on Julie Leake of Poole Park BC in Dorset, and she won another thriller, this time 15-14.

Heyford BC’s Jill Welch was also representing Northants at the National Championships, and in the preliminary round she eased to a comfortable 17-8 win over Anne Day of Shanklin BC from the Isle of Wight.

But her tournament was to end at the first round stage as she lost 17-8 to Tracey Powell of Ledbury BC in Herefordshire. Welch was on the back foot very early after being unable to trouble the scorer until the seventh end, at which time she was fighting a rearguard action at 10-1 down.

The next seven ends did see Welch outscore her opponent 6-3, but the ends were running out for her and with seven left she needed more than single scores.

After 17 ends of play Jill was seven shots behind, and when her opponent collected a double on the next end the match was over.

Devon cream too hot for Kingsthorpe pair

KINGSTHORPE’S Roger Tansley and Mick Sharpe represented Northants in the Men’s Senior Pairs at the National Championships in Leamington.

They started well and claimed a couple of wins, but in the end they were beaten in the second round.

In the preliminary round Tansley and Sharpe were 24-10 winners over Conway Fleming and Brian Payne from Essex.

In the first round, the Kingsthorpe duo were winners again,this time seeing off Les Jinks and David Brennan from Derbyshire 18-15, who were the competition winners in 2014.

The second round paired Tansley and Sharpe against John Kelly and John Stringfellow of Devon, and they proved too strong as they won 23-10.

There was other Northampton interest at the 
nationals.

In the Men’s Junior Singles David Walker of Northampton West End represented the County and enjoyed a 21-17 first round victory over Luke Preston of Northwold BC in Norfolk.

In the second round he was a winner again, this time beating Liam Crease of Walkington BC in Yorkshire 21-16. By now Walker will have been dreaming of glory, but his run was to end in the third round as he was edged out 21-19 by Jordan Ward of Rugby BC.

In the Women’s Junior Pairs, Paige Johnson-Young and Abbi Johnson-Young from Northampton West End took on Amy Richards and Kate Williams from Hereford in the first round, and suffered heartbreak as they were pipped 16-15 after an extra end.

The girls looked to be set for victory as they led 15-10 with one end left to play, but then disaster struck as they conceded five shots on that final end. That meant an extra end and Richards and Williams nicked it.

The National Championships continue this week.

Northants ease to victory over Imps

NORTHANTS Men enjoyed a handsome 121-103 win in their friendly against The Imps BA at at Roade BC.

The County enjoyed three winning rinks and also had one that tied.

The highest scoring rink for Northants was that skipped by Jack Litchfield, that scored a 14 shots victory, but not far behind with three shots less was that skipped by Richard Somerton.

Rink scores as follows, The Imps skips only:

Rink 1: Paul Cooke, Dave Lovell, Tony Warren & Geoff Hayter 19 – T James 19

Rink 2: Stuart Lowe, Ken Lovejoy, Keith Thatcher & Geoff Harris 22 – G Willmott 15

Rink 3: Laurie Harrison, Don Scott, Bob Sullivan & Jack Litchfield 26 - A Smith 12

Rink 4: Alan Holt, John Cooper, Brian Hunt & Richard Somerton 21 – J Scholey 10

Rink 5: Jonathan George, David Walker, David Francis & Mark Courtney 15 – B Patteson 22

Rink 6: Frank Craven, Geoff Simmons, Peter Kitchener & Mossy Waters 18 – K Warren 22

County name team for Leicestershire clash

THE following players have been selected to represent Northants Ladies in their Middle England League match against Leicestershire at St Margaret’s Co-operative BC in Leicester next Wednesday (1.30pm)

Rink 1: Julie Spreadbury, Heyford BC/Elaine Urquhart, Brackley & District BC/Audrey Height, Kettering Lodge BC/Brenda Bishop, Kingsthorpe BC

Rink 2: Sian Hughes-Jones, Kettering Lodge BC/Marion Mackie, Kettering Lodge BC/Jill Welch, Heyford BC/Barbara Haseldine, Finedon Town BC

Rink 3: Margaret Cave, Thrapston BC/Lisbeth Milburn, Abington BC/Pat Bodily, Kingsthorpe BC/Hilary Sharpe, Kingsthorpe BC/

Rink 4: Trish Basford, Geddington & Newton BC/Velda Cooper, Irchester BC/Pat Starsmore, Kettering Lodge BC/Margaret McGillivray, Desborough Town BC

Rink 5: Chris Cooper, Burton Latimer Town BC/Marlene Armitage, Wellingborough BC/Karon Bierton, Geddington & Newton BC/Alison Dring, Burton Latimer Town BC

Rink 6: Linda Warren, Abbey Park BC/Heather Lack, Burton Latimer Town BC/Wilma Walker, Corby Forest BC/Di Brumwell, Kingsthorpe BC

Travelling Reserves: Elaine Munton, Northampton Whute Melville BC/Rhona Holland, Heyford BC/Pat Mattinson, Thrapston BC

County results

LATEST County competition results.

Men’s Champion of Champions Mason Cup semi-finals: Connor Cinato, Kettering Midland Band BC beat Peter Martin, Roade BC 21-13; Richard Lemon, Northampton Express BC beat Mark Courtney, Northampton Whyte Melville BC 21-11

These semi-final winners will now contest the Final at Northampton Express BC on the evening of either September 13 or 14.

Ladies County Top Club first round: Kingsthorpe BC beat Kettering Lodge BC 3-1. Details as follows, Kingsthorpe names first: Singles: Hilary Sharpe beat Sian Hughes-Jones 21-16; Pairs: Celia Morris & Brenda Bishop beat Sue Briggs & Audrey Height 18-12; Triples: Dawn Rolfe, Sandra Mawson & Yvonne McKee lost to Marion Mackie, 
Karen Austin & Pat Starsmore 9-19; Fours: Maggie Edwards, Sandy Hayter, Glenys Emery & Di Brumwell beat Linda Simms, Sue Lomas, Helen Partridge & Margaret Silsby 20-18

In the final match of the season, Rugby & Northampton AC sealed promotion to the second division of the British Athletics League in dramatic fashion.

The club started the day at Rugby in a promotion spot lying in second place in the league standings, however with only 1.5 points separating second, third and fourth it was all to play for.

It soon became clear that promotion rivals Notts AC and Chelmsford had fielded strong teams, and at the halfway point R&N sat in third place and outside a promotion spot.

An exceptionally strong finish saw the club overhaul Chelmsford and finish seocnd in the match and second in the final league standings and earn a second promotion in as many years in the national league.

The club got off to a strong start with Craig Murch throwing an impressive 66.03m in the hammer to take a clear victory with father Kevin Murch finishing sixth in the B string with 27.69m.

Points were slightly harder to come by in some highly competitive fields across the four jumps.

Ian Gidley secured valuable points by finishing eight in the high jump A string (1.70m) and sixth in the pole vault B string (2.60m). There was also a PB for Jason Dankyi in the triple jump, who took fifth in the A string with 13.27m.

The track programme started with the 400m hurdles, which saw Joshua Faulds stepping up to the senior hurdles to take third place in a time off 55.1.

Charlie Barker added to his points earned in the triple and high jump with a sixth place finish in the B string in 63.4.

This was followed an outstanding run from Adam Wright in the A string of the 800m.

In his first race back since a shoulder operation, Wright led from the front and took the race on against some strong competitors.

With the opposition closing fast in the last 30m he held on to take a fantastic victory and secure maximum points for the team. Adnan Haq then took fifth place in the B string with 1:58.5.

Wright went on to finish 7th in the 1500m A string (4:12.8) with Haydn Arnall finishing seventh in the B string (4:24.7).

In the sprints, Kyle Ennis was once again in fine form, cruising to victory in the B string of the 100m in 10.7 and the A string of the 200m in 21.7.

Caleb Downes finished strongly but narrowly missed out on taking victory in a very competitive 100m A race, finishing second in 10.9.

There were also strong performances from Theo Walkley-Bartlett (16.0) and Harry Salt (16.1) in the sprint hurdles, who finished third and first in the A and B string respectively.

Aidan Leeson took victory in a closely contested 400m A race, clocking a swift 48.7 with Alex Currie taking fifth in the B string (51.8).

Ben Musgrove secured vital points in the 3000m steeplechase by finishing fifth in the A string (10:28.2). Rob Male (15:59.2) and Richard Latimer (16:35.2) finished seventh in the A string and fourth in the B string respectively to round off the individual track programme.

The last events of the field programme saw the club secure some important points with plenty of high finishes.

There was a fantastic double win in the javelin thanks to some impressive throwing by Leon Bailey and Kevin Murch to take the A and B string in 51.86m and 49.06m respectively.

Matthew Twigg produced excellent performances to finish third in the A string of the discus (41.49m) and second in the B string of the shot (11.85m).

These points were back up by junior athlete Alex Hamling, who handled the step up to the senior implements superbly by winning the B string of the discus in a PB of 39.77m and finishing 3rd in the A string of the shot (12.26m).

The day concluded with the relays, where a strong quartet of Adel Sesay, Kyle Ennis, James Wright and Clinton Osoba-George stormed to an emphatic victory in the 4x100m in a swift time of 42.5.

Things were slightly less straightforward in the 4x400m, where an unfortunate baton drop meant the club started the second leg in seventh place.

However the team of Alex Currie, Joshua Faulds, Adam Wright and Aidan Leeson dug deep and fought their way back to a second place finish, with Aidan notably closing a 30m gap to second place on the last leg with an astonishing split of 47.1.

This promotion is a fantastic achievement for the club in only their second season back in the national league.

The club has shown a wonderful team spirit and togetherness throughout the four matches that undoubtedly proved crucial in sealing promotion.

A huge thank to everyone who has been involved in the league this season, especially the officials and volunteers who helped out on the day to make the match possible. A special mention also has to go to Doug Stark, who missed the last match having moved to America to start a PhD but contributed massively to the teams points tally in the first three matches by doing seven events in each one!

Riding high. That’s Wellingborough after coming oh-so close to a top-10 slot in one of the country’s most prestigious matches – the Division 1 national!

Saturday’s 490 peg 49 team event, spread over some 20 miles of Shropshire Union canal, saw the county side finish on 306 points – just two short of tenth-place.

And had they been able to scrape just another 1.5 points per man, they would have been knocking on the door of a top-five finish!

A pretty good result - perhaps all those winter-league scratchers on the Foxton- Theddingworth cut stood them in good stead? Milton Keynes were 37th on 213 points as Southport went top with 389.

YOU don’t always have to finish top to win the biggest pot – as Wayne Sharman proved in the Matrix Commercial league final round.

He paid into the super-pool and finished second overall with 172-6...while 249lb winner Mark Casemore didn’t... And that saw Wayne trot off with £350 for his place PLUS £500 from the super-pool to total £850 while Mark had ‘just’ £500. Phil Canning won the series.

CRANSLEY Hospice was a big winner, too, to the tune of £2,300 raised by 53 competitors ina Barby Banks charity match organised by Andy Pell. Great effort everyone. Dave Gibbs won with 135-8, Mick Wheeler netted 125lb and Jim Boyle 67lb.

STANWICK’s Elsons saw Dave Bishop banking a 40-2 common and Nathan Bartnick a 36-4.

MATCHMEN can catch the lumps too...as Phil Ringer proved with a 28lb on a size-12 during a Barston practice session.

WHITE Hart ‘oldies’, Tofts: Ron Collins 127-8, John Tee 104-13, Tom Griffiths 102-15.

WHITE HART, Barby Mill: Dave Chapman 90-8, 
John Berry 68lb, Glen Tilson 54-8.

CASTLE Ashby Brickyard open: Mark Moody 83lb, Mick Hewlett 28-8, Frank Pizamenti 28lb.

MILL Lane, Meadowlands: Ken Andrews 72-11, Kelvin McInelly 47-8, Alan Byrnes 43-2.

FINEDON, Waterloo: John Yorke 61-4, Pat Neale 43-12, Barry Lawrence 43-3.

TOWCESTER Vets, Ifield Farm: John Balhatchett 51-6, Grenville Reid 31lb, Rob Aytill 23lb.

FLORE & Brockhall, Napton: Terry Smith 49lb, Dave Westley 45lb, Bert Isle 38lb.

GLEBE, Peatling Parva: Marcus Annable 39-4, John Armstrong 17-11, Russ Lay 13-8.

COUNTY Vets, Canons: Len Keech 25-6, Dave Cantrell 19-12, ‘Paddy’ 16-10.

NENE, silverfish, Stockton: John Balhatchett 18-2, Chris Howard 15-4, Mick Goodridge 14lb.

Fixtures: Sunday: Oundle sponsored £500 Nene open 07842 920045; Furzton Lake carp open Sep 15-17, 01908 313158; Sep 17 Citizen Cup Olney Ouse open 01234 240061.

Matt Crooks says he understands the supporters’ frustrations at the Cobblers’ slow start to the season - but insists he and his team-mates will get things right.

Town have lost four out of four in what has been a terrible start to the season in terms of results, and that has left many fans fearing the worst ahead of Saturday’s big derby date with old rivals Peterborough United, who have made a 100 per cent winning start in Sky Bet League One.

Despite plenty of summer investment and 14 new signings, Town have failed to hit the ground running and the club’s run without a competitive win is now 12 matches, and stretches back to March 14.

Last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Charlton was the low point of the opening four games of the campaign, and although Crooks accepts some supporters will not be happy, he has urged them to stick with the team.

Asked if he understood the fans’ frustration, Crooks said: “Of course I understand it, I have been a fan myself and you want to win games, everybody wants to win games.

“We are getting frustrated ourselves as well, but we have to keep progressing as a team, and as individuals, and try and get that win.

“Sometimes it doesn’t happen straight away, and it hasn’t for us, but there is plenty of time and there are a lot of games left, so we have to just keep going.

“We know we have a good squad, and we know we have good players, we just have to put it all together now. We did have a few chances at the weekend (at Charlton), and we had chances at QPR, but we have just not taken them.”

Despite the league one season being only 270 minutes old, there does seem to be a lot of anxiety among the Cobblers support, but Crooks doesn’t feel he or the players are under pressure.

Asked if there is a feeling of pressure at Sixfields, the former Rangers man said: “I don’t think so.

“We just have to go into games and try and pick up three points, that is all you can do. I don’t know if anybody else is feeling pressure, but I’m not, it’s fine.”

Along with the majority of his team-mates, Crooks will be playing in his first Cobblers-Posh derby at the weekend, and he is looking forward to the experience of playing in front of a near sell-out crowd at Sixfields.

“Derbies are big games,” said Crooks. “Obviously there was the big one in Scotland, and I have played in a couple in league two against Morecambe (when he was at Accrington), and derbies are obviously big for the fans.

“They are big for the players as well as you can feel the atmosphere in the ground, and it is a perfect opportunity for us to get the three points at home in a derby.

“That would be a good way to kick off our season properly.”

And does that big-match atmosphere raise a player’s game?

“It does, it has to,” said the 23-year-old, who has started all four of Town’s fixtures to date. “You want to play on the biggest stage you can, and a derby is the biggest stage at that point in the season, and I am looking forward to it.”

Yusuf Bassir, 29, of Upper Heyford is currently in the process of starting up a mobile coffee business, which involves converting an old taxi into a bar. He intends for the business to operate mainly at events and festivals but on other days, the van would sell coffee in laybys around the county.

To start up the speciality drinks firm, The Grind Coffee Company, he would need to apply for a licence from every council in areas he wants to trade in. As a mobile business, he predicts he would need at least three of four licences, per year, at various costs for different districts in the county.

He said: "I contacted my local council, South Northamptonshire Council, who advised me that the cost would be £900 for one year.

"I then looked on Northampton Borough Council's website for trading in that area and the cost for some reason is split into days - which would mean more money for the council.

"During my research, I came across a video on YouTube about an ice cream van driver who has to pay several thousands of pounds a year to his local council, however other businesses with greater turnover and higher risk are paying a fraction of the cost and in some cases for free."

While researching licensing fees in Northamptonshire he noticed that the cost to apply for street trading consents is £900 per year - compared to a £115 pet shop licence, a £200 dangerous wild animal licence (lasting two years), a free-of-charge caravan site licence and a £400 zoo licence, priced for the year.

A spokeswoman for South Northamptonshire Council said: "The fee for a street trading consent issued by South Northamptonshire Council, set in 2004, is £900 and is based on processing an application as well as enforcement throughout the year.

"Some licence fees are set by statute and are out of the council’s control. With others, local authorities are able to set the charges to cover the cost of administering the licence and the accompanying enforcement regime which includes regular inspections."

With this in mind, Yusuf also looked into Northampton Borough Council licensing fees.

Where he noted running a horse riding centre would cost £98, a bingo premises £1,000, an adult gaming centre £1,000, a betting premises £600 and to run a zoo is £530, all priced for the year.

Councillor Anna King, the cabinet member for community safety and engagement, said: “A number of our licencing charges are set by central government, so these fees are consistent throughout the UK.

“The local fee policies set by the borough council, such as for street trading and private hire/taxi fees, are costed according to the various functions and regulations governing that licensing area. The policies are regularly reviewed and a cost exercise is undertaken to ensure that fee levels are set appropriately.”

He added: "I would need to spend in the region of £3,000 plus per year to sell some cups of coffee out of my vehicle to put food on my families table, however you can get a licence to operate a zoo for £400 or a gambling shop for £600 or a caravan site for free....where is the logic in that? So much for supporting your local small business.

"Businesses with much higher turnover and greater risk are paying far, far less for a licence than a small street trader."

Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision between a lorry and a tractor on the A14.

The collision happened on the westbound section at about 1.30pm on Tuesday (August 22) close to Junction 3 at Kettering.

A police spokesman said: “The HGV collided with the rear of the tractor causing it to leave the road.

“The tractor driver, a 70-year-old man, suffered severe whiplash injuries as a result of the incident which caused significant delays on the busy dual carriageway.”

The tractor was a blue New Holland model, registration P905 MFL.

The HGV was a red Volvo tractor unit, registration SF08 BJJ, and was towing a blue curtain sided trailer with no sign writing.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find three men involved in a Corby burglary.

Two male suspects were seen by the occupiers fleeing the scene of a burglary in Studfall Avenue just before 10am on Friday, August 4. Police have just released details today.

They followed the offenders into Sarrington Road when they got into a blue Mercedes bearing the registration plates SM06 FHK, which are believed to be false.

They threatened the homeowners before driving off in the Mercedes which was driven by a third man.

They drove off towards Rockingham Road.

One of the men was southern European, in his mid-20s, 5ft 4in to 5ft 6in and slim with short dark hair, a thin moustache and beard.

He was wearing a dark hooded top and jeans.

The second offender was white, in his mid-20s, 6ft, with blue eyes and curly hair under a hooded top.

He wore a green hooded top and a dark scarf over his face.

The third man was southern European, 5ft 4in to 5ft 6in and skinny.

He was wearing a full face covering, a dark hooded top and dark jeans.

Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.