Luke Turnock, from High Street, Weedon, pleaded not guilty to rape at Northampton Magistrates' Court yesterday (November 9).

He was released on bail and will appear in Northampton Crown Court on December 8.

Until then, he is banned from visiting parts of St James and also the River Nene under his bail conditions.

Oxford United boss Pep Clotet is tipping an ‘effective’ Cobblers team to clamber well clear of the relegation zone this season - but is looking forward to experiencing the ‘history’ and extra edge between the clubs when they meet up on Saturday.

With Oxford ditching the Kassam Stadium moniker, Town and their supporters will travel to what is now called Grenoble Road, a ground where they have enjoyed success in recent times.

The past two visits have ended in 1-0 wins for the Cobblers, with Marc Richards’ penalty securing what turned out to be a pretty decisive win in the Sky Bet League Two title race in 2015, and the same player securing victory with a late, late strike on Boxing Day last season.

Both results were daggers through the heart of the Oxford fans, and in particular their then manager, Michael Appleton.

Appleton, who in the summer moved on to work as assistant manager at Leicester City, seemed to have it in his head that his team was better than Chris Wilder’s Cobblers in that league two campaign that ended with Town 13 points clear of United.

Oxford also failed to win, or even score a goal, in the last four meetings Appleton managed between the clubs, much to their manager’s frustration.

Clotet goes into this weekend’s fixture without any of the baggage Appleton brought with him, but supporters don’t forget that quickly, and there will still be added spice to the atmosphere as there always is when Cobblers face Oxford nowadays.

The Spaniard welcomes that, and is looking forward to it.

“I like that there’s a little bit of history between the clubs: anything that gives that little energy to the players and to the fans is a good thing.” said Clotet, who in the past few years has worked as assistant to Garry Monk at both Swansea City and Leeds United.

“Northampton came up alongside us and I see a similar project. I am sure they will be very solid on Saturday and they are starting to get results and a little momentum.

“They are an effective mix as a squad and eventually they will be higher than they are at the moment.”

Oxford go into the game on a run of five games without a win, and having won just one of their past seven games on home soil.

In the past week, they have been dumped out of the FA Cup, losing 2-0 at league two side Port Vale, and also exited the Checkatrade Trophy thanks to a 4-3 loss to Milton Keynes Dones.

They also lost their most recent league game against Fleetwood, but Clotet belives his team are heading in the right direction and will get out of their current mini slump.

“We could have had a point at Fleetwood but got punished,” said the Oxford boss.

“In such a tight league those are the margins, but to be fair I think the club has come a long way in the last two years.

“This is our second season in league one and we are competing in a top 10 place, and it’s important to keep improving and correcting mistakes.

“We have come through a hard moment before this season and put it right and need to do the same again.”

Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has warned his players against being over confident as they travel to an out-of-form Oxford United on Saturday.

Town are unbeaten in their past five games, claiming two wins and three draws across three different competitions, and the confidence and belief is beginning to grow among the Sixfields squad.

It’s a different story for Oxford, who after solid start to the campaign have hit the buffers a little, failing to win any of their past five games, and losing three on the spin.

They have also won only one of their past seven games at their Grenoble Road ground, so on paper at least it appears to be a good time to take on Pep Clotet’s side.

Does the Cobblers manager agree with that?

“Is it a good time to play them? Everybody knows how these things are, and we need to just get back to our way, and to keep on trying to build,” said Hasselbaink.

“We have to keep on trying to make it difficult for teams, and make it easier for us.

“We need to keep on pinching confidence from games, and keep on trying to make steps forwards and to keep it positive.

“We need to learn from our mistakes, but also keep on doing the good things we are doing.

“We have to go into the match with lots of confidence, yes, but you can’t over-confident because that is a dangerous thing.

“We have to respect Oxford, we have to understand they are a very good team, and we need to get into the habit that it doesn’t matter who is in front of us, that we always put in a good performance.

“If you get a good performance then you have a really big chance of winning a match, and that is what we need to do.”

The Cobblers have won on their two previous visits to Oxford, with Marc Richards scoring the only goal in 1-0 wins in the past two seasons.

Indeed, Oxford haven’t beaten the Cobblers in any of the past five meetings between the clubs, and have failed to score in the past four.

The most recent Cobblers defeat at the hands of United was on October 21, 2014, when Chris Wilder’s team were beaten 3-1 at Sixfields.

Last year Weston Favell Shopping Centre claimed to have made history when it opened a 13ft tall installation made entirely out of gingerbread to Christmas shoppers.

But this year centre bosses are hoping to top that feat by creating Santa’s log cabin in the lower mall.

The grotto will consist of 120 real fir trees, grown especially for Weston Favell, and is believed to be the first live forest to be created in an indoor shopping centre.

Centre manager Kevin Legg said: " We wanted to focus our Grotto on tradition, moving away from a world where everything is digital; creating something that would give local children an experience that would look, smell and feel just like Christmas should.

"It has taken a huge amount of planning and engineering, but the result is amazing and will give everyone a place to come and enjoy the festive spirit right up until Christmas Eve.”

This year's idea is the "culmination of the creativity of Weston Favell’s marketing team and the expertise of Yippidoo Grottos," according to a press statement released by the shopping centre. Yippido Grottos will operate the log cabin throughout the festive season.

The forest will be assembled using Norway Spruce-fir trees, ranging in size from 3.5ft to 10ft in height.

About 60 of the trees will be potted and donated to the community after Christmas, with the remainder being supplied to Woburn Safari Park for use as animal bedding.

The grotto, which will have taken four weeks to build when it opens next weekend, will also feature a "forest of memories" where shoppers can leave special messages for loved ones.

The Enchanted Forest Grotto opens on Saturday, November 18, at 1.30pm, following the traditional Weston Favell Carnival and will remain in place until Christmas Eve.

A Northampton cat-lover is warning pet owners to watch for signs of antifreeze poisoning this winter.

Sam Ashby-Clarke, from Duston, has lost two cats in the past two years to kidney failure and believes they lapped up spilt antifreeze in her neighbourhood.

Even a teaspoon of antifreeze is enough to lethally poison a cat or dog, according to the RSPCA.

Sam is now urging anyone defrosting their car before their morning commute this winter to wash away any spillages.

She said: "Two years ago, my partner and I came home to find our cat Simba at the back door. He was unable to walk and very unresponsive. He'd been absolutely fine earlier that day. We took him to the vets who told us he had gone into kidney failure. We had to have him put to sleep the same day.

"Now, this week [November 5], we found our other cat, Lotty, in the same state. We took her to the vets immediately. This time they suggested she had swallowed antifreeze. They did everything they could but we had to say another sad goodbye to one of our beloved pets."

Sam now believes antifreeze poisoning might have killed Simba two years earlier and wants other Northampton pet owners to watch for the signs.

She said: "It gives off a sweet scent and as little as a teaspoon can be life-threatening.

"As we head into the winter many people are topping up their screen wash and may not realise the dangers even a small spillage could cause.

"Please, just be careful and wash away any spills. I'd done it myself in the past without thinking about it but I don't want this to happen to any other pet owners."

If you suspect your pet has been poisoned by antifreeze, the RSPCA advises taking them to a vet immediately.

Dad-of-one Justin Raugala said he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he opened the doors of his 40-seat Wellingborough Road restaurant at the end of September.

And the 31-year-old has been making a name for himself ever since, with customers taking to Facebook to show their approval of the chef's culinary creations.

The venue, called Hashtag Justin Chef, has already garnered 69 reviews - and an average score of 4.9 out of 5 on Facebook.

"Clean place, nice decor, friendly staff, good service," wrote customer Kevin Shum. "Give this guy a Michelin star."

But Justin, who trained in Italy and Spain, says he intends to keep his menu around the £10 mark - even if he does achieve his goal of gaining the prestigious AA Rosette award in a year's time.

The former head chef at the Lloyds Pharmacy head office is thrilled at how business is going so far.

"To be honest the feedback so far has been great," he said.

"I can honestly say I have had no complaints. If you look at the Facebook review, most people say 'wow'."

Hashtag Chef Justin opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from Monday to Saturday - with breakfasts priced even lower, at around the £5 mark.

Though the dishes are simply named, many are named simply after the main ingredient, some are cooked using advanced techniques, garnished with edible flowers and finished with flavoured smoke released at the table.

Though Justin says he does not stick to a particular style of cooking, most of the dishes are Mediterranean in origin.

"This menu is my heart on a plate, it's a bit of everything," he added.

"People eat here once and they want to come back again.

"When you read it, it looks simple, but when it comes out we want people to say 'wow'."

Justin, who has worked as a sous chef in a number of fine dining restaurants across the UK and also owns a catering company, started cooking at his family home in Lithuania when he was six years old.

"I guess I just like food," he added. "You know what they say - never trust a thin chef."

As far as first starts for a new club go, there will be far easier than the one Jamal Ford-Robinson endured at Saints.

Thrust into the front row for the Stade Marcel Michelin showdown with Clermont Auvergne, the former Bristol tighthead prop was hauled off after 40 minutes as the French giants dominated up front.

But Ford-Robinson's agony wasn't to end there as he had to return to the field when Kieran Brookes was sent to the sin bin.

And a bad day became a complete write-off when the 24-year-old suffered a calf injury that would keep him out of the following week's Aviva Premiership game against Wasps.

But, as they say - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

And despite that difficult experience at one of European rugby's most impressive grounds, Ford-Robinson still looks back on it with a smile.

And he is determined to use it to make him better as Saints, who he joined during the summer.

"They (Clermont) are a very tough team to play against and it was a very tough place to go," said Ford-Robinson, who impressed for the Wanderers earlier in the season, scoring three tries in as many outings.

"I think I'm stating the obvious in saying it wasn't the best day out for me. I struggled in the scrums.

"As an experience, I couldn't ask for any more because it was my first European game at one of the best places to play.

"It was a real good memory.

"I came off as a tactical sub at half-time because we wanted to get Brookesy on to solidify the scrum and I got another 10 minutes when he got his yellow card.

"That was when my calf went."

Ford-Robinson was fit enough to take his place on the bench for last Saturday's game at Exeter, but it was to be another irksome afternoon for everyone of a Northampton persuasion.

Saints again lost the forward battle and were beaten 43-28, meaning they have now lost five successive matches.

And Ford-Robinson said: "It's not been very good, has it? There's not too much more that you can say about it.

"We've put in a couple of good performances but not come away with the win.

"A few areas have let us down and we've been working on those, but it's not been anywhere near what we expect of ourselves."

So just how can Saints up their game in the scrum?

"We've been looking at it in a bit more detail," Ford-Robinson said.

"When things are going good you can get a bit complacent and just keep doing the things you're doing and then when you come up to a bump in the road you've got to start looking at things.

"We've been putting some more work in with technique and getting stuff done in the gym.

"Hopefully we can see some improvements on that."

Saints will hope those improvements come in the Anglo-Welsh Cup game against the Dragons at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday evening.

They know they must end their run of five successive defeats before returning to the Premiership with a game at Worcester Warriors on November 18.

And Ford-Robinson said: "We wanted to use the Anglo-Welsh run of games to build some momentum up going back into the Premiership and we failed to do that last weekend so this is our next opportunity.

"We're at home, we've got a strong side out and we're trying to get that momentum back for the boys going into the Prem.

"It's always good to play at home and it's something we look to target.

"We've got a chance to put things right and the mood's never really dropped.

"We've always been pretty positive and we want to push on and correct things. This week is the next opportunity to do that.

"It's been a big focus of ours to work on our defence and we're hoping for a big improvement on that this weekend."

Lauren Dabbs top scored as Northamptonshire Titans beat Stockport Lapwings 70-44 in the U16 Girls North Conference.

Dabbs delivered 30 points, with Tegan Millar registering 10.

Sam and Jude help to clip the Eagles’ wings

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Titans made the lengthy journey up north to the home of the Newcastle Eagles and returned home with a 95-60 victory in the U16 Boys North Premier

Sam Grant (14) and Jude Carmichael (11) were among the top scorers.

Ella excels as Titans topple the Warriors

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Titans earned a 77-54 win against Leicester Warriors in the U14 Girls Midlands Conference.

After a tentative start, Titans played strongly as a team, both defensively and offensively, pushing the ball up the court and driving hard to basket.

Supported by the older and experienced team members, the youngest Titan, Talani Akanmu, showed off her natural defensive talent, picking up two steals and two rebounds in as many minutes.

Abby Smith was also showing her true colours as she too hustled strong and distributed the ball well.

Charly Stalker made the Titans family proud in her first game after significant injury by making the scoresheet and playing with a high level of energy.

All the Titans girls contributed to the win, with teawork as the most important attribute.

The top scorers were Ella Maccahil-Brown with 41 points and Luca Virag with 20.

Streak continues as Birmingham beaten

For the fourth consecutive game, the whole team contributed to the points total as Northamptonshire Titans continued their winning streak against City of Birmingham II (CoB) in the U14 Boys Midlands West Conference.

Although CoB fielded a young team, they competed well and exposed Titans defensive flaws throughout.

But Titans had managed to open up a 13-point lead by half-time and they never looked back as they bagged an 87-49 victory.

Williams helps Titans walk away with a win

DINARI WILLIAMS delivered 20 points as Northamptonshire Titans beat City of Birmingham IIs 86-53 in the Midlands West Conference

Titans Purple made the journey alongside the U14 boys to compete against City of Birmingham (CoB).

And the efforts of Williams, Max Aldridge (15) and Deimantas Cebatoriunas (6) helped them to earn the victory.

Thunder roar as they ground the Rockets

NORTHANTS THUNDER senior men secured an important win in National League Division Four (Midlands Conference) as they beat City of Birmingham Rockets 70-61.

In an error strewn game, Thunder trailed 37-32 at half-time after a lacklustre second quarter, which saw them score just 14 points.

They reduced the deficit to two points after winning the third period of play 20-17, showing more control and composure, and took the lead for the first time in the contest early in final quarter.

With their noses in front, Thunder capitalised thanks to back-to-back three pointers from Sam Menell.

Four Thunder players, Richard Higgins, Johnny Yates, Matt Yates and Jake Wyatt, all scored in double figures, and they were well supported by Jacob Holt and Mennell.

Ed’s score secures a last-gasp success

A buzzer-beating end went the way of Northants Thunder as they beat City of Birmingham 62-61 in the Junior Men’s National League (Midlands West Conference)

Ed Wallhead scored with a put back with just one second of regular time remaining to give Thunder the narrowest of victories.

Chris Amankonah and Cameron Samueal led the Thunder scoring with 21 and 20 points respectively, while Shaq Ntumba contributed 12 points.

Team Gold triumph in friendly encounter

There was massive disappointment for the Northants Cadet Boys when news came through that Worcester Wolves were unable to fulfil Saturday’s fixture because their coach was ill.

A game was quickly organised with the selected side plus other members of the squad divided into two teams, Team Gold and Team Black.

The game was very competitive until the fourth period of play when, with Team Gold leading 49-46, Patrick Adedji inspired his team to an 8-2 charge, which was good enough to give them a 60-51 victory.

Adedji led the Gold scoring with 28 points, while Adam Lewandowski scored 24 points for Team Black.

Bears far too strong for the Cadet Boys

Northants Thunder Cadet Boys travelled to Worcester to take on high flying Worcester Bears.

But Thunder were beaten 100-55 in the Under 16 Boys National League (Midlands West Conference).

Adam Lewandowski top scored for Thunder with an impressive 31-point haul, while Patrick Adedji supported well with 14.

Sade top scores as Thunder girls win it

The Northants Thunder Cadette Girls recorded a comfortable 61-38 win over a short-handed Lancashire Spinners in the Under 16 Girls National League (North Conference) clash at the Basketball Centre last Saturday.

At the end of the first period of play, Lightning had jumped out to a 22-4 lead, with Lucy Needham scoring nine points and the team playing some impressive basketball.

Over the next two quarters Lightning only extended their lead by a further nine points and Spinners actually won the fourth period 12-8.

Sade Chambers led the Lightning scoring with 16 points, while Needham netted 14 points and Dina Kosnikovska racked up a total of nine points.

It’s double defeat for the Under-14 boys

After two weeks without a game, the Northants Under 14 Boys had a busy weekend with two games on the road.

The first of those games was against Coventry Tornadoes and Thunder displayed a lively performance from the off.

But they were eventually beaten 79-50 in the Under 14 Boys National League (Midlands West Conference).

Thunder were led in scoring by Ashley Kitchen with 19 points and he was well supported by Kris Dambrauskas with 12 points.

The Thunder boys played their second fixture of their double header weekend at Worcester Bears

And Thunder were beaten again as the Bears secured a 97-66 victory.

Thunder were led in scoring by Kitchen with 27 points, with Tom Greenfield giving good support with a total of 12 points.

Team Green take the bragging rights

With no club accepting the invitation to play a friendly fixture, Northants organised a game between the 16 girls not selected for the Under-14 National League game against Oakland Wolves.

Team Green won the encounter 48-36.

Gutsy Under-14 girls beaten by the Wolves

NORTHANTS LIGHTNING suffered a 110-49 defeat at the hands of a talented Oakland Wolves team in the Under 14 Girls National League.

The Lightning girls were well beaten in all four periods of play but were competitive in the third quarter and were disappointed not to score their target of 50 points.

Despite the heavy defeat, Lightning battled to the end, with their scoring led by Dina Kosnikovska.

Isabella Rinon and Ashia King supported well.

Northants Basketball Club Fixtures

Saturday, November 11: Senior Men travel to Nottingham Hoods II; Junior Men travel to West Bromwich Albion; Under 16 Boys travel to City of Birmingham Rockets; Under 16 Girls travel to Stockport Lapwings; Under 14 Boys travel to Shropshire Warriors

Sunday, November 12: Senior Men travel to Birmingham Mets (National Shield)

Anguish and frustration have bizarrely mixed with satisfaction for trainer Alex Hales whose recent call for a winner has so far gone unheard.

Hales has been left surveying a long list of placed runners in the past 17 days.

Despite horses rattling the crossbar with loud and regular monotony, they keep finding at least one opponent too good.

“Of course I’m pleased they are running well but it is immensely frustrating,” said Hales. “At least three of them should have won.”

No-one can doubt the Trafford Bridge inmates are in rude health so it can only be a matter of time before near misses translate into first past the post.

No fewer than nine different horses have been placed in the current amazing sequence, with Stepover and Take Two managing that dubious distinction twice. Stepover’s short head second to Generous Day at Southwell on Monday left Hales sighing: “We really should have won that.”

Hales’ agony spelled delight for county owner Richard Whitehead as Generous Day is one of the seven horses he has with Worcestershire trainer Henry Oliver. Of those, Fairy Pol, Dr Des and Diamond Rock have already been successful this term.

Stepover was repeating a bridesmaid performance over course and distance 11 days earlier and in all, Hales’ operation has now sent out nine seconds and a brace of thirds in the past 17 days.

Hales was less optimistic about victory chances before Take Two’s head defeat by Snowy Winter at Kempton on Tuesday evening in a contest where Methag also had a preparatory outing before going hurdling once more. Take Two is a better horse on turf and was 0-15 on the all weather going into the race but he came mightily close to rectifying that statistic.

Hales’ runner-up prizes have also gone to the highly regarded Duel At Dawn, Topper Thornton, Running Wolf, Crafty Roberto, Take Two and Huntsman Son, with Florrie Knox and Shinooki taking thirds.

In his attempt to break the sequence Hales sent a brace of runners to Carlisle on Sunday where on his first outing for the stables, Topper Thornton was beaten a head at 22/1 by Harry The Viking in the 3m 2f handicap chase while Indian Native was short headed into fourth at 50/1 in a 2m 4f chase.

“I was delighted with both of those. That was a great run from a cheap horse (Topper Thornton),” he said. “I was similarly pleased with Duel At Dawn on his chase debut at Chepstow last Tuesday.

“Duel At Dawn will either run at Exeter at the end of the month or at Cheltenham in December. He will stay over fences unless he tells us otherwise.”

Meanwhile, Hales was relishing the chance of sending out recent 100/1 winner Isaac Bell in a higher grade all weather race over 1m 4f back at Kempton on Wednesday while another new recruit to the yard, Tower Of Allen, is poised to make his debut in a chase for the stable at Market Rasen on Thursday or Warwick on Friday.

Owner Steve Brown, whose Lactodorum Contracts concern sponsors the Hales yard, is taking the current frustrating run in good heart and quipped: “I even backed the second in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday!” (Johannes Vermeer).

A BUMPER winner for Tyringham trainer Stuart Edmunds in the form of Kaloci was the happy outcome at Fakenham last Wednesday, the five-year-old bay mare by Stowaway rewarding jockey Ciaran Gethings, who doubles up in this case as the owner.

Kaloci is syndicated out by Nick Brown Racing but had earlier shown promise when ridden by Gethings and trained by Kevin Bishop in the west country, finishing third at Uttoxeter in June.

This seems the obvious point to declare my own Edmunds bumper share as Queenohearts was due to contest the National Hunt Flat race at Chepstow on Wednesday.

The Flemensfirth filly had swerved five entries in the last fortnight, waiting for soft ground. She was joined in the horse box to Chepstow by Now McGinty in the 2m 3 1/2f maiden hurdle.

Edmunds also has high hopes for novice hurdler Clondaw Native, third at Uttoxeter last Friday in the race won by Who’s My Jockey.

It will surprise no-one to learn fellow country trainer Hales supplied the runner-up with Huntsman Son!

Molly Childers, one of the stars of the Edmunds team, has been pencilled in 
for Towcester on November 30.

Black Horse continue to race ahead and look like dead-cert winners – yet again – of this year’s ‘Ashby winter league.

And, yet again, it looks like all the action is for second, with RAF’s uncharacteristic stumble in Sunday’s round meaning that only two points now span four teams.

A 32lb Brickyard roach net by ‘Horse’s Kevin Green won on the day with team-mate Rob Dzialak second on 28-4 from Grendon – just four ounces ahead of Royal Mail’s Ian Drage as MK’s Gary Underwood had 26-5 for fourth.

All that put ‘Horse top on the day (60 points) with Oakwood on 43 and Mail 42.

League (two rounds to go): ‘Horse 60, ‘Mail 14, RAF, Milton Keynes and Oakwood all on 16, ‘Ashby Youth 24, Browning 25, ‘Ashby A Team 25.

CLOSE – but no cigar. That was Steve Ringer defending his world feedermaster title on Ireland’s Lough Inniscarra, finishing fifth in this year’s five-day event.

He’s also taken up running and just done his first 10K event...

TACKLESHOP gloom: Carpin Capers’ Dougie and two mates blanked after bass off Brighton beach, while Gilders’ Pete, Dan and Raphy managed just three jacks on a Rutland predator day. Smile for the customers, lads...

TOWCESTER’s Jason Fleming had two 16lb+ pike from Newport’s Big Pit.

STANWICK’s carp of the week was Josh Geohghan’s 27lb PB mirror.

WHITE Hart oldies, Flecknoe: Ted Adams 108-11, Ron Collins 98-7, Tom Griffiths 98-2.

SPLINTERS, Dog Lane: Mick Howkins 88-3, Steve Johnson 70-10, Dave Griffiths 69-10.

MEADOWLANDS league second round: Dean Young 69-12, Mark Casemore 67-12, Mark Griffiths 63-4, Wayne Sharman leads.

ABINGTON, Boddington: Vince Battams 58-7 (carp to 18-12), Andy Weatherley 44-7, Paul Scrivener 36-12.

CASTLE silverfish, Canons: Paul Lafflin 18-9, Jeff Rice 10-11, Bob Moore 7-5

GLEBE, Mill Cotton: Dave Jones 17lb, Russ Lay 12-6, Marcus Annable 11-2.

TOWCESTER, town Tove: Graham Martin 19-8 (dace!) Les Goodridge 13lb (roach) Tony Hirst 11lb.

FINEDON, Woodford Mill, Nene: John York 8-4, Tony Kirke 6-14, Dave Ross 6-6.

FLORE & Brockhall, Dog Lane: Terry Smith 8lb, Rob Rawlins 5-14, Tony Ward 3-11.

OUNDLE, Barnwell Locks, Nene: Mark Cunnington 7-12, Brian Garrett 6-9, Dave Parry 3-1.

TOWCESTER Vets, Stoke Bottom Lock (mostly roach): Graham Martin 7-8, John Balhatchett 6-8, George Cooke 5-12.

SAD NEWS: former Chron angling columnist Chris Howe – he also produced a Radio Northampton weekly angling slot in the 1980s – has died aged 72.

He won a first division national medal on the Witham with Castle...and was also in the England seniors bowls team. His funeral is at Milton Crematorium, 3.30pm, Nov 27, all welcome.

Following heavy defeats against the top two teams, Scouts got back on track by beating Bugbrooke 51-15.

Scouts were first on the scoresheet to raise a cheer from a large home crowd.

An attack gathered momentum and Matt Brown took a quick tap to go over.

Dan Warren then dotted down for Scouts, with Tom Holliday converting to make it 12-0.

Bugbrooke got their first score with a penalty, but that was cancelled out by Holliday before the visitors created a try under the posts and the half ended 15-10.

Scouts skipper Jordan Dolman set the scene for the second half when he took a quick penalty and crashed over.

Holliday was unsuccessful with the conversion but added the extras soon after when Richard Bussey ran in to claim the try bonus point.

Scouts were wreaking havoc at this point but a rare Bugbrooke attack saw them score an unconverted try.

It was all Scouts from then on and Holliday slotted his second penalty before converting his own try after Dean Lake had kicked ahead for George Barrett to set him up.

Holliday was on hand again to chip through for Luke Reeves to touch down and in the final minutes, Dolman was at the end of another free-flowing move to score his second.

The two conversions by Holliday gave him a personal tally of 16 points on what proved to be a successful afternoon for Scouts.

Meanwhile, Scouts IIs travelled to Bugbrooke and returned 55-10 winners, while Scouts IIIs lost at home to Sharnbrook and Colworth.

Olney IIIs 22 Heathens 26

Connor O’Brien claimed a hat-trick as Heathens earned a last-gasp victory.

Olney IIIs took an early lead, scoring two tries to put them 12-0 up.

Heathens responded as O’Brien dashed in under the posts in the 20th minute, with Nick Wilkins converting.

Olney scored first in the second period, but O’Brien grabbed his second try on 62 minutes, with Viorel Marin adding the extras.

A try and drop-kick conversion from Wilkins enabled Heathens to take the lead for the first time, but it was short-lived as Olney quickly responded with an unconverted score.

The tension rose quickly in the last few minutes of the game and man of the match O’Brien completed his hat-trick to give Heathens a dramatic late victory.

Old Northamptonians 15 Bedford Athletic 61

BEDFORD ATHLETIC only led 19-10 at the break, but any thoughts Old Northamptonians might have had of defeating the unbeaten Midlands 1 (East) leaders were quickly dispelled after the break.

Athletic scored four converted tries in a 10-minute period at the end of the third quarter.

Mike Bellamy and Drew Hudson did manage to cross the whitewash for the ONs.

Billy North kicked a conversion and a penalty in the big defeat.

Sidcup 37 Towcestrians 17

MURRAY AITCHISON scored twice but Towcestrians were beaten in the London & SE Premier clash.

Alex Chalcraft also registered, with James Falvey slotting two conversions.

Northants Men claimed a 117-107 win over Berkshire in their friendly clash at Kingsthorpe BC.

The win was not only thanks to the highest scoring rink skipped by Jim McKee, who won by 27 shots, but also due to all rinks on the last couple of ends across the green collecting 17 shots to seven conceded.

Rink details as follows, Berks skips only:

Rink 1: Rick Hayes, Eddie Chapman, Geoff Hunt & Peter Mellor 12 – R Taylor 23

Rink 2: Colin Barnes, John Barber, Bob Tingle & Jim McKee 34 – S Rushton 7

Rink 3: Don Scott, Patrick Clerkin, Richard Somerton & George Warren 20 – D Parsonson 17

Rink 4: Jim Brumwell, Andy Hogg & Norman Gibb 21 – Terry Davies 18 (played as triple)

Rink 5: Jim Diver, Kip Frankson, Brian Jones & John Haines 18 – M White 20

Rink 6: Will Clelland, Bob Sullivan, Brian Langton & Michael Moulton 12 – D Jones 22

Northants name Midland Counties teams

NORTHANTS have selected the following players to form rinks to play for the Midland Counties Indoor Bowling Association in friendly matches as shown:

Wednesday, November 15 versus the Midland Counties Bowling Association (outdoor association) at Desborough IBC, at 2.0 p.m. 2 rinks being provided as follows:

Rink 1: Keith Howlett, Bob Tingle, Norman Gibb & George Warren – all Desborough IBC

Rink 2: Rick Hayes, Alan Gardner, Brian Jones & Michael Moulton – all Daventry IBC

Thursday, November 30 versus Oxfordshire Indoor Bowling Association at Oxford City & County IBC, at 2.15 p.m. 1 rink being provided as follows:

Rink 1: Don Scott, Richard Upton, Stuart Lowe & Richard Somerton – all Brackley & District BC

County Ladies name team for Kingsthorpe clash

THE following players have been selected to represent Northants Ladies in a friendly six-rink match against Kingsthorpe BC ladies next Wednesday (Nov 15).

Rink 1: Julie Spreadbury, Daventry IBC/Elsie Hatton, Brackley & District BC/Linda Warren, Northampton & District IBA/Joan Watts, Daventry IBC

Rink 2: Lynn Upton, Brackley & District BC/Maxine Belski, Desborough IBC/Wilma Walker, Desborough IBC/Brenda Bishop, Daventry IBC

Rink 3: Helen Humphris, Daventry IBC/Phyll Parry, Wellingborough BC/Pat Symonds, Daventry IBC/Jeannie Flippance, Desborough IBC

Rink 4: Elaine Cox, Northampton &District IBA/Susan Lomas, Desborough IBC/Elaine Urquhart, Brackley & District BC/Audrey Height, Kettering Lodge BC

Rink 5: Dorothy Diver, Desborough IBC/Denise Carlin, Desborough IBC/Jo Johns, Desborough IBC/Joyce Porter, Northampton & District IBA

Rink 6: Pat Starsmore, Kettering Lodge BC/Rhona Holland, Daventry IBC/Pam Sallaway, Rushden Town BC/Liz Keeney, Desborough IBC

Reserves: Pam Page, Desborough IBC/Dawn Owen, Desborough IBC/Elaine Munton, Kingsthorpe BC

Kingsthorpe and Northampton suffer Yetton Trophy losses

KINGSTHORPE Ladies lost theur Yetton Trophy match to Desborough, going down 89-77.

The Yetton Trophy is an inter-club competition for four rinks with two playing away and two playing at home.

Details as follows, Desborough names first:

At Desborough: Rink 1: Lynn Duff, Pam Page, M Lee & Margaret Watts 28 – Sally Row, Lorna Hart, Celia Morris & Hilary Sharpe 24

Rink 2: Lois Woodward, Dawn Owen, Abby Woodward & Jeannie Flippance 15 - Dawn Rolfe, Val Cannell, Debbie Watkins & Sharon Tansley 15

At Kingsthorpe: Rink 3: Ann Woolston, Dorothy Diver, Denise Carlin & Liz Keeney 27 – Maggie Edwards, Katie Smith, Glenys Emery & Di Brumwell 18

Rink 4: Carol Steadman, Maxine Belski, Wilma Walker & Margaret McGillivray 19 – Maureen Hanwell, Jane Maloy, Sandy Hayter & Pat Bodily 20

Northampton & District were also beaten, going down 76-66 to Kettering Lodge.

Details as follows, Kettering names first:

At Kettering: Rink 1: Priscilla Davies, Elizabeth Dalton-Stirling, Delia Panther & Audrey Height 8 – Elaine Cox, Lesley Young, Billie Swift & Joyce Porter 28

Rink 2: Sheila Rigby, E Farley, C Bird & Margaret Silsby 20 – Janet Swift, Janet Denton, Donna Williamson & Linda Warren 18

At Northampton: Rink 3: Janice Hamilton, Helen McAdams, Sian Hughes-Jones & Margaret Haig 20 – Jackie Dale, Judy Jones, Louise Haladij & Sue Lane 10

Rink 4: Marion Mackie, Sue Briggs, Karen Austin & Pat Starsmore 28 – Chloe Weston, Lisbeth Milburn, Anita Hickman & Heather Newton 10

Borough too strong for Daventry

IN the Yetton Plate, Daventry were beaten 79-73 by Wellingborough.

The plate is an inter-club competition for first round losers in the Yetton Trophy, with four rinks, and two playing at home and two away.

Details as follows, Wellingborough names first:

At Wellingborough: Rink 1: Joyce George, Phyll Parry, Sylvia Downer & Pam Reynolds 12 – Vicki Worthington, Margaret Carty, Sylvia Fuller & Brenda Bishop 19

Rink 2: Sue Collins, Margaret Tyler, Chris Cooper & Maureen McDonald 26 – Sylvia Plant, Shirley Shucksmith, Jill Welch & Vicki Rushall 16

At Daventry: Rink 3: Marlene Armitage, Paige Johnson-Young, Marilyn Dunkley & Jan Hunt 17 – Margaret Daynes, Barbara Oliver, Pat Symonds & Joan Watts 24

Rink 4: Abbi Johnson-Young, Jean Burgess, Alison Dring & Tina Broderick 24 – Sue Yates, Val Hopkins, Helen Humphris & Judy Hicks 14

LATEST results from national competitions

Mixed Pairs first round: Dena Bryan & Connor Cinato, Kingsthorpe BC beat Debbie Watkins & David Walker, Kingsthorpe BC 16-3

Second round: Chloe Weston & Richard Lemon, Northampton & District IBA beat Dena Bryan & Connor Cinato, Kingsthorpe BC 17-10 shots

Men’s four-wood singles: First round: Paul Stevens, Brackley & District BC gave walkover to Andy McIntyre, Carterton IBC

Second round: Alan Dunkley & partner, Brackley & District BC lost to Andrew Docherty & partner, Banbury Cross BC 18-22 shots

Kingsthorpe claim Denny Cup win over Northampton

KINGSTHORPE were 82-50 winners over Northampton & District IBA in their Denny Cup encounter.

The Denny is an inter-club competition for four rinks, with two playing at home and two playing away.

Details as follows, Kingsthorpe names first:

At Kingsthorpe: Rink 1: Jason Bryan, Pete Morris, Mark Tompkins & Mick Sharpe 19 shots – Connor Rollings, Kieran Rollings, Ollie Kirkwood & Chris Bland 13

Rink 2: Mick Spear, Martin Gearey, Vernon Gearey & Andrew Manton 22 – Rob White, Jack Lee, Tony O’Leary & Dominic Graham 13

At Northampton: Rink 3: Chris Wright, David Walker, Ben Sharpe & Jamie Walker 24 – Adam Brown, Jonathan Brown, John Leggett & Richard Lemon 7

Rink 4: Neil Rolfe, Ray Castle, Jim McKee & Connor Cinato 17 – Tony Ellis, Dave Fage, Tony Weston & Andy Smith 17

Kingsthorpe will now play Wellingborough in the next round on Saturday, November 18.

In the Denny Plate, a competition for first-round losers in the Denny Cup, Daventry were beaten 91-75 by Kettering Lodge.

Details as follows, Kettering names first:

At Daventry: Rink 1: Barry Grant, Paul Harris, Olly Turner & Mark Turner 16 – R Pawson, Ray Rumble, Tony Dicks & Mick Worthington 22

Rink : Ali Moxey, John Rigby, John Beal & Steve Mason 21 - Adge Smith, Tony Yates, Phil Daynes & Barry Scott 24

At Kettering: Rink 3: Chris Gray, Pete Austin, David Smith & Sam Gamble 20 – Rick Hayes, Patrick Clerkin, Alan Davies & Peter Dymond 14

Rink 4: Alistair Laird, D Stockham,John Konarczack & Allen Simms 34 – Kip Frankson, Malcolm Foster, Brian Kones & Terry Fuller 15

Daventry were also in action in the Wessex League, and were beaten 99-54 by Solihull IBC.

Details as follows, skips only, Daventry names first:

At Solihull: Rink 1: Michael Moulton lost to A Lewis 12-31

Rink 2: Terry Fuller lost to H Dunachie 15-24

At Daventry: Rink 3: Bernard Spreadbury lost to R Dowler 14-28

Rink 4: Mick Worthington lost to G Langford 13-18

Gary Malin’s brilliant net 66 secured first place in the Kingsthorpe Medal as the 13-handicapper finished two strokes clear.

Steve Dunkley and Bob Lees were second and third respectively.

Collingtree Park’s Rob Lyon lifted the Seniors Wine Lovers Cup as he beat Terry Morgan on countback after posting a tally of 41 points. Bob Ross was third on 39.

Forty points was the leading score in the Hellidon Lakes November Stableford as Simon Giffin took the honours by three from Ben French, with Tony Inskip a further point off the pace in third.

In the Overstone Park Mid-week Medal, David Lawrence and Phil Du-Feu posted the best individual marks of net 66 as they finished first and second respectively in Division 2.

The top category went to Ray Fairbairn (net 69), while Vijay Savjani was the leading high-handicapper with a net 67.

Northampton

Young golfers at Northampton enjoyed a unique opportunity to play golf at night in fancy dress as they took part in a special Halloween competition.

Katie Amos, Harrison Taylor and Josh Bodimeade, who was playing his first club competition, won with a level par score, while Charlotte Gilkes, Ollie Walden and Jadon Pham collected prizes for their ’scary’ outfits.

In normal competitions later in the week, Olly Hickman, Geraldine Morris and Jennie Woods won the Ladies Waltz Stableford, while Paul Lincoln’s 42 points sealed victory in the Seniors Turkey Stakes.

European Challenge Tour

Leading Northamptonshire pro Ryan Evans secured eighth place in the 2017 European Challenge Tour Order of Merit after finishing 16th in the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

The Wellingborough pro, who had already secured his European Tour card before the event teed off, carded a total of 11 birdies in his opening two rounds of 69 and 72.

Although Evans was more consistent over the last couple of days, he was unable to find the birdie touch as he compiled two scores of 71 to finish 10 shots behind the leader.

With the 2018 European Tour starting at the end of this month with the Hong Kong Open, the 30-year-old can now look forward to competing against the world’s leading pros over the next 12 months.

LPGA Tour

County professional Charley Hull’s run of good form continued on the LPGA Tour as she finished tied 12th in the Toto Japan Classic.

After an opening 70, the Kettering golfer was particularly impressive on day two as she smashed an eagle and six birdies in a superb eight-under-par 64 to lie second going into the final round.

Although Hull dropped back with a final round 71, she will be pleased with her consistency after making the cut in her last nine tournaments.

It is every cricketer’s dream to walk out on to the middle to play for England against the old enemy Australia in an Ashes showdown.

And for Northampton Saints Club cricket stalwart Mick Allen, that dream will come true when he heads Down Under this winter - at the age of 70!

Allen is a very familiar face on the Northamptonshire cricketing scene, having played for his club, Saints, for a grand total of 56 years.

He has always loved playing cricket, and has spent years coaching it too, with generations of young cricketers going through the Saints youth system, where Allen was always available to pass on tips and advice.

So after playing for 56 years, and coaching youngsters for 40, it’s probably fair to say he has devoted his life to the sport.

And now, having bowled 1,000s of overs, faced 1,000s of deliveries, and enjoyed (endured?) 1,000s of hours running around the outfied (as well as enjoying 100s of post-match pints!), Allen is preparing to play out what will surely be the highlight of his cricketing career - an Ashes series in Australia.

He has been selected for the England Over-70s team for their tour of Australia next February and March.

The 18-strong squad heads Down Under on February 21, and on the three-week trip the England senior team will take on Australia in five one-day internationals, playing in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

They will also take on State sides in a series of other one-day games, and it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Allen, who declared: “It just proves that if you carry on long enough, then you might get recognised!”

So how did the chance, and the international selection, come about?

“Having played for the Northants Over-50s and Over-60s, people get to know you can do a bit of this or that,” said Allen, who was born in Northampton, and has lived in the town all of his life.

“I have always been able to run around, which helps if you are over 60, or over 70 as I am now.

“So I got put forward I presume by my Over-60s captain, and then I was invited to a trial in Lutterworth in August, where 20 blokes turned up.

“Some were pre-selected, and then they probably picked 10 from that group, and luckily I was one. As I say, I could run, whereas some of them had a job to move, so if I hadn’t got picked I would have been upset!”

So, what is he expecting from the Australia team?

Allen said: “Our captain insists Australia will be fitter than we are, they will be faster than we are, and he is insisting we go to the gym, which I have never done!

“I think I’ll just be carrying on as I have always done. I still play table tennis, so that keeps my eye in as my eyesight is still good, and I was still playing cricket for Saints last season.

“I can’t see there being much difference in a bunch of over-70s, whether they are English, Australian or anything else, and I’ll just be going out to do my best.”

Doing his best is something Allen has always done since he first walked into Saints’ Birchfield Road East ground in 1961 - ‘it was 50 yards from my house’ - and he admits he has no idea how many wickets he’s taken or runs he’s scored.

A wily spin bowler (“I’ve always been a slow bowler, it’s supposed to be leg-spin, and I still don’t turn it and still get wickets!”), Allen said: “I’ve playing 50 years, and when I first started we played Saturdays and Sundays.

“So if it’s 20 weeks in the season, that’s 40 games every season over all those years.

“I don’t know how many wickets I’ve taken, but if I took three a weekend, that still adds up to a lot of wickets.”

When your playing career stretches back as long as Allen’s, then there are going to be plenty of highs and lows, plenty of memorable moments and many, many team-mates and opponents.

So, which players stand out as the finest Allen has had the pleasure to share a field with?

“When I first started at Saints, there were people like Lynn Wilson, Mike Warrington, Peter Arnold, who was ex-County, and I can’t name them all because I will miss some out,” he said.

“Keith Jones who captained me, and came from Middlesex to the Saints, I would say he was the most professional captain I played under.

“He could suss the opposition out quickly, and knew what to do to get them out or keep them in in some cases, he was an imposing figure.”

When Allen and the Saints were at their peak in the 1970s and 80s, they were recognised as one of the best club sides in the country, regularly winning the Central League title, and regularly competing in the national KO club competition as well.

That saw Allen come up against some greats of the cricketing world, so which opponents stand out?

“When it comes to opposition, I have played against Graham Yallop from Australia, Alvin Kallicharan, Mushtaq Mohammed, but I can’t remember the exact years,” he said.

“There were a lot of ex-county players who came down to play in the league as well, and I have some great memories.”

Saints has always been Allen’s club (“It’s always been the Saints. It was handy for me as I never had to drive anywhere... I have never driven in my life and have been playing for all these years and always got home somehow!”), but he has also over the years played for other teams, such as Primrose Hill, the Boys Brigade when he was a child, and also Northants Amateurs.

As well as memories, Allen has scores of long-lasting friendships from his years playing cricket, as well as his times playing football and rugby for Old Northamptonians, for whom he played rugby until he was 60.

Barely a day goes by where Allen won’t bump into somebody in the street who he either played cricket with or against at some point over the years.

League cricket is still going strong in the county - there are 14 divisions in the Northants Cricket League - but Allen feels the atmopshere has changed in recent years, and not necessarily for the better

“League cricket has got a bit more intense I think,” he said: “People appeal when they shouldn’t appeal and know it’s not out, so why do they bother doing that?

“Then the kids follow it, and I have done a lot of junior cricket and kids are appealing from deep extra cover for lbw, because they all go up, and it is disappointing.

“It’s because don’t appreciate what they should be doing.”

He also feels the social side of the sport is changing, with some teams no longer staying on after games for a drink and a chat, but Allen makes sure and his team-mates, whenever he plays, still maintain this tradition.

How friendly and social the tour to Australia is going to be this winter is yet to be seen.

The Aussies have obviously been famed over the years for their on-field ‘sledging’, and Allen is expecting some noise from the opposition when he takes them on Down Under, going by the theory that leopards never change their spots!

“If it’s with you, you will carry on doing it, if it’s not then you’ll just stay quiet and do your best on the pitch, which is all I have ever done,” he said. “If you get out for duck, you get out for a duck.”

And he added: “I have never been a sledger, because it can always come back and hit you in the face, and if you say something to somebody they can get you out the next ball or whatever.

“I have always played to win, and if on the day we have’t been the best that’s how I read it.

“I didn’t get upset if we lost a game, unless we deserved to win and then it’s all gone wrong in the last over or whatever, and that has always been my outlook on all sports.

“You have to take it on the chin if you haven’t been the best on the day.”

Allen will now be hoping he and his England team-mates can be the best on the day when they compete for the Ashes.

It is such a fantastic opportunity for a man who has given so much to cricket in Northampton, but to undertake the trip Allen has to raise the money for the cost, as it is self-funded.

“We anticipate we’ll need to raise £5,000,” said Allen.

“That will cover flights, accommodation and internal flights, so any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Allen’s daughter Rovinj - who in the past has also represented England at netball so there must be something in the blood! - has set up a Just Giving page to try to raise the funds.

People can donate to the fund and help Allen realise his Ashes dream at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/micktoaus

An air ambulance was scrambled to Northampton after an reported incident in a town centre gym.

An emergency helicopter landed inside the purple hoardings on Marefair, off Horsemarket, at around 9.40am today (November 10).

A man reportedly collapsed at the Fitness4Less gym inside Sol Central. The incident is not believed to have involved any of Fitness4Less' equipment.

The man was stretchered out of Sol Central and taken away by land ambulance.

A spokeswoman for the East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident at a gym in Sol Central, Marefair where a patient required emergency medical treatment.

"An ambulance crew and paramedic in a fast response vehicle were in attendance within minutes of the call shortly followed by the air ambulance."

A shopping trip with a historic twist and a world premiere of a children's classic are among the compelling reasons to head to Chester and Cheshire at Christmas. Here's our top 10, with more ideas at at christmasinchester.com.

1. See Chester's Rows Revealed

The city's medieval Rows – the world's first shopping arcade – will be the focus of The Rows Revealed, a fascinating 90-minute tour now available to the public. The Guild of Chester Tour Guides will unearth archaeological gems within the double-decker shopping galleries, some only accessible with their help, such as the remains of pillars that were once part of the Roman fortress Deva Victrix, now hidden beneath Pret a Manger. Other sites likely to be on the itinerary include the remains of a Roman hypocaust beneath Spudulike, medieval cellars in Corks Out, and Tudor plasterwork and a priest hole in Sofa Warehouse.

2pm, Thursdays, 16 Nov-21 Dec, and the last Sunday of each month throughout 2018. Departs from the Town Hall Visitor Centre, tickets from guide, £7 adult. Book at chesterwalkingtours@gmail.com.

2. Watch the world debut of 'The Secret Seven'

Enid Blyton's 'The Secret Seven' will be live on stage for the very first time this Christmas at Storyhouse, Chester's new integrated arts centre. In this new production of the classic children's tale, the intrepid gang are on the trail of strange clues that will lead them straight to the heart of a mystery they must solve by Christmas.

Various dates, 1 Dec-14 Jan, adult £26, under-26s £19.50. Contact 01244 409113 or storyhouse.com.

3. Shop for gifts from artisans and favourite brands

Chester's Christmas Market (above centre) will champion the region's artisans, with more than 70 wooden chalets offering crafts, clothing, homewares, decorations and food and drink, set around a huge Christmas tree. Makers and producers from the North West, North Midlands and North Wales will include the likes of Cheshire's Lymm Candle Company, Llangollen Brewery, and Greenbank Extreme skincare from Shropshire. Plus there will be excellent shopping for famous brands in the Rows, the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, and surrounding streets, as well as big savings on offer at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

Christmas Market, daily, 16 Nov-20 Dec.

4. See Chester Zoo turn on the magic

An exciting new version of The Lanterns at Chester Zoo (above left) by local performing arts troupe Wild Rumpus promises to be a magical family-friendly experience this Christmas. As twilight descends, the zoo will transform into Santa's sorting office, an extraordinary world lit by lanterns, with animal-inspired fairy-tale scenes and sacks bulging with gifts. Plus, there's a chance to send Christmas wishes to Santa.

Daily, 24 Nov-30 Dec, free with admission. Contact 01244 380280 or chesterzoo.org.

5. Hear angelic voices in the Cathedral

Chester Cathedral has a packed festive calendar. Highlights include 'Christmas Crackers', a celebration of words and music hosted by Rev Richard Coles, a Christmas Tree Festival with more than 50 garlanded trees on display in the cloisters, and carol concerts such as Joyeux Noel!, starring the cathedral choir.

'Christmas Crackers', 20-21 Dec; Christmas Tree Festival, 25 Nov-6 Jan; 'Joyeux Noel!', 9 Dec; various prices. Contact 01244 324756 or chestercathedral.com.

6. Take a canal cruise with Father Christmas

Santa will set sail on Cheshire's canals this Christmas. He'll be telling stories, singing seasonal songs, listening to Christmas wishes and, of course, giving out treats to a captive audience of eager children at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port and the Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich.

National Waterways Museum, various dates in Dec, adult/child £10. Anderton Boat Lift, various dates in Dec, adult £5.95, child £7.95. Contact 0303 040 4040 or canalrivertrust.org.uk.

7. Cheer on the dashing Santas

Father Christmases large and small will limber up at the start line of the Santa Dash in Delamere Forest (above right). Wearing beards and Santa suits, the runners will pound the paths beneath the canopy on a 5km circuit of the forest.

10.30am, 17 Dec, adult £15, child £12, spectators free. Contact 0300 067 4340 or forestry.gov.uk/delamere.

8. Celebrate like a Tudor at Little Moreton Hall

Tudor-style Yuletide Celebrations will be revealed at Little Moreton Hall, near Congleton. Dazzling creations made of marchpane, forerunner of marzipan, will be among the festive treats from bygone days on display, and there will be workshops on making crafts of the period. Choirs and jesters will provide live entertainment.

Various dates, Nov-Dec, free with entrance. Contact 01260 272018 or nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall.

9. Countdown the 12 days of Christmas at Tatton Park

The grand neo-classical mansion at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, will be all dressed up for The Twelve Days of Christmas. The seasonal song will come to life in the servants' quarters and state rooms, from the chaotic scenes in the kitchen where the geese have run wild trying to lay eggs, to the Christmas Wish Tree where visitors can dream about what they'll receive from their own true love.

Various dates, 21 Nov-3 Dec, adult £10, child £6. Contact 01625 374400 or tattonpark.org.uk

10. Get crafty at Ness Botanic Gardens

Award-winning garden designer and florist Pip Probert will show visitors how to make Christmas wreaths and garlands from foliage, cones and berries found in the grounds of beautiful Ness Botanic Gardens. Plus, Santa will be hard at work in his workshop at the bottom of the garden throughout the season.

Christmas Wreath-Making, 16 Dec, adult £15, book ahead. Meet Father Christmas, various dates in Dec, child £5 plus admission to gardens. Contact 0151 795 6300 or nessgardens.org.uk.

** You can follow Marketing Cheshire on Twitter @VisitChester or @VisitCheshire, on Facebook at facebook.com/visitchesterandcheshire, on Instagram at Instagram.com/visitchestercheshire and on YouTube at Youtube.com/user/MktgCheshire/videos Follow the blog at visitcheshire.com/information/blog

Awful Auntie the big book by David Walliams is brought to life on stage at the Milton Keynes Theatre.

This tells the story of Stella Saxby (played by Georgina Leonidas) who when waking up from a coma greeted by Aunt Alberta has no idea how her life has drastically changed.

Stella becomes friends with Soot played by Ashley Cousins who helps her solve the mystery of her parents death whilst avoiding her own. The story between the two characters shows them having an strong bond and has a great plot twist.

Aunt Alberta played by Timothy Speyer was fantastic and played the role so well. The hilarious jokes, fantastic opera singing and costume portrayed the character perfectly. Rarely off stage Aunt Alberta was great throughout and really loved by the audience.

The role of Gibbons the butler played by Richard James made the show. He had the audience laughing throughout with his humour, odd, ditsy and strange antics.

The Great Bavarian Owl Wagner played by Roberta Bellekom was done so well with the music and lighting really setting the scene and the scene with the birdcage the special effects really were brilliant. The set is very clever switching between scenes with the towers and stairs.

The bathroom scene is really funny and had the audience in fits of laughter. The costumes were well done and portrayed the characters from the book just how you would imagine them.

Awful Auntie is a brilliant show to see whether you have read the David Walliams book or not. This was thoroughly enjoyed and had us laughing and gripped throughout. Well worth watching.

The show can be seen until Sunday November 12. For tickets visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call 0844 871 7652

Northampton Borough Council has announced the first of those will be the popular Christmas fair, set to take place on November 25 and 26 from 11am to 4pm.

The event, now in its sixth year. is free and will see more than 40 artisan producers selling their wares from gifts to decorations, as well as festive food and drink.

Visitors will be able to feast on freshly cooked hot turkey rolls, mulled wine and a mince pie or two in the museum courtyard.

Then there will be Christmas wreath-making workshops for adults from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, December 2, two workshops on Wednesday, December 6, from 1pm until 4pm and an evening session from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

These are suitable for complete beginners and all materials are included, along with mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets are £40 each and can be booked {https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/abington-park-museum-14041773148 or on 01604 838110| here|}.

On Saturday, 16 December, from noon to 4pm the museum is to host A Victorian Christmas Celebration, where townsfolk can meet Father Christmas, listen to carols from Northampton School for Boys, visit the magic lantern show, take part in Christmas crafts and make a bauble, a cracker, or cards and decorations.

The event is free entry to all with no booking required, though there will be a small charge for some of the activities, food and drinks.

Councillor Anna King, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement, said: “These events are always extremely popular.

“The fair is a great opportunity to grab a few gifts and stocking fillers, and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit during December than enjoy some entertainment and crafts?”

The requirement for a new primary school in Silverstone was identified more than 40 years ago, and the new £6.3m building took a little over a year to complete.

Specially invited guests and the community joined the children, staff and governors at the official ceremony.

These included storyteller, author and fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Professor Gervase Phinn who unveiled a plaque - made from local wood in keeping with the timber working history of Silverstone village - commemorating the event.

A former teacher, educator and inspector of schools, Professor Phinn also spent time with the children during the day sharing some fascinating anecdotes and experiences with them all.

The school itself opened its doors at the beginning of September in time for the new school year and the official opening ceremony provided the perfect opportunity to thank everyone involved in what had been a long and arduous journey.

Martin Hall, the Chair of Governors, acknowledged the efforts of the staff in getting the school up and running and James Bloomfield, headteacher, spoke about the joy of being together under one roof, following the amalgamation of the SilverstoneInfant and Silverstone CE Junior Schools.

The Bishop of Brixworth, the Rt Rev John Holbrook, also attended the ceremony and gave the blessing.

The school was designed by Chris Wayman of Northamptonshire firm pHp Architects. A second plaque was unveiled in recognition of his ideas and the environment he has created for the school and the community.

and was constructed using off-site fabricated SIPS panels to minimize on-going energy costs.
It is clad in Siberian Larch and local stone, with window reveals highlighted in bright colours.
Fourteen classrooms have been created, and the school’s capacity expanded to 420 pupils.

The architect behind the unique design of Silverstone CE Primary School is Chris Wayman of local firm pHp Architects.

As a gesture of appreciation, a second plaque was unveiled at the ceremony in recognition of his inspired ideas and the amazing environment he has created for the school and the community alike.

The building, which is clad in Siberian Larch and local stone, has many subtle design elements including window reveals highlighted in bright colours.

Taking around 18 months to build from scratch, the cost to build the new school reached £6.3 million to achieve a new capacity of 420 pupils and 14 new classrooms.

The legendary Guns N’ Roses have been revealed as the final headliners for next year’s Download Festival.

The band will play the Saturday night of the festival in June and join the recently announced headliners Ozzy Osbourne and Avenged Sevenfold.

On the road since April 2016, a resurgent Guns N’ Roses head to Download for the first time since 1993.

Guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan re-joined the band last year which also features the iconic frontman Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer and Melissa Reese.

Following the group’s 1985 formation, Guns N’ Roses injected unbridled, unrivalled, and unstoppable attitude into the burgeoning Los Angeles rock scene.

The spirit went on to captivate the world with the release of their 1987 debut Appetite for Destruction, the best-selling US debut ever, moving 30 million copies globally.

In 1991, the seven-time platinum Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II occupied the top two spots of the Billboard Top 200 upon release.

Over the course of the past decade, Guns N’ Roses have performed sold out shows and headlined festivals worldwide following the critically acclaimed release of 2008’s RIAA platinum-certified Chinese Democracy.

Six studio albums later, Guns N’ Roses are one of the most important and influential acts in music and continue to set the benchmark for live performances.

Download Festival’s promoter Andy Copping said: “It’s great to have this iconic line up of Guns N’ Roses headlining at Download.

“I am sure I am not alone when I say I have been wanting this to happen for years.

“It will be an incredible show and will be one of the highlights of the Download weekend.”

Download Festival is the home of rock music and takes place at Donington Park from June 8 to 10.

Tickets are available now from downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets

Three day tickets, with camping for adults cost £195. Other options are available.

A loyalty discount is available for a limited time via downloadfestival.co.uk/news-features/register-interest-2018-loyalty

Extras, including parking and lockers can be purchased during the booking process or as a standalone after you’ve purchased your ticket.