Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is keeping his fingers crossed that striker Kevin van Veen will be fit and available for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Rotherham United at Sixfields.

The January transfer window signing has made just one substitute appearance and one start since his move from Scunthorpe United, not featuring at all since damaging knee ligaments in the 3-1 win at AFC Wimbledon on February 10.

Van Veen suffered medial ligament damage and has been working hard to regain fitness for the past four weeks, and Hasselbaink believes the striker, who was bought for an undisclosed fee, is almost there.

“Kevin should be training with the group fully from Thursday, fingers crossed,” said the Cobblers boss.

“He went for another scan on Monday, and I think he had a little injection that will clear up a little bit of irritation.

“He had to stay off his legs on Monday, and today (Tuesday) he is not allowed to train, but is getting treatment for mobilisation.

“From tomorrow he will start running on the pitch by himself, and then on Thursday he joins in with the group.

“Kevin will then be assessed to see how well he is, but he is a fit lad so i think he should be available for selection for Saturday if everything goes well.”

Town have no other fresh injury concerns following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, although Hasselbaink knows he will be without midfielder Matt Crooks for the next three matches.

Crooks was red-carded after picking up two cautions at the Memorial Stadium, and as it was his third sending off of the season, he is banned for three games and now sits out the matches against Rotherham Shrewsbury Town (March 20) and Fleetwood (March 24).

Ahead of its grand opening weekend this Saturday and Sunday, the Chron had a quick look around the newly restored Delapre Abbey.

The director of the Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust, Rachael O’Connor-Boyd, and her team have in recent weeks been working round the clock putting the finishing touches to the all-new visitor attraction.

Following the restoration project, partly-funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and Northampton Borough Council, around 60 per cent of the previously unseen parts of the abbey will be open to the public.

“They will never have seen as much of it,” said Rachael.

“We wanted to show as much of it as possible.”

Because no one family ever had enough money to fully restore the entire abbey, many parts of it have features dating back to several centuries.

In the service courtyard, for example, you can catch a glimpse of a Victorian stained-glass window as well as a 16th Century square door arch, while above it sit round windows dating to the 18th Century.

This hotchpotch appearance forms part of Delapre’s charm and uniqueness.

The abbey has been split into different zones, each with interactive features. In one part you can sit on a Victorian sofa and hear it gossip about the inhabitants of the abbey. In another you can learn about the Battle of Northampton, which saw King Henry VI captured by the Yorkists.

The restored abbey feels alive because nothing is out of bounds, there are no ropes prohibiting you from accessing different parts of the rooms, you can sit in any chair and touch anything.

If you want to play a game of skittles, you can. Fancy reading a book or an old, recreated copy of the Northampton Mercury while sat on a sofa? You can. You can take a seat at the dining table too if you want, and try on a 15th Century war helmet or make a mock cannonball.

“All of this is about people making their own memories,” said Rachael.

“It’s a space for the people of Northampton.”

But the hope is that visitors from further afield and neighbouring counties will also come and enjoy the abbey, particularly as it’s so close to the M1.

Rachael says the restoration is very much phase one, and part of a wider, bigger picture.

The trust will take on feedback from vistiors to see what people like and don’t like, and this will help shape the future of the site in terms of projects and events hosted there.

Delapre Abbey re-opens this weekend (March 17-18) with a series of events including musket firing, jousting, falconry, axe throwing and more, as well as tours of the abbey.

The trust has organised a park and ride from Edgar Mobbs Way.

Children up to 18 are free, adult admission is £7, while entry to the grounds remains free.

Saints have announced that five highly-rated youngsters will join the Senior Academy set-up ahead of next season.

Forwards Samson Ma’asi, Alex Coles and Joe Wallace have all put pen to paper on their first full-time contracts after impressing as a part of Saints’ Junior Academy.

In the backs, Connor Tupai and Ollie Sleightholme are also set to join the Senior Academy ranks over the summer, with both following in the footsteps of their fathers, former Saints players Paul Tupai and Jon Sleightholme.

And with the likes of Harry Mallinder, Mikey Haywood, Courtney Lawes and Alex Waller all coming off the club’s production line in recent years, Academy manager Simon Sinclair is delighted with this year’s intake.

“Every year we have some very, very difficult decisions to make – but it’s a great testament to the current Academy set-up at Saints that we can take on this many capable players from our junior section,” Sinclair said.

“All five players have proved to the coaches this year that they have the potential to compete at the very highest level.

“We’ve had some great players come out of the Academy and into the first team in recent seasons, and I have no doubt that this group can do the same.

“I want to thank Paul Diggin and James Craig in particular for their help in coaching all five of these players this season. I can’t wait to see how far they can go.”

Ma’asi began playing for Saints’ Under-18s at just 16 years old, and has continued to impress over the past two seasons.

Catching the attention of England selectors, the hooker was named in England’s Under-18s development squad last summer.

Coles meanwhile was part of Saints’ unbeaten Under-18s pre-season before an injury curtailed his campaign, the young lock having already successfully toured South Africa with England over the summer and featured in the Under-19 International Series.

Captaining Saints’ Under-18s this season, flanker Wallace’s grit and determination – coupled with his excellent set-piece work – has seen him rise through the ranks in the Academy and become a regular in the side.

Utility-back Connor Tupai, son of former Saint and Bedford Blues legend Paul, has impressed at fly-half and centre over his time in the junior set-up and also puts pen to paper.

And Ollie Sleightholme’s try-scoring ability quickly put him on the rugby map, with the young winger called up to Team England for the Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Youth Games last summer.

Helping the side collect the silver medal, the fleet-footed winger then linked up with Saints’ own Sevens team as they bagged the Singha Premiership Rugby Bowl title back in July.

“It remains a dream of mine to pull on the Black, Green and Gold jersey for the first team here at Franklin’s Gardens, and I am delighted to have taken another step towards finally doing that,” said Sleightholme.

Tupai added: “We all know we still have a long way to go. I can’t speak for all the lads, but the opportunity to stay on and progress further with my boyhood club is massive for me.

“The Academy set-up here is among the best in the country, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”

Sunny spells and temperatures of around 12C are forecast in Northampton tomorrow (Wednesday) and into Thursday, according to the Met Office.

However as we head towards the weekend temperatures are set to plummet once again with heavy snow forecast for Saturday and light snow into Sunday in Northampton.

Temperatures will peak at around 2C and fall below freezing to minus 1 during Saturday night.

The Met Office said: "Thursday, rather cloudy and windy with some rain. Friday, likely wet and windy, then turning colder overnight with hill snow. Turning very cold Saturday with scattered snow showers later."

Two people were assaulted and cars were damaged after an incident at a club in Corby.

The incident took place at the Corby Irish Centre in Patrick Road.

Two men entered the premises and became aggressive when they were refused alcohol and ejected from the club.

Two people were assaulted as a result of the incident which also saw a number of vehicles damaged.

Both offenders were white men.

The first was of stocky build with brown hair and beard.

The second offender had an athletic build with mousey blonde hair and spoke broken English.

The incident took place between 10pm and 11pm on Sunday, January 28. Police have just released details today (March 13).

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have any information regarding it.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A 17-year-old boy accused of kicking Liam Hunt in the face during the fatal knife fight that killed him had the murdered Northampton teenager's blood on his shoe.

The teenaged defendant - who cannot be named due to his young age - had blood stains on his right Nike trainer and on the sleeve of his North Face jacket, Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Forensic scientists matched the blood with the DNA profile of Liam Hunt, who died of a seven-centimetre stab wound to the neck in February last year.

The court heard how DNA tests were also carried out on bloodstained clothes seized from three other defendants - but none of them had a positive match for Liam's DNA.

Instead, they all tested positive for blood from one of the defendant's, Kane Allaban-Hamilton, 18, from Camp Hill, whose hand was cut during the fight.

Prosecutor Mr John Lloyd-Jones has suggested a 17-year-old defendant kicked Liam in the face after he was stabbed.

Forensic scientist Dr Amanda Sherban was asked how Liam's blood might have got on the teenager's shoe.

She said: "If he was close to Liam when he was bleeding this is what I would have expected... maybe if he kicked out into someone who was bleeding."

The teenager's defence barrister Mr Jo Sidhu said: "[My client] was standing in the midst of the brawl when he saw Liam unexpectedly and suddenly appear to lunge towards him.

"[My client] panicked and thought he was about to be attacked. He instinctively kicked out.

"Only after kicking out was he aware that Liam was bleeding from a neck wound. He was unaware that anyone had a weapon or went to the fight carrying a knife."

Dr Sherban said she saw no evidence to suggest this was not a possible scenario.

CCTV has shown how the same defendant arrived at the fight equipped with an electric plug on a white power cord.

A post-mortem also revealed one of Liam's front teeth was chipped in the attack.

The trial continues.

Incredible video pictures taken by Northamptonshire firefighters shows the roaring flames destroying a Daventry warehouse.

At its peak, more than 50 firefighters were at the Gardman unit used by delivery firm DHL in Parsons Road, Drayton Fields Industrial Estate after being called just before midnight on Sunday, March 11.

The warehouse has suffered "total damage" and as a result will need to be demolished, though firefighters were able to save the offices which will allow for the continuity of business.

One man was arrested on suspicion of arson but it is understood he has since been released by police without charge.

Several diners at The Church Bar & Restaurant, in Bridge Street, were handed yellow tickets in the past week after a parking in a small attached lot.

It comes after Northamptonshire County Council decided to relist the spot as a "permit holders only area" - meaning the public cannot park there without being fined.

A post on The Church's Facebook page reads: "We are very sorry to all of our customers who have received tickets over the last week in order to visit our hard-working, local business.

"We have been advising people not to park there wherever possible and the council have put up the appropriate signage.

"For those of you who have already received tickets, I'm afraid this is completely out of our control. We look forward to seeing you all again soon."

The restaurant, built out of a 12th-century building, has updated their website with nearby parking lots.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “Parking permits are designed to regulate parking, reduce highway obstruction and give residents and businesses priority over nearby parking spaces.”

A former bus driver from Northampton who became unemployed after losing her eyesight has won five rosettes at Crufts with three of her dogs.

Linda McFarlane, 40, of the Northampton Hope Centre is celebrating after bagging five awards at Crufts with her two Löwchens Ashley and Trouble as well as Chinese Crested pooch, Trixie.

Linda - who is the owner of four dogs - now lives with two of her pets at Oasis House after she became evicted from her home in Weedon and found herself living in a tent in Swan Valley for eight weeks.

The former bus driver said her dogs have kept her spirits up during the hardest times of her life: "They are the only thing that keep me alive now.

"I was quite lucky - I was at Swan Valley and there was a farm field. I was in the field, just in the edge of the trees, and he [the farmer] would come along every morning and drop me a pint of milk, a bucket of fresh water and take my rubbish bag away and leave me a fresh bin bag.

"Every morning at about 6 o’clock id hear his tractor come along and drop my stuff off, pick my bin bag up and go. He was really really good, I couldn’t have wished for a better farmer, he was fantastic."

Five-year-old Ashley won gold in The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Class for his breed and bagged silver in the Limit Class.

13-month-old Trouble came first in the Post Graduate Class for his breed and came second in The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Class to Ashley.

Three-year-old Chinese Crested Trixie came second The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Class for her breed.

Linda has been competing with dogs for 31 years and fell in love with it when she was a child as her mum would take her along to competitions where they would stay overnight.

She remembers when her five-year-old Ashley was mischievous: "He was so naughty as a pup - he actually climbed out of the caravan window and chased up the showground because we left him behind. He ate the caravan door. He ate the awning to get out - he was a very very naughty puppy."

Ashley - who was trained in Ireland for 18 months to support Linda with her autism and visual impairment - is also trained as a pac dog and helps children read in special needs schools.

Linda added: "When I go out shopping he has a little blue visual jacket on and he comes into the shops and places like McDonalds, ferries and aeroplanes - he goes everywhere with me.

"He was trained as a pac dog where he would go into special needs schools and kids would read to him but because of my confidence, I lack confidence in taking him, and I stop going [but he still] absolutely loves it.

"You show him someone in a wheelchair and his tail and head come up and he’s like ‘oh mum let me go and see them’ he really loves people in wheelchairs.

The Advanced Construction Engineering (ACE) Centre, to be built at its Booth Lane campus, will also help teach new techniques aimed at equipping the workforce of the future with the latest skills.

As well as teaching craft skills there will also be courses at Level 3 for those looking for supervisory, technician or management careers in the sector, such as in civil engineering, building services engineering, or project management.

Principal of Northampton College, Pat Brennan-Barrett, said: “This investment will ensure a new generation of highly-skilled, high-quality students with the technical abilities and soft skills required by the sector.

“We will be supported by local and regional businesses who require specifically trained staff to fill the skills gap that currently exists; providing a sustainable, long-term and modern workforce to the construction industry and related services.”

Building work on the centre, which will include a revolutionary ‘Digital Lab’ featuring a virtual reality classroom, 3D printing facilities and industry-standard workshop equipment, is scheduled to get underway this summer.

An application for external funding through SEMLEP’s Skills Capital Fund has been approved in principle and further due diligence will now take place with a final decision due later this year.

It is hoped that the ACE Centre, due to launch in September, will provide a pipeline of work-ready staff for local employers. A total of 15 major companies, including the likes of Kier, Bowmer & Kirkland, Metcalfe’s and the Murphy Group, have already submitted written pledges to act as industry-based partners.

The future of the construction industry has been thrown into doubt by the Farmer Review of the UK Construction Labour model which stated: “The construction industry and its labour model is at a critical crossroads in terms of its long-term health. If the opportunities are not harnessed, the risks may become overwhelming.

“The real challenges are associated with the industry’s workforce size and demographic. Based purely on existing workforce age and current levels of new entrant attraction, we could see a 20 to 25 per cent decline in the available labour force within a decade.”

Addressing both the skills gap and the ageing workforce is seen as a top priority within leading construction companies and local employers have backed the ACE Centre plans.

A spokesman for Kier said: “This project provides a key opportunity to help nurture and develop talent in the younger generation where we currently see a skills gap shortage. The significant benefits that it will provide are skills and training to enhance the future for the local construction industry, local individuals and to the local area.”

A spokesman for the Murphy Group added: “We need high-calibre young people to secure the future of our company. We are delighted that Northampton College are responding so pro‐actively in providing solutions for the sector in terms of the delivery of innovative and immersive learning for new young recruits within construction engineering.”

Prospective students can apply online now for courses in painting and decorating, plumbing and carpentry and joinery starting in September 2018.

The mutual company that looks after a range of health services for Northamptonshire County Council has been brought back in house just two years after its launch.

First for Wellbeing was set up as in April 2016, offering a range of clinical services such as smoking cessation, weight loss help, adult learning and support of isolated people.

The company, a partnership with the University of Northampton and the NHS, was intended to generate its own money on behalf of the council, which it would reinvest in services.

So far, the farming out of previously-council run health services has saved the authority £1.132 million as well as improving the number of people taking part in smoking cessation services.

But with spending controls in place at One Angel Square, the authority now says it has not got enough money to keep investing in First for Wellbeing.

Yesterday’s cabinet meeting saw an agreement to dissolve the company, part of the failed ‘next generation' model masterminded by former chief executive.

Councillor Hughes said the university and NHS had simply not contributed enough to the project.

The current staff recruitment freeze in place at the county had also made difficult to continue running.

"It has been a very successful and has become a valued brand," she said.

"But the partners we have been working with have done very little in terms of offers or investment.

"It undermines the status of the company as a legal entity."

Staff at First for Wellbeing will now be transferred back over to the county council though cabinet members yesterday assured the meeting that there would be no redundancies as a result.

The new in-house service will retain the same branding an offer much of the same services.

But opposition members were quick to point out how they had opposed the council's next-generation plans from the start.

Even the authority's own cabinet papers conceded bringing the services back in-house would offer "lower overhead costs".

The Local Government Association said that such mutual companies did not offer "better value for money" even though other councils across the UK, including Northumberland, have since set up similar schemes.

"I suppose we could say I told you so," said Labour group leader, Councillor Bob Scott who said the university and the NHS should have been contracted to contribute more investment from the start.

"This should have all been written in the documentation."

Big-hearted Chron readers have dug deep and pledged £200 for a suspended homeless meal scheme in Northampton to feed those who cannot afford a hot dinner.

Andy Newitt, 48, of Kingsley set up the Relax and Unwind Cafe at the Doddridge Centre in St James two years ago before he launched a suspended meal scheme in September 2017.

After paying their own bill, customers who dine at the cafe can choose to fund a dinner in advance for someone who might be homeless, or on very low income, to claim later.

Since the Chronicle & Echo first published this story nine days ago - kind-hearted readers have pledged £200 to the scheme, which bosses say will feed 60 mouths.

Andy, who used to be head chef at Carlsberg, said the café has become a social hub for customers from all walks of life and has seen many people combat loneliness and make friends.

"I have had quite a few homeless people that come here that have not eaten for three days," he said.

"They normally come in quite shy and we get them something to eat and drink, we get them to socialise and feel like valued members of the community."

As well as providing a friendly face to chat with, the cafe can also direct people to the relevant associations and charities based at the centre to help to improve their quality of life.

Andy and his partner Sheryl, 43, are business partners - she said that the cafe has become a real lifeline for many vulnerable people.

"We have a few elderly and lonely people that come in every day, and sometimes for a few hours at a time - sometimes to just have a chat with Andy or other people that they have made friends with while at the cafe.

"They hate it when we're closed over holiday periods.

"A lot of carers bring in their clients who they support in the community who don't feel confident going to other high street cafes because of their needs."

On Fridays, the café hosts a board game get-together where residents, vulnerable people and their carers can go to have a chat - and every Christmas owners put on a carol concert for the community.

Diners can buy a meal for £3.50 and a drink for 70p every week from Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 3.30pm.

If you want to help feed those who are less fortunate please message Sheryl directly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyNewittUnwind/

Northampton is now home to a £5million academy especially for children with special educational needs.

The new Purple Oaks Academy marked its official opening on Tuesday (March 12) with a book-giving drive, where special guests were invited to grow its library.

The free school, with places for 100 SEN pupils and began teaching in September, is equipped with sensory rooms, a secure grass sports pitch and dedicated games areas, with 14 classrooms and its own kitchen.

Principal Sarah Martin said: “The official opening of the academy has been a great celebration of the fantastic new facilities we have here.

“We have noticed children who come to learn here are much calmer and are becoming more independent.

"Our parents have already given our academy top marks in a recent survey. The academy wouldn’t have been such a success without the teams which helped make it a reality and I want to thank them for that."

The special needs school welcomed students for the first time in September 2017 and the students moved into the new building in January 2018, which offers educational support for students with a diagnosis of autism and severe learning difficulties

The academy was built by G F Tomlinson in 12 months and donated the entire science and technology section of the new library.

Andy Sewards, managing director for G F Tomlinson, said: "Schools like this not only inspire and educate children, but also empower them to become more independent.

"I’m confident this school will improve the lives of many more children in years to come and hope that the new library books we have donated will be enjoyed by many."

The new academy is managed by Greenwood Academies Trust, which runs 11 other academies in Northamptonshire.

Groups interested in taking over their libraries in Northamptonshire will need to have a formal bid ready in little over two months' time.

A fortnight ago, Northamptonshire County Council ratified plans to close 21 small libraries across the county as part of a controversial £40 million raft of savings.

The authority is offering community groups the chance to take over running individual facilities under service agreements.

But the cabinet meeting at One Angel Square yesterday heard how tight the timescales will be for any interested parties.

Councillor Sylvia Hughes, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said groups would have to submit formal proposals by the end of may with the hope of taking them over in August.

"We are dealing with and working with local libraries to get the best deal for them," she said.

However, Steve Thatcher, speaking at the meeting, said plans to take over Finedon's small library would require his team of campaigners to raise £20,000.

He was also concerned the council had "reneged" on plans to leave community groups with 100 per cent of the book stock in place.

Speaking after the meeting, the 66-year-old former civil servant said groups will find the deadline difficult.

"The funding opportunities that we have tried so far have come back blank," he said.

"That is a tight timescale especially if you are looking at things like National Lottery funding, the lead-in time for that sort of funding takes so long.

"We are looking at crowd-funding the project, but we can't do that every year."

The lease of running Finedon's library alone, will cost Mr Thatcher's group £4,000 a year.

The cabinet meeting yesterday revealed how fixtures and fittings and at least 80 per cent of library stock will be available to the community groups as part of any new service agreements.

But computer hardware and self-service terminals will not come as standard.

Groups can choose between anything from a cheaper "bronze" to a more expensive "platinum" package as part of their agreements.

A £6,000-a-year bronze package would see the new providers given 500 new books a year to stock the shelves.

However, the cost of adding a Library Management System, complete with a scanner and a terminal, would be an extra £6,500 on top of that.

Training and the ability to pick selective stock will only be available as bolt-on extras.

If you are looking to take over your library get in touch with us by emailing editor@northantsnews.co.uk.

Delays of up to 15 minutes have been reported across Northampton during today's rush hour.

The main roadway on the A45 Nene Valley Way is closed due to emergency repairs following damage to the carriageway earlier today (March 13).

An average speed of five miles per hour has been reported across the A45, Mere Way, Towcester Road in Northampton town centre.

Meanwhile, police have closed Boughton Green Road, in Kinsgthorpe, following a collision.

A collision involving a motorbike and a car has also been reported on Pitsford Road, near Moulton.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

JANUARY 30

Barry Sheehan, aged 38, of no fixed abode, destroyed a telephone box; jailed for 14 weeks, compensation of £100.

Brett Moore, aged 46, of Stanley Road, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; fined £50 and costs of £60.

James White, aged 19, of Sandringham Close, Towcester, damaged a washing bowl and telephone wires, commuity order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. Assaulted a police officer; no separate penalty, compensation of £50. Damaged a pair of glasses belonging to a police officer; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, compensation of £50.

JANUARY 31

Rees Williams, aged 23, of Newstone Crescent, Northampton, possession of cannabis; fined £80, surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Nicholas Dunne, aged 43, of Gladstone Road, Northampton, stole aftershave worth £44 from Debenhams, had a blade in a public place in Pavilion Drive; committed to Crown Court for sentence.

Benjamin Allen, aged 32, of Forest Road, Piddington, driving at 41mph in a 30mph zone; fined £197, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

David Beddal, aged 48, of Carey Road, Hackleton, driving without due care and attention; fined £300, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with seven points.

James Lucas, aged 75, of Main Street, Church Stowe, Northampton, driving at 43mph in a 30mph zone; fined £100, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Lucian Nicolae, aged 31, of Semilong Road, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Garath Taylor, aged 41, of Abbotsbury Drive, Daventry, driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone; fined £80, surcharge

of £30 and costs of £85,

banned from driving for six months.

Marius Apostu, aged 28, of Spinney Hill Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £80, surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points.

Johnny Connors, aged 22, of Greatmeadow, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge of £66 and costs of £85, banned from driving for six months. Driving not in accordance with a licence;

no separate penalty. No test certificate; no separate penalty.

Kimberley Smith, aged 27, of Buttmead, Blisworth, driving at 53mph in a 30mph zone; fined £183, surcharge of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Ethan Sterling, aged 20, of Holyrood Road, Northampton, driving not in accordance with a licence; no separate penalty. No insurance; fined £440, surcharge of £44 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points. No test certificate; no separate penalty.

James Wood, aged 37,

of Turners Gardens,

Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £404, surcharge of £40 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

A show featuring Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe is being bought to life on a stage in Northampton this week.

Ying Tong (a walk with the Goons) is staged at The Playhouse Theatre in Northampton from Tuesday March 27 to Saturday March 31.

Under pressure to write The Goon Show to end all Goon shows, Spike Milligan is planning his escape from a mental institution dressed in only his pyjamas.

After applying to the British Museum to get his marbles back, he starts to lose his grip on reality and threatens to kill all the Goons. Will his partners in Goon - Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers - be able to stop him?

Taking on the roles of the famous comics will be Stewart Magrath as Spike Milligan, Graham Lee as Peter Sellers, John Myhill as Harry Secombe and Kevin Evans as Wallace Greenslade.

Tickets for the show cost £9 for adults and £8 for concessions. For more details call the box office on 01604 627791 or email playhousenorthampton@outlook.com

There are many people out there who would like to spend Valentine’s Day with Tom Chambers.

Well sorry, I had that privilege when we chatted to him between matinee and evening performances of his new musical Crazy For You coming to Milton Keynes Theatre next week.

The musical tells the troubled love story of Bobby, played by Chambers, and frustrated Broadway hoofer Polly, daughter of the proprietor of a failing theatre in Deadrock, Nevada.

Sent to close the theatre down, Bobby falls for Polly and, in the guise of a Hungarian impresario, decides to save the theatre by putting on a show.

It also comes packed with well known tunes - I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Embraceable You all feature in this exhilarating celebration of the great Broadway musicals.

“When I saw the show when it was first performed in 1992, I thought please, please, please let me play Bobby in Crazy For You,” Tom said.

It’s at this point that the popularity of the Holby City actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner becomes apparent as our chat is interrupted by adoring fans. But he is happy to take the time to pose for photos.

Tom said: “It’s such a funny, clever, brilliant musical and such a joy to see and perform.”

You’ve heard of the expression actors suffering for their art, well there are certainly big challenges for Tom.

He said: “This is a very energetic show and Bobby, being the main character, is on a lot of the time doing singing and dancing. It’s a very energetic show which takes a lot out of you.

“There is an ice bin that I get into at the end of every show. It’s a kind of cryotherapy that some sports people use. It gets rid of the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles. You do get a hell of a work out doing this show.”

He is also full of praise for the songs of the show and struggles to pick just one that he especially loves.

Tom said: “I think I Got Rhythm is a fantastic song as is They Can’t Take That Away From Me. They are just timeless songs and wonderful to perform.”

The show will also see a return to Milton Keynes Theatre for Tom having previously originated the role of Jerry Travers in Top Hat which started at the venue in 2011 before going out on tour and ending up in the West End.

Tom said: “It was great to have that role in Top Hat, it was a great joy to do.

“I remember the venue, we were able to play lots of Laser Quest near the theatre which is great fun.”

And while Tom is equally known for his television work and now for his time on the stage thanks to performing in Top Hat, he’s quite happy to do both.

Tom said: “I really love doing both things but you cannot beat the reaction that you get from a live audience. You get a lot more of an immediate response as well.”

He also confirmed that he will be returning to the small screen after the tour has finished, reprising his role as Inspector Sullivan in the BBC daytime drama Father Brown starring Mark Williams in the title role.

But for the immediate future, his co-stars in the show are Claire Sweeney and Charlotte Wakefield as Irene and Polly respectively with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin.

Crazy For You can be seen at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, March 20 to 24. Tickets cost from £19 and they can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes

Craig David and Rita Ora will be bringing their hits to Northampton later this year.

Performing tracks such as 7 Days, Walking Away, When the Bassline Drops, Nothing Like This, Heartline and I Know You, Craig David and his full live band will be performing all his top tracks on Saturday, September 1 at The County Ground, Abington.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to bringing my show and band to Northampton in September.

"This will be one of only a handful of shows I am doing in the UK this summer so let’s make it big night and a time to party.

"Having Rita Ora as my special guest makes this even more special as we worked together back in the day and I’ve always been a big fan of her and her music.”

Craig David has sold 15 million albums worldwide, has had multi Brit Award and Grammy Nominations and is an Ivor Novello Award Winner.

Winner of Best Male at the 2016 MOBO Awards and with 2.1 million single sales and 117 million single streams in the last year alone, his last two albums were massive successes. Following My Intuition reached number one in the UK charts and The Time Is Now reached number two.

Rita Ora has recently equalled the Official Chart record for the most top 10 singles by a British female artist. For You has become her 12th Top 10 single, equalling the earlier achievements of both Petula Clark and Shirley Bassey.

She is fresh from the Brit Awards, where she performed a medley of her hits Your Song, Anywhere and For You (the title track from 50 Shades of Grey alongside Liam Payne).

A spokesman for the cricket club said: "With a new album on the horizon for May and fresh from her sold-out indoor tour, expect to witness another performance of hits on the Northampton stage."

Ray Payne, NCCC's chief executive, said: "This latest superstar line-up at the County Ground further demonstrates the cricket ground’s ambition to bring world class artists to Northampton year after year. We are absolutely delighted to have secured such a prestigious line-up for 2018"

Tickets for Craig David and Rita Ora at The County Ground go on General Sale tomorrow (Friday March 16) from 9am at the following websites:

www.ticketmaster.co.uk
www.lhgtickets.com
www.nccc.co.uk
Tickets are priced at: £39.50 + booking fee (General Admission), £45.00 + booking fee (Silver) and £60.00 (Golden Circle)

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, Under fives go free.

Tickets are all standing

Drivers are being warned of delays on the A43 in Northampton this morning after an accident.

The RAC is reporting that the A43 Thorpeville is partially blocked due to accident at A43 Lumbertubs Way / A5123 Booth Rise / A5076 Talavera Way / Stone Circle Road (Round Spinney).

The last update was at 7.15am on Wednesday.

There is no information as to the nature of the accident.