In January, Emma Smith, 28, from Pineham, took on the volunteer coordinator role for the Red Box Project in Northampton to try and end period poverty in this town.

The aim of the project is to make sure that no young woman in this town goes without access to menstrual protection, and so far there are seven donation points across Northampton.

The project relies on donations from its community to provide red boxes filled with period products, including sanitary towels, spare underwear for children aged 10 and over and black tights.

Tampons will be included in the red boxes for older college students.

Emma said: "I decided I wanted to set up something worthwhile and important.

"There wasn't a coordinator in Northampton but there was one in Kettering, Daventry and Brackley.

"Because Northampton is so big I thought it was crazy that there was nothing like this."

So far Northampton College Booth Lane Campus and Abbeyfield School have both received a red box.

One financial reason for young women missing their education comes down to not being able to afford sanitary products and other social reasons might include girls not wanting to ask their male carers to purchase them on their behalf.

Emma said: "We quietly aim to ensure that no young woman has to miss school or suffer embarrassment just because she has her period.

"The key feature of the project gives young women in need - whether for financial or social reasons - the reassurance of enough sanitary items for their entire period.

"This is what makes it special. Also, it has been designed to be sustainable, providing a reliable supply month after month after month."

Kingsthorpe, Far Cotton, St James and Northampton Central Libraries, as well as The Creative Cupcake Company in Gold Street Mews, have become donation points.

To make a monetary donation to the project, click here or if you want to set up a donation point then email Emma at: redbox.northampton@gmail.com

It remains business as usual at Standen Barns Primary School, Kingsley Primary School and The Abbey Primary School this week.

But the Ofsted pages for the three now show they 'closed' as schools on January 31 and 'opened' as academies the next day.

They have joined Northamptonshire-based academy trust InMAT, which over the past two years has acquired eight other schools in Northampton, Daventry, Kettering and Wellingborough.

Although the ratings do not formally carry over, all three schools earned a 'good' report in their last Ofsted inspections.

InMAT - Inspire Multi Academy Trust - launched in 2017. Ofsted has reportedly carried out an evaluation recently but this has not yet been published.

Only one of the school's on InMAT's books - Park Junior School, in Kettering - held an 'inadequate' rating before they joined the trust.

A spokeswoman for InMAT said: "We are delighted to have these three schools as part of the InMAT family. Our vision is to enable great leaders to create great schools where children always come first."

InMAT's other schools include:

- Woolaston Primary School, Wellingborough

- Falconer's Hill Infant School, Daventry

- Kettering Park Infant School, Kettering

- St James Infant School, Daventry

- Hall Meadow Primary School, Kettering

- Kettering Park Junior Academy, Kettering

- Ashby Fields Primary School, Daventry

- Little Harrowden Community Primary School, Wellingborough

Keith Curle has explained why he thinks Aaron Pierre is the right man to lead the Cobblers after the centre-back was chosen to take over captain duties from Ash Taylor and David Buchanan.

Taylor and Buchanan had largely shared the captaincy for the first 33 matches of the season, but with both not in the team for last month’s home game against Carlisle United, Curle believed Pierre was the right man to skipper the team.

The extra responsibility seems to have enhanced Pierre’s performance on the pitch, and the 25-year-old has remained in the role despite both Taylor and Buchanan returning in recent weeks, including against Lincoln on Saturday when Pierre scored his sixth goal of the campaign.

On why that is, Curle said: “It wasn’t a decision I took lightly but it was a decision I made. There was an acceptance from David and Ash and the thing you would say about those players, when they walk on the field they’re captains.

“But what I’ve noticed with Aaron is that he’s enjoying the role and that extra responsibility that comes with wearing the armband.

“Ideally, what we want is 11 captains on the pitch, so if an armband can help certain individuals, then it’s the right thing to do and I’ll do it.

“Those changes are subtle changes. I didn’t shout about it and haven’t made noises about but it’s how I work because I don’t mind change and making changes.

“I’m not adverse to changing things and if I think it’s the right thing to do, then I’ll do it.”

Shay Facey added to Town’s injury concerns on Saturday when he limped off with a thigh injury, but Curle is hopeful it’s not a serious issue.

He added: “Shay has a slight thigh strain but we think we caught it early enough. He’s got a smiley face after the game which is always a good sign.

“What we try and do is encourage the players that when they feel something and it’s not right, give us the signal because now we’ve got good strength in the squad and there’s options on the bench.

“If it’s tactically OK to change it, then we will change it. We don’t ask players for favours and we don’t encourage them to continue when they’re injured.”

Award-winning rapper and singer Sean Paul has been announced as the first act to perform at this year’s SpeedMachine festival which returns to Silverstone in May.

The adrenaline-fuelled rallycross festival is back at the Northamptonshire circuit from May 25 to May 26 following its successful debut last year.

The high-octane event hosts the Dayinsure FIA World Rallycross of Great Britain, presented by Monster Energy, and offers 35,000 festival-goers an energy-filled May bank holiday weekend.

Sean Paul’s hits include Temperature, Get Busy and more recently, Body, No Lie and Mad Love, will be performing to festival goers on the Saturday with a whole host of other guest appearances still to be announced.

As well as the fast-paced action and A-List entertainment, there will be interactive activities from virtual eSports & RC racing, on track demos, drifting and tonnes more packed into the two days.

There will be the opportunity to get behind the wheel and test-drive cars around Silverstone’s legendary racetrack.

But SpeedMachine isn’t just about the racing and music - there will be an extensive variety of street food with vendors from across the globe including DJ BBQ, Made of Dough and Paelleria as well as others showcasing their finest cuisine throughout the weekend.

Top class camping facilities are available for the weekend with hot showers and flushing toilets.

Early bird tickets are now on sale with camping, weekend and day tickets, starting from £40.

For more information, visit https://speedmachine.com/tickets

Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. It provides a clear framework for teachers to plan, develop and evaluate arts, culture and creativity across the curriculum.

Angela Rock, headteacher at The Arbours Primary Academy, said “We are very proud and honoured to receive the Artsmark Award.

"We have worked very hard as a school to enhance our arts provision and provide fantastic opportunities for our pupils.

"Our children have proudly been displaying their artwork around our school and we are excited about developing our music enrichment offer as the next step in our journey.”

The awarding panel praised The Arbours Primary Academy for strong leadership, forging partnerships with external providers and most significantly fostering the confidence of staff through CPD.

The Arbours was also praised for its commitment to arts, cultural education and providing equal opportunities to all pupils.

An elderly woman in Barton Seagrave was the victim of a distraction burglary in which two men falsely claimed to be from the council.

Between 12pm and 1.30pm on Friday, February 8, the men claiming to be from Kettering Council called at the woman’s home in Gotch Road.

They told her that trees in her garden needed pruning, for which there would be a charge.

The woman agreed to the work and went to a cash machine to take out cash to pay, but when she returned found her home had been entered and money stolen from her purse.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: "The first man is described as white, aged around 45, 5ft 6in and of stocky build.

"He had a stubble beard and appeared scruffy, wearing a dirty grey or beige jumper.

"The second man was white, in his early 20s, 5ft 4in, and also of a scruffy stubbly appearance.

"They drove a flatbed truck with a blue cab and dark coloured back, which had ‘garden clearance’ written on both sides."

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

Northamptonshire Police has the following advice for protecting yourself against a distraction burglary:

Remember that sadly not everyone is who they say they are, or may have ulterior motives, especially if they knock at your door to point out a supposed problem, such as damage to your roof

Make sure you can see who is at the door before you answer it. Where possible fit a spy-hole to identify callers. Alternatively talk to them through an adjacent windows

Don’t feel pressured into opening the door. Don’t feel you are being rude, genuine callers won’t mind

Don’t let people you don’t know into your home, even if they say they need help. If more than one person is at the door, one may try to keep you talking while the other slips away to see what they can steal

Set up passwords with your utility companies, genuine callers will need to recite this password to you. Always ask to see an ID card too

Don’t use telephone numbers on ID cards, if the person isn’t genuine the ID and the telephone number won't be either. Obtain telephone numbers direct from the phone directory, or make a list of your important numbers and keep them near the phone

If you’re still not sure that a caller is who they say they are, turn them away. Legitimate companies and callers will not mind

Display a ‘No Cold Callers’ sticker on your door or in your window

Email the Northamptonshire Police crime prevention team if you’d like to talk to someone about protecting yourself against doorstep crime

Share this advice with older family members, friends or neighbours who may not be online

This was brought into force last year, and along with the Data Protection Act 2018, provides a comprehensive data protection framework.

Regardless of whether we leave the European Union with or without a deal, there would be no immediate change in the UK’s own data protection standards. This is because the Data Protection Act 2018 would remain in place and the EU Withdrawal Act would incorporate the GDPR into UK law to sit alongside it.

However, under GDPR rules, organisations are only allowed to transfer personal data outside the EU if there is a legal basis for doing so, meaning that once the UK is out of the union this will become trickier.

The government has said firms can continue to send personal data from the UK to the EU, but our data protection regulations will have to be assessed before EU countries will be able to transfer personal data to the UK.

It is likely that our regulations will be found to be adequate (after all, we'll still be using GDPR) but discussions won't begin until after we have left the EU and the European Commission has not given a timescale for the issue to be resolved.

An appeal for witnesses has been launched after a house in Northampton was broken into although nothing was stolen.

The break-in happened on February 2 between 7.30am and 9.30pm in Weggs Farm Road, New Duston.

However, Northamptonshire Police say nothing appeared to have been stolen during the break-in.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

If the Cobblers are not careful, a centre-back could end the season as their top goalscorer.

With previous leading marksman Kevin van Veen sold to Scunthorpe United last month, Aaron Pierre’s six goals is bettered only by Andy Williams’ seven within the current squad.

And with Williams’ game-time limited to just 60 minutes across the past four matches, Pierre, a strong, commanding presence in both penalty boxes, has an opportunity to leapfrog his team-mate.

The 25-year-old took his tally for the campaign to six on Saturday when finding space in the box to convert Jack Bridge’s low cross on the stroke of half-time, squaring things up after Bruno Andrade’s earlier opener.

“I was telling Bridgey that I was quite annoyed because I wanted the ball in the box earlier and I had to make my movements again,” explained Pierre.

“But it was a great cross into the box and I was just fortunate enough to get on the end of it. I tried my best to get into the right position as early as possible and then think like a striker and luckily it fell for me.

“It would be good for me to finish top scorer this season but as a defender it’s about keeping clean sheets – scoring goals is just a bonus for me.”

Town only claimed a point on Saturday despite playing over half the game with an extra man, but Pierre, who again captained the Cobblers at Lincoln, felt it was a good result for his team.

He added: “They’re top of the league so we see it as a positive point. We had a few chances in the second-half and could have won the game but at the same time they also had chances and might potentially have had a penalty at the end.

“But it’s been a very good week for us and now we have more confidence going into the next game.”

It was a boisterous atmosphere at a packed-out Sincil Bank on Saturday, and home fans were not shy in letting their frustrations known when decisions went against them.

But Pierre shrugged it off, adding: “I’m not intimated by anything to be honest. It was a great crowd and obviously they’re going to back their team right until the end.

“We just have to be prepared for it but it was just a normal game for me.”

Chris Boyd has hailed 'modern legend' Alex Waller after the prop made his 250th Saints appearance last Saturday.

Waller emerged from the bench during the second half to help his side secure a 59-33 Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final success against Newcastle Falcons.

The victory sets up a final clash with Saracens at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, March 17.

Waller is well-versed when it comes to showpieces against Sarries, having scored the winning try in the Premiership final of 2014.

The Academy product has continued to forge a hugely commendable career at his boyhood club.

And Boyd, who became Saints boss last summer, said: "Alex Waller is one of the modern legends of the club.

"He got through his 250th game and he's just a great club man who bleeds Saints.

"Those sort of guys are gold in your club."

Cobus Reinach also hit a milestone in last weekend's win.

The South African scrum-half, who has scored 11 tries in 18 games this season, was making his 50th Saints appearance.

And Boyd said: "Coby has been great for us this year.

"He was frustrated last season because he had to share game time and he's got Alex Mitchell nipping at his heels but he's been great for us.

"It was great to celebrate 50 appearances for Coby."

Saints will start selling tickets for their home Premiership Rugby Cup final clash with Saracens this week.

The showpiece will take place at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, March 17 (kick-off 3pm) and sales will open this Thursday morning from 9am.

Tickets are not part of the season ticket holder package but fans who hold one have a priority window and can purchase their pass for the final for as little as £10.

General admission prices are set to start at £15.

Saints booked their place in the final with a fantastic 59-33 comeback win against Newcastle Falcons at the Gardens last Saturday.

And they now have a home showpiece thanks to being seeded second after qualifying from the pool stages.

Saracens were seeded fourth, but they were big winners in their away semi-final, beating top seeds Worcester Warriors 38-22 at Sixways last Friday night.

Saints will now look to overcome a difficult recent run against Saracens as they bid to secure their first piece of silverware under boss Chris Boyd.

Plans have been submitted to build four one-bedroom flats on the site of an obsolete public convenience building.

The two-storey building will be built at the junction of Cattle Market Road and Bridge Street, close to Southbridge, if it's given the green light by the borough council.

Local footpath secretary for The Ramblers Association, David Craddock, said his group had no objections to the proposals which are next to the Northampton Waterside walkway.

Drawings show space beside the building for bicycle racks but no associated parking.

In June last year plans were dismissed for five one-bedroom flats on the site.

A report by Carterwood chartered surveyors claims they have identified nine schemes in Northamptonshire that could provide care and housing for elderly people in the next three years but as of yet show 'no indication of development'.

They say that while nine care homes have been given the go-ahead - which would see a deficit of 100 beds for elderly people by 2022 - the fact they have not yet moved forward means the real number is over 500.

It comes as part of an assessment for a plan by Vanderbilt Strategic Ltd to build a retirement complex off Sywell Lane, near Moulton, with space for up to 100 homes for elderly people and a 70-bed dementia care home.

Carterwood - who were commissioned by Vanderbilt to assess the need for care home beds in a 6.5-mile radius around the site - has made the claim in their recommendation to approve the scheme.

It reads: "Our assessment... indicates a level of unmet need equivalent to 99 market standard bedspaces in the market catchment area [around Sywell Lane].

"However, development has not commenced on any of [those nine schemes], and a more realistic measure of demand and supply sees the shortfalls increase in the market catchment area to 506 bedspaces.

"People living with dementia are not well catered for, with a lack of care homes in the market catchment area having dedicated specialist dementia units offering living environments... Our analysis indicates there is a significant unmet need for dedicated dementia provision in the catchment.

"We, therefore, conclude that there is both a strong quantitative and qualitative need for the proposed development."

They point to nine planning proposals in Northamptonshire under three different planning authorities [Daventry, Northampton and East Northamptonshire] that have shown 'no indication of development'.

The nine schemes with planning reference numbers they Carterwood have named:

- An application for 2,000 homes off Overstone Lane, Overstone, under Barratt Homes Bristol (DA/2013/0850, Daventry District Council)

- An application for a 60-bed nursing home off Victors Barn, Brixworth, by 'Dr Burston' (DA/2013/0510, Daventry District Council)

- An application for 1,050 homes off land at Brampton Lane, Chapel Brampton, by Martin Grant Homes Ltd (DA/2011/0666, Daventry District Council)

- Retirement village on the site of St Edmunds Hospital, Wellingborough Road, by Kayalef Holdings Ltd (N/2017/0829, Northampton Borough Council)

- Construction of 80-room elderly care home off Sheaf Close, Northampton, by Barry Howards Homes (N/2016/0118, Northampton Borough Council)

- Application for 72-bed care home off Bakers Lane, Long Buckby, by RCG Long Buckby Ltd (DA/2015/1098, Daventry District Council)

- Construction of 85-bed care home between Welton Road and Northern Way, Daventry, by Crown Care VI ltd (DA/2017/0237, Daventry District Council)

- Continuing Care Retirement Community with space for up to 83 elderly care beds off Farnborough Drive, Daventry, by the Ladhar Group (DA/2016/1180, Daventry District Council)

- Construction of 17 bedroom care complex off Badby Road West, Daventry, by Montpelier Estates (DA/2018/0371, Daventry District News)

Carterwood's report claims that even if the proposal for the 70-bed care home off Sywell Lane was approved it would only fill 13.8 per cent of the unmet need they have outlined.

However, some of the developments included in the report are underway albeit slowly, such as the plan to redevelop St Edmunds Hospital in Wellingborough Road, Northampton.

Father of three Chris Matthews was stabbed to death while he slept by Spencer Hobson in June 2018.

Although the pair were tenants at the same house in Victoria Gardens at the time, Chris spent many nights sleeping on the streets.

His sister, Fleur, is now using her brother's tragedy to improve the lives of other homeless people in Northampton by fundraising for Stan Robertson's Project 16:15, which provides hot breakfasts to the town's rough sleepers.

Fleur said: "After he died, I met some of the men who were sleeping rough with Chris and they have a pretty awful time.

"So this is about turning what happened to him into something positive.

"I have a JustGiving Page and someone left a quote on there that summed it up: whatever good or bad fortune may come our way, we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value."

Fleur, who is a nurse, hopes to raise £5,000 to buy Stan a tuk-tuk so he can increase the range of his deliveries.

She and her colleagues at Abington Park Surgery - including doctors and staff - will be sponsored to spend an entire night sleeping outside in the garden area of the surgery.

Fleur said that many view homelessness as a result of personal failings and poor choices but there are often lots of separate personal and social factors that contribute towards being homeless.

And each homeless person has their unique circumstances, just like Chris did.

Fleur said: "I've heard people says Chris's family didn't know he was living on the streets but that's not true. He chose the life he led.

"It was quite normal for us to lose proper contact with Chris for a couple of months where we'd not hear from him.

"Everyone offered help. He used to see my dad on the taxi rank almost every day and he'd give him what he needed.

"But sometimes when people have their demons to fight, they want to do it on their own.

"We were there for him, but sadly it was taken out of our hands."

If you want to give towards Fleur's appeal, click here.

Northamptonshire County Council is consulting on painting yellow lines on all junctions with Billington Street in Abington. It means 16 corners would be altered, affecting Artizan Road, Whitworth Road, Adams Avenue, Bostock Avenue, Stimpson Avenue.

It comes after concerns were raised about parked cars near the junctions blocking the view of drivers.

But residents have said the measures would go too far. The yellow lines would mean the equivalent of 70 parking spaces would be out of bounds.

Martin DeSouza, of Artizan Road, said: "I get what they're saying - it can be dangerous but what they're proposing is ridiculous.

"You're making it literally impossible for residents to park anywhere, never mind near their own homes. It's incredibly shortsighted."

Notices about the consultation have been affixed to four lampposts along Billington Street, but many residents who will be affected have been unaware of the plans until informed by their neighbours in the last few days.

With the consultation closing on Thursday (Feb 14), some are now attempting to get the word out so residents can have their say.

One woman who lives on Artizan Road said: "Even now neighbours have heated arguments in the street about spaces. When you're trying to get your shopping in and you're being beeped at, it gets out of hand.

"But this will make all that worse."

She added: "If this is about safety, they need to think about how safe it is for women to have to park streets away then walk home late at night alone."

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “Following complaints about accidents caused by parked cars around junctions and at the request of the local county councillor, we are currently consulting on proposals for double yellow lines around junctions in the Billington Street area of Northampton.

“The public notice consultation closes this Thursday, February 14. Anyone who wants to have their say should put their comments in writing to: Traffic Orders Section, Northants Highways, Old Harborough Road, Brixworth, NN6 9BX.”

Eggs

Let’s start with the good news. The British egg industry can produce enough for the country to be entirely self-sufficient in eggs. In light of the recent scare concerning contaminated eggs imported from Dutch farms, it is unnecessary (other than for cost reasons) for UK supermarkets to use cheaper, foreign-sourced eggs for processed products. So if you fancy eggs for breakfast, Brexit is unlikely to have any effect on this staple.

Bread

Bread is made from wheat and about 85% of the wheat used by UK flour millers is home grown. The majority of the flour produced in the UK is also used there. Only about 1% of UK flour sales are based on imports of flour, whereas about 2% is exported. Canadian wheat is imported due to its excellent characteristics which work well blended with UK wheats.

Depending on the quality of the UK crop, wheat may also be imported from France and Germany. So unless you are after a croissant which requires the softer French wheat, your breakfast toast should not be affected by Brexit.

Read more: Will UK workers lose their rights and entitlements after Brexit?

Sausages and bacon

Now for the less good news. Britain’s breakfast sausages and bacon are dependent on the availability and cost of pork. British farmers currently produce only 40% of the pork eaten in the UK. The other 60% comes from EU countries such as Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. European producers are able to provide pork more cheaply than British farmers who have additional costs related to higher animal welfare standards – 40% of the British pig herd is bred outdoors.

So a hard Brexit would probably lead to a rise in the cost of sausages and bacon, until such a time as the British pork industry recovers sufficiently to supply enough happy pigs.

Hash browns

Although the UK still ranks number 11 in the world among potato producing countries, the harvested area has shrunk by half since 1960 and demand exceeds supply. Mediterranean countries are often the largest source of fresh potato imports to the UK. These usually include new potatoes from both EU and non-EU countries (such as Israel), as well as potatoes from the near continent (principally Holland, Belgium and France).

Frozen, processed potatoes account for the largest proportion of UK imports. Average prices are lower for imported frozen products than those domestically produced with the majority of frozen potato imports coming from the Netherlands and Belgium. This means that if your hash browns come in frozen form, Brexit could make them more expensive.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a relatively new crop in the UK and the industry itself is young, dominated by a single species of mushroom. Mushrooms which can be grown in the UK have seen massive drops in production due to the industry being dominated by a few big companies. The production area of mushrooms has decreased since 2007 from 126 to 86 hectares.

One company based in Ireland dominates production and mushroom growers in Ireland rely on the UK for 80% of sales. Other countries that export mushrooms to the UK are Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Recently, G’s Growers Ltd, an independent Producer Organisation, has made a major investment in a new mushroom growing facility in Cambridgeshire in response to demand for UK-grown mushrooms.

But, to complicate matters, the mushroom industry in the UK employs predominantly Eastern European pickers. This indicates that Brexit will have a double-edged effect on mushrooms, with increased prices and shortages due to availability of labour.

Tomatoes

And now for some really bad news. Tomatoes grow where it is hot, and require a long growing season. To combat its climate, the British tomato industry has more than 200 hectares of glasshouses. Despite this, British tomato production amounts to only about a fifth of the total volume of tomatoes sold in the country each year.

About 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes are imported from EU countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy and Belgium, and non-EU countries such as Morocco and Israel. The UK is nowhere near tomato self-sufficiency, and a hard Brexit would definitely mean more expensive tomatoes.

Baked beans

Beans – haricot, navy or phaseolus vulgaris – cannot be grown in Britain. They are all imported – mostly from North America, although scientists are mapping DNA in an attempt to create a strain that will survive in the UK. Breakfast favourite baked beans require haricot beans. People in the UK consume about 2,000 tonnes of baked beans every year. But baked beans aren’t just beans. They also contain a spice mixture, tomato sauce, starch, sugar and vinegar. So although Brexit may not have a direct impact on imports from North America, the fact that baked beans contain tomatoes could influence their price.

So, if you can reduce your breakfast to just eggs and toast, you might not even notice Brexit. But if you want that full English medley, Brexit may not be your cup of tea.

Research by Hana Trollman, PhD Researcher, Loughborough University. Originally published on The Conversation

Cobblers players held a ‘meeting’ in the aftermath of last week’s crushing home defeat to Colchester United in an attempt to quickly put things right ahead of back-to-back away games against Tranmere Rovers and Lincoln City.

A second-half collapse saw Northampton blown away by three goals in a 15-minute spell against Colchester en route to their heaviest home defeat of the season, eventually beaten 4-0.

Looking to right the wrongs of that defeat and ease their relegation fears, the players got together to to pinpoint what went wrong and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

And whatever was said certainly did the trick as Cobblers won 2-1 at Tranmere on Tuesday and then returned home from table-topping Lincoln with another important point on Saturday, steering them 10 clear of the drop.

“It’s been a great response from the lads this week after last Saturday and that’s what we wanted,” said captain Aaron Pierre. “As a team we had a meeting to make sure it doesn’t happen again and make sure we were fully ready for the two games this week.

“Fortunately, we won Tuesday’s game and then we had to get ready again for Saturday because they’re a good team and they’re very effective in what they do.

“It’s obviously never good to lose on your own ground, especially 4-0, so we were all disappointed and frustrated but we had the same amount of chances as them. They took their chances and we didn’t take ours; goals change games and goals change emotions.

“So this week has been all positive, especially on Tuesday because we only had a short period of time to revive our confidence. It’s been a positive week for us.”

Jordan Turnbull did not play in the defeat to Colchester but he was equally keen to make amends with a positive reaction at Prenton Park and Sincil Bank.

He said: “I think throughout the season it’s happened to us quite a lot – we’ve had the odd really bad game and we look back on it with disappointment but then we manage to pick ourselves up.

“Hopefully now we can keep going on and push on from this because we want to continue picking up points until the end of the season - we don’t want another one of those blips again.

“Teams will always lose games but I think it was the manner we lost the game last Saturday that made it very disappointing for ourselves, the manager and the fans. Hopefully we’ll cut that out now and finish the season positively.”

A proud Aaron Pierre says he is ‘loving’ his new role as captain of the Cobblers and believes the extra responsibility has only enhanced his performances on the pitch.

The imposing centre-back, initially handed the armband against Carlisle United last month, skippered Town for the sixth successive game on Saturday when he also scored in a 1-1 draw with Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.

David Buchanan and Ash Taylor had previously shared captain duties this season but manager Keith Curle revealed on Saturday that he felt handing the responsibility to Pierre would help him become more of a ‘leader’ while also improving his performances on the pitch.

And the 25-year-old echoed those views when asked about his new role in the wake of Saturday’s draw. “I love it,” he said. “I think it’s everyone’s dream to be a captain at some stage of their career and I’m fortunate enough to get it here.

“I think it’s brought a lot out of me and I feel like I’m now more demanding, more vocal and that just comes more with experience and game-time I guess. It’s a role that I have to do because people rely on me a little bit more than maybe when I wasn’t the captain.”

Curle is encouraging as many of his players as possible to become ‘leaders’ on the pitch, whether they are wearing the armband or not.

“It’s about being a leader,” Pierre agreed. “Everyone was a leader at Lincoln, everyone showed leadership and everyone showed determination but, for me, it’s more about encouraging people and making sure things are done properly.

“I think it’s helped my performances as well and put more demands on me, making sure I do my job properly and I set an example, on a personal scale and for the team. Hopefully I’m doing that well and people are seeing that I’m improving my game and I’m trying to help other players.”

Taking place in The Guildhall between 10.30am and 3pm on March 2, the food fair will provide a mouthwatering showcase of stalls from local businesses, producers and makers offering dozens of delectable delights such as bread, spices, chutneys, cakes, biscuits, wine and vodka.

More than 22 businesses, including Friars Farm, Phipps Brewery, Fleur Fields Vineyard, the Creative Cupcakes Company, Bite me spices, the Cotswold Fudge Company, Jelley’s Vodka, The Biscuiterie, and Connie’s Vintage Tea Room will all be set up and selling their goods in the Great Hall.

At 11am, visitors to the fair will also get the chance to learn some top tips for using up bread, bananas and bags as local community interest group.

Fruitful Abundance Northampton, share their recipes and ideas for reducing food and plastic waste. Following their demonstration, they will also be running a tea room in the Courtroom, for anyone who wants to fuel their visit with hot drinks and snacks.

In addition, history fans will be in for a real treat, as The Looking Glass Theatre leads two free fun-filled tours around The Guildhall at 12pm and 2pm, giving an interesting glance back at its past.

Councillor Jonathan Nunn, leader of the Council, said: “Building on the success of last year’s food fairs in February and August, we are looking forward to expanding the visitor experience to include more businesses and interactive tours of The Guildhall.

“Entrance to the fair is free and will provide visitors with a great opportunity to get a flavour of the wide range of wonderful independent businesses and producers that are available in and around town.”

Ryan Wakeman describes himself as a Northamptonshire entreprenur whose background is "based around nightclubs, pizza and sex toys".

He set up his website after noticing that many people at the Northampton County Beer Festival last year were wearing similar branded t-shirts.

After wanting to set up his own clothing line for a number of years his mission was then to create a brand and name with 'purpose', something, which he says, people could 'relate and aspire to'.

Men and women's fashion brand 'Wear Boundary' was soon set up as a 'motivational clothing brand inspiring success' and so far he has created a range of t-shirts and sweatshirts, with plans to expand later this year.

Other cheeky designs are included in the 'Cherry Love Collection' in collaboration with the adult store, Cherry Love.

Mr Wakeman, whose has previously worked in nightclubs and, said: "So whilst enjoying a relaxing afternoon with friends, working their way through the various breweries showcased, it became apparent that a considerable number of people were wearing the same branded t-shirt: a simple white t-shirt with a clear distinct logo.

"The concept of pushing the boundaries and defying the boundaries were conceived and developed, and thus 'Wear Boundary' was born."

The range focuses on designs based around a logo with a message underneath.

Most popular of the designs is the bright red t-shirt featuring a superhero and the message ‘Defy the Boundaries’.

For more details, click here