Fixture: Northampton Town v Exeter City, Sky Bet League Two

Date/time: Saturday, Mach 9, 2pm kick-off

Venue: PTS Academy Stadium

Forecast: 11C, sunny spells

Outs and doubts: Cobblers: Shay Facey (thigh), George Cox (ankle). Exeter: Dean Moxey, Nicky Law, Lee Martin, Troy Brown, Luke Croll, Hiram Boateng, Jonathan Forte, Ryan Bowman, Donovan Wilson.

Betting: Northampton 13/10, draw 9/4, Exeter 21/10

Form guide: Cobblers WWDDWL, Grecians LDWLDW

Possible line-ups: Northampton (4-2-3-1): Cornell; Goode, Taylor, Pierre, Buchanan; Turnbull, Foley; D Powell, O’Toole, Hoskins; A Williams. Exeter (4-2-3-1): Pym; K Wilson, Sweeney, O’Shea, Woodman; Taylor, Collins; Holmes, Jay, Williams; Forte.

Man in the middle: Andy Haines

Last time out: Crewe 0 Northampton 2 (Powell, O’Toole); Exeter 0 Tranmere 1 (Norwood)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, November 17, 2018 – Exeter 2 (Taylor, Stockley) Northampton 2 (Waters, Stockley OG)

Record v Exeter: P114 W51 D34 L29

Opposition view: “We’ve been playing really well away from home,” said Grecians boss Matt Taylor. “It seems to have suited us to a certain extent, soaking up a bit of pressure and then hitting teams on the counter attack, but also the good surfaces we’ve played on away from home.

“Northampton will hopefully be the same, but it’s all about the points at this stage of the season. They have got some good players, a team that we watched a lot at the start of the season, and they were underachieving because they have some seriously good players in that squad.”

Cobblers connection: Former Town midfielder Hiram Boateng could be in line to make his first start since October when his Exeter City side face the Cobblers this weekend. The 23-year-old made 17 appearances for Northampton while on loan from Crystal Palace during the 2016/17 campaign. He impressed in glimpses but not enough to warrant a full-time transfer to Sixfields, so instead he moved to the Grecians in the summer of 2017. Boateng became a key player at St James Park until a hip flexor injury struck him down in October, however after two substitute appearances in the past couple of weeks, and given the extent of Exeter’s injury crisis at present, he could be in from the off on Saturday.

James Heneghan’s preview: This weekend’s visit of promotion hopefuls Exeter City should provide a good test for the Cobblers whose recent resurgence will come under the microscope back on home soil.

While Town have upped their game away from the PTS of late – winning three of four on the road – their form at home remains patchy and disappointing. Since early November, they’ve managed only one victory in eight games, including a drab goalless draw with Crawley Town last time out.

The notion the Cobblers can still make the play-offs this season might seem fanciful to some, but it can’t be entirely ruled out at this stage, and that will remain the case should they recapture their home form and beat both Exeter and Newport County over the coming days.

These next couple of games are against teams fifth and 12th respectively, but after that, the average current position of Northampton’s remaining nine opponents is a lowly 16th, and that includes the visit of third-placed Mansfield and a trip to second-placed Bury.

Of course, no game will be easy at this stage of the season with teams battling for their lives to either get out of the division or stay in it, but it’s nevertheless a kind-looking fixture list on paper and should give Town encouragement in their unlikely pursuit of a play-off place.

The Cobblers might not be involved in the relegation battle – thankfully – but they will certainly play a big role in who goes down and who stays up. Yeovil, Macclesfield and Port Vale are all yet to visit the PTS this season while Town also head to bottom side Notts County next month.

However you view the situation, it makes a refreshing change to be looking up instead of down. Even a top-half finish would represent a respectable effort given everything that’s happened over the past 12 months.

To even have a sniff of a top-seven berth, Keith Curle’s men will almost certainly have to overcome the Grecians this weekend and though that seems a tough ask on paper given the league positions of both teams, Exeter’s mounting injury crisis, which has left them without a single fit centre-forward, leaves the door ajar for a rare home victory.

The loss of top scorer Jayden Stockley has also unsurprisingly hit Exeter hard on the goalscoring front. The 25-year-old, who netted at both ends when Town visited St James Park in November’s 2-2 draw, had 16 of City’s 35 goals when he departed for Preston North End at the start of January.

Since, the Grecians have mustered just 10 goals and four wins in 10 games, a run which has seen them go from two points adrift of third place to nine and in a battle to maintain their play-off position.

Just as City’s injury situation is worsening, Town’s continues to improve, with defender George Cox their only real injury doubt heading into Saturday’s League Two clash at the PTS.

But after last week’s accomplished victory at Crewe, perhaps Keith Curle will do the unthinkable and name an unchanged team? Don’t bet on it...

Prediction: Northampton Town 2 Exeter City 1

On the afternoon of Friday, March 1, a 14-year-old girl was attacked outside Caroline Chisholm School in Wooldale Road, Grange Park, with footage of the assault shared on social media.

Two girls, aged 14 and 15, have since been voluntarily interviewed under caution by Northamptonshire Police. They are not pupils at Caroline Chisholm School.

Both admitted their involvement and expressed remorse at their actions, and have been referred to the Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service (NYOS) for further assessment and intervention.

Sergeant Nick Paul, of the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a shocking incident. Thankfully the victim wasn’t seriously injured, but the outcome could easily have been very different – even one shove or punch can have fatal consequences. The emotional effects of an assault like this shouldn’t be underestimated either and I hope that with professional and family support the victim can recover from her ordeal.

“The NYOS referral aims to ensure that the girls who attacked her are held accountable for their actions, as well as helped to understand why they acted in this way so they can make better choices in the future.”

Following the assault PCSOs conducted reassurance patrols in the local area at the start and end of the school day, and work will continue with schools in the area to ensure appropriate advice and support is provided to pupils.

Sgt Paul added: “This incident was aggravated by the fact people filmed and shared it online rather than helping the victim. We have spoken to those involved to share advice both about how dangerous this kind of violent behaviour is and the implications of posting videos like this online.

“It’s important that young people understand that if they witness something like this, they need to pick up their phone to call the police, not to film what’s happening as if it’s entertainment, and I would ask parents to discuss the need to do the right thing with their children.

“I’d like to thank everyone who contacted us with information about this assault – the community was rightly shocked by what took place. However I would remind people not to share or comment on content like this online, or name or threaten anyone involved as any identified offences will be investigated.”

Former Bristol duo Mitch Eadie and Jamal Ford-Robinson return to the Saints squad for Saturday's clash with the Bears at Franklin's Gardens (kick-off 2.45pm).

Game time has been limited for Eadie and Ford-Robinson since they left Ashton Gate for Northampton during the summer of 2017.

But Eadie gets the nod at No.8 for this weekend's game, with Ford-Robinson, who was in action for Coventry in the Championship last Saturday, among the replacements.

If the prop gets on, it will be his first league appearance for Saints for almost a year.

He has played just once - as a replacement - in the black, green and gold this season, while Eadie will be making his first league start of the season this weekend.

Tom Wood will skipper Saints from the No.6 shirt, while there are a couple of big injury boosts with the news James Grayson and Piers Francis are fit to start.

Paul Hill is also in the first 15 after being forced off early in the defeat at Saracens last weekend, while Taqele Naiyaravoro is back after being rested.

James Haskell (toe) and Fraser Dingwall, who had surgery on an ankle injury this week and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks, have been added to the absentees list.

For Bristol, Jake Heenan will make his Gallagher Premiership debut this weekend.

The back rower is the only change to the Bears side that overcame Gloucester last Friday.

Callum Sheedy recovers from a dead leg to retain his place in the starting line-up, although Dan Thomas (head) is unavailable.

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Reinach; van Wyk, Marshall, Hill; Moon, Ribbans; Wood (c), Ludlam, Eadie.

Replacements: Fish, Waller, Ford-Robinson, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Mitchell, Burrell, Collins.

Bristol Bears: C Piutau; Morahan, O’Conor, S Piutau (cc), Daniels; Sheedy, Uren; Thomas, Thacker, Afoa; Batley, Vui; Luatua, Heenan, Crane (cc).

Replacements: Parry, Woolmore, Thiede, Smith, Lam, Randall, Madigan, Protheroe.

Competition: Gallagher Premiership (round 16)

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Date and kick-off time: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 2.45pm

Referee: Christophe Ridley (12th Premiership game)

Television coverage: None

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Reinach; van Wyk, Marshall, Hill; Moon, Ribbans; Wood (c), Ludlam, Eadie.
Replacements: Fish, Waller, Ford-Robinson, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Mitchell, Burrell, Collins.

Bristol Bears: C Piutau; Morahan, O’Conor, S Piutau (cc), Daniels; Sheedy, Uren; Thomas, Thacker, Afoa; Batley, Vui; Luatua, Heenan, Crane (cc).
Replacements: Parry, Woolmore, Thiede, Smith, Lam, Randall, Madigan, Protheroe.

Outs: Saints: Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), Mikey Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee), Teimana Harrison (hamstring), Ehren Painter (calf), Courtney Lawes (calf), Paddy Ryan (knee), James Haskell (toe), Fraser Dingwall (ankle), Dan Biggar (international duty).

Most recent meeting: Saturday, October 27, 2018: Saints 51 Bristol Bears 24 (Premiership Rugby Cup pool stages)

Tom's preview: Franklin's Gardens has certainly been a happy home for Saints in 2019.

Five games, five wins and a staggering 311 points (an average of 62 per game!) have been registered by Chris Boyd's men on home soil since the turn of the year.

While they have lost all three away matches in 2019, the home comforts have remained.

And Saints will fully expect that to continue this weekend as they look to enhance their Premiership play-off credentials once more.

Last Saturday's defeat at Saracens was largely comprehensive, but there were more signs of the character this squad possesses.

And they will be backed to rediscover the winning habit against a Bristol side who will come to play this Saturday.

It should make for a hugely entertaining encounter once again against the Bears, who have shipped 96 points in two defeats to Saints already this season.

Both teams have showed a real desire to play from anywhere in those two matches - and that is unlikely to change when they square up again this weekend.

Bristol pose plenty of threats, as they showed when beating Gloucester last weekend.

And Saints fans will enjoy welcoming them and club legend Pat Lam to the Gardens this weekend.

But they will enjoy it even more if the recent trend of Gardens wins continues.

Saints have really started to make the ground a place opposition teams fear to tread.

Not in the old way of grinding them down up front but in the new style of cutting them apart with an all-court game.

The forwards have shown real ability to play, with offloads from the likes of Tom Wood, Jamie Gibson and Lewis Ludlam catching the eye in recent times.

And Saints will once again hope to win in entertaining fashion this weekend.

If they can, they will be in a great position in the Premiership when they return to league action at Leicester Tigers on March 22.

And a win would also help them to banish last week's disappointment before Saracens come to town for the Premiership Rugby Cup final next Sunday.

It is another big game at a stadium that has got its buzz back.

Now Saints have to keep the Franklin's Gardens feelgood factor flowing over what will be a crucial two weeks in this enthralling season.

Tom's prediction: Saints 34 Bristol Bears 23

Peter Ormerod reviews The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon

The timing could hardly be better. The Arden Hotel in Stratford has just undergone a refurbishment - at the same time as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is staging As You Like It, in which much of the action takes place in the Forest of Arden. And like the Bard's mystical woodland, the hotel has a fair few enchantments - and one or two surprises.

The 45-bedroom boutique hotel has much going for it, not least its proximity to the theatre. There's a sense that you could fall out of bed and land on to the stage; it could hardly be any closer. It's the ideal place for a pre-show meal and post-show drinks, with accommodation sufficiently welcoming to encourage many late-night discussions about the company's productions. After all, if you're going to the RSC, you might as well make the most of the experience.

Also greatly in the hotel's favour is its staff. The reception team on our visit were a model of professional efficiency, friendly and courteous without being overbearing. A tour of the building took in its impressive-sounding accessibility, its facilities for businesses and some charming and intimate rooms for those seeking a more private gathering.

It soon became clear that the building has quite a character of its own, which its decor exploits imaginatively. The snaking corridors lend themselves to a striking arboreal theme: they are papered with ghostly images of trunks and branches, with beguiling pictures hung on the walls. Rather than being numbered, the rooms are named after species of tree; we were in Cedar. The whole theme works well and lends the premises much personality. There are delightful architectural features too, from elegantly spiralling staircases to glorious skylights.

The room itself possessed some classy touches, from the cafetiere with good ground coffee to the fresh fruit to the array of publications to read. The King bed felt vast and luxurious. But the bathroom was a truly spectacular affair; I'm sure I've lived in smaller flats. Decorated in a contemporary style in contrast to the more traditional bedroom, it's a haven to savour, with a sleek and invitingly deep bath tub, a walk-in shower, huge mirrors and stylish lighting. The array of lotions and potions was of the highest quality, too.

Meals are taken in the hotel's bright and bold new brasserie. It is perhaps not the most refined setting, but it suited the refreshingly unfussy food at dinner. My broccoli soup was so green it was almost glowing; the flavour matched it for vibrancy. The main course of trout was similarly spirited, with a delicate creme brulee proving a suitably mellow conclusion. The most impressive part of my wife's starter - smoked salmon - was the accompanying toasted gluten-free rolls, which were winningly soft and spongy; this was followed by a pan-fried chicken breast with a mushroom cream sauce, which was delicately delicious, her meal being rounded off with a selection of zingy sorbets. It was all accompanied by a bottle of Cuvee Paul Bocuse, which was pleasingly unobtrusive.

There followed for me a rather sumptuous bath, during which the wine was finished off (the bathroom encourages such indulgence), and then a good night's sleep on the traditionally turned-down bed; it was not necessarily a silent night, but in a property such as this, some sound from neighbouring rooms is perhaps to be expected. Then, suitably rested, it was time for breakfast.

It soon became apparent that the hotel has become a popular place for a morning meal. There was no table spare, but we were perfectly content to be seated away from the main dining area. The fare was the customary mixture of self-service toast (with particularly tasty bread, butter and marmalade), cereals, fruit, yoghurt, cheese and more - a colourful spread indeed - followed by cooked food to order. Perhaps the hotel is a victim of his own success, for the helpful and friendly staff seemed to have rather a lot to do, and may have benefited from a little more help. There was rather a wait for our order to be taken; my full English breakfast was not the most substantial I have eaten, but was enlivened by a sausage of exceptional flavour, if rather diminutive size. My wife's porridge, meanwhile, was unfortunately not the most appetising in appearance, texture or flavour, and was served without the promised accoutrements. I am confident however that these shortcomings will be addressed as the brasserie beds in; the general standard of the hotel is surely too high for that not to be the case.

That being said, I am glad to report that our enjoyment of the weekend remained undiminished. Even though Stratford is but half an hour from our home, it felt like a proper weekend away, and a greatly appreciated break from the busyness of life. There may be a few inconsistencies at present, but when The Arden does things well, it does them very well. And there is every reason to trust it will continue to do so - and do even better.

* Peter Ormerod was hosted by The Arden Hotel, part of the Eden Hotel Collection - a privately-owned portfolio of nine beautiful properties in the UK. The hotel has an enviable location in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon opposite the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company Theatres and next to the River Avon. Stay overnight from £119 per room (two sharing), including full English breakfast. Call The Arden Hotel on 01789 298 682(www.theardenhotelstratford.com).

While the new report released by food delivery firm Just Eat has shown Italian to be the UK’s favourite quick cuisine - Northampton takeaway lovers still go crazy for a kebab.

The study has revealed that town residents order more kebabs than any other dish from fast food shops.

In fact, four-out-of-five takeaway orders in Northampton are for the Middle Eastern dish.

Managing director of Just Eat UK Graham Corfield said: "The kebab is still king on many UK high streets, but takeaway trends are being shaken up by adventurous eaters looking to sample the hottest new cuisine and healthier, more conscious foodies opting for leaner options.

"Vegan is the fastest growing cuisine ordered on Just Eat last year, with orders growing by 1,500 per cent across the UK.

"We also saw a much bigger appetite for Cantonese cuisine and Nigerian food."

The top takeaway dishes people of Northampton order on Just Eat are:

1. Kebab

2. Sweet & Sour Chicken

3. Chow Mein

4. Chicken Kebab

5. Chicken Tikka Masala

6. Chicken Korma

7. Chicken Curry

8. Chicken Nuggets

9. Chicken Strips

10. Crispy Duck

The news follows the launch of an interactive map by Just Eat that shows how takeaway habits across the East Midlands region compare to the rest of the UK.

To gather the data, Just Eat analysed food orders placed on the website throughout 2018. Similar product names and alternate spelling variants were identified and grouped together as part of the analysis

Levellers are returning to headline the Roadmender in June.

The band will be playing a career spanning set featuring material from across their 11 studio albums.

Last year, Levellers released the album We The Collective which featured re-workings and acoustic versions of some of their biggest hits.

It featured two new songs, The Shame, whose accompanying video was a hard-hitting piece showing the plight of refugees in Europe, and Drug Bust McGee, which tackles the subject of undercover policing.

It became the band’s highest charting album since 1997’s Mouth to Mouth.

Levellers headline the Northampton venue on Friday, June 28.

Tickets cost £28 before fees and are on sale now via theroadmender.com

For more details, visit https://www.levellers.co.uk

Adam Ant will play his Friend or Foe album in full at Royal & Derngate later this year.

The gig is part of a huge UK tour and tickets went on sale this morning (March 8).

The Friend or Foe album was Adam’s first release as a solo artist and included three hit singles.

The massive hit Goody Two Shoes reached number one in the UK, was also number one in Australia and hit number six in the USA Billboard Chart.

Friend or Foe, the single, was another top ten hit in the UK while Desperate But Not Serious was the album’s third UK smash.

The LP his most successful solo album to date, reached number five in the UK album charts and was certified gold album on both sides of the Atlantic after selling more than 100,000 copies.

In the USA, the album reached number 16 on the Billboard album chart and turned Adam Ant into a household name, resulting in a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and an MTV Award for Sexiest Man Alive.

As well has playing this album in full, the show will include other chart topping singles and personal favourites.

From his early punk days in London to his explosion on the world stage that would lead to him becoming an icon, Adam Ant’s musical career spans the course of nine albums and 22 chart-topping singles worldwide.

At one point, Adam had eight singles in the UK Top 40 in one week.

His 1979 debut album Dirk Wears White Sox was the first number one album in the UK Independent Albums Chart.

The follow-up album Kings of the Wild Frontier that featured his trademark Burundi beat style of African drumming spent 12 weeks at number one in the UK and was the best-selling album of 1981.

The record featured three singles, Dog Eat Dog, Antmusic Kings of the Wild Frontier and won Adam a Brit Award for Best New Artist.

On its day of release, the smash hit single Stand and Deliver went straight to number one, and remained at the top spot in the UK Singles Chart for five weeks, earning Adam two Ivor Novello Awards for Best Songwriter of the Year and Best British Record.

The Prince Charming album produced yet another number one single - Prince Charming, which further firmly established Adam Ant as a global star.

Adam Ant headlines the Derngate stage on Monday, November 25.

Tickets available from BookingsDirect.com, the venue box office and select authorized ticket agents.

For more information, visit http://www.adam-ant.com.

US rockers Living Colour are headlining the Roadmender in July.

For more than 30 years, the band have created, recorded and performed their own brand of heavy rock that draws as much inspiration from yesteryear soul men and rock gods as they do from post-bop jazz and boulevard-shaking hip-hop.

Founded by guitarist Vernon Reid back when he was still a dreadlocked sideman with Ronald Shannon Jackson and other East Village noise ensembles, Living Colour includes vocalist Corey Glover, drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Doug Wimbish.

The band released their latest album Shade in 2017 - their first new record in eight years.

The initial spark for the LP came via the spirit of blues pioneer Robert Johnson who possessed Living Colour’s soul during a performance at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre.

Reid said: “That was really the beginning of us thinking of the direction we want to take for our next project.

“Hearing that blend of blues and metal was really what got the wheels turning.”

Living Colour’s blues incorporate myriad influences, while speaking to the politically-charged climate of the times.

The band gave fans a sneak peak of the recording in 2016 when they dropped a reimagined take on The Notorious B.I.G.’s Who Shot Ya? in protest at ongoing gun violence and racial profiling.

Bassist Wimbish said: “Making records is an art and a process, and sometimes it can be easier to herd cats.

“But, when it connects and we come together, it’s a beautiful thing. Shade is a testimony to who Living Colour is, to our chameleon quality.”

While other veteran rockers are content with life on the road, Living Colour relish working on new material together, with Shade is a testament to that spirit.

“To me, there seems to be a shadow cast across our collective lives,” explains Reid.

“We can either allow it to oppress us or we can shine a light on it.

“Shade is the sound of a band coming to terms with the shadows and shining a light by using the blues as a mirror.”

Living Colour headline the Roadmender on Saturday, July 20.

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £25 in advance before fees. Visit theroadmender.com for details

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson suggested on Wednesday (March 6) that armed forces were 'ready to respond' to tackle the knife crime crisis where police are short in numbers.

It came as the Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick said she would be willing to have troops support her officers in London to battle the rise in stabbings.

But Northamptonshire's Chief Constable Nick Adderley has rejected the suggestion and says the idea is an admission of the UK's policing crisis.

He told the Chronicle & Echo: "It's an incredibly naive statement. The Army would not have the powers to do the things that we would need them to do, unless the Government gave them those powers.

"But are we really saying that the policing in country is in such a crisis that we need the army to support it?

"The last thing I want to see is troops in the street. Who would be responsible for them? I would not be, as I would not have them."

This week, the knife crime epidemic has sparked furious debate about police numbers and whether the Government is failing young people.

Over 285 people have been stabbed to death in Britain in the past 12 months. Among them were Northampton's own Louis-Ryan Menezes, 17, and Daniel Fitzjohn, 35.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday (March 7) told the UK's police forces they must use their existing budgets to tackle knife crime, and dismissed calls for extra funding for the force.

Chief Constable Adderley said: "If the Chancellor is telling the police to prioritise resources to tackle knife crime then we have to move resources away from other areas. That means you can no longer focus on problems like burglary and sexual offences.

"The public then are frustrated because they feel they are not getting the focus they deserve in those areas. Other areas suffer.

"There's a problem though is even if the Chancellor handed over £5million and told us to solve knife crime it would not be a big help. More services than just the police need funding to solve this problem."

The number of police officers in England and Wales has dropped by more than 20,000 since 2010.

The Cobblers have announced they have frozen season ticket prices for the eighth season in a row.

It means supporters will pay the same price for a season ticket for the 2019/20 campaign as they did in 2011/12.

The club have also announced the early-bird option will run on most tickets until May 25, with the price for an adult season ticket in the Sheinman Opticians Stand (north stand) being £249, which works out at a little more than £10 per game.

Tickets are on sale now, with existing season-ticket holders having until June 30 to renew for the new campaign, which will start on Saturday, August 3.

A club statement read: “Northampton Town season tickets are now on sale for the 2019/20 season.

“Prices have once again been frozen for next season, which means season tickets for 2019/20 are the same price they were in 2011/12.

“Existing season ticket holders will have until June 30 to renew their seats for next season, after which time they will be released for next season.

“A Northampton Town season ticket entitles you to: Your seat guaranteed for all home league games.

“The opportunity to purchase your seat for all home cup games - remember the scramble for Manchester United EFL Cup tickets?!

“Matchday ticket concession prices start for over 65s, but over 60s can claim a concession season ticket.

“You have access to away cup tickets over non season ticket holders and you can pay on instalments with Zebra Finance.

“Under 7s season tickets are free, while adult season tickets start from just over £10 per game.”

Other benefits for season ticket holders include exclusive discounts to club events including the end of season dinner and golf day, 10 per cent off room hire at the PTS Academy Stadium for any event or occasion.

Season ticket holders will also receive a free club membership.

Full details and prices can be found at www.ntfc.co.uk

The club statement continued: “The quickest and easiest way to buy a season ticket is via ntfcdirect.co.uk

“Please note concession season tickets will not be released until proof of eligibility is received.”

Six-year-old Charlie is a springer spaniel who previously worked for West Midlands Police and has joined Northamptonshire Police following the retirement of his previous handler.

He was purchased as a result of funding by Northamptonshire Police officers and staff, and is one of eight new specialist search dogs joining the force to help officers track down evidence of criminal activity.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly was on hand to welcome Charlie on his first shift yesterday (Thursday), alongside PC Ian McDonald who has led Charlie through his last four weeks of re-handling training.

Looking at how Charlie has settled into searching here in Northamptonshire, PC McDonald, said: “Charlie has been an absolute pleasure to work with. In the past four weeks, he has shown a real focus and determination for searches. When he’s caught a scent, there is no stopping him.

“He has bounds of energy and is always ready and waiting for his next challenge. He loves getting involved in searches – nearly as much as he loves his favourite tennis ball.

“I’m expecting big results from Charlie, and I’m excited to see all of the fantastic work I’m certain he will achieve whilst here at Northants Police.”

A two-week-long operation starting on Monday, March 11, will target people who fail to wear their seatbelts while on the roads. Those found to not be wearing one will face further action.

Over the course of the operation, officers from across the force, including enforcement vehicles, will be out and about across the county, looking for anyone who isn’t belted up.

PC Dave Lee of Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Roads Team, said: “Wearing a seatbelt in a car is such a basic piece of road safety advice that it amazes me that some people still fail to use one. This also applies to people not wearing their seatbelt correctly.

“For the next two weeks, we will be out and about across the county looking for people who can’t spend five seconds putting their seatbelt on. The penalties people may face can include a fixed penalty fine and in some cases, a court appearance."

Every year, seatbelt use in passenger vehicles saves more than 10,000 lives.

People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash and more than three out of four people who are ejected during a fatal crash die from their injuries.

Seatbelts work in conjunction with other car safety features including airbags - it’s important to wear your seatbelt correctly as intended by the manufacturers.

PC Dave Lee added: “Please take responsibility for your personal safety on the roads – having attended a number of fatal road traffic collisions where people have been ejected from the car following the crash, I can tell you that the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt just aren’t worth contemplating. Please belt up.”

Home may not have been a particularly sweet place for the Cobblers in recent games, but fit-again Sam Foley can’t wait to step out on the PTS Academy Stadium turf again on Saturday.

The 32-year-old’s most recent outing at home was in the highly encouraging 3-0 win over Carlisle United on January 12, but it’s fair to say pickings have been pretty slim for the home faithful since then.

The combative midfielder was a very frustrated spectator for Town’s past three home games, that have seen the team booed from the pitch at the end.

A tear in a disc in his back ensured he had to sit out the frustrating draws with lowly Morecambe and Crawley Town, as well as the chastening 4-0 hammering at the hands of Colchester United, but Foley is fit again now and in line to start in Saturday’s showdown with promotion-chasing Exeter City (ko 2pm).

He returned to action a fortnight ago and played a key part in the on-the-road wins at Stevenage and Crewe Alexandra, and believes the team’s home form is only going to benefit from the confidence and belief gained from those victories.

And Foley believes the secret to turning things around at the PTS is pretty simple - the team just needs to work harder to get the supporters right behind them.

“I think we have shown away from home that it is that hard work ethic that is getting us through games and is getting us results,” said Foley.

“For me, I have always enjoyed playing at home and the crowd gets right behind you if you can create that good atmosphere through your play.

“Sometimes if you don’t do that then the crowd can turn, and that happens at every club, but we as a team thrive on that atmosphere when the fans get behind us.

“When they do, it can benefit us, and I think Sixfields is a tough place to come for opposition teams.

“So if we can replicate our desire and away form that we have shown into our a home performance, then I think the home form should improve.”

On the face of it, Town’s home form has hardly been disastrous anyway.

The team have lost just once on home soil since early September, but the problem has been there have been too many draws (six in the past eight home games), and also, the odd game aside, there has been precious little entertainment on offer either.

Asked why he feels the team has performed better away than at home, certainly since the turn of the year, Foley added: “There could be a number of factors.

“At home, we know we are a good team, and sometimes that can be your downfall.

“When you look at the opposition for what they are, it’s 11 v 11 and you have to roll your sleeves up and match them for everything, and then do more.

“When we have done that away from home recently we have got our rewards, so if we do that at home then I think we should be okay.”

Whatever happens against Exeter this weekend, Foley is just delighted to be playing again after suffering an injury that left him struggling to get around in every day life, never mind kick a football around.

“I took a fall in the win over Carlisle at home, and I had a big inflammation in my lower back, and it took a couple of weeks for us to really find out what it was,” explained Foley.

“We went to see a specialist and there was a tear in one of discs in my back, so I had an epidural which he said would sort me out.

“That took a couple of weeks, and then the gaffer just thrust me back in which is what I would want, although it’s probably not good for my body.

“But I just want to play and it was frustrating not being able to do anything for three weeks as I was in a bad way.

“It took time to get things sorted out, but once it was done I just wanted to get back playing and the gaffer showed a lot of faith in me by throwing me straight in.

“It was frustrating, but there was nothing I could have done.

“It’s not as if I had a slight niggle or was not playing for a different reason, I literally couldn’t help them.

“I wanted them to do well, and I am now just so happy to be back and physically fit again.”

Foley is likely to start in Saturday’s clash with Exeter, who are fifth in the division and have become perennial play-off contenders, losing the past two finals at Wembley.

They are in a position the Cobblers would love to be.

Town seem to at last be heading the right direction as they go into Saturday’s game off the back of a five-match unbeaten run, but Foley insists that means nothing this weekend.

“The match is a good measuring stick for us,” said Foley.

“It is a bit of cliche to say you are only as good as your last game, but that is the case.

“We can forget all the games that have been and gone, we are off the back of a good win and a good performance, but Exeter is going to be a totally different challenge.

“The lads have to be ready and prepared for that.”

Officers from Northampton have been out in force as part of a day of action to disrupt criminal activity in the town, Northamptonshire Police says.

More than 20 officers were involved in the operation yesterday (Thursday), which saw members of the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team join forces with the town's proactive team.

Officers took part in a number of activities including high-visibility patrols, the execution of a warrant, visiting vulnerable members of the community as well as speed enforcement at known hotspots.

The team executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at an address, which resulted in the safeguarding of a vulnerable adult and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy who was wanted out of county for breach of court bail.

During a visit of concern for welfare a further four people, two men aged 21 and 46 and two women aged 19 and 40, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

PCSOs Andrew Emberton and Tony Sereno got on their bikes to patrol areas where there has been recent burglaries to provide crime prevention advice as well as visiting known anti-social behaviour hotspots.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant, Rebecca Izzard, said: “These events are a great opportunity to check on the more vulnerable members of our community as well increase our visibility in and around the town.

“As part of our activities we offered crime prevention advice to residents in areas where there has been a number of burglaries and patrolled areas where there has been issues with anti-social behaviour.”

Officers were in Granary Road, Eastern Avenue North and Holly Lodge Road using a handheld device as part of the speed enforcement activities.

While in the evening, officers were joined by members of the Emergency Services Cadets on their high-visibility patrols of Weston Favell village.

South Northamptonshire Council has raised no objections to plans to build a five-storey hotel trackside at Silverstone Circuit.

The 197-room hotel would be operated by Hilton alongside the race track, which hosts the Formula One British Grand Prix.

The proposals, by Silverstone Circuit Ltd (SCL), have been given outline planning approval as part of an overall masterplan and delivers the first phase of a redevelopment of part of the circuit.

The hotel would include a reception and lobby area, a coffee shop, fitness suite and a rooftop bar and restaurant. The ground floor would be retained by SCL for hospitality purposes.

Although the hotel application is in the Aylesbury Vale district, South Northamptonshire Council has been given the chance to comment on the latest design proposals as it is close to the authority’s border, and members of its planning committee agreed yesterday (March 7) not to raise any objections.

The councillors did have concerns about the original design of the hotel, which would also include a footbridge to the Silverstone Wing.

Comments from the council said the overall design was ‘somewhat disappointing’ and ‘lacked the visual interest that was expected’.

But revised designs for the hotel, which is aiming to be open by 2020, eased some of the councillors’ concerns.

Councillor Michael Clarke said: “I think the revised design is terrific and it’s in keeping with what Formula One is all about.”

Councillor Phil Bignell added: “I didn’t like the original design, but this is a lot better. But I still feel like they’ve missed a trick.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Steven Hollowell continued to have concerns over the design, saying: “Aylesbury Vale District Council will have to decide whether this application accords with their development plan. Personally I think it’s quite an ugly structure, but I do agree with the recommendation to not raise any objections.”

The revised design is also set to take on board suggestions from Northamptonshire Police, which had objected to the proposals as it had ‘no regards for the potential of crime or terrorism’.

The force’s crime prevention design advisor is still objecting to the scheme, but it is understood that architects are working on implementing some of the police suggestions, including rotating the proposed car park by 90 degrees so that it’s not possible to drive a car directly at the building. It is also suggested that bollards are built alongside the access road. The objection is likely to be withdrawn if the suggestions are included.

Eight Northamptonshire residents have been contacted by ‘fake’ police officers in the space of two days in an elaborate attempt to fraudulently obtain money - with two victims falling for the con.

Between Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 6, a total of eight people reported having received calls from a male purporting to be a police officer from the Metropolitan Police.

Five offences were reported in Kettering, two in Corby and one in Daventry.

The Northants Telegraph warned of the scam just a week ago

The caller used a variety of different names when calling the home telephone lines – although in four of the cases the name DC Morris was used. He claimed to be from Paddington Green Police Station, Hammersmith Police Station, Charing Cross Police Station or New Scotland Yard.

Officer Jamie Lindley, from the Fraud Crime Team, said: “Although in each case the circumstances varied slightly, each of them involved the caller stating that they had a suspect who was using the victim’s bank card to make purchases. The caller then asked the victim to check if the card was still in their possession, and if so, he stated that the suspect must have a cloned card.

“The caller also informed the victim of suspicious activity on the card. In some cases the caller advised them to call the number on their bank card to verify this with their bank. The caller advised the victim that he/she would hear a beep on their phone line, after which they should telephone their bank. What the victims often don’t realise is they are still on the line to the same fraudster as the original call has not been disconnected.

“Victims are often also told that corrupt bank staff are suspected of involvement, and the victim’s cash in their account is being replaced with counterfeit notes. The victim is asked to attend their bank and make a large cash withdrawal so that the ‘officer’ can confirm if the withdrawn cash is indeed counterfeit. The caller will also tell the victim to lie to bank staff as to what the purpose of the withdrawal is for, to avoid tipping off the bank staff.

“Once the victim has returned home with the money, the caller asks the victim to read out serial numbers from the bank notes and tells them that it is counterfeit – the money is in fact genuine - and will need to be seized as evidence. A courier is arranged to collect the cash from the victim’s home address, often quoting a password pre-arranged with the caller.

“Victims are warned not to tell anyone of their involvement in helping the police as it will jeopardise the investigation.“

In six of the reported cases, the victims became suspicious and while they have been affected emotionally, no money has been handed over.

Unfortunately, in two of the cases, the victims had couriers attend their addresses and one of them handed over a bank card, while in the other case, cash was handed over.”

Police are advising people on how to avoid this scam:

• Neither the police, your bank or any other trusted organisation will ever ask you to withdraw cash from your account, or move money to a safe account, or send someone to collect money from you

• Never disclose any personal or financial information as a result of an unexpected call

• If you are unsure as to the identity of a caller, end the call, and call back the organisation on a trusted number you have obtained yourself

• Please report all such incidents to Northamptonshire Police

Visit the Take Five to Stop Fraud website for more advice on how to stay safe from scams.

Azaan Kaleem was killed almost a year ago in Luton when a group of strangers surrounded him in broad daylight and repeatedly stabbed him.

At an event today at Sessions House, Northampton, to expose children on the brink of gangs to the inevitable outcomes if they continue, Roseann Taylor stood and narrated over CCTV footage of her son's death as it was projected on a screen.

"You can see this is where he dies," Mrs Taylor said as Azaan slumped against a car.

As he fell to the ground, Mrs Taylor said: "And that's it, he's gone."

The event was to encourage the nine teenage boys to engage with CIRV (Community Initiative to Reduce Violence), a multi-agency project to reduce gang-related violence which has been successful in Cincinnati, Boston and Glasgow.

Mrs Taylor went on to describe the horror of trying to get to her son while paramedics were working to save his life on the street, and, later, holding the telephone to his ear in hospital so relatives could talk to him even though she knew he was gone.

It was a further tragedy, Mrs Taylor said, that because Azaan was murdered and his body had to be withheld by the coroner, his organs couldn't be donated. She has since been told several other people were not saved as a result.

And she relayed to the boys the never-ending impact of the attack on her life and that of Azaan's family.

She said: "You have the anniversary of him being stabbed, the anniversary of him being brain dead, the day they switched off the machines. You have Christmas, New Year, his birthday - it just goes on and on and on."

Mrs Taylor was one of eleven people speaking to the boys from personal and professional experience, all telling them that they have a chance to lead a better life.

Talking about the room they were all in, a former court room, Anton Noble a youth worker who had turned his life around after being in a gang, said: "I was there, sat where you are. And the worst thing is, I had no power, the judge had all the power and that hurts, I promise you."

But he added: "But the good news is, CIRV is here to help you."

Stagecoach have announced an overhaul to their Northamptonshire services and hope to give young people more reason to ride the bus for less.

However, the new prices have nudged up the fares of the standard day rider many people use to get to work and travel.

The new fares take effect as of April 14.

A day travel ticket now costs £4.20 a time, up from £4.00. The weekly ticket is now £15 and the monthly ticket is now £53.30.

However, the megarider Plus weekly and monthly tickets will be coming down £1 and £2 respectively.

Meanwhile, the age that someone can buy a child/young person ticket has changed from 15 to 'under 19', and the price is a consistent 25 per cent off the adult price.

From mid July, seven day and 28 day young people tickets will be introduced at 25 per cent off the adult price.

And a new 'Studyrider' ticket will be introduced to replace the 'Termrider' ticket, and will allow travel all day, every day during the school term. The prices - which are yet to be confirmed - will be worked out based on distance travel but should be 25 per cent off the adult price.

Stagecoach say they have announced the changes as part of a plan to simplify their tickets.

For more information on Stagecoach ticket prices, visit their website.

Managing director Phil Medicott said: "We looked at our fares as a whole and tried to ensure that, although we had to put some fares up, there are more people who will see their fares change positively.

"Young people are amongst the biggest winners. We need to encourage young people to stay with public transport to help tackle the catastrophic congestion we see on the roads and throughout out cities and towns."

Possible Roman bone samples have been handed in at a Northampton museum after a dog walker discovered the fragments near the site of a suspected ancient cemetery.

Last week, emails seen by the Chronicle and Echo revealed archaeologists had unearthed the remains of 35 bodies while preparing land at Buckton Fields for a new 380-home development.

As a result, the company carrying out the excavation, Oxford Archeology, believe the area behind Smith's Farm shop in Chapel Brampton to be a late-Roman burial site

Neither the developers Ensign Group, landowners Northamptonshire County Council, nor the archaeologists have issued an official comment about the find and what it means for the overall development.

Meanwhile, items continue to be found on the land.

On Sunday, March 3, Joanne Blakesley was walking her dog Bessie across the fields near to where one of the mounds of earth dug up by the archaeology team.

"There was just this object on top of one of the mounds," she said.

"My daughter picked it up. She thought it was a bit of card or stone or something. It didn't really look like a bone at first.

"When she bought it closer we realised what it was."

Joanne and her daughter Lexi, eight, also discovered a shard of pottery on their Sunday morning walk. Though they could not work out which part of the body the bone-related to.

Lexi has already wowed her classmates by taking the items into school. But Joanne has now handed the bone and pottery into Abington Park Museum, which will test the sample.

Oxford Archeology is expected to produce a report on its findings in due course.