Fixture: Notts County v Northampton Town, Sky Bet League Two

Date/time: Saturday, April 6, 3pm kick-off

Forecast: 11C, cloudy

Venue: Meadow Lane

Outs and doubts: Magpies: none. Cobblers: George Cox (ankle), Junior Morias (ill), Jordan Turnbull (ankle)

Betting: County 7/5, draw 11/5, Northampton 2/1

Form guide: Magpies WLDWLD, Cobblers LLDWWW

Possible line-ups: County (4-3-3): Scholfield; Tootle, Duffy, Stubbs, Milsom; Rose, Doyle, O’Brien; Boldewijn, Hemmings, Stead. Northampton (4-4-1-1): Cornell; Goode, Taylor, Pierre, Buchanan; Hoskins, Foley, Elsnik, Bridge; Bowditch; Sordell.

Man in the middle: Ben Toner

Last time out: Stevenage 0 Notts County 3 (O’Brien, Hemmings, Boldewijn); Northampton 1 (Hoskins) Port Vale 2 (Worrall, Pope)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, September 22, 2018 - Northampton Town 0 Notts County 0

Record v Notts County: P54 W16 D12 L26

Opposition view: “We have had to fight and scrap just to get into contention,” said Neal Ardley on County’s relegation battle. “In my mind this will go down to the very last game of the season.

“Northampton are another team with a lot of height who are strong on set pieces, so we can’t afford a bad day defending those or we’ll have no chance of winning the game.”

James Heneghan’s preview: Saturday’s trip to troubled Notts County takes Cobblers back to the scene of one of the most memorable moments in the club’s recent history – and it didn’t even come on the pitch.

After goals from defenders Brendan Moloney and Rod McDonald helped Northampton to a 2-1 victory at Meadow Lane in 2015, Chris Wilder came out for what was expected to be a routine post-match interview, but there was nothing routine about it.

After a brief chat about the game, Wilder launched into a remarkable rant that will go down in Cobblers folklore. So worked up about the off-field situation, he spent 10 minutes addressing the club’s financial turmoil and pleaded with then-chairman David Cardoza to sell up and let Kelvin Thomas take over.

And it did the trick, or at least played a part, as Thomas finally completed his takeover the following week, saving the club from oblivion and paving the way for Town’s sensational march to the League Two title.

These days, Northampton are in a healthier position off the pitch but it’s on it where they continue to struggle and after Keith Curle delivered a forthright post-match interview of his own last week, the response from his players, not to mention his team selection at Meadow Lane, will be intriguing.

If he does ring the changes, those hoping for an opportunity include Timi Elsnik, bright off the bench in the calamitous defeat to Port Vale, Dean Bowditch, Joe and Daniel Powell and Shay Facey. Curle could also have possibility of calling upon Jordan Turnbull and Junior Morias after both trained this week.

While the Cobblers are running out of things to play for this season, the same most definitely cannot be said for their opponents as Notts County continue a season-long fight to avoid dropping out of the Football League for the first time in the club’s long history.

Kevin Nolan, who led the Magpies to the play-offs only 11 months ago, lasted just five matches of the current campaign, promptly removed from his position when County were marooned to the foot of League Two in August, becoming the first managerial casualty of the EFL season.

The Magpies would remain there for the following seven months. Harry Kewell came and went after 10 games and it’s now Neal Ardley picking up the pieces. Despite some decent results, including last weekend’s 3-0 win at Stevenage, County remain in the bottom two, where they’ve been since mid-November. Their form at Meadow Lane has been particularly poor this season – no team in the division have won fewer home games (4).

But thanks to Yeovil Town’s spectacularly poor run – 11 defeats in 13 – and Macclesfield’s stuttering form, there’s a chink of light for Notts who could finally move out of the bottom two with any positive result against the Cobblers.

Town have a lot less riding on the game but it can work one of two ways: the pressure and tension may prove too much for the Magpies or their added motivation could be all they need to take the points. That said, Northampton too should be desperate to redeem themselves given last week’s horror show.

This question is: will the Cobblers be appeh come 5pm tomorrow?

Prediction: Notts County 2 Northampton Town 2

A door and a window of a Barton Seagrave home were damaged during an attempted burglary.

On Thursday, April 4, between 9:10am and 3:20pm, where an unknown offender entered the rear garden of the property in Humphrey Close before causing the damage

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Diesel is being stockpiled by South Northamptonshire Council in preparation for any risks connected with a disorderly Brexit.

The council’s scrutiny committee were last night (April 4) given a list of risks connected with such a scenario, and these included vehicle fuel, supply chains, community tensions and safety, residents’ rights and potential elections.

South Northamptonshire Council’s assistant director for communications, engagement and transformation, Peter Holt, told councillors that the authority was ready for anything that could be thrown at it but that risks were ‘very low’.

He said: “I won’t pretend to predict what will happen next in this, but we have been working on potential issues that could come up, and how likely they are to have an impact on our residents. We’ve been putting together proportional responses, and we’ve almost been treating it as a business continuity case.

“One of the Brexit risks is diesel fuel for our waste collection vehicles. The likelihood of any risk coming to fruition is incredibly low, but it could have a high impact on residents if it does. There’s no intelligence to suggest that there is a risk, but we’ve taken a proportional approach to it.

“Typically our fuel depot contains 15,000 litres, although they can cope with up to 50,000 litres. So as a precautionary measure, and because we would be using that fuel later on anyway, we had made sure in advance of March 29 that we had topped it up to 50,000 litres.

“That’s enough for six weeks of supply, and now that the March 29 deadline has passed we will be keeping it topped up to that level as long as Brexit continues, and it is at no extra cost.”

The UK was due to leave the European Union on March 29, but the process has been delayed as parliament struggles to agree on the exit mechanism, or whether there may be any further public votes on the issue, or whether Article 50 may be revoked altogether.

The latest exit date is currently for next Friday (April 12), but this morning Prime Minister Theresa May requested a further delay from the EU until June 30.

It leaves open the possibility of the UK, and South Northamptonshire residents, taking part in the European Parliament elections on May 23.

And Mr Holt said: “There’s no decision yet on whether there will be any elections, but my colleagues are doing contingency plans in case we have to whizz into action at short notice.”

Councillors were also told it would be particularly helpful if they could notify the authority if they sensed any ‘growing tension’ over Brexit in their local communities.

Mr Holt added: “There’s no evidence to suggest that there’s likely to be any riots or violence on the streets of Towcester and Brackley. In reality, Northamptonshire officers are more likely to be called to the streets of major cities if anything like that does happen.”

He also outlined that although the council only had a ‘small proportion’ of migrant workers, they were ‘geared up’ to be supportive of them in their duty of care.

Scrutiny chair Councillor Sandra Barnes said: “It’s great that we are thinking about these things. I assume if we were to have EU elections then there would be a small turnout."

And Councillor Richard Dallyn added: “At least we have a Plan B here, which is more than we can say about our parliament.”

Darren Dawidiuk is set to make his first Saints appearance after being named on the bench for Sunday's Gallagher Premiership game against Gloucester (kick-off 3pm).

Dawidiuk, a former Cherry and Whites hooker, joined Saints on a deal until the end of the season back in January.

And the 31-year-old, who scored in the Wanderers' defeat at Worcester on Monday night, is now primed to get some first-team game time.

He will provide back-up for Reece Marshall, with James Fish ruled out due to the concussion he suffered in the first half of the 61-38 defeat to Clermont Auvergne last Sunday.

Saints make four changes from that European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat, with Francois van Wyk, Heinrich Brüssow and Ahsee Tuala also coming in.

Van Wyk replaces Alex Waller at loosehead, Brüssow comes in for Api Ratuniyarawa, with Courtney Lawes moving from the back row to the second row.

And Tuala is in on the wing, in place of Tom Collins, who is not in the matchday squad.

Teimana Harrison will be the Saints skipper on the day.

Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), Mikey Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee), Ehren Painter (calf), Paddy Ryan (knee), James Haskell (toe), Fraser Dingwall (ankle), David Ribbans (ankle) and Fish (concussion) are all sidelined.

Third-placed Gloucester, who are nine points ahead of Saints in the league standings, have injury problems of their own, with their first-choice back three all ruled out.

Jason Woodward, Tom Marshall and Ollie Thorley are out, meaning Tom Hudson, Charlie Sharples and Matt Banahan come in.

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; van Wyk, Marshall, Hill; Moon, Lawes; Ludlam, Brüssow, Harrison (c).

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Waller, Franks, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Mitchell, Burrell, Pisi.

Gloucester: Hudson; Banahan, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Sharples; Cipriani, Heinz (c); Hohneck, Marais, Balmain; Slater, Mostert; Ackermann, Kriel, Morgan.

Replacements: Sherry, Rapava Ruskin, Dreyer, Savage, Clarke, Polledri, Braley, Seabrook.

British Grand Prix racegoers at Silverstone will be treated to an acrobatic display from the Red Arrows as they return to the skies this summer.

The flying squad are a regular feature at the Northamptonshire circuit and have announced their summer flying display schedule.

The Red Arrows will delight the race day crowd on Sunday, July 14.

Exact display times are released closer to the actual date of performances.

There are three types of display the team leader can choose to fly – full, rolling or flat.

To carry out a full, looping, display the base of the cloud must be above 5,500ft to avoid the aircraft entering the cloud at the top of the loop.

If the cloud base is less than 5,500ft, but more than 2,500ft, the team will perform the rolling display – substituting wing-overs and rolls for the loops.

And when the cloud base is below 2,500ft, the Team will fly the flat display, consisting of a series of flypasts and steep turns.

The Red Arrows begin training for the forthcoming season almost as soon as the previous year has ended.

Typically, winter training starts in October, with small groups of three or four aircraft formations.

Fixture: Northampton Saints v Gloucester

Competition: Gallagher Premiership (round 18)

Venue: Franklin's Gardens

Date and kick-off time: Sunday, April 7, 2019, 3pm

Television coverage: BT Sport 1

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; van Wyk, Marshall, Hill; Moon, Lawes; Ludlam, Brüssow, Harrison (c).

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Waller, Franks, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Mitchell, Burrell, Pisi.

Gloucester: Hudson; Banahan, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Sharples; Cipriani, Heinz (c); Hohneck, Marais, Balmain; Slater, Mostert; Ackermann, Kriel, Morgan.

Replacements: Sherry, Rapava Ruskin, Dreyer, Savage, Clarke, Polledri, Braley, Seabrook.

Outs: Saints: Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), Mikey Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee), Ehren Painter (calf), Paddy Ryan (knee), James Haskell (toe), Fraser Dingwall (ankle), David Ribbans (ankle), James Fish (concussion).

Most recent meeting: Friday, November 9, 2018: Gloucester 14 Saints 12 (Premiership Rugby Cup pool stages)

Tom's preview: Saints had two all or nothing matches in the month of March, and it feels very much like they are starting April with one, too.

Because if they lose to Gloucester at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, it would seem extremely unlikely that they will make the play-offs in the Gallagher Premiership this season.

But if they win, they would take another big step towards the top four.

They can't end the weekend in the play-off positions no matter what happens, but they can really start breathing down the necks of third-placed Gloucester and fourth-placed Harlequins.

With five games to go, Saints are eight points behind Quins and nine adrift of Gloucester.

But they play both in the next two matches, meaning there are two huge opportunities to make up some ground.

That would propel Saints into the final three fixtures - away to Newcastle, at home to Worcester and away to Exeter - in high spirits and a with a strong league standing.

And there is no reason why Chris Boyd's men should not prevail in the race for a play-off place.

But even if they don't make it, if they could secure a top-six finish, it would be a job well done.

A Premiership Rugby Cup triumph, a European Challenge Cup quarter-final appearance and a top-six finish would be above what many would have expected from Saints.

Their progress under Boyd has been impressive and whatever happens now, it looks like they will have enjoyed a strong first season under the Kiwi boss.

But if they could just claim a few more wins between now and the end of an entertaining campaign, it would be a real boost for the club going into the summer.

Gloucester will not go quietly this weekend and they have already shown they can win away to their rivals, having cruised past Quins at The Stoop.

But Saints will believe that they can get the job done in front of their own fans.

And if they do, they will set themselves up for what will feel like another knockout game six days later.

Tom's prediction: Saints 25 Gloucester 23

Northampton's Hope Centre has released photos of 21 of the people who passed away during that time having, in almost every case, been rough sleeping in Northampton. Over recent weeks the charity has made a concerted effort to humanise the statistics on homelessness in Northampton after it was revealed the town had the highest death rate in the East Midlands. The release of the pictures, it says, is part of that process. "It's important we make everyone aware that behind every blanket and every tent in every doorway there is a story," said homeless worker Stan Robertson of Northampton's Project 16:15. "'Every one of these people was someone's son or daughter." The Hope Centre has asked for surnames to be reduced to just the initial.

John Lodge of the Moody Blues headlines the Stables in Wavendon next month as part of a series of solo shows across the UK.

Lodge released his second solo album, 10,000 Light Years Ago in 2015 and the show will feature his classic Moody Blues hits together with a selection of solo tracks.

John will appear with his 10,000 Light Years Band which features long term collaborator Alan Hewitt on keyboards, Billy Ashbaugh on drums, Duffy King on guitar and Jason Charboneau on cello.

He said: “I can’t wait to bring my 10,000 Light Years Band to the UK for these concerts

“The support of the British fans during my career has been fantastic and it’s my way off saying ‘thank you’ for Keeping the faith.”

As a member of The Moody Blues since 1966, John Lodge has spent much of his life touring the world.

His first solo album Natural Avenue was released in 1977, but was never performed live.

During his career with the Moody Blues, Lodge has received numerous awards including an Ivor Novello for Outstanding Contribution to Music and an ASCAP (American Society Of Composers & Publishers).

He was also recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

He headlines The Stables on Friday, April 12, tickets cost £37.50 & £35.00 in advance before fees via https://stables.org

Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac are back in the county this month with their anniversary tour, 50 Years The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac.

Channelling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, the band offers fans the chance to rediscover the songs and performances which made the band household names.

Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member Mick Fleetwood, Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.

The show will also include a blues set which pays tribute to the band’s Peter Green era.

Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac headline Royal & Derngate on Sunday, April 21.

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £28.50 before fees.

For more information visit www.rumoursoffleetwoodmac.com and www.royalandderngate.co.uk

The Northampton Music Festival will remain in the town centre for the 12th year running – thanks to sponsorship from the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

The festival returns on Sunday, June 16, and will feature six stages of acts from Northampton and across the UK

BID executive Rob Purdie said: “It is fantastic to be able to sponsor and support one of the most significant events on the town centre calendar.

“The BID has been crucial in helping develop the festival over recent years and we have already started working closely with organisers to ensure Northampton Music Festival 2019 is even better than ever. We can’t wait.”

The main stage will be in the Market Square, there will be classical and choral music at All Saints Piazza, The Platform in George Row will feature a line up curated by the University of Northampton and Northampton College during the day and BBC Introducing during the evening.

Abington Street will feature music from the Northampton Ukulele Group and a line up by the Umbrella Fair.

The Guildhall Courtyard will host jazz and NN Contemporary Art Courtyard will host the New Boots stage.

Festival organiser Graham Roberts said: “We are delighted to have Northampton town centre BID on board again as one of our lead festival sponsors in 2019.

“It is through their support we have been able to develop the event over the years and keep it running in the heart of Northampton.

“We’re expecting thousands of people to come along to enjoy a day of music and fun and things are certainly getting exciting now.”

The operators of food and drink businesses who are interested in being part of NMF this year, can email info@northamptonbid.co.uk

For more information, visit www.northamptonmusicfestival.co.uk

A troublesome rat run, which has played host to drug dealers and abandoned vehicles, has been shut off this week thanks to authorities, giving residents peace of mind.

PCSO James Wetherall for Northamptonshire Police has been leading the way to keep residents in his patch feeling safe, with the help from Northampton Borough Council's councillor Les Marriott (Lab, Semilong).

On Tuesday the community saw a long-awaited iron fence installed between Alliston Gardens and Hester Steet, in Semilong, which has blocked off the end of an alley being used as a short-cut, a dumping ground for abandoned vehicles, and a hideaway for drug dealers.

The fence, paid for through the borough council's Northampton Community Safety Partnership Fund, was put up on Tuesday and already resident Matthew Tack said he's sleeping better at night. The fence is now in place of a former brick wall.

"When the wall got knocked down two years ago after we moved in then we really noticed [anti social behaviour increasing]," Matthew said. "People were hanging around and cutting through. The fence makes me sleep better at night.

"I know people here, it's a working class area, it has its problems like many places do. I think there's a strong sense of community around here but it's a minority who can make themselves feel present when they want to.

"There's been a lot of drug dealing, there was an empty abandoned car here last summer that got cleared away quite quickly. I have had dealings with the police, the council and other departments and for the most part they do the best they can.

"My peace of mind has gone up a hundred fold. You can't beat seeing a police officer walking around the streets. I really appreciate the police and councillor's efforts to get it done."

Sleaford Mods are back in the region this month as part of a huge 32-date UK tour.

The electronic post punk duo are playing the Assembly in Leamington, the O2 Academy in Leicester, the Roadmender in Northampton and Club 85 in Hitchin among other venues across the Midlands.

Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn released their latest album Eaton Alive in February, the record followed 2017s English Tapas.

As part of their tour, the pair are dropping into record shops for signing sessions ahead of shows, including at Spun Out in Northampton on April 18.

We spoke to singer Jason Williamson about the band’s new record which is available to order via https://sleaford-mods.myshopify.com

Q - How do you feel about Eton Alive, I presume you’re happy with the finished product. How do you think it differs to English Tapas?

A – “Yeah, definitely. It’s really strong, I'm really happy with it. I've listened to it so much that in my mind now it's an old record now and it's time to move on. I'm looking forward to playing it live and seeing the reaction from people. It'll be interesting to see how people react to it given that we think it's just a strong as any of the others. In some ways, it is quite different sounding to English Tapas. The aim is to always do something that's slightly different and that carries the formula along. I think there's a few poppier songs on it. The songs in general are more confident and more full sounding. It's slightly more commercial perhaps. We're dead happy with it.”

Q – Was it intentional to write something slightly more commercial, or was it just the music Andrew was writing at the time?

A – “That was literally it. I just said to him, 'look, do what you want'. We had no game plan and it normally works out if I leave Andrew to his own devices. I can't tell him what to do with it and to be honest, I'm not the best conductor a lot of the time. In the early days I knew what I wanted with it and we achieved that and it was like, 'where do we go now'. Thankfully, Andrew has turned the sound into his own and created his own trademark music. There's no big game plan. It's whatever he comes up with and he's obviously improved and he continues to.”

Q – This is the first record on your label, Extreme Eating. Was the plan always to establish a label and self-release?

A – “Rough Trade left us to our own devices, there was never anyone coming down to the studio in the middle of recording and telling us to put a verse there or chorus there - like you get with a lot of signed acts. It was sort of communicated to us that we didn't need Rough Trade. Our manager was convinced we could do it independently like we had done before, but wasn't the case and we parted company with our manager because of that. It was a premature decision really. In hindsight, I probably wouldn't have left and would have probably have done another album with them and then looked to getting an independent structure below us for future releases. I think we're up to speed with it now. We're doing all right.”

Q – The album title Eton Alive is obviously open to a few interpretations, can you explain the meaning behind it. There’s an intended class reference here isn’t there?

A – “The title is a pun on the political situation in the country, how the last eight years of austerity and policies that were injected into that were partly engineered by people that were educated at Eton. The album talks about the mood of the country. It's not a call to arms, it’s not an in-your-face political record. It more charters the mood and the vibe in people. How people have become despondent, beaten, powerless, even more so confused and divided.”

Q – Do you think we’ll ever see a change from rule by the Eton elite?

A – “It will shift at some point, whether that shift is in 50 years or 500 years. It will shift eventually. The human form will meet itself face-to-face and become what it should truly be which is a highly intelligent, carriage of thought and action. At the minute though, not at all. We're going to have this for a very long time. The English people are largely happy to be conquered by an aristocracy that in return will give them an English identity. I can't see it changing for a long time. There's going to be pockets of resistance and that will give the few a bit of hope from time to time but this will go on for a long time. I would be very surprised if it changed in my lifetime. They have their claws into the very fabric of what it is to be a human being in England and you can't get away from it. It's in our psychology. I try and separate myself from it but is still there.”

Q – You talk about the mood of the country, do you think art and culture thrives in periods of austerity when there’s such dissatisfaction and anger at the ruling classes?

A – “It can be, but it's shown us time and time again that it gets pulled in and it gets hijacked and turned into more of a marketplace stock figure than an actual lobbyist form of creativity. You'll get a couple of people that do it, us for one probably, a couple of others in the country, but not many. There are a lot of people under the guise of protest music currently that are far from it. True protest goes very undetected I imagine and isn't in the media, it certainly hasn't got a PR team. I'd be hesitant to think these periods of political darkness can create a massive wave of opposition in the creative market.”

Q – Turning to the new album, what are some of your favourite songs on the record?

A – “OBCT discusses my doubts and worries about now being in a more affluent area, having more money, living in a bigger house and connecting that to the shallowness, to the pointlessness of the music industry - its absolutely stupid systems and networks and way it promotes itself. It talks about the emptiness of celebrity and about the lie of celebrity. When you're confronted with it face-to-face it becomes so fantastically stupid. Into The Payzone talks about consumerism, about the higher level of consumerism I'm now experiencing because I've got more money. I go into town in my car, I leave my private property and I buy things in a much more fluid way and it's the solitary experience of that the numbness of it. I kind of envisioned it like Tron, where they've zigzagging around in these bright red and blue lines and it's all very insular. I was worried whether When You Come Up To Me was any good, but I think it really works as an album track. It talks about again the distance between ourselves and virtually everybody else, how it’s becoming bigger and how we are losing touch with each other in a real interpersonal sense. Discourse talks about old memories of working in a roadside cafe on a motorway. Some of the girls there were sort of moonlighting as sex workers to lorry drivers that turned up. Bleak horrible accounts of normal life really.”

Q – Earlier this year in a Guardian web chat, while talking about Idles you said music can’t solve political problems. Does political music matter?

A – “Yes, it does but I don't think it solves problems. You can't be looking to musicians to change things, it's a load of b******s. You can get bands that culturally change things. I'm very much a believer in that. Bands can't change political opinion, you're not going to get people in charge getting swayed by a band's message. Possibly, the only one that nearly came close to that was Bob Marley when he bought two presidents together. I'm sure these other accounts, but no generally, no.”

* Sleaford Mods play the Assembly in Leamington on April 11, the O2 Academy in Leicester on April 12, the Roadmender in Northampton on April 18 and Club 85 in Hitchin on May 11, among other dates. Visit seetickets.com/tour/sleaford-mods to book.

Detectives are appealing for the public’s help in identifying the burglars pictured in CCTV footage of a raid in Northampton.

A group of men broke into the basement of a shop in Abington Street, near to Dychurch Lane, at about 11.45pm on Thursday, March 28.

The burglars conducted a search of the premises before making off.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information regarding it.

They also want to speak to anyone who recognises the people pictured on the CCTV images.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The victim was walking on the Racecourse, Northampton, near to the Barrack Road entrance, between 7am and 7.20am on Monday, April 1, when they were whistled at by an unknown man.

When the victim looked over the man flashed at them.

The offender was a white man with brown/blond hair, between 5ft 6in to 5ft 11in, of medium build and aged between 28 and 36.

He wore a navy or faded black tracksuit and sandy brown-coloured work boots.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may recognise the description of the offender. Witnesses or anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing James Delaney, 38, of Dorset Gardens, Kingsthorpe.

He was jailed in 2016 for a number of fraud offences and has since been released on licence. However, he has failed to reside at his approved premises, a condition of his release, and as a result is wanted on recall to prison.

Anyone who has seen Delaney or who may know where he is can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle says Notts County’s ongoing struggles, both on and off the pitch, should be a lesson for football clubs up and down the land ahead of his return to Meadow Lane this weekend.

Curle spent just under a year at the Magpies between 2012 and 2013, helping them finish narrowly outside the League One play-offs in his first season before he was sacked with the club 10th at the start of February the following season.

Challenging for promotion out of League One will now seem a lifetime ago to County fans given their side’s torrid campaign this season, with the club encountering major issues both on the pitch and behind the scenes.

The Magpies have been stuck in the relegation zone since November and they are also due in court on 10 April after being issued a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs, although owner John Hardy revealed this week that an offer to buy the club has been accepted.

The visit of Northampton this weekend is therefore a crucial one for Neal Ardley’s side, and Cobblers boss Curle will be hoping to inflict more misery on his old club.

“It’ll be a really difficult game,” said the Town manager. “They’re one of my former clubs so I know the infrastructure at the club and you can say it’s a club that hasn’t benefited from the financial investment that was put in place.

“They had very healthy financial investment but if the fundamentals aren’t right within the footballing structure of the club, money doesn’t buy you success and that’s a lesson that lots and lots of people have seen previously.

“Given the size of the football club, where they are in the league will be a disappointment.”

While the Cobblers have nothing tangible to play for over their six remaining fixtures, they should be eager to make amends for last Saturday’s hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat to Port Vale at Meadow Lane on Saturday, especially with players playing for their futures, either at Northampton or elsewhere.

“The pressure for a footballer comes at the end of July when you’ve got no contract,” Curle added. “At the moment they’re under contract and being paid and they’ve got to perform either to continue their journey here or potentially elsewhere.

“The players will be up for it this weekend. The preparation this week has been that everything is geared towards Saturday.

“We’re working and training and the message is getting through to the players on a daily basis of what is required individually and collectively.”

Midland Heart, which operates 48 halfway house bedsits at Oasis House, says that entrenched rough sleepers and sofa surfers often slip back into homelessness after staying in temporary digs because they stop engaging with support services.

In a report to the borough council's scrutiny panel on tackling homelessness, Midland Heart said that any plans to expand the number of halfway homes available must come with a pledge to support the people in them for longer.

The report says: "Housing First requires the right combination of a permanent, secure home in a positive community setting, coupled with intensive support.

"A failure to get the formula right could result in a ‘drag’ effect on recovery, or in the proliferation of antisocial behaviour in the surrounding neighbourhood."

Housing First is a recognised approach to tackling homelessness that works to get people into accommodation first before supporting them to stay there.

But Midland Heart says that, in its experience, it does not always work.

Midland Heart says that when people receive a stable tenancy, they often stop engaging with services such as those to help them kick alcohol and drugs.

The result sees them either head back to sofa surfing or the streets.

In order for it to work in Northampton, the Midland Heart says there would need to be "reassurances" that support will not be "withdrawn after a fixed timeframe".

The admission, however, comes after Midland Heart decided to evict the Hope Centre from Oasis House in favour of expanding the temporary accommodation available there, although the tenancy was later extended until the Hope Centre could find a new base.

The Hope Centre offers a range of daytime support services for homeless people including a soup kitchen and housing advice.

The report is due to be debated at the borough council's scrutiny panel on homelessness on Monday night.

Midland Heart was asked to submit opinions to the panel on how to reduce the number of people without a permanent place to live in Northampton.

As part of the report, the landlord also suggests the various charities around town should adopt a universal code of conduct for the people they engage with.

"Charitable organisations with high levels of engagement may have different thresholds for acceptable behaviour for service users within their premises," it says.

"Customers will ultimately go to the resource where they feel most comfortable, though this may not be the most effective for their individual needs."

We are looking to honour talented teachers and perfect pupils in our annual Northamptonshire Education Awards.

Visit the nomination page here

Launched today by the Northampton Chronicle & Echo, the Northants Telegraph and the Daventry Express, the awards are the original and the best.

Back by popular demand for the 11th time they are open to every primary, secondary, nursery and special school in the county.

But be quick as the closing date for entries is May 24.

There is a wide variety of categories that recognise the dedication and commitment of pupils, teaching staff and education supporters.

Winners will be crowned at a gala event at the stunning Deco Theatre on June 27 in what promises once more to be the highlight of the education calendar.

Editorial director David Summers says: “Our county has some incredibly talented pupils, teachers and education professionals and it is a pleasure to again be recognising their efforts in our highly regarded and long established awards.

“We look forward to sharing that proud moment when the winners are crowned on stage at the Deco in June.”

Among the supporters already on board are title sponsors Veolia and category sponsors Kip McGrath Education Centres, Rock Up, The Qube and The Staffroom.

The benefits of sponsoring an awards category include free tickets to the ceremony, the chance to present your prize on stage, and access to event photography for marketing purposes.

Your company and logo will be mentioned in substantial pre-event publicity across all three titles and their websites.

For details of the full sponsor package please get in touch at linda.pritchard@jpimedia.co.uk

Awards categories

- Primary School Pupil of the Year (sponsor - Kip McGrath)

- Secondary School Pupil of the Year

- Inspirational Teacher Award

- Young Scientist/Engineer Award

- Sports Achievement Award (sponsor - Qube Modular Buildings)

- Creative Arts Award

- Changemaker Award

- School Trips Award

- Health & Wellbeing Award

- Career Aspiration Award

- Unsung Hero Award (sponsor - Veolia UK)

- Primary School of the Year (sponsor - Rock Up climbing centre)

- Secondary School of the Year

Click here for the official nomination page

William Sitwell has said that his home county has a greater combination of ingredients, producers and food businesses than anywhere else in the country - even Cornwall.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Mr Sitwell recently resigned from his post as editor of Waitrose Food magazine after suggesting it run a series on "killing vegans".

Today his comments turned a few heads at the launch of the Northamptonshire Year of Food and Drink campaign - aimed at promoting the county as the country's premier food location.

"Cornwall has great pasties, Lincolnshire has sausages and Yorkshire has rhubarb," he said at the event at Rockingham Castle.

"Derbyshire boasts its Bakewell Tart, there are Melton Mowbray pies in Leicestershire and great cheeses in Somerset, while counties like Kent and Hampshire produce wonderful wines.

"Across Britain, we are becoming a fabulous nation of food and drink. But when you analyse the output of the food and drink sector of Northamptonshire – from the 3.5 billion biscuits made each year by Weetabix to the fact that 95 per cent of British householders own a product containing a herb or spice from British Pepper & Spice – not to mention hundreds of great pubs, restaurants, small producers and drinks firms in between - you can see that Northamptonshire wins the food Battle of Britain."

At the launch, the restaurant critic pointed out a series of facts about Northamptonshire to back up his claim.

Weetabix makes 70 million biscuits a week at its Burton Latimer factory with one box sold every second.

Warner’s, the internationally award-winning craft gin distillers founded in 2012, started on the family farm in Harrington with just one gin and now proudly produces eight flavours. The brand is largely accredited with starting the 'pink gin craze'.

And guests at The Ritz and The Savoy tuck into chocolates made in Brackley by Belflair Chocolates.

The county also boasts over 20 food and drink festivals and fairs throughout the year – attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the county from across the country.

The ‘Northamptonshire Year of Food and Drink’ is part of the Northamptonshire, Britain’s Best Surprise campaign, which launched in 2017 to promote the county as a tourist destination.

The food initiative will take the form of a new web campaign promoting dining venues, producers and food festivals in the county. It will be coupled with a new loyalty card scheme, enabling supporters of local food and drink to take advantage of discounts at participating venues.

For more details on the ‘Northamptonshire Year of Food and Drink’, including registering for the loyalty card, visit www.northamptonshiresurprise.com/food

A man has been jailed over a stabbing at a home in Kettering where everyone involved was “too drunk” to remember what happened.

No one truly knows what happened in the early hours of September 16 last year when police found Rodney Smith, 30, slumped near a Tesco on Windmill Avenue, Kettering, and bleeding from his hand.

Northampton Crown Court heard today (April 5) how police followed the trail of blood back to a nearby house - where a man opened the door shirtless and bleeding from a stab wound to his chest.

But when officers investigated the attack, they found neither the victim, Smith or his girlfriend knew clearly what happened.

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler said: “In reality, all parties involved in that evening were so drunk they can’t give an account of what occurred.”

The court heard Smith, who is from Bedford, and his partner were reportedly invited into her house by the victim to carry on drinking and even spend the night.

That is where the known facts in the case end.

During the evening, Smith reportedly reacted to a “perceived threat” to his partner and used a knife taken from the house to stab the victim in the chest and arm.

He then fled the house with his partner and was found by the Tesco by police.

Meanwhile, the victim had suffered a 4cm long, 1cm deep stab wound to the chest that needed stitches.

Smith later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and admitted he would have been the one to cause the injuries.

However, Smith has a previous conviction for manslaughter in 2007 when he punched and kicked a man to death - meaning the judge today had to extend his sentence on the ground he was ‘dangerous’ and likely to offend again.

Smith was handed an extended sentence of five and a half years with three years on licence when he is released.