GSS Architecture is allowing viewers to take a glimpse inside the museum and art gallery and navigate through a selection of the new extended spaces via an online tool at www.northampton.gov.uk/virtual-tour.

Its VR tour shows seven separate viewpoints to illustrate the connecting spaces between the galleries, but it does not cover the entirety of the redevelopment works.

When completed, the extension will house a café and link space, along with a new shoe gallery, showcasing the museum’s world-renowned collection. The Old Gaol Block development will include a new temporary exhibition gallery and events space.

Councillor Anna King, cabinet member for community engagement, said: “This innovative VR tour is both engaging and interactive, and gives a really good idea of what people will see once the museum and art gallery is open.

“We’re particularly excited about the huge atrium space, which will provide a stunning new communal area, linking the various parts of the building together. Work on this space has already started in reality, but this extensive VR tour shows just what a vast area it will be once complete.

“When the museum reopens in 2020, it will present Northampton’s rich history, welcome a range of touring exhibitions and provide a great destination for families, social meetings, events and private functions.”

Tom Jagger, associate at GSS Architecture, which was contracted to design the new museum, said: “Many of these spaces cannot be viewed together before works started and so the VR tour has been a key tool to allow our client to visualise the proposed design.

“GSS are delighted to be working on this key addition to the growing Northampton Cultural Quarter. By providing an enriched and improved museum offer, the project will contribute to the regeneration of the town centre, enhancing the entertainment, learning and leisure opportunities Northampton has to offer.”

Wildgoose Construction Limited was appointed in September to carry out the refurbushment works. The museum is anticipated to reopen in the spring 2020.

The council is having to rely on a number of academies in Northampton opening their doors to plug a 171 space gap in the number of school places available to Year 7 pupils starting in the next academic year.

Despite the 420 additional Year 7 places that were added to the capacity, it is working with six schools in the town to accommodate an additional 200 spaces over the next two years.

But councillors want to know why the authority didn’t see the problem coming, especially as they claim it was warned about this potential scenario years ago.

Speaking at this afternoon’s cabinet meeting (April 9), Labour councillor Danielle Stone said current council leader Matt Golby, who was cabinet member for education at the time, should take some responsibility.

She said: “Who is going to ultimately be accountable for the position that we are in, because we have known for the last five years that we needed more secondary school places in Northampton.

“Five years ago I asked the question, and was told that we needed five new schools in Northampton. We’ve got two, so that leaves three outstanding. And I really do want an answer on who is responsible, because I think it might be you Councillor Golby.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Dennis Meredith added: “Five years ago I played an active role on children’s scrutiny, and we had the then officer in charge of children’s places came to that scrutiny meeting and she gave us an in-depth analysis of what was going to happen, and she predicted exactly what has happened today.

“None of these situations have been taken care of. Somebody ought to take responsibility for being in charge, and Councillor Golby was the portfolio holder for children’s services at the time. He knew about this situation and what would happen. I don’t think enough has been done.”

But Councillor Golby responded: “We’re talking about seven or eight thousand places required a year, so we have to put these 171 places into that sort of context. It is a drop in the ocean but equally those children obviously require a school place and we want them to have the best education possible.

“But rather than knock our team, and I acknowledge my responsibility in that portfolio a while back, we need to recognise how we’ve met the challenge.”

Schools providing places include Northampton International Academy offering 60 places, Abbeyfield School, Northampton Academy, The Duston School and Thomas Becket Catholic School providing 30 places each, while Northampton School for Girls is offering 20 places.

Three of these academies will require capital works and improvements to the school sites to ensure they have sufficient space to accommodate the additional students that will be attending the school in future.

As a result, the county council is making an extra £2.3million capital investment to support the expansion and is also providing additional revenue money for each school to pay for the extra staff required.

Councillor Fiona Baker, the current cabinet member for education, said: “One of the statutory duties of the county council is to provide a sufficient number of school places in the county so I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with a number of schools to accommodate a surge in pupil numbers for the next academic year.

“Going forward, our growing county means that we are continually faced with the challenge of providing more school places in the future and we will continue to work with our partners to make this happen.

“The medium and long term plan for meeting the demand for secondary school places in Northampton town remains the provision of a brand new secondary school to serve the town.

“The county council continues to work in collaboration with a number of academy trusts to facilitate a successful free school application that will meet demand in the longer term.”

Until a week ago, cars reportedly lined Timken Way South from end to end, and access to the estate's doctor's, pharmacy and nursing home could be nearly impossible for patients and residents.

Residents' safety was also endangered because cars had no room to avoid each other coming around corners, and emergency vehicles and very tight access to the houses.

But a campaign by Duston Parish Council to put a stop to problem on-street parking has cleared the neighbourhood of cars overnight.

One resident said: "It's a massive improvement. At peaks times the cars would be parked all the way out Main Road.

"It could feel so unsafe at times when cars came around the corner into the estate.

"But I don't know where the cars that used to park here are gone. They used to park here every day so I thought they were residents' but I don't know where they've moved on to."

The new double-yellow-lines were added on March 25.

The parking was a particular hazard for emergency vehicles, which often needed to reach the Timken Grange Nursing Home that opened in January 2018.

A member of staff at the nursing home said: "I do feel bad for residents who have had their parking taken away but for our purposes, it's been great.

"I was especially scared if there was ever a fire then a crew would not be able to reach the home."

However, there are concerns the solution only means the cars that used to park on the street have been moved on to somewhere else in the town.

Councillor Mike Pepper, Duston Parish councillor and resident of Timken estate, said: “The new double yellow lines have worked very well and it is now safe to drive in and out of the Timken estate. It is wonderful and has been a real success.

"For now it is not obvious where the cars that used to park there have gone.”

Reece Marshall says he is happy to have finally earned the trust of the coaches at Saints.

The hooker has enjoyed plenty of game time this season, making 20 appearances so far, with eight of those being starts.

He was in from the off against Gloucester last Sunday, scoring a second-half bonus-point try for his team.

And Marshall said: "It (this season) has been a funny one.

"I started out with an injury and didn't get much of a look in but a couple of lads got injured and I've had plenty of game time.

"It's been a season for me that has given me games on the bounce and it's nice to establish myself as someone who can be trusted now and is a strong squad player."

With Dylan Hartley, Mike Haywood and James Fish currently injured, it was up to Marshall and recent short-term signing Darren Dawidiuk to shoulder the burden at hooker last weekend.

And Marshall has enjoyed working with Dawidiuk, who at 31 years old has a wealth of experience, having made more than 100 appearances for Gloucester.

"I really like Dukey," Marshall said.

"He's a really nice guy, really helpful, passes his experiences on and you don't get 100 caps for Gloucester not knowing your stuff.

"He's helped me out with my knees, tendons and stuff in terms of my injury rehab, anything scrum wise and he's been more than helpful."

Saints were unable to get the win they desperately wanted last weekend as Gloucester scored six tries on their way to a 40-31 success at Franklin's Gardens.

It means Saints have now shipped a total of 101 points in their past two matches, having lost 61-38 in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final at Clermont Auvergne a week earlier.

And Marshall said: "It's been up and down.

"There have been some real positives from our attacking form and you can't question our attacking intent but we've conceded a lot of tries as well.

"It's something we're going to have to knuckle down and concentrate more on.

"We've had a sit and chat about it, about our defensive mindset for last weekend, and in hindsight we probably gave Danny Cipriani a bit too much respect last Sunday.

"We went away from what we're about.

"Before Clermont we were pretty good at getting off the line and closing people down and maybe we worried about Cipriani's strengths rather than ours and it bit us."

Saints will now bid to sort out their defensive issues for Saturday's key game at Harlequins.

The black, green and gold are currently seventh in the Premiership standings, seven points behind fourth-placed Quins with four games to go.

"We're only looking up, we're not looking down and that's the way we've got to approach it," Marshall said.

"It's tight down the bottom of the league and it's tight for that top four and anything can happen.

"Quins have come off a couple of defeats and we need to go there with everything we've got now we've blown up the game against Gloucester.

"We need to give ourselves the best chance of top four."

Councillors on the authority’s planning committee will meet next Tuesday (April 16) to discuss the application for the Blackthorn Road site, which has been vacant for some time after the reorganisation of schools in the town.

The 115 dwellings would be made up of 12 one-bedroom, 14 two-bedroom, 68 three-bedroom and 21 four-bedroom homes. The bulk of these buildings would be two storeys, however, the flats - the one bedroom dwellings - would be over three storeys. In addition, a total of 239 car parking spaces would be provided, including garages.

Planning officers have recommended that the scheme be given approval, saying: “It is considered that the proposed development represents an appropriate use of the site, and would assist in delivering needed additional housing within the Northampton area.

“In addition, it is considered that as the proposal would not unduly adversely affect the surrounding area and that the impacts of the development could be mitigated.”

There are a number of conditions though that applicants Countryside Properties would have to meet as part of the planning permission.

These include 35 per cent on-site affordable housing, a payment towards primary school education, and an on-site public open space being built, including play equipment, that would be maintained and made available for public access for life.

But homeowners of five nearby properties say that the new homes will have an adverse impact on the local roads. Access to the development would be via the road which was constructed to serve the original school.

Planning officers considered the access road through ‘to be of sufficient size and proportions to serve the scale of the residential development’.

It is Paris. It is the 1890s and young Edmond Rostand is suffering from a major case of writer's block.

The scene is carefully set as part of Alexis Michalik's dizzyingly clever play, Edmond de Bergerac, which started its run at Northampton's Royal and Derngate this week.

And, with Edmond as the central character, audiences sit back and watch the action unfold in an imagining of how this struggling writer became one of France's most celebrated playwrights, the author of Cyrano De Bergerac.

Although the audience may be sitting back, there is certainly no lounging involved for any of the fantastic cast in this action-packed farce.

From the beginning, the play has its own, very distinctive feel. Realism is not the central focus as actors move together in what appears to be highly-choreographed scenes, in almost constant movement.

There is no time to relax as the actors each have to deliver a layered tale, exploring a little of Edmond's own adventures and challenges as well as the development of Cyrano's story in Edmond's imagination. There is even an echo of Cyrano in Edmond's own life as he begins to become embroiled in the romantic life of his friend, Leo.

Quite appropriately, the stage set frequently contains the backdrop of theatre curtains, with balconied structures being moved about as needed. This seems appropriate, given the fact we are witnessing the story of an author, the making of his play and the play itself.

As with all good farces, comic timing is everything, and this production, directed by Roxana Silbert, does not disappoint.

The play works with an extremely strong cast, including some trusted comedy actors, such as Josie Lawrence playing background and supporting roles.

Josie delivers some very funny scenes, taking on a large number of minor parts (as actress Sarah Bernhardt, a waitress, an old actress and brothel madam, Suzon). Each part is delivered with 'scene-stealing' humorous facial expressions, accents and character creation.

Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu also shines in her various roles, most notably as Maria, the 40-something actress shoehorned into playing the leading lady, Roxane, until she rather humorously encounters accident and misfortune while on stage.

Simon Gregor also deserves a mention for delivering the laughs in a series of roles including theatre wardrobe master and hotel receptionist. I particularly enjoyed the scene in which he is the receptionist dealing with enquiries from two men, each claiming to be the writer Georges Feydeau. Simon's look of horror when the real Georges turns up and is not able to convince reception he is the genuine article is comedy gold.

This is a play on which to concentrate, but it is not difficult to understand. It is only when the action is over that, as an audience member, you really appreciate the physical and mental feat it must take to successfully convey the content of the play, and make it look easy.

I also enjoyed the late 19th century Parisian backdrop to the scenes which really helped to bring colour to the story, what with its array of Moulin Rouge dancers, brothels, cafes and theatre houses. These details certainly helped transport the action to another time for audiences.

Edmond de Bergerac will run at Royal & Derngate until Saturday, April 13. Visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

The collision, which involved a black Fiat 55 and a silver Mercedes estate vehicle, occurred at about 9.20pm on the A428 Bedford Road, Denton on April 9.

For unknown reasons, the Fiat crossed over to the opposite carriageway, colliding head-on with the Mercedes.

The man driving the Mercedes was taken to University Hospital Coventry with serious, but not life threatening, injuries.

All three occupants of the Fiat, the driver and two passengers, died at the scene.

Anyone that witnessed the collision or has any information is requested to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, Northamptonshire Police on 101 or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

Here's a look at the Premier League and Football League teams who have won the most and least penalties so far this season - ranked in order. Click and scroll through the pages... (excludes cup matches)

Loan defender George Cox could be poised to make his return to the Cobblers first team squad for Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Mansfield Town at the PTS Academy Stadium (ko 3pm).

The 21-year-old hasn’t played since damaging ankle ligaments in the 3-2 defeat at Cambridge United back on January 19, in what was only his second appearance for Town having joined until the end of the season from Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion.

The left-back has been back with the Seagulls undergoing rehabilitation since suffering the injury at the Abbey Stadium, but this week rejoined the Cobblers squad for training, and manager Keith Curle is hopeful he could be available to play a part against the Stags.

“George has rejoined us now from Brighton, and has been doing his field-based rehabilitation,” said Curle, who made Cox his first signing as Cobblers boss.

“He came up on Monday and had a physical fitness test out on the pitch to make sure he is at the level he was when he first joined us.

“His results were very good on the fitness tests, and now he is back in the flow of football and making himself available hopefully for selection on Saturday.”

Another player that Curle is hoping will be back and available to face promotion-chasing Mansfield is midfielder Shaun McWilliams.

The 20-year-old missed the weekend trip to Notts County after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring strain, but the Cobblers boss is keeping his fingers crossed McWilliams has finally shrugged off the issue.

“Shaun is still on field-based rehabilitation, and has been doing more fitness work,” said Curle ahead of training on Tuesday.

“He had a slight aggravation to his hamstring, but again we are hoping he will be able to train fully by the end of this week.

“Hopefully, Tuesday will be his last day of rehabilitation and he will be back into the football on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.”

If Cox and McWilliams are made available for the weekend, it means Curle will have a full-strength squad to pick from against the second-placed Stags.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the serious collision on the Boughton Green Road on April, 8.

At around 7.15pm, a blue A140 Mercedes was in collision with a nine year old pedestrian.

The girl was taken to hospital where she remains with serious injuries.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this incident is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

Emergency services were called to the A5 in Northants last night (Tuesday) following a serious collision involving two vehicles.

At around 6.40pm, a white Fiat Diablo was in collision with a white Ford transit van on the A5 in Fosters Booth - midway between Weedon and Towcester.

Both vehicles collided at the junction of Butchers Lane.

The man driving the Fiat suffered serious injuries and was taken to University Hospital Coventry.

The man driving the Ford suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this incident is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

Midfielder Sam Foley intends to wait until the end of the season before resolving his Cobblers future.

The 32-year-old midfielder is out of contract in the summer but he’s widely-regarded to have been among Northampton’s best performers this season having made 35 appearances in all competitions, including starting the last seven games in a row.

But with manager Keith Curle yet to give any indication on who he intends to keep once the season finishes, Foley is set to be a free agent in the summer, joining the likes of Daniel Powell, Shay Facey, David Buchanan and John-Joe O’Toole.

When asked about his future after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Notts County, Foley was keeping his cards close to his chest.

“All you look at is the next game,” he said. “For me, getting into the game late after being in non-league, I’m just happy to be here.

“The next game could be the last game you ever play so that’s all I look at. I’ll sit down with the manager at the end of the season and we’ll talk about my future then.”

There can be no question that Foley has enjoyed a far better season this time around compared to his first campaign at the Cobblers, when he was in and out of the side under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and made just 18 starts.

Curle in particular seems a fan of the hard-working, hard-running central midfielder, who has been a regular starter this season, bar a spell in January and February when he struggled with a back injury.

“It’s a question for the gaffer,” Foley added. “I’ve enjoyed my football once I got into the team and stayed in the team and it’s nice to have a manager that trusts your game and trusts your personality.

“You know he can keep you in. Sometimes your form isn’t great and if you drop out the team, you know he still likes you and previously that probably wasn’t the case.

“He’s a good guy and he seems to like me so I try to show him through hard work that I want to play for him.”

Homeowners in Duston say they are facing 'ever-increasing' payouts to private management company Chamonix Estates, which some have dubbed a 'second council tax'.

But at a meeting at Duston Library last night (April 9), a resident's group was formed by neighbours in a bid to have their say in how the company spends their money and what services they get out of it.

A representative from Chamonix could not attend the meeting.

One resident told the meeting of more than 20 neighbours: "I honestly don't know what I'm paying for.

"I'm paying for gates that don't work and groundwork I don't see. It feels like money for old rope. I don't understand half of the things they list on the bills they send me.

"Personally, I think it's a scam."

The company manages 'courtyards' shared by households in Duston in lieu of the borough or county council, and charge residents for groundskeeping, maintenance and window-cleaning.

But at the meeting last night, angry residents shared their frustrations about the company and say they 'never see' any workers from Chamonix on their estates and 'do not get replies' when they call or write to the company.

Some said their annual bills to Chamonix reached over £300 a year, and others were upset to get a fresh bill in March asking for an extra £150 on average to manage barriers, which Chamonix discovered they were responsible for.

Chamonix has written to residents offering to take away these barriers and cut the bills for them - but only if residents unanimously agree on it.

On an annual statement for 2018, Chamonix charged the 20 households they cover on the Scholars Grange estate a total of £9,500. Out of this, less than half of the bill was for 'maintenance', while the rest was for miscellaneous costs such as 'management fees' and 'accountancy'.

Now, the new group hope to engage Chamonix together and ask for better value for money.

Sandie Maitland, chair of Duson Labour - who called the meeting - said: "I've seen a lot of residents tonight who are frustrated at ringing up and not getting answers.

"All these residents knew when they bought their houses they would have to pay a management company. They didn't go into it with their eyes closed. But they feel they are not getting what they are paying for.

"We will form this group with a goal of getting answers from Chamonix."

Chamonix was appointed by David Wilson Homes after the new estate was completed.

Another private management company, Meadfleet Ltd, also operate in the area to manage the estate's green spaces.

Meanwhile, MP for Bishop Auckland Helen Goodman launched a members bill in November last year to ban companies like Chamonix charging residents on private estates.

A fire above a jewellery shop in Northampton town centre this week is being treated as arson.

Firefighters were called to tackle a blaze above H Samuel in the Drapery at around 2am on Monday morning (April 8).

Now, officers believe someone gained access to the building and started the fire sometime between 11.00pm on Sunday, April 7 and 2.30am on Monday, April 8. The adjoining property, Timpsons, was also damaged by water from the crews pumps.

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

The crews had to use an aerial ladder to fight the flames on the second floor of the building, bringing it under control by around 4am.

No one was hurt in the incident.

The Cobblers have announced alternative plans for car parking for supporters attending Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Mansfield Town at the PTS Academy Stadium, which kicks off at 3pm.

The south gravel car park at Sixfields hasn't been available for the club to use since before the turn of the year, and this weekend there is also a fun fair on the north gravel car park, meaning that is also unavailable.

With more than 1,400 supporters expected from promotion-chasing Mansfield Town, a big crowd will be at the game, and the club have announced alternative arrangements.

For home supporters, they will be utilising an overflow car park behind the Nuffield health club and Walter Tull pub, with further parking also available in the Claret Car Park on Edgar Mobbs Way - the road that leads from the PTS to the rear of the Franklin's Gardens Stadium.

A club statement reads: "With the continued issues around the south gravel car park and a long standing arrangement with the fun fair on the north gravel car park over Easter, the club can confirm plans have been put in place to deal with the reduced parking for the Mansfield Town and Macclesfield games (which is on Good Friday, April 19).

"For those supporters who hold a seasonal, gravel car park pass, parking is reserved in the north overflow car park.

"This is the car park opposite the north gravel car park, behind Nuffield and the Walter Tull pub.

"This car park has a capacity for 300 cars and the remainder of these spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

"Additional parking will be made available by the opening of the Claret Car Park, which can be found along Edgar Mobbs Way, while parking will also be available in Duston Mill.

"Away supporters are asked to use either the Claret Car Park (on Edgar Mobbs Way) or Duston Mill.

"Any supporters who have mobility issues are asked to please contact Christine Clark on 01604 683763 or email christine.clark@ntfc.co.uk for assistance."

Three drivers - one with serious injuries - were taken to hospital yesterday after three cars and a lorry were involved in a crash on the Flore bypass.

The collision happened at about 6.20am on Tuesday (April 9) when a red Nissan Juke travelling towards Weedon was in collision with a DAF lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

The lorry was then in collision with a grey Ford Galaxy and the red Nissan Juke was then in a further collision with a grey Nissan Juke.

The driver and front seat passenger of the Galaxy sustained serious injuries and were taken to University Hospital Coventry.

The driver and a passenger in the grey Juke and the driver of the lorry were also injured and taken to Northampton General Hospital.

The driver of the red Juke sustained minor injuries.

Witnesses to the collision or anyone with information are asked to contact the Northamptonshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101 or via the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, quoting incident number 47 of 9/4/19.

Northampton's very own Marilyn Monroe is set for her television debut as part of of a BBC antiques gameshow.

Abington 26-year-old Charley Toulan is set to feature as a contestant in the brand new programme Curiosity - set to air on BBC One at 2.15pm this Friday, April 12.

Charley was voted the number one Marilyn Monroe lookalike in the UK by the Agents Association of Great Britain last year at the National Tribute awards.

Her work as Marilyn has taken her around the world and she regularly appears singing the actress's hits such as `Diamonds are a girl's best friend’ and `I wanna be loved by you’ in theatres around the UK.

Her performances saw her approached by the BBC to appear with her partner David Alacey - who is one of the UK's leading Frank Sinatra impersonators - as a contestant on the daytime antiques show in order to give it a 20th-century retro feel.

Charley said: "This was a really fun experience for me and something that I have never done in my career in the entertainment business, although I have made TV appearances as Marilyn, I have never been a contestant in a game show and working with host Paul Martin was a great experience as we had a lot of on and off set banter."

Although neither Charley or David claim to be experts in antiques they did hope that their knowledge of vintage memorabilia would help their chances.

Viewers will have to tune in on Friday to find out if this was the case.

The Northampton and England centre, who is a passionate cyclist himself, paid tribute to the hundreds of riders who, despite miserable weather last September, raised an impressive £65,000 for Northamptonshire’s Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
Among them was Jessica Pilkington, who led a team of 17 cyclists in memory of her son Harry Chadwick, who was just 19 years old when he passed away last March.

Having been given the opportunity to meet others with cancer as a patient at the day hospice before he died, Harry’s last days were spent at home and it was in enabling that move to familiar surroundings for which Jessica says she couldn’t thank Cynthia Spencer and its Hospice at Home Team enough.

She said: “My sister had lived out her final days at the hospice, where we all experienced the wonderful care of the entire staff, but that Harry was able to die at home, surrounded by his family, was an incredible gift.
“So although last year’s ride was only six months afterwards, we knew we just had to ride as we wanted to show our immense gratitude in the best possible way - by raising
money and ensuring that others have access to such amazing support should they sadly ever need it.”
Indeed, Team Harry’s generous donation of £2,600 – taking the total raised in the 15-year history of the event to almost £600,000 - ultimately saw Piers award Jessica and the team with the Chairman’s Cup, a trophy which is given to someone whose special efforts represent the ‘spirit of the ride’.
Piers also presented the other 2018 trophies, including that for most money raised by an individual, which went to Gary Denton for collecting over £500; to the biggest team, won again by Shirefit East Northants with 52 riders; and for the best fancy dress, which went to friends Lynsey Brecani and Karen Eke.
Meanwhile the award for the corporate team raising the most money went for the second year running to Northampton firm, Piroto Labelling, whose 40 cyclists raised more than £7,000, taking their two-year total to more than £22,000. They were riding in memory of their colleague, Laura Silk, who passed away at Cynthia Spencer in 2017.
The launch event also provided an opportunity for the Hospice’s fund-raising manager, John Helm, to thank the event’s continuing sponsors, including EMW Law LLP, who are headline sponsors for the second time, as well as timber merchants and countrywear specialists, Linnell Bros Ltd, and lettings and sales agent, Chelton Brown.

He added: “Cycle4Cynthia is our biggest fundraiser in the year and £64,807.67 is a fantastic total, especially when you consider how the weather tried to interfere, so we’re incredibly grateful to everyone for their support and would encourage anyone with two wheels to take part this September to help make it the best ride yet".

Cycle4Cynthia 2019 will take place on Sunday, 22nd September at Holdenby House, by kind permission of James and Karen Lowther, with routes of five, 25 and 50 miles on offer.
For more information, including registering for the ride or for details of corporate sponsorship opportunities, please call the Hospice on 01604 21094 or email fundraising@cynthiaspencer.co.uk

David Buchanan admits the Cobblers’ inability to make the most of their opposition being reduced in numbers is a source of great frustration, but felt the performance in the 2-2 draw at 10-man Notts County was at least a step in the right direction.

In their past two games, Town have played half a game against 10 men with opposition players being red-carded.

Port Vale came from behind when at a numerical disadvantage to win 2-1 at the PTS on March 30, and then last Saturday the Magpies recovered from 2-1 down to claim a share of the spoils.

Earlier in the season the Cobblers also failed the make the most of Lincoln City having a man sent-off in the first half, drawing the league two clash 1-1.

All three were big opportunities missed by the Cobblers, and in particular the latter two, but Buchanan felt the performance in the draw at Meadow Lane did at least show a big improvement on the loss to the struggling Valiants the previous week.

“When any team goes down to 10 men it is always disappointing when you don’t win the game,” said Buchanan.

“But I think the manner of the defeat on Saturday was, not acceptable because we wanted to win the game, but we went about it the right way.

“We kept knocking on the door, we kept getting the ball wide, moved it quicker and got the ball into the box and created plenty of chances.

“The set-pieces we worked on in the week worked a treat, and the free-kick routine was nearly perfect.

“We have been a threat from corners all season, but ultimately you have to put the ball in the next and when you are chasing the game and when they go down to 10, it is all about concentration.

“But on the whole I feel it was a much more positive.

“With 11 players we dominated, and when they went down to 10 we just couldn’t finish them off.”

But he then added: “Playing against teams going down to 10 men hasn’t been favourable for us this season.

“We managed to only get a point at Lincoln when they went down to 10 men, and then we got beat by Port Vale, but I thought on Saturday we were dominating the game with 11.

“Then when they went down to 10 we moved the ball a lot better and created numerous chances, and it was just really lapses in concentration in our own box and, more importantly in their final third.

“We had enough chances on Saturday to win two or three games, but I do think the game was a massive positive for is in terms of the way we reacted to the previous weeks against Cheltenham (when Town lost 3-1) and Port Vale.”

Kieron Long, aged 33, and 45-year-old Wayne Brown, both from Kingsthorpe, Northampton, were arrested following the break-in at a property in Brackley Close, Sunnyside, on March 16, where they stole a large haul of cash.

Sentencing Long to 16 months and Brown to 12 months, Judge Michael Fowler described the burglary as a “cold and calculated” offence in which the pair had waited until the occupants had left the property before forcing their way in, sometime between 7.30am and 8.30am that day.

Northampton Crown Court was told police were able to identify the offenders, one of whom acted as a lookout, after obtaining high-quality CCTV footage from the address.

The video shows both men scoping out the home before scaling the scaffolding surrounding it and entering a first-floor window.

The pair were arrested within days by Northamptonshire Police, before being remanded into custody by magistrates.

Speaking outside court, DS Terry Rush, from the force's burglary team, said: “This was great work by the team dedicated to tackling burglary across Northamptonshire.

"These two men are prolific offenders who pose a significant risk to the public but who have now, thankfully, been taken off our streets. Their arrests were a direct result of the victims having - and using - CCTV footage around their home which provided us with quality video that enabled us to identify them."

Last week Chief Constable Nick Adderley pledged that, within two years, every home in Northamptonshire affected by burglary would receive a police visit.