The Range is set to open its doors to customers at 9am on Friday at St James Retail Park. Here's a sneak peek of the popular lifestyle store ahead of the grand opening. For more information about the store opening, including prizes for the first 50 customers, click here
Developers could be invited to turn an empty dessert parlour in Northampton town centre into practically anything they like.
The former Cookies and Cream unit in the Drapery has had a chequered history of short-term businesses moving in and leaving again in recent years.
But planning permission has been submitted to 'free up' the vacant shop in a bid to attract developers and create a new business on the site.
The 'flexible' application would allow a new occupier to open up any range of business they like - from a cocktail bar, to a cafe, to a sandwich shop to a takeaway.
The application, which was put to the borough council this week, reads: "...the intended occupier would have the flexibility to operate one of many alternative and attractive business operations.
"This could be a small independent restaurant, or a modest deli style café serving hot and cold sandwiches and salads. There could be a shop floor fridge where customers can select from a wide range of pre-prepared salads and sandwiches.
"There would be an indoor seating area where customers are able to enjoy their food on site with views looking out into the conservation area/All Saints Church."
The 114 square-metre shop, which in the past has used its basement as additional seating, has reportedly experienced break-ins and anti-social activities in recent months.
The plans read: "The property is not realising its full value both in commercial and planning terms given its advantageous town centre and conservation area location.
The proposed flexible [will increase] the likelihood for more permanent and long term commercial activity."
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Raunds.
The assault happened on a grassed park area off Brook Street, some time between 6.15pm and 6.45pm on Friday, March 1.
A 25-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in police custody.
Witnesses to the incident, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
A driver was hit on the head and in the stomach with a shovel when she was assaulted by a woman in Kettering.
A driver was hit on the head and in the stomach with a shovel when she was assaulted by a woman in Kettering.
The attack happened between 4.30pm and 5pm on Monday (April 8) in Bath Road after the woman damaged the driver's car with the gardening tool.
When challenged, the offender assaulted the woman, hitting her in the stomach and her head with the shovel before leaving in a vehicle.
The suspect is described as white, aged in her 20s, with brown hair tied up in a top knot.
She was wearing dark clothing, had long false eyelashes and spoke with a local accent.
Witnesses to the incident, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a missing 17-year-old girl.
Shannon Poultney was last seen at about 3pm on Monday (April 8) in the Barton Seagrave area and was believed to be on her way back home to Northampton.
Officers are appealing for Shannon to make contact to let them know she is safe and well.
Shannon is white, 5ft 7in and slim with long, light brown hair that is usually worn in a ponytail.
Shannon, or anyone who sees her or knows of her whereabouts, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting reference MPN4/1072/19.
After the stinging criticism they received for their dismal attempts to beat 10 men the previous weekend, Cobblers players didn’t have long to wait for an opportunity to make amends.
Beaten 2-1 by Port Vale having led 1-0 with a man advantage after 44 minutes, this time Town were leading 2-1 and again a man to the good 50 minutes into Saturday’s game at Notts County.
Once again, however, they failed to make the most of their numerical supremacy as Kane Hemmings’ tap-in was followed by a series of missed opportunities at Meadow Lane, the game eventually ending 2-2.
After criticising his side’s ‘shocking’ efforts against 10-man Vale seven days earlier, how did manager Keith Curle feel they got on at County? “We created enough chances,” he said. “I still think there’s more to come but it’s very difficult to go and put on training sessions for playing against 10 men.
“But the principles are still the same. We need to move the ball into wide areas rather than just putting crosses into the box when it’s easy for the opposition to make up a man disadvantage.
“You have to move the ball quickly, get it into wide areas and try to work between their lines and try to get around the back of them and down the sides. We did it on occasion but not enough.”
Curle also revealed he gave his players a very simple message ahead of kick-off at Meadow Lane.
He added: “I gave them a message on Saturday that won’t change and it’s a message you can take to any changing room at any level - when it’s on to play, play. When it’s not on to play, put the ball into good areas.
“As a player, as a team and as a football club, you can take that anywhere. Earn the right to play and go and play when it’s on. Those are good fundamentals that can take you as an individual and as a team a long way.
“There more people you get in sync with that message, excellent. It’s a message that can go into any changing room and it can be taken on board by any player.”
The former Cookies and Cream unit in the Drapery has had a chequered history of short-term businesses moving in and leaving again in recent years.
But planning permission has been submitted to 'free up' the vacant shop in a bid to attract developers and create a new business on the site.
The 'flexible' application would allow a new occupier to open up any range of business they like - from a cocktail bar, to a cafe, to a sandwich shop to a takeaway.
The application, which was put to the borough council this week, reads: "...the intended occupier would have the flexibility to operate one of many alternative and attractive business operations.
"This could be a small independent restaurant, or a modest deli style café serving hot and cold sandwiches and salads. There could be a shop floor fridge where customers can select from a wide range of pre-prepared salads and sandwiches.
"There would be an indoor seating area where customers are able to enjoy their food on site with views looking out into the conservation area/All Saints Church."
The 114 square-metre shop, which in the past has used its basement as additional seating, has reportedly experienced break-ins and anti-social activities in recent months.
The plans read: "The property is not realising its full value both in commercial and planning terms given its advantageous town centre and conservation area location.
The proposed flexible [will increase] the likelihood for more permanent and long term commercial activity."
Plans have been submitted to construct an extra floor on two Northampton Partnership Homes flats to create 17 news bedrooms for each.
The two flat blocks are Dovercourt, in St James Road, and Woodstock, in Billing Road.
Northampton Partnership Homes hopes to add to the town's social housing stock by building upwards rather than outwards.
However, neither plan makes any room for new parking spaces for the 32 new homes.
Assistant director of asset management and development Helen Town said: "This is an increasingly popular build type and will allow us to build more council homes for single people close to the town centre.
"If planning is approved, we can promise 34 new Council homes for people looking to live close to the town centre.
"We are in talks with existing residents about these plans and will be making sure that we are considerate of our current residents, keeping disruption to a minimum during the works”.
Each flat block would see 14 new one-bed apartments and three new two-bed apartments.
A consultation on the proposed builds is open to nearby residents of both Dovercourt and Woodstock until April 26.
The following people have been sentenced at magistrates courts in the county:
David Cameron Wood
Carton Grove, Wellingborough. Age: 41
On 26/09/2018 in Baird Court, Wellingborough, assaulted a male; with intent to cause a person harassment alarm or distress, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour o disorderly behaviour, thereby causing that person or another harassment, alarm or distress; on 01/08/2018 in Gold Street, Wellingborough, assaulted a male.
Plea: Guilty. To participate in a Thinking Skills programme for 19 days, to pay compensation of £50, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85.
Billy Yeomans
Braybrooke Road, Desborough. Age: 26
On 16/03/2018 were in charge of a Staffordshire bull terrier cross by the name of Ringo, which was dangerously out of control in Masefield Close, Desborough, and while so out of control injured a female.
Plea: Guilty. Order that the dog be kept under proper control by being securely fitted with a muzzle sufficient to prevent it biting any person, to pay compensation of £2,000, costs of £85.
Paul John Patrick
Drill Hall Court, Kettering. Age: 39
On 27/02/2019 in Kettering, without lawful excuse, damaged a red Ford Focus, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.
Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for six months, to pay compensation of £100, surcharge to fund victim services of £20.
Anthony James Revell
Hatfield Close, Wellingborough. Age: 32
On 28/01/2019 at Kettering General Hospital assaulted PC Tallett.
Plea: Guilty. Fined £323, compensation of £150, surcharge to fund victim services of £32, costs of £85.
Christopher Mathew Finch
St Marys Road, Bozeat. Age: 28
On 03/01/2019 in Northampton had in your possession a quantity of cannabis.
Plea: Guilty. Fined £80, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85, cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.
Matthew David Macleod
c/o Poplar Road, Kettering. Age: 28
On 02/04/2018 in Kettering had in your possession a 1.23g bag of cocaine.
Plea: Guilty. Fined £250, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85, cannabis seized to be forfeited and destroyed.
Connor Keenan
Cottesbrooke Road, Corby. Age: 23
On 12/02/2019 in Cottesbrooke Road, Corby, had in your possession a quantity of cannabis.
Plea: Guilty. To have treatment for drug dependency as a non-resident patient for four months, fined £100, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85, scales and cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.
Karen MacDonald
Dorking Walk, Corby. Age: 42
On 14/02/2019 stole a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of vodka, to the value of £36, from Morrisons, Corby.
Plea: Guilty. Fined £96, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85.
Joshua Steven Rowley
Pine Road, Kettering. Age: 24
On 03/03/2019 in Kettering, without lawful excuse, damaged a window belonging to Kettering Council intending to destroy or damage such property
or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged;
Used threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress; wilfully obstructed PC Lloyd Young in the execution of his duty.
Plea: Guilty.
Jailed for 14 weeks, to pay compensation of £100.
Luke Daniel Kerti
Gloucester Close, Kettering. Age: 25
On 13/02/2019 in a public place, namely Dalkeith Place, Kettering, you were guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour.
Plea: Guilty. Fined £40, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85.
Tobias Arthur Smith
Minerva Way, Wellingborough. Age: 40
On 16/02/2019 in Minerva Way, Wellingborough, without lawful excuse, damaged a UPVC door intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.
Plea: Guilty.
Fined £265, compensation of £450, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £85.
Tom Wood is desperate to take his chance at the Stoop on Saturday after being left out of the matchday squad for the past two matches.
Wood was not involved in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat at Clermont Auvergne or the Gallagher Premiership loss to Gloucester last Sunday.
His most recent outing came from the bench in the win at Leicester Tigers last month.
But with Saints suffering injury problems in the back row, Wood is ready to make his return in the key league clash with Harlequins this weekend.
And the experienced flanker said: "As a competitor you want to play every week.
"It's one of those things - you ask for rotation and then when you get it you're frustrated because you think 'I'm the man and I should be out there'.
"Every man backs himself to perform and to be No.1.
"It wasn't rotated in the past two weeks - I wasn't picked, let's be blunt about it. I wasn't selected because I wasn't seen as the man for the job for the weekend.
"You've got to put your ego aside and make sure you do a job for the team, in terms of training, preparing the lads and staying absolutely on top of your game during the week.
"It's a case of making sure I take my opportunities and I share the load when I get that chance."
And he added: "I've not been involved in the past two weekends and I was only off the bench at Leicester, where I only featured for 15 minutes, so my body isn't as beaten up as it has been in previous years.
"I'm hoping to have a big involvement this week and to share the workload because Lewis (Ludlam) has been at the coalface and had a few knocks, Alex Moon picked up an ankle injury and Heinrich Brüssow took a knock to the head.
"We need to share the workload and make sure the likes of myself, Jamie Gibson, Teimana (Harrison) and Mitch Eadie are stepping up."
Wood has been given a new lease of life by the fresh atmosphere in the corridors of Franklin's Gardens this season.
"I'm really enjoying it," said the 32-year-old, who signed a contract extension in February of this year.
"It is enjoyable, you always feel like you're getting something out of it, you always feel like you're improving as a player and that you've got your work-ons and individual skills to do.
"There's generally a really positive attitude around the place. I know that's easy when you've got fresh faces around the place, you've got fresh coaches and we need to keep evolving to make sure we sustain that and keep building, getting better week on week, year on year.
"This season has been a breath of fresh air with new guys coming in, new targets, new challenges, lots of young guys playing.
"I've been the old 'Squadfather' out there a few times and it keeps you young trying to keep up with those lads.
"I've enjoyed it."
Saints need to win at Harlequins to keep any realistic hopes of finishing in the Premiership play-off places alive.
The black, green and gold are currently seven points behind fourth-placed Quins with four games to go.
And Wood said: "They're where we want to be at the minute so it will be a big scalp for us to go down there and win.
"We've made it hard for ourselves and we'll have to do things the hard way if we're really serious about finishing in the top four.
"It's knockout rugby because we've got to get a win to keep our hopes alive.
"Harlequins are a good team. I've not been following them especially closely but they've got some strong ball carriers, some individuals who back themselves ball in hand, some elusive runners out wide and they've got a real threat over the ball with Dave Ward, Jack Clifford, whoever will play.
"We're going to have to be on our mettle at the breakdown and that's a constant work-on for us.
"We play this nice attacking brand of rugby but to do that you need quick ball and to make sure you don't expose yourselves by leaving too much space between the ball carrier and hopefully we'll be on top of that."
Wood feels this is something of a season-defining clash.
He added: "The difference between winning this week and being in a serious hunt for top four or losing and being in a real scramble for top six at best and being right down in a bun fight with the others is massive.
"It will kind of define our season a bit really.
"On the whole we're pretty positive about the way our season's gone but we've let some crucial games go that have meant we're not quite where we want to be.
"If we can't finish these last four games with four wins - it is doable - we will look back with regret because we'll think we should have played better against Leicester at Twickenham, we missed out against Bristol in the last play of the game and we lost to Newcastle.
"Those are three games we really should have nailed so we've got our work cut out in these last few weeks."
An extension to Rectory Farm Community Centre has been recommended for planning approval by Northampton Borough Council officers.
The centre is located off Olden Road and owned by the council itself, but managed by Community Spaces Northampton.
The community centre is currently used for a number of local groups and activities including a local playschool. The planning proposal seeks to improve the facilities by offering a separate hall, which could allow more than one activity to take place at any one time.
If granted planning permission, there would be a single storey extension within the courtyard to create the new hall. It also includes the addition of toilets and a store in the existing hall, and an outside play area being created in the courtyard.
The centre is located within the remaining farm building previously associated with Rectory farm. It appears to have been associated with the Walker family of whom Joseph Walker was Rector of Great Billing Parish for many years until his death circa 1899. The former farmhouse is now disused, and is currently unused and boarded up.
The nearest residential properties are located in Lowlands Close approximately 30 metres away from the community building. One letter of objection has been received from a local resident who raised concerns about increased noise and disturbance arising from the additional activities.
A report, which will be seen my members of the council’s planning committee when it determines the application next Tuesday (April 16) states: “The provision of an extra hall could potentially result in the centre being used for more activities and potentially an increase in noise and disturbance, however, given that the only opening being created to the outside leads into the courtyard, away from residential properties, it is considered that this would be minimal and does not warrant a refusal of the application.”
The proposed opening hours for the community centre would be 8am until 9.30pm from Monday until Saturday, and 10am until 6pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
The current FirstCare system records and tracks social care cases for vulnerable people, but is now 14-years-old and there are concerns that it's not keeping pace with the growing demand.
A council report states that the system has 'blind spots' where ‘potentially crucial information is not available to the right people at the point of decision making’.
It added: “The system is not easy for practitioners to use and over time has been complicated by additional fields, markers and processes that mean assessment recording can take significant time, and staff are reluctant to record information.
“Integration with other systems is poor, which is driving further significant manual activity and increasing the likelihood of human error and further affecting productivity.”
On Tuesday (April 9), the county council’s cabinet agreed to purchase a new system to replace it.
Cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Fiona Baker said: “It is hard to overstate just how critical this system is. This holds all the information we have about the interactions we have with some of our county’s most vulnerable residents. This information is used to make crucial decisions about the care these people require.”
Cabinet member for adult social services Cllr Sandra Naden-Horley added: “The current system is in urgent need of being replaced. It is 14-years-old and the needs of social care have changed so much in that time.
“A new system will give us improved information to help people making decisions about people’s care needs and will also work more seamlessly with other systems like those used by the NHS, meaning people’s time is freed up to focus on their front-line activity.”
But Liberal Democrat leader Chris Stanbra questioned why it had taken such a long time to replace the system.
He said: “How many of the 14 years this has been in place have these been problems? I heard a year ago that this system was not fit for purpose. Who knew before me, and why has it taken so long to take action?"
Cllr Naden-Horley responded: "IT moves quickly. But 14 years is a long time and I welcome this updated system."
Director of transformation Paul Helsby said a previous attempt to update had changed scope and ended up costing a predicted £8million, which the county council could not afford at the time.
After that, he says, he doesn't know why an updated system was not looked at sooner.
£1.5million from the council’s capital budget will be used to pay for the new system.
An accident involving a van and a car at one of the entrances to the Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton is causing delays in the area this morning.
The accident happened at about 8am at the roundabout entrance to Pavilion Drive at the Barclaycard end.
Police are dealing with the accident and diverting traffic but it is causing delays on roads around the industrial estate and at the other entrance off the A45.
Keith Curle says he knows which players will be staying and going ahead of next season - and has told Cobblers supporters to expect a ‘busy summer’ of recruitment activity.
Curle has had since October to run the rule over ths current Town squad, and has made no secret of the fact he is not satisfied with what he has at his disposal.
With several players’ contracts up this summer, there is an ideal chance for Curle to shake things up, and that is exactly what he intends to do.
But it is likely it won't just be players out of contract who will be told their futures lie elsewhere, with Curle keen to totally restructure a playing group he feels is lacking in key areas, although nothing will be made official until after the final ball of the season has been kicked.
Brought in to save the club from the threat of relegation after a poor start to the season under Dean Austin, Curle has done that, and now he says he is concentrating on the next task in hand, which is challenging to win promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
"Ultimately, we have gained enough points for the primary target, which was staying in the division comfortably, and putting platforms and foundations for the club to move forward," said the Town boss.
"That has been an important part of the remit since I came in, and I have to say there has been a good reaction from the changing room.
"So page one is nearly complete, but quickly we need to turn the page and we need to move on to continued growth as a club.
“There has to be a plan in place, and recruitment is going to be vitally important in the summer.
“We need to have a changing room that is buoyant, attentive, enthusiastic and with quality.”
So has Curle made up his mind which of the current players are staying and going?
“Yes I have,” he said. “And I have a document here of 60 or 70 pages listing players who are out of contract at the end of this season, so there is a large market in the summer to go shopping from.
“But just because the player is out of contract isn’t enough, they have to be the right player, and have to have the right attributes to fit into what what we are trying to build, mould and evolve into as a football club.
“Simon Tracey is the head of recruitment and he is working very, very hard at the minute, gathering information.
"It is not purely about ability, it is about character, and the players have to have a hunger and a desire to develop, improve, and fit in with the steps we are trying to build here.
“It is going to be a busy summer for myself, for the staff and hopefully for the football club.”
Players out of contract at the Cobblers this summer include John-Joe O'Toole, David Buchanan, Shay Facey, Dean Bowditch, Jack Bridge, Sam Foley, Luke Coddington and Daniel Powell.
The Cobblers, who are currently in 14th place in league two, nine points off the play-offs and 16 points above the relegation zone, have five matches remaining this season, starting with the visit of second-placed Mansfield Town on Saturday.
Worshippers of St Mary’s, Grendon, gathered with those from St Andrew’s, Yardley Hastings; St Mary Magdalene, Castle Ashby; Castle Ashby, St Margaret of Antioch Denton and St Mary the Virgin, Whiston to meet the Archbishop on his two-day visit to the Peterborough Diocese.
The Rev Paula York welcomed the Archbishop who wanted to see an example of a rural ministry.
During his hour with the congregation, he met members involved in different aspects of church life including members of the clergy, church wardens, youth workers, members of the Benefice and Community choir, who gave a performance, and everyone involved in church life.
She said: “We wanted to show that rural ministry is alive and well in our diocese and to demonstrate to him the imaginative ways that we are engaging with our five village communities.
“He spoke to those involved in running and maintaining our churches and was particularly inspired by the T-shirt that our Messy Church had made for him as well as our work with the Grendon C of E Primary School and young people in the Benefice.”
Wearing the T-shirt emblazoned with ‘ABC Justin’ on the back, he continued his tour.
Two long-serving church wardens, with a century of service between them, were presented with certificates by the Archbishop who thanked them for their hard work.
Paula added: “The Archbishop presented Gerald Hunt and Richard Dicks, who have both served 50 years as churchwarden at St Mary Magdalene Church in Castle Ashby, with long-service awards.
“The church members also presented the Archbishop with a basket of ‘rural’ produce including local honey, homemade jam and half a dozen fresh eggs.
“He then went into the ringing chamber to talk to bellringers from across the benefice who rang as he left to visit for Northampton.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to take time to celebrate the hard work put in by so many through the parish churches in Castle Ashby, Denton, Grendon, Whiston and Yardley Hastings to build community and serve our villages in Jesus’ name.”
The Archbishop said: “I saw an amazing example of thriving rural ministry this morning in Grendon. Thanks Rev Paula York and all for welcoming us.”
Northampton Saints' own James Haskell will be signing copies of his new fitness cookbook at a town centre WHSmith today.
Health enthusiasts and rugby fans alike will have the chance to meet the rugby star as he signs copies of his latest book Cooking for Fitness, in the WHSmith store in the Grosvenor's Centre from 5pm today (April 11).
The Saints back-rower has written the training and cooking guide with Omar Meziane, one of the UK's top performance chefs and current England football chef.
It details recipes that support successful training and recovery and features barcode links with the MyFitnessPal App making tracking calorie, protein and fat intake easy.
It comes after the the top floor of the WHSmith was recently renovated.
Grosvenor's Centre manager James Roberts said: “We’re really pleased James is coming to our new WHSmith store. We love hosting events like this at the centre and look forward to doing lots more. We’re expecting to see fans of both James’s rugby career as well as his fitness expertise.”
The signing is a ticketed event with tickets priced at £5 per person. The £5 cost of the ticket is redeemable against the cost of the book Cooking for Fitness.
A fraudster from Northampton who used false ID documents to withdraw thousands of pounds from other people's bank accounts has been jailed.
Julian Mabbutt, of Cherwell Green, Northampton, was handed a three and a half year sentence at Inner London Crown Court yesterday (April 10) after pleading guilty to 15 counts of fraud.
Between March 2015 and August 2018, the 58-year-old entered over 80 banks and building societies across the UK and stole hundreds of thousands of pounds from other customers’ accounts.
The fraudster used sophisticated counterfeit passports and driving licences displaying the names of the account holders but featuring a photo of himself.
Across three years, his offending amounted to £152,000 of fraud. Around £113,000 of fraudulent withdrawals were attempted but were unsuccessful.
In sentencing, a further 65 other offences committed by Mabbutt were taken into account.
Detective Constable Matthew Cornell, who investigated the case for the DCPCU, commented:
“Mabbutt used sophisticated fake ID documents to go on a fraud spree across the UK, withdrawing thousands of pounds from customers’ accounts.
“Working closely with the banking industry, we were able to identify this criminal and bring him to justice.
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to any would-be fraudsters that they will be caught and punished.”
The 58-year-old targeted banks and building societies up and down the country including in Nottingham, Mansfield, Leicester, Darlington, York, Blackpool, Wigan, Stafford, Grantham, Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Hull and Peterborough.
The fraud was spotted by in-branch CCTV footage and was referred to the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist police unit funded by the banking and cards industry. All victims of the fraud were fully refunded.
A new range of grant funding is now available and open for applications through the office of Northamptonshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold.
This year, three different funds are available that will give a wider range of community groups, charities and other voluntary organisations options to seek funding, with more than £250,000 being made available.
Stephen Mold set up the Making Northamptonshire Safer fund in 2017 and since then, it has provided £100,000 to 13 different groups to allow them to undertake a wide variety of projects.
Now a further £100,000 is available through the Making Northamptonshire Safer Fund, and that is complemented by two additional funds that are being made available through the Commissioner’s office: The Northamptonshire Road Safety Community Fund of £150,000 and the Tackling Hate Crime Fund with £11,000.
These three funds are making available a total of more than £250,000 for good causes in Northamptonshire.
The Making Northamptonshire Safer Fund provides grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 to groups carrying out projects that support the aims of the Police and Crime Plan: early intervention and preventing crime; enforcing robustly to fight crime and protect people; putting victims at the heart of justice and reducing reoffending.
The Northamptonshire Road Safety Community Fund is supported by the Safer Roads Alliance and gives grants of between £500 and £5,000 for initiatives that support the Northamptonshire Strategic Road Safety Plan: speed reduction; anti-social road use; distraction driving; drink or drug driving; road victims and their families; use of seatbelts; child restraints and seats; educational initiatives leading to positive behaviour change.
The Tackling Hate Crime Fund is provided by the Northamptonshire Hate Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Delivery Group and is open for bids of between £1,000 and £11,000 for initiatives that will: support victims of hate crime or hate incidents; support confidence in reporting; support work with offenders to successfully change behaviour.
Northamptonshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said: “I’m pleased to be able to make such a significant amount of money available to non-profit organisations and groups that are working in countless ways to support communities across the county.
“As well as supporting bids that are working to tackle crime, this year we are able to offer or administer funds for a wider range of work on road safety and hate crime. There are so many fantastic groups working in the county, I am really looking forward to seeing some strong bids come forward.”
Applications are now invited for all three funds, and the current round closes on May 31. Further details and application packs are available at www.northantspcc.org.uk/community-grants
A stunning puppet of the prehistoric beast - called Tybalt - will be prowling the upper mall of the shopping centre outside of Primark between 1pm and 3pm.
The event is all part of a showcase for the upcoming Dinosaur World Live event at the Royal and Derngate on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20.
The interactive family show will see life-sized Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus and Triceratop puppets take to the stage alongside the T-Rex.
A spokeswoman for the Royal and Derngate said: "For anyone looking for fun things to do with the kids, Dinosaur World Live delivers an entertaining and educational live show that promises to delight the whole family, from ages three and upwards.
"Each performance is followed by a post-show meet and greet where audience members have the opportunity to meet some of the dinosaurs in person."
Dinosaur World Live takes to the stage at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate on Friday, April 19 at 11.30am and 2pm and on Saturday, April 20, at 11am and 2pm.
Tickets – priced £14 – can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
For the past four years, David Buchanan has been part of the fabric of the Cobblers and says he would love to end his playing days in the claret and white - but he admits he is still in the dark as to whether he will be staying at the club beyond the end of this season.
The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer, and has revealed he has yet to discover whether or not he will be offered a new deal to extend a love affair with the club that began when he signed in the summer of 2015.
Buchanan has held talks with boss Keith Curle, but has as yet received no assurances about his future at the at the PTS Academy Stadium, although he has admitted he would love to ‘stay for the rest of his career’.
The left-back admits that is something that could be taken out of his hands, but he is hoping his distinguished playing record since Chris Wilder signed him from Preston North End could be a factor in him being offered new terms.
Buchanan was an ever-present in the 2015/16 league two title-winning team, and has made 183 starts and two substitute appearances since joining the club, scoring one goal.
He has been involved in all but 24 Cobblers matches in all competitions over his four-year stint, a remarkable record when that has been under six different managers, and he is hoping he can now bring up his 200 appearances and more.
“I have spoken to the manager, and hopefully we can get something sorted for next season,” said Buchanan.
“It is a busy time for the manager, he has got decisions to make.
“I am sure he has already made a few in the back of his mind, and will have those conversations with players when he feels the time is right.
“But as a player, when you are out of contract it is a difficult situation, because you just want to know where you stand, especially for myself as I have been here a long time.
“Everybody knows the way I feel about this football club, and if I could stay here for the rest of my career then I would.
“It doesn’t always work like that, as you have to be in the manager’s plans, and hopefully I am going forward.
“If we come to some sort of deal it won’t take me long to agree a contract, but is has to be right for me, it has to be right for my family.
“But hopefully we can get the situated sorted as quickly as possible.”
Buchanan is hoping the fact he has been a key man for Curle since he took over as manager will stand him in good stead when it comes to those contract talks, as well as his exemplary fitness record.
The Rochdale-born defender has made 42 appearances for Town in all this season, starting 35 of the 41 Sky Bet League Two fixtures, and Buchanan said: “I think there is only Dai Cornell has played more games than me this season, and he has played every minute of every game as the goalkeeper, so that tells you something.
“I feel as though I have done my job, I feel as though I do the job to the best of my ability every time I put the shirt on for Northampton.
“I think I have been consistent since the minute I walked through the door, albeit you can’t play well every week, and that is why we are league two footballers.
“But I think that with the fans at this football club, as long as you give 100 per cent every week and show that you care, that is what it is all about.
“This county has become my home really, and as I have said, everybody knows how I feel about this football team, and if I could stay here for the rest of my career I would.
“But football doesn’t work like that. The contract has to be right for me, but also on the other side the deal has to be right for the football club if they want me to stay.
“They have to work to budgets, they have ideas and ambitions for where they want to be.
“Hopefully I am in their plans, but if I am not then we will shake hands and move forwards.”
And on that remarkable appearance record for the club, Buchanan said: “I like to pride myself on my fitness.
“I can’t remember the last training session I missed, and I have been available for every game for the past, well I have been here for nearly four years.
“In that time, the number of games I have played and the number of minutes I have played speaks for itself.”