Burglars smashed their way into a Ringstead home before stealing cash and medals.

Police officers are appealing for witnesses after the incident in Denford Road in Ringstead.

The incident happened on Thursday, November 14, between 2pm and 5pm, when the burglars forced entry into the property by smashing a back window.

Once inside they stole cash and jewellery. Among the items taken was a 9ct gold Dennison pocket watch and chain with a Birmingham 1931 hallmark and an engraving which reads GFCW.

A Round Table chairman medal and a Ladies’ Circle chairwoman medal were also stolen.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

A motion will call on Northamptonshire County Council to continue the funding of a contract that helps fund voluntary social services across the county.

Eleven organisations had written to the county council’s chief executive asking the authority to continue the ‘social wellbeing contract’ that expires in March 2020.

The letter was signed by Northamptonshire Age UK, The Autumn Centre, Catch 22, Dostiyo, Glamis Hall, Marlow House Welcomes, Mayday Trust, Midland Heart, Naash, Serve and ACA.

They all work under the Commsortia contract, which is worth £1.6million and handled by the county council’s public health department. The organisations say that not extending the contract will be ‘highly detrimental’ to 3,500 users of the services, and that half of the groups would cease trading unless alternative funding was located.

Now a motion from Labour councillor John McGhee will be debated at County Hall at Thursday’s full council meeting (November 21).

The motion calls on the council to ‘ensure that the funding is maintained to the voluntary and community sector in the county and specifically through continuing the £1.6million social wellbeing contract to the same level as this financial year and in 2020/21 to support local government reorganisation in the coming years’.

It adds: “This council recognises the value of Northamptonshire’s voluntary and community sector and the contribution it has made to support county council services. It recognises the immense preventative work undertaken across the county that have a direct impact on not only county council service users but county council services and their stated outcomes.

“The money the organisations receive from the county council ensures that they can provide these services viably.”

A spokesperson from Northamptonshire County Council has previously said: “Commsortia was awarded a three-year contract in 2017 to manage and improve social wellbeing services in Northamptonshire. This contract comes to an end, as planned, at the end of March 2020.

“Public health has been working with Commsortia, adult social care and housing partners to ensure that, as elements of this contract cease, appropriate alternative support is provided to those service users with on-going social care and housing needs. This will be supported by public health through a short bridging arrangement, subject to agreement by Commsortia.

“At the same time, public health has also working with wider partners and stakeholders, and will be consulting service users, to better understand the public health needs of wider vulnerable groups in Northamptonshire, with a view to developing a broader preventative offer for those most at risk of inequalities.

“It’s important that public health funding is prioritised against the areas of greatest need locally, addressing health inequalities and demonstrating value for money, as well as being fully compliant with public health grant requirements. The development of a new inequalities contract is part of an on-going improvement programme for public health.”

Cobblers boss Keith Curle admits his side conceded 'too many chances' in the first-half of their 4-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Cobblers led 3-0 after just 24 minutes but it could easily have been 3-3 with Charlie Kirk, Tommy Lowery and Chris Porter all going close for the visitors.

However, while Crewe were wasteful, Town showed their ruthless edge through Scott Wharton's brace and a penalty from Sam Hoskins.

Although Porter pulled one back, Andy Williams wrapped up all three points for the Cobblers with his sixth goal of the campaign.

But Curle, having watched the video back, admitted it was by no means a flawless performance from his side despite the impressive margin of victory.

"I thought we were clinical but they had too many chances in the game, which shows we are still a work in progress," he said.

"The pleasing thing is that, if you're not firing at one end but you're firing at the other, you're always going to have a chance in games.

"Saying that, there's a way you have to play against Crewe to give yourself an opportunity and I thought we exploited their weaknesses very well."

Meanwhile, speaking a few days after the defeat, Crewe boss David Artell reiterated his belief that his side were the better team, saying: "We played well in large parts but forgot to do the vital bits of the game.

"We played well enough to win more than one game of football with the chances we created but at times we were as soft as anything going the other way, certainly at set-piece situations, and that can't happen.

"We've got to be better and we've got to be a bit cuter because we can't rely on referees giving decisions, not that we ever have done.

"We've got to be better at set-pieces when teams rely heavily on them. They created probably two other chances in the whole of the first-half, both from counter-attacks, but other than that they didn't create anything and yet they've gone in 3-1 up.

"We were the better team. I know it sounds silly but we were. But the result says otherwise and that's the most important thing."

The man, in his late 30s, was taken to University Hospital Coventry after the crash on the A45 eastbound towards the Turnells Mill Lane junction in Wellingborough at about 7pm.

His injuries were originally described as life-threatening but a police spokesman has confirmed he died this morning.

The crash involved one vehicle, a Suzuki GSX-R750, and it is not yet known how he lost control.

The road was closed for about six hours.

A police spokesman said: "Officers investigating the collision are continuing to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage.

"Anyone who saw the incident, who has dashcam footage before, during or after the collision, or has information about it should call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, regarding incident 515 of November 18."

Carly Pilcher had reportedly not eaten in five days and was in "a desperate situation" when she saw a woman taking cash out of an ATM near Blackthorn Community Centre earlier this year.

It was the tipping point that made the 39-year-old wait behind the elderly woman and make a grab for the £30 as it was dispensed from the slot.

Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (November 19) how Pilcher was caught between receiving long-term sick pay that did not cover her mortgage and being unable to approach food banks or charities for help as she was technically employed.

The robbery itself came after holding a job with a Northampton firm for 20 years - but she was pushed to act after a tragic succession of personal circumstances.

It led to her sitting outside the One Stop convenience store in Blackthorne Bridge Court contemplating what to do about the situation and making a desperate attempt to take the woman's money.

However, as she ran from the scene, a man who saw the incident stopped and detained her until police arrived.

But at court, Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking ruled she could not send the 39-year-old to prison and felt that it was the actions of a woman who was in "dire straits".

The judge told Pilcher: "Your victim was undoubtedly very shocked and upset by this incident. Fortunately for you, you did not hit her and in fact used the minimum of force.

"I can see your act was a desperate one. You had been unable to feed yourself for five days and it led you to do something entirely out of character.

"I accept you are deeply ashamed and remorseful."

As a result, Judge Lucking handed Pilcher a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete rehabilitation work and pay £1,000 in compensation to her victim.

Judge Lucking said: "Let me be clear - people who carry out robberies at cashpoints in this county go to prison. I have made an exception in this case because of powerful personal mitigation.

"If you breach the orders I have made today I will send you to prison."

An award of £250 was also ordered for the member of the public who detained Pilcher as she ran from the cash point.

A headteacher is retiring on a high after a Northampton special school has scored its third outstanding inspection in a row.

Education watchdog Ofsted has handed Billing Brook Special School a glowing report and has graded it one of the best performing academies in the town.

Inspectors have praised how staff develop the confidence of pupils and "treat every student equally", leading to a school where children achieve "exceptionally well".

The report, published on November 13, reads: "Pupils thrive in their personal development. They learn through real-life experiences, such as visits to the local supermarket or working in the school’s cafe.

"Staff are expert in communicating with pupils. They help pupils to develop their confidence. Staff help pupils to play together at social times.

"By the time pupils leave the school, they are prepared to move on to the next stage of their lives."

In fact, Ofsted could not make any recommendations to improve in their report.

It comes as a high mark for headteacher Caroline Grant, who is set to retire in seven weeks after 12 years at the helm, during which time all three Ofsted inspections have proved Outstanding.

Mrs Grant said: "It's been an incredible year. It's come off the back of some really work by my team here.

"This accolade reflects the continuing development and growth of an already outstanding school.

"I'm proud of this outcome because the school deserves it, the kids deserve it and the staff deserve it."

Billing Brook - which is home to nearly 230 pupils of all ages - is also the only school in Northamptonshire to hold National Autism Accreditation from the National Autism Society.

A parish councillor accused of breaching the code of conduct has accused his colleagues of engaging in a ‘witch hunt’ against him.

Councillor Robert Barrett, who is an elected member of Upton Parish Council, has been referred to Northampton Borough Council for an alleged breach of the code.

No official reason has been given yet as to why the complaint has been made, but the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Councillor Barrett has been accused of bullying members of staff at the parish council. It is understood a number of clerks have left their posts in recent years. But Councillor Barrett has said that the accusations are ‘nonsense’.

A standards hearing at The Guildhall on Monday morning (November 18) had been due to determine whether Councillor Barrett had breached the code. But the meeting has been adjourned after he argued that the parish council had not followed its own policies.

He told the standards committee that Upton Parish Council had failed to abide by its own ‘Dignity At Work’ policy by granting him a grievance hearing.

Speaking at the standards hearing, he said: “At no point prior to this have the parish council undertaken this particular action. I would argue that this breaches policy. They have taken it upon themselves to ignore this. I have brought it to their attention and they have dismissed it. I have not been given the opportunity to defend myself internally and I believe that breaches their internal obligations.

“I would ask that you return this to them so that they undertake the policy in place. If they then find it has a case to answer they can refer it back to yourselves through the appropriate channels.

“But if we have dispensed with the policy then I must question all of the other policies that they have adopted, including the code of conduct. Either they run with the policies they have or they mean nothing at all.”

The perceived breaches of the code of conduct were referred to the borough council’s monitoring officer by Councillor Shaun Pape, the chairman of Upton Parish Council, after a number of complaints were received by the parish. It was unanimously agreed at a full parish council meeting on May 14, 2018, to refer these complaints to the borough council’s monitoring officer. The minutes of that meeting name Councillor Barrett as the member in question.

Councillor Barrett added: “The chairman, without consultation with any of the councillors, dismissed that route. He wanted vengeance and wanted it to go straight to the monitoring officer. They have their cake and they want to eat it.

“I keep mentioning that this is a witch hunt, and this is part and parcel of it. It demonstrates the intent of these people to slander me.

“I’m asking this to be referred back to the parish council. They have to go through their processes first. Referring it here without that first process is, I think, an injustice.”

The arguments from Councillor Barrett, who was supported by one fellow parish councillor Darrin Stevens, persuaded the borough council’s deputy monitoring officer Laurie Gould to adjourn the meeting for a second time – with a previous meeting in July also having been deferred.

The standards committee will reconvene in the New Year in order to allow Mr Gould the necessary time to read the parish council’s Dignity At Work policy.

Councillor Barrett had previously been accused of ‘turning down’ opportunities to meet with the borough council’s investigating officer, and he was asked by Mr Gould if he would now be ‘willing’ to get on board.

The councillor responded: “I have no objections to meeting whatsoever. But I object to being given half the picture. How am I supposed to defend myself against allegations from unnamed people? There should be no immunity as far as I am concerned. Most of these allegations are not verbal, so if they are all emails then bring them forward. Quite frankly I’m not going to go down the route of he or she said. I think it’s improper to expect me to defend myself when I have half the picture. It’s either full access or no access.”

But Mr Gould responded: “The law does recognise that people who give information can do so on a confidential basis. And the ombudsman recognises that the right of confidentiality has to be respected, and we have to respect that.”

The details of the complaints were not made public during the meeting and were contained in private papers which were read by councillors prior to the meeting beginning.

Councillor Barrett – who states on his biography on the parish council’s website that he has a ‘direct, no nonsense approach who does not entertain or suffer fools and laggards lightly’ – had previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he ‘refused to join the collective ‘Private Members Club’ that purports to be a representative local body’.

Saints boss Chris Boyd is confident that Harry Mallinder will be able to feature for the first team before Christmas.

Mallinder has not played since September last year, when he suffered a knee injury against Harlequins.

But he is on the comeback trail and Boyd now has an idea of when he will be ready to return.

"I think he'll play before Christmas," said Boyd at Saints' season ticket holders forum on Tuesday night.

"He's running full by himself now and he'll be introduced into team training probably next week.

"He'll need to go through a couple of weeks of full contact team training before we throw him into a game.

"He's certainly not playing this weekend against Benetton and I wouldn't think he'll play next week against Leicester.

"If I was going to guess, I'd say his first game might be Leinster away (on December 14)."

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell is another player who has not been able to feature for Saints this season, having suffered a serious knee injury during England's win against the Barbarians back in June.

"Alex Mitchell will be our longest injury," Boyd said.

"He's probably not due to come back until the end of January.

"He had quite a nasty patella rupture but he went to the specialist last week and got a real positive clearance.

"He's on the last bit of his recovery."

Hooker Reece Marshall has also yet to play this season.

"Reece Marshall tore the hamstring off the bone in that last game against Exeter last season and it's been a real problem for him, but he's probably three weeks away," Boyd said.

Henry Taylor, who moved to Saints from Saracens during the summer, suffered a broken thumb in the recent game at Bath.

And Boyd said: "Henry Taylor broke his thumb and had to have a screw put in it so he's five or six weeks away.

"He's (aiming for) Gloucester around Christmas time (December 28)."

Chris Boyd says Tom Wood will be rested for Saturday's game at Benetton with Saints set to make as many as nine changes to the team that beat Lyon.

The black, green and gold bagged a crucial 25-14 win in the Champions Cup opener last Sunday, having opted to start their returning World Cup players.

Saints will now be desperate to back up the success with a win in Italy this weekend.

And Boyd spoke about the potential team selection at Saints' season ticket holders' forum at Franklin's Gardens on Tuesday night.

"Without letting the cat out of the bag, I think we've made about nine changes to the team for this week," Boyd said.

"It's really about preserving people and having trust and faith in the bigger squad.

"As an example, Tom Wood, who has played really well for us this year, is a bit like The Last of the Mohicans - he's starting to creak - so Woody's not going to Benetton, he's having a rest, and there are a couple of other guys who are having a rest as well.

"If we're sensible about the rest and rotation of our players and we believe and trust in the young guys, there's no reason we can't keep doing the best we can.

"We'll see where we go, but we're certainly not putting any emphasis on one competition over the other at this stage."

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

OCTOBER 14 
Kamal Lal, aged 19, of Dallington Road, Northampton, driving at 97mph in a 70mph zone; Fined £80, surcharge   £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with four points.

Florin Scalat, aged 29, of Baker Street, Northampton, driving without insurance; Fined £180, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Soloman Luke Stewart, aged 29, of Pembroke Gardens, Northampton, driving at 66mph in a 40mph zone; Fined £320, surcharge  £32, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Thomas Robert Swift, aged 26, of Willis Way, Towcester, driving at 87mph in a 60mph zone; Fined £349, surcharge £34, costs £85, licence endorsed with four points.

Lauren Taylor-Bedford, aged 25, of The Causeway, Great Billing, Northampton, driving at 70mph in a 40mph zone; Fined £230, surcharge   £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

OCTOBER 15

Sarah Buckingham, aged 35, of Collingwood Road, Northampton, failed to comply with a court order; Fined £30.

Marius Kozirevs, aged 38, of Leslie Road, Semilong, Northampton, failed to comply with a court order; Jailed for six weeks suspended for 18 months, carry out unpaid work for 110 hours, costs £60.

OCTOBER 15

Karl Anthony Spires, aged 28, of Everdon Close, Northampton, drug-driving; Fined £120, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 12 months; driving without insurance, fined £120.

Shannon Walker, aged 25, of Gardeners View, Northampton, drink-driving; to have treatment for alcohol dependency, curfew with electronic monitoring, surcharge £90, costs £85, banned from driving for 23 months; failed to stop for a police officer, no separate penalty.

Oleg Stratan, aged 31, of Harksome Hill, Northampton, drink-driving; Fined £200, surcharge £32, costs £85, banned from driving for 24 months.

OCTOBER 16

Jordan Henry, aged 24, of Ashburham Road, Abington, Northampton, failed to comply with a court order; Costs £60.

Gary Michael Phillips, aged 46, of no fixed abode, carrying a bottle of alcohol in public; Jailed for 6 weeks; carrying a bottle of alcohol in public; Jailed for 6 weeks consecutive, surcharge £122.

Chandresh Jilka, aged 46, of Nuthall Close, Northampton, drove at 35mph in a 30mph zone; Fined £116, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 12 months.
Olga Pisciac, aged 38, of School Street, Drayton, driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone; Fined £359, surcharge  £35, costs £85.

Ion Railean, aged 24, of Arbour Court, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; Fined £440, surcharge £44, costs £85, banned from driving for 18 months; driving without a licence, fined £146; without insurance, fined £440; without an MOT certificate, no separate penalty.

Masum Ahmed, aged 29, of Kenmuir Avenue, Northampton, failed to provide information about a suspected motoring offence; Fined £240, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Dumi Chirwa, aged 33, of Brickwell Court, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; Fined £106, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Naqibullah Umarkhel, aged 46, of Dallington Road, Northampton, driving at 37mph in a 30mph zone; Fined £83, costs £85, licence endorsed with three points; driving at 48mph in a 40mph zone;  fined £83, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with three points.

OCTOBER 17

Susan Macdougall, aged 33, of The Medway, The Grange, Daventry, growing cannabis; Fined £79, surcharge £30, costs £85, cannabis and paraphernalia forfeited and destroyed.

Mark Anthony Wright, aged 59, of Mitchall Close, Ryehill, Duston, assault; Compensation £50, surcharge £90, costs £85, samurai sword seized.

Anthony David Hollingsworth-Ellary, aged 61, of Grasscroft, Northampton, drink-driving; Fined £150, surcharge £32, costs £85, banned from driving for 24 months.

Shannon Lawrence, aged 18, of Boughton Green Road, Northampton, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, racially aggravated; Carry out unpaid work for 70 hours, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Aaron Sweeney, aged 21, of Kettering Road, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; Carry out unpaid work for 120 hours, compensation £50, surcharge £85, costs £85; wilfully obstructed a police officer, Carry out unpaid work for 120 hours.

OCTOBER 18

Joshua Derren Goddard, aged 21, of Sherwood Drive, Ashby Fields, Daventry, drink-driving; Carry out unpaid work for 200 hours, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 36 months; driving while banned, carry out unpaid work for 200 hours.

Eduard Antoci, aged 32, of South Oval, Northampton, drink-driving; Fined £540, surcharge £54, costs £400, banned from driving for 18 months; without a licence, fined £180; without insurance, fined £540.


Grimsby have gone seven games without a win in all competitions, five of which have been defeats, ahead of tonight's FA Cup first-round replay at Newport County.

But there was more to Jolley's departure than met the eye after audio emerged of his foul-mouthed rant at a BBC journalist last month.

"Yes, I was," said Curle when asked if he was surprised by the news. "They obviously won't be happy with their league position but they do have games in hand.

"If they win two or three of those games, they'd be right back in the mix."

Ex-Woking manager Anthony Limbrick, Jolley's former assistant, looks set to take charge for Saturday's trip to the PTS after being named interim manager.

On whether or not the change of manager impacts his preparations for the game, Curle added: "Yes and no. We analyse opposition teams over three or four games and you get certain similarities with certain managers.

"I think the assistant has been given the job for two games and he'll be implementing some of his ideas.

"But you'd think that, as their assistant manager before, some of his ideas will be the same as the manager's ideas or very similar.

"He'll have a good understanding of the players that they have in the building and what they need to do to put in a performance at the weekend."

The news comes as Northampton General Hospital yesterday (Tuesday) was seeking advice from its commissioners about how to deal with soaring demand for NHS services.

READ MORE: Waiting times for non-urgent operations could be extended at NGH

But an updated statement sent to the Chronicle & Echo by the hospital since has confirmed that NGH has now cancelled the non-urgent operations for the next four months, effective immediatley.

A spokeswoman for Northampton General Hospital said: “As we move into our busiest period we are working to manage the demand that we will have for our services this winter. We are working to prepare for these pressures in a more structured way to help us to avoid cancelling surgery at short notice.

"We know previously that this has caused a lot of frustration for patients, some of whom have been cancelled multiple times, which we believe is an unacceptable way to treat our patients.

“We have therefore reluctantly taken the decision, with input from our divisional management team and clinical leaders, to cease some routine non-urgent surgery that requires an inpatient bed at Northampton General Hospital."

This will be for the period of four months over the winter, effective immediately in November until the end of March, to allow the hospital to support the care of urgent patients arriving in A&E department.

She added: "We will continue to provide emergency surgery for patients with urgent surgical need, patients with cancer and we will be doing as many day case procedures as we are able to during this period.

“Anyone affected will receive information about what will happen with their treatment and whether we can provide surgery for them elsewhere.

“We are very sorry to anyone who will be affected by these cancellations and for any upset this will cause.

"We would like to thank everyone for their ongoing cooperation and support for the hospital and hope they can understand the need to make these tough decisions to keep our patients safe.”

Saints boss Chris Boyd has given a typically candid take on Cobus Reinach's future.

The World Cup-winning South Africa scrum-half has been heavily linked with a move to Montpellier.

Some reports even suggested that the French giants would be keen to buy him out of the final year of his contract, with Reinach's current deal set to run out in the summer of 2020.

Montpellier did that when they purchased Louis Picamoles from Saints in 2017.

Picamoles, as Reinach is now, was Saints' reigning players' and supporters' player of the year at the time.

But Boyd hasn't heard that a similar situation will be unfolding this time round.

"All of the boys that are going to be out of contract, I will have discussions with those boys about what they want to do in the next two or three years," Boyd said.

"If what they want to do in the next two or three years is something other than Saints then I've got a really clear idea.

"If they want to stay with Saints then we need to talk about what that looks like.

"Once we agree we want them to stay and they want to stay, Paul Shields, who does our contracting, finishes that deal off with (chief executive) Mark (Darbon).

"You've got to take the short and the long-term view on things.

"Cobus is coming nearly to the end of his career, he's looking for a big, long contract to finish his career and we've got some young English guys here who are not bad footballers coming through.

"So I've got to sit there and think about what Cobus can offer over the short and long-term versus what other people can offer over the short and long-term.

"He has a value and his value is obviously high.

"We have to make a decision whether that fits the salary cap or not, and it absolutely comes back to choice.

"We have to make a decision whether the money to spend on Cobus is the right money to spend on the squad or the wrong money to spend on the squad.

"All of those discussions are pretty open.

"I just find that being open and honest is the easiest way to deal with it.

"Where there's smoke there's fire, but I don't think at this stage any deal has been done.

"We certainly haven't re-signed Cobus. I'm still talking to him about what the future might look like.

"I've got a bit of an idea what it might look like but I'm not sure."

Lings Primary School in Hayeswood Road was inspected over a two-day period in October and was rated as 'requires improvement' for the quality of education it provides to it's 383 pupils.

However, it scored as 'good' in five other categories, including behaviour and attitudes, early years provision and personal development.

Ofsted was critical over the school's role in teaching children how to read, subject leaders not fully using their training to improve the quality of education in their area and the work teachers set not always matching the ambition of the curriculum.

Following the last inspection in February 2016 standards began to fall, the new report published this month said.

Pupils underachieved in many subjects but since new leaders have been brought in - decline in standards have dropped.

Inspectors gave a nod to the new leaders who are determined that all staff will have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.

CEO of Northampton Primary Academy Trust, Julie Kedwards, said: "Following a decline in the pupil outcomes at Lings Primary School, our internal monitoring identified that the overall educational provision did not meet the trust’s high expectations.

"As a result of intensive support under new leadership, educational provision and outcomes for children are improving and standards are improving again. We are reassured that the recent Ofsted inspection recognised this, and additionally recognised the many strengths of the school.

"The inspection team recognised the strength of leadership and the improvements that have been made so far, and we look forward to continuing to support Lings on its improvement journey."

The early years provision was spoken of well with inspectors saying staff make sure children settle into school life and build positive relationships with the youngsters.

Other findings by the inspectors showed that pupils behaved well, leaders cared about staff's wellbeing and there was a strong sense of teamwork throughout the school and arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Former Northampton midfielder Dean Bowditch has signed for Stowmarket Town on a deal until the end of the season.

Bowditch was one of eight players released by Cobblers boss Keith Curle at the end of last season but it's taken him a while to find a new home.

The 33-year-old former MK Dons and Ipswich player made over 400 appearances as a professional, 40 of which came across a two-year spell at the Cobblers.

His new club, Stowmarket, are based in Suffolk and currently sit top of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, 15 points clear of second-placed Wroxham having not lost any of their 17 games this season.

“It was Jack Ainsley, who I played with in the past, he mentioned Stowmarket a while ago,” said Bowditch after signing on Monday evening.

“He was really selling the club to me and I’ve recently had a son, and I’ve spent the last three or four months with him, which I’ve absolutely loved.

“But a part of me has also been itching to get back playing. It’s good to be at a club that are just going one way.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses and information after a home was broken into in Northampton.

The burglary happened in Billing Road East between 1pm and 5.45pm on Monday, November 18, when the offender/s smashed a patio window and jemmied the door open.

A number of electronic items and jewellery were taken.

Anyone who saw the burglary or has information about it should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A 525-home development between Brackmills and Hardingstone has been given outline planning permission by councillors.

Hundreds of homes will now be built to the south of the industrial estate with the land divided into two parcels by The Green, a minor single track road leading to Great Houghton.

The northern section of the site sits within Northampton Borough while the other sits in South Northamptonshire. NBC approved its part of the scheme last night (November 19), amounting to 115 homes, which was submitted by Martin Grant Homes Ltd & Harcourt Developments Ltd. The borough also decided not to raise any objections to the rest of the scheme that will be determined by SNC.

The planning committee meeting at The Guildhall was packed to the rafters, with Councillor Phil Larratt the first of four public speakers. He was speaking on behalf of ward councillor Penny Flavell and said the concerns of residents in Great Houghton were being ‘ignored’.

He said that developer funds to improve nearby infrastructure, known as section 106 funds, were being directed towards Wooldale Road in Wootton where there was no need. He told the committee that the S106 funds should be used in Great Houghton where ‘the real issues are’ and suggested putting in a weight restriction for vehicles going through the village.

Councillor Perry Thomas, from Hardingstone Parish Council, also spoke out against the application on traffic grounds. He said: “Newport Pagnell Road is at peak capacity and is thoroughly inadequate to cope with the extra traffic. The A45 is subject to a lot of accidents and more recently flooding. Can the emergency services cover all these new developments as well? Can any reassurance be given to Brackmills employees who struggle to get to and from work in a reasonable time?”

And Thomas Bowler, chairman of Great Houghton Parish Council, added: “The village was established long before the motorcar. It has become a rush hour rat run. The High Street was not meant to take more than a horse and cart.

“At present the major routes are frequently gridlocked as a direct result of extensive developments nearby.”

But Rob Barber, the planning consultant and agent for the applicant, told councillors: “We have worked considerably with officers to comply and also ensure that off-site facilities are delivered such as highways contributions.

“This will make a vital contribution to the council’s housing requirements. Residents will also enjoy the benefits of open green space.”

Committee member Cllr Brian Markham questioned him as to why the level of affordable housing only stood at 13 per cent, way below the council’s target of 35 per cent.

Mr Barber replied: “There are a number of significant costs with this development. Off-site highways is a substantial burden on the viability of the scheme.”

As councillors debated the application, planning committee chairman Cllr Brian Oldham said he could see no ‘justifiable reason’ why they should reject it.

And Cllr Arthur McCutcheon was ‘unimpressed’ with the amount of affordable housing and wanted to see more social rents on the site, but had no qualms with areas being ‘rat runs’ saying it was ‘part of urbanisation’.

The scheme was eventually approved by seven votes to one, with Councillor Markham the only member to vote against. The committee did however to write to the county council’s highways team to ask them to look at a potential weight restriction on traffic through Great Houghton.

With approval, the principal of the development has now been established. A second reserved matters application will come at a later date dealing with the design and layout of the homes.

A charity collection box was stolen from a shop in Earls Barton in Mears Ashby Road earlier this year, although police have not revealed when.

Officers investigating the crime would like to speak to the man pictured.

A police spokesman said: "The man or anyone who knows who he is should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."

The team behind a fine dining restaurant at Whittlebury Hall is celebrating being named one of the best eateries in town.

Murrays at Whittlebury Park was announced as the winner of Restaurant of the Year at the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards last week.

The fine dining restaurant at the hotel, wedding and conference venue took home one of the top accolades of the night at the ceremony at Royal and Dernagte in Northampton on Thrusday.

The Restaurant of the Year category, sponsored by Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment, was jointly won by Tresham Restaurant at Rushton Hall.

'Delighted' Harvey Lockwood, head chef at Murrays, said: “The Food & Drink Awards are an incredibly prestigious event and the team and I are honoured to have won Restaurant of the Year.

"We champion all of our local suppliers and always aim to surprise our guests with an innovative menu.

"I am proud of the entire Murrays team for creating an award-winning experience for our guests when they dine with us.”

Murrays, which has 2AA Rosettes, features a modern British menu using a range of local produce in combination with quality seasonal ingredients to create simple elegant dishes.

The annual food and drink awards, now in its 11th year, celebrates the unique and exceptional culinary sector across Northamptonshire from pubs to produces, to cafes and restaurants, as well as recognition for individuals too.

As part of the judging process for Restaurant of the Year, mystery guests dined at Murrays.

For all the winners and pictures from the event click here
Read more: All the winners from glitzy awards night that applauded county's finest food and drink

Town are set to play twice in the space of just over 48 hours after their FA Cup second-round tie with Notts County was moved to Sunday, December 1.

That will be followed by a trip to Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy on December 3, and with a league game at Exeter scheduled for the following Saturday, the Cobblers will face a busy six days.

However, while Curle unsurprisingly confirmed he intends to make changes between those three games, he insists he will take both cup competitions seriously.

"It shows the progress of the team that we're still in both competitions at this stage of the season," he said.

"We see it as a challenge and a challenge we won't shy away from. The two games will be very competitive and we'll field competitive teams in both.

"There will be changes between the games but we have belief in the work that we do and the information that we give the players regarding rest and recuperation.

"It's a case of making sure the players are able to recover in the best possible way during that period of time.

"Ultimately, it's just like playing a game on a Saturday and then having a training session the following Monday."