What’s on across Northamptonshire this week

TODAY

MUSIC

New York Jazz Trio, Jazz Café at Auntie Ruth’s, George Row, Npton, 8pm, £1.

The Rockin Hams at the Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Free entry.

Country Jam Session, Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Open Mic, hosted by Hannah Faulkner at The Obelisk Centre, Npton, 8.30pm

OTHER

COYS Touch Rugby Club training at Dallington Park, Npton, 6.30pm. www.pitchero.com/clubs/coystouchrugby

County Market in The Chantry House, Towcester, 8.30am–noon.

Paper Toys Workshop at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, 10am–noon & 1pm–3pm. Free drop-in suitable for all ages.

Charity fun day at Bington Park View Residential Home, 475-477 Wellingborough Road, N’pton, 11am–5pm. Money raised for residents’ activities.

Evening Walk with Northampton & District Ramblers (4.5 miles), 7pm from The Crown pub, High Street, Hardingstone.

Comedy Night at Victoria Inn, Poole Street, Npton, 8.30pm

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (11 miles). Start Grymes Dell car park, near Ashridge Park, 10am. 01604 891234.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15

MUSIC

Rhythm & Roots at Bootleggers, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 9pm

The Acoustic Lounge at the Lord Byron, Kingsley, 8.30pm.

Vibe@Baroque Bar, St Giles St, Npton with DJ Barney B and DJ Clue

Davey Nicholls at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

OTHER

Northampton Balloon Festival, starts today at Billing Aquadrome (ends Sunday evening). Flights 6am & 6pm each day (weather permitting)

Quiz at Brafield WMC, A428.

Street Dance Class, Stanwick Village Hall, 3.45pm. £4 per session.

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do at Ringstead Village Hall, 6.30pm.www.tangsoo.net

R-Zone Club for ages 8-13 years at the Community Centre, Olden Road, Rectory Farm, 5pm–6pm. 07979 152746.

Get Knitting, 70 Kingsley Park Terrace, Npton – preview evening for the new season’s yarns, 7pm.

SATURDAY, AUG 16

MUSIC

Kay T Daley, Brafield Working Mens Club, A428, 8pm.

Xcelerate 109 at Great Doddington WMC, Lower Street

Citadel at O’Neills, the Drapery, N’pton, 10pm

Umbrella Fair at Northampton Racecourse (& August 17). 11 live music & performance stages, various stalls. Free entry. www.umbrellafair.org.uk

Serious Grooves, at Walnut Tree, Blisworth, 9.30pm

Paul James at Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, N’pton

Spiral Archive Records 15th birthday celebrations at Charles Bradlaugh, Earl St, N’pton, 9pm

Miss Mics spinning the decks at Auntie Ruth’s, George Row, Npton, 9pm

Andy Stone at British Rail Club, St Andrews Road, N’pton, 8.30pm

Tony Gee’s Motown & Soul Night at Sunnyside, Boughton Green Road, Npton, 8pm

Tracey Matthews Band at The Hart of Duston, Harlestone Rd, N’pton

Jazz In The Village, Laxton Village Hall, Main Street, 8pm. Tickets £10 (inc jacket potato + filling, dessert, tea/coffee). Tickets in advance from 01780 450240 or zola.posh@gmail.com

Roy Stone at Kettering Rifle Band Club, Havelock Street, Kettering

Glamatize at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Disco at Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton

Chris Pearce’s Frenchmen Street Jazz Band at Harrington Church, 7pm. Tickets £10 (child £5) and Jazz Supper at Tollemache Arms, Harrington, 9.30pm. £12.

www.harringtonconcerts.org

The Binks at The Artichoke, Moulton, 9pm

OTHER

Northampton Balloon Festival, at Billing Aquadrome. Flights 6am & 6pm (weather permitting)

Military Fitness Class for adults and children at Delapre Park, N’pton, 9.30am–11am. www.bpt-uk.com

Carpetbagger Secret War Museum, Sunnyvale Farm, Harrington, 10am–4pm. £4 entry,

Rushden Film Club at The Full Gospel Church, High Street South, Rushden, 2pm–3pm. 07895 011402

Indoor Market, Newton Road, Rushden, 9am–5pm (& Sun 10am to 3pm). 07954 179299

Jumble Sale, Kingsthorpe Baptist Church (entrance Waitrose Car Park), 10am. Admission 20p. Proceeds for church funds.

Burton Latimer Town Garage Sale, 10am–4pm, around the streets. Further details from 01536 398967. Town maps available on the day from 7 Churchill Way, Burton Latimer. All proceeds to The Children’s Society.

Baby/Kids Nearly New Sale, The Pemberton Centre H E Bates Way, Rushden. Entry £1, kids free. To book a stall email Karen_aves@hotmail.co.uk

Afternoon Walk with Northampton & District Ramblers (5.6 miles). 2pm from Litchborough Church.

Morning Walk with Northampton Ramblers (6.5 miles). Meet 10am Embankment Car Park, W’boro (opp Whitworth Mills) on the B573. Circular walk along Nene Valley Way & Irchester Country park.

Preview of Club Weekend – Kettering & District Ramblers Club (10 miles) from 9.30am. Call 01536 510425

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (8 miles) from car park nr the river at the Mill House, Wadenhoe, 10am. 01933 678545

All Saints’ Braunston Arts & Crafts Festival, 10.30am–5pm; pottery, woodturning, weaving, oils, watercolours, etc. Also Braunston Village Choir and a string quartet.

Little Houghton Fete & Life Size Teddy Bear Festival at Little Houghton House, 2pm–5pm. Admission by programme at the main gate. Free car park. 01604 899180

Moulton & District Gardeners’ Annual Show, Moulton Parish Hall, Pound Lane, 2pm–3.30pm. Free admission.

Flower Festival in St Helen’s Church, Thornby, 2pm–5.30pm (& August 17), depicting the plays of Shakespeare. All in aid of St Helens Church. Free entry.

Pond Dipping Children’s Event at Rectory Farm Pocket Park lake, led by a ranger from Brixworth Country Park, 2pm. Young children to be accompanied by an adult please.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17

MUSIC

Bryan G, Brafield Working Mens Club, A428, 8pm.

Carl Spence at Old White Hart, Far Cotton, 5.30pm

MacMillan live music fest at The Headland, Longland Road, Npton, from 2.30pm–11pm. Featuring Tony T & his Bird Dogs, Country Born, Strangers and Red Thunder. Tickets 01604 416131.

Towcester Studio Band perform in the bandstand at Abington Park, 2pm–5pm.

Dave Johnson at Mem Saab, W’boro Rd, Npton, 1pm. Free .

Natasha Parx at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

OTHER

Sywell Air Show at Sywell aerodrome, tickets sold out

Northampton Balloon Festival, at Billing Aquadrome. Flights 6am & 6pm (weather permitting)

All Saints’ Braunston Arts & Crafts Festival, 2pm–5pm), with pottery, woodturning, weaving, oils watercolours and more. Craft, Gift & Vintage Market, Newton Road, Rushden, 10am–3pm.

Tea & Cake, Fotheringhay Village Hall, 3pm–5.30pm. £2. villagehallfotheringhay@gmail.com

Summer Teas with homemade cakes and scones at Kingscliffe Village Hall, from 2pm

Car Boot Sale at Nene Park Stadium, Irthlingborough, Sellers 7am, Buyers 8am. www.neneparkcarboot.info

Circular Day Walk with Northampton & District Ramblers (12.5 miles), Church Lane near Church of the Holy Sepulchre or meet leader 9.30am Harpole, at the start of Glassthorpe Lane.

Hand-made and Unplugged – Craft fair and music by local people at The Victoria Inn, Poole Street, N’pton, 1pm–5pm.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (10 miles). Start nr Old Red Lion pub, Welham, Leics, 10am. 07748 618089

Memory Lane walkabout with talk on old Pitsford. Meet at the Village Hall, 2pm. Tickets £5 adults/£2.50 children inc refreshments (£2 if just viewing. Call 07821 235485 to book.

MONDAY, AUGUST 18

MUSIC

Karaoke at The Golden Horse, Far Cotton, 4pm–7pm

OTHER

Pub Quiz, Charles Bradlaugh, Earl St, Npton, 8pm. Entry £1.

Kids Summer Screenings, The Picturedrome, Ketttering Rd, Npton: “Enchanted” (12.30pm) and “Frozen” (3pm). Also, Movie Night from 8pm, with “Calvary”. Free entry.

COYS Touch Rugby Club training at Dallington Park, N’pton, 6.30pm–8.30pm. www.pitchero.com/clubs/coystouchrugby

Just Voices singers meet at Kingsthorpe Baptist Church, 7pm. stuartpauljenkins@gmail.com or 01604 717866

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19

THEATRE

Mainline Big Band at the Wig & Pen, St Giles St, Npton, 9pm. Free entry

OTHER

Book Club meets at The Blue Bell pub, Gretton, 8pm. Call Liz Watts 01536 772238

Poetry writing session at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, 10am–12noon & 1pm–3.30pm. Using First World War sources as inspiration, learn to write your own poetry. £2. Booking essential on 01604 837397. Over 10s only.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (6.5 miles). Start near Bedford Arms, Souldrop, 10am. 01604 408499

Rectory Farm Residents Association Meeting at the Community Centre, Olden Road, 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 20

MUSIC

J for Jazz at The Coach & Horse, Lubenham, 8.30pm. Free admission. 01848 463183

Acoustics Night, Horseshoe Inn, Sheep St, Wellingborough, 9pm. Free entry.

Rhythm Roots ‘n’ Rhyme at Thomas A Becket, St James, Npton, 9pm

Jazz & Blues at Charles Bradlaugh, Earl St, Npton, 8pm. Free entry.

Zodiacs at The Headland pub, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm

Electric Experience at Wednesday Blues Club at The Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Npton, 8.45pm.

Rachael Johnson at the Artichoke, Moulton, 8pm. Free.

OTHER

Morning Walk with Northampton & District Ramblers (6.5 miles). 10am from Red Lion, Hellidon.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (7 miles). Start at Red Lion, Yardley Hastings, 9.30am. 01604 696573

Towcester Racecourse Antiques Market, 6.30am–1pm. Antiques, collectibles and retro. Free entry and free parking.

THURSDAY, AUG 21

MUSIC

Acoustic Jazz, Blues, Indie & Soul, Bootleggers, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8.30pm

Rock ‘n’ Roll Tea Dance at the Picturedrome, Kettering Rd, N’pton, 1pm. Free entry.

A K Disco’s Karaoke, O’Malleys Bar, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8pm till late

Jam Night, The Cardigan Arms, Moulton, 9pm

Howl Trio at Jazz Café, Auntie Ruth’s, George Row, Npton, 8pm. £1 admission.

Roy Civil’s Swing Circus at the Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Free entry.

Open Mic hosted by Hannah Faulkner at Walnut Tree, Blisworth, 8.30pm

OTHER

Wellingborough & District Horticultural Society presents a talk by Roger Umpleby on Pests & Diseases on vegetables at Salem Hall, Salem Lane, Wellingborough, 7.30pm.

Painting In The Garden workshop at Kelmarsh Hall. Sessions 11am–noon and 1pm–2pm. Cost £7.50 or £12 for both sessions. 01604 686543

Colourful Toys Workshop at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 10am–noon & 1pm–3pm. Free.

Students at Malcolm Arnold Academy are celebrating the best A-level and B Tech results in the academy’s history.

The percentage of students getting the highest grades has rocketed, as nearly 60 per cent of all exams sat achieved B or above.

The average number of points scored per student jumped and more young people then ever got into some of the country’s leading universities.

Agota Geciauskaite, who spoke no English on her arrival from Poland nine years ago, has been offered a place at Oxford but has chosen to go to Warwick to study medicine after securing two A*s and an A.

Sandra Peter, Fiona Menzies and Bartosz Wojciechowski are also all securing places at Russell Group universities after securing some outstanding results.

Toby Mullins, Executive Headteacher, said: “This is a fantastic day for Malcolm Arnold Academy.

“Over 70 students are leaving with the equivalent of Bs across the board, which is an incredible achievement. This shows that more and more of our students are reaching new heights and meeting increased expectations.

“I would like to commend the staff and students for all they have achieved, we should take immense pride that we can now categorically say that our results stand alongside some of the best schools in the region.”

Wendy Marshall, Chief Executive of David Ross Education Trust, said: “Once again these results show the progress that the academy is making.

“Year on year we are seeing continued and sustained improvements, and each milestone further reflects that Malcolm Arnold really is becoming a huge success story.

“Our vision is that this does not stop here. Over the coming months we have a Hollywood screenwriter working with students to produce and perform a play, more sporting opportunities than ever before and an enhanced focus on bringing the best that the independent schools offer to our students.”

Students at Sponne School in Towcester were delighted with their A-level results today with so many students achieving outstanding results.

Results have continued to be very high for many years and these results are extremely pleasing, according to the school.

Around 40 per cent of students gained the very highest A*-B grades with all students passing. Students did particularly well with the very highest grades of A* and A grade with a fifth of the results being achieved at these levels.

Among the many delighted students celebrating today were twins Julian Woods and Nicholas Woods.

Nicholas got two A* grades, A and B, while Julian got two A* grades and two further A grades.

In addition to this, five other students gained 4 A-levels at the highest grades including, William Wilkins, Katy Davis, Beth Noble and Megan Elphick.

Other very high scorers were Hayley Carr, and Emily Rawling both with an A* and 2 A grades. Further outstanding results were achieved by Jack Dunkley, Megan Goodman, Matthew Carmichael, Benjamin Sowden, Jack Bramley, Frances Hall and Hannah Jones.

Headteacher Jamie Clarke said: “We are so proud of our students who have done so well in gaining these excellent results. It is reassuring that the grades reflect the hard work that students put in and they are taught so well by our outstanding teachers. Well done to all our students, including those who have secured their good university places.”

Miss Victoria Austin, Head of Sixth Form from Sponne, said: “I am always amazed by the high standards our students achieve with these outstanding results. I am so pleased for them and wish them all the best in the future.”

Firefighters have been called to a rubbish fire in Kings Heath this morning (Tuesday).

One fire crew from the Mounts was called to Wilsons Farm off Mill Lane in Northampton at around 10.35am.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said a quantity of rubbish was involved in the fire.

Northants County clinched a record 31st Scratch League title in style as they won 4½-3½ at defending champions Peterborough Milton.

Needing a draw to overtake Wellingborough at the top of the standings, County made a slow start as brothers Michael Farr and Callum Farr lost, while Tom Bullough halved with Milton’s Chris White.

Although Harry Larkins and Paul Harris pulled County level, James Walter defeated Danny Roberts down the last hole to restore the home team’s advantage.

Tony Lord kept County’s hopes alive by winning his match, before former county champion Jack Brown sealed the away team’s first crown since 2008 by beating Phil Hughes on the 17th hole.

The remaining top division match of the season went to form as Northampton won 6½-1½ at already-relegated Staverton Park.

An away win rarely looked in doubt as Simon Brown, Dean Roberts, Sam White and Darren Matthews took the opening four ties with holes to spare, before Alex Izzard secured the Northampton win on the 15th.

Staverton’s Russell Brown halved with Dom Jessup, while Lloyd Skidmore and Michael Franklin both won the 18th hole to share the final two games.

Division Two

Brampton Heath gained promotion to the top tier despite losing their final game at Rushden, who avoided the drop as Collingtree finished bottom following a 5½-2½ defeat at Overstone.

In the knowledge that victory would almost certainly guarantee second division golf next year, Rushden made a positive start as Rob Price and Mark Brown took the opening ties 6&5 and 5&4 respectively.

The remaining games were a lot closer, but the hosts secured the team win as Jeremy Smith, Steve Alexander and Chris Adams all triumphed on the 17th hole.

Brampton, who were promoted from the third division last season, showed their determination to end the campaign on a high as they took the final three points on the 18th.

Although Collingtree could still overtake Brampton if they managed a whitewash win at Overstone, their focus was simply on staying in the division, something they failed to do on a difficult day.

Andy Castell (4&2) and Dan Messom (8&7) both hit form for Collingtree, but Peter Goddard, Steve Warren and Andy MacDonald responded for the hosts, who needed a win to stay up.

Home teenager Luke Barney halved with Liam Davies, before Overstone made sure of the victory with wins from Harry Woan and James Barker.

Division Three

Kettering have given themselves a chance of avoiding relegation by defeating third division champions Cold Ashby 7-1 in their final game.

Their fate won’t be known however until Whittlebury play their last home match against Oundle, which was postponed over the weekend due to a waterlogged course.

In the meantime, Kettering did all they could against Ashby as Marcel Aarts sent them on the way to a comfortable home success with a 7&5 victory in game two.

Although Jack Hall responded with an equally impressive 6&4 win for the visitors, it didn’t stop Kettering as Dave Harkess, Mark Hastie, Rob Stevenson, Dean McIntyre, Jamie Ashcroft and Michael Campbell all picked up points...

Jason Spence coped best with the indifferent weather conditions over the weekend to win the Kingsthorpe Golf Club Championships by three strokes.

After compiling a round of 70 on the opening day to lie joint top, Spence kept his nerve in strong winds and heavy rain on the second day to clinch the Arnold and Victory Trophy with a 76.

Scores of 71 and 78 helped Louis Wixon grab the second prize by two from Mark Bazeley, Lee O’Connor and Paul Croxford. Andy Lay won the net comp on 135, while club captain Mark Spence picked up the A&V Plate.

The trio of Sue Jones, Dilys Jones and Johanna Blood came out on top on Ladies Pro’s Day earlier in the week.

Cold Ashby

Single figure handicappers Rob Dawber, Paul Askew, Andy Aveyard and Gavin Cope were the team to beat on Presidents Day as they compiled an excellent winning tally of 121 points.

Four members of the same family collected the runners-up prize as Iain Kerr and wife Pamela combined with their sons Jamie and Adam to shoot 113 points.

There was also a family connection in the third placed side as brothers Maurice and Alan Bott bagged 107 alongside Mick Callaghan and Bob Steane.

Collingtree

Junior members Dan Messom and Andrew Dennis won the two divisions of the Tour Challenge Order of Merit event as they carded net rounds of 67 and 64 respectively.

Les Garrard’s net 65 clinched the Seniors Crofters Cup by four from David Nash, while Ken Souster led the scoring in the 13th round of the Seniors Stableford Series with 40 points.

Bob Erskine won the Medinah Competition on the back of a stunning burst of eight net birdies in a 10-hole stretch in the middle of his round.

The mid-handicapper’s tally of 39 points lifted him one ahead of Arthur Johnson, Graham Nichols, Kieron Healey, Douglas Coull, Kevin Marriott and Ray Peters.

Northampton

Tom Philbin was unstoppable in the sixth round of the Northampton Cup as the youngster fired a brilliant round of net 62.

The nine-handicapper carded three birdies and just two bogeys to finish four strokes ahead of second division pacesetter Stephen Plank and Neil Robinson.

Compton Johnson and Ian Robins were the pair to beat on Captain’s Day as they smashed 47 points. David Swann and Jonathan Swann (46) finished runners-up, with six pairings a further two off the pace.

Northants County

Ryan Connolly recorded his best victory in an amateur competition in this country as he won the County Cup by one stroke.

The Wellingborough golfer, who has enjoyed plenty of success whilst competing at University in Texas over the winter months, carded rounds of 73 and 72.

Whittlebury’s Martin Conley finished runner-up by two shots from Patrick Ruff (Sutton Coldfield) and home club member Matt Myers.

Silverstone

Larry Hannam will join other divisional winners Alex Sexton and Jeff Callow in the club’s NGU Izzard Trophy team after shooting a brilliant net 62 in the qualifier.

Paul Vidler was in great form during the sixth Order of Merit event of the season as he carded 42 points to nudge two clear of Brian Cox.

Tim Dean (38) was third by one from club champion Andy Prideaux, who leads the overall standings by seven points.

Staverton

A couple of shots was the difference between first and second places in all three divisions of the August Medal, which doubled up as the NGU Izzard Trophy qualifier.

Andy Swain (net 69) beat Andy Gibbins in the top section, Peter Blewer (68) won Division Two from Rob Wilkes, while Garry Dorney (69) edged out fellow high-handicapper Peter Groves.

It was a similar story in the Vets August Medal a few days later as a consistent round of net 65 from Andrew Witcomb sealed the top prize by two from Graham Jefferies.

Brampton Heath

Four different players came in with the leading score of net 68 in the August Medal as a good sized field battled it out for the top prizes.

A run of four net par and four net birdies over the closing eight holes made the difference for John Aitchison as he edged clear of Kim Danns, Ryan Kennedy and Peter Stripp.

Sean Collins saw his handicap cut from nine to eight after winning the August Midweek Medal with a score of net 67. Chris Butler (68) collected the second prize by one from David Hyde.

Whittlebury

Half a dozen gross birdies over the closing 11 holes were on the winning scorecard of Sam Dummer in the August Stableford.

The nine-handicapper, who picked up third prize in the Midweek Medal a few weeks earlier, smashed 45 points to finish four ahead of James Cox and Patrick Fitzsimmons.

Overstone Park

Jay Wiggins secured a countback victory from Darren Parke and Chris Hoy in the August Medal following a net 68, while his wife Cathy clinched the ladies top prize on 69.

There was also a double in the Seniors Order of Merit Competition as Anthony Richardson clinched the gross (80) and net (69) prizes.

Hellidon Lakes

Forty seven points was a magnificent winning score in the August Stableford as Ashley Starbuck further emphasised his vast improvement this summer.

The 20-handicapper carded three successive birdies from the sixth hole as he finished eight points ahead of Adrian Harris. Richard French, Malcolm Gregory and Michael Canning were next on 37.

Farthingstone

David Carthew just managed to close out victory in the August Medal as the high-handicapper clinched the first prize with a round of net 66.

John Oxlade’s consistency earned him second spot by one stroke from fast-finishing Sam Bird, while Ian Bayliss was a further shot adrift in fourth on 69.

Delapre

Competition was fierce in the August Midweek Medal as a small field sniffed an opportunity to clinch a club victory.

In the end, Alan Picketts had just enough as his round of net 70 pushed him one ahead of Ray Lilly, Anthony Donnelly and Nigel Hunter.

Cherwell Edge

A strong back nine from Dave Slater proved vital in the August Stableford as the high-handicapper bagged 42 points to grab the plaudits by two from three players.

Local ska punk legends Capdown return to The Craufurd Arms tomorrow night.

Having played Slam Dunk festivals earlier this summer, Capdown head to the Wolverton gig ahead of playing Hevy Fest.

Despite disbanding in around 2007 with members going on to form new bands, Capdown have reformed on a number of occasions for gigs. Support is by Menshevik and Faintest Idea.

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £13.20.

Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein (pictured) headline the Craufurd Arms in Wolverton on Saturday.

The band, who have sold more than one million album worldwide, released their seventh album, This Is How the Wind Shifts, last year.

Silverstein formed in 2000 and went on to become a household name of the post-hardcore genre and a staple on tours and festivals around the world.

Their 2005 sophomore album, Discovering The Waterfront, was lauded by fans and critics.

Doors open at 7pm, tickets cost £16.50. Visit www.craufurdarms.com.

Spiral Archive is holding two events this weekend to mark its 15th birthday.

The music shop, run by Alex Novak, has been a favourite of music fans in Northampton since 1999.

To mark a decade and a half in business, Spiral Archive is holding a daytime event at its St Michael’s Road shop from 11am–4pm on Saturday, August 16.

There will be half price vinyl offers, deals on CDs and in-store appearances.

Celebrations will then move to the nearby Charles Bradlaugh where, from 9pm, Rob Glover, Alex Novak and Andy Skank will all be DJing into the early hours.

Alex said: “I didn’t realise it was that long.

“The important thing for shops like Spiral Archive is being able to find the right spot with the right rent.

“People still want to have a record, an artefact. The more technology moves on, the more there is actually demand for physical products like records.”

Admission to both events is free.

Attack coach Alex King has tipped Cam Dolan and Joel Hodgson to star for Saints this season.

USA No.8 Dolan arrived at Franklin’s Gardens in December, but has yet to play a first-team game for the club.

Hodgson moved to Saints from Newcastle during the summer and will provide competition at scrum-half and fly-half.

King’s hopes for the duo are high and he expects them to add plenty to a squad which claimed Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup glory last season.

“Cam trained with us for four months of the year and didn’t get in the side because of the form of Samu (Manoa) and Sam Dickinson, but he’s been really impressive in training and I can’t wait to see him (in the friendly against Rotherham) at the weekend to see what he can bring to the team,” said King.

“He’s a guy full of energy, athletic and he’s got really good skills for a back row.

“Joel is on his way back from his wrist injury as is not too far away, but when he gets back he’ll bring a real freshness to nine and 10, depending on where he plays.”

Ivan Toney is confident he will not be distracted by any speculation over his future and that it is ‘an honour’ to play for the Cobblers.

The 18-year-old opened his account for the season with a headed goal in the 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night, and probably could have scored a second in a game that saw him used as a lone striker.

Toney’s Town tally now reads four goals in his past four starts, and he has scored in every Northampton game he has started bar one - against Morecambe at Sixfields last season.

They are statistics that are likely to have scouts from higher levels keeping a watchful eye on the teenage sensation, but he is sure he can retain the focus he has for his hometown club.

“I’m just focusing on football straight and taking the games as they come,” said the former Weston Favell Academy pupil.

“My dad’s always told me not to think about anything else that’s going on around me, just to think about the game.

“That’s something I’ve taken on board and something I always bear in mind when I’m out there playing.

“It’s an honour for me to play for Northampton. I’m from Northampton and I’ve always wanted to play for them so it’s an honour for me to do that.”

Toney faces stiff competition from Marc Richards for a place up front in the Town side that travels to York City this weekend and Chris Wilder will have to make a big decision over his forward line.

The junior striker, however, is confident of another positive result for the team regardless of who is selected.

“You’d want everyone to think positive and to go into the next game with a positive attitude and everyone will be doing that,” he said.

“Hopefully we can back up what we did on Tuesday with another win, against York.

“We’re all hungry to play and win games, whatever the next challenge is. We’ll play our hearts out in every game.”

Burglars who took their own ladder to break into a house in Moulton fled empty handed after they realised somebody was inside the property.

The offenders approached the house in West Street sometime between 11am and noon on Monday, August 11.

They went into the back garden and climbed up to the bathroom window using their ladder.

But after forcing open the window, they heard music coming from inside the house and fled.

Witnesses, or anyone with any further information about this incident, can call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Arthur Eyles has been a model of consistency for County B in Division One of the John Henry League this summer but the teenager’s tennis ambitions have a slightly unusual focus.

The 18-year-old, who formed part of the traditional Northants’ tennis migration to the Cromer tournament this week, is already qualified as an R4 referee and has packed in plenty of on court experience over the last 18 months, juggling that with the more standard habit of blasting winners on court.

On court, Eyles has been an ever present for County B up until this week, his 10 matches bringing a 28/40 return alongside partners ranging from Ian Masters, James Cole, Dean Gayton and Dave Brown, including a set off champions Corby TC A and Dallington A.

In the chair, Eyles has held court at venues such as Pershore, Sutton Coldfield, Sheffield, Leicester, Coventry, Kenilworth and the Warwick Boat Club; working for Simon Haddleton’s Way 2 Play business which puts on events, largely in the Midlands.

“It began after speaking to Simon at a tournament where I was playing and then 18 months ago I spent six hours at the Telford Tennis Centre on a course which meant I could officiate at Grade 5 and B tournaments,” said Eyles who hopes to head off to the University of Bedford in Luton next month to study Broadcast Journalism with a Sports Journalism back-up.

Currently holding a 4.1 player rating himself, Eyles is hoping to improve that rating in the next band and last week reached the quarter-finals of an event in Shrewsbury where he lost to top seed and overall winner Ross Watson 4-6, 1-6 in the quarter-finals.

Evergreen Ward still mixing it for Northants

Richard Ward proved age was no bar to performance at county level when turning out for Northants Over 35s over the weekend at Eastbourne, even though he now qualifies by a good 20 years!

Ward joined skipper Mark Taylor, Andre Porritt, James Buswell, Neil Shorrock and Richard Leder in a Northants squad which lost 3-2 on Friday and Saturday against the Isle of Man and group winners the Channel Islands, before being washed on Sunday and an early drive home.

Ward’s appearance was all the more impressive as he now lives in the Scottish Border area and he proved he could still mix it by winning a Friday singles match and a doubles with Buswell when Taylor/Porritt saw a match point elude them in a match tie-break. On the Saturday, the Northants wins came from Buswell in the singles and Buswell/Ward at doubles.

The previous weekend, the county women’s Over 35 side of Suzanne Clarke, Sarah Bracey, Jo Waddington and Fiona came fourth in a tight group containing Oxfordshire, North Wales and Cornwall.

They picked up six rubbers, but lost nine, with the competitive nature shown by the fact winners Oxfordshire posted only a 9/6 return.

Delighted college students were celebrating after achieving 100 per pass rates in ten A-level subjects.

The results for pupils taking AS exams after the first year of their studies are the best ever for the college.

More than 250 students sat over 600 AS and A2 exams at Northampton College this year.

Pat Brennan-Barrett, Principal, said: ‘This year saw a considerable increase in the success of our students, particularly amongst those completing the first year of their A-level programme. Their success this year will provide a solid foundation for their continuing studies and future career progression.

“The college continues to improve across the board and recorded its highest ever success rates for all programmes last year, an achievement that won the endorsement of Ofsted which graded the college as ‘Good’ in its last inspection.

“We have a very large number of A-level programmes at Northampton College and support more students through their A-evel studies than most other providers in the county. Once again our A-level students and those on our equivalent vocational and apprenticeship courses deserve to be proud of their achievements today.”

Mercy Muroki, 19, was delighted with her results of an A and two B grades as it means she can fulfil her dream of going to Queen Mary’s University in London to study international relations.

Mercy said: “I’ve had my sights on going to Queen Mary’s for some time now and so this is a dream come true. I think you have a lot more opportunities with having a degree and when I finish I’d like to do an MA in journalism.”

Olivia Inniss received an A and two B grades in business studies, sociology and psychology, she said: “I came straight to Northampton College from sixth form and really liked the independence you get from studying at college. You need to be motivated but it just goes to show that if you put the work in you can achieve anything.”

Hayley Blakesley, did a lot better than she expected in her A-levels and will now be going on to university to study special educational needs and inclusion and hopes to have a career in creative therapy in the future.

Hayley said: “I’ve actually done better than I had hoped and I’m so happy that I’ve got into the university I want. The tutors have been so supportive here and I’ve made so many friends, I’ve really enjoyed by time at Northampton College.”

Semion Walker re-took her A-levels this year and received A and B grades which has enabled her to get in to her university of choice in Coventry. She’ll be taking a year out before going on to study creative writing.

Or for further information on the opportunities available at Northampton College, visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 0300 123 2344.

A-level students at Abbeyfield School in Northampton have been celebrating this morning after all but two achieved the results to get them into their first choice university.

Principal of the school, off Mere Way in Far Cotton, Claire Morrell, said: “Today is a very happy ocassion. We are absolutely delighted with the results, and especially with the number os As and A*s achieved.

“These are the best set of results we have ever had at the school.

“Today is the start of our students’ future and we feel really proud that they have worked so hard to put themselves on the right paths that will give them choices and make life a little bit easier for them.”

Today, students at Abbeyfield have won the chance to become anything from dancers to urban planners.

Charlie Hall, who today received a B in English literature, a B in geography and a C in psychology, said: “I am really surprised by my results as I thought I would be getting all C’s. I told my mum over the phone and she cried at work. After summer I will be going to Newcastle University to do a five year course in urban planning.”

Anwar Malik achieved an impressive A* in art, an A* in English literature and an A in psychology, but has deferred her offer to study liberal arts from Kings College London for a year. She said: “I am really relieved, and also surprised. I’ve decided to defer my offer so I can do an arts foundation year at University of Northampton.

Chantelle Furrad opted for more physical subjects in order to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. After achieving high distinctions in business and health social care and a C in dance, she said: “I’m going to do further ballet training, as this is what I need to improve on the most, before going to a specialist dance school.”

Hollie Hambidge has taken some inspiration from her own school experience and will be using her grades to get into teaching herself. She said: “I got an A* in fine art, a B in psychology and a B in English literature and I couldn’t believe it. The art grade is the one I really wanted because I will be going to University of Northampton to study art teaching for primary school children.”

More than a quarter of the A-level grades achieved by students at Kingsthorpe College were B or above.

Headteacher Debbie Morrison said 96 per cent of students passed all their exams and 54 per cent achieved C or above. A total of 26 per cent achieved a B or above.

Top performing students included Denise Denga, who achieved an A* in English literature, B in History and B in Spanish.

Klaudia Grabowska achieved an A* in Fine Art, A* in photography and a B in German and she is intending to study German and Russian at the University of Nottingham.

Jamie Robinson achieved an A in English literature, B in history and C in maths and Dominic White achieved an A* in maths, B in psychics and c in chemistry. He intends to study engineering at the University of Birmingham.

Despite coming to Northampton from Poland nine years ago with no English, Justyna Suldecka achieved an A* in English literature, A in Polish and a B in drama and theatre studies. She intends to study accounting and finance at the University of Northampton.

Twins Megan and Shannon Cooke achieved exactly the same grades, two Bs and a C, in different subjects and are both planning to study at the University of Portsmouth.

Shannon said: “We always tend to get the same grades. We helped each other out when we were revising.”

Mrs Morrison said: “We know they have a strong foundation on which to continue their learning and personal growth and we wish them all the very best in their futures.”

Almost every student at Northampton School for Girls passed two or more A-levels.

Julia Harley, headteacher, said she was thrilled with the “outstanding success” of a number of students.

She said: “A great many students secured places at a range of the country’s most prestigious universities and a number have achieved far higher than expected.

“Once again, it is thrilling to see so many students be successful in gaining their first choice of university.”

To performing students included Rhiannon Dunkerley who achieved two As and one A* and is going to study Speech and Language Therapy at the University of East Anglia.

The teenager said: “I did better than I expected. I was shocked when I opened my results.”

The two school presidents, Hayley Hall and Maggie Symonds, achieved two A*s and 2 As and four As, respectively. They are both going to study medicine at university.

Assistant Headteacher, Jane MacDonald said: “The range of subjects our students are going on to study at university is impressive. It shows that girls can be successful in all subjects, even those traditionally associated with boys.

“This year we have girls embarking on degrees in architecture, paramedic science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, neuroscience, genetics and motorsport and international relations.

In AS level, 86 per cent of students gained three or more grades at A* to E.

New school president Heather Hobbs achieved four As, as did Hayley Wagstaff. Other students who also achieved four As included Cleo Annandale, Sophie Battison, Khaleda Begum, Arianne Delos-Santos, Tiana Gordon, Mairead Harrison and Sara Stevenson.

Carly Waterman, deputy headteacher, said, “Once again we have a large number of girls who are aiming to apply to the very best universities in the country.

“Their AS level results give them an excellent head start. Credit must, as always, go to teachers, parents and to the students themselves, who work extremely hard and show such determination.”

The school also praised students who have achieved excellent grades in the face of difficult circumstances, including Atarah Green, who is going to Aston University to study Psychology and Sociology and Gina Strausa who is going to Royal Holloway to read English and Creative Writing.

Paul Smith, Assistant Headteacher said, “Life has a way of throwing up all kinds of obstacles, but our girls always manage to face adversity with courage and grace. To see them achieve such success makes us very proud.”

The Duston School has bucked the national trend by achiveing its best ever set of A-level results.

The number of students achieving a B or above has increased from 26 per cent to 49 per cent.

Top performing students included Fay Banks who gained two A*s, an A and a C and will be going on to study English Literature at Loughborough and Charlotte Coleman who achieved an A*, A and a B and will be studying law at Exeter.

Good grades were als secured by Hafiz Al Araf who will be studying aeronautical Engineering at Glasgow after gaining an A*, A and B; and Luke Francis who will be studying chemistry at Nottingham after gaining two As and a B.

Both Jorden Bray and Emma Britten also celebrated success with Jorden achieving two Distinction*s, and a B, and Emma also achieving two Distinction*s and an A* in Fine Art.

Gill Salver, Principal of The Duston School said, “It has been a particularly tense time for students this year with all the negative publicity surrounding changes to A levels and predictions that results would fall nationally, so it is very pleasing to celebrate such superb results here.”

Jane Herriman, Executive Principal, added: “It was fantastic to see so many of our young people celebrating their achievements this morning and we wish all our students every success in the future whatever they choose to go on to do. We continue to work relentlessly to ensure that standards at Post 16 exceed the national average.”

Northampton’s wave of top angling honours just seems to keep surging on and on – at home and away.

And match aces Phil Wintle and Joe Roberts have boosted the collection by bringing national and international honours back to the county in the same 48-hours.

At ‘home’ Phil Wintle was runaway winner – two kilos clear – of Saturday’s 420-peg Division 1 AT National Championships with 18 kilo of bream from the tidal Trent at Besthorpe while out for Maver Milton Keynes AA, who finished 28th (Wellingborough 26th) from 42 in the team stakes.

And that HAD to be the equivalent of lightning striking twice in the same place...as he’d also won the Division 3 back in ‘88 while fishing with Towcester.

Away – almost 1,000 miles away in Rome – on the same day town’s Joe Roberts was collecting team silver and a section-winner’s gold with England in the World Veterans’ Champs.

For Phil, taking time out from his Wintle Heating & Plumbing family firm: “It was the day everything went right for a change. I got to my peg, saw bream rolling, and immediately knew what I would do.”

Feeding heavily, he went out with maggots and worm on three-ounce feeder to net 12 bream to 6lb plus bits – but his individual crown, section winner’s medal and some £2,500 payout, all came down to the final 10 minutes during which he landed 5 kilo.

For Joe, fishing in a team managed by matchfishing legend Dick Clegg OBE, it really was a championship of two halves.

With the Tiber rising and falling thanks to a hydro-electric plant upstream, day one saw him with a particularly rubbish draw and 0.7 kilo – “I lost 32 hooks, four rigs, and a complete elastic on the rocks!”

But day two was a different story as he won his section with 2.490 kilo of barbel, skimmers, chublets and carasso, a variety of carp.

Italy won – realistically no one was going to beat them at home – with England just two points adrift and nine points ahead of Hungary.

SEVEN Acres fishery near Towcester is up for lease, call Frank 07802 425244.

BUCKO’s charity bash, Tofts: Martin Paynter 151-10, Ray Harris 141-15, Lloyd Hayes 139-14.

TOWCESTER vets, Flecknoe: John Balhatchett 112-7, Gerry Green 75-4, Ron Collins 71-2.

CASTLE, Canons top: Pat Neale 112-2, Nick Antonacci 110lb, Bob Spencer 67-12.

ROYAL Oak, Makins: Wayne Sharman 69-12, Phil Hull 65-4, Jason Shirley 60-6.

COUNTY vets, Canons: Fred Prior 57-12, Pat Neale 40-8, Dave Cantrell 37-8.

FLORE & Brockhall, Barby Banks: Jim Tanser 55lb, Rob Rawlins 28lb, Ken Cadd 17lb.

CASTLE Ashby, Brickyard: Courtney Hewlett 48-12, Frank Pizamenti 46-4, Keith Garrett 30lb.

MOBBS Miller, Stretton Lake: Jeff Broadbent 36-8, Ken Taylor 34-7, Stan Atter 34lb.

TOWCESTER, Bairstows: Les Goodridge 16-12, Bob Eales 11-4, John Balhatchett 7lb.

FIXTURES: Furzton Festival opens, Wednesday August 20 Vets 01908 565446, 22nd disabled 01908 608944, 24th float-only and 25th Frank Swan memorial both 01908 313158.

Aug 16: Bucko’s charity open Holly Farm 01327 351780. Aug 23: Newport river open 07795 068428.

The Kingsthorpe quartet of Maggie Edwards, Jasmin Spear, Yvonne McKee and Brenda Bishop finished as runners-up in the National Women’s Fours after a brilliant series of performances in Leamington.

Another Kingsthorpe rink of Michelle Harris, Celia Morris, Hilary Sharpe and Sharon Tansley also had an excellent championship as they started with a 29-8 win over a Broadstone Wessex rink in the preliminary round.

That was followed by respective 25-19 and 20-14 victories against Connaught and Bolton to set up a third-round clash with Harefield Hospital, which was lost by a 28-8 scoreline.

But it was Bishop’s rink that really stole the show for Northants.

They started with a 19-9 first-round win over a rink from Hemlsley before victories over Poole Park (21-17), Purley Bury (25-9) and Cleethorpes (20-19) sent them into the last four.

They were up against a rink from Highworth in the semi-finals and produced a superb performance to win 23-11 and that set up a showdown with Oxford City & County, a line-up skipped by experienced England International Kathleen Hawes.

The final 25-15 defeat was hard on the county team but they were still able to reflect on an incredible run and brilliant achievement.

Broderick enjoys fine run in national singles

Wellingborough’s Tina Broderick also enjoyed a fine run as she reached the quarter-finals of the Senior Women’s Singles.

She started in the first round and claimed a 21-17 success over Bolton’s Eleanor Benvie.

She followed that up with a 21-12 victory over Betty Spicer (Sussex), which set her up for a last-eight clash with Essex’s Tina Howard.

Broderick started well by picking up four shots from the first two ends but Howard turned things around to lead 12-7 after 15.

And when Howard took a 19-11 advantage, the writing seemed to be on the wall.

Broderick battled back by picking up five shots over three ends but Howard responded by taking the two she needed to secure a 21-16 victory.

Chloe is crowned under-18 champion

Higham Ferrers Town’s Chloe Wordingham has been crowned the National Under-18 Singles champion.

She beat Gloucestershire’s Adam Smith in the final of the Sutton Winson Under-18 Singles, a new competition introduced for this year as part of the National Championships in Leamington Spa.

Other results involving county players

First round: Matt Cattell (Rushden Town) beat James Richman (Wiltshire), Danny Walker (Northampton West End) beat Kara Little (Wiltshire), Connor Rollings (Kettering Lodge) beat Jacob Webster (Wiltshire), Callum Beale (Roade) lost to Charlotte Daniell (Wiltshire), Mark Waterfield (Kettering Lodge) lost to Ben Coldrick (Gloucestershire), Emma Muir (Thrapston) beat Becky Banks (Kent), Megan Rolfe (Kingsthorpe) lost to James Dilks (Yorkshire), Abby Woodward (Desborough Town) beat Joshua Gilbert (Cornwall), Adam Pitfield (Rushden Town) beat Georgina Cooper (Warwickshire), Chloe Wordingham (Higham Ferrers Town) beat H Daniell (Wiltshire), Will Walker (Northampton West End) lost to Anthony Booth-Young (Lancashire).

Second round: Matt Cattell beat Bradley Coles (Hertfordshire), Connor Rollings beat Harvey Griffiths (Worcestershire), Danny Walker beat Jordan Ward (Warwickshire), Emma Muir lost to Kierren Murray (Huntingdonshire), Chloe Wordingham beat Carlos Lali (Berkshire), Abby Woodward beat Jack Alexander (Cambridgeshire), Adam Pitfield lost to Emily Ferguson (Kent).

Third round: Chloe Wordingham beat 
Thomas Ward (Warwickshire), Abby Woodward lost to Devon Cooper (Hertfordshire), Matt 
Cattell lost to Russ Martin (Huntingdonshire), Connor Rollings lost to Ben Coldrick (Gloucestershire), Danny Walker beat K Baxter (Cumbria).

Fourth round: Chloe Wordingham beat Devon Cooper (Hertfordshire), Danny Walker beat Ben Coldrick (Gloucestershire).

Quarter-finals: Chloe Wordingham beat Nathan Nimmo (Buckinghamshire), Danny Walker beat Louis McCubbin (Hampshire).

Tilley takes over from Sherwood

Wellingborough IBC’s Trevor Tilley has been elected in as the Northamptonshire Indoor Bowling Association’s president for the 2014-15 season.

Tilley takes over from Rushden Town’s Brian Sherwood following the annual meeting of the organisation recently.

Sherwood revealed during the meeting that his Charity Day had raised £1,000, which will be donated to Cransley Hospice.

Sherwood paid tribute 
to retiring competition secretary Maurice Allen 
while Desborough’s John Chester was elected into the role.

Daventry’s Geoff Allen was elected to the post of senior vice president while Tilley was also re-elected as association treasurer.

Meanwhile, press officer John Church MBE was awarded a life membership in recognition for his work for bowls in the county over many years.

More than 40 years after saddling his first winner at Towcester, Jim Old will reluctantly be taking a less high profile role when National Hunt action resumes at the Northamptonshire track on October 8.

The 66-year-old has attracted a loyal legion of followers for consistently sending out a quota of scorers at Towcester over the years, but though he has now retired from the training ranks, his face will not be entirely lost to racecourse regulars.

Old had to leave his yard in Wiltshire before the end of May after it was put on the market by long time patron Wally Sturt, but has formed a connection with the Worcestershire stables run by Claire Dyson and several of his horses will be performing under her banner in the months ahead with Old on hand to offer a few of the training wisdom pearls he has acquired, since first taking out a licence in 1972.

Towcester has always held a special place in his heart, helping to provide a healthy percentage of the 600 or so winners he has trained, including 1996 Champion Hurdle scorer Collier Bay who sported the Sturt colours in the winner’s enclosure there the following February, also returning to Northants in 1998.

Old recalled: “That was a magical moment. I was talking to David Nicholson and we were discussing the fact that for whatever reason we had been unable to get a run into Collier Bay, nor The Duke’s grey horse Relkeel. We mentioned it to Towcester’s clerk of the course Hugo Bevan, who said he would put on a race especially for us.”

Old said: “Towcester has always been a very lucky place for me. In the early days I trained near Shaftesbury in Dorset and then had eight or nine years at Dundry near Bristol and three years at Ditcheat before moving to Marlborough in 1991. But wherever we went, we always trained on a hill. When you then came to the Towcester hill, it didn’t mean anything to the horses.

“When they used to highlight the leading trainers at Towcester in The Sporting Life I remember reading FT Winter, Capt. T Forster and J. Old. I think what has happened to me in recent years is that I have stopped having winners everywhere else, but not Towcester!

“It is not as some people think, a course for slow horses. I might have said that in the past as a joke but I don’t truly believe it. I remember once hearing Pam Sly being interviewed after having a winner there and saying her horse did not have a ‘proper trip’ so Towcester was the ideal place to come. I thought that was very interesting and probably right in a good number of cases.

“People don’t believe you should make the running at Towcester, but you can. We had a bumper winner there in 2004 with a horse called Monteforte who was an awful breather.

“When I told Leighton Aspell to make the running he thought I was mad. Well, what happened was that he came the winning post just as the others were rounding the home turn.

“It was because the horse was able to set his own pace and not become flustered which is what happened at other tracks. I do remember the vet saying he had never heard a winner making such a noise which was all due to his breathing.”

Old’s highlights and memories since his first Towcester winner Coramash on Whit Monday in 1973 have included names such as Herr Capitain, Captain Aubrey, Dancing In Irish, Kildonnan, Juyush and most recently the grey Todareistodo and Valid Point, the latter now in training with Dyson and a possible to return here in the autumn.

Old said: “In the early days I remember Herr Capitain winning a novice hurdle qualifying race after Tommy Carmondy, who rode for the Dickensons over here for a few years, had a bad unseat at the last. The horse he came off was Badsworth Boy who won the next three Queen Mother Champion Chases at Cheltenham!

“Captain Aubrey won four at Towcester but was killed at Folkestone. That was a real shame as we hadn’t really got started with him while Dancing In Irish won two at Towcester a week apart while Juyush won good hurdle races, at the Select Hurdle at Haydock and at Ascot.”

In recent seasons, Valid Point has proved as adept as any by flourishing at Towcester, scoring in four handicap hurdles during the course of the last four seasons. Old’s last Towcester winner was Pink Gin, a 12/1 shot when winning a 2m maiden hurdle in the heavy ground in January under Mark Grant.

In a moment of drama, not untypical of Towcester life on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the middle of winter, the six year-old chestnut gelding took it up after the last flight 
after a totally exhausted favourite Milord crumpled on landing.

“He was going to win anyway,” asserted Old. “Jason Maguire told anyone who would listen that he was out on his feet.”

Staying on at the finish... it is what Jim Old and his horses have always done best at Towcester and while the future might paint a different picture, you suspect his 
influence has not yet gone away.