The director of a wood recycling plant in Northamptonshire who ignored warnings about fire risks and pollution has been given a suspended prison sentence after he was prosecuted by the Environment Agency.

David Lewis McEwan, former director of Larner Timber Recycling in Wellingborough, appeared in Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting failing to minimise the risks of pollution and emissions and was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also put under a one-month curfew, to be monitored with an electronic tag, and was ordered to pay £1,800 in costs to the Environment Agency. His company went into administration in September 2013.

Anne-Lise McDonald, prosecuting, told the court that from May 2012 the company chipped and sorted waste wood, but that the site soon accumulated a huge volume of waste wood without installing any fire breaks.

Then, when the company did produce a proper written management system nearly a year later, it still failed to follow it, leading to a greater risk of fire.

Mrs McDonald described two instances where fires had started on the site and how, in one case, in December 2012, firefighters struggled to get to it because of the amount of wood material littering the site.

The court also heard how wood particles from chipping escaped from the site, polluting neighbours’ sites and causing a further breach of its permit.

McEwan was also the director of an adjoining business Larner Pallet Recycling which was prosecuted in May 2012 for causing dust pollution.

Mrs McDonald told the court that McEwan was repeatedly asked for adequate management and emissions plans but none were forthcoming until April 2013.

She said: “A notice was served two months later to prevent the acceptance, shredding, pulverising and chipping of wood to prevent the serious risk of pollution from fire.”

In mitigation, Mr Steven Evans said McEwan tried to keep his business going but did not have the money after being mis-sold financial products.

He said McEwan had done some things such as buying water cannons to keep the dust down.

The court was told that McEwan had a history of non-compliance.

Judge Timothy Smith said McEwan had “put his head in the sand”. He said: “There were a number of issues with the site with waste being stored for more than three months, water cannons not used effectively and fire breaks not properly installed. The temperature of the waste was not properly monitored to locate hot spots.”

After the hearing, Environment Agency officer John Jones said: “This prosecution was entirely avoidable had the company complied with our advice. We repeatedly tried to help it comply with its permit but despite many visits and much advice, little was changed.

“Waste sites have a duty to ensure that their operations are managed properly to ensure they do not present a risk to neighbouring companies, nor to the environment. If they refuse to comply, or deliberately ignore advice supplied by site Inspectors, they may be prosecuted and risk going to jail.”

A 12-year-old boy was grabbed and pushed to the ground by a stranger outside a school in Northamptonshire.

The boy was walking along Broadway in Wellingborough with a group of friends at about 9am today (Tuesday) when he accidentally bumped into a man passing by.

The man, who was in his 30s, then grabbed the boy and threw him to the ground, leaving him with an injured wrist.

The assault happened between Broadway and The Drive. The man was white, bald and was wearing black sunglasses, a black baseball cap and a blue body warmer.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this attack, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Phil Dowson says Saints must stop relying on their ‘superstars’.

Samu Manoa, Courtney Lawes and skipper Dylan Hartley were among the absentees for last Saturday’s Aviva Premiership defeat at Sale Sharks.

Saints struggled as they were beaten 20-7 by Steve Diamond’s side, suffering a first defeat in eight matches.

And though Manoa and Lawes could be back in the side at Ospreys on Sunday, Dowson doesn’t want his team to have to rely on those men to deliver results.

“It’s great to have Samu back but if he then gets injured or Christian Day is not available to call the lineout, we have to make sure we can cope with that,” said the experienced flanker.

“We can’t rely on superstars.

“The weekend was a good test for us and we came up short. I don’t think that’s because we don’t have the squad to compete.

“On any other day, when we’re playing properly, that pack of forwards will do a decent job and compete with anyone in the league.

“Having players like Christian Day coming back to fitness and Samu back in, that’s a huge help because they are quality.”

Saints are desperate to bounce back this weekend, as they bid to take another step towards progressing from Champions Cup Pool 5.

And Dowson said there has been plenty of honesty, especially among the forwards, after last weekend’s loss at the AJ Bell Stadium.

“The debrief was pretty honest,” he said. “There was a lot of frustration and disappointment.

“I don’t think any of the players or coaches have got qualms about losing to a team that plays better than you but we made lots of fundamental errors, lots of unforced errors and lots of personal errors, which is uncharacteristic.

“We couldn’t get anything out of the game and it’s very disappointing, but sometimes these things happen.

“It’s probably a good reset for us to get our mindset right going into Europe to make sure we don’t take things lightly in future and we learn our lessons quickly.

“We’ve conceded two driving mauls and I don’t think Dorian (West) has been over the top but we’ve had to put right what’s been going wrong.

“Some of it is tactics, some of it is personnel but a lot of it is mindset and we got outdone by the Sale pack at the weekend.

“In rugby games, that costs you results.”

Ivan Toney and Zander Diamond are available for selection for the Cobblers this weekend but Chris Wilder is unlikely to make any changes to his starting 11 for the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge (3pm kick-off).

Toney has completed his three-game suspension for the red card he got against Bury on Boxing Day and Diamond has recovered from a hamstring strain picked up in the 2-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers on December 28.

Kaid Mohamed remains sidelined after surgery on a broken metatarsal, Ian Morris is out for the season with a knee injury and Gregor Robertson could again miss out with broken ribs.

Dagenham captain Abu Ogogo, forward Christian Doidge and winger Zavon Hines are all working their way back to fitness so could be on the bench.

Former Town left-back Joe Widdowson has recently joined the Daggers but is not expected to force his way into the starting line-up at this stage.

The Cobblers are undefeated in 2015, having drawn with Southend and won at Exeter City, while Dagenham have only scored once in their past six games and sit two points below Northampton, in 21st place in Sky Bet League Two.

Parking charges imposed on trainee staff at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) have been labelled “disgusting and deplorable” after they were raised from £1 a day to £10.

The criticism comes after a group of students from University of Northampton faced legal action for refusing to pay the charges, which were made after they signed contracts to work at the hospital as part of their healthcare degrees.

Many people commentating on the Chronicle & Echo’s Facebook page showed support for the students who work without pay at the hospital, and criticised the hospital and parking administrators.

Emma Harrison said: “Absolutely disgusting. If the students are not being paid, how can they afford £50 a week? If they are working shifts, public transport may not always be available. One day these students will be qualified and taking care of us in hospital. Therefore, should we not look after them?”

Taara Reed added: “Even if they were paid minimum wage, they shouldn’t have to pay £10 a day. We should be encouraging students to enter the healthcare profession, not making life harder for them.”

Lisa Waller said: “Disgusting and deplorable. With no staff, there’s no hospital.”

She also joined others in challenging NGH’s claim that parking charges for staff had been raised to help reduce costs for patients and visitors. She said: “It seems they’re trying to place the shortfall onto unpaid students.”

Abbie Kingdom added: “What a load of rubbish. The priority is to make as much as possible from parking charges, If a student chooses to pay £10 a day, how would this prioritise the patient?”

A University of Northampton spokesman said that as a “duty of care” to students and to “prevent financial hardship”, they offer students an advance loan to help pay for the £10 per day charges.

Dean in the University of Northampton’s School of Health, Moira Ingham, said: “The University of Northampton shared its concerns with Northampton General Hospital regarding the impact of the parking scheme changes when they were announced, particularly in relation to students’ personal safety. As a duty of care to our students and to prevent financial hardship, we - along with our Health Education England commissioners – set up a scheme whereby students could access a loan to receive monies in advance, to enable them to pay the £10 car parking daily rate if needed.”

A comment given by NGH when the new charges were introduced last year and reiterated in response to this latest case, said that students had the option of parking elsewhere or using public transport to access the hospital.

Charles Abolins, NGH director of facilities and capital development, said: “One of our key priorities is to improve parking for our patients, and the board therefore agreed last year that the eligibility for a staff parking permit needs to be restricted in order to make parking more accessible for our patients.

“Whereas we wish to accommodate as many staff cars as possible on site there is no contractual obligation to provide parking, and it is the responsibility of staff to make their own transport and parking arrangements if they choose to use their vehicles.

“Car parking provision on the NGH site is not a limitless resource, and we are faced with some difficult choices in order to find an affordable solution to the current parking problems on site.”

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith MP, who is the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, is visiting a company in Northampton today.

Mr Duncan Smith will be meeting Conservative MP for Northampton North Michael Ellis at Goodwill Solutions, in Moulton Park, later today.

Goodwill Solutions is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that aims to help the local community by running projects such as the Back to Work programme, training ex-offenders, armed service personnel, former homeless and disadvantaged youths for employment in the logistics sector.

Over the past four years Mr Duncan Smith has led a number of reforms to the benefit system, including the introduction of the so-called ‘bedroom tax’.

Joe Handley scored four times as Devonshire Club thrashed AFC Hackleton 12-0 to ease their way into the semi-finals of the NFA Sunday Trophy.

Danny Healey and Matthaus Bates hit hat-tricks in the win, while there were also singles from Jack Archer and Max Payne.

FC Victoria join Devonshire in the last four after a 3-1 win at Trinity Old Boys. Daniel Cotton, Dan Kennedy and Thomas Murfitt were the men on target.

AFC Dee are out after losing 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at home to Wellingborough All Stars.

Blakesley and Dynamo are through to the NTFA Goodliff Cup semi-finals after winning their quarter-final ties.

George Bonifas (2), Dan Frayne and Sam Reeve scored for Blakesley in a 4-1 win at AFC Trinity, while Dynamo beat Denton 2-0 thanks to strikes from Liam Chamberlain and Bayley Cameron-Leslie.

In the Parker League Cup, Wootton Fields Wanderers edged out Billing United 2-1. Sam Scarman and Pierre Coleman got the goals.

Manfield Rangers came out on top of a seven-goal thriller at FC Fotogold. Zac Adams did the damage with a hat-trick, while Tommy Burwood chipped in with a single.

Ken Parker Cup second round action saw a 6-3 win for Deers Leap at AFC Thorpe. Danny Brown, Joe Dewar, Robert Bolton, Scott Hardy and Nick Worley all netted.

St Margaret’s tie against Golden Horse was abandoned after 73 minutes. Margaret’s were 2-1 up through Anton Campbell and Perri Wells.

In the premier division, second-placed Windmill Warriors closed the gap on leaders Standens Barn to four points after a 6-1 win over Royals.

Ross Arundell, Andy Seaton and Barry Swallow all bagged braces in the win.

Top dogs Barn were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Midshire Electrical.

Danny Harmon and Shane Lyons’ goals for Barn were cancelled out by strikes from Ross Skidmore and Aaron Hunt.

Bottom club Monks Park WMC went down 6-2 at home to FC Gallery. Elliott Muddiman and Glenn Moore scored for Monks Park but Gallery took the points with goals from Eddie Stewart (2), Dan Field (2), Dan Oats and Damien Keenan.

In division one, Kingsthorpe Wanderers closed the gap on leaders Spartak to just one point after a 3-2 win over their rivals.

Ashley Clamp, Jonathan Shakespeare and Lee McConnell scored for Wanderers, who have three games in hand on Spartak.

Bottom club MDS Rangers were beaten 4-2 at Fox & Hounds. Rangers’ goals came from Lloyd Hunter and Troy Foames were cancelled out by Fox efforts from Scott Baker, Greg Wright, Sean Loughran and Reiss Gartland.

Only two games took place in division two last weekend, and both ended in comfortable victories.

FC Jeckyll dished out a 9-2 tonking at the expense of AFC Obelisk United thanks to strikes from Ollie Anderson (3), John Dawson (3), Jamie Campbell, Jamie Ford and Matthew Pheely.

Roade swept aside Thorplands Club 81 6-0, courtesy of efforts from James Lawton (3), Karl Hoy, Ashley Gardener and George Wingrove.

Division three leaders Zedi United edged out AFC Pioneers 1-0. Jacob Gartland got goal for Zedi, who move three points clear at the top.

Second-placed Butcher Loco slipped to a 3-0 defeat at Northampton Hotspur, while Thorplands Club 81 Reserves edged out Woodford United 2-1.

It was business as usual for division four leaders Billing United Reserves as they saw off Spartak United 4-0.

Thorplands Club 81 A moved up to second thanks to a 3-1 win at Abington Stanley.

The planned closure of a road in Northampton town centre as part of the work to demolition Greyfriars bus station has been postponed, it has been announced.

Lady’s Lane was due to be closed from tomorrow (Friday) until Monday, January 19, but Northampton Borough Council announced today the work had been postponed until next weekend.

This closure will be in place to allow work to remove the tower and bridge connected to Greyfriars ahead of the complete demolition of the building.

Lady’s Lane will now be closed to traffic at 7pm on Friday, January 23 until 6am on Monday, January 26, with diversions in place for motorists.

A spokesman for the council said the rephrasing of the planned works would have no impact on the timing of the overall demolition of Greyfriars, which is due to take place before the end of March this year.

Ashley Eales’ solo effort was enough for Eastern United to beat AFC Houghton Magna 1-0 and ensure progress fo the NTFA Goodliff Cup semi-finals.

Karlos Augustine was on target for AFC Trinity but could not prevent them losing 4-1 to Blakesley and Denton went out 2-0 at Dynamo.

Josh Smith’s goal for Lord Byron sealed their passage in the NFA Sunday Trophy with a 1-0 win over Royal All Stars.

The other Conference sides went out, with AFC Hackleton on the end of a 12-0 hiding at the hands of Devonshire club and Bradley York notching for Trinity Old Boys in their 3-1 loss to Victoria FC.

The only match in the top flight saw Melbourne Arms extend their lead at the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Welland Valley Panthers. Lance Allen scored a hat-trick and the other was netted by Niall Duffy.

In division one, Nathan Oldham scored twice as Real Roochers saw off Bat & Wickets 4-2, with Luke Tolworthy and Jonathon West also on the scoresheet.

Head Quarters only had eight players for their game against league leaders AC Squirrels, and went down 9-2 as a result.

AC Squirrels scorers’ were Stuart McDermott, Oli Urquhart, Adam Frost, Dan Gray and Nick Aiken, with a hat-trick, with two own goals completing the rout.

Kyle Norfolk and Seb Thompson were on target for Norteles in their 2-1 win over AFC Crown and Swan & Helmet drew 3-3 with West Haddon.

On target for West Haddon were Curtis Lindemann, Matt Russ and Richard Williams.

In division two, Ryan Merry scored twice in Dallington Heath’s 3-0 over Monks Park WMC Reserves.

Lee Wilson and Shaun Wilkes were on target in league leaders Crown & Cushion’s 3-0 win at Barratts.

Matt Barron, Nathan Chick, Sam Evans, Steve Gale and Markus Sean all scored as Nene FC won 5-2 against Sapphires Reserves.

Ryan Perkins scored twice as Earls Barton United beat Pitsford Rangers 3-1, Gavin Hines also finding the net.

Real Roochers Reserves stay five points clear in division three after a 3-2 win over AFC Obelisk Reserves, for whom Sam Astle scored twice.

Abington Town City beat AFC Hackleton Reserves 5-0, Clark scoring four and Quatrine adding the fifth.

Jubrajur Rahman’s goal for Jameeah FC was in vain as they lost 3-1 to Swan & Helmet Reserves.

Sixfields Rangers and FC Pioneer shared the spoils in a dramatic 5-5 draw, Connor Leeson, Tim Osgerby, Thomas Ridler and Billy Torpey (2) on target for Rangers and Dave Moan, Derran Dooley and Rob Handley (3) replying for Pioneer.

Spring Park routed Bat & Wickets Reserves 9-1, with Gareth Morris and Daniel Campbell hitting hat-tricks.

Also on target were Luke Bedden, Greg Constable and Andres Hares.

Denis Typhis and Jordan O’Kaye scored in Oakley Diamonds’ 2-1 win over Pitsford Rangers Reserves.

Harpole made NFA Junior Cup progress after holding their nerve in a penalty shootout to beat UCL outfit Thrapston Town.

The game finished level at 3-3, with Harpole winning 3-1 on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals.

Harpole goals in normal time came from Stuart Clarke (2) and Shaun Markie.

James King Blisworth join Harpole in the last four after beating UCL team Rothwell Corinthians on penalties.

Andy Seaton and Dale Lewis both netted for Blisworth as the teames fought out a 2-2 draw.

Blisworth came out on top on penalties, winning 3-1.

In the Duston Garage Premier Division, Nathan Cook hit a hat-trick to inspire Milton to a 3-1 win at struggling Corby Locomotives.

Earls Barton and Ringstead Rangers, who are close together in the table, played a good game in difficult conditions but it was Earls Barton that took the spoils 3-1.

Barton goals came from Justin Dowling (2) and Nathan Burrows.

Brixworth had to settle for a point as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kettering Nomads.

Roade went down 2-0 to second-placed Corby Eagles, with Brian Farrell getting both the goals.

Aidy Redmond scored a hat-trick to lead Moulton to a 4-2 win over Welford Victoria.

Daniel Raymond got the other for Moulton, who move up a place to ninth.

In Duston Garage Division One, leaders Daventry Drayton Grange made home advantage count with a 2-1 victory over Kettering Orchard Park.

Weedon kept the pressure on the top two with 6-3 win over local rivals Heyford Athletic.

Weedon’s goals came courtesy of Scott Cross (2), Ben Drinkwater (2), Ashley Brown and Jack Wise.

Wootton St George played host to Corby Pegasus and made home advantage count, winning 4-1.

In Duston Garage Division Two, strikes from Alex Burley, Michael Christie, Gavin Cope and Josh Brown saw West Haddon Albion edge out Kettering Park Rovers 4-3.

Third-placed Spratton closed the gap on second-placed Higham Ferrers with a thumping 5-0 win.

Matthew Pheely, Alex Bonser, Matthew Stevens, Richard Kimbell and Michael Hewitt all netted for Spratton, who have three games in hand on Higham.

Kislingbury took a point in a 1-1 draw at Stanwick Rovers.

In Duston Garage Division Three, Brett Greenhalf’s double earned Northampton Falcons a 2-0 win over struggling Corby United.

Obelisk went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Irthlingborough Town, but there was better news for Northampton Mereway, who thrashed Corby Strip Mills 7-0.

Justin Jones (2), Liam Davies, Stuart Reid, John Slater, Andy Wimpress and James Brown.

Leaders Northampton Spartak suffered only their second league defeat of the season as they were beaten 2-1 by Desborough & Rothwell United.

In the Duston Garage Reserve Premier Division, leaders James King Blisworth Reserves suffered their first league defeat of the season as they went down 4-1 at Corby Grampian Reserves.

Duston Garage Reserve Division Two leaders Bugbrooke B eased to a 3-0 win over Finedon Volta Reserves thanks to strikes from Luke Tate, Oliver Waples and Jack Whiting.

Falcons United Reserves made it through to the semi-finals of the NTFA Gorell Barnes Cup after an epic tie against FC Shelley Road.

The game finished 4-4 but Falcons went through 4-2 on penalty kicks.

The talented Richie Collier hit the target twice for Falcons, as did James Cornell, while Shelley’s goals were shared between Paul Ekins, Shaun Licorish, Aston Pink and Wayne Sheppy.

Sporting Bat & Wickets hit some good form as they hammered holders Liberty Stars 9-2 with Jamie Hall excelling as he netted an amazing six times to go with a brace from Aaron Linnell and a solo effort from Robert Hill.

Liberty’s reply came via Nathanael Ansu and Gideon Opoku.

Delapre Old Boys beat James King Blisworth A 3-0 courtesy of a double strike from Gavin Hitchcock and a single from Pierre Coleman.

Thorplands Club 81 and Duston Dynamo couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes with the score at 2-2, however Duston won 4-3 after penalty kicks.

Thorplands were leading on two occasions with goals from Aaron Childs and Andre Cranston, but Duston fought back with strikes from Luke Adams and Thomas Parker.

Old Northamptonians gained revenge for the defeat at Kettering in September, scoring six tries in a 40-27 win at Billing Road on Saturday.

Despite the strong wind, both sides attempted to play expansive rugby at every opportunity and produced a great advert for junior rugby at this level.

Five of the ONs’ tries were scored by the backs but it was the pack who provided the platform, winning at least four strikes against the head and putting pressure on the opposition scrum throughout.

ONs’ tries came from Dan Napier (2), Dan Hartman, Alex Crofts (2) and Joe Marston. Tom Goodman converted five of the six tries.

The ONs IIs beat their Kettering counterparts in an East Midlands Merit Table clash by 32-17.

Tries came from Scott Oldham(2), Aaron Adams, Ollie Spencer and Max Cubitt. Phil Monkman added a penalty and two conversions.

Old Scouts 62 Olney 15

After a close encounter in the first quarter on a very blustery day, Scouts eventually blew Olney apart.

The visitors made early inroads into Scouts’ half and relentless pressure eventually resulted in their forwards driving over the line for a converted try with four minutes on the clock.

Scouts woke up to the fact that they were going to have to play a more subdued game against the wind and work their way up the field in simple stages.

A Frost penalty put Scouts on the board and soon after, following a defence-breaking run by Iain Simmons, centre Russell Lynch was on hand to score. Frost added the extras to put Scouts ahead.

The lead only lasted a few minutes until Olney slotted a penalty to bring the scores level at the mid-point of the half. However, the home side stuck to the game plan and took their chances to race away from their visitors.

Firstly, Matt Brown broke from the base and to set up Jordan Dolman who crashed over.

Soon after Olney dropped the ball in midfield and Lynch scooped up to run in unopposed and with the last move of the half a Frost break set up Brown, who sidestepped his way over the line to gain a try bonus point.

Frost converted the first two to give Scouts a comfortable 29-10 lead at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Olney scored their second try of the afternoon following several missed tackles but there was no likelihood of a fight back as Scouts turned on the afterburners to score five tries in the final 20 minutes.

Russell Lynch was the first to go over the whitewash when he completed his hat-trick and he was soon followed by teenager Liam Hancock after an incisive break from replacement Dan Warren.

Having converted both, Frost brought the half century up when he then converted a try by Jordan Judd.

This had resulted from an interception by Conor Jeffcoate who was stopped short of the line after a 60-metre run.

Both sides were tiring and Scouts were down to 14 players for the remaining 10 minutes due to injuries. This didn’t appear to handicap Scouts as their defence held firm and a counter-attack saw Judd cross the line for his second of the day with Frost again converting.

There was still time for an exhibition score. Jeffcoate again made inroads into the Olney defence and some smart handling and an outrageous looped pass by Jim Smith found Dolman out wide to score his second.

The conversion attempt missed but with nine tries, Scouts had completed a successful afternoon with another spirited performance.

Scouts IIs went down 13-7 at Bugbrooke, while the Scouts Occasionsls beat Queens IIs 24-13. The Vs came back from a 24-10 half-time deficit to win 55-24 at Wellingborough.

Heathens 24 Long Buckby IIs 29

Heathens lost out by a single try in an exciting nine-try thriller against Long Buckby’s second string.

Heathens took the lead after 14 minutes through Andy Evans, Ash Brown adding the extras. Heathens promptly relaxed and forgot their defensive pattern to allow Buckby through for an unconverted try three minutes later, 
leaving the score at 7-5 at half time.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart Long Buckby showed some quick hands and outflanked the Heathens defence to secure a second unconverted try.

Five minutes later, sustained Buckby pressure caused disruption in the Heathens defence that allowed them to extend their lead with an unconverted try.

Heathens clawed themselves back into the game when skipper and flanker Dan Stonehouse ran hard after another series of pick and drives to score on 55 minutes with Brown converting.

Heathens lost their focus after scoring and some mazy Buckby running only four minutes later saw the visitors cross for a try that this time was converted.

Heathens were not to be outdone and on 64 minutes, scrum-half Marty Campbell supported Stonehouse off the back of a scrum to secure an unconverted try. Eight minutes later they clawed their way back into the lead when Stonehouse again picked up from the base of a scrum to find centre Dave Collins in support and cross for an unconverted try to make it 24-22.

However for the second merit fixture in a row, Heathens conceded the lead with the last play of the match when they again lost defensive focus and allowed Buckby in for a converted try to sneak a win.

Towcestrians 28 Maidenhead 17

Bidding to get their season back on track, another injury-ravaged Tows side went up against Maidenhead at a blustery Greens Norton Road.

The injuries to the home team allowed full-back Callum Garwood to make his first -team debut at scrum-half.

Tows began the game in the same fashion as the last couple of weeks, allowing Maidenhead’s winger to cross after his team’s territorial advantage paid off. The try was converted.

Falvey replied with a penalty, only for Maidenhead to again score another from a line out, Tows elected not to compete only to be driven over. Finally Tows got on the front foot.

After a strong lineout drive the ball was worked infield for Pepe Nanci to score under the posts. Falvey converted, denying Maidenhead the score line they deserved in the first half.

Straight after the break with the half-time team talk still ringing in his ears Falvey calmly put Tows into the lead for the first time.

Later into the half after a tremendous amount of pressure on the Tows defence for what seemed to be a large period of the half, the visitors finally cracked through after a series of scrums.

The normally reliable Maidenhead kicker missed the conversion and shortly after missed a penalty chance from an easier position.

A rare visit to the oppositions half resulted in a penalty to Tows which was kicked to touch. The lineout was called and driven, a mistake from the visiting pack saw Tows drive them 20 metres back to score and put them back in the lead.

The final 10 minutes belonged to Tows and two exceptional tries from Falvey and Nanci saw them through with a bonus point, for an unrealistic scoreline.

Tows’ second string were beaten 17-12 by Luton IIs.

BBOB 12 Daventry 15

BBOB lost their way after going 12-0 ahead in their double-header against Daventry.

BB led thanks to tries from Bowden and Mann, but Daventry hit back and won it with the last kick of the game.

TODAY, Jan 15

MUSIC

The Dick Patrick All Stars at The Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Free entry.

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

THEATRE

Moscow City Ballet – Swan Lake, Derngate Auditorium, Guildhall Rd, Npton, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

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

Quiz at Monks Park WMC, 259 Wellingborough Road, Npton, 9pm. Free entry.

Talks for Over-60s at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Rd, 10.30am–11.30am. Artist and footwear designer Ellen Sampson talks about her exhibition “Palimpsest”. More info 01604 838111

Gretton Local History Society meet at the village hall, Kirby Road, Gretton, 7.30pm. Guest speaker Andrea Pettingale will give a presentation entitled “For the Duration – the Role of Women in World War 1”. Free to members, £3 non-members.

FRIDAY, Jan 16

MUSIC

Disco Night at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 9pm

All Decades Disco Party Night for Singles. For details, contact 07888 604014 for more details or www.simplymingling.co.uk

Auntie Ruth’s Friday Feeling, George Row, N’pton, from 9pm.

THEATRE

Moscow City Ballet – Swan Lake, Derngate Auditorium, Npton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

The Burlesque Show, Royal Auditorium, Guildhall Rd, Npton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Quiz Night at Brafield WMC, A428.

Beginners Vintage Ballroom, at St Albans Church, Broadmead Ave, N’pton, 7pm. 01604 787246.

Quiz Night, Shoulder of Mutton, Weldon, 8pm.

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

Craft Club, 11am–3pm, Church Hall, St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Kettering. Bring your own craft project or take part in a demonstration workshop. For info call Sue Shipham 07733 341674. Admission £3.

SATURDAY, Jan 17

MUSIC

Nolan Terry at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Npton

Caron Welsh at Queens Park WMC, Npton

Danny Fisher, Brafield Working Mens Club, A428, 8pm.

Karaoke at Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton

Bootleg Zoo – Rock/Indie at Great Doddington WMC, Lower Street

The Halestones at Kettering Rifle Band Club, Havelock Street, Kettering

Kate at British Rail Club, St Andrews Road, Npton, 8.30pm

DJ Barney, at Auntie Ruth’s, George Row, Npton, 9pm

THEATRE

Alice In Wonderland performed by STAGs at Stanwick Village Hall, 2pm/6pm. Tickets £4, family £12 (2 adults/2 children), shop@stanwick

Moscow City Ballet – Swan Lake, Derngate Auditorium, Npton, 2.30pm/7.30pm. 01604 624811

The Burlesque Show, Royal Auditorium, Npton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Local Artists Showcase, The Core at Corby Cube, 2pm. 01536 470470

OTHER

Afternoon Walk with The Ramblers Association (5 miles), 1.30pm from Manor Road/Church Way, Grendon.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (6.5 miles), starts from Royal Oak, Cogenhoe, 10am. Ring leader on 07740 995707.

Car Boot Sale, Northampton & Lamport Railway, Pitsford & Brampton Station, Pitsford Road, Chapel Brampton, 10am–2pm. Sellers £5 per car or £10 per van.01604 820327 or www.nrl.org.uk

Healing workshop with Joe & Joan Lainchbury, Kettering Spiritualist Church, St Peters Avenue, Kettering, 11am–3pm. www.ketteringspirit.org.uk

Race Night at The Wheatsheaf, Crick. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Morning Walk with Northampton Ramblers (6.8 miles), meet 10am at The Sun, Hardingstone,

Nene Quilters at The Abbey Centre, East Hunsbury. Doors open 10.30am. £7 otd. For more info 01604 402518

SUNDAY, Jan 18

MUSIC

Music and Hoy at Queens Park WMC, Cranbrook Rd, Npton

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

Ali By Request at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, Npton.

Chris Pearce Frenchman Street Jazz Band play jazz at the Walnut Tree Inn, Station Road, Blisworth, noon–2.30pm. £10

THEATRE

Sing-A-Long-A Frozen, Derngate Auditorium, Npton, 3pm/6.30pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Walk with Waendel Walkers Club, circular route from Rushden Historical Transport Society (6 or 12 miles), 10am. www.waendel.org.uk. 50p.

Battlefield Talk at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, 2.30pm. Subject is The War of the Roses Battle of Northampton. First in a series of three talks; £7.50 or £18 for all three. 01604 837397

Car Boot Sale at Nene Park Stadium, Irthlingborough, sellers 7am, buyers 8am. www.neneparkcarboot.info. 07712 114819

Circular Day Walk with The Ramblers Association (11 miles), meet Church Lane (rear of Church of Holy Sepulchre, Sheep St, Npton) 8.45am or meet leader 9.30am Greens Norton surgery car park.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (5 miles), start nr Cricket Field in Avenue Road, Finedon, 10am. 01933 398905

MONDAY, Jan 19

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic Night at The Woolpack, Rothwell from 9pm

Folk Jam Session at the Artichoke, Moulton, 8pm to 11pm. Free entry.

THEATRE

Richard Herring, Royal Auditorium, Npton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

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

Boyhood, free film showing at The Picturedrome Movie Night, Npton, 8pm.

TUESDAY, Jan 20

MUSIC

All That Jazz at the Wig & Pen, Npton, 9pm. Free entry

Jez Lowe at Old White Hart Inn, Cotton End, N’pton, 8.45pm (doors open 8pm). Tickets £10. www.greatknightfolkclub.co.uk

OTHER

Salsa Estrellas at The Picturedrome, Kettering Rd, Npton. An evening of dancing and fitness, from 7.30pm.

Free ballroom & latin dance lessons, 1.30pm–3.30pm at Eden Close Community Room, Lakeview. 01604 787246

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (6 miles), start nr Spencer Arms, Chapel Brampton, 10am. 01604 408499

WEDNESDAY, Jan 21

MUSIC

Park Royal – Wednesday Beat Scene, The Headland, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm.

The Freight Train Jam at Thomas A Becket, St James Road, Npton, 9pm

Phil’s Mighty Music Quiz at The Lord Byron, Kingsley, Npton

Legends Open Mic at Kitty O’Shea’s, St Peter’s Way, Npton, 8pm.

OTHER

Craft Club – knitting, stitching and cardmaking, Hazelwood Community Centre, Gainsborough Road, Corby, 7pm. 07910 989410

Alpine & Rock Gardening Society Meeting, Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, 7.15pm. Guest speaker is Rick Lambert on China – Shanghai to Setchwan.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (7.5 miles), start Stags Head, Maidwell, 9.30am. 07748 618089.

Coffee Morning, held by Deafconnect at Spencer-Dallington Community Centre, Tintern Avenue, Npton, 10am to 1pm.

Northampton Friendship Centre Retirement Group meet at St Matthews Church Parish Rooms, Npton, 2pm, 01604 627333.

THURSDAY, Jan 22

MUSIC

Cool Jazz at the Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Free.

Jazz Café with Jazz Colossus Big Band, 8pm. £1 admission.

THEATRE

Anton & Erin, Derngate Auditorium, Npton, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

FRIDAY, Jan23

MUSIC

Kontra Roots Club at Kennedy’s Bar, Finedon, 8pm. Free. www.kcbworld.co.uk

Icelandic metallers, Sólstafir, headline The Craufurd Arms next week.

The band is on the road touring in support of their latest album, Ótta, which was released last year.

Sólstafir combine metal with soaring melodies and psychedelic moments with a strong undercurrent of classic and hard rock. Ótta is the band’s fifth album, which follows 2011’s Svartir Sandar.

The band features guitarist and singer Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason, bassist and guitarist Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson.

The song titles of Ótta form a concept based on an old Icelandic system of time-eeping similar to the monastic hours called Eykt.

The 24-hour day was divided into eight parts of three hours each. The album starts at midnight, the beginning of Lágnætti, continues through each Eyktir of the day and ends with Náttmál from 9pm until midnight.

Sólstafir headline the Wolverton venue on Thursday, January 22. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £12.50

Classic rockers Snake-charmer will be playing hits from each band members’ extensive back catalogue at The Stables this weekend.

The band features original Whitesnake members Micky Moody and Neil Murray, who have teamed up with Laurie Wisefield from Wishbone Ash; Harry James from Thunder and Magnum; Adam Wakeman, who has played with Ozzy Osbourne; and Chris Ousey from Heartland.

They will be playing a range of classic rock songs they helped create, including Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again and Fool For Your Loving.

They headline the Wavendon venue on Saturday, January 17. Support is by Motherlode. Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost from £19.50 before fees.

Tickets are sold out for Saturday’s headline unplugged show by Peter Howarth. Contact the venue for returns.

Think Floyd headline The Stables on Thursday, January 22. The show will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Wish You Were Here, featuring a performance of the whole LP. Standing tickets are still available and cost £22.50 in advance before fees.

Kev Purkis and Lee O’Connor maintained their brilliant run of form as they completed a comfortable victory in the Captains-Pro Play-off at Kingsthorpe.

In an event for all the pairings that were successful in the Captain-Pro Challenge last year, the duo shot 41 points, thanks to a hole-in-one from Purkiss on the ninth hole.

NGU

All the golf clubs in the county have been informed of two EGMs of the Northamptonshire Golf Union and Northamptonshire Ladies County Golf Association scheduled for next month.

The meetings, which take place simultaneously at different venues on February 11 at 7pm, will consider the final proposals to merge the two organisations.

The 25 clubs in the NGU have been invited to Kettering to vote on the formation of a new body called Northamptonshire Golf Ltd, while the 27 clubs who run the ladies organisation will decide on the merger at Wellingborough.

With each club having one vote, if there is a majority verdict at both EGMs, the new body will come into existence around the start of April 2015.

Cold Ashby

Jamie Underwood and club pro John Chivers braved the cold and wet conditions to win the Captains Drive-In Competition by one after carding a nine-hole Greensomes tally of 19 points.

On a day when Iain Kerr, Jayne Neale and John Nicholas struck their first shots since taking over as the men’s, ladies and seniors captains respectively, Underwood and Chivers edged to victory with the help of a birdie two on the last hole.

Stuart Thomas and Selwyn Lloyd (18) grabbed second spot on countback from Graham Bott and Mark Conway, with Ray Chambers and David Durban in fourth on the same mark.

Brampton Heath

Martyn Palmer made a great start to the year as he clinched the top prize in the January Medal on the back of a winning round of net 68.

The 23-handicapper finished three strokes ahead of Michael Burrows, Lee Bellham and Keith Thompson.

Daventry

Three strokes was the margin of victory in both the gross and net categories in the Winter Medal as Tom Orcherton claimed a notable double.

Orcherton’s gross 79 was too good for Dan Haynes, while Colin Long’s net 75 wasn’t enough to catch the seven-handicapper.

Staverton

Gary Birch was the only player to compile a net score in the 60’s in the January Medal as he nudged one stroke ahead of Mike Dickens (70).

Another mid-handicapper Tony Penhall (72) finished third, while Duane Hayle (73) and Ken Stanford (74) led the scoring in the first and third divisions respectively.

Farthingstone

Anthony McCormack stormed to victory in the January Medal as the 15-handicapper dropped just five shots in his last 13 holes. Andrew Kellaway and Lawrence McCormack (both 35) finished two points off the lead in second and third positions respectively.

Overstone Park

Half a dozen points was the margin of success in the January Yellow (White) Tee Stableford as Dave Watson grabbed the honours with 38.

Stephen Richardson, Richard Dalton and Chris Hemmington-Green were next.

Tom Nickleson also produced a comprehensive victory in the January Midweek Medal as a consistent round of net 70 pushed him five shots clear of Alan McNeil.

It was a lot closer in the Seniors January Medal the previous day as Stephen Byrom gained a countback verdict from Brian Billingham (net 70).

The producers that brought A Viennese Strauss Gala to The Castle Theatre return to Wellingborough with Magical Mozart by Candlelight this weekend.

This fully-costumed show will immerse audiences in the music of one of the world’s greatest composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Beautiful settings, costumes, lighting and candles work alongside the European Baroque Ensemble and soloists to transport audiences back to the opulent days of late 18th century Austria.

The show this Saturday will include excerpts from Mozart’s operas such as The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi fan Tutte.

Accompanying these pieces will be sung moments from compositions including his Symphony No.40, Lacrimonsa (Requim D minor) and Eine Kleine Nacht Musik.

Doors open at 7pm, tickets cost £19.50.

Tickets are on sale for The Paul Riley Quintet who headline the venue on Thursday, January 29.

Formed in 2011, saxophonist Riley will be joined by some of the finest young jazz musicians in the UK.

Performing with him will be guitarist Ant Law, pianist Mitch Jones, bassist Matt Ridley and drummer Dave Hamblett. The quintet’s first album, Inner View, reflects Riley’s original and magnetic music and this concert is part of a UK Jazz Services tour.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £12.50.

Fresh from her triumph at the British Blues Awards, the Female Vocalist of the Year Jo Harman takes her soulful sound to The Castle on Saturday, January 31.

Harman is a British singer-songwriter and her work is broadly influenced by blues, gospel, soul, country, rock and other ‘roots’ sensibilities.

Last summer she released a new album, Jo Harman and Company – Live at the Royal Albert Hall, which was recorded by the BBC.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £10.

For more about all three shows call 01933 270 007 or visit at www.thecastle.org.uk

One of the UK’s leading baroque flautists, Jane Mitchell will be the guest at Fiori Musicali’s ‘meet the artist’ series which returns to The Castle Theatre next week.

She will join Fiori’s director Penelope Rapson to discuss her musical career and share with the audience some of the music she loves. Mitchell is principal flute of the Aurora Orchestra and plays in orchestras in England, France and Germany on both modern and period flutes.

Mitchell works regularly with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and L’Orchestre des Champs-Elysées and has played recently with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, London Sinfonietta and the Northern Sinfonia. She has recorded as a soloist for Naxos, Collegium Records and Universal Records and recently gave the World Premiere of a new work for solo flute by Michel van der Aa.

The Art of the Flute is in Wellingborough on Friday, January 23 at 12.30pm. Tickets cost £14 and includes a buffet. Call 01933 270 007 or visit www.thecastle.org.uk

Towcester Racecourse chief executive Kevin Ackerman this week paused for breath after a frenetic opening six-week period following the launch of the new greyhound track in December.

Yet the message to resonate loud and clear from Towcester is that the honeymoon period has been a successful one, with trainers and punters alike keen to sample the fresh facilities on offer.

Towcester has responded to demand from greyhound trainers by putting on extra fixtures on a Thursday night in January, although this will not be the case on January 29 when there is a National Hunt card.

Ackerman said: “The hospitality bookings are going well on Friday and Saturday nights although we are not currently offering hospitality on Thursdays, although the bars are open. We intend to make a decision shortly about extra fixtures beyond January.”

He added: “We have had great support from trainers and wanted to give them additional opportunities to race their greyhounds.

“The staff and everyone involved with the racecourse have been excellent in their support. There is an understanding we are trying to secure the future prosperity of the racecourse. We have created 80 new jobs and many of these are local people on the catering side.”

WIMBLEDON Greyhound Derby winning trainer Bruno Berwick has finally been able to officially test the water at his new local track... Towcester.

Berwick’s small county base was catapulted to national stardom when Salad Dodger landed the £200,000 showpiece in May and this year’s contest is once again on his agenda.

Salad Dodger, who has not raced since last June as a result of injury, was due at Towcester yesterday for a hand slip start but Berwick was able to have his first proper runner at the track on Saturday when Harrys Gamble was third to Forest Alfonso in the 9.16 contest over 480m, the Matt Chapman yeeehaaa! Stakes. Only two of 12 favourites won on Saturday.

Thursday January 29 sees the return of National Hunt jump racing action to Towcester when the card gets underway at 1.50pm.

TOWCESTER’S pioneering greyhound circuit has also emerged as favourite to stage a future big money maxi-marathon invitation after a challenge was set down by Howard Berlin, the part owner of Boxing Day marathon winner Burgess Borna, to the owners of marathon rivals Bubbly Time and Supreme Rossie.

Berlin is searching for a sponsor for the three-dog challenge and Towcester’s greyhound racing manager said: “We’ve registered the maxi-marathon distance of 1,081 metres and would certainly be keen to stage something like this. Matches and challenges, if staged for the right reasons and competitive, can be terrific for racegoers and bookmakers alike.

CHRISTMAS pantomime season might be drawing towards its natural conclusion but county trainer Ben Case could yet be in a position to supply a topical tip at Ascot on Saturday in the EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at 4.05pm.

Case, who saddled a winner and two seconds from his three runners last Saturday, intends to run Peterpanopirateman at the Berkshire track where any cries of ‘look behind you’ at the final flight will hopefully indicate the Wardington Gate Farm base is about to notch an 11th win of the season.

The six-year-old, who was third of 14 in an Irish point to point in November, eventually finished well down the field at Towcester on Boxing Day, but the bare evidence of that statement is misleading.

On the climb for home the Case runner looked like being one of the few runners capable of holding a candle to the Nick Williams-trained Tea For Two, which so impressively won the feature Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last Saturday, only for that effort to take its toll.

Case successfully used Towcester’s stiff gradients to help in the preparation of a hurdling success when Vesuvhill took the opener at Warwick last Saturday on his first run in handicap company, and perhaps similar planning can again be executed on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Case has high hopes for last week’s runners-up, Ballagh and Mr Grey, who were placed at Warwick and Wetherby respectively.

A number of car tyres have been stolen from Halfords Autocentre in Northampton.

Police are investigating following a burglary at Halfords in St James Road in town during which the offender/s broke into the building and stole a number of car tyres.

The burglary happened on Thursday, January 8, between 4am and 4.30am.

Officers are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area around the time of the burglary to get in touch. They would also like to hear from anyone who may have been offered cheap car tyres for sale.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.