The story of a young girl’s brush with death is told in a dance production at the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough, tomorrow (Friday, March 6).

The show is Near Gone and it has been produced by Two Destinations Language, who are Alister Lownie and Katherina Radeva.

The performance starts with two performers on stage with hundreds of fresh carnations.

The woman speaks in Bulgarian and the man struggles to translate.

But when telling the story in words becomes too much the woman stops and dances to pounding Eastern European gypsy music.

Over an hour the audience then finds out about the story of survival and about the intricacies of the couple’s relationship.

Two Destination Language aims to make striking work about identity, community and boundaries.

Near Gone is their latest production and has received great acclaim and numerous awards.

Tickets for the performance cost £10 and can be purchased by calling 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole will make a return to the area next week with his latest show A Night To Remember.

The professional ballroom dancer was last in town with the sell-out tour of his previous dance show Licence To Thrill.

Now he is back at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton on Wednesday, March 11.

Brendan is one of the best known of the dancers and choreographers on Strictly, having been with the show since the start.

The stage show is full of ballroom and Latin-style dance. It features 14 musicians providing live music for the eight professional dancers to perform to.

The show will include some routines from the Strictly Come Dancing series as well as sequences representing dance styles from across the eras.

A Night To Remember is on Wednesday, March 11, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced from £31 to £37 and can be booked by calling 01604 624811 or by visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

The United Trades Working Men’s Club in Northampton is holding its second reunion...and will be raising money for Comic Relief at the same time.

The reunion will be on Friday March 13 at Queen’s Park WMC in Stanhope Road, Northampton, between 7.30pm and 11.30pm.

A spokesman said entertainment will be provided by Double Solo DJs playing music from the’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

“Lots of old faces from the Trades Club (formerly on Balmoral Road) were at the last evening, with those and lots more expected this time. It will be a great chance to catch up and to remember good times. There will also be a couple games of bingo and a raffle,” he said.

Entrance costs £3 on the door with all proceeds going to Comic Relief.

For details, call 01604 718337.

X-Factor winner Joe McElderry brings The Evolution Tour to The Core in Corby next week.

McElderry won the sixth series of the ITV show in 2009 and his unmistakable voice, easy wit and warm rapport has seen him build up a loyal fan base.

Whether he is singing a pop hit or stunning audiences with opera, McElderry has evolved from boy crooner to master of his craft in just a few short years.

After winning the talent show, McElderry went on to release his debut album, Wide Awake, the following year.

His second LP, Classic, followed in 2011 with Here’s What I Believe released the year after that.

His latest tour will include new routines and songs.

McElderry plays the Corby venue on Thursday, March
 12.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £19.50 for adults and £17.50 for concessions, before fees.

For more information and to book, call 01536 470470 or visit www.thecorecorby.com

Welsh singing brothers Richard and Adam headline the Royal & Derngate on Saturday, March 7.

The Britain’s Got Talent pair played to more than 15,000 people on their debut tour and this time will be singing songs from the movies.

Richard and Adam’s success on the show was followed by their debut album, The Impossible Dream. Support is by Sophie Evans.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £27 before fees.

Hits of supergroup Fleetwood Mac will be recreated at the Northampton venue next week.

Having performed to more than half a million concert-goers worldwide since they formed a decade ago, Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac return to Derngate on Tuesday, March 10 with a new stage production celebrating the music of legendary rock band.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £23.50 before fees.

For more information and to book, call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Cult post punk rockers New Model Army return to the Roadmender in Northampton on Wednesday.

The band released their latest album, Between Wine and Blood, last year.

The record combined six new songs and an 11-track live album, recorded on their Between Dog and Wolf tour which had to be postponed when drummer Michael Dean was diagnosed with blood clots in his leg.

The unexpected time off was used to record the songs for the mini album.

Singer Justin Sullivan said: “When we finished Between Dog and Wolf we wanted to keep the momentum going, and with Michael being unwell, the time became available to get back in the studio earlier than planned.

“Michael was there writing and co-producing while he recuperated. The result is an eclectic and immediate-sounding mini-album.”

New Model Army play on Wednesday, March 11.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20 in advance via SOtickets or by calling 08454744718

For more information visit www.newmodelarmy.org

Rising Yorkshire metallers Glamour Of The Kill round off their UK tour at The Craufurd Arms this weekend.

The band released their third EP, After Hours, in November.

The tour five-track record was funded via Kickstarter and features guest vocals by Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix and Escape The Fate’s Craig Mabbitt.

Glamour Of The Kill comprise of singer and bassist Davey Richmond, guitarists Chris Gomerson and Mike Kingswood and drummer Ben Thomson.

They headline the Wolverton venue on Sunday, March 8.

Support is by Black Country five piece, EofE.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 in advance.

Sleaford Mods return to the region on Saturday, March 14 to headline the venue after their recent Northampton gig.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 in advance.

For more information about all forthcoming gigs and to book tickets, visit www.thecraufurdarms.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

MUSIC

Paul Carrack, Derngate Auditorium, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

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

Disco at The Sunnyside, Boughton Green Road, Npton, 8pm

Disco – All Requests Friday with Apollo Disco at The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8.30pm

Some Old Get at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Aladdin by Parish Players at Denton Village Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets Adults £7, Concessions £5 or Family £20 (2 adults, 2 children) from Lisa 01604 890711 or lisa@211211.co.uk

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 2.30pm/7pm. 01604 624811

Hactivists, Underground, Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Only Fools and Boycie, one-man show with John Challis, The Core at Corby Cube, 7.30pm. 01536 470470

OTHER

Quiz Night at Brafield WMC, A428.

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

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

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

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

Craft Club, 11am–3pm, at Church Hall, St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Kettering. 07733 341674. Admission £3 inc tea & coffee.

Bluelight Comedy & Magic, The Sun Inn, High Street, Hardingstone, 7.30pm. Starring “The Man who fooled Penn and Teller live on TV” John Archer. Tickets £10 from The Sun Inn or email info@thetrixta.com

Handmade & Unplugged – Mother’s Day Craft Fair at The Picturedrome, Kettering Road, Npton, 6pm–10pm. 19 Local crafters and live acoustic music.

5th Annual Wellingborough Diggers Festival (& March 7), Talk & Discussion – Foodbanks Hunger & Politics, at the Friends Meeting House, St Johns Street, W’boro, 7.15pm.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

MUSIC

Richard & Adam, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Jon James, Brafield Working Mens Club, A428, from 8pm.

The River Chickens at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 9pm. Free entry.

The Smarties at Great Doddington WMC, Lower Street,

XS at Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, Npton

Soul-ar Energy at The Wayfarers Inn, London Road, Kettering, 9pm.

Pete Wayre at Kettering Rifle Band Club, Havelock Street, Kettering

BBs 70s & 80s Night at Golden Horse, Far Cotton, 7.30pm. Free admission.

St Peter’s Singers Crucifixus Pro Nobis, St Matthew’s Church, Npton, 7.30pm. Tickets £9 otd.

Motown & Soul disco with Tony Gee at The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8.30pm

Harkback at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Aladdin by Parish Players at Denton Village Hall, 2.30pm/7.30pm. Adults £7, concessions £5 or family £20 (2 adults, 2 children) from 01604 890711 or lisa@211211.co.uk

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 2.30pm/7pm. 01604 624811

Hactivists, Underground, Royal & Derngate, N’pton, 2.30pm/7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Table Top Sale, Kingsley Park Methodist Church (top of Milton Street), N’pton, 10am–noon. Entry 20p. Funds for Motor Neurone and Kidney Research UK.

Northampton Poet Cazza (alias Caroline Buckby) will selling her mini book of comic prose “And It Goes Like This…” at Rushden Craft Gift & Vintage Fayre, Masonic Hall, Wellingborough Road, Rushden. £1 of every edition to Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

Table Top Sale at The Pemberton Centre, H E Bates Way, Rushden, 10am–noon. Entrance £1, children free. To book a stall, email karen_aves@hotmail.co.uk

Ukelele workshop by Sara Spade. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 10am–3pm. Tickets £34 (ages 16+ only). Booking essential. 01604 837397 to book.

Afternoon Walk with The Ramblers Association (5 miles), 2pm from Gayton village centre, no dogs.

Woodnewton – Kettering & District Ramblers Club (6.5 miles), meet at White Swan. 01536 767292

Whist Drive at Great Easton Village Hall in the Welland Valley, cards dealt from 7.30pm. 01536 770784

Coffee Morning, Parish Rooms, Market Place, Kettering, 10am–noon. Free. Funds to Kaleidoscope Club, a club for adults with learning disabilities.

Table Top Sale, Pitsford Village Hall, 11am–3pm. Free.

Clickers, Cutters & Quarrymen – Burton at Work exhibition in the Burton Latimer Heritage Museum.

Antiques. Collectibles & Book Fair, Abington Church Rooms, Park Avenue North, N’pton, 10am–4pm. Admission free.

Shoe Store Tour, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Rd, 10.30am–noon. £5. Booking essential 01604 837397.

Leicestershire & Northamptonshire Keep Fit Association AGM & Rally Day at Moulton School, from 10.15am.

Jumble Sale, Hackleton Village Hall, 1.30pm. In aid of Hackleton Rainbows and Piddington Brownies

Brisk Saturday Cycle Ride (35 mile loop) via Stoke Bruerne, Hanslope, Castlethorpe to Haversham. Meet 9.30am Hunsbury Hill Library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury. www.ctc-northampton.org.uk

Table Top Sale, All Saints Church, William Street, Kettering, 9am.

5th Annual Wellingborough Diggers Festival at Wellingborough Library from noon, inc talk on Gerrard Winstanley who inspired the Diggers and a presentation celebrating Women’s Day at 2pm. Also song-writing workshop, live bands at The Horsehoe, Sheep Street, W’bro, 4pm and Hind Hotel, W’bro, 7.30pm. www.diggersfestival.org.uk

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

MUSIC

Alan Black, Brafield Working Mens Club, A428, from 8pm.

Harborough Jazz presents Roger Beaujolais Quartet at Angel Hotel, High Street, Market Harborough, 12.30pm. Admission £12, non-members £14. Contact 01858 466737 or www.harboroughjazz.com

The Sunday Marmalade Session curated by Cliff Brown at The Pomfret Arms, Cotton End, Npton, 2pm–5pm

Windband Spectacular, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 6pm. 01604 624811

Cliff Bywater at Monks Park WMC, Npton, 4pm

Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends with Trevor Whiting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, noon to 2.30pm. Admission £8

T.A.B. Sunday Jam at Thomas A Becket, St James Rd, Npton, 9pm.

Nightshift at The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 7pm

The Carverners at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Aladdin by Parish Players at Denton Village Hall, 4pm. Adults £7, concessions £5 or family £20 (2 adults, 2 children) from 01604 890711 or lisa@211211.co.uk

Nathan Carter, The Core at Corby Cube, 7.30pm. 01536 470470

OTHER

Morning Worship with Holy Communion at Whitefriars Junior School, Rushden, 10.15am

Morning Walk with Northampton Ramblers (6.5 miles), meet 10am at The Stags Head, Maidwell.

Figure-of-8 Walk with The Ramblers Association (am 7 miles, pm 4.5 miles), meet 8.50am Church Lane (rear entrance to Church of the Holy Sepulchre Church), N’pton or meet leader 9.30am junction of Great Lane and High Street, Bugbrooke. Afternoon start is 1.30pm from Baker’s Arms.

The Northamptonshire Baby & Toddler Show, Franklin’s Gardens, Weedon Road, Npton, 10am–4pm. Over 70 companies celebrating everything from pregnancy to preschool. Earlybird discounted tickets £2.50 from www.northantsbabyshow.com or £3.50 otd.

MONDAY, MARCH 9

MUSIC

Acoustic Open Mic with Darryl & Jim at The Woolpack, Rothwell from 9pm.

Pomfest, pop & house music at The Pomfret Arms, Cotton End, Npton, 7pm–to 1am.

Live Concert by The Hunsbury Voices at the Quaker Meeting House, Wellington Street, Npton, 7.30pm. £3 admission.

OTHER

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

MUSIC

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Derngate Auditorium, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

Chris Parker at The Wig & Pen, St Giles St, Npton, 9pm. Free entry

OTHER

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

Free Ballroom & Latin Dance lessons, 1.30pm–3.30pm at Eden Close Community Room, Lakeview, N’pton, 01604 787246

Poker Night at The Sunnyside PH, Boughton Green Road, Npton, 8pm

Craft Tutorial (every fortnight) at The Meeting Room, St Matthews Church, Kingsley, 7.30pm (£10).

Northampton Inter-Faith Forum (until May 23) at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Rd, with representatives of Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jewish and Sikh.

Painted Volcanoes meeting (fortnightly) for writers to read out and discuss their latest work, The Lamplighter, Overstone Road, Npton, 7.30pm.www.paintedvolcanoes.weelby.com

Quiz Night with Phil Hollis at The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8.30pm

Women’s Hour meet at Gretton Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Gretton, 2.15pm. Guest speaker is Paul Greenaway.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

MUSIC

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

Jazz & Blues at Charles Bradlaugh, Earl St, Npton, 8.30pm. Free entry

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

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

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

The Retros – Wednesday Country Music Scene, The Headland, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm.

THEATRE

Dying For It, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 3pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Brendan Cole, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

The Last Days of Judas, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

Craft Club, Hazlewood Community Centre, Gainsborough Road, Corby, 7pm. 07910 989410

Mums, Grannies, Childminders & Toddlers meet, Church Hall, Edinburgh Road, N’pton, 1.30pm–3pm.

“The History of Masks” with Christine Farmer, NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton, 7.30pm to 9pm. 01604 858252.

Morning Walk with The Ramblers Association (7.5 miles). 9.30am from Odell, nr pub. Walking via Pavenham and Carlton. Unsuitable for dogs.

An audience with Mica Paris heads to The Stables in Wavendon next week.

The soul singer released her platinum selling debut album, So Good, in 1988.

The LP spawned the top 30 singles Like Dreamers Do, Breathe Life Into Me and My One Temptation.

She headlines the Wavendon venue on Thursday, March 12.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £27 before fees.

A limited number of ‘meet and greet’ tickets are on sale for an extra £8 per person.

A few tickets remain to watch Richard Digance who headlines the venue on Sunday, March 8.

In recent years, Digance, who has played with the likes Brian May and Status Quo, has become one of Britain’s most sought-after cruise entertainers.

He has also returned to his musical roots through major music festival shows.

Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost £16.50 before fees.

For more information about all forthcoming shows visit www.stables.org

A dog who was tied up outside a fish and chip shop in Northamptonshire has been stolen.

The five-year-old black and white Saluki was tied up outside the Bignal fish and chip shop in Bignal Court, Kettering.

The dog was untied and taken while the owner was in the shop.

The dog was taken between 7pm and 7.20pm on Tuesday, February 24.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The Cobblers have boosted their attacking options with the loan signing of Accrington Stanley striker James Gray.

The 22-year-old has joined Town until the end of the season, with manager Chris Wilder delighted to sign a player he has long admired.

“James is a player who has always caught our eye, whether playing against us or in games we have been watching,” said Wilder.

“We think he will add something different to our squad. He is full of energy, he has pace and he can run in behind.

“He is also very aggressive, which is a trait I like, and he can be a real handful to defenders.”

Wilder has made his move with concerns still surrounding the fitness of leading scorer Marc Richards.

The 17-goal front man is struggling with an Achilles injury, and has undergone a scan to see if there is any serious problem.

Gray, who has also enjoyed short spells at Darlington and Kettering Town, has scored 14 goals for Accrington in 44 starts and 32 substitute appearances since signing for them in 2012.

He has scored five times this season, although he hasn’t found the net since bagging the winner in a 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon on September 13.

Gray has found starts hard to come by at Stanley, with his most recent being on November 6, while his last substitute appearance for John Coleman’s side came in the 5-1 thrashing by the Cobblers in January.

Gray was born in Yarm in the north east of England, but has represented Northern Ireland at under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.

He is the son of former Northern Ireland international Phil Gray,

Saints have recalled four key men for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership trip to Gloucester (kick-off 3.15pm).

Alex Corbisiero, Tom Wood and Samoan star Kahn Fotuali’i are back in the starting 15 after playing key roles from the bench in last Friday’s 17-13 victory against Harlequins.

And Australian prop Salesi Ma’afu also returns having completed a two-week ban for striking London Irish prop Tom Court.

Alex Waller, Gareth Denman, Sam Dickinson and Lee Dickson drop to the bench.

Dickson captained Saints in the game against Quins, but Wood will take on the role of skipper this weekend.

Saints are still without Dylan Hartley, Luther Burrell and George North, who remain in their respective international camps.

Gloucester have been boosted by the return of their Six Nations stars, with England duo Billy Twelvetrees and Jonny May named in the starting 15.

Wales hooker Richard Hibbard and Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw also start at Kingsholm.

Gloucester: McColl; Sharples, Meakes, Twelvetrees (c), May; Hook, Laidlaw; Murphy, Hibbard, Afoa; Savage, Palmer; Kalamafoni, Kvesic, Evans.

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Thomas, Puafisi, Stooke, Moriarty, Robson, Burns, Purdy.

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Stephenson, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali’i; Corbisiero, Haywood, Ma’afu; Lawes, Day; Wood (c), Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Williams, A Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Dowson, Dickson, Olver, Tuala.

A 28-year-old man has been left seriously injured following a crash in Northamptonshire yesterday.

The man was driving a white Renault Master van at about 3.20pm between junction 1 and Catthorpe Interchange on the A14 westbound, when it was in collision with the back of a green Scania LGV being driven by a 50-year-old man.

The air ambulance landed to take the injured motorist to University Hospital Coventry where he is in a serious condition.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witness the incident.”

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

Northampton North parliamentary candidates agreed that more needs to be done to encourage young people to take a more active role in politics.

Members of all five political parties shared their views on why younger voters have become disillusioned with politics, during a hustings event at University of Northampton yesterday in the run-up to this year’s elections.

Conservative candidate, Michael Ellis, said: “Young people feel like politicians are in it for themselves and cannot be trusted.” But he added that he had been ranked fifth MP in the country for voting efficiency, having voted on 92 per cent of parliamentary issues he was eligible for since 2010.

Angela Paterson (Lib Dem) argued that it was a case of boredom and mistrust with the voting system itself, as well as the media portrayal of politicians.

She said: “Young people are bored with the same old first-past-the-post system and the way it reduces voter choice.

“Engagement is paramount. As politicians we need to be taking the initiative to reach out and connect with the issues that are important to them, and work against the disgusting behaviour of some politicians that is shown in the media.”

Standing for the Green Party, Tony Clarke also focussed on involving young people in political discussion. He said: “We need to actually give young people something to vote for in the first place.

“Voting itself is the end product: it’s about developing a strong opinion on something and sticking to it, no matter what other’s think. It’s a measure of self worth.”

During the event, candidates responded to questions from the audience of more than 60 university students and staff members on issues that concerned them.

Responding to questions about climate change and the environment, Sally Keeble (Labour) said: “The consequences of ignoring environmental issues are disastrous, but it is something that all countries to buy into together. It is something that requires a change in lifestyle.”

Mr Clarke said: “Other parties are too concerned about growth to focus properly on these issues but, for us, it is our reason for being.”

UKIP candidate Tom Rubython added: “UKIP’s policy for the environment sucks, but at least I’m admitting it.”

Meanwhile, Mr Ellis commented on threats to national security as a result of dependence on other countries for fossil fuel supplies.

Other issues discussed included the abolishing of tution fees, support for international students and lobbying legislation.

Speaking about tuition fees, Mr Rubython said: “Higher education should be free at the point of need and UKIP would see fees abolished within five years.

“Students should not be walking into life with a debt of almost £50,000 hanging over their heads already. It lowers morale and gives you a completely different feeling just walking down the street.”

Conservative and Lib Dem candidates supported fees, however, and Mr Ellis said: “The majority of the current taxpayers did not go to university, so is it fair to ask them to pay for students now?”

For further coverage of last night’s event, catch up with our Newsdesk Live page on the Chron website, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

Northamptonshire fast bowler Olly Stone is keen to make 2015 his year.

The youngster has had a frustrating, stop-start opening to his professional career but hopes he is now in a position to push on.

It was June 2012 that he made his first-class debut for the club since when he has managed only seven more appearances - five of them in the dreadful campaign last year - as injuries have held him back.

However - fresh from three weeks with the Potential England Performance Programme at the High Performance Institute of Sport in Potchefstroom in South Africa - the 21-year-old, Norfolk lad is optimistic of better times to come.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of years for me,” the former England Under-19s skipper said.

“I’ve had my opportunities but then it hasn’t gone to plan.

“In the Lancashire game last year I broke my finger and then towards the back end of the season I got a stress fracture in my shin.

“I feel in a good place at the moment and in good shape.

“Hopefully this year, with the opportunities everyone is going to get, I can stay out there and put in some good performances.”

Physical strength was one of the things he focused on during his time in South Africa and he believes he will be stronger than ever for the summer ahead.

“There were six fast bowlers from around the country at the camp,” he explained.

“There were no major issues to be dealt with, we were just looking at little things we want to tweak.

“There were two bowling coaches - Neil Killeen and Jason Kerr - along with Leicestershire physio Rob Leather and Michael Main who is the strength and conditioning guy at Hampshire.

“So we had four good-quality coaches overseeing everything we did.

“It meant at times there were two coaches for one person in the sessions.

“You can’t really ask for much more.

“The main thing we looked at was the robustness of my body - choosing the right times to stretch and making the most of the opportunities when they come along.

“To get those little tips and nuggets that I can buy into is something that will help.

“It was great to get some time like that which will hopefully give me a bit of a headstart on all the others.”

The things he has learned and the development he has gained could come in very useful.

Northamptonshire go into the season with one of the smallest squads in recent memory and a very limited seam bowling attack in terms of numbers.

It means Stone will definitely be called upon to do his share of the hard work as they try to bounce back from the horror show that was 2014.

“It’s going to be a tough ask - but it is every year,” Stone admitted.

“With only having a few bowlers this year to rotate along the way it is going to be a bit harder.

“But everyone is really up for the challenge and looking forward to getting the season going.

“We spent a lot of the time out in the dirt last year.

“Both mentally and physically it was very draining.

“We’ve got two tough but winnable games right at the start of the season.

“Hopefully we can put together some good performances there and it can set us up for the rest of the year.

“That can only put us in a good place.

“I know from being around the dressing-room last year that if we can pick up a few wins early in the season it will give us a massive mental boost and hopefully get us on a bit of a roll.”

Fixture: Gloucester v Northampton Saints (Aviva Premiership - round 17)

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, March 7, 3.15pm

Venue: Kingsholm

Weather forecast: 14C, clear

Referee: Greg Garner

Gloucester: McColl; Sharples, Meakes, Twelvetrees (c), May; Hook, Laidlaw; Murphy, Hibbard, Afoa; Savage, Palmer; Kalamafoni, Kvesic, Evans.

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Thomas, Puafisi, Stooke, Moriarty, Robson, Burns, Purdy.

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Stephenson, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali’i; Corbisiero, Haywood, Ma’afu; Lawes, Day; Wood (c), Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Williams, A Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Dowson, Dickson, Olver, Tuala.

Outs: Gloucester: Trinder (knee), Cook (shoulder), Morgan (leg). Saints: Foden (knee), Hartley, Burrell, North (all international duty).

Most recent meeting: Friday, September 6: Saints 53 Gloucester 6 (Aviva Premiership)

Tom’s preview: This weekend, Aviva Premiership clubs come face to face with the side they kicked off their campaign against.

It is a chance to assess the journey they have been on since September, to take stock of how far they have come since the embryonic stage of the season.

And for Saints, there can be plenty of positive reflection as they prepare for a clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday.

In the six months since the 53-6 evisceration of the Cherry and Whites at Franklin’s Gardens, Jim Mallinder’s men have shown that performance was not a flash in the pan.

The champions, whose chances of retaining their title were doubted by some in the traditional pre-season predictions, have shown they are here to stay.

A few blips aside, they have been relentless in picking up results.

Should they beat Gloucester this weekend, it would be 13 wins from 17 league games, which would be by far the best record in the division.

In an unpredictable league, Saints - and winless London Welsh - have achieved some much-needed consistency.

That has seen the men from Northampton open up a 12-point lead at the top with just six games of the regular season to go.

And their biggest enemy is now themselves as they bid to stop complacency creeping in during the closing stages.

Every interview this week has included references to that, with players and coaches adamant they won’t trip on their lead.

They know that a win this weekend will take them another step towards achieving the aim of a home play-off semi-final, making life just a little tougher for the chasing pack.

And it can certainly be said that had you offered them this position when Gloucester came calling on the opening night, they would have bitten your hand off for it.

Tom’s prediction: Gloucester 18 Saints 25

Fixture: Plymouth Argyle v Northampton

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, March 7, 3pm kick-off

Venue: Home Park, Plymouth

Weather forecast: 11C, cloudy

Outs and doubts: Cobblers: Ian Morris (knee), Kaid Mohamed (broken metatarsal), Ben Tozer (knee), Joel Byrom (suspended). Plymouth: None

Betting: Plymouth 5/4, draw 12/5, Cobblers 5/2

Form guide: Plymouth LLWWWW, Cobblers WWWDLW

Possible line-ups: Northampton (4-2-3-1): Duke; Moloney, Cresswell, Collins, Horwood; Carter, Taylor; Holmes, Hackett, D’Ath; Toney. Plymouth (3-5-2): McCormick;

Nelson, McHugh, Hartley; Talbot, B Reid, O’Connor, Blizzard, Holmes-Dennis; R Reid, Alessandra.

Last time out: Cobblers beat Portsmouth 1-0 (Holmes), Plymouth lost 1-0 at Stevenage

Most recent meeting: Saturday, December 13, 2014 - Cobblers 2 (Toney, Murdoch) Plymouth 3

Cobblers connection: Chris Hargreaves joined the Cobblers in the summer of 2000 after leaving Plymouth, and supporters with good memories will recall a Chronicle & Echo back page photograph in which the midfielder was snapped on the Sixfields turf alongside two other additions, Marco Gabbiadini and Jamie Forrester. Hargreaves outlasted both of those, making 176 appearances and scoring 11 goals.

Jefferson Lake’s preview: There was a dose of bad news for the Cobblers in the build-up to this game with the confirmation that Plymouth striker Reuben Reid is over his recent injury and ready to lead the Pilgrims’ line.

Reid is a lethal striker whose tally of 17 goals so far this season tells its own story.

After a nomadic career, the powerful forward has found his feet - and his goalscoring touch - at Home Park where he has formed a pretty nifty strike partnership with Lewis Alessandra, who has scored in his past three games against the Cobblers.

Plymouth have had a couple of poor results in Reid’s absence, losing twice and failing to score in both games, and a revival will be sought on Saturday.

Northampton can go above Argyle with a win, but won’t go into the top seven because two of the other play-off hunters, Stevenage and Newport County, play each other.

They will be without their set-piece specialist Joel Byrom, whose place in the starting line-up will go to Darren Carter, but have a fresh option in attack with John-Joe O’Toole available after his three-game suspension.

Any positive outcome will be a good result for Town and a draw would be a very acceptable result, with two home games against struggling sides next on the agenda.

Prediction: Plymouth 1 Northampton 1

James Gray has seen first hand the attacking power the Cobblers possess - and he can’t wait to get stuck in and play his part.

Accrington Stanley striker Gray today signed on loan at Sixfields until the end of the season, and is set to go straight into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Plymouth Argyle.

The 22-year-old is joining a team that has been in tip-top form since the turn of the year, and now sit just three points outside the SkyBet League Two promotion play-off places.

Gray has already been on the wrong end of Town’s attacking threat this season, as he was in the Stanley team thrashed 5-1 at the Crown Ground at the end of January.

“Northampton are top of the form guide at the moment, and the last time I played for Accrington was when they won 5-1,” said Gray.

“So I have played against a lot of the players in previous seasons, and it is a really strong squad. I am very happy to be here.”

Asked if the hammering at the hands of the Cobblers had left an impression on him, Gray said: “Yeah it did, especially when they went down to 10 men in the first half.

“That showed a lot of character to keep going, and we literally couldn’t break them down or get another goal. The team certainly have a lot of attacking options up the field.”

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international has been brought in to the bolster the Cobblers’ forward options, with doubts surrounding the fitness of Cobblers top scorer Marc Richards who on Thursday underwent a scan on an Achilles problem.

Gray was a second-half substitute as Accrington were swept aside by the Cobblers on January 31, and that was the last time he turned out for John Coleman’s men.

He has been overlooked and sidelined ever since, and Gray feels that inactivity will be an advantage for him as he tries to shine at Sixfields.

“I am feeling fresh as I haven’t got as many games in at Accrington as I would have liked to,” said Gray, who in 2011 failed to score in a nine-match spell at the Cobblers’ county rivals Kettering Town.

“But I am feeling good and looking forward to the new challenge here at Northampton. I am happy to have an opportunity to impress.”

Gray, who has scored 14 times in 44 starts and 32 substitute appearances for Stanley, was told of the Cobblers’ interest on Thursday morning.

He was in Northampton that same evening, and on Friday morning was at Sixfields bright and early to sign on.

He is joining a squad of players he admits he doesn’t know, but he does have one connection to a Cobblers player that might cause some amusement in the Towwn camp as they head for Devon and that clash with Plymouth.

Gray is the son of former Northern Ireland international Phil Gray, and he revealed: “My dad played with Chris Hackett when he was at Oxford - so that will make him feel old!”

Gray joins the Cobblers just three weeks after he had a loan switch to Conference Premier side Southport cancelled following just one training session.

The front man had agreed a move to Southport until the the end of the season on February 12, but changed his mind after that single session, and decided to return to Accrington.

The £1 million in parking fines that Northamptonshire County Council collects each year could be under threat from new parking laws.

Under the new laws to help shopkeepers, drivers will from later this month get a 10 minute grace period when parked in a bay, which prevents fines for being just a few minutes late back to the vehicle.

And the use of CCTV ‘spy cars’ has been banned in the majority of circumstances, which the Government says wil end “the tyranny of automated fines landing on doorsteps” that are being issued in “industrial volumes.”

According to latest figures, Northamptonshire County Council collects £1,042,000 in street and car park fines each year.

Eric Pickles MP, the communities secretary, said: “We are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business. 

“For too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses. 

“Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs councils more in the long term. 

“Our measures not only bring big benefits for high streets, motorists and local authorities - they put common sense back into parking.”

Other parking reforms in the Deregulation Bill include new powers for parking adjudicators so they can hold councils to account to tackle parking problems such as poor signage at specific locations.  

Residents and local firms will also be able to demand that their council reviews parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines. 

There will also be tougher rules against “heavy-handed action” by bailiffs and an end to fines at out-of-order parking meters when there is no alternative way to pay. 

Guidance will also reinforce the principle that councils cannot use parking to make a profit.

Councils were also asked to volunteer to trial a new pilot that allows motorists challenging a parking ticket to benefit from a 25 per cent discount on the fine if they lose the appeal. Currently drivers are only offered a discount on early payment before challenging a ticket. 

The cross-Government Deregulation Bill passed third reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday and Royal Assent of the Bill is expected shortly. 

An 18-year-old woman was assaulted numerous times by a man riding a bike as she walked through three streets in Northampton.

The woman was walking in St Gregory’s Road, Grange Road and Broadmead Avenue when she was involved in an argument with the man who then assaulted her numerous times.

The man, who was riding a green mountain bike, is described as white, in his 20s, about 5ft 10ins and of slim build. He had brown hair and a beard and was wearing a blue top, blue jeans and blue cap.

The incident started at about 3.30pm on Tuesday, March 3.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information regarding it.

Witnesses, or anyone with any information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Alex Waller has compared the Kingsholm atmosphere to playing at a packed Welford Road.

But the Saints prop is hopeful his side can use the Gloucester crowd to their advantage on Saturday.

Jim Mallinder’s men head to the west country sitting 12 points clear at the top of the Aviva Premiership.

But with Gloucester able to call on the likes of Wales star Richard Hibbard and England men Jonny May and Billy Twelvetrees, the home side will pose a stern test.

And Waller knows the Cherry and Whites supporters will also have a big say in deciding the outcome of this weekend’s encounter.

“They’ve got a massive pack and it’s a very hostile place to go with the Shed,” Waller said. “It’s a great atmosphere there and it’s somewhere I enjoy playing.

“It’s very similar to a hostile Welford Road when it’s full and that helps them.

“But it also adds a certain atmosphere to the game that pumps our boys up.

“It’s going to be a tough game and there’s no reason why we can’t win it if everything clicks, but we’re going to have to be at it.

“Gloucester are a decent side and their back three, especially, are very dangerous.

“Their pack are big and if they get on the front foot we’ll be in a bit of trouble so we’ve to to negate that straight away.”

With just six games of the regular season to go, Saints are in a strong position as they seek to secure a home play-off semi-final.

But Waller has warned that their sizeable lead can soon be eroded and he says the players are working hard to ensure that doesn’t happen.

“We’re happy that we’re 12 points clear but that can all change in a week or two,” he said.

“It’s massive for us to stay at the top because we want that home semi-final.

“We want to keep the gap as big as possible and there’s no reason why we can’t stay on top if we stay focused.

“The coaches and the players know that and it’s led internally by the senior players.

“There’s plenty of pride there and we don’t want to take our foot off the gas.

“Even though we’re winning a bit ugly at the moment, we’re working hard in training to keep that gap as big as possible.”