A woman was forced to hand over a substantial amount of cash after two robbers wearing balaclavas broke into her Northamptonshire home.

The robbery happened at a house in Willoughby Road, Kilsby, at about 6.45pm on Tuesday, March 10.

Once inside the property the two men demanded that the woman give them a substantial amount of cash. They then fled, leaving the woman in the property.

Detective Inspector Philip Mills, who is leading the investigation, said: “Incidents like this are fortunately very rare, but this was a nasty robbery which has obviously left the victim very shaken.

“I would urge anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact us as soon as possible.”

A police spokesman said the two men have been described by the victim as aged between 20 and 40 and possibly may have had eastern European accents.

One was between 5ft 6in and 5ft 7in while the other was between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in.

Witnesses, or anyone with any information about this incident, 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.

Chris Wilder has said he will not look to make changes to his Cobblers side despite them succumbing to only their second loss of 2015 last weekend.

Town play host to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday in the first half of a Sixfields double header which is concluded with the visit of Carlisle United on Tuesday.

They go into the game bidding to bounce back from a 2-0 loss at Plymouth Argyle which brought to an end a three-game winning streak and during which the club moved close to the Sky Bet League Two play-off places.

And Wilder will keep team alterations to a minimum as he bids to restore the team’s winning habit at the expense of a Tranmere side who are in the relegation zone but only by a single point.

“We’re not looking to change a lot because these are fine margins,” he said.

“That was the case in the games against Shrewsbury and Portsmouth prior to the Plymouth game.

“We will stick to our beliefs and stick to playing the way that we want to play.

“We’ve been excellent at home and we’ve got off to quick starts, and we will be looking to do that again.”

Wilder’s team remain the leading scorers in the division and have only lost twice in 2015 after a series of sweeping changes were made to the playing squad and support staff.

Despite losing at Plymouth, the manager was pleased with the way his team performed against a rival for the play-offs.

“I’m encouraged by the standard of the performance in the game at Plymouth and we’re in good nick for the next game,” he said.

“We had to make a couple of changes to the team and perhaps that unsettled us a touch but we’ll only be better and stronger for that.

“There was no disgrace in losing to Plymouth.

“You’re never happy to lose and you never accept defeat but we gave it a right go and the majority of play was to my right.

“We have to not feel sorry for ourselves but the level of performance has been very good since January.”

Jon Fisher believes he will come back bigger and stronger as he prepares to return from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Fisher has not played for Saints since injuring his foot in a game at Scarlets in early November.

But he has been back in training for the past three weeks and could now get some game time in the LV= Cup semi-final at Saracens on Saturday.

And having used his timely on the sidelines wisely, Fisher is ready to make a big splash at Allianz Park.

“I’m good now,” said the 26-year-old. “I’ve had three weeks of full training so if I get the opportunity I’m prepared.

“When I got injured, I just got my foot caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and a couple of Welsh guys tackled me in different directions.

“It was a freak injury really but it’s been a good opportunity over the past few months to improve certain areas of my game physically and I’ve made the most of it.

“You can always make improvements when you’re out.

“My game is based around that side of things and as a back row forward you need to be physical to make an impression in games. It’s something I take seriously.

“I sat down with one of the strength and conditioning coaches and we annoyed each other for a while but we made the most of the situation and it was good.”

Council officers sometimes flout the law on giving extra help to Northampton people with nowhere to live by ignoring homelessness applications, a charity has claimed.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau that covers the town, said it knew of a number of people who wanted to become officially homeless, but had been denied the chance by Northampton Borough Council to make the application.

In law, the council is supposed to at least assist people who submit an application and, if they are a priority case, they should then house them.

Martin Lord, of Central and East Northants CAB, which deals with 400 homeless people a year, said: “Do we have problems with the way councils deal with these people? I would have to be honest and say, yes, in many cases we do.

“Sad to say, too often it can be difficult to get an authority to accept an application.

“Some clients have reported that, without any meaningful enquiries, they’ve been turned away without any record being taken of their application.”

The CAB said the issue was not unique to Northampton and acknowledged that it can be difficult for local authorities to know if an applicant is genuine or is merely looking for a quick route into a new home.

But Mr Lord said it was important that the law was followed.

He said: “The point with these laws is they have been put in place by Parliament through our democratic system, and if a council deviates from them – either to avoid the eventuality of housing someone or for statistical reasons – it flies in the face of what was intended by Parliament and that is what should make people concerned just as much as the effect it might have on vulnerable people.

He added: “In respect to homelessness issues in particular, when people are sent away simply to end up as someone else’s problem, where’s the saving?”

Statutory protection for homeless people began in 1977 with the passing of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act.

It gave councils the legal duty to house homeless people in priority need and to offer advice and assistance to those who were not a priority.

Because of client confidentiality, the CAB is unable to pass on details of specific people who have been denied the chance to make a homelessness application,

As a result, the borough council said it was unable to say whether the CAB’s claims were true.

A spokesman for Northampton Borough Council said: “It is impossible for us to look into this as the Chronicle & Echo is unable to provide any details for us to investigate or respond to.

“If someone is homeless or feels they are at risk of becoming homeless, they should contact our homelessness team so we can look at how we can help them.

“They can visit us at the Guildhall or call 0300 330 7000.”

The stage version of To Kill a Mockingbird, currently showing at MK Theatre, proves that, if the story is good enough and the actors telling it are talented enough, there is no need for fancy props or elaborate special effects.

The staging is stripped back so far the actors literally chalk the words ‘house’ and ‘street’ onto the floor at the start of the show to give the audience some semblance of a setting.

The boundaries between the audience and the performers seems deliberately blurred as they melt on to the stage, while one performer, armed with a banjo, provides a short musical interlude.

Standing on the side of the stage, the actors then take it in turns to play the narrator or one of the characters.

Director Timothy Sheader certainly achieves his aim of making the Harper Lee novel the “beating heart of the action” and making the audience feel like they are a shared group, sat round a campfire listening to a story.

Another great decision made by Sheader and his casting director Jessica Ronane is the choice of Rosie Boore to play the central character Scout.

The youngster shows maturity beyond her years in performing large chunks of dialogue that bring to life the endearingly pugnacious girl who is able to reduce an aggressive rabble of men to a retreating set of shame-faced individuals.

Boore is ably supported by Billy Price, who plays her older brother Jem, and Milo Panni, who plays her ‘childhood fiancé’ Dill; with all three children achieving the difficult task of saying their lines in a convincing south American accent.

But Daniel Betts, who plays the God-like figure of Atticus Finch, perhaps puts in the performance of the night, culminating in his spine-chilling closing speech to the jury during the trial of Tom Robinson.

Taking up a large section of the second half of the play, the trial is a standout highlight of a production that maintains the attention throughout.

Continuing the shared-group theme, as an audience member it feels as if you are sat in the courtroom listening to Atticus Finch pull apart the evidence against his client.

Following the shocking conviction of Tom Robinson, the book meanders towards a conclusion and this is the only point at which the stage version also feels slightly disjointed.

The final scene feels slightly rushed but it is not enough to detract from a simple, clever and reverential production that pays homage to the enduring power of Harper Lee’s words.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book everyone should read. To Kill a Mockingbird the play is a production theatre fans must go and watch.

The play is being performed at MK Theatre until Saturday, March 14. To book go to www.atgtickets.com

Standens Barn are back on top of the premier division table after a 2-1 success at title rivals Dynamo.

Charlie Wixon’s strike and an own goal were enough to settle a titanic clash at Abington Park.

Dean Lukeman replied for Dynamo, who drop back to second place.

St Margaret’s played out an entertaining seven-goal contest at Royals, with Maggies coming out on top 4-3.

James Church hit a hat-trick for the Posties but it all proved in vain as efforts from Perry Wells, Gaston Guel (2) and Courtney Herbert settled it.

The other top-flight game saw Midshire Electrical and Windmill Warriors share the points in a 2-2 draw.

Matt Fowkes and Ross Skidmore netted for Midshire while Andy Seaton and Chris Healey did likewise for Warriors, who remain in third.

In division one, AFC Dee remain two points leaders Spartak after a 3-1 win over FC Fotogold.

Adam Russell (2) and Dthaniel Weston scored for Dee, who still have four games in hand on the division’s top dogs.

Will Briscoe scored twice for Spartak in their 4-2 home win over Fox & Hounds. 
Sam Leighton and James Moore also netted. Fox’s goals came via a Reece Gartland brace.

The points were shared in the game between MDS Rangers and FC Victoria. Charlie Graham scored Rangers’ goal in a 1-1 draw.

Wootton Fields Wanderers moved up to third after a 2-1 win at Kingsthorpe Wanderers. Elliott Herbert and Pierre Coleman got the goals.

In division two, Roade moved up to third thanks to a thumping 6-0 win at Billing United.

Denham Salmon (2), Ashley Gardner (2), Ben Carter and Calum Wickens were all on target.

It was much closer in the game between Manfield Rangers and FC Jeckyll.

Rangers took all three points though in a 1-0 win thanks to Zac Adams’ winner.

Deers Leap’s game against Thorplands Club 81 was postponed.

Hartwell Forest are the new leaders of division three following a 2-1 home victory over Brafield United. Mark Thorpe and Michael Winch were the men on target for Forest.

Thorplands Club 81 Reserves hammered Royals Reserves 7-0 with goals from Liam Baptiste (2), Nathan Garofalo (2), Delroy Kilborn, Luke Kentish and Robert Kentish.

Butcher Loco and Northampton Hotspur took a point apiece after a 3-3 draw.

In division four, Abington Stanley piled on misery for bottom club Vesta, easing to an 8-1 win.

Russell Petts helped himself to four goals along with others from Tomasz Swiergul, John Townsley, Tristan Heard and an own goal.

The other big win saw Spartak see off Hartwell Forest Reserves 4-0 with strikes from James Nolan, Bradley Mosedale, Harry Mundy and Toby Brand.

Jasmia Decibasic and Lukas Sidlovsky both claimed a brace in Yusen Logistics’ 4-2 success at Welland Valley.

Matty Fox and Scott Hall struck back for Welland.

The other division four game saw Lee Coles’ goal secure Thorplands Club 81 A a 1-1 draw at home to Billing United Reserves.

Lee Felgate netted in response for Billing, who remain top.

In the Ken Parker League Cup third round, James Fitzgerald scored the only 
goal of the game as Blakesley edged out Devonshire Club 1-0.

Zedi United eased their way into the semi-finals of the Captains Cup thanks to a 3-0 win at AFC Thorpe.

Don Harris netted twice in the victory, with the other strike coming via an own goal.

AFC Trinity had another bad day at the office as Denton moved a step closer to the Northants Conference Premier Division title.

Denton dished out a 6-0 tonking thanks to goals from Robbie O’Neill (3), Callum Snooks (2), and Will Cantrell.

Eastern United and AFC Houghton Magna fought out a seven-goal thriller, with Magna eventually coming out on top 4-3 to keep the pressure on Denton at the summit.

Andy Pixton, Andrew Ranft and Isboses Ssemankula-Katewde were all on target for Magna.

Ryan, Gary Duggan and Gavin struck back for Eastern United.

The big match in division one saw second-placed Kislingbury take on third-placed Lord Byron.

Byron took the three points in a 3-1 win with strikes from Matt Thornber, Dean Self and Blaine Blaney. James Lewis got one back for Kisl.

Royal All Stars got back to winning ways with a 6-2 victory over Norteles.

Lee Broome led the goal onslaught with a hat-trick, with singles coming from Morgan Littlejohn, Adam Otchery and Adam Lane.

Norteles replied through Kyle Norfolk and Ben Smith.

In the other division one game, Trinity Old Boys swept aside Swan & Helmet, winning 4-1.

Swan’s goal came via an own goal but Trinity took all the points with strikes 
from Richard Lawrie, Andre Shaun and Shaun Henderson (2).

In division two, Monks Park WMC Reserves suffered an 11-0 thrashing by Crown & Cushion.

Sam Lavelle and Tom Waldock had a field day, scoring four apiece with others coming from Shaun Wilkes (2) and an own goal.

Parklands Phoenix moved further away from the bottom of the table with victory over Nene FC.

Daniel Komianos, Stuart Harman and Dan Schott all netted in a 3-0 win.

The big match in division three saw Sixfields Rangers edge out fellow high flyers Abington Town City 1-0.

Chris Lynch the matchwinner for Rangers, who move level on points with Abington as a result.

Fourth-placed Oakley Diamonds maintained the pressure on the top three with a 4-2 victory over Swan & Helmet Reserves.

Swan scored through Adam Hughes and Ed Stone, but Oakley won it with goals from Josh Wilson, Dan Ingram, Gareth Boyles and Adam Burton.

Division three leaders Real Roochers Reserves suffered a shock 6-1 defeat at FC Pioneer.

Dave Moan hit a hat-trick, Iain Edmunds added a brace and the other came by way of an own goal.

Obelisk United Reserves moved seven points clear of their opponents Jameeah FC with a 3-1 win.

Kurt Baker’s hat-trick sealed the points for Obelisk. Abbs Uddin replied for Jameeah.

Kevin Ward’s goal for Bat & Wickets Reserves couldn’t prevent them from a 3-1 defeat to fifth-placed Spring Park.

Pitsford Rangers Reserves moved further away from the bottom of the table by beating bottom club AFC Hackleton Reserves.

They won 2-1 with Josh Boyle and Tom Howarth scoring for Rangers.

John Weedon struck twice to lead Nomads of Barratts in the semi-finals of the David Ferguson Trophy.

Weedon’s brace ensured Barratts edged out Earls Barton United 4-3 in a thrilling last eight contest.

Jordan Penny and Tom Bluck also netted for Barratts. Gavin Hines, Gary Duggan and Ryan Perkins replied for Burton.

AFC Hackleton join Barratts in the last four thanks to an emphatic 7-0 win over AFC Crown.

Daniel Porter led the way with a hat-trick, while there were singles from Joe Malkin, Ollie Blayney, Ryan Keightley and Steve King.

Dallington Heath and Real Roochers are the other two teams to reach the semis.

Dallington beat Pitsford Rangers 4-2 on penalties after scrapping out a 0-0 stalemate.

Roochers secured a comfortable 4-1 win over Grendon Sapphires thanks to efforts from Tolworthy, McCaffery, Whiting and Oldham.

In the Alan Dimmer Trophy, Park Royal marched on to the semi-finals following a 3-2 success over Albany Athletic. Park’s goals came from D Hitchcock, R Morgan and R Novack.

Champions Delapre Old Boys beat Sporting Bat & Wickets in the premier division 4-2 thanks to a well-taken hat-trick from Reece Grey and a solo effort from Jake Hogben.

The pubmen’s reply came via Aaron Linnell and Shane Ranft.

In the Piroto Labelling Ltd League Cup Group One, Liberty Stars proved to be too strong for Thorplands Club 81’s youngsters as they eased to a 3-0 success.

Liberty’s goals were shared between Derrick Methu, Craig Naisiri and Andrew Nyarka.

In Group Two, Duston Dynamo raced into a 3-0 lead courtesy of strikes from Ben Jones, Sam Mizen and Thomas Parker.

A late double from Richie Collier caused the Duston defence to panic, but they held on to win 3-2.

FC Shelley Road and JLB shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

In a bad tempered match, JLB took the lead when their inform striker Ben Gerner hit the target, but Shelley hit back with a Shambu Vaid effort.

THURSDAY, MAR 12

MUSIC

Rock ‘n’ Roll Tea Dance at The Picturedrome, Kettering Rd, N’pton, 1pm; then, at 8pm, Battle of the Bands raising money for Youth Music, tickets £3 (early bird) or £5 otd.

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

Electric Open Mic at The Walnut Tree Inn, Station Rd, Blisworth, 9pm. Free entry.

Pomfret Harmonics at The Pomfret Arms, Cotton End, Npton, 8pm

Joe McElderry, The Core at Corby Cube, 7.30pm. Box Office 01536 470470

Barry Palser’s Hot Six, jazz at The Castle, Wellingborough, 8pm. Box Office 01933 270007

Country Jam Session at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Elevation Quartet play at Jazz Café at Auntie Ruth’s, George Row, Npton, 8pm. £1.

THEATRE

Madama Butterfly, Derngate, Auditorium, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

A Clockwork Orange, Royal Auditorium, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

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

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

Quiz Night at The Sunnyside PH, Boughton Green Road, Kingsthorpe, 8pm

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

Multiverse Redux, at NN, Number Nine, Guildhall Road, Npton, 2pm–6pm. An afternoon of talks, screenings and a workshop. Free entry, booking essential www.multiverse-redux.eventbrite.com

Talks for Over 60s at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Rd, 10.30am–11.30am. Russell Bowes talks about The Painted Garden.

A Cutting Garden workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone. Half day £35. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

FRIDAY, MAR 13

MUSIC

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

Disco at The Sunnyside PH, Boughton Green Road, Kingsthorpe, 8pm

Peter Knight, fiddle player from Steeleye Span, at Castle Arts Centre, Castle Way, Wellingborough, 8pm. Tickets £12. 01933 270007

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

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

Claire Mac at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Madman Entertainment presents “I Love My Life” Mask-Quarade Party at Auntie Ruth’s, George Row, Npton, 11pm–4am. www.auntieruths.com

THEATRE

Dylan Moran, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 8pm. 01604 624811

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 11am. 01604 624811

A Clockwork Orange, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 3pm. 01604 624811

Dying For It, Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Screaming Blue Murder, Underground, Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Rd, N’pton, 8.15pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Quiz Night at Brafield WMC, A428.

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

Street Dance Class, Stanwick Village Hall, 3.45pm–4.45pm. £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. 07979 152746.

Tai Chi, Duston Village Hall, Sycamore Road, 1.30pm. Beginners welcome. £4.

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

Gluten Free Bread & Pastry workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, 9.30am–3.30pm. £65; followed by evening Curry Club, Thai Cuisine workshop. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Farmers’ Market in Richmond Road car park, Towcester, 9am–1pm. Profits to charities.

NIAG talk on “The Great War through the Magic Lantern” by Kevin Varty. The Garden Rooms, St Matthews Church Hall, Kettering Road, Npton, 7.30pm.

WI Easter Bunnies, hands-on demonstration by Ben Frazer at Stanwick Village Hall, 7.30pm. Additional charge of £10 for visitors. www.stanwickwi.weebly.com

SATURDAY, MAR 14

MUSIC

Soosie Kaye, Brafield Working Men’s Club, A428, from 8pm.

Kev Lamey’s Jazz Corner 2, at The Pomfret Arms, Cotton End, N’pton, 8pm

The Whatevers at Great Doddington WMC, Lower Street.

The Vogons at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 9pm. Free.

Claude at Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, N’pton

Disco with DJ Dave Rate at The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8.30pm

Prime Mustard at Kingsley Park WMC, N’pton

Dance The Night Away at Village Hall, Bridge Street, Weldon, 8pm. Ballroom, Latin, Jive and Sequence. Entry £5.

Music, bingo & Play Your Cards Right at Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton

Chris Steven at Queen’s Park WMC, Npton

Jive Nite at Stanwick Village Hall, 8pm. £5 otd. 07973 293190 (30mins beginners lesson at 8.15pm).

Rik King at Kettering Rifle Band Club, Havelock Street, Kettering

THEATRE

Fascinating Aida, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

A Clockwork Orange, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, noon. 01604 624811

Dying For It, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 4pm.01604 624811

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

OTHER

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

Whist Drive at Great Easton Village Hall, cards dealt 7.30pm. £2.50pp. 01536 770784

Card Making Workshop, Irthlingborough Road, Finedon, 10am–noon. £5pp

Morning Walk with Northampton Ramblers (6 miles). Meet 10am at Whittlebury Village Hall.

Afternoon Walk with The Ramblers Association (5.75 miles), 2pm from Watery Lane, Nether Heyford.

Battlefield Talk at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, 2.30pm. Subject is The Battle of Edgcote. £7.50. Booking essential on 01604 837397

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

Spring handmade Fair, Christ Church, Christchurch Road/W’boro Rd, Npton, 11am to 3pm.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (8 miles). Start nr Pytchley Inn, West Haddon, 10am. 07740 995707

Wire Sculpture – Feathered Friends workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

SUNDAY, MAR 15

MUSIC

Mick White, Brafield Working Men’s Club, A428, from 8pm.

Harborough Jazz presents Roger Beaujolais Quartet at Angel Hotel, High Street, Market Harborough.

Enzo on guitar at The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 7pm

Colin Powell at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Music & Hoy at Queen’s Park WMC, N’pton

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

THEATRE

Count Arthur Strong, The Core at Corby Cube, 8pm. Box Office 01536 470470

OTHER

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

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (5 miles). Start nr The Half Moon PH, Grendon, 10am. Ring leader on 01604 891234

Higham Ferrers Footpath Group – Steeple Gidding – Sawtry circular, 6 miles. Meet 9.15am Saffron Road car park, Higham Ferrers or 10am Steeple Gidding Church.

Circular Day Walk with The Ramblers Association (11.5 miles), 8.30am Church Lane (rear entrance to Holy Sepulchre Church) or meet leader 9.30am nr the church at Lower Shuckburgh.

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

MONDAY, MAR 16

MUSIC

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

Wildfire Sessions’ Open Mic Night hosted by Stevie Jones with feature sets from Corinne Lucy & Rogue State Circus. The Pomfret Arms, Cotton End, Npton, 8pm

THEATRE

Jesus Christ Superstar, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

The Mikado Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Pub Quiz, Charles Bradlaugh, Earl St, N’pton, 8pm. £1pp

Lunchtime Bingo at Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, N’pton, 2.30pm.

Mr Turner being screened at The Picturedrome Movie Night, N’pton, 8pm.

King’s Cliffe, the 20th Fighter Historical Group presents an audio-visual programme on the history of RAF King’s Cliffe. Sywell Aviation Museum, 7.30pm. £5 otd.

TUESDAY, MAR 17

MUSIC

Roy Hawksford at The Wig & Pen, St Giles St, N’pton, 9pm. Free entry

Hannah Sanders at The Old White Hart Inn, Cotton End, Npton. Support acts from 8.15pm. Tickets £8 otd. www.greatknightfolkclub.co.uk

THEATRE

Jesus Christ Superstar, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

The Mikado, Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Kissing Sid James, The Playhouse Theatre, Clare Street, Npton, 7.45pm. 01604 627791

OTHER

Salsa Estrellas at The Picturedrome, Kettering Rd, Npton. Dancing and fitness, 7.30pm.

Body Balance at Stanwick Village Hall, 1.30pm–2.30pm. £4. 07958 382720

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

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (5 miles), start at The Green Dragon, Brigstock, 10am. 01536 710427

“Toronto via Niagara to New York by Train”, with Derek Payne, discussion groups at NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton, 10.30am–11.45am. 01604 858252.

Traditional upholstery workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

WEDNESDAY, MAR 18

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.

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

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

Simon Honey Boy Hickling – Wednesday Blues Club at The Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Npton, 8.45pm. Free

Far From Nashville – Wednesday Beat Scene, The Headland, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm.

Northampton College Music Dept Gig at The Pomfret Arms, Cotton End, Npton, 8pm

THEATRE

Jesus Christ Superstar, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 2.30pm/7.30pm. 01604 624811

The Mikado Royal Auditorium, N’pton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Kissing Sid James, The Playhouse Theatre, Clare Street, Npton, 7.45pm. 01604 627791

OTHER

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

Mums, Grannies, Childminders & Toddlers, Church Hall, Edinburgh Road, 1.30pm.

“Theatre Visit” discussion groups at NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton, 7.30pm. 01604 858252.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (8.25 miles). Start Old Crown pub, Ashton, 9.30am. 01604 405521

Alpine & Rock Garden Meeting, Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South, Npton, 7.15pm. Speaker Diane Clements.

THURSDAY, MAR 19

MUSIC

Lisa Harman & Friends at the Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave, 9pm. Free entry.

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

THEATRE

School Shorts, Underground, Royal & Derngate, N’pton, 7.15pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Jesus Christ Superstar, Derngate Auditorium, N’pton, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

The Mikado, Royal Auditorium, N;pton, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

Kissing Sid James, The Playhouse Theatre, Clare Street, Npton, 7.45pm. 01604 627791

John-Joe O’Toole and Chris Hackett will return to the Cobblers selection fold for this weekend’s home game against Tranmere Rovers after recovering from illness.

Hackett withdrew from the trip to Plymouth at the last minute with sickness, while O’Toole did travel and was used as a second-half substitute but was well below full fitness.

“John-Joe would have come straight back in if he had been fit and Chris would have played as well,” said Chris Wilder. “They were disappointing losses and it was a psychological blow to lose Marc Richards too.”

Joel Byrom misses out as he completes his two-game suspension this weekend, while Northampton will also be without Kaid Mohamed, Marc Richards, Ben Tozer and Ian Morris through injury.

James King Blisworth went four points clear at the top of the premier division after a 3-1 win over title rivals Corby Eagles.

Daniel Chilton, Mark Faulkner and Andy Lovesy all netted for the league leaders, who have played a game more than their rivals.

Harpole suffered a small setback in their title push as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Welford Victoria. Alex Holmes got Harpole’s only goal of the day.

Aaron Dickens scored twice to inspire Moulton to a 3-1 win at Kettering Nomads. Adam Selling got the third.

Ninth-placed Brixworth All Saints thrashed Corby S&L Khalsa 5-1.

Earls Barton, who sit one place below Brixworth, also secured a good win with a 3-0 success at home to Stanion Redstar.

Glenn Billingham’s goal for Milton couldn’t prevent his side from going down to a 2-1 defeat at Gretton.

Weedon suffered Duston Garage Division One KO Cup semi-final agony as they were beaten on penalties by Corby Pegasus.

The game finished 0-0, with Pegasus winning 3-2 on spot-kicks.

The other semi-final was also a tense affair.

It ended with Wootton St George losing to Clipston 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

In Duston Garage Division One, Heyford Athletic ran riot on home soil as they dished out a 6-0 hammering on Wilby.

Zach Pugh-Brooks (2), Mark Hogg, Daniel Houverkis, Tommy Messinger and Ben West got the goals.

Spratton are out of the Duston Garage Division Two KO Cup after losing their semi-final tie against Kettering Park Rovers. Rovers won the game 2-0 to progress to the final.

In Duston Garage Division Three, third-placed Northampton Spartak were made to work hard for their 3-2 win over lowly Irthlingborough Town.

Adam Bazeley, Aaron Crampton and Jamie Turner were all on target for Spartak.

Northampton Mereway were the day’s big winners as they romped to a 13-0 win over a shell-shocked Kettering Ise Lodge.

James Brown, John Slater and Andrew Wimpress all helped themselves to hat-tricks with the other strikes coming courtesy of Stuart Reid (2), Kerrith Belfon and Tom Wiles.

Northampton Obelisk’s derby clash with Falcons United turned out to be a competitive game with both sides sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Yardley United put up a good fight in their league game against Wellingborough Aztecs before losing 5-3.

In the Duston Garage Reserve Premier Division, Daniel Lumb scored a hat-trick as Roade Reserves romped to a 5-3 win at Moulton Reserves.

Kieran Wickens and Oliver Anderson also netted.

Second-from-bottom Harpole Reserves suffered their 12th league defeat of the campaign as they lost5-1 at Ringstead Rangers Reserves.

Courtney Lawes has been given a glowing reference from forwards coach Graham Rowntree ahead of the Saints star’s return to England action.

Lawes will replace Saracens lock George Kruis in the engine room for the Six Nations showdown with Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Having recovered from the ankle surgery that forced him to miss the start of the Championship and proved his fitness during two matches for Saints, the 26-year-old will reprise a second row partnership with Dave Attwood last seen during the autumn.

And Rowntree believes England will benefit from his range of attributes when they seek a reaction to their subdued afternoon in Dublin.

“Courtney is a special player. He’s really maturing as a player and as a person. You can’t hide what he can bring to us physically,” said Rowntree.

“I’ve watched his last two games for Northampton and he’s played well. He’s played exceptionally well for us over the last year and he’s back to his best.

“Courtney is capable of the grunt work and that area of his game has significantly improved.

“We all know what he can do carrying-wise, athletically in defence and at line-out time, but I’m not worried about his lack of work-rate or having to balance him up.”

Dylan Hartley and Luther Burrell also start against Scotland, while Tom Wood is named among the replacements.

Alex Corbisiero, Calum Clark and Stephen Myler have all been released and will play no part in the game.

Some stunning scores were carded in the opening Shires Junior Golf Tour event of the season as a record field of 56 boys and girls of all ages played at The Bedford Golf Club on Sunday.

Northampton member Ben Lavender’s winter practice sessions paid immediate dividends in the bronze category as he triumphed with a superb round.

Although this division was reduced from 18 to 16 holes due to fading light, Lavender still managed to card an incredible total of 42 points as he finished six ahead of Josh Loakes (Kingsthorpe).

The silver division went to Kingsthorpe’s Owen Watts as a tally of 39 points edged him one ahead of Callum Gant (Rushden) and Shires Junior Golf Tour debutante Jake Sheridan (Priors Hall).

Bedfordshire & County’s Elliott Smith (41 points) won the top section by five, while home club member Kai Williams (39) took full advantage of local knowledge as he finished ahead of Tour newcomer Jadon Pham (Kingsthorpe).

With the next competition taking place at Kibworth on March 22, for more details of how to play on Shires Junior Golf Tour, please visit www.shiresjuniorgolftour.co.uk.

NPGA

Dan Wood embraced the challenge of competing as the favourite in the NPGA Overseas Pro-Am as he secured a five shot victory on the Old and Victoria courses at Vilamoura in Portugal.

Competing against 11 other county pros, Wood compiled rounds of 71, 72 and 70, before adding a final day score of 72 to clinch victory ahead of Bryn Morris.

Third placed Jon Handyside helped Priors Hall amateurs Jason Hy, Ryan Seaman and Arun Ganatra secure the team honours as they led from start-to-finish to end on 580 points.

Brampton Heath

Alec Francis birdied all four par five holes during the Midweek March Medal as the two-handicapper clinched the gross prize by one from Dean Montgomery, whose net 68 secured the net honours.

Collingtree

Back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th holes helped Chris Malton clinch a countback victory from Lamont Montezu in the March Stableford. Both men carded 40 points to nudge one ahead of Arthur Johnson and Neil Abery.

Kingsthorpe

The annual Captains vs Vice Captains team match went the way of the latter as Paul Croxford’s outfit triumphed by 12 points over the side led by club skipper Tim Smeathers.

Both the men and ladies teams meanwhile progressed through to the third round of the Mail on Sunday with 5-0 and 3-2 wins against Northants County and Overstone respectively.

Northampton

Lorraine Gilder recorded back-to-back ladies competition victories as she won the gross and net categories in the March Medal and Thistle Cup.

The six-handicapper’s net 75 lifted her two ahead of Alison Irvine in the first event, before she went one shot lower in the Sunday tournament to get the better of Jean Mckenzie (76).

Overstone Park

Kevin Day was successful in the March Midweek Medal as a round of net 68 lifted the high-handicapper two clear of Lee Cross.

A few days later, Day compiled 39 points to take third in the March Yellow Tee Stableford behind Jamie Liggins (39) and John Hillier (41).

Jill Godfrey (33) was the leading lady.

Whittlebury

A stunning burst of four gross birdies in five holes on the outward stretch sent Terry Wesley on the way to a brilliant mark of 45 points in the March Stableford.

The 18-handicapper finished three points ahead of Paul Rappo, with Geoffrey Embley clinching third prize on 40.

Cherwell Edge

Frank Parr took the honours in the March Seniors Stableford as he carded a couple of fours on the closing two holes to snatch victory.

Keith Pauling finished just one behind with 36 points, while three players were a further points off the pace.

Cold Ashby

Four gross birdies were on the winning scorecard of Paul Askew in the February Midweek Stableford as he beat Ashley Hammond (37) by three points.

Sally Lawrenson had plenty smile about after the second round of the Ladies Joker competition after carding 25 points over nine holes. Rose Dempsey finished runner-up with 23.

Silverstone

Frank Watts enjoyed a three point advantage from Andy Gray and Phil Carter in the Sunday Pro Shop Stableford after bagging 40 points.

Mark Norton came in with the best score of 39 points in the Pro Shop Stableford the previous day. Paul Heaps (38) clinched second spot by one from Simon Gregory.

Staverton

Kip Frankson was the only player to match his handicap in the Vets March Stableford as he finished two points ahead of Martin Lane, Lawrie Worbey and Tony Pernyes.

Farthingstone

Forty five points was a magnificent winning score in the March Medal as Michael Johnson secured a comfortable victory. Duncan Tucker and Lawrence Smith both grabbed 40 points.

Hellidon Lakes

Countback was needed in both the top two divisions of the March Medal as David Reeves (net 74) edged out Paul Upfield, while Chris Harvey (72) got the better of fellow 17-handicapper Paul Washbrook.

A teacher at a Northamptonshire girls’ school who took raunchy photographs of pupils has been banned from teaching.

Michael Diggle, 39, has been banned for at least two years in a decision taken on behalf of Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

The ban follows disciplinary panel findings that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

Diggle started work as head of drama at Southfield School for Girls in Kettering in September 2006, and was promoted to head of creative arts in September 2012.

The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) professional conduct panel said in its findings that: “In late 2012 it was decided that students at the school taking A-level drama would perform a provocative play Crave outside of their usual studies.

“During the performance, some audience members were to be shown pictures of students, in provocative poses, such as those that some young women post on Facebook.”

The panel ruled that Diggle acted in an “inappropriate manner” by conducting photo sessions with one girl, Student A, in which he was alone in the room with her, moved her nightie to expose her legs, moved one of its straps from her shoulder and instructed her to remove her bra because its straps were showing.

The panel said: “There was no need for Mr Diggle to move Student A’s clothing himself, rather than asking Student A to do it.

“In the absence of such necessity, touching Student A so as to expose more of her legs was inappropriate.”

Diggle also instructed another girl, Student B, to remove her bra during another photo shoot and told a third, Student C, to shave her legs.

NCTL official Paul Heathcote said that while Diggle’s actions were not sexually motivated, and that he had a previous good history, public interest considerations – the protection of pupils, public confidence in the profession and declaring proper standards of conduct in the profession – outweighed his interests.

The ban can be reviewed after two years and means that Diggle is prohibited from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

Diggle has a right of appeal to the High Court.

Northamptonshire parliamentary candidates promised to change the 9.30am start time on free bus passes during a hustings event for people with learning disabilities.

During the event by the Northamptonshire County Council-employed Learning Disability Partnership Board, all five candidates said they “could not understand” why the passes were not valid before this time in the morning.

The event involved audience members putting six carefully chosen questions to each candidate to answer within a time limit as part of a new training programme to engage people with learning disabilities in politics.

Debbie Allen, the board’s partnership and involvement manager, said: “The people who use these passes go out to work and college or have to collect benefits early in the morning, just like anyone else, so the time limit causes a problem there.

“The candidates unanimously agreed that they would change this, and none of them could understand why that restriction was in place.”

Candidates who turned up on the day included David Mackintosh (Con), Tony Clarke (Green), Abigail Campbell (Lab), Angela Patterson (Lib Dem) and Marion Turner (Green).

Other questions they answered from the programme trainees included how they would help disabled people get access to employment, health care and housing, as well as what the word “accessibility” meant to them individually.

Mrs Allen said: “There was a varied degree of understanding among the candidates about the importance of these issues, but they each contacted us afterwards to say how much they enjoyed the event.

“About 30 people turned up and they all had a fantastic day. It was very interesting to see how passionate they were and how much inspiration it gave them to talk to their own MPs and local organisations to get involved in making changes.”

The course was set up with the help of a parliamentary outreach programme after the Board received questions and concerns from disabled people about voting and their role in the election process.

Mrs Allen said: “This has effectively been a pilot programme and it has been so successful that we would like to expand it so that we can involve more people in Northamptonshire with learning disabilities in politics.”

A missed penalty with the last kick of the game ensured Towcestrians won a breathless promotion encounter at Windsor on Saturday.

It was second-versus-third in the shadow of Windsor Castle, and Tows claimed the narrowest of wins.

Windsor opened the scoring with a penalty, but Tows replied through their forwards who drove a lineout from the five-metre line, Fen Gallagher dotted down, Falvey converted.

The game was an end-to-end affair but an overthrow at a lineout saw the Windsor fly-half pick up and run at the Tows line, and Davies dived over from a scrum for a half-time score of 10-7 to Windsor.

In the second half, Tows took the game to Windsor, in spite of full-back Falvey having to come in at scrum-half for the injured Ronnie Speakman.

His quick tap penalty led to a try from Matt Yuill, which Falvey again converted to see Tows 14-10 in front.

A period of attacking prowess followed from Tows, as Falvey dived in from short range, shortly followed by Tom George’s run from 30 yards. Falvey’s excellent kicking display continued and Tows looked home and dry as they led 26-14.

Windsor looked to be finished, but proved otherwise, Tows failed to clear their lines and after pressure Windsor scored, the conversion lifting the home support.

Now with their tails up, Windsor took the game to Tows, centre Patrick Birch crashing over. The successful kick meant that Tows were only 26-24 ahead.

Tows’ forwards now had to protect the ball and just let the clock keep ticking over. A poor decision to kick to touch came back to haunt the visitors as Windsor broke out and won a penalty on halfway. With the ground hushed the ball was kicked slightly wide of the posts, giving Tows the narrowest of wins.

Tows IIs were also involved in a tight game at Old Northamptonians IIs as they went down 19-17, while Towcestrians Colts were beaten 24-12 by Buckingham Colts.

Stamford IIs 77 Heathens 7

Heathens were on the wrong end of a heavy defeat as they lost 77-7 at Stamford IIs in the Youngs Bitter Merit Table.

Once again the match was ruined by the opposition’s inability to field a front row (an ongoing malaise that has marred the majority of this season’s games), and while this did not affect the result, there would most certainly have been a different scoreline.

The Romany-based Heathens showed exceptional spirit throughout and made some extensive inroads into the hosts’ defence with some constructive driving play right to the final whistle.

However they were unable to maintain the momentum generated and frequently turned over possession that allowed the swift and exceptionally good handling Stamford backline to run the ball back at the visitors with good effect.

Heathens’ determination and spirit was reflected by the attitude displayed throughout by centre Mark Allison which earned him the man of match award from his team mates.

Playing against wind and slope in the first half, Heathens found themselves 31-0 down at the break.

Stamford continued to dominate in the second half and ran in a further eight tries, while Heathens’ sole effort was scored by Richard Williams, with Ash Brown converting.

Old Northamptonians 43 Spalding 5

ONs chalked up their 18th league win of the season on Saturday with this demolition of rock-bottom Spalding.

The Billing Road side had secured a try bonus and also reached 800 points for the season by half-time when they led 24-0.

Three further tries in the third quarter gave them the opportunity to pass 50 points for the fourth time this season, but ‘white line fever’ took over as the game meandered to a close.

ONs scored with the first attack through Alex Tollan.

They scored their second when Phil Beaumont picked up from the base and Tom Goodman squeezed through a gap to touch down, and his conversion made it 12-0.

Crofts was next over when he found space around the side of a maul to power over and he soon scored a second. Goodman converted one of them and ONs were 24-0 up.

Try number five came within a minute of the resumption through full-back Rory Seymour before Crofts bundled his way over to complete his hat-trick and register his 16th try of the season.

Spalding did score a try of their own, but the final say went to ONs with Goodman again darting through a gap and addding the two points to make it 43-5 with 20 minutes still to play. But there were no further scores.

ONs IIs beat Towcestrians IIs 19-17 with tries from Dan Spencer, Barry Adams and Jack White, who also added two conversions.

ONs IIIs were beaten 55-34 at Spalding IIs.

Old Scouts 41 Lutterworth 24

Scouts edged nearer to the league title with this bonus-point win against Lutterworth at Rushmere Road.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Scouts started the better and an Adam Frost penalty on five minutes made it 3-0, before the same player converted Dan Warren’s try to make it 10-0.

Lutterworth scored a converted try, before a Frost penalty made it 13-7 to Scouts.

Lutterworth hit back with another try to make it 13-12, before Dan McMurray dotted down. Frost’s conversion saw Scouts 20-12 to the good.

Again Lutterworth responded with a try, but Scouts had the final say before half-time, with Frost’s conversion of Roff’s try seeing them 27-17 ahead.

Scouts got their try bonus point early in the second half when McMurray scored, with Frost again adding the extras.

Alex McKie added Scouts’ fifth, Frost converting, and the home side were home and dry at 41-17, although Lutterworth did add a converted try.

Scouts travel to unbeaten Bridgnorth in the final of the RFU Midlands Intermediate Cup this weekend.

Scouts IIs and IIIs both travelled across town to BBOB and came back with victories.

For its Spring concert on Saturday March 14 commencing 7.30pm at the Abington Avenue United Reformed Church in Northampton, the Northampton Concert Orchestra, with guest artist Peter Dunkley (clarinet), will be presenting ‘An Evening of Light Classics’.

The evening opens with the overture from the Merry Wives of Windsor which will be followed by the scintillating Weber Clarinet Concertino for which the soloist is the accomplished and well know local musician, Peter Dunkley.

The programme also includes amongst others such well known pieces as Mendelssohn’s Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream; In the Hall of the Mountain King from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No 1; Suppe’s Poet & Peasant Overture; and concludes with Julius Fucik’s march of triumph, Entry of the Gladiators.

Peter Dunkley is descended from a family of clarinettists; he completed his advanced musical studies at the Royal Manchester College. A period as a freelance professional player, teacher and musical director followed, including several seasons with the D’oyly Carte Opera. While continuing to play professionally, Peter has been involved in teaching and was for many years, until retirement, Head of the award-winning Northamptonshire Music & Performing Arts Service (now Trust). Peter conducts two local orchestras, teaches clarinet and saxophone at Spratton School, performs professionally as a clarinet and bass clarinettist, and is a member of the John Clare Wind Quintet.

Tickets priced £8 (children £4) will be available at the door on the evening of the performance.

For further information, visit www.northamptonconcertorchestra.org.uk

Northants men have reached the final of the Liberty Trophy for the first time after a brilliant semi-final win over Dorset.

The County will now take on Lincolnshire in the Liberty final next month.

The semi-final of the most prestigious of all inter-county competitions was played at a neutral venue in Newbury in Berkshire on Saturday.

The first end went the way of Dorset as they immediately posted a four-shot lead at 9-5, but that deficit was soon remedied by the County on the next end which went 8-2 shots in its favour to take a lead which was never seriously challenged for the remainder of the match.

By halfway Northants were 82-41 ahead after 11 ends. With the quality of players at Dorset’s disposal that sort of lead was never likely to be sustained, and so it proved as Dorset had an equal share of the scoring over the next four ends and kept the County’s lead to 39 shots after 15 ends.

The 16th end was not a good one for the County, and as the Dorset men picked up a total of 18 shots without reply on that one end, the County supporters became just a little anxious for the lead was cut to just 21 shots.

They need not have worried over much, however, for the last ends of play were pretty even, and when five of the rinks had finished, the two ends left to be played by Paul Broderick’s rink were not necessary as the win had been secured by 20 shots.

The highest scoring rinks for the County were those skipped by Neil Corbyn and Jamie Walker, each having an advantage of eight shots, and the final score was Northamptonshire 127 Dorset 107.

Rink details, Dorset skips only, as follows:

Rink 1: Dave Love, Tony Dicks, Jim McKee & Vernon Gearey 22 – B Patterson 17

Rink 2: Andy Smith, David Walker, Callum Height & Andrew Manton 16 – D Nutman 20

Rink three: Mark Corbyn, Bob Fuller, Phil Exley & Neil Corbyn 24 – M Puckett 16

Rink 4: Richard Lemon, Chris Bland, Darren Childs & Jamie Walker 26 – B Paulley 18

Rink 5: Dave Flippance, Dominic Graham, Connor Cinato & Paul Broderick 19 – P Ward 20 (19 ends played)

Rink 6: Matt Pownall, Ben Sharpe, John Haines & Mick Sharpe 20 – C Daniels 16

Prior to the match, County president Trevor Tilley was pleased to present a Liberty Cup flash to Tony Dicks of Daventry IBC, on playing his first Liberty match for the County.

Northants will now play Lincolnshire in the final at Melton & District IBC, at 1.30pm on Sunday, April 12.

County men claim Warwickshire Trophy success

Northants men are also celebrating after they claimed the Warwickshire Trophy at Welford-on-Avon on Sunday.

It was the deciding match in the Midland Counties Warwickshire Trophy, and they took on Warwickshire.

Northants and Warks were the leading counties in the league, and on the day Northants took the honours with a 12-shot win.

The County won on four rinks, and lost on two, and the highest scoring County rink was that skipped by George Warren with a 14-shot advantage.

The final score was 112 (18 points) Warwickshire 100 (4 points).

Rink details, Warwicks skips only, as follows:

Rink 1: Will Clelland, Peter Mellor, Norman Gibb & George Warren 27 – B Blackmore 13

Rink 2: Alan Baulch, Martin Cinato, Dave Flippance & Connor Cinato 18 – B Lees 10

Rink 3: Jim Diver, Matt Cattell, Matt Pownall & John Haines 19 – Matt Wordingham 17

Rink four: Adam Pitfield, Kyle Buckley, Malc Mattinson & Martin Keech 13 – S Taylor 21

Rink 5: Roger Summers, Ashley Linnell, Tony Weston & Jason Bryan 18 – A Smith 17

Rink 6: Pete Maloy, John Greaves, Walt Winsor & Chris Bland 17 – B Ward 22

Walker and McKee in action for England

Northampton bowlers Jamie Walker and Neil McKee will represent England in this week’s British Isles International Series in County Durham.

Stanley IBC is the setting for the competition between the home countries of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.

The series is played from Thursday (March 12) to Saturday (March 14) with two six-rink matches on each of the three days.

Walker, of Wellingborough IBC, and McKee, of Kingsthorpe, are both in the England team and will both have hopefully got used to the green as they are playing in the British Isles Championships which precedes this Series, with Walker in the Men’s Singles and McKee in the Men’s Pairs.

Walker is playing at No.3 on the rink skipped by Sam Tolchard of Torquay United IBC, Devon, and they will be joined at lead by Brett Arkley of Stanley IBC and at No. 2 by regular International David Bolt, also of Stanley IBC.

McKee will be playing at No.2 in the rink skipped by Graham Shadwell of Clarrie Dunbar IBC, Frome, Somerset, and they will be joined by Steven Mitchinson of Tye Green IBC, Harlow, Essex, at lead and at No.3 by Stephen Farish of Cumbria IBC.

First up for England will be Ireland at 4pm on Thursday, and on Friday England face Wales at 10am. The third and final match in the Series will see England play Scotland on March 14 at 3pm.

Meanwhile, four Northants bowlers are this week in action in the British Isles Indoor Championships at Stanley IBC in County Durham.

Chloe Wordingham of Wellingborough IBC plays in the Junior Women’s Singles (Under 25 years).

Walker of Wellingborough IBC represents England in the Men’s Singles, while Andrew Manton and Neil McKee from Kingsthorpe IBC represent England in the pairs.

County ladies prepare for Hertfordshire

THE following players have been selected to represent Northamptonshire Women’s Indoor Bowling Association in a friendly against Hertfordshire on Thursday.

The match will be played at Watford IBC at 2pm.

The coach will pick up at Kettering Leisure Village at 11.45am and Northampton & District IBC at 12.15pm.

Rink 1: Julie Spreadbury, Daventry/Elsie Hatton, Brackley & District/Chris Cooper, Wellingborough/Brenda Bishop, Daventry

Rink 2: Velda Cooper, Rushden Town/Elaine Urquhart, Brackley & District/Lorna Hart, Kingsthorpe/Joan Watts, Daventry

Rink 3: Pat Starsmore, Kettering Lodge/Audrey Gardener, Kingsthorpe/Barbara Oliver, Daventry/Audrey Height, Kettering Lodge

Rink 4: Linda Warren, Northampton & District/Joan Sidebottom, Northampton & District/Heather Lack, Kettering Lodge/Joyce Porter, Northampton & District

Rink 5: Elaine Munton, Kingsthorpe/Denise Carlin, Desborough/Pam Sallaway, Rushden Town/Donna Williamson

Rink 6: Lynn Upton, Brackley & District/Joan Bryan, Kettering Lodge/Barbara Haseldine, Rushden Town/Valerie Blackwell, Rushden Town

Travelling Reserves: Val Scott, Brackley & District/Joy Griffin, Desborough. Non-travelling Reserves: Pam Page, Desborough/Margaret Tyler, Wellingborough

County edged out by Middlesex

Northants IBA lost 121-115 to Middlesex in a friendly at Daventry IBC on Wednesday.

The highest winning rink for the County was that skipped by Richard Somerton which had an advantage of 12 shots.

Rink scores, Middlesex skips only, as follows:

Rink 1: Don Scott, Ray Ward, Geoff Harris & Michael Moulton 18 – A Knott 22

Rink 2: Will Clelland, Dave Garland, Dave Stewart & Norman Gibb 24 – A Docker 19

Rink 3: Stuart Lowe, Trevor Tilley, Alan Watts & Bernard Spreadbury 17 – L Stone 14

Rink 4: Keith Howlett, Trevor Goodchild, Geoff Allen & Ted Guiver 20 – R Kirk 22

Rink 5: Rick Hayes, Mike Robins, Tony Warren & Malc Mattinson 10 shots – S Gibson 30 shots

Rink 6: Roger Miller, Brian Langton, Geoff Hunt & Richard Somerton 26 – E Prior 14

Daventry too strong for Northampton & District

Daventry IBC beat Northampton & District 68-54 in the County Triples League.

Daventry claimed five points from the match, with Northampton taking four.

Only names provided were the Daventry players, as follows:

At Daventry: Triple 1 Arthur Stowe, Stuart Lowe & Adge Smith 21 – Northampton & District 6

Triple 2: Brian Scott, Richard Holland & Alan Davies 23 – Northampton & District 14

At Northampton: Triple 3: Ray Rumble, Ray Caira & Mark Courtney 12 – Northampton & District 17

Triple 4: Peter Ashbrook, Malcolm Foster & Terry Fuller 12 – Northampton & District 17

The match between Kingsthorpe IBC and Brackley & District IBC was postponed.

The seventh and final round of Triples League matches take place this weekend.

Fixtures: Brackley & District v Rushden Town; Daventry IBC v Wellingborough IBC; Desborough IBC v Kingsthorpe IBC; Kettering Lodge IBC v Northampton & District IBC

The number of young people not in education employment or training has dropped by more than 3,000 in Northampton in just over a year as a result of the Alive project, a town MP claimed today.

Around 40 projects have been attributed to the regeneration scheme launched by Northampton South MP Brian Binley in March 2012, including the town’s new train station, the Waterside university campus and the new county council headquarters dubbed Project Angel.

But giving one of his last addresses as an MP to around 100 business representatives at the Guildhall today, Mr Binley claimed figures showed the various regeneration schemes had helped reduce NEETS (young people not in education, employment or training) from 4,600 to around 1,500 since this time last year.

He said: “We can’t afford for our young people to spend six years on the dole.

“It’s not good for their quality of life and it’s not good for the society they live in.

“The number of NEETs is now well down below 1,500 and Northampton Alive has played a sizeable part in that.

“Northampton Enterprise Zone alone has created more than 1,000 jobs.”

Mr Binley said that he said that in the beginning of 2014 the Alive project members created ‘Challenge 2016’, a policy to try and get 2,000 young people into employment or training before 2016.

But he said the scheme has been more successful than envisaged.

“We set that figure because we felt that NEETs figure was much too high.

“What the Alive programme has done is create jobs.

“We’ve been in contact with businesses encouraging them to take apprenticeships and there has been a general employment growth through the Enterprise Zone.”

The exhibition at the Guildhall today saw the leaders of the Northampton borough and Northamptonshire county council give updates on the 40 projects underway so far under the Northampton Alive brand.

Such projects have included the building of the new centre of excellence for motor racing experts Cosworth, which was part financed by Northampton Borough Council, and the expansion of Church’s footwear on St James’ Road.

Borough council leader Councillor David Mackintosh (Con, Rectory Farm) also announced three new projects today.

He said that both a Starbucks coffee house and pan-Asian restaurant chain Cosmo are set to take up units in Market Square in Northampton.

A free wi-fi scheme will be launched on Abington Street form the end of March also.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Binley said that Northampton Alive is the thing he is ‘most proud of’ since taking the Northampton South seat in 2005.

Though he is stepping down as an MP in May, Mr Binley will remain vice-chairman of the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP).

A lump of coal salvaged from the wreck of the Titanic in 1994 is one of many souvenirs from the doomed liner set to attract bids at a Northamptonshire auction next week.

The item is due to go on sale at Towcester based JP Humbert auctioneers on Wednesday, March 18 alongside a host of paraphernalia salvaged form the wreck of the ship, which sunk after striking an iceberg in the Atlantic in 1912.

The lump of coal was recovered from the 1994 Titanic Research & Recovery Expedition and has been authenticated by the president of the RMS Titanic Inc.

Also up for sale is an actual piece of the hull of the Titanic, which a spokesperson for JP Humbert says is a fragment of the 20 ton ‘big piece’ salvaged in 1998 by the French research vessel Nadir.

Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said: “It is a great honour to offer items recovered from the wreck of the Titanic.

“They are historical artefacts of the utmost public interest and such items are rare by their very nature.

“So many Titanic items have ended up rightly in museums and private collections- to offer such pieces by public auction is relatively rare.”

The piece of the boat’s hull, which Mr Humbert has described as a ‘rusticle’ is a heavily corroded remnant of the original steel hull and is one of only a few such pieces ever to have been offered for sale.

The two lots are being offered ‘without reserve’ alongside a number of other items signed by Milvina Dean, the youngest person to survive the disaster in 1912.