Alex Waller says Saints are not expecting a massive win against London Welsh at Franklin’s Gardens.

And he has urged caution against the Oxford-based outfit, stressing Saints must not be the first team to lose to them this season.

London Welsh have suffered defeat in all 30 of their games during this campaign, with their points difference a whopping minus 907.

But Waller is taking nothing for granted this weekend as his team bid to secure the win they need to guarantee a home Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final on May 23.

“The challenge is that you don’t want to be the ones who slip up and are the first to lose (to London Welsh),” said the prop, who is in the starting 15.

“You can’t take any game in the Premiership lightly and they were beating Leicester at half-time, which is no easy feat by any means.

“It’s not a game we’re walking into thinking we’re going to put 70 points on.

“We’re going in trying to win first and then we’ll see what happens after we’ve got the lead.

“We don’t want to think we’ll walk it because they’ve got a massive pack and no matter what their history, they can always turn up on the day and put in a big performance.”

Ahead of Monday’s Sixfields cull, Chris Wilder assured Cobblers fans that he would ‘get it right’ this summer.

He then swiftly disposed of seven players, including Lee Collins and Matt Duke, and transfer-listed two more as preparations for next season started in earnest.

It is the kind of no nonsense approach that managers have to take at this time of the year.

And one that Wilder, a bullish character, was never likely to shy away from.

With a no-nonsense approach that resembles Peter Kay in the John Smiths adverts, the 47-year-old lets his players “’ave it” in no uncertain terms.

And that, says Marc Richards, is what makes his manager the perfect man for the ongoing Sixfields rebuilding job.

“You’ve seen during the season that he doesn’t beat around the bush,” said the striker. “He basically tells you how it is and as a player you need that.

“If players aren’t pulling their weight they get told so it’s going to be one of them next season.

“There will be pressure on because the chairman will want success, the manager will want success and the players who are here will want success.

“Ultimately, players will come in, but we’ll need to have that spirit.

“We have got good spirit but there is a soft touch to our side and hopefully that will get resolved in pre-season.

“Whatever players come in and whatever players go out, it’s going to be a tough change, but it’s part and parcel of football.”

At times, during the campaign which ended with a 3-2 defeat at home to Wycombe last weekend, there were doubts surrounding Wilder’s managerial prowess.

Some felt he wasn’t the right man for the job, especially after a run of just two wins in 16 games between October and January.

But he eventually steered the ship out of those choppy waters, with January bringing new players and new hope to Sixfields.

The club eventually finished 12th after flirting with the top seven following a run of nine wins in 12 games.

And the supporters now have renewed optimism for what lies ahead in the 2015/16 season.

Richards, now in his second spell at the club, is a big reason for that with his 18 goals in 36 appearances earning him the supporters’ player of the season prize.

And he is delighted to have repaid them for their faith in him and the team.

“My first time around I remember not hitting the net for 20-odd games and they stuck by me,” said Richards, who was at Town between 2003 and 2005. “I owe them one from that.

“They’ve been a credit to themselves and they’ve been brilliant for me. Hopefully I’ve repaid them this season and can continue to do so next season.”

Richards’ fitness will be key if Cobblers are to mount a promotion challenge next season.

And following a couple of injuries that eventually hampered his bid to win the League Two Golden Boot, he will be taking steps to safeguard himself this summer.

“My Achilles does need a break, but I don’t like to have too much of one,” said the 32-year-old.

“I’m the wrong side of 30 so I need to come back all guns blazing for next season.

“Hopefully I can get on top of these injuries that I keep picking up.

“They’re just niggly little injuries from a bit of overuse and maybe I need to be a little more cautious next season.”

Musical aficionado, traveller, outspoken orator, documentary maker and panel show flaneur – Reginald D Hunter is a number of things, but his recent description as a “kicks man” suits him just fine.

The award-winning comic, and regular on Have I Got News For You, is embarking on his first stand-up tour since 2013, having taken time away from the stage to film BBC documentary Songs of the South and to travel around Eastern Europe.

On Thursday, May 21, Hunter, known for his deadpan delivery and his willingness to tackle racial humour while remaining one of the most affable people in showbusiness, is set for the Royal and Derngate in Northampton. But the funnyman is remaining tight lipped about the contents of the new show The Man who Attempted to do as Much as Such.

“I maybe felt some things while I was away and I wrote them down,” he said.

“To be honest I guess it’s just I feel the right to comment on some things – that’s all I’m saying.”

And he added: “To be honest if I spent all that time on the road and didn’t learn anything, there would be something seriously wrong with me.”

Though the easily “outraged” might want to steer clear of the show.

His previous stand-up outing courted controversy.

In April 2013, the Professional Footballer’s Association demanded money back fromr after he performed at its award ceremony, though pictures Hunter posted of himself and footballers smiling after the gig seemed to counter then chairman Clarke Carlisle’s assertions that he was “embarrassed” by the humour.

But Hunter’s last tour also cemented the comedian as a firm favourite in the UK.

“Some people are perpetually outraged,” Hunter said of the divisive 2013 tour.

“Outragers want to be outraged.

“In 2013 I hit a Titanic iceberg of outragers who pride themselves on finding the next best thing to get outraged about.”

Though his agent recommended a “little break” from touring his adoptive home country, the funnyman, who describes himself as a “comedian, swashbuckler, scientist and libertine” on his Twitter profile, is glad to be back.

He said: “This is where I first started having articulate ideas.

“I go back to the South (in the US) and I keep the conversation basic. I can talk about buffets, you know, that sort of thing.

“But when I want intellectual conflict this is where I come. When I want that complexity I come back to the UK.

“You are the only country I have ever been to that has a national sense of pride in its sense of humour.”

Tickets for the show cost £25. Call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate
.co.uk/

Barb Jungr will be making a return to The Core at Corby Cube later this month, performing songs from her new album and from two legendary musicians.

She returns as part of an extensive tour and performs songs from her new album, Hard Rain, as well as performing the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

Cited as one of the world’s best performers of Dylan’s material, Barb turns to some of his most politically hard-hitting songs, along with Leonard Cohen’s most impassioned songs of conscience.

Born and raised in Rochdale and Stockport, Barb has worked with many of the finest musicians and composers in the UK, has toured all over the world and performs regularly in New York and across the United States.

Her acclaimed album releases and “revelatory” live performances have gained her huge fan bases all around the world.

Barb Jungr returns to The Core with Hard Rain on Friday May 16 at 7.30pm.

Tickets, priced at £14, can be booked by calling the box office on 01536 470 470 or by visiting www.thecorecorby.com.

West Haddon Players are putting on Communicating Doors, a time-travelling comedy thriller by Alan Ayckbourn later this month.

The action starts in a London hotel suite in the future, where Poopay – a 21st Century specialist sexual consultant, finds herself drawn into a deadly story of murder and dodgy dealings.

However the action is spread over 40 years and Poopay has an incredible chance to save not only her own life but the lives of other innocent people too.

The hotel suite moves through time from 1974 to 2014.

The play’s director said: “It is a play I’ve liked ever since seeing the original production with Julia McKenzie.

“It’s great fun and, unlike many Ayckbourn plays, ends up being very uplifting.

“Good can sometimes prevail after all.”

Communicating Doors will be performed at West Haddon Village Hall from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16.

The show starts at 7.30pm each night. Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions.

Email jane@shepherdsrow.co.uk or call 01788 510503 for more details.

A Coronation Street star will be swapping the cobbles of Manchester for the luxury of a cruise liner.

Kate Anthony, best known for her role as Pam Hobsworth in the TV soap, is to appear in Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, coming to the Royal & Derngate from Monday, May 11 to Saturday, May 16.

The story sees Billy Crocker discover his heart’s desire, debutante heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to an English aristocrat. He stows away aboard the S.S. American to win her back. Aided by a string of eccentric passengers on board the luxurious transatlantic liner, can this web of love be untangled before they reach Southampton?

Kate said: “I have spent a lot of my career playing rather dowdy northern women, and those are the roles I normally get.

“This was a fantastic contrast as it is a musical and full of glamour.”

Call the box office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk for more details.

For a longer interview with Kate Anthony, visit www.northamptonchron.co.uk

Saracens pioneered the tag last season - and now it is Saints’ to hold.

Jim Mallinder’s men secured a 46-0 win against London Welsh on Saturday and, in the process, ripped the title of ‘Premiership league winners’ from their Barnet-based rivals.

Saracens had used it in articles on their website and though it was a hollow label, it did actually mean something.

It may not have brought silverware, but it did bring satisfaction.

Because the team that sits at the summit after 22 games of a gruelling season deserves some acclaim.

Saracens deserved it last season - and Saints, who finished second in the previous campaign, deserve it this time round.

To go through two international windows and four seasons - which require different styles of play - and emerge as the No.1 outfit is creditable.

It shows that your squad can cope in different conditions, under immense scrutiny and pressure.

And for Saints, it is a welcome first.

No, it does not compare to winning at Twickenham.

The players who did a lap of honour in their final regular season home game on Saturday did not have their hearts beating through their chests like on that day at HQ last May.

But they were entitled to feel a sense of contentment.

Because over 22 largely onerous games, they have shown that is is their squad that is the best.

Now, in what is essentially knock-out rugby, they will again be asked to show their nerve.

They will have to show they can win a cup as well as a league.

Last season, they won the one that mattered.

This time round, they would love to do a double that very few teams have managed since the inception of the current play-off format in the 2005/06 season.

And they are going the right way about it, with recent wins against Saracens and London Welsh stoking the momentum ahead of the potentially momentous matches ahead.

How they rated...

AHSEE TUALA - CHRON STAR MAN

Just gets better and better. The Samoan full-back scored one and helped make others as he took another step towards earning a long-term deal... 8

KEN PISI

Razor sharp, the wing cut through London Welsh at will, with one burst from deep providing Tuala’s try... 8

GEORGE PISI

Made some huge hits, ratlling London Welsh rib cages on a regular basis, and also impressed going forward... 7

LUTHER BURRELL

Scored twice, including the bonus-point try, as his power simply proved too much for the struggling visitors to handle... 8

JAMIE ELLIOTT

Plenty of energy from the wide man, who chased high balls with real vigour and who eventually etched his name on the scoresheet... 7

STEPHEN MYLER

A good display from the fly-half. He has certainly rediscovered his kicking boots after tricky outings against Clermont and Exeter... 7

LEE DICKSON

One of his best displays of the season, the scrum-half was quick in his thinking and his movement as he snapped up two tries... 8

ALEX WALLER

Helped Saints get on top at the scrum and also carried well on an afternoon the home forwards relished... 7

DYLAN HARTLEY

The skipper is clearly ready for the run-in as he again looked in good form with a dominant display... 7

GARETH DENMAN

Mounting a strong case to start the crucial play-off semi-final as he again showed his worth... 7

COURTNEY LAWES

Carried the fight to London Welsh and Saints will be delighted to see him fit and firing in the final month of the season... 7

CHRISTIAN DAY

Put himself about, taking on the biggest of Welsh players and ensuring Saints stayed on the front foot... 7

TOM WOOD

Was desperate to get his hands on the ball and his fire and desire was an example to everyone... 7

CALUM CLARK

Never fails to impress and continued to stake his claim for individual accolades with another commanding display... 7

SAMU MANOA

Once again showed just why he will be so missed when he heads to Toulon this summer as he pushed London Welsh to the limit with some superb carries and offloads... 8

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

ALEX CORBISIERO (for Waller 56)

Saints were well on their way to the win by the time he came on, but he still added to the side... 6

MIKE HAYWOOD (for Hartley 56)

A great man to have in the starting 15 or in reserve as he adds real energy and enthusiasm to proceedings... 7

SALESI MA’AFU (for Denman 56)

Will fight all the way to regain his place in the side and this was not a bad little cameo from the Australian... 6

KAHN FOTUALI’I (for Dickson 56)

So switched on, the Samoan scrum-half helped push the team on to claim the tries they wanted... 7

A losing Labour candidate in the General Election poll in Northampton said the party will never win unless it is in tune with people’s ambitions.

Kevin McKeever, who lost out to the Conservative Party’s David Mackintosh by 12,370 votes to 16,163, also said people could not envisage his leader as Prime Minister.

Mr McKeever said: “In Northampton South we were the only constituency in the county, and one of few in the Midlands & East that achieved a ‘swing’ from Conservative to Labour, adding a third to the Labour vote in 2010 and cutting the Tory majority as others elsewhere increased.

“I believe Labour lost because voters did not trust us on the economy, could not see Ed Miliband in Downing Street, and, fundamentally, because not enough people thought Labour understood their hopes and aspirations.

“Labour will not win in the seats Northampton South, in the heart of England, until it’s fully in tune with the ambitions and value of the English people.”

Dozens of women from Northamptonshire are preparing to complete a walking marathon around London in their bras... in the dark.

They are taking part in Moonwalk 2015 in tribute to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Among them are 12 friends of Vivienne Gilbert aged from 25 to 53 who, together with Mrs Gilbert herself, will walk the 26.2 mile course with 15,000 other women on May 16.

They will be raising money for the Walk the Walk charity.

Mrs Gilbert’s friend Carol said: “This is a charity which we all feel very passionate about as Vivienne has recently won her battle of breast cancer and we are all inspired to raise as much money and awareness as possible.”

The Moonwalk theme this year is A Night at the Movies hence the friends’ group name The Screamers, after the Scream spoof horror films.

Carol said: “We already have four collection tins in local hairdressers, pubs, hospitals and workplaces.

“We started with a target of £1000, which we have exceeded, and are currently heading towards £2000. Ideally, though, we would like to raise £3000.”

Almost 100 people have sponsored the Screamers on their charity donations page, which is here.
Meanwhile Sophie Griggs, from Brackley, and Sue Treffler, from Bicester, who both work at Caterparts in Brackley will be taking on the walk for the second year in a row.

Sophie said: “Come rain or shine, we have followed a strict training programme over the last few months and are aiming to complete our longest training walk of 20 miles.”

So far they have raised more than £500 of their £750 target, with a further pledge of £150 from their company

With a current training pace of around 15 minutes per mile, Sophie and Sue are aiming to complete the route in around 6.5 – 7 hours and will reach the finish line in the early hours of the following morning.

To help boost Sophie and Sue’s fundraising targets click here .

Northamptonshire’s own Kate Middleton lookalike has celebrated the birth of the newest member of the Royal Family by using one of daughter’s dolls to stand in as her own baby Princess Charlotte.

Mother-of-two Heidi Agan, from Corby, has been careful to mirror the Duchess of Cambridge’s every change over the past three years, even wearing a foam belly bump when Kate first became pregnant with Prince George.

The 35-year-old said: “I’ve stolen one of my six-year-old daughter’s dolls to be my baby Charlotte, even though it doesn’t look like her at all.

“While it is important that I keep up to date with everything that’s happening in the Royal Family, and people I work with expect to me play the role, there’s always supposed to be a little bit of humour about it.

“I think the new baby is really exciting. I grew up alongside Will and Harry and now throwing a girl into the mix will make things a bit more interesting. “I’m looking forward to seeing how quickly the baby clothes Charlotte is seen wearing sell out in the shops.”

In anticipation of the Royal birth last week, Heidi was commissioned by a Japanese company to pose for photos outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London where Kate, William and little George stood to introduce Charlotte Elizabeth Diana to the media and fans.

Heidi began working full-time as a lookalike of the Duchess in 2012 after customers where she worked as a waitress in Frankie and Benny’s in Kettering kept telling her how much she looked like the duchess.

So she sent a photo of herself to an agency and was offered her first job four days later at the London 2012 Olympics.

She now works with 30 agents and has been sent to Hong Kong, New York and Australia on the job.

“It’s a big business,” she said. “I get hired to attend corporate events, meet-and-greets, even weddings.

“I’m unbelievably lucky and blessed, as I really did just stumble upon it.

“I have no idea what’s coming next and I’m just enjoying the ride.

“The best thing about the job is the places I’ve been to and how I never do the same thing twice.

“It can be challenging to keep up with Kate’s fashion and I’m always searching for similar items at more affordable prices – but I do all my own hair and make-up.”

A fan of the Royals herself, she added: “The Queen is definitely the most hard-working monarch in the world and she and her family have dedicated their lives to representing the country.

“I think people forget that sometimes.”

The Castle in Wellingborough presents d.a.p.a – an annual festival of workshops, performances and more, all celebrating diversity in performing arts - next week.

It will take place from Monday to Wednesday and includes activities ideal for children and young people, with or without disabilities, and education professionals.

As part of d.a.p.a, on Monday The Castle welcomes Bamboozle Theatre Company, a company which specialises in creating inclusive theatre for young people. They present The Meadow Land, an imaginative performance designed specifically for young people with PMLD. This multi-sensory show allows the small audience to explore and engage at their own in the four performances at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Each performance is limited to six people and is Free. Book by emailing alex@thecastle.org.uk.

Bamboozle also offers a Continued Professional Development Session at 5pm on Monday to discuss and explore some of the techniques they use in this performance and other areas of their work. The session is perfect for anyone working with children, young people and adults with learning disabilities. This session is priced at £10 per person.

On Tuesday at 10.30am The Castle will show a ‘relaxed’ screening of Paddington (PG). With low level lighting, and reduced sound volume, this film screening is autistic friendly and suitable for young people and adults with learning disabilities. Tickets are priced £2 with free carers.

Isebrook SEN College visit on Wednesday at 10am with a free interactive performance workshop with neon costumes and props under UV lights, performed by the post-16 students that is ideal for an inclusive audience of all ages. The performance will be followed by a workshop will give audience members a chance to make neon masks and learn a dance routine before performing what they have learned in the session.

D.a.p.a will conclude with the Community Arts Platform on Wednesday at 1pm. With performances from schools, colleges and groups, this performance is an inclusive platform to celebrate work from groups with and without disabilities. Tickets are priced £6.

Further information can be found by visiting The Castle website on www.thecastle.org.uk or by emailing alex@thecastle.org.uk. Tickets for the performances can be purchased by calling the box office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk

The Conservatives have increased their majority on Daventry District Council after they won all 12 seats on offer in this year’s election.

After the ballot papers were counted at Daventry Leisure Centre today, the Tories held nine seats and won three more, including two from Labour and one from UKIP.

The Conservatives now hold 31 of the 36 seats on the council, with two Labour, two UKIP and one Liberal Democrat.

Council leader Chris Millar said the Conservative gains were the result of a “positive campaign”.

He said: “Our teams work very hard on the ground and this shows the positive message has worked.

“Every year we are put to the test as our opponents always stand in every seat. It was a high turnout and we never take anything for granted.”

One of the seven new councillors was 25-year-old Amy Howard, who will now represent Drayton ward in Daventry. Her father Wayne Howard was also elected to represent Hill ward.

Ms Howard said: “I have always been interested in politics locally but after I had my daughter I became particularly interested in thinking about the place she was going to grow up in.

“I stood last year and finished third but this year we seemed to get a really good response on the doorstep.”

Mr Howard said he thought the national support for the Tories had also helped him gain more votes locally.

He said: “A lot of the issues highlighted on the doorstep included the national debt and immigration.”

The full results for Daventry District were:

Abbey North (i seat)

JAMES David, The Conservative Party Candidate 1299 Elected

LUKE Maureen Labour Party 871

SCRIVEN Peter John UK Independence Party (UKIP) 757

Electors: 5317

Ballot papers:2943

Turnout: 55.35%

Rejected papers: 16

Abbey South (1 seat)

LEIGHTON Jennifer UK Independence Party (UKIP) 722

WESLEY Mark The Conservative Party Candidate 1505 Elected

WILLIAMS Rich Labour Party 762

Electors: 4952

Ballot papers: 3007

Turnout: 60.72%

Rejected papers: 18

Barby & Kilsby (1 seat)

LOMAX Brian Liberal Democrats 845

RITCHIE Betty Labour Party 450

ROBERTSON Ian The Conservative Party Candidate 1440 Elected

Electors: 3662

Ballot papers: 2769

Turnout: 75.61%

Rejected papers: 33

Brixworth (1 seat)

BUNTING Nick The Conservative Party Candidate 2601 Elected

MCNALLY Robert Labour Party 726

WHIFFEN Steve Green Party 517

Electors: 5322

Ballot papers: 3870

Turnout: 72.27%

Rejected papers: 25

Drayton (1 seat)

FREUDENREICH Inge Nina Liberal Democrats 96

HOWARD Amy The Conservative Party Candidate 1018 Elected

POINTER Steve UK Independence Party (UKIP) 609

RITCHIE KenLabour and Co-operative Party 885

WILSON Tim Independent 175

Electors: 4570

Ballot papers: 2793

Turnout: 61.12%

Rejected papers: 11

Hill (1 seat)

ARNOLD Mike Labour Party 644

HOWARD Wayne The Conservative Party Candidate 1233 Elected

MACANNDRAIS Eric UK Independence Party (UKIP) 589

Electors: 4230

Ballot papers: 2479

Turnout: 58.61%

Rejected papers: 18

Long Buckby (1 seat)

DEXTER Ian UK Independence Party (UKIP) 774

MYERS Chris Labour Party 962

OSBORNE Diana Elizabeth The Conservative Party Candidate 2075 Elected

Electors: 5228

Ballot papers:3838

Turnout: 73.41%

Rejected papers: 26

Moulton (1 seat)

CRIBBIN Daniel Peter The Conservative Party Candidate 1623 Elected

MARYAN Mark Anthony Gunther Labour Party 497

WHITE Kevin Peter Green Party 367

Electors: 3570

Ballot papers: 2514

Turnout: 70.42%

Rejected papers: 27

Walgrave (1 seat)

CARTER Ann The Conservative Party Candidate 731 Elected

LUKE Peter Labour Party 145

SIMONS Kevin Edward Independent 275

TITE Stuart Edward Green Party 75

Electors: 1614

Ballot papers: 1236

Turnout: 76.58%

Rejected papers: 10

Weedon (1 seat)

AMOS Johnnie The Conservative Party Candidate 2181 Elected

GALE John Clifford UK Independence Party (UKIP) 684

OGDEN Ray Labour Party 619

SALAMAN Christopher R Liberal Democrats 303

Electors: 5098

Ballot papers: 3800

Turnout: 74.54%

Rejected papers: 13

Welford (1 seat)

AUGER Richard The Conservative Party Candidate 1672 Elected

Booker Pam UK Independence Party (UKIP) 395

MYERS Sue Labour Party 520

Electors: 3322

Ballot papers: 2600

Turnout: 78.27

Rejected papers: 12

Woodford (1 seat)

GILFORD Jo The Conservative Party Candidate 2399 Elected

MARSH Emma Labour Party 808

WEBB Sappho Green Party 486

Electors: 5392

Ballot papers: 3727

Turnout: 69.12%

Rejected papers: 32

Jim Mallinder has confirmed Saints will be offering Ahsee Tuala a contract extension.

Tuala arrived in February as injury dispensation for Ben Foden, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

And the Samoan has made a big impression at Franklin’s Gardens, earning a starting berth ahead of James Wilson in the game against Saracens at the end of last month.

Tuala kept his place for Saturday’s game against London Welsh and scored a try in a man of the match performance.

And Mallinder is keen to keep the 25-year-old Samoan full-back beyond the end of the current campaign.

“He’s justified a contract,” said the director of rugby after the 46-0 win against London Welsh.

“He came here a little bit lacking in the fitness department but we’ve got him into shape. He’s lost quite a bit of weight as you can see.

“He’s now a really good attacking threat and we’ll be looking to contract him for next season.”

And when Mallinder’s words were put to Tuala after the game, the player said: “We’re just sorting stuff out at the moment.

“We’ll see how it goes. Hopefully my family and I can move here and experience Northampton.”

Ahsee Tuala says he feels ‘blessed’ to have been given an opportunity at Saints.

The Samoan full-back has been offered a new deal at the club after impressing since arriving in early February.

Tuala, who was only playing semi-professional rugby back at home in New Zealand, came in as injury dispensation for Ben Foden.

And such has been his impact - he has scored four times in eight appearances, starting the past two matches - Saints are keen to extend his contract beyond the current campaign.

Tuala would love to stay on at Franklin’s Gardens and he says he is extremely thankful for the opportunity given to him.

“I came here with the goal to become a professional rugby player and secure a spot in this team,” said the 25-year-old after being named man of the match in Saturday’s 46-0 win against London Welsh.

“I’m working really hard on and off the field.

“I’ve shredded down a bit. I had to do a bit of work once I got here because I was enjoying my family holiday before I came.

“I’ve just been working hard on my fitness, trying to get some match fitness.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m blessed to have this opportunity at Northampton.”

Luther Burrell says every Saints player is ‘desperate’ to start at Welford Road on Saturday.

Jim Mallinder could opt to rest men for the game against Leicester as his side have already secured top spot in the Aviva Premiership.

They will face the fourth-placed side in a play-off semi-final on May 23, with the final at Twickenham a week later.

But Burrell insists he and his team-mates do not want to be wrapped in cotton wool, with every one of them chomping at the big to be involved in this weekend’s east midlands derby.

“Absolutely not,” said the 27-year-old when asked if he wanted Saturday off. “It is the biggest derby in the league.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen. Every player at Northampton is desperate to play in that game.

“This week will be interesting in training to see what happens, but all we can do is prepare well as a squad.

“No matter who we play in the semi-finals, it is going to be at home and it is a tough place to come and play now.

“Hopefully we can get that consistency now. No one knows what is going to happen next week, but all we can do is focus on our jobs.”

Defender Evan Horwood admits there is ‘something fundamentally wrong’ in the Cobblers dressing room.

The talk after last Saturday’s final-day 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Wycombe was about the team’s ‘soft underbelly’.

Horwood agrees that he and his team-mates are capable of playing some excellent football, but they are also a soft-touch defensively.

The players now head off for their summer breaks, but they will be back at Sixfields on June 22 for pre-season, and Horwood knows that is going to be a tough shift for a squad that he feels massively underachieved in finishing 12th in Sky Bet League Two.

“We are back in early for pre-season, because this group of players should be doing something,” said the left-back.

“Instead, we have finished our season, the Wycombe lads are in the play-offs, and we are doing nothing again.

“It is another season gone, with no medal, no nothing, and it’s not good enough really.

“There is something fundamentally wrong in our dressing room, and we need to rectify it quickly, as a group.

“Because where do we go, as players, from here? We go to the Conference, and none of us should be contemplating that, we should be pushing for the next league up.”

It has been a stop-start season for Horwood, who missed pre-season due to injury, and after regaining full fitness, then suffered another knock that he has had to play on with.

And it means he feels he has not been at his best.

“I’ve not been happy to be honest, I had an injury at the beginning, and then I got another injury at Plymouth, and I have been playing with that for six weeks,” he said.

“I need to sort that out, get physically ready and have a proper pre-season, because I didn’t have one last summer.

“But overall I am not happy with how I have played, it’s not been good enough, and if I don’t buck my ideas up I will be out of a job.”

A student dance group from Northampton has fended off competition from troupes across the region to win through to the finals of a prestigious national competition.

The group of 11 students from Northampton College were selected to represent the East Midlands at the national festival after impressing judges at the regional finals of the Festival of Dance in Nottingham.

They will now head to Plymouth to perform alongside some of the biggest names in dance at the festival in July.

It is the first time Northampton College has been represented at the festival.

The group as been working with Tracey Stanton to create a work titled My Line, an abstract performance created in collaboration with 11 Year 1 and 2 dance students.

Tracey said: “The work looks at the timelines of each performer’s life and their personal journeys, relationships, cross roads and struggles as they progress forwards.

“Everyone in the group is really excited at the prospect of taking part in the Festival of Dance.

“It’s a massive achievement for the students and really puts Northampton College on the map for anyone looking to study dance.

“The students will have the chance to work with professional dancers and get the opportunity to create their own routines, as well as take part in major group dances with other finalists.”

Dance courses at Northampton College are proving extremely popular and a new set of Higher National Diplomas (or HNDs) are being introduced later this year.

The two-year higher education programmes have the option to continue into the third year of a degree at university with entry criteria of 160 UCAS points.

A video of the My Line performance can be found by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Rrly-FP8c&feature=youtu.be.

Scout leaders from across Northamptonshire received awards for their distinguished service to the organisation.

Fifteen leaders were presented with the Silver Acorn Award, a prize rarely presented to leaders with less than 20 years’ service which recognises their contribution to Scouting.

Northamptonshire’s Lord-Lieutenant David Laing and High Sheriff Dr Ahmed Mukhtar presented the awards.

Leader Audrey Pearce received a special award at the ceremony. She was presented with the Bar to the Silver Acorn in recognition of 40 years’ hard work.

She also supports leader training in Northampton as well as ensuring health and safety on camps.

Sue Harris, regional Scout supporter for the East Midlands, said: “It’s my first visit to Northamptonshire and it is truly wonderful to see these leaders being recognised.”

To find out more about Scouting, phone Jennie Curtis on 07775 758580.

Saints fly-half Will Hooley joined pupils from schools across the county at the Northamptonshire Children’s University graduation ceremony to celebrate the sporting achievements of youngsters.

The scheme is for children aged between five and 14 and aims to celebrate participation in sports, arts and after-school clubs.

Will gave an inspiring talk to the children, sharing his experience of training with his hero Jonny Wilkinson and playing for the England Under 18s and 20s international team.

Tim Hodey, Children’s University Lead, said: “It was great to have Will come along to talk to the children.”

Acts including Labrinth, Sigma and Professor Green will headline Milifest 2015 at Silverstone later this year.

The festival is billed as a celebration of the armed forces, music, sport and adventure. Other acts performing during the weekend, which have been confirmed by organisers, include Sam Bailey, Rixton, Becky Hill, The Hoosiers, Ben Frith, Little Nikki, Duke, Stereo Kicks, Alexa Goddard and Arielle Free with more due to be added in the coming months.

Apart from music, there will be rugby sevens, boxing, clay pigeon shooting, archery, Zorb football, a mud run assault course, survival camp and charity walks.

Milifest creator and founder, Nick Smart, said: “We’re truly proud of our service men and women and Milifest will be a unique celebration for everyone in, and connected with, the Armed Forces.

“I wanted to bring something really fresh and new to the festival scene and I think we’ve done just that.

“It will be a true summer festival experience and military celebration, packed full of music, entertainment, adventure and hi-octane sport.”

The festival will also include one of the UK’s biggest career and resettlement zones to help former servicemen and women find employment.

Former Royal Marine, Mr Smart said: “Milifest was very much a requested event, as more and more former military colleagues of mine heard I had found a new career in event management, the more suggestions of organising a festival, specifically with them in mind, came in.

“The initial task was to form a realistic and achievable event, then to go find the money to pay for it.”

Milifest takes place at Silverstone Woodlands from August 6–10.

The site is adjacent to the village’s famous racetrack.

Weekend tickets, which cover admission from Thursday, August 6 at 8am, until Monday, August 10 at 4pm, cost £99 for adults or £254.40 for two adults and two children. For full details, visit www.milifest.co.uk