Giving people what they want. That’s the key to being a good con artist and it’s not a bad start for a good night’s entertainment which is what Dirty Rotten Scoundrels offers its audience.

The musical, which is on at Milton Keynes Theatre this week, is based on the Eighties film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin and tells the story of an experienced old hand and a young upstart who both want to fleece the wealthy women at a South of France resort, relieving them of their cash and jewellery.

Michael Praed plays the handsome and suave silver fox Laurence Jameson, who is feeling a bit jaded with his life and success when the rough and ready Freddy Benson, played by Noel Sullivan, tries to muscle in on his lucrative patch at Beaumont Sur Mer.

In a sort of twisted Pygmalion, he agrees to show the youngster the ropes and as co-operation turns to rivalry they are soon targeting a wealthy soap empire heiress Christine Colgate played by Carley Stenson with a bet as to who can extract £50,000 from her first.

Praed and Sullivan make a fun double act with great comic timing and and musicality, both seemingly enjoying the catchy Fifties-style musical score with many songs in a swing and jazzy style.

Some of the best laughs come from Gary Wilmot as the crooked chief of police and Geraldine Fitzgerald as the wealthy and ripe-for-ripping-off Muriel Eubanks. Their double act gets going in the second half but I would have liked to have seen more of them together earlier on as they worked well. Carley Stenson is sweet and ditsy as the target of the bet with a strong vocal range. A special mention must also go to Phoebe Coupe as the would-be fiancee from Oklahoma who was very funny and full of energy.

The show has a great look reminiscent of a resort poster and though it is not set in the past it has a heartwarming nostalgic feel.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is on at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, September 26.

Labour councillors on Northampton Borough Council have helped swell the Fair Deal for Kids fund by £1,500 in a bid to tackle child poverty in the town.

The Chronicle & Echo joined forces with the Northamptonshire Community Foundation in July and launched a fund aimed at helping organisations working to beat poverty across Northampton.

And this week the total now stands at just over £11,500 after Northampton Borough Council’s opposition party backed the cause.

A total of 15 councillors on the group have pledged £100 each from their yearly empowerment fund.

Labour’s leader on the borough council, Councillor Danielle Stone (Lab, Castle), said: “Child poverty is a continued problem in Northampton and as councillors we are determined to play our part.

“The Chronicle & Echo Fair Deal For Kids fund is the kind of campaign we need to highlight and keep it top of the agenda. I’m sure this £1,500 will go to good use.”

Editor of the Chronicle & Echo, David Summers, said: “We are very grateful to the Labour Party in Northampton for this donation. The fund, and the awareness campaign, has been very sucessful and this will make a huge difference to groups and organisations in the town.”

Donating to the Chron’s cause couldn’t be simpler. Either head to the donations page: localgiving.com/ charity/fair-deal or text FOUN01 £amount to 70070. If you want to apply for funding from the community foundation email enquiries@ncf.uk.com

A guide to what’s on in and around Northamptonshire.

Thursday

MUSIC

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

Rock ‘n’ Roll Tea Dance. Picturedrome, N’pton, 1pm

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

Jam Night. The Cardigan Arms, Moulton, 9pm to 12am

Open Mic Night. The Artizan, Artizan Road, Npton, 8pm

THEATRE

Brave New World. Royal Auditorium, 2.30pm/7.45pm. 01604 624811

The ELO Experience. Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. Kettering Leisure Village, 7pm – 9pm www.tangsoo.net

Towcester County Market. The Chantry House, Towcester, 8.30am to 12noon.

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

Quiz Night. The Sunnyside PH, Boughton Green Road, Npton, 8pm

Bingo. (every Thurs) at Brafield WMC, A428, from 8.30pm

Masque Youth Theatre. Drama Sessions (every Thu) for ages 11-18 at Northampton High School, 7.15-9pm. £4. www.masqueyouththeatre.co.uk

Yoga. Stanwick Village Hall, 6.30pm to 8pm.01832 358329 or email Patriciazstarkey@aol.com

Whist Drive. (every Thu), Boothville Community Ctr, Npton, 7.30pm. £3 otd.

Burton Latimer. Shops & Shopkeepers Exhibition,10am to1pm, in Burton Latimer Heritage Museum, Civic Centre, High Street (opp Sainsbury’s)

Beginners Sign Language. WEA Course at Hollowell Court, Wood Street, Wellingborough, 9.45am to 12noon. £86.60 for 10 wk course, free if on benefits or low income. Tel 01933 234468/234450

Expanding Your Sign Language. WEA Course at Thompson Court, 9F Silver Street, Wellingborough, 12.45-3pm. £86.60 for 10 wk course, free if on benefits or low income. 01933 234468/234450

Shining A Light on the Dark Ages. WEA Course at Brigstock Village Hall. £52 for 9 wk course, free if on benefits or low income. 01536 373216

Hedgerow Harvest. Autumn Country Living Workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (10.5 miles). Meet nr Bletsoe Church, 10am. 01234 713526

The NAB Mobile Sight Centre. Wellingborough Town Centre, outside McDonalds, 10am to 1pm AND Earls Barton, outside entrance to Co-op, 1.45pm to 3pm

Macmillan Coffee Morning. United Reformed Church, Castle Hill, Doddridge Street, Npton, 9.15am

Friday

MUSIC

Disco and Karaoke. The Welcome Inn, Irchester Road, Rushden

Rhythm & Roots. Bootleggers, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 9pm till late

The Acoustic Lounge. (every Friday) at the Lord Byron, Kingsley, 8.30pm. All singers and musicians welcome

Disco. The Sunnyside PH, Boughton Green Road, Npton, 8pm

Vibe@Baroque Bar. Npton (every Friday) with DJ Barney B and DJ Clue playing the best of soul, rnb, & club classics

Music & Real Ale Festival. RHTS, Rushden Station, Station Approach, (until Sept 27). Fri - no trains, Sat – first train 2pm; last 7pm, Sun – first train 11am; last 4pm (depending on demand). Fares apply. More info www.rhts.co.uk or 01933 353111

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

PushPop 90s Night. Barratts Club, Npton, 8pm

Trumpeter David Staff. talks to Fiori Musicali’s Director Penelope Rapson and together they perform music. Followed by buffet lunch (inc). £14 www.fiori-musicali.com or 0333 666 3366

Johnny Red. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Brave New World. Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Street Dance Class. Stanwick Village Hall, 3.45pm to 4.45pm. £4

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

Bingo. Liburd Room, Whilton Road, Kingsthorpe, 7.30pm to 9.45pm

Free Dance. – From Swing to Rock (every Fri), 1.30-3.30pm. James Lewis Courts, Cherry Orchard

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. Ringstead Village Hall, 6.30pm – 7.30pm. www.tangsoo.net

Fitsteps Class. Kingsthorpe Baptist Church Hall, behind Waitrose, 10am

Tai Chi. (every Fri), Duston VH, Sycamore Rd, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. £4.

R-Zone Club. For young people aged 8-13 years at the Community Ctr, Olden Road, Rectory Farm, 5pm to 6pm. 07979 152746

Keep Fit & Coffee Morning. Weston Favell Parish Hall, 10am to 12pm (every Mon & Fri)

Gentle Yoga. Stanwick Village Hall, 2pm to 3.15pm. 01832 358329 or email Patriciazstarkey@aol.com

Craft Club. (every Fri), 11am to 3pm, Church Hall, St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Kettering. 07733 341674. Admission £3 inc tea & coffee.

Lip Reading. WEA Course at Knights Court, Wellingborough, 1-3pm. £80.85 for 10 wk course, free if on benefits or low income. 01933 234468/234450

Sushi Made Simple. Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Let’s Sew. Beanbags and Dog Beds Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Rd, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Althorp Food Festival. (& Sept 26), 11am to 5pm. Tickets £7 adults/children 15 and under free.

Macmillan Coffee Morning. St Francis’ Church, Duston, 10am to 12.30pm.

Wheatsheaf Court Care Home. Macmillan Coffee Morning 10.30am to 1pm.

World’s Biggest Breakfast. Dining Hall, Wellingborough School, London Road, 7.30-8.30am. rbowe@wellingboroughschool.org for more details

WSSPA and Macmillan Curry Night. School Dining Hall of Wellingborough School, 7.30pm. £5, 01933 222427

M&S Coffee Morning. 41 Abington Street, Npton, NN1 2AW, 10.30am. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Vets 4 Pets. Coffee & Cake Morning, 139 St James Road, Npton, NN5 5LE, 10am. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Macmillan Coffee Morning. Corby Fire Station, Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, Phoenix Park Way, Corby, 12-3pm.

Macmillan Coffee Morning. The Old Bakehouse Antique Centre, 88-90 Abington Avenue, Npton, 10am to 5pm.

STAGs.Stanwick Drama Group auditions for Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. email stagperformers@gmail.com. Open to anyone 8 years and over.

Saturday

MUSIC

Karaoke Disco at Vocal Club. Bailiff Street, Npton, 8pm till late

Live DJ. Bootleggers, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 9pm till late

Brafield Working Mens Club. A428, Soosie from 8pm. Also bingo.

Tony Valentine. Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, Npton

Saturday at the Music Hall. with the cast of London’s famous Brick Lane Music Hall at Deco Theatre, Npton, 2.30pm.01604 622749

Tony Gee’s Motown & Soul Disco. The Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, Npton

Cantare Singers. St Francis’ Church, Duston, 7pm. Tickets £5. 01604 753038/01604 753679

Infuzion. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Party Dance. featuring Ballroom, Latin, Rock & Roll, Sequence and more. Sepulchre Church Rooms, Church Lane, Northampton, 8-11pm.£4. Bring your own drinks and plate of food to contribute to the buffet.

Sounds of Philadelphia and Motown. Royal and Derngate, Northampton, 01604 624811.

Turning Points. St Matthew’s Church, Northampton, composition created by David Owen Norris, 7.30pm

THEATRE

Brave New World. Royal Auditorium, 2.30pm, 7.45pm. 01604 624811

OTHER

Military Fitness Class. Delapre Park, Northampton, 9.30am to 11am. For info www.bpt-uk.com

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. Kingsley School, 10am to 11.15am. www.tangsoo.net

English and American Ballroom. Latin & Swing-Dance Lessons at St Albans Church, Broadmead Ave, N’pton, 2pm.01604 787246.

Saturday Stage Stars for 5-8 years at Stanwick Village Hall, 11.15am. £10.50 per week. 45 mins drama, 45 mins Jazz dance, 45 mins singing. Call Lucy 07788 983403

Quiz Night. Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton

Harrington Aviation Museum. – come and learn about Spies, Supplies & Dangerous Skies. Covert Warfare in World War 2. Open 10am to 5pm (Sundays also)

Burton Latimer. Shops & Shopkeepers Exhibition,10am to1pm, in Burton Latimer Heritage Museum, Civic Centre, High Street (opp Sainsbury’s)

Bee Keeping. Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (7 miles). Meet Village Green, Nether Heyford, 10am. 01604 408499

Sewing Bee. Kingsthorpe Community Ctr, Mill Lane, Npton, 2pm to 4.30pm. 07766 376460 or email rosekealy.ward@virgin.net

Quiz. Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton.

Afternoon Walk. The Ramblers Association (5.5 miles). 2pm Tyringham Church,

Charity Abseiling Event. National Lift Tower, Tower Square, Npton, 9am to 5pm. £10 registration fee. More info www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/Events/Challenge-and-social-events/Adrenaline/The-Ultimate -Abseil

Days of Wine & Roses. Exhibition by Northamptonshire Botanical Artists Society at The Wine Connection, 11 Derngate, 11am-6pm (until Oct 24). Free entry.

Morning Walk. Northampton Ramblers (6.2 miles). 10am All Saints Church, Turvey, MK43 8EP.

Funhouse Comedy Club. Bugbrooke St Michaels FC, Birds Close, Camp Hill, 8pm. www.funhousecomedy.co.uk

Car Boot Sale. Sixfields Stadium, 8am Sellers, 9am Buyers. Cars £6, People Carriers & Small Vans £8, Vans, Cars with Trailers £10. www.ntfc-trust.co.uk or call 07763 360523

Coffee Morning. stalls at Christ Church Hall, Christchurch Road, 10-12.

Vintage Jumble Sale. Vintage Retreat, Lower Harding Street, Off Grafton Street, 11am-4pm.

Sunday

MUSIC

Bullit’s Karaoke. The Welcome Inn, Irchester Road, Rushden

Karaoke. Jekyll & Hyde, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8pm

Bingo and Hoy. Queens Park WMC, Npton

Brafield Working Mens Club. A428, Ashby Clarke from 8pm. Also bingo.

Tony Gee’s Motown & Soul Disco. Monks Park Club, Wellingborough Road, Npton, 4pm til late

Bach at Stowe. State Music Room, Stowe House, 7.30pm. Tickets £20 & £15, reception at 6.30pm. £12 www.fiori-musicalil.com or 0333 666 3366

Easy Sunday Music. Oundle School’s best musicians, St Mary’s & All Saints Church, Fotheringhay, 3-4pm.

Claire Mac. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

OTHER

Morning Worship. Whitefriars Junior School, Rushden, 10.15am.

Badminton Club. (16+) – Every Sunday at Duston Sports Centre, Npton. For more info call Jay 07946 631449

Bingo. Monks Park WMC, 259 Wellingborough Road, Npton, 8pm.

Fotheringhay Village Hall. Sunday Tea, 3pm to 5.30pm. Tea and Cake £2.50.

Quiz. he Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 8pm. Teams of 4, £1 admission pp. .

Yoga Class. The Elgar Centre, 1A High Street, Upton, 10am to 11.15am (every Sun). Please bring yoga mat, water and blanket. £7, £5.50 concessions

Morning Walk. with The Ramblers Association (6.5 miles). 10am start Royal Oak, Whiston Road, Cogenhoe,

Walk. starting and finishing The Crown, Little Staughton (choice of 6 or 12 miles), any time from 10am onwards. 50p entry. www.waendel.org.uk

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

The Memory Walk. organised by Northamptonshire Alzheimer’s Society at Irchester County Park, Gipsy Lane, Little Irchester, Wellingborough, starting at 10.30am. 0300 330 5452 or www.memorywalk.org.uk

Monday

MUSIC

Karaoke. The Golden Horse, Far Cotton, 4pm to 7pm

Acoustic Open Mic. The Woolpack, Rothwell from 9pm.

Northampton Music Appreciation Society Concert. The Orphean Sinbgers & The Northampton U3A Ukelele Singalong Band. Quaker Meeting House, Wellington Street, Npton, 7.30pm.

THEATRE

Hairspray. Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm, 01604 624811

OTHER

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

Movie Night. at The Picturedrome, Npton, 8pm. Free entry.

Bingo. Monks Park WMC, 259 Wellingborough Road, N’pton, 2.30pm

If you enjoy singing. why not join Kingsthorpe’s newly formed choir “Just Voices”. Meet Kingsthorpe Baptist Church (every Mon), 7-8.15pm. stuartpauljenkins@gmail.com or 01604 717866

Iyengar Yoga. 9.30am to 10.45am, Perry Street – 07759 152986

Northampton Morris Men. practice nights every Monday 8pm to 10pm. Ages 18 to 80. www.northamptonmorrismen.co.uk

Keep Fit & Coffee Morning. Weston Favell Parish Hall, 10am to 12pm (every Mon & Fri)

Tuesday

MUSIC

Just Voices Community Choir. meet (every Tues), 7pm to 8.30pm at Kingsthorpe Baptist Church, Stuart Jenkins 01604 455682

Northampton Male Voice Choir. (every Tues), 7.30pm at Kingsley Park Methodist Church Hall www.nmvc.co.uk

Live Acoustic Night. (every Tue & Wed) at Picnic Lounge, 37 High Street, Corby Old Village, 7pm.

THEATRE

September In The Rain. The Playhouse, Clare Street, 7.45pm. £10 adults, £9 concessions. www.whitecobraproductions.co.uk

Hairspray. Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm, 01604 624811

The Man Called Monkhouse. Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm, 0160 624811

OTHER

Yoga. Well-Being at Spencer Dallington Community Ctr, Npton (every Tue), 9.30am to 11.30am.

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

Classic Movies Afternoon. Films from the Golden Age of cinema at The Picturedrome, Npton, 1pm

Body Balance. (every Tues) at Stanwick Village Hall, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. £4 a session. More info call Loraine 07958 382720

Iyengar Yoga. 7pm to 8.30pm, Perry Street – 07759 152986

Line Dancing. Stanwick Village Hall (every Tue), 7.30pm.

Free English & American Ballroom, Latin & Swing-Dance Lessons. (every Tues), 1.30pm. Eden Close Community Room, Lakeview 01604 787246

Ukelele Club (every Tue). Old Cherry Tree PH, Great Houghton. 6-7pm beginners, 7-8pm improvers, 8-9pm intermediate. Email saraspadmusic@outlook.com or call 0203 004 6770

Absolute Beginners Dance Class. – Ballroom and Latin, Weston Favell CE Primary School, Westwood Way Npton, 7-8pm. £7pp,

Noye’s Flude. Opera by Benjamin Britten with Alun Bye. Very friendly social morning with tea & biscuits at NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton, 10.45am to 12noon. More details 01604 580284.

Traditional Upholstery. Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (6 miles). Meet The Bull PH, Arthingworth, 10am. 01604 718576

Wednesday

MUSIC

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

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

Acoustic Session. The Cuckoos Nest, Clare Street, Npton, 8.30pm.

Freight Train Jam Night. Thomas A Beckett, St James Road, Npton, 9pm.

Legends Open Mic. Kitty O’Shea’s, St Peter’s Way, Npton, 8pm (every Wed)

J for Jazz. Plays “trad” (every Wed) at The Locks Inn, Foxton Locks, Nr Market Harborough, LE16 7RA.

Rocking Goose. Wednesday Beat Scene, The Headland PH, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm. Free.

Little Devils. Wednesday Blues Club at The Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Npton, 8.45pm. Free entry

Open Mic Night. Golden Horse, Far Cotton, N’pton, 8.30pm

THEATRE

September In The Rain. The Playhouse, Clare Street, 7.45pm. £10 adults, £9 concessions. www.whitecobraproductions.co.uk

Hairspray. Musical Derngate Auditorium, 2.30pm, 7.30pm, 01604 624811

OTHER

Craft Club. knitting, stitching and cardmaking (every Wed). Hazlewood Community Ctr, Gainsborough Road, Corby, 7pm to 9pm. 07910 989410

Mums, Grannies, Childminders & Toddlers. meet (every Wed) in the Church Hall, Edinburgh Road, 1.30pm to 3pm.

Apollo Badminton Club. playing at Moulton School (every Wed), 7.30-9.30pm. 07425 171724

Picture Post. A fun, informal evening with Richard & Ruth Chapman. St Michaels Road, Npton, 7.30pm. 01604 580284.

Morning Walk with The Ramblers Association. (7.5 miles). 9.30am start Harrold Country Park. Voluntary contribution for parking, £1 is suggested.

In & Out of the Workhouse. WEA Course at Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston, 2-4pm. £53.90 for 7 wk course, free if on benefits or low income. 01295 768133 for details.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (7.5 miles). Meet The Griffins Head, Mears Ashby, 9.30am. 01933 224122

Italian Fish &Seafood. Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, www.btcworkshops.co.uk

A busy week of live music at The Stables in Wavendon kicks off with one of the biggest names of the 1950s and 1960s music scene tonight.

In Born to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Marty Wilde will be looking back at a career which spans more than 50s years.

Fans will have the chance to join Wilde and members of The Wildcats for an evening of rock memories from his own vaults and a homage to fiends who helped shape the genre.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £22.50 before fees.

On Friday, Tenors Unlimited: Venice to Vegas is at the venue. The show will feature some of the best songs from the world’s opera houses, Broadway theatres and concert halls.

The trio of Scott, Paul and Jem will be joined by their musical director at the piano and supported by a local choir.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £19.50 before fees.

A limited number of standing tickets remain for Grammy-award winner Leo Sayer who plays the venue on Sunday, September 27.

Tickets cost £17.50 with a meet and greet option also available. For more details, visit www.stables.org

South London’s enduring purveyors of pure pop magic, Squeeze, return to the region next week, touring in support of their first album of new songs in 17 years.

The band are due to release their the LP Cradle To The Grave next week.

Released on the Virgin EMI label, the album is Squeeze’s 14th and features the first collection of new songs from Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook since 1998.

Songs from the album will feature in Danny Baker’s sitcom of the same name starring Peter Kay.

The single Happy Days is now available to anyone who pre-orders the album.

The band features Tilbrook on vocals and lead guitars, Difford on vocals and acoustic guitar, Simon Hanson on drums, Stephen Large on keyboards with Lucy Shaw and John Bentley on bass.

Guest musicians include Melvin Duffy on pedal steel, Dennis Greaves on guitar and Mark Feltham on harmonica.

Baker’s sitcom is set on a council estate in the 1970s and is based on the life of writer and broadcaster.

NME writer turned TV presenter and DJ, Baker was brought up in Deptford, the old stomping ground of the band, and Squeeze were asked to become involved at an early stage.

Tilbrook said: “When I read the book, I got in contact with Danny and said that I thought we could do something together with his book.

“Danny was already talking with co-writer Jeff Pope about a TV series and the mood and sentiment of Cradle were completely in sync.

“Danny and Jeff both loved it and everything else followed on from there.”

Squeeze’s current tour is their first as band for three years. With a back catalogue stretching across four decades, past hits include Cool For Cats, Up The Junction and Tempted.

Squeeze play the Milton Keynes Theatre on Tuesday, September 29. Support is by John Cooper Clarke.

Doors open at 7pm, tickets cost from £37.40 to £52.40,
before fees.

An award-winning theatre company is performing its new production at The Playhouse in Northampton.

White Cobra Productions will stage John Godber’s September in the Rain at The Playhouse in Clare Street from Tuesday, September 29, until Saturday, October 3.

There will be performances at 7.45pm each night.

The play tells the story of Liz and Jack’s annual holiday to Blackpool as they set off from their Yorkshire home across the Pennines.

Based loosely on Godber’s own grandparents, the play covers their lives from their honeymoon, to their final trip some 40 years later.

It evokes the bygone age of classic British seaside holidays with donkey rides on the beach, kiss me quick hats, funfair rides and a show on the pier.

Kate Billingham and Richard Jordan, who starred in the award-winning Days of Wine and Roses, reunite for a tale which has been described as a both hilarious and moving story.

Tickets are available by telephoning White Cobra on 07447 217622 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/whitecobra

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has found a former deputy chief constable of Northamptonshire Police has “no case to answer for gross misconduct or misconduct”.

The IPCC investigated Mr Jelley’s conduct in relation to the delay in referring a matter to the IPCC whilst in his role as Deputy Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police.

Mr Jelley left the force in March 2015 to become chief constable of Warwickshire Police.

Rachel Cerfontyne, Deputy Chair of the IPCC, said: “Following a thorough investigation, we have found Chief Constable Martin Jelley has no case to answer for gross misconduct or misconduct.”

The IPCC is unable to release further details of the investigation at this time due to a linked investigation.

Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) is celebrating after completing their 16,000th mission during their first ever Air Ambulance Week.

The local service has helped save thousands of lives in Northamptonshire since its inception in 2003, with each mission funded entirely by generous supporters. The charity receives no government funding, relying on their local communities to raise the £1,700 they need for each mission.

This week, from September 21 to 27, the charity is holding its first ever Air Ambulance Week. Volunteers will be painting the county yellow by handing out their colourful yellow pin badges in exchange for donations. All money raised from the sale of their yellow badges will go towards saving more lives.

One person who knows the importance of the air ambulance is Jamie Burnett, who was crushed by a dumper truck in August last year. After suffering horrific injuries including shattering his pelvis, breaking both legs, suffering large losses of blood and skin, Jamie had to spend a week in an induced coma.

After an amazing recovery, Jamie finally met the air ambulance doctor who saved his life last month at a surprise birthday party held for him in WNAA’s airbase at Coventry Airport. Jamie said: “I’m so grateful to Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance for everything they’ve done. Until you end up using it, you just don’t realise how much of a necessity it is.”

To find the badge sale closest to you, you can go to www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/give and click on your county for a full list of places and times the service’s volunteers will be out selling their badges. Alternatively, call 08454 130999* to talk to the charity directly.

Calls to the 08454 numbers are charged at 3ppm plus your access charge.

Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood will square up to Saints team-mate George North at Twickenham on Saturday night (kick-off 8pm).

Lawes and Wood both keep their place in the England side for World Cup Pool A game against Wales, who have selected North at 14.

New Saints prop Kieran Brookes will again be on the bench for England.

Both teams have changed since their opening game, with England opting to bring in Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell and Sam Burgess for Ben Morgan, George Ford and Jonathan Joseph.

Stuart Lancaster’s men thrashed Fiji 35-11 last Friday, securing a bonus point in the process.

Wales also got off to a winning start, cruising to a 54-9 success against Uruguay on Sunday.

North did not play in that game, but he returns in a much-changed side which also includes the likes of Alun-Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton.

Elsewhere this weekend, three Saints players will be in Samoa’s 23 for Saturday’s clash with South Africa at Villa Park (kick-off 4.45pm).

Kahn Fotuali’i and Ken Pisi start, while George Pisi returns to the squad after missing last Sunday’s win against the USA in Brighton, taking his place on the bench.

New Saints lock Victor Matfield is again in the South Africa side as they bid to bounce back from last Saturday’s shock defeat to Japan.

The Royal & Derngate has been nominated for a national award for its Made In Northampton productions.

The theatre has been shortlisted for The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre in the UK Theatre Awards 2015 in recognition of its tours of six high-profile productions.

The UK Theatre Award Management Categories were created in 2005 to champion and applaud the successful business initiatives and acumen of performing arts organisations.

The UK Theatre Awards are the only awards which celebrate outstanding achievement in theatre throughout the United Kingdom.

The Awards will be presented on Sunday October 18 at a ceremony at London’s historic Guildhall, a magnificent medieval Grade 1 listed landmark building situated in the City of London.

The full list of nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2015 is available online at www.uktheatre.org

Opposition members saw calls for a full review of street lighting in Northamptonshire defeated, despite reports a man had lost his life crossing the road in a dimly lit area.

In 2011, contractors Balfour Beatty were called in to replace or upgrade 65,000 street lights across the county to “reduce the county’s carbon emissions, save on energy costs and create a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone”.

But Labour councillor Mary Butcher said many people in the county were still being forced to walk down unlit streets in built-up areas four years into the scheme.

Speaking at the full county council meeting this morning she said many residents in her ward had complained of feeling “fearful about going out,”.

She claimed clubs for the elderly had shut down as members were “afraid of going home in the dark,” and said that late in 2014 Corby man was hit by a van and killed because of “limited visibility” as he crossed the Weldon Road there.

Ian Holloway, of Bentinck Way, Blackpool, was hit by a silver Ford Transit van as he crossed Weldon on December 10 last year, and police collision investigators said, during his inquest, that the lack of visibility in that part of the road contributed to the accident.

With autumn approaching and the nights drawing in Councillor Butcher called for a full review of the contract with Balfour Beattie to see where lighting can be improved.

Her motion was backed up by Councillor Julie Brookfield (Lab, Corby West), who said: “We do not apologise for bringing this to council again just as autumn approaches.

“We know that we will be asked by people, why is my street not lit?

“They don’t care who lights their street, they just want to feel safe when they leave for work in the morning and come home in the evening, especially shift workers.”

But the motion was not supported by fellow Liberal Democrat and UKIP opposition members, as most felt a full review would be too costly.

The phased replacement scheme being handled by Balfour Beatty is still set to run for a further year and is being funded through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

Councillor Sally Beardsworth (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe South) admitted some cul-de-sacs in her Kingsthorpe ward were still a “dark gloom,” but said the best way forward would be for the council to launch a more efficient way of logging street lighting complaints - or flagging faulty lights - as she said many residents were unsure who to contact.

Tory councillor Steve Osborne (Con, Long Buckby) said that district councils concerned with the lighting in their areas should consider picking up the tab for new lights themselves.

The Labour motion was overwhelmingly defeated after a vote.

Cabinet member for highways Councillor Michael Clarke said he believed the contract with Balfour Beatty had delivered improvements and said there was no statistical link between areas of limited street lighting and an increase in crime, as the Labour motion had suggested.

He said: “The council’s street lighting program has been a success story.

“It’s better for local carbon emissions, better for taxpayers and better for road safety.”

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Ryan Cresswell has been a professional footballer for almost 10 years, and has played more than 250 senior matches.

He has played with a string of goalkeepers at his 10 clubs, and believes current Cobblers shot-stopper Adam Smith is ‘right up there’ with the best he has seen.

The former Leicester City man has enjoyed an excellent start to his Sixfields career, and has been one of the team’s most consistent performers in what has been an inconsistent start to the campaign.

The 22-year-old has started every game in Sky Bet League Two, only dropping out of the side to be replaced by Ryan Clarke for cup games, and Cresswell is a big fan.

Asked how highly he rates Smith, central defender Cresswell said: “He is right up there. I see him every day in training, and the stops, the saves and blocks he makes.

“He is 100-miles-per-hour and really good, and to be honest, if he can keep his performances consistent this season then he has got good things ahead of him. He is sharp, he is quick off his line, and he makes decisions so quickly.

“A lot of the time he makes the right ones, and that breeds confidence into the back lads, and that can only stand us in good stead, and stand him in good stead as well.

“He is playing well and hopefully he can keep that going.”

A key factor in Smith’s impressive performances is the fact that he has former Oxford goalkeeper Clarke breathing down his neck, and competing for a first-team start.

Cresswell is also an admirer of Clarke, and believes the Cobblers have two goalkeepers in their ranks that are the envy of every other club in league two.

“Clarkey is great as well, and we have two goalkeepers at this football club that I would say would walk into any other starting 11 in this division,” said Cresswell.

“We are lucky enough to have them both.”

Having a good goalkeeper behind you is obviously a key element in a team boasting a strong defence, but another is stability in the back four. That is something that the Cobblers haven’t been able to achieve to date this season thanks to injury and suspension.

Cresswell is an ever-present for Town, but he has already had three different central defenders as partners in the club’s 11 games.

Zander Diamond started the season but has suffered injuries, with Rod McDonald then stepping up. With the former Hereford man struggling for a bit of form after a promising start, Shaun Brisley was brought in from Peterborough United on loan, and he has played the past two games, which have both been won.

So is the chopping and changing of partners a problem?

“You just have to try and get on with it,” said Cresswell.

“You have to try and get a relationship going as such, and really read into each other. Me and Bris played together a few years ago now at Macclesfield Town, I played when he made his debut, so we do kind of know each other a little bit, and strengths and weaknesses.

“Hopefully we can get a run going.”

As well as injury disruption to the central defence, full-backs Brendan Moloney and Evan Horwood have yet to feature this season due to injury.

Youngster Josh Lelan started the season as right-back, but was taken out of the firing line to be replaced by Adam Yates on loan from Port Vale.

Yates then also got injured, so Darnell Furlong has been brought in from Queens Park Rangers, and Cresswell is now hoping the defence can stay settled for a little while.

“It’s no coincidence that the sides that do really well are sides that have a consistent base as such,” said the 27-year-old. “That would probably be your goalkeeper and your back four, as well as your centre mid.

“It is always good to have a strong spine, and the only way you can develop relationships is by playing games together. Hopefully we can do that.”

People across Northamptonshire have managed to clock up an astounding 27,169,550 steps in just one weekend as part of the 20 Million Steps challenge.

The second annual 20 Million Steps weekend took place last weekend (September 18 to 20) and saw thousands of people from all over the county go for a walk and log their steps.

The total smashed last year’s figure by a massive three million steps and there are still steps being logged.

Organised by Northamptonshire County Council, 20 Million Steps is a campaign which aims to encourage people to become more active by going for a walk.

Figures show that 67.5% of adults in Northamptonshire are classed as overweight or obese and the county council is aiming to tackle this issue by promoting physical exercise.

People could go for a walk wherever they chose and then log their steps online at www.20millionsteps.co.uk, while organised walks took place at country parks and libraries.

Councillor Robin Brown county council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted with the efforts of people across Northamptonshire who managed to walk an incredible 27 million steps over the course of the weekend.

“This is an important campaign for us as it aims to motivate people to become more physically active, and getting out for a walk is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do that.

“I hope that many of the people who took part this weekend will see this as the beginning of a positive new habit and start walking more often, thereby helping us to become a happier, healthier county by 2020.”

To find out more about the campaign and for advice and help on getting active, visit www.20millionsteps.co.uk or follow @2020Northants on Twitter.

A charity that helps elderly and terminally ill people in Northampton keep their pets as long as possible is appealing for dog walkers.

The Cinnamon Trust has a network of volunteers who assist when day to day care poses a problem.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “We are trying to find some dog walking help for a resident of Northampton but do not have enough local volunteers to be able to help them, so wondered whether you would be able to help us publicise our need for volunteers in the area.

“Our aim is to relieve the owners of any worry concerning the welfare of their pets both during and after their own lifetime making us unique amongst charities.

“All volunteers help in the ways that are most appropriate to them. Teams take it in turn to visit housebound owners, to take dogs for daily walks, volunteers foster pets as one of their family when owners face a spell in hospital, they take pets to the vet, clean the budgie’s cage out.

“We take any problem posed in day to day care of pets,” the spokesperson added.

Contact Sally direct on 01736 758707 or email sallycollins@cinnamon.org.uk

The volunteers can gain access to our volunteer page on our website or www.cinnamon.org.uk or by emailing us at volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk

A stricken motorcyclist was left in a ditch near the Northamptonshire border with a broken arm for close to three hours after a mix up between three neighbouring police forces.

The as yet unnamed rider crashed on the B645 near Tilbrook, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday, suffering injuries to his arm.

The small village borders Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, but even though 999 was called at around 4pm, emergency services did not arrive until 6.40pm.

Today the three forces have all apologised to the rider after admitting there was confusion over which force should attend the incident and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for investigation.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said the delay was “unacceptable,” but said the incident actually took place within Bedfordshire constabulary’s patch.

She said Northamptonshire was originally called by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) shortly after 4pm, but during the conversation the call handler established the location was in the Bedfordshire Police area.

The spokeswoman continued: “EMAS undertook to contact Bedfordshire Police, however, they were unable to do so and our call handler contacted Bedfordshire control room on their behalf.

“Bedfordshire advised that Tilbrook was covered by Cambridgeshire Police and our call handler contacted Cambridgeshire where the incident and its details were handed over to them.”

However Bedfordshire police has today claimed Cambridgeshire did not attend the stricken man and the Bedfordshire force only became aware of this at 5.40pm.

At this time it scrambled a squad car, which finally took the man to hospital.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We are currently working with colleagues at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Northamptonshire Police and the ambulance service to examine the circumstances of how the incident was dealt with and establish why there was such a delay in emergency services attending the scene.

“The matter is being voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman added: “Investigations have confirmed that the incident took place in Bedfordshire. However it remains clear that a better response should have been given by all three forces.”

Richard Henderson, director of operations at the East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We took a 999 call asking us to respond to a patient involved in a road traffic collision outside the East Midlands region.

“The caller stated the patient had a lower arm injury so the call was categorised as non-life-threatening.

“At this time we were experiencing a high volume of life threatening calls across the East Midlands such as cardiac arrests and breathing difficulties and as a result, were unable to respond to this call as quickly as we would have liked.

“Paramedics and nurses in our control room made several attempts to contact the patient however the caller had left the scene. A call was also made to Kettering Hospital A&E to see if the patient had made his own way to hospital.

“We were subsequently advised by the police that they had taken the patient to hospital and we therefore closed the initial booking.”

The Northampton Musical Theatre Company is returning to Royal & Derngate next month with the feel-good music comedy, Sister Act.

The show tells the same story as the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer and wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses her boyfriend committing a crime. To protect her, the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look – a convent..

Once Deloris is in the convent, she helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

A spokesperson for the company said: “NMTC had a tricky job of finding venues for their photos, as they wanted to cover both the nightclub and the convent scenes; however there was no need for two venues once the Church Restaurant was on board!”

Alexandra Harding, the general manager of the Church Restaurant, said: “We were thrilled to be asked… how could we have said no to nuns being a former church?… we were staying true to our roots! We love working with something a little fun and different, especially when it’s for our local community.

“They were a great bunch of people, we hope the show is a fantastic success!”

The building that the Church Restaurant now inhabits originally opened as St John’s Hospital in 1138 and in the 867 years since then has been providing hospitality in various guises. From its origins as a hospice it also became a soldiers’ burial ground, was confiscated during The Reformation, became part of Northampton’s first railway station, and was re-consecrated as a Catholic Church before its present incarnation as a modern restaurant. It now houses a modern bar and restaurant facility, whilst maintaining many of the original church architecture.

The company have recently been awarded their 10th “Best Musical” Award by the East Midlands region of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

Peter Thorn, NMTC’s business manager, said: “NMTC prides itself on their professional-quality productions, and this year we have a particularly excellent cast.”

Taking on the role of Deloris, lead Diva and Nun Choir Master, is Beth Hodgson, the real-life Head of Vocal Studies at the Northamptonshire Music & Performing Arts Trust. NMTC also welcomes back Matthew Berrill, who is well known for his many excellent roles in local theatre companies. Matthew will be playing Curtis, Deloris’ boyfriend who is trying to get rid of Deloris, the remaining witness. A full cast of 20 Nuns and as many other characters help to round out the cast, for what is already looking to be one of NMTC’s most successful shows yet.

Sister Act runs in the Royal & Derngate from Tuesday October 27 to Saturday October 31, with performances every evening at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are from £10-£22 with discounts available for groups and concessions.

For full details and to book tickets call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Northampton businesses offer course to PAs

Barclays have partnered up with PA & Secretarial training provider, Pitman Training, to create free, CPD accredited workshops in Northampton.

An event will be held in Northampton at Barclaycard in Pavilion Drive on Tuesday October 6, from 1pm to 4pm with 25 places available.

The aim of the event is to emphasise what a career as a PA is really like in businesses today, challenge outdated perceptions which surround the profession and educate the next wave of aspiring PAs.

Michelle Robertson, a PA at Barclays, and initiative leader said: “I believe that opportunity we have to help raise the profile of the PA profession should not be wasted – it is a real skill to do this work well and that should be recognised and acknowledged more widely.

“Not only will it benefit PAs already working in Barclays to develop and evolve as mentors, I hope it will inspire students to join a fast paced, rewarding profession or to find out that there is more to this career choice than they might think.”

Claire Lister, Managing Director at Pitman Training Group said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity alongside Barclays as our very practical, hands on approach means attendees can find out very quickly if a career as a PA is for them.

Anyone interested in the PA profession can apply to attend here: www.pa-secretarialcareers.com.

Emergency services are dealing with an accident involving two vans and a car on the A14 in Northamptonshire.

The accident took place on the eastbound carriageway of the A14 between Junction 11 and 12 at about 3.40pm today (Thursday).

Police have closed the road as well as the same section of the westbound carriageway to allow for the air ambulance to land.

Police, fire and ambulance crews are at the scene as they try to release three people trapped in one of the vehicles.

One person from one of the vans was also injured.

It is not known how long the road will be closed for, but drivers are being urged to avoid the area if possible.

Reports in the French media are linking Saints with a sensational swoop for Toulouse star Louis Picamoles.

French radio station RMC Sport suggests Northampton, Saracens, Clermont Auvergne and Montpellier are all chasing the 29-year-old.

Picamoles is currently with France at the World Cup, where he was man of the match in the opening game, against Italy.

Toulouse are reportedly desperate to hold on to the powerhouse No.8 and will make it a priority to extend his deal, which runs until June 2016.

However, the reports suggest Picamoles will wait until after the World Cup to make his decision.

A move to Saints would appear unlikely as French clubs pack a far heavier financial punch.

Clermont and Montpellier are both likely to be able to outbid Saints, who strictly adhere to the salary cap.

Jim Mallinder’s men did appear to be in the market for a new No.8 after Samu Manoa headed to Toulon this summer.

But Mallinder insists he is happy with the options he has in that position, with both Jon Fisher and Sam Dickinson impressing during their time with the club.

The Saints director of rugby told the Chron: “We’ve got two outstanding No.8s.

“Sam Dickinson’s probably played a bit more than Jon, but we’ve seen some of the things Jon can do. He’s very, very talented.

“We’re very happy with those two competing for that No.8 position, but we do have other players who can play in that position as well and will be very comfortable in that role.”

However, Mallinder does remain open to the prospect of unearthing some ‘hidden gems’ at the World Cup.

He said: “We never say that (the squad is set for the season).

“We’ve got a squad that we’re very, very happy with and we’re very, very close to our salary cap, but things always change.

“People get injured, people sometimes look to move on and we look to bring people in.

“(Recruitment and development manager) Dusty Hare will be having a look during the World Cup to see if there’s any hidden gems out there, and recruitment never stops.”

Ben Duckett hit his fourth century of the season to help Northants halt a Surrey surge at the Kia Oval.

David Ripley’s men were bowled out for just 110 in reply to Surrey’s 410, but Duckett and skipper Alex Wakely showed fight to stem the tide.

Duckett ended day three unbeaten on 116, while Wakely was 93 not out at the close of play, leaving Northants needing 77 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

The Curran brothers, Tom and Sam, whose late father, Kevin, played for Northants did the damage in the first innings, with Tom taking seven for 35 and Sam picking up three for 46.

It was the first time two brothers had shared 10 wickets in an innings in the Championship since Jack Oakes took five for 68 and Charlie Oakes five for 35 for Sussex against Somerset at Taunton in 1950.

Tom Curran struck again with the third ball of Northants’ second innings but just when it looked as though they could be beaten inside two days – the first day was lost to rain – Duckett and Wakely showed the spirit and application that had been badly missing.

Play had started 30 minutes late after morning rain but Sam Curran, who hit nine fours and a six, and Gareth Batty made up for lost time by taking their ninth-wicket stand to 56 in 10 overs.

Then it was Curran senior’s turn. Swinging the ball at a decent pace, he tore into the Northants batting, having Duckett caught behind, Wakely lbw and Rob Keogh caught at second slip.

Sam nipped in to claim Rob Newton lbw and after that only Josh Cobb held the brothers up with an unbeaten 29 as they ran through the tail. It was the second time Tom had taken seven wickets this season and his fifth haul of five wickets or more.

Centurion Duckett said: “Tom Curran was very good in that first innings. He just tries to bowl straight and nip it away. He’s been doing it all season so it’s not a one-off.”