Calls are being made for Northampton Borough Council to publish the loan agreement it made with Cobblers for the redevelopment of Sixfields - as demand for a public inquiry intensifies.

The Labour group on Northampton Borough Council says the authority should make the agreement available to view by members of the public as it says taxpayers are “becoming ever more frustrated with the lack of information.”

The opposition party on the council is making the demand as it steps up calls for auditors KPMG to conduct a full inquiry into the loan agreement to the football club and what went wrong.

Councillor Danielle Stone (Lab, Castle), leader of the Labour group, said: “To make things more transparent I think the Loan Agreement should now be published immediately to the general public.

“From what I have heard, it does say in the loan agreement that all money borrowed must be used on the redevelopment and improvement of Sixfields Stadium.

“Also in the loan agreement we understand that there is a timescale for draw down requests such as 20 percent of the loan could be drawn down immediately, 20 percent after granting planning permission, 20 percent after completion of some of the work and so on.

“I don’t know if this has been followed, but it is something that an independent inquiry must investigate.”

Councillor Stone added that she believed that at all future negotiations between the borough council, Cobblers and stadium builders Buckingham Group, there should be a representative of the club’s supporters trust and a member of NTFC staff “at the top table”.

When previously asked whether it was the council’s view that the loan agreement had been breached, a spokesperson responded: “The council has made proper enquiries as to the use of the funds loaned to the football club, but cannot say that it has been given a full and complete account.

“As we have stated, we are taking legal advice about the current position.”

A 16-year-old girl was robbed as she walked through Duston yesterday afternoon.

The teenager was at the junction of Saxon Rise and Main Road, at about 3.55pm on Tuesday, when she was approached by three teenage boys, two on bikes and one on foot.

They surrounded her and took money from her before fleeing towards Berrywood Road.

All three offenders were white boys, aged 17 to 18 and about 5ft 6ins. One wore a black jumper, black Snapback cap with NY logo in white letters, another wore a navy hooded top and was riding a black BMX pedal cycle and the third was wearing a black hooded top, blue jeans and was riding a black BMX pedal cycle with red handle bars.

Police officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information regarding it. Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Brian Mujati is looking forward to Sunday’s reunion with Saints.

The Bulawayo-born prop left Northampton to join Racing Metro in 2013 and he has now moved back to England, with Sale Sharks.

Saints travel to face the Sharks in an Aviva Premiership match at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday.

And Mujati said: “It’s a game I looked out for on the fixture list when I first arrived.

“And I am looking forward to meeting up with some of my former team-mates from my time at Franklin’s Gardens after the game.

“I enjoyed my time there and the highlight had to be winning a tough Heineken Cup quarter-final against Perpignan (in 2011).”

Mujati made 110 appearances for Saints between 2009 and 2013, becoming a firm fans’ favourite at Franklin’s Gardens.

And he knows just how tough a test Jim Mallinder’s men will provide for the side he signed for during the summer.

“They are a tough team and we will need to be at our best on Sunday,” said the 31-year-old.

“After losing at Saracens it was great for us to get the bonus-point win over Worcester last Friday. It gives us something to build on.”

And on his new start at Sale, Mujati added: “I am enjoying life at Sharks, everyone has been so welcoming and the lads tell me that they like playing at the AJ Bell Stadium and are keen to maintain it as a fortress.

“The Premiership has always has been a tough league and after returning from two seasons in France it’s good to see that the intensity levels in every game is still there.”

Drivers using the M1 in Northamptonshire this evening are being warned to expect delays after a crash involving a car and a lorry.

One lane of the motorway in a northbound direction was closed earlier this afternoon after the crash.

Northants Fire & Rescue service tweeted that two elderly people were released from a car at 3.25pm following the crash near to Watford Gap services.

All lanes of the motrway have now reopened buot traffic is backed up to junction 15 in Northampton.

Drivers on the A45 near junction 16 are also experiencing delays.

An instalment of the loan to Northampton Town was delayed while the borough council carried out checks on progress, it has been revealed.

Northampton Borough Council has defended its handling of the staggered payments to the club of the £10.25 million amid criticism from concerned fans.

At the supporters’ trust meeting on Monday, many questioned why the council carried on giving instalments even though the stadium development appeared to be stalling.

One member of the public asked: “How on earth could every further £1.5 million be drawn down by the football club to be given to 1st Land when there was no practical completion certificate? Who was responsible for that?”

The Chron put those questions to the borough council.

A spokesman responded: “The payment of the loan was by instalments, paid when certain trigger points were reached. This was set out in the loan agreement, which was closely monitored and the information we received from the football club each month was checked by our finance team and signed off at the most senior level. “One instalment was delayed to allow further checks to take place before we were satisfied that terms of the agreement were being met.

“All of our financial processes are reviewed and regularly audited by both internal and external auditors to ensure that checks and balances are in place and that we meet the highest standards of financial management.”

Here’s your guide to what’s on where around Northamptonshire over the next week

THURSDAY

MUSIC

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

Rock ‘n’ Roll Tea Dance at the Picturedrome, N’pton, 1pm. Free entry.

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

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

Open Mic Night. The Artizan, Artizan Road, Npton, NN1 4HR, 8pm

Dave Moorwood’s Rascals of Rhythm – Jazz at The Castle, Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA, 8pm. Box Office 01933 270007. Tickets £12.50/£10.50 (concs)

The BirdDogs. Wyevale Garden Centre (Christmas Launch), Harlestone Heath, Npton, 6-9pm.

Lincoln Knell Trio at The Stirrup Cup, Woodlands Avenue, Kettering

THEATRE

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 2.30pm/7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Sister Act, Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

The Lindisfarne Story, The Core at Corby Cube, 7.30pm. Box Office 01536 470470

Goldilocks presents by Guiding Light Christian Drama Group, United Reformed Church, London Road, Kettering, 7.15pm. Tickets available from 01536 483717/01536 391017. Donations will be made to RNID and Make A Wish Foundation.

Most Daunted Live – come and be spooked as we go in search of The Pendle Witches. St Albans Church Hall, Mayfield Road (off Broadmead Avenue), Npton, NN3 2RE, 7.30pm. Event to raise funds for MIND (Npton branch). Tickets £7. Box Office 01604 584668 or pay otd

OTHER

Charity Pub Quiz. The Malt House Shovel from 8pm. Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. Kettering Leisure Village (NN15 6PB), 7pm – 9pm All welcome. More info www.tangsoo.net

Towcester County Market in The Chantry House, Towcester. 8.30am to 12noon. All our items are genuinely baked, grown or crafted by local individuals and are “fairly traded”. We welcome browsers – our prices start at 50p

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

Quiz, Fox & Hounds PH, 186 Harborough Road, Npton, NN2 8DJ. 8.30pm. Cash prizes to be won. Special curry for £5. Call to reserve my table

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

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

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

Yoga at Stanwick Village Hall, 6.30pm to 8pm. Free trial session, no obligation. Call Patricia 01832 358329 or email Patriciazstarkey@aol.com

Whist Drive (every Thu), Boothville Community Ctr, Npton. 7.30pm. Tea & biscuits provided at half time. If you like a game of cards please come along. £3 otd.

LUNA FLIX Cinema are showing “An American Werewolf in London” (15). East Carlton Park, 7pm Advance booking only www.lunaflix.co.uk and “Minions” (U), 3.15pm.

WEA Discovery Walk - Grafton Underwood. Meet at Grafton Church, 2pm. 4.5 mile walk, no need to book. £1.50. More details 01780 782747.

Comedy at Walnut Tree, Blisworth, NN7 3DS, 8.30pm, featuring Addy vand der Borgh, Paul Ricketts & Support. £8 admission.

Pizza & Dough Balls for Primary School Children. Children’s Cookery Workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, NN12 8HE, 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Burton Latimer Shops & Shopkeepers Exhibition,10am to 1pm. Burton Latimer Heritage Museum, Civic Centre, High Street (opp Sainsbury’s)

Halloween Day held by Active Support Service Ltd, 7 Alexandra Street, Kettering, 10-3pm (& Oct 30). Call 01536 510545 for details.

Zombie Zone at Newlands Shopping Centre, Kettering. Anton Ghoul Juggling Shows, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm. Fancy Dress Parade – Witches, Warlocks, Ghouls & Ghosties Parade in Costume, 2.30pm. Gurn & Earn Activity, 11-3pm and Sticker Hunt, 11-3pm

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 at 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

Violinist Pauline Nobes talks to Fuir Musicali’s Director Penelope Rapson and together they perform baroque music. Sulgrave Manor, OX17 2SD, 4pm. Tickets £15 (inc cream tea afterwards). www.fiori-musicali.com or 0333 666 3366

3 The Hard Way Tour, in assoc with BME SRP, at The Guildhall, Npton. UK tour of poetry and performance. Workshop, 4.30-6.30pm & Show, 7-9pm. More info https://bhm-3thehardway-30oct2015.eventbrite.co.uk

MotownPhilly, the soul of two cities. Charles Bradlaugh, Npton, 8pm.

Rocky Horror Tribute Show, Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa. 7.30pm. To book call the Events Team 0845 400 1406.

Madchester and Brit Pop at The Phoenix Bar, Bridge Street, Npton, 9.30pm till late

Live Music. Malt + Bass, 37 High Street, Corby Old Village, NN17 1UU, 7pm.

Reinstat80’d at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Halloween Party Weekend, Queen of Hearts, Daventry. Live music, Brave the shave and slave auction . Raising funds for Daventry Helping Hands. On Oct 31, Promise Auction, charity raffle, adult fancy dress, Killer pool, DJ and much more.

THEATRE

Goldilocks presents by Guiding Light Christian Drama Group, United Reformed Church, London Road, Kettering, 7.15pm. Tickets available from 01536 483717/01536 391017. Donations will be made to RNID and Make A Wish Foundation.

Most Daunted Live. Come and be spooked as we go in search of The Pendle Witches. St Albans Church Hall, Mayfield Road (off Broadmead Avenue), Npton, NN3 2RE, 7.30pm. Event to raise funds for MIND (Npton branch). Tickets £7. Box Office 01604 584668 or pay otd

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Sister Act, Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Our Teachers A Troll, Underground, 11am/2pm. Box Office 01604 624811

One Man Breaking Bad, The Core at Corby Cube, 7.30pm. Box Office 01536 470470

OTHER

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

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

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

Free Dance Class. 12.30-1.30pm followed by From Swing to Rock (every Fri), 1.30-3.30pm (also free). James Lewis Courts, Cherry Orchard, NN3 2TH

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do at Ringstead Village Hall (NN14 4DA), 6.30pm – 7.30pm. New children & family class. Beginners welcome. More info www.tangsoo.net

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

Tai Chi (every Fri), Duston Village Hall, Sycamore Road. 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Beginners welcome. £4.

R-Zone Club recommences for young people aged 8-13 years at the Community Ctr, Olden Road, Rectory Farm, 5pm to 6pm. Contact Mel 07979 152746 for more details.

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

Gentle Yoga at Stanwick Village Hall, 2pm to 3.15pm. Free trial session, no obligation. Call Patricia 01832 358329 or email Patriciazstarkey@aol.com

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

Taster Session with Granovita at Hornett Wholefood, Wellingborough, 12noon-3pm. We will be talking about and offering tasting samples of some of our free from Pates, oils and soya drink.

Spooky Treats and Midnight Feasts (Primary) OR Moroccan Cookery for Teenagers. Country Living Workshops at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, NN12 8HE. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Northamptonshire Sport’s Fundraising Sports Quiz, Cripps Recreation Centre, NN1 5BD, 7.30-10.30pm. You are invited to enter teams of 4, entry cost £20 per team. Prizes for top 3 scorers. Proceeds go to Northamptonshire Federation of Disability Sport (NFDS). www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northamptonshire-sport-fundraising-sports-quiz-tickets-18844729092

SATURDAY

MUSIC

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

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

Live Music. Malt + Bass, 37 High Street, Corby Old Village, NN17 1UU, 7pm.

Little Pig (Classic Rock). Walnut Tree, Blisworth, NN7 3DS, 9pm. Free entry.

Oakham Beer Festival featuring Blues band Del Bromham & Stray, The Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Npton, NN1 1QF

Rik King. Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, Npton

Welcome to The Horrordrome, from 8pm. Do you dare enter? Live music from Whiteroom. The Picturedrome, Kettering Road, Npton. £5 entry.

Madame Electrifie’s Discotech presents The Hospital of Horrors, Charles Bradlaugh, Npton, 9pm

Jumpin’ brings you 2 rooms of Old & New Skool RnB, Hip Hop & Classic House, 10pm. Auntie Ruth’s, Npton. Free entry and half price drinks until 12am.

Children’s Halloween Charity Party. The Phoenix Bar, Bridge Street, Npton, 1-5pm. Raffle, Disco, Fun and Games. Free entry. Also, UK Garage from 9pm

Ballroom & Rock ‘n’ Roll Dancing. Holy Sepulchre Churchrooms, Npton, NN1 3LL, 8-11pm. £4 entry. Bring your own drinks. Contact 01604 499226

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

Krys. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Goldilocks presents by Guiding Light Christian Drama Group, United Reformed Church, London Road, Kettering, 2.15pm. Tickets available from 01536 483717/01536 391017. Donations will be made to RNID and Make A Wish Foundation.

Most Daunted Live – come and be spooked as we go in search of The Pendle Witches. St Albans Church Hall, Mayfield Road (off Broadmead Avenue), Npton, NN3 2RE, 7.30pm. Event to raise funds for MIND (Npton branch). Tickets £7. Box Office 01604 584668 or pay otd

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 2.30pm/7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Sister Act, Derngate Auditorium, 2.30pm/7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Royal, React, Respond, Royal Auditorium, 5.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

The King And The Corpse, Underground, 8pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Fundraiser Concert. King’s Sutton Parish Church, 7.45pm. Featuring music by Beethoven, Liszt & Schummann. Viv McLean – piano, with members of the Adderbury Ensemble. Tickets £15/£13 otd. In aid of SOS (Save our Spire) fund.

OTHER

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

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. Kingsley School (NN15 5DP), 10am to 11.15am Children & family class. All welcome. More info www.tangsoo.net

English and American Ballroom, Latin & Swing-Dance Lessons. St Albans Church, Broadmead Ave, N’pton, NN3 2RA, 2pm. Enquiries 01604 787246.

Saturday Stage Stars for 5-8 years. 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)

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (8.5 miles). Meet Beehive PH, Deanshanger, 10am. For info ring leader 07740 995707

RHTS Halloween Event (Diesel), Rushden Station, Station Approach, Rushden, NN10 0AW. Come and ride the Halloween Ghost Train. First train 4.30pm, last train 8pm. Fares apply. www.rhts.co.uk

“Exploring the Psychic and Spirit” - inspiring workshop with Donna Stewart for all levels of ability to discover methods of encouraging communication with other students and Spirit. Kettering Spiritualist Church, St Peters Avenue, 10am-4pm. Tea & coffee provided, bring your own lunch. www.ketteringspirit.org.uk

Young Black Achievers Awards, The Guildhall, Npton, NN1 1DE, 7-10.30pm. Supported by the University of Northampton. To mark the end of Black History Month. More info www.zimwomenassociation.org

Afternoon Walk with The Ramblers Association (4.75 miles). 1.30pm from Cranford St Andrew, outside the Old Forge Tea Room, Grafton Road, NN14 4JG. Ample on-street parking nearby. Optional visit to tea room after walk. Unsuitable for dogs.

Halloween Fantastic, interactive game show with audience, challenges, games and prizes. Featuring Stanwick’s professional entertainers Emma Kenderick & Tim Page from Broken Pipe Produtions. Stanwick Village Hall, 2-4pm. Tickets £5 in adv or £7 otd. www.brokenpipeproductions.com

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

Garage/Barn Sale, 1 East Grove, Rushden, NN10 0AP, 11am to 4pm. Lots of bargains inc modern, collectable, clothing, furniture etc. There is no parking on East Grove, please use town car parks. They are free!!

Ideas for Christmas – Sale of Christmas goodies in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Holcot Village Hall, Back Lane, 9.30am-1.30pm. Bargains galore. Refreshments available. Admission £2.

New Duston Townswomen’s Guild Charity Event, Duston United Reform Church, 10am to 12.30pm. In aid of PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy – a terminal degenerative brain disease). Tombola, cakes, white elephant, jewellery, books, treasure hunt and more.

Bonfire, Fireworks & Halloween Fancy Dress Competition, Home Farm Deene. Bonfire will be lit at 6pm, fireworks at 7pm. Adults £5, children £2. Refreshments available. All welcome. Call Simon 07946 769048 for details.

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

Halloween Costume Party, Brampton View Care Home, Chapel Brampton, NN6 8GH, 2.30pm-4.30pm. Prizes awarded for creative costumes, games, sweets and refreshments. All welcome to this family friendly event.

Abington Avenue URC Macmillan Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Vintage Retreat Halloween Event, Lower Harding Street, off Grafton Street, NN1 2JL. Luna Nightingale will be sing a Michael Jackson set – Thriller of course!, 2pm-3pm. Crystal Moons will be offering Tarot Readings, 11am-4pm.

International Coffee Morning, Christ Church Hall, Christchurch Road, Npton, 10am-12noon. Food from a variety of countries to sample. Various stalls. All welcome.

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

The Krupa Connection – Jazz at The Walnut Tree Inn, Station Road, Blisworth, NN7 3DS. 12-2.30pm. Admission £8

Accrington Stanley. The Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Npton, NN1 1QF, 8.45pm. Free entry

Just Keith. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

The Glenn Miller Story, Derngate Auditorium, 3pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

Morning Worship with Holy Communion. Whitefriars Junior School, Rushden, NN10 9HX, 10.15am

Badminton Club (16+) – Every Sunday. 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. The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 8pm. Teams of 4, £1pp admission. Cash prize.

Yoga Class, The Elgar Centre, 1A High Street, Upton, NN5 4EN, 10am to 11.15am (every Sun). Please bring yoga mat, water and blanket. £7, £5.50 concessions for students and those on a pension.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (7.5 miles). Meet Rushes Lane, nr the Green, Lubenham, LE16 9TW, 10am. For info ring leader 01536 205260

Higham Ferrers Footpath Group walk (6 miles) – Bozeat circular. Meet 9.30am Saffron Road car park, Higham Ferrers or 10am from A509 roundabout turn to Bozeat then 1st left

Full day Walk with Northampton Ramblers (7.1 miles). Meet 10am White Horse PH, Welton, Nr Daventry, NN11 2JP. A lovely walk via Grand Union Canal, Jurassic Way and Ashby St Ledgers, home of the Gunpowder Plot.

Handmade & Unplugged, Victoria Inn, 2 Poole Street, NN1 3EX, 1-5pm. Craft fair with music by local musicians.

Craft & Gift Fair, Eydon Village Hall, NN11 3PP, 10am-3.30pm. Great range of hand crafted gifts by local artists and crafters. Café serving light lunches and refreshments.

MONDAY

MUSIC

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

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

Paul Potts, Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

THEATRE

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

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

Movie Night. The Picturedrome, Npton, 8pm. This week’s film is “Jurassic World”. 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). Call 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.

Never done it before? Don’t worry instruction is given. More info www.northamptonmorrismen.co.uk

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

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3

MUSIC

Just Voices Community Choir meet (every Tues), 7pm to 8.30pm at Kingsthorpe Baptist Church, entrance from rear of Waitrose. New members very welcome. You don’t need to be able to read music, just enjoy singing. Details – Stuart Jenkins 01604 455682

Northampton Male Voice Choir (every Tues), 7.30pm at Kingsley Park Methodist Church Hall (opp St Matthews Church), visitors always welcome to come along and join us. For details www.nmvc.co.uk

Steve Hicks & Lynn Goulborn at The Old White Hart, Cotton End, Npton, NN4 8BS, doors open 8pm. Tickets £8 otd. More info www.greatknightfolkclub.co.uk

THEATRE

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Shakespeare Schools Festival, The Core at Corby Cube, 7pm. Box Office 01536 470470

OTHER

Yoga for Well-Being at Spencer Dallington Community Ctr, Npton (every Tue), 9.30am to 11.30am. Free yoga for the local community

Salsa Estrellas at The Picturedrome, Npton. An evening of pure dancing and fitness, from 7.15pm.

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 NN3 6NS. Tel 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 to see which group will suit your needs or call 0203 004 6770

Absolute Beginners Dance Class – Ballroom and Latin, Weston Favell CE Primary School, Westwood Way (off Wellingborough Road), Npton, NN3 3HH, 7-8pm. £7pp, singles welcome.

“Spotlight On Spain”, an interesting morning with Shirley Allen. Entertaining and friendly social event with tea & biscuits. NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton, 10.45am-12noon. More details 01604 858252

Gretton Village Hall Monthly Lunch, food available from 12.30pm, all for just £4 per serving. Proceeds go to the village hall improvement fund. All welcome. For more info call Liz Watt 01536 772328 or email lizwatt263@btinernet.com

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (3.5 miles). Meet nr Barton Seagrave Church, 10am. For info ring leader 01933 441270

Painted Volcanoes is a place where writers can meet, read out and discuss their latest work. We meet fortnightly upstairs at The Lamplighter, Overstone Road, Npton, 7.30pm. More info www.paintedvolcanoes.weebly.com

Craft Tutorial (every fortnight) at The Meeting Room, St Matthews Church, Kingsley, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Kit and and project for the craft that week will be covered by the small fee (£10), with a demo and support to make the kit during the session. Tea/coffee and homemade cake on tap! Crafts inc needle felting, wirework jewellery, card making and mosaic.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4

MUSIC

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

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

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

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

Legends Open Mic at 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. Gig & parking are free. Good food, lovely views and happy Jazz.

BirdDogs, Wednesday Country Music Scene, The Headland PH, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm. Free.

C Jam, Wednesday Blues Club at The Malt Shovel Tavern, Bridge Street, Npton, NN1 1QF, 8.45pm. Free entry

THEATRE

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Shakespeare Schools Festival, The Core at Corby Cube, 7pm. Box Office 01536 470470

OTHER

Craft Club – knitting, stitching and cardmaking (every Wed). Hazlewood Community Ctr, Gainsborough Road, Corby, 7pm to 9pm. New members welcome. Contact Kay on 07910 989410

Mums, Grannies, Childminders & Toddlers meet (every Wed) in the Church Hall, Edinburgh Road, NN2 6PH, 1.30pm to 3pm. Nursery Rhymes and play. Refreshments available.

Apollo Badminton Club, playing at Moulton School (every Wed), 7.30-9.30pm. Need new players, ideally with some experience. More info call Trevor 07425 171724

“Graffiti – 1985 Handbook”, an enjoyable chat led by Di Liebscher. Why not join us, have tea & biscuits and meet some very friendly people. NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton, 7.30pm. More details 01604 858252

The NAB Mobile Sight Centre, Brackley Town Centre, Piazza, outside Town Hall, 10am to 12.30pm AND Towcester, Waitrose car park, Park Lane, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Jewellery Making Club, Stanwick Village Hall, 10-11am. Introductory offer £2. Make a quality bracelet, all materials provided. To book a place contact Sherry_calvert@msn.com

Let’s Sew: Christmas Stockings - Country Living Workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, NN12 8HE. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (7.5 miles). Meet Royal Oak PH, Cogenhoe, 9.30am. For info ring leader 01604 891234

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5

MUSIC

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

Rock ‘n’ Roll Tea Dance at the Picturedrome, N’pton, 1pm. Free entry.

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

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

Acoustic Sessions, feature artists followed by open mic session at Walnut Tree, 21 Station Road, Blisworth, NN7 3DS, 8pm. Free entry.

Bluegrass Jam Session at Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Gaslight, Royal Auditorium, 2.30pm/7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Strictly Gilbert & Sullivan, The Studio, The Castle, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA, 7.45pm. Box Office 01933 270007

OTHER

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do at Kettering Leisure Village (NN15 6PB), 7pm – 9pm All welcome. More info www.tangsoo.net

Towcester County Market in The Chantry House, Towcester, 8.30am to 12noon. All our items are genuinely baked, grown or crafted by local individuals and are “fairly traded”. We welcome browsers – our prices start at 50p

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

Quiz, Fox & Hounds PH, 186 Harborough Road, Npton, NN2 8DJ, 8.30pm. Cash prizes to be won. Special curry for £5. Call to reserve my table

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

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

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

Yoga at Stanwick Village Hall, 6.30pm to 8pm. Free trial session, no obligation. Call Patricia 01832 358329 or email Patriciazstarkey@aol.com

Whist Drive (every Thu), Boothville Community Ctr, Npton, 7.30pm. Tea & biscuits provided at half time. If you like a game of cards please come along. £3 otd.

Felt Making - Country Living Workshop at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, NN12 8HE. www.btcworkshops.co.uk

“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, How I Wonder…”, Lecture by Dr Johanna Jarvis, The Open University. Sudborough Village Hall, Main Street, Kettering, NN14 3BX, 8pm. Visitors & Members welcome. £3pp inc tea & biscuits. More info call Steve Williams 01933 650331 or Peta Jellis 01933 356914 or email chilternastro@yahoo.co.uk or pej@petaj26.me.uk

Craft & Gift Fair, Towcester Town Hall, 86 Watling Street, NN12 6BS, 10am-3pm. Stalls £12, for details email coulterlyons@yahoo.co.uk or call 01536 675000.

Kettering Stamp & Philatelic Society meeting. Philatelic Auction where members have the opportunity to bid for stamps to add to their collections, many bargains to be had. Held at St Mary’s Primary School, Fuller Street, Kettering, 7.30pm.

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

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6

MUSIC

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

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

Live Music at Malt + Bass, 37 High Street, Corby Old Village, NN17 1UU, 7pm.

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

Disco at 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

Mod Story at Welcome Inn, Rushden, NN10 9QU, 9.15pm

ABBA Tribute Night, Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa, 7.30pm. To book call the Events Team 0845 400 1406.

THEATRE

Strictly Gilbert & Sullivan, The Studio, The Castle, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA, 7.45pm. Box Office 01933 270007

OTHER

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

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

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

Free Dance Class, 12.30-1.30pm followed by From Swing to Rock (every Fri), 1.30-3.30pm (also free). James Lewis Courts, Cherry Orchard, NN3 2TH

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do at Ringstead Village Hall (NN14 4DA), 6.30pm – 7.30pm. New children & family class. Beginners welcome. More info www.tangsoo.net

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

Tai Chi (every Fri), Duston Village Hall, Sycamore Road, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Beginners welcome. £4.

R-Zone Club recommences for young people aged 8-13 years at the Community Ctr, Olden Road, Rectory Farm, 5pm to 6pm. Contact Mel 07979 152746 for more details.

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

Gentle Yoga at Stanwick Village Hall, 2pm to 3.15pm. Free trial session, no obligation. Call Patricia 01832 358329 or email Patriciazstarkey@aol.com

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

Country Living Workshops at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, NN12 8HE. Choose from Curry Club – Chole Bhatura Banquet OR Artisan Bread Making. More info www.btcworkshops.co.uk

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7

MUSIC

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

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

Live Music at Malt + Bass, 37 High Street, Corby Old Village, NN17 1UU, 7pm.

Rhythm and Roots at Walnut Tree, 21 Station Road, Blisworth, NN7 3DS, 9pm. Free entry.

SOUL-ar ENERGY at The Wayfarers Inn, London Road, Kettering, 9pm. Modern Soul Music 70s – Today

Ex Harmony at Northampton WMC, Sheep Street, Npton

Rat Pack – Vegas Spectacular Show at The Deco, Npton. Box Office 01604 622749. www.thedeco.co.uk

THEATRE

Strictly Gilbert & Sullivan, The Studio, The Castle, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA, 7.45pm. Box Office 01933 270007

OTHER

Military Fitness Class for adults and children at Delapre Park, Northampton, 9.30am to 11am. For info www.bpt-uk.com

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do at Kingsley School (NN15 5DP), 10am to 11.15am Children & family class. All welcome. More info www.tangsoo.net

English and American Ballroom, Latin & Swing-Dance Lessons at St Albans Church, Broadmead Ave, N’pton, NN3 2RA, 2pm. Enquiries 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 at 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)

Parish Council Community Consultation, 10-2pm, Stanwick Village Hall (Lobby Area). Come and have your say on the policies being drafted for the neighbourhood plan. These policies will influence development in Stanwick for the next 15 years.

Country Living Workshops at Bay Tree Cottage, Maidford Road, Farthingstone, NN12 8HE. Choose from Fungi Foraging OR Mosaics. More info www.btcworkshops.co.uk

Autumn Market raising money for Dementia selling old postcards, bric-a-brac & more at Greens Norton Community Centre. Refreshments available.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk (7.5 miles). Meet nr the church in Harpole, 10am. For info ring leader 01604 810581

Race Night at Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton

RHTS Santa Specials, Rushden Station, Station Approach, Rushden, NN10 0AW (& Nov 8). Ticket office open 12-4pm. Or go to www.rhts.co.uk to book online.

Jumble Sale, Church Hall, Edinburgh Road, Npton, NN2 6PH, 10am

Food Festival, The Bee Hive, Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe, NN2 8LR, 10am-3pm. Local artisan makers join together to tantalise your taste buds for the Christmas season. Delicious products available to buy along with cooking demos from our Chef and invited guests. Fabulous Raffle prizes. Free entry. More info call 01604 714098/777820.

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

Morning Walk with Northampton Ramblers (6.5 miles). Meet 10am Post Office, Lavendon, MK46 4EX. A walk via Newton Blossomville.

Mammoth Grocery Sale, held by the Kettering branch of Save the Children, at Corn Market Hall, London Road, Kettering, 12-3pm. A wide range of groceries at bargain prices. Also refreshments, gifts, cards and bric-a-brac. All welcome. Free admission.

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

Table Top Sale, St Peter’s RC Church, Higham Road, Rushden, 11am-1pm. Tables £6, booked at 01933 313456. Event is in support of HCPT Group 832, which takes local sick/disabled people to the healing shrine at Lourdes in France.

Autumn Fayre, Sunley Court, ExtraCare Charitable Trust, Pipers Hill Road, Kettering, NN15 7RJ, 2.30-4.30pm. Refreshments, tombola, bric-a-brac, gifts. There will be a display of knitted items made by the residents inc Rasta Mouse, Fred Flinstone and Dino! All welcome. Entry 50p, children free.

Exhibition of Becky Mair’s work, The Rose Gallery, within Bells, Kingsthorpe Road, NN2 6LT, 12-3pm. Free entry. www.therosegallery.co.uk

Kettering AlterNativity, Toller Church, Gold Street, Kettering, 10am-2pm. Organised by Kettering Churches Together. Christmas gift fair where you can buy your family & friends a gift in their name to help the poor, hungry, sick and homeless both in Kettering and across the world. A dozen local charities are involved. Free entry. Refreshments available.

Peter Knight brings his folk rock trio Gigspanner to Kettering next Thursday.

Since his departure from folk-rock pioneers Steeleye Span at the end of 2013, the legendary fiddle player has turned his full attention to the group, establishing their reputation as one of the most innovative acts on the folk / roots scene.

Knight is joined in the band by guitarist Roger Flack and congas and djembe player Vincent Salfass.

The band’s latest album, Layers Of Ages, featured in the Telegraph’s Best Folk Albums of 2015 list.

Gigspanner play a carefully curated and skilfully narrated range of material that goes beyond the folk genre’s usual boundaries.

They play on Thursday, November 5. The Kettering venue is in St Andrews Church on the corner of Lindsay Street and Rockingham Road. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £14 in advance before fees. For more information visit www.wegottickets.com

The music and life of Whitney Houston is being celebrated at The Castle Theatre.

Whitney – Queen of the Night, will take fans on a journey through the life and music of one of greatest female singers of our time.

This show will include a stellar line-up with rising West End star Rebecca Freckleton delivering a powerhouse and breath-taking performance as Whitney.

Freckleton will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride through three decades of classic hits including I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, Saving All My Love and I will Always Love You.

Whitney Houston was one of the best-selling acts of all time, selling more than 170 million record worldwide.

She is the only artist to have seven consecutive number one Billboard Hot 100 hits.

Whitney - Queen of the Night is on Saturday, November 7.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £21 in advance.

To book, call 01933 270 007 or visit www.thecastle.org.uk

As Gary Numan fans descended on London’s O2 Forum last week to see the iconic musician play three classic albums across three nights, four men from Northampton were flying the flag for the county at the final show.

Tim Muddiman has been Numan’s guitarist since 2003.

On Friday night, his band Tim Muddiman and the Strange, opened proceedings in front of a sold out venue, with fans packed inside eager to see the guitarist’s latest project. Speaking ahead of both sets, Muddiman – also a member of Pop Will Eat Itself – said: “The shows with Gary have been amazing. We did these in LA a few weeks ago and the reaction was fantastic – but here, it’s been something else. The crowd is so loyal to Gary in England.

“I don’t take anything for granted, I’m really aware it’s such an honour to be playing them and I love every song. All are really different albums but signature Gary Numan.”

Over three nights, Numan played seminal LPs Replicas, The Pleasure Principle and Telekon followed by other hits.

Muddiman, a former guitar shop owner in Northampton, recruited drummer Adam Gammage, bassist Dan Battison and guitarist Sam Harvey for his band.

All three are musicians familiar to anyone who has followed the county’s music scene in recent years.

Gammage has previously played with Eliot Sumner, Rebecca Ferguson and The Hours, Battison with New Cassettes, Century City and OhBoy and Harvey with The Departure, Tommy Sparks and My Vitriol.

On supporting Numan, Muddiman said: “It’s stressful but brilliant. I’ve been lucky that being in Gary’s band has meant his fans have picked up on what I’ve been doing.

Since forming The Strange, Muddiman has released the singles Wildwood Stone and Rolling Stones – both industrial and electronic infused slices of alternative rock.

He is currently planning the band’s next move and in discussions with labels and live agents. On his hometown Muddiman admits he’s got strong feelings. “I think what the town lacks is a good visionary, entrepreneurial promoter”, he explains.

“There’s a lot people massively into music but not enough coming through the town anymore.

“People skip Northampton and it’s going to take an individual to change that. With the Soundhaus there was spirt.

“ButI think it adds a real energy and direction to musicians there, making sure they get out there and take opportunities that come to them which is what I’ve done.”

Visit www.timmuddimanandthestrange.com

Five new WI groups in Northamptonshire are going from strength to strength and appealing for new members.

wThe groups include Kettering Kosmos, West Haddon, Ashton Belles, Northampton Martinis and Kingsley and have formed this year.

The latest, Kettering Kosmos, was formed on October 15. A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire WI said: “It is very, very new. The bar was crowded and a committee of seven members volunteered, including a new president, secretary and treasurer.

“They are to meet on the second Thursday of the month at Aura, a cocktail bar in the centre of Kettering. Take a look at their Facebook page for up to the minute news.

“These new WIs , all formed in the last few months, reflect that the WI is for all women wherever, when and where they choose to meet.

“We have an assortment of meeting times and venues - a morning WI in Northampton, evening WIs which meet in church or village halls, and more evening WIs which have chosen to meet in either a bar or a pub in towns.

“Flowing through all these new WIs is the element of fun and friendship and we wish them well in the years to come. There are now 125 WIs in Northamptonshire with between 3,750 and 3,800 members,” she added.

To find your nearest WI go to the WI website www.thewi.org.uk/northamptonshire and put in your postcode or contact WI House 01604 646055 admin@ncfwi.org.uk

Businesses across the South East Midlands are being given the chance to help shape the content of future Velocity workshops.

The workshops, which have proven extremely popular since their launch last year and have regularly been fully booked several weeks in advance, will play a pivotal role in Velocity’s future business support programme.

To help shape their future content, and decide which topics we should focus on, Velocity is giving local businesses the opportunity to have their say on what they would like to see included with a new survey crowdsourcing opinions.

The online survey is quick and easy and takes just a few minutes to complete at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K6P8MNR.

Velocity Growth Hub covers Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury Vale, Cherwell and parts of Northamptonshire. Its qualified and experienced Business Advisers are available to help businesses in many ways, including one-to-one support and free business workshops.

To find out more about how Velocity could help your business, call 0300 01234 35, or visit www.VelocityGrowthHub.com

Five weirs over a kilometre stretch of the River Nene are being repaired by the Environment Agency so they continue to manage water levels and reduce flood risk.

The weirs, located near Lilford, help maintain water levels in the main channel of the Nene. They allow excess water to flow into other channels when levels are high, therefore reducing flood risk, and also keep water levels in the main channel suitable for boats to navigate.

Concrete patching will be carried out to repair erosion and ensure the weirs continue to operate the way they should for the next 10 to 20 years.

At the same time, the Environment Agency will also install a ‘pass’ in one of the weirs to make sure migrating fish and eels can move upstream to spawn. Completing this work simultaneously means it can be done less expensively.

Additionally, maintenance work will be carried out on Lilford sluice. The concrete bed of the sluice and the seal on the sluice gates will be repaired to ensure the gates close smoothly and don’t leak when closed.

The repairs are expected to be completed in the next four to five weeks.

It’s an example of the work that the Agency carries out along the 1,200 kilometres of river it’s responsible for in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

The work is part of the Environment Agency’s £1.8m asset repair programme which, over the next year, will repair approximately a hundred flood defence assets across both counties.

Guy Szomi, Environment Agency catchment engineer, said: “Flood defence assets can naturally deteriorate over time, sometimes due to erosion or damage.

“But we have a regular programme of inspection that allows us to regularly check our assets and schedule in the necessary maintenance. We prioritise all our maintenance work to make sure we’re providing benefit where it’s needed most.

“Repairing these weirs means they’ll continue to function the way they should, retaining water levels and reducing the risk of flooding, but nothing can ever completely reduce the risk of flooding so we encourage everyone to check their risk and sign up for free flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188.”

Chris Wilder takes his in-form Cobblers team to Newport County on Saturday looking for the win that may take them into the top three in Sky Bet League Two.

But the Town boss accepts the trip to Rodney Parade pales into insignificance when the bigger picture comes into sharp focus - the ‘survival of Northampton Town’.

“We want to win football matches, but the main event is that the club survives,” said Wilder.

“All we can do is control our part of it, which is us working extremely hard and making sure we give our 100 per cent best for the club, the shirt and the supporters, and that is what we have done.

“We have a tough game on Saturday, but everybody knows the bigger picture is the well-being and survival of the club.

“It has a proud history and tradition, it has been here a long time, and will hopefully be here a long time after I have gone, and after the players have gone, and that is the most important thing.”

Throughout the financial uncertainty that has engulfed the club since news first broke of a takeover in June, Wilder has been a rock steady hand at the helm. He has straight-batted difficult questions like Geoff Boycott in his prime, and made it clear his focus is on the football. Until now.

This week, with the news that he, the players and all the staff at Sixfields are unlikely to be paid their wages on time, Wilder for the first time openly admitted his concern and disappointment at the club’s predicament.

“I came to this football club not expecting what is going off at the moment,” said Wilder, who quit Oxford United to take over at the Cobblers in January, 2014.

“I left a decent job to come here, and so did all the players.

“These are my players because they are players that I have brought to the football club on the back of what we believed at the time was going to be a bright future.

“So to have this uncertainty now is disappointing for myself, and disappointing for the players.

“Hopefully we can come through this period as a football club and move forward.

“As I said, the main event isn’t really Saturday at Newport, it is what happens to this football club. Hopefully the right decision will be made by everybody else.

“I can only speak of what I know, and if we do get through this period then I am sure we will have a bright future ahead of 
us.”

Wilder also revealed that although he and the players have constantly stated that they have been ignoring off-field matters and ‘just getting on with it’, that hasn’t necessarily been the case behind the scenes as he praised their focus.

“The players are a committed group, and I am an honest manager,” said Wilder.

“I am not in anybody’s camp, apart from doing the right thing for the players.

“That is how I have worked, and the players deserve to know what is happening.

“I have kept them abreast of what is happening as much as I know, and they know that and deserve an unbelievable amount of praise for the way they have kept their focus.

“Yeah, they have been getting paid and not a lot has greatly changed the way they have been treated, but the uncertainty is there and they have to deal with it, as we all do.”

It’s not just the effort of the players that has impressed Wilder, it’s virtually everybody else connected with the club as well.

“I am delighted with how everybody involved or connected with the football club, from the staff to people who work in the offices, has reacted,” said the Cobblers boss.

“The supporters have conducted themselves in a magnificent way, and in a perverse way it has all brought the club closer together, on and off the pitch.

“It is a really difficult position, but these things happen at football clubs at this level, and it’s how you react.

“I think everybody has reacted in a tremendous way and we can hold our heads high and be proud of the way we have conducted ourselves.”

A theatre group in Northampton is marking the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt with a performance of William Shakespeare’s Henry V at Northampton’s Holy Sepulchre Church.

The performances by Cyphers, a company described as a “theatre group to watch” by the London Evening Standard, run until Saturday October 31.

A spokesperson for the group said 2015 had been a year of anniversaries.

“As the World War One centenary commemorations continue, we’ve already had the bi-centenary of the Battle of Waterloo and the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta.

“The latest historic event reaching a significant birthday is the Battle of Agincourt, which sees its 600th Anniversary on October 25.

“The Holy Sepulchre is no stranger to Shakespeare productions, as earlier this year it played host to a sell-out production of King John, co-produced by Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal & Derngate Theatres.

“Cyphers hope to emulate the success of this production as in just 90 minutes, their sixperson ensemble cast play out the events of 1415 amongst the Holy Sepulchre’s eight towering Norman pillars, around which King Henry himself may once have walked,” the spokesperson added.

Henry V tells the story of a climactic moment in the Hundred Years War and the formation of an English national hero. With his father dead and a weak king in France, Henry lays claim to the French throne and leads his army to one of the most unlikely victories in history at the Battle of Agincourt.

The spokesperson said: “Exactly 600 years after the events the play depicts, this production is an opportunity to question the nature of conflict, the responsibility for war and the formation of national identities.”

Cyphers was founded in 2013 by artistic director Marcus J. Bazley (who has adapted and directed this production and has worked previously with the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Barbican) and executive director Victoria Hamblen. They were joined in early 2015 by Northampton High School alumna Tessally Elford, who fulfils the role of director of operations and producer of Henry V alongside her career in social media advertising.

The company first performed Henry V in October 2014, where it acted as a mission statement for the style of theatre the company aimed to produce. In just a year, the company has produced two further productions - an original adaptation of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (which will be appearing on Wandsworth Radio as a serialised radio drama in early 2016) and a pair of Chekhov short plays.

The spokesperson added: “Incorporating story-telling techniques with a back-to-basics approach, the production team state that Cyphers’ mission is to empower audiences to use their imaginations so that every member has an experience that is, on some level, unique and personal to them.

“They aim to create a warm, inclusive and intimate environment where two groups of people (actors and audience) come together to experience a story,” he said.

This is a fast-paced and intimate adaptation of Shakespeare’s great history play. Performed by an ensemble cast of six actors in just 90 minutes, this production welcomes the audience into the world of the play, creating a show described as “a must watch” from “a strong and close-knit ensemble” by The Good Review and A Younger Theatre respectively.

Tickets and further information are available now at www.cyphers.org.uk

A female driver was slapped in the face by a pedestrian in Northampton after she sounded her horn at a group of people who were blocking a junction.

The woman was driving her blue Ford Ka from Kettering Road into Cowper Street, Northampton, sometime between 1.30pm and 2pm on Tuesday, October 27, when she noticed the junction was blocked by a group of pedestrians.

She sounded her horn to warn them, but one man leaned into her car through the open window and slapped the woman in the face.

He is described as black, in his mid-to-late 30s, about 6ft and muscular with a shaved head. He was wearing a light grey tracksuit.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything 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.

A hospitality manager at Aspers Casino in Northampton has never set foot on a ballroom dance floor before, but Kelly James has sequins running through her blood.

Her mother and grandfather are both keen ballroom dancers and Kelly, 31, is hoping she’s inherited their genes when she represents Aspers Casino in Strictly Northampton next month at Derngate.

Kelly is hospitality customer services manager of Aspers Casino, which is the sponsor of Strictly Northampton 2015. The contest will see 23 couples dance it out on the Derngate stage in front of a 1,300 audience, in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

“My grandad is 96 and he still goes dancing three times a week . . . well, I think it is more like shuffling,” said Kelly, of Kingsthorpe, Northampton. “He would love to come up from my home city of Bristol to watch me in Strictly Northampton, but I won’t know whether he will be able to make the journey until nearer the time.”

Kelly has been partnered with dancer Lee Barrett, who recently won Strictly Brackley, for the show and they are couple number 17.

“I think that’s a good time to go on,” she said. “It gives us time to get ready and get changed and suss out the competition!”

Each couple will be dancing an American smooth waltz, jive and then a group dance on stage on show night, Saturday, November 21.

“The group dances are themed around musicals and our group is dancing a tango to Chicago,” said Kelly. “We have just started working on that and rehearse after the normal Sunday afternoon rehearsals.”

The non-dancing contestants have each been given a £1,000 fundraising target to achieve, in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice, and Kelly has already raised more than £500 on her JustGiving page.

“I am really really enjoying taking part, more than I thought I would,” she said. “Everyone is getting on so well and is very friendly. I think the competition side hasn’t kicked in yet, but maybe it will soon.”

Aspers Casino is adding glitz and glamour to Strictly Northampton 2015, with the after-party taking place at its Commercial Street casino, with free bubbly, a buffet, as well as a DJ and dance floor.

As the headline sponsor, Aspers has made former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor’s visit possible, as he will be one of the judges of Strictly Northampton.

Speaking of the sponsorship, David Stratford, general manager of Aspers Casino, said: “Strictly Northampton is all about fun, thrills and entertainment; values that Aspers prides itself upon. 100 per cent of our sponsorship fee goes directly to Cynthia Spencer Hospice and we are proud to sponsor this event for the second year running.

“Cynthia Spencer Hospice has been one of our nominated charities for several years now and we are keen to support a charity close to our hearts.”

Strictly Northampton is at Derngate on Saturday, November 21. Tickets available from the box office on 01604 624811 or at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

An elderly couple were threatened with a knife during a terrifying burglary at a house in Northampton.

Three men with knives forced their way into the property in High Street, Weston Favell Village, Northampton, at about 11.15pm on Sunday, 18 October,

They carried out a search and stole items, before leaving. The victims were not seriously injured but were distressed by the incident.

A police spokesperson said: “We believe that someone out there will have information that could assist us in this investigation. We are appealing to them to do the right thing and contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously.

“This was a nasty burglary on two elderly victims and we really need to identify those responsible.”

Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are investigating an attack by a gang of more than six men who kicked and punched three men and a woman in a car park in Northampton.

The alleged assault on a group of people took place outside the Lumbertubs shops in Billing Brook Road, Northampton, sometime between 9pm and 9.40pm on Monday, October 26.

The victims were three men and one woman who got out of their car and were then approached by a group of six to 10 men, who allegedly kicked and punched them.

Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Burglars tried to break into a house in Barton Seagrave but fled empty handed.

The house in Chedington Close was targeted at about 5.30am on Monday, October 26.

A police spokesman said: “The offenders did not manage to get into the building and two men were seen running away from the property.”

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about the incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Toilet flushes are helping to power our homes following a multi-million pound investment from Anglian Water.

During the past year the Great Billing Water Recycling Centre at Northampton produced enough electricity to power 57,240 homes for a month – the equivalent of a town the size of Wellingborough for over two months.

The power is produced from the treatment of sewage sludge, a by-product of the water recycling process. The sludge is treated in specialised vessels, a process known as anaerobic digestion, to high temperatures to kill off harmful bacteria meaning what’s left behind can then be used as a soil conditioner in agriculture.

The process produces a biogas and this is channelled into massive engines and converted into heat and electricity. This is then used to power the site and export what’s left back to the grid.

Over the past 10 years Anglian Water has invested £230million to enhance the treatment process at nine of the region’s largest water recycling centres and enable them to produce renewable energy in this way.

Matt Pluke, energy manager for Anglian Water, said: “Part of our strategy is to reduce our carbon footprint.

“A key part of how we do this, is to maximise the amount of renewable energy we produce, it’s not only good for business but it’s great for the environment too.

“Using our region’s sewage to produce energy in this way is a great example of renewable energy. You can guarantee that we’re never going to run out and we can keep pushing forward to produce more energy each year.

“The results we’ve achieved to date are staggering, but we’re aiming even higher over the next five years.”

In the past year, across the whole Anglian Water region, some 88.6Gwh (Gigawatt hours) were produced. Not only would this be enough to send Marty McFly Back to the Future over 70 times, it is also the equivalent amount of power used by a city the size of Norwich for two months.

By 2020 the company plans to invest millions more and is aiming to produce even more renewable energy than it achieved last year.

Mr Pluke added: “By changing the way we manage these sites, with dedicated local teams of technicians looking after them, we’ve been able to achieve a threefold increase in the amount of energy we produce over the last five years.

“Projects like this and reducing our reliance on traditional energy sources is definitely something we believe a 21st century water company should be doing more of, it’s something our customers told us they want to see more of and it’s also helping to keep bills broadly flat over the next five years.”