A campaign group representing passengers wants to know what people in Northampton think of their bus service.
Bus Users UK will be in Market Place in the town centre on Wednesday November 4, from 10am to 3.30pm.
A spokesperson said: “Come along and have your say, this is an opportunity to tell the people who run your bus service what you think.”
The day is being run in conjunction with Stagecoach and Northamptonshire County Council.
A CCTV image of the moment a dog was stolen from outside a Rothwell shop has been released.
The female English springer spaniel, Bella, was {http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/missing-bella-stolen-outside-tesco-store-in-rothwell-1-7010079|taken from outside the Tesco Express store|} in Bridge Street at about 7.20pm on Saturday, October 10.
The dog had been tied to a tree while its owners went into the shop.
At that point, somebody untied the dog and walked off with it in the direction of Market Hill.
The dog is white with black ears, black markings on its body and spots on the left side of its muzzle.
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 health watchdog in Northamptonshire wants to know what people think of the East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Healthwatch Northamptonshire, the local consumer champion for health and social care, is asking for members of the public to share their views and experiences of the service provided by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), ahead of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which starts in mid-November 2015.
The CQC will not be holding any listening events prior to this inspection due to the large area EMAS covers. So it is really important for members of the public to let us know both good and bad experiences of using EMAS, so we can inform the inspectors of their experiences.
Rosie Newbigging, chief executive of Healthwatch Northamptonshire, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible who have experience of using EMAS.
“We welcome the CQC inspection and we hope that the inspection, of what is a vital emergency service for all of us when we are seriously ill or injured, will help EMAS to develop the best possible care for patients in Northamptonshire.
“Healthwatch Northamptonshire recognises the vital lifesaving work which EMAS does every day and we want to work with EMAS to ensure that that the patients receive the best possible care when they need it. All relevant information that we receive will be passed on to the CQC as part of their inspection programme.
“We want local people to make their voice count,” she added.
Contact Healthwatch Northamptonshire by calling 01604 893636; texting 07951 419331; emailing at enquiries@healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk; Facebooking www.facebook.com/healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk; or Tweeting @HwatchNorthants.
Alternatively, you can write to Sunley Conference Centre, Park Campus, Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL
Men and women without toes, with clawed hands and amputated legs are not the usual line-up for a Member of Parliament’s foreign visit.
But Northampton South MP David Mackintosh says he was determined to learn as much about the problems that people face at the lower end of society face as he was about the huge strides that Bangladesh has made infighting poverty and stemming the population explosion, during his visit.
The newly elected MP travelled to the country’s capital Dhaka with delegation of businessmen from the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh group.
“When you go to these places you usually meet important people,” he said. “But, if you want to see the real country it's important to get out and see some of the real issues people face.
“Understandably everyone wants you to see projects that show a positive image of a place, but it is equally necessary to find out what challenges people face and see the conditions they live in, in order to raise awareness and make a difference.”
Mr Mackintosh first visited President Abdul Hamid and government ministers at the Presidential Palace and then the Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban where the Sangshad or Parliament sit. There he learned about the huge strides the country has made in recent years.
Bangladesh has made leaps and bounds in development. For example, in 1972 the average number of children per household was seven. Today it stands at 2.2. And the average lifespan has rocketed from 56 in 1972 to around 70.
Mr Mackintosh’s next visit, despite security concerns in view of a recent shooting of an Italian national, was to a project supported by The Leprosy Mission England & Wales, on the outskirts of Dhaka, in Vasantec.
He also visited a self -help group at nearby Bashantek slums , where people who received early treatment and therefore escaped disability now look out for others with symptoms and bring them to the clinic for treatment.
In Vasantec he met Somola Akter, a 58-year-old widow, who used to live in Boroalgapa village with her son Azizul Haque, a rickshaw puller, and his family.
Soloma had dismissed the patch on her left arm as ‘nothing’ when it first appeared. When she developed an ulcer on her right foot Azizul took her to the hospital but doctors failed to diagnose leprosy. She subsequently lost three toes. A few months ago staff from Dhaka Leprosy Control Project saw her begging on the street. They spotted they recognised her symptoms and brought her to the Vasantec clinic where she is now receiving treatment.
Like most people who have not met someone with leprosy Mr Mackintosh did not know what to expect when he walked into the clinic where people, who had lost all of their toes, were sitting with their feet in buckets in order to clean and hydrate their feet.
He said: “I had been very nervous about my own reaction before I visited.
“I knew I wanted to shake hands to dispel the myth about catching it by touch, but I didn’t know how I would react when I saw the patients.
“But it was fine. My reaction was very human.
“All I saw was vulnerable people and the best of humanity – the selflessness of the people caring for them, the local doctors and people from the Leprosy Mission who work with them.”
Mr Mackintosh, formerly leader of Northampton Borough Council, said the Bangladesh-born UK businessmen were “really shocked” to learn that leprosy still existed.
“What was even more surprising to everyone was learning how easily it can be treated,” he said.
Leprosy is a mildly-infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae (a relative of the tuberculosis germ). It mainly occurs in communities where there is dirty water, bad nutrition and poor standards of living, leaving people's immune systems weak and unable to fight the disease
It has been curable with multidrug therapy (MDT) - a combination of rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone - since 1982. But if left untreated it can lead to lack of sensation in the hands and feet resulting in clawed hands, blindness, severe ulcers and even legs being amputated.
More than three million people worldwide live with disabilities as a result of late treatment of leprosy. The huge stigma attached to it means people often hide the symptoms until it is too late.
Mr Mackintosh said: “There is a lot of work being done to address the stigma surrounding leprosy but not enough. If people like me take the opportunity to highlight the issue we can make a difference.
“The challenges that medical staff face is not just getting the medicine to the people who have leprosy but also making sure they take it.
“Taking tablets is routine for us if we are ill. It's not the case for people who have a lot more to worry about such as where their next meal will come from.
“As a Member of Parliament we have a responsibility to find out about the world and the issues that people face both in the UK and around the world.
“I'm proud of our Government’s commitment to international aid. But with that comes the responsibility of how that money is spent.”
The UK was the first G7 country to enshrine in law its commitment t spend 0.7 percent of its gross national income on aid every year.
New Saints prop Paul Hill says working with Dorian West is ‘awesome’.
And he feels the forwards coach has already brought his game on significantly.
Hill, a Junior World Championship winner with England Under-20s in 2014, arrived at Saints from Yorkshire Carnegie during the summer.
And the tighthead prop has appeared in both Aviva Premiership games this season, impressing off the bench at Worcester and against Newcastle.
He was singled out for praise by Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder after the 42-16 win against the Falcons last Saturday.
And Hill has hailed the work West has done with him as he continues to adapt to life in England’s top division.
“It (working with West) has been awesome,” said the 19-year-old.
“He really knows his stuff, stuff I didn’t even think about.
“He’s bringing my scrummaging on loads, tweaking bits here and there, so it’s really good to work with him.
“He’s a great calibre of coach.”
Hill has been loving life at Franklin’s Gardens, where he is in a tighthead department that also contains the likes of England’s Kieran Brookes and Gareth Denman.
And he said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m enjoying the environment, coaching and lads around me. It’s going quite well.
“Being a prop is something you have to learn, but getting the game time early on has made me feel great about being at the club.
“Coming to the Premiership, the standard is really bumped up.
“I’ve got really good players around me and opposite me so it’s really driving standards for me.
“This is a big club, top of the Premiership and coming from the Championship this is a mash-up of the pace I’ve played at age-group stuff and the physicality of the Championship.”
Saints have got a busy November coming up, with key fixtures at home and in Europe.
And ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sale Sharks, Hill said: “Now the Premiership’s started, it’s just about getting out there and getting as many wins as we can.
“For me personally, it’s about getting as much game time as I can and making use of that on the pitch.
“It’s going to be a heavy amount of games building up to Christmas so it’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to it.”
Comedian Hal Cruttenden is a man of many contradictions, something he will be dealing with in his latest show.
He brings his new show Straight Outta Cruttenden to the Royal and Derngate on Wednesday November 11.
Hal said: “The show deals with some of the irritations of modern life. It is when you look on Facebook and there are people sharing pictures of their new haircut and it looks dreadful. And none of their friends tell them that it looks awful.
“As the show is called Straight Outta Cruttenden, I wanted to sound a bit more gangster,” he says laughing heavily. It won’t be the first or last time that either of us laugh throughout the chat.
Hal added: “I wanted to sound a bit tougher because I think everyone thinks that I have a round face and I am jolly and people won’t listen to what I have to say.
“However in a way it is my dream job. I go off on complete tangents and can talk about myself for an hour and a half and have the perfect medium to do it.
“Says the man who is writing a show complaining about people over sharing information,” he says again laughing.
For someone who comes across as angry about some of the irritations of modern life, he seems to enjoy life and he loves being on the road.
Hal said: “I think for most comedians, the most purest form is going on stage live with the audience. It is your material, your words and you are just entertaining an audience and there is no better feeling.”
He is a familiar face for his appearance on panel shows including Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week and the Great British Bake Off companion show An Extra Slice.
Hal said: “There are a lot of panel shows which I don’t particularly like doing. I won’t name them because I’d like to work.
“But Extra Slice is one of that I do like to do. It’s a lovely show Bake Off, it’s all about people becoming a perfectionist about the most minute of details. It’s very emotional and it’s all very British and set in a tent.
“I am currently working on a sitcom, which is pie in a sky if it gone on the air. But if I could do some touring with my own stuff, work on a sitcom and do episodes of Extra Slice for a year then that would be my idea of absolute heaven.
“Says the man complaining about modern life,” he adds with a chuckle.
Tickets for the show, starting at 7.45pm, cost from £18 and can be booked by calling the box office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk for more details.
Northampton bowler Jamie Walker claimed two points as England edged Scotland 6-5 in the Test match between the nations at the weekend.
Walker played three matches, losing his triples encounter, but then winning in the pairs and singles.
In the triples, Walker Jamie played in the centre with Mark Dawes leading and Greg Harlow at skip, and they were up against Scottish stars Paul Foster, Stewart Anderson, and Alex Marshall.
Walker and his team lost by the smallest of margins on a tie break, having won the first set 4-3 before losing the second 5-3.
The other Triple for England took a win to take a share of the points on offer for this discipline.
The six team members then played pairs, and Walker skipped his pairing with Mervyn King to victory against probably the best pairing of bowlers in the world in Foster and Marshall.
Once more the point was won on a tie break after Walker and King had won the first set 7-2 and lost the second 9-6.
England also won one of the other two pairs matches, losing the other, to take the section 2-1 and see them 3-2 ahead going into the singles.
On Sunday each team member played a singles match, and Walker played his namesake in Colin Walker. Again the match went to a tie break which Northampton’s Walker won 2-0, having won his first set 8-4 and lost the second 5-4
All in all, England won three and lost three singles, meaning they edged the match overall.
Youngster Lee falls short in national final
Northampton & District IBC youngster Jack Lee reached the final of the Junior section of the English Bowls Youth Development Scheme.
The national finals were held at Melton & District IBC, and first up Lee beat Isaac Jacob of Wiltshire 11-1.
He then took on Devon Cooper in the semi-final, and eased to an impressive 9-2 win.
Cooper had not been beaten up to this point, and she was in the running for the top honours of the day, but Lee played with great assurance for one so young, especially against an experienced quality young lady as Cooper is.
In the final, Lee struggled to repeat that semi-final performance, and lost 7-1 to Liam Harris from Suffolk.
Kingsthorpe too good for County Under-25s
Northants Under-25s slipped to a six-shot friendly defeat at Kingsthorpe, going down 111-105.
In a tight game, the U25s had just one winning rink, which was the one skipped by David Walker, which had a very impressive victory by 16 shots.
Rink details, Kingsthorpe skips only, as follows
Rink 1: Shannon Swift, Maisie Lee, Tom Wellburn & David Walker beat Brian Kaye 28-12
Rink 2: Jack Lee, Thomas Manderson, Kyle Buckley & Connor Cinato lost to Peter Morris 22-18
Rink 3: Megan Rolfe, Bruce Sibbett, Abby Woodward & Sam Gamble lost to Brenda Bishop 20-12
Rink 4: Harvey Johnson, Lois Woodward, Billie Swift & Danny Walker lost to Roger Caswell 20-17
Rink 5: Connor Dolby, Jack Frankham, Jack Botterill & Will Walker lost to Mick Sharpe 20-15
Rink 6: Mark Waterfield, Abbi Johnson-Young, Sammy Jarvis & Curtis Johnson lost to George Clifton 17-15
The County Under-25s also took on Wellingborough, and they enjoyed a huge victory, seeing off their hosts 119-58.
Every rink can take some credit for the overall win, but none more than the highest winning one which was skipped by Kyle Buckley, and which won by 29 shots.
Details as follows, Wellingborough skips only provided
Rink 1: Jack Frankham, Lois Woodward, Louise Haladij & Kyle Buckley 36 Janey Leggate 7
Rink 2: Chloe Weston, Josh Hughes, Sam Jarvis & Will Walker 20 Peter McDowell 11
Rink 3: Connor Dolby, Keira Hill, Billie Swift & Connor Cinato 21 Malcolm Chambers 8
Rink 4: Shannon Swift, Lucy Botterill, Abby Woodward & Danny Walker 19 John Towell 12
Rink 5: Megan Rolfe, Thomas Manderson, Alice Moore & David Walker 23 Peter Byworth 20
THE following players have been selected to represent Northants Women’s IBA in a Midland Counties match against Leicestershire on Saturday (Oct 31) at Leicester IBC (start 2pm).
Rink 1: Dorothy Diver, Desborough/Barbara Oliver, Daventry/Jan Hunt, Wellingborough/Audrey Height, Kettering Lodge
Rink 2: Julie Spreadbury, Daventry/Jean Burgess, Wellingborough/Vicki Rushall, Daventry/Brenda Bishop, Kingsthorpe
Rink 3: Joyce George, Wellingborough/Chris Cooper, Wellingborough/Jeannie Flippance, Desborough/Joyce Porter, Northampton & District
Rink 4: Linda Warren, Northampton & District/Denise Carlin, Desborough/Glenys Emery,Kingsthorpe/Sharon Tansley, Kingsthorpe
Rink 5: Celia Morris, Kingsthorpe/Pat Starsmore, Kettering Lodge/Di Brumwell, Kingsthorpe/Hilary Sharpe, Kingsthorpe
Rink 6: Lynn Upton, Brackley/Elaine Urquhart, Brackley/Barbara Haseldine, Rushden Town/Joan Watts, Daventry
Reserves: Rita Smith-Nolan, Kettering Lodge/Heather Lack, Kettering Lodge/Pat Symonds, Daventry/Joan Sidebottom, Northampton & District
THE following players have been selected to represent Northants IBA in the Inter County Over 60 competition against Norfolk IBA next Tuesday (Nov 3) at Cambridge Chesterton IBC (start 1pm).
Rink 1: Jim Diver, Desborough/Mick Richardson, Kingsthorpe, Bob Fuller, Wellingborough/John Haines, Desborough
Rink 2: Will Clelland, Desborough/Pete Morris, Kingsthorpe/John Leggett, Northampton & District/Roger Tansley, Kingsthorpe
Rink 3: Alan Baulch, Northampton & District/Bob Care, Kingsthorpe/Walt Winsor, Wellingborough/Alan Ramscar, Northampton & District
Rink 4: Pete Maloy, Kingsthorpe/David Bailey, Wellingborough/Tony Weston, Northampton & District/Mick Sharpe, Kingsthorpe
Rink 5: Roger Summers, Northampton & District/Bernard Spreadbury, Daventry/Colin Jones, Kingsthorpe/Jim McKee, Kingsthorpe
Rink 6: Tony Dicks, Daventry/Norman Gibb, Desborough/George Warren, Desborough/Mick Worthington, Daventry
Reserves: Pete Mellor, Desborough/Terry Britten, Northampton & District/Colin Barnes, Northampton & District/Malcolm Mattinson, Rushden
Towcestrians were made to work hard by struggling Reading before easing to a 21-8 victory to stay top of the league.
Reading had only won one of their first five league games, but they started brightly at Greens Norton Road.
They pinned Tows back and applied the early pressure, only for home winger James Hale, on his first start for the first team, to pick off a Reading pass and run three quarters of the pitch to score.
Ben Young converted and Tows led 7-0.
Reading quickly replied with a penalty before Tows started to find their rhythm.
They were rewarded with three penalties from Young to stretch their lead to 16-3.
In an error-strewn game in very poor conditions, chances were created but Tows were unable to finish them.
The second half continued in the same fashion, with errors from both sides as the weather and pitch worsened.
Reading managed to make a period of pressure count and crossed for a try before Tows finally got the ball down the line to Alex Chalcraft to run in to make the final score 21-8.
Tows head coach Robbie George said: “Reading came to play and are certainly a much better side than their results suggest. I am sure they will upset a few people this season.
“We looked rusty and am sure we will improve next week on this performance.”
Towcestrians IIs got back to winning ways, returning from Wellingborough with a 50-5 league victory
Tows IIIs saw off Market Harborough 66 -7, and Towcester Colts got their first win of the season, 50-5 against St Neots
Old Northamptonians 7 Scunthorpe 8
A LATE penalty condemned Old Northamptonians to defeat against Scunthorpe on a wet and windy day at Billing Road.
The ONs kicked off playing up the Billing Road slope with the diagonal wind at the shoulders of the opposition.
ONs’ possession just inside the Scunthorpe half gave Tim Cardall the chance to burst forward, the ball was recycled but a ‘choke tackle’, a tactic successfully employed by the visitors several times during the afternoon, relieved the pressure.
An attacking kick from Scunthorpe took them to within five metres of the ONs line and despite the home side winning the ensuing lineout and Francois Wiese taking play 15 metres up field,a penalty to Scunthorpe was put into touch and James Dyson emerged from the pile of bodies as the try scorer after a driving maul.
The six previous meetings between the teams had seen honours even with three wins each and an average of nearly 50 points per game, but once the heavens opened any thoughts of this kind of scoring quickly disappeared.
Initially both teams continued to try to play expansive rugby, but with the rain hammering down and the wind howling this became impossible. The score remained 5-0 at the break.
A clever kick from Lewis Barker shortly after the resumption took the ONs to 20 metres from the visitors line.
The Scunthorpe throw in was not straight, Drew Hudson picked up from the resulting scrum, Cardall was in support and after several forward drives a long pass found Alex Crofts and he powered over close to the posts.
Tom Goodman converted to give the ONs a 7-5 lead.
Scunthorpe pressed to respond, and full-back Steve Johnson pulled his kick wide from 40 metres after a scrum infringement.
But he was successful minutes later to retake the lead and it remained at 8-7.
Roade and Royals both held their nerve to win penalty shoot-outs and progress to the third round of the NFA Sunday Trophy.
Both teams drew their matches 3-3, with Roade being tied with Dallington Heath despite goals from James Lawton, Den Popley and Ben Carter. That meant the match went to spot-kicks, and Roade won it 4-3.
Royals were also 4-3 shoot-out winners after they had drawn with Deers Leap.
On target for the Posties were Jim Lovell, Dan Nolan and Joe Church, with Lee Thomas (2) and Sam French levelling things up.
Billing United are out after they lost 4-2 at Irthlingborough, with Liam Fox and Shane Atkins on target.
In the NTFA Goodliffe Cup, Kingsthorpe Wanderers were convincing 6-2 winners at AFC Trinity with Fabian Brown soring twice. Also on target were Jon Shakespeare, Jimmy May, Ashley Stewart and Dan Quigley.
James Dean, Andy Seaton and Pierre Coleman notched the goals as Golden Horse won 3-1 at Bat & Wickets, while Crown & Cushion were 4-2 winners in a penalty shoot-out after drawing 0-0 with St Margaret’s.
Ryan Ansell rattled in a hat-trick as Standens Barn opened up a five-point gap at the top of the premier division with a 5-1 win over AFC Dee. Also on target were Perry Moore and Eddie Stewart.
Dean Lukeman scored all four as Dynamo edged to a 4-2 win over Spartak.
Thorplands Club 81 went on a goal spree in division two as they hammered Old Grammarians 11-0. Leading the way were Nathan Garofalo and Sean Ranft, who both scored hat-tricks, while Luke Kentish scored twice and there was one apiece for Chief Boateng and Maurice Hogg.
AFC Pioneers also enjoyed themselves in a 7-3 win at Billing United Reserves. There were doubles for Joe Collier, Thomas Antwell and Chris Hales, with a single for Tom Davies. Billing’s scorers were Shaun Toomey (2) and James Evans.
The other game in the section saw MDS Rangers (Damian Kieran 2, James Cole) draw 3-3 with Fox & Hounds (Lewis Griffin, David Lugg, David Dunham).
Deers Leap Reserves dropped points for the first time this season as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Spartak Reserves. Dare Maja netted two and Josh Healey one for Leap, with Ashley Moreton (2) and Lewis Curtis on the mark for Spartak.
Second-placed Welland Valley took advantage as they beat AFC Hackleton Reserves 7-3 thanks to a hat-trick from Joe Lucy and one apiece for Andy Lambert, Ricky Richards, Lewis Collins and an own goal. Hackleton replied through Stewart Bellamy, Phil Boyes and Joe Mackin.
Elsewhere, Monks Park (Neil Clifford, Adam White, Ally West, Ian Garrett) drew 4-4 with Royals Reserves, Northampton Hotspur (Mike Thornley 2, Sean Bird 2) beat Thorplands Club 81 Reserves (Ryan Edison) 4-1 and White Elephant (Dan Thompson, Dan Haubensci, Leighton Crogg, Jason Delibasic) beat Far Cotton Loco Reserves 4-3.
Six-man Northants Thunder went down 103-87 at Brunel University London Ducks in the National League Division Three North Conference.
The lack of players proved crucial as Thunder tired towards the end of the match.
Johnny Yates scored 20 points, Jacob Holt 17, Benji Henry 16 and Glodi Bomolo and Adam Thomas 15 apiece.
Junior Men’s East Midlands Development League
Northants Thunder 102 Nottingham Hoods 82
Despite playing with just six players the Northants junior men secured their third win of the season.
Thunder scoring was led by Ollie Thomas with 46 points. Good support came from Jacob Killeya (16) and David Nieva (11).
Cadet Men’s National Cup
Sporting Club Albion 79 Northants Thunder 62
THUNDER are out of the cup after they slumped to defeat at Sporting Club Albion.
Shekina Ntumba top scored for Thunder with 17 points, while Chris Amankonah added 15.
Under 16 Girls Premier Division North
Northants Lightning 57 Barrow Thorns 52
GOING into the final quarter Lightning were trailing 46-38, but they turned it round to claim a stunning win.
Led by a 10-point haul from Holly Winterburn, they outscored their opponents 15-3 in the final quarter to win a match they looked certain to lose.
Winterburn scored 30 points for Lightning, while Tia Dunrad-Allen scored 10.
Under 14 Boys Midlands Development League
Northants Thunder 73 Notts Nova 66
In a game that saw the lead changing hands almost by the second, Thunder managed to come out on top against a determined Notts Nova team.
It wasn’t until a 10-3 charge in the final quarter that Thunder pulled clear.
Jude Carmichael had another outstanding game ,scoring 31 points, Jonathan Ntumba had four blocks to go with his 16 points, while Ashley Kitchen scored 10 points and ‘dished out’ five assists.
Under 14 Girls East Midland Conference
Northants Lightning 54 County Upper Wolves 58
WITH just six minutes remaining, Lightning led 51-44 and looked to be heading for a second win in a row.
But over the next six minutes Lightning could manage just three more points while Wolves scored 14 to record an unlikely win.
Lightning scoring was led by Onwumechili and Dina Kosnikovska with 13 points each while Chloe Amena added 12.
THE Northants Basketball Club’s Under 14 girls are the Northampton ‘team of the year’
The Northampton Leisure Trust Sports Awards were held at the Guildhall and last season’s Lightning Under 14 girls team picked up the award for ‘team of the year.’
The girls won the Midlands South-West Conference and went on to reach the National Final Fours losing in the final to Haringey Angels.
As winners of their category the Northants girls will now go forward to the Northamptonshire Awards ceremony.
THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION
Friday, October 30
Hoopsterz Central Venue League versus Kettering Phoenix
Saturday, October 31
No Junior Ballers session and no home games at the Basketball Centre
Senior Men travel to Barking Abbey Crusaders
Junior Men travel to Leicester Dynamite
Under 16 Girls travel to NEBC Titans
Under 15 Boys compete in the Hoopsterz Central Venue League
Sunday, November 1
Under 14 Girls travel to Southend Swifts
Sami Adarak scored twice and John Deehan a single as Parkland Phoenix edged out Nene FC 3-2 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the NFA Sunday Trophy.
Nene’s consolations came from Dan Gatland and an own goal.
Dallington Heath pushed Combination side Roade all the way to penalties, before going out 4-3 on spot kicks.
Thematch had ended 3-3, with Heath’s scorers being Sam Roach (2) and Luke Holden.
It was a bad day at the office for Conference teams in the NTFA Goodliffe Cup.
AFC Trinity scored twice through Shadrach Smith, but were beaten 6-2 by Wanderers, while Bat & Wickets lost 3-1 to Golden Horse, despite a strike from Matt Brown.
Crown & Cushion pushed St Margaret’s all the way,drawing 0-0 before going out on penalties.
Norteles went top of division one as they saw off Pitsford Rangers 7-5 in a thriller. Rangers netted through Chris Andrews, Scott Richardson, Ashley Greaves and Joe Merrill (2).
In division two there are still three undefeated teams.
Second-placed Abington FC were 5-0 winners against AFC Obelisk thanks to strikes from Calvin Budd, Derran Dooley, Andre Liburd (2) and Ashley Simpson.
Leaders AFC Crown stay top after they saw off Albany Athletic 3-1. Richard Prendiville netted for Albany, but Crown won it thanks to Matt Garratt, Jamie Lane and Russell Aitken.
The other unbeaten side are third-placed AFC Thorpe who squeezed past Swan & Helmet Castillia 3-2.
On target for Thorpe were Danny Hillery (2) and Matthew Phillips.
Real Roochers scored their first win of the season as they battled past Ashby Athletic 2-0, Scott Ramsey netting both.
Sixfields Rangers hammered Spring Park 6-0 with Adam Greatrix, Daniel Hollis, Daniel Kirkton, Connor Leason, Iain Parker and Murray White the marksmen.
West Haddon Albion beat Oakley Diamonds as Liam Fullard and Curtis Lindemann found the net.
The top of the table clash in division three was between Dallington Falcons and Kingsley Park WMC.
Park came out on top 3-0 and move within one point of leaders Falcons thanks to goals from Joe Sames (2) and Danny Harman.
Hartwell Forest and Bat & Wickets Reserves played out a seven goal thriller, with Bat winning it 4-3.
Goals for the pub side came from Kevin Ward, Tom Anscomb and Ash Jackson (2), with Forest hitting back through Jo Sames (2) and Marc Thorp.
Abington Stanley were 5-4 winners against Pitsford Rangers Reserves.
Abington’s scorers were Mo Sonnie, Ben Brakes, Russell Petts (2) and an own goal. Pitsford replied through Kyle Bryant and Jordan May, who both scored twice.
Northampton Sapphires are up to third after beating Football Club RS15 8-0.
Sapphires ‘goals were scored by Glenn Hammons, Jovian Cardouza, Kyle Osborne (2), Joe Riordan (2) and Ben Merriman (2).
Roade and Heyford secured shock wins over UCL Division One opposition in the NFA Junior Cup.
Roade were 2-1 winners over Bugbrooke thanks to goals from Darren Inns and Jordan Millman-Grant, while Heyford needed spot-kicks to see off Burton Park Wanderers.
The match ended 2-2, with Heyford’s goals coming from Fraser Bennett and Jordan Casey, and the Combination side then held their nerve to win the shoot-out 4-2.
Elsewhere, Earls Barton lost 6-1 to Weldon United while Harpole hammered Peterborough Parkway Eagles 8-1. Harpole’s scorers were Nik Maund (3), Dave Barrick, Alex Holmes, Dean Mills, Andrew Passmore and Dan Surridge.
Milton put up a spirited performance against UCL side Long Buckby before losing 2-1, their goal scored by Simon Howard.
In Duston Garage Division One, Wootton St George were beaten 5-2 by leaders Corby Pegasus despite goals from Ellis Stockport and Scott Walden.
Bottom-markers Weedon put up a good fight against fourth-placed Spratton, but were beaten 4-2. Weedon’s goals were scored by Curtis Lindeman with Spratton winning it thanks to Ben Eldred, Mathew Pheely and Andy Wimpress (2).
Shaun Daly hit a hat-trick and Lewis Marriott one as Bugbrooke A won 4-3 at Corby Locomotives in Duston Garage Division Two.
Jon Byrne and Aaron Crampton (2) were the men on the mark as Spartak beat Higham Town 3-1, while Desborough & Rothwell United beat James King Blisworth Reserves 4-1, the consolation coming from Todd Jenner.
There was an eight-goal thriller as Roade Reserves drew 4-4 with Kettering Park Rovers. Roade’s scorers were Johnathan Tapp, Ali Foote and George Wingrove (2).
Will Cantrell and Rich Mosdell netted for Kislingbury in their 2-1 win over Wellingborough Aztecs, while Moulton Reserves went down 4-2 to Weldon United Reserves.
Woodford Wolves claimed their third straight win as they saw off West Haddon Albion thanks to a Charlie Pyle double.
In Duston Garage Division Three, JLB FC suffered a 5-2 defeat to Finedon Falcons despite efforts from Ben Gerner and Adam Pickersgill, while Grange Park Rangers buried Corby Strip Mills 8-1.
Harry Barnes led the way with a hat-trick, there were doubles for Steven Blackwood and Sam Lavelle, with a single for Jordan Jasmin.
Leaders Mereway stay top as strikes from Sam Cooper and Tom Murfitt (2) saw them to a 3-0 win over Wollaston Victoria Reserves.
Bugbrooke B moved into second spot in Duston Garage Division Four with an 8-1 win over Medbourne Reserves, Jonathan McNeillie scoring four, Harpole Reserves lost 3-1 to AFC Shamrock Reserves and Drayton Grange Reserves thumped Corby United Reserves 7-0, Michael Fielding hitting a hat-trick.
Alasdair Duncan hit a treble as Brixworth Reserves thrashed Stanion United Reserves 9-2.
In Duston Garage Division Five, Daventry Rangers saw off Spratton Reserves 6-0 with Nathan Butler and Dylan Jones both scoring twice, while Heyford Reserves beat Finedon Falcons Reserves 5-2 with a hat-trick coming from Ben Shelswell.
West Haddon Reserves lost 4-1 to FC Fotogold and Wo0tton Rhinos beat Higham Town Reserves 3-2 with Jonathan West netting a double.
Police and fire officers are stepping up their activities over Halloween and Bonfire Night.
As part of Operation Pumpkin, there will be increased policing in different areas across the county to cover Halloween and Bonfire Night, to help deal with any anti-social behaviour and to support some of the public fireworks events.
Between November 2 and 8, from 5pm until midnight, there will be fire and police vehicle patrols in a number of regions in order to provide a joint response to any illegal fires that take place.
Police and fire crews have also been visiting youth clubs and schools to talk about anti-social behaviour and the potential hazards associated with Bonfire Night.
Kettering fire crews will also be providing fire safety advice during a daytime event on Halloween (October 31) at The Green Patch community garden in Kettering.
Rushden fire crews have also been visiting local retailers which sell fireworks, to give advice and provide safety leaflets, to be handed out when fireworks are purchased.
Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue will be among the partners taking part in a ‘day of action’ at the skate park in New Street, Daventry, between midday and 4pm, where they will be giving safety information and advice to tie in with Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Fire Service Group Manager Rob Porter said: “It has been important for us to provide a comprehensive level of advice and support to the public to help support the festivities taking place over the coming week, and to pass on vital safety advice.
“We would urge the public to take extra care on Halloween and Bonfire Night, by making sure costumes are flame resistant, by keeping children away from fires, flames and lanterns, and by taking note of firework legislation and safety advice regarding their use.
At Halloween:
Children should refrain from knocking on doors where a ‘no trick or treat’ sign has been posted.
Children should always go trick or treating with an adult.
Trick or treating routes should be planned beforehand, to only include houses where the residents are known.
Trick or treat groups should remain in areas that are well lit with streetlights.
Trick or treat visitors should not talk to strangers in the street and should not enter any house they visit, but should remain on the doorstep.
Although Halloween is supposed to be spooky, anyone taking part in a trick or treat should be careful not to frighten people.
All Halloween costumes, whether home-made or purchased, should be kept away from candles or other naked flames.
Avoid creating home-made lanterns using candles, hollowed pumpkins, plastic bottles or other containers as these can be hazardous.
There is always the risk of a candle setting light to other materials such as costumes, furniture or curtains.
Make sure any Halloween costumes worn are marked as flame resistant.
Do not use flammable materials to make home-made costumes.
Any candles used in the home should be extinguished completely at night and kept away from children.
Make sure children do not go trick or treating equipped with eggs and flour.
On Bonfire Night:
Fireworks cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 18.
Anyone who lets fireworks off between 11pm and 7am is breaking the law, except on Bonfire Night when the time is extended to midnight.
Pets can be easily frightened by fireworks so they should be kept indoors on Bonfire Night.
Don’t drink alcohol when setting off fireworks.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on each firework. Read them by torchlight – never a naked flame.
Light fireworks at arm’s length, using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick.
Never go back to a firework once lit – it may go off in your face.
Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
Keep a bucket of water handy.
Used fireworks should be collected after the display with care. Douse them with water, dispose of them properly in a metal container.
Wear a protective hat, gloves and eye protection, such as goggles.
Sparklers are often viewed as a less harmful firework, but experts say that they can get six times as hot as a pan of cooking oil.
They burn fiercely and are not suitable for children under the age of five.
If your clothing catches fire ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’.
Players and staff at Northampton Town Football Club have not been paid today as feared after the club’s bank account was frozen last month.
Earlier this week it was revealed that Cobblers owed the HMRC £166,000 in unpaid taxes.
As a result, the taxman has lodged a petition to wind up the club at the High Court in London on November 16. In the interim, the club’s accounts have been frozen.
Fears players and back-room staff would not receive their pay packet this month were aired at Monday night’s public meeting at the Guildhall by chief executive James Whiting.
This morning, a spokesman for the club confirmed that no one had received their wages today, which is the usual payday.
Be said: “Players are prepared for the game at Newport County as normal tomorrow.
“Obviously these are difficult circumstances or everyone, but we all remain committed and determined to stick together.”
The spokesman said all the players selected for the game against Newport were “on the bus” to Rodney Parade today.
At this stage, it is not known when Cobblers staff and players are likely to be paid.
On Tuesday, Cobblers skipper Marc Richards said: “These are difficult times, but we will all stick together, we appreciate being told face to face, and we will help each other through.
“Clearly we are all hoping for confirmed news on the takeover as soon as possible but as players that is beyond our control.
“We will prepare for the Newport County game, and our full focus and commitment will be on that, this news doesn’t change that.”
A Mercedes car was seized by police in Northampton town centre last night after the driver was found to have no insurance.
Special Constables Feakin and Farrow pulled over the car in Wellingborough Road, near the Spread Eagle pub on Thursday night.
Special Inspector Anthony Rawson tweeted: “Uninsured drivers push up everyone’s premiums.”
A woman who attempted to get out of paying a speeding fine by casting doubt on the accuracy of the mobile camera in a Northamptonshire village has been left with a court bill of £2,400.
Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard that Sabrina McClumpha had been driving a Renault car on the A5199 in Thornby on November 10, 2014, when it was detected at 39mph in a 30mph zone by a mobile speed camera.
The 25-year-old, from Leicester, admitted to being the driver of the car, but her father Ian McClumpha, a retired police officer, began writing numerous letters to Northamptonshire Police on her behalf challenging the offence.
The court heard he made claims that the camera was inaccurate, the site was unsuitable, the signage was obscured and that the camera had not been operated properly.
Northamptonshire Police contacted Road Safety Support (RSS) for assistance with the case.
As RSS members, the force was entitled to expert advice from RSS’s legal team, which includes Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, Andrew Perry, one of the UK’s most experienced road traffic prosecutors.
Steve Langdon, RSS’s Legal Manager, provided an expert report on the case and, using road markings, was also able to confirm the vehicle’s speed as 39mph.
Steve visited the site and carried out a series of checks confirming that the speed limit was lawful.
He also gave evidence confirming the device had been set up and used correctly, the site used was suitable and the signage was in order.
When questioned by Andrew Perry, prosecuting, Miss McClumpha’s father, who gave evidence on her behalf, claimed that his daughter was speeding but the detection had not been ‘fair’ and the site not suitable due operator error.
McClumpha was convicted of speeding after a trial at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on October 28. She was fined £180 and must pay a £20 victim surcharge as well as costs totalling £2,200. She also received three penalty points on her licence.
A Northampton landmark that honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice has been awarded Grade I listing to recognise its importance locally and to the nation.
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport upgraded the status of the Northampton Cenotaph to become a Grade One Listed monument on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. The announcement is being made ahead of the town coming together at the Cenotaph in Wood Hill to mark Remembrance Day.
The Cenotaph was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens who was appointed by the Imperial War Graves Commission (now Commonwealth War Graves Commission) as just one of three architects to mark the end of World War One. Lutyens’ Cenotaphs can be found around the world as people come together to mark Remembrance.
Northampton’s Cenotaph is in illustrious company with Lutyens’ designs in Whitehall, Manchester, Glasgow, Delhi, Johannesburg, Toronto, Hong Kong and Auckland to name but a few. Each monument connected by with the same inscription “Their Name Liveth For Evermore”.
Last year Northampton Borough Council brought in a team of specialists to repaint the Cenotaph as the nation marked the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. And the area is recognised as being of significant architectural and historical importance with a large number of Listed buildings revealing some of the best of Northampton’s heritage.
Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning said: “Our Cenotaph is not simply a monument, it is a part of life in our town. It represents a lasting tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. And at the same time as Her Majesty lays a wreath at the Cenotaph at Whitehall, people in Northampton also stand in silence by another Lutyens designed war memorial.
“Every year people come into the town centre to gather at the Cenotaph and pay their respects. It seems a simple gesture, but it is an opportunity for the community to come together and share something while they think about those who served or are serving in our armed services. And I know that this year will be no different as everyone wears their Poppy with pride.
“So I am pleased to see that our war memorial is being recognised as being nationally important, and the timing could not be more fitting as our thoughts turn to supporting the Royal British Legion.”
With expansion plans afoot Northampton’s oldest opticians at the top of Abington Street shows no signs of slowing up after celebrating its centenary yesterday.
Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Penelope Flavell, was among those attending the celebrations at Sheinman’s Opticians last night as the eyecare and eyewear specialist marks its 100th year.
Guests were greeted with a catwalk display of spectacle styles from each decade throughout past century, which has seen the business grow from a small house practice - to one of the largest opticians in the UK.
Owner John Sheinman, who took over in 1964, said: “I’m very proud to be celebrating this milestone.
“Throughout its 100 years, it has proudly remained at the forefront of ophthalmic research.
“It’s always been about presenting all our patients with the latest technology and long may that continue.”
The opticians on Abington Street began life in 1915 as the practice of one of the founders of modern optometry, and part secret agent, Albert Edward Turville OBE.
The practice began in the sitting room of 108 Abington Street, which was a mainly residential area at the time.
Mr Turville went on to an extraordinary career, revolutionising the equipment used to examine the eye and awarded with honorary degrees around the globe.
In the 1930s Mr Turville, whose imposing portrait still hangs at the opticians on Abington Street, had developed a worldwide reputation, which at one point even led him to be feted by the Nazi party in Germany.
In 1938 he delivered a speech to 9,000 people in Berlin from a lectern draped in swastikas. However, leading a double life as a spy, Mr Turville was also gathering intelligence for the British Secret Service during this time.
But in the early 1960s Mr Turville found an eager young understudy,the recently qualified John Sheinman, who began working in Northampton by commuting from his home in London.
By 1964 a 23-year-old Mr Sheinman took over the practice.
“We found each other easily,” Mr Sheinman said. “We had the same ideals, the same philosophy.
“We both believed we were here to preserve people’s eyesight and improve it and to keep looking for ways of doing it better. Like him, I was never satisfied.”
Mr Sheinman has since carried on in the same vein of innovation and gradually expanded the practice to the extensive space we see today. In 1986 he expanded into a neighbouring former health store and then, ten years later, he expanded into a 135ft long carpet warehouse.
“I thought I must have been absolutely mad,” he said. “It was already one of the biggest practices in he country.”
Now Mr Sheinman, a grandfather of six, with a love of jazz add athletics is planning to extend the premises even more into the former residential garden area to the rear.
At the age of 75, he said: “There is as much ambition and excitement within me as there has ever been.
“I don’t think I will ever retire.”
Now Sheinman opticians finds itself with more than 40,000 customers on its database and can boast the most of the most advanced “wide-field” retinal scanner in the world.
The opticians also boasts an impressive record for retaining staff - with 18 of its past and present workers having ben employed there for 20 years or more.
“Although the testing and treatment of eyes is now extremely hi-tech and computerised,” Mr Sheinman said. “Many of the principles invented or developed by Mr Turville are still incorporated in the electronic equipment of today.”
In the month that encompasses Bonfire Night, there promises to be plenty of fireworks for Saints.
That is because the fixture list has thrown up some potentially combustible battles, domestically and in Europe, as Jim Mallinder’s men bid to light the fuse on their season.
With last Saturday’s 42-16 success against Newcastle Falcons at stadium:mk sparking them into life, Saints know they will have to show an abundance of skill and substance to navigate the next few weeks.
After Sunday’s ever-tricky trip to Sale, Northampton will play at Franklin’s Gardens for the first time in this campaign, christening the new Barwell Stand with a game against Saracens.
Then there are back-to-back Champions Cup clashes, at home to Scarlets and away to Glasgow Warriors, before November concludes with a Friday night fixture against Gloucester at the Gardens.
It is a massive month for Mallinder’s men, and Christian Day, who grabbed two tries in last weekend’s win against the Falcons, knows just how important it is.
“Sale away, we’ve struggled recently so we need to try to rectify a few wrongs there,” said the experienced lock, starting to assess what lies ahead.
“Saracens at home, opening the new Barwell Stand, and we know how tough Saracens can be.
“Then we’ve got two European Cup games so it’s a huge month and no doubt the squad will be used to its fullest to make sure we’re going into Europe in good condition.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Sunday’s game at the AJ Bell Stadium will be made even more difficult by the presence of former Saints prop Brian Mujati, who has joined Sale after exiting Racing 92.
And the Bulawayo-born tighthead will be looking to help the Sharks continue their good recent home record against Northampton, who have not won there in the Aviva Premiership since November, 2012.
“I still keep in touch with Brian and I get a message off him now and again,” Day said.
“He’s a funny guy, a quirky guy and a nice guy so it’s good to see him back in the league.”
Day will just be hoping that it’s a happier reunion for him than for Mujati.
Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole insists confident Cobblers are keeping their feet firmly on the ground ahead of Saturday’s trip to lowly Newport County.
Northampton travel to south Wales sitting pretty in fourth place in Sky Bet League Two, level on points with third-placed Oxford United, and just a point adrift of second-placed Portsmouth.
Chris Wilder’s men have lost just one of their past nine league games, and have enjoyed their best start to a season for 25 years.
Despite the off-field problems hanging over the club, performance levels and confidence are very high on the pitch, but O’Toole insists there is no chance of the players getting too big for their boots.
“We should go into the game on Saturday with confidence, but not over confident,” said O’Toole.
“It is going to be a really tough game. It is one I am sure we can win, but we won’t be taking it too easy or anything like that, and it is one we are looking forward to.
“We are in decent form, and are doing well, but it is no good doing well for five or six games, we have to kick on now.
“We have got ourselves into a good position, and we now need to carry that on and get even further up the table and stay there.
“It is good to have an air of confidence about the team, but you can’t be too confident or show signs of getting ahead of yourself.
“If we take games like this too lightly then we will soon be slipping down the league.”
Newport are currently third bottom in league two and haven’t won at home since March, but they have won their past two games on the road and are showing signs of a genuine recovery under new manager John Sheridan.
They were impressive 4-1 winners at Bristol Rovers last weekend, and O’Toole is anticipating a difficult afternoon at Rodney Parade.
“I wouldn’t be saying this game is a banker by any means, and we just have to get on with our job and stay professional and get the win,” said the Town man.
“I have been to Newport a few times and it is not a particularly nice place to go, and have never really had a good time of it there.
“It will be a tough game but we have a lot to play for.”
The Cobblers go into the game on the back of two wins of their own, having come from a goal down to beat both Carlisle United and Stevenage at Sixfields.
They were games in which Town showed admirable fighting spirit as well as quality, and O’Toole admits they were both games the Cobblers may not have won in the previous campaign.
“That is something that might not have happened last season, where we weren’t as good at coming back from a goal down in games,” he said.
“But it is something we have improved on, and we definitely have the players and spirit to do it, but ideally you don’t want to have to go a goal down.
“We are always looking to improve, and that is one of the departments we could do with improving on, not conceding so many goals.
“But it is good to be able to come from behind and get points on the board.”