A football club has objected to plans to redevelop the former home of Rushden and Diamonds Football Club.

Conalgen Enterprises SA submitted two applications for redevelopment of the Nene Park site in Irthlingborough at the end of last year.

They want to demolish the existing football stadium and build a new retail and leisure development including a foodstore, shops, eight-screen cinema, hotel, restaurants and a new community football facility.

They have also applied for permission to create car parking spaces in conjunction with the new development by redeveloping the five-a-side pitch in Diamond Way.

But AFC Rushden & Diamonds has formally objected to the plans, which will be considered by East Northants Council, and have released a statement on the club website.

The statement raises numerous concerns about the plans, including the loss of a large football stadium, another full size pitch and a five-a-side pitch.

It says the area is already lacking in sports facilities and these plans would only compound that further.

Part of the statement reads: “As previously mentioned, the local area is already severely lacking in sporting facilities.

“For example, when answering East Northants District Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy survey, a representative of the club detailed amongst their responses that we currently have 21 teams who would actively prefer to play their home matches within East Northants but cannot due to a lack of local playing facilities.

“Having reviewed the documentation accompanying the aforementioned outline planning application, we feel that granting planning permission for the proposed development would be of further detriment to this situation rather than helping to address it.

“Considering the above, we trust that you will recommend to your committee that this outline planning application should be refused.”

The application for outline planning permission will be considered by East Northants Council.

A number of other objections have been lodged against the plans.

One states: “The current AFC Rushden & Diamonds is in need of sporting facilities in the local area having been displaced from Nene Park and is having to ground share in Wellingborough.

“It has now established itself as a much used and needed not-for-profit community club which will serve the growing local population well with its 34 teams which include disability, youth and walking football teams.

“Other local sports clubs, schools and community groups could benefit from a more appropriate provision of sporting facilities on this site which would have a much lower impact on the environment.

“The proposed number of new houses being planned for Irthlingborough, Higham Ferrers, Rushden and Wellingborough highlight the need for more sports facilities in the local area to cater for the growing population and to demolish a large sporting facility to make way for yet more retail development seems ridiculous.”

To see the plans search for 15/02198/OUT on the planning section of www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk.

To read the club statement in full, go to http://www.afcdiamonds.com/club-submission-regarding-nene-park-plans

More than 40 driving offences were uncovered as part of a one-day road safety operation in Corby.

Motorists suspected of having broken laws related to the fatal four offences of speeding, drink driving, misuse of mobile phones while driving and not using seatbelts were targeted as part of ongoing work to reduce crashes across the county.

As part of Saturday’s focused campaign by Northamptonshire Police which took place at various locations across the town, 12 people were found to have committed seatbelt offences, six drivers were found using their mobile phones at the wheel and three drivers were warned about their speed.

Other offences were also uncovered, including driving without insurance and having vehicle defects.

A total of 10 drivers had their vehicles seized at the scene, including six for having no tax.

Pc David Lee, a safer roads officer within the joint Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Safer Roads Team, said: “When we spoke to some drivers about certain offences, on some occasions we also came across other offences.

“One example was a woman who we found had failed to wear her seatbelt.

“When we stopped the vehicle, she also admitted to being disqualified from driving.

“She also didn’t have insurance.

“She had previously been prosecuted for speeding and had been caught twice with no insurance.

“We dealt with her case at the roadside and her vehicle was seized.

“Another driver was detected by the ANPR cameras for having no tax, but it also transpired that he had no insurance and no valid MOT.

“His vehicle was also seized.

“We often find that motorists willing to commit one traffic offence, will also have committed other ones too.

“These focused operations, which we carry out regularly around the county, are often effective in demonstrating that we take motoring offences very seriously and we will track down offenders to keep the public as safe as possible.”

Penalties for fatal four driving offences include:

- Failure to wear a seat belt: an online education course, £100 fixed penalty notice or the option to go to court

- Driving while using a mobile phone: attend a driver education course in person, pay a £100 fine and have three points on licence, or to attend court

- Drink driving: arrested and taken into custody. If found to be over the limit, driver would be charged and sent to court. Driver could expect to face points on licence, a fine and/ or a disqualification from driving

- Speeding: attend a driver education course in person or pay a £100 fine and have three points on licence, or to attend court

Police investigating the death of a Rothwell man who died after his car burst into flames on the M11 in Cambridgeshire have ruled out terrorism as a cause.

Foyzul Islam, 43, is believed to be the driver of the Mercedes E200 which became engulfed in fire shortly after 8am on Wednesday, January 13.

Cambridgeshire Police are yet to discover the cause of the incident, but ended rumours of terrorism after originally saying they “were not ruling anything out”.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Investigators have ruled out terrorism from their line of inquiries.

“The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

“This is an incredibly complex investigation that is being conducted with what was left of the car at the scene.”

The victim has not yet been formally identified but the victim, who police believe to be Mr Islam, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family have been informed.

Bomb disposal teams were called to the incident on the southbound carriageway close to junction 12 as a precaution.

Cabaret and naughtiness for adults combine for The Burlesque Show coming to Royal & Derngate next week.

Following its success in previous years the show returns with a new triumphant medley of tricks, titillation and tease.

The uproarious revue of razor-wit, contemporary cabaret and frisky burlesque features the daring antics of scantily clad showgirls, the sultriest of sirens and the edgiest comic-cabaret masters.

Audiences can expect high camp comedy, risqué rapport and theatrical danger from artistes including International Queen of Burlesque Immodesty Blaize, burlesque trampoline artist Glorian Gray, comedic circus performer Sophie Cain, aerial and physical performance artist Alexandra Hofgartner, juggler extraordinaire Rod Laver, “plus size” strip tease artist Oriana and cabaret clown Kiki Lovechild.

The Burlesque Show can be seen from 7.45pm on Friday, January 22, and Saturday, January 23. For tickets, costing £22, call the box office on 01604 624811 or alternatively visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

Young musicians from across the county will take to stages at the Roadmender on Saturday for the semi-finals of The Factory.

The annual event, formerly known as The y Factor, provides a platform for emergent talent in Northamptonshire.

Project manager Yoshe Watson said: “having been involved with The Factory as a performer, I’ve experienced first-hand the fantastic opportunities it provides for young musicians.

“It’s a great environment to develop as a musician within.

“I am particularly blown away by the level of talent in the applications and can’t wait to see it all come together on stage.”

Acts will play on three stages, with winners chosen by a panel of judges who will go through to the finals in April.

Performers will include Perfect Circles, Victoria Rose, y Fi, Harry Mockett, Over the Influence, Henry Dymott, Leo Robinson, Robyn Wilson, James Pitman, Sam Stopps, Amy Claire Addison, Lake Acacia, The Acolytes, Lucy B, Jess Conopo, Moments and Memories, Sway, 1st Alert, Glasslight

and Freddie Taylor.

Project director Jo Burns Russell said: “The Factoryhas been an amazing incubator for some incredible local musicians who have gone

on to great things. It’s alwaysincredible to see how much amazing talent there is within the younger generations ofNorthamptonshire.”

Doors open at 7pm. For more details visit https://goo.gl/GKglfs

Emergency support is being provided to rough sleepers in Northampton as temperatures drop below freezing.

Northampton Borough Council is supporting Northampton Association for the Accommodation of the Single Homeless (NAASH) and the Hope Centre in protecting vulnerable people and keeping them safe during spells of severe weather.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) project was activated last week. It is a partnership agreement between Northampton Borough Council, NAASH and the Hope Centre to provide a warm place for rough sleepers to spend the night when the temperature falls below freezing (zero degrees) for three consecutive nights.

SWEP is expected to run through to the evening of Wednesday, January 20, into Thursday morning. On Thursday night 21 people used the service, 15 on Friday night, 14 on Saturday night, 12 on Sunday night, and 15 on Monday night.

People who are sleeping rough should attend Oasis House during the daytime for an assessment. Shelter will be provided in the Hope Centre at Oasis House between 10pm at night and 7am the next morning, including bedding and food to support them through the cold weather.

When the weather improves, help will continue to be provided to those people to find homes or other assistance they need.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Working with our partners we will be offering rough sleepers a chance to get the help they need. When temperatures are set to drop below freezing we will be making sure that everyone has the chance to keep warm, eat a good meal and stay safe at night. It is also an opportunity for us to show what support is available and how we can help people to get back on their feet.”

Anyone who knows or sees anyone who could benefit from the SWEP project, please contact NAASH on 0845 206 8646.

Milton Keynes Dons boss Karl Robinson has admitted neither penalty awarded to his team in their 3-0 FA Cup third round win over the Cobblers on Tuesday night should have been given by referee Tony Harringotn.

Robinson felt his team were deserved winners to set up a fourth-round date with Premier League champions Chelsea, but he accepted that Dons ‘rode their luck’ with the penalty decisions, the first of which came early in the second half with the score still at 0-0.

The Dons manager accepted that the first spot-kick awarded for a foul by Zander Diamond on Dean Bowditch was outside the penalty area, and that the second, awarded for a supposed foul by Adam Smith on Rob Hall ‘was a wonderful save by the keeper’.

But Robinson did feel that Harrington got the decision correct to disallow a Cobblers goal with the score at 0-0 for a foul on goalkeeper David Martin, who carried a Nicky Adams corner into his own goal under pressure from Sam Hoskins.

“I think David Martin got pushed,” said Robinson. “So once he has got the ball in his hand, and there is any contact, the referee is always going to give a free-kick.

“It was a brave one to give, especially in front of the 7,000 Northampton fans, but he gave it and I thought that was the right decision, but we rode our luck with the penalties, I didn’t think either one was.

“The first one was a foul, but it was outside. There is a first contact outside the box, and then there is a second contact which was borderline penalty area, so we have got lucky there.

“The third goal wasn’t a penalty at all, the keeper has made a wonderful save, and that’s not nice for Northampton, but we have got the benefit of the doubt for once.

“It is nice for me to say that rather than me moaning about referees.

“When I come out and moan after games about different elements of our game, and penalty decisions, I have to be equally straight when they go for us and they were wrong, and we rode our luck with those penalty decisions.”

Robinson was pleased with his team’s performance though, and said: “I thought our play was good.

“I thought our ball speed and our retention was good, we didn’t panic, and we didn’t give Northampton any chances either.

“I thought for the first 65 minutes we were excellent, David (Martin) hasn’t really had a save to make, and we showed that we are a really good side.”

Two men who attacked another man during a house party in Northampton have both been given curfew orders.

Timothy O’Shaughnessy, aged 23, and Sean Steel, aged 25, attended a party in St James, Northampton, on Boxing Day in 2014.

Northampton Crown Court heard the two men were in a group who were the “worse for wear” and behaving in a “rowdy fashion”.

Jenna Allen, prosecuting, said, at 5.30am, O’Shaughnessy pushed the victim off a sofa and punched him repeatedly.

The court heard Steel then headbutted the victim in the eye, causing a large cut as well as opening up a previous wound.

Both men pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

His Honour Judge Timothy Smith, sentencing, said it was a display of “disgraceful, loutish behaviour”.

Judge Smith sentenced Steel, of Merthyr Road, Northampton, to a 12-month community order, including 180 hours unpaid work. He was also given a six-week curfew from 9pm to 5am. He must also pay £350 compensation to the victim.

O’Shaughnessy, of Long Buckby, was also given a 12-month community order, including a four-week curfew from 9pm to 6am. He must also complete 160 hours unpaid work and pay £350 compensation.

A town MP has objected to a proposed 110 home development in the north of Northampton over fears it will heap even more traffic misery on the already strained A508.

Gladman Developments Limited wants to build the houses and a 200 sq metre supermarket on land off Holly Lodge Drive in Boughton.

The developers say 35 per cent of the properties will be affordable housing and the plan also promises informal public open space and a children’s play area.

However Gladman’s consultation exercise revealed Boughton Parish Council, nearby residents and Northampton North MP Michael Ellis had strong reservations against the scheme.

Mr Ellis said that the build would eventually lead to around 220 extra cars using the A508 through Kingsthorpe.

“This is a stretch of road already at breaking point,” he said. “With queues on the A508 at rush hour stretching all the way back to Brixworth village.

“An extra 220 cars coming through this junction could add a substantial amount of time to existing commuters.”

The pressure facing the A508 corridor through Northampton has been well documented in recent weeks.

A separate development on nearby Buckton Fields will add 1,000 homes to the busy stretch.

Recent temporary traffic lights placed on the A508 to service that development created lengthy tailbacks through last week and added more than an hour on to some drivers’ morning commute.

Also last week, it was revealed a potential solution to the A508 traffic misery, in the form of a north-west bypass and orbital road for Northampton, would not begin until 2018 at the earliest. That would only be if funding could be found.

On top of that a further 3,000 homes are likely to be built north of Northampton town centre in the next decade as part of the Kings Heath Sustainable Urban Extension and the current University of Northampton campus on Boughton Green Road is to become a housing estate once the university vacates the site.

But in response Gladman’s own traffic impact assessment claims the homes and supermarket will have “no material impact on the operational performance of the highway network.”

A planning statement submitted with the application says: “The application will also support improvements, which can be undertaken within the transport network that, cost effectively, limit any significant impacts from the development. This would likely be through a financial contribution via a section 106 agreement with the County Council.”

The plan will be decided by planning officers at Daventry District Council, rather than Northampton Borough Council, due to the way the authority borders are drawn.

A charity is urging people to walk in support of breast cancer care in the county at the 14th Crazy Hats walk.

The annual walk returns to Wicksteed Park in Kettering at 10.30am on Sunday, March 20.

Last year’s event raised £55,000 for the Wellingborough-based charity and helped it reach the £2 million raised in total since it started in 2002.

But while Crazy Hats is to continue raising money for breast cancer care at Kettering and Northampton general hospitals, money raised by this year’s event will be going towards a new project.

Charity founder Glennis Hooper said: “The money from this year’s walk has to go towards us finding new premises.

“Support is a big part of the charity now because of the number of people coming through the doors with breast cancer.

“We have noticed a rise in the number of people being diagnosed.

“It’s about the personal side of it because to come through that door and say you have got breast cancer is a big deal.

“Sometimes women have come straight from the hospital and need to speak to someone, but there is no privacy at our offices - it breaks my heart, they deserve better.

“In the long-run, we want to be doing the coffee and chat sessions two or three times a week and maybe an evening and a Saturday morning as well because a lot of ladies now work through their treatment.

“At the moment we can’t do more than one day a week.

“Having looked at what other counties do for breast cancer support, it’s about time that Northamptonshire had something quite special.

“We are saving, but we are appealing to landowners, developers and any companies that have any influence to help.

“Everybody wants it to happen.”

Glennis, who started the charity after being diagnosed with breast cancer herself, says they are seeing that people need more help than hospitals can give and said: “We want to create a facility for the people of Northamptonshire for breast cancer support that we have never seen but is so desperately needed.”

The Crazy Hats dream is to have a centre in Northamptonshire with an open-door policy where patients can pop in for advice, to chat or just have somewhere quiet to go.

It would be open to patients as well as partners and children.

They want it to be easily accessible with a big kitchen where everyone can sit round together, quiet rooms, therapy rooms, a craft room as another form of therapy and space for storage.

Glennis said: “We want everything under one roof.

“We want to create something like a Crazy Hats haven, a facility that will be massively used and lots of women and men will benefit from it.

“It’s exciting and personally it is my dream.”

Glennis said new premises would also allow them to apply for different grants which could help secure the charity’s future.

And she hopes the walk will help make the dream a reality.

Glennis said: “If your life has been affected by breast cancer, we are asking you to give up just one morning a year to think about yourself or a loved one going through it.

“When we did walk number one, we were one of the only sponsored walks in the county and we are here to stay.

“To think we are on number 14 is a credit to the public for supporting us and coming back year after year.

“But we want more people to come and join us.”

The five-mile walk can be completed over five laps of the short route or three laps of the longer riverside route.

Glennis said: “The snake of people going round the lake at Wicksteed is a brilliant sight and that really shows what we are about.

“When I am on the stage and looking down just before the countdown with thousands of eyes on you, it is quite something.”

Marilyn Clapham, the charity’s treasurer, said: “It’s a family friendly affair and everyone is there for a reason.

“It’s a lovely event with good facilities and the feel good factor.”

Entries have already started coming in for this year’s walk, with forms available from the charity’s office on the Finedon Road industrial estate in Wellingborough or via its new website at www.crazyhatsbreastcancerappeal.co.uk.

For more details call 01933 442999 or email crazyhats@btconnect.com.

A Northampton woman who repeatedly stole money from elderly people in the town after inventing ‘sob stories’ about needing money for her children has been jailed for two years.

Natalie Tidd, aged 32, of Duston, was given an anti-social behaviour order in March 2014 banning her from asking anyone for money in a public place.

But Northampton Crown Court heard Tidd knocked on the door of an 88-year-old man in Northampton in September last year and asked him for money.

Jenna Allen, prosecuting, said Tidd told the man, who she had never met, that she needed money to pay for a train ticket to London to visit her son who was in hospital.

The man gave her £30 but she later came back to his house and said she would have to stay in London so needed another £30.

The next day Tidd went back to the man’s house and claimed her purse had been stolen on the train and was given a another £20 by the man.

Later that day she went back again to the address and told the man she was very upset because she did not have enough money for gas and electricity and her children were cold.

Mrs Allen said the man was reluctant to give her money but handed her £20 and said he had “no more money” to give her.

Later the same month, Tidd knocked on the door of an 86-year-old woman and asked if she could borrow some money from her.

The woman gave her £20 and also gave her some food for her children.

As she was handing over the money, the woman’s neighbour saw what was happening and asked Tidd to give her the cash the next day so she knew the elderly woman would get her money back.

However, Tidd did not pay the money back and went round to the elderly woman’s house again and asked for money. She was given a further £12.

After the victim informed her daughter what had happened, Tidd was arrested and found to be in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in June last year for breaching her asbo.

His Honour Judge Timothy Smith said Tidd was a “persistent offender” who made up “deceitful sob stories” and had not learned from her convictions.

Tidd who pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud and breaching her asbo, was sentenced to two years in prison. She will also serve an extra month for breaching her suspended sentence.

A Northampton songwriter has penned a heartfelt tribute to “national treasure” David Bowie - after being requested to by a national artists’ organisation.

Dave Vegas scooped the Rising Star 2016’ award from the Songwriters’ Guild, at an award ceremony on January 10.

Only hours later news broke that pop legend David Bowie has died of cancer, aged 69.

It led the guild to ask Northampton man Mr Vegas whether he would consider writing a tribute to the legend.

The recently crowned rising star duly obliged and wrote The Man who came from Mars within three hours during a sitting at Blow the Roof Records’ Market Square offices in Northampton.

Mr Vegas said: “In my eyes there was only one fitting way to pay my respects to one of the greatest songwriters that ever lived.

“David Bowie is much more than a musical legend and fashion icon, he was a national treasure.”

Mr Vegas, who is frontman of the band Jagged Little Thrills, was first spotted in Northampton by Dan York, the CEO of Blow the Roof Records.

Mr York said: “The day he wrote the tribute in our offices on Market Square, he truly showed his creative abilities in front of a room full of people in amazement and proved how he can still perform to a very high standard under time constraints.”

Since David Bowie, who was an ambassador to the songwriter’s guild himself, passed away, his albums and songs have climbed the charts on iTunes and Amazon.

Record label Rough Trade announced that all profits from sales of David Bowie records will go to Cancer Research UK in honour of the star.

Jim Mallinder has backed Dylan Hartley to keep getting better after the hooker returned from injury in Sunday’s win against Glasgow Warriors.

Hartley had missed the trip to Leicester eight days earlier after picking up a rib injury that led to his late withdrawal from the squad.

But he started in the 19-15 Champions Cup success at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.

And Mallinder said: “It was tough for him.

“When we went up to Glasgow we got real dominance in the scrum, but we never really achieved that on Sunday.

“It was good for Dylan to get back, he got 50-odd minutes, and he’ll get better every game he plays.

“It’s hard to put a timescale on it (when he will reach his best form), but he was solid on Sunday.

“His set piece was good and he will just keep getting better.”

Kahn Fotuali’i will again be missing when Saints travel to Scarlets for a must-win Champions Cup clash on Saturday.

But there is some good news, with centre Tom Stephenson now back in training after suffering an injury in the defeat at Racing 92 in December.

James Wilson also continues to train as he looks to regain full sharpness following the arm problem that has kept him out of first-team duties since the end of last season.

Ahsee Tuala is also nearing a return, with Ken Pisi another man desperate to get some minutes under his belt.

But Calum Clark, who suffered a shoulder injury in the pre-season win at Wasps, remains sidelined.

Fotuali’i pulled his hamstring in the victory against Exeter Chiefs on New Year’s Day and will again play no part this weekend, with Lee Dickson and Tom Kessell the men available at nine.

“Kahn is still out, but very close,” said Saints assistant coach Alan Dickens. “Calum Clark is still out, but apart from that, a lot of people are back in contention.

“Tom Stephenson is back in training, Ben Nutley’s back training, so we’ve got more lads to pick from.

“James Wilson has been training, but just a bit short of game time at the moment.

“He played against Leicester in the A League a couple of weeks ago and it’s just a pain we haven’t got those A League games for those lads to play in.

“Ace (Tuala) was injured, but he’s pretty close.

“Ken just needs game time to stake a claim to get back in the team.”

What’s on in and around Northamptonshire

Thursday

MUSIC

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

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

Corby Male Voice Choir. rehearse every Thurs, 7.30pm, St Andrews Church of Scotland (Church Hall), Occupation Road, Corby. New members welcome. You don’t need to be able to read music, just enjoy signing. More info www.corbymalevoicechoir.co.uk

Mainline Big Band. (18 piece band) at The Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, 9-11pm

THEATRE

Anton & Erin. Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

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

Towcester County Market. 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. 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 meal for £5. Call to reserve your table

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

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

Table Tennis for adults. all levels welcome, tea & biscuits, informal social group. NASO, St Michaels Road, Npton. More info 07813 575264

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. 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.

Brackley Library. Cinema Club (NN13 6AJ) Mr Holmes. Tickets £5.

WEA Course. Famous Women Gardeners. Tutor Andrew Sankey. 2.30-4pm at Brigstock Village Hall, Bridge Street, NN14 3ET. 9 weeks, fee £52. More info 01536 373216

New WI. Thrapston – St James Church Hall, NN14 4LP, 7.30pm. All welcome. Contact WI House in Northampton on 01604 646055, admin@ncfwi.org.uk or check out the website www.thewi.org.uk/northamptonshire

Friday

MUSIC

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

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

J for Jazz. play “trad” (every Fri) at The Locks Inn, Foxton Locks, Nr Market Harborough, LE16 7RA, 12.30-2.30pm. Gig & parking are free. Good food, lovely views and happy Jazz. Call 01162 791 515 to book a table if eating.

The Pommy Granites. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

THEATRE

Anton & Erin. Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

The Burlesque Show. Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Screaming Blue Murder. Underground, 8.15pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Shiny. The Lab, 11am/2pm. 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

8-16 Yrs Kingsthorpe Kobras Badminton Club. (Coaching), 4.30-6.30pm. Every Fri. £3.60/session. Kingsthorpe College (next to the Uni), Boughton Green Road.

Martial Art of Tang Soo Do. 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. 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.

Relax Kids. – New course at Stanwick Village Hall, 10-11am. Songs to sing, games to play, dance, stretch and relax. More info call Jo on 07972 680411.

AFC Rushden and Diamonds Beetle Drive. Rushden Bowls Club, Northampton Road, NN10 6AN, 7.30pm. Cost £2. All Beetle Drive players welcome. For more details call
Glenis 07870 332606

Fawsley Hall. Burns Night including a three course meal, disco and celebrations, doors open at 7pm, £55pp

Saturday

MUSIC

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

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

Pure Genius. Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 9pm. Free entry.

The John Burrows Band. Rifle Band Club, Havelock Street, Kettering, 8.45-11.30pm. All welcome, free admission

Infuzion. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Brafield Working Mens Club. A428, Dale David from 8pm.

Karaoke. Semilong WMC, St Andrews Road, Npton

THEATRE

The Burlesque Show. Royal Auditorium, 7.45pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Bernie Keith. Derngate Auditorium, 8pm. Box Office 01604 624811

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. 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

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

Baby & Kids Nearly New Sale. The Pemberton Centre, Rushden, NN10 9YP, 10am-12noon. Lots of stalls to browse. Refreshments available. Entry £1, kides free. Preloved items (toys, clothes etc) at a fraction of the high street cost! To book a stall please call 07577 701161 or email Karen_aves@hotmail.co.uk.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (8 miles). Meet at Star & Garter PH, Chelveston, NN9 6AJ, 10am. For info ring leader 07482 312294

Family History Event. Brackley Library, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ

Afternoon Walk. The Ramblers Association (4.5 miles). 1.30pm start from Roade Village Hall, Bailey Brooks Lane. Unsuitable for dogs.

Jumble Sale & Cake Stall. Kingsthorpe Baptist Church (entrance Waitrose Car Park), 10am. Admission 20p. Refreshments available. Proceeds for Church funds.

Annual Jumble Sale. Burton Latimer Band Club, High Street (nr Sainsburys) for NSPCC. Start 2pm. Entrance 20p. Bric-a-brac, clothes, toys, books, etc. Refreshments available. For info 01536 724513

Northampton Transport Staff. Friends & Family Reunion. Held at Monks Park WMC, 6-11.30pm. Tickets £7 inc buffet and disco. All proceeds raised go to Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Open to staff of Northampton Corporation Transport, Northampton Transport or First, their friends and family from as many eras as possible

Coffee & Cake Morning. Victoria Road Church’s Main Hall (Cyril Street entrance), 1pm. Sarah 
angford will be having her hair cut off to donate to The Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for children who for whatever reason have lost their hair.

CTC Northampton Semi Off Road Cycle Ride to Willen Lake, Milton Keynes (30 miles). Meet 9:30 am Overslade Close, nr Hunsbury Hill Library, NN4 0RZ. Please bring a bicycle suitable for moderate off-road surfaces. New riders welcome. For more information please contact Phil on 07867 388592 or email publicity@ctc-northampton.org.uk

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

Navy and Marine Club. Lorne Road, Northampton. Entertainment every Sunday from 8pm. Free entry. All welcome

Jazzin’ Around. with Simon Spillet & Friends at The Walnut Tree Inn, Station Road, Blisworth, NN7 3DSm 12-2.30pm. Admission £8

Ruben James. Kingsley Park WMC, Npton

Accrington Stanley. Sunday Sessions, The Headland PH, Longland Road, Npton, 2-50pm.

Tankus the Hendge Duo. The Malt Shovel Tavern, Npton, 2.30pm

Brafield Working Mens Club. A428, 3-D Trio from 8pm.

THEATRE

Count Duckula. Royal Auditorium, 2pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

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

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

Bingo at 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.

Tried skinny dipping on holiday?. Join us in Northampton on a Sunday evening for naturist swimming, steam & sauna. All ages welcome, couples & families. Contact Carol 0870 765 4326 or email membership@nsgswim.org.uk for further details.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (6 miles). Meet in the car park (£1 voluntary charge) of Harrold Country Park, MK43 7DS, 10am. For info ring leader 01933 275070

Monday

MUSIC

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

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

Northampton Music Appreciation Society. presents a concert by Northamptonshire WI Ladies Choir. 7.30pm, Quaker Meeting House, Wellington Street, Npton. £3

OTHER

TCB Pub Quiz. Charles Bradlaugh, Npton, 8pm. Entry £1pp
Bingo at Monks Park WMC, 259 Wellingborough Road, N’pton, 2.30pm

Bingo. Rifle Band Club, Kettering, 8.30-11.15pm. All welcome.

If you enjoy singing. why not join Kingsthorpe’s newly formed choir “Just Voices”. Meet Kingsthorpe Baptist Church (every Mon), 7-8.15pm. No need to be an expert singers as all “voices” are welcome. More details stuartpauljenkins@gmail.com or 01604 717866

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

Northampton Morris Men. practice nights every Monday 8pm to 10pm. Ages 18 to 80. 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)

FREE, Ladies only male tutored English and American Ballroom and Latin Dance Class. (every Mon), 1-3pm, at James Lewis Court, Cherry Orchard, NN3 2TH

WEA Course. Beginner IT Workshop. Tutor Heather Hannant. 9.30am-12.30pm at KCU Ltd, Fuller Church, 51 Gold Street, Kettering. 7 weeks, fee £86.60. More info 01536 481989

WEA Course. Customer Service Level 1. Tutor Heather Hannant. 1-3pm at KCU Ltd, Fuller Church, 51 Gold Street, Kettering. 7 weeks, fee £53.90. More info 01536 481989

Jewellery Workshop. Brackley Library, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ, 10.30am-12noon

Tuesday

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

THEATRE

Jersey Boys. Derngate Auditorium, 7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

OTHER

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

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.

Ukelele Club. (every Tue), Old Cherry Tree PH, Great Houghton. 6-7pm beginners, 7-8pm improvers, 8-9pm intermediate. Email sara
spadmusic@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.

Piccolos Music Club. (every Tues, term time only) at Stanwick Village Hall, 1045-2.45pm. Singing, stories, games, dancing, puppets and learning. A fantastic upbeat and fun club, pop along and give it a try. £4 entry, £2 for any extra siblings. More info www.piccolosmusicclub.co.uk or call 07990 615359. Tea and coffee provided for adults.

WEA Course. Adventurous Women. Tutor Liz Carter. 2-3.30pm at The Lounge, Madams Gardens, Rushton Road, Rothwell, NN14 6EX. Nine weeks, fee £52. More info 01536 711837

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (4 miles). Meet in Delapre Abbey car park, NN4 8AA, 10am. For info ring leader 01604 647096

Painted Volcanoes. 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.

Tackling Life. with Eric Frost, from 10.30am, NASO, St Michaels Road, Northampton. Join us for a friendly social morning chat with tea & biscuits. More details 01604 858252

Gretton’s Womens’ Hour. Gretton Baptist Church Hall, High Street, 2.15pm. Paul Greenaway is the guest speaker. There will be hymns, prayers and readings with light refreshments served at the close of proceedings. Warm friendly welcome to all women from the village and surrounding area. For more info call 01536 770188.

Wednesday

MUSIC

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

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

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

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

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

Austin Pickers. Wednesday Country Music Scene, The Headland PH, Longland Road, Npton, 8.30pm.

Giles Hedley & The Aviators. Malt Shovel Tavern, 121 Bridge Street, Npton, 9pm. Free entry

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

THEATRE

Jersey Boys. Derngate Auditorium, 2.30pm/7.30pm. Box Office 01604 624811

Welton Village Hall. Welton Players present Aladdin, 7.30pm

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

Kingsthorpe Kobras Badminton Club. (every Wed), 7.30-9.30pm. Kingsthorpe College on Boughton Green road (next to the Uni). Fun and sociable at £5 a session. Guaranteed to return.

Phil Hollis’ Mighty Music Quiz. (every Wed), The Lord Byron, Kingsley Park Terrace, Npton, 9pm

Pilates for Beginners. (every Wed), Abington Bowling Club, 1.50-2.50pm. £5. Just turn up.

WEA Course. Adventurous Women. Tutor Liz Carter. 7.30-9pm at The Friends Meeting House, St John Street, Wellingborough, NN8 4LG. nine weeks, fee £52. More info 01933 224324

Morning Walk. The Ramblers Association (6.5 miles). 10am start from The Green Man, High Street, Lavendon, MK46 4HA. Park in street if not staying for lunch. Unsuitable for dogs.

Wellingborough Ramblers walk. (7.25 miles). Meet at Royal Oak PH, Walgrave, NN4 8AA, 9.30am. For info ring leader 07788 865661

Adult Colouring. Brackley Library, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ, 7.30-9pm.

Tackling Life. Interesting evening discussion, why not come along and be involved with a friendly group of people. 7.30pm NASO, St Michaels Road, Northampton. More details 01604 858252

The work of story teller Hans Christian Andersen is bought to life at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.

In a bittersweet trawl through the love stories we read, the ones we tell, and the ones we never finish. I’m Hans Christian Andersen can be seen on Saturday January 30.

Rachel Rose Reid was raised on a hybrid of immigrant oral tradition, English folk music and concrete jungle. 

As a storyteller and spoken word artist she regularly bridges between all three worlds.

She has been Storyteller in Residence for Dickens Museum, the Saison Poetry Library, the English Folk Dance and Song Society, and has written and performed commissions for Billy Bragg, BBC Radio 3, Old Vic New Voices and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Giving a fascinating insight into where the renowned fairytale writer found his inspiration (often from his own unrequited love), Rachel takes to the Royal stage to perform I’m Hans Christian Andersen at 7.45pm.

Tickets are £11. To book call 01604 624811 or www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

Interviewing Heather Small ahead of her show at Northampton has its difficulties.

Not that she was anything but friendly and a delight, but our telephone interview with the singer is taking place in a pub when your intrepid reporter was on his work Christmas do.

She finds this hilarious, but it is easy to warm to the singer and suspect that audiences to her gig at Royal & Derngate on Thursday, February 26, will agree.

Heather said: “I love to do live work and I signed my first record deal when I was 21.

“I’ll be 51 this year so it will be a celebration of that.

“It will be a lot of the old songs, the songs that I really like to perform live.

“There is going to be some covers by some female artists. I am reluctant to say what I will be performing because we are still working on the set list.”

She picks out a favourite artist who has inspired her career.

Heather added: “I loved Gladys Knight and while my tone of voice is fairly similar, if not my technique and that was inspired me to sing. It is when I am at my happiest.

However for someone who has appeared on some of the world’s biggest stages, she’s suffers with a touch of stage fright.

Heather added: “I still actually get nervous before I appear on stage.

“Even now, although as soon as I get on stage, I am better.

“I remind myself that performing in front of the audience is the thing I most love to do and the end feeling is worth all of the nerves.”

But for an artist of her pedigree, it is a tough question for her to pick a favourite.

“I think any of my songs could become a favourite depending on the reaction from the audience.

“However I really like Moving On Up.

“It was something very different for the band from what we were doing at the time and it was our first break through hit.

“Even when we were recording it, I thought it was a great song but everyone else in the band were convinced that it was a smash hit.

“The other one is Proud because it was the first song I did solo and that was just me. All of the decisions were down to me.”

Proud was also the anthem of the 2012 Olympics, and while she is indeed proud now, it did come with a backlash at the time.

“It was an honour that Proud was chosen to be the anthem of the Olympics even though I did get abuse in the street from people after the announcement.

“We didn’t know the names of the sports people when they started, but we cheered them on and we now know their names.

“We put on an absolutely brilliant Olympics and I was on holiday later in the same year in Mexico and overheard people saying how brilliant the Olympics was in London.

“They were sad that it was only two weeks and wish it could have been longer.”

The song has also been used in the popular sitcom Miranda, and its association which she is happy about. So much so that she appeared in the final episode of the show.

Heather added: “I think it is great that it has entered the psyche of the public that the song could be used to make people laugh. And it was very respectful and funny.

Tickets are £29. To book call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

A dog walker who called an ambulance after a woman was allegedly assaulted in Northampton is being urged to contact police.

A woman suffered facial injuries after an alleged assault in Duston, Northampton, sometime between 5.30am and 6am on Wednesday, January 20.

Police are appealing for a witness with a dog named ‘Henry’, who stopped and called an ambulance, to come forward.

A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

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 appealing for witnesses after thieves broke into a Northamptonshire cricket club and stole a number of items.

Grendon and Prims’ Easton Way home was targeted overnight, with police called to the scene at 8.20am today (Wednesday).

The offenders gained entry by removing a gate from its hinges, before stealing a generator, strimmer, tools and fuel.

Second XI captain Matt Virgin says the theft has left the club without power.

He said: “I’ve got mixed emotions about the incident, I’m both angry and upset.

“The generator is a big thing for the club to lose, especially at this time of year, as it’s left us without power.

“I just don’t get why someone would do this and what they’d get out of it.

“Grendon is such a nice village and you wouldn’t expect this, in fact it’s the last place you’d expect it.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Wicksteed Park has revealed a £4.5 million plan to bring the history and heritage of ‘the home of children’s play’ alive to all visitors.

The ambitious project will be launched at a ball celebrating the centenary of the Wicksteed Charitable Trust, to be held in the park’s Edwardian Pavilion on January 29.

The park was founded in 1921 by Charles Wicksteed, the creator of swings and slides as we know them today, as part of his vision to inspire and encourage play as part of families’ health and well-being.

The Wicksteed Charitable Trust was formed to ensure his work continued after his death.

The new restoration and rejuvenation project involves a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £2.5 million alongside £2 million from the trust itself.

Key parts of the plan include restoration and landscaping of the playground reintroducing heritage play equipment including a replica of the first slide in the park and providing a context for the history of the park.

It includes restoring important historical buildings and aspects of the park which have been lost over the decades, restoring aspects of the original rose garden, the fountain lawn and landscaping around the pavilion.

Transforming the Captain’s Lounge at the top of the pavilion building into a learning centre and conference space with an outdoor, walk-around viewing platform so people can enjoy views across the park is also in the plans.

The park’s main thoroughfare is to be rejuvenated, with street furniture and restoration work in keeping with its historic heritage and there will be the creation of a Wicksteed ice cream parlour serving traditional Wicksteed ice cream together with heritage buildings for displays and information all within an area that has not been accessible to the public for generations.

The project comes a year after the completion of a successful Heritage Lottery Fund-backed £3 million project that has restored the park’s lake to its former glory.

Two life-sized bronze figures in the lake, modelled on two young visitors to the park, commemorate the project and have already become a landmark photo opportunity for visitors.

The centenary ball will celebrate the achievements of the trust over the past 100 years, as well as showcasing its vision for the future.

Proceeds will help the Wicksteed Charitable Trust to fund a reproduction of the iconic first slide in the park; a structure that was to change the history of children’s play forever.

Oliver Wicksteed, chairman of the Wicksteed Charitable Trust and Charles Wicksteed’s great grandson, said: “This project is part of a masterplan for the future of the whole park, retaining its historical significance and highlighting its importance from a heritage perspective.

“We want people arriving at the park to understand that they are in a place where key elements of children’s play developed.

“Through physical interpretation and engagement we want to bring the history and heritage of the park alive to all visitors, so everyone who visits will learn about its significance.”

One of the trust’s main goals is to maintain free access to the park despite having no regular external funding to rely on, and the trust is determined to ensure the park has a sustainable future.

The centenary ball is on Friday, January 29, and will celebrate 100 years to the day since the Wicksteed Charitable Trust was formed.

The guest list already includes the Queen’s representative, The Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.

There will be live music from an eight-piece band the Reverend Richard Coles will be speaking.

For more details or to buy tickets visit wicksteedpark.org/events, email boxoffice@wicksteedpark.org or call 01536 512475.

Tickets are £35 each with discounts available for tables of eight people.