An entrepreneur has kitted out his Land Rover Defender with its very own pizza oven to drive round the streets of Northamptonshire.

Owner of the Daventry-based The Original Pizzabox, Marius Fletcher, said the move came after the business started to expand.

He said: “I started the business almost two years ago.

“I had worked in London and Paris and when I came back I didn’t want to get stuck in a 9-5 job. Having a mobile catering business was an idea I had and it ended up with me converting a horsebox on my drive with my dad.”

The Original Pizzabox sells pizzas outside village pubs, and also can be hired for events like wedding and parties. They also do events, like the Admiral Nelson Festival in Braunston.

Marius said: “We approached pubs that didn’t serve food, and proposed setting up on their land and selling the pizzas. It means people may come for a pizza and have a drink while waiting, stay at the pub rather than going home for food, or come out specially to a pizza and a few drinks.

“We also can be hired for events, and we go out to local festivals and fairs.

“Up to now we had the horsebox to make up the pizzas and sell them, and we had an oven on wheels for cooking them.

“But I found at some of the events we were doing, we couldn’t cook enough pizzas fast enough.

“I did some research and imported this oven from Italy. It had to be the right colours, and made of steel so it wouldn’t be as heavy as brick ovens.

“Then I had to find a Defender in the right colour for it to be fitted to. That wasn’t easy because they are a bit of a desirable car these days.

“Now the Defender with the oven attached can tow the horsebox to where we need to be.

“We could do two at a time in the old oven, now we can to four to six at the same time. The oven holds its heat well – unlike the old one where we had to keep putting the door on it – and the pizzas cook in about 90 seconds.

“It means we can expand and take on larger events with more people.”

The Original Pizzabox team sell outside the Royal Oak in Crick on Tuesdays, the Bakers Arms in Bugbrooke on Wednesdays, and on Thursdays and Fridays at the Foresters Arms in Nether Heyford – each night from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

An application has been submitted to demolish the site of a former Kettering school and develop it for housing.

The former Maplefields School site in Beatrice Road has been empty since pupils were moved to Corby in 2012.

Northamptonshire County Council has now made an application to knock it down and build 18 houses on the land, along with associated access.

One of the existing school buildings - the free-standing former sports hall - is to be retained for community use.

It is not yet known how many bedrooms each house will have, but 30 per cent of the development will be affordable housing.

The design and layout of the development would be decided at a later date should the current plan be approved.

A planning document reads: “The application is in outline form only.

“Access is for determination at this stage and the application drawing shows the position of the existing access from Britannia Road, which is to be retained to serve the proposed development.

“Layout, scale, appearance and landscaping are reserved matters, to be determined under a separate planning application at a later date, although an indicative layout plan is submitted to illustrate how the site could be developed for 18 dwellings.”

The expiry date for those wishing to have their say in the consultation period is June 8. A decision is expected by August 5.

Housing, offices and a new retail outlet could be built on the Northamptonshire Police headquarters site, the county council has revealed.

It was announced by former Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds earlier this month that part of the land had been sold for £3.3 million to the Education Funding Agency to build a new school.

Northamptonshire County Council also owns a large proportion of the site and the local authority has now begun planning how the rest of the land could be used.

A Northamptonshire County Council spokesman said: “Now that plans for a new free school at Wootton Hall have been confirmed, we are working with Northamptonshire Police and the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner to examine the potential of the site.

“We have commissioned consultants to explore the potential for mixed development on the site, which could include housing, employment, retail and leisure, while retaining an element of open space/sports pitches.”

The new Wootton Park School is set to open in temporary buildings this September.

The majority of Northamptonshire Police staff are expected to be off the site by September 2017. Two new buildings, situated just off the A43 next to the A6003 between Kettering and Corby, are being constructed to house about 350 staff.

A new £1 million roundabout is currently being built to improve access to the Wootton Hall site from Mereway.

Rob Page has promised the Cobblers will ‘give it our best shot’ and ‘enjoy the ride’ in Sky Bet League One next season.

The new Northampton boss is settling into the hot seat at Sixfields, but admits he is already excited at the prospect of getting going in the new season.

It’s more often the case that a new manager will take over a club on a bit of a downer and struggling a little rather than one that’s just won a league title by 13 points.

The Cobblers start life in league one aiming to extend their 24-match unbeaten run, and Page admits that coming into a club that is on such a high is a huge bonus.

“Speaking to the chairman, and listening to how ambitious he is, with the vision he has for the football club, to come into it while the club is full of confidence from the team’s point of view as well is great,” said Page.

“We are going to give it our best shot this season.

“Where that takes us we don’t know, but we are going to enjoy the ride, enjoy the experience.

“With a lot of hard work, which is what the players put in last season, and the confidence they will take from last season encourages me.”

As well as the players rising to the challenge of taking on some high profile clubs, such as Coventry City, Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic, Page also wants the supporters to make the most of things.

On top of that quartet of former Premier League clubs, there is also the little matter of the return of the derby against Peterborough United, as well as matches against the likes of MK Dons and Oxford United.

“It will be great for the supporters as well,” said Page.

“They have been in league two, and they have had some great experiences over the season just gone.

“With all the games they have won, and the run that they have been on at the back end of the season has been phenomenal, but then they can look forward to the next step and league one.

“There are clubs like Bolton, Charlton, Sheffield United, some big, big clubs in this division, so it is fantastic for the supporters as well.

The Cobblers yesterday announced their first pre-season friendly of the summer.

Page’s team will take on Sky Bet Championship outfit Wolves at Sixfields on Tuesday, July 26 (ko 7.30pm).

Further friendlies will be announced in the near future.

Some Guys Have All The Luck will be celebrating the life and career of Rod Stewart at Wellingborough’s Castle Theatre this weekend.

Starring Paul Metcalfe as Stewart and featuring a full live band, the show will take the audience through Rod’s incredible story, from street busker through to international superstar.

The first half of the show is narrated and charts Rod’s rise to fame from the clubs of the 1960s through to worldwide success in the early 70s.

It features songs from the earlier part of his career, including Handbags & Gladrags, In A Broken Dream, Stay With Me, Ooh La La and You Wear It Well.

It also includes an unplugged section.

The second half is crammed full of hits such as Maggie May, Sailing, Baby Jane and Da Ya Think I’m Sexy.

Some Guys Have All The Luck is on Saturday, May 28.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £19.50 in advance before fees.

To book, call 01933 270007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk

Nationwide Building Society is looking to fill 150 roles in and around Northampton, it has been revealed as the company announced underlying profits were up by nine percent.

The company, which has offices in Moulton Park, released its full-year results for the financial year 2015/16 which it said showed profits were driven by strong mortgage lending, savings and a growth in its market share.

The report that Nationwide employs more than 2,200 people in the area.

A spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting the region’s economy and job market. Nationwide is currently looking to fill around 150 vacancies in the region.

“As a major employer in the area, Nationwide continues to play a big part in the local community. Last financial year, employees based at Northampton have raised £150,891 for charity and 10,035 hours of volunteering.

“Northampton employees raised money for numerous charities including local children’s charity Kidsaid and the Bee Hive Centre,” he added.

Highlights of the report included:

* Gross mortgage lending up 20% to £32.6 billion (2015: £27.1 billion)

* Net mortgage lending up 28% to £9.1 billion (2015: £7.1 billion)

* Growth in member deposit balances of £6.3 billion (2015: £1.9 billion)

* Expanded current account base with 525,000 new accounts up 12% on 2015

* Net gainer in current account switching – up 38%

* Ranked number one for customer service satisfaction amongst its high street peer group again this year – extending lead to 7.7%

* Underlying profit up 9% at £1.337 billion (2015: £1.227 billion)

* Statutory profit up 23% at £1.279 billion (2015: £1.044 billion)

* CET1 capital ratio up to 23.2% (2015: 19.8%)

* Leverage ratio improved to 4.2% (2015: 4.1%)

Nationwide chief executive Joe Garner said: “Nationwide has demonstrated that outstanding customer service is the most sustainable path to excellent business performance.

“It’s a credit to the management and people of the Society that they have consistently understood this and organised Nationwide around this principle.

“As a result, last year we lent more money to help people into a home of their own than since before the financial crisis in 2007.

“More people are also choosing to manage their money with Nationwide, with over half a million new current accounts opened in the year.

“And our loyalty accounts and regular savings offering has led to an increase in member deposit balances of £6.3 billion.

“It is my privilege to have been asked to lead an organisation which has consistently demonstrated that it is possible to be successful by doing the right thing. Our mutual status creates an ownership model that allows us to take a long-term view and make decisions in the best interests of our members. This, and our talented people, is Nationwide’s strength and our opportunity.”

Shed Seven frontman Rick Witter will be playing some of his favourite songs from the 1990s when The Battle of Britpop heads to the Roadmender.

As part of Shed Seven, Witter released 15 top four singles and four 20 albums.

Although the band disbanded at the turn of the century, they have since reformed and continue to play across the county.

Shed Seven released their debut album Change Giver in 1994 but it was 1996’s A Maximum High which featured their biggest hit, Going For Gold.

The Battle Of Britpop is on Saturday, June 4.

Tickets cost £4 before fees. Doors open at 9pm and the night runs until 2am. For more details and to book, visit http://bit.ly/1OGMFng

Acts due to play Northampton Music Festival have been speaking about the event ahead of its return next month.

Organisers have revealed more performers who will play on stages across the town when the festival returns from June 17 to June 19.

An Army of Lights will be playing the Eastgate stage.

The said: “We’re excited to play at this year’s Northampton Music Festival. It’s a great event that unites the town by bringing together a vast array of talent across many musical genres.

“It’ll be a great opportunity for us to showcase some new material that we’re really excited about performing.”

Acts who will be playing on the Market Square stage include Jamie Benkert, Charlotte Carpenter, Mystic Crew, Leo Robinson, VHS Pirates, Skatoons, ReproJam Squad and Greg Coulson.

VHS Pirates added: “We are very proud and excited to be playing NMF16. Over the years some great bands have played on the Market square.

“We can wait to rock our home town’s socks off and gain some new fans within the town that we have not had the pleasure of impressing yet.”

Bands joining An Army Of Lights on the Eastgate stage will be Lucky Shivers, Fox Chapel, Ivory Yardsale, Big Evil Grin, Future Love and O’Mahon.

The Jazz stage will feature Tad Newton, Dan Wyllie Quartet, The Ginger Pig Band, Richard Baker, Lost Latinos and Jazz Colossus.

Acts playing the Classical Stage will include Gilbert and Sullivan Group, Northampton Concert Orchestra and Northampton School for Girls while Yellow Dog Blues Band, Stevie Jones and The Wildfires, Tom Rose And The Heathen Orchestra, Emily Faye, Jono and the Uke Dealers and The Deportees will play in All Saints.

Emily Faye said: “I am really looking forward to playing with my band, sharing some new songs and to see some familiar faces in the crowd will be great. You can’t beat performing in your home town.”

The Abington Street Stage will feature Jordan Mackampa, Carly Loasby and Dr X.

Running orders and stage times are still to be confirmed.

A silence will be held at a Northampton club night this weekend in tribute to the four friends who died in a car crash on Sunday.

The four people, who have not yet been formally identified, will be remembered at the Basstravaganza night, which is due to be held on Saturday night.

Promoters said on Facebook they considered cancelling the night at Club 43 in Gold Street but were persuaded not to by friends of the four.

A message from Basstravaganza said: “We’ve all lost four great friends. They were always seen having a great time on our nights.

“It felt the right thing to cancel the coming night but then we spoke to a lot of you - their friends - and it turns out that majority of us actually would like the night to go on, so we all can gather together in the way they loved to do so much.

“Having heard all that we’ve decided to keep the night on for those of you who would like to come and meet up.

“There will be a moment of silence upstairs at midnight to honour the memory of the four friends,” the message added.

The accident happened on the A420 near Swindon on Sunday. Three other people were seriously injured in the head-on collision.

Thames Valley Police said that at 11.15pm a black Mercedes and a blue Citroen Saxo collided between the Watchfield roundabout and the Highworth turn off.

The Citroen Saxo was travelling towards Oxford while the Mercedes was travelling in opposite direction when the two vehicles collided head-on.

A spokesman for Thames Valley said this afternoon: “It is believed they were living in the Northampton area. The deceased have not yet been formally identified.”

The three occupants of the Mercedes, the male driver, a female passenger in her 30s and a three-year-old boy were all taken to the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford where they are being treated for their injuries, which are not, at this stage, believed to be life-threatening.

Det Sgt Gavin Collier, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Bicester, said: “This was a terrible incident in which four young people have lost their lives.

“We would urge anyone who was driving in the area last night and saw either of the vehicles prior to the collision to get in contact as they may have information which could help us with our investigation into the circumstances which led up to this tragic collision.”

If you have any information about the collision, contact Det Sgt Collier via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101 quoting URN 1546 22/5.

A man made threats to a driver and passenger before getting back into his car and speeding off.

Police are now investigating the incident which happened in St Gregory’s Road, Northampton, when the driver of a black Audi S3 threatened another motorist while they were waiting to join the A43.

The driver of the Audi got out of his car and made threats to the victim and his passenger before getting back in his car and speeding off.

The offender was a black man, aged 25 to 27 and about 5ft 6ins. He was of thin build with very short black hair.

The incident happened between 4pm and 4.30pm on Thursday, May 19,

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information regarding it.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A programme of events will be taking place in Northampton to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

The battle is one of the defining events of World War 1 and marked a major allied effort on the Western Front. The British Army took the leading role and following an intense bombardment on enemy positions, allied soldiers began to advance at 7.30am on July 1, 1916. By the end of the first day, 57,000 Commonwealth and 2,000 French soldiers had fallen and more than 19,000 of them were killed.

By the time the offensive was halted in November 1916, more than one million Commonwealth, French and German men had been wounded, captured or killed.

Northampton’s Somme commemorative events - delivered in partnership with the Western Front Association - will take place at Abington Park Museum. Soldiers of the Northamptonshire Regiment took part in the battle, and Abington Park Museum is home to the Regimental Collection, which traces the history of the Northamptonshires and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry from its formation in 1741 to its amalgamation in 1960.

An Evening of Commemoration marking the Battle of the Somme and the involvement of the Northamptonshire Regiment and Northampton people with readings, exhibitions and performance will be held at the Abington Park Museum from 7pm on Thursday June 30.

At 9.20pm, a short sunset ceremony will take place outside the museum and that will be followed by an overnight vigil held inside the museum to allow people to come together and pay tribute to those lost in the battle.

The next morning, Friday July 1, members of the Western Front Association will lead a ceremony from 7am-8am that will mark the beginning of the battle. The ceremony will be followed by the opportunity to look round the museum’s regimental collection.

Councillor Anna King, Northampton Borough Council Cabinet member for Community Engagement, said: “The Battle of the Somme remains the bloodiest day in the history of the British army and even today, one hundred years on, people remember the terrible loss of life and the awful impact the battle had on communities up and down the country. I am proud that Northampton will mark the anniversary and I hope many people will join us at one of the ceremonies in Abington Park.”

Tickets, costing £5, must be booked in advance for the Evening of Commemoration. The sunset ceremony is free to attend. The overnight vigil is also free to attend but booking is essential. The morning ceremony is free to attend.

For more information, book a ticket or reserve a place, call 01604 837397.

The back passenger window of a car was smashed after a group of boys were seen throwing stones in Brixworth.

The three boys, aged 14 to 15 and wearing hooded tops, were throwing stones in Froxhill Crescent.

One of the stones hit the car, which was parked in a driveway, causing the glass to smash.

The boys then ran away towards St David’s Park.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm on Thursday, May 19.

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

An international delegation of Danish city planners, developers and business leaders flew into the UK to visit Northampton’s Brackmills Business Improvement District (BID) this month.

The aim of the trip was to find out more about the benefits of a Business Improvement District (BID).

Current legislation in Denmark does not allow for BIDs, but Realdania, a private association in the country which supports philanthropic architecture and planning projects, is working with Local Government Denmark (LGDK) and pressing government to amend the legislation necessary for BIDs to be piloted in Denmark.

Ole Bach, from Realdania, who organised the visit to Brackmills for his 25 Danish delegates, said: “Our ambition is to improve the quality of life for people living in Denmark so we invited this delegation, including people from eight different municipalities and business people from five private companies, to better understand BIDs. We leave Northampton knowing how that a BID can truly change and improve quality of lives and are keen to emulate some of your successes.”

Sara Homer, executive chair of Brackmills BID, said: “Our Danish guests were keen to know all about our status as a BID, how we now work together for the good of the estate and why resident businesses choose to stay and move to Brackmills, choose to invest, recruit and expand here. Many businesses would have left Brackmills if we hadn’t become a Business Improvement District back in 2009 and transformed this previously crime ridden estate into the thriving community it now is. The Danish delegation was fascinated to see our transformation.”

Ian Ferguson, from pfbb UK, the management company behind many of the UK’s most successful BIDs, helped organise the Danish visit, said: “We were really pleased to be able to offer an insight into the way business collaboration can transform and area and provide valuable economic benefit. BIDs are not just about pooling a levy, they are about creating a corporate community where businesses work together for a tangible economic benefit that all can benefit from.”

Brackmills Industrial Estate Business secured other national attention this year, when it was ‘highly commended’ in The Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) National Awards.

The hoardings have been lifted at Weston Favell shopping centre as the new lifts and opened up atrium were unveiled to shoppers.

In November 2014, the owners of Weston Favell shopping centre, Redefine International, announced plans to invest £4.6 million into phases one and two of what would be a multi-phased redevelopment of the scheme to create a modern, vibrant community space for shopping and socialising. The opening of the new lifts and atrium mark the completion of the second and most drastic phase to date.

Kevin Legg, who has been the centre manager at Weston Favell since January 2006, said: “This is by far the most dramatic change in the centre during the 10 years I have been manager here, the difference is astonishing. Removing the floor to create a space that joins both the upper and lower malls together was a massive undertaking but the results speak for themselves, it looks fantastic.”

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all of our shoppers who have remained loyal to us throughout the installation of the new lifts,” he added.

“Their patience and understanding was really appreciated throughout the disruption. We hope our new modern look will improve the shopping experience for our regular visitors while attracting new shoppers to our centre. Our aim is to create a modern and vibrant shopping environment, without losing touch with the community we serve.

“Redefine International’s financial investment and proposed plans demonstrate the company’s commitment to ensuring the centre continues to provide a place for the community to shop, socialise and spend time for years to come,” he added.

More than 200 people attended a debate in Northampton organised by campaigners wanting to leave the EU.

The meeting, held on Friday at Franklin’s Gardens, was a Question Time-style event.

The panel was made up of East Midlands UKIP MEP Margot Parker, Kettering MP Philip Hollobone, of Grassroots Out, Brendan Chilton, from Labour Leave, Freedom Association director Rory Broomfield, of Better Off Out, and former Olympic rower Alex Story, from Leave.eu.

It was chaired by Councillor Phil Larratt and the panel answered questions about the cost of EU membership, housing needs, the NHS and jobs.

Organiser Rose Gibbins said: “We had visitors from as far away as Loughborough, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Nottingham.

“The debates were superb – there was a huge variety of discussions.”

Margot Parker MEP said: “It was fantastic meeting, debating why we should vote to leave the EU in the referendum.”

Students from Northampton College have helped raise enough money to build a new block of classrooms at a school in Malawi – with a competition now underway to officially name the building.

A year-long fundraising campaign saw students collect cash in aid of Mzipa Liberty, a charity set up by former college lecturer Clement Chunga and his wife Olive.

The Mzipa Liberty Institute of Technology previously had just one block, with temporary shacks housing extra students. But the funding has allowed a new block to be built and plans are now in place to create a third, boasting a staff room, headmaster’s office and fully-stocked library.

Katie Ward, who helped organise the fundraising at Northampton College, said: “Mzipa Liberty is one of our chosen charities and we are delighted to have helped make a real difference to the lives of dozens of children over in Malawi.

“The school is very under developed with no electricity. We have been able to provide a second block, housing two more classrooms, and the facility will help under-privileged students.”

The school currently has 49 students, none of whom could afford an education elsewhere. As the school expands and more sponsors are found, it will be able to offer an education to more children from the local community.

In Malawi only 20 per cent of teenagers either qualify for state education or can afford private education. After finishing school many young people find themselves with no skills or formal secondary education, limiting their opportunities for paid work.

This project aims to give teenagers skills in agriculture, mechanics and carpentry to give young people the skills they need to get jobs or start their own businesses.

Current Northampton College students will have the chance to suggest a name for the new building, with all entries then being discussed by a panel before a final decision is made later this year.

More details about the school can be found at www.mzipaliberty.org and for more information about Northampton College visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk

Two bikes were stolen from the roof rack of a car parked in Oxford Street, Wellingborough.

The bikes were stolen from the vehicle sometime between 7.30pm and 11.35pm on Sunday, May 15.

Both were grey Trek FX 7.4 bikes; one was 25 inches and the other was 17.5 inches.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the theft or has any information about it.

They can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A woman was sexually assaulted in NB’s nightclub in Bridge Street in Northampton town centre.

The offender is described as an Asian man with a chubby build, about 5ft 4in with short, black hair and a short, black beard. He is described as having a non-English accent.

Police have today released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to connection with the incident that happened at about 3.45am on Saturday, April 9.

Anyone who recognises the man in the attached image - or who witnessed the incident - is asked contact police.

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Some talented dogs put their best paw forward at auditions at the weekend for a starring role in a forthcoming production at Royal & Derngate in Northampton.

They were put forward by their owners for the chance to play Bullseye in Oliver! which is to be performed by the Youth Theatre and Young Company in July.

The auditions went well and the production team were very pleased with the candidates. A spokesperson said: “There were some lovely dogs and they responded well to the audition activities.

They are confident that they will be able to cast a couple of dogs to share the role of Bullseye, but final casting won’t be confirmed for a little while yet.”

Rehearsals for Oliver! are already well under way and director Christopher Elmer-Gorry was looking for a canine companion for his uptight London hard man, Bill Sykes.

Christopher said: “We have worked with several dogs in the past and this promises to be a memorable experience for both the dogs and their owners. Bullseye is a really important role and has quite a few scenes in the show.”

The show is on at Royal & Derngate from July 12 to 16.

A gang of men verbally abused a man on the way to his home in Northampton before violently assaulting him.

Northamptonshire Police is appealing for witnesses after the attack in Woodside Way, Kings Heath, earlier this month.

The victim, who was in his thirties, left the shops on Park Drive and was followed along West Oval by a group of about six to seven men who were shouting verbal abuse at him.

The man first called at a friend’s house and the two both walked to the victim’s home nearby home.

A short time later, the victim went out again and, while he was walking along Woodside Way, he was approached from behind and knocked to the ground before being punched and kicked.

One of the men who initially followed the victim is described as white and was wearing a purple shell or tracksuit and a baseball cap.

A second man was wearing a black hooded top, and another was wearing a white T-shirt. They were all described as being white.

The assault happened sometime between midday and 6pm on Tuesday, May 10.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.