Aug/Sept 2020 FREE inbusinessmags.co.uk
BRACKLEY IN BUSINESS
Life in BRACKLEY
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS
The Independent Family Garage, You Can Trust with your safety
We have put in place social distancing measures to abide by government guidelines.
All of our technicians wear a facemask and gloves to keep everyone safe when working on your vehicle. We offer Free collection and delivery and our driver will sanitise your vehicle before and after as well as wearing a face mask and gloves at all times.
“Very friendly staff with excellent service. Not pushy and happy to provide advice based on your requirements.� - Kelly Hudson
Shop Local and support the community Like many local family businesses we also need your support, we are 26 local people with families to feed and mortgages to pay, please shop local whenever you can and support Buckingham.
4.7 Star Rating 01280 453046 | Service@buckinghamford.co.uk Ford Street, Buckingham, MK18 1AQ
Fully qualified 25 years experience No job too small
Fully insured Local tradesman All building work undertaken
• Brickwork • Stonework • Garage Conversions • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Tiling • Patios • Landscaping • Fencing • Roofing etc For your free no obligation quotation call: 01280 423847 or 07701073720 www.homefixbms.webeden.co.uk e: homefixbuilders@googlemail.com
Brackley Groundworks
Specialists in Block Paving & Patios • Driveways • Footings & Drainage • Tarmac Drives • Bradstone Approved Pavers • The Guild of Master Craftsmen • 5 year installation guarantee •Digger Hire from 1 1/2 tonne to 5 tonne
Artificial Grass Supplied & Laid
Call John & Jason for your FREE Quotation
07860 558410 daytime 01280 703599 evenings 2
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
inbus
FREE February 2106 .co.uk inessmags
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Brackley
Welcome... Next issue
October 2020 Copy Date
15th Septebmer 2020 2020 issue
The aim of the monthly Life in Brackley Magazine is to support businesses in order that the local community can flourish. After so long in Covid-19 lockdown, at last we’re starting to see the return of some more of the things we know and love, just in time for the school Summer holidays to get underway. Pubs, restaurants and theme parks are carefully reopening, along with those little shops and local businesses that add vibrance and delight to every high street. As we start to return to a new version of normal, keeping your loyalty local is so important, to make sure our towns and villages can thrive again. Those corner shops, local butchers and bakeries that worked long hours to keep us stocked up with essentials when we couldn’t venture far, deserve our ongoing support now restrictions have been eased. So - grab a cuppa and read on; whatever your home or garden needs, a look through these pages will help you find the local business that’s your perfect match. I hope you have a wonderful Summer - until next time......
Mandy Mills x
Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Well Established Garage In Brackley
M.O.T.s • Mechanical • Free EstimatesServicing • Tyres, ExhaustsforandBodywork • Re-Sprays and ColourBatteries • Smart Repairs Changes • Refurbs • AirAlloyConWheel Re Gas 012 80 7 02 2 27 • Crash Repairs OR 07947 158075 •
71 High Street, Brackley, Northants (BEHIND KEEP BIKING)
www.towngarage-brackley.co.uk
01280 701111
Your friendly, Brackley based, taxi hire company • Airport transfers • Port transfers • Hospital journeys
• Train stations • Executive taxis • Local journeys
• Long distance • 6 & 8 seater taxis • Early AM Pickups
Covid 19 safety regulations in place
24 hours
Credit & debit cards accepted
on Fridays & Saturdays
www.twitter.com/#!/A2BCabsBrackley www.facebook.com/A2BCabsBrackley
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Find us listed in:
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
Need help with your PC? Fully qualified, locally based business is here to help with all your home and small business PC requirements, however trivial or complex.
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FREE local callout and diagnosis
● ● ● ●
Why spend hours or even days trying to fix a problem when a fast and reliable expert service is literally around the corner?
● ● ● ●
Satisfaction or your money back
A personal, professional service with a smile and at very reasonable rates. (Qualifications and ID provided on request)
Landline: 01280 859001 Email: support@pc-help-4u.co.uk
Support for Macs & PCs Laptops, Desktops & Tablets New Supply & Installation Windows & OS X Upgrades Hardware Repairs Internet Security & Antivirus Backup Solutions Data Recovery Wireless Setups, Networking Software Rebuilds On-site & Remote Support
plus ●
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Training Web Design & Hosting
Server Support & Maintenance
Website: www.pc-help-4u.co.uk/brackley-it-support Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Project8_Sk construction 22/12/2017 11:26 Page 1
All Building Work Undertaken
Insurance Work Extensions Groundworks Conservatories Landscaping Roofing Kitchen Fitting Gas Boilers,
38 Tanners Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5BP
Tel: 01908 218875 www.EandEservices.co.uk
General Servicing & Plumbing
Bathrooms & Ensuites etc... also specialists in GARAGE CONVERSIONS
T: 01280 700692 or Mobile: 07771863495
PLUMBING & HEATING Over 30 years Experience
FULLY QUALIFIED PLUMBERS &
GAS ENGINEERS New Boilers / Power Flushing Full Heating Installation / Boiler Servicing Landlord Certificates / General Plumbing Bathrooms / Licensed to install Megaflo & Unvented Cyclinders
Leaks & Repairs
T: 01280 841035 Mobile: 07831 898705 Gas Safe Registration No.35528
www.samooreservices.co.uk 6
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
Cloudy2Clear, A Local Family Service With A Smile I think we can all agree that the sooner we see the back of 2020 and this dreadful Corona Virus the better. That said, there are also some heart warming positives that we can take out of this situation. It has often been said that we can only really get to know one another and realise what is truly important in times of crisis. I think few would argue that in this case what has proven to be important is local community spirit and family. When talking to Trevor & Wendy Skidmore the owners of Cloudy2Clear Northampton & Oxford it became clear that these
values have been held for over 13 years. Since buying the local franchise in 2006 they have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community whilst introducing their 2 sons Lloyd & Ross into the family business along with Dan, Mark & Jo as demand for their service has grown.
using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help again”. For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit cloudy2clear.co.uk.
All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.
The Cloudy2Clear service is a money saving one that only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Wendy commented “we were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made when
Have Your Windows Steamed Up? Replace the pane, not the frame!
All glazing backed by our
“I really liked the fact that they were a local family run business” Janet Beard
Social distancing in operation
We are a Which? Trusted Trader
Faulty locks, handles or hinges? Priority freephone www.cloudy2clear.co.uk
Love Your Home - Protect Your Windows - Save Money Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Tasty home cooked food, generous portions and very competitive prices Delivered to your door
CONTACT FREE
Website: www.cooked4ubrackley.com
Email: cooked4ubrackley@gmail.com
Te l : 0 7 7 2 0 9 5 5 5 4 4
CLARKE'S PLUMBING AND HEATING
OVER 28 YEARS EXPERIENCE OF DOMESTIC PLUMBING AND HEATING
• BOILER SERVICING • REPAIRS • GASWORK • INSTALLATION • HEATING/HOTWATER Brackley Based
07549 618609 www.clarkesplumbingandheating.co.uk
Email: info@vermingo.uk 584690
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To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
C h o o s i n g a Fa m i ly L aw ye r Few people consult a family lawyer before they need to do so and, for that reason, the process of choosing one to support and represent you at a difficult and stressful time can feel rather rushed. Many of our clients come to us through recommendation from a family member, friend or work colleague, but a significant number will look for a family lawyer through local publications, organisations or the internet. Divorce, separation and issues around children are often emotional, complex and can take time to resolve. This is why it is vital to choose a solicitor that you feel will provide you with the best level of service and support and one who understands your situation.
When choosing a family lawyer, we would recommend looking for one who can demonstrate experience and expertise of your specific circumstances, provide a clear indication of the likely costs involved in your matter, and be relied upon to communicate well and give regular updates on the progress of your case. Spratt Endicott Solicitors offer clients a fixed fee initial meeting at ÂŁ95 (including VAT) at any of our four offices in Banbury, Brackley, Bicester or Buckingham. For more information please contact Madeleine Harrington on 01869 222310 or email mharrington@se-law.co.uk
Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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B r a c k l e y Ve h i cl e S e r v i c e s
SUMMER £65.00
AIR CON SERVICE
£65 inc vat R134A Gas only
01280 706999 info@bvsmot.co.uk THIS VOUCHER ENTITLES YOU TO (Normal Price £54.85)
www.bvsmot.co.uk 10
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
We have merged with
Unit 4, Buckingham Court, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7EU Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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We have now reopened and are running a contactless delivery service in & around Brackley. Order easily on our website and choose your delivery day and time slot during checkout.
Follow us @BalloonsByReds
01280 422144 www.balloonsbyreds.co.uk
We deliver daily newspapers Brackley and magazines to Banbury & surrounding villages. Any combination of days/week catered for. Ring us on 01295 268499 or e-mail info@smithsnewsagents.co.uk 12
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
ELECTRICAL SERVICES & GENERAL MAINTENANCE
01280 840277 or 0800 458 3348 ELECTRICAL SERVICES including:
GENERAL MAINTENANCE including:
Fault finding, Sockets/switches, Rewires, Flat pack assembly, Curtain poles/rails/blinds, Loft boarding/Insulation , Showers, Cookers, Immersion heaters, Consumer units, Smoke alarms, Lighting, Shower screens/curtains, Shelving/cupboards WC repairs, Fix creaking floorboards, Storage/panel heater, Door entry, CCTV, Pressure-wash patios/deck/driveways, Testing: Drains unblocked/cleaned, PAT (Portable Appliance Testing), Gutters cleaned/repaired, EICR (PIR/Landlords certs), etc Plus much more – please ask
Plus much more – please ask
No Job Too Small
Brackley, Buckingham & All Surrounding Areas
Paul Bedell Services Ltd
Picture Framing ELECTRICAL SERVICES & Adderbury GENERAL MAINTENANCE Expert advice on all your framing with 20 years experience Art and Photo framing Fast turnaround By appointment only Please contact Chris Tout
07460226974
PAINTING &
DECORATING Interior, Exterior, Paper Hanging, Artexing, etc, 20 Years Experience Tel: Andy Browning – 01280 841011 or Mobile: 07778 128 898
ESTIMATES chriswtout@gmail.com Brackley, Buckingham & AllFREE Surrounding Areas– All work Guaranteed Brackley and surrounding areas
Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
01865 321421
Call us today!
www.greensleeves-uk.com
Get a FREE Quotation
Friendly Local Business Greens & Thickens the Lawn Controls Weeds & Moss Pay as you go - No Contract Safe for Children & Pets Cheaper & More Effective than DIY
The Lawn Care Company You Can Really Rely On
Let us transform the quality of your lawn!
OFFICIAL DEALERSHIP
Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Friendly Female Driving Instructor, Brackley Based. Competitive Rates, Block Booking Discounts. Hourly Lessons and Intensive Courses Available Pass Plus Tuition for Discounted Insurance
Your Local electrician
Telephone Number: 01295 01280 768305 705311 Mobile Number: 0791 274 6215
T. WILLIAMS
PLUMBING & HEATING All plumbing work under taken 24 hr local emergency call out
306382
Unvented Heating & Hot water specialist • No job too small or big • Very competitive
Phone Tom 07932 004794
WHY SKIP? GRAB!! SERVICE
Reliable, Friendly Service with a Personal Touch
Oxfordshire & Surrounding Counties
CCTV SYSTEMS
Other services available include: Crane Assisted Haulage • Low Loaders Aggregates and Topsoil
Tel: 01869 277410 Mob: 07710 707174
www.bicestersweepers.co.uk sales@bicestersweepers.co.uk 16
08085 364646
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
Project12_Layout 1 22/12/2017 12:57 Page 1
Having problems with your hearing?
Our Services
01280 701012 07850 867939 upto ‘10’ Years Guarantee on all Worcester Boiler Installs Heating Installation • FullBoiler Replacements • Hot Water Cylinders • Boiler Servicing •
C a l l To d a y F o r Yo u r N o Obligation Quotation
maxheat@sky.com
• Home Visit Service • Ear Wax Removal • Free Hearing Tests • Competitive Rates We Provide • Digital Hearing Aids and Accessories • Wax Removal via Micro-suction or Irrigation Strict Hygiene Procedures and PPE worn in accordance with Covid 19 Government Guidelines.
Ring 0333 242 7646 or 07942 641986 Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
the future of wood burning stoves
Visit our Showroom at Beaumont Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 1RH
T: 01295 253936
E: info@ironandwood.co.uk
www.ironandwood.co.uk Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Project4_Use Leaflets 27/12/2017 15:38 Page 1
Use Leaflets? Let us distribute them for you
We can distribute your ready-made materials to over 18,000 letterboxes on a monthly basis.
Contact Mandy 0844 693 3228 inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
Award winning outstanding care agency now taking on clients within Buckingham area
Care advice 01280 703204
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GA R D E N I N G T H I S M O N T H Article written by Michelle Hiscutt
I Love August in the garden... It reminds me of endless sunny days as a child being feral outside in mine or someone else’s garden. The sound of Martins and swifts overhead, the smell of BBQs and slightly brown, worn lawns and a softening light are so evocative. Lots of us will be having staycations at home this year. I plan on enjoying some warm evenings sitting out late, munching tapas on the terrace, days splashing in the (paddling) pool, doing some reading on a lounger.
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One of the best parts of going on holiday is enjoying the local food. Staycation produce has to be the best for food miles and is so tasty. There is much to enjoy right now: ripening fruit from strawberries, raspberries and plums. First harvests of sweetcorn and more courgettes than anyone knows what to do with. Courgette lasagne uses up lots and is a healthy, low carb alternative to pasta, and with a veggie ratatouille has a southern european, summery vibe. The runner beans repay frequent deluges by providing a continuous delicious crop that tastes nothing like the limp, stringy shop bought ones.
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
10% DISCOUNT for over 70’s
Fine range of great plants If you can’t get away for your holiday then bring some holiday to your garden or a window box and plant up some plants from your favourite holiday destination. Keeping the peace is a theme that runs through August not only for parents but for gardeners too. The garden does seem to want to spill over into anarchy, plants need haircuts as much as the rest of us and plant thugs need cutting down to size. So chopping and cutting are the main To-Dos this month: dead heading flowers continues to promote further flowers. Summer pruning of fruit trees to restrict growth and get light and air to ripening fruit. Wisteria needs its summer prune back to 7 or 8 buds. Evergreens like box and yew cut now will look smart into winter and new growth won’t be browned by frost. Lavender can be cut back now if the flowers have gone over but don’t go below the green growth. In all but the hottest weather grass will be needing regular mowing. If you like your grass green, a watering with a bit of seaweed will bring back that dark green carpet.
Freephone: 0800 695 1944 Mobile: 07788 513 780 Fully Qualified and Insured Tree Care and Grounds Maintenance Decades of Hedge Cutting Knowledge
www.absolutetreecare.co.uk
Vincent Landscapes of Buckingham est1990
www.vincent-landscapes.co.uk
Specialists in Landscape Design and Construction, from an idea to your Dream alfresco living space, where you work rest and play.
•Patios •Walling ( brick and natural stone) •Bespoke timber buildings •Fencing •Garden timber constructions For a free no obligation quote call or email Darren on
07918 193315 01280 817944 vincent-landscapes@hotmail.co.uk its not a job, its our passion!
May your August seem endless for all the right reasons and enjoy some summer holiday in your garden. Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Absolute Tree Care
Last year’s winter storms saw this windblown beech blocking the main fairway.
It Is always good to meet a man who Is happy In hIs work, and the enthusiasm which adam winch has for his life as an arborist is unmistakable. he describes his decision to change careers at the age of 30 as ‘an epiphany – a miracle moment’. and on having made the change back in 2000 and gone on to found his own business absolute tree Care in north and west oxfordshire, he can look back with no cause at all to regret that decision.
“I had always done other things that paid well, and they gave me the experience of working for myself,” Adam recalls. “I always managed to find my own way. I had been working in recycling, and among other things had run market stalls. At a time when work was very quiet, I did a garden makeover – and discovered that I had green fingers. I pondered whether I should make the move and train to be a tree surgeon, but kept thinking of all the reasons why not, rather than the reasons why I could do so. Then I became more positive and thought, why don’t I look into it and go back to college and see how I get on. “At last I knew what I really wanted to do with my life.” Once having made up his mind, he wasted no time in looking at how to get his new career underway. “I researched courses,” he relates, “and found a 10-week course at Merrist Wood College. It was very intensive, but very broad, including tree law and all the basics and mechanics of arboriculture. Being just a short course it fitted in very well with my own situation at the time, with three young children in the family.” Adam gained his City and Guilds qualification with distinction, and is full of praise for all the benefits that he gained from the course. “I think Merrist Wood is one of the best, if not the best college in the country,” he says. “Not a day goes by when I don’t go right back to the training I received there, and quotes come back to me of advice that I learnt. One is the importance of re-looking at a task: if it doesn’t feel right – such as in what way a tree should be felled – then it isn’t right. I have learned the value of stopping to re-address such a situation and look at the other options. It might be that it would be better to decide on bringing in a mobile crane because of the size of the job, even if that proves more expensive. “That initial training has also enabled me to train my own staff in aspects of their work – which shows how well I was taught,” he adds. “I repeat to the letter what they taught me and how they taught me.”
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Background image shows the large leylandii hedge, halfway through being reduced. The hedge was approx six metres wide.
On completing his course, Adam went to work for a tree surgeon locally, but it was not long before he came up against one of the already increasing realities of the world of business. Recession was beginning to have its effect on the national economy, and Adam was one of the staff the tree surgeon had to make redundant. However, another aspect of life in business, as well as in many other situations, is that every cloud can eventually reveal a silver lining. He and a colleague, who was made redundant with him, set up in business together, and that became the foundation of today’s Absolute Tree Care. “I started up with this other guy who was made redundant at the same time,” Adam relates. “We worked together for a time, but the economy in Ireland was, conversely, going through a boom spell, and as that was where he had come from he decided he would like to go back and take advantage of the business opportunities. I have been running the business on my own ever since.” Initially this was in Bodicote, near Banbury, and is now in Witney. “There was a time, early on, when I had three staff and an apprentice, but the economy was having an effect on a general scale. We were doing a lot of commercial grounds maintenance, which is the bread and butter for many companies such as mine – providing the regular income on which to build a business. “One by one contracts were axed, despite the fact that I had been working for these clients for a number of years. It was just what became of the changed circumstances, nationally.” One contract Adam was particularly sorry to lose was that looking after the grounds of an old people’s care home. “They used to say it made their day, seeing the young gardeners about the place, and that it put a smile on their faces,” he remembers. Sadly that lively Victorian red-brick house was levelled to the ground, and a new housing estate has been built on the site.
To advertise at a price that’s right for you call 07899 757473
Written by Robyn Sheppard 2010 Email: inbusinessmags@gmail.com
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Picture: top scorer Lee Ndlovu
Brackley Town Football Club... w w w.b rac k le y to wn fc .c om
With the world of sport, along with so much else, on ice due to the health emergency, Brackley Town’s season in National League North appeared to have been ended in mid-March - a fine away win at Alfreton Town seeing Saints finish third with 8 matches remaining. Eventually using a points per game calculation Kevin Wilkin’s side dropped to fourth place and that was it apparently the final action as football stopped. King’s Lynn Town jumped above York City into first spot and that was that. But that was not to be that as out of nowhere the league announced that play-off matches would indeed be 26
held to determine who would join King’s Lynn in gaining promotion to National League football, Step 5 in the English pyramid. Overnight players began a weekly testing regime, training resumed - initially small group then building up to full contact training - a practice match behind closed doors against fellow play-off hopefuls but in National League South, Slough Town, was arranged and football was back at St James Park! To earn the prized promotion place Saints would have to beat Gateshead in the eliminator, a home tie but played without spectators. The winners of that game would travel to Boston
United for the semi-final and if that was successfully navigated, a final would await. Three wins from promotion - quite a tasty and unexpected spectacle to serve up. Writing this ahead of the Gateshead match, here’s hoping Saints can find a way through to realise the dream. It will be Brackley Town’s third successive season of reaching the play-offs. Beaten last season on penalties in the semi-final by Spennymoor Town and the season before in the final by Harrpogate Town let’s hope it’s third time lucky!
Come on you Saints!
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Brackley Town Mayor 2020-2021 At its meeting held on Monday 6th July 2020 Brackley Town Council members elected Councillor Christopher Cartmell to the office of Town Mayor, who will be in office until May 2021. In contrast to tradition, this year’s delayed Mayor Making was held via a specially orchestrated Zoom meeting due to current guidance relating to council meetings. Councillor Cartmell has been a Town Councillor for almost 30 years, and has lived in Brackley for over 40 years. This will be the third term of office for the new Mayor, having served in 1997/98 and 2012/13. In addition, he has also served as a District Councillor. Councillor Cartmell appointed his wife Jane as his Mayoress, who will accompany him at events and civic functions. During his inaugural speech, Councillor Cartmell thanked out-going Mayor Councillor Anthony Bagot-Webb and his wife
Kareen for all of their work over the last 14 months. He also paid tribute to local volunteer groups, individuals and social media links made to ensure access to help and advice to our residents has been available throughout lockdown. Councillor Cartmell has said “I know from talking to many local people that help such as collecting shopping or prescriptions has been very much appreciated by those who have been unable to venture out during this worrying time.” As social distancing regulations begin to relax, it is hoped that Councillor Cartmell will be able to announce various events and functions to take place later in the year and beyond,
including a Civic Reception within the Town Hall. Councillor Cartmell and his wife are looking forward to the possibility of meeting as many local groups, clubs and individuals as possible during the next 10 months. During the meeting on Monday, Councillor Don Thompson was elected Deputy Town Mayor, who appointed his wife Ren as Deputy Mayoress. 20 High Street, Brackley, Northants NN13 7DS Telephone: 01280 702441 Email: civic@brackleynorthantstc.gov.uk
© 2020. All artwork and copy appearing in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All information published is correct according to those who supplied it and no respon sibility is taken if it is not. Care is taken to ensure all advertisements are truthful and no liability is accepted for errors or omissions. The right to refuse advertisements is reserved. The use of this publication for canvassing, direct marketing or any other activity apart from sourcing local goods and services is strictly prohibited. This title is a division of Best Area Magazines Ltd, 3 Checketts Close, Pinvin, Worcs WR10 2LE
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