NN3 Dec 15

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December ‘15 / January ‘16

A community magazine and business directory for local residents

A Merry Christmas & Happy New year to all our readers!

Over 4,000 copies distributed across the NN3 Area For Local News, What’s On and Business Directory visit:

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This issues highlights . . . your community magazine and business directory

Dear Readers,

Healthy Living:

Tips from Becca Mclachlan on dietry supplements . . .

5

Quiz Corner:

As another year draws to a close, we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In this latest issue, we again feature a competition where theatre tickets are up for grabs - but this time you will need to hurry as the closing date for entries is the 15th of December.

Congratulations go to Mrs Wendy McKie, our ‘Whittlebury Hall Spa‘ Competition winner, who was first out of the hat of over 250 correct entries.

Don’t forget! If you need a service, please give our advertisers the chance to quote. Without them, magazines like this would not be around!

6

Time to kill? Have a go at these mind boggling puzzles!

Competition Time:

8

Your chance to WIN tickets to a great show at Derngate

Local History:

A legendary tale from centuries ago . . . but is it fact or fiction?. . .

Kung Fu Kid:

Remembering a moment of madness that rocked the Premier League!

Recipe:

Try this festive tipple . . . and there’s something for the kids too!

Mind

games:

Test your knowledge on world events that occurred over Christmas

Bev & Dez

Earth 2055:

In & Around NN3 Magazine If you would like to advertise in this magazine or have an event to promote, please contact us:

An insight into what life could be like forty years from now . . .

Local Football:

07747 632918

Approaching the halfway mark of the current UCL campaign

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What’s On:

Looking to get out & about? Take a browse at these local events

This journal does not accept any responsibility for errors and omissions in this publication, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers. Views expressed by contributors are their own and are not necessarily shared by the publishers. This publication has no political bias.

11 21 26 28 37 45 58

Front Cover Image: ‘Enjoying the Christmas holidays.’ By kind permission of owner.

Kids-Can You Find Boothville BunNY? Simply flick through this magazine and find the other seven pages that our bunny is hiding on. Have more fun by timing how long it takes you . . . and see if Mum or Dad can beat you!

3

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Should you be taking a supplement?

by Becca Mclachlan Raynaud’s syndromes, asthma, cancer, lung diseases, hay fever, Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, hyper glycaemia associated with type 2 diabetes and preeclampsia. Also children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and dyspraxia can really benefit from taking fish oils too. Because the body doesn’t produce omega-3, it is essential that we obtain it from our diets. Foods high in Omega-3 are fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, also omega-3 enriched eggs. If you decide to start taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement make sure they contain an anti-oxidant this is crucial, without anti-oxidant protection fish oils can go rancid. A decent quality fish oil capsule will not repeat on you or leave a fishy taste in your mouth. For those of you that suffer with sleep issues I’ve found magnesium works wonders, there are different types of magnesium available, to help calm the body and mind look out for one that contains magnesium taurate.

Many people ask me whether or not they need to take nutritional supplements if they eat a healthy diet. In a perfect world no one would need supplements. But given the stress of our modern life, the poor quality of our food supply, and the high load of toxins on our brains and bodies, most of us would benefit from a daily supply of extra vitamins and minerals especially during the winter months to help keep us healthy and boost our immune systems. The next question that almost inevitably comes up is what they should take. Well everybody’s nutritional needs are different and also it can depend on the time of the year. During the winter months here in the UK when there is less sunlight our vitamin D levels drop, sunshine is our main source for this vitamin. When I was studying supplementation I was amazed to discover how many of the population in the UK were deficient.

If you are currently taking any medication its important that you consult your GP before starting to take any supplements. Also to benefit from any supplement taking them consistently is key.

Another supplement that I recommend to my clients are omega-3 fish oils. Omega-3 fatty acids have been under the research spotlight for quite a long time, due to their amazing health properties. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database as well as assisting with fat loss and helping to boost your immune system fish oils have been shown to have positive affects on an extremely wide variety of ailments including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, bipolar disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis,

For more health, fitness and weight loss tips visit becca-mclachlan.com and www. metabolic-booster.com If you would like to join one of Becca Mclachlan’s fitness classes, visit her website: www.becca-mclachlan.com www.metabolic-booster.com Brampton Health Golf Centre, Church Brampton, Northampton NN6 8AX 5

by

Coffee time

COFFEE TIME CROSSWORD

Mindbogglers You’ll find all the answers on the events page near the back!

WORD LADDER

FOOT

Convert the word at the top of the ladder into the word at the bottom of it, using only the 4 rungs in between. On each rung you must put a valid 4 letter word that is the same as the word above it, apart from a one letter change. There may be more ways of achieving the final answer.

Across

FOOL COOL COIL BOIL BAIL

1. Place of worship (6) 5. Return (4, 4) 9. Swindled? (5,3,1,4) 10. Understands without hearing (3-5) 11. Fortified wine (6) 12. Member of the same family (6) 14. Price consideration (8) 16. Newsletter (8) 19. Snooker action (6) 21. A model or brand of car? (6) 23. TV rodents (8) 25. Stuck in traffic (2,1,10) 26. Of the brain? (8) 27. Posh car (6)

Down

2. Impacting (7) 3. Gambling game (5) 4. Features of the face? (9) 5. Went over (7) 6. Translates to (5) 7. Fiancee (5,2,2) 8. V shaped line or stripe (7) 13. Even or level (3,6) 15. Heir (9) 17. Unsuspecting (7) 18. In name only (7) 20. Girls name (7) 22. Go into (5) 24. Shrimp like crustacean (5)

SPORTSWORD Answer questions 1-7, fill in the grid and use the initials to name a British horseracing trainer.

L

A 1 2 Answers to all 3 puzzles are on A the events page near the back 3 of this magazine!

4 1. A current Leeds Rhino.

O 2. An England team manager 5 until 2013. 3. An MBE & 6 I former British hurdler.

4. South African batsman 7

O O R

E H S G

currently playing in County Championship Division two. 5. West German winger who played in the 1966 World Cup final. 6. Italian professional cyclist, double winner of the Giro d’Italia.

7. Former Brighton, Wimbledon & Palace centre back in the 80’s.

6

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WIN

ROYAL & DERNGATE FAMILY TICKET

ROYAL & DERNGATE are delighted to announce an enchanting new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale, The Snow Queen, which runs till January the 3rd, 2016. Featuring memorable new songs and hilarious characters, this mischievous retelling of a timeless story will melt your heart.

In a frozen land far away, a Snow Queen kidnaps a young boy named Kai. His best friend Gerda, a stumpy, grumpy, determined little girl is the unlikely hero who sets out to rescue him. On the way, she finds friends who will help her, and the truth behind the mysterious Snow Queen’s identity and why she lives locked up in solitude in her Icy Palace.

Directed by Gary Sefton (Royal & Derngate’s The Wind In The Willows and A Christmas Carol), this world premiere is written by multi-

award-winning comedy writer Georgia Pritchett (Miranda, In The Thick of It, Veep and Wallace And Gromit: Curse Of The Were-Rabbit).

To enter the draw for the chance to win a family ticket (minimum 2 adults) to the show, simply answer the following question: What is the name of Kai’s best friend?

Email your full name and answer to: Northamptonentries@gmail.com and include ‘Snow Queen Comp’ in the email header. Closing date is December 17th. Winners notified by email. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

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Send your articles of Local Interest to: admin@northamptonmagazines.com

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hillside. But who would do such a thing? And how? Did they not realise it to be the foundations of a church?

Is it true?

However, this band were made of stern stuff and before long had brushed their disappointment away and realised that perhaps their first choice siting could be bettered. They set about laying the foundations of their project once more and by the end of the day they looked on with more satisfaction than their previous endeavour. One suspects that the mead hall would have been a good place to be that evening!

A small settlement with an unusual name lies just west of Watling Street and within a horse ride of Daventry. It has long been regarded as one of the gems of Northamptonshire. Delightfully situated in its dramatic hillside location and sweeping views of sporadic woodlands, Stowe Nine Churches looks like it’s from a different part of England. The majority of people who are unfamiliar with the village always ask the same question: “has it really got nine churches?” Of course, the answer is obviously no, but less publicised is the story behind the name!

However, come the next morning everybody was in complete shock! Tools here and there, trench boards and stones scattered even further up the incline. The downcast workers sighed at such devastation. Those still slightly drowsy from their evening merriment were bewildered and confused . . . but admirably, composure was restored and unanimously, they chose another site and carried on with their objective.

Fortunately, the men had became totally unified, determined to see the task through.

Centuries ago, before William the Conqueror created havoc, the happy villagers and monks of this ancient settlement decided to construct a church dedicated to Archangel Michael. Legend has it that although these puritans were hairy Saxons, they had a simple and untroublesome existence.

Over the next two days they arrived only to find each attempt totally disrupted and again everything scattered randomly, but strangely, even further up the hillside! After a full days rest, the men vowed to soldier on and still their labours were wrecked nightly for a fifth, sixth and seventh time. But they refused to give up!

Deciding on a suitable spot for their stone temple wasn’t easy. With sighting poles aplenty, and an abundance of scratched heads, they finally settled on the right spot - a small, but level expanse, down in the valley, near to a stream that gurgled and trickled its way through to the baize of open countryside.

Belatedly, they decided to investigate. An individual was selected by drawing lots which turned out to be the youngest monk among them.

He was detailed to keep a watchful eye on their eighth set of foundations. So the monk wrapped himself up in the dark, with only a burning torch as company. He was trembling, not from cold, but from the thought of what lay in store. All seemed quiet until just as he was dozing off, a great disturbance brought him to his senses!

The young monk, riddled with terror took hold of his burning torch and entered the scene. He managed to stay sane, muttering “Who in the Lords name are you”?

Waving his torch to get sight of whatever was causing this carnage, the monk was astonished by the sight of a small half hog, half human

Muddy trenches were crudely dug and stonework was manually hauled to the scene as the project got off to a good start. Those involved in the work downed their tools with satisfaction when daylight dictated they quench their thirst in the local mead hall.

After a well earned nights sleep they returned the next day with a spring in their step – only to discover that their previous labours had gone awry! The trenches desecrated, the tools scattered and materials misplaced. It was a scene hard to accept as well as puzzling! All and sundry seemed to have been thrown up the 11

E

like figure staring him out. There were snorts and grunts as the monstrosity performed feats of supernatural strength, hurling humungous stoneworks to the peak of the hillside, tools and woodworks flew through the air. Needless to say, the monk dropped his torch and legged it.

Whiter than a bedsheet and still trembling, the following day, the young monk recalled his experiences amid scattered stones, tools and planks which now lay near the hilltop. It was clear that devilry was at work - which nobody wanted to mess with. But the villagers were adamant, deciding to build on the brow of the hill before considering a search for pastures new!

consecration of the church, a dark stranger passed by, wielding a bent staff and wearing a crooked hat.

After another hard day passed, many woke early and were delighted to find an undisturbed site - surely a sign that the bad spirits of the place - or whatever they may be - were finally happy.

With no further dramas, they finished building their church, on its ninth site and to this day the church of Saint Michael still rides high on the hilltop in the parish of Stowe Nine Churches.

Through his fang-like teeth he whispered to the young monk that the people of peace were now pleased with the mens handiwork, whereas the invasion of their dancing ground had upset them greatly! They’d tried to hint at where the church should go and were glad when the message finally got through. ‘Yer stone God box will stand its ground with their blessing’ he said before he mysteriously scurried off with haste. The monk gave quick pursuit, wanting to question the stranger, but oddly, there was no sign of him - he’d vanished into thin air. The monk cast a look down the hillside and just for a brief moment, thought he’d seen eight phantom churches in different locations before merging into the one on the hill. Was it a dream?

However, this far-fetched tale doesn’t conclude yet! Legend has it that immediately following the

To this day the villages ambivalent sign states: Church Stowe, Stowe Nine Churches.

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Winner: Lings Primary School Runners Up: Ecton Brook Primary & Parkland Primary Secondary Sport School of the Year

Sports Awards

(Sponsored by Cybex)

Winner: Malcolm Arnold Academy Get Active 2015 Award

2015

(Sponsored by Healthwatch Northamptonshire)

Winner: Bobbie Brown Runners Up: Tomasz Jazwinski & Harjinder Kaur Community Club of the Year

Northampton Leisure Trust held their 7th annual Sports Awards on Thursday 22nd October at the Guildhall, Northampton. The awards are held in partnership with Northampton Borough Council and were hosted by Tim Oglethorpe from BBC Radio Northampton. We have a number of generous sponsors who contributed to the event (listed as below) who we would like to thank for their support.

This year we had close to 100 nominations across all categories with as many as 10 in some. The standard of nominations continues to grow each year and the range of sports involved increases all the time. The awards evening once again demonstrates the strength of grass roots sport in Northampton and the success that many athletes have locally, regionally and nationally!

Each award category is shortlisted down to three nominees who are invited to the awards evening, where the winner is announced. We were fortunate on the evening to have Steven Crook from Northampton County Cricket Club present for a question and answer session and an insight into the career of a professional sportsman.

List of Awards: Young Leader of the Year

(Sponsored by Healthwatch Northamptonshire)

Winner: Far Cotton Boxing Club Runners Up: Northampton Express Bowls Club & Northampton Rowing Club Team of the Year (Sponsored by Friday Legal) Joint winners: Northants Basketball Club U14 Girls & Northampton Swimming Club Junior League Team Runner Up: Northampton Town Multi Disabled Football Club Coach of the Year (Sponsor Northamptonshire Sport) Winner: John Daly (Far Cotton Boxing Club) Runners Up: Dani Martin (NTGA) & Andy Sharp (Northampton Swimming Club) Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Nottingham Community Housing Association) Winner: Robert White (N’pton Express Bowls Club) Runners Up: Roger Adams and Mick Reeves (St Crispin & Ryelands Cricket Club) & Randeep Singh (Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club)

Disabled Sports Achiever

(Sponsored by David Smith Associates) Winner: Eleanor Robinson (N’pton Swimming Club)

Runners Up: Chris Lazenby & Dave Lazenby (Both of Wootton Road Runners)

Local Sportswoman of the Year (Sponsored by KKP) Winner: Georgia Elliot-King (GB Basketball) Runners Up: Susan Corless (N’pton Archery Club) & Molly Perkins (Far Cotton Boxing Club) Local Sportsman of the Year (SPONSORED BY

(Sponsored by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership)

Winner: Alex Wilson (N’pton Street Sports Project) Runner Up: Sydney Ngobeh (N’hants Basketball) Young Sportswoman of the Year

NORTHAMPTON MAGAZINES - pictured above with Bev)

Winner: Carl Fail (Far Cotton Boxing Club) Runners Up: Mike Aldridge (Wootton Road Runners) & Jamie Walker (West End Bowls Club) Long Time Contribution to Sport (Sponsored by

(Sponsored by Harlands Group) Winner: Eleanor Robinson (N’pton Swimming Club) Runners Up: Rebecca Herring (O.N’s Rugby Club) & Holly Winterburn (Northants Basketball Club)

Spencewood)

Young Sportsman of the Year

Winner: Norman Barker (Rugby) Runners Up: Karen Goodrich (Basketball) & Russell Lewis (Football) We will be opening nominations for the images 2016 awards on 1st January flicker 2016. For more information visit www.trilogyleisure.co.uk

(Sponsored by The University of Northampton) Winner: Joseph Watkins (Karate / Kickboxing) Runners Up: Jacob Round (Northampton School for Boys) & Cauly Swift (N’pton Express Bowls Club)

Primary Sport School of the Year (Sponsored by Cybex)

15

long but only had around 7 miles of arches.

Before building an aqueduct, engineers had to assess the quality of a potential water source by examining the clarity, flow rate, and taste of the water and they also took note of the physical condition of the people who drank it.

Once a site was approved, surveyors calculated the right path and gradient for the duct, as well as its channel size and length. It is widely thought that slaves provided the manpower.

Aqueducts usually took years to complete, making them costly, and also had to be maintained and protected. To care for them, the city of Rome at one time employed around 700 people. Facilities for repairs or maintenance were also incorporated into the design. For instance, underground sections of the aqueducts were made accessible by means of manholes and shafts so when major repairs were needed, engineers could temporarily divert the water away from a damaged section.

By the early third century B.C. 11 major aqueducts served the city of Rome. The first, the Aqua Appia, built in 312 B.C. and just over ten miles long, ran almost entirely underground.

Still preserved in part is the Aqua Claudia, which was some 43 miles long with about 6 miles of arches, a number of which stood a staggering 90 feet high!

So how much water did the capital’s aqueducts carry? The Aqua Marcia, mentioned earlier, ferried about 6.7 million cubic feet of water into the city every day! Once the gravity-driven water reached urban areas, it flowed into distribution tanks and then into small wells or branches, which channelled the water to other distribution tanks or to locations for water use.

Some estimate that Rome’s water distribution system grew to an extent where it could have supplied more than 265 gallons of water for each inhabitant every day.

A true

engineering marvel . . .

Roman aqueducts are considered among the most remarkable feats of ancient engineering.

In their day, Roman cities were usually built near plentiful water supplys, and Rome was no exception. In its early years the Tiber River and nearby springs and wells provided sufficient water but as Rome grew rapidly, so did its need for water.

Since very few homes had running water, the Romans built hundreds of private and public baths. The first public bath in the city of Rome was fed by the Aqua Virgo, constructed around 19 B.C. The builder of this aqueduct, Marcus Agrippa, was a close friend of Caesar Augustus and poured much of his vast fortune into overhauling and extending Rome’s watersupply system.

Baths also became social venues with the larger ones having gardens and libraries. After leaving the baths, aqueduct water, which could not be shut off, flowed into the sewerage system, constantly flushing it. This included waste from the latrines located at the baths.

A Roman aqueduct makes one imagine a series of lofty arches running to distant horizons, but in actual fact, arches formed less than 20 percent of the waterways, the larger portion of which, ran underground. This more economical design not only protected aqueducts against erosion, but also minimized their impact on fields and neighbourhoods. For example, the Aqua Marcia, finished in 140 B.C. was about 57 miles

16

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several minutes before police, stewards and other members of the crowd managed to pull the two apart. Fellow United player, Paul Ince, was also reported for throwing punches.

The incident enraged the British public and realising the serious nature of the incident, United were quick to ban the player for the rest of the season and fined him 20 grand! He was also stripped of the captaincy of the French national team.

Cantona’s fiery temper had got him in trouble before. In 1987, whilst playing for Auxerre, he punched his own goalkeeper, leaving him with a black eye. He was also suspended by Marseille for kicking a ball into the crowd and throwing his shirt at a referee after being substituted. Cantona resigned from French football and moved to England.

In the furore of his kung fu attack, he tried to keep a low profile and knowing he was likely to face police charges and a trial, he tried to escape the media spotlight by discretely holidaying in Guadeloupe. However, the plan backfired when he was tracked down by an ITN reporter who he threatened with death for invading his privacy!

Two months after the incident, Cantona finally appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court. In a packed court room, the Frenchman, probably not expecting a harsh sentence, was given a two week jail term for assaulting Simmons.

The verdict drew gasps from the room and Cantona and his legal team were gobsmacked.

But within three hours, a judge had granted bail pending an appeal. However, not everyone blamed Cantona. His supporters were quick to point out that his victim had been convicted in 1992 for attempted armed robbery using

Seagulls, trawlers & plain insanity?

Many years ago, Jimmy Greaves coined the phrase: ‘football’s a funny ol’ game.’ Since the Saint and Greaves TV show left our screens, times have changed and none so much as the influx of non-British players into our football leagues. One of the earliest foreign imports was a gentleman by the name of Eric Cantona.

The Frenchman was without doubt a highly talented player, but around this time, 20 years ago, he was in the centre of, arguably, the most bizarre incident in the history of the Premier League. Fergies red and white army had made the trek to Selhurst Park where a fractious game ensued. By the 48th minute, the ref’s tolerance level went off the scale and French import, Eric Cantona saw the dreaded red after kicking an opponent. However, that wasn’t the end of matters as, on his way to the tranquility of the dressing room, an over zealous Palace fan gave him some right royal verbal.

To the astonishment of all, Cantona catapulted across the barrier, feet first into the chest of motor-mouth fan Matt Simmons, in an attack reminiscent of Hollywood hero, Jackie Chan!

The pair traded punches as Cantona went beserk at the apparent abuse, which was based around the authenticity of his mother, and it took 21

E

violence. Simmons later protested that he was unfairly judged because of his criminal past and was unhappy that Palace had withdrawn his season ticket for breaking ground rules.

The trials of Simmons and Ince were largely overshadowed by Cantona’s appeal against his two week prison sentence. At Croydon Crown Court, Cantona finally had his jail term reduced to 150 hours community service and the saga took another surreal turn as the enigmatic Cantona delivered a bizarre one line statement to the press about seagulls and trawlers before walking out, leaving them to decipher the cryptic words which appeared to be an attack on journalists in general.

Cantona’s accuser, Simmons, was later fined £500 for using threatening behaviour and banned from football stadiums for a year. On hearing this,

Simmons lunged at the prosecution lawyers, briefly getting one in a headlock.

After Simmons was restrained, he was given seven days in prison for contempt of court.

Following this insane event, Cantona calmed down and concentrated on letting his feet do the talking. In 1996, he was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association and he scored the winning goal in the FA cup final against Liverpool to give United the double for the second time in three seasons.

After winning the Premiership with United in 1997, he announced his retirement from football at the age of 30, turning his attentions to a new career in acting. Despite his undoubted talents, he has yet to be cast alongside Jackie Chan!!

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CHRISTMAS EXCLUSIVE! An interview with

Father Christmas What is your real name?

That’s a silly question! As Jose Mourinho said recently “try looking on Google”!

Talking of silly questions, why do you think there isn’t a “Mother Christmas”?

It’s probably down to cost. For a start, if there was a Mother Christmas she’d need to buy a different outfit every year!

US scientists have calculated that you would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world’s presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second. So just how do you do it?

Is there any truth in the rumour that you’ve done some online speed dating?

Yes! . . . I pulled a cracker!

There’s another rumour going round that your wife is extremely attractive?

Years ago God treated me to a 1250cc Holy Davidson, which helped immensely. Nowadays it’s a trade secret so I could tell you but I’d have to kill you afterwards!

I’m not surprised! She’s the double of Kate Moss! . . . . . Kate Moss weighs eight stone and my wife weighs sixteen!

What has been your most difficult moment as Father Christmas?

Do you deliver to naughty children?

The inception of cheaper new build houses about 10 years ago as chimney sizes were greatly reduced.

Yes, it’s always the same thing . . .a set of old batteries with the words “toy not included” written underneath.

What would happen if you fell ill around this time of year?

Is there anyone that you don’t deliver to?

Yes, the taxman! A few years ago he installed a parking meter on his roof so now I give it a wide berth!!

Don’t worry, I have private elf insurance!

The only time I’ve been unwell was when I accidently ate a Christmas decoration and went down with tinselitis!

This interview is getting ridiculous!

Well don’t blame me, you started it!

What is your strangest Christmas time experience?

Finally, word has it that last year you delivered presents to some famous people.

Is there anyone special on this years list?

An Irish woman grabbed me and insisted that I kissed her under a mistle toad!!!!??

Apparently there’s a smart tie and ironed shirt for Jeremy Corbyn. Then there’s some boxing gloves and a mouthguard for Jeremy Clarksons new TV producer as well as a free holiday in Australia for a South African Rugby referee.

What’s the oddest Christmas present you’ve ever had to deliver?

A wooden leg . . . . apparently it was just a stocking filler!

25

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Two festive tipples

Festive Mulled Wine (for adults) Serves: 12; Prep:10min; Cook: 1hr 15min; Ready in: 1hr 25min.

Ingredients: 2 oranges, 2 bottles red ; 1 bottle white wine; 1 (6cm) piece of fresh root ginger; peeled and thinly sliced, 3 cinnamon sticks; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 5 tablespoons demerara sugar, or to taste; 4 tablespoons brandy (optional).

Remove the zest from the oranges in strips, being careful to remove only the orange part, leaving the pith behind. Then, juice the oranges into a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the red wine and white wine. Place the strips of orange zest, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves and sugar in with the mixture; stir to dissolve the sugar. Cover and heat over medium-high setting, taking care not to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for an hour or longer to blend the flavours together. Adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar, if necessary. Strain and

serve hot with a splash of brandy, if desired. For the younger ones . . .

Festive Mulled Apple Juice: Serves: 6; Prep:5min; Cook: 10 mins; Ready in: 15min Ingredients: 1.5L apple juice; 4 tablespoons maple syrup; 2 cinnamon sticks; 6 whole cloves; 6 whole allspice berries; peel of 1 orange, cut into strips; peel of 1 lemon, cut into strips.

Pour the apple juice and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Secure the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange and lemon peel in a muslin spice bag and drop it into the juice mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture is very hot but not boiling. Remove from the heat. Discard the spice bag and serve with a fresh cinnamon stick to each glass if desired. Enjoy . . .

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26

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‘That was the week that was’ Xmas Quiz

6. On Christmas Day, 1642, Sir Isaac Newton was born in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire. He became a legendary mathematician, scientist and author, best known for his work on the Test your knowledge of world events theory of gravitation. He died in 1772. But that occurred in past where was he buried? years between a) Woolsthorpe b) Westminster Abbey c) Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Day & 7. This Chinese librarian, teacher and New Year! communist revolutionist was considered the Answers: See events “founding father” of the People’s Republic of page at the back.

China. Born on Boxing Day, 1893, he passed 1. On Christmas Eve, 1914, the first-ever away in 1976, but who was he?

WW1 German air raid against Britain took a) Jin Gull Bellz b) Teng Tsu Mao c) Mao place when a German monoplane dropped a Tse-Tung single bomb. But where did the bomb land?

8. This Spanish cellist was born on 29th of a) London b) Dover c) Dublin December, 1876. He was one of the most 2. On Christmas Eve, 1990, the bells of St. influential musicians of the 20th Century Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow rang for the setting new performance standards with his first time since 1924. For what reason did instrument. Who was he ? they cease to ring? a) Julio Iglesias b) Roberto Soldado c) Pablo a) The key to the bell tower was mislaid b) Casals The death of Vladimir Lenin c) The bell was 9. The International Monetary Fund was first dismantled and used to make ammunition established on December 27th, 1945. But 3. Christmas Day commemorates the birth whereabouts? of Jesus of Nazareth. The exact date of his a) Washington, D.C., America b) Berlin, birth is not known. When did the Roman Germany c) Geneva, Switzerland Catholic Church first celebrate his birth?

10. During the Vietnam War, on 29th of a) 336 A.D. b) 251A.D. c) 76 B.C. December 1965, the North Vietnamese 4. On Christmas Day, William the Conqueror President rejected unconditional peace talks was crowned King of England after he had offered by the U.S. But who was he? invaded England from France, defeated and a) Ho Chi Minh b) Minh Cho Hi c) Hi Chin Mohn killed King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, 11. On December 30th, 1803, the Stars and then marched on London. In what year was Stripes flag was raised over New Orleans he crowned? as the United States took possession of a) 1302 b) 1066 c) 1584 Louisiana, nearly doubling the size of the 5. Again on Christmas Day, a Romanian U.S.A. But who did they buy it from? television broadcast of a Christmas a) Donald Trumps great grandfather b) The musical was abruptly interrupted with Russians c) The French an announcement about deposed Prime 12. What did famous inventor, Thomas Edison Minister, Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife. first publicly demonstrate on New Years Eve But what was the announcement about?

1742? Was it: a) They’d just been reinstated b) They were a) an electric incandescent lamp b) an electric divorcing on Boxing Day c) They’d just been party blower c) the first electric lighthouse. executed (Marking Guide: 12/12 Genius; 8/12 Average; 5/12 Don’t let on!)

28

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Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s, the town of Warminster was one of the UK’s best known UFO hot spots. However, the sightings were not initially flying objects, but unexplained sounds.

On Christmas Day morning in 1964, many Warminster residents were disturbed by a series of strange noises, which consisted of strong, pounding vibrations and could best be by vibrating noises that she was knocked to described as “sonic attacks.” One resident was the ground and unable to move. In her own stirred by the repeated sound of something words, she was “pinned down by the invisible falling onto her roof. When she looked out the fingers of sound.” Over the course of the next window, she heard a strange humming noise, year, there were numerous reported incidents but the weather was clear and nothing had of strange unexplained sounds in Warminster. come into contact with the roof. This same These noises were eventually nicknamed “The experience was reported by many different Thing.” By summer 1965, witnesses started residents in different locations that morning, reporting unidentified flying objects in the sky.

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Keeping children safe on social media by Jules White

There’s no doubt that a lot more of our lives are conducted online than perhaps ten or fifteen years ago. With the increased popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram, we are now all connected in ways we may not have thought possible back then. Our children are also engaged, messaging their school friends and posting videos and pictures, and communicating with a whole host of people across the world.

On the one hand it’s remarkable and exciting for children to be online and having access to social media can help them develop and thrive.

But parents also know that there are pitfalls to the technology from cyberbullying and the risk of being befriended by undesirable individuals to the chance of viewing inappropriate content and even developing a gambling habit.

Time to talk The earlier you have the conversation about safety online with your children, the better. And it doesn’t do any harm to keep reminding them.

Whilst this should not be a hysterical rant about what can go wrong, you can make your kids aware that not everything is always as it seems online. For instance, they should only accept connection requests from people they know in real life.

Take an interest Yes, children might be protective of their online world and may not want you to be involved, but if you start early enough and show enough interest then that may well give you more access to their ‘inner sanctum’. Recent statistics show that the average child spends about 12 hours a week online doing various activities and you’ll want to know that they are safe. After all you wouldn’t let them wander off into a new town without you, why would you let them

wander around in this digital world alone.

Who are they talking to?

Children don’t just get to know people on social media, there are also a wealth of gaming sites now where players can interact. This is where you need to explain to your child that it is easy for people to pretend to be someone else online and that they shouldn’t be accepting friend requests from individuals they don’t really know. Pretty much like the conversation we all have at an early age about strangers.

Have rules It might seem easier to let your child explore the online world by themselves, there is a lot to be said about independence at an early age, but it also pays to have rules in place as you would for any other activity. This can include the amount of time they spend on social media, how they treat other people and what kind of information and images they share. Most of all reiterate this is real too – quite often people behave out of character online as it seems unreal and therefore without consequences.

In our next issue, we will explore ways that you can try to control and influence the subjects that your child may be viewing online such as privacy and restrictions that can limit what you child views online.

About the author: Jules White of The Last Hurdle. Jules White is the founder, franchisor and the Northampton franchisee of The Last Hurdle. A Business Development Specialist with over 18 years sales and marketing experience, Jules was invited to be a panellist for Facebook, advising small businesses how to use Facebook for Business at the first Bootcamp in EMEA and again during the summer tour in Cardiff.

34

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Back to the future!

disappeared! Your weekly shop is either done at a local unmanned vending station or online, delivered by remote controlled transport.

Simply key in your unique code and you access your goods! One saving grace is the strict government pricing levels on all food stuffs!

But this has inevitably affected quality, but then again, being an island has always meant that we end up with lower grade dross!

If you can afford the fare, a flight over our island reveals the disappearance of great swathes of southern and central England, our green and pleasant land. A sea of grey spreads out from London, all the way to Britain’s second city, Milton Keynes. Constant demand for more housing saw the last green-belt restrictions removed in the early 2030’s. From the aircraft window, you can just make out the jagged lines of Britain’s privatised motorways carving their way across the countryside. By the early 2040s, eight lanes had become the norm. Electric cars are commonplace, but old fuel based models, bathe much of suburban Britain in a thick fog.

Public transport was an option in 2015, when commuters had standing space. But getting a train these days is like a journey into hell.

Even high speed trains between London and Birmingham are rammed! The HS2 service finally opened in 2036 but the northern extension appears to be just idle gossip. Policing is at an all time high which may be another significant drain on resources, but the problem is that crime occurs on nearly every street corner.

The great irony is that 40 years ago, many people claimed an expanding population would boost employment and economic growth. But with so many jobs swallowed by technological advances and the cream of British talent moving overseas, those claims have proved a hollow fantasy. Britain in 2055 has become a selfish place, whether you are at the top, the bottom or somewhere in the middle, it’s dog eat dog if you want to survive!

It’s approaching Christmas, 2055. Dawn is breaking over the city of London. Pale sunlight breaks through the thick haze which is now almost a permanent smokescreen. The streets are already at bursting point as grey-suited commuters, surge toward call centres, robotic control stations or other IT based workplaces.

Meanwhile, overhead, an endless succession of flights from Brussels, the hub of Zone de Europe, and other control pods head into what used to be called Heathrow and its imposing nine terminals. In London’s 200 outer suburbs the cities surgeries and hospitals struggle to cope with queues of parents waiting anxiously with their anaemic children. Many have travelled overnight to get free parking, but it’s still cost you as your vehicle is remotely tracked to calculate the surcharge! By 6 a.m. lines of cars wait patiently to use roadside electric charging points as the price of fuel is astronomical.

Back in the the early 2010’s, our population was barely 63 million. People still carried mobile telephones and watched television in just two dimensions, and industrially, we still lagged behind a race, then referred to as the Germans.

At the time, some commentators warned that the continual increase in birth rate was putting the health, education and transport systems under intolerable strain . . . . but nobody listened.

Great medical advances have also contributed to the estimated 80 million said to be on our island. Even though the retirement age is now 72, we are borrowing billions to pay for all the pensions, which explains the continual policy of open borders: these days, Britain is simply desperate for whatever taxation revenue it can get hold of! Then there’s that other major success, the computer demon, A.I., which has revolutionised robotics to such a degree that jobs like shop assistants, counter sales, reps, delivery drivers, receptionists, have virtually 37

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39

You will find school term dates on page 60

gust & September

Festive safety Christmas is no time to forget crime and fire prevention messages. The Prevention and Community Protection Department for Northamptonshire Police and Fire offer you the following advice.

Festive fire safety: Ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home.

Test your smoke alarms weekly. Never leave cooking unattended and do not cook under the influence of alcohol. Always turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished cooking.

Never leave candles unattended, and remember to keep decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, fires, lights and heaters.

Make sure fairy lights are switched off before you go to bed or leave the house. Also, do not use old and worn sets of fairy lights. Check that they confirm to the British Standard (BS EN 60598).

Don’t overload sockets; ensure there is only one plug per socket. Always turn off plugs when they are not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, like freezers.

Make sure you and any visitors know the agreed escape plan for your home, in case of fire.

Prevent burglaries: Keep presents out of view through windows. They will draw attention to your house and its contents. Be cautious when using social media such as Facebook as you could be advertising that your home is empty if you post holiday pictures or a countdown to a holiday.

Invest in a timer to open and close curtains or turn on lights. Alternatively, ask a trusted family member or neighbour to pop in and do this if you are away.

Dispose of boxes and rubbish discreetly, as discarded boxes can alert people to the fact that there are new and valuable items in the house.

Finally, please remember to check on older relatives and neighbours this Christmas, to ensure their safety at this time of year.

For a free estimate please call Mick on

07947 647850 01604 456621

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40

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Come and View

Lovely Watercolour Paintings

by Weston Favell artist Jenny Brabbins-White

An ideal as Gift!

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I was on my way home, in the usual rush hour traffic, one minute passing the red car on my inside, the next standing stationary while that same red car drew along side. I took a brief glance to the left and there he was, just like others in previous rush hours before him, indulging in rhinotillexomania! . . . more commonly known as the art of nose picking.

He was burrowing away like nobody’s business and although it disgusted me, it got me thinking! Just why have we all been raised to think that what occurs in our nostrils should stay in our nose? A mad thought, I concede, but upon research, not as mad as a theory beheld by Austrian lung specialist Doctor Friedrich Bischinger who vehemently defends this common practice.

Firstly he says “with the finger you can get to places you just can’t reach with a handkerchief, keeping your nose far cleaner.” Whilst I find this statement perfectly feasible, he follows on by

New years resolution! claiming “Eating the dry remains of what you pull out of your proboscis is a great way of strengthening the body’s immune system. The nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria is collected, and when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a medicine.”

To be honest, I just don’t know how to challenge this, but all I ask is if you’re a exponent of rhinotillexomania, please consider making it your New Years resolution to do it out of view of others! Another question often asked is “if you’re not consuming it, just what are you doing with it?” By keeping the habit private, that thought will never come to mind.

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Local Football Update

by Andy Goldsmith

The exploits of UCL clubs in the FA Cup thrust the League and in particular, Holbeach United’s Rick Drury into the forefront of media spotlight after the keepers stunning overhead kick equaliser for the Tigers’ earned them a last minute draw against National League side Worcester City. Drury made the front page of the Non-League Newspaper and has received great publicity in the national and local press. He was interviewed on BBC Look North News, BBC radio and Talksport as well as the FA’s own website. Social media spread the news further with film of the goal on You Tube approaching 900,000 hits on within five days of the match. The video was also posted on the Match of the Day facebook site and was watched over a million times. The League had its most successful year in the competition this season with 28 victories recorded by UCL clubs, beating the previous of total 26. In the Premier division the early pacesetters are Leicester Nirvana with Peterborough Sports topping Division two. Both have built up a healthy lead which the chasing packs will do well to overhaul.

With the Town now boasting two top flight UCL teams, it is Northampton Spencer who presently top the Northampton mini table, having collected 17 points from their opening 15 games, they sit just above Cogenhoe United and are 5 points ahead of N’pton Sileby Rangers who have 12 points. Northampton Sileby Rangers are the only Town club still flying the flag in the National competitions. In the FA Cup, the Moulton Park club started with a home victory over Watford based, Sun Postal Sports before bowing out 0-3 at home to higher grade, Leighton Town. However in the FA Vase they are one of only 6 UCL sides left in the competition at the Second Round stage after wins over Thrapston Town, then New Bradwell 7-2 and more recently, a 5-4 home victory over Spartan South Midlands League outfit, Wembley. Their reward is a difficult away trip to face three times vase winners, Basildon at the end of November.

In the League, Rangers have collected three wins

Photo by Paul Kingston

and three draws from 14 games, with the highlight being a 7-2 victory over Huntingdon Town.

Northampton Spencer had two games in each of the National competitions, winning the first and bowing out of both at the second hurdle. In the FA Cup Spencer easily disposed of UCL side Wellingborough Whitworths, but succumbed in the next round when they lost by a single goal away at higher grade, Uxbridge. In the FA Vase Spencer disposed of Harpenden Town, after being 2-0 at the interval! Next up was a tough game at Berkhamsted, conquerors of ON Chenecks in the previous Round. Despite taking a early lead through Liam Tuck, they were well beaten 5-1. Boss man, Ben Stone has boosted his attacking options by signing Lance Allen on loan from Kettering Town.

In the League, Spencer have adjusted well to the higher level, winning 4 and drawing 5 of their opening 15 games. Their highlight of the season so far being a superb 6-4 away win at Sleaford.

ON Chenecks made history this season when they competed in the FA Vase for the first time.

Chenecks kicked off by beating Sun Postal Sports 2-1, with scorers Ben Lewington and Adam Hancock entering the clubs history book. The draw for the next round wasn’t so kind with a difficult away trip to high flying, Spartan Premier side Berkhamsted, where they lost narrowly. Ben Foster’s 25 yard free kick in the 24th minute, gave the hosts a scare as Graham Cottle’s men led at the interval. The home side’s second half fightback proved too strong for Chenecks and a 2-1 victory earned them the right to face Spencer in Round One. Meanwhile, in the league, Chenecks presently sit mid-table after taking 19 points from their opening 10 games, their outstanding result to date being a 4-1 win at Lutterworth Athletic.

45

Agapanthus Winter Care

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by Emily Mitchell of Cramden Nursery

There are 2 types of Agapanthus, deciduous (lose their leaves and die down for the winter) and evergreen (keep their foliage all year round).

The evergreen types require more winter protection than the deciduous varieties. Ideally they want to be moved inside a green house/ conservatory or summer house to keep the worst of the cold off them, or at least moved to a more sheltered area of the garden if they are in pots. Maybe against the house.

If they are planted in the ground, and so can not be moved to help them through the winter, you can create a wind break around them to create a little micro climate. This should protect them from the worst of the elements, you can also add straw to the top of them when the temperatures really drop. However, you have to remember to remove this once the warmer weather comes or else it may rot the foliage.

Check out this YouTube video we have produced to see how this is done: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=cPgfayLfBy4 Deciduous types are much easier going. Cut them back removing all the foliage, and then mulch with straw to help protect the crowns.

To keep the straw in place we have used a weed suppressant material ( this is a permeable & breathable membrane, it cuts out the light but this is not a problem as the straw is already doing that) to prevent the straw from blowing away. Or you could use green garden netting to keep the straw in place.

This can all be removed in the spring as the weather and the ground begins to warm up again.

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that someone had been cleaning the place. It was also apparent that the carpet in Patty’s van had been recently shampooed. DNA tests confirmed that the stains matched Patty’s blood type, but JR’s alibi appeared watertight.

Two months later, tongues started wagging after Patty’s mother burst into JR’s home and attacked him with a baseball bat. Nevertheless, there was no evidence to implicate him in Patty’s disappearance, and he took custody of their children and promptly left the area.

Fact is that during the time she went missing, JR was working on the construction of a nearby school. Authorities have not discounted the possibility that Patty’s remains might be encased in the concrete foundation and that multiple people were involved in the disposal of her body. Years later, further DNA testing was performed on other items found in Patty’s van.

The DNA proved to be female, but did not belong to Patricia Vaughan, adding further intrigue to this unsolved case!

Missing person . . .

On Christmas Day, 1996, 32-year-old Patricia Vaughan left her home in La Vernia, Texas and never returned. The following day her van was found 15 miles away. One of the tyres was flat, and there were traces of blood in the vehicle as well as a pair of red overalls. Just prior to her last confirmed sighting, Patty had allegedly been in an argument with estranged husband, JR. The couple had three children but had separated two months earlier. JR was very jealous because she was with another man and eyebrows were raised after he filed for divorce the day after Boxing Day. Traces of blood were found in Patty’s bedroom and on a mop inside her residence, indicating 48

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Meet

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Hello! I am the named Park Ranger for Bradlaugh, Parklands, Becket’s and Midsummer Meadow Parks.

Park Rangers work within Northampton’s parks acting as an ambassador for their assigned park, providing a uniformed, high-profile presence by patrolling and acting as a point of contact for the public and services. As part of my Park Ranger role, I help reduce environmental crime and anti-social behaviour as well as helping to prevent fly tipping, graffiti, littering and overgrown greenery.

I am also involved in many projects, such as Northampton in Bloom, which aims to improve Northampton’s parks and I liaise with local schools and other youth groups to educate, raise awareness and encourage involvement in parks.

An important part of my job is to positively raise the profile and image of all Northampton’s parks and this involves engaging with friends groups,

community groups, local businesses and local residents.

I really enjoy being a part of the park events and currently we have: Health & Well-being walks: Wednesday afternoons at 1-2:30pm. Please meet at bottom of Spinney Hill road.

Christmas Carols with Local Schools: 15th December 10.30 – 11.30am (TBC) Monthly Tidy Up: First Saturday of the month 12.30 - 2.30pm Monthly surgery on the first Saturday of the month: 9.30- 11.30am at the Barn Come and talk to your Park Ranger about any issues, concerns or compliments you may have. The rangers provide highly visible patrols in and around the parks they are responsible for.

If you know of any schools that would like to get more involved in their local park please get in touch by emailing me at: vmaloney@northampton.gov.uk

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Great taste . . .

If you’re like me – a huge fan of sausages – then you may be interested to hear about a quality product that is available on your doorstep! My only bugbear with my favourite food is how hard it is to detect the amount of fat they contain.

At a summer BBQ, I decided to play safe and pay the extra for a quality brand product but was very disappointed as these premium range sausages quickly turned my gentle simmering griddle into a raging inferno!

With my next BBQ experience looming, I decided to try some highly recommended sausages made locally by Old School Sausages . . . . and I wasn’t disappointed! They cooked perfectly and the flavour was superb.

The proprietor of Old School Sausages, Martin Clements, became disillusioned with the products available on the high street and

having worked in the food-processing industry for many years, he decided to make his own sausages in a sideline enterprise. Nowadays, every Thursday Martin and his two sons don their gear and make amazing sausages in their five-star rated facility, based locally in NN3.

Martin ensures that only the finest, locally sourced, ingredients are used along with the best british pork - which they trim and prepare themselves. There is a wide range of varieties and he even makes ‘specials’ to some customer’s requests. His standard Pork sausage range includes traditional, apple, stilton, honey and chilli, caramelised onion, olive and roasted pepper, authentic tandoori, rustic Italian with herbs and spices and Cumberland as well as prime beef burgers Currently, Martin delivers these fine products personally, but also welcomes customer collections. Why not take a look for yourself at: www.oldschoolsausages.co.uk where you can order online. See Twitter for details of weekly specials. Order by Tuesday for Saturday delivery between 9 & 12 (Northampton only).

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53

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a risk to you if they go into the back of your seat (or you!) with a sudden stop. For the safety of everyone, we urge you to please harness or cage your pets whilst you drive.

While we talk about cars, we also like to highlight another item on the highway code; The highway code states: when in a vehicle keep dogs on a short lead when walking on the make sure dogs or other animals are suitably pavement, road or paths shared with cyclists or restrained so they cannot distract you while you horseriders. are driving or injure you or themselves, if you We wince when we see dogs on unlocked stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, extendable leads walking down the road. dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining People think they have control because the dog animals in cars. is on the lead but remember length of the lead is You might have the most well-behaved furry not just ahead, it’s a radius around you. If your friend, but can you be absolutely 100% sure dog is 10 feet ahead of you, they can also reach they wouldn’t jump at you if they got scared or 10 feet to the side and perhaps straight into even jump across you if they see a dog on the a road. Sadly, we have seen such cases with pavement next to you? devastating consequences.

Don’t forget there is also a risk to them if Please keep your pets safe: use a restraint you suddenly break, pets have been known while in the car and walk them on a short lead to be thrown through windshields in serious near roads! If not, you could be breaking the law accidents. Large unrestrained dogs also pose and invalidating your car insurance.

Finished with this magazine? Then keep it handy! Emergency numbers are on page 60!

Is your dog to wearing Something consider a seatbelt?

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PARK AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH Park Avenue North, Northampton NN2 3HT

A warm welcome awaits you to join us for our Christmas services and events: 10 am to 2 pm December 5th A Christmas Afayre (various stalls) 10.30 am December 6th Big Welcome Services 10 am to 12 noon December 12th Coffee carols & mince pies (come & sing along) 10.30 am December 13th Annual Toy Service (all gifts for NVCFR) 10 am to 4 pm December 19th ‘Step Aside’ from the Christmas Rush 7.30 pm December 19th Weston Favell Singers Christmas Concert 6.00 pm December 20th Carols and Readings by Candlelight 3.00 pm December 24th Christingle Service 10.30 am December 25th Family Christmas Day Worship

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Virtually everyone who celebrates Christmas is familiar with the poem “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Believe it or not, the origin of this poem has some mystery attached to it. For many years, no one knew who wrote it.

Originally called “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” it was sent anonymously to the Sentinel, a New York newspaper, and first published on December 23rd, 1823.

The poem proved enormously popular, but the author’s identity was unknown. Finally, in 1844, a professor named Clement Clarke Moore claimed credit for writing the poem, which had been sent to the Sentinel by one of his friends.

The story goes that Moore was hesitant to take credit for the poem because he was embarrassed by its simplicity. However, some historians did not (and still don’t) believe Moore was the actual author.

A renowned professor named Donald Wayne

Foster presented compelling evidence in 2000 that the real author was actually Henry Livingston Jr., who died back in 1828. Foster believed that the poem bore a striking resemblance to Livingston’s other 30thHenry Northampton written works.

One crucial piece of evidence in favour of Livingston is that Santa’s last two reindeer in the poem were named “Dunder” and “Blixem” and only became “Donder” and “Blitzen” because of a printer’s error. Many years later, Moore wrote out copies of his poem, but committed the same mistake by writing “Donder” and “Blitzen.”

The words “Dunder and Blixem” are actually Dutch for “thunder and lightning.” Moore spoke no Dutch, but Livingston did. Still, after two centuries, the argument over who really wrote “T’was the Night Before Christmas” will probably rage on for centuries to come!

56

Always keep this magazine handy - you never know when it will be needed! emergency phone numbers are listed on page 60

E:ghcsservices@gmail.com

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What’s on in December & January

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25 Nov-3 Jan The Snow Queen at the Royal 4 Dec So this is Christmas at Derngate 5 Dec The Jets Live! at the Picturedrome (7.45pm) 5 Dec Antiques & Collectors Fair at Abington Church rooms Park Ave North 10-4pm 6 Dec Christingle Service at Abington Church 3 pm 6 Dec Canino Animal Rescue Xmas Fete at Abington Church rooms, Park Ave North 6 Dec The Selector at the Roadmender (8pm) 8 Dec Christmas Event with Cedar Rd School choir.

Also mince pies and craft items 11. am at Abton Libry 11 Dec-3 Jan Cinderella at Derngate 12 Dec ON’s 1stXV v Longton (3pm) at Billing Road 12 Dec Official opening Ark Stained Glass, Old Stables, Stoke Bruerne (near tunnel mouth) 12 Dec Xmas Coffee & Cake Morning at Abington Church rooms Park Ave North 10-12.30pm (stalls inc) 17 Dec Christmas Crafts for Grown ups. Drop in and make something at Abington Library 18 Dec Saints v Racing Metro at Franklins Gardens 19 Dec Cobblers v Portsmouth at Sixfields 20 Dec Traditional Candlelit Carols at Ab Church 6pm 22 Dec Royston’s Christmas Magic show 11 - 12 noon (Booking essential) 3-4pm Family + Xmas Crafts. All ages up to 10 (Booking essential) at Abington Library 24 Dec Service at St.Albans Church 9.15am 24 Dec Midnight Mass at Abington Church 11.30 pm 24 Dec Service at Park Ave Methodist Church 3pm 25 Dec Christmas Day Service 10am Abington Church 24 Dec Worship at Park Ave Methodist Church 10.30pm 28 Dec Cobblers v Accrington at Sixfields

1 Jan Saints v Exeter Chiefs at Franklins Gardens 1-31Jan Whose Round is it? A history of brewing at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery 2 Jan Cobblers v Barnet at Sixfields 6-16 Jan Shaxpears Box by the Masque Theatre at the Church in Abington Park Tel: 07586 288793 7-16 Jan The 39 steps at the Royal 8 Jan Motowns Greatest Hits at Derngate 9 Jan ON’s 1st XV v Old Halesonians (3pm) at Billing Rd 9 Jan Beyond the Barricade at Derngate 11-16 Jan Saint Petersburg at Derngate 16 Jan ON’s 1st XV v Syston (3pm) at Billing Road 16/17 Jan Saints v Glasgow War at Franklins Gardens 17 Jan Jazz at the Cripps, NSB 21-22 Jan Anton & Erin Strictly at Derngate 21 jan A new book about Abington Park written by Chris Glazebrooke at Abington Library 10.30am 22 Jan Cobblers v Morecambe at Sixfields 22-23 Burlesque Show at the Royal 23 Jan An Evening with Bernie at the Derngate 23 Jan Variety Charity Night at the Cripps, NSB 26 Jan - Feb Jersey Boys at the Derngate 26 Jan Delapre Abbey Resoration talk about the work done so far 7pm More details: Tel 01604 760817 28 Jan The Magnificent Music at the Royal 30 Jan Saints v London Wasps at Franklins Gardens 30 Jan ON’s 1st XV v Sandbach (2.15pm) at Billing Rd 30 Jan I’m Hans Christian at the Royal Every Sat 11.30-12 U/5’s Story Stomp at Abton Library Parklands Art Classes have vacancies on Thursdays call Jenny on 01604 405923

QUIZ ANSWERS CROSSWORD: ACROSS: 1. Chapel 5. Comeback 9. Taken for a ride 10. Lip reads 11. Sherry 12.

Agnate 14. Discount 16. Bulletin 19. Cueing 21. Marque 23. Meerkats 25. At a standstill 26. Cerebral 27. Roller.

DOWN: 2. Hitting 3. Poker 4. Lineament 5. Crossed 6. Means 7. Bride to be 8.

Chevron 13 All square .15. Successor 17. Unaware 18. Nominal 20. Natalie 22.

Enter 24. Krill.

SPORTSWORD: 1. Carl Ablett 2. Hope Powell 3. Alan Pascoe 4. Richard Levi 5. Lothar Emmerich 6.

Ivan Basso 7. Eric Young. The horseracing trainer is Charlie Appleby.

Xmas Quiz Ans: 1=B; 2=B; 3=A; 4=B; 5=C; 6=B; 7=C; 8=C; 9=A; 10=A; 11=C; 12=A. Boothville Bunny can be found on pages 6, 17, 22, 30, 46, 57 & 60.

58

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Parklands Townswomen Guild (v1505) Berkeley Morgan sign 2076mm x 1556mm v2.indd 1

25/07/2011 09:30

Ladies . . . .

In 1968, the Parklands Townswomens Evening Guild was formed to invite ladies from the local area to come along each month to meet new friends for an evening of good company. In addition, they can listen to interesting speakers on different topics, enjoy social activities such as outings and quizzes, and have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

Today we still have some of our founder members attending as well as new ladies who have joined us.

We have supported local charities in the past such as Air Ambulance, Stroke Association and Favell House with fundraising activities.

Parklands Community Centre, Devon Way, Northampton

Speakers recently have included a talk on Lacemaking, Candlemaking, Beekeeping, Travel talks, the story of Chocolate and much, much more, so if you are interested why not come along, bring a friend, to:

We meet up on every 2nd Wednesday of each Month at 7.30 p.m.

Contact us on 01604 647471 or email: ma_tebbutt@hotmail.com

please mention In & Around NN3 when responding to adverts

www.dwsolicitors.com

ÂŁ150.00 To ADVERTISE in IN & AROUND NN3 magazine call BEV on 07747 632918 or EMAIL: admin@northamptonmagazines.com Deadline for our FEBRUARY issue is 5th of JANUARY 2016* *Subject to advertising / editorial space being available. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

School Term Dates Term 2 (2015/16)

Tuesday 3 November 2015 to Friday 18 December 2015

Term 3 (2015/16)

Tuesday 5 January 2016 to Friday 12 Febuary 2016

Term 4 (2015/16)

Monday 22 February 2016 to Thursday 24 March 2016

Term 5 (2015/16) Tuesday 12 April 2016 to Friday 27 May2016

(dates taken from N.C.C. website & may vary)

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Abington Medical Centre 01604 723420 Abington Park Surgery 01604 630396 Age UK Northants 01604 611200 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 0888 Boothville Com Centre 07891 239472 Citizens Advice Bureau 0870 1202433 Electricity (power loss) 0800 056 8090 Gas (emergency) 0800 111 999 King Edward Medical Cte 01604 611600 Neighbour Watch 08453 700700 ext.7536 National Assoc Blind 01604 719193 Northampton General Hospital Main 01604 634700 A & E 01604 545601 Police Non - Emergency 101 Parklands Post Office 01604 493114 Parklands Com Centre 01604 493312 Water (emergency) 08457 145 145

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(

The people of Northampton are fortunate in having so many parks and open spaces to enjoy.

Indeed, it has been said that Northampton has the second largest area of public open space in the country. Yet many residents seem uncertain about how our parks are cared for.

Taking care of Northampton’s parks by Vic Smith (FoEP)

All of Northampton’s public parks are owned and managed by Northampton Borough Council (NBC) on behalf of the people of Northampton.

Country Parks outside the Borough are owned and managed by Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) but Country Parks within the Borough (such as Hunsbury Hill Country Park) are, like the other parks, owned and managed

by NBC. The overall framework for protecting, maintaining and improving the town’s parks and open spaces is explained in NBC’s Parks and Open Spaces Strategy. This was first developed in 2009 but was updated and refreshed in 2013.

these Parks and Gardens there is a wide range of other open spaces including small areas of amenity green space, outdoor sports facilities, allotments & community gardens, and cemeteries & churchyards.

NBC now employs a number of Park Rangers, each Ranger having responsibility for a particular park or parks. Park Rangers champion their park and work with the local community and other agencies to ensure that the park is managed to a high standard.

Within the Framework various categories of public park are recognised. Beckets Park and Delapre Parks are known as ‘Strategic Parks’.

Among other notable features these Parks have the potential to attract people from across Northampton and the wider area; they have a regional significance. Abington Park and the Racecourse are described as ‘Premier Parks’.

These have the potential to attract people from across the town and are of Borough-wide significance. Upton, Brackmills, Hunsbury Hill and Penn Valley Country Parks, and Bradlaugh Fields are ‘Town/Country Parks’. These are large informal public open spaces that have a semi-natural, ‘rural’ atmosphere. The town’s remaining parks, including Dallington, Eastfield, Thornton and Victoria Parks are grouped together as ‘Neighbourhood Parks and Gardens’. These vary greatly in size but generally do not attract large numbers of people from across the town.

They are regarded as being of local significance but it is acknowledged by NBC that some have the potential to become Premier Parks.

Since 2011, maintenance work in Northampton’s parks has been carried out by Enterprise plc (now owned by Amey plc) in contract with Northampton Borough and Daventry District Councils. Contractors cut grass, maintain trees and grounds, collect litter, empty bins and carry out a variety of other tasks to care for our parks.

The current contract runs until 2018 and current maintenance arrangements will continue until then.

However, if our parks are to be kept looking their best they need more care and loving attention than can be provided by Amey. This is where the ‘Friends of’ groups come in with their armies of volunteers – both local neighbourhood volunteers and volunteers from Business and Industry. Last month, for example, a group of Managers from Lloyds Bank pruned, dug, weeded, raked, and planted in Eastfield Park.

Their efforts are much appreciated; without people like them our parks would not look nearly so good.

It must be remembered that in addition to 61

Always keep this magazine handy - emergency phone numbers are listed on page 60

Angels of Light A fortnightly Sunday service of prayers and mediumship

Professional Grooming Service (formerly in Harborough Rd, KIngsthorpe)

25

18.30 - 20.00 hours

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All Breeds Expertly Groomed Fully Insured & First Aid Trained Collection & Delivery Large Open Plan Air Conditioned Salon FREE Puppy Consultations Kind, Knowledgeable Handling Waiting with your Dog Welcomed

£2.00 admission 50p under 14’s Please contact Jane or Chris on 07791 915493 / 07971 062614 for dates and speakers

141 Adnitt Road, Abington, Northampton NN1 4NH

Facebook: Angels of Light Northampton

(Behind the Cricket Ground)

Tel: 01604 622300 / 07512 827426 sarahtopdogs@gmail.com

Solicitors Incorporating Martin Adams & McColl

Your trusted & qualified local experts

From:

Wills £150.00 Probate £500.00 Lasting Powers of Attorney £350.00 Home visits available for elderly or disabled (by arrangement)

01604 638 905 www.sp-law.co.uk T 01604 638 905 E info@sp-law.co.uk W www.sp-law.co.uk

110 Whitworth Road Northampton NN1 4HJ

Solicitors & Commissioners for Oaths – Authorised & Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

62

I’m still pinching myself and feel blessed to be back doing what I love the most - working with dogs. At the age of 19, I set up Top Dogs and in 1991 was working from the basement of my grandparents house in Kingsthorpe.

Having out-grown the house and the salon, I moved further down the Harborough Road, near to the busy Cock Hotel junction.

Business was thriving! I employed up to four staff, as well as students, and was about to branch out with a mobile van when my personal life hit the skids. I lost my beloved grandad, suffered a breakdown and had chronic thyroid problems. It didn’t take long for everything I had worked for to come down like a pack of cards! I was a homeless single mum of three and filing for bankruptcy.

Fast forward six years and with the help of my Church and C2C (a local charity that helps vulnerable women), I began to groom dogs again on a part time basis and felt alive!

I re-opened Top Dogs on Adnitt Road in May of this year, in a beautiful large shop and have been

It’s great to be back! blown away by the support and friendliness of the local people. I grew up in Garrick Road and Allen Road, so I feel a real affinity to the area.

It’s lovely to be have come full circle.

I still hold a very firm view that dog grooming is not simply ‘cutting hair’. I encompass the whole dogs wellbeing including skincare etc., and most importantly that the dog is happy with us and looks forward to coming - not terrified.

I do offer free sessions to help frightened dogs overcome their fears of grooming and clients are very welcome to wait should they so wish.

Please feel free to pop in to meet us for a coffee and chat if you have concerns or any queries.

Meeting with clients is another aspect I love about this job - I’m off to pinch myself again!

I look forward to meeting you. Regards Sarah

OPNO ENW !

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07811 226602 or 01604 949390 Email: info@jakroofing.com Web: www.jakroofing.com Unit 2 Crofton Court, Owl Close, Moulton Park Ind. Est, Northampton, NN3 6HZ please mention In & Around NN3 when responding to adverts

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