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POLICE LAUNCH PROJECTS TO MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER 01933 429929
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR READERS
RUSHDEN, HIGHAM FERRERS & EAST NORTHANTS
MAKING our roads safer – that’s the message from the county’s police force. A motorist caught on a cycle-cam overtaking a cyclist in excess of 90mph was the first person to be convicted at court as part of Northamptonshire Police’s Operation Snap.
Denzel Masawi of Sunningdale Drive in Rushden, was convicted at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court last month, after pleading not guilty to driving in excess of a 30mph speed limit. The 26-year-old was recorded on the cyclist’s camera as Masawi overtook him at a speed which was calculated at a minimum of 91.5mph on the A502 Bedford Road in Rushden. Masawi was disqualified from driving for six months and fined £592 by magistrates and was ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £59, and costs of £620. PC Dave Lee, of the Safer Roads Team, said: “Operation Snap was launched to allow members of the public who capture bad driving on camera to easily submit it to Northamptonshire Police. “This new process makes it easier for both those with cameras capturing the bad driving and for us to be able to process it. “At first Masawli was issued with a notice of intended prosecution for careless driving and any other offences, however, after the video had been analysed and his minimum speed was calculated at being in excess of 90mph, the offence was changed to driving in excess of the 30mph speed limit. “This was our first submission under Operation Snap and I’m pleased the courts have dealt with the driver positively.
“This speed was three times the legal limit and could have very easily ended in disaster. “Operation Snap lets the public help us keep our county’s roads safer by enabling us to take action on driving offences we otherwise wouldn’t see.” The introduction of Operation Snap has been funded by the Office of the police, fire and crime commissioner with the support of the Department for Transport, and forms part of Northamptonshire Police’s commitment to prevent and reduce serious and fatal collisions. It can be used for the offences of dangerous driving, careless driving, driving without due care and attention, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a red traffic light, crossing solid white lines and offences where a driver is not in proper control of a vehicle. It cannot be used to report collisions. To find out more about how to submit video footage, visit northants.police.uk/OpSnap. In a separate campaign, the police also launched its annual campaign to name drivers charged with drink or drug driving over the Christmas and New Year period. Watch out on our new website at www.rosettapublishing/reporter, or read next month’s newspaper, to discover the results of the drink and drug campaign, which is due to end this month.
Latest on police murder probe DETECTIVES investigating the death of Rushden woman Levi Davis have issued an update on the 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of her murder. The 25-year-old died following an incident in Wellingborough Road, Rushden, at about 8.30pm on Saturday, December 7. Senior investigating officer Det Insp Pete Long, said: “Following a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of all the evidence
gathered, a decision has been made to release the 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder with no further action.” Jake Dean Swords, 27, of Rushden, is charged with the attempted murder of a 27-yearold man, and will next appear before Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, January 8. Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the case. To keep up-to-date with the inquiry, visit www.rosetta publishing/reporter
JANUARY 2020
rushden@inspiredagents.co.uk
2 — EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JANUARY 2020
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Dozens charged in police drug crackdown
A POLICE crackdown on drugs in the county has led to 87 people being charged. Operation Viper is the force’s operation to crack down on those involved in drug and gang related crime. It tackles the supply of Class A drugs in Northamptonshire, focusing on organised crime groups, gangs, local drug lines, and county lines - a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns using dedicated mobile phone lines. Using intelligence-led tactics, including the execution of over 70 warrants in Northamptonshire, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and London, the operation has so far netted some fantastic results. A total of 105 individuals, aged between 15 and 55, have been arrested as part of Operation Viper since January 2019 – 87 of which have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, with 62 then remanded in custody. Of the 105 arrested, 72 were from Northamptonshire, 25 were from London and
eight were from the West Midlands. Police officers have also recovered nearly £250,000 worth of goods including £25,000 worth of Class A drugs, designer goods worth in excess of £150,000, more than £20,000 in cash and a Mercedes CLA Sport worth more than £35,000. Supt Chris Hillery said: “The success of Operation Viper makes me very proud to work for Northamptonshire Police – a force absolutely committed to tackling the supply of Class A drugs in our county. “Through this operation, we have disrupted a huge number of drugs lines as well as arresting and charging a number of individuals we believe to be involved. “Our aim of course is to dismantle all of the drugs lines in Northamptonshire and though we have seen some great results so far, Operation Viper is very much a live operation and our teams continue to work hard as part of it.” As well as the arrests, charges and goods seized, Operation Viper has also focused on safeguarding
the vulnerable people who are exploited by drugs lines and crime gangs. So far, a number of children have been supported, many of them having been used by those higher up the chain to deal drugs.
Supt Hillery said: “A lot of people don’t realise those at the top of drugs gangs and drugs lines rarely take any of the risks. “Instead they use other people, including young children, exploiting them and putting them in danger in order to reap the rewards. “We want to safeguard as many of these people as possible – many of them are children but a lot of them are also vulnerable adults. “Operation Viper is committed to getting them the support they need to break away from those who seek to control them. “Our CIRV programme seeks to help people who want to break away from criminality and many of the people we have come into contact with through these warrants have gone on to
DRUGS GANGS
successfully receive help from CIRV. “The support is out there if you want to turn your back on offending.” Currently, Operation Viper is conducting 31 separate investigations involving conspiracies to supply Class A drugs and is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Supt Hillery said: “This operation is all about making Northamptonshire a safer place to live, because that’s what the people who live here deserve. “It is also about making it absolutely clear that we have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs in this county and that those who think that dealing them is acceptable will be brought to justice, regardless of whether they remain in Northamptonshire or not. “The people we have arrested and charged so far didn’t think their criminality would catch up with them so my message to those drug dealers we haven’t caught yet is simple – we are coming for you.”
Looking after our young carers
YOUNG Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Young Carers Service want to find out about the emotional wellbeing of young carers locally. Following on from the emotional wellbeing project with Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership, in which Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire gathered the views and experiences of young people across the county on mental health and wellbeing services, Young Healthwatch now wants to find out specifically about the emotional wellbeing of young carers in
Northamptonshire. There are an estimated 700,000 young carers in the UK and being a young carer can affect a young person’s mental and physical health. In a survey by the Carers Trust, nearly half of young carers said that being a young carer made them feel stressed and 44 per cent said it made them feel tired. You can share your experiences by taking the survey at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/youngcarersn orthamptonshire. or contact 07376 130329.
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JANUARY 2020 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER — 3
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4 — EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JANUARY 2020
Dictionaries for life
THE Rotary Club of Rushden has stepped in to help school children across the area. The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary 4 Life, (D4L), is principally designed for year six primary school leavers. It has 1,000 illustrations, 10,000 entries and 20,000 definitions printed in full colour. The D4L promotes British
English and encourages children to widen their vocabularies and improve their life chances. As part of Rotary’s work, helping children to improve their personal literacy and life skills, the Rushden club purchased 250 dictionaries to distribute to local schools, (Denfield School in Rushden is pictured).
Higham Ferrers Town Council
The Town Hall, Market Square Higham Ferrers NN10 8BT Tel/Fax: 01933 312075 info@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk www.highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
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Recycling scheme to be rolled out across district FOLLOWING a successful pilot in Raunds, a new WEEE, (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), collection scheme from East Northamptonshire Council has been rolled out across the district. Over the trial period, approximately one ton of electrical items were collected and sent to a dedicated facility for sorting and recycling. Due to the success and the uptake in Raunds, all residents across East Northamptonshire will be able to place small and handheld electrical items out for recycling alongside their regular collection on a weekly basis. Any items for collection should be left in a carrier bag next to recycling or refuse bins on normal collection days and small electrical items such as the following will be collected: l Hairdryers, hair straighteners, shavers, electric toothbrushes. l Kitchen appliances such as toasters, kettles, hand blenders. l DVD/CD players, radios, MP3 players and remote controls. l Clocks, watches, calculators and torches. l Telephones, (mobile and landline), cameras. l Laptops.
l Small electrical DIY tools such as drills and electric screwdrivers. l Toys, (for example, remote control car or drone). l Battery chargers. l Christmas lights. Items should still have the cables attached and all batteries removed.
Waste manager at the council Charlotte Tompkins said: “With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to have a delve through your cupboards and dig out all those unwanted electrical items, including those broken toys and tangled up Christmas lights. “Last year, our recycling facility received over two tons of Christmas lights which sadly couldn’t be recycled and had to be sent to landfill. “We hope that the introduction of the WEEE scheme in East Northamptonshire will prevent the same scenario this year. “We are always aiming to cut down the amount of waste that ends up in landfill and as such are delighted that the pilot scheme was such a success and we are able to roll WEEE collections out across the district.”
CUTTING DOWN ON WASTE
Any small electrical items left out for collection will be placed in a specially designed cage attached to the waste trucks but due to the cage size only small and handheld items, such as the above list, can be accepted. The goods will be taken to a facility for sorting. It will be shredded and metals removed by magnetic and electrical currents. The plastics will be sorted into the different types by eddy current separator, near infra-red and other technologies. Based on the popularity of the scheme during the trial, the cage may become full and the collection crew might have to leave items. But residents are encouraged to place any items behind out for collection the following week. Alternatively, East Northamptonshire Council offers a household bulky waste collection service whereby up to seven items, including larger electrical and electronic equipment, such as fridges and washing machines, can be collected for £29.50 at a time which is convenient for residents in East Northamptonshire. More information about the WEEE collections scheme can be found by logging on to the council’s website at www.east-northamptonshire. gov.uk/WEEE
ForthCoMinG MEEtinGS
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday 14th January, 6.45pm
ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION COMMITEE Tuesday 14th January, 7.30pm
FULL COUNCIL Tuesday 28th January, 7.30pm
FARMERS’ MARKET Saturday 25th January, 9am–1pm how to ContaCt your CounCillor Cllr Mrs A. Gardner Email: Redley.ang4@gmail.com Cllr N. Brown Tel: 01933 384875 Cllr R.D. Hamblin Tel: 01933 413268 Cllr H.L. Jackson* Tel; 01933 314963 Cllr D.C. Lawson MBE Tel: 01933 397760 Cllr Mrs S.A. Mantle Tel: 01933 356838 Cllr C. O’Rourke Mayor Tel: 01933 411472 Cllr V.K. Paul Tel: 07850 723504 Cllr B.A. Prigmore Tel: 01933 386225
Cllr A.M.T. Reading Tel: 01933 411361 Cllr Mrs C. Reavey Deputy Mayor Tel 01933 413173 Cllr Mrs A.M. Sauntson Tel: 01933 357212 Cllr J. Smithers** Mayor 2018/19 Tel: 07779 137081 Cllr B. Spencer Tel: 07976 570865 Cllr P. Tomas* Tel: 01933 359688 Cllr Mrs P.H. Whiting Tel: 01933 356717
Town Clerk – Mrs Sandra Mitcham BA (Hons), FILCM Assistant Town Clerk – Alicia Schofield Administration/Communication/Finance Officer – Donna Anderson Administration/Communication Officer – Emily Arrow Parks and Open Spaces Wardens – Chris Spring & Chris Butcher Mayor’s Sergeant – Mr David Wicks
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JANUARY 2020 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER — 5
Group says thanks a million THE county’s Community Foundation is cele- Home Northampton, which was awarded £5,000 brating in the New Year, having awarded more to run lunch clubs over the winter period for isothan £1m across 2019 on behalf of its generous lated, vulnerable older people, EVE, which donors to local good causes and community received £3,000 to provide a well-being programme for survivors of domestic abuse and groups. Victoria Miles, from the foundation, said: Shudan CIC, (pictured, right), which was award“We were so thrilled to reach the £1m milestone ed £4,900 to provide a sports leadership academy for children and young people living on the by the end of 2019. “A huge thank you to all of our fund holders Hemmingwell estate in Wellingborough. The group has also recently launched its who helped contribute to tackling some of the most urgent causes and needs here in our county, Surviving Winter Appeal, which aims to save supporting small charities doing fantastic work lives and tackle fuel poverty and social isolation in the county’s older and vulnerable population. for our communities.” The winter can be one of the hardest seasons The county’s Community Foundation has funded hundreds of projects across the area over to get through for the most vulnerable in our the past year, including youth activities, coun- communities and every penny raised will be selling services, food banks, support for vulner- passed on to those in greatest need. Last winter saw the highest recorded excess able older people, arts and sports clubs, music festivals, healthy eating projects, safer commu- winter deaths since 1975 and one in ten housenity initiatives, community transport schemes, holds in Northamptonshire currently live in fuel EDITORIAL: nick@rosettapublishing.com poverty, spending more than 10 per cent of their lifelong learning activities and welfare advocacy. Recently funded projects include Live at income on fuel.
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The foundation is aiming to raise £20,000 for their Surviving Winter Appeal. The Northamptonshire Community Foundation is the leading, independent grantmaking charity in the county, working with fund holders and donors to ensure projects make a sustainable impact on local need. Ms Miles said: “With many of these people living alone, and with concerns over social isolation and the cold over the winter months, our appeal is vital. “With your help, we aim to work to reduce the number of older and vulnerable people in Northamptonshire who die from the cold and poor living conditions to zero.” For more information on the appeal, you can visit www.ncf.uk.com/give/donate/survivingwinter. To find out more about the charity, which provides much-needed and often life changing ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com grants to people throughout the county, log on to www.ncf.uk.com
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6 — EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JANUARY 2020
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Carers become ‘Santa for a senior’ in annual event
EVERY year Home Instead East Northants has its Christmas appeal, ‘Be a Santa to a Senior,’ which aims to touch the lives of older people in the community who may not receive a present or see a friendly face over the festive season. Home Instead has again thanked everyone who donated gifts to ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ from its stands at Tescos, Wellingborough, Milton Ernest Garden Centre, and Waitrose in Rushden. They also sent a huge thank you to local company BHIB Insurance whose staff swapped their office secret Santa to take part in our ‘Be a Santa’ from its branches in Northampton and Leicester. The wealth of gifts received was overwhelming and showed the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. In total, it received more than 200 gifts – these
went to local branches of the British Legion in Wellingborough, Rushden, Irthlingborough and Finedon. Our picture, right, shows Home Instead East Northants networking manager Lucy Darnell, Henry Summerfield, volunteer Wellingborough Royal British Legion, Peter Armstrong, welfare officer of Rushden British Legion Branch and The Rev John Seaman, from the Royal British Legion in Wellingborough. James Allen from Kettering General Hospital also collected gifts, which went out on Christmas Day to people on the elderly wards. For more information about Home Instead East Northants, contact Lucy Darnell on 01933 678775, or visit the group’s website at home instead.co.uk/eastnorthants
Election win for Tories
BOTH Peter Bone and Tom Pursglove retained their seats in the recent general election. Mr Pursglove won the Corby and East Northamptonshire seat with 33,410 votes, (55.2 per cent), while fellow Conservative Mr Bone was re-elected in the Wellingborough and Rushden constituency with 32,227 votes, (62.2 per cent).
Grandparents back in school
BOZEAT Primary School pupils invited their grandparents into lessons for the annual Christmas afternoon last month. They completed craft activities with the children. Head Gillian Morton said: “It was lovely to see so many grandparents in school, spending time with their grandchildren and getting creative. “As a small community school, many of the grandparents have lived in the local community most of their lives.”
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Play area officially unveiled
IT has been a busy few weeks for the Mayor of Higham Ferrers. Our picture, (above), shows Mayor Chris O’Rourke at the opening of the Nightingale Way/Mallard Close play area. Pictured with him are representative of HAGS, which supplied the
play equipment, town councillors Nigel Brown and Angela Gardener, Deputy Mayor Tina Reavey and from East Northamptonshire Council, Richard Gell. Pictured, (below, left), is the Mayor at an Italian night at the Pizzeria Venezia in Rushden, rais-
ing money for Teenage Cancer and Mind. Meanwhile, (below, right), is the Mayor, at the ever-popular Christmas sparkle event, which drew in hundreds of visitors and kicked off the yuletime celebrations in the town.
JANUARY 2020 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER — 7
Staying safe online
STAYING safe online was the topic at a recent youth event. Each year, East Northamptonshire Council organises a Youth in East Northamptonshire conference to bring together secondary students from schools across the district. This year’s event was themed around online protective behaviours and delivered in partnership with Service Six and their TARGET, (Targeting and Reducing Grooming, Exploitation and Trading of people online), project team. Online protective behaviours primarily focuses on increasing awareness of the potential risks that confront children and young people every time they enter the online world. The ever-changing landscape of how children and young people use the internet requires a greater understanding of the dangers to themselves and other users from online abuse, child sexual exploitation, online grooming and indecent images. As such, the conference focussed on these areas and how important it is for young people and children to have a good understanding of the difference between communicating with someone they know offline and someone they have only ever met online. Chairman of East Northamptonshire Council, Dudley Hughes, who attended and opened the conference, said: “The YEN conference is now a staple part of the East Northamptonshire Council year,
and I am very proud to have been part of this year’s event. “The area of online security is growing in importance, and this conference really highlighted this - it was great to see so many young people from local schools take part and learn about staying safe online in this increasingly digital world.” The 44 young people who attended the conference took part in activities around social media apps and profiles, importance of consent, the risks and harm caused by indecent images, as well as general online safety advice. Students also had the chance to talk to a variety of organisations about the subject, including the schools PCSO and the Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation, (RISE), team from Northamptonshire Police. The day was positively received by pupils, with pupils finding the day very informative and enjoying learning about the risks of social media. The Service Six TARGET project was initially set up as a direct response of the rising number of cases being referred to the organisation involved an online component and this has continued to grow. Information about services for young people can be found on the website at east-northamptonshire. gov.uk/YEN. And for more information about the Service Six TARGET project, you can visit the website at www.servicesix.co.uk/target.html
Anniversary celebrations are astronomical
Reycling stirred up for sauce maker MAJOR International has appointed Luton-based waste, recycling and resource manager, Cawleys, to recycle the waste from its production facility and head office innovation centre in Higham Ferrers. Major International prides itself on providing outstanding chef standard stocks and sauces using flavours from around the world whilst ensuring it remains dedicated to sustainable and ethical production methods. This appointment is a fantastic development for both organisations and reiterates the superb solu-
tion Cawleys has in place to recover and recoup as much recyclate as possible from waste produced by local businesses. With all eyes on reducing global warming as well as carbon emissions and plastic pollution, companies are working hard to enhance their environmental credentials. Major International produce general waste as well as card, plastic, food and liquid waste, as well as confidential shredding. Its partnership with Cawleys now allows it to dispose of this waste
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in a sustainable manner. With a combination of RELs and wheelie bins, Cawleys will receive waste into its Wellingborough and Luton depots where it will be passed through a Materials Recovery Facility to be sorted and segregated to ensure maximum recycling rates. Head of UK operations at Major International, Paul Roberts, said: “We were extremely impressed with Cawleys MRF facility and its committed approach to ensuring a sustainable solution to every waste stream it collects.”
Water firm set for growth flow
THE owners of a renowned water testing company have praised the “excellent balance of space, location and facilities” of the Scott Bader Innovation Centre in Wollaston, which has allowed their business to flourish. SimplexHealth, with its unique and innovative range of water test kits which are sold worldwide, has just increased its office space at the innovation centre to cater for its growing team as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Started as a home business by husband and wife, John and Carolin Pickering, its sustained success led to a move to the Wollaston-based centre in February, initially occupying office space totalling 275 sq ft, increasing to 395 sq ft due to taking a third office. The range of water testing kits which can be used to test water in properties, remote locations as well as at home have proved to be popular with businesses and home users. Mr Pickering said: “It was important to us to have a bigger, flexible space we could grow into as we expand.”
THE Nene Valley Astronomical Society is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Founded in April 2009, by Steve Williams, the first meeting was held in Wellingborough. Meetings moved to its present location at Chelveston Village later that year. Mr Williams set up the society to provide an Astronomy Club for people living in the Nene Valley. His aim was to enable members to learn about the ‘Night Sky’ and to have opportunities to observe the cosmos. The society owns two telescopes which can be used by members for observing.
The society is thriving, and now has more than 50 members, with a visiting speaker on the third Monday of the month, and a club Night on the first. To mark the 10th year, the society is holding an open night on Monday, January 20, which will be especially suitable for those new to astronomy. If the weather is clear there will be an opportunity for observing. Admission will be £3, including a hot drink and biscuits. If the weather is not kind to us a display of telescopes, and details of useful web sites, will be available inside. Visit neneasto.org.uk for more details.
8 — EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JANUARY 2020
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Achievements evening honours students AN achievement ceremony of Northamptonshire students celebrated the successes of more than 6,250 who passed through the doors of Tresham College campuses in Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough last year. The event at Kettering Conference Centre featured entertainment by performing arts students and an inspirational speech by world famous Kinky Boots originator Steve Pateman. Steve, whose new book is Boss in Boots, started his career at the bottom of his family firm, studied at what used to be called a technical college, now the Tresham campus in Wellingborough, and progressed to national fame, because he said yes to becoming the subject of a BBC documentary, a film and now an award-winning musical. He said: “I answered a phone call in the office and heard a man’s voice asking if we could make our ladies boots in men’s sizes. I said, ‘yes’, the rest is history, well and a film and now a musical. “My advice to young people is to never say no, seize the opportunity, apply common sense and think through the implications, but remember the power of yes.” Tresham College merged with Bedford College in 2017 to become The Bedford College Group which recently gained a Good Ofsted and can rightfully claim to be the best in the region for student satisfaction and results across various measures. Group principal and chief executive Ian Pryce CBE, (pictured right with Steve Bateman), said: “We have to thank the hard work of our staff who now number 1,200 in the group
with 400 of those at Tresham. “We are a stable and successful organisation and so are able to invest in Northamptonshire at our Wellingborough campus – thanks to the support of SEMLEP, the local council and MPs.” Among many prizes handed out at the event was that for the Outstanding Tresham College Student. Short-listed were Kyra Joy who won national recognition as a Business Apprentice employed at the college, Jordan Skeels in performing arts who took part in the National Youth Theatre Group and the eventual winner, Ryan
Kenyon, who won a football scholarship at an American university whilst playing and studying sports. The Student Participation Award went to Jazmine Cartwright who studied media. Professional Services Staff of the Year award went to Tasha Blades, development and quality co-ordinator. Closing the ceremony, chairman of the Corporation of the Group, Allan Schofield, said: “We have to congratulate so many people including our CEO Ian Pryce and his team. The praise given by Ofsted recently was inspiring to hear. “Looking ahead, developments in technology, robotics and artificial intelligence are likely to have profound implications for our students, their employers and the way we teach. “We have to be innovative and invest.” Sponsors at the event were, CCF Ltd, Mindful Education, RS Components, Sharnbrook Academy Trust and Weetabix. Student prize sponsors were Aptech Ltd, Manners PR and The Recruitment Bar. In another prestigious event, Tresham College won the award for Marketing Campaign of the Year at the sparkling Northamptonshire Business Awards, held at the County Cricket Ground alongside hundreds of local businesses and charities. The Bedford College Group team took the All Things Business prize for its efforts in encouraging more people to sign up for 16-plus education in Northamptonshire, exceeding all targets. The group is now top for student achievements based within the South East Midlands LEP region.
Public rally round to help after cat shot A CAT owner from Rushden has thanked the public after offers flooded in to help after her pet - 10year-old Jerimiah - was shot with a pellet gun. The shooting is believed to be one of a spate of attacks in Rushden in recent weeks. Owner Gill McBride said: “He has had surgery to remove his tail but his leg was saved.” After she posted about the shooting on social media, (right), offers of help flooded in. Mrs McBride posted an appeal to help with the costs of the vet bills on the GoGetFunding pages. She said: “Jerry was deliberately shot in his own street. “He was found stuck on a fence by a neighbour trying to get home. “Unfortunately our insurance didn’t cover the life-saving operation he needed. “Jerry is a lovely cat and this has shaken our family - how could someone do something like this? “We want to give Jerry the best chance to be as normal as possible in his future adventures.”
Meeting dates
THE next meeting of the RSPB Mid–Nene Local Group will be on Thursday, January 16, at 7.30pm, at The Saxon Hall in Raunds. There will be a illustrated talk on The Great Fen Project by Henry Stanier. The meeting is open to everyone and admission is £3, including tea or coffee. The group will also hold a car outing on Sunday, January 12. For details, contact 01933 350404.
New Year quiz
AFC Rushden and Diamonds will hold a quiz night on Thursday, January 23, at Quiz Night at Rushden Town Bowls Club, in Northampton Road, from 7.30pm. The cost is £3 per person. There will be a collection for Cransley Hospice. To book a table, contact 07870 332606.
“I would like to thank everyone who has helped. “People have been so generous with their thoughts and money. “Any money donated and not needed will go to The Cats Protection League.” People have already donated £1,211. To help, you can visit the website and donate at gogetfunding.com/save-jerry-the-cats-lifeafter-he-was-shot
Funding for your project
COMMUNITY groups across the district are once again being invited to apply for funding towards delivering their projects as East Northamptonshire Council’s Community Facilities Fund opens for its eighth year. First introduced in 2013 and with more than £2m worth of projects supported so far, the fund supports the development of public facilities throughout the district and is funded by money received from central Government through the New Homes Bonus as new homes are created in the district. Projects which have been awarded include Stanwick Community Gardens who were awarded £6,876 for a new summerhouse and thanks to £3,000 from the fund, Thrapston Plaza now has new audio visual equipment and are able to put on more events. For more details, visit eastnorthamptonshire.gov.uk/CFF. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 14.
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Tel: 01933 394442 Mobile: 07919 485458 e-mail: info@huntplumbing.co.uk
10 — EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JANUARY 2020
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out & about Do More. Be More. Share More.
#SkillsForlife @NorthantsScouts
––––––––––––––––––––––– THE PAVILION YOUTH CLUB
HIGHAM FERRERS For young people on Wednesdays evening 8-10yrs 6pm - 7.30pm 11- 16 yrs 7.30pm -9pm Entrance 50p The youth club is a safe space for the young people of Higham Ferrers to come, to make new friends, and join in the activities which include games, art & crafts, cooking, pool table, table tennis, help with homework and much more. We have a small tuck shop for crisps, sweets and drinks. We have young leaders, who help with the set up activities, which is an ideal opportunity to learn new skills and volunteering looks good on your CV. We are always looking for new leaders, so if you have some spare time and would like to work with young people why not get in contact All leaders have to have enhance DBS checks and training opportunities. For more information. Contact Nikki on 07507176719
––––––––––––––––––––––– RINGSTEAD SHARED CHURCH
10.30am
(Communion first Sunday each month) Mike Freeman 01933 01933389796 rbc-rsc@angeladavis.net
SERVICE FOR ALL
––––––––––––––––––––––– Thursday evening
suitable for beginners all abilities 7.15pm Whitefriars Infants School £5 a class Carole 07873743256 carole.wyatt@virginmedia.com
YOGA CLASS
––––––––––––––––––––––– YOGA CLASS
Monday evening 7pm-8pm Masonic Hall, Rushden £5 a class suitable for beginners and all abilities contact Carole 07873743256 or carole.wyatt@virginmedia.com
––––––––––––––––––––––– YOGA
NENE VALLEY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Monday, 20th January 2020 at 8.00pm
“OPEN NIGHT WITH OBSERVING” An opportunity for those new to Astronomy to pick up some of the basics. Chelveston Village Hall, Caldecott Road Chelveston NN9 6AT (off B645 near Higham Ferrers) This is an opportunity for members and visitors to observe the night sky using the Club’s telescopes, and, some of the ‘scopes used by our members. Inside Steve Williams will give a presentation entitled ‘The Winter Night Sky’. Information on useful web sites will also be available, and members will try to answer any questions you may have. If the weather is not suitable for viewing, the telescopes will be moved inside, to enable visitors to learn about the different types of ‘scope used by our members. £3 per person including tea/coffee and biscuits. There is free parking at the Hall. If you like further information please contact; Kevin Burton on 01536790787 or email: events@neneastro.org.uk
Wednesdays from 1pm-2.30pm The Masonic Hall Rushden Drop in available Please visit the website for further information and details of other classes in the Higham and Rushden area www.awakenwithyoga.co.uk or call Daisy on 01536 724113
––––––––––––––––––––––– YOGA CLASS
Monday morning 8.30am-9.30am Masonic Hall Wellingborough Road Rushden £5 per class no block booking commitment perfect for beginners all ages/abilities carole.wyatt@virginmedia.com or 07873743256
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Fridays (except for Good Friday, Christmas Holidays and occassional weddings) in the Hope Methodist Church, Linnetts Lane, Higham Ferrers 12.30pm – No need to book Lunch £6, Cchoose from 2 main hot courses or salads; cold and hot puddings; tea/coffee. Contact information: Chris 01933 317719
LUNCH & CHAT
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PSYCHIC AND SPIRITUAL AWARENESS DEVELOPMENT GROUPS MIxED ABILITY Every alternate Wednesday 1.00pm – 3.00pm, 7.30pm – 9.30pm £7.00 per session For more info please contact: Tel: 07712 740495
RUSHDEN
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––––––––––––––––––––––– WOMEN’S COREFIT CIRCUIT CL ASS Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre Rushden – November to March Mondays 19.30 – 20.15 Block of 8 sessions – £24 non refundable for more info please contact Heather Watts hwatts09@hotmail.co.uk
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RUSHDEN & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY Friday 21st February at 7.30pm South End Junior School, Wymington Road, Rushden NN10 9JU
J-P Carr – Pork Pie Heaven, the History of Edward Parsons and sons Tel 01933 358218 for more information Members £1.50, non-members £2.50
––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGHAM AND RUSHDEN U3A We meet at the Wesleyan Chapel in Rushden (Queen St. entrance) Thursday 16th January at 1.30pm A presentation by Mr Peter Willie
The work of The Air Ambulance (including The Children’s Air Ambulance and Night Car)
This is followed by refreshments and socialising. There is also the opportunity to join any of our popular Interest Groups. With over 600 members you are sure to make new friends. We look forward to welcoming you. For more information please visit www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk or contact 01933 522934
––––––––––––––––––––––– NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Do you have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your street? Go to www.northantsnhw.co.uk Enter your postcode and join your local scheme. Receive warnings, crime advice, police messages on local incidents FREE! No scheme but interested in starting one! christine.mackenzie@northants.pnn.police.uk
––––––––––––––––––––––– TRAUMA & PTSD SUPPORT GROUP
I run this support group for others who have been through a trauma of any kind, Its a safe place to come and meet people going through similar things. Monday evenings 7pm-8.30pm alternates between Wellingborough Mind & Higham Ferrers Hope church Tuesday 1.30pm-3pm The Bee Hive Kingsthorpe Thursday 2pm & 3.30pm Kettering Mind £3 a session which helps pay for the room hire and a drink please contact me for more information please contact Nikki 07507176719
––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGHAM FERRERS FOOTPATH GROUP MEET SAFFRON ROAD CAR PARK HIGHAM FERRERS FOR CAR SHARING 10am Sunday 5th January Contact 01933 386839 5 mile walk from Higham ferrers
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Do you live in or around Higham Ferrers and have a child who would like to join us for fun activities and make new friends. Could you spare an evening to come and have fun helping us run the groups. Could you show us a new skill or interest? We are always grateful for any adult helpers. Come and find us at The Ferrers School on Tuesday evenings. Beavers. 6.00 - 7.15 Cubs. 7.00 - 8.30 Scouts. 7.30 - 9.00 Contact us on scouting.2ndhigham@outlook.com
––––––––––––––––––––––– LADIES’ ARCHERY Pemberton Maid Marions EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING THE PEMBERTON CENTRE H E BATES WAY RUSHDEN NN10 9YP For more information contact: Diane 01933 314032 or Nicki 01933 395913
––––––––––––––––––––––– THRAPSTON COUNTRY DANCERS
Country dancing not only helps you to keep fit but is very sociable. You make new friends in a pleasant atmosphere and also maintains one of our great traditions. We meet at the St John’s Ambulance Hall, off Cheyney Lane, Thrapson Monthly on the first and third Wednesdays 2.30pm Details from George on 01933 622827
––––––––––––––––––––––– HOPE’S TOTS Hope Methodist Church Linnetts Lane, Higham Ferrers For all parents & carers with children under 5. Thursdays 9.15am - 10.30am during term time only Coffee, tea, juice and biscuits are available. Each session. £1.50 per family Just come along and join in the fun. Everyone Welcome. Any enquiries to Chris 01933 317719
––––––––––––––––––––––– JOGGING GROUP
FREE – friendly mixed ability Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre April to October Waitrose in Rushden November to March BEGINNERS Couch to 5k 10-12 weeks New groups – June and January Mondays 17.45 – 19.00
––––––––––––––––––––––– BEDS & NORTHANTS MS THERAPY CENTRE
Third Saturday of every month 10am - 12.00 noon Entrance 50p Adults FREE PARKING Clothing, Bric a Brac, Books, Linen, Toys and Games Refreshments available 155 Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9Rx Tel: 01234 325781 www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com
MONTHLY SALE
––––––––––––––––––––––– RUSHDEN CLA SSICAL MUSIC SOCIETY Meets on Wednesdays at the Hope Methodist Church, Linnetts Lane, Higham Ferrers 7.30pm-9.30pm January 8 Rosemary Nayyar January 22 Barbara & Tony Packham February 5 Michael Henderson £2 members, £2.50 visitors For more information call: 01933 391283
––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGHAM AND RUSHDEN U3A
We meet at the Pemberton Centre every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1.30p.m, for an interesting presentation on a variety of subjects and 45 different interest groups to choose from! Come along and see if you like it. We are a VERY FRIENDLY GROUP of over 600 members For more information please visit www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk or contact 01933 522934
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––––––––––––––––––––––– ST MARY’S CHURCH
1st Saturday of the Month Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Church, Ringstead, 10 to 12 Noon. A warm welcome to all, proceeds to church projects and charities. Call 01933 624262 for details. Last Tuesday of the month Tea with Friends at St Mary’s Church Ringstead is held on the last Tuesday of every month between 2 and 4pm. A chance to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. All proceeds from donations go to church funds and charities.
RINGSTEAD
––––––––––––––––––––––– MOTHERS’ UNION HIGHAM BRANCH MU is open to men and women; married, single or divorced (we all do ‘Mothering’ in our lives) All denominations welcome Speakers & Socialising We are a worldwide charity supporting Families Meet first Thursday of month 2:00pm The Bede House, HF; or as advertised in our parish magazine Dora Paynton: 07792337837
––––––––––––––––––––––– THRAPSTON & DISTRICT TENNIS CLUB Doors are open at the Thrapston & District Tennis Club from 10am to 2pm for anyone interested in playing tennis and joining the club. Meadow Lane, NN14 4QL Fees and further details available at www.thrapstontennisclub.co.uk
––––––––––––––––––––––– PENSIONERS’ CLUB MEN AND WOMEN WELCOME Meet every Tuesday 2-4pm at RUSHDEN HALL BINGO/WHIST EVERY OTHER WEEK ALTERNATING WITH INTERESTING SPEAKERS For more information contact David Robinson 01933 313729
––––––––––––––––––––––– RUSHDEN INDEPENDENT WESLEYAN CHURCH
(entrance Queen Street) Sunday Worship at 10.45am, with Children’s Activities Communion 1st Sunday of the month, Second Sunday in the month at 4pm something different for all ages. Wednesdays 9.30am Jelly Babes children’s Group, all welcome. New members welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––– COFFEE MORNINGS Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am – 11am In The Memory Lane Tea Rooms, Serve, 19 Church Street, Rushden NN10 9YU.
––––––––––––––––––––––– HIGHAM LADIES’ GROUP
Meet 2-4pm every 3rd Monday of the month Come along and make some new friends and have fun
Interesting Speakers
Tea and biscuits provided Adult School, Westfields Terrace, Higham Ferrers NN10 8BB
––––––––––––––––––––––– RUSHDEN MISSION CHURCH
WELLINGBOROUGH ROAD NN10 9TA SUNDAYS 10.45am All Age Worship with the music group and children’s –activities 5.30pm Traditional Evening Service MONDAYS 2pm Pillow Talk Lace Making Group WEDNESDAYS 10am Art Group
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JANUARY 2020 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER — 11
sport Sports centre marks major milestone
THE highly-anticipated Oundle School Sports Centre recently marked a major milestone in its progress with a topping out ceremony. The event gathered Oundle School representatives including head Sarah Kerr-Dineen, alongside contractors GRAHAM, to celebrate the progress of the £24m project. Once complete in the spring, Oundle School Sports Centre will accommodate a 50-metre swimming pool, an eight court sports hall that offers adaptable playing space for a range of sports, as well as the opportunity for whole School assemblies through the use of retractable seating, a 70-station fitness suite, a dedicated dance studio, and three further multi-purpose rooms. Dual use has been factored into the development to ensure that there will be year-round community and sports club access to the state-of-the-art facilities that span 5,000m2 of space. The school has invested considerably in its sporting infrastructure as part of a wider sports master plan, which has also led to the development of a new athletics track, eight additional tennis courts, two new AstroTurf pitches, and six additional netball courts. Speaking at the topping out ceremony, Sarah KerrDineen said: “The new sports centre is really starting to take shape and to become a reality. “For all of us who have been part of the process from the beginning, it is exciting to see the progress which is being made.
“The facilities will support sport at a top competitive level whilst catering for a multitude of sports and leisure activities at all levels. “Not just for our pupils but the broader community of which the school is a central part. “We want our pupils to take from school the attitudes, knowledge and enthusiasms that will support a happy, productive adult life. “This must also be true of our school sport, and this new sports centre will make a massive contribution to realising this ambition.” Ronan Hughes, who is contractor GRAHAM’s regional director, said: “The new centre will provide its pupils with elite sporting facilities, and will help support the school’s vision to deliver a ‘thoughtful vision of sport’ to approximately 1,100 pupils at Oundle as well as a further 260 pupils at Laxton Junior School. “Importantly, the multi-functional sports development will also be a hub for sporting and physical wellbeing activities for the wider community of the market town.” The school has invested considerably in its sporting infrastructure which has also led to the development of a new athletics track, eight additional tennis courts, two new Astro Turf pitches, and six additional netball courts. The new sports centre website, which provides details of membership packages, facilities and activities available, has also been launched at www.oundle sportcentre.co.uk
gardening
An excuse for armchair gardening£ by Maureen Catlin Milton Ernest Garden Centre
T
mildew. Spinach Mikado is perfect for salads and stir fries so pick when the leaves are small. It produces vigorous crops and is a mild flavour throughout summer. Another good salad leaf crop is Lambs Lettuce Vision. It is very tasty and easy to grow and good through the hot summer months when lettuces tend to bolt quickly. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C and Iron. Carrot Volcano has a long sweet bright orange root which is tasty and full of Vitamin A and Antioxidents. This variety is resistant to splitting and disease and can be planted in tubs on the
patio. They can be sown in batches from March to June and harvested from July until December. If you have room to grow Brussel Sprouts Crispus a variety which is harvested from November to January and Cryptus harvested December to March are both resistant to club root and recommended for flavour. Terence recommends both these varieties. Beetroot Golden Eye is another super food which is very easy to grow. It’s an amazing golden colour with an excellent flavour and is perfect for roasting, grating in salads or for juicing.
Make successive sowings from April until July to harvest August to October. A very underrated but delicious vegetable when roasted, mashed with a little ginger or cinnamon or grated raw in salads is Turnip Oregon. It’s sweet yellow roots are an excellent source of Vitamin C. So here are some exciting additions to our choice of Five A Day for the healthy improved diet the experts are encouraging us to eat plus for We Gardeners the added bonus of the exercise we get in planting tending and harvesting our own produce.
Squirrel Proof Feeder HENRY BELL SQUIRREL PROOF FEEDER FOR PEANUTS, SEED 2 TUBS OF AND FAT SNACKS 50 ONLY
HE new gardening year is heralded by the new seasons seed catalogues and great excuse for a bit of armchair gardening while we look forward to some better weather to get out there and get planting. As we are apparently starting to eat more vegetables in our diet and a great way to reduce the Carbon Footprint is to Grow Your Own let’s look at the exciting new additions to the Veg Patch plus some good recommendations from varieties we grew this year. Runner Bean Lady Di has a great flavour and large crops of stringless beans. Grow Climbing Bean Violet Podded for lots of tasty colourful pods that turn bright green when plunged into boiling water. Pick when the pods are really small or allow them to grow a little fatter and chop and freeze for stir fries throughout winter. Dwarf Bean Sansoucy is a must for growing in tubs. Its yields are very high with beans that are a good flavour, easy to pick and will set over several months. I grew Tomato Akron this year and was most impressed with the huge crops of very tasty tomatoes that did not split and kept for weeks in the fridge. I also grew Tomato Roma an Italian variety for making Tomato Soup and Passata but this year I will grow the F1 hybrid Roma Super Sauce which is listed as a champion Plum Tomato with a rich fruity
flavour that can also be grown outdoors. All are rich sources of vitamin C and antioxidants. I love the mini Petita type Cucumbers and Socrates performed so well that I’m loathe to try another variety but Cucumber Swing has all those qualities and can be grown in tubs on the patio. Feed weekly as you do for the tomatoes. Aubergine Jewel Jet produces compact plants that can bear up to 20 small but practical fruits. They are ideal to grow in tubs on a sunny patio or in a greenhouse. There’s a new Sweet Corn called Rising Sun that has proven in all the trials to be the earliest sweetest corn with large well packed cobs that freeze well so definitely one to grow this year. Sweetcorn Lark is a tender sweet variety that is recommended for colder clay soils and grown successfully by Alan on his Felmersham allotment. Two new varieties of the super food Spinach are worth considering. Spinach Helios has thick succulent leaves which are like Swiss Chard and full of flavour. It is highly nutritious producing quality crops with good resistance to
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MILT ON ERNEST GARDEN CENTRE Radwell Road (just off the A6) Milton Ernest MK44 1SH
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sport
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Walking footballers net for charity AFC Rushden & Diamonds walking footballers hosted their annual tournament at Islip which attracted 14 teams from across Northamptonshire and beyond. Sponsored by ‘Starlite Bay – Infinite Possibilities’, the event provided the opportunity to showcase walking football in Northamptonshire and raised funding to sustain the club, but also provided an opportunity to benefit the clubs chosen charity, Cancer Research UK, (CRUK). As a result of the hard work
from its members and the generosity of players and supporters online and on the day, AFC Rushden & Diamonds walking footballer’s raised a staggering total of £618.50 for Cancer Research UK and a cheque was presented to CRUK’s Rushden representative Jazz Jeffries prior to kick-off of Diamonds Southern League Premier Division Central fixture against Stourbridge FC at the Hayden Road. Alan Wookey, from Diamonds Walking Football, said
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“It’s a fantastic achievement and we are really proud to be able to make such a significant contribution to support the pioneering work of Cancer Research UK into the causes, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. “We are indebted to our sponsor, club members and volunteers who made the tournament such a resounding success. “To everyone involved AFC R&D WF would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thankyou.” Through this, other tournaments and training sessions, AFC Rushden & Diamonds Walking Football has committed, through the Community Club, to encourage the 50-plus to be fit and active
and maintain a healthy lifestyle by playing a sport they enjoy in a fun and competitive environment. AFC Rushden & Diamonds Walking Football is always seeking new players – so why not go along, meet new friends and get to enjoy kicking a ball around. Join them on Monday evenings at The Ferrers School in Higham Ferrers, from 7.15pm for 7.30pm for a taster session. To find out more email: Alan Wookey at alan.wookey@ntlworld.com For more information about the AFC Rushden & Diamonds Walking Football, contact on 07773 366393 or email: andrewsarson@gmail.com
Volleyballers beaten by their near neighbours IN the Northants Division 1 Men’s League, Bedford GNG hosted Rushden Raiders. Hit with availability issues the Raiders had to put Katie Bates on court to start the game. She did a sterling job in getting the ball up and to Gery who was setting. The weakened attack however were not putting the ball away allowing GNG to attack yet they were not making the most of the opportunities squandering them out of court. The desire to put the GNG serve reception under pressure backfired as too many errors cost point scoring opportunities. Raiders were relying on blocks from Gery and Loz to score points and saw them take the first set 25-17. GNG brought Darren O’Neil for set two and made an instant impact his consistent serving coupled with Raiders hitting errors saw them into a 12-5 lead. Edgars replaced Katie on front court to add height to the Raiders block but Alex and Darren were still able to hit through or round it.
The quality of the rallies was continuing to improve and points were getting harder to come by. GNG went on to take the set 25-18. The GNG block shut down the Raiders in set three and Ion, Darren and Alex had a field day hitting. This was a set the Raiders will want to put in ‘Room 101’. Set four saw Gery and Neil swap roles with a degree of success. The first ball into the setter was varied only offering a couple of hitting options. When the chance to spread the GNG block was there Gery and Wojciech did find the floor. GNG were now aware the Raiders coverage was a lot slower and they started to find the corners with shots as well as power hits. Uncle was doing a grand job in keeping the middle option open for GNG to which Satinder and Adam were grateful. This was by far the most competitive set and it was GNG whowent on to take it 25-21 and the match 3-1. MVP’s were Gery Vegh and Alex Cataldo.
Get jogging this January THIS January there are lots of new jogging groups starting throughout the county. These groups are all aimed at beginners and are ideal for people who have never ran before. Local groups are: Running Mate Wellingborough: every Monday, 7.15pm and Thursdays, 6.30pm, meeting at Castle Street, opposite the entrance to Castle Fields. The first session will take place on Monday, January 6, and costs £2 per session. Contact Susan at: susan@running-mate.co.uk or on 07988 799182. Stanwick Lakers: meeting every Monday, 5.45pm outside Waitrose, Rushden. The group will move back to Stanwick Lakes in the spring and the first beginners session will take place on Monday, January 13.
The beginners group will cost £10 one-off charge and the improvers group is free. Contact Heather at: hwatts09@ hotmail.co. uk, or on 07775 796183 Diamond Runners: meeting every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm, outside the Pemberton Leisure Centre, Rushden. The first beginners session will take place from Thursday, January 23. The first session is free, £2 thereafter. Contact: Diamondrunners@outlook. com for further details of the sessions.
New Year football fixtures
DIAMONDS have a home clash with Barwell on January 4, while Rushden and Higham host Sileby on January 11.
The Reporter is an independent publication, part of Rosetta Publishing Ltd. Published by ©2020 Rosetta Publishing Limited, 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest Bedford MK44 1SH. Tel: 07894 935952 Editorial: pat@rosettapublishing.com Advertising: martin@rosettapublishing.com Printed by: Reach Printing Services, Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 0Sx.