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CRIMES WHICH THE FORCE WILL TARGET IN THE NEXT YEAR
THE county’s police chief has outlined the four priorities for the force for the next year. ‘A Matter of Priority’ is a new campaign spotlighting the four crime types which Northamptonshire Police will put a special focus on in the next 12 months.
The county’s Chief Constable Nick Adderley, (pictured right), unveiled the important campaign showcasing the priorities for the coming year. The priorities have been identified, in part, due to the actual threat and risk they pose to communities across Northamptonshire, in particular the most vulnerable, but also because the public have told us that these are the areas they most want our officers to tackle – they are Serious and Organised Crime, Knife Crime, Domestic Abuse and Anti-Social Behaviour. Supported by a long-running social media campaign, A Matter of Priority will help both the public and the officers of staff of Northamptonshire Police better understand why these are the areas which present the most risk and how the force intends to drive down offending levels. A dedicated page on the force website will also host quarterly data tracking performance against targets. Mr Adderley’s targets are: l Domestic Abuse – The force recorded more than 18,000 cases last year, an overall increase of 11.3 per cent. In the year ahead police will be targeting repeat offenders and we have highly specialised support teams in place for repeat cases. In addition, more officers – including all new recruits – will be given dedicated training in this area to raise awareness across the board. l Knife Crime – This remains a serious concern within Northamptonshire, where figures showed more than 1,000 people were victims of knife crime in the past 12 months. Police will continue to take robust action against offenders and we will work with young people to explain the dangers of carrying knives – last month alone, one in
three offenders were aged under 18. l Anti-Social Behaviour – as well as being a breeding ground for future offenders and organised criminality, affects the quality of life for so many people in communities across Northamptonshire and we intend to stop incidents escalating or repeating themselves. In the past year, ASB offending has increased by almost 15 per cent and with Covid restrictions easing and the peak summer period approaching, this remains a challenging area. l Serious Organised Crime –Northamptonshire has been a target of ‘County Lines’ drugs networks in recent years and police have made significant inroads already, dismantling a number of large criminal networks which exploited vulnerable people to carry out their legwork. Serious Organised Crime is a complex area and also covers modern slavery, child exploitation and fraud. Mr Adderley said: “Public feedback has been key to identifying these priorities. “These are the crime types
which people have told us they most want us to tackle and we will do so, relentlessly, in the months ahead. “It is crucial that people understand why special focus will be in these areas and, supported by a media campaign highlighting progress and success. “I’m confident we can build urther the trust and confidence of the communities we serve in Northamptonshire Police. “Protecting vulnerable people is an important thread which connects them all and by pursuing these offenders, we will reduce victimisation and make this county a hostile place for criminals.” Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said: “These priorities reflect key areas of concern for the public, who fed back very clearly in the consultation I held earlier this year. “As the public’s voice in policing, I share these priorities with the Chief Constable and am reassured that he will give them robust attention. We want our police service to be efficient and effective at keeping people safe.”
COUPLE CELEBRATE 70 YEARS
RUSHDEN residents Jack and Elsie Smith became ‘a one in a million couple’ as they celebrated 70 years of marriage. Reaching a platinum wedding anniversary is statistically a one in a million chance and so Rushden Town Council, along with Mayor, Cllr Melanie Coleman and Consort, Cllr David Coleman, an anniversary to remember was organised! When asked what the secret was to a long and happy marriage, Jack told the Mayor: “It’s because we are interested in the same sort of things, we aren’t the sort who like to sit on the sand, we like to go up on the hills.”
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JUNE 2021 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER
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Man guilty of non-recent rapes and sexual assaults A 71-YEAR-old man has been convicted of 20 historic rapes and sexual assaults against children, following an investigation by Northamptonshire Police. Peter David Freeman, of Northumberland Avenue, Stamford, Lincolnshire, was found guilty earlier this week following a trial at Northampton Crown Court. In December 2017, two woman came forward to the Force to report that Freeman had repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them in Raunds and a village in east Northamptonshire between 1975 and 1989. Investigations by the Force’s SOLAR team, which deals with rape and serious sexual assault cases, resulted in Freeman being charged with 10 counts of rape against a child under 16 and six counts of indecent assault against a child under 14. Then in the summer of 2020, two further victims bravely came forward, resulting in a further five charges of indecent assault being laid against Freeman. Following an eight-day trial, in which Freeman refused to give
evidence, on Wednesday, April 21, the jury found him not guilty of one count of indecent assault, but guilty on the other 20 charges of indecent assault and rape. Investigating officer Det Con Colleen White said: “I want to thank the victims in this case for having the courage to come forward and report this matter to the police. “They have demonstrated great strength throughout our investigation and the trial process and should be commended for this. “This defendant not only stole their childhoods from them but also affected their adult lives and, although this verdict cannot change that, I hope that it brings them some peace for their future. “Freeman carried out unthinkable acts on these victims when they were vulnerable children, preying on their innocence and subjecting them to years of the most horrific abuse imaginable, and I am sure the sentence he will receive will reflect this. This case demonstrates that it is never too late to achieve justice.” Freeman is due back in court for sentencing on Tuesday, June 15.
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Busted - police raid three homes and recover drugs POLICE issued three warrants and recovered drugs and stolen items.
The activity was part of Operation Revive – a multi-partnership project which looks to address the issue of rising violence, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in the town.
While the operation aims to take a holistic approach to the issues, including having a strong focus on preventative work, the enforcement aspect of the operation is also hugely important. In partnership with Greatwell Homes, warrants were executed at two properties in Kingfisher Close were and one later on the day in Hardwick Road, Little Harrowden, with suspected Class A drugs and about 80 cannabis plants seized. One man and one woman in their 30s were
also arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. During their searches of one of the properties in Kingfisher Way, officers also uncovered items believed to have been stolen including seven mountain bikes, two electric-scooters, power tools and bizarrely, some sex toys.
Neighbourhood Policing Sgt Chris Stevens, said: “The aim of Op Revive is to send clear and consistent messages to criminals in Wellingborough that we are not here to mess around. “We will come after you if you insist on committing crime here. “The warrants were successful and as well as the drugs seized, it was great to retrieve items suspected to have been stolen. “Hopefully we’ll be able to reunite them
WE WILL COME AFTER YOU
with their rightful owners. “The message I would like to pass to offenders living in social housing is that the police will share information where appropriate with our partner agencies. “This could place your tenancies at risk and result in you being evicted. “I would also highlight our action today to the law abiding sections of the community as evidence that we do listen to your concerns and we do act on your information.” Head of housing and support services at Greatwell Homes Chris Holloway said: “The outcomes have involved months of planning from our Neighbourhood Housing Team, working closely with Northamptonshire Police. “We take all antisocial behaviour cases seriously and we will work with other agencies to ensure the continued safety of our customers and their communities.”
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Lockdown has not stopped trainees
NEARLY 20 construction trainees are progressing on to quality apprenticeships after rising to the challenge of work experience during the months of lockdowns. The construction trainees worked in plumbing, carpentry, brickwork and electrical skills. Some of them were part of a TLevel pilot by The Bedford College Group, a type of training course now rolled out nationally by the Government. Those aged 16-plus will be able to sign up for a wide range of TLevels with The Bedford College Group from September of this year. Critical to the courses is the combination of 80 per cent college activity and 20 per cent real work experience. They can be a route into apprenticeships or Higher Education. Director of science and digital technology at The Bedford College Group Jo Baxter said: “We are very pleased for the learners from the Corby campus who have secured good placements with local employers. “Real life work experience
helps learners develop the key skills they need to progress within their chosen careers and life skills that will help them be successful in the future. “The work placements have benefitted local companies by filling skills gaps and enabling them to train individuals to suit their particular needs.
CHALLENGING
“We would like to thank all the employers that have supported us, and our learners, in these challenging times.” Workplace coordinator Construction and Building Services at Tresham College, (part of The Bedford College Group), said: “What is remarkable is the personal progress and sense of pride enjoyed by these students who came to us straight from school, with no experience of work and who took that big step and stayed the course. “A high quality work placement can be transformational for a young person in so many ways. “The prize for these traditional trades, is, of course, an apprentice-
ship. And these students have now captured that prize. ‘Progression is our primary focus and having good employer engagement is a key driver in delivering these high-end opportunities. “Employers have told us they like the Tresham College work placement proposition very much. “They also tells us they like stu-
dents that have; respect, integrity, honesty, that they are eager and enthusiastic, and not continually on their phones.” Kieran entered into construction in 1976 and went on to work on major civil engineering projects including the Abbey National building in Milton Keynes and Newborough shopping centre in Kettering.
Police appeal for help after man assaulted A MAN has been assaulted in the street in Rushden. Police investigating the assault are appealing for witnesses to come forward. At about 3pm on Saturday, May 1, an 18-year-old man walked along Lime Street and then into Higham Hill, where an unknown man approached him. After verbally challenging the victim, the man beat him up in an
unprovoked attack, knocking him to the floor and causing head and facial injuries which required hospital assessment. The suspect was a white man with a deep voice. He may have been with two women at the time of the assault. Anyone who saw the attack or who has information about it should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.
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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JUNE 2021
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Man jailed after stealing £500,000 in series of scams A MAN who ran a series of fraudulent investment scams to con more than 100 people out of almost £500,000, and used the cash to fund a gambling habit and lavish lifestyle, has been jailed.
Myles Carter, 44, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, May 7, where he was sentenced to a total of five years and eight months behind bars after admitting three counts of fraud by false representation and one of money laundering. An investigation by Northamptonshire Police’s Fraud Crime Team found Carter, of Alfred Street, Irchester, set up an intricate web of lies, fake companies and multiple social media aliases to trick at least 101 people into parting with £493,935.49 through a number of fake managed trading accounts, that he ran from May 2013 to March 2020, and even a Covid-19 savings scam he set up in March 2020. The court heard that Carter, who also used names including Mason Mills and Paul Pritchard while he was defrauding his victims, used the money to fund a high-stakes gambling addiction and to maintain a luxurious lifestyle. The hearing was also told how Carter had 11 previous convictions for 35 offences, many of them fraud related, including stealing from past employers, forging signatures on cheques, retaining and converting criminal property totalling over £70,000, for which he was jailed for 28 months, and making sales on eBay but never sending the goods, for which he was jailed for 17 months. Details of the impact Carter’s fraudulent activity had on his victims were read out, including how one person who lost £60,000 they withdrew from their pension had been left contemplating suicide, with others plunged into debt, losing friendships, suffering mental health issues and left struggling to trust people. Sentencing, His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo highlighted that one of Carter’s frauds centred on a supposed high-yield savings account set up to help people
through the coronavirus pandemic, saying this was particularly harsh offending which exploited people’s fear of Covid-19. He said: “This was fraud carried over seven years, it was sophisticated and required significant planning and involved a large number of victims. “They were not all vulnerable, but the stories told by victims are sad and tragic, one person contemplating suicide, others being placed in a very depressed state. “The money you obtained was spent partly on gambling, and also on allowing yourself to live at a level that otherwise would have been completely unattainable.” He ordered that a further charge of fraud by false representation will lie on file, and made Carter subject to a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order, to begin once he is released from prison, with a hearing to deal with confiscation orders to be held in due course. Fraud supervisor Bryan Pye, of the Northamptonshire Police Fraud Crime Team, said: “Carter was able to live a lavish lifestyle after scamming people into making payments to him, hiding behind a façade and pretending to be representing legitimate companies when he wasn’t – it was all a complete sham. “He has taken in a lot of people and gone to great lengths to con people into thinking that they were dealing with a legitimate business, when in fact when we looked into his activities he was taking genuine company names and either pretending to be affiliated with them, or creating new companies based on those real names in order to trick people. “Carter probably seemed the most plausible person in the world to his victims, but our investigation showed he has a dark side to his character, he is a devious and accomplished fraudster.”
Police issue warnings over rogue traders in town
POLICE are issuing a warning to the public after an incident in Rushden involving rogue trading. The incident started on Monday, May 10, at 9am, when the victim had a knock to his door where a man offered to cut down a tree in the garden. The victim agreed and £240 was paid for the work. Two more men arrived and work started, however a short time later, one of the men showed the victim a dead white rat by the tree in question and stated there was a rodent problem which they could deal with for another £1,800. A woman claiming to be a neighbour then turned up and said she would pay part of the fee and encouraged the victim to pay the rest – £500 was then taken as a deposit from the victim the next day. On May 12, a man arrived to collect the rest of the money. There turned out to be no issue with rodents in the area. The first suspect was a
clean-shaven white man, aged 35 to 45, about 5ft 9in, of muscular build, with short dark hair and wearing a yellow coat with reflective stripes and a t-shirt. His teeth looked false. The second suspect was a clean shaven white man, aged 20 to25, about 5ft 9in, with short, light brown hair and wearing a silver jacket and black trousers. The third suspect was a white man with a tanned complexion, aged 25-35, about 5ft 9in, of average build, with short, dark black hair and black stubble, wearing a grey t-shirt with writing on it and black shorts with dark trainers. The female suspect was a white, aged 20 to 30, about 5ft 9in, of slim build with brown hair in a bun and wearing a dark grey sweatshirt and ripped jeans. Witnesses should contact rolice on 101. An 18-year-old man arrested in connection with this incident has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
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Appeal issued for memories
LET us not forget what lockdown has meant to Rushden. That is the message from Rushden Town Council, which is appealing for your memories from the past year. From homeschooling, baking, crafting, gardening, the doorstep clap, socially distanced street parties for VE Day, to birthday parties and births – the council would like to combine as many of your lockdown memories together and produce a short movie to mark this significant moment in time. It urged anyone with memories to get in touch. Any memories you have – photographs, videos or written form can be sent to the council directly at competitions@rushdentown council.gov.uk You can visit www.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk for details.
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JUNE 2021 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER
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Men sentenced to 52 years for New Year’s Day stabbings A MAN convicted of trying to kill a man and seriously injuring two others has been imprisoned for 22 years, with three others who took part in the attack also jailed. In the early hours of January 1, 2020, the four men entered a caravan site in Gypsy Lane, Irchester, and used knives, machetes and billhooks to attack the occupants of two caravans after one of their victims had intervened to stop an assault on a stranger while the two groups had been out together celebrating the new year. Following an extensive investigation by Northamptonshire Police, the four went on trial in March this year, which resulted in Patrick McDonagh, aged 37, being convicted of the attempted murder of one man, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent against two other men, and possession of an offensive weapon. John McDonagh, 38, Bernard McDonagh, 20, and Charlie McDonagh, 21, were all convicted of three counts of grievous bodily harm with intent against the three victims, and one count of possession of an offensive weapon. At their sentencing hearing at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, May 18, His Honour Judge Mayo sentenced Patrick McDonagh, of Crabb Street, Rushden, to 22 years in prison. John McDonagh, of Whitegate Stables, Leicestershire, was sentenced to 13 years and six months. Bernard McDonagh, also of Whitegate Stables, Leicestershire, received a
sentence of eight years. Charlie McDonagh, of Bescot Croft, Birmingham, was jailed for nine years. Speaking after the hearing, Detective Sergeant Ryan Catling, of Northamptonshire Police CID, said: “The sentence is a welcome conclusion to a violent and terrifying incident which left the victims seriously injured, and has changed their lives forever. “On the morning of January 1, 2020, in a totally disproportionate response to an earlier confrontation in Wellingborough, these four men launched a savage attack on their victims in their own homes, creating a scene of such bloodshed that it is incredible no-one was killed.
CONVICTED
“From the outset this was a complex and challenging case to investigate, and on behalf of the victims and the officers involved, I am very pleased that those responsible have been convicted and will now spend a significant amount of time in prison, rightly deprived of their liberty. “I would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case, who have shown quiet bravery and have all had to contend with serious physical injuries and significant mental trauma as a result of what happened to them, as well as receiving threats and intimidation for having the courage to give evidence to the police. “The investigative team at Northamptonshire Police has also been second to none,
their determination and attention to detail has ensured that these reckless men have been brought to account and I thank them all for their hard work on this case. “There is no place for violence in our county, nor for those who believe they have the right to inflict their own punishment or harm on others. If you commit this kind of crime, we will come after you and make sure you face justice.” Head of CID, Det Insp Paul Rymarz, paid tribute to DS Catling and the investigation team following sentencing: “The work that has gone into this case has been absolutely exceptional and I am very proud of Ryan and the team who got this case over the finish line and have secured some incredible sentences as a result. “Their hard work has sent a very clear message to anyone who thinks about committing violent crime in Northamptonshire in the future. “We have a team of brilliant and meticulous detectives in this force who will bring you to justice.”
In a previous report at a hearing in March, we reported that a further man, Edward McDonagh, aged 60, of Hinkley Road Caravan Park, Leicester, was charged with witness intimidation on April 2, 2020 and was dealt with at court in September. He pleaded guilty to witness intimidation to one of the victims of the attack and was sentenced to two years in prison.
The roar of the dinosaurs comes to the county IT is not every day you come face-toface with a triceratops and a T-Rex but shoppers heading into Northampton town centre will get up close and personal with the giant beasts as part of a free family fun day. A collection of dinosaurs will appear throughout Market Square, Abington Street, and other parts of the town centre on Saturday, July 24, as Northampton will be transported back to the Jurassic era, with a host of activities lined up for young adventurers. Characters including Ritchie the Raptor, Zeus the TRex and Tank the Triceratops will entertain the crowds on July 24 with retailers and food outlets
backing the event in the three-week period from July 24 to August 14 with ‘Dino diner meal deals’ in cafes and restaurants and other food outlets, special offers and ticketed activities. The event is being staged by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District,(BID), a group run by business owners to make Northampton a better place to live, shop and work. Northampton BID operations manager Mark Mullen said: “After a year of being unable to hold physical events in our town centre it’s exciting to once again be able to stage a day of unmissable activities that will give families an experience to remember forever. “It’s going to be a proper prehistoric party, with supersized special guests popping up throughout the day.”
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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JUNE 2021
Suspended sentence after hit and run collision with woman A 34-YEAR-old man who hit an 88-year-old woman with his car in Rushden before driving off and leaving her with serious injuries has been sentenced to 20 months suspended for 18 months, and disqualified from driving. Dion Martin Simpson, of Southfields, Rushden, hit the woman, called Joyce, (pictured right), on the afternoon of September 20, 2018, when he reversed his blue Vauxhall Astra across the pavement in High Street where she was walking. However, instead of stopping to see if she was okay, Simpson drove off and left her with serious injuries including a broken pelvis, wrist and shoulder, and extensive bruising. An investigation was launched by Northamptonshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit and CCTV was uncovered which showed Simpson driving back to the scene a short time after the collision to see what was going on, before he drove off again. The next day he sold the Vauxhall in an attempt to evade detection and justice. Simpson was arrested a short time later and subsequently charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice and for driving with no insurance. On Thursday, May 6, at Northampton Crown Court, he was sentenced to a total of 20 months, suspended for 18 months, plus a six-week electronicallymonitored curfew, and a 12-month driving disqualification.
Lead investigator Det Sgt Mahesh Patel said: “Dion Simpson showed a staggering lack of remorse at the time of this incident – not only driving away from the scene a second time after establishing he had injured an elderly lady, but then selling his car the very next day in an attempt to evade our enquiries. “The woman in this case, who is now 91-years-old, has not fully recovered from her physical injuries and she may never recover from the emotional trauma of this incident. “I hope Dion Simpson sincerely regrets his actions that day and the days following, and reflects on the very poor choices he has made. “This case has been a complex one to investigate but I am pleased we got the right person and for the sake of this elderly lady, successfully brought him to court.” In a statement, Joyce’s family said: “Joyce is a much-loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother,
LACK OF REMORSE
sister and aunty, whose life changed forever following the road traffic accident almost three years ago. “She walked to the shops as usual and as she returned home she was knocked down by Mr Simpson reversing into her before driving away. “He left our mother lying on the pavement with life threatening injuries. “Many kind people rushed to help her and call the emergency services. “Our mother’s injuries were so extensive that she did not return home for three months and has not been able to leave her home unaided since. “It is of great sadness to all the family that Joyce has endured such a horrific ordeal. “To her enormous credit she has always been a very strong and determined lady and since the accident she has shown great fortitude to try and live as independent a life as is now possible.” The family thanked the police, people who helped Joyce and the Crown Prosecution Service for their help in the case. Their statement continued: “We would like to thank Northamptonshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, in particular Det Sgt Mahesh Patel and Det Con Rae Pegg who have supported us, and the Crown Prosecution Service in successfully bringing this man to justice. “We would also like to thank the medical services, witnesses and all the people who helped her.”
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JUNE 2021 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER
Landowners urged to plant trees LANDOWNERS across the East Midlands are being asked to consider planting trees to help tackle the climate emergencies. The Woodland Trust has reopened applications for its flagship woodland creation scheme MOREwoods for anyone looking to get trees in the ground in the forthcoming 2021/22 planting season which starts in November. Senior project lead for woodland creation at the charity Emma Briggs said: “A common misconception about creating woodland is that you need a lot of land but the beauty of MOREwoods is that you only need half a hectare to be eligible, which is around the size of half a rugby pitch. “We will consider applications from a variety of landowners, including farmers, smallholder, private business, NHS Trust, university
campus or an individual. “There are so many reasons to plant trees. We are in the grips of a climate and trees are natural warriors in the fight against both. “They lock up carbon, enrich soils, improve water quality, slow the flow of flooding, provide shade, shelter and a haven for wildlife.” The scheme is open to anyone wanting to plant woodland of at least 500 trees on at least half a hectare of land. The charity can visit your site to help design the woodland, create a bespoke species mix, help with form filling, supply the agreed trees and protection, and cover up to 75 per cent of costs as well as arrange for contractors to plant the trees. For more information visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant, or contact 0330 333 3300.
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
ForthCoMinG MEEtinGS ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT THE TOWN HALL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTIFIED
Tuesday 22nd June, 6.45pm PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday 22nd June, 7.30pm POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE Tuesday 29th June, 7.30pm FULL COUNCIL MEETING Saturday 26th June, 9am–1pm
FARMERS’ MARKET how to ContaCt your CounCillor Pam Whiting
pamwhiting@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Gary Salmon
Tina Reavey
tinareavey@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Peter Tomas
Angela Gardner
angelagardner@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Paul McCann
Barry Spencer
barryspencer@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Vijay Paul
Barry Prigmore
barryprigmore@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Jennie Bone*
Chris O’Rourke
chrisorourke@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Nigel Brown
Tony Reading
Bert Jackson*
tonyreading@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
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garysalmon@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk petertomas@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk paulmccann@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk vijaypaul@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk jenniebone@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk nigelbrown@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk bertjackson@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
* Higham Ferrers Unitary Councillor
Download the App on Apple or Android for free 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 Warden – Chris Spring Mayor’s Sergeant – Mr David Wicks
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Council unveils its first mayor THE first mayor to be appointed by the new Northampton Town Council hopes being the first woman in the role from the Bangladeshi community will inspire others to reach the same heights. Cllr Rufia Ashraf was appointed as the mayor in a ceremony in the Council Chamber at Northampton Guildhall. A Northampton Borough Councillor for seven years, Cllr Ashraf said her achievements
means women from the same background can achieve whatever they want to. Cllr Ashraf said: “For my community, it is a big deal because they know how hard I work, they know I am passionate about my community and the environment. “And colleagues selecting me for this opportunity, is an exciting achievement. “It gets to show that people do believe in the work that I do and they recognise it.”
‘Courageous and selfless’ nurse named as COVID-19 champion A NURSE who has seen “unbelievable, upsetting and truly sad things” while working at Northampton General during the pandemic has been named Northamptonshire’s COVID Champion. Tracey Tipler, from Earls Barton, has won the Smiths Farm Shop and Sauls of Spratton ‘So Long to Lockdown’ competition for her “courageous and selfless dedication” to her work when she was drafted into a COVID-19 ward to help out. The 59-year-old said: “At the time the pandemic hit the UK I was working in Outpatients but I have a background in intensive care and emergency admissions so when COVID-19 struck Northampton I was called in to help. “Although I’d read all the stories in the papers nothing had prepared me for what I was faced with. “It was like working in a science fiction movie with everyone gowned up with only their eyes visible and some very, very sick patients. “I can honestly say in all my years of nursing I have never seen such unbelievable, upsetting and truly sad things during my time on the COVID ward. “I can’t even bear to think about it actually.” Tracey’s work was even more admirable as she was also grieving her daughter who had recently passed away from cancer, leaving behind four children. Friend and colleague Shelagh Donnelly nominated Tracey in the competition having seen how hard life had been for Tracey.
She said: “What Tracey has been through is simply gut wrenching, but despite her own loss she has gone above and beyond for other people. “She has sat next to total strangers, holding their hand while they died without their family by their side and helped treat others, nursing them back to full recovery. “Just like all the other NHS workers who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic, Tracey is a hero. “But, despite her own grief she has been courageous and shown selfless dedication throughout. “I’m so proud to call her my friend.” As the winner of the competition Tracey was presented with a huge hamper of goodies courtesy of Smiths Farm Shop and Sauls of Spratton. “Both local businesses teamed up to find the town’s ‘COVID Champion’ to mark the end of the third lockdown.
Proprietor of the Farm Shop, Adrian Smith said: “For more than a year now key workers, volunteers, friends, family and neighbours have kept the county moving during the most challenging and unprecedented of times. “Despite the worry and fear, there are people out there who have shown true grit and put others first. “We were inundated with stories of bravery, sadness, love and good old fashioned neighbourly British spirit, but Tracey’s commitment touched our hearts.
CHALLENGING TIMES
“ She was so gracious when we presented her with the hamper, but there was no doubt that she truly deserved her prize.” Emma Price, one of the directors of Sauls of Spratton, said: “Reading the nominations for our competition has made me so very proud of the people of Northamptonshire. “I had no idea our county was full of such kind, caring folk.
“Despite all the moving stories though, Tracey was the stand-out winner and we hope our recognition of her hard work and challenging few years will help her realise how truly appreciated she is.” Yvonne Rose, Stuart Phelan and Faye Brassett were named runners-up in the coronavirus competition. The Smith family has been in business since 1958, and Sauls since 1926. Between them they have over 150 years serving the people of Northamptonshire. Proud of their heritage, the companies support like-minded local food producers, providing them with an outlet to sell their homegrown products. Over the last year Smiths has provided a COVID safe space for their customers and dedicated key worker shopping hours every morning. Sauls has been delivering orders free to customers who order online or by phone, a vital lifeline to those shielding or unable to get out and shop.
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County gets ‘anti-ageing roads’ to help keep roadworks at bay
Police action to tackle knife crime OFFICERS and PCSOs across Northamptonshire took part in the national Op Sceptre week of action, aimed at preventing and tackling knife crime. The national initiative, led by the NPCC, (National Police Chiefs’ Council), ran from Monday, April 26, to Sunday, May 2. Supt Adam Ward, Northamptonshire Police’s lead for knife crime, said: “Officers and PCSOs dedicated their work throughout the county in support of the national week of action – and of course this forms part of our ongoing focus on preventing and tackling knife crime. “While the vast majority of people don’t carry knives – and that’s a really important thing to remember – the operational activity demonstrates ways in which we are working with other agencies and the community to prevent it happening in the first place and tackle those that do. “Prevention is a huge part in reducing the risk of knife crime, and we have many activities aimed at this. “For example, talking to young people and education is key to dispel myths such as the fact that carrying a knife makes you safer. “In fact, it puts you at more risk as it can be used against you or you could end up using it. “It’s just not worth it – even carrying a knife can land you a prison sentence and ruin your life in so many ways.” “We work with partner agencies and provide advice and help to those who are concerned about themselves, or someone
they know being at risk as it’s important for someone in that position to know there is support out there and other options. “But make no mistake, we will and do come down hard on those who put other people at risk and continue to flout the law. “Most people don’t do this and we are determined to bring the few that do to justice.” The week of action saw activity in towns and villages across the whole county. These included Northampton, Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Earls Barton, Finedon, Irchester, Irthlingborough, Oundle, Thrapston, Brigstock, Barnwell, Warmington, Raunds, Corby, Kettering, Brackley and Daventry. Police said 167 knives were surrendered, 22 weapon sweeps were conducted, there were 60 surrender bins, 18 arrests made, 29 school visits, 60 visits to shops with events and surrenders at retail parks such as Phoenix Parkway in Corby and Rushden Lakes. Visits were made to 17 licensed premises and joint work with the British Transport Police took place at Northampton, Kettering and Wellingborough train stations. Activities also included high visibility patrols of hotspot areas and weapon sweeps along with more covert tactics including plain clothes patrols and more. To report knife, contact 101 – always call 999 in an emergency. If you would rather remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A SECTION of dual carriageway in Northamptonshire has become the first in the country to be resurfaced with a pioneering new material that is designed to help roads last significantly longer. England’s motorways and major Aroads are expected to be resurfaced every 10 to 12 years because water, sun and air, combined with the weight of heavy traffic, causes the surface to deteriorate and crack. However, laboratory tests have shown an innovative blend of materials can help extend the life of the road surface without the need for a facelift. Highways England, together with partners Tarmac and Total, has resurfaced a busy section of the A43 near Silverstone, in Northamptonshire, with the new asphalt mix. The mix is held together by a new bitumen called Styrelf Long Life, which is designed to be more resistant to the elements by oxidising more slowly. This slower process means the road surface stays flexible for longer, preventing cracks forming. More durable road surfaces that require fewer repairs could lead to less money
needing to be spent on maintenance, lower carbon emissions caused by maintenance work and less disruption for road users. Total estimates that getting the asphalt required to resurface a mile of single lane carriageway – not including transport to site and working with it – can produce up to 26.5 tonnes of CO2. If roads lasted longer, so that two sets of resurfacing could be avoided in a 60year period, the reduction in asphalt production alone could save the equivalent of the CO2 produced by an average car if it was driven for more than 27,0000 miles – more than 10 times around the Earth.
INNOVATIVE
Highways England’s chief highways engineer Mike Wilson said: We’re always looking for innovative ways to help us keep England’s motorways and major Aroads in good condition. “The ultimate priority for us is safety so we invest in new technology and materials to keep those using the roads safe. “Longer lasting roads means fewer roadworks, less disruption for motorists and a more sustainable network for
everyone.” This trial paves the way for enhanced highways asset management and predictive deterioration modelling for Highways England. The new material has previously been tested in the laboratories of Total, at Tarmac’s site in Elstow in Bedfordshire and on sections of road in The Netherlands and Germany. The A43 trial is the first time it has been used with high traffic levels in the UK. Technical experts from Total will regularly measure the performance of the material against an equivalent control section laid at the same time on the A43 before its use is considered elsewhere in the country. Technical director at Tarmac Brian Kent said: “As part of our corporate commitment to sustainability, boosting efficiencies and delivering improved whole life performance across the network. “We’re always pushing to introduce any new technology or innovation that can further improve the durability of the roads we maintain.”
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Charity delivers more than £1m in emergency funding across county BETWEEN March 2020 and January 2021, Northamptonshire Community Foundation awarded nearly £1.1m to more than 100,000 local residents through their Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund. The success of the appeal was the result of the extraordinary generosity from local donors and was delivered across UK community foundations in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust. The Response and Recovery Fund supported over 300 projects across the county, including those providing food aid and medical supplies, counselling services and mental health support, community transport services, educational activities and general health and well-being support. Funded groups included the Daylight Centre, (pictured, right), which provided food supplies in Wellingborough, the Lewis Foundation which delivered funding packs to cancer patients at Northampton General Hospital and the Eloquent Fold who provided online art classes to people who were shielding and self-isolating. The Foundation has recently released an impact report highlighting the difference local groups and charities have made in providing support services during the public health crisis and the types of activities funded. It shows how philanthropy can make a huge difference in providing a lifeline during these very challenging times. The work on the ground is testimony to the essential and crucial role that voluntary community organisations
and small charities have in keeping local communities safe and well. Their work ensured that vulnerable residents got the support they needed and as long as they needed it for. CEO of Northamptonshire Community Foundation,Victoria Miles DL said: “We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of generosity from people who gave to the foundation’s Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund. “Donations came in from individuals, families, businesses, Trusts and Foundations from the very start of the first lockdown. “We would like to thank all of those who gave so generously to our fund. “This enabled us to give to most vulnerable in our communities who needed help, support and care during this incredibly challenging time.” Northamptonshire Community Foundation is in its 20th anniversary year and is well placed with local grant making and philanthropic expertise to help galvanise and support a quick and effective response to local emergencies now and in the future. In addition to emergency funding, Northamptonshire Community Foundation staff were able to safely work from home and additionally gave out £1 million for other activities supporting healthy communities, meaning a total of more than £2.5m was distributed throughout 2020. To read Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s latest impact report, visit: http://www.ncf.uk.com/aboutus/our-impact The foundation can be contacted on 01604 230033.
Can you help find this man?
DETECTIVES are re-appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a 37-year-old man, (pictured, right). Noor Alam, of no fixed abode, also goes by the name Ahmed Zakir, and police want to speak to him in connection with sexual assaults in Northampton. Officers believe he could also frequent the Whitechapel area of London. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Alam should call Northamptonshire Police on 999, quoting incident number 19000524436. If you see Alam, you are asked to call 999 immediately.
Police appeal for witnesses
POLICE are asking anyone who may have seen any activity related to an attempted robbery in Rushden to get in touch. Between 1pm and 1.15pm on Saturday, May 8, a man was in his garden off Newton Road when a stranger approached him, having entered from a large field behind the property. The man took out a Stanley knife and demanded money, before running off when the victim refused to give him any cash. The suspect was a white man, about 5ft 8ins and slim. He wore a dark hooded top with the hood up, a dark face covering, and dark gloves. Officers investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone in the area highlighted at the time of the incident, to contact them on 101.
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New memorial unveiled
A NEW war memorial was unveiled in Thrapston after the community responded to a vandal attack last year. In November, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the community of Thrapston for responding ‘magnificently’ to the ‘awful vandalism’ against the Silent Soldier war memorial. The new and improved memorial area was unveiled at Coronation Gardens, Oundle Road, Thrapston. The heart-breaking vandalism to Thrapston’s Silent Soldier statue happened during November’s national lockdown. The news triggered an incredible outpouring of local and national support. A replacement soldier was loaned to the town by Grange Primary Academy Kettering. Local resident Sophie Starsmore set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money to permanently replace the statue. Donations rolled in from across the country, totalling £4,750.
Thrapston will now have not just one but three Silent Soldiers standing guard over the memorial stone. A fourth Silent Soldier will be mobile, to be positioned around the town as needed for Remembrance events. Incredibly, the funding pot was left untouched thanks to generous donations of Silent Soldiers from Sheila and Mike of Southern Acrylics, Old Weston, who made and donated a replacement statue free of charge, Will Gadsby, Spirotech Group, Sawtry, who made and donated a replacement statue free of charge, Hugh Burns, a member of the public who privately donated a statue and Ernie Keating, a member of the public who privately donated a statue. Due to the generous donations of statues, the money raised by Mrs Starsmore’s Go Fund Me page has instead been used towards a stunning new permanent outdoor memorial displaying the names of Thrapston’s war dead.
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DANGER – are drugs disguised as sweet treats tempting our children into crime? COUNTY police are joining forces across the East Midlands to remind the public to #LookCloser for signs of exploitation as County Lines gangs target children with cannabis, masquerading as sweet treats. The concerns are being raised after the Class B drug, disguised as sweets, has been seized in the region. County Lines gangs exploit young and vulnerable people to peddle their drugs across the country. Now, the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, (EMSOU), is echoing warnings by health professionals over ‘cannabis edibles’ – cannabis-based confectionary that can often contain potent levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, (THC). The ingestion of THC can lead to loss of coordination or consciousness, hallucinations, nausea/vomiting, lethargy and heart problems. Those in possession of any product containing the Class B drug also risk arrest and prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act. EMSOU’s Stuart Jones, who coordinates the police’s regional response to County Lines, said concerns were twofold: “The use of sweets in drug dealing is
by no means a new tactic, but we are now starting to see it being used in County Lines across the country, including in the East Midlands. “What we fear is that children are not only being targeted as a new market, but are also being enticed with seemingly legal confectionary as a means of recruiting them into their ranks as ‘clean skin’ couriers and dealers, who have no previous record and due to their age are more likely to go under the radar. “The illicit manufacture of such sweets means production is unregulated and thus levels of potency can vary, not to mention there being a high chance other harmful substances mixed in. “The fact that these sweets are also commonly supplied in packs means the potential for accidental over-dose is highly likely, particularly in young people unaware of the dangers. “We need people to be aware of these products, which we have no doubt are finding their way into parks and possibly even around schools. “Make sure your children are aware of the dangers and call us with any concerns.”
Once again, EMSOU and the five regional forces are teaming up with The Children’s Society, the British Transport Police, (BTP), across the region to raise awareness around the County Lines method and the signs by which to identify and safeguard victims. As in September last year, when public transport was limited under the pandemic, police are repeating their plea to the public to #LookCloser at private hire vehicles – which gangs rely on to move their drugs and cash around the country – to spot children being exploited. Push bikes are also methods being used by local youngsters who have been coerced into moving drugs These young couriers are usually hidden in plain sight. They can be children you know, who are showing signs of changed routines and behaviour; they can be young people you see as you travel on the trains, buses or in taxis. They are at stations, taxi ranks and roadside services, often with older ‘friends’ or alone and appearing unsure of their surroundings. The #LookCloser campaign was
launched in the East Midlands in 2020 as a joint venture between EMSOU, The Children’s Society and BTP and has since been rolled out nationally. National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society’s Prevention programme James Simmonds-Read, said his team were providing Look Closer briefings to key organisations across the region in a bid to raise awareness of the issue. He said spotting the signs of exploitation was not just a matter for parents and professionals: He said: “While lockdown meant exploited children were often hidden from the view of professionals and the public, the easing of restrictions means there are now more opportunities for us all to spot the warning signs. “Predators have adapted their methods to continue to prey on children during the pandemic – taking advantage of young people’s isolation, worries about family finances and problems at home to groom them with cash, gifts, friendship and status. “Through our Look Closer campaign we are urging anyone who encounters chil-
dren in their daily lives – from morning commuters and delivery drivers to hotel and shop staff – to report any concerns that a child might be being exploited to the police. “Places like train stations, parks, shopping centres, banks and taxis, may all be used in the grooming and exploitation of children. “The Internet is also a public space. “Be vigilant for signs of exploitation through gaming and social media, as there have been increased reports of online grooming under lockdown.” Check out @EMSpecialOps or @childrensociety on Twitter for more, or visit The Children’s Society webpage for more information. Police said look beyond your first impressions. Look past the front. Could there be a child you know or see who is being exploited by criminals? #LookCloser and call 101 to report your concerns. On the trains text British Transport Police on 61016. Otherwise, phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, police said to always contact 999.
Hunt launched for prolific graffiti artist
AN appeal has been launched to catch a prolific graffiti artists who has been leaving tags all over town. Officers have released these images, (left), in the hope of catching the person behind the prolific graffiti tag. A tag reading ‘Gesp’ has been spray painted at multiple locations across the town of Kettering. Other tags include ‘Saus’, ‘Forte’ and ‘JBO’ also regularly cropping up. About 50 tags have been left on walls across the town, disrupting businesses which are already struggling in the ongoing pandemic.
Police are treating the displays as criminal damage. They have now appealed for information to help identify the person behind the prolific graffiti tags. Following recent incidents in Eden Street
CRIMINAL DAMAGE
Company accelerates mental health and well-being initiatives
A COUNTY building company is accelerating mental health and well-being initiatives across its group. TRAVIS Perkins plc, which is the UK’s largest supplier of building materials and owner of the Travis Perkins builders’ merchants, Toolstation and many specialist trade businesses is on track to deliver on its commitment to ensure there are six times more mental health first aiders, (MHFAs), in the business this summer than there were at the start of the year. The safety and well-being of colleagues is the group’s number one priority, and this drive to increase the number of accredited MHFAs from 40 to more than 250 has been accelerated to proactively manage colleagues’ wellbeing in the workplace. This initiative complements a whole raft of other support for colleagues, which includes an employee assistance programme for counselling and emotional support as well as a mental wellbeing app and assessment tool, activity and mindfulness resources and discounts on gym memberships, exercise equipment, online fitness and other financial offers to help balance the physical, financial and mental aspect of well-being. Group HSE and fleet director Richard Byrne said:
SUPPORT FOR COLLEAGUES
“During Covid, our mental health and wellbeing have been put to the test like never before, but as an industry leader with a proud history of upholding family values, our strong people focus has served us well. “It has under-pinned our pandemic response and helped us work collectively to resolve the many challenges this past year has posed for our 20,000-plus colleagues in balancing their home and work lives. “Our MHFAs play a key role as ambassadors across all areas of well-being; to be the first port of call in the workplace for mental health support for colleagues, raise awareness and encourage positive behaviours amongst our workforce on a voluntary basis, and to identify signs of poor mental health and help individuals access professional support if they need it. “But we are very clear that they are not there to diagnose or provide ongoing support or counselling.” The MHFAs at Travis Perkins all follow the guidelines of MHFA England. And in recognition of the rewarding, but also challenging nature of these roles, the company has also put in place a range of support mechanisms to safeguard the MHFAs themselves, ensuring they are protecting their own health and well-being needs.
and Regent Street, officers in the Kettering Neighbourhood Policing Team, (NPT), are now appealing for anyone with information about who is responsible to get in touch. PC Steven Cheatham, of Kettering NPT, said: “Over the last year, there’s been a plague of various graffiti tags appearing across Kettering. “Some have been sprayed across the front of local shops. “This has caused disruption and unnecessary expense to people already struggling to keep their businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve collected around 50 examples of different tags from around the town, and it appears that the tag ‘Gesp’ only appears in the Kettering area, so we believe this person is local.” He said if anyone has any information at all about graffiti or any other criminal damage in the town, to contact Northamptonshire police officers on 101.”
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Mayor gets a second term
PUBLIC Health Northamptonshire launched a survey in a bid to understand attitudes and address any possible barriers towards taking rapid COVID-19 tests. It wanted to find out why, in recent weeks, the number of tests taken across the county have plateaued, or dropped.
Covid testing
GOODWOOD has announced that five current Formula 1 teams are already confirmed to attend the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard from July 8 to 11. Further announcements about the Festival of Speed, including details of attending Formula 1 drivers, will be made in the coming weeks.
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THE Conservative Party swept to victory in the first ever election of the newly formed North Northamptonshire Council. The Tories won 60 out of the 78 seats across Kettering, Wellingborough, East Northamptonshire and Corby. You can read more about the full breakdown of the local elections and winners and losers, by visiting the official website at https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk /councillors-and-democracy/ election-results
Tories election
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EAST Midlands Railway, (EMR), has launched its new all-electric service between Corby and London St Pancras later this month. The new timetable is made possible by the successful delivery of the £1.5b Midland Main Line Upgrade by Network Rail, which includes new overhead line equipment between Bedford and Corby, as well as an additional track between Kettering and Corby. It will provide more seats for passengers across the region – with further late night and early morning services – and will allow the reintroduction of peak services between Wellingborough and Bedford, meaning passengers will not need to use the replacement coach service.
AT YOUR SERVICE EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JUNE 2021
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T: 01933 AT its annual meeting on Higham Ferrers Town Council elected Cllr Christina Reavey for her second term of office as Mayor. At the socially distanced meeting held in the Bede Hose, Cllr Angela Gardner was elected as her deputy. On thanking her fellow Councillors for the nomination, Cllr Reavey said: “My Mayorship will go down in history. “Firstly, because I have been asked to do two consecutive years. I have been told that the last person to do two consecutive years was John White in 1952 – 1954 when in fact we were a borough council. “Secondly because last year I ‘zoomed’ into the role whilst in solitary isolation in my study and then this year, because of covid restrictions and social distancing rules, we are not holding Mayor Making in our Town Hall Council Chamber but in the Historic Bede House. “However, I very much appreciate that this evening I have my fellow councillors and Town Hall staff alongside me, and finally
“I must be the only mayor who has raised zero pounds for their charity!” Cllr Reavey has been a resident of Northamptonshire for 35 years with approximately 25 of them have been in Higham Ferrers. She is retired but formerly taught for 23 years in a nearby primary school and she considers the education and wellbeing of our young people to be very important. She hopes that later in the year, if restrictions allow, to be able to hold some events to raise money for her charities, which initially will be Higham Ferrers Community. She would also like to include a national charity if restrictions allow an number of fundraising events to be held and will announce this later in the year. She enjoys meeting and talking with residents and their families and looks forward to representing the historic town during her Mayoral year. To contact her for more information, email info@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk
Rushden Mayor re-elected
THE Annual General Meeting and Mayor Making of Rushden Town Council was held this week and the council said it was delighted to announce the re-election of the Town Mayor, for the Civic Year 2021/2022: Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs Melanie Coleman; Mayor’s Consort, Cllr David Coleman: The Deputy Mayor for the Civic Year 2021/2022 was elected as follows: Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mrs Sarah Peacock: Deputy Mayor’s Consort, Mr Alan Peacock. The Mayor’s main chosen charities for 2021/2022 are the Royal British Legion (Rushden) Branch and Rowan Gate Primary School Rushden. The Mayor would like to take this opportunity in wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful year ahead.
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Tresham College supports key education move Police reap benefits of TRESHAM College staff are among those supporting a national move in education. On May 17, 2021 an important new Research College Group was launched. The group represents 10 founder organisations comprised of General Further Education and Sixth Form colleges who lead in practitioner research. These organisations have come together to bring practitioner and other forms of post-16 education and training research, into the heart of sector organisations This collaborative endeavour is run by and for the sector and seeks to raise the profile, standing and value of post-16 education and training through its own research undertaken by its own community, and by leading thinking to develop forms of research and enquiry that reflect the requirements of the sector. The 10 founder member organisations are: Activate Learning, Ashton Sixth Form College (Stamford Park Trust), Better Futures MAT (Bilborough Sixth Form), Hartlepool College, Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion, Hartlepool College, Lincoln College, Solihull College and University Centre, One Sixth Form, York College and The Bedford
bringing specialist operational units back
College Group (which includes Tresham College). The Bedford College Group’s Sam Jones Chair of the steering committee comments: “Using practitioner and other forms of research to make organisational decisions is an important part of shaping the post-16 education and training landscape. Using context rich, locally conducted research can
give a unique advantage to these organisations. “We hope that through this collaborative work across the UK sector, important insights can be shared within a central point.” http://www.researchcollegegroup. co.uk Sam Jones left who has helped to pioneer the national FE Research College
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New regional online hub is launched
DIGITAL Midlands – a new online community for entrepreneurs, investors, talent and technologists – has been launched. The community, which will provide updates, webinars and business connection opportunities, aims to bring more identity to the Midlands as a digitally industrious leader. Dan Ilett, partner at 4 Oceans Ventures, the company behind the new venture, said: “We see so much potential in the Midlands for great collaboration and investment. “We realised there isn’t really a community which purely brings together all the brilliant stories of tech creativity in the region. “We’ve already seen some fantastic opportunities arise, such as the development of Gigabit Cities across the region – and as the Midlands becomes more digital, communities will be essential for expanding business networks.” The Digital Midlands team, which is based in Leicester, is now connecting with entrepreneurs, universities, businesses and investors to develop opportunities for Midlands innovation with webinars, events and award ceremonies. The Midlands is home to a number of quoted companies, 1m+ businesses and more than 50 universities and higher education establishments - all within a short distance of each other. David Yates, co-founder of 4 Oceans Capital, another of the investors in Digital Midlands, said: “We think venture capital is missing from the Midlands and Digital Midlands is here to connect the dots on that. “Lots of investors overlook the region and turn to the south for business opportunities instead. “However, by investing and reinvesting in the region, we can instead uncover and work with the massive talent potential that is available right on our doorstep.”
CHIEF Constable Nick Adderley says Northamptonshire Police is delivering a better service to the public since withdrawing from a long-standing regional collaboration on specialist operational policing. For several years the force worked alongside colleagues in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire sharing specialist services including police dogs, roads policing and armed response. Two years ago, a process began to withdraw from the agreement and instead return those officers to force, ensuring they were deployed only within Northamptonshire. Mr Adderley said the new model was delivering a more effective, targeted and better resourced service that provided greater visibility and resilience and, ultimately was building public confidence in Northamptonshire Police. He said: “First and foremost, my duty as Chief Constable is to fight crime and protect people in Northamptonshire. “When I took over in August 2018, it became clear to me the collaborative arrangements in place in this particular area fell short of what was needed. “During the past 12 months we can now evidence real improvements in the way we deploy and manage our specialist teams to deal with the issues which matter to the public of Northamptonshire. “For example, we recorded a 122 per cent increase in incidents attended by armed response vehicles in 2020, because the capability has been brought in-house. “Response times to such incidents are now greatly improved resulting in more offenders being brought to justice and the safety of the public maximised. “Similarly, we now have a dedicated Serious Collision Investigation Unit where a team of officers, working in a really challenging area, are now providing a better than ever service to victims of injury on the roads and sadly to the families of those who have lost their lives due to road harm. “Our police dogs team is now our own police dogs team, not one where resources are taken to assist at locations up to 100 miles away. “With investment, we have expanded from 10 under the EMOpSS arrangement to 15 now, including the addition of highly specialised dogs capable of searching for the likes of cash, human remains and firearms. “We expect police dogs to assist
in more than 1,500 incidents in the coming year, a full 22 per cent increase on 2020 alone.” Extra officers on the ground also meant that in addition to carrying out their core roles, there was evidence to show they were also helping to support searches for missing people and concern for safety issues, in line with the force’s remit to protect the vulnerable. This has been enhanced with investment in the latest drone technology allowing air support at a fraction of the cost when requesting a police helicopter. Mr Adderley said the return of the operational units – which can still be deployed out of county through mutual aid arrangements – had brought some wider benefits to the workforce.
He said: “There is real evidence that it is helping to improve the morale of frontline officers, not least those who worked in the regional arrangements previously and may have felt detached from their home force. “In addition, we are also sensing it in terms of the positive trends in our recruitment with applicants genuinely sensing a force making real headway.” Mr Adderley also pointed to other areas where frontline officers were benefiting and the public was seeing results. He said: “Many of you will be aware of my commitment to issue taser to all officers who choose to carry the device. “That roll-out continues with plans to extend it to qualifying Special constables in 2021 and to student officers with at least 12 months service. “Our own published evidence shows 96 per cent of officers now feel safer as a result of this.” The Chief added that an additional £1.3m funding from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to add a further 150 ANPR, (Automatic Numberplate Recognition System), cameras across the county last December was delivering a “seismic” increase in vehicle stops with 819 carried out between January 20 and April 20, leading to 177 arrests, 514 traffic offences being detected and 311 vehicle seizures. He added: “Across the board, the public should be reassured that bringing these key areas of business back to fight crime and protect people in Northamptonshire was the right thing to do.”
REAL EVIDENCE
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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JUNE 2021
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Times past
from the Eric Fowell collection
STARS AT CHELVESTON U.S.A.F. BASE
Famous names in the entertainment world on Chelveston Base. Bob Hope, Tony Romano and
SHE’S A HONEY – 10th April 1945
At Chelveston Air Base the U.S.A.F. Lt. G. Kuhi and his crew of the 305th B.G. are shown standing beside the Bl7 Flying Fortress. This description was sent by George Kuhi to Mr. Bill Donald on 28th June 1992. Here is a rundown on the crew members in the photo: Front row left to right: Nick Paradiso, ball turret gunner, retired aeronautical engineer and consultant; Don Seeley, tail gunner, owns and operates his own concrete firm; actually he says his sons run the business, and he runs the sons. Middle row left to right: Paul McConahey, radio operator, retired auto parts salesman; Marion J. Stanley, togglier and waist gunner, a Bishop in a Christian faith; John Jenkins, top turret gunner and flight engineer, deceased Baptist minister; Dale Remaly, waist gunner, retired school teacher, trombone player, artist, and photographer. Back row: Bob Law, co-pilot, retired entrepreneur; myself, pilot, retired from United States Army in 1970, and from an insurance company in 1984; Fred Tate, navigator, great ladies man, semi-retired from the insurance business. Like Seeley, Fred watches the cash flow while his sons run the business. We had no bombardier. In late 1944, many bombardiers were removed from crews, one of the waist gunners trained as a togglier, and it became a nine man crew instead of the original ten crew members.
Chelveston. Unfortunately B17 Frances Langford pose with the crew of the Boeing B 17 (A/C 242) 4230242 was lost during a raid on Sweinfurt on 14th October, 1943. of the 305th Bomber Group at
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JUNE 2021 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER
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mealtime Yes it’s fish again — we’re trying to educate the British taste buds to enjoy a healthy diet of fish. Here are some simple, delicious recipes that will please the whole family— if you do try them, let us know how you got on.
Swordfish with Mexican salad Serves 4
METHOD
Swordfish is a meaty fish that lends itself to being accompanied by strong flavours, including chilli and coriander.
1. Mix the oil with the garlic and ground coriander, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Brush this mixture over both sides of the swordfish steaks.
INGREDIENTS - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil - 1 garlic clove, crushed - ½ tsp ground coriander - 4 swordfish steaks, about 450g in total - 2 avocados - 6 ripe plum tomatoes, chopped - 1 red onion, finely chopped - 1 fresh red chilli, seeded and chopped - 6 tbsp chopped fresh coriander - juice of 2 limes - 1 can red kidney beans, about 400 g, drained - salt and pepper - 85 g mixed salad leaves to garnish
2. Heat a ridged cast-iron grill pan or non-stick frying pan until hot. Fry the fish steaks for 3–5 minutes on each side or until just cooked – they should still be very slightly translucent in the centre, as swordfish becomes dry if overcooked.
Salmon baked with cheese Serves 4
Salmon is a fabulous staple for the family diet and when eaten regularly it is good to serve in different ways. This simple addition of cheese makes a piece of plain fish into something special. INGREDIENTS - 4 salmon fillets - 2 cloves of garlic, crushed - 1 tsp dried dill - salt and pepper to taste - 120g grated Cheddar cheese - 6 spring onions, chopped
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 230 C. 2. Place the salmon on a large piece of kitchen foil and season with garlic, dill, salt and pepper. 3. Seal the foil around the salmon before placing on a baking tray. 4. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. 5. Unwrap the salmon and top with Cheddar cheese and spring onions, and continue baking for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and fish is easily flaked with a fork.
3. Meanwhile, make the salad. Peel, stone and chop the avocados, and mix with the tomatoes, onion, chilli, coriander and lime juice. Stir in the red kidney beans and season to taste. 4. Serve with a garnish of mixed salad leaves.
Mullet with mint and capers Serves 4
Mullet is an under-rated fish. With this recipe, you can find out how good it is at carrying heavy flavours such as the capers, anchovies and mint. INGREDIENTS - 4 mullet slices - 40g plain flour - 40g olive oil - 1 sprig of parsley, - 2 sprigs of mint - 180g breadcrumbs - 2 tsp capers, chopped - 2 tsp sugar - 1 tbsp anchovy paste - salt to taste
METHOD 1. Clean fish and prepare for cooking. 2. Flour fish and fry at medium heat in a pan. 3. Chop parsley and mint. Beat together with the breadcrumbs, capers, sugar, anchovy paste and pinch of salt. 4. Stir in olive oil to make the topping and serve with the fish.
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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER JUNE 2021
— 15
gardening with Milton Ernest Garden Centre
Nectar rich flowers for butterflies and bees
S
by Maureen Catlin INCE 1976 our Butterfly and Bee populations have really been in decline. The destruction of natural habitats by more intensive farming methods and loss of wild flower meadows although somewhat offset by “set aside land” has still resulted in a decline of around 40%.The curtailment of the use of some insecticides has helped stop the decline in numbers but we need to restore many species, after all our fruit production relies on the pollinating insects. In our gardens we can play a part in providing nectar rich plants and suitable habitats, although on a small scale, together these become an enormous resource.
Plants rich in nectar provide butterflies and bees with energy. As they drink the nectar pollen adheres to them and as they travel from flower to flower it is transferred resulting in pollination which sets the seed and fruit. Solitary bees like Mason Bees can be attracted to the garden by providing a bee house or making one from wood or straws. Butterflies like warmth so plant nectar rich plants to attract a wide variety of butterflies and moths in sheltered warm sunny places. A very useful group of plants with high nectar levels in June are the flowering Herbs. Chives with bright pink onion flowers are loved by Bumble, Honey and Mason Bees. Majorum and Oregano are a great nectar source for Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies. Thymes and English Lavender, with its relaxing properties, are magnets to all bees and butterflies. Comfrey as well as having many medicinal properties is another great nectar source for all pollinating insects and when the leaves are harvested, seeped in water for about 3 weeks it makes a brilliant plant food as high in NPK as proprietary brands like Tomorite. Honeysuckles are easy to grow climbing plants
for a sunny wall, fence or pergola. There are many varieties that flower at different times during the summer months. They have long tubular flowers rich in sweet scented nectar and are visited by long tongued Bumble, Carder and Wool Bees and at night time by moths. Another plant to grow against a warm south facing wall is Ceanothus. Most varieties are medium sized evergreen shrubs with blue flowers in June. Such a magnet to all butterflies and bees it buzzes all day long when in flower. Cotoneaster Horizontalis is another smaller shrub that can be grown against a dry sunny wall. It is a semi evergreen with masses of pink and white flowers followed by bright red berries loved by the birds in autumn. When in flower it is another “humming” plant being visited by bees eager to drink the sweet nectar. Bees also love Roses with single flowers and one whirl of petals. The prominent exposed pollen rich stamens attract bees. Good varieties are Pauls Himalayan Musk with its intoxicating heady perfume, the soft
pink flowers of Ballerina and the masses of white single roses of Wedding Day. Buddleija Buzz Series are a compact group of the Butterfly Bush and as the name implies are a favourite with butterflies. The flower colours are white, pink, blue and purple with silver green foliage. The long cone shaped flowers are made up of many tiny scented florets often with orange centres. They are in flower later in summer and are the major source of nectar to Peacock, Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral Butterflies before they migrate to warmer climes to overwinter. Foxgloves tall spikes of flowers are also a Bee favourite and again designed to cover the insect with pollen as it emerges from the tubular floret where it seeks the nectar. The bright colours of Delphiniums another favourite of the perennial border attract Bumble Bees. The Millenium group vary in colour from white, pink, blue to dark purple and flower twice each summer if cut back as the first flower flush fades. Verbena Bonariensis is a tall herbaceous plant with wiry stems and small purple flowers with lots of nectar for Bees and Butterflies again later in the summer. This is an excellent filler plant in the perennial border which will act as a natural support for taller plants nearby. Finally Monarda, also called Bee Balm because it was used to soothe bee stings, is one of the plants in the garden most visited by bees and butterflies for nectar. They flock greedily to the red and pink tufted flowers in summer. By choosing the right plants we can not only add variety to our gardens but help to provide energy sources for these declining valuable insect populations that are so important to our daily lives.
w
CLEMATIS FOR SUMMER Another crop of Clematis have just been delivered WHILE STOCKS LAST
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POSITIVE ACTION UNDERWAY TO TACKLE RACISM IN FOOTBALL Keep up-to-date go to: www.rosettapublishing.com/reporter
sport
POLICE met representatives of a county football club to discuss tackling racism in the sport, ahead of a major social media boycott to highlight the issue. Community engagement officer PC Christian Buckenham and the force’s hate crime officer Nick Stephens caught up with Eddie Slinn, chief executive of the Old Northamptonians Association and chair of ON Chenecks Football Club, and Bryan Lewin, secretary of ON Chenecks Football Club. Their discussion looked at the importance of com-
batting hate crime at grassroots level, and ways to raise awareness of reporting hate incidents to the police, and came ahead of a widespread boycott of social media by leading footballing bodies, intended to highlight the issue of online racial abuse. Mr Stephens said: “It was a really productive meeting and I was encouraged by the positive approach the club is taking to combat hate crime on the pitch. “The club showed it is serious about being an inclusive and welcoming organisation.
“It was an opportune time to discuss hate crime at football matches as this weekend the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship, PFA, (Professional Footballers’ Association), and Kick It Out will boycott social media in response to the discrimination and abuse aimed at players, pundits and other members of the footballing community.” Mr Lewin said: “”It was reassuring that Nick
acknowledged the work we are doing and our sense of community throughout the club. “The club does not tolerate racist or abusive behaviour. The club is signed up to ‘Kick It Out’ – the partnership that has recently received extra funding to make it easier for football fans to report incidents of discrimination.”
Picture shows, left to right: Eddie Slinn, Bryan Lewin, Nick Stephens and PC Christian Buckenham.
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A FUNDING boost is being offered to county sports groups. The Tackling Inequalities Fund, (TIF), addresses the inequalities and removes barriers that prevent some groups of people to lead more active lifestyles. These barriers could be financial, geographical or cultural. Now in its third cycle, TIF funding is part of Sport England’s ‘Unite the Movement’ strategy. Over the next ten years, Sport England aims to “transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity”, particularly as we adapt to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic – TIF supports the strategy. The fund also responds to research findings from Sport England's most recent ‘Active Lives’ survey, which measures the activity levels of people across England. The survey found that: l Three per cent less people in lower socio-economic groups are as active as they were pre-pandemic l Four and half per cent of ethnically diverse people who pre-pandemic were active are now less so, and about five per cent more are now inactive l Three per cent less people with a disability are as active as they were pre-pandemic l Four and a half per cent less people with a long-term health condition are as active as they were pre-pandemic. With the national statistics showing activity levels were hardest hit during the initial phase of the pandemic, dropping by 7.1 per cent, (three million fewer active
adults), men saw greater initial drops in activity levels, but women saw more sustained drops across the year. The main downward trend in activity levels exacerbated in the pandemic was seen by 16 to 34 year old’s. Worryingly, the pandemic has also disproportionately impacted Asian and black adults. The ‘Tackling Inequalities Fund’ aims to address these issues. Applications from across the whole of Northamptonshire are welcomed, particularly from Corby, Northampton and Wellingborough, where inactivity levels across the county are at their highest. The funding allocated to Northamptonshire Sport aims to support four main priority groups: Examples of previously funded projects include – karate sessions for women, seated yoga for people with limited mobility, outdoor fitness classes for Asian women, family fitness classes, basketball sessions for children, improving mental health walks, funding to allow support staff to return to work or increased delivery hours for physical activity. The minimum grant that organisations can apply for is £50, with the maximum application available being £2,000. The funding can support new activities across the county or support organisations to retain and rerecruit users who are facing barriers or experiencing difficulties in accessing opportunities to stay active. Visit /www.northamptonshire sport.org/tacklinginequalitiesfund ing for details.