Rushden and Higham Reporter – May 2022

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MAY 2022

Repair work on historic college wall is completed

THE protective wraps are off and the replacement stonework on a portion of the historic wall which collapsed at Higham Ferrers’s Chichele College has now been completed.

And the traffic lights, which went in on College Road following the stone fall at the college and which restricted traffic, will now be removed to the delight of townsfolk and drivers.

It was the first time that the wall had fallen in the college’s 600-year-old history.

A team of specialist stonemasons, who were called in after five tons of rubble collapsed, have since restored the ancient wall to its former glory.

Their years of experience and conservation expertise have left the wall and another boundary wall in Saffron Road, restored to their former glory.

CHIEF Constable Nick Adderley has praised officers and staff for helping to deliver real performance progress in tackling the ‘Matters of Priority’ he identified for the force over the past 12 months after listening to what the public had to say. repeat victims and repeat offenders and improved response times from officers called to incidents.

More arrests have been made at a time when the national trend has been decreasing and more victims have been successfully protected as a result of different tactics, including an increase in the use of Domestic Violence Protection Orders.

Proactive operations by Northamptonshire Police have also reported success in tackling Serious and Organised Crime in the past 12 months with a recorded increase in drugs trafficking offences.

This included the largest single seizure of Class A drugs, when a lorry packed with almost 800 kg of narcotics and a street value of £78m was recovered in Brackmills, Northampton, last December.

The force reported an increase in firearms seizures, including components and ammunition, up from 1,017 in the previous year to 1,665 in the past 12 months.

More fraud offences have been detected while the detection rate for cyber-related offences – an emerging trend - has also increased with fewer repeat victims than previously.

Anti-social behaviour was identified as a threat and concerted efforts by the police have helped to reduce demand – which had peaked during the initial Covid-19 period - while there were also fewer repeat victims being targeted.

ASB victim satisfaction rates have dropped off in the past year, although data from the past three months show this figure is beginning to climb again.

Chief Constable Adderley said the data was testament to the superb work of his officers.

He said: “A year ago we listened to what the Northamptonshire public was telling us and we have gone out and significantly improved our performance against these crime types.

“Nationally, we were ranked eighth across all 43 police forces in terms of the number of positive police outcomes we achieved for victims. This is a step change in terms of performance and meant we recorded the second best year-onyear improvement nationally.

“We strive constantly to build public trust and confidence in policing in this county.

“Be under no illusion, we are not there yet, but I hope the upward trend is an indicator of just how much this force has progressed, evi8 St Cuthberts St, Bedford MK40 3JB denced by the improvements identified in our latest HMICFRS inspection report. In the coming days and weeks, I shall be announcSALES & TRADITIONAL REPAIR SERVICE ing our Matters of Priority for the next three years.”

The priorities identified were based on the actual threat and risk they pose on a daily basis to communities across Northamptonshire, in particular the most vulnerable, but also because the public told police these were the areas they most wanted a clear focus on– Serious and Organised Crime, Knife Crime, Domestic Abuse and Anti-Social Behaviour.

Supported by a high profile campaign and proactive operational activity, the end-of-year data now shows marked improvement in performance with almost all targets achieved.

On knife crime, the force recorded a reduction in serious harm offences with a fall too in the number of repeat offenders and a rise in police positive outcomes when an offence is detected and resolved for the victim.

In Wellingborough, where Operation Revive has proactively tackled knife crime over the past year, offences fell by almost 30 per cent.

Significantly there has been a drop in the number of robberies where knives were used by perpetrators.

A total of 1,176 knives were recovered over and above those surrendered in formal amnesties, meaning fewer weapons were in the hands of offenders.

On domestic abuse, force data shows a reduction in

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MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER MAY 2022

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THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE N February 6 this year, Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 year reign serving the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place nationally throughout the year, including a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5. The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.

Here in Rushden, under the banner ‘Rushden Celebrates’, we will be organising our own events for the community to enjoy with a varied programme throughout the bank holiday weekend, as well as the annual ‘Celebrate Rushden’ events In this special year, ‘Celebrate Rushden’ has been extended to cover Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, June 12. On offer is a diverse selection for all ages organised by the town’s many clubs, groups and societies as well as band concerts overseen by the Town Council.

In most cases, the concerts, film show, roller disco, fun days, organised by Rushden Town Council and local groups and organisations within the town are free to attend.

Rushden’s Jubilee programme will commence in the afternoon of Thursday, June 2, at the War Memorial, with the Mayor reading the Queen’s proclamation and announcing the lighting of a beacon in Hall Park which officially marks the start of the Jubilee celebrations. A torchlight procession will lead off from John Street to the Hall Park to arrive in time for the

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festivities surrounding the lighting of the beacon.

On Saturday, June 4, Buckingham Palace will be hosting a Concert. Live streaming of the Concert will be shown at the Rushden Station Goods Shed for those who wish to join the community in an evening of music and merriment.

The Big Lunch on Sunday, June 5, is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy your own street parties or to bring your picnics and enjoy the entertainment organised for you in the Walled Garden in the grounds of Rushden Hall.

All homes in Rushden will receive a Souvenir programme with a timetable of events throughout the period of, May 28 to June 12, 2022. The ‘Celebrate Rushden’ events timetable also appears opposite and at www.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk Do come and join us whenever you can.

A warm welcome awaits you.

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MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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Operation Snap video footage helps secure dangerous driving conviction A MOTORIST has been disqualified for a year after dash-cam footage which captured her driving dangerously on the M1 motorway was submitted to Northamptonshire Police’s Operation Snap.

A Thap Quan, 48, of Brunel Way, Darlington, was recorded on a National Highways’ in-car camera driving slowly in lane two of the northbound carriage on August 15, last year.

The video showed other motorists having to take evasive action to avoid a collision with Quan’s Mini One as it travelled at just 20mph, despite the traffic flow moving at national speed limits.

The motorway matrix signs were quickly activated to close lanes one and two, and the highway’s traffic officer put on his vehicle’s flashing amber lights to attract the attention of Quan, who moved into lane one and stopped.

PC Mo Allsopp-Clarke, of Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Roads Team, said: “When the highway’s officer spoke to Quan, she admitted that she was trying to reset her sat nav whilst driving.

“He advised her to drive the short distance to Watford Gap Services but when Quan drove off, she again drove extremely slowly, before coming to a stop whilst using her phone to ask someone how to operate the sat nav.

“The highways officer continued to follow Quan, who drove off at 35mph and moved back into lane two.

“She remained at this speed before driving past the services towards junction 18.

“She then cut across from lane two onto the

slip road – driving over the hatch markings – and drove round the roundabout, re-joining the M1 on the southbound carriageway.

“The dash-cam footage captured Quan driving at slow speeds which was a danger not only to her but to other motorists and could have very easily ended in tragic consequences.

“Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains the priority for Northamptonshire Police and our partners at National Highways, and I’m pleased the courts have dealt with the driver positively.”

As a result of the police investigation, Quan was issued with a notice of intended prosecution for dangerous driving and on Monday, March 28, she appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court.

Quan pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

She was also ordered to pay a £450 fine, £340 court costs and £34 victim surcharge.

People can report driving offences by uploading video evidence via a simple online portal on the force website and completing a form, which automatically creates a witness statement to provide a full account of the incident.

Reports are then triaged by trained police staff, who check the footage to ensure it falls within the scheme's remit and contains clear views of an offender’s number plates so they can be identified.

If it matches the Operation Snap criteria,

USING OPERATION SNAP

police officers in the Safer Roads Team then examine the footage.

If a driving offence is identified, legal proceedings will begin where required.

The team only has 14 days to investigate any offences and members of the public are asked to submit their videos as soon after the incident as possible to allow the maximum time for the footage to be reviewed.

Anyone who submits footage via Operation Snap can find out the outcome of their submission by following the link on their confirmation email which will take them to a monthly update.

For more information about Operation Snap or to submit video footage, visit the Northamptonshire Police website at www.northants.police.uk/OpSnap Northamptonshire Police will investigate the following offences through Operation Snap: Dangerous driving Driving without due care and attention Careless driving Using a mobile phone while driving Not wearing a seatbelt Failing to stop at a red traffic light Crossing solid white lines Offences where a driver is clearly not in proper control of a vehicle.

Operation Snap allows police to effectively deal with dashcam footage in a safe and secure way, while making the investigation process simple and straight forward for the police and members of the public.

Police will deal with any footage reported on the site.

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Man convicted after body found in field

A MAN has been convicted of murdering a fellow countryman by chocking him with a vest before dumping his body in a field.

Lukasz Stachura, 40, went by the nickname Pompa meaning ‘pumped’, because he worked out and boxed.

He had told a friend he did not like Kamil Leszczynski, who was described as a quiet man who never looked for trouble.

Luton Crown Court heard the 33-year-old’s body was found in a ditch at Valley View Farm near the village of Carlton in north Bedfordshire, on July 1, last year.

The former shoe warehouse worker had been living 11 miles away in Wellingborough.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall QC said he died from having his airways blocked by the gag.

His wrists had been bound by a phone cable.

She said the gag had been made from a knotted vest that was found to contain Stachura’s DNA. Ms Marshall said: “Mr Stachura murdered Kamil Leszczynski and deposited his body where it was found some days later.

“A pathologist indicated his airway had been obstructed by a gag which had forced his tongue back.

A head injury suggested he may have been unconscious either prior to or at the time the gag was put in his mouth.”

Stachura, of Gold Street, Wellingborough, who ran a cleaning and odd job company, pleaded not guilty to murdering Kamil Leszczynski between June 26 and July 2 last year, but was found guilty by the jury.

The prosecutor said the dead man had been seen on CCTV in Wellingborough at 8pm on June 27, and he made his last phone call at 18 minutes past eight that evening.

Stachura’s DNA was also found on clothing worn by the victim.

Grass and leaves from the area where the body was discovered on his red Vauxhall Astra.

CCTV from the Emmaus Village Shop in Carlton showed a car that matched the defendant’s travelling along the road.

The jury heard Kamil

DNA EVIDENCE

Leszczynski, (pictured), was described as a quiet man who never looked for trouble.

He had been living in a house of multi-occupancy.

He had worked in a shoe warehouse, but at the time he died was not working and was known as a member of Wellingborough’s street drinking community.

The defendant, had told a friend he did not like the victim.

On the day before he disappeared, the defendant and the victim had been seen outside a shop in Wellingborough. “He, (Stachura), was seen to be violent and aggressive towards him,” said the prosecutor.

In the witness boxy Lukasz Stachura said he had never had an argument with Kamil Leszczynski who he knew by sight in Wellingborough.

He said he born in Oliwa, Poland and said he came to the UK in 2004 when he was aged 21.

He worked on building site as a fire protection officer for 7 years and then in a warehouse and factory.

In 2015 he set up a company called: “Here to Help”, cleaning houses and working in gardens.

He said his nickname was Pompa, meaning pump in Polish, referring to the fact he worked out.

The father-of-two said he knew the victim by sight from when he, (Stachura), was delivering food for a kebab shop.

He said: “I saw him when I was delivering food and a few times I spoke to him.

“We have never been together for so long to have an argument.”

In the witness box he said he had spent the time of the murder drinking with a friend saying: “I don’t know how much I had drunk, but it was a lot.

“It was beer mostly.

“From what I remember there might have been a bottle of whisky.”

After drinking on the Saturday and Sunday he stayed at home and did not leave until the Monday.

After the verdict Judge Lynn Tayton QC remanded Stachura in custody.

She told him: “you’re guilty of murder. “There is only one sentence I can impose.

“That is a life sentence.”

The judge adjourned the case for the prosecuting and defence to prepare sentencing notes before she decides on the minimum term he can serve before being considered for parole.

She commended the officers in the case for their investigation.

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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER MAY 2022

We will catch you – police vow to stop people using our roads illegally Opus – focussed on community intelligence and uninsured vehicles which resulted in more than 300 vehicles of interest being stopped.

Of those stopped by officers, 100 were seized for a range of offences, such as having no insurance, being reported stolen or linked to a suspected crime, and a further 12 were subject to roadside searches.

In addition to this, officers arrested 19 of the vehicle occupants on suspicion of a variety of offences, including assault, robbery, burglary, theft, driving while under the influence of drugs, driving whilst disqualified, failing to attend court and recall to prison.

Head of Proactive Crime and Intelligence, Supt Lee McBride, said: “This operation was executed flawlessly by officers from various teams, supported by the force’s ANPR Intelligence Desk.

“These results once again scourge of drug dealers who use demonstrate the danger ANPR our road networks to transport and poses to those who look to use our distribute illegal, harmful drugs roads illegally or to commit their into our towns and cities.

“I hope it sends a message to others concerned with this type of organised crime.

“We will proactively pursue you and when caught you will face a significant prison sentence and have your assets seized.”

OFFICERS from Northamptonshire Police stepped up their fight to deny criminals the use of the county’s roads throughout March as part of a special operation utilising the ANPR network.

ANPR – Automatic Number Plate Recognition – reads the registration of passing vehicles and checks them across several databases, raising the alert if a vehicle is stolen, linked to crime, or does not have the correct documentation.

The month-long crackdown – named Operation

Drug dealers get lengthy jail time FOUR men have been jailed for their parts in a conspiracy to import and supply 157 kilograms of Class A controlled drugs valued at £14,000,000.

This outcome was the result of a joint operation between Northamptonshire Police and the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

All four appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, April 11, where they were sentenced as follows: Harry Brydges, 30 of Bessemer Close, Basildon, Essex, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to import and conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs.

Harry Simmons, 31 of Parkside, Basildon, Essex, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to import a Class A controlled drugs.

John Taylor, 29 of Lobelia Mews, Laindon, Essex, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs.

Milos Stevanovic, 27 of no fixed address, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months imprisonment for conspiracy to import a Class A controlled drugs.

All four had previously pleaded guilty at the same court.

On 23 April 2021 officers from Northamptonshire stopped an Audi Q7 on the M1 motorway travelling toward London.

A search of the vehicle recovered 85 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.

John Taylor and a female were arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A controlled drugs.

On May 12, 2021, specialist Met officers witnessed an associate of John Taylor, a man called Harry Brydges, meet with another associate of Taylor, Harry Simmons.

Brydges passed Simmons £9,000 in cash which Simmons took to Gravesend where he met lorry driver Milos Stevanovic, a Bosnian national.

Simmons and Stevanovic were arrested as they unloaded 37 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride and 35 kilograms of MDMA crystals, which has just entered the UK, in the lorry driven by Stevanovic.

An arrest enquiry was conducted at Brydges’ address in Basildon, during which he jumped from a first floor window in a bid to escape but was arrested.

Det Supt Rich Tompkins, from Northamptonshire Police, said: “I’m really pleased with the results of this joint operation with our Met colleagues, and the successful conviction of these individuals.

“It shows that by forces working together we can tackle the

Pictured, top to bottom, Harry Simmons, Harry Brydges. John Taylo and Milos Stevanovich.

crimes as we continue to take the fight back to the criminals.

“Our message is simple – if you want to use our roads to commit crime, it won’t be long before you see blue lights in your rear-view mirror, and you’ve

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booked a non-negotiable trip to our custody suite.”

The force’s ANPR network has more than doubled in recent years with just over 150 additional new cameras installed since 2020, increasing coverage across rural areas and major towns as well as on the county borders.

Officers would like to utilise this resource as much as possible by asking members of the public to get in touch with details of suspicious vehicles that they feel officers need to look out for.

Supt McBride said: “Whilst we of course collect intelligence on suspicious vehicles ourselves, we would also ask the community to be our eyes on the ground and report anything out of place that they see to either ourselves or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

“You can do this completely anonymously as we don’t need to know who you are, just what you know.

“If you think any vehicles are connected to drug dealing, anti-social behaviour or any other offences, please do get in contact.”

Data and information collected by ANPR cameras is only used in the prevention and detection of crime and in some cases, to safeguard vulnerable adults.

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MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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Award-winning actress told paedophile who abused her when she was aged just 11 that he was a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

AN award-winning Scottish actress told the paedophile who abused her when she was aged just 11 that he was a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The star, who cannot be named for legal reasons, read her victim personal statement before Colin McKissock was sentenced to 16 years in jail.

McKissock, 70 and from Northampton, was jailed for three years in 2017 for offences committed against her in southwest Scotland in the 1980s.

She had given evidence against him for a second time earlier this year at St Albans Crown Court where he was on trial for sexually abusing a boy and a girl in Watford.

In the 2017 case, Ayr Sheriff’s court heard he exposed himself to

the actress, showed her pornographic films and magazines, performed a sex act in her presence, used a sex aid, persuaded her to expose herself and perform a sex act.

He had abused her on trips to the Carrick Hills.

He was also found guilty of indecent practises and behaviour towards a friend of hers.

She said McKissock at first he had, “blindsided her,” with sweets then cigarettes, vodka and more.

She said: “I was basically a child sex worker for him.”

In the witness box she said she had spent 33 years running from the abuse she suffered and had been a, “tortured, frantic, soul.”

She said: “I spent years walking

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past police stations trying to make myself go in.”

The actress described McKissock as a, “deluded, conniving, sly trickster who will do anything or say anything to gain access to children.”

In February McKissock, a retired bank worker and finance manager, from Lasham Court, Bellinge, Northampton was convicted of 13 charges - eight charges of indecent assault on a male, three charges of indecency with a child and two of indecent assault on a female.

The male victim, from Watford, said he was aged between 11 and 13 in the early 1990s when he went to McKissock’s home after school where he found him in a dressinggown, watching television and masturbating.

He said McKissock got him to engage in sexual activity saying he was, “giving him and education.”

He said: “Colin told me it was all perfectly natural for me.”

The female victim said she was aged 12 and 13 when he touched her on two occasions.

She described him as an, ‘evil narcissist who should be removed from society as long as possible.”

Prosecutor Peter Shaw said the male victim had suffered, “severe psychological harm.”

McKissock, who continues to deny the offences, said he never discussed sex with any of the children and did not have pornography on the television when they were present.

He said he was not sexually interested in children.

His barrister Angharad Hughes said McKissock, suffered from bladder cancer.

She said the offences were 30 years ago.

She said he was a functioning alcoholic at the time.

Judge Richard Foster sentenced him to 16 years in prison with an extended two-year licence period, meaning he can be recalled to prison at any time until he is 88.

He must also register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for life.

The judge told him: “You have been a sexual predator.

“You used your charm to groom children to gratify your own perverted sexual desire.”

He said he was sentencing him for, “despicable offences” saying he had shown, “no remorse.”

Road to close for repairs

A BUSY road will close this month for vital repair work.

Due to vehicle damage, Northamptonshire Highways will carry out repairs to the parapet and headwall on a structure in Ditchford Lane, Rushden.

To allow for these works to be completed safely the road will need to be closed from Monday, May 9, to Friday, May 20.

The closure and diversion can be viewed by visiting https://one.network/?tm=1284474 20

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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER MAY 2022

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Incredible response to appeal for Ukraine help AN incredible amount of more than £23,000 has already been donated to an appeal just launched to help people fleeing war-torn Ukraine start building a new life in Northamptonshire.

The appeal, co-ordinated by the Northamptonshire Community Foundation, (NCF), which was set up to support disadvantaged people and communities, was launched just this week.

NCF Deputy CEO, Rachel McGrath said: “We welcome the care, concern and generosity of local people and donors at this time.

“These funds are so urgently and desperately needed to support the resettlement response on the ground and enable charities to provide a safety net in resettlement.

“We have been working with community foundation colleagues across Europe including the Ukraine.

“We have seen the response on the ground by community foundations in the Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania and how they have mobilised volunteers and collected funds to provide immediate relief and to aid refugees.

“Community Foundations in the UK are also playing their part in that emergency response and that is why we are launching our Welcome Fund appeal to ensure community groups and charities preparing to welcome Ukrainian refugees have access to funds and resources to ensure families and individuals fleeing the conflict and violence are made to feel welcome, safe and well.”

If anyone would like further information about how to sign up for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we would currently direct them to the Government’s website in the first instance.

Amnesty bin helps remove knives from community Charity night raises more than £500 A PERMANENT knife amnesty bin in Wellingborough has made a positive impact in its local community with more than 40 knives removed from the streets in less than two months.

When the bin outside the Queensway Medical Centre in Olympic Way, was emptied for the first time by the Wellingborough Neighbourhood Policing Team and Off The Streets NN, they found a variety of different knives.

The secured container was one of seven amnesty bins installed in various locations across Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire at the end of February, as part of Northamptonshire Police’s continued campaign to reduce knife crime.

Neighbourhood Policing Sgt Chris Stevens said: “Following the introduction of the amnesty bins, we’ve received really positive feedback from the community, in particularly from residents on the Queensway estate.

“We wanted to make it as easy as possible to get knives off our streets and out of the hands of people who may misuse them, and the number of items deposited in this amnesty bin alone, shows just how much of an asset they are.

“It’s important to remember that most of us do not carry knives and will probably never be affected by knife crime – it is not a normal thing to do, which is why it’s important to dispel the myths around carrying a knife.

“However, tackling knife crime continues to be a matter of priority for the force, and alongside the bleed kits and educational messages already out there, we’re committed to preventing people carrying knives.

“These bins are already proving a real asset to the community, providing a much safer and secure way of disposing knives instead of them just being discarded

into normal bins.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported this scheme and deposited an item into the amnesty bin.

“Every knife taken off our streets is another step closer to making our communities safer.”

The amnesty bins were installed in partnership with the neighbourhood policing team, Off The Streets NN, North Northamptonshire Council and Wellingborough housing association Greatwell Homes.

Rav Jones and Jane Capps, representatives of Off The Streets NN, (pictured), said: “It’s humbling to see the community using the knife amnesty bins, which we’ve worked with the police, Greatwell Homes and North Northamptonshire Council to secure.

“These bins are a positive and safe way of disposing of your unwanted or unused knives.

“We encourage everyone within the community to continue to use them and keep our community safe.”

Anyone who would like to hand in a knife safely and without repercussions can find the permanent amnesty bins at Angel Lane, Queensway Medical Centre and Hemmingwell Skills Hub in Wellingborough, Spencer Park in Rushden, High Street in Irthlingborough and Saffron Recreational Ground in Higham Ferrers.

You can find out more about how Northamptonshire Police is preventing and tackling knife crime at https://www.northants.police.uk/policeforces/northamptonshire-police/areas/northamptonshire-force-content/c/campaigns/2021/knife-crime---amatter-of-priority/ If you have any information or concerns about knife crime in your community, you can report nonemergency crime to 101, or you can visit www.northants.police.uk/RO, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

In an emergency you should always contact 999.

You can read more about the attempts to cut knife crime on page 15.

Appeal after burglaries

POLICE have appealed for help after a spate of burglaries in Higham Ferrers, overnight on between 11pm on Saturday, April 2. Contact 101 if you can help.

CANDO Care held a St Patrick Night’s fundraiser at Rushden and Higham Rugby Club and raised £502.

About 60 people paid for a two-course Irish dinner and teas and coffees, supplied by KB Catering, and together enjoyed the music from Dubliner Jed McCoy, (pictured. left).

Cando Care is a non for profit well-being centre based in Irthlingborough Library and all its fundraising events help give clients days out.

The next fundraiser is The Towers five-piece covers band at Higham Ferrers WMC on Saturday, May 7.

For more information go to: www.candocarecic.co.uk/

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MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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Youngsters join in Rotary Choir hits all the right club community events notes at musical festival IT has been a busy time for the Rushden Rotary Club.

The club organised the Junior School’s Quiz and the following week it was the Young Musicians’ Competition which was held in The Ferrers School Hall.

As part of Rotary commitment to the community and the youth of today the club organised a very successful Schools Quiz at Rushden Academy with six junior and primary schools taking part.

The schools were Whitefriars Primary, South End Junior, (pictured), Alfred Street, Henry Chichele, Denfield Park and Newton Road and with teachers, helpers and parents in the audience.

It was Whitefriars which was runaway winners of the Harry Cockburn Cup with Southend Junior coming second.

Although some of the questions were perhaps a little out of the grasp of some of the adults, let alone the pupils, a great deal of fun, (and perhaps knowledge), was spread across the evening.

The following week came a very successful Young Musicians’ Competition which, again, attracted a full audience of parents whose appreciation of the talents of the young competitors was obvious in the applause that emanated from them.

The Junior School Choir

Competition attracted entrants from the South End, Alfred Street, Henry Chichele schools plus four pupils from Southend called the South End Singers.

In the older soloists competition there were young pianists, guitar players, drummers and a vocal soloist.

The standard of these players was superb with the drummers perhaps taking pride of place for enthusiasm and keeping the audience on their metal for foot tapping.

The soloist competitors were drawn mainly from the Ferrers School but included a piano solo from 11-year-old Lowri and a talented guitar piece from a similar aged Oliver.

The pieces of music enjoyed by the audience ranged from South End’s rendering of Stronger Together by Gareth Malone for which it gained the first spot for Choirs, and a piece by John Rutter

by Alfred Street who came second.

There was a special mention for 16-year-old Buddy for his very lively piano solo of Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder.

The winner of the overall competition, who was awarded The Pauline Longland Trophy, presented to her by the Longland Family, was 15-year-old Alexandra for her expert

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rendering of her guitar solo Memories of Summer by Gary Ryan.

Second place went to Cassie for her vocal solo from Journey to the Past from Anastasia.

The adjudicator was a retired music professional, Nigel Simeone, a broadcaster, writer and conductor, who said: “It was a terrific evening, we were splendidly entertained by all the students. Picking ‘winners’ was not at all easy, but the ones who did get prizes were all very worthy recipients.”

Head of Music at Alfred Street Lucy Taylor said: “What a fantastic evening.

“The biggest of thanks go to all the organisers for pulling it all off so brilliantly.

“The kids in the choir sections all did themselves proud, and I have to say that the solo/band section of the evening really was phenomenal.

“The calibre of talent was extraordinary.”

The competition was sponsored by The Elizabeth Groome Music Charity which provides grants for budding musicians to help further their musical studies.

Head of music at The Ferrers School Chris Gammon, deserves total praise for the part he played in the evening with his enthusiasm for the musical ability.

AT this year’s Oundle Festival of Music and Drama, Northampton Male Voice Choir-Lite, was delighted to be awarded the Ray Sharp Memorial Cup for its performance in the Male Voice – Part Songs Class.

In presenting the trophy, the festival’s adjudicator said the choir had given, “an extremely musical and well prepared performance,” and one worthy of a distinction.

NMVC-Lite performed under its Musical Director, Stephen Bell, accompanied on piano by Sue Rayment.

If you are interested in the choir, contact Marc Bentley on 07999 942 390 or email him at marc.bentley23@gmail.com The choir will next present The Best of Broadway at its Annual Concert on Saturday, May 14.

With a spectacular line up of popular songs from the world of musical theatre from Guys and Dolls to West Side Story and We Will Rock You, there will be something for everyone.

The concert will be held at The Cripps Theatre, Northampton School for Boys, Billing Road, Northampton, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 plus booking fee and available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/cripps-hall NMVC works tirelessly raising money for great causes and a raffle and collection will be held during the evening in support of the choir’s nominated charities, which this year include Prostate Cancer UK and Parkinson’s UK. Chairman Mark York said “This is going to be a night to remember.

“Tickets will sell fast – don’t miss a wonderful evening.”

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A warehouse full of all the things you need for your next art and craft project Colemans Craft Warehouse is an Aladdin’s Cave of Art, Craft and Hobby products, which is open to the public seven days a week.

With over 15,000 products in stock covering papercraft, home décor, haberdashery, floral craft, fine art, jewellery making and so much more, if you love crafting then you will be sure to fall in love with this place.

They also have a full workshop

programme with courses in everything from crochet to cardmaking and felting to fine art.

There is free parking right outside and the store is fully accessible for wheelchairs.

There is also a lovely café serving tea, coffee and cake. You can get a delicious Cream Tea for just £3!

On the first Saturday of each month they have fantastic event days.

Entry is free and you’ll get to experience live demonstrations, incredible offers and you can even have a go at some crafting yourself!

Head down to Colemans Craft Warehouse on 7th May for a fun filled ‘Art For All’ day.

They will be running Watercolour For Beginners classes with the wonderful Melanie Henson.

Give them a call on 01933 355530 to

book your spot on either the morning (10am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-3pm) session. The class will cost just £15 and all your materials will be included.

They are located just two minutes from Rushden Lakes on Brindley Close which is opposite Lidl, and next door to Screwfix.

You’ll be greeted by a friendly team who are on hand to give expert help and advice with any projects that you might be working on.

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MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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False news is news with the pity edited out – it’s war again POINT TO PONDER

Teenager charged

A 19-YEAR-old woman has been charged in connection with antisocial behaviour committed in the Irthlingborough area.

In the past couple of months, a number of incidents have taken place across the town involving a group of people throwing stones at local shops causing criminal damage and things being thrown off roofs onto people below. Local people have also been intimidated by the group.

Now, Sasha Tait, 19, of Robb Close, Irthlingborough, has been charged with one count of criminal damage and five counts of breaching a community protection order, in connection with the incidents.

Tait will next appear at Northampton Magistrates' Court on May 23, 2022.

Boy assaulted

WITNESSES are being sought after a teenage boy was assaulted in Bassetts Park, Wellingborough.

The incident took place between 4pm and 5pm on Sunday, April 10, when a 13-year-old boy was in the park with friends when he was approached by a group of boys, one of whom was racially abusive towards him.

He was then asked for his glasses but when he refused, the other boy assaulted him.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on 101.

By Canon George Burgon

FALSE news is news with the pity edited out. It’s war again.

These words are from a new poem ‘Resistance’ by Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, written at the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022.

The current obscenities of what is happening in that nation is the direct result of ‘false news’ being the order of the day.

Is this unoriginal misuse of the media totally lost on those who are determined to wipe Ukraine off the map?

When reality and responsibility is denied at every level of life, irrespective of geography, then we have an amoral vacuum where there are no rights and wrongs!

The Russian government exonerates its troops and its actions when it avoids discriminating between civil and military targets.

Vladimir Putin and his cronies, deny to their citizens basic humanity by ‘editing pity out’ of their natural reactions and instincts.

Lies rely on lies to maintain credibility and it will take many future generations of the Russian people to be able to regain any trust amongst the family of nations.

Without pity there is no true humanity.

As William Blake, (1757-1827), reminds us ‘For Mercy has a human heart, Pity, a human face; and Love, the human form divine, and Peace, the human dress.’

It is one of the basic truths of the Christian faith and of other religions that we are to treat one another as God behaves towards us, (Psalm 103: 13f) and Jesus reminds his followers that pity is anticipated from those to whom pity has been given, (see the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:23f).

The Russian president claims to be a disciple of Christ and that he has the blessing of the Russian Orthodox Church for his actions in Ukraine.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has suggested if that is the case, then that body ought to be removed from the World Council of Churches.

This is a critical issue that must be addressed.

However, for most of us we can still ask the question, lwho is Putin answerable to if he shows no pity towards his fellow humanity?’

The pity, generosity, and love being shown to the victims of war and conflict is a sure sign of the genuine care for one’s neighbour that Jesus expects of us and those who hold authority in his name, (Matthew 25:30-46).

We want to find every way possible to maintain our God given humanity and everyone’s dignity.

We expect our own government to give us every incentive and support to welcome, shelter and care for the victims of the current and previous conflicts.

Our God is motivating and guiding millions of people throughout the world into a better and kinder future and he does not offer us ‘false challenges’ as we strive, with his love, to get there!

Simon Armitage concludes his poem, ‘An air-raid siren can’t fully mute the cathedral bells’.

Let’s call that hope.

Historical finds moved to new home

A LARGE collection of archaeological objects owned by the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has moved to the new state-of-the-art, publicly accessible Archaeological Resources Centre at the Chester House Estate, near Wellingborough.

The collections and archives include excavated objects from Northampton’s medieval streets such as building materials from religious houses, jewellery, costume fittings and ancient pots, which were previously spread across two stores in Northampton and Daventry.

The ARC has a dedicated curator who can provide access by appointment to researchers,

members of the public and school groups, allowing them to view material excavated from Northampton and across the county.

The move was supported by 21 volunteers from the museum and the Chester House Estate, who gave more than 300 hours of time across two weeks to photograph the boxes being moved, label crates and repack boxes.

In total, 9114 boxes and 153 crates of stone objects were moved in 23 lorry loads, including quern stones used 1400 years ago to grind grains at Hunsbury Hillfort and painted plaster from Roman Villas.

Deputy leader of NNC, Helen Howell said:

“It is great that this collection of archaeological items has a new home at the ARC on the Chester House Estate.

“Research into the archive will help contribute to the story of people across Northamptonshire from the earliest times through to the present day.”

The ARC offers unique access to the archaeology of the county and collections can be viewed during tours aimed to inspire the next generation of archaeologists.

To find out more and to book a visit, see the Chester House website at https://chesterhouseestate.org/

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Garden centre boosts charity funds A COUNTY cancer charity has been awarded a £5,000 donation from the local branch of a wellknown footwear business.

BacZac His Legacy received the donation from Pavers Northampton, based in Dobbies Garden Centre in Newport Pagnell Road, on behalf of The Pavers Foundation, the organisation’s employee-led charitable initiative.

The money was donated following an employee grant application.

The Pavers Foundation pledges to make a difference in areas of health, education, and community, to charities close to the hearts of its collegues.

BacZac was set up six years ago in memory of 20year-old Zac, who lost his battle with cancer in 2016 after being diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer and Acutemegakaryoblastic leukaemia, (AMKL), a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia, (AML).

Verana Yates, who works at the Northampton Pavers branch, applied for grant funding to support BacZac after being friends with Zac’s mother, Helen Forskitt, for many years.

She thanked the Foundation for making such a great impact on her chosen charity.

LETTERS

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She said: “It was a very emotional day for me because I know how much this cheque means to Helen and their charity.”

Helen said: “This is amazing. It's the first big cheque we have received this year and The Pavers Foundation is the first company to give us a grant.

We can't thank The Pavers Foundation enough.”

The Pavers Foundation, which was established in 2018 to enable charitable giving by the business and its 1,500 employees, is hugely proud to support charities and causes which are important to its colleagues.

To date, the Foundation has donated more than £1.1m and has impacted tens of thousands of lives.

Donations made to BacZac His Legacy go towards supporting young people with cancer and their families.

The charity provides grants to help with financial difficulties or to fund much needed days out and give High Street vouchers to young people with cancer as a ‘pick-me-up’ or as food vouchers for those receiving cancer treatment.

For more information about BacZac His Legacy and how to support the charity, visit www.baczachis legacy.org/

TO THE EDITOR

Timetable woes just get worse TO THE EDITOR:

In response to the letters in last month’s edition of the Reporter – I am the man at the bus stop, as referenced in one of the letters published regarding issues with buses since the end of January this year.

Stagecoach are extremely incompetent. Their route 50 was rerouted through Higham Ferrers from January 31, but the bus stops at Tollbar, Higham Ferrers, Prospect Avenue, Home Bargains and ASDA garage, Rushden, had the bus stops numbered up for route ‘50’. The ‘50’ bus operates from Northampton road, so it does not use these four stops and despite reporting it to Stagecoach over a month ago when I found out, the errors are still evident today.

The Stagecoach publicity team have now been to the bus stops in the area to install timetable displays so they could have easily removed the ‘50’ numbering.

I had hoped when timetables were installed I could give up my voluntary assistance to the public at Skinners Hill bus stops – no such luck!

The timetable displays have so many mistakes, errors and anomalies, I don’t have enough fingers to count them on.

The Skinners Hill displays have the X46 Northampton timetable or the Raunds stop on them. On the Lakes stop they’ve put the ‘49’ timetable which is not Irchester.

Raunds times are mixed in with the ‘49’ and ‘50’ but Raunds buses don’t go the Lakes – they’ve already been there, X46/X47 Raunds times are on the wrong stops.

Route maps shop Nene Park as a stopping point on three routes, X46 and X47 Raunds and 50 Kettering but fails to mention Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays are exemptions. People use the Nene Park stop to access the Aldi supermarket opposite.

There are many anomalies on the Skinners Hill display board: X47, the late night buses terminating at Higham Ferrers are shown as going the Raunds (Monday-Friday).

X47: Northampton buses are shown with a ‘W’ code, finishing at Wellingborough. The only buses wanting a ‘W’ code are for the journeys that actually finish at Wellingborough.

X47: Sundays, all buses scheduled to Raunds, 30 minutes, these should be listed as hourly with hourly Higham Ferrers buses in between.

X47: 14.54 ‘school holiday’ bus to Raunds is not shown.

X47: 16.09 ‘school holiday’ Northampton journey is not shown.

X47: journeys with route variations do NOT show the variations.

50: route variations are not shown, but showing ALL journeys as FULLY ROUTED. I would have thought the timetable would have had the equivalent of a proof reader before being put out on display, so when will these be replaced, if at all? Who knows – no timetables at all were MORE accurate!

Other timetable boards in the area are also full of errors, mistakes and inaccuracies, so bus users are as confused as ever – not everyone has ‘App’ or can go online to get information.

I have reported the Skinners Hill timetable fiasco to Stagecoach but as yet have had no response.

David – Bus Stop Supervisor, Skinners Hill bus stop, Rushden.

More than 4,000 trees planted to help celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee TEL: 07894 935952 ADS: advertising@rosettapublishing.com

A TOTAL of 4,374 trees and whips have been planted across 14 sites as part of Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

The Queen’s Green Canopy was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and invites people to celebrate by ‘Planting a Tree for the Jubilee’.

Between October 2021 and the end of the planting season, North Northamptonshire Council, (NNC), teamed up with the Northamptonshire Lord-Lieutenant’s office, volunteers, local schools and community groups to plant new trees at sites across North Northamptonshire.

All the trees were planted on land owned by NNC, including country parks across the area and community green spaces, with the final 200 trees planted in Hazel Wood, Corby, (pictured), in a section of the wood that is being reverted to natural woodland.

The council’s executive member for climate and green environment Harriet Pentland said: “The native apple tree we planted at Fermyn Woods back in November, through to the large

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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER MAY 2022

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planting events with local communities in March, each of these trees will have such a benefit for future generations and make a positive difference to our natural environment.”

NNC’s deputy leader and executive member for sport, leisure, culture and tourism Helen Howell said: “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who has taken part and planted a tree for the Jubilee.

“As well as the 4374 trees planted on NNC land, many of you have also planted trees in your gardens or arranged plantings in your community, so thank you for getting involved.”

Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson Esq, said: “I am delighted that there has been so much enthusiastic support for the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. It is such a wonderful way to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years of duty and service to the country. A fitting legacy.”

To commemorate the jubilee, events will take place including a Big Picnic Lunch at Wicksteed Park on Sunday, June 5.

Children and young people asked to get crafty for the jubilee celebrations CHILDREN and young people are being asked to display their creative skills ahead of the Platinum Jubilee by taking part in the countywide Queen of Arts Activity.

With the dual aims of including as many people as possible and having a minimal impact on the environment, West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council are challenging everyone to up-cycle household items by decorating them in honour of Her Majesty.

WNC chairman Ann Addison said: “The possibilities are endless - old t-shirts, tea towels, old sheets, scrap wood, you’re limited only by your imagination.

“Instead of clicking on the internet to have some plastic bunting shipped around the world to be used once, make your own.

“Paint a picture, create a collage, express what the Queen means to you with a personalised t-shirt, hat or poster.

“Being Northamptonshire I expect we’ll see plenty of old shoes and boots given new life, and I really hope our embroiderers and lacemakers are already busy.

“And if you’re not creative with your hands, write a poem or a song.”

North Northamptonshire Council’s chairman Cllr Paul Bell said: “In rapidly changing times, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been an icon of stability and I hope this summer our street parties and events will be filled with colourful displays of what she means to them.

“I would encourage everyone to get involved and I look forward to seeing all the entries displayed at libraries across Northamptonshire.”

TOUR THE COUNTY

The councils will display all entries in a digital Jubilee exhibition which will tour the county’s libraries, starting in the west before moving on to the north.

Judges will select their favourite and the winning entrant will be invited to attend the Big Lunch as a special guest on Sunday, 5 June.

Entries must be emailed by Friday, May 13, and include the entrant’s name, age and a couple of lines stating ‘what the Queen means to you.’

Pensioners’ Forum supporting SERVE

THE Pensioners’ Forum was hosted for many years prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic and supported Older People in the community. Coming out of the lockdown restrictions, the forum has been dissolved and the committee members kindly donated the remainder of their funds to SERVE, a local Northamptonshire Charity supporting Older People and People with Disabilities.

SERVE operate numerous voluntary activities such as a Countywide Befriending Project, the newly formed Servescape in North Northants, Domiciliary and Domestic Homecare and a range of Wellbeing services delivered across Rushden and Wellingborough Districts.

A cheque for the amount of £2500 was donated on April 19, to support the Older (Community) Persons Forum, the forum provides four events per annum bringing together issues and topics of the local community led by the members of that group.

Jess Slater, CEO at Serve stated: “I am very grateful to the pensioners forum who chose our charity to support upon dissolving the organisation, the pensioners forum was a great asset to the community, we hope the members will feel that the Older (Community) Persons Forum will be able to maintain an effective local community voice in its replacement, we are extremely grateful.”

For more information about the local Community Forum, please contact gemma.hager@serve.org.uk .

The local community is always welcome!

Left to right: Barbara Clark (Committee Member), Alan Clark (Chair), Jess Slater (CEO, SERVE) and Irene Blanchard (Treasurer).

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MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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gardening

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with Milton Ernest Garden Centre

Celebrating the 70 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign T

by Maureen Catlin

Looking back in time…

he Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative is a concept inviting people in the UK to plant trees as a lasting legacy to honour The Queen’s leadership and service to the nation for the last 70 years.

The aim is to help the environment by planting trees during her Platinum Jubilee Year.

Planting more trees is our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change.

Trees are the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines. Like great carbon sinks, woods and forests absorb atmospheric carbon and lock it up for centuries through photosynthesis.

The entire woodland ecosystem plays a huge role in locking up carbon, including the living wood, roots, leaves, deadwood, surrounding soils and its associated vegetation.

It will create a green legacy of its own, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future.

The Queen and The Prince of Wales planted the first Jubilee tree, a Verdun Oak, in the grounds of Windsor Castle earlier this year.

Verdun Oaks were first planted in the UK as memorials following World War I. The acorns were collected at the battlefield of Verdun and grown into young trees. The Prince of Wales describes tree planting as a “statement of hope and faith in the future”.

The Queen has been planting trees since she acceded to the throne in 1952. During her reign she has planted more than 1,500 trees worldwide.

If you do not have space to plant your own tree contribute to a local ‘The Queen's Green Canopy’ project to create a network of individual

Photographs from Eric Fowell’s collection

THE RAILROAD BUILDERS

Photo by J. Powell (1890)

This rare photo shows the horse-drawn waggons moving the sub-soil to form the branch line from Wellingborough – Rushden – Higham Ferrers Midland Railway line.

The location could well be just beyond Higham station leading to the goods sheds, These very young navvies had a mammoth task in loading the trucks.

The two men in the background are holding the timbers called sprags used for placing in the wheels for braking. The foreman is wearing his bowler hat and the lad is holding the dog box on the line.

Dogs are the iron hooks for holding down the flat bottomed rail track to the sleepers. These lines would only be temporary while ground work was carried out. Note the third line near the fence. This

Note the corn stooks ! could well have been the line which they had The Midland Railway opened the line for planned to go to Raunds.

Because of difficulty in obtaining land this goods and mineral traffic on September 1st, 1893. project was never developed.

*

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trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of Our Queen.

We can also celebrate by using the national colours of the Union Jack Red, White and Blue for the summer flower schemes in our tubs hanging baskets and borders.

Unless you have already grown your plants from seed these are now ready to buy from the Garden Centre. May is when most risk of damaging early morning frost is very low so you can confidently plant with just one eye on early morning temperatures.

If cold is forecast just cover with fleece the night before.

If you are reusing tubs and baskets from last year first empty completely, remove the drainage crocks, and moss and liners from baskets. Soak in a solution of one part household bleach and nine parts water for 10 minutes then thoroughly rinse in clean water and allow to dry otherwise things get very messy especially if you have a little helper.

If you are planting tubs whether plastic, stone, reconstituted materials or old galvanised baths make sure there are drainage holes in the base and a good layer of drainage crock, even broken up polystyrene packing, before adding

any compost. This avoids the compost compacting.

The composts we recommend contain little or no peat (the ultimate carbon store) which has been replaced by coir and wood fibre substitutes both waste products. Westland New Horizon which is completely peat free claims to now produce better root growth than most other composts. Terry and I are trialling it this year so I will report our findings at a later date.

Meanwhile you can always rely on Jacks Magic.

The same composts can be used for planting hanging baskets. These can be lined with moss and synthetic moss type products but these should be replaced every year to avoid any carry over of pests and disease from a previous season. It is a good idea to include water retaining crystals and slow release feed after a couple of handfuls of compost have been added.

So which plants shall we select? Here are just a few possible combinations.

If you have lots of tubs or hanging baskets its effective to choose a variety like Petunias which come in so many colours and plant a single colour per tub so one Red one White One Blue. Petunias are available as upright or

trailing plants with single or double flowers which are often highly perfumed and like sunny patios. Verbena is more discreet and also available as upright and trailing varieties in red white and blue.

Other schemes for sunny aspects can include Red Geraniums, Senecio with silvery white foliage and White or Blue Lobelia all of which can be upright and trailing. If you are planting a shady place substitute Red Fuchsias for Geraniums and Impatien White Beacon for Senecio.

Sweet Pea Royal Mixed is a mix of Sweet Peas seeds in red white blue and royal purple.

Plant directly into a large pot with an obelisk to support these highly perfumed much loved climbing cottage garden plants.

The Platinum Jubilee Rose has large double vibrant pink flowers with an incredibly strong sweet fragrance that will linger in the breeze.. This compact shrub variety is ideal for beds and borders or even grown as low hedging.

It is also good in large tubs especially on terraces and porches where the fabulous scent can be admired by everyone. We must find a place to plant this rose.

EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER MAY 2022

— 13

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14 —

MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

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TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

out and about If you missed Danni at Esquires in April she’s headlining at the Stables

Local award nominated singer songwriter Danni Nicholls can finally hit the road for her thrice rescheduled Hear Your Voice Tour.

On May 14, she and her stellar band will be appearing in the Jim Marshall auditorium at the beloved Stables, Milton Keynes.

Danni says: "I grew up visiting this amazing venue to hear world class music and was inspired by that experience to follow the calling of a life in music. I still pinch myself that I get to sing on that big ole stage. It's gonna be a night to remember."

Performing songs from across her catalogue which span the 'Americana' genre, there are songs to make you move, smile and weep, all pulled together with the strong, soulful, character of Danni’s remarkable voice.

Danni's vibrant, spell binding performances are guaranteed to melt your heart into the soles of your

boots. Her passionate delivery, captivating vocals and charmingly engaging between-song banter will compel you to fall under her spell.

“I absolutely love the elegance and beauty of her music” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 “Smokey soul, folk-pop and heart-wrenching altcountry, all in a rich voice” Q Magazine “Sumptuous” UNCUT “An artist full of soul and wisdom” Maverick Music Magazine Special guest Charlotte Carpenter will open the show armed with her effortless cool and electric guitar.

Acclaimed by Best Fit, NME, Clash, Classic Rock as well as BBC Introducing, 2 & 6 Music, Charlotte has brought herself to the forefront of alternative singer/songwriters.

Tickets: www.danninicholls.com/shows

Fake Music Festival is back

by Tony Hendrix For many the thought of seeing live rock performances from legendary acts like Oasis, Queen, Guns n Roses and other iconic 90s rock bands in Bedfordshire and under one roof would be unheard of and branded impossible.

Well look no further Bedford Fake Festivals is a tribute-based music event which comes to Bedford on Saturday, June 18, 2022, these promoter's will be bringing to town an amazing selection of the world's best Tribute Bands.

Six amazing ‘Tribute bands’ will take to the stage at various times throughout the day at Bedford Park.

I have had the pleasure in listening to two of these tribute bands, if you closed your eyes you would believe you were listen to the original artists.

They look, sound and move like the real rock-stars you really have to see them to believe it!

The artists lined up for appearances in the Park in the order of scheduled stage appearances are: The Jam'd at 12.45pm, The Stereotonics at 2.30pm, Blondied at 4.15 pm,

P!nk at 6.00pm, Guns 2 Roses at 7.45pm and finally Oasish at 9.45pm.

These festivals are backed by a very good safety record, secure, accessible and friendly, with an environment that caters for all ages.

The bands will perform in a giant marquee ensuring a warm, lively, in door atmosphere.

There will also be a large well stocked licensed bar inside the marquee, drink tokens will be available from a token desk near the bar where you can exchange tokens at the bar for one bar (alcoholic) drink or two soft drinks, food traders will also be on site providing a range of food.

Weather permitting there will be a variety of of stalls, children's rides/inflatables and face painting.

This live music event is just one in many credible festivals to be put on in Bedford Park and as always demands your support, tickets are available from fake tickets.co.uk Now here's a date for the diary if you're a soul music lover.

In my opinion one of the best soul artists to grace the UK Kenny Thomas will be making an appearance in Wyboston on Saturday, June 4, at The Ride Centre Wyboston Lakes.

Kenny will be joined on the night by ex American Drifters singer Randy Corwood who will be belting out some classic soull gems too.

This will be a phenomenal show not to be missed. Kenny will undoubtedly be rocking the venue with many of his top 20 hits, Outstanding, The Best of You, Thinking about your love to name a few alongside some of his more recent attributes.

Tickets for this event will cost £27.95, the show starts at 7pm till 11.30pm, tickets to this event are available from Ticket master.

diary Higham Ferrers Footpath Group: Sunday 1st

May: Little Odell circular. 6.5 miles led by Daphne 01933 386839.

Meet at 9.30an Saffron Road Car Park or 10am White Lane, Little Odell, MK43 7AP, by the 40-mile sign as you entre Little Odell from Podington. GR SP950 581 Sunday 15th May: Northampton Round- Leg 4. Stoke Bruerne to Gayton. Linear Walk, 6.2 miles led

by Mark 07462 422097. Meet at 8.50am Saffron road Car Park or 9.40am Eastcote Road, Gayton, near allotments for car shares to Lower Lock Farm, Stoke Bruerne NN12 7SW, GR SP751 490 for 10am start.

Linear walk, a shuttle service between the finish and start points and visa versa is required; all cars need a couple of spare seats to ensure the system works. Please call the leader by Saturday lunchtime if you are walking.

Wednesday 18th May; Chelveston Evening Walk. 3.6 miles led by Marion 07754 810902. Meet at 6.15 Saffron Road Car Park or 6.30 near The Star and Garter, Chelveston NN9 6AJ. (Post walk refreshments) Sunday 29th May; Wollaston/ Summer Leys/ Irchester, 10 mile walk led by Daphne 01933 386839 Meet 0940 at Saffron Road Car Park or 10am Scot Bader No2 gate, Irchester Road, Wollaston, NN29 7RP. Bring a packed lunch Contact:

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EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER MAY 2022

— 15

sport Knives Down, Gloves Up – martial arts academy offers free sessions to stand against knife crime THE Shudan Martial Arts Academy CIC in Wellingborough, is running a programme of free martial arts classes for young people to take a proactive stance against carrying or the use of knives or weapons.

‘NN8 Knives Down, Gloves Up’ increases the awareness of positive alternatives to knife crime and effective

fighting systems, whilst challenging the false perception that carrying a knife is widespread and makes you safer.

The academy has more than 20 years of active martial arts experience, which it shares in a fun and engaging way.

The sessions are open to all young adults aged between 12 to 17 living in

the local area.

If this is something you or someone you know can benefit from, contact directly on NN8 Knives down, Gloves up young adults MMA – We stand against knife crime or contact info.shudan@shudanmartialarts.co.uk Project lead at Northamptonshire Sport Matthew Peleszok said: “It’s a

pleasure to support this project, sport is a powerful tool that can play an important role in turning young people away from crime and violence.

“And this scheme will reach young people in the most at risk areas, giving them coaching, skills, and opportunities to thrive.

“I’m confident the sessions will

deliver real change and have a lasting impact on the participants and their communities.”

All the sessions will take place from Leighton Coach House, Leighton Place, Wellingborough, NN8 4RH. For more information about Shudan Martial Arts Academy, visit www.shudanmartialarts.co.uk

Steph skates to awards short-list TRESHAM College lecturer Steph Lee Vae has been short-listed as FE Lecturer of the Year in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Steph, (pictured), is from Corby and well known as a skateboarder and voluntary coach at Europe’s largest indoor urban sports venue, Adrenaline Alley.

Steph is also an inspirational art and design lecturer at the Kettering and Corby campuses.

In lockdown, Steph set up a YouTube channel with video tutorials and digital workshops for students to access and revisit at their own pace: https://www.youtube.com/playlist ?list=PLRkezQnAKouxBkjNhNmAOy6tOa ZPAJuS This has now developed into an integrated part of lessons.

Hybrid learning enables students to go through techniques in advance or after class, ensuring everyone is included and no one is left behind.

Steph’s boundless energy, prolific ideas and networking drive the extensive list of opportunities they proactively

seek and implement for students.

In terms of monitoring individual student progress, Steph not only has regular one-to-ones with students but also holds virtual drop-ins during the holidays for students who need to catch up.

This ensures everyone has the support they need to start the new term on track.

What is more, if a student does not turn up to class, Steph personally calls them to find out why.

In terms of student achievements, Steph’s courses have a track record of 100 per cent retention and achievement over the past few years with 80 per cent achieving a Merit or Distinction on the Level 3 course.

Last year, 87.5 per cent of Level 2 students progressed on to another course at the College and 100 per cent of the Level 3 Graphics students progressed into year two.

Head of art and design Nicola Mansell said: “Steph consistently goes above and beyond - there are

ACHIEVEMENTS

so many examples I could give you.

“Steph enables a very collaborative working environment, the students are really engaged.

“Graphics has very high levels of achievement, student feedback is always positive.”

Steph is non-binary and an active member of The Bedford College Group’s LGBTQ+ Committee who were awarded GOLD by Stonewall for their LGBTQ+ inclusive education work.

In addition, Steph is LGBTQ+ Ambassador for the art and design department and an advocate for ensuring all students feel safe and included.

Director of quality, learning, teaching and assessment Petra Williams said: “Steph is an exceptional lecturer and absolutely deserves to win this award.

“Steph is so dedicated to providing the best experience for each student on the course.

“The work they did to develop Art Mesh creative arts magazine through the Group’s ‘Risk it’

County sport event is recognised as best in region LEADING county physical activity, health and wellbeing charity Northamptonshire Sport delivers an annual programme of events in the county.

Some of the events on the calendar include the 5K Series, an open water swimming programme and the new Duathlons Series.

But one event has gained particular attention and has been awarded ‘Small Event of the Year for the East Midlands’ by Triathlon England.

Competing against other events in the region, the Sywell Triathlon Series includes three sprint triathlons, each involving a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run in and around Sywell Country Park was commended for welcoming both beginner and experienced athletes.

A spokesman for Triathlon England said: “It’s a fantastic series of small sprint races at a beautiful location.

“Incredibly well organised, supportive and friendly – enjoyed by beginners and seasoned athletes alike.”

The team at Northamptonshire Sport was keen to thank its many volunteers, supporters and participants, which make the Sywell Sprint so successful.

With special thanks to local clubs Northants Tri, Wellingborough and District Athletics Club and Northampton Canoe and Kayak club.

To book a place on the Sywell Triathlon Series, visit https://www.northamptonshiresport.org/events/ A host of other events are on offer, including the Northamptonshire Logistics Games 2022.

This new event will take place on Thursday, May 12, at Moulton College, from 4pm to 8pm.

Grab your colleagues and enter for a fun evening of activities and networking.

It will involve 20 teams from logistical businesses from across the county gathering together to take part in five different sporting activities, with over all winners crowned Logistic Games Champions.

There is a maximum of six in a team and the entry fee team t-shirts, a hog roast, (vegetarian and vegan and other dietary requirements are also catered for), and medals for first, second and third placed teams overall.

Activities will be led by fully qualified sports coaches and will require no experience and all equipment will be provided.

Sports and activities will include volleyball, disk golf, hobby horse show jumping, Boccia and arrows archery.

Teams will rotate round each other and around the five activities allowing a fair ‘playing field’ and great networking.

All activities will be outside with gazebos provided if the weather isn’t kind to us.

You can find booking by contacting Katy Downing at events@northamptonshiresport.org, or on 07955 441975 When booking in a team, the quantity relates to the number of teams entering, not players.

system is an example of best practice in the sector.

“It provides exceptional international opportunities for students to publish their work.”

In terms of professional development, Steph has taken freelance teaching projects with the British Council in 2016 in Suzhou, China and in 2018 at the National Defence School in Guangdong, China.

In 2017, Steph embarked on a Master’s in Fine Art Digital at UAL which expanded Steph’s practice significantly and provided a deep source of inspiration which has enriched lecturers.

Steph has been the art and design department’s Adobe expert since 2017 and is part of Adobe education exchange keeping their knowledge up-to-date and passing on the latest industry skills to students.

This academic year Steph faced one of the most tragic situations that a teacher can ever deal with.

Lee, a terminally- ill student who joined the course in September 2021, died on December 23, 2021.

But no amount of teacher training can ever prepare a lecturer for this set of circumstances, yet Steph met the challenge with the utmost empathy and compassion, making it their mission to ensure Lee’s last months at college were the best they could possibly be and ensuring he achieved some lifetime goals.

From fun fancy dress days, to helping Lee set up a GoFundMe bucket list page, to organising an aegrotat award for Distinction which was presented to Lee

TRAGEDY

before he died.

Steph also involved the whole class, ensuring they were all fully supported by the PAT team and that counselling was available.

The impact of Steph’s care for Lee was deeply appreciated by his family and they asked Steph to write part of the eulogy for Lee’s funeral.

ARE YOU A CLUB SECRETARY? Why not send your news and results to the REPORTER? TheReporter@rosettapublishing.com

16 —

MAY 2022 EAST NORTHANTS REPORTER

Keep up-to-date go to: www.rosettapublishing.com/reporter

Diamonds appoint Burgess as new manager on a permanent basis

TEL: 07894 935952 EDITORIAL: editorial@rosettapublishing.com

sport

RUSHDEN’S LEADING MOBILITY CENTRE SINCE 1980 action2mobility.co.uk

AFC Rushden & Diamonds have appointed Andy Burgess as the club’s first team boss on a permanent basis.

Since being appointed as interim boss on February 24, Burgess has not only been working with the senior players but has also taken a keen interest in player development.

As part of his role moving forward, he will be looking to support, grow and leverage the existing quality within the club’s academy pathway to bring players through to the first team.

Given his time spent within Rushden & Diamonds FC’s Academy pathway as a player, his involvement at professional academies such as Accrington Stanley and in his current role as a development coach at Manchester City, Burgess brings significant experience in this regard.

Speaking to afcdiamonds.com, he said: “I am extremely pleased to have been offered the position on a permanent basis and I believe this comes at a very important time for us as a group.

“I believe this announcement further enhances our togetherness, our ability to work closely together and really focuses everyone on the job in hand.

“Since being given the chance to join the club I have been blown away with the support of everyone, from the board, the people who work in and around the club and the fantastic supporters, many of whom I have reacquainted myself with having known them from my time as a player at Rushden & Diamonds.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ralph and the board for affording me this fantastic opportunity and I look forward to my future with this club with great excitement.”

Burgess is on the all-time RDFC appearances list with 333 appearances across two spells, (1999–2006 & 2007–09).

As part of a distinguished playing career at clubs such as Luton Town, Mansfield Town and Oxford United, he played for the England C team and has also worked as assistant OPEN MON-FRI manager at Corby Town, Stamford AFC and Widnes FC, as 9AM - 4.30PM well as a first team coach at Mansfield Town.

He is also currently in the process of completing his UEFA, FREE PARKING (A), Licence.

Chairman Ralph Burditt said: “Having worked with Andy for a couple of months now, I am absolutely convinced that he is the right person to lead the first team moving forward.”

To keep track of the team, which just missed out on the play-offs in the last game of the season as Alvechurch snatched the final play-off place as Diamonds were beaten 1-0 by Nuneaton Borough, follow them at https:// www.afcdiamonds.com/

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Back of the net – team crowned champions

OUNDLE’S 1st XI footballers have won the Mercian League for the first time this century.

Their previous best position in the Mercian was second in 2015.

The team sealed the Independent School Football Association Mercian U-18 League title with a

6-0 win over Uppingham School. In eight games, Oundle lost only one match against Princethorpe.

In total they scored 25 goals and conceded 8. Nationally, the team ranks 14 in the U-18A division, based on the win percentage among 80 independent schools.

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The team also celebrated the season’s success at their annual awards dinner last term.