Three men have been arrested for Class A drug offences as part of a 10-month drugs operation in Northamptonshire.
Another man has been charged with handling stolen goods.
They were charged yesterday as part of Operation Pyramid in Wellingborough, which has already seen 69 arrested in the past two weeks.
Currently, 50 people have been charged as part of the operation in connection with 144 offences.
A number of them are due to appear at Northampton Crown Court next week.
The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to the newest member of the royal family, a baby girl, this morning.
The baby was born at 8.34am at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London after Kate Middleton was admitted at about 6am.
Weighing 8lb and 3oz, the new princess is now fourth in line to the throne and, thanks to a recent change in law, will be the first female royal whose position cannot be overtaken by the birth of another male in the family.
Her birth was announced by a traditional town crier outside the hospital to huge crowds, but there have been no pictures released so far.
The Queen’s fifth great-grandchild has yet to be named, but top bets currently include Alice, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Victoria and Diana.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, was present for the birth and it is believed that the family may be able to go home to Kensington Palace today.
A group of Explorer Scouts got a behind-the-scenes look at how a Formula 1 racing team works.
The nine members of Pitsford Explorer Scout Unit were treated to a tour of the Sahara Force India Formula 1 team facility, which is next to Silverstone Race Circuit.
This was part of the group’s programme to show the Explorers some of the vocational opportunities that exist, especially as Northamptonshire is internationally recognised as a centre for advanced automotive and motor racing technology. The Explorers were shown the level of expertise required to compete at the highest level and had a look at the component testing facilities, the racing car simulator and the fabrication shop.
The racing team offers a varied range of careers including motor mechanic, electronics engineers, designers, marketing, PR and team management. Organisers said the trip was so inspiring that one Explorer said he would seriously consider a career in this field once he has completed his studies.
Explorer Scouts are aged 14 to 18 years old and are encouraged to lead themselves in deciding the programme and direction of the unit, with support and guidance from leaders.
The section also includes the Young Leaders’ Scheme, in which young people are able to take on a leadership role in one of the younger sections. They also take an active part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme
If you would like to know more about Explorers in your area, contact jenniecurtis@daventryscouts.co.uk or call 07775 758580.
An aspiring hat maker from Northampton College has won an international competition which will give her the chance to work for a designer who supplies headwear to the Duchess of Cambridge.
Melissa Mehrtens, a millinery student at the college’s Booth Lane campus, won a competition organised by the Worshipful Company of Feltmakers of London.
The 17-year-old, who cites Alexander McQueen as her design hero, won the £1,200 first prize and will now get a work experience placement with Rachel Trevor Morgan, milliner to the Duchess of Cambridge.
Melissa said: “The chance to design and make hats was one of the main reasons I came to Northampton College as I really wanted to learn new skills. I absolutely love it and to win this competition is amazing.
“My inspiration for the hat was Norse mythology.
“Working with big names in the industry is a brilliant opportunity and I’m looking forward to treating myself to a new dress and a new pair of shoes with my prize money.”
A woman from Naseby has won a place in a swimming event that takes place in the River Thames.
Justine Flower, 44, will be taking part in The Henley Mile, an open swimming event held in the River Thames near Henley-on-Thames after taking part in a national competition.
The event’s organisers wanted to encourage more women to get involved in outdoor swimming so ran a competition in association with This Girl Can for free places in the event.
Justine, along with seven other women from across the country, was successful and will now spend the next three months training for the event on Sunday, July 12.
In addition to her training she will be blogging about her experience,describing in detail her journey over the next few months, both positive and negative.
Justine said: “I love wild swimming and have always been attracted to water. It reminds me of my childhood and it still makes me feel free.
“I have three children and an amazing husband all of whom love water, but not when it is cold.
“I live just about as far from the sea as you can get in Britain, and chlorine irritates my skin so I will be looking for rivers that I can train in.”
You can follow the blog of Justine and the other seven competition winners at www.thisgirlcanswim.com
Three former police cadets exchanged fond memories when they enjoyed a reunion lunch at Northampton and County Club.
Bryan Haddon was a Northampton cadet in 1952 and Lesley Sharp (nee Maycock) was from the 1974 intake.
Tony Hewitt (1958 intake) had fond memories of being stationed at the old Angel Lane Divisional Headquarters, originally built in 1901. The building is still there - right next door to Northampton and County Club.
If you were an ex Northamptonshire email Lesley Sharp: lesleysharp1958@gmail.com or write to her at 18,The Dingle, Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 4DJ.
A University of Northampton sports marketing graduate is celebrating after landing his dream job with the cricket club he’s supported since childhood.
Ben Warren has been appointed digital marketing executive by Somerset County Cricket Club and has responsibility for running the club’s social media channels, which includes ball-by-ball live game updates on match days.
The cricket-mad 23-year-old, who grew up less than 10 miles from Somerset’s ground in Taunton, said “I had always hoped I could get a job working for a major county cricket club, but as somebody who grew up in Somerset and as a supporter of the club, this really is a dream come true for me.”
Ben said “The university provided me with every opportunity to gain real-life work experience during my time in Northampton.”
My course tutors partnered me with Final Third Sports Media agency, where I spent a year’s internship learning the basics of sports business and how it operates, and I also became really adept at using social media, two skills which are crucial for my role with the cricket club.”
The link with Final Third, which is based at the University’s Portfolio Innovation Centre, is part of the university’s strategic partnerships which it has across a wide range of industries, enabling them to offer students work placements and internship opportunities.
Sports marketing management course leader at the university, Alan Seymour, said: “Ben fully merits this excellent appointment as he always demonstrated a great desire to succeed in sports marketing using the skills he gained on the course, have had a very positive impact on Ben’s career development.”
Ben added “I would recommend the University of Northampton’s Sports Marketing course to anybody who would like a marketing role with a major sports club because the tutors are very supportive giving plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself.”
Sports marketing and event management undergraduates at the University of Northampton will be going stateside for an international conference.
Students will visit the University of South Florida in October to learn about the future of sport marketing and entertainment in the digital age.
They will have the chance to meet and network with sports teams and businesses from the Tampa and wider Florida area, such as ice hockey outfit Tampa Bay Lightning and broadcaster Fox Sports.
Alan Seymour, pictured, sports marketing management course leader at the university, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience an overseas conference in a country where sports marketing was pioneered and some of the biggest events are held.
“To network with professional sporting teams from North America will be a huge help and an inspiration as students look to get a foothold on the career ladder.”
THE Northamptonshire County Federation of WIs held its Spring County Lunch recently.
Members from across the county travelled to Great Houghton Village Hall to enjoy the event.
The ladies said they had a lovely time, noting the catering committee had “excelled themslelves”.
Clean water is being provided to some of the world’s poorest countries thanks to the Aveda 2015 Earth Month campaign.
The aim is to empower local communities worldwide in ensuring access to clean water for everyone, everywhere.
Earth Month at Aveda is an annual fundraising campaign that relies on the ingenuity and generosity of Aveda beauty professionals, guests and corporate employees in more than 30 countries.
Last year, the Aveda global network pursued the goal by organising thousands of events to raise a total of $6 million for clean water.
All UK funds raised will be donated to WaterAid – the UK-based charity that provides clean water and sanitation to some of the world’s poorest communities – a charity partnership that Aveda has been championing for seven years.
In support of Earth Month, Aveda Seckingtons Hair Salon Team recently took part in a 24- hour bike ride - in their salon window.
It started on April 18 and all donations made by spectators will go towards the WaterAid charity.
The team are aiming to raise £4,000 for the charity by undertaking a test of endurance on a state of the art exercise bike.
Owner of Seckingtons, Johnny Seckington is keen to really get behind Aveda on the campaign and has set his sights high in the fundraising stakes.
Johnny is proud to be working with Aveda yet again to raise funds for such a worthy cause.
He said: “In the past we have climbed Ben Nevis and have taken part in a sky dive to raise money for WaterAid but this year we wanted to do something new and different, something that could involve the whole team.
“We have received so much support from all of our clients and local businesses in the community.
“We’ve set our targets high because we feel that clean water is a basic human right.”
A Just Giving donations website page has been set up and can be found at www.justgiving.com/seckingtons24hourbikeride.
A fundraising drive by Welford Skittles League is helping to keep the air ambulance where it should be – in the air.
They held their League final and invited back volunteers Heather Burton and Richard Durham to talk to the group about the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance service.
A cheque for £1,747 was presented to the charity after money was raised at a raffle from the summer skittles league, The Elizabethan and Long Buckby A Side and Bob who donated their winning prizes.
Heather said: “We were delighted to receive such a generous donation as we rely entirely on donations from the public.”
More than 400 cyclists took part in the NorPIP Bike Ride at Silverstone Circuit on Friday, opened by Northampton Saints player, Alex Waller.
Other special guests at the event included two Formula 1 teams and bikers from Mercedes and Red Bull.
Tickets to take part in the event cost £20 and will go to support NorPIP (Northamptonshire Parent Infant Partnership), a charity that aims to help parents struggling to connect with their babies.
Through the charity, a team of clinical psychologists and parent-infant therapists with expertise in attachment theory and early intervention work with mothers who need help to attach to their newborn babies, a situation which can be linked to postnatal depression.
The NorPIP Bike Ride at Silverstone is one of the charity’s biggest annual events, as well as its Strictly-style dance competitions based in Towcester.
To find out more about the charity, or to donate, visit www.norpip.org.uk.
The UK Wings for Life World Run at Silverstone was won by Colchester-born Tom Payn, the Catcher Car finally passing him after he ran an epic 61.09km in 4 hours 10 minutes and came a very impressive 23rd overall in the world.
Payne who now resides in London, has a marathon PB of 3:17, achieved at Fukuoka Marathon in Japan in 2009.
After the race, Payne said: “I was hoping to hit the 70km mark, but having never run in a race like the Wings for Life World Run before, I’m really pleased with the 61km that I was eventually caught at. It’s always in the back of your mind that the Catcher Car is gaining on you and to keep increasing your pace is physically and mentally draining.
“My time of 4 hours and 10 minutes was pretty good, and it’s a fantastic feeling to win the UK Wings for Life World run whilst raising important money for a great charity.”
The UK Women’s Race was won by Kate Carter, from London. The Wimbledon Windmiler was eventually caught after making it through a gruelling 34.73km in 2 hours 39 minutes. Carter is no stranger to the world of Long distance running, only last weekend putting in a very impressive performance at the London Marathon with a time of 3:04. Carter will now be focusing on her training for the Berlin Marathon where she hopes to break the 3:00 time barrier.
Carter said after the race, “I was delighted to be the fastest female in the UK Wings for Life World Run event. The nature of the event – being chased by a ‘Catcher Car’ – makes it very different to any other races I’ve taken part in. It’s a tough course, as it’s quite hilly, so I was really pleased with my distance of 34km in 2 hours 39 minutes. hours/minutes. The atmosphere here at Silverstone has been fantastic and knowing that we’re raising money for the Wings For Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation is a great feeling.”
Ethiopia’s Lemawork Ketema retained his world title and Yuko Watanabe won a maiden women’s crown for Japan after an unforgettable day of running performances in the 2nd Wings for Life World Run on Sunday.
Athletes across 35 locations pushed themselves to the limit in the global charity run which raises money to help find a cure for spinal cord injury, and it proved to be a record-breaking day that included a first ever national champion in a wheelchair when Aron Anderson won in Sweden.
Ketema, who won the maiden edition last year, was again the last man standing, improving on his 78.57km performance of 2014 with a winning mark of 79.9km. As the Catcher Car finally passed him in St Polten, Austria, Ketema fell to the floor and kissed the tarmac in exhausted celebration.
Second was Chile’s César Andrés Díaz Hernández running in Santiago while Peru’s Remigio Quispe, who was second behind Ketema last year, was third after pacesetting with the Ethiopian in Austria for much of the race.
“I am very lucky,” a delighted Ketema said after his win. “I was not using all my powers and held back a bit so we (he and Quispe) pushed together and worked together. I am very happy I have won for a second time.”
Watanabe, 27, won the women’s title after a dramatic finish which saw her and South Africa’s Riana van Niekerk both eclipse the 54.79km mark set by champion Elisa Molvik in Norway last year.
Van Niekerk, pounding the tarmac in the bright Cape Town sunshine, and Watanabe in the darkness of Takashima matched each other step for step but the South African succumbed first and Watanabe punched the air when news of her victory came through.
“It doesn’t feel real,” said Watanabe after she was caught after 56.33km. “It seems like a dream, this is unlike any race I’ve been in. The Catcher Car coming up behind me meant I could run at my own pace. I was actually running slower than in training so I could run longer.”
Anderson became the first wheelchair athlete to win a national title when he was last to be caught in Kalmar-Oeland, Sweden after 64.82km.
The day proved a festival of colour and physical endeavour for the 101,280 registered athletes: the costumes on show varied from a pink fairy tutu in the United Kingdom to countless Ironman and Superman outfits.
The Catcher Car drivers played their part too with David Coulthard treating onlookers with some eye-watering stretching exercises before he climbed into his car, while multiple Olympic ski champion Aksel Lund Svindal had to do a spot of off-roading onto the grass to catch some of the runners in Stavanger, Norway.
The weather obviously played its part with the rain hammering down on the unfortunate runners in Porto while the searing heat in Dubai meant one runner was carrying a black umbrella to shade him from the sun’s rays as he was caught by the Catcher Car.
The temperature ranged from a chilly two degrees Celsius in Kolomna, Moscow to the steamy 33 degree heat of Gurgaon, India.
It was a day truly for athletes of all types with Infiniti Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat doing Selfie Runs in Monaco and Lugano respectively.
The title of the happiest national winner surely went to Croatia’s Nikolina Slonica Šustić who danced and even ran backwards looking back at the Catcher Car as all her rivals were eliminated. Most committed celebration came in Melbourne when Michael Wardian did a defiant press-up as the Catcher Car swept past him.
Hundreds of athletes took up the option of doing a Selfie Run if they were unable to compete at one of the main venues. From Sri Lanka to Uzbekistan and from South Korea to the Lofotes Islands in the Norwegian Arctic. The strong runners came close to the Marathon Distance before they got caught.
Anita Gerhardter, CEO of the Wings for Life Foundation, said it had been an unforgettable day.
“It was a great day for Wings for Life and a great day for spinal cord research with 4.2 million Euros raised and donations are still coming in,” she said.
“It exceeded all my expectations. There were so many thrilling, touching moments today but my personal highlight was the Swedish wheelchair competitor Aron Anderson.”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Men:
1. Lemawork Ketema (ETH) km 79.9 (Venue AUT)
2. Cesar Hernandez (CHI) km 78.3 (Venue CHI)
3. Remigio Huaman (PER) km 78.2 (Venue AUT)
Women:
1. Yuko Watanabe (JPN) km 56.3 (Venue Japan)
2. Riana van Niekerk (RSA) km 55,2 (Venue RSA)
3. Nathalie Vasseur (FRA) km 52,2 (Venue USA, Fl)
A choir in Northampton is appealing for new choristers to join them.
On Tuesday May 12, Friday May 15 and Sunday May 17, prospective choristers aged between eight and 14 are invited to come and find out what it is like to be part of this nationally renowned choir.
The choir is well known as being one of the best of its type in the country and continues a proud and distinguished musical tradition at the church which stretches back over 100 years.
Director of Music, Stephen Moore, said: “We offer equal opportunities for both boys and girls to gain choristerships, and current members of the choir come from all over the town and county.
“The choir is well supported by the church community and this has been shown in exciting fundraising projects which help expand the activities of the choir beyond the weekly round of services.
“The choir rehearses twice weekly in term time and the Choristers rehearsal on Tuesday 12 May (5.15-6.45pm) will be open to new faces to come and learn new music, make new friends and spend time together with other children who love to sing,” he added.
On Friday May 15, the regular rehearsal (6.30-8.15pm) will again be open, and there will be an opportunity for parents to meet current choir parents over a drink and enjoy a presentation about what the commitment is like as a member of the choir here.
Finally, on Sunday May 17, the choir will rehearse (9.30am) and perform together with its new recruits at the Parish Mass (10.15am) before they are given the opportunity to consider long-term membership of the choir which can begin after Half Term or in the new academic year from September onwards.
Mr Moore added: “St Matthew’s Choir offers a wonderful opportunity to musically gifted children to work and perform together.
“Recently, the choir has performed at Leicester, Bristol and Peterborough Cathedrals and enjoyed week-long residencies at St Davids, Portsmouth and Carlisle Cathedrals with further trips to Exeter and Chester Cathedrals planned in the next two years.
“Over the last two years the choir has recorded two professionally produced CDs which have been released on national labels. The choristers are paid for their attendance at all services and rehearsals and receive singing lessons from a professional tutor which are paid for by the church.
“Every adult that is involved with the choir is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure,” he added.
Attendance at all three events may not be necessary, and those who are interested but who cannot
commit to all three are still encouraged to get in touch.
Further information can be found on the St Matthew’s website www.stmatthews-northampton.org.uk or directly from the Director of Music, Stephen Moore, music@smatthews-northampton.org.uk or by telephoning 01604 791251.
A primary school in Northampton is appealing for votes to help win £5,000 to build a new play area for children.
The Friends of Kingsthorpe Primary School have been shortlisted for funding in a competition organised by insurance company, Aviva, but need support from the public to make it through to the next stage.
To vote, log on to https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/3441/
Chairman of the Friends, Matt Masters, said the aim was the build a new play area that could be used by pupils at the school as well as community groups.
“We have worked with specialist provider of these services to help develop our vision of the play area and the playground to help turn this into an actual plan to work towards,” he said.
“The cost to purchase and install the vision we have created is £4,822.38 and for the small group of volunteers that we are with limited resources, it would take us a significant amount of time, possible a few years to be able to raise enough funds to pay for such a vision.
“We really want to make it a reality on top of all the other work that we do support the 230 pupils of the school and the children from the local community that use the school for various groups such as Brownies,” he added.
The images pictured show how the scheme could look.
A Northampton-based wrestler will be one of the fighters taking part in an American wrestling tour which makes its debut visit to Daventry later this month.
Megaslam Wresting will be visiting Daventry Town FC on May 21 and will feature a host of international wrestlers, including Terry Isit, from Northampton.
A spokesman for the promoters said the show had the “wow factor” and had been performing to sell-out audiences across the country.
“We have been touring the UK for seven years now and the popularity of the shows keeps getting better and better each year, however, this is the first time we have ever been to Daventry,” he said.
“Daventry Town FC will play host to five top class matches featuring a host of American and International stars facing off with the Best of British in this year’s main event, a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.
“Among the International names include Australian Female star, Toni Storm, Japaneese Man of Mystery, Tagori, as seen on this year’s Britian’s Got Talent, The Chippendale and American Heavyweight Force, Texas Tornado.
“Defending the Best of British are Northampton high flyer, Terry Isit, amazing tag team - The Whizzkids, London’s James Mason and many more.
“The show offers great value family entertainment, it’s a night for families to come along, boo the baddies, cheer the good guys and have a great time doing so,” he said.
Megaslam are at Daventry Town FC on May 21 and tickets are available to purchase at www.ticketsource.co.uk/megaslamwrestling or on the door. Doors open at 7pm, show finishes at 9pm.
A teacher from Towcester has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Primary School Headteacher of the Year awards.
Richard Camp, from Towcester Church of England Primary School, has been nominated in the national competition run by the Teaching Awards Trust.
Commenting on his nomination, Mr Camp said: “I am genuinely overwhelmed with this recognition, however it is a whole school effort that has driven our performance over the past few years and I am excited and pleased that this award reflects just that.
“Our children are amazing and show great passion to learn, and our staff are committed to ensure that the learning environment is an exciting and varied one, and this is why I believe that Towcester Church of England Primary School has achieved various recognitions over the past few years which has really elevated our positioning in the local area.”
Julie Godwin, chair of Governors, added: “The school staff and governing body are truly delighted that Richard has been recognised at a national level as we, of course, see on a day-to-day basis what an incredible job he does, however this award will really drive home what his “supporters” genuinely think of him.
“I am always amazed at how selfless Richard is with any form of recognition, so hopefully this individual acknowledgment will show him how the whole team value his contribution to our school, the community and most of all our children’s lives,” she added.
The Teaching Awards were established in 1999 by David, Lord Puttnam CBE, as a means of recognising and celebrating excellence in education. The Awards honour outstanding teachers and teaching and highlight just how vital success in education is to the health and wealth of the UK.
A teenager tried to steal a woman’s handbag after asking her for directions, but failed to get away with her property after she elbowed him.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened between 5.05pm and 5.10pm on Thursday, April 30, in Hunslet Lane, Northampton.
After asking the victim for directions, the offender grabbed her handbag and tried to take her purse from inside.
The victim elbowed the offender, who ran off empty-handed.
He is described as a white man, of slim build, about 5ft 6ins tall, between 15 – 17 years old, with a square chin, wearing a black woolly hat, black bottoms and a dark coloured jacket.
The victim recalls seeing a white van travelling along Hunslet Lane. The driver of the van may have seen the offender prior to the offence.
Officers are asking this person or anyone with any information to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Bank holiday visitors to Salcey Forest have been criticised by nearby villagers for parking on grass verges and potentially blocking off roads for emergency services.
A Facebook group for people in Hartwell say the parking is totally inadequate at the popular attraction and have called for action after scenes yesterday of blocked traffic on surrounding roads were posted on social media.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The forest is a wonderful place to go, but the parking is totally inadequate. There used to be an overflow car park but it got really bad with potholes and was closed a while ago.
“I don’t know if people can’t find spaces, or it’s the £1 to £3 parking charge putting them off, but visitors over every bank holiday end up parking along the grass verges and in laybys effectively making the road a single track road and impassable to emergency vehicles.
“I dread to think if there was a fire in Hartwell or an ambulance needed as they would not get through, and would have to turn back to come through Roade,” she added.
“Also for us locals who walk up to the forest we risk our lives crossing the road to get to the main forest area. This weekend was particularly bad.”
The group has emailed the Forestry Commission and local politicians in a bid to get something done.
“Whose responsibility is it to do something about it? I have been told that the Forestry Commission cannot use the space they have on the other side of the road as another car park as the road would need widening to put a crossing in. This would fall to the council and would be too expensive.
“Signs have been put up to say don’t park on the grass verges which are just ignored,” she said. “We need something done before an accident happens.”
A spokeswoman for The Forestry Commission said: ““We are aware that parking on road verges near Salcey Forest causes problems during peak visitor times, and we are discussing potential solutions with the highways authority, which has responsibility for this land, and the police.
“We are also investigating options for expanding parking capacity to alleviate the issue. In the meantime we ask residents and visitors to exercise patience and common sense during busy periods to minimise disruption.”
Voters in Northampton are being reminded to make sure they are ready to take part in the General and local elections due to take place on Thursday 7 May.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May and Northampton Borough Council has issued a checklist to make sure all those intending to cast their ballot are eligible to do so.
Your poll card will have been sent to the address where you are registered, which will contain details of where your polling station is.
The borough council is also encouraging voters to use social media on the day “to let your friends and family know you have voted and to encourage them to do the same.”
A spokesperson for the council said: “Pictures of you before you go into or after you leave the polling station are great to use on social media posts but don’t take a picture of yourself inside the polling station as if you post this it could be a breach of the law.”
General reminders
*You can only vote at the polling station that is stated on your own poll card.
Plan what time you will be able to cast your vote at the polling station, leaving plenty of time before the 10pm deadline.
*If you are in a queue at your polling station at 10pm you will still be able to vote.
*If you arrive at the polling station after 10pm then the poll will be closed and you will have missed your chance to take part.
Postal voting
*If you have a postal vote, make sure it is returned by 10pm on Thursday 7 May.
If you have not had time to post it before polling day, then you can take it to the polling station on polling day and hand it in. Your poll card tells you where your polling station is. Postal votes that arrive after 10pm on May 7 will not be counted.
Proxy voting
*If you’ve appointed a proxy, then they need to make sure they are able to vote at the correct polling station on your behalf.
*If you are suddenly unable to vote in person, because you have a medical emergency which prevents you from attending on polling day, or your occupation, service or employment means that you cannot go to the polling station in person, and you only become aware of that fact after the deadline, then you may be entitled to appoint an emergency proxy.
*You can apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day. You should contact your local electoral registration office directly to ask about this.
What you need to take with you
Just yourself
*You can take your poll card with you to show the polling station staff when you arrive. They will still ask for you to confirm your name and address. If you don’t have it with you, just tell the polling station staff your name and your address and they can check whether you’re on the electoral register.
How to fill out your ballot paper
*The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You may be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.
*Staff are on hand at the polling station to provide advice on the voting process.
*If you are disabled, you can ask the presiding officer for help and they can mark the ballot paper for you. You can also ask someone else to help you such as a support worker, as long as they are either a relative or an eligible elector.
*If you have a visual impairment, you can ask to see a large print ballot paper or you can ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own in secret.
*Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote. *Read the ballot paper carefully, it will tell you how to cast your vote. Do not write anything else on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
*Mark your ballot paper according to the instructions. A pencil will be provided for you to do this, but you may use your own pen if you prefer.
*If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, don’t worry, So long as you haven’t already put it in the ballot box just let the polling station staff know and they can issue you with a replacement ballot paper.
*Fold your completed ballot paper in half and pop it in the ballot box - and that’s it done!
More information is on www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or call Northampton Borough Council’s electoral services team on 0300 330 7000 or by email elecreg@northampton.gov.uk