A man has died following a road traffic collision in Rushden last night.
The 50-year-old man was a pedestrian and walking along the path in Higham Road, towards Asda, when he fell into the road just after 10pm on Wednesday (September 27).
A police spokesman said: “A car driving along the road was then in collision with the man, who sadly died a short time later.”
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.
Pupils at a Northampton school have been building their computing skills with help from a team of IT experts Software engineers from Travis Perkins’ head office paid a visit to Northampton Academy to share their coding know-how with its Year 10 students.
Part of UK-wide National Coding Week, the boffins delivered lessons in how to solve problems with code .
The students were set challenges to complete, sparking competition among the teenagers as they raced to complete complex math questions using the power of technology.
Becky Davies, ICT Teacher at Northampton Academy said: “The students gained a lot from the sessions; it was great to see them so focused.
“The lessons really expanded their research skills too as all the students were absolutely determined to find the best solutions for the task, which taught them great new ways to explore coding languages.
“Excited students decoded every number in the Fibonacci sequence, among other complex maths problems.”
Travis Perkins’ Chief Digital Officer Cheryl Millington added: “Activity around National Coding Week helps to make a whole new generation more comfortable with coding and tech, allowing them to embrace the business opportunities of the future.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for employers like Travis Perkins to engage with young women and girls, and to encourage them to consider a career in IT.”
A team from a Northampton building products manufacturer have scaled Britain’s tallest mountain for a national homelessness and hospice charity.
The 18 climbers from Forterra, plus one dog, reached the summit of Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands , taking some of their bricks with them as part of the challenge.
The Forterra mountaineers have so far raised more than £4,300 for the construction industry’s homelessness charity CRASH, which the Grange Park-based firm will match fund to make a total of more than £8,000.
Area Sales Manager Luke McMillan, 25, who helped organised the expedition, said: “This was quite an adventure for us all, and everyone got a real sense of achievement reaching the summit.
“ We’re also thrilled to have raised this considerable sum for CRASH, and would like to thank friends, family and colleagues, plus Forterra itself, for contributing towards it.”
Kate Marsh, Fundraising & Events Manager for CRASH, said:“Congratulations to everyone who took part in this amazing challenge.
“It is an incredible achievement - the money raised for CRASH will enable us to continue to create safe, welcoming places for people who are homeless or have life limiting illnesses.”
Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive of Forterra, said, “I’m very proud of all Forterra employees who took part in the expedition, and we were more than happy to show our support as a company by matching the total amount raised for CRASH.”
Northampton-based,Forterra, is a manufacturer of a diverse range of clay and concrete building products, used extensively within the construction sector, and employs over 1,800 people across 18 facilities in the UK.
Sports students at Moulton College have been given a behind the scenes peek into the working of a professional football club - on and off the pitch.
Staff from Northampton Town Football Club, including Chairman Kelvin Thomas; Club Captain Marc Richards; and representatives from marketing, media, physiotherapy, and fitness were there to inspire the students to consider all possible career opportunities in the sports industry.
Gerald Davies, Deputy Principal at Moulton College, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to find out about the broad selection of careers available within football and sport as a whole.
“We are grateful that NTFC are so keen to invest their time in our sports stars of the future.”
During the event, Marc Richards inspired the students to work hard, he said: “Some people have a perception that being a footballer is easy - it’s not - you have to work hard.”
Kelvin Thomas explained how he progressed from studying to be a PE teacher to becoming chairman of the League One club.
He also highlighted the similarities between the club’s players and the aspiring students. He said: “They’re learning the game, just as you’re learning your sports subjects at college. Jimmy (Floyd Hasselbaink) is a teacher – he’s teaching the players. Their goal is to win football matches and yours is to pass your assessments.”
Gerald added: “I really hope that this experience has given our students the motivation they need to succeed on their chosen career path.”
Damaged overhead wires have seen all trains in and out of Northampton either severely delayed or cancelled.
In the past hour, train operator London Midland has reported a section between Hemel Hempstead and Watford Junction is causing the blockage.
Some passengers at Northampton station are reporting either cancelled trains or delays of up to two hours or more in the southbound direction.
At 4.40pm London Midland tweeted: "Damage to overhead electric wires Hemel Hempstead - Watford Jct trains running through these stations may be delayed and/or cancelled."
Updates to follow.
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Community engagement officers, DC Rachel Packman and PC Christian Buckenham attended a Northampton Hindu celebration last night (Thursday, September 28).
The festival of Navratri lasts nine nights and Rachel and Christian joined in on the final night as guests of the Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation.
Navratri is an important festival and is celebrated by Hindu communities all over the UK. Diwali, the festival of lights, is the next major festivaland will be celebrated at a special event in Northampton town centre on Saturday, October 14.
PC Buckenham said: "The celebrations at Northampton College were really well attended. Members of the wider community were also present including Michael Ellis MP, Morcea Walker and Mark Dean from Inspiration FM.
"This is a key time of the year for a number of our faith groups in Northamptonshire and with Hate Crime Awareness Week preparations well underway Rachel and myself are very busy."
Hate Crime Awareness Week launches on Saturday, October 14 and is a national initiative to encourage victims to report hate crime to the police.
PC Buckenham added: "I would encourage people to attend the numerous events and activities across the county during the week."
Five people have been sentenced for their part in running a £10 million cannabis factory out of a rented Northampton warehouse.
Officers discovered the huge drugs operation in a warehouse in Gallowhill Road, Brackmills, in October 2014, after concerns were raised by members of the public.
3,400 cannabis plants in various stages of growth were found inside the unit.
A second factory was found in the Corringham Road Industrial Estate in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, where a further 2,500 plants were discovered.
And another 300 plants were found by police during a further raid at a property in St James Park Road, Northampton in June 2015.
It is estimated that the hydroponics set-ups would have generated £10 million a year had they continued.
Five people were sentenced at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (September 29) for their part in the production and supply of cannabis.
Dinesh Khetani, aged 33, of Brent, London, was found guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis at the end of a trial in August. He was jailed for six years.
Peter Brown, aged 28, of Stanford Le Hope, Thurrock, Essex, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and was also jailed for six years.
Kyle Nixon, aged 27, of Hoo, Rochester, Kent, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and imprisoned for three years and four months.
Warren Willsher, aged 27, of East Ham, London, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and received a sentence of three years and four months.
Nicola Bowers, aged 29, of Stanford Le Hope, Thurrock, Essex, pleaded guilty to money laundering. She was sentenced to four months suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.
A sixth defendant, Duong Tuan Nguyen, aged 21, of Bishop Auckland, Durham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and is due to be sentenced today after failing to appear yesterday.
Detective Constable Alex O’Meara, from the Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “This was a very large criminal enterprise that was capable of producing a vast quantity of cannabis.
“Those involved travelled considerable distances to commit their crimes in an attempt to avoid detection. This case is a stark reminder that county borders are no longer a barrier to police investigations.
“It can be easy to dismiss cannabis production as a victimless crime, however, drug production is the first step towards more serious violent offences being committed in our neighbourhoods.
“More than £50,000 was paid by the group to rent the industrial units and police seized a further £60,000 in cash during searches of the defendants’ home addresses.
“The group deceived unsuspecting landlords through the use of forged documents to rent the premises involved.
“Northamptonshire is a hostile environment for criminals and we rely on our communities to help us continue to keep them safe.
“Anyone with information about the production or supply of illegal drugs can call Police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A squeeze on cemetery space could see a borough council-operated crematorium built in Northampton.
Northampton Borough councillors pitched an idea to build a new crematorium at a cemeteries scrutiny committee last night (September 27).
They hope it will help solve capacity issues with Northampton's graveyards while opening up a new source of revenue for the borough.
But a private crematorium in Northampton says the borough council should "decide if this is the best use of taxpayer's money".
Chair of cemeteries councillor Brian Sargeant said: "A Northampton crematorium will bring in revenue for the borough in the long-term and help save space in our graveyards.
"There is a council-owned crematorium in Wellingborough and Kettering and their rates are much less expensive than a privately run one, like the Counties Crematorium in Milton Malsor. Meanwhile, Northampton's cemeteries need more space.
"If you are in the north of the town it's nearer and cheaper to go to Wellingborough for a cremation service."
A new crematorium built in Wellingborough in 2016 cost £5.5million.
Councillor Sargeant says the town's cemeteries need more space for "green burials" using wicker or cardboard coffins, and cremations would help save on space.
But a spokeswoman for the Counties Crematorium said: "Building a new crematorium requires significant investment. Operating a crematorium is also an expensive business as a new cremator could cost £0.5 million and most facilities will require two cremators. Therefore, any local authority would need to decide if this is the best use of taxpayer’s money when this need is already being met.
"It’s difficult to predict the impact of a new crematorium on our business without knowing the exact location and planning permission being granted. However, Counties Crematorium has capacity to increase the number of funerals per day should this be required."
Kingsthorpe Cemetery, the largest in Northampton, has 38,000 internments over approximately 19,000 grave spaces.
Northampton Borough Council are responsible for the upkeep of 23 cemeteries in the town through their environmental services contractor Enterprise.
A 23-year-old man has been jailed for stabbing a man in a melee outside a Northampton late pub.
Jodan Brown, of Alcombe Road, town centre, was sentenced in Northampton Crown Court yesterday (September 28) after earlier pleading guilty to wounding with intent and threatening with a blade.
In an early-morning brawl outside the Bantam Cock pub, in Wellingborough Road, Brown stabbed his victim twice and punctured his lung.
His Honour Judge Roger Tregilgas-Davey said: "It is clear from the places you stabbed him that there was an intent to cause more harm than you did."
CCTV played in court showed how at around 5.40am in April a fight broke out in the streets outside the Bantam Cock in Wellingborough Road.
As the fight began, Brown was pushed to the floor by a man in a long coat. But within seconds, Brown was on his feet and ran back into the scuffle.
Judge Tregilgas-Davey said: "It is clear [the victim] was trying to defend himself. It was a push you received because you were part of a group that surrounded him and were threatening him.
"That really should have been the end of it. But at some point, you were given a knife and you stabbed that man."
Brown targeted the man in the long coat and stabbed his victim twice, once in the back and once in the chest.
The victim was later taken to hospital with a punctured lung. He had to have his lung drained of blood and received stitches.
Judge Tregilgas-Davey said: "It's by sheer chance there has been no long-term damage.
"There was a risk you took when you used that knife that he would not stand back up again."
Brown, who has previous convictions for assault and armed robbery, was jailed for six years.
Hunsbury Park Primary School in Dayrell Road, Camp Hill was rated "good" in all areas after a one-day inspection in July.
The inspection report gave a special mention to head teacher, Gail Barnshaw, who has "strengthened leadership at the school" by taking on two deputy headteachers and three special educational needs coordinators.
The report states: "You have maintained the considerable strengths noted at the last inspection, particularly in terms of pupils’ behaviour.
"Pupils are happy, confident and proud of the school.
"They are taught to follow the school’s positive behaviour promise, to ‘be kind, safe and responsible’.
"Pupils say that the school is full of ‘happy and smiling people’. Parents and pupils appreciate the warm, caring and inclusive environment, which you have created.
The visit was the first short inspection carried out since the school was rated "good" five years ago, in November 2012.
"Leaders ensure that pupils who speak English as an additional language are given additional support to help them access the curriculum," the report adds.
"The school provides information to parents, which is translated into their home language.
"Evidence in pupils’ books shows that they make good progress."
A man was punched to the ground and robbed of £38,000 after withdrawing the cash from a Northampton town centre bank.
Police are investigating after a couple left Santander Bank in Market Square some time between 3.20pm and 3.40pm on Thursday, September 28.
The victim began walking towards his car parked in nearby Guildhall Road but realised he was being followed by an unknown man and then, once in Guildhall Road itself, he was grabbed.
A struggle over the cash bag followed before the victim was punched, causing him to fall to the ground.
The robber then ran off with the bag of cash in the direction of Angel Street.
Police have a good description of the offender who as white and possibly Eastern European. He was stocky, about 5ft 8in with a dark black beard leading up to his hair which was also black in colour. His hair was messy short and flat.
He was described as having a rough-skinned face and he was carrying a black phone in his hand which he was looking down at as he walked.
He was wearing a black leather jacket which looked worn, blue denim jeans and black sunglasses, which he took off just before he robbed the victim.
Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.
Detectives are seeking a man "in his early 20s" they want to speak to in connection with a stabbing in Northampton yesterday.
The 34-year-old victim was stabbed twice in the leg during an altercation at an address in Balfour Road, Kingsthorpe Hollow, sometime between 12.30pm and 1pm yesterday.
The victim had to be airlifted to the University Hospital Coventry for emergency treatment, but his injuries are not life-threatening.
The offender, who is believed to have run off in the direction of Bunting Road, was described as black, aged in his early 20s with a slim build. He had long black hair, possibly either in dreadlocks or matted, and he was wearing a dark-coloured hoody and dark jogging bottoms
Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.
Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to over a fuel theft near Kettering.
The incident took place at the BP filling station on the A14 eastbound near Kettering, between 4.50pm and 5.05pm on Saturday, September 2. Police have just released the image.
CCTV shows two containers being filled with £59.91 of diesel before the silver Peugeot, bearing false registration plates, drove off without paying.
The car has been linked to several other similar fuel thefts in the region.
Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Northamptonshire consumers were awarded almost £130,000 last year after filing complaints against energy and communications companies for their poor service.
Residents claimed an average of £153 each from 850 complaints which had been ongoing for at least eight weeks, with the help of Ombudsman Services.
The consumer action firm suggested it could be the tip of the iceberg as 62 per cent of residents experienced issues but did not complain.
The most active complainers were those in South Northamptonshire, who were also awarded the most on average (£200).
Consumers in Northampton North recorded the fewest complaints.
Further research suggests the total amount of complaints about all products and services last year could be as high as 3.5 million, but consumers still experienced more than 5.7 million issues that they ignored.
The main reasons were that it was too much hassle (48 per cent) or they could not be bothered (33%), but these people could be missing out.
Ombudsmen are providers of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and review both sides of a case before passing down a legally binding remedy, which is designed to put a problem right. Many people miss out on fixing a problem or getting financial compensation, as they aren’t aware that free help, such as this, is available.
Lewis Shand Smith, Chief Ombudsman at Ombudsman Services, said: “It’s important that residents in the East Midlands know their consumer rights and don’t put up with bad service. Complaining should be an easy, hassle-free experience – if you’re still in a dispute with an energy or communications company after eight weeks, Ombudsman Services can look into the case for free and provide a resolution – it could be worth your while.”
The Safe and Well initiative was developed as a national concept by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, with guidance from Public Health England, to address the link between fire and health and social care factors.
In Northamptonshire, it has been piloted as an expansion of an existing home safety visit scheme, where firefighters visit homes to provide fire safety advice and is primarily aimed at older people, especially those who live alone.
NFRS Chief Fire Officer Darren Dovey said: “The link between fire and health and social care factors is well known. Many causes of poor health outcomes are the same as the factors that increase the risk of fire. By tackling these factors NFRS will not only improve public health outcomes but will continue to reduce fire incidents, injuries and deaths amongst those communities who are most at risk.”
Since its roll-out last year, more than 1,000 Safe and Well visits have been carried out. From October, firefighters from Moulton, Rushden and Towcester fire stations will begin making visits in their areas.
Crews will provide residents with fire safety advice on how to prevent falls, keep safe and warm in winter, avoid doorstep crime, distraction burglary and fraud, and stop smoking services.
Through the scheme, NFRS says it aims to enable people to live independently for longer and improve their quality of life.
Lisa Bryan, manager of the NFRS Home Safety Team, said: “While in someone’s home our firefighters will have a unique opportunity to spot other risks and to give snippets of useful advice.
“We don’t claim to be experts or specialists in health advice but something as simple as asking an older person if they have had their medication reviewed lately and prompting them to contact their pharmacy of GP if not, or moving a frayed rug, could help to prevent someone falling in the future.”
The expanded pilot was launched on September 27 with community events at Moulton and Rushden fire stations with a wider roll-out expected in 2018.
Police want to speak to the man pictured as they believe he may have information about a break-in at a service station on the A14 westbound at Kettering.
A police spokesman said the offender/s broke in at about 3am on Tuesday (26 September), causing significant damage to the front of the premises before stealing several packs of sandwiches.
The man, or anyone who recognises him, is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymousely on 0800 555111.
Macmillan Cancer Support’s mobile service will be visiting the town and other parts of Northamptonshire next month with cancer information specialists on hand to answer questions and provide information.
The team encourages anyone with worries or concerns relating to cancer to stop by, whether they're living with or recovering from cancer or if they are a carer or loved one of someone who is.
Caroline Lewis, a Macmillan information and support specialist on the unit, said: "We’re here to answer any questions about cancer.
"Whether you want to know what symptoms to look out for, need advice about managing the side effects of your treatment, or want to find local support for carers, come along and see us.
"We’d be happy to help.”
Details of the visit
Tuesday, October 3:
Wellingborough, Orient Plaza, Market Street NN8 1AN
10am to 4pm
Wednesday, October 4:
Kettering, by the Clock Tower, High Street NN16 8JA
10am to 4pm
Thursday, October 5:
Corby, Corporation Street NN17 1NH
10am to 4pm
Friday, October 6:
Northampton, Tesco, Clannell Road NN4 0JF
9am to 3pm
For further information about Macmillan’s mobile information service and planned visits, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/mobileinfo
If you are unable to visit the unit but have questions about cancer, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
You can find out about Macmillan services near you at http://www.macmillan.org.uk/in-your-area/choose-location.html
Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to as they investigate an alleged sexual assault at the McDonald’s near Rothwell.
The incident took place at the fast food chain on the A14 eastbound shortly before midnight on Monday, August 14. Police have only released the image today.
A woman was grabbed and touched inappropriately by a man as she left the restaurant.
Police believe the man pictured may have information about the incident.
The man, or anyone who recognises him, is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A Northampton street was cordoned off for 10 hours yesterday while police investigated a stabbing.
A 34-year-old man was stabbed twice in the leg in an incident at a flat in Balfour Road, Kingsthorpe Hollow, sometime between 12.30pm and 1pm yesterday.
An air ambulance was called to the scene to airlift the victim to hospital, but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
Police cars and a cordon lined the streets for 10 hours while investigators examined the scene, and a manhunt is now on for the attacker.
One nearby homeowner, who asked not to be named, said: "I didn't realise what happened until I looked out my window and saw the street was taped off. They were here about 10 hours."
Detectives are seeking a man "in his early 20s" they want to speak to in connection with the attack.
The offender, who is believed to have run off in the direction of Bunting Road, was described as black, aged in his early 20s with a slim build. He had long black hair, possibly either in dreadlocks or matted, and he was wearing a dark-coloured hoody and dark jogging bottoms.
Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.
Northamptonshire’s property hunters have a closing window of opportunity to take advantage of historically low interest rates
Mortgage rates, the rate of interest charged on money loaned to buyers, are roughly based on the Bank of England’s (BoE) base rate, and now many economists are arguing that they should go up.
If the base rate, the amount the BoE charges banks for lending money, rises, then mortgage rates inevitably increase, too.
Since August 4, 2016, the BoE base rate has been at an historic low of 0.25 per cent. It was cut to that level following the UK’s Brexit vote to leave the European Union.
More than that, since December 6, 2007, the base rate has been no higher than 5.5%. The Bank of England’s all-powerful Monetary Policy Committee slashed the rate as a response to the credit crunch which threatened to bring the banks crashing down earlier in that unsettling year.
Policy makers were desperately trying to save the UK from not only a recession but an economic depression of a depth not seen since the 1920s. Thankfully, the economy has recovered somewhat since those dark days but interest rates have remained at these very low levels for a decade.
But now the economic argument is swinging, slowly but surely, the other way.
Economist Michael Saunders, who is one member of the rate setting Monetary Policy Committee, has a record of voting for an interest rate rise at its monthly meetings.
His view, expressed in media interviews, is that a small increase is necessary to make sure that inflation is kept under control.
His argument isn’t yet widely accepted by the majority of decision makers but commentators reckon rates will rise, sooner rather than later.
It is a question of when, rather than if, with some saying a rise could happen in 2018. Others believe 2019 is a more likely date.
Northamptonshire mortgage market watcher Edward Cookman, of Barfield Financial Advisors, based in Billing Road, Northampton, believes that the era of historically low interest rates is coming to an end but there is still time for property buyers to act.
Mr Cookman said: “Interest rates are one of the few weapons that economists have to get money into the economy during times of recession. They used up all their ammunition dealing with the credit crunch in 2007, so it is inevitable that at some stage, to reload the bolt they shot, that interest rates will have to go up.
“Fortunately for those people looking to buy property in Northamptonshire for the first time, for those looking to move and others wanting to borrow money to invest in their properties, there is still a window of opportunity.
“For first time buyers, this is something of a golden age for mortgage rates and a massive opportunity to secure the property of their dreams.”
He added that people looking to re-mortgage, to either move home or invest in their current property, could also find some amazingly low fixed rate deals in the current market.
Mr Cookman added: “I would urge people who have a property dream not to delay taking action. People who want to find out more can do so on the Barfield website."
Click here to let Barfield find the right mortgage for you