Northampton General Hospital bosses have revealed that overseas recruitment of nurses from the Europe Union countries has ‘dried up’

Part of the reason is thought to be the Brexit effect, with continuing uncertainty over immigrants’ status in the UK after a deal with Brussels is finalised.

But NGH board papers also reveal that the hospital has changed tack because of something called the Immigration Skills Charge introduced by the Government in April. It means there is an extra cost - about a thousand pounds per employee each year - that employers must pay to secure foreign workers a visa for more than six months -

Janine Brennan, a workforce director, said: “Overseas recruitment is becoming more difficult and as a result ofthe immigration skills charge the costs of doing so are rising. This difficulty in recruiting from overseas is reflected in the recent report that there has been a 96% reduction in the numbers of EU nurses applying for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.”

Board papers show efforts made by NGH between January 2017 and August 2017 to employ 30 overseas recruits.

Since then, two nurses have arrived from Romania and 30 nurses from India but papers describe the EU market as “effectively dried up.”

An NGH spokeswoman said: “To attract great nursing staff in an increasingly competitive environment, we have to be able to adapt quickly to the changing recruitment landscape. In response to the evolving international situation, we are refocusing our recruitment strategy at a local and national level.”

Talks are still taking place with recruitment consultancies on the continent about Dutch nurses, although bosses concede Brexit will hamper their chances of success.

Officers from the force’s POLIT (Paedophile Online Investigation Unit) have carried out warrants across the county this week in what Northamptonshire Police has called a "concerted week of activity".

Those arrested have all been released under investigation as forensic examination of their electronic devices continues.

They are a 45-year-old from Wellingborough, a 37-year-old from Higham Ferrers, a 50-year-old from Northampton, a 70-year-old from Irthlingborough, a 59-year-old from Desborough and a 48-year-old from Daventry.

The cases are not believed to be connected.

Detective Inspector Andy Rogers, who heads up the POLIT team, said: “Making and sharing indecent images of children is an extremely serious offence and the force has increased resources into bringing to justice those who choose to exploit children in this way.

"We use the latest, highly sophisticated digital investigative techniques to track down those who engage in this type of activity and anybody who does should expect a knock at the door from one of my officers carrying a warrant for their arrest.

“Along with our partners, we work tirelessly to safeguard and protect children. Policing this despicable crime is a priority for Northamptonshire Police and is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

“Anybody with any concerns about the safety of a child or with suspicions about somebody’s online activity should call 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Footage shows Christopher Stanton, 59, approaching the silver Volkswagen Golf, before painting the abusive word across the vehicle's passenger-side windows.

Suzanne Brogan, 49, of Kettering, was left stunned when she discovered the insult on her car on December 29, 2014.

The corporate sales manager says she was then "terrified" when Stanton returned a month later to douse the car in red paint, which was again caught on camera.

The pair worked together at Welcomm Communications in Market Harborough, - which he founded in 1989 - for five-and-a-half years.

However, their relationship turned sour when Miss Brogan was suddenly sacked in December 2013.

She took Stanton to an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal and was awarded £33,500 in damages.

Earlier this year Stanton was convicted of two counts of criminal damage when he appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court.

He was ordered to pay fines of £4,615 and received a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.

He immediately launched an appeal but dropped it on October 6 - just two days before the case was due to be heard.

Expressing her relief that he had finally dropped his appeal, Mrs Brogan said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw the car.

"The whole thing is almost just too far-fetched to believe.

"I just woke up that morning, and I had 'bitch' written on the side of my car.

"Because I live in the middle of town, I thought that it might have been kids as well, especially as it was that silly season between Christmas and New Year.

"So I went up and looked at all of the other cars to see if anyone else had been targeted but no, it was just me.

"I really hoped that it was just some silly drunken incident, but feared the worst.

"I thought it might have been someone from Welcomm because of the animosity following my dismissal, but I didn't know that it was Stanton himself.

"When the pin dropped and I realised that it was him, I just couldn't believe it at all. It was jaw-dropping.

"I'm not a shrinking violet, as you could imagine, but I was scared.

"I viewed the CCTV, slowed it right down and recognised his walk, even though he was wearing a disguise because he had a distinctive walk."

But about seven days before Mrs Brogan and her husband jetted off to their honeymoon in Thailand, he painted the car a second time.

It meant she had to employ a security company to check on the house for her.

In March 2015 Northamptonshire Police sent five officers to Market Harborough to arrest him, but he had gone on holiday.

Stanton initially appealed the court ruling, but it was dropped on October 6.

"I think he realised that the evidence was too compelling," said Miss Brogan.

"The more he resisted the conviction, the more I wanted him to get done for it.

"I was just over the moon when he finally dropped the appeal and accepted the conviction.

"I'd spend so long fighting for that, and it was an enormous relief."

Staff of a Northampton-based building developer have completed an epic journey - all for a charity close to home.

Redrow staff have made an epic journey from Northampton to North Africa.

They’d geared up to raise £10,000 for the Henry Allen Trust, but overtook their target thanks to the generosity of colleagues, housing industry contacts, friends, family and people they met along the way.

At the latest count they have already raised more than £13,000, with money still coming in.

Redrow Homes (South Midlands) has a strong link with the Henry Allen Trust after marketing co-ordinator Mandy Howie’s daughter Chase bonded with Henry while they were receiving treatment for cancer.

Sadly they both lost their cancer battles, Chase aged 18 and Henry just four.

The Henry Allen Trust was created in Henry’s memory to support families battling childhood cancer.

Andrew Morgan, land manager for Redrow Homes (South Midlands), came up with the idea of the ‘Rust Bucket Challenge’ which saw four teams of Redrow staff drive from their divisional office in Northampton to Morocco in cars purchased for less than £500.

It wasn’t an easy ride for the teams with competitors pleased to have reached their final destination.

Andrew said: “The first day was really tough - the last car took 12 hours to get from Northampton to the first stop because they missed a ferry.

“We had a good laugh but it was quite a challenge to sit in a car for nine hours a day, not sleep well at night and then get up and do it all again.”

Andrew added: “People on the ferry were impressed by what we were doing and why, but the best reactions were in France, Brits at service stations asked us about the challenge and made donations,”

Donations can still be made online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/redrowsm

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after an altercation in a Northampton churchyard last night.

At around 4pm yesterday, police officers taped off the churchyard of Holy Sepulchre Church in Sheep Street.

A force spokeswoman said officers were called at 3.30pm to reports of an "altercation between two men", which required the force helicopter to be scrambled.

One man was taken to Northampton General Hospital with serious injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening

Police have confirmed that a 37-year-old man has now been arrested in relation to the incident.

The man is currently in custody.

Three men have been arrested after a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Corby.

The incident took place on Saturday, November 4, between 9.30pm and 11pm.

The girl was assaulted in Fawcett Way, between Corby International Pool and Corby Boating Lake.

Three men, aged 49, 26 and 25, have been arrested and released under investigation.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A youth group has a great deal to shout about after taking part in a sponsored silence to help raise money for charity.

Proving that actions speak louder than words, Grange Park Beaver Scouts supported Hearing Dogs for Deaf People with their self-imposed silence.

The Beavers , boys and girls aged from 6-8 years old who are the youngest section of the Scouts Association, raised £350.

The group was inspired after a visit to the Grange Park Scout Group by Joe, a former Cub and Scout, to talk about his battle with cancer and to introduce his new best friend, Travis - a specially trained hearing dog .

Joe has been constantly battling with ill health and he has undergone numerous procedures which left him deaf.

Twice diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was ten months old and again as a toddler, he has since been diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

Joe recently took part in a CBBC ‘My Life’ documentary series entitled ‘My Dogs Ears’ which followed Joe as he was introduced to his hearing dog and new best friend, Travis.

The Beaver Scouts took part in a silent activity as part of their session on senses in which the children could only communicate by using a whiteboard when completing an activity set by the leaders and Joe.

A total of £350 was raised for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People from sponsorship and from the Grange Park Scout Group’s tombola they conducted at a summer fayre in August.

Julie Bainbridge, a Grange Park Beaver Leader, said: “The Beavers could see the great benefit Travis has brought to Joe’s life,

“I am immensely proud of them for the money raised from their sponsored silence - it shows we can make a difference.”

Vicky Ryan, community fundraising manager for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “We are so grateful to everyone involved with the sponsored silence and Summer Fayre tombola which have raised such an amazing amount.

“The donation raised by the Grange Park Beaver Scouts and Scouts will help to change the lives of people like Joe.

“On behalf of hearing dogs I would like to say thank you.”

Julie added: “We’re so proud of Joe, showing so much bravery.

“It’s amazing to see his confidence grow since Travis became part of his family.”

Keepmoat Regeneration, part of the ENGIE Group, has developed a fund with Northamptonshire Community Foundation that will benefit residents in the borough of Northampton.

The organisation, which is a gas and electricity supplier and sustainable energy producer, has given £10,000 to the Community Foundation to award to projects focusing on improving education and skills in the community.

Over the next twelve months, Keepmoat Regeneration will be supporting the communities of Spring Boroughs and Kings Heath through its regeneration programme in partnership with Northampton Partnership Homes.

Helen Town, head of asset management and development at Northampton Partnership Homes, said: “I’m really excited about the launch of this community fund.

“When we were looking for a long-term partner to work with, it was really important that opportunities for community investment were offered.

“I can’t wait to hear about the ideas for projects generated by groups that work in the communities in which we are currently investing.

“This will be the first of many joint initiatives with Keepmoat to promote our ‘“whole home, whole neighbourhood’ approach to regeneration in Northampton.”

As part of its commitment to building stronger communities, Keepmoat Regeneration is inviting community groups, charities and social enterprise businesses to apply for funding for projects improving education and skills in the local area.

Martin Smithurst, regional managing director at Keepmoat Regeneration, said: “We know that hundreds of groups have great ideas for how to improve education and skills in the community, but require more money to get them off the ground, and that’s where our funding comes in.”

Keepmoat Regeneration’s Fund for Enterprise will offer grants of up to £5,000 to support education, training and social enterprise activities.

For further information and to apply please go to www.ncf.uk.com/keepmoatfund or contact Rachel McGrath on 01604 230033.

A Northampton man who put his own life on hold to care for his fiancée after she sustained life-changing brain injury has been shortlisted for a national award.

Daniel Wood, 35, will be recognised at a ceremony organised by Headway – the brain injury association - as one of just three people from across the UK in the running for ‘Carer of the Year’.

The award will be presented at a star-studded ceremony in London, by double Olympic gold medallist, and Headway vice president, James Cracknell.

Daniel’s life changed forever in 2015 when he was involved in a car crash in which his partner Dawn Suditu sustained a brain injury.

Dawn, also from Northampton, was rushed to hospital for emergency brain surgery.

In the days following the crash the prospects of Dawn making a good recovery looked bleak but Daniel never left Dawn’s side.

Dawn said: “He spent so many nights sleeping on the floor of the hospital, and was always there for every step, helping to shower me after surgery and organising my visitors in a way that I didn’t get too tired.

“If I fell asleep he was always there smiling at me when I woke up, through the agony he made it that bit easier.”

When Dawn returned home, Daniel adapted his whole life to support her cope with the effects of her injury.

Dawn said: “He does everything - he washes and dresses me, cooks, cleans, does all the housework, and on top of that he still attends all my rehabilitation appointments, as well as works part-time as an electrician.

The couple who had to postpone their wedding because of Dawn’s injury are planning to marry in 2019.

“There is nothing I can give him to say thank you, but nominating him for this award will help go some way to help him understand how I feel.

Daniel said: “Dawn is the biggest fighter on the Earth and what I see her battle with each day makes me determined to help her in any way I can.

“Each day we are both learning new ways to deal with what has happened and are getting on with our new life.”

An early-morning raid was carried out today (November 9) at Lower Ecton Lane, Billing Park, as part of a countywide crackdown involving more than 70 officers.

A British national was found and safeguarded at the Lower Ecton Lane site.

A 76-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences. They are being held in custody in Northampton.

Meanwhile, five foreign nationals, four Romanians and one Pole, were found at the Greenfields travellers' site, in Braybrooke, and have been safeguarded by Northamptonshire Police

A total of three men aged 33, 29 and 20, as well as a 23-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences.

They are all currently being held in custody at Kettering.

Detective chief superintendent Kate Meynell, head of crime, public protection and intelligence, said: “Our primary aim today was to safeguard individuals who we strongly suspected were being used as modern day slaves and made to live in extremely poor conditions.

"Modern slavery takes many forms. In this case, it is labour exploitation with victims made to work extremely long hours for minimal pay. They receive no training, pay no taxes or insurance and remain extremely vulnerable.

"Northamptonshire Police treats modern slavery extremely seriously and operations such as this send out a clear message to those involved in labour exploitation that we will find you."

The term "modern slavery" is related to the offences of human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour, including sexual or criminal exploitation.

Flamar Halili, of Malthouse Close, Cotton End, pleaded not guilty to common assault at Northampton Magistrate's Court yesterday (November 9).

Halili was released on bail and will appear in Northampton Crown Court on February 20, 2018.

Last year Weston Favell Shopping Centre claimed to have made history when it opened a 13ft tall installation made entirely out of gingerbread to Christmas shoppers.

But this year centre bosses are hoping to top that feat by creating Santa’s log cabin in the lower mall.

The grotto will consist of 120 real fir trees, grown especially for Weston Favell, and is believed to be the first live forest to be created in an indoor shopping centre.

Centre manager Kevin Legg said: " We wanted to focus our Grotto on tradition, moving away from a world where everything is digital; creating something that would give local children an experience that would look, smell and feel just like Christmas should.

"It has taken a huge amount of planning and engineering, but the result is amazing and will give everyone a place to come and enjoy the festive spirit right up until Christmas Eve.”

This year's idea is the "culmination of the creativity of Weston Favell’s marketing team and the expertise of Yippidoo Grottos," according to a press statement released by the shopping centre. Yippido Grottos will operate the log cabin throughout the festive season.

The forest will be assembled using Norway Spruce-fir trees, ranging in size from 3.5ft to 10ft in height.

About 60 of the trees will be potted and donated to the community after Christmas, with the remainder being supplied to Woburn Safari Park for use as animal bedding.

The grotto, which will have taken four weeks to build when it opens next weekend, will also feature a "forest of memories" where shoppers can leave special messages for loved ones.

The Enchanted Forest Grotto opens on Saturday, November 18, at 1.30pm, following the traditional Weston Favell Carnival and will remain in place until Christmas Eve.

A Northampton cat-lover is warning pet owners to watch for signs of antifreeze poisoning this winter.

Sam Ashby-Clarke, from Duston, has lost two cats in the past two years to kidney failure and believes they lapped up spilt antifreeze in her neighbourhood.

Even a teaspoon of antifreeze is enough to lethally poison a cat or dog, according to the RSPCA.

Sam is now urging anyone defrosting their car before their morning commute this winter to wash away any spillages.

She said: "Two years ago, my partner and I came home to find our cat Simba at the back door. He was unable to walk and very unresponsive. He'd been absolutely fine earlier that day. We took him to the vets who told us he had gone into kidney failure. We had to have him put to sleep the same day.

"Now, this week [November 5], we found our other cat, Lotty, in the same state. We took her to the vets immediately. This time they suggested she had swallowed antifreeze. They did everything they could but we had to say another sad goodbye to one of our beloved pets."

Sam now believes antifreeze poisoning might have killed Simba two years earlier and wants other Northampton pet owners to watch for the signs.

She said: "It gives off a sweet scent and as little as a teaspoon can be life-threatening.

"As we head into the winter many people are topping up their screen wash and may not realise the dangers even a small spillage could cause.

"Please, just be careful and wash away any spills. I'd done it myself in the past without thinking about it but I don't want this to happen to any other pet owners."

If you suspect your pet has been poisoned by antifreeze, the RSPCA advises taking them to a vet immediately.

Dad-of-one Justin Raugala said he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he opened the doors of his 40-seat Wellingborough Road restaurant at the end of September.

And the 31-year-old has been making a name for himself ever since, with customers taking to Facebook to show their approval of the chef's culinary creations.

The venue, called Hashtag Justin Chef, has already garnered 69 reviews - and an average score of 4.9 out of 5 on Facebook.

"Clean place, nice decor, friendly staff, good service," wrote customer Kevin Shum. "Give this guy a Michelin star."

But Justin, who trained in Italy and Spain, says he intends to keep his menu around the £10 mark - even if he does achieve his goal of gaining the prestigious AA Rosette award in a year's time.

The former head chef at the Lloyds Pharmacy head office is thrilled at how business is going so far.

"To be honest the feedback so far has been great," he said.

"I can honestly say I have had no complaints. If you look at the Facebook review, most people say wow."

Hashtag Chef Justin opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from Monday to Saturday - with breakfasts priced even lower, at around the £5 mark.

Though the dishes are simply named, many are named simply after the main ingredient, some are cooked using advanced techniques, garnished with edible flowers and finished with flavoured smoke released at the table.

Though Justin says he does not stick to a particular style of cooking, most of the dishes are Mediterranean in origin.

"This menu is my heart on a plate, it's a bit of everything," he added.

"People eat here once and they want to come back again.

"When you read it, it looks simple, but when it comes out we want people to say wow."

Justin, who has worked as a sous chef in a number of fine dining restaurants across the UK and also owns a catering company, started cooking at his family home in Lithuania when he was six years old.

"I guess I just like food," he added. "You know what they say - never trust a thin chef."

Luke Turnock, from High Street, Weedon, pleaded not guilty to rape at Northampton Magistrates' Court yesterday (November 9).

He was released on bail and will appear in Northampton Crown Court on December 8.

Until then, he is banned from visiting parts of St James and also the River Nene under his bail conditions.

Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio has died aged 80 just a week before he was due to hand out awards at the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.

The announcement from his agent today (November 8) comes as he was set to present awards at the dinner event on November 15.

Awards director Rachel Mallows said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Antonio Carluccio OBE.

“We send our condolences to his family, friends and all those who treasured his visionary culinary work and will raise a glass to his memory at the awards dinner [November 15]”.

Mr Carluccio was best known for his Italian restaurant chain, cookbooks and hit BBC Two show Two Greedy Italians.

This is the chilling moment a Kettering woman’s former boss was caught on CCTV scrawling the word BITCH on the side of her car in a bitter revenge attack.

Footage shows Christopher Stanton, 59, approaching the silver Volkswagen Golf, before painting the abusive word across the vehicle’s passenger-side windows.

Suzanne Brogan, 49, of Kettering, was left stunned when she discovered the insult on her car on December 29, 2014.

The corporate sales manager was then “terrified” when Stanton returned a month later to douse the car in red paint, which was again caught on camera.

The pair worked together at Welcomm Communications in Market Harborough for five-and-a-half years.

However, their relationship turned sour when Miss Brogan was suddenly sacked in December 2013.

She took Stanton to an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal and was awarded £33,500 in damages.

Earlier this year Stanton was convicted of two counts of criminal damage when he appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.

He was ordered to pay fines of £4,615 and received a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.

He immediately launched an appeal but dropped it on October 6 – just two days before the case was due to be heard.

Expressing her relief that he had finally dropped his appeal, Mrs Brogan said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the car.

“The whole thing is almost just too far-fetched to believe.

“I just woke up that morning, and I had ‘bitch’ written on the side of my car.

“Because I live in the middle of town, I thought that it might have been kids as well, especially as it was that silly season between Christmas and New Year.

“So I went up and looked at all of the other cars to see if anyone else had been targeted but no, it was just me.

“I really hoped that it was just some silly drunken incident, but feared the worst.

“I thought it might have been someone from Welcomm because of the animosity following my dismissal, but I didn’t know that it was Stanton himself.

“When the penny dropped and I realised that it was him, I just couldn’t believe it at all. It was jaw dropping.

“I’m not a shrinking violet, as you could imagine, but I was scared.

“I viewed the CCTV, slowed it right down and recognised his walk, even though he was wearing a disguise, because he had a distinctive walk.

“That was why the CPS didn’t push the charges, because there wasn’t enough of a distinction to his walk.

“About seven days before my husband and I jetted off to our honeymoon in Thailand, he painted the car a second time so I had to employ a security company to check on the house to make sure that he didn’t burn it down.

“In March 2015 Northamptonshire Police sent five officers over to Market Harborough to arrest him, but he’d gone on holiday.

“The CPS were just shocking during the whole thing.

“The police sent him a court summons to appear in court, then the CPS dropped the charges.

“I appealed against the decision and had to appeal again afterwards.

“I met with two prosecutors from London where an interview was recorded for around two-and-a-half hours.

“I had to go through everything, and detailed things about his distinctive walk, the way he moved his hand and how he held the paintbrush. They were all his mannerisms.

“After the whole thing, they decided that yes, there was enough to prosecute, and we went ahead with the case which happened on January 13.

“Afterwards I went off to New York for a few days to get my head together, and then came back to the devastating news that he’d appealed against the conviction and we’d have to go through the whole thing again.

“We were due to appear back in court on October 9, but on October 6 I heard from Northampton Court services that he’d actually dropped the appeal.

“I think he realised that the evidence was too compelling.

“The more he resisted the conviction, the more I wanted him to get done for it.

“I was just over the moon when he finally dropped the appeal and accepted the conviction.

“I’d spend so long fighting for that, and it was an enormous relief.”

An air ambulance was scrambled to Northampton after an reported incident in a town centre gym.

An emergency helicopter landed inside the purple hoardings on Marefair, off Horsemarket, at around 9.40am today (November 10).

A man reportedly collapsed at the Fitness4Less gym inside Sol Central. The incident is not believed to have involved any of Fitness4Less' equipment.

The man was stretchered out of Sol Central and taken away by land ambulance.

A spokeswoman for the East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident at a gym in Sol Central, Marefair where a patient required emergency medical treatment.

"An ambulance crew and paramedic in a fast response vehicle were in attendance within minutes of the call shortly followed by the air ambulance."

Northampton Borough Council has announced the first of those will be the popular Christmas fair, set to take place on November 25 and 26 from 11am to 4pm.

The event, now in its sixth year. is free and will see more than 40 artisan producers selling their wares from gifts to decorations, as well as festive food and drink.

Visitors will be able to feast on freshly cooked hot turkey rolls, mulled wine and a mince pie or two in the museum courtyard.

Then there will be Christmas wreath-making workshops for adults from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, December 2, two workshops on Wednesday, December 6, from 1pm until 4pm and an evening session from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

These are suitable for complete beginners and all materials are included, along with mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets are £40 each and can be booked {https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/abington-park-museum-14041773148 or on 01604 838110| here|}.

On Saturday, 16 December, from noon to 4pm the museum is to host A Victorian Christmas Celebration, where townsfolk can meet Father Christmas, listen to carols from Northampton School for Boys, visit the magic lantern show, take part in Christmas crafts and make a bauble, a cracker, or cards and decorations.

The event is free entry to all with no booking required, though there will be a small charge for some of the activities, food and drinks.

Councillor Anna King, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement, said: “These events are always extremely popular.

“The fair is a great opportunity to grab a few gifts and stocking fillers, and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit during December than enjoy some entertainment and crafts?”

The requirement for a new primary school in Silverstone was identified more than 40 years ago, and the new £6.3m building took a little over a year to complete.

Specially invited guests and the community joined the children, staff and governors at the official ceremony.

These included storyteller, author and fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Professor Gervase Phinn who unveiled a plaque - made from local wood in keeping with the timber working history of Silverstone village - commemorating the event.

A former teacher, educator and inspector of schools, Professor Phinn also spent time with the children during the day sharing some fascinating anecdotes and experiences with them all.

The school itself opened its doors at the beginning of September in time for the new school year and the official opening ceremony provided the perfect opportunity to thank everyone involved in what had been a long and arduous journey.

Martin Hall, the Chair of Governors, acknowledged the efforts of the staff in getting the school up and running and James Bloomfield, headteacher, spoke about the joy of being together under one roof, following the amalgamation of the SilverstoneInfant and Silverstone CE Junior Schools.

The Bishop of Brixworth, the Rt Rev John Holbrook, also attended the ceremony and gave the blessing.

The school was designed by Chris Wayman of Northamptonshire firm pHp Architects. A second plaque was unveiled in recognition of his ideas and the environment he has created for the school and the community.

and was constructed using off-site fabricated SIPS panels to minimize on-going energy costs.
It is clad in Siberian Larch and local stone, with window reveals highlighted in bright colours.
Fourteen classrooms have been created, and the school’s capacity expanded to 420 pupils.

The architect behind the unique design of Silverstone CE Primary School is Chris Wayman of local firm pHp Architects.

As a gesture of appreciation, a second plaque was unveiled at the ceremony in recognition of his inspired ideas and the amazing environment he has created for the school and the community alike.

The building, which is clad in Siberian Larch and local stone, has many subtle design elements including window reveals highlighted in bright colours.

Taking around 18 months to build from scratch, the cost to build the new school reached £6.3 million to achieve a new capacity of 420 pupils and 14 new classrooms.