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Northampton arsonist burgled and set fire to former flatmate's home after being kicked out, court hears

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A Northampton arsonist who caused £25,000 in damages when he broken into, robbed and set fire to the home of a former flatmate has been jailed.

Jamie Allen, 20, of Portland Place, was thrown out of the flat in Billing Road after his flatmate described the relationship as "parasitic" and said Allen was "bullying him" into letting him stay rent-free.

But yesterday (May 18), Northampton Crown Court heard how Allen responded to the eviction by burgling the flat and setting it on fire "while heavily drunk".

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler said: "You don't seem to appreciate the seriousness of why you're here."

The court heard how in March this year, an upstairs neighbour at the Billing Road saw Allen smashing his way into the ground-floor flat and climbing in through a window.

Minutes later, Allen, left by the front door carrying laptops and an iPad he had just stolen. When the neighbour came to investigate, he felt heat coming from the flat and rang 999.

Fire crews rushed to the scene and extinguished the blaze. It is believed it would have spread to other flats if they had not been called sooner.

Meanwhile, the flat's owner returned that night to find his home and possessions destroyed.

Allen, who has a history of offending including burglary, common assault and theft, tutted and shook his head as his crimes were read out.

"You act as if someone is being unfair to you," said Judge Fowler.

"You deliberately set fire to his flat. You caused £25,000 of damage that someone else has to pay for. You put other people's lives at risk. And you deprived that man of his home."

"You have got to take responsibility for your life."

Allen, who pleaded guilty to arson and burglary, was handed a three-and-a-half year sentence in a young offenders institute.


Northampton candidate likens MP Peter Bone to a 'fascist' and a 'dictator' in firebrand speech

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Northampton's outgoing mayor has been asked to retract comments likening Wellingborough MP Peter Bone to a “fascist” and a “dictator”.

Councillor Gareth Eales, who only handed over his chains in a Guildhall ceremony yesterday, was talking at an event held on International Workers Day organised by the Independent Socialists in Wellingborough group.

The long-serving union official was elected as the County Council’s Dallington Spencer division representative in 2013 and will stand as a Labour MP for Northampton South in the next
General Election.

Giving a speech about Conservative Britain, he said: “There are stark similarities between Trump’s America and Tory Britain today.

“But he in his ilk, Jacob Reece-Mogg, Nigel Farage, Peter Bone, for those living in Wellingborough, they are products of our time, anti-immigrant, populist, fascist, dictators.”

Peter Bone is a known rebel Conservative MP, an outspoken Brexit supporter and a member of political advisory board Leave Means Leave.

Mr Bone said: “I have stood in the general elections in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2017 under the democratic mandate; I can hardly be regarded as a fascist or a dictator.

“I think he (Gareth Eales) should start talking about issues, moderate his language and stop calling other people names.”

Mr Bone also called for Councillor Eales to retract the comments.

He said: "The idea we are speaking like fascists is abhorrent.

"I would argue that Nigel, Jacob and myself stand up for people's democratic beliefs.

"If he is a parliamentary candidate, he has to withdraw those remarks unreservedly, they are unacceptable and wrong."

Councillor Eales said that his speech was referring to the type of rhetoric he believed the above men to be using and said the comment was not meant in the literal sense.

Mr Eales’ also criticised the government for the recent Windrush scandal in which Caribbean immigrants were wrongly deported by officials.

He said: “This was a mantra towards arbitrary immigration targets.

“It was right for Amber Rudd to resign but the Prime Minister should have followed.”

He finished by throwing his weight behind Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and urging people to vote for the party in the next election which is due to be held in 2022.

Councillor Tony Ansell replaced him as mayor at a Guildhall ceremony yesterday.

'He could have died': Mum of 12-year-old boy left with car crash-like injuries speaks after alleged gang attack in Daventry

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The mother of the 12-year-old boy who was left with car crash-like injuries after being set upon by a gang of 20 youths in Daventry Country Park says her son could easily have died in the alleged assault.

At around 8pm on Tuesday, May 15, the boy was walking in Daventry Country Park accompanied by an adult when he was set upon by what has been described as a gang of 20 youths.

He sustained injuries to his wrist, ribs, neck and throat and had swelling around his carotid artery causing breathing difficulties, but did not have any broken bones, as first feared. He is now recovering at home.

"The impact of this incident on my son and our family has been immense and will continue to be so," said his mother via a statement.

"It has also had a huge effect on his friends who are now fearful of going out.

"I am horrified and aghast at what has happened and want other parents to make sure they are talking to their children about the dangers of one punch.

"My son could have easily died as a result of the injuries he received during this assault and I would hate for other children and their families to have to go through what we have experienced in the last two days, or worse."

In the attack, believed to have been filmed on a mobile phone, the boy was allegedly punched to the ground and repeatedly kicked.

Doctors at Northampton General Hospital - where the boy was required to stay overnight - likened his injuries to those of a car crash victim.

Daventry neighbourhood sergeant Sam Dobbs, who confirmed the two arrests, provided an update on the incident.

Though because the police investigation is live, there are restrictions on what he can detail.

"The incident was reportedly recorded on the mobile phone of one of the alleged offenders and this may or may not be the case," he said.

"The victim had been walking in the park with an adult and two children.

"They were approached by a large group of up to 20 teenagers when the apparently unprovoked attack happened, despite the best intervention of the adult who also had her own children to look after and protect."

Lines of police inquiry will mean officers will speak to teenagers who have been involved in similar incidents of footage of assaults posted on social media.

"The victims are not residents of Daventry and were visiting the country park for a walk and whilst this was not a pre-arranged fight, there is evidence that the parties knew of each other," said Sergeant Dobbs.

"The victim and adult and her children were put into a terrifying situation and what has upset everyone the most is that the alleged offenders behaved in the way they did despite the adult presence.

"The victim’s family see the adult as a heroine who got their children to safety and took them home and to hospital."

Northampton teenager hits jackpot with new wheelchair

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A Northampton teenager has been presented with her own set of wheels paid for by a casino and gaming industry charity fund.

Thanks to the joint fundraising efforts of customers and staff at Beacon Bingo Northampton, Abbie Callen is the proud owner of a new powered wheelchair.

Now the 14-year-old will be able to be more independent and socialise with her friends.

Beacon Bingo, is one of the main fundraisers for CHIPS, which aims to provide specialised powered wheelchairs for children.

Abbie has FSHD, a form of Muscular Dystrophy, which is causing increasing weakness in her face, shoulders and arm muscles and is gradually affecting her spinal muscles, hips and feet and also means she is unable to smile,

Abbie’s mum, Joanne said: “Abbie is now struggling to walk outside due to instability and fatigue meaning if she were to fall she could sustain severe injuries.

“Due to her shoulder weakness she is unable to self-propel, so this powered wheelchair will make a huge difference - We’re extremely thankful to Beacon Bingo.”

Beacon Bingo Northampton manager, Paul Cooke, said: “It’s so rewarding to know that our fundraising efforts are going to make such a huge difference to Abbie.”

Northampton arsonist burgled and set fire to former flatmate's home after being kicked out, court hears

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A Northampton arsonist who caused £25,000 in damages when he broken into, robbed and set fire to the home of a former flatmate has been jailed.

Jamie Allen, 20, of Portland Place, was thrown out of the flat in Billing Road after his flatmate described the relationship as "parasitic" and said Allen was "bullying him" into letting him stay rent-free.

But yesterday (May 18), Northampton Crown Court heard how Allen responded to the eviction by burgling the flat and setting it on fire "while heavily drunk".

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler said: "You don't seem to appreciate the seriousness of why you're here."

The court heard how in March this year, an upstairs neighbour at the Billing Road saw Allen smashing his way into the ground-floor flat and climbing in through a window.

Minutes later, Allen, left by the front door carrying laptops and an iPad he had just stolen. When the neighbour came to investigate, he felt heat coming from the flat and rang 999.

Fire crews rushed to the scene and extinguished the blaze. It is believed it would have spread to other flats if they had not been called sooner.

Meanwhile, the flat's owner returned that night to find his home and possessions destroyed.

Allen, who has a history of offending including burglary, common assault and theft, tutted and shook his head as his crimes were read out.

"You act as if someone is being unfair to you," said Judge Fowler.

"You deliberately set fire to his flat. You caused £25,000 of damage that someone else has to pay for. You put other people's lives at risk. And you deprived that man of his home."

"You have got to take responsibility for your life."

Allen, who pleaded guilty to arson and burglary, was handed a three-and-a-half year sentence in a young offenders institute.

Northamptonshire prison gets tough on mobile phone smuggling inmates

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Officers are clamping down on mobiles being smuggled into a Northamptonshire prison, a study has revealed - despite the fact confiscations are rife elsewhere.

Phones have become a valuable illegal resource in lockups around the UK among inmates seeking to continue a life of crime unhindered behind locked doors.

A probe by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit has found confiscations of sim cards and phones within prisons have jumped by 56 per cent in just three years.

Officers took the handheld devices off 9,640 inmates in 2014, compared to 15,082 in 2017.

But HMP Rye Hill, based on the Northamptonshire border, appears to be bucking the trend.

In 2010, prison officers discovered 42 phones on inmates, out of a prison population of 614.

That rose to 79 the following year, before peaking at 113 in 2013.

During that year phones were found, effectively, on every 18 out of 100 prisoners.

But since the spike of four years ago, Rye Hill bosses have clamped down on the issue.

In 2017, just seven phones were taken from inmates.

“These statistics show that we are successfully stopping contraband from entering the prison estate,” said a Ministry of Justice spokesperson.

“Better intelligence and improved security measures are allowing us to catch more illicit items than ever before.

“However, we acknowledge that more must be done and as Minister [Rory] Stewart has previously stated, there are only five ways in which contraband can be smuggled into prisons and we are taking steps to tackle all five.

“We’ve addressed flying contraband in by tackling drones, the throwing over of items by the use of nets and searches, the dragging in of items by identifying wires and the posting of drugs by photocopying letters.”

Prisons with the largest percentage rises in the rate of mobile phones or SIM card finds from 2011 to 2017 were Hindley, Doncaster, Portland, Glen Parva and Rochester.

Northampton arsonist burgled and set fire to former flatmate's home after being kicked out, court hears

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A Northampton arsonist who caused £25,000 in damages when he broken into, robbed and set fire to the home of a former flatmate has been jailed.

Jamie Allen, 20, of Portland Place, was thrown out of the flat in Billing Road after his flatmate described the relationship as "parasitic" and said Allen was "bullying him" into letting him stay rent-free.

But yesterday (May 18), Northampton Crown Court heard how Allen responded to the eviction by burgling the flat and setting it on fire "while heavily drunk".

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler said: "You don't seem to appreciate the seriousness of why you're here."

The court heard how in March this year, an upstairs neighbour at the Billing Road saw Allen smashing his way into the ground-floor flat and climbing in through a window.

Minutes later, Allen, left by the front door carrying laptops and an iPad he had just stolen. When the neighbour came to investigate, he felt heat coming from the flat and rang 999.

Fire crews rushed to the scene and extinguished the blaze. It is believed it would have spread to other flats if they had not been called sooner.

Meanwhile, the flat's owner returned that night to find his home and possessions destroyed.

Allen, who has a history of offending including burglary, common assault and theft, tutted and shook his head as his crimes were read out.

"You act as if someone is being unfair to you," said Judge Fowler.

"You deliberately set fire to his flat. You caused £25,000 of damage that someone else has to pay for. You put other people's lives at risk. And you deprived that man of his home."

"You have got to take responsibility for your life."

Allen, who pleaded guilty to arson and burglary, was handed a three-and-a-half year sentence in a young offenders institute.

PICTURES AND VIDEO: Iconic Victorian Northamptonshire landmark preserved for decades to come

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A historic Grade II listed landmark in Daventry District, near Rugby, is undergoing work which will preserve it for decades to come.

The 4,000 tonne Victorian Great Northern Shaft, above the West Coast Main Line, was originally built by Robert Stephenson (son of the 'Father of Railways' George Stephenson) to provide light and ventilation inside the 1.5-mile long Kilsby Tunnel.

A 50-metre high scaffolding structure - which took 10 shifts to erect - has been installed around the inside of the shaft so the work can be carried out while nearly 400 trains continue to travel at 110mph on the track below every day.

The £3.5m refurbishment project, part of Network Rail’s 'railway upgrade plan', has taken nine months and has included soot removal, brickwork repointing and repairs.

The tunnel has 12 ventilation shafts and two 'great shafts', each measuring 18m in diameter.

Hasan Shah, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “This stretch of the West Coast Main Line is vitally important to local, regional and national rail travel.

"We’ve carefully planned the repairs to allow trains to run while we completed this essential work.

"Not impacting passengers and freight was vital and the huge, complex scaffolding structure has allowed us to do this with around 400 trains a day travelling up to 40 metres below us.

"The result will be a Victorian local landmark preserved for decades to come."

Kilsby Tunnel took four years to complete between 1834 and 1838 using an estimated 30 million bricks.

At the time, one mile would usually take one year to build but quicksand and flooding made the Kilsby Tunnel one of the most difficult - and dangerous - engineering projects of the Victorian era, with 26 of the 1,250 men involved in its construction losing their lives.

Drunkenness and recklessness may also have played its part in claiming the lives of navvies with some attempting to jump across the mouth of one of the smaller 12 shafts above the tunnel.

Two or three are said to have died in doing so.


Woman who walked out of Kettering General Hospital asked to let police know she is safe

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A woman who walked out of Kettering General Hospital yesterday evening is being asked by Northamptonshire Police to let them know she is safe and well.

She left the hospital at 6.20pm on Saturday, May 19 and police and medical staff are concerned for her welfare.

Officers urgently need to establish her identity and speak to her in order to check her wellbeing.

Anyone who knows who she is or who may know of her whereabouts, or the lady herself, is asked to call police immediately on 101.

Brackley Town lift FA Trophy after dramatic penalty shootout

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Brackley Town are the Buildbase FA Trophy winners following a dramatic final at Wembley.

Substitute Andy Brown slotted home the crucial spot-kick as Saints beat Bromley 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out to win Sunday’s final, one in which they trailed for so long before emerging victorious. The game ended 1-1 after extra-time after Saints finally cancelled out Omar Bugiel’s first half opener.

Saints squandered numerous chances to have got back on level terms before they did in the final minute of normal time. Gareth Dean forced the ball home after Matt Lowe’s shot came back off the upright.

Extra-time failed to find a winner and so to penalties. Frankie Sutherland scored for Bromley but David Gregory saved Shane Byrne’s spot-kick, Frankie Raymond, Brandon Hanlan and Josh Rees all scored for Bromley while Aaron Williams, Steve Diggin and Jimmy Armson kept Saints in it.

But, with the chance to win it, Bugiel blazed his spot-kick over the bar. Glenn Walker levelled it up before captain Jack Holland hit the upright, leaving Brown to win it for Saints.

IN COURT: Who’s been sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court

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The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

APRIL 6:

Clare Fitzhugh, aged 37, of Cordwainer House, Byfield Road, Northampton, stole perfume and electric shavers worth £228 from Boots; jailed for 10 weeks, ordered to pay compensation of £228. Stole perfumes and electric shavers from Boots worth £130; jailed for 10 weeks concurrent, ordered to pay compensation of £130.

APRIL 9:

Asa Cosgrove, aged 23, of The Drapery, Northampton, assault; fined £123, surcharge of £30 and costs of £85. Possession of cannabis; fined £246.

John Goad, aged 60, of Harlestone Road, Northampton, in charge of a motor vehicle with a breath test reading of 113mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, banned from driving for 52 months. Driving while banned; jailed for 12 weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115, costs of £85, banned from driving for 52 months. No insurance; no separate penalty.

Glen Jackson, aged 42, of Campbell Street, Northampton, possession of a class B drug; conditional discharge for 24 months, surcharge of £20, costs of £85.

Constanti Leventa, aged 25, of Deer Close, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 122mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge £115, costs £85, banned from driving for 30 months. No insurance; no separate penalty.

Collin Reid, aged 39, of Balmoral Road, Northampton, stole a bag worth £2,825; fined £160, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Gerard Scott-Brining, aged 38, of High Street, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 84mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £120, surcharge of £30, banned from driving for 20 months.

Angela Tear, aged 44, of Pike Lane, Northampton, assault; fined £92, compensation £100, surcharge £30 and costs £85.

Tadas Vieraitas, aged 38, of St Edmunds Road, Northampton, driving while banned; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge of £115, costs of £85, banned from driving for 12 months. No insurance; no separate penalty.

Joseph Rees, aged 27, c/o HMP Rye Hill, Barby, assaulted a prison officer; jailed for 22 weeks, compensation, £100, surchage £115, costs £150.

George Carr, aged 20, of Brackley Road, Towcester, possession of cannabis; community order made to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85. Had a lock knife in a public place; community order made to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work.

Paul McConnon, aged 38, of Spanslade Road, Northampton, used threatening or abusive words or behaviour, had an offensive weapon in a public place; pleaded guilty, sent to Crown Court for sentence.

APRIL 10

Arnoltas Jasinsaks, aged 46, of Artizan Road, Northampton, assault; fined £450, surcharge £45, costs £85.

Darren Williams, aged 39, of no fixed abode, stole various fragrance items worth £158 from Boots; jailed for 14 days, surcharge of £115. Stole various fragrances worth £140 from The Fragrance Store; jailed for 14 days consecutive, compensation of £140.

Steven Blackwood, aged 54, of Lowick Court, Northampton, intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress; fined £750, surcharge £75, costs £625.

Long delays for drivers on the M1 in Northamptonshire with reports a car has spun around on the carriageway

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An accident is causing delays on the M1 in Northamptonshire this morning (Monday).

All lanes ahead of junction 16 southbound at Northampton have been stopped following the crash within the last hour.

It is being reported that a car has spun around on the carriageway, according to traffic updates.

One lane is blocked as a result. Traffic is queing back to Watford Gap.

Highways arrived on the scene at 7.50am.

**UPDATE: At 8.40am @HighwaysEMIDS tweeted: "All lanes are clear on #M1 #Northamptonshire southbound within J16 #Northampton following recovery of vehicles involved in a collision, long delays back to J17 (#M45) remain but will start to ease. Thanks for your patience."

Extra tickets for Lionel Richie's Northampton gig go on sale

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Extra tickets have been made available for Lionel Richie's upcoming gig in Northampton.

The former Commodores member kicks off his All The Hits tour at Franklin's Gardens on Friday, June 1 along with special guest Anastacia.

A limited number of standing tickets are available to buy now via ticketmaster.co.uk, priced at £45.

Fans will be able to enjoy Richie's timeless hits and classics such as ‘Easy’, ‘Truly, ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’, ‘Say You Say Me’, ‘Hello’ and ‘All Night Long’.

Northampton man sentenced for child sex offences

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A 50-year-old Northampton man has been jailed for a string of online child sex offences.

Mark Kirby, from Thirlestane Crescent, Far Cotton, was sentenced to a total of three years and four months, after pleading guilty to one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted three counts of causing or inciting a girl aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity and two of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Sentencing Kirby, Judge Adrienne Lucking QC told Northampton Crown Court: "This is a clear example of the dangers people like you bring to the internet.

"You were persistent and determined in your efforts to establish a sexual relationship with children online."

Judge Lucking also made him the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

PC Chris Barker-Bowles, who led the investigation leading to Kirby’s conviction, said: “Kirby preyed on children in the most sickening way and for his own sexual gratification.

"I’m happy with today’s court result which follows a long and complex investigation.

“If people choose to engage in this appalling way they can expect our specialist police officers to be detecting and tracking their activity.

"We will bring to justice anybody who exploits children in this way.”

Kirby will serve 20 months of his sentence before being freed on licence.

REVEALED: 19 paranormal hotspots in Northampton

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Today we reveal 19 paranormal hotspots including churches, old shops, pubs and private houses in Northampton.

From crying children to floating monks, vanishing figures and swinging forks, Northampton has had its fair share of paranormal experiences over the years.

Click here to see 19 paranormal hotspots in Northampton

Information is based on The Paranormal Database which is an ongoing project to quantitatively document as many locations with paranormal interest as possible across Great Britain.

According to Wikipeadia, paranormal events are phenomena described in popular culture, folk, and other non-scientific bodies of knowledge, whose existence within these contexts is described to lie beyond normal experience or scientific explanation.

A paranormal phenomenon is different from hypothetical concepts such as dark matter and dark energy.

Unlike paranormal phenomena, these hypothetical concepts are based on empirical observations and experimental data gained through the scientific method.

The most notable paranormal beliefs include those that pertain to ghosts, extraterrestrial life, unidentified flying objects, psychic abilities or extrasensory perception, and cryptids.

Click here to see 19 paranormal hotspots in Northampton

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BREAKING NEWS: Road closed in Northampton after fatal hit-and-run

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A witness appeal has been launched after a pedestrian was killed in a collision in Northampton last night.

Three people were crossing Wellingborough Road, at the junction with Norman Road and Abington Park Crescent, at about 11.40pm.

A car travelling on the Wellingborough Road, in the direction of Weston Favell, collided with one of the pedestrians, a 39-year-old man.

Today, a road block is in place along Danefield Road in connection with the police investigation.

A police spokeswoman said: "The car failed to stop at the scene, continuing on its journey. It was a small, dark coloured car and is believed to have damage to the driver’s side wing mirror and bonnet."

Sadly the pedestrian died at the scene.

Officers investigating the collision would like to speak to anyone who may have any information regarding it.

They would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen a car matching the description of the one involved in the collision.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the collision.

Witnesses or anyone with information about it can call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174 615.

Plays, workshops and author Q&As will bring literature out of the library at Northamptonshire festival

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A village near Northampton is holding a literary festival with plays, talks and workshops to show how libraries are still at the heart of communities.

The Friends of Earls Barton Library have announced the two-day festival on the weekend of June 9 to celebrate literary and writing talents in Northamptonshire.

The Friends hope to take literature "out of the library and into the village" in the face of countywide cuts to library services.

Poetry-reading sessions, workshops by university professors and a talk about Northampton Town captain and war Hero Walter Tull will feature across the weekend.

There will also be a talk about fake news surrounding Jack The Ripper, a lesson on how to write a murder-mystery play and a Q&A with authors Louise Jensen and Darren O'Sullivan.

Live performances will end each evening. Mark Carey's one-man show "Into the Breach" will round off Saturday night while Robin Hillman and Rachel Connors will perform a new play about television screen-writing in the late 1950s.

Tickets are on sale from the Friends of Earls Barton Library Facebook page. Children under eight-years-old can attend free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Individual events cost £3.

Northants County Council sites up for sale

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Old school sites, a former care home and a children’s centre have been put up for sale by Northamptonshire County Council.

The former Oundle Primary School in Milton Road, former Kings Cliffe Endowed School in Park Street, Maplefields School in Kettering and Lings School in Hayeswood Road, Weston Favell, and the Silverstone infants and junior schools are all under offer.

Fletton Fields in Oundle, the former Ecton Brook House care home in Northampton, Maple House on the Danesholme estate in Corby and the Thornton House Children’s Centre in Goode Court, Kettering, are being advertised on the open market.

Cllr Bob Scott, leader of the Labour group at Northamptonshire County Council said: “This is the result of having a terrible Conservative administration which has brought our council into a position where it has no money.

“I am sorry that we are having to sell off assets that the community really needs. Flooding the market place with these assets could lead to the council receiving a lower price than it should get.”

The Oundle Primary School site in Milton Road is now redundant after a review of the three tier education system in East Northamptonshire led to the primary school amalgamating with the middle school and moving to Cotterstock Road.

The county authority is also proposing to sell Fletton Fields in the town. In recent years there have been protests against the move and plans to build 16 homes on the site were refused in 2016.

The school site in Kings Cliffe dates back to the 1880s and became redundant last year as the school moved to the King’s Forest area.

Maplefields School in Beatrice Road, Kettering, closed in 2012 and the school relocated to Corby.

Kettering’s Thornton House Children’s Centre closed two years ago as part of the authority’s previous cuts to the children’s centre budget. The Ecton Brook House care home was closed by the county authority in 2016 as part of its reorganisation of care services for the elderly.

The county council has to find £12.7m to put back into its general reserve funds after it almost exhausted the reserve to balance  its books in April. Chief finance officer Mark McLaughlin, who came into post in December, will set out his plans in the coming weeks about where the funds will come from.

The county authority, which is now being run by two Government-appointed commissioners, still has a huge amount of assets.

It owns numerous school sites, country parks, fire stations and historic monuments. It also has some farms including Finedon South Hill Farm in Irthlingborough Road and Pytchley Lower Lodge Farm off the A508 in Pytchley. The  council owns various library buildings, some of which are under threat of closure. The authority is giving 21 community groups the opportunity to buy or lease the buildings and there are fears that if the groups cannot come up with the funds then certain library buildings may be sold off.

The library closure plans are under a judicial review which will be heard at the High Court next month.

PICTURE GALLERY: Jugglers, acrobats and a burst of bunting: Northampton celebrates the royal wedding in style

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Street performers entertained crowds in Northampton this weekend as the town turned out in force to toast Harry and Meghan’s nuptials.

Acrobats, clowns and comedy pianistss were among the sights as shoppers basked in sun-drenched Market Square and Abington Street on Saturday.

The street circus, organised by Northampton town centre Business Improvement District and Northampton Borough Council, also featured free workshops and a face painting stall for children.

Others enjoyed taking selfies with life-size cut-outs of the Queen, Meghan and Prince Harry.

A free ‘Design your own Market Stall’ workshop ran between 11am and 3pm, giving children the chance to find out more about Northampton Market.

See if you can spot yourself enjoying the fun in our gallery above.

CCTV: Man wanted over Rothwell fuel theft

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Police have released CCTV pictures of a man they want to speak to in connection with a Rothwell fuel theft.

The incident took place at the service station on the A14 eastbound near Rothwell when a man pulled up to the petrol pumps, dispensed fuel into a white Citroen DS3 and left without making payment.

The incident happened on Saturday, February 24, at about 3pm, although police only released the images today (Monday).

The man pictured, or anyone who recognises him, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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