A motorcyclist has died after a crash on the A45 in Daventry.

The 41-year-old man from Daventry was riding a black Kawasaki ZXT 10C that crashed on the A45 Leamington Way, at the roundabout junction with Royal Oak Way on Friday evening at 9.20pm.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and the motorcyclist died at the scene.

His pillion passenger, a 44-year-old man, also from Daventry, was taken to University Hospital Coventry with serious leg and chest injuries.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the Northamptonshire Police Drivewatch hotline on 0800 174615.

A red motorbike was stolen from the drive of a house in the county.

The Yamaha XJ6 S Diversion, ictured, was taken from Arnills Way sometime between 6.45pm on Tuesday, September 1 and 5.05pm the following day.

The vehicle’s registration number is PE10DHY.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Two drivers had to be cut out of their cars by firefighters after a crash on the A5199 near Spratton.

Emergency services were called out shortly before 8am after two cars were involved in a head-on collision.

The road was closed in both directions while the firefighters freed the drivers from their cars

A police spokesman said one woman was taken to hospital but both drivers suffered “minor” injuries.

Special Constable Max Spittlehouse, who attended the crash scene, said there were “no life-threatening or life changing” injuries.

An estate in Northamptonshire stretching more than 1,835 acres has been put on the market with a guide price of £19.25 million...but it can broken down in chunks of up to £8 million.

The Ashby St Ledgers Estate is being sold either as a whole estate or in four separate lots by property consultants, Carter Jonas.

The estate has a long history belonging to the Catesby family, one of whom, Robert Catesby, was at the centre of the Gunpowder Plot.

At this time the estate included Ashby St Ledgers Manor, situated within the village, where Catesby conceived the Gunpowder Plot with his fellow conspirators in 1605. The estate also later included a second magnificent house, Ashby Lodge, which was built around 1722 but was demolished in the 1920s, and now only the stable cottage of which remains.

As a whole, The Ashby St Ledgers Estate as it is today offers mainly arable land and a range of farming facilities.

Lot 1 comprises Ashby Home Farm, situated either side of Ashby St Ledgers village. Extending to 822.86 acres of mainly arable land, there is an estate office and 4,750 tonnes of grain storage with exceptionally well equipped facilities.

Lot 2, Ashby Grange Farm, comprises 347.30 acres of mainly arable land and Ashby Grange Farmhouse, a spacious, well-appointed farmhouse built in 2007. There is also a range of agricultural buildings.

Lot 3 consists of 652.34 acres of mainly pasture land, 445 acres of which are capable of being ploughed. There is a three bedroom period farmhouse, Chapel Farmhouse, with an annexe, and also a further three bedroom cottage which formed the stable yard for the demolished Ashby Lodge.

Stable Cottage enjoys views over mature parkland and a fourteen acre lake that was landscaped for Ashby Lodge, and offers the potential for redevelopment or extension to create a principal house on the estate. The cottage also comes with a useful outbuilding and there are former dairy buildings on the plot.

Lot 4 is a paddock of 12.5 acres which is situated in the middle of the village of Ashby St Ledgers. The paddock incorporates a beautiful avenue of trees which once lined the formal driveway to Ashby St Ledgers Manor House, as well as a fine stone entrance gate from the village with ball finials, which is Grade II listed.

Jasper Feilding, Head of Carter Jonas’ London Country Department, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity to purchase a substantial block of commercial agricultural land situated in the heart of England. The estate offers high quality agricultural facilities and substantial accommodation, and is situated only 80 miles from London, 15 miles from Northampton and 9 miles from access to the M1 motorway.”

“With four lots on offer of varying sizes, the sale of Ashby St Ledgers Estate offers flexibility and diversity for purchasers. It is rare for an estate of this size to come to the market as a whole, and I imagine that it will appeal to both farmers and investors alike.”

The Ashby St Ledgers Estate is available now with vacant possession, as a whole at £19,250,000, or in four lots at £8,400,000, £3,950,000, £6,750,000 and £150,000 respectively.

The death of a runner while out on a training run has prompted a new intitiative to ensure popular running routes are kept safe.

Northamptonshire County Council are linking with Northampton Road Runners for the scheme which aims to ensure runners and other road users are alert to the potential dangers.

Signs will be created to alert motorists to the presence of the runners, especially when their routes require them to cross roads. Runners can help themselves to be seen by wearing hi-vis clothing and flashing lights enabling drivers to see them from a distance.

A ‘keep right away from runners’ sticker has also been specially designed for drivers to place in their cars.

Stewart Kennedy from Northampton Road Runners and www.runningsafe.co.uk said: “Earlier this year a dedicated, well respected and long standing member of NRR was hit by a car and killed whilst out on a training run.

“The impact on family, friends and fellow runners was profound and will be long lasting.

“Runningsafe was created as a result of this terrible and shocking event and our aim is to try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Many runners, me included, have been subject to ‘near misses’ whilst out running, regardless of the time of day. This is very unnerving and can put people off the sport altogether as they don’t feel safe.”

Councillor Michael Clark said: “Obviously there is the possibility that this could put people off taking up the pursuit so what we’re trying to do is raise awareness with motorists and encourage them to drive carefully when they encounter a runner.”

Running safety tips can be found at www.runningsafe.co.uk.

The ‘keep right away from runners’ sticker can be collected from the Northampton Road Runners clubhouse in Kingsthorpe or ordered for free from www.runningsafe.co.uk.

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk|OTHER STORIES FROM THE CHRON|}

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/video-tornado-caught-on-camera-sweeping-across-northampton-1-6956370|VIDEO: TORNADO CAUGHT ON CAMERA SWEEPING ACROSS NORTHAMPTON|}

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/video-and-picture-special-destructive-tornado-rips-through-northampton-1-6957072|VIDEO AND PICTURE SPECIAL: DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO RIPS THROUGH NORTHAMPTON|}

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/crime/motorcyclist-dies-after-crash-on-a45-in-northamptonshire-1-6955732|MOTORCYCLIST DIES AFTER CRASH ON A45 IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE|}

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/crime/masked-men-threaten-northampton-tesco-staff-with-screwdriver-1-6956842|MASKED MEN THREATEN NORTHAMPTON TESCO STAFF WITH SCREWDRIVER|}

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/crime/sentencings-northampton-magistrates-court-1-6732608|SENTENCINGS: NORTHAMPTON MAGISTRATES’ COURT|}

Police have arrested two illegal immigrants understood to have jumped out from the back of a lorry at Newport Pagnell service station this morning.

The lorry driver called police when he discovered the stowaways.

But the men fled, only to be spotted minutes later by another motorists on the carriageway of the M1.

The pair, whose country of origin is not yet known, have now been arrested for illegal entry into the UK.

The matter is now being dealt with by immigration authorities.

The Met Office have today issued a Yellow Warning for rain along with potentially stormy conditions across Northamptonshire and much of England on Wednesday.

The band of rain stems from a complex area of low pressure, expected to deepen over the Bay of Biscay later today, before pushing north towards the UK.

The rain will arrive into southern areas Wednesday morning, before spreading north through Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday before clearing during the day.

The warning, valid from 8am on Wednesday through to 9am on Thursday, said:

“Persistent and at times heavy rain is expected to spread from south to north during Wednesday, this affecting much of England and Wales.

“Some heavy and thundery showers could also develop across East Anglia and southeast England during the afternoon. Strong and gusty winds are also expected, with gales in exposure.

“Rain should ease from the southwest later on Wednesday, but will persist across the north of the warning area into Thursday.

“Some localised flooding is possible from fast responding water courses and standing water, this perhaps disrupting travel.

“Most parts of the warning area should see 15-30 mm of rain, however some places could see as much as 40-70 mm.”

Be aware “This is a very complex development, and uncertainty in timings and areas most at risk is large. As such this warning will be updated as confidence in developments increases.” Check the {http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/|latest weather warnings at metoffice.gov.uk|metoffice.gov.uk}.

Members of Kilsby WI have been busy knitting so they can ‘yarn bomb’ their village to celebrate the centenary of the Women’s Institute.

Objects covered by their creations include a garden bench, a bus shelter, a telephone box, and trees and lampposts.

Karen Gilmurray, of Kilsby WI, said: “The responses from everyone have been fantastic. People are stopping their cars to take photographs.

“The smiles on people’s faces make all the hard work worthwhile.”

From October 5 all large shops across England will have to charge five pence for all single use plastic carrier bags they provide.

The rules will apply to any business that sells or delivers goods, however, for nationwide retailers with fewer than 250 members of full-time staff the charge is optional.

Any unused, plastic bags with handles which are 70 microns thick or less will have a charge to the customer - sealed packaging isn’t covered by the charge.

This charge will also apply to online shopping orders, for example, Tesco have contacted customers highlighting the change: “So that we comply at tesco.com, unless you choose a bagless delivery, there will be a charge per order for an online grocery delivery or collection… worked out based on the average number of carrier bags needed to pack an order.”

In 2014 British supermarkets gave out 8.5 billion plastic bags, an increase of 2.3 % compared with 2013 (8.3 billion). The new 5p charge should hopefully reduce the number of plastic bags, which will be beneficial for the environment.

Similar 5p charges were introduced in Wales in October 2011; followed by Northern Ireland in April 2013 and Scotland in October 2014.

The scheme in Wales has seen a reduction in plastic bag consumption of 79% since it was launched in 2011. In Scotland, the number of bags handed out by supermarket has dropped by 147 million.

But the new rules could cause confusion for retailers and shoppers alike as many items are exempt.

Exemptions from carrier bag charge:

Uncooked fish and fish products Uncooked meat, poultry and their products.

Unwrapped food for animal or human consumption e.g. chips or food sold in containers not secure enough to prevent leakage.

Unwrapped loose seeds, flowers, bulbs, corns, rhizomes (roots, stems and shoots, such as ginger) or goods contaminated by soil.

Unwrapped blades, including axes, knives, and knife and razor blades Prescription medicine Live aquatic creatures in water.

Woven plastic bags.

Goods in transport, such as at an airport or on a train, plane or ship.

Items considered as sealed packaging for mail order and click-and-collect orders.

Returnable multiple reuse bags (bags for life).

Bags used to give away free promotional material.

Bags used for a service where there’s no sale of goods e.g. dry cleaning, shoe repairs N.B. If even one non-exempt item is placed in the bag, cashiers must charge 5p.

Bag charges to help good causes

Retailers are expected to donate all proceeds from carrier bag sales to good causes.

The biggest donations will be generated by the supermarkets.

In Scotland and Wales, Boots has been giving money from charges to Macmillan Cancer Support. From October, it will give all UK proceeds to Children in Need.

Morrisons will give money to the Sue Ryder hospices and Superdrug is donating the money to support Marie Curie Cancer Care.

However, the government is set to make £19m a year from the VAT attached to the sales of bags.

Find out more about {https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/carrier-bags|charges for single-use plastic carrier bags|go to gov.uk}.

A total of 23 vehicles have been seized after police officers from Northamptonshire joined forces with Warwickshire and Leicestershire officers to target drivers committing offences on the county border.

On Monday, police officers as well as representatives from Trading Standards, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) stopped 59 vehicles.

Nine cars were seized for not having insurance, while a further 14 were seized for no tax including one HGV lorry. Two drivers were dealt with for MOT offences.

A lorry driver was immediately banned from driving by DVSA as he failed to produce any driving records, while a trailer was given an immediate prohibition for being in a dangerous condition.

Other results from the operation included:

• Three people cautioned for drug offences

• Three drivers dealt with for excess vehicle weight

• Three drivers dealt with following fuel testing for red diesel

• Two drivers dealt with for driving license offences

• Two drivers dealt with for defective lighting

• One driver dealt with for a registration plate offence

Food from both the local area and all over the world comes to a stately home which hosts its first ever food festival next week.

The first Althorp Food Festival runs from Friday September 25 and Saturday September 26 takes place at Althorp House. The event is designed to celebrate quality producers and suppliers in the Northamptonshire area, Althorp’s inaugural Food Festival will be taking place in the Grade I listed Stables Courtyard, Spencer Exhibition Rooms and marquees.

Showcasing Northamptonshire’s finest food and drink, the event will welcome over 30 local producers, as well as suppliers of fine foods, organic produce and the best home and kitchen goods.

Activities and entertainment will be taking place to suit all age ranges, to include sessions from celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations, live music and an array of interactive children’s entertainment. No further details on which chefs have been revealed.

The House and Grounds will also be open to visit.

The Festival begins at 11am on Friday morning with a talks and cookery demonstrations from 11.30am until 5pm.

There are at least four talks and four cookery demonstrations taking place each day within the Stables and on the magnificent portico, overlooking the Deer Park.

A spokesman for the event organisers said: “Enjoy a wonderful day at the Althorp Food Festival, celebrating the county’s best local food and drink in the setting of one of England’s most beautiful, private, stately homes.”

There are hopes that the food festival will be as successful as the stately home’s literary festival which has been running for the past 12 years.

Althorp House was built in 1508, by the Spencers, for the Spencers, and that is how it has remained for over 500 years.

It is set in the tranquillity of its walled 550- acre parkland – which is part of the wider 13,000-acre estate – in the heart of beautiful, unspoilt, Northamptonshire countryside.

The Stables are ultimately Italian in inspiration, although their deep Tuscan porticos borrow directly from Inigo Jones’s St Paul’s Covent Garden.

Until the start of the 20th century, the Stables were home to 100 horses and 40 grooms.

Tickets are £7 for adults, with children aged 15 and under admitted for free.

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.spencerofalthorp.com or upon arrival at the public entrance gates on both days.

Hotels and home builders, retailers and lawyers are among more than 130 Northamptonshire businesses now working with Northampton College to provide hundreds of students with work experience over the next 12 months.

Businesses are this month continuing to sign up with the college to offer students on the job experience. Already pledging to take part are Marks & Spencer and Hilton Hotels, with students set to try their hand at everything from retail and customer care to catering, front of house and health club experience. At Barclaycard students will be able to work in everything from businesses and engineering to facilities and catering.

James Whybrow, assistant principal at Northampton College, said: "Our aim is to offer all our students work experience placements so we are delighted to be working with all kinds of businesses across the county. The benefits are all round. Students experience real life experience away from the classroom while companies play a vital part in shaping and developing the next generation of workers while also benefiting from an extra pair of hands to carry out their everyday tasks.

“We are now appealing for more companies to join this programme so that we can match students and businesses and arrange a programme of work experience placements that develop experienced students and benefit the local economy.”

It isn’t just the household business names that already have signed up to work with Northampton College. Others include contract management firm BEB Consultancy which will be offering legal executive experience to group of students. Electrical engineering students will be working with construction company Robert Woodhead Ltd and local fashion company Cecily Ltd is offering students social media and IT experience.

Lucy Flavin, academic coach and workplace co-ordinator at Northampton College, said: “We launched our '100 companies in 100 days' campaign earlier this year, with the aim of getting 100 local businesses to sign up to offer work experience to our students. We quickly exceeded this target but are determined not to stop here, so urge more companies to come through.”

Placements vary in length but tend to be either a day a week for a five week period or a one week full-time placement.

To find out more about offering placements to Northampton College students please get in touch with lucy.flavin@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 01604 734303.

The new M6 to M1 southbound link road will open next week as part of the M1 junction 19 Catthorpe improvement scheme – a key step to improving journeys for the 142,000 vehicles that pass through the junction every day.

The 250-metre viaduct – the first completed section of the scheme - will carry M6 eastbound traffic over the M6-A14 link road onto the M1 southbound.

The road is set to open overnight on Tuesday 22 September, and will be open to traffic in time for the morning peak on Wednesday. Preparatory works will be carried out overnight on Friday 18 September.

Ivan Marriott, Highways England project manager, said: “The opening of the M6-M1 link road is an important step forward in the scheme, enabling us to unlock other important links in the coming months, including the next stage of the A14 to M6 link road.

“We thank drivers for their patience while we carry out these works and advise them to drive carefully as they get used to the new layout.“

The scheme – which began in 2014 - will improve junction 19 of the M1, along with sections of the M6 and the A14 within the counties of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Once completed, it will relieve congestion, improve journey reliability and boost safety.

Drivers are advised that traffic on the M6 southbound will be diverted at junction 1 overnight from 9pm until 6am today Friday and Tuesday 22 September. The diversion will take A14 eastbound traffic towards Lutterworth via the A426 to join the M1 southbound at junction 20. M1 southbound traffic will also leave at M6 junction 1, head towards Lutterworth on the A426 before heading south on the A5 to join the M1 at junction 18.

Diversions will be clearly signposted. More information about the improvement scheme can be found on the Highways England project pages www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m1-junction-19-improvement-scheme
.

Hundreds of vulnerable children with disabilities missing out on crucial eye care in Northamptonshire despite the high risk of sight problems, according to a new report.

New research from SeeAbility, the national sight loss and disability charity, shows nearly four in ten (37%) pupils attending special schools have no history of eye tests. This alarming figure is made worse as children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to have serious sight problems than other children.

There are 7,970 students in special schools in the East Midlands, including 1,369 in Northamptonshire, and if these findings are replicated across the region 2,948 children with disabilities are missing out on the eye care they need. With 100,000 children in special schools in England the figure could reach 37,000 nationwide. If eye problems are undetected children’s sight will be at risk.

The statistics are in the new report ‘An equal right to sight’ from SeeAbility, published today as part of their Children in Focus Campaign launch. SeeAbility says it’s unacceptable that there is no national plan to meet the eye care needs of children with disabilities.

“We are calling on the government to make sight tests available in every special school in England. Children with profound disabilities may not be able to tell someone they have a sight problem, or get to a high street optician. Let’s bring much needed eye care to them instead,” says David Scott-Ralphs, SeeAbility Chief Executive.

“We want people to join our Children in Focus Campaign and sign the petition on our website. This will be handed in to the Department of Health as this is a major health inequality that the government and NHS have a responsibility to address.”

The report draws evidence from the charity’s research project with Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Science. SeeAbility’s team has been delivering specialist sight tests to pupils in a cluster of London based special schools since October 2013. The pilot scheme has since extended to seven schools.

SeeAbility gave Brandon – a pupil at one of the pilot schools – his first ever sight test at the age of 16. It was found that he could not see out of his right eye. While the charity can do nothing but support Brandon, they have been able to dramatically improve the lives of other children.

Lana has profound disabilities and cannot move or speak. Her sight test revealed that her vision is blurred, but Lana’s new glasses allow her to focus better and access a high tech system called an Eye Gaze. It means she can now communicate with her world.*

David Scott-Ralphs added: “The government needs to make it easier for children with disabilities to get a sight test. Making sight tests available in every special school in England would be a start in making the reforms needed and help thousands of children with disabilities.”

Watch the Campaign video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grlsEsXEPeI

If you want to support SeeAbility’s Children in Focus Campaign, sign their petition at www.seeability.org/petition or tweet #EqualRightToSight @seeability. You can also make a £5 donation by texting SEE to 70004.

Advance warning of roadworks across Northamptonshire.

MAJOR ROADS:

DAVENTRY: Braunston Road opposite Bridleway entrance, 120m from Royal Oak Way 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for cable diversion works 22-Sep-15 02-Oct-15

DAVENTRY: Braunston Road, 336m from roundabout 2 way traffic signals for carrying out trial hole for access to main 21-Sep-15 21-Sep-15

GEDDINGTON, LITTLE OAKLEY AND STANION: Stamford Road 2/3 way traffic signals as appropriate in operation 0915-1515 (Monday to Friday only) for carriageway drainage works 21-Sep-15 12-Oct-15

RUSHDEN: Higham Road jnc with Prospect Avenue 3 way traffic signals in operation overnight from 2000-0600 for repairs to leaking pipe 23-Sep-15 25-Sep-15

RUSHDEN: High Street South - o/s 118 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for new electric supply 26-Oct-15 02-Nov-15

WOLLASTON:

Wellingborough Road adjacent to 24 Roses Close 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for gas connection works 02-Nov-15 05-Nov-15

WELLINGBOROUGH: London Road near Pizza Hut 24 hour 4 way traffic signals in use Monday to Friday for construction of new junction and splitter islands for traffic signals 6-Jul-15 30-Oct-15

OTHER ROADS:

ABTHORPE: Towcester Road at junction of Main Road, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours for communication pipe repair, 11-Sep-15 15-Sep-15

AYNHO: Croughton Road, from junction of The Square to junction of Station Road, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of fibre optic cable, 01-Sep-15 to 08-Oct-15

BRACKLEY: Radstone Road at junction of Ellesmere Road, 24 hour 3 way traffic signals for foul sewer connection for new development, 01-Sep-15 to 15-Sep-15

BRACKLEY: Burwell Hill outside number 37 to junction of Radstone Road, 2 way traffic signals in operation during the working day for installation of new supply 13-Nov-15 to 14-Dec-15

CREATON: Hollowell Road, along whole length, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of fibre optic cable, 05-Oct-15 to 16-Oct-15

CROUGHTON: Blenheim from junction of Mill Lane to number 19, 2 way traffic signals in operation during the working day for installation of fibre optic cable, 23-Sep-15 to 06-Oct-15

EASTON ON THE HILL: High Street, outside number 42, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of gas to property, 26-Oct-15 to 29-Oct-15

EVERDON: Stubbs Road, at junction of Wells Road, Multi way traffic signals in operation during the working day for repairs to fire hydrant, 23-Sep-15 to 25-Sep-15

GUILSBOROUGH: High Street, along length, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of fibre optic cable, 05-Oct-15 to 16-Oct-15

GUILSBOROUGH: Hollowell Road, 350m south of jnc with Coton Road, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of fibre optic cable, 28-Sep-15 to 09-Oct-15

HACKLETON: Main Rd jnc with Preston Deanery Road and Houghton Road, 4 way traffic signals in operation 0930-1530 for access to underground boxes 17-Sep-15 to 18-Sep-15

HARTWELL: Forest Road, close to the M1 bridge, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals in operation as and when required for creation of bellmouth to industrial estate, 21-Jul-15 to 29-Sep-15

HELMDON: Wappenham Road between number 62 and number 15, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for cabling works, 19-Aug-15 to 21-Oct-15

HOLCOT: Moulton Road, outside Hospital Bungalows, 2 way traffic signals in operation 0830-1630 for installation of vehicle access, 23-Sep-15 to 24-Sep-15

HOLLOWELL: Creaton Road, along whole length, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of fibre optic cable, 12-Oct-15 to 30-Oct-15

HOLLOWELL: Guilsborough Road, along whole length, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of fibre optic cable, 17-Sep-15 to 02-Oct-15

IRCHESTER: Arkwright Road at junction of Station Road, 3 way traffic signals in operation during the working day for tree trimming works, 17-Sep-15 to 18-Sep-15

IRCHESTER: Gipsy Lane, outside numbers 30 and 50, 2 way traffic signals in operation during the working day for tree trimming works, 18-Sep-15 to 21-Sep-15

IRCHESTER: Station Road, outside Station House to 60m east from outside Ford Cottage, 2 way traffic signals in operation during the working day for tree trimming works, 9/21/2015 to 9/22/2015

IRTHLINGBOROUGH: Victoria Street at junction of Windmill Road, 24 hour multi way traffic signals for disconnection works, 07-Sep-15 to 16-Sep-15

KELMARSH: Harborough Road at junciton of Haselbech Road, 3 way traffic signals in operation 0930-1530 for widening of north corner of Haselbech Road at junction, 16-Sep-15 to 18-Sep-15

KINGS SUTTON: Banbury Lane at junction of Sandringham Road, 24 hour 3 way traffic signals for installation of new supply, 10-Oct-15 to 02-Nov-15

LAMPORT: Rothwell Road - 1 mile north of Village, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours to repair a leak, 18-Sep-15 to 22-Sep-15

LONG BUCKBY: Station Road near M1 bridge outside Wharf Industrial Estate, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours for remedial works, 28-Aug-15 to 09-Oct-15

LONG BUCKBY: Murcott, opposite Murcott House, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours for remedial works, 28-Aug-15 to 09-Oct-15

LONG BUCKBY: Station Road near number 96, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for installation of new supply , 16-Sep-15 to 18-Sep-15

MAIDWELL / LAMPORT: A508 Harborough Road from junciton of High St to junction of Draughton Road, 2 way traffic signals in operation during the working day for fibre connection works, 14-Sep-15 to 25-Sep-15

MEARS ASHBY: Wellingborough Road, near number 27, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for gas connection works, 26-Oct-15 to 29-Oct-15

NORTHAMPTON: Hazeldene Road at junction of Kenmuir Avenue, 24 hour 3 way traffic signals for gas mains replacement, 21-Sep-15 to 19-Oct-15

NORTHAMPTON: Brookfield Road, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for new connection works, 05-Oct-15 to 13-Oct-15

PAULERSPURY: Careys Road - o/s Highfields Stables, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours to repair a leak, 15-Sep-15 to 17-Sep-15

RADSTONE/BRACKLEY: Brackley Road, Radstone/Radstone Road, Brackley, near new roundabout, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for cabling works, 30-Nov-15 to 14-Dec-15

RAUNDS: London Road/Chelveston Road from side of number 84 to Red Lion PH, 24 hour 2 way traffic signals for mainlaying works, 05-Aug-15 to 15-Sep-15

RAUNDS: Brick Kiln Road - approx 75m east of jnc with Enterprise Road, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours for access to underground chambers 02-Nov-15 to 04-Nov-15

ROADE: Hartwell Road/The Green, 24 hour 3 way traffic signals for connection of water main, 21-Sep-15 to 25-Sep-15

SILVERSTONE: West End near West End Farm, 2 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours for stop tap repair, 17-Sep-15 to 21-Sep-15

SYWELL: Overstone Road at junction of Holcot Lane, 3 way traffic signals in operation during off peak hours for manhole repairs, 17-Sep-15 to 18-Sep-15

The health and well-being of teachers in Northamptonshire is being investigated as part of a new study by the University of Northampton.

Researchers from the university’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing are pleased to announce the launch of the School Staff Wellbeing Survey.

The survey is open to all school staff – from teachers to librarians, cleaners to SEN coordinators - in primary and secondary schools across the county. The online questionnaire aims to explore factors that protect and enhance the wellbeing of school staff.

The University of Northampton’s Professor Judith Sixsmith, principal investigator on the project, said: “While evaluating Northamptonshire's 'The Healthier Child' initiative running in primary schools across the county, we felt that health promotion in schools needs to encompass not just students but all staff in the schools as well. That way, healthy places can be effective for everyone in them.”

Professor Sixsmith added: “We hope that everyone who works in a school in Northamptonshire will help us with this exciting new project, which can be completed online. The more responses we get, the more information we will have to make effective recommendations to help improve school staff wellbeing in Northamptonshire.”

Dr Florence-Emilie Kinnafick is the co-investigator on this research project, working alongside researcher Mei Lan Fang. The survey will take about 25 minutes to complete, and will ask questions about factors that can protect and enhance the wellbeing of school staff as well as factors that have an adverse effect on staff wellbeing. All data collected in the survey will be anonymised and will be stored securely and confidentially.

The project has been funded by Northamptonshire County Council, who awarded the team £20,000 to fund the research.

Upon completion, entrants will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a range of prizes including a one-year car park pass for free access to country parks in Northamptonshire, a gym membership or a voucher that can be used in popular high street stores.

To complete the survey, visit https://northampton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/feedback-school-staff-wellbeing

Some of the county’s finest drinking holes and dining venues are now going head to head to see who will pick up six of the prestigious venue titles in this year’s Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards – and the public are now being encouraged to vote.

The awards, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP) and now in their seventh year, are aimed at celebrating all that is great about local produce and drink, recognising excellence within the county’s dining venues and rewarding those who work so hard within the culinary sector.

Among the titles up for grabs are those for ‘Restaurant of the Year’ (sponsored by Whitco), ‘Spice Restaurant of the Year’ (sponsored by British Pepper & Spice) and ‘Booker Food Pub of the Year’ (sponsored by Booker) while the finalist venues in the three ‘Best Bar None’ categories (sponsored by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner) are hoping for your stamp of approval to help them win the ‘Public Vote’ award!

The finalists in the ‘Best Bar None – Town Pub of the Year’ category are (in alphabetical order):

* The Abington, Northampton

* The Artizan, Northampton

* The Princess Alexandra, Northampton

* The Saxon Crown, Corby

* The Swan and Helmet, Northampton

Those in the ‘Best Bar None – Rural Pub of the Year’ category are (in alphabetical order):

* The Old Kings Head, Long Buckby

* The Sun Inn, Kislingbury

* The White Horse, Old

While those vying for the title of ‘Best Bar None – Late Night Venue of the Year’ are (again alphabetically):

* Aspers Casino, Northampton

* Bar So, Northampton

* Bootleggers, Northampton

To cast your vote for your favourite in each category, and to be entered into a prize draw to win a set of family tickets to see Cinderella at Royal & Derngate this Christmas, please visit the Awards’ website – www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk

Meanwhile the finalists in the dining venue categories are on tenterhooks as two expert Mystery Shoppers will be visiting throughout this month to assess them on everything from knowledge of staff, use of local ingredients, speed of service, and of course the quality of the food itself.

For obvious reasons, the identities of the Mystery Shoppers are being kept secret but the happy task has previously been performed by the likes of TV chef Sophie Grigson and the former editor of the Good Food Guide, Jim Ainsworth.

The finalists in the ‘Restaurant of the Year’ category (sponsored by Whitco) are:

* Barton Hall Hotel and Vines Brasserie, Kettering

* Clary’s Restaurant at Aspers Casino, Northampton

* Mu Mu, Kettering

* Sophia’s Restaurant, Northampton

* Tap and Kitchen, Oundle

* The Smoke Pit, Northampton

While those in the reckoning for the ‘Booker Food Pub of the Year’ title (sponsored by Booker) are:

* The Four Pears, Little Houghton

* The Hopping Hare, Northampton

* The Plough @ Shutlanger, Shutlanger

* The Rose & Crown, Yardley Hastings

* The White Horse, Old

Lastly, those vying to be named ‘Spice Restaurant of the Year’ (sponsored by British Pepper & Spice) are:

* Bengal Brasserie, Thrapston

* Dhan Shiri, Brackley

* Mem-Saab, Northampton

* Shajahan, Wollaston

* Voujon, Long Buckby

Again, fans of those sixteen finalists are encouraged to show their support for their favourites by voting online at www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk and in doing so, will also be entered into the prize draw.

Voting in all six categories closes on Sunday 4th October and the results, along with those of the other twelve categories in the competition, will be announced at the Awards Dinner taking place at Royal & Derngate on Thursday 15th October.

For more details on all eighteen categories in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2015/16, including purchasing dinner tickets priced at £100 (plus VAT) or £950 (plus VAT) for a table of ten, please visit the Awards’ website at www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk or contact Rachel Mallows on 01933 664437 or email rachel@rachelmallows.com You can also follow the Awards on twitter at @foodawardsHQ or on Facebook at facebook.com/foodawards

A woman was slapped and kicked by a man sporting a wolf tattoo as she walked with friends in a Northamptonshire park.

The victim suffered injuries to her nose and body following the assault some time between 11am and 1pm on Sunday, August 23 at The Racecourse in Northampton.

The offender is described as being aged about 25, 6ft, with an athletic build and short hair. He had a wolf tattoo on his forearm and he was wearing a black Nike baseball cap, a black top, light blue shorts and grey trainers.

Anyone with information can all Northamptonshire Police on 101 or alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Dog walkers taking part in the RSPCA’s BIG Walkies event this weekend are being asked to log their steps as part of Northamptonshire’s 20 Million Steps.

Organised by Northamptonshire County Council, 20 Million Steps is a campaign which aims to encourage people to become more active by going for a walk over the weekend of September 18th to 20th. Walkers are then invited to log their steps at www.20millionsteps.co.uk.

The RSPCA’s BIG Walkies event takes place on Sunday September 20 and the animal charity is asking dog owners to log their steps towards the 20 million steps target at the same time as raising money for a good cause.

The BIG Walkies event at Brixworth Country Park invites people to choose from a 3k or a 5k route and collect sponsorship for the RSPCA.

Jaymi-Lee Wilmin, fundraising manager for the RSPCA Northamptonshire branch, said: “It is great to be hosting our first BIG Walkies event. It’s a great way to get all the family members active, including the four-legged ones!

“By working together with Northamptonshire County Council, people can also record the steps they do at the BIG Walkies and record them for the 20 Million Steps challenge.

“The money raised from BIG Walkies sponsorships will go towards helping animals within Northamptonshire who have often been mistreated and provide the necessary veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and care.”

People can pick up a pedometer at Brixworth Country Park on the day which will help them count their steps.

Northamptonshire County Council is still looking for volunteers to help over the 20 Million Steps weekend by registering walkers at country parks and promoting the event in advance by circulating posters and on social media.

Volunteers must be available on September 18th, 19th or 20th, and be able to stand for long periods and carry light objects. To find out more about volunteering for the 20 Million Steps event, email getinvolved@northamptonshire.gov.uk.

To find out more about the RSPCA BIG Walkies event at Brixworth Country Park, visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraise/bigwalkies.

A Northamptonshire pub is celebrating after being the only venue in the county to feature in the latest edition of The Michelin Guide.

The Red Lion in East Haddon was awarded the Bib Gourmand in the guide published earlier this week and which sets the standard for pubs and restaurants across the world. The pub was one of only 150 venues to be award the status, of which 75 are based in London.

The Bib Gourmand recognises good quality food, service and value for money and is the next level down from a Michelin star.

But for general manager of the pub, Joe Buckley, there are no aspirations to aim for a star.

“We are not interested in a Michelin star, the expectations of what is required is very different. We just want to give people good food at a good price,” he said.

“This the fourth year that we have achieved the Bib Gourmand and to get to this level and retain it is amazing and humbling.

“We treat every customer the same and offer a consistent product. You have no idea who the Michelin Guide judge is, they might be on their own or in a party of ten. We make sure that everyone is looked and after and make sure that the standard is above everyone else.”

While the award is a great motivator for staff, he said, it is not the be all and end all.

“The team is great and we had a couple of bottles of champagne last night to celebrate - but we are more impressed by a full reservations book. We want to do more covers and to cook the best quality food possible,” he added.