ENOUGH money has been raised to keep a nationally important archive in the county.

A £650,000 grant has been secured from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) towards the purchase of the Westmorland of Apethorpe archive.

The archive is one of the most important family collections in Northamptonshire and contains thousands of records dating from the medieval period up to the 20th century.

The archive is privately owned and has been looked after by Northamptonshire County Council’s record office since the 1950s. It was recently offered to the county council to purchase, at a cost of around £760,000, with a deadline of August to secure this sum.

As well as the money from the NHMF, fundraisers across the region have managed to raise £45,400 by holding a range of events.

AIR ambulance bosses are to start using a car so they can get doctors to the scene of night time accidents.

The scheme is being rolled out by Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) on Saturday nights to gauge demand.

The charity currently only flies during daylight hours, when the majority of emergencies happen.

At nigh, helicopters are currently prevented by law from providing the type of service they can during the day, but changes in legislation look likely in future.

A 54-year-old male sustained serious injuries after falling 30ft from a factory roof at Watford Gap on Monday, August 13.

The man, who had been working on the roof, suffered chest, facial and head injuries as well as a fracture to his leg.

Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) attended the incident, administering pain relief and anti-sickness drugs to the casualty.

They then splinted the fractured leg and immobilised the patient to prevent further movement and damage, before flying him to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

STUDENTS across the Daventry area have been picking up their A-level results today (Thursday).

Hundreds of teenagers at Northampton College in Daventry, Guilsborough School and Campion School in Bugbrooke were anxiously opening envelops to find out how they did in their A-levels.

And for the first time students at William Parker and Danetre schools in Daventry were picking up their AS results, one year after the two secondary schools opened their new sixth forms.

More pictures and full details of local results will be in the Daventry Express on August 23.

BRIXWORTH Parish Councillors are to go out on patrol following a meeting held between police and the parish council to help dispel perceptions of crime and anti social behaviour.

Following concerns about crime in Brixworth, Daventry Chief Inspector Paul Valentine decided that it was important to meet directly with the councillors to understand their concerns and explain what crime levels were actually like and what the SCT were doing in the area.

Councillors had raised concerns that there was low level cannabis use in the village and a perception that anti-social behaviour was a problem.

Chief Inspector Paul Valentine, said: “These issues were rightly raised to us by the parish councillors and I felt that we needed to meet with them so that we could improve understanding of how safe Brixworth really is.

“We were able to explain crime figures and how once the detail of crimes is looked at, often they relate to very low level incidents or disputes between private individuals.

“It was a very productive meeting and we came to an agreement that the councillors would come out on patrol to see first hand what happens and how we deal with incidents in Brixworth.

“The meeting helped to dispels perceptions and I’m sure the councillors felt more reassured following the meeting.

“Going forward we will also meet more regularly with the Chair of the Parish council, instead of just monthly meetings, so that concerns or issues about the village can be raised to us and we can keep Brixworth the safe village that it is.”

STATISTICS released by police indicate thefts from motor vehicles have nearly doubled.

They reveal there has been a 43 per cent increase in this kind of theft, with 52 more between April and August this year compared to the same period last year.

Paul Valentine, temporary inspector for the Daventry Safer Community Team, said: “A lot of the increase can be explained by the theft of diesel from HGVs parked in lorry parks.

“There was also a number of catalytic converters stolen from cars, mainly 4x4 vehicles, across the district.

“We have also had items taken from cars which were left insecure so we are urging people to keep their cars locked and not to leave valuables out on display.”

For more on this, including further comments from the police, see the Daventry Express.

A DAVENTRY pyrotechnics firm taking part in a national championship has lost out to the great British weather.

MLE Pyrotechnics, the defending champions, had taken part in the British Fireworks Champion of Champions event in Plymouth on Tuesday.

They were pitted against five other firms from across the UK who put on displays on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

However, extreme wind and rain pounded the area on Wednesday night. Although the show still went ahead, the organisers decided it ould be unfair to award a winner for this year’s event.

HORSE owners in the Daventry area are being reminded of the importance of marking their tack.

Officers are urging people to take as many precautions as possible when it comes to securing their equipment and making sure it can be identified should it be stolen.

Although currently not a problem for the Force, horse owners in Northamptonshire have been victims of this type of theft in the past, which is why it is important that as many precautions as possible be taken now.

Force crime prevention manager Laura Major said: “It is very important that you mark your riding equipment with an identifying mark, so that if it is stolen and subsequently comes into the hands of the police, it can be identified and returned to you.

“In a bid to prevent becoming a victim we advise people not to store tack in isolated or insecure premises, but to remove it to a more secure location. Livery stables should encourage owners to ensure that their tack is kept securely, be this at home or in other secure locations.

“Where is it not possible to store tack away from isolated stables and outbuildings, then ensure that these are as secure as possible. - storing tack in a secure brick or stone building, ensuring that it is alarmed. ”

Laura added: “We are also supportive of Horse Watch and encourage people who own a horse to become members of the scheme. It is an excellent way for horse owners to receive information about related crimes and we also keep them informed about suspicious activity.

“It is vital that if people see anyone in suspicious circumstances, for example strangers in their stable yard who appear to be looking around, or displaying an unusual interest in the tack storage area, to contact us on 101 straight away giving us as much information as you possibly can, including descriptions of vehicles, registration numbers, and as detailed a description of the people possible.”

Anyone who would like more information about securing their stables is encouraged to visit {http://www.northants.police.uk/crimeprevention|Northamptonshire Police|crime prevention}.

To find out more about marking your tack please contact the Rural Crime team on the police non-emergency number 101

CHILDREN and dads got together at a nursery to cook up a feast.

Holbourn House Day Nursery, based in Dodford, invited in dads to cook with their children on Thursday last week.

Together they whipped up pizzas from scratch using fresh vegetables, flat bread and other ingredients.

The idea is to give the youngsters and their fathers the chance to bond over an activity they may not get the chance to do at home, while also creating a healthy meal.

A VEHICLE fire caused delays and tailbacks on the M1 on Friday morning.

The fire broke out on the northbound carriageway on Friday morning between junctions 16 (Flore and the A45) and 18 (Crick) and led to dleays of around 30 minutes.

The incident was cleared by late morning, but motorists were being warned of debris on the carriageways.

A MUCH-LOVED Daventry teenager will be remembered nearly five years after his death with a charity event.

Josh Granfield was 16 when he died in September 2007 after he fell through the roof of a unit on the Royal Oak industrial estate.

A rugby match and a family fun day will be held at Daventry Rugby Club on Saturday, August 25.

Josh’s mum, Amanda Boikovs, said: “There are times over the past five years when it has been tough, you will be either reading something or watching the television and there will be a reminder of him.

“I think it is great that five years on from his death, people want to remember him. He was the sort of person who touched many lives.”

The organisers of the event are seeking raffle prizes and donations for the day. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Luan Granfield on 07967 272965 or Margaret Elcock on 07976 909345.

For more reaction from Mrs Boikovs and full details of the event, see this week’s Daventry Express.

IT was all systems go at a Daventry pharmacy this week when a mum delivered her baby in the back office.

Tommy was born weighing 6lbs 12oz on Monday morning at the Day and Night Pharmacy in St Johns Square, Daventry.

His mother Kelly Park, who was due to give birth tomorrow (Friday), had been in the store picking up medicine for one of her other children when her waters broke.

For the full story from the family and pharmacist see the Daventry Express.

A SPORTS exhibition will take place at Daventry Town Council Museum on Saturday.

It will run from 10am to 4pm at the museum in New Street and highlights the variety of sports available in the Daventry area plus parts of the history.

There will be displays from sporting organisations including Daventry Dolphins swimming club, Daventry Indoor Bowls Club, the town’s leisure centre and sailing and athletics club.

A Gamesmaker from the Olympics will visit to speak about the experiences of London 2012.

For further information about the event, which is free to enter, call Daventry Town Council on 01327 301246.

A DAVENTRY care home stepped back to the 17th century for a Civil War party.

The Wheatsheaf Court Care Home, in Sheaf Street, put on the event for its residents and their families on Saturday.

The building dates back to 1610 and Charles I stayed there in 1645 before the Battle of Naseby.

Five members of the Sealed Knot Re-enactment Society did demonstrations including a mock sword fight, stocks were set up to ‘drench the wench’, staff and some residents dressed in period costume, and there was music from folk singers and musicians and face painting for the younger visitors.

Sonja Young, activities coordinator, said: “The atmosphere was great, and the Civil War theme was inkeeping with the building’s history.

VOTERS in the Abbey North ward of Daventry get to elect a new town councillor on Thursday next week (August 23).

The candidates are Ted Nichols, of Staverton Road, and Julie Wesley, of Livingstone Road.

VILLAGERS who spent the last eight years fundraising towards the restoration of their church tower, are celebrating the completion of the £200,000 project.

St Mary’s Church parishioners in Everdon have been working tirelessly to fund the work to restore the grade I-listed tower.

And now the tower will take centre stage at the village’s grand fete which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27.

Proceeds from the fete in previous years has contributed to the restoration fund alongside other events including flower festivals and fireworks.

Repairs started back in May 2010 and were finally completed last month.

One of the church wardens, Anne Ford, said: “It looks absolutely wonderful, we are all very pleased with how it has turned out.

“We will also be completing the clock face later this week so it will be absolutely super. I am so pleased the work has been finished before the fete.”

The church received a £95,000 grant from English heritage with the rest raised by villagers. Mrs Ford added: “None of this tower restoration could have been achieved without the generosity and hard work of the villagers.

“I think I can safely say that every single person in the village has in some way contributed to the cost - either by kind donations, organising fundraising events, or supporting these events.

“Even with a grant from English Heritage, we ourselves had to raise a huge sum, which in a village of 350 souls, is a pretty remarkable achievement and we can now be justly proud of our tower.”

The restored tower will take centre stage as part of the village’s grand fete to be held on Bank Holiday Monday.

There will be a contest to find the bravest soft toy as people can bring their teddies and send them down a zip wire from the tower to the ground.

All competing will get a certificate and a badge to show their bravery at the end. Anybody wanting to take part can call Brian Clarke on 01327 361562.

Other attractions at the fete, which runs from 2pm to 5pm, include stalls, books, golf, skittles, bouncy castle, children’s games, jambola, cakes, produce, coconut shy, barbecue, arts and crafts, dog show and refreshments.

Money raised at the event will be divided between the church and Everdon Village Hall.

CHANGES are being made to the timetable for the 200 bus service next month.

The new timetable comes into force on Monday, September 10, on the Stagecoach service between Daventry and Banbury.

The changes include a new stop at Northampton College, in Badby Road West on weekdays during term time.

The new timetable is available from {http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk|Northamptonshire County Council|NCC}.

FOOD from all corners of the globe will be served at the Northamptonshire Food Show taking place over the bank holiday weekend.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the event at Holdenby House, which runs from Sunday, August 26 to Monday, August 27.

The show promises to be a treat for anyone who likes great food and drink, along with fun and entertainment all set in beautiful surroundings.

A new and exciting addition to this year’s show is the masterclass marquee, where visitors will be able to learn a culinary skill directly from the experts.

Entrance to the event is £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concessions, £3.50 for children or a family ticket of two adults and three children is £20.

For further information about the show, visit www.northamptonshirefoodshow.co.uk.

A NEW CCTV control room which monitors the streets of Daventry has been officially opened.

In total 35 cameras are watching over the town centre 24-hours-a-day from the hub, which was opened last week at the Heartlands Business Park.

The future of CCTV in the town was in doubt last year after Daventry District Council (DDC) decided to pull its funding.

But in January a joint partnership was reached after Daventry Town Council voted in favour of taking over the ownership of the CCTV network.

The town council will pay £32,000 in 2012/2013 to keep the cameras running, with £15,000 coming from DDC and £10,000 from Northamptonshire Police.

At the unveiling of the new control room, Daventry police officers spoke about the importance of maintaining the cameras in town.

Insp Paul Valentine said: “CCTV was in doubt for some time and we are delighted its future has been secured.

“The cameras are integral to our crime strategy in Daventry. It’s not just about detective work, its aim is to prevent crimes in the first place.”

The cameras will record footage around the clock but will only be manned at peak times every day.

Previously the CCTV control room had been based in Wellingborough, and Insp Valentine believes moving it to Daventry will also help reduce crime.

He added: “Having this in the town makes a massive difference.

“The people working in the control room know Daventry and can therefore relay better information when needs be.

“Police officers can also pop in easily, which is something we weren’t able to do before.”

There is also potential for the camera network to grow as the town gets bigger.

Chris Healy, from Crimesecure, which runs the control room, said: “The system we have in place allows us to expand if necessary.

“This may well happen if the town gets bigger and we need more cameras and it is also possible we will expand to some of the bigger villages.

“For example, Long Buckby train station is probably an area which could benefit from having CCTV. We have the space and capacity here at the control room to grow as necessary.”

Daventry Town Council clerk Deborah Jewell was delighted to see the new control room open.

She said: “We were all worried we would lose the CCTV but after a lot of hard work the future of it in the town has been secured and there is potential to expand.

“It shows what you can do with a joint partnership and this will help keep Daventry safe.”

“The police, Daventry District Council, Daventry Town Council the Community Safety Partnership and Daventry Business Partnership are all involved.”

MP Chris Heaton-Harris added: “We can’t underestimate how important it is to have CCTV in the town. I’m delighted that this new control room has been opened and that we have cameras surveilling the Daventry area.”

SUMMER fun and games are on the agenda at Daventry Leisure Centre this week with basketball lessons and a dance camp.

The sessions are part of the school holiday activities and are being held every day.

Speaking about the dance camp, sports development co-ordinator Alex le Guevel said: “Throughout the week the children will be rehearsing. They will put together their own dance routine and also design t-shirts.

“Then on Friday we will invite all the parents in to see the final performance. There will be a mix of street and break dancing and a bit of everything. It’s up to the children what they want to do.”

Nathan Maxwell, who is helping to run the basketball camp, said: “Monday was a bit of an introduction because a lot of the youngsters have never played basketball before.

“Hopefully they will continue to play when the camp finishes. They are also learning the key elements of team work and it’s nice to see a mix of girls and boys.”

Next week there will be tennis and arts and crafts at the leisure centre. For more details visit www.everyoneactive.com.