Students and staff are celebrating at Daventry's Parker Academy with A-level results improving for the third year running.

The top results belong to Harry Whitrow who got three A* for maths, physics and chemistry, which are acknowledged as among the most challenging subjects at A-level.

Harry plans to read civil and structural engineering at Sheffield University.

Andrew Mackereth, of the academy trust, said Harry's grades are good enough to earn him a place at Oxford or Cambridge but he is determined to go to Sheffield.

Mr Mackereth said Harry was one of a number of high performers at both GCSE and A-level who had shown tremendous loyalty to the school by opting to stay at Parker Academy for sixth form, rather than study elsewhere in the county.

Jenny Gatley, headteacher at The Parker E-ACT Academy, said: "It is testament to the hard work of our students and academy staff that results have shown another significant improvement, allowing many of our students to continue their studies at some of the best universities in the country.

"The entire academy community is beaming with pride today as we celebrate this wonderful set of A-level results.

"I am delighted that these excellent results have been achieved as we prepare to move to our new multi–million pound facility in September."

Other outstanding individual results include head boy Connor Nelson, with A grade in sociology and B grades in media and psychology, as well as Molly Mahiques with B grades in health and social care, history and psychology. Both are continuing their studies at university in Lincoln and Manchester respectively.

Off the back of the students' results the academy can legitimately claim their best A-level results ever.

More information on The Parker E-ACT Academy visit their website or contact Jenny Gatley on 01327 705816 or jenny.gatley@e-act.org.uk with any questions.

Next month's Daventry Food Festival will, for the first time, be hosted by the town council who have invited stall holders to apply for a free pitch.

The festival on September 23 will take place on High Street and Sheaf Street between 10am-4pm.

Locally sourced food and a variety of different cuisines will be on offer and admission is free.

Daventry Mayor Cllr Lynne Taylor said, “We are thrilled to be providing local retailers and producers the opportunity to showcase their products at this new exciting event for the town”.

For this inaugural year the town council are inviting food stall holders, local businesses and producers to apply for a free standard 3x3m pitch.

Information on how to apply for a free pitch as well as full terms and conditions can be found here or you can call 01327 301246.

The Post Office is to restore services to its Walgrave branch with a hosted outreach service operating from the Village Hall and Playfield Association on Newlands Road.

The nearby postmaster for Thrapston is offering a provision of service every Thursday from 12.30pm – 2.30pm.

The Walgrave Post Office on Gold Street closed temporarily in July 2016 due to the resignation of the postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use.

The Post Office said they are consulting on the proposal, however, in order to restore its service to customers as quickly as possible, the new service is set to start on Thursday, September 14. This does not affect the period of public consultation which is ongoing until September 27.

Michael Brennan, network operations area manager, said: “We are now in a position to restore a service to our customers in the local community and the establishment of a hosted service presents the best possible solution in the Walgrave area.”

The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the re-opening of these branches. The consultation will close on 27 September 2017.

Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the customer helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or textphone 03457 22 33 55.

Customers can also share their views online through the quick and easy questionnaire at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 234226.

Children who skip breakfast may be doing themselves long term harm by not getting enough nutrients, warns new research.

The findings show that youngsters who often skip the first meal of the day may not be consuming the daily amounts of key nutrients for growth and development recommended by Government guidelines.

British kids who ate breakfast every day were deemed to have ‘overall superior nutritional profiles’ compared to those who didn’t.

The eaters were found to have higher daily intakes of key nutrients such as folate, important for the development of genetic material, calcium, iron and iodine,

key to the development of thyroid function, than children who skipped breakfast.

The study also showed that only 6.5 per cent of four to 10-year-olds missed breakfast every day, compared with more than a quarter of 11 to 18-year-olds (27 per cent).

The findings also suggested that girls were more likely to miss breakfast than boys while household income was found to be higher in the families of children eating breakfast every day.

The researchers from King’s College London used food diaries collected for the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling programme between 2008 and 2012 from a group of 802 children aged from four to 10 and 884 children aged 11 to 18.

Nutrient intake was assessed using a food composition databank from the Department of Health.

Breakfast was considered as consumption of more than 100 calories between 6am and 9am.

The findings also showed that almost a third of those who skipped breakfast (31.5 per cent) didn’t meet even the lower recommended nutrient intake (LRNI) of iron, compared to only 4.4 per cent of children who ate breakfast.

A fifth of non-breakfast eating kids (19 per cent) didn’t meet LRNI for calcium, compared to 2.9 per cent of those who had breakfast, while 21.5 per cent didn’t meet lower levels for iodine, compared to 3.3 per cent of those who ate breakfast.

None of the children who ate breakfast daily had a folate intake below their LRNI, compared to 7.3 per cent of those who skipped breakfast.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition and conducted with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, also compared breakfast habits and nutrients within individual participants.

The analysis showed that, in children aged four to 10-years-old, on days when breakfast was consumed, children had higher intakes of folate, calcium, vitamin C and iodine compared to their breakfast-skipping days.

Out of these same nutrients, for older children aged 11 to 18 only calcium intakes were higher on breakfast-consuming days.

The researchers attributed the findings to higher levels of parental control over eating habits at a young age.

They said there is also the possibility of mis-reporting in food diaries, particularly in older children who reported their own intakes.

Study senior author Dr Gerda Pot, lecturer in Nutritional Sciences at King’s College London said: “This study provides evidence that breakfast is key for parents to ensure that their children are getting the nutrition they need.”

She added: “Further studies that investigate specific foods and dietary quality would help to identify if the differences are due to the different types of breakfast being eaten by different age groups, as well as provide more insight into the impact of breakfast on dietary quality overall.”

This intrepid crew of 12 Weedon youngsters have just set sail in the good ship the Neysu Rose to signal the start of the village’s Summer Adventure scheme, back in August 1975.

The scheme was designed to take children off their parents’ hands during the summer holidays.

Various activities were planned including cooking, camping and handicrafts.

Also on the agenda were day trips, such as the one this young crew embarked on. The group, however, did not stray too far from the nest, and were unlikely to meet any whales or gulls along the way, as their trip was to Whilton Marina and back.

The boys were taken on visits to the site of the battle of Naseby, were themselves visited by police dog handlers and, somewhat in keeping with their trip along the county’s waterways, the play group were shown films from the Royal Navy.

Pictured with the crew of 12 children are Ian Fraser (left), the further education organiser; Dave Philips, the skipper; and Joy Hurley, one of the Summer Adventure organisers.

Do you recognise anyone in the photo? If so, get in touch to let us know via editorial@daventryexpress.co.uk.

Roger Hepton lives in Norton, the small village which sits a couple of miles east outside of Daventry. From the front room of his house he can see the fruits of his labour, the bright and colourful flowers of the White Horse pub, which he maintains daily.

"I look at it as my garden really," said the green-fingered Roger, who also tends to the plants and lawns around the village when he is not at his allotment.

"It started a few years ago when I thought it looked untidy. So I tidied it up and planted lavender all along to start with, and it's gone on from there.

"I've added to it year by year until we got to where we are."

"Becky appreciates it and she looks after me, and I look after the flowers."

Becky Chan is the owner of the White Horse pub. She has known 79-year-old Roger for two decades because she ran the fish and chips shop in Daventry from 1989, where he would come in for a meal every Friday.

Even though the pub changed hands Roger stayed on as its unofficial gardener, and Becky is grateful for it.

“The flowers are so inviting and so nice. I think without them the pub would be a much less inviting place.

“Everyone comments, people of every age group, they say it looks so nice and colourful.”

It's clear that Roger, who used to work at British Timken, is held in high regard by Becky who describes him as generous, kind, and thoughtful.

Just as she has done for 20 years, Becky still happily cooks meals for her friend Roger.

"We look after him," she said. "He always has a fish and chips once a week, and a Sunday dinner, and if I've made a big meal I'll save a portion for him to try out."

It all began when the pub's previous owners approached Roger because they knew he liked gardening. He moved to his home opposite the pub in 2003, having lived in a farm house across one of the Norton fields since 1970.

When he is not tending to the plants outside the White Horse, Roger can be found mowing the lawns which line the road in and out of Norton, or making the sure the flower boxes below the village signs are well-kept.

"It is a passion for me," said Roger, who also spends time on his allotment where he grows sweet corn, onions, potatoes, French and runner beans, and fruit.

No matter the season Roger is happy to get his hands dirty, and he's already begun looking ahead to winter.

He said: "Soon I’ll have to start planning for the winter months, we’ll still have flowers but it will be violas and pansies, there won’t be quite so many but there will still be a few to look at."

Parents hand down the same 29 nuggets of wisdom to their children that their own parents did - including ‘get an education’ and ‘always try your best’.

A study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Skipton Building Society, revealed two thirds find themselves churning out the same old clichés that have been passed down through generations.

The favourites are ‘you don’t get something for nothing’ and ‘put money aside for a rainy day’ and ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all’.

Financial advice features often with phrases like; ‘never spend money you don’t have’, ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves’, ‘ put money aside for a rainy day’ and ‘always have two months’ rent/mortgage saved’.

‘Always wear clean underwear’ and ‘never let your petrol tank go lower than a quarter full’ are among other tips from parents.

Seven in 10 adults admitted they often catch themselves mid-sentence and think they sound like their mother or father, while a further 36 per cent frequently think they’re turning into their own parents.

But perhaps that’s no bad thing, with a whopping 72 per cent of people admitting they do still live by the advice their parents gave them when growing up - and as such still try not to eat cheese before bedtime, always use a hand cream, and try to eat with their mouth closed.

Stacey Stothard, Skipton Building Socieyt, said:: “It’s great to see so many people admit to living by the advice given to them by their parents.

“Passing on life lessons and philosophy should never be underestimated, for many people they directly attribute this to getting into the discipline of planning and saving for their future.”

Here are the top 50 nuggets of wisdom parents around the country are passing on to their kids:

TOP 50 WORDS OF WISDOM

1. Always try your best

2. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all

3. Get an education - no-one can take that away from you

4. Never spend money you don’t have

5. If you don’t ask, you don’t get

6. Eat with your mouth closed

7. Put money aside for a rainy day

8. Never take sweets from strangers

9. Do your best - nothing else matters

10. Keep your elbows off the table

11. Never swim on a full stomach

12. Treat people with respect

13. There’s no such word as can’t

14. You never get something for nothing

15. Don’t put shoes in the table

16. SMILE

17. Practice makes perfect

18. Look after your pennies and the pounds will look after themselves

19. Courtesy and compassion cost nothing

20. Treat others how you wish to be treated yourself

21. You only get out of life what you put into it

22. ‘I want’ never gets

23. Mind your p’s and q’s

24. Manners maketh the man

25. Always wear clean underwear

26. Don’t stare at people, it’s rude

27. Watching too much TV will make your eyes go square

28. Be true to yourself

29. Always hold the door open

30. Never leave the house with wet hair

31. Never drink on an empty stomach

32. Never go to bed on an argument

33. Look up things you don’t know the answer to

34. Never go under a ladder

35. Never give up

36. Receive compliments gracefully

37. Don’t wear your coat indoors

38. Mum knows best

39. The grass is never greener

40. Always eat your breakfast

41. Life’s too short to be unhappy

42. Always have 2 month’s rent/mortgage saved

43. Don’t eat cheese before bedtime

44. Give compliments easily

45. Use a hand cream

46. Don’t eat in the street

47. Never offer a stranger a lift

48. Don’t smoke in the street

49. Never let your petrol tank go lower than a quarter full

50. Men are very different creatures to women

Preferring Pepsi to Coke or McDonald’s to Burger King could doom your relationship, according to new research.

‘Brand compatibility’ is more important than shared interests or personality traits when it comes to finding the perfect match, suggests the study.

A person who is dominated by their other half’s consumer choices is likely to become miserable - leading to feelings of resentment and ‘death by a thousand cuts’, say scientists.

The phenomenon has been triggered by the growing obsession with brands, they say.

And it is so strong the drinks and burgers of choice should be included on dating websites like match and eharmony.

Marketing expert Professor Gavan Fitzsimons said liking Coke when your partner chooses Pepsi may not appear a big deal. But it can be the most important factor affecting our happiness.

He said: “People think compatibility in relationships comes from having similar backgrounds, religion or education.

“But we find those things don’t explain how happy you are in life nearly as much as this notion of brand compatibility.”

Fight the low power

The study “Coke vs. Pepsi: Brand Compatibility, Relationship Power, and Life Satisfaction” found participants with ‘low power’ - those who don’t feel they can shape their partner’s behaviour - end up with a brand they don’t like as much.

Co author Danielle Brick, a PhD student now at the University of New Hampshire, said: “If you are lower in relationship power and have different brand preferences than your partner, you’re probably going to find yourself stuck with your partner’s favourite brands, over and over again.

“This could lead to a death-by-a-thousand-cuts feeling. Most couples won’t break up over brand incompatibility, but it leads to the low power partner becoming less and less happy.”

Experiments tracking individuals and couples for up to two years used brand preferences in fizzy drinks, coffee, chocolate, beer and cars.

The results were combined with findings on relationship power and happiness and the finding was always the same - whatever the type of product.

‘Robust effect’

Psychologist Prof Grainne Fitzsimons, also of Duke University, said: “It’s an extremely robust effect, we found it over and over and over again.”

Ms Brick said it is likely these effects have steadily gained strength as brands have evolved to play a bigger role in the daily lives of consumers.

But they aren’t given the same weight as other relationship influencing factors because they are not seen as significant.

She said: “If you are a different religion than your romantic partner, you know that if this is an issue you can’t work through, then the relationship isn’t going to last.

“Conversely, if you like Coke and your partner likes Pepsi, you are probably not going to break up over it.

“But 11 years into a relationship, when he or she keeps coming home with Pepsi, day in and day out, it might start to cause a little conflict.

“And if you are the low-power person in the relationship, who continually loses out on brands and is stuck with your partner’s preferences, you are going to be less happy.”

Dating dilemmas

The team said their study published in the Journal of Consumer Research has implications for individuals and firms.

Prof Fitzsimons said: “People who are looking for love should maybe consider including brand preferences on their dating profiles.

“There’s also an opportunity for marketers to seek to be the family brand. Even if two partners have slightly different brand preferences, if they can adopt a joint brand that both are happy about, that might increase happiness for a partner who would otherwise feel unsatisfied.”

He said family branding isn’t currently commonplace.

Prof Fitzsimons added: “Some brands are marketed as family oriented, but that’s not the same as reaching out to everyone in the family.

“It is tricky, but firms that get it right can have their brand associated with happiness and harmony - and there’s nothing better than that.”

A glass of wine or pint of beer a day can help people to live longer, according to new research.

The study suggests that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption - classed as less than 14 drinks a week for men, and seven for women - may have “protective” health effects and can reduce the risk of dying young.

Experts said the findings show that for most older people, the overall benefits of light drinking “clearly outweigh” the possible cancer risk.

Heavy drinking has been linked to a host of health issues - including heart disease, but alcohol in moderation is widely recommended.

But, despite these recommendations, previous studies of the risk of dying among light-to-moderate drinkers were inconsistent in their findings.

For the new study, researchers examined the association between alcohol consumption and risk of mortality from all causes, cancer and cardiovascular disease in the United States.

They studied data from 333,247 participants obtained through the National Health Interview Surveys from 1997 to 2009.

The study participants were surveyed regarding their drinking and patterns of use.

They were divided into six groups, based on their drinking patterns: lifetime abstainers, lifetime infrequent drinkers, former drinkers and current light (less than three drinks per week), moderate (more than three drinks per week to less than 14 drinks per week for men or less than seven drinks per week for women) or heavy drinkers - more than 14 drinks per week for men or seven per week for women.

Protective effects

Study lead author Doctor Bo Xi, associate professor at Shandong University School of Public Health in China, said: “Our research shows that light-to-moderate drinking might have some protective effects against cardiovascular disease, while heavy drinking can lead to death.

“A delicate balance exists between the beneficial and detrimental effects of alcohol consumption, which should be stressed to consumers and patients,”

Throughout the length of the study, 34,754 participants died from all-causes. Of those, 8,947 deathss were cardiovascular disease-specific, and 8,427 mortalities were cancer-specific.

Researchers found that male heavy drinkers had a 25 per cent increased risk of mortality due to all-causes and a 67 per cent increase in mortality from cancer.

The increases were not significantly noticed in women. There was no association found between heavy drinking and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Mortality decrease

Moderate drinking was associated with a 13 per cent and 25 per cent decreased risk of all-cause mortality, and 21 per cent and 34 per cent decreased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively, in both men and women. Similar findings were observed for light drinking in both genders.

Study co-author Doctor Sreenivas Veeranki, assistant professor in preventive medicine and community health at University of Texas Medical Branch, said: “We have taken rigorous statistical approaches to address issues reported in earlier studies such as abstainer bias, sick quitter phenomenon and limited confounding adjustment in our study.

“A J-shaped relationship exists between alcohol consumption and mortality, and drinkers should drink with consciousness.”

Doctor Giovanni de Gaetano, director of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed said the findings show younger adults should not expect considerable benefit from moderate drinking.

But he added: “For most older persons, the overall benefits of light drinking, especially the reduced cardiovascular disease risk, clearly outweigh possible cancer risk.”

Welcome to our weekly 'looking back' feature where we find out what hit the headlines in the Gusher 10, 25 and 40 years ago.

August 16, 2007

A Daventry woman reflected on her experience after she returned from a three-week expedition in Uganda. District councillor Annette Dunn, of Lang Farm, spent time in Iganga - the town Daventry is unofficially twinned with - where she visited primary schools and orphanages, and also helped build a dam and a water pump. The trip was the culmination of a decade of correspondence between Annette and primary school teachers in Iganga. She said her main aim when arriving in Uganda was to meet as many people as possible and help out wherever and however she could.

August 13, 1992

A Chipping Warden family almost lost their home after lightning struck the house’s chimney, sparking an electrical fire. Owners of the Old Coach House, Jane and Paul Brook-Nolan, were in Norfolk at the time. Were it not for Jane’s brother Duncan, who was in the house looking after the cats, the family home may have completely burned down. The lightning strike had set the alarm system on fire, blown the transformer for the mobile phone out of the wall, and knocked a dry flowers bowl on top of the television feet away. The house’s chimney ended up falling through the roof and into the loft.

August 19, 1977

Daventry earth mover Maurice Masters unearthed his best work to date at the Water Gipsy site in Weedon. Maurice was clearing the village site when he unearthed three ale bottles, two of them of pot and the other made from heavy glass, which were all used in the bottling of local beers. Somehow all were in perfect condition. The glass bottle was stamped ‘Wood Bros., The Brewery, Daventry’. The ginger beer bottle bore the name E. Gross, Daventry, while the third jar came from Walker and Soames of Towcester. Maurice believed he had disturbed an old Victorian tipping ground.

Also appearing in the August 19 edition in 1977 was a story about Reg Bird, who has a peculiar gardening method. It read: Many gardeners believe talking to plants helps them grow, but 80-year-old Reg Bird has discovered a more effective method of producing giant vegetation. He swears at his produce - and he swears this has resulted in his massive cabbage that measures nearly five feet across. Knowing what to do with the enormous plant presented Reg and his wife Jessie with a few problems. "I'll probably let it go to see," said Reg, defying his wife's plans to cook the plant a leaf at a time, because he said "I don't like cabbage".

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

June 23:

Michael Parcell, aged 42, of Cranford Road, Northampton, no car insurance; fined £440, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £44 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £120.

Leon Read, aged 29, of Kenilworth Close, Northampton, driving at 51mph in a 40mph zone; fined £133, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Lynden Stevens, aged 70, of Woodcote Avenue, Northampton, failed to report an accident to a police officer; fined £35, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and licence endorsed with five points. Failed to stop at an accident; no separate penalty and ordered to pay costs of £85.

Asa Weightman, aged 28, of Grendon Road, Earls Barton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Jamie Fowkes, aged 45, of Gloucester Crescent, Northampton, used threatening or abusive words or behaviour; jailed for 84 days, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115 and compensation of £100. Similar charge towards a police officer; jailed for 84 days concurrent, ordered to pay compensation of £50.

Dane Clarke, aged 49, of Burleigh Road, Kingsthorpe Hollow, Northampton, breach of a community protection notice; fined £50, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85. Similar charge; fined £50.

JUNE 26

Terence Docherty, aged 41, of Pleydell Gardens, Far Cotton, Northampton, assault; conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, compensation of £25 and costs of £85.

Sharon Spaull, aged 45, of North Oval, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £160, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with five points.

Oliver Love, aged 27, of Castle Avenue, Northampton, assault; jailed for eight weeks suspended for two years, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115 and costs of £85.

Raoul Balan, aged 32, of Osmund Drive, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 118mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 28 months.

Victor Corman, aged 24, of Flying Dutchman Way, Timken, Daventry, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 93mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 23 months.

Revaughn Dornelly, aged 20, of Mordaunt Lane, Northampton, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £40. No insurance; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. Possession of a class B drug; no separate penalty.

Noel Kamana, aged 30, of North Oval, Northampton, assault; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85 and costs of £85.

Curtis Norris, aged 26, of West Oval, Northampton, damaged a glass door belonging to a police vehicle; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85. Drunk and disorderly in a public place; fined £40.

Nathan Chambers, aged 25, of Forest Road, Piddington, assault; ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85 and costs of £85.

JUNE 27:

Prince Bususu, aged 27, of Greatmeadow, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 63mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; jailed for 18 weeks suspended for 24 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 42 months. No insurance; no separate penalty. Driving not in accordance with a licence; no separate penalty.

JUNE 28:

Timothy Harris, aged 48, of Claregate, Northampton, assault; fined £360, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £36, compensation of £50 and costs of £85. Damaged a mobile phone; fined £360, ordered to pay compensation of £50..

Liam McGurk, aged 21, of Shedfield Way, Northampton, stole £160; fined £153, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Simon Hill, aged 40, of Stanley Way, Ashby Fields, Daventry, assault; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85 and costs of £400.

Darren Hicklin, aged 36, of Farnborough Drive, Middlemore, Daventry, driving while disqualified; jailed for 84 days suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 20 months. No insurance; no separate penalty.

Joanne Manning, aged 45, of no fixed abode, stole a bottle of perfume worth £24.50 belonging to Boots; jailed for 28 days, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115 and costs of £85. Failed to surrender to custody; jailed for 14 days concurrent.

Joshua Pebody, aged 25, of Russett Drive, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; new order made, ordered to pay costs of £60.

Sally Maoko, aged 39, of Hudson Drive, Northampton, using a unlicensed vehicle; fined £143, ordered to pay vehicle excise back duty of £21.67 and costs of £85.

Paul Paterson, aged 28, of no fixed abode, making off without paying for fuel; ordered to pay compensation of £31.93.

JUNE 29

Karl Norris, aged 30, of Manor Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; fined £60, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30, compensation of £50 and costs of £85.

Ryan Geoghegan, aged 20, of Highfield Place, Daventry, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 101mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 26 months. No insurance; no separate penalty. Failed to surrender to custody; fined £30.

JUNE 30:

Racu Constantin, aged 20, of Cranston Street, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £66 and costs of £85. Driving without due care and attention; fined £660, banned from driving for six months.

Olawale Oluwole, aged 28, of Alexander Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £300, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and cost sof £85.

Sam Doumah, aged 44, of St Peter’s Gardens, Weston Favell, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £80, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £36 and costs of £85. No insurance; fined £363, licence endorsed with six points.

Robyn Hawtin, aged 26, of Smith Street, Spratton, driving at speeds exceeding 30mph; fined £400, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £40 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Jonathan Shakespeare, aged 29, of Eskdale Avenue, Eastfield, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £225, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, banned from driving for six months.

Tiberiu Cazan, aged 18, of Baukewell Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £40.

Irinel Chirila, aged 21, of Westleigh Close, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Edem Dzansi, aged 19, of Hunsbarrow Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £130, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points. Driving without due care and attention; fined £43. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £43.

Mihai Ivorniciuc, aged 49, of Alcombe Road, Northampton, failed to report an accident to a police officer; fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with five points.

Richard Massie, aged 26, of Drayton Walk, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £66 and costs of £85, banned from driving for six months. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220.

Alan Watts, aged 33, of St Crispin Road, Earls Barton, no insurance; fined £261, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

JULY 3

Stephen Harris, aged 30, of Whilton Locks, Whilton, driving without due care and attention; fined £300, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with five points.

Brenda Mallen, aged 38, of Gifford Court, Limehurst Road, Northampton, failed to inform Northampton Borough Council of changes relating to housing benefit; conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20 and costs of £85.

James Croxson, aged 39, of Glebe Road, Roade, assault causing grievous bodily harm; pleaded guilty, sent to Northampton Crown Court for sentence.

According to new research by price comparison site uSwitch.com, two thirds (63%) of drivers make simple errors which can leave them out of pocket should they need to make a claim.

And a quarter (25%) of those surveyed admitted they didn’t realise these small errors could result in car insurance providers not paying out, with an additional third (37%) of drivers admitting they simply forgot that such behaviour might impact on an insurance claim.

Top 10 mistakes drivers make that may invalidate your car insurance:

1. Wearing high heels or flip flops when driving (25%)

2. Leaving car unlocked (24%)

3. Putting off car maintenance when required (21%)

4. Forgetting to renew car MOT on time (16%)

5. Letting pets roam free in the car (15%)

6. Lending car to a friend or family member (14%)

7. Not updating details after changing jobs (9%)

8. Attaching fluffy dice, or another object, to rear view mirror (9%)

9. Forgetting to renew vehicle tax on time (9%)

10. Underestimating mileage travelled everyday (8%)

Rod Jones Insurance, expert at uSwitch.com, said: “We know the British public are increasingly time poor, so it’s unsurprising that motorists can be forgetful when it comes to locking up their cars or renewing their car MOT and taxes on time.

“With claims now running into the thousands of pounds, people can’t afford to make a careless mistake that could invalidate their cover and leave them out of pocket.

“It is therefore really important that drivers note down their key renewal dates, and avoid making the easy to forget mistakes to ensure they are covered should they ever need to make a claim.”

A solar eclipse is expected tonight (Monday), with some parts of the world seeing a TOTAL eclipse as the moon passes in between the Earth and the sun.

A total solar eclipse is due to bring parts of North America into darkness, giving 12 million people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this spectacular celestial event.

The total eclipse, where the moon covers the sun, will take place on Monday 21 August and will be at its peak in parts of America with the residents of Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina being in the ‘path of totality’, therefore getting the best visibility.

So what are our chances here in the UK?

Outside of the 110km path of the eclipse, sky-watchers will see a partial eclipse with decreasing percentages of the sun’s surface covered the further away you get from the ‘path of totality’.

Unfortunately the UK won’t see a perfect alignment of the moon and the sun, but the country is still expected to see a partial eclipse, where the moon partially covers the sun.

In areas of no cloud, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales should see the partial eclipse on Monday 21 August at 19:35. Those in northern parts of the country are expected to have the best visibility.

Because of the UK’s distance from the ‘path of totality’, only four per cent coverage of the sun is expected to be visible.

If that sounds underwhelming, NASA will be live streaming the total eclipse online, so you can witness the phenomenon for yourself.

Failing that Brits will need to wait a while longer for the next big eclipse as the UK’s next total eclipse isn’t expected until September 23, 2090.

Tesco is recalling jars of one of its own brand cooking sauces because of allergy fears.

Tesco’s own Creamy Leek and Bacon Cooking Sauce contains egg which is not mentioned on the label. This means it is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to egg.

The product recall applies to 470g jars with a best before end of July 2018 and batch code number 7031.

Anyone who purchased the product and has an allergy or intolerance to egg should not consume the sauce but return it to Tesco where they will receive a refund.

The delays start just after junction 16 and stretch up to junction 17, according to reports from Highways England.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said the delays were due to a collision involving five lorries at around 7.30am.

Ambulance crews and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue have attended the scene.

Traffic is also reportedly slow southbound as vehicles pass the scene.

A major UK supermarket could have infected thousands of people with a strain of hepatitis E through its pork sausages, says researchers at Public Health England (PHE).

The infection, which has seen an “increase in the number of non-travel cases” since 2010, is believed to have come from a British supermarket, only known as Supermarket X.

The discovery came after researchers found the consumption of ham and sausages from one particular supermarket to be the common denominator in people infected with the virus.

The infected pork is believed to have originated from Europe, most likely the Netherlands or Germany. The virus strain has not been found in British pigs according to the report published last month.

Includes ready-to-eat pre-packed sliced ham

Researchers Bengu Said and Professor Richard Tedder of PHE’s National Infection Service said, “The implicated products are pork sausages, which require cooking prior to consumption, and ready-to-eat pre-packed sliced ham.”

“Only Supermarket X, especially own brand, was significantly associated with HEV.”

The research paper discovered that as many as 150,000 to 200,000 people a year contract the HEV G3-2 strain of the virus from infected pork.

The researchers added, “The association with the supermarket does not infer any blame.”

Cook meats thoroughly

The HEV infection can cause flu like symptoms and result in liver failure, it can also prove particularly fatal in pregnant women.

An FSA spokesperson said that there is not a major risk of contracting the infection from meat though.

“The risk from acquiring hepatitis E virus (HEV) from eating thoroughly cooked pork or pork products is low.”

“As a precaution, the FSA advises consumers that all whole cuts of pork, pork products and offal should be thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout, the meat is no longer pink and juices run clear,” the FSA added.

Supermarket X

Although both the PHE and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have refused to name Supermarket X, The Sunday Times have reported that it is Tesco.

In a statement Tesco said: “This particular research was carried out six years ago on a small number of people, and although it provided no direct link between specific products and hepatitis E we always take care to review research findings such as this.

“Food quality is really important to us and we have in place an expert team to ensure the highest possible standards at every stage of our supply chain, as well as providing clear information to customers on how to handle and cook pork in the home to minimise the risk of hepatitis E.”

Tesco has recalled a huge list of items and products, including chocolate bars and quorn mince.

The supermarket has said that anyone who has bought one of the many items up for recall should bring them back for a full refund.

Customers do not need to bring a receipt for their items in order to be granted the refund.

Cooking sauces, haggis, protein bars and mints are just some of the many items that Tesco has recalled.

The reasons for the numerous recalls range from glass being found in some products or incorrect allergy labelling.

Here is a list of all the products that have been recalled.

Tesco Creamy Leek & Bacon Cooking Sauce 470g

Its best before end of July 2018 and its batch code is 7031

Tesco have identified a manufacturing fault with the product where a single batch may contain egg which is not declared on the label. This means the product is a risk to customers intolerant or allergic to egg.

Customers have been warned to not consume the affected date code of this product if they are intolerant or allergic to egg.

Various Peter’s Premier Slices

Peter’s are recalling affected date codes from customers due to possible glass contamination.

These include Peter’s Premier Chicken Tikka Slice (Barcode: 5011187104295 Use by: 20 August 2017), Peter’s Premier Cheesy Bean Slice (Barcode: 5011187104103 Use by: 20 August 2017), Peter’s Premier Steak Slice (Barcode: 5011187104318 Use by: 20 August 2017)

Macsween of Edinburgh - Various Haggis and Black Pudding

“Routine testing detected high water activity in a limited number of the products which raises concerns about the company’s procedures in place to control Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum has not been detected in any product and this action is purely a precautionary measure.”

Products affected Macsween of Edinburgh Haggis, Macsween of Edinburgh Vegetarian Haggis, Macsween of Edinburgh Black Pudding, Macsween of Edinburgh In a Hurry – Haggis, Black Pudding and Vegetarian Haggis, Macsween of Edinburgh Delicious Every Day Haggis Gluten Free 454g, Macsween of Edinburgh Haggis Canapes, Macsween of Edinburgh 3 Bird Haggis

All with use by dates up to and including 18/08/2017

Clif Builder’s Chocolate Mint Protein Bar 68g

Its best before end is April 5 2016 to April 23 2018.

Tesco said: “Clif Bar & Company have identified that a single batch of Clif Builder’s Chocolate Mint Protein Bar may contain undeclared peanuts and tree nuts including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts and coconuts.

“As a precautionary measure, Clif Bar & Company are recalling the affected date code from customers allergic or intolerant to the undeclared allergens. No other Clif products are known to be affected.”

Do not consume the affected date code of this product if you are allergic or intolerant to the undeclared allergens.

Galaxy Milk 4x42g multipack bars

Tesco said: “Mars Chocolate UK has announced the voluntary recall of the following products detailed below due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

“Batch codes: 719G1SLO00, 719G2SLO00 Best before: 06/05/2018

“Please do not consume the product with the affected best before dates.”

Maltesers Teasers 35g bar

Tesco said: “Mars Chocolate UK announced the voluntary recall of the following products detailed below due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

“Batch codes: 720C1SLO00, 720D2SLO00. Best before: 13/05/2018”

Please do not consume the product with the affected best before dates.

Quorn Chilled Cocktail Sausages 180g

Use By Date is June 7, 2016.

Tesco said: “This product is being recalled as it contains Milk and Barley, which are not mentioned on the label due to a labelling error.

“For anyone with an allergy to Milk or Barley Gluten, this makes the product unsuitable and should be avoided.

“As a precautionary measure, Quorn are recalling the affected date code from customers. No other Quorn products are known to be affected.”

Uncle Joe’s Liquorice & Aniseed Extra Strong Mints 35g (tin)

Best Before End is June 30, 2018 – Lot code: TC16015

Tesco said: “William Santus & Co. Ltd has identified a manufacturing fault affecting a single batch of product that may contain small pieces of metal.

“As a precautionary measure, William Santus & Co. Ltd are recalling an affected date and lot code from customers. No other Uncle Joe’s branded products are known to be affected.”

Lipstick Pens 2PK

Model #: MF986479, Lollipop Pens 4PK, Model #: MF986829

Tesco said: “Amscan International Ltd has advised that the caps on both pens do not comply with the required safety standards and as such may pose an asphyxiation hazard if swallowed accidentally. There have been no reports of injuries with either of these products.

“As a precautionary measure, Amscan International Ltd are recalling affected pens from customers. No other Amscan products are known to be affected.”here a full refund will be given. No receipt is req

Lindt Excellence Dark Extra Fine Easter Shell Egg 220g

Best Before End October 2017, Batch code: LS7018

Lindt Lindor Strawberries & Cream Shell Egg 285g

Best Before End July 2017 Batch code: LS6334

Tesco said: “Lindt & Sprüngli (UK) Limited has identified a packing error whereby the wrong eggs have been packed in the wrong outer box. As a result, the allergen labelling is inaccurate and the products are a risk to consumers who are allergic or intolerant to barley.

“As a precautionary measure, Lindt & Sprüngli (UK) Limited are recalling affected date codes from customers.

No other Lindt & Sprüngli (UK) Limited products are known to be affected.”

Tesco Oriental Chicken Chow Mein

Tesco said: “We have been made aware by our supplier that due to a manufacturing error Tesco Chicken Curry has mistakenly been packed in Tesco Oriental Kitchen Chicken Chow Mein packaging. The Chicken Curry contains, milk, egg, mustard & sesame and as such product packed as Chicken Chow Mein will have the incorrect allergen information on the packaging.”

Pack size: 400g, Use By Date: 19/03/17, Batch Code: L069F

Kids II Oball Rattle

Tesco said: “Kids II UK Limited has identified a manufacturing fault. There is a chance that small parts can release from the chamber. These small parts may pose a choking hazard for children under three years of age.

Model number: 81031, “T” date codes: T3065, T0486, T1456, T2316 and T2856.

Lotus Biscoff Crunchy Biscuit Spread 380g

Tesco said: “Lotus Bakeries UK Ltd has identified a manufacturing fault affecting 6 batch / date codes of Lotus Biscof Crunchy Biscuit Spread that may contain small pieces of metal.

“As a precautionary measure, Lotus Bakeries UK Ltd is recalling affected batch / date codes from customers. No other product in the Lotus Bakery Spreads range is affected. As a precautionary measure, Lotus Bakeries UK Ltd is recalling affected batch / date codes from customers. No other product in the Lotus Bakery Spreads range is affected.”

Batch code / Best Before End

7005109 – 05/02/2018

7011209 – 11/02/2018

7019109 – 19/02/2018

7030309 – 28/02/2018

7039109 – 08/03/2018

7046109 – 15/03/2018

Quorn mince (frozen) 300g

Tesco said: “Quorn has identified a manufacturing fault affecting a single batch of Quorn mince (frozen) that may contain small pieces of metal.

Best Before End 31/8/18, Batch code: 136331.

Wooden alphabet pull-along

Tesco said: “We have been made aware that the pull along cord on one batch code of this product may become frayed and unravel causing a potential hazard.”

Recalled Batch Code: 161101

New Covent Garden Soup Co. Skinny Goan Spiced Chicken 700g

Tesco said: “New Covent Garden Soup Company are recalling this product because it contains undeclared mustard. Use by all dates up to and including 19 February 2017.”

Fundraisers are urged to get moving and help a little boy from Newnham who suffered severe brain damage due to a traumatic labour and birth.

100 Miles for Harry takes place in September to raise money for Harry Charlesworth.

Harry has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and it’s likely his health will deteriorate as he continues to grow.

Lynn Stubbs, chairman of the Helping Harry Trust, said: “In order to raise vital funds for our wonderful Harry we need you to get moving this September.

“We are inviting people to walk, run, cycle, ride, swim, hop, dance - or do a bit of everything. The miles can even be shared as part of a team challenge.

“So participants can challenge themselves to complete 100 miles in a day, do it in a week, or spread it out over the month. We want people to choose exactly what works for them. All you need to do is clock up 100 miles during September. For those who count steps, that’s about 211,000 steps over the month - or just 7,033 steps a day.”

All money raised will go directly towards helping Harry get the specialist care and equipment he desperately needs.

Lynn added: “Tell us how you’ll get to 100 miles, like our Helping Harry Trust Facebook page and go to our events page.”

Participants need to raise at least £20 sponsorship, which can be paid through www.gofundme.com/2ptcczw

“It would be great if people can raise more than that,” added Lynn.

“Anyone who raises over £100 will be entered into a prize draw with some top goodies to be won.”

Everyone will be sharing their journeys on Harry’s Facebook page. For more information contact lynnstubbs2@hotmail.co.uk

People in Daventry are invited to take a step back in time with a new exhibition at Daventry Museum.

Through the Ages shows the development of Daventry and significant points in time that have contributed to the town’s heritage.

It opens on Saturday, September 2, from 10am to 4pm and highlights major periods of Daventry’s history from Jurassic up to the 21st Century.

New exhibits reflect Daventry’s early history with fossils and Bronze Age axes.

Other highlights include the mediaeval period, the coaching era, the age of radio and the town expansion.

The museum will close at 1.30 tomorrow (Friday August 25) and will re-open on Saturday 2nd September 2017 from 10am to 4pm with the new Daventry Through the Ages exhibition.

For more information please contact the museum on (01327) 301246.

Email Daventry Museum on museum@daventrytowncouncil.gov.uk www.daventrymuseum.org.uk

What do Oakman Inns, Waitrose, Barclays, BAe and the Co-Op all have in common?

Oakman Inns & Restaurants, which operates hugely popular pub restaurants in Northants, Bucks, Beds, Herts, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and beyond is among the 40 recipients of The Princess Royal’s Training Award, organised by the City & Guilds Group.

Recipients cover the full spectrum of HR responsibilities including public and private sector businesses and are from industries that include hospitality, healthcare, finance and manufacturing.

The exceptional award-winning businesses, selected from a list of 116, will be honoured by HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony due to take place this autumn. The award recognises Oakman Inns for creating a lasting impact by successfully linking their skills development needs to business performance. Each of the 116 applications were assessed against three Hallmarks of Excellence by the Princess Royal Training Awards Commission, which comprised of HRH The Princess Royal and seven leading figures in the business and training community.

Chris Jones, chief executive of the City & Guilds Group said: “From household brands to leading charities, employers of all sizes across the UK are seeing real and tangible benefits of training and developing their people. The Princess Royal Training Awards provide both recognition and the opportunity to share best practice and its impact. I congratulate the 40 successful organisations who achieved the standard required by the Award in 2017. They are worthy recipients of this prestigious and rigorous royal award and we are delighted to be able to deliver it through the City & Guilds Group.”

Now in its second year, the Princess Royal Training Awards honours employers in the UK who have created outstanding training and skills development programmes which have resulted in exceptional commercial benefits. The Princess Royal Training Awards recognise the achievement of a standard of excellence rather than selecting overall winners.

Applications were assessed against three Hallmarks of Excellence:

Training and learning and development is integral to business performance

The programme is delivered efficiently and effectively

The programme has an impact on the success of the organisation and its people

Oakman Inn’s HR director, Jill Scatchard, said: “This is a recognition of the time and effort that Oakman Inns has invested in creating our in-house online training academy – Oakmanology – which involves everyone. Its skill development modules are taken by everyone from the main board down and since we introduced it four years ago, it has helped reduce our staff turnover by 43%.”

Oakman’s CEO, Peter Borg-Neal added: “We are thrilled to discover that we are the only pub group recognized by the Awards Commission. We are a people business and employ an average of 40 at each of our sites. We want them to be passionate and proud of what they do and having just completed on our 20th pub, we are committed to continuing the development of our range of training schemes so that we not only produce the managers of the future but give each one of our team members an opportunity to ‘learn a living’.”

Oakman Inns’ HR training and career development programmes were recognised earlier this year in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For in which they are the highest-ranking hospitality company at 8th position.

The company, which was founded by Mr Borg-Neal in Tring with it’s first establishment The Akeman, also has the Kings Arms, Berkhamsted, Banyers House, Royston, Beece House, St Albans, The Red Lion at Water End Hemel Hempstead across Herts and runs the White Hart at Ampthill in Beds, Beech House in Beaconsfield, Dog & Badger at Medmenham, The Akeman Inn in Kingswood and Betsey Wynne in Swanbourne as part of its Bucks portfolio.

Oakman also runs the The Navigation at Thrupp Wharf, Cosgrove, Northamptonshire, The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon, the The Old Post Office, Wallingford and the Blue Boar, Witney, as part of its Oxon venues as well as The Globe in Warwick and the Four Alls, Welford on Avon, in Warwickshire.

The highly-regarded company has pub restaurants in the West Midlands, Berkshire and Essex and will soon add Beech House in Amersham and Cherry Tree, Olney, Milton Keynes to its Bucks operation.