Drivers could soon face a gauntlet of traffic calming measures on one of Daventry’s main roads.

MGWSP, Northamptonshire County Council’s highways contractor, has drawn up the proposals for Ashby Road, 
after research showed half of the vehicles were speeding.

The proposals, estimated to cost around £200,000, would see major changes to the road to force vehicles to slow down and encourage drivers to take alternative routes. Plans include mini-roundabouts, vehicle activated signs and chicanes or ‘give way to on-coming vehicle’ spots.

Cllr Chris Long used to represent the area on Northamptonshire County Council and has been pushing for action for years even when the highways department initially said the road was not plagued by speeding or high volumes of traffic.

Despite losing his NCC seat in May’s elections he has kept up the pressure on the county council.

He said: “I have come a long way with this project since, on behalf of residents, I refused to accept the statement from the local authorities that Ashby Road did not have a speed and safety problem.

“I really hope that county highways are true to their word and implement these proposals.”

Some preliminary work has already taken place to try and improve the road, including ‘local access only’ signs to try and dissuade HGV drivers from using it.

Also now in place are temporary 20mph limits outside the schools during drop-off and pick-up times.

The recommendations by MGWSP will now go to the cash-strapped county council which would have to find the money for the works.

A special outreach post office is being proposed for a village two years after its branch closed its doors.

The Post Office has published proposals to operate a counter in Boddington Village Hall two days a week.

Upper Boddington Post Office closed in June 2011 due to the resignation of the subpostmaster.

Since then Post Office says it has been trying to find an alternative way of providing its services to the village and nearby residents. And now it has reached an agreement for this outreach service.

The service will be run by the subpostmaster from Woodford Halse Post Office, and the proposed times are Tuesdays from 2pm to 4pm, and Fridays from 10am to noon.

Customers will have access to the same range of services as their village post office used to offer. The village hall is 800 metres from the old post office and has a dedicated parking area.

The Post Office is now asking customers for their comments on the move in a consultation ending on July 3.

Post Office regional netword manager for central England, Adrian Wales, said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Upper Boddington and we are confident that the hosted outreach service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“The Post Office has made a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

During the consultation period the village hall post office counter will be open for one session on June 28.

Dog owners are being invited to attend a Dog Day in Braunston next month to get tips and information about looking after their pets.

Visitors to the day will be able to get free dog health checks, dog training sessions, advice on grooming and micro-chipping, while there will be poster-making activities for children and refreshments.

The event has been organised by Daventry District Council’s environmental improvement team to encourage responsible dog ownership following a large number of complaints about dog fouling in the village, following an idea by Braunston and Welton Councillor Abigail Campbell.

It is taking place in Jetty Field in Braunston on Saturday, June 8, from 11am to 2pm and lots of organisations will be on hand to offer tips and support including Pets at Home, Daventry Dog Training Club, Daventry Veterinary Clinic, Northamptonshire Police and Daventry District Council’s Dog Warden.

The council’s housing and health portfolio holder Cllr Richard Atterbury said: “This initiative has been prompted by a significant increase in reports of dog fouling in the village in recent months and is seen as a way for local dog owners to get some free help and advice about what more they can do to look after their pets.

“As well as the advice, there will be lots of free goodies to give away, and the Council’s Environmental Protection officers will also be giving away free poop scoop bags to encourage owners to clear up after their pets.

“There will be lots of interesting things going on so I hope lots of people go along on the day with their dogs and see what information is available.”

The Gusher photographers have been out and about capturing images of life in the district, and readers have been sending in images too.

Here are the top photos from this week.

See the Daventry Express for more.

A campaign has been launched by Northamptonshire Police designed to reduce the number of drink an ddrug drivers in the county.

It will start tomorrow and last for a month. The campaign is timed to capture the seasonal increase in drink driving associated with sunny beer gardens, barbecues and lighter evenings.

It also aligns with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s focus on making Northamptonshire’s roads the safest in the country.

Adam Simmonds said: “I want to see a marked reduction in the numbers injured and killed on the county’s roads and strongly support this campaign.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol is a primary factor in 25 per cent of all road fatalities.

“One death or serious injury on our roads remains one too many.”

Officers will be stopping drivers and conducting breath tests throughout the day, every day.

Superintendent Andy Cox, head of Specialist Operations, said: “I am determined to make our roads safer. Anybody who is irresponsible enough to get behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs will be taken off the road.”

To report a suspected drink drive in confidence, call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, fill out the online form at www.northants.police.uk/drivewatch or if you think someone is drink or drug driving now, call 999.

Two ballerinas from the LoveBallet Dance Studio in Daventry will perform for the English Youth Ballet’s performance of Swan Lake in Oxford in September.

Aidan Lesingham and Phoebe Willetts competed against 140 others for the spot. Aidan, along with Nadia Lesingham, Izzy Holloway, Ella Stephenson and Isla Johnson were also awarded places with the Regional Youth Ballet to perform Les Sylphides at the Mill in Banbury.

LoveBallet is also currently in the last phase of opening a brand new dance studio at Insight Park in Southam. The company aims to have a opening party at the end of June.

For more information, contact Lorraine on 07711 010404 or email lorraine@loveballet.co.uk or visit www.loveballet.co.uk

A consultation on the future of the podiatry clinic at Danetre Hospital in Daventry has been launched by the NHS.

The step has caused some patients to question if the NHS wants to cut the service from ‘low-risk’ patients due to the lack of publicity.

NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group says it wants look at the podiatry service and create a ‘sustainable service’ for current and future users.

In particular it proposes changing the criteria for risk categories, and asks if the NHS should fund treatment for low risk people if cheaper community alternatives are available.

One user of the service, who asked not to be named, said: “I have problems with my back so I go down to Danetre regularly for them to cut my toe nails and look after my corns.

“The service is used by many people in the area. My friend lives in supported accommodation but she can’t do her toenails either so she goes to the podiatry clinic.

“The only reason I knew about this consultation is that I happened to have an appointment. I don’t know how people are supposed to find out about it.

“It looks like the managers want to cut the service so only those with serious medical problems with their feet can go.

“Others like me will have to find a private podiatrist. Last time I went to one was three or four years ago, and it cost £25, which is a lot when you’re on a fixed budget.”

The NHS consultation says: “We have developed proposals about how people could receive these services in the future and would like to understand what local people think about these proposals.”

The documents are available at Danetre Hospital, and online at www.neneccg.nhs.uk/current-consultations/ with a deadline of July 4.

REPRESENTATIVES from the firm behind the controversial High Speed Two line will be heading to Boddington on Monday.

They will be at the village hall from noon to 8pm to discuss the environmental impact assessment covering the part of the route from Greatworth to Lower Boddington.

Members of the public can go along to get more information and to ask 
any questions they might have.

High Speed Two is the proposed new rail line from London to Birmingham. Current plans have it passing close to Chipping Warden, Aston le Walls and Lower Boddington.

The report highlights the impact of air pollution during construction in the area of the A361, the impact on Edgcote House and battlefield, and the visual impacts, both during construction and operation.

A new pocket park in Weedon will be officially opened next week by the children of the village’s primary school.

Weedon Bec’s Pocket Park will be opened on Thursday June 6, with the ceremony starting at 2.30pm.

Guests will be meeting at the Chapter House, behind the parish church at 2.15pm and then walk to the park which will be situated at the footpath, known locally as Puddlebank, and runs from Bridge Street to Church Street.

They are designed to provide easy access to the countryside and create an enjoyment of rural areas on the doorstep. The idea for the pocket park came from villagers when asked in the Village Vision survey which was conducted back in 2009.

Explaining about the benefits to the village, the pocket park’s chairman, Ray Charlett, said: “Many people when asked about a Pocket Park have thought that it is a children’s play area.

“It is not, there is no play equipment. It is an area for education, conservation and relaxation to be enjoyed by all.”

Funding for the park, which has cost around £23,000 was obtained after a grant from organisations including the National Lottery, Daventry District Housing, Daventry District Council and Weedon Bec Parish Council.

Support for the project has come from the whole community with many volunteers taking part in the development of the Pocket Park.

Attractions in the park include a circular path, pond, benches, bird hide to view the bird tables/feeding boxes located across the river and a wooden bridge over the storm drain. 150 native trees and bushes have been planted to enhance what is already there.

The project is at the beginning of its conservation development and will take three to five years for significant improvements to be seen.

Daventry’s over fifties will get the chance to question Northamptonshire’s new Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds next week.

On Tuesday June 4 the Daventry and District Over Fifties Forum (DOF) will welcome Mr Simmonds as the guest speakers at their free event in the Saxon Suite at Daventry Leisure Centre in Lodge Road.

Running from 2pm until 4pm, the event is one of many from DOF aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those over fifties living in the Daventry district.

As well as the session with Mr Simmonds, Trading Standards will do a talk on cold calling and the NHS Donor Service will also be there.

Various community organisations will be in attendance and there will be live entertainment from a local musician.

Anyone aged 50 and over who lives or works in the Daventry district is encouraged to attend.

For more information about the event or DOF, contact Della Butcher at Daventry District Council on 01327 871100. The forums provide an opportunity for members to get together and make new friends, while relaxing over a cup of tea and visiting information stands.

Pigeonhole in Daventry opened for business again on Saturday after moving premises in just eight short weeks.

The boutique emporium faced closure in March after high rent levels in the previous premises, Daventry’s Moot Hall, meant they could no longer afford to house their 60 small businesses.

Following coverage in the Gusher a private landlord approached owners Paul Bowditch and Dawn Willetts about moving to Bishops Crewe House (formally the Daventry Town Council office), opposite Daventry’s library.

Mr Bowditch said: “We were one week away from looking at a property outside of Daventry when we were contacted. It was very lucky and it all fell into place.

“The new building has character and it suits the type of business we have. It’s perfect and looking back now we wish we had started in this building.”

The pair have had a busy few weeks freshening up the building and moving cabinets, crafts and jewellery over.

Mr Bowditch added:“I think people will look forward to having a look around the new building. It has ornate windows and is of an age and is all on the ground floor.”

On Saturday June 8 there will be a free guided bird walk at Daventry Country Park.

Organised by the Friends of Daventry Country Park the walk gives visitors a chance to enjoy the surroundings of the park and discover more about its feathered residents and visitors plus other aspects of the park.

The walk starts from the visitors’ centre and attendees should arrive at 10am. More information is available by calling 01327 877193 or 01327 705707, or emailing friendsofdcp@talktalk.net.

The number of drink drivers caught at the start of the annual summer police campaign is up on last year’s figures.

The summer clampdown on drink driving started just at the beginning four days ago, and already 21 people have been arrested.

This is four more than the number arrested in the same period last year.

The campaign began on Saturday 1 June and will continue until Sunday 30 June.

Inspector Jen Helm from the Operations Tactical Unit, said:

“I am very pleased with what has been a strong start to this summer’s campaign.

“We want to make people think twice about driving after any alcohol.

“Not all drink drivers are typically unsafe or chaotic people, and sometimes those who consider themselves responsible and careful drivers make spur of the moment choices when they’ve had a couple of drinks.

“The best way to deal with the often unpredictable circumstances of driving is with no alcohol in the system at all.’

Across Northamptonshire, an increased number of breath tests are being carried out, with an emphasis on early morning testing.

To report a suspected drink drive in confidence, call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, fill out the online form at www.northants.police.uk/drivewatch or if you think someone is drink or drug driving now, call 999.

British Gas and Northamptonshire County Council are set to work together to help people in the county.

A report before Northamptonshire County Council’s cabinet will hear how the authority and utilities company British Gas will work together to bring economic and environmental benefits to Northamptonshire.

Ideas which are being investigated include helping householders improve insulation so their energy bills are reduced and a potential scheme where consumers could get together in order to bulk-buy their energy at a lower price.

Other initiatives could include working with businesses to help them cut their energy costs and developing low-carbon transport, not just for cars but also for buses and lorries.

Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for economic growth and public protection, said: “This is a pioneering approach which we see as having benefits all round.

“Energy costs are rising and this isn’t good for householders who increasingly find energy bills taking up a larger and larger chunk of their income, pushing some into fuel poverty.

“Rising energy costs are also bad news for businesses, particularly coming out of a recession, and being able to help them reduce energy expenses can give them a helping hand to expand.”

The deadline is approaching for nominations for this year’s Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.

Friday June 21 is the cut- off for entries into the chef, young chef and spice chef of the year in the awards run by the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership.

The competition’s director, Rachel Mallows, said: “We are delighted that the awards gain more prestige year on year and as a result, we are already on course to receive a record number of entries.

“But there is still time for pubs and restaurants – and their chefs – to get involved in this free competition so we would like to encourage everyone to do what they can to ensure that their favourites have a chance to shine and gain the public praise they deserve!”

Visit www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk, call 01933 664437 or emailing rachel@rachelmallows.com

A VICAR at one of Daventry’s churches is heading off to pastures new – but only just down the road.

The Rev Jay Phelps became minister at the SWAN Pastorate of Daventry, including Daventry United Reformed Church, in 2008.

He will now take the part-time role of minister covering the URC churches in Badby, Flore and Weedon.

On Friday many of his friends from the town got together to give him a surprise leaving party.

Member and life elder of Daventry URC, Jane Franklyn wrote: “During Jay’s five years at Daventry he has demonstrated a rare talent – being able to bring the Christian message to ordinary and marginalised folk within our town and surrounding area.

“He has also been instrumental in introducing the church at Daventry to the work of the charity Christians Against Poverty which busily, during these times of austerity, operated a branch from the chapel’s office for three years with a team of volunteers from the church membership.”

The minister is known among the church and wider community for his fondness for motorbikes and is a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Minor injuries after multiple vehicle crash on motorway near Daventry.

At around noon today (Thursday June 6) the fire service was called to the M1 northbound, just south of the Watford Gap services.

A pump from Mereway and a pump from Lon Buckby, along with the specialist technical rescue vehicle from Mereway were all sent to the scene, on arrival they found a collision involving two vans, two cars and a coach.

No persons were trapped, but there were a number of casualties with minor injuries.

A Daventry man accused of murdering his partner shouted out ‘I am sorry I’ve killed her’ according to eye witnesses at the scene, the jury at Northampton Crown Court heard today.

Erroll Anglin, 50, denies the murder of Christine Haye-Levy in Daventry on December 11, 2012.

The prosecution case is that Anglin stabbed Ms Haye-Levy with a kitchen knife, causing multiple stab wounds, one of which was just below her collar bone and punctured her right lung. The first day of the hearing heard that the incident happened during an argument between the pair and that Ms Haye-Levy escaped through a dining room window.

During the second day of the hearing, a witness for the prosecution described seeing the victim on the grass outside his house.

He said: “It appeared to me that a man was giving her CPR. I got dressed and went outside and realised my front door was covered in blood. Then I saw the lady to my left and she was motionless on the grass.

“He [Anglin] shouted ‘I’m sorry I have killed her’ but I’m not sure who he was directing it at.

“I called the police again and Mr Anglin just stood there, almost waiting to be arrested and he had his hands behind his back. He had blood on his shirt and I think he had blood on his hands. As I walked past him, I asked him ‘why?’ but he didn’t respond.”

Defending, Mr Redgrave, asked the witness if he had seen blood around the mouths of Mr Anglin and Ms Haye-Levy. He then put to the witness whether that could have been an attempt to save Ms Haye-Levy by administering mouth to mouth. a neighbour said that was possible, though he did not see that.

Prosecuting, Matthew Lowe, also read admissions to the jury from Ms Haye-Levy’s GP. The notes detailed that Ms Haye-Levy said she was a victim of domestic violence and suffered threats and cigarette burns. The GP also noted a fresh burn to MS Haye-Levy that she said was from the night before.

A friend of the couple also told the court Ms Haye-Levy had suffered at the hands of Mr Anglin in the past.

The woman, who worked with Ms Haye-Levy at BUPA in Bedfordshire before moving to Long Buckby, told the jury how the deceased was frightened of Mr Anglin, who was aggressive and got ‘very angry, very quickly.’

She recounted how Ms Haye-Levy moved to Kings Street, in Long Buckby, where they spent a lot of time together before moving to her final home in Jervis Close, in Daventry, in 2008.

She said: “I saw bruises on her on several occasions and she showed me an old scar on her arm that she got while they were living in Birmingham. She said he had slashed her.”

Defending, Mr Redgrave, said the friend had exaggerated what she had seen and described during in her evidence.

The case continues.

A mother who admitted making life miserable for her neighbours in Daventry has been sentenced to two weeks in prison after breaking an anti-social behaviour injunction.

Isobel Swarbrick, of Arnull Crescent, Daventry, received a 14-day custodial sentence on Monday, June 3, at Northampton County Court after admitting breaching her injunction.

In January 2013 Ms Swarbrick and her son Liam Swarbrick were forbidden from committing a number of acts including harassment and threatening behaviour, playing loud music and loitering within set exclusion zones.

The injunction, brought by Daventry District Council, came following repeated complaints by neighbours and after numerous attempts to resolve the problem amicably failed.

However a number of the restrictions were broken and after pleading guilty to contempt of court Isobel Swarbrick was sentenced to two weeks in prison, while her son Liam was prohibited from returning to Arnull Crescent.

Councillor Alan Hills, community, culture and leisure portfolio holder at Daventry District Council, said: “This punishment will make these individuals, and others like them, think twice about causing problems in their community.

“It sends out a message to residents that we will consider using whatever powers are available to prevent anti-social behaviour making people’s lives a misery.”

A drunk driver who was more than four times the legal limit when he crashed into another car on the wrong side of the road has been spared prison.

Rupert Jones was drowning his sorrows with friends at West Haddon Football Club on April 27 after breaking up with his girlfriend, Northampton Magistrates Court heard yesterday (Thursday June 6).

And after drinking for four hours, he decided to drive home and drifted onto the wrong side of the A428 near Althorp.

The court heard he had “lost concentration,” which caused him to collide with a car travelling in the other direction.

The driver of the other car escaped without serious injury, but was burned by her airbag deploying. The victim managed to avoid a head-on collision, but Jones’s Peugeot 206 still hit the driver’s side of her vehicle.

When arrested at the scene, Jones gave a reading of 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Julie Costello, prosecuting, said: “The victim was travelling at 30mph towards Long Buckby when suddenly another vehicle appeared on the other side of the road. She could not avoid a collision.”

Rupert Jones, aged 26, of Welford Road, Chapel Brampton, was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

John Weaver, mitigating, said: “It was a massive error of judgement. It is abundantly clear that he is very remorseful. It is a one-off that he bitterly regrets.”