What's On

Northampton Town Council’s Bands in the Park season kicks off this on Sunday, 6th April, with a packed calendar of free live performances from local bands and musicians every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until 29th September. The popular event takes place between 2pm and 5pm at Abington Park’s historic bandstand, in the relaxing surroundings of the town’s premier park. This year’s programme features a wide range of brass, jazz and concert bands from Northamptonshire and beyond, along with choirs, music groups and solo performers, with three performances sponsored by The Park Café – Abington Park. A town council spokesperson..

The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards have returned for their seventeenth year, opening entries for the 2025/26 competition and once again shining a spotlight on the county’s food and drink talent. Launched on 25 March at The Lane, Northampton College, this year’s campaign calls on chefs, producers, venues and students to put themselves forward across 18 categories. The awards aim to celebrate excellence and innovation across Northamptonshire’s hospitality and agri-food sectors, from community cafés to high-end restaurants and artisan makers. Awards Director Rachel Mallows MBE DL said the scheme had become a vital support to local businesses: “These awards..

A moving tribute to the airmen lost in the tragic 1944 B-17 collision over Irthlingborough is set to be unveiled at Stanwick Lakes, as a deeply researched exhibition brings their personal stories to life. On 22 February, it will be 81 years since two B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft—“Hells Angel II” from the 303rd Bomb Group at RAF Molesworth and “June Bug” from the 384th Bomb Group at Grafton Underwood—collided mid-air while preparing for a bombing raid in Germany as part of “Operation Argument.” Of the 20 crew members, only three survived. Now, thanks to the dedication of local volunteers and..

If you’re looking for a fun way to shake off those post-Christmas blues, Northampton’s Market Square has just the thing! On Saturday, 18th January, the newly refurbished square will be transformed into a winter wonderland of free activities, perfect for a family day out. From 11am to 6pm, you can lace up your skates and hit the rink for a day of free winter skating (yes, free!) or try your hand at curling in a dedicated lane just for kids. Never tried curling before? This is your moment. But it’s not just about gliding on ice—there’s plenty more to keep..

Santa took his seat in “the best value grotto for miles around” on Saturday, delighting families with a winter wonderland featuring animatronic penguins and polar bears. This year’s grotto at the Grosvenor Centre was delivered by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) in collaboration with Northampton Town Council, Northampton College, Royal & Derngate and Rockin’ Roadmender, alongside the charity #brightspaceNN. The attraction, located opposite Charlie Brown’s menswear on the Upper Mall, opened on Saturday, 23 November, and will welcome visitors from 10.30am to 4pm every weekend until Christmas, with a final session on Monday, 23 December. Tickets cost just..

*This event has now been rescheduled to Saturday 30th November due to weather conditions* It’s that time of year again—the nights are getting longer, the air crisper, and Northampton’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is just around the corner. Mark your calendars because next Saturday, 23rd November, the Market Square will transform into a festive wonderland from 12–6pm, kicking off the Christmas festivities in style. Hosted by Northampton Town Council, the event is jam-packed with yuletide cheer for all ages. Expect live stage performances, local produce and gift stalls, creative workshops, a festive bar (yes, mulled wine enthusiasts, this one’s for you),..

Thousands of people are expected to attend a Christmas Craft and Gift Market organised to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and The Air Ambulance Service. The event, at Wicksteed Park, this Saturday and Sunday, is the brainchild of Miranda Hetzel, her family and the team at Ivy Cottage Events. Her husband Andy Simms suffered a heart attack whilst taking part in a parkrun at the park in 2018 and died seven weeks later. Miranda and her family have used the annual event to raise £22,000 for the British Heart Foundation and The Air Ambulance Service in Andy’s memory...

Demand for high-quality rented homes is stronger than it’s ever been. For many people, buying their own property is out of reach, while others simply prefer the lifestyle that comes with renting. Often however, traditional rental arrangements don’t offer the stability, flexibility or sense of community that families are looking for. For renters in and around Northampton and Wellingborough considering their next move – and a place to truly call home – we at Leaf Living, a private rented homes provider, have launched over 60 new three-bedroom homes in Wellingborough. But what makes our homes different? No deposit option: Through..

Cynthia Spencer Hospice has announced that its flagship fundraising event, Cycle4Cynthia, which was cancelled yesterday due to adverse weather conditions, will not be rescheduled this year. In a statement issued this afternoon, the Northamptonshire charity said: "Regrettably, we were forced to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2024 Cycle4Cynthia event yesterday. Given the considerable effort required to organise the event, the necessary permissions from local authorities, and the onset of winter weather, rescheduling this year is not feasible. "This was not a decision we took lightly. In 21 years, we have never had to cancel, but the heavy rain,..

What is it about autumn that pulls you outside? Is it the crunch of leaves underfoot, the crisp air that makes you zip up your jacket, or the sight of the landscape, now painted in vibrant shades of orange and gold? In Northamptonshire, the season works its magic, turning the county’s parks, forests, and hidden gems into perfect autumn walk destinations. Whether you’re after a peaceful ramble, a bit of history, or simply somewhere to admire the fiery colours, here’s your guide to the best walks. We’ve thrown in the length, difficulty rating, and even where to get that much-needed..

Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, has raised close to £3,000 for the foundation’s General Fund by completing the 100km South Coast Challenge. The Northamptonshire Community Foundation is the county’s leading independent grant-making organisation. In the 2023/24 financial year, it distributed over £2.9 million in grants to small charities, community groups and volunteer-led organisations across the region. Funds raised through the General Fund are vital to the foundation’s operations, enabling it to continue awarding grants to grassroots groups working with Northamptonshire’s most vulnerable residents. Rachel completed the 100km trek over the weekend of 7-8 September. Reflecting on the..

Franklins Solicitors, a prominent legal firm with offices in Milton Keynes and Northampton, is once again calling on local charities to nominate themselves for its annual fundraising initiative – the Franklins £50 Challenge. The firm has committed to supporting at least eight charities in 2025, with applications open until 27 September 2024. The Franklins £50 Challenge 2025, which will run from 24 February to 23 May, marks the sixth year of this successful campaign. The initiative has become an important platform for local charities to collaborate with businesses, raising vital funds for community services. This year’s theme, Local Help and..

Hibiscus, an acclaimed fine dining restaurant set within the historic Delapré Abbey in Northampton, has secured its second AA Rosette, marking it as one of only two establishments in the town to hold this prestigious accolade. The recognition, conferred by the AA’s inspectorate, lauded the restaurant for offering “extremely chic surroundings for thoughtful modern dishes”. This achievement reflects Hibiscus’ unwavering commitment to quality and innovation under the guidance of Executive Head Chef Bart Polinski, who was named Chef of the Year at the 2022/23 Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards. The restaurant’s seven-course tasting menu, which showcases seasonal, locally sourced..

Ousedale School in Milton Keynes is set to embark on a new chapter as it officially joins the E-ACT academy trust. E-ACT oversees 28 academies across the UK, supporting more than 18,000 pupils and 2,500 staff members. Its portfolio includes two schools in nearby Daventry—E-ACT Parker Academy and E-ACT DSLV Academy—as well as three in South Buckinghamshire: E-ACT Bourne End Academy, E-ACT Chalfont Valley Academy, and E-ACT Denham Green Academy. Every E-ACT academy is rated by Ofsted as either 'good' or 'outstanding' for leadership and personal development, with 97% achieving a similar rating for behaviour and 93% for the quality..

The Hardingstone-based Northampton High School is celebrating an exceptional set of A Level results for Summer 2024, marking one of the strongest performances in the school’s recent history. This year's achievements further solidify the school’s accelerating academic momentum and underscore the courage and perseverance demonstrated by the 2024 leavers. Head of Northampton High School GDST, Dr. May Lee, proudly shared, "This year’s cohort is among the strongest we have seen at Northampton High School in recent years. Not only did 17% of all grades achieve A*, a significant increase from previous years, but over 42% of grades were A*-A, and..