Sport

The daughter of a lifelong cyclist who spent his final days at Cynthia Spencer Hospice will now take part in a cycling fundraiser in his memory. Holly Shannon’s father Simon Bown was diagnosed with cancer in January and died just a few weeks later on 23rd March 2024. His last two days were spent at the hospice where his family were housed overnight so they could be close by. Holly, 50, said: “The hospice was absolutely amazing. Dad was admitted very quickly, and a bed was found at short notice which was very much appreciated. “He went downhill very rapidly. We were given the family room upstairs so we could stay at the hospice and my sister and I slept there. My mum was given a bed next to Dad so she could be with him all night. It would’ve been almost impossible to be with him when he died..

The Mayor of Northampton has congratulated the town’s Saints Rugby Club after their win in the Gallagher Premiership final on Saturday, which saw them become the champions of the English Rugby Union. The team’s 25 -21 win over Bath at Twickenham is their second Premier league title and was celebrated on Sunday, when an open-top bus drove Saints players on a victory parade from Franklin’s Gardens to Northampton town centre. Large crowds gathered outside the Guildhall to cheer the winning team, who were greeted by the Mayor of Northampton Cllr Paul Joyce, the Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council Cllr Jo Gifford and the Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Adam Brown. Addressing Saints players and supporters, Cllr Paul Joyce said: “I stand here today as a very proud Mayor, celebrating the team’s remarkable achievement of winning the Premiership trophy and being the Premiership Champions. “This was a season to remember..

The Ultimate Euro Fan-Zone Experience showing all the games, is coming to The Village in Northampton at Delapre Abbey between Friday 14th June and Sunday 14th July 2024, brought to you by Sky Bet. Expect giant outdoor screen, bars, street food, ping pong & sports activities, plus Wimbledon coverage. Open daily from Friday 14th June through to Sunday 14th July. Standing section tickets £9.50pp. Seated tickets £15.00pp (for a 6-seater table). Both sections have a view of the giant screen. It's open daily and ALL euro 24 games will be shown - entry is free to all fixtures except England games which is ticketed and strictly 18+. When football isn't on, Wimbledon coverage will be shown. Take part in sports activities and ping pong. Children are welcome with responsible parent/guardian and must be supervised at all times (NOT applicable at England games). Dogs also welcome but must be kept on..

Experience the excitement of playing on the legendary turf at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this summer. On June 5, the Northampton Saints will host their Corporate Touch rugby tournament, offering a fantastic afternoon of team-building through rugby. Businesses from across the region are gearing up to compete on the main pitch at the Gardens. The day will feature a BBQ and DJ, providing plenty of opportunities for interaction, bonding, and networking with colleagues, friends, and other businesses. Each team must consist of ten players, including a minimum of two women. Teams will compete for the latest piece of silverware, playing at least four matches throughout the afternoon. There are still spots available for you and your colleagues to join the tournament. Here are the details: Saints Corporate Touch 2024 Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Time: 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM Location: Main Pitch, cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens Price:..

Moulton Leisure Centre is set to stage a celebration event after four athletes from Northampton Swimming Club were named as part of ParalympicsGB’s squad for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The centre, run by leading operator Everyone Active in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), is keen to showcase the quartet’s fantastic achievement. Attending the Paralympic Games this summer will be multiple Paralympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion Maisie Summers-Newton, European medallist Eliza Humphrey, world medallist Scarlett Humphrey and European medallist Bruce Dee. A celebration event will be held at Moulton Leisure Centre on Saturday, June 15 from 9.15am-9.45am. It will see the public given the opportunity to meet the athletes, take photos, secure autographs, ask questions and wish them luck at the Paralympic Games. Maisie is an Elite athlete on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme, a scheme which offers up-and-coming athletes much-needed support. The Sporting Champions programme has helped..

Racers, motorsport fans and avid gamers can get behind the wheel to race the iconic Silverstone circuit at Silverstone Museum’s all-new Sim Suite At Silverstone. The Museum has launched its latest attraction, announcing the arrival of the Sim Suite At Silverstone, equipped with the UK’s leading racing simulators geared to offering a hyper-realistic racing experience.  Sky Sports F1 analyst and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Simulator driver, Anthony Davidson, visited Silverstone Museum to officially unveil its new bespoke, purpose-built space at the home of British motor racing. The state-of-the-art sims are situated in a new futuristic style, custom-built space at the Museum, which is located trackside of the world-renowned Silverstone race circuit.  The new Sim Suite At Silverstone, which is also available to hire for private events, parties and corporate bookings, is exclusively designed to entertain everyone from motorsport fans and pro-gamers to Museum visitors seeking an exhilarating and adrenaline-fuelled unique experience. Silverstone..

Northampton Bike Park is turning one this month. To celebrate the special milestone an open day is happening on Saturday the 23rd of September at the park on Eagle Drive Northampton. During the day, there will be free coaching sessions, bike maintenance workshops and fun races for juniors. The event is free to attend, the only charge is for car parking, which along with donations, fund the running and upkeep of the park. The event takes place from 9.30 am until 3.30 pm and welcomes both beginners and experienced cyclists to join the celebrations. Happening on the day: Specialist mountain bike demonstrations. Big Bike Revival – Free bike fixing sessions. Prior booking is essential, you can book here Free adult and junior coaching sessions run all day. The sessions are offered on a first come, first served basis and can be booked on the day, booking opens at 10 am...

Young people at risk of permanent exclusion from education or being lured into a life of crime will be among those who are put on the path to a brighter future following the opening of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Corby Hub. The hub, based at Stewart and Lloyds Rugby Football Club in the town, was officially opened by the new Mayor of Corby, Councillor Leanne Buckingham at an event on Wednesday attended by representatives from Northampton Saints Foundation, Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold and the Foundation’s ambassador, Jack Fleckney. The new hub will allow the Foundation to support young people aged between seven and 16 from across the north of the county who have become disengaged from mainstream education through its social inclusion programme, Engage. Each session uses the values of rugby to inspire, support and educate young people to develop new skills and build their confidence. The hub..

FOUNDATION Day – the biggest event in the fundraising calendar for Northampton Saints Foundation – is set to kick off on Saturday, February 25. Being held in partnership with Approved Business Finance and MPA, the event will be centred around Northampton Saints’ Gallagher Premiership clash with Gloucester at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens at 2.45pm. The atmosphere inside the stadium promises to be electric with the chance to meet Saints’ players in the Supporters’ Village, half-time entertainment and a host of incredible prizes to be won in an auction and raffle. Last year’s event raised more than £60,000 to support the foundation’s life-changing work supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and encouraging them back into mainstream education. The Foundation does this by running social inclusion and education programmes in schools and through hubs in Northampton, Milton Keynes and Ipswich. Managing Director, Catherine Deans said: “Foundation Day is an incredibly important..

Calling all you avid golfers! Join Northamptonshire Health Charity for an un-fore-gettable day at their 7th annual Charity Golf Day on Thursday 8th September. The independent charity, which supports local NHS hospitals and community services across the county, are looking for teams to help raise money towards their two current major appeals.  The charity team are working hard with the local community to raise funds for a new outside play area for the children’s wards at Northampton General Hospital. For a child, being able to play whilst being treated in hospital is really important for their recovery as it is reassuring and familiar, enabling children to express their feelings and anxieties. The funds raised from this year’s Golf Day will also benefit the Twinkling Stars appeal for the new maternity bereavement suite at Kettering General Hospital.  Lead Bereavement Midwife, Lisa Drummond, said: “Each year we care for up to 100..

Strangely, Speedway Racing gets a bit of a poor rap in this country. Dan Gilkes, an 18-year-old professional in the sport wants to change that – and his enthusiasm is infectious, writes Sammy Jones. It’s not unusual to hear people say that they discovered their passion early on in life. But Dan was bitten by the Speedway bug when he was just two years old, which takes some beating. “After my Nan passed away, dad didn’t want my pap sitting at home on his own,” Dan explained, “They used to go to Speedway when my dad was a child, and this time they took me along. I have loved it ever since.” When most five-year-olds would have been hoping to find toy lorries or Lego in the seasonal stocking, Dan had set his sights on something bigger: “I asked Father Christmas..

Moulton College and the Titans are delighted to announce a new partnership, combining high-quality teaching and facilities at Moulton with the opportunity for students to experience elite level training and competition. The partnership will provide students on Moulton College’s basketball academy, with an opportunity to play for the Titans U18s and potentially experience playing in the National League in Division 2 or 3. Students will be supported by professional coaches both at the College, and through links to the Club. Pete Burgoine, Operations Director at Northamptonshire Titans said: “It’s fantastic to be working alongside Moulton College to promote elite basketball within the county. The team at Titans are excited to begin training with the College’s talented players, building their technique and sportsmanship through support from Moulton staff. The partnership will offer opportunities for Titans players through use of the College’s fantastic facilities, and links to study opportunities at Moulton. Working..