St James Residents' Association

For The Residents And Workers Of St James

Wednesday 11 June 2014

St James 2014

Out with the old and in with the new.




Monday 5 May 2014



Saturday 26 April 2014

Monday 24 February 2014

Northampton Borough Council launches Android app


Northampton Borough Council has now completed the Android version of the ‘Northampton’ app, after a successful iOS launch back in 2012.

The Android app has the same functions as the iOS version, containing user friendly menus that are easy to navigate, and help smart phone users access council services whilst on the move.
Features of the app include:

• Keep Northampton tidy by reporting environmental problems to the authority. Providing a receipt and a resolution date.

• Find out your bin collection details and set a reminder on your phone to ensure you never miss a collection again.

• Contact Northampton Borough Council from within the app; get a receipt and a respond date.

• Follow the social feed for the latest news and views of what's happening in the town.

Cllr Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for Community Engagement, said: “When we first released the iOS Northampton app, it sparked requests from several people asking for an Android version, and we were more than happy to provide this for them. “The app is cost effective and provides users with the convenience of accessing council services by a touch of a button. We hope that Android users will download this app to explore the range of services it offers, including reporting litter, finding out about bin collection dates and keeping up to date with all the latest news happening in the town.”


The Northampton app is free and can be downloaded here: http://goo.gl/gj0p4B

Grosvenor Centre car park now accepts chip and pin payments


Shoppers and visitors using the Grosvenor Centre car park in Northampton town centre can now pay for their parking using chip and pin credit and debit cards.

The pay machines at the Grosvenor Centre car park now take chip and pin cards, coins and banknotes.  Card payments are checked in the same way as any other card payments and payment is accepted only after authorisation by the bank.

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member responsible for car parks, said: “Credit and debit cards are now used widely, even for low cost payments such as parking.  The Grosvenor Centre is one of our busiest car parks and is the latest one to become a pay on exit car park which gives shoppers more flexibility over how long they stay in town.  Adding the chip and pin facility at the pay stations makes paying for parking at the Grosvenor Centre even more flexible for shoppers.”

New Northampton tourist guide now available

Northampton Borough Council has just published an updated version of the tourist brochure, a guide to Northampton.

The 64 page book features everything that the town has to offer, including events and culture, history and key tourist destinations and venues.

The guide is available to pick up from several locations, including the Tourist Information centre at George Row and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, and can also be viewed online at: www.northampton.gov.uk/northampton-guide
Councillor Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement, said: “Northampton has so much to offer in terms of its rich history, culture and entertainment venues.

“This new brochure will be distributed around the region, gaining footfall for Northampton and encouraging visitors to explore our beautiful historic town.”

To keep up to date with all the latest events and discounts that Northampton has to offer, visit: www.lovenorthampton.co.uk

Steps to recognise and protect our history


People in Northampton have the chance to get involved in the work to preserve an important part of our town’s heritage, the site of the Battle of Northampton.
 
In 1460 Northampton witnessed one of the major conflicts in the War of the Roses. The Battle of Northampton and aftermath is seen as a significant event, not just in our town’s history but as part of the story of our nation. Northampton Borough Council is asking people to comment on plans to protect the historic site of the battle and surrounding area.
 

The plan looks at seven key areas:

  • Battlefield – location and protection
  • Historic landscape
  • Nature conservation
  • Access and interpretation
  • Public use and events
  • Landscape
  • Management and maintenance

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning said: “This year we are celebrating the rich and interesting story of Northampton. So it seems only fitting that we are looking carefully at how we can protect the site of one of the most significant battles fought on English soil.
 
“Almost 650 years ago the armies of the House of York and House of Lancaster gathered in Northampton, and the outcome of that battle helped determine who would rule England.
 
“Today we are looking at how we can protect the site of the battle and bring it to life for visitors and local people who want to discover the story of Northampton.”
 
To find out more about the plans to conserve and protect the site of the Battle of Northampton visitwww.northampton.gov.uk/battle1460. All comments must be received by 5pm on Thursday 27 March.March.

Monday 27 January 2014

The NBC Budget


Northampton Borough Council’s budget proposals

Later this month people in Northampton will have the chance to discuss plans to freeze council tax, provide free parking and support the town’s businesses and communities.

On Thursday 30 January Councillors at the Guildhall will be holding a public meeting for anyone interested in discussing Northampton Borough Council’s budget proposals. The meeting is open to anyone who would like to hear the proposals, ask a question or offer an idea.

This year’s budget includes:

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

A rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of Northampton Museum & Art Gallery's costume collection.

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery has over 7,000 items of costume in its collection including star items, Mary Queen of Scot's pocket and Queen Victoria’s stockings.

These items and many, many more can be seen on Saturday 1 February at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Guildhall Road, Northampton 10.30am until 12pm.

Tickets are £3.50 and booking is essential. For information and to book a place please call 01604 838111 or email museums@northampton.gov.uk.    

Monday 20 January 2014

Police in Northampton urge people to lock their doors

Police in Northampton are reminding people to check their home security following a number of burglaries at homes where doors have been left unlocked.

Nineteen of the 51 burglaries reported in Northampton since 1 January have been at properties where the offender has got in through an unlocked front or back door.

Detective Sergeant Carrie Powers said: “Unfortunately, too many people still leave doors unlocked – often they simply forget to check or think someone else in the house must have done it.

“In the first 13 days of January, more than a third of burglaries in the Northampton area have happened because the house was left insecure – in some of these, the householder was in the property at the time.

“Burglars are opportunistic and if they come across a door or even a window that’s been left unlocked, it’s an easy target for them. Yesterday, central sector officers were checking doors while out on patrol and found 15 front doors unlocked.

Northampton Borough Council - Northampton marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Local community groups, school children and councillors will gather at the Guildhall on Monday 27 January, to reflect on the millions of people killed during the Second World War under Nazi persecution.

The ceremony will take place in the Guildhall’s Great Hall at 6:30pm and there will be a number of speakers and performances, including contributions by children and young people from Briar Hill Primary School, Abbeyfield Secondary School and the Borough Council’s Northampton Youth Forum.

There will also be a short flower laying ceremony at 12 noon on Monday 27 January which will take place at the Holocaust Memorial Stone in The Courtyard at The Guildhall.

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp and also recognises other genocides around the world.

“It’s important for us as a community to come together and spare some time to mark this international event. I hope that everyone will join us for the ceremony on Monday (27 January) to reflect on the many people who suffered from prejudice because of their religious beliefs or nationality.”

Both events are open to everyone but booking is essential for the evening ceremony.  Anyone planning to attend should contact Northampton Borough Council’s Communities and Partnerships Team at: alice.morgan@northampton.gov.uk or by calling 01604 837795.

Northampton Borough Council - Work to begin on new fountain for the town

Work to remodel the market square fountain  is set to begin today, Monday 20 January.

The first phase of work will involve upgrading the underground systems serving the fountain. The area will be fenced off and this fencing around the compound will remain throughout the works.

Last year Northampton Borough Council asked people for their views about the future of the fountain and the majority of responses (58%) revealed that people wanted to see the fountain remodelled and switched back on.

The new fountain is due to be turned on in the spring. 

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, said: “Over 350 people took part in the consultation on Northampton Borough Council’s website and the results showed that the majority of the public were in favour of a new fountain for the town.

“Since last year, we've been investing in many improvements for the town centre to help welcome visitors to Northampton, and we hope that this investment will attract more shoppers to the Market Square.”

Thursday 16 January 2014


Campbell Square public ‘enquiry desk’ to move to the Guildhall
 
A new public-facing police ‘enquiry desk’ will be opening at the Guildhall in Northampton next month. 
 
From Saturday, 1 February, the new police desk at the Guildhall will replace the existing enquiry desk at Campbell Square police station. 
 
The move to the Guildhall is an opportunity to bring together the service currently provided by police staff at Campbell Square with other local services offered by Northampton Borough Council, creating a ‘One Stop Shop’ for the public. All enquiries from the public, including reporting crime, producing driving documents or reporting lost property, will be made at the Guildhall.

Police urge people to lock their doors



Police in Northampton are reminding people to check their home security following a number of burglaries at homes where doors have been left unlocked. 

Nineteen of the 51 burglaries reported in Northampton since 1 January have been at properties where the offender has got in through an unlocked front or back door. 

Detective Sergeant Carrie Powers said: “Unfortunately, too many people still leave doors unlocked – often they simply forget to check or think someone else in the house must have done it.

St James End before 1965

St James End before 1965

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