Princess Benedikte of Denmark to visit Northampton

Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark is to visit Northampton on Wednesday 1 August to mark the strong trade links between her country and the town. HRH Princess Benedikte opened the Carlsberg brewery in Northampton - the first outside its homeland of Denmark - in 1974 and almost 40 years on, she is to be welcomed back to mark both the historic connections and the future economic partnership.

Lionheart - Northampton Market Square 11-19 July



Prepare for a woolly week as Shauna Richardson’s Lionheart Project visits Northampton’s historic market square.

Three giant hand crocheted lions will be on display in a custom-built, mobile, glass case that is travelling around the East Midlands. These powerful, realistic sculptures reflect the region in both symbol and materials.  Richard the Lionheart’s three lions crest is created using regionally sourced Swaledale wool.
The Lionheart Project is part of Artists Taking The Lead, a series of 12 public art commissions across the UK to celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and is funded by Arts Council England and supported by Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire County Council.

Borough Council asks for carnival to be postponed because of poor weather

Northampton Borough Council has asked the Carnival Committee to postpone the Carnival due to take place tomorrow, Saturday 9 June, because the very poor weather conditions mean that Delapre Abbey’s grounds and parklands – where the carnival begins and ends with a fair - cannot be used. 

Agreement on the table to move Sixfields plans forward

Northampton Borough Council is in advanced talks with Northampton Town Football Club and the Homes and Community Agency on an agreement to that would pave the way for development in the Sixfields area.

At a recent meeting, the three organisations discussed plans that would enable regeneration in the area, which is part of the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone. The Homes and Communities Agency owns a large amount of the land in the Zone and the wider Sixfields area.

Any development would complement the unfolding plans for the Enterprise Zone and would attract businesses to invest and create jobs. This could ultimately see hotel and conference facilities, offices and retail use on the Sixfields site. The agreement would also enable to football club to move forward with the development of their stadium.

Delivering a good plug for recycling

Businesses, residents and schools in Northamptonshire are being urged to recycle their broken or unwanted electronics at a three-day event being held at The University of Northampton, Park Campus, Boughton Green Road, Northampton NN2 7AL.

The recycling event takes place on Wednesday 20, Thursday 21 and Friday 22 June 2012, from 7.30am to 3.30pm. The event will stay open until 7.30pm on Thursday 21 June. All types of business and household electronic waste will be accepted for free and staff will be on hand to help with unloading.

The event is being hosted by The University of Northampton, Northampton Borough Council in partnership with Enterprise, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, and European Recycling Platform (ERP), as part of a drive to increase the amount of electronic waste that is recycled.

Touring Exhibition comes to Northampton

A touring exhibition that explores the mystery of where William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway is to open at Abington Park Museum in Northampton on 8 June.

Five churches lay claim to the wedding and ‘And thereby hangs a tale’ looks at the evidence for and against each claim.  The churches cited as contenders for the wedding are St Martin’s Church in Worcester, Temple Grafton Church in Warwickshire, All Saints’ Chapel in Luddington, Holy Trinity in Stratford and All Saint’s Church in Billesley - now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity saving historic churches at risk.

The evidence for each claim has been pieced together by the trust, which has organised the exhibition.  Visitors will be invited to sort through historical fact from fiction before drawing their own conclusions.

Northampton joins Bandstand Marathon to close London 2012 Festival

Local musicians from Northampton will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the largest closing cultural event of London 2012 on 9th September thanks to Northampton Borough Council.

Musical performances held at Abington Park bandstand will be one of hundreds of outdoor, community concerts taking place simultaneously across the country, making up the Bandstand Marathon.

Music of all types is welcomed. Bands, groups, choirs and individual musicians are being sought to perform, helping to make the Bandstand Marathon truly memorable and create a cultural legacy for others. 

Claret car park opens to provide easier parking for Saints sell out game

The Claret car park is located on Edgar Mobbs Way, a short walk from Franklin's Gardens, and will be open from 10:30am on Saturday, parking will cost just £4.