AUGUST 2006
18/08/2006 - Skills Academy Set for Official Opening
Official Opening for East Northants Vocational Skills Academy. An official open date has been selected for Moulton College's East Northants Vocational Skills Academy based at Higham Ferrers, on Friday 8th September, followed by an opportunity for local residents to view the new facility or take advantage of a careers advice session between 2.30pm - 7pm. The Academy has been built on Duchy of Lancaster land, located on the site of the former New Farm on the Chelveston Road and will initially specialise in the training of construction, brickwork, plumbing, carpentry & joinery and wall and floor tiling on a full time, part time and day release basis. The new buildings were constructed with financial support from Northamptonshire Partnership.
The site, which consists of 30,000 sq ft of building, car park and grounds, holds specialist workshops, classrooms, offices, a snack bar, library and IT suite. There are also 8 incubator or start-up units with four workshops and supporting offices. These will be available for new businesses that will benefit from central reception services, marketing, administration and management support from the college. College principal Chris Moody said: "We are delighted to be opening the new academy in East Northants and look forward to working more closelt with local schools to deliver vocational programmes for young people, and to provide a range of programmes for residents and employers in the District. The academy is the result of an exciting partnership between the District Council, the Duchy and the College." An invitation only opening ceremony will take place at 12.30pm and the site will be open for the general public from 2.30pm. For more information about courses on offerm please call the Main Site at Moulton on 01604 491131
15/08/2006 - Awards for Best in Business
Awards for Best in Business - Northamptonshire Chamber Supports Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards 2006. The ultimate accolade for your company, Business of the Year, can only be yours if you enter the 2006 Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards. Last year the title went to Marriott Construction, Chamber member, which, although part of the Kier Group has remained faithful to its hometown of Rushden and has been involved in many contracts within the county borders. Coming up to a year on from winning the award, managing director Chris Murphy said "winning the Business of the Year in 2005 was a great accolade for the company directors and our staff. Since establishment in Rushden in 1890 the company has grown to achieve a turnover in excess of £120m in 2005/6. "Winning this award helped us to establish ourselves as the best company operating in Northamptonshire". Marriott Construction has undertaken many high profile schemes in the region over the years, including the Guildhall extension, and is currently undertaking the redevelopment of the Royal & Derngate Theatre. Where possible the company also tries to employ local subcontractors and suppliers to ensure the strong links the company has nurtured continue to develop. Northamptonshire Chamber is pleased to be joint organisers of the Business Excellene Awards. Chief Executive Stephen Smith said "the excellence awards provide a splendid opportunity to celebrate the businesses and people who contribute to the county's economy and business life". It is an acknowledgement of these inspirational people in Northamptonshire that Northamptonshire Chamber is sponsoring the Entrepreneurial Business of the Year award for 2006. Mr Smith added "Across Northamptonshire there are impressive examples of entrepreneurs who have combined creativity and innovation with good business sense to make a name for themselves and their companies. Their efforts deserve to be recognised and can serve as inspiration to others who have the ideas and the entrepreneurial skills which can bring them success". To stand a chance of winning one or more of the categories, complete and return the entry form, which is available on www.northantsnews.com. Businesses that do not want to be part of the nominations/selections process but still want to be involved with this prestigious event can do so by sponsoring one of the categories. For further information about the Business Excellence Awards call Gillian Politis on 01536 506108.
07/08/2006 - Royal & Derngate Launch New Seaon
Northampton's two main theatres announce their first shows after an 18-month-long refurbishment. The public will be able to find out if the refurbishment of the Royal and Derngate is £14 million well spent in October 2006 when the theatres re-open. The 18-month-long refurbishment has seen professional theatre in Northampton relegated to touring shows at the Deco. The Royal & Derngate's Chief Executive Donna Munday says that the majority of the money has been spent on things that will increase the enjoyment of audiences: "In Derngate there's been a full refurbishment: new seats, new carpet, new wall finishes, new lighting and - probably the most important of all - air conditioning." The Royal Theatre has been restored to its former Victorian glory: "People were worried that we might modernise it or do something that will take away the heritage feel, but we haven't," says Donna. "It's a faithful and true restoration. Whilst there's new décor, new seats and also air conditioning, it feels as though you're walking into a Victorian theatre and it looks absolutely stunning." The theatres also have a new foyer and a new performance space called 'Underground'. David Essex opens the theatres with a concert at Derngate on 9th October 2006. The first show at the Royal Theatre is the Stephen Sondheim musical 'Follies' which begins on the 20th October and stars a cast of professionals and local amateurs. To celebrate the 85th birthday of Northampton's greatest composer, Sir Malcolm Arnold, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be leading a two-day festival of his music at the Derngate. Julian Clary stars in the Derngate's panto Dick Whittington, whilst the Royal's Christmas show is the children's classis Pinocchio. In the New Year, the Royal will produce their own version of Shakespeare's comedy 'Twelfth Night', starring former TV soap stars. There's good reason for this as the Royal & Derngate's artistic director Laurie Sansom explains: "Some soap stars are fantastic actors, and you've never seen their full potential. Partnered with Twelfth Night is a new play called Soap which is about two soaps on stage - an Australian one and an East-enders style one - and the two worlds start to collide. We'll be casting people who've recently left soaps because the play is about people who're trapped in this world and are desperate to get out. They'll be cast in the Shakespeare as well." New Season Highlights: 09/10/2006 - David Essex (Derngate); 20/10/2006 - 18/11/2006 - Follies (Royal); 21/10/2006 - 22/10/2006 - The Arnold Festival (Derngate); 23/10/2006 - Paul Carrack (Derngate); 28/10/2006 - Ken Dodd (Derngate); 31/10/2006 - 04/11/2006 - Crazy for You (Derngate); 06/11/2006 - Joe Pasquale (Derngate); 07/11/2006 - Elaine Paige (Derngate); 12/11/2006 - Youth in Concert (Derngate); 13/11/2006 - 18/11/2006 - St Petersburg Ballet Theatre (Derngate); 20/11/2006 - 25/11/2006 - Grease (Derngate); 28/11/2006 - Mitchell and Webb (Derngate); 05/12/2006 - 13/01/2007 - Pinocchio (Royal); 08/12/2006 - 14/01/2007 - Dick Whittington (Derngate); 26/01/2007 - 17/02/2007 - Twelfth Night (Royal); 02/03/2007 - 24/03/2007 - Soap (Royal); 19/03/2007 - 24/07/2007 - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Derngate). The full listing for the Royal & Derngate can be found on theatre's official website.
03/08/2006 - Arts Group Moves into Market
The arts group which has taken over Northampton's former indoor market said it will aim to give the venue a national reputation. Northampton Arts Collective (NAC) last night took the keys to the building from Northampton Borough Council on a 12-month lease. Jayne West, NAC Director, said she wanted the project to mean something to more than just people living in Northampton. She said: "At the moment there is not a lot to attract people the Northampton. With so many people able to travel here if they want to, we want to draw people's attention to the town. If we don't have two reviews by national newspapers of events we put on then we would just pack up and leave. That is the level of our ambition". The venue has already attracted the Art Not Oil 2006 touring exhibition - due in town in mid-October - which seeks to highlight issues surrounding sponsorship of art galleries by multinational oil companies. Between now and then, the former fish and meat stands in the centre of the market will be moved out or demolished so the central area can be used for month-long exhibits. The market has room for up to 24 artists in the units around the outside space that were formerly used by traders and so far five businesses have signed up to occupy them. One of them is 24-year-old Charlotte Ashman, who is starting her first bsuiness selling items including handmade birthday cards and gifts, and will benefit from a low rent of about £50. She said "One of the main pull attractions is obviously the low rent in that if things don't work out I won't have lost a massive amount. I know with other artist friends who want to establish themselves that will be a pull factor too". NAC will collect money for renting space, but they are also waiting to hear about applications for about £70,000 of funding from the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) and Arts Council of England. They hope to open on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, between 10am & 9pm, from the beginning of September. Any artists interested in renting space can email jayne@northamptonarts.org News item source: The Chronicle & Echo - by Nick Spoors.
02/08/2006 - Searching for History at Bury Mount
Work by South Northamptonshire Council to help find the history of the Bury Mount site at Towcester is due to start this month. The work to tidy the scheduled ancient monument, which includes clearing some overgrown trees and scrub, is necessary in order to start archaeological research at the site. The Bury Mount, part of the Moat Lane site in Towcester, was purchased by the Council in 2004 from the Hesketh Estate using money from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Council bought the land as part of long term plans to regenerate the site, and protect and improve access to the ancient monument. Tree surgery contractors are due to start work felling some trees on the site on Monday 31st July - the trees and their roots pose a particular threat to the buried archaeology. Not all trees on the site will need to be felled, although some that are due to come down have prviously been covered by Tree Preservation Orders. Councillor John Townsend, cabinet member with responsibility for conservation said "We're very excited to begin this work which will mean that a vital part of Towcester's heritage will finally be accessible to the people of Towcester. The Bury Mount project is part of the bigger Moat Lane regeneration but, as a scheduled ancient monument, it is a unique task to investigate and preserve its secrets. I'll be very interested to see what the archaeologists dig up!" All works at the site, including the felling of the trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders, have been given consent and are fully endorsed by English Heritage and County Archaeologists. Anyone interested in work taking place at the site is welcome to contact Ian Lorman, Arboricultural Officer at the Council on: 01327 322260. Plans for the rest of the Moat Lane site are being formulated and funding of £1.7million has been allocated from the WNDC.
01/08/2006 - Explore Card Offers Discounts Galore
Explore Northamptonshire is giving residents and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy the county's finest attractions at discount rates, with its new 'Explore Card'. The 'Explore Card' launched in July and will give give great discount and special offerd at some of Northamptonshire's top restaurants, leisure attractions, hotels and fashion stores. Whether you're a film buff, into fine dining, or want some summer entertainment for the ever-demanding kids, the 'Explore Card' will help you on your way to achieving maximum fun with minimum spend. Some of the great offers currently include two for one meals at popular TGI Fridays restaurant, buy two wristbands and get third free at Wicksteed Park, two games for the price of one at AMF bowling and 20% off Clique. Jo Hayes, Sponsorship Manager at Explore Northamptonshire, said "The great thing about the 'Explore Card' is that everyone can use it. If you're a resident of Northamptonshire, why not use the card to discover something new, or continue enjoying your old favourites for a little cheaper. If you're a visitor to the county, enhance your experienceand uncover the array of restaurants, shops and activities on offer". Jo continues, "This initiative is also an excellent opportunity for local businesses. Companies taking part can expect to see both an increase in footfall and brand exposure. The scheme is free to join so it's well worth signing up". The card (priced at £5.99) will be available to purchase from the Northampton Visitor Information Centre at the Guildhall and via the Explore Northamptonshire website. The card is activated straight away and valid until June 2007. So, don't miss out on the fantastic leisure attractions in Northamptonshire, get your 'Explore Card' Today!