Protections will support small businesses to grow, putting more money into people’s pockets through the Plan for Change.Millions of people and small business owners will be better protected against their bank account being closed, as the government goes further and faster to drive growth and delivers security for working people through the Plan for Change.Banks and other payment service providers will be required to give customers at least 90 days’ notice before closing their account or terminating a payment service – an increase from the two months currently required – under new rules expected to come into force for relevant...

28 April, 2025

A leading UK-based vegetation management and landscaping contractor is offering vital support to a local food kitchen, enabling it to provide free food to those in need in Kettering.Responding to a call out for volunteers and resources, Wellingborough-based VMS Ltd is donating time and equipment to Central Methodist Food Kitchen.Launched on Monday 7th April with a team of volunteers led by church member Vanessa Taylor-Griffiths, the service operates from its church premises on School Lane in Kettering and provides free, home-cooked, food every Monday between 3-5pm to those in need.As well as donating volunteering time on a weekly basis, VMS...

28 April, 2025

A Board director of a group holding company operating in the built environment industry is marking an incredible four decades of service.Jeff Thompson is celebrating the milestone achievement at See Limited in Corby, having joined the fabrication arm of the business, Bousfields, in the spring of 1985.Originally founded by William Reginald Bousfield, who set up shop with his daughter Joan and later his sons Peter and Ken, after the Second World War, Bousfields were early champions of Trespa® TopLab®, the scientific surface solution, in the UK.In his role, Jeff helped to transform the working environment, bringing in a more professional...

28 April, 2025

The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards are back for their seventeenth year - and shaping up to be the most exciting yet. With a surge in nominations for artisan product and drink categories, and growing recognition of the county’s food and drink stars, the momentum is hugely encouraging.But as deadlines are fast approaching for key categories, organisers are calling for more nominations, and more mystery shoppers, to help put this year’s nominees to the test.Rachel Mallows MBE DL, Awards Director said “It’s been a brilliant start to this year’s Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, with entries pouring in...

28 April, 2025

MULTI-award winning musician Graeme Duffin, who is lead guitarist with the world-famous Wet, Wet, Wet, is hosting a musical evening for leading charity SERVE.Graeme, who has had a string of hits with the band, including Sweet Little Mystery and Love Is All Around, will be at The Castle theatre in Wellingborough, on Friday, May 23, at 7pm, for a fun evening of music and chat.Tickets are just £20 and proceeds will go to SERVE, a Northamptonshire charity, which supports independent living.SERVE CEO Tony Gibbs said: “This is an intimate opportunity to hear first-hand about the life of a legendary band...

28 April, 2025

More than £29,000 has been awarded to 11 local charities from the Randal Foundation Fund, which is managed by Northamptonshire Community Foundation.The Randal Charitable Foundation and Northamptonshire Community Foundation came together to provide vital funding to small charities and volunteer-led organisations. Grant awards from the Randal Foundation Fund, managed by Northamptonshire Community Foundation, have enabled a wide range of projects, all of which benefit Northamptonshire residents and align with the Randal Foundation’s strategy: providing healthcare for the vulnerable, tackling mental ill-health, alleviating poverty, prisoner rehabilitation and education for the most disadvantaged.The charities and organisations receiving funding from this grant programme...

28 April, 2025

On 22nd April 2025, Cohesive Society CIC, in partnership with We Are All Human (IBM), hosted a vibrant and heartwarming Diverse Community Dinner Night at Northampton College, Booth Lane, bringing together more than 80 guests from across Northamptonshire’s richly diverse communities to celebrate the spirit of Eid in unity and joy.This special Eid Reunion was honoured by the presence of esteemed dignitaries including:The Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council The Chairman of Northamptonshire Council The Mayor of Northampton The Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Representatives from Northamptonshire Police Local councillors and residents from a broad cross-section of communitiesThe evening’s highlight was...

28 April, 2025

Community Spaces Northampton (CSN) has paid tribute to its founder Toby Birch who is stepping down as Chair after more than a decade of exceptional service to the town’s communities.Toby, who will remain a trustee of the charity, established Community Spaces Northampton In 2010, after negotiating the transfer of seven community centres from Northampton Borough Council to CSN – a move that marked the start of a remarkable journey.Today, CSN proudly manages 10 thriving community spaces across nine locations in Northampton, including the most recent additions which are Bellinge Community House and Semilong Community Centre – both of which had...

22 April, 2025

Leading third sector consultancy, In The Round, has appointed Jessica Pilkington, Founder and Director of Pilkington Communications, as an Associate to lead on PR and Marketing.In The Round is the UK’s leading collective of third sector experts, providing unrivalled strategic support across governance, fundraising, HR, risk management, operational strategy, PR, marketing, and organisational development. As an invitation-only consultancy, it brings together some of the country’s most respected specialists, offering charities and not-for-profits a fully integrated approach to strengthening their organisations, overcoming challenges, and maximising their impact.As an Associate, Jessica brings extensive expertise in communications, storytelling, and brand development for charities...

22 April, 2025

A sextet of sprinters will hit the capital’s streets in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice on Sunday as they take on the incredible London Marathon.The six runners, who have collectively raised more than £12,000 so far for the hospice, have been training hard for the mammoth challenge, which takes place in the city on 27th April.The date is the 25th anniversary of the death of Aasha Marenghi’s mother, who was cared for during her final days at Cynthia Spencer Hospice.Aasha, who is running the marathon in her mother’s memory, has already smashed her fundraising target of £1,750, raising more than...

22 April, 2025

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is continuing to roll out enforcement cameras across the area, as part of a phased approach to improve pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety and encourage better driver behaviour.Drivers in Northampton will face charges if they flout the rules or ignore signage at two newly enforced locations: the Horsemarket/Gold Street junction and the top end Gold Street, both of which are very busy junctions with high levels of vehicles and pedestrians.The Horsemarket/Gold Street junction camera will go live on Tuesday, 22 April and will enforce a banned left from Horsemarket into Gold Street. This follows enforcement already...

17 April, 2025