Northamptonshire is fizzing with excitement as this year’s finalists in the Artisan Local Product and Artisan Local Drink categories are announced, showcasing unprecedented innovation, quality, and passion for craftsmanship.14 of the county's best Artisan food and drink products have been revealed as finalists, they will now compete for Gold, Silver, and Bronze in their respective categories.The ‘Artisan’ classification includes products from local companies that make a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods. Rachel Mallows MBE DL, Awards Director, said:“Innovation is a theme in the Artisan categories this year, which is exciting to see....

01 July, 2024

Businesses on Brackmills Industrial Estate have voted YES to another five years of Business Improvement District (BID) status.Businesses on the Northampton estate voted in favour of plans to continue the estate’s status as a Business Improvement District (BID), securing a fund of nearly £2.3million which will be spent on improving the estate over the next five years.This positive result follows months of planning, in-depth interviews, surveys and workshops and a month-long ballot in which businesses on the estate were asked to vote on the proposals.Brackmills, home to more than 180 businesses and 11,000 employees, has held Business Improvement District (BID)...

01 July, 2024

A charity that works to alleviate hunger and provide for those in need across Northamptonshire has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation received the award from His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson, in recognition of the support it gives to people in need across the county.Equivalent to an MBE, the award is the highest that can be given to voluntary groups in the UK.The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation was established in 2020 in response to the pandemic and since then has provided invaluable aid to thousands of people.It has supported more than 83,000 people through distributing...

01 July, 2024

'Persistent, resilient and dedicated’ students at Northampton College’s Daventry campus have been urged to take a moment to reflect on their achievements and take that memory with them as they prepare to enter the workplace.An awards ceremony held at the Badby Road West site on Wednesday, June 26 honoured dozens of students who have excelled over the past 12 months, both in terms of academic performance and personal progress.Jason Lancaster, the incoming principal of Northampton College, said: “We’ve performed extremely well as a college and all the exam results and statistics back that up but actually, the stories of our...

01 July, 2024

A jeweller that has traded in Northampton for more than 100 years has underlined its commitment to the town centre by completing a £3million investment in its flagship store.With the expansion and refit of its One Gold Street home, Michael Jones Jeweller has created a luxurious new high-end destination for customers seeking coveted brands such as Rolex and Fabergé.The independent jeweller, which is run as a co-operative, has had a presence in Northampton since 1919 and is now looking forward to a bright new future in the town, with doors due to open on Monday, July 1.The work has seen...

28 June, 2024

The first section of a new relief road which has been created to support the delivery of new housing developments has now opened to the public in Northamptonshire.The road, which is the first section of the Sandy Lane Relief Road to be opened, has been built to connect residents at the new housing schemes and surrounding residential areas with the existing Sandy Lane road, opened to road users for the first time on Friday 28th June.Miller Homes and Vistry Group are delivering a significant number of new homes in this part of Northamptonshire and the existing route between the A4500...

28 June, 2024

On Saturday 6th July, Delapré Abbey will host "MeNN: Men’s Reset Day", a day of activities dedicated to encouraging men to access mental health services and overcome the stigma of discussing their mental well-being. The event seeks to bring awareness to the mental health services available for men and promote positive mental health practices through the Action for Happiness’ 10 Keys to Happier Living."MeNN: Men’s Reset Day" will be held in Delapré Abbey’s tranquil Walled Garden, and will feature a barbecue, engaging talks, a workshop on nutrition, and activities such as ice baths and breathwork sessions. These activities are designed...

28 June, 2024

The new Principal of Northampton College has pledged to take the College to the next level having helped to secure a positive Ofsted result in his previous Vice Principal role.Jason Lancaster is preparing to succeed Pat Brennan-Barrett OBE, who is departing this summer having overseen a remarkable rise in the College’s fortunes since taking the reins a decade ago, transforming it into one of the top five colleges in the country.A former Director of an Institute of Technology, Jason has held a range of senior leadership posts, supporting colleges to develop and improve their provision, and previously served as Vice...

28 June, 2024

The fifth annual Silverstone Soccer charity event raised more than £3,000 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice on Sunday (23rd June).Ten teams battled it out on pitch in the five-a-side fundraiser at Daventry Town Football Club, but it was Stonhills Estate Agents who took the much-coveted winner’s trophy.Betchle UK were named as runners up.The popular event, which is hosted by award-winning vehicle leasing firm Silverstone Leasing, has raised thousands of pounds for its nominated charity partner Cynthia Spencer Hospice, since its conception in 2020.This year the grand total raised was a staggering £3,141, not just through the football tournament but also other...

26 June, 2024

Axil and Lush, the sustainability forward cosmetics giant, are celebrating a year of collaboration in the realm of sustainable beauty and waste management.In spring 2023, Lush selected Axil for a three-year contract at their iconic Green Hub in Poole, sharing a mission of progress, purpose, and a vibrant commitment to our planet and its people.Celebrating a year of commitment to progress, purpose, and environmental stewardship. Sharing their values and passion for circularity. Converting waste into valuable resources while ensuring transparency and minimising environmental impact.At Lush, the ethos is as straightforward as it gets: honest, down-to-earth, and unapologetically bold. The...

26 June, 2024

An Army veteran has urged businesses to be more aware of the skills that former military personnel can bring to a workplace as we approach Armed Forces Day on Saturday (29th June).Joshua Davis has praised award-winning recruitment consultancy Wills Consultants for their assistance and support in finding him the right role after leaving the Army.The Kettering-based firm, who have recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant to publicly pledge their support to the military, helped Joshua to transition from a weapons engineer to deputy engineering manager at global engineering firm SSI Schaefer Group.Joshua decided to leave the Armed Forces after 11...

26 June, 2024