- Details
01 April 2022
![Volunteers with spades in a field during the planting session at Upton](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/144/81/0/2022-04/Upton%20QGC%20planting%20session_0.jpg)
Hundreds of trees were planted across West Northamptonshire in March as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Residents, community groups and parish councillors from Upton and St Crispin’s in Northampton planted over 400 trees across the weekend of 26- 27 March in St Crispin’s Park and Upton Country Park, with the help of the Land Trust and IdVerde.
Oak, Crab Apple, Birch and Rowan trees were among the sapling varieties planted, which were positioned to create thick tree canopies in future years. The parish council has also planted four mature cherry trees in each corner of Upton Square, which will be marked with special Jubilee plaques.
We were keen to get involved in honouring the Queen’s reign and leaving something for future generations. Parish councils are at the heart of the community, and after the two years of Covid restrictions we’ve all endured, what better way to build back our sense of togetherness than by planting trees and getting out into nature.Cllr Nick Sturges-Alex, of Upton Parish CouncilWe’re looking forward to seeing the trees grow over many years and giving our residents something to look back on and cherish. We are thrilled to be part of the Queen’s Green Canopy and take a small place in the history of a once in a lifetime event.
Several scout groups from across Daventry have also been busy planting trees at Daventry Country Park and on the 20 March, to mark the Jubilee, they created an avenue of 24 cherry trees leading to the existing orchards.
The avenue is just part of the planting work undertaken at the park by the scouts, who have already planted almost 300 trees, including Hawthorn, Hazel and Silver Birch, and 4000 spring bulbs during their monthly volunteering sessions, with the support of the park ranger and the Friends of Daventry Country Park.
Commemorative oak trees have also been planted at the Northampton Army Reserve Centre by the 103rd Battalion of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and at Abington Park by the Friends of the Park, while the wellbeing garden at St Crispin’s Retirement Village now has 12 new trees to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.
It's fantastic that so many community groups, organisations, businesses and residents have given their time and contributed to marking the very special occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, while also enhancing the natural environment of West Northamptonshire.Cllr Pinder Chauhan, heading up the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative at West Northamptonshire CouncilThe next tree planting season starts in October 2022, so there is still time to make the Queen’s Green Canopy even bigger during the jubilee year and add to the thousands of trees already planted across the country.
Anyone planting trees can pin their location, along with a photo and their name on the Queen’s Green Canopy interactive map, which provides a permanent digital record of the Jubilee tree planting projects.
Find out more information about the Queen's Green Canopy and Platinum Jubilee events taking place across West Northamptonshire during the Bank Holiday Weekend of 2 - 5 June.
- Details
01 April 2022
![](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/144/81/0/2022-04/Vikings.jpg)
Viking fans can experience life in the ‘Dark Ages’ this Sunday, 3 April, when the Bifrost Guard Viking re-enactment group set up camp at Abington Park Museum in Northampton.
The group will be on site between 11am and 3pm in their Viking encampment, demonstrating striking coins, leather stamping, whittling and necklace making, as well as giving combat demonstrations at 12, 1 and 2pm.
Children’s crafts, including Viking finger puppet, shield or axe making, along with dressing up and talks about Viking life, will also take place inside the museum on the day.
The Bifrost Guard are known for their authentic re-enactments and knowledge, so this is a great opportunity to learn about the Viking’s ancient culture, traditions and crafts.
Admission to the ‘Viking Mania’ day is free, with a small charge for craft activities. This event is taking place alongside the Valhalla Viking exhibition at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, which runs until 18 April.
- Details
31 March 2022
![An artist's impression of how Market Square might look following redevelopment](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/144/81/0/2022-03/Market%20Square%201.jpg)
We are inviting people to give their views on what events and other features Northampton Market Square should host following its redevelopment.
A key part of the project is to help create a large public space which can be used for a variety of purposes, and we would like to hear what people want to see there.
It could be anything from musical or theatrical events to big screens for major sports fixtures, plus individual ideas.
We would also like to hear what features, in addition to the existing market stalls, would bring visitors into the town centre, such as specialist markets and wide-ranging leisure activities.
Cllr Lizzy Bowen, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, said: “As part of our wider strategy for Northampton town centre, we’re going to deliver an amazing events space in Market Square.
“It’s a key civic space and one of the historic locations we’ve highlighted in our City Status bid, as it is the second largest market square in the country and has stood since 1235.
“We already have some great ideas about what we can do with it, including some of the hugely popular events we already host like Diwali and the Christmas lights switch-on.
“The way people use town centres has changed drastically, they’re no longer primarily about retail, people now want to experience fantastic leisure and cultural events too.
“Many of you responded to our previous consultation on the future of Market Square, which resulted in our outline plans.
“Now, we want to hear some of the fantastic ideas you have, as this is your Market Square and should host the kinds of things you want to see here.”
Views can be given in an online survey which should take no more than a few minutes to fill in, so people are encouraged to take some time to share their ideas.
The survey opens today (Thursday 31 March) and will run until the end of April, and team representatives will be in the town centre with a street survey from Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 April.
There will also be a display at the Grosvenor Shopping centre from 7 April to 4 May outlining the latest plans for how Market Square look once redevelopment completes in 2024.
- Details
01 April 2022
![Volunteers with spades in a field during the planting session at Upton](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/144/81/0/2022-04/Upton%20QGC%20planting%20session_0.jpg)
Hundreds of trees were planted across West Northamptonshire in March as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Residents, community groups and parish councillors from Upton and St Crispin’s in Northampton planted over 400 trees across the weekend of 26- 27 March in St Crispin’s Park and Upton Country Park, with the help of the Land Trust and IdVerde.
Oak, Crab Apple, Birch and Rowan trees were among the sapling varieties planted, which were positioned to create thick tree canopies in future years. The parish council has also planted four mature cherry trees in each corner of Upton Square, which will be marked with special Jubilee plaques.
We were keen to get involved in honouring the Queen’s reign and leaving something for future generations. Parish councils are at the heart of the community, and after the two years of Covid restrictions we’ve all endured, what better way to build back our sense of togetherness than by planting trees and getting out into nature.Cllr Nick Sturges-Alex, of Upton Parish CouncilWe’re looking forward to seeing the trees grow over many years and giving our residents something to look back on and cherish. We are thrilled to be part of the Queen’s Green Canopy and take a small place in the history of a once in a lifetime event.
Several scout groups from across Daventry have also been busy planting trees at Daventry Country Park and on the 20 March, to mark the Jubilee, they created an avenue of 24 cherry trees leading to the existing orchards.
The avenue is just part of the planting work undertaken at the park by the scouts, who have already planted almost 300 trees, including Hawthorn, Hazel and Silver Birch, and 4000 spring bulbs during their monthly volunteering sessions, with the support of the park ranger and the Friends of Daventry Country Park.
Commemorative oak trees have also been planted at the Northampton Army Reserve Centre by the 103rd Battalion of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and at Abington Park by the Friends of the Park, while the wellbeing garden at St Crispin’s Retirement Village now has 12 new trees to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.
It's fantastic that so many community groups, organisations, businesses and residents have given their time and contributed to marking the very special occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, while also enhancing the natural environment of West Northamptonshire.Cllr Pinder Chauhan, heading up the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative at West Northamptonshire CouncilThe next tree planting season starts in October 2022, so there is still time to make the Queen’s Green Canopy even bigger during the jubilee year and add to the thousands of trees already planted across the country.
Anyone planting trees can pin their location, along with a photo and their name on the Queen’s Green Canopy interactive map, which provides a permanent digital record of the Jubilee tree planting projects.
Find out more information about the Queen's Green Canopy and Platinum Jubilee events taking place across West Northamptonshire during the Bank Holiday Weekend of 2 - 5 June.
- Details
30 March 2022
![](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/144/81/0/2022-03/Daventry%20litter%20pickers%20in%20action.jpgsmall.jpg)
Communities across West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean, which runs until Sunday, 10 April.
Litter picking kits, which include litter pickers, sacks and bag hoops are available to borrow from West Northamptonshire Council, along with a step-by-step guide to help plan a safe, effective and well-supported event.
Community litter picks have already kicked off in Daventry, with local residents and volunteers from the Town Council and the Tesco staff team cleaning up the Grange Estate and the town centre on Saturday 26 March.
Councillor Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste, said: “The forthcoming Easter school break is an ideal time to get out and spring clean your neighbourhood, so please do get in touch with us if you would like to borrow a litter picking kit.
“We really appreciate the great work of volunteers who keep their communities clean and tidy and we want to do all we can to support their excellent work, as well as encourage other groups to join them.
“By working together and maintaining community spirit, we send a strong message that littering is not acceptable.”
Anyone wishing to borrow a litter picking kit can find out more information on the council’s website, or email [email protected]. All sacks of litter collected from public land will be picked up by the council.
In Northampton, the Town Centre BID has organised a tidy day on Monday, 4 April, when business owners will team up with volunteers and the Mayor of Northampton, to help clean up the town centre.
Mark Mullen, Northampton Town Centre BID operations manager, said: “We always want to make sure Northampton is looking its very best and The Great British Spring Clean is the perfect opportunity to get everyone involved and playing their part in a town centre tidy up.
“If everyone makes a concerted effort to dispose of their rubbish in the right way our town centres can stay looking their best.”
Daventry Town Council organise monthly community litter picks and the dates can be found on their website.
Litter picking volunteers are encouraged to post photos of themselves and the bags of litter they collect on social media and tag in the Council @WestNorthants, so we can share and celebrate their great work.