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31 May 2022

Fines for the illegal use of bus lanes are set to increase from £60 to £70 as part of a change in national legislation, introduced by Government from this week.
The increase, from May 31, affects all council areas (including West Northamptonshire) which issue Penalty Charge Notices for the contravention of traffic regulations in bus lanes.
Additionally, the initial period during which the payment of fines is discounted has increased from 14 days to 21 days.
Both changes bring the rules regarding bus lane contraventions into line with legislation regarding civil parking enforcement.
Cllr Phil Larratt, WNC’s Cabinet Member for transport, highways and environment, said: "As a local authority we are obliged to comply with the rules nationally, but we welcome the extended discount period, people are busy and this gives them a better chance of not missing out on the discount, especially now it’s the same regime as postal parking fines.
"But we have to remember bus lanes are there to reduce congestion and encourage people on to greener and more sustainable forms of transport. So, the best way to beat the traffic and avoid fines is to use the bus."
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31 May 2022

129 neighbourhoods will be closed over the four-day Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend as communities across West Northamptonshire celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years of service to the nation.
From Willow Green, Old Stratford on the southern edge of West Northamptonshire, to School Lane, Naseby in the north, communities across the area will be wrapping their lampposts in bunting and putting out tables and chairs to enjoy the celebration with their neighbours.
Cllr André González De Savage, Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council said: “It can be very easy sometimes to overlook the power of symbols. But in the post-war years we have seen a pace of change which few societies have ever experienced, and Her Majesty has been a constant symbol of duty, honour, and good grace.
“Now, more than ever I think we need to come together to celebrate those shared ideals."
Leading the way is the county town with more than 30 road closures in Northampton, followed by Brackley with 17 and Daventry with nine.
Anyone needing to travel locally during the Jubilee weekend is encouraged to check the full list of closure before they set off.
Other highlights of the celebration in West Northants include: the lighting of Jubilee Beacons on Thursday, the Jubilee Pageant through Northampton on Saturday, and the Big Lunch at Delapre Park on Sunday.
For more details of the road closures, a round-up of national events, details of events and activities in West Northants, and other useful links, visit our Queen's Platinum Jubilee page.
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31 May 2022

Thousands taking part in Northampton’s Jubilee Pageant on Saturday, 4 June will have their energies restored thanks to a donation of 2,000 pre-packed sandwiches from Moulton Park’s Greencore.
As one of the country’s biggest food suppliers, Greencore produces 1.6 billion food items a year and supplies everyone from local convenience stores to all the major supermarkets.
After the Pageant they will be feeding over 1,500 representatives from the county’s military and emergency services, youth groups, and the community and religious groups taking part.
Councillor André González De Savage, Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council said: “If you’ve ever grabbed a sandwich on the go, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten a Greencore product.
“They are just one of dozens of major UK companies who call Northampton a base of operations and employ hundreds of people in the area, if not thousands if you count the suppliers and services they work with.
“I’m very pleased they have stepped forward to show their commitment to their community here in Northamptonshire and I’m looking forward to my cheese and salad sarnie to keep me going during my duties on the big day.”
Tim Jackson, Site Director at Greencore Northampton, said: “We are proud of our long-standing history as a major employer in Northampton, and it is important to us that we play our role in the local community. This is why we are delighted to donate 2,000 sandwiches to those representatives that are taking part in Northampton’s Jubilee Pageant this weekend.”
The spectacular pageant will take place in Northampton town centre on Saturday, 4 June starting at the top of Abington Street at 11am.
It will then move west down Abington Street, along George Row, up The Drapery and onto the Market Square where a celebration service will take place.
As well as the military, the Pageant will feature Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, Girlguiding Northamptonshire, the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, Northamptonshire County Federation of Women’s Institutes, Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council and the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Northampton.
For a round-up of all the official Jubilee events in Northamptonshire and nationally, and to register to receive updates on local activities, visit our Platinum Jubilee page.
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01 June 2022

Lodge Farm based Travis Perkins plc have announced today Wednesday, 1 June, they will be sponsoring Pride Northampton, the first time the firm has taken the step.
The Pride Parade on Sunday 26 June is organised by the Northampton Pride Committee and West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum and aims to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and encourages acceptance and equality for all.
Travis Perkins plc employs 20,000 people at home and abroad, and 1,600 people just in Northamptonshire. They will be supporting the Pride Parade while highlighting what they do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community they employ and serve.
Cllr André González De Savage, Chairman of WNC, said: “When we use the word community, we don’t just mean neighbours, sports clubs and churches. We also mean businesses, especially those who employ thousands of people and pay salaries which are spent within the area.
“It makes me very proud to see not only a household name based in Northampton stepping forward to support its community, but also to see an historic business demolish old norms, to break new ground and open doorways to the LGBTQ+ community."
All 20,000 Travis Perkins plc colleagues are being encouraged to use Pride to educate themselves on what it means to become good allies to lesbian, gay, bi, trans and questioning (LGBTQ+) and will mark the celebrations by taking part in a range of activities, including training, talks and debates.
They will also be encouraged to mark the occasion by wearing rainbow laces or dress brightly during June to show their support.
Robin Miller, General Counsel & Company Secretary for Travis Perkins plc and sponsor of the Group’s LGBTQ+ network, said: “As one of the biggest employers in this area, we are delighted to sponsor this year’s Northampton Pride parade, which provides a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and support our colleagues and everyone from the local LGBTQ+ community.
"We are committed to become a more inclusive business that attracts a more diverse range of talents and people, so we provide a work environment that better reflects the diversity of the communities where we live and work."
As well as financial and marketing support for the parade, Travis Perkins plc will also be recruiting during the event.
Performers, food vendors, stallholders, volunteers, and community groups are all lined up to take part in this year’s Northampton Pride which starts at the Market Square at 11am, with festivities continuing until 4pm.
ENDS
About Travis Perkins plc
Travis Perkins is the UK's leading distributor of building materials to trade customers and has the ambition to be the leading partner to the construction industry. The Group operates market leading businesses, including Travis Perkins Builders’ Merchants, Toolstation and a number of specialists in the civils market (Keyline), heating and ventilation (BSS) and drylining and insulation (CCF), and many more. With annual revenues of £4.6bn, the Group employs over 20,000 colleagues across the UK, but also in France and Benelux through Toolstation. The company has a proud heritage that spans over 200 years. For more information, see Travis Perkins.
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31 May 2022

Excitement for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is spanning across the Atlantic as Northamptonshire gears up for four days of celebrations this weekend.
Residents in Northamptonshire’s twin city of Indianapolis, USA are among those planning to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne – and recently showed their support by joining our county for a twin tree-planting ceremony at Silverstone Circuit as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative.
The special ceremony took place at Silverstone this month with former Indy Car and Formula 1 driver and Indianapolis 500 competitor Max Chilton joining Northamptonshire Queen’s Green Canopy Chairman Paul Parsons to plant an American Sweetgum tree at the world-famous motor circuit.
Meanwhile at the same time in the USA, an English oak tree was being planted in Garfield Regional Park, Indianapolis by Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis Judith B Thomas, joined by Chris St. Paul, President of the Indianapolis-Northamptonshire Sister Cities Committee.
Paul Parsons said: “We are delighted by Indianapolis’ enthusiasm to take part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and hope that the English Oak they have planted thrives as does this American Gumtree, as enduring symbols of the friendship between our two nations and between the City of Indianapolis and the county of Northamptonshire.
“Over one million trees have so far been planted across the country and I’m delighted to say that there has been great enthusiasm and participation for this initiative in all corners of our county. We are also very grateful to the Silverstone Circuit for providing this fine American Gumtree.
“When I was tasked to lead this initiative in Northamptonshire, I saw its remit as stretching across its 900 or so square miles, but what I had not foreseen was an international element!”
Northamptonshire became twinned with Indianapolis in 2009, when the then Mayor of Indianapolis sought to develop a relationship with Great Britain through the Sister Cities International Scheme, that would foster economic, cultural, and technological growth with another area that had a strong focus on the motorsports industry.
The Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, Judith B Thomas, said: “It is an honour for us to join with Northamptonshire in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and to contribute in a small way to her Green Canopy Project. Toward that end, we’ve planted an English Oak at the historic Garfield Regional Park on the south side of Indianapolis.
“We were excited to know that at the same moment, representatives of West and North Northamptonshire Councils and the Northamptonshire Queen’s Green Canopy Committee were at the Silverstone Circuit, planting a tree to represent our Sister City relationship.”
Mr Bazire said: “At Silverstone, sustainability is very important to us, and the circuit aims to be Zero Carbon by 2030. We are therefore very pleased to help the environment by planting this tree and contributing to the legacy of the Queen’s Green Canopy, which will benefit generations to come.
“We are also delighted that the BRDC member Max Chilton, who has such close links to Indianapolis through his racing career, could be a part of the planting ceremony.”
The tree planting took place in the run-up a bank holiday of Jubilee celebrations being planned across Northamptonshire this weekend, including a countywide pageant of military and community groups through Northampton Town Centre on Saturday.
Towns and parishes will also be lighting official Jubilee beacons this Thursday, with communities and neighbourhoods across the county holding street parties, alongside two major Jubilee Big Lunch events taking place at Northampton’s Delapre Abbey and Wicksteed Park in Kettering on Sunday.
To find out more about the jubilee celebrations and how to get involved in the Queen’s Green Canopy tree-planting initiative, visit our Jubilee webpage.