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01 July 2025

This summer, children aged 4 to 11 are invited to let their imaginations bloom as the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors, launches across West Northamptonshire libraries from Saturday 5 July.
Created by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with local libraries, the Challenge encourages children to connect with the wonders of storytelling and nature. This year’s theme is brought to life through the vibrant illustrations of award-winning artist Dapo Adeola, transforming libraries into lush, story-filled gardens. Children can expect a summer of adventure, discovering magical creatures, colourful plants, and rich landscapes as they dive into their reading.
The challenge is simple: read six books over the summer holidays - any books, including fiction, non-fiction, e-books or audiobooks. Each completed book earns a reward sticker, and those who finish all six will receive a medal and certificate. It's a fun, free way to keep reading levels up over the summer break and promote wellbeing through creativity and outdoor inspiration.
Alongside the reading challenge, families can enjoy a range of free, nature-inspired activities in libraries throughout the summer. West Northamptonshire’s LibraryPlus service has partnered with Family Learning and Teach Outdoors to deliver exciting events such as teddy bear festivals, seed paper making, magic shows, bird and butterfly feeders, nature trails and much more. Children can also look forward to special collaborations with local country parks.
“The Summer Reading Challenge is a brilliant way to keep young minds active and inspired throughout the school holidays. Story Garden is a wonderful theme that promotes not only literacy but also our children’s connection with nature, imagination and wellbeing. I’d encourage every family to take part - it’s free, fun and a great way to spend time together.”Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure
Sign up for free at your local library from Saturday 5 July, or visit the Summer Reading Challenge website to get started online. For more information about local events and activities, speak to your library or visit the West Northamptonshire Council Libraries webpage.
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02 July 2025

Preparations are set to get under way for transforming the long-vacant St James Bus Depot site in Northampton into a vibrant new neighbourhood.
Contractors for West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are moving onto the site to start enabling works for the scheme in the coming weeks.
The Council has secured £1.368 million from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund to carry out essential remediation, including asbestos removal, soft strip-out, and partial demolition, key steps in readying the site for redevelopment.
The regeneration will deliver over 70 much-needed family homes, while preserving important elements of Northampton’s transport heritage where possible.
Following a competitive procurement process, Armac Demolition has been appointed to carry out the enabling works.
“The regeneration of St James Depot will deliver much-needed homes and celebrate our town’s heritage. Throughout the regeneration works we will work with our contractors to ensure that the site’s historic character is respected, while also creating a new community that supports our growing population.”Cllr James Petter, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure
The 4.5-acre site, unused since 2013, was acquired by WNC in November 2023. These enabling works will prepare the ground as the Council seeks a development partner to bring the scheme to life.
A key feature of the project is the preservation of the Grade II listed Transport Office, which will be sensitively restored. Where feasible, original facades of the early 1900s tram depot will also be retained, maintaining a strong link to the town’s past.
WNC is working closely with the Northampton Transport Heritage to ensure the site’s rich history is honoured throughout the regeneration. Future planning will align with the emerging West Northamptonshire Local Plan, which outlines the need for supporting infrastructure such as schools and healthcare services.
Enabling Works will include:
- Transport Office: Light strip-out and asbestos removal, preserving listed features.
- Original Tram Depot: Retention of front and rear facades, internal strip-out, and roof covering removal.
- Bus Depot Extension: Demolition of later 20th-century additions and reinstatement of hoarding for site security.
The Council will also shortly be launching the opportunity to seek a development partner to bring forward high quality neighbourhood scheme on the site.
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30 June 2025

Families across West Northamptonshire are encouraged to have their say on where new Family Hubs should be located, as part of a consultation that closes on Sunday 6 July.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is planning to expand its network of Family Hubs, one-stop centres offering a wide range of support for families from pregnancy through to age 19 (or 25 for those with additional needs).
Following the successful launch of the first Family Hub in Towcester, new sites are being proposed in Daventry, Northampton town centre, and other local areas. To ensure these hubs are accessible and meet the needs of local communities, WNC is inviting residents to complete a short online survey.
“We want to make sure these new Family Hubs are located in accessible locations for our families and ensure that they deliver the kind of support families actually need.Cllr Kathryn Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education“This engagement gives families, young people, and professionals the chance to help shape services in their communities.”
The consultation is open until midnight on Sunday 6 July. Take part or find out more at: https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/family-hubs/help-develop-services
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging members of the public to consider fire safety during this week’s heatwave.
Highs of 32 degrees are expected across the county today as the warm weather spells continue.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking the public to act upon safety advice during this time and to follow any local fire bans or restrictions issued by your local council or authority.
Group Manager Rob Green said: “We’re wanting you to go outside and enjoy the warm weather but please make sure you stay safe.
“When it comes to barbeques and campfires, make sure they are raised off the ground, also make sure you don’t leave them unattended. When you’re finished make sure you fully extinguish the fire and dispose of it safely.
“Please check with your local authority where you can have barbeques or campfires.”
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to use monitoring tools, such as the Fire Severity Index, to produce a risk assessment of the weather.
It predicts how severe a wildfire could become if one were to ignite.
For Northamptonshire, the level is very high. This means if a fire was to ignite, it could spread quickly.
Fires may be difficult to control if not detected early, and wind can carry embers, increasing the risk of secondary fires.
Please consider the following safety advice to prevent fires and protect yourself and your property during hot weather:
- Never light an open fire
- Only BBQ in designated safe areas
- Extinguish BBQs fully
- Never throw cigarettes on the ground, always extinguish and dispose of them safely
- Properly dispose of litter, items such as glass bottles can cause fires if left in the sun
- Avoid having bonfires, but if you must, build them well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs
Remember if you spot a fire, please call us immediately with the exact location, what3words can help with this. Always call 999 if you see any signs of smoke or fire.
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30 June 2025

A week of activities and events are set to take place in neighbourhoods across West Northamptonshire this week (30 June to 6 July), as partners come together to support Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week 2025.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), together with Northamptonshire Police and Fire Service as well as Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) will be hosting a range of activities in the community to take a stand against anti-social behaviour (ASB). Throughout the week, partners will be on hand to speak to residents about ASB, the importance of reporting it and steps that are being taken to tackle these issues.
Residents can drop by and speak to colleagues about ASB throughout the week at various locations, including:
Tuesday 1 July
- 11am to 2pm at Market Square, Northampton
Wednesday 2 July
- 10am to 11.30am, Parklands
- 12noon to 1pm, Eastfield
- 1pm to 3pm, Blackthorn NPH Hub
- 2pm to 4.30pm, Headlands
- 2pm to 4pm, Long Bucky Library - drop-in with Future Housing
Thursday 3 July
- 10am to 12noon, Blackthorn Community Centre
- 10am to 12noon, Briar Hill NPH Hub, Blackberry Lane, NN4 8QU
- 11am to 1pm, Tamar Square, Daventry
Friday 4 July
- 10am, join colleagues for community litter picking – meet outside Briar Hill Community Centre
Saturday 5 July
- 10am to 2pm, Blackthorn Summer Fete
- 11am to 3pm, Daventry Pride, New Street Park, Daventry
Sunday 6 July
- 10am to 12.30pm, Racecourse
- 1.45pm to 3pm, Morrisons Kettering Road
- 3.15pm to 4.30pm, Kingsley Park Terrace
The week of events come as part of a national campaign to help tackle anti-social behaviour, with this year's theme focusing on making our communities safer, an important priority for organisations involved.
“Anti-social behaviour is a priority issue that we are continuing and committed to tackling together with our partners. We know it can have a huge impact on the wellness of our residents and can make them feel unsafe where they live - this is not okay and together we must help improve this.Cllr Thomas Manning, Cabinet Member for Planning and Communities at WNC“This awareness week is a great opportunity for our colleagues to meet our residents, speak to them about initiatives underway and encourage them to report anti-social behaviour if they are experiencing it.”
This joint approach continues to build on the work underway by partners to make our communities a safer place, to reduce criminality and help residents live a happy and healthy life.
“We know just how much anti-social behaviour can affect people and communities, and we work hard to tackle it year round.Detective Superintendent Andy Glenn, anti-social behaviour lead at Northamptonshire Police“No-one should have to suffer alone as a result of anti-social behaviour, and supporting ASB Awareness Week is a great way to promote the help and support available to people, as well as share insights into the ways we and our partners address and prevent it. If ASB is affecting you, please report it so we can take action and help.”
"We are aware of the impact ASB can have on people so ASB Awareness Week gives us the opportunity to help publicise the matter and let those who are experiencing issues understand what support is available. It also allows us and partners to reflect on what we do well but also how we can improve the service we offer to make sure victims receive the service they deserve. I would encourage anyone who is experiencing issues of ASB to seek advice and support – we are here to help and hopefully ASB Awareness Week gives people the confidence to reach out.”Northamptonshire Partnership Homes Tenancy Compliance Team Manager, Ryan Surridge
This awareness week is just one of many initiatives taking place over the summer months as part of a ‘summer of safety’ campaign ran by Northamptonshire OPFCC & Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, Northamptonshire Police and Fire, West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council. Over the summer months, partners are working together on several initiatives to support safety in communities, listening to local concerns and working with partners to solve problems and prevent crime. Watch this space for more information shared over the coming months.
For a full list of events taking place in West Northamptonshire during ASB Awareness Week, visit the WNC events webpage.
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