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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.
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30 May 2022
The full line-up for Northampton Music Festival has been revealed, with 61 acts set to perform in eight locations throughout the town centre.
The free music festival, which takes place on Sunday, 19 June, kicks off at 11:30am on the Main Stage in Market Square with Northamptonshire school children performing Katy Perry’s Fireworks in sign language and culminates with a homecoming headline set from Northampton-based band Sarpa Salpa, whose new single ‘Dreaming’ is receiving critical acclaim.
The World Music stage, in the courtyard of The Guildhall, will see a headline performance from T Bone Afrika Allstars – formed just a few months ago, the band is already playing to packed audiences across the country conjuring up the sense and feel of Africa.
Northampton’s own Ivor Johnson Band, rooted in soul and gospel music, will play an array of instruments from around the world.
Sandeep Raval, curator of the World Music Stage, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for the Northampton community to experience world class talent on their doorstep for free.”
Headlining the classical stage, in its new home at Northampton Museum’s Courtyard, will be esteemed musicians David Blackadder and Richard Holloway.
David is one of the world’s finest trumpeters who was hand-picked to play at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Richard is one of Northamptonshire’s most respected and admired pianists who has dedicated much of his life to inspiring students at NMPAT.
The Jazz Stage at the Guildhall Hotel will be headlined by the Alex Clarke Duo.
One of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists on the British jazz scene, Alex won the Rising Star category of the 2019 British Jazz Awards and was a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition in 2020.
The New Boots stage at The Black Prince on Abington Square will see folk-rock flair for the headline performance from Northampton singer Aryah and her group.
New and emerging talent will be celebrated on the Student Showcase Stage in Element Courtyard on George’s Row with performances from students at Northampton College and the University of Northampton.
Two pop-up stages have been added to the line-up, both in memory of local musicians Pop Spencer and Kate Coyle who recently passed away.
Gelda Spencer, Pop’s wife, said: “Music was such a big part of Pop’s life and he loved performing at the local festivals in Northampton. He would be so proud of this tribute to him at Northampton Music Festival.”
Kate’s friend, Scott Walters, said: “Kate was an amazingly talented singer and ukulele player and her favourite places to play were The Black Prince, The Mailcoach and The Fish. Kate was loved by so many.”
Pop-up curator Hannah Faulkner was determined to remember both much loved local performers during NMF22.
The full line-up of the festival is:
MARKET SQUARE – MAIN STAGE
11:30am: SIGNING Stars
12pm: Wellingborough Gospel Choir
1pm: Richard Exall’s Shooting Stars
2pm: Mystic Crew
3pm: Hana Brooks
3.30pm: Gabriel Halford and Dave Crawford
4pm: Sharmaine
5pm: Lay it Down
6pm: Phantom Isle
7pm: Pure Genius
8pm Sarpa Salpa
GUILDHALL COURTYARD – WORLD MUSIC STAGE
1pm: Durgesh and Friends
2pm: Inta Africa
3pm: Paul Jackson
4pm: Brazilian Vibes
4:30pm: Plastic Visual
5pm: The Ivor Johnson Band
6pm: TBone Afrika Allstars
(Followed by a spectacular finale featuring all acts)
GUILDHALL HOTEL – JAZZ STAGE
1pm: Elle Delaney and Co
2pm: Dan Wyllie Quartet
3pm: The Krupa Connection
4pm: Day-Hood & Co
5pm: Wayne Matthews Trio
6pm: Alex Clarke Duo
NORTHAMPTON MUSEUM COURTYARD – CLASSICAL STAGE
12:30pm: Joshua S Bell
1:30pm: Kay Warçaba
2:30pm: Wellingborough Gospel Choir
3:30pm: Rob Colley
4:30pm: David Blackadder and Richard Holloway
THE BLACK PRINCE – NEW BOOTS STAGE
1pm: Chargr
2pm: Jasmine Burns
3pm: hazeyjane
4pm: In Atoms
5pm: Paul Ronney Angel
6pm: Aryah
ELEMENT COURTYARD – STUDENT SHOWCASE STAGE
12:45pm: The Stencil Pencils
1pm: Tabitha Brown
1:20pm: Sophie & Daisy
1:40pm: Katakuris
2pm: Matt Jones
2:20pm: xtahc
2:40pm: New Age Jam
3:10pm: Plastic Visual
3:30pm: Thrifted
4pm: Back2Basics
4:30pm: Mitsäu
5pm: One Way Ticket
5:30pm: Our Condolences
6pm: Osmium_band_
6:30pm: Worth a Shot
POP-UP STAGE OUTSIDE V&B (ST GILES’ SQUARE) – A TRIBUTE TO POP SPENCER
12pm: Niamh Keating
12:50pm: Ant & Luke
1:40pm: Mae Stephens
2:30pm: Hannah Faulkner
3:20pm: Marc Checkley
4:10pm: Charlie Tarry
5:10pm: Jake Brown
POP-UP STAGE ON FISH STREET – A TRIBUTE TO KATE COYLE
12pm: Andreas Rose
1pm: Michael Green
2pm: Scott Walters
3pm: Tom Cayton
4pm: Joseph Boyle
5pm: Ray Beck
For more information, and to receive news and updates on the acts performing, follow #NMF22 on social media on Facebook @northamptonmusicfestival, Instagram @NNmusicfestival and Twitter @FestNN.
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Public Service students from Moulton College have this week (24 May) been put through their paces during a visit to Moulton Fire Station as part of their firefighter experience day.
Over the course of the day, around forty students joined White Watch crews from Moulton, Mereway and The Mounts, along with Youth Engagement Officer, Michelle Bates and Community Safety Officer, Jo Gouldson to get a flavour of life as a firefighter. They participated in job-related tests, which form part of the application process, running out hoses, moving ‘casualties’ and carrying equipment over a short distance.
The students also got to experience the ‘smoke house,’ albeit with only a small amount of smoke, where firefighters practice their search techniques. Wearing firefighter protective clothing and breathing apparatus, they were paired up and had to find their way around a dark building using communication and teamwork to locate a casualty and safely exit the property.
Helen Russell, Public Service Lecturer at Moulton College, who had organised the day with Watch Commander Aaron Childs said: “I was really impressed by the students’ engagement in the activities throughout the day. The Public Services course aims to provide the perfect stepping-stone to adjust to life working within the public service sector, learning practical and theoretical skills to improve employability.
“Aaron and the crews involved in the day, gave a real insight into the vital work the fire service does to keep the county safe, and the day has certainly sparked interest from a number of our students.”
In addition to the practical activities the students learnt about water safety. They were shown the best technique to use a throwline to provide potentially lifesaving help to someone in distress in water. Crews also offered a tour of the fire appliances including one of the Service’s Technical Rescue Vehicles and answered questions about careers in the Service.
One student commented: “All the activities were fun and enjoyable, and they really opened my eyes to a role in the fire service.”
Station Commander at Moulton Fire Station, Tom Hodson said: “We were delighted to host the firefighter experience day for the students from Moulton College and we are looking forward to working more closely with the College going forward.
“Working in the fire service is a great career for anyone interested in supporting their community. It’s not just about putting out fires. We attend a wide range of incidents, including floods, animal rescues, road traffic collisions as well as providing support to other emergency services. A large part of the firefighter’s role is carrying out community engagement work to increase awareness of fire risk and to prevent incidents from occurring in the first place.
“I am really pleased to hear that we have helped to focus some of the students’ minds on the fire service as a career and are always happy to talk more about the role with interested people.”
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service will be recruiting for firefighters in the Autumn. If you are interested in finding out more, fire stations around the county will be holding ‘Have a go’ days over the coming months. Please follow us on social media for updates and keep an eye on the Service’s website.
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27 May 2022
Communities across West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to get their neighbourhoods clean for the Queen in readiness for the many street parties taking place across the long weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations from 2 -5 June.
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 and effective litter pick.
Anyone wishing to borrow a litter picking kit can find out more information on the council’s website, email [email protected] or call 0300 126 7000. All sacks of litter collected from public land will be picked up by the council.
Councillor Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste, said: “Over 100 neighbourhoods across West Northants are planning to hold street parties across the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, so this is an ideal time to organise a litter pick and make sure that your street or area is looking its best for the celebrations.
“We really appreciate the great work of volunteers and groups such as the Litter Wombles 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 in.”
West Northamptonshire Council has developed a litter charter to ensure a coordinated approach to tackling litter across the whole council area and is working with Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District and Northampton Town Council to deliver long term anti-littering initiatives.