Run for fun in Upton!

A new jogging group is starting up in Upton Meadows for complete beginners regardless of fitness level, age, size or ability. The group will be starting on Tuesday 19^th July and will continue every Tuesday thereafter, starting at 6:30pm. 

The jogging groups are part of ‘Jog Northants’ a countrywide programme, which is part of the ‘Run England’ – a national programme supported by England Athletics which aims to encourage people to become more active and fitter by running on a regular basis with likeminded people of similar fitness levels. The jog groups will be lead by qualified leader Mel Murray who will guide participants through a series of low intensity gentle walking and jogging programmes to gradually build up to 5K or more. 

The group is completely free of charge and will always start with the very basic walk/jog sessions – so don’t worry about not having jogged before, Mel is here to help you start from the very beginning.

The group will be a sociable way for participants to take part in regular exercise with a group rather than alone and gives participants the pleasure of running outdoors. You will be jogging with other complete beginners so there is no pressure to run more than you feel comfortable with.

For more information the group, contact Mel Murray: 07885 457 265 / mel_murray@live.com

Researching sustainable urban neighbourhoods...

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has recently completed a study into sustainable urban neighbourhoods, such as the Upton development.


Their research was based around the question "Is it possible to meet the nation's growing need for affordable new homes while adapting to change and meeting environmental needs?"


Their summary document outlines the work of the Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Network (SUNN), which is addressing these issues by studying new and growing developments and communities. Focusing on 'urban extensions' to existing towns and cities, this summary draws on case studies to provide recommendations about the best way for Britain’s house builders and developers to create sustainable new communities.


To read the summary document and find out more about their work CLICK HERE.

Keep the noise down this Summer!

Issue Date: 20/06/2011

Northampton Borough Council News Release: Sound advice on keeping noise down this summer

'Consider your neighbours by keeping the noise down' is the appeal from Northampton Borough Council’s public protection team this summer.   The average number of calls the council received from residents upset about noise nuisance per month last year was 160.  In June the number rose to 226 and July 268.  The bad weather in August and September kept numbers closer to the average but they were still up at 186 and 174 respectively.  Barbecues and late-night parties and people switching the stereo up so it can be heard from the guarden are what add to the number of complaints recieved.   To help neighbours be considerate of one another the council has come up with five useful tips:   Windows and doors are likely to be open so don’t play music at excessive levels Keep the bass down If you are planning a party inform your neighbours (not just your immediate ones) at lease 24 hours before Remind your vistors to keep their voices down Remember that you are responsible for the noise and behaviour of your guests   Councillor John Yates, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for public protection, said: "All of us have different tolerance levels when it comes to noise and so consideration for the effect your noise may be having on others is really important.  Noise can ruin a person’s quality of life and the problems are always worse when the weather warms up, which is why we are appealing to residents now.  Please consider your neighbours by keeping the noise down."   For more information visit Northampton Borough Council’s website at www.northampton.gov.uk or to report noise nuisance call the public protection team on Northampton 0300 330 7000 or email ehealth@northampton.gov.uk.

WARNING OF THEFTS ON UPTON!

We've recently received this note of warning from an Upton resident...

I live on Lacing Lane and have recently been the victim of two major thefts.  Firstly, our car was stolen from the front of the house.  Our keys were fished through the letter box and the car driven off in the middle of the night and now (just 4 weeks later) my husband's bicycle has been stolen from our garage.  Both the front garage door and the gate from the garden to the communal parking area are locked and bolted, so someone has come over the back wall to do this.

Naturally, both crimes have been reported to the police, but I wanted to pass the word around that opportunists are clearly targeting the area and to warn other residents to be really careful, especially in light of the car theft.

Given we are now in the warmer summer months when people are more likely to leave windows etc open, this sort of crime could become more prevalent.

Northampton Summer Holiday Play Scheme

Issue Date: 20/06/2011

Northampton Leisure Trust News Release: Book up for summer holiday play scheme

Bookings are now being taken for Northampton Leisure Trust’s summer holiday Fun Zone play schemes at Thomas Becket School and Lings Forum. The schemes, which are Ofsted registered, strive to offer the highest standard of care for children aged five to 13-years. Drama and role-play, sports activities, outdoor play and arts and crafts are among the activities children can take part in during the daily sessions that will run from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm from 25 July until 2 September. Day rates are £19 per child (£17 for leisure card holders) and weekly rates are £90 (£80 for leisure card holders).  To book or for more information about other leisure trust events over the summer call Northampton 837300.  To see the activities that took place over the Easter and May holidays click here.

Celebrating Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th June

Issue Date: 14/06/2011

Northampton Borough Council media release: Celebrating Armed Forces Day on the Market Square

On Saturday 25 June the Market Square will home to serving troops, veterans and cadets as the town comes together to celebrate Armed Forces Day. The day will be a chance to find out more about the activities and work of soldiers and RAF personnel from locally based units. There will also be a chance to meet the charities and groups who support current and former military personnel. The event starts at 11am and there will be activities, displays and things to see and get involved in until 3.30pm. There will be displays and stalls from the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Army Benevolent Fund, Royal Anglians and RAF recruitment, Air Cadets, Territorial Army, British Military Fitness and many more. The day will also feature a performance from the Minden Band of the Queen's Division. More information about the band is available online www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/508.aspx Rewards for Forces will also attend the day to offer a range of discounts to active and former service personnel over a range of products. Councillor Michael Hill, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for Community Engagement said: "As someone who has worked in the Royal Navy I know only too well how important the connection is between service personel and their home town. So I am delighted we will get the chance to celebrate and honour the important work of our armed forces, past and present. I would encourage everyone to come into the town centre for Armed Forces Day to show how proud we are of our veterans, cadets and active service personel." For more information about what is happening on the Market Square or to find out about upcoming events please visit www.marketsquareevents.com.

Northampton in Bloom

Issue Date: 14/06/2011

NEWS RELEASE FROM NORTHAMPTON TOWN CENTRE BID: BUSINESS HELPS GET NORTHAMPTON BLOOMING THIS SUMMER

Northampton town centre will be blossoming again this summer as plants and flowers provided by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) are put into place this week. Forty-five businesses that are part of the BID have supported the beautiful floral displays which create a colourful and vibrant environment in the town centre and on some of the major roads leading into the town. Thanks to the BID there are: 150 hanging baskets all around the town on businesses around the Market Square, Abington Street, St Giles Square, Guildhall Road – including on Campbell Square Police Station and the Chronicle & Echo building on the Mounts 20 double cube floral containers in prominent positions including Abington All Saints and Wood Hill 50 barrier troughs full of blooms brightening up busy roads and junctions in areas around Victoria Promenade, the Upper Mounts and the bottom of Abington Street The flowering tubs and baskets will complement the planting carried out by Northampton Borough Council and form part of the town’s entry into this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition. Northampton Borough Council already provides 190 full hanging baskets, 102 half-display baskets, four flower troughs and the planting in parks and beds across the borough. Last year, Northampton won a gold medal in the contest and the fact that businesses, community members and Northampton Borough Council had pulled together to creating a town in bloom really impressed the judges. Stephen Chown, Chair of Northampton Town Centre BID, said: "We know from our experience last year that the flowers help to make the town centre an inviting and vibrant place to shop and visit and we hope people will come back time and time again to see what’s on offer throughout the summer.” The East Midlands in Bloom Judges will be visiting Northampton on July 6. Businesses supporting Northampton in Bloom: Momo's A Watts & Sons Ltd MultiYork Furniture Ltd Sheinman Opticians Hewitsons Allan Investment Management Voni Blu Police Station Aspers Hollowells Money 4 U The Mailcoach The Vineyard Amore NBC Fish Street Offices Grosvenor Centre Outcast Northampton Museum and Art Gallery Royal & Derngate Berties NCC County Hall The Wedding Wardrobe Market Walk The Bear Gavin Willis Ask The Old Bank Wig & Pen The Goose on two Streets Montague Jefferies Guildhall Garage 21 Lawrences Abraxas Bonds Dreams Coffee Lounge Are you being Served Anne Bonhams Blenders St Giles Cheese Guy Stowe Kitchens Chronicle & Echo Abington Pub Oliver Adams K & J Hird

Neighbourhood Management Priorities

Northampton Borough Council have revamped their website to make it easier to find out about the neighbourhood management priorities of the councils and police in the town.

To find out more about how this works, click here.

Or to look at information specifically for Upton click here.

Free Car Parking Could Be Coming To Northampton Town Centre!

Issue Date: 07/06/2011

Northampton Borough Council News Release: Free car parking in Northampton town centre

Northampton Borough Council’s new cabinet is expected to approve plans for free car parking in the town centre from October for the benefit of shoppers and retailers at its second meeting next week (16 June). The plans will mean shoppers and visitors will be able to park at St John’s, St Michael’s and the Mayorhold multi-storey car parks for up to an hour for free and the cost of parking for a second hour will be reduced by 25 per cent.   Under the proposals prices in other premier town centre car parks, including the Grosvenor Centre car park, will be also reduced by 25 per cent for the first two hours.  Parking on Sundays will be free in all car parks. On street parking, which is managed by Northamptonshire County Council, cannot be included in the plans as they are outside of the borough council’s control. Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "Convenient and reasonably priced car parking is key to the town’s future and plays a central role in attracting visitors and improving the local economy. "This is what people told us they wanted to see and these plans will not only see free one hour parking in three of our most popular car parks but also reduced charges at car parks across the board, which can only be welcomed.  The fact that we are introducing this change within just four weeks of taking office shows the importance we attach to the town centre economy.” If cabinet approves the plans the council will begin the process of implementing the changes so that the new prices can come into effect in October in time for Christmas shoppers to take advantage of the new prices.   An evaluation of the scheme is planned for February next year to assess its impact on shoppers and retailers.  Other improvements that include upgrading machines to take payments by card and mobile phone and introducing pay on exit to more car parks may also be brought to cabinet for consideration in the future. Premier car parks are located in the heart of the town centre and as such are the most popular car parks for town centre shoppers.  They are: · Mayorhold multi-storey · St Michael’s multi-storey · St John’s multi-storey · St John’s surface · Grosvenor Centre · Commercial south · St Peter’s · Albion Place · Upper Mounts · Ridings · Commercial Street · Newlands · Wellington Street · Abington Place · Campbell Square

UMRA June 2011 Newsletter

Your UMRA June 2011 Newsletter should have dropped through your letterbox by now - but if you've missed it you can read it online by CLICKING HERE

New play equipment in Hunsbury Hill Country Park

Issue Date: 03/06/2011

Northampton Borough Council News Release: New play equipment in Hunsbury Hill Country Park

Five new pieces of play equipment will be installed in Hunsbury Hill Country Park, as part of the £30,000 funding made available from the ‘I love my park’ programme.  Children of all ages will be able to enjoy the new equipment as well as a football and basketball goal ends.Northampton Borough Council Cabinet Member for planning and the environment, Councillor John Yates, said: "Projects like this help to improve and enhance our local environment by providing vital play opportunities for teenagers and young children. "This is an excellent example of Northampton Borough Council working on new and exciting projects for the benefit of the town's residents.”  Member of Friends of Hunsbury Hill Country Park and Shelfleys, Mavis Wilmshurst, said: "The Hunsbury Hill Country Park play equipment has been crying out for this type of investment for over 20 years and I am very pleased that work on play improvements have begun.  "The options for play in Hunsbury has been vastly improved and comments from local residents and young people during the consultation about improving the play offer have been very positive." An official opening ceremony is set to take place in July.

Northamptonshire Environmental Forum

Just to let you know that Northamptonshire Environmental Forum are again giving out awards for community projects which are improving or will be improving the quality of life for people in Northamptonshire. Any community group can submit an application and there are the following prizes:

 

£150 for each Borough/District winner

£150 for the most inspiring project yet to start

£150 for the best wildlife project

£400 for the overall winner

 

Closing date is 22nd July.

 

If you want more information contact Hugh Fenton on 01604 786235 or email hughfenton@aol.com  or contact Joe Biskupski at Northampton Borough Council on 01604 837074