Demand for the HS2 high-speed rail project has "likely been overestimated" and the £33bn price tag does not offer value for money, a think tank claims.
A man known as "the naked rambler" is convicted of flouting an anti-social behaviour order banning him from being naked in public minutes after it was imposed.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do not know the gender of their baby, it is revealed - as it is confirmed the birth will take place at St Mary's hospital in London.
A US publisher is pricing a sci-fi video game for iPhones and iPads at more than double the cost high-end titles are usually sold for on those devices.
Nearly a fifth of Wales' charity shops could close if the Welsh government implements proposed changes to business rate relief, a charities group says.
Mental health services in England could be banned from using face-down restraint, and many are training their staff to resolve issues without physical intervention.
Australia’s Plan for Migrants Draws Warning - Reopening detention centers on remote Pacific islands for asylum seekers and migrants who arrive by sea could violate their human rights and harm their mental health, the United Nations warned on Friday. [The New York Times]
Store attacks Sunday trading plan - Sainsbury's chief attacks government plans to extend Sunday trading hours, saying it is no 'magic answer' to the UK's current economic problems. [Business News]
UN concerned over forced displacement of Palestinians by Israeli authorities - A United Nations official today expressed serious concern over the more than 1,000 Palestinians living in the southern Hebron Hills region who have been forced to leave their houses after Israeli authorities designated the area as a fire zone for military training. [UN]
Re-opening of offshore detention camps in Australia could lead to rights violations - UN - A senior United Nations official today warned that the re-opening of offshore detention centres for migrants and asylum-seekers arriving in Australia by sea could result in violations of human rights, and called on its Government to rethink the countrys asylum and migration policy. [UN]
Police anger over metal thefts - The public should be outraged that schools and community buildings are being targeted by metal thieves, says a senior police officer. [Front Page News]
Anger over S Africa miners' fate - Angry relatives of missing mine workers in South Africa complain the authorities have failed to produce a central register of the 34 people shot dead on Thursday. [Front Page News]
Splits expected over gay marriage - Conservative Party divisions over legalising same-sex marriage in England and Wales are set to be exposed again when the plans return to the Commons later. [BBC Politics]
Sony investor urges company break-up - US hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb says Sony should spin off up to 20% of its entertainment business and shore up its struggling electronics arm. [BBC Business]
'Abandon' hospital A&E plans plea - There are calls for a major shake up of accident and emergency services in south Wales to be abandoned due to the current crisis in demand. [BBC Health]
AUDIO: UK TB infection an 'urgent problem' - A report by MPs has found that progress in getting rid of the tuberculosis is "painfully slow" and claims that multi-resistant strains are now an "urgent" problem. [BBC Health]
It appears that the government is attempting to control the newspapers and news sites. Free speech will not
be part of Britain. 1984 will be here. Cameras in your street, secret police trials, Councils and Government cover ups.
Control of TV and News Content. Control of emails and internet viewing.
BACK THE NEWSPAPERS NOT THE GOVERNMENT- YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE ALL NEWSPAPERS- BUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS OUR HERITAGE. WITHOUT IT WE WILL BE A GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED STATE. NOBODY WILL TRUST US.WILL YOU BE A MEMBER OF THE SECRET POLICE.
New energy tariffs 'still confusing' - Reforms to energy tariffs could leave consumers struggling to find the best deal, says Which?, but the regulator argues the changes have been misrepresented. [BBC Business]
New energy tariffs 'still confusing' - Reforms to energy tariffs could leave consumers struggling to find the best deal, says Which?, but the regulator argues the changes have been misrepresented. [BBC Business]
Councillor Joan Kirkbride, Northamptonshire County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, today (WED 28 JAN) agreed to begin the process of formal consultation for the closure of Unity College, including the publication of statutory notices.
The transformation of education in Kettering reaches a crucial stage today (TUES 27 JAN) with the start of the process of formal consultation about the closure of Ise Community College and Henry Gotch primary school.
Education chiefs have vowed to improve Rushden Community College following a critical report from government inspectors which means special measures are now required to bring about change.
The Casualty Reduction Partnership is offering sixteen-year-olds in Northamptonshire a taste of driving at a free skills and information day to be held at Silverstone Circuit.
Around 100 of Northampton's top performing pupils discussed the subject of the European Union at a conference supported by Northamptonshire County Council.
A new faith book aimed at helping people in the event of an emergency has been launched by Northamptonshire County Council and the county’s multi-faith group (Thursday 15th January 2009)
County people are being advised on how to best reduce the amount of paper waste they produce by cutting down on the amount of junk mail that is sent to them through the post.
Canoeists are set to paddle more than 100 miles across England’s inland waterways to promote Northamptonshire County Council’s Longtown Outdoor Education Centre and raise money for charity.
Ideas on how to recycle household waste can be found on a new website which has been created by Northamptonshire County Council as part of the Northamptonshire Waste Partnership.
Children and young people in Northamptonshire are to have a say on how £1.1 million of government money allocated for play areas in the county over the next two years will be spent.
The authorities responsible for admissions to Northamptonshire schools (the county council and school governing bodies) are consulting on their proposed admissions arrangements for the school year 2010/2011.
Northamptonshire County Council’s trading standards service is warning consumers about a possible cold-calling scam involving mass-produced oil paintings sold as originals.
Northamptonshire’s fire and rescue authority has been awarded a fair rating by the Audit Commission following a comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) carried out last year.
Practical advice about saving money and securing good value for money during the economic downturn is now available at a credit-crunch-beating half price at libraries across the county.
In preparation for the county elections this year Northamptonshire County Council chairman Judy Shephard is appealing for people from all walks of life to consider becoming a councillor.
Mon 15 Mar 2010 - Thu 25 Mar 2010 @ Avenue Gallery University of Northampton
In this annual exhibition second-year Fine Art, Painting and Photography students are given the task of organising a group exhibition of their own artwork as part of their Professional Practice studies. Always lively and varied, the Spring Show provides the students with what is often their first opportunity to take their work out of the working studios and present it to the public in a formal gallery setting.
'ELEVEN' photography exhibition, the work of ELEVEN local photographers.
Jamie-Lee Facer Wayne Lennon Tom George Emilia Brindisi Jason Lovatt Catia Pedro Stephanie Wood Hazel Durston Josephine Haines Adam Billing Jamie Blunt
Showing at The Fishmarket from 5th March-27th March.
Tue 20 Apr 2010 - Sat 24 Apr 2010 @ The Playhouse Theatre
“an intoxicating rollercoaster ride of wild laughter overlooking the precipice of despair. “
Semyon is a desperate man, he lives off his wife’s meagre earnings on the landing of a dilapidated building. With the daily grind, the guilt and his interfering mother-in-law it’s all just too much, even his last-ditch attempt at gaining some self-respect (by learning to play the tuba) is thwarted by fate. Better one less flea in the fleapit…
But word gets out, and suddenly he is besieged by people begging him to kill himself on behalf of their different causes – do it for the party, for free-speech, the common man, for love… for meat!
And after his vodka-fuelled suicide party, as the appointed hour draws close will he even go through with it? Well we’ve bought the wreaths now…
Buffini’s script is a free-translation from Nikolai Erdman’s ‘The Suicide’ (1928). Like many playwright’s of the Stalinist era Erdman’s creative freedom was brutally suppressed. The Suicide was banned on its dress-rehearsal performance and he was sent to prison and then exiled in Siberia. The play was revived in the 1970s by Radio 3 and then the RSC and Buffini’s new translation was performed to much acclaim at the Almeida Theatre in 2007.
“… deserves to be far better known since it is the best Russian theatrical satire since The Government Inspector.” Michael Billington in The Guardian
The Nook Cafe hosts Northampton's own branch of the worldwide bake-off phenomena that is IRON CUPCAKE!
Creative bakers submit a minimum of 12 cupcakes on this months theme of 'Alice in Wonderland'. Then we all sample the treats on offer, vote for our favourites and hand out the prizes.
If you're not a baker but would like to join in the fun tickets are £5 and include free tea and coffee.
Bakers get in for free but must submit a minimum of 12 cupcakes (you may submit more than one type of cupcake but please, at least 12 of each type so we can all taste them and vote for you!). Please register to take part in advance so we can get an idea of the size of the event. Either via our blog or in person at The Nook cafe 10am-6pm Thu-Sat from 4 March)
See our blog for further info and to make contact. Prize sponsors to be announced soon!
Mon 08 Feb 2010 - Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ Avenue Gallery University of Northampton
Separation Anxiety: New Paintings by Michael Evans
Avenue Gallery 8 February – 5 March 2010 Mondays-Fridays 10am-4pm
Private View: Tuesday 9 February 5-8pm
The University of Northampton’s Avenue Gallery presents an exhibition of new work by Michael Evans, Senior Lecturer in Painting at The University’s School of The Arts.
The exhibition offers the first opportunity to view a series of paintings which Mr. Evans has produced as part of his research towards a practice-based Phd with London Metropolitan University in which he is investigating questions relating to the imaginative creation of form in abstract painting.
Whilst much contemporary abstract painting appears to relinquish any claims of illusionism or reference to external sources, Mr. Evans is interested in how and why imagined, non-representational forms can nevertheless hold meaning for both artist and viewer. The forms that emerge in his paintings are often ambiguous, inviting a number of different readings rather than imposing one point of view.
Mr. Evans explains further;
“To create a painting with this deeper resonance the painter has to find language and form anew in each painting.... The work here suggests form but when looked at closely it becomes difficult to pin down. Often form is evasive, and what may initially appear solid can subsequently be seen as space. The ambiguity of these works, I hope, matches my desire for an openness which remains sufficiently free from the deadening weight of a fixed reading, instead opening on to multiple, shifting and uncertain interpretations.”
‘Separation Anxiety’ will run from 8 February – 5 March and is open to the public Mondays-Fridays 10am-4pm. Admission is free. Avenue Gallery is located in The University of Northampton’s Avenue Campus on St. George’s Avenue, Northampton NN2 6JD. For more information about the exhibition please contact the Gallery on 01604 893046 or email gallery@northampton.ac.uk.
USA 2009 Dir: Rob Marshall 1hr 58mins With: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz
Daniel Day Lewis, Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz are among the stellar cast in this dazzling musical adaptation of Frederico Fellini’s 8 ½, co-written by the late Anthony Minghella.
Enjoyable, beautifully shot and superbly acted musical – ViewLondon
USA 2009 Dir: Jim Sheridan 1hr 44mins With: Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal
Brothers tells the powerful story of 2 siblings, Captain Sam Cahill (a decorated Marine) and his younger wayward brother Tommy, a charismatic drifter. When Sam (Maguire) goes missing in action in Afghanistan, Tommy (Gyllenhaal) moves into his brother’s home to care for his sister-in-law, Grace, with devastating consequences for all the family. Featuring an exciting cast of young Hollywood’s finest, this original film marks a return to form for Irish director, Jim Shreidan (In America).
“Maguire reveals a coiled ferocity and convincingly unhinged haunted quality” USA Today
USA/Sp/Japan 2009 Dir: Jim Jarmusch 1hr 56mins With: Isaach De Bankole, Bill Murrey
Jim Jarmusch's latest brave, bizarre and very beautiful film stars Isaach de Bankolé, cool as hell in ‘Point Blank’ suits and perfect as the taciturn, solitary agent sent to Spain, where a string of coded café encounters with various mysterious eccentrics (Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Gael García Bernal) eventually leads to a deadly assignation.
Aus/UK 2009 Dir: Scott Hicks 1hr 44 mins With: Clive Owen, Emma Booth
In the wake of his wife's tragic death, a witty, wisecracking, action-oriented, sportswriter (Clive Owen) finds himself in a sudden stultifying state of single parenthood. With turbulent emotions swirling just below the surface, Joe Warr throws himself into the only child-rearing philosophy he thinks has a shot at bringing joy back into their lives: "just say yes." Raising two boys—a curious six-year-old and a rebel teen from a previous marriage—in a household devoid of feminine influence and with an unabashed lack of rules, life becomes exuberant, instinctual, reckless and on the constant verge of disaster.
UK/Aus/USA 2009 Dir: Guy Richie 2hrs 8mins With: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law
A dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, follows Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and his stalwart partner Watson (Jude Law) on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes battles as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.
Following recent talks with the Northampton Borough Council, the Northamptonshire County Council, and other funding partners, the Boards of Northampton Arts Collective (NAC) has reached the decision that they will continue to operate The Fishmarket Gallery after March 2009.
Following on from the statement released to press and public on Friday 9 January 2009, Northampton Arts Collective (NAC) would like to thank all Northamptonshire residents, and wider supporters of both the NAC and The Fishmarket, for their support. There has been a wealth of recognition for The Fishmarket, the traders and artists within, and also for the NAC and their wider remit to develop Arts and Culture within the town.
NAC is extremely sad and disappointed to announce that we will be withdrawing from running the Fishmarket Gallery and Arts Centre from April 2009, although we are hopeful that a consortium or partnership will be able to take some of the activities forward. NAC has enabled a wonderful facility which we hope has a future.
Creative industries are a valuable part of the economy of Northamptonshire. In recognition of this a new appointment has been made to co-ordinate the delivery of a programme within libraries to support this sector.
The Fishmnarket has rehearsal/practice/work space for local arts and community groups (and individuals) on a pay what you can afford basis. The gallery is available from 9-6 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
We have reinvigorated our newsletter and the first will be with you very soon. Please sign up at the top of the page to receive it. The newsletter will bring a sample of the next month's listings for all arts and a bit of news too. We hope to make www.northamptonarts.org a good, conprehensive central listings resource for this area. There is a lot happening and its time people knew it !
Greatings all,
I would like to take the opportunity to pick your brains! Its been nearly a month now since the re-launch of both the Fishmarket, and this site, and at the same time behind the scenes the NAC is looking at ways to continue to develop its structure and vision. It is very important to the NAC that it remains artist led, and to that ends we wish to start getting some feedback from everyone involved with the organisation. As a first step below is a link to a very quick to fill in questionaire, (literally a 30 second job) wich we would apprieciate if you could take the time to fill in so we can start to judge the direction with wich to focus our energys. nacresearch.blogspot.com/
David Houghton, an art student at the University has an in depth knowledge of Northampton and the arts during much of the twentieth century - an area that is inspirational in our buiding of the future. I felts that a talk by David, who is a skilled speaker, would be of excellent value to the arts community. I asked him to describe a talk that he would be interested in providing and he gave the following description of what he would do -
An examination of the flowering of Northampton as a centre of artistic excellence during the first half of the 20th Century and the neccesity for the town to reclaim its heritage and to build upon it in order to reclaim its rightful heritage as cultural and artistic centre of the East Midlands.
Many of the arts peoples that I have spoken to think that this would be an excellent opportunity to stock-take and to examine where new ventures e.g. the NAC fit in at the moment and they look forward to such a talk probably either at the Labour Club or (ideally, as this is the arts centre) the Fishmarket.
It seem that things are starting to happen on the art scene. Apologies for not being around on Friday at the Fishmarket, really good that so many people made the effort with so much else going on. Had an all too brief look the next day -incredible, three concurrent shows in the first week. What was also great which I got to last night was the exhibition of work from Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire hosted on Saturday by Nigel from Purple Media at Hazelwood Rd, so spontanous, the installation artists found out about it Wednesday and everybody else Friday yet well attended it certainly was.
Office Furniture not going into his office until w/c 21st April plus plenty of wine and beer left equals possiblity of the exhibition opening up once more this week, so check NAC listings and generally watch this space.
Key Biz Northamptonshire
keybiz.co.uk - aggregated feeds in category Norfolk
Splits expected over gay marriage - Conservative Party divisions over legalising same-sex marriage in England and Wales are set to be exposed again when the plans return to the Commons later. [BBC Politics]
Sony investor urges company break-up - US hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb says Sony should spin off up to 20% of its entertainment business and shore up its struggling electronics arm. [BBC Business]
'Abandon' hospital A&E plans plea - There are calls for a major shake up of accident and emergency services in south Wales to be abandoned due to the current crisis in demand. [BBC Health]
AUDIO: UK TB infection an 'urgent problem' - A report by MPs has found that progress in getting rid of the tuberculosis is "painfully slow" and claims that multi-resistant strains are now an "urgent" problem. [BBC Health]
It appears that the government is attempting to control the newspapers and news sites. Free speech will not
be part of Britain. 1984 will be here. Cameras in your street, secret police trials, Councils and Government cover ups.
Control of TV and News Content. Control of emails and internet viewing.
BACK THE NEWSPAPERS NOT THE GOVERNMENT- YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE ALL NEWSPAPERS- BUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS OUR HERITAGE. WITHOUT IT WE WILL BE A GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED STATE. NOBODY WILL TRUST US.WILL YOU BE A MEMBER OF THE SECRET POLICE.
New energy tariffs 'still confusing' - Reforms to energy tariffs could leave consumers struggling to find the best deal, says Which?, but the regulator argues the changes have been misrepresented. [BBC Business]
New energy tariffs 'still confusing' - Reforms to energy tariffs could leave consumers struggling to find the best deal, says Which?, but the regulator argues the changes have been misrepresented. [BBC Business]