ISSUE 17 - JANUARY 2026
NENE Herald
News from Around the Wellingborough & Rushden Area
Mowerman 2025 - the Best Yet! On Sunday 14th December 2025, the annual Mowerman Parade entertained the crowds that turned out in Irthlingborough, Finedon, Wellingborough, Little Irchester, Irchester, Rushden, and Higham Ferrers. The Parade started its journey at Citrus training in Nene Park, Diamond Way, just as darkness fell. The raucous honking of the horns sometimes drowned out the roar of the engines, as the monster machines crawled along the roads, shepherded by Highways England. It was like a swarm of fireflies had decided to descend upon a procession of slow-moving dragons. Nene Herald has videos of the parade that are available on demand. Some stills from the videos are shown here. The aim of the Parade is to raise valuable funds for local charities. Last year, a fake collection was run by fraudsters pretending to be part of the Parade. To prevent this happening again, this year, donations must be made online via a dedicated website: Mowermantractorrun.com
Cllr Bob Tillyer RIP
Topple Academy
It is, with sadness, that we report that newlyelected Councillor Bob Tillyer has died after a short illness. Bob had been Deputy Chair of the Harborough Fields Surgery Patient Participation Group and had assisted the Group to raise funds for the benefit of patients. He had also helped form the local Neighbourhood Watch and had been a member of the Northants Police Independent Advisory Group. Bob was delighted to be elected to Rushden Town Council in May 2025. He was avidly looking forward to serving the people of Rushden as a councillor, but he never got the chance. Almost immediately after he was elected, Bob fell ill and never recovered. On Tuesday 2nd December 2025, the Members of Rushden Town Council held a minute’s silence in memory of Bob.
Royal British Legion Working with SERVE Serve, a Rushden-based charity, are collaborating with the Rushden Branch of the Royal British Legion on a new 'befriender' project and sporting a Poppy-covered minibus.
For further details contact : Ricardo Ardito, Domino Artist on 07367 214242.
A spokesman for the RBL explained that aim of the scheme was to ‘befriend’ members and hear the stories of their military careers. He commented:
“ Air Ada “
“…some members who have got amazing stories to tell, whether it be their life story, a specific period or event, or even a brief story of their careers…” The befriending service will involve a Serve volunteer visiting the member in their home to hear and record their story. "They could even upload some of those treasured photographs that would not even leave the member’s house, visiting as many times as possible, and not just to get their story, but being a befriender.” The Royal British Legion has also decorated one of Serve’s minibuses with Poppies in memory of those who suffered and died in the wars of the last century.
“ ‘Appy Noo Yeear gal! Om glad ta git back ta sum sort uf normalty. Tha wer wairted on ‘and an foot awl uvver Chrismas, oll be glad uf a rest now it’s oll uvver gal.”
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Wellingborough’s Christmas Lights
Wellingborough Town’s Christmas Lights were switched on by the Town Mayor, Cllr Raj Mishra.
The ‘Wellingborough Twinkle and Market’ attracted the crowds. A stage was set up in the Square outside Lloyds Bank so everyone could enjoy live entertainment, along with street performers, stalls and food.
The highlight of the Wellingborough Twinkle was when the sky was lit up by soaring fireworks above the Town Centre.
Rushden’s Christmas Lights Many of our towns sport festive lights in the run-up to Christmas. Several of the towns, including Rushden, celebrate the ‘switching on’ ceremony with entertainment and a Winter Fair. The Rushden Lights run along the High Street and are enhanced each year. They and the other festive decorations take the councillors and staff of Rushden Town Council many hours to set up. The attractions, once again, included reindeer who transported Santa to and from his grotto in a sleigh as well as featuring a visit from The Grinch. When Rushden’s Town Mayor, Cllr. Gill Mercer, switched the Lights on, the Street was filled with revellers. The lights of the fairground rides and the stalls all added to the sparkle. PAGE 3
Rushden Bank 125 Years
Beauty and the Beast Just Beautiful! During December, audiences attending the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough would be thrilled by a beautiful production of “Beauty and the Beast”. The cast provided performances that were exuberant, glamorous and just a little bit cheeky. Just what a panto should be! Although the pantomime season may have come to an end, The Castle Theatre will continue to offer a variety of productions during 2026.
Not long ago, Rushden High Street boasted branches of five major banks. That is no longer the case. Lloyds Bank, which merged with TSB, was located at the north end of the High Street. It is now a restaurant with flats above it. The NatWest Bank also closed and is undergoing changes as well as the former Barclays Bank in College Street. However, one bank has stayed the course. Despite a recent multi-month closure for repair work, HSBC Bank is open and thriving. Located on the corner of College Street and the High Street, this magnificent landmark building is a key component of Rushden’s Conservation Area. The building is now 125 years old. HSBC Bank continues to provide the residents of Rushden with a proper bank branch where they can go for financial services. —————–
North Northants CT Rise North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) is planning to increase its council tax precept by the maximum amount allowed, 4.99%. The increase will be unpopular but, the Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change, Cllr. Graham Cheatley, insisted that it was necessary. He said "The financial climate remains extremely demanding, but we're determined to provide quality services to the people of North Northamptonshire and we've managed to do this while setting a balanced budget." "These are our draft proposals. With Executive approval, these plans will then be consulted upon and it's important that we get as much feedback as we can to help further refine our proposals."
There will also be changes to Fees and Charges. In particular, the annual charge for garden waste collections will rise from £50 to £62, an increase of 24%. The proposals will be discussed at the NNC Executive in February 2026 and they will go to Full Council later that month.
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“Off-the-Streets” Gets King’s Award
Day Centre Gets New Kitchen
Off the Streets NN was formed after 16-year-old Dylan Holliday was stabbed to death in Wellingborough in August 2021. The group’s mission is to eradicate knife crime in the local community, and to save the lives of those affected by it. Up to February 2024, Off the Streets NN had placed 203 Bleed Kits across Northamptonshire, with four of these having helped save lives in emergency situations. On 14th November 2025, it was announced that the group had received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
On Friday 14th November, the Ron Manning Day Centre in Higham Ferrers, officially opened their newly refurbished kitchen.
A spokesman for the group said: We are truly over the moon to announce we “have won a King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Humbled and grateful!”
The new facility provides a modern, commercialstandard kitchen. It lets the Day Centre continue to deliver high-quality meals for the users of the Centre. Christine and Dennis Yardy were invited to cut the ribbon, accompanied by the Chair Anita Harvey and CEO Tony Gibbs.
“This isn't just for the current team, it's for everyone who has volunteered with us since day 1. ALL of us.” “We want to thank everyone who has played a part, especially Meditech Global as without them we couldn't have trained anyone. They were a huge part.”
The upgrade was made possible by funding from The Dennis Alan Yardy Charitable Trust. The Ron Manning Day Centre is a service provided by Serve, who can be contacted on 01933 315555.
“To everyone who attended a bleed control training (1000 of you)”
Ex-Chief Constable In More Trouble
“To all Schools who welcomed us in, the 10,000 young people we've spoken to” “Those who allowed us to place bleed kits in their premises, those who let us drill into their walls, Northamptonshire Police for working alongside us with the Amnesty bins - 6000 knives handed in. “ “To the Lord Lieutenant and team, every High Sheriff we've met, MPs who listened, Mayor's who listened “
The former Chief Constable of Northants Police, Nick Adderley, is in yet more trouble. He was previously charged with fraud and misconduct in a public office. He has now additionally been accused of making a false witness statement. Mr. Adderley did not appear in court, on the grounds of ill-health.
“And to you all for supporting us” “7 lives saved so far” PAGE 5
Bedford Local Plan Abandoned Every part of the country is supposed to have a Local Plan. It determines how the area will be developed: · Where and which new roads will be created · Rules for parking, bus lanes, one-way systems, etc. · Where and what type of new houses will be built · Where new shops, offices and factories will be built. In short, it describes the future of the community and its economy. New Local Plans are supposed to be produced at regular intervals. It is a long slow process, with constant consultations of interested Parties. The Bedford Local Plan covers Wymington, Podington, Yelden and several other villages that are closer to Rushden than they are to Bedford. Bedford’s Plan is highly relevant to residents in the Nene Herald area. It will affect the homes and lives of some local residents. · Some houses on Rushden’s Greenacre Estate back onto the Bedford district. · Some residents of the northern part of Bedford Borough visit Rushden and Wellingborough to shop, go to school, get health care etc. (E.g. many children from Wymington attend Rushden’s South End Infant and Junior schools.) · Public services in the Nene Herald area therefore need sufficient capacity to cope with the demand from the villages in the northern part of the Bedford area. · Many commuters from Rushden, Higham, Raunds and some of the villages drive down the A6 to Bedford to get trains to London. That section of the A6 is maintained by Bedford Borough Council and its future is determined by the Bedford Local Plan. The draft Bedford Local Plan had been completed by Bedford Borough and, in line with the government’s approval process, it had been submitted to the government for “inspection”. (This is the process by which the Council’s Plan for its residents is turned into the Government’s Plan for the residents.)
Although the Bedford Local Plan had been in development for several years, it has now been abandoned. The government-appointed Inspector reported that the Plan had “no credible future”. This was because a movie company, Universal Studios, has anounced plans to build a major theme park to the south of Bedford. The draft Plan did not adequately address its impact on the locality. Additionally, the Inspector highlighted various unresolved highways issues, (some connected to the theme park). A new draft Local Plan will now be produced for Bedford Borough. Any Councils in the Nene Herald area that are affected by the Plan will be consulted. They, in turn, will seek the opinions of the local residents.
Higham Town Council Vacancy
After years of service, work commitments have forced Cllr. Jennie Bone to step down from Higham Town Council. This has created a vacancy for the Lancaster Ward. When there is a vacancy on a Town or Parish Council, there will only be a by-election if a petition requests it. The petition must be signed by a minimum of 10 voters registered to vote for the Town or Parish ward where the vacancy has occurred. No petition has been submitted calling for a byelection. This means Members of Higham Town Council will vote to co-opt a replacement member of the Council.
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Community Governance Review On 11th December 2025, North Northants Council resolved to have a “Community Governance Review” of the parishes and towns within North Northants.
In most Rushden wards, there are around 2000 voters per councillor. By contrast, the Prospect Avenue ward has 483 voters per councillor, and the Donne Close ward has just 141.
This means that the size and boundaries of the parish wards, plus the boundaries and types of the parishes and towns, will be open to change.
It is therefore likely that these two micro-wards will disappear as a result of the Review.
The reasons given were: · there are consequential matters arising from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of electoral arrangements for North Northamptonshire Council that require consideration,
Spinneyfields Bigger on the Inside When you first visit the Spinneyfields Care Centre, it’s like the set of a long-running TV series – it’s bigger on the inside.
· there has been significant residential development in some areas since the last review leading to shifts in natural settlements,
It’s only when you get past Reception that you realise just how big it is, and how great an opportunity for providing health care it represents. However, to fully exploit that opportunity, it needs extra funding.
· there have been changes in population in some areas which may have impacted levels of democratic representation, · there are specific or local issues that have been identified within individual parishes This is the first community governance review undertaken since the formation of North Northamptonshire Council in 2021.
To that end, there was a Christmas Fayre inside the facility on Saturday 13th December. The aim was to raise funds for arts and crafts and accessibility aids to equip a delirium ward that they are setting up.
Wellingborough and Rushden Town Councils will have “protected status”, which means that it will be difficult for unpopular changes to be forced upon them. (This is because they were both given new ward boundaries quite recently.)
The facility was opened in June 2025, under Kettering General Hospital (KGH). It is now being run NHFT. It mostly cares for patients that no longer need a hospital bed, but who are not yet fit enough to go home.
The consultations are already under way, and suggestions and submissions can be made up until 20th February 2026.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Rushden visited the Fayre to show their support for a NHS unit that tries to help people transition back into living at home after debilitating illnesses
In the Nene Herald area, there are several boundary changes that have already been suggested. Ideally, there should be roughly the same number of voters per councillor in every ward for a Council. The Donne Close and Prospect Avenue wards in Rushden are very far from matching this principle.
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OUT AND ABOUT In and around wellingborough New Bookshop is Open In Wellingborough Good news for booklovers. A new bookshop has opened in Wellingborough.
Volta Books is located at Number 13, Nene Court, just off the Embankment.
They describe themselves as “A Bookish Business for People with a Love of Literature”.
Parking is free at Nene Court.
Out and About The Blues Brothers Nearly half a century ago, America’s “Saturday Night Live” featured a sketch about a pair of brothers who sang the Blues. The sketch was so popular that it inspired a movie called “The Blues Brothers”. The film is still revered and has inspired generations.
Wellingborough
Rushden
Rushden features a tribute to the movie. A resident in Park Road has a Blues Brothers montage in his/her front garden for all to enjoy. Wellingborough has its own tribute to the movie. It’s another scene from the movie and it’s located in Nene Court. Both are worth a visit.
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NN10’s Got Talent
Eclipse Gymnastics Display On Saturday 13th December 2025, Eclipse Gymnastics put on a dazzling display at Rushden’s Pemberton Centre. It was truly breathtaking. Due to the ages of the children (from three years old upwards), we are unable to show photographs of the display. However, the display was truly stunning: · pyramids of kids, three high · summersaults over a wooden horse from multiple directions, that the Royal Marines display team would have been proud of · spectacular costumes recalling multiple themes: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Spiderman, Indiana Jones and others. · “floor exercises” with multiple mid-air summersaults and spins · kids dropping from height to be caught by their fellow gymnasts Eclipse Gymnastics Club proudly holds a British Gymnastics Accreditation and can provide the perfect place for a child to learn and improve their gymnastic skills. They offer a range of classes from beginner classes focusing on fun and recreation to squad training for those aspiring to compete. Around 300 children took part in the spectacular display, and it is something that the audience will never forget.
Snappety Snapper Many shops in the high streets of our Towns had arresting Christmas window displays. This one in Rushden’s Church Street, was the most dazzling that Nene Herald could find, which was Snappety Snapper, who are a fairly new shop in Rushden.
Do you know of any other shop fronts that were even more dramatic?
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News in Brief Flu Epidemic Getting Worse Last month, Nene Herald warned that the influenza season could be bad this winter. This is turning out to be the case. The NHS is already under strain, with many flu cases being hospitalised and filling the wards. It appears that a long dormant strain, H3N2, has re-emerged. It killed around a million people in 1968/9, when it was called Hong Kong Flu. The current version of H3N2 has somehow acquired seven new mutations in just a short period. This makes it difficult for our immune systems to recognise the virus as a pathogen. Because this strain of flu is so new, the current flu vaccine doesn’t include a specific protection against it. However, H1N1, another lethal strain, is also circulating, and the flu vaccine does protect against this strain. A medical statistician consulted by Nene Herald had noted the surge in flu cases. He strongly recommended getting the flu vaccination, especially vulnerable or immune-suppressed readers.
Donne Close (Rushden) By-Election On December 11th 2025, a by-election took place in the Donne Close Ward for a seat on Rushden Town Council.
Cameron Clarke Conservative 10 Zara Cunliffe Labour 17 Elected Jonathan Di-Cosimo Carvetta Reform UK 7
The Donne Close ward is extremely small and includes just 75 houses. It is roughly horseshoe shaped, and circles around a private lake.
There was one spoilt ballot paper.
With Reform UK having huge leads in every national opinion poll, it was expected that they would win the by-election comfortably. However, that was not the case. The result was a miniature version of the 2024 General Election result for the Wellingborough and Rushden constituency. The right-of-centre vote was shared between Reform UK and the Conservatives, while Labour scooped up the leftof-centre vote and won.
Following this election, the political mix on Rushden Town Council is: Conservatives 17 Labour 1 Reform UK 2 There is currently a further vacancy on the Town Council, following the sad death of Cllr. Bob Tillyer.
The turnout was 24.8%, which sounds low, but is very high for a by-election for a Town Council seat. By contrast, in the recent by-election for Wellingborough Town Council, the turnout was under 10%. The Nene Herald is a community-based newspaper for Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough and the surrounding villages.The Herald is free and can be found on the Internet at: https://issuu.com/nene_herald Alternatively, you can have it emailed to you. If you wish to receive free copies of the latest issue of Nene Herald, send an email requesting a free copy to: Nene_Herald@yahoo.com If you no longer wish to receive free copies of the newspaper, simply email us and ask to ‘unsubscribe’.
If you wish to comment on any of the subjects within this publication or would like to contribute to the content, please get in touch via email to : nene_herald@yahoo.com