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Issue 99 | February 2024

County-wide news, views and stories

The magazine at the heart of Northamptonshire

What’s going on in your local area

CONTENTS

From the

Editor

FEBRUARY 2024

Kerry Lewis-Stevenson

here’s so much happening this month, it’s hard to know where to start.

We would really like you to join us at Your Business Expo Northamptonshire again this year, so come along to Sywell Aerodrome on the 7th. It’s a great opportunity for your business to engage and connect with local decision-makers and to increase awareness of your brand.

This year is an important landmark for Lamport Hall as it celebrates 50 years as a charitable Preservation Trust. The team has worked hard over the winter, ready for an exciting 2024 programme. It starts with the Snowdrop Walk on the weekends of 10th to 11th and 17th to 18th. Complete your visit at the Northants Open Studios exhibition. Did you go to Sulgrave Manor on a school trip as a child? It’s a wonderful place for history lovers to explore and has a fine reputation for education. Find out what Laura Malpas discovered about the things we can look forward to this season. There’s a real treat for youngsters this half-term at the Chester House Estate. They can set sail during Pirate Week from 17th to 25th and take part in a range of swashbuckling pirate adventures. Since 2024 is a leap year, traditionally ladies can propose to their partners. If you’re planning to ‘pop the question’ on Valentine’s Day our ‘Bride Guide’ is essential reading. There’s something for everyone involved in making the happy day a perfect one. And remember, the Willen Hospice Bridal Boutique offers beautiful, preloved wedding dresses and accessories. Can you also help Animals in Need find the perfect human companion for some of their residents still looking for forever homes? On Valentine’s Day you can speed date with some very special animals to find your perfect match. Whatever you’re doing this month, have fun!

Kerry Read previous editions online: www.pulsegroupmedia.co.uk 01604 935300 nnpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk 17 Stilebrook Road, Olney, Bucks MK46 5EA Connect with us on socials: /pulsemagazines @pulsemagazines nnpulsemagazine FINISHED READING? PASS PULSE MAGAZINE TO A FRIEND OR PLACE IT IN THE RECYCLING.

The deadline for advertising in the next edition of Pulse Magazine is MONDAY FRIDAY 9TH 8THFEBRUARY FEBRUARY Published by Lunar Publishing Limited NN Pulse cannot take responsibility for the content of the advertisements, editorial or the services provided by the advertisers. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate. All artwork is accepted on condition that permission has been given for use in MK Pulse. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. © NN Pulse

29 6

NEWS

CHRIS JERICHO

LEGAL

MIKE READER

CHARITY

SULGRAVE MANOR

BEAUTY

BRIDE GUIDE

FOOD AND DRINK

ANIMALS IN NEED

DIGGING DEEP

INTERIORS

MUSIC

THEATRE

WHAT’S ON

PUZZLES

YOUR STARS

NN Pulse is distributed door to door to 22,000 homes and businesses in: Ashton, Blisworth, Brafield-on-the-Green, Bugbrooke, Chapel Brampton, Church Brampton, Collingtree Park, Collingtree Village, Denton, East Hunsbury, Gayton, Grange Park, Great Houghton, Greens Norton, Hackleton, Hardingstone, Horton, Little Houghton, Lower Harlestone, Milton Malsor, Moulton, Nether Heyford, Pattishall, Piddington, Preston Deanery, Quinton, Roade, Shutlanger, St Georges Fields, Stoke Bruerne, Upper Harlestone, West Hunsbury, Wootton, Wootton Fields, and pick up points across Northamptonshire.

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

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referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles. At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, call Jamie free on 0808 301 9552 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

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For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

LOCAL NEWS

Join us at Your Business Expo, the business event of the year It’s happening this month… Northamptonshire’s business event of the year: Your Business Expo 2024.

he date: February 7. The venue: Sywell Aerodrome. The occasion: Your Business Expo Northamptonshire, hosted by Pulse Group Media - publisher of NN Pulse and the county’s leading business publication Business Times - with full-service marketing agency qoob as headline sponsor. Your Business Expo aims to create opportunities for businesses to reach, engage and connect; for quality sales leads, to meet key decision-makers and to increase awareness of

your business brand. Around 100 exhibitors, including Northamptonshire’s leading, brightest and fastest-growing organisations, have confirmed their place and hundreds of visitors are already registered to join us on the day. Your Business Expo begins bright and early with some sparkling networking over breakfast, led by our friends at the regional networking powerhouse Business Buzz. Then comes the main event: Your Business Expo, which is open 10am-3pm.

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February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

There are opportunities to learn too, with a keynote seminar focusing on the opportunities and challenges for businesses created by Artificial Intelligence. It is led by AI specialist Andy Paul, founder and chief executive of automation and AI-powered data products business Fliwheel. Once again our headline sponsor is the digital marketing specialist qoob and they are joined by 3RS IT Solutions, people experts HR Solutions, material access handling solutions provider JST Forklifts and IT solutions provider Paradise Computing as Your Business Expo Northamptonshire sponsors. The inaugural Your Business Expo Northamptonshire in 2023 attracted more than 100 exhibitors and 600 visitors and was hailed as a spectacular success. Similar feedback followed for Your Business Expos at Milton Keynes and Bedford. “The interest in being part of this show has been intense ever since we closed the doors at Sywell last year,” said Pulse Group Media director Martin Lewis-Stevenson. “It feels like every business in the county wants to be part of it - whether they exhibit or join us on the day, we’re confident that Your Business Expo 2024 will deliver exactly what our guests and clients are looking for: the opportunity to talk, engage, connect and do business.” Find out more, book your place at the networking breakfast and register for your free visitor tickets at www.yourbusinessexpo.co.uk or email hello@yourbusinessexpo.co.uk

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Nursing care • Residential care • Dementia care • Respite care & short breaks For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

INTERVIEW

Fozzy and fabulous!

Whether he is stepping into the ring, or onto the stage, Chris Jericho can be counted on to make a real entrance. A wrestler with numerous titles to his name, including plenty of World Titles, Jericho knows a thing or 10 about putting on a show, as he told Pulse’s Sammy Jones. 8

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

Fozzy will wrap up their Spotlight on UK tour in Northampton

INTERVIEW

ater this month, Chris will bring the party to The Roadmender when his band Fozzy wrap up a 10-date UK tour in our neck of the woods. Of course there are similarities between the two disciplines at which he excels. “It’s all the live element of connecting with a crowd, and that could be wrestling or music or stand-up comedy or a Shakespearean actor on the stage. If you are doing something live, you want to connect with the audience and make them interested in what it is you are doing, and be the party host, so to speak, and lead them to where you want them to go. “There are a lot of those same elements whether you are on the stage with Fozzy or in the ring with AEW,” he agrees. Last August he enjoyed the double whammy of coming on to wrestle at Wembley Stadium while performing with his band Fozzy. The footage is incredible. Surely you can never tire of a buzz like that? “It was amazing, there was 80,000 people there and to me Wembley is home to the greatest gig of all time which is Queen at Live Aid. It’s combining two of my worlds at the highest of degrees; playing myself to the ring with Fozzy is something that has never been done before, but there’s a lot of elements to it – we started on a really high platform, and that’s where I did the Freddie Mercury ‘Ayoe’s’” he says, talking me through the routine, “... and then the music started and I had to run down the steps and across an area and climb down a ladder to get to the floor to grab a microphone to start singing as I walked to the ring. It’s like, not only am I singing the song, I am also having to be a fricking gymnast to get there! “Then I had to sing the song and I had to sing it right and in time, because I was 500 yards away from the band, and then once that’s all done, you think, ‘that was amazing but oh wait, I’ve got to wrestle an 18 minute match against Will Ospreay now!’ “When I was up there doing it I was thinking, ‘this is almost biting off a little bit more than I can chew’ and no-one else would probably ever do it, but it is a very Chris Jericho thing to do.” Clearly the event left its mark on him. “It was a really cool moment, and something I will never forget, it was the biggest show I’ve ever had in wrestling and the biggest show with Fozzy at the same time...” Chris is talking to us from his home in Tampa, Florida, and he might not wear his musical heroes on his sleeves, but he does have them hanging on the wall behind him, that iconic Abbey Road shot with McCartney, Lennon, Harrison and Starr the backdrop for some rock n roll figurines and one of his wrestling belts. “The first band I was ever really super into and obsessed with was The Beatles. I remember being eight or nine years old and all I wanted for Christmas was Beatles albums. I didn’t want anything else, like toys or any money, just Beatles albums and I just became a real expert. “I’m not just talking about the music, I knew all the characters, Magic Alex and the Blue Meanies and everything. “That led to the Stones and The Who and The Kinks, so I was really into 60’s bands as a

10-year-old kid which was hilarious, because I was in Grade 5 or 6 and everyone else was listening to Loverboy and Journey and the Little River Band and there I was in my homemade Beatles shirt, kind of the nerd in the corner! “Then when I got into Junior High I noticed that all the girls I had a crush on were wearing Ozzy shirts and Dio, and Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I thought ‘If I’m ever gonna get a chance to talk to these girls, maybe I should stop listening to The Beatles for a while, and check out some of these other bands, and then buying Blizzard of Ozz, by Ozzy the third song was Goodbye to Romance which sounds like a Beatles song, so I was like ‘OK, they are all obsessed by The Beatles too,’ so it all started with that and moved on to heavy metal.” Fozzy has been a ‘thing’ for 23 years. Eight albums in and the band is still conquering new ears with an ever expanding fan base. The motto is ‘fan owned, band operated.’ “It’s a little bit of a catchphrase thing, but we really believe it, we really do have a great relationship with our fans, because Fozzy fans have really had to stake their claim and have been through a lot,” he realises, “When we first started there were so many people that didn’t like the band, just because I was in it; ‘How can a wrestler be in a band?’ ‘What kind of a singer can a wrestler be?’ ‘How good can this band be?’ But you know what? We know we are a great band and we’ve got great songs and that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter if I’m a wrestler or a butcher or a baker or a candlestick maker, it is either good music or it’s not.

We know we are a great band and we’ve got great songs and that’s all that matters.”

“Twenty-three years in and Fozzy is bigger than we’ve ever been and better than we’ve ever been and I don’t know a lot of bands that can say that, and we still got a lot of growth going. This tour in the UK will be the biggest one we’ve ever had and that’s really cool considering we’ve been coming to the UK since 2005.” Although the Fozzy line-up has been fluid over the years, the nucleus of Chris and guitarist Rich has remained firm. “What Rich and I have really figured out is we are really good at letting each other do what he does best, we are not trying to step on each others’ toes. “I think there was a time when both of us were being alpha males and thought we had to be in control of everything, and then we realised, somewhere around the third record, that this is a really good partnership, so it is a Mick and Keith, Steve and Bruce, Lars and James, where you have two guys who are both very creative. Rich is the musical director and he’s more the songwriter and I’m more of the ‘What’s the tour gonna be called?’ and ‘What’s the album cover look like’ and ‘What is the setlist?’ and I do more of the press stuff, although Rich does some too. “He does what he does best and I do what I do best and we do things together and between those elements you’ve got a really great partnership. If it wasn’t that, we wouldn’t be here right now.” When the man, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time (or G.O.A.T as they say) wrestlers isn’t getting to grips with the opposition, working up a sweat on stage, or hosting his own long running podcast, we imagine he tries to catch a breath. “I’m busy, but I’m not as busy as people might expect,” he admits, “I’ve had a lot of crazy stuff going on the past couple of months and I just got back from Vietnam on Tuesday, but you know, it’s Friday now and I’ve had pretty much the rest of the week off and I’m off until next Tuesday.

‘Fozzy fans have really had to stake their claim and have been through a lot’

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

INTERVIEW

A Fozzy gig is ‘a rock n roll party’ promises Chris

“Yesterday I didn’t do anything but sleep because I had nothing really to do, and I needed to sleep from being jet lagged and being so busy. Now I’m back on track and I’m home for the next few days sitting with my dogs, and my daughters went to school this morning and I’m back on normal dad mode. It does get super busy at times, but the beauty of it is in my job when I’m not busy I don’t have to do anything. “It’s not like I have to go to work or get on the train at 9am. I can just hang out at home, so that’s the balance.” And when he is home, he’s not averse to dealing with the mundane, “errands, and going to the bank, calling the lawn guys to work on some shrubbery or whatever the hell it is, just normal stuff,” he says, “... most of the time, like today, I’ve got a few things to do and then by 2pm I’m done and ready to grab a cocktail and just hang out...” Jericho’s fan base is colossal, but you can never appeal to all of the people all of the time, and while he will call out negativity on social media, he’s not much fussed in making friends and influencing people. He’s got enough of the former, and stays true to himself. “There are always going to be people with opinions online - some of them will love you and some of them will hate you, and you take them all with a grain of salt. I know people who don’t like me will probably never like me, so I don’t worry about trying to appeal to them. 10

I know people who don’t like me will probably never like me.” “I take great pride and have great responsibility in keeping the people that follow my work and appreciate what I do, happy, and keeping them excited about the projects I’m doing and excited to be involved with anything that Chris Jericho is doing.” And how does that look in the future? What’s next for the man who has already achieved so much? “I really don’t have a list of things, I just go with the flow and things that come up that are interesting to me, I’ll do. The biggest thing is just to continue to grow Fozzy and continue to tour the world with the band. There are so many cool things that are going on and so many things in the future that are going to happen. “I just gotta keep my eyes open, concentrate on what I’m doing and make sure that no matter what it is that I’m doing, it’s the best it could possibly be and that I never let anybody down with any of the projects I do.” Guaranteed, anyone who takes a ticket to see Fozzy live in Northampton will get their

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

full fill of the fabulous: “Every show is a challenge, and there are certain areas of the world that are crazier than others, like when Fozzy comes to the UK the crowds are always a little bit nuttier and there are certain areas of the UK... the first one that pops into mind is Glasgow. Scotland is nuts. It’s like going to Chicago for wrestling, there is just something about it - people are just extra crazy there. “Then if you go to London or Los Angeles where there is so much entertainment and people see so much, those shows are always a little bit harder. You can tell within 30 seconds what kind of a crowd it is going to be. Instantly. You just know.” Now is not the time to debate getting a ticket, now is the time to jump in and get along for the ride, Chris promises. “If you’ve seen us before you know what to expect as far as the fun factor that we bring,” he says, selling his show, “If you haven’t seen us, this is the time; the band is better than we’ve ever been and the set is song after song after song that you know. “It’s just a fun gig, it’s a great gig. It’s a rock and roll party man, and I don’t think people want to miss out on that.” > Fozzy brings the Spotlight tour to Northampton Roadmender on Monday, February 26. To book tickets visit theroadmender.com

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For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Conveyancing clarity

LEGAL

Navigating the costs of selling or buying property in the UK Wilson Browne Solicitors offer invaluable advice for those embarking on property transactions. Understanding the intricacies of conveyancing fees is vital, whether you’re buying or selling. Their expert team demystifies the process, ensuring clients are well-informed about land registry, stamp duty, and various legal requirements. Emphasizing transparency, they caution against misleading low-cost offers and pledge to provide clear, upfront cost estimates, removing the stress and surprises from property deals.

f you’ve just had an offer accepted on a property or are considering selling your home, it’s time to start thinking about conveyancing fees in the UK.

Involving a conveyancer in your transaction is crucial for ensuring the smooth and correct transfer of legal ownership and to identify relevant legal issues to avoid any nasty surprises later. A conveyancer will review the relevant title deeds, land registry records, and any other legal documents/public records to ensure your sale or purchase proceeds without issue. The legal fees will also include matters such as dealing with the formal exchange of contracts (which makes the contract legally binding), the payment of stamp duty (where relevant), including the submission of documentation to the Inland Revenue, liaising with all relevant parties, the application to the Land Registry to formally change the ownership of the property. The legal fees will also include obtaining and reviewing the necessary searches, dealing with enquiries, compliance with AML requirements, dealing with any relevant mortgage offer and so on. There are many factors that can affect conveyancing solicitors costs. Leasehold properties are more complex and often take more time and effort to sell. The need to obtain additional information from

landlords and/or management companies can delay matters and increase costs. Freehold transactions, on the other hand, are typically more straightforward and less complex, making conveyancing fees more affordable. If you do require extra services like dealing with a mortgage lender or navigating a Help to Buy scheme, a gifted deposit etc there may be additional costs. It is always important to budget for unexpected costs, for example a defect in the title may increase both the time and cost of dealing with a transaction, even if it looks to be straight forward at the outset.

common for legal firms to advertise their services as cheap and then gradually introduce a long list of add-ons for an extra cost, significantly bumping up your bill. Here at Wilson Browne Solicitors, we take a more transparent approach. Our friendly and professional team will ensure you’re aware of all the likely costs payable. As long as there are no extenuating circumstances that complicate the transaction, or additional work required, the price we quote, is the price you’ll pay.

When shopping around, it’s important to not to be taken in by any artificially low solicitor conveyancing fees. It’s

If you need advice or assistance with a property or conveyancing transaction, call us on 0800 088 6004. Alternatively visit www.wilsonbrowne.co.uk or scan the code to use our online quote calculator. For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

MIKE READER ADVERTISING FEATURE

A revival of

Northampton’s heart

he views shared with me by residents and business owners about Northampton and our town centre’s current state are a stark reminder of what once was and what can be. Our town centre, once a beacon of activity and town pride, has sadly dwindled into a shadow of its former self. This decline, accelerated by over £50 million in funding cuts from Central Government and a lack of visionary leadership from Council leaders, has left our high street in a state of neglect. The results of my six-month listening survey, encompassing the views of over 1,000 residents across Northampton South, reveal a profound dissatisfaction with current redevelopment plans. The relocation of the market, the boarding up of shops, and the stifling of inward investment have been met with disapproval, signalling a disconnect between the community’s needs and the actions taken. However, it is within our grasp to rewrite this narrative. Our high street must evolve into a focal point of community, culture, and shared experiences. But let us be clear: superficial enhancements like new fountains, market stalls expensive paving in the market square are not the solution we seek. Our town centre’s regeneration must be rooted in a fundamental shift in approach – a complete overhaul that prioritises community involvement and transparent ownership. Currently, the hidden, often offshore, ownership of properties in our town centre has deprived us of a voice in our own development. This anonymity benefits remote investors more than our local community, leading to empty storefronts and neglect throughout the high street.

The bustling streets, vibrant shops and the lively atmosphere of the town centre should not just be memories; they should also represent the potential for revival.

To breathe life back into our town centre, your neighbours have told me we need to: Restore the market: The market should return to its rightful place in the square, ahead of the current construction timeline. This move is more than symbolic; it’s a restoration of our town’s heartbeat. Deliver business rates reform: Our local shops are disproportionately penalised by current business rates, while online giants skirt their fair share. This imbalance must be rectified. Support community and co-operative ownership: Empowering community and co-operative ownership will ensure that the benefits of rejuvenation are shared widely, not funnelled to private pockets elsewhere. Give more powers to the local community: Funding decisions for projects to enhance our town must be devolved. We must end the Levelling Up lottery that current exists, where communities in need are forced to compete for funds in expensive and wasteful whitehall bureaucracy. The path to revitalising Northampton town centre is not a journey of mere aesthetics but one of meaningful, community-driven change. That’s why I’m so passionate about making this happen in our town. It’s time for a radical rethink, one that places the community at the forefront, ensuring that our town centre reflects the spirit, needs, and aspirations of the people it serves. Let’s make Northampton a place we can all be proud of again.

Mike Reader for Northampton South

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February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

A bright start to an important year at Lamport Hall 2024 is a landmark year for Lamport Hall and they can’t wait to share with you all the exciting events and interpretation that they have have been working hard on over the winter. On the 10th & 11th and 17th & 18th February, their popular snowdrop event returns. Come along to the gardens from 11am-3pm to see the spectacular display of snowdrops and spring bulbs. The gardens will be open to explore at your leisure including the woodland walk with its carpet of snowdrops. The cafe will also be open selling hot drinks, sweet treats and light lunches. In addition, Northants Open Studios will be hosting their Spring Open Exhibition which will be a free entry art exhibition showcasing work by Northamptonshire artists. Lamport Hall are also celebrating 50 years of the charitable Preservation Trust which cares for the Hall, gardens and estate. In this landmark year they will be launching an entirely new exhibition exploring the history of the Trust as well as an exhibition catalogue sharing memories and in depth details of the collection by experts from across the globe. There will be special events throughout the year as well including an Oxford University Dramatic Society theatre production, concerts, a 1930s themed cocktail party and an anniversary lecture day featuring local and international experts. As well as the exciting events of the anniversary year, all the traditional events will feature at Lamport including the Rural Life Festival, Christmas Market, outdoor theatre and jazz, National Gardens Open Scheme and the antiques fairs. Check the website for more details and dates. The house and gardens will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from April to October.

Snowdrop Walk 10th-11th & 17th-18th February 11am-3pm

Enjoy the spectacular spring bulb display, a slice of cake and cup of coffee and an exhibition of local artists with Northants Open Studios.

2024: 50 years of Lamport Hall Preservation Trust Join us for a new exhibition, publication and series of events to celebrate this landmark year. Check the website for up-to-date details on Hall and Garden opening and events during 2024

www.lamporthall.co.uk

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For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

CHARITY

Your support for our hospitals means better care for patients

upporting Northamptonshire Health Charity goes beyond an act of generosity; it’s an investment directly impacting the well-being and resilience of our local community. Every contribution, big or small, has a tangible effect on individuals receiving care in our hospitals. Your support propels the advancement of medical services and patient care, allowing the charity to enhance facilities, invest in cutting-edge medical equipment, and support hospital staff beyond what the NHS can fund. This results in improved treatment outcomes, faster recovery times, and an overall elevated healthcare standard for Northamptonshire residents. There are diverse ways to support your local hospitals. The simplest is making a donation, either in person or online at northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk/donate. However, you may wish to get more involved. You can fundraise by taking part in one of our many events, getting sponsorship while taking on a challenge, beneficial for both body and soul! Alternatively, organise your own fundraising event, from bake sales to virtual coffee mornings, where the price of a cup can be donated. Ongoing support can be shown through regular donations; for example, just £5 a month can enhance patient areas, £10 a month can improve staffrooms for

stress relief, and £25 a month aids in supporting rooms for relatives staying with patients receiving end-of-life care. To make a regular gift, visit northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk/regular. For a lasting impact, leaving a gift in your will expresses gratitude for the care received and acknowledges the numerous individuals involved in patient care. Pledging an ‘unrestricted’ gift allows the charity to support a much wide array of areas involved in that care, from ambulance crews to Xray departments to surgery to physio. Notify us of your legacy pledge at 01604 626927, greenheart@nhcf.co.uk, or visit northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk/legacy. Every donation, regardless of size, leaves a positive and enduring mark on the health and happiness of our community, Your support is genuinely appreciated. Thank you for making a difference.

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

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For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

LOCAL HISTORY

Sulgrave Manor, a symbol of connection

f you grew up in Northamptonshire, there is a chance is that you may have visited Sulgrave Manor on a school visit. It has a fine reputation for education, as well as being a wonderful place for history lovers to explore. It’s a quintessentially English country house, but is more than that, it’s also home to a unique relationship. This month I’m visiting the tranquil Sulgrave Manor as the team prepare for the coming season. The village of Sulgrave was already an ancient settlement well before the Manor was built. There is evidence of local Bronze Age activity, including a Bowl Burial between 4000 and 5000 years old. Located on Castle Hill to the west of the village, more recent settlements included a fine Saxon timber hall surrounded by an earth ringwork rampart. This was superseded by a Norman stone-built hall following the Conquest. In the mid 12th century, the manor was given to the Cluniac Priory of St Andrew in Northampton, and the Church of St James the Lesser was built mid 14th century. 18

Pics: © Sulgrave Manor Trust

Laura Malpas pays a visit to the ancestral home of George Washington, nestled in the Northamptonshire countryside

Bust of George Washington, first president of the United States of America

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

The story of Lawrence Washington, the builder of the Manor House, begins further north in Warton, Lancashire. In 1529, Lawrence came to Northamptonshire in the employ of Sir William Parr, uncle to Queen Katharine Parr. However, he soon saw that his cousin John Spencer of Althorp was making very good money in the wool trade, and took the opportunity to marry Elizabeth Gough, the young widow of a Northampton wool merchant. Lawrence’s future was secured as he successfully took over the business. Mayor of Northampton twice, after the death of Elizabeth in childbirth, he married Amy Tomson, another wealthy widow and acquired the lease to the Manor of Sulgrave, buying it outright following the dissolution of the monasteries. Lawrence and Amy’s family expanded as fast as their wool business, so they set about building a home to accommodate their eleven children. The Elizabethan manor house was completed around 1560. As is usual with a house of this age there have been many alterations

over the years, but the southern parts of the house are quite intact with many original features. My favourite is the unusual pargetting, decorative plasterwork modelling the royal arms and the family heraldic devices at the entrance to the house. The Manor stayed with the Washington family until 1610, when it was sold to their cousin, Lawrence Makepeace. The Washington family now found themselves on the wrong side of politics. During the English Civil Wars, the Royalist family supported and fought for King Charles I, and their fortunes suffered. Fearing for his future, in 1656 John Washington the great-great grandson of Lawrence Washington, the builder of Sulgrave Manor decided to leave the shores of England for a future in the New World. 76 years later, John’s great grandson George Washington was born, eventually becoming the first President of the United States of America. Although he was a direct descendent, George himself never visited England and his ancestral home. In the later part of the 17th century, the Manor was acquired by the Hodges family, and in the 18th century, John Hodges did much to consolidate the estate and rebuild the house by adding another wing. However, his descendants were less scrupulous, and the buildings became quite dilapidated. In 1860, the estate passed to an offshoot of the famous Sitwell family of nearby Weston Hall. It remained in their possession until 1914 when they decided to sell. And the role of this once handsome but now crumbling house was to change forever. 1914 marked the centenary of the Treaty of Ghent, signifying a century of peaceful relations between the USA and the UK, and there was a desire to celebrate and mark this ’special relationship’. Sulgrave Manor, ancestral home to the first American President was seen as the perfect symbol of shared histories and priorities. The British public raised funds to purchase and restore the house and garden with the aim of presenting it to the people of both countries as a symbol of everlasting friendship. Following the outbreak of war plans were delayed, but further funds were raised by concerned public subscribers on both sides of the Atlantic after the conflict.

This ensured the long overdue restoration of the house under the direction of Sir Reginald Blomfeld, a highly regarded architect and garden designer. The refurbishment began, and on 21st June 1921, the house was formally opened and dedicated to all the peoples of the UK and the USA. The Mayor of Northampton was a special guest of honour, a significant choice due to his ancestor - the original builder of Sulgrave Manor, Lawrence Washington. The long-term future of Sulgrave Manor was greatly assisted by the foresight of a group of American ladies, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Their purpose was, and still is, to “promote appreciation of the people, places and events” which led to the formation of the USA. They recognised that the upkeep of the Manor required long term financial support, so in 1924 they raised an incredible fund of $112,000 with 35,000 subscribers to create a funding base for the future. This relationship continues to this day and the Dames are still actively fundraising and supporting the Sulgrave Manor Trust. Today a visit to Sulgrave Manor gives you the opportunity to learn about and explore the house and visit an exhibition sharing stories of the people who built, lived and worked there. After an introductory chat, you can explore the house at your own speed and experience the contrast between the Elizabethan parts of the house and the 18th century extension. My favourite part of most houses is usually the kitchen, and here it’s wonderfully atmospheric and well furnished. I also love the modern New Elizabethan embroideries. Made over ten years by volunteers in the USA and UK, they are all handstitched using 16th century methods, and feature symbols of Anglo-American friendship, dancing lords, ladies and Native Americans, and animals and flowers from both sides of the Atlantic.

Top: The Great Kitchen Middle: Embroideries in the Great Chamber Bottom: Tulips in the knot garden

meet with friends and share a picnic in the peaceful surroundings before exploring the history. It feels like that’s the right thing to do at this place which has been dedicated to the promotion of international friendship. It’s more than just a charming quintessentially English manor house, it’s a symbol of optimism for the future of collaboration and mutual understanding between Nations. For more information including opening times, please visit www.sulgravemanor.org.uk If you enjoy walking, there’s two delightful walks which explore the village of Sulgrave including a visit to the Manor at www.northamptonshirewalks.co.uk walks 26 and 174.

The gardens are a joy too. There’s a small but enthusiastic team who care for the grounds and they have exciting plans for 2024. It’s a lovely place to The Northamptonshire Heritage Forum has something for everyone interested in learning more about our county’s history. If you would like more information, or are interested in joining the Forum and supporting its work, please visit www.northamptonshireheritageforum.co.uk

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

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LEGAL

Options if your former partner is not complying with a child arrangement order Facing a breach of a child arrangement order (CAO) after parental separation can be distressing. This article guides on handling non-compliance, from direct communication to court enforcement, and explores the financial implications in such scenarios, with expert legal advice.

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‘Breach of a child arrangement order can cause distress for a parent, but also results instability for children. At times it can even mean children are not permitted to see one of their parents, so it is important to understand your options when a breach occurs,’ says Connor Williams, a Litigation Executive in the family team with Borneo Martell Turner Coulston. What is a breach? A breach is anything that is done which is not in compliance with the terms of the child arrangement order. The court must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that a breach has occurred, and courts tend only to intervene when breaches are substantial and deliberate. If a parent repeatedly breaches the order, even if they are small breaches, or if they simply refuse to comply with the terms, then the court has powers to enforce compliance with an order. Often a parent has to make an application for enforcement when the other parent outright refuses to allow the other parent to see the child, without any valid justification. What are the options if your former partner breaches a CAO?

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.

Image is provided by Ingram Images Ltd

Connor Williams Senior Legal Executive

child arrangement order (sometimes referred to as a CAO) is a court order which stipulates the contact arrangements for a child following parental separation. This type of court order is normally only needed when parents cannot reach agreement between themselves on what is best for their child.

one-off event, or it may give you the opportunity to discuss how the breach could be avoided in the future. If direct communication is proving difficult, a mediator may be able to assist in opening the lines of communication. • If direct communication is not suitable in your circumstances, then sending a solicitor’s letter to your former partner which sets out your concerns may be enough to ensure no further breaches occur. • If resolution is still not possible then you can refer the breach back to court. You can do this to either seek enforcement of the existing order, or you may wish to seek some alternative order, such as a prohibited steps order preventing the other parent from taking a particular action with your child. The best route will depend on your circumstances, and the reason for the breach. One of our expert family law team can advise you on the most appropriate route for you. Who will pay?

When a breach occurs, there are several possible actions you may take as follows: • If possible, it is best to speak to the other parent first about why the breach occurred. This may be sufficient to reassure you it was a

During enforcement proceedings, the court has the discretion to order compensation against the breaching parent in your favour if you are out of pocket as a result of the breach. The court has the power to order

legal costs against one parent if the court is satisfied that it is fair and reasonable to do so. In determining this, the court will consider the facts of the case and the nature of the breach. One of our family law team can guide you on the likely costs of your case, and the likelihood of securing an order for costs against your former partner.

How can we help? One of our family law experts will be able to advise you on the options available to you in respect of any breach of a child arrangement order. We can weigh up the routes available to you, and help you obtain the right legal advice to best meet you and your child’s needs. For further information, please contact Connor Williams in the family law team on: 01604 622101 or email connor.williams@bmtclaw. co.uk Borneo Martell Turner Coulston has offices in both Northampton and Kettering.

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

DAYS OUT

All aboard for half-term pirate fun at Chester House Estate

hoy there, matey! Get ready to set sail to The Chester House Estate for a swashbuckling adventure at Pirate Week 2024! This February half term (Saturday 17th February - Sunday 25th February 2024), The Chester House Estate is welcoming brave buccaneers aged 2 - 12 years to embark on a range of pirate activities to keep even the saltiest sea dog entertained. The Northamptonshire heritage site, based in Irchester, is known for its year-round events calendar, conference and wedding facilities and the home of the Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre, which holds the historical findings from the estate itself and the wider county. Georgia Wales, Event Manager at The Chester House Estate, said “We’re really excited to be hosting our first ever Pirate Week for February half term. Our most recent Halloween and Christmas events were fantastic and sold out within two weeks of launching both, and now we have something brand new and a bit different, which we hope all families can enjoy!

ensure we are accessible to all families and Pirate Week has a range of activities for an excellent price for families to get stuck into and make valuable memories.” Lisa Hust, General Manager at The Chester House Estate, said: “Our estate’s 10,000 year history is something we try to incorporate into many of our events. Literally every step you take here is packed with history, much of it still buried. We have Roman Fest and archaeological digs in the summer, and our popular seasonal events including Halloween, Christmas and Spring. This balance allows us to engage all audiences, whilst following our vision of joining historical narratives to modern experiences on our estate.”

“As a free-to-enter site, we pride ourselves in providing a fun, safe space for families and children to enjoy, and often have events in the holidays and half terms at affordable prices to

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

> Children can join our pirate crew for some skills training, scour the sand pit for hidden treasure, follow the map to uncover the loot, discover the treasure-rich history of Northamptonshire and much more! Tickets are £10, visit www.chesterhouseestate.org to book.

Any circumstances relating to family law are very stressful and in our experience it helps to obtain legal advice as early as possible. Our family team understand the issues you face and offer practical and straightforward legal advice.

Our Partner led family team are experienced in all aspects of family law We are able to help you with:

• Child Arrangement Orders • Adoption • Care Proceedings • Divorce & Relationship Breakdown • Finance For straight talking advice call us on 01604 622101 or e-mail us at advice@bmtclaw.co.uk www.bmtclaw.co.uk 29 Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5DQ

t: 01604 622101 f: 01604 230829 18 Brooklands Court, Kettering Venture Park, Kettering, NN15 6FD

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! e v o l h s u Lots of L BEAUTY

Lush’s loved-up Valentine’s Day collection boasts 34 products in total, and we’ve picked a few of our favourites. Remember you need to self-love too – so treating yourself is just as important as showing affection for another!

Can’t decide on the words to write? Don’t worry – send this fresh, handmade Love Letter bath bomb instead. It’s bursting with softening cocoa butter and coconut milk and you can secretly post it to the one you admire. Moisturising, sweet, creamy and light, this bomb shares its fragrance with Strawberry Feels Forever massage bar. Fruity and fun. RRP: £4

How about this Love Burger bath bomb for a filling gift? Its three courses deliver the ultimate bathing feast; a zesty Sicilian lemon burger patty bubble bar, layered with rhubarb & custard scented salad soaps, cuddled between cherry-fragranced bath bomb buns! The heart-shaped tomato soap inside is made with real tomatoes. Saucy! RRP: £14

Lush has assembled a floral threesome for its With Love gift, which is inspired by romance and roses, and includes a Passion shower gel, a Tisty Tosty bath bomb and Ro’s Argan body conditioner. There are no thorns here, only perfectly harnessed petal magic. RRP: £22

Lock your loved one inside this heart-shaped box to enjoy a sweet and sensual selection of seven luxurious body care, bath and shower products. This Lots of Love gift includes a Passion shower gel, Strawberry Heart soap, Posh White Choc and Rose body wash, Strawberry Crumble bubbleroon, Love Letter bath bomb, Sex Bomb massage bar and Sex Bomb bath bomb. Forget that bottle of bubbly, and bathe in the bubbles instead!

Perfect for puckering up, Sweet Talk lip scrub isn’t only sweet for the lips, but the environment benefits too; the raspberry seed oil used is processed from a company keen to achieve zero-waste production – these seeds are a byproduct of the fruit juice and jam industry. Jammy, and then some. RRP: £7

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It’s a viral sensation and it is back with a new look in time for Valentine’s. The Lush Flower Bombshell bath bomb is ready to wow your senses with its signature Rose Jam scent, and soothe the skin in a nourishing, shimmery bath filled with confetti-like flowers, petals and buds. RRP: £14 24

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine

Kiss Me Quick shower jelly is new to the romance range; shower in juicy kisses and fresh strawberries with this flirtatious vegan shower jelly, scented with spicy clove bud oil and sweet mimosa absolute. A kiss for the skin. RRP: £7 > All products are available at Lush stores in centre:mk in Milton Keynes, the Grosvenor Centre in Northampton, and online at lush.com/uk

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For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

Say ‘I do’ to stress free wedding planning

024 is a leap year, and if you subscribe to the tradition, it means that ladies can propose to their partners – an opportunity that only presents itself once every four years, so get cracking girls! But irrespective of who is doing the asking, once the question has been popped, and provided the answer is the right one, thoughts turn to organising the big day. It’s fine if you decide to run away somewhere on a whim or if you want to stand on a sun kissed beach at sunset with only you and your partner to consider while you exchange vows.

But for everyone who intends to have a more traditional day for friends and family to share in, wedding planning is famous for being notoriously stressful. Pay attention to our guide and you can enjoy all the wedding wows with none of the woes...

Get organised There are so many things to work through; invitations, guest numbers to consider, wedding venue, reception venue, attire, flowers... and that little lot is just for starters.

Write a list that can be added to as often as you like. Just get it down on your laptop or in a pad and refer to it always. Out of the mind and on the page will keep your head clear and make things much more manageable. If you plan a long lead in time, the temptation might be to leave things for a while, but don’t be complacent – wedding cakes don’t make themselves, a good flower arranger will be in demand by more couples than just you, and photographers might be many, but which is the right one for you? Finding the correct people in plenty of time is great for them, and for you, and avoids disappointment. Think ahead. Continues on page 28 >>

February 2024 | Pulse Magazine | Bride Guide

BRIDE GUIDE

Get your perfect wedding dress for less from the Willen Hospice Bridal Boutique!

estled upstairs in their Leighton Buzzard store for over four years, this dedicated bridal boutique has been a haven for brides looking for the perfect dress, without breaking the bank. With a wide range of styles to suit all tastes and sizes, brides-to-be can browse the vast collection of new and pre-loved dresses with prices starting from as little as £85. The knowledgeable team also work with a local alteration company to ensure the perfect fit and have a variety of accessories on offer too. Laura Hamilton is one of the many brides who recently got married in a dress bought from the Willen Hospice Bridal Boutique and can’t speak highly enough of her experience saying “My dress was all I ever could ask for, at a fraction of the cost and all for a wonderful cause. As a family we have always supported Willen Hospice, but my choice of shop was made even more significant as my mother-in-law passed away in the Hospice. She came with me to choose the dress so got to see me in it.” Laura is so thankful for the care and

support that her family and her motherin-law received, “We were so supported and there was a personal touch with letting us come and go as we please to be with her at the end. Forever grateful to a wonderful place.” Stay updated on new stock and find inspiration on their bridal shop Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ WillenHospiceBridalBoutique Extend the celebration to family and friends with the newly opened Occasion Wear department based in Olney. The wide selection of clothing, shoes and accessories are perfect for special occasions. You can also tick off wedding favours off your list your and add a thoughtful touch by choosing Willen Hospice scratchcards which are available in all Willen Hospice Stores or online for £1 each, by visiting https://lottery.willen-hospice.org.uk/ Willen Hospice relies on the generosity of local people to provide its compassionate care, with only 15% of costs met through NHS funding. By supporting the Hospice, you are helping families at what is possibly one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Laura Hamilton on her wedding day

Say YES to the dress

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Bride Guide | Pulse Magazine | February 2024

BRIDE GUIDE >> Continued from page 26

Start a spreadsheet With so much to consider, your brain will quite possibly feel that it’s stuffed full of confetti on occasion! Keep on track; use a spreadsheet – inputting all tasks, contacts and responses means you have everything in one easy place and can keep tabs on what needs doing and when it needs done by.

Know when to take a break If you’ve been scrolling through wedding car suppliers for hours on end, or in the bridal shop having a crisis over the all important dress, take a step back. We never make our best decisions when we are exhausted and fraught. Don’t be rash, take your time and it will fall into place. Every bride wants to look her best on the big day, and saying yes to the dress that you aren’t smitten with, won’t lead to confidence as you head down the aisle.

Ask for help... There is a reason many people choose to enlist the support of a wedding planner – they take the strain and allow you to enjoy the wedding countdown.

If you are in a position to utilise their skills, then go for it. But it really doesn’t matter if your budget won’t stretch that far – ask your friends and family for their support. They’ll be keen to help, and many hands make light work. Do make use of those who know lots – whether it’s your wedding venue, clothes for the bridesmaids, worries over the wedding dinner or any number of other worries, the venues, dressers and chefs in question will have heard it all before. Weddings are their business, so who better to ask than the experts?

...and know when to politely ask people to step back Some well meaning pals and relatives can be a bit too keen to help, and an overbearing personality can leave you feeling just as stressed. Remember, this is your wedding, and you need to be in the driving seat. Being polite, but firm is the way to go if you need to ask someone to back up a little.

The Maestro!

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February 2024 | Pulse Magazine | Bride Guide

If you are struggling, ask for help - wedding service providers will be happy to advise you

Check, check and check again Regularly referring to that aforementioned spreadsheet will ensure any errors and oversights are picked up with ease, and remedied. It might not be all hearts and flowers, but it will avoid stress.

BRIDE GUIDE

Be in the moment When the big day arrives, it can be easy to be swept away on a tide of vows, relatives, organisation and speeches, and all too soon the curtain comes down on your special day. No matter how busy things get, remember to stop, look around and take in everything. Enjoy yourself. You’ve hopefully got a lifetime of togetherness to follow, but you only get one wedding. It’s your special day, and you’ve worked hard for it, so savour every bit! The important thing to remember enjoy your day, it will go by in a flash

Delapré Abbey crowned Wedding Venue of the Year 2024 in Business UK Awards: A Triumph in Elegance and Excellence

elapré Abbey stands as a captivating venue, steeped in history, offering bespoke services for both indoor and outdoor weddings. Nestled in Northampton, our neo-classical mansion presents rustic, luxury, and country house options, creating a one-stop destination for couples. The choices are abundant, from a flowerfilled Walled Garden ceremony to intimate country estate vows or a blend of both. Our award-winning executive head chef, Bart Polinski, and the Michelin-trained Hibiscus restaurant craft exquisitely presented dishes with locally sourced produce, emphasizing sustainability. Couples can select from variety of rooms

within the Grade II* listed house or our 550-acre green expanse, overseen by our meticulous wedding planner. With payment plans and consistent pricing year-round, Delapré Abbey ensures budget-friendly celebrations. Our historic Library, Salon, Drawing Room, and grand Dining Room, alongside medieval kitchens and cellars, provide diverse settings. Exclusive use of our Walled Gardens and on-site accommodation in the new wedding cottage add to the allure. With a commitment to personalization and a limit of 25 weddings annually, Delapré Abbey promises a unique and tailored experience, having hosted over 200 weddings since 2017.

Wedding Fayre Come and enjoy a viewing of all our hotel has to offer on Sunday 18th February, 11am - 2pm

Enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival. Meet our suppliers and see our fabulous indoor and outdoor wedding set ups. For more information contact our wedding specialist on 01536 416666 or events@ketteringparkhotel.co.uk

Kettering Parkway, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN15 6XT ketteringparkhotel.co.uk | danielthwaites.co.uk

Bride Guide | Pulse Magazine | February 2024

FOOD & DRINK

Chocolate chips pancakes INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Ingredients for 16 pancakes

1. Start by preparing your batter. Sieve the flour and the bicarb into a bowl. Add the eggs and whisk into a thick batter.

400g self raising flour

2. Add the milk continuing whisking a little at the time until fully incorporated and a silky batter is formed.

1 tsp bicarbonate 3 medium eggs 400ml full fat milk 30g melted and cooled unsalted butter – plus more for cooking 1 tbsp honey Chocolate chips (1 packet)

3. Add the honey and the melted butter, this will give an even smoother pancake batter. Add the chocolate chips if using and fold. 4. Preheat a non-stick frying pan on medium heat. Once hot, add little butter smear over the frying pan, removing any excess with a kitchen towel. Keep this and use in between cooking your pancakes. 5. Pour as much pancake batter as preferred and wait until this starts bubbling before flipping on the side. They will cook after about 3 minutes on either side. 6. Serve with your favourite fruit and yogurt, or cream, with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

Our recipes come from NN Pulse food writer, Sofia Gallo, an acclaimed local chef, food writer and teacher at Milton Keynes Cookery School. She has recently won the ICG Cooking Competition and was a contestant on BBC’s Masterchef. Follow Sofia: Instagram: @in_cucinacon_sofia FB: incucinaconsofia www.lamiacucina.co.uk 30

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

RESTAURANT & BAR

Dine with us Choose from delicious stone baked pizzas, mouth-watering burgers, classic pasta dishes or choose from the Grill. Vegan and Gluten-free dishes available. Order your take away direct from our website:

www.olneyskitchen.uk/olney

36a Market Place, Olney, MK46 4AJ 01234 717000 info@olneyskitchen.uk

FEATURE

AIN's cattery is bursting with little cuties wanting a home of their own

'And I give the best kisses'

Adorable, loyal furries WLTM caring owners for cosy nights in! It's the month when cupid sharpens his arrows and takes aim, and at Little Irchester charity Animals in Need they are hoping that they'll be feeling the love too, as Pulse's Sammy Jones discovered...

here is a perfect human match for every animal, but unfortunately, they sometimes have to endure some horrible examples before finding true love. Sounds familiar, right? In a bid to help pair doggies with their most deserved and give kitty-cats their purrfect partners, Animals in Need is turning all smoochy with a special event for 32

Valentine's Day – it's a bit like Blind Date, but without Cilla and the cheesy one liners! The speed dating bash will be the perfect opportunity for singles to find their ideal match, and maybe even get their claws into each other... “Everybody needs somebody, and every one of the animals in our care is looking for their true companion,” said Animals in Need manager Annie Marriott, “We'll be marking the hearts and flowers period with special mini dating sessions where you can drop in, and who knows, you might just find the new love of your life as their eyes meet yours through the cage bars or in the cattery. “We'll even give you a helping hand by turning the lights down low and playing some suitably slushy music!” Whether you are seeking your very own Mr Mistoffelees, lovely Lassie or little Willy, this could be the event where you find your paw-fect new pal.

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

“This is our attempt at putting a fun, romantic spin on the rehoming situation,” Annie admitted, “It seems that every few months I tell you that things are worse than ever, and yet the sad fact is that is the reality – the situation with numbers of unwanted animals just keeps on worsening. “Our kennels and catteries are full of beautiful little personalities all desperate to be loved. Winning an animal's heart is quite a simple process; make them feel safe, show them love and ensure they have full bellies and in return they will love you unreservedly.

FEATURE

“They will always stay true to you too, well, unless a particularly tasty treat is offered by a stranger!” Annie laughed. “It is truly heartbreaking to see the desperate wagging tail of a newly arrived puppy, or to witness the confusion in an elderly dog surrendered by his family, and although we are here to keep them safe and help start their recovery, we can't take away their bewilderment and fear in an instant. We really hope that our speed dating event will give some of the animals in our care a new start.” If you do end up falling for one of the animals you meet, you will be asked to pay £75 per adult cat or £250 per pooch in adoption fees, money which is ploughed straight back into the charity pot to help even more animals. It's worth saying that your new family addition will leave AIN neutered, vaccinated, ID chipped, wormed and flea treated. “It's not only cats and dogs, of course; we have lots of chickens rescued from the poultry industry who are looking for new safe spaces, and their individual personalities really shine if you give them the time they deserve. Stroking a chicken can be just as good at lowering our blood pressure as stroking a dog can be!”

Smile for the camera and bark 'cheese'!

Dreaming of a new home and a cosy lap to curl up on

If circumstances mean that you simply aren't able to offer a fur or feather baby a new home, you can still help Animals in Need; February is when Random Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated, a chance to donate time to the charity, and with an average 400 animals in their day-to-day care, they are always seeking

animal lovers and handy folks to put in hours and elbow grease; from mucking out the perky pigs and clearing the chicken poop to walking the pooches and hand-rearing the babies. It's non-stop for the team of dedicated volunteers, and offers of help are always pounced on! Feeling the love - Annie Marriott “We can only do the work we with one lucky rescue do because of the generosity of time of our wonderful volunteers,” Annie said, “People imagine that it's all about playing with kittens and having fun with the puppies, but it is much more involved. If you have ever welcomed a puppy or kitten into your home, you'll know how demanding that can be – now imagine dozens more, not to mention the vast numbers of wildlife in our care too. “They all need cleaning, feeding and care. It's a non-stop operation and we would love some more help for Random Acts of Kindness Day... and every other day!” Giving is just as great as receiving and you'll feel just swell knowing that you helped make the day a little easier for others. Even spring cleaning at home can benefit Animals in Need – clear out those cluttered cupboards and strip the wardrobe of those clothes you never wear and donate your new and pre-loved good quality items to the charity's Northampton-based shop. Every penny raised goes straight back into the charity pot. So, you want to help, but just can't spare the time? Perhaps you could spare a dime – or rather a few pounds; AIN has its own Amazon Wish List – from swan and duck food to foraging feed for rabbits and meaty hedgehog belly fillers, the list of needed items is a click away – just visit their website and follow the direct link. “The kindness of our supporters is amazing, and every dog chew and bag of food is appreciated. Some people might get excited by Amazon deliveries with gadgets and gizmos and treats, but not us – it's beef tripe sticks and clumping cat litter that makes our day!” Annie laughed. “We also need to say a heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone who has donated pocket money, chosen to forgo birthday gifts, instead inviting friends and family to donate to us, and everyone who has donated to us having read about us in Pulse. These are difficult times for everyone and people's kindness is what keeps us going. “On behalf of all the animals and all of the staff and volunteers, thank you so much.” > Find out more about Animals in Need, scan the QR code or visit animalsinneed.org

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

HOME & GARDEN

DIGGING DEEP

How does your garden grow?

L Everything’s coming up roses!

ast month, we met keen amateur tomatoes being a great example of that, then gardener Debbie Keating, who took an over time it does fill up. overlooked outdoor space, and turned “Only the massive pile of empty pots behind it into a little haven. This month, the shed testify to the sheer volume of death Debbie shows off her finished garden that has happened out there!” which is a beautiful and calm creation. The journey to green perfection has Debbie had used a free gardening design been a lengthy one, but the results speak app to map out her plans, and employed the for themselves. muscle power of family members to help with “It has taken about seven years to almost the initial hard work. finish,” she admits, “Now there are bits that “The bedded area surrounding the perfect need to be repaired or replaced, but when it’s oval lawn was dug up, and then soil was summer and tidy, it is an amazing space and mixed up with topsoil and compost to break more like an outside room, rather than just a the clay up and make it more habitable,” she parking zone for those bins.” recalled, “I then covered those areas with The space has a real buzz about it too... weed fabric and a generous layer of wood “I try to pick good pollinator plants,” Debbie chippings, which is a much more bug agrees, “We have far too many paved friendly mix than gravel. gardens nowadays, and the “I have difficulty staying massive decline in insects focused on one task in recent years is going to effectively for long be the downfall of us periods of time, so all. A real lawn is also any garden work far cooler underfoot needed to be in the summer broken down into months.” much smaller Debbie’s garden tasks that could is also a private easily be picked up spot to indulge in a and then parked caffeine fix before when I ran out work nowadays. Talk of steam. about starting the day “Did I mention the right way. that I’m not good with And there are other plants?” she smiles, benefits too... Debbie’s jar of Random Red “Well, I believe about 80% of “I have redcurrant and what I plant either dies or never blackcurrant fruit bushes which grows. It doesn’t make for a good track are a vital ingredient for Random Red, record, but as long as I replace the gaps each my favourite vodka,” she smiles. year, and don’t keep getting the same plants The absolute best reason to raise a glass to over and over again in delusional optimism, her efforts! 34

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

ate winter is the best time to prune Cornus (dogwoods) Salix (willows) and Cotinus (smoke bush). These must be pruned right down to promote strong new growth, which will be colourful next winter. While you have your secateurs to hand, prune back to 20cms above healthy buds Viticella and other group 3 Clematis. Larger clumps of snowdrops flowering cheerfully around the garden may be carefully dug up using a hand fork, divided and replanted elsewhere, deeply and carefully. This is known as planting “in the green” and is more successful than planting dry brown bulbs bought from a garden centre. If you have a greenhouse you must anticipate a busy season of work. This is the time to give the structure a thorough spring-clean, both inside and out, and plant pots and seed trays as well. If you are buying seedlings and plug plants from mail order suppliers or your local garden centre, you should pot them on as soon as possible into a quality multipurpose compost. With warmth (16° -18° C) and light, they should be ready for planting into containers or baskets in April and May. The year is ahead of us, enjoy being prepared! Ralph Westmoreland, Denton & District Gardening Club member > Denton & District Gardening Club is a small, friendly club which meets on a Monday evening every month. New members and visitors are always welcome. For more information please contact Margaret at m.pateman@yahoo.co.uk or 01604 890875

Larger clumps of snowdrops in flower in your own garden can be dug up carefully and replanted elsewhere

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INTERIORS

Peach Fuzz www.bobbibeck.com

www.desenio.com

t’s official, the Pantone Colour of the Year 2024 has been announced as Peach Fuzz! Pantone describes it as a comforting hue 'softly nestled between pink and orange' and explains that it has been chosen to express a yearning for community and cosiness during uncertain times. Sweetly understated, the unique mixture of orange, yellow and white that creates ‘peach fuzz,’ enables it to be used as a base colour, a neutral or as a refreshing accent colour in a muted or dark interior scheme. It’s the neutrality of the white that helps lend a softness to the otherwise warm and bright yellow and orange, and with the origin of the colour coming from nature, the overall feeling is comforting and consoling. Subtle colours add balance and serenity to a space and as peach comes in an array of shades from light pink to deep coral, there will certainly be a tone to suit your home. The deeper tones work well with olive and sage green, navy blue and aubergine, bringing a bit of light relief in predominantly dark interiors. Peach and mid-grey complement each other well, whilst the extremes of grey (pale grey or dark charcoal) create a strong contrast when combined with peach, resulting in a striking, more dramatic visual effect. A combination of grey and peach always looks elegant and adds a contemporary feel to a space. Peach and white is a very relaxing partnership. Similarly, so is peach and the aqua and cyan tones of blue. Peach and gold are a beautiful pairing, the gold elevating the peach to give it

Rosie Kinsella Interior Designer 01604 751262 www.millsandkinsella.com 36

www.covethouse.eu

www.brabbu.com

In a kitchen, peach is a great choice for the units, an island, feature wall or shelving, and the calming, peaceful effect of peachy colours makes them ideal for bedrooms, creating a look that’s both comfortable and stylish. Introducing black tones can add an air of sophistication; wood tones work well when trying to achieve an earthy, organic vibe, or in rooms that are more playful such as a playroom or nursery.

a rich look in any room where the two are used together. Because of this, peach and gold are ideal for function rooms dedicated to celebrations and weddings, and in your own home there’s an opportunity to try this sumptuous look in your bathroom. Combine peach tiles or a peach-coloured shower panel with metallic fittings in antique brass or brushed nickel. Whether you use a peach tone on every wall of your room, or just as an accent, this endearing colour has a warm and welcoming effect, making peach ideal for entrance halls (or even front doors). One whole wall painted or papered in pale peach, on a landing or wrapping around your staircase for example, provides a neutral backdrop to set off artwork. And in a living room, peach coloured fabric on two matching armchairs can look stunning, especially if combined with cooler shades such as grey or green. We recently created a very impactful exhibition stand using a peach-coloured velvet on an armchair, in front of a wall of navy velvet, fluted panelling.

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk

THE ARTS

www.grahambrown.com

Peach should also be considered for the exterior of your home as it pairs perfectly with the clean and crisp, white woodwork of windows, doors and sils. Peach is a popular colour for rugs, lampshades, curtains, bedding and cushions. So, if you’d rather avoid peach walls, you can still add peach as an accessory. Whatever your budget, there are lots of great places to buy peach paraphernalia. Whether you are looking for a vase, candle, rug or ornament try Oliver Bonas, Toast, Ian Snow, Next, Dunelm, The Cotswold Company, Anthropologie and Heal’s. There are approximately 45 different shades of peach colour, all purported to having a positive effect on your mental health and well-being. Research suggests that the colour peach is known to be an excellent colour for encouraging communication. Apparently, it’s also good for keeping you feeling calm. According to the free encyclopaedia Alphapedia, it is a colour that promotes a high degree of positivism, always rejuvenating us in the most difficult moments. Alphapedia suggests that the stimulating benefits of the colour peach should be experienced every day, even if it is just by using a small peachcoloured object such as a cup or a pen. The first known use of the term ‘peach’ to describe a colour occurred in the 16th Century.1 Soon after, the term ‘peachy’ was coined to describe the skin tone of healthy, young, pale-skinned women. This further boosted the association of the peach colour with health and well-being. So, even though ‘peach fuzz’ is currently being promoted as the Colour of the Year for 2024, its roots date back over four centuries, to the time of Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and Sir Walter Raleigh. The best interior design is often inspired by the past. It suggests that our decorating style transcends far beyond the current trends of the moment and will endure in the future too. If you are hesitant to add some peachy colour to your house, then ask yourself if it’s a colour that you really like? If it is, then go for it and enjoy it whilst it has it’s moment, but also know that when the moment passes and next year’s colour replaces this one, that your choice has been made based on your appreciation and love of the tone and how it makes you feel, rather than because it’s the colour of 2024. 1

Discover the extraordinary talent of

Dan Pearce at the Rose Gallery

an Pearce is an exceptional artist, exploring mixed media in works which blend contemporary urban art with the Pop Art influences of Warhol and Lichtenstein. Bringing together styles, techniques, and various influences he creates striking works that draw attention - and keeps it. The street art scene has grown significantly in the last few years and Dan Pearce is a master in this space. He’s been exhibiting since 2013 - both in the UK and internationally - and his rising popularity shows no sign of slowing. Born in Australia, Pearce now lives in London creating works that bring together collage, graffiti, resin and more to render images, icons and phrases from pop culture across decades. With many well-known collectors including premiership footballers, Anthony

The street art scene has grown significantly in the last few years and Dan Pearce is a master in this space.

Joshua, 50 Cent and Rag’n’Bone Man, his works are always in demand. Dan is also involved in supporting many charities, fundraising through the sale of his artwork. In 2018, the sale of one of his originals featuring endangered wildlife raised £5500 for the Peter Jones Foundation. He also donates work to the annual Acton Homeless charity auction, the Amy Winehouse Foundation, WWF, the British Heart Foundation, wildlife conservation charities and organisations combating the effects of Australian bushfires. While new releases often reflect familiar themes - smiley faces, Marilyn Monroe, embellished frames - Dan continues to introduce new motifs and techniques into his work. We love having these vibrant pieces in the gallery, works which display real energy pulling visitors into their orbit to explore their textures and materials, the details which make these pieces distinct.

Natalie Trembecki Gallery Correspondent www.therosegallery.co.uk

Wikipedia

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

HOME & GARDEN

Save BIG on Rising Energy Bills with T&K Home Improvements Facing soaring energy costs and a living cost crisis in the UK, T&K Home Improvements offers vital energy-saving solutions with their 45th-anniversary

ith the Energy Price Cap rising on the 1st January, freezing temperatures and the continuing cost of living crisis; it has made everyone in the UK take stock of their monthly outgoings. With many homeowner bills over double what they were a year ago, they are becoming high priority for people to reduce quickly. T&K home improvements are celebrating 45 Year’s of installing energy efficient products this month and have some clever ways to start saving on rising bills and reducing your carbon footprint. Energy Saving Calculator T&K Home Improvements, double glazing specialists based in Wellingborough, have developed a bespoke Energy Saving Calculator. Found at www.tkhi.co.uk/energy-calculator It collates data from leading sources including the BBC, House Beautiful and My First Property to create an easy to use calculator that estimates the potential savings on your energy bills. “Almost every homeowner we speak to asks us about how we can improve their energy efficiency,” says Adrian Timbers, T&K Sales and Marketing Manager. “It’s the number one reason to replace older windows and doors so it became our top priority to help new and existing customers understand what can be potentially saved. “Our calculator demonstrates just how effective double and triple glazing is and the real savings that it can be made of future years.” The average detached UK home upgrading single-glazed timber windows to new double glazing uPVC windows could save an estimated £14,700 over 25 years and almost £30,000 over 50 years. 38

You might be shocked how much you could potentially save on your energy bills with Double or Triple Glazing from T&K Home Improvements

And that’s with energy costs as they are now. Why Double and Triple Glazing Works So Well Energy-efficient double and triple glazing acts as an excellent insulator to keep warm air inside the home and prevent cold air from the outside from getting through. Compared to single glazing, double-glazed windows benefit from an extra space between two panes of glazing, which is filled with argon gas (or similar). This significantly reduces the transfer of heat in either direction. As a result, double glazing means the heat you’re generating in your home will stay where you want it and won’t escape. So you’ll find yourself reaching for the thermostat less often. Triple glazing adds a further layer of warmth, improving energy efficiency even further. T&K Home Improvements’ commitment to the highest-quality glazing is part of a wider focus on sustainability. This includes an investment in fuel-efficient vehicles and their aim to cut all plastics and packaging by a further 30% before 2024. Sustainability Starts At Home “We know that our customers are as committed to sustainability and ‘going green’ as we are,” says Adrian. “So we’re encouraging everyone to be aware of their energy usage and how to reduce it. “Whether it’s to save money on heating bills, reduce your carbon footprint or protect

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

the planet, it’s clear that double and triple glazing in the home is an excellent, effective investment.” T&K Home Improvements’ tailor-made Energy Saving Calculator shows real, datadriven statistics and predicted savings that, as Adrian explains, customers have been amazed by. “They can’t believe how much they are actually going to be able to save,” he says. “It will make a real difference to customers’ lives – no exaggeration. Times are hard right now. When we help customers to understand the true benefits of double-glazed windows and what it can save them, we see a weight lifted off their shoulders and a smile on their faces.” Scan the QR code to use their online Energy Calculator and see how much you can save. Or call 01933 677 444 or visit www.tkhi.co.uk to find out more about their FREE Triple Glazing Upgrade and 45th Anniversary Sale.

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

MUSIC

Music makes r e h t e g o t e m the people co

t’s all about Independent Music Week shows as February gets under way, and Phil Moore has come up trumps with SBD Promotions, by bringing in a feast of fabulous to The Black Prince, but each with a very different USP. Empyre (Feb 1) are still riding high on the critical acclaim that followed the release of their second album, Relentless, last year. Once described as ‘the love-child of Pink Floyd and Soundgarden’ this is a band for those who like their atmospheric rock taut and dark. Ten Tonnes, aka Ethan Barnett, issued his debut album through Warner Bros, and then? Everything changed. In the four years between that self-titled opus and the next, he became an independent artist, stepped out of London, began therapy, focused on the introverted part of his brain and now he’s back; with an album about reflection, growing up and carving a different path for himself. And that journey ain’t over yet for the indie maestro. Not by a long way.

Steve Mason visits The Black Prince on Feb 4

TVAM, an artist without boundaries, follows into the venue (Feb 3). His first album, Psychic Data, made friends with ears upon it release in 2018, and it was perceived as the release to ‘join the dots between Suicide’s deconstructed rock ‘n’ roll, Boards of Canada’s irresistible nostalgia and My Bloody Valentine’s infinite noise. HBO’s Succession even made use of the track, Porsche Majeure. A pandemic, a new record label and another stint in the studio and TVAM returned with album number two, High Art Lite which emphasises the ‘immediate and the personal, the colours blown-out and the brightness cranked up... High Art Lite offers an all-inclusive package of redemption.’ Like many a true creative, TVAM doesn’t sit comfortably anywhere for too long, both visceral and melancholic, his craft drifts across dream pop, shoegaze and synth-pop without ever calling one camp its home.’ As curious to the listener as he is creative in his craft, this promises to be a special evening. TVAM will be joined by Phantom Isle. Are driving synths and soaring melodies your bag? Theirs is pure nostalgia for the people of now. I like that. Scottish singer-songwriter Steve Mason will take over a day later. Steve was a member of The Beta Band who, you might recall, became a swell proposition on the scene before bowing out in the mid-noughties. Later, he carved out his own solo career, and Steve has most recently given up the goods on Brothers & Sisters, which took its lead from all that was happening around; consequently it is fused with anti-brexit and pro-immigration messages, with South Asian instrumentation and at odds with the subject matter, a tone that even manages to be joyous on occasion. It’s a fine line-up and one Phil is particularly proud of: “Having a nationally-profiled initiative in Independent Venue Week available to us is a fantastic resource,” he told Pulse Music, “It really does highlight the work we do, week in week out at the grassroots level in pushing live music to the local populace.

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

The Black Prince hosts (from top left) Empyre - Feb 1, Ten Tonnes - Feb 2 and TVAM (above) - Feb 3

“Being a ‘tertiary market’, a ‘regional’ place heck, let’s face it, an unfashionable place - it is often a slog to get attention on what we do, and IVW does really cut through that by placing us front and centre in the UK music world. “Having bands with national radio presence, plentiful column inches, and a strong digital following playing a 250 capacity venue during IVW shows us in a good light, plus it helps with ticket sales, with wider industry recognition, and with good old fashioned pride that what we do is ‘worth it.’” > Go book for your preferred right now at sbdpromotions.com

MUSIC

Why don’t you come on over and see The Zutons?

et’s rewind to the 2000s and The Zutons delivered three albums in quick succession, becoming a multi-platinum selling band in the process. Two Top 10 hits, Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love? and Valerie, later to become a triple-platinum hit for Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson was the icing on the cake. It has been 16 long years since The Zutons last spoiled us with new material, but that drought is about to come to an end - and they’ll be in the ‘fampton imminently. The album The Big Decider will be out in April, and has been sprinkled with plenty of working magic; the band’s original producer Ian Broudie returned to the fold, along with Nile Rodgers. As you would expect, plenty has happened during their time away, and the opus was born under the weight of family tragedies, lives lost and created, reality checks and home truths faced up to and stared down. “Working with Nile was just an amazing Scan the the QR code to check for The Zutons returns and other gig experience, he gave me a confidence that tickets in February I’ve never felt before making a record,” said guitarist and lead singer Dave McCabe, “He’s very laid-back as a person and a good listener. On the song ‘Disappear’, I wrote a spoken word piece about The Zutons travelling the stars and And being back in the room with Mr Broudie galaxies asking the most powerful question in was its own reward. the universe, “Why?” “It was great to reconnect with Ian on this “I asked Nile if he’d read it out over the top of record as well,” Dave added, “He told me the the end section of the song, thinking he’d just demo of The Big Decider brought a tear to his say no. But he jumped in the vocal booth with eye and that’s why he said yes to working with his chain around his neck and his sunglasses us again. It was one of the first songs we wrote on and did about 20 different takes, all in for the album so getting that reaction from Ian different styles of himself. It was mind-blowing! made me feel like we were doing something “It was as though he really does travel around right. The song spoke for itself.” the universe in some spaceship and just makes music in his spare time. He’s just one of the > The Zutons play The Roadmender on coolest people I’ve ever met.” February 24. Try for returns.

Also at the venue this month: Tom Clarke – February 10 – Playing all the songs of The Enemy with a solo session FOZZY - February 26 – see our exclusive interview with Chris Jericho on pages 8-10 New Model Army – Forty-four years since playing their first show, NMA play their first date of 2024 as they hit the road in support of their new album, Unbroken > For tickets and more information visit theroadmender.com

Billy is Bradlaugh bound

ast spring Billy Sullivan cut loose his debut album, and this month he will be back in Northampton to play you some of the tunes from Paper Dreams – the first material he issued since the ending of his previous band, The Spitfires. “I can only really compare each album to the previous one,” Billy said, “The last Spitfires LP Play For Today was so thought out, from the sound concept to the lyrical subject matters. Every tiny detail planned and poured over and then of course debated. Paper Dreams was the opposite – completely natural and a collection of songs that myself and Simon Dine just wrote for fun, without us particularly working towards anything in particular. I lost my way towards the

latter part of 2021 and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. “I believe these new songs paved the way to make the decision for me to split the band.” Billy will play the Charles Bradlaugh on Saturday, February 17, and some of you will recognise the guitarist alongside him at the bash; it’s ‘fampton fella Liam Taylor, the creative behind Eddz. “Looking forward to returning to Northampton,” Billy said, “I’ve been fortunate enough to play the town many times over the years and it’s always a great night!” > Click to seetickets.com for your way into the show.

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

THEATRE

Hose about that, then? Fireman Sam is back!

Something for the kids this month Rude Science and Fireman Sam

February promises shows that are funny, fruity and fabulous. Pulse’s Sammy Jones walks you through the best of the bills...

trictly speaking, Giovanni Pernice’s return to the Derngate stage (Feb 4) will be an unforgettable experience for fans of delectable dance – and the show title promises as much; it’s called Let Me Entertain You. Giovanni will be joined by a cast of West End players. They won’t put a foot wrong! At The Royal, the Rabbit Hole Detectives podcast will be recorded live (Feb 10) with friends Richard Coles, Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer pooling passions and knowledge to investigate the strange and curious pockets of history, and they’ll be answering the questions you wouldn’t even think to ask. Whether you are a history buff yourself, or just chronically curious you can expect a wonderful evening of forensically researched, beautifully observed explorations of history with a hearty serving of personal anecdotes and giggleinducing tangents. Simply, this will be ace! The 70th anniversary of the Agatha Christie classic, The Mousetrap will get everyone guessing (Feb 12-17). This is the genre-defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time that has sold millions of tickets around the world. The question is, have youdunnit yet? Author and comedian Marc Burrows embarks on a journey through the life and work of Sir Terry Pratchett (Royal, Feb 17), exploring Pratchett’s life, influences, impact,

Jim Davidson

Dr Michael Mosley and Dr Clare Bailey

Husband and wife team, wit and wisdom. Bad puns and Dr Michael Mosley and Dr unnecessary footnotes included. Clare Bailey will reveal Fireman Sam is back in the how simple changes can brand new show, The Great transform our lives so that Camping Adventure (Feb 19, we can all Eat well, Sleep Derngate) which is the perfect better and Live longer half term treat for little folks. (Derngate, Feb 28). We More children-centred need a front row seat for fun follows at the venue a this one. day later with Rude Science Last up is Bert’s House promising ‘enormous bottoms, (Royal, Feb 29-March 1) a seafart machines, snot cocktails, side-splitting comedy on its debut pee-powered fireworks and Phil Wang - Feb 20 tour. Tight-fisted but kind-hearted vomiting mannequins.’ Bert runs Dunedin Guest House, CBBC presenter and accomplished which would be his seaside paradise if it wasn’t STEM author Stefan Gates will be at the helm, for the guests. But could it be on the brink of a entertaining youngsters aged six and above, great love story? Book in for a stay and find out. and adults who have yet to grow up. Jim Davidson will be Swimming Against Wang In There, Baby! demands funny fella the Tide over at The Old Savoy (Feb 10) as Phil Wang the same evening when he chats he ‘resists the pull of the under-current of about race, family, nipples and everything else radical sensibilities of the woke minority’, says in a show definitely not for the kids. the blurb. McFly’s Tom Fletcher has won over tiny The strictly for adults panto Alice in minds with his interactive adventures for big Wonderland (Feb 23) is a naughty tale full imaginations, and now the books are being of camp and filthy fun, if that’s your bag, or put to the stage, with There’s a Monster in how about fixing your eyes on the balls for your Show (Royal, Feb 21-25) delivering a Bingo That’s Bonkers (Feb 24) with comedy 50-minute adventure that serves as the perfect and DJs included. introduction to theatre – suitable for ages two There will be a chill in the air (Feb 29) with years and up. Most Haunted Live on the stage, welcoming Oh, What a Lovely War (Royal, Feb 27) the first lady of the paranormal, Yvette uses live music, movement, song and Fielding, Karl Beattie and the rest of the team. sketches to bring to life the folly, They will show unseen footage from haunted farce and tragedy of the First castles and hospitals and conduct their own World War. ghostly investigation... The show blurb says it all, ‘Now, more than ever, it holds a mirror up to the world and speaks to us all.’ We’re always envious of those people who have the time to binge watch box sets when we barely have the time to sit through the weather forecast, which makes Buffy Revamped (Derngate, Feb 27) very appealing; all 144 episodes of the 90s smash > Get tickets: hit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, told through the Royal & Derngate: royalandderngate.co.uk eyes of Spike. It’s the perfect parody, whether The Old Savoy: theoldsavoy.co.uk you be an aficionado or if you never enrolled at Sunnydale High.

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

A R O F TIME

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WHATS ON

#WhatsOnPulse Material Matters Until Sunday, February 25 Showcasing artworks by Alison Goodyear, Michelle Keegan and Michael Evans, whose collaborative works embody the synergy between the mechanical, the digital, and the handcrafted. Material Girls: northamptomuseums.com The Story of Guitar Heroes Thursday, February 1 Expect classic hits from artists including Chuck Berry, Hank Marvin, Jimi Hendrix, Brian May and Slash in this loud homage to some of the most influential and iconic guitarists of the past 50 years. Fret-ful: royalanddergate.co.uk Storytime – The Grumpy Frog Thursday, February 1, 10am A story for children up to the age of five, followed by rhymes and songs. Led by Harch Chaggar at The Library, 5-7 Church Street, Stony Stratford. Free admission. StonyWords: stonywords.org.uk Stony Playreaders Thursday, February 1, 7pm, free – donations welcome Exploring the story of John Hooten, a stable lad at the Bull Hotel in 1822, written by Sheila White and performed by the Stony Playreaders, upstairs at The Library, 5-7 Church Street, Stony Stratford. Stony Words: stonywords.org.uk

The Story Of Guitar Heroes riffs aplenty on February 1

Antiques Centre

Building 1, The Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, NN7 4PS

OPEN: Wed to Mon 10am-4pm, CLOSED: Tues Facebook: @vintiqueltd Instagram: vintique.limited T: 01327 341 980 E: info@vintique.co W: vintique.co

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

Annabel Abbs (left) and Kirsty Sedgman (right) appears at Stony Words - February 3

WHATS ON

Women’s Walking Network: Furzton Lake Thursday, February 1, 10am – midday A route taking participants around Furzton Lake and Teardrop Lakes as Parks Trust leaders set the pace for a 4.5 mile walk around the area. Free. Step up: theparkstrust.com Big Girls Don’t Cry Friday, February 2, 7.30pm A non-stop hit machine of songs from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, who sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Frankie’s solo hits will also air. Let’s Hang On: royalandderngate.co.uk Annabel Abbs – 52 Ways to walk Saturday, February 3, 1pm Annabel shows how walking strengthens our bodies, calms our minds, and raises our spirits. It can also improve our vision, hearing, respiration, blood pressure, and cognition. Upstairs at The Library, 5-7 Church Street, Stony Stratford. Stony Words: stonywords.org.uk Amy A Tribute Saturday, February 3, 7.30pm Relive the marvellous music of the muchmissed Amy Winehouse with a band with full horn section and backing singers. It’s not about looking like her, it’s about sounding like her. As it should be. Back to Black: theoldsavoy.co.uk

Kirsty Sedgman – On Being Unreasonable Saturday, February 3, 2.30pm In a world where we all think we’re being reasonable, how can we figure out what is actually right? Looking back through history and around the world, On Being Unreasonable argues that sometimes you do need to act unreasonably to bring about positive change. Upstairs at The Library, 5-7 Church Street, Stony Stratford. Stony Words: stonywords.org.uk Xentrix Saturday, February 3, 7.30pm Thrash metallers Xentrix make their Milton Keynes return, with support from Tortured Demon. For Whose Advantage? thecraufurdarms.com Mr Simpson’s Little Consort Sunday, February 4, 3pm Mr Simpson’s Little Consort offers a potted history of carolling in words and music. The show is an eclectic mix of songs from the 4th to the 20th centuries with bells, whistles, crumhorns, and (almost) the kitchen sink. Upstairs at The Library, 5-7 Church Street, Stony Stratford. Stony Words: stonywords.org.uk Jimmy Regal & The Royals Tuesday, February 6 A tough and howlin’ harmonica-led three piece from South London, with a sound from Mississippi to New Orleans to Mali to Canvey Island. Sounds great: bletchleyblues.uk

Community Litter Pick: Kents Hill Park Tuesday, February 6, 10am The pick will be led by a member of The Parks Trust and will last for around an hour. It may be muddy in areas so do dress appropriately. Help your environment and get some exercise. Free. Help keep the parks clean: theparkstrust.com Ferris and Sylvester Thursday, February 8, 7.30pm The husband and wife duo visit Milton Keynes as they ready the release of their second album, Otherness, which delivers psychedelic folk and blues to rock and soul. Superhuman: mk11kilnfarm.com Fastlove - a tribute to George Michael Friday, February 9, 7.30pm Playing all the hits from his glittering career, this is a show for George fans to delight in – featuring Wham! numbers alongside those solo successes. Too Funky: theoldsavoy.co.uk Old Dirty Brasstards Friday, February 9, 7.30pm Pop-punk classics from the 90s/00s performed by a 10-piece tweed-clad brass powerhouse. Oi Oi: mk11kilnfarm.com

Flipping marvellous - the Olney Pancake Race runners will be lining up on Tuesday, February 13

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

WHATS ON

Chloe Petts Saturday, February 10, 7.30pm Following her hit run at Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre sell-out debut, Chloe visits Northampton Underground to amuse with a show which she promises will be really rude. If You Can’t Say Anything Nice: royalandderngate.co.uk Life and Art: Elke Pollard Retrospective Saturday, February 10 – Sunday, April 28 Art and design highlights from the life of the influential and prominent Northampton artist who was well-known for her gregarious personality. Marvellous mixed media: northamptonmuseums.com Twelve Angry Men Monday, February 12 – Saturday, February 17 A jury has murder on their minds and a life in their hands as they decide the fate of a young delinquent accused of killing his father. The verdict is in: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes Denton & District Gardening Club Monday, February 12, 7.30pm Elaine and William Portch will talk about The National Garden Scheme (NGS Yellow Book) and more. Denton Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Denton NN7 1DT Visitors £3, raffle and refreshments Taking root: Call 01604 890875 for more info. Olney Pancake Race Tuesday, February 13 Pop along and witness the famous tradition when women of the town race the 415yard course, from the Market Place, down the High Street, coming to an end outside St Peter and St Paul Church. Pre-race there will be a pancake breakfast, stalls, music, grand raffle and races for children taking place in the Market Place. Flippin’ great: olneypancakerace.org

Shape of You - the Music of Ed Sheeran comes to The Old Savoy on Feb 17

Janey Godley: Not Dead Yet tour Wednesday, February 14, 8pm Enjoy voiceovers and anecdotes, straight from the woman wouldn’t die or shut up. Join Janey back on the stage, doing what she does best. The woman who answered back: stables.org

The Washboard Resonators Tuesday, February 13 Martin Roper and Jack Amblin visit Bletchley to deliver foot-stomping blues, ragtime, swing and folk music. Ragtime roars: bletchleyblues.uk

Stray Friday, February 16 A hometown show for the stalwart rock band which will feature many tracks from their extensive back catalogue and new material from the current disc, About Time. All In Your Mind: thecraufurdarms.com

Walk & Talk: Romans in your Parks – Bancroft Roman Villa Tuesday, February 13, 2pm-3.15pm Explore the footprint of the Roman villa at North Loughton Valley Park, and pop under the road to the site where a Temple Mausoleum was discovered. Booking required. History on your doorstep: theparkstrust.com

Our Feathered Friends Trail Saturday, February 17 – Sunday, February 25, during regular hours Enjoy a bird themed trail around Abington Park Museum to discover more about our feathered friends. Spot all the birds and win a prize, and then enjoy some bird watching in the park. High-flying: northamptonmuseums.com

February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

Shape of You - The Music of Ed Sheeran Saturday, February 17, 6.30pm Celebrate the sounds of one of our leading singer-songwriters in a show which has it all: trademark loops, heartfelt singalongs, beatbox raps, emotional acoustic compositions, an extraordinary band and excellent visuals. Multiply: theoldsavoy.co.uk Ian Smith: Crushing Sunday, February 18, 7.30pm A 60 minute show about stress, love and driving a tank in Slovakia, as Ian brings his critically acclaimed, sell-out Fringe show to The Cannon in Newport Pagnell as part of his debut national tour. Finding the funnies: wegottickets.com Long Road Home Tuesday, February 20 Members of Storm Warning, The Shufflepack and The Steve Summer Band come together in a blues rock band that blends in soulful and jazz elements. One more song: bletchleybluesclub.uk

WHATS ON

Meryl Streek Saturday, February 24 Irish avant garde punk producer who is firmly on the rise visits Wolverton. A special night awaits from the man responsible for injecting a shot of freshness into the punk of today. False Apologies: thecraufurdarms.com Ian Smith brings his fringe show to The Cannon in Newport Pagnell on Feb 18

Connor Burns - Vertigo Thursday, February 22, 8.30pm A punchline-packed show featuring ugly dogs, relationships and the inevitable family drama. Hilarious, relatable, and a bit rude in places. Belly laughs: stables.org

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’ Sunday, February 25, 2.30pm Artist-in-residence Zlatomir Fung will perform Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Minor, in a concert also including Beethoven’s Overture Leonora No.3 and that Dvořák delivery. From the Hovis advert to your ear: royalandderngate.co.uk

Songs of Self Expression Friday, February 23, 10 – 11.30am, 11.30am – 1pm, 1.30-3pm, 3-4.30pm Creative songwriting for beginners, encouraging youngsters ages between seven and 12 years old to unleash their inner creative. Verse and Chorus: northamptonmuseums.com

Shrek the Musical Tuesday, February 27 – Sunday, March 3 Join Shrek and his trusty sidekick Donkey as they set out on a quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona. I’m a Believer: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

The Zutons Saturday, February 24, 7pm As the band prepares to release its first album in 16 years they visit the Roadmender to share the new tracks and play the old favourites including THAT one! Why don’t you come on over: theroadmender.com

Was Your Ancestor a Criminal? Thursday, January 29, 10.30am-midday An illustrated talk by Dr Colin Chapman who will describe examples of offences in Northamptonshire regarded as crimes in past centuries. Booking essential: northamptonmuseums.com

Thursday 14 - Saturday March 16 2024 Abbey Centre, Northampton On a wet and stormy night, the wealthy (and very drunk) Henry Havalock has changed his will - he has invited all of his friends and family over to celebrate, however things go awry when bitterness and jealousy take hold. Murder is plotted, accidents occur, but will Henry survive the night? Written by local playwrite and cast member Joe Johnson. Directed by Callum IlkiwJenkins and Neesha Bhogal, this dead funny farce is not one to miss!

Tickets: Adults £10, children £5 abbeycommunitytheatre.co.uk

The Washboard Resonators are appearing at Bletchley Blues Club in Milton Keynes this month

Northampton Philharmonic Choir COME & SING: CHORAL CLASSICS St Michael’s & All Angels Church, Perry Street, Northampton,NN1 4HL

Saturday 16th March 2024 Tickets £15 including music – online or on the door. Come along and join us for the day and enjoy singing some choral classics. Timetable for the day: 10:30am – 11am Registration 11am – 1pm Rehearsal 1pm – 2pm Lunch 2pm – 5pm Rehearsal 6pm Concert northamptonphilharmonicchoir.co.uk

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

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For details of our events, visit facebook.com/TheHawthornsNorthampton Weedon Road | Upton | Northampton | Northamptonshire | NN5 4WR

PUZZLES

View from the Far Kerb

Last Year

SUDOKU PUZZLE Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats. Good Luck!

6 5

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December 2023

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t was around this time, last year, that I first wondered where it was all going. Seemingly, only a day or so earlier, I had been celebrating the New Year with family and friends. The next twelve months were going to be good and life was going to be grabbed with both hands. The coming year promised great things. As February rolled around, the first month of the year had vanished. Its evaporation had taken place without leaving a mark. Had my calendar not recorded the days that had passed, I’d have sworn that the year had barely started. No worries; January was a month that was just a buffer between the old and new and it has always been like that. Besides, the weather is never good enough to do anything, so it was always going to be thirtyone days of treading water, so to speak. The real start of the year was to be February. And that was the first lie to myself. February came and went, becoming March which then led us into what many claimed was spring. It was nothing memorable; always being colder, windier and wetter than anyone expected. The media always predicted a glorious summer every time a particularly good day of weather cropped up during any week. Suddenly it was the end of June. As the days led into July, half of the New Year had gone! Still, there was a whole six months left. With so much time available, there was plenty of opportunity to do things. But then, days of summer arrived, lingering briefly and hardly at all – never seeming to match with those days I was free to enjoy them. As a result, I hankered after them and waited for each.

1 There was hardly a blink of an eye before the colours of the leaves changed and they began to litter the ground. As if having crept up on me, like a cat stalking a mouse, autumn was here. Now over three-quarters gone, the 2023 that had arrived in a flurry of fireworks and celebration, was now edging towards exhaustion. The realisation was rationalised by me as there still being plenty of time left to make the year one to remember.

As November faded into December, the monster known as Christmas reared its head and roared as it took over everyone’s life, time and future.

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

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There were many projects and tasks I had lined up for the New Year. The whole twelve months was supposed to allow me to attend to a rather comprehensive list. However, it wasn’t so onerous as to be impossible to fit into the months that remained. And so it was that the second lie to myself was told; much bigger than the first. Things came up that needed to be addressed ahead of the plans I made back before January. Time became scarcer. As November faded into December, the monster known as Christmas reared its head and roared as it took over everyone’s life, time and future. Christmas then came and went, heralding another New Year. All I can say is: somewhere along the way, I had another birthday…

Clues Across 1. Asian temples (7) 5. Place (5) 8. Caustic solution (3) 9. Line of descent (7) 10. Engine (5) 11. Embarrass (5) 13. Thin fried batter (7) 15. Church service (4) 17. Percussion instrument (6) 19. By means of this (6) 22. Type of agate (4)

Phil O’Hara

Solutions to Sudoku and Quick Crossword can be found on page 50

30 31

24. Windpipe (7) 26. Problem (5) 29. Foreign (5) 30. Grounds, causes (7) 31. Also (3) 32. Indications (5) 33. Roams (7) Clues Down 1. Bohemian dance (5) 2. Italian port (5) 3. Former Greek currency (7) 4. Slumbers (6)

5. Acidic fruit (5) 6. Small house (7) 7. Wizardry (7) 12. Male child (3) 14. Pale (4) 16. Bitter plant (4) 17. Broad sword (7) 18. Significance (7) 20. Account for (7) 21. Insect (3) 23. Restricted (6) 25. Clues (5) 27. Beach (5) 28. Corrodes (5)

For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk | NN Pulse Magazine | February 2024

Your stars

HOWARD PARKER

THE ASTRO-GUIDE

Flavour of the Times - By the time of the new moon in Aquarius on 9th, we shall be starting to really feel the flavour of the period ahead of us. The influence of Aquarius is getting stronger and by the 17th, things could be in Aquarius overdrive! I’m always wary of making exact predictions because what usually happens is something that comes out of the blue and this is particularly true now with the Aquarius talent for unpredictability. The people most hit by all this will be those of us with planets in the signs of Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and of course Aquarius.

AQUARIUS January 21 – February 19

GEMINI May 22 – June 21

LIBRA September 24 – October 23

PISCES February 20 – March 20

CANCER June 22 – July 23

SCORPIO October 24 – November 22

You might have spent years being a rebel – in your beliefs or dress or making some other quirky statement but now it’s a case of ‘put your money where your mouth is’. Your moment has come but you may still not be ready for it, as you look back at all the years of waiting to be the you that you always wanted to be. But the planets are all lining up in your favour now so get ready!

The big Aquarius moment at the beginning of the month will probably unsettle you but you get some respite on 17th when the sun finds its way into your sign, followed by the full moon that will help you to get your feet back on the ground. There is still upheaval and overthrowing of traditions all around, but a little Piscean softening may help you gain some perspective.

ARIES March 21 – April 20

You will want to go off and start putting all the new Aquarian ideas into action but a bit of caution is advised until you know where you stand. The times are changing for all of us so we need to do more serious thinking than we have been doing recently. The new download of ideas and thoughts will give clues of where we should be putting our actions so think before you leap.

TAURUS April 21 – May 21

Ploughing the same old furrow, as the bull likes to do, is no longer a viable option. Change is being forced upon you and you should try to keep in mind that this is for a purpose – it is so you can grow as a person and become more who you should be. This is going to get rather uncomfortable but it can also be very productive.

Aquarius is more serious in its intent than Gemini and while this climate of airy thinking may appeal to you, it is all for more serious purposes, possibly no less than the salvation of humanity on this planet. You should slow down, wise up and have a close look at where you are headed. Cheap chit chat it certainly is not!

Aquarius wants to nurture humanity, to find ways for us all to work together for the good of all. I think this is something you can work with and you bring a lot of human warmth with you so welcome to the party! Joining in with your community and nurturing its development would seem like a good way to go right now.

LEO July 24 – August 23

The recent full moon at the end of January should have given you a few clues about where we are going this year. It may have touched some personal places deep inside, leaving you rather unsure of where you will be going this year. The early part of the month is particularly unsettling with the new moon and Uranus adding some very potent unpredictability to the mix. Be careful.

VIRGO August 24 – September 23

There’s a comeuppance threatening at this month’s full moon in your sign on 24th, just after the sun has popped into Pisces. This may have something to do with how you responded to some acute weirdness earlier in the month when Aquarius was going rampant. Take time to consider where you stand and, if in doubt, do nothing until the fog lifts.

Your Own astrological Forecast for 2024

PUZZLE

SOLUTIONS

You are bound to be affected personally by some, if not all, of the massive changes taking place this year. Not everyone will be equally affected on a personal level, but you will certainly feel it if you are an Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio, or Taurus. An astrological reading of your birth chart can help you understand how these changes might affect you. To really understand what they mean for you during 2024, I would recommend that you consider booking a comprehensive personal astrological consultation with me. This is completely specific to 7 ( . 6 + ( :

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SAGITTARIUS November 23 – December 22

Your general optimism will be happy enough with all this air energy buzzing around. It’s exciting isn’t it? You can add fire to air which is very combustible and all sorts of new ideas will start forming in your mind that may have lain dormant for a long while. The early part of the month is best for all this but perhaps wait until the sun enters Pisces and softens things up.

CAPRICORN December 23 – January 20

All that hard work thrown up in the air! Things may feel a bit like that. You’ve been proceeding steadily up-hill like the mountain goat that is the symbol of your sign and someone calls you and points out that you’re climbing the wrong mountain! Rethinking is the name of the game and you won’t be short of ideas coming thick and fast at you about where you might go next.

GET INVOLVED...

We are always looking for local stories, news and events. Send your stories to: nnpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk

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Like Taureans, the Aquarius energy will prove to be very unsettling for Scorpions and no doubt you will feel it at a very deep level. You may feel that others are not very compassionate towards you or are impatient. It is thinking that is favoured this month rather than feelings and ideas can feel very cold for you. That feeling may ease a bit after the full moon on 24th.

you and your life. It will illuminate many things that you may not have considered up to now, and it will enable you to really take advantage of the positive energies and avoid the negative ones throughout the year. My prices for chart readings remain the same as they have been for the past five years: starting at £67 for an hour on Zoom or Skype. Please visit www.astroguidance.co.uk for more details and to book a session. You can also text or WhatsApp me on 07866 727743 or email me at howpark@aol.com for more information.

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Aquarius is an air sign but it is much more individualistic, so if you are in a serious relationship you may find yourself looking at any co-dependency issues you may have and realising that you have neglected yourself for the sake of the relationship. What personal needs do you have that may not be expressed within the relationship but which are still important to you?

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February 2024 | NN Pulse Magazine | For the latest local news visit www.nnpulse.co.uk

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NN Pulse magazine February 2024