HISTORY

Free days out

Lamport Hall

exploring Northamptonshire’s Heritage and Visual Arts

Laura Malpas previews her personal highlights of the Heritage Open Days and Northamptonshire Open Studios with a host of timely free days out on offer for those of us watching the pennies.

It’s September, and it’s easy to think that the fun of summer is over, but it’s the perfect time to continue exploring our County. And the good news is that there are opportunities to discover new places for free as part of the Heritage Open Day scheme, and Northamptonshire Open Studios.

Heritage Open Days, known as HOD, is England’s largest festival of history and culture. It’s a simple idea, to have a week in September where historic buildings, places and monuments that are normally closed to the public, or where an entrance fee is required, are open to all for free. Heritage organisations in the scheme pick a day or two to open and often put on a special exhibition or tour for visitors to enjoy. It’s a great time to discover somewhere new or to revisit an old friend.

This year the Heritage Open Days scheme runs from Saturday 10th to Monday 19th September.

Many places that I have written about previously in NN Pulse are taking part in the scheme, and if your interest has been caught by these articles, why not take the opportunity to visit them for yourself? Here are some of my ‘mustsee’ highlights.

The theme this year is ‘Inventions, Innovations and Discoveries’, and a great place to start looking is Daventry. This little museum always punches well above its weight, and they are celebrating the ‘Daventry Experiment and the Birth of Radar’. Visitors can help recreate the experiment at the museum and visit the actual site where radar was proven to work. They are also promoting history walks and tours of ancient Borough Hill. Thousands of years of history presented in an afternoon!

Other places showcasing this theme includes the Deanshanger Community Centre, whose exhibition ‘Designed in Deanshanger’ is inspired by its rich industrial heritage and imaginative residents. Highlights include an innovative mine ventilation fan, and a variety of Pot Noodle! Tea, cakes, and free family activities are included as part of the fun.

If you like to ride buses with a history, then there are lots of opportunities to enjoy these nostalgic transports of delight as well as some interesting places to visit. Daventry is running some classic buses to local villages, and the Market Square in Northampton will host a display of classic local and regional buses and coaches. There will also be free trips running from the Drapery and other historic town services.

A good way to experience a little bit of everything is to enjoy the Northampton Heritage Fair and the special exhibitions at both Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and Abington Park Museum. This is a one day only event on Sunday 11th September, and it’s always a great day out. Classic buses will transport you from one museum to the other and back again.

While you’re in Northampton, consider visiting the Sessions House, where they are running many free tours. It’s a rare example of a 17th century courthouse, built after the Great Fire of Northampton, and you can experience the whole judicial system here, from the initial imprisonment, judgement and for the unlucky, execution. It’s thought provoking, and fascinating with lots to see. I can’t wait for that one!

Our county has some wonderful churches which are offering tours and exhibitions and the warmest of welcomes. Highlights include some of my absolute favourites, such as the ancient St Peter’s Marefair, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, through

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

78 Derngate

St Peter’s, Marefair

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery

to more modern churches such as the lofty and elegant Victorian Gothic St Matthew’s on Kettering Road. Mediaeval St Peter’s in Irthlingborough are offering refreshments and tours of their undercrofts, however the most charming offering is at St John’s in Hartwell, where a special exhibition ‘Hats Galore’ has been prepared in collaboration with the primary school.

If you love our ancient history, consider taking a tour of the atmospheric Iron Age Hill Fort at Hunsbury Hill with the fabulous volunteers there. I’m always astonished to visit this magical green space hidden in plain sight.

Many folks are becoming more interested in their own research into local history, and the perfect starting point is the Northamptonshire Archives and Heritage Service. They are running tours of their incredible archive, including the eleven miles of shelving. (No, you don’t have to walk all that way!) Also, there’s an exhibition of Visitors can watch and learn about work in progress, ask questions, and thrill at the home-grown talent on display. Perhaps you are looking for inspiration for a new pastime, or you’re considering commissioning something unique, needing to buy a special present, or just wanting to enjoy the art. As part of this festival, you are welcome to visit normally private studios, often in the artists’ homes or gardens.

In addition to the studios, there are over 15 beautiful venues hosting group exhibitions allowing you to enjoy the work of many artists. The Central Exhibition at Lamport Hall is the perfect place to start your artistic journey, with a display of nearly three hundred artworks from participating artists, a real feast for the eyes. Lamport Hall is a particularly apt place to host this celebration of art, as the Isham family who built and lived in the Hall were passionate art collectors. The Lamport Hall Trust maintains this family dedication to promoting the arts and culture.

Remember that all this inspiration is for free!

For more information about all these exciting happenings in September, please visit the websites below regularly to ensure that you have the latest information about dates, events and venues.

their collection relating to the seventy years of our Queen’s reign.

Often open but with paid entrance, some of Northamptonshire’s most iconic venues are open for free. These include 78 Derngate, and the National Trust’s Canons Ashby and Lyveden, so take advantage of this cost saving and have a picnic!

There are lots more events planned which will be visible on the HOD website as it is updated. I highly recommend checking the HOD website regularly and booking any tours asap!

However, if the visual arts are more your thing, then you have a real treat in September. Northants Open Studios (NOS) is a loose community of working artists united by the indefatigable Katie Boyce, one of Northamptonshire’s most energetic and talented curators. Katie has brought together over 160 artists this September to throw open the doors of their studios.

You will receive a warm welcome at one of the many studios opening their doors For Heritage Open Days visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk and search for events in Northamptonshire.

For Northants Open Studios visit www.northantsopenstudios.co.uk and use the interactive map to find studios near you, and more information about the group exhibitions.

With clarity, easy planning and flexibility... Enjoy the next chapter in your retirement

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The welcoming retirement community adjoins open fields yet is close to amenities such as shops, restaurants, a leisure complex with a pool and excellent transport links. With spacious studios, 1-bed, and 2-bed apartments, kitchenettes, en-suite shower and flat-screen TV, it’s a safe and secure community with round-the-clock management and call system. There are three high-quality meals a day, plus outstanding facilities including; a free all-day coffee lounge, cinema room, therapy suite, hair salon, library, games room, and indoor short mat bowling, so no worries about keeping as busy with friends as you want to be or Communal area and beauty salon choose privacy behind your own front door.

From daily trips into town to nature walks, pub meals or visits to the theatre, your Hawthorns’ activity calendar will keep you updated with events to plan your week.

YOU'RE INVITED! A free daily programme of activities and events to keep the mind and body active and support you to stay healthy is provided with Well-being Co-ordinators on hand to arrange a wide variety of stimulating and engaging social events, alongside cultural and sporting pursuits. Weekly exercise classes include Yoga, Pilates and Tai-chi, a complimentary minibus for scheduled shopping trips and excursions and ample free car parking for your car and guests. From daily trips into town to nature walks, pub meals or visits to the theatre, your Hawthorns’ activity calendar will keep you updated with events to plan your week.

The Hawthorns in Northampton also provides plenty of open days, allowing other like-minded retirees to discover the warm and friendly community by taking a private guided tour of the facilities. The return of monthly events that bring live entertainment to the communities' doorsteps and guarantee the most showstopping acts in town has received a very warm reception from residents and members of the local community, and you’re invited to join them.

Don’t miss out on the next event at the Hawthorns. Search facebook. com/TheHawthornsNorthampton to find out more.

>> To arrange a safe, guided in-person or virtual tour, call 01604 553596 or visit hawthornsretirement.co.uk

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NORTHAMPTON 29 Billing Road Northampton NN1 5DQ 01604 622101

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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.

No fault divorce - a new era

After years of campaigning, the much heralded no fault divorce procedure came into effect on 6 April 2022. It is the biggest reform of divorce law in 50 years.

The significant factor is that under the new legislation, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (DDSA), there is no longer the need to assign blame if couples wish to commence divorce proceedings without having to wait for a minimum period of two years’ separation. The only requirement is to confirm that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. As there is no longer a “fault element”, it will no longer be possible to contest the decision to divorce. ’

The new divorce procedure is to be welcomed because by removing the element of blame, and reducing conflict, it should enable the parties to concentrate on the more significant aspects of marital breakdown comprising financial matters and arrangements for the children. Figures released show that following the change in the law, applications doubled from those of the previous year. Couples are also finding it easier to deal with the initial process themselves rather than seeking legal advice although legal advice would ensure that those applying are fully aware of all their options and the changes brought in by the new law which include the timescale and terminology.

However, the biggest concern, as a practitioner, is that one party can now initiate proceedings without the other’s consent which in turn may leave the other party vulnerable. The new law applies solely to the divorce aspect, which is a procedural exercise, and does not address the financial issues or arrangements for children. Therefore, it is crucial that once proceedings are issued, the parties seek legal advice to ensure that these aspects are addressed. There are potential risks to the parties if the final order (decree absolute) is made before the finances are resolved and a final settlement reached. Even where parties are amicable, and the divorce proceedings agreed, there may remain issues regarding the finances which can only be resolved with professional help and guidance. These may include the former matrimonial home and the joint mortgage, pension sharing orders and spousal maintenance. Until these issues have been addressed it will be difficult for the parties to know what they are entitled to as a settlement. Pension entitlement is easily overlooked without professional advice, which could result in one of the parties being left financially vulnerable in the future. Even where matters are agreed, if a clean break is required, advice will be necessary to deal with the consent order and accompanying documentation. A court order must be obtained if a pension share is part of the settlement.

It is always best to have advice at an early stage to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Any subsequent decisions will then be made on an informed basis. Also, it is also preferable to deal with the financial arrangements as soon as possible following separation. Professional advice will provide the parties with the support and reassurance needed at the most critical stage of the process to ensure equal control of the decision making.

Seeking legal advice should not be seen as a challenge to an amicable settlement, but as a constructive means of ensuring that arrangements are dealt with as smoothly as possible to avoid any subsequent misunderstandings.

For further information, please call Borneo Martell Turner Coulston Solicitors on 01604 622101 or email diana.rose@bmtclaw.co.uk Borneo Martell Turner Coulston have divorce law specialists in both Northampton and Kettering offices.