BBC Local Live: Northamptonshire

Summary

Updates for Friday, 28 October 2016
Northamptonshire hospital bosses say more GPs are needed in A&E
Tonight's Premiership game 'absolutely crucial' for Saints
Lindsay Lohan's people are checking her diary for Kettering visit

Live Reporting

Thousands expected at Northampton's Diwali lights festivalpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
Final preparations are being made for tomorrow's Winter Festival of Lights in Northampton's Market Square.
The annual event is organised by the town's Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, external (IHWO) as part of their Diwali celebrations.
There'll be workshops during the day and stalls selling traditional street foods from 10:00.
The Diwali Procession, the traditional parade around around the Market Square, starts at 18:00.
Image source, IHWO
One of the organisers, Neelam Aggarwal, said: "We try to add more variety each year. There are workshops including Henna tattooing.
"The idea is for people to come, join in, learn a bit about our culture and heritage and be part of the celebration."
More GPs needed in Northamptonshire's hospitalspublished at 09:55
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
All this week we've been looking at the enormous pressures faced by the NHS in Northamptonshire.
One major problem is the number of people turning up at Accident and Emergency departments when they could have been helped elsewhere.
We spoke to patients waiting in A&E at Northampton General Hospital to find out why they were there.
So what can be done to help?
Bosses at Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals want to put more GP services into A&E.
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We already have some GP-led services in A&E but, going forward, we have to have a much better urgent care 'hub' approach, bringing all members of the health community together.
Rebecca Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Kettering General Hospital
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People know that the lights are always on at the hospital. We need to do more to make people aware of alternative services, but we also need more GP and minor services on-site in hospitals.
Dr Sonia Swart, Chief Executive, Northampton General Hospital
Tonight's Premiership game 'absolutely crucial' for Saintspublished at 09:10 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Ian Hunter
Former Northampton Saints and England wing on 5 Live sports extra
I'm shocked because, on paper, Saints have a good squad of players but their position in the league certainly doesn't reflect that quality. They really have been poor.
The game I saw against Harlequins was probably one of the worst I've seen Saints play in a number of seasons. And in Castres they were poor all over the park.
They've suffered up front, have been pushed off the ball and have had no platform to go forward.
Where are the problems? Some lie off the pitch, but there are also key selection problems onthe pitch.
Recruitment is an issue. Four years ago, when the Saints won the Aviva Premiership, they had that springboard to really kick-on and I don't believe they have that now.
I think you will see more changes off the pitch if things don't get better. I hope we’re going to see a mix of younger players coming in and being given an opportunity.
Tonight's game against Gloucester is absolutely crucial. It's a must-win.
Saints have always been good at bouncing-back after major losses so I'm really hoping they can do that tonight. But they have to step up.
Funeral of Dickie Jeeps to be held todaypublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Graham McKechnie
BBC Radio Northampton sport
The funeral takes place today of the former England and Northampton Saints captain Dickie Jeeps.
Image source, Getty Images
Jeeps, regarded as one of the best scrum-halves the game has produced, died earlier this month at the age of 84.
Former Saints stalwart David Powell told BBC Radio Northampton: "People ask me who were the greatest scrum-halves I've seen and you look at Gareth Edwards and Jeeps are very close.
"They're different sort of players, but Dick was an amazing player. He had this great power and strength for a small man."
The private funeral takes place at mid-day in Cambridge.
Weather: Dry with some sunny spells. Rather mild.published at 08:15 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather
It will be a dry day across the Eastern region with variable amounts of cloud, light winds, and some sunny spells.
Any morning mist or fog should disperse reasonably quickly. Feeling rather mild for late October with the temperature peaking at 16C (61F).
Heading out? Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.
Northampton Saints: Hartley on bench against Gloucesterpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
BBC Sport
England captain Dylan Hartley has been named on the Northampton bench for tonight's Premiership match against Gloucester.
Lock Christian Day makes his first league start of the season as one of five changes for ninth-placed Saints.
Image source, Getty Images
Northampton: Foden, Wilson, G Pisi, Mallinder, North, Myler, Dickson, Waller, Haywood, Brookes, Lawes, Day, Wood (capt), Clark, Picamoles.
Replacements: Hartley, Waller, Hill, Paterson, Gibson, Kessell, Hutchinson, Tuala.
Kick-off at Franklin's Gardens is at 19:45.
Welcome to Friday’s live updates for Northamptonshirepublished at 08:01 British Summer Time 28 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
Good morning. The weekend is just around the corner, it’s mild for late October and we’re back with the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the county.
What more could you ask for?!
This autumnal photo was taken by BBC Weather Watcher “Marrigold” in Burton Latimer yesterday. There’s a full weather forecast coming up.
We’ll look ahead to the weekend's sport with the Saints in action tonight and the Cobblers playing tomorrow.
Plus, all week we’ve been looking at some of the problems facing the NHS in Northamptonshire.
Today we’ll be hearing what can be done to ease the pressure on our hospitals.
That's all from Thursday's live coveragepublished at 18:12 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Thanks for joining us today - we'll be back from 08:00 tomorrow with all the latest news, sport, weather and travel updates for Friday, but any breaking news will be posted here overnight.
We'll leave you with a short clip of tonight's episode of The Apprentice, with a classic face from Northamptonshire's Karthik as his team's window display at Liberty of London is revealed to a rather underwhelmed Claude Littner.
Media caption,
The teams see their window displays for the first time... with mixed reactions
Weather Watchers: An autumnal day in Northantspublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
It's been a bright and fresh day in much of Northamptonshire today, with a light that really shows off the colours of autumn - as this selection of photos from our Weather Watchers shows.
The Apprentice: Karthik 'becomes a fashion guru'published at 17:09 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Northamptonshire IT Consultant Karthik Nagesan "suddenly becomes a fashion guru" in tonight's episode of The Apprentice, where the remaining candidates must introduce and sell a new product line in department store Liberty of London.
Karthik works his charm as a personal shopper for a potential high-spending customer, asking her how she feels when she's wearing a dress and saying he would like to see another outfit worn with a necklace.
"Karthik has suddenly become a little bit more confident and suddenly he's a fashion guru," said board member Claude Littner.
"He's offering advice and believe it or not, the customer is accepting it from him."
Media caption,
Karthik works his charm as a personal shopper for a potential high-spending customer
Lohan 'must honour Kettering promise'published at 16:42 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan is urged to "get on a train to Kettering" and "fulfil her promise" to switch on the town's Christmas lights.
Read More
'Stay tuned', says Lohan spokesmanpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
David Keller
BBC News
It's just two words, but enough to get us slightly excited...
The Press Association has heard back from a spokesman for actress Lindsay Lohan. He declined to comment on whether the Hollywood star would turn on Kettering's Christmas lights, but added: "Stay tuned."
Could she? Really?
Chapel conversion approved despite body fearspublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Martin Borley
BBC Radio Northampton
Plans to convert a disused chapel in Irthlingborough have been approved, despite fears of what may happen to the remains of people buried in the graveyard.
The Baptist chapel on Meeting Lane will be turned into five flats. A number of graves and gravestones are in the grassed area surrounding the chapel.
A report to councillors says no graves will be disturbed but the gravestones will be repositioned.
Image source, Google
Top stories from our county's newspaperspublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
Northampton Borough Council is being asked to review whether the mayor's Jaguar car and private "NH1" number plate should be sold off, according to the Herald and Post, external.
The Chronicle and Echo, external has a warning from Northamptonshire Trading Standards that some Halloween costumes on sale are fire hazards and should be returned.
Wicksteed's pirate ship sold to Bulgarian businessmanpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
Since 1982, no visit to Wicksteed Park in Kettering has been complete without a ride on the pirate ship. But its days there are coming to an end.
The attraction will close at the end of this week after 34 years because of spiralling maintenance costs. It would have cost in excess of £200,000 to refit.
The pirate ship will be open to the public until Sunday afternoon before welcoming its final group of specially-invited passengers on Monday.
They will include former staff who used to work on the ride and 32 "deserving" members of the public chosen by park bosses from hundreds of nominations.
The ship has been sold to a businessman from Bulgaria, though his plans for the ride are not yet known.
It could be dismantled as soon as Monday evening.
The park is planning a £4.5m restoration, with new rides planned for the coming years.
Who should replace Lindsay Lohan in Kettering?published at 13:21 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
I've left messages for Lindsay Lohan's agent as my small contribution to try and bring her to Kettering for next month's Christmas lights switch-on.
He is yet to reply but, in the meantime, let's draw-up a list of potential replacements.
Organisers could always ask Sonia Fowler from EastEnders to do the honours.
Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning in the soap, switched the lights on last year. And, as The Sun reported recently, external, Sonia does love Kettering!
Maybe they could invite Paul Gascoigne back after his 39-day stint as manager of Kettering Town Football Club in 2005.
Potential home-grown candidates include rock band The Temples or comedian James Acaster.
Let us know if you have any better ideas. You can email us or head to Twitter, external.
Who is Lindsay Lohan, anyway?published at 12:19 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
So, it's beginning to look a lot like Kettering won't be getting a visit from a Hollywood A-lister this Christmas.
The town's Christmas lights switch-on is less than a month away, but Lindsay Lohan won't return the borough council's calls.
Even the local MP has pleaded with her to get in touch. But what's all the fuss about?
In case you don't know, Lindsay Lohan is a 30-year-old American actress, model, singer, songwriter and producer.
She has appeared in more than 30 films including The Parent Trap and Mean Girls.
She's very popular and could publicise Kettering to a global audience:
- 9.3m followers on Twitter
- 6.5m likes on her Facebook page
- 5m followers on Instagram
Kettering Borough Council says the switch-on will go ahead as planned on 24 November, with or without Lindsay.
Christmas contingency in lieu of Lohanpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Helen Burchell
BBC News
If Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan doesn't manage to make it to Kettering, the council's got contingency plans for its big Christmas Lights switch-on, they tell me.
Image source, Getty Images
Guy Holloway, head of corporate and cultural services at the borough council, confirmed they haven't quite managed to pin the star down after she vowed to switch on the town's lights.
"She doesn't follow us on social media so we've not been able to direct message her, but we've put out a lot of other feelers," he said.
With or without Lindsay, the Christmas lights celebration will go ahead on 24 November.
Local pantomime stars will be there to entertain the crowd, and the council's still hopeful the actress will join them.
"It's not too late if she has the time and inclination," Mr Holloway said.
Last year actor Jake Wood, who plays Max Brunning in Eastenders, switched on Kettering's lights, but Mr Holloway was not able to confirm which big name might replace Miss Lohan if she fails to feel festive about Kettering.
Lindsay Lohan's Kettering appearance in doubtpublished at 11:42 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
She promised to switch on Kettering's Christmas lights, but now nobody can get hold of Lindsay Lohan to check she's still all set for the big day.
Image source, AP
The town's MP invited her to perform the task after an "offensive" tweet on EU referendum night in which she asked, "sorry, but Kettering where are you?"
Ms Lohan accepted, but as BuzzFeed News reported, external, the council cannot reach her.
Time is running out. The event in the Market Place happens on Thursday, 24 November.
Image source, Twitter
A spokesman for Kettering Borough Council told me it's not too late for Lindsay to take up the offer.
"Lindsay Lohan is very welcome to attend Kettering’s Christmas Lights Switch On and help pull the lever.
"We would extend her a very warm welcome, but unfortunately we have been unable to contact her."
MP Philip Hollobone is frustrated they haven't been able to seal the deal.
"Lindsay Lohan said she would come to switch on the Christmas lights in Kettering, but despite everyone's best efforts it's not been possible to track her down to arrange the details of when, where and how."
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The message from Kettering is: 'Lindsay – please get in touch! Your public awaits!'"
Philip Hollobone, MP for Kettering
Social care system 'failing' vulnerable peoplepublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 27 October 2016
Stuart Bailey
BBC News
All this week we've been looking at why so many people in Northamptonshire are forced to spend longer in hospital than they need to.
Often this so-called "bed-blocking" happens because patients have nobody to look after them in their own homes, or face delays in finding care home places.
Image source, PA
Wellingborough MP Peter Bone, Conservative, says the current social care setup should be scrapped.
"The only way we're going to solve this is to have an independent social care organisation and take the responsibility away from the NHS and county council.
"That body would try and make everything work in overall terms when at the moment there are two competing interests."
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"This split system is clearly failing and isn't working to anyone's advantage."
Peter Bone, MP for Wellingborough