Category: Holcot Hub

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“You cannot be serious!”

Even John McEnroe can’t believe it…

Use of our fantastic tennis court. All year round. Just £15.00*. For a whole year’s family membership? What’s not to like?

The weather’s improving; the days are longer; the court’s been treated and cleaned; and the bench has been replaced. So dig out your tennis racket, tennis balls and headband, and channel your inner Jack Draper or Emma Raducanu to take full advantage of this very special facility.

Set in a beautiful location – alongside our top-class cricket ground – it’s just a five-minute car ride away, and only 15 to 20 minutes’ walk across the fields. There’s plenty of free parking too, so get your friends and family together, take a picnic and make an afternoon of it!

Whether you glide, gazelle-like, over the court or stomp around like a hippo, throw off your inhibitions and have some good old-fashioned fun (nobody’s watching!).

To join and for more details, please contact Pam Wilson on pamwholcot800@gmail.com

* For Holcot residents (£30 per year for non-residents)

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Romance fraud; stay alert

Victims lost more than £102 million last year, as criminals continue to exploit online relationships to manipulate people into transferring money.

Analysis shows that both men and women aged 55 to 74 experienced the greatest financial losses, accounting for almost half of the total amount stolen. Although men submitted a higher number of reports overall, women experienced higher individual losses, making up just over 40 per cent of the total value reported.

Learn to recognise the warning signs:
– Be cautious of individuals who develop relationships very quickly or express strong feelings early on
 – Be wary of excuses not to meet in person or to avoid live video calls
 – Never send money, cryptocurrency or gift cards to someone you have not met face-to-face
 – Be alert to requests linked to investments, medical emergencies or travel costs
 – Speak to a trusted friend or family member if something feels unusual or pressured.

If you think that you’ve been targeted, please report it to Report Fraud or by calling 0300 123 2040. 

More information can be found here.

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King George’s Field; children’s playground update

Happy to share the newly repaired matting underneath the rotating see-saw ride in the village playground. First picture shows previous damage and disrepair; the second, as it is today.

A big improvement on a popular piece of play equipment and one that is hopefully being well-used and enjoyed.

(The Parish Council has recently been approached about carrying out further work in the playground, and these requests will be looked at closely to see what can be done.)

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Say “Hello” to Rose (for free adult social care support)

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched “Rose”, a free WhatsApp-based digital assistant to help residents find adult social care information and support.  

Rose can answer common questions, signpost to services, and help people understand where to start – including outside normal office hours. Just send “Hi Rose” to 07457 416323 to get trusted information, advice, and links to local support.  

More information is available here: 
https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/arranging-adult-care/contact-adult-social-care/rose-our-adult-care-ai-digital-assistant-whatsapp.

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Traffic through the village; 7.5-tonne restrictions and rat-run drivers: an update

Following the Annual Parish Meeting in the village hall on Thursday 16 April, and a subsequent meeting between Chris Bailey (Chair, Parish Council) and Sergeant Greg Harrison (Northampton Police), the following steps are being put in place.

HGV traffic
1. Sergeant Harrison has made a request to WNC Highways for some additional 7.5-tonne limit signs when turning right after the roundabout at Brixworth.

2. The police will periodically be at the entrances to the village from both Sywell Roundabout and Brixworth Road. Lorries in excess of 7.5 tonnes travelling through the village, without making a stop, will be issued with a fine of £50. Companies frequently caught flouting the regulations will be contacted and, if this fails to stop the lorries, the Traffic Commissioner will be contacted to take action.

3. To give this maximum impact, Sergeant Harrison would like as many people as possible in the village to sign up for Northamptonshire Talking. You can sign up here and use this site to highlight traffic issues. In this way, we can help isolate and record the worst times and days for the HGVs. (Sergeant Harrison has volunteered to come to the next Parish Council meeting to explain.

Rat-run drivers
1. Sergeant Harrison will also organise a periodical police presence along Poplars Lane and Back Lane to deal with speeding, rat-run drivers.

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These are all positive moves and to be welcomed. And the more we can do to support this by pushing back and reporting drivers that flout the rules and disrespect our village, the more likely it is that these preventative measures will work.

Vive la révolution!