Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd May 2025

Families ‘so proud’ of 10 child footballers from Northampton among top six best schools in the country

The families of 10 child footballers from Northampton are “so proud” as the team made it to the top six best schools in the country following their tournament success. The pupils from Harpole Primary School took part in the Pokémon Primary Schools Cup and competed at Stoke City Football Club’s ground in a bid to make the semi final.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd May 2025

Well-renowned cider maker of a decade shares ‘perfect storm’ the drinks industry is facing

A well-renowed Northamptonshire cider maker of more than a decade has shared his frustrations about the “perfect storm” that the drinks industry currently faces. Phil Saxby established Saxby’s Cider in the north of the county in June 2012, and is one of the most established drinks producers who supplies to the entirety of Northamptonshire.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd May 2025

Meet the founder of an award-winning dance fitness community growing fast across Northamptonshire

Meet the founder of an award-winning dance fitness community, which has continued to grow fast across the county since it launched two years ago. The Sweat and Glow Club is a joy-fuelled dance fitness community and recently took home silver in the ‘community business of the year’ category at the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd May 2025

Adorable five-year-old helped recreate his nan’s van keys after she called locksmith in emergency

An adorable five-year-old recently helped to recreate his nan’s van keys when she called a locksmith in an emergency, after she accidentally lost her original set. Auto Key Chase – a family-run business launched by Hannah Middleton and her partner around a decade ago – relocated to Northampton in November 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd May 2025

Business owner offering princess parties proud to move into prominent town centre location

A business owner offering princess parties across Northampton is proud to soon be opening in a prominent town centre location as she approaches 11 years open. Kelly’s Princess Parties has been bringing magical moments to the town for more than a decade, having first launched in June 2014.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd May 2025

Female Founders Summit 2025: Business owner most proud to have taken the leap after many years

The owner of a HR consultancy and mediation business is most proud to have taken the leap to start her own venture after years of considering it. Sharmin Hussain founded SHRM People Solutions in the summer of 2022, and she is “honoured” to be one of the speakers at this year’s Female Founders Summit.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2025

Northants crisis counsellor reveals that 1,600 calls were made to his mental health hotline last month alone

A Northamptonshire crisis counsellor has revealed that 1,600 calls were made to his mental health hotline during last month alone. Scott Lawrence Pileckas is responsible for launching the UK’s first crisis hotline exclusively for emergency service workers and their families to seek advice and support.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2025

Couple add retail store to successful cafe and mod clothing shop at well-known garden village

A couple have added a retail store to their successful cafe and mod clothing shop at a well-known garden village in Northampton. Nikki and Paul Cooper first opened The Sycamore Cafe in Billing Garden Village in October 2022, and it was nine months later when the unit in front became vacant.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2025

Make the most of this opportunity to build costumes for this year’s Northampton Carnival

Make the most of this opportunity to create and build costumes for the upcoming Northampton Carnival. Inspiration Arts is a new community project funded by The Arts Council, and free creative workshops are being hosted in the run up to the Carnival on June 14.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st May 2025

Only serving postmaster from Hear Our Voice choir shares ‘magical journey’ to Britain’s Got Talent final

The only serving postmaster in the Hear Our Voice choir has shared his insight into the “magical journey” the group has been on to reach the Britain’s Got Talent final. Hear Our Voice delivered an emotional performance on Sunday evening (May 18) and the public vote saw the group progress to the final.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th May 2025

Cafe urges Northampton community to pay a visit as ‘small businesses will go’ if unused

The founder of a cafe has urged the Northampton community to pay them a visit and says that “small businesses will go” if they are unused which is the “last thing anyone wants”. Valentine’s Bistro, located in Upton, is linked to supported living home Foxfields and is also open to the public.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th May 2025

‘Big things coming’ for children’s play cafe and family venue as it continues to be ‘incredibly busy’

There are “big things coming” for a popular children’s play cafe and family venue in Northamptonshire as it continues to be “incredibly busy”. Titches Playroom, a premium play space with coffee bar, is now a visitor attraction at Whilton Locks Garden Village.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th May 2025

Northampton business working with YouTube creators from all over the world given prestigious King’s Award

A business which impressively works with YouTube creators all over the world from their Northampton town centre premises has been given a prestigious King’s Award. Ziggurat XYZ, located above Phipps Brewery in Kingswell Street, provides tailored talent representation to enable online creators to grow and reach their goals.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th May 2025

Northampton charity ‘applauded’ for community impact at celebration event to bring everyone together

A Northampton charity has been “applauded” for its community impact over the past 12 months, at a celebration event that brought everyone together. The Spring Charity, which aims to help people in the NN1 area to thrive, offers vital community services to improve wellbeing and outcomes in life – particularly for vulnerable families with children under the age of five in the Castle ward.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th May 2025

Female Founders Summit 2025: Meet the woman who didn’t think she would get this far in her male-dominated sector

Meet the successful woman who did not think she would get this far in her male-dominated sector, and looks forward to attending the Female Founders Summit to continue building her community. This one-of-a-kind experience is returning to Northampton from June 12 to 14, for its second consecutive year in the town and fourth year since it first launched.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th May 2025

IN PICTURES: Bereaved father organised football match and fun day in aid of baby loss charity

Take a look at these pictures from a football match and family fun day in aid of a vital baby loss charity, organised by a bereaved father over the weekend in Northampton. Tristan Heard, who was part of the original Sands United football team set up back in 2018, was proud to host this event at Fernie Fields on Saturday (May 17).

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th May 2025

Brand new family festival celebrating the best of Northamptonshire is coming to the town next month

A brand new family festival, with the aim of celebrating the best of Northamptonshire, is coming to the town next month. Set to take place from midday until 11pm on June 21 at Duston Mill, Solstice Festival promises a day of fun, creativity and unforgettable experiences on the longest day of the year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th May 2025

Popular family silent disco returns to Northampton’s Picturedrome for seventh year this June

A popular family silent disco event is returning to The Picturedrome in Northampton for its seventh year in June, which has become a fixture in the local entertainment calendars of many. Organised by Boombastic Events, which has sold out more than 250 events across the Midlands over the past 11 years, this silent disco offers a distinct approach to family entertainment through wireless headphones with three different music channels.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th May 2025

Mother, 30, demands change with petition after suffering with common genetic disorder all her life

A 30-year-old mother is demanding change through a petition after suffering with one of the most common genetic disorders all her life. Portia Wharton has lived with Sickle Cell Disease for the past three decades and hopes to make a difference to the health inequalities she has faced during that time.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th May 2025

Founders of support group for SEND mothers raise £1,500 by completing sponsored Brecon Beacons hike

The co-founders of a support group for Northamptonshire’s community of SEND mothers have raised more than £1,500 by completing a sponsored hike in the Brecon Beacons. Northants SEND Mummas was founded by Shumi Syed and Emma Briggs in spring last year, after they merged their two separate groups operating from different areas of the county.