Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th October 2025

Joint winner of ‘one to watch’ award says it is ‘game on’ as she plans to prove potential to the masses

The joint winner of ‘one to watch’ at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards says it is “game on” as she plans to prove the business’ potential in the county and beyond. Vanessa Anderson is the brain behind the unique Indi Local app, which has undergone a transformation since the start of 2025 to help connect street food traders with event organisers and others who want to utilise their services.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th October 2025

I’ve been to the Food & Drink Awards for the past four years – here’s why this year’s was the best yet

I have attended the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards for the past four years, and here is why this year’s was the best yet. The esteemed ceremony returned on Thursday evening for its seventeenth year, when the gold, silver and bronze winners were announced across the 19 categories at the Royal & Derngate.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th October 2025

Meet the gold WINNERS at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2025/26

Meet the gold winners at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2025/26, which returned for its 17th year yesterday evening. The awards once again shone a spotlight on local culinary excellence by recognising and celebrating the county’s brilliant people, places and producers.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th October 2025

Hidden gem events venue invites community to biggest Christmas market yet with almost 50 stalls

A hidden gem events venue invites the Northampton community to its biggest Christmas market yet, with almost 50 stallholders lined up to attend next month. T’s, located at Pitsford Quarry on Harborough Road, is known for its coffee shop, markets, charity events and family-friendly woodland walk.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th October 2025

Proud volunteers celebrate 25 years of much-loved and well-used community centre in Northampton

Two proud volunteers, who have been part of the journey since the beginning, recently celebrated 25 years of a much-loved and well-used Northampton community centre. The Pastures Community Centre, located on Welford Road in Kingsthorpe, reached its quarter-of-a-century milestone at the end of September.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 16th October 2025

Dance school founder adds another string to her bow with pilates business unique from anywhere in Northampton

The founder of a dance school and fitness coaching company has added another string to her bow with a pilates business, unique from anywhere else in Northampton. Jess Moriarty is one of the founders of Unit 17 Dance & Performing Arts, which launched in the town back in 2010 and will celebrate its 15-year milestone in November.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th October 2025

Countdown is over as esteemed Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards return TOMORROW

The countdown is over as the esteemed Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards are returning tomorrow for the seventeenth year. The awards continue to shine a spotlight on local culinary excellence by recognising and celebrating the county’s brilliant people, places and producers.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th October 2025

Meet the admirable mother, 39, determined not to be defined by her incurable cancer diagnosis

Meet the admirable mother who is determined not to be defined by her incurable cancer diagnosis. Campaigning cancer warrior Victoria Skinner, 39, was living life like a normal person in her twenties and felt invincible until she found a lump on her left breast in 2015.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 15th October 2025

Award-winning Northamptonshire entrepreneur will be the only attendee from the UK at upcoming global event

A 24-year-old award-winning entrepreneur will impressively be the only attendee from the UK at an upcoming global summit, which is one of her proudest achievements of the year. Olivia Krawczyk is the founder of OneKind Creative, a design agency specialising in branding and graphics for purpose-led organisations globally.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th October 2025

Meet the founder of meaningful ‘menopause cafe’ at much-loved Delapré Abbey in Northampton

Meet the founder of a meaningful ‘menopause cafe’ at the much-loved Delapré Abbey in Northampton, who has an exciting event coming up very soon. Helen Aluko began experiencing peri-menopausal symptoms in her late forties, years before she established her menopause cafe initiative in August 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th October 2025

Meet the mother and business owner on a mission to make women’s health clear and simple following loss

Meet the mother and business owner on a mission to make women’s health clear, simple and accessible following her sad experience of pregnancy loss. Her.9 was born from Hattie Turner’s journey with baby loss, which is when she recognised how underfunded and researched women’s health continues to be.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th October 2025

Tidy Our Town: WNC cabinet member praises booking-only tip system as ‘a step in the right direction’

In the first instalment of the Tidy Our Town campaign with West Northamptonshire Council, a cabinet member has praised the upcoming booking-only tip system as “a step in the right direction”. Councillor Nigel Stansfield was appointed cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste after Reform took control of West Northamptonshire Council in May.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th October 2025

Meet the three-time award nominee who has only been running his business full-time for two months

Meet the three-time award nominee who has only been running his business full-time for the past two months in Northamptonshire. Cameron Brookes-Williams launched The Event Man as a limited company in February, having built the foundations over the past five years since the start of the pandemic.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th October 2025

Successful fitness group for women and mothers shakes things up after nine years in Northamptonshire

The founder of a successful fitness group for women and mothers has shaken things up after nine years in Northamptonshire. Claire Brown founded Active Mummies in 2016 with the aim of making fitness affordable, accessible and achievable, and becoming the go-to for the county’s community of mums.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th October 2025

Meet the passionate coaching company founder helping people with differences and disabilities to thrive

Meet the passionate coaching company founder helping people with differences and disabilities to thrive across Northampton and beyond. Hollie Travill founded Empower Access Thrive in January 2025, which specialises in supporting neurodivergent and disabled individuals to not only remain in work but to truly flourish.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th October 2025

IN PICTURES: Take a look at 10 businesses located at Northamptonshire’s best kept shopping secret

Take a look at 10 businesses located at an up-and-coming Northamptonshire shopping destination, described by many as a hidden gem. Weedon Royal Ordnance Depot, known widely as The Depot, is now a hub for an array of independent businesses.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th October 2025

Man jailed for more than five years after causing death of 76-year-old by driving over the alcohol limit

A man has been jailed for more than five years after causing the death of a 76-year-old in a collision when he was driving over the legal alcohol limit. Derren Goddard, of Harmans Way, Weedon, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison and disqualified from driving for 92 months at Northampton Crown Court on Friday (October 10).

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th October 2025

Unique clothes shop celebrates impressive 17-year milestone at the heart of Northampton town centre

A unique women’s clothes shop recently celebrated an impressive 17 years open at the heart of Northampton town centre. Voni Blu, located on Castilian Street, focuses on quality, difference and sustainability and celebrated its latest milestone at the start of September.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 10th October 2025

Nurse celebrated 50 years at Northampton General Hospital – and says it has ‘gone by in a flash’

Meet the nurse who recently celebrated 50 years of service at Northampton General Hospital and says it has “gone by in a flash”. Mandy Lovell, who retired from her position as a staff nurse in recent weeks after reaching the milestone, joined as a pre-nursing student at the age of 16 in 1975.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 9th October 2025

Religious leader pleads guilty to allowing two 16-year-olds to marry at a Northampton mosque

A religious leader has pleaded guilty to allowing two 16-year-olds to marry at a mosque and he will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court next month. Ashraf Osmani, aged 52, of Abington Avenue, entered guilty pleas to two counts of carrying out conduct for the purpose of causing a child to enter into marriage before their 18th birthday. There was one count for each child, one boy and one girl.