Latest news with #NorthamptonCollege
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Northampton's landmarks 'brought to life' in new art show
Some of a town's best-loved landmarks have been "brought to life" in a new show, Places, People and Professions, uses photographs, art and sound to celebrate from Northampton College have spent 18 months working on the college principal, Jason Lancaster, said the town was "very proud" and the exhibition "brought its history to life". Among the buildings featured in the project are the Royal and Derngate theatres, the Guildhall, Tricker's shoe factory and the Express Lift County Ground and the Mounts swimming baths are also exhibition reveals photos and artwork of the landmarks, presented alongside a soundscape of people's memories of the buildings and the industries associated with them. The project has involved students from several departments, including fine art, photography, music technology, business and apprentices have also played a Lancaster said: "Northampton is a very proud town with an incredible heritage. Wherever you walk you can feel the history around the place and this exhibition brings much of that to life."This collection is a celebration of collaboration, with students from across the college coming together to work with external partners to create something truly special for the whole town to enjoy. It really is something to treasure." The project was devised by Northampton College's music and performing arts curriculum manager Sarah Thursby, who said: "The origin of each building featured in the exhibition can be linked back to skills that are a key part of Northampton's history, and which are still taught at Northampton College today."We hope visitors will be inspired to share their memories of Northampton landmarks and professions so we can continue to expand the project to celebrate an even wider range of communities in our town and build an archive that can be enjoyed for generations to come." The exhibition is open at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery for three weeks and will then tour some of the locations featured in the show. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Top chef returns to Northampton College to train next generation
A globe-trotting chef who once worked with Raymond Blanc has returned to the college he studied at to share his experiences with the next Fitzhugh returned to Northampton College, where he first trained more than 20 years ago, to take on a new role as a career has taken him all over the world with roles in Michelin-starred kitchens to cooking for Fitzhugh said: "To [cook] at the level I've done it at, it has to be a passion. That's why I've come back. I want to pass that knowledge, that passion on. If you can light that spark, that was enough to send me off on the trajectory I've been on." Mr Fitzhugh's first role was as an apprentice at Raymond Blanc's two Michelin star hotel, Le Manoir aux quat saisons, in Oxfordshire, where he spent six years learning the trade. From there, he moved to Switzerland to work at Richard Branson's exclusive retreat, The Lodge, where the entrepreneur would sometimes "just pop in unannounced".During his time there, he said he served a host of high-profile guests, including members of royalty and musician Bob Geldof. He later accepted a job as development chef back at Le Manoir aux quat saisons. 'Very lucky' His career highlights included recipe book contributions, television work, and cooking at high-profile events such as a canopy evening at the Chelsea Flower Show, attended by the late Queen Elizabeth II. "For someone so small, she's quite intimidating," he Fitzhugh is now enjoying his time back in the classroom after taking up the role in added: "It's been fantastic. I've been very lucky in my career... I've travelled all over the world... it's a real eclectic mix and I just want to pass on all that information and knowledge onto these students."Offering advice to the next generation, he said: "Organisation is the key. If you're organised, you don't need to be hot-headed."I think it's much better to be calm and collected." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
College awarded £1.9m grant to improve campuses
A college's three campuses are in line for improvements after being awarded a £1.9m grant. Northampton College will be able to upgrade its buildings and facilities as part of the government's wider Plan for Change initiative. Principal of Northampton College, Jason Lancaster, said the money would "enhance" the student experience. Skills Minister Jacqui Smith added that further education colleges were at the "heart" of the government's "mission" to train the "next generation of skilled workers". The funding is part of a £302m injection that can help colleges continue to break down barriers to opportunity. The college, home to 10,000 students, has a campus in Booth Lane and Lower Mounts, in Northampton, and in Badby Road West, Daventry. "We welcome this investment, which will enable us to enhance the already positive experience for our students across our estate by further investing in our facilities, ensuring every student has access to a state-of-the-art learning environment," Mr Lancaster said. He added the college was "committed to providing the best possible facilities for students across all curriculum areas". Smith added that nationally, "the college estate we inherited is simply not fit for purpose". "This funding addresses these issues, allowing colleges to focus on what they do best: breaking down barriers to opportunity and inspiring the workforce of the future," she added. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'Punishment car' restoration like a 'model kit' College opens renewable energy training facility New principal for 9,000-student college Northampton College
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton College awarded £1.9m grant to improve campuses
A college's three campuses are in line for improvements after being awarded a £1.9m College will be able to upgrade its buildings and facilities as part of the government's wider Plan for Change of Northampton College, Jason Lancaster, said the money would "enhance" the student Minister Jacqui Smith added that further education colleges were at the "heart" of the government's "mission" to train the "next generation of skilled workers". The funding is part of a £302m injection that can help colleges continue to break down barriers to college, home to 10,000 students, has a campus in Booth Lane and Lower Mounts, in Northampton, and in Badby Road West, Daventry. "We welcome this investment, which will enable us to enhance the already positive experience for our students across our estate by further investing in our facilities, ensuring every student has access to a state-of-the-art learning environment," Mr Lancaster added the college was "committed to providing the best possible facilities for students across all curriculum areas".Smith added that nationally, "the college estate we inherited is simply not fit for purpose"."This funding addresses these issues, allowing colleges to focus on what they do best: breaking down barriers to opportunity and inspiring the workforce of the future," she added. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northamptonshire food and drink sector 'thriving' amid challenges
A leading figure in a county's food and drink industry has said the sector is "thriving" despite rising costs and financial Mallows, director of the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, highlighted how increased food and energy prices, along with the anticipated rise in National Insurance, are testing the industry's awards event, now its 17th year, will celebrate chefs, cafes, pubs, restaurants and local produce across a variety of categories at the annual awards ceremony in October. Speaking at the launch of the awards at Northampton College, Ms Mallows said: "The food and drink sector is thriving and everyone is doing their best under difficult circumstances." The awards, set to take place in October, celebrate chefs, cafes, pubs, restaurants, and local produce across multiple categories. Last year's winners were recognised for achievements in areas such as artisan drinks, vegetarian and vegan products, gastro pubs, and world Smith, from the Althorp Coaching Inn, which won Gold in the Gastropub of the Year category, acknowledged the pressures on businesses."The pub is doing well but with margin restraints, living wage going up, National Insurance going up, it has put a harden on us and it's just one of those round robins," she Smith also explained how rising supplier costs mean pubs and restaurants often face the most direct impact: "Everything has gone up with [our suppliers] and as a pub, we bear the brunt of it because we're the face of it. So we have had to make changes in the pub but nothing that [the public] would notice", she the challenges, Ms Mallows remains optimistic about the sector's future."There will be a deeper understanding of sustainability and a more refined audience who understand food waste and food miles, so I have huge optimism for the future," she Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards will take place at the Royal and Derngate theatre in Northampton on 16 October. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
