Latest news with #Wellingborough
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Ronalds Abele's parents say new river safety measures are lacking
The parents of a teenager who died in a river have welcomed safety improvements but said more must be done to prevent further Abele, 17, died after he was helped from the River Nene at Wellingborough embankment in Northamptonshire in May last year. Thomas Okyere and Laura Kirsteine said they were pleased with five new safety rings, lighting and improved moorings but said there were still too few safety Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for communities, agreed with them that there was "more to be done". Ronalds was part of a group of seven young people who swam along the embankment on during warm weather on 10 May being a strong swimmer the teenager started to struggle to stay afloat while racing with a friend in the River Nene. His parents called for improvements at a water safety day held in Ronalds' memory at the embankment last revisited the area on Friday for the annual event, which coincides with World Drowning Prevention the latest event Ms Kirsteine said two sets of safety equipment had been added to the lower lock - where Ronalds had been swimming - one to the embankment and two to the upper lock. She said: "There are definitely things that need to be done - there is only one ring on the whole stretch of the embankment, and there is a splash park just there where families are on sunny days."This is not enough because the stretch is too great if anyone falls into the water. "We would love to see more safety equipment, maybe throwlines and a defibrillator and a bleed kit."Mr Okyere added: "There is only one ring here, between the upper lock and the lower lock, so we believe there should be a couple more." Wilcox said a safety partnership between the council and emergency services was "getting somewhere"."I will take it on and make sure its carried forward because we want this to be a safe place," he asked if more signage and more equipment could be installed, he said "yes, definitely"."I promised Thomas that I will look into and put my shoulder to the wheel to make sure things are improved," he said. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Princess Anne presents King's Award to Wellingborough Hindu group
The Princess Royal has presented a Hindu community charity with the King's Award for Voluntary recognises the contribution made by the Wellingborough District Hindu Association (WDHA) since it began more than 50 years Anne visited the organisation on 17 July but details have only just been released.A spokesperson from the WDHA said: "Volunteers are an integral part of our success, and this award is in recognition of their valuable contribution." WDHA began in the early 1970s, when local volunteers came together to form a community hub. After years of fundraising, they purchased a building that became the Sanatan Hindu Mandir, where members now meet. Princess Anne and Northamptonshire's lord-lieutenant James Saunders Watson were greeted with traditional Hindu customs, including a garland ceremony, before meeting with volunteers and local watched a folk dance performance showcasing India's cultural heritage and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the day ended with the formal presentation of the King's of WDHA Vinod Patel said the visit helped to highlight "generations of volunteers whose dedication made this possible". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Kittens and mother cat abandoned in Wellingborough
A litter of five kittens and their mother have been taken into care after being abandoned outside a Northamptonshire were found at Croyland Road Nursery in Wellingborough on Tuesday, said local sanctuary Animals in Need, which will look after them until they are sanctuary's manager, Annie Marriott, said most of the animals were in good condition, but a couple of the kittens were "not as strong as they should be".The kittens are believed to be about four weeks old and will remain with their mum in a pen until they reach about 12 weeks of age. "It's a slow road to recovery until they're ready for rehoming," said Ms Marriott, who runs the site in Little ready, the kittens will be neutered, microchipped and offered for Marriott added: "Not a day passes when we don't get a call [to rescue] a stray dog, a rabbit, a cat. Cats are the main [animal]. It's just crazy." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Star Wars figures found in Wellingborough loft could sell for £6k
A collection of rare Star Wars figures discovered mint in box with their original price labels are expected to sell for thusands at Auctioneers said the 21 toys were found in an attic in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, where they had "languished for 40 years". They are being sold at auction by the original owner's wife - and could fetch £6,000. David Wilson-Turner, Hansons' toy expert, said the owner "didn't collect as such, just toys from his childhood that didn't get played with much". The toys were made by Palitoy in Coalville, Leicestershire, in the early 1980s. The rarest item for sale is Yak Face, from the 1983 film Return of the Jedi, which is expected to go for about £1, also featured briefly in Return of the Jedi as a member of Jabba the Hutt's camel-faced creature was never officially sold in the US, and was now a "holy grail" for collectors, the auctioneers said. Mr Wilson-Turner said: "The figures came from the vendor's husband's collection."She was delighted when we told her how much they were worth."Palitoy secured the rights to produce Star Wars toys in the 1970s via its US sister company, Kenner. At first Palitoy was reluctant to even launch a Star Wars range because no one had heard of the film."But, while America went on produce the franchise's merchandise in the millions, Palitoy's output was more modest, making it all the more appealing to collectors both sides of the Atlantic."Also in the sale will be a R2-D2 figure with pop-up lightsabre, which is expected to sell for between £300 and £400. An Amanaman could go for a much as £350 and a Luke Skywalker figure has a guide price of between £200 and £ toys go under the hammer in Etwall, Derbyshire, on 24 July. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
Northamptonshire police officers honoured for rescuing man
Two police officers have described how "instinct took over" when they dragged an injured man from a burning car moments before it Callum Simpson and PC Anna O'Donoghue, of Northamptonshire Police, came across a vehicle that had crashed into a fuel pump at high speed."We weren't sent to the job, we didn't have any time to come up with a plan of action," said PC O' pair have been recognised for their actions with a nomination at the National Police Bravery Awards. They were driving along the A45 in Wellingborough in December 2023 when they saw a petrol station on fire, so pulled over."We didn't expect anybody to be trapped inside the vehicle. As soon as we got out, we heard this awful scream, a cry for help," said PC O'Donoghue."We ran towards the car and saw a man trying to drag another badly injured, unconscious man out of the burning car."They managed to drag the driver out of the vehicle to safety just in time, as flames soon engulfed the car, followed by a series of officers gave first aid to the injured driver, despite the fire burning out of control close Simpson said: "We didn't have time to think about anything, we just wanted to get him as far away as possible."PC O'Donoghue added: "Sometimes when you have too much time to think, you over-think, but in that split second, your instinct takes over."Being emergency responders, we save life and limb. How could we not run towards the burning car? We had to."She said it was a "surprise" to be nominated for a bravery award."Every day in this job you do things which are traumatic and impactful and you very rarely get recognised for good work," she said."So to be nominated as the bravest of Northants – it feels surreal, and maybe a bit unnecessary, but it's really nice."Northamptonshire Police Federation chair Sam Dobbs said: "Callum and Anna displayed incredible bravery to pull the driver from a burning vehicle."There is no doubt in my mind that their quick-thinking and heroic actions saved the driver's life. We couldn't be prouder of them." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
