Welcome to the Village Link website. We’re a small not for profit organisation staffed by volunteers.

Take a little time to browse our pages and discover what goes on where and when in our area. Within our pages you can also find out who does what locally. If you would like to contribute anything to any of our pages, including your favourite picture from where you live in our area, please follow the links on the Contact Us page. We would love to carry all the info for your local club or association and best of all, it’s all for free!

The map on the left is fully navigable plus you can zoom in and out by using the controls in the top left corner and if you view the larger map you can enter street view by dragging the little yellow person onto the map to where you want to view and go for a virtual walk around our streets and lanes.

A Very Special Birthday and Four Golden Weddings

This issue celebrates some very special milestones across our villages. In Hollowell, Jan and Crawford Craig, Phillip and Elaine Litchfield, and Ron and Claire Morrell all mark 50 years of marriage, each with fond memories of the famously hot summer of 1976 — and weddings involving a tricky left-handed photograph, thirsty young

COUNCILLOR NEWS - News from Cllr Christine Ware

Hello everyone

I hope you have had a good Summer. It’s been a busy one at West Northants Council with an extraordinary meeting in August to confirm the appointment of our new Chief Executive, Martin Henry and our new Finance Director, James Smith. Committees have carried on over the Summer and planning continues to keep me busy!

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is now in place following national consultation. This is the overarching policy framework that informs planning decisions. The consultation for the draft Local Plan has been completed and the proposal for the next stage, called Regulation 19, went to the Planning Policy Committee on 14 September. At that meeting just 3 cabinet members from the Reform UK administration at WNC voted to throw away years of work and in excess of £4m of taxpayer’s money, by rejecting the Regulation 19 consultation of the Draft Local Plan with no clear reason.

WNC has been working on a new local plan since 2021, with work beginning under the then Conservative administration. The Local Plan is the document that sits with the NPPF and sets out where and how much housing, employment and other development should take place across the area and is designed to shape place and growth in a controlled manner.

On 15 September the Minister of State for Housing and Planning wrote to the Council exercising the Government’s statutory powers of intervention directing the Council to proceed with the current draft Regulation 19 Local Plan. The letter instructs the Council to continue with the process for the current draft Plan by:

• Starting Regulation 19 consultation on the emerging plan by no later than 5 October 2026 for a minimum 6-week period;

• Submitting the emerging plan by no later than 31 December 2026

• Not to take any step to withdraw the Plan and report monthly to Government officials on the progress of the Plan

• Progress the Plan up to the end of the examination process.

The Government has given WNC until 29 September to set out any exceptional circumstances which suggest intervention is not appropriate.

There are more changes coming to the planning system from 31 October this year which will impact the way the council reviews planning applications. Going forward, the planning committees will only review major or genuinely significant applications. All other applications will be delegated directly to officers. At the moment 94% of decisions are made by officers.

In addition, unitary councillors lose the right of ‘call-in’. This is where a councillor can request that a decision is made by committee rather than officers.

The new system creates two broad categories:

• Schedule 1 – applications that must be decided by planning officers in all cases.

• Schedule 2 – the application is considered to be a significant planning matter in relation to the development plan or material considerations, or is a significant economic, social, or environmental issue for the local area.

Committee referral will be exceptional, not routine.

The next full West Northants Council meeting is on 24 September.

As always, please do get in touch if you have issues to raise or if I can help at all.

With kind regards

Christine

Christine Ware - Ward Councillor for Naseby

e: christine.ware@westnorthants.gov.uk       e: christine@wnld.org.uk     Tel: 07836 368888

Peggy Lade will turn 100 on 6th November, see p.19

Phillip and Elaine Litchfield

Jan and Crawford Craig

Ron and Claire Morrell

Charles and Sue Matts

 farmers and a rather seasick honeymoon crossing. Creaton also has a Golden Wedding to celebrate for Charles and Sue Matts. Meanwhile, former Thornby resident Peggy Lade will celebrate her 100th birthday in November. We offer warm congratulations to them all; the fuller stories appear on the village pages.

Maggie's provides free practical, emotional and psychological support for anyone affected by cancer – whether they have a diagnosis themselves or are supporting a loved one. Our centres are warm, welcoming spaces where people can access expert support at any stage of their cancer journey.

Many people are unaware that this help exists, and by sharing information here, we can help ensure that no one faces cancer alone. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Maggie's can help.

Call us: 01604 218425  Email us: northampton@maggies.org

We're open: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

You don't need an appointment – just come in. Maggie's Northampton is at the Diana Russell Building, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD

The importance of GP registration: Why keeping your details up to date matters

In the last year, over 300,000 patients across England have been removed from GP practice lists as part of a national ‘list cleansing’ exercise. While these audits are intended to remove ‘ghost patients’ who have moved or passed away, the British Medical Associated has raised concerns that many real patients are being mistakenly removed, potentially disrupting their medical care.

Why being registered matters

Registering with a local GP practice is about more than just seeing a doctor when you are unwell; it ensures that essential local health services remain funded and available for everyone in the community. Most local health services are funded based on the number of patients registered at the practice. Even if you don't think you need medical help right now, being registered ensures that the practice is prepared and resourced to help you the moment you do.

The risk of removal

Patients are often removed from GP lists if they have not had recent contact with health services and do not respond to letters from the NHS asking them to confirm their details. This process can inadvertently target vulnerable groups or those who have recently moved. If you are removed from a list, it can cause delays in accessing treatment or receiving important screening invitations. Furthermore, it places a financial burden on local surgeries, as funding is lost for every patient removed

What you need to do

● Stay registered: Ensure you and your family are registered with your local GP practice to protect the services in your area.

● Respond to NHS mail: If you receive a letter asking you to confirm your residency or contact details, please reply immediately. Failure to take action may lead to your GP registration being cancelled.

● Update your details: Always inform your surgery if you change your address or phone number.

Being prepared is the best way to ensure you have access to healthcare when you need it most.  You can register online or in person with your local GP practice.

 For residents in Brixworth, Guilsborough and surrounding villages in the Saxon Spires catchment area, you can register online at Join the Practice - Saxon Spires Practice or pop in to request paper forms at reception.

Dr Julia Railson, GP Partner, The Saxon Spires Practice, August 2026.