When lockdown kicked in, councils in England were given £3.2m to provide emergency 12-week shelter for rough sleepers, with many making use of empty hotels. Across Northamptonshire, about 200 people were offered emergency accommodation as part of the "Everyone In" project, but this scheme ended in the middle of June. Northampton Borough Council then extended the plan until the end of the month. More than 140 people have spent at least one night in one of two hotels - and almost 80 of these were then helped into settled housing. And from Wednesday (July 1), 26 rough sleepers have moved again - this time into one of the University of Northampton's halls of residence. It means three square meals, clean clothing and toiletries, and support to find work and medical treatment. I spoke to three former rough sleepers who lived in the hotel, Hugo Calado, Vojtech "Victor" Boranos and Daniel Stratford.

Craig Lewis

Coronavirus: The town housing rough sleepers in student digs

When lockdown kicked in, councils in England were given £3.2m to provide emergency 12-week shelter for rough sleepers, with many making use of empty hotels. Across Northamptonshire, about 200 people were offered emergency accommodation as part of the "Everyone In" project, but this scheme ended in the middle of June. Northampton Borough Council then extended the plan until the end of the month. More than 140 people have spent at least one night in one of two hotels - and almost 80 of these were then helped into settled housing. And from Wednesday (July 1), 26 rough sleepers have moved again - this time into one of the University of Northampton's halls of residence. It means three square meals, clean clothing and toiletries, and support to find work and medical treatment. Amanda Wilson, the council's street service co-ordinator, said people were "seizing the chance to improve their lives".

Coronavirus: The town housing rough sleepers in student digs - interview with street service co-ordinator, Amanda Wilson

From All Saints' Church to the Market Square, Thomas a Becket to Robert Browne, Northampton is a town full of history. But has it been neglected? I took a tour of the town centre with historian Mike Ingram and asked him just that...

Historian Mike Ingram asks whether Northampton's history has been neglected?

Every year Northampton Borough Council offers grants of between £3-15,000 to charities in the town. The Partnership Grant Funding has previously benefited groups ranging from The Good Loaf and The Hope Centre to Northampton Men's Sheds and the street pastors. Charities have until noon on Friday (February 21) to apply for the grants. Two other charities who've received money are Re:Store, which supports vulnerable people in the town, and The Lowdown, which offers counselling to 11 to 25-year-olds. I went to visit both, firstly catching up with The Lowdown's Sophie Turner...

'Where would there be a safe place without The Lowdown?': Why borough council grants are so important for Northampton charities

It's been a tough time to be a Labour supporter. The party suffered heavy defeat in the general election, with leader Jeremy Corbyn announcing he wouldn't be fighting another. Members are now deciding what direction the party takes next, with Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry competing to be the next leader. The contest has seen Socialist Corbyn supporters at loggerheads with colleagues towards the centre of the party. Earlier this month the party's Parliamentary candidate for Corby, Beth Miller, walked out of a constituency party meeting over suggestions Mr Corbyn's time in charge had been a success. Yesterday (Sunday, February 9), the local party in Corby voted for who it would like to see be the next Labour leader - nominating Sir Keir. Elsewhere the Wellingborough CLP (Constituency Labour Party) nominated Mrs Long-Bailey as leader. Both local parties nominated Angela Reyner for deputy leader. Once nominations for all Labour's constituency groups have been completed, the ballot for party members to vote for their next leader will open on February 21. Results will be announced in early April. I caught up with two members of the party in Corby, who have somewhat differing views. This is my full interview with Greg Clinker and Ross Armour. ======================= In short - the story in three minutes: Labour leadership: How members in Corby see the contest https://audioboom.com/posts/7500619-labour-leadership-how-members-in-corby-see-the-contest

Labour leadership: How members in Corby see the contest - full interview

It's been a tough time to be a Labour supporter. The party suffered heavy defeat in the general election, with leader Jeremy Corbyn announcing he wouldn't be fighting another. Members are now deciding what direction the party takes next, with Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry competing to be the next leader. The contest has seen Socialist Corbyn supporters at loggerheads with colleagues towards the centre of the party. Earlier this month the party's Parliamentary candidate for Corby, Beth Miller, walked out of a constituency party meeting over suggestions Mr Corbyn's time in charge had been a success. Yesterday (Sunday, February 9), the local party in Corby voted for who it would like to see be the next Labour leader - nominating Sir Keir. Elsewhere the Wellingborough CLP (constituency Labour party) nominated Mrs Long-Bailey as leader. Both local parties nominated Angela Reyner for deputy leader. Once nominations for all Labour's constituency groups have been completed, the ballot for party members to vote for their next leader will open on February 21. Results will be announced in early April. I caught up with two members of the party in Corby, who have somewhat differing views...

Labour leadership: How members in Corby see the contest

Tomorrow (January 31) is Brexit Day. It may seem like we've been talking about Britain leaving the European Union for a lifetime, but now there is a major step to mark. There is still plenty to do and a transition period to traverse, but there is no mistaking the historic significance. Earlier this week I travelled to Westminster to speak to Lord Naseby, who was Northampton South MP from 1974-97... ========== Listen to my interview at Westminster with Andrew Lewer MP here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7491718-westminster-prepares-for-brexit-there-s-nowhere-to-hide-now-brexit-s-effectiveness-will-be-j Westminster prepares for Brexit: Analysing the mood music - my report: https://audioboom.com/posts/7491409-westminster-prepares-for-brexit-analysing-the-mood-music?playlist_direction=reversed

Westminster prepares for Brexit: Former MP Lord Naseby explains why he changed from Remainer to Brexiteer

Tomorrow (January 31) is Brexit Day. It may seem like we've been talking about Britain leaving the European Union for a lifetime, but now there is a major step to mark. There is still plenty to do and a transition period to traverse, but there is no mistaking the historic significance. Earlier this week I travelled to Westminster to speak to Northampton South MP, Andrew Lewer...

Westminster prepares for Brexit: "There's nowhere to hide now... Brexit's effectiveness will be judged" - Andrew Lewer MP

Tomorrow (January 31) is Brexit Day. It may seem like we've been talking about Britain leaving the European Union for a lifetime, but now there is a major step to mark. There is still plenty to do and a transition period to traverse, but there is no mistaking the historic significance. Earlier this week I travelled to Westminster to find out what the mood music is like in Parliament...

Westminster prepares for Brexit: Analysing the mood music

Our hospitals are under huge pressure every day, both financially and dealing with increasing numbers of patients. One new plan being put forward to improve services in the county is the formation of a new group management model for Northampton and Kettering hospitals. I spoke to the joint chairman for the two hospitals, Alan Burns...

New management model will see Northampton and Kettering Hospitals share one chief executive

The Labour and Conservative candidates for Northampton South have clashed over the existence of a report into the cost of a stand alone unitary authority for the town. Gareth Eales and Andrew Lewer appeared on BBC Radio Northampton to discuss a report from Deloitte which said a unitary Northampton would cost taxpayers an extra £750 per year for a Band D house. At a hustings event for the constituency Mr Eales had said his Conservative rival was lying about the report, which he said did not exist. Subsequently, the BBC has seen a leaked page from the report which backs up what Mr Lewer was saying. It had been commissioned by the borough council, but never published. This podcast includes: * The story in full * BBC Radio Northampton's John Griff interviews Gareth Eales * John Griff interviews Andrew Lewer ** Picture is from BBC Radio Northampton's hustings debate for Northampton South featuring candidates Gareth Eales, Liberal Democrat Jill Hope, Andrew Lewer and the Green Party's Scott Mabbutt. The full debate can be heard on BBC Sounds.

"He's a spineless coward".... "It's entirely wrong to be accused of lying about a document which has been proven to exist"... Parliamentary candidates clash over Northampton unitary report

There's plenty of talk about politics at the moment - with a good deal of it being how "we've heard it all before," "it's boring" or "I've had enough of it". The truth is those talking heads you see and hear every day can get a bit draining, but there is something you may want to remember. Politics is about who looks after our hospitals, our armed forces, our roads and infrastructure, the treatment of your children and ageing parents, and, dare I say it, whether or not we leave the European Union. Interested now? Perhaps you should be? If you are, this preview of BBC Radio Northampton's hustings debate for Northampton North may be of interest. Conservative Michael Ellis, Labour's Sally Keeble, Liberal Democrat Martin Sawyer and the Green Party's Katherine Pate clashed over Brexit, the NHS, austerity, Northamptonshire County Council and more... ** The full debate will be played out between 7-8pm tonight (Thursday, November 28) on BBC Radio Northampton **

BBC Radio Northampton hustings preview: Northampton North

People may have watched the ITV clash between Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson earlier this week. But on the same night BBC Northampton held its very own -far more important - debate between the parliamentary candidates for Corby & East Northamptonshire. Conservative Tom Pursglove, Labour's Beth Miller and Liberal Democrat Chris Stanbra took part in the event at Corby Cube's The Lab. The subject soon turned to Brexit, but there was still time for the candidates to clash over the NHS, living in Corby, childcare and austerity... ** The full debate will be played out between 7-8pm tonight (Thursday, November 21) on BBC Radio Northampton **

BBC Radio Northampton hustings preview: Corby & East Northants

The future of local government in Northamptonshire has, for some time, been on a seemingly unstoppable route towards two new unitary authorities. Since government inspector Max Caller recommended the county's eight councils, including the financially stricken county council, should be scrapped, moves have been made in this direction. The government adopted Mr Caller's plan and it went through a consultation period. Legislation due to provide the basis for the formation of those two new authorities looked set to pass through Parliament before it dissolved earlier this week. However, at the last minute, it wasn't tabled. The move came at the same time as Labour announced it would be opposing the legislation and instead would be pushing for a three unitary future, complete with a separate authority in Northampton. I looked into how we got here and how Northamptonshire's unitary future is set to become a major election issue...

Northamptonshire's two unitary future put on hold

A general election is coming - but will this one be fought along traditional party lines? I took a look at a most unpredictable election...

A most unpredictable general election...

I'm a BBC journalist covering a wide variety of news across Northamptonshire and beyond. It's as simple as that...

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Craig Lewis

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