Kettering by the Sea

Come down to Market Place this summer for the largest ever Kettering by the Sea. Along with the giant sand pit and splash fountains there is also a packed programme of activities and entertainment that will fi ll your summer holidays with a host of memories and fun in which to tell your friends about!  Punch and Judy, pantomimes, Olympic games and competitions, arts and crafts, interactive experiments from the London Science Museum, National Space Centre Star Dome, Traditional Helter Skelter (charges apply), West Lodge Farm, live music, zumba, hoop dance and speciality markets for the adults are just a taste of what this summer’s must visit, FREE event has to offer!

Come along and join in an event that promises plenty of sand, splashes and smiles - and hopefully some sunshine too! Kettering by the Sea will run from the Saturday 21st July to Saturday 18th August, every day except Sundays from 10am to 4pm, at Market Place, Kettering.  On Saturday 28th July there will be an Urban Beach Volleyball competition.  For more information please visit www.kettering.gov.uk/marketplace or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Storytelling at Kelmarsh

Following on from last year’s popular event, professional storyteller Kevin Walker returns to the kitchen garden at Kelmarsh Hall once again to transport children into the wonderful world of their imagination.  Join in on Wednesday 8th August for a marathon day of stories and songs about the Olympics that will bring the Games to life - be prepared to get involved!  11am: How the Olympics Began - Stories from Ancient Greece featuring warriors and athletes.  12.15pm: Greek Myths and Legends 2pm: Gold, Silver and Bronze 3.15pm: The Hare and the Tortoise and other stories.

All sessions are suitable for every age range. Please bring a blanket to sit on.  Free entry for children - adults £5. For details, please visit www.kelmarsh.com or call 01604 686543.

Pool Swimming Courses

Swimming courses will take place at Oundle School Swimming Pool on Milton Road in Oundle, from Monday 23rd through Friday 27th July. The intensive swimming course will take place from 9-10am and is suitable for non-swimmers up to ASA level 6 for children aged 4+ years. The course which consists of a daily half-hour course is priced at £30.

There are also rookie lifeguard courses, from beginner through to returning advanced rookies, covering life saving, water safety and life support. The courses, priced at £60, take place from 10.30am to 1pm and are suitable for children aged 8-12 with a level 6+ swimming level, confi dent in 25m deep water. There is also a snorkelling course suitable for children aged 6+ who can swim 15m and area confi dent in deep water.  This takes place from 10.30-11.15am and is priced at £30. Private swimming lessons/ group snorkelling lessons are also available.  If you are interested in booking a place on any of the courses, please contact the swimming pool on 01832 277208 or 01832 277195, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.oundleschool.org.uk

Soccer4summer

Soccer4summer is a four-week soccer school running for boys and girls of all footballing abilities between the age of 10 and 15 years old.  The courses take place at Bishop Stopford School Sport Centre, The Headlands, Kettering, from Monday 6th August through Friday 31st August. The enthusiastic coaches strive to ensure all players are given the confi dence and skills to fulfi l their full potential through fun drills and games. Whether a child joins for a day, a week or the full four-week period, the coaches will strive to ensure their skill level improves and they enjoy whatever time they spend at soccer school.  Everyday each child will take part in three 50 minute sessions with a 15 minute break between sessions 1 and 2 and then again between sessions 2 and 3. Children will be supervised by a coach at all times and will be coached from the companies FUN principle.

Focus on delivering all sessions to the highest quality possible.

Understand each child is different and a variety of coaching tools and techniques are required to ensure all children learn new skills throughout each session.  Nurture each child’s talent to the best they can be.

The main aim is to allow children to enjoy their football, learn news skills and improve the skills they have already acquired, giving the children the confi dence to express their skills in game situations of all standards.  The coaches hope to impart their love of football on every child they coach.  The courses run daily from 9am-12noon and are priced at £9 per day or £42/week, apart from the week commencing Monday 27th which is only £34 due to the bank holiday. There is a special offer of £150 for the complete four-week course. For more details or to book, visit www.soccer4summer.  com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07943 823 491.

Holiday Museum Activities

Explore the world this summer with Manor House Museum and Alfred East Art Gallery in Sheep Street, Kettering. Join in with art and craft activities involving clay, painting, glue, trails, activity sheets and more. The workshops will run from Tuesday 31st July through Friday 31st August at various times.

There will be a different workshop each day from Tuesday to Friday between 2-3pm on the following themes:

Week 1: Jungles and Swamps Week 2: Deserts Week 3: Under the Sea and Frozen Planet Week 4: Mountains Week 5: Cities and the Urban Landscape Free activities running alongside the workshops include activity trails, colouring sheets, brass rubbings and much more.  Workshops will take place on either the Market Place, or at the Manor House Museum.

Workshops last approximately one hour and cost £3 per child or £1.50 with a Leisure Pass. The sessions are free to Young Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum and the activities are suitable for childred ages 3 and over. Booking is recommended.

For details, please contact the museum on

01536 534219 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tour de France?

Tour de Titchmarsh!

The fi rst ever ‘Titchmarsh Castle Bike Ride’ will take place on Sunday 29th July, arranged by Titchmarsh Playing Field Association. There are two routes planned for the day, a fun family ride completing the 6.5 mile ‘Clopton Loop’ and the main event is a challenging 45 mile loop circuit. The main route will cover two counties passing a selection of ancient castle sites including our very own in Titchmarsh.

Commencing from the pavilion at 8.45am, staggered groups will continue to be set off until 9.30am. There will be a halfway rest point where toilet facilities, refreshments and snacks will be available to all participants.  On return to the pavilion a buffet lunch and refreshments will be included for all main event riders.

The family ride will commence from the pavilion at 10am and return for cake and refreshment at the pavilion fi nish. Preregistration for both events will be available via the village website. Registration on the day will be open from 8am until 9.30am at the pavilion. Please note all riders must wear a cycle helmet.

Entry fee for the 6.5 mile ‘Clopton Loop’ fun ride is £4 for adults and £2 for children £2 each and includes a piece of cake and refreshment after the ride. For the 55 mile ‘Titchmarsh Castle Bike Ride’ entry fee is £15 and includes half way snack stop & buffet lunch with refreshments.

This exciting event has been organized to help raise funds towards the village playground regeneration project designed with some fantastic playground equipment which includes a large wooden castle positioned on a grass mound, bringing the castle back to Titchmarsh! So, grab your cycling shorts, pump up your tyres and get pedalling! For more details, please visit www.titchmarsh.info

Open Air Theatre

Two Shakespeare plays will take place against the stunning backdrop of two of our country houses. On Saturday 21st July, ‘As You Like It’ will be performed by The Rain or Shine Theatre Company in the gardens of Lamport Hall. Duke Senior is overthrown in a coup d’état by Duke Frederick and fl ees with his supporters to the Forest of Arden. Celebratory games for Frederick are arranged, including the court’s favourite, wrestling; Charles the wrestler will take on all challenges.

One of these is Orlando, son of a man loyal to the usurped Duke. Attending the wrestling will be the usurper’s daughter, Celia, and niece, Rosalind - daughter of the Old Duke, and someone Frederick does not trust.  Could further banishments be on the cards?  Who will triumph in the wrestling? Will either of the ladies fall for the victor? Will ladies dress as men, or vice versa? Being Shakespeare’s great comic romance, after much trial and tribulation, love will be found, right will prevail and the Forest of Arden will be the place where all will be revealed!  Tickets in Advance: Adult £13, OAP £12, Children (5-18) £7. Tickets on the Gate:

Adult £15, OAP £14, Children (5-18) £9 available from 01604 686272. Performance starts 6.30pm, in a marquee if wet, gates open 5.30pm. Please bring low back garden chairs and a picnic On Saturday 4th August The Little English Theatre will perform a magical production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Boughton House.

Whilst staying true to the traditional presentation of this enchanting tale, the Little English Theatre will bring its own unique charm and fl avour to Shakespeare’s most accessible and perhaps best-loved play. Under the moonlight, enemies fall in love, an actor becomes an ass, and the fairy kingdom battles over a servant boy. All because of a mischievous fairy called Puck.  A hefty picnic hamper of goodies and a secret glass of sparkly are just the things to entice the nymphs, conjure up the clowns, and lure out the lovers... but do bring a blanket and a rain mac, just in case!  For details about the performance, please visit www.thelittleenglishtheatre.co.uk or call us on 07773 395757. Tickets on the gate:

Adults £15, child £10. Advance booking prices: Adult £13.50, children (6-16) £8.  A family ticket is available at £36 (2+2).  Tickets can be booked via www.ticketweb.  co.uk or 08444 771000.

Fossil Fest

Boughton House is also the venue for the UKAFH Fossil Fest on Sunday 12th August, sponsored by UKGE. The UKAFH team will have a fossil display at the Stables of Boughton House, from ammonites to Dinosaur fossils, ID fossils and micro fossil display. There will also be fossils for sale, a fossil hunting sandpit and talks on fossils with a special guest speaker and much, much more.

The Fest will take place from 12noon to 5pm.  Entry is £5 to view the stately home garden and access to the UKAFH fossil event, or £10 for house, gardens and UKAFH fossil event. For details visit www.boughtonhouse.  org.uk or call 01536 515731.

Learn to play the Piano

Christopher Weaver, accomplished pianist and music examiner, see page 16, offers piano and music theory tuition in Pytchley. Lessons are open to children and adults alike, so if you are a young budding pianist or a slightly older one, who has never got around to learning how to play or just gone rusty, please call 01536 791812.

 

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!