Northamptonshire BAME healthcare workers who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine can ask an expert panel in an online Q&A on Tuesday 2 March at 5pm. Click here to register for the event.
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Calling all 11-16 year olds!
Don’t miss the opportunity to find out about what library services are available to you in the Young Adults Area at Kettering Library.
Try out some pebble art, rock and roll dancing, pumpkin carving or just come along for a chat.
There’s plenty of information on volunteering, how to join the library, interest groups, E-Fridays, local offer services and more!
*FREE ENTRY*
Come along to the All Saints Church Community Hall for an evening with Helen Crabtree to explore Northamptonshire Curiosities.
Entry: £4 including refreshments. A raffle will also be available.
If you’re looking for ways to stay fit and active, there are plenty of options across the Borough of Kettering – many of which are free! Here are five local activities you may not already be aware of:
1.Join a Health Walk
Kettering Borough Council organise free volunteer-led health walks lasting no longer than 90 minutes, with at least one walk of less than 30 minutes every month. There are regular weekly walks in Kettering, Desborough, Burton Latimer and Rushden as well as a full timetable of one-off walks from many other towns and village locations, throughout the year.
The shorter walks are perfect for new walkers and those with long term health conditions to feel more confident walking and to meet more people.
You can view the full timetable and find out more about the different walks at www.kettering.gov.uk/walks
2. Play Walking Football
Football players who think their playing days are well behind them should think again! Walking football is a non-contact activity where any player who sprints, runs or jogs while the ball is in play concedes a free-kick to the other team. Players can maintain an active lifestyle and it encourages those who’ve stopped intense sports become active again through football. Sessions are aimed at people aged over 50 or for people with restricting health conditions, but all are welcome. Check out the video to get an idea!
There are three different weekly indoor walking football sessions:
- Desborough Leisure Centre – Fridays, 10.30am – 12 noon*
- Kettering Arena (KLV) – Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12 noon*
- Kettering Science Academy – Wednesdays, 8.30 – 9.30pm
(* £2.50 per person or £1.25 with a Kettering Leisure Pass)
3. Take on Kettering Parkrun
The popular Kettering parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k walk/jog/run at 9am every Saturday at Wicksteed Park. It’s open to all ages and abilities, organised entirely by volunteers and is friendly and fun!
Don’t worry about how fast you are – Parkrun encourages people of every ability to take part for their own enjoyment, whatever your pace. Make sure you register online beforehand and print off your personal barcode. You can scan your barcode when you finish to get confirmation of completion and your individual run time.
Find out more and register before your first visit – www.parkrun.org.uk/kettering
4. Rebuild your strength at an Otago Strength and Balance Exercise class
Aimed specifically for older adults at 65+, the OTAGO exercise programme incorporates a series of exercises, designed to:
- Reduce the risk of falls
- Improve balance and leg muscle strength
- Improve range of movement
- Improve posture
- Increase confidence performing everyday tasks around the home
- Improve general fitness and health
- Provide opportunity for socialisation and activity with similar people
Each session has warm-up, strength, balance and cool-down components which can be tailored to the ability of each individual participant.
All sessions are led by a fully qualified OTAGO instructor.
Click here for information on times, sessions and venues for each class.
For more information or to book contact Tim on 01536 535742 or TimWebb@kettering.gov.uk
5. Stay fit at an Outdoor Gym
Did you know there are 6 free to use outdoor gyms in the Borough’s parks? You’ll find them in Mawsley, Dunkirk Avenue (Desborough), Brambleside, Rockingham Road Park, Hall Meadow Park (off Lake Avenue) and at Desborough Green Space (Fitness Trail).
Each outdoor gym uses two types of equipment. Firstly, ‘moving’ equipment including chest press, cross trainer, rower, skier, and bike, easy to use and mostly from a seating position. The second type of equipment includes ‘static’ bars, such as parallel bars, a pull up bars and monkey bars, aimed at those capable of intense body weight exercises.
Outdoor gyms can help build confidence in working out and help people begin exercise programmes in safe and non-judgmental environments. So, head to your local park to get fit for free!
TV star comedian James Acaster will help kick off Christmas in Kettering this year by turning on the town’s lights at the eagerly anticipated ‘BIG Switch On’ event. The local born comedian will take to the stage on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 30th November as part of a fun festive schedule.
The BIG Switch on will run from 5-7.30pm and, in addition to Acaster, will be hosted by Connect FM and will feature the cast of the Lighthouse Theatre’s Christmas Panto ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ plus live music and entertainment for the whole family.
Stand-up comedian James Acaster has become a regular on TV panel shows such as Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 cats and has received acclaim from around the world, including a record breaking 5 consecutive nominations for ‘Best Comedy Show’ at the 2012-2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. He also returned to Kettering to film a series of comedy shorts as he visits some of his old haunts and around the town, including Boughton House, The Manor House Museum and Wicksteed Park. *Watch all six ‘Sweet Home Ketteringa’ videos*
There will be plenty of chances to support your local town centre with late night shopping on Thursdays from 30th November. Small Business Saturday and the Teenage Market returns on 2nd December and a special Christmas Market will be held on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 14th December. There’ll also be the chance to wrap up warm and watch a festive film on the Big Screen on the Market Place on Thursday 21st December at 5pm.
As part of the Christmas festivities, and to support local businesses, Kettering Borough Council is offering FREE parking in its town centre car parks on the following days in December*:
- all day on Saturday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd December 2017, and
- after 3pm on Thursday 7th, 14th and 21st December 2017
These are in addition to the free parking that already operates in Council owned car parks on Sundays (all day) and evenings (after 6pm).
Further information on the full schedule of Christmas in Kettering activities will be unveiled over the coming weeks at www.thisiskettering.com/christmas
Christmas in Kettering 2016
Christmas in Kettering 2016
Ex-Eastender Cheryl Fergison and Lighthouse Theatre panto star Lucie Downer switched on Kettering\’s Christmas lights on the Market Place last year.
James Acaster said: “Kettering has always lit up my life and I am humbled to be able to do the same for Kettering”
Guy Holloway, Head of Corporate and Cultural Services at Kettering Borough Council, said: “There is an exciting line up of activities in Kettering Town Centre in the run up to Christmas this year. The programme of festivities we have put on will provide a range of attractions for the whole family. Christmas this year is definitely in Kettering!”
Councillor Lloyd Bunday, Kettering Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture, said: “We’re delighted to have James Acaster switching on the lights in his home town and getting the local community in the mood for Christmas. This year\’s events include entertainment for all the family which I hope will encourage lots of people into the town centre. Over the festive period, as well as the big switch-on, there’ll be Christmas Markets, a big screen movie and free parking days to enjoy.”
There’s plenty of Halloween events going on in and around the Kettering Borough this October Half Term! From a Ghost Hunt by torchlight to a Little Monster’s Ball, come along to a Spooktacular range of child-friendly events, workshops, parties and more!
1. The Manor House Museum: Half Term Crafts
The Manor House Museum are holding some creepy craft activity sessions every day over the half term holidays to celebrate Halloween!
Tuesday 24th October: Make spooky, sparkling sugar skull masks.
Wednesday 25th October: Craft a glowing Halloween lantern.
Thursday 26th October: Create spider plant spider pots.
Sessions start at 10:15am & 11:15am.
Click here for more information.
Halloween
Half Term Halloween activities at Kettering Manor House Museum
2. The Manor House Museum: Halloween Family Fun Day
Take a visit to the Manor House Museum for some frightful fun for all the family!
Come dressed as your favourite spook, meet the ‘jeepers creatures’ and take part in some free crafts and games, storytelling and face painting! *FREE ENTRY*
Friday 27th October, 11am till 3pm.
Click here for more information.
3. West Lodge Rural Centre: Spooky Half Term Fun
Celebrate Halloween at West Lodge Farm Park with a host of activities!
Ride the spooky tractor, tour around the witch’s house, listen to ghost stories, take part in pumpkin carving and wand making, dare to enter the spooky walk through and enjoy all of the usual farm fun!
From Saturday 14th till Tuesday 31st October every day apart from Friday 29th.
Click here for information on times, tickets & prices.
4. The Centre at Mawsley: Children’s Halloween Party
Save the date for the unmissable Children’s Halloween Party Spooktacular!
Come along and have fun with Just Party Entertainment.
Friday 27th October, 5:30pm till 8:30pm.
Click here for information on tickets & prices.
5. Wicksteed Park: Wicky’s Little Monsters Ball
Wicky Bear is holding his annual Little Monsters Ball, and he can’t wait!
He and his crew will be performing some Spooktacular dances as well as hosting party games and a disco. Don’t forget to bring your favourite Halloween costume for fancy dress!
Saturday 28th October, 11:30am till 2pm.
Click here for information on tickets & prices.
6. West Lodge Rural Centre: Ghost Hunt by Torchlight
The ghosts of West Lodge Past have escaped and it’s your job to find them!
Join in at West Lodge Farm Park to search the grounds to find all of the ghosts! The winner will be awarded with some spooky prizes. After the ghost hunt, visit the new adventure play area to meet the ghosts and dance at the Halloween themed disco!
Saturday 28th October, 6pm till 8:30pm.
Click here for information on tickets & prices.
7. West Lodge Rural Centre: Halloween Spooktacular
Come along to West Lodge Farm Park to meet Daisy in the Witch’s house!
There will be plenty of spooky activities to keep you entertained and get you into the Halloween Spirit! Make sure you bring your favourite spooky costume, as there’s a fancy dress competition too!
Sunday 29th October.
Click here for more information.
8. Kettering Library: Dracula
James Hornsby is back by special request to present his outstanding one man adaption of the well-known horror story, Dracula!
Refreshments are available for a small donation. Booking in advance is essential.
Monday 30th October, 7pm till 9:30pm.
Click here for more information.