The local political landscape has seen a dramatic shift, with the Reform UK party surging to power in the North Northamptonshire Council, securing a significant 39 out of 68 seats. This victory marked a major upset for the traditional parties in the Wellingborough and Rushden areas.
The Conservative party’s presence was drastically reduced to a single councillor across both towns, with Barbara Jenney in Rushden South being the lone survivor. The Labour party also saw their numbers dwindle to just two councillors in the Victoria ward, Kelly Duddridge and David Baker.
However, just outside the main towns, the Conservatives managed to hold on to some ground, taking two seats in the Irchester ward and another two in the Earls Barton ward.
Here is a breakdown of the newly elected councillors for North Northamptonshire Council in our area:
Brickhill and Queensway
- Gavin Beales (Reform UK)
- John Carvetta (Reform UK)
- Darren Rance (Reform UK)
Croyland and Swanspool
- Martin Griffiths (Reform UK)
- Matt Davies (Reform UK)
- Chris Munday (Reform UK)
Earls Barton
- Scott Phillip Brown (Conservative)
- Vicki Jane Jessop (Conservative)
Finedon
- Andy Sims (Reform UK)
Hatton Park
- Ken Harrington (Reform UK)
Irchester
- Tom Partridge-Underwood (Conservative)
- John-Paul Carr (Conservative)
Irthlingborough
- Gregory James Wilcox (Reform UK)
Pemberton
- Ash Hall (Reform UK)
- Chris McGiffen (Reform UK)
Rushden Lakes
- Keith Clarke (Reform UK)
- Jack Goncalvez (Reform UK)
Rushden South
- Paul Brooke (Reform UK)
- Vinnie Whitrow (Reform UK)
- Barbara Jenney (Conservative)
- Steve Clark (Reform UK)
Victoria
- Kelly Duddridge (Labour)
- David Baker (Labour)
Town Council Election Results
Conservatives Hold Rushden Town Council
The Conservative party has successfully retained control of Rushden Town Council, winning 19 out of the 21 seats. The remaining two seats were taken by the Reform party.
No Overall Control in Wellingborough
Wellingborough Town Council is now under no overall control. The Conservatives have emerged as the largest party with 11 seats, while Labour holds 6.
Higham Ferrers Election Update
The election for the Higham Ferrers ward on the North Northamptonshire Council was postponed following the sad passing of the Liberal Democrat candidate, William John James Ratcliffe, the day before the scheduled polling. North Northamptonshire Council has announced that the election will be rearranged and must take place by June 23, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have retained control of Higham Town Council.
Community News and Updates
The Mallards Gets a New Lease of Life
The Mallards, a local park in Rushden formed from a former quarry, has had its lakes restocked. After last year’s hot weather led to a reduction in the fish population due to low oxygen levels, Rushden Town Council, with assistance from the Environment Agency, has replenished the lakes. This will once again allow local anglers to enjoy fishing in the area, which the council permits at no charge for those with a fishing license, on a catch-and-release basis. The area has also been enhanced with bulb planting for local residents to enjoy.
The Ongoing Campaign for a Rushden Station
The Nene Herald continues to champion the establishment of a mainline railway station for Rushden and Higham Ferrers. Rushden stands as the largest town in England without its own station. The proposal for a “parkway” station at Knuston is not new; it was highlighted as a desirable investment in a 2009 report by the Association of Train Operating Companies. Sixteen years later, the case for this much-needed infrastructure project is stronger than ever.
Ditchford Lane Bridge Reopens Ahead of Schedule
The medieval bridge on Ditchford Lane has reopened to traffic a week earlier than planned. The bridge was closed for safety reasons after a section of its wall was damaged and fell into the River Nene following an accident with an agricultural vehicle. The closure of this narrow but busy road had caused significant traffic issues in the area.
Have Your Say on Fire and Rescue Services
The Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service is inviting the public to give their feedback on its Community Risk Management Plan. This strategic plan outlines the community’s risks and how the service allocates its resources to ensure public safety. The consultation, which also covers response time standards, is open until May 21, 2025.
Rushden Lakes: The Story of a Landmark
The development of Rushden Lakes continues to be a story of successful collaboration. The iconic white footbridge over the A45, strongly advocated for by Cllr. Sarah Peacock, has become a much-used and important local landmark, proving its initial skeptics wrong. Another key intervention came from Cllr. Gill Mercer, who pushed for the upgrade of a disused track parallel to the A45. This now serves as a vital diversion, easing traffic congestion on the main roundabout, especially during peak hours.
Out and About in Wellingborough & Rushden
Rushden Museum Celebrates a Local Legacy
This year, Rushden Museum is celebrating 70 years of Osborne’s Sports & Toys with a special exhibition dedicated to toys. The third-generation family-run business on Rushden High Street is a local institution. In 2018, Lego chose Osborne’s as the only UK site for a special display to mark the 60th anniversary of the first Lego brick patent, a nod to the fact that Osborne’s was the first shop in the UK to become a Lego stockist. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm to 4 pm, May through October.
An End of an Era: Warwicks to Close
Wellingborough is set to lose a retail icon as Warwicks department store announces its closure after 157 years. The current owner, Neil Warwick, is retiring, and with no family members to take over, the longstanding family business will cease trading. This marks a sad loss for the town, which once boasted several unique, family-run department stores.
The King’s Trust: Supporting Young People
The King’s Trust, formerly the Prince’s Trust, continues its valuable work with young people. A recent group of participants in their 12-week team-building course celebrated the completion of their program, during which they undertook projects such as painting the fencing at the Wellingborough Whitworths sports ground.
GP Surgery Concerns in Rushden
Rushden Medical Centre was recently the subject of a BBC report highlighting issues at several GP surgeries, including problems with “constantly unpaid services.” A former employee alleged that a lack of proper equipment last summer led to patients being bruised. In November 2022, the Care Quality Commission rated the practice as “Requires improvement.” Concerned residents recently held a protest, leading to an agreement with a surgery representative for monthly meetings to discuss the issues.
“Driving Miss Daisy” Service to Launch
A new companionship and transport service, “Driving Miss Daisy,” is set to launch on June 1, 2025. Serving towns along the A6 corridor, including Rushden, Higham Ferrers, and Wellingborough, the service offers everything from a friendly chat at home to assistance with shopping and appointments. It is designed to support the elderly, disabled, and those with limited mobility, providing safe and comfortable transport in a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
Horror Fans, Get Ready for “Shed of Hell”
Horror enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Rushden Historical Society hosts “The Shed of Hell” at Rushden Station on July 5th and 6th. Billed as “Rushden’s Biggest Ever Horror Convention,” the event promises a weekend of spine-tingling entertainment. Tickets are now on sale.
In Brief: Local Events and Support
- AuDHD Support Meetings: Wellingborough Library is hosting daytime support meetings for the AuDHD (Autism and ADHD) community in May, June, and July. These sessions offer a safe space for peer support and conversation.
- Quiz Nights at Rushden Cons Club: Test your knowledge at the Rushden Conservative Club’s quiz nights, held on the second and last Tuesday of every month, starting at 7:30 pm.