Friday 18 May 2012

Town has plenty to celebrate in such a busy year

NORTHAMPTON Borough Council’s events team works with other groups and organisations to arrange a host of exciting events around the town and there is so much to celebrate this year that I almost don’t know where to begin.

From next month onwards there are some wonderful exhibitions and events being staged at Northamp-ton Museum and Art Gallery which is a real achievement given that the museum is undergoing a massive modernisation programme.

One of the displays I am personally most looking forward to is ‘Step into my Shoes’ by Clare Abbatt which is showing from February 7 until April 15.

This exhibition marks the centenary anniversary of Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition to the South Pole.

Clare’s work reflects on his journey and on other journeys on foot.

Cllr Brandon Eldred

The exhibition will feature work by artist Richard Long, photographs by Herbert Ponting on Captain Scott’s fateful Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole and photographs by Anna Sutcliffe showing Antarctica today.

There will also be a selection of shoes and boots belonging to people who have made significant journeys on foot.

Another highlight of the museum events programme this year is ‘The World at your Feet’ exhibition, which is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme – Stories of the World.

It will explore shoes and cultures from around the world and showcases shoes from our world famous shoe collection that have never been seen on public display before.

As well as these museum events, there will be the usual regular events that everyone in the town has come to know and love, including Northampton Carnival, Bands in the Park and the Northampton Music Festival.

Special events for 2012 – the Olympic and Jubilee celebration year – will include the Olympic Torch Relay, Godiva Awakes parading through the town, screenings of the Olympics on big screens in the town and a Queen’s Jubilee party in one of our premier parks.

There will also be fun family events such as a range of animal-themed attractions and other sporting and cultural events throughout the summer.

One event I am particularly looking forward to is Games Time which is coming to Northampton.

It is an outdoor event that features a fabulous oversized board game brought to life by over 150 local performers in breathtaking carnival costumes set against a backdrop of music and fireworks.

Finally I would just like to mention that once again in 2012 Northampton will be entering the East Midlands in Bloom Competition.

Last year the town won a gold award – its third in three consecutive years.

The award was a great pat on the back for council staff, our partners at Enterprise, town centre businesses and the very many individuals, groups and schools who all worked so hard.

I hope this year even more businesses, individuals and groups will work with us to make the town look even more beautiful this summer.

This week’s guest columnist is Cllr Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement

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