A look back at 2022

As the year draws to a close we have a look back at some of the stories NN Journal has covered this year.

Hello and seasons greetings,

Hope you’ve had a good Christmas.

With just a couple of days left of 2022, here’s a look back at some of the stories NN Journal has reported this year.

It’s been a bit of a strange end to the year for NN Journal, with co-founder Natalie leaving to take on a new reporting role and myself taking a break for health reasons, but my first stage of treatment is now done with the next phase due to start in the coming weeks, so I hope to be back reporting regularly again in the Spring.

I intend to send you a couple of articles over the next few weeks and have a Happy New Year. Thanks for supporting NN Journal throughout 2022 and hopefully you will continue to read our news following our 2023 return.

Best wishes

Sarah

A Northamptonshire market town’s residents tell us what they really think of Boris Johnson

This was one of our most read stories of the year, as we went out onto the streets of Tory heartland Oundle to ask shoppers what they thought of then PM Boris Johnson’s lockdown party antics.

Retired teacher Trish Shingles opinions on the former prime minister struck a chord with many. (We’re sure Johnson has been called worse).

On a mission to level up

A regular topic we returned to throughout the year was reports from the county’s five ‘left behind neighbourhoods’, areas recognised by the government as suffering from high deprivation levels coupled with poor social infrastructure.

The Northamptonshire MPs who believe they should have a say over women’s bodies

Women’s lives and the challenges they can face, are a focus for our reporting. Following the banning of abortion in many American states we looked at the views and voting records of the county’s MPs.

The Northamptonshire woman who dedicated her life to helping the poor

Were you aware the first female mayor in London was born in Raunds?

Anger over large HMOs owned by Northampton MP's family

Mentor and protege

The seven MPs who represent the different constituencies in Northants are always on our reporting radar. These were a couple of exclusive stories.

Inflation busting allowance of leading Conservatives revealed

The unitary councils and their leaders were the regular subject of reports.

Here’s a reminder of when the Conservative north unitary councillors voted to give themselves an inflation busting payrise.

The growing secret society influence at the heart of West Northants Council

The Freemasons and its circle of influence in Northamptonshire, has been an issue we have looked at a few times since we launched. Here is a story published back in July

‘I’d be lying if I said there weren’t says when we feel like we can’t go on’

We reported on the tragic story of baby Reggie who died at just six weeks old. His full inquest is due to happen in February and we will bring you further reports on this tragedy

‘I can’t afford the electricity to charge my wheelchair’

We also regularly reported on the cost of living crisis. Here is one report

---

All of our stories are available on our archive.