Friday brief: ‘Putin go away and leave us alone’
Plus some news from the county, Westminster Watch and some activities for the weekend
Corby’s townsfolk stood in quiet reflection at a candlelit vigil for the people of Ukraine last night.
About 150 people gathered outside the Corby Cube and heard the speech of Ukrainian national Eugene Moroi, who has lived in the town for the past three years.
He had been in Ukraine visiting his family in Odessa and managed to leave his home country and return to Corby just two days before the fighting broke out.
“I just want to tell you how horrible the situation is,’ he told those gathered. “No one expected this. Everybody was living their lives. We were free, we were happy. Not everything in Ukraine is good. It’s not, I’m not going to lie.
“I just want to say,’ Putin go away and leave us alone’”.
Speaking to NN Journal afterwards Eugene said he is grateful for what the UK and its western allies are doing to try and stop Putin in his Russian invasion of its neighbour.
But he said he does not think the west should enter the war themselves as it would start a much larger, world war.
The TV news reports have shown Ukrainians making homemade weapons and declaring they will stay in their cities and fight the Russians despite the odds being stacked against them, but Eugene did not want to stay and fight.
He said: “No one wants to die. For what? Political games. Why are innocent people, children, suffering?
People from across the town gathered and lit candles in a show of unity with the embattled country and its citizens. Now into the second week of the conflict, it is estimated that more than 200 Ukrainians have been killed in the war which Putin has told his people is about ‘liberating’ the nation. He has faced condemnation from across the world for his actions.
Hannah Fairhurst went along with her family.
“We came to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“I think we should be doing more as a country to take in more people who are fleeing the war.”
Kellie Hughes was also there. She was concerned about the actions the UK government is taking.
She said: “The sanctions are taking too long,” she said. “And I think we need to get troops on the ground”.
So far the Western nations have been sending weapons to the Ukraine and sanctioning Putin’s oligarchs but have not committed any of their own military into action in the under siege country.
Unitary council leader Jason Smithers was at the vigil along with a number of members of his executive, as well as the MPs for Wellingborough and Corby.
Asked what he thinks should happen to Russia after the war ends, Peter Bone MP was in a reflective mood.
I just don’t know how this crisis ends,” he said . “I can’t predict what will happen. I see now other option than it must fail.”
News in brief
A 39 year-old Kettering man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Marta Chmielecka who was found dead at her home in Kettering in October. Marta’s ex-husband Pawel Chmielecki, was detained at the scene after stabbing himself when police entered the property. Officers believe Marta could have been killed days before. In a statement her family said: “Marta was always smiling. She was a very kind and caring person and life will never be the same without her. We miss her every day.”
Northamptonshire Police are appealing for a potential witness to come forward following the attempted murder and rape of a woman in Wellingborough. CCTV footage has been released of a man they believe was present in Great Park Street, Wellingborough, at around 6am on Sunday February 6. The images can be viewed here: https://www.northants.police.uk/news/northants/news/in-court/2022/march-22/appeal-for-potential-witness-of-wellingborough-assault-to-come-forward/
MP for South Northamptonshire Andrea Leadsom has written to the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities Michael Gove following meetings with WNC about warehouse planning applications in Towcester. The letter said: https://www.nnjournal.co.uk/p/these-developments-are-the-most-significant?s=w
“As detailed in the attached document, the Save Towcester Now group believe that the AL3 Tiffield Lane application fails many of the objective tests set by West Northamptonshire Council in AL3 application on 27 January and the Save Towcester Now action group believe this was on inaccurate advice from planning offices that did not reflect the inspectorate’s proposed adjustments to the local plan. I would be grateful if you would urgently write to Cllr Jonathan Nunn Conservative leader of West Northamptonshire Council and Stuart Timmiss executive director place and economy at West Northamptonshire Council.
“Please will you urge them to focus on their legal responsibility to ensure that all aspects of the West Northamptonshire Council local plan as inherited from South Northamptonshire Council, and as amended by the inspectorate must be taken into consideration in the final stage considerations of the AL3 application.”
A collection for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Poland is being organised by the Northampton Polish Supplementary school. People can donate canned and dried food, clothes, blankets, toiletries and toys to Caroline Chisholm school on Saturday from 9- 1pm.
Westminster Watch
MPs will pocket an extra £2,212 per year as their annual salaries are increased from £81,932 to £84,144. Their pay is set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) who say the 2.7 per cent rise is in line with public sector pay increases.
This comes at a time when many MPs’ constituents are struggling with the rising cost of living. The prime minister and the leader of the Labour party have previously said a pay rise for members of parliament should not go ahead this year.
The chair of IPSA Richard LLoyd said MPs’ work had dramatically increased last year.
Independent of the week
Tucked away on Colwyn Road in Northampton is the trendy Old Grocery Espresso Bar. Great coffee and food and they also hold events. Open Wednesday to Saturday 9-4 and 9-3 on Sunday.
NN Culture
👩🏽 Local groups and organisations (including NN Journal) are coming together to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Guildhall in Northampton on Saturday. The event is open to the public between 11 -3pm. More information here https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/news/local-groups-come-together-celebrate-international-womens-day
🛍 There’s a vintage market at Chester Farm on Saturday between 10 - 4pm. You need to pre-book a car park space which you can do here https://chesterhouseestate.org/plan-your-visit/where-to-find-us/
✈ There’s a book and model sale at the Sywell Aviation Museum on Sunday between 10-2pm. Military/aviation books, model kits, diecast models and more will be available.
🍔 Bite Street is back at the County Ground in Northampton this weekend. The street food pop-up will be held on Friday 4 March - 5.30pm to 10pm. Saturday 5 March - 1pm to 9.30pm. Last orders for drinks 30 mins before closing. Kitchens close at 9.30pm on Friday and 9pm on Saturday.
🎹 Local bands will be performing at the Welcome Back to Music Event at Saxon Hall in Raunds on Saturday from 11am-11pm. Free tickets can be booked here: WWW.RAUNDS-TC.GOV.UK.