FRIDAY
Music
Bozeat: The Seven Sinners, Red Lion.
Finedon: Acoustic open mic night, The Bell, 8.30pm*.
Northampton: Live music with Cornerstone, barbecue and raffle, The Squirrels PH, Duston, 7pm-late. £2 entry. In aid of the Air Ambulance. Wear a sports top. 024 7663 9043.
Northampton: The Rebel and Ricky Aron (Elvis impersonators), United Trades WMC, Balmoral Road. £5 on the door.
Northampton: Peter Mylett (Irish vocalist), Halfway House, Kingsthorpe Road.
Northampton: Tom Lynch, Swan and Helmet, Clare Street, 9pm-11.30pm.
Northampton: Mike Nelson, Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road. CIU rules.
Northampton: Tony Gee, Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road.
Northampton: Stratacoustic duo (70s-present), Kingsley Park WMC, Wellingborough Road. CIU rules.
Northampton: Live music with DJ Bashir, Portmor Tavern, Castle Street (behind Sol Central)*.
Northampton: Sean Laney, Golden Horse, Southampton Road.
OTHER
Chapel Brampton: Touring Caravan Club of Mid Counties Section Open Rally. From lunchtime Aug 15 to Aug 17 at Northampton-Lamport Railway. Open to everyone with a tent, caravan or motorhome as long as they have their own chemical toilet. £7 per night. Northampton 473493 or 01908 312000.
Higham Ferrers: Exhibition, Interpretations of a Very English Landscape by Daxa Parmar, Chichele College, Aug 15, 16 and 17, 11am-4pm.
Northampton: Charity pub quiz, Crown and Anchor, Victoria Road, 7.30pm.
Northampton: Northampton Balloon Festival, The Racecourse, Aug 15-17. Friday: Balloon launch 6am and 6pm (weather permitting); live music, arena events, circus marquee; 9.30pm balloon glow; 10pm fireworks display.
Salcey Forest: Guided walk with an artist; meet at Salcey Forest car park, 6.30pm.

SATURDAY
MUSIC
Blisworth: The Fabulous Rockin' Blues Pimps, The Walnut Tree, Station Road, 9.30pm.
Brafield-on-the-Green: Tommy Kavanagh, WMC, 8pm-11.15pm; hot food available.
Cogenhoe: Live band and bingo, Sports and Social Club; adm £1. Northampton 890882*.
Great Doddington: Live band, WMC, Lower Street; free*.
Harpole: Paul Lyon (vocalist), The Bull, 9pm.
Harrington: The Zenith Hot Stompers, trad jazz, Harrington Church, 7pm. Tickets £8 (chld £4) includes a glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets from Tourist Office, Kettering, ABC Music of Market Harborough or on the door.
Little Harrowden: Live entertainment, WMC, High Street*.
Lyddington: Soloists of the Philharmonia, St Andrew's Church, 7.30pm. Tickets £12 in advance on 01572 820017 or £14 on the door (students £2).
Northampton : Wordsworth 10th anniversary gig plus Schoppeband and free barbecue, 7.30pm, The Romany, Kingsley Road.
Northampton: Howard Smith and The Razors (blues), The Wig and Pen, St Giles Street, 9.30pm.
Northampton: One2Many, Crown and Anchor, Victoria Road.
Northampton: Stolen Mojo, O'Malley's, Wellingborough Road.
Northampton: Red Thunder, tribute to Elvis, Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road. CIU rules apply.
Northampton: Tall Storey, Foundry Tavern, St James Road.
Northampton: Phyzical (band), Kingsley Park WMC, Wellingborough Road. CIU rules.
Northampton: The Rambler, Swan and Helmet, Clare Street, 9pm.
Northampton: Drum and base, The Crispin, Clare Street*.
Northampton: Without a Doubt, British Rail Club, St Andrew's Road.
Roade: Ray Burdett, The Cock.
Rushden: Spirit of '77, Windmill Club, Glassbrook Road.
SPORT
Altrincham: Blue Square Premier football - Altrincham v Kettering Town, 3pm.
Clermont: ASM Clermont v Northampton Saints, rugby union friendly, 6pm.
Milton Keynes: Coca Cola Football League One - MK Dons v Northampton Town, 3pm.
Northampton: Wackies Activities Club; Saturday morning football coaching at East Haddon, 9.30am-noon for 5-12 year-old boys and girls; holiday activities, residential holidays; daily after-school club. Paul Hibberson, Northampton 762981/07836 371563.
SHOWS AND SALES
Kettering: Carnival coffee day, All Saints' Church, William Street, 11am-4pm. Lunches, refreshments and stalls.
Northampton: Garage sales, Corran Close, Harlestone Road, Duston (next to Nazareth House), 10am-2pm.
Northampton: Northampton Balloon Festival, The Racecourse. Balloon launch 6am and 6pm (weather permitting); live music, arena events; 9.30pm Balloon glow; 10pm fireworks display.
Northampton: Sale of books and bric-a-brac outside Kingsley Park Methodist Church, 10am-12.30pm.
Oundle: Antiques and collectors' fair, Oundle School, Great Hall, 9.30am-4.30pm, Sat & Sun. Adults £1.95, OAPs £1.75, chld free. 01780 410286.
OTHER
Canons Ashby: 'Aspects of Canons Ashby', Aug 16-20. An exhibition of work from members of Daventry & District Embroiderers' Guild at Canons Ashby House and church, 1pm-5pm.
Chapel Brampton: Touring Caravan Club Mid Counties Section Open Rally at Northampton-Lamport Railway. Open to anyone with a tent, caravan or motorhome as long as they have their own chemical toilet. £7 per night (Aug 15-17). Northampton 473493 or 01908 312000.
Daventry: Discover the History of Norton Hall at Daventry Library, 10am; an exhibition and talk by Marcus Lewis. Entry £2 includes light refreshments.
Harrington: Carpetbaggers Secret War Museum, Harrington Airfield, 10am-4pm, weekends and bank holidays; adults £4, child £2. 01536 519272*.
Northampton: Exhibition at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Guildhall Road: 'Streetlife' - the history of the Spring Boroughs, Aug 16-29.
Northampton: Northants Creation Group - discussing topics relating to the scientific evidence for/against creation/evolution, The Abbey Centre, East Hunsbury (no time given). Northampton 766476.
Sywell: Sywell Aviation Museum at Sywell Aerodrome, 10.30am-4.30pm weekends and bank holidays (other times by appointment); free entry; donations welcome; aircraft viewing area, bar and restaurant. Northampton 811582 or 0796 806 1708*.

SUNDAY
MUSIC
Brafield-on-the-Green: Pete Lesley, 8pm, WMC; hot food available.
Chapel Brampton: Acoustic night, The Brampton Halt.
Greens Norton: The Beer Parlour Jivers, The Butcher's Arms, 4pm-7pm.
Northampton: One2Many, 7pm, The Garibaldi, Bailiff Street.
Northampton: Blueprint (rock & roll band), Gardener's Arms, Wellingborough Road, 7pm-9.30pm.
Northampton: The Scopies (punk/rock cover band), The Romany, Kingsley Road, 8.30pm.
Northampton: Francine (female vocalist), Monks Park WMC, Wellingborough Road, 4pm-7pm.
Northampton: Christie Pepper, Halfway House, Kingsthorpe Road, 4pm-7pm.
Northampton: Dee Marie (50s-current), Kingsley Park WMC, Wellingborough Road. CIU rules.
Northampton: Pigs Trotters, Swan and Helmet, Clare Street, 6.30pm-9pm.
Northampton: Jackie, Spread Eagle, Wellingborough Road, 5pm-8pm.
Northampton: Live music, 3pm-6pm; karaoke 8pm-late, Portmor Tavern, Castle Street*.
Old Stratford: Folk session, The Swan (evening).
Stony Stratford: Folk session, Vaults Bar, The Bull (lunchtime)*.
THEATRE
Northampton: Artemis Fowl - Fairies, Fiends and Flatulence! Eoin Colfer Live! Royal Theatre, 2pm. Box office Northampton 624811.
SPORT
Irthlingborough: Blue Square Premier football - Rushden & Diamonds v Wrexham, Nene Park, 3pm.
OTHER
Finedon: Local History Society 'Finedon in the 1950s', Friends Meeting House, High Street, 2pm-4pm, Sats & Suns or by appointment on 01933 680700*.
Harrington: Carpetbaggers Secret War Museum, Harrington Airfield, 10am-4pm weekends and bank holidays. Adults £4, chld £2. 01536 519272*.
Irchester: Steaming Up! every Sunday, 10am-4pm, Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Irchester Country Park. Britain's only metre gauge collection of steam and diesel locomotives plus various other exhibits, Thomas the Tank engine gifts and collectables; free adm. 01933 276866.
Kettering: Kettering Cyclists' Touring Club. All day 100 kms Leicestershire loop ride. Meet at East Carlton country park at 9.30am. 01536 712507.
Sibbertoft: Tea and cakes, the Reading Room every Sunday 3pm-
5.30pm; lunches for up to ten people (must be pre-booked). Signposted from Kelmarsh. In aid of St Helen's Church. 01858 880393*.
Sywell: Sywell Aviation Museum, Sywell Aerodrome, 10.30am-4.30pm weekends and bank holidays (other times by appointment); free entry; donations welcome; aircraft viewing area, bar and restaurant. 0796 806 1708 or Northampton 811582.
PRESERVED RAILWAY
Chapel Brampton: Northampton & Lamport Railway. Pitsford Road. Trains running from 11.45am Sundays; open for viewing weekday afternoons and Sundays; Volunteers always wanted. Northampton 820327*.
SHOWS AND SALES
Kettering: Companion Dog Show, Wicksteed Park; entries taken from 11am; £1.50 per class. 01832 720347.
Northampton: Annual open day, Southfields Allotment, Billing Lane, 11am-3pm, fresh produce for sale, craft stall, cakes, preserves, barbecue and lots more.
Northampton: Northampton Balloon Festival, The Racecourse. Balloon launch 6am and 6pm (weather permitting); music, entertainment and stalls.
Oundle: Oundle: Antiques and collectors' fair, Oundle School, Great Hall, 9.30am-4.30pm, Sat & Sun. Adults £1.95, OAPs £1.75, chld free. 01780 410286.

MONDAY
MUSIC
Blisworth: Old time and bluegrass session, The Walnut Tree, Station Road, 8pm.
Wilby: The Nighthawks, The Horseshoe.
OTHER
Bugbrooke: Quiz night, Five Bells, 9pm*.
Kettering: Kettering Bridge Club, 2pm and 7.30pm; £2.50 per session. Venue details 01536 502795*.
Kettering: Meditation in a Tibetan Buddhist tradition, 7pm-9pm, Friends' Meeting House, Northall Street. Kagyu Samye Dzwong Northamptonshire. 07812 567 496.
Kettering: Healing service, Kettering Spiritualists Church, St Peter's Avenue, 7.30pm. 01536 501970*.
Moulton: Junior Movers, children's exercise, 3.4pm at Savers Day Nursery. 01536 520795*.
Moulton: Art group, Moulton village hall, 1pm-4pm. Northampton 405923*.
Northampton: Chatterbox social group for the over 50s and adults with disabilities, Doulton House, 7 Cattlemarket Road (access via Bidders Close, off Auctioneers Way), 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30pm-3.30pm. Games, quizzes, guest speakers; new members welcome.
Northampton: Northampton Duplicate Bridge, 7.30pm, 16 The Crescent; non-members welcome. Northampton 630546*.
Northampton: Art group, Abington community centre, Wheatfield Road South, 2pm-4pm; new members welcome. Northampton 632048*.
Northampton: The Red Rose Club social afternoon, St James community centre, 2pm-4pm*.
Northampton: Recycle and Revamp your Furniture Club, Mons & Thurs, 9.30am-11.30am, Delapre Primary School Rothersthorpe Road. Turn junk into funk. £2 a session*.
Northampton: Dyslexia help for children, one-to-one tuition, every Mon during term-time, Lyncrest School, Duston, 4.30pm-5.30pm. Northampton 881934/454379*.
Raunds: St John Ambulance Badgers, 6.30pm-7.30pm; adults 8pm-9.30pm. 01832 737931*.
Rushden: Rushden Chess Club, Conservative Club, High Street South, 7.30pm. 01832 710449*.
Salcey Forest: Walk into shape at Salcey Forest, 10.30am-noon every Monday from the cafe. 07834 765 590*.

TUESDAY
MUSIC
Burton Latimer: Jam night, kit provided, 8.45pm Burton Country Club; 01933 665575*.
Higham Ferrers: Live music; floor singers welcome, Carriage House, 01933 314769*.
Irthlingborough: Rushden & District Organ Club, 7.30pm The Band Club, Victoria Street; 01933 314022*.
Kettering: Jam night, rock and blues, Kettering Town FC, Rockingham Road, 9pm*.
Northampton: New club for young musicians age 11-18; meet to rehearse and plan for future gigs. Russell House, Rickyard Road, 7pm-9.30pm. Northampton 784499*.
Northampton: Open mic, The Crispin, Great Russell Street*.
Northampton: Acoustic jam night hosted by Smike, Bat and Wickets, Bailiff Street, 8.30pm*.
Wilby: Acoustic night, George Inn, 8.30pm*.
OTHER
Bugbrooke: Clairvoyance with Jenny Grayson, community centre, Camp Hill, Camp Close, 8pm-10pm. £4 on the door, Northampton 832792.
Denton: Art class, Denton primary school, 7pm-9pm. 01327 358864*.
East Haddon: Friendly art group, village hall, 2pm-4.30pm; all abilities welcome. Northampton 890197*.
Kettering: Kettering Cyclists Touring Club. Morning ride to Brixworth (Olive Branch Cafe). Meet at Rothwell at 9.30am or Brixworth at 11am. 01536 712507.
Northampton: Northampton and District Model Boat Club, Southfields community centre, Farmhill Road, 7.30pm. Northampton 601828.
Northampton: Health walks start at 9.30am from Kingsthorpe College reception, Boughton Green Road. Northampton 716106 ext 1219*.
Northampton: GayLine, social support for gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women, 8-10pm. Northampton 628986*.
Rushden: Coffee shop, light refreshments, Rushden Mission Church, 10am-12.30pm*.

WEDNESDAY
MUSIC
Corby: Corby Co-op Singers, ladies singing group, St Columba's Church Hall, Studfall Avenue, 7pm. 01536 393216*.
Kettering: Curvy Love Dogz (60s-current pop/rock), The Wayfarers Inn, 9pm.
Northampton: Live music, Headlands PH, Longland Road*.
Northampton: Freeway Jam, The Malt Shovel Tavern, 121 Bridge Street. Northampton 234212*.
Northampton: Kev's acoustic jam session, Romany PH, Kingsley Road every week*.
Northampton: Open stage, Portmor Tavern, Castle Street*.
OTHER
Cogenhoe: Keep on the move for 50+, the village hall, 9.30am-10.30am. 01327 358864*.
Corby: Corby & District RAFA meet at the Norman Match Suite, Grampian Club, 7.30pm. 07910 213013.
Kettering: Art session for pre-school children, 9.45am-10.30am, Barton Hall, Barton Seagrave Road, Kettering. £4 per session*.
Kettering: Home-Start preparation course and support for parents with pre-school children, The Zone, William Knibb Centre, 10am-2pm. 01536 484318*.
Kettering: Mothers and toddlers, St Peter and St Paul's Parish Hall, Market Square, 1.30pm*.
Northampton: Northants Natural History Society (Photographic section). An evening stroll around St James, The River Nene and canal. Meet at St James Mill Road, near Staples Office Supplies at 7.30pm. Northampton 401813.
Northampton: Northampton and District Model Railway Club, 7.30pm, Kingsthorpe community centre, Mill Lane (near Cock Hotel). 01933 413500 (evens).Northampton: Quiz and Aces High, Kingsley Park WMC, Wellingborough Road. CIU rules Wollaston: Mothers Union, the library, Wollaston School, 7.30pm. 01536 726032*.

THURSDAY
MUSIC
Barton Seagrave: Five Star Swing, The Stirrup Cup, Woodlands Avenue, 9pm-11pm free.
Irchester: Live Music, The 19th, 8.45pm; free*.
Northampton: Joe McMahon jam session, Swan and Helmet, Clare Street.
Northampton: Jam session, The Romany, Kingsley Road*.
Towcester: Craig's open mic night; all acoustic instruments and styles welcome, Monk and Tipster, 8pm*.
Woodford: Open mic night, The Duke's Arms, 8.30pm*.
SPORT
Bugbrooke: Badminton Club, Campion School, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Northampton 831314.
Northamptonshire: Star Range Country Sports. Air rifle club target shooting; various locations in East Northants on Weds & Thurs 7.15pm-9.15pm (also Sundays 10.30am-1.30pm). There is also a junior section
for under-17s plus an educational programme. 01933 651219*.
OTHER
Earls Barton: Christian bible talks, St John Ambulance Hall, Manor Road, 7.30pm (also Sundays 4.30pm). Northampton 810330*.
Higham Ferrers: Rainbow Guides for ages 5-7, Bede House, 6pm-7.15pm. 01933 314539*.
Kettering: Social poker and poker tutor; regular fun game. Venue details 07720 844500*.
Kettering: Prayers, open discussion, fellowship. Bahais of Kettering, 7.30pm. Details 01536 741836*.
Northampton: Northampton Duplicate Bridge, 7.30pm, 16 The Crescent. Northampton 630546*.
Northampton: Carpet bowls, The Abbey Centre, East Hunsbury, 7pm-9pm. Northampton 760965/410956*.
Northampton: Whist drive, Boothville Hall, rear of Boothville post office) 7.30pm; all welcome. Northampton 890218*.
Northampton: Recycle and Revamp your Furniture Club, Thurs & Mons, 9.30am-11.30am, Delapre Primary School, Rothersthorpe Road. £2 a session*.
Northampton: Over 50s Scrabble Club, 1pm-3pm, Circle Café, Jesus Centre, Abington Square*.
Northampton: Cotton
Go-Getters for a healthy lifestyle for the over 55s, 10am-12.15pm followed by lunch at Delapre Primary School, Rothersthorpe Road. Northampton 761456*.
Northampton: Art group, Parklands community centre, 10am-1pm. Northampton 405923*.
Rushden: Creative arts group, Full Gospel Church, High Street South, 7.30pm-9.30pm. 01933 316171*.
Towcester: Country market, Chantry House, Market Square, 8.30am-noon*.
Wellingborough: Youth Dance Project for 11-18 year-olds during school holidays - Street Dance, 3pm-4.30pm, Victoria Centre, Palk Road. Sessions cost £1. 01933 277400.