The Chronicle & Echo has brought its readers local news for more than 90 years — throughout Her Majesty’s reign. But there’s been more than one occasion since 1952 when eyes of the nation have focused on Northampton for good and bad reasons. Here’s just a few…
9. Ding family murders
Anxiang Du slaughtered former business partner Jifeng ‘Jeff’ Ding, his wife Helen and their two daughters Xing — also known as Nancy — aged 18 and 12-year-old Alice during a horrific attack at their home on Royal Wedding day in 2011. Photo: Northampton Chronice & Echo
10. Ding family murders
Du stabbed university lecturer Jeff 23 times, Helen 13 times, Xing 11 times and Alice four after catching a bus from the train station to Wootton and was finally tracked down in Morocco after a seven-month manhunt and jailed at Northampton Crown Court. Photo: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
11. Council goes bankrupt — TWICE!
The extent of Northamptonshire County Council's budget problems were laid bare in 2018 it became the first council in 20 years to earn a Section 114 ban on spending, effectively declaring itself bankrupt — TWICE! Photo: Getty Images
12. Council goes bankrupt — TWICE
Years of financial mismanagement resulting in debts of around £1billion saw draconian cuts in services and led to the council being scrapped by the government, replaced by two new unitary authorities. Photo: Leon Neal