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…
13. Baffle the Badger
Shoe Town showed its animal magnetism in 2020 when a wild badger fell through the ceiling of Superdrug, reportedly "making a mess" of the perfume section before hiding under shelves as it took shelter from Storm Ciara. Photo: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
14. Baffle the Badger
Memorably, the incident even made BBC Radio Four’s lunchtime news bulletin. The badger, later named Baffle, was eventually returned to safety in the countryside and a blue plaque mounted in the Grosvenor Centre in its honour. Photo: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
15. Philistine of the Year
Northampton Borough Council was scorned by the art world in 2013 when they announced they would sell a 4,000-year-old Egyptian statue to fund museum renovations. Photo: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
16. Philistine of the Year
Council leader David Mackintosh was branded ‘Philistine of the Year’ and the council was thrown out of the Museums Association on ethical grounds while the statue sold at Christie's for 15.6m. Photo: Northampton Chronicle & Echo