As we exit May, we’ve cast our beady eye through Northamptonshire’s newspaper archives for some flashing headlines covering this week in past decades.
From youngsters firing toy guns into their friends’ eyes, to strange poisonings by medicine and the town corporation’s purchase of one of our best-loved buildings, Northampton has always been at the forefront of hard-hitting news.
So step into our time machine as we bring you the headlines for the last week of May from our vaults...
5. Mercury & Herald, Northampton - June 14, 1944
The Mercury & Herald of June 14, 1944, reported the case of farmer Philip Percival Penn, 32, of Wootton Hill Farm in Wootton, who was fined over £60 after 11 samples of milk from his farm were found to have been watered down. The case occurred amid tight rationing in Britain, with access to basic food supplies already very restricted for most people. Photo: British Library
6. Northampton Mercury & Herald - June 11, 1954
The Northampton Mercury & Herald of June 11, 1954, reported a story first featured in The Times that new housing estates being built in the post-war town of Corby were of an inferior standard. Corby had been a village prior to 1939, and its population massively increased over ensuing decades. Photo: British Library
7. Northampton Chronicle & Echo - June 14, 1994
30 years ago... The Chronicle & Echo reported the shocking story of a seriously injured accident victim turned away from Northampton General Hospital due to a lack of beds, who instead had to be transported to Kettering Hospital. Photo: National World
8. Northampton Chronicle & Echo - June 15, 1999
25 years ago... The Northampton Chronicle & Echo reported the story of a dead rat found in upmarket restaurant The Chapel Room on Wellingborough Road, which was shut down by environmental health officers while the premises was investigated for a possible infestation. Photo: National World