Welcome to the village of Old
About our village
Old is situated in the rural heart of Northamptonshire with a population of over 400 people living in almost 200 homes of various styles, sizes and ages including a number of listed buildings made of local stone. The historic village grew around the year 2000 as a result of the construction of new homes at Cherry Hill.
The name Old is derived from the Saxon 'Walda' (meaning woodland or high heathland) and can be traced back to the Domesday book, becoming Wolde in the fourteenth century and then Old by the 1930s.
Today the village comprises an active community spanning all ages that enjoy getting together as a community for various village events throughout the year including a fete, village dances, plays and productions, pub quizzes and a wide variety of sporting and social groups.
At the heart of the village is the historic church of St Andrews which holds weekly services for its congregation. Together with the White Horse pub and restaurant, St Andrews can be seen from the central Jubilee Tree.
The village also boasts a large playing field which is home to the Old Cricket Club and our village hall which opened in December 2010.
The village's most endearing physical feature is arguably its restful pace and its beautiful surrounding countryside with widespread cultivation of cereal crops and rape as well as traditional pasture fields supporting grazing cattle, sheep and horses. These features can be enjoyed using various paths and bridleways.
Latest News
West Northamptonshire Council unveiled its new Coat of Arms
Please find below a message from West Northamptonshire Council:
A new Coat of Arms for West Northamptonshire was unveiled at last night's Annual Council meeting to officially symbolise and celebrate civic pride across our area.
The heraldic design has been officially granted to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and will promote the new authority area, which was created on 1 April 2021 as part of the biggest reorganisation of local government in the county for nearly 50 years. More »
In line with strict royal tradition and procedure, the Coat of Arms has been hand-drawn and granted to West Northamptonshire Council by the College of Arms, a centuries-old authority which acts for the Crown on all official heraldic matters.
In a highly traditional process that has taken nearly two years to complete, the Arms have been granted by the Kings of Arms, the three senior Officers of Arms, who act on behalf of the Crown and were subject to the approval of the Earl Marshal, who has overall responsibility for the College of Arms within the Royal Household.
The design has been specially drawn to reflect and represent West Northamptonshire's proud history and heritage, taking a number of elements from the Coats of Arms of the former Northampton Borough, Daventry and South Northants districts and county.
The new Coat of Arms was presented to Council last night by Councillor André González De Savage, the outgoing Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council and Cllr John Shephard, WNC's new Chairman for the year ahead.
Cllr González De Savage said: "We are honoured to be granted a Coat of Arms for West Northamptonshire. As a new authority bringing together communities of the previous districts and boroughs, it will play a really important role as we continue to develop our new identity of West Northamptonshire and promote civic pride and a sense of place and belonging among residents."
Cllr Shephard added: "Our new Coat of Arms is not only an official symbol of authority for West Northamptonshire but is also a powerful statement of local patriotism and how our area is deeply rich and rooted in tradition, history, and heritage. It is an emblem for all of us to be proud of and we hope residents across our area will fully embrace it as part of the true identity of living in West Northamptonshire."
Key elements of the Coat of Arms include the following:
- A Golden Lion, taken from the arms of Northampton, with a scallop shell on its foot in reference to the arms of the Spencer family who have owned Althorp for 500 years
- A Black Bull, from the county council arms, signifying Edward IV's historic marriage at Grafton, with an iron collar representing agriculture, leatherwork and shoemaking and a horseshoe at its foot in reference to the area's history of metalworking, horseracing at Towcester and horsepower of the motorcars at Silverstone.
- A crest featuring a white castle from the arms of Northampton, on a ring of red roses symbolising county history and wheatsheaves representing the area's many rural settlements and agricultural heritage
- The shield features four traditional rose symbols of Northamptonshire representing Daventry, Brackley, Towcester and Northampton, wheatsheaf for agricultural heritage and a lion's face in allusion to the lions in the respective arms of Northampton and South Northants and the common seal of Brackley. Lines across the shield represent Watling Street (straight) and Grand Union Canal (wavy).
The green and gold, considered interchangeable in heraldry, also reflect the colours used by the previous district and borough authorities alongside the traditional county red rose of Northamptonshire.
Find out more about WNC Coat of Arms on our website.
Contact Information
West Northamptonshire Council Communications Team
communications@westnorthants.gov.uk » Less
Posted: Mon, 22 May 2023 09:45 by Clerk
Meet West Northamptonshire Council’s new Chairman
Please find below a message from West Northamptonshire Council:
West Northamptonshire Council's new Chairman is sails into his role with enthusiasm in a bid to boost civic pride and better connect communities across the area.
Cllr John Shephard received the ceremonial chains of office from outgoing Chairman Cllr André Gonzalez De Sávage at the Council's Annual Meeting in Northampton's historic Guildhall last night (Thursday, 18 May). Cllr Jo Gilford, ward member for Woodford and Weedon was appointed as his vice-chairman. More »
It's a little-known fact that John took a commission in the reserve forces whilst at university and subsequently joined 4th (Volunteer) Battalion Royal Green Jackets, seeing short periods of service in Cyprus, Germany and Belize. He's been a local councillor for over 40 years – and he plans to be equally active and dedicated in the year ahead as Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, supporting local communities and businesses whilst also fundraising for his two chosen charities, Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) and the Army Benevolent Fund.
John, the WNC councillor for Moulton Ward, said: "It's an honour and privilege to be Chairman and I'm looking forward to doing everything I can in the coming year to further raise the profile of West Northamptonshire and the many great communities we have.
"It's really important that our council fully supports and connects with our residents, businesses and community groups and I will be working hard to continue to build these links as well as helping to showcase their amazing achievements."
Originally from Bedford, where his parents were both teachers, John read law at Worcester College, Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in London before he moved to Northampton in the late 1970s to join Becke Phipps (known as HCR) where he was a partner for 35 years, practising in property and administrative law. Shortly after he started his political career serving Daventry District Council as an elected member for the Spratton Ward alongside this role John also chaired a number of committees, was leading on various projects across the area . At WNC he has been a member of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committees. John's passions outside the district have always been sailing, and his family being a proud dad and grandad.
Cllr John Shephard added: "I have chosen to help raise invaluable funds for the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) as I would like to praise and celebrate the work done by the NMPAT and other musical groups in the area and the Army Benevolent Fund providing support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families."
The role of Chairman is a non-political, civic role, which involves representing the Council and West Northamptonshire at events and functions, as well as chairing Council meetings to ensure they are properly run in accordance with the Constitution.
As part of the role, the Chairman is keen to meet and engage with local businesses, schools, community and voluntary groups and other organisations to help raise their profile – if you are organising an event, activity or function and would like the Chairman to attend, please contact the Chairman's Secretary at chairman@westnorthants.gov.uk.
Find out more about the Chairman and its role on our website.
Contact Information
West Northamptonshire Council Communications Team
communications@westnorthants.gov.uk » Less
Posted: Mon, 22 May 2023 09:44 by Clerk
West Northamptonshire awarded funding for new active travel route
Please find below a message from West Northamptonshire Council:
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has been awarded £642,871 funding from Active Travel England to roll-out a new traffic free route in Northampton.
The 1,300-metre route will provide an accessible route through Delapré Park to link Far Cotton with Brackmills, and will encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling whilst providing a missing link between these areas. A planning application showing the routes in Delapré Park has previously been submitted. More »
The funding will also provide covered cycle parking, wayfinding and information boards in the area and support the social prescribing and cycling hub project, which aims to promote mental and physical wellbeing, based at Delapré Abbey.
The route is set to be delivered by March 2024 and forms part of the Active Quarter, a collaborative partnership of key public, third sector and private stakeholders who have come together around a shared ambition to pioneer active travel in the south-west area of Northampton.
The Active Quarter's vision is to create accessible routes and projects in the southwest area of the town to promote active travel and encompass Midsummer Meadow, Beckets Park, Delapré Abbey, Delapré Park Golf Centre, the University of Northampton, Brackmills and the neighbouring Pocket Parks.
Progress has been achieved already with the delivery of projects such as the award-winning Northampton Mountain Bike Park, wheelchair accessible angling platforms around the Nene Valley water-skiing lake, and a partnership between the University of Northampton (UON) and Public Health West Northants to develop Waterside as an 'Active Campus' for staff and students.
Cllr Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: "We are excited to be working with Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust and other local partners to develop this fantastic initiative in the heart of Northampton.
"This new traffic-free route will be safe and accessible for all and will enable residents living in Far Cotton and the town centre to connect with employment opportunities in Brackmills Industrial Estate on foot or by bike. We believe this will help to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
"Furthermore, we hope this project will help to improve residents' mental and physical health and wellbeing by encouraging outdoor activity, whilst also helping existing businesses to grow and develop."
Richard Clinton, Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said: "At the heart of this project lies the firm belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage, regardless of their mode of transport.
"The Delapré Active Travel route will cater to individuals walking, running and users of all types of wheels, including wheelchairs, pushchairs, and bicycles during all seasons. By designing an inclusive route, we are ensuring that everyone can benefit from this traffic free route connecting nature, heritage, education, and employment.
"This project has been a true partnership through securing early-stage development funding to securing this investment from Active Travel England. We are excited about the positive impact the Delapré Active Travel Route will have on our community. It will not only enhance the towns infrastructure but also contribute to the well-being and quality of life for all residents and visitors."
Contact Information
West Northamptonshire Council Communications Team
communications@westnorthants.gov.uk » Less
Posted: Mon, 22 May 2023 09:42 by Clerk
