Latest news with #Rushden
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Rushden self-funded cafe to help homeless people prepares to open
A homeless charity is putting the final preparations in place to open a new self-funded cafe to expand its support for those in 16:15 will open the eatery in Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northamptonshire, at midday on Saturday. Founder Stan Robertson, a former rough sleeper, said Cafe 16:15 has been part of his vision since the charity was created in 2017. He said funds from selling items like jacket potatoes, macaroni cheese and salads would leave the group less reliant on donations. Mr Robertson, who is recovering from a recent stroke, said it secured £20,000 in lottery funding to establish the site. "It's part of my vision to have a facility that helps funds what we do, as apposed to being totally reliant on people's donations all the time, because people can't afford it."It will serve beverages and food, Monday to Friday from 10:00 - 15:00, and will be run by volunteers. "It's not a huge space, it's big enough for us to manage, it's the next step we've wanted to do for some time." He said it can fit about 15 people inside, and 12 outside and will be free of charge for small groups to use on Saturdays. It will also be part of the Chatty Cafe Scheme, where lonely people can come for company and conversation. "There will be no fry-ups, it's not a greasy spoon," he have been set for each item, but there are "suggested donations" for some items to help people who might be struggling, he added. The charity will also still run its mobile food truck, that hands out free breakfasts to homeless people on a Sunday morning in Northampton. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Warehouse fire in Rushden was like a horror movie, say residents
People living near a large warehouse that caught on fire more than two weeks ago said the incident was "like a horror movie". The blaze at Monoworld in Rushden, Northamptonshire, led to a major incident being declared on 23 May, with 15 crews dealing with the fire at its from a large quantity of burning plastic at the recycling site on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate could be seen for the fire being extinguished the same day and the site handed back to the owners, North Northamptonshire Council advised those living nearby to wash homegrown food and clean shoes earlier this week. 'Never seen smoke like that' The Monoworld warehouse sits behind Sue Pettit's garden and she said the fire was "pretty alarming"."It was very black, very thick smoke very high. It did look like a horror movie," she 78-year-old added the fire meant she and her husband had to stay in the house."They told us to keep their doors and windows shut and so there was no point in coming into the garden," she husband Roy added: "The smoke kept me out in the garden for a couple of days. I didn't come out here at all."The 81-year-old added: "I've never, ever seen or experienced smoke like that in the whole of my life."It was jet black, thick and it was rising straight up and then it suddenly turned 90 degrees and came across the bungalow."He said the couple had "taken all the precautions that we were advised to" by the fire service and then the council. 'We were lucky' Eleanor Seers also lives near the industrial estate and has spent 25 years working on her garden, including growing her own fruit and said: "I just grow enough for me and my husband. It's lovely to walk out and pick your own produce."The 74-year-old said she was out walking her dog on the morning of the fire about the time it broke out and "could see the smoke".When she returned home, she added, "I could see the flames behind [the smoke, that is] how near it was".Ms Seers was worried the flames, smoke and debris would damage her garden."It would have been [lost] because it's 25 years of work. We were lucky," she said. 'Common-sense approach' North Northamptonshire Council said the advice it gave to wash homegrown food and clean shoes was "precautionary".In a statement the authority said: "In conjunction with our partner agencies, we have suggested some short-term actions, as a reminder, of general advice in what is a low risk, temporary situation – a number of which would be seen as a common-sense approach when dealing with home-grown produce for example." Rushden warehouse fire: A timeline 23 May 06:30 BST: Fire breaks out at at the Monoworld recycling site23 May 11:45: Major incident declared with 15 fire engines tackling the blaze23 May 16:30: Major incident stood down but firefighters remained on site27 May: Businesses on the industrial estate were allowed to reopen30 May: Fire service said the fire was accidental and likely caused by a battery4 June: Residents issued advice by North Northamptonshire Council to wash homegrown food and clean shoes Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
People in Rushden told 'wash food and shoes' after Monoworld fire
People living near a warehouse engulfed by fire nearly a fortnight ago have been told to wash homegrown food and clean Environment Agency (EA) has agreed "limited activities" can now take place at Monoworld in Rushden, Northamptonshire, where a major incident was declared on 23 from a large quantity of burning plastic at the recycling site on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate could be seen for advice to clean produce and outdoor footwear - as well as garden furniture and cars - was issued by North Northamptonshire Council. A spokesperson for the authority said: "Air quality has improved, and residents are no longer advised to keep doors and windows closed."They added that monitoring of local watercourses had not revealed "any adverse impacts" on water or wildlife "as most of the fire water run-off was contained on site or diverted to foul sewer". What is the advice? The council has told gardeners and allotment holders towash hands thoroughly after working and before handling foodremove and clean outdoor shoes before going insidewash produce thoroughly under a running tapremove outer leaves of vegetablesclean smoke residue from garden furniture and carsIt said anyone who experiences breathing difficulties should contact their doctor or dial 999. On Wednesday, the council said the EA was now allowing "limited activities" at Monoworld "as long as the company remains compliant with their environmental permit, working practices, and it remains safe to so".The incident has now been closed by the fire service. Parts of the industrial estate not affected by the blaze "remain operational". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Huge blaze at Rushden recycling site started accidentally
A large fire at a recycling warehouse that caused a giant plume of black smoke was started accidentally, the fire service said.A major incident was declared on 23 May while 15 crews fought the blaze at Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate in Rushden, county's fire service said the cause of the blaze was the "spontaneous combustion of a viable ignition source" - though the source of the ignition "cannot be determined".The site will be handed back to the owners, although firefighters will continue to stay at the scene to monitor temperatures and dampen down hotspots. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Keep doors shut' warning six days after huge fire in Rushden
Some residents near the scene of a huge fire have been told to keep their doors and window shut six days after the blaze advice from the fire service applies to people affected by smoke from the incident at Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden, service said all roads in the area had now been reopened and that firefighters still remained on site.A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were "undertaking checks of the site throughout today [Thursday] to monitor temperatures and dampen down remaining hotspots." The fire started shortly before 06:30 BST on 23 May at a recycling warehouse on the industrial estate. A total of 15 crews from across Northamptonshire and surrounding counties were called to the site and a major incident was were closed and people living nearby were told to keep their doors and windows days on, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said: "Local residents that are still affected by the smoke are advised to continue keeping their windows shut". Some roads were temporarily closed on the industrial estate on Wednesday but have now been said investigations into the cause of the fire were continuing. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
