Mayor’s Carol Service — All Welcome! 
20th December
2:00pm
This council has now determined its precept for 2026/2027 and it will represent and increase of 2% over this year.
This equates to a Council Tax increase of £8.51 per annum for a Band D property.
I must give notice, under Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act
1972, that a vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for the
Burton Latimer Town Council.
For a by-election to be held to fill the vacancy, a request by TEN
registered local government electors in Burton Latimer Town, must
be made, within 14 days of this notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays
and bank holidays) to:
Kamila Coulson-Patel
North Northamptonshire Council
Bowling Green Road
Kettering NN15 7QX
On receipt of a valid request, the Returning Officer will set the date
of an election to be held within 60 days of this notice (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays), in accordance with Rule 5 of
the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales)
Rules 2006.
If an election is not requested, the Town Council will co-opt a
person to fill the vacancy as soon as practicable.
Lionel Thatcher
Town Clerk
Dated: Friday 28 November 2025
Saturday 13th December 2025 from 2.30 to 4PM at Burton Latimer Community Centre
Burton Latimer Christmas Lights Switch-On 2025 
What’s Happening & Where
Millennium Garden Harold Mason Centre Baptist Church Assembly Rooms St Mary’s PTFA
You may have walked through Burton Latimer recently and thought to yourself, “This could be improved,” or “I’m having trouble walking here – someone should really sort this out.” Good news: help is here, and it’s coming from an unexpected but powerful place — Community Payback.
Community Payback is a government-led initiative where individuals who have committed certain offences are given the opportunity to make amends through meaningful, unpaid work in their local area. It’s all about making a real difference — both for the individuals involved and for the wider community.
As part of their rehabilitation, offenders carry out projects that improve public spaces, repair minor damage, and support the wellbeing of residents. In Burton Latimer, these efforts are starting to take shape, and we want you to be involved in shaping what comes next.
Offenders can undertake a wide range of practical tasks, including:
To ensure fairness and public benefit, all Community Payback work must:
We believe everyone deserves a second chance — and we also believe in listening to our residents. If there’s a space in Burton Latimer you think could use some attention, or a project idea that would enhance the town, we want to hear from you.
Whether it’s a pathway that needs clearing, an alley that could be tidied, or a public area in need of a refresh — let us know.
Together, we can help turn small improvements into big changes — making Burton Latimer a better place for all, one project at a time.
Phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with cybercriminals leveraging advanced technologies to deceive individuals and organisations. These evolving tactics make it more challenging to distinguish legitimate communications from malicious ones. Understanding the latest phishing strategies and implementing robust protective measures are essential to safeguarding your personal and professional information. Below, we outline key indicators of phishing attempts and practical steps you can take to enhance your security.
Phishing emails are deceptive messages designed to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. Recognising the following indicators can help you discern potential phishing attempts:
Phishing emails often use impersonal salutations such as “Dear Customer” or “Hello.” While some attackers may personalise messages with your name, it’s prudent to verify the authenticity of such emails. If you receive an unexpected message from someone you know, consider contacting them directly through a trusted communication channel to confirm its legitimacy.
Scammers frequently create a false sense of urgency to prompt immediate action. Phrases like “Immediate action required” or “Click now to avoid account suspension” are common tactics. Legitimate organisations typically provide reasonable timeframes for response. Exercise caution and verify any urgent requests through official channels before taking action.
Phishing attempts may employ threatening or coercive language to manipulate recipients. Statements such as “Failure to comply will result in penalties” or “Your account will be locked” are designed to induce panic. Reputable entities do not use intimidation to elicit responses. If an email makes you feel pressured or guilty, it’s advisable to scrutinise it carefully.
Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited emails to avoid phishing scams. Phishing messages often contain hyperlinks that lead to fraudulent websites or attachments that may install malware. Hover over links to preview their destination and verify the sender’s email address to ensure authenticity.
Examine the sender’s email address for discrepancies. Phishers often use addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones but contain subtle misspellings or additional characters. For instance, an email from ” admin@burt0nl4timert0wn.com” instead of “admin@burtonlatimertown.gov.uk” is likely fraudulent. Always verify the sender’s address before responding.
While not all phishing emails contain errors, many exhibit poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or awkward phrasing. Official communications from reputable organisations are typically well-written and professionally formatted. If an email appears unprofessional or contains numerous errors, approach it with caution for it might turn out to be one of those phishing scams.
By remaining vigilant and applying these guidelines, you can better protect yourself from phishing attacks. If you suspect an email is a phishing attempt, refrain from interacting with it and report it to the appropriate authorities.
FMSE scams involve emails that claim to have compromising videos of the recipient, often alleging that malware was installed on their device while visiting adult websites. These emails typically demand a ransom in cryptocurrency, threatening to share the alleged footage with the victim’s contacts if payment isn’t made.
To make these scams more convincing, attackers often include real personal information, such as passwords or home addresses, which they likely obtained from previous data breaches. This tactic aims to create a sense of urgency and fear, compelling the recipient to act without due consideration.
In 2024, the UK witnessed a significant surge in ticket fraud, with reported financial losses escalating by 47% to £9.7 million, up from £6.7 million in 2023. The number of reported incidents also rose by 11%, totaling 9,826 cases. Concerts, particularly those by high-demand artists like Oasis and Taylor Swift, were prime targets, with scams often originating on social media platforms such as Facebook. Victims frequently lost substantial amounts, averaging £346 per incident, with some cases exceeding £1,700.
To safeguard yourself, always purchase tickets through official channels—such as the venue’s box office, authorised agents, or reputable ticket exchange sites. Be cautious of unsolicited offers and avoid making payments via bank transfer; credit card payments offer better fraud protection. Additionally, verify the legitimacy of sellers by checking for the STAR logo and ensure the website URL is authentic.
The logo of STAR: Secure Tickets from Authorised Retailers
We usually don’t think twice when one of our Facebook friends sends us a message. But in the case of your social media account getting hacked, you should keep an eye open.
This kind of scam is known as on-platform chain hacking. It happens when a fraudster gains control of a social media account and starts impersonating the legitimate owner. The impersonator’s goal is to trick the victim’s friends or contacts into revealing authentication codes sent to their phones—codes which are actually linked to their own accounts. Many victims assume it’s just a friend asking for help, but unknowingly end up handing over access to their own account.
Once the hacker has control, they often monetize the access by promoting fraudulent schemes, all while continuing to impersonate the original account holder. So, if a friend’s account suddenly messages you with a suspicious link or asks for a code, don’t respond right away—call or text your friend using another method to confirm it’s really them. For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud, visit Action Fraud’s website.
Dealing with online scammers and cyber attacks can be incredibly distressing. In this day and age, it’s no longer enough to just lock our doors in the physical world—we need to secure our digital lives too. That’s where cybersecurity comes in. Staying alert, educating ourselves, and taking simple precautions can go a long way in protecting our personal information and online identities. Stay safe, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to ask questions when something doesn’t feel right.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to section 87(2) of the Local
Government Act 1972 there are two vacancies on the Town Council.
The Council proposes to fill the vacancies by co-option and if any
member of the Town would like to be considered for co-option please
contact the Town Clerk.
The deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is noon on Friday 20
June 2025 and a decision will be made by the Council at their meeting
on 1 July 2025.
Lionel Thatcher
Town Clerk
townclerk@burtonlatimertown.gov.uk
14 May 2025
Grocery bills are climbing, and sadly, food insecurity is still a real challenge for many people in the UK as we head into 2025. Amid this growing need, a staggering 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted across the country every year. Even more alarming is that around 71% of this waste is still perfectly edible—highlighting a massive, often overlooked opportunity to combat both waste and hunger.
That’s where the Burton Latimer community pantry comes in—a ray of hope for the community, though it’s also a reminder of how much work still needs to be done.
When people hear about the Burton Latimer Community Pantry, it’s valid to ask the question: “Why do we even need this?” But for the Burton Latimer Community Managed Library and Hub, along with the Town Council, the bigger question is: “How can we help our neighbours access the food they need and make a meaningful difference?”
The pantry not only helps bridge the gap for families in need but also underscores a much larger issue: how much perfectly good food goes to waste while millions go hungry. It’s a wake-up call—and a starting point for real change.
The pantry idea came from one of our amazing staff members, who has personal experience with relying on food support when she was raising her newborn. Her strength and determination inspired us to take action and apply for Tesco’s Stronger Starts grant. Thanks to a £1,000 grant from Tesco, we were able to get the pantry up and running by setting up a storage room at the Harold Mason Centre to hold all the essential food we would be receiving.
The goal for this pantry is simple but powerful: to make sure those in need have access to the food they require. While we know the pantry won’t be able to feed everyone in Burton Latimer, we truly believe it can make a real difference by helping reduce hunger for many in our community. And that’s what keeps us going—knowing that we’re doing something tangible to support our neighbours and make a positive impact where it’s needed most. Every person we help motivates us to keep reaching out and doing more.
At our pantry, we pride ourselves on maintaining a “no strings attached” approach to help those in need. All we ask is that visitors come in, fill out a simple form, and provide proof of residency in Burton Latimer. It’s our way of ensuring that the support goes to the right people, without any complicated procedures.
However, while we offer this open door, we maintain strict standards of respect within our community. We do not tolerate any form of abuse—whether it’s towards our pantry goods, our staff, or our dedicated volunteers. Our mission is to create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone, where kindness and respect are at the forefront.
We kindly ask for a £3 donation per person, per visit. This small contribution helps us keep the pantry stocked—especially with essential items that aren’t often donated and need to be purchased. Rest assured, we give out way more than you could buy with £3 at the grocery store!
The pantry is open every Wednesday from 09.30 to 12.30 and it is located inside Harold Mason Centre on High Street. The entry is at the back of the building.
We’re so grateful for the incredible support we’ve received to keep the pantry running. Along with the generous £1,000 from Tesco’s Stronger Starts grant, we’re receiving donations from amazing partners like Keelings, Morrisons, and Weetabix. Keelings keeps us stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables every week, Morrisons helps with long-lasting grocery staples, and Weetabix supplies us with their tasty cereals. We truly appreciate everything they’ve done to help the Burton Latimer pantry thrive.
A huge thanks to Northants Telegraph as well for supporting us on our opening day and helping spread the word to even more people in the community!
As well as our brand-new pantry, we’ve got a lovely little community hub right next to the Harold Mason Centre—at the Burton Latimer Community Hub and Library. It’s a welcoming space for everyone in town, whether you’re popping in for help with things like blue badges or housing advice, or just fancy a cuppa and a chat. There are games and activities for both kids and grown-ups, so come along and see what’s happening at the Burton Latimer Community Hub and Library—we’d love to see you!
We’ve seen a greater demand for the pantry than we originally anticipated, with more residents visiting each week. While it’s a reflection of the challenges many are facing, we’re proud to be able to support those in our community who are struggling to put food on the table. With the continued generosity of our partners and their donations, we’ve been able to keep up so far—and we’re hopeful that even more support will allow us to meet the growing need here in Burton Latimer.
If you want to get involved, there are plenty of ways you can contribute to the success of the pantry:
In our close-knit town of Burton Latimer—home to just over 10,000 residents—the new pantry at the Harold Mason Centre is already making a big difference. But this isn’t something that’s just sprung up overnight. Our wonderful library team, who’ve been supporting residents with food and essential resources long before the pantry officially opened, have been at the heart of this effort from the very beginning.
Now, with one of our dedicated library staff members leading the way, the pantry has grown into a fully-fledged community service—organised, welcoming, and built on genuine care. The Burton Latimer Library continues to be a driving force, not just lending a hand, but helping shape the way we support those in need.
Whether you’re seeking help or hoping to offer it, the pantry is here for you. And together—with kindness, teamwork, and a real sense of community—we’re making sure no one in Burton Latimer must face these challenges alone.
Local election reminder, polling from 7AM to 10PM @Burton Latimer Community Hub and Library
📢 Local Election Reminder 📢
Don’t forget —
2025 local elections are happening
📅this Thursday, May 1st,
🕰️polling is from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
🏛️ Polling station @Local Library
🪪 must bring photo id to vote
Make your voice heard!