PEOPLE have been warned about using cash machines in Daventry after a number of incidents in Daventry.

Criminals have been using cash traps where fraudsters stick a device over the slot where the money comes out. The person using the machine waits for the cash which never comes. They then take their card, leave the cashpoint and report the matter to the bank.

The money has been handed out but is stuck to the back of the trap which is removed by the fraudster who pockets the cash. There have also been similar incidents in Northampton.

PC Julia McLeod, of Northampton Safer Community Team, said: “Several incidents of this nature have been reported to us, mainly in the Northampton and Daventry areas.

“This fraud is becoming a national problem and we would ask anyone using cashpoints to check the machine they are using and to be aware of their surroundings.

“The device is neat and cleverly constructed and has netted the criminals quite a bit of cash in recent weeks.

“If you have any concerns about the cashpoint that you are using, move away and use another one.”

Anyone with information about the incident or has been a victim is asked to contact police on 101 or call the relevant bank.

A FREE assessment for people thinking about taking an advanced motoring course will be held in Daventry this weekend.

Advanced Motorists Northampton will at the New Street car park, between Tesco and the police station, between 10am and 3.30pm on Saturday.

The course aims to make people safer and smoother drivers.

It also teaches all the essential ingredients of advanced motoring.

To book a slot for an assessment call Ian Phillips on 07967 651820.

DAVENTRY MP Chris Heaton-Harris will host a surgery this weekend.

Members of the public are welcome to come along and discuss any issues they have at the surgery, which will take place at the Queen of Hearts pub in Wimborne Place.

It will be held on Saturday between 1pm and 2.3opm.

Abbey North councillors Chris Long, Gloria Edwards-Davidson and David Earles will also be there.

AH, the power of the press – it’s so gratifying when random musings get taken up by the wider world, isn’t it?

Admittedly the likes of Jeremy Clarkson get much more exposure when they rashly recommend that public sector strikers should be shot or that people who park in disabled bays should have their legs broken, but plain Fred Goodwin, among others, has reason to rue the ripples that spread out from this humble column.

It only took two weeks of nagging away at the knotty problem of Fred’s tarnished knighthood and lo, it is gone.

But more interesting is that my proposal that there should be an alternative honours list giving public recognition to rascals, idiots and passengers who sit in the back of the rickety rowing boat that is our society, loudly complaining as they scoff all the food and expect the rest of us to handle the rowing, has been taken up by other pundits in the national prints.

My idea that anyone with a knighthood who comes a cropper shouldn’t necessarily lose that title but be forced to use a modified one which brought to the world’s attention the scale of their shame, if only for a specified period of public purgatory, is gathering favour, too.

If at any time in the future the chap ahead of you in the queue for something official mumbles that his name is Slur Fred Nobleedingoodwin just remember where you read it first.

But I’m not one to rest on my laurels, so let’s move on to this week’s big idea, which I hope will sort out that knotty problem of individual human rights weighed against wider society’s needs. See, it’s not just ranting on about things that get on my wick.

So let’s get straight to it – everyone starts off with the same human rights, but you can bump up the level of consideration you deserve by putting yourself out a bit and slip down the ladder if you’re a bit of a scrote.

Suppose we all start off at level three, which is about where we are at the moment.

But if you’re convicted of a crime that’s serious enough for you to be banged up, that would knock you straight down the level two, at which time your pleas to be addressed with respect and have free wi-fi would get short shrift.

And if you erred off the straight and narrow again, you’d be busted down to level one, which would basically mean there would be a guarantee that you wouldn’t be banged up in solitary without a fair trial, but as far as manicures and access to culturally-significant foodstuffs was concerned you’d be on your own.

At the other end of the ladder, if there was a knotty planning application that was dividing a community, the consultation would take into account the calibre of the complaints.

That would mean 10 of those moaning munchers I talked about earlier would find their views easily outweighed by a couple who gave blood, had a standing order to a non-animal charity, looked out for the old dear next door and always cleared the pavement outside their house after a snowfall. Good people. People like you and me.

It’s got a smack of the McDonald’s star system about it at the moment, and a taste of Scientology if I’m honest. But it’s early days, I’m just putting it out there to see if anyone picks it up.

A PANTOMIME classic will be coming to Farthingstone at the end of the month.

The village’s drama group present Robin Hood including his merry men, Maid Marion and the evil Sheriff in a family friendly tale.

It comes to Farthingstone Village Hall at 8pm on Thursday February 23. People wishing to attend are advised to book their tickets early as a further performance on the following Saturday has already sold out.

Tickets cost £6 for adults at evening performances and £3 for children and concessions. They can be booked by calling Dorothy on 01327 361646 or Paul on 01327 361604.

LEAGUE matches began with a convincing win by Fusion over Cummins.

Fusion’s excellent defence work in the shooting circle meant Cummins did not get as many goals as they deserved.The final score was Fusion 42 Cummins 12.

The second match saw a close clash between Barclaycard and Hornets.

The sides went goal for goal right up to the whistle producing a draw of 27 all.

The third match was G&Ts, versus Grafton Gate. This fiercely-contested match could have gone either way.

The first quarter started goal for goal and finished all square.

In the second quarter an injury to the Grafton goal shooter meant tactical changes were necessary.

It took Grafton time to re adjust and by the end of the third quarter they were down 13-15.

But by being patient and with key aerial work and excellent shooting from Tash Thomas, Grafton turned the game around to take the win 25 to 22.

The final match of the day was current league champions Ashmore Tornadoes against Helix.

Ashmore’s steady pace throughout the court and accurate shooting meant they took the win 36 to 12.

THE number of seats on Northamptonshire County Council is to be cut by 22 per cent.

The Boundary Commission for England said the ideal number for the authority is 57, 16 fewer than now.

NCC said the move was initiated to reduce electoral inequality in the county, but added the move would save up to £350,000 over four years.

Next the new divisions for the councillors will be decided.

PLANS for a controversial crematorium in Willoughby are due to be decided later this month.

The proposal, which would be built in Moor Lane, has caused uproar among villagers and the local area. It will be decided by the planning committee of Rugby Borough Council on Wednesday, February 22.

Concerns have been raised over traffic and flooding which would increase if the plans got the go-ahead.

All your local news and sport, including...

– Governors forced out at Daventry school

– Redevelopment of town garage site

– Peace talks floated to solve UTC crisis

– MP leads revolt against wind turbines

– Picture special of snow in the area

– SPORT: Kinsella hits back over frozen pitch claims

– WIN: Tickets to see the latest blockbuster movies

Plus, all your local listings, jobs, motors and property.

SO, Daniel Radcliffe, you’ve got millions in the bank thanks to that lengthy stint as H. Potter, boy sorcerer of this parish, but you yearn to be taken seriously as an actor.

You’ve paid you dues on the stage, and now you want to start putting Hogwarts behind you.

But maybe starring in The Woman In Black, a period ghost story which features elegant costumes and the supernatural isn’t a huge leap.

Our fresh-faced hero is a young lawyer who has to head north to a remote house where affairs need putting in order.

After a series of terrifying apparitions he uncovers the village’s dark and tragic history and finds out that children are dying under mysterious circumstances.

Top screenwriter Jane Goldman has adapted Susan Hill’s timeless ghost story – also a long-running West End hit – and Eden Lake director James Watkins calls the shots. It wants to be creepy, but the memory of Harry does get in the way a bit.

> There are dependable laughs to be had in The Muppets, in which the TV puppet back return for their first big screen outing in a dozen years.

Kermit’s living in a mansion, Fozzie is scratching out a living as leader of a tribute troupe and Miss Piggy is working for Vogue in Paris.

But when evil oil tycoon Chris Cooper plans to demolish their old theatre, the gang gets back together for a telethon.

It’s reassuring that in these days of super-realistic computer animation and 3D effects a cast which relies on blokes sticking their arms up fun-fur creatures can still tickle the funnybone. A new generation of fans is about to be charmed by, and chuckle at, Jim Henson’s creations.

> Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so we obviously need a love story.

The Vow finds Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams as a lovely dovey couple whose lives are turned upside down by a car crash. She loses her memory and can’t remember him at all – she thinls she’s still engaged to her ex. Eeek!

That means Channing has to patiently make her fall in love with him again.

Inspired by a true story, apparently, and shameless reaching out to tweak your tear ducts.

> So what’s so big about Big Miracle? It’s another true story, this time in Free Willy territory.

At the back end of nowwhere in Alaska a family of grey whales find themselves surrounded by rapidly forming ice.

Tree-hugging Drew Barrymore springs into action, but the rescue plan needs the help of those pesky Russkie just across the Bering Strait and the US government doesn’t want to play ball.

The feelgood tale aims to show just what can be achieved when people set aside their differences – it’s just a good job they didn’t ask the Japanese to join in as well, or else the air could have been thick with harpoons.

A SCHOOL’S governing body has been forced to resign as part of its move to become an academy.

The governors of William Parker School in Daventry were asked to dissolve their organisation after being summoned to an extraordinary meeting last Wednesday.

Just two of the former governors remain as new executive members were brought in following the school being given the green light to pursue its academy bid.

However, the move has angered some of the ousted governors who say they feel forced out as part of the move to attain the status with threats of action from the Government.

For more on this story, see this week’s Daventry Express

PREVIOUS reviews have stated The King and I had the wow factor and we were definitely not disappointed.

The acting was first class with a special mention for Josefina Gabrielle who played Anna as she stole the show not only with her acting but also her tremendous singing voice.

The scenery and sumptuous costumes were very impressive along with the giant gold Buddha’s and endless sliding screens which made for a very slick show.

The second half came to life with an impressive dance and ballet routine which was staged with real emotion and passion. The children all performed excellently and were a great addition to the production.

All in all it was a fantastic production which comes highly recommended for a great night out.

Review by Sue Eaton

The King and I will be performed at the Royal and Derngate in Northampton until Saturday. For tickets call the box office on 01604 624811 or www.royalaandderngate.co.uk

SPACES are still available for the new Sunday evening seven-a-side football league at Daventry sports park starting this week.

Winners get free entry into a national tournament. Call Ben on 07752750582 or email soccersevens@live.co.uk

ARE you looking for a fresh start this season?

Then why not have a look around Woodford Bowls Club?

For more information, contact Tom Rigby on 01327 261560 or go to www.woodfordbowls.co.uk.

Whimsical time-travelling comedy MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (12: Warner) is the most purely enjoyable movie Woody Allen has made in years and fully deserves the collection of Oscar nominations it has picked up.

Owen Wilson is unexpectedly cast in the central role of Gil, a befuddled hack struggling with his first novel who finds magical inspiration in the French capital.

The scribe can’t quite confess to his fiancee Inez (Rachel McAdams) that he’s been zapping back to the 1920s to spend his evenings with Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald – Americans in Paris during a more gilded age.

As Gil ponders a permanent move to the past, the story weaves laughter with romance, all the while questioning whether it really would have been more fulfilling to live in an era when true artistic giants walked among us.

It helps to know the literary references, but Allen’s deliciously dotty plot construction ensures that seriousness never takes over.

An excellent supporting cast includes Adrien Brody, Michael Sheen and Kathy Bates.

> Knockabout action comedy 30 MINUTES OR LESS (15: Sony) features Jesse (The Social Network) Eisenberg as Nick, a slacker pizza delivery boy kidnapped by two inept small-time hoodlums, Dwayne (Danny McBride) and Travis (Nick Swardson).

Then they force him to rob a bank – with an explosive vest strapped to his torso.

Nick has just a few hours to complete his task, so, with the help of his equally aimless buddy, Chet, sets out to obtain a getaway car, ski masks and toy guns.

Although the bungling criminals scenario has been done many times before, the protagonists are fairly likeable, if a little irritating at times.

Most of the best lines go to McBride, adding some inventive and near-the-knuckle wit to what would otherwise have been a bog standard succession of slapstick set-pieces.

> Colin Farrell has more fun than he seems to have had for a long while in FRIGHT NIGHT (15: Buena Vista), a cheerfully trashy remake of the 1985 vampire classic.

He shows a perfectly judged blend of charm and menace as Jerry, a stranger who moves in next door to high school student Charley (Anton Yelchin), an event that coincides with local kids going missing.

Suspecting that his new neighbour is hiding something, Charley turns to celebrity magician and vampire expert Peter Vincent, played by David Tennant with a relentless potty-mouth.

Tennant struggles to match up against his forerunner, the incomparable Roddy McDowall, but, just like the original, the gags are funny without taking the edge off the scary moments, which are deployed with hair-raising effect.

> Singer-turned-actor Justin Timberlake has generally picked his film roles well, so we won’t hold his appearance in recent DVD release Bad Teacher against him.

He and Mila Kunis, who impressed as Natalie Portman’s nemesis in Black Swan, are likeable leads in FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (15: Sony), which is smarter and funnier than the average romantic comedy.

An art director joins the staff of a magazine and is soon sleeping with the recruiter who hired him.

Both are determined to avoid a relationship and resolve to keep their feelings out of the arrangement, which proves harder than expected.

The hoary old conundrum of whether a friendship can survive the addition of sex, minus the emotional involvement, is a well-worn furrow ploughed recently by Portman and Ashton Kutcher in No Strings Attached.

But Timberlake and Kunis handle their banter with aplomb and despite wandering off track a little towards the end when it tries a tad too hard to be hip, it’s more rewarding than most rom-coms.

> Significantly less than a must-see, I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT (12: Entertainment In Video) is a mildly diverting career-mom comedy starring Sex And The City’s Sarah Jessica Parker.

She plays Kate, a Boston-based investment fund manager with two young kids and an architect husband (Greg Kinnear) who is “between projects”.

She just about manages to juggle her work and home lives until a career opportunity working with New York broker Jack (Pierce Brosnan) cornily and contrivedly plunges her life into a chaos of misdirected emails, missed school appointments and marital discord.

Not forgetting a lice infestation, too.

Parker overdoes the girly ditziness and the interview inserts and occasional asides to camera are distracting rather than endearing.

Drayton Grange Blades U16s 2

Towcester 1

TOWCESTER started the quarter-final with good possession but could not break a resilient Blades’ team.

Blades came very close with Josh Bellis and Lewis Collins’ 30-yard drive.

The second-half saw a change of formation from Blades which brought chance after chance and they took the lead through a Matt Clarke goal.

Towcester continued with good possession but were never really troubled until they were awarded a penalty which was converted to make 1-1.

Drayton continued to press and found the winner from a Joe Stimpson header.

Josh could have increased the winning margin with a deft lob. But the Towcester keeper scrambled back to clear off the line. Man of the match was Lewis Collins.

Dav Town Vikings U13s 0

Heyford Athletic 5

Heyford took full advantage of a weakened vunerable Daventry team and deserved the points.

THE Met Office has issued weather warnings of snow which is due to hit Daventry today (Thursday).

The snow is due to arrive at around 4pm and it is likely to continue to snow until midday tomorrow (Friday),

Motorists have also been advised by the Highways Agency the roads are likely to be covered in ice.

A SERIES of sketches and songs will be performed as part of a revue show in West Haddon.

West Haddon Players will be performing A Sketchy Night Out with a number of different performances.

Group member Charles Porter said: “The players have done a number of dinner revues in February which were enormously popular.

“We have not done one for seven years because we wanted to do different things including pantomimes and comedy shows.

“We thought, as it has been a while since we did a dinner review, we would do it to brighten the post-Christmas blues.”

It will be performed at West Haddon Village Hall on Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25. Doors open at 7pm with the entertainment starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the show cost £12.50 and include a three- course dinner. There will also be a licensed bar. Call 01788 510503 to reserve tickets.

Performance: Sally Davies and Jane Porter getting ready for the West Haddon Players’ show A Sketchy Night Out. Picture by Jass Lall. (MHDE-06-02-12-Wigs-Feb12 (66))

SATURDAY

Winter Wipeout (BBC Two, 6.15pm)

Three years after Total Wipeout made its UK debut, Richard Hammond and Amanda Byram are now fronting this hugely popular variation.

Once more they present the Argentina-based game show in which eclectic members of the public attempt to duck and dive around an increasingly difficult obstacle course.

However, with thousands of pounds at stake, it’s little wonder many of them are willing to go that extra mile – and risk a few more bruises – to seize victory.

Sunday

Bafta Film Awards 2012 (BBC One, 9pm)

The Oscars may still be the biggest awards ceremony on moviedom’s calendar, but the British Academy Film Awards – or Baftas, to you and me – knows how to do glitz and glamour too.

A gaggle of top-class names from Hollywood, Europe and, of course, our own shores are expected on the red carpet outside the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London this evening.

Stephen Fry is back as host.

Monday

Whitechapel (ITV1, 9pm)

It all begins with a fox chasing down a street, carrying a human arm in its mouth.

A torso is then found washed up at Putney Bridge, and both contain traces of the aphrodisiac drug Spanish Fly, leaving the team wondering what kind of killer they’re facing. It certainly puts a dampener on the christening of Miles’s daughter Martha!

Rupert Penry-Jones, who plays DI Joseph Chandler, says: “This story is pretty gory. We had prosthetic bodies made and torsos with legs, arms and heads chopped off and you see it all – I mean it’s pretty hard-core. I don’t know how much of that footage they’re actually going to use but when you first saw it, it was quite shocking.”

Tuesday

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings (Channel 4, 9pm)

With brides primped and preened to within an inch of their young, sheltered lives, dresses that weigh more than a decent-sized fridge-freezer, and girls too young to know their 12-times table parading around in stiletto heels so high they’d probably earn the respect of Victoria Beckham – yes, we’re once again in the company of the travelling community.

Wednesday

Daddy Daycare

(Channel 4, 8pm)

A woman’s work is never done, isn’t that what they say?

Chances are ‘they’ probably weren’t men. However, the group of males in this new series are going to learn – and they’re going to learn the hard way – exactly how much their wives and partners put into keeping their families running.

Thursday

The Great British Countryside (BBC One, 8pm)

Having followed in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright, and trekked across the UK in Coast To Coast, perennial traveller Julia Bradbury and comedian Hugh Dennis will be journeying across Britain to explore its landscapes and the people who live in them, as well as how they have been shaped by the country’s varied geological history.

Friday

Hustle (BBC One, 9pm)

The escapades of a group of London-based con artists, led by the talented Michael ‘Mickey Bricks’ Stone (Adrian Lester).

In each episode the team picks a ‘mark’ (or victim) and put their dishonest skills to use in a long con, aiming to gain a big payback at the expense of someone else’s misfortune.

Alas, after eight years and more slick crime capers than you can shake a stick at, Mickey and the team are finally hanging up their conman coats for the last episode.

In the swansong offering, Mickey has decided he’s had enough of grifting and wants to settle down to lead a quieter life after one last big score.

THIS weekend’s snowdrop weekend at Kelmarsh Hall has been cancelled.

The organisers have decided to cancel the event on safety grounds after last night’s snowfall.

Next weekend’s event, on February 18 and 19, will go ahead as usual.