Saints coach Alan Dickens says Tom Collins’ rapid rise to prominence has been a ‘massive positive’.

Senior Academy talent Collins was in fine form last weekend, coming into the team at the last minute and shining in an 18-9 success against Leinster in Dublin.

His ability to handle the big stage was hugely impressive and was the culmination of a stellar few months with the Saints first team.

The 19-year-old wing enjoyed a good pre-season in which he made a name for himself in the sevens tournaments before going on to stake his claim for a starting spot in the 15-man game.

With George North away on Wales duty, Collins came into the side and scored his first Saints try in the win at Worcester last month.

That provided a platform for events at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday, and Dickens couldn’t be more impressed with the former Northampton School for Boys pupil.

“Tom Collins has been a massive positive the last few weeks and months,” said the assistant coach. “Since George went away with Wales, he’s had his opportunity.

“We’ve got a young English player who has come in and taken his chance and performed on the domestic and European stage.

“One of the most pleasing things this year has been the players who have stepped up and taken their chance.”

Collins will get another crack at the big time on Saturday as he again lines up on the wing for Saints.

He will set his sights on shooting down Wasps, but Dickens has warned that will be no easy task for the Premiership’s second-placed side.

“Wasps will be difficult,” said Dickens. “In terms of away rugby last year when we beat them it was one of the first games they’d lost at home.

“They’ve put in some good performances already this season and they beat Leicester at home a few weeks ago so it will be a tough game.”

Christian Day is expecting Saints to face a backlash from Wasps after Dai Young’s men suffered an agonising late defeat in last season’s meeting at Adams Park.

Day’s last-gasp try secured a 26-24 March success for Northampton, who furthered their claims for a Premiership final appearance.

But for Wasps, who had worked hard on a freezing cold day in High Wycombe, it was a disappointing end to a battling display.

Day knows they will be desperate to avenge that defeat this weekend, and has warned his men what to expect.

“It was absolutely freezing there last season,” he said. “The forwards just kind of hugged for 80 minutes and pushed the ball over a few times.

“We’ve had good results there in the last two or three years, where the forwards have performed well, and we’re expecting a bit of a backlash this weekend.

“They’ve got some real top class operators in their pack so we need to be on top of our game, but, as we’ve shown in the past, if we do get on top there we can get some results.”

One man who will be key to Wasps’ hopes of claiming a win is Joe Launchbury.

The lock has established himself as an important member of the current England squad, and Day knows he will have to be kept in check this afternoon.

“He’s come out of nowhere and all credit to him he’s performed on the biggest stage,” said the Saints second row forward. “He’s performed very well for England and for Wasps.

“He’s a real work rate player in the same sort of athletic mould as Courtney (Lawes). His work rate is immense.

“We’ll keep an eye on him this weekend and hopefully he won’t play too well.”

The Daventry Express has been out and about taking pictures of Christmas productions at schools and nurseries across the area.

Here are a few of them. There will be more published in the paper on the Boxing Day edition.

Community stalwarts and those who go above and beyond the call of duty were recognised at the second annual Star Awards.

Organised by Daventry and District Housing (DDH) the awards were presented in a special awards night on Wednesday last week at the Daventry Court Hotel.

Jamie Over, 26, an activity coordinator volunteer at DDH, scooped volunteer of the year after d helping residents of a sheltered housing scheme in Daventry. He arranged a number of events, including a coffee morning attended by more than 40 guests, including Chris Heaton-Harris MP.

Mr Over said: “I was really honoured to have won award. I am always happy to help people in my community, and I don’t expect any reward, but it is nice to know that my actions haven’t gone unnoticed.

“I think that winning a Star Award has opened up a lot of opportunities for me and increased my chances of getting the job I want.”

DDH tenant of the year, Sharon Moore, was recognised for her community work, especially the help she gives to running a community group for local people with disabilities.

Come and Play Woodford Halse won the community project of the year award having raised £20,000 to supply and fit a new play area in the village.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges made up of representatives from DDH, Lovell, the Daventry Express, Cummins, Daventry Volunteer Centre and Daventry District Council.

Caroline Godsell, resident involvement officer at DDH, said: “The Star Awards are all about acknowledging the work of individuals and groups who make a positive impact on their community and the lives of local residents.

“All of the nominees selflessly dedicate their own time to make a difference in the community and it was great to be able to help give them the recognition they deserve.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the judges who in turn volunteered their time, and congratulate all the winners and nominees. We hope that their stories and successes will inspire a new wave of volunteers to get involved next year.”

FIORI Musicali will be sharing their festive spirit with a performance of Mr Handel’s Messiah at the Guildhall in Northampton.

The concert takes place on Monday and will have all the trumpets, drums, choir, soloists and orchestra in full swing.

Handel’s music has been popular with English audiences ever since the early 1700s and Messiah makes a wonderful start to Christmas with its famous rousing ‘Hallelujah’ chorus.

This performance is very special both for Northamptonshire and for Fiori Musicali.

The group may appear far and wide this year, but the locally-based professional orchestra always designs its winter series concerts in and around Northamptonshire so that when they finally reach Christmas they can celebrate by bringing the year’s biggest and most impressive performance right to the heart of the county.

Tickets cost between £15 and £25. For further information about the group, its Christmas concert, or to book tickets, call the box office on 01327 360931 or go on line at Fiori-musicali.com.

Con Club A recovered from falling 2-0 and 3-1 behind to record a 4-3 victory at Long Buckby FC in the Daventry Winter Darts League.

Buckby struck first with Paul Scott and Ian Bow (100 x 2) sweeping aside Ray Hobrow and Ivan Lester (100) 2 - 0.

The broom was then taken up again by the Feaseys, Mick (100 x 2 140 x 2) and Ray ,as they swept away Stu Coe Snr and Hemps (100 x 3) 2-0.

Con Club hit back as Hemps (100 x 3) beat Pete Shirley 2-0.

Mick Feasey (100 x 2, 140 x 2, 123) restored Buckby’s advantage at 3-1 as he beat Andrew Green (121, 100) 2-0.

But then the momentum changed.

Con Club got back into it and Stu Coe Snr (100) beat Ray Feasey (140, 100) 2-0 and Ray Hobrow (100 x 2) saw off Paul Scott (100) 2-1.

That made it 3-3, and Ivan Lester (100 x 3, 140) sealed the win for the visitors as he beat Ian Bow (140 x 3, 125) 2-1.

Con Club B were supposed to be at home to the Wheatsheaf Weedon, but there was confusion as to who was playing at home, and as a result this game failed to take place.

The chairman of the league was informed, and it was agreed the confusion was partly down to the league due to the failure of not updating the fixture list on the official web site. Apologies were exchanged and both teams were reimbursed for the refreshments both teams laid on.

It was agreed that this game will be played at a later date.

The Foresters Arms did entertain The Daventry Workers, but probably wished they hadn’t as they were beaten 5-2.

Foresters started well and won the doubles with Alex Harvey and Gary Payne (100 x 3) winning 2-0 against the Taylors Gavin and Connor.

This only served to inspire Willie (100) and Allan for the away side to steer themselves to a similar 2-0 win. Going in to the singles games it was to be the opposite start as to the doubles games with Allan Taylor beating Ian Chapman 2-0.

Alex Harvey then saw off Gavin Taylor 2-1 to keep the home side in the hunt, but Darren Haynes (100) then beat Gary Payne (100 x 2, 120) 2-0.

Dave Keating (100 x 3) made more headway for the Workers as he navigated the team to victory beating Bob Stow (114) 2-0 and Willie Taylor beat Gloria 2-0 to make the final score 5-2.

In the final match, Casey’s travelled to Daventry Town FC and returned with a 5-2 win.

The first game of the night had the Jones brothers Dave (100 x 2), Ray (100,140) belting out a tune or two as they defeated Denis Job (140) and John Foster (103) 2-0.

The second game had Dave Summerfield (100,123) with Chris Gay (100 x 3) crooning as they saw off Brian Farmer (100 x 2) and Darran Foster (120, 100 x 2) of the home side 2-1.

In the first of the singles games still humming a tune, Ray came back to the oche hitting a chorus of tons (100 x 2,140,128, 123) to beat Denis Job (100 x 2), brother Dave (121) got distracted by this in the next game with Brian Farmer adding a melody of his own to strike back 2-0.

With this melody still ringing in his ears Bully (100 x 2) had to endure the Christmas Carols from Nigel Turland (100) which as a result culminated in his defeat by 2-0.

Swept up in the emotion of things Summerfield came up with an oratorio his own as entire he won his game 2-0 against Brecon Hill.

Darran Foster (123, 135) was not going to let his team go down quietly as he came out with a lament of his own whilst beating Gary Birch 2-0.

Casey’s suffered a 4-3 defeat at Barley Mow Rugby in the Rugby and District Sunday League Division One.

Casey’s started well with an early goal from Chris Trill, but the home side levelled midway through the first half.

Mow went 2-1 up before Stuart Clarke’s free-kick put Casey’s back on terms. The home side once again took the lead courtesy of an own goal, before Matty Farrell made it 3-3.

Casey’s were then stunned by a late winner for Mow.

In division two, Casey’s Reserves were 4-1 winners over Athletico Bilboa.

Alex O’Connor was outstanding and scored twice while there were singles for Rob Horne and Martin Russ.

Graeme Swann paid tribute to Northants after calling time on his cricket career.

The England spinner, who started out at Wantage Road before leaving to join Nottinghamshire in 2004, has opted to quit the game with immediate effect.

The 34-year-old is currently part of the England squad taking part in the Ashes, with Australia holding an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

But he will play no further part Down Under and has decided to retire from all forms of the game for county and country.

And in his column in the Sun on Sunday, the former Sponne School pupil highlighted the contribution of Northants in helping him become one of England’s greatest spinners.

Swann wrote: “I don’t regret a single day of my career. Every high has been celebrated with verve and vigour and every low painfully accepted as a chance to learn and improve.

“My personal highlights include the three Ashes victories, which I will cherish for the rest of my life, and the World T20 victory in the West Indies which ranks as my limited-overs highlight.

“I have met, played with and against, and become friends with some magnificent people throughout my journey and feel truly privileged to have been given these opportunities.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to both Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for giving me my grounding in the game and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club for turning me into the cricketer I wanted to be.

“Two Championship titles and my maiden one-day final victory with the Outlaws are also achievements of which I am immensely proud.

“With two games to go in Australia and then a fiercely competitive summer against Sri Lanka and India I feel that it is a great time for someone else to strap themselves in and hopefully enjoy the ride as much as I have.

“Finally I’d like to thank all my England team mates for their non-stop support and camaraderie and of course wish Andy Flower and Alastair Cook all the success in the world for the future. First and foremost I am a fervent England fan at heart.”

Swann has only taken seven wickets during the current Ashes series.

And he said: “When I left home back in October I thought this might be my last tour for England. Then a couple of weeks ago, I looked in the mirror and I knew it would be.

“People always say that sportsmen instinctively know when the time is right to retire and I had that exact feeling during the Adelaide Test.

“So now with the series beyond our reach I have just brought forward the decision by a couple of matches.”

Swann’s career will stand comparison with England’s greatest, after 255 Test wickets - the most by any off-spinner in his country’s history.

He made a remarkable impact after his belated Test debut in 2008.

He was initially picked to tour South Africa back in 1999-2000 but England management were left questioning his attitude.

Second time around, though, things were different.

He took four wickets on debut against India in Chennai and was soon turning in match-winning performances, with a particular reputation for striking in his first over of a spell.

Swann retires as England’s sixth leading Test wicket-taker of all time, with 17 five-wicket hauls to his name.

He took three 10-wicket match hauls - against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and, earlier this year, New Zealand - and was involved in three Ashes series victories.

Of late though he has been troubled by an elbow injury, something which contributed to his decision.

“My right elbow hasn’t felt quite the same since I had a second operation earlier this year,” he said.

“The surgeon did an unbelievable job to get me back on the field but the joint struggles to cope when I bowl a lot.

“From day to day it feels great but when I’m into my 35th or 40th over, it’s not ideal.”

Swann played 79 one-day internationals, claiming 104 wickets and spending a spell as the top ranked ODI bowler in 2011.

He was also a part of England’s World Twenty20-winning team in 2010.

In truth, it was a game only a forwards coach could truly enjoy.

Plenty of scrummaging, plenty of mauling and not much else.

In fact, the medical team’s main job was to make sure the wingers hadn’t fallen asleep during the lengthy spells at the set piece.

Dorian West wouldn’t have minded one bit.

But for Saints it was another vital victory in their quest to be top of the Premiership shop come the end of the season.

Saracens’ crushing six-try success against Leicester means the men from Allianz Park are still the team to catch.

They have lost just once this season, and that was the demolition job Saints did on them at Franklin’s Gardens at the end of October.

That may have been the last truly spectacular performance Saints put on in the Premiership, but, thankfully for Jim Mallinder’s men, it wasn’t the last time they won.

They have picked up three successive victories since then, none of them particularly pretty.

They have scrapped, shoved and eventually outgunned the opposition, which has comprised of Newcastle, Worcester and Wasps.

Saturday’s win, secured by Stephen Myler’s ice cool kick in blustery, wet conditions at Adams Park was, perhaps, the sweetest of them all.

The scrum penalty going Northampton’s way in the final seconds may have been the rugby gods’ way of evening out what happened at Gloucester back in September.

On that occasion, the Cherry and Whites were the ones celebrating a final kick success.

This time, it was Northampton, who still only have that Kingsholm reverse in the games lost column in the league this season.

The ability to keep going to the last showed just how much character is in this Saints squad this season.

And when you add it to what happened a week earlier in Dublin, when Saints survived a late Leinster onslaught to land the final blow through Jamie Elliott’s try, it is a hugely impressive result.

So often teams can suffer a European hangover.

They can hit their nadir just a week after reaching their apex.

But Mallinder’s men are made of sterner stuff than that these days.

There was no repeat of what happened last year, when they won in Belfast only to suffer a tame defeat to Harlequins a week later.

No, this wasn’t a performance on par with what we witnessed at the Aviva Stadium. But the outcome was the same,

By hook or by crook, Saints are finding ways to win games.

Whether it be through the power of their forwards or the precision of Myler’s boot, they get the job done.

They even had to contend with some contentious officiating on this occasion, as the TMO and referee Matthew Carley did not have the best of days.

But even that couldn’t stop Saints.

And although they are not No.1 at Christmas, the men from Northampton are not far off.

How they rated...

KEN PISI

Wasn’t threatened too much and did what he had to do in an accomplished manner. A good eight days for the Samoan... 6

JAMIE ELLIOTT

Had nothing like the involvement of a week earlier as the Saints backs were starved of the ball, with the forwards doing the hard yards... 6

GEORGE NORTH

Like Elliott, was unable to put in the sort of immense performance of a week earlier as he barely saw the ball... 6

LUTHER BURRELL

Had an early try ruled out unfairly, but went on to put in another steady midfield performance... 6

TOM COLLINS

Did what he could to get involved, but this was not a day for the wingers and the youngster just made sure he produced an efficient performance... 6

STEPHEN MYLER

Was hailed as the ‘Iceman’ by fans and team-mates on social networking sites after the game as he kept his nerve to win it for Saints... 7

KAHN FOTUALI’I

His box-kicking puts Saints in some good positions and he is getting better and better as the season goes on... 7

ALEX WALLER

Did his job in the scrum, ensuring Wasps weren’t given any sort of chance to build a platform, and stood up in defence... 7

MIKE HAYWOOD

Not the easiest of afternoons for the young hooker, but he once again showed trademark aggression to make some good carries... 6

SALESI MA’AFU

The big Australian did what he had to do and was part of a physical Saints effort that ensured Wasps were unable to break through... 6

SAMU MANOA

Was man of the match at Leinster a week earlier and produced another good defensive performance here... 7

CHRISTIAN DAY

Drives the team on and did so in the form of a first-half try, which eventually proved crucial... 7

CALUM CLARK - CHRON STAR MAN

Is a key man at the breakdown for Saints and he stopped Wasps getting any momentum as he continued to break up their moves... 7

TOM WOOD

Had been impressive until receiving a late yellow card that was not a clear call for the TMO. Didn’t cost his team in the end, though... 6

SAM DICKINSON

Did his job in the lineout, but was a little less steady under one high ball early on. Not as imposing as in the early weeks of the season, but still a steady performer... 6

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

DYLAN HARTLEY (for Haywood 57)

The captain’s experience was needed during the second half as Wasps got in the ascendancy and started to pressure the Saints defence... 6

TOM MERCEY (for Ma’afu 57)

Helped keep Wasps as bay and maintained Saints’ edge at the scrum, where Wasps had no joy at all... 6

Wasps boss Dai Young admitted he was ‘gutted’ for his players after they saw their Saints hoodoo continue at Adams Park on Saturday.

The High Wycombe-based side suffered their ninth successive defeat to Northampton as Stephen Myler’s last-gasp penalty secured a 17-15 win for Jim Mallinder’s men.

Wasps had looked set to steal the points when Joe Carlisle’s 78th-minute penalty gave them a one-point lead.

But a late scrum penalty for early engagement gave Myler the chance to win it, and it was one he was not prepared to turn down.

“We hadn’t beaten them for four seasons so with 30 seconds to go we thought we had done enough,” said a disappointed Young.

“It took 80 minutes for a penalty to come from a scrum, which is remarkable.

“We had reset and reset all game and then in injury time we have one scrum which goes down and he (referee Matthew Carley) penalises us straight away. I can’t see where that one came from at all really.

“We feel hugely disappointed because that was a game we had worked really hard to win.

“You don’t get that opportunity against Northampton too often so I’m really proud of the players and I’m gutted for them because we had done enough to win that game.

“Northampton are an excellent team and well coached. We knew it was going to be a massive challenge for us but we stuck with it and with a minute to go they knock on and we had a clear advantage but he pulled us back for it.

“It was the first scrum a team had been done on the engagement.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott have both defended Graeme Swann over criticism that the off-spinner is being ‘selfish’ by retiring in the midst of an Ashes series.

Northampton-born Swann has called time on his career with the tourists 3-0 down in the series and having already surrendered the urn.

The 34-year-old former Northants player has come in for criticism on social media sites for the timing of his decision, with Derek Pringle, who took 70 Test wickets for England, saying on Twitter he “should have seen the tour out as a senior player” unless he was injured.

But Vaughan said Swann was giving up a lot.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: “There will be many cricket fans who have travelled over saying, ‘Wait a minute, you signed up to play the whole of the Ashes tour yet you’re doing one three games in’.

“But I think it’s more the mind.

“I think the elbow problem (Swann has had three operations on his bowling elbow ) has just triggered the mind to suggest that enough’s enough.

“I am surprised at the timing, I do think Swann had more cricket left in him, because I know what a wonderful bowler he is.

“I look to the next two years, England have got only 14 Test matches between now and the next Ashes series.

“There’s a World Cup in 2015 which Swann would have been a part of so he is giving a lot away.

“Those that say he’s being selfish just take into consideration that he’s giving up an England contract of nine months that is a lot of money, so he’s throwing a lot of money away by making the decision now.

“I don’t think he’s been selfish, I think he’s done it for his own mind, he thinks the team are better off without him.”

Vaughan said Swann, a former pupil at Sponne School in Towcester, would be one of England’s hardest players to replace of the last 20 years.

“The England team will certainly miss him,” he said.

“It’s going to be a huge hole in the dressing room to fill as well with his character, his fun, his energy.

“I think he is going to be a really hard cricketer for the England side to replace. They will replace him, the team soon moves on, but I do think Swann of the last 20 years is going to be one of the hardest to replace, just for the fact he’s such an attacking spin option, one we’ve not had.”

Former England coach David Lloyd praised Swann’s selflessness.

He tweeted: “Swann retirement... Been a brilliant bowler in International cricket . Not about individual records for him”

Mick Newell, director of cricket at Swann’s county Nottinghamshire, said Swann’s carefree demeanour belied a studious attitude to the game.

“He joined us with a reputation for not taking things seriously but I found him to be very thoughtful about his cricket and very committed to improving his game,” Newell told www.trentbridge.co.uk.

“He knows how to perk up a dressing room and he was an outstanding character to have in a cricket team.

“Swanny has been a dominant performer in Test cricket for six years and it will leave a huge gap in the England team because there is no outstanding spinner quite ready to fill the place that he will leave.

“His chance on the international scene came very late after a long period in county cricket but he grasped it and surpassed all expectations with his achievements at the highest level.”

As for the future, Newell added: “I’d imagine that coaching would be far too mundane for him but he’ll always be welcome at Trent Bridge.

“I expect that we’ll see him launch a media career and I’m sure he’ll be very successful.”

Swann’s opposite number in the Australia team, Nathan Lyon, paid tribute to his “unbelievable” fellow off-spinner.

“He’s someone who I’ve looked up to a lot,” Lyon told cricket.com.au.

“His career stats stand for themselves, he’s been an unbelievable spinner and someone who I watched pretty closely in my time.

“I’m sure he will be sorely missed in the England team but I wish him all the best in the future.”

Australia paceman Ryan Harris admitted the announcement had taken him completely by surprise.

“I don’t know what to say, I thought he’d bowled okay in the series, just without luck I guess,” said Harris.

“I feel that we’ve played him very well too.

“Something’s obviously not quite right with him, or he’s fulfilled whatever he wanted to do, but to me that’s a huge shock.”

Geoffrey Boycott said Swann’s decision was “honest” and “brave”.

The former England opener told Five Live: “He hasn’t been right the whole series, he hasn’t been the Graeme Swann we know. He’s better than his figures.

“I think it’s very honest, it’s very difficult to get up for top-class sport when you’re not bowling your best.

“I think it’s very honest to say, ‘Hey I’ve shot it, that’s it, I’m not going to be any good any more’. It takes a brave man to do that.”

Swann, England’s most successful off-spinner with 255 Test victims, has taken only seven wickets in this winter’s Ashes at a cost of 80 runs each.

Boycott added: “What is the point of going out there if he bowls badly?

“He knows he’s not bowling well, the Australians have got him by the throat anyhow, they’re whacking him around, he’s not getting anybody out that matters. He knows all that.

“And he may not have got picked (for the fourth Test) anyway.

“He would have stood there like a bystander taking drinks out while Monty (Panesar) bowls. It’s easier this way.

“He’s nothing to be ashamed about, he’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

“He’s been an excellent performer for England and I think he can hold his head up high.”

Jim Mallinder says victory at Wasps on Saturday was massive for Saints as they prepare for a mouthwatering home double-header.

Bath and Harlequins come to Franklin’s Gardens in the next two weeks as Northampton aim to finish 2013 on a high and start 2014 with a bang.

Mallinder’s men currently sit second in the Aviva Premiership standings after the nail-biting 17-15 success at Adams Park.

And the director of rugby knows the four points gained against Dai Young’s men were crucial ahead of games against top-four rivals.

“This (the Premiership) is our bread and butter and we know how tough it is to go down to Adams Park,” he said. “We always find it hard.

“We’ve had a few good wins there. Last season we won in the last play, driving them over, but it was right at the death. We knew how hard it was going to be.

“You only had to look at Wasps’ results and how close they’ve come to wins. They’ve not won every game this season but they’re very, very competitive in most of their games.

“We’re pleased at getting the win away from home. It’s massive for us. It sets us up now because we’ve got Bath and Harlequins at home and we’re in a good position.”

Mallinder opted to put England trio Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Lee Dickson on the bench for the Wasps game, bringing them into the action during the second half.

And the Saints boss admits it was a move to keep England head coach Stuart Lancaster sweet.

“What Stuart Lancaster would look to do if we weren’t swapping over our squad would be to ask to have them rested so we’re just working with Stuart and he’s very happy with how we’ve been managing our players throughout the season,” said Mallinder.

“They’ve not played in every single game and they can’t do.

“It was a good one for us to swap things around a little bit and really nice that we can have those lads coming off the bench.”

Daventry District Council will be closing over Christmas and New Year from Wednesday, December 25 until Thursday, January 2.

Essential services, such as waste and recycling collections and street cleaning, will continue. The decision to close the council’s non-essential and back office services is in response to low demand for services during this period. Employees will take leave from their existing entitlement.

DDC will close as normal at 5pm on Christmas Eve, reopening at 8.30am on Thursday, January 2.

The civic offices in Lodge Road will remain accessible to visitors of Jobcentre Plus and Northamptonshire County Council’s Children’s and Young People’s Service, which will each operate different working hours over Christmas.

A disabled boy from Daventry was among specially invited guests to help the Duchess of Cornwall put up the Christmas tree at Clarence House.

Daniel Ball, 12, who lives in Peartree Close on Ashby Fields, was one of 12 youngsters with life-limiting conditions who receive help from Helen and Douglas House in Oxford, who were invited down to London by the Duchess.

Daniel has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which causes muscle degeneration. He said: “It was an extremely good day.

“We decorated the tree and the soldier put a decoration up with his sword. I got to hold his sword, but it was blunt!

“There were sandwiches – Marmite, salmon or egg – and homemade crisps, which were all very nice.

“The Duchess was very nice too. Her house was big and everything looked very expensive.

“Everything was good!”

The Duchess’s assistant equerry, Lieutenant Frederick Lloyd George, great great grandson of the former Liberal Prime Minister and an officer in the Welsh Guards, saluted the youngsters as they entered the room and allowed them to try on his bearskin.

Daniel’s mum Linda said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that the Duchess and Clarence House do this.

“And the Duchess talked to all the children and got down to their level as well to ask them questions.

“The Duchess is the patron of Helen and Douglas House, so that’s why she invites the children, who are picked by Helen House based on who they think will benefit the most from the trip.

“Who else gets a chance to go inside somewhere like Clarence House, meet the Duchess and decorate their tree? It’s wonderful really.”

Saints have signed Samoa full-back Fa’atoina Autagavaia as injury dispensation for Ben Foden.

The 25-year-old, who has eight caps to his name, will link up with countrymen George Pisi, Ken Pisi and Kahn Fotuali’i at Franklin’s Gardens.

Foden and Kiwi utility back James Wilson are currently sidelined with knee and calf injuries respectively, leaving wing Ken Pisi to fill the No.15 shirt.

But Autagavaia, who scored a try for Samoa against Wales at the Millennium Stadium last November and has recently been playing for Northland in the ITM Cup, will provide competition.

And Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: “Fa’atoina has shown over the past 18 months that he has the ability to succeed at international level.

“We are confident that he’ll be able to fit in at Franklin’s Gardens, especially alongside the Pisi brothers and Kahn Fotuali’i.

“With Ben Foden and James Wilson both out of action we’re a bit light at full back, so Fa’atoina will add to our strength in depth in what is a crucial position.”

Saturday night’s announcement that Graeme Swann was retiring from first-class cricket brought the curtain down on the career of one of this country’s finest cricketers.

The bare statistics will show, at international level anyhow, 255 Test wickets, 104 in one-day internationals and 51 in their Twenty20 equivalent, but they don’t come close to telling the whole story.

For want of a better description, Graeme poured cold water over the theory that traditional finger spin couldn’t be successful at the top level.

Being able to operate in both an attacking and defensive role, he was at the forefront of England’s rise to the summit of the world rankings and his departure will leave a gaping hole in the side that won’t be easily filled.

I’ve been asked on many an occasion, have I been surprised at how well Graeme has done and the answer has always been the same - not surprised by the fact that he has been successful, but by how dramatic and consistent the success has been.

The talented but impatient bowler that made his name at Northamptonshire became, via a move up the M1 to Nottinghamshire, one of the world’s best due to a combination of cricketing maturity and skill refinement to the point where his presence in the national side was deemed to be essential to any potential success.

Twice England have travelled to Australia in the past three years with Graeme held up to be the pivotal figure in the series on both occasions.

Whether or not his influence was overplayed, that would have been unthinkable not so long ago but that was the extent to which his stock had risen.

I knew months ago that he probably wouldn’t appear in another limited-overs game for England and fully expected the Sydney Test in January to be his last.

A mid-series farewell may be far from ideal, and judging by some of the nonsense that has been spouted you would think Graeme had left a battlefield halfway through an offensive, but to leave when you want to is the scenario the majority of sportsmen would prefer, so every other detail, when it comes down to it, is irrelevant.

If your mind is elsewhere then your body will generally follow suit and with a right elbow that has undergone two serious operations, the timing was right for the individual who really matters.

Jim Mallinder admits Saints have missed George Pisi – and says he is looking forward to having the Samoan star back in action.

Pisi is able to return to the Northampton squad for Saturday’s game against Bath after his six-week suspension came to an end on Monday.

The centre was banned for a tip tackle on Ireland’s Tommy Bowe during an autumn international game at the Aviva Stadium last month.

George North has been filling in at 13 in recent weeks, but Saints prefer to play the Wales star on the wing.

And Pisi’s return should allow them to do that when Bath come calling at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve missed George Pisi,” said Mallinder. “He’s a top class player and for somebody like that to be out for six weeks is very, very frustrating, particularly when it doesn’t happen on your watch as he got banned playing for Samoa.

“He’s been a big loss to us and we’ve had a few injuries as well with (Ben) Foden being out, James Wilson and Dom Waldouck, a lot of our senior outside backs, but we’ve got through it.

“We’ve got a little bit of cover coming in as well and with George back it’s good.

“He’s very fresh. He’s been doing lots of conditioning, keeping his skills level up and he’s really looking forward to returning.

“George loves the rain and the wind, coming from Samoa, so it will be ideal conditions for him.”

Further good news comes in the form of Wilson and Waldouck, who are on the recovery trail from calf injuries.

Wilson will be out for a few more weeks yet after recently disposing of his surgical boot, but Waldouck could be available for this weekend’s game.

“James is coming back,” said Mallinder. “Sometimes you just tweak your calf and sometimes it’s a little bit more than that. Unfortunately, his was a little bit more than that.

“Hopefully he’ll be back in a few weeks’ time, we’re not exactly sure. He’s been in a boot, he’s out of it now and hopefully he’ll be back soon.

“Dom Waldouck pulled a calf muscle so he’s not a million miles away and he’ll hopefully be available this weekend.”

POLICE are reminding people to make sure they remove all valuables before leaving their car, after property was stolen from two cars parked in the Brampton Valley Way car park, Spratton Road, Brixworth, on Sunday.

Between 2pm and 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon (December 22), thieves broke into two vehicles parked in the car park. A Black and Decker drill was stolen from a blue Daewoo Matiz and a purse was taken from a black Peugeot 307.

A teenager was seen acting suspiciously in the area shortly before the thefts were discovered. He is described as white, in his teens, wearing a black coat and grey trousers. He was riding a pink pedal cycle and was seen riding along Brampton Valley Way towards Chapel Brampton.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

FURTHER strikes will be carried out by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced industrial action on New Year’s Eve, between 6.30pm and 12.30am on New Year’s Day, and between 6.30am and 8.30am on Friday, January 3.

People are advised to take extra care in the kitchen, as 50 per cent of accidental house fires start there, check electrics, appliances, cables and plugs, make sure all Christmas decorations are safety compliant, don’t leave candles burning unattended and turn off Christmas lights when you leave the house or go to bed, and never use smoke alarm batteries to power Christmas toys and games.

The county’s chief fire officer has said contingency plans are in place for the strikes.

Frozen is based very loosely on the Hans Christian Andersen story The Snow Queen, which has been rewritten to focus on two royal sisters and given a punchy new title.

The heroines are Elsa, heir to the throne of Arendelle, and her sister Anna. Elsa, the elder of the two, is a closeted sorceress who can summon snow and ice at will, and who is forced to flee the castle when her powers are revealed.

It falls to Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, to gallop into the wilderness and retrieve her sister from frosty seclusion. Anna is joined on her journey by a woodsman, a reindeer and a talking snowman called Olaf whose trials and tribulations culminate in the desired feel good way. Olaf provides the expected comic relief as the hapless snowman with a big heart. He dreams of a life in the sun - but who dares tell him the consequences? Elsa and Anna are Disney princesses through and through and this is a Disney movie at its magical best. A perfect Christmas outing for all the family.

Review by Amanda Chalmers.