Racing's return, hosepipe ban and Watermeadows appeal

Morning Towcester.

Horse racing is set to return to Towcester, Anglian Water's hosepipe ban is in force, and police need help with a Watermeadows appeal.

There is also cricket, hockey, a free family sports date for August and a tidy diary for the next few days. If you rely on the Waffle for the useful local stuff, forward it to one NN12 person and ask them to subscribe. More readers means more tips, more eyes and a better weekly picture of town life. Hit reply with events, results, questions, corrections or anything we've missed.

Right. Let's get into it.

Towcester Racecourse has announced that National Hunt racing is expected to return in autumn 2027, when the venue is due to begin the 2027/28 jumps season as Betway Towcester Racecourse.

The partnership between Betway and racecourse owner Orchestrate comes with more than £2m of course and facilities work already under way. The racecourse is working with the BHA on the licences and fixtures needed before the horses can return.

That is a proper headline for the town. Greyhound racing has kept the site busy, but a National Hunt comeback would put one of Towcester's best-known venues back on the wider sporting map. The date is a way off, but the refurbishment has started and the plan now has a name, a partner and a route to the starting tape.

Anglian Water says a Temporary Use Ban is now in place across its region, with Northamptonshire included in its 9 July announcement.

It applies from Saturday 11 July 2026 and covers the domestic use of hosepipes and similar kit for things like watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios and filling paddling pools or hot tubs. Watering cans are still allowed, and Anglian Water points readers to its dedicated restrictions page for exemptions.

That is a practical one for Towcester gardens, driveways and summer faff. The short version: put the hose away, use a watering can where you can, and check the official page before assuming your clever workaround is actually clever.

Towcestrians' 11 July senior results are now in, and it was a mixed Saturday for the club.

The bright bit first: the 1st XI bowled Finedon Dolben CC 3rd XI out for 98 away from home, then reached 99 for 6 to win by four wickets. The 2nd XI had a harder afternoon at Towcestrians, all out for 120 before Dunchurch & Bilton CC 1st XI reached 125 for 2 to win by eight wickets. The 3rd XI came closer away at Dunchurch Sportsfield, making 139 all out, but Dunchurch & Bilton CC 2nd XI got to 140 for 4 to win by six wickets.

The next senior home game is now the 1st XI against Geddington CC 2nd XI at Towcestrians on Saturday 18 July. After a mixed Saturday, that one could use a bit of noise on the boundary.

England's second Nations Championship outing was a much better watch for Northampton Saints followers: Fiji 8, England 73, eleven England tries, and a very loud second-half cameo from Henry Pollock.

Saints had five players in England's matchday 23, with Alex Coles, Tommy Freeman and Fin Smith starting and Alex Mitchell and Pollock on the bench. Pollock came on after half-time and scored three tries, while Fin Smith kicked nine conversions.

England's next Nations Championship match is away to Argentina on Saturday 18 July, 8.10pm UK time, in Santiago del Estero. After the Fiji result, that one is worth putting in the diary.

Northampton Saints now have actual dates for next season's European diary after EPCR confirmed the first batch of 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup fixtures.

Saints start at Franklin's Gardens against Cardiff Rugby on Sunday 18 October, then go away to Stade Francais Paris on Friday 11 December and Montpellier Herault Rugby on Saturday 9 January. The pool stage finishes back in Northampton against Vodacom Bulls on Friday 15 January.

That is still more fridge magnet than immediate travel panic, but it is now a real route rather than a vague pool draw.

West Northamptonshire's free Summer of Sport roadshow comes to Towcester Recreation Ground on Friday 21 August, 1pm to 5pm.

Northampton Saints, Northampton Town and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club are among the organisations involved, alongside local clubs and community partners. There will be sports, cycling, craft sessions, inflatables and games, with no booking required. It is still a few weeks away, which is precisely why it is worth getting into family calendars before the summer-holiday scramble does it for you.

Northamptonshire Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after an exposure incident in the Watermeadows area of Towcester.

The appeal says the incident happened between 10.30am and 10.45am on Monday 29 June, when the victim was walking through the area. Police say anyone who recognises the man, or has information, should contact them on 101, use the online reporting route, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote incident number 26000381819 if you get in touch. Watermeadows is one of Towcester's most ordinary, well-used bits of town life, which is exactly why this sort of appeal is worth putting in front of local eyes.

HitMix Bingo at Towcester Mill - Thu 16 Jul, 7.30pm, Towcester Mill Brewery. Music-bingo night; 18+.

Towcester Buggy Walk - Fri 17 Jul, 10am to 11am, from Towcester Family Hub around Watermeadows.

Towcestrians Hockey Club Summer Festival - Fri 17 to Sun 19 Jul, Towcestrians Hockey Club. Club summer festival weekend.

The most interesting bit of this week's news is also the one with the longest wait attached to it.

Horse racing is not returning next month, or even next year. But there is something properly Towcester about getting a notice that says the course is being rebuilt, the licences are being worked through and National Hunt racing has a route back.

There is a small local sport whenever a big announcement comes with a date that far away. One half of town starts imagining the grandstand full again; the other says they'll believe it when they hear the first hoof. Both are fair. The difference this time is that the refurbishment is under way and the people running the place have put a plan on the table.

So the return of horses in 2027 is not just a racing story. It is a sign that one of Towcester's most recognisable places is being asked to do more again. No need to pick a winner yet. The sensible bet is that a live racecourse is better for the town than a famous one waiting for its next chapter.

That's it for this week.

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-- Atlas & Lee, somewhere in NN12