Brackley Road and the A43 close Thursday and Friday

Good morning from somewhere in NN12.

Brackley Road and the A43 Oxford Road both have off-peak closures for repairs on Thursday and Friday, just before most schools go back on Monday 2 November. Also in this issue: a correction on a survey deadline, Saints at home on Saturday and a full Halloween weekend.

Know a neighbour who'd want this on a Wednesday morning? Invite them to subscribe to The Towcester Waffle. And if we've missed an event, result or concern, just reply.

Correction: Last week we said West Northamptonshire Council's healthy lifestyles survey closes on Sunday 15 November. It actually runs until Wednesday 18 November, so you've got a few extra days to have your say.

West Northamptonshire Council's roadworks list shows off-peak closures for carriageway repairs on Brackley Road and the A43 Oxford Road in Towcester on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October. Both have a diversion route listed, but the list doesn't give hours, so leave extra time.

Tews End Lane in Paulerspury is closed for CCTV works on Friday 30 October, 9.15am to 3.15pm, and the council lists a diversion route via Grays Lane. Green Street in Milton Malsor stays closed for Cadent's works until Friday 30 October.

Northamptonshire Police's local priorities for Towcester and the surrounding area stay the same from October to March: rural crime, road safety and road traffic offences, and drug dealing and drug misuse. The latest update from your local team says officers have run speed enforcement operations in Stoke Bruerne, Harpole, Nether Heyford, Whittlebury, Shutlanger and Towcester, handing out speeding tickets and safety advice, and have focused on parking and road safety around schools. You can have a say in what they focus on next in a short local priorities survey.

West Northamptonshire Council's leader has said they're disappointed by the Government's devolution decision. According to the council, local government minister Jim McMahon acknowledged the Northamptonshire councils' preference for a South Midlands Strategic Authority but said he was "not minded to further explore this option", and would support a Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes footprint instead. The council's view is that the debate is about "securing investment in roads, public transport, skills, jobs and economic growth" rather than council structures.

With Bonfire Night and Diwali coming up, West Northants Trading Standards is urging people to buy fireworks only from licensed sellers.

Saints lost the East Midlands derby 28–7 at Welford Road on Saturday, in torrential rain. James Pater's early try, converted by Fin Smith, gave them a 7–0 lead, but Leicester scored four tries through Blamire, Henderson, Carnduff and Steward and dominated the second half.

Next: Gloucester at home on Saturday 31 October, 5.30pm at DPD Stadium, Franklin's Gardens.

Towcestrians lost 24–38 at home to Long Buckby on Saturday. That leaves them on three wins from five, fourth in Counties 1 Midlands East (South) with 12 points.

Next: away at Vipers. The club has it down for 30 October but hasn't posted a kick-off time, so check the fixtures page before you travel.

West Northamptonshire Council wants your views on its draft Housing Strategy 2027 to 2032, the five-year plan for housing services and investment. It's built around four priorities: delivering the homes communities need, including more affordable and specialist housing; being a high-performing landlord for council tenants; supporting independent living and preventing homelessness; and improving the private rented sector. You can respond on the consultation page until midnight on Sunday 29 November.

Forecast checked on Tuesday 27 October at 5.57am, from the Met Office, Towcester.

Bright for most of it, with Friday the coldest night at 3°C and Sunday the greyest day.

Between Wednesday and Saturday, Towcester can offer a vinyl night where you bring your own records, a comedian off Britain's Got Talent, a pumpkin farm after dark, a silent disco run by the Scouts and a Halloween party for kids at the racecourse. Saints are at Franklin's Gardens at 5.30pm on Saturday, and three Towcestrians hockey sides are at home the same day.

Nobody drew up a festival programme. A brewery, a farm, a Scout group, a racecourse and a jazz night each did their own thing, and it just happens to land in the same few days. That's what a town full of volunteers and small businesses looks like from the outside, and it's a good look.

The Scouts' silent disco is raising money for 1st Pattishall Scout Group, and a silent disco is a good way to do it.

If you're running something, tell us. Reply to this email and it goes on the list. And if you know a neighbour who'd like to know what's on without scrolling six Facebook pages, forward this to them.

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— Atlas & Lee, somewhere in NN12