Meet our stars of 2023 – a celebration of the people who make a difference and shine brightly in our communities.
From Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Rushden, we have loved looking back at stories featured in the Northants Telegraph over the past 12 months of amazing people who go the extra mile, support those in need or are an inspiration to others.
We’ve also got several local businesses who have put the north of the county on the map this year.
We’ve included the campaigners who have fought so hard to save a row of ‘cherished’ trees in Wellingborough, fundraisers who have made their final donation to KGH to help those undergoing treatment for breast cancer and a group working tirelessly to rid the county’s streets of knife crime.
Also included are a global singing sensation with a very bright future ahead of her, an inspirational super slimmer from Wellingborough and a Kettering barber who has been cutting hair for 40 years!
They have all made a difference to the lives of others and we are proud to have shared their stories with our readers during the year.
And we will continue to share plenty of stories like this in 2024 so if you have a tale to tell, get in touch by emailing [email protected].
9. NT Stars of 2023: Mae Stephens
Mae Stephens has really put Kettering on the music map this year, going from working on the checkout at the Northfield Avenue Asda to being a global singing sensation! She started out by regularly posting clips of herself singing at home on TikTok, often getting a few thousand views online, but her rapid rise to fame came after she shared a snippet of ‘If We Ever Broke Up’, which was viewed by more than 10 million people worldwide. Mae is now signed to a record label and destined for amazing things - we can't wait to see what she does next! Photo: Submitted
10. NT Stars of 2023: Dr John Smith
This year is the 25th anniversary of Kettering's Cransley Hospice. In October it was revealed that the hospice is set to remain at its Kettering site with a 'very bright future' including refurb and expansion of its at-home service. The hospice makes such a difference for patients with a life-limiting illness who need the specialist help of hospice care, but none of this would be possible without the vision of its founder, Dr John Smith - we cannot thank Dr Smith and the entire team at Cransley Hospice enough for the love, support and care they provide to families across north Northamptonshire when they need it most Photo: National World
11. NT Stars of 2023: Off The Streets NN
Anti-knife crime charity Off the Streets NN has been working tirelessly to eradicate knife crime in the county, save lives and educate, since it was launched in 2021 following the murder of teenager Dylan Holliday in Wellingborough. Since it was founded, the community group has co-ordinated the installation of life-saving equipment, held fun days and provided education sessions. Its work includes placing critical bleed kits, bleed control cabinets and bleed bags in the community. And in a joint campaign with Northants Police, numerous amnesty bins across the county have resulted in more than 1,000 knives being taken off the streets. Volunteers have also visited schools spreading their anti-crime message to thousands of young people. The charity's work is invaluable and we thank them for everything they are doing in our communities Photo: File picture
12. NT Stars of 2023: George Dowsett and son Jake
Rushden father and son George Dowsett and Jake completed their six-month challenge to reduce the amount of household waste earlier this year, successfully managing to go half a year without filling their black bin! And not only have they been doing their bit to help the environment, George and Jake have been inspiring other people to be more aware of their habits, with many pledging to follow in their footsteps on the pair’s Facebook page. Their efforts to help the planet and encourage others to do the same is such a great example of how we can all make a difference in looking after the world we live in, well done George and Jake! Photo: Submitted