Cosgrove village

Welcome to our village website, where you'll find information about Cosgrove and the community.
Cosgrove village is a rural community located in South Northamptonshire and is served by West Northamptonshire Council.

Use the menu and dropdowns above to find information, news and points of interest for our village, where to eat, drink & stay, local businesses and our country walks. The Events calendar page shows what's on in the village, when and where it's held and which rubbish bins will be emptied each week for the current and next month. 
Spend some time to meander through our gallery of village views, both present and yesteryear. To help provide more interesting information and photographs, we have our News roundup and Village Events pages. Please take a look and see what's made the news.

For an email notification of important news, select the News tab, where you can add your email address. You will receive an email informing you, whenever items of news are added to the website.

Development and Planning information can be selected from the menu above. 

If you can't find what you're looking for, please let us know by selecting Contact from the options above.

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Recent updates
Click the blue hyperlink to be directed to the page on the website containing the information.  
28th November - Parish Council: meeting agenda for 4th December uploaded.
17th November - Home: Seasonal health support information added. West Northamptonshire Council: Help provide Comfort and Joy this Christmas to those less fortunate.
17th November - Home: Poppy Appeal collection details.
13th November - Home: Winter fuel payment information.
7th November - Parish Council Meeting Minutes 2024: Draft November's meeting minutes and approved minutes of the October meeting.
25th October - Home: West Northamptonshire Council - Community support information added.
15th October - Development and Planning: Applications pending a decision updated.
3rd October -  Parish footpath warden: October update of our local footpath network.

 

Mental Health

Everyone has mental health. MIND state that 'good mental health typically means being able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life'. We all need to take care of our mental health, even if we do not have a mental health problem.
Mental health problems can affect anyone and are a common experience. There is a range of support available that can help you or someone you know. You can find out more using the links below:

 You can find information here: Every Mind Matters - NHS

 There is also a local mental wellbeing service directory where you can find out about what help is available: 
Mental health services and support | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)

 Locally, we also have a 24/7 mental health number run by NHFT:
The Mental Health Number | NHFT
This also includes a text service.

 

Winter Fuel Payment - do you qualify?

To receive a Winter Fuel Payment, you will now need to qualify via means testing. That means
testing will be based on whether you are eligible for Pension Credit or not during the week of
16 – 22 September 2024. You only need to be eligible for one day during this qualifying week to
benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
You have until 21 December 2024 to apply for Pension Credit, which is the last possible date
to make a successful backdated claim in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.
It is really important that you check whether you, or a loved one, might be eligible for Pension
Credit.
You can do this online at: apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/start
You can also call the claim line on 0800 99 1234. You’ll need the following details to hand:
•⁠ ⁠Your National Insurance number.
•⁠ ⁠Your bank account details.
•⁠ ⁠Information about your income, savings and investments.
•⁠ ⁠Information about your pension (if you have one).
•⁠ ⁠Details of any housing costs (such as service charges or ground rent) and your partner’s details
(if relevant).
You can call Age UK Northamptonshire to get more help on this via their advice line on 01604
611200, or go online to their website at www.ageuk.org.uk.
Citizens Advice hold drop-in sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays 0930-1230 in the
Northampton Guildhall.

 

Parish Council Election 2025

All parish, town, and community council seats will be up for election on Thursday 1 May 2025, which is now less than a year away. All unitary council seats will also be up for election, which means the costs of the elections will be shared between the two tiers of local government in the county.
All councils should aim to have a contested election, i.e. where the number of candidates standing is greater than the number of seats available. Only 1 in 5 councils achieved that in 2021 at the last election, which isn't ideal for a sector that is part of democracy. There are many reasons why councils have uncontested elections, i.e. where the number of candidates standing is the same as or less than the number of seats available. Some of those reasons are outside a council’s control (such as the reduction nationally of people wanting to be formally involved in the running of their communities). Cosgrove Parish council wants to make everyone aware and encourage those that may be interested to attend meetings before the election and see if joining the council is for them.

 

West Northamptonshire Council - Community support

Thousands of those aged 65 and over urged to get their flu vaccination

People aged 65 years and over, as well as those who will be turning 65 by 31 March 2025, are being encouraged to get their free flu vaccination this winter to help them stay well.
Flu is a highly contagious infection that anyone can catch, with many experiencing unpleasant symptoms such as a high temperature, body ache, headache, and sore throat. However, for vulnerable people, which includes those aged 65 and over, Flu can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, and can even be fatal.
In West Northamptonshire we are seeing an increase in respiratory infections across all age groups, therefore we urge our residents who are eligible, to get their free flu vaccination. Last winter 23% of people aged 65 and above did not receive their vaccination, putting them at risk of being infected with Flu and developing complications.
Cllr Matt Golby, West Northamptonshire Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health said:
“It is important that we all take steps to look after ourselves and protect our loved ones, especially over the colder months when we know illnesses spread more easily. If you are eligible to receive free vaccinations, please take up this opportunity to not only protect you, but also those around you who may be vulnerable and at high risk of being infected.”

If you have not yet had your appointment, please speak to your GP or a participating local pharmacy to book an appointment.

If you are feeling unwell with symptoms of flu, or another respiratory infection , please contact professionals from the following services, who will provide the necessary advice on managing your symptoms and treatment options.

· NHS 111

· Call your GP

· Speak to your local pharmacy by phone

Those in this age group are also eligible to receive the free COVID-19 vaccine as part of the national Winter programme. The COVID-19 vaccine can be safely co-administered with the flu vaccination, in one appointment.
For further details on, visit the West Northamptonshire Council website regarding Seasonal Flu (Influenza) | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)

Get your two or three-year-olds protected with the free flu nasal spray 

For information, click the blue title to be taken to WNC's website.

Sepsis: get to know the risks, spot the signs, and act fast
 

Household Support Fund to Aid Vulnerable Households in West Northamptonshire This Winter

Residents facing financial hardship will receive additional support this winter from the latest round of the Household Support Fund. For information, click the blue title to be taken to WNC's website.

 

West Northamptonshire is joining forces with other local authorities to ask ‘why do you drop litter?’

For information, click the blue title to be taken to WNC's website.

 

Playing Field and Equipment needs of the community

Do you have aspirations to help improve the Village Playing Field?
If you do, gather your thoughts, determine what your children wish for, check out suppliers, potential costs and options to aid funding. Funding is an issue, but you may have the knowledge and skill to access grants.
Please let our Parish clerk, Jenny Evans or a Parish Councillor know if you can help. Contact Jenny by email at clerk@cosgroveparishcouncil.org.uk

Parish Councillor vacancies

Notice of Casual Vacancy for the two vacant Parish Council positions can be viewed on Parish Council screen.

Grazing cattle near Public Rights of Way

Cattle with calves are now grazing in fields with Public Rights of Way. Cattle are inquisitive animals and are often attracted to walkers, especially if walking a dog. Please consider using alternative routes if you're unsure or you notice that the cattle are excited by your presence.

Parking

With increasing volumes of traffic through the village it is vital that pavements and paths are kept clear, and pedestrians not forced to walk in the road. 
Concerns have been raised at the March Parish Council about vehicles being parked inconsiderately. In one location vehicles are forced over the centre white line when passing the vehicle.
Vehicles parked near to the crossroads create blind spots for drivers, as it's impossible to see if a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.
The Parish Council appreciate that parking is difficult, but appeals to everyone to consider whether their parked vehicle creates an unnecessary hazard.  Please check that your vehicle is parked as safely as possible and that you've checked if another location may be safer for everyone.

​Organisations & Services

Access Services and Support screen from the dropdown menu above, under Home

Information on matters affecting Cosgrove can be viewed on News roundup screen, also accessible from the dropdown menu above, under Home.