retiredmartin

July 2025. Northampton.

I’m drowning in blog material at present, but resisting the temptation to rush through some of our loveliest unsung towns.

Like Northampton, on a first visit to the centre in seven years, an old codgers trip where we met the actual Mayor of that fine town.

It seems to be a town in transition.

I’ve been trying to combine a visit to finish pinking the GBG with a sleepy day watching county cricket on a ground once nearly graced by George Best, but the slogfest that is the Hundred has put Wantage Road out of action till September.

And there’s nothing more irritating than a page of the Guide with one entry left to colour in.

So let’s see what’s changed since Covid.

Well, not a lot. Some decent street art, an underpass between County Court and shops stinking of weed (or worse),

and a market square that’s far too quiet this Thursday, but at least you can stand in the middle and admire the sights.

Honestly, it’s a great little square, just tragically underused. Cambridge’s main square at least has stalls selling soap and felafel wraps, though nothing as gorgeous as Northampton’s marvellous collection of late 17th century post-fire buildings.

But you know why I’m really here.

It’s to see how your and my favourite Fosters pub is doing.

Dear old Richard had his doubts about the status of some of the transactions going on in that alley in 2018, but he was an ex-copper.

I loved the Rifle Drum for its life that day,

and cruelly the life was sucked out by Covid. We should treasure these pubs that will never make the GBG.

Across the lane that day we lamented a derelict Shipmans, another classic town pub,

and although it did re-open I’m not sure that counts as a win.

Am I wrong ?

Just then, something else in Drum lane caught my eye;

Something even more cultured than the Rifle Drum.