Traditionally a shoemaking town, Kettering was given a shot in the arm when it was joined to England’s growing train network in 1857. Most of the town dates from after this period, and in the 21st century Kettering is going through another big expansion.

The impact of separation on children

Kettering is also where Alison, founder of The Group Hug spent her childhood and teenage years and she still has family in the town. She attended Latimer School in Barton Seagrave and had a Saturday job working in The Bakers Oven in the Newlands Shopping centre. She left the area when she was 19, looking for adventure!

So, what is there to do with kids in Kettering?

• Wicksteed Park is set in 147 acres of parkland and has benefitted from Lottery Funding for refurbishments in recent years. There are indoor and outdoor play areas, so fun to be had, regardless of the weather. The park can also boast the worlds oldest water chute, it was designed in 1926! – Barton Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 6NJ
• West Lodge Rural Centre is small family owned farm with a “cuddle corner” – great if you need to destress with some fluffiness! – Back Lane, Desborough, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 2SH
• The Harrington Aviation Museums comprise the Carpetbagger Aviation and Secret War Museum – Sunnyvale Farm, off Lamport Road, Harrington, NN6 9PF
• Kid’s Play – A super duper play centre with one of the biggest soft-play, climbing areas Group Hug Founder Alison has seen to date! Her kids love it! Plenty of grown-up seating with basic food choices and coffee! Perfect – Kettering Leisure Village, Thurston Drive, Kettering, NN15 6PB,

Visit The Northamptonshire Hug Directory

On the leafy streets just south of the town centre sit the town museum (NN16 0AN) and perpendicular parish church, while the road Headlands is flanked by mansions for the shoe and boot factory owners.

You’ll stumble upon some invaluable pieces of heritage in the local countryside, like the Baroque Boughton House, also called known as “The English Versailles”(NN14 1BJ), the enigmatic 16th-century folly “Triangular Lodge” (NN14 1RP), designed by Sir Thomas Tresham and Northampton’s Eleanor Cross, a memorial for Edward I’s wife in Geddington. One of only two ossuaries to be found in the UK is in the subterranean charnel chapel of Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell and you can read more about The Rothwell Charnel Chapel Project here.

Do you need Family Law help in Kettering:

Seatons Solicitors began in September 1983 and they offer a friendly and professional legal service to all of their clients. You can find them at 6 Market Street, Kettering, NN16 0AH.

Wilson Browne Solicitors have a friendly, down to-earth-approach, so they can understand you and you can understand them. If this sounds like the firm for you, find them at Kettering Parkway, Kettering, NN15 6WN.

Family Law in Corby

Seatons Solicitors, 1 Alexandra Road, Corby, NN17 1PE

Divorce and Dissolution

For most people, when they walk down the aisle, divorce is the last thing on their mind. The wedding was tricky enough to plan, but the separation or divorce, well that’s even more complicated.  You may have had some stress when you tied the knot, but untying it, well that’s another story and one which may require legal intervention in the form of a firm of Family Solicitors, McKenzie Friend or a bloody good book!

Being a Family Lawyer is pretty lucrative as apparently 48% of marriages end in divorce for a variety of reasons.  From affairs or domestic abuse, to unreasonable behaviour in the form of alcoholism or using recreational drugs; marriages can last a few months right up to many years. 

It is well documented that the Family Courts are in chaos. As of 1^st April 2013, Legal Aid for divorce cases in England and Wales was withdrawn by the government. Legal Aid funding is not allowed for divorce or family law cases unless the party applying is a victim of domestic violence. The rules are very strict and it’s all means tested. In many cases, the applicant has to be on what’s termed a “passporting benefit”, which is a benefit the applicant is receiving purely because they have no assets or other income. 

Legal Aid – with legal aid unobtainable for the majority, this leaves many people acting as LIP’s (Litigant in Person) in the courts and with very little legal knowledge, Judges are left guiding these poor folks through court cases where they don’t have the correct paperwork and documents or through cross-examining their ex. It’s sheer courtroom drama.

McKenzie Friends – for those who have very little income, there are practices which are run by McKenzie Friends. These are people who can accompany someone to their court case, to help them as they are a LIP and unrepresented by a Solicitor or Barrister. The McKenzie Friend can sit in the courtroom with the LIP and offer support and advice as well as taking notes. They can also very quietly provide divorce legal advice. 

There are a few things that a McKenzie Friend can’t do. They cannot conduct litigation; this has to be done by the LIP and neither can they file court documents or statements. If you want further information on this, there is a Practice Direction issued by the Family Courts. Read the rest of this article.

Exercise and how it can improve your mental health

If you are looking for financial advice, we have found the following listings:

• O’Sullivan Financial Planning – 12 Symonds Way, Mawsley, Northants NN14 1GW
• Anstee & Co – 5 Brooklands Court Kettering Venture Park, Kettering NN15 6FD
• Michael Jones Independent Financial Services – 24 Dempsey Drive Rothwell, Kettering NN14 6LA
• Tilney Financial Planner – 26 / 28 Headlands, Kettering NN15 7HP

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