Today we take a look at the Spirit of Corby campaign led by Corby Council and the Evening Telegraph to shine a spotlight on the positive things happening in the town.


"Putting the Cor back into Corby" is a catchphrase coined by Corby Council leader Pat Fawcett to emphasise the efforts of the town-wide regeneration.

Over the past few years the town has managed to shake off the negative image it had long been dogged by and is now regarded as the most dynamic and fastest growing town in the county.

A £55m civic building, a revamped town centre set to cost more than £150m and a £20m Olympic-size 50m swimming pool are the linchpins of a regeneration which will catapult Corby firmly into the 21st century.

The Evening Telegraph has been with the town every step of the way on its journey and launched its Spirit of Corby in December 2006, following a series of critical articles focusing on the town's image in line with an out of date Government report which claimed Corby people were more scared of anti-social behaviour than anywhere else in the country.

Our coverage has focused on the positive events happening in the town, such as the Highland Gathering, Corby Carnival and the work of the numerous voluntary organisations who make up the fabric of the town.

Retired headteacher Eamonn Norton who moved to the town, was one of the residents who spoke out to praise the town.

He said: "The town has been a story of great success.

"It has suffered poverty, struggle, unemployment, disappointment, betrayal and broken promises.

"Yet it has not only survived but it is now building a positive future."

There has also been extensive coverage of Corby Council's Spirit of Corby awards, which included groups such as art organisation Corby Zone, and which recognised teenage cancer sufferer Danielle Robinson, who volunteers for the St John Ambulance.

Council leader Pat Fawcett said: "I think where the Evening Telegraph has come into its own is campaigining for Corby.

"It helped raise the profile of the rail station campaign and has also tackled green issues.

"It takes on the issues that are important to Corby people."