This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-28279790
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Little Scotland': Corby holds mock referendum vote | 'Little Scotland': Corby holds mock referendum vote |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A mock independence vote is being held in England's "Little Scotland". | |
| The ballot, staged as part of Corby's Highland Gathering, will see those who attend offered the chance to vote. | |
| Thousands living in the Northamptonshire town are of Scottish descent having moved there in the 1930s to work on iron and steelwork sites. | Thousands living in the Northamptonshire town are of Scottish descent having moved there in the 1930s to work on iron and steelwork sites. |
| Organiser Mark Pengelly said the vote was "a bit of fun" but might be an indicator of the likely outcome of the national vote in September. | Organiser Mark Pengelly said the vote was "a bit of fun" but might be an indicator of the likely outcome of the national vote in September. |
| According to the 2011 census, 7,765 (12.7%) of the town's population of 61,255 were born in Scotland. | According to the 2011 census, 7,765 (12.7%) of the town's population of 61,255 were born in Scotland. |
| The Corby annual Highland Gathering at The Charter Field features pipe bands and highland dancing, and is said to be the biggest such event held outside Scotland. | |
| Many Scots stayed in Corby after the collapse of iron and steel working sites in the area, leading to the town's "Little Scotland" tag. | |
| Linda Cassidy, who moved to Corby in 1977, said: "Living outside of Scotland has never made me feel any less Scottish. | Linda Cassidy, who moved to Corby in 1977, said: "Living outside of Scotland has never made me feel any less Scottish. |
| "I won't have a vote in September, but I do have a view and I hope everyone in Corby will make their views heard today." | "I won't have a vote in September, but I do have a view and I hope everyone in Corby will make their views heard today." |
| Scottish 'voice' | Scottish 'voice' |
| Corby Borough Council had campaigned for its residents to have a say on Scotland's future. | Corby Borough Council had campaigned for its residents to have a say on Scotland's future. |
| Only those permanently living in the country are eligible to vote in the official poll. | Only those permanently living in the country are eligible to vote in the official poll. |
| Mr Pengelly, a Labour councillor, felt a mock vote would give Corby's Scots "a voice". | Mr Pengelly, a Labour councillor, felt a mock vote would give Corby's Scots "a voice". |
| "Corby has a lot of Scottish traditions," he said. "The vote will certainly create a lot of interest." | "Corby has a lot of Scottish traditions," he said. "The vote will certainly create a lot of interest." |
| A polling station for the mock poll will open at 09.00 and close at 16:00 BST. The result is expected to be announced 30 minutes later. | A polling station for the mock poll will open at 09.00 and close at 16:00 BST. The result is expected to be announced 30 minutes later. |
| The actual referendum on Scottish independence will take place on 18 September. | The actual referendum on Scottish independence will take place on 18 September. |
| Organisers believe up to 8,000 people could attend the Highland Gathering if the weather is kind. | Organisers believe up to 8,000 people could attend the Highland Gathering if the weather is kind. |