CHILDREN from a Worsbrough primary school were so touched by the news of the spreading Australian wildfires that they begged for a chance to help donate money to the cause.

Pupils from The Mill Academy, Lobwood, asked their teachers how they could help after they saw news coverage of the Australian bushfires which have raged for more than a month.

Spurred on by their pupils’ enthusiasm, the head of the school, Tamara Gulliver, organised a non-uniform day where all the proceeds will be donated towards the wildlife that has been affected.

“Some of the children were getting very upset when they saw things about the fires,” said Tamara. “They had seen footage of the koalas and kangaroos that had been hurt during the fires so we spoke about ways we could help within school and came up with our own version of ‘Wildlife Warrior Day’.”

Wildlife Warrior Day was created by Australia Zoo in memory of Australian zookeeper Steve Irwin and is also known as Steve Irwin Day – after the TV presenter. While the day is typically celebrated in November, the school felt the message of the day reflected their fund-raising aim which is to help the animals affected by the fires.

Children are being encouraged to dress in animal print, or in the colours of the Australian flag for the day which took place on Friday. 

 “We sold buns and coffees, and we also had a map of Australia which we covered in pound coins to help raise money,” said Tamara.

DETAILS of an extra £10m bill for Barnsley’s town centre redevelopment have emerged from the council, pushing the overall costs of the transformation up to £190m.

The scheme centres on the Glassworks complex which has been rebuilt from the skeleton of the old Metropolitan Centre but also includes the flagship Library @ the Lightbox, a cinema and bowling complex as well as a new multi-storey car park and other modern features including new CCTV.

Costs have crept up through the course of the development to a total of £180m for the construction work, but the council will now have to find another £10m to meet other costs, including money to meet loans in the early years of the project and to meet operating costs before the complex is completed and fully occupied.

However, costs for the overall development are kept separate from the finances for the new market, where rents for stallholders in the upstairs section were recently halved.

It also emerged that a significant number of stallholders are in arrears with their rent and this week the council took action against a trader, formally taking charge of the stall on the ground floor, pasting a formal notice on the stall to confirm the lease dating from July last year had been terminated. The notice was later removed.

That is the second time Barnsley Council has taken such action, though the authority has declined to explain why, saying the issue is a matter between the landlord and tenant.

Coun Tim Cheetham, spokesman for regeneration and culture, said: “The positive impact of the development across the town centre is already visible. An investment like this not only stimulates inward investment and economic growth, it creates more and better jobs; our initial estimates suggest that the scheme will generate approximately 1,100 jobs by 2025.

“The total forecast capital cost of the scheme is currently unchanged.

“The figure quoted in the Audit Committee papers includes costs unrelated to construction. Those costs include early year borrowing and centre operating costs incurred before the development is fully open.

“An update on the development is due to be presented at cabinet in March.

“Oversight, governance and value for money are at the core of everything the council delivers. 

“We continue to stringently review all cost and income projections associated with the development, to make sure that value for money is demonstrated and achieved.”

Barnsley Council has reported strong ‘footfall’ for the town centre since the market moved to its new home in late 2018, with the new Market Kitchen food hall and bar now open and other shops beginning to move into the Glass Works.

However, the market traders’ body has questioned the validity of that assessment, claiming businesses are struggling.

Vice chairman of the National Market Traders Federation Barnsley Group, Keiron Knight, said: “The council keep saying footfall in the town centre is good but that isn’t the experience of market traders.

“Many are struggling financially and that’s the reason people are late paying their rent, they’re just not making the money.

“The council must recognise that because they’ve reduced the rent for traders upstairs, they wouldn’t do that if business was healthy.

“It’s a welcome move but it does nothing to help those with stalls on the ground floor.

“They still have the same bills to pay but have the added problem of having colleagues upstairs who can afford to undercut their prices because the overheads up there are so much lower.”

The Glass Works project will be followed up by other schemes to help move the town centre and surrounding areas forwards, including development of the Court House site with a second development of the successful Digital Media Centre, which supports new businesses in the technology centre, and plans to regenerate the old Yorkshire Electricity site off Harborough Hill Road.

• Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

TWO men who were caught red-handed attempting to steal gardening tools from a Barnsley Council depot have been sentenced.

Prolific thieves David Fearnley, 27, and 31-year-old accomplice Benjamin Ferry – who have clocked up more than 80 convictions between them – entered the Smithies Lane depot on May 22 last year under the cover of darkness.

However the pair, high on diazepam, were seen by security attempting to steal gardening tools and were effectively trapped at the site until police arrived.

They appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and both pleaded guilty to attempted theft, criminal damage and trespassing on the council’s property.

Fearnley, of Dodworth Road, Barnsley, told the Probation Service in an interview that he thought it was a ‘good idea’ at the time while Ferry, of Priory Court, Monk Bretton, had a ‘vague recollection’ of the incident due to being high on drugs.

Philip Howard, defending Ferry, said: “My client is no stranger to HMP Marshgate as he’s been there so often, but he’s now on an even keel. At the time of this incident he was on the street and had consumed a large quantity of drugs prior to this. They had no way of removing the items from the depot and were trapped in the compound, unable to get out.”

A statement from operations manager Michael Clay estimated the window the pair broke to gain access to the site cost £2,000 to repair, while property they moved and damaged while on the site could cost up to £5,000 to rectify. He added the disruption caused to himself and site staff also brought a ‘substantial cost’.

District Judge Joanne Hurst told Fearnley to pay £1,000 in compensation, a 12-month community order featuring 200 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation requirement. Ferry, already subject to a 3pm while 7am curfew from a previous offence, was given a 20-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and told to pay the same sum of compensation and complete a 20-day rehabilitation requirement.

She said: “This caused significant disruption to the depot. It had to be closed, repair work had to be carried out on a damaged window and I believe the effects of your behaviour caused tens of thousands of pounds in costs.”

POLICE have released images of two men they would like to speak to after a man was tied up and robbed in his own home. 

The 57-year-old victim has been left fearing for his safety after two men entered his home under false pretences on January 14 at around 5.30pm. 

It is reported that the men assaulted the victim before tying him up, ransacking his home and fleeing with a number of personal belongings. 

The robbery has left the victim feeling vulnerable and worried about a second attack.

South Yorkshire Police would like to speak to the two men who were pictured in the CCTV images as they may have information which could assist officers with their enquiries.

If you know the men in the pictures, please call 101 quoting incident number 633 of January 14 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A WOMAN who had a hysterectomy at the age of 24 is hoping she will be able to have a baby through surrogacy thanks to the fundraising efforts of her younger sister. 

Amy Jukes, of Wombwell, was diagnosed with cervical cancer after going for her first smear test six months before turning 25.

After receiving abnormal results she was referred to hospital for further testing and was diagnosed with stage 2B cervical cancer. 

“It was a bit of a surprise for me as it isn’t usually until you are 25 that you’re called for a smear, but I went and had it done and my results came back saying I had abnormal cells,” said Amy, who works as a paediatric nurse and is now 28. 

“I wasn’t particularly worried as my mum said it’s a common thing and she’s had that before and had to undergo tests to be safe.”

When Amy went for further testing and had a biopsy – where a section of the cervical tissue is removed for further examination – she was told she had cancerous cells in her cervix. 

“She underwent a colposcopy where abnormal cells were found and then had the cells treated, but it was found the cancer had spread to the edge of her cervix. 

“I had to have a hysterectomy and afterwards they found cancer in one of my lymph nodes but only one, which meant it had not spread further, so I was – and am – very lucky.”

Amy said she and her fiancé Scott Adams, 30, – who have been together for 11 years – want to have a baby and now Amy has had IVF treatment to freeze her eggs, they have decided go through host surrogacy, where an embryo or embryos will be transferred into a chosen surrogate via IVF.

However, the process costs upwards of £5,000 due to medical costs, which Amy said is upsetting for her and Scott, as if she had to undergo IVF and could carry the baby herself, it would be free.

“It’s just frustrating as it isn’t even my fault that this has happened, but I still have to pay all of these costs, even with a bit of funding it would help, but there isn’t anything. 

“Even though the embryo has mine and Scott’s DNA, the birth mother has the right over the child and she and her partner will be classed as the parents. We will legally have to adopt the baby. It’s ridiculous but luckily my surrogate is one of my best friends, so it will be fine.” 

However, Amy’s sister Chloe Jukes, also of Wombwell, is helping her sister with the surrogacy costs and has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £5,000. 

“You don’t expect it to cost that much money for her to have a kid, and because of the circumstances she has been put under, you would kind of expect that this would all be available under the NHS, but it isn’t, so that’s been a bit of a shock itself,” said Chloe, 24. 

“I just thought I would give it a go really. You see people setting these pages up and doing quite well, so I wanted to do it for her.”

• To donate to the appeal visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/ivf-treatment-for-cervical-cancer-survivor

A MARKET stall that has been a staple of the town for more than 60 years has closed for business.

George the Sockman, affectionately named after George Fenton who originated the stall. 

On Wednesday, Anthony Fenton, who took over trading duties from his dad after he retired in 2004, bid a fond farewell to the stall that began with his father.

“My dad started on a bus with a suitcase at the original old market. 

“When the semi-open market got built he moved over there, where I started working with him when I left school at 16 years old, and then I eventually took over the stall in 2004 when my dad retired.”

Anthony, 43, has been trading in Barnsley for more than 16 years but believes that it is now time for a change.

“It’s my last day this week, I’m closing up shop and spending some more time with my family.

“My partner is back working again, and we have a little boy called George, who was named after my dad before he passed away.

“It has just come to a time now that seems right, with the changes to the market and changes of shifts. I have been working four days a week and didn’t want to go to six.

“I have a young family and obviously with the rents getting higher and major new developments happening, it felt it was the right time for a change.”

Since taking over the stall, Anthony has experienced a lot of changes to the town centre, from the semi-open market to the newly developed Glass Works indoor market.

“The market has all changed – obviously times have changed and moved on with people using the internet and online shopping. 

“But I have still loved it for all my life.

“The highlight for me has been the customers, the regulars, the banter we have all day and seeing everyone’s happy faces – I’ve absolutely loved every single minute of it.”

Although George the Sockman is no longer open for business, Anthony has been reluctant to leave the customers that have stayed loyal to his and his father’s stall for more than 60 years.

“I want to say a massive thank you to every single customer throughout the years, I’ve made a lot of good friends in the traders too.

“I’ve seen customers grow up, grow old, and I’ve had a lot of my dad’s old customers too, so it really has passed through the generations.

“I’m going to miss coming and I’m going to miss all of my friends at the market.

“But I’m still going to come in and buy my meat and my vegetables, and keep supporting them the best I can.”

FIREFIGHTERS were called to an accidentally-started shed fire at a house in Cudworth. 

Crews from Cudworth and Barnsley were called to Darfield Road, near Crown Avenue, at 4.15pm.

While the direct cause of the fire is yet to be established, it reportedly involved a gas cylinder which was accidentally set alight.

The last engine left the scene just after 6pm.

THREE former Reds players will be visiting Barnsley to raise money for charity.

John Hendrie, Nicky Eaden and Adie Moses will be hosting an evening at the Garrison next Friday, to raise money for the Liam Jones Legacy Community Group.

Liam Jones, 24, of Manor Crescent, Grimethorpe, was found in a woodland in May 2018 and had never displayed signs of suffering with his mental health.

The Liam Jones Legacy was set up days after news broke about his death, which helps mental health sufferers access much-needed support services in the hope of saving lives.

The players famously played for the Reds during the 1997/98 Premier League season – the first topflight season in the club’s history.

The players will be at the Garrison on February 7 from 7pm and tickets must be purchased at the bar prior to the event. 

‘HUGE’ numbers of Barnsley residents struggling to pay council tax bills as a result of the heavily criticised Universal Credit rollout are in line for a discount up to 82.5 per cent, a report released this week has revealed.

Universal Credit, which was intended to simplify what was thought to be a complicated benefits system, includes a range of different payments made to those who qualify but claimants have reported delays of up to five weeks.

It came into effect in Barnsley in July 2017 but has been blighted by complaints and, according to MPs in the town, has left residents with little choice but to rely on foodbanks and fall into arrears with their bills.

According to Barnsley Council, it has had an ‘adverse impact’ on claimants paying council tax bills, leading to reduced collection rates, higher levels of arrears and increased use of enforcement action.

Last week it was revealed that more than 12,000 households have been identified as being eligible for a council tax discount from April - despite the overall bill being earmarked to rise by 3.9 per cent - but this week the council unveiled its intended structure.

A cabinet report said: “The highest level of discount will be set at a maximum level of 82.5 per cent of the total liability, followed by 72.5 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent.

“As a result, the revised scheme is less likely to add to the debt burden of low income households than the current scheme.”

EVADING a £3.90 train fare will end up costing one Barnsley man almost £640.

Craig Johnstone, of Beevor Court, off Pontefract Road, did not have a ticket for his journey from Penistone to Barnsley when he was challenged by a conductor last July.

He did not have any cash either and nor did the 37-year-old pay the non-payment notice within 21 days, Barnsley Magistrates’ Court was told.

He was found guilty in his absence, fined £440, told to pay costs of £150, a £44 victim surcharge and compensation of £3.90.

A PERVERT who used a ‘spy pen’ for his own sexual gratification in the Metrodome’s changing rooms has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Simon Vicary, of Holmfield Avenue, Wakefield, travelled to Barnsley over an eight-month period to spy on his victims.

Vicary used a recording device disguised as a pen in order to watch people undressing at the leisure complex on Queens Road.

The 61-year-old pleaded guilty to nine charges of voyeurism at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, offences carried out between May 2018 and January 2019.

District Judge Joanne Hurst was told that Vicary had led an isolated life, despite being a delivery driver for 35 years, as he was a carer for his elderly mother who recently died aged 96.

Ms Hurst gave Vicary a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered him to carry out a 40-day rehabilitation requirement.

He will also sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years and pay costs of £85 and a £115 surcharge. Compensation of £400 will also be distributed to his victims.

She added: “You spied on your victims and this had a big psychological impact, causing shock and distress in what they presumed was a safe environment for changing.

“Your mother passed away last week, but your offending took place before this and so cannot be used as a factor.

“You clearly planned this as it involved a specific location and was done over an eight-month period.”

WORK to support crime victims across South Yorkshire is to be extended following three years of success with a project funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings.

He has decided, alongside his counterpart Keith Hunter in Humberside, to extend a contract with Victim Support to provide services for another two years.

The move is an endorsement of the work already done and will give the organisation the chance to develop its skills further.It uses a team of professionals to organise the service, with volunteers taking on the task of helping crime victims.

Dr Billings said that enabled the service to identify: “Those who are being specifically intimidated and targeted, victims of repeat crimes as well as those experiencing the most serious crimes.”

The scheme operates independently and they already work to the Victims Code of Practice, to help identify the most vulnerable.

But staff are also working to complete an Open College Network accredited course, which will see them become Victim Care Advocates.

They are the first in the country to develop their skills in that way.

Dr Billings said the extension to a five year contract for Victim Support was intended to give stability to the organisation, in an arena where similar organisations frequently worked to short term contracts.

• Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A VEHICLE has broken down on Hunningley Lane causing traffic delays.

Please allow extra time for your journey.

CARABAO Energy Drink has teamed up with We Are Barnsley to give ten lucky Barnsley fans the chance to win a pair of tickets to Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday February 8.

Currently in the third year of its partnership with the EFL, which includes the title sponsorship of the Carabao Cup, South-East Asian energy drink Carabao is proud to support all 72 football league clubs for the 2019/20 season. 

Carabao Energy Drinks are great-tasting, fruity low sugar and no sugar drinks that provide an energy boost for everyone, specifically adults of all ages, to get them through their day. Carabao has half the sugar of other leading energy drinks and comes in a range of flavours that taste just like soft drinks, such as Green Apple, Mandarin Orange, Original, Green Apple Sugar Free and Original Sugar Free.

Carabao is currently stocked in Asda, BP, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Spar, WHSmith, as well as a significant number of independent retailers.

To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize, simply answer the following question: 

Which Barnsley player has said that he wants to play for his country in this summer’s Copa America?

Email your answer to competitions@wcommunications.co.uk

You have 24 hours to enter. Good luck!

BUS users may face travel delays this afternoon following a power cut.

The Barnsley Interchange is currently without power and the screens are currently off, preventing passengers from viewing what times or what stand their bus is leaving from.

The pharmacy, Subway, Cooplands and Select Convenience have also had to close while they wait for the power to be turned back on.

The lifts and the escalator are also currently out of service.

THE company operating trains through Barnsley will be stripped of its franchise and its services will be brought under government control, it has been announced.

The transport secretary Grant Shapps announced this afternoon that Northern Rail’s franchise will be stripped from German operator Arriva Rail North from March 1, following months of major disruptions.

Northern Rail serves Barnsley, connecting passengers to Sheffield, Leeds and Huddersfield and the company has been under fire since May 2018 when a new timetable was introduced across the Northern network.

Northern bosses initially blamed ‘challenges outside of its control’ however Grant Shapps said that passengers had ‘lost trust’ in the north’s rail network and people across the north deserve a better service.

IF you’ve ever wondered what goes through the mind of a serial killer, this talk digs deep into the psychology of some of the UK’s most cold-blooded killers.

Jennifer Rees will speak about how serial killers are classified and the different categories of killers. She will also debunk some common myths and show the difference between male and female killers. 

Jennifer will also speak about the phenomenon of killer couples such as Fred and Rose West and ‘The Moors Murderers’, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley and will explore why women can fall in love with known serial killers. 

The Psychology of Serial Killers will take place at The Metrodome on April 22. 

For tickets click https://thelittleboxoffice.com/borderev.../event/view/118861

CANNON Hall has received £50,000 to help a new horticultural project blossom.

Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens received the funds from the Wolfson Foundation which will be put towards supporting the fit-out of a new horticultural learning space in the walled gardens.

Although further funds are required before the work can be undertaken, the funding will help to get the project off the ground.

The money secured will contribute towards the North Range Glass Restoration and Access Project and will help restore and transform a currently derelict building, bringing it back into use within the historic Cannon Hall estate.

As well as enabling access to the disused building - allowing visitors to see it for the very first time - the renovation will also provide a space for training young people, adults and families in horticultural topics linked to the heritage, art and landscape of Cannon Hall.

Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman for regeneration and culture, said: “The historic parklands are such a special place and hold wonderful memories for both local residents and visitors. This wonderful project would offer a space for people to learn new skills as well as more about the gardens and its history. 

“We would like to thanks the Wolfson Foundation for the funding which is a huge step forward in achieving this goal.”

POLICE and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings has appealed for the views of Barnsley people ahead of setting the council tax precept for policing.

The precept - the amount of council tax allocated towards police and crime services - will be set for the next financial year in April.

The PCC is asking people to comment on how much they would be willing to pay for policing, and the areas of crime they would like South Yorkshire Police to focus on.

Anyone who lives or works in South Yorkshire can fill in the survey, which can be found here

A WOMAN and two men have been charged with production of cannabis after officers in Barnsley seized £150,000 worth of drugs.

Officers executed two warrants at properties on Sheffield Road, Hoyland Common and Upper Sheffield Rown in Barnsley town centre.

Officers seized 168 cannabis plants worth in excess of £150,000.

Following the warrants, Gabriela Zancanu, 46, Vasile Vasilache, 34 and Constantin Vasilache, 32 were arrested and later charged with production of cannabis.

They appeared at Barnsley Magistrates Court on Thursday and were remanded in police custody.

MOTORISTS will be facing traffic delays on a main Barnsley road.

There are currently road works on Harborough Hill road on both sides.

One lane is closed on each side.

Please allow extra time for your journey.

A MAN who attempted to avoid parking charges by using his deceased father’s Blue Badge has become one of Barnsley’s first prosecutions for abuse of the scheme. 

Andrew Heath Wyatt, 54, from Hemingfield, pleaded guilty to fraudulently using a Blue Badge at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court, after the court was told he’d altered his father’s badge to make it appear valid and in-date.

Wyatt was ordered to pay costs totalling £1191.55, comprising a £500 fine, additional costs of £641.55 and victim surcharge of £50.

Emma Louise Moss, 35, from Royston, also pleaded guilty to using her disabled daughter’s Blue Badge when she wasn’t present, and was fined £146, with additional costs of £100 and a £32 victim surcharge.

Coun Alan Gardiner, one of 16,000 Blue Badge holders in Barnsley, said the prosecutions sent a ‘clear message’ to those thinking about misusing the scheme.

Coun Gardiner said: “The majority of Blue Badge holders use their badges legitimately, but a minority misuse them for their own benefit. This means that there are fewer disabled parking bays available for those who really need them.

“These prosecutions send a clear message to people of the consequences for misusing a Blue Badge. It’s a criminal offence which could result in a fine of £1,000 and confiscation of the badge.

“Our enforcement team will continue to combat fraud and where appropriate, will prosecute.”

Barnsley is one of 100 upper tier local authorities that has developed a policy for abuse, namely theft or inappropriate misuse, of the Blue Badge system.

However, in 2019 the council didn’t prosecute anyone for such offences, while the number of prosecutions made throughout the country has increased year-on-year – with the 1,432 reported last year an increase of almost a fifth on

the previous year’s 1,215, and up from 1,131 in 2016/17.

According to Department for Transport data, Sheffield prosecuted nine people for Blue Badge abuses, and in Rotherham 12 people faced charges in 2019.

An overwhelming majority of cases are made against non-badge holders using someone else’s badge, and can lead to fines up to £1,000 and the seizing of the badge.

LITTER has been hurled across a cemetery leaving residents reeling, a meeting was told.

Cardboard boxes, crisp packets, plastic bags and empty tin cans were found thrown across Royston Cemetery.

A resident, who attended the Royston Watch meeting said that she had collected a large cardboard box and polystyrene which would have contained a fridge freezer, that had been fly-tipped in the cemetery.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I went to drop my son to school at Outwood Academy Carlton and he was trying to move the cardboard next to the bin in the hope it would be collected.

“I knew it wouldn’t have been and I knew the longer it was left there the chances were that kids would have seen the polystyrene and it will have been littered across the cemetery. I popped it in my car and it’s now in my garden. It was so heavy to carry the culprits can’t have lived far.”

In addition to the litter at the cemetery, fly-tipping is a growing issue across the village, much to the dismay of residents.

Cronkhill Lane, Redwood Avenue, Oakwood Fields, Lee Lane and Millgate Street are just a handful of roads where residents say they have seen instances of fly-tipping.

Sue Micklethwaite, chairman of Royston Watch said: “It’s horrendous and disrespectful. We continue to report these incidents to the council so they should be aware.”

Residents also raised their concerns about the bridge at East End Crescent, which is an area where drug use is prolific.

One resident said that needles had been spotted, and due to how untidy the area is and how the area is used, dog walkers avoid using the path.

On Monday, a group of volunteers from Friends of Royston went to clear the litter under the bridge and the issue was raised at the PACT meeting on Tuesday. Sgt Richard Wilson said that because the bridge was in a quiet area its a ideal place for drug users to congregate and the situation will be monitored.

BARNSLEY Youth Choir has made a huge donation to a local charity which help’s the town’s homeless population.

Representatives from the choir dropped the cheque for £2,000 off at Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project this week.

The cash was raised at a special ‘unplugged’ Christmas concert held at St Mary’s Church in Barnsley.

“We thought very carefully about where we could give the money to,” said leader Mat Wright, recently appointed an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

“We agreed that Barnsley Churches Drop-In was a really worthwhile project for the community that we’d like to support, even as we’re desperately trying to raise funds for ourselves.

“It was partly about money, and partly about education, as the children saw for themselves what the charity do.

“It’s something we’re keen to do again.”

The group also donated around 100 bags of clothing and other items to BCDP’s Rucksack Project.

THE opening date of a long awaited Aldi store has been pushed back to the summer.

Planning permission was granted to build the store on High Street, Royston, back in 2015 but it’s been hit by a number of delays – the most recent one in October.

According to the planning application, the German retailer submitted a variation to relocate the plant area on the site, which was approved on January 8.

The store was initially set to open next month, however Aldi confirmed the store will now open later this year.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Construction work has commenced on the new Royston store and we plan to open the store in the summer. 

“This will create between 20-30 jobs and enable local people to shop and save closer to home.”

POTENTIAL students will have the opportunity to find out about the range of courses available at Barnsley College and Barnsley College Sixth Form. 

The open day will provide information about the full and part-time courses the college has to offer, as well as A levels, T levels, apprenticeships and university-level subjects in a wide range of subjects. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to speak to tutors, tour buildings, attend presentations and have a go at practical activities during a hands-on, interactive event.

Yiannis Koursis, principal and chief executive officer at the college, said: “We understand that choosing the right college and the right course is a difficult decision. 

“Our open day is an ideal opportunity to find out more and have a chat with our friendly and knowledgeable staff. We look forward to welcoming you to the college.”

The open day will take place at various sites around the college including the Sixth Form campus on St Mary’s Place, the Old Mill Lane campus on Church Street, the Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre on Old Mill Lane, the Construction Centre and Sports Academy at the Honeywell campus and Higher Education provision at the Church Street campus. The day will run from 4pm – 7pm on Thursday. 

BARNSLEY’S multi-million pound town centre regeneration has received further plaudits with its night-time offering being awarded through a nationally-recognised scheme.

Council bosses are celebrating being awarded Purple Flag status, identifying the town centre as offering a ‘diverse, safe and enjoyable’ night out.

Barnsley joins only three other Yorkshire towns and cities – Leeds, Sheffield and Halifax – in gaining the accreditation.

It’s hoped the mark will further raise the profile of the town and bring in more money and a more diverse economy, following record levels of footfall already ahead of the Glass Works development’s expected completion next year.

Coun Jim Andrews, cabinet spokesman for public health, said: “We have worked hard over the past three years to improve Barnsley’s evening and night-time economy and address a number of issues to make our town centre a more vibrant and welcoming place that offers a safe and enjoyable night out.”

Barnsley Council launched the Best Bar None scheme in November 2017, which gained support from the Home Office and drinks industry.

The council hopes at least 70 per cent of venues will be signed up to the scheme, which is aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises, by the end of the year.

Barnsley’s public health team was commended at last year’s Best Bar None Awards for its work encouraging bars and pubs to sign up to ‘Ask For Angela’, a code-word scheme for people who feel unsafe on a date or at a gathering, as well as its encouragement of off-licences not to sell single cans of high-strength alcohol.

Coun Andrews added: “We have launched a number of schemes here in Barnsley to improve the town centre and support our Purple Flag submission; Best Bar None, Ask for Angela and Reducing the Strength have all proved to be successful schemes.

“Growing the Best Bar None scheme is one of our priorities we have been shortlisted for this year’s most innovative scheme for introducing our own category for ‘Best Dining Experience’. 

“The Association of Town and City Management commended the fact that Barnsley is the first area in the country to have a Public Health lead for Purple Flag. Whilst we recognise that this is an important achievement we know there is always more to do and our hard work and commitment will continue.”

Since the Market Kitchen’s opening in October, the independent food court has seen a variety of vendors joined by the Cucina Sky Lounge, and Hill 16, a cocktail bar on Market Hill.

THE family of a baby who died suddenly at just nine weeks old have raised more than £5,000 in his memory.

Jacob Oliver Clancy died on January 18 2018 and following his death he was taken to Rose Cottage in Sheffield – a mortuary for children.

It is run by a team that includes specialist paediatric pathologists, technicians, scientists and other health professionals, to ensure the correct care for the child and support for their family. On Friday the family held a fundraising night at the Royston Midland Working Men’s Club which included a raffle and a free performance by drag queen Lady Bacardi and band Fully Lynched.

More than 150 people turned up to the event which raised  £5,048.98 for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

Jacob’s mum, Jacklyn Clancy, said: “I’m the lucky person who gets ultimate privilege and honour of calling Jacob my son. He was the most amazing baby. I feel lucky that he was my son and this was for him. I’m blown away by how

many people came to support this event.

“If I knew it was going to be as successful as it was I’d have booked a bigger place.

“I wasn’t expecting so many people to show up and I want to thank everyone who has donated money, raffle prizes and their time.

“I know that Rose Cottage, who are in the middle of refurbishing, will make use of the money and it’s something I want to try and do annually.”

Jane Darby, fundraising hub officer at The Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity said: "A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the fundraising day in memory of Jacob. The total raised will make a massive difference to the service at Rose Cottage and families at such a difficult time."

A MAN and two young boys were arrested after a break-in at a town centre pub – in which the offenders stole a single case of beer.

Claire and Jon Chambers, owners of the Temple of Muses pub on Graham’s Orchard, were alerted to the alarm going off at the pub at around 2.30am on January 8.

The offenders had broken in via an outside cellar door, but had been unable to access the inside of the pub and had fled with the beer after being spooked by the alarm.

Three suspects were arrested around half an hour after the break-in, but all have since been released.

Claire estimated replacing the door, and the loss of stock, cost the business around £100, and praised the police for their response.

“We’re lucky they didn’t really have time to do any damage,” Claire told the Chronicle.

“They hadn’t made it into the building, they broke the old-fashioned door into the cellar from the street.

“The officers who attended took a radio call and we thought that was it. As we left we saw one of them arresting somebody, but we didn’t think it was anything to do with us.

“Just as we’d got home, the police said they’d caught three people.

“You don’t always expect a positive outcome from a burglary, but we were very impressed.”

A police spokesman said: “A man, aged 30, and two boys aged 15 and 13 – all from Barnsley – were arrested in the area shortly after police were called.

“The boys have since been released without charge and the man has been released under investigation.

“A small quantity of lager was stolen in the incident and later recovered by police.”

A NEW police hub could open in Barnsley ‘within a matter of months’ after bosses promised more on-the-beat officers will be seen as a response to residents’ concerns.

It comes after the force announced that numbers of PCSOs across Barnsley were being reduced but they are now ‘reversing the trend’ by recruiting more officers who have a wider array of powers, including arrest.

Burglary – brought up as a cause for concern by residents at crime meetings across Barnsley – and gang-related activity relating to drugs have prompted change as a result of last year’s precept hike and a renewed commitment from the government.

The Chronicle can reveal that Hoyland police station – axed by police in a cost-cutting measure several years ago – could reopen and be used by a new policing hub, joining existing teams at Barnsley town centre, Cudworth, Kendray, Goldthorpe, Penistone and Royston.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, told the Chronicle: “The government’s accepted that there was a link between falling police numbers and rising crime, especially house burglaries and crimes associated with gangs and drugs.

“Two things are now starting to happen as a result. First, more police officers means that more places will have to be found for them to be based.

“In some parts of the county this could mean we look again at existing police buildings that may have been closed. To take one example in the Barnsley district, we are looking to use again the police station in Hoyland for uniformed officers.”

However, more police could also trickle down to the current hubs responsible for their own district in the borough – a move set to be welcomed by residents who have bemoaned a claimed lack of presence.

“More police will also mean more officers for neighbourhood teams,” Dr Billings added. “These valuable teams were another casualty of the cuts, but they are being restored with both PCSOs – who were often all that remained of neighbourhood policing – and officers with the power of arrest.

“Again, in Hoyland, it will be possible to base a full neighbourhood team in the station when that is reopened, hopefully, in a few months’ time.

“I am sure this will be welcomed by everyone, not least the police.

It means that this new team will be nearer the people and community they serve – something local councillors have been pressing for.”

Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley added: “The public want most of our neighbourhood teams to undertake work that requires them to have warranted powers.

“PCSOs do not have the powers needed to undertake many of these activities, therefore the workforce balance on neighbourhood teams wasn’t right.

“Other police forces have taken very drastic action in removing the role entirely, that’s not our position at all. What we’re doing is rebalancing in our neighbourhoods without redundancies.

“We have had to make some difficult decisions, but it’s clear what the public want.

“The reduction in PCSO posts, and the change to their working hours, will allow us to invest in warranted police officers in our neighbourhoods.

“These officers will be able to provide cover 24 hours a day, to address the local issues that matter most, provide a wider depth of problem-solving capabilities and to reassure the public in their local communities through resolution and enforcement where necessary.”

TEN residents on a Shafton street have pocketed £30,000 each thanks to the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The Plumpton Park neighbours scooped the cash after their postcode, S72 8WF, was announced as a winner on Sunday.

Winners included Andrew Hall, 37, whose partner Faye is due to give birth to a baby girl next month.

The pair have been together for 13 years after meeting at work and the couple, who both work as prison officers, are due to welcome baby Pippa into the world.

Andrew said: “I’m still in shock – Faye and I are over the moon. 

“We’ve just moved in recently and with the baby on the way it’s come at the best time it ever could.

“We’ve already got a little boy so with another on the way we need a new car. It will be a massive help.”

Rachel Jewkes, 48, and her husband Malcolm were another happy couple receiving a cheque.

“It hasn’t sunk in and I don’t think it will for a while,” Rachel said. “We’ve got a lot happening next year with big milestone birthdays. We wanted to do a few different holidays and were wondering how we’d do it, but now we don’t have to worry.”

With a minimum of 32 per cent of every ticket going to good causes, players have helped raise more than £500 million to date for charities.

Rachel added: “Obviously you have a chance of winning, but I signed up because of the charities. You get so many different ones and I never know which ones to contribute to. I thought this would be a good way to contribute a little but still have a chance to win.”

Other winners included David Vodden and his wife, Jenny, Gillian West and Shafton Parish Council’s Barry Lee.

A MOTORCYCLIST has suffered life-changing injuries after colliding with a central reservation.

Emergency services were called to Rotherham Road on Saturday at 8.30pm following reports that a man had collided with the central reservation close to the Cundy Cross junction.

The 21-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious and potentially life changing injuries.

Police have asked any witnesses to contact 101 quoting incident number 874 of January 18.

A POPULAR pub, which abruptly closed two months ago, was set alight in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Firefighters from Penistone, Barnsley and Tankersley were called to the White Heart on Bridge Street, Penistone, at 4am.

The three crews left just over half an hour later.

The pub is believed to have had receivers called in on Tuesday November 5.

Staff were told not to turn up for work and many customers expressed their concern about losing deposits for meals and events ahead of Christmas.

Investigations are ongoing as to the cause of the fire.

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy had a lucky escape after he was thrown across a car’s bonnet upside down in a hit and run while walking his dog.

The primary school pupil was walking along Burton Road, Monk Bretton, and as he went to cross the road at the Jet Garage, he was struck by a Citroen Picasso, sending him flying into the air.

Following the incident, the shocked child ran across the road and CCTV footage shows the driver of the Citroen and the driver of another car who had witnessed the incident, get out of their cars and tend to the boy, who had suffered injuries to his face.

However it seems after he was deemed to be ‘OK’ they then left the scene.

Other witnesses took the child and his dog to his home on Merchant Croft and informed the family what had happened.

The victim’s family asked us not to identify the boy by name, but his father Damian Kaminski told the Chronicle they felt the emergency services should have been called and the driver of the car should have remained until they arrived.

“About 3.45pm my brother returned home covered in blood with a group of women who told me my brother needed medical attention because he had been hit by a car.

“I immediately asked which one was the driver and they said he had gone. I was shocked to hear this because he is a child, why would you leave a child who has been injured?

“We took my brother to hospital and contacted the police but it was three hours before they came to interview us.

“I am not happy that the emergency services were not called immediately. Looking at the CCTV there was a build up of traffic as people tended to him but not one person contacted an ambulance or the police. I don’t understand it.

“We are so grateful that my brother only suffered minor injuries to his face and this has more or less cleared up. Our dog is OK too and avoided injury. If the driver was travelling any faster it could have been a lot worse. We are noticing now my brother is getting confused and he is crying a lot especially if we ask him what happened.

“Up to now the driver and the witnesses have not been in touch to report the incident and I have heard nothing from the police. I obtained the CCTV from the petrol station and I’ve handed this to the police but nothing is being followed up so I went to see Coun Vicky Felton because this is not on.”

Coun Felton, who represents the Monk Bretton ward, said: “Damian came knocking at my door late at night and informed me of the incident.

“This case has been handled appallingly. The speeding on Burton Road is horrific. You see cars flying at 70mph sometimes and we’ve already had tragedies on the road.

“There is a primary school close by and elderly residents who all walk along High Street, St Helens Way and Burton Road. How many more incidents have to occur before action is taken?”

The hit and run is the latest in a string of incidents on the stretch of road in recent months - among them the death of Jordan Williams who was killed after the car in which she was travelling in crashed into a wall though the investigation is still underway to determine the cause of the crash.

In November, the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership sent a mobile speed van to Burton Road to conduct a speed survey and more than 80 motorists were caught speeding.

Vicky said: “We’re looking to launch a safer road campaign to highlight the dangers of this road because we need to know how to make the road safer for pedestrians.”

Coun Charlie Wraith, who is a councillor for Cudworth but has lived on Burton Road for more than 50 years, said: “It’s frightening the speed drivers can reach. I’ve been saying it for years but what can you do? We’ve talked and talked about this road.

“I’ve raised it at council meetings and at PACT meetings but it’s the drivers who need to slow down, there is only so much we can do. They treat this road like a race track.”

A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that we received a call at around 4.30pm on January 10 with reports that a car had been in collision with a pedestrian on Burton Road.

“The vehicle, believed to be a Citroen Picasso, left the scene. Enquiries are underway to trace the vehicle and ascertain exactly what happened prior to the collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 and quote incident number 2020/01/10 0589.”

BIADS will be opening a dementia day care centre in the coming weeks. 

The centre – which the charity has been working towards for a while – will hopefully open in February in the Old County Courthouse on Regent Street, but does not have a set opening date at the moment.

People’s relatives can spend a day, a half day or a few hours with the BIADS staff while carers can have some time to themselves. 

The centre will be open seven days a week between 9am and 4pm and is offering visits to anyone who wants to come and see the staff and the centre before using its services. 

Linda Pattison, BIADS chief officer, said: “Providing day care is something we have wanted to do for a while and now because of the generosity of Kevin Liddy of Liddy’s Solicitors in allowing us to have their first floor for the centre, we have been able to realise our dream. 

“We are working very hard to make the centre a place where people with dementia will feel safe and happy allowing their relatives to have some precious time for themselves.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the day care centre is asked to contact day centre manager Melanie on 280057 or by emailing biads@btconnect.com.

BARNSLEY author Milly Johnson is set to receive a prestigious award for her contribution to romantic fiction.

The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) is an organisation which promotes romantic fiction and encourages good writing and it also runs the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards, which recognises excellence in romantic novels.

The RNA announced that Milly Johnson will be the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of her contribution to romantic fiction.

Milly said: “In the world of romantic fiction this award is as big as receiving a Booker Prize. It’s lovely that I have been recognised as a writer I’m still processing it. It’s very warming.

“This award has been the push I needed. Losing my dad last year and losing my godfather two weeks later knocked me, it’s not been easy. I ended the year a bit lost but this recognition and award has given me such a wonderful injection of energy.

“My dad is usually the first person I’d call and he’d never have dreamed I’d get this but he was able to see me achieve so much which is a silver lining.” 

Milly will be presented with the trophy in March at the annual Romantic Novel Awards which will take place in London.

RNA President Katie Fforde said: “Milly Johnson is such a deserving recipient of this award. She is one of the shining stars of our industry.”

Milly rose to fame in 2004 when she released her first novel The Yorkshire Pudding Club. 

Shortly after her novel was released, she starred in Channel 4 programme Come Dine With Me – and won.

Milly is now one of the top 10 female fiction authors in the UK, having written 17 novels and sold millions of copies of her books worldwide.

Next month, her novella, The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe, will be published as she’s been picked as an author to take part in The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads 2020 campaign.