A PRIMARY school has had to close this morning due to high levels of sickness.

Oakwell Rise Primary, based on Doncaster Road, has closed today following advice from Public Health England due to high levels of sickness absence with both pupils and staff.

The school has not confirmed when it will reopen. 

BURGLARY victims affected by what they claim has been a summer-long crime wave have demanded a prompt police response ahead of crunch talks which will be held tonight (Monday).

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings will visit Shafton Community Centre to field questions from the public who have complained about a lack of police presence and a surge in burglaries.

It will be the third time in recent years that Dr Billings has visited the village, after he was invited by its parish councillors who have been hit with residents’ concerns over the summer spike.

Official figures show that 25 burglaries occurred in Shafton between May and July, while just two had been reported between August 1 and September 31 – something rejected by residents who complained that victims were put off from calling the police due to complaints over the 101 reporting system.

Dave North, chairman of Shafton Parish Council, said: “Dr Billings will be coming to our monthly meeting as a result of our residents’ complaints as it’s something we’ve encountered throughout the summer.

“Shafton has a high amount of elderly people who are rightly concerned about a lack of police presence and burglaries which have been well-documented.

“We’re an easy target because of the location which is right on the border with West Yorkshire. It is semi-rural and there’s easy access into neighbouring villages, so they can get away quicker than they could elsewhere.

“Dr Billings came to a meeting in Shafton a year or so ago to tell us about police changes and it was well-received by everyone who attended. I’m sure we’ll have another good turnout and I encourage anyone who wants to know more about local policing and how it affects them to come along.

It’s important we get as many people to the meeting as possible as there’s a lot of concern in Shafton.

“That’s predominantly down to rising burglaries and the lack of police on the streets. I believe both are linked – if there’s police presence it automatically deters burglars from even trying.”

Parish councillor Les Holt, who said that the 101 system was preventing elderly and vulnerable residents reporting crime, said the lack of PCSOs was a ‘total disgrace’.

“I’m regularly being told that 101 is pointless and that people who are the victim of a crime are put off by the long wait for someone to answer,” he added.

“PCSOs are vital, but there’s not many and we absolutely need more on the streets to provide the reassurance to those who need it.

“There are a lot of frightened, elderly and vulnerable people in our village who can’t report crime. They trust PCSOs and waiting 30 minutes to speak to a 101 operator after they have been a victim of crime is unacceptable.”

Shafton’s woes will be ‘compounded’, according to parish councillors, as Barnsley is set to lose some of its PCSOs in the next three years after bosses opted to cut numbers from 194 to 116 – in order to fill more PC posts – as it’s hoped the increased number of police officers with more powers will drive down crime.

Dr Billings added: “We know that over the past nine years the years of austerity – that criminals have taken advantage of falling police numbers. The government has finally recognised the folly of those cuts and is seeking to increase police numbers. I expect to see all of this to bear fruit in future years.

“We are fully aware that the ability for people to get through to the police quickly and speak to someone can affect public confidence and increase complaints.”

The public meeting takes place at Shafton Community Centre on Monday at 7pm.

LABOUR candidate for Barnsley East Stephanie Peacock hosted a coffee morning to raise awareness of breast cancer symptoms and treatments.

The event was part of the Breast Cancer Now campaign to ensure that by 2050 all those diagnosed with breast cancer survive.

On average, 135 women died each year from breast cancer between 2014 and 2016 in Barnsley.

Stephanie, who is currently seeking re-election in Barnsley East, said: “Thank you to everyone who attended the coffee morning, it was great to hear from the charities.”

Following the diagnosis of a Barnsley East constituent at the age of 46, Stephanie has campaigned to improve the access to regular checks for women under 50.

Local charities Be Cancer Safe and Macmillan Barnsley attended the event to show their support.

“Every awareness and fund-raising event feels like one more step towards creating a future where everyone with breast cancer lives”, said Stephanie. 

A MAN who was found to have a 12-inch knife on him when stopped by police has been given a community order.

Gareth Wood, of Tuxford Close, Cundy Cross, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to possession of the knife having been searched on September 30.

The 30-year-old was given a six-month alcohol treatment requirement as part of the order as well as a £10 fine, a £90 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

DETAILS of exactly how Barnsley’s Penny Pie Park is expected to appear after a new one-way traffic gyratory is constructed on the site have been made public as part of a planning application – along with the measures intended to protect trees which will remain on the site.

The decision to put a new road through the park, at the Dodworth Road crossroads between the town centre and Junction 37 on the M1, were highly controversial with a high profile campaign to fight the development.

Barnsley Council argued there was no other viable option, having considered around three dozen alternatives, and pressed ahead with the plan eventually winning council backing and then getting necessary planning permission.

A further application has now been made, with proposals for a detailed layout of the park and how measures to protect neighbours from noise and to safeguard the trees which will remain in place, outlined.

The application also shows a proposed location for a wildflower meadow, play facilities including a ‘MUGA’ games area and access for fairground vehicles – suggesting the council envisages the central area of the park, which will be surrounded by road, as remaining suitable for the travelling fairs which use the existing park.

A three metre high acoustic fence is expected to be installed along the perimeter of one side of the development to shield nearby homes from noise, with other measures taken elsewhere on the site.

Trees to be protected would be protected by ‘exclusion zones’ with fencing to ensure they were safe from damage above ground and also to their root systems.

Specimens expected to be removed as part of the development near to trees scheduled to remain would be subject to similar protection, until work to remove them commenced.

While 58 trees on site are set to remain, more than 70 will be removed but the council is intending to replace them with more than 100 new examples.

A decision on whether to approve the plans will be made later.

The new ring road is regarded by council planners as necessary to keep traffic flowing on one of the key routes in and out of the town centre, along with the M1 link.

Their plan avoids the need to lose any homes in what is a densely populated area but objectors have argued the scale of congestion is not as severe as council assessments suggest and that other avenues for controlling traffic density have not been sufficiently explored.

• Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

KES star Dai Bradley visited Barnsley College students to speak to them about the impact the film can have 50 years later and to help inspire the students with their studies. 

English GCSE students at the college are studying Barry Hines’ novel, A Kestrel for a Knave, but were struggling to relate the novel, which was written more than 50 years ago, to their modern lives. 

Tutor Dawn Wright organised an event for Dai Bradley to speak about his role in the film, Kes, to help inspire the students. 

“They don’t think the book or film is relevant to their lives at all,” said English tutor Dawn. “I wanted to show them that the book is still as relevant as ever and that it really says something about the society we live in now.”

Dawn organised for Dai to visit the college to answer any questions the students had about the film or book. He also spoke about the relevance of the text and encouraged the students to follow their passions. I heard about the lecture-style format of the day and I thought it was a great idea,” he said. “I felt it was important to come and tell the story of how I started and to use Billy’s story to help them find and follow their passion.  

“It’s important for Kes and A Kestrel for a Knave to be brought to a modern audience because there will be thousands of Billy Caspers – some may be in that room, who just want to be heard and want someone to take an interest in them which could help them to flourish.”

Candidate for Barnsley Central Dan Jarvis said about the event: “I think this event will improve the students’ understanding of the rich traditions of Barnsley and learn about what has gone before to see what comes next. Kes is an iconic film for information about social history and many themes of both the film and book are still relevant today.”

RISING cases of organised crime groups operating out of rundown streets in Barnsley have led the government to commission a review into the issue.

The probe will be led by Sir Craig Mackey, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police force and a report – which looks into county lines, human trafficking and drugs – will be published in the spring.

According to South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings, the study will look at the powers, capabilities, governance and funding of the response to serious organised crime on the part of the National Crime

Agency, the police and regional organised crime units.

Eight organised crime groups, referred to as OCGs by police, have been identified in Barnsley, a report says.

OCGs are said to be on the rise across South Yorkshire, and officers are working towards eradicating gangs in the county due to the damaging impact they have had on communities.

Although further groups have been identified in Barnsley, it’s thought a large percentage remain inactive and the focus has been placed on active members who have been predominantly involved with the supply of drugs in areas such as Goldthorpe.

Dr Alan Billings said: “I welcome this review and believe it is long overdue.

“It has taken the government a long time to realise that the years of austerity – when police officer numbers were savagely cut back – gave the criminal gangs opportunities to expand their activity.

“Modern crime gangs will ruthlessly exploit vulnerable people. The review recognises that organised crime crosses boundaries at every level – local, regional and national – and we must ensure that the response is able to deal with this.

“South Yorkshire Police has a good record of dealing with organised crime gangs and is very proactive targeting and disrupting their activities.

“However, it is not enough to tackle the gangs after the event. We need more and more to get upstream of crime and prevent people being drawn into gangs in the first place.

“This is what our newly-established violence reduction unit will help us to do.”

One gang – the so-called Pitsmoor Shotta Boys – originated in Sheffield but took hold in Goldthorpe and Bolton-upon-Dearne after several members were rehoused there, leading the surrounding areas to be swamped with drugs, police say.

“If serious crime is to be reduced we need to tackle not only those who are committing crimes now but also find ways of steering people away from crime in the first place,” Dr Billings added.

“Together we will identify and support projects that will stop people, especially young people, getting involved in crime in the first place or enable them to break with crime if they are already offending.”

LIBRARIES across Barnsley will be modernised through a £1m funding package as a result of the success of the town centre’s new facility.

Library @ the Lightbox, which opened in July, has been well-received according to a report which will go before ruling cabinet members on Wednesday.

Given its success, community libraries in Athersley, Cudworth, Darfield, Dodworth, Goldthorpe, Grimethorpe, Hoyland, Lundwood, Mapplewell, Penistone, Royston, Thurnscoe, Wombwell and Worsbrough will all receive work as part

of the council’s three-year library strategy, which runs until 2022.

A report said: “Following the investment in the new Library @ the Lightbox, the council recognised the need and benefits of improving facilities to ensure that community libraries are fit for purpose to deliver a modern public library service.

“The strategy sets out the council’s intention to re-energise the service by creating vibrant, flexible library spaces, enabling them to become community and digital hubs, responsive to customer needs, at the heart of our communities.

With books and reading remaining at the heart of the library offer, the refurbishment of community libraries will enable them to be fit for purpose in delivering a fresh, modern facility for the 2020s for use by individuals, community groups and partner organisations.”

Approval is expected to be granted by cabinet to carry out a procurement process to appoint a furnishing company to work with the council to design and provide library furnishings for the refurbishment programme over the coming years.

“Each library refurbishment project will commence with a piece of community engagement to inform the design of that library space and determine local requirements,” the report added.

CONCERNS have been raised over students cutting through an estate on their walk to school and causing ‘minor damage’ and stealing bins.

Students from Darton Academy have been reportedly walking from the bus stop at Oakwood Square in Darton, and cutting through Birthwaite Road and up to the public footpath at the school rather than walking around the estate to the entrance.

Coun Alice Cave and Coun Sharon Howard raised their concerns at the North Area PACT meeting on October 21 about damages on Birthwaite Road, including littering, vandalism and stealing resident’s bins.

Last week, the Darton West councillors met with Elaine Briggs, the principal at Darton Academy to discuss the issues raised by local residents.

Staff and teachers from Darton Academy have now been patrolling Birthwaite Road and monitoring the area to prevent and any further antisocial activity from occurring.

Coun Alice Cave, for Darton West, said: “We’re quite pleased with how the school have dealt with this.

“We have worked closely with them for months and are pleased with the outcome.”

Sgt David Baines, for the North East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Barnsley district youth engagement police officer PC Clair Mount has worked alongside Darton High School who are actively monitoring pupils attending and leaving school.

“Special attention is taking place around the cut through, and the school are restricting access to pupils who don’t live there to reduce the impact on the local community.

“The school are working very hard to reduce these incidents which take place during school hours.”

Phil Hollingsworth, service director for Stronger, Safer and Healthier Communities, said: “The Safer Neighbourhood Service and the North Neighbourhood Team are aware of students cutting through the estate and causing minor damage including littering and stealing bins.

“The council will continue to support Darton Academy, South Yorkshire Police officers and dedicated children and young people’s officers.”

BARNSLEY Hospital now has the best-performing accident and emergency service in Yorkshire – just five years since the department was plunged into crisis having been found in breach of its licence due to poor waiting times.

The hospital met the notoriously difficult four-hour deadline for seeing patients on 96.3 per cent of occasions in September and 95.2 per cent in October, putting it ahead of the 95 per cent threshold set out under NHS rules and also making its performance the second best in the country.

New data released this week has revealed that nine out of 11 NHS trusts in Yorkshire are failing to meet the national target for patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

It comes at a time when more than a third of A and E patients were not treated within the four-hour period across the country, bucking a trend which reveals October was the worst on record.

A total of 8,896 patients visited Barnsley’s A and E last month, which saw 8,468 treated on time – a remarkable turnaround from ailing figures when compared with two years ago, when just 87.7 per cent of patients were being seen on time.

In 2014, the hospital breached its licence for continually failing to hit its A and E targets and this resulted in the health watchdog, Monitor, launching a probe into its running.

A spokesperson from the hospital told the Chronicle it’s a huge achievement for not only the hospital but its partners.

“It’s a fantastic turnaround from being in breach of our licence in 2014 to being the one of the best A and Es in the country,” they added. “At that time we were way beneath our target, continually, hence why the breach was issued.

“However, a lot of work has been done since that point. It’s not just an A and E thing, it’s for the whole hospital, as numerous aspects have been changed in order to free up beds and treat patients more efficiently.

“The council’s also played a huge role – it’s been a partnership success as they’ve helped to free up further beds from a social aspect.

“What’s even more impressive is that this has been achieved in a time of increased numbers coming through the door. There’s been no let-up in that but it’s still improved.”

On Tuesday, Barnsley Council’s planning board members opted to approve the hospital’s multi-million pound development which is designed to further improve patients’ experiences by creating an improved children’s-only facility and subsequently allowing an increase in its adult capacity.

The existing emergency department was designed to cope with about 150 patients a day, but has had to cope with up to double that in recent months before the plans were announced, councillors were told.

Coun Doug Birkinshaw, chairman of the board, added: “Barnsley now has one of the best A and E departments in the whole country and it’s absolutely essential we do everything we can to help them. Let’s give them what they need to continue their success.”

AN elderly man has had to choose between extra security measures in his home and having a means of transport after having his car tyres slashed three times in the last two weeks.

Alan Durber, 72, of Westhaven, Cudworth, had the tyres on his Ford Fusion slashed for the first time two weeks ago. He had them replaced, and a few days later he woke to find that the four he had just replaced had been slashed again. He had them replaced again last Wednesday, only to discover that by Thursday morning it had happened a third time.

Each time, Alan has paid £160 plus a £50 call out fee to have them replaced.

“I just don’t know when it’s going to stop,” said Alan.

“I can’t take it anymore. I depend on my car to get around. I’m a pensioner and I require help from a nurse because I have stoma bag. I’ve had to cancel hospital appointments because of this.”

Alan, who lives close to Birkwoood Primary School, has over the years ‘told-off’ parents who park on Westhaven during drop off and pick up times.

“I’m not sure if this has been done because I’ve chosen to stand my ground with inconsiderate parking on the street. The way people park can prevent me from leaving the street and it’s a problem that has been ongoing for years.

“More recently I’m starting to receive abuse if I tell people off for parking. I’ve also had trouble with youths and they’ve damaged ornaments outside my house. When I’ve contacted 101 it took me four hours to get through and report the issue.”

Following his most recent incident, Alan had to make a decision whether to replace his tyres or have CCTV installed outside his home. 

He said: “I couldn’t afford to replace my tyres and have CCTV installed because each time this has happened I have to pay out my own pocket.

“I’m scared to have them replaced because I’m worried they will come back and do it again. I’m even scared to go to sleep because I don’t know how far these people will go.”

Anti-social behaviour on Westhaven has been highlighted as an issue by the police, who sent each resident a letter saying they would be increasing police and PSCO presence in that area.

“Everyone on my street received a letter from the police but I haven’t seen anyone on patrol. One night I had around eight or ten youths causing a nuisance outside my house and I went to confront them. All I received was abuse.

“I’m on my own and I’m disabled. I can’t live like this.”

Cudworth PSCO Lee Holmes said: “We are aware of this situation and we have spoken with the gentleman in question. At this time the motive is unknown. 

“The letters that we had posted to the residents on the street was to try and encourage people to report any crime or antisocial behaviour as we continue to monitor Cudworth as a whole.”

THE family of a girl suspected to have been murdered by ‘Beast of Wombwell’ Peter Pickering in 1965 say they will never fully have justice after an inquest found she was unlawfully killed.

Elsie Frost, 14, was stabbed to death as she walked home in Wakefield. There was never a successful prosecution over her murder, but detectives – who have been reinvestigating Elsie’s murder since 2016 – were preparing to charge convicted child killer and rapist Pickering after new evidence came to light.

However, the 80-year-old – described as a ‘homicidal maniac’ at the inquest – died in March last year after being taken ill in the secure psychiatric accommodation in Berkshire where he was held for more than four decades.

Two months after Elsie’s death, Ian Spencer was charged with the schoolgirl’s murder but was cleared in 1966 leaving the case cold for nearly 50 years.

A fresh inquest, which the Frosts had successfully campaigned for, opened in Wakefield on Monday and concluded a day later, which saw coroner Kevin McLoughlin say he was unable to apportion blame in the inquest but described

Pickering as ‘dangerous’ before recording an unlawful death.

Elsie’s brother, Colin, told the Chronicle: “We feel like we’ve put the jigsaw together but we’re still without that one final piece – we’ll never find that because Pickering died before he could be charged.

“However, we’re as happy as we can possibly be following the inquest because it’s totally cleared Ian Spencer and the police believe Pickering was responsible for Elsie’s murder.

“Pickering’s crimes shocked local communities and it resonated not only in Barnsley and Wakefield but nationally.

“The public’s response has been overwhelming – it just goes to show that even after all this time, Elsie’s story still has a huge impact on so many people.”

The inquest was told that police put Pickering’s Wombwell home under 24-hour surveillance for two weeks following the killing.

Officers saw a woman, who they thought was his mother, coming and going from the house, but only belatedly realised it was Pickering dressed up.

Following Mr Spencer’s arrest, Pickering was left free to abduct and rape an 18-year-old woman and murder another 14-year-old, Shirley Boldy, after abducting her from Wombwell in 1972.

Although he was jailed seven years later for Miss Boldy’s murder, Elsie’s family were robbed of the ‘closure’ they sought.

West Yorkshire Police revealed they were close to charging Pickering when he died.

Det Ch Supt Nick Wallen said: “I firmly believe that, if it had not been for his own death, he would have been charged and put before a jury to answer for Elsie’s murder.

“While Colin and Anne (Cleave, Elsie’s sister) sadly never had the chance to see Pickering charged and in court, I hope the conclusion of these proceedings may now bring them some comfort.”

FIRE chiefs have admitted that there is an ‘incredible’ amount of financial uncertainty looming over the future look of fire services in the town.

Members of the South Yorkshire Fire Authority will meet at Barnsley Town Hall on Monday to discuss its medium-term financial report, which runs from next year to 2023. Wide-ranging cuts have been made to its property portfolio, transport, ICT and operation equipment, according to the report, which has helped shave £3.979m off its 2019/20 capital programme.

It said: “Beyond 2020, there remains an incredible amount of financial uncertainty facing the sector and our service. 

“This ‘opaqueness’ is only likely to lift when the government is able to clearly articulate the state of the nation’s public finances post-election and Brexit.

“The fire service is not considered a priority or a protected service under this administration and has not been awarded any additional monies like other Home Office functions.

“The government has clearly signalled its future intentions for the sector which, if proven, may well see a continuation of ’austerity’ without any real terms growth in funding like other public sector services such as the police and NHS.”

Bosses in South Yorkshire face a £4.4m blackhole but ruled out implementing its planned reduction of firefighters manning its emergency vehicles, from five to four, following widespread protests. Alternative cost-saving measures will be discussed at the meeting and include recruiting new firefighters to move away from the current costly reliance on overtime to fill posts, acquiring new technology and using the authority’s reserves to overcome any further shortfalls.

According to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), South Yorkshire has lost 34 per cent of its government funding since 2010 and said it was ‘unacceptable’ that budget shortfalls will result in more risk to firefighters and the public.

FBU secretary Neil Carbutt said: “Our service has been consistently underfunded by central government. The fire authority must go to the government and demand adequate funding so that we can provide a safe service to local communities.”

AN ELECTION rally is set to take place in the town centre tomorrow with various campaign groups taking part.

The Barnsley Trades Union Council (BTUC) will be joined in the precinct by campaign groups Barnsley Save Our NHS, Stand Up To Racism, Climate Action Against Climate Crisis and Frack Free Barnsley.

The BTUC secretary, George Arthur said: “Trade Unions also support campaigning groups fighting to reverse government attacks on our health service and policies that threaten our environment.

“We hope that our rally on Saturday will encourage people to think carefully about how they use their vote in the general election.”

Tomorrow’s rally will also advertise the next student strike against climate crisis which is set to take place next Friday.

A FORMER carer has pleaded guilty to stealing from an 80-year-old dementia sufferer.

Caroline Bastable, 42, of Wheatacre Road, Sheffield was caught stealing items from a woman in Barnsley including cash, jewellery and perfume on CCTV which had been installed by the victim’s son after he became suspicious.

In addition to this, she was also seen failing to give the elderly woman her medication.

A family friend then noticed cash, which had been hidden around the house, was missing. A large quantity of cigarettes, hidden at the back of a cupboard, had also been taken which led to the victim’s son installing the CCTV around his mother’s property.

Throughout December that year, footage from the cameras evidenced Bastable stealing from the then 80-year-old on more than one occasion. She helped herself to food from the kitchen cupboards and was often seen rifling through drawers, jewellery boxes and the victim’s purses hunting for cash and other valuables.

On one occasion, she stole a gold bangle as the pensioner slept in the same room. Later that same evening, she helped herself to toiletries and perfume from gift sets. Some of these items were recovered by police during a search of Bastable’s home following her arrest in December 2017.

When questioned by police about why she was regularly seen to not give the housebound victim her medication, she stated she ‘must have forgotten’.

Detective Constable Sam Carr who led the investigation said: “This has been a lengthy inquiry and I would like to thank the victim’s family for their support and assistance over the past two years.

“The victim’s son and daughter-in-law relied upon and trusted Bastable to take care of their mum at her most vulnerable. To abuse this trust, and her position, is disgusting and I am pleased that Bastable is now facing a substantial prison term.”

Bastable pleaded guilty to three counts of wilful neglect and two counts of theft at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. She will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on January 9 for sentencing.

A FLOOD relief fund has been set up to help dozens of people whose homes were ruined earlier this month.

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) said just over 100 households were now known to be affected in Barnsley and appealed for people to apply for funding.

Darton and Wombwell accounted for most of the flood-damaged properties following the torrential downpours on November 7. The council has offered £250 per house affected, topped up by a government grant of £500, and the SYCF has pledged another £100 per house initially, while larger sums will be considered in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

A statement said: “The flood disaster relief appeal is funded by donations from individuals, businesses, charitable trusts and funds from the SYCF. Individuals or families whose properties and contents have been damaged by a disaster or who are suffering other hardship as a result can apply. There will be one grant per household at this stage.”

Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said more will be done to protect residents.

He said: “As we move into a recovery phase in Barnsley, we’ll be looking at our longer-term plans to review learning from the floods, and how we can work with our partners to improve flood defences where we can.”

To apply to the fund click here

BARNSLEY has been named as a host town for next year’s Tour de Yorkshire.

It will be the third successive year the town’s played a role in the prestigious cycling race, which returns on April 30 and finishes on May 3.

Welcome to Yorkshire’s commercial director, Peter Dodd, told a press conference held at the tourism body’s Leeds headquarters today (November 22) that the race’s full route will be revealed on January 17.

Barnsley joins Beverley, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leyburn, Redcar and Skipton as one of the main locations for the sixth Tour de Yorkshire.

Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton told the Chronicle: “It’s the third year in succession for us and it’s a reflection on the fantastic support Barnsley’s residents give the race.

"We're looking forward to getting our communities involved again and we'll know more about the full list of Barnsley villages which the race will pass through in January.

“Tour de Yorkshire allows us to showcase our town on the international stage and it’s another huge boost to be named.”

THE family of a girl who survived a horrific dog attack which left her skull exposed have paid tribute to the hospital which saved her life.

Sophie Evans, seven, from Wombwell, was attacked by a German Shepherd in January this year when she was with family in Brampton.

The attack left the Kings Oak Primary pupil covered in blood, with bite wounds across her face and scalp that were so severe they left her skull visible.

Sophie’s mum Lyndsey Evans said she received a call at work telling her Sophie had been attacked and said she was ‘heartbroken’ at seeing the seven-year-old’s injuries.

“To this day, I cannot believe how brave she was when I arrived,” said Lyndsey. 

“She just held out her hand and said ‘mummy, I’m OK.’”

Sophie was rushed by ambulance to Barnsley Hospital. Upon reviewing her injuries, the consultant immediately arranged for her to be transferred for specialist emergency care at Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s emergency department.

Lyndsey, who works as an emergency department receptionist, said she is used to seeing people with bad injuries but said ‘nothing can prepare you for being on the other side as a parent’.

“I honestly didn’t know what would happen. Sophie’s brother Jack, who is only nine himself, saw the attack and began to worry that she wouldn’t make it,” she said.

When Sophie arrived at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, the team immediately dressed her head, face and eye and scheduled surgery for the following morning. The next day, Sophie spent four-and-a-half hours in surgery. The clinicians cleaned and stitched her wounds and only two days later the family were discharged home. Three weeks after she was discharged, Sophie was able to return to school.

“All the staff who helped us were absolutely amazing, words will never be enough to explain how forever grateful we will be,” said Lyndsey. “On the worst day of our lives, they made sure we were all looked after and reassured. Sophie’s scars are barely noticeable today. They fixed my Sophie up and she is perfect to us once again.”

The family has now devoted themselves to fundraising to ensure the patients have the best facilities possible and have committed to helping The Children’s Hospital Charity’s £4.5m appeal to build a new emergency department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Sophie’s older brother Jack has already begun the effort, running the Sheffield City 10K alongside his dad Rob, 37, in October; raising £800 towards the appeal to thank the hospital for his sister’s care.

SOUTH Yorkshire’s policing boss wants to see next year’s rise in costs for supporting the county’s force capped at no more than two per cent next year in recognition that many residents are struggling financially.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has to set a budget which will cover the costs of South Yorkshire Police in the 12 months from April, using a combination of cash from the Home Office and money raised locally as part of the council tax bill.

This year the local element of that package shot up by 14 per cent a rise Dr Billings made clear would be unsustainable, but which allowed the force to recruit much-needed additional officers for the first time since austerity struck.

The general election means the grant settlement from the Home Office normally announced in December will not be known until into the new year and that leaves very little time for the PCC to work with Chief Constable Stephen Watson to draw up a budget.

That will have to be put out to public consultation and agreed by the South Yorkshire Crime and Policing Panel, made up of councillors from the county’s four district councils as well as individual council leaders before it can be implemented.

Dr Billings said the timescale meant two rounds of consultation would take place, an early ‘general’ survey of public opinions followed by a detailed assessment when the final figures were known.

But he has indicated he does not want the increase to the policing precept, paid as part of the council tax bill, to go up by anything more than two per cent.

He accepts there may be challenges because the last government announced 20,000 additional police officers in the next few years without specifying where the cash for them would be sourced, meaning a new home secretary could tell PCCs they may have to find some of the money.

If that happened, the expectation in South Yorkshire was that savings would have to be found to balance the books.

Delays caused by the general election ‘puts the timetable very tight indeed’, he said.

“What you consult the public on is quite difficult because we don’t know what is likely to be.

“I think we will have to have a two stage consultation, in very general terms how people feel about policing and if they are prepared to pay more.

“I don’t think we can look at more than two per cent (increase). That assumes the government will pick up the extra costs of policing. If they don’t, it will push it back onto us.

“People in South Yorkshire are really up against it and we cannot really go beyond that.

“If we cannot go much beyond that, we may have to look at savings from the force,” he said.

• Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

BARNSLEY have announced their new head coach, six weeks after the departure of Daniel Stendel.

Austrian manager Gerhard Struber was named as the new man today, replacing Adam Murray who had taken caretaker charge after Stendel left.

The club tweeted: “We are delighted to announce that Gerhard Struber is the new Head Coach at Barnsley Football Club.

Welcome to Oakwell, Gerhard.”

Struber, 42, formerly managed Wolfsberger AC in the Austrian Bundesliga, who he leaves third in the league and fourth in their Europa League group with a final group fixture against AS Roma next month.

He came through the youth coaching set up at Red Bull Salzburg - where he played as a midfielder - before a two-year spell at FC Liefering in 2017 led him on to the Wolfsberger role.

A HORSE that went missing almost a week ago has been reunited with its owner. 

Princess, a 15-year-old mare, went missing from fields at Ballfield Lane, Kexbrough at around 6pm on Wednesday.

Following an appeal by the police, Princess was reunited with her owner this afternoon.

A police spokesman said: “Thank you to everyone who shared the appeal or contacted us with information”

THERE has been an incident on Smithies Lane. 

The road is closed in both directions.

South Yorkshire Police have advised motorists to use an alternative route. 

No time has been given as to when the road will re-open. 

CASH secured by Barnsley Council from developers behind new housing estates across the borough will be injected into buying up emptying properties.

The project, approved by ruling cabinet members on Wednesday, will be run by Barnsley Council and Berneslai Homes’ investment and regeneration team, alongside Barnsley Community Build (BCB).

Section 106 money – which is set aside by developers as part of their planning permission – totalling £450,000 will be ploughed into the scheme, which has identified six derelict homes.

It will be added to by two other empty homes funding streams which collectively give a further £150,000, taking the overall total to £600,000.

Since April 2018, more than 300 properties have been brought back into use by the council, according to Coun Tim Cheetham.

He added: “This programme is a great opportunity to work with partners to continue reducing the number of long-term empty properties.

“We’ve had a good amount of properties brought back into use and this is an enhancement on that, allowing BCB apprentices to have valuable on-the-job training.”

A BBC Four documentary on Barry Hines’ book, A Kestrel for a Knave, is set to air next week featuring TV star Greg Davies.

The actor, 51, famous for his role in the E4 comedy series The Inbetweeners, came to Barnsley last month to interview Ronnie Steele, Richard Hines and Milly Johnson for the upcoming documentary, Greg Davies: Looking for Kes.

The documentary will see Greg, who is also an ex-English teacher, go in search of the book’s enduring appeal, travelling to Barnsley, where the book was set and where Ken Loach’s adaptation of the book, Kes, was filmed.

It will also see Greg meet a number of Barry Hines’s friends and family, visit places where Barry used to socialise and visit the site where Barry Hines’ brother Richard, found his own Kestrel.

The programme will air at 9pm tonight.

ELDERLY residents are facing a ‘25-minute walk’ from the nearest bus stop to their home following a bus service change which means half a village has no busses serving it.

Great Houghton residents were hit with service changes in August, following a public consultation. The 219 and 219a services were changed in a move Stagecoach said was to ‘improve punctuality’.

Coun Dorothy Higginbottom, along with members of the Great Houghton Reading Room, gathered to discuss the changes three months on and they believe the service is ‘inadequate’.

“The service is erratic and five journeys have been cut in the afternoon,” said Dorothy.

We feel as if we have been abandoned. There is one bus now that heads to Doncaster. You have to get two busses to Wombwell and three busses if you want to go to Cortonwood.

“The bus only services half the village, if you live at the top you have to walk around 25 minutes just get to the bus stop and you’re lucky if it turns up on time. If you’re returning with shopping in your hand, you’ve a long way to go.

“The service is isolating the elderly especially because they can’t get out and about. It’s also making things difficult for people in the village who have young families and need to use busses never mind disabled people.

“The X19 bus doesn’t stop in Great Houghton so you’d face a long walk if you get off at the stop at the top of Doncaster Road. 

“The bus should be there to serve people and not for profit. The places that pay more should make for the people that don’t.” 

During the Reading Room group meeting, residents suggested that the issue could be fixed if the 219 and 219a services were swapped, which would mean the whole village would be served and there would be opportunity for people to go into Doncaster.

John Young, commercial director at Stagecoach Yorkshire said: “A consultation was held during the summer proposing changes to buses 219 and 219a, encouraging customers and local people to provide feedback on the proposed changes.

“The services link a number of communities between Barnsley, Goldthorpe and Doncaster. 107 responses were received. Around 13,000 customers travel on the service every week.

“The changes to the 219/219a service came in from August 31 and were necessary in order to improve punctuality caused by worsening traffic congestion and to protect the long term future of the local bus network.

“Great Houghton is still served by two buses per hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. One covers the full extent of the village while the other turns at the Miners Welfare.

“Following the consultation, the proposals were amended so that all morning peak buses in both directions serve the full extent of Great Houghton to cater for commuters and to ensure access to education and training.

“We do have to address punctuality concerns and match supply and demand more closely, especially as less people are catching the bus due to lifestyle changes. All users of the service will benefit from improved punctuality and many people now have a more direct journey as a result of the changes.”

A POLICE community support officer (PCSO) from Barnsley has been awarded for going ‘above and beyond’ to ensure the deaf members of his community feel supported and have confidence in their police force.

PCSO Tom Berry, who is described as being ‘incredibly enthusiastic’ and performing at a level ‘far beyond his short length of service’, is part of the Barnsley South East Neighbourhood Team and covers the Dearne area of Barnsley.

After hearing that members of the local deaf community lacked confidence and understanding of the police, which would leave crimes unreported, Tom set out to change this.

The officer set up meetings with a local deaf group Deafinitions to understand the issues they face and how he could resolve them.

With communication barriers, he created an educational presentation that raised awareness on how to report crimes and the SMS text service available for those who cannot call 999.

To commend his actions, Tom won the award for PSCO of the Year for his actions at the district’s awards, held at the Town Hall last Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Scott Green who presented PC Berry with his award said: “PC Berry was awarded this award in recognition of the excellent work he has carried out to protect the vulnerable members of his community.

“He should be proud of his efforts and achievements; he is a worthy recipient of this award.”

BARNSLEY COLLEGE is the only college in South Yorkshire to be chosen to run new T level courses which start in September.

The college will be offering new technical courses in construction, digital, and education and childcare which will begin in September 2020. 

A further 22 courses will be rolled out in stages from 2021, which will cover subjects such as finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing, and creative and design.

T Levels are a new two-year qualification, equivalent to three A Levels, for 16 to 18 year olds who would prefer a technical education, rather than following a purely academic pathway or a work-based apprenticeship.

The qualifications are a combination of classroom or workshop-based learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience. 

They provide a mixture of technical knowledge and practical skills specific to the student’s chosen industry or occupation and can include an industry placement of at least 45 days, relevant maths, English and digital skills, and common workplace skills.

David Akeroyd, vice principal technical and professional education at Barnsley College, said: “We’re really excited and proud to have been chosen by the Department for Education to be the only college in South Yorkshire and one of only 54 colleges in the country to offer T Levels from September 2020.

“We have fantastic partnerships with employers across the South Yorkshire region and we are in a strong position to be able to deliver these qualifications which will provide our students with an opportunity to gain the technical knowledge and valuable work experience that employers look for when recruiting new employees.”

Potential new students will have the opportunity to find out about T Levels and the wide range of courses on offer at the Barnsley College and Barnsley Sixth Form College Open Day next Saturday, November 23, from 11am to 2pm.

The open day will be held at various College sites 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 Wigfield Farm.

A FAST food restaurant has closed for refurbishment.

 McDonald’s at Wentworth Business Park, Tankersley, closed on Sunday to allow building works and second drive-thru lane to be installed. 

The store will reopen on December 10 at 11am.

OFFICERS searching for a missing 72-year-man have found a body.

Derek Atkinson was reported missing yesterday afternoon after leaving Grange Lane and was last seen at 12.15 this morning on Silverstone Avenue, Cudworth.

This afternoon the body of a man was found on open land between Belle Green Lane, Cudworth, and Engine Lane. 

While formal identification has not taken place, police do believe it to be 72-year-old Derek, and his family have been informed. 

The death is not being treated as suspicious. 

AN urgent appeal has been issued by police to help locate a missing 72-year-old man.

Derek Atkinson was reported missing yesterday afternoon, after he left Grange Lane, Cundy Cross, at about 2.40pm. 

CCTV footage has been released after a 69-year-old man was critically injured during an assault in a bid to trace witnesses.

At 7am on October 27, emergency services were called to Dobie Street, where the man was found with severe head injuries.

He was taken to hospital where he remained in a life-threatening condition for a number of weeks. His condition has since improved slightly and is now described as serious but stable.

Detectives have released the CCTV footage as they continue with their enquiries. They are looking to trace a number of drivers and pedestrians who were in the Dobie Street area in the hours leading up to when the victim was found at 7am.

Detective Constable Emma Shipley, investigating, said: “The footage shows a number of vehicles and a pedestrian on Dobie Street on the morning of Sunday October 27, between 1.10am and 5.20am.

“I’d like to please ask people to cast their minds back were you in the area that morning? Do you drive to and from work along that road?

“It’s really important that we identify and speak to these witnesses as they may have vital information about what happened.

“If you think you were in the area that morning, please get in touch with us.”

Two people have been charged in connection to the incident and remain remanded in custody.

Craig Smith, 30, of Honeywell Street, Barnsley, and Scott Toone, 26, of no-fixed-address, are both charged with Section 18 Wounding.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 337 of October 27.

BARNSLEY Hospice is inviting people to dedicate a light in memory of someone special.

Light Up a Life is an annual appeal by the hospice that invites people to celebrate the lives of relatives and friends by dedicating lights in their memory.

Christmas trees will be illuminated during two church services on December 1 at 3.30pm and 7pm, and there will be a service at the hospice at 7pm on December 5.

Each person remembered will be recorded in a special Book of Blessings, and their lights added to the Christmas trees. The book will be displayed over the festive period and lights will shine until the 12th night.

Julie Perry, patient services director at Barnsley Hospice, said: “Everyone is warmly invited to join us at one of our Light

Up a Life services which we hope will help provide some much-needed comfort at this most difficult time of the year.”

Last year, it raised more than £25,000 with more than 1,000 lights on the Christmas trees.

To book onto a service or dedicate a light, visit the Barnsley Hospice website or call 244244.

A GLITZY awards evening is set to take place tonight as the biggest Proud of Barnsley ceremony yet gets underway. 

This year’s event will take place at the Metrodome yet again, with broadcaster and DJ Stephanie Hirst and former Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd hosting the evening.

There are 15 categories. These are:

• Hospital Hero

• Children’s Champion

• Young Superstar

• Community Hero

• Sporting Achievement

• Community Group

• School of the Year

• Triumph Over Adversity

• Exceptional Achievement

• Carer of the Year

• Charity Fundraiser

• Volunteer of the Year

• Love Where You Live

• Charity Fundraising Team

• Charity of the Year

This is the eighth year the Proud of Barnsley Awards have been organised by the Barnsley Chronicle. 

Editor Andrew Harrod said: “This year is set to be the biggest Proud of Barnsley awards we’ve seen. We have so many amazing people in the community who will be celebrated for what they bring to Barnsley itself and to the people of Barnsley.”

•  See the Barnsley Chronicle website and Facebook page for updates as winners are announced from 9pm onwards.

A PROBE into children’s bulging waistlines has revealed one in five reception-age pupils are now classed as obese in Barnsley – and the figure grows to almost one in three by the time they leave primary school.

The study, which focuses on the South Area Council’s wards including Rockingham, Hoyland Milton, Wombwell and Darfield, says 20.3 per cent of its four and five-year-olds are obese, higher than Barnsley’s overall rate of 18 per cent.

However, rates for ten and 11-year-olds rockets to 32.4 per cent in the South and 32.1 per cent across the borough – which the report says is an ‘all-time high’ – but remains slightly lower than 34.3 per cent national average.

Compiled by public health bosses in the town, it reveals Barnsley as a whole is the fourth-worst area in Yorkshire and the Humber for physical activity and for the proportion of residents who eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

It said: “Severe obesity in ten to 11-year-olds has now reached an all-time high. Overweight children are more likely to be obese as adults, increasing their risk of heart disease and some cancers.

“More young people than ever are developing type two diabetes. Excess sugar can also lead to painful tooth decay, bullying and low self-esteem in childhood.”

The Rockingham ward is the worst-hit area according to the study, with a quarter of its four to five-year-olds obese, while Hoyland has 24.7 per cent, Wombwell has 17.7 per cent and Darfield fares better with a rate of 14.2 per cent.

However, the figures for ten to 11-year-olds, which is the age when a child leaves primary school, grow rapidly in each ward and although Hoyland has the highest rate of 34.5 per cent, Darfield’s children’s figures more than doubled to 30.4 per cent in that five-year period from reception to joining high school.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist for Public Health England, said: “Children are consuming too much sugar, but parents can take action now to prevent this building up over the years.

“With a third of children leaving primary school overweight, tackling obesity requires wider action and is not just limited to individual efforts from parents.

“We are working with the food industry to remove 20 per cent of sugar from the products contributing the most to children’s sugar intakes by next year.

“I encourage all Barnsley parents and carers to take a look at some of the easy ways they can help their children consume less sugar and teach them how to make healthier choices that stay with them for life.”

The South area also has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Barnsley, with 70 per cent having high blood pressure and excess cholesterol.

A total of 4,560 South residents are at risk of a heart attack or stroke who are not aware they have high blood pressure and more than 100 people who are diagnosed but who are not getting the right treatment to minimise the risk.

Excess weight was identified as one of the public health bosses’ strategic priorities between 2018 and 2021 and Barnsley Council’s ‘food plan’ is a ‘response to the increasing levels of obesity in the borough’.

Coun Jim Andrews, cabinet spokesperson for public health, said: “The proportion of Barnsley children who carry excess weight in reception is lower than the England rate, however the rate for ten to 11-year-olds is slightly worse than the rate, but not significantly.

“Compared to the other South Yorkshire authorities, Barnsley has the highest rate of four to five-year-old children who are a healthy weight.

“Barnsley Council’s food plan is about changing the food environment and culture within the town as well as improving access to quality food.

“Our approach focuses on developments to the policies and structures which we live, work, shop, eat and learn within, focusing on the social, cultural and environmental conditions around us.”

A RETIRED miner who bought himself a luxury car after he was diagnosed with a lung disease has been left devastated when it was ‘deliberately’ set on fire.

Ian Millthorpe, 58, of Windmill Avenue, Grimethorpe, bought his Jaguar XFS after he got a £25,000 payout from the Department of Work and Pensions when he was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis in 2016. 

The disease is due to inhalation of dust and is common in coal miners and others who work with coal.

The dad-of-eight said he was asleep on his sofa at home on November 4 when his 12-year-old daughter woke him up screaming about the car being on fire at around 11pm.

Mr Millthorpe said he has been left devastated by the damage done to his car, which cost him £16,000 and has had to be written off.

“If it wasn’t for my daughter being awake and letting me know the car was on fire, we might not be here,” said Ian.

“If it had become a bigger fire it could have spread to the house and God knows what could have happened.

“I’m just so upset, I have no enemies or know anyone who would have anything against me.

“My elderly neighbour told me she had seen two young lads running away after seeing them on my drive appearing to be lighting something.”

Ian said he has reported the incident to the police and is now offering a reward of £500 to anyone who can give information leading to a successful conviction.

• Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting reference number 366 of November 12.

A BARNSLEY photographer swapped the town for the Big Apple when she was flown out for a special anniversary photoshoot.

Collette Evans was hired by Rotherham couple Nicola and Mark Smith to capture special stateside photos of their tenth wedding anniversary in New York.

The photoshoot took place on November 8 at iconic sites around the city including in Times Square, the New York Public Library and Grand Central.

Collette, 32, established Day Street-based Picture Perfect Photography in 2012 which specialises in wedding and fashion photography.

Collette said: “I was thrilled to be asked by Nicola and Mark to capture their tenth anniversary in New York. The city holds so many special memories for me having organised my own wedding there in 2014.

“I have extensive knowledge of locations, venue and suppliers in the area, which meant that I could offer them a completely bespoke experience.”