A COUPLE from Barnsley say they are devastated after their £14,500 car went missing after they had dropped it off with an airport meet-and-greet service at Manchester Airport.

Lisa Hook and Anthony Smith, of Cudworth, dropped their silver Mercedes C-class 220 CDI AMG Sport off with a representative from Meet and Greet Manchester Airport Services Ltd, before heading on holiday to Turkey for two weeks.

However, after returning on October 8, the couple rang the firm to get their car, but were told a variety of different things, including saying the vehicle ‘could not be found’ and there was ‘no record of it on the system’.

And after close to ten hours trying to find out what had happened to their car, the couple rang Greater Manchester Police, who are now working with the company to locate the car, which they have confirmed as stolen.

The couple said they paid £77 for the meet-and-greet parking, which was booked via the Fly Park Plus website and is not affiliated with Manchester Airport.

“It has completely devastated us,” said Lisa. “We don’t want this to happen to other people. It was ten hours of absolute hell and I just broke down. I was phoning the company and then Anthony was and it was just going nowhere.”

Lisa and Anthony went to the car park where they believed the Mercedes to have parked, which turned out to be a muddy field, before being told there was nothing else they could do.

“We are devastated and we couldn’t talk about it for three days afterwards. My stomach was turning all the time.

“We didn’t see the car park until after we got back off holiday because someone came to pick it up from us before we went away,” added Anthony.

“We did go up to the car park on the Tuesday we came back and it was a muddy field, but when I booked it on the website it showed it was a tarmac one.

“There were hundreds of cars up there and there were some that were really high value too.”

Anthony said he and Lisa are now waiting to find out if they can get compensation for what happened, but he believes he will never see the car again.

“It’s possible that we won’t ever get it back. I have been on to my insurance and it has been listed as stolen. I do have a courtesy car but that Mercedes was one that had been saved up for and I had bought it hoping to keep it for a good few years. It’s a beautiful car in immaculate condition.

“It’s very sad as I don’t really expect to see it again.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said enquiries regarding the Mercedes are still ongoing. They said:

“Officers were called shortly after 8.30am on October 8 after a vehicle left with a third-party meet and greet company unaffiliated to Manchester Airport failed to be returned to its owner and was subsequently reported stolen.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 629 of 08/10/2019.”

A FAST food franchise and a gym have collaborated to host a fundraising event to raise money for a heart charity.

Subway and DW Fitness First, based at the Peel Centre off Harborough Hill Road, will be putting on the event tomorrow in aid of Heart Research UK in the Subway store.

Hamid Musa, the husband of Kareemaa who manages the Subway franchise, died in 2017 from a heart condition and prior to this had been planning to open the store together.

Kareemaa pursued their family dream of moving into the catering industry and wanted to raise money for Heart Research UK, a charity that funds medical research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease in addition to community projects aimed at improving heart health.

A spokesman from DW said: “There will be a children’s assault course, team cycle and goodie bags and raffle prizes up for grabs. There are prizes to be won and money to be raised. We look forward to seeing as many people there as possible.”

The fundraising will begin at 10am.

A WOMAN from Barnsley will appear on tomorrow night’s episode of Take Me Out.

Shannon Vardy is of the new line up of the ‘flirty thirty’ who will be vying for a date from a mystery guy and a date on the ‘Isle of Fernandos’.

During the show the women will keep their lights on their podium on, or turn them off as information about their potential suitor is revealed, with host Paddy McGuinness saying his famous catch phrase ‘no likey, no lighty’.

Take Me Out will air tomorrow at 7.15pm on ITV.

TODAY marks the official launch of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal in Barnsley.

Poppy appeal organiser for Barnsley, Goff Griffiths, said: “I am really looking forward to this year’s Poppy Appeal. Last year in Barnsley we raised £168,000 which contributed to the £51m raised nationally.

"I think that just speaks to the generosity of the people in Barnsley and I am looking forward to these next few weeks as we run the appeal.”

To mark the start of the appeal, Barnsley supporters will be walking from the Manx Arms, Sheffield Road, to John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, ahead of the Championship clash tomorrow.

They will be setting off from the pub at 6am, with all money raised going to the Royal British Legion.

TWO cars were deliberately set alight in Hoyland on Sunday.

At 3am, firefighters from Tankersley were called to Burying Lane, Hoyland, at 3am where they found a Vauxhall Corsa up in flames. The crew spent half an hour extinguishing the fire, which has been logged as deliberate.

At 10.55pm, a Mercedes car was found set alight on Upperfield Lane, High Hoyland, at 10.55pm.

A crew from Barnsley spent almost an hour dealing with the blaze, which investigators found had been a started deliberately.

A PUBLIC consultation on controversial plans to develop a large swathe of green belt land bordered by Pogmoor, Higham, Gawber and Barugh Green will come to an end later this week.

The site - known as Barnsley West MU1 - is currently open fields but 1,700 homes, a new primary school and employment land with a link road connecting it to the M1 could be built on it in the future.

A community consultation on the MU1 masterplan began last month, which included two drop-in sessions in Barugh Green and Gawber, while the deadline for submitting online responses is 5pm today.

A statement from Barnsley Council said: “The consultation exhibition events have been well-attended and we are pleased with the level of engagement from local residents so far.

“All feedback received will help inform the content of the masterplan framework document and there is still time for residents to have their say.

“The consultation closes on Thursday and anyone wishing to complete the questionnaire can do so.”

The 122-hectare development has been met with strong opposition since the proposals were first announced as part of the town’s local plan, which sets out a blueprint for new housing and employment sites until 2033 and was formally adopted in January.

Council leader Sir Steve

Houghton added: “If we don’t decide how we want the site to look we’ll be at the behest of developers - if nothing is in place they can submit their own proposals for it.

“Residents can help shape it the best we can and it’s been important we sought engagement. Although it’s different from the local plan’s consultation which came before, we need the right type of development on this site. ”

It won’t be easy given the public’s concerns but it’s vitally important residents have their say.

“I appreciate the fact that there’s been a lot of public opposition to the site but it’s been approved for development purposes in the local plan and so that part of the debate has ended.

“MU1 is the largest masterplan area proposed in Barnsley from the local plan so what is important now is to get as many comments on it as we possibly can, so residents can help shape the site’s future.”

* Visit barnsleywest.co.uk to have your say.

A PROJECT which aims to frame two historic Barnsley Pals flags and conserve the names of 200 soldiers on a memorial pillar has hit a milestone in its fundraising quest.

Rev Canon Stephen Race, of St Mary’s Church in Barnsley town centre, and Jane Ainsworth, co-ordinator of the Barnsley Pals Colours Project, announced that they are now just over halfway towards their target following a £5,000 grant from South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF).

The pair are spearheading a project to have the two deteriorating flags, currently laid up in St Mary’s, framed in order the preserve them.

Jane said: “As any individual or group who has been involved in fundraising knows it is hard work and very time-consuming, however worthwhile the cause.

"When I became passionately interested in the Barnsley Pals Colours in 2016 and volunteered to find a way to preserve them, I had no idea what effort this would involve.

“Last year, I increased the fundraising target by a third to just over £20,000 to include the cost of conserving the war memorial pillar, because these and the Colours all honour Barnsley Pals.

“I am extremely grateful to SYCF for approving my application for £5,000 and over the summer, I was successful in being granted £500 each from Cudworth, Kingstone, Penistone, St Helen’s and Stairfoot ward alliances.”

THE number of people out of work and claiming Universal Credit in Barnsley now stands at 5,473, latest quarterly figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show.

The figure was down eight per cent when compared with the same period a year ago, but a 24 per cent drop from the same period five years ago.

The figure for those aged 18 to 24 claiming he same benefits now stands at 1,000, which represents a year-on-year drop of three per cent, but a 28 per cent drop from five years ago.

Nigel Coleman, from Jobcentre Plus, said there were still many job vacancies across Barnsley and the wider area, and also pointed to the DWP’s Christmas jobs portal which was launched this week showing jobseekers which seasonal roles – both flexible and permanent – are available in their area.

A HOUSE had to be evacuated and the occupants taken to hospital following a fire in the early hours of Monday morning.

Firefighters were called to the property on Hall Street, Wombwell, at 4.30am after reports of a fire that started in the kitchen.

Three occupants had to be treated for smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital, while crews from Dearne, Cudworth and Barnsley stations used fans to clear the smoke from the building.

The firefighters spent more than two hours at the scene, with a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue saying the fire appears to have been accidentally started from a faulty kitchen appliance.

THE MP for Barnsley East Stephanie Peacock met with the South Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC), which runs part of the probation services in South Yorkshire.

Stephanie Peacock met the CRC following the death of Barnsley resident Jacqueline Wileman who was killed by a stolen lorry in Brierley last year.

One of the four men in the vehicle - all later jailed for causing death by dangerous driving - was David Mellor, who was in the probation system at the time of the incident, while two of the others, Alan Mawhinney and Wayne Carroll, had recently finished.

Following the sentencing of those involved, Stephanie has campaigned in Parliament for a change to the law that would see the current maximum sentence for those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving increased.

Following her efforts in Westminster, the MP secured a meeting with the government’s now-justice secretary, giving the family of Jacqueline the chance to describe their experiences directly to him.

The MP also raised concerns in Parliament over the role of the probation service in the tragedy, which preceded the Ministry of Justice’s decision to bring all probation services back in-house following several years of outsourcing under the current government.

Speaking about meeting with the CRC, Stephanie said: “The tragic death of Jackie Wileman shocked and devastated our community.

“One of the men involved was in the probation system, and two others had just left, and that’s why I felt it was so important to meet with the probation service itself.

“I outlined to the CRC the devastating impact this tragedy has had on Jackie’s family, as well as pressing the service on what actions are being taken to address the problems this tragic incident highlighted.”

A WOMAN who worked in a factory that built Lancaster Bombers during the Second World War celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Mary Hancock was born October 15, 1919 to parents Muriel and Squire Smith and she grew up in Wakefield with her two brothers, Jack and Ken.

In 1933, when Mary was just 14, she began working as a maid for a family in Sandal, and later worked in a mental hospital as a nurse until the middle of the Second World War.

In 1942, Mary began working at a Lancaster bomber assembly unit near Leeds where she worked until the end of the war in 1945.

“She has been very active during her life,” said Mary’s son, Tim Hancock.

“She used to to work in an underground warehouse assembling Lancaster Bombers during the war. She always said she made some great friends while she worked there and she remembers it fondly.”

After the war, Mary married Herbert and together they had three sons; John, Peter, and Tim.

“My mum used to go to the bingo and she always liked making things; she used to have a sewing machine and would make clothes and curtains. She used to be really good at the crosswords and could do Countdown quite easily.”

To celebrate her birthday, staff at Holly Tree Care Lodge, Shafton have organised a party where Mayor of Barnsley Coun Pauline Markham will attend.

VULNERABLE tenants are accepting sub-standard social housing out of fear of being pushed to the back of a waiting list, councillors claimed during a heated scrutiny meeting.

Berneslai Homes’ ‘void standard’ - a document which sets out the minimum lettable standard that all of its housing stock has to meet before a tenant moves in - came under fire after multiple councillors claimed they had witnessed ‘shocking’ cases.

Berneslai Homes manages void properties on behalf of the council, although the actual repair work is done through a contract being delivered by its own construction services team and Kier.

According to a progress report, all completed voids are checked to ensure they meet the standard and a number of teams ‘monitor performance and process’.

Coun Wayne Johnson, who represents the Stairfoot ward, said: “I’ve been involved in a case recently where I was asked to look at an asylum seeker’s accommodation and I have to say I’m absolutely amazed that the property was handed over.

“This person had no income or capacity to improve its standard and there seems to be a requirement to turn void stock around quickly. The jobs which are required are then done after a tenant’s moved in, despite it not being up to standard.

“In some cases it’s up to eight weeks after the move-in date and we’re talking about major, disruptive work.

Vulnerable people aren’t in a position to cope with that and I think standards have been sacrificed in an attempt to get the void figures down to cut costs and drive up income.

“Subsequently the pressure is placed on a tenant to take a property they wouldn’t normally accept and we need to look at this. If I let one in some of the states I’ve seen, I would be pursued by the council and quite rightly so.”

The report added that a separate independent review process is also carried out by a panel of existing tenants, who inspect a random selection of properties prior to letting to ensure standards.

Since 2011, about 1,000 properties per year have been refurbished and the report says ‘housing stock is therefore generally in good condition’.

A PILOT scheme aimed at giving people face-to-face contact with support services in Barnsley was launched this week.

The ‘Talking Point’ programme, a partnership between Barnsley Council and social care, housing, police and health services, hopes to give residents a better idea of what support is available in order for them to improve their own independence and wellbeing.

The project’s pilot scheme, targeting the Dearne, was launched at Goldthorpe Library yesterday and will see further drop-in sessions rolled out in Thurnscoe and Goldthorpe.

Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesman, said: "This initiative is a brilliant way for residents to make sure that they can access the support and guidance that they require from a range of services working together in one place.”

The next session is on Saturday October 26, Big Local Thurnscoe - St Helen’s Church Hall, 11am-4pm.

* Thursday 14 November, Snap Tin Cafe, Goldthorpe,10am-noon

* Monday 25 November, Salvation Army, Goldthorpe, 10am - noon

* Monday 9 December, Thurnscoe Library, 10am - noon

* Wednesday 18 December, Cherry Tree Court, 10am - 1pm

* Monday 6 January, Goldthorpe Medical Centre, 10am - noon

* Thursday 23 January, Goldthorpe Library, 10am - noon

A PEDESTRIAN who died following a collision on the M1 motorway has been named.

Jake Glover-Brown, 25, of Barnsley, died on Friday night after suffering fatal injuries on the M1 northbound carriageway involving a black Mercedes CLA.

Police were called to the third carriageway of the M1 between junction 35A and 36 northbound at 11.52pm following reports of a collision and the motorway remained closed for around 18 hours while investigations were carried out.

Three men, one teenager and one woman aged between 16 and 50-years-old, have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

The 16-year-old boy has been released under investigation and the other four have been bailed pending further enquiries.

His family said in a statement: “Jake’s family would like privacy at this difficult time to grieve the loss of a beloved brother, son, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to many.

“Sweet dreams Jake, forever in our hearts.”

A police spokesman said: “We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and are keen to hear from any witnesses, especially any motorists who may hold dash cam footage.

“The collision is believed to have happened at approximately 11.52pm on Friday. If you can help, please call 101 quoting incident number 1011 of October 18.”

A BARNSLEY MP has met with the government’s rail minister to underline the importance of delivering HS2 to boost connectivity to the region amid rumours that the eastern leg of the project could be scrapped.

Dan Jarvis, who is also the mayor of the Sheffield City Region, has criticised current rail services in Barnsley.

And although HS2 will only skirt the borough, a key element of his ‘Integrated Rail Plan’ is the proposal for a new Dearne Valley Parkway station.

Expected to be in Goldthorpe, it will form part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail network which will connect Liverpool, Manchester and its airport to Leeds, as well as linking to HS2.

However, speculation has been rife that bosses behind HS2 have looked at options to scale back the multi-billion pound scheme - including the scrapping of the route beyond the East Midlands to Leeds and Sheffield - to save up to £10bn.

Dan said: “Improving journey times, capacity and quality of rail services is crucial to realising the ambitions of Sheffield City Region and the wider north.

“I met with the rail minister to underline the importance of delivering both the western and eastern legs of HS2.

“Making our rail network fit for the 21st century does not rely on one single infrastructure project.

“But HS2 is an absolutely fundamental part of achieving the rail connectivity we need which is why I’m concerned at recent rumours that the eastern leg of the project may be scrapped.

“If we are to realise our enormous potential, what we need is truly transformative investment that delivers east-west and north-south connectivity.

“This includes projects such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail and the new proposed Dearne Valley Parkway station.”

It’s proposed that the station will offer connections to Sheffield in 12 minutes, Leeds in 15 minutes, York in 20 minutes, Birmingham Curzon Street in 56 minutes and London Euston in 95 minutes.

“Any decision from this government that compromises investment levels, capacity and frequency on our rail network is unacceptable,” he added.

“That’s why I’ll be fighting to secure the best possible rail services for the people of Sheffield City Region.”

MOTORISTS’ safety is being jeopardised due to youths throwing bricks at two sites - including a former railway bridge - into traffic according to claims made this week.

Police are keeping tabs on a series of reports - made last Friday - which has resulted in two cars and two buses sustaining smashed windows and damaged roofs.

The incidents happened on Barnsley Road, Cudworth, which has seen youngsters scale the banking of the former railway line where the bridge used to go across the main road at an area known as ‘The Valley’.

Coun Charlie Wraith, who represents the Cudworth ward, received an email from a resident whose car had been damaged near the bridge and immediately passed it on to local police.

“It’s a serious matter as it doesn’t bear thinking about the injuries which could be caused as a result of this behaviour,” Coun Wraith said.

“They’ve been thrown into traffic on a 30mph road and I’ve already received reports of damage to both cars and buses.

“I’ve raised this with the police and they’ve been quick to respond showing just how problematic - and dangerous - this could be if it continues.”

Network Rail opted to erect fencing when the bridge was removed in March 2015, but youths have been seen on the playing field side - ‘The Valley’ - where there’s been a host of antisocial behaviour in recent years.

It’s the second time in recent months the issue has been brought up after a bridge which crosses the existing railway line used to deliver sand to Ardagh Glass, on nearby Burton Road, was also reported to be a hotspot for youngsters throwing objects into vehicles’ paths.

It’s been claimed the teens responsible for last week’s incidents belong to the same group which has been behind criminal damage in Cudworth Park, a long-running policing priority, although officers will be deployed to The Valley as a result of the complaints.

Officers from the village’s neighbourhood policing hub - on nearby Manor Road - have been working alongside Barnsley Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Service and Berneslai Homes in a bid to solve long-running problems in the village involving teenagers.

Jill Griffiths, from the Safer Neighbourhood Service, said a database of names had previously been collated - and warned that enforcement will be taken if problems persist.

“There is an action plan in place for antisocial behaviour in Cudworth,” she added.

“We do deal with it anyway but tenancy agreements will be looked at if improvements with kids’ behaviour within their local community isn’t made. We hope this will make them sit up and take notice.

“We have different tools to deal with parents who have private rented housing, whether that’s issuing community protection notices (CPNs) or working alongside PCSOs (police community support officers).”

Police are also working alongside Outwood Academy Shafton - the school where the youngsters are said to go - to gather information on the culprits and behaviour ‘contracts’ could be something that’s looked at, which a youngster has to adhere to before prosecution is pursued.

PC Clare Sidaway added: “We’re aware of a dozen or so youngsters who have been questioned in relation to ongoing antisocial behaviour in the Cudworth area.

“We’re liaising with the school and parents, who have been supportive and mortified. They know full well we’re on their case and we’re all working together to find a resolution.”

John Young, commercial director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, confirmed the company’s drivers had made reports of the incidents involving its buses near Cudworth’s former railway bridge.

He said: “We are aware of incidents involving items thrown at vehicles in the area. We are working closely with the police through the South Yorkshire Travelsafe Partnership on this matter.“

Any customers with concerns of this nature can contact us directly.”

A MAN was taken to hospital after being stabbed in Barnsley on Saturday night.

South Yorkshire Police received a call at 11.18pm from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, asking for officers to attend an incident on Eldon Street North.

Officers found a 30-year-old man had been stabbed and was taken to Northern General Hospital by ambulance.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

THREE males reportedly ran away from the scene of a collision which saw a car flip on its side after hitting a barrier on a road’s central reservation.

At just after 11.30pm on Thursday October 17, a grey BMW car was seen on its side after reportedly mounting the central reservation on the junction of Wakefield Road and Laithes Lane, New Lodge.

Three males were seen fleeing from the scene, which saw the car seemingly collide with the reservation’s metal barrier and flip over.

Police enquiries are ongoing to identify the driver.

A pedestrian has died after being involved in a collision with a car on the motorway.

Emergency services were called to the third carriageway of the M1 between junction 35A and 36 northbound at 11.52pm last night following reports that a black Mercedes CLA had been involved in a collision with a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a 25 year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His family are being supported by specially trained officers.

A police spokesman said: “Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or may have been in the area at the time.

“If you can help, please call 101 quoting incident number 1011 of October 18.”

A TEENAGER has died after being involved in a collision in the early hours of this morning.

Police were called to Hope Street just off the junction of Burton Road, Monk Bretton at 5.05am following reports that a car had flipped onto its roof.

An 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A POLICE horse has been forced into early retirement due to a long-term leg problem.

Noddy, based at Ring Farm in Cudworth, had previously lived a quiet life in Cheshire and after being spotted for sale, he joined the force’s other serving horses.

Noddy, a 17hh Irish sports horse joined South Yorkshire Police in October 2016 as an eight-year-old but after extensive veterinary care, it was decided that it would not be fair for Noddy to continue his policing career.

Throughout Noddy’s three years’ service he attended many local schools, policed football matches and concerts, and patrolled his local area.

PC Lindsay Crew has been Noddy’s main rider for the past two years and said: “Noddy is nothing less than a perfect gentleman, he has the most impeccable manners and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.

“He has never been the bravest police horse, he always liked to follow the others, but he put his heart into everything you asked of him.

“Once I gained his trust, he would take confidence from me as a rider to be brave and face the challenges of everyday policing.

“I am sad to see Noddy go but it is in the best interests for him and also for our team.”

A YOUNG health worker at Barnsley Hospital is raising money for the hospital charity’s Tiny Hearts Appeal – after her own life was saved by the Special Care Baby Unit 23 years ago.

Hayley Tissington, of Darton, is going ‘Sober for October’ and is being sponsored via her JustGiving page. She has so far raised £200 for the Tiny Hearts Appeal which currently stands at just over £926,000 – well on its way to its £1m target.

Hayley, a patient flow facilitator at the hospital, was born at just 29 weeks after her mum was rushed into hospital with pre-eclampsia. This condition endangers the lives of both mother and child and around 1,000 babies die each year in the UK because of it, mainly because they have to be delivered prematurely.

“The doctors said to my dad if I don’t take your wife and baby to theatre now you could lose them both,” said Hayley, who has been working at Barnsley Hospital for six years.

Hayley’s mum had to have an emergency C-section and Hayley was born weighing just two pounds and four ounces. Afterwards, she hovered between life and death and was in the special care baby unit for three months.

She said: “My dad said I fitted into the palm of his hand. Even when I came home I had to have oxygen so they had to carry me round with the tank. I should have been born in September but I was born in June and so I ended up being the youngest instead of the oldest in my year.”

After Barnsley Hospital’s new Neonatal Unit opened in November last year, Hayley, her mum and dad and nan attended an open day tour there which brought back lots of memories.

She said: “Back when I was born, there was one double bed for parents to stay with their babies and they had to get washed using baby wipes. Now it’s like the Premier Inn.”

Hayley thinks her difficult birth might have had something to do with her decision to work in health care although her mum and nan also work in caring professions.

“Someone was looking down on me and my mum that day. I’m a miracle baby. Can you imagine what my dad was going through when they told him he might lose us both? Doctors also said I might not be able to walk or talk and could have been in a wheelchair.”

To donate to Hayley’s JustGiving page, visit justgiving.com and search Hayley Tissington, or find the link at BarnsleyChronicle.com.

PUPILS from a Cudworth primary school were given the opportunity to speak with a woman whose family escaped Austria during the rise of Hitler.

Edith Jayne was born in Vienna, Austria in 1936 and was just 18 months old when her family were forced too flee from their homes due to the invasion of Austria by Nazi forces. She visited Cudworth Churchfield Primary School to speak with year six pupils about her life and how she escaped Nazi occupation.

Edith’s father was a Hungarian Jew who ran his doctor’s practise from an office connected to the family home. When the Nazi party invaded Austria in 1938, the family were forced to flee to escape the persecution of the Jewish people.

“My father worked for the Austrian Health Service,” said Edith, now 83. “He was a Jew, but not a practicing one but that didn’t matter to the Nazis so when they invaded Austria on March 11, my father had lost his job, and us our home by March 12.”

Edith, her parents, and her sister Liselotte sailed to portugal where they lived from 1938 until 1941 when growing concerns about where then leader, Colonel Franco’s sympathies lay forced the family to once again move countries.

Edith turned five years old in New York, America where she lived until the 1960s.

“Moving to America was scary,” she said. “I didn’t speak any English and I was too young to really understand why we had to keep moving away. I remember getting to Staten Island and seeing the Statue of Liberty and asking my mother if that was our new home - I think I caused a few tears that day.”

As an adult Edith married her first husband, George Mico with whom she had her children; Theodore and Richard. She remarried to second husband, a Welshman, Terrence Jayne and applied for British Citizenship in 1983.

“For me, it was hard being a refugee. When I was in my 20s I lived with my children in Belgium while my husband worked away and my son went through the same sense of alienation as I did back in the 1940s. It was then that I decided I wanted a place where I could settle and call home.

“I want the children to take away some messages from my story. I want them to be kind to others - especially people who don’t speak the same language as them, to understand people’s differences and to take part in civil activities such as voting. If people had spoken up about what was happening in 1933, we might never have had to leave Vienna and Hitler might have been stopped sooner.”

Assistant headteacher at the school, Jonathan Bean, said: “Our year six class are studying prejudice and presecution and we got in touch with the Holocaust Trust who kindly put us in touch with Edith who was asked if she would like to come and speak with the children.

“I think it’s important for the pupils to hear Edith’s story as there are not many people left who are around to tell their experiences in World War Two so this is a great way to help them to understand the topic.”

A BARNSLEY man put his peddling to the test as he cycled from London to Cologne to raise money for charity.

Colin Cantle, 50, completed the London to Cologne cycle, a 353-mile bike ride which sees participants cycle through France, Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the finish line, Cologne Cathedral.

Colin joined 67 other team members, who work for Herbalife, to complete the four-day challenge and they collectively raised £26,000 for the charity, Action for Children.

Forming part of Herbalife Nutrition’s global Nutrition for Zero Hunger initiative to support reducing hunger worldwide, the ride has raised funds for Action for Children that will go towards supplying nutritional meals and healthy lifestyle programs at centres in Buckinghamshire, London and North Lanarkshire.

Commenting on the experience, Colin, of Hoyland, said: “Cycling 300 miles from London to Cologne was an emotional, strenuous, heart-warming and ultimately uplifting four days invested with 60 new friends I’ll never forget. I’m so glad I took the chance and signed up to do it this year and grateful for all the donations received so far to help HNF/Action for Children projects.”

The money raised by the Herbalife Nutrition UK team will be used to support some of the most disadvantaged children and young people from local communities. The sessions will help young people try new healthy foods and learn how to prepare balanced, nutritious meals. The new knowledge and skills learnt will help to improve the health and nutrition of young people taking part in the programme, and will have a wider impact on their entire family.

Julie Bentley, CEO of Action for Children, said: “Herbalife’s support over the last 12 years means we have been able to teach children and young people about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and make a real difference to their knowledge of nutrition and staying active.

“We want every child to be happy, well and safe and are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Herbalife team. Every penny raised will provide cooking sessions and nutritional information for some of the country’s most vulnerable children and young people.”

To donate visit the team’s Fundraising page:

https://give.herbalifenutritionfoundation.org/campaign/team-uk-london-to-cologne-cycle/ .

WOMEN in Barnsley will now be able to access cervical screening appointments in Barnsley at evening and weekends.

Nurses from the iHEART Barnsley service will be offering cervical screening appointments on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 10.30pm and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm at the Chapelfield Medical Centre in Wombwell.

The appointments have been set up to help women get appointments at a time most suitable to them. Appointments can be booked in advance by contacting your GP Surgery and asking to be referred to i-Heart’s screening service.

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but a pre-cancer screening to notice any changes to the cervix before a problem arises. Some 95 per cent of screenings come back negative and cervical cancer is rare, making up less than one per cent of all cancer cases, as smear tests are good at catching and treating potential problems early enough to prevent it.

Dr Hussain Kadarsha, GP at Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Cervical cancer is one of the cancers that can be prevented through screening by picking up early changes in the cells before the disease develops. So being able to offer extended access to cervical screening appointments is a great thing for women in Barnsley.

“We’ve seen drop in and evening sessions prove really popular recently. We’re hoping to see these opening times encourage more women to have their screening.

“The best way for women to protect themselves against cervical cancer is by taking up their cervical screening appointments.

“We know that many women don’t attend their appointment for a variety of reasons, but we want to make sure that appointments are available at the best times to suit them.”

For more information about booking appointments, visit the iHEART Barnsley website at iheartbarnsley.org.uk

A PETITION calling for urgent improvements to be made at two GP surgeries which care for more than 7,000 people has been handed in to Barnsley Council’s cabinet.

The 235-signature document relates to Barnsley Healthcare Federation (BHF), which was appointed to deliver services at multiple locations across the borough as part of a multi-million pound 15-year contract which is due to end in 2030.

Having been put in place by the Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), BHF now run surgeries at Brierley, Shafton, Goldthorpe, Lundwood and Grimethorpe, as well as the out-of-hours i-Heart service.

Problems have been encountered at Lundwood Practice and Highgate Surgery in Grimethorpe, patients claim, with BHF allegedly relying on locum doctors - GPs who are drafted into surgeries temporarily - which they say has led to a downward trend in the care provided and difficulties in securing an appointment.

A council statement said: “The council’s leader, deputy leader and the director of public health have met with a representative of the petitioners.

“Barnsley CCG - the commissioner of primary care - was invited to the meeting but declined to attend and instead provided a written response to Dan Jarvis MP. The CCG has offered a meeting with its chair at his drop-in session.

“The representative of the petitioners has been assisted in getting a meeting arranged with the chair of the CCG and a follow-up telephone call and letter has been provided to the resident to give the relevant contact details for NHS England, which co-commissions primary care with Barnsley CCG.”

A total of 3,577 patients are registered with Lundwood, while Grimethorpe has 3,571, and it’s not the first time BHF’s alleged reliance on locums has come under the spotlight since its inception in 2015.

Its surgeries in Lundwood, Grimethorpe, Shafton and Brierley all previously required improvement after inspectors found ‘breaches of healthcare regulations’ during their visits, but each is now performing well and all are rated as ‘good’.

However, i-Heart Barnsley was recently blamed for ‘gross failings’ by a coroner after BHF doctors twice failed to diagnose Brierley 23-year-old Jessica Holbrook’s fatal sepsis in 2017.

A subsequent investigation found that at Jessica’s second appointment there was evidence she was septic including a heart rate above 130 beats per minute - but ‘this was not acted on’.

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis added: “I share the concerns of local residents in relation to a lack of GP appointments - it should be a fundamental right that patients are able to see their doctor within a reasonable period of time.

“I am taking practical steps to improve the situation and I have met with the chief operating officer of BHF and have raised concerns directly with the CCG. I’ll continue to work closely with the local community to increase the numbers of appointments available.

“The issue of a shortage of GPs is an issue across the country. The impact of almost a decade of central government austerity has led to a crisis in GP recruitment and retention, which is having the knock-on effect of increased waiting times in local surgeries.”

James Barker, chief operating officer, urged patients to join its in-surgery participation groups to help drive improvements.

A statement added: “Barnsley Healthcare Federation is committed to delivering high quality healthcare for all of our patients.

“We have a patient participation group which gives patients an opportunity to share their views, meet our staff and allows us to share practice updates.

“We have an open invitation to all of our patients to join the group and the date and time of meetings are displayed in practices and on our website.

“Our commitment to patient care has been reflected in our recent CQC inspections which rate all our practices as good.”

A DANCE group that supports young women with their mental wellness has kick started its new term.

MADS, a name which was decided by the group themselves, stands for Mind and Dance as it supports positive mental health in young women through dance.

The charity Ad Astra organise and run the programme alongside the Women’s Wellness Group under a project called SWAG (Stronger Women and Girls).

The group, which is led by Rachael Sharpe, is funded by the North Area council to provide support to young girls with all aspects of their lives.

The first half of the sessions are all about dance, and the second half is centred around discussions of mental wellness.

Michelle Cooper, from Ad Astra, said: “MADS is about making young girls feel comfortable to participate in these activities.

“The safe environment that we’ve created allows young women to come from lots of different backgrounds and all mix together. From that, it provides a wonderful peer support structure.”

The group are working currently working towards a performance in March, where together with the Women’s Wellness group, they will host an event to celebrate International Women’s Day.

MADS rehearse every Tuesday from 4pm at the McGann House in Old Town and every Thursday from 4pm at New Lodge Community Centre.

A CHARITY which helps Barnsley’s homeless is appealing for donations as volunteers say it has an uncertain future and is running ‘desperately close’ to scaling back or winding up its vital services.

Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project (BCDP) has been dedicated to helping Barnsley’s homeless since 2002 and was founded when two people were found in a church doorway. BCDP has been committed to helping the homeless and those with an addiction to drugs ever since.

The project is reliant on donations to keep providing aid to those in need and since 2014, the charity has seen a sharp increase in the amount of homelessness in Barnsley. BCDP has been at three different premises over the years, with vice chairman Peter Mulrooney saying BCDP is now struggling with overhead costs.

The charity is now based in Temperance House on Pitt Street, Barnsley, and has its own kitchen to provide several hot meals per week to feed people who would otherwise not have access to them. They also provide access to toiletries and sanitary products which have been donated by members of the public.

However, Peter, who has been involved with the charity for ten years, said the future of BCDP is uncertain due to rising costs and a rise in the number of people needing its services.

“We are really starting to struggle and with the change in premises comes a cost to rent, business rates and a variety of other costs, we also have pest control and things like that to pay for too,” said Peter.

“We have all these overheads and it costs us £900 a week to continue to do what we do. We don’t want to stop our work as it is so important. I have met many clients who use our service who have raised themselves up and have gone from being homeless to having families, a job and a home. It’s amazing. But this sort of transformation is not a quick fix and it takes time.”

Peter said that BCDP does not just help feed people on the streets, but it also provides them with friendship and emotional support.

“The people that come to us might not have anyone to support them or they might not even have contact with anyone else aside from us. They class us as friends and we give them support to help them rebuild their self-worth. We try to persuade them to get help and talk to them. A lot of our clients, they say if we were not there they would have died on the streets.”

The charity receives donations from people in Barnsley that helps provide meals but the cost to run the project every year is more than £45,350, which is around £900 a week. The volunteers say this is difficult to maintain and Peter believes that long-term funding is needed soon.

“We are desperately close to having to scale down our project to basics, possibly leaving our premises and perhaps being unable to continue running a drop-in service providing hot meals,” he said.

“At this stage we are thinking that we need to find someone or some source of funding that can help us out over a long period.”

Anyone who wants to donate or sponsor the charity, make a contribution or just get in touch to help can call Peter on 07581 412 405.

A CHILDREN’S play centre was ram-raided by thieves – almost two years to the day after it was last targeted.

The thieves targeted Play Valley, on Rotary Drive in Wath-upon-Dearne, on Sunday night – using a people carrier to smash the glass front doors off their hinges.

But the centre’s managers – following another break-in two years ago – are using the opportunity to look into inventive ways to foil any future crooks.

“One positive to come out of this is that we are looking into going completely cashless,” said director Simon Jesson.

“A lot of our customers don’t use cash, with contactless and Apple and Google Pay being almost the norm now.

“If we don’t take any cash, we make it as risk-free as possible for everybody so if there ever is a break-in all they’re going to get away with is some Fruit Shoots and sandwiches.

“It’s not a decision to take lightly, but it would definitely be bad news for these burglars if every business in the area did the same.”

The break-in occurred almost exactly two years after the first incident, with the thieves on that occasion breaking through the wall.

Both have happened in what Simon said was the centre’s peak season as Christmas approaches.

“It has an effect as you remember how much work goes into making sure it’s back up and running again, you can’t just come and sweep the glass up and open up,” said Simon.

“But we have to, the business wouldn’t survive if we stayed shut for a few days.

“Whoever they are, they’re coming for cash, but it’s an absolute waste of time.

“It’s a family business, it’s not like we have thousands of pounds on the site.

“The staff are obviously a bit on edge, but we have tried to put as many measures in place as possible.

“Some businesses do get to the stage where this sort of thing happens multiple times and they’re forced to give up.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed an investigation was ongoing following the incident after officers were called to Play Valley at 7.44pm on Sunday.

“It is believed that offenders gained access to the property by using a vehicle to cause damage to the door,” continued the spokesman.

“A quantity of cash was stolen. Officers are investigating and are keen to hear from anyone who has any information that may help with their enquiries, please call 101 quoting incident number 793 of October 13.”

A RETIRED engineer spent the past year renovating a doll’s house so that children at a local nursery can play with it.

Trevor Bissett, 86, set about transforming the doll’s house after it was donated to Wonderland Nursery, Cudworth, in a bad state of repair.

“My daughter works at the nursery and she told me about the doll’s house that needed work doing to it,” said Trevor, from Churchfield Close, Kexbrough.

“Apparently a lady had bought it on the internet and was intending to repair it but the repairs that needed doing were beyond her ability so she gave it to the nursery and it was passed on to me.

“I took it home to try and work on it in my shed but realised that there wasn’t enough room so I started looking for a place to work on the doll’s house.”

Trevor joined the Age UK project, Men in Sheds, which was created to help men combat loneliness while learning new skills such as woodwork or IT.

“I had heard about the Men in Sheds project and I thought I would come down and see what it was like and now I come twice a week to work on my little projects.”

The doll’s house took Trevor a year to complete and is now ready to present back to the nursery

“It was quite old and it had glass windows which obviously aren’t suitable for children to be playing with so I changed them for Perspex. Parts of the roof were missing as well so I fixed that and made new parts to replace what was missing.

“It’s been a challenge and I’ve really enjoyed doing it. I’ve not done everything on my own, one of the members is a retired painter and decorator so he helped decorate the inside of the house and other members have helped me too.

“I’m currently working on a bird table and some other little projects which I am looking forward to doing.”

SOUTH Yorkshire Police have located a drill and tools in Barnsley which they believe to be stolen.

Officers are now looking to trace their owners and are appealing for people to get in touch.

The Dewalt drill was recovered from a 37-year-old-man on Market Hill in Barnsley town centre on Tuesday this week.

Anyone who believes the drill belongs to them is asked to contact PC 2158 Key at Barnsley Police station on 736 006.

A MAN has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after reports that a dog was seen being abused on a high street.

James Hodgson, 31, of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, was arrested after a man was seen hitting a dog with a metal chain on Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe on Wednesday October 16.

Hodgson pleaded not guilty at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday), charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, using threatening and abusive behaviour to cause fear and harm and for breach of a domestic violence protection order.

The dog was taken to a vets to receive care and treatment.

Hodgson was bailed and is due to appear at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on February 10 for trial.

AN investigation has been launched after a child was allegedly sexually assaulted on wasteland in Goldthorpe.

Police were called to Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe at 8.22am this morning following reports of a sexual assault on a 12-year-old boy.

A cordon is currently in place as officers carry out enquiries.

A police spokesman said: “The boy is being cared for by specialist officers and staff. Officers will be in the local area and schools throughout the day as enquiries are ongoing.

“If you have any information that can help with their investigations please call 101 quoting incident number 191 of October 17.”

HUNDREDS of campaigners will be heading to London on Saturday to join a march demanding that the people’s voices are heard before final decisions on Brexit are made.

The march, named ‘Together for the Final Say’, will demand that the people’s voices should be heard before any final decision is taken about a Brexit Deal or no-deal.

More than 170 coaches from across the UK will be travelling to the capital for the march which begins at 10am.

Two coaches will be leaving from the Haigh Lane roundabout and Barnsley folk are being asked to take part.

Mary Seneviratne, Chair of Sheffield for Europe said: “For more than three years, campaigners here in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire,and across the UK, have been running street stalls, delivering leaflets, and making the case for a People’s Vote to settle the Brexit issue once and for all.

“Now we are coming together in London to demand that our voices are heard. 

“Boris Johnson needs to hear loud and clear he must seek our consent before he inflicts his damaging Brexit on our country.

“The Together For The Final Say” march on Saturday will be a huge democratic moment for our country as we say loud and clear that, whatever you think about Brexit, the only clear way out of this mess is to give the people the final say.”

Those who are interested in attended is to meet at 7am at Haigh Lane roundabout on Junction 38 M1.

AN apprentice vehicle repair technician who won a regional award is competing to be crowned the National ‘Rising Star of the Year’.

Matthew Turner, 21, of Bamford Close, Dodworth, is an accident repair technician at Gemini Accident Repair Centre in Rotherham where he repairs a wide range of vehicles and he regularly volunteers to speak at schools and events.

He won the title at the National Apprenticeship Awards for Yorkshire and the Humber ceremony in Leeds.

His efforts have now put him in the running to be crowned the Rising Star of the Year which will be announced at the finals in London on November 27.

The national winner of the Rising Star of the Year award will be decided, in part, by a public vote.

His mum, Kerry Turner, said: “We are so proud of Matthew, he’s worked incredibly hard. He’s always been very practical and achieving this just shows how dedicated he is to what he is doing.

"His employer put him forward and we hope that he can get as many votes as possible to win this title.”

Matthew said: “It’s just crazy that I have come this far. I’m not usually one to win anything so to get recognised for working hard is really nice.”

The public vote made through visiting the National Apprenticeship Awards website, appawards.co.uk and closes at 5pm tomorrow.

BUS services across South Yorkshire are fragmented and do not properly serve passengers, a meeting has been told.

People representing different groups gave their views on the state of services to the independent bus review panel which was launched by the Sheffield City Region.

Members of South Yorkshire Freedom Riders, Sheffield Transport For All, Thurgoland Parish Council Public Transport Working Group and Sheffield University Students’ Union were in attendance.

All participants told the panel which included Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts that bus services were not up to required standards and changes are needed.

Over the last decade, the number of people using them has fallen by nearly 20 per cent.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis announced a review into the bus network across South Yorkshire to see what improvements could be made and appointed Mr Betts to appoint a panel of commissioners.

The panel has been asking residents, community groups and businesses their views about how the bus service could be improved.

* Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.