A MAN has been arrested after reportedly kicking and punching a dog.

A man was seen on High Street, Goldthorpe, beating the dog and hitting it with a metal lead at around 10.30am on Wednesday.

Several people knocked on the door of Goldthorpe Police Station on Barnsley Road to report the incident, and a 31-year-old man was detained by members of the South East neighbourhood policing team and a response team from Wombwell.

The suspect was taken to Barnsley Police Station is in custody charged with animal cruelty.

The dog was tended to by two members of the public and is now being cared for.

LAST year’s ‘unprecedented’ summer of deliberate grassland fires has not been repeated in 2019 due to a multi-agency reduction scheme carried out in Barnsley’s worst-hit areas, fire chiefs have said.

Last summer 257 deliberate fires predominantly started on fields across the borough were recorded by the fire service who at the time labelled it as the ‘worst ever’ period for dealing with grassland blazes.

It prompted more a specialised project to be formed by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, police and council teams which resulted in Barnsley’s four fire stations each being responsible for targeting youngsters who were blamed for last summer’s spike in their area.

Station manager Matt Gillatt said: “Clearly a repeat of last summer’s incidents was something we were keen to avoid so a lot of work was done in the run-up to the school holiday period.

“During last July and August in particular, the problem was exacerbated by the weather as there was very little rain and prolonged spells of hot, dry periods which made fields extremely susceptible to fire.

“Grass, especially when it’s had little rain, is stood up on end and is the perfect material for a fire to spread. Put a small breeze into the equation and a fire can turn into something very big in no time at all, as we saw in Dodworth.

“This year we’ve worked alongside the police and council in particular, as they’re often the ones who receive many reports at local crime meetings held across Barnsley.

“We now have four district officers working together with the two organisations and that’s been beneficial as it’s much easier to talk to a colleague over a desk that’s what’s happened and it’s allowed us to be much more reactive."

“While we went into schools before the summer holidays started, we’ve been paying constant attention to last year’s worst-affected locations by way of patrols and we’ve also visited community centres throughout.

“The reduction is the result of a concerted effort to tackle what happened last summer and we see it as a positive step forward.”

The reduction scheme was discussed by the South Yorkshire Fire Authority, whose members met at Barnsley Town Hall on Monday.

A spokesman from SYFR added: “Deliberate fires across Barnsley have fallen significantly over the last ten years, although incident numbers do vary year-on-year, often as a result of factors outside of our control, like the weather.

“Any small fire has the potential to spread and to become a more significant incident, and to potentially divert our resources from attending a more serious incident.”

SOUTH Yorkshire Police are warning members of the public about rogue traders and how people can spot them and stop them.

A rogue trader is a tradesperson that exploits their customers in a range of ways to scam them out of their money.

A few examples of this includes providing low quality or dangerous work, not producing work to the standard and/or price that had been agreed.

There is also sometimes bullying or threatening a customer into agreeing to work.

Detective Constable Jarrod Kenyon said: “We’re working with a number of partners across the region - including Trading Standards - targeting rogue traders and sending the message that these illegal operations will not be tolerated.

“Rogue traders often target vulnerable and elderly people, this week is a good time to make sure you know how to tell the difference between genuine tradesman and those who are out to exploit you, and have a conversation with friends and family to make sure they do the same.”

Anyone who has concerns about fraud is asked to call 0300 1233040.

FIRE bosses have defended an overspend which they said was a result of firefighters claiming back fuel costs due to them temporarily being moved to stations across South Yorkshire.

The £7,900 shortfall was discussed by members of the South Yorkshire Fire Authority in Barnsley on Monday, which resulted in bosses admitting that the figure would not be clawed back in the next financial year.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Alex Johnson said: “Increased activity means an increase in costs as officers have had to move from station to station as cover.”

ONE MAN was arrested and almost 50 vehicles were stopped during an operation which took place on Thursday.

Operation Voyager ran on Grange Lane, targeting criminals who use the road networks.

One man was arrested and 45 vehicles were stopped and of those two were recovered on site, three off site, 11 prohibition notices were issued.

One vehicle was ticketed for no MOT, bald tyres and no front vehicle registration plate. Seven drivers were advised on their tyres and number plate.

MARKET traders in Barnsley have made a formal approach to have a rent reduction introduced for part of the new Glassworks complex extended to all stallholders as their relationship with the council becomes increasingly tense.

Traders met to discuss rents in response to a council decision to reduce costs for traders on the first floor of the flagship market hall by 50 per cent, but to leave costs for those on the ground floor unchanged.

They insist traders across the new complex are struggling from a combination of a new rent regime, extended opening hours and trading performance.

Now they have set a ten day deadline for the council to come back with a response on its ‘intended actions in relation to rent reductions for all’, with a threat that if a response is not provided traders will ‘continue with other avenues of protest’.

One demonstration has already taken place, in an attempt to draw attention to the situation.

Barnsley Council says the decision on rents was made following consultation with traders.

The Barnsley Group of the National Market Traders Federation claims traders on the ground floor who have not been subject to any rent reductions are ‘equally struggling to keep their businesses afloat’ with many traders openly reporting that they cannot continue to pay the rent at the full rate.

“Traders are standing together in unity to protest to Barnsley Council to reduce rents by 50 per cent for all traders, including downstairs as this reduction would be a fair and much needed survival package.”

In its statement, Barnsley Council said it monitored the debt position within the market and worked to support traders when required.

“After recent feedback from traders followed by a consultation over rent, we have implemented a 50 per cent rent reduction for traders on the first floor of the market,” a spokesman said.

“Ground floor traders also have the option to move to the first floor if they wish to take advantage of the discount.

“The rent reduction will not only help support traders on the upper level, but also help attract new businesses into the market to ensure it continues to be a vibrant shopping destination.

“As a responsible landlord, the council will assess and speak to traders in debt on an individual basis as we edge towards the three year break clause.

“The majority of market tenants are better off, as they are being billed at a level which is 20 per cent less than the rent contained in the lease agreement.”

Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

BARNSLEY Hospital rose to the top of the national league table for its performance in dealing with accident and emergency patients within time limits set by the NHS.

During September, the hospital met the notoriously difficult four hour deadline for seeing patients on 96.3 per cent of occasions, putting the hospital ahead of the 95 per cent threshold set out under health service rules and also making its performance for the month the best in the country.

Hospital staff have been told by medical director Simon Enright the result was ‘absolutely fantastic’ during a team briefing presentation.

Hospitals nationally have struggled to meet the four hour deadline for seeing patients who present at A&E, due to rising demand and pressures on the hospital system.

Earlier this year, the NHS announced the four hour target may be replaced amid concerns it has become an outdated measure of success, but it has become one which hospitals have found increasingly challenging to meet.

When a review of the target was revealed earlier this year, alongside other proposed changes to waiting times for medical help, it was suggested a new formula could be introduced during 2020.

* Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service

POLICE have launched an investigation after two men were seen battering a swan to death.

The suspects, believed to be male, were seen by a member of the public repeatedly hitting the swan with a stick on the River Don canal path in Mexborough at around 1.45pm on Sunday.

They are then believed to have left the scene heading towards the George and Dragon pub on Church Street.

Anyone with information is advised to call police quoting crime reference number 14/155254/19.

AN image of a mobile compressor which was recovered during a search has been released by police in a bid to find its rightful owner.

On October 4, the item was discovered and seized from an address in the town centre. The property was searched in relation to numerous burglary and vehicle crime offences.

A spokesman from South Yorkshire Police said: “We believe the item had previously been stolen and we would now like to return it to its rightful owner.

“If you believe this is yours, or know who it might belong to, please with the Barnsley team at Barnsley.Intelligence@southyorks.pnn.police.uk or contact 101.”

TWO teenagers have been sentenced after they were caught in possession of a firearm.

On July 14 at 3am, police were called to a property on Cooper Road, Darton, following reports that a window had been broken by a firearms discharge.

Jacob Robinson, 19, of Bridge Street, Barnsley, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

Robinson was sentenced to 16 months suspended for two years after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm with no firearms certificate in place, possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis.

The second teenager, has been sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm with no firearms certificate in place, possession of ammunition and threats to kill.

A NINETY-YEAR-OLD market trader from Barnsley who gets up at the crack of dawn six days a week has been named as a finalist in the Amplifon Awards For Brave Britons 2019.

Grandma Joan Ward, who has sold fruit and veg from her stall for the last 70 years, has reached the finals of the Active Agers category in global hearing specialist Amplifon’s search for ‘The Best Of British’ heroes.

Joan, of Daleswood Avenue, Barnsley, wakes up at 6.30am every day and sets out her stall even carrying sacks of potatoes by 8am. She even drives the van and collects deliveries.

She said: “I don’t need a walking stick or frame to get round my stall. I might be 90 but I honestly feel more like 60.”

Joan worked in a shoe shop when she passed a green grocer’s stall two days a week on her way to work. She began chatting to the chap Fred Ward who ran the stall and eventually they got married.

Joan joined Fred running the stall in 1952. Fred died in 2006 and Joan has continued to run the stall ever since and also owns Wath’s Value For Money Market in Rotherham where her business is based.

Joan said: “I’m not thinking of giving up my stall yet. As long as I feel fit and able I will continue working. I’ve got to think about my customers, some who I have known for donkey’s years. I don’t want to let them down.

“I love to chat to the people who come to buy my fruit and veg. And children I served years ago now bring their own children to the stall which is lovely.”

Joan was born in her gran’s fish and chip shop and helped deliver fruit and veg from her father’s horse and cart as a young girl.

She said: “I have never really thought about my age because the years have gone by that fast. Time flies when you are working hard.”

Her sister Pat, 79, runs a café in the market, and daughter Catherine, 60, a card shop. The finals awards luncheon will be held at the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, London, on Tuesday.

The judges will choose an Overall Hero Award winner from the category winners who will win a trip to Italy for two.

VOLUNTEERS got their hands dirty planting bulbs in a local park following a donation from a building firm.

On Monday, 7,000 bulbs were donated to Cudworth Park and members from the BCB environment team, Cudworth environment group along with Coun Charlie Wraith planted the bulbs around the park.

A member from P Biddlestone Groundworks and Maintenance helped dig up the ground using a digger which was donated to the group for the work.

Bradley Longford, Trainee Business & Marketing Assistant who works for Henry Boot Construction said: “We were really pleased to donate the bulbs and help with planting for Cudworth Environment Group.

"We work hard to support local community projects in Barnsley and the daffodils will be make a real difference to the Park come the Spring.”

Coun Charlie Wraith said: “It was very kind of Henry Boot to donate the bulbs and we are grateful for this. The park will look wonderful come springtime when the daffodils start to grow. I want to thank everyone who came down on the day to help plant them.”

A MAN stole meat from a supermarket to pay for transport to his mother’s funeral, Barnsley Magistrates Court was told.

On September 3 at noon, Scott Rowley, 44, went to Iceland in the Alhambra. He was seen entering the store with a large multicoloured bag.

The court was told how Rowley, of Fleming Place, Barnsley, walked towards a cooler that stored meat and proceeded to fill his basket with eight meat products.

He then walked to another isle, where he placed the meat products into the bag and returned the basket before leaving the store.

His actions were observed by the store manager who followed him out and alerted the Alhambra security team, who escorted Rowley back to Iceland and the police were called.

The goods, valued at £37.50, were returned to the supermarket and Rowley was arrested. He admitted to taking the items.

The court heard that Rowley’s mum had died and her funeral was being held in Doncaster on September 4, but he did not have the funds to attend.

He intended to sell the meat on to raise money for transport.

Rowley, who has previous convictions for theft spanning over three years, is in receipt of employment support allowance as he suffers with epilepsy which prevents him from working and his defence argued that it was the circumstances which led him to behave the way he did, and his last offence was committed over 18 months ago.

They further stated that the store had not suffered a detrimental loss as the goods were returned to the store the same day.

The judge said although they sympathised over why he committed the crime, there was still a degree of planning.

Rowley was sentenced to to a six week curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am, and fined £175.

BARNSLEY Hospice would like to invite people to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one or as a gift in honour of a friend or relative.

The Christmas trees in St Mary’s Church Barnsley and at Barnsley Hospice will all bear hundreds of twinkling lights, each one representing the life of someone special.

Each name will be recorded in a book of blessings which will be placed in St Mary’s Church and also at the hospice. The book will be displayed over the Christmas period and the lights will shine until 12th Night.

Services to be held at: St Mary’s Church Sunday December 1 3.30pm and 7pm Barnsley Hospice Thursday December 5 at 7pm (This is an outdoor service so please dress accordingly for the weather).

To ensure your names are in the book of blessing at the services, dedications need to arrive no later than Monday November 25.

Dedications received after this time will be added in to the back of the book. To book onto a service and/or dedicate a light please contact fundraising on 244244 or email fundraising@barnsley-hospice.org

ROYSTON’S long-awaited new Aldi store has hit another delay – after an alteration to its planning consent was lodged with Barnsley Council.

The German retailer, which is in the process of building the supermarket on High Street, has submitted a bid to alter the site’s layout – three years after planning permission was awarded.

Comments can be made on the council’s website until October 31.

AN action group which formed to oppose a controversial scheme to create a new one-way road system through part of a popular park has abandoned its plan to seek a judicial review against Barnsley Council’s decision due to fears over mounting costs.

Members of the Save Penny Pie Park Group have been raising funds to finance the costs associated with a judicial review, which could have led to a High Court showdown between the council and campaigners who have been at loggerheads over the local authority’s plan to ease congestion from junction 37 of the M1 to the town centre.

Although a funding campaign was launched, the group received advice from a legal team that in the event that a review was not successful, they could be liable for the council’s legal costs and so have ditched their bid.

Lyndsey Darren, who chairs the group, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of public opposition to the scheme and the support given to the group ever since these damaging proposals were announced.

“More than 2,700 people signed our petition opposed to the scheme, there were 250 written objections made to the planning application, 100 objections were made to the land appropriation consultation and we have raised well over £2,000 to support the judicial review.

“The voters made their feelings clear at the local elections in May by voting in campaigner Peter Fielding in favour of the sitting Labour councillor.

“The council have simply refused to listen to reason in the face of overwhelming evidence and opposition in their determination to build this damaging, unnecessary and outdated gyratory and they will never be forgiven by the local community for this act of vandalism.”

The road will see traffic from the motorway towards the town centre diverted around the new system from the Broadway traffic lights, with vehicles coming out of town using the existing but improved Dodworth Road, which is being made one-way on a four-lane section past Horizon Community College.

The traffic lights will remain, but there will be a new road built to bypass a section of Pogmoor Road and no right turn onto Broadway to traffic from the motorway, with motorists instead having to go around the gyratory and back up Dodworth Road before turning left into Broadway.

Funding for the £4.3m scheme, which was initially earmarked to start as soon as April 2019 and take a year to complete, will be jointly covered by the council, which has re-prioritised its highways department’s expenditure programme to enable the work, and Sheffield City Region’s investment fund which has provided £2.7m towards the project.

A total of 1.133 hectares of the park’s land will become a highway after the council won approval from its planning board, cabinet and most recently a scrutiny panel made up of councillors who opted against referring the plan back to ruling cabinet members with an alternative recommendation.

“We will continue to fight this scheme until there is no chance of saving our park,” Lyndsey added.

“As well as continuing our fight, we will encourage residents to prepare to claim compensation under the Land Compensation Act 1973 for the loss of value to their properties caused by the gyratory and once its construction is inevitable we will fight to make the best use of any green space left.

“It is still not too late for Barnsley Council to do the right thing and scrap this crazy scheme. I hope they eventually see sense.”

PEOPLE are again being invited to swap their warm beds for sleeping bags and cold concrete to raise funds for youth homelessness.

The Sleep Out event, run by charity Centrepoint alongside Barnsley Football Club, is now in its third year and has raised more than £30,000 on each occasion, with more than 100 local residents and businesses last year spending the night at Oakwell Stadium.

Money raised from the event – which this year takes place on November 14 – goes directly towards services supporting homeless people in Barnsley, with more than 60 young people helped by the charity every day in the borough.

Chloe Sykes, Centrepoint’s senior fundraising officer, said: “While Sleep Out doesn’t aim to replicate the reality of homelessness, taking part in can help highlight just some of the difficulties faced by young people who face homelessness – sleeping on the floor, dealing with the cold and the noise and then facing the next day with very little sleep.

“The event only lasts one night but the money raised will have a huge ongoing impact on those who unfortunately find homelessness as their reality.

“It will help to support vulnerable young people to gain the skills and confidence they need to move on in to education, work and a home.”

For more information and to sign up, visit centrepoint.org.uk/sleepout

BIG-NAME retailer JD Sports will open its doors tomorrow to become the first retailer outside the market to open at the multi-million pound Glass Works shopping complex.

Britain’s biggest sports fashion retailer will occupy a 4,023sq ft unit on a ten-year lease and will offer lines from brands exclusive to its nationwide stores.

It’s the latest positive move for the council-funded regeneration after Barnsley Market opened last year and was followed by Library @ the Lightbox and Falco Lounge opening earlier this summer.

Market Kitchen, an independent food court, will open its doors later this month, but JD Sports’ arrival is a particular milestone in the town centre’s redevelopment, according to council leader Sir Steve Houghton. “This is an exciting development,” he said.

“The redevelopment of the town centre is really progressing and we’re already starting to see positive results.

“It’s not only what we’re doing as a council with The Glass Works that is transforming our town. We’ve seen a raft of new independent businesses open across the town helping us to diversify our offer.

“Barnsley is becoming a hotbed for investment and that’s been proven with the amount of new businesses we’ve seen open their doors.”

Another big name, Sports Direct – including its streetwear and fashion arm USC – has also signed up to The Glass Works alongside Coffee Boy, a modern coffee shop selling specialist food and rink.

Sports Direct – which will move from its current location on Cheapside into the bigger store – is set to open in 2021 as The Glass Works nears its overall completion while Coffee Boy will open on Cheapside before Christmas.

Sir Steve added: “Looking at Sports Direct it’s important to recognise this is not simply a store moving from one premises to another – it’s a much bigger offer.

“They’re bringing with them their USC clothing brand, which will be a real draw to shoppers. It will stock some of the big, well-known brands. It’s a doubling of their retail offer.”

Cabinet spokesman Coun Tim Cheetham added: “It’s an exciting time in our town centre as we head towards the busy Christmas shopping period.

“Sports Direct is already a popular store in the town so it’s fantastic it will be moving into a bigger space over two floors, bringing the popular USC with it.

“Coffee Boy and JD Sports will add another great dimension to what we’re trying to achieve with the redevelopment of our town centre and will be welcome additions to Barnsley.”

AN ELDERLY couple have been left horrified after the windows on their car and house were smashed by masked vandals – less than two years after arsonists poured petrol through their letter box and set it alight.

Elizabeth Batley, 83, and her husband Albert, 75, said they had never experienced any trouble on their doorstep until the attack in December 2017 but it left a lasting impression on them.

Then on the early hours of Monday this week, they were appalled to find their living room window had been smashed.

The couple contacted police and it wasn’t until officers arrived at the property on Fish Dam Lane, Monk Bretton, that they were told three windows on their car had also been smashed.

The incident has left the couple feeling distraught and wondering why they have been targeted.

Elizabeth said: “I’ve had a cold for the last week or so and I woke up coughing and that’s when I heard a noise, a bit like a bang. My husband also heard the same noise but we didn’t think much of it because we live close to a factory and on a main road so we’re used to the odd sounds.

“I decided to go downstairs and make myself a drink because I couldn’t settle and when I went to open the living room door I couldn’t push it open. I could feel a cold breeze so straight away I called Albert and said something had happened and contacted police.”

Elizabeth has lived at the property for 59 years and for most of those years never had any trouble on her doorstep, but this is not the first time she has been subject to a seemingly random attack.

She said: “In December 2017 someone attempted to set fire to my house. They poured petrol through our front door and set it alight.

“The fire alarm woke us up and we were able to put the fire out before it spread any further but we had to replace our front door.

“We just don’t understand why yet again we have been targeted and left to pick up the pieces. It’s a worry and these incidents have really affected me.”

Following Monday’s incident, the couple were left without a car for two days while they waited for the windows to be replaced in addition to waiting in the house for the living room window to be replaced.

“There is absolutely no reason for this and to be honest it’s unbelievable this has happened. I cannot think of an explanation to justify and explain why this has happened.

“We are elderly people and we rely on our car especially for doctors appointments and it’s an additional expense paying to have the windows replaced. The people that have done this to us are scum.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “On Monday October 7 at 2am police received reports of criminal damage at a property on Fish Dam Lane, Monk Bretton.

“Officers attended the scene and discovered damage to a vehicle, and to a window.

“CCTV captured at the location shows three masked individuals at the location at the time of the offence. An investigation has been launched to find those responsible.

“If you have any information which might help our officers in their enquiries, please report it to us on 101 quoting incident number 65 of October 7.”

PEOPLE who spent a penny in Barnsley Interchange have contributed more than £175,000 to the transport hub across the last five years.

Income from the toilet turnstiles on Barnsley’s rail platforms and in the bus station has generated an average of £35,076 per year since 2014 – higher than that of Sheffield and Rotherham Interchanges – with the money reinvested into the interchange, according to data supplied following a Freedom of Information request sent to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).

However, when pressed, a spokesman for the transport body could not give a full breakdown on where the money – totalling £175,383.20 from 2014 to 2019 – has been spent, only citing site maintenance and other improvements such as body cameras for staff.

“Income generated by the use of toilet facilities at South Yorkshire Passenger Travel Executive (SYPTE) interchanges – including Barnsley interchange – is used to support the provision of toilets and other facilities at interchanges and park and ride sites across South Yorkshire,” said the spokesman.

“This includes paying for maintenance of all sites as well as developments like the introduction of body cameras used by Barnsley Interchange staff.”

The revenue collected is slightly more than Sheffield’s total of £171,001 – although that facility is larger, with 30 stands to Barnsley’s 21 – and significantly higher than the similarly-sized Rotherham, which collected £142,365.82 across the same period.

A WARRANT has been issued for an 85-year-old’s arrest relating to historic sex charges.

George Shaw, of Wombwell Road, Platts Common, was due to appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he was expected to enter a not guilty plea to 11 counts of indecent assault.

The charges relate to one female victim and the incidents are alleged to have happened in Barnsley between September 1965 and September 1972 while she was under the age of 14.

AN ELDERLY woman was robbed at knifepoint in a car park in the middle of the afternoon.

At 2.40pm on Wednesday, the 72-year-old was in the car park of Tesco at Hoyland when she was approached by a man who threatened her with a knife and stole her handbag.

A member of the public chased him but without success.

DC Malgorzata Malinowska said: “This is an extremely concerning offence and my team and I are working tirelessly to identify the person responsible.

“The woman in question wasn’t physically injured, but the experience has left her incredibly shaken and distressed.”

Witnesses should call 101 quoting incident 510 of Wednesday.

POLICE officers are appealing for information to help find a 51-year-old missing woman.

Michelle Rich went missing in the Goldthorpe area of Barnsley and was last seen at 10.15am this morning.

South Yorkshire Police officers are concerned for her welfare and want to speak to anyone who has seen or spoken to Michelle.

The 51-year-old is thought to be wearing blue skinny jeans and a green or mustard coloured top carrying a black leather full length coat with a fur collar.

Anyone who has seen or spoken to Michelle recently is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 486 of October 10.

POLICE are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a man wanted in connection to an assault.

Dale Shaw, 30, of no fixed address, is wanted following an alleged assault which took place in Rotherham.

He is known to have links to both Hoyland and Sheffield.

A police spokesman said: “He’s described as being between 5ft 5in and 5ft 6in tall, with light brown hair and numerous tattoos including one on his neck saying “Dale”.

“If you know of anything which could help our officers trace him, please get in touch via 101 quoting investigation number 14/141941/19.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers.”

A BARN has been left with thousands of pounds worth of stock destroyed following a fire.

On Monday at 6.35am, the owners of Blackmoor Farm in Oxpring were alerted to the fact that their barn was on fire and the fire brigade was called.

The crew spent most of the day tackling the blaze. An investigation has since been launched as police and fire brigade believe the fire was started deliberately.

PC Heather Brown said: “The farm is in a very remote area but does overlook the Trans Pennine trail. If anyone was out jogging or walking early on Monday morning, please think as to whether you saw anyone else in the area.

“The owners of Blackmoor Farm have lost a huge amount of valuable stock and the fire has caused extensive damage to farm buildings and equipment.

“If you saw anything, or know any information which could help us, please contact 101 quoting incident 147 of October 7.

“You can also report information anonymously via Crimstoppers 0800 555 111.”

A TELEVISION show is looking for Barnsley residents who have had a dispute with their neighbour.

Avalon Factual is producing a new series of the Channel 5/5 Star show, The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door.

Barnsley residents who have recently had a dispute with their neighbours are encouraged to apply.

A spokesman from Avalon said: "All information will be held in confidence and there is no pressure to take part. 

"If you would like to know more please send an outline of your dispute along with your contact details to neighbours@avalonuk.com or call 020 7598 7392."

A DOCUMENTARY superfan’s dream came true after he travelled from Coventry to Barnsley to meet his TV heroes.

Adam McNamara, or Ad for short, has autism, dyspraxia, scoliosis and learning difficulties and gets a lot of enjoyment from watching TV programmes - including Casualty 24/7, the Channel 5 documentary filmed in Barnsley Hospital’s emergency department.

The 31-year-old contacted Barnsley Hospital to say he had been watching the show and asked if it was possible for him and his carer to visit the emergency department and meet doctors, nurses and other staff who featured in the programme.

The hospital was happy to oblige and last Friday, Ad managed to make his dream come true and travelled to Barnsley.

He also met camera crews from Channel 5 as they were filming again in the casualty department for a third series of the programme.

Viewing figures for the last series topped some of those for the best-loved television programmes that run parallel to the show.

Patient experience improvement manager Terri Milligan arranged the visit and Ad was given a tour of A&E by lead nurse Hannah Ryan and A&E consultant Dr Rob Jones.

Terri said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet with Ad and his carer Neil and to be able to fulfil his wish of visiting the staff and the area in which Casualty 24/7 is filmed.

"All the staff involved were amazing and it was lovely to see how much joy Ad experienced from his visit.”

After the visit, a thrilled Ad thanked the hospital and said: “Both me and my carer really enjoyed it. We visited not only the A&E department, but the hospital restaurant, wards and X-Ray as well.

“It was a pleasure meeting Terri, Jeanette from learningdisabilities, the acute liaison nurse, the communications team, camera crew, physios and even the hospital chief executive.“

I really enjoy Casualty 24/7 and am looking forward to seeing the new episodes.”

POLICE have allayed residents’ fears that burglaries across Barnsley are ‘out of control’ following a summer spike - and the public have been told to expect a proactive response from patrolling officers in worst-hit spots.

According to a police report, there were 121 recorded residential burglaries in May last year, a number which was almost halved to 61 in May this year.

The 12-month trend shows that numbers hovered around 80 per month last summer, but those shot up to 144 in January, 130 in February and 139 in March this year.

Over the year to May, 1,411 residential burglaries took place, while a further 646 incidents of business-related burglary took the total figure to 2,057.

However, residents say there has been a spike since then over the summer, and that true figures are much higher than the police’s recorded number, citing continuing slow response times on the heavily-criticised 101 phone reporting system as a reason why victims often do not report a break-in.

Users were promised significant improvements to ease the call-taking process at Atlas Court, South Yorkshire Police’s Sheffield communications hub where all calls go, which launched in a revised format late last year.

Two crime meetings - which will be held in Grimethorpe on Tuesday and Cudworth on Wednesday - will be attended by police, and the latest burglary figures will be given to concerned residents whose calls led Cudworth-based officers to instate the ongoing issue as their priority six weeks ago.

Det Chf Insp Paul Murphy said: “A burglary is one of the worst possible crimes for victims and I fully understand residents’ concerns.

“The reality is that people fear being burgled because it’s such an intrusive crime, but I want to reassure Barnsley’s residents that we’re monitoring trends, delivering bespoke operations and patrolling worst-hit locations throughout the day and night.

“It’s our job to allay fears and deliver an appropriate plan to protect those people, who are often vulnerable, from being targeted.”

A total of 40 per cent of the summer’s burglaries have been attributed as ‘sneak-ins’, where opportunist thieves gain entry via an unlocked door or window, and fresh advice has been issued this week ahead of the darker nights setting in.

Cross-border work is also continuing throughout this month and November as a result of ‘two-in-one’ burglaries affecting areas including Darton and Mapplewell, where homes have been broken into with the sole purpose of targeting high-value cars.

DCI Murphy added: “The two-in-one response has been different to what we’re doing to tackle other burglaries as often cars have been found in West Yorkshire. Criminals travel and we’re aware of that, hence why there’s been and there will continue to be that cross-border work as the darker nights set in.

“It’s vitally important that residents continue to report these crimes to us and although there’s been teething problems with the 101 system since it launched in its revised form, calls are now being answered quicker and it’s a vast improvement.

“It’s also worth mentioning that there are many routes people can take to contact the police, not just 101, so I’d encourage residents to use the online reporting system or contact their local neighbourhood team.”

INDIE rock band, The Sherlocks - who have supported Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and the Kaiser Chiefs - will be performing an exclusive concert in Barnsley today to celebrate the release of their second album.

The band have recently returned from a tour of South Korea but now have their sights on their hometown gig.

“We are all really excited,” said drummer, Brandon Crook, 26.

“We’ve not played in Barnsley for more than two years.

“When we started gigging in Barnsley we would play at the Polish Club and at Ward Green Club so it’ll be nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd.

“We are just trying to ride this wave as long as possible and see where it takes us.”

The band’s second album, Under Your Sky, was released on Friday.

Fans can hear their favourite hits, and a selection of new songs at the acoustic gig at The Electric Theatre, Barnsley College, today from 1pm.

A MAN with more than 20 years history of drunk and disorderly behaviour has been fined after abusing hospital staff.

Shane Borrett, 38, of Corporation Road, Grimsby, attended Barnsley Hospital at 9pm on September 2 after attending a funeral.

He had an abscess which was aggressive and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

Barnsley Magistrates’ Court was told how Borrett was intoxicated on arrival, and began abusing staff. He was restrained by hospital staff yet continued shouting abuse so police were called.

The court was told how Borrett had a history of drunk and disorderly behaviour, and he accepted that his behaviour was unacceptable and offered his apologies to the court and Barnsley Hospital.

Borrett also confirmed that he had moved away from his Barnsley address on Day Street to Grimsby, in order to be away from his peers and curb his drinking. Borrett was fined £237.

ALMOST 1,300 council houses are set to be improved due to a £16m underspend.

Repair costs have been less than initially anticipated in 2018/19 and the windfall – which is part of the already agreed ‘Barnsley Homes Standard’ scheme – will enable Berneslai Homes’ stock in Staincross and Mapplewell to receive a raft of improvements.

According to a cabinet report delivered by Coun Tim Cheetham on Wednesday, 1,288 properties will benefit from re-wires, new boilers, kitchens and bathrooms.

CHANGES to the opening times at the household waste and recycling centres across the borough have come into effect today.

The winter opening times will see all four centres close at 4pm.

The centre on West Street, Worsbrough, will open at 8am and Smithies Lane, Springvale and Nicholas Lane will open at 9am.

All centres will continue to open seven days a week but will close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and the opening times will remain in place until March.

POLICE have released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection to multiple thefts in the town.

Dean Day, 31, formally of Athersley, is also wanted in connection to breach of a criminal behaviour order and on recall to prison.

A police spokesman said: "We believe Day is moving around the Barnsley area and are asking anyone who has seen him, or who knows where he is, to contact us.

"If you can help, please call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number14/143402/19."

Daniel Stendel has left his role as head coach of Barnsley FC.

The 45-year-old German has 'separated' from the club following Saturday's 5-1 loss at Preston North End.

Stendel took charge of the Reds for 66 games, winning 31, and leading them to promotion from League One last season in his first year in the country.

After the sales of several of the promotion heroes and the recruitment of 12 new young signings in the summer, the Reds are currently winless in ten matches since the opening day success over Fulham.

They are second-bottom in the Championship, two points adrift of safety.

A club statement read: "Barnsley Football Club confirms that it has separated from Daniel Stendel with immediate effect. Adam Murray has been appointed caretaker manager."

NUMBERS of vulnerable children requiring care places in Barnsley have increased due to closures in neighbouring towns and cities - resulting in a service overspend of more than £700,000 in 2018/19, it was revealed this week.

The number of children who were in the care of Barnsley Council during the period equated to 320 children - against an original target of 300 by 2020 - due to 50 more youngsters entering the system in the year’s third quarter, many of whom were aged under five.

Three unaccompanied asylum-seeking children were also dispersed to the borough, finding placements with foster carers who are trained to meet their specific needs.

The service had an overspend of £714,000 on placements in 2018/19 - totalling £13.87m - due to the higher-than-anticipated demand.

A report, discussed by ruling cabinet members on Wednesday, said: “This strategy assumes that the care population in Barnsley will remain stable at around the 300 figure for the next two years.

Measures taken have seen the average gross cost of children in care per week fall by 8.8 per cent to £786 in 2018.

“Whereas placement stability within the borough remains better than both the national and statistical neighbour averages, the percentage of children experiencing three or more placements has risen from 3.9 per cent in December 2017 to 4.8 per cent at the end of March this year.

“Of greater concern are the challenges highlighted regarding the availability of placements for older children and adolescents. This is due to the national care crisis which has seen increasing numbers and a resulting demand on suitable care placements which can lead to the only option being the most high-cost residential provisions.

“Barnsley has a high number of adolescent children who are placed in the borough by other local authorities due, for example, to the closure of residential facilities within their areas or other risks. This equated to 229 children as of March 31 this year.

“While the percentage of ongoing placements lasting two years or more has reduced, the percentage of children who had been in care for 12 months or more during 2018/19 increased from 65.4 per cent to 71 per cent.

“Children in care are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. It is the responsibility of the local authority as corporate parents to support each of them as individuals in order to enable them to achieve their maximum potential.”

There has been an 11 per cent increase in the number of adolescents entering care, while an annual review delivered by Coun Margaret Bruff on Wednesday revealed the pool of foster carers for children aged 14 and above had been increased.

“A continuation of this trend will be of crucial importance in helping to respond to local demand, Coun Bruff added.

“Despite a national rise in the numbers of children in local authority care, Barnsley has maintained low rates due to a strong early help offer.

“Members will be acutely aware that a combination of rising demand among vulnerable children, the state of the market for placements, together with the lack of a sustainable level of funding for children’s social care has resulted in what is widely perceived to be a national children in care ‘crisis’.

“This has meant that year-on-year the council must maintain diligent oversight over tolerance levels within this significant area of expenditure.”

BARNSLEY East MP Stephanie Peacock met with representatives from the National Union of Mineworkers to continue the campaign on getting a fairer deal for retired miners in the Mineworkers Pension Scheme.

The local MP has long campaigned on the issue, namely calling for a change to the surplus sharing arrangement of the scheme among other alterations.

Agreed in 1994, the surplus sharing element sees the government entitled to 50 per cent of any surplus made by the scheme.

The agreement has seen the government pocket over £4bn from the scheme since, all without paying in a single penny of their own. It was later revealed by the government in response to a Parliamentary question from Ms Peacock that the deal was agreed without expert actuarial advice on the arrangement.

Along with regularly pressing the government to make changes that would give more money to retired miners, she has secured Parliamentary debates on the subject, met with scheme trustees, and recently co-signed a letter to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Parliamentary Select Committee calling for an inquiry into the scheme.

Working alongside the NUM and Parliamentary colleagues in other coalfield communities, she is pushing for several changes to be made to the scheme that would see bonus elements of the pension guaranteed, and the 50:50 sharing surplus arrangement reviewed in order to be shifted in favour of miners and their families.

“In the same way that mining powered our community, our community powered a nation, and those who did so deserve nothing less than a fair arrangement that properly looks after them in later life,” she said.

“But the Mineworkers Pension Scheme has for too long shifted money into the reserves of the Treasury instead of the pockets of the retired miners and their families who need it most.

“I will continue to push the government at every opportunity to amend the scheme and finally acknowledge the contribution miners in Barnsley made to our country.”