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.”

POLICE officers searching for a missing Sheffield teenager who could have made her way to Barnsley has been found safe and well. 

Maisie Fox, 15, was last known to be heading into the city centre to meet friends on Sunday.

She was dropped off by her mum near to the St Mary’s Gate - Eyre Street junction between 2.30pm and 3pm.

Maisie spoke to her sister on the phone at 6.45pm but has not been seen or heard from since.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed at 3pm that she had been found safe and well.

A MAN has been remanded after he was charged with a knifepoint robbery.

On September 30, Andrew Case, 34, allegedly went into Khela Food and Wine Store on Doncaster Road, Goldthorpe.

It is believed a quantity of cigarettes and cash was taken.

Case, of no fixed abode, has been charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

Following an appearance at Barnsley Magistrates’

Court on Wednesday, he has been remanded in police custody and is due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 30.

A PRIMARY school which helped families living in poverty could be in with the chance of winning an award to honour its efforts.

Oakwell Rise Primary Academy, Doncaster Road, is a finalist for the Best Community Group Contribution to Education or Employment award in the Groundwork Community Awards for the work staff have in done in the community.

Staff at the school deliver various activities to fit the needs of the community, including helping families living in poverty with food parcels.

Children can use the free breakfast club, where they are offered a breakfast as well as preparing for the day ahead with a range of activities.

The school also offers various learning opportunities for adults, including accredited literacy, numeracy and money management courses alongside CPR and lifesaving skills in partnership with Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

“We have done a lot of work within the community we serve and we ask them what they need and what will make their lives easier,” said head teacher of Oakwell Rise Primary Academy, Jessica Jenkins.

“The idea has evolved from a playgroup into something much bigger. We offer everything from adult learning to food banks to washing services.

“Our staff have been amazing and two members of our staff took part in Jamie Oliver’s Tesco Cooking School where they learned how to stop food waste. They were also shown how to cook using surplus food which is something we use within the school.

“Through our work within the community we have seen that the children are happier and are more engaged because they are fed and wearing clean uniforms,” said Jessica.

“Some of our parents have no fixed abode and when they move into new accommodation they often don’t have a washing machine so we provide a kitchen where families can come and cook and clean their clothes which makes a real difference.”

The school has been nominated for an award in the Groundwork Community Awards which were launched by the charity, Groundwork, to honour small community groups that are making a difference to the quality of life of people within in their community.

“We have been shortlisted into the final three out of 750 schools and I am really proud of the staff and volunteers who helped to make this happen,” said Jessica.

“Winning this award would mean so much to the team and to be recognised for work they love to do with families. This would empower and motivate them even more to impact even more families.”

The Groundwork Community Awards will take place at the Royal Horseguards Hotel, Westminster, London on November 21.

THE ‘lack of response’ from the 101 service is preventing elderly and vulnerable residents from reporting burglaries, a meeting was told.

Residents who attended the Shafton Parish Council meeting on Tuesday spoke of their disappointment at the length of time they are left on hold when contacting 101, and the ‘true’ number of burglaries that are occurring in the area is still high, despite police insisting the numbers have dropped.

Official figures relayed to the public by police in August stated that 25 incidents had occurred between April and July, and during Monday’s meeting, Sgt Richard Wilson said that between August 1 and September 31, two incidents had been reported.

He said: “The has been a steady trend of burglaries and it stood at around six per month. Two people have since been arrested and charged with two offences and following their arrest, we only two offences have been reported.

“It is unknown if the drop in these incidents are attributed to these two people and two burglaries is still two too many, but thankfully these incidents have dropped considerably.”

The latest figures revealed by police were disputed by parish councillor Les Holt, who said that the 101 system was preventing elderly and vulnerable residents reporting crime and the lack of PSCOs was a ‘total disgrace’.

“PSCOs are the eyes and ears of our village. People give up waiting to speak to a 101 operator because they are left on hold for 30 minutes, sometimes even longer,” said Les,

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

One resident spoke during the heated debate and said that he had been waiting two months to hear from the police following a burglary at his home, and another resident said that when his livestock was allegedly shot at, he waited 50 minutes before his call was answered and after he complained via the South Yorkshire Police website, he was visited by a constable.

He described the service as a ‘disgrace’.

Sgt Richard Wilson said: “We understand that there are issues with the 101 system but it is a national service which we are not going to do away with.

"PCSOs do not have the facility to create a crime report or record. We are trying to push reporting online as the system is more streamlined but we appreciate that it does lend better to the younger generation but that does not mean you shouldn’t report crime.

“We want to work with the community and and we want the same thing as you, for there to be zero crime. If you are reluctant to report we can’t see what is happening and it makes us think that crime is not bad.

“I need accurate stats so when I bid for more policing I have something to show. I am holding out a begging bowl here when I say that we do rely on you (the community) for information and things will go under the radar if we don’t know.

“Following the spate of burglaries in recent months we have been revisiting the areas that have been affected in a system we call cocooning. In addition this we have also been offering crime prevention advice.

“The 101 system is a recurring theme with issues but there are no plans to get rid of it.”

A SCHOOL library bus that had its windows smashed during the summer holidays has had the windows replaced for free - thanks to Stagecoach.

Pupils and staff from Birkwood Primary, Cudworth, on Darfield Road returned after the summer break to find that the library bus had had three windows smashed.

This left the school without a library, as its former library space was converted into a new classroom to cope with demand for school places.

Julie Allen, headteacher, said: “We were very disappointed when we returned to see that the bus had been damaged. We couldn’t allow pupils to enter the library bus because there was glass everywhere and the children had nowhere to read for the first two weeks of the school term.”

The school purchased the bus in 2016 and spent six months renovating the Leyland Olympian with the help of the community and a grant from the North East Area Council in addition to money raised from fundraising. The bus was officially unveiled in April the following year.

Julie said: “We didn’t have the budget to replace the windows and it was such a shame that the bus couldn’t be used. Space is at a premium at the school and classes use the bus for group reading exercises as well as swapping their books.

"It was a real shame it happened for the children, especially the reception classes who had not even been in the bus.”

Hannah Musgreave, who works at the school informed her husband Joel, who works for Stagecoach, and asked if they could help, as the decommissioned bus was a rare model. Joel raised the issue with the engineering department who then repaired the bus.

Stagecoach asked glass supplier Carlyle Bus and Coach limited for the glass and the company supplied it free of charge.

Matt Davies, managing director for Stagecoach, said: “We were delighted to help Birkwood Primary repair the damage to the school library before the kids go back to school.

"As soon as we heard about this we wanted to do whatever we could to help the school and the kids get their library repaired.

“We are delighted with how the repair work has gone and it’s great that the school have used one of our old buses and turned it into a popular library.”

Julie said: “It’s now business as usual and we can’t thank Stagecoach enough for what they have done. The children are really excited to be able to use their library again.”

IN SUPPORT of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Barnsley Hospital is raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

The hospital will also be making people aware of the importance of attending screening appointments. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with around one in eight women in the UK being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

However, if detected earlier, treatment has a higher rate of success. Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early.

It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they’re too small to see or feel. The test takes a few minutes and might feel uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful.

As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, all women aged from 50 to their 71st birthday, and registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast screening every three years.

As well as attending breast screening it’s important women check their breasts regularly for changes and if anyone does notice any changes they are asked to make an appointment to speak to a GP.

Macmillan Trust lead cancer nurse Sara Andrews said: “I encourage women to regularly look and feel their breasts. That way, you can spot any changes quickly and report them to your GP.

"As well as checking your breasts it’s important to take up your breast screening invites as mammograms can spot cancers when they’re too small to see or feel.

“If you think you may have missed a breast screening, or have not been invited, contact your local breast unit. The earlier breast cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.”

Anyone can still have screening once they are aged 71 or over and can arrange an appointment by contacting Barnsley Hospital on 432 100.

MORE fines than ever have been issued to irresponsible dog owners who have failed to pick up after their pet as part of a zero tolerance enforcement contract.

Kingdom Security, commissioned by the area council which includes Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough wards, worked from April 1 2017 to the end of March this year.

A new provider – District Enforcement – took over the contract in April and a quarterly report delivered on Monday shows the provider is already surpassing its targets.

A total of 156 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were handed out between April and June this year, with 29 of those for dog fouling, and the majority relating to cigarette ends and litter.

Almost 1,400 people have received a fine in the last two years, according to the report.

Area manager Carol Brady said: “The figure of 29 represents the highest number of FPNs we have had for dog fouling in any quarter since the enforcement contract began in 2017.

“Cigarette littering accounts for 69 per cent of offences, which is a very good result. Staff work on a four days on, four days off model, ten hours each day and allows District officers to cover both early mornings and evenings.”

Given the enormity of the issue, the Central Area Council has tailored its contract to have an emphasis on combating dog fouling and patrols are set to continue in Highstone Lane, Mount Vernon Road and Genn Lane, all in Worsbrough.

Coun Doug Birkinshaw, of the Central ward, said: “Yes, we want dog owners to be responsible and do the right thing but we won’t change their mindset as they do as they please.

“There’s probably only ten per cent of people who have dogs but it’s the 90 per cent who don’t I want to appeal to as there’s been complaints galore.

“Fear has been a problem in the past and it’s something why people seem to be reluctant to report owners, but they hold vital information and we really do need them to speak out.”

Dodworth ward’s Coun Phil Birkinshaw said the figures generated by District were well-received after months of residents’ complaints about dog fouling.

“I think the figure ought to be applauded as it’s been one, two or three before and it shows we’re heading in the right direction,” he added.

“It’s nice to see the picture changing.

“We have had a tremendous amount of complaints but this contract has been and will continue to be the most effective way forward.”

A PIECE of Barnsley’s history has returned to Locke Park this week in the form of two ferocious big cats.

The Friends of Locke Park have paid for two stone lion statues on plinths to be installed into the park, with the first one being set up near the main entrance this week by contractor GMM.

The statues are not strangers to Barnsley residents, with many remembering them being in Locke Park in the 50s and 60s.

However, they were removed in the 70s. David Allen, chairman of The Friends of Locke Park, said the group had been planning to bring the lions back for about two years.

“When we installed the first plinth on Monday we went to the cafe and sat down to have a cup of coffee and we could see people going up and looking,” said David.

“There were grandparents taking children for a photograph and it was great.”

David added that it took the group a long time to sort out the lions, which are different lions to the originals but are installed on the same plinth.

“We have had the plan to replace them for years. Looking for the lions was the biggest job. We actually ended up getting them from Cawthorne but we had been looking for them for around 18 months,” said David.

Local historian Dave Cherry said he has memories of the statues as a young lad back in the 50s and said they were popular, particularly with young children.

He said: “The lions are a piece of Barnsley’s social history. They were part of the culture of the town and there was no vandalism in those days and it was a necessity to sit on them when you were young.

“The Friends of Locke Park have done a great job and they are a credit to the town.”

The friends ask for anyone who may be interested in joining them, either to help with maintenance or with events or, to simply give support whenever they can, to get in touch with David Allen on 07703 403442.

A DRIVER who swerved to avoid hitting a police car has been banned from driving after she was found to be over the drink-drive limit.

Alice Pease, 25, of Oak Lea Avenue, West Melton, was driving a Nissan Micra along Park Street, Wombwell, following a works do.

The court was told how as Pease was driving, her handbag had fallen into the footwell of the passenger seat, and she had reached down to retrieve it.

As Pease went to do this, the car moved into the other side of the road and was heading towards a police car which was driving in the opposite direction.

Pease swerved to avoid the oncoming vehicle, and following this, she stopped the car on Gypsy Lane. The police turned their vehicle round and found the car stationary, and a roadside breath test was taken.

The voluntary support worker was found to be over the limit, and she explained to police that she had been drinking wine mixed with lemonade at a function and she had not intended to drink or think she was over the limit.

When Pease appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, the court accepted that she was remorseful for her actions.

She was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £435.

A CAR ended up on its roof after colliding with a van on Thursday afternoon.

Police were called to Assembly Way, Kingstone, following reports that a car and a van had collided.

The car overturned, coming to rest on the junction close to Broadway. No one was injured in the incident.

TRADING Standards are working alongside Barnsley Council after officers seized counterfeit perfume being sold on the town centre’s streets.

Sellers were reported by shoppers, who told officers that they claimed the goods were stolen.

A statement said: “Barnsley Council received several reports of people in the town centre selling counterfeit perfume. We seized a carrier bag full of counterfeit perfumes and aftershaves earlier this week.

“We urge people to always purchase such items from trusted stores in the town centre.

“Barnsley Council continue to work with Trading Standards on the matter.”

A public space protection order (PSPO) is in place on Peel Street, Midland Street, Peel Square, Wellington Street, Eldon Street, Race Street, Peel Parade, Market Hill, County Way and Sackville Street, which effectively bans perpetrators of antisocial behaviour from entering the town centre.

More than 500 dispersal orders have been issued in the town centre since its inception three years ago, with those who continue to flout the measure – such as illegal sellers and beggars – facing prosecution. Cabinet spokesperson

Coun Jenny Platts added: “We all want to have a town centre which is vibrant, safe and welcoming. The PSPO continues to be an important tool in making that a reality but we also want to ensure that those in need are able to access the relevant support services.

“We are working with partners and voluntary organisations to focus our resources on helping the people most in need, while at the same time continuing to address antisocial behaviour.” 

You can also report incidents to Barnsley Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Service by emailing safer@barnsley.gov.uk.

A COUPLE whose baby died at four days old have founded a charity to support bereaved families who have lost a baby.

Bethany and Andy Pocock, both 31, lost their son Henry in March 2017 following complications during his birth at a hospital in Surrey.

When Bethany was 34 weeks pregnant, she went to hospital when she noticed her unborn son had stopped moving.

She was monitored for several hours before doctors decided to break her waters, which Bethany believes sent Henry into shock.

“I had gestational diabetes which caused me to have excess water and after they broke the doctors realised I had placenta abruption,” said Bethany, of Newhill Road, Smithies.

“The cardiotocography (CTG), had also been showing signs that Henry was not OK and when they realised the severity of the situation I was rushed in for an emergency Caesarian section. When Henry was born he had to be resuscitated for 15 minutes.”

Henry was left severely brain damaged due to the lack of oxygen during his birth and he was rushed off to another hospital in the area where he underwent hypothermia therapy, which involves cooling a baby’s body temperature to around 33 degrees centigrade by placing them on a waterproof blanket that contains cool circulating water.

The treatment reduces the infant’s temperature and is said to reduce brain damage. Henry received treatment for four days and despite the hospital’s best effort, doctors told Andy and Bethany that he had minimal brain activity and there was nothing more they could do. He died the next day.

“We were completely broken,” said Bethany. “We also have two other sons, Austin, who was three at the time and Bradley who was five, and dealing with their grief on top of ours was overwhelming. We were set to move to Barnsley following Henry’s birth and Andy had handed in his notice to work, in addition to us giving notice on our tenancy. It was an extremely difficult time.

“In 2018, we decided that as a family it would be the right thing for us to continue with our move to Yorkshire and we needed a new beginning. I realised then that there wasn’t much support for Barnsley families who had lost a child so me and Andy decided to set up Henry’s Hope.”

Henry’s Hope will be providing support to parents and their families who have lost a child, and will be running three sessions per month; one session for parents, one for parents who are expecting following a loss and a third for wider families who have experienced the death of a child.

Bethany said: “I gave birth to my daughter Madeline in July and the pregnancy was very hard, as we were all full of anxiety and when she was born it was bittersweet because Henry is not here to see her.

"We decided to offer support for those who are in a similar situation to us and do something positive for Henry, to give people hope in their lives and future pregnancies. We want people to know they are not alone in this situation and we are here for you.

“Some families who experience the death of a baby are not active on social media, where a lot of support pages are. We wanted to do the charity our way and we will be working closely alongside other organisations and the bereavement midwife at Barnsley Hospital, Lisa Rich, will be on hand to also offer support.

“We will also look to set up a men’s group as during our experience Andy took on a lot of responsibility, although he was hurting just as much. Men are often overlooked in this situation and we feel it is important for them to speak out.

"In the meantime they are more than welcome to join in the sessions, which will be informal."

Lisa Rich said: "I care for families who suffer the death of their baby during pregnancy or in the early days and weeks of life.

"I provide bereavement support to these families but sadly there are no local support groups or counselling services available in Barnsley. It has been heartbreaking to know that I have nowhere to direct these families for the help and support that they desperately need.

"I cared for Bethany and her family when they became pregnant again after their little boy Henry died. After the birth of Madeline, Andrew and Bethany felt that they wanted to do something to help other families going through the same circumstances.

"Knowing that they are setting up peer support groups for families who suffer the tragic loss of a baby means so much to me, finally having somewhere to signpost for peer support is going to make such a difference to the journey of families suffering the unimaginable and I will do everything I can to support ‘Henry’s Hope’ to provide support families in need."

The first bereavement group begins on October 7 from 7pm to 9pm at the Millers Tea Room at Worsbrough Mill and Country Park. For further information on the sessions, visit Henry’s Hope page on Facebook.

JOEY Barton is set to appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court next week having been charged with causing actual bodily harm following a post-match incident at Oakwell.

Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel was left with facial injuries and needed emergency dental treatment after his team’s 4-2 success over Barton’s Fleetwood Town on April 13.

Barton has previously denied any wrongdoing in a statement on his club’s website, but South Yorkshire Police charged the former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder.

He is due to appear in court on Wednesday.

THE VANDALISM of six cars at a sheltered housing complex has left the residents scared and fearing that the ‘mindless thugs’ will return.

During Sunday night, six cars at Maltas Court, Worsbrough, had their windows broken in an act of vandalism.

Only one sat-nav was taken but the damage has left the residents scared and angry.

“I was completely shocked when my neighbour told me my car had been broken into,” said a resident of Maltas Court.

“I couldn’t believe that someone would do that. At first we thought they must have been stealing things but when only my sat-nav was taken it was clear that it was just mindless vandalism.”

Maltas Court is a residential housing complex for retired and elderly people. The car park is towards the back of the properties so the victims were unable to hear as their cars were broken into.

“It’s made me scared to sleep,” added the resident.

“I wake up in the night and I am scared that the mindless thugs will come back and smash my house windows or do something worse.”

A police spokesperson said: “We received reports of criminal damage against vehicles at Maltas Court, Worsbrough Dale, on Monday at 1.45pm.


“The damage, reported to have occurred to six vehicles, is believed to have taken place between Sunday September 29 at 7.30pm and Monday September 30 at 10.30am.”

If you have any information please call 101 quoting incident number 441 of September 30 2019.

AN EIGHT-MONTH-OLD baby was thrown from a pram in a car crash outside a primary school yesterday morning.

The crash occurred on Bruce Avenue outside the gates of Worsbrough Common Primary School just before 9am, with residents on the street saying it appeared to follow an ‘argument over parking’.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed the collision occurred place between a Citroen Picasso and woman with her baby.

The baby was in a pushchair at the time of the crash and was taken to hospital with minor injuries and one woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving.

A resident who lives on Bruce Avenue said the road is a dangerous place to be in a morning. The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s a nightmare on here when it’s time for school. People park everywhere. They park up and down the street, blocking everything. They block your driveway and if you ask them to move they just tell you to f**k off.

“I didn’t hear the crash as I was in my living room at the back of the house so you can’t hear a lot, but I did hear a loud screeching of brakes.”

Jordan Webber, of Peel Street, said he was dropping his brothers off at the school when he saw the crash happen.

“It’s ridiculous this street. It’s got worse since they opened these gates, people think they can park up the drive, but there isn’t much parking there and then they have to come back out.

“People do whatever they want. I’m surprised the bairn wasn’t seriously injured,” he said.

Worsbrough Common Primary School head teacher Rebecca Paddock said the school does its utmost to ensure the area is as safe as can be when pupils are coming to school and when they are leaving.

“For us, the safety of the pupils is paramount, the safety of the pupils, the safety of the family and the safety of the community.

“We aim to make sure outside the school is as safe as possible,” she said. Mrs Paddock, who started at the school this term, said there has been an assembly session where pupils learned about road safety, with a video on road safety being sent out in a newsletter to parents.

She also added there has been no complaints about parents parking on the road to the school and that there is space for parents to park inside the school.

“On a morning and an evening we have a team that go out and monitor the access to the drive, as the access to that is quite tight so they make sure people are driving safely and the pupils crossing the road are safe.

“It is busy outside school which is why we have staff out there monitoring everything.

“We communicated about the incident with parents so they know we are working with emergency services to make sure everyone was safe.

“We spoke to children at the bottom of the drive at the time of the incident to reassure them and let them know everyone is safe.”

A RETROSPECTIVE planning application has been submitted for the new restaurant and bar adjoining the new town centre library - almost four months after it opened.

Falco Lounge was built alongside the Library @ the Lightbox, opening at the end of May ahead of the opening of the library.

Falco Lounge was built with planning permission for ‘ancillary café associated with the new library’ but the new application seeks to formally change that to a separated restaurant/café, formally recognised as ‘A3’ use - which allows for the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises.

However the council said the application seeks to formalise existing ‘ancillary uses’, meaning that Lounges does already have planning permission for its current use, with the A3 consent being ‘a formality’.

A CHARITY worker who travelled to Zimbabwe in the aftermath of a cyclone has shared her perspective of how the country is struggling six months on.

Laura MacLeman, who is originally from Royston but now lives in London, works for Plan International UK, a charity which aims to advance children’s rights and equality for girls across the world.

The 32-year-old said she travelled to Zimbabwe following Cyclone Idai, which caused widespread destruction in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in March this year.

Laura said she met girls who are struggling to get back into education after the cyclone, as well as losing their homes and belongings.

She said she wanted to raise awareness of what the women she met were going through and said even though many had lost so much, they were still hopeful.

“It was an amazing experience to speak to girls in the aftermath,” said Laura.

“Their villages were so beautiful, surrounded by greenery - the locals actually call that area God’s Country which made me think of Yorkshire. But the houses, schools and families had just been devastated overnight, and you could tell how traumatised the girls still were.

“Even in the midst of that, they were so resilient - their overriding wish was to get back to school to make sure they could secure a future for themselves and their families.”

Laura said the charity is raising funds for girls affected by the cyclone. Anyone wanting to donate is asked to go to plan-uk.org/donate/childrens-emergency-fund

POLICE have confirmed that a Barnsley fan died during Wednesday night’s clash between the Reds and Derby County at Oakwell.

The 66-year-old was in cardiac arrest when emergency services rushed to the stand where he was - known as the Ponty End - in the second half of the 2-2 draw.

A police spokesman said: “Officers were alerted at 9.24pm to a man in cardiac arrest at the Barnsley vs Derby match at Oakwell.

“Despite the best efforts of the emergency services the man died.”Twitter was awash with tributes to the fan following the match.

Official photographer Keith Turner Tweeted: "Very surreal atmosphere at @BarnsleyFC tonight, the highs and lows of football were experienced by everyone at Oakwell. I won't show a picture of the Ponte end at full time, its not fair to the family but I'm sure we all send our love."

ALMOST 400 children are home educated in Barnsley, according to a report to be discussed by councillors today.

Barnsley Council’s revised Elective Home Education Policy is to be discussed at a meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet, in line with the council’s duty to ensure the tracking, oversight and wellbeing of children of compulsory school age who are not in a mainstream school or academy and whose parents elect to educate them at home.

The report reveals there are currently 382 children and young people on the Elective Home Education register in Barnsley. 

A CARER support service has been shortlisted for an award for the care it provides for its own staff team.Barnsley Carers’ Service, which works alongside local unpaid carers, is a finalist in the Be Well@Work Awards.

The annual awards, operated by Barnsley Council, celebrate employers' commitment to the health and wellbeing of the workforce.

Manager Tara Ramsden entered the awards on behalf of her employer, the adult health and social care charity Making Space.

She said: "We strongly believe that our own mental health and wellbeing needs to take priority in order to enable us to perform our duties to maximum effect.

"Our employee assistance programme helps employees struggling with life change both in and outside of work, provides legal and financial advice and offers a freephone number to call and chat at any time about any issues in the workplace or at home.

"As a new manager, the training and supervision that had been put in place has supported me around issues including absenteeism and helping staff to deal with personal problems. As a result, my first experience of social care management has been extremely positive.

"Staff have flexible working, which is particularly important during the school holidays, and all seven employees have taken part in stress management training.

"Individual training related to personal interests has led to one staff member completing a diploma in mindfulness and another studying nutrition. These opportunities help us to run a better service and provide a huge boost to our employees' morale and career prospects."

The awards night will take place at The Civic tonight.

SMOKERS are being encouraged to put down the cigarettes for good as Stoptober campaign kicks off today.

Yorkshire Smokefree has over one hundred clinics across the region with weekly group and one-to-one sessions available along with telephone and online support.

Nationally, the Stoptober campaign has driven over 1.9 million quit attempts and is the biggest mass-quit attempt in the country.

Those who choose to quit with the support of their local stop smoking service are four times more likely to quit successfully.

In addition to telephone and online support, assistance is available through daily emails and text alerts, Facebook messenger and lots of encouragement from the Yorkshire Smokefree online community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Sue Jones, Yorkshire Smokefree Stop Smoking Specialist, said: “My advice to anyone that smokes would be to join the thousands of others kicking the habit this Stoptober. Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for yours and your family’s health.

"Yorkshire Smokefree offers free help to quit, with six out of ten smokers successfully quitting for four weeks. Join the campaign and get the right help today.”

Coun Jim Andrews, Barnsley Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health, said: “Stoptober is a great opportunity to quit smoking for good, with plenty of help and support available.

"In 2016, 79.4 percent of Barnsley adults didn’t smoke, and in 2018, that figure increased to 82.6%. That’s a fantastic improvement, but we want this year to be our best year yet.

“If you want to quit, get in touch with Yorkshire Smokefree or visit the Stoptober website for support.”

TRADERS left their stalls at lunchtime on Wednesday to protest against changes to rents in the new Glass Works market hall under which charges to upstairs traders were slashed by half.

The changes, introduced this month following a consultation with traders, are in response to complaints from the upper floor of slower trade in the afternoons when compared to downstairs.

John Burton, 57, had been trading upstairs before moving to the lower floor earlier this year and has been in the market for 25 years.

“The move cost us £4,000 but we did it because we weren’t getting the business upstairs,” said John, owner of John’s Heel Bar.

“We’ve been downstairs five weeks and we’re no busier than we were upstairs - we’re struggling down here as well.

“The main point is we aren’t getting the footfall in the market we used to get.

“On the last three Thursdays, I’ve probably taken £200. We’re not supposed to trade on Thursdays but we’ve got to.

“It’s not a market any more, it’s a shopping centre. We’re not allowed to shout goods off, we’re not allowed to hang stuff outside stalls.

“That’s what gives the market its character and brings people in. You’ve only got to listen to the customers.”

Mark Arnold, 57, criticised the consultation process for only taking into account the views of a small selection of traders.

Mark, of Repair I.T., said the main thing traders wanted was ‘parity’.

“They haven’t even spoken to us - they’ve been having what they’ve called meetings without takingminutes, because when we’ve asked to see them they haven’t been able to show us.

“That’s not a meeting, it’s a gathering.”

Martin added: “A select number of traders have decided who gets half-price rent. The first we knew of it was a letter after the decision saying we had voted.”

Coun Tim Cheetham said all traders were included in the consultation process, and seven chose not to respond.

“As a responsible landlord, we have regular discussions with our market traders about improvements that can be made to the market,” said Coun Cheetham, cabinet spokesman for place.

“Recent conversations with traders suggested there was a difference in trading position between the ground level and first floor of the market.“We decided to look into this - opening up further discussions with traders. After listening to feedback, we proposed a 50 per cent reduction in rent for first-floor traders.

“After taking this to a consultation, the results showed that the majority of traders who responded were happy with the proposal. This change was implemented from September 1.

“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.

“The market will be supported by the addition of new operators in Market Kitchen this October, which promises to be an exciting addition to the market, wider Glass Works and town centre.

“As always, I would like to encourage the people of Barnsley to continue to support our fantastic traders and brilliant market by shopping locally.”

A SCHEME aiming to protect school children who have witnessed domestic violence at home will not be rolled out in Barnsley, the council has confirmed.

Operation Encompass, a South Yorkshire Police initiative, sees schools given warnings by officers who have attended domestic violence calls where school-age children were present.

The scheme, which Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster councils have already signed up to, is intended to reduce the impact of early exposure to domestic violence - known to cause problems in later life.

But council bosses have declined to take on the scheme after initial talks.

Coun Margate Bruff, cabinet spokesman for children’s services, said: “As a council we have taken the decision not to proceed with Operation Encompass.

“We will still receive all domestic abuse notifications and screen them all.

“Any that we believe meet the threshold for a statutory assessment by Children’s Social Care will receive an assessment by this service.

“During our assessments, we consult with schools as a matter of course, although under ‘child in need procedures’, this should still be with parental consent. All children will be safeguarded.”

At 7.30am every day, school staff in areas utilising Operation Encompass are given automatic reports of domestic violence incidents where school age children were found.

Those children can then be supported and monitored as part of a developing system of dealing with domestic violence, with arrest rates on the rise in South Yorkshire.

The scheme is launched this month following a report presented to police and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings.Assistant Chief Constable Tim Forber told a meeting of Dr Billings’ Public Accountability Panel, attended by the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“Children who suffer an early childhood experience (of domestic abuse) are far more likely to have poor outcomes and have an entry at some point into the criminal justice system.”

A SNIFFER dog led authorities to more than 4,000 illegal cigarettes that were concealed in a high-tech retractable shelving unit that was ‘concealed in the floor’ of a town centre shop.

Barnsley Magistrates Court was told that in February of this year, officers from Barnsley Council’s regulatory services visited Europe Mini Market on Peel Street, with HM Revenue Customs officers and a sniffer dog, which showed an interest in the floor area.

Officers worked to break open the floor with sledgehammers and crowbars eventually revealing a one metre-square shelving area which rose out of the floor via a remote control device that had its shelves stocked with non duty paid cigarettes.

Vitalijus Bakaitis, of Helena Street, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to selling the non duty paid cigarettes.

According to the council, the device was completely hidden in the floor under the counter and was ‘shielded from view by the counter itself’.

The court was told he had spent £1,000 having the device built and more than 4,000 cigarettes were seized by the officers from the device.

A spokesperson from the council said: “It was extremely discrete, it was under the floor tiles and it didn’t make much noise in operation.“It was totally concealed in the floor, with floor tiles and carpet concealing it.

“The concealment was half full with the cigarettes that were seized, so more could have fitted in.”

Bakaitis, who was the director of Europe Barnsley Limited, was sentenced last Thursday and faces fines and costs totalling nearly £10,000 as well as a 12 month community order, 220 hours of unpaid work, a further £180 of costs and a £80 victim surcharge.

Bakaitis faced three charges under the Licensing Act 2003, Tobacco and Related Products Regulation 2016 and Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.

The council spokesperson added: “Officers have seen similar before, but it’s fair to say that concealments are becoming more sophisticated, but officers are very tenacious.

“We use intelligence from various sources to investigate alleged offences, and on this occasion we used a tobacco sniffer dog which helped identify the concealment.”

Coun Jim Andrews, the cabinet spokesperson for public health, added: “The individual in this case set out to sell illegal goods from his shop in a premeditated and calculated manner.

“Barnsley Council is absolutely committed to stamping out the sale of illegal cheap cigarettes across the borough, damaging the health of local people and legitimate businesses, and defrauding honest tax payers.

“Anyone with information of other individuals selling illicit tobacco are urged to contact us on 773743 and ask to speak to Barnsley Council’s tobacco control officer.”

POLICE are appealing for information after a 70-year-old woman was mugged in Mapplewell.

Last Saturday at 11.40pm, the woman was walking through an alley off Kingsway. It is believed that a man approached her and following a brief struggle, stole her handbag.

The man allegedly then pushed her to the floor before running off with the bag containing almost £400 in cash.

A police spokesman said: “The suspect is described as slim build, 5ft 3ins tall. The elderly woman was left dazed and with minor injuries as a result of the incident, which has understandably caused her a great deal of distress.

“Anyone with any knowledge of the incident is being urged to call 101 quoting incident number 1094 of September 21. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

WORSBROUGH Country Park is in need of volunteers to help improve the site.

There are several tidy days going on from October to December and anyone interested in improving the site is invited to go along. The tidy days take place on October 9 and 23, November 13 and 27 and December 11.

Everyone is welcome to take part and are asked to wear sensible footwear and clothing.

Volunteers are asked to meet outside Worsbrough Mill shop from 9.30am, with the tidy event lasting until 12.30pm. For more information or to book a place contact the team on 774 527 or email worsbroughmill@barnsley.gov.uk.

A MEMORIAL is being held for an airman who died when his plane was shot down during the Second World War.

Amos Howe was 21 when he died on March 1, 1943, along with six other crew members when the plane came down in Voorst, Netherlands.

The crew had been on a raid in Berlin and they were returning back to their base, RAF Snaith near Goole, and following their deaths, they were buried at Voorst General Cemetery.

They were part of the 51st Squadron. Earlier this year, a memorial was erected to honour the crew of this Halifax bomber. It stands at the exact location of the crash and on March 2 next year, a memorial is planned to honour the seven who lost their lives and the team are looking for family members to invite them to the memorial.

Ex WRAF Brenda Duckworth, who is search for Amos’ family, said: “The organisers of this event are keen to locate the relatives of Amos and we have been unable to locate them through the regular channels.”

Carole Gude, part of the Barnsley War Memorials Project said: “Amos was born in 1921. His parents were Frank, born on April 6 1916, and Fedora Howe, who were married at Royston Church on October 10, 1915.

"We believe Amos was named after his uncle Amos, Frank’s brother. Amos attended Monk Bretton and Littleworth schools and proceeded to Barnsley Grammar School where he won two prizes.

"He was a choirboy and server at St Paul’s Church at one time, and joined the staff of Newman and Bond, and later the Public Library.

“The 1939 register shows his family living at 14 Coronation Street, Monk Bretton. He had two brothers, Allen and Frank. Amos volunteered for the RAF at the age of 19. In 1943 he is recorded as Sgt air gunner 1430996, 51st squadron RAF Volunteer Reserve.

“He died on March 1 1943, when it appears his plane was lost with all the crew. All seven are buried together at Voorst General Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands, and Amos’s grave bears the inscription ‘This is a foreign field that is for ever England.’

He is also remembered on his parents’ grave in Monk Bretton cemetery, which has an inscription also Amos son of the aforesaid, died on active service March 1 1943 aged 21 years.

“Amos is remembered on the Barnsley Grammar School WW2 Memorial, which is stored at Horizon Community College. The school Alumnus Magazine of June 1943 notes that he is reported missing from an operational flight.

“The Barnsley Chronicle of Saturday March 13, 1943, reports with a photograph about Amos being missing, but no follow up confirmation, or any entries in the memorials columns.”

If you are a relative of Amos Howe, email brenda.duckworth@live.co.uk for more information.

A BARNSLEY College student has spent a week working in a Michelin level kitchen and shadowing head chefs.

Beata Armacka, a catering and hospitality student, joined the Tommy Banks’ Roots in York for a week of preparing, cooking and serving.

The restaurant has been voted the 25th best in the

UK by Square Meals. The opportunity allowed her to gain skills and techniques that she can apply to her future employment.

The Barnsley College enterprise department gave Beata the funding to pay for her travel during her placement period. Beata said:

“I had the most amazing time working as part of the team at Roots. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to experience life working for a top restaurant.

“The skills I have taken away from my time there will put me in a good position to find a job. I would definitely recommend work placements to other students.”

James Key, the catering and hospitality lecturer, added: “Beata has done both the college and the catering department proud in achieving this amazing opportunity and gaining experience in one of the country’s best restaurants.

“The restaurant has really enjoyed her commitment and professionalism during her placement, which we are extremely pleased to hear.”

WITH preventable sight loss in Barnsley at extremely high levels, a new campaign has been launched to tackle the problem in the borough.

The #seeitmyway campaign has been developed by the Barnsley Vision Strategy Group in response to Public Health England figures that show Barnsley is around double the national average for preventable sight loss due to age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.

Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesman for communities, said: “Early identification is essential because sight loss has such a dramatic impact on wellbeing.

“The risk of depression and falls is over two times greater amongst older people with low vision when compared to those with normal sight. Sight loss is also a risk factor in loneliness and isolation.

“It is important that you have an eye test at least every two years, even if there’s no change in your vision you may be entitled to a free eye test.

“Eligibility can be found on the NHS website or by checking with an optician. It’s also really important that parents and carers make sure that their children have regular eye checks.”

The campaign has been launched during National Eye Health Week, with events taking at the Alhambra and Library @ The Lightbox.

It aims to make residents aware that half of sight loss cases are avoidable by taking simple steps such as having regular eye tests every two years, visiting your local optician when you have a concern about your eyes and having a healthy diet.

Today’s event, organised by Barnsley Blind and Partially Sighted Association and supported by members of the Barnsley Vision Strategy Group, will take place at the Library @ The Lightbox from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

A BOROUGH-WIDE crime blitz saw police officers look to catch criminals ‘on the back foot’ on Friday.

Operation Duxford, an operation tailored to the concerns of local residents, returned to Barnsley and saw more than 150 officers take to the streets on warrants to properties in the borough, for offences from drug possession to stolen property.

Officers were out from 7am in what chief inspector Andy Berriman referred to in his briefing at Barnsley Police Station as ‘policing with purpose’.

“This is about a positive message,” he said.

“Duxford is like turbo-changing our daily policing response. We need to be out there, highly visible, talking to people and telling them at every opportunity just what we’re doing today.

“The public want to see criminals on the back foot and us taking control of our communities and making people feel safer.”

The Chronicle was invited on one warrant, at a property in Station Road, Royston, where a number of weapons – including two swords and a crossbow – were found by officers.

The occupant of the property was questioned, where he disclaimed the weapons which were then seized and will be destroyed.

Chief superintendent Scott Green said the operation was about taking action following feedback from communities, and tackling the issues that matter to people the most.

While full results will not be disclosed until later, a number of successful warrants were reported including in Worsbrough where a man was arrested for possession with intent to supply after officers found what is believed to be Class A drugs, and in Goldthorpe where more than 20 cannabis plants were uncovered.

MORE than 100 climate change campaigners gathered outside Barnsley Town Hall in solidarity with thousands of towns and cities across the globe.

Friday’s Global Day of Action Against Climate Change, led by schoolchildren, was a demonstration demanding governments and decision makers do more about climate issues.

Members of the socio-political group Extinction Rebellion and the union Unison joined the Barnsley Trades Union Council in the protest, along with dozens of the general public.

Before the rally began, the protesters chanted ‘climate change is not a lie, do not let our planet die’.

Pupils from Barnsley College and Outwood Academy Shafton were among the students who took part in the protest, with 15-year-old Broadie Greenhall from Outwood addressing the audience about making a difference. “Climate change is an important issue,” she said.

“If we don’t act now it’s our future and your children’s future. All a lot of people want for their kids is to have a happy life. We can make this happen.”

There was a blast of the Town Hall fire alarm at noon in acknowledgement of the day of action, and Coun Chris Lamb announced that cabinet had agreed to put a climate emergency motion to the full council.

He said: “Barack Obama once said that we are the first generation to notice the impact of climate change, and we are the last ones to do something about it.

"We (as a council) don’t want to make empty gestures. We are implementing a policy that will make a tangible difference to the climate emergency.

“The younger generation needs to become the decision makers and policy makers. It shouldn’t be me standing here. We will be having regular meetings with Extinction Rebellion so they can give us information and advice to feed into the climate change declaration policy.

“Words are cheap, and we will be embarking on a five-year plan which will enable us to become carbon neutral by 2035, no later than 2040, and for Barnsley borough to be carbon neutral by 2045. We will be leading in comparison to the government.

“We will be looking at replacing fleet vehicles, looking at active travel and working with the Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis, on public transport.”

Ci Davis from Extinction Rebellion welcomed the council proposals but said ‘the chaos we face requires more action and it needs to come about faster’.

He emphasised that Extinction Rebellion wants citizens’ assemblies where all the community will be involved in discussing what policies need developing and how they should be brought about.

George Arthur, Barnsley Trades Union Council secretary, said: “Our trades council is really pleased that this rally which we sponsored has been so successful.

“However we want to see future campaigns developing with a much wider range of people making decisions, so we have booked a room in Barnsley Town Hall for 5pm on Monday (September 30). We invite anyone who wants to plan the next steps to come along.”

FRIENDS and classmates lined up outside a school to pay their respects to a 14-year-old boy whose devastated parents say went to bed healthy but ‘never woke up’.

A Lamborghini led the funeral procession of supercar-mad Lucas Fleetwood on Wednesday, taking a detour past Darton Academy where friends and teachers gathered outside.

Lucas, of Brattice Way, Mapplewell, died on September 6 after going to bed following his first day back at school.

His mum went to wake him for school the next morning and he was unresponsive. Emergency services were called but he could not be revived.

Lucas had just returned from a family holiday in Majorca and had enjoyed showing his younger brother Oliver, 11, around his new school that day.

His death came as a complete shock to the family, who still don’t know why he died.

Lucas was cremated on Wednesday and his parents Daniel and Stacey, not wanting a traditional resting place for his ashes, decided they wanted to create a memorial garden for the family to go to remember Lucas, as well as a place for other bereaved parents to use in future.

Daniel told the Chronicle: “Lucas was a fantastic big brother to Oliver and his youngest brother Carter, six.

“We are heartbroken by his death but me and Stacey knew straight away that we didn’t want Lucas to be buried surrounded by death.

“We wanted somewhere tranquil and private where we can go and remember our son. It will also serve as a place for people to remember their children and we want it to be a comforting area, not a place associated with death and horribleness.”

Daniel began looking for land where he could create Lucas’ Gardens – an area of remembrance for children. Currently there are no areas in Barnsley that have a memorial space specifically for children.

“We have found a place and we hope to develop this into Lucas Gardens, and we feel it is perfect for us.

“For other families who will have to go through this tragedy, we hope it will serve as a wonderful place to consider when it comes to laying their child to rest. It will be Lucas’ legacy that will last forever and it’s something positive to come from his death.”

The family said the support the family have received following Lucas’ death has been ‘brilliant’.

Stacey said: “The staff at Barnsley Hospital, the police, Darton Academy and Lucas’ friends have been brilliant. We have received so many messages of support and this garden is a way of giving something back to the community.

“Lucas was a great kid and we will miss him like crazy. He loved karaoke and he was a leader, especially with his brothers.

“He was also confident and so full of energy. It’s all very surreal and at times you don’t feel it’s real but this project is giving us something to focus on. Lucas loved being outside and in the garden so I know he will love this idea.”

Daniel set up a Just Giving page to raise funds towards Lucas’ Gardens, and so far he has raised over £6,500.

Daniel said: “The funding will allow us to landscape the gardens and purchase benches, shrubbery and a stone welcoming people into the garden. It’s not going to resemble a graveyard and we hope it will bring comfort to many families in the years to come.”

One of the businesses supporting the project is Hammerton’s Funeral Directors. Melanie Torley, office manager, said: “There is nothing for children in Barnsley and we are honoured to help get this project off the ground.

“We would love all our funerals to be 92-year-old people but that isn’t how life goes.”

Elaine Briggs, principal at Darton Academy, said: “Lucas was a lovely young man who was respectful, well liked and very polite.”

To donate, visit the Just Giving page and search for Daniel Fleetwood.

A CHARITY football match to raise awareness of mental health issues and suicide will be taking place today (Saturday 28) in Goldthorpe.

The match will see 16 teams of six players from the surrounding areas playing at Dearne Cricket Club from 10am onwards.

There will also be a variety of stalls including food and drink, a raffle and more, with all funds raised going to Project 14 – a mental health support group.

The event at the cricket club – called Tricks Memorial/Project 14 – is also in memory of Dearne man Jason Trickett who died last month.

Jason’s friend Kane Slasor, 29, set up the event and said he is hopeful it will be a good day to remember Jason and other people he knew.

Kane, of Bolton-upon-Dearne, said: “I have now had three friends commit suicide over last few years and thought it would be a great idea to set a tournament up thinking it would be a great way to raise money and awareness.

"I have been planning it together with Dearne and District FC and it has just escalated. The response from the community has been amazing.

“After recent tragic events, we are rallying round to gather the troops to once again try and raise the awareness of suicidal and mental health issues amongst our local communities to try and show that it’s ok not to be ok and there’s always someone there to lend an ear if need be.”

For more information on the event, search Tricks Memorial/Project 14 on Facebook.

A DEVELOPMENT of 49 homes is set to be built in Thurnscoe after plans were approved by the council’s planning board.

The site, on Brunswick Street, was allocated in the local plan for development and will consist entirely of affordable housing.

Initially for 60 properties, the application – approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the planning regulatory board – consists of 23 two-bed houses, 13 three-bed houses, four four-bed houses and nine two-bed bungalows.

A contribution of £81,093.35 is required to be handed over by the developer as part of a section 106 agreement for off-site green space provision, while £144,000 will be provided for education provision.