REDS legend Bobby Hassell received a surprise at the Proud of Barnsley awards.

The 33-year-old defender, who joined the club in 2004, has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances.

Despite that legacy, it's his charity and community work that's earned him his 'Sir Bobby' nickname.

A well-known member of the 'Faith in Football' charity, Bobby has used his position as a well-respected footballer to inspire a generation of youngsters in the local community.

He holds regular football sessions in Kendray to help keep kids active and off the streets.

After winning his surprise award at the November 15 ceremony, Bobby said: "I'm very humbled. I'm surprised my wife has kept it a secret!

"I just love being a part of the football club and the community."

AUTHOR Milly Johnson joined around 200 people at Barnsley Central Library to protest against the demolition of the building to make way for a new sixth form college.

A broad cross-section of Barnsley was represented on November 17 with a novelist next to a councillor, a firefighter next to a children's illustrator, a columnist to a baker, a lawyer to a highway worker, a pensioner to a child and a nurse to a retired steelworker.

The protesters had gathered to form a human 'chain' around the Shambles Street library and show they're against proposals to flatten the building next year.

Once the library was fully encircled the human 'chain' marched around the building.

It was almost a carnival atmosphere as numbers swelled and sympathetic car drivers hooted their horns as they drove past.

Campaigner Dave Gibson said: "To get so many people out demanding the library be left untouched shows how much it means to the community.

"If you add that to the 4,000 people who have signed our petition in less than three weeks, then it seems very clear to me that the popular mood in the town is for the library to stay where it is."

What do you think of the plans to move the library? Have your say below. 

PHARMACY giant Boots is recalling tens of thousands of bottles of cough and cold medicines over fears that plastic might have got into the liquid.

As a precautionary measure Boots is asking all UK shoppers to return any of its branded medicines that were purchased since September.

The medicines being recalled are:

Boots Pharmaceuticals Chesty Cough Relief 100mg/5ml Oral Solution

Boots Pharmaceuticals Dry Cough Relief Oral Solution

Boots Pharmaceuticals Mucus Cough Relief 100mg/5ml Oral Solution

Boots Pharmaceuticals Paracetamol 6 years Plus 250mg/5ml Oral Solution 200ml

Boots Pharmaceuticals Ibuprofen 3 Months plus 100mg/5ml Oral Suspension Strawberry

Although there have been no reported incidents as yet, a possible fault in the manufacturing process of the tamper seal may have resulted in small pieces of plastic being found in the liquid medicines, says Boots.

In a statement, Boots said: "The health and safety of our customers and patients is always our highest priority so as a precaution we are recalling some Boots medicine lines.

"We have taken the decision to ask customers to return these products to our stores for a refund. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and would like to offer our reassurances that these actions are taken as a precaution, while we fully investigate the situation."

NEARLY 1,000 motorists have been caught drink driving on South Yorkshire’s roads in the last year.

A total of 955 drivers were prosecuted for drink driving between October 2012 and September 2013.

The figures were released by the Crown Prosecution Service as part of a campaign to cut alcohol-related crime.

A spokesman for road safety charity Brake said: "Anyone who drinks and drives is taking a huge risk, not only with their own life, but the lives of others too.

"Research is clear that even small amounts of alcohol significantly increase your risk of crashing and causing carnage, so it just isn’t worth risking a drink.

"In the run-up to the festive season we’re calling on all drivers in South Yorkshire to make a commitment now to never drive after drinking any alcohol - not a drop - and plan ahead to get home safely from festivities, to prevent horrific crashes and devastating casualties."

Chief Inspector Stuart Walne, head of South Yorkshire’s Roads Policing Unit, warned about the effects of being caught.

"You will be fined and banned from driving for a period of time but then there are all the associated costs," he said.

"If you're convicted of drink driving your insurance premium will be massively inflated and you could lose your employment."

The force launches its annual festive drink drive crackdown on December 1.

A BARNSLEY College sport student has returned to education - after a 43-year gap!

John Butler, 68, retired from his construction career in March 2011 and decided to go back to college part-time to study sports and fitness.

After taking a sports massage course last year, John has now moved onto fitness instructing.

Before this, he was last in education in 1969 when he took his Chartered Institute of Building qualification!

John, of Silkstone, said: "When I first enrolled at college last year I was apprehensive about my age compared to other students.

"I needn’t have been worried. The groups are really varied and it’s great to work and share experiences with people of differing ages, backgrounds and life experiences.

"Age is no barrier if you want to carry on achieving things in later life."

John will be continuing his studies in 2014, taking courses in personal training, kettlebells and first aid.

On completion, John hopes to utilise his new skills by doing some volunteer personal training work with disabled people.

STUDENT accommodation could be built in Barnsley to encourage Chinese students to live in the town.

Owen Gleadall, president of the Barnsley chamber of commerce, said the accommodation could be used by students studying at Barnsley College, or at universities in Leeds and Sheffield.

"We've got links with China through education, so they know the capabilities of Barnsley's education system," he said.

"Barnsley College is already delivering A-level courses in Chengdu, a college in China.

"There are 5,000 Chinese students in Sheffield and it's a lot cheaper to live in Barnsley.

"If we had accommodation near the interchange, it only takes 20 minutes to get to Leeds or Sheffield. Students could live in Barnsley for half the price, spend money in the town and still only be 20 minutes away from their universities."

Owen said the current sixth form college building on Eastgate would be ideal - once the college had relocated to Shambles Street - because it was only a short walk from the interchange.

Owen said other sites had been identified including an area at the back of the Digital Media Centre and the old TEC building, off Eldon Street, but said the TEC building may be difficult to convert.

What do you think? A good idea to bring much-needed money into the town centre? Have your say below.

A SERIAL shoplifter has been banned from going to branches of the Co-op for stealing meat.

June Downing, 50, was given the ban as part of bail conditions because, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told, she tended to target the Co-op.

She was freed from custody after a plea by her solicitor Sean Fritchley, who said Downing's frequent spells in jail were not working.

He said it would be 'correct and proper' to offer her drug rehabilitation instead.

Mr Fritchley said: "She knows she will go straight to prison if she goes shoplifting while on bail.

"It's not as if she's going to get away with anything. She's known to Barnsley police because of her poor criminal record. She's not a danger to anyone.

"It seems she's now more motivated to tackle her drug problem. If we stand idly by and allow her to carry on down the slippery slope of drug taking, we will either read her obituary in the Barnsley Chronicle or she will end up back in court as she is today."

He added that Downing had beaten a drug problem once and worked to help other drug users. This had led to her leading a virtually crime-free life for 10 years.

But she had lapsed back into drugs when she had to look after her elderly parents.

Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, called for Downing, of Doles Crescent, Royston, to be remanded in custody.

She said Downing had been released early from an 18-week jail sentence when she stole the meat.

"No bail conditions will stop her offending again," she said.

Rev Peter Yates, presiding, warned Downing she would have to get someone else to do her shopping if she wanted anything from the Co-op.

He said: "Any breach of bail conditions and you will go straight to prison. You must not abuse the trust of the court. We believe you will not do that."

Downing, who admitted shoplifting, will be sentenced on December 5.

A BARNSLEY restaurant has been judged not just the best in South Yorkshire - but also better than any in Humberside as well.

It was double delight for the Dil Raj in Dodworth at the finals of the national Asian Curry Awards.

The restaurant was named best restaurant and chef Mohammed Al Aman was also named best chef in South Yorkshire and Humberside.

Owner Miron Rahman said the double victory at the ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in London's Park Lane was 'absolutely wonderful'.

Miron has owned Dil Raj, based in the former Horse and Jockey pub in Dodworth, for the past ten years.

He said: "We pride ourselves on the quality of our food and that's been reflected in winning these two top trophies.

"We offer a menu far beyond what may be considered traditional Indian cuisine. With attention to health and diet our dishes don’t use heavy oils, creams or spices, but instead rely on the authentic flavours of the dish.

"It was a very special occasion with the best possible outcome. We will be putting both trophies on display in the restaurant so our customers can share our happiness.

"Over the years Dil Raj has been privileged to have received some fantastic reviews and a number of awards, but this is the best yet."

STALLS from across Yorkshire will be in Barnsley town centre as part of the Christmas craft market.

Some 36 stalls selling everything from hats, bags, leather goods, Christmas gifts, jewellery, decorations, clothing and vintage-style signs will be on display.

There will also be a craft marquee housing ten local traders from the Penistone Artisan Fayre.

Tasty treats will be available from food and drinks vendors and the Schwabisch Gmund Society will also be on hand to warm visitors up with gluhwein and stollen.

More than ten coachloads of people from all over the country have already booked to attend.

The craft market runs from Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1.

It's open from 9-5pm on Friday and Saturday and 9am-4.30pm on Sunday.

CAMPAIGNERS of the so-called 'bedroom tax' are angry that almost half of those who applied to Barnsley Council for help to pay their rent were refused.

The government allocated £364,513 to the council to help people who are struggling to pay their rent following a cut in benefits for people deemed to have a spare bedroom.

The council responded to a Freedom of Information request made by the campaign which disclosed that less than half the money available has been spent seven months into the financial year.

There were 1,449 applications made for discretionary housing payments so far this year and the FOI shows only 780 have been successful.

To date £151,646.83 has been paid out under the scheme and up to November 11 there was £188,908.88 left in the pot.

The FOI says it's anticipated the fund will be completely spent by March.

Fran Postlethwaite, from the campaign group, said when the payment is awarded it's usually only for a few months and tenants then have to reapply.

She's urging the council to do more to support those hit by the bedroom tax who are struggling to pay their rent.

"We're regularly meeting tenants who are unaware that they can apply for this help," she said.

Andy Hemingway, from Berneslai Homes, said leaflets and follow-up letters have been sent out which included information about discretionary housing payments.

He said more than 3,000 affected tenants were contacted between January to March last year, including home visits by housing management officers, which included providing information about DHP.

He said: "When people contact the rents team to discuss rent payments, if appropriate, the staff will advise them about DHP and send an application form."

A VETERAN filmmaker, unions and MPs are supporting a new documentary about the miners' strike of 1984/85.

(Still) The Enemy Within tells the story of the strike through the voices of some of the tens of thousands of miners who followed union president Arthur Scargill through a year of unprecedented struggle.

The film is being made by production company Bad Bonobo and producer Sinead Kirwan said it covers the entire strike timeline and includes first accounts.

She said: "It describes the experiences of ordinary people, striking miners, their families and supporters who had no choice but to step on to the stage of history in one of the biggest industrial disputes Britain has ever seen."

A large focus of the interviews are about the activities of Barnsley NUM members and filming took place in the borough earlier this year to accompany the interviews.

A special event to launch the film's crowd funding campaign took place in London and veteran filmmaker Ken Loach, who directed Kes and 1985 miners' strike film 'Which Side Are You On?', was among those who attended.

After the event, he said: "The mainstream media didn't tell the truth about the miners' strike when it happened. The same lies are still being told.

"It's therefore important that we tell this story. The film should be made."

Journalist John Pilger, who reported from pit villages during the strike, said: "This is an important film. What happened to the miners in the 1980s is happening again in other forms as an increasingly totalitarian state touches our lives."

(Still) The Enemy Within is a first-time feature for director Owen Gower and will be released next year to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the strike.

A MAN who shot at police in a three-hour armed siege in Barnsley has been jailed for over four years.

James Wright peppered armed police officers with airgun pellets in a ‘suicide by cop’ bid, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

The 21-year-old climbed on a garage roof and kept reloading and firing a Chinese-made imitation gun at officers carrying riot shields for protection below.

Although the pellets bounced off their shields, he injured two officers.

He said: "I have got one shot. It’s for me or the first copper that steps on this roof."

Wright then pulled out a lock knife and threatened to harm himself or stab any police dogs that came near before he appeared to surrender.

But suddenly he began firing again and it took a trained negotiator to get him to come down.

Carl Fitch, prosecuting, said when arrested Wright said he intended for the police to shoot and kill him.

The drama unfolded on Cutty Lane where Wright was living with his mother and her partner.

He was being electronically monitored and got so high on drink and drugs he stayed out beyond his curfew and feared he might lose any chance of seeing his young son, the court heard.

He smashed the monitoring equipment and threatened to kill his mother who slipped out of the house with her partner and called the police.

When an officer arrived at the scene, Wright aimed his gun at his chest, causing him to retreat for safety.

The gunman, who has previous convictions for possessing a knife in a public place and assaulting police officers, was jailed for four years and eight months by Judge Julian Goose.

MORE than 12,000 ex-miners could be entitled to thousands of pounds in additional compensation for vibration white finger.

Barnsley-based solicitors Raleys has lost a case in which a judge found it had originally given 'inadequate advice' to a former miner who claimed compensation, and ordered the law firm to pay him an additional £5,539.

The condition is an industrial disease caused by the prolonged use of vibrating handheld machinery.

It's thought the ruling could open the floodgates, allowing thousands more who the firm advised to come forward, with Raleys having represented 12,297 clients in VWF compensation cases.

Andrew Procter, 53, of East Ardsley near Leeds, is only the second man to be awarded additional compensation after being originally represented by Raleys in a claim for vibration white finger.

But the original claim did not take into account Mr Procter's inability to carry out household tasks such as gardening, DIY, window cleaning and decorating.

Robert Godfrey, partner with law firm Mellor Hargreaves which represented Mr Procter, said he was given advice by Raleys that was 'insufficient and misleading'.

"Raleys used a lot of standard letters and questionnaires with very little personal contact," he added. "They were dealing with a high number of clients and were getting fixed costs.

"What they should have been doing was meeting with people face to face to make sure the clients understood what they could claim for and if they chose not to claim, what they could be giving up."

He said Mr Procter's file contained a record saying he could claim for not being able to perform such tasks, but the firm never met with him, and did not explain this to him when he was contacted by telephone.

Carol Gill, managing partner of Raleys, said: "We're very disappointed with the judgement in this case and we're considering an appeal."

TWO Barnsley men have died in separate suspected drug overdoses.

Shaun Hague, 35, was found at a home on Oak Lea, while 26-year-old Ryan Rollinson was found at a property on Brockfield Close, both in Worsbrough.

Det Ch Insp Mark Wilkie said investigations were underway, but added: "The deaths are not linked and we are awaiting the results of the post mortems and the opening of the inquests."

A YOUTH choir's Christmas CD has proved so popular they're having to order more copies!

The charity CD by Barnsley Youth Choir was only launched on November 15 but the 3,000 copies initially made have been sold already.

Now they have ordered another 5,000 from manufacturer Riviera Multimedia to cope with demand.

The choir's secretary Ann Wroe said the response had been overwhelming.

"We're so pleased with the spirit and generosity shown by people in supporting the CD.

"The decision to re-order another 5,000 was a difficult one, but having seen so many sell in just the first day or two of its release meant that we had to ensure demand could be met."

The choir's recording, featuring the festive songs 'O Holy Night' and 'Winter Wonderland', is raising money for Barnsley Hospice.

If all 8,000 CDs are sold, the choir anticipates being able to donate £11,000 to the hospice.

AT 113-years-old Ethel Lang may be the oldest woman in Britain, but her daughter says she has taken the news in her stride!

She was announced as the oldest in the UK following the death of Londoner Grace Jones on December 14, also 113, who was the last living British person to be born in the 1800s.

There were only 171 days between Grace and Barnsley lass Ethel, who marked her 113th birthday in May with a piece of cake and a cup of tea.

Mrs Lang's daughter, 89-year-old Margaret Bates, said: "Like everything else, my mother has taken this in her stride.

"Anyone would be pleased to have their mother for as long as they can."

Denise Bates, Ethel's granddaughter-in-law, said the supercentenarian is not only the oldest in the country but also one of the last living subjects of Queen Victoria.

Ethel was born in 1900 in Worsbrough Dale and has seen six monarchs and 22 Prime Ministers.

As the youngest daughter of miner Charles Lancaster and his wife Sarah, Ethel was born when the Marquess of Salisbury was Prime Minister.

She has lived in Barnsley all her life, in Monk Bretton and Carlton, and left school at 13 to go and work at a shirt factory.

In 1922 she married William Lang, a young plumber and the only son of Barnsley councillor Thomas Lang, at St Mary's Church, Barnsley.

One year later the couple celebrated the birth of daughter Margaret.

Ethel, who was widowed in 1988, used to work as a dressmaker and her hobbies included dancing - which she enjoyed up to turning 107.

She is also a snooker fan, with Jimmy White being her favourite player.

Widow Ethel lived independently until she was 105 when she moved into a Barnsley care home.

On marking her 111th birthday at the home she said: "When I was a little girl I played skipping, hopscotch and buttons. We used to throw them as far as they could go and you would measure it with your fingers.

"Mum wouldn't let me use her clothes line to skip, we used an old one that was dirty."

Denise said: "For that generation, living through the wars was just something they took in their stride.

"She was just a very ordinary Barnsley girl who did ordinary things that Barnsley women did."

It seems genetics are on Ethel's side as her mother died at 91, and when Denise did her family tree, she found very long-lived ancestors on Ethel's side going back to the 1700s.

A SELFLESS mum has won a Proud of Barnsley award for fundraising for her daughter, Ebonie Webb.

Six-year-old Ebonie was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just six months old. Mum Leanne Drummond, 32, of Honeywell, has been fundraising ever since for her little girl.

Along with Ebonie's dad Mick, the pair had been hoping the money raised over the years would send their ill daughter to America for treatment.

However, that's been put on hold.

The couple have recently learnt that Ebonie's tumour had grown and spread to her spine, leaving her unable to travel and needing urgent surgery and chemotherapy.

The tumour had spread to the most complex part of the brain, which could eventually mean Ebonie's eyesight is lost.

After winning her Proud of Barnsley award as Carer of the Year, Leanne said: "I'm shocked - I didn't expect to win.

"Ebonie will be really chuffed. She said to me the other day that she hoped I win because 'I look after her the best'."

ANOTHER Barnsley school is celebrating after being labelled 'outstanding' by Ofsted!

Hilltoppers Nursery at The Hill Academy in Thurnscoe was graded outstanding in all areas by inspectors.

They found it provides innovative educational programmes which enhance the learning and development opportunities for all children.

As a result, children enjoy stimulating and imaginative experiences and develop a highly positive attitude to learning.

The report added: "The management demonstrate a dedicated commitment to maintain the high quality provision.

"This is reflected through the clear development plan and a programme of training and support to enhance staff's already excellent skills and knowledge."

Nursery manager Julie Portman said: "We've had two inspections this year due to us only recently becoming an academy.

"Ofsted were impressed with everything and noticed that the children had improved rapidly since they came in February.

"We like to engage with parents and we find that we've been doing that really well."

FORMER soldier Ben Parkinson was presented with a £5,000 donation to his charity The Pilgrim Bandits - which helps and inspires wounded soldiers.

Paratrooper Ben, from Doncaster, suffered horrific injuries in a bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2006 and lost both his legs.

He was presented with a cheque at a service of remembrance held by the Barnsley and district branch of The Parachute Regimental Association.

The money was raised by events at the Goldthorpe Reform Club, Darfield Road WMC and collections at Asda stores in the Barnsley area.

SAINSBURY'S is expected to submit plans to convert a B&Q store in the next few weeks.

It follows an 'overwhelmingly positive' response from the public, said a spokesman for the supermarket chain.

Plans to redevelop the DIY store on Bleachcroft Way, Stairfoot, went on display last month, with the conversion expected to create up to 400 jobs.

At present the building is restricted to the sale of DIY products, but if Barnsley Council agrees to lifting the restriction Sainsbury's will turn the building into a 73,500sq ft food store with a petrol station, car parking and a cafe.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said: "The response to plans so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

"At this stage we're continuing to receive feedback from the public, and Sainsbury's looks to submit plans to Barnsley Council in the coming weeks.

"We received a huge amount of public support at our consultation, with more than 85 per cent of respondents telling us they wanted to see a Sainsbury's on the B&Q site.

"A reoccurring theme has been that the local community feel the need for more supermarket shopping choice in Barnsley.

"The job opportunities available have also been well received, including Sainsbury's offer to give all current employees of B&Q an interview."

THIEVES took two money boxes which helps injured soldiers, veterans and their families.

The theft of two Poppy Appeal boxes has been described as 'shameful'.

Opportunist thieves took the boxes from Amy's fish and chip shop on School Street, Darfield, and also a cafe on Church Street.

Trevor Smith is the secretary for the Darfield branch of the Royal British Legion and has been organising the appeal in the area for 15 years.

"It's very disappointing because the money is desperately needed," he said.

"I'm ashamed because presumably it's been done by Darfield people. It's a terrible situation because we've never had this in the past.

"Last year we handed more than £5,000 over and the money goes to an excellent cause.

"For every man killed there are another 25-30 injured. In the First World War the Barnsley battalions were devastated."

The thefts are being investigated by the police and CCTV footage may have caught the chip shop thief in the act.

MORE than 1,000 people crammed into the Alhambra to see Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd switch on the shopping centre's Christmas lights.

Jack, who plays bad boy David Platt, grew up in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, and said he was delighted to be turning on a fellow Yorkshire town's lights.

He said: "I've been to Barnsley before and the people are typical Yorkshire folk - all really friendly.

"It's really nice with me being from Yorkshire as well."

He also promised a dramatic Christmas for his Coronation Street family this year, adding: "I've just finished filming.

"There's going to be lots of drama, lots of fights and the Platts are all heavily involved. It's not to be missed."

The Alhambra’s marketing manager, Steph Higham, said: "The Christmas lights switch-on was a great success. We had a fantastic selection of entertainment available for the community."

However, many people complained to us that security turned lots of people away - leaving children and OAPs out in the cold.

Paula Maguire, 45, of Mapplewell, had brought her two kids Maisie, 11, and James, nine, down.

"We nipped up to the Town Hall for a bit but the security wouldn't let us into the Alhambra afterwards," she said.

"To have OAPs and young kids locked out in the freezing cold was unacceptable. It wasn't fair."

You can see our video by clicking here.

A NEW library could be built in the heart of the town centre by the end of 2015.

Barnsley Council are due to make an announcement on it and the town's long-stalled regeneration in January.

The redevelopment is expected to be given the green light, although it's not yet known what form it will take.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said they have four potential sites in mind for a new library, but no decision will be made until the outcome of a consultation process on the existing one.

An outline of the whole town centre scheme and timescales will be made by next summer, he added.

Work on a new library would still mean the service moving temporarily into Wellington House, but that is only expected to be for a short period while any new building is completed.

Steve said it was important to await the outcome of the consultation but was optimistic Barnsley would soon have a new building better suited to the 21st century.

"We need to give consideration to what people have to say about the implications of moving the library," he added.

"Depending on the outcome of the consultation, the move to Wellington Street would be temporary, and there would be a state of the art new town centre library building built.

"This is an exciting time for Barnsley. We can create 21st century facilities to ensure our young people are best placed for future prosperity and employment.

"It's important to invest and to continue to believe in the success of our town and of our young people.

"We need local people to believe in this development, to believe in our town's ability to create, succeed and attract investment."

There has been an outcry over plans to demolish the current building to make way for a new sixth form for Barnsley College.

But Cllr Houghton said the town urgently needs a new sixth form college building that will match the quality young people now experience in the new schools.

He said if progress isn't made quickly for the new sixth form college, the town centre is likely to lose out on millions of pounds of investment.

What do you think to this? Have your say below.

WORK has started on Tesco’s new £7.5million supermarket in Barnsley.

Sheffield-based contractor JF Finnegan have started to build the eco-store in Hoyland.

The firm is constructing the new circa 28,000sq ft food store at the redundant site of the former Hoyland Market Street Primary School.

The Tesco store is expected to create some 140 local jobs and the building team has now started preparatory site work with handover scheduled for summer 2014.

Mark Twelves, managing director at Litton Properties, said: "We're delighted to have started work bringing this much-needed new food store to Hoyland.

"Research has shown that at present, 90 per cent of people travel outside of Hoyland to do their weekly shopping.

"This new Tesco will enable more people to shop locally which is integral to the long-term sustainability of the area."

Permission for the store was granted in July 2011 and workers started clearing the site in February 2012, but then arguments over a pedestrian crossing on Wombwell Road caused delays.

Litton Properties purchased the site from Barnsley Council and, following an extensive community engagement process, successfully won planning permission to bring the vacant site back to life with the new store.

A MAN dressed as a clown has been flooding our Facebook page for the last week.

It follows a nationwide craze which has seen people dressed as creepy clowns lurking around streets at night and staring into house windows.

Users on Facebook and Twitter posted that someone dressed as a clown was standing at bus stops in Barnsley holding balloons, outside people's homes and knocking on windows.

A 'Barnsley Clown' Facebook page was set up and has so far had nearly 3,000 'likes'.

According to internet reports, the clown in Barnsley has been seen on streets in Goldthorpe, Darfield, Wombwell, Lundwood and Ardsley.

The man claiming to be the 'Barnsley Clown' posted: "I'm not out to tap on people's windows or carry weapons.

"Rumours have started about the Barnsley Clown and some are getting out of hand. People who have seen me know I'm out for a laugh."

The clown sightings prompted a flurry of comments from Facebook users, prompting innumerable parents to urge the clown to stop as kids in the borough were becoming scared. 

Some slammed the clown's attempts at 'having a laugh' while others encouraged him to continue.

Lisa Millward Slater said: "If you like dressing up (which obviously you do) and entertaining people then why don't you grab yourself a cute bear costume or something similar and entertain the poorly kids on a children's ward at a hospital?

"This would be a much more constructive thing to do with all this spare time that you obviously have."

Sophie Elizabeth Johnson wrote: "Sorry but this clown thing is really annoying and it's upsetting children, I think you really need to think about it."

But other users saw the funny side. Ebony Bailey posted: "Can you come to Goldthorpe again tomorrow near Ben Bailey's estate and can you give me a balloon please?"

South Yorkshire Police confirmed it was aware of a number of reports circulating on social media of a clown being seen on the streets of South Yorkshire.

Det Ch Insp Mark Wilkie said: "There are plenty of clowns in Barnsley but we have not had any incidents reported relating to these types of clowns."

THE cost of parking at Barnsley Hospital will rise from this week.

Visitors and those attending day clinics will now have to pay £1.70 for one to two hours - a 50p rise - £3.20 for two to three hours, £4 for four hours, £5 for four to six hours and £5.50 for more than six hours.

The change will apply to all of the hospital's visitor car parks, both within the hospital grounds and on Pogmoor Road and Helensburgh Close.

Motorists will still be able to get up to 15 minutes' free parking, except in the Helensburgh Close car park where there's no free period.

The rise has been blamed on the running costs for the car parks.

Lorraine Christopher, associate director of estates and facilities, said the increases were necessary to make sure money wasn't diverted away from patient care.

She said money raised from parking is used to cover costs including security staff, maintenance, lighting and security cameras.

She added: "We have kept the increase to an absolute minimum and our prices will remain very much in line with other NHS Trusts as well as other public sector organisations in Barnsley.

"Our rates for people needing to park all day in particular will remain significantly lower than some other organisations.

"In addition, in most of our car parks, we will continue to offer a free period of up to 15 minutes so that patients can be safely dropped off and picked up.

"We're maintaining concessions for those patients and their main visitors who have to use our car parks frequently, such as long-term patients or those who visit us frequently for treatment for long-term conditions, and in some cases people are able to park for free."

THE Reds' four-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday after a Scott Wiseman own goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Millwall.

The defender, who made his international debut with Gibraltar on Tuesday, headed Liam Feeney's cross into his own net in the 75th minute.

David Flitcroft's side came back into the match with Marcus Pedersen and Jacob Mellis threatening David Forde in the Millwall goal.

The Reds pushed for an equaliser but defeat means they have made their worst start to a season since 1973 and remain in the relegation zone with 11 points from 16 matches.

"I'm baffled how we haven't got something out of that game," said Flicker.

"It's disappointing as we had several great chances but I still think we didn't test their goalkeeper enough.

"Defensively we were excellent. They never looked like scoring - we dominated."

Next up for the Reds is Birmingham. The fellow strugglers visit Oakwell on November 30.

Are you still confident that Barnsley can avoid another end-of-season relegation battle? Has Flicker still got your trust? Have your say below.

AROUND 4,400 people in the town have gained full-time employment in the last year.

As the country's economic growth picked up pace in the third quarter of the year, there are also positive signs of improvement in our town.

Martin Beasley is the programme manager for Enterprising Barnsley, which helps businesses develop and expand, generating economic growth and creating new jobs.

He said data from the Office of National Statistics show from June 2012 to July 2013 there had been positive growth in employment in the borough.

The annual increase recorded in the number of Barnsley residents in full-time employment had risen by 6.2 per cent - which is about 4,400 people.

The figure is greater than increases recorded at both regional and national level.

Martin said: "In terms of new business, that's only showing an increase of 0.1 per cent, but it's going up and in the right direction."

He said since April 2012, Enterprising Barnsley has created 431 new jobs, which is 78 per cent of the target set by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the European Commission.

Martin added: "We have until June 2015 to achieve our targets so we're aiming to exceed the target comfortably."

Barnsley is also bucking the trend when it comes to average weekly earnings.

Martin said: "The gap to both national and regional average weekly earning levels appears to be narrowing.

"Between June 2012 and July 2013 the average weekly earning levels have increased by 4.7 per cent which is greater than the increase recorded at a regional (0.9 per cent) and a national (1.6 per cent) level."

FASHION giant ASOS now employs 3,000 members of staff - about the same number of men who worked at Grimethorpe Colliery in the 1970s.

Twenty years after the closure of the pit, and two years following the launch of ASOS's £20million warehouse on Park Spring Road, the factory now distributes tens of millions of orders per year to 200 countries worldwide.

Nick Robertson, chief executive of the firm, said long-term sustainability was central to the Grimethorpe strategy, through commerciality and community.

He added: "Taking Barnsley’s history of UK industry into the future through international opportunity - building skills and experiences for young people in the process - perfectly mirrors the spirit and values of the ASOS brand, and we're committed to continuing this approach alongside our ongoing investment."

The company has also launched a daily news channel called Just Happened.

Featured on the women's homepage, the channel will keep its audience up to date with the latest fashion, beauty, music and celebrity news, with an editorial team publishing news and videos throughout the day, seven days a week.

In addition to the commercial opportunities brought to Grimethorpe, ASOS also supports Grimethorpe Recreation Ground, Barnsley College, iTrust Barnsley, the Lamproom Theatre, and the Proud of Barnsley awards.

THE last council day centre for the elderly is closing, amid sweeping changes to care services.

Barnsley Council plans to close Highgate Social Centre in April to slash £200,000 from the current £600,000 a year costs.

It also intends to cancel drop-in centre contracts with Age UK and independent care providers at three care homes in Mapplewell and Athersley in a complete change to the way it provides care for the elderly and vulnerable adults.

The changes means older people will have more choice on what activities and care they receive, but the council is vague about what is being provided.

A report, approved by the council's ruling cabinet, called for a multi-layered approach with specialist care for dementia sufferers, centres for people to visit based in six areas and a scheme where vulnerable adults can spend the day in a carer's home.

It has been prompted by a review, following the closure of Highfield Grange in Wombwell last year, which states there has been a lack of take up of care services over the last 12 months - with most centres runnings at just 50 per cent capacity.

The review also found many of the buildings being used needed updating.

It added: "Service users will be supported in the re-provision of care services and every effort will be made to ensure current friendships are sustained.

"It is recognised there may be anxiety with existing users through the period of uncertainty and change. This will be managed in partnership with carers and relatives."

Phil Wormald, chief executive officer at Age UK Barnsley said: "We've known for three years that the council has been looking to reshape day care services.

"We're waiting to see what the documents look like and then we'll be looking to see if Age UK can continue to offer care."

Cllr Jenny Platts, spokeswoman for adults and communities, said: "The introduction of personal budgets has given people more choice and control over how their care needs are met.

"The changes to modernise the service will ensure we can offer people the choices they want, providing a variety of stimulating and varied day activities across the borough that are tailored to support their individual needs by providing a service that's fit for the future."

A DEFIANT shop owner is determined to go through with his planned extension - despite suffering a third break-in in two years.

Two hairdressers on the Wombwell's High Street were broken into recently.

The relatively new business His 'n' Hers had the shutters pulled up and glass smashed whilst L.A.K.A were hit when their fire exit was levered open.

Andy Boyne, the owner of L.A.K.A, remains determined to open up a ladies and children's shoe shop in the back of his current store.

"I've persuaded the wife that we should stay," said Andy, who comes from outside Manchester.

"After the second break-in we did say that if it happened again then we would move but we want to go ahead and we will put in some expensive security cameras. It will be worth it."

Thieves previously got in through the roof of the building and Andy feels the culprit was familiar with hairdressing products.

"The chair that we have looks really heavy but it's actually hollow and it was thrown into the middle of the room as though they were checking to see if there was anything in it," he added.

"The place was turned upside down. I had £1,000 worth of electrical products stolen but we've put a message out on Facebook for people to look out for anyone trying to sell them.

"They're specialist products from London, they're not something that's available in Barnsley so they should stand out."

A large number of shops on the street have been broken into within the last year and Sgt Phil Jenkins is calling on local businesses to 'beef up' their security systems if they can afford to.

He said: "Unfortunately small businesses are always going to be vulnerable.

"The banks, the post office and the supermarkets don't have burglaries because they're protected.

"A good alarm system should be a bare minimum. We have been around all the shops and told them not to leave anything out when they close.

"We patrol the high street relentlessly but we can't be there all the time and it only takes a moment to break in."

Police are to study CCTV footage in the area and are also appealing for witnesses.

MOBILE speed cameras will operate on the following roads from Monday.

A633 Rotherham Road, Monk Bretton

A628 Cundy Cross to Shafton Two Gates

B6411 Houghton Road, Thurnscoe

Brierley Road, Grimethorpe

A61 Park Road, Barnsley

Pogmoor Road, Barnsley

A633 Rotherham Road, Athersley South

A6023 Doncaster Road, Mexborough

Melton Green, West Melton

A633 Sandygate, Wath-upon-Dearne

A6022 Rowms Lane, Swinton.

LAST year this woman spent one week's wages buying gifts for the children's ward at Barnsley Hospital. This time around she has gone even better and persuaded a company via the business she works for to donate boxes of toys and gifts for the ward!

Amanda Oglesby, 45, took delivery of some of the gifts at KDA wholesalers in Dodworth.

Amanda knows first hand what it's like for children and their families who are sick - especially at Christmas.

Her daughter, Samantha, now 25, was diagnosed with diabetes when she was just two-years-old.

She was severely ill for much of her young life, and spent weeks and weeks on the children's ward at Barnsley Hospital.

Amanda from Beacon Hill, Silkstone Common, said: "They really try to ensure that as many children as possible can leave the hospital and be at home for Christmas Day.

"But obviously not every child is well enough to go home. One year when she was just nine years old my daughter had to remain in hospital at Christmas, it made a difference to her that she was given presents and things.

"I learned later that the nurses on the children's ward had bought the children presents from their own money.

"I was so touched I wanted to do something. Last year I spent my wages buying gifts. This year I have persuaded a company I know through work to make a donation.

"I'm thrilled with how much stuff I have got for the children's ward and determined already to hopefully get even more next year."

A FAMILY has spoken of their terror when they thought their only child might die.

Andrew Sharp was a healthy teenage boy until suddenly one day in March at his home in Darton he began to scream out with an extreme headache.

He was rushed to Barnsley Hospital. As the pain worsened the 15-year-old screamed out.

Mum Lynne said: "It was the worst moment of my life.

"My only child was in so much pain and there was absolutely nothing we could do to help him. We felt so helpless and just wished it would stop."

It was decided to transfer Andrew to Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Lynne, 51, said: "I remember my husband Jeff and I looking at each other in the ambulance with pure worry, wondering how this was all happening.

"Only a day before Andrew was fit and healthy, now he was fighting for his life in absolute agony."

At the hospital Andrew was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain.

While Jeff and Lynne, from Pennine View, Darton, waited and wondered, a nurse on the intensive care ward told them about Treetop House, a ‘home from home' provided by the Sick Children's Trust.

Lynne said: "Ann, the house manager, came down to the ward to meet us and took us upstairs to see the house.

"We were blown away; Treetop House was on the top floor of the hospital and was like a real home.

"It had everything we could possibly need including a clean bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and lounge. It also had laundry facilities which we really appreciated.

"When we took Andrew to accident and emergency, we never thought to take belongings with us as we never anticipated his condition would be serious."

Andrew's surgery went well but he had a long road to recovery with a course of physiotherapy and lots of rest in hospital. His parents spent every day with Andrew - they never had to worry about travelling home - instead they could just walk upstairs.

"We had a phone in our bedroom so we knew that if there was any change in his condition the ward could contact us right away," Lynne added.

"What was so helpful about The Sick Children's Trust's accommodation is that it was free to stay in.

"Jeff and I were off work while Andrew was in hospital as we didn't want to leave his side, but of course we still had lots of payments to keep up with at home, so the fact that the accommodation was free was great.

"Andrew is now at home with us and is slowly getting better. It's so nice to finally have him home and we're so grateful to the Sick Children's Trust for supporting us when we needed them most."

THE majority of residents are backing plans to transform a former school site into a shopping complex.

The proposed development would see Sainsbury's, Lidl, a pound shop firm and a frozen food store built onto Nanny Marr Road, on the former Foulstone site.

Developers Rothstone Estates arranged three meetings with local residents to outline their plans and also handed out leaflets for them to fill in.

The positive feedback is said to be about 99 per cent positive and even local businesses and environmentalists are in favour.

The secondary school closed its doors a year ago.

Cllr Brian Key attended the meetings, as did around 300 people from the area.

"We handed around 5,000 leaflets out ourselves to people in the district earlier this year too," he said.

"The meetings were unusual because it was all positive.

"The development would provide shops to the area and people would no longer have to go to Cortonwood or Stairfoot for their supermarket shopping.

"To have a Sainsbury's in Darfield would be unbelievable."

It's now the intention of the councillors to ensure the small number of issues that were raised can be addressed before a decision on planning later this year.

"We were quite surprised at the number of jobs that will be provided," added Cllr Key.

There is set to be four more units built on the same site, 80 jobs will also be created and spaces provided for 180 cars. There will be a mixture of two and three-bedroom houses.

If Barnsley Council approves the planning application, Rothstone Estates is hoping to start constructing the development next summer, which means the new shops could be open by the end of 2014.

THE successful run has continued! Brierley Primary is flourishing, according to the latest Ofsted report.

The Beech Close-based school has improved from good to outstanding following the latest inspection in October.

Children at the school were said to 'flourish' as a result of the high standards and a rich curriculum.

The inspectors were also said to have been impressed with the quality of the teaching, the pupils' behaviour and the staff's determination for pupils to receive the best possible education.

Attendance has also improved since the last Ofsted inspection but is still an area that could be improved upon.

"We're delighted with the Ofsted judgement as it endorses the outstanding teaching and learning at Brierley School," said head Mike Reed.

"Our vision of ensuring that every child achieves their full potential was recognised by the inspectors during their visit.

"Full credit must be given to the commitment and dedication of all our staff, the excellent relationships we have with our parents and carers, the leadership and direction from our governing body and of course the terrific enthusiasm and behaviour of our pupils."