THE team behind Wentworth Castle's Victorian conservatory had their efforts recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony in London.

The English Heritage Angel Awards, supported by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Telegraph, celebrate the best efforts to rescue historic houses, former industrial buildings, places of worship or any other type of historic landmark at risk.

Wentworth's determined team applied for the awards in the spring - and on Monday night finished as runners-up in the Best Craftsmanship Employed on a Heritage Rescue category.

The 17 shortlisted teams made their way to the Palace Theatre in the West End where a short film told the story of their rescue project.

In its close-fought category, Wentworth was pipped to the title by the group behind the restoration at Hadlow Tower in Kent.

Paul Martin, of BBC's Flog It, hosted the show and Andrew Lloyd Webber, 'Restoration Man' George Clarke, Bettany Hughes - the award-winning author - and Bishop of London Richard Chartres gave speeches, announced the winners and presented the awards.

Despite narrowly missing out, Claire Herring, director of Wentworth Castle Heritage Trust, said: "We did fancy our chances, but it was nice to be around people who have gone through the same as us.

"There were many low points in the restoration and each person at the awards could relate to that."

The structure, built in 1885 for the Vernon-Wentworth family, was described as a 'technological marvel of its time'.

Having fallen into complete decay, its future looked unsure after being placed on English Heritage's 'at risk' register.

Since last year's dismantling of the stricken conservatory, the original iron frame has been cleaned and re-cast where necessary.

External planting and landscaping took place in the spring and internal planting is all but done as the countdown to its opening begins.

"It has not been an easy project by any means," Claire added. "The workers had to overcome all sorts of different hurdles and they have had to do that by working together.

"I feel really heartened that such craft skill is still out there because without it, we would not be able to do the restoration work."

Mayor of Barnsley Ken Richardson will officially open the conservatory on November 7, before it is open to the public the day after.

A MAN who was involved a three-vehicle crash which left a woman trapped has been fined £450 - but has escaped a driving ban.

Andrew Fletcher, 29, who did not see the woman's Ford Fiesta as it waited to turn right at a junction, convinced District Judge John Foster that he would lose his job if he was disqualified from driving.

Julie Grant, prosecuting, told Barnsley Magistrates' Court that Fletcher's Citroen C4 ran into the back of the woman's car and pushed it into the path of a van. The van ended up in a verge in the collision at Middlecliffe.

"The driver of the Ford Fiesta was trapped. She was taken to hospital and suffered slight injuries including a cut to the back of her head and bruising," Mrs Grant said.

She added that Fletcher, of Manor Fields, Great Houghton, had a bruised leg and whiplash injuries and the driver had back pain and minor injuries.

Fletcher, who was not represented by a solicitor, said he had worked in the care home industry since leaving school in 2001.

He said he needed a car because he was sometimes called to his care home for dementia sufferers in Sheffield to deal with an emergency.

It was a condition of employment that he had a car and would lose his job if he was banned from driving.

Fletcher said about the crash: "I was going home after dropping a friend's son off at school. All I recall is a bang, the car filling with smoke and someone dragging me out and saying the car was on fire."

Mr Foster, who said Fletcher had made 'a serious misjudgement', ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £45 victim surcharge.

Fletcher admitted driving without due care and attention.

BARNSLEY Council has responded to an 'outraged' trade union after it was found the local authority is paying an external consultant £11,000 per month.

Dave Finnegan was brought in by the council to implement £2million worth of cuts and has drawn up plans to cut 44 front-line lobs, including refuse collectors and highways maintenance workers and to downgrade a number of other posts at the council’s Smithies depot.

UNISON has said it's 'outraged' by the figure and the comments allegedly made by Finnegan while addressing a meeting of the workforce.

It's claimed that Mr Finnegan was asked about his £12,000 salary and his reply was to say that he is not paid £12,000 a month and it is in fact just over £11,000.

UNISON branch secretary Brian Steele said: "Mr Finnegan’s comment was insensitive and ill-judged.

"He was addressing hard-working people who do essential front-line jobs and who are facing redundancy and pay cuts of up to £4,700 per year as a result of his proposals."

Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of the council, said: "We are paying in line with market rates for an assistant director position, which is less than the figure quoted.

"The consultant has been appointed as an interim arrangement to help us drive service improvements while reducing costs.

"He has helped us to identify over £2million savings through improving our use of resources, maximising the use of vehicles and targeting our work on the areas of greatest need.

"This is not an additional job in the council. The cost is partly covered by the senior management post which has been vacant in this area since October 2012.

"We have now made a permanent appointment to this post. We are grateful to the interim manager for the work he has done in very challenging circumstances."

THIEVES struck at a storage unit in Barnsley - and the police are appealing for witnesses.

They stole a substantial amount of horse rugs, coats and flysheets during the break-in.

It happened at an address in Mapplewell between Friday, October 11 and Monday, October 21.

Police are appealing for information about the theft and want to hear from anyone who believe they have been offered the items for sale.

All the rugs, coats and flysheets are branded with the word 'HOSS'.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 306 of October 21.

WENTWORTH Castle have released their details for their bonfire night. Here's what you need to know!

The parkland will be open from 6pm on Tuesday, November 5. Its bonfire will be lit at 7pm.

Earlybird prices are £6.50 per person and the earlybird family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £22.

On November 5 all tickets are £8 per person.

To book, call 01226 776040.

A BARNSLEY lass is pulling on her walking boots to start a gruelling five-day trek across the Sahara Desert in aid of Help for Heroes.

Michelle Parker, 33, will be taking on the challenge with her 40-year-old partner Steve Slater on October 26.

They will be walking 62 miles over five days - tackling sand, rocky terrain and scorching temperatures at the world's hottest desert.

Michelle, who works for a dental studio on Peel Parade in the town centre, agreed to do the walk after Steve spotted the challenge online.

"I've never done anything like this before so it might be the first of many, or the first and the last!" Michelle said.

The couple will be raising money for Help for Heroes as Michelle's brother John Wise, 37, is a sergeant in the Royal Engineers.

He has served in the army for 18 years Michelle said and she and Steve are wanting to raise £500 for the cause.

About 20 people will be taking part in the trip and they will be camping out along the way.

Michelle is 'a bit nervous' about the scorpions but says she is looking forward to the trip.

For more information, click here.

A MAN is set to appear in court charged with the murder of a Barnsley man.

Dean Armitage, 49, from Hoyland, sustained serious head injuries following an assault outside his home on Skiers View Road on July 21 and passed away in hospital on August 9, as a result of his injuries.

David Sindall, of Selbourne Street, Eastwood, Rotherham, is charged with the murder of Mr Armitage and burglary, and is due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on October 25, for the plea and case management hearing.

A WOMAN wanted to show her thanks to Barnsley Hospital for the care she received after suffering a miscarriage. A nine-mile fundraising walk was arranged and £2,940 was raised!

More than 26 people took part in a sponsored nine-mile walk arranged by 27-year-old Rebecca Heeley, from Hemsworth.

Rebecca suffered her miscarriage in the second trimester of her pregnancy, and attended the hospital’s accident and emergency department before being admitted onto Ward 14 (Gynaecology).

She said: "The care I received was unbelievable. The staff put me at ease and comforted me during what was an extremely difficult time - I can’t thank them enough.

"I wanted to raise this money so I can help other families who also suffer bereavement in this way. It's a terrible experience but I hope the donation will go some way towards helping them through it."

The donation is the biggest received by the hospital's fundraising charity since it was started last year.

The money will be donated to Ward 14 and will be put in a fund used to purchase items including memory boxes and cuddle cots.

Fundraising manager Katie Cartwright said: "We're so grateful to Rebecca and her team for their donation and for all the effort they have put in.

"To do a nine-mile walk is hard enough but to raise our biggest ever donation alongside it is a truly exceptional achievement.

"We will certainly make sure the money is put to good use - many other families like Rebecca’s will benefit from this donation."

POPPY sellers will hit the streets of Barnsley in the next few days for the launch of this year's appeal.

Mayor of Barnsley Ken Richardson will be presenting the first poppy to launch the Royal British Legion’s South and West Yorkshire County Poppy Appeal on October 25.

The local launch will be in the new Barnsley Pals Centenary Square, which was named in August in memory of the Barnsley Pals service personnel lost in World War One.

Starting at 11am, the service will include a performance of two special remembrance hymns by 30 children from Littleworth Grange Primary School.

The mayor and mayoress will be presenting each of the children with a poppy. Members of the Barnsley Metropolitan Band will be accompanying the service.

The poppy appeal is one of the nation’s largest fundraising campaigns in support of the Armed Forces community.

Up to 2,500 personnel, their partners and children will join the launch of the poppy appeal, which this year focuses on support for armed forces families.

The appeal raises millions of pounds across the country to fund its work with war veterans.

HISTORIC photographs of Barnsley have been uploaded to the Tasker Trust website and are now available for the public to see.

There are more than 5,000 never-seen-before photos which can be viewed on the site, which allows people to search for relatives and specific streets, areas or professions.

Raymond Walker, a trustee of the Tasker Trust, said: "Most of them will never have been seen. The only ones which have been seen before are the ones in the Barnsley Streets books.

"There are some of Mr Tasker's which were not used in the books and we've had other collections given to us by other photographers."

The photos have been scanned, captioned and can be searched using key words such as names, street names or the photographer's name.

Some of them date back to the 1800s and were copied in 2000.

"We hope people will want to look at them," added Raymond. "The idea is that people will use them to look for their relatives.

"There must be lots of people who live abroad and people who want to see what the town used to be like."

Ted Tasker, who died in 1989 aged 79, recorded the redevelopment of Barnsley in the 1960s. His wife, Mary, founded the Tasker Trust in 1992.

Mary, who died aged 95 in March 2011, left a £600,000 estate to Barnsley Hospital. She was not treated in the hospital and it's unknown why it was chosen as beneficiary of the couple's entire estate, but the money was used to buy a second CT scanner for the hospital's imaging department.

To view the photo collection, click here.

UNISON has said it's 'outraged' to discover that the external consultant brought in by Barnsley Council to implement £2million of cuts is being paid a whopping £11,000 per month.

Dave Finnegan has drawn up plans to cut 44 front-line lobs, including refuse collectors and highways maintenance workers and to downgrade a number of other posts at the council’s Smithies depot.

While addressing a meeting of the workforce this week, Mr Finnegan was asked about his £12,000 salary and his reply was to say that he is not paid £12,000 a month and it is in fact just over £11,000.

UNISON branch secretary Brian Steele said: "Mr Finnegan’s comment was insensitive and ill-judged. He was addressing hard-working people who do essential front-line jobs and who are facing redundancy and pay cuts of up to £4,700 per year as a result of his proposals.

"His comments were highly inflammatory at a time when UNISON is balloting members on the proposed cuts. It's highly likely that his comments may influence the outcome of our ballot."

NEXT year's Tour de France route will run through Barnsley.

On Sunday, July 6, the Tour's second stage comes to Barnsley as the route travels through parts of the borough.

The route was revealed at a press conference in Paris earlier on Wednesday morning, where all the stages of the 2014 Tour have been announced to the teams, dignitaries and media.

Entering Barnsley from the A6024 Woodhead and Peak District area, the peloton will ride past Salter’s Brook Bridge, over the Flouch roundabout, through Langsett on the A616, and leaves the Barnsley borough at Midhopestones, travelling on to Sheffield, where the stage will finish.

Over the next few months, Barnsley Council will be working with a variety of organisations, businesses, cycling clubs and communities to ensure anyone coming to Barnsley to be a part of the Tour de France has the best experience possible.

In the build up to the arrival of the Tour, detailed information will be given to residents, businesses and visitors regarding the impact of the race on Barnsley. We'll make sure you get each bit of information.

Christian Prudhomme, director of Le Tour, said: “

"We're excited to take Le Tour back to Britain again. I know the Grand Depart in Yorkshire will be visually stunning and technically challenging and the third stage from the cycling city of Cambridge to the historic heart of London will provide a fitting finale.

"The British cycling fans are passionate people and I'm sure they will line the routes of the three stages cheering the teams and riders all the way from Yorkshire to London, providing an unforgettable start to the 2014 Tour."

Diana Terris, Barnsley Council's chief executive, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Barnsley as we welcome such a high profile, international event to our borough.

"I hope that the hard work we're putting into being part of the Tour de France will create a wonderful legacy for cycling in Barnsley."

The 101st edition of Le Tour will start on Saturday, July 5 in Leeds before travelling 120 miles to Harrogate, where the first Yellow Jersey of the Tour de France 2014 will be awarded.

The next day, the riders will leave York for Sheffield on a tricky 125-mile stage whose final section will include a climb of Holme Moss.

A BOGUS Northern Powergrid engineer tricked an elderly Barnsley man into handing over cash. 

This was on October 21, but it's just the most recent example in an increasing number of pensioners who are being targeted by burglars posing as legitimate workmen.

Residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable, are being warned by police to take care when answering the door and allowing strangers into their properties.

The bogus engineer who targeted the Birdwell pensioner on Monday simply said he needed to carry out some work. He then tricked the man into paying.

Northern Powergrid are currently carrying out work in the Birdwell area, but the company's head of network repairs, Mick Hickling, has urged residents to check ID.

"This was a callous crime against an innocent couple whose only mistake was to be too trusting to someone who they thought was a legitimate engineer," Mick said.

"All our staff and contractors are required to show proper identification when they require access to people's land or property and they only travel in marked vehicles.

"We will never ask our customers for cash payment for any work we do. Customers should not be embarrassed to ask to see an ID badge again and check it properly."

Distraction burglaries have also occurred during the last week in Royston. In that case, a white man wearing a yellow reflective workman-style top said he needed to make repairs to gas and water pipes.

DCI David Stopford said: “In all of these cases, the victims were elderly, and appear to have been selected on that basis.

"People need to be very wary when opening the door to strangers, even if they claim to be from the council, a utility company or any other business.

"Genuine callers won’t mind being asked for identification, and won’t mind being asked to wait while you check that identification thoroughly.

"The sad fact is that these bogus officials prey on the elderly and vulnerable, but they can’t steal anything unless they're let in."

Anyone with information on distraction burglaries, or other crimes, should call South Yorkshire Police’s non-emergency number on 101.

TWO building site cabins were damaged in an arson attack.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze on Duke Crescent, Barnsley, at 1.30am on Monday.

Both cabins were engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived.

Anyone who witnessed the arson attack or anyone with information are asked to call police on 101.

BARNSLEY'S new museum has got another fan to add to its growing list after a TV personality praised it.

Antiques expert Eric Knowles congratulated the town for creating ‘a living archive’ of its past, after visiting Experience Barnsley.

He was guided through the exhibits and display areas by Terry Sykes, a member of the Barnsley Town Hall-based attraction’s engagement trust.

The star of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow was shown interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to explore the people and places of the borough.

"Experience Barnsley has without question set the benchmark standard for all future regional museums," he said.

"It's skilfully woven into the present day by the inspirational use of modern-day technology."

REDS goalkeeper Jack Butland has targeted a place at next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Butland, a loan signing from Stoke, has one cap for England but was not in Roy Hodgson's squad when they qualified for Brazil last week.

However, he captained the England Under-21 side and kept a clean sheet in the 5-0 thrashing of Lithuania at Ipswich’s Portman Road.

He is not expecting to displace Asmir Begovic at parent club Stoke City but hopes to impress at Oakwell until his loan expires on Boxing Day, before spending the second half of the season on loan at a Premier League club.

"The target is to get to Brazil," the 20-year-old said. "It will be difficult to get there unless I'm playing regularly and playing well.

"I had a few options but I came to Barnsley because it's a challenge that will improve me more than any other. I might get more to do than going somewhere higher in the league.

"There are more decisions and more saves for me to make. It will be much more satisfying to help get this team away from the drop zone in my three months here than it would be to perhaps be around the play-offs. I've enjoyed my time here so far."

Playing in front of Butland for England was Penistone lad John Stones, who left Oakwell for Everton in January.

Butland said: "John is a really nice lad. He works hard, he’s loud and vocal and wants to win but he’s got really good ability as well. He’s an important part of our side. Hopefully he can get a few more minutes for Everton. It’s great for Barnsley to have players involved."

A BURGLAR has been handed a prison sentence of almost a year at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Steven Law, of Hatherley Road, Swinton, admitted two charges of burglary at court on October 22.

The 32-year-old was arrested by South Yorkshire Police and charged on October 8.

The charges related to the theft of a motorcycle from an industrial unit in Wombwell Lane, Stairfoot, on August 11, and the theft of power tools from a shed in Bank End Close, Bolton-on-Dearne, on July 26.

Law was handed 20 weeks’ imprisonment for each of the burglary charges and has also had a previous suspended sentence of 10 weeks reactivated, giving a total prison sentence of 50 weeks.

A BARNSLEY man has admitted growing seven cannabis plants in a spare room - worth £3,100.

Sean Hawksworth, 34, of Top Row, Darton, paid £400 for the plants and the growing equipment, Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, told Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Jamie Wake, defending, said the cannabis was for Hawksworth's own use.

Hawksworth was granted unconditional bail and the case was adjourned until November 6 for a pre-sentence report.

THE half-term holidays are upon us again and here's a list of things to keep the kids entertained!

Whether it’s (witch)craft workshops or being scared silly on a haunted walk, there’s something for everyone.

Cannon Hall

At Cannon Hall, there’s a free Halloween Fair on Sunday, October 27, from 11am to 4pm.

Children can go back in time on Wednesday, October 30, from 11am to 1pm to bake in the Victorian kitchen. Tickets are £5 per child and pre booking is advisable.

From October 29-31 Cannon Hell invites the brave to enter into a murky world of dark secrets and the terrible deeds at the museum and its grounds.

This terrifying tour is recommended for children aged 10 and over with adult supervision and takes place from 6pm to 9pm.

Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for under 16s and £15 for a family (admits 5 people). Tickets are available from Cannon Hall on 01226 790270 and Experience Barnsley on 01226 772500.

Experience Barnsley

Experience Barnsley, based in the Town Hall, has witches and wizards hat making workshops all week from Monday, October 28, in its Learning Lab and Making History Gallery.

Create your own gruesome gargoyle for Halloween inspired by the creepy carvings in the museum on Thursday, October 31. Just drop in between 11am to 2pm to take part.

Did you know that many people were still being mummified in Roman times? Make a scary mummy for Halloween in a free drop-in workshop on Friday, November 1, between 11am and 3pm.

Worsbrough Mill

Staff at Worsbrough Mill are going on a witch hunt from October 28-30 and you're invited. They take place from 11am to 3pm and cost £3 per child. Pre-booking is advisable and children must be accompanied by a terrified adult.

Join artists in Elsecar Heritage Centre’s visitor centre for free fun and spooky craft activities on October 30-31 from 2pm to 3.30pm.

Wentworth Castle

There are also lots of activities taking place at Wentworth Castle, which is supported by Barnsley Council, including a Halloween disco, fun trail, pumpkin lantern making workshop and ghost walks.

Sunday, October 27 - Halloween disco, 5pm to 7.30pm, £6.50

Monday, October 28 - Pumpkin lanterns, £6 per person, pre booking essential

Monday, October 28 - Creepy walk for younger children, 5pm and 6pm, garden admission applies

Tuesday, October 29 - Broomsticks with a difference craft session, £6 per person, pre booking essential

Tuesday, October 29 - Halloween themed young writers workshop, age 10+ £35 per person, includes lunch

Wednesday, October 30 - Decorate cookies for Halloween, £2 per person, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm

Thursday, October 31 - Cast a spell, 12 noon to 2pm, normal admission applies

Thursday, October 31 - Ghost walks, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, earlybird prices £6 per person (age 3 and over), earlybird family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £20.

Then it's time for the bonfires and fireworks!

Locke Park

On Saturday, November 2, Locke Park's popular bonfire and fireworks event opens at 6pm.

There will be a funfair with the usual selection of refreshments on offer and the fire will be lit at 7.15pm. The fireworks display kicks off at 8pm.

As for prices, £15 gets you a family ticket for two adults and three kids.

Tickets for adults and unaccompanied children are £5. Under fives go free.

Cannon Hall

On Sunday, November 3, the gates open at 4pm and the event goes on until 9pm.

The farm will be open late until 7pm and the bonfire will be lit at the farm at 7pm.

Fireworks will be set off in front of the museum at 8pm.

There will be a full programme of entertainment including a stage with live DJs, fire eaters and angle grinders.

There will be a BBQ and bar, pie and peas will be available and the tearoom will be open until late.

Tickets are £7 single and £25 for a family of four and includes parking.

Visitors are asked to note that they are not permitted to bring their own fireworks or sparklers.

Wentworth Castle

The parkland will be open from 6pm on Tuesday, November 5. Its bonfire will be lit at 7pm.

Earlybird prices are £6.50 per person and the earlybird family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £22.

On November 5 all tickets are £8 per person.

To book, call 01226 776040.

* If anyone else has details of a bonfire going on in their area, comment below and we'll put its details on here.

A MAN who ripped out the back seats of an overturned car to help those trapped inside has been praised by a local resident.

Barry Bailey is believed to have seen the accident on Barnsley Road, Cudworth, near Cudworth railway bridge on October 9 at 1.50pm and went to help.

He pulled out the seats and back shelf and managed to rescue the two young women and baby who were trapped inside.

Resident Jim Johnson was travelling along Barnsley Road when he saw the car on its side. Jim, from Shafton, said two young women were in the car and a baby.

He helped by grabbing the baby and he said another man took charge of the traffic.

"A nurse came forward to offer her services and made sure the ladies and the baby were not harmed," Jim said.

"The guy was relentless to get the seats out, he was just like a crazy man because you could smell the smoke.

"I personally have a frozen shoulder so there's no way I could've got the seats out. He's an unsung hero."

Jim said the people who helped were 'heroes of our society' and returned to their normal day's work as soon as the emergency services arrived.

"I never got to know their names but would like to thank you for your willingness to help others in danger," he said.

A modest Barry, 57, said afterwards that he didn't think about springing into action.

"We thought the car was on fire because the airbag went off and the women and baby were screaming. As soon as we heard them we thought we have got to get them out."

Barry has since been given a thank you card from the passengers for his efforts.

"It's just one of those things you do," he said.

EVERY council tax payer across the borough could end up footing the bill for the dishonesty of a town clerk who helped herself to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Jan Cooper, 52, was jailed for eight years earlier this month after she admitted stealing almost £300,000 and fraudulently taking out loans of £700,000 in the name of Brierley Town Council.

Her actions left Brierley Town Council more than £1million in debt - and it could now end up being abolished, a packed meeting heard last week.

If that happened, the debts could end up being passed to Barnsley Council to settle, although it would inherit some assets which could be sold to help offset the losses.

The cabinet are meeting next month to discuss whether Brierley Town Council is still needed.

A petition calling for its abolition was collected in 2011 with about 1,400 people saying they no longer wanted it.  

Cooper, who had a history of false accounting and theft from employers, had already served three years behind bars before she even got the job as clerk to Brierley Town Council.

At last Wednesday's meeting, organised by Mayor Pat Doyle, a number of residents asked how the council was unaware of Cooper's criminal past.

One said proper records should have been kept, checks should have been made and there should have been an audit trail.

"If this was a hospital or a school it would be in special measures," he added.

Mr Doyle said the council was pursuing the bank that had allowed Cooper to withdraw money, as she should have only been allowed to take up to £500 without councillors' permission.

"There has been failings all round," he added.

A PENSIONER was left bruised and shaken in the middle of a busy road after being hit by a car which didn't stop.

June Jackson had spent an enjoyable morning with a walking group when she was struck by the side of a vehicle as she crossed the road to return to her car.

The impact caused the 71-year-old to hit her head as she fell on to the road.

"I was actually quite lucky I didn't get run down by a second vehicle because there's quite a lot of traffic on that road," said June, of Roper Lane, Thurgoland.

"I was in a lot of pain, I couldn't talk and it took me ages to get up. I just got in my car and cried and I've never cried like that before."

June was crossing the A61 at Worsbrough and had almost reached a traffic island in the centre of the road when a car, travelling down the hill from Birdwell, struck her.

The driver stopped further down the road before speeding off towards Barnsley.

June, who later saw a doctor and contacted the police, was full of praise for other drivers - a man and a woman - who did stop to help her on Thursday, October 3.

"I really want to thank them for being so kind," she said. "I'd like to speak to them in person to thank them."

CANNON Hall's bonfire and fireworks details have been released, so here's what you need to know if you're heading down.

On Sunday, November 3, the gates open at 4pm and the event goes on until 9pm.

The farm will be open late until 7pm and the bonfire will be lit at the farm at 7pm.

Fireworks will be set off in front of the museum at 8pm.

There will be a full programme of entertainment including a stage with live DJs, fire eaters and angle grinders.

There will be a BBQ and bar, pie and peas will be available and the tearoom will be open until late.

Tickets are £7 single and £25 for a family of four and includes parking.

Visitors are asked to note that they are not permitted to bring their own fireworks or sparklers.

MP Dan Jarvis has invited Conservative MPs to visit Barnsley to see how the economic crisis is affecting families in the town.

Mr Jarvis said families were facing either stagnating wages or a lack of secure jobs and were at 'breaking point'.

"Any economic recovery should be one that benefits us all, not just a few at the top, predominantly in London and the South East," the Barnsley Central MP added.

His comments follow the release of a report by Labour MPs which said Yorkshire is falling behind other parts of the country.

It shows unemployment is worse than anywhere else and is rising, says young people are being let down most by the government and the jobs in the region offer low wages and limited hours while the cost of living continues to rise.

The average wage in Yorkshire has fallen £1,721 since 2010, equivalent to £140 per month.

WE have been inundated with requests about the bonfire at Locke Park, so here's what you need to know!

On Saturday, November 2, Locke Park's popular bonfire and fireworks event opens at 6pm. 

There will be a funfair with the usual selection of refreshments on offer and the fire will be lit at 7.15pm. The fireworks display kicks off at 8pm.

As for prices, £15 gets you a family ticket for two adults and three kids.

Tickets for adults and unaccompanied children are £5. Under fives go free.

THE police are warning van owners to make sure their vehicles are secured and all tools and valuable items are removed each night.

The warnings come after a county-wide rise in transit vans being broken into for their contents. 

Superintendent Eddie Murphy said: "We're seeing a spike in attacks on vans across South Yorkshire. A number have been broken into and work tools stolen.

"These are expensive items and obviously have an effect on the owner who will need them for their employment.

"We ask that owners take necessary safety precautions. Such vehicles should have alarms fitted and, if possible, items should not be left in the vehicle overnight.

"I fully understand that this is not always easy but the inconvenience and cost of having to buy new tools and repairing your vehicle means that it will be worth it in the long run.

"We also need people to tell us if they know of such items being sold on. Remember, if someone offers you a cheap drill then it's more than likely stolen.

"People only steal if they know they can sell items on."

Phone South Yorkshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have any information.

THE organisers behind the successful Live In Barnsley festival have confirmed it's set to return next year on June 21.

Just four months since its inaugural festival in the town centre, one of the organisers, John Backhouse, told us this week that an agreement in principle is already set for next year's return.

"We have made an agreement in principle with a large town centre venue to include a new stage in 2014 for classical music, brass bands, orchestras, string quartets, jazz bands and soloists," he said.

"Details of the venue will be released in the new year but for now we're looking for bands and musicians who would be interested in taking part."

Fellow organiser Dave Pearsall added: "We always said that we wanted the festival to cover as many music genres as possible and with the exciting addition of this new stage we're now nearer that goal." 

Steve Clifford, another of the festival's organisers, said: "This is just the first of what we hope will be a number of announcements on the expanding festival, some of which may surprise some people, but ultimately should make for an even bigger and better festival next summer."

Click here to send your application form to be a part of next year's event.

MACMILLAN Cancer Support has launched an appeal to raise £150,000 to fund vital cancer care services for people in Barnsley.

An alarmingly high rate of cancer in the town, along with 13 per cent more diagnoses in the area per year than the national average, means urgent investment is needed to help more people live with and beyond cancer.

The appeal, supported by the Barnsley Chronicle and Dearne FM, was launched at Barnsley Town Hall on Friday, attended by Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey, councillors, local supporters and people affected by cancer.

Money raised from the appeal will help fund services for people affected by cancer, increase diagnosis rates and improve support during and after treatment.

In addition, it will help pay for things such as a mobile information bus and a specialist cancer advisor for GPs to educate and guide GP practices, health professionals and community services in the town.

The appeal will also help Macmillan to fund Barnsley Council's welfare service which helps people with cancer cope with extra costs arising from their diagnosis.

AFTER several disappointing school reports in recent weeks, there's been good news for one town centre primary as it's received a glowing report from Ofsted after its recent inspection.

Summer Lane Primary School was consistently good and had outstanding elements in several lessons.

Ofsted subsequently improved its overall rating from 'satisfactory' to 'good'.

The report said: "The school is well led and managed by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable leadership team who sets high standards but knows how to make school a happy place."

It said pupils behave well and are good at working together and learning from each other and they enjoy school, describing it as 'joyful, everyone is friends'.

Standards were seen to be much improved with ‘pupils achieving well from individual starting points’ and by the end of year six, attainment is above average and more than half of pupils exceeded expected levels.

Heateacher Rob Smith said: "It's an extremely positive report and I'm exceptionally proud of all the hard work that everyone associated with Summer Lane has put into moving the school into 'good' and making it a school to be proud of.

"We now intend to continue on our journey towards becoming an outstanding school."

Inspectors said the school wasn't yet an 'outstanding' school because teachers don't always give pupils time to respond to developmental points when they mark their work, which means pupils tend to repeat mistakes.

AN experienced scuba diver missed out on the birth of his first grandchild after he died in a tragic accident during a trip to Scotland.

An inquest heard bricklayer David Ruston, 59, a member of Barnsley BSAC Divers club, which trains at the Metrodome, got into difficulty in the North Sea at Eyemouth, on the Berwickshire coast.

Fellow divers told the court how Mr Ruston, of Cypress Road, Kendray, signalled for help and managed to cling on to rocks before being found unconscious in the water.

He was pulled out of the sea at Green Ends Gully and given CPR but died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The incident, on June 16 last year, came just months before the arrival of Mr Ruston's granddaughter Lily Mae, who recently celebrated her first birthday.

Daughter-in-law Kelly Ruston said: "Even though they have never met he is still loved."

Pathologist Dr Ian Wilkinson said, in his report, Mr Ruston, who had been suffering with a persistent cough, had signs of ischemic heart disease which put him at an increased risk of death at any time.

Trip organiser Mark Robinson, of Barnsley BSAC, said it was the group's fifth outing to Berwickshire and Mr Ruston had been every year.

"We wouldn't do the trip without David - he was like the comedian of the trip.

"I was out of the water and I saw a black blob outside the gully. I thought it was a seal at first and then I saw this arm up giving the distress signal."

In his report, pathologist Mr Wilkinson said the cause of death was 'diving while immersed in water' and referenced David's heart problem.

Assistant coroner Louise Slater said: "On the evidence before me this afternoon, I'm satisfied to the balance of probabilities Mr Ruston died of an accident."

POLICE in South Yorkshire are to launch a major campaign to warn people of the signs of child sexual exploitation.

The new campaign, which goes live in December, is part of a major crackdown on the issue since it emerged police and council chiefs in Rotherham knew of sexual grooming for years - but failed to take action.

Sexual exploitation operations are underway and South Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable Jo Byrne said the force is 'determined' to protect children.

"There can be few crimes that disgust, shock and appal us more than the exploitation of children for sexual purposes," she said.

"In the last year, not least because of the publicity surrounding the Jimmy Savile case, there has been a greater public awareness of the dangers faced by children in society from those who would seek to exploit them and an expectation that the authorities will take firm action.

"It's important that the police, local authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service and others from the statutory and voluntary sector work in tandem to share information, to target those intent on such crimes and to make society far more aware of the dangers.

"It's vital that our communities play their part as well, understanding the signs of exploitation and coming forward with information to stop such offences."

Around 1,700 frontline officers in South Yorkshire have been trained in how to identify the warning signs.

Similar training for Police Community Support Officers and Special Constables is planned.

THIS is the first look at Barnsley College's new proposed sixth form.

The college wants to build the sixth form on the site of the town's Central Library, on Shambles Street, and expects 1,150 pupils to use the ultra-modern facility.

It means the library - along with a parade of shops, offices, an electricity substation and private car parking - will be flattened to make way for the new 7,000 square metre college building. It will be relocated to the historic Wellington House on Market Street.

It would replace the existing sixth form on Eastgate. 

It will cost about £16million, with £5.3million in grant funding already secured. The remaining finance is being raised through asset disposal and borrowing.

The proposals will be discussed by the council's ruling cabinet on October 23 and, if given the go-ahead, should be completed by 2015.

The college's principal, Colin Booth, said: "It's very good news that a new sixth form college will be built in the centre of Barnsley.

"The college is working closely with Barnsley Council on how to ensure the new building has the best possible impact on the overall development of the town centre."

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton welcomed the proposals, saying: "It will improve the gateway to the town centre from that end of town and increase footfall for the shops and businesses in the vicinity.

"The proposal indicates the college would have the potential to bring £7.7million into the local economy."

SAD news - an iconic Barnsley pub where Kes was filmed could be demolished within weeks.

The Dards in Cudworth closed its doors in April and its now ex-licensee Adele Sellars, 48, had her own bid for the pub rejected. She said she was worried the 'landmark' building could be knocked down.

Local lad Thomas Agus said he saw an opportunity for investment to develop the site and set up ATTA Properties Ltd with friend Andy Thompson.

Several parties have been interested in the land, Mr Agus said, ranging from bedsits to flats and a local shopping store.

He said there was little interest in reopening it as a pub.

"Before we decided to buy the property we did not want to see it be converted to bedsits, flats or a shopping centre.

"The building may look the same from the outside, but it would lose its soul.

"Therefore we decided the best option would be for the building to be demolished."

A COUPLE have been bailed after being found drunk in a cemetery with their two kids.

Andrew Marshall, 40, and Kim Louise Delaney, 36, were aggressive towards the officers who approached them in Barnsley Cemetery, said Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting.

Mrs Ormrod said: "The children were stressed and the couple were unsteady on their feet, slurring their words and smelled of drink.

"A family member said later that the couple bring it on themselves and do it all the time."

Alan Greaves, defending, said he would put the couple's side of the story later.

Marshall and Delaney, both of Ash Grove, Kendray, admitted being drunk in charge of two children and being drunk and disorderly. Marshall also admitted breaching a conditional discharge imposed in February for being drunk in charge of a child.

Their case was adjourned until November 7 for a pre-sentence report and they were granted unconditional bail.

A NEW survey has revealed that Barnsley residents affected by benefit changes have run out of money to pay for food and utility bills over the last 12 months.

Barnsley Advice Network, who have collated the information, is made up of various organisations such as Barnsley Council's welfare rights service, Citizens' Advice, DIAL, Age UK, the Romero Project and Yorkshire Housing.

They've all seen a rise in clients in recent years and believe the recession, coupled with the overhaul of the benefits system, have had a significant impact on demand for their services.

The network decided to carry out research on 125 people who received advice between May and July to try and understand the impact welfare reform is having on clients.

At a council watchdog meeting Pat Heath, the chief executive of the Citizens' Advice Bureau, told members the survey had yielded some interesting results.

He said: "A number of findings came to light, with 82 per cent of clients saying changes have made them more worried about the future, 76 per cent thought it had made them feel more stressed and 69 per cent said the changes had made them depressed.

"With the rising cost of living affecting clients, 58 per cent said over the past 12 months they had run out of money to pay for food at some point and 57 per cent said they've been unable to pay utility bills at some point over the last 12 months. Only 50 per cent said they could afford to keep their home warm enough."

In addition Pat said 89 per cent of those asked said they couldn't afford to save £50 a month for a rainy day or retirement and 84 per cent stated they couldn't afford to replace a large electrical item if it broke down.

The survey also found 24 per cent of people said they would use door step or pay day lenders if they needed a loan and the majority of those were aged 25 to 34 or 45 to 54.

A MAN who had a fight waited for his rival outside a pub - only this time he had a knife.

Michael John Barrett, 25, chose to carry the weapon to 'frighten' him, said Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting.

"Mr Barrett said after his arrest that he was in a drunken rage," she added.

Kirsty Pearson, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Barrett, of Stonyford Road, Wombwell, who admitted possessing an offensive weapon, will be sentenced on October 31. He was granted conditional bail.