A PUBLICAN has won £5,000 to spend on community projects after being named as a regional winner of a national competition.

Michael Davies, of the Beggar and Gentleman in Hoyland, proved there's more to a great community pub than just bricks and mortar when he won regional 'Community Hero' in the contest run by pub company Enterprise Inns.

Mr Davies, who runs four pubs including The Clothiers in Elsecar, could also win an extra £5,000 if he becomes overall winner in the finals at the end of October.

He won the regional prize for his community work including children's parties, organising and funding Hoyland Christmas festivities, coffee mornings and putting on 'value meals' for people who struggle to afford food.

He also does a 'meals on wheels' service for elderly people which is now recognised by social services.

He said: "The funding I won will go towards community initiatives over the next 12 months. We want to donate it across a number of organisations and are looking for deserving projects now."

HOUSING is being prepared for three former soldiers who are struggling to find somewhere to live following tours abroad.

A property on Washington Road in Goldthorpe has been acquired by Barnsley Community Build and will house the ex-servicemen.

It's a proud result for Cllr May Noble who has been working on the project for some time.

She said: "I'm so pleased this has now been sanctioned to go ahead. The BCB will bring it up to a good standard and employ apprentices to help with this.

"These veterans will be chosen from around Yorkshire but they will try to place them close to where they come from.

"It's an excellent project recognising the veteran's service to their country."

Finances permitting, this is a project that may well continue within the Dearne South ward.

THE secret to this couple's 60-year marriage is that they simply 'get on together'.

Peter Lee, 80, and Victoria Lee, 79, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on October 4 with a family meal and a few days in Scarborough.

The Ward Green husband and wife met in Bradford when they were teenagers and started courting not long after.

"I'd just come out of the army and was 21 and Victoria was 20. We got married in Bradford register office because in those days we had no money," said Peter.

"It's hard to say what the secret is to a happy marriage, we just seem to get on together and talk, and we have a lot of things in common such as working in the garden, things like that."

The couple, of Genn Lane, have five children - Angela, Tony, Aileen, Mark and Kirk - along with 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

MORE town centre improvements have got underway in Barnsley.

For the next seven weeks that work will include upgrading and renewing traffic lights, installing new ducting and new street lights on Church Street, Shambles Street and parts of Market Hill.

The work will also mean Church Street being closed between Eastgate and Sadler Gate on October 13 and Regent Street closed at its junction with Church Street on October 20.

The second phase of the work will start in January next year and will include re-paving and re-kerbing streets in the same material as the recently completed Barnsley Pals Centenary Square.

Roads will also be resurfaced and there will be new seats and litter bins.

BRIERLEY'S mayor is calling for a public meeting so the council can explain themselves after its clerk swindled them out £700,000.

Brierley Town Council has been saddled with debts of more than £1million after Jan Cooper admitted fraudulently claiming £695,500 in loans, before being given an eight-year jail term.

Mayor Pat Doyle says he wants a meeting with parishioners to explain what happened.

Cooper, branded 'pathologically dishonest' by Judge Peter Kelson QC, started taking money within weeks of taking up the post in November 2006, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

It was also revealed that Cooper had previously been jailed for three years in 2003 for stealing £800,000 from a previous employer.

Mr Doyle said Cooper's sentence was warranted by the effect her actions have had on the community and will continue to do for the next 20 to 30 years.

Cooper wasn't asked about previous convictions because it was only policy to do so for staff working with children.

Ian Goldsack, prosecuting, said Cooper had forged council minutes and councillors' signatures for the loans. Funds were then moved into hers and her husband's bank account.

She also told councillors a grant was available to fund the 'Brierley Buzzer' scheme - a bus service for elderly people in the area - but instead signed them up to a lease agreement, which the council must pay £130,000 to end, Mr Goldsack said.

The council has had to take out a loan of £480,000 from Barnsley Council to help with the debt, services have had to be cut and 5,000 residents have been left with a hike in their council tax.

A CAT lost an eye after being shot with airgun pellets.

Gertrude was shot by callous thugs and the pellet ripped through her eye before lodging behind the socket - missing her brain by just a few millimetres.

Abbey Vets, on Dodworth Road, were able to save three-year-old Gertrude’s life but they had to remove her eye.

Patricia Turnbull, the cat's owner, of Dovecote, Foundry Gate, Wombwell, said: "She was in a terrible state. She managed to get back to the house and was trying to scramble into her basket.

"I rushed her to the vets who said the pellet had caused so much damage the only option was to remove the eye.

"A target board was found in a small wood near Hemingfield Road which backs onto my house and is where Gertrude often goes prowling.

"If it was deliberate it's a cruel and callous act."

BARNSLEY'S commuters are being urged to leave their car at home and instead travel by bus for a day after a new free ticket initiative was launched.

The 'Give the Bus a Go' initiative has been launched by Travel South Yorkshire, together with Inmotion! and Stagecoach Yorkshire, to encourage more people to try Barnsley’s buses and benefit the environment.

Street teams will be in Barnsley this month handing out vouchers that can be exchanged for a free Stagecoach dayrider ticket, giving car users the chance to try travelling by bus to work, college, shopping or football.

Street team locations

Metrodome Leisure Complex on October 11, 1-5pm

Oakwell Stadium on October 19, 1-6pm

Alhambra Shopping Centre on October 26, 2-6pm

The Inmotion! project is delivered through South Yorkshire’s £24.6million Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) - a partnership between South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Councils that aims to make the journey to work simpler, easier or even healthier.

David Young, SYPTE's deputy interim director general, said: "Barnsley’s public transport network offers a convenient, stress free and more environmentally friendly way to get to work.

"It's a good idea for when town is busy, parking is limited or when there’s an event or football match taking place.

"We’re delighted to be able to offer car users a free travel for the day by Stagecoach bus in Barnsley as part of our Give the Bus a Go campaign."

A TOWN centre primary school has nose-dived from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' following its latest Ofsted inspection.

Shawlands Primary, on Shaw Street, has 'serious weaknesses' according to the report, which criticised the achievement of pupils and some of its teaching.

In a previous inspection in 2007 the school was given the highest rating.

However, the latest report says standards in reading, writing and maths across years one to six have fallen 'substantially' and many pupils are underachieving in years one and two.

Despite the bleak outcome, parents said they're confident Shawlands will turn itself around in the next year.

Nikita Ward, 27, who has two sons at the school, said the report was 'terrible' but is pleased to see changes have already been made.

"Since the start of the new school year they've made a lot of improvements and from what they have talked about, hopefully in the next year it will be back up to standard," she said.

Many parents echoed Ms Ward's thoughts. One grandfather, a former teacher himself, is confident it will improve quickly.

"The school has already put a lot of measures in place to make sure any problems are resolved," he said.

"It's got a lot of strengths and that's what they're going to build on."

The achievement of pupils was found to be inadequate while other key areas such as quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management require improvement.

However, the report noted a number of strengths including a welcoming atmosphere and well behaved pupils.

It also said 'substantial and recent changes' to the leadership, management and governance of the school had resulted in some improvements in teaching, learning and pupils' achievements in the past two terms.

A statement from Shawlands pledged to bring about rapid improvement.

It said: "In response to a number of areas of weakness identified in a recent inspection, all staff and governors are committed to addressing these immediately in order to bring about swift and sustained improvement."

JAXON'S Gift, a charity set up by two Barnsley parents after the tragic loss of their baby boy, has been shortlisted for a national award.

The charity, which aims to help bereaved children who have suffered the loss of a baby in their family, raises money to supply children with ‘Forget Me Not’ boxes following their loss.

It's been shortlisted from hundreds of causes in the Lloyd’s Community Fund awards and needs public votes to be in with a chance of having £3,000 awarded to its work.

Jaxon’s Gift was set up at the beginning of the year by Louisa Youle and Neil Fretwell, from Barnsley, after the heart-breaking loss of their baby boy.

Jaxon was born 21 weeks into their pregnancy. Their three-year-old son Ellis found it extremely hard to understand why this had happened.

When his parents told him that Jaxon had gone to ‘live on a star’, he said: "If you buy me a magic wand I will bring him back."

When grieving themselves, knowing the words to explain this tragic situation to a young child can be very hard for parents. The boxes funded by Jaxon’s Gift are provided to support children and their parents during this impossible time.

Louisa said: "I wish someone had handed one of the boxes to me, it might have made Ellis’s experience slightly easier."

The aim is to provide the boxes to children in the Barnsley area to help guide them through the bereavement process. Each item in the box has been provided for a reason and aims to ensure that the child will always remember their lost sibling in a positive way.

People can vote for the competition's winner in store at a local Lloyd’s branch or by clicking here.

THE White Bear pub is celebrating after being named the best pub in Barnsley.

It beat off competition from more than 280 outlets to be crowned overall winner in Barnsley’s Civic Trust Retail Awards, also scooping the award for best retail offer.

Judging was done through mystery customer visits and the White Bear, on Church Street, scored top marks.

The judges were impressed with the investment its owners, Wear Inns, had made, describing the facilities as 'superb' with excellent standards throughout the pub, which provided 'extremely good value for money'.

The judges paid tribute to the staff who they said were incredibly helpful and friendly, providing superb service, with nothing being too much trouble whether a customer was new to the pub or a regular.

"To be named the best pub was fantastic but then to get the overall retail award over so many of the town’s great businesses was amazing," said the pub's manager, Lee Bardsley.

The Barnsley Civic Trust works with local partners to deliver an award, for town centre shops and businesses, recognising business skills, innovation, architectural design, the impact of window displays on the street scene and customer service.

John Weir, managing director of Wear Inns, said: "We have spent a lot of money on refurbishing the pub and the function room and working with staff to create an excellent customer experience.

"We're very proud that The White Bear has won this prestigious which is a tribute to the hard work of Lee and his team."

A COMPANY boss is appealing against the length of a 26-week prison sentence imposed at Barnsley Magistrates' Court after punching and kicking his wife in a 15-minute attack.

Kevin Clark, 51, managing director of Windsor Foods, is on conditional bail until the appeal at Sheffield Crown Court on a date yet to be confirmed.

He suspected his wife Kimberley of having an affair with someone who worked at the firm, Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said at the sentencing hearing.

The attack happened after Clark, Mrs Clark and the man he suspected of carrying on with her had been on a night out at a pub in Hoyland, Mrs Ormrod said.

She said Clark's assault was so ferocious that a witness thought he was attacking another man.

Mrs Ormrod said he punched Mrs Clark several times in the face and she fell on the floor. He kicked her while she was on the ground and swore at her.

Mrs Ormrod added that he punched and kicked her several times again.

Alan Greaves, defending, said Clark's conduct would haunt him for the rest of his life.

He described Clark, of Redland Grove, Staincross, as a 'workaholic' who had risen to the top from the shop floor.

Mr Greaves said Clark, who worked 80-hour weeks, had been under constant pressure at work.

Mr Greaves said: "There was a problem with Mr Clark's marriage. He believed his wife was having an affair with someone who worked at Windsor Foods.

"Mr Clark went out for a drink after work with his wife. The other man was present. Mr Clark went to the toilet and, when he returned, his wife and the other man had gone.

"Mr Clark put two and two together and made more than four. He's totally and utterly ashamed of himself. His life caved in on the day of the assault."

Mr Greaves added that Mrs Clark and the family had forgiven him. She was 'desperate' to get him back and had come to court to support him.

He said she had tried to withdraw her complaint against him but it was too late as he was awaiting sentencing.

District Judge John Foster said: "I have recently not heard a worse domestic violence case. This was a shocking assault."

SCORES of suspected false widow spiders have been spotted throughout the borough this week - but an arachnid expert has appealed for people to stop exterminating spiders because of misplaced fears.

Shafton's Katy Pugh was the first to bring the spider to our attention on Monday after spotting what she thought was a false widow in her garden. Since we put the photo on our Facebook page, we've been inundated with images.

The false widow spider, Britain's most venomous, is spreading across the UK.

There has been an increase in the number of sightings of the species - and more reports of people being bitten.

Conservationists believe that changes in the climate could be encouraging the spider to make itself at home in new areas.

However, an arachnid expert has appealed for people to stop exterminating spiders because of misplaced fears.

"There are 650 different types of spiders in the country," said Greg Hitchock, a member of the British Arachnological Society. "Identifying them off the internet as everybody is doing is not helpful.

"False widows are fairly hairless, although they do look very much like black widows in that they're very dark.

"They have a pattern on their abdomen described as looking like a skull, but that’s a story which has gone along with its ‘deadly’ reputation.

"Lots of people said they have been absolutely sure that the spiders they've seen are false widows, but they’re not at all. It’s not that straight forward."

The expert also said that false widows - a relative of the deadly black widow - are not 'deadly', stating that no one in the UK has ever died from a spider bite, let alone one by a false widow.

The false widow spider first came to the UK over 100 years ago in crates of fruit from the Canary Islands. It's been established in Devon for a long time but recently climate change has caused the population to spread.

The false widow can be recognised by its glossy body, its bulbous abdomen, its pale skull-like markings and an almost creamy colour belt around its front.

The female false widow’s body usually measures around 15mm. The male is smaller at 7-10mm and usually even less aggressive than the female.

THE police have released a statement following a firearm incident in Barnsley in the early hours of Thursday morning.

An incident was reported to police at around 2.05am on October 10 on Wellington Street. A blank firing pistol is believed to have been discharged at the location and has been recovered by officers.

No one sustained any injuries and three men, one 24-year-old and two 27-year-olds, were arrested and are currently in police custody.

Wellington Street was closed until 8.30am.

A SECOND Barnsley MP has received a promotion following Ed Miliband's reshuffle.

Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central, has been appointed by Labour's leader to be the new Shadow Youth Justice and Victims Minister. Jarvis had previously been Shadow Culture Minister.

"I’m delighted to be joining Labour’s Shadow Justice team," Dan said. "Youth justice and supporting victims of crime are areas where I believe I can make a real difference.

"I know, from talking to Barnsley residents, that these issues are of great importance to them. My time in the army has shown me that young people can turn their lives around, even after making bad decisions.

"The youth justice system needs to ensure that, whilst punishment is appropriate and meaningful, it does not rule out the potential for change.

“I'm also looking forward to working on Labour’s proposed victims’ law, which will ensure victims know what to expect from the criminal justice system: clear rights, written in plain English, offering protection for innocent victims of crime.

"We need to ensure that victims of crime aren't forgotten and have confidence in our justice system."

Michael Dugher, the MP for Barnsley East, also received a promotion. You can read about it here.

A NEW BBC screen adaptation of a hit 19th century novel will be partly filmed at a derelict farm in Barnsley.

Gothic tale Jamaica Inn, by Daphne du Maurier, is to be made into a three-part drama and Crow Edge, near Penistone, will be the setting for the inn.

Scenes will be filmed at Lower Whitley Farm, off Whams Road.

The production will feature a star cast, including Jessica Brown Findlay - Downton Abbey's Lady Sybil Branson, Sean Harris from The Borgias and Southcliffe, and Matthew McNulty, who featured in Room at the Top.

Allen Pestell, chairman of Dunford Parish Council, said: "I think it's a wonderful thing. It should be a boost for Dunford parish and Penistone and I can't wait for them to get started."

A BARNSLEY MP has been promoted to the role of Shadow Minister after Ed Miliband’s reshuffle of his team.

Michael Dugher, the MP for Barnsley East, will now be a full member of the Shadow Cabinet, with responsibilities for policy areas including public sector efficiency and reform, Civil Service issues and government transparency.

Mr Dugher also retains responsibility for political and campaign communications.

"I'm honoured to have been appointed to this new position," he said. "I look forward to working with the rest of the Shadow Cabinet to highlight the government’s unfair policies and to expose how David Cameron is failing to deal with the cost of living crisis in Barnsley and across the country.

"It's also a privilege to play my part in working to see a Labour government in 2015 and helping Ed Miliband into Number 10."

AN Irish bar could be on its way to the town centre - if planning officials give it the green light.

Paul McNicholas, of Western Street, has applied to Barnsley Council to turn the vacant Johnson Cleaners UK, on Peel Square, into an Irish bar.

Plans to change the use of the building show the bar could open from 9am to 1am everyday, including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

It would serve wines, beers, spirits, hot and cold beverages and food. There would also be music and dancing.

Access to the building will be from Peel Square and the first floor will be accessed using an existing staircase. 

The design will be all based on an Irish theme with wood panelling and dark brown colours in its design.

DEARNE FM has celebrated its tenth birthday.

The popular station had several special cakes made to celebrate its broadcasting milestone.

On Sunday, the first presenter on the station, Kev Wilson, did the breakfast show and the newest presenter, Lucy Doxey, delivered three special Dearne FM cakes, with one going to Barnsley Hospice.

Another cake went to Josh Cousins from Goldthorpe, who was born on the day the station launched, and the third cake went to the station’s first advertiser, Carpet Centre of Wombwell - who have advertised every day since the station launched. 

A MAN burgled his grandmother while she was away on holiday - but now wants to say he is sorry.

Joseph David Blackburn, 22, smashed a panel on a door and broke into his grandmother's Pogmoor home while she was on holiday, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Waseem Raja, prosecuting, said: "Mr Blackburn intended to have a bath, to eat and to watch television. He was not going to take anything."

Probation officer Charles McDermid said Blackburn, of Woodstock Road, Wilthorpe, was 'deeply ashamed of himself'.

Mr McDermid said: "He has sent his grandmother a text message to apologise. He wants to meet her face-to-face. He hates being out of work because he is bored. He feels he has let the entire family down."

John Dobbin, defending, said Blackburn had lost his job at B&Q and his parents had split up at about the same time.

"His life deteriorated. He feels gutted about what he did," Mr Dobbin added.

Deputy District Judge Tim Capstick said: "This was an unpleasant offence and you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."

Blackburn, who admitted burglary, was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

WHAT exactly is a 'Barnsley chop'? The debate has been sparked again after Marks and Spencer started selling the dish at its town centre store.

Shoppers and residents have been left scratching their heads wondering exactly what constitutes the town's signature dish. Many claim it's a one-and-a-half pound rack of lamb while others say it's a butterfly chop cut across the saddle.

In a Civic Review from 1949, the definition of the chop was given as 'the first three ribs of the sheep after the shoulder, weighing from three-quarters of a pound to one-and-a-half pounds according to the size of the animal'.

Celebrity chef Brian Turner, from Yorkshire, said his version of the chop was a one-and-a-half to two inch chop cut across the saddle, with a bit of belly fat and kidney.

"That's what we served as a Barnsley chop in the 1960s when I used to work on the grill at the Savoy in London," he added.

But at the Holiday Inn, site of the former Brooklands hotel and known as 'home of the Barnsley chop', chef Andy Lisle, 47, reckons it's only the really big cuts of lamb that really deserve the Barnsley chop title.

"Our Barnsley chops weigh 32oz, we braise them for four hours and serve them with roast veg, mint and mash," he said.

"There are many variations, but I believe as a butcher and a chef that small chops are simply chops and to be called 'Barnsley' it has to be something pretty spectacular."

In Barnsley market butcher Stuart Barrow says no-one anywhere in the country sells a Barnsley chop like the original, because the original was actually not lamb, but mutton.

Lorraine Sixsmith, 63, from Barugh Green, is a self-confessed 'meat monster' and said the M&S chops did look very tasty but questioned their size.

"To be honest they just aren't big enough to be proper Barnsley chops," she said.

Father David Nicholson, from St John the Baptist Church in Cudworth, is another fan of the old Brooklands and the size of its chops.

"The proper Barnsley chops at Brooklands were huge - in fact they were so big if you could eat a complete one they gave you a badge - and I should know because I got that badge!"

NEARLY half of the tenants affected by the so-called 'bedroom tax' in Barnsley have been pushed into rent arrears - making the town the 17th worst affected in the country.

The figures were obtained by online campaign website False Economy through a Freedom of Information request.

It shows out of 2,600 tenants affected in the borough, 1,120 have been pushed into arrears.

The release of the figures comes as Labour pledged to axe the so-called tax, which is a cut in housing benefit for those in council or social accommodation who are deemed to have a spare bedroom, should the party win the next election.

But campaign leader Fran Postlethwaite said people cannot afford to wait that long.

"We cannot wait 20 months for the election to happen. People are struggling now and we need the council to say they will not evict anyone who falls into arrears because of the bedroom tax."

Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher backed Labour's pledge.

"Many of us in Barnsley have been campaigning against the bedroom tax, so this is great news," he said.

"With 43 per cent of the people in Barnsley affected by this unfair tax pushed into arrears, it's clear that repealing it is absolutely the right thing to do."

Barnsley Central MP, Dan Jarvis, said: "We have seen usually financially prudent residents fall into rent arrears.

"It unfairly penalises residents who use their so-called 'spare room' to help their wider family with childcare, or separated parents who have shared parenting, or disabled people who need extra space for medical equipment."

WORKERS at a Barnsley glass factory have accepted an improved pay offer - worth six per cent over two years.

An offer of 5.5 per cent was on the table but had been rejected by the workforce at Ardagh Glass, Monk Bretton.

Unite, which represents many of Ardagh's staff, said 80 per cent had voted in favour of the improved package.

Employees called off a threatened strike last month after managers made the improved offer.

Tas Sangha, Unite's deputy regional secretary for Yorkshire, said: "Unite and the GMB union had intense talks with the firm which resulted in an improved pay offer."

An Ardagh spokesman said: "We welcome the outcome of extensive discussions and thank the trade unions for working with us to outline the accepted two-year pay proposal."

A MAN who played a role in stealing tools worth £2,250 from a van has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Dean Thomas Jones, 35, of Kingsland Court, Royston, was given a 12-week jail term, suspended for a year, at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Deputy District Judge Tim Capstick said Jones had made life difficult for the victim, Stephen Bradley, because the tools were not insured and would be expensive to replace.

June Allen, prosecuting, said Mr Bradley had been left anxious about leaving things in his van at night and the theft had made it difficult to do his job.

She said Mr Bradley's van was damaged but covered by insurance.

Philip Howard, defending, said Jones was 'adamant' he did not steal the tools. He said he had refused to divulge the names of others involved in the theft.

Mr Howard described Jones as a 'prolific offender in the past'. "Mr Jones spends £100 a day on drugs and needs help."

Jones, who was convicted theft, was ordered to undergo nine months of drug rehabilitation and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

A FATHER from Monk Bretton had never heard of motor neurone disease - until he was diagnosed with the terminal illness just over a year ago.

It has prompted sufferer Ian Pratt, 43, whose body is wasting away from the disease, to back a new charter calling for an end to ignorance about the disease.

Motor neurone disease leaves sufferers unable to move, walk, talk and eventually, breathe - destroying the cells that control movement.

Treatments are very limited and most patients are only expected to live between two to five years after diagnosis. Around half will die within 14 months.

Despite becoming progressively more ill, Ian, of Newhill Road, is throwing his support behind the Motor Neurone Disease Association's charter to raise awareness of the disease, which so far has been signed by about 12,000 people.

"I'd never even heard of it, so coming to terms with the disease is doubly hard as I have to explain what is, what it's going to do you and the speed at which it can take hold," said Ian, a former businessman and father to Georgiana, three.

"I can still move at the moment, but my body is wasting away. I've lost more than five stone since being diagnosed and it's starting to affect my confidence now.

"I can't go out anywhere in public without assistance."

As well as the physical and emotional strain on the family, the disease has also brought financial worries with Ian having to give up work and wind up his business.

Ian, who hails from Australia and moved to Barnsley in 2003, says the plan now is to live each day as it comes.

"We've got things that we want to do and we've been to Disneyland with Georgiana while I was still able to walk and wander around.

"Every day is just a matter of hoping today is going to be better than yesterday but the problem is the disease is unrelenting and constant.

"There won't be a cure in my lifetime, so this charter will make more and more people aware of the disease and what it can do to you. This can only be a good thing."

BARNSLEY College has announced plans for a new £10.8million centre offering specialised state of the art facilities to students.

The centre is to be built at the college’s Honeywell campus and will offer a high quality learning environment for students on 14-16 curriculum courses and further and higher education courses.

Facilities at the centre will include specialised workshops for brickwork, plastering, wall insulation, roofing, joinery, and painting and decorating.

The planning application for the development will be submitted in January 2014 and work is planned to begin in the spring.

The college will receive an Enhanced Renewal Grant (ERG) from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) covering a third of the cost of the project.

Andrew Fairest, the college’s vice principal for property development, said: "We're very pleased that this exciting new development will enable us to provide students with top quality facilities in which to learn.

"It will also create a national ‘hub’ for specialist training in energy efficient construction and engineering."

WOMBWELL is best placed to benefit from the knock-on effects of a high speed rail station in Meadowhall, a council officer has said.

Kate Faulkes, manager for the South Area council which covers Wombwell, Darfield, Hoyland Milton and Rockingham, made the comments at a meeting of the Wombwell Community Alliance.

Rachael Blake, of HS2 Ltd, had spoken on the potential benefits of the high speed train line, which will connect Meadowhall with London via Birmingham - at a cost of £42.6billion to the public purse.

However, the hard sell was not bought by Cllr Dick Wraith, who questioned whether Wombwell would benefit from any of the investment travelling north from London, arguing this would instead flow to Sheffield and Leeds and that the money would be better spent improving links with Doncaster.

But Kate responded by pointing out Wombwell and the rest of the South Area was well-placed to benefit indirectly via the junction 36 development - a proposed enterprise zone on the Dearne Valley Parkway.

She said: "Links to the junction 36 development area will edge up to Barnsley if the hub (HS2 train station) is at Meadowhall. This part of the borough is best served to benefit from these changes."

Speaking after the meeting, she added: "There's a big push for an enterprise zone at the bottom of the Dearne Valley Parkway, where it meets the M1. If the hub station is at Meadowhall, that's only a 10-minute drive away, which is going to attract businesses.

"People may think the benefits aren't going to come near us but the reach will be much wider than they might imagine."

The final decision on whether HS2 goes ahead will not be made by Parliament until after the 2015 general election. A six-month consultation is taking place until the end of January. An information day will held at Barnsley Town Hall on November 2 between 10am and 5pm.

A BARNSLEY woman has tackled the world's highest free-standing mountain in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

Laura Frudd, of Greenset View, Athersley, works in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and climbed 5,895 metres up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Surpassing her £3,600 fundraising target, Laura said: "It was tough and touch and go at some points with the altitude effects. We were walking for six to seven hours a day and did a ten-hour stint before reaching its summit.

"It's cold up there but some of us got sunburn with no cloud protection. It starts out with jungle-like terrain but it's like the moon when you get higher."

Her choice of charity was an easy decision. Having seen her mum, Gillian, 54, successfully battle the disease, she saw Jean, her gran, succumb to it not long after.

"Back in 2009, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer," said the 23-year-old, an ex-pupil at the former Edward Sheerien School. "At the same time, my gran was also fighting the disease.

"Unfortunately she didn't make it, but my mum did and Breast Cancer Care's support network gives patients what they need.

"They make it possible to meet other people who are in the same situation as them, so they're there to support each other."

For more information on Laura's efforts, click here.

ABOUT a third of students enrolled to University Campus Barnsley have suffered delays in receiving student loans.

The campus blamed a 'technical issue' for the hold-ups and said 26 per cent of students affected took up financial support and advice at drop-in sessions.

Dave Harding, vice principal for adults and higher education, said: "The overall transfer of UCB has been very successful. It has bene disappointing that some of the loans have been delayed.

"There has been a high priority to ensure the disruption to a minimum."

Sam Dexter, 48, an art and design student who lives in Smithies, said: "I was waiting for £2,200. I was not the only person who did not get it on time."

A BRIERLEY town councillor says he will continue to push for the council to fold after its former clerk landed it with a debt of more than £1million and left the public to foot the bill.

Frank Hardy joined the town council two years ago and says he will continue with his manifesto following the conviction of Janet Cooper last week.

"From the start I have said Brierley Town Council should be abolished, it's not providing anything for the rate payers that Barnsley Council can't provide," he said.

Services have had to be cut as a result of Cooper's fiddling and 5,000 residents have faced increases in precept charges to help cover the costs.

Mr Hardy said Barnsley Council could not consider abolishing the council until Cooper's court case had been heard.

"It's totally unfair to expect parishioners to pay off this debt which is no fault of their own," he added.

Mr Hardy said a parish poll was held in 2002 when 91 per cent of people who voted said they wanted the town council to be abolished.

In 2010 Mr Hardy helped collect signatures for the abolition of the council with 1,459 people saying they no longer wanted it.

BARNSLEY Council has called for the 'bedroom tax' to be scrapped as soon as possible.

Sir Steve Houghton passed a resolution at a council meeting officially opposing the 'bedroom tax' and called for it to be abolished.

He said the council is seriously concerned about its implications for the poorest and most vulnerable families within the borough.

The motion calls upon the government to repeal the 'bedroom tax' as soon as possible.

In the meantime the council, working with Berneslai Homes, has said it will do all it can to help tenants.

Conservative councillor John Wilson, who represents the Penistone East ward, said it was a 'flawed' motion because 'there isn't such a thing as the bedroom tax'.

A MAN was found dead on his settee - days after visiting his GP complaining of chest pains.

Gary Newsome, 50, of Hartington Drive, Honeywell, died at his home on July 19, 2011.

An inquest in Sheffield was told how Mr Newsome, who suffered from diabetes, smoked and was overweight, had been to see Dr John Harban, who works at Lundwood Medical Centre, on July 15, accompanied by his brother, Allan.

Allan went into the consultation room with his brother and said Gary was complaining of chest pains and that he was out of breath.

But Dr Harban said Gary did not complain of chest pains.

Dr Harban said he believed Gary was starting with a viral illness that had exposed a developing condition - an obstruction of his airways - from the number of cigarettes he was smoking.

He said he followed guidelines and sent Gary away without treatment.

Within a couple of days of seeing the doctor, Gary left a telephone message for him, complaining of chest pains which he said he had suffered the day before his appointment.

Mr Harban said he rang Gary on July 18 and asked him if he had any chest pains, to which he said 'no, it hurts when I cough'.

"That statement did not represent a cardiac cause for his cough," Dr Harban said.

The blood tests showed an infection, and the GP asked Gary to go in and see him, but as Gary had no transport to get there, it was agreed he would prescribe tablets to be picked up by his brother.

Dr Harban did not log the conversation on the computer until the following day, July 19, but dated it July 18, and admitted this was poor practice.

He denied he knew Gary had died when he logged the notes.

Expert witness Dr Grenville said Dr Harban had made insufficient enquiries and examinations on July 18 and insufficient enquiries when speaking to Mr Newsome on the phone.

A verdict will be recorded on October 23.

A MISSING 22-year-old Barnsley woman has been found.

Lauren Mayes was reported missing to South Yorkshire Police on September 16 but was last seen at her home in Queens Drive, Dodworth, on May 12.

She has now been found safe and well.

A HAIRDRESSER raised more than £800 in a single coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Korner Kuts, on Hough Lane, Wombwell, became 'Korner Kafé' for a morning last Wednesday, serving teas, coffees, cakes and also held a raffle in support of the charity.

Owner Shaun Dean said the morning was a big success, with the shop packed full of people, and was pleased to have raised so much money.

He said: "We had tonnes of people in and had some great stuff donated. Wella donated some gift bags full of products and we had some great raffle prizes from Avon and Absolute Flowers on High Street.

"We still had a few cakes left but we donated them to a local school for their coffee morning."

THE wife of Kes author Barry Hines is asking Barnsley people to be more compassionate to those - like her husband - who have dementia.

Eleanor Hines, 68, is working with the Alzheimer's Society to combat the stigma associated with the condition which can cause noisy and aggressive behaviour and can often be confused by people for drunkenness or the effects of drugs.

Eleanor, of Tankersley Lane, Hoyland Common, has had to deal with all kinds of cruelty and prejudice when out with Barry - ranging from jeering schoolboys to dirty looks.

Barry, 74, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007 when he was in his late 60s. He also has a second form of dementia, Lewy Body, which causes hallucinations.

Eleanor, who has been married to Barry since 1980, said: "On hearing about the diagnosis, people were shocked - most did not know what to say.

"There was a small initial flurry of phone calls, on the lines of 'let me know if I can help' but the only help offered was calling for a cup of tea. Then people just faded away."

By 2010, Barry had deteriorated to the extent that he had to go into care for his own safety. Eleanor said: "I kept him at home as long as I could and when I had to give in and place him in care, it was truly the worst day of my life."

What made matters even more painful was the way people had reacted when Barry and Eleanor went out.

"There were a few random acts of kindness, but it was the jeering boys from Kirk Balk, the dirty looks from a neighbour, people avoiding me, and the feeling of isolation which will stay in my mind for ever," she added.

"It's hard to look after anybody with dementia, but when they're very noisy and troubled, even going shopping is a nightmare. I apologise to Morrison's for all the half-filled trollies I had to abandon because of the outraged looks from other customers."

Barry, who was born in Hoyland Common, wrote the book A Kestrel For a Knave in 1968. It was made into the iconic film Kes which ranks in the top ten British films of all time.

"All I want is for people to understand what dementia is and not be so afraid of it," said Eleanor.

A MIDWIFE at Barnsley Hospital who helps bereaved families to cope with the loss of a baby or child has been shortlisted for a national award.

Cath Jones, the hospital’s bereavement midwife, has made the final six in the 'Midwife' category of the highly regarded Butterfly Awards, which celebrate and recognise the achievements of families overcoming baby loss and the health care professionals who support them.

Cath, who has worked in the role for ten years, was nominated by one of her patients, Emma Breeds, for the outstanding care and compassion she showed her when she lost a baby.

Emma said: "Although I didn't meet Cath at the time our angel was born, she has been a huge support in the months and years that have passed since.

"She's a wonderful person - she's always at the end of a phone when you need someone to talk to."

Cath helps families who lose a baby or a child by providing advice and support and makes herself available every day of the week between the hours of 8am and 10pm.

She keeps in contact with families no matter how long ago their baby or child passed away - and is even in touch with one family she met ten years ago.

This outstanding level of commitment has even led to Cath being invited to christenings, weddings and birthday parties.

Cath said: "Since I started I’ve always been determined to make our service as good as it possibly can be for our patients and their families.

"I think it’s really important to develop good relationships with families and to help them in the long term, not just immediately after they have suffered their loss.

"It's an enormous privilege to be shortlisted in these awards, but it wouldn’t have happened without the fantastic support of the hospital and my colleagues."

Sue Gibson, the hospital's head of midwifery, said: "Cath does a wonderful job and we're all so proud of her. I strongly encourage people to vote for her so she can gain the recognition she deserves."

To vote for Cath, click here and click on the ‘Voting’ tab at the top. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on October 19.

SNOOKER'S biggest stars came to Barnsley last week - and one had a Chronicle photographer thrown out.

The Metrodome has been staging qualifying heats for a tournament in China.

Among those playing were Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis and Jimmy White.

O'Sullivan, arguably the game's biggest star, had Chronicle photographer Scott Bairstow thrown out for distracting him by taking a picture in his eyeline.

Opponent Joel Walker said: "It must have been distracting for Ronnie but I thought it was pretty funny."