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."

A GROUP of cyclists from a team fielded by a Barnsley-based company have completed their 420-mile cycle ride - raising over £30,000 for charity.

Since the annual charity event started in 2007, the cyclists from Dransfield Properties Ltd have raised more than £260,000.

The riders set off from Dubrovnik in Croatia at the start of a mountainous, coastal route which took them through three countries before arriving in Trieste in Italy five days later.

This year’s six-day challenge, for a leukaemia and lymphoma research project in Leeds and a Grimsby hospice, was longer and tougher than previous years, but the riders are already planning next year’s route.

The charity cycle ride was originally founded by brothers Mark and Paul Dransfield in 2007.

Mark said: "We try and add to the challenge every year and it’s fair to say this year has certainly been a challenge - we’ve had a few category one climbs which are tough for even the hardiest of cyclists.

"We're raising money for two great charities and though the money is still coming in, we’re hoping we will have raised well over £30,000 through this year’s ride."

A MAN who steals 'because he is an alcoholic' has been spared from being sent straight to jail.

Mark Henderson, 38, who has been in and out of prison, was given the chance to deal with his drink problem when he appeared at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Henderson was ordered to undergo six months of alcohol treatment as part of a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for a year.

District Judge John Foster said there was a chance Henderson would breach the terms of the suspended sentence.

He said: "Nothing suggests to me you're going to make a genuine effort to deal with your drink problem.

"You're an alcoholic. Alcoholism is an illness which leads you to commit offences and spend long spells in prison.

"Do not spend what little money you have on drink so that you have to steal. You're 38. If you don't deal with this problem, you will struggle to reach 48."

Eric Bray, defending, said Henderson, of Hope Avenue, Goldthorpe, was 'potentially down and out' when he last came out of prison because he had nowhere to live and no money.

Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said Henderson stole meat worth £30 from a branch of the Co-op. She said it was never recovered.

Henderson, who admitted shoplifting, was ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge, £35 in costs and £30 in compensation.

MORE than 40 schools across Barnsley were closed last Tuesday as teachers went on strike in a dispute over pay, pensions and working conditions.

Primary and secondary schools were closed to pupils as members of the National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers protested about changes to their pensions, increased workload and government plans to bring in performance-related pay from this autumn.

One English teacher picketing outside Kirk Balk School in Hoyland said she was on strike to support the union and defend teachers' pay and conditions.

She has worked at the school for seven years, and said: "We don't think it's sustainable to be working every night, working late, working weekends and holidays, but nobody seems to be saying that's not reasonable.

"We go into teaching because we enjoy being around children, teaching and being in a classroom and that's why we work so hard because we want to do the best for the children.

"They basically want us to work more for less and the teachers I know can't work any harder so I don't really know where we go from there."

Another English teacher, who has been at Kirk Balk for about ten years, said teachers at Kirk Balk had not had a pay rise for three years and will be expected to pay ten per cent of their monthly salary into their pensions.

She added: "I'm not really clear on what the government are trying to achieve. It just makes people feel disregarded and less valued."

UP to 150 workers at a car parts manufacturer are facing redundancy over the next year.

Staff at Japanese-owned Koyo Bearings Europe on Dodworth Industrial Estate were told of the job losses on Tuesday.

A notice was displayed in the factory, claiming the company had suffered losses of £23million over the last couple of years.

The firm - which opened in 1991 - employs 360 who work a three-shift pattern, although this is now expected to be reduced to two.

Workers, some with more than 20 years' service, said the news was a 'bolt from the blue'.

One said he was 'gutted' at the prospect of losing his job.

The cuts are expected to hit all levels of staff from management down, with the first to go being around 45 agency staff.

Richard Bedford, of trade union Unite, said it's thought the work will be transferred to one of the firm's plants in Romania.

"This is terrible news for the workers, their families and the South Yorkshire economy," he added.

"The nature of the automotive sector is that the car giants dictate the prices that the company sells its products to them and the consequence of that is the loss of jobs at the Barnsley plant.

"We want an urgent meeting with management to discuss the financial health of the company and how any job losses can be mitigated.

"These are highly skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs that Yorkshire and the UK can ill-afford to lose."

A spokesman for Koyo said they would not be commenting.

A BARNSLEY woman is calling for more stray dogs to be impounded after her daughter's cat was left with horrific injuries.

Emma Plummer opened her door on Crown Avenue, Cudworth, to find her cat, Maisie, badly injured with its stomach ripped open and one leg barely attached.

She immediately took her pet to the vets but was left with no choice other than to put her down.

Emma's mum, Meg Plummer, said: "It's caused us a lot of trauma. I’ve visited my daughter’s home so many times and have seen dogs wandering around the area unattended.

"On this occasion the victim was Maisie, but I believe action should be taken to stop dogs being allowed to roam the streets before a child or adult is injured."

A FOOTBALL team was told not to play to 'avoid confrontation' with travellers.

There are about 12 caravans spread across the length of pitches off Broadway, Kingstone, including next to goal posts.

Some even have their own generators and aerials outside.

Commercial FC was due to play there on Sunday but manager Michael Thomas was advised by a Barnsley Council worker not to let the game go ahead.

Michael was forced to find another venue for the game, which cost the club additional money.

Michael, 29, said: "We played last Sunday morning and I think they came that night, or Monday morning. The council told me to not play the game because it will avoid confrontation.

"It was a cup game and we were supposed to be at home and now we had to play away, so we incurred some travel costs for that."

It isn't the first time Commercial FC has had to change fixtures.

Michael, who is also the secretary for the team, said: "It happened a while ago as well and we had to cancel games before the season, so that disrupted us.

"I remember we played a friendly before the season and we had to go and knock on caravans to ask them to move.

"There's not just us who use it either, there are some junior and senior teams as well. It's quite dangerous when you think about it.

"More than anything it's the rubbish they leave behind and they chuck all their dirty nappies on the pitch and I've had to clear most of this up before.

"They're driving their cars and vans on the pitch as well and it's ruining it. It's annoying because last week we played a home game and it's the first time I have seen the pitch looking so good.

"I daren't even look at it now because I might cry. It's frustrating because I can't do anything about it. I said to the council isn't it about time something is done with the fencing and the gate to make it more secure."

A spokesman for Barnsley Council said legal action is being taken to remove the travellers from the unauthorised encampment on the playing field at Kingstone.

TWO second-half goals from Charlie Austin condemned the Reds to another Championship defeat on Saturday.

Barnsley, who have lost all six of their away games, defended resolutely but rarely threatened. A dominant QPR were able to set a new club record of eight successive league clean sheets and maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

After a promising draw against Reading on Tuesday night, the Reds held high-flying QPR until the 66th minute, when Austin slotted home after good work from Junior Hoilett.

The in-form striker, a summer signing from Burnley, then doubled his tally for the afternoon from the spot - his fifth goal in as many games.

David Flitcroft revealed defender Peter Ramage sustained a thigh knock and will be monitored over the next week.

The Barnsley boss also revealed he has 'irons in the fire' regarding a left-sided defender and players 'could move out' on loan.

He said: "We defended well as a team and limited them to two chances in the first half. We kept them at bay and kept their fans low, but that first goal really gave them energy and verve.

"We've got to balance and shape this squad and find out who we're going forward with. It's two weeks to assess things."

Next up for the Reds is a visit from Middlesbrough, who come to Oakwell on October 19.

BARNSLEY'S second food bank has opened in Cudworth, offering a helping hand to those struggling to make ends meet.

Based at Cudworth Library, it provides simple food parcels containing things like tinned meat, fruit, cereals and pasta to people who have been given a voucher from referring organisations and individuals such as local councillors, schools, health workers and Berneslai Homes.

Both Fr David Nicholson of St John The Baptist Church and Cudworth councillor Joe Hayward have been involved in starting up the programme.

Cllr Hayward said a few people visited on its opening day but he's expecting more people to attend once it becomes established.

Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher also came along for the opening.

Sam Hearne, 38, came to the food bank with his one-year-old daughter, Ellie.

He said he has three daughters, two of whom stay with him, three or four days a week.

As he lives in a two-bedroom flat in Cudworth, he says he has to pay the 'bedroom tax' for his spare bedroom.

He receives about £70 in benefits per week but has only £30 a week left to pay for things such as food, bus and train fares.

He said he was 'a bit embarrassed' to come to the food bank and his 'pride was dented' but it was important to help feed his family.

"It's OK spending thousands on parks and making things look nice but it's no good if kids are hungry," he said.

Michael Dugher said: "David Cameron’s legacy in Barnsley is the sight of people having to queue up in Cudworth with their small children for tins of beans and powdered milk. I am angry about that - and you should be too."

Donations to the food bank can be made at Grimethorpe Asda, Shafton ALC, as well as Cudworth shops and Cudworth primary schools.

A BARNSLEY charity is predicting that it will see 50 and 100 per cent rises in reports of serious sexual assaults - including rape - against adults and children.

Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Service (BSARCS) said numbers of people seeking support for such crimes against adults were likely to rise based on statistics collected since April 1, 2013.

BSARCS, which runs a telephone helpline, counselling and advocacy services, recently started a service for children and will help around 750 adults and 120 children in 2013.

Spokesman Lynne Casserly said that more convictions, particularly in high profile cases, were contributing to more sexual assaults being reported.

BSARCS is preparing to deal with this rise in clients. It has won £118,000 in Comic Relief funding to pay for a specialist counsellor and a new post. The new trainer will work with children and young people on what is a healthy relationship as well as what is harmful or illegal.

Lynne said: "It's not only young people that need more information. Sexual offences are increasing because of the rise of online dating and the casual exchange of personal information via social media."

She said sites like Facebook have an impact, as do 'vile' myths about women such as 'women say no when they mean yes' and that they lie about being raped.

Lynne added: "It was only in 1991 that it was made unlawful for a man to rape his wife within marriage - that's what we're having to work against.

"We think our estimates of increasing reports of sexual crimes are actually conservative."

Around half of BSARCS clients have experienced rape and around 50 per cent have been sexually assaulted.

THE police are continuing their appeal for witnesses after naming the 36-year-old motorcyclist who died following a collision on the A628 Woodhead Pass.

Marcus Skeet, 36, was riding a grey Suzuki Bandit motorcycle when, at around 12.45pm on September 25, it was in collision with a brown BMW 320D outside the Dog and Partridge pub.

Both the BMW and the motorcycle are believed to have been travelling towards Flouch roundabout.

Mr Skeet was initially taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but sadly died on October 1.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the motorcycle on the A628 prior to the collision or who witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 435 of September 25, 2013.

A BARNSLEY drug pusher who was jailed for dealing cannabis to fund his own habit has failed to win a cut in his sentence.

Gary Darlington, 38, was caught with hundreds of pounds worth of the drug, a cannabis grinder, scales and dealer bags when police stopped him on separate occasions last year.

Darlington, of Sheffield Road, was handed a three-year term at Sheffield Crown Court in May after he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply.

Three of the country's most senior judges at London's Court of Appeal have rejected a sentence challenge by Darlington.

Mrs Justice Cox said Darlington, a long-term cannabis user with an 'appalling' criminal record, was caught red-handed last year.

While being chased by police on March 15, Darlington discarded a bag stuffed with cannabis worth £270 and a mobile phone, the appeal judge said.

He was arrested and officers later recovered small amounts of herbal cannabis, resin, weighing scales and dealer bags during a search of his home.

Mrs Justice Cox said Darlington was 'verbally and physically aggressive' towards police and refused to give an interview, threatening to spit on any officer or solicitor who tried to talk to him.

After he was released on police bail, officers stopped Darlington on May 17 and found he was holding cannabis with a street value of £170 in a carrier bag.

He was arrested again nine days later after he was spotted dealing in a park. On him, police found almost 100 re-sealable bags, a cannabis grater, scales and a small amount of the drug.

Darlington later admitted the three drug-dealing charges, along with counts of possession of Class B and C drugs.

He had previous convictions for 13 offences, including for possession of cannabis and heroin. In 2009, he was handed a nine-month jail term for possessing a Class C drug with intent to supply, the appeal judge added.

MORE than a dozen supermarket staff will plummet 15,000ft during a seaside skydive for charity.

Employees at Penistone Tesco have signed up for the stunt in order to help the store reach its £10,000 target for this year's chosen charity, Diabetes UK.

The 13 members of staff taking part - Heather Brocklehurst, Andrew Presley, Jamie Mellor, Alex Faulkner, Rachael Cook, Matthew Robinson, Kate Gibson, Mick Edwards, Matthew Quinn, Simon Jones, Mandy Young, James Appley, Lizzie Barnett and organiser Rose Robinson - will travel to Bridlington for the dive on October 6.

Organiser Rose, 53, Penistone Tesco community champion, is the oldest participant and needed to obtain a doctor’s certificate to take part.

"We were talking about it one day in the canteen and people were saying how good it was,” she said.

Staff, who have all paid for the cost of their own skydives, hope to top £1,000 from the day.

THOUSANDS of pounds in compensation is being handed out to residents.

Specialist surveying team Thomson Broadbent says settlements have ran into several thousands with the majority of claims down to noise and light pollution caused by vehicles and street lights living close to a Cudworth bypass.

The firm's managing director, James Broadbent, said between 200 and 250 claims have been made by residents in the Cudworth and Shafton area.

Claims range from £500 to £13,000, he said, with 49 properties so far having been successful in their claims.

"When I've presented the offers to the clients, pretty much without exception, they have been happy," he said.

According to Thomson Broadbent, residents are entitled to claim where their property has been reduced in value due to problems such as noise and pollution from public works.

Mr Broadbent said a lot of claims have been made in Plumpton Park and Bleak Avenue in Shafton as well as Queens Road and Beech Avenue in Cudworth.

One Plumpton Park resident, who wished not to be named, said a number of residents had been awarded sums between £10,000 to £14,000.

He said he was given money in July after making a claim through a chartered surveyor based in Macclesfield.

He said there was a hedge between the bypass and his house, but when the vegetation dies away during the winter months, lights from the road are a problem.

"They don't just get all the pollution from all the street lights, they get it from all the vehicles as well," he added.

A couple, who also live on the estate, said they had been awarded a 'five-figure sum' through the same surveyor.

They said they have to put up blackout blinds because of the lights.

A Barnsley Council spokesman said: "Barnsley Council can confirm it has received a number of compensation claims in relation to the Cudworth and West Green bypass scheme and to date has agreed 103 cases to affected residents.

"All claims are carefully assessed in accordance with the relevant statutory process and must meet a strict set of criteria in order to qualify for compensation."

MPs representing Barnsley claimed more than £185,000 in expenses and allowances during 2012/13.

Figures released by the Parliamentary Standards Authority details the expenses claimed by Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central), Michael Dugher (Barnsley East), John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) and Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) cover travel, office accommodation and administration costs, but excludes full-time staff.

It was Mr Dugher who claimed the least amount with £11,521.61 for constituency office spend, £11,965.06 on accommodation, £6,168.80 for travel and subsistence, £1,652.43 under 'staffing spend' and £767 'miscellaneous' claim - totalling £32,074.90.

This was followed by Angela Smith, whose expenses came to £38,328.91 for the year. Broken down, the figures by IPSA show she claimed £15,985.21 for the cost of running her constituency office, £15,316.01 on accommodation and £7,027.69 for travel and subsistence.

In total Mr Jarvis claimed £46,886.90 with £17,864.79 for his constituency office, £23,212.09 on accommodation, and £5,810.02 for travel and subsistence.

However, the MP with the highest claim was Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey, totalling £68,432.96, with a staffing claim of £10,586.70, £11,346.05 in travel and subsistence, £21,148.92 for accommodation and a £24,655.29 for his constituency office spend.

The IPSA statistics also show all four MPs employed partners or relatives to assist their duties.

Angela Smith came top for paying husband Steve Smith up to £39,999 a year to employ him as a senior caseworker.

Mr Jarvis employed partner Rachel Brookes as a senior secretary, at a cost of between £5,000-£9,999, while Mr Dugher employed wife Joanna as an office manager, at a rate of up to £34,999.

John Healey also employed his wife, Jackie Bate, as an office manager, costing between £10,000 - £14,999.

THE council has admitted that people have been getting away with parking illegally - because traffic wardens have not been patrolling the streets often enough.

Alan Turton, Barnsley Council's car parking manager, revealed this week that enforcement officers had visited Penistone just 13 times in the last four months.

He promised the service would improve and said the council has now recruited three additional employees to deal with drivers who flout parking laws.

"We haven't provided the service as much as we would have liked to have done in the last four months," Mr Turton admitted.

"Going forward we're going to provide a much better service than we've been able to over the last few months.

"Three new enforcement officers are due to start work soon and there will be more visits."

Jeanette Edwards, chairman of Penistone Crime and Safety Group, welcomed the news of increased patrols.

"If they've been 13 times in the last four months, I think I've seen them once," she said.

"They're parking wherever they can. Anybody will park where they like if they're going to get away with it.

"If people do start to realise they're going to get ticketed and a fine then maybe they'll start thinking about it. There's a lot of revenue to be had in Penistone."

A VILLAGE'S only grade II listed building will have to be demolished if the controversial HS2 rail line goes ahead, councillors have warned.

The free-standing chimney at Bleach Croft Farm, Cudworth, sits on the proposed route of the high speed line linking Leeds and London.

Councillors Charlie Wraith and Joe Hayward said the line will cut straight through the farm and have now been told at a consultation meeting the structure will not be saved.

Cllr Hayward said initially he was told the chimney - which dates back to 1854 - would be preserved. It was built for the Midland Bleach Works and was given listed status in 1988.

He said a stand needs to be made, as there are no stopping points near Cudworth and residents are not getting a fair deal.

He said: "Why should we lose a grade two marked building and not get anything back in return?"

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis is inviting residents to give their opinions at a consultation at Barnsley Town Hall on November 2.

According to the plans the line would also go through Birch Tree Farm in Cudworth and Carlton Marsh nature reserve.

A SINGLE mother from Barnsley who was jailed for scarring a woman in a drink-fuelled attack has had her sentence cut by a third on appeal.

Hannah Leigh Robinson, 24, left Maureen Irwin needing eight stitches to her head after throwing a glass at her in Chennells bar, Wellington Street, during a 'grave' Boxing Day assault in 2012.

Robinson, of Lang Avenue, Lundwood, was jailed by Judge Peter Kelson QC for a year at Sheffield Crown Court in July after she admitted unlawful wounding.

But three judges at London's Court of Appeal have upheld a sentence challenge by Robinson - cutting her jail term to eight months.

Mrs Justice Carr said an old grudge erupted anew between Robinson and Miss Irwin while they were drinking in separate groups.

Robinson's group followed Miss Irwin's after they had moved across the road to Chennells, where the dispute sparked up again.

After tipping a drink over the victim, Robinson was captured on CCTV chucking her empty glass at Miss Irwin, inflicting a 3cm cut to her head.

Mrs Justice Carr said the mother-of-one later told police she did not remember the incident but, on being shown a video clip of the attack, said she was disgusted with herself and admitted her actions were reckless.

Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Pitchford and Mr Justice Blake, said: "This was a grave offence and nothing short of an immediate custodial sentence would have been appropriate. The appeal is allowed and we will reduce the sentence to a period of eight months' imprisonment."

STUDENTS and staff at a Barnsley college have been left devastated by the death of a teenage girl who lost her life after a car accident.

Hannah Hunter, 16, was killed when the Seat Leon she was travelling in came off the road and crashed into a tree on Chevet Lane, Wakefield, on October 1.

Tributes have poured in on social networking sites for the Hemsworth Arts and Community College student.

The college's principal, Pam Massett, said: "Everybody is devastated. She was a popular student here and the staff who worked with her are very upset by the news.

"Our mentor team and liaison officers are helping students to deal with this."

Hannah, from Wakefield, was due to receive an award following work experience at Havercroft Skills Centre at a ceremony.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident, which happened at 11.35pm. Anyone with information should call the major collision enquiry team on 101.

YOUNG people want to learn more about the glory years of mining in Barnsley, according to the National Union of Mineworkers.

The young enthusiasts were among those attending heritage days at the NUM's headquarters on Huddersfield Road, Barnsley. The exhibits ignited fond memories for older people, like making toast on a toasting fork over a blazing coal fire.

Chris Skidmore, of the NUM, said: "One of the things was the number of young people that came in. They were very young when the miners' strike was on in 1984 - or not even born.

"They said the industrial history of Barnsley isn't taught in schools and that's why they were fascinated. We don't want to get to a time when pits are erased from people's memories."

His NUM colleague John 'Inky' Thomson added: "We have kids now who have never seen coal on a fire and all those different colours in the flames."

This is the fourth year of the heritage days and the NUM is now looking at holding them at the weekend so more people can attend.

A ROYSTON woman's dream came true after smashing her personal best at the Great North Run - and was also the first British woman to cross the finish line.

Jilly Woodthorpe, 35, ran the gruelling 13.1-mile route in an astonishing 1.14.29 - finishing the race in tenth position and knocking about three minutes off her previous record.

Jilly, who has run Superheroes Fitness in Royston for the last 13 years, said she was proud to represent Barnsley in her Barnsley Athletics Club vest.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," she said. "Because I've had a lot of injuries throughout my career, for me that run, the whole day and the whole experience, it was one of the best days of my life and one of the happiest days of my life."

Jilly represented Great Britain over 1,500 and 5,000 metres in her 20s and is hoping her performance will give her a second bite at the cherry.

She has been part of Barnsley AC since she was 15 and ran the Great North Run in 2007 for charity.

Since then she says she has been taking her road running more seriously and is now ranked 11th in the UK over a half-marathon distance.

A SHOPLIFTER who threatened to stab a man trying to foil his getaway has been given a 12-week jail term.

Tony Garner said to Dean Turton: "I have a knife. If you do not get out of the way, I will stab you."

Mr Turton was entering a branch of Costcutter when a shop assistant asked him to stop Garner who was stealing beer, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

June Allen, prosecuting, said Garner, 30, was wearing a coat with large pockets to hide the cans.

She said: "Mr Turton was going into the shop. He tried to stop Mr Garner but stood aside when he was threatened. Mr Garner escaped."

Philip Howard, defending, said the theft was 'unsophisticated'. He said Garner, of Coronation Avenue, Grimethorpe, wore a thick overcoat with big pockets on a hot day.

Mr Howard said Garner denied threatening to stab Mr Turton but accepted he said he had a knife.

He said: "Mr Garner was homeless and effectively living on the streets after being repleased from prison. He had no money. He handed back one of the cans of beer.

"As he was leaving the shop, Mr Turton stood in front of Mr Garner."

Garner admitted threatening behaviour and theft.

CUTS to the council's youth service could be brewing trouble for the future after 32 staff members lost their jobs.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman for children, young people and families, said savage government cuts to the council's budget meant frontline and preventative departments were having to be pared back to protect services the council is bound by law to provide.

The youth service is divided into three tiers - one running the most visible being things like youth centres, another with more targeted service for areas of specific need and a 'backend' department for strategy and statutory services like the youth offending team.

But the first two have had to be curtailed following cuts to the service's budget by £4.2million to half what it was in 2010 - with the loss of 12 full-time and 20 part-time staff.

Cllr Cheetham said this could prove more expensive for the council in the long run if issues like anti-social behaviour, neglect and family breakdown increase.

He said: "We're struggling to justify that, obviously, as it could be working against us further down the line. It's important because, if you're getting that side of it right, you're doing less of the other stuff.

"We are finding more and more there are things going on that we didn't know about, which we are now referring people to. We are also trying to get area councils to commission a bit more where they see a need.

"If, for example, a community group which raises its own funds runs an event one night a week, the area council could provide funding for them to extend it to two nights a week."

He added the council's push to get all its advanced learning centres (ALCs) approved before the coalition government cancelled Labour's 'Building Schools for the Future' programme has also paid dividends - with the buildings stepping in where youth centres have been closed.

"After all, why would you want to play on a rotten old table tennis table when you've got these new ALCs?" he added.

TWO young football teams raised money in memory of a teenager who died from a brain tumour.

Popular Brierley teenager Leah Bella Pearson, 18, died in June and on September 8 Brierley Cubs Under 12s took part in a memorial match against Royston Dynamos Under 12s at Brierley Park.

Leah's dad, Nigel Pearson, is manager of the team and Leah's brother, Corey, is the captain.

A minute's silence was observed by both teams prior to kick off.

Brierley Cubs won the march 8-1. A raffle, auction and penalty shoot-out was held on the day and £546 was raised for the Teenage Cancer Unit at Weston Park Hospital.

TWO extra wards will be opened at Barnsley Hospital to ease pressure on services this winter.

The plan to provide extra beds is part of a £3million investment into services being made by the Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The group represents 38 GP practices and more than 230,000 patients and is responsible for commissioning health care for Barnsley people.

Dr Nick Balac, chairman of the Barnsley CCG, said the investment should tackle an expected 15 per cent increase in demand on services during the winter months.

"More people become unwell with a variety of conditions and these things get worse in the winter," Nick added.

"There's often an increase in the numbers of frail elderly, who are often less mobile as a result, and become poorly."

An extra 28-bed ward will be opened from November to March and a second 28-bed ward will open in January.

POLICE have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with an alleged assault and are appealing for information.

Between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on September 23, police received reports that two men were in an altercation near Royston Park, Barnsley.

A 24-year-old man sustained head injuries during the incident. The 23-year-old has been bailed while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 495 of September 28, 2013.

A RECYCLING company is to be charged with corporate manslaughter over an explosion which killed an employee and injured a Barnsley man.

Michael Whinfrey was fatally injured in the blast at Sterecycle on Sheffield Road, Rotherham, on January 11, 2011. His friend and co-worker Peter Davis, from Barnsley, was seriously injured in the blast but survived.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the company would be charged at a Rotherham Magistrates' Court hearing on October 14.

Three men will also be charged with health and safety breaches.

Father-of-three Michael, 42, from Wickersley, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary after the explosion but died later that day.

Jane Wragg, from the special crime and counter-terrorism division of the CPS, said: "I have carefully reviewed the evidence gathered by South Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive during their investigation into the tragic death of Michael Whinfrey.

"I have concluded that Sterecycle Limited should be charged with an offence of corporate manslaughter."

The plant, which used to treat up to 130,000 tonnes of waste a year, closed last year and is currently in creditors' voluntary liquidation, having experienced a decrease in trading after the tragic explosion.

AN ex-council clerk who abused her position to pocket nearly £700,000 has been given an eight-year jail term.

Fraudster Janet Cooper, from Sheffield, enjoyed lavish hotels, a £21,000 car and cruises around the Mediterranean using cash totalling almost £700,000 paid to Brierley Town Council.

When the scale of the 51-year-old's offending was uncovered she claimed to be blind and said she had no memory of events - although no medical evidence supported her claims.

The convicted fraudster - once the subject of a Channel 4 documentary - forged councillors’ signatures to borrow the money, which she then paid to herself.

Residents in Brierley and Grimethorpe are now set to pay the price for more than two decades for Cooper’s offending.

Ian Goldsack, prosecuting, said: "Brierley had to obtain a loan from Barnsley Council resulting in an annual commitment of £35,000 per year for the next 20 years.

"The community bus service used by elderly and disabled people has been lost, four members of town council staff have lost their jobs and there are charges on previously free services."

She had previously been jailed for 15 months at Basildon Crown Court in 1999 for theft and false accounting and again in September, 2003, for three years at Leicester for stealing £800,000 from her then employer.

She then lied after her release to land her £20,000-a-year role in Barnsley.

After being sentenced to eight years in jail, Det Sgt Stuart Hall said: "She would often try and ingratiate herself with other people and appear to be quite generous - but it wasn’t her money.

"There's nothing left in her bank account and there are no assets. It has all been frittered away.

"She has lied about everything and even her husband is another unwitting victim of the lifestyle she has fabricated."

A SIGN put up by a disgusted mother to warn off doggers has been taken down for the second time - after her landlord took exception.

Marie Owen, 27, first put up the cardboard protest, which had a picture of a couple copulating in the shape of a traffic sign after catching two people having sex in a car outside her flat on Wentworth View, Wombwell.

However, it was taken down by police, who deemed it offensive and indecent due to its depiction of a sex act and use of foul language.

Justifying its removal, Wombwell Safer Neighbourhood Team Sgt Phil Jenkins said he thought Marie's protest was hypocritical.

"To say she was standing on an ethical soapbox, it was a pretty disgusting sign," he said. "If a child saw that, it would not have been right. A more mature person would have reported it to the police."

Defiant, Marie replaced the sign with a similar one, this time higher up the lamp post to make it more difficult for anyone to remove, with the same 'traffic sign' drawing and the words: 'Do not remove this sign. It isn't hurting anyone. Some people have no respect. If you do not like my way of discouraging this behaviour... do one!'

However, she said she was forced to take down the sign after the estate agent letting the flats complained, on the basis it made it more difficult for her landlord to let empty flats in the block.

A POLICE helicopter had to be used to locate teenagers hiding in bushes - after they stole £58 of lager and cider.

Adam Liam Chopra, 19, and three others were found hiding in bushes after the police helicopter was scrambled, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

June Allen, prosecuting, said a fourth person had been arrested earlier.

Philip Howard, defending, said Chopra, of Ballfield Lane, Kexborough, had been recalled to prison for 28 days for breaching conditions of his early release.

Chopra admitted shoplifting and was handed a seven-day jail term. The sentence will not add to his jail term.

HUNDREDS of darts fans made their way to the Metrodome last week to see some of the game's best players.

World champions Raymond van Barneveld and Dennis Priestley joined seven-time PDC winner James Wade, reigning European champion Simon Whitlock and reigning World Grand Prix champion Michael van Gerwen.

The line-up was completed by Belgian ace Kim Huybrechts and two more Yorkshire men - Dean Winstanley, who has been a finalist at both the World Championship and World Masters, and Huddersfield’s James Wilson.

Around 800 flocked to the venue on September 27 and saw Michael van Gerwen win the tournament, having beaten James Wilson, Dean Winstanley and then James Wade in the final.

We did a competition for tickets on We Are Barnsley and had a massive amount of entries.

"The atmosphere was great," said one of our competition winners, Paul Sapi. "It was a great night and clearly enjoyed by all."

Its organisers are already scheduled to return to the Metrodome on November 7, 2014, where stars such as Andy Hamilton, Adrian Lewis, Dean Winstanley, Bobby George, Wesley Newton and three more star names will once again take to the oche.

MUTUAL respect is the key to a successful marriage, says the couple who have just celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Derrik Barnes, 87, and wife Jean, 79, celebrated with family members from as far as Herefordshire and Berkshire last weekend with a meal at the Cross Keys, Darfield.

However, granddaughter Holly, who works in the fashion industry, was unable to attend as she was working at London Fashion Week.

The couple, of Belvedere Drive, Darfield, met at a dance at Wombwell Baths 18 months before their wedding at Hemsworth Parish Church in 1947.

The couple bought their own home on Thomas Street six months before the wedding and moved in afterwards. Derrik had spent five years in the RAF and, after being demobbed, found work at Mitchells Main and Darfield Main.

During this time he was at night school studying electrical engineering and later trained to be a teacher at Huddersfield. He then taught at Hemsworth and, later, Barnsley Technical College until taking early retirement at 59.

The couple also enjoy travelling together and have visited the United States, Canada, Europe and North Africa.

The couple have three children, Jenny, 59, John, 58, and Jayne, 54, along with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

BARNSLEY manager David Flitcroft believes the club have 'turned the corner' after holding Championship promotion challengers Reading to a 1-1 draw.

The Reds remain at the bottom of the table, having conceded 25 goals in their opening 10 league games, but Flitcroft is now certain they're heading in the right direction.

"We've had a tough run of games and we know where we're at," he said. "I see the balance improving in the team and I believe we'll just keep getting better."

Tuesday night's draw saw Barnsley end a run of four consecutive defeats, with some fans even calling for a change in management.

Flitcroft, 39, was able to give home debuts to new loan signings David Fox and Butland and saw his side dominate for long periods against a team which had won their previous three matches.

"We've had a lot of injuries, but if we can get a steady team and the right balance that's the key," he added. 

"I've no doubt we'll build something special here. It'll take a bit longer but I certainly believe in that. It was a real powerful, positive performance on Tuesday."

Barnsley fans, do you think we've turned a corner? Have your say below.

EVERYTHING has come up roses for Elsecar Park with Yorkshire in Bloom applauding its popularity and its 'dedicated volunteers'.

The park won a prestigious gold rose award from the judges who said its range of facilities was clearly the reason it was so popular.

The picnic and sandpit area, bandstand performance site, well maintained terraced gardens, children's activity area and café - and a reservoir with nature and wildlife spots - were 'all part of an award-winning park which hosted a range of events and activities through the year'.

Yorkshire in Bloom also said the high levels of maintenance of a public park, with considerable visitor numbers, were to be applauded.

Judges remarked: "This is achieved with the practical support of a number of dedicated volunteers, particularly in the terraced garden and reservoir wildlife areas."

Judges suggested further areas of development would be embarking on a programme of infrastructure refurbishment and repair. This would ensure future generations continued to enjoy the park.

Linda Webster, of the Friends of Elsecar Park group, said: "This is brilliant news for the park. It shows what the council can do. You have got to go a long way to find somewhere that has so many things in it for people to do."

Barnsley Council announced this month that it will no longer have funds to repair or replace play equipment, and concerns were raised last week about what impact this might have on an attraction like Elsecar Park.

But Linda said: "The park is a flagship for the council and a tourist attraction in its own right. Over the winter, the Friends will be looking for a new project to do in the park."

A DRUNK man cracked the windscreen of a takeaway owner's car - because he was refused chips.

Matthew Jones, 26, who had been drinking since 9am, later said it was lucky the car had been punched and not the takeaway owner, Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, told Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

She said Jones, of York Street, Hoyland, had banged on the takeaway's counter and shouted abuse when the police were called.

Eric Bray, defending, said Jones accepted he had been out of order.

Mr Bray said: "Mr Jones was very drunk. He had been drinking because he had split up with his girlfriend the previous evening."

Jones, who admitted criminal damage, was ordered to pay £200 in compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and ordered to undergo 12 months of supervision.

A HARD-WORKING Barnsley man has beaten off more than 3,000 people to land a place as one of the eight finalists in the UK Worker of the Year competition.

Dean Gerstel, 42, of Gill Street, Hoyland, is the owner of DMG Roofing and Property Repairs. He entered the national competition but never believed he'd make it through as a finalist.

It's searching for workers who exemplify what doing a good job is all about. They want the winning candidate to be truly proud of what they do and being a member of a workforce no matter what role or position they're in.

"I still can't believe I'm in the final," said Dean. "I didn’t believe I would even be considered, so to get this far is a huge surprise."

Dean juggles three jobs. Monday to Wednesday sees him as a stay-at-home dad caring for his two boys. During the time between the school drop off and pick up, he fits in any smaller roof jobs his business brings - as well as household duties.

On Thursday and Friday, his wife takes over the care of their children and leaves Dean to take care of larger roof jobs.

If that wasn't enough, Dean also has a third job.

"I also leave home each weekday at 5am to drive to my other job as a cleaner working for a Yorkshire-based cleaning services contractor," added Dean.

"I have to ensure that I am home each day in time to allow my wife to make her commute to her place of work - a school in Sheffield - leaving myself to get the boys ready for school."

Dean will find out if he's the winner at an awards ceremony in Reading on October 18.