A TERRIFIED vicar feared for her life when a drunken thug fired a crossbow at her from a church roof.

David Wood, 20, raised the crossbow and aimed at Rev Sue Hobley, vicar of All Saints’ Church in Wath-upon-Dearne, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

Wood sobbed as he was handed an eight-month jail term.

Peter Hampton, prosecuting, said Mrs Hobley and her husband Michael Byrne heard the church roof alarm sounding in the early hours of April 7.

"Sue looked up to the roof of the church and on the porch was Wood looking directly at her," said Mr Hampton.

"Mrs Hobley shouted at him to come down and he picked up what later transpired to be a crossbow.

"She was terrified and thought she was going to be shot. The couple took cover, Mrs Hobley behind a gravestone. Wood continued to aim at her.

"Then they both heard a bang - the crossbow had been fired."

The pair fled to the church hall, locked themselves in and called police. Wood was talked down from the roof at gunpoint by armed police.

Wood, of Campsall Field Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, admitted affray.

Michael Slater, mitigating, said he was a ‘vulnerable and thoughtful young man’ of good character and his behaviour was a ‘cry for help’.

He said Wood was caring for his dying grandmother and couldn’t cope.

THIS little dog met a barbaric death having had weights clamped to its paws before being thrown in a canal.

Bruiser, a three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was described by his previous owners as a very gentle-natured dog.

He had been friendly with other dogs and children but had to be re-homed last summer simply because his former owners had separated and could no longer look after him.

He had been identity-chipped but his latest owners had not bothered to update the records. Council workmen recovered his body from the canal at Royston last Wednesday morning after reports from passers-by that something was floating on the surface.

Angler and dog owner Claire Mayes said she was shocked to see the weights attached to the dog when the council came and removed it from the water.

Claire, 34, added: "What evil b*****d puts weights on a dog and drowns it?"

RSPCA spokesman Lynsey Harris described the killing as ‘horrendous’ and ‘barbaric’ and appealed for help in tracking down whoever was responsible.

She added: "There’s no excuse for doing this. We know it’s difficult times and people are struggling financially and it means some people can’t afford dogs but there are so many dog charities out there.

"We deal with a lot of awful things on a daily basis but when it's a premeditated attack, when somebody has prepared these weights in that way, it’s barbaric.

"The original owner of the dog was heartbroken to find out what had happened to him.

"I have no idea why someone would want to do this to a defenceless animal and it's very disturbing and quite an horrendous way for an animal to die."

Jean Kilkenny, of Royston Animal Welfare, described Bruiser's death as ‘murder’.

She added: “I think it's absolutely dreadful what has happened. The dog must have gone through absolute agony before it drowned."

The Barnsley Chronicle has offered a £500 cash reward to help bring those responsible to justice.

"How anyone could treat a dog this way is beyond belief," said the Chronicle's editor, Andrew Harrod.

"It must have been a horrible way to die. It's not known whether this was carried out by the owners who had got fed up of Bruiser or whether he had got lost or been stolen and it was some sort of sick prank.

"Either way, Bruiser didn’t deserve this horrible fate. Surely there was no need for the owners to resort to this? For the last year, Bruiser had obviously been someone’s pet - someone must recognise him from the picture.

"If you think you know who was to blame for his death then please contact the RSPCA."

A BARNSLEY man has been found guilty of murdering his wife.

Stephen Barnsdale-Quean, 42, of Upperwood Road, Darfield, faces life in jail after being convicted of murdering his wife by strangling her with a homemade ligature.

He claimed Chantelle attacked him out of the blue with a kitchen knife and then suggested she took her own life.

However, jurors at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday found him guilty of murder.

There were gasps of ‘yes’ from family members in the public gallery as the verdict was delivered.

Judge Julian Goose told Barnsdale-Quean: "You know what the sentence is going to be. The outstanding issue is how long you have to serve in prison."

He showed no emotion as he was led to the cells and is due to be sentenced today.

THE police have released CCTV images of the two people they want to speak to in connection with a burglary.

A purse belonging to a cashier at the Spar store on High Street, Penistone, was snatched during the incident which happened between 12.19pm and 12.22pm on June 12.

A mobile phone was also taken in the burglary.

Since then, extensive enquiries have been carried out and police believe the two people in the images could have information that would assist the investigation.

Anyone who recognises either person in the pictures is asked to call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 552 of June 12, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

THESE three cyclists tackled a gruelling 70-mile bike ride to help Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Brandon Ingham, 18, from Royston, Patrick Dexter, 15, from Cudworth, and Michael White, 18, also from Cudworth, cycled from Barnsley to Scunthorpe and strapped their camping gear to their bikes before hitting the open road.

Former Barnsley College students Michael and Brandon have done a number of charity bike rides in the past and recruited Carlton Community College friend Patrick to the cause.

Michael said they were happy to arrive in Scunthorpe on time - despite taking a wrong turn.

"Duct-taping the equipment to bikes was probably the most difficult bit," he said.

And the reward for a hard days biking? "A McDonald's," said Michael. "I think it's well deserved."

For more information of the boys' cause, click here.

EMERGENCY healthcare in Barnsley has been given a boost with new electronic care records for more than 124,000 patients.

The new electronically-stored summary care records will provide clinicians with vital information about a patient's allergies, medications and allergies to drugs via computers for the first time.

Pharmacists treating patients admitted to Barnsley Hospital now routinely use the emergency care summaries to improve the efficiency and safety of treatment.

Richard Sykes, deputy chief pharmacist at the hospital, said: "Having access to accurate, up-to-date information on the drug allergies and medicines taken by a patient is incredibly important, especially when they're admitted to hospital.

"The first step to prescribing safely and effectively is to understand what medicines a patient may be currently using.

"Clinical pharmacists and medicines management technicians can now, with the help of technology, obtain this information much quicker than relying on telephone calls and faxes to GP surgeries.

"Using summary care records alongside other available sources has the result that information needed to ensure correct medicines are prescribed is available much sooner."

Patients in Barnsley were sent information on summary care records and their rights in 2010.

Since then, local GPs have worked with IT specialists to make the records available for all those patients who have not opted out of the initiative.

To date, 124,914 people have the records and work is continuing to create them for the remainder of Barnsley's population so the information can be made available at the click of a mouse if they're treated away from their usual practice.

BARNSLEY Gymnastics Club has secured £50,000 in National Lottery funding from Sport England.

They're using the boost to build a foam pit to help gymnasts develop their skills safely.

Sport England has announced £40million in Olympic legacy funding to extend its 'Inspired Facilities Fund' to 2017.

More than 1,300 local sports projects across the country have now received funding through this pot of money.

Jose Gonzalez, head coach of Barnsley Gymnastics Club Ltd, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the club and Barnsley and is an investment in the development of gymnastics in the area.

"We're looking forward to seeing the results over the next few years."

Sport England's chairman Nick Bitel, said: "A year on from the Olympics, this National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in Barnsley."

The club is one of more than 300 projects across England receiving lottery investment from the fourth round of the Inspired Facilities fund.

THE decision to reduce night-time staffing at Barnsley fire station has been deferred until November.

The second fire engine at Barnsley could be manned part-time at night to help reduce costs as an alternative to closing more stations or removing fire engines altogether.

The Fire Authority, which met last Monday, accepted the proposals 'in principle', but a further six-week consultation period was granted to allow the public to review the draft strategic plan for 2013-17.

Fire chiefs face the likelihood of a further £3million in cuts by 2017, based on the government's Comprehensive Spending Review, on top of the £9million reduction in budget up to 2015.

POLICE are appealing to the public to help locate a wanted man.

Joe Haigh, 26, from Thurnscoe, is wanted by South Yorkshire Police on a recall to prison having served a sentence for burglary.

Haigh breached the conditions of his licence and was recalled on July 19.

Police have conducted a variety of operations and activities to locate Haigh and are now seeking the assistance of the public to help trace him.

It's believed he has connections in the Normanton area of Wakefield, as well as in Barnsley.

Anyone who believes they may know the location of Haigh or may have seen him is asked to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously, quoting incident number 981 of 19/07/2013.

THE recession is being blamed for a 25 per cent leap it domestic violence.

Det Insp Sean McMahon, who was brought in from Sheffield to run the public protection unit, said the figures had jumped since the 3,971 cases of domestic abuse which were reported to police in 2010/11.

He said a large chunk of his unit's workload was dealing with domestic abuse, with offences ranging from threatening behaviour and violence, to psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse.

He said: "The complete picture is economically and financially people are feeling the pinch and it's no doubt having an impact on domestic violence figures.

"It's a hidden crime and so pervasive but you cannot deal with it until it's reported. The district is also suffering a small increase with violent crime associated with domestic abuse."

The increase in incidents mirrors the number of people now seeking help for domestic abuse.

The Pathways centre, on Peel Parade, has seen a huge rise in clients, with more than 1,000 turning to the service for support this year alone.

Sue Stokes, 60, project manager at Pathways, said: "We're up to more than 1,000 clients and our intake is going up by about ten per cent a year," she said.

She too believes the recession has played a part in the rise in people accessing help, as more people find themselves out of work and under financial stress.

"We always knew the recession was going to be deep when it hit and that it would impact on people's lives in lots of ways," added Sue, who has been with the support service since 2001.

Domestic abuse is thought to cost the borough almost £29million a year, according to figures in Barnsley Council's three-year plan to tackle the problem.

It shows the criminal justice system, police and civil legal costs make up part of the multi-million pound sum, but almost £12million is spent on physical health care for victims of domestic abuse in the borough.

THE tower at Locke Park has reopened to the public - more than 20 years after its closure.

The folly, built in memory of a railway pioneer's widow, was closed due to safety fears.

Having had an £80,000 restoration to fix its spiral staircase, the outside steps and the electrics, it's now back to its former glory.

It was built in 1877 as a memorial to engineer Joseph Locke's wife, Phoebe, who created the park in his memory.

Another £120,000 still needs to be raised to repair the ornate stonework.

Bob Britton, from the Friends of Locke Park group, said the tower was an 'icon' for the people of Barnsley.

"The experience of going up to the top of the tower has been lost for a generation," he added.

The mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Ken Richardson, reopened the tower on September 14 and said: "Many people have wanted to see the tower reopen for a number of years and I'm honoured to take part in this event.

"Locke Park is a beautiful place to visit and the fact that the much loved tower is now back in use just makes it an even better experience."

EX-CORRIE actress Katherine Kelly has revealed she is expecting a baby.

The 33-year-old Barnsley lass announced the news to friends and fans less than a month after her Las Vegas wedding to Ryan Clark.

The award-winning actress went on Twitter to break the news.

She wrote: "Ryan & I are overjoyed to announce that we are expecting a baby! Feeling very blessed!"

The couple, who have been together for three years, married in Las Vegas last month in a low-key ceremony after keeping the wedding quiet.

"I love people’s weddings, but I have never desired a big white wedding for myself," she said.

"We wanted to enjoy the day without all the usual planning and pressure. It was awesome. I’ll never forget that moment for the rest of my life."

A VANDAL painted graffiti on a railway bridge in Barnsley town centre - just days after it had been repainted.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton labelled the culprit an 'idiot' and a 'moron' and says he's furious about the graffiti which appeared on the bridge above Eldon Street.

"Network Rail have invested a lot of money improving bridges in the town and this is the thanks they get from some mindless idiot," he said.

"That bridge is above one of the major gateways into the town centre, and what does a moron do? Spray it with graffiti just when the work had been completed and it was looking good.

"This is criminal damage of the very worst kind and I will be urging police to take this very seriously and I would ask members of the public who may have any information about who is responsible to tell the police."

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We have invested approximately £360,000 in repainting the bridge in order to protect the structure from the elements.

"It's disappointing that it has been vandalised so soon after completion.

"We spend many thousands of pounds every year removing offensive graffiti from our network - money which would be better invested in improving services for passengers.”

PRINCE Edward honoured hundreds of the region's brave soldiers as he officially opened the Barnsley Pals Centenary Square.

The Earl of Wessex unveiled the square's plaque on Friday in front of big crowds outside Barnsley Town Hall.

The name was chosen to remind future generations of the Barnsley Pals battalions who lived, worked, fought and died in the First World War.

"This is a memorial to the Barnsley Pals and, as we head to the anniversary of the start of the First World War, it's a very timely moment to do this in their memory," Prince Edward said.

"Congratulations to the council here who have done a fantastic job in remodelling this particular area - a dramatic improvement on the car park that was here before."

Sir Steve Houghton, Barnsley Council's leader, said: "We’ve had over 40,000 visitors to Experience Barnsley as a museum. Lots of those are spending time around the fountains, garden and the square.

"It’s become a major tourist attraction in its own right and it's been a big boost to the town centre's economy. Another piece in the jigsaw to make sure we have a town centre fit for the future but once that also recognises its history."

A DAD-OF-TWO who is accused of murdering his wife wept as he told a court he had awoken on the sofa to find her ‘clawing’ at his neck with a knife.

Stephen Barnsdale-Quean, 42, denies murdering Chantelle, the mother of his two young daughters, at their home on Upperwood Road, Darfield, on March 4.

"I was awoken by something clawing at my neck, the sensation was that it was biting backwards and forwards," he told Sheffield Crown Court. 


"It was a bit of a shock - not something I expected to be woken up by.

"She had the knife in her hand and it was going at my neck.

"I was looking at her, it was Chantelle but it wasn’t her. There was a look in her eyes that I’d never seen before - there was a vacancy."

Barnsdale-Quean broke down as he told the court how he cowered on the settee and held up his hands to protect himself from his wife's alleged blows before trying to get away.

"I went to push her shoulders hoping to disarm her," he added. "I missed and she took one final lunge with the knife and it went straight into my stomach."

He said the first he knew of 35-year-old Chantelle’s death was in the back of an ambulance when an officer told him he was arrested for murder and he had ‘no idea why’.

When defence barrister Bryan Cox QC asked him if he had killed Chantelle, he replied: "Why would I? I loved her. I have got no reason to. We had always worked through bad times before."

The trial continues.

WORK on a new Tesco is finally due to start next month, the supermarket has said.

The store on Market Street, Hoyland, which will create between 140 and 200 jobs, was originally due to open by spring this year. Then it was hoped it would be completed by Christmas.

But a spokesman from the supermarket giant said: "The developer, Litton Property Group, is on track and in a position to start work on site in four to six weeks. They will hand over to us next summer."

Mark Twelves, managing director of Litton Property Group, which is based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, confirmed that his company would be starting groundworks and then going on to build the food store.

"We're aiming to start on October 14 and finish in June next year. Tesco will then have some fitting out to do but is due to start trading in the autumn," he said.

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

The debate was over whether it was safer to install a pelican or a zebra crossing.

The development also includes a mini-roundabout at the end of Market Street.

Mr Twelves said: "We got consent but then highways weren't satisfied and we had to redesign the crossing."

THE police have appealed for help in finding a missing Barnsley man.

Clive O’Connor was reported missing to police on September 3 but is believed to have not been seen by his family since March this year, when he left his home in Tuscany Gardens, Barnsley.

Clive is known to have friends in Birmingham and police believe that up until last month he may have been living in Skegness, but there have been no reported sightings.

He is described as white, of medium build, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, with brown eyes and dark brown hair.

Clive is also described as having a distinctive lump on the right hand side of his head. He wears gold glasses and speaks with a Yorkshire accent.

Police are keen to locate Clive as his family grow increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding Clive O’Connor’s whereabouts should contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting Missing Person Reference BX/2621/2013.

THE Reds' poor start to the season continued on Saturday as they let a point slip by conceding a late goal.

Darius Henderson's 84th-minute header for Nottingham Forest sealed the points for the home side, who had twice led but been pegged back by a battling Barnsley.

Forest took the lead through Simon Cox after Mike Pollitt parried Jamie Mackie's initial effort, but Chris O'Grady equalised from the spot a minute later after David Perkins was brought down.

The hosts got back in front on the stroke of half-time when Kelvin Etuhu scored an own goal after Andy Reid's inswinging free-kick.

After the break, Barnsley scored a brilliant equaliser when Tomasz Cywka drilled in a free-kick from 35 yards out.

The Reds might have thought they worthy of a point but Henderson's late header ensured Forest's good start to the season continued while Barnsley are still searching for their first away point of the season.

David Flitcroft said: "It was an open encounter and I was happy with how my team tried to create chances, but I'm disappointed that we didn't take a point.

"We did not deserve to win the game, they had a lot of good chances and Mike Pollitt was in excellent form.

"But the penalty was deserved and if you see a better goal than the one from Cywka today I would be surprised."

Next up for the Reds is a trip to Bournemouth tomorrow night.

SEVEN fire crews have been tackling a fire throughout the night.

Fire crews were called at 10:30pm on Sunday night to reports of a glass furnace on fire on Burton Road in Monk Bretton.

Crews have been tackling the fire throughout the night.

A large amount of molten glass is leaking from the furnace.

There are no reports of any injuries to anyone and there are no evacuations in place at the moment.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will begin once the incident is over.

A LAD whose great-great grandfather died in a horrific mining accident a century ago went back to his roots at the cemetery's open day.

William Fletcher, nine, of Cliff Road, Brampton, was taken to the gravestone of his descendant John Fletcher during a tour by the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery at the group's ten-year anniversary open day last Wednesday.

John, who lived at 49 George Street, Wombwell, was killed on December 3, 1901, at Cortonwood Colliery aged 48 when a shaft collapsed. His son, Samuel, was only two weeks old at the time.

Although there's no mention made of how John died on his headstone and William had never visited it before, he had been told about John by his grandma. He said he really enjoyed visited his ancestor's final resting place.

A DAD-TO-BE teenager arrested for trying to steal diesel from a coach company spat at a police officer, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Scott Michael Bell, 19, sprayed spit and blood over the officer as handcuffs were being taken off him, said Julie Grant, prosecuting.

She added that the father-to-be had been arrested for trying to siphon diesel at Gray's Coaches. Bell wanted to sell the fuel because he was 'skint' and the company had 'asked for it' because the premises were not padlocked.

Bell, of St Mary's Road, Darfield, admitted assaulting a police officer, attempted theft and possession of £3 of cannabis found on him after his arrest.

Probation officer Rita Dyson said Bell's nose burst during a struggle at the police station. She said he spat out the blood in the direction of the officers.

Alan Greaves, defending, said Bell had been treated harshly at the police station and did not spit in the officer's face.

He said Bell had an 'attitude problem' which he expected fatherhood would sort out.

District Judge John Foster said: "You're about to be a father. You ought to ask yourself if you're the right sort of person to bring up a child. Your behaviour was disgraceful."

Bell was ordered to pay £100 to the police officer, to do 100 hours of unpaid work and given an eight-week curfew. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £50 in costs.

Bell was also cleared of assaulting a female driver following a trial the previous day.

FIREFIGHTERS tackled a large fire at a Barnsley tyre recycling depot.

Four engines were called to the incident at 5am, on Springvale Road, Grimethorpe, on Friday morning.

A large amount of tyres were well alight when crews arrived. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used main jets to tackle the blaze and worked hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby premises.

Fire crews advised members of the public to keep their doors and windows closed as there was a large amount of smoke in the area.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is set to start.

A MAN who was given just six months to live before undergoing a double organ transplant now has a flourishing sporting career.

Glen Taylor competes in squash, swimming, badminton and volleyball and has competed every year in the Transplant Games. He's the proud winner of four bronze, 13 silver and nine gold medals.

Glen trains almost every night to keep his fitness up so he can compete at the highest level in transplant sport.

In 2006, Glen was given six months to live unless he got a kidney and pancreas transplant. He spent four hours a day, four days a week on dialysis leaving him drained of energy, unable to work or walk more than 50 yards.

He's now been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award by his wife, Sandra.

"His quality of life was almost nothing until the day he got the transplant call," she said.

After his surgery, Glen heard about the transplant games and thought it would be a great way to get fit.

Sandra said: "He never thought for one minute it would take him all over the world representing England and captaining for his country - and keeping well the organs so selflessly donated to him.

"He began to win medals and became more and more involved in sport in honour of his donor. Sometimes it can be a struggle to keep going due to medications but Glen's strength of character and determination keep his sporting dreams alive.

"He is an amazing inspiration to anyone starting out on their transplant journey."

A WOMAN who had drank 16 cans of lager, six or seven litres of cider and some wine threatened her partner with two screwdrivers, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Lisa Halford, 40, made thrusting movements with the screwdrivers towards the man, said Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting.

An alarmed eyewitness called the police and Halford, of Cedar Crescent, Kendray, dropped the screwdrivers when told to by officers.

Mrs Lowery-Green said: "Ms Halford said after her arrest that she would not have stabbed her partner.

"She said she had had 16 cans of lager, six or seven litres of cider and wine on top of that.

"She said she normally used the screwdrivers to get in and out of her flat."

Jack Danaher, defending, who said he would put Halford's side of the story on a later occasion, asked for no conditions on her bail because it was likely she would move home.

Halford admitted affray and her case was adjourned until September 19 for a pre-sentence report. District Judge John Foster granted unconditional bail.

A NEW walk-in health centre is not needed because there are enough GPs in Barnsley to cope with demand, NHS bosses claim. What do you think?

Mark Wilkinson, chief officer of NHS Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group, said there were no plans to open a new GP walk-in centre to replace the one which was at Gateway Plaza.

The centre, for non-registered patients, was designed to allow people to get treatment for non-urgent medical problems and finally closed in November 2011, more than a year after the walk-in element of the unit was shut.

Mark said the number of people attending the accident and emergency department at Barnsley Hospital had not changed significantly over the past few years but there had been a growth in the number of poorly people attending the department with complex needs, and others who could have gone elsewhere.

He said services such as the NHS 111 service could be used when help was needed urgently, but not in an emergency.

He added: "We're also exploring a bigger role for local pharmacies, for example in the treatment of minor ailments."

Do you think the town needs a new walk-in centre? Have your say below.

SHOPLIFTING has become so bad at a supermarket it may have to close.

Cllr Dave North told police at a meeting on Wednesday that thieves are coming into Asda on High Street, Grimethorpe, and taking goods.

"The amount of pinching at Asda is horrendous," he said. "It's that bad if we don't do something about it, it could close.

"It's got that bad with certain people coming in when security guards aren't there, they're coming out with bags of meat, baby food and all sorts."

He said shoppers have been conning the self-service machines by sticking reduced item labels over other items to get them cheaper.

Police agreed to make this a priority to help cut down the problem.

"We take shoplifting very seriously and are working closely with the local police, council and other retailers to help tackle the problem," an Asda spokesman said.

A WOMAN cut the nose of a police officer who was chasing her when she tried to escape from a hospital.

Kate Elsley, 44, slipped one of her hands from handcuffs and waved her arms around when she realised she was about to be captured, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

The flailing handcuff caught PC Stephen Bray on the nose, said Felicity Hemlin, prosecuting.

She said Elsley had been taken to hospital by police after feeling unwell.

Miss Hemlin said: "She slipped one of her hands from the cuffs and tried to escape. There was a chase through casualty. PC Bray was given painkillers and resumed his duties."

Elsley, who admitted assaulting a police officer, was ordered to pay £100 in compensation to PC Bray and was given a 10-week curfew. She was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £590 in costs.

AROUND 1,000 children as young as 11 take up smoking every year, according to figures released by a cancer charity.

Cancer Research UK released statistics showing 951 children from Barnsley, aged 11-15, take up the habit every year.

However, a spokesman for Public Health Barnsley said current data showed there had been a decrease in the number of children smoking in Barnsley.

In boys, the figure stood at 17.6 per cent in 2010 and that's down to 6.5 per cent this year.

With girls, the figure's also down, from 20.9 per cent to the latest figures of 13.2 per cent.

AN ex-miner and his wife have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Love blossomed between James Millington, 84, and wife Margaret, 79, after they met through the friendship of their parents.

The Higham couple originally planned to take a trip across the Irish Sea after they wed at the former St John the Baptist Church on Union Street, Barnsley in 1953 but they eventually settled on the south coast of England due to unrest on the Emerald Isle.

Former miner James, from Worsbrough, worked on the installation of gas pipelines across the country during his career, while Margaret, from Stairfoot, was an administrator and bookkeeper for a bus company, as well as being a housewife.

The couple, of Higham Common Road, have lived all over the borough during their time together.

They marked their diamond wedding anniversary by reminiscing about the past and enjoying a family meal with son Wayne and daughter Susan, in addition to their four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A MAN did not realise sending Facebook messages was a breach of a ban on contacting his ex-girlfriend, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Lee Ryan Noble, 26, of Naylor Grove, Dodworth, and Katrina McHugh split up about a year ago but there were problems about babysitting, said Felicity Hemlin, prosecuting.

She said Noble sent Miss McHugh two messages on Facebook. One said: "I think it's for the best for both of us to cut all ties. Good luck in the future and be a good mum."

A second message sent later said: "Stop bugging my family to babysit."

Matthew Shepherd, defending, said Noble had apologised profusely for contacting Miss McHugh.

He said: "Difficulties have arisen recently because Miss McHugh kept asking Mr Noble's mother to babysit.

"There has been constant pestering about child care. Mr Noble did not realise sending Facebook messages was a breach of the ban on contacting Miss McHugh.

"He now realises the gravity of what he has done. It's so easy these says to write messages on Facebook and press the send button without thinking."

Noble admitted two breaches of a restraining order and will be sentenced on September 17. He was granted unconditional bail.

DICKIE Bird, Michael Parkinson, Darren Gough... unlike his famous Barnsley counterparts, CJ De Mooi doesn't immediately spring to mind as someone who comes from 'tarn'.

So it may come as a surprise to some to learn the 43-year-old professional quizzer was born here and lived in Barnsley until he was four.

However, it wasn't a happy childhood for CJ - who was born Joseph Connagh before changing his name by deed poll.

He says he purposely chose to remember very little about his years here due to living in what he described as 'an abusive household'.

"I was born in Barnsley and lived there until I was four and then moved to Rotherham," he said.

"What I do remember about Barnsley is the road I was born on in the town centre, a little about the surrounding area and I have got some memories of the school I used to go to."

His life took a completely unexpected direction just after his 17th birthday - he left home and chose to sleep on the streets.

He spent about three months sleeping rough in Sheffield and travelled to London in the late 1980s.

He found his way to Holland and endured 18 months sleeping rough on a staircase in Amsterdam before stowing away on a train to Cologne in Germany.

"While I was there begging, a guy came up to me who was a photographer and offered me a modelling job.

"In 2000 I thought to myself I'm a bit bored and I have got good general knowledge so I entered a few TV quiz shows.

"The second one I went on was 15 to 1 and I won so then I applied for The Weakest Link and was voted off despite being the strongest link."

But it served him well as his post-show rant on the Weakest Link got him noticed.

He says it's a stroke of luck that BBC quiz show Eggheads came along.

"The thing is 97 per cent of stuff I know is completely useless outside of a quiz environment."

CJ has moved from quizzing into acting and has just finished producing and appearing in the West End musical, Geek.

"Acting is the only thing I have ever wanted to do and I never thought I would be able to fulfil or pursue that, but with the career Eggheads gave me I have been able to move into it," added CJ.

WORKING class people have been 'left behind' by political parties - and that's why they're disinterested in politics.

That was one view at a public meeting organised by Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis to discuss why people are disillusioned with politics.

Around 23 people, including two Barnsley councillors, attended the meeting in Barnsley Town Hall last Tuesday night.

Mr Jarvis understood to an extent why people were cynical - especially in the light of the expenses scandal - but said his office worked 'extremely hard' to make sure Barnsley voices were heard in Westminster.

Others said politicians were in a 'Westminster bubble' and completely out of touch.

There was a lack of faith in manifestos and people could no longer tell the difference between the main parties.

Resident Dave Cherry said working conditions had gone downhill because of anti trade union laws. He said: "There's nothing to threaten the established order, and we have left the working classes behind."

Michael O' Hara, from Royston, said: "The London elite, journalists, opinion formers, they do exactly what they please and ignore us. Meetings and opinion polls are just window dressing."

Others said parliamentary debates were only about point scoring rather than real issues - like the NHS and the bedroom tax - and politicians behaved without any professionalism or respect.

What do you think? Have your say below.

A MAN who went to B&Q for some wood was so shocked at its high prices that he stole some other items, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Robert Dodd, 31, of James Street, South Hiendley, paid for the wood but not for the other items he pocketed which included a lock and hinges, said Philip Howard, defending.

Mr Howard said: "Mr Dodd needed the wood to build a Wendy house for his disabled stepson.

"He was shocked how expensive things were and stole other items.

"He was being watched at all times by a security officer. It was a silly, spur of the moment crime."

Dodd, who admitted shoplifting, was given an 18-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

A MAN who restored a classic mark one Volkswagen Golf GTI has had a model of his car made by renowned manufacturer Corgi Cars.

Simon McNamara, 33, spent five years and an 'unmentionable' amount of money restoring the car having owned it for 12 years.

The car, famed for being the first in a generation of popular fast hatchbacks, is revered by enthusiasts around the world.

He said: "It's what's known as a 'hot hatch' and spawned a lot of boy racers back in the 1980s. The 80s is quite popular at the moment so we have been in demand."

Simon's car was spotted by Corgi when he was at Birmingham Classic Car Show.

He said: "I had a phone call asking if I'd mind them doing a model of my car. It was the ultimate compliment, but I never expected that they would actually put my registration on it - it's exactly the same colour too."

Simon, a plumber who lives on Wood Walk, picked up his passion for VWs from his uncle who ran a club dedicated to the German marque in Sheffield.

"I wouldn't want to add up how much I've spent on my car - I've got a box with all the receipts in, but it's not about money," added Simon.

THERE are an estimated 2,500 young carers in Barnsley aged eight to 18.

Among them is 16-year-old Jasmine Batley who has been caring for her dad, who has non-Hodgkin lymphoma, since she was 14.

Jasmine has lived with her 46-year-old dad since her parents split up when she was a baby. Her father and step-mum also parted when she was ten.

When her dad was diagnosed with cancer, Jasmine had to grow up quickly, taking on household tasks like cooking and cleaning - as well as more personal care such as washing her dad when he was feeling very poorly.

"I stopped going to school because I worried about my dad when I was there," she said. "He had to have chemotherapy at Weston Park in Sheffield and I was getting the train and tram to see him. I had no option, he's my dad."

Jasmine's caring commitments meant that friends drifted away. She said: "I felt they didn't understand what I was doing. I became really depressed."

The pressure became too much and Jasmine attempted to take her own life. She took tablets and was taken to hospital after her dad found her.

As part of the package of support to help Jasmine, she was referred to Barnardo's Barnsley Young Carer's project, a service commissioned by Barnsley Council.

"At first I wouldn't talk to them," she said. "But they never gave up and I agreed to meet other young carers at the Young Carer's Council."

Since then, group sessions with other carers and one to one sessions helped Jasmine build confidence and make new friends.

She has just completed her GCSEs and is going to Barnsley College in September to study social care.

Do you know a young carer as dedicated as Jasmine? Why not nominate them for a Proud of Barnsley award? The closing date is September 9. Call 01226 734459 or visit here to nominate someone.

AN investigation has begun into the death of a Barnsley teenager.

Scott Williams, 19, of Darley Avenue, Worsbrough Dale, died at home on August 29.

The coroner said an investigation was ongoing to establish cause of death after a post mortem proved inconclusive.

The teenager had worked at Tankersley Manor for a short time last year and general manager Hayleigh Parkhurst said her thoughts were with his family.