A 130-YEAR-OLD Barnsley-based construction company responsible for some of the area's best known buildings has secured itself another top contract.

CD Potter, which was established in the late 1800s, has secured a £1.2million contract to refurbish the existing maternity suite at Barnsley Hospital.

The business, which employs 18, counts Hoyland Town Hall, the Hillsborough Memorial in Sheffield and the former SR Gent factories among its well-known builds.

The firm has had a record year with turnover increasing from £2million to £3.4million, largely due to a growing number of schools and NHS contracts.

The schools market now accounts for 50 per cent of the company's orders.

"These have been a tough few years in the construction industry but CD Potter is definitely bucking the trend," explained director Chris Barrow, who is marking his 30th year with the company.

"We're going head-to-head with much larger construction businesses on tenders and we're winning them.

"We've been working on public sector contracts for decades - our reputation is first class and altogether it's standing us in very good stead."

The new contract at Barnsley Hospital will see CD Potter undertake a 20-week programme to refurbish existing facilities, construct a new birthing suite and create a place for relatives to stay.

A MAN who has denied witness intimidation and possession of an offensive weapon will be tried at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on October 8.

Lee Orridge, 38, of Melville Street, Wombwell, was remanded in custody at the court.

He has admitted breaching a non-molestation order and threatening behaviour and will be sentenced after the trial.

AN ex-fireman has called for more water hydrants to be installed in a rural community after livestock was killed during a farm fire.

Ged Parker, 57, said the blaze, near Crow Edge, continued for two days but could have been tackled much quicker had crews arrived earlier and had enough water to carry out the job.

Firefighters, including ones from Penistone and West Yorkshire, battled the flames at Martin Nest Farm, on Grime Lane, in which animals, believed to be pigs, died.

Mr Parker, a neighbour of the farm, said: "It's the fifth big fire in this area and every time they've not been able to cope.

"They just took too long getting here and when they get here they haven't got enough water.

"It's just not good enough. They need to do something about a water supply up here. They've got to put some hydrants in where there is some pressure."

Mr Parker, of Upper Maythorn Lane, said water had to be pumped from Broadstone Reservoir, just under a mile away, to deal with the fire. He is considering installing a water tank close to his home to deal with any further incidents.

Peter Turner, who runs the farm, declined to comment on the incident.

ILL-GOTTEN money which was seized from criminals is being offered to local groups and charities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright has just opened up the application process for the final round of grant funding which uses money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act

Proceeds from fraud, robbery, drug dealing and stolen goods is being invested back into the community. When a person is convicted of a crime, their assets can be taken if it can be proved that it was gained through illegal means.

Non-profit voluntary and community organisations are encouraged to apply for grants for up to £5,000 to help fund and improve their projects.

In order to be considered for a grant, the projects must target at least one of Commissioner Wright’s priorities to either protect the most vulnerable people from crime, to reduce anti-social behaviour, improve visible policing, prevent reoffending and ensuring victims and witnesses receive a better deal.

Forms and further information are available for download from here.

Groups have until 2pm on Thursday, September 12 to submit their applications.

BARNSLEY could become the 'poor relative of the NHS' if proposals to cut the town's health budget by more than £40million go ahead.

Figures published by NHS England show Barnsley stands to lose 13.5 per cent of its budget - an estimated £41million - if a proposed change is introduced.

Currently, funding is weighted towards deprived areas with the highest health inequalities, but the move would mean a funding formula based on health needs linked to age, sex and location.

The current budget, announced last December, stands at £344million but this could be reduced to £303million.

But Rachael Maskell, head of health at trade union Unite, said the proposals would impact disproportionately on deprived areas, such as Barnsley.

"In deprived areas, people don't live as long," she said. "It will cause more health inequalities which will be really detrimental to a place like Barnsley.

"Barnsley is going to be the poor relative of the NHS. If there's less money available, there's less money to spend and invest in making sure people don't get ill in the first place. Everything costs."

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis said cutting millions from the local NHS budget could have a devastating impact on the lives of residents and said he would be arguing for Barnsley to receive the decent level of funding it deserves.

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

POLICE are appealing for information after three men were seriously assaulted by the same man in Blackpool - and officers believe the man is from Barnsley.

Around 8.30pm on Saturday, August 17, a 26-year-old local man was punched by a man in the Flagship bar on New Bonny Street.

He fell to the floor and banged his head resulting in a fractured skull, split lip and a bleed on the brain.

The offender was thrown out of the bar by door staff, but when the victim and his friends went outside some time later they were targeted by the same man.

This time the man head butted one of the 26-year-old’s friends, also a 26-year-old man, and when another friend, aged 32, tried to intervene he was punched in the face.

The two friends both suffered possible broken noses.

Two of the victims were treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for their injuries and the first 26-year-old was later transferred to Royal Preston Hospital and was discharged a few days later.

DC Alan Quanbrough said: "These were nasty and unprovoked assaults and we need help to find the man responsible and bring him to justice.

"It is possible that the person responsible is from the Barnsley area.

"We have a really clear CCTV image of a man we are keen to speak to in connection with these assaults and I am more than certain someone will recognise him.

"If you know who this man is or have any information which you think could assist our investigation then please come forward."

Anybody with any information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

A BILL given out by Berneslai Homes sparked disgust.

Diane Brook, of Kingsway, Mapplewell, said the £91 charge at her daughter's home on Longsite Road for changing a plastic light was a 'total rip-off'.

Her daughter Joanne Brook, 37, lives in a two-bed semi and is a single parent paying full rent.

Mrs Brook claimed Joanne had originally asked Berneslai Homes how much the job would cost and was told it 'wouldn't be much'.

The day the electrician came, Joanne was working so Mrs Brook went to the house to let them in. Mrs Brook said: "It was a young woman and it took her all of five minutes to do. How can they justify charging this amount?"

The cost was £76 for the job and VAT on top, making a total of £91.20.

"It was a total rip-off," added Mrs Brook. "If my daughter had known beforehand what it was going to cost she would have got her own electrician in to do the job at a fraction of the price Berneslai Homes charged. I'm absolutely disgusted."

A spokesman from Berneslai Homes said: "The cost was made clear on the signed recharge form with the knowledge that the repair didn't have to be carried out by Berneslai Homes."

A MAN has been fined £200 for riding a moped after having too much to drink.

Samuel Lee Wright, 25, of North Street, was also handed a 16-month ban when he appeared at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Wright was stopped by a community police support officer and smelled of drink, said Joanne Lewis Crooks, prosecuting.

Alan Greaves, defending, said Wright had had a couple of drinks at a friend's home.

Wright admitted being above the drink drive limit, having no insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

He was ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

A HEARTBROKEN Barnsley family whose son drowned on holiday in Malaysia say messages sent to them by his friends have 'lifted their spirits'.

Former Holgate pupil Lawrence Chung, 21, of Ripley Grove, Redbrook, died on August 20 after drowning in a private pool at a holiday resort in Kuala Lumpur.

Lawrence, who been on holiday in Malaysia with members of his family for a couple of weeks, helped out at the Chung family's Mandarin Chinese takeaway on Huddersfield Road, Wilthorpe.

The games design student, who couldn't swim, had been involved in a crash prior to his death and it's thought this could have contributed to him drowning.

Friends were told of his death by Lawrence's brother-in-law who posted it on the student's Facebook wall.

Josh Slack, Lawrence's close friend, said everyone was devastated by his death and organised a tribute to him at a town centre pub last Friday night.

About 150 people turned up, including Lawrence's girlfriend, Rebecca Colton, of Sheffield.

Josh, who gave a speech at the gathering in Quasimodo's, where a minute's silence was also held, said: "He was the nicest guy you could ask to meet."

Josh told those gathered at the pub: "His family have been in touch with me and asked to say a few words to his friends over here in Barnsley.

"Firstly they want to thank you all for the photos and messages that you have been sending.

"The family has seen each and every one. It really has lifted their spirits knowing how much of a difference he made to each and everyone's lives, in one way or another.

"There was a warmth in his character that took to everyone, and that is why everyone will always remember Lawrence Chung."

SOUTH Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for all burglars to face jail - after revealing his home had been broken into.

Shaun Wright said household burglaries are ‘traumatic’ and cause considerable ‘upset and grief’ to the victims.

He revealed that when his home was broken into in December 1994 money and jewellery were taken, but the loss of a camcorder with a film of his grandfather and baby son hit him most.

Mr Wright had filmed his elderly grandfather recalling old stories of his youth with the baby on his knee.

"They took money and jewellery but what could never be replaced is a camcorder and a film of my grandfather - who had dementia and was in his 80s - recalling stories from his life while my baby son was sat on his knee.

"A couple of months later my grandfather passed away."

Mr Wright described burglary as a ‘very serious crime’.

"Burglary is something that people should go to prison for. Sneak-ins are bad enough but when someone prises your window open and climbs through in the middle of the night it's a terrifying experience.

"People who do that should always go to prison."

A LONG-STANDING councillor has stepped down after 15 years of service.

Cllr Graham Kyte said it was his intention to resign rather than stand for re-election last year but because fellow ward councillor Tracey Cheetham was ill, he was asked to continue.

Now Tracey has recovered he has decided to resign and a by-election will be held on October 10 to find a replacement.

"There are some younger people in the local party who would like to offer themselves as councillors," said Cllr Kyte. "I would now like to hand over to a younger pair of hands."

He said there have been some minuses and some plusses during his time as councillor.

Highlights include the lifelong learning centre, improvements to homes on Midland Road, the Westmeads extra care facility, the new park pavilion and the restoration of Rabbit Ings, he said.

But the loss of Royston fire station, Oakwood care home and the building of the new supermarket off Midland Road have been negatives during his tenure.

"It has been a privilege to represent the people of Royston for the past 15 years and I'm very grateful to all those who have supported me at five successful elections," he added.

MORE than 20 pensioners took part in a mini 'walk for life' as they aimed to raise money for Cancer Research.

Men and women, a few in their 90s, took part in the trip around Hoyland Common and some even used their mobility scooters and zimmer frames to help them along.

The group set off from Saville Court Community Centre at 11am last Wednesday, walked past the Co-op on Hoyland Road, around Allott's Corner, down Queen Street and back to the centre for tea and coffee.

The walk - which is an annual event - is now in its fifth year but Jean Higgs, chairman of the Saville Court centre, said the numbers were down on last year.

She said: "I'm surprised they're all here but there aren't as many as last year. We went round singing 'When The Saints Go Marching In'.

"It's not just us that go on it though, some of the children like to come. We all enjoy it and it's good that we're actually doing it for a cause."

The money is to be donated to the Yorkshire branch of the Cancer Research charity.

A LIVER transplant patient who says she owes her health to the Transplant Games won two gold medals in the competition.

Victoria Reeve, 33, won gold medals in the 100 metre and 200 metre race and bronze in the long jump at the national competition, which is open to recipients of organ donations, held in Sheffield last weekend.

She won gold in the 100 metre race last year but said she wasn’t expecting to do so well in the other competitions - and was even more surprised to find she had beaten the winning time at this year’s World Transplant Games in Durban.

In 1997, Victoria suffered liver failure and needed a transplant. However, by 2001, her new liver had also failed and it required her to undergo another transplant. She said her health never really recovered until about two years ago when she started playing hockey.

She said: "After I had been so poorly, I decided to get fit again so I started playing hockey, which is how I heard about the games. I realised I was unfit so started going to the gym and realised I could actually run and live a good life.

"I started training for last year’s games eight months before and I never really stopped. I do hockey, boxercise, go canoeing and kayaking with Manvers Water Club. It’s changed my life."

THE parents of a little girl with a rare condition have raised more than £4,000 for charity.

Lauren Taylor, aged 21 months, was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome - a condition which affects one in every 20,000 children - when she was just four months old.

It means her features are 'elfin-like' and delays her development.

Her parents Katherine, 35, and Paul, 36, of Springfield Road, Hoyland Common, wanted to raise money for the Williams Syndrome Foundation - the only real support available for families affected by the condition.

Paul completed a 24k walk in Edale in the Peak District last month with friends and work colleagues in 29 degree heat - one of the hottest days of the year so far. It took them six hours.

Katherine said: "Lauren is such a wonderful little child. She's so happy and loves to see people and immediately smile at them.

"She's just learned to crawl and can now pull herself up - each little achievement is a massive step.

"The condition is so rare that sometimes we have to explain to doctors about it and we wanted to raise money for the foundation because it's the only real support out there."

They originally set a target of £500 but found they had raised that in two weeks. The final sum raised was £4,440.

DELAYED work to build a skate park in Barnsley is set to start in the new year.

The work had originally been planned to start by now but following delays to the new Town Hall-based Experience Barnsley and gardens, resources have been limited.

The £100,000 skatepark plan came about after years of demands to Barnsley Council from youngsters who said they would like one built in or close to the town centre.

A number of sites were identified in September 2011 but the one considered the most suitable by the council was within Dearne Valley Park, Hoyle Mill.

It was chosen as the best site because it's less than a mile from the town centre and close to the communities of Oakwell, Old Mill, Monk Bretton, Lundwood and Stairfoot.

Cllr Margaret Bruff, a former youth worker, has been at the forefront project.

She said: "This is something we have been promised for several years. It should have been started this summer but with all the work taking place at the Town Hall, the workforce has been directed up there, which has again put a delay on it.

"We're six months behind and what with cuts in budgets and staff, the council's two landscape officers were sent to oversee the Town Hall works instead.

"We're confident that it'll be starting by the new year. We will get there!"

A MAN who is accused of murdering his wife was plagued by debts, a court heard.

Stephen Barnsdale-Quean, 43, allegedly used a rolling pin to tighten a noose around his wife Chantelle's neck as he strangled her in bed.

A jury was told how he allegedly twisted the rolling pin six times to tighten a black picture chain around his wife's neck.

He had earlier made the ligature, using the chain and an elasticated hair bobble, which he slipped over her neck before using the rolling pin to tighten it.

Two bin bags full of unopened mail, finance agreements and court judgements were found by Barnsdale-Quean’s mother-in-law in the attic of the home he shared with his wife.

Chantelle’s mum, Sue Benson, found the bags after Barnsdale-Quean drove himself to hospital following a self-harming incident.

In a statement read to Sheffield Crown Court, Mrs Benson said the couple’s relationship was good but by 2011 Barnsdale-Quean had got into debt.

She said he swore at her and told her it was ‘none of her business’ and asked her to get out of their house.

Stuart Benson, Chantelle’s stepfather, said the couple borrowed £20,000 from Chantelle’s gran and hadn’t paid it back. Chantelle’s friend, Claire Pears, said she’d seen her go from ‘a happy bubbly person’ to ‘a nervous wreck’.

The trial continues.

DISGRUNTLED residents are taking action over plans to build up to 200 new houses on the edge of a village.

Residents in Applehaigh View have printed 300 leaflets and are handing them out to neighbours in a stand against the new development north of Lee Lane.

They have formed the Care for Royston group and are wanting others to send objections to consultancy firm NJL Consulting - who sent a letter to residents in July outlining the proposals.

The group is also urging residents to send their concerns to Barnsley Council and lobby local councillors.

On Tuesday an application was submitted to the council for outline planning permission for up to 200 homes, with a mixture of two, two-and-a-half and three-storey properties, as well as a small food shop.

The land is currently used for agriculture but the project would provide sustainable housing for the area and fit in with the council's strategy for more housing, the application states.

According to the application, access would be from Lee Lane via a roundabout. There would also be public open spaces and 15 per cent of the homes would be affordable housing.

The application also states that about £1.4million would be available through a 'New Homes' Bonus' contribution - money from the government paid to Barnsley Council which has to be spent in the local community.

But the Care for Royston group has listed a number of reasons to object to the scheme.

Members feel there are already too many new homes planned for the village - citing examples such as those given approval on the old high school site and the possibility of others on the former fire station.

To build more homes would be unsustainable, they say, and would mean Royston loses its village identity.

Other concerns include an increase in traffic, as well as putting more strain on schools and doctors.

Wildlife would also suffer, they say, through a loss of habitat.

"It's about not letting Royston being overrun with all houses and nothing else," member Trish Jones, 53, said.

Fellow member Roger Kirk, 61, added: "There's absolutely no need to build more houses in Royston. I think we've given our fair share for this growth and regeneration strategy the council has."

What do you think? Are you from Royston? Are you in favour? Have your say below.

BARNSLEY Hospital’s patients rate its cancer services highly, according to the latest results of a national survey.

The hospital comes out well in the annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, which asks patients 65 questions about their experience of care from diagnosis to treatment.

The hospital scored in the top 20 per cent in the country on 18 of the questions, scoring particularly strongly in areas such as patients having confidence in doctors and nurses and patients being given privacy when discussing their condition or treatment with staff.

Other areas of strong performance included staff giving patients enough emotional support and families being given enough information to be able to care for their relative at home.

Jill Pell, head of patient experience at Barnsley Hospital, said: "These are solid results that show that cancer patients continue to rate their experience at our hospital highly.

"We're particularly pleased that patients consistently feel that they can put their trust in our staff, and that they feel we are giving them the emotional support they need during what is no doubt a difficult time for them.

"That said, the survey has also shown us that we need to continue to strive to improve our patients’ experiences, especially in relation to the information we are giving them prior to diagnostic tests.

"We will be looking closely at what the results tell us in order to ensure that we make the necessary improvements."

DISCUSSIONS managed to reinstate the 218 service to its old route but councillors will have to wait until the new year to change the link's route.

Cllr May Noble, along with former Barnsley Mayoress Beryl Sanderson, attended a meeting with Stagecoach's commercial director Rupert Cox on behalf of residents.

The talks managed to ensure the 218 service went back along Billingley View and Carr Field Lane, and the 217 service adjusts to serve Carr Head Lane and Thurnscoe Road on the old 224 route.

These changes will be implemented by October but only half of the battle is won according to Cllr Noble.

"I'm pleased with the outcome but I'm still concerned about the Bolton On Dearne/Goldthorpe link into Doncaster. Rupert has said that this will be considered for January," she said.

"I have responded to Rupert thanking him for reintroducing the route on Billingley View and Carrfield Lane but will be contacting him later in the year regarding the Doncaster link."

A YOUNG Royston man who suffered a near-fatal brain injury has won a place to study politics at Leeds Metropolitan University this month - after relearning how to eat, talk and walk.

Jack Mitchell is unable to walk more than a few steps without help and has speech difficulties and little use in his right arm and leg. He relies on an electric wheelchair.

However, this didn't prevent him from passing his A-levels this year with grades of A*, B and C.

He's also inspired his family to raise thousands of pounds for local health services.

In 2009, Jack was 16 and an A-level student at Barnsley College. On a night out with friends, he fell and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and almost died. After life-saving emergency surgery, he spent almost two weeks in a coma in Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital.

He was transferred to Barnsley Hospital where he spent five weeks, moving on to Keresforth Community Respite and Rehabilitation Centre - which became his home for almost a year.

Here, he relearned to eat and talk and began to take his first steps. He refused to accept that he would never walk again or have a 'normal' life.

In January 2011, Jack was discharged from rehab and returned home for good. He now lives with his girlfriend Paige, who has supported him throughout, in West End Avenue, Royston.

Jack has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award in the Triumph Against Adversity category by his mum Lynne Ryan, of Midland Road, Royston.

Lynne said: "Jack is an inspirational, determined, young man who wants to change the world for the better. There's no-one prouder of being from Barnsley than Jack and no-one prouder of Jack than me - his mum."

THE town's taxi drivers want better protection after a driver was left with a suspected fractured eye socket after being assaulted in the town centre.

Last Sunday at around 6am, a man attempted to get a taxi home from Barnsley Interchange and allegedly punched the driver because he could not pay for the fare in advance,

The 43-year-old driver, who does not wish to be named, suffered a suspected fractured eye socket and bruising.

"Doing this job you do feel very alone and you do have very little protection," he said.

Mark Cocks, chairman of the Hackney Carriage Association and a driver for 19 years, says assaults are on the rise and drivers need some form of protection.

"There was a driver who was slashed with a pen knife a few weeks ago in Grimethorpe and another driver was slashed with a kitchen knife a few months ago. Attacks on drivers are on the increase.

"If I was being assaulted I would protect myself with reasonable force, but as it stands if I was to hit a person back and they made a complaint about me, my badge would be suspended.

"All drivers are of the same opinion, both private hire and Hackney carriage, that we will protect ourselves. It's human nature."

A spokeswoman for the police confirmed officers attended an alleged assault against a taxi driver at the Midland Street rank at about 6am on Sunday and a man was arrested on suspicion of assault.

A MAN 'exploited' a vulnerable 15-year-old girl for sexual purposes, it was alleged in court.

Steven Dex Kerley, 25, took advantage of the girl who was difficult to control and suffered from Asperger's Syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Prosecutor Peter Hampton said her vulnerability was 'in essence manipulated by the defendant'.

A Sheffield Crown Court jury was told the teenager believed she was in a normal, mature relationship with the defendant and was not supporting his prosecution.

Kerley, of Cemetery Road, Grimethorpe, denies one offence of sexual activity with an underage girl between January 25 and February 2.

Mr Hampton said her parents were struggling to control the girl's behaviour last September and would call out the police when she went missing.

She started staying out against their wishes and began seeing a man whom the prosecution say is Kerley.

Kerley was issued with a child abduction warning notice by the police stating the girl's age and that her parents did not give permission for him to be with her.

But despite the warning, Kerley continued to see the girl, said Mr Hampton.

Matters worsened until Kerley's car, with the girl in the front passenger seat, was involved in a crash with another car near South Kirkby on February 13.

The girl walked quickly away and Kerley was seen to wipe down the doors and throw items into a hedge.

"It was an attempt to get rid of any DNA which could be linked to the girl on the inside of the vehicle," said Mr Hampton.

The girl needed treatment at Barnsley Hospital for a cut to her head but denied being with Kerley, saying she had fallen off a fence in a park.

Kerley was later arrested on suspicion of child abduction and scientists were able to match the girl's DNA to an airbag which inflated in the crash. Knickers seized from her bedroom also showed Kerley had participated in some form of sexual activity with the teenager.

Kerley admitted child abduction over the car incident but maintained he thought she was 17. He denies sexual touching.

He claimed she had pursued him after he was given the warning notice by police.

The trial continues.

A WIDOW whose husband died following a heart attack on a bus said she wanted to thank those whose helped him in his time of need.

Michael Smith, 73, of Spring Bank, Darfield, suffered the attack travelling on the 219 to Barnsley at about 10am last Friday.

He was declared dead at Barnsley Hospital about an hour later.

His widow Sheila, 72, said she had been told many of his fellow travellers attempted to resuscitate him and wanted them to come forward so she could thank them.

"I would love to meet these people and thank them for being there for him," she said. "Sometimes you can't believe how nice people can be. It can't go unrecognised."

A very active man, he played rugby union for Wath for 25 years and was a member of Houghton Main and Mexborough male voice choirs, Wombwell Operatic Society, the Lamproom Theatre and was also a member of two touring clubs.

Last year, he sang with Mexborough Male Voice Choir at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Cancer Research UK and was a lover of music, keeping fit having a pint at the cricket club on Sundays.

He leaves Sheila, son Dennis, 49, daughter Julie, 47, granddaughters Anne-Marie, Sarah, Molly and Katrina and great-grandson Jack.

The funeral will be held at All Saints Church, Darfield, on Thursday at 12.45.

A MAN has been given a suspended jail sentence after being caught growing cannabis worth an estimated £8,100.

David Wicks, 24, was growing the drugs in his bedroom, Felicity Hemlin, prosecuting, told Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

She said the cannabis was for the father-of-two's personal use.

Philip Stables, defending, said Wicks, of Houghton Road, Thurnscoe, had stopped smoking cannabis since his arrest.

Wicks, who admitted cannabis production, was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work, to pay £85 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

BARNSLEY residents are set to see improvements to the town's roads due to a £3.9million investment.

The local roads and footways maintenance programme for this financial year is set to be approved on September 11 as part of the Local Transport Capital Programme report.

The investment includes a total of £1.8million being spent on Barnsley’s roads, £750,000 on footpaths and £250,000 for the maintenance and enhancement of the town centre in order to build upon the impact of the work already completed around the Town Hall.

New and improved wheelchair crossings will be installed to improve access for people with mobility problems.

"We know that the severe winter weather we've experienced recently has taken its toll on the conditions of the borough’s roads," said Cllr Roy Miller.

"It's good that we're in a position to make these improvements by the end of March."

Works listed in the report include areas across the borough. These have been determined by focussing on the areas of most need first, and considering input from local members, who've been talking to local residents.

What do you think? Have your say below.

A WOMBWELL man has been arrested on suspicion of murder along with four people from Doncaster.

West Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation following an incident at a house in Middleton Lane, Thorpe, near Leeds.

Sidney Cox, 57, of Thorpe Farm, was injured after a number of men arrived in a vehicle and smashed their way into the chalet-type building. He died of multiple injuries last Sunday.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Wombwell along with two 16-year-olds from Doncaster. All have been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 37-year-old woman, Ann Dear, of Bentley, has been charged with money laundering offences and appeared before Wakefield Magistrates' Court yesterday.

A 30-year-old man, from Doncaster, was also arrested on suspicion of murder.

THERE has been good news about Barnsley's economy - with reports new businesses are booming and retail sales are also on the up.

In the first six months of this year a record number of new companies were set up in the borough, according to figures released by Duport, which handles information about companies.

It reports 414 new companies were registered from January to June - more than any other half year in the history of the town.

The 15 per cent rise increase in the number of new companies compared to last year is double the UK average of just 6.4 per cent.

Managing director of Duport, Peter Valaitis, said: "The record number of company formations is an encouraging sign for the local economy of Barnsley.

"Like so many other towns, it has suffered during the recession - but more new companies opening up could help revitalise the business community and improve the visitor offering of the area."

At the same time retail sales are also improving, up by 1.1 per cent in July and by three per cent for the year.

George Elliott, from Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, said: "The retail sector has shown a consistent increase in sales during the past four months.

"Here in Barnsley we're blessed with an excellent retail offer mix and a dynamic town centre of excellent independents run by passionate hard working owners, proving daily that small can be profitable even in these challenging times.

"These figures are good news, although it's still early days and of course all retailers still need to keep abreast of new technologies and continue to invest in their employees development to ensure that when the projected sustained upturn occurs, they are in a strong position to take advantage of it.

"There are clear signs that we can be cautiously optimistic about our, and the nations hugely important retail sector, which employs a staggering one in nine of our working population."

PLANS to cut the number of firefighters in South Yorkshire and make a number of crews part-time have been accepted by the region's fire authority.

The cuts mean retiring firefighters will not replaced and four out of five fire stations will have one full-time crew at night instead of two.

Chief fire officer James Courtney said he was working to manage the impact of the cuts as it sought to save £12million.

The Fire Brigades Union said the cuts would put pressure on firefighters.

Other changes accepted by South Yorkshire Fire Authority include staffing a new fire station at Birley Moor with part-time firefighters and scrapping a six-minute time target for responding to emergencies.

The full range of proposed cuts will now go out to a six-week public consultation.

Graham Wilkinson, from the Fire Brigades Union, said: "Firefighters are not happy. It will put pressure on our members."

A BARNSLEY pharmacy assistant who worked at a military training centre has admitted misconduct in a public office for selling stories to a newspaper.

Tracy Bell, 35, from Goldthorpe, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to one count of the offence between October 17, 2005 and July 7, 2006, during which time she received about £1,250 for five articles published in The Sun newspaper.

At the time she was a Ministry of Defence employee working as a pharmacy assistant at Sandhurst Medical Centre.

Bell was bailed until her sentencing in October.

A MEETING is to be held this evening for residents affected by the 'bedroom tax' in Cudworth and Shafton.

Barnsley Against The Bedroom Tax is holding its first meeting in Cudworth, as a result of local demand.

The meeting is at 6pm at West End Club, St John's Road, Cudworth. Fran Postlethwaite from the action group will be speaking.

Some council tenants have had their housing benefit cut because they have a spare room, leaving them worried they won't be able to find the extra money.

Fran said: "We're holding this meeting because we're getting increasing support from tenants in Cudworth and Shafton.

"Tenants are getting increasingly worried because they cannot afford to pay the bedroom tax and Barnsley Council has adopted a very aggressive stance towards tenants who are falling into arrears through no fault of their own.

"I urge everyone who is directly affected to come to this meeting as well as everyone else who wants to help us campaign to defeat this evil piece of legislation."

HUNDREDS gathered for the funeral of a much-loved farmer last week.

John 'Nocker' Coles, 74, had owned Old Musgrave Farm in South Hiendley for 30 years and wife Georgina, 72, said he was known to everyone.

He died on August 11 and on Tuesday a horse-drawn carriage pulled the coffin to Felkirk Church where about 450 people paid their respects.

"He was very well known, from Lands End to Scotch Corner," Georgina said, who married her husband in 1961.

John started work as a miner at Barnsley Main and then met Georgina, who was working on the Yorkshire Traction buses.

They lived in a terraced house in Honeywell Street, later moving to Cundy Cross and then South Hiendley.

John leaves five children Beverley, Tracey, John, Claire and Gaynor as well as nine grandchildren.

A 90-YEAR-OLD war veteran has been presented with the Arctic Star - 70 years after the first convoy to Russia.

Bob Hawes was presented with the medal by former paratrooper and Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis.

Mr Hawes, of Bourne Court, Staincross, was part of the convoys which sailed from the UK to the north Russian ports of Archangel and Murmansk to aid Russian allies.

Merchant ships with supplies and ammunition were escorted by British naval ships and aircraft carriers.

The supplies were vital as German forces had Russia trapped.

Mr Hawes, who had applied for the medal in February, said: "I'm pleased I've finally got the medal after 70 years."

His daughter-in-law Sue, 64, said he rarely spoke of his wartime experiences, but said he feared at one point that he would not be around to accept it.

They asked Mr Jarvis to help speed the application along.

Mr Hawes joined the Royal Navy on May 16, 1938 when he was 15.

Mr Jarvis said: "I think it's incredibly important we look after our veterans, people who served our country.

"It's been fascinating to hear what it was like serving with the Arctic Convoys during these difficult conditions."

BARNSLEY beat other clubs to the signature of Crystal Palace defender Peter Ramage on a season-long loan.

The former Newcastle and QPR defender, who can operate at right-back and centre-half, has European and Premier League experience.

The 29-year-old signed a new, two-year deal with the Eagles this May after helping Ian Holloway’s side back to the Premier League with 40 Championship appearances.

Born on Tyneside, Ramage started out with Newcastle United and made 69 appearances before a 2008 move to QPR.

What do you think, Reds fans? A much-needed defender has arrived, are you happy with the signing? Have your say below.

A FATHER-OF-TWO created a homemade ligature including a rolling pin, a hair bobble and a chain to strangle his wife - before inflicting injuries on himself to make it look like she had attacked him, a court heard.

Stephen Barnsdale-Quean, 42, of Upperwood Road, Darfield, allegedly murdered wife Chantelle, the mother of his two young daughters.

Sheffield Crown Court heard he then took a small knife to himself to cause 'superficial' wounds, before standing over Chantelle’s body and smearing her with his blood.

Thirty-five-year-old Chantelle was found dead in the bedroom of their family home in March last year.

Michael Slater, prosecuting, told the court: "The crown will argue he killed her by tightening a ligature around her neck until she was dead, using a chain secured by an elastic hair bobble and rolling pin.

"Once he had done this he gave himself injuries to create an impression he had been attacked."

The jury is set to hear evidence from Carl Johnson, the paramedic first on the scene.

Barnsdale-Quean says he was asleep on the sofa when he was subjected to a ‘frenzied’ knife attack by his wife and told police he had no knowledge of the circumstances of Chantelle's death.

He told officers he was ‘mortified’ when he was arrested on suspicion of Chantelle's murder in the back of an ambulance.

The defence is expected to argue that Chantelle, a pensions worker, took her own life after attacking her husband. Barnsdale-Quean denies murder.

The trial continues.

A TEENAGER hanged himself after a row when he was caught following a woman into a pub toilet, an inquest has heard.

Michael Wanjau, 18, took his own life in December 2012 after Natasha Murphy, a friend of his, raised the alarm on finding him behind her in the loo.

After screaming, Kevin Murphy, Natasha’s dad, calmed Michael down outside the Sir George Arms in Wombwell.

However, Michael was later found hanging near some outside steps at the pub and died in hospital a week later from a serious brain injury.

The inquest, held at Sheffield Coroner’s Court, heard the teenager had been living above the pub for three months, having previously been homeless and living in a tent in a park.

Mr Murphy told the inquest it was about 1.30am when Michael became involved in an argument ‘over something and nothing’.

Natasha went to the toilet and Michael followed her in.

Mr Murphy said Michael seemed ‘a bit upset’ and they both went outside, where they ‘chatted about bits and bobs’.

"I told him not to worry," Mr Murphy added. "He may have had a few drinks but didn’t seem intoxicated. He seemed all right when he went upstairs."

When Natasha went upstairs 15 minutes later, she saw Michael's body on the fire escape.

Mr Murphy pulled the teenager aside, shouted for help and tried to resuscitate him. Paramedics arrived, but Michael could not be revived.

Siobhan Kelly, assistant deputy coroner, said: "A number of friends, family members and staff had finished work and were having a drink together.

"There was a dispute between Mr Wanjau and Mr Murphy’s daughter.

"She went into the ladies and, a short time after, he went in as well. Natasha was cross about this and shouted at him. He appeared to accept it."

The inquest recorded a verdict of suicide.

ABOUT 300 bales of hay were set alight on a farm in Monk Bretton.

The bales had been placed on the back of a trailer at Manor Farm on Cross Street when they were set on fire at about 4.30am last Tuesday.

Crews from Cudworth and Barnsley tackled the blaze for about four hours and managed to stop it from spreading.

The cause of the fire is being investigated, but a spokesman for the fire service said it was believed to be deliberate.