A MAN'S trip to the town centre for a pint and a game of pool with a friend ended in his arrest hours later, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Jamie Simon Gough, 27, met someone who owed him money who threatened him, said Eric Bray, defending.

Mr Bray said the man wanted a fight in the street but Gough walked away.

Mr Bray added: "It was the only sensible thing Mr Gough did. Sometimes you go out for a pint and one pint leads to two, three, four or more. That's what happened on this occasion.

"He was on his way home, was still smarting about the encounter with the man who owed him money and took it out on the window of Kwikfit on Racecommon Road. He acted foolishly and stupidly."

Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said Gough, of Waterloo Road, Barnsley, went out at about 4.30pm and had eight pints of lager and cider.

She said Gough kicked in the Kwikfit window and was found by police on Shaw Lane with cut legs.

Gough admitted criminal damage. His case was adjourned until September 6 for a pre-sentence report and he was granted unconditional bail.

A BARNSLEY school is leading the way as overall GCSE standards in the borough rose for the fifth year running.

Students at Penistone Grammar celebrated the school's best-ever GCSE results with 80 per cent achieving a minimum of five Cs - including English and maths.

It means there has been a 21 per cent rise on last year and the school has improved in every subject area.

There were 88 per cent of pupils who achieved an A* to C in English, while 84 per cent received a minimum of a C in maths.

Delighted principal Jo Higgins said: "The results are amazing - they're the best set of results in the history of Penistone, and as a community we're celebrating.

"The students and staff have shown incredible hard work and commitment and they deserve it. It's just brilliant."

Barnsley Council said the proportion of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades had increased, with more than 50 per cent of pupils meeting or exceeding national expectations for the first time.

Standards in English and maths were up most noticeably, with a 12 per cent increase in maths over the past five years. Last year's dip in English had also been reversed, with a three per cent improvement.

The council said it would continue to work with schools who had not achieved as well as expected. The aim is to bring improvements across the borough.

A BARNSLEY lass is shaving her 18-inch long hair to raise money for a local cancer charity after her uncle was diagnosed with the disease.

Samantha Jepson, 25, from Hoyland, will be losing her locks at Hoyland Belmont Club on October 26.

All the money will go to Little Foxes, a charity that helps people in Barnsley affected by cancer.

Samantha's mum, Alison Jepson, 46, of Greenfield Road, Hoyland, said: "Samantha decided to go ahead with the head shave after we found out that my brother had got throat cancer.

"We've not got a set target that we're hoping to achieve, we just want to raise as much as possible. One guy has even offered to have his legs waxed on the day, too.

"It's not a huge day, it's just to hopefully raise awareness."

Samantha said: "My uncle, John Beard, was diagnosed with the disease and we've had bad luck for the last 12 months so I want to do something for the charity.

"My hair's 18 inches long so it'll take some getting used to!"

LITTLE Imogen Mae Allen was last year's Baby of the Year, but it's now time to send your entries in for this year's competition.

Mum Toni Day, 21, of South Street, Darfield, said: "Imogen's really happy. She's always running around and she's into everything.

"She's close with her sister Gracie, who's two, and they're always together and playing. They have fights but they're soon forgotten."

Toni, and Imogen's dad, Josh, 23, were surprised when they got the call to say she'd won, but were really pleased.

Toni added: "We were told we'd get a call on a certain day to tell us we'd won but we didn't get it until a day later so we initially thought she'd not won. We were all gobsmacked when she did.

"I'd definitely recommend entering their children to other parents."

To enter your little ones, fill in the entry form and post it together with a photograph to: 

Baby of the Year

Barnsley Chronicle

47 Church Street

Barnsley

S70 2AS

BARNSLEY Hospice has taken over the running of a 10k race after the company responsible for organising it went into liquidation.

The hospice faced losing an estimated £6,000 if the Cannon Hall Run had been cancelled and has been working with the council to ensure it can still go ahead.

The event was organised by Sportsworks Logistic Ltd but its directors confirmed they had gone in to liquidation.

"We thought that the race would have to be cancelled," said Nici O’Dowd, the hospice's finance director.

"We didn't want runners to feel let down or for the race not to go ahead and have therefore taken over all responsibility from Sportsworks for the organisation of the event.

“We would like to reassure all runners of our commitment to the Cannon Hall Run and are looking at all aspects of the race, including the route, to ensure it meets the participants' high expectations."

Over 260 runners have already signed up to take part in the September 8 run, with around 55 running to raise funds for the hospice.

All those who want to take part but have not registered, you have until September 3. More information can be found here.

A MAN who smokes £40 of cannabis a day has been ordered to undergo a six-month drug rehabilitation course having been caught trying to grow his own.

Jonathan Musson, 29, said he smoked high volumes of the drug every day and was caught trying to grow his own cannabis, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Julie Grant, prosecuting, said police found six plants being grown under lamps at Musson's home at Wath Road, Wombwell.

She said: "Mr Musson had been growing the plants for five or six weeks. He smoked cannabis with friends but that did not happen often.

"He said he smoked tons of cannabis. He smoked between £30 and £40 of it a day."

Musson, who admitted production of cannabis, was ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work, to pay £85 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

THE town is gearing up to welcome back its annual Barnsley Pride event on Sunday.

Organisers from the Barnsley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum are dedicating the event to Steven Simpson, a gay teenager from Cudworth who died last year after being set alight at his 18th birthday party.

His mum, Bernadette, gave organisers permission for this year's event to be in her son's memory and will be attending on Sunday.

Peel Street will be closed and a full street party will take place with an outdoor stage and bar area from 10am. There will be live entertainment and stalls through to 5pm, with Cllr Ken Richardson, the town's mayor, opening the event.

Along with Kevan Riggett, Kay Tinkler, 33, of Hoyland Common, is co-chair of the Barnsley LGBT Forum.

"It's in its sixth year now and with around 2,500 people attending last year's event, we are expecting another good crowd," she said.

"The event is free to all. There will be an abundance of market and food stalls as well as children's entertainment.

"Che Bar and Coco have helped a lot as they're the main sponsors and organisers of the entertainment throughout the day. Che Bar's after party also has Lucy Spraggan from this year's X Factor.

"This year we are aiming to cater for all so hopefully it will be the biggest, best and most inclusive gay pride event to celebrate our wonderful community and create inclusion for all in Barnsley."

For more details, click here.

A MULTI-MILLION pound stroke unit has been opened for the rehabilitation and recovery of Barnsley's stroke patients.

The £2million unit at Kendray Hospital is run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and had previously been based at Mount Vernon Hospital.

Each of the unit's 16 bedrooms has overhead hoists to support patients moving around their room, and en-suite bathrooms.

There are two consultation rooms where patients can receive one-on-one support, an extended gym for physiotherapy and an outside decking area, allowing them to take part in gardening therapy.

Mandy Black, unit manager, said: "Many of the patients which come into the unit have a wide range of complex care and rehabilitation needs.

"The unit has its own dedicated rehabilitation teams who have specialist knowledge and training in therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation and treating patients who have suffered a stroke."

A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl has sustained injuries after being hit by a car.

The crash happened in Houghton Road, Thurnscoe, near to the junction with School Street, at about 11am on Sunday, August 25.

A silver Citroen Picasso was travelling in the direction of Goldthorpe when it was in collision with the young pedestrian, causing a broken jaw and cuts to her face.

The police would like to speak to anyone who saw the car, or the child, prior to the incident. Witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 461 of 25 August 2013, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A LEADING business lobby group has urged the government to abandon its controversial high-speed rail project after labelling it as 'one grand folly'.

The Institute of Directors (IoD) said a survey of its members showed businesses remained unconvinced by the economic case for HS2.

"We agree with the need for key infrastructure spending, but the business case for HS2 simply is not there," said the IoD's director general, Simon Walker.

"It's time for the government to look at a thousand smaller projects instead of falling for one grand folly."

The government says it expects the project to cost £42.6billion, but the Institute of Economic Affairs, a think tank, has suggested it could rise to more than £80billion.

The Department for Transport (DfT) also claims the project will generate £50billion in benefits to the UK economy, helping job creation and creating investment opportunities.

But the IoD said a survey of its members showed that just 27 per cent felt the project represented good value for money.

The line is intended to link London to Birmingham by 2026, with branches to Manchester and Leeds, via Sheffield and through Barnsley, planned by 2032.

What do you think? Are you in favour of the plans? What do you think to the predicted costs? Too much? Worth it for the potential future benefits to the economy? Have your say below.

AN unemployed single father has been ordered to pay rent arrears caused by the 'bedroom tax' - even though his 15-year-old daughter occupies the room up to four nights a week.

Dad-of-two James Fawcett lives in a three-bedroom house on South Drive in Dodworth.

His 11-year-old son, Joshua, lives with him permanently and his 15-year-old daughter, Nicole, splits her time evenly between his house and her mother's.

James appeared at Barnsley Law Courts on Tuesday after failing to pay £405 in rent arrears.

The arrears is caused by a shortfall after the bedroom tax - a payment for a spare room - is deducted from a tenant's housing benefit. The tenant then has to make up the shortfall, but many have failed to do so.

"My daughter sleeps here three nights one week and four nights the next week," James said.

"They gave me a three-bedroom house on the basis that I have two children.

"My rent is already higher than someone in a two-bedroom house, so why should I have to pay for that room twice?

"The bedroom tax is ridiculous. I know they have got to get the money in somehow but it seems like they're picking on the small man."

He said suggestions had been made which included his children sharing a bedroom, sleeping on a sofa or sleeping in his room but he said that was unacceptable.

He added: "I fought for custody for a year-and-a-half and my daughter chose to split her time 50/50. Not seeing her is not an option."

James has been unemployed since losing his bricklaying business two years ago. He then suffered a bout of depression.

"I'm always looking for other jobs, but there aren't any about. There are bricklaying jobs I could do, but it means I'd have to work away and I'm a single dad. I just can't do it."

James claims £60 Jobseeker's Allowance per week and has been ordered to pay £15 a week to cover the shortfall in rent, £4 of which contributes towards his arrears.

James asked for the payments to be taken directly from his Jobseeker's Allowance.

A BUSINESSMAN has been left bewildered after a police officer he has never met filed a report about his mental health.

David Cooper, of Barnsley Road, Hoylandswaine, received a letter from South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust saying he had been referred to its mental health services via an alert made by the police.

But David, who owns Boomerang Business Promotions, said he has not had any dealings with the police and has been left flabbergasted as to why the letter has been sent.

David, 49, said: "What it's about I don't know. I don't drink, I don't smoke or take drugs. I live on my own, I get up every day and go to work to earn a living.

"I just can't get my head around what it's about. At first I thought it was an accident, or someone playing a prank. But it's making out I'm under my GP for mental health problems and I'm not. It's got to be a mistake."

David contacted SWYFT but didn't get the answers he wanted and was told to 'stop shouting'.

He visited Barnsley police station where he spoke to a sergeant who told him an officer had made a report. But the sergeant would not give David a copy of it or tell him the name of the officer who had submitted it.

"He was very stand-offish and as I was walking out he said 'I'll not shake your hand'.

"It's concerning that a police officer I've never met can file a report on my mental health.

"I haven't done anything wrong and I want to know why this report has been made - I'm not under any kind of order.

"This could affect my business. People might think I'm mentally ill and not want to use my services."

David has consulted a solicitor about the letter, which he claims is a defamation of character.

A spokeswoman for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “We're unable to comment on individual cases as to do so breaches patient confidentiality and the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

"We encourage anyone who has a concern about any aspect of our services to contact our Customer Services Team so that we can work with them to resolve their issue.”

LONG-RUNNING works on the A61 will continue until November.

Earlier this year Barnsley Council said the scheme would be finished in June, before unforeseen issues caused further delays, with August and then September being earmarked for its completion.

While the quality bus corridor works next to Wickes will be completed by mid-September, the council is taking the opportunity to bring forward resurfacing work on the troublesome road to follow on directly after the completion of the scheme.

Resurfacing will be carried out on Old Mill Lane and Wakefield Road between the completed scheme and the junction with Carlton Road and Reasbeck Terrace, where the old Woodman public house stood.

Works between the bridge over the River Dearne on Old Mill Lane and Reasbeck Terrace will start on Sunday, September 1 and will last for approximately ten weeks.

The majority of the works will be carried out during the day but some night work will be necessary.

During the works there will be a one-way road closure between Burton Road and Smithies Lane.

One-way traffic will be maintained out of town with incoming traffic being officially diverted via Rotherham Road and Pontefract Road. Local traffic will be allowed to use Carlton Road and Burton Road.

Access to properties will be maintained throughout the duration of the works and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum. However, due to the nature of the works some disruption of access may occur while work is carried out in the vicinity of properties.

Cllr Roy Miller said: "Rather than complete the bus corridor and open up the road, only to close it all down again when the time came to do the scheduled resurfacing, we decided to bring the resurfacing forward and add it on to the end of the current works.

"I appreciate that this extends the inconvenience around the area for a while longer, and for that I can only apologise. However, we feel that this way minimises the amount of disruption, so we ask for motorists, and local residents and businesses, to bear with us just a little while longer."

What do you think? Have your say below.

THE Reds were knocked out of the Capital One Cup after a 5-1 loss at home to Southampton on Tuesday night.

The Premier League side showed their class throughout but Barnsley once again made too many costly errors.

Steven Davis opened the scoring in the first half when he put the ball home after being set up by midfielder Lloyd Isgrove.

Jay Rodriguez doubled their advantage after the break but Barnsley halved their deficit through Stephen Dawson.

Emmanuel Mayuka restored Southampton's two-goal advantage and the game was put beyond the home side after further goals from Davis and Gaston Ramirez in the dying minutes.

"We defended really poor all over the pitch," said David Flitcroft. "I'm really disappointed with the aspect of how we defended as a team. It's sink or swim time."

Veteran goalkeeper Mike Pollitt made his Barnsley debut having only just signed a 28-day loan earlier in the day.

"I've felt for quite a while Luke Steele was not under enough competition," Flicker added. "I felt I could relieve a bit of pressure on Luke.

"Luke's been rested tonight and it was a good opportunity to try something different."

Barnsley, at the foot of the Championship table, have conceded 17 goals in their first six matches of the campaign and will now return to league duties against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

RECENT figures have shown there's been a slight increase in unemployment rates - with more young people out of work now than the previous month.

The number of people out of work has risen from 2,937 to 2,947 in Barnsley Central, and the number of young people out of work has jumped from 835 to 855 in a month.

MP Dan Jarvis said these latest figures signal bad news for Barnsley.

"Over the past month, I have spoken to many unemployed people from across the town who are desperate to get into work, but have had the door slammed shut in their faces.

"This is desperately disappointing when we consider what Barnsley has to offer. We have a brilliant entrepreneurial spirit, a first-class business acumen and a strong determination to go to work.

"I have consistently said that jobs are my main priority in Barnsley Central. I know that getting people off of the dole queue and into jobs will be vital to us changing the local, regional and national profile of our town."

A MAN who has denied assault will be tried at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Neil Cane Copley, 56, of Ryecroft, Barnsley, was granted unconditional bail and will be tried on October 10.

A YOUNG hiker has completed a month-long, 550-mile walk from Derbyshire to Inverness.

Ryan Platts, 14, who was born in Barnsley and used to live in Summer Lane, now lives in Marrakech, Morocco, but visits his grandparents in Darton each year for the summer holidays. He always takes on the challenge of a long-distance walk.

This year his marathon hike took in The Pennine Way, a 268-mile trek from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders walking up the backbone of England. It's considered the most difficult and challenging long distance walk in the country.

Ryan has already completed this section of the walk, which he also did when he was 11, and has also trekked the Coast to Coast, Offa's Dyke and Yorkshire Three Peaks.

"It was a bit different this time because there was a heatwave," he said. "But I like long-distance walking because of the sense of accomplishment - I try hard to stay within the times I set myself."

Ryan climbed Ben Nevis while on the trip in a time of three hours and 58 minutes.

He walked with Sue Field, his aunt from Dodworth, and was supported by other family members who did various stages.

Staying in youth hostels and bed and breakfasts, Ryan took in the West Highland Way - 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William. The final stage was the Great Glen Way, 73 miles along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness.

STAFF from Barnsley Hospital walked from Barnsley to Wakefield to raise money for a six-year-old boy suffering from a rare and aggressive childhood cancer.

The 14 staff, from the Intensive Therapy Unit, walked the 13 mile route - nearly a half marathon - to raise money for Joseph Lillywhite, who was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma in January and has been receiving treatment at Leeds General Infirmary.

The tumour has grown around his kidney and there is evidence of cancer in his bone marrow, hips and thighs.

Joseph’s current treatment is covered by the NHS, however in the UK there's currently no guarantee of treatment being made available if a child goes into relapse, and so Joseph may have to go on to receive treatment in the US or Europe.

The walk was led by Joseph’s mother’s cousin, Sue Ryan, who works at Barnsley Hospital. Sue said: "Joseph is a great little boy and has had a really tough time, so we all wanted to do something to help him.

"Although the walk was hard and long we all had a great time and everyone who took part really entered into the occasion.

"We decided to do the walk to start our fundraising and will be doing some more activities in the next few weeks and months to raise as much money as we can for Joseph."

The team of walkers completed the route in six-and-a-half hours, raising around £600 for Joseph through sponsorship and collection buckets.

Sue's next fundraising challenge is the notorious Tough Mudder and involves a 13-mile obstacle course.

For more information on Joseph's cause, click here.

BARNSLEY Council raked in £552,000 from car parking charges, new figures have revealed.

Figures released by the RAC for 2011/12 show councils are making hundreds of thousands of pounds profit from their off-street car parking operations.

Professor Stephen Glaister, of the RAC Foundation, said: "For many local authorities parking charges are a nice little earner, especially in the capital.

"The bottom line is that hundreds of millions of pounds are being contributed annually to council coffers through parking charges and the drivers who are paying then have a reasonable expectation to see the cash spent on improving the roads."

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

ARSONISTS caused two early fires on Tuesday morning.

Fire crews from Tankersley and Barnsley attended a bin and rubbish blaze on Market Street, Hoyland, at 3.10am, followed by a fire in a wheelie bin on Clough Field Road at 3.40am.

A fire service spokeswoman said that both fires were started deliberately.

BARNSLEY Council wants to form a combined authority with eight other councils in order to bring greater economic growth to the borough.

It would see Barnsley, along with Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield - and the district councils of Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire - join forces.

By forming a combined authority, it would allow the councils to take decisions jointly across their area to drive forward economic growth.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the new authority, to be known as the Sheffield City Region Authority, would be good news for Barnsley.

Cllr Houghton, who is chairman of the 'shadow' authority, said he welcomed the government formally recognising the authority and urged residents and business leaders to support the proposals through a public consultation running until October 7.

"I would like to assure residents and businesses that this arrangement comes at no extra cost to taxpayers," Cllr Houghton said.

"It wouldn't take any powers away from the local authorities but instead would take powers away from Westminster."

Should it go ahead, the combined authority would replace the South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority and have responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.

It would streamline the decision-making process in those areas, which in the case of transport and the economy, can often overlap borough boundaries.

It also means the public, businesses and agencies would only have to deal with one decision-making body rather than several.

Responses as part of the consultation must be made by October 7 and emailed here.

A BARNSLEY supermarket owner who repeatedly ignored fire safety laws has been fined £1,300.

Nabil Tariq, who owns Crest Supermarket on Doncaster Road, Goldthorpe, failed to maintain fire alarms, extinguishers and fire escape doors. He also failed to provide staff with fire safety training.

Tariq, 38, was found guilty in Sheffield of failing to comply with fire regulations, failing to comply with an enforcement notice and failing to carry out a risk assessment.

He was also ordered to pay £1,800 costs.

THOUSANDS of homes in Barnsley were left without power after a major power cut last week.

Shoppers in Barnsley town centre were locked out of the Alhambra Centre for more than an hour on Wednesday as shops were left in darkness.

A spokesman for Northern Powergrid said there was a fault on the high voltage supply to the S70 area, cutting power at 12.14pm.

They said power was returned at 3.34pm and apologised for any inconvenience.

AN abandoned, half-built bulding on the edge of the town centre is a tragedy waiting to happen according to a photographer who scaled its heights.

The warning comes from Asa Foster - whose spectacular photo was featured on We Are Barnsley last week - after he climbed the 'City Reach' building on Heelis Street.

Asa, 28, said he scaled the concrete ‘skeleton’ because he wanted to take a photograph of the town from high up - but was shocked at what he found inside.

The structure, which has stood untouched for more than four years, is strewn with needles and is being used by people taking drugs and drinking.

He fears the potentially dangerous state of the structure - which has no external walls, no barriers, no lighting and holes in some of the floors - means it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or even killed there.

"It's a death trap," Asa said. "I was sober and very, very careful as I walked up there, but anyone drinking or taking drugs could so easily slip and fall.

"There's no security and it's obvious from the debris strewn around the place that a lot of people are going in there who would not be too steady on their feet.

"If you have a building in that state being used by people taking drugs and drinking then that’s a recipe for a tragedy. I really was appalled to see how many people are obviously going there because that is very, very dangerous."

Local residents and shoppers have complained about drug users gathering in the building and the police have been called to several incidents there to remove people from the building.

The land was originally bought for £1.8million in June 2007 by Leeds-based developer Bob Mark and a company called Industrial and Corporate Finance Limited was going to fund its £9million development.

The building was supposed to have 10,000 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor with 86 apartments above.

Work started in October 2007, but stopped the following year as the recession bit. It's understood a potential new owner is in discussions to buy the land and structure.

BARNSLEY actress Katherine Kelly celebrated a low-key wedding in Las Vegas - and kept her family in the dark!

The ex-Corrie star, 33, married Ryan Clark in Sin City after telling her family that they were going there for a normal holiday.

"I love going to other people's weddings but I have never desired a big white wedding for myself," Katherine said. 

"We wanted to enjoy the day without all the usual planning and pressure. We just wanted to let it roll, so it had an on-the-run feel to it.

"It was awesome, I'll never forget that moment for the rest of my life."

TREES close to the Holiday Inn at Dodworth were set alight.

Firefighters from Cudworth attended the scene on Barnsley Road at about 11.20pm last Friday.

A spokesman for the fire service said it took the crew 45 minutes to deal with the fire.

A BARNSLEY man who was given 28 days to pay his 'bedroom tax' is facing being kicked out of his home.

Scott Dickinson, 22, was given the warning to pay something or else his home at Standhill Crescent, New Lodge, would be repossessed by the council.

He's £237.50 in arrears and District Judge Alastair Babbington suspended granting a possession order to allow Mr Dickinson to 'get benefits advice'.

But Mr Dickinson said after the brief hearing: "I would rather have been kicked out. I am sick of being messed about.

"I do not need advice. I only receive a certain amount of Jobseekers' Allowance and housing benefit. I am trying to settle rent and council tax arrears so I cannot pay bedroom tax.

"I will try and pay a bit off over the next 28 days but I am absolutely skint.

"I have looked for work but there are no jobs about. I am willing to work but there is nothing available."

He added that he had previously had jobs as a welder and in pubs and restaurants.

Mr Dickinson was one of seven cases heard. Out of those three were given a suspended possession order, meaning the tenants must follow an agreement to pay their rent and any arrears. They also have court costs to pay.

Two cases were adjourned and two tenants had already cleared their arrears before the court hearing - but had to repay all court costs.

Berneslai Homes said eviction is a last resort but a spokesman added: "However, where tenants don't engage with us or act on the support and advice we offer then we have no option but to ask for a court order to enforce payment of rent or as a last resort to evict."

A BARNSLEY man burned off over 17,000 calories in his 13-hour iron man challenge.

Ten years after completing his first marathon, 42-year-old Melvin Wallace, an environmental engineer, says nothing could make him feel so fulfilled ever again.

Melvin, of Merchant Croft, Monk Bretton, threw himself into an eight-month training regime for the ultimate physical challenge.

The Ironman UK race was held near Bolton and to ensure it was a proper family affair, Melvin's twins, Harry and George, seven, completed a kids' 1,500 metres mini race the day before the main event.

Melvin's race started at 6am and consisted of a 2.4-mile open water swim, a 116-mile bike ride and ended with a 26-mile run.

Such a gruelling race requires lots of preparation and Melvin dedicated lots of time to be ready for the event. Along with swims at Manvers lake and nights pounding the pavements, he's done lots of bike work both on the roads and on his turbo trainer static bike. So even while watching TV, Melvin could train.

"It was a fantastic day and the feeling of elation and achievement was simply amazing," he said.

LEGAL highs have been openly on sale next to kids' sweets on the counter of a Barnsley petrol station.

Small bottles of 'poppers', which are alkyl nitrates, are for sale at the Shell garage on Sheffield Road, Hoyland Common.

They come in small bottles - often called Liquid Gold or Pure Gold - and users report getting a short, sharp head rush-like high from them.

The nitrates dilate the blood vessels and allow more blood to get to the heart but side effects can include chemical burns to body tissues, feelings of sickness, faintness and weakness and even death if swallowed.

Poppers are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 but there's been cases where the Medicines Act was used to fine shops for selling so-called poppers.

Possession is not illegal, but supply can be an offence.

Karen Pearce, 41, of Hoyland Street, has three children, aged 19, 17 and six and she said she was concerned about them being so readily available.

"There should be some kind of classification like there is with cigarettes and booze," she said. "The authorities should have some say."

Another parent, who did not want to be named, said: "To think that they're selling these next to sweets is horrible.

"It could encourage children to go in and think that it's acceptable to buy them."

Owner Ayub Mitha said the product was commonly bought at weekends but was not sold to anyone under the age of 21.

He admitted to knowing some people may use it for other purposes.

He added: "All the staff that work here have signed literature which has been checked by Barnsley Council to say they would only sell these products to adults over 21.

"There's nothing illegal. The people buying it have been advised that it's a room odouriser. What people do after that is their responsibility."

A COUNCILLOR has blasted proposals to build up to 200 new homes on the edge of Royston.

Residents near Lee Lane have received a letter from consultancy firm NJL Consulting about the development including a plan of what it would look like.

But Cllr Graham Kyte believes the homes should be built elsewhere as the site's main access would be from Lee Lane.

There would also be a shop for residents to buy staples such as milk as well as public open spaces.

In the letter, NJL say applicants Strategic Land Group is preparing an outline planning application. More detailed plans would be submitted later.

It states the development will support the local economy, provide employment and contribute to the community.

Fifteen per cent of the new homes would also be affordable housing.

Cllr Kyte said the community would benefit from more affordable homes and the former spring factory off the High Street would be more suitable, rather than building at the more rural Lee Lane site.

He said the Lee Lane site is more attractive therefore house prices would be more expensive and developers could make more money.

"Local members are very much against this development as I'm sure many local residents are. It's as clear as day affordable houses on a site such as the former spring factory site in Royston would be better for the local community," he added.

"But clearly the developer will not make as much money from this. I hope the planning board will agree if an application is submitted the adverse impact of the development far outweighs the advantages."

What do you think to the proposed plans? Have your say below.

A DRUG addict who robbed a female debt collector of more than £2,000 has been given a three-year jail term.

Nichola Pearson, 38, of Gosling Gate Road, Goldthorpe, was addicted to MCAT and robbed the Provident Loans employee when she came to her house to collect a payment.

Pearson had applied for a £300 loan using false details because she was already on a blacklist.

She agreed to repay the cash at £15 a week - but when the debt collector then came to her house Pearson robbed her.

The debt collector told police she felt ‘something sharp’ on her shoulder when Pearson grabbed her money bag and threatened to stab her.

The collector's glasses were knocked off and she suffered bruising to her arm before she raised the alarm by escaping to a neighbour's.

Police arrived and found £2,112 and some cheques were missing from the woman’s money bag.

Nicholas Neale, prosecuting at Sheffield Crown Court, said about a fortnight later Pearson tried to use a credit card at a store in Doncaster Road, Goldthorpe. It was rejected but she and another woman escaped with £53 worth of goods.

When arrested for the robbery Pearson was found to be in possession of a small amount of MCAT. She told police she had snatched the collector's bag and spent most of the money on drugs.

Pearson admitted two offences of fraud, robbery and possession of the drug.

A DRINK driver was arrested after his car ended up on its roof after crashing it.

The black Vauxhall Corsa ended up on its roof on Barnsley Road, Silkstone, at about 1.10am last Sunday.

Police cordoned off the junction with Fallbank Crescent from 1.30am to 2.50am.

The man, 26, was not injured.

ARDAGH Glass has welcomed the decision by unions to put the company's new pay offer to its members and believe the offer will be accepted.

Staff at the Monk Bretton-based plant had been due to strike throughout this month and into September after a pay dispute.

But the action was cancelled after the workers were offered a 5.5 per cent pay rise, brought in over two years.

"We welcome the outcome of week-long discussions and believe that our two-year offer will be positively received by the workforce," a spokesperson from the firm said.

"This is a sensible decision which enables us to continue to work in partnership with our employees, as we make significant investments to maintain growth and long-term employment."

Voting started on Monday and the ballot closes on September 2.

The pay offer is for a three per cent pay rise between February 2013 and January 2014 - of which two per cent is to be backdated for February to July and the additional one per cent to be paid from August 1.

There will be a further two-and-a-half per cent rise to be paid from February 2014 to January 2015.

Ardagh Glass employs about 400 people at its Monk Bretton site and made £65million in pre-tax profits last year.

Unite deputy regional secretary for Yorkshire Tas Sangha said strikes scheduled to last until September 9 would be suspended while members considered the offer.

NEW parking restrictions are being planned on a bus route to prevent inconsiderate drivers blocking the road.

Barnsley Council, the South Yorkshire Transport Executive (SYPTE) and bus operators are looking to introduce yellow lines in Grimethorpe around the junctions of Michael's Estate, Brierley Road and Meadow Crescent.

This is the route of the number 29 Stagecoach service.

Cllr Dave North said bus drivers find it difficult to get past parked cars and even have to mount the pavement, which subsequently damages it.

It also has a knock-on effect on bus timetables, according to the council.

Residents' association member Elsie Smith has lived on nearby Stacey Crescent for 15 years and said the problem has been going on for months. Some drivers have even got out of their bus to ask people to move.

She said leaflets have been posted through letter boxes to stop people parking on the junctions but to no avail.

The bus, which comes once an hour, is used for people wanting to get to the cemetery as well as getting into Barnsley.

Cllr North added: "What we don't want is to lose the service for the people who use it. If we don't have a bus service down there a lot of people won't be able to get to their destination."

A WOMAN who jumped in a car straight after getting an interim driving ban has been given a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for a year.

Heather Gardner, 53, went back to the car which had been left on a main road and decided to move it around the corner where it was safer, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Gus Kennedy, defending, said Gardner had been arrested the previous day for drink driving. He said she had expected her ex-husband to pick up their grandchild from school and had a drink.

When he did not turn up, Gardner 'unwisely' got in the car and did the school run.

Mr Kennedy said: "She was arrested and locked up at the police station for being stroppy. She had a poor night's sleep in the cells and was given the interim driving ban at court.

"When she was in court, she did not pay attention to what was being said.

"Her ex-husband said he would meet her where the car had been left after the hearing. When Mrs Gardner got to the car, it was unlocked, the key was in the ignition and her handbag was on a seat.

"She got in the car to get her handbag but decided to move the car."

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said: "Having been released from court, Mrs Gardner went back to the car to move it."

Gardner, of Middlestones, George Street, Little Houghton admitted driving while banned, being twice the drink drive limit, having no insurance and test certificate.

She was banned from driving for three years, given a 20 week curfew and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

A SECOND World War pilot thought to be one of the last in the borough has died.

Tom Bromley, 89, who spent most of his life at Aldham Crescent, died at Buckingham Care Home, Penistone, where he had spent the last few weeks of life.

Born in Wigan, Tom's family walked from Wigan to Wombwell in 1924 when he was a two-year-old to find work as, while coal seams in Lancashire were declining, those in Wombwell were continuing to be exploited. His father eventually found work at Wombwell Main.

The family settled in Smithies before moving to Roebuck Street and Tom went to school at Holgate Grammar after passing his 11 plus exam. Later leaving school to care for his sick mother, he worked in the pits as a technician and studied chemistry and physics at night school.

In 1941, he became a pilot with the Royal Air Force and received his training in Africa, after travelling by sea. On the journey there, the ships in front and behind his were hit by torpedos and sank.

After completing his training, Tom returned to Britain as a Wellington Bomber pilot. On one particular mission the plane failed to lift off correctly, causing it to crash, though the crew survived.

He then moved to the Air Transport Auxiliary, responsible for ferrying new, repaired and damaged military aircraft across the country, where he flew 40 different different types of aircraft.

These included Lancaster Bombers, Wellington Bombers, four types of Spitfires, four types of Hurricanes and, his personal favourite, the Mosquito.

After being demobbed, Tom found work as a salesman for Hoover and rose to the position of sales manager for the north of England. He would stay with the company for 35 years before retirement.

He met wife Mary, née Savage, from Sheffield, during the war at a dance at the Cuban Club in Barnsley. Following the war, they stayed with Mary's father at the Imperial in Barnsley, where he was landlord.

They married in 1947 at St Mary's Church, Barnsley, and moved in with Tom's sister at Wood Walk. Their first child, Martyn, was born in 1949 followed by their daughter, Lynn, and son, Paul.

In his leisure time, Tom enjoyed golf and joined Silkstone Golf Club in 1960, rising to captain and, later, president. He was also a lifelong Barnsley FC fan, a Freemason and a member of Barnsley Round Table.