THE owner of a fish bar in Monk Bretton has spoken of the terrifying moment three men stole the till which contained about £200.

Pindy Kaur and her husband Bill Singh, who own Ocean Fish Bar on Judy Row, were tidying up when the men, one wearing tights over his face, jumped over the counter and made off with the till.

Pindy, 42, was tidying up at about 10.20pm last Thursday when the men came in.

She said: "They came in and stood near the till. The next thing I knew, they were trying to pick it up and I was trying to get it back. I was thinking 'you're not having this till' but in the end I had to give in.

"I was really frightened. When I called the police to report it, I couldn't talk. I was shaken to the core. Who knows what could have happened?"

Bill, 50, had been tidying up in the back of the shop and came running out after hearing Pindy screaming.

The couple have reported the incident to the police, who are examining CCTV footage. Pindy suffered minor bruising.

She added: "We've owned the shop for nearly seven years and we've had break-ins before with people trying to get in round the back, but never anything like this.

"One of my children comes down to stay with me on an evening which makes me feel better."

Pindy said the till had been recovered in the allotments behind the medical centre on High Street.

She said a till was also stolen from Woody's Cafe, also on Judy Row, the previous Thursday. It was also found at the allotments.

A TEAM of cyclists are hoping to have raised more than £1,000 - after cycling 170 miles in two days.

Team Tarn cyclists Glenn Tolan, Michael Hirst, Ronnie Erskine, Jason Eyre, Andy Clarke, Mick Smith, Andy Fell and Andrew Beverley rode 'The Way of The Roses' trail between Morecambe and Bridlington last weekend.

They're raising money for Barnsley Hospital Charity and in particular the Paediatric Diabetes Unit, after Ronnie's son was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2011.

Ronnie, 45, of Sike Close, Darton, said: “The ride went really well. It was very wet and it was a very gruelling 170 miles but all the riders completed it.

"The paediatric diabetes unit and the team of highly-skilled nurses and support staff provide much needed advice, help and support on dealing with this incurable condition.

"We're hoping to have raised £1,000 minimum."

A ROADSHOW highlighting the symptoms of lung cancer will visit Barnsley, after it was revealed that people were hesitant about reporting symptoms to their doctor.

There are about 196 cases diagnosed in Barnsley and up to 171 deaths every year but figures released by Public Health England show that people would not report a cough they've had for three weeks, which is a key symptom of lung cancer, to their doctor.

Experts warn that more lives could be saved if lung cancer is spotted and diagnosed earlier.

Those diagnosed at the earliest stage are five times more likely to survive lung cancer for at least five years than those diagnosed at a late stage.

The roadshow, at the Alhambra Centre, is part of the NHS Be Clear on Cancer campaign and will encourage people to report persistent coughs to their GPs.

Dr Cathy Read, consultant in public health, said: "The figures from Yorkshire and Humber show that more needs to be done to raise awareness of the signs of lung cancer and ultimately save more lives.

"Only by increasing awareness of potential symptoms, and encouraging people to visit their doctor sooner rather than later, will we see the number of early diagnoses, and people surviving the disease, start to rise.”

The roadshow is in town on Wednesday and Thursday.

Detectives have started a homicide investigation after the bodies of two women were discovered at an address in Wath-upon-Dearne.

A cordoned off area on Sandygate remains closed this afternoon while enquiries continue at the scene.

A local man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is assisting police with enquiries.

Anyone with information should phone South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1035 of Monday, 22 July, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A THIEF has been jailed for 26 weeks - just five days after being given a suspended prison sentence.

Shane Borrett, 32, stole DVDs worth £60 from W H Smith because of problems with his benefits, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

His co-accused John Boy Shaw, 34, was coaxed to go on the shoplifting expedition, Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said.

Philip Howard, defending, said Borrett was living in a skip and Shaw was staying in a partly-built house. Both of them had benefits problems.

Borrett and Shaw, of no fixed address, admitted shoplifting.

Shaw was given an eight week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay £30 in compensation.

A TEENAGER has been ordered to pay £500 to the owner of a car he damaged.

Callum David Barratt, 18, smashed the windscreen of the Ford Fusion following a row with his girlfriend, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Claire Jackson, prosecuting, said: "Mr Barratt was being aggressive. He had been drinking vodka with his girlfriend. They had a row and she threw him out of the house."

Brian Bushell, defending, said Barratt, of Ladywood Road, Grimethorpe, saw red.

Barratt, who admitted criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

QUICK-THINKING Steve Beevers has a new feathery friend - after an unexpected encounter in Kes country.

Steve, 51, from Cudworth, was walking with a friend on Cudworth Common about three weeks ago when he spotted the red-tailed hawk wearing leather cuffs around its legs.

He keeps a harris hawk himself and went home to grab a hawking glove to rescue the stray bird, calling it down to safety.

"Somebody has kept it at some point," Steve said. "It had leather anklets on which is the standard equipment for a bird of prey that's in captivity. I called it and it came straight down to the glove."

Steve has been looking after the hawk but says it's still a juvenile and although he is unsure of its sex, he thinks it was born this year.

Steve said the hawk is a common bird of prey but they can be more aggressive than harris hawks which are friendlier towards humans.

"It's bigger than a kestrel," he said. "They're quite a large bird - standing off my glove it's about 14 inches full height."

Steve, of Pinfold Cottages, said he has registered the bird on the Independent Bird Register - a database for lost and stolen birds of prey and parrots.

He has also been advertising locally to try and find its owner. If you have any information, contact Steve on 07923569593.

CAWTHORNE Children's Centre has shown improvement since it was last visited by Ofsted inspectors four years ago.

The centre, on Taylor Hill, was told the standard and quality of its early years provision is 'good' - a step up from the 'satisfactory' rating it was given in 2009.

A report said the indoor and outdoor areas are rich with opportunities for learning and they're thoughtfully planned to allow children to investigate. As a result, they develop considerable confidence as learners.

It states: "Children flourish in the safe, extremely welcoming and inclusive environment.

"They settle extremely well, show high levels of confidence and are highly motivated to learn."

They said parents are kept 'extremely well informed' about their child's progress which enables them to effectively continue their child's learning at home.

"The whole staff team is dedicated to continuously improving the service that they provide for children," the report says.

Carol Hill, the children's centre's business manager, said: "As a new management team, and highly committed staff team, we've been working tirelessly over the last two-and-a-half-years to continuously raise the standards and quality of our care and provision."

Sarah Baker, the childcare manager at the centre, added: "We're extremely proud of our improved rating.

"We're pleased that Ofsted has recognised that we offer a very high quality, rich and vibrant environment in which children flourish and are confident learners."

HUNDREDS of screaming teenage girls descended on a town centre bar on Tuesday to meet The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex.

The 22-year-old reality TV star was in Barnsley to open the new #YOLO youth night at Che Bar on Peel Street.

Joey took the time to meet and greet about 250 fans and when one girl asked why he was so beautiful, she nearly fainted when he told her 'not as beautiful as you'.

Joey said: "It's great to be in Barnsley and I enjoy travelling to meet my fans."

Kirsty Taylor, Che Bar's sales manager who helped organise the new night, added: "Joey was such a sweetheart, a real gentlemen. He took a lot of time out to speak to everyone individually and even had a little dance in-between photos with fans.

"He was a really laid back guy. The night went really well. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves and socialised really well.

"The turn out was quite good and they have all said they would like to make it a more regular thing, which looks promising."

Some of Joey's fans got to ask him questions, such as would he ever date a fan. When he replied with 'maybe one day', the screams from the hundreds of girls went through the roof.

Kirsty said she is hoping more boys will go to the next #YOLO event, as she doesn't think Joey appealed to the lads of Barnsley very much.

The next youth event takes place on August 13 and will be a beach party theme.

A MOTHER claims her ten-year-old son is being bullied at school - because he has ginger hair.

Christine Caulfield said her son, Owen, who attends Joseph Locke Primary, has been called names including 'gingernut' and has been punched and kicked in the playground.

Christine, of Rowland Road, Gawber, said the bullying began in September and Owen even had his thumb broken on one occasion.

She said: "One boy kicked his hand and broke his thumb. The boy wasn't excluded and was even allowed to play football at Barnsley Football Club. I was annoyed because it seemed the headteacher was rewarding badly-behaved kids."

She said Owen was also assaulted in the playground by a boy.

The boy was given a suspension but it was wavered because his parents couldn't take the time off work.

"I know Owen's not an angel. He's ten, he's lively and he's got a big mouth but he knows where the line is," said Christine.

"He's been put into different sets and he's eating his lunch in the IT room because he doesn't want to go outside because he thinks that someone is going to hit him.

"He can't even play with his friends any more and it was him who had been assaulted. It's like they've removed Owen instead of dealing with the bullies. I don't see why he should be victimised twice."

Christine said she had seen headteacher Keith Armitage but was not satisfied with the meeting.

Mr Armitage said: "I can't comment on individual pupils, it would be very inappropriate.

"We have very high standards of behaviour and that has been recognised in all recent Ofsted reports.

"If parents have any issues or concerns then everyone at the school, including myself, will be available to deal with them and go through the usual ways to make sure bullying and any kind of disruption is identified and addressed effectively.

"Because we do have very effective behaviour policies and very high standards of behaviour, that's why we're very popular with parents."

A MAN has been jailed for 22 weeks for attacking his stepson.

Steven James Roebuck, 39, punched the boy twice on the top of the head and aimed a kick at him, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Roebuck had taken part in the Barnsley Boundary Run on the day of the assault, said Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting.

She said Roebuck, of Derwent Crescent, Athersley South, was subject to a suspended jail sentence imposed for four assaults.

She said trouble bagan when Roebuck pulled down his shorts and bared his backside in a light-hearted way. The stepson playfully hit him on the back of his legs.

The family went home and Roebuck started slamming doors and drinking lager.

He left home and returned drunk. Mrs Ormrod said: "Mr Roebuck ran upstairs, punched and kicked the boy. He said: 'I have been waiting to do that for two years'."

Jamie Wake, defending, said Roebuck had been unable to cope with looking after the stepson.

She said: "It had been a lovely family day out. Running helps Mr Roebuck cope with stress. The day turned sour and he started drinking heavily. He deeply regrets that.

"He punched the boy on top of the head and the kick brushed past the victim's head. Mr Roebuck is deeply sorry about the offences and feels he should be punished.

"He realises he needs to change. He has not had a drink since the incident and paid to go on a course to help him curb his anger."

Roebuck admitted assault, drink driving and breaching the terms of a suspended prison sentence.

District Judge John Foster said: "This incident arose out of next to nothing. You assaulted a boy who trusted you. You were drunk, You drove and drunk some more. You were more than twice the drink drive limit.

"All this happened while you were subject to a suspended prison sentence for violence."

Roebuck was banned from driving for three years.

SOUTH Yorkshire Police has been named as one of five forces which will struggle to cope with future budget cuts.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said South Yorkshire Police had few options left because it had chosen to rely on short-term savings rather than transforming its efficiency.

HMIC has tracked police forces’ response to budget cuts since summer 2011, using force data and inspection to analyse how they're making savings, the impact of this on their workforce, and on the service they provide.

HM Inspector of Constabulary, Zoe Billingham, said there had been a good response overall to the financial situation but there was 'considerable variation in the approaches taken by forces'.

She said: "In some cases this leaves us with concerns about how some forces will manage in the face of further cuts.

"We also have some concerns that neighbourhood policing risks being eroded as forces change how they deliver local policing."

HMIC said broadening the remit of neighbourhood policing would have a potentially detrimental effect on crime prevention work and impair the level of service the public received.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said the force faced needing to make savings of nearly £50million from its overall policing budget between 2011 and 2015 and had worked hard to identify ways of making savings while protecting front line services, continuing to drive down crime rates and enhance public satisfaction.

He added: "We are confident, with the support of the Police and Crime Commissioner and with our partner bodies, that we will not only deliver all the savings required, but will adapt to this age of austerity in way that places public safety and satisfaction at the heart of the future policing model in South Yorkshire."

THE police have appealed for witnesses a man suffered serious head injuries when he confronted a thief trying to steal his car.

At around 3.15am on July 22, officers believe that a 49-year-old man confronted an unknown male on Skiers View Road in Hoyland.

It is thought that the unknown male may have been attempting to break into the 49-year-old man’s car.

Following the confrontation, the 49-year-old man was left with serious head injuries and was transported to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. His condition is described as life-threatening.

Officers would like to encourage anyone with information about the incident, or anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area, to contact South Yorkshire Police in 101, quoting incident number 298 of July 21.

Alternatively to report information about a crime anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

THREE people have been charged after a 50-year-old Barnsley man sustained multiple life-threatening injuries when he was in collision with a car.

The alleged incident happened at 7.20pm on December 12 of last year, on Racecommon Road, Barnsley.

The injured man, now aged 51 and from the local area, has spent up to four months in Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital and Barnsley Hospital receiving treatment to his legs, pelvis and head.

Although he has now been released from hospital, he is still undergoing treatment to his legs and pelvis.

A 20-year-old man, from the Townend area of Barnsley, was charged on July 19, with aggravated vehicle taking, no insurance, failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision and perverting the course of justice.

In addition, a 48-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, also from the Townend area, have been charged with perverting the course of justice.

All three have been bailed to appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on August 2.

No further action will be taken against others arrested during the investigation.

TENNIS in the town has been resurgent since Andy Murray's historic Wimbledon win.

The town’s tennis club has reported a boom in member interest after Murray became the first Brit to win at Wimbledon since Fred Perry's 1936 victory.

The courts at Huddersfield Road have been packed and with the continuing warm weather, it's set to continue.

Chairman Chris Day said: "Murray mania has definitely hit Barnsley and we’re all feeling the Murray effect.

"The win has led to more enquiries, the phone has been ringing, people have been visiting the website and the courts are much busier.

"For a Brit to win the men’s event at Wimbledon for the first time in almost 80 years was absolutely fantastic, and there’s a real feel-good factor around the country at the moment which is impacting Barnsley too.

"Lots of youngsters have been coming down and enjoying the facilities and we’ve also had interest from adults who are wanting to give it a go.

"The interest in Barnsley Tennis Club increases every year during Wimbledon but even more so this time due to Andy Murray’s great triumph."

MOBILE speed cameras will operate on the following roads from Monday.

A61 Park Road, Barnsley

A628 Barnsley Road, Penistone

A628 Barnsley Road, Silkstone

A628 Cundy Cross to Shafton Two Gates

A629 three-kilometre stretch, Wortley

A633 Rotherham Road, Athersley South

A633 Rotherham Road, Monk Bretton

B6096 two-kilometre stretch, Wombwell to Snape Hill B6411 Houghton Road, Thurnscoe

Brierley Road, Grimethorpe

Pogmoor Road, Barnsley

A6023 Doncaster Road, Mexborough

A6022 Rowms Lane, Swinton

A633 Sandygate, Wath-upon-Dearne

Melton Green, West Melton

Pontefract Road, Brampton.

A MAN accused of producing 130 cannabis seedlings and possession of cannabis with intent to supply has been committed to Sheffield Crown Court.

Andrew Robert Lewis, 50, of Kendal Vale, Worsbrough Bridge, will make his first appearance on July 25.

He made no pleas and was granted unconditional bail at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

DRASTIC measures including replacing a third of its teachers are taking place at a Barnsley school to improve its performance.

Carlton Community College's headteacher, Neil Hutchinson, said a third of teachers are to be replaced, with new staff coming from as far as Australia and Canada to teach in September.

Twenty new teachers will be employed at the school with ten teachers from the UK, he said. They will start in September.

"I think it brings us a wider view of the world. We're able to look at the best field possible so we have interviewed these people against people from England," Mr Hutchinson said.

"What we've said is that we won't employ anybody that is not at least good or an outstanding teacher."

The move comes on the back of the school's recent Ofsted report in May.

It was the fourth monitoring inspection since the school went into special measures in January 2012.

Special measures is Ofsted's lowest grade of failing school.

Inspectors said satisfactory progress had been made since the last inspection in March, but inadequate progress had been made since the school went into special measures.

BARNSLEY boss David Flitcroft is excited about the potential of the club’s strike partnership between Chris Dagnall and Chris O’Grady.

Flitcroft is confident the pair can cause chaos in the Championship.

O’Grady, who made his move permanent earlier on in the summer after a loan spell from Sheffield Wednesday, sparkled last season and many of the Reds’ tactics were formed around feeding the strong striker and playing off him.

The duo played together at Rochdale, so it’s little surprise O’Grady and Dagnall enjoy being alongside each other.

"Chris is a great physical specimen. He’s got great physical capabilities,” Flitcroft said. “He’s signed for us for two years and I think he can do so much for us in that time.

"Daggers is so hard-working. Without doubt him and Chris are two of the hardest-working centre-forwards in the division. They're a great partnership.

"Chris was a big piece in our jigsaw last season and the way we played. I’m excited about this season and what they can achieve."

The Reds kick off their Championship campaign at home to Wigan Athletic at Oakwell on Saturday August 3.

DARTON College's turnaround is almost complete after it received a positive report from Ofsted.

Principal Sharon Rossides demanded rapid improvements when she took up her post in September 2010 after the school was put into special measures by Ofsted in January 2010.

After an inspection last month, Ofsted has rated every area as 'good' such as the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

The report states the principal, senior and middle leaders share high expectations and total commitment to ensure every student achieves their potential, whatever their circumstances.

The report says the school has a 'stimulating and vibrant' atmosphere, enhanced by an increasingly relevant and challenging curriculum which supports students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Sharon said: "We have worked hard over the past three years to ensure the education we're giving our students is at least good.

"Two years ago the school was given a satisfactory judgement, this was disappointing and we knew we could do better for the children in this area.

"Last September I wrote to Ofsted inviting them in to re-grade the school as we knew we had made the improvements needed to be at least good.

"It was a cause of celebration to be re-graded and the staff and students are already working on our plan to be outstanding.

"We're proud of what we have achieved at Darton College but we know there's still work to be done to reach the next stage."

TWO members South Yorkshire Police's staff have been arrested on suspicion of stealing the force helicopter's logbook.

It's understood one of those arrested is a police officer and the other a member of staff. Both have been released on bail.

The helicopter has not been used for five months due to mechanical faults.

Earlier this month, the force said it needed to recreate the aircraft's logbook which had "gone missing".

In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said the arrests were "part of an ongoing criminal investigation".

A TRIAL involving Barnsley Football Club's owner has collapsed.

The retrial of Timothy Whiston, 45, and fellow executives Stephen Graham, 49, and John Whelan, 46, who are accused of forging a multi-million euro contract to supply the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to mislead investors, has been discharged by the judge.

The three, along with Barnsley FC owner Patrick Cryne, 62, are said to have deliberately included revenue from software contracts with the Irish health system, which had yet to be received, in the published accounts of healthcare provider iSoft - transforming losses into profit.

Cryne was excused from legal proceedings due to ill health but Whiston, Graham and Whelan have been on trial since April at Southwark Crown Court in London, accused of making false statements to the markets about their firm.

But the latest three-month trial collapsed after Judge Anthony Leonard QC discharged the jury for reasons which cannot be reported.

Prosecutors are now considering whether to ask for a third trial.

The drama comes after more than three years of legal wrangling. The former directors, including Cryne, stood trial last year, but the jury failed to reach a verdict after a costly three-and-a-half month trial.

The collapse of this re-trial comes after months of hearings, just as barristers were preparing to make their closing speeches.

POLICE have confirmed that a missing 14-year-old has been found safe and well.

They appealed for help to trace Carla Marsh on July 18 after she left for Penistone Grammar School from her Worsbrough home at around 7.40am the day before, with carrier bags containing clothes and hair straighteners, and did not return home.

The police said she was found and thanked everyone for their help.

A NEW bus service will run between Barnsley and Rotherham.

Following customer feedback, Stagecoach Yorkshire has introduced the 22X service which will run from Rotherham and pass through Manvers, Wath, Wombwell and arrive in Barnsley.

It offers free Wi-Fi, earlier buses, evening and weekend journeys and more value for money ticket options. 

Modern single-decker buses featuring an eye-catching, special 22X livery will also provide a more comfortable service for passengers and low floors for easy access with wheelchairs or buggies.

These improvements will be introduced from July 20.

The service will provide a combined seven-minute frequency with the 222 and 226 services from Monday to Saturday between Barnsley, Wombwell and Wath with the Wath to Rotherham section running every 15 minutes.

There will also be earlier buses on Mondays to Fridays as well as a new evening and Sunday service running every hour.

Rupert Cox, commercial director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: "We’re delighted to offer our passengers a more convenient way of travelling and hope they see the benefits on using our improved service.

"When we completed our consultation in February 2013, passengers told us they wanted earlier buses, evening and weekend journeys and more value for money ticket options and that’s exactly what they now get with the new 22X."

CRIME has fallen by seven per cent in South Yorkshire during the last financial year.

The biggest reductions were recorded in crimes of anti-social behaviour, violence, theft, criminal damage and arson.

Overall, that means there were 7,000 fewer crimes and many thousands of fewer victims in the year ending March 2013, compared to the previous 12-month period.

It was the 24th successive year that crime has fallen in South Yorkshire.

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Shaun Wright, has given a cautious welcome to the crime figures, released on July 18.

He said that whilst he was pleased to see a continuing reduction in the overall crime rate, he expressed concern that the force was still some way behind regional averages.

He said: "I applaud South Yorkshire Police for achieving further reductions in crime, particularly given the severe and unfair budget cuts imposed upon them by government.

"But I am concerned that there are, on average, still more crimes happening here than in other, similar parts of the country.

"I am particularly concerned that offences of shoplifting, burglary and sexual offences have increased in the last year and the force must do all it can to make significant inroads in these types of crime." 

NERVES and excitement were present in Barnsley troops who took part in the Freedom Parade on Thursday.

Private Matthew Bennett, of Shaw Lane, felt a little anxious ahead of the march - because he knew his grandparents and sister would be watching.

"I had some family come down to see me so I was excited and a bit nervous at the same time," said Pte Bennett, 20, who joined the army in 2009 and completed a six-month tour of Afghanistan last year.

"There is an amazing sense of pride about marching through your hometown though and it's good to be able to do it because we spend so much time away."

Pte Bennett is preparing to be deployed to Kenya shortly to undergo further training.

Pte Chris Corns shared some of those nerves. The 22-year-old Wombwell lad might have done two tours of Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012, but as he enjoyed a cigarette in the sunshine after the march he wasn't afraid to admit he was feeling a little tense.

"I was a bit nervous because my family were watching," he said.

"It makes me feel proud to be here though, I only get back a once or twice a month."

Casting an eye over their performance was Colour Sergeant Major Leon Egbury, who hails from Darfield, and has been in service 23 years.

"We always get a good crowd and a good turnout in Barnsley," he said.

"A lot of soldiers in our regiment are from Barnsley and a lot of soldiers from here means a lot of families. We've got the good weather as well," said the 39-year-old, who has done tours of duty in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Col Sgt Maj Egbury said it was a special day for him as he will be returning to his hometown in two weeks, where he will be taking up a role in the army forces careers office.

"I've been away for 23 years and I am coming back home which is fantastic," he added.

AN investigation has been launched after an allegation of rape on a woman in Brierley.

The incident was reported at around 2.40am on Thursday on Church Street.

Police want to speak to anyone with information about the alleged incident or who believes they may have witnessed or heard anything.

Officers were not prepared to release any further information about the victim or circumstances.

They should call 101 quoting incident number 121 of July 18. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TWO train lines thought to form tunnels as part of the high speed rail link through Barnsley will now go overground, it has been revealed.

Upper Hoyland Road resident Kevin Hogan, 72, discovered the shock news after writing to HS2 Ltd, the firm dealing with the plans to run a high speed rail network from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds, on behalf of the government.

The route near his home was originally thought to be planned as twin tunnels, eight metres beneath the surface.

He was told in a letter from HS2 Ltd official William Shockley that the superfast train line will be 30 metres away from his property - about the length of a cricket pitch.

"It is a vast change from what our neighbours believed was to happen," he said.

"It seems there has been a complete change of plan. People should know."

In a letter to Mr Hogan, Mr Shockley said the initial preferred route was published in January this year, with a final decision on route options expected at the end of 2014.

He wrote: "At the point at which it passes your property, the line of the route would be on the surface, and at a distance of approximately 30m away."

Consultation on the route started on Wednesday and will close on January 31 next year.

Responses can be logged on their website and can also be posted to:

Freepost RTEL-YAZX-HAZT

Phase Two Route Consultation 

PO Box 1152

Harrow

HA1 9LH

BARNSLEY Football Club have insisted they don't want to sell Jacob Mellis, despite reported interest from Premier League new boys Crystal Palace.

Mellis has another year to run on his contract, but Palace boss Ian Holloway is keen on the playmaker, according to a national newspaper.

But the Reds moved quickly to dismiss the reports and said: "The club has not received any bids for Jacob, nor do we want to sell a player who is an intergral part of the squad."

BARNSLEY Council is about to slash a massive £9million from its budget - putting 151 jobs at risk.

The severity of the cuts, half way through the financial year, is likely to mean more compulsory redundancies than ever before at the council.

Departments that in the past have been protected will not be this time around. That means for the first time there will be reductions in spending on highways, neighbourhood pride and waste management.

Some youths clubs will close, the bin/recycling collections will be altered, senior management will be dramatically cut, there will be fewer care managers and assessors, business centres will close, there will be cuts in supported living/community alarms spending for vulunerable adults, bereavement services fees will go up by six per cent and £1.5million will be taken from the council's legal, finance and human resources services.

As if these cuts, which are expected to be approved by the full council next week, were not enough, more are to follow.

Council leader, Sir Steve Houghton, says the council has been forced to make these mid-year cuts because of the sheer size of the cuts it is facing at the end of the year and for the next two years after that.

The stark facts are that Barnsley Council has already chopped £45million from its annual budget over the past three years. By next year a further £18million will have been cut.

Cllr Houghton said: "We had to start with this £9million of cuts early because of the sheer scale of the budget restrictions we're facing. You cannot just take £18million of cuts and roll that out over a few months - it takes time.

"Yes it makes me sad, but more than that it makes me angry because Barnsley is facing cuts to services because of the way the government is funding local government and places in the south of England are proportionately being given a lot more than us.

"For the past few years we have managed to protect certain services and will do our best to continue to do so. But with so many cuts year after year we are having to make difficult choices no department is now safe and yes people will start to see a difference.

"We have managed to avoid huge compulsory jobs losses in the past, but I accept that this time around we may not be able to do so.

"We will continue to be innovative and flexible and do everything we can to protect services and jobs, but it is far from easy and the government predictions of its spending on local government does not give us any glimmer of hope."

A MAN who had been a drug addict since the age of 13 has been spared jail to give him a chance to kick his habit.

Craig Yates, 22, of Hough Lane, Wombwell, left Sheffield Crown Court last Friday punching the air after Recorder Mark McKone sentenced him to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with an order to attend a six-month drug rehabilitation course.

Yates pleaded guilty to being in possession of 333mg of ketamine and three grams of MCAT - a former legal high criminalised in 2010 - with intent to supply when searched by police on September 19, 2012. The drugs were valued at £114.

Officers had been in the area following complaints of Yates and a woman having a heated argument in the middle of the street.

There were also found to be 19 text messages on his mobile phone related to the supply of MCAT and ketamine.

After appearing at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on June 5, he was granted bail pending his committal to Sheffield Crown Court but during this time was found to be in possession of cannabis with a street value of about £10.

He was initially charged with possession with intent to supply but pleaded not guilty, later pleading guilty to possession for personal use on June 19.

Prosecutor Michael Tooley said Yates had nine previous convictions for 23 offences between 2004 and 2011 and had previously served 15 months' imprisonment in a young offenders' institute.

Defence barrister Rebecca Stevens said: "Given his history and addiction since the age of 13 to cannabis and, shortly thereafter, the drugs which he has been convicted, it comes as little surprise he finds himself before the court again, because his previous conviction did not release him from his addiction. Clearly his last custodial sentence was not able to do that."

Miss Stevens added Yates had found work after being released from the young offenders' institute in May 2011 but, shortly before the offences before the court, had lost his job and turned to dealing drugs to fund his habit.

Passing sentence, Recorder McKone said: "I'm going to do what I can to help you with your drug problem. It really is a very good course but the reality is, if you go on that course and you're still taking drugs and offending afterwards, the court will be able to say it has given you a chance and you haven't taken it."

Yates was also placed under a 12-month supervision order as well as a six-month curfew between the hours of 7pm and 5am and fined a £380 victim surcharge.

A MALE swan was killed when it was shot by an air rifle in a shameful act of animal cruelty. 

In a cruel twist, they also discovered the dead swan had a female mate and three young cygnets which have been left to fend for themselves.

The suffering bird was discovered by shocked Carlton residents on the disused Wakefield to Barnsley Canal last Thursday morning.

They immediately contacted Yorkshire Swan Rescue Sanctuary to come and see to the injured animal, but when the wildlife workers arrived, they found the bird dead on its nest at the side of the canal.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I've been feeding the swans on the canal every day for the last three years.

"I was shocked to find the swan in such a terrible way and knew that he needed help.

"I can't believe anybody could be so deliberately cruel to these beautiful animals. It's sickening."

Dan Sidley, from the Yorkshire Swan Rescue Sanctuary, said injuries to swans caused by air rifle pellets are 'all too common'.

"We see many swans every year, which are brought to our sanctuary for treatment and all too often the birds are discovered with pellets littering their bodies," he said.

"Some are lucky enough to survive the ordeal, though like in this sad instance the injuries are too great. It's hard to comprehend why anybody would inflict such needless suffering to a wild animal."

The charity can be contacted on 07763 424 892.

A COUPLE jailed for ten weeks after having oral sex in Barnsley Interchange have been freed on appeal.

Jacqueline Holden, 37, and Sam Rowan, 22, were released after two weeks and given a suspended sentence.

The pair were filmed by up to 40 teens as they played to the crowd, a district judge at Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Holden, of Oxford Street, and Rowan, of Bridge Street, were both said to have been drinking heavily before the incident in May.

PLANS to create a food bank in Cudworth have moved a step further with a venue now being secured to help people in need.

Cudworth councillor Joe Hayward confirmed this week that Cudworth library has been chosen as a distribution centre.

He said he and Fr David Nicholson, of St John The Baptist Church, have visited the venue and are very happy to have such a central location.

"It's a big piece of the jigsaw puzzle," Cllr Hayward said.

"It was always going to be a hard thing to find, especially in Cudworth."

He added the library is used by a lot of people and means those visiting the food bank could use it discreetly.

Last week a meeting was held at the church and Fr David said he hoped the food bank would be set up by September. It would still serve people in Grimethorpe and Shafton, he said.

The food bank will work on a voucher basis - with each voucher entitling a person to three days worth of food, including breakfast, dinner and tea.

Cllr Hayward said the group is now looking to advertise the food bank locally for people to offer their support and donations.

A RESPECTED and hard-working teacher momentarily lost his temper after being pelted by snowballs, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Dean Macfarlane, 54, a teacher for 34 years, threw a 12-year-old into a hedge, said Jack Danaher, defending.

He said Macfarlane, of Lamb Croft, Carlton, had suffered damage to his home, thefts and anti-social behaviour for 18 months.

Mr Danaher added that Macfarlane had repeatedly complained but nothing had been done.

Mr Danaher said: "Mr Macfarlane was pelted with snowballs and abused twice. He approached one of the young people who spat on the floor.

"Mr Macfarlane momentarily lost his control and it has had devastating consequences. He will lose his job. His colleagues at school want him to carry on but this will not happen.

"He has been a dedicated and hard-working teacher for 34 years. He is thinking of moving house because of this."

Claire Jackson, prosecuting, said the 12-year-old victim was shaken but not seriously injured after being thrown into the hedge.

She said: "Mr Macfarlane came home and found his house had been pelted with snowballs. He was pelted with snowballs and was hit in the face and body.

"Later, he spotted two youths and told them to stay away. One of them, the victim, spat on the floor."

Macfarlane admitted assault. He was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work, to pay £50 in compensation, costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge.

A BARNSLEY baker has branded an MP 'clueless' after she suggested factories with working temperature of more than 30 degrees should be closed.

A group of MPs are pushing for a new law which would require bosses to send home staff if the temperature in the workplace exceeds 30C, or 27C for those doing strenuous work.

But John Foster, of Foster's Bakery in Mapplewell, said it was lunacy and that it would mean he would have to close and send home his 200 staff.

"The old phrase is 'if you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen'. But we can stand the heat, it's what we're used to. Take it from someone who works in a bakery and knows."

The proposal is contained in a parliamentary motion tabled by Labour MP Linda Riordan, which has attracted the signatures of 17 MPs.

It warns that employees in workplaces ranging from industrial bakeries to school classrooms are often subjected to temperatures which can 'impact seriously on their health and wellbeing'.

An official code of practice introduced in 1992 as part of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations states that workplace temperatures should not normally drop below 16C or 13C if the work involves severe physical effort.

But there is no suggested maximum limit, with the guidelines stating only that "all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature".

John said temperatures on Wednesday reached 27.5 degrees inside the factory, but that it was hotter outside the bakery than it was inside.

He added: "We would have had to close. If we don't supply today, then our customers don't come back tomorrow and we're all out of work.

"It's just clueless MPs. If you're a bricklayer, in the winter it's horrible and in the summer it's comfortable. It's called life."