A THIEF threatened staff with a screwdriver before stealing money from a till.

The man walked into a pharmacy on Wath Road in Mexborough on Friday June 21 at around 12.50pm and demanded money.

He left the scene after being given the cash.

Police have released this CCTV image are of the man. He had his face covered by the white jacket, which was zipped up with the hood pulled over.

He was also wearing beige coloured trousers and was holding a Next carrier bag. He is around 5ft 8ins tall and is of a slim build, with a local accent.

Anyone who believes they may have witnessed the incident, or believes they may have seen a man matching the images or description in the area at the time is asked to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 508 of 21/06/2013.

THE chief executive of Barnsley Citizen's Advice Bureau has thanked the service's volunteers for putting in hundreds of hours to help those in need.

Barnsley CAB has 35 volunteers who collectively contribute the equivalent in financial terms of more than £250,000 a year.

Pat Heath said the volunteers are an indispensable part of the service, particularly with the bureau seeing an increase in calls since benefit and welfare reforms came into effect.

"I'm hugely grateful to all of the fantastic people in our bureau who give up their time to help us deliver the advice to our clients which, in the face of such a tough pressure on people's personal finances, is more vital than ever," he said.

For more information, click here. 

A VOLUNTEER for Barnsley Hospital who spent 93 days as a patient in its intensive care unit has been honoured at the hospital's annual awards night.

Stuart Steele, 66, was presented with the Lesley Lee Patient Experience Award at the ceremony, which celebrates the hard work and dedication of its staff and volunteers.

On the night, Stuart, of Silkstone Common, told the story of how he became critically ill in 2011 and needed round-the-clock care on the hospital's unit.

When he was finally well enough to go home after three months, staff applauded him off the ward.

Stuart felt he needed to 'give something back' and now offers his time freely to help the unit and its patients, providing practical and emotional support.

Chairman Stephen Wragg said: "This was a great night and we all really enjoyed meeting together to share our appreciation of our colleagues at the hospital and the fantastic work they are putting in all year round for patients, staff and visitors."

A FORMER casino manager says costs for court summons for non-payment of council tax are an attack on the vulnerable.

Peter Bottrill, 66, fell £20 behind on his council tax in August last year but then received a summons with court costs of £52.

He says the court costs are not an appropriate reflection and that he is raising the matter with the Trades Union Congress (TUC). 

Barnsley Council has sent Mr Bottrill a method of how the courts reach their costs and says the matter is now closed.

Mr Bottrill said: "These charges are a way of getting at the most vulnerable. I understand 5,000 summons to court have gone out - that makes £260,000 to be collected in costs.

"I also question the description of 'costs' when the figure they've reached is based on estimates. 

"People receiving these summons don't usually question it - they just accept it - when it's just a way of making money."

A MAN has been charged with assault after allegedly hitting a member of staff at Barnsley Hospital.

The man, 43, was taken to the Accident and Emergency department by paramedics in the early hours of last Tuesday morning for observations.

It's alleged he was drunk and twice lashed out at a health care assistant who was trying to examine him, hitting him on the arm.

It's further alleged that he continued to be abusive and aggressive towards staff, who called the police.

He will be sentenced at Barnsley Magistrates' Court today. More information will be released in due course.

A MOTHER who has two children with cystic fibrosis walked 20 miles with friends and family to raise money for a charity tackling the disease.

Lisa Shaw, 32, of Station Road, marched from Wombwell to Penistone and back via Wortley and Tankersley to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

She has already collected £3,500 in previous fundraisers and is hoping her latest feat will bring the total up to her target of £5,000.

Lisa's children Grace, five, and Jacob, nine months, were both born with the genetic disorder, which primarily affects the lungs, liver and pancreas and leads to breathing difficulties. She has a third child, Maisie, three, without the condition.

"It was a big shock when we found Grace had it," said Lisa. "There's no history of the condition in my family but we knew there was a chance Jacob could have it when he was born."

RSPB Old Moor has been awarded the TripAdvisor 'certificate of excellence' for being ranked the number one attraction in Barnsley on its website.

The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is only given to businesses that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on popular website.

Only the top-performing ten per cent of businesses listed on the website receive the award.

Matthew Capper, site manager at Old Moor, said it's a great achievement for the reserve.

"We only joined TripAdvisor 14 months ago and have had some fantastic comments from visitors which has helped us to be ranked as the number one attraction in Barnsley on the website," he said.

"We work really hard to provide a great visitor experience and we're pleased to see that our visitors agree that we do."

More than 95,000 people visit the 250-acre nature reserve each year which has recently upgraded its facilities for families to include a new playground, a discovery zone and refurbishment of the shop and cafe.

BARNSLEY Football Club have signed Wales international defender Lewin Nyatanga on a two-year deal.

The 24-year-old was a free agent having left Bristol City after four seasons earlier this month.

"I've spoken with the manager and he's so passionate about what they're trying to do here," he said.

Nyatanga, who qualifies for Wales because his mother was born there, made his senior international debut against Paraguay in 2006, aged only 17, and has so far won 34 caps.

Lewin, who turns 25 next month, will be familiar to the Oakwell faithful having spent no less than three loan spells with the Reds six years ago.

A POLICE sergeant who put his own life at risk to help a suicidal man found in an old mine shaft has had his courage recognised.

Sgt Darren Taylor, from the town's anti-social behaviour response team, was commended for his bravery at the 'Leaders in Action' police ceremony.

Det Insp Mark Wilkie said Sgt Taylor came to the aid a 40-year-old man who had a knife and was found down an old mine shaft in the Dodworth area.

DI Wilkie said the man had made it clear to officers he wanted to commit suicide and Sgt Taylor, a former miner himself, went down the shaft with a paramedic and negotiated with the man to hand over the knife and eventually took him back to the surface.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration hosted the event, which is now in its sixth year, acknowledging South Yorkshire Police's finest in 16 awards categories.

Chf Con David Crompton said: "I'm extremely proud of everyone. It shows the dedication, and outstanding ability of our officers and staff and their commitment to make South Yorkshire a safer place for everybody."

BARNSLEY goalkeeper Luke Steele has expressed his delight at the Reds' ability to keep hold of last season's star performers.

"Every summer the best players usually leave Barnsley and it's hard to build something when that happens," the 28-year-old said.

"The club have done really well to get Martin Cranie and Chris O'Grady. I didn't think that would be possible but I have been proven wrong."

Steele, who's made 194 appearances since joining the Reds in 2008, says there's more positivity around the club than ever before.

"This is the best team spirit I have ever seen. We have a lot of unfinished business from last season and we want to kick on."

The Reds start their campaign on August 3 at home to Wigan Athletic.

BERNESLAI Homes has sent out more than 385 notices seeking possession of homes of tenants who are behind with their rent because of so-called 'bedroom tax' payments.

Mark McGee, the director of housing management for Berneslai Homes, said there are 2,600 households in the borough who are affected.

He said June figures for those who owed money show that 734 households had paid their arrears in full, 765 have paid more than 75 per cent - but there are still 232 tenants who haven't paid anything.

He said: "What's beginning to happen is it looks as though people are trying to pay but are struggling and we're trying to give as much help and advice as we can.

"If people want to downsize, we're trying to be more flexible - even if they're in arrears."

He said more than 1,000 reminder letters have been sent out to tenants who are behind with payments, with almost 1,000 'sterner' reminder letters being sent.

"We've also served 385 notices seeking possession of homes, which is the first step in the legal process."

Pat Heath, chief executive of Barnsley Citizen's Advice, said potentially there is a sizeable number of people at risk of losing their homes.

"Hundreds of households in Barnsley could end up becoming homeless and they will have to find somewhere else, increasing the cost to the taxpayer overall.

"The figures give real cause for concern because of the impact on Berneslai Homes in terms of arrears increasing, which isn't going to do their services any good.

"There is also the human impact of people not being able to make payments and keep up with rent payments, that's scary for them as well."

A BARNSLEY man has been jailed for two years for threatening to set his partner on fire after assaulting her and dousing her in lighter fluid.

Steven Caddick's attack ended when Paula Sanders' eldest son intervened and called the police. Miss Sanders feared for her life, prosecutor Bev Tait told Sheffield Crown Court.

In a twist, Miss Sanders attended Sheffield Crown Court to say she wants to resume her four-year relationship with Caddick, urging the judge to spare him a jail term.

Her requests were ultimately discarded and Caddick - who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm - received a two-year sentence.

Judge Robert Moore said the attack was so serious only immediate custody was justified.

When interviewed by the police, Caddick, of Worsbrough Common, said he could not remember much about the incident at Sanders' Penistone home after consuming ‘a large amount of alcohol’.

Caddick, 47, has previous convictions for assault and knife possession - and served nine years in a Malta jail for drugs offences before the conviction was overturned.

Miss Sanders, who was sitting in the public gallery for the hearing, left the courtroom in tears. 

THE process of recycling is being made harder because of red tape according to a Wombwell scrap metal firm, who were ordered to pay almost £3,500 in fines and costs.

Gillot Alloys Ltd, of Station Road Industrial Estate, Valley Road, was fined £1,250 at Barnsley Magistrates' Court and told to pay £2,176.07 in costs for operating without a permit.

Malcolm Quinn, a director of the firm, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared on June 6.

The court heard the firm had no permit to receive or process waste electronic and electrical equipment but, on November 3, 2011, scrap fridges, freezers, cathode ray tube televisions and washing machines were found during a site visit by an Environment Agency inspector.

Since the inspection, which led to the case being brought against the company, it now had the correct permit in place for processing such material.

"We thought we were operating as we were allowed to," said Mr Quinn. "More than 50 tons of scrap comes in every day and if 200 kilos of that is a washer at the bottom of the skip we can't deal with that until we tip it all out."

Mr Quinn added the firm had applied to Barnsley Council to become a waste transfer station - meaning it would be more involved in recycling - and wanted to take on more staff.

"We applied in October 2012 and there is no decision yet," he added. "It seems the authorities are making it harder for us to do the job."

A SCHOOL has joined forces with the police to combat speeding drivers.

Children from Springvale Primary School in Penistone were joined by Police Community Support Officers to conduct speed checks outside the school on Sheffield Road.

The road has been identified as a priority in the Penistone area.

The speed check was conducted between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, with young people using the police's equipment to check the speeds of people driving past the school.

On the day no vehicles were found speeding, but the children still recorded enough data to finish their school projects.

Special Constable Adam Faunt, said: "Part of my work is to work with the local communities and local police teams to look at issues that matter to people in the area.

"Sheffield Road was set as a priority after people complained about speeding on the road."

A BARNSLEY-BORN Olympic cyclist was on hand to offer a few tips for success at the official opening of Netherwood school.

Ten years since the initial plans were formed, two years after construction started and nine months after the school actually opened, it was all made official on Monday.

Joined by council leader Sir Steve Houghton, mayor Cllr Ken Richardson and mayoress Nadia Richardson, Ed Clancy spoke about the importance of psychological preparation and self-belief in sporting success, which was as necessary as peak physical fitness.

Ed won a gold medal in team pursuit and a bronze in omnium race at the 2012 Olympics.

Netherwood principal Toby Eastaugh, said: "It seems fitting that the school has been opened officially in the week before we start our new timetable and academic year.

"I look forward to our students benefiting from a carefully planned curriculum and a full complement of specialist teachers to deliver it.

"Our work this year has provided a solid platform for the school to enter the next phase of its journey to success."

AN MP has backed a bill to regulate rip-off payday money lenders who can charge interest rates of up to 1000 per cent.

MP John Healey's Wentworth and Dearne constituency saw the number of people seeking help with payday loan companies triple last year.

"These payday lenders are making millions from extortionate loans to some of the most vulnerable people in Barnsley," he said.

"It's understandable that, in hard economic times, people feel they have no choice but to turn to them.

"But unexpected costs quickly mount up, and people are pushed further into debt because of the massive interest rates, rip-off charges and misleading advertising.

"This bill aims to stop the worst practices which badly exploit those who can afford it least."

The number of people taking out payday loans and struggling with debt is increasing rapidly.

In 2011, debt charity Step Change had 11 clients in the Wentworth and Dearne constituency with payday loans. In 2012, the number had gone up to 39.

The charity saw 68 people from Wentworth and Dearne with debt problems in 2005 but this had nearly tripled to 198 by 2012.

The average unsecured debt in the constituency last year was nearly £13,000 and the amount owed to payday lenders £1,295.

The ‘High Cost Credit Bill’, put forward by Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield, has cross-party support and will include new measures to ensure excessive charges are capped.

WORKERS at Marks and Spencer in the town centre have raised more than £1,400 for Barnsley Shopability, in memory of a former colleague.

Ron Hatch died on July 11 2011, aged 59 due to problems with his pancreas.

He worked at Marks and Spencer and used to carry donated groceries to Shopability where his mother, Lavinia, uses a mobility scooter.

The staff raised enough money to buy a new mobility scooter and wheelchair, and for modifications to other wheelchairs.

Nigel Roberts, from Barnsley Shopability, said: "It will make a lot of difference to people because people feel more independent with a wheelchair."

His mum Lavinia, of Darfield, said: "It's absolutely brilliant, I go in each week to Marks and Spencer and I do appreciate what they have done, they have been very supportive.

"Ron was a very well liked man by everyone who met him. He was never a well man, but you wouldn't have known that because he was so willing to help everyone else."

THE Reds could make another signing this week - but it won't be Brighton's Adam El-Abd. 

The defender, who's played for his hometown club for ten years, was strongly linked with a move to Barnsley but he's now signed a contract extension with The Seagulls.

It's no secret that boss David Flitcroft wants to boost his defensive options and the club has been linked with Scotland internationals Stephen McManus and Kirk Broadfoot in the last week.

Barnsley are also considering bringing in a new striker but the club feel that the current strikeforce of Chris O'Grady, Chris Dagnall, Jason Scotland and Danny Rose may be enough. Dale Jennings can also play up front.

Who would you like to see next through the door? Have your say below.

LITTLE Frank Johnson made a very dramatic entry into the world - and was born in his parents' car.

His parents, Ronnie Johnson and Tracey Hendley, rushed to the hospital from Thurnscoe when she went in to labour at 6pm.

Now affectionately known as 'Fast Frank', he was born in the car park at Barnsley Hospital on July 2.

But when they reached Kendray Hospital on Doncaster Road, they found the road had been closed by police and turned back.

They headed down Oaks Lane, past Oakwell, and on towards the hospital.

By the time they reached the hospital, the baby was about to come and Tracey gave birth at 6.45pm.

Ronnie, 40, said: "It was so surreal and it still is. I was supporting Tracey's head from one side of the car as she was giving birth and all the midwives came running out.

"They were brilliant and did it all with nothing but towels."

Frank, who weighed 7lbs 2oz, is named after his great-grandfather, who was a season ticket holder at Oakwell and Ronnie thinks it is fitting they had to turn around and pass the football ground on their way to the hospital.

Ronnie added: "Luckily we had just bought a people carrier so there was a bit of space in there.

"All our family call him Fast Frank now!"

THIS year's Barnsley Gay Pride will be dedicated to Steven Simpson, the gay teenager from Cudworth who died last year after being set on fire at his 18th birthday party.

Organisers from the Barnsley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum were given special permission to dedicate the event to Steven by his mum, Bernadette Simpson.

The Barnsley College student was taunted for his sexuality before suffering 60 per cent burns after a flame was put to his body, which was soaked in tanning oil, at his party last June. He died two days later.

Jordan Sheard, 20, of Darfield Road, Cudworth, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after admitting manslaughter.

However, following a campaign by anti-discrimination pressure groups, Sheard's sentence is to be reviewed by Attorney General, Dominic Grieve.

Gay Pride is on September 1 at Peel Square and Peel Street with about 30 stalls opening at 10am and live music and entertainment on the main stage from at 11am.

A PRIMARY school in one of the most affluent parts of Barnsley requires improvement in almost all areas.

Ofsted deemed standards at Hoylandswaine Primary School, including the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, and leadership and management, to have dropped from 'good' to 'adequte', following a June inspection.

In his report on the Haigh Lane school, inspector Michael Wintle stated: "Achievement is not good because teaching is not consistently good. The quality of teaching varies from year to year and requires improvement.

"In some of the lessons teaching failed to take account of pupils' individual needs and abilities."

However, inspectors felt the behaviour and safety of pupils was ‘good’ and suggested acting headteacher Laura Cole was showing signs of turning things around after she replaced Brian Woodhead, who left at the end of the spring term.

Mrs Cole said: "The school staff and governors have fully embraced the Ofsted report, which helped to confirm all the areas for development that were already in the school’s development plan. We are already making rapid progress towards our goals."

Coun Tim Cheetham, the council's spokesman for education, said the change of headteacher needed to happen and he was confident the school was now moving in the right direction.

"Clearly the result's a disappointment, it's a slight slip in standards to what was the old 'adequate'. We strive for all our schools to be good, that's how we want it."

A LITTLE girl who has an inoperable brain tumour has another battle on her hands.

Ebonie Webb, five, who was diagnosed with the brain tumour when she was just six months old, has now developed diabetes insipidus and has spent a few days recovering in Sheffield Children's Hospital.

It's characterised by excessive thirst but Ebonie doesn't have to take insulin.

Shane Bristow, 42, who runs the Team Ebonie website, said: "She's been in hospital for a few days but she's back at school now.

"It means she's dehydrated. She's okay but they're just keeping a check on it."

Shane said he thought the onset of the diabetes may well be a side effect of the drugs Ebonie has to take to treat her tumour.

Ebonie, of Honeywell Place, Honeywell, has undergone numerous operations and treatments, including radiotherapy, to help reduce the size of the tumour and stop if from growing.

Her parents Mick and Leanne continue to raise money in the hope that she may be able to have treatment abroad.

So far they have raised about £105,000.

A BARNSLEY soldier was brutally attacked in the street on the same day as the town honoured its Armed Forces - just hours after getting home from the Falkland Islands.

The savage and unprovoked attack on the 28-year-old in a terraced street in the town centre has left witnesses shaken and horrified.

The corporal, who has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, was left with concussion, a broken nose, black eyes and cuts and bruises all over his face, head and neck with some shoulder and pelvic injuries after being repeatedly kicked and stamped on.

He was jumped on from behind at around midnight last Saturday, so has no idea about the identity of the attackers.

In an ironic twist, it was just hours after members of the public had applauded soldiers who paraded outside the Barnsley Town Hall as part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations.

The soldier, who has served 10 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had got back to Barnsley that day after a 30-hour journey home from the Falkland Islands.

His distraught mum, who did not want to be named, said: "All soldiers risk their lives, they put their lives on the line for their colleagues and for their country and we, their family, accept that.

"But we do not accept or expect for a soldier to be attacked by a gang of thugs outside their own home for no reason whatsoever.

"How can it be that in the morning Barnsley is honouring our forces and telling them we are proud of what they do and then hours later a soldier is treated in this way?"

A police spokesman said: "One man was detained on suspicion of assault."

A RECORD number of entries have signed up to this year's biggest ever Mayor's Parade.

A whopping 55 organisations will be taking part in the town centre parade on July 13 with groups taking inspiration from Barnsley's past, present and future to show off their entries.

Among the colourful parade, crowds can expect to see local air and sea cadets, the Northern Classic Car Club, the Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team, South Yorkshire Fire Service, various schools from across the borough and the Barnsley Swimming Club.

This year's event will be led by the Barnsley Chronicle Band, with the Frumptarn Guggen Band and special guest band Gassafetza from the German twin town of Schwabisch Gmund also joining in on the celebration.

Local businesses are supporting the event, with Asda, Holiday Inn, The Entertainer, Barclays Bank, NatWest, The Alhambra and Tyke Racing all entering floats, walking groups and vehicles.

Piff-Paff, a theatre company, will be performing on a mobile trapeze rig and it's one to watch out for.

To get visitors in the mood, an arts activity session will take place in Mandela Gardens from 10.30am where families will be able to make their own flags to wave.

Here's a list of road which will be closed for the parade:

Sadler Gate

Church Street

St Mary's Gate

Eastgate

Royal Street

Regent Street

Hanson Street

County Way

Eldon Street

Regent Street South

Burlington Arcade

Kendray Street

Queen Street

May Day Green

Cheapside

New Street

Hayes Croft

Albert Street

Wellington Street

Market Street

Pall Mall

Wortley Street

Lower Castlereagh Street

Blucher Street

Pitt Street

Peel Street

Peel Square

Market Hill

George Yard.

A MAN will appear in court on Tuesday charged with the burglary of a Wombwell home - after being caught in Norwich.

Carl Levitt, 29, of no fixed address, was arrested in connection with a burglary committed on Wentworth View on February 15.

He was remanded in custody following an appearance at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on May 23 pending his appearance at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

PENISTONE has been talked about as the land that time forgot and things have taken a prehistoric turn - thanks to the arrival of a six-foot dinosaur.

While many people settle for a simple garden gnome, Bluebell Avenue resident Robert Oates decided to create an extreme front garden feature after the beast was left at his work.

The creature is believed to be an old prop from TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine, which was filmed in Holmfirth. It was one of a number of items from the programme stored at Penistone Paper, Sheffield Road, Springvale.

Robert, 49, who saved it from the scrapheap, said: "There was a bit of stuff left behind and that was one of the things. I brought it home, stuck it together, because it was in bits, and stuck it in the garden."

Despite not being the biggest fan of the BBC programme, which first aired in 1973, Robert is pleased to have his own piece of television memorabilia and hinted it may become a permanent fixture on the street he has lived on all his life. 

"Kids seem to like it, as well as people looking at it from buses - it's kind of a good garden feature and something a bit unusual."

AN anonymous painter has donated a piece of their art to the Pollyanna store - creating quite a stir and something of a mystery.

The detailed oil painting was left on a table outside the cafe entrance in George Yard in the town centre.

It depicts a scene inside the cafe and is so good that owner Rita Britton says that every single person in the painting is immediately recognisable.

Rita herself appears in the work of art, as does her husband Geoff, several other staff members and regular customers.

There was no note with the painting, the only writing on the canvas reveals it was created in 2012 by 'Gorilla Art'.

Rita says she's baffled as to the artist's identity and how they managed to create such accurate likenesses without ever being seen by customers or staff.

"Obviously if someone had been sitting here day after day doing sketches we would have noticed," she said.

"So either they took photographs with a mobile phone then used the photographs to create the painting or they have a truly remarkable memory for faces and features.

"It has obviously been left here as a gift and I am thrilled and we will be hanging it within the cafe area.

"I have never heard of Gorilla Art - perhaps it's Barnsley's answer to Banksy."

A DETERMINED man completed an 80-mile charity walk - despite discovering he had a broken ankle part way through.

Steve French twice visited hospital during the hike in the White Peak area of the Peak District but defiantly soldiered on to help raise almost £3,000 for Macmillan Nurses.

He was joined for the challenge by walking colleagues Gill Haynes and Andrew Morell.

The fundraiser, undertaken annually by the trio, was launched at The George Inn, Upper Denby, with the pub donating a pie and pea supper, which raised £1,000.

A collection also took place at Steve’s local, The Huntsman, and first prize in a raffle was donated by The Fountain Inn, Ingbirchworth.

Gill said: "Steve discovered he had fractured his ankle on the first day and had to visit Darley Dale Cottage Hospital on the first night and Chesterfield Hospital the next day.

"He was determined to finish the walk, and he did. He has only just had the pot taken off."

THE Reds will welcome two European outfits to Oakwell this month in the shape Club Brugge and Bordeaux.

Belgium's Club Brugge will visit Oakwell for a friendly on July 12 (7pm kick-off), as pre-season for the 2013/14 campaign steps up before Bordeaux, the six-time French champions, arrive in South Yorkshire on July 25 (7:30pm kick-off).

"To welcome two sides who are formidable forces in their respective countries to Oakwell is a huge plus for us as a club,” said Ben Mansford, the Reds' chief executive.

"Pre-season is stepping up and we’re delighted to be able to pit our wits against two well-respected European sides."

WORK is due to begin on the new park and ride next to Elsecar train station on July 8.

Yorkshire-based contractor Hewlett Construction Ltd is to start work on the 20-week scheme to provide 83 parking spaces, including six accessible bays, new LED lighting and CCTV on the north side of the station behind the Barnsley-bound platform.

A new access ramp will also be provided.

The work, costing in the region of £500,000, is being funded from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. Disruption to travellers and local residents is expected to be minimal as they will take place away from the existing public areas.

Once complete the new park and ride will provide another facility on the Sheffield to Barnsley line following the building of the Wombwell park and ride in July 2009.

SYPTE'S Ben Still, said: "This facility will widen the travel options for people in the Elsecar and Hoyland area who may not have been able to access the station previously.

"It will give a well-lit and monitored area where people can leave their cars with confidence. The new ramp will also provide a safer, easier access to the Barnsley-bound platform for those on foot, removing the need to use the current steeply-graded ramp."

THOUSANDS of people have flocked to Barnsley's new museum since its June 27 opening.

Opened by Barnsley-born Capital FM presenter Simon Hirst, over 5,000 flocked to the Town Hall venue on its first weekend.

The free attraction, which spans two floors, is open seven days a week and is free to enter.

Large parts of Barnsley’s distinctive Town Hall has been transformed, the project being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The museum sheds light onto the town and its surrounding villages from thousands of years ago, through the great industrial age to the present day.

Cllr Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council said: "Experience Barnsley is great fun for the whole family. Whether you’re interested in football, fashion, our industrial story or how our stone-age ancestors lived, there's something for everyone."

Have you been down to the museum? What do you think? Have your say below.

AN inspirational 20-year-old battling a rare form of cancer has been honoured by 100 youngsters from her former theatre group.

Amy Usher was diagnosed with a tumour in her throat in February - despite doctors initially telling her she had a chest infection.

The student was midway through a forensic psychology degree at Lincoln University when she was given the devastating news, forcing her to postpone her studies to undergo treatment, including a tracheostomy.

Friends allied together to organise 'Sing for Amy' - a special event which took place on Sunday which included performances from 100 children, some as young as three, who are current or former members of the Razzmatazz youth theatre group, which rehearses in Springvale.

"They originally said I wouldn't be able to speak again," said Amy, of Willow Road, Wath.

“It's overwhelming that so many people are involved. It’s really nice; it just shows who’s really there for you.”

A capacity crowd of 340 descended on Penistone Paramount for the concert and Amy's former drama teacher, Christine Cooksey, 52, who set up Razzmatazz, said she hopes to raise £2,000 for Amy.

"We all felt rather helpless while Amy was going through operations and we waited to hear the news," said Christine, of Silkstone Common.

"She's an inspiration for everyone because she makes you think 'let's get on with things, let's do things'. She always has a smile on her face.

"I feel humbled by Amy. She's proved to us all and her friends how strong she is.”

WE Are Barnsley were invited down to see the progress of the long-running roadworks on the A61 on Wednesday morning. Cllr Roy Miller has given us a new finish date, but here's the full story.

For many years the Burton Road junction on the A61 has caused delays at rush hours. While it's annoying for us road users, it also has a knock-on effect on the area's residents causing noise, access problems and poor air quality. 

Barnsley Council targeted the area to improve the road and £5million in central government funding became available in 2009/10. Despite having not completed land acquisitions, the authority had 'no choice but to start if we ever wanted to do the scheme'. Work subsequently started in December 2010.

Land ownership has been a big problem. Ongoing discussions with NGrid, Wickes and Aberdeen Asset Management (the owners of the Wickes site) have been ongoing. These should have been agreed before the work started, but given the council's 'window of opportunity' to secure the funding, they went ahead without it.

The land transfer agreements were signed in January 2012 with NGrid. However, negotiations continued with the Wickes site's owners and proved even more difficult. Access to the land on Old Mill Lane to start widening the road wasn't available, so the contractors had to stop their work. The problems with the site was concluded and work started again on November 19 of last winter.

More disruption soon came. The council had 'their hands tied' at this point as Yorkshire Water, BT and Virgin Media had cabling and pipes underneath the site. 

Cllr Roy Miller said: "Because of this, it may have appeared that not much was happening on site, but I assure you that it was progressing."

Outside parties were involved and the council then had to work around them, having to move underground pipes and fibre optic cabling.

"Everyone was working hard off the site, getting to the bottom of the issues," said Cllr Miller. "We were effectively held hostage and were required to carry out everything so that we could continue with our original aim."

Paul Bray, the council's head of design and transportation, said: "Even Japanese knotweed got in the way. Several metres of it had to be disposed of as it has the power to go through concrete."

A protected specie of bat was next up to cause a delay. Roosting underneath an on-site bridge, they've now been successfully relocated.

I'm pleased to report that there has been good work, though. A new access road which runs by the school on Burton Road will help to alleviate traffic in the area; the council claim that 90 per cent has been directed elsewhere.

I was also surprised by how much work goes on away from view. The vast majority of the delay has been caused by underground works and the moving of pipes, cables and wires. Trees have been planted at the back of the site and the ground - particularly on the riverside - has been strengthened.

You will see the traffic flow being moved to the opposite side in coming weeks as new tarmac is laid and the work edges nearer to its finish.

"People don't see the work we've done underground," Cllr Miller said. "It's been difficult for us but the contractors have done a great job - one that's on budget."

The A61 has long been a huge talking point on We Are Barnsley, but the end is now in sight.

However, a few people asked me to get in touch with Cllr Miller after we published the original story on its new completion date, so we asked him what you wanted to know. 

One asked: "What about the current dangers that the A61 is posing, BMBC? It has been reported via Fix My Street that grit is all over the place, the potholes are nearly six inches deep, the adverse camber is a massive danger to motorcyclists who are taken totally unaware! The bottom of Wakefield Road should be shut without delay and the repairs should be done for the sake of someone losing a life. It is utterly disgraceful."

Cllr Miller: "The road surface is inspected, swept and potholes repaired as necessary. Provided that motorcyclists adhere to the speed limit, then any adverse camber can be safely negotiated."

Another asked: "Who signed off the works before the land was in council ownership, which initially caused the delay?"

Cllr Miller: "It was not, as your viewer says, 'signed off'. In November 2010, the coalition government carried out its Comprehensive Spending Review. The effect of the review could have prevented the opportunity to construct this much needed bypass. Barnsley Council was placed in the position that in order to safeguard the bypass, it had to commence work on site almost immediately or risk losing the funding permanently. Although commencement was accelerated, not all land access agreements were completed as normally happens for highway schemes. However, all parties agreed to cooperate in recognition that the construction of the bypass was paramount and important for the residents of Barnsley. The land access agreements did cause delays but these have now been completed and the final phase of the scheme is underway and should be completed by September."

You can see our video here.

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POLICE are appealing for help to locate a missing motorbike that is alleged to have been stolen in Barnsley.

At 4am on June 14,  officers received reports of a burglary at Autoshine on Lambra Road. It is believed that the locks on the gate have been attacked and removed to gain access to the yard.

The offenders have then gained access to the workshop area where a large quantity of Snap On tools, cash and a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 motorcycle have been taken.

The motorcycle is described as having unique paintwork in the Lucky Strike racing colours and also shows the signature of motorcycle star Barry Sheene airbrushed along the tank.

A number of other vehicles have also been found to be damaged within the premises.

Officers would like to speak to people who may know the whereabouts of the motorcycle or have recently been approached to buy some Snap On tools.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 of call Crimestoppers anonymously quoting incident number 244 of 14 June 2013.

THE Reds have announced the arrival of promising young midfielder Wade Joyce.

The Liverpudlian has signed a six-month deal with the Oakwell club.

Born in Liverpool, the midfielder graduated from Bury's youth system and was snapped up by Sunderland in 2012.

Wade will ply his trade for Paul Heckingbottom's Under-21 side with the chance to impress first-team boss, David Flitcroft.

The 18-year-old said: "I’m buzzing to be here and just pleased to be given a chance. I want to impress and maybe get a longer deal.

"I like to think I’m a hardworking player. I like to get up and down the pitch and I won't shirk a challenge.

"I’m going to give it my all whilst here and then we’ll see what happens."

DIAMOND couple Harry and Joan Moss celebrated 60 years of marriage with a cruise of the Norwegian fjords.

The couple arrived home in Kingstone last Monday, but celebrated the anniversary with a garden party with their family on the weekend. The celebrations were organised by their daughter, Gillian Green.

"Mum and dad went to the fjords in a group of eight and had a riot," Mrs Green said. "There were celebrations on the boat and a special dinner."

Mr Moss is 85 and his wife is 82 but they keep active physically and mentally by going dancing twice a week and through jigsaws, quizzes and card games with their family.

The couple met at Ardsley Church youth group where they enjoyed trips walking and biking. They were married at Ardsley and both got jobs at Barnsley Council.

Joan worked in the housing department and Harry was a painter and decorator for 40 years. His daughter said: "Dad was good at what he did - he even wallpapered Cannon Hall."