AN axe head which is thought to be 5,000 years old will take up its place in the new Experience Barnsley museum.

The Neolithic implement was discovered when Scout Dike reservoir was built between Penistone and Ingbirchworth in the 1920s.

It was kept at Barnsley Corporation water works until it was taken home by Bob Wadsworth’s dad in the 1970s.

Bob, 69, from Dodworth, said: "My father worked at the water works and ended up with it. He brought it to our house 30 or 40 years ago and gave it to one of my sons.

"Over the years it was used as a doorstop and spent the rest of the time in the back of the garden shed.

"When I heard about the museum wanting artefacts I thought they might want to add this to the display so people could appreciate it."

Joann Fletcher, a research fellow at the University of York and who was brought up in Barnsley, is an archaeological consultant on the collection at Experience Barnsley.

"The axe head is one of many brilliant things in the Barnsley collection," she said. "It’s a fantastic representation of the treasures that are going to be on display and there are some really mind-boggling items.

“It also allows us to date Barnsley’s history back thousands of years. The history of Barnsley only dated back to early medieval times before this but we can now push it back much further than that."

BARNSLEY Council planning officers are set to be reported to the government amid claims a housing report lacked impartiality and was skewed towards the plan being approved.

Angry Crane Moor residents intend to write to the relevant secretary of state regarding proposals for a three-bedroom house, off Dance Lane, which are due to be considered by the planning board on June 25.

They feel Barnsley Council officers, who recommended the plan for approval, missed out key information in their presentation to the planning board, including an incomplete application history and misleading details of the site, which prevented members from making an impartial decision.

More than 25 people have signed a complaints form which has already been sent to Barnsley Council's chief executive Diana Terris, Stephen Moralee, from the planning department, and planning board chairman Doug Birkinshaw.

Resident Ann Hamblen said: "For more than ten years the planning department has found the site unsuitable.

"We feel we're now being deliberately manoeuvred into a situation where the developer gets his way, even though it's a ridiculous development.

"After years of repeated refusals for housing plans, they've decided it's okay now but it's the same site. We don't understand."

A decision on the application was deferred for members of the council planning board to visit the site ahead of its meeting on June 25.

A NEW website has shown that Barnsley ranks 119th out of 150 local authority areas for early death rates.

Each year, 864 people die under the age of 75 . For cancer deaths, Barnsley is 130th out of 150 local councils and 128th for heart disease and stroke.

The data is from Longer Lives, a website showing variation in early death rates from Public Health England (PHE). It also lists Barnsley as 118th out of 149 local councils for lung disease deaths.

The website allows people to compare an area's death rates against areas with similar populations, incomes and health levels.

It focuses on early deaths (under 75) of which 20 per cent are thought to be preventable through good medical care and public health action.

Local councils have a new responsibility for health and the government has given them £5.46bn for improvements.

In Barnsley, from the 864 people who die under the age of 75, around 173 of these could be avoided.

The main causes of these deaths are heart disease and stroke, cancer, lung disease and liver disease.

A Barnsley Council spokesman said: "Although the health of people in Barnsley is improving, too many die too young. One of the most important factors affecting early death is the level of deprivation in Barnsley.

"On the whole, more deprived local authorities have worse premature mortality than more affluent areas."

Sharon Stoltz, Barnsley Council's acting director of public health, welcomed the Longer Lives website. She said: "It's an excellent source of good information. It can be used by individuals and agencies to plan action to improve the high premature mortality rates in Barnsley."

A CLASSIC car enthusiast who spotted the Rolls-Royce he sold 50 years ago up for sale in a car magazine has travelled to Kent to see it once again.

Dennis Kenyon, 76, of Upperwood Road, Darfield, bought the classic 1929 Sedanca de Ville car in 1958.

Mr Kenyon said the car was in a dilapidated state when he exchanged it for an MG NA five years later.

He improved the body work and painted the lower half of the car yellow, he refurbished the seating and replaced two of the six exhaust valves to give the car more power.

He went to see the car for the first time in 50 years when he visited Claygate Cross, near Sevenoaks in Kent.

Mr Kenyon, who has owned ten classic cars during his life, said: "I was amazed to see how little it had changed, it was a beautiful little car.

"I would have to say that really was my favourite because it's a Rolls-Royce.

"It caused great attention wherever I went. I spent quite a lot of time talking to people who expressed interest in it, and showed them some of its features such as the manual dipping headlights."

It is a testament to his hard work that the car today is described as in being in 'perfect condition' by Ghost Motorworks, who have put the car up for sale at £69,950.

A FLURRY of transfer activity has seen Barnsley Football Club sign two players this week.

First up was Dale Jennings, a player who shone in his time playing for Tranmere Rovers. After breaking into the first team at Prenton Park, he caught the eye of bigger clubs. He signed for Bayern Munich at the age of 18 - having played just 32 times for Tranmere.

His time in Germany wasn't as promising as many thought it would be for the ex-Liverpool trainee. Jennings' habituation was hindered after he suffered multiple ligament tears in his ankle, sidelining him until March 2012. He went on to make 36 appearances for the German giants' second team.

A skilful winger, Jennings is blessed with pace, an eye for goal and is set to be an important acquisition for the Oakwell club. At just 20 years of age he's back in England with almost a point to prove after bursting onto the scene. At Championship level, I for one think it's a great signing and for £250,000 the Reds have made a sound investment in a promising young talent.

"You only have to look at the second half of last season to see that Barnsley would have been in the top six so it's very exciting," said Jennings. "I can't expect to turn up and play every week. I will have to work hard and do well for the team to earn the opportunity."

A day later, Wednesday saw the Reds bring in a player who made quite an impact during his loan spell at Oakwell in the second half of last season.

Chris O'Grady signed a two-year deal and it's thought that the Reds paid Sheffield Wednesday around £300,000 for the fan favourite. Barnsley initially had a bid turned down at the end of last season, but Wednesday accepted the second offer they tabled earlier this month.

The 27-year-old striker made 16 appearances in his loan spell last season, scoring six goals. These included crucial strikes against Derby, Hull and Huddersfield at the very end of the season, O'Grady playing a huge role in the Reds' heroic survival.

"I’m looking to continue where I left off last season and get goals," he said. "We know what we can do if we perform and if we can repeat our form of 2013 then we can achieve what we want to."

With two attacking players already in the bag, where would you like to see the Reds spending more money? I'd like to see the defence being strengthened. Who else would you like to see in a Barnsley shirt next season? Have your say below.

A LADIES only gym in the town centre has been forced to close - after takings dropped so low the owner couldn't afford to keep it going.

Complete System Ladies Gym and Toning Tables' owner, Wayne Birtles, says he's lost about £100,000 with the closure of the business, which opened on Peel Street Arcade in December 2010.

Wayne, of Worsbrough, believes the opening of nearby Lifestyle Fitness on Shambles Street last August spelt the end for his gym, which employed four staff.

"We had to shut at the end of last month and there are some members who are owed money who will be repaid," he said.

"We used to have about 300 members when we first started but when we closed it had dropped to about 40.

"It has been hard since Lifestyle Fitness opened around the corner because we lost a lot of people to it.

"It's hit us hard because the cost of business rates and rent for this place is about £800 a week, and the week we shut we only took £106.

"I've lost about £100,000 in the place and had no choice but to shut it.

"I'm gutted because I can't work after being left in a bad way from a car crash years ago and the money I got from a claim for the crash was all put into the business."

The gym catered specifically for ladies, attracting a lot of women in their 60s and those with disabilities.

SCHOOLGIRL Ellena Mae Jones was picked from hundreds of entrants as the winner of a borough-wide swim safety poster campaign.

The creative seven-year-old, who attends Silkstone Common Junior and Infant School, will have her design displayed at all venues run by Barnsley Premier Leisure for the next 12 months.

Tracey Gregory, representing BPL, said the scheme was designed to promote water safety ahead of the summer holidays.

"A lot of children will be going on holiday or playing outside near water and this should encourage them to be safe around water.

"Statistics show if accidents are going to happen, they tend to be around this time of year."

Barnsley Premier Leisure selected the best entrants from the 14 Barnsley primary schools which entered, and Ellena's entry was picked as the overall winner by the Chronicle's Lynsey Bradford.

THE inaugural LIVE in Barnsley music festival is nearly here. Here's your WAB Guide on where to go. It all starts in 90 minutes!

The promo has been done, the merchandise has been readied and Saturday's extravaganza is set to start at 12pm.

Starting out as a simple idea when discussing Sheffield's Tramlines festival, LIVE in Barnsley's organisers then pitched the idea to a landlord meeting - and 11 of them came forward to offer their venue.

"You can really feel the build up of expectation," said Dave Pearsall, 49, one of the organisers behind the free festival. "I like all of the acts but The Exhibition did it for me. I went to see them at the Polish Club not long back and their song 'Roma' should be in the charts.

"Mynas are also great. The way they bring in the violin really gives them a whole new dimension."

There are 99 bands on show at 11 venues in the town. Here's your WAB Guide on where your favourite acts are playing and what time they're there.

Blah Bar

The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican - 12.30pm

Mark Keeley - 1.30pm

Michael Dugher MP - 2.30pm

Mark Otway - 3.30pm

Wilde Sammon - 4.30pm

Dwight Pereira - 5.30pm

Kate Douglas - 6.30pm

Tribe of Juan - 7.30pm

Velcro Teddy Bears - 8.30pm

Chambers

Razor Tones - 12.30pm

Kid Conventional - 1.30pm

Adam Guest - 2.30pm

The Janskys - 3.30pm

Nowherenearlondon - 4.30pm

Amy Condrey - 5.30pm

Steph Stephenson - 6.30pm

Mark Jackson's Criminal Waste of Talent - 7.30pm

Mynas - 8.30pm

The Courthouse

David Hale - 12.30pm

Darren Freeman - 1.30pm

Antesaint - 2.30pm

Matt Bentley - 3.30pm

Demographic - 4.30pm

The Stray Targets - 5.30pm

Broken Saints - 6.30pm

The Rudiments - 7.30pm

Andwhatarmy - 8.30pm

Digital

Outsider - 12pm

Dislocator - 1pm

Suzie Does It - 2pm

The Gifted - 3pm

Safe in the Crossfire - 4pm

Luva Gunk - 5pm

Hobson - 6pm

Frazer - 7pm

The Ratells - 8pm

Opium No 10

City of Lights - 12pm

Tokyo Witch Hunt - 1pm

Blind Drivers - 2pm

Knights - 3pm

Redmist Destruction - 4pm

Man Can't Fly - 5pm

The Exhibition - 6pm

Section II - 7pm

The Black Lamps - 8pm

Shakespeare

Angels in Chaos - 12.30pm

F.D. - 1.30pm

Sophie DeBattista - 2.30pm

Faster the Chase - 3.30pm

Bad Cardigan - 4.30pm

Suilven - 5.30pm

Rolling Down Hills - 6.30pm

Red Jester - 7.30pm

Shermer - 8.30pm

Silvers

The Hurriers - 12pm

James Coley - 1pm

Danny Maddocks - 2pm

Lee England - 3pm

For Pete's Sake - 4pm

Foenix - 5pm

Arifa - 6pm

Ashby - 7pm

The Glavins - 8pm

Stereo

Black Moon Rising - 12.30pm

Classically Handsome Brutes - 1.30pm

Gymnast - 2.30pm

Polyopia - 3.30pm

Fold - 4.30pm

Coyote Mad Seeds - 5.30pm

Superintendent - 6.30pm

Stellavision 7.30pm

Imoko Set - 8.30pm

The Londoner

Fluffy Gremlins - 12pm

Danny Smart - 1pm

The White Wolves - 2pm

Sour Cherry - 3pm

Redlights - 4pm

Harriet Grant - 5pm

Black Vines - 6pm

The Mavis Seed - 7pm

Kartica - 8pm

Walkabout

The Tempertons - 12.30pm

Lauren Tate - 1.30pm

These Young Sons - 2.30pm

Black Shoes - 3.30pm

Aztec Doll - 4.30pm

My Forever - 5.30pm

See Emily Play - 6.30pm

Wildside Riot - 7.30pm

Guitar Winner - 8.30pm

Sour Cherry - 9.15pm

White Bear

The Sunbeams - 12pm

Spekulus - 1pm

CRY - 2pm

Brave New Storm - 3pm

Scoundrel - 4pm

The Torn - 5pm

Vanquish - 6pm

Raised As Wolves - 7pm

Hitomi - 8pm

COUNCILLOR Joe Hayward has urged residents and businesses to support the parading troops in Barnsley town centre next month.

A parade of 120 troops from the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment will march through Barnsley town centre on the morning of Thursday July 18.

Accompanied by a military band and a colour party, the parade will start at 10.45am at Churchfield and form up outside the Town Hall for inspection.

"At the freedom parade the mayor will perform a speech and the council will provide a meal in the Town Hall after the troops have been welcomed by townsfolk," said Cllr Hayward.

"Events like freedom parades are integral to morale for our regiments. It’s important we celebrate our troops and that they see thousands of people who have come along to thank them for their work."

A FORMER South Yorkshire Police constable has been charged after committing theft, fraud and misconduct - while still working for the force.

Jon Webb, 44, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on June 6 charged with 12 offences of theft, fraud and misconduct in a public office.

He was released on bail with certain conditions to next appear at Leeds Crown Court on June 20.

Allegations against Mr Webb were made in December 2012, when he was arrested and suspended from duty while officers from SYP Professional Standards conducted the internal investigation.

Mr Webb resigned as an officer in May 2013 while on police bail for these alleged offences. Mr Webb is alleged to have committed the offences when he was serving with South Yorkshire Police.

A BARNSLEY man accused of possession of MCAT with intent to supply has been sent to Sheffield Crown Court.

Israel Perry Ayres, 33, of Bloemfontain Street, Cudworth, who has made no plea, will make his first appearance on June 26.

Ayres was granted bail at Barnsley Magistrates' Court where he admitted criminal damage. He will be sentenced on July 3.

MP Michael Dugher has called for urgent action from ministers as long-term unemployment continues to rise.

Official figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that long-term unemployment in Michael's Barnsley East constituency rose in May and has risen by 15 per cent in the last year.

Added to this, the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance and youth unemployment remains static.

Commenting, Michael said: "The government’s economic policies have failed, the economy is flatlining and long-term unemployment is a real worry for people in Barnsley East.

"It has now risen by 15 per cent over the last year. The number of people claiming JSA and youth unemployment also remains stubbornly high.

"In 2012, youth unemployment alone cost Britain £5billion. Ministers are useless; they have to take action to get people back to work and get the welfare bill down. They're failing those out of work and the country too.”

A 102-YEAR-OLD former school building is set to be bulldozed to make way for houses once a £1.2million deal is completed.

The future of Fulford Hall, on the site of the old Penistone Grammar School, has been uncertain since the new £35million advanced learning centre opened in 2011.

Bellway Homes, the company behind the development, and Barnsley Council, which owns the Huddersfield Road site, both confirmed a planning application was imminent but could not disclose whether Fulford would be saved, or how many homes would be built.

A Bellway Homes spokesman, said: "It's still very early on in the process. There will be a regeneration aspect as part of the development but we aim to retain some of the existing buildings. We're still working on our plans."

Former pupils and local councillors have campaigned to keep the former grammar school building by starting a petition and applying for listed status from English Heritage to protect it.

The 3.64-acre site has been marketed by Norfolk Property Services on behalf of the council - with a guide price of offers in excess of £1.3million.

A Barnsley Council spokesman said: "A statement will be issued when the property sale transaction is completed.

"Details around proposals for the site will be advertised in the usual manner when the purchaser company submits its planning application and third parties will have an opportunity for comment through the planning process."

Bellway plans to hold a public consultation later this month, when the building company will outline its plans for the site.

MP Michael Dugher has paid tribute to Barnsley councillor Charles Wraith, who has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Wraith, a former Barnsley mayor, has been appointed MBE for public service and services to the community in Barnsley.

Commenting on the news, Michael Dugher said: "Charlie Wraith was serving the people of Barnsley as a councillor before I was even born. He has served the public in a number of important positions, including as a former mayor.

"Charlie has been a tireless campaigner for the Cudworth community and his MBE is a tribute to his hard work for local people."

BARNSLEY-BORN Capital FM DJ Simon Hirst was gobsmacked on a visit to Gawber Road primary school - when the eight-year-old pupils knew what records were.

Hirsty popped in to talk about his radio career but ended up singing and dancing with the kids to 'Hey Yorkshire!', the Capital FM video and song that's gone viral.

It's notched up over 162,000 hits on YouTube, with one fan even suggesting it should be UK choice for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.

Hirsty said: "All the kids were singing it - they knew every word. They even knew what records were - yes, those round black things - which is amazing for eight-year-olds. The school is really warm and welcoming."

A GIRL who police believe stepped out in front of a car didn't suffer any serious injuries.

Police said the incident happened at 5.20pm last Thursday when a red Renault Megane, driven by a 59-year-old man from Brampton Brierlow, was travelling along Barnsley Road, Wath, outside the Jet petrol station towards Barnsley.

A police spokesman said it is believed the 11-year-old stepped out in into the road in front of the car.

The girl, from West Melton, Rotherham, hit the car's windscreen before falling to the ground.

She was taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital and later discharged as she had no no serious injuries.

If anyone witnessed the collision contact the police on 101 quoting incident number 826 of June 6, 2013.

WORK on Barnsley Hospital's state-of-the-art facility for soon-to-be mums is set to start next month.

Health bosses at the hospital have appointed Doncaster Road-based building firm CD Potter and Sons as the main contractor for a new £1.2million birthing suite.

The funding's come from a Department of Health grant, which gave three South Yorkshire hospitals a share of £25million to upgrade their maternity services.

"The facilities will be fantastic," said John Rhodes, the hospital's head of projects. "The improvements will help to bring the birthing environment up to the very high standard of clinical care that women in our maternity unit already receive."

The new suite will feature three birthing pools, seven delivery suites equipped en-suite facilities and a room to serve as a special suite for bereaved parents.

Work is due to start in July and the expected finish date is January 2014.

A GRASSED area where mowing has been reduced for the benefit of local wildlife has been attracting rats, according to residents.

The Inkerman field is between Upperwood Road and Barnsley Road. It's one of a number of sites in Wombwell and Darfield identified by Barnsley Council for twice-yearly 'conservation' mowing, as opposed to 'amenity' mowing 12 times a year, to benefit wild animals.

Donna Tindle, 35, regularly visits her grandparents on Upperwood Road, whose house backs onto the uncut grass, but says it's not attracting the right kind of wildlife.

"It looks a right mess. It's been mowed around the edges and on the paths but that's it," she said.

"It used to be kept pretty low but it's already ankle length now and full of rats."

The sites were chosen after the Dearne Valley was recognised as one of only 12 national 'nature improvement areas' by the government - with up to £1.5million of funding expected to follow over the next three years.

BARNSLEY Council have said that three youth centre buildings have been earmarked for closure.

The closures of Darfield C17, Wombwell Highfields Youth Centre and Worsbrough Youth Centre will reduce the amount spent on repairs, maintenance and utility bills. Sales of unused buildings will raise funds and reduce the need to make further cuts to services. 

Cabinet members approved a report which will create a more sustainable youth service across the borough.

Resources will be concentrated in one ‘Youth Hub’ within each of the six area council areas. This will see these six hubs withdrawing from their traditional recreational and leisure roles, instead offering services for young people provided by the council - as well as those provided by partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Cllr Tim Cheetham insisted that the council will continue to meet its statutory duties, but that the impact of the cuts has had a significant impact on the service’s capacity.

"A number of changes will take place," he said. "We have been consulting with young people and stakeholders to make sure that people understand what we’re aiming to do and why we need to do it.

"We simply don’t have the money to provide the existing full range of services across the borough any more.

"We need to be better able to target those young people who need our help most in the areas of greatest need, with the flexibility to respond to changing situations and priorities, while still maintaining some overarching services that everyone can access."

The service consists of the Youth Service (including youth clubs), Youth Offending Team, Targeted Information and Guidance (formerly Connexions), Participation and Inclusion Team, and the Positive Activities Service.

This year there is the need to find a further £1.687million in savings on top of the £1.6million already found since 2011/2012. Future savings in 2014/2015 of £451,000 will also need to be found.

This means that by next year the service will be operating on a budget of 50 percent less than it was in 2010/2011.

The service will lose a further 12 full-time posts and 20 part-time posts on top of those roles already deleted in previous years. There will also be reductions in budgets for staff training and development in order to meet the savings target.

Cllr Cheetham added: "Redundancy, closure of buildings and the reduction of services is never done lightly, but we feel that this is the only option available to us that will allow us to continue providing youth services, admittedly at a reduced capacity.

"However, I should point out that while we're reducing our services, this opens up a number of opportunities for the voluntary, community and private sector to get more involved.

"The new hubs will play a key role in helping identify where the gaps are locally, and will provide access to training, funding advice and support, and toolkits for commissioning local services by local providers, all of which will help plug those gaps."

AN autistic teenager who died after being set alight at his 18th birthday party is to be commemorated - on the day he would have turned 19.

Barnsley College student Steven Simpson, 18, of Pleasant View, Cudworth, suffered 60 per cent burns when a flame was put to his tanning oil soaked body at his party last June. He died two days later.

Now his mother, Bernadette, is arranging a celebration of her son's life. At the same time, she is awaiting the outcome of a court hearing to decide if the man who admitted Steven's manslaughter will be given a tougher sentence.

Mrs Simpson, 44, has struggled to come to terms with Steven's death and has started volunteering with Age UK to try and distract herself.

"I was having anxiety attacks and have been very down," she said. She has also moved from Cudworth to Carlton.

"Steven was a lovely, gentle person and wouldn't want me to be sad," she said. "But I am dreading the event in a way. We miss him so much."

In March, Sheffield Crown Court heard that Steven - who had Asperger's Syndrome and learning difficulties - was targeted at his 18th birthday party due to his disability and sexuality.

He was egged on to strip off while tanning oil was poured over him and Jordan Sheard, 20, of Darfield Road, Cudworth, put a flame to his genitals.

Sheard was given a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence after admitting manslaughter, but following a campaign by anti-discrimination pressure groups, his sentence was re-examined by the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC. He judged it not tough enough and referred it to the Criminal Appeal Court.

Last Thursday, the appeal court reserved judgement on the case at the end of an hour-long hearing. A decision will be handed down at a date yet to be set.

Steven's memorial event will be at Monk Bretton WMC on June 22.

THE budget for maintaining council-owned buildings and services has been set at £1.8million.

The maintenance budget for the year is £1,861,000 in total, with £1,381,000 allocated for works this year along with £85,000 in maintenance fees, and £395,000 carried over from the previous budget.

Proposed priorities include £409,000 allocated to Barnsley Premier Leisure to maintain the Metrodome, Hoyland Leisure Centre, Royston Civic Hall, Royston Leisure Centre, Dearnside Leisure Centre, Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre and Hillies Golf Club at Wombwell.

Proposals include items such as repairs to the steel chimney and gymnasium roof at the Metrodome and replacing the squash court and gym roof at Royston Leisure Centre.

Cemeteries in the borough and Barnsley Crematorium will be allocated £79,000 work including footpath, drain and wall repairs.

Culture and heritage hot spots such as Cannon Hall, the Cooper Art Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Worsbrough Mill will be allocated £94,000 for proposals including the external painting to Worsbrough Mill, rewiring the electrics at Cooper Art Gallery and the ballroom floor being stripped and resealed at Cannon Hall.

The council's Parks Services will receive £32,500 for Mapplewell Pavilion, Green Road and Water Meadows Park at Penistone, Thurnscoe Park and Mitchell Fields at Worsbrough.

The Smithies depot has been allocated £37,500 for things such as refurbishing the garage toilet, replacing the roof of the MOT garage and replacing windows.

About £210,500 will be used to maintain the council's admin buidlings including remedial work and some new carpets at Barnsley Town Hall, Commerce House, Regent Street, Hoyland Town Hall, Westgate Plaza One.

Libraries in Penistone, Wombwell and Worsbrough will share £16,000 for new lighting, windows and skylights.

Dearne Enterprise Centre has been allocated £20,000 to renew the fire alarm system.

THE Reds have announced the permanent signing of Chris O’Grady.

The former Sheffield Wednesday striker made a huge impression on the Oakwell fans and the team in the second half of last season, making 16 appearances and scoring six goals including crucial strikes against Derby, Hull and Huddersfield at the very end of the season.

The 27-year-old signed a two-year contract that will see him stay at Oakwell until the summer of 2015.

"It’s been a bit of a journey from the end of last season to get to this point, but I'm delighted to have signed and I’m looking forward to pre-season training," he said.

"The signing this week of Dale Jennings and myself shows the club are doing the right things and looking to give this season a good push.

"I’m looking to continue where I left off last season and get goals. I’ll set some short-term targets, attain them and then set some more.

"Last season I was determined to give everything from the first minute and happily the fans here took to me and that spurred me on to do well for them.

"We know what we can do if we perform and if we can repeat our form of 2013 then we can achieve what we want to."

A POLICE officer was allegedly run over by a man in Athersley.

At approximately 7.35pm on June 18, officers were in the Athersley North area of Barnsley.

While there, they approached two male occupants in a white van. The driver of the van attempted to drive away and allegedly hit one of the officers in the process.

The van was found abandoned later and the two men, a 19-year-old and 21-year-old, were arrested and remain in police custody.

The officer was taken to hospital and discharged last night with bruising to the chest and hip area.

A MAN has been given a suspended jail sentence for failing to complete 150 hours of unpaid work imposed more than a year ago.

Nathan James Tibble, 21, had been hit by problems at home and with his health, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Philip Howard, defending, said Tibble had been homeless after being kicked out by his mother.

Mr Howard said Tibble had a 'depressive illness' and had handed in a sick note for six weeks to the Probation Service.

"He has struggled to do the unpaid work through no fault of his own," Mr Howard added.

Charles McDermid, prosecuting for the Probation Service, said Tibble had about 64 hours of the unpaid work still to do.

He said the sentence was imposed for stealing coils of copper cable and wire.

Tibble, of Pitt Street, Low Valley, admitted failing to comply with the terms of a community order. He was given a ten-week jail term, suspended for a year and was ordered to do an extra 80 hours of unpaid work.

Judge John Foster, said: "Whichever way you look at it, the unpaid work should have been done some time ago."

Tibble was ordered to pay £70 in costs.

BARNSLEY College's sports academy has received two major accolades from the national governing body for college sport.

Barnsley claimed the British Colleges Sport 2013 regional college of the year award for Yorkshire and Humber as well as runner-up position in the national college of the year category, second only to Birmingham Met College.

Staff collected the prestigious prizes at this year's national conference and awards dinner in Staffordshire.

The college was recognised for its outstanding efforts in developing sports performance, leadership, officiating and volunteering.

Gavin Batty, director of sport and public services at the college, said: "These two awards recognise the outstanding achievements and efforts of both our student athletes and staff team, not just for this year, but for a number of years.

"Sport at Barnsley College continues to grow and flourish. Two years ago we were judged 'outstanding' by Ofsted and now we have been acknowledged yet again as being one of the top colleges in the country for our sports provision."

A JUNIOR football club is putting disabled football in the spotlight.

AFC Pogmoor played its first 'Ability Counts' tournament on June 8, which was hosted by Sheffield Wednesday.

Feedback was so positive that the team is now looking at setting up a second tournament side so it will have A and B teams.

It is also planning to organise and host its own AFC Pogmoor Ability Counts Tournament next season once a venue is agreed.

"The lads were brilliant," said spokesman James Livesey. "They played five games in all including a very close semi-final against the hosts which unfortunately they lost with just about the last kick of the game."

There was plenty of support, as players and parents from the club's boys' and girls' teams came along to watch accompanied by staff from Greenacre school, including headteacher Susan Hayter.

The club works closely with the school and also with Pogmoor Residents' Association.

James said: "It was great to finally see the lads in their new kit and playing competitive games. I was really proud of them."

James set up AFC Pogmoor in 2011 after being inspired by his sons Jack and Adam. He said: "I only hope now that our involvement will inspire other established junior football clubs to consider similar teams and give more kids the same opportunity."

TWO friends have raised £1,000 for cancer charities by hosting a night of entertainment at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium.

Danica Youell, 20, from Darfield, and Amy Robinson, 21, from Shafton, held the event on Saturday to raise money for Weston Park Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Care as both Danica's grandad and Amy's grandma recently died of the disease.

Hoyland singer Lauren Tate was on hand to entertain the 100 attendees along with dancers from the Fearons Middleton School of Dance.

Danica's mum Debbie, 49, said she was very proud of both girls for organising such a successful night.

"Not many 20-year-olds will take the time and effort to do something like that to help people less fortunate than themselves so I'm glad they wanted to," she said.

"Everybody enjoyed it, it was a great night, and we really want to thank all the people and businesses that donated raffle prizes."

SIR Steve Houghton has thanked everyone he has worked with over many years following news of his knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Responding to the announcement, Cllr Houghton said: "I'm very honoured, privileged and proud to have been given the award.

"For me it is as much recognition of all we are doing in Barnsley as it is anything I have achieved.

"I want to thank those who nominated me and those who gave the honour, but above all thank all those people I have worked with in Barnsley and local government over many years who have helped to make this possible."

Fellow Cudworth ward councillor and former Barnsley mayor Charlie Wraith has also been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for public service and services to the community in Barnsley.

A REPORT on the HS2 has concluded that the demand for the high-speed rail link has been 'overestimated'.

The report, from the New Economics Foundation (NEF), said the £33bn predicted cost doesn't offer value for money.

The evidence that HS2 would promote economic growth was 'limited', it said, and claimed the government are backing the wrong horse when the money could be spent on more worthwhile things.

David Theiss from the NEF, said: "At the moment, it amounts to a £33bn gamble. Instead of pouring billions into a single line that'll take 20 years to complete, we should spread our bets on a wider range of transport investments."

What do you think? Are you in favour of HS2? Have your say below.

A MUCH-LOVED school employee had one last wish before she died - to hear the school choir one last time.

Kathleen Allott, a popular school cleaner and cook, simply wanted to hear the voices of the children she had helped look after for the past 27 years.

That's exactly what happened.

A special CD was recorded for Kathleen and as she was in her bed, just days before she died from cancer at Barnsley Hospice, she tapped her foot in time with the music and smiled as she heard the young voices singing the songs and hymns she loved.

Her daughter, Nicola Hancock, admits she found it so moving the first time the music was played for Kathleen that she had to leave the room.

"It was very emotional and very very moving," she said. But she says her mum absolutely loved it and played the CD again and again.

Kathleen, 61, from Birkwood Avenue, Cudworth, had three jobs at Birkwood Primary. She cleaned in the mornings, helped to prepare lunch and went back hours later to clean again. She also attended all the school events and knew the name of every pupil and their parents.

She was diagnosed with lung cancer in November and went into Barnsley Hospice on April 5 - the day before her birthday.

At first, Birkwood Primary's staff wondered if they could take all the children to the hospice, but realised it was not a practical option.

However, when headteacher Julie Allen told school governor and We Are Barnsley DJ Tommy Taylor of her dilemma, he came up with the idea of recording the choir instead.

DICKIE Bird has been given yet another award - this one a little later than intended.

Each year at the Professional Cricketer's Association Awards Dinner, the association gives a special merit award to someone it wants to recognise for their outstanding contribution to the game.

Last year it was announced the merit award was going to Dickie but the former umpire was unable to attend the gala dinner.

However, the 80-year-old has now been given the award at a PCA dinner in the famous Long Room at Lords.

Jason Ratcliffe, assistant chief executive of the PCA, and cricketer Stuart Broad, handed over the award in front of a packed room.

An association spokesman said: "Dickie was without peer as an international umpire, and remains, at 80, and fifteen years since he umpired his last county match, probably the best-respected and best-recognised umpire in world cricket.

"What is less well known is that, before turning to umpiring, Dickie played 93 first class matches, with a top score of 181 not out.

Dickie added: "This is a magnificent honour and I am very very grateful indeed."

TWO Barnsley men facing attempted robbery charges are to make their first appearance at Sheffield Crown Court on June 20.

Daniel Anderton, 19, and Andrew Garnett, 21, both of Agnes Road, are expected to deny the allegations when asked for pleas.

Anderton and Garnett were granted unconditional bail at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

A SEVERELY disabled Barnsley girl who was starved of oxygen at birth will receive £8.5million in compensation after Barnsley Hospital admitted negligence.

Isabella Ramsbottom, eight, of Darton, was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck at the hospital in 2005, the High Court in London was told.

She has been left with severe cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, sight problems and needs round-the-clock care.

Her parents, Sandra and Andy, sued the hospital.

Sandra said: "The compensation can never make up for what happened to her.

"Isabella is very disabled and is often very poorly - she's in and out of hospital almost every week. We just want to be able to care for her properly at home so that she doesn't have to spend endless nights in hospital.

"Over the past few years, I have nursed Isabella myself day and night but now I will be able to use 24-hour nursing care and have nurses to sit with Isabella at night so that I can get to bed.

"We're glad this is all over and we can get on with our lives. My only regret is the hospital didn't admit to their mistakes earlier. If they had, we could have had the nursing care in place earlier in Isabella's life."

The settlement is made up of a substantial lump sum, plus annual payments which will be used to provide the specialist care Isabella needs for the rest of her life.

She will receive £316,000 until 2016, rising to £350,000 from 2017 until 2023, and rising again to £412,000 thereafter for as long as she lives.

THE Reds' 2013/14 Championship fixtures have been released. Here's the full list.

August

SAT AUG 3: Wigan Athletic (H) 3pm

SAT AUG 10: Blackpool (A) 3pm

SAT AUG 17: Charlton Athletic (H) 3pm

SAT AUG 24: Blackburn Rovers (A) 3pm

SAT AUG 31: Huddersfield Town (H) 3pm

September

SAT SEP 14: Nottingham Forest (A) 3pm

TUE SEP 17: Bournemouth (A) 7.45pm

SAT SEP 21: Watford (H) 3pm

SAT SEP 28: Leicester City (A) 3pm

October

TUE OCT 1: Reading (H) 7.45pm

SAT OCT 5: Queens Park Rangers (A) 3pm

SAT OCT 19: Middlesbrough (H) 3pm

SAT OCT 26: Sheffield Wednesday (H) 3pm

November

SAT NOV 2: Ipswich Town (A) 3pm

SAT NOV 9: Doncaster Rovers (H) 3pm

SAT NOV 23: Millwall (A) 3pm

SAT NOV 30: Birmingham City (H) 3pm

December

TUE DEC 3: Brighton and Hove Albion (A) 7.45pm

SAT DEC 7: Burnley (A) 3pm

SAT DEC 14: Yeovil Town (H) 3pm

SAT DEC 21: Leeds United (A) 3pm

THU DEC 26: Bolton Wanderers (H) 3pm

SUN DEC 29: Derby County (H) 3pm

January

WED JAN 1: Birmingham City (A) 3pm

SAT JAN 11: Charlton Athletic (A) 3pm

SAT JAN 18: Blackpool (H) 3pm

SAT JAN 25: Wigan Athletic (A) 3pm

TUE JAN 28: Blackburn Rovers (H) 7.45pm

February

SAT FEB 1: Sheffield Wednesday (A) 3pm

SAT FEB 8: Ipswich Town (H) 3pm

SAT FEB 15: Doncaster Rovers (A) 3pm

SAT FEB 22: Millwall (H) 3pm

March

SAT MAR 1: Huddersfield Town (A) 3pm

SAT MAR 8: Nottingham Forest (H) 3pm

TUE MAR 11: Leicester City (H) 7.45pm

SAT MAR 15: Watford (A) 3pm

SAT MAR 22: Bournemouth (H) 3pm

TUE MAR 25: Reading (A) 8pm

SAT MAR 29: Yeovil Town (A) 3pm

April

SAT APR 5: Brighton and Hove Albion (H) 3pm

TUE APR 8: Burnley (H) 7.45pm

SAT APR 12: Bolton Wanderers (A) 3pm

SAT APR 19: Leeds United (H) 3pm

MON APR 21: Derby County (A) 3pm

SAT APR 26: Middlesbrough (A) 3pm

May

SAT MAY 3: Queens Park Rangers (H) 3pm

A HISTORIC church has held its final service - after serving the community for 120 years.

Weddings, funerals, Sunday schools and weekly services have been held at Carlton Methodist Chapel for more than a century.

But due to dwindling numbers and expensive running costs, its doors have now closed after Sunday's final service.

Lifelong member Gwen Ogley, 88, was among those at the service. She grew up in Carlton and she and husband Dereck, 86, still went to the church despite moving to Notton.

Their son, Rev Nigel Ogley, lead the service in a fitting goodbye to the building.

From choir practice to playing the piano, to pantomimes and replacing the gas lights, Gwen remembers many happy times there - it's where she was married too.

Gwen said members of the chapel decided to merge with the congregation at Laithes Crescent Methodist Church in Athersley in 2009. As a result services have alternated between the two churches.

But Deacon Debbie Marsh said this has not been sustainable and the chapel needs to close.

"In some ways it's quite sad but in other ways, because we've amalgamated, we've not lost the sense of being a church."

FINISHING touches are being made to the new £4.3million Experience Barnsley museum which opens its doors next week.

The new attraction, which spans two floors of Barnsley’s distinctive Town Hall, opens on June 27 with a colourful public celebration at 2pm.

The Town Hall building will be swathed in a giant ribbon which members of the public will be invited to ceremonially cut to open their museum.

Thousands of visitors are expected to pack the new square outside the Town Hall which will have a free children’s carousel, musical entertainment and attractions to represent Barnsley throughout the ages, from an animatronic dinosaur to giant stilt walking sportsmen.

Mayor Ken Richardson will be on hand to introduce Barnsley-born Capital FM presenter Simon Hirst, who will be delivering the countdown to the 2pm opening.

The museum and galleries will then be open seven days a week and admission is free.

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

Experience Barnsley is supported by just over £2.6million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Will you be heading down on the 27th?