News

A ROYSTON man is setting off on his thirteenth motorbike trip from Royston to Land’s End and then onto John O’Groats.It’s a trek of almost 3,000 miles and Bob Woodcock will be raising money for The Salvation Army.Seventy-year-old Bob first completed the ride in 2011 – and he’s done it every year since.He’s raised around £16,000 for charity in that time – and he’s hoping to add to that...

JIM Morton is preparing for another mission as part of his bid to raise £50,000 for a cause close to his heart.Back in April 2021 – the day the Covid lockdown ended – Jim, his wife Sue and dogs Shona and Maisie set off in a motorhome. He spent 537 days on his trek around the entire British coastline to fulfil a life-long dream and to raise money for the Ghurka Welfare...

EIGHT Barnsley establishments have been handed new food hygiene ratings with just two getting top marks.Five stars: Hot ‘n’ Tasty Cafe, on Grange Lane, Cundy Cross; Subway on Dryden Road; Four stars: Oriental Chef, High Street, Wombwell; Ceylon Boyz Burger, Athersley North; Royston’s Rainbow ExpressThree stars: Thaal, in Darfield; Mercury in the town centre; Whist Pizza Palace, High Street, Wombwell.

PLANNING ROUND-UP: Three acres of land are set to be developed in Billingley.Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members will discuss plans for the site, off the A635, at a meeting on July 24.The location is included in the council’s local plan development blueprint for employment use. A report said: “The site will achieve its maximum development potential in order to bring forward new job opportunities.”PLANNING permission is being sought to...

A GREAT Houghton primary school which was told it requires improvement in 2021 and has turned its fortunes around in their latest Ofsted report.Sandhill Primary School, based on Dearne Street, was inspected by Ofsted in March.Inspectors have rated the school as ‘good’.A report states: “Sandhill Primary School has been on a significant improvement journey.“At the centre of this journey is a shared ambition for every pupil to...

A RECORD number of shoplifting offences were recorded in South Yorkshire last year, new figures have revealed.Office for National Statistics figures show there were 13,800 shoplifting offences recorded by South Yorkshire Police in 2023.It was up 46 per cent from 9,441 offences in 2022 and the highest since comparable records in 2003.James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said the figures were ‘sadly not surprising’....

A BARNSLEY schoolgirl has raised thousands of pounds by climbing Ben Nevis recently.Scarlett Maskill, ten, was crowned Little Miss South Yorkshire earlier this year and, as part of her programme of events, she scaled the mountain to raise £2,000 for charity Together For Short Lives, an organisation which supports youngsters with life-threatening illnesses.Scarlett will take part in the Little Miss Great Britain final in October which will be her first pageant....

A GREAT Houghton primary school which was told it requires improvement in 2021 and has turned its fortunes around in their latest Ofsted report.Sandhill Primary School, based on Dearne Street, was inspected by Ofsted in March.Inspectors have rated the school as ‘good’.A report states: “Sandhill Primary School has been on a significant improvement journey.“At the centre of this journey is a shared ambition for every pupil to...

NHS South Yorkshire has partnered with a Barnsley housing provider to improve the living conditions and health of children with asthma.Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, with around one in 11 children and young people living with asthma.South Yorkshire Children and Young People’s Alliance have teamed up with Berneslai Homes, who manage properties for Barnsley Council, to ensure children and young people with asthma...

HAPPY birthday to Jean Buckley who is celebrating her 103rd birthday at Mapplewell Manor Care Home today.Jean was born in Cawthorne on May 5, 1921 and has lived through World War Two, five different monarchs and 22 separate Prime Ministers.She now resides in Mapplewell Manor, on Greenside Avenue, and is incredibly popular among the staff and residents.She’ll be celebrating with two parties – one with family and another with...

A ‘CRUEL and ruthless’ Barnsley loan shark, who subjected his victims to kidnap, abuse, and humiliation has been jailed.Following a National Illegal Money Lending Team operation, supported by South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council, Richard Dawson, 35, of Hill End Close, Barnsley, appeared before court after he trapped his victims in a ‘cycle of debt and despair’.Pleading guilty to the charges, the judge heard how Dawson received £52,000 in repayments from...

BARNSLEY East MP Stephanie Peacock visited a taekwondo centre in Oxspring to see how they’re helping locals access the sport.The MP visited Quest Taekwondo with candidate for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Marie Tidball, Coun Alex Burnett, and local candidate John Roberts.She said: “It was a pleasure to visit Quest Taekwondo recently.“I was pleased to hear about the work that the organisation has done to ensure that people across the community...

A GOLDTHORPE dental practice has improved since its last Care Quality Commission inspection, a report has revealed.Dearne Valley Dental Practice, based on High Street, was told by inspectors last year that its services were not well-led.This led to a follow-up inspection, which took place last month, where inspectors found that the service had improved.The report said: “We undertook an off-site follow up inspection of Dearne Valley Dental Practice on...

A BARNSLEY man who thought he was messaging a teenage girl – but instead was speaking to an undercover police officer – has avoided jail time.Alan Jones, 37, of St John’s Avenue in Higham, began speaking with the undercover officer – who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl called Jessica – on April 25, 2022.He sent messages saying he was masturbating and even asked the ‘girl’ to send pictures of...

BARNSLEY’S only Conservative MP Miriam Cates has pledged to support Silkstone residents by bringing the area’s roads up to scratch.Mrs Cates, who represents the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency, said she will to continue to work with residents about the issue of potholes – and she says she’s not taking the situation lightly.She said: “I’ve been speaking to residents in Silkstone and surrounding areas recently and know just how much of a...

LEADERS at the Barnsley FC Community Trust have encouraged teenagers to take part in a new programme.NCS Be On Side is a new scheme which helps support youngsters across Barnsley.Those aged between 15 and 17 who would like to sign up can do so on the trust’s website.A spokesperson said: “We have worked incredibly close with previous NCS graduates and other young people to ensure this programme is what...

A MAN who only two years ago was on a mission to make friends celebrated his 95th birthday surrounded by people who care for him.In 2022, the Chronicle reported that Raymond Horsley, from Athersley North, had reached out to Age Concern hoping to socialise with people his age.This followed an extensive period of loneliness, as he lived on his own and was partially blind.Last year he began going to...

THE first two street circus festivals are set to take place this weekend in Barnsley.The MAYhem Street Circus Festival brings a variety of exciting and fun acts – and the first session will take place tomorrow at Cudworth Park.It will take place from 11am to 4pm, and then the event will be moved to Penistone Market Barn the following day at the same times.The mini-festival will bring to the...

BARNSLEY Hospital has celebrated its administration workers.Administration and clerical teams operate in every speciality and area across the hospital and, for ‘Admin Day’, bosses said they are an ‘integral part’ of keeping the hospital running.This year, hospital directors and other senior staff visited administration teams throughout the trust to show their gratitude, and to find out more about how admin teams support the crucial work of the hospital, its teams and...

FOOTBALLERS across the Dearne area are uniting tomorrow for a charity match commemorating a player.Jonny Salt, who played at Ings Lane and Jungle football clubs, took his own life last May when he was 37 years old.The news shocked everyone he knew, pushing his former teammates to unite for a charity match that commemorates his life, and raises money for mental health awareness – which will take place tomorrow at 11.30am...

BARNSLEY FC fans were keen to support the club’s charity arm at their League One game against Northampton Town last weekend. Barnsley FC Community Trust were asking locals to bring a pound to the ground to support the trust’s ongoing work in the community. Toby Tyke joined volunteers to raise the funds, much to the delight of the trust. Jon Flatman, chief executive officer of Barnsley FC and trustee of the community...

A BRIERLEY man will be hitting the pavements and taking to the water every day for a month to raise money for survivors of trafficking and abuse in Uganda.James Winpenny, 49, has made the pledge to complete either a 15km walk, 5km run or 1km swim every day throughout June after hearing the tragic story of a three-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Pakistan.He hopes his efforts will raise £1,000...

BARNSLEY College students are getting sustainability-savvy and transforming every scrap into valuable resources for their green projects.The horticulture students at our Wigfield Farm campus are gaining a unique perspective and understanding that it is not just about plants, but an industry where no resource should ever be wasted and can be used to help the environment.Under the guidance of horticulture tutor Carlo Turner, students have renovated dog sinks, that were discarded...

THERE are over 200 activities available this month as part of the Barnsley Walking Festival to get residents walking in May.From one of the many friendly walking groups, guided walks with experts and walking sport sessions, there’s a packed schedule with plenty of variety to help encourage everyone to get out and get active with many of the events free to attend.A council spokesperson said: “It's a great chance to meet...

A YOUNG engineering prodigy has started his own business at just 13.Ciaran Parker, of Hallsworth Avenue between Jump and Hemingfield, has always loved engineering and in 2021 got to share his passion on the CBBC show Dengineers.Through that show he got to build his dream den in his garden, and meet an engineer from his favourite company Dyson.Now, he’s saved up to buy his own 3D printer, which he...

A TEENAGE cyclist suffered life-changing injuries in a road traffic collision in Hoyland Common last night.Officers were called to Olympus Way, Hoyland Common, at 9.12pm to reports of a collision involving a cyclist and a Citroen Picasso.A road closure was in place for a period of time to allow emergency services to attend the scene. The cyclist, a 14-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with leg injuries which are believed...

A FORMER Chronicle reporter was cheered on by a recognisable time traveller last weekend when he completed the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK.Oliver Dyson, from Royston, took on the challenge last Sunday alongside 50,000 other runners. Completing the run in 5-20-13 and raising £4,276 for the charity – almost double his original £2,200 target – Oliver said the day was ‘amazing’.The 30-year-old was boosted by supportive voicenotes from friends, and...

A WELL-KNOWN Barnsley pub which has become a favourite with many Reds’ fans has been put up for sale.Over the years, the Manx Arms on Sheffield Road has developed a strong following as a base for Barnsley FC fans and for the British Legion.The freehold of the 100 per cent wet-led pub is on the market for £150,000.There are three main rooms – the Poppy Room with seating for...

POLICE are urging owners to control their pets as dangerous dogs are placing unprecedented demand on officers and resources.At the weekend, police received 14 calls for dogs dangerously out of control across South Yorkshire. Those calls included reports of a two-year-old child suffering facial injuries in Doncaster, a man in Sheffield and a woman in Rotherham requiring surgery following attacks by their own dogs within their homes, and an innocent man attacked...

A BARNSLEY man who assaulted an emergency service worker has avoided being sent to jail.Last Wednesday, officers located a man who had been circulated as wanted for multiple theft offences.Thomas Gummerson, 42, was arrested after four thefts from shops in Barnsley town centre.While in custody, Gummerson was further arrested for an assault against an emergency service worker.He was charged with the offences and, on Monday, he appeared...

A BOLTON-UPON-DEARNE kids’ facility is celebrating this week after being rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted.Dearne Family Centre, based on Billingley View, currently has 24 youngsters on its roll.A report states: “Children and families show that they feel extremely welcome at this friendly and highly inclusive family centre.“Leaders and staff are committed to providing a nurturing environment and a sense of belonging for all children in their care.“Parents...

UPDATE: Police have advised that Ava May has been found safe and well.POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for missing Ava May and are appealing for help to find her.Ava May, aged 11, was last seen at 11.45am today in the Great Houghton area and has not been seen since.She is described as white, 5ft 6in tall and with long blonde highlighted hair. Ava May was last seen wearing a...

A MAN has started a five-year prison sentence following threatening and violent robberies in Barnsley town centre.Russell Marsden, 28, of Buckingham Court, Wakefield, has appeared before Sheffield Crown Court charged with two robberies.On September 25 2023, a woman was walking home from Barnsley Interchange after an evening with friends in Sheffield. As she was walking along Pitt Street, she was subjected to a knifepoint robbery by two men, who stole her...

A CAT owner who admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his pets will be sentenced next month.Darren Woodhouse, of Aireton Road, Barnsley, was bailed while a pre-sentence report is compiled.Two cats were found to be suffering with weight loss and fleas, which prompted the RSPCA to pursue court proceedings.The 40-year-old will appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on May 13.

A CANCER charity is celebrating after providing free transport for patients across Barnsley for three years.The service, provided by Weston Park Cancer Charity, picks patients up from various locations including Oakwell, ensures people can get to any of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals sites to attend tests or receive vital cancer treatment, without the worry and stress of traffic, parking, and travel costs.Since its launch in April 2021, Weston Park Cancer Charity’s...