News

THERE are now 100 public electric car chargers in Barnsley, latest figures have revealed.Department for Transport figures show there were 100 public electric car chargers in Barnsley as of July – up from 89 the year before.The government set a target of installing 300,000 public electric chargers by 2030, meaning around 3,600 chargers must be installed across the UK per month.Of the chargers installed in Barnsley, 22 were rapid...

ACCLAIMED artist Chantel McGregor will perform a headline show in Barnsley.Chantel, who is on the back of a UK-wide tour, is scheduled to perform at the Birdwell Venue on January 17.Her 2011 debut album – ‘Like No Other’ – was produced by Livingstone Brown, whose production credits include Ed Sheeran and Shakira.

FEWER households in Barnsley applied to provide foster care last year than before the pandemic, new figures show.Ofsted data shows local authorities and independent fostering agencies across the country received 8,500 applications from prospective fostering households in the year to March, up from around 8,000 the previous year.In Barnsley, ten households applied to the local authority to provide foster care in the same period, down from 15 before the pandemic....

A LOCAL MP has vowed to protect shop workers with tough new measures amid a ‘horrifying rise’ in violent attacks last year.A recent survey from the Usdaw union showed nearly a fifth of retail staff suffered a violent attack last year – up from eight per cent in 2022.Nearly half also reported they had been threatened with violence.New action is being introduced by the government to reverse the wave...

A BARNSLEY man whose dog caused injury to a woman and her dog has received a suspended prison sentence and the court has granted a destruction order for his dog.The court heard how on April 20, Connor Caves, 21, of Lundwood, left his dog Jax, a banned breed Pitbull Terrier, with minors.The dog, who was not being properly supervised, escaped the property. At around 8.30am, a woman was walking her dog...

A LOCAL small business has been acknowledged as one of the best to work for in the country in a new survey.BetterYou, a natural health and wellbeing company in Birdwell, was recognised as not only one of the best small businesses in the country – ranking 44th – but also the 28th best in Yorkshire and fifth best to work for in the health and social care sector.The rankings were compiled...

A PROPERTY deemed to be the source of antisocial behaviour has been issued with a three-month ‘closure order’.The order, which Barnsley Council can impose if it’s found to be the hub of antisocial activities, allows only pre-agreed people to enter and anyone not on the list can be prosecuted by South Yorkshire Police.The property – on Silverdale Drive in Monk Bretton – will be closed to everyone apart from three people...

A BARNSLEY man has been commended for his actions and bravery following a dog attack earlier this year. On July 3, Jon Robinson was inside his home when he heard a man shouting in a nearby park. Jon immediately went to help, and as he got closer to the cries for help, he could see that a Japanese Akita was attacking a man and his own dog. Jon intervened, securing the Japanese...

POLICE officers executed a warrant on Thursday for offences relating to the illegal trading of birds’ eggs..The operation was supported by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), who worked alongside our motorcycle and rural crime team, neighbourhood officers and other specialist roles including search officers and digital media investigators.This warrant, in the Thurnscoe area, was part of a wider operation, co-ordinated in the UK by the NWCU to tackle international organised...

A BARNSLEY man has been in court today charged with seven offences and breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order.Nathan Lang, 30, of no fixed address, is charged in connection with a number of burglaries from August to November.Lang is charged with four counts of burglary, one count of theft of a motor vehicle, fraud and breaching the condition of his CBO.He appeared before Barnsley Magistrates' Court today (Friday November 22)...

ALMOST 750,000 flu and Covid jabs have been administered to residents in South Yorkshire this autumn - as the NHS ramps up its efforts to avoid a ‘tripledemic’ this winter.The vaccines have been given to eligible people in the region since the autumn Covid and flu vaccines campaign started in September.Eligible South Yorkshire residents who are yet to have their vaccines are encouraged to book soon to protect themselves in preparation...

A RESIDENTIAL care home which cares for adults with mental health issues has been rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission.Derby House, based just outside of the town centre, offers a holistic and therapeutic recovery support model for up to three adults with mental health support needs.It was inspected by the CQC in September, with the report made public earlier this month.It states: “Care plans captured the voice of...

A LIFT on the town centre’s new multi-million pound bridge has been unable to carry pedestrians for weeks after vandals struck.Damage inflicted on the Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge resulted in a sensor being broken, meaning it’s been off limits to the public.However, according to the council, they are now working at pace to fix the problem.Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “Unfortunately, the lift at...

A SUPERMARKET has donated £8,000 to a local community centre to help them purchase a much-needed van.In celebration of Morrisons’ 125th anniversary, the supermarket chain has launched their own Community Spaces Fund which will see 125 charities receive a share of £1m in grants.Each charity can receive up to £8,000 and those chosen have been hand-picked by the store’s community champions - including Cortonwood Comeback Centre, which hosts a host of...

POLICE have launched an investigation following reports of dangerous dogs in Wath-upon-Dearne.On Wednesday, November 6 at 1.30pm, it’s reported that a man was walking his dog in the field directly behind the allotments on Avenue Road in when two bull breed dogs approached him and one attempted to bite him and his dog.The dog that attempted to cause injury is believed to be a white large built dog with brown...

FIVE new blue plaques were installed in Barnsley town centre on Saturday – recognising the town’s rich history.Blue plaques are put up to recognise a building or place’s connection with a significant person from the town or with an event in history.Plaques were installed to honour Ann Porter, the founder of Barnsley’s first department store catering specifically to women, Eldon Street architect John Whitworth, stonemason Catherine Mawer, poet Thomas Lister and...

POLICE have hailed the latest targeted Barnsley operation a success.Officers and local partners joined together yesterday when over 170 officers, staff and local partners came together in Barnsley resulting in a total of nine arrests.Throughout the day, officers and staff took to the streets of Barnsley as they worked alongside Barnsley Council, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and the NHS to focus on the issues of child exploitation, neighbourhood crime and...

BARNSLEY Council has announced some road closures ahead of this weekend’s Bright Nights event.The following town centre roads will be closed between 4.30pm and 9pm tomorrow and Saturday: New Street, Cheapside and May Day GreenThere will also be rolling road closures in place between 5.30pm and 9pm on both nights affecting: Regent Street South and Hanson Street.On Saturday, during the Illuminated Parade, there will be additional rolling road closures...

POLICE are urging the public to stay alert to courier fraud.In courier fraud scams, criminals will phone their victim claiming to be figures of authority – including police officers and bank officials. They then con the victim into revealing their credit or debit card details. An example of this type of fraud is a scammer calling a target, claiming to be from a law enforcement agency. They will then tell the victim...

CONGRATULATIONS to Elsecar Heritage Centre which has won an award for its Sensory tour.The tour was developed during the Elsecar Building Bridges project and has won the emerging cultural project award at the Research Impact and Engagement Awards at the University of Leeds. A centre spokesperson said: “It has been fantastic to work in partnership with Adam and the University. We have worked in collaboration with the Barnsley Blind and Partially Sighted...

A BARNSLEY resident will have to pay over £700 after pleading guilty to fly-tipping.Aidan Wood of Westfields Road, Worsbrough, was in court last week after being caught fly-tipping at Vernon House in Yews Lane, Kendray.Mr Wood was identified as being responsible for fly-tipping following investigations by Barnsley Council Neighbourhood Wardens and South Yorkshire Police after a large amount of building waste was found at the location. Mr Wood, 31, attended...

ALMOST 50 newly-qualified nurses have taken up their posts at Barnsley Hospital.The nurses will work across several departments from emergency care to paediatrics.They will undertake the ‘Preceptorship’ programme which helps new nurses to be supported during their first year in their new roles as registered nurses. A total of 48 people have been added to the hospital’s team.Sarah Moppett, the hospital’s director of nursing, nidwifery and advanced health...

NINE arrests have been made so far today as part of Operation Duxford in Barnsley.Today’s Operation Duxford has focused on child exploitation, neighbourhood crime and organised crime, and over 170 officers, staff and local partners have joined together as the dedicated operation returned to the streets of the town.It was an early start for officers as search warrants were executed at a number of properties within the town centre, New Lodge...

BARNSLEY College students have achieved global recognition, reaching the finals in a prestigious, international contest that celebrates innovation in virtual filmmaking.The VIVE Mars Virtual Production Competition focuses on pioneering uses of virtual production technology.This year’s competition brief, themed around creating the best horror shot, challenged competitors to push the boundaries of virtual production. Participants included industry-leading professionals as well as students from renowned institutions worldwide, making the competition both prestigious and...

BARNSLEY South MP Stephanie Peacock joined South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard recently paid tribute to local athletes who took part in the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics. The event took place at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, the training ground for athletes whose sporting accomplishments at Paris 2024 were celebrated. Ms Peacock said: “As a South Yorkshire MP representing Barnsley South, I know the region has a brilliant sporting history, producing an incredible number of...

DEARNE students have been praised for their key role in a project at Goldthorpe’s Welfare Park.New gateways saluting the heritage and cultural life of the Dearne area been unveiled at the park which has benefitted from significant improvements as part of the Goldthorpe Town Deal, a £23.1m investment from the UK Government's Towns Fund which is transforming Goldthorpe and the Dearne.A council spokesperson said: “We’ve renewed access roads and pathways, provided...

A BARNSLEY business has donated hundreds of pounds to Barnley Hospice by selling surplus marble.Phoenix Worktops sold the surplus marble as charity chopping boards for £20.A hospice spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank husband and wife team Andy and Katie Moxon – and all the team at Phoenix Worktops – for their kindness in donating £500 to Barnsley Hospice.“The team came up with a lovely way to support us...

THE candidates have been announced for a by-election which will take place in the Dodworth ward next month. This election, on Thursday December 12, follows the recent resignation of Councillor Sam Christmas. Residents of Dodworth are encouraged to participate in this by-election to elect a new councillor to represent the Dodworth ward. The candidates standing for election are: Steven John Burkinshaw (Conservative Party), Eric Benson Hodgson (Reform UK), Kate Hutchinson (Labour Party),...

A BARNSLEY charity has received £5,000 as part of an annual charity award scheme.Matthew’s A Friend in Me is one of three charities to receive awards in the Sheffield Mutual’s 2024 Charity Award. Since 2017, Sheffield Mutual, a provider of savings and investment products, has invited its members and the public to nominate their favourite charities to receive donations of up to £5,000.Each year, nominations are narrowed down to a...

BARNSLEY Council’s ruling cabinet members will meet next year to implement the mandatory requirement for CCTV in Hackney carriages.Taxi drivers are currently being urged to take part in a consultation which would see the council install free-of-charge CCTV cameras in their vehicles from as early as April next year.The council’s licensing officers were successful in their bid to the government’s Transport Innovation Fund, paving the way for cameras to be fitted...

A MAN who breached the requirements of a court-imposed order has been re-sentenced.Dale Nolan, of no fixed abode, was originally convicted of threatening to burn a woman’s house down in November 2023.The 33-year-old was told to comply with a community order but he admitted breaching its terms at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court at a hearing last Monday.Nolan was re-sentenced to a total of 20 rehabilitation days which must be completed...

CANNON Hall Museum will hand over the keys to Year Five students from Carlton Primary School for a day later this week.Part of Fusion’s Festival of Joy, the event forms part of the national Kids in Museums’ Takeover Day initiative when children and young people take part in running day-to-day activities at archives, galleries, heritage sites, historic homes and museums from across the UK.On the day, the new temporary Front of...

ROAD policing officers boarded an unmarked HGV cab as part of a five-day operation and caught hundreds of drivers risking their own and other road user’s lives.During the operation which ran from November 4-8, officers patrolled the motorway network including the M1, M18 and A1, and stopped 215 vehicles; witnessing drivers watching TV on their tablets and mobiles, failing to wear their seat belts, and swerving on the hard shoulder. Of those...

GRITTING teams are treating primary routes and the council has triggered its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning.The protocol involves providing temporary accommodation to anyone sleeping rough to help them stay safe.Council teams will be out across Barnsley this evening, making sure no one is sleeping rough as temperatures drop below zero tonight.If you’re concerned about someone sleeping rough in the...

POLICE are appealing for the public’s help in reporting any sightings of a 14-year-old Barnsley boy who has been reported missing.Tommi Ryan has been reported missing from home in Barnsley but is known to frequent the Calderdale area, particularly Ovenden and Boothtown.He is described as a white male, 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build, with short, straight, brown hair. He has a scab on his chin under his bottom lip. He...