THE inquests on fans' forums have started, everyone's got their favourites to replace David Flitcroft, but where did it all go wrong?

Pre-season was full of optimism. There was a feel-good factor in the camp and for the first time in years there was a real sense that the tide had turned.

Dale Jennings, who had dazzled at Tranmere Rovers before moving to Bayern Munich, came in and was all set to continue that after a disappointing spell with the German giants' second team.

He seemed reinvigorated, hungry and determined to get back to regular, first-team football.

The 20-year-old was sent off in the 4-0 loss to Wigan on the opening day of the season and made just five appearances for the Reds, before moving to MK Dons on loan.

Lewin Nyatanga, John Cofie, Jean-Yves M'Voto, Marcus Pedersen, Paddy McCourt, Peter Ramage, Jack Butland, David Fox and recent loan signing Marcus Tudgay have all been brought in, but the Reds have never really gained momentum in their stuttering campaign.

Since the South Yorkshire club won promotion to the Championship in 2006, they have failed to make an impact, failing to finish higher than 17th in the table.

As a result the likes of Mark Robins, Simon Davey and Andy Ritchie have all lost their jobs. Keith Hill was appointed in May 2011 but was unable to improve the club's standing as they ended up finishing 21st, one place above the relegation zone.

Last season's miraculous survival will live long in the memory of every Barnsley fan, spearheaded by 39-year-old David Flitcroft, who took over from hapless Hill after a successful spell as caretaker manager.

However, after the heroics of the 2012/13 campaign, Barnsley have won only three times in 18 league games.

The 3-0 home loss at the hands of fellow strugglers Birmingham City was one too many for the Oakwell board and Flitcroft was sacked later in the evening.

That defeat left Barnsley at the bottom of the table. It's their worst start to a season since 1973.

Saturday was meant to be a celebration. In his 68 years at Barnsley, Norman Rimmington has done virtually every job at the club.

Norman started as a player, but since then has done virtually every job. He has been a first-team coach, trainer, groundsman, physiotherapist, kitman and he now works in the laundry.

Oakwell celebrated his 90th birthday at the weekend, and the BBC’s Football League Show joined them, with a touching tribute.

Have football’s two contrasting faces ever been so perfectly juxtaposed? Hours after popping into the laundry room to swap lighthearted tales for the cameras, Flicker had been sacked.

With the likes of Michael Appleton, Neil Redfearn and Danny Wilson all being touted to be Flitcroft's replacement, who would you like to see in charge next? More importantly, is survival possible? Would you give Micky Mellon a chance after the Brighton win? Have your say below.

FORMER miners will be invited to a new museum and recording studio to share their stories of life down the pit after a charity won a £50,000 grant.

Elsecar Heritage Railway found out they had pipped a project in Grimsby to win the funding - provided by the People's Millions Big Lottery Fund - after a competition was held on ITV.

The grant will result in a memorial park at Cortonwood Station, picnic lawns, gardens and the museum carriage which will include a recording studio.

The charity's chairman Del Tilling said: "We're shocked, overwhelmed and it still hasn't sunk in. We were up against this project from Grimsby and we didn't really know what to expect.

"We've done lots of filming but it seems that people thought we deserved the money and have voted for us.

"It's going to make a big difference and it's fitting that this will be spent on Cortonwood, which is where the miners' strike began in 1984.

"We've got four acres of grassland and will get to work on the new project. They presented us with the cheque on Tuesday and it's going to be a very busy few months ahead.

"The recording studio will be just one aspect, but what a joy it could bring to people. Ex-miners and their families will be able to come down and record their memories of life underground and what it was like.

"This will last forever and will be a treat for schoolchildren who can come and hear real people tell real stories about mining life in Barnsley."

Mr Tilling also said funding was in place to extend the railway line - it currently runs from Elsecar to Hemingfield - but will hopefully be extended to Cortonwood by the summer.

He added: "Our purpose is to tell the story of 300 years of coal mining in South Yorkshire. Cortonwood is the perfect and ideal place, as it's a nationally important and historic site.

"We installed a level crossing in April and we have doubled our turnover this year so have the money to extend the line.

"All of our workers are volunteers and no one is paid so it's a real achievement for us to get this far.

"Hopefully the ex-mining community and other local people will come down and help us. We will certainly be needing the support of people to help complete the track."

REGULARS of a Barnsley pub raised more £3,500 for the town's hospice after completing the Three Peaks Challenge!

Graham Moore, Zak Cox, Damion Cox, Matt Lister, Paul Lister, Eddie McKenzie and Gary Dutton all live in the town centre and often drink in the Commercial Inn on Summer Lane.

They took part in the challenge to raise money for Barnsley Hospice after Damion's mother became ill and was later supported there.

They raised a total of £3,816!

More than £2,000 was raised through sponsorship and the rest was raised through a race night, raffle and auction at the Commercial.

For two weeks landlord and landlady Dave Fisher and Lisa Sephton left a turnip on the bar into which people hammered coins into.

It was sold at auction for £500 and the £116 which was hammered into it was donated back to the cause.

HE may turn 90 this week but that won't stop Victor Haynes turning out every morning as a paperboy!

Sprightly Victor walks with a lively swagger that belies his 89 years and locals reckon he is the oldest paperboy Cawthorne has ever had.

Vic, of The Park, started the job in 2004 and has never had a day off.

He said: "A young lad was doing it and he packed it in. One of my neighbours said 'what are we going to do?' and I told her I had no idea.

"So straight away she ran in the house, rang the post office, came back out and said to me 'you've go the job'.

"That was when I was 81 and I'm 89 now.

"In the summertime it's lovely. Saying that though I like it in winter too. I just enjoy it I suppose, getting out, walking and seeing people."

Vic's round has made him a well-known character in Cawthorne, the village where he has lived all his life.

Parish councillor Margaret Broadhead believes him is the oldest 'original Cawthorner' still living, following the death of his cousin Angus Broadhead, 91, on October 28.

Sandra Scorah, from Cawthorne Post Office, said she was delighted he stayed on when she took over the post office two years ago.

"Vic has lived in the village all his life and is known by many as a genuinely lovely gentleman," she said.

"He's so reliable and a great asset to the delivery team and just gets on with it.

"Quite a few people in the village have asked if he is the oldest in England - we believe there is a guy who is about 93 who still has an active round but he's certainly up there."

STAGECOACH has announced details of its services over the Christmas period in Barnsley.

Up to and including December 23, all bus services will operate as normal.

On Christmas Eve, a Saturday service will operate until around 7pm.

No buses will run on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

A Saturday service will operate on December 27, 28 and 30, with an additional journey on service 6 at 5.45am from Barnsley on December 27 and 30.

On December 29 a normal Sunday service will operate.

On New Year’s Eve, a Saturday service will run until 7pm before Stagecoach’s operation gets back to normal on January 2.

THERE are several delays to train services from Barnsley Interchange this morning due to poor weather.

09.24 Barnsley to Sheffield is delayed by 28 minutes.

09.33 Barnsley to Leeds is delayed.

09.42 Barnsley to Leeds is delayed by 25 minutes.

10.01 Barnsley to Huddersfield is delayed.

10.01 Barnsley to Sheffield is delayed by 11 minutes.

10.24 Barnsley to Sheffield is cancelled.

10.42 to Leeds - 61 minutes late.

11.01 to Huddersfield - 34 minutes late.

11.01 to Sheffield - 31 minutes late.

11.14 to Sheffield - 30 minutes late.

11.24 to Sheffield - cancelled.

We'll keep an eye on it and update you when more details come through.

SUPERMARKET chain Aldi said it is to create around 400 jobs at its new regional base.

The new site at Goldthorpe will incorporate a distribution centre and regional offices and is expected to open in 2015.

The German firm said it was starting to recruit staff this month.

The discount supermarket chain recently reported £157.9million of UK pre-tax profits for 2012, a rise of 124 per cent.

In October, the company opened its 500th store in the UK.

Liam Rafferty, financial and administration director at Aldi, said: "The regional distribution centre at Goldthorpe will provide a hub for Aldi's growing portfolio of stores across South and West Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire."

POLICE are investigating after more than £1,000 worth of diesel was stolen from areas in Barnsley.

Thieves have struck at both business premises and private vehicles during the past few days.

Offenders climbed the perimeter fence of a company at Lund Lane, Lundwood, overnight on December 1/2 to siphon fuel from vehicles in a shed at the compound.

The same company was targeted at 9.45pm the day after when diesel from a tractor and tanker was stolen.

In total £1,000 worth of fuel was taken.

Another firm was hit at 11.15pm on December 2 when thieves took £50 worth of diesel from a vehicle at a compound in Carrwood Road, Stairfoot.

Police, who believe the incidents are linked, are studying CCTV footage of the last theft. Crime prevention officers are also due to visit both companies.

A LONG-AWAITED skate park will finally be built in Barnsley.

After working with a committed group of skaters and BMX riders for the last year on the design, the council are looking to have the park up and running by Easter at Dearne Valley Country Park, Hoyle Mill.

Cllr Roy Miller, cabinet spokesperson, said: "I’m pleased to be able to announce that work will start shortly on this much sought after skate park.

"This will be Barnsley’s largest and first in-situ concrete park and will cater for all skill levels. I know that there are a lot of skaters and BMX riders who will be looking forward to using it."

The park has been funded by £100,000 Section 106 housing development money.

Cllr Margaret Bruff, a former youth worker, said lots of locations had been considered.

She added: "We looked at putting it at the Twibell Street end of the Dearne Valley Park, near Harborough Hill, but it wasn’t far enough away from residents.

"We’ve opted for it to go near the car park and play area at the Hoyle Mill end of the park.

"Kids can come from all over because it’s very accessible by road and foot."

Work will begin at the start of January.

SOUTH Yorkshire Police are trying to trace a man they believe could have information about an alleged sexual assault.

Detectives have conducted extensive enquiries in order to locate Salman Osman Hamed and are now seeking help from the public.

The 37-year-old is Kurdish, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and has black hair.

He has a faded tattoo on his left arm and left hand along with a tattoo in a foreign language on the underside of his right arm.

He also has a scar running down one side of his face.

Anyone with information on Hamed’s whereabouts, or who believe they have seen him, is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 963 of December 2013, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

HANDBAG designer Radley has named one its new bags Barnsley after visiting the town.

The firm said its design team embarked on a series of trips to different parts of the UK in search of inspiration each season.

A spokesman said the Barnsley collection was originally conceived after thought was given to the north of England's heritage of craftsmanship and textiles production.

He said: "We’re proud to be inspired by Britain’s heritage of craftsmanship and design. The town of Barnsley has a rich history in manufacturing from textiles to glassware and this informed the original design."

The Barnsley bag comes in three different styles and two sizes and a variety of colours, ranging in price from £169 to £249.

THREE thousand fish have been introduced to the River Dearne, to allay anglers' fears of falling numbers.

The juvenile barbel, a bottom-feeding species of fish, were put in in groups of 600 in sites at Adwick, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Darfield, Cundy Cross and Barugh Bridge.

Anglers had complained to the Environment Agency that the species had been proving more elusive to catch on the river and official tests confirmed this.

The reaction has been to move the fish in now as the weather is cold and the water is better oxygenated.

Fisheries officer Peter Turner said: "We had to make sure there wasn't a population already there.

"What we think is that the barbel in the river have grown old. They do migrate upstream but we will continue to do this once a year for the next six years to ensure we have a good population."

Although they can be found in still waters, barbel are predominantly river dwellers and are popular with fisherman for their fighting prowess once hooked. Adults can reach up to 20lb in weight.

The fish have been supplied by a fish farm in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, and their introduction has been funded by the rod licence money that anglers pay annually.

BARNSLEY'S pregnant women are being encouraged to get free flu jabs this winter.

Health bosses at NHS England South Yorkshire said women eligible for the jab should have received a letter from their GP and should contact the surgery if they have not.

They're offered to people who are at increased risk of catching flu.

Those at increased risk are 11 times more likely to develop serious conditions such as pneumonia and brain infections if they catch flu.

Fiona Jorden, of NHS England South Yorkshire, said: "Regardless of what stage you're at in your pregnancy you can get your free flu jab.

"Pregnant women are more prone to complications from flu that can cause serious illness or complications for both mother and baby.

"Getting vaccinated before the weather turns more wintery will help pregnant women to avoid going out in difficult conditions and will help them stay well throughout the winter.

"The vaccine is safe and effective for both mother and baby. Without it there's an increased risk of your baby/babies being born prematurely or having a low birth weight.

"Having flu while you're pregnant could even lead to stillbirth."

A BARNSLEY couple diagnosed with cancer within two years of each other have a phonecall to thank for their continuing good health.

Terry Potter, 78, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012, just a year after his wife Barbara, also 78, was treated for skin cancer on her leg.

After being discharged from hospital, Terry, of Ashby Court, Barnsley, was enrolled on a new pilot scheme in Barnsley providing people who have had bowel cancer with support over the phone.

It's funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's care navigation service.

The aim is to support patients and help them return to a normal healthy lifestyle.

Nurses provide telephone consultations to help ensure patients' health doesn't deteriorate and they remain well after treatment, as well as reducing the need for unnecessarily hospital appointments.

One of the nurses operating the telephone support line happened to call and check on Terry the same day he had experienced a bleed.

Terry explained what had happened and the nurse was able to get in touch with medical staff at the hospital immediately.

Just ten minutes after the call, a trauma nurse phoned Terry and arranged for him to see a consultant the next day.

Terry said: "When I had the bleed, we didn't know what to do and I thought I'll just wait and see if it calms down.

"But then, by pure coincidence, it was one of the days when Isobel from the support line rang and she had the nurse on the phone straight away.

"I didn't know how serious it was, but she did. Who knows what would have happened if she hadn't called at that moment?

"It's such a relief to know someone's on the end of the phone if we need them. We know we can pass our anxieties on to Isobel and that's a big thing."

Tom Noel, from Macmillan, said there's always the risk the cancer may return after treatment so it's essential patients are monitored in the following months.

"Terry and Barbara's experience shows just how crucial the telephone support service in Barnsley is," said Tom.

"If Isobel hadn't called that day, Terry may not have received the medical attention he needed.

"The period after treatment can be lonely and disorientating as the patient tries to return to a normal healthy lifestyle.

"This service ensures that no one has to face cancer alone but we need the public's help to make sure this support continues in Barnsley."

The couple are backing the Macmillan Barnsley Appeal to raise £150,000 which will fund vital cancer services in the borough such as the telephone support line.

A CONCERNED mum-of-two has called for urgent action to fix a filthy play area which she feels is not fit for purpose.

The kick wall and basketball court at Millhouse Green, off Royd Avenue, is swamped in mud and water.

Jolene Allen, 34, who has boys aged nine and 14, has contacted Barnsley Council about the issue but has been left 'bamboozled' by its responses.

"I have complained to the council about it in the past and they blame everyone else instead of sorting it," said Mrs Allen, of Royd Avenue.

"Meanwhile our kids get to play in this filth. When I've spoken to other residents everyone tuts but no one does anything about it - I don't think anyone knows where to turn."

According to Mrs Allen, the area is unsuitable for children throughout the year.

Ingrid Law, chairman of Millhouse Green Village Community Association, said the facility was a priority for the group and she would like to see the problem resolved.

"The drainage around there is an issue and needs sorting out," she said.

A BARNSLEY group that works with special needs children will be able to continue its work in 2014 thanks to a donation from Reds footballer Bobby Hassell.

Bobby, who is in his tenth season at Oakwell and is holding several testimonial events throughout the year, made the four-figure donation to Barnsley Little Stars but has asked that the amount remain undisclosed.

The group's founder Kerry Thompson said the donation will enable Little Stars to hold two monthly play sessions throughout 2014.

She said: "We're so delighted and thankful to Bobby for his generous gift. It came as a real surprise and means we can go ahead with our planned activities for 2014.

"It takes a lot of pressure off us as a group because we aren't a registered charity yet which means we can't apply for funding through the more direct channels.

"We will take the kids to Jungle Jym's in Barnsley twice a month on a Sunday afternoon. It's brilliant for the children but it's also a great place for parents and families to meet."

A WOMAN has been jailed for 14 weeks - for trying to make her son's Christmas 'a bit better'.

Emma Louise Gurney, 36, stole items worth £17 from Primark in the Alhambra Centre, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Her solicitor Julian Brook said Gurney got £100 in Jobseekers' Allowance every fortnight and the money tended to run out quickly.

Mr Brook said: "She resorted to theft to get Christmas presents for her child. She stole to make her son's Christmas a little bit better.

"This may be a petty theft but she could have no complaint if she was sent straight to prison."

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said Gurney, of Moorland Avenue, Barnsley, was stopped after leaving the shop.

District Judge John Foster said he had no alternative to her being locked up because she had been given a suspended prison sentence only two months earlier.

Gurney admitted shoplifting.

A BARNSLEY fan's 'silly' row with an Oakwell steward about a bottle of pop has ended up with him being banned from matches for four years.

Jason Roger Armitage, 43, took exception in the West Stand broke the rule that tops or lids on drinks must be off, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Jack Danaher, defending, said Armitage made 'one rule for us, another rule for them' remarks and steward Jessica Brayford, 20, intervened.

Mr Danaher said things started out as a joke but got out of hand.

He said: "This was a very silly argument. Mr Armitage could not understand why the other person had been allowed to keep the top on the bottle.

"He thought he was being patronised, became irritated, aggressive and used bad language. He stood up, she pushed him with the flat of her hand and he grabbed her wrist."

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said Miss Brayford had to twist her wrist to escape Armitage's grasp.

She said Miss Brayford branded Armitage a 'coward and a bully' after the incident.

She said: "Mr Armitage made remarks about there being one rule for fans and one rule for others. He got more angry and aggressive as the conversation went on."

Armitage, of Kendal Green, Worsbrough, a self-employed builder, admitted assault. He was ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work, to pay costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge.

THE last branch of Blockbuster in the town closed on Sunday.

The Wombwell store, on Station Road, was the last remaining outlet of the chain in Barnsley, and its closure comes after the firm's administrators, Moorfields Corporate Recovery, said it had received no acceptable offers for the business.

The film rental firm went into administration earlier this year.

Joint administrators Simon Thomas and Nick O’Reilly, of Moorfields Corporate Recovery, said: "It's unfortunate that we have been unable to secure a buyer to date, and therefore we have had to take the decision to make further store closures.

"In addition, we're making every effort to support customers and to date issued over 30,000 refunds for goods and services not received."

Four people lost their jobs.

BARNSLEY is in a 'strong financial position' and its economy is showing signs of improvement, according to Sir Steve Houghton.

The good news comes after more than £14million in investment was made to try and boost the local economy.

Cllr Houghton said: "We have have created conditions for economic growth and prosperity, we have a thriving town centre and our visitor economy continues to increase.

"We've seen so much positive change. I'm really excited to see how our town blooms in the next few years."

Barnsley Council says the fruits of the town's hard labour to boost the economy is now being seen.

It reported that new businesses have been set up, existing companies have grown and the infrastructure has improved to meet these new demands.

The turnaround is down to the council's ambitious economic strategy which started in January, designed to encourage more businesses to locate to Barnsley, increase skill levels, create jobs and attract more visitors to the borough.

More than 50 start-up companies were supported by the strategy this year, promoting new and varied industry from animation production to beauty therapy.

The council says these fresh new businesses provide a new set of employment and investment opportunities for the town.

A statement from the council said this, coupled with a 95 per cent occupancy rate of retail premises in Barnsley town centre, shows the 'strong financial position' Barnsley is in.

The council says the town is now more attractive to visitors with the Town Hall gardens proving popular with visitors and the museums have seen landmark success with more than 575,000 visits.

What do you think to this? Have your say below.

CARLTON Community College is still deemed 'inadequate' by Ofsted - despite a fifth visit from inspectors in two years.

Inspectors visited the school, on Royston Lane, Carlton, in November and observed 29 lessons taught by 29 teachers, scrutinised documents and met with senior leaders, staff and pupils.

The school was put into special measures in January 2012 - Ofsted's worst category of failing school - but progress since then, and the last monitoring inspection in May, is still inadequate.

A report on the latest inspection said a higher number of students left year 11 with five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, but found this was still too low and the school failed to achieve the government's minimum expectations for the attainment and progress of students at the end of year 11.

The proportion of students making progress as they should between years seven and 11 in English and maths is also 'far too low'.

The quality of teaching was found to be 'highly variable'.

Inspectors added: "There are still too many lessons in which students make inadequate progress, and too few where their progress is good or better."

It said pupils work well together but often activities and resources in lessons are dull, the pace is too slow and expectations are too low.

It said pupils were not given enough opportunity to work alone, and had become too dependent on teachers to tell them what to do next.

Poor behaviour in lessons was found to be a direct result of poor teaching and some teachers did not have a high enough expectation of what pupils are capable of.

Principal Sharon Bell said: "We were visited recently by Ofsted, when Carlton’s progress was judged to be inadequate.

"However, Ofsted noted that new systems, procedures and plans are in place and approved these.

"We're now beginning to see the impact of our changes so that teaching and student progress are improving at a faster rate.

"Our students are commended in the report and we're all working together with a notable community spirit and drive to ensure Ofsted see the success of our hard team work in their next visit."

THE Reds got their first away win of the season last night!

Having sacked David Flitcroft on Saturday after a 3-0 home defeat to Birmingham City, caretaker manager Micky Mellon got off to the best possible start thanks to Paddy McCourt's fine individual effort.

That lead doubled soon after the break thanks to Jacob Mellis.

Matthew Upson's header halved the deficit, but Barnsley held out for three much-needed points.

Wins for fellow strugglers Yeovil and Sheffield Wednesday meant the Reds remain at the bottom of the table on goal difference.

Barnsley ended a sequence of nearly five hours without a goal when McCourt finished a solo run with a one-two with Marcus Tudgay before slotting home.

Tudgay was also involved in the second goal, threading the ball to Mellis inside the area before the midfielder beat Brighton keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Micky Mellon said: "I've been friends for life with David Flitcroft and I know what it's like to be sacked. It was a tough night last Saturday but it was done very professionally.

"We knew we had to be really professional at Brighton and the key was that I wanted us to keep the ball.

"I was delighted with both the goals and a lot of the time we were in total control. We were determined to pass it and be brave and we achieved that."

Next up for Barnsley is another away trip to promotion-chasing Burnley on Saturday.

TWO teenagers have appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court today (December 3), charged with burglary at The Forge, on Wakefield Road.

Nathan Lang, aged 19, and Kieran Williamson, 18, both of no fixed abode, are alleged to have taken tobacco from a flat at the premises in the early hours of yesterday morning (December 2).

THE family of an 18-year-old who died of a brain tumour just hours after singing 'Happy Birthday' to her mum are backing a hospital's Christmas appeal.

Leah Pearson had received care on the Teenage Cancer Unit at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield - and now her family are supporting its 'Christmas Star Appeal'.

The appeal encourages people to give a gift over the festive season to support the hospital's vital work.

The teenager's family has also produced a special calendar which features pictures of Leah to raise additional funds for the cancer charity.

Leah was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour just four months after noticing she was suffering from headaches in November last year.

She made a promise to herself that once she was better she would help to raise valuable funds for the hospital, to thank them for the help and support they provided for her and her family and to help other people going through an illness.

Having completed her treatment in June, Leah suddenly passed away - just hours after celebrating her mother's birthday.

Leah's parents Nigel, 39, and Haley, 37, along with younger siblings Shelby, 16, and Corey, 11, took over Leah’s wish and started to raise money in her memory along with her friends.

Supporters who donate to appeal will receive a silver star decoration to hang on their own Christmas tree.

THIS Barnsley lass climbed Mount Kilimanjaro several months ago, but now she's getting ready to sail from China to the USA!

Laura, 23, has been selected to take part in the gruelling 'Clipper Round the World' race and will be sailing across the Pacific.

At the beginning of March she will be one of a 20-strong crew who set sail from Qingdao and sail 5,800 nautical miles to San Francisco.

She cheerfully admits life aboard the 72-feet long sailing ship will be hard.

The crew adopts a constant four hours on fours hours off rota, there are no baths or showers on board, sometimes they have to climb a 90-feet-high mast as the yacht leans and sways, and keeping dry is impossible.

However Laura, who is an officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, says the more challenging and physically uncomfortable the adventure will be, the more she will thrive on it.

She discovered her love of the sea and sailing after joining Barnsley sea cadets as a 14-year-old.

A teacher at school had casually mentioned the cadets and Laura decided to pop along to their base in Racecommon Road to see what it was all about.

That decision not only led to a hobby, but her job.

"It will be hard, exhausting and impossible to stay dry, but I can't wait to get started," she said.

Laura, of Greenset View, Athersley, is no stranger to tackling a challenge. She recently flew to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and in doing so raised £4,337 for Breast Cancer Care.

She has decided to fund the cost of taking part in the clipper round the word race herself because, after the generosity of sponsors for her Kilimanjaro adventure, she didn't want to ask for sponsorship again.

WORK on extending Barnsley Hospice has started.

There will be two new treatment rooms and a counselling room, while modications will be made to the current building to create a family area for patients staying at the hospice.

The work will be carried out at the front of the existing building, although the hospice will remain open, and is expected to be finished by next summer.

A landscaped garden will also be created for in-patients.

The aim of the work is to be able to treat more people.

CAMPAIGNERS have warned the council it would be 'foolish' to ignore the views of more than 1,000 people who voted against the demolition of Barnsley Central Library.

It comes after votes from the 'People's Alternative Library Referendum' held by Save Our Library campaigners were counted and only 14 of the 1,151 votes casted wanted to see it flattened.

They used a sealed ballot box for people to vote 'yes' or 'no' to the proposed demolition of the Shambles Street building early next year to make way for a new £17million sixth form college.

Campaigner Dave Gibson said the idea behind the referendum was to give people the chance to answer a question the council's library consultation doesn't - a simple yes/no answer if they'd like to see the building demolished.

He said: "It's all library users that have voted and that's why we did it outside the library for people coming in and out and to get the opinion of those who use it.

"At last Thursday's consultation meeting, Steve Houghton was at great pains to say this isn't a referendum and just because it might yield a big majority against the demolition doesn't mean the council will change course.

"But he did say he would listen, very carefully, to what people are saying and I think 1,137 saying no to the demolition is quite outstanding.

"That's as well as a petition which has 6,000 signatures on it in just three weeks.

"The council would be very foolish to ignore it."

When asked about the council's plans announced last week about a new state-of-the-art library in the town centre with work starting in 2015, Dave wasn't convinced.

"I think there's a contradiction between the word 'pledge' and 'could be' because he was saying there's no guarantee they're going to get the money or that there will be a new library in 2015.

"I think the simplest and best thing is to keep the library in place and when the money is there, build a new library.

"We suggested the rest of the site on Shambles Street is big enough for a new sixth form and the library.

"If they thought about it flexibly they could do both and get their new gateway into the town and the library stays and everybody is happy. I do hope they will listen.

"I think if they ignore this it's at their peril because people are speaking very decisively and this is something any politician worth their salt should be looking at - the feelings expressed by the people and listening to them."

LITTLE Ebonie Webb is looking forward to her role as a shepherd in her school nativity play this month, as she continues her fight against a brain tumour.

The six-year-old, of Honeywell Place, Honeywell, has been receiving treatment for the tumour, which she was diagnosed with when she was just six months old.

She has just completed a 12-week course of chemotherapy and a scan has shown the tumour has not grown so she is now starting another 12-week bout of chemo.

In spite of the gruelling treatment, her mum Leanne Drummond said Ebonie is still at school and is looking forward to being in the nativity.

Leanne, 32, said: "She's exactly the same, still Ebonie, except she's a bit moody sometimes."

The tumour Ebonie was diagnosed with spread to the most complex part of her brain, near the nervous centre which affects primitive physical and emotional behaviour and could eventually lead to her losing her eyesight.

Leanne and Ebonie's dad, Mick, have raised more than £100,000 to send Ebonie for pioneering treatment in America, but the trip was put on hold after the tumour spread.

Ebonie is also now suffering from a thyroid problem and has developed a form of diabetes.

A BARNSLEY Hospital patient bled to death following the 'gross failure' of a doctor to give her a life-saving blood transfusion until it was too late.

Andrea Green, 42, died 14 hours after routine surgery for her back pain which may have been unnecessary in the first place, an inquest heard.

Consultant surgeon Hany Ismaiel accidentally cut an artery during the operation and subsequent internal bleeding wasn't picked up by staff.

Locum senior house officer Dr Oluwatosin Taiwo, who trained in Nigeria, failed to act 'promptly and efficiently' to give her a transfusion, according to a coroner.

The medic knew Miss Green had suffered a 'massive blood loss' but instead of giving her the transfusion when blood became ready, he called for more tests.

Assistant coroner Siobhan Kelly, in delivering her findings, said: "It was a gross failure of basic medical attention for the doctor not to ensure the blood transfusion took place as soon as possible.

"Had he done so Andrea Green would have lived."

In a narrative verdict, Ms Kelly said neglect contributed to Miss Green's death in March 2010 in that the transfusion should have been given sooner.

Dr Taiwo had only been working at the hospital for a week-and-a-half and did not have full orthopaedic experience. He no longer works there.

The coroner said after receiving a low haemoglobin reading he 'should have been pushing every panic button available'.

Miss Green, of Newman Avenue, Carlton, went into cardiac arrest and it was too late to save her life.

Her death came just weeks after consultants in the orthopaedic department warned management of the 'grave risks' to patient safety because of staffing levels.

But the coroner ruled the breakdown in relations had no effect on the care given to Miss Green.

"The errors which led to Andrea Green's death arose because of personal errors and not as a result of any systems failure.

"I cannot find that the actions of any of the clinicians was so bad that it amounted to a criminal act or omission deserving of punishment."

Miss Green's family have already settled out of court with the hospital's trust for a six-figure sum for medical negligence.

Afterwards Andrew Harrison, of Raleys Solicitors, said: "We would expect the General Medical Council to look at this case further to ensure no-one else has to go through an ordeal like this."

A Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesman apologised to the family for the 'deficiencies in care' which contributed to Miss Green's death.

"The trust has sought to learn appropriate lessons to ensure that such a tragic event never happens again," he said.

A MAN pinched some DIY products - so he could finish the building of a summer house for his daughter.

Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told that 43-year-old Mark Ball was in B&Q at Stairfoot and realised his money was running out.

He stole £76.34 of items, said Eric Bray, defending.

Mr Bray said Ball, of Mount Street, Ardsley, had been using money he had won after a benefits appeal to buy things for the summer house for the four-year-old girl.

"He foolishly took the items. He had been seen by staff and a store detective," Mr Bray added.

Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said the things Ball stole were recovered.

Ball, who admitted shoplifting, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

BERNESLAI Homes has put aside £4million to buy properties and is prepared to purchase new homes from developers to maintain its stock levels.

The company is responsible for managing homes on behalf of Barnsley Council, looking after 18,900 properties.

It also provides all the landlord services to council tenants in Barnsley.

A spokesman for Berneslai Homes said it's taking a proactive approach to maintaining stock levels by continuing with both its new build and acquisitions programmes.

Over the next 18 months it will be building around 58 new homes in Wombwell, Gilroyd, Hoyland and Worsbrough Common.

It's developing further projects which will take the new build total to around 75 homes by 2016.

Berneslai Homes is also continuing its acquisition programme which is about using its cash reserves to buy houses to rent.

A spokesperson said: "We have earmarked £4million for this programme up to 2016 which should enable us to buy around 73 homes in total.

"This year we have purchased 21 so far. Our priorities for acquisition are long-term empty homes to bring them back into use, repurchasing of former 'Right to Buy' properties, housing association properties which they no longer wish to keep and new homes from developers where they are required by planning conditions to build a number of affordable homes to rent."

She added that when deciding what to build or what to buy, it considers location, condition, price and demand from the housing register.

A BARNSLEY police officer who was threatened with a gun as he helped a man being attacked with a baseball bat has won a bravery award.

PC Chris Foster won the award at South Yorkshire Police's district annual awards ceremony on November 19.

He had been on duty alone in January when police received a report of the attack and volunteered to attend.

When he arrived he confronted the attacker without hesitation and was threatened with what was later found to be an imitation shotgun.

PC Foster's incapacitant spray failed and a violent struggle took place until backup arrived and the offender was restrained.

His actions led to the offender receiving a three-year prison sentence.

He said: "It was a privilege to be recognised but there are many people doing the same thing day in day out. I was simply doing my job!"

TWO men have been given life sentences for committing a catalogue of sex crimes against teenage boys across the country.

Anthony Marsh, who has HIV, and Lee Davis had appeared in court in September where they pleaded guilty to a total of 55 offences.

Some of their victims included youngsters from Barnsley.

They were both sentenced to life at Sheffield Crown Court on December 2, with Marsh ordered to serve a minimum of ten years while Davis was told he will serve a minimum of 12-and-a-half years.

Detective Inspector Delphine Waring, who lead the investigation, said Marsh and Davis had been rightly sentenced to a significant number of years in prison as punishment for their crimes.

She said: "In one sense, today's sentencing brings to a conclusion one of the most shocking series of sexual crimes committed against children that South Yorkshire Police has investigated.

"Marsh and Davis indulged their own depraved and criminal desires for many years against a number of young, impressionable and vulnerable young boys the length and breadth of the country.

"The extent of their offending was matched only by the duplicity of their behaviour which included their use of pseudonyms and illicit mobile phones to disguise their true identities and the deceit they exhibited day after day to their own families."

Marsh, 53, from Hatfield, Doncaster, who also used the names Tony Taylor and Tony Smith, had admitted 34 offences including possessing and distributing indecent images of children, and sexual activity with a child.

Davis, 39, from Conisbrough, who also used the name James Parkin, had pleaded guilty to 20 offences including rape, sexual activity with a child and taking indecent photographs of a child.

At the sentencing hearing he admitted two further charges of taking indecent photographs of a child.

Both men were also jointly charged with conspiracy to commit sexual activity with children, and both had admitted this offence at the earlier court hearing.

Their crimes date back to 2005 and relate to 11 teenage boys aged between 13 and 17.

DI Waring added: "Marsh's crimes are especially deplorable because of his reckless attitude towards sexual health.

"Knowing he had HIV, he chose to engage in sexual conduct with teenage boys and in so doing demonstrated a complete disregard for their wellbeing and future health.

"The damage these two men have inflicted will last for many years to come."

MANY jobs could be axed at the organisation supervising public transport services in South Yorkshire.

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) said it was facing a 10 per cent cut of about £8million to its budget for next year.

It's thought a further 45 jobs could be lost, to add to the 61 who lost theirs in March.

Some evening, weekend and rural bus services could also be affected as a result of the budget reduction.

The organisation said the latest cuts were 'likely to be the most significant to date'.

It said the shortfall was a result of district councils facing their own budget cuts.

David Young, SYPTE's deputy interim director general, said consultation would take place with the unions before any final decision was made.

The organisation said the cuts need to be identified and implemented in time for April 1 of next year.

Mr Young said: "We have been continually working with operators, our district councils' partners and any interested private sector businesses to see how we can mitigate the effect of some these now inevitable cuts.

"But sadly it will be impossible to protect our customers from what will be a reduction in the services we provide."

OAKWELL legend Norman Rimmington celebrated his 90th birthday last week!

'Mr Barnsley' began the week with a party at Oakwell - which was attended by ex-Reds Neil Redfearn and Allen Clarke, as well as John Hendrie and Mick McCarthy appearing via video.

He was the guest of honour at Saturday's defeat by Birmingham City - hours before the club parted company with ex-manager David Flitcroft.

Rimmo was presented to the crowd at half-time to rapturous applause, along with his ten great-grandchildren.

He joined the club during the Second World War and still works in the laundry almost every day.

He said: "I'm still here as much as I can. I collect the lads' training kit on their way in.

"I like talking to them and getting to know them. It's better than sitting at home.

"I was born in Barnsley and have lived here all my life. Barnsley is my club. I've had chances to leave but never did. Allen Clarke begged me to go to Leeds with him but I didn't want to. Leeds United are nothing to me.

"We've achieved so much for a small-town club. We got to the Premier League and the FA Cup semi-final.

"I'm very, very proud to have been involved with this wonderful club for so long."

CAMPAIGNERS against the closure of Barnsley Central Library claim they were given a 'hostile' welcome by councillors at the Town Hall.

A group of about 30 protesters with placards and banners handed out literature and tried to reason with councillors ahead of the full council meeting, which took place last Thursday morning.

Campaigner Dave Gibson said: "One councillor screwed up the paper and threw it at me and many others didn't want to stop and listen.

"Most of them wouldn't even take our literature, it's as if they walked into the town with their minds made up that the library will be demolished.

"We want to start a dialogue with the councillors and at least get their reaction but at the minute we are the only ones doing the talking. It's been quite hostile."

Liz Grundy has been using the library for more than 30 years. She argued with councillors outside the Town Hall and labelled the proposals as a 'sham'.

She said: "I am incensed that the elected councillors of this town are prepared to knock down a building in great condition."

The council wants to demolish the 40-year-old building early next year to make way for a new £17million sixth form college.

The library would be temporarily moved to Wellington House before a new one is built in 2015.