A BARNSLEY man who ran into a burning house fearing people were trapped inside has been honoured for his bravery.

Stephen Thacker risked his life to check for casualties while firefighters raced to the scene.

The 23-year-old, who works at Asda, had been visiting a friend when he was alerted to the fire on Jackson Street, Goldthorpe.

Smoke was billowing out of the windows and flames could be seen.

"The windows and doors were all shut so I had to kick the back door through to get in," said Stephen.

"I put something over my face and went into every room, looking in cupboards and wardrobes, just in case anyone was inside trying to protect themselves from the fire.

"I was panicking but I did what I knew I had to - if anyone had been inside and I had not helped and something had happened to them I would not have been able to live with myself.

"I went into every room and thankfully the house was empty."Police said Mr Thacker was able to provide vital information to firefighters when they arrived on the scene.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze was carried out and they established that it had been started deliberately.

A PORTABLE boiler has been drafted in to warm elderly residents who have struggled without heating since August 1.

Tenants of bungalows in Chapel Street and Elm Street in Hoyland Common cannot use their heating because of work by Berneslai Homes to install a new heating system.

It was supposed to be completed by October 30 but is still not finished and 29 homes and a community centre are affected.

Residents, especially those who are ill or bedridden, are feeling the effects as the weather gets colder.

Two are particularly vulnerable as they are receiving chemotherapy.

Elm Street resident Aileen Crouch, 65, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which makes her wheezy and breathless.

She said: "Black mould is now growing in my bathroom because it's been so cold for so long. Berneslai gave us fan heaters but you can't put these in bathrooms.

"I've been going to my son's in Worsbrough for my tea and to get warm."

Chapel Street resident Keith Littlewood said the date when work would be finished kept getting pushed back - and the latest 'excuse' was a delay with the electricity company installing a cable.

He said: "Berneslai says we can have more fan heaters but it's cheaper and warmer to burn £10 notes than it is to run one of these.

"How can we afford it? What we need is efficient heaters and a subsidy to run them.

"Berneslai seems to think a 'whoops', a shrug of the shoulders and a 'sorry' is sufficient, based on the premise that if these residents are old they must be daft."

A Berneslai Homes spokesman said its contractor Keepmoat expected all works to be finished within the next month.

A DOCTOR has given evidence in the trial of Michael Beaumont, who is accused of murdering his 11-month-old son.

Beaumont claims his son was knocked down some steps by the family dog - but a doctor told Sheffield Crown Court that Kadan's injuries were not consistent with him having fallen down steps.

Beaumont, 28, from Pitsmoor, Sheffield, told police his son was knocked down some steps at their home in Chapel Street, Hoyland, the day before he died from bleeding on the brain caused by skull fractures.

But the prosecution say he inflicted the fatal injuries on his baby son. He denies murder.

The medic told the jury: "I would expect a single impact on a bony surface, not multiple impacts on the soft tissue of the face and neck.

"There were too many impacts and the position of the impacts on multiple different surfaces on the child’s head is not consistent with an accidental fall down steps."

The doctor said the presence of two fractures to the skull implied there had been two impacts.

She added it would be very rare to see two fractures from one impact unless it had been on the vertex of the skull.

Beaumont told police he failed to take his son to hospital. He claims Kadan’s mother, Helen Barnes, told him the baby would be alright and to give him Calpol.

Barnes, who works as a teaching assistant in Sheffield, denies cruelty to a child by neglecting to seek medical assistance.

The trial continues.

THE future of a war memorial is in doubt.

The Friends of Bolton War Memorial want to save it, amid fears it will be destroyed when plans are drawn up for the former Lacewood School playground where it's sited.

Crunch talks are yet to be set up between the charity commission, which the group is hoping to get funding from, and the council.

Sue Hodges, the group's secretary, said: "It's such a big part of our community - it's not just a war memorial.

"We have basically been told that because it's not being used for educational purposes it's disposable."

A service was held at the memorial on Remembrance Sunday. in recognition of former pupils who died in the Great War.

"We're getting another petition up and the service we had proved again how emotional a place it is.

"We have people who come from far away to pay tribute to their relatives here."

THE money's been counted and a Barnsley family is now ready to hand over a hefty cheque to Macmillan Cancer Support!

The fundraising has been done in memory of local woman Carol Perry by her four children, their family, and friends.

Carol, of Barnsley Road, Wombwell, died in March after a six-month battle with cancer.

In her memory, her two sons Shaun and Wayne Davies cycled coast-to-coast from Morecambe to Bridlington.

Carol's daughters Donna Eyre and Sharmane Evans have also been active and raised funds at garden parties.

Staff at the Little George pub in Wombwell also handed over £1,000 to bring the total up to £4736.82.

Donna, 30, said: "We started the fundraising when my mum was diagnosed last year and the idea of the bike ride came up.

"We asked my mum to pick the charity she'd like us to raise for and she chose Macmillan.

"At first we thought we would raise about £500 so it's some achievement to raise this much.

"We probably could have raised more if we would have asked strangers but this has been done just through friends and family."

Most of the family live close to each other on Roebuck Street but Donna believes the trauma of their mum's illness has managed to bring them closer even together.

"Our family was close anyway but when times are hard like this you realise how much of a rock they are," added Donna.

"I think she will be up there looking down on us with a beaming smile.

"I'd like to thank everyone that contributed and especially Richard Glover from Marshall Buildings for providing the support vehicle during the bike ride."

A BUSINESSMAN is offering his heartfelt apologies to people who have lost money after booking with his now-closed restaurant.

Bistro 63 at Manvers closed down on November 5 and customers who have paid deposits have been left out of pocket as a result.

One woman is believed to have paid £1,500 for catering for a 50th birthday party and the restaurant had also taken deposits of £10 per person for a near sold-out Christmas Day of two sittings.

Customers posted on the restaurant's Facebook site to try and find out what was going on.

Sophie Waring posted: "Hi there, could you tell me when you will be re-opening please? We have a booking with you. What's happened?"

Danielle Jeffcock added: "Oh dear hopefully they'll get someone who knows what they're doing! Feel sorry for staff who lost their jobs."

Owner Mark Perry, 42, had been renting the building since in May and says the greater cost will now fall on him as he faces losing his home.

He refused to speak about claims that bookings and deposits had been taken in the days before the business closed or about the money people have lost.

"We could not afford to sustain the business, unfortunately," he said.

"Basically the business is bust. We were quite popular but the business just drained money.

"I'd like to offer my heartfelt apologies to people who have lost money.

"I obviously thought it would be a success because I pumped every penny I had into it and I could lose my house now."

Situated on Onyx Business Park, management company Onward Holdings Ltd said in a statement: "We have taken possession of the property and we know that the bookings book is in the hands of the Thai Garden Cafe on the same site.

"We will be looking at that and will try to offer a solution whether that be through the Thai Garden Cafe or another means.

"We are only connected to the business through being a landlord but as a family business we feel it's right to contact the people who have been affected.

"Onyx has been phenomenally successful since it has been built and it's a shame that this business was not able to make a go of it."

A SCHOOL has been labelled outstanding in every single area by Ofsted!

Brampton Ellis were given scope for improvement in two areas after their inspection, but last month inspectors agreed they had made the necessary improvements.

They scored outstanding in all departments and the school, on Brampton Road, has managed to raise the teaching and learning and also behavioural aspects.

Headteacher Alison Benbow says the school can now into the Christmas period happy they can do no more for the development of their pupils.

She said: "We're delighted with the fantastic judgement and feel like it's a true reflection of the hard work put in by all staff.

"We got an overall outstanding last time but there were two goods. To have outstandings across the board now is fantastic.

"We have managed to improved through hard work and the staff's priorities. One of our real strengths is to develop the staff team."

A BARNSLEY lass who sometimes has to use a wheelchair has won a medal in a nationwide dancing competition!

Hayley Davies, 16, of Hawshaw Lane, Hoyland, has had on and off mobility problems caused by the nerve disorder neuropathy for the last three years which means she has to use a wheelchair at times.

Hayley competed in the International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA) nationwide competition at Blackpool Winter Gardens - and came away with the winner's medals for old time sequence dancing.

She trains at a dance school in Castleford and is studying beauty therapy at Barnsley College. She has physiotherapy and acupuncture to help treat her condition.

Mum Mandy, 44, said she couldn't be prouder.

She said: "Hayley started dancing aged seven but when she was 12 was diagnosed with neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage.

"We were told it resulted from an injury but no-one can remember Hayley having an injury.

"She struggles sometimes with her balance and going up and down stairs but dancing is her coping strategy. It's the way she takes her mind off the pain."

A ZERO tolerance approach will be enforced on a troubled estate which has been blighted by anti-social behaviour.

A huge clear up was held at Aldham House estate, Wombwell, which has about 500 council and social houses, to sort out long-running issues.

Future offenders will be given a warning letter, a tenancy enforcement and then will face the threat of eviction, fixed penalty notices and possible prosecutions.

Police, council workers, staff from Berneslai Homes and even officers from the RSPCA were there to tackle issues on November 14 which have been raised by the residents themselves.

Cllr Karen Dyson, who organised the clear up with Sgt Sarah Hoyle from the police, said they had acted on calls from residents to improve the area.

"We want to make it a better area for people to live in," Cllr Dyson said. "They once said that we would never be able to have tenants and residents meetings in the area but we had two last week and they were well attended."

The operation included skips being delivered to clear up some of the rubbish which had been dumped outside houses, dogs being microchipped and police warning some tenants about their conduct.

The estate, which has about 500 council and social houses, will see a zero tolerance approach to further problems.

Offenders will be given a warning letter, a tenancy enforcement and then will face the threat of eviction, fixed penalty notices and possible prosecutions.

Sgt Hoyle said 'broken window' syndrome had taken hold in the area and some residents had simply grown used to the mess and not bothered if anything was done about it.

She said she and her colleagues wanted to change attitudes.

"We want to instill community pride in their environment and make people see that what they walk past every day is not acceptable," she said.

"For some people it will be a case of 'this is your last chance' otherwise next time we will enforce.

"It's about raising standards for people and setting the standard for the future."

A BARNSLEY man who is accused of attempted rape has been sent to Sheffield Crown Court.

Philip Kemp, 49, of Doncaster Road, will make his first appearance on November 26.

He was granted conditional bail and made no plea at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

LIE detectors are to be introduced in South Yorkshire to monitor sex offenders.

The polygraph testing method is to be introduced s a risk assessment and investigative tool for known offenders.

The initiative is being funded by the area’s Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright, who said it would help protect vulnerable people and reduce the risks posed by potential offenders.

Tests will be offered on a voluntary basis as part of probation or bail conditions.

The results will not be given in court as part of a prosecution, but will help the police address the risk factor of sex offenders and those caught in possession of indecent images of children.

Polygraph or lie detector testing has been around for many years but the UK has not previously sanctioned its use, due to questions over credibility of results.

In trials run by another force in Hertfordshire, it led to three quarters of offenders having their risk status and management increased, so offering greater protection to the public.

Polygraph testers must gain accreditation from the American Polygraph Association (APA), consisting of a comprehensive 400-hour, ten-week basic training course in Texas, followed by a 40-hour post-conviction sex offender testing course and finally a 40-hour quality assurance programme.

The estimated cost of training two officers will be £35,000.

Commissioner Wright said: "I have provided funding for two police officers to complete their polygraph training programme and become accredited.

"I will also fully support two police officers working full-time on the testing of sex offenders.

"I made plain in my Police and Crime Plan that protecting the most vulnerable people in society was one of my key priorities and this important initiative is further illustration of how I'm trying to achieve that aim.

"The programme will reduce investigation costs and help us protect more vulnerable people as we come to understand the risks associated with some of this criminal behaviour."

What do you think to this? Is it worth the investment? Have your say below.

A MAN who was one month away from completing a five-year driving ban has been jailed for 16 weeks having been found three times over the limit.

Simon Thomas Miccoli, 38, of Pontefract Road, Lundwood, who was described as having had a drink problem for a long time, had had a row with his partner, a staff nurse, about his boozing, said Chris Peace, defending, at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

"Mr Miccoli was four years and 11 months into the five-year ban," he said. "He never drove. The car had been bought for when the ban expired.

"He has put everything at risk, including spending a first Christmas with his child, because of his fondness for the booze."

Mr Peace added that Miccoli got in the car to bale out after getting 'earache' from his partner about his drinking.

Paul Macauley, prosecuting, said Miccoli was three times over the drink drive limit when he was found in a Mercedes pointing the wrong way on Regent Street South, Barnsley.

He added: "Officers carried out checks and found out he had been banned for five years in 2008. Mr Miccoli had also been drinking."

Miccoli admitted driving while banned, drink driving and having no insurance.

He was jailed for 16 weeks and banned from driving for seven years.

Mick McGrevey, presiding, said: "This is your sixth conviction for drink driving. What can we do?"

HUNDREDS made their way to the town centre to see Barnsley's Christmas lights being switched on - although some left unhappy.

The party atmosphere was started by Dearne FM's breakfast presenter Joe Sentance, who kept the crowds entertained with all the Christmas classics.

Musicians Toby Burton, Thomas Teago and Undafret performed, before Pingu, Capital FM's Simon Hirst and Mayor Cllr Ken Richardson were on hand to switch the town's lights on.

The highlight of the event was arguably the fireworks which came soon after. Set off from the Town Hall's roof for the very first time, the crowd were wowed by the spectacular display.

Down at the Alhambra, Reds legend Bobby Hassell and Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd switched on the shopping centre's lights - although some were left disappointed.

Paula Maguire, 45, of Mapplewell, had brought her two kids Maisie, 11, and James, nine, down especially to see their favourite Barnsley player.

"We nipped up to the Town Hall for a bit but the security wouldn't let us into the Alhambra afterwards," she said.

"To have OAPs and young kids locked out in the freezing cold was unacceptable. It wasn't fair."

However, our Facebook page's comments showed the majority loved the town's two light switch-ons.

Katie Eyles said: "It was brilliant. There was a great atmosphere at the Town Hall and the smile on my four-year-old's face when the countdown was on before the fireworks was worth standing in the rain for."

What did you think to it? Which switch-on did you go to? Were you one of the people who were refused entry into the Alhambra? Have your say below.

A HISTORIC tradition of reading out the names of those taught at Barnsley Grammar who died in both world wars is being kept alive by Horizon Community College.

It's a tradition that's been in existence since the end of the First World War to recognise former pupils of Barnsley Grammar School, which was in the building where the Cooper Gallery is now before moving to Shaw Lane in 1912.

The ceremony used to be held at Holgate, the site of the old grammar school, which has since merged with Kingstone to form Horizon Community College.

Six year nine pupils from Horizon went to the Cooper Gallery on November 11 - built in 1769 as the new home for Barnsley Grammar School - where they joined Royal British Legion members and Barnsley mayor Cllr Ken Richardson for the special service.

It started with pupil Aidan Stirk playing the Reveille and then the names of 76 former pupils who died in World War One and 98 who perished in World War Two were read out by Aidan and fellow pupils Darcie Brown, Courtney Wright, Heloise Slater, Anthony Pagdin and Joe Sheldon.

A wreath was then laid in front of the war memorial plaque, upstairs in the Church Street gallery, by two pupils and the mayor.

Horizon governor John Bostwick, who organised the ceremony, said: "The reading of the names has been going on since 1918 for all the boys who were educated here when it was a school.

"It's vitally important to maintain this tradition to ensure their memory continues and acknowledges the sacrifice they made."

A FORMER miner has been awarded for his work at Rabbit Ings Country Park.

Mick Birkinshaw, the ranger at the Royston park, beat off stiff competition from all around the country to take the Land Trust's 'Ranger of the Year' award.

The Land Trust, which has over 50 parks and open spaces around the country, presented Mick the award in recognition of his tireless and enthusiastic work managing the park for the local community.

Euan Hall, the trust's chief executive, said: "Mick is a fantastic ranger and an amazing bloke. His enthusiasm for the park is seemingly unending and he passes this on to every visitor.

"The award recognises the hard work he has done to improve the park for both people and nature.

"He has been very successful in getting people involved in the park from working with school groups and teaching them the joys of nature to providing opportunities for people to volunteer."

Mick started work at the park when it opened in 2011 having spent a big part of his working life as a miner. It's especially fitting that Rabbit Ings is the restored site of the former Monckton Colliery and Royston Drift Mine.

Although Mick himself worked at the nearby South Kirkby Colliery, his great grandfather, great uncles, grandfather, uncles and father actually worked at Monckton Colliery.

"My great grandfather walked to Royston from Birmingham in the 1890s to work at the pit here," Mick said. "My grandad was born in Royston in 1897 and most of my family were miners in this area.

"I have a sense of pride knowing that they worked under the very ground where I stand and I often wonder what they’d think if they saw the site as it is today and could see people enjoying a beautiful green space."

HUNDREDS of families in Barnsley will benefit from the council's plans to introduce the 'Living Wage' - a set rate for the lowest-paid employees.

The Living Wage is an hourly wage rate set independently at £7.65 and is the minimum required to provide a basic standard of living.

As part of an agreement with Unison, the council earlier this year said it would review the Living Wage protocol.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said: "Last year the council agreed in principle to UNISON's request to implement the Living Wage from April 2014.

"Despite the significant financial challenges the council is facing we're committed to the Living Wage and have built it into our budget proposals."

Barnsley UNISON Branch Secretary Brian Steele said more organisations were realising that paying the Living Wage is the right thing to do.

He added: "We're pleased that Barnsley Council is doing the right thing by its lowest-paid staff despite the massive funding cuts that central government is forcing on the council.

"Research tells us that council workers spend 50p out of every £1 they earn in the local economy so the Living Wage will be good news for Barnsley."

SIR Steve Houghton is determined to rebuild Barnsley's town centre.

The 55-year-old, who has been the council's leader for nearly 18 years of Labour's long rule, says he's incredibly frustrated that his ambition to see the town centre rebuilt has been thwarted by the financial collapse of the late 2000s.

"We have a town centre which was well past its best years ago," he said. "It needs to be replaced.

"The plans are in place, there are people willing to do the work and businesses are prepared to come to the rebuilt town centre.

"We have not given up, we cannot give up and we will never give up because we have got to rebuild the town centre."

He believes we will end up with a different looking town centre because of online shopping. He sees a mix of galleries, museums, a cinema, a library and a smaller set of shops.

What would you do with the town centre? Which shops would entice you to shop local? Have your say below.

A MAN was stopped by police for the way he was driving - but now he's been jailed for nearly three years having been found with cocaine.

Wayne Georgeson, 29, was pulled over by officers on patrol in Thurnscoe.

They found he had eight bags of cocaine worth £185, plus £240 in cash, said Carl Fitch, prosecuting.

Sheffield Crown Court was told messages on his mobile phone showed evidence of dealing that evening.

Georgeson claimed the drugs were for his own use and the cash was from jobs he had done for his family.

Georgeson, of Brunswick Street, Thurnscoe, was bailed but was stopped again by police seven months later and found to be carrying more cocaine.

He admitted two offences of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, on February 8 and September 23.

Jailing him for two years and 10 months, Recorder Kate Tulk said: "What makes your position worse is while you were on bail awaiting sentence you were found in possession of cocaine.

"You performed a significant role and were motivated by financial advantage."

PROFESSIONAL boxing is set to return to the Metrodome in March.

There were fears promotion of the sport would be in jeopardy after a riot during the last show in September.

The disturbance saw chairs and bottles being thrown, but is now being seen as a one-off incident.

Mick Wale trains two of Barnsley's nine professional boxers in Wath. He says that having boxing in the town is essential to all aspects of the sport in the region.

He said: "All the young lads that box locally need to see professional boxing and know they can aspire to box at the Metrodome.

"Aside from the Olympics, which only a select bunch of boxers get to, professional boxing is the pinnacle of the sport.

"It's also a great night out for a lot of people who come for the right reasons."

Newark-based promoter Carl Greaves will continue to promote at the venue, although there will be more stringent controls on security and alcohol in future.

Tim Wilson, chief executive of BPL, which runs the Metrodome, said: "Barnsley Metrodome is a renowned regional attraction which hosts a variety of top class sporting events.

"The venue has successfully hosted boxing matches for the past 15 years and will continue to do so."

The next show, on March 7, is likely to feature Stairfoot light-middleweight Matthew Mallin as the bill-topper.

THE parents of a little girl who died of cancer have opened a charity shop in her memory to help other children suffering from the disease.

Meayla and Darron Woodward, of Victoria Street, Stairfoot, have opened Briony's Gift charity shop on Doncaster Road, Ardsley, as a continuation of the charity which they set up in her name.

Briony died in 2007, aged three, after a two-year battle with neuroblastoma.

Meayla, 33, said: "Briony would have been ten this year and we like to think she would have been proud. It's the only way we can make her life mean something."

The charity raises money to help provide other children undergoing treatment with gifts or wishes.

The couple had taken their daughter Vienna, four, to a dancing class opposite the empty store and had signed the deal four hours later.

The shop is open daily from 8am.

A SHOP assistant had a panic attack after a knife-wielding woman threatened a man in a Brampton convenience store.

Anna Poyzer, 33, pulled a knife out of her boot after a car mounted the pavement in front of her on Knollbeck Lane in Brampton.

The male driver began shouting at a man with her and Poyzer joined in the argument, said prosecutor Michael Tooley at Sheffield Crown Court.

As the driver followed the man into the nearby Dil Brothers convenience store, Poyzer was seen to pull a long, silver knife from the side of her boot.

A female witness said she was 'terrified' that Poyzer was about to stab the car driver and it was 'extremely frightening'.

Poyzer jabbed the knife in the direction of the driver inside the shop in front of customers.

Another witness said: "I felt sorry for the mothers and children nearby having to witness the scene."

All three involved in the incident at 4.30pm on June 25 had gone outside the shop when police arrived.

Staff at the Snack Stop cafe next door were forced to lock their doors to protect their customers until the situation had calmed down.

Poyzer, of Bellbrooke Avenue, Darfield, admitted possessing a bladed article and affray.

She is a mother of three children aged four, six and 13 and is separated from her boyfriend and lives on benefits.

She was said to have 'health problems' but they were not disclosed in court.

Recorder Kate Tulk said after reading psychiatric and probation reports she had been persuaded not to jail Poyzer.

Poyzer was given a 12-month community order with superivison and mental health requirements and she also has to attend a Together Women Project.

A BARNSLEY man will stand trial accused of manslaughter following the death of his son.

Shaun Stewart, 52, of Lord Street, Hoyle Mill, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and attempted theft when he appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on November 11.

His son Brent Campbell, 29, of Tuxford Crescent, Lundwood, died in March 2012 after being found by electricity engineers close to a pylon in a field.

A trial date has been set for February 24.

THE day has finally arrived! After weeks of waiting, Barnsley's Christmas lights will be switched on tonight. Don't forget about these road closures.

The event will call for road closures to be in place from 10am to 10pm and vehicle users are asked to note that between these times the following roads will be affected.

Church Street (from Eastgate to Shambles Street) Sadler Gate (full length)

St Mary's Gate (full length)

A diversion will be in place along Old Mill Lane, Harborough Hill Road, Westway and Shambles Street.

Kendray Street (from Midland Street to Eldon Street), Eldon Street (full length) and Market Hill (full length) will also be closed between 5.55pm and 6.15pm as the fireworks display takes place.

For our full WAB Guide on what's going on, click here.

ROY Parkinson had never had a sick day until he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. However, a project run by Macmillan Cancer Support has helped the 78-year-old make a speedy recovery!

Diagnosed last November, two weeks after undergoing surgery for the cancer, Roy, of Arncliffe Drive, Barnsley, was back gardening in his allotment.

His quick recovery and ongoing good health is due, in part, to a pilot project in Barnsley which offers support over the phone to people who have had bowel cancer.

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

It aims to help patients regain their independence and return to a normal healthy lifestyle with nurses providing telephone consultations to ensure patients remain well after treatment and lead a healthy lifestyle.

It also reduces the need for them to travel unnecessarily to hospital appointments - support that is vital for isolated people like Roy.

He said: "If you're divorced and live in a bungalow on your own like I do, it's reassuring to know there's someone on the end of the phone if I need something or my health deteriorates.

"I have regular calls from them to check how I'm doing and it was really nice to know the support was there if I needed it."

Other than a three-month hospital stay to treat a hernia when he was 47, Roy, who worked as an engineer for 50 years, had never had a sick day until he was diagnosed with cancer.

"It was really hard for me to be laid up, I wasn't used to it. I'm used to living a busy, active lifestyle."  

He was treated at Barnsley Hospital and underwent surgery on Valentine's Day. He has now returned to full health but is still having regular check-ups.

A BARNSLEY-BORN tycoon has pledged 'whatever it takes' to ensure the UK Independence Party triumphs at next year's European Parliament elections.

Paul Sykes, born in Cudworth in 1943, said UKIP was the last best hope for Britain and would help fund its election campaign.

Party leader Nigel Farage said the backing was a 'significant boost'.

Sykes, who is estimated to have a fortune of around £650million, is the son of an ex-miner and left school with no qualifications.

He said he believed the European elections were 'the one last chance to stop the gradual erosion of our national independence'.

"If, as I hope and believe, UKIP score a stunning national victory, then the leaders of the other main parties will have no choice but to abandon their slavish support for the EU," he said.

"I am prepared to do whatever it takes to propel them to victory next year."

UKIP has reached unprecedented heights in the opinion polls under Mr Farage, coming second in the European elections in 2009 and winning hundreds of seats in May's local elections.

A FINANCIAL boost has been announced for ex-miners, who are set to get a 'coal or cash' offer.

Chancellor George Osborne said the government would guarantee 400 pit workers recently made redundant a free delivery of coal every year worth £1,300 or £600 in cash.

A further 1,000 retired workers will also get help.

About 69,000 former mine workers currently receive a fuel allowance from the government each year under the terms of the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme.

Mr Osborne said it was important to support a group of people who through no fault of their own had lost out and demonstrated the government's wish to support workers in all industries across the country.

MORE than 200 people turned up to quiz officials about the high speed railway route passing through parts of Barnsley.

As residents arrived at a meeting room in Barnsley Town Hall they were met by three men dressed in black acting as security.

Fortunately, the security wasn't needed as people quietly studied huge maps showing the proposed route and the impact it may have on properties and surrounding areas.

Twin tunnels expected to go underneath Hoyland and Ardsley appeared to pique the most interest in those visiting, as well as the impact the line would have on Rabbit Ings Country Park and Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve.

Also on display were technical details such as how the railway corridor will look and be constructed, and sound booths were available for people to listen to the expected noise levels of the trains.

People were also able to quiz Andrew McNaughton, the technical director at HS2.

"These events are about meeting people along the route and answering all the questions they have got," he said.

"There's a massive range of questions. It always comes down to what it means for them.

"A lot of the discussions are very sensible. Our job is to give out the facts and is not about selling the project."

Mr McNaughton said the day had been 'very rewarding' and praised his team.

"We have got a really good team and they're not a bunch of faceless people from London," he added.

"We have got an understanding of the area but of course people, all the time, are telling us things which only local knowledge gives you. We capture every nugget of that information."

HS2 press officer David Meechan said the Barnsley consultation, which had 234 people through the door, was one of the busiest held so far.

When asked about the 'men in black' security, Mr Meechan said: "We were not expecting any trouble but we do always have a security team at our events - this is to ensure the safety of our staff and the public."

A BARNSLEY motorist has been banned from driving following a serious accident on the A57 Snake Pass.

Ziqing Lin, 38, was returning home to Hamble Court, Barnsley, but unfortunately his sat nav ran out of battery, High Peak magistrates were told.

He took a wrong turn and found himself on the A57, a road he had never driven on before.

Witnesses said his driving was erratic, speeding up to 60 or 70 mph on the straight parts but then slowing to about 20mph round the bends.

John Cooper prosecuting said on one bend Lin did not slow down and instead found himself going into the left, over correcting and colliding with a VW Passat travelling in the opposite direction.

As a result of the crash the Passat left the road and ended up 15 feet below the road in a ditch.

The driver suffered a hairline fracture at the bottom of his spine while his passenger broke a small bone in his neck.

Lin admitted driving without due care and attention following the accident just before 7pm on May 2.

Denney Lau, defending, asked magistrates not to ban Mr Lin, a restaurant owner.

He said a driving disqualification could have serious implications for the business which relied on fresh produce being collected as it was too expensive to get it delivered.

The court was told that Lin had swerved to avoid hitting a bird at the edge of the road and there had then been a car coming in the opposite direction which he had been unable to avoid.

“He apologises for a momentary misjudgement,” said Mr Lau.

Lin admitted liability to his insurance company and compensation for both for the vehicle and personal injuries had been paid.

Lin was banned from driving for 12 weeks and was ordered to pay a £440 fine, a £44 government surcharge and £35 costs.

BRITAIN'S cheapest supermarket could open in Barnsley as soon as next month - stocked with cut-price food other stores have thrown out.

Leaflets publicising the scheme have already been delivered to homes in Goldthorpe, which is being targeted as an area of serious poverty.

The first ‘social supermarket’ expects its prices to be a third of those found on normal shop shelves.

Items will come from shops such as Marks and Spencer, Morrisons and Ocado.

But shoppers will have to have membership cards, issued only to families below a certain income threshold.

More than 1,000 similar stores in Spain and Greece have opened during the recession. Twenty more are planned for the UK next year.

Sarah Dunwell, who is masterminding the project in the town, said the shop would not be stocked with basic ‘austerity’ lines.

She said: "We’ll have staples such as sugar, pasta and rice but also more expensive goods such as French cheeses, lasagnes, desserts and household products.

"This isn't cheap food for the poor - it will bring a huge range of foods to people on the cusp of poverty.

"It takes stuff that will not make it to supermarket shelves and uses it to feed people who need it most."

Many items thrown away aren't even past their sell-by dates - Sarah said cheeses with the wrong weights couldn’t go on sale, nor chocolate mousses mispackaged with lemon mousse lids.

"While we have people in the UK going hungry it is wrong such foods should be thrown away," she added.

SOUTH Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner wants to raise his profile - as he thinks a third of people don't know who he is.

Shaun Wright was speaking about his role on the anniversary of his election to office - after a poll found one in three people do not know who their PCC is.

A spokeswoman for Mr Wright said: "The poll found 35 per cent of people don’t know who their police and crime commissioner is - but that means 65 per cent do.

"Compared to 12 months ago when the Commissioner was elected, I think that’s quite a leap.

"Yes, he can walk down the street without people knowing who he is, but it’s only one year in, it’s early days, and over the next couple of years things will change.

"It's important they know who he is and what he is doing."

The spokeswoman said Mr Wright’s priorities for next year include improving police visibility in the community, recruiting 650 specials by 2015, and cutting crime and anti-social behaviour.

She said another key priority was protecting vulnerable people.

"This year that was children, next year it will be women, and in 2015 it will be the elderly,” she added.

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

MORE than 8,000 infant school pupils in the town will benefit from a free hot and healthy meal at lunchtime from September next year.

Nick Clegg announced the coalition government will fund schools in England to provide free meals for all children in reception, year one and year two in a measure that will save families £400 a year per child.

At the same time, the coalition will extend free school meals to disadvantaged students in further education and sixth form colleges.

Free school meals are currently available only for eligible students at school sixth forms.

A MAN drove to Barnsley police station to see an alcohol worker - but was almost three-and-a-half times over the limit when he arrived.

Lee James Narey, 41, was on bail after admitting being more than three times over the limit about a fortnight earlier.

He was carrying car keys and had parked his car nearby, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Narey, who was banned from the roads for five years, was given a telling off by District Judge John Foster.

Mr Foster said: "It's clear you have been beset by an alcohol problem for many years.

"You have ten or 12 pints a day and that must have an impact on your health and on those close to you. It's sad you have not sought help.

"But you have twice driven a car while more than three times over the limit.

"On the second occasion, you went to the police station intoxicated. That's concerned me because you had no business nor need to get in a car in that condition.

"You have to resolve your drink problem or I fear for your future."

Paul Macauley, prosecuting, said the first drink driving offence happened after Narey had had six or seven pints and a can of lager to celebrate the impending birth of his child.

He misjudged a bend and hit a woman's car.

He said about two weeks later a 'very drunk' Narey, of Wilthorpe Avenue, Wilthorpe, approached a receptionist at the police station.

He was given a 24-week jail term.

A PUB which was faced with closure after a downturn in trade has just been named winter pub of the season by the Barnsley branch of Campaign for Real Ale!

The Talbot Inn in Mapplewell was set to be another chapter in the story of pub closures until one of its regulars stepped in and bought the pub earlier this year.

The watering hole, on Towngate, had been in a steady decline for some time when long-term regular David Lockwood, 40, bought it in May.

He brought in his Canadian wife Leah to work alongside manager Rob Hunter and the existing staff to turn the Talbot into a community pub and have even established a 'local purchasing policy' to boost local business.

The new policy has seen the pub develop partnerships with a number of local suppliers with the Talbot's meat sourced from Rusby's Farm Shop, flowers from Hearts and Flowers, both in the village, and four real ales from the award-winning Two Roses Brewery at Darton.

Leah, 31, said: "We're very pleased and it's only been a matter of a few months since we took over and the support we have got from the community in Mapplewell has been fantastic. We're really happy."

The award will be presented to all the staff at The Talbot Inn on January 24 at 9pm and locals are urged to go along and join in the celebrations.

THE Barnsley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum believes an attack on a gay couple in a bar is just the tip of the iceberg of homophobic incidents in the town.

The two victims were on the dance floor of Digital on Wellington Street when one was headbutted and the other was punched in the face by the same man.

Police believe the pair, aged 24 and 32 and from Barnsley, were attacked for their sexuality and are treating it as a homophobic hate crime.

Kevan Riggett, the co-chairman of the Barnsley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum, said there were more than 127 such crimes reported in the town last year - but he believes that that's the tip of the iceberg and said much more went unreported.

Incidents have included people being verbally abused, physical attacks such as being hit with glass bottles and punched in the face in shops, as well as neighbours and children shouting abuse.

Kevan said: "The gay community has been up against this kind of behaviour for so many years. I wish all LGBT people would report even the basic hate crime incidents such as name calling.

"We've helped support people who have had issues in their own homes and we've worked with the police to help them. Berneslai Homes has even evicted people for homophobic hate crime."

He also linked the case to that of gay teenager Steven Simpson, who died when he was set on fire at his 18th birthday party after receiving gay taunts.

Kevan said the biggest challenge the forum faces is that gay people vastly under report hate crime in Barnsley.

"It's really sad. The forum is trying to raise the profile of reporting homophobic hate crime," he added.

"We've been there for people that have been attacked and supported them in many different ways and work to what their needs are.

"We don't want another Steven Simpson case."

The man involved in the attack in Digital on October 27 is described as white, between 6ft and 6ft 4ins, of a stocky build and in his late 20s.

Witnesses to the incident, or anyone with information, should call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 691 of November 12, 2013.

THREE men accused of conspiracy to supply heroin have been sent to Sheffield Crown Court.

Nigel Gibbons, 45, of Princess Street, Mark Osbourn, 34, of Coniston Avenue, both Staincross, and David Ian Osbourn, 55, of Clifton Close, Athersley North, will make their first appearance on November 20.

They were granted unconditional bail and made no pleas at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

EIGHT members of Wombwell's Combat Academy returned from Italy with an impressive 12-medal haul.

The team competed in the first Unified World Martial Arts Championships over four days in Tuscany, Italy.

The impressive haul consisted of five gold, two silver and five bronze medals from various disciplines including kickboxing, K1 and Thai boxing.

The full team were: Zak Hamshaw, 13, from Darfield, Tommy Crossland, 14, from Wilthorpe, Brogan Knaggs, 13, from Shafton, Lewis Tighe, 14, from Lundwood, Lucy Unijat, 12, from Brampton, Jamie Clarke, 18, from Ardsley and Sonny Greaves, nine, from Manvers.