SOME of Barnsley College's new students were left in tears when one of the first things they had to do was reveal whether they were gay or straight - and whether they had undergone a sex swap operation.

The 16 and 17-year-olds were asked to fill in enrolment forms which included innocent questions about age, address, contact details and next of kin.

But they were also asked to indicate their sexual orientation by ticking one of the following boxes: bisexual, gay man, gay woman/lesbian, heterosexual, transsexual or 'prefer not to say'.

Many were unhappy and also asked why such a personal question had to be on the front of the form - which carried pupils' names - rather than on a separate form which could have been filled in anonymously.

The move has also been criticised by gay campaign charity Stonewall.

"We fully support monitoring sexual orientation to make sure all students are receiving a high quality experience," Stonewall spokesman Wes Streeting said. 

"However, it's simply not appropriate to do this in a way that doesn't respect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals.

"There are lots of examples of excellent practice available and we hope that Barnsley College will review their procedures."

Kelsey Bennett, 16, said: "You did feel under pressure to tick a box and then if you ticked 'prefer not to say', it might make people question why you've done that."

Connor Hewitt, 16, said the college shouldn't be pinning students down on their sexuality, adding: "I don't get why they need to know."

Ray Sanchez, 16, was surprised to see the question on the front of the form as it wasn't very discreet. "It was odd because it was in amongst a jumble of basic questions you expect like contact details and ethnicity."

A college spokeswoman said: "After careful consultation and looking at the ways other colleges collect this data, Barnsley College decided to add questions to the enrolment form in 2013/14."

Kay Tinkler, co-chairman of the Barnsley Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Forum, understands what the college is trying to achieve but suggested it could be done in a different way.

"I'm not sure why it's on the front of enrolment forms," she said. "Coming from a 16-year-old's point of view, when just filling in your name on a form can be daunting, it's probably better done anonymously, in a way that respects people's privacy."

BARNSLEY actor Shaun Dooley has landed the role of a detective in a new BBC thriller.

Shaun, 39, who's appeared in programmes such as Coronation Street, Eastenders and Benidorm, will play detective Jim Fenchurch in BBC1's new drama The Game.

He will appear alongside Brian Cox, who plays the paranoid head of MI5.

Filming started this month.

A WIDOW whose husband died on a bus and the man who tried to revive him said they have both found peace after meeting.

Sheila Smith, of Springbank, Darfield, lost husband Mike, 73, after he suffered a heart attack aboard the 219 from Darfield to Barnsley. She had been told a man had attempted to resuscitate him but had no idea who this was until an appeal was made to find him.

After being encouraged by friends and family, Trevor Buckley, of Morrison Road, Darfield, came forward and the Barnsley Chronicle arranged for the pair to meet. 

Trevor, who learned how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from watching television programme ‘Lifesavers’ said he had been haunted by what he saw as his failure to save Mike, who collapsed onto him from the seat across the aisle.

"I wish I could have done more," he said. "It felt like I’d failed and I’ve had trouble sleeping because every time I closed my eyes I could see his face."

But Sheila, 72, said he was nothing short of a hero and should be recognised as such, as he explained how he spent 30 minutes attempting to revive Mike both before and after paramedics arrived.

"You were marvellous," she said. "You were with him and helping him and you can’t ask for any more than that. You’re a hero and it’s comforted us to know what you did. It’s really helped us."

Trevor said it was the first time he had performed CPR and ‘felt something take him over’ when he saw Mike collapse, though he said he hoped it was not something he would have to do again.

Another heroine remains unidentified, however, as Trevor said an elderly woman helped him get Mike into the aisle of the bus and held his head as he attempted to resuscitate him. Both Trevor and Sheila said they thought she deserved recognition for her bravery.

A ROYSTON resident who has been leading the fight against a supermarket and housing development has had his complaint rejected by a council watchdog.

Sam Morgan, 59, of Doles Crescent, contacted the Ombudsman earlier this this year to complain about plans including a new supermarket and more than 140 new homes on the old Royston High School site.

He said he and residents were unhappy with the planning process and the vast majority of people in the village do not want the development.

Sam claimed the land is worth £7million to the council and the plans were pushed through so the council could make money.

Planning permission was granted in March, but Sam complained to the Ombudsman on behalf of residents to say a late letter of objection from Royston Asda about the impact of another supermarket had not been properly considered.

He also said the supermarket will have an impact on businesses and by building off Midland Road, the road will not be able to cope with volumes of traffic.

But in a letter from the Ombudsman, it has said it will not investigate the matter further.

It says Sam lives on the other side of town and cannot say he is 'significantly affected by it'.

Sam says he has spoken to the Ombudsman and explained he has been representing residents, but his complaint has been taken as his own argument.

He says he has also been told the late letter from Asda was properly considered.

Sam says he did not expect the complaint would ever stop the plan and work is now underway on the site.

But he says he wanted to make sure the council stand up and listen to local opinion.

"It was for awareness and a rap on the knuckles for the council to take people's opinions into consideration," he said.

"We've lost the fire station, the school and the spring factory and all we are getting is housing and part-time jobs.

"All part-time jobs do is bring 16-24 hours' work and tax credits which means there are figures for people in work but not full-time work."

According to the letter, the decision by the Ombudsman is a provisional decision and before a final decision is made, Sam and Barnsley Council are allowed to comment.

A HEARTBROKEN family are offering a reward for information after they claim their dad's grave was savagely attacked with a hammer.

Derren Bell, 44, said her father's grave in Brierley Cemetery has chunks out of it and ornaments have also been smashed.

She says she has no idea why the family plot has been targeted as her dad, Colin Earl, 65, was well-known in the village and was well-liked by everyone.

But there are dints with rust marks around her dad's name, leading them to believe it has been hit with a hammer.

"We're absolutely devastated because my dad was a very private man; he didn't have any enemies but they specifically targeted his headstone and they've completely ruined it." Derren, of Park Meadows, Shafton, said.

She believes the attack happened on Saturday or Sunday evening and said the headstone cost £2,000.

"We wanted the best because he was the best dad and we wanted the best for him," she said.

Derren is the oldest of four children and says she and her siblings visit every day.

Her younger sister Gaynor, 43, rang her on Monday after discovering the damage and Derren said she was inconsolable.

"There's just no reason why anybody would do it."

The family has contacted the police but is offering £500 for more details.

COUNCIL leader Sir Steve Houghton says he will ask the council to formally object to the so-called 'bedroom tax' following a heated meeting with residents.

The Labour councillor, who also represents the Cudworth ward, was grilled by angry locals over cuts to housing benefit last Tuesday.

Some council tenants have seen their housing benefit reduced if they're deemed to have a spare bedroom, leaving them scared they cannot make ends meet.

Cllr Houghton said he would ask the council to pass a motion for a collective stance against the bedroom tax.

But he said the council had to follow the law laid down by the government and the bedroom tax could not be stopped until the next general election.

"At the present time it's the law and the council will act within the law because nobody would expect us not to, particularly our council tenants," Cllr Houghton said.

"We are following the procedure year on year like we have done every year for people who have not paid their rent.

"I will not break the law because I don't think it will get people anywhere."

No evictions have been made and Cllr Houghton said he did not want to evict anybody from their homes.

THE collapse of a multi-million pound super-fast broadband project will make residents in rural areas 'second-class citizens', according to a disappointed woman.

A decision to scrap the Digital Region scheme, due to a lack of customers, could mean some rural homeowners are forced to return to slow internet speeds because of the absence of an adequate alternative.

Josephine Crayton, of Middlecliffe Drive, Crow Edge, experienced huge improvements in her connection after adopting the new service in February - describing the change as moving from 'the caveman age to modern times', with speeds increasing from 1.3MB of data to 23MB.

The 71-year-old feels the internet is her lifeline and is angered at the prospect of reverting back.

"The service is wonderful and we feel we've had the rug pulled from under our feet," she said. "We feel we're being discriminated against.

"I would go as far as to call it broadband discrimination. They've made people in the rural areas of Barnsley into second-class citizens.

"I don't think people know how important the internet is to us. We can't do without it."

Matt Atkinson, from Origin - the largest provider on the Digital Region network - said the company was trying to match customers up with like-for-like services but, in Mrs Crayton's case, the infrastructure was not available.

"We're looking at it at the minute every day and working out the best options for our customers," he said.

"Our priority is to provide a continuity service to keep customers going.

"We're looking to take over certain broadband cabinets and looking at the logistics and the costs."

A KIND-HEARTED taxi driver who started giving pensioners free rides to the seaside following the death of his mother is looking for more drivers to help continue the tradition.

Mark Taylor has offered an annual OAP trip to Cleethorpes for the last five years after he lost mum Hilda in 2008.

The 53-year-old, of Victoria Street, Penistone, was disappointed he had to turn people down for this year's fully-booked excursion and is now searching for more help.

Daughter Rebecca Taylor said: "It's his way of giving something back to the community. He says he felt horrible that he had to turn people away."

Mark, assisted by fellow cabbies Fred and Gary Jackson and Peter Holmes, took 32 passengers to the coast last week.

ONLINE fashion giant ASOS has agreed a new £100million logistics contract for its Barnsley base.

In one of Europe's largest logistics deals, the online fashion retailer has awarded a three-year contract to Norbert Dentressangle to manage its distribution worldwide.

ASOS provides more than 60,000 branded and own label products including womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories.

With 6.5 million active users, it's the world's most visited fashion website per day by 18-34-year-olds and products are shipped to 241 countries and territories from its Grimethorpe warehouse.

The Barnsley base provides more than 1.1 million sq ft of floor space and is the size of six football pitches.

More than 1,200 people are employed there and ASOS is expanding the warehouse by 25 per cent.

Mark Holland, ASOS's supply chain director, said: "The partnership with Norbert Dentressangle will continue to drive the ASOS global service proposition, creating an efficient customer-focused experience, and supporting our mission to become the world's number one online destination for young fashion."

A MAN who stole 52 cans of deodorant from a supermarket was making a 'cry for help', Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Andrew Peter Hackett took a variety of drugs because he had suffered from brittle bone disease since birth, his solicitor Walter Brook said.

Mr Brook explained that Hackett, 28, of Aldham House Lane, Wombwell, had become addicted to some of the drugs.

He added: "Mr Hackett runs out of prescription drugs and has to buy them on the black market. This was a cry for help."

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said Hackett went into Tesco at Stairfoot and put the cans of Lynx, worth about £155, into a bag.

"He was going to sell the items to buy tablets," she said.

Probation officer Julie Rock said she was worried about Hackett and asked for him to be assessed for drug rehabilitation.

Hackett, who admitted shoplifting, had his case adjourned until September 20 and was granted unconditional bail.

A GRIEVING mother has written a heartfelt poem for her 'beloved son' who died while on holiday with his family in Malaysia.

University student Lawrence Chung, 21, of Ripley Grove, Redbrook, died on August 20 after drowning in a pool at a holiday resort in Kuala Lumpur.

Lawrence had been on holiday in Malaysia with close family for a couple of weeks before his death.

The Sheffield Hallam University study was studying games design and helped out at the Chung family's Mandarin Chinese takeaway on Huddersfield Road in Wilthorpe.

The day after Lawrence's body was flown back to the UK last Thursday, his mother Fiona put a moving poem online about her son.

It was posted on Lawrence's Facebook page by his sister Alice Chung who said it was a poem written by Fiona to her 'beloved son'.

It reads:

Lawrence was always a lovely, thoughtful and respectful young man. He slipped away quietly but for me his spirit lives on. 

Lawrence enriched our lives whilst on earth, and now heaven has another task for him. We can't change the length of our lives, however, we can make the most of it. Lawrence did. 

I've lost my son. There are no words to express the pain greeting me each day. I treasure the time we've had together. 

My son had a unique way of making people he met smile and feel positive. This characteristic was why everyone fell in love with him. In the future, no matter where I am, I'll try to carry Lawrence's special legacy of bringing joy and smiles. 

In the very short 21 years Lawrence achieved all he set his mind to. He made every moment of his life meaningful... he was perfect to the end. My darling son I am very proud of you.

THE number of cases of tuberculosis are lower in Barnsley than the national average.

There were three cases in the town last year - which is a rate of 1.28 cases per 100,000 population.

Figures published in Public Health England's annual 'TB in the UK' report show the number of cases across Yorkshire have dropped from 661 in 2011 to 605 in 2012.

The disease affects the lungs and can be fatal.

Dr Ebere Okereke, of the Yorkshire and the Humber Public Health England Centre, said efforts to

control the spread of this infection in Yorkshire must remain a public health priority despite the slight decrease.

A SOLDIER with 17 years' service in the army says his treatment by Barnsley Council has pushed him into quitting the country with his wife and children.

Kevin Clark admits he was already feeling somewhat disenchanted with several aspects of life in the UK as he came to the end of his army career.

But he says the council's attitude towards the council tax bill for his empty home in Thurnscoe was the final straw.

At the end of September, Kevin, his wife, Dawn, and their three teenage children will to move to Canada.

Kevin, 39, a bomb disposal officer, owns a four- bedroomed detached home in Springwood Grove, Thurnscoe. He and his family live on an army base near Salisbury.

But although the Thurnscoe house is unoccupied and empty, Barnsley Council says Kevin has to pay a £909 council tax bill - with no discount.

What has angered him is the council has told him that if he lived in the house on his own, as a single occupant he would have been eligible for a 25 per cent reduction in that bill.

Even more annoying is the fact that an official has admitted to Kevin that if he had been a criminal serving a prison sentence he would have qualified for a 50 per cent reduction in his bill.

"I'm more than happy to pay my dues - I would have happily paid a proportion of the council tax," he said. "But to be better off if I was a criminal, now that is just so wrong on so many different levels."

"I like to think I am a reasonable person, I pay council tax on my army home and if I would have been happy to pay a proportion of the council tax on my Thurnscoe home even though no-one is living there and no-one is using any council services."

A spokesman for Barnsley Council said they would like to speak to Mr Clarke about the reasons why he is not entitled to a council tax discount.

"While we always appreciate the hard work and bravery of service personnel, those serving in the armed forces have never been entitled to a discount because of their employment status," the spokesman said. 

"Mr Clarke’s recollection of previous discounts from the council were due to the classification of his house, the rules around which changed in April 2013."

MORE than 450 staff at Barnsley Council have been on long-term sick in the last year - almost 12 per cent of its workforce.

The council defines long-term ill-health as an absence of four or more consecutive weeks.

Figures show that of the 3,782 council staff, not including relief workers, there were 453 employees who had been on long-term sick during 2012/13.

A spokeswoman for the council said some of these staff will have since left the authority but confirmed latest figures signalled a drop in the long-term sick numbers compared to 460 employees in 2011/12.

The spokeswoman said sick pay for these workers is paid in accordance with the employees' conditions of service, which means the amount paid can vary.

She said long term sickness absence, presented as full-time equivalent days per employee, shows in 2011/12 it was almost seven days, in 2012/13 this dropped to six days and the target for 2013/14 is five days.

MACHINERY has been stripped out of a doomed Barnsley bakery following its closure and 123 employees losing their jobs.

Employees hung up their aprons for the final time as La Baguette Doree, on Carlton Industrial Estate, closed for good on August 30.

The closure was announced in June and workers were despondent and morale was low, with most saying they would 'sit it out' until the closure.

The positions made redundant included managerial staff, administrative staff and shop floor employees.

Workers at the bakery, which was part of the Fletcher's Group, were offered redeployment to sister companies in Sheffield and London but many said it wasn't a viable option.

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis said the closure heralded the biggest single job loss in the two-and-a-half years or so since he became the MP for the area.

Sam Vickers, from the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, blamed the closure on the Barnsley bakery's sister company, London-based Grain D'Or, losing a lucrative contract with Tesco worth £16million.

The bakery was set up in 1991 as a bake-off site for Marks and Spencer frozen baguettes.

Over two decades, it built up a national distribution business supplying retail customers, in-store bakeries and food service customers.

BARNSLEY Hospital is inviting people to its annual meeting to hear about the hospital's plans for the future and work over the past year.

The meeting will take place at the Digital Media Centre on Wednesday, September 11 at 5.30pm and give people the chance to ask questions and speak to members of staff.

There will be a number of presentations including a review of the year, an overview of accounts and the annual report.

Stephen Wragg, chairman of Barnsley Hospital, said: "The meeting will be a great opportunity to hear about the work we have been putting in over the last year for our patients.

"We also want to hear from people about how we can do even better and will be inviting questions and comments from the public."

EVERYONE was especially happy to be back at one Barnsley school last week - because the first day of term very nearly didn't happen at all.

Dodworth's St John the Baptist was hit by a devastating flood at the start of the summer holidays - leaving rooms under several inches of water, classwork ruined, furniture destroyed and the short term future uncertain - after heavy rain caused a local beck to overflow.

Headteacher Ian Goddard sent out a desperate text message that fateful Sunday morning - it simply said 'help'.

Within one hour, more than 50 parents had turned up at the school armed with mops and buckets, children came along to help in any way they could and a local company offered the use of its equipment.

Since then the work has been relentless but when the new academic year started on Wednesday the primary school was ready for a new year and a new start.

"All the staff, the parents, the children and the wider community have been truly magnificent," Mr Goddard said.

"We have had days and days of mopping, sweeping and clearing up, a lengthy drying out period and then faced getting all the furniture, fittings, books, equipment and everything else that was ruined replaced.

"That one word text message resulted in such a wonderful response.

"It made us all believe that no matter how much work needed to be done we would all together get through it and the school would be ready for the new academic year.

"I cannot thank everyone involved enough - they have been truly phenomenal."

DICKIE Bird has blasted today's youngsters for spending too much time in front of television as he hopes to encourage more kids to get involved in sport.

The ex-Yorkshire batsman launched the Dickie Bird Foundation in 2004 and he said he has donated £60,000 of his own money to the project, including £20,000 from sales of his recently-released book, '80 Not Out'.

The foundation, whose patrons include Sir John Major and Sir Michael Parkinson, was set up to help underprivileged kids get involved in sport.

Bird, who lives at Staincross, handed out 29 grants last year to youngsters throughout Britain.

He said: "We have several meetings a year where we go through all the grants and see who we can help.

"In my opinion the kids of today spend too much time in front of the TV screen and playing computer games. We want to change that.

"Sport is important for kids - it helps them get physically active and it's good for their social skills.

"I obviously played cricket all my life and there's no better game for learning respect and building up lifelong friendships.

"We started by helping a young jockey from Grimethorpe, we donated money to Barnsley cricketer Azeem Rafiq, who is now playing for Yorkshire, and we've helped people from as far north as Scotland and as far south as Cornwall.

"We've covered a range of sports too, including table tennis, rugby, athletics, golf, ice-skating and football."

Dickie, who was also a promising footballer in his younger years, recalls the tough times he and his mate Tommy Taylor had when growing up in Barnsley.

Taylor went on to play for Manchester United and England before being tragically killed in the Munich air disaster in 1958.

Dickie said: "As the son of a coal miner, life was hard growing up in Barnsley. To get a pair of football boots or a decent cricket bat was a luxury. We made our own bats out of pieces of wood and we'd borrow each other's boots.

"One time Taylor couldn't play football as he didn't have proper boots, only his clogs. Both of our fathers worked at Monk Bretton Colliery.

"I remember those times and now I want to give something back. We give grants for equipment. Parents have to apply and tell us about their income and financial situation and then we go away and assess it.

"We hold a few fundraising events each year and I've donated some out of my own pocket. But when I see the smile on the kids' faces when we've helped them it's all worth it."

MOBILE speed cameras will operate on the following roads from Monday.

A61 Park Road, Barnsley

A628 Cundy Cross to Shafton Two Gates

A633 Rotherham Road, Athersley South

A633 Rotherham Road, Monk Bretton

B6411 Houghton Road, Thurnscoe

Brierley Road, Grimethorpe

Pogmoor Road, Barnsley

A6023 Doncaster Road, Mexborough

A6022 Rowms Lane, Swinton

A633 Sandygate, Wath upon Dearne,

B6097 Doncaster Road, Wath upon Dearne

Melton Green, West Melton

Pontefract Road, Brampton.

BYELAWS could be brought in to stop people climbing the sculpture dubbed 'The Rusty Comb' outside Barnsley Town Hall.

The council also wants byelaws to prevent people polluting the fountains, and those breaking the rules would face a fine. Barnsley Council's ruling cabinet will consider the rules on Wednesday.

The report outlines proposals to prohibit anyone climbing on, or hanging from the sculpture in the new square.

There would also be a penalty for anyone polluting the fountains with washing-up liquid, washing powder, bubble bath, detergent or other substances.

It said many enjoyed using the new facilities but a few had already started to misuse them. BMX cyclists and skateboarders treating the area as a skate park had caused damage to stonework, benches and plants.

Having had two people scale the sculpture's heights, it was inappropriate to apply anti-climb paint to the sculpture, which is on loan, because of its international importance.

Other measures put forward include CCTV surveillance, warning signs, patrols of the area, and work by a 'town centre ambassador'.

A GARAGE owner says his business will not survive the ten weeks roadworks are expected to last on Wakefield Road.

Iain Hulme runs TCS Continental Spares garage on Wakefield Road.

He said closing one side of the road so it can be resurfaced is putting his and other businesses in jeopardy as it has resulted in a dip in passing trade.

A temporary one-way road restriction is in place from Burton Road to Smithies Lane to allow for resurfacing work and is only open to traffic heading away from Barnsley town centre. Inbound traffic is being diverted through Monk Bretton and Smithies.

Iain said: "We've just had our usual quiet period of six weeks because of the school holidays and I dare say the business will not last the ten weeks these roadworks will take.

"I had a customer who got to the top of Old Mil Lane to try and get to my garage and it took an hour. In my eyes that's not on."

Iain's isn't the only business suffering. Clive Harris, 59, owns Barnsley Van Hire and said all the traders on Wakefield Road are angry about the roadworks and the few days' notice they were given.

"Only half the road is working," he said. "The concern is trade is going to suffer. We've already endured two years of roadworks and disruption.

"People are ringing up asking how to get here and I'm having to try and direct them and some are cancelling their bookings."

A KFC employee said it has seen a dip as a lot of its custom is from traffic going towards the town centre.

Motorcycle shop owner Shane Parkin said traffic had been 'carnage' since Monday.

He said: "There are cars turning around in the middle of the road and with the way things are, nobody is going to want to go into town. It's mayhem."

COUNCILLOR Roy Miller said businesses will be able to seek compensation - if they can prove their firm has lost trade because on the ongoing A61 roadworks.

The long-running works are set to go on into November and businesses on the infamous road have already complained that they're being severely affected.

Cllr Miller said: "There is a policy in place where if they believe they have lost trade and can show their figures for the last three years, they can apply to the highways department for compensation."

A STREET artist has been inspiring visitors to Barnsley College with her pavement art.

Former student Raychel McGuin was asked to create inspirational messages in chalk on the pavements outside the Old Mill Lane Campus and Barnsley Sixth Form College as students came to enrol to courses starting this new academic year.

Raychel, of Darton, has been passionate about art from an early age and specialises in many mediums including acrylics, oil and watercolours.

She has been amazed by the attention she has had whilst creating the artwork outside the colleges.

She said: "It’s been really nice to have people stop and appreciate what I’ve been doing. I just hope it doesn’t rain as the drawings should last all week to inspire new students."

Mel Jenkinson, head of recruitment at Barnsley College, said embracing individuality and creativity was important to the college and students benefited from being in a creative environment.

FIREFIGHTERS have voted in favour of a strike in a dispute over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union want to a strike over a change in conditions which means they will be unable to retire until they're 60 - rather than at 55 as happens now.

The union said many firefighters will not be able to maintain fitness standards into their late 50s and this will endanger the public.

They fear many could be dismissed by the fire service before they reach retirement age, meaning they wouldn't be entitled to their pension straight away.

The government has said the existing arrangements are unaffordable, but acting FBU secretary Graham Wilkinson said the proposals would mean there was more chance of firefighters being dismissed because of their inability to carry out some duties.

"The major problem is that the government wants firefighters to work until they're 60.

"The government did a study which showed many firefighters struggle to keep up at that age and our main concern is that if we have firefighters unable to keep up with fitness standards, they could be dismissed under capability."

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said contingency arrangements were in place to help keep people safe but said the service would be considerably depleted.

A PROTEST planned against a convicted sex offender moving back to a street was cancelled when he was sent back to prison.

Stephen Mellor, 47, of Merrill Road, Thurnscoe, was returned to jail last Friday evening for breaking the terms of his licence.

He had been convicted of molestation of a teenager in 2011 and had been back home for two weeks when residents planned to stage a protest on Saturday morning.

However, an argument broke out on the street the night before the planned protest and four residents were arrested for public order offences, including protest organiser Mike 'Tony' Smith.

"There was lots of shouting and bawling," Tony said. "But we're happy he's back in prison. Our children haven't been able to play in the streets since he's been back, we wanted him away from them."

THE mum of a teenager who was set on fire at his 18th birthday party has backed anti-bullying messages from Barnsley Gay Pride.

Organisers of the event were given special permission to dedicate it to Steven Simpson, who was from Cudworth, by his mum Bernadette. She was a guest of honour at the event on September 1.

"There was a police officer who spoke and asked people no matter what their colour or creed to always come forward and tell the police about bullying," she said. "That was a good message."

Barnsley College student Steven died after sustaining significant burns last June. Jordan Sheard, 20, of Darfield Road, Cudworth, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for manslaughter.

Prosecutors claimed Steven, who had Asperger's Syndrome and learning difficulties, was targeted due to his disability and sexuality and protesters later said the sentence was not tough enough.

Bernadette said this week: "The media attention has been exhausting and nerve-wracking - I have been on TV and in magazines - and Darren (her partner) and I are looking at going on a seaside break in October."

THE damp is so bad in a woman's bathroom that she has mushrooms growing out of the walls.

Denise Liddle, 51, said two different types of mushrooms, some up to four inches wide, have been pushing tiles off the walls for about two months but, despite repeated visits by Berneslai Homes staff and contractors, nothing has been done to address the problem.

This is despite Denise suffering from illnesses, including chronic bronchitis, as well as frequently contracting chest infections. Her partner Colin Morton, 53, also has mobility problems due to an old pit injury but the fungal infestation is so severe it has even forced the shower seat off the walls.

Denise, of Regina Crescent, Brierley, said Berneslai Homes was supposed to fit a damp course and air bricks to the outside wall of the shower room during a general renovation of the bungalow shortly after she moved in two years ago.

But she said this was not done because of brambles blocking access and the room has suffered from recurring damp for the last year.

“For the last year I’ve been getting black marks on the walls but Berneslai Homes said it’s because of condensation from drying clothes on the radiators and because I don’t have an extractor in the kitchen.”

She says 25 tiles have dropped off and is fed up of it.

“I’m struggling as it is and the last thing I need is mushrooms growing out of my wall.”

CHILDREN are being tattooed without their parents' knowledge, according to Barnsley Council.

As it's illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, the council has organised a seminar about infection control during piercing and tattooing following recent complaints.

There are currently 41 separate registered skin piercing and tattooing businesses in the borough but also some operating who are not registered.

The seminar will give up-to-date information and knowledge about infection control during piercing and tattooing.

A council spokesman said: "In the past, officers have found varying levels of compliance and knowledge of infection control and hygiene through monitoring and investigations."

The council also wants to inform Barnsley people, through the media and its website, how to have a tattoo or piercing carried out safely by one of the registered businesses in the borough.

The seminar coincides with the launch of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's Tattooing and Body Piercing Guidance Toolkit. It provides, for the first time, a national standard of guidance which has been lacking in the industry.

Tattoo and body piercing practitioners are invited to the seminar on Wednesday, September 18 at 9.30am to 12.30pm at Longcar Professional Development Centre, Longcar Lane, Barnsley.

Speakers include Dr Alan Beswick, principal scientist, health and safety laboratory, and Dianne Grice, infection control nurse, Public Health England.

BARNSLEY Central MP Dan Jarvis has presented a cheque for £7,000 to a cancer charity following his London Marathon run.

Mr Jarvis raised a total of £7,425 for Cancer Research UK - a charity close to his heart following the death of his first wife Caroline from bowel cancer.

Mr Jarvis said he will compete in the London Marathon again next year, again for Cancer Research.

A MAN has been warned about the perils of driving at almost twice the speed limit.

Michael Gough, 23, was going at 58mph on Pontefract Road, Lundwood, which has a 30mph limit, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

District Judge John Foster said: "Driving at virtually twice the speed limit is potentially dangerous."

Julian Brook, defending, said Gough was overtaking a slower car and thought the quicker he went the less he would be exposed to danger.

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said Gough, of King's Road, Cudworth, was stopped by police doing speed checks.

Gough, who admitted speeding, was fined £275, ordered to pay a £27.50 victim surcharge and £35 in costs.

A MAN who has done 47 hours out of 180 hours of unpaid work since mid-January has been warned he could be jailed.

Arcass Hauberts, 21, of Newton Street, Barnsley, was given an ultimatum to do better at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Probation officer Amy Crossland, prosecuting, said Hauberts had put in a mixed performance.

She said he worked well when he turned up, but when he was absent he said he was being interviewed for a job but provided no evidence. Mrs Crossland described this as unacceptable.

Philip Howard, defending, said a reason for Hauberts not turning up was that he had had to go to Latvia for his grandfather's funeral.

The unpaid work was imposed for driving while banned and obstructing a police officer. Hauberts admitted failing to comply with a community order.

Mr Foster adjourned the case until September 25 and granted Hauberts unconditional bail.

DRASTIC budget cuts at Barnsley Council will see standards fall across services - including litter picking, pothole repair, play equipment and public toilets.

The £750,000 cuts next year to environmental services could see 25 jobs lost, removal of children's play equipment from parks and the closure of all public toilets apart from those in the town centre.

They blame the proposals to close toilets at Penistone, Wombwell, Hoyland, Cudworth and Goldthorpe and urinals at Summer Lane and Worsbrough on the facilities being a source of regular complaints and cost a lot to keep open.

People also face paying six per cent more for cremations and burials as the council tries to claw back revenue. The council admitted this had 'sensitivity issues' but would result in extra income of £48,000.

The budget for repairing potholes will be slashed in half from £320,000 a year to £160,000 and reviewed after two years.

Overall, the council has to save an estimated £18.1million and more slashed services and heavier workloads for council staff are likely to result.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the cuts were not over yet as the council would have to make further savings in 2015/2016.

"Next year is the fourth year of cuts and we have already taken £45million out of our budget. We have to protect the most vulnerable like children and elderly people so we have now had to look at front line services and people will start noticing that.

"We're asking Area Councils (the smaller group set up in districts) to see if they can pick up some of these services before the cuts come in on April 1. We don't want to make these cuts but we have been forced into it."

HOW do you think your area is policed? Are you happy with it? The county's crime commissioner wants to know how local people think the area is being policed.

Commissioner Shaun Wright says his new initiative is a chance for residents to put forward their issues and concerns as part of him taking the police force to task.

Members of the public, police officers and police staff are being given the chance to ask their questions, by completing a short form on the website, with the promise the commissioner will then take it up with the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire, David Crompton.

A spokesman said: "The initiative is an opportunity to bridge the knowledge gap between the public of South Yorkshire and their police force. It's not for raising complaints or for further information on live investigations."

People have until September 15 to raise their concerns by clicking here.

A MAN convicted of stealing has been ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work - after not attending his trial because it 'slipped his mind'.

Wayne Kershaw, 33, of Sheffield Road, Barnsley, claimed the chimney pot he stole was going to be thrown out.

Philip Howard, defending, said: "Mr Kershaw believed the chimney pot had been abandoned in the garden of a house. It was in a state of disarray, but the homeowner said it was part of an ornamental display and belonged to him."

Kershaw, who appeared in custody, admitted failing to attend court and breaching a conditional discharge.

He was ordered to pay £85 in costs, compensation of £50 and a £60 victim surcharge and freed from custody.

THE family of two women who were found dead at their home have paid tribute to a loving and caring mother and daughter.

The funeral of Jean and Sarah Redfern was held on September 5 and Jean’s brother and sister-in-law have paid tribute to their sister and niece.

Jean’s brother said: "Our family are deeply affected by the sudden deaths of Jean and Sarah. They were private and well-respected members of the community as well as loving, caring and generous people."

Jean’s sister-in-law added: "Both Jean and Sarah were extremely thoughtful and shared a love of shopping and holidays in Whitby.

"They were both so welcoming and will be sadly missed by the whole family."

Peter Redfern, 70, Jean's husband and Sarah's father, was charged with two counts of murder at their home in Wath.

Postmortem results revealed that Jean died of asphyxiation and Sarah died from severe head injuries.

FRIENDS and family from around the world came to the town to celebrate the 100th birthday of Kitty Westnedge on September 1.

Kitty, of Royston Lane, Royston, has lived in the village for 75 years and people from as far as Spain and New Zealand came to Barnsley for her big day.

She's known to many as she owned Westnedge's shoe shop and The Central clothes shop on Midland Road.

Ex-Chronicle reporters Michael Parkinson and Don Booker would often hop off their bikes and pop in for news stories in the 1950s and 1960s, she said.

Kitty was born in Barnsley Road in Cudworth before moving to Brierley and then Royston.

She married husband Harold in 1938 on Boxing Day at Felkirk Church. He died 14 years ago.

The snow was so bad the wedding party had to put shovels in the back of their cars, she said.

But after living through two world wars and having a new knee she is still as fit as fiddle, enjoying shopping trips to Cortonwood and Meadowhall with her daughter Susan, 63.

About 80 friends and family attended her birthday bash at Burntwood, Brierley.

Her godson, Les Briggs, 78, has flown over from New Zealand to mark the milestone.

"I'm looking forward to it, I'm seeing a lot of old faces," Kitty said.

Kitty has two daughters, Susan, 63 and Jean, 73, as well as four grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandson.