News

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

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

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

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

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

BARNSLEY students were in Westminster recently as part of their involvement in a Parliamentary inquiry into electric vehicles.Four Barnsley College students visited the Houses of Parliament to conclude their involvement in the House of Lords Environment Select Committee’s Electric vehicles inquiry youth programmeThe college was one of only six schools and colleges in the country to be accepted onto the programme, launched in August 2023 to understand how the UK Government...

LOCAL establishments have received their latest food hygiene ratings with most of them coming out with top marks.Five stars. Pocket’s Snooker Club, Royston; The Limes, Staincross; The Wentworth Arms, Staincross; McDonald’s, Stairfoot; Taco Bell in the town centre; Athersley North’s Community Shop; Botanico in the Glass Works; Greggs, Eldon Arcade; Greggs, Athersley South; KFC, on Wakefield Road; and Best Kebab and Pizza, Pound Bakery, and two Staniforths stores – all in the...

AMBITIONS to end Barnsley rail commuters’ misery have been set out in a new report which reveals a plan to transform services.Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, set out a roadmap to reform the railways last week in a bid to restore passengers’ faith in a system which leaders say is ‘broken’.Cancellations have soared to record high levels, fares have risen almost twice as fast as wages since 2010 and strikes...

‘PROACTIVE’ enforcement operations will continue in Barnsley town centre in a bid to raise the standards of taxis plying for trade.It’s understood that monthly checks are being carried out on vehicles working at night.According to a report, which reviews the findings of an operation on March 2, three vehicles were suspended for safety issues and three more were given written warnings.Of the eight drivers checked, six were registered in...

OFFICERS in Doncaster are appealing for help to find a missing teenager who they believe may be in the Barnsley area.Lydia, aged 15, was last seen at 4.52am yesterday in the Rossington area and has not been seen since.She is described as white, 5ft 3in tall, of slim build and with brown hair. Lydia was last seen wearing white trainers, dark coloured trousers and top, and carrying a cream coloured handbag....

FRIENDS and family helped Margaret Riley celebrate a very special birthday last Sunday,Centenarian Margaret, known as Peggy, was thrilled with her 100th birthday party at Dearne Valley Care Centre.Some of her nearest and dearest were on hand to offer their well-wishes, and the staff at the care home said her face ‘lit up’ when she saw her grandchildren.Wendy Warburton, senior care nurse at the Goldthorpe facility, said: “She likes...

MORE Barnsley parents have appeared in court after their children failed to attend school.A mother and father have been fined more than £2,000 having failed to send their child to school.Edzibalds Brails and Agnesa Stepane, of Warren Quarry Lane, Worsbrough Common, were fined in their absence at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.They did not ensure their child attended school and were both told to pay a £660 fine, a victim surcharge...

A PUBLIC meeting is being organised after disgruntled residents complained about a lack of consultation relating to a new housing estate.The site, on High Street in Shafton, will be transformed into an ‘affordable housing’ development made up of 40 properties.Countryside Partnerships has secured a contract with housing provider The Guinness Partnership to create the estate, but Shafton Parish Council representatives are seeking to organise a meeting.A council report said:...

A BARNSLEY folk-rock band are set to release their third single ahead of a festival-filled summer.Lead vocalist and guitarist Daniel Watson from Cawthorne, Lizzie Morris, Evie Smith and Chris Reed make up Common Culture who will release their latest single ‘Taking Hold’ on Wednesday.Dan was a member of The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican from 2014 until last year, but he has left the band to become the frontman of Common...

A TALENTED choir singer from across the pond will be performing at a town centre church in the coming weeks as part of her work coaching Barnsley Youth Choir.Claire Herzog – a world-renowned Soprano – will be visiting St Mary’s Church the first week in May to run workshops with the choir’s talented youngsters before performing a recital at 7pm on May 4.Some choir singers will have the opportunity to perform...

PLANNING ROUND-UP: Permission is being sought to turn a Wilthorpe bungalow into a ‘much-needed’ children’s home. If approved, the property on Melvinia Crescent will be turned into a home for two children. Public consultation ends on May 13.PLANS to erect a three-storey extension to the rear of a Wombwell chemist have been submitted to the council. If approved, the extension to the unit on High Street will be used to accommodate a...

A LOCAL primary school has turned its fortunes around after being rated as ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted.Barugh Green Primary School, based on Higham Common Road, was told it required improvement by Ofsted inspectors at its previous inspection in December 2021.However, after being assessed again in February, the latest report shows the school has now improved.A report states: “Leaders have high expectations for pupil behaviour and achievement; both are...

LITTLE Cole Asquith is the latest addition to a local family which is now celebrating a five-generation milestone.The Garnett family from Smithies welcomed its fifth generation earlier this month. Pictured are 84-year-old Margaret Garnett, 64-year-old John Garnett, 38-year-old Richard Garnett, 21-year-old Emily Staves and two-week-old Cole Asquith. Cole was born on April 7, much to the delight of his mum Emily. She said: “It all went really well. Everyone has been...

A SUSPECTED loan shark is due to enter a plea at court next week.Richard Dawson, 35, of Hill End Close in Mapplewell, was charged with kidnapping, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding, concealing criminal property and carrying on an unregulated activity when unauthorised.He allegedly oversaw an illegal money-lending ring in the town between October 2020 and February this year.Dawson is scheduled to appear at Sheffield Crown...

A BARNSLEY charity has been given £1,000 worth of outdoor furniture to mark the opening of a new delivery hub.Dunelm has made the donation to Age UK Barnsley to mark the opening of the retailer’s new Barnsley-based Home Delivery Hub.Following the launch of Dunelm’s new three-year partnership with Age UK earlier this year, the furniture was donated to transform Age UK Barnsley’s outdoor space and turn it into a comfy, welcoming...

A LOCAL community group were presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony at Barnsley Town Hall this week.The Friends of Wilthorpe Park were formed in September 2015 by a small but enthusiastic group of volunteers.Nine years on and the group is still thriving, with many of its founding members still present.On Wednesday, the Lord-Lieutenant Dame Hilary Chapman present the group with their crystal trophy that...

FORMER Barnsley FC players Kayode Odejayi and Adie Moses paid a visit to the club’s social isolation programme last week.The ‘Reminiscent Reds project is targeted at addressing social isolation across the town, with weekly sessions taking place at Oakwell.Sessions are open to individuals and will incorporate activities and inspire fans, deepening their connection and sense of belonging.The Reds duo spoke about their time at the club throughout the different...

FAST food giant McDonald’s has submitted plans to bring another restaurant to the town.And it’s just 400 metres away from its current site on Old Mill Lane.Bosses are hoping to take over the former Cow and Cream unit at Peel Retail Park, which is currently vacant, with a focus on delivery sales.According to a report around 50 new jobs will be created for the town. It states: “The application...

A BARNSLEY man is among 18 people charged as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal conversion of blank firing weapons and ammunition into viable firearms and ammunition.Karl Keegan-Moore, 32, of Reasbeck Terrace, Smithies, and the other suspects have all been charged in connection to a complex investigation, jointly led by the South Yorkshire Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit and Armed Crime Team.Ashley Stevenson, 21, of Spa Well Crescent, Rotherham, Joshua...

A CAR was wrecked after the driver collided with a tree in Barnsley when he got behind the wheel after drinking. On Saturday, roads policing officers responded to reports of a collision on the A629, near Bank Lane.The car, a blue Ford Mondeo had left the road and become embedded in trees and shrubbery against a wall.The driver, a man in his 30s, was breathalysed at the scene and blew...

A BARNSLEY woman has been arrested and prosecuted for fly-tipping.Last July, neighbourhood wardens investigated a report of fly-tipping in an alleyway on Milgate Street, Royston, and found a quantity of household waste.Enquiries led to Zoe Milner, of Milgate Street. being identified as the owner.Having failed to attend earlier hearings, an arrest warrant was issued and on April 22 of this year, Milner was arrested and put before the court....

THE world’s oldest steam engine still where originally built is ready to celebrate a special anniversary year thanks to local volunteers.The Newcomen Beam Engine, the oldest steam engine in the world still in its original location, is ready to welcome visitors again after a winter break. The engine, a Scheduled Ancient Monument of international significance, is found at Elsecar New Colliery.The colliery was sunk in 1794, making this year the 230th...

A GROUP of over 60 Barnsley Hospice supporters who took part in walks earlier this month have raised over £10k.The walkers, who included the Mayor, Coun. Mick Stowe and MP Dan Jarvis, took on 10km, 20km or 30km walks around the borough – including High Hoyland, Cawthorne, the town centre and Oakwell – to raise funds for the facility.The 30 for 30 walk marked the hospice’s 30th anniversary and raised an...

BARNSLEY officers are appealing for information following a reported burglary in which several items of jewellery were allegedly stolen.Around 10.58pm on Sunday March 17, police received reports of a break-in at Wood Walk in Wombwell. An Audi Q5 was stolen along with sentimental pieces of distinctive jewellery.An investigation has since been launched and the vehicle has been recovered and returned to its owners.Two men, aged 19 and 21,...

PARENTS whose children failed to regularly attend school have been taken to court and fined.Jessica Illingsworth, of Upper Forest Road, Athersley North, whose two teenagers failed to regularly attend school, was fined £81, and was told to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £90 having pleaded guilty at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court. The 39-year-old failed to ensure the children attended Penistone Grammar School.Another mother whose teenage son failed to...

A FORMER family centre will be demolished to make way for a new facility for children with special educational needs.Approval has been given for the demolition of the former Stairfoot Family Centre, in order to create a new facility at Hunningley Primary School to accommodate up to 15 young children as part of meeting their special educational needs.At its meeting held in November 2022, Barnsley Council cabinet members approved the objectives...

BARNSLEY supporters are being asked to “Bring a Pound to the Ground” at this weekend’s match against Northampton Town to help raise vital funds for Barnsley FC Community Trust’s work in the local community.The Community Trust is the charitable arm of Barnsley FC and is committed to making a positive impact across the borough. The Trust delivers a wide range of programmes and activities designed to support local residents. With a reach...

POLICE have released dramatic footage of a vehicle being driven the wrong way down the M1 to highlight the dangers of drink driving.On Saturday March 9 around 2:45am, police received numerous calls into their control room following reports of a vehicle going contraflow to traffic on the M1 Southbound, at Junction 35A.Cameras from National Highways captured the car joining the motorway and drive for two junctions before leaving the carriageway....

SOUTH Yorkshire Police are urging anyone who feels they are being stalked to get in touch.The force is supporting national Stalking Awareness Week 2024 led by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which started yesterday.Stalking and harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a fixated and obsessive way that makes others feel scared, distressed or threatened in an attempt to disrupt their life.The police are committed to working with local partners...

TWO people have been charged following a theft from a garden shed.Ian McAffrey, 37, of Northorpe in Gilroyd, and Francesca Darlow, 26, of Green Lane, Dodworth, were both charged with burglary.On March 25,at 4.25am, it’s reported that household items worth over £400 were stolen from a garden shed at an address on Bowden Grove, Dodworth.McAffrey appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Monday.Darlow has been released on bail...