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‘Going Dutch’ no longer an option at Town End
BARNSLEY Council will ‘categorically not’ be looking into a plan to create a Dutch-style roundabout scheme at Town End after highways bosses claimed it was only ever a suggestion.
The roundabout plans were first mooted in Barnsley back in 2021 but there was no exact location for the scheme until February.
Town End roundabout had been chosen as the location for the scheme, with cabinet members signing off on £420,000 in funding at Wednesday’s meeting....
Council puts brake on taxi numbers despite ‘unmet demand’
BARNSLEY Council will not increase the limit on the number of Hackney taxis allowed in the town despite there being an ‘unmet demand’, a report has revealed.
Each year, the council undertakes a demand survey to accurately assess the availability of taxis in the town centre.
There are currently 67 Hackney taxis in Barnsley though the report states that despite there being a demand for more, the cap will not be raised.
A survey of...
Queen Camilla makes Maundy memories for Barnsley preacher
A LOCAL preacher received a special gift from Queen Camilla at the Royal Maundy Service last month.
Rev Jean Daykin, from the United Benefice of Darton and Staincross, was in shock when she received an invite from the Lord Chamberlain’s Office at Buckingham Palace back in January.
Thanks to the nomination from Bishop Nick Baines at the Diocese of Leeds, and support from Bishop of Wakefield Tony Robinson, Rev Daykin got the opportunity to meet...
Bus service pulled as vandals strike again
STAGECOACH were forced to pull the 226 bus from Bolton-upon-Dearne at the weekend following antisocial behaviour - just months after the service was brought back.
In October 2022, Stagecoach suspended all services running into the Thurnscoe area after 5pm after missiles were launched at passing buses.
Following a six-month hiatus, the bus operator working alongside South Yorkshire Police brought back the service to Thurnscoe in a ‘trial period’ in May.
However, they said at the...
Parents face more action over term-time holidays
SPIRALLING numbers of Barnsley children missing school - which has resulted in some parents being slapped with fines totalling £800 - will see more action being taken by education bosses to stop the trend after almost 3,000 were caught breaking the law in a year.
A flurry of cases have made their way through Barnsley Magistrates’ Court in recent weeks following proceedings brought about by the council’s education welfare service.
Unauthorised absence rates in the...
£17m signed off for road improvements
AROUND £17m will be spent on improving Barnsley’s road network over the next year after the council signed off on funding earlier this week.
The £12.8m highways programme includes an additional £2m for highways works on local B and C roads that connect small towns and villages across the borough, and a further £2.2m to be spent on Active Travel initiatives, funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement,
The majority of the cash will...
Mum heartbroken as thieves target grave
THE heartbroken mother of a youngster who died aged just eight has blasted thieves - after they cruelly stole an ornament from her grave last weekend.
The grave of Stacey Louise Ogley - who died in 1993 - was decorated with a unique stone pumpkin carriage that her brother Stephen bought as a Christmas present.
Yet last Saturday, when Stacey’s mother Wendy went to do some voluntary work at Carlton Cemetery, the ornament had gone...
‘Postcode lottery’ of bus services has got to stop
LONG-HELD ambitions to franchise under-fire buses in Barnsley have been backed by an MP - after plans to given more power to fed-up passengers received support.
The plan, announced by Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP, outlines how Labour would create or save bus routes, and end the ‘postcode lottery’ on services.
Stephanie Peacock, the MP for Barnsley East, has been campaigning for better bus services in the Barnsley area for some time and completed...
£10m investment to clean up waterways
YORKSHIRE Water are investing more than £10m to improve the health of rivers in Barnsley - after it was revealed that sewage was released into the town’s waterways for more than 26,000 hours last year.
Data from the Environment Agency shows sewage from storm overflows was flowing into water bodies in Barnsley for 26,302 hours in 2023, during 3,736 spills.
All of these were from facilities operated by Yorkshire Water.
Yorkshire Water release sewage when...
Cates cleared of breaching lockdown rules
BARNSLEY’S only Conservative MP Miriam Cates has been cleared of breaching lockdown rules by the Parliamentary standards watchdog.
Mrs Cates, who represents the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency, was accused of attending a birthday drinks event during lockdown on December 8, 2020.
Complaints were made against Mrs Cates and deputy speaker Dame Eleanor Lang - as well as Tory backbenchers Sir Bernard Jenkin and Virginia Crosbie.
However, in a report by the Parliamentary standards com
Historian delves into personal link with church
A LOCAL historian has been tracing her own family connections to a church that is at risk of permanent closure.
Jane Ainsworth was already aware that her family had some connections to Hoyland’s St Andrew’s Church, however after reading in the Chronicle that the church was ceasing services on March 31 before hosting consultations on its future, decided to dig further.
Through this research she discovered that not only did her great-grandfather Charles Firth -...
Progress as Barnsley A&E wait times are slashed
SIGNIFICANT progress has been made to reduce A and E patients’ waits at Barnsley Hospital - after last month’s figures revealed turnaround times were the best since the pandemic struck.
The four-hour A and E standard - which had been set at 95 per cent - is one of the most high-profile indicators of performance and has dwindled in recent years, hitting a record low of 55 per cent in January.
Ministers outlined steps to...
Twitchers flock to see rare duck at lake
TWITCHERS flocked to Manvers Lake this week after a rare duck arrived at the site.
The garganey is a scarce and very secretive breeding duck in the UK.
It is smaller than a mallard and slightly bigger than a teal.
There are very few breeding pairs in the UK - but it was spotted at Manvers Lake earlier this week, with twitchers flocking to the site to take a glance at the rare bird.
A...
MP supports flood-hit club
BARNSLEY East MP Stephanie Peacock has promised to support a local football club who have been left with major issues with their waterlogged pitch.
Wombwell Main FC have played less than a handful of times at home this season due to issues with their pitch.
Manager Terry Simon has said the club are unsure if they’ll be able to complete their season due to the struggles they’re facing.
He also anticipated it would cost in...
Emily ‘a leading light’ to students
A MUSICIAN is on her way to achieve her dream of becoming a professional singer.
Formerly a student at the Real Music Centre in Wombwell, 18-year-old Emily Jackson is now in her first year of studying music at the Leeds Conservatoire.
She has already recorded several charity songs, performed on radio and had the opportunity of working with members of the famous Opera North.
Real Music Centre teacher Helen Ingham told the Chronicle: “It’s a...
‘GP crisis’ will not bring new practices
NO new GP practices will be built in Barnsley - despite an increase in the number of patients being registered at the town’s surgeries and medics claiming the situation is at a ‘crisis’ point.
The British Medical Association say GPs face unmanageable workloads in the face of a vast backlog of care caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The average number of patients each fully qualified GP is responsible for is 2,286 in Barnsley, figures show....
Coach’s pride in young team
A BOYS’ football team proved themselves unbeatable after claiming victory in 18 consecutive matches.
Pinfold Pumas’ under-sevens set-up, from Cudworth, are now in the final stages of their preparations for the Barnsley Junior U7s’ Supplementary Cup final this Sunday and players have high hopes.
Coach Ryan Brown told the Chronicle: “They’re absolutely ecstatic.
“We’ve been winning game after game - everyone is generally feeling optimistic.
“The
Life-saving defib installed thanks to volunteers
A NEW defibrillator has been installed in Stairfoot thanks to the work of local volunteers.
The defibrillator - which is located at 23a Field Lane - was unveiled last Tuesday, after volunteers from the Victoria Almshouses and Field Lane Crafters worked with the Stairfoot Ward Alliance to get the equipment put in place.
It comes as part of a national push to get more accessible defibrillators in public, as the British Heart Foundation revealed that...
College launches Love Grace handbag appeal
BARNSLEY College are asking for donations of handbags and unused toiletries for the Love Grace charity.
The Love Grace handbag appeal remembers 21-year-old Grace Millane who was murdered in New Zealand and the campaign combines Grace’s love of handbags with a legacy in her name to end violence towards women.
The college are working with the Love Grace charity for another year, after collecting a record number of 500 handbags across the last three years,...
Young Lincoln takes on fundraising challenge
THE family of a Darton youngster say they’re immensely proud of him after he used his initiative to donate food to the homeless and local foodbanks.
Lincoln Porter is only three years old but his mum, 34-year-old Emma Porter, said he’s always had an interest in picking up rubbish.
This week Lincoln decided to turn his hobby into a fundraising challenge - and he’s raised £120 which he used to buy food for local foodbanks...
Volunteers stride out for hospice
MORE than £7,000 has been raised for Barnsley Hospice thanks to over 60 volunteers who took part in walks last weekend.
On Saturday, the volunteers took on 10km, 20km or 30km walks around Barnsley to raise funds for the facility.
The event has already raised more than £7,000, with the total still rising.
A spokesperson said: “It was certainly a proud moment seeing so many orange T-shirts representing our wonderful hospice, and we are so...
Pilot bird of prey project deemed a failure
A TRIAL set up to reverse declining numbers of a rare bird of prey has not achieved the success of similar schemes elsewhere in the country - and there are now no breeding pairs in Barnsley’s countryside.
Hen harrier numbers have shown continuous improvement in recent years, coinciding with the introduction of a government-led recovery plan for the species and the availability of the brood management trial two years later to alleviate conflict.
However, a...
Man and woman charged with drug offences
A MAN and woman from Barnsley have been charged with drug offences following a warrant at a property in Darfield.
Last Wednesday a warrant was executed on Margaret Close by officers from the tasking team and Barnsley South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
During the warrant a large quantity of crack cocaine and heroin were found.
Matthew Brookes, 43, is charged with production of crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession with intent to...
Robert in the swim again for charity
A SWIMMING instructor whose fundraising exploits raised thousands for charity is set to embark on his latest mission - alongside his daughter and colleagues.
Robert Blackburn, who teaches at the Metrodome, will take the plunge at Derwent Water in the Lake District alongside his daughter, Isabelle, and co-workers Nicole Perry, Emily Gamble, Maddie Barker and his friend, Steve Costing.
They also have the support from Emma and Mark Mallender, from Wombwell-based Triple M Vehicles, who...
Police appeal amid hunt for bikers
POLICE are appealing for information to help identify a large group of off-road bike riders who are alleged to have descended upon Barnsley, causing significant damage and anti-social behaviour.
Officers have released images as it is believed those photographed can assist us with enquiries.
Yesterday, just before 5pm, police received reports of around 15 off-road bikers around the Barnsley Road area of Cudworth causing damage to street furniture, obstructing drivers on the road,.
Churches earn eco-friendly awards
TWO local churches have been awarded for the work done to make their parishes more environmentally-friendly.
All Saints’ Church in Darton and St John the Evangelist Church in Staincross - which are in the vicarage of Fr Tim Stevens - have been awarded the Bronze Eco-Church Award, the first level in a national scheme designed to help churches ‘respect God’s creation’.
The two churches have been putting in plenty of work to get the award,...
Council officers ‘not at fault’ in landlord wrangle
COUNCIL officers who took action against a negligent private landlord who axed a long-held tenancy agreement via text message - which resulted in a government probe taking place due to a counter claim against the local authority’s handling of the case - have been found not guilty of any wrongdoing by an inspector.
The unnamed tenant - said to have lived in the property for ‘some years’ - attended a pop-up stall organised by the...
US chart-topper heading for Barnsley
A US Billboard chart-topper is set to visit Barnsley next weekend to premiere two new tracks.
New York blues rock singer-songwriter Sari Schorr will be headlining the Birdwell Venue on Saturday as part of her April UK tour.
Attendees will be some of the first people in the world to hear two tracks - Hometown Girl and Highway 69 - from her upcoming album, which is set for a worldwide release in the autumn.
Sari...
Children’s charity earns Royal approval
A CHILDREN’S charity which has been supporting Barnsley’s youngsters for more than 20 years were presented with their King’s Award last weekend.
The Exodus Project and their volunteers - based in Barnsley town centre - received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service back in November.
It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
The group provide activity clubs and weekends away for children...
Solar farm plan at food manufacturer site
PLANS to create a solar farm at the base of one of Barnsley’s biggest employers have been approved by Barnsley Council.
The application was submitted to the council in September for the solar farm to be added to Premier Foods Bakery, on Fish Dam Lane in Carlton, which employs almost 700 people across the town.
The firm’s strategy seeks to reduce carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by...
Karen finds peace through painting
A WOMAN with a mental health disorder which has caused her a lifetime of instability has finally found peace through painting.
Karen Kenworthy, of Carlton, suffers with borderline personality disorder (BPD) - a condition that results in impulsive behaviour, disturbed patterns of thinking and severe mood swings.
The 57-year-old spent most of her life dealing with these issues until in 2021 she finally received a diagnosis that explained her problems.
“My life’s been a rollercoaster
Apprentice Ellie raises thousands at charity auction
A BARNSLEY College apprentice has been praised after raising more than £7,000 for a charity which supports children with cancer.
Ellie Sawyer, from the college, held a charity auction night on March 16.
The night had 2 comedians, performances, a raffle, and an auction.
Ellie organised and ran the event, making it a huge success, and raising a total of £7,131 for the charity PACT (Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia).
She said:...
Life-saving nurse ‘a gift from God’ says grateful mum
AN ‘angel’ care home nurse who sprang into action when a ‘blue and lifeless’ two-year-old required urgent medical assistance has been hailed as a lifesaver.
Lainey Roberts has suffered with seizures in the past but on March 28, whilst with her grandma Catherine, she suffered a serious medical episode.
Catherine rushed Lainey across to Holly Tree Lodge, on Sceptone Grove, Shafton, as she knew someone would be able to help her stricken granddaughter who was...
Accolade for life-saving police officers
TWO Barnsley police officers have been awarded for their bravery after they jumped into a canal to save a woman’s life.
Officers received a 999 call from a man stating that his daughter had got into trouble on a stretch of Royston Canal on Common Lane in August last year.
However, the phone call then ended but officers managed to get a description of the area.
PCs Ben Child and Adam Morton, based at Churchfield...
Charity brings week of culture to college
A NATIONAL charity brought a ‘week of culture’ to Barnsley College to offer students a variety of activities that expand their knowledge of other cultures, lifestyles and international issues.
Integrate UK delivered peer-education workshops at the college to inspire discussions on a range of difficult issues, such as female genital mutilation, honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
National dance workshop hosts Dance Days also attended the college, providing taster sessions for ch
Walking cricket in safe hands as Mac steps down
THE man at the heart of making cricket more accessible in Yorkshire has finally decided to put down his bat at the age of 73 - and he’s been bowled over by the support he’s received.
Mac McKechnie, of Monk Bretton, came up with the idea of walking cricket in late 2018 after taking part in a walking football session at Barnsley’s U3A group.
That wasn’t for him, but he’s always had a soft spot...
Levelling up cash set to transform ‘less than adequate’ site
PLANS to refurbish Barnsley’s YMCA building in the town centre - thanks to so-called ‘levelling up funding’ from the government - are set to take a step closer after plans were signed off this week.
An application was submitted by the council for the refurbishment of the Blucher Street building - which includes alterations both internally and externally as well as a new car park - in December.
After four months of deliberation, the plans...
Worldwide response to birthday card appeal for May
A CARE home’s residents gathered together this week to count the hundreds of birthday cards that had been sent to 102-year-old May Barton.
The lifelong Barnsley resident, who now lives at The Firs in Dodworth, turned 102 on Sunday, which was celebrated with a party.
Activities co-ordinator Sharon Gayford told the Chronicle: “The party was great, about 30 of her relatives came down including cousins she’d not seen in a long time.
“One of them...
Resurfacing key routes set to be council priority
A HUGE investment package totalling almost £40m which promises to improve Barnsley’s road network over the next three years has broken cover.
Cabinet members will be asked to sign off on plans to allocate £14.2m in 2024/25 and £12.4m in both 2025/26 and 2026/27 at a meeting on Wednesday.
The Chronicle can reveal that the majority of the cash in the current financial year - more than £5m - will be spent on resurfacing key...
‘Considerable’ investment needed to protect homes from flooding
FURTHER flood prevention schemes are being drawn up after an investigation into a storm which battered the borough for four days found ‘considerable’ investment will be required to protect residents’ homes.
Barnsley experienced heavy rainfall from October 17 last year as Storm Babet struck, with Environment Agency rain gauges recording 73.4mm of rain over the initial 24-hour period.
A total of 20 properties suffered internal flooding on Lang Avenue, Lundwood - a street which
School revamp budget falls way short of £7m needed
MORE than £7m is needed to bring some of Barnsley’s deteriorating schools back to the satisfactory level - but just over £600,000 in government funding will be used over the next year to tackle the issues.
The Department for Education announced last month that Barnsley Council would provisionally receive a total of £637,000 from its School Condition Allocation (SCA) capital grant.
The funding will be used to address urgent building condition defects, including health an
Tougher sentences amid rise in shopworker assaults
RISING cases of assaults on shopworkers will result in courts being given more powers to hand out tougher sentences to attackers.
Ministers announced on Wednesday that assaulting a shopworker will be made a separate criminal offence, despite previously saying it did not think a law change was required in response to a petition on the subject.
Offenders face a maximum sentence of six months in jail or an unlimited fine - the same sentencing guidelines...
£3m cost to cover striking doctors
STRIKE action taken by medics at Barnsley Hospital has cost an estimated £3m to cover, the Chronicle can reveal.
Both senior and junior doctors - as well as nurses on one occasion - have taken industrial action at the Gawber Road site as they sought a better pay offer from the government.
A report, which has been seen by the Chronicle, shows that over the latest ten-month period strike action has cost the hospital’s trust...
Teen’s mission to pay back hospital
A BARNSLEY teenager who was in and out of Barnsley Hospital’s children’s ward until she was five has decided to kick-start a fundraising campaign to give back to those who supported her - and her college tutor has chipped in to support her efforts.
Chloe Pearson, 16, spent a large portion of her younger years in the children’s ward at the Gawber Road site after facing a number of illnesses growing up.
She was suffering...
Town hall ‘rich list’ is revealed
BARNSLEY Council’s seven highest-earning employees collectively cost taxpayers more than £1m in wages and pensions in a year, new figures released this week revealed.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance’s ‘Town Hall Rich List’ compiled a list of staff members breaching the £100,000-a-year bracket in 2022/23.
Top earner was chief executive Sarah Norman, whose total package included a wage of £183,000 and a pension contribution of £30,000, totalling &pou
New-look plans inspired by Singapore gardens
BARNSLEY Council is drawing inspiration from the iconic gardens at the Marina Bay in Singapore for its new-look Seam project in the town centre.
The council axed its long-held plans for The Seam, on County Way, which had promised a 386-space multi-storey car park and an energy-efficient housing estate.
However, cabinet members will discuss new plans on Wednesday which include a new 300-space car park including electric vehicle charging points, improved lighting and CCTV.
Plans...
