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Barnsley , Northampton

TARGET HIT: Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis with his London Marathon medal.

Dan smashes £15k London Marathon target

BARNSLEY Central MP Dan Jarvis smashed his £15,000 fundraising target whilst running the London Marathon last weekend. Dan was raising funds for Cancer Research UK, a charity close to his heart. He said he knows from his own personal experience the ‘devastation’ cancer can cause - but he was also hoping to raise awareness about the ‘critical importance’ of early detection. Dan aimed to raise £15,000 for the charity, and he’s now surpassed that target....

Discarded needles hinder town centre clean-up

WORK to tidy up a litter-strewn area near a town centre supermarket is stepping up. Concerns around Morrisons, on Westway, and its surrounding areas have been brought up by local residents and shoppers. Amid claims that the waste had attracted vermin, it’s now been confirmed that work to boost its appearance had started. The Chronicle understands that discarded needles believed to have been involved in drug-taking have hindered progress since complaints were made in February....

Highways bosses defend crossing decision

A DECISION to remove a traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing from a village’s busy centre - condemned by locals who blamed Barnsley Council for jeopardising shoppers’ safety - has been defended by highways bosses. The crossing, on Barnsley Road in Cudworth, was deemed no longer necessary. The Chronicle can reveal it will be moved elsewhere in the village to School Street, near Cherry Dale Primary, but shoppers blasted the council for removing the ‘essential feature’ from...

New SEND centre to open in autumn

A NEW centre which will provide a much-needed education setting for youngsters with special needs aged between five and eight is set to open in the autumn, it was revealed this week. Following a previous decision made by Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members, approval was given for the demolition of the former Stairfoot Family Centre in order to create a new facility to accommodate up to 15 children. A key element of the local authority’s...

Hopes Monckton tipping woes are finally over

A PROBE into ‘large-scale’ fly-tipping left at a former coking plant - which saw Barnsley Council take action against the landowner when fire chiefs stepped in following a spate of arson incidents - has resulted in the site finally being cleared. The council issued an enforcement notice against Monckton Developments in Royston following pressure from residents, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and the Environment Agency. The notice allowed an eight-month period of time for bosses...

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Barnsley , Northampton

BARNSLEY v NORTHAMPTON: All change for crunch game

IF OFFERED, last summer, the situation of being guaranteed fifth if they beat Northampton at home on the last final, many Barnsley fans would have taken it following a tumultuous off-season with a slew of key departures. But no one could have imagined that they would go into the game having sacked Neill Collins days earlier following a disastrous run which took them from challenging for the top two to being in serious danger of...

All you need to know as Reds host Cobblers

A full preview of Barnsley's final league game with Northampton Town including key battles, opposition view and previous meetings. IF HAPPENS IF..... BARNSLEY WIN: The Reds will definitely finish fifth and take on the fourth-placed team, very likely Peterborough, in the semi-final, at home on the following Saturday evening then away on Wednesday, May 8. BARNSLEY DRAW: The Reds will finish on 76 points so will be overtaken by any of Lincoln, Oxford...

'Fantastic opportunity' for Devaney after 'no win situation' last time

Martin Devaney says he is a far better coach than when he was last caretaker for Barnsley games in a ‘no win situation' whereas he has now been given a ‘fantastic opportunity.’ Devaney was caretaker for the final three games of the 2021/22 season after the Reds had been relegated from the Championship – exactly two years ago. He has since been a first team coach under Michael Duff last season then Neill Collins this...

Connell likely to return and focused only on 3 points

Luca Connell looks likely to return from injury for Barnsley’s final league game of the season, with nothing more than three points and a play-off place on his mind. The midfielder, who starred last season for the Reds, has missed chunks of this campaign with illness and injury – the latest being a slight groin problem which ruled him out of the last three matches. It is not 100 per cent definite that he will...

Reds focus on Northampton after 'massive shock' of sacking

Barnsley's interim coach Martin Devaney and player Luca Connell say Neill Collins’ sacking this week was a shock but they are focusing on reaching the play-offs tomorrow. Collins was dismissed with a game remaining in the season, which the Reds need to win against Northampton to guarantee a place in the top six. Devaney, who was Collins’ assistant, said: “As a colleague, I worked really well with Neill this year and it’s always disappointing to...

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Report reveals why grass is greener in Barnsley

RESIDENTS in almost every area of Barnsley have better access to green spaces compared with nearly anywhere else in the country, new figures have revealed. The Ramblers a charity for walkers researched the extent of green rights of way across England using satellite observations of land cover. The figures show how accessible green space is in Barnsley with three of the town’s four constituencies ranking higher than almost anywhere else in the country. The statistics...

Peggy still loves a party at 100

CENTENARIAN Margaret Riley’s face lit up when she saw her grandchildren at her 100th birthday party on Sunday. Known to her friends and family as Peggy, the 100-year-old was thrilled with how her party at Dearne Valley Care Centre turned out. 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...

‘Progress slow’ in former pit villages

SCARS in Barnsley’s former coalfield communities which remain 40 years after the miners’ strike are still impacting residents’ quality of life, a ground-breaking inquiry has concluded. ‘The State of the Coalfields 2024’ is the third report commissioned by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, following studies in 2014 and 2019. It found that although there has been job growth in the former coalfields such as Grimethorpe, the rate of growth has been far slower than in villages...

GP recruitment must match house building

A UNION which represents the town’s doctors said there is ‘little point’ in seeing through plans to build thousands of new homes in Barnsley over the next decade - unless provisions are in place to boost the amount of GPs available. The British Medical Association (BMA) say the town’s GPs already face unmanageable workloads without the 21,000 extra homes which are pencilled in up to 2033. On average, each fully qualified GP in the town...

Big push to reduce vaping and smoking

A MAJOR public health intervention which will prevent youngsters from buying cigarettes and vapes has been backed by a Barnsley MP who hopes the move will reduce the town’s rising addiction rates. A vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill took place in Parliament on Tuesday, which makes it an offence to sell tobacco-based products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. It also aims to make vapes less appealing to children after...

Pakistan international Aziz playing for Cawthorne

Season previews with the Barnsley teams in the ECB Yorkshire Premier South and SYL Championship CAWTHORNE Cawthorne were relegated from the top flight in 2022 but bounced straight back last year. They have signed Pakistan international Danish Aziz as their overseas player. He played two One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 games for his country in 2021. They have also brought back Yorkshire fast bowler Ben Cliff who will play when not needed by the...

Barnsley hope internationals will help turn them into title challengers

BARNSLEY Woolley MW have brought in two players with international experience as they look to challenge for the league title this season. The Shaw Laners finished third in the ECB Yorkshire Premier South last season, while also winning the league’s Twenty20 Blast for the second successive year. They have lost captain Beck Frostick, who emigrated to Australia, and Aussie overseas star Jake Weatherald. Liam Johnson has taken over as captain and Jacob Cumming, an...

Barnsley's 1st pro woman boxer

JAYMYLEIGH Pettinger wants to follow in her mentor’s footsteps and is now treading the exact same path. Pettinger decided to turn professional on her 18th birthday, the earliest opportunity, just like her promoter Josh Wale did. In putting pen to paper, she became Barnsley’s first ever female professional boxer and is scheduled to make her debut at the Metrodome on June 28. The Barnsley College sports coaching student, from Brampton, said: “It’s something I have...

Trebles for Dawson and Neesam lead Pogmoor under 13s to 7-2 victory

JACK Dawson and Max Neesam scored hat-tricks in Pogmoor under 13s’ 7-2 home win over Porter. Hassan Gulzar got the other goal. Dodworth under 13s won 3-0 at Redfearns. Kody Bettley, Filip Obara and Jack Stead scored. Penistone Church under 13s beat Westfield 8-0. The scorers were Joshua Foulkes, twice, Kiran Trepiana, Owen Moxon, Harry Siddall, Riley Town, twice, and Finn Pepper. Staincross under 13s won 3-1 over Brampton. Aaron Brown scored once and Jack...

Dearne 4 points from title

DEARNE and District need four points from their last two games to guarantee the Central Midlands League title. Dearne won 3-0 at third-placed Dinnington Town on Saturday. Bayley Lowe, Shay Evans-Booth and Brandon Burke scored. They then won 4-0 at home to Woodhouse Colts on Tuesday. Curtis Wilkinson, Lowe, Burke and Lance Friedrich scored. That left them nine points clear at the with two games to play. Second-placed Doncaster City have four games left. Elite...

COMPETITIVE: Speedy couple Naomi Drakeford and Gareth Cooke after completing the marathon.

London Marathon couple in Top 50 double

GARETH Cooke and Naomi Drakeford might just be the country’s fastest couple after the duo both finished in the top 50 at the London Marathon on Sunday. The pair, both 30 and living in Wilthorpe, run for Barnsley Athletics Club during the week and admit the household is very competitive. And after Gareth’s personal best of 2-24-35 which earned him 48th place and Naomi’s local record of 2-46-50 which meant she was the 25th women...

George Orwell‘s stay in Barnsley marked by plaque

A BLUE plaque commemorating George Orwell’s Barnsley links is set to be unveiled to the public later today - much to the delight of those at the Barnsley Civic Trust who have worked tirelessly to ensure the event goes ahead. Orwell stayed in Barnsley during 1936 to see for himself the living conditions of working class people. He stayed on Agnes Terrace - which runs between Day Street and Pond Street, off Agnes Road -...

Academy turns its fortunes around with ‘good’ rating

OFSTED inspectors have handed a ‘good’ rating to Netherwood Academy. The secondary school, in Wombwell, has been given the education watchdog’s second-highest mark having been told it required improvement just three years ago. Inspectors highlighted that the school is ‘determined to improve the life chances of its pupils’ and commended the leadership at Netherwood, which is under the wing of the Astrea Academy Trust. Ofsted also found that staff are ‘extremely positive’ about th

Barnsley fans hoping for TV moment of fame

A PAIR of Barnsley FC fans will be hoping the Reds can secure their place in the League One play-offs tomorrow for more than one reason. Alison Hirst, 62, and her mum 90-year-old Audrey Brook, of Pogmoor, will arrive at Barnsley’s final game of the season tomorrow at Oakwell knowing a win would not only book the Reds a play-off place but also a spot on TV screens across the country. They were selected by...

Kes statue group ‘distance themselves’ from new sculpture plans

A GROUP of residents behind the town centre’s Kes statue have distanced themselves from a council scheme which will see a six-foot-five ‘sculpture’ placed in Hoyland Common. In memory of ‘A Kestrel for a Knave’ author Barry Hines, the statue a life-size bronze sculpture of Billy Casper, as played by David ‘Dai’ Bradley in the 1969 film adaptation, holding his kestrel was unveiled to the public in 2021. Sculptor Graham Ibbeson was part of the...

Ex Red and Cobbler Reid hoping for home victory

FORMER Barnsley captain Paul Reid is hoping they win the battle of his former clubs tomorrow and has backed former team-mate Martin Devaney to take his opportunity as interim boss. Former defender Reid played for both the Reds – who need a win to guarantee a place in the League One play-offs – and their mid-table visitors Northampton Town. Reid told the Chronicle: “I will have my Barnsley hat on for this game. “I loved...

Interim boss promises to ‘take shackles off’ in crucial game against Cobblers

MARTIN Devaney has promised attacking football and to ‘take the shackles off’ when he oversees Barnsley’s vital final league game at home to Northampton Town from 12.30pm tomorrow. The fifth-placed Reds will reach the play-offs with a win but anything else could see them finish as low as eighth. The Cobblers are 14th, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and 15 off the top six. Jon Brady’s side were promoted from League Two last...

Devaney to take final league game but next week uncertain

MARTIN Devaney has been tasked with getting Barnsley into the League One play-offs tomorrow but there might be someone different leading them into the semi-finals if they qualify. The Reds sacked Neill Collins on Monday morning, following a run of nine points from 11 games – and one from the last five – which saw the gap between them and seventh shrink from ten points to one ahead of the last match. They must beat...

Connell training and could make return

LUCA Connell has impressed in training this week and could feature against Northampton Town on Saturday. The midfielder has missed the last three matches with a groin problem but returned to training this week. Interim coach Martin Devaney said: “Luca is in contention. He’s had a slight groin problem but trained this week and looked really good. “All being well he will be in contention to be in the squad.” Josh Benson and Robbie Cundy...

Reds women reach final

Double-chasing Barnsley FC women came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Ossett in the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Alayna Millard levelled from distance then Amy Dawson won a penalty which Kim Brown scored. The Reds had won 2-0 at Sunderland West End on Sunday in the North East Premier while title challengers Wallsend lost. Barnsley are now level on points with leaders Spennymoor Town, but second on goal difference by one goal. Spennymoor...

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NEW LEASE OF LIFE: James Barker alongside those who work at the site.

Live music venue plans for Priory Campus

THE centre that played a key role in defeating coronavirus is to get a new lease of life as a venue for live music and sporting events. Priory Campus at Lundwood was where thousands of Barnsley people got their Covid vaccines. At the peak of the pandemic, long queues of patients snaked around the car park to get their jabs. Barnsley Healthcare Federation owns the building which is already being used as a venue for...

Prison manager jailed over relationship with inmate

A HIGH-FLYING prison manager from Barnsley has been jailed after getting into a relationship with an inmate and intimidating fellow colleagues into silence. Suspicions grew around the conduct of custodial manager Lauren Miller, of May Close, Thurnscoe, when she was seen in a prisoner's cell at HMP Doncaster and spent long periods of time in there with him. Rumours escalated further when the pair were regularly seen in the lift together and when...

Man jailed for engaging in sexual activity with underage Barnsley girl

A MAN who engaged in sexual activity with an underage Barnsley girl and threatened to kill her if she told anyone has been jailed. Mohammed Qasim, 38, of Sable Crest, Bradford, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court last week for sentencing after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl in the back of a van. Qasim, who told his victim he would buy her things if she kept quiet, was jailed...

Remember to take your photo ID to vote

RESIDENTS in Barnsley are being urged to remember their ID when they go to vote next Thursday. Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they can receive their ballot paper. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a drivers’ licence, including provisional; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or disabled person’s pass; and the new free Voter Authority Certificate....

Hard work pays off for young achiever Luke

A BARNSLEY building material specialist has been recognised for his commitment to the industry. Luke Hoyle, who’s based out at Carlton Manufacturing, has been named as one of the top 100 young achievers across the sector. National trade body the Builders’ Merchants’ Federation (BMF) and Builders’ Merchants News (BMN), joined forces to identify the top 100 across the multi-billion pound building materials sector, and shine a light on the brightest stars of the future. L

Dearne win opening game 32-22

DEARNE Valley Bulldogs won 32-22 at home to Farnley Falcons in Division Five of the Yorkshire League. The tries were scored by L Walters, J Duggan, J Williams, E Burrows, twice, and S Holt. S. Shaw kicked four conversions. They now host Lindley St Joseph’s on Saturday. Dodworth lost 31-12 at home to Bramley Buffalos in Yorkshire Division Three. They are now due to host York Acorn on Friday. Rycroft Hammers are due to start...

Liana and Nieve hat-tricks in 9-1 final win

BARNSLEY under 15s beat Penistone Church Black 9-1 in the Shield final. Liana Stenson and Nieve Cropper hit hat-tricks with Madison Woollands adding two and Ava-Rose McMahon one. Penistone Church under 15s Whites won 7-1 at Sheffield United Community. Libby Silverwood and Olivia-Rose Walker bagged braces with Erin Allott, Hattie Tomlinson and Megan Watt also on target. Pogmoor under 13s won 8-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Dearne and District under 13s beat Charnock Ridgeway

Barnsley one, two in Barnsley race

THERE was a Barnsley one, two at the latest race in the Proper Northern Road Race Series in Oakenclough. Damien Clayton, from Cawthorne, continued his excellent form with another win. The runner-up was Jenson Young from Hemingfield. Meanwhile, Imogen Wolff from Silkstone Common was fourth at the Gent-Wevelgem One Day Race in Belgium.

Medal haul for Barnsley karate stars

BARNSLEY athletes won a host of medals at the English Karate Championships in Sheffield. Gold went to Bobby Perry who is the Para kata English champion. Shoany Hudson took silver in the blind and visually impaired kata while her daughter Steph Hudson claimed bronze in the same section. Silver also went to William Creswell from Paul Barradell in the sparring section. Jonny Burden also won gold and Jake Li bronze. They train with coach John...

Rec win and Town miss out

Athersley Rec won 2-1 at home to Brigg Town. Harrison Landon and Nathan Perks scored. Wombwell Town’s Friday night match was called off as Nostell could not field a team then their Division One play-off hopes ended when Wakefield won on Saturday. Worsbrough Bridge lost 2-1 at Selby Town. Juninho Blake netted. Penistone Church finished their Premier Division season with a 3-2 loss at Barton Town. Antony Brown netted twice.