Licensees Paul and Julie Kenworthy with Barnsley CAMRA chair Andrew Taylor and Fr Blair Radford.

Pub with historic Barnsley FC link goes up for sale

ONE of Barnsley’s oldest pubs which played a vital role in Barnsley FC’s early years has come under threat - as potential buyers have set their sights on converting the historic site into a shop. The Dove Inn on Doncaster Road has recently gone up for sale, with owners Old Mill Brewery claiming that it no longer fits with their wider plans as they push for more gastro pub-style establishments. The sale is being handled...

Major education project aims to ‘leave no child behind’

A MAJOR project to drive up Barnsley youngsters’ education outcomes will see £1.6m spent on more support in order to leave ‘no child behind’. The council’s Great Childhoods Ambition scheme follows the successful pilot of the Children’s University initiative in local schools, which showed ‘promising results’ in engaging pupils. Touted as an ‘early years to teens’ scheme, it’s also set to boost chances of gaining employment upon y

Proud dad’s surprise nomination for cricket-loving Emma

A YOUNG girl with an outgoing spirit has been surprised by her father with a Proud of Barnsley nomination that celebrates her cricketing achievements. Emma Wrightson, 18, represents Yorkshire Cricket Club, playing for the under-18s side where she was recently made captain. Starting ten years back at her local cricket club, the girl from Silkstone has continued to develop her skills, always putting herself out there with hopes of improving. Her father, Ian Wrightson, told...

Allotment owner Mick’s unique ‘grow your own’ scheme helps locals

THROUGH a unique ‘grow your own’ scheme one local allotment owner got £1,400 worth of fresh fruit and veg donated to the people of Grimethorpe. Mick Curphey presented the idea of the scheme to fellow members of the Grimethorpe Allotment Group last year and was instantly met with support. Collectively, they began working on growing and potting plants that could be donated to the community free of charge to allow residents to grow their own...

Mining fears allayed at potential housing site

CONCERNS over a potential housing site’s former mining past have been allayed by authorities ahead of a crunch meeting which will pave the way for the new development to commence. A planning application, submitted by Hoober Homes, seeks permission to build 51 homes on land to the south of West Street, Worsbrough Bridge. The site, originally known as the Dearne and Dove Steam Saw Mill, has a long history of industrial uses dating back to...

Craig looks to take Donny form into Reds loan

MATTHEW Craig is hoping for another successful spell in South Yorkshire after helping to turn Doncaster Rovers’ season around earlier this year. The 21-year-old signed for Barnsley on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Craig – who captained the Spurs under 21s – played once in the Premier League, coming on in a win over relegated Leeds United on the final day of the 2022/23 season. He then spent the second half of last...

Reds edged out by Mallorca

Barnsley produced a good performance but were wasteful in front of goal in a 1-0 friendly loss to Spanish top flight side Real Mallorca on the final day of their pre-season training camp at Loughborough University. Mallorca took an early lead but the Reds missed several clear-cut first half chances, including a penalty by Luca Connell. Darrell Clarke rested a host of players who had been used in previous pre-season matches, including back three Josh...

COMMENT: Pre-season steps up at Loughborough

THIS week felt like the true start of Barnsley’s attempt to make it third time lucky in their attempts to get out of League One – as they spent a week at Loughborough University on a training camp. The university is an impressive site, with a series of immaculate football pitches across a sprawling campus which also includes a huge beach volleyball court. Members of the British Olympic squad had been training there full-time before...

Window ‘frustrating’ but boss Clarke wants patience

‘ASSESS the window after it’s shut’ is the message from Darrell Clarke despite admitting it is ‘frustrating’ that Barnsley have not signed more players so far this summer. The Reds will begin their League One season in a fortnight at home to Mansfield Town on August 9 after they play their last official friendlies today and on Wednesday. The EFL summer transfer window is due to close in five weeks on Friday, August 30. Barnsley...

Benson to miss start but Pines progressing

JOSH Benson is set to miss the start of Barnsley’s season after another setback in his injury-blighted Reds career. The 24-year-old midfielder, who has started just three league games in almost two years due to a series of different injuries, came off with a hamstring problem in the friendly at Accrington on Saturday. He is set to miss several weeks. Head coach Darrell Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s really unfortunate for Josh. “He’s picked up...

Lidl bosses ‘actively searching’ for new site in borough

A SUPERMARKET giant which ended its almost three-year quest to build on land following ‘significant’ delays with Barnsley Council’s planning process has reiterated its commitment to finding an alternative site in the town. Lidl lodged its bid for a new store on Sheffield Road, off Birdwell roundabout, with a proposed new access off Cross Keys Lane in early 2022 before withdrawing the application just days before a planning meeting which was scheduled for December last...

Gonorrhoea cases hit record high in Barnsley

A RECORD number of gonorrhoea cases were reported in Barnsley last year, the latest figures show. Figures from the UK Health Security Agency show there were 266 gonorrhoea diagnoses in Barnsley in 2023. It was up from 246 the year before and the highest since local records began in 2012. Meanwhile, there were 20 syphilis diagnoses in Barnsley in 2023 up from 17 the year before. Nationally, recorded cases of syphilis were at the highest...

Oral cancer cases rising every year

THE number of people being referred to Barnsley Hospital with oral cancer has been increasing year-on-year - and last year’s figures are more than double that of 2017. A Freedom of Information request has revealed that in 2023 at total of 405 oral cancer referrals were made to the hospital’s trust. February saw the highest number of referrals when 49 people were diagnosed, whilst June and March also had 40 or more. In comparison, there...

Bike route to showcase Barnsley’s history and scenery

A NEW bike route which promises to showcase the best of Barnsley’s history and scenery has been unveiled as part of a multi-million initiative to boost cycling numbers. Designed to encourage communities to get involved in the fun and freedom of cycling, the scheme - South Yorkshire By Bike - includes multiple family-friendly sections for people to explore. Mayor Oliver Coppard and Ingbirchworth-born Olympian Ed Clancy revealed its 250-kilometre route this week, which connects Barnsley...

Ethan takes top role at only 21

A BARNSLEY man has risen through the ranks of massive international companies to become a chief executive at the age of 21. Ethan Sumner, the son of Central ward councillor Nicola Sumner, will serve as the CEO of DevEx Connect - a community-driven independent research, analyst and events organisation. He began his journey at 16 when he set his sights on becoming a DevOps engineer, a goal he achieved as the youngest DevOps engineer at...

Dujardin replaced at Olympics by Becky from Barnsley and Jagerbomb

BARNSLEY will have a competitor at the Paris Olympics after Becky Moody replaced the banned Charlotte Dujardin on the dressage team. Dujardin, who was chasing the record of the most Olympic golds by a British woman, will not be competing in Paris after a years-old video emerged of her whipping a horse – sparking worldwide outrage. So reserve Moody, from Gunthwaite, has been moved up into the team and will make her Olympic debut on...

Siddall takes 7 for 5 as Cawthorne Emerald bowlers run riot

JAMES Siddall took five for seven as Cawthorne Emerald under 11s beat Sprotbrough. Finn Campbell claimed three for six and there were two wickets for Fred Woodward and Ralph Cartwright. Worsbrough Bridge under 11s beat Penistone Lions. H Foster top-scored for Penistone and J Brown for Worsbrough, for whom F Kemp took two wickets. Darfield under 11s defeated Rockingham. L Wroe top-scored for Darfield then J Buckle took two wickets. Rockingham’s B Cummins took three...

Friday night Barnsley derby at Rec to kick off new non-league season

THE LOCAL football season in Barnsley begins on Friday night with a derby between Athersley Rec and Worsbrough Bridge. The Northern Counties East League Division One game is due to take place at Sheerien Park from 7.45pm. Both clubs finished in lower mid-table last season and are hoping for more this time. Worsbrough manager Lee Morris said: “We start with a big Barnsley derby which is always a good start. “You always want to start...

Dearne and Dodworth re-start title challenges

BARNSLEY’S rugby league teams return to action after a two-week break tomorrow, hoping to strengthen their title challenges. Dodworth MW are due to host Wyke in Division Three. They have won nine of their ten games so far and are second, off the lead on points difference. They are ten points clear of the teams below them and a win this weekend would guarantee a place in the top two. The top four are set...

Victories for Stainborough and Notton

STAINBOROUGH beat visitors Horbury Bridge by 50 runs in Division One. Josh Abson made 55 in Stainborough’s 213, after they were 36 for four, then Daniel Baker took five wickets and Lewis Shepherd three. Thurnscoe Institute were skittled for 98 chasing 156 at home to Kippax. Bradley Newton and Michael Harvey took three wickets each. Darton were skittled for 114 in a two-wicket home loss to Old Sharlston in the Championship. Will Turner took five...

MR EUROPE: Kyle Weiss with his latest title at home. Picture Shaun Colborn PD093351

Mr Europe Kyle following in dad’s footsteps

A ROYSTON bodybuilder has followed in his dad’s footsteps by being named Mr Europe at an event in Italy earlier this month. Kyle Weiss, 36, has been training to become a bodybuilder since he was 14 - and his dad Terry has won it all. Terry picked up the sport in the 1980s after finding a weightlifting gym and soon became hooked. In 1985 he placed third in his first competition and since then, the...

Parents’ heartache as baby ‘just slipped away in her sleep’

THE mother of a ‘perfect’ young baby girl who died in her sleep at just seven weeks old on Friday night says she keeps hoping she will wake up from ‘the nightmare she is in’. When Callie-Jayne was born on June 2 at Barnsley Hospital her parents, 42-year-old Chris Stone and 37-year-old Amy Galland, admitted it was one of the happiest days of their lives. But just seven weeks later and their dream has now...

HMOs taking away ‘affordable family homes’

NATIONAL companies have been sweeping up homes in Barnsley to convert into HMOs - taking away ‘affordable family homes’ from locals. Houses of multiple occupation are homes that are rented out by at least three people who share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. The Chronicle understands that as of June, 188 HMOs have been licensed across the borough, managed by companies nationwide including from London, Nottingham and Gloucester. The Central ward has been most...

‘Rapid actions’ needed on sewage

A UTILITIES firm which released sewage into Barnsley’s watercourses for thousands of hours last year has been blasted by the Environment Agency in a damning report. The study said Yorkshire Water was rated a three-star company in 2022, but has now had its rating demoted to two stars following last year’s performance. It had 26 total pollution incidents per 10,000km of sewer, up from 22 in 2022, while data from the Environment Agency shows sewage...

Group benefits from Charlie’s legacy

A POPULAR councillor who clocked up 49 years’ service before he died last year left donations to several groups close to his heart. Charles Wraith MBE, known to most as Charlie, was elected in 1974 and served on numerous committees and eight governing bodies with Barnsley Council, most notably serving the Cudworth ward. He died aged 80 but left ‘significant donations’ to several local organisations including Cudworth History Group and Chewin’ t’Cud magazine, as we

Dean Whitehead joins Barnsley as coach

Former Premier League midfielder Dean Whitehead has joined Barnsley as first team coach – completing Darrell Clarke’s backroom staff. The 42-year-old former Sunderland and Stoke player worked with Clarke as a coach at Port Vale, where they earned promotion from League Two. He then worked under former Reds boss Valerien Ismael at Besiktas and Watford – as well as a spell at Cardiff for whom he was caretaker manager. Whitehead is set to focus mainly...

Earl wants to take scoring form into season for ‘massive’ Reds

JOSH Earl is hoping to take his goal-scoring form from the pre-season games into the competitive fixtures next month as Barnsley look to be much more of a set piece threat. The six foot four defender has headed in corners in the friendlies at Alfreton and Accrington. The Reds rarely threatened from set pieces last season but are hoping to be much more successful in that area in the coming campaign. Earl told the Chronicle:...

Reds sign Craig on loan for season

Barnsley have signed midfielder Matthew Craig on loan for the season from Tottenham Hotspur. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder played once for Spurs in the Premier League, against Leeds, who were relegated that day, in May last year. He then played 20 games on loan to League Two Doncaster Rovers earlier this year, losing in the play-off semi-final. Craig told the club media team: “It’s been really good so far. I’ve looked around the ground...

Barnsley set to sign Matthew Craig

Barnsley look set to announce the signing of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Matthew Craig on loan. The 21-year-old, who has played once for Spurs in the Premier League, captained their under 21s and spent the second half of last season at League Two Doncaster Rovers. The Scotland youth international made 20 appearances for Donny, scoring once, and helped them surge up from a League Two relegation fight to the play-offs in which they lost to Crewe. ...

Reds in for 'really tough week' in Loughborough

Darrell Clarke says his Barnsley players are in for a ‘really hard week’ during their training camp at Loughborough University. The Reds are due to arrive in Leicestershire today and spend the week there, ending with a friendly against Mallorca on Friday. Clarke told the Chronicle: “We will have a really hard week and we’re stepping up the preparation. “It will be a good bonding and fitness week. Every team I have been involved in...

Rapist dies a year into 30-year sentence

A RAPIST who sexually abused three young girls for a number of years died one year into his 30-year sentence at HMP Wakefield, it has been confirmed. John Kelk, 69, formerly of Wingfield Road in Athersley South, was jailed for 30 years in 2022 following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. He was found guilty by a jury of a total of 22 charges including rape and sexual assault. Kelk abused three victims over a...

Country rocked by tragic crash

A DEVASTATING crash which killed four adults and two children rocked the nation to its core - and more than £380,000 has been raised to support an 11-year-old Barnsley girl who has been left without her mum and dad. Police rushed to the A61 Barnsley Road between Wakefield and Barnsley at 3.54pm on Sunday following reports that a motorcycle and Ford Focus had collided. Involved in the collision were 33-year-old Shane Roller, 30-year-old Shannen Morgan...

Residential plans for former church

PLANS to turn a town centre church into nine flats have been submitted to Barnsley Council. St Barnabas Hall, the church on Old Mill Lane, was built originally as a catholic church in 1933 following the demolition of a previous building in the 1880s. The site, comprising two church buildings connected together by single-storey extensions, was put up for sale in 2023 but is now vacant. The buildings were originally catholic churches and last used...

‘Major shake-up’ of benefits system needed, says Pathways to Work report

A LANDMARK project will aim to get more than 2,000 people into work in Barnsley by 2028 at a cost of £10m - and it’s expected to generate almost £70m in economic benefits over the same time frame. The Pathways to Work Commission report was published by Barnsley Council on Tuesday and it sets out the need for a ‘major shake-up’ of the benefits system. Figures show that 27 per cent of the working-age population...

Man bailed following fatal collision

A MAN arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision which killed six people has been released on bail. Emergency services received reports of the collision, which happened near at 3.54pm on Sunday afternoon. Six people, including four adults and two children, died at the scene. Shane Roller, 33, Shannen Morgan, 30, nine-year-old Rubie Morgan-Roller and Lillie Morgan-Roller, four, were travelling in a Ford Focus. Christophe

Mills takes Darfield top ahead of another crucial game

LEADERS Darfield won a crucial game in their Division One promotion push, thanks to a hundred by Jabari Mills, and now face another on Saturday. Mills hit 121 off 113 balls with 12 fours and five sixes in the win at third-placed Conisbrough. It was the Trinidadian’s first century for the club and put him top of the division’s run charts. Darfield – who had started the day second – are now six points clear...

Swaine slip from 1st to 6th while Callum hits 130 twice

HOYLANDSWAINE suffered two defeats over the weekend and slipped from first to sixth in the very congested Huddersfield Premiership table. They are now six points off top as just seven separate the top seven with nine games left to play. Swaine lost at Golcar on Saturday. Abdul Ameer and Adeel Baig took four wickets each. Swaine, chasing 295, lost their top five for ten runs combined then Arron Lilley hit 51 and Jack Seddon 50,...

Rowland completes ‘great’ season with victory in home race

OLIVER Rowland finished the Formula E season with victory in the final race in London, putting him fourth in the overall standings. The Penistone man, who is 31 next month, has enjoyed his best ever season as an individual. He finished on the podium six times and won two races. His team Nissan came third in their championship. Rowland had picked up just a point from the previous four races, having been ill for the...

Another narrow Wath win

WATH pulled further clear of relegation trouble with another narrow victory. A week after beating Ackworth by three runs, they defeated Aston Hall by five. Rob Barlow top-scored with 52 in Wath’s 198 then took three wickets as did Michael Bates. Aston Hall were 165 for four but lost five wickets in the last six overs and two in the final one. Wath are now two places and 17 points clear of the bottom two. ...

Aziz stars as Cawthorne defeat Elsecar

Cawthorne ended a five-game losing run with a derby victory at Elsecar who remain last in the Yorkshire Premier South. Michael Jepps (65) and Danish Aziz (73) led Cawthorne to 239 then Aziz took five wickets as Elsecar were all out for 167. Cawthorne moved up two places and are 19 points clear of the relegation zone. Elsecar are 16 points adrift of safety. Barnsley Woolley Miners’ run of three straight league wins ended in...

Pub with historic Barnsley FC link goes up for sale

Major education project aims to ‘leave no child behind’

Major education project aims to ‘leave no child behind’

Proud dad’s surprise nomination for cricket-loving Emma

Proud dad’s surprise nomination for cricket-loving Emma

Allotment owner Mick’s unique ‘grow your own’ scheme helps locals

Mining fears allayed at potential housing site

Craig looks to take Donny form into Reds loan