HERE’S a selection of stories as they appeared in the Chronicle in July 1986.

FIREMEN performed a dramatic rescue when a falconer became stuck 60 feet up an electricity pylon after climbing to check on a bird’s nest.

He climbed the pylon off Sandybridge Lane, Shafton, to check on a kestrel’s nest which he believed may have been raided, a fire brigade spokesman said.

But as he climbed out onto an arm of the structure, he began getting mild electric shocks, became frightened, and found himself stuck.

A line was tied around the man so he could climb back down, with firemen taking the strain.

There were four stationed at different points up the pylon in case he fell.

THE Sheffield Road subway is a ‘no go area’ for women at night, say police.

The warning follows a spate of attacks on young women.

In the most recent attack, a girl of 16 was struck in the mouth by a mugger. The attacker made off with a yellow carrier bag containing men’s shirts and cigarettes.

A woman was sexually assaulted in the subway two weeks ago, and a number of other women have been attacked in recent months.

“The subway is a definite no go area for women at night,” said a police spokesman.

“They should choose a different route, or be accompanied, but not try to use the subway alone after dark.”

RETAILERS who refuse to back a council campaign to ban the sale of smoking substitute Skoal Bandits may find themselves on a ‘hit list’.

Shopkeepers will be asked not to stock or sell Skoal Bandits, tobacco-filled pouches placed between the gum and cheek.

The American-made product has been the subject of claimed links to mouth cancer, but the manufacturer refutes the claims. Coun Arthur Williams told a council meeting he expected shop keepers to co-operate.

He warned: “We could find out who will not co-operate with us and publish the names of the retailers, so that the public can judge for themselves whether or not to use that shop for other purposes as well.”

Barnsley Council is hoping to lead a national campaign and get the government to ban the product.

A NEW £7.7m scheme to bring a supermarket to the former Star Paper Mill site off Old Mill Lane emerged this week.

It would involve a 70,000 sq ft superstore, as well as a ‘gift’ of 30 acres of land for leisure facilities.

The major scheme would involve a redesign of the road layout around Old Mill Lane and Harborough Hill Road.

CO-OPERATIVE Bank customers in Barnsley can now withdraw cash 24-hours-a-day after the installation of an automated teller machine (ATM) outside its branch in Peel Square.

Called HandyTill, the machine will be available all day 365 days a year, and staff will be on hand during opening hours to help customers understand how to use it.

And the bank is a member of the Link Network, which means customers will have access to more than 800 ATM machines around the country if they apply for one of the Electron banking cards to access their account.

The machine will dispense cash, as well as displaying the current balance of a customer’s account.

CRICKET umpire Dickie Bird, of Staincross, has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

Dickie said it was his proudest moment and the pinnacle of his career.