HERE'S a selection of stories as they appeared in the Chronicle back in August 1996.

CONFIDENTIAL details of Barnsley Hospital patients have been apparently leaked to a firm selling medical equipment.

Angry families contacted the hospital to complain about a breach of confidentiality after being approached by a firm selling a device which relieved asthma symptoms.

It is understood disciplinary action has been taken against one member of staff who passed patients names, addresses and details of their illnesses to the unnamed medical firm.

But it is understood that she has only been reprimanded — although Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley is now calling for her immediate dismissal.

“There should be a very thorough investigation and if information has been leaked, then the person responsible should also face criminal charges as well as dismissal,” he told the Chronicle.

CARLTON pigeons are flying for Corrie.

Two cups donated by Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey, AKA pub landlord Jack Duckworth, have been put on Carlton Homing Society’s races from Fraserburgh in Scotland.

The Bill Tarmey Cup was won by club secretary Ian Hampson last week and The Rovers Return Cup will go to the winner of the July race.

A PLEA for £20m to pay for education and training has been made by the council.

If the cash comes from the government it will help provide support for pre-school children, get parents more involved in schools and set up homework centres like the ones at Lundwood and Grimethorpe.

The council says it needs the money to solve problems affecting the young and the unemployed.

PLANS to build a block of flats in Western Street, Barnsley, have led to protests from people nearby.

S H Properties want to build the four flats on land used for storing and preparing cars for sale. Neighbours say there are too many flats already, fear noise and disturbance from ‘undesirable’ residents and claim it would lead to a rise in crime, vandalism and traffic.

RESIDENTS are opposing plans for a 45-metre mast on Carlton Industrial estate.

They say the mast with five dishes will be an eyesore and claim the industrial estate is becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for telecommunication masts.

Mercury was given the go-ahead to put up a similar mast nearby earlier this year.

GO-AHEAD has been given to plans for a centre of excellence for designer fashion.

Pollyanna owner, Rita Britton, has been awarded up to £120,000 by the Regeneration Board. She wants to convert an old Yorkshire Electricity showroom in Shambles Street into a centre for young fashion designers.

A POGMOOR teenager is to be a dancer in Europe’s largest casino.

Rachel Elizabeth Bray, 17, will spend eight months at the Estoril Casino in Portugal. She’ll be part of a top international floor show which performs seven nights and a matinee a week.

She’s been dancing since she was seven, attends the Melanie Pickering Academy of Dancing in Sheffield and Kingstone School.