HERE’S a selection of stories as they appeared in the Chronicle in July 1998.
EDUCATION chiefs are considering closing the three special schools where dozens of children with learning difficulties are taught.
Ironically one of those facing the axe, Crevesford, was only last week named among the 22 schools in Barnsley’s Education Action Zone — an ambitious £1m plan to improve standards.
The shake-up could also spell the end for The Gables School at Wombwell and Rockley Mount.
They would be replaced by a new ’super school’ on the Rockley Mount site which would take some pupils from the closed schools, while moves would be made to accommodate others in mainstream schools.
MAPPLEWELL’S swinging school choir will be centre stage today when it performs for MP David Blunkett at the launch of Barnsley’s Education Partnership Plan.
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment will be speaking at the Kingstone School in Broadway and the junior and infants chorus will provide 60s’ tunes at the event.
LONG queues are expected outside Oakwell tomorrow morning when season ticket holders get their first chance to swap seats.
The club says it is preparing for up to 2,000 requests from fans who want to change seats for the coming season.
Assistant secretary Chris Patzelt said: “This time last year, supporters were just grateful to get a seat anywhere in the ground (ahead of the Premier League season).
“Now some want to move so they can be closer to their friends or get a better view.”
Already 11,000 season tickets have been sold. The club believes that figure will climb to 14,000.
A DODWORTH man was left embarrassed after fire officers had to cut him free from handcuffs.
Nik Burton, 30, of Birchfield Crescent, Dodworth, whose father works for the fire service, was taken to Barnsley Fire Station by police after their attempts to free him from railings failed.
He had been left stranded with his trousers around his ankles in Wellington Street by friends on his stag night.
WORLD Cup fever even managed to grip Barnsley’s criminal fraternity — with many of them opting to stay in and watch the big games rather than go out stealing.
Police say while crime figures covering the period since the tournament in France kicked off had not yet been compiled, they were expected to show a marked decrease.
A spokesman said: “Officers have noticed that crime levels have fallen in the last month.
“The same thing happened during Euro ‘96. It’s a shame that events like the World Cup only come round once every four years.”
SCORES of shoppers flocked to the opening of the new Morrison’s supermarket at Cortonwood on Monday.
The store, on the site of the former pit, was officially opened by the Mayors of Barnsley and Rotherham, Coun Fred Wright and Coun Ron Windle.
KENDRAY Hospital has received nearly £9,000 of equipment designed to aid emotionally unstable children.
The audio visual equipment was presented by the Sheffield-based Westfield Health Scheme which donates equipment to local hospitals every year.
It will help nurses at the hospital monitor and record patients’ behaviour and can help in staff training.
