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Live music venue plans for Priory Campus [read more]
News
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...
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...
Barnsley FC
'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...
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...
MOST READ
Prison manager jailed over relationship with inmate
Man jailed for engaging in sexual activity with underage Barnsley girl
Work begins on controversial MU1 scheme
COMMENT: Collins pays price for unacceptable slump
Barnsley fans hoping for TV moment of fame
Interim boss promises to ‘take shackles off’ in crucial game against Cobblers
Residents ‘went into a chaotic and frightening scene’
Devaney to take final league game but next week uncertain
Kes statue group ‘distance themselves’ from new sculpture plans
Knife-point robbery victim Pat won’t let the criminals win
News
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...
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...
Sport
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...
News
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
Business park sold to tenant in multi-million pound deal
A BUSINESS park in Penistone has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal.
Over the past two years, Fairfield Business Park has been fully developed from being unoccupied into a thriving hub by family-run, Barnsley-based property and land specialists, Fairbank Investments Ltd.
The park has been bought by international packaging business Neal Brothers, for a seven-figure sum.
Located in the heart of Penistone, the historic former David Brown plant shut at the end of 2020 when...
Barnsley FC
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...
COMMENT: Collins pays price for unacceptable slump
A look at some of the key issues after Barnsley part company with head coach Neill Collins with a game left in the season.
SHOCK SACKING MIGHT CHANGE MOOD AND JOLT PLAYERS
Neill Collins was informed on Monday morning that he was relieved of his duties, following 291 days as Barnsley head coach which brought some memorable moments, club records and a place in League One’s top six but also constant issues and ultimately an...
Collins sacked with one league game left
Neill Collins has been sacked as Barnsley head coach with one game remaining in the League One season, and Martin Devaney appointed caretaker coach.
The Reds had taken nine points from their previous 11 games, with the gap between them and the teams outside the play-off places shrinking from ten points to one.
They will qualify for the play-offs if they win at home to Northampton Town on Saturday, with a draw or loss potentially...
News
Katie says it with flower after shop dream comes true
A FLORIST is thanking the community who helped her make the ‘pipe dream’ shop come true by giving out free bouquets.
Katie Jo Brown - who runs Bloemist Family Florist on High Street, Bolton-upon-Dearne, with her mother Jean Hackett - has been placing bouquets around the community since she opened the store in July.
The small gesture has been her way of giving back to a community that allowed her and her mother to open...
Police appeal over jewellery stolen in burglary
POLICE have launched an investigation following a reported burglary in Hoyland last month.
It’s reported that at around 10.58pm, on Sunday March 17, a property on Wood Walk had been broken into.
It is alleged that an Audi Q5 had been stolen along with sentimental pieces of distinctive jewellery.
An investigation has since been launched and the vehicle has since been recovered and returned to its owners.
Two men aged 19 and 21 were arrested...
Barnsley farms could fuel thousands of homes
WIND and solar farms in Barnsley could fuel thousands of homes, new research suggests.
Estimates from the National Grid suggest the UK must double the amount of renewable electricity it produces over the next six years to replace energy phased out from fossil fuels.
Climate and energy charity Friends of the Earth has called on all political parties to pledge to lift restrictions on onshore wind farms.
The campaign group said the...
Jake overcomes his unlucky break to help club
A YOUNG rugby league player isn’t letting an unlucky break stop him raising funds for his club.
Twelve-year-old Jake Hallas, who plays for Dodworth Miners’ Welfare, originally planned to take on a half marathon in February to help the rugby league team pay for new equipment.
However, Jake broke his wrist so was unable to complete the challenge.
Dad Paul said: “He originally set the challenge for February 25 but he broke...
Pupils play their part in village history board
LOCAL councillors met with pupils of Gawber Primary School to unveil a new history board the school had made.
Members of the school council, with help from deputy headteacher Rachel Knox, the Gawber History Group and designer David Exley, designed the board that includes information about the school’s past, present and future.
This is the latest in a series of history boards in Gawber produced by the history group with ward alliance support....
Sport
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.