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Hiked-up mortgages led to home repossessions
RECORD-BREAKING amounts of Barnsley homeowners had their properties repossessed last year having failed to meet soaring mortgage payments, shocking new figures have revealed.
Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were 81 repossession claims lodged in Barnsley in the year to September, up from 66 the year before - the highest in more than a decade.
Separate figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show there has also been an increase in...
Springvale youngsters triumph at Oakwell
EIGHT Barnsley schools battled it out or a spot in the northern finals of the EFL Utilita Cup last week.
The competition, which took place on the Oakwell training pitches, creates one of the country’s largest national football events which culminate in a final at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands of fans before a major national final, as schoolchildren live out their dream.
In the run up to these finals, EFL clubs and their...
Major reform sees surge in cervical cancer jab uptake
VACCINATION reforms which came into force to protect young girls from cervical cancer have been hailed as a leap in the right direction by medics - after latest NHS figures revealed more than 80 per cent of those eligible in Barnsley received their jab.
The change to a single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has led to more year eight girls in Barnsley receiving the jab in the last school year, after the Joint Committee on...
Incredible turnaround as Chris set to compete in Invictus Games
A FORMER RAF Corporal who attempted to take his own life less than two years ago changed his mind at the last minute after glimpsing his sons’ nursery - and is now set to take part in the Invictus Games thanks to help from the Royal British Legion (RBL).
Almost 18 months ago Chris Platts, from Hoyland, planned to walk into the North Sea near RAF Lossiemouth and not come back.
But, before taking those...
Over 150 pay respects to community hero Joan
HUNDREDS packed into St Mary’s Church in Wombwell last week to remember the life of a community hero who everyone in the town recognised.
Joan Robinson died on December 13, aged 84, having lived an incredible life that made her a kind of local celebrity.
Working as a teacher at both Barnsley Girls’ High School and Barnsley Sixth Form College, Joan made an impact on countless young people’s lives, but it was the work she...
Final warning issued to yobs
UNRULY yobs who have been plaguing Goldthorpe due to their antisocial behaviour could be evicted from their homes if they continue to cause disruption, the police have confirmed.
Officers from Barnsley South East’s Neighbourhood Policing Team have been out and about in Goldthorpe in recent weeks following residents’ concerns around antisocial behaviour.
It has resulted in seven children being stopped by the police - all of which will receive an antisocial behaviour warning letter.
Housing waiting list ‘significantly reduced’
THE number of households waiting for a council house in Barnsley has been significantly reduced.
Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show there were 7,762 households waiting for a social home from Barnsley Council as of March 2024.
This was a rise from 6,725 a year earlier and the highest figure since 2009, when there were 7,804 people waiting.
However, it’s now down to just over 5,000 thanks to a new...
Proud grandad John will be cheering on biathlon starlet
WHILE John Cooper’s granddaughter - 17-year-old biathlon starlet Charlotte Mincher - may have grown up in Canada, he’s maintained an unbreakably strong connection with her and will soon be jetting off to Sweden to watch her represent Great Britain.
In just four weeks, Charlotte will be in Ostersund, Sweden, preparing herself for one of the greatest challenges of her life so far as she faces off against some of the world’s best young biathletes at...
School’s apology over alleged ‘abduction’ message
A SCHOOL has apologised after sending out a distressing message falsely alleging that someone had ‘attempted to abduct’ an 11-year-old girl - and police are now asking that concerned parents avoid ‘taking their own action’.
Screenshots of a message describing the alleged attempted abduction at a school in Shafton were sent out by staff at Brierley CofE Primary School and spread like wildfire on social media on Wednesday evening.
The fear came only days after...
Inspiring artwork deemed ‘lovely addition’
A PIECE of artwork designed to help people with neurological conditions has left locals inspired at Barnsley Hospital.
Inspired by a suggestion from the trust’s deputy director of nursing, quality and professions Amy Hartley, staff on the neurological rehabilitation unit have created a ‘tree of life’ - a mural-style piece of artwork depicting a tree with strong roots and bright blooming leaves.
The tree of life helps service users to visualise something which represents life.
Recycling firm’s retrospective plans rejected by council
A RECYCLING business which sought retrospective permission to double the capacity of its operation near a wildlife haven has had its application rejected by councillors this week.
Eric Lidster, who runs West Green Recycling in Monk Bretton, submitted an application in December 2023 but it was discussed by planning board members on Tuesday.
The retrospective application was rejected after inspectors found a prior agreement which allowed the business to operate was of a ‘significantly larg
Debt advice charity launches money coaching campaign
A LOCAL debt advice charity in Barnsley has launched a campaign offering residents free money coaching and debt help.
The scheme, Budget Not Blues, has been launched by Christians Against Poverty (CAP) who work out of Gateway Church in the town centre.
Almost 100 money coaches in Yorkshire have been trained by Christians Against Poverty to run free money coaching sessions in local communities throughout 2025.
CAP provides practical solutions and emotional support to those...
Business devastated as inferno wrecks premises
A LOCAL business has been devastated by a destructive fire that ravaged their premises and has left management struggling to figure out what to do next.
Plumes of smoke could be seen from across town on Friday evening as flames tore through BCS Garage on Wakefield Road in Smithies.
The blaze destroyed one of the mechanics’ bays, with the building and much of the stock turned to ash by the time firefighters managed to take...
Tributes paid to former NUM vice president Ken Capstick
THE former Yorkshire area vice president of the National Union of Mineworkers and a man who played a pivotal role during the miners’ strike has died.
Ken Capstick, 84, was vice president of the NUM Yorkshire Area from 1990 to 1994 when the Tory government unleashed a programme of pit closures and destruction of coal-mining communities.
He died in Bulgaria on Saturday while visiting his daughter due to a ruptured gall bladder.
He was cremated...
Big walk ahead for school staff
DOZENS of staff members at a local primary school will be putting on their walking boots this weekend in a bid to raise funds for a teacher whose husband has been diagnosed with inoperable brain tumours.
Around 30 teachers and staff from Joseph Locke Primary School will head to Mam Tor in Castleton tomorrow in honour of Oliver Wood, whose wife Faye works at the school as a SENCO.
In 2019, Oliver was diagnosed with...
School pays tribute to pupil Jack
A TEENAGE boy from Darton Academy tragically died last week.
Principal Joe Spencer said that the school’s thoughts are with the family of year ten pupil Jack Allott following his death on Friday.
In a statement on the school’s website he said: “It is with great sadness that Darton Academy confirm the loss of a valued member of our school community.
“Our academy is working with partner agencies to support both staff and students in...
Cancer home-testing kit to be sent to thousands
THOUSANDS more people in Barnsley will be sent a home-testing kit that can help to detect signs of bowel cancer, it has been revealed.
People aged 50 and 52 are now starting to automatically receive a home test kit every two years by post when they become eligible, marking the final phase of the NHS ambition to offer everyone aged between 50 and 74 the screening test.
Around 850,000 additional people in England a year...
School becomes first to achieve Healthier Futures accreditation
THE town’s best performing secondary school has now been awarded the Healthier Futures Accreditation - celebrating its commitment to providing a healthier environment for pupils.
Darton Academy topped the government’s school league tables last month and has now become the first secondary school to receive this council accreditation.
Working with Barnsley Council’s public health team has allowed staff to strengthen the academy’s relationships with healthcare services, providing students
Young dancer Poppy proving autism won’t stop her
A YOUNG dancer from Kexborough is fundraising to compete in the Dance World Cup this year - and she’s hoping to inspire others by showing that her autism won’t stop her from doing what she loves.
Poppy Unwin, 11, has been dancing since she was just two years old.
She currently trains at ElliTe Studios in Wakefield and more than 90 of the children there now have the opportunity to represent their country at the...
Historic mill’s 400-year story will continue
ONE of the few remaining in-use mills in Yorkshire had its four-century history plunged into doubt earlier this year - until funding was found to save Worsbrough Mill. Josh Timlin delved into its past and its brighter future&
Worsbrough Mill’s often described as one of the jewels in Barnsley’s crown and it’s not hard to see why within moments of entering its 240-acre grounds.
It’s a symbol of the town’s hard-working, industrial past but more...