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Energy use falling in town’s households
THE amount of gas and electric Barnsley residents are using has fallen since the pandemic, the latest figures have revealed.
Figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero show residents of Barnsley used a total of 1,184 gigawatt hours (GWh) of gas in 2023.
This was up from 1,150 GWh in 2022, but down 16 per cent from 1,406 GWh in 2019.
Meanwhile, households in the area used 325 GWh of electricity in...
Theft conviction figures spark police into action
POLICE tasked with cracking down on a huge spike in retail crime in Barnsley have vowed to get tougher on thieves this year - after figures revealed just a third of those caught go on to be charged.
Barnsley-based officers have set their sights on boosting charge rates to at least 40 per cent in the hope of boosting retailers’ trust amid long-held claims from trade unions that not enough is being done to deter...
‘More visible police presence on streets’ promise
BARNSLEY’S district commander for policing has vowed to residents that more bobbies will be on the beat in the coming year - and has reflected on the force’s response to the riots in Manvers in August with officers still dealing with the long-standing effect of what happened that day.
Simon Wanless has praised his officers for their work across the town over the last year.
In particular, he praised officers for their work on vulnerable...
Decision now pending on bus service’s future
BUS campaigners’ long-held ambitions to bring services back under public control following years of protests could be decided as soon as the spring, county leaders have confirmed.
The former government’s 2017 Bus Services Act gave English ‘metro mayors’ - such as ex-county boss and current Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis, his successor Mr Coppard and West Yorkshire leader Tracy Brabin - new powers to set up Transport for London-style bus franchise systems.
The 12-week, &po
Social care provisions are among the best
USERS of social care services in Barnsley are happier with the care they receive than almost anywhere else in the country, new figures have revealed.
A national survey of social care users found 71.2 per cent of 340 respondents in Barnsley said they were satisfied with the care they received.
This was higher than the average of 66.4 per cent across Yorkshire and The Humber.
Across England, 65.4 per cent of recipients of care said...
Well-known community character dies, aged 82
A BELOVED local who served in the fire service for many years and did all he could for the community died on Christmas Eve - only a few months after celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary.
Peter Clarke - born in Wath - moved to Darfield more than 50 years ago and in the time since became a dedicated and invaluable member of the community, involving himself in countless roles.
He was on the governing board...
Cash grant will allow service to continue its work in the community
A ‘VITAL’ Barnsley care service which has been dominated by transient workforces has been given a boost in order to provide long-term careers for youngsters.
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) awarded funding to Crossroads Caring For Carers, based on Stocks Lane, as part of its Moving On Up programme.
Established in 1993, Crossroads is a charity and has provided support services to nearly half a million carers and those they care for in the town....
Weather still impacting council services
THIS week’s cold snap which saw temperatures plummet way below freezing is continuing to impact Barnsley Council’s services.
Snow, ice and subsequent flood warnings have all resulted in the local authority’s winter service staff being on constant deployment since New Year’s Day.
The primary gritting routes across the borough remain the focus, with secondary routes - which include some side streets and estate roads - being addressed as resources allow.
Continuous gritti
Youth choir’s new home could be ready this year
BARNSLEY Youth Choir’s artistic director Mat Wright is hopeful that their new multi-million pound facility will be open later this year.
The Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence (NAVE) will bring the council’s former Computer Centre on the corner of St Mary’s Place and Westgate - which was built in 1879 and was previously the town’s courthouse until 1970 when Barnsley Magistrates’ Court opened - back into use.
When complete, it will be home to the...
Mining accident victims remembered
TRIBUTES have been paid to the ten people who died following a shaft incident at Houghton Main Colliery 137 years ago.
On December 30, 1886, many of the afternoon shift had been raised to the surface in a three-deck cage when Allen Beresford, the engineman, was winding men up the shaft.
When the cage was about 150 yards from the surface he heard a crash on the drum, and the last he remembered was that...
Care team goes the extra mile to bring festive cheer
STAFF at a local care provider volunteered their own time over Christmas to travel across the borough and spread some festive joy.
The team at Oaks Business Park-based Sure Healthcare went the extra mile to support their 25 service users, donating money to buy each a present they could open on Christmas Day.
However, they chose not to simply send these through the post, and instead dressed up as Santa and his elves, travelling to...
Why Rate My Takeaway Danny is still hungry for more success
BARNSLEY-born food reviewer Danny Malin shot to stardom during the pandemic following the launch of the hit YouTube channel Rate My Takeaway. More than 730,000 are now subscribed to the channel which has accrued more than 100 million views. He spoke with the Chronicle’s chief reporter Jack Tolson about growing up in Barnsley, meeting some of TV’s biggest names and his plans for the future.
EVERYONE likes to think of themselves as a food critic...
Tom inspired others after loss
A LOCAL who lost his brother to suicide has been motivated to ensure that no-one in the town experiences the same loss - and after years of work is now hosting a public event he hopes will inspire people in what is one of the most difficult seasons of the year.
As ‘Blue Monday’ approaches, many across the country are struggling with their mental health.
Government data shows a spike in suicide rates last January,...
Lack of consultation over homes worries councillor
A LOCAL councillor has hit out at a developer after they refused to hold a public consultation event on their plans to build more than 100 homes on a disused colliery site in Darton.
In 2022, applicant Rouse Homes’ plan to build a total of 115 homes on neighbouring sites off Woolley Colliery Road were approved by the council’s planning board.
Up to 75 had been earmarked for the northern-most site, with 40 more on...
MISSING: Have you seen Adam?
POLICE UPDATE: Adam, who was missing from Barnsley today, has been found safe and well
POLICE are asking for help to find Adam who is missing from Barnsley.
Adam, aged 30, was last seen on Gawber Road this morning (Wednesday January 1) at around 1am and has not been seen or heard from since.
Adam is white, 5ft 11ins tall, of average build and with a long ginger beard. He was last...
Candlemaker’s new creation boost hospice coffers
A LOCAL candlemaker is helping boost Barnsley Hospice’s coffers with his new creation.
Mark Jordan, of Aroma Holiday Candles based at Pot House Hamlet in Silkstone, signed up to a collaborative project with the hospice.
Profits from the candles will go towards the hospice’s palliative care and end-of-life services.
Sarah MacGillivray, director of governance and quality and deputy CEO at Barnsley Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to launch our new candles which will help us...
Major reform will ‘transform’ SEND provision - MP
A VOW to carry out a ‘major reform’ on heavily criticised services for youngsters with special educational needs to allow pupils to thrive in mainstream schools has been hailed as a huge step in the right direction by a Barnsley MP.
Barnsley youngsters are to benefit from a £740m cash injection from the government which can be used to adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND, and to create specialist facilities within...
More cash needed to fund council houses
BARNSLEY Council bosses have admitted they have been unable to increase the number of council houses in the town due to the number of residents buying the properties each year - and they’re calling on the government to provide more funding.
New figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show 1,094 households secured social home tenancies in Barnsley last year.
This includes general needs housing, which are not designed for a specific...
Damaged base will need costly repairs
STORMS which have battered the nation over the past year have severely damaged one performing arts college - whose members are now appealing for help to fix the issues in order to stay open.
Nova Arts, on Peel Parade in the town centre, has been facing issues with leaks for a while now, though say that they ‘can’t work quick enough’ to handle the problems as they arise.
Though following a series of storms this...
Church to be bulldozed to make way for homes
HOYLAND Methodist Church is set to be demolished and replaced by six new properties after plans were approved just days before Christmas.
The church, on Market Street, has been vacant for a number of years following the re-organisation of the local Methodist church community.
The building had been used by small community groups who had contributed financially to help keep the site afloat.
However this has been deemed no longer financially viable and plans to...
