Got a Story? - 01226 734262
Articles
Barnsley man jailed for causing death by dangerous driving
A 69-YEAR-OLD driver who caused the death of a 34-year-old man and seriously injured two others has been jailed.
On April 3 2022 at 1.30pm, Barrie Barker, of Wharncliffe, Dodworth, was driving a red Mini Cooper on Claycliffe Road in Barnsley when he dangerously overtook a car at the brow of a hill and caused a fatal road traffic collision.
The court heard how a dangerous manoeuvre led to Barker’s Mini clipping a...
Library reopens after renovation
WORSBROUGH Library officially reopened to the public last week following a renovation.
Last Friday, Mayor of Barnsley Coun Mick Stowe cut the ribbon in a special ceremony to mark the reopening.
This renovation was supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Barnsley Council Libraries Refurbishment Fund.
Coun Stowe said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the reopening of Worsbrough Library, a beloved cornerstone of our community.
“Libraries are more than just build
Betty celebrates 100th birthday with party
AN independent woman who made friends with ‘everyone she met’ turned 100 over the weekend.
Betty Swift, originally from Oakwell, was a regular at The Mount pub on Pontefract Road since it opened.
The resident at Saxondale EMI Care Home in Old Town made friends with everyone in the pub and was a friendly face for staff and pub-goers alike.
Her daughter, Anne Cherryholme, told the Chronicle: “She’s had a good innings.
“She would go...
Catering student Alfie serves up charity boost
A CATERING student who went above and beyond to help local youngsters has been shortlisted at this year’s Young Champions Awards.
Barnsley College’s Alfie Paton organised a fundraising lunch at the college’s Open Kitchen back in March to support the Exodus Project - a charity close to his heart.
The fundraiser saw college staff treated to a buffet provided by the restaurant and a quiz designed by Alfie himself, with questions focusing on his personal...
Young bowlers strike out for hospice
A GROUP of youngsters striked out for Barnsley Hospice with a unique fundraise.
Members of the Barnsley Youth Bowling Club (YBC) took part in a 12-hour bowling marathon on Sunday to raise funds for the hospice.
There were five children who did the whole 12 hours at Barnsley Bowl, while others took part in shifts, and all together they knocked down 21,990 pins over the course of the day.
President of the club, Mick Brown,...
Barnsley's Young Champions' finalists announced
CONGRATULATIONS to all the finalists in this year’s Young Champions Awards.
The awards’ evening, hosted by television presenter Sam Nixon, will be held at Barnsley Metrodome on Friday, June 14.
The finalists are:
Young Fundraiser: Alfie Robinson, Chloe Pearson, Reggie Cartwright
Young Carer: Harmony Grainger-Cutting, Annalise Sharp, Frankie-Jo Whittaker
Young Sportsperson: Edward and Stephen Lawrence, Jonathan Moore, Johnny Blaise Collier
Student of the Ye
Tributes to popular young mum
HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a ‘bubbly’ and ‘popular’ mum-of-two who has died suddenly.
Becky Evans, 35, originally from Elsecar but living in Hoyland, died on May 5.
She had been suffering with an illness - but the family described her death as a ‘shock’.
She has left behind her partner of almost two decades Scott Boothroyd, and her two young children - ten-year-old Evan and Freddie who’s six.
Her dad, 63-year-old Adrian from...
Sam Nixon to host Young Champions awards
HOST for the big Young Champions presentation night now just four weeks away will be TV presenter Sam Nixon.
Sam found fame after entering the Pop Idol TV talent show two decades ago.
He and fellow contestant Mark Rhodes teamed up to enter the world of TV presenting and since then, the pair have established themselves as one of the most in-demand TV double acts.
Monk Bretton-born Sam said: “I’m really looking forward to be...
New active travel path officially opened
OLYMPIAN Ed Clancy braved the rain on Wednesday with the Mayor of Barnsley and other councillors to officially open a new active travel path into the town centre.
The former gold-winning Team GB cyclist - who now serves as active travel commissioner for South Yorkshire - has been working hard over the past year to encourage fitness and physical activity across the county.
In Barnsley, his work has seen him running ‘RampUp’ cycling and scooter...
Talks underway for town to host big cycling stage
THE biggest cycling race in the UK could be set to feature Barnsley after the council proposed spending £130,000 to bring the event to the town.
The race itself starts in Glasgow on September 1 and will finish in London seven days later.
Barnsley Council said the exact route has yet to be finalised, but the race would come to South Yorkshire on September 5 and will likely lead to multiple road closures if the...
Quick-thinking dad saves son from blaze
A HEROIC father who had to drag his sleeping teenage son out of a burning house in the early hours of Saturday morning after his neighbour’s property caught fire has called on Barnsley Council to do more to support those affected.
On Saturday morning at 3.28am, four fire engines attended at Darley, Worsbrough Dale, following reports that a property was well alight.
They extinguished the blaze before leaving the scene at 5.45am.
However, they were...
£300k investment to ‘stamp out town centre crime’
BARNSLEY Council is set to spend more than £300,000 on enhancing its CCTV service whilst also doubling the number of town centre wardens in a bid to ‘stamp out crime’ in the area.
A total of £150,000 has been earmarked for the CCTV scheme which will begin next year.
It’s hoped that the scheme will continue to enhancing the experience in the town centre making it safer and more welcoming for residents.
The aim is...
Councillor welcomes move to tackle school parking problems
PARKING enforcement officers will finally tackle problem parent parking around schools in Worsbrough following an almost two-year-long campaign by a local councillor.
Coun Jake Lodge, who represents the area as an independent, first raised his concerns around parking at schools at a full council meeting in November 2022.
He said he has been receiving reports from school bosses and parents over a sustained period of time - and is now pleased that officers will patrol...
Kindness is the key, says 100-year-old Sadie
KINDNESS is the secret to a long life according to one Cudworth resident celebrating her 100th birthday.
Sadie Bonds celebrated her centenary last Friday, alongside close friends and family.
The regular churchgoer, who’s made friends with countless members of her local congregation, enjoyed the celebrations at her home where she lives with her son and full-time carer Adrian.
He told the Chronicle: “It all went pretty good.
“We didn’t have the full extended family around,...
Philip takes on 100th park run at 89
A VETERAN of the Barnsley Park Run will be taking part for the 100th time today - all while he gears up for his 90th birthday.
Philip Thompson isn’t feeling too worried about the upcoming challenge at Locke Park, however.
“I’m feeling okay about it,” he told the Chronicle.
“I’ve completed 99 already without any problems, so this one should be fine.
“But the emphasis, like with all park runs, is that it’s not a...
Young traders make regional finals
FOUR youngsters have secured their spots at the regional finals of the Young Trader of the Year Awards following a local competition.
A total of 16 young traders competed in the local heats at Barnsley Market on May 11, in a bid to celebrate the next generation of market traders across the country.
First place and champion of the Barnsley heats was awarded to Imogen Johnson, owner of Petal and Forge.
She said: “I feel...
Boundary change views ‘will be heard’
BARNSLEY Council’s leader says he is ‘concerned’ about proposals to alter ward boundaries in the town - but assured residents in areas in line for changes that their views will be heard.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) reviewed Barnsley’s 21 boundaries having last done so in 2003 - and their final draft report was released to the public earlier this month.
The commission put forward a raft of changes, which they say...
Call for PM to scrap ‘cruel and harmful’ policy
BARNSLEY Council bosses will be asked to call on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to scrap ‘cruel’ two-child limit to benefits - which has plunged thousands of local families into poverty - after the Liberal Democrats submitted a motion to the local authority.
The government’s two-child limit on benefits means that families who have had a third or subsequent child after April 2017 are denied up to £3,235 per year per child compared with families whose...
Octogenarian Danny keeps on running ...
AN 80-year-old isn’t letting age - or a five-year battle with cancer - stop him as he prepares to take on his 400th park run tomorrow.
Danny Batty, from Penistone, started taking part in park runs back in 2012 and has been unable to stop.
He’s hoping to celebrate his 400th park run at Locke Park tomorrow - a route he much prefers to his local Penistone run.
He told the Chronicle: “There’s a run...
Outgoing Mayor has enjoyed every minute
MAYOR and Mayoress Mick and Elaine Stowe step back from their duties today after a year of dedicated service - and they woke up ‘smiling every morning’ throughout.
The departing pair admit that Coun Stowe couldn’t thank everyone, or detail everything he’s done over his ‘eye-opening’ year wearing the chains.
With unforgettable moments like getting dragged onto stage during the Civic’s pantomime in December, being unable to stop laughing to himself as he
New Mayor ‘honoured and humbled’ to be appointed
NEW Mayor of Barnsley John Clarke will be sworn in at a meeting today.
Coun Clarke, who was represented the Worsbrough ward since 2010, will take over from Coun Mick Stowe following this morning’s full council meeting.
He will be joined and supported during his mayoral year by his wife, Doreen, as mayoress.
He announced he will support both Age UK Barnsley and The Well for Barnsley Hospital Charity during his mayoral term.
“I am...
Increasing calls for ‘rat run’ to be made safer
RESIDENTS in Monk Bretton have called on Barnsley Council to introduce speed measures in the area following an upsurge in accidents on the Full House estate which has been described as a ‘rat run’ for impatient motorists.
More than 100 people have already signed the petition which is due to be handed to Barnsley Council bosses in the coming months.
They are calling for action on Tennyson Road due to a supposed increase in the...
Rare print of classic Kes discovered in loft
WHAT is believed to be one of only two remaining film prints of the 1969 classic Kes has been rediscovered and donated to Parkway Cinema for a special screening.
The newly-found 35mm print was discovered in the loft of Ian Fletcher, from Clayton West, a member of the Barnsley Kes Group and an obsessive of everything Kes-related.
Once it was discovered, the print was rushed to the co-owner of Eldon Street’s Parkway Cinema, Rob Younger,...
Endangered wall set for restoration thanks to funding
A CRUMBLING 260-year-old wall is set to be saved from its imminent collapse thanks to a grant from Historic England.
The wall surrounds Cannon Hall’s kitchen garden, which was built in 1760 and forms part of the former stately home’s Grade II-listed grounds.
Lined with fruit trees - some of which date from the 18th century - the garden, designed by renowned Georgian landscape architect Richard Woods, was used to produce fruit and vegetables for...
Multi-million pound Youth Zone will be world class
WORK officially commenced on the site of a multi-million pound ‘one-of-a-kind’ youth zone in the town centre this week - and it’s set to be completed in just over 12 months’ time.
The venue - which will include a four-court sports hall, a rooftop 3G outdoor kick-pitch, gym, boxing and martial arts room, a recording studio, dance studio, sensory room and mentoring kitchen - will be built off Schwäbisch Gmund Way.
Mandy Carlson, born and...
£100k safety move for ‘high-risk suicide location’
MORE than £100,000 is set to be invested to make a town centre bridge - which has been labelled a ‘high-risk suicide location’ following 36 separate incidents over a two-year period - safer for struggling residents.
The report, which was discussed by members of the Barnsley Town Board in a meeting yesterday, shows that a total of £120,000 will be spent on additional safety measures at the Pitt Street bridge, which runs above Westway near...
Push to fill empty town centre units
A ‘SIGNIFICANT’ rise in shop units becoming vacant in Barnsley town centre - which leaders blame on the knock-on impact of the Covid-19 pandemic - is set to be reversed thanks to a new plan to encourage businesses to move to the location.
Barnsley Council announced its plan invest £1.1m over the next three years to tackle the number of empty shops, a report revealed, after a vacancy rate of 13 per cent was established....
LOCAL HISTORY: A glimpse into a bygone age
SOME more sketches by Kenneth L Graham have been unearthed in our archives room.
The pictures, from his Old Barnsley series, were originally featured in the Chronicle way back in 1932 and give an insight into a bygone age.
Some of the sketches will be instantly recognisable despite huge changes across the town over the last century.
It’s believed Kenneth produced 46 sketches in total.
Series of bike thefts lands man in jail
A REPEAT thief has been jailed after officers connected him to a series of crimes in Barnsley.
Ian McAffrey, 37, was arrested and charged with burglary on 17 April, following an incident which saw him a raid a shed in Dodworth on 25 March.
He pleaded guilty and was handed a four-month suspended sentence, but at the time of his arrest, officers found a pushbike in his car which they suspected was stolen...
Young boy left with 'serious injuries' following hit-and-run
A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy has been left with serious injuries following a hit-and-run in Brierley this week.
At 5.55pm on Tuesday, police were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Church Street.
Upon arrival they found the boy who had suffered injuries including a fractured cheekbone in the collision.
He was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.
The grey van...
Police issue warning over courier fraud
POLICE in Barnsley are urging residents to remain vigilant with their online banking after it became easier for criminals to commit courier fraud.
The most common way that courier fraudsters operate is by calling their intended victim on the phone and claiming to be from their bank, the police, or another trusted authority.
Once they have established a veneer of trust, the fraudsters will claim that an unusual payment has been spotted on your bank...
Scheme to tackle chronic loneliness
A JOINT project by Barnsley Museums and Heritage Doncaster will support older people who are lonely or isolated after receiving generous funding.
The scheme will have a focus on the Dearne Valley, and aims to create volunteering opportunities and reduce chronic loneliness.
It will run until December 2025 and involve delivering creative and wellbeing activities in the local areas and sharing learning between the two museum services.
The project will also enable groups to visit...
Flower show first for stately home
WENTWORTH Woodhouse will host a prestigious flower show for the first time next year.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced that the flower show, previously held at Tatton Park, will be held at the grand site next year.
The show has attracted around 80,000 visitors in previous years - and it’s hoped the turnout next year will be similar.
Helen Pettit, the RHS director of shows, commercial and innovation, said: “We’re incredibly excited to...
Partnership aims to make homes safer for children with asthma
YOUNG asthma sufferers who live in council houses in Barnsley will be targeted through a joint partnership in a bid to make homes safer for those living with the respiratory condition.
Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, with around one in 11 children living with asthma.
South Yorkshire Children and Young People’s Alliance have teamed up with Berneslai Homes, who manage properties for Barnsley Council, to ensure kids...
Hospice accumulator tops £25k
BARNSLEY Hospice has raised more than £25,000 over one month through its ‘Accumulator Challenge’.
The challenge saw 20 teams do their best to turn a £30 loan into as much money as possible throughout the month of March.
Teams did everything including making orange gelato, fancy dress, hosting raffles and crafting a Barnsley Hospice-themed cocktail, as they worked to honour the hospice’s 30th anniversary.
Altogether they made £25,024 over the month, meaning that the Accumulator...
Mayor raises over £20k for chosen charities
THE Mayor of Barnsley has raised more than £20,000 for his two chosen charities over the last 12 months.
Coun Mick Stowe raised £10,346.16 for each the Barnsley Blind and Partially Sighted Association (BBPSA) and Barnsley Hospice.
Representatives from the two charities were invited to the mayor’s parlour last week to be presented with their cheques.
Throughout the year, the mayor has hosted a 23-mile charity walk, a charity ball and golf day.
He said:...
New Academy opens up new opportunities for students
THE new Berneslai Homes Academy has officially opened at Barnsley College.
The aim is to give students across Barnsley access to more high-quality education and training and more opportunities to experience the world of work.
There is already a long-standing connection between the college and Berneslai Homes - and it’s hoped the academy will strengthen the connection between the two.
Berneslai Homes supports a range of apprentices as well as currently hosting a number of...
Barnsley historian moves on to mining museum
HISTORIAN John Tanner - who oversaw the creation of Experience Barnsley in the town hall - has landed a new role at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield.
Dr Tanner has a long track record of successfully delivering major projects and will take up the job of head of masterplan and capital projects at the site.
For Barnsley Museums, he led the creation of Experience Barnsley and he has also been involved in increasing...
Jenny spreads the joy of reading
A NEW mum is taking time out of her busy schedule to provide free books to children across Barnsley.
Jenny Duffy, 33, whose son was born only nine months ago, will be running a book hunt throughout the month, where she will hide more than 100 books in town for youngsters to find.
The project has been supported by town centre businesses The Yorkshire Witch and Old George, who have provided funding for the books...
Residents celebrate boundary decision
RESIDENTS across Silkstone and Silkstone Common are rejoicing this week after the Boundary Commission sided with their wishes to remain in the Penistone East ward - after scores of locals aired their concerns about proposed changes.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) reviewed Barnsley’s 21 boundaries having last done so in 2003 - and their final draft report was released to the public earlier this week.
Approval to press ahead was granted by...
Community centre extension wins approval
PLANS to extend St John’s Community Centre in Penistone have been approved by Barnsley Council’s planning board.
An application to demolish existing outbuildings and replace them with two new extensions were originally submitted in February.
The plans, for the site on Church Street, were approved last week.
A report states: “Penistone is a historic market town which has its main retail and service offer concentrated on Market Street which is further enhanced by the new...
MP praises government on broadband progress
BARNSLEY’S only Conservative MP Miriam Cates has praised the government after it was revealed thousands more households in her constituency now have better broadband.
Across her constituency of Penistone and Stocksbridge in 2019, only two per cent of households had access to gigabit broadband.
This has increased to more than 56 per cent this year.
Mrs Cates said she will work to ensure more of her constituents have access to better broadband.
She added: “I...
Learners face L of a wait amid test shortage
THOUSANDS of learner drivers face long waits to take their test because of a shortage of appointments.
New research suggests in Barnsley, just over 15,000 people are learning to drive but current projections show only 8,261 test appointments will be available this year.
The data gathered through Freedom of Information requests and Office for National Statistics figures found that monthly demand for tests in 2024 exceeds the monthly capacity for testing by almost a fifth....
Women urged to ‘think twice’ over cancer symptoms
BARNSLEY women who may put off seeking a medical opinion upon finding a symptom of cancer have been urged to think twice as part of a new scheme which aims to increase early detection rates.
Following the successful launch of the ‘Peace Of Mind’ campaign by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance, the focus has shifted towards highlighting symptoms associated with womb cancer.
Sometimes called endometrial or uterine cancer, it is the fourth most...
Town square revamp ‘well worth the wait’
THE official opening of Hoyland Town Square - following a £400,000 redevelopment - was ‘well worth the wait’ according to the Mayor of Barnsley Mick Stowe.
Its redevelopment saw work undertaken by Barugh Green-based AmcoGiffen - with a contract tendered at £155,000 - over a number of months.
After the work was finished last year, a celebration event was held by Barnsley Council to open the new-look town centre but residents felt there was very...
Councillor demands action over year-old sinkhole
A LOCAL councillor has questioned the Coal Authority after a six-foot-deep sink hole in Hoyland has ‘remained untouched’ for over a year.
It’s located on the the Cloughs Estate - an area around Clough Fields Road in Hoyland - but was left with little work completed.
The council subsequently covered the sink hole and an investigation found a mine shaft had collapsed.
But, more than a year later, Coun David White - who represents the...