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Caring Frankie-Jo is a top sister
FRANKIE-JO Whittaker has gone above and beyond to support her sister who suffers with seizures.
The nine-year-old Laithes Primary pupil does a lot for her older sister, Tilly Lowe, helping out however she can while she suffers with regular seizures.
Over the past year, 18-year-old Tilly has been in intensive care and the family have been trying everything to help her.
Mum Leah Lowe told the Chronicle: “Her seizures can go on for days, even...
One in five Barnsley homes facing ‘eat or heat’ dilemma
ALMOST a fifth of all Barnsley households are facing the devastating choice of whether to eat or heat their homes.
Energy prices rocketed from the end of 2021 due to reduced supply and geopolitical issues - such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine - putting more pressure on hard-up households.
Latest estimates from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities suggest 19,642 households in Barnsley were living in fuel poverty in 2022 - 17.7...
New boxing academy with a big heart
A NEW gym is helping people of all ages get into boxing through a unique sponsorship scheme.
Barnsley Boxing Academy, on Chesham Road in the town centre, is a non-profit gym that became officially affiliated with England Boxing last week.
They provide affordable sessions for both kids and adults, as they work to make boxing accessible to all.
Coach Stephen Harford told the Chronicle: “The majority of the people we train are between eight and...
Payment hike leads to remortgage surge
HOMEOWNERS in Barnsley are paying £101 more on their mortgage each month than they were doing in 2022 prompting 15 per cent of them to remortgage their homes last year.
In the year to October 2022, inflation reached a 40-year high.
In response, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee gradually raised the Bank Rate from 0.1 per cent to 5.25 per cent between winter 2021 and summer 2023.
By the end of 2023, more...
Family praises ‘kind and caring’ highway bosses
THE family of a teenager who died in a collision near the town centre almost 30 years ago have praised highways bosses for their care after a major road scheme - which will result in her memorial being relocated - got underway.
Kaye Pepper’s plinth on Old Mill Lane was set after her death at the age of 18 on July 13, 1996.
Barnsley Council’s road widening scheme at the location is being funded by...
State-of-the-art transformation for historic college building
A MULTI-MILLION pound refurbishment project will transform a historic Barnsley College building into an ‘exceptional’ centre of innovation.
The South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT) - one of 21 IoTs nationally - will see one of its key facilities fully renovated to house the venue in the college’s University Centre on Church Street in Barnsley town centre.
The landmark art deco building - formerly Barnsley Mining and Technical College - will be sensitively transformed into...
Sister takes on charity walk in young mum’s memory
A CHARITY walk will be held in memory of a young mother who died suddenly having unknowingly lived with a heart condition which affects just a handful of people.
Becky Higgins, 33, is raising money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to remember her sister, 34-year-old Natalie Pell, who died in May 2022 just six months after she’d got married.
Natalie, who was a mum to twin boys Harley and Spencer, was enjoying a night...
Schools take part in lockdown drills
A NUMBER of Barnsley schools took part in lockdown drills this week following events elsewhere in the country.
On Wednesday, Birley Academy in Sheffield went into lockdown and a man has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after three people were reportedly attacked with a sharp object.
In response, some schools across Barnsley underwent a lockdown test this week to ensure pupils and staff know the precautions should a situation arise.
A spokesperson...
Crime hotspots to get targeted patrols
SIX areas of Barnsley are set to benefit from extra funding to tackle serious violence and antisocial behaviour - despite 42 other areas across South Yorkshire seeing targeted patrols, it has been revealed.
The additional funding, as part of the Home Office’s ‘Hotspot Response’ model, follows the increase of antisocial behaviour (ASB) patrols last July.
The model now sees an increase in the amount of officers on our streets in a bids to tackle specific...
£1.7m sports ground contract goes out to tender
A SEVEN-FIGURE contract to build a new sports ground which sparked controversy when it was claimed local residents’ voices had not been taken into account has gone out to tender ahead of its creation later this year.
Barnsley Council hope contractors will submit expressions of interest for the £1.7m work at Parkside in Hoyland, which form part of the local authority’s masterplan for the area.
Despite a long-running campaign and petitions being lodged in a...
Don loved Barnsley and Barnsley loved him ...
IT was nearly impossible to find someone in Barnsley who didn’t know Don Oakes when he worked as a Chronicle photographer and he loved every minute of those 40 years.
Don, 85, died on March 31 at Chapel View Care Home where he had spent the last six months of his life following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2023.
His funeral, on May 15, will take place at Ardsley Crematorium at 12.50pm, before people move to...
Angry volunteers step in to halt demolition work
DEMOLITION work on a 17th century stone wall in Monk Bretton Park was halted after volunteers stepped in.
Members of the ‘friends group’ at the Yorkshire in Bloom platinum award-winning park were angry after the demolition work got underway without warning early yesterday (Thursday).
The volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain and develop the Lamb Lane park had previously noticed a crack in the wall but had drawn up their own plans to repair it...
Laughter is the key, says 103-year-old Jean
JEAN Buckley will celebrate her 103rd birthday at Mapplewell Manor Care Home on Sunday - and she believes the secret to a long and happy life is laughter.
Jean was born in Cawthorne on May 15, 1921 and has lived through World War Two, five different monarchs and 22 separate Prime Ministers.
She now resides in Mapplewell Manor, on Greenside Avenue, and is incredibly popular among the staff and residents.
She’ll be celebrating her 103rd...
New mum praises maternity mental health team
A MUM who received support from Barnsley Hospital’s maternity-related mental health team has praised the service and urged other expectant parents to follow suit.
Alice Mee, 29, is the mother of nine-month-old son Leonard and spoke out in the hope of helping others as part of Maternal Mental Health Week, which ends on Sunday.
Alice is very grateful for all the help she got throughout her pregnancy from Yasmeen Akhtar and also the hospital’s weekly...
Hospital bids to pilot ‘rapid review’ scheme
BARNSLEY Hospital bosses have outlined plans to become one of the first trusts in the country to roll out a new scheme which will allow patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.
It will give people round-the-clock access to a rapid review from an independent critical care team if they are worried about their or a loved one’s condition.
The new process follows the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills in...
Vicious loan shark jailed after kidnapping borrower and breaking his jaw
A VICIOUS loan shark who kidnapped a vulnerable borrower, forcing him to travel in the boot of his car to get cash and broke his jaw during an attack when he couldn’t meet a repayment has today been jailed for seven years.
Richard Dawson, aged 35, from Barnsley, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court where he was told by the judge, Mr Recorder Adrian Langdale KC he was clearly involved in an ‘organised crime extortion...
Filmmaker delving deeper into Orwell’s time in town
LOCAL filmmaker and historian Dave Cherry has teamed up with Barnsley College to commemorate George Orwell’s stay in the town.
Orwell, who visited the town in 1936, will see his legacy marked in Barnsley later today when a blue plaque is unveiled in his memory.
Dave Cherry is well known for his filmmaking across the town, and he’s previously raised more than £24,000 for Barnsley Hospice by teaming up with the college.
He’s now gearing...
Volunteers ‘beyond thrilled’ to receive King’s Award
A LOCAL community group were presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony at Barnsley Town Hall this week.
The Friends of Wilthorpe Park were formed in September 2015 by a small but enthusiastic group of volunteers.
Nine years on and the group is still thriving, with many of its founding members still present.
On Wednesday, the Lord-Lieutenant Dame Hilary Chapman present the group with their crystal trophy that will stay on...
Appeal over park vandalism
THE council are appealing for information after a park was vandalised twice.
Last week, Royston Park and the old tennis pavilion were broken into twice, with items set alight and paint through across the games court.
A nearby bin on Lynwood Drive, Carlton, was also set on fire, leading to a planter being destroyed.
As part of the council’s Everybody Think campaign - which is designed to curb fly-tipping and environmental crime - an appeal...
Cancer charity marks three years of lifeline service
WESTON Park Cancer Charity celebrated three years of offering free transport for patients across Barnsley this week.
The service, which picks patients up from various locations including Oakwell, ensures people can get to any of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals sites to attend tests or receive vital cancer treatment, without the worry and stress of traffic, parking, and travel costs.
Since its launch in April 2021, Weston Park Cancer Charity’s free transport service has helped more...
Youth theatre creating a family of performers
TAKE 2 Performing Arts Academy has been a ‘godsend’ for youngsters with a passion for theatre.
The youth theatre, in Birdwell, welcomes youngsters aged three to 21 to learn the skills needed to perform on stage.
Teaching everything from dance and musical theatre to drama, students get the chance to put on their own shows and work like a professional theatre company.
Theatre manager Julie Whitfield told the Chronicle: “Kids get to work with staff...
Lockdown hobby turns into river source quest
A LOCKDOWN hobby turned into a multi-year journey across the country for one local.
Peter Giles, of Lancaster Street, started searching for river sources in lockdown after seeing his son post videos of his own adventures.
But what was meant to be something to help pass the time and get out of the house has turned into a three-year-long journey, as the 71-year-old travelled across the country to visit as many as he can.
“I...
Walkers step up with £10k for hospice
BARNSLEY Hospice supporters helped raise more than £10,000 for the facility in a recent fundraiser.
More than 60 people came together earlier this month to support the hospice’s ‘30 for 30’ walk.
A hospice spokesperson said: “The 30km route took them around the borough - including High Hoyland, Cawthorne, the town centre and Oakwell.
“Despite muddy conditions adding some challenges to the walk, the team finished with smiles on their faces and raised an incredible...
Seized dogs prompts police pet appeal
SOUTH Yorkshire Police have already seized more than 300 dogs so far this year, prompting officers to ask Barnsley pet owners to control their pets.
Emergency calls for dangerous dogs present a financial cost to the force every time they respond, often requiring officers from multiple teams to attend, as well as contracted kennel personnel who then transport, house and care for the dogs until action is decided. ( Following the initial emergency response, officers...
Farm students showcase talents at Spring show
BARNSLEY College students were able to showcase their talents to the public at Wigfield Farm last week.
The college’s ‘Spring Show’ took place on Wednesday, with students able to showcase a range of animals, running interactive sessions whilst selling handmade items.
Interactive sessions ran throughout the event, with students leading meet and greet sessions in the farm’s exotics room, for the public to meet insects and reptiles, as well as meeting this year’s lambs.
Adding...
World-renowned soprano heading for Barnsley
A TALENTED choir singer from across the pond will be performing at a town centre church in the coming weeks as part of her work coaching Barnsley Youth Choir.
Claire Herzog - a world-renowned Soprano - will be visiting St Mary’s Church the first week in May to run workshops with the choir’s talented youngsters before performing a recital at 7pm on May 4.
Some choir singers will have the opportunity to perform on stage...
‘Scandal of miners’ pensions must end’
BARNSLEY East MP Stephanie Peacock has slammed the ‘outrageous’ government for pocketing funds from the controversial Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme three years to the day since a report was released to the public - and she’s called for ‘an end to the scandal’.
First introduced in 1952, the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) was a pension scheme for coal miners, to ensure they received a good pension after years of work in the coal mines.
At the...
Oliver’s army cheers him on to London Marathon finish
A FORMER Chronicle reporter was cheered on by a recognisable time traveller last weekend when he completed the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Oliver Dyson, from Royston, took on the challenge last Sunday alongside 50,000 other runners.
Completing the run in 5-20-13 and raising £4,276 for the charity almost double his original £2,200 target Oliver said the day was ‘amazing’.
The 30-year-old told the Chronicle: “It just flies by, it was such a surreal...
Man jailed after violent town centre robberies
A MAN has started a five-year prison sentence following threatening and violent robberies in Barnsley town centre.
Russell Marsden, 28, of Buckingham Court, Wakefield, has appeared before Sheffield Crown Court charged with two robberies.
On September 25 2023, a woman was walking home from Barnsley Interchange after an evening with friends in Sheffield. As she was walking along Pitt Street, she was subjected to a knifepoint robbery by two men, who stole her...
Busy year ahead for Barnsley folk-rock band
A BARNSLEY folk-rock band are set to release their third single ahead of a festival-filled summer.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Daniel Watson from Cawthorne, Lizzie Morris, Evie Smith and Chris Reed make up Common Culture who will release their latest single ‘Taking Hold’ on Wednesday.
Dan was a member of The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican from 2014 until last year, but he has left the band to become the frontman of Common Culture.
The...
Cricket-loving Mac turns his hand to kurling
THE man at the heart of making cricket more accessible in Yorkshire has now turned to kurling - and he’s set to host the first ever game in Barnsley next month.
Mac McKechnie, 73, of Monk Bretton, came up with the idea of walking cricket in late 2018 after taking part in a walking football session at Barnsley’s U3A group.
That wasn’t for him, but he’s always had a soft spot for cricket and decided...
‘Amazing’ twins making their mark in ice hockey
EIGHT-year-old twins Edward and Stephen Lawrence have been following in their father’s footsteps as they find success on the ice.
The brothers, from Worsbrough, have been playing ice hockey for just two-and-a-half years but have already started making a name for themselves.
Luckily for the sport-loving pair, they have the perfect father to help them progress their skills - former GB and Sheffield Steelers player Davey Lawrence.
He told the Chronicle: “They play for the...
Facebook kidney appeal gives Bev second chance at life
TWO friends who had drifted apart and spoke little for 20 years now have a bond forever after a life-saving kidney donation brought them back together.
Bev Farnsworth, of Silkstone, has suffered for decades with polycystic kidney disease a genetic disorder that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys, leading the organs to enlarge and lose function over time.
The disease has already taken the life of 65-year-old Bev’s mother Kathleen Blackburn, as well as...
Litter pickers take advantage of road closure to clean up
A COMMUNITY litter-pick took place through Wombwell Woods last week in a bid to clear rubbish and fly-tipping.
The event, which took advantage of the road being closed due to resurfacing works on Wentworth Road, saw volunteers come together.
Residents joined the council’s South Area Team to pick litter and improve the cleanliness of Dovecliffe Road and the surrounding area in Wombwell Woods.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and transport, told the Chronicle:...
Appeal launched over rejected 200-home plan
AN appeal has been lodged after Barnsley Council sided with dozens of residents against the proposed construction of more than 200 new homes in Carlton.
The plans to build the 215 houses north of Shaw Lane were knocked back by Barnsley Council’s planning board last year following a number of concerns from residents.
The site consists of a 7.57-hectare area of land that forms part of MU3 and the Carlton ‘masterplan framework’.
This parcel of...
Couple share a passion for pottery
A MARRIED couple with a lifelong fairytale romance have built a career from their passion for pottery - and now have a unique opportunity to sell it at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Matt and Catherine West, originally from the town centre and Silkstone respectively, share a love story that could be turned into a film.
Meeting as teenagers, the couple travelled across the country together for university studies before settling back down in Sheffield.
Matt, 36,...
Four commended for trying to save young dad’s life
FOUR selfless Barnsley residents have been commended by South Yorkshire Police after attempting to save the life of a young dad who had been stabbed.
On August 9 last year, 28-year-old dad-of-two Daniel Micska was stabbed to death by Daniel Balazs who plunged a 12cm knife into his chest on Newton Street in the town centre.
Jonathan Maw, Elaine Priestley, Gillian Austin and Michelle Dyson all came to assist Daniel as they tried to stop...
Dan smashes £15k London Marathon target
BARNSLEY Central MP Dan Jarvis smashed his £15,000 fundraising target whilst running the London Marathon last weekend.
Dan was raising funds for Cancer Research UK, a charity close to his heart.
He said he knows from his own personal experience the ‘devastation’ cancer can cause - but he was also hoping to raise awareness about the ‘critical importance’ of early detection.
Dan aimed to raise £15,000 for the charity, and he’s now surpassed that target....
Highways bosses defend crossing decision
A DECISION to remove a traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing from a village’s busy centre - condemned by locals who blamed Barnsley Council for jeopardising shoppers’ safety - has been defended by highways bosses.
The crossing, on Barnsley Road in Cudworth, was deemed no longer necessary.
The Chronicle can reveal it will be moved elsewhere in the village to School Street, near Cherry Dale Primary, but shoppers blasted the council for removing the ‘essential feature’ from...
Hopes Monckton tipping woes are finally over
A PROBE into ‘large-scale’ fly-tipping left at a former coking plant - which saw Barnsley Council take action against the landowner when fire chiefs stepped in following a spate of arson incidents - has resulted in the site finally being cleared.
The council issued an enforcement notice against Monckton Developments in Royston following pressure from residents, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and the Environment Agency.
The notice allowed an eight-month period of time for bosses...
Report reveals why grass is greener in Barnsley
RESIDENTS in almost every area of Barnsley have better access to green spaces compared with nearly anywhere else in the country, new figures have revealed.
The Ramblers a charity for walkers researched the extent of green rights of way across England using satellite observations of land cover.
The figures show how accessible green space is in Barnsley with three of the town’s four constituencies ranking higher than almost anywhere else in the country.
The statistics...
Rita Britton revives iconic fashion brand
STYLE guru Rita Britton has revived her iconic fashion brand Pollyanna - and started designing and making clothes in Barnsley again.
Rita, who opened her first fashion emporium in the town centre in 1967, has come out of semi-retirement to relaunch the brand with daughter-in-law Michelle Underwood.
This time around, the pair will focus entirely on the design and manufacture of their own collection, selling direct to Rita’s long list of loyal customers - and,...
Discarded needles hinder town centre clean-up
WORK to tidy up a litter-strewn area near a town centre supermarket is stepping up.
Concerns around Morrisons, on Westway, and its surrounding areas have been brought up by local residents and shoppers.
Amid claims that the waste had attracted vermin, it’s now been confirmed that work to boost its appearance had started.
The Chronicle understands that discarded needles believed to have been involved in drug-taking have hindered progress since complaints were made in February....
New SEND centre to open in autumn
A NEW centre which will provide a much-needed education setting for youngsters with special needs aged between five and eight is set to open in the autumn, it was revealed this week.
Following a previous decision made by Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members, approval was given for the demolition of the former Stairfoot Family Centre in order to create a new facility to accommodate up to 15 children.
A key element of the local authority’s...
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...