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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...
Music author releases book ahead of Oasis comeback
VERY few will have brushed shoulders with the stars as often as Simon Andrew Spence - and it’s left him in good stead with his publishing career.
The 55-year-old grew up in Wilthorpe before moving to Morecambe at the age of ten and he says it’s his upbringing that has really shaped him to being the man he is today.
Having started out as a journalist NME, Simon really rose to stardom with rock band...
Council bosses hope move will attract ‘dominant high street shop’
BARNSLEY Council has served notice on a major retailer in the town centre after plans to convert two units into one broke cover - and bosses hope the move will attract a ‘dominant high street shop’ into the town.
Health and beauty retailer Superdrug, based on Cheapside, were served the notice due to the council’s ambition to widen the pool of retailers they are able to target.
The building once served as a department store...
Town’s people showed ‘a fundamental goodness’ says Father Bill
A PRIEST who spent 13 years in Barnsley - which he describes as a ‘golden age’ - has since gone on to serve two tours in Iraq and settle back in his native Scotland, but while facing illness with a rare condition he has been reflecting on his much-loved time in town.
Many will have crossed paths with Father Bill Bergin, who worked throughout the 1990s as parish priest for Holy Rood Church in town....
Three arrested after police pursuit
THREE men - including one as young as 16 - have been arrested on suspicion of burglary following a police pursuit.
In the early hours of last Wednesday morning, a Kia Picanto failed to stop for officers in Wath.
After it sped off, officers carefully pursued the Kia to Mexborough where a stinger was successfully deployed to bring the vehicle to a stop.
The occupants of the stolen Kia attempted to flee the scene but...
Entrepreneur Leonie really is the business
A THRIVING entrepreneur who has been using her business to help children across the county has been named as one of the UK’s top 100 female business leaders.
Leonie Briggs, founder and director of interactive science education business Amazelab, has been included in Small Business Britain’s annual list of top female role models for 2025.
The business deliver accessible STEAM workshops for children of all ages and abilities, with Leonie carrying out live experiments on...
Hometown serves as inspiration in artist’s book
A BARNSLEY artist is set to release his new book - and it’s a homage to his home town.
Richard Kitson, 43, of Birdwell, has a studio on Eastgate in the town centre where he often holds workshops for local people.
Richard has exhibited in the UK and internationally and was a participant in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2018.
His work has been featured in selected group exhibitions including the Royal...
Probe into ‘unacceptable’ sale of war memorials
THE sale of two ‘precious’ war memorials which had been removed from the setting in which they had sat for more than a century before being sold to an unknown buyer at auction is being looked into by a charity following a public outcry.
It’s understood the two memorial plinths which contain engravings of fallen soldiers’ names were removed from the position they had held for 103 years when Cudworth Methodist Church, on Barnsley Road,...
‘Unprecedented’ lows lead to blood donor appeal
INCREASED demand for blood from hospitals and high levels of unfilled appointments at donor centres have caused life-saving stocks to drop to unprecedentedly low levels, NHS bosses have revealed.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), based in Dodworth, are in the midst of an ‘amber alert’ after demand for blood from South Yorkshire’s hospitals exceeded collections by almost 3,000 units.
O-negative and O-positive donors have subsequently been asked to urgently book and fill appoin
Fed-up neighbours complain they can’t get near homes on match days
RESIDENTS whose houses surround Barnsley Football Club’s Oakwell home have raised their concerns about parking on matchdays - with many unable to get to their own properties due to road closures.
There is currently a 30-minute road closure before kick-off on Grove Street and surrounding roads on matchdays.
Locals say that they have been unable to engage in any sort of meaningful conversation with the club and feel ‘ignored’.
Midweek games are also an issue,...
Hospital facing winter illness ‘quad-demic’
SOARING cases of flu which has seen almost every bed at Barnsley Hospital being occupied so far in January is set to continue amid warnings of a ‘quad-demic’ of winter illnesses, NHS bosses have warned.
The most recent NHS situation report for this winter shows Barnsley Hospital had an average of 457 out of 475 beds occupied 96 per cent in the week to December 29 in what’s been dubbed a ‘tidal wave’ by MPs....
