Angel Voices Performing Arts Academy performing at the Penistone Paramount.

World-class coach help her Angels hit right note

A GROUP of ‘angelic’ singers have been developing their confidence and taking to the stage thanks to their world-class coach. Angel Voices Performing Arts Academy, based in Darton, runs teaching workshops and private coaching for kids of any age who want to develop their singing and theatrical prowess. Youngsters are encouraged to develop their natural talent - and build their confidence - to eventually perform on stage for an audience. They are coached by world-class...

Van operators in meltdown over ice cream ‘school ban’ plan

ICE cream van operators who have traded on Barnsley’s streets for generations say their livelihoods have been plunged into doubt - after the council announced ‘nonsensical’ plans to ban them from selling near schools. Changes to so-called street trading rules - which sellers claim they were unaware of until the Chronicle revealed the plans in February - are set to come into force. It will see a 200-metre no-go zone implemented around the town’s schools...

Jordan’s marathon mission for grandad’s charity

A UNIVERSITY student with a hectic life is making time to raise funds for his veteran grandfather’s charity. Jordan Taylor, 26, is currently in his final year studying sport and exercise therapy at Leeds Beckett University. Though between tight deadlines and lots of work, the Shafton-born lad has been making time to prepare for next weekend’s Leeds Marathon as he hopes to raise funds for the Parachute Regimental Association Barnsley and District Branch - which...

Cricket-mad Aussie Sally bowled over by meeting with Dickie

THE Chronicle organised a once-in-a-lifetime meet-up for a cricket-mad Australian - who is celebrating four years free of cancer by touring the UK - with her sporting icon Dickie Bird. Visiting Ireland and Scotland first, Sally Anderson, 67, and her husband Max, 68, made the journey down to Yorkshire this week to see the home town of their favourite cricketing hero. “It’s the trip of a lifetime,” Sally told the Chronicle. “We flew out of...

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...

Eight straight wins for Reds women

Barnsley FC women took a huge step towards winning the North East Premier with a 5-1 victory at title rivals South Shields on Sunday. Alayna Millard and Maddison Foye bagged braces with Betty Cheetham also on target in an eighth straight win. The Reds, with two games left, are still second on difference but leaders Spennymoor have finished their season. Title contenders Wallsend lost so Barnsley can win the league, and take the only promotion...

‘Pressure off’ as Reds head to Bolton

Josh Earl days ‘the pressure is off’ as Barnsley travel to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday still believing they can reach Wembley. The Reds lost 3-1 at home on Friday in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final and now visit Bolton on Tuesday at 8pm. Defender Earl told the Chronicle: “They beat us by two goals. Who is to say we can’t beat them by two goals on Tuesday? We just have to...

Bolton talking points

Analysis of Barnsley's 3-1 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers in the first leg of their play-off semi-final. SLOPPY GOALS GIVE BOLTON HUGE ADVANTAGE Unlike the joyous Wembley-bound, champagne-covered celebrations a year earlier when Barnsley won the home leg of their play-off semi-final against Bolton, this time the players and fans clapped each other sombrely after the kind of scoreline many feared and expected. The Reds could easily have levelled at 2-2 but instead conceded...

Devaney rues 'sloppy goals' but insists: 'all to play for'

Martin Devaney rued ‘three sloppy goals’ in Barnsley’s 3-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-finals but says there is ‘all to play for’ going into the second leg in midweek. The first goal came as Devante Cole was off the pitch having been injured, before a good move down Bolton’s right, and the second was a penalty conceded by Liam Roberts after a disastrous back header by...

Poor goals cost Reds in 3-1 home play-off loss

Barnsley conceded two disastrous second half goals as they lost 3-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final. The visitors took the lead halfway through the first half then added another from the penalty spot early in the second half after a huge error by home captain Jordan Willliams. Substitute Sam Cosgrove pulled one back but then the hosts were on top for the final...

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...

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...

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...

Big derby win for Cawthorne

Cawthorne CC won by 111 runs in their Barnsley derby at Elsecar in a cup game. Liam Wiles carried his bat with 96 not out off 100 balls in Cawthorne’s 199, with nine fours and two sixes. The only other player to make more than ten was number eight Archie Greaves who hit four sixes in his 40. Elsecar’s Jason Meadows took six for 14 off 9.5 overs. Elsecar were skittled for 88 with Pakistan...

Barnsley Woolley lose opener

Barnsley Woolley Miners CC lost their season opener at home to Cleethorpes in the Yorkshire Premier South. The Shaw Laners put on 78 for the opening wicket but were then bowled out for 146. Cleethorpes won with six wickets down in the 37th over.

Dearne win title

Dearne and District are the champions of the Central Midlands League after winning their final game 3-0 at AFC Bentley. The Goldthorpe club are nine points clear of second-placed Doncaster City - who have two games in hand - and have won 27 of 30 league games. Enzo Guarini, Josh Moore and Tommy Needham netted in front of a crowd of 835. Dearne are now expected to play in the Northern Counties East League next...

Dearne one point from title going into their final game

DEARNE and District need one point from their final game tomorrow to secure the league title. Dearne won 3-0 at SJR of Worksop on Saturday. Bayley Lowe, Enzo Guarini and Brandon Burke scored. Dearne’s last game is at home to mid-table AFC Bentley on Saturday and a point would be enough for the title. They are six points clear of second-placed Doncaster City who have two games to play and a superior goal difference. Dearne...

Women’s team start with big win

THE SUMMER Sheffield and District Leagues have just begun with Barnsley Tennis Club running ten teams. The women’s first team beat Grove 4-0 at home, winning 48 games and losing just eight. The women’s B team beat Brentwood away in a very close match. The C team defeated visitors Fulwood D 4-0. The men’s team were edged out 5-4 at Mexborough but there were wins for the B and D teams. Three mixed teams are...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Barnsley celebrate their opener in the home game in March

BARNSLEY v BOLTON: The battle for Wembley

ONE YEAR on and, although it may not feel like it, Barnsley are in the same basic situation as at the end of last season – with two games against Bolton Wanderers between them and the League One play-off final at Wembley. But this time the Reds, who ended the league season with ten points from 12 games, are not favourites to again win a semi-final against the Trotters who finished 11 points clear...

TROTTERS PREVIEW: Key battles, opposition view and previous meetings

An in-depth look at Barnsley's League play-off semi-final games with Bolton Wanderers. They meet tonight at Oakwell then on Tuesday in Bolton. TEAM NEWS Barnsley: Out: Matty Wolfe (knee), Donovan Pines (thigh). Doubts: Jon Russell, Robbie Cundy, Josh Benson. Bolton: Out: Carlos Mendez Gomes (Achilles), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (calf), George Johnston. Doubts: Victor Adeboyejo. LIKELY LINE-UPS Barnsley (3-5-2): Roberts: Williams, de Gevigney, Earl; O'Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Ka

McAtee looking to reach another play-off final

JOHN McAtee watched a League One play-off final from the stands as a fringe player for Shrewsbury Town, who would release him the next year, and is hopeful of returning there as a player with Barnsley this month. The 24-year-old striker, who is on loan from Premier League Luton Town for the season, has netted 15 goals in all competitions this season in 43 appearances. He was a teenager who had spent the season on...

‘The club and fans will come together with objective to win’ – Devaney

MARTIN Devaney admits Barnsley have ‘let ourselves down at home’ this season but is hoping they can end the Oakwell campaign on a high against Bolton Wanderers in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final today. The sides are due to meet at Oakwell from 7.30pm tonight then in Bolton from 8pm on Tuesday. The Reds finished sixth on the final day of the season, slipping down a place after a 1-1 home...

Magnificent 7 for Reds women as they move into strong position

BARNSLEY FC women have won seven in a row but now want to continue that run and secure the North East Premier title after moving into a strong position. The Reds won 3-1 at Alnwick on Sunday so remain level on points with leaders Spennymoor who have a better goal difference but have played two extra games. Barnsley have three games to play starting at third-placed South Shields on Sunday. Manager Jess Horsley said: “I...

NEW JOBS

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...

£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...

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...

Wombwell Main and North Gawber finally back on home pitches

WOMBWELL Main and North Gawber played their first home games at their own ground in months on Monday in the County Senior League. Both Premier Division clubs, along with Houghton Main, have struggled with water on their pitches after a rainy winter and spring – having to switch fixtures to the opponents’ ground or play on neutral venues for hefty fees. Wombwell Main lost 2-0 home to Jubilee Sports on Monday. They then lost 2-1...

Eight-wicket Emilia the star of low-scoring first weekend of cricket season

EMILIA Rossi took eight wickets in Silkstone United’s win at Stocksbridge in Division Four of the South Yorkshire League. Joseph Atkinson (55) led Silkstone to 165 then the hosts were bowled out for 82. Many fixtures were called off due to the wet weather, such as Barnsley Woolley’s opener. But some teams from the town did manage to play. Wombwell Main were skittled for 78 chasing 127 at home to Rockingham 2nd XI. Wombwell’s Richard...

Three wins for Barnsley boxers

A trio of local fighters got their hands raised at the Metrodome on Tuesday night. Wyatt Holden from Jonny’s Gym in Ardsley forced a standing eight count against Rotherham Unity’s Harley Saeed on his way to a unanimous decision win and the Yorkshire title. Hoyle Mill southpaw Josh Green was also a decision winner. He controlled the contest against Witter’s Sam Noble. Host club, Micky’s Athletic, had a winner too with Kodi...

Medals for Harry and Freddie

HARRY Austin won a silver and bronze representing Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club at the North East Regional Championships. Freddie Cooke-South also took a bronze medal. They are both due to compete again this weekend, as the championship continues, along with Olivia Byrne, Lily Knowles and Annabelle Harrison.

Jack captains Yorkshire u17s

JACK Bailey of Green Moor captained Yorkshire Rugby Academy under 17s this week. Jack, who attends Queen Elizabeth Grammar (QEGS) school, plays number eight for the school first team. He was previously with rugby league club Wakefield Trinity’s under 16s scholarship programme before switching over to the Yorkshire Rugby Union set-up. The 17-year-old spent most of childhood learning rugby in the suburbs of Paris with rugby club Garches Vaucresson, before returning to Yorkshire in summ

World-class coach help her Angels hit right note

Van operators in meltdown over ice cream ‘school ban’ plan

Van operators in meltdown over ice cream ‘school ban’ plan

Jordan’s marathon mission for grandad’s charity

Jordan’s marathon mission for grandad’s charity

Cricket-mad Aussie Sally bowled over by meeting with Dickie

Caring Frankie-Jo is a top sister

Eight straight wins for Reds women