Chronicle chief reporter Jack Tolson takes a look back through the Chronicle Archives to find out what was making the news fifty years ago in June 1975.

NEW CHURCH OPENED

HOYLAND’S new £50,000 Methodist church was officially opened on Saturday.

The ceremony was performed by Mr Paul Bartlett Lang, secretary of the Joseph Bank Benevolent Trusts.

He was assisted by Rev F.A Armery, Rev A.E Gibbons and Rev R Malarkey.

Also present were Rev A.G Hurst, Rev W Clark. Rev J Cashman and Rev E Pickersgill.

More than 150 church members and friends walked from the old Methodist church, in Market Street, to the new building before the ceremony.

Later the members had a buffet tea and were entertained by Grenoside Male Voice Choir.

The new church contains the pulpit ad organ from the old church.

The members decided to build a new church some years ago, following the closure of the Bethel and Mount Tabor Methodist churches.

About £12,000 was raised in Hoyland and the rest of the cash came from the National Coal Board.

UNEXPECTED VISITOR

WELL-known local historian Alfred Elmhirst had a surprise visitor when a glider pilot, Graham Singleton of Dronfield Woodhouse, was forced to land in a field near his farm at Houndhill, Worsbrough Bridge.

In the picture with Mr Singleton, who was unhurt, and Mr Elmhirst, are PC John Nunn and PC Paul Farrell, who were called to the scene.

Firemen also answered an emergency call but their services were not required.

KOJAK HAIRCUT HASN’T DONE ANYTHING FOR THESE THREE

THE original ‘Kojak’ haircut certainly hasn’t done anything for three Shafton men.

According to Frank Howe, Richard Giles and Brian Firth, the so-called ‘sexy look’ of a bald head has had the opposite effect with their wives.

Brian said: “Every since I had my hair shaved off, my wife has given me nothing but burnt chips and cold meat.

“She even drank in a different room to me when we went out for a night at the local.

“In other words, she wasn’t very pleased.”

And for the first time in many years, he had to walk to work.

He usually flags a lift from mates - but they don’t even recognise him.

Brian’s four children keep taping him on the head with a spoon.

“But it has its advantages,” he added.

“You don’t have to buy hair cream or shampoo.”

The whole idea of the three having their heads shaved started when Brian decided to celebrate his last twenties birthday last week - in an unusual fashion.

Richard followed suit soon after.

Then, on Sunday, Frank’s hair was shaved by Brian.