THE recent improvements to Barnsley have stimulated trade and made visiting the town centre an uplifting experience.

There’s no greater feeling than walking through the Glass Works Square, with friends from elsewhere, pointing out the open space, the elegant statues, the water feature, the bright new buildings and the Tommy Taylor Bridge.

Not to put too fine a point on it, Barnsley town centre is now one of the finest, most modern in the country.

The Square is the perfect setting for many exciting events throughout the year, but particularly during the warmer months.

We have numerous festivals and carnivals organised to entertain people of all ages and backgrounds. These events include ‘Barnsley Live’ that features live music from over 200 artists and there’s the wonderful ‘Barnsley Pride’ celebrations; the ‘Brassed On’ festival, and numerous other festivities.

But, in my view, there’s one glaringly obvious thing missing – we lack a giant screen for us to celebrate the big communal events together.

In Sheffield and Leeds recently, the people of these two proud Yorkshire cities were given the privilege of watching, on an outdoor giant screen, the Lionesses beat Spain to win the Euros. What an unforgettable experience that must have been.

And even little Chesterfield has one.

On a recent trip to attend their May Day Rally I spotted an open-air public space in their town centre with a large digital screen – little more than 100 metres, or so, from the crooked spire.

Chesterfield’s public space may be tiny compared to our vast civic square, and their screen quite small in comparison to what we would need.

Nevertheless, I believe what’s good enough for the folk of Derbyshire, is good enough for the citizens of our town.

Just imagine the Glass Works Square packed with singing fans, watching Callum Simpson – screened live – as he defends his European super-middleweight boxing title, somewhere abroad.

Or seeing the sun rise over Stonehenge on the dawn of the summer solstice.

Or witnessing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Or seeing England’s male footballers beating Germany on penalties in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Okay, I’m getting carried away now).

But whatever event, it would mean that locals, who cannot travel hundreds or thousands of miles, can experience the next best thing. Because nothing compares to the atmosphere of being present at a big open-air festival.

It wouldn’t be too costly either – a permanent or temporary screen could be paid for from adverts or by charging a modest amount to cover the cost of security, mobile loos, and the big clean-up afterwards.

So come on you councillors, you leaders of the people, you with the dreams and the power to change things. Help us all bathe in the greater pride of our metropolitan borough.

Last Christmas, it was a huge privilege to perform (alongside Richie Brooks) to an audience of senior citizens at my former local, the Shaw Inn.

Darren and Kelly Buckley, who run the pub, decided in 2024 that they were going to do their bit to support the elderly of the area.

It was a reaction to the hardship that many older people were suffering after the government’s heating allowance was scrapped.

So, leading up to the festive season, they organised three successful afternoons in which they offered senior citizens and ‘cared-for’ people, all free of charge:

A three course meal.

Live entertainment.

Goody bags for people to take away.

This year they’re repeating the generous offer and the first afternoon is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, when party-goers will be expected to arrive between noon and 12.30pm.

I’m the vocal entertainer on this date, and I repeat, it’s absolutely free to get in – but to get out, it’s £10 (joking).

I’ll be covering pop classics to dance and sing along to, made popular by Billy Fury, The Beatles, The Searchers, The Monkees, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Dave Bowie, Phil Collins, Queen, The Killers, etc.

Book early to give the organisers some idea of numbers for catering.

To Darren and Kelly Buckley I say this: you help restore my faith in human nature and if anyone deserves glorious success, you do.