Chief reporter Jack Tolson takes a look back through the Chronicle archives of 2008.
EDWARD MAKES A POINT
HOWZAT! A 14-year-old Barnsley cricket fanatic has become the youngest person in Yorkshire to qualify as an umpire.
Edward Hennessy of Thurlstone scored 93 per cent in the Umpires Association exam last month.
The Penistone Grammar School pupil started playing cricket when he was ten after going to see his first match at Headingley.
He now plays for Green Moor Cricket Club but his passion lies with officiating.
“I can’t wait until the season starts in April, I will be umpiring in games against men older than my dad,” he said.
“I love playing but I have learnt so much more about the game through training as an umpire.
“As a player I was to be like Michael Vaughan and obviously Dickie Bird is the man I look up to as an umpire.”
Edward has met the former Test umpire.
Dickie said: “The most important things to remember when umpiring are application, dedication and concentration.
“But any umpire must have common sense and above all enjoy it.
“I wish him the best for the future and hope he goes all the way in the game.”
JENNA’S ON A ROLL FOR HIT VIDEO
JENNA Downing is skating up the charts after landing a lead role in a music video.
Jenna, 19, of Royston, shows off her in-line skating skills in the promotional video for Peter Gelderblom’s dancefloor hit, Waiting 4.
The video shows Jenna skating around the streets of London, performing dangerous stunts, while she is chased by other skaters.
It can be seen on video channel playlists all over the world.
The song, a dance remix of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ By The Way, made it to the top 40 in the UK singles charts and the top ten in the dance charts.
It also broke into the top 20 of the Spanish charts thanks to its popularity in Ibiza last summer.
Jenna said: “Because I haven’t told many people, a lot of people just randomly see it on the TV, and I think they’re just shocked.
“It’s brilliant.
“I think my mum’s told everyone she knows.”
PARK AND RIDE PLAN SPARKS FEARS OF STAIRFOOT CHAOS
PLANS to operate a park and ride scheme from Tesco in Stairfoot have sparked fears of increased traffic problems on Wombwell Lane.
The council wants to set up the scheme using existing bus routes in the town, and is currently negotiating with Tesco and Stagecoach about details of how the service will be run.
The supermarket chain wants to build an extension to the store, which is due to be considered by the council’s planning board tomorrow.
If permission is granted, it will be subject to the condition that the store expands its car park by 300 spaces.
The service is intended to reduce congestion on Doncaster Road into town, but Coun Fred Clowery said it may increase traffic problems on the already-busy Wombwell Lane.
