CHIEF reporter JACK TOLSON looks back through the Archives to what was making the news in May 2003.
BUS DRIVERS RISK JOBS IN BOYCOTT
BUS drivers are risking their jobs by refusing to stop in Worsbrough Bridge at night because they are terrified of being attacked by yobs.
Up to a dozen are going past stops when they see gangs hanging around and some claim they have even started by-passing Park Road all together.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the rebel Tracky Drivers admitted that their boycott could cost them their jobs but claimed something must now be done about Worsbrough’s youth problems.
The drivers’ spokesman fumed: “If people controlled their kids we wouldn’t have to do this.
“If there is an old person at a bus stop with a load of kids we just drive straight past.
“I know it’s not on but I’m not stopping to get it or something.
“We are so determined not to go, it’s that bad.
“I don’t stop in Worsbrough at night.
“I know it’s nasty but I drive through.
“There’s about 12 of us who have said we’ll never go up there again until they sort their kids out but we know that if the bosses found out we’d lose our jobs.”
CHERYL LOSES FOUR STONES TO HELP HER BROTHER
HAIRDRESSER Tony Batty was devastated when his father had to pull out of a kidney donation because of a medical problem.
Tony, 26, despaired of ever finding a match after he was diagnosed with kidney disease - until his sister Cheryl volunteered.
Even then, there were doubts if the operation could go ahead because Cheryl was overweight.
But she has lost four stones and the operation is scheduled for July.
Tearful Tony, whose salon is on Racecommon Road, said: “I thought that was it when it was discovered one of my dad’s kidneys was not working as it should and the operation could not go ahead.
“It was nothing short of a miracle when I found out Cheryl had gone for tests and there was a match.”
Cheryl added: “I am over the moon for Tony but I am a bit apprehensive about the operation.”
TOP CLASS DAVE MAKES THE NEWS
IT is more than 30 years since Dave Cooper left school but his return to the classroom has led to an award for being a top student.
The 52-year-old enrolled at Northern College and is now winner of the 203 Open College Network Adult Learners’ Prize.
He said: “I am over the moon, especially as I only came back to learning last year having worked for 30 years as a newsagent.
“Learning has changed my life completely.
“I have never looked back since the very first day I stepped into the college.”
