Chronicle chief reporter Jack Tolson takes a look back at what was making the news in Barnsley in June 1993 ...
ESCORT THEM TO SCHOOL, TRUANTS’ PARENTS TOLD
PARENTS of children who have been playing truant from school have been told to escort them there and hand them over to a teacher.
Barnsley magistrates ruled it was the responsibility of the parents of a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy who attended different schools to get them there for lessons.
In March, a 41-year-old Kendray woman made legal history when she also appeared before Barnsley magistrates and was ordered to hand over her truanting daughter to a teacher at her school or face a £1,000 fine.
In separate hearings on Tuesday magistrates heard from Education Welfare Officer, Mr. David Vincent, that the girl had been a poor attender for some time and had been to school on only 20 occasions out of a possible 128.
The boy, in a 13-week school period from January 11 to April 30 this year, had not attended at all, said Education Welfare Officer, Mr. Larry Lovatt.
The mother of the boy told the court: “The last time he went to school he says a teacher grabbed hold of him by the neck. The teacher denied it, but my son stands by what he says.”
Mr. Beaumont-Schofield told her: “I am sure if there had been anything in this claim the headmaster would have investigated the matter.
“You have got to make sure your child attends school.
“You must take him there and hand him over to a teacher.”
She was given a conditional discharge for two years.
COUNTY POLICE FORCE’S FOUR-FOOTED RECRUIT
MOUNTED police officers have taken delivery of a chestnut colt born at Ring Farm stables, Cudworth.
When Bessacarr, a five-year-old dark bay, joined South Yorkshire Police last August she was two months’ pregnant but there was no way of telling.
Her weight gain puzzled partner PC Malcolm Hunt who thought she was over-eating.
When Malcolm learned of the true reason for her expanding firth he was delighted.
Bess’s younger brother Bentley is also a working police horse.
Now a competition has been launched to name it to raise money for the Special Olympics.
AXED PITS MAY BE OFFERED FOR LEASE
GRIMETHORPE and Houghton Main Collieries may be offered to private investors for lease and licence in the weeks ahead.
British Coal is considering prospects for the disposal of a number of mines, including the Barnsley pits, and independent mining operators may be invited to bid for a licence to mine coal and to lease the colliery surfaces.
Proposals to develop collieries for uses other than mining will also be considered.
The first four pits are now being advertised.
They are Easington, Bolsover, Cotgrave and Silverhill.
A decision on Grimethorpe and Houghton is expected later.
Applicants are being given a preliminary information pack and on a payment of £10,000 they will b allowed to visit the colliery in which they are interested.
