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Green Flag can fly high at four sites
FOUR of Barnsley’s green spaces have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award.
Elsecar Park and Local Nature Reserve, Cannon Hall Parklands, Locke Park, and Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve have all been recognised for meeting the highest standards in the management of parks and green spaces.
Cannon Hall Parklands has retained the award every year since 2020, while Elsecar Park continues its long-standing success, achieving the honour for the 19th time.
Locke Park has achieved...
‘Lack of knowledge’ blamed for police’s financial black hole
AN investigation which was commissioned when a £65m discrepancy was uncovered in South Yorkshire Police’s budget has blasted former officers in charge for lacking ‘technical knowledge’.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) this week published the findings of an independent review it launched into historic accounting and budgetary issues within the former Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), then controlled by Dr Alan Billings.
The review
Dad on marathon mission to help Daisy
A BARNSLEY man is gearing up for the race of his life in honour of his daughter who suffers from a rare illness.
Chris Nunn has secured a place in the 2027 London Marathon to support a cause close to his family’s heart.
Chris’ daughter Daisy, who is now seven, was diagnosed at birth with homocystinuria (HCU) - a rare inherited metabolic disorder that requires lifelong treatment, careful monitoring and daily medication.
Chris has set...
Management acts as care home placed in special measures
A BARNSLEY care home which was plunged into special measures by the CQC has stopped new admissions and vowed to improve.
Blossom Lodge, on Cherrys Road in Cundy Cross, was the subject of the inspection by the care watchdog.
Following the inspection, it was placed into special measures and served warning notices for ‘failing to mitigate risks posed to people from the environment and failing to have good governance systems in place, to monitor the...
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Council to debate DBS checks for all councillors
A MOTION put to Barnsley Council calling for all councillors to take a DBS check will go to the next meeting of full council after time ran out at last week’s full council.
Lib Dem councillors Dickie Denton and Carl Snowden put forward the motion in regards to the importance of safeguarding.
It called for all councillors to undertake a DBS check.
The motion said: “The position of a councillor is one of trust and...
Refusal over ‘No Place for Hate’ pledge condemned
A COUNCILLOR believes Reform sent a message to Barnsley residents that they won’t ‘denounce hate’ after shooting down a motion calling for the ‘No Place For Hate’ scheme to be re-signed.
At last week’s full council meeting, the town’s Labour, Lib Dems and independent councillors called on the new Reform council to sign to formally readopt the No Place For Hate pledge - which was first agreed in November 2022 - and to commit to...
‘Personal project’ taken on to develop sports pavilion
PLANS to renovate a Carlton sports pavilion - which will include the demolition of the sports hall - have been submitted to Barnsley Council.
Grassroots Sports Academy (GSA) have submitted the plans for work to take place at the pavilion located at Carlton Park, Church Street.
The sports hall section of the building is to be demolished entirely and replaced with a new activity hall.
The park’s facilities currently comprise a natural grass bowls green...
Complaint launched over ‘Nazi phrase’
A VETERAN councillor is facing a code of conduct complaint after allegedly saying a Nazi-adopted phrase at a council meeting.
Coun Joe Hayward, who represents the Cudworth ward, was accused of saying ‘ich heil’ last Thursday.
Barnsley Council confirmed that a complaint had been received but Coun Hayward claimed he was misheard.
“The conversation was that there have been extremists in history who wore swastikas and used to speak the words ‘sieg heil’,” he sa
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Council compensation pay-out for school pupil
BARNSLEY Council paid out more than £16,000 in compensation to one pupil last year following an injury at school.
A Freedom of Information request, seen by the Chronicle, shows that over the last 12 months period, one claim relating to a school injury was paid out by the council.
This was £16,920 for a burn.
The year prior, no claims were paid out.
Martin Bancroft, cabinet spokesperson for core services said: “Barnsley Council can confirm...
Amy dives in for charity to mark milestone birthday
A SILKSTONE Common woman is nearing her goal for a charity swim in celebration of a milestone birthday.
In January, avid swimmer Amy Roe pledged to swim 50 miles in honour of her 50th birthday for a duo of worthy causes.
As a lifelong churchgoer attending St John’s Church in Staincross, Amy is supporting the place of worship’s ongoing roof fund - as well as the Alzheimer’s Society, which her place of work, Scrivens Opticians,...
Young sports champions recognised
THE inaugural Barnsley Active Schools Awards was attended by 150 people earlier this month.
The evening recognised the outstanding achievements and contributions of schools and individuals who are making a real difference in embedding physical activity into everyday school life.
Awards were presented to young people who serve as positive role models within their schools, encouraging others to be active and helping to create engaging and inclusive playtimes.
A total of 17 categories were conte
Diamond couple wed on 1966 World Cup final day
A SMITHIES couple who are set to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary believe the secret to a happy marriage is ‘just being yourself’.
Gladys Phillips, 79, and David Phillips, 83, were married at Carlton Church on July 30, 1966.
The pair have two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Gladys said that the day was a dual celebration with England winning the World Cup - but their dream of England putting the second star on...
TikTok star vows to keep on giving in grandad’s memory
A POPULAR online personality who has gained a huge following has vowed to continue his mission to provide for the next generation in response to his beloved grandfather’s death.
Jonathan Wormley, 35, known online as Original Jonny Boy, started social media around two years ago and has since gained nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok and 100,000 on Instagram.
His content is best known for comedic and heart-warming videos with his grandfather, Neville Smith, including gentle...
Former mayor Arthur will be ‘missed by all who knew him’
A FORMER Mayor of Barnsley described as a ‘very special man’ has died.
Arthur Whittaker, 86, died on July 4 at Barnsley Hospital.
He was the mayor from 2000 to 2001 and a local councillor in the North East ward.
A former miner, the Grimethorpe man put his all into his community.
His granddaughter, Kate Clarke, told the Chronicle: “My grandad was someone very special.
“A loving, kind and caring husband, father, grandfather and great...
Residents protected in crackdown on cuckooing
CALLOUS gang members who targeted three vulnerable tenants’ properties on a single street to run their criminal enterprise have been told their behaviour will not be tolerated - after authorities secured a court order to protect residents.
The Chronicle can reveal Burrows Grove in Wombwell was the subject of a hearing at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court this week, following a joint bid from South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council which sought three separate ‘closure orders&rsqu
Warning after river swim leaves teenager in hospital
A CONCERNED mother whose daughter went swimming in the River Dearne has urged other parents to relay the dangers of doing so to their children - after the youngster was hospitalised with a severe bacterial infection.
Stephanie Meecham’s 13-year-old daughter, Eadie, was rushed to hospital having entered the stretch of river in New Lodge earlier this week.
Having been jumping in with her friends, Eadie swallowed some water which ultimately led to her hospitalisation.
E-coli...
Reform councillors' 'conduct' prompts investigation
AN investigation is underway following allegations that Reform councillors were ‘abusive’ to council staff and the non-binary pride flag was taken down from the town hall.
Back in 2023, it was agreed in a motion that the non-binary pride flag would be able to fly from the town hall.
However, it has now been alleged by the Liberal Democrat group that two Reform councillors objected to the flag and ‘behaved in a way...
Grimethorpe solar farm plans rejected
PLANS to build Barnsley’s biggest ever solar farm were rejected today after councillors took the rare decision to go against recommendations from planning officers - but the firm behind the scheme have already submitted an appeal notification.
The sprawling site, put forward by clean energy firm Enviromena, is roughly the size of 130 football pitches.
According to its designers, the first parcel lies north of Ferry Moor Lane, the second is to the...
Media students deliver creative marketing campaign for cinema
FILM and television students at Barnsley College University Centre have gained valuable industry experience after completing a live client project with The Light Cinema in Sheffield.
Working to a real creative brief, students were challenged to produce a range of promotional content to support the cinema’s marketing activities.
Their work included a feature advert, social media content, photography and promotional posters, allowing them to apply their skills in a professional setting.
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Youngsters set their stall out at market
YOUNGSTERS from primary schools across the borough set up their own inventive produce stalls.
Children from schools across Barnsley swapped the classroom for market stalls - all to sell fresh, school-grown fruit and vegetables to the public in support of a great cause.
The first Young Marketeers Barnsley Market Day took place on Tuesday from 12pm to 2pm at Barnsley Market.
The children enjoyed a special visit from Coun Liam Hardcastle, the Mayor of Barnsley,...