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Friday June 3, 2016

12 MONTHS

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RED FACES? FIVE of the six Kirklees councillors sent a court summons for council tax arrears have been named – and only one is from the North Kirklees area. Coun Amanda Stubley (Lab, Batley East) owed £763.53 in the 2014/15 financial year. She was sent reminders for sums of £32.12 and £73.53 and then a court summons for the larger amount, all in 2014/15. Coun Stubley was asked to comment but had not responded before our deadline yesterday (Thurs). Labour group leader Coun Shabir Pandor (Lab, Batley West) said: “Council tax helps pay for vital services to everyone in Kirklees. “It is important that it is paid on time, and I thank those who do. The council

• Five councillors summonsed for council tax debts are named, including Batley East’s Amanda Stubley • Five of eight others in arrears are also identified needs to treat all taxpayers fairly. “My understanding is that the Labour councillors have had actions taken against them and they are now all up to date and have been asked to pay by Direct Debit. “The council issued some 85,000 reminders in 2015/16 and 26,000 court summons to some of the 184,000 taxpayers.” The other four councillors are Labour members Jean Calvert, Mohammed Sarwar and Amanda Pinnock, plus Conservative Donna Bellamy. A sixth councillor, known

only as “Cllr E”, was not named as he or she is no longer on the council. Figures are for the last two financial years and were released after a Freedom of Information (FoI) request. The six owed a total of £4,937.33, with Coun Bellamy sent a summons for just £27.74 in 2015/16. Coun Sarwar, who represents Crosland Moor and Netherton, was in arrears by the biggest single sum of £1,186.16 in 2014/15. It is believed all monies owed by the six, plus eight

other councillors in arrears, have now been paid. Sacked deputy council leader Coun Calvert was publicly outed in Labour bloodletting last week. Having faced court in 2013 on the same issue, she was sent summonses for £843.79 in 2014/15 and £96 in 2015/16. A further eight councillors were sent reminders in the last two years for being in arrears. These include Dewsbury East Labour councillors Eric Firth and Coun Paul Kane for £110.85 and £96 respectively,

both in 2014/15. Two of the eight, “Cllr C” and “Cllr K”, remain unnamed due to the small sums involved. A third unnamed councillor, “Cllr L”, is no longer on the council but two other former members, Tony Brice, and Phil Scott, agreed to be identified. The eighth is Coun Karen Allison (Green and Valley Independents). Council senior legal officer Samantha Lawton explained why some councillors are unnamed in her response to the FoI request.

She wrote: “The names of councillors ‘L’ and ‘E’ have not been disclosed as these individuals are not currently elected councillors. “I have balanced the interests of the individuals who are no longer councillors against the interest of the public in having access to this information and do not find it is in the public interest to reveal the names of the individuals. “The names of councillors ‘C’ and ‘K’ have not been disclosed, as they have received either a single reminder or a very small number of reminders for non-payment of council tax, none of which taken together meant that they were more than two months in arrears with their respective tax payments and thus unable to fulfil their duties as a councillor.”

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

KEEGAN

BENTLEY Joseph -- • --

Notices can be taken until 1.30pm on Thursday before Friday publication Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296

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Anne -- • --

On 25th May 2016 peacefully, formerly of Heckmondwike aged 88. Husband of the late Margaret and Father, Grandad and Great Grandad. Service at St Bede’s Catholic Church, Marske Cleveland on 8th June at 12noon followed by Interment at Redcar Cemetery

On 25th May, much loved mum of Lucy, Bridget and Amelia and loving grandma to Phoebe, Louie and Matilda. Beloved sister of Pat, Paula and the late Brian. A very dear mother in law, sister in law and aunty. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady and St Paulinus RC Church on Friday 10th June at 11.15 am followed by private committal at Dewsbury Crematorium. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Anne to Wakefield Hospice.

BLACKER

KENWORTHY

Nee Brannan Margaret -- • --

Anne Patricia Nee Sewell

On 29th June 2016, peacefully at home, Dewsbury, aged 72 years, Margaret, much loved wife of Colin, dearly loved mum of Andrew and Simon, very dear mother-in-law of Vicky, cherished grandma of Lucy and Lewis, beloved sister of Terry and sister-in-law of Carol and Robert. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday 13th June 2016 at 10.30am. Friends please accept this intimation. Family flowers only please donations in lieu may be placed in the collection box provided or sent to George Brooke Ltd, Funeral Directors, for the benefit of Cancer UK and Kirkwood Hospice. R.I.P.

On 29th May 2016, after a long illness bravely borne, in hospital and of Mirfield, aged 69 years, Anne, loving wife of David, proud and loved mum of Patrick, Simon and Marcus, dear mother-in-law of Karen, Louise and Emma, beloved grandma of Olivia, Harvey, Emily, William, Luke, Harrison, Dominic and Alana, a very dear niece, sister, sister-in-law and auntie. Funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, on Wednesday 8th June 2016 at 1.15pm, followed by committal at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium at 2pm. Friends please accept this intimation and meet at the Church. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Anne may be placed in the collection box provided by George Brooke Ltd., for the benefit of The Forget Me Not Children's Hospice.

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MARTIN

-- • -On 27th May 2016, peacefully in hospital, and of Thornhill, aged 76 years, Colin, devoted and much loved dad of Colleen, Jane, Julie, Michael, Paul and Adrian, and remembered with love by Lisa and family, dearly loved by his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, a very dear brother and uncle. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday 13th June 2016 at 12.30pm. Friends please accept this intimation, family flowers only, donations in memory of Colin may be placed in the collection box provided by George Brooke Ltd, for the benefit of Greyhound Rescue and The Yorkshire Cancer Research Campaign.

Peacefully on 28th May 2016, Jack aged 90 years of Batley. Beloved Husband of the late Joan also a devoted Dad and Grandad. Funeral service and committal takes place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday 8th June at 10.00am. Family flowers only please by request, donations in lieu if so desired for Prostate Cancer UK for which a plate will be available. Any enquiries please contact Co-op Funeralcare, Parkview House, Westgate, Heckmondwike, WF16 0EH. Tel: 01924 401143 Can all friends please meet at the crematorium.

Colin

John (Jack) -- • --

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Ronald ‘Ron’

On 26th May 2016 peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, Ron aged 82 years of Batley. Much loved Husband of Pat. Friends are invited to meet at Dewsbury crematorium for the funeral service on 9th June 2016 at 10.30am. Family flowers by request. All enquiries to Gateway Funeral Services Tel: 01274 653115

BRACKEN John ‘Bracky’ On 26 May, aged 64, of Batley. Service at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley, Friday 10 June at 10.30am.

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On 25 May, aged 81 of Batley. Wife of Colin. Service at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley, Monday 6 June at 3pm.

STEAD Glenys On 28 May, of Hightown, aged 79. Wife of the late James. Service at St Barnabas Church, Hightown, Thursday 16 June at 11am.

SYKES Jeffrey On 30 May, of Mirfield, aged 87. Husband to Doris. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 17 June at 1.15pm.

TATTERSFIELD Leslie On 17 May, aged 71. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 6 June at 11.15am.

WALKER Anthony On 24 May, aged 68. Husband of Marlene. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 13 June at 11.15am.

GOODER Catherine

WARD Richard

On 24 May, formerly of Batley, aged 89. Service at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley on Monday 13 June at 1.30pm.

On 28 May, of Staincliffe, aged 68. Husband of Eileen. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 14 June at 12.30pm.

MARSHALL nee Brown Christine

WILSON Ellis

On 28th May, of Thornhill, aged 75. Wife of David. Service at Thornhill Methodist Church,

On 27 May, aged 72. Husband of Jean. Service at Dewsbury crematorium on Thursday 9th June 2016 at 9.45am.

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WILSON nee Beaumont Ivy On 26 May, of Soothill, aged 91. Wife of Alan. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 8 June at 11.15am.

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On 24 May, of Liversedge, aged 72. Service at St Paulinus RC Church, Dewsbury, Wednesday 8 June at 1.15pm followed by interment at Dewsbury Cemetery.

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/ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: David Miller Sports Reporter: Joe Link Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Sales Executives: Nicola Finch Janet Black Wayne Farkas Office Manager: Adele Latham The Press abides by the principles of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and at all times attempts to report fairly and accurately and correct mistakes or errors as soon as possible. In the first instance, contact the editor, otherwise we will be happy to give details of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

INFLATABLES! Facebook fury at fun day flop triggers calls to end ‘witch hunt’

The poster advertising last Sunday’s event which fell flat after problems with giant inflatables

By David Miller OUTRAGE in Mirfield over a fun day flop last Sunday has been branded a ‘witch hunt’ by defenders. The ‘Extreme Inflatable Bonanza’ at Crossley Farm became subject to angry comments online from disappointed families and traders. Only five of nine advertised giant inflatable attractions arrived

– and the biggest deflated when a generator stopped working. Stallholders complained of poor takings – with one claiming he made a 172-mile round trip to sell just eight coffees. By Tuesday, organiser Victoria Wallin, of Prestige Events and Party Planning, had offered refunds to all. In between there was a storm of criticism on Facebook which some thought went too far. On the Mirfield Matters page,

Laura Harrison posted: “Sick to death of this. She tried, but failed. Shall we string her up?” Stacy Anderson wrote: “I agree it’s starting to sound like a witch hunt... just unfortunate...” Fellow user Hannah Robinson put: “Boring now. Poor family don’t deserve this much criticism. Far worse things and people in

the world right now.” Richard Hartley, of trade group MyMirfield, hoped Mrs Wallin’s refund move would end the matter. He wrote: “Some of the comments on both sides have been nasty and personal. “Hopefully this will bring it to a close and everyone can move on and talk about something less emotive – like the EU.” About 1,400 people attended the event, which Kirklees Council said they had concerns about. Officials did not receive a traffic management plan or details of arrangements for parking, food hygiene, secure inflatables and first aid. Mrs Wallin admitted she had made mistakes from which she would learn lessons. The mother-of-three said: “In my opinion, a couple of people have taken things too far. “But if I was a parent and brought my children to an event and this happened I’d want my money back as well.” She added: “I’m gutted. This isn’t the event I’d spent months planning. All I ever wanted to do was organise a nice family day out for the community. “To those who declined a refund on tickets and stalls, this will be given to a local charity along with monies taken on the gate.”

Store’s boost for charities FOUR charities received £300 each yesterday (Thursday) thanks to the generosity of Earlsheaton shoppers. Dewsbury Sea Cadets and three groups in Earlsheaton benefited from a donation from Patbro Nisa Local supermarket on St Peter’s Parade. Crafty Ladies, Earlsheaton Over-60s and craft group My Time were also supported. Cash was collected by business partner of 20 years Mohmed Patel from sales of Nisa’s own-label Heritage range, plus some branded products. It was part of store chain Nisa’s community fund called Making a Difference Locally. To date the store has given £2,500 to local causes such as Earlsheaton Infant School and the Earlsheaton Over-50s group. Mr Patel said: “We’re delighted to be able to give something back to the community.” The latest cheques were presented to Coun Paul Kane (Lab, Dewsbury East) on behalf of the groups yesterday. Coun Kane said: “It’s great for a local shop to be supporting local groups. “I am really thankful for their generosity; it does help these clubs being sustained and kept in the village.”

Going to the tip? You must register online RESIDENTS using council household waste sites will now need to register online for a permit. The registration and other details for vehicles used must also be lodged, for a maximum of two vehicles per home. It is part of a Kirklees Council crackdown to stop users coming from outside the area to tip their waste. North Kirklees has two household waste sites, Weaving Lane in Dewsbury and Nab Lane in Birstall, with three others elsewhere. The permit system begins on Monday, July 11, but applications are already being taken. Once registered online, users disposing of waste materials will no longer need the old ‘green card’ permit with them when they arrive.

Vehicles banned include box-type vans, vans exceeding three tonnes, flat-bed trucks, mini-buses and horse boxes. Cars, including estates, people carriers and 4x4s without pick-ups, are allowed. Registration of vehicles weighing up to three tonnes can take up to three days for a decision. Batteries, cooking oil, garden waste, paper, textiles and wood are among the items that can be disposed of. MP Jo Cox (Lab, Batley and Spen) offered to help consituents who do not have access to the internet. She said: “I know there is a mixed reaction to this change and that it has caught a lot of people by surprise. “Anyone in Batley and Spen worried about registering

due to not having the internet can contact my office and my staff will happily

do it for them.” Her office can be contacted on 01924 910499.

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ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

News In Brief Woman, 90, raided DEWSBURY: Robbers stole cash after assaulting a 90-year-old woman running a shop on Wednesday. Two white men wearing face coverings burst into the premises on Leeds Road at around 12.40pm and demanded money. They fled with a quantity of cash after going behind the counter and pushing her over. She fell back on a chair but was thankfully unhurt. Police described it as an “incredibly distressing” incident for the victim. Both suspects are aged 19 to 21, slim to medium build, blond hair and dark jackets. Anyone with information can call Sgt Steven Hinchcliffe at Dewsbury Police Station 01924 431190 quoting reference 13160233610.

New bed jobs likely BATLEY: Three hundred new jobs could be created at the former Layezee Beds factory. Dura Beds, which has seen sales jump 40 per cent since 2013, have bought the factory on Soothill Lane. The firm aims to expand its workforce from 200 to 500 to cope with demand for orders. Junior managers, drivers and sewers are among the vacancies set to open after Dura Beds moves from Grange Road. Managing director Imran Akhtar said: “We are going to bring a lot more employment into the area. “Once we’ve fully moved there and are fullyfunctional there will probably be around 300 jobs.”

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Action station! From unloved rail stop to a proud gateway By David Miller VOLUNTEERS have turned Batley’s “unloved” railway station into a colourful gateway to the town. Peeling paint, grime and overgrown shrubbery were just some of the issues that needed tackling. Now the building, which opened in 1848, is much smarter after 18 months of effort. The Friends of Batley Railway Station (FoBS) group teamed up with Birstall paint firm PPG Architectural Coatings for a final push. A waiting room has been transformed into a potential cafe area and a mural depicts town landmarks. Pete Myers, client and stakeholder manager for Northern Rail, admitted the station had got into a mess. He said: “Eighteen months ago

Jim Dodds at a celebration. FoBS came together in late 2014 amid concerns the roof might be in danger due to shubbery growing out of it. They then turned their attention to more general neglect, with this scheme beginning nine months ago. Coun Lowe said: “I’m proud to be from Batley and what we have now is a station which is a fantastic gateway to the town.” Staff at PPG, which is behind brands such as Johnstone Paints, gave their Artist Mark Peacock with the mural of Batley landmarks in the revamped railway station time free. Communications manager this was an unloved urban station “It is now clearly loved and this Veronica Horsfall said: “It’s fanfeeding the commuter and leisure has made a difference and so tastic to be able to unveil the market in West Yorkshire. thank you from all of us at new-look Batley train station. “Then the FoBS came along Northern.” “Our volunteers have put in a and brought some fantastic FoBS, led by chairman Coun lot of hard work and effort over changes to the station. Gwen Lowe (Lab, Batley West), the last two weeks and the results “The gardens, planters, mural worked with more than 100 staff are stunning. and cafe look fantastic – but the from PPG through their Colourful “Many of our staff are based in difference is more one of profile, Communities scheme. Batley, so this is a project which as the station can’t be ignored any The new look was unveiled last has been close to their hearts.” more. Friday by Mayor of Kirklees Coun

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DEWSBURY woman Sara Wallace is taking on the world’s biggest half marathon to raise funds for research into heart disease, which has devastated her own family. Sara, 21 (left), will be running the Great North Run on Sunday, September 11, to help Yorkshire-based Heart Research UK. Sara’s grandmother, Dorothy Wallace, died aged just 62. She had angina and suffered a fatal heart attack in 1999. Dorothy’s siblings also died in their 40s from the same condition. Her husband and Sara’s grandfather, Kenneth Wallace, was 80 when he died from coronary heart failure. He had a quadruple bypass 10 years earlier and a pacemaker fitted six months before he died in 2013. Sara’s father, Ian Wallace, 49, also has angina. He was just 39 when he began

treatment and had heart surgery for the condition in 2006. He also takes medication to stabilise his angina. Sara said: “Knowing how severe these heart conditions are really scares me - especially knowing my dad has suffered from such a young age and now lives on medication. “I worry that even though he is doing very well now, one day his condition will worsen.” Sara is keen to raise awareness of heart disease so that people will lead healthier lifestyles. She is a keen runner and has participated in other half marathons, including the one in Leeds. She will be cheered on by her family on the day, including her twin sister, as she runs alongside 55,000 others. To support Sara, visit http://tinyurl. com/zu27yer.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

Inspectors brand surgery inadequate By Staff Reporters A GP SURGERY in Dewsbury has been rated inadequate by inspectors after a series of failures were discovered. Windsor Medical Centre on William Street is now in special measures following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) judgement. It means staff can get help from NHS England and the royal colleges in a bid to improve. The surgery was given the lowest rating in three of five main categories – those for being safe, effective and well-led. It was also rated inadequate across all six patient groups, including those with longterm conditions. Problems found included a lack of control of hazardous substances, fire safety and legionella – a waterborne bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ Disease. The mix of paper and electronic patients records and incomplete records for storing controlled drugs was criticised. But patients are treated with compassion, dignity and respect and have a say in their care. Patients can also access appointments and services in a way and at a time that suits them, from telephone consultations to evening sessions. Windsor Medical Centre covers an area from Dewsbury Town Hall to the Babes in the Wood pub at Shaw Cross. Its base off Leeds Road is located near Eastborough, one of the poorer parts of the town.

News in Brief Handbag snatched in Westtown robbery DEWSBURY: Thieves snatched a woman’s handbag as she walked away from a cash machine in broad daylight. The victim, 37, was approached by two Asian men as she left the ATM on High Street, Westtown, at around 5.15pm last Thursday. They grabbed her handbag containing a purse and mobile phone before fleeing. One suspect was in his early 20s, about 5ft 5in tall, slim, had a goatee beard and was wearing a black hooded top and trainers. Police later arrested a 23-year-old man who is now on bail pending further enquiries. A second suspect was wearing a brown hooded top. Anyone with information can call police on 101.

Multiple charges

Windsor Medical Centre in Dewsbury Most of the 2,008 patients, 23 per cent of whom are from ethnic minorities, live within a three-mile radius. There are two doctors, three nurses and an administration team led by a practice manager. The surgery is run by Dr Ajit Mehrotra, who is chairman of the Dewsbury division of the Kirklees Local Medical Committee. This is a statutory body representing the interests of doctors in the Kirklees district. Sue McMillan, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said: “It is important that the people who are registered with the prac-

Garden centre closed to customers after fire damage AN ELECTRICAL fault may have caused a fire at Whiteleys Garden Centre in Mirfield last Thursday. The blaze, which broke out at around 7.45pm, was linked by firefighters to a fuse box and meters in a cupboard. Flames were contained to just one interlinked building but several others were smoke damaged. Crews from Cleckheaton and Rastrick equipped with breathing apparatus and two hose reels spent about an hour tackling the fire. A spokesman said: “One of the buildings was well alight with lots of smoke coming through the roof. “There are several buildings at the site which are interlinked, but the quick action meant we managed to keep the fire to just one of the buildings.” The centre on Far Common Road, in business for more than 25 years, was closed at the time and remained closed to customers this week. Whiteleys sells a variety of plants, garden furniture, acquatic supplies and has a cafe. The fire brigade spokesman added: “They had locked up about an hour and a half before. There was no-one inside and there were no injuries.”

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tice can rely on getting the high quality care which everyone is entitled to receive from their GP. “It is disappointing that the practice was rated inadequate, however, this will be an opportunity for the practice to address these issues. “I am pleased that the practice has accepted our findings and undertaken to address these. “Placing the practice in special measures will mean it can access external support to make the improvements necessary for good patient care.”

BATLEY: A man is accused of taking £1,200 and a purse from a home among a string of charges. Anthony Cawley, 42, of no fixed address, is alleged to have committed the offence on September 12 last year. He also faces a charge of fraud after he tried to withdraw money from a cash machine in Leeds. Cawley is further accused of robbing a woman in Birkenshaw of £130, plus a wallet, debit card and cheque book on September 23. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard Cawley is then alleged to have robbed a man in Meltham on October 3. The case was adjourned to Friday June 17, when Cawley faces other matters at a court in Harrogate.

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ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

BACK IN PRINT Now on sale, the updated edition. Reserve a copy in office hours on 01924 470296, order via www.thepressnews.co.uk or call in at our office, 31 Branch Road, Batley

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Seeing red at all the lousy service OR a chap who helps old ladies cross the road and loves babies, who strokes dogs (except yappy Jack Russells) and gives generously to charity, I can actually be a tad impatient. I know what you’re thinking – surely not! It’s true. I’ve been known to drop a full load of timber in the aisle at B&Q in Dewsbury (it was years ago) and storm out. Is it unreasonable to give up in exasperation after 20 minutes wondering why there’s only one till open, when there are OAPs everywhere, wearing their orange pinnies, standing around talking about the weather? But I digress. These days I find B&Q staff everywhere to be the models of helpfulness. Specsavers, however, I have given up on for the third time, having also given the boot to Boots and Vision Express in the past.

Ze Germans haf discovered vot happens if you use out of date contact lens prescriptions I had an eye test last year. My specs and vision are fine but I needed some more daily disposable contact lenses. I was flatly refused some – because it had been over 12 months since my eye test. So what? My contacts work fine, thanks, just sell me

some. It isn’t like I’m trying to replace the batteries in a heart pacemaker with some cheapies from Poundland. But it wasn’t happening. Non-negotiable (and not to get politicial about it, it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s against some EU directive!) However I think I know what they were doing. My optical health needs apart, the fee for an eye test (or Government payment if you get free eye tests) trumps all. Because my mum had glaucoma I actually get free eye tests. So what’s the problem, you ask? Here’s the problem. I don’t want to waste public money, and I don’t want to waste a couple of hours of my life playing their game. So shove your varifocals where the sun don’t shine. PS: I’ve just ordered some new lenses online, using my existing prescription. Ner, ner, ner-ner-ner!

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N THE give-you-a-stroke hierarchy of customer frustration however, I must say that Specsavers are amateurs. Their staff at least are polite and attentive, even when driving you round the bend. If you want to talk about corporate HQs you’d gladly point ISIS in the direction of, BT and pretty much any insurance company has to be right up there. How can a telephone operator be so woefully rubbish at communication? BT has to be one of the richest companies in the UK – they probably make a fortune teaching evasion tactics to insurance call centres – but I get more sense out of my dog than their staff. At least when I tell houseguests that he’s a trained blacksmith and kick him in the wotsits, he makes a bolt for the door. (That was a joke by the way, please don’t bother calling the RSPCA. No doubt someone will). Back to BT. Making it so fiendishly difficult to basically understand your account, tariff and various phone line/broadband convolutions is stage one of their Operation Rip-off. Stage two is leaving you hanging on the line until they hope you lose the will to live. Persevere long enough and you can finally try getting sense out of someone who couldn’t beat my flaming dog at Scrabble. This week my business name, address, account number, shoe size and quite possibly a retina scan wasn’t sufficient for BT’s moron-in-chief to help me. I had to crawl under three desks and locate the broadband box, crawl out, find a torch, crawl back, and hopefully find a barely legible phone number pencilled on said box … then waste another half day trying to get sense out of yet another complete **** (You can’t say that boss. Really. Editor.) I hung up in the end, before I had a thrombosis. By then I just wanted to track down his call centre and beat someone to a pulp with a BT handset. They do that to you. But I did, in the end, the only thing any of us can do. I decided to change our broadband provider and ‘communicate’ with BT in the only manner they understand. Within 24 hours, that’s what I also decided to do with Sheila’s Wheels home insurance and possibly the biggest rip-off merchants of the lot, Sky TV. To be continued… PS: The doctor says my blood pressure should be back to normal by Christmas.

Good Evans, not him again DON’T watch a lot of television except sport, the occasional news/current affairs programme, plus a bit of Red Hot Wives when the missus is working away (I don’t really and couldn’t anyway because the kids have blocked the adult channels. They reckon they’re too tame...). As such, I have no idea whether the new Top Gear host Chris Looking good, Tin Tin’s grandad Evans was a poor imitation of Jeremy Clarkson, or just the epitome of a bloke with a face/head that was absolutely made for radio. When I see Evans’s mush in a newspaper or on telly these days he looks like Tin Tin’s grandad, after sleeping on a park bench for a week. Stick to FM pal – I hear Rwanda Radio is looking for someone to do their traffic reports. And they just love power-mad egomaniacs. I used to quite like both Clarkson and Evans, but at some point they became altogether too big for their boots. The ‘me-me’ is just too wearing. If you remember the brilliant film Marathon Man, Laurence Olivier is drilling Dustin Hoffman’s teeth and asking ‘is it safe?’ He wouldn’t need the drill for me – just a recording of either Clarkson or Evans. I’d talk straight away. Even as I write this, the lounge is a no-go area because it’s Emmerdale/Corrie time for the missus, and I’d rather go get my eyes tested at Specsavers than endure that. And when I do get to sit down at about 9pm in midweek, is it just me or is there really sod-all on except ‘reality’ rubbish featuring single mums on benefits, drunken lasses in Benidorm, and fat heifers complaining that they’re too fat to be either single mums or on the lash in Benidorm? Who’s ‘reality’ is that, exactly? PS: I’ve just re-read this week’s offering. To stick with the TV theme, do you think I’m turning into Victor Meldrew...?

HIS is a bit of a Brexit-free week, but I have to offer my condolences to anyone trying/hoping/failing to fly over or drive through France, given the wide variety of industrial actions their workforce is indulging in. This isn’t new for our French brethren. They strike more than Bryant & May matches if their government so much as says boo. However the streets of Paris – and farther afield – have been in uproar over demands to amend employment laws. The country hasn’t quite been brought to a standstill, but it’s not far off. And if history teaches us anything, it’s that Francois Hollande will lose his job and the workers will prevail. So what has this to do with the price of bread – or the vote to Leave or Remain? In short, this: France is broke. Bust. If it was a business it would be bankrupt. It’s Greece with even more debt, which perversely means the EU absolutely must keep it afloat. President Hollande is trying in baby steps to make badlyneeded changes, but the French people have lived lazily off the EU tit for so long that they won’t wear it. Italy, Spain and Portugal are almost on their knees, but their residents prefer bribery and laziness as a means of muddling along, to the all-out rebellion and revolution which has been in the French blood since Marie Antoinette. But not to worry. When David Cameron terrifies the British people into voting Remain, the UK will bail out all of the EU’s problems. We’ll be saving France – again. Or, quite possibly, we’ll be dragged down with it...

A BRIEF word of congratulations to everyone connected with the marvellous Thornhill Trojans ARLFC, who lifted the BARLA National Cup last Saturday. We’ll pay a more in-depth tribute to them next week.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

Rapist has jail term cut

News in Brief £1m fraud accused ‘used mole at bank’

A CHILD rapist who threatened one of his victims with a snake has had his jail term cut. Nathan Rhys Wilde, 24, of Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, was given a 15-year sentence at Leeds Crown Court last October on four counts of oral rape of two girls under 10. One victim told how he repeatedly molested her and also punched her if she refused to submit to his demands. The other suffered a similar ordeal – and Wilde threatened her with his pet snake. Wilde committed the offences when he was a teenager. His crimes only came to light two years ago. Lawyers for Wilde argued at London’s Appeal Court that his sentence was too tough. The court heard that both girls, the first said to be “defenceless and vulnerable”, suffered psychologically from Wilde’s actions. Lord Justice Davis noted the “degree of violence and coercion” used against the first victim but said 15 years was harsh given Wilde’s own youth at the time. He had no other criminal convictions. The sentence was cut to eight years, of which he will serve half before qualifying for early release.

DEWSBURY: A ‘mole’ is said to have given a bank’s customer details to a man accused of a £1m fraud. Hassan Khalid, 25, of Headfield Road, is charged with conspiracy with others to defraud account holders at Barclays. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that someone at the bank’s call centre in India allegedly supplied Khalid with the personal details of customers so he could access their accounts. It is alleged he changed the addresses and had new bank cards and PIN numbers sent there. The sums involved were up to £1m. Khalid was remanded in custody for a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Friday. June 24.

Vicar of Birstall Rev Paul Knight, centre, and members of the congregation at St Peter’s Church preparing for their Royal Tea Party

Church plans a bumper 90th birthday picnic for the Queen By David Miller COMMUNITIES are gearing up to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with outdoor celebrations. Parishioners in Birstall are promising the biggest picnic the town has ever seen on Sunday, June 12, at 4pm. The day before there is a garden party at Mirfield Library, plus a choir and live music. In Birstall, St Peter’s Parish Church on Kirkgate has organised a treasure hunt, nine-pin skittles and a bouncy castle. It is backed by the Churches

Together in Birstall group and Birstall Chamber of Trade. The Vicar of St Peter’s, Rev Paul Knight, said: “We want it to be the biggest picnic Birstall has ever seen. “Everyone is welcome – just bring your sandwiches or whatever because everything else is free.” There will be a royal toast, singing of the national anthem and a chance to have your picture taken with a life-size cardboard cut-out of Her Majesty. Hot drinks will be served by church members while commemorative gifts and prizes will also be available. The garden party at Mirfield

Man smashed his neighbour’s windows

Library is from 10.30am to 12noon on Saturday, June 11. Children can draw a birthday card for the Queen and take part in a fancy dress contest, with prizes for the best prince or princess. Kirklees Music School senior strings ensemble and choir will provide entertainment. The party will be held in the library garden, which has been redesigned and re-planted with flowers and shrubs by Friends of Mirfield Library group and Mirfield Round Table. Friends group chairman Jenny Tomlinson Walsh said: “It’s been hard work but has shown wonderful results.”

CLECKHEATON: A man who smashed his neighbour’s windows took the law into his own hands over alleged anti-social behaviour. Michael Coleman, 46, of Turnsteads Drive, smashed two windows at the council property with bricks on March 12. He admitted criminal damage when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court. Coleman was said to have made complaints to the council and police about noise levels and other alleged anti-social behaviour by his neighbour. The court heard he became frustrated by the lack of action against the woman and lashed out. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to the council, plus a £115 fine and £30 victim surcharge.

‘An exceptional school’ Advertising Feature HECKMONDWIKE Grammar School is one of only 164 statefunded selective Grammar Schools in England. It is among the largest and has an unusually large sixthform comprising more than 600 students, which confers many advantages. Outcomes for students are consistently outstanding: examination grades are strongly skewed towards the upper end of the grade range at GCSE and A level, and much higher than national averages. No school as successful as HGS relies on curriculum provision alone. The culture of additional, enriching activity is vibrant, with a huge array of extra opportunities for students to participate and enhance the experience for themselves and each other. Music, drama, individual and team sports and all sorts of other cultural activity pervade the life of the

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Friday June 3, 2016

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Now we know who we’re paying extra for Dear Sir, I am appalled by just how many councillors have been summonsed to court for unpaid council tax after reminders sent out to them were ignored for nonpayment. You overpaid elected representatives should take note; I have paid my full council tax for over 45 years; known as ‘rates’ since I was 19 years old, and

Be proud of who you are From: Jonathan Scott, Vote Leave Campaign Co-ordinator Dewsbury and Batley & Spen Dear Sir, A vote to leave the EU on June 23 is a vote of confidence in our country and in ourselves. We can take the opportunity to take back control of our law making, our courts, where we spend our money and of our borders from the EU. The EU is undemocratic and unaccountable to you or I. A wise man once said that “a nation that gives up its inde-

Letter of the Week: ‘Angry Ratepayer’, Mirfield never missing a payment in all of that time. I won’t deny I’ve been a couple of days

pendence for economic advantage, deserves to lose both”. This statement goes to the very heart of the debate of the EU referendum. The Remain camp consistently talk our country down, they try to make us all believe that we are washed-up as a country, finished, no longer able to stand on our own two feet as a strong, independent nation. They have attempted to predict everything from world war three to the complete economic collapse of our country if we dare to leave the EU. The political elites, the corporate giants who refuse to pay their share of taxes and the bankers who crashed the world economy all made the same

predictions about Britain joining the ERM and the European Single Currency – that it would lead to our economic demise. Of course, none of these predictions came to pass, they were wrong then, and they are wrong now. Our country is a great one. We are the fith richest economy in the world, we are a permanent member of the UN Security Council, we are a lead member of NATO, we have a highly-regarded and wellrespected military and diplomatic capability. We have a global network of contacts and allies through the Commonwealth and beyond, our reach through the English language is truly global. We still lead the world in the

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late on occasion, while this rabble of councillors couldn’t run a brothel between ‘em, oops! arts, music, science, medical research, pharmaceuticals, financial services, aviation, civil engineering, gas and oil exploration, multi media, telecommunications, digital technology, space technology and much, much more. We achieve all of these things, not because we are a member of the European Union, we achieve all of these things because of our genuis and our innovation and our skill as a nation and as a people. The Remain camp will always try to scare you, what will it mean if we leave the EU. But they never tell you what it will mean if we remain in the EU. If we remain, we will continue to be part of the developing European superstate. We will continue to become a nation called Europe, with its own flag, anthem, president and army. Our nation will become a region of Europe, we will cease to exist as an independent nation state. If we remain, we can look forward to more years of uncontrolled, unlimited, unrestricted EU migration to the UK and all the pressure that brings on jobs, wages, houses, the NHS and local schools. We are currently importing a city the size of Newcastle each year, think what our country will be like in five or 10 years from now if this goes on? The remain camp want more Europe, more uncontrolled immigration and they want more of your money to pay for it. You can stop them on June 23. On June 23, I urge you to be bold and resolute. Believe in your country. Believe in us, the British, as a people. We come from a long line of noble and distinguished people who have contributed so much to the world over the centuries and who have so much more to give. We survived very well for 1,000 years before the EU came along, we will survive as a global, outward-looking, strong and independent nation state. Our best days lie ahead of us – be proud of who you are and be proud of our past and our future to come.

Leaders and led From: Steve Cass, Mirfield Dear Sir, In last week’s Ed Lines Danny Lockwood wrote ‘How on earth do we end up with such immature, insincere people leading our great country?” Maybe it’s because people vote for them – Cameron is

Well, probably they could if there’s plenty money in it for them; and they have the audacity to send me a letter threatening to take me to court after a late payment. I’ll tell you what you useless lot, we already pay extra for non-payers, now we know it includes councillors. I think we should all miss a few payments, so over to you.

what we want, apparently. I know, it’s incredible isn’t it? And it becomes even more incredible when one considers the alternatives on offer: Labour’s caricature lefty or that bloke from the muppets who fronts the Lib Dems. But we get what we deserve; leaders are a reflection of the led. The problem is with ourselves. You refer to Britain as ‘our great country’. Wrong on all three counts. It is no longer either ‘ours’ or ‘great’, nor is it a country for a country has its own borders and government which Britain quite clearly no longer has. At one time we were renowned for our inventiveness and engineering, now it’s for our ‘tolerance’. Aw, don’t it make you feel proud. We excel at putting up with that which we don’t like – and then struggle to understand why Britain gets worse by the day.

Make your mind up time From: Jack Hesketh, Mirfield Dear Sir, We are now approaching the last three weeks campaigning before the EU referendum and it is “make up your mind time” for a decision that will affect us for better or worse for years to come. It is pointless to pretend that either side has all the answers and whatever the result there will be choppy waters ahead. However, after a great deal of thought I am firmly in the Brexit camp for the following reasons: 1. The EU is financially incontinent (some would say corrupt) and for the last two decades the auditors have refused to sign off the accounts. 2. The EU is wasteful in the extreme, it spends circa 100 million pounds each year transferring headquarters between Brussels and Strasbourg on a monthly basis for no logical purpose whatsoever. 3. The EU is undemocratic. Laws are proposed by unelected Commissioners, ie political placemen and women -–think Neil Kinnock, Chris Patten, Kathy Ashton. The President of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker is elected, but his was the only name on the ballot! The Council, ie heads of state or senior ministers, holds its meetings in private – lots of transparency there then! 4. The slow-moving car crash that constitutes the Eurozone trundles precariously onwards with understandable cries of ‘ever closer union’ from its sup-

porters. The self same people who actually believed that you could have a country that exports BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and VWs sharing a currency with a country that exports olives. 5. Immigration brings many benefits and should be welcomed as a controlled policy, this is impossible while we remain EU members. Does anyone seriously believe that our schools, hospitals, housing etc can cope with what amounts to a new city the size of Oxford every single year? We are currently on board EU Titanic. Do you want to stay on the ship until it hits the iceberg or man the lifeboats and take control of our own destiny?

Tories forever if we leave EU From: David Honeybell, Heckmondwike Dear Sir, The day of destiny is fast approaching. The day when we decide to stay with or leave our European neighbours. There are some good, compelling reasons for voting either way, and I think many people will make a last-minute choice as to where they put their cross. I don’t claim to be an expert on the EU, or anything else for that matter, but I do very strongly believe there is one clear-cut reason for voting to stay in the EU, and that is the certainty that if we leave the EU, we will have a Tory government forever. If the UK decide to leave the EU, it will be the end of the UK, because Scotland will split from the UK to rejoin the EU. Without the Scottish vote (traditionally Labour, but at the moment SNP, with the Tories in second place) the Labour party will never again be in power. And it matters not if the Blairites in the parliamentary party, with their own Tory agenda, or the party members’ preference Jeremy Corbyn with traditional Labour principals and values is leader, without Scotland, the Labour Party is finished. If we vote to leave the EU, any protection of workers’ rights will be flushed down the toilet, the unions, or what is left of them, will be crushed under foot, there will be nothing to stop them finishing the war on the working class started by Thatcher.

Continued on page 9

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

Vote is too important

From page 8 The rich will grow richer, while the workers will be left to fight among themselves for zero-hour jobs, and the one who is prepared to work for least wage will get the job. But we do live in a supposed democratic society, where everyone makes up their own mind, and has a free vote. I am, and always have been a pessimist, that way I never get disappointed when things go wrong, but every now and then, something turns out right, maybe this will be one of those times.

From: Colin Walshaw, Scholes

In the run-up to June 23, we should remember that we can achieve so much more in the world if we work with our European partners and take a lead in the EU.

Older folk know We achieve so much more in EU what’s at stake From: Ednan Hussain, Dewsbury Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Spokesperson Dear Sir, The leak of the ‘Panama Papers’ shows how powerless and unwilling the UK Government is to bring a halt to the extreme practices used by some of the world’s richest people and multinationals to avoid paying their fair share of tax. To tackle this problem, we need more international co-operation and the most obvious way to do this is to remain in Europe. Having ordered Starbucks to repay £30million, the EU’s ongoing investigations into over 7bn of unpaid taxes from Apple do a lot to justify the EU’s position as a world leader in the global fight against tax avoidance. On Tuesday, the EU also presented its new proposals for clamping down on tax avoidance which will force large multinationals operating in the EU to publicly disclose their earnings and tax bills. These are crucial steps towards increasing transparency and information-sharing between countries and preventing companies from generating profits in one country and paying tax in another.

From: Craig Westwood, Cleckheaton Dear Sir, Many adults feel sorry for the X Factor/Jeremy Kyle generation. The media, TV, and rubbish movies have fed and soured their cultural tastes. Successive governments have made life harder for them, with Blair, Brown, Blunkett, Straw, Mandelson and Balls planning behind our backs, by importing three million immigrants, the effects of which will be felt for decades, with housing, traffic, schooling etc. Now Jeremy Corbyn, who has spent his life preaching against the European Union, has done a typical u-turn and now speaks up for the EU, and yet more immigration. Insipid Harriett Harman was on ‘Sunday Politics’, and when shown photos of the top six men of the EU, could not name a single one of them! These are the foreign bureaucrats she wants to govern us, in spite of her being a feminist. Yes, the Labour Party has let the working classes down, big time. Instead of 30 people after one job, there will be 60 or 70. Just what puts these illogical

ideas into their heads? Are they trying to ruin the country completely? Why are more older people going to vote ‘Leave’? Because they are wiser, have more experience and understand things better. I knew nothing until I was 40! The only things worth knowing are never taught in school. Any young person voting to stay in this expensive, corrupt, wasteful, undemocratic, power-struck EU will live to regret it until the day the whole shambles disintegrates; just like the old USSR did.

Blairites should stop whinging From: John Appleyard, Liversedge Dear Sir, Tony Blair is the latest figure in the Labour Party continuing the daily undermining of leader Jeremy Corbyn. Under Tony Blair’s Prime Ministership Labour lost four million votes, Labour’s share of the vote in the 2005 General Election was the worst accrued by any winning party since 1832. Blair paved the way for the privatisation of the NHS and the illegal war in Iraq is said to have cost a million lives. In Tom Bower’s biography of Blair he makes it quite clear, and it’s backed up by a number of people, that Blair had no time for Labour Party members, members of the parliamentary Labour Party or members of his own cabinet. He trusted two people – Alistair

Campbell his press officer and the twice discredited Peter Mandelson. Tony Blair carried out the biggest betrayal of a Labour Government in my lifetime. Jeremy Corbyn should continue his good work of winning back disaffected Labour voters and the Blairites should stop complaining and start campaigning.

Dear Sir, With many of our local MPs slavishly supporting the party line, it is refreshing to see an important cross-party film called Brexit The Movie. This can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYqzcqDtL3k. If you are not internet-savvy please watch the press for free local showings of the film. Remainers and undeciders should take particular interest; the more knowledgeable and informed will only be emboldened in their resolve and search for the truth. I defy anyone to not be surprised by some of the previously undisclosed items. Do not make your decision on June 23 out of ignorance, apathy or traditional party political lines, this is not that kind of vote, it is too important for that.

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS Mr & Mrs M Cadman, single-storey rear and side extension, 4 Moor View, Mirfield. Imran Ali, two-storey side extension, front balcony and undercroft parking to front, 29 Lees Hall Road, Thornhill Lees. L Kenworthy, alterations and erection of extensions to create dwelling forming annex accommodation associated with 33 Woodlands Drive, Gomersal and erection of detached garage. C Hepworth, two-storey side and rear extension and demolition of existing garage, 14 Lumb Lane, Liversedge. Mr Burnet, single-storey rear extension, 72 Francis Street, Mirfield. Fire Ladders Ltd, change of use of part of ground and first floor to residential use, 69 Lumb Lane, Roberttown. Mohammed Zakariya Chothia, twostorey rear extension and porch to front and demolition of existing outbuilding to rear, 31 Skipton Street, Batley. A Harris, certificate of lawfulness for proposed erection of single-storey rear extension, Brookroyd House, 47 Brookroyd Lane, Birstall. Mr Z Mumbaiwala, two-storey side and porch extension to front, 8 Nursery Grove, Thornhill Lees. JA Oldroyd, one dwelling, adjacent to 49 Brooke Street, Cleckheaton. Netto Ltd, advertisement consent for erection of one illuminated sign and 15 non-illuminated signs (within a Conservation Area), land at junction of Cemetery Road and Mayman Lane, Batley. K Smaling, single-storey extensions to

side and front, 21 York Road, Mirfield. Mr E Dockrat, formation of new vehicular access, 24-26 Thorncliffe Road, Staincliffe. Gleaves Partnership Limited, erection of replacement trolley bays and relocation of recycling area, Tesco Superstore, 49 Northgate, Cleckheaton. Mr M Shaikh, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.5m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.5m, 13a Bronte Close, Dewsbury Moor. Mr & Mrs T Hussain, single-storey rear extension, 13 Liversedge Hall Lane, Liversedge. Ogden Properties Limited, discharge conditions 5 (Remediation Strategy), 8 (surface water discharge), 10 (surface water drainage), 14 (construction traffic access) on previous permission for 2015/93163 erection of non-food retail unit (class A1), formation of access and car parking and associated works, adjacent to DW Sports Gym, Gelderd Road, Birstall. Zubida Younis, work to TPO(s) 06/92, 11 Infirmary Road, Dewsbury. Ravensthorpe CE (VC) Junior School, single-storey entrance extension, Myrtle Road, Ravensthorpe. S&J Window Manufacturers Ltd, first floor extension, Meadow Lane, Dewsbury. R Beaumont, change of use from public house/motel/squash court to dental laboratory (within a Conservation Area),

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ThePress

News In Brief Drink-driver crashed car into gas pipe

Friday June 3, 2016

20,000 flock to Vintage Day Batley ‘may have found its niche’ with record takings

GOMERSAL: A man who crashed his car into a gas pipe was nearly two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit. Jonathan Condliffe, 25, of Ashfield House, admitted being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit and to driving without insurance. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard a Vauxhall Corsa struck a gas pipe and drove off on April 22. Police found the car on Shirley Road, Gomersal with Condliffe inside. Condliffe had 10 penalty points added to his licence, was fined £400 and told to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

By David Miller VINTAGE could be the way forward for Batley after more than 20,000 people turned out in the town centre last Saturday. Trade chief Andrew Marsden said several shops posted record takings at the third annual Vintage Day centred on Market Place. And with Dewsbury targeting arts and crafts, its Heavy Woollen rival may have found its own niche. Solicitor Mr Marsden said: “Town centres need a new offer – I won’t say the traditional High Street is dead, but we do live in different times.” Both ideas could be connected to Redbrick Mill, which lies between the two towns. Batley Business Association chairman Mr Marsden said: “Batley and Dewsbury are small towns in northern England that had a prosperous past based on industries that no longer exist. “Dewsbury seems to me to be trying to go down more of a Hebden Bridge-type route. In Batley, it’s time for a new offer and maybe that niche could be connected to retro and vintage.” Last Saturday a Spitfire from the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew overhead. There was a vintage market, live music and dance, military vehicles and hundreds of people in period dress. Brighouse has a 1940s day and Mr Marsden said: “We’re keen to stress ours is not just a 40s day. “We’re about things from across the eras, whether it’s from the 50s, 60s or 70s. “Many of the people who come would have been too young to catch this first time round.” Meanwhile, two vacant units, the old Reunion Cafe on Branch Road and the former game shop on Commercial Street, could be back in use soon. Renovations are under way, with the Branch Road premises rumoured to be another cafe. Mr Marsden said: “The difficulty for Commercial Street is that a lot of the units are owned by big groups. Those units are only a small entry on a data sheet, so they’re not involved in Batley on a daily basis. “But they do seem to be discovering the benefits of having someone in those units rather than leaving them empty.”

Songs for the Queen DEWSBURY: More than 600 school children will sing happy birthday to the Queen from the steps of the town hall on Friday, June 10 from 10.45am to 11.30am. They will sing a medley of songs, including the national anthem, backed by youngsters from the Kirklees Music School. Afterwards, residents who turn 90 this year will be guests at a civic reception at the town hall.

‘Attacks’ on partner DEWSBURY: A man is accused of attacking his pregnant partner twice as he tried to ‘control’ her. Ajmal Mahroof, 34, of Headfield Road, is charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He is said to have engaged in controlling or coercive behaviour from January 1 to May 25. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that on one occasion Mahroof allegedly bit the woman and grabbed her by the troat. He is also accused of kicking her repeatedly, pouring a bottle of vodka over her head and putting out a cigarette on her arm. He was remanded in custody for a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, June 23.

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Festival line-up, from left, Barry Horncastle, Derek Stephenson, Orlando Gubbini (president), Donal O’Driscoll (festival director), Sue Lister and Mike Lister (secretary) Picture: Jonathan Wall, Photoshoot THE popular Heckmondwike Music Festival is attracting interest from local businesses keen to be associated with the event. The free two-day festival in Green Park takes place on July 16-17, supported by Kirklees Council’s Batley & Spen District Committee. Organiser Donal O’Driscoll has agreed a sponsorship deal with

car dealership Hammertons Batley, with dealer principal Paul Johnson keen to raise awareness of the firm to the ‘Heckyfest’ crowds. Mr Johnson said: “I’ve been to the festival many times in the past. I know how well it is run and I’m proud for the dealership to be part of it.” Heckmondwike & District Rotary

Paul Johnson (dealer principal, Hammerton’s Batley), left, with Pete Earnshaw (festival technical director) Picture: Richard Foster Photography

Club have also confirmed their backing. Mr O’Driscoll said: “I’m delighted to have our local Rotary Club on board. “It’s great to have such a longestablished organisation appreciate the positive effect this music festival has on the town.” Club secretary Mike Lister added: “This type of community

event is very appealing to all ages but we particularly appreciate its appeal to young people. The club supports the local community and this is an example of that.” Both organisations will have their own stands and displays at the event, and sponsorship packages start from as little as £60. For more information contact Donal O’Driscoll on 07957 765573.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

School rocked by sex scandal gets low mark from inspectors By Staff Reporters A SCHOOL rocked by a scandal involving its former headteacher has been criticised by inspectors. David Warbrick, 51, was suspended from Gomersal Primary last year after he admitted offences involving two 11-year-old girls. He did not return to the Oxford Road school and is due to be sentenced on Monday, June 13.

Ofsted found “instability in leadership and management” since their last visit has led to a decline in performance. The school, rated good when last inspected in 2011, was judged as “requires improvement”. In their report, inspectors wrote: “Uncertainty and instability in leadership and management since the last inspection has had a negative effect on the school’s perform-

ance. Improvement planning has been tentative, lacking decisiveness and direction.” Former head Warbrick

contacted his two victims, who are both from Derbyshire, through Facebook. He then invited them to have a webcam chat where he asked them to take their clothes off. The school, which has 421 pupils, is now under the leadership of headteacher Melanie Cox. Ofsted wrote: “...more recently, senior leaders are focusing on the correct priorities, recognising and

Primary set for ‘good’ rating thanks to head A NEW headteacher was praised for having “wasted no time” in tackling the problems at his school. Howard Park Community School, on St Peg Lane, Cleckheaton, was found to need improvement last July. In a report out last week, Ofsted found the primary is now on course to be a ‘good’ school.

Headteacher Marcus Newby was singled out as a key influence in raising standards for pupils. Inspector Suzanne Lithgow wrote: “You wasted no time when you started as headteacher. “You responded very quickly to the areas which needed to improve and prioritised them correctly. “This resulted in

detailed action plans which focus on the areas which were identified at the previous inspection. “It is very clear that you demonstrate a determination to raise standards quickly at Howard Park.” Other senior staff, encouraged by Mr Newby, are driving improvements to pupil attainment.

In particular, reading and writing is getting better thanks to a new marking system. The report added: “You have established a strong sense of purpose within your leadership team. “It is clear that most of them share your determination and drive and that they have the necessary skills.”

tackling core issues headon.” But improvement is not coming fast enough for the five-strong inspection team led by Fiona Manuel. “This is because they do not revisit or check with sufficient depth the extent to which key messages are being adopted by all staff and are actively influencing improvement,” the report added. “Expectations about what pupils can and do achieve, therefore, remain too low or at odds with leaders’ views...” But the basics are in place and the report states: “Teachers and other adults ensure that the learning environments are highly stimulating. “Classrooms and shared areas are bright, rich sources for numeracy, literacy and support learning. “This dedication to creating a stimulating work space contributes well to pupils’ excitement about learning and their positive attitudes to education.”

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ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

Why voting to leave the EU is good for trade and the economy Jonathan Scott, Campaign Co-ordinator for Vote Leave in Dewsbury and Batley, tells us why he thinks people should vote to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23 Q: Why should we leave the European Union?

We’d enjoy lower prices in our shops too. Currently we can’t import foodstuffs and consumer goods from outside the EU without imposing tariffs. If we leave, we can import from wherever we like and choose to make those tariff free in any trade deal or agreement we make.

A: Simply, to take back control of our country. We need to control our borders and who makes our laws. People in Dewsbury, Batley and across the UK should be able to vote out those who take decisions that affect our lives and not be run by unaccountable people in the EU. Our membership of the EU means our Parliament is not sovereign and our courts are superseded by the European Court of Justice. This just isn’t right and we have a chance to do something about it.

Q: But what about the organisations saying we should remain, like the IMF and CBI, surely they can’t all be wrong?

Q: What about the economic arguments? Some say we’d be worse off? A: I don’t believe that’s true. Treasury reports about economic disaster, falling house prices, unemployment and interest rate rises along with the doomsday forecasts for 2030 are likely to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. It’s fantasy. None of the reports or speeches mention the upside of leaving, such as saving billions in membership fees and not

lost. Nothing like that happened, in fact, quite the opposite and we’ve all seen what’s happened to countries in the Eurozone like Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal. These same organisations failed to predict the global financial crisis in 2008, urged us to join the disaster that was the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) and even in the case of the IMF have repeatedly got the UK’s growth figures wrong in the last few years. In short, they’ve called every major economic event of the last thirty years wrong and they are wrong again to be urging us to stay in the EU.

We would not be turning our backs on Europe, we would just be leaving the EU political club

including here in Yorkshire, such as the NHS. We’d also be free from the £600m a week spent implementing EU directives and regulations, many of which make no sense to businesses like mine.

A: Well, remember that they predicted economic chaos if we didn’t join the Euro, too. We were told our economy would collapse, inward investment fall and jobs would be

Q: There have been a lot of

A: I get this a lot from local voters struggling with the constant threats from the Government’s ‘Project Fear’ campaign. The EU is our biggest trading partner, because we cannot trade with anyone else without its approval. It’s not true that half our annual exports go to the EU and in fact 95% of the British economy does not export anything at all, to anyone – yet the whole of our economy is subjected to EU rules and regulations. The City of London is the financial centre of the world. It is simply too big, in demand and experienced, to be ruined if we are not in the EU political club.

Q: What about these three million job losses they talk about if we leave? A: When people say this, they mean the estimated three million jobs linked to our trade with the EU. This trade will continue after we leave and those jobs are not reliant on membership of the EU. What you don’t always hear about are the millions of jobs in the EU linked to trade with the UK. So it works both ways. It is simply a scare story. When we leave we can control immigration and drive up wages for the least well off.

EU membership means Brussels is in charge of UK trade. If we leave, we can negotiate for ourselves applying EU directives and regulations. They ignore the costs of millions more EU migrants, pressure on schools, hospitals and the welfare budget. If we left the EU we would be free to trade with the rest of the world and continue to trade with both EU countries and the rest of Europe as we do today.

Q: But wouldn’t we be better off having access to the EU’s Single Market?

Q: Would we really save £350million per week? A: It’s true; we would keep the £350m per week, which includes the unguaranteed rebate, currently sent to the EU in membership fees. We could spend that on other priorities,

statistics about trade; it’s hard to know what to think. What’s the view from Vote Leave?

Vote Leave camapaigners have delivered tens of thousands of leaflets around the district and run street stalls in every local town centre

A: Apart from suggesting the start of World War III, the Single Market is where ‘Project Fear’ really tries to scare people. It is true leaving the EU would

mean our withdrawal from the Single Market as we currently understand it, but we would then join the 150+ countries around the globe that can still trade with the EU and do well as a result. The Single Market is also incomplete. With the exception of retail banking it does not include services, where the British economy is strongest.

Q: Do you believe that the EU will punish us economically if we decide to leave? A: It’s important to remember that we would not be leaving ‘Europe’, we are leaving the institution called the EU and the countries that are in the EU want to trade with us. The EU has a £100 billion per year trade surplus with the UK. That means they sell more of their goods to us, than we sell to them. The European economy would suffer badly if we did not buy from the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Volvo, Fiat, Seat, Saab, Skoda, Siemens, Bosch, BASF, Phillips, Continental or the wine, champagne, beer, cheese, fruit and vegetables from EU countries. To be told that these companies will cease trading so the bureaucrats in Brussels can punish us for daring to leave the club is absurd.

We do not have to be a member of the EU in order to trade with it Promoted and published by the Dewsbury Brexit Group, 8 Craig-Y-Don, Dewsbury WF12 8BJ and printed by The Press News Ltd, 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB

Watch online for free at WWW.BREXITTHEMOVIE.COM

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

News In Brief Sight-loss charity will blindfold diners DEWSBURY: Diners at a charity event will be blindfolded when they sit down to eat... to give them an idea of what it is like to suffer sight loss. The Real Junk Food Project hosts ‘Dinner in the Dark’ at the Sensory World Play Centre on Old Westgate on Friday, June 10 (7pm). Proceeds are for the Kirklees Visually Impaired Network, whose members will also be attending. Tickets are £20 for a three-course meal and are available online at http://bit.ly/ dinnerinthedark10June.

When bombs rained on Batley Civic Society project reveals that 578 houses were damaged and 450 people made homeless... but only one person was killed and five injured

‘Ultimate dad’ hunt MIRFIELD: Pub managers have launched a search for the town’s best dad _ who will win a £500 day out. The Ship Inn on Steanard Lane is running the online ‘Do it for Dad’ contest for Father's Day. Entrants have until Sunday, June 12, to write in 100 words why their nominee should win the title of Ultimate Dad. An online form hosted by the venue's parent company is available at www.hungryhorse.co.uk/social/do-it-for-dad.

Blood donor dates NORTH KIRKLEES: Residents are being urged to help solve a shortage of blood. The NHS Blood and Transplant service needs O-negative, A-negative and B-negative donations, plus donors from ethnic minorities. St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Mirfield will host a donor session on Thursday, June 9, and Thursday, June 23. Further sessions are at Batley Sports Centre on Sunday, June 12, Primrose Hall in Horbury on Friday, June 17, and Ossett Town Hall on Wednesday, June 29. For further details see www.blood.co.uk.

The Hick Lane area of Batley, pictured in the 1940s, was in the firing line during the German bombing raid

By David Miller BATLEY’s successful 1940s Vintage Day rekindled memories of less happy times – when German bombers struck the town on the night of December 12, 1940. A soldier walking on Commercial Street was killed

when he was hit by shrapnel, 578 houses were damaged and 450 people made homeless. But remarkably, only five people were injured. St Andrew’s Church, the Gospel Hall and Weslyan Chapel in the Purlwell area were also damaged. Details were found by the Batley and Birstall Civic Society

Paula Sherriff, MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield

‘Politically speaking’ Why I’ll vote to stay in EU HE NHS and public health, transport, broadband, pensions, migration and the refugee crisis, how to tackle racism and to promote gender equality in advertising, sport, and the workplace: these are some of the issues I’ve been discussing in Parliament over the past couple of weeks. No doubt they are also amongst the many and varied issues that will be directly or indirectly affected by our forthcoming decision over the UK’s membership of the European Union. In just a few weeks’ time, on June 23, every voter will have a choice to make about our future EU membership. In or out. This is such a vast and wide-ranging debate and – to be clear – it is not possible for either side to be certain of the impact that a decision to leave could have on our day-to-day lives here in the UK. One argument from Leave supporters is that ‘Brexit’ could protect us from the many negative influences of TTIP, the EU-US trade deal. I disagree. I do have strong concerns that the unremarkably titled ‘Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership’ poses a serious threat to our NHS and other public services by opening them to the risk of American privatisation. That is why I tabled an amendment to the Queen’s Speech demanding new protection for the

NHS, and last week pressed the Government to make it clear that they will reject any treaty that puts the interests of big business ahead of ours. Forced to accept my amendment, it is the first time since 1924 that a government has accepted a motion of regret to a Queen’s Speech – an unprecedented humiliation. It is clear from the support my amendment received that a majority in the Commons, as well as in the country, does not accept the government’s position on TTIP. The truth is, the Tory government has turned a blind eye to the warnings of the unions, campaigners and MPs, including many on their own backbenches, who have warned about the danger that TTIP poses. Whilst other EU countries have been adding their reservations to

protect their powers and interests, our government has actively encouraged TTIP’s pro-privatisation and foreign business-friendly form. Disturbingly, in 2014 the Conservative Trade Minister actually lobbied the European Commission to try to make sure TTIP kept its Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions – the unaccountable international courts that allow foreign investors to sue governments for things like increases in the minimum wage. So, I stand in direct contrast to those Tory Eurosceptics eager to exploit this issue. Conversely, it is my fear that, if Britain left the EU, far from protecting our public services like the NHS, transport or education, our own Government, driven by its ideological belief in privatisation, would subject us to even worse trade deals, with less of a voice to challenge them. I believe that Britain is much stronger as part of the EU. I will be voting remain on June 23, to protect jobs, growth and investment as well as workers’ rights and I urge local people who care about these issues to do the same.

Paula • What do you think about Paula Sherriff MP’s views? Email forum@thepressnews.co.uk and have your say.

for their project, Walking in the Shadows. Members are interviewing survivors before World War II drifts beyond living memory. The society found that the first air raid siren sounded at 6.26pm that day and the all-clear was given at 4.06am the next morning. Many bombs failed to explode – including one that landed by the

east window of St Thomas’s Church on Rutland Road at 10.27pm. Society member Anne Dickinson said: “We believe the bombers unloaded on their way back from somewhere else. “They would have done this to save fuel for the return journey and the bombs happened to land here.” Around 7.45pm a large number of incendiary bombs were dropped around Bradford Road. Fires which caused the area from Branch Road to Hick Lane to be shut were put out by wardens, police, soldiers and civilians. Unexploded bombs landed at places including Soothill Bridge, Alexandra Mills and a goods yard at Station Road. Evacuees were taken to shelters at locations such as Soothill Working Men’s Club. Anne and her team found many locals who volunteered for war duty. One interviewee, Walter Walker, 93, of Howley Street, remembered his sense of pride in delivering supplies to parts of Africa while in the Royal Navy. Anne added: “Jobs were scarce, it was an adventure for many of them and they had no fear of dying. “What many of the interviewees tell us supports what others previously said and that helps us build up a more exact picture of what happened.”

New apartments ready for residents NEW flats for older people who need care but want to be independent have been officially opened in Mirfield. Bankview comprises six apartments designed for the Avalon Group charity by local builder Darren Smith Homes. Coun Martyn Bolt cut the ribbon at an opening ceremony. The flats will be managed by the Care Housing Association, while the Avalon Group will offer support to residents. They can live independently but with a team of carers on hand 24 hours a day if needed. Coun Bolt said: “It’s a wonderful thing to see a community coming together to make things better for everyone. “I’d like to wish the best of luck to all those making Bankview their home and thanks to everyone who has

Coun Martyn Bolt cuts the ribbon at Bankview alongside representatives from Avalon Group, Kirklees Care Association and Care Housing had a hand in this project.” The Avalon Group, which specialises in supported living, has offices at Wellington Road in Dewsbury. Fellow charity the Kirklees Community Association also helped make the project possible. Chairman Peter Rock said:

“We’re really pleased to be providing high-quality accommodation to the Care Housing Association and their tenants. “This has been as a result of using KCA’s unique status and working well as part of a team for the benefit of Kirklees people.”

£26,000 pension thief evades jail A MAN stole pension funds worth £26,000 intended for his disabled brother – but avoided jail. Leeds Crown Court heard that Kevin Austin, 53, of Pildacre Brow, Ossett, carried out the deception for about 13 years. His brother, who has learning difficulties, was unable to manage his own financial affairs or fully care for himself. He had been looked after by his father, who died in 1999, after which Austin became responsible for managing his father’s estate, including a miner’s pension. The pension payments should have been passed to his brother but Austin paid them into his own bank account.

Austin’s brother moved into a residential care home in Leeds in 1999 but they were not told he was entitled to the pension. The offences came to light in 2012 when the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme contacted the home. Austin, who admitted theft, was interviewed and admitted he had kept the cash for himself. The court heard Austin’s brother is now in receipt of the pension and the care home has legal power of attorney. Austin was given a one-year jail term suspended for 18 months and told to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work. Recorder of Leeds, judge Peter Collier QC told Austin: “It was a mean thing to do.”

Friday June 3, 2016

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

Ramblers’ corner • FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details SATURDAY JUNE 4 MONDAY JUNE 6 EMLEY CIRCULAR OFF TO CLECKHEATON Starts at 10am at Church Street car Starts at 11am at Commonside, park, Emley (HD8 9RW, SE244131) Roberttown (WF15 8BE) 7 miles – moderate (finishes 3pm Contact: Noel approximately) Tel: 07780 328 561 Contact: Dave Sharp 7 miles – moderate (finishes 5pm Tel: 07981 720099 approximately)

Paul Horrobin

Help fund Warrior Paul A FUNDRAISING event in Mirfield tomorrow night (Sat) will help an injured former soldier compete in an international sports tournament. Former Bombardier Paul Horrobin, 34 from Mirfield, suffered spinal injuries in Afghanistan in 2009. Paul who served for 13 years and also did two tours of Iraq, has had numerous operations on his back and now suffers from a loss of mobility in his legs. Now living in York, the former Royal Artilleryman is due to compete in the Warrior Games at the prestigious West Point military academy in New York later this month. Still a keen sportsman, Paul, who participates in Mirfield’s Remembrance Parade every year, will take part in up to five different disciplines including pistol shooting, wheelchair basketball, shot put, discus and archery. Paul will fly out to New York on June 12 and most of the trip has already been funded, but cash is still needed to help provide Paul with an archery kit. Now fundraisers at the Old Colonial Club, on Dunbottle Lane, have set up a special supper and quiz night tomorrow to help him reach his goal. From 7.30pm onwards there will be a raffle with a number of great prizes, including a ceramic poppy from the Tower of London art installation, and a general knowledge quiz for everyone to take part in. Entry is £5, which includes supper. For more information and tickets contact Tim Wood on 01924 496920.

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New festival on Mirfield calendar A NEW event planned for Mirfield is already getting people talking. Organised by local volunteers, Mirfield Arts Festival, planned for July 15-17 at venues across the town centre, will see exhibitions, drama, music, an arts and craft fair, stand-up open mic and have-a-go sessions plus childrens’ activities. On Saturday July 16 you can start the day at 10am at Mirfield Library, with performances from an Asian Dhol drumming group and Kirklees Wind Band. At the library you’ll also find original art by wellknown railway artist Ian Carter and talks about Mirfield’s railway connec-

tions and malting heritage. There’ll be book readings, talks about the Bronte family, Leeds United, Yorkshire life, sculpture, games and activities for children, stand-up poetry, music, choral singing and more.

Help give me a name!

Visitors can then make their way along the ‘Mirfield Art Trail’, which leads you off around the town – but prepare to be entertained and amazed along the way. Culture lovers who manage to make it to all of the

events around the town will also be entered in a competition to win a special prize. Jenny Tomlinson Walsh, one of the organisers, explained: “Enjoyment is the aim of the festival. “We hope visitors will like what’s organised and see the many, various ways that the arts can be enjoyed. “The arts are for everyone and can be great fun.” The festival is a mostly free event, but some venues will make a small charge to cover the cost of materials supplied. For more information, use the ‘contact us’ link at w w w. f r i e n d s o f m i r f i e l d library.org.

A NEW series of Oakwell Hall Country Park’s popular oneday photography courses will run over the summer. There are three dates, each aimed at a different level of experience. All are being run by Patrick Crowley, a professionally trained photographer and Oakwell Hall Country Park Ranger. On Saturday June 25 there is a course for complete beginners which will give an introduction to digital photography. The course on Saturday July 9 is aimed at beginners with SLR cameras and will help them learn more about how to make use of the different settings on their cameras. The third course, on Saturday July 23, is advanced SLR photography and will show participants different techniques and effects to get the best pictures. All the courses run from 9.45am to 4.30pm and cost £20 per person per course. Places must be reserved in advance and early booking is advised. For details call 01924 324761.

Society dates A CUTE BABY donkey has been born at a farm in Birkenshaw – and Press readers can name her! The beautiful white female (pictured) is a welcome addition to the range of animals at Blue Hills Farm in Birkenshaw. Visitors can see her in a paddock near the front entrance to the farm shop off Whitehall Road. And there is a £20 voucher for

the farm shop or play barn on offer to the winner of a naming contest. Suggestions can be put in a box at the farm shop entrance along with the entrant’s name and contact details, including phone number. The deadline is 5pm on Friday June 10. The winning entry will be drawn at random from the box that evening.

Join Malcolm on more history walks HISTORIAN Malcolm Haigh has drawn up a batch of four local history walks which he’s set to lead during June and early July. It follows approaches from several people who have previously enjoyed his walks highlighting features of Batley and Birstall history and who want to learn more. Malcolm admits he loves leading the walks and says they not only help him remember some of the fascinating stories surrounding the buildings

Oakwell in frame

but often result in more historical stories coming to light. This year he will start the series on Thursday June 16 with a walk which looks at various features in the town centre and its surroundings. “We are lucky that we live in such a fascinating town,” he said. “We have three major conservation areas, at least 65 buildings or artefacts listed as being of historical or architectural importance and lots more little-known places which hold

an abundance of fascinating features.” His other walks will be Visiting The Hamlets – Healey, Staincliffe and Kilpin Hill areas – on Thursday June 23, A Look at Birstall’s Background on Thursday June 30 and Hiking Into Howley on Thursday July 7. All the walks start at 6.30pm – the first walk starts in the Market Place – and the fee for each walk is £6. For more information call Malcolm on 01924 479824.

SPEN VALLEY Historical Society’s next two upcoming meetings will be: Wednesday June 8, ‘The Pilgrimage of Grace’ by Julia Hickey; Wednesday July 3, ‘Dawson City – the building of the Walshaw Dean Reservoirs’ by Ann Kilbey. Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm. The cost is £2 per meeting for members, £4 for guests and membership is £10 per year. For more information, contact society secretary Sue Cooper via email on scooper@thecoopers online.org.uk.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Nice and easy does it for Frankly Sinatra HE THEATRE Royal Wakefield was the setting for celebrating the centenary of the greatest singer of the 20th century. It was the swing, the swagger and the velvet vocals of Sinatra in concert, starring Stephen Triffitt who packed the theatre and was greeted with cheers and standing ovations at the close of the show. Stephen tells me he has a new album out soon, and this, he says, “is my best work yet”. He did it his way folks, don’t miss if him if you get the chance. More details at www.stephentriffittasfranksinatra.com.

IT APPEARS that hard man actor Ross Kemp is looking to have his book Moving Target made into a TV drama. He reveals: “It’s been optioned and I am just hoping that it all comes together. I do also have ideas of who I would like to cast in the roles too.” HOLLY WILLOUGHBY has signed up to host a new dating show on ITV. ‘Meet The Parents’ is another attempt to take on the Blind Date mantle and ITV have “huge hopes” for it. IT MUST be nice to get the royal seal of approval from the Duchess of Cornwall, who has revealed she is a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee. She said: “I like the gentleness of the show, and the fact it’s not so rushed, people take their time to have a go at something they really enjoy.” BRUNO LANGLEY who plays Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street, is planning a move back into theatre – and not just pantomime. He tells me: “I need to experience live theatre and prove that I can be more than just Jason. I know it will be tough to prove to people, that is why I am taking the risk by leaving, but the good news is that I won’t be killed off which is a relief, I can tell you.” HOLLYWOOD star Renee Zellweger went behind the scenes at the BBC and shadowed Fiona Bruce as research for her new Bridget Jones film. Insiders tell me that they were sworn to secrecy about the regular visits, but in the film Bridget has landed a job in a news channel, and so the BBC was considered the perfect place for her to see real TV anchors in action. Fiona Bruce may also appear in a cameo in the movie too...

Ann Montini and Stephen Triffitt BROOKE VINCENT has signed a new Coronation Street deal after taking a break to star in a theatre play. The actress, who plays Sophie Webster in the show, tells me: “I never assume I will be offered a new deal, but I am always grateful as I love the show and think playing her is a great honour. Plus appearing in the theatre has made me want to make Sophie different too, maybe I’ll expand how I play her.” AS she has now departed EastEnders for good what next for Dame Barbara Windsor? The Carry On veteran is being targeted by the bosses of Strictly Come Dancing, but it appears that Dame Barbara likes the idea of the Christmas special more than the long slog of the main series.

Maycon Pictures

ed by Celebrity MasterChef and Emmerdale star Sheree Murphy. The upcoming daytime show sees Michelinstarred chefs mentor amateur home cooks to do battle in the kitchen. “I’m a huge foodie and a big fan of cooking shows, so to be in the presence of these worldclass chefs every day is an amazing experience,” Sheree said. DAME JOAN COLLINS has been busy reminiscing about her past, and says because she has done so much in her career, casting people don’t offer her work as they think: “I will be too expensive, or the role is not glamorous enough, but the truth is I am a working actress and look at any role offered. I just love acting, basically.”

SIMON COWELL will reportedly take a pay cut as he signs a new three-year deal with ITV. According to sources, the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent judge is finalising a contract with the channel that will see him take a dip in his salary. The deal would mean that his shows stay on ITV until at least 2019.

FORMER Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote will make her theatre debut in the musical My Fair Lady, but she tells me: “I am taking singing lessons so that I can sing the iconic song ‘Moon River’. I am really nervous about this, but I relish the challenge and think that this will take my career in another direction and maybe even some grittier roles.”

DANNIELLA WESTBROOK has apologised after accusing an EastEnders cast member of revealing details about her to the press, and now has decided that this was not the case after all, despite saying this on a TV show. She reveals: “I now know this not to be true.” However her return to the soap has once again been put in serious doubt.

AFTER the huge failure of the Spice Girls musical on the London stage, Jennifer Saunders decided to write a big-screen version of her TV show Absolutely Fabulous. Insiders though tell me that despite plenty of A-list stars in the movie it’s not funny, and the editors are trying like fury to cobble something together that may just make cinema goers laugh.

ITV’S Killer Women with Piers Morgan bowed out with 600,000 fewer viewers than first tuned in, which was underwhelming to say the least. Plans for a second series have now been firmly locked away.

VERNON KAYE continues to sink down the popularity scales after his latest TV show ‘Drive’ was dropped after just one series. Plans for a chat show have now been put on hold, which would have given him a latenight audience, and it appears that his recent bad press has not helped matters...

NEW BBC One series the Big Chef Showdown will be host-

Marketplace Turn your unwanted items

into cash £££s 1) Ring Adele on 01924 470296 (9.30am-4.30pm). Have your advert ready and you can pay by debit card (30p surcharge). 2) Call into the office at 31 Branch Road, Batley WF17 5SB and pay by cash, cheque or debit card (30p surcharge). 3) Post your advert and include your name and a contact number, along with cheque for payment. ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. (We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

NEW Dark blue, threeseater, leather three-piece suite in very good condition £95. Tel 07531 775603. (1934) Large parasol with cover, cast iron base, as new £25. Tel 01924 455623. (1935) Stag Minstrel 4ft 6in extending table & 4 chairs, very good condition £50. Tel 01924 496746/ 07986 978897. (1936) CHILDREN’S GOODS/TOYS As new, Razor Spark child’s scooter, with spare spark and manual £25. Tel 01274 874409. (1923) DIY Double aluminium ladder, suitable for window washing, painting etc. Very good condition £60 ono. Tel 07881 598155. (1930) ELECTRICAL Bang and Olufsen record player/ radio/ recorder, plus 250 LPs. All excellent condition, £300. Tel 01924 471065. (1932) Epson Stylus SX425 3-in-1 printer/ scanner/ copier, Wi-fi. Boxed, very good condition £25 ono. Tel Mirfield 01924 491306. (1903) FABRIC/ FASHION/ CLOTHING

Mother of the bride outfit, Condici size 18, dress/coat in pink and navy with pink hat. Worn once, cost over £200, will accept £60. Tel 07806431728. (1925) FURNITURE Work table 3ft x 2ft formica top, wood design, legs unscrew; with two strong chairs and Ikea rise and fall stool, all unpainted. Used but clean £18. (can deliver local for small charge). Tel 01924 462494. (1933) Stag oak bureau, 38” height, width 30”, depth 17”. In good condition, well looked after £50. Tel 01274 876814 (Gomersal) (1926) Computer/office chair, adjustable height, armrest. Excellent condition £20. Tel 01924 724680 (1927) Small tiled top dark wood coffee table, in good condition £5.00. Tel 07790 568986. (Soothill) (1920) Cane conservatory furniture set, comprises of 1 x 2 seater settee, 1 chair, 1 footstool, 1 glass topped coffee table, 1 glass topped side table. All in very good condition £200. Phone 01924 517994. (1921) Teak display cabinet with glass front and

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Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus lighting, three drawers, two cupboards. Excellent condition £40. Tel 01274 878450. (1922) Mahogany extending dining table and four chairs. Two-seater settee + one recliner in green fabric. Divan bed with mattress; All in good condition, £150 or will sell separately. Tel 01924 505834. (1905) White, plastic oval garden table with matching 4 chairs (inc seat pads) and matching parasol £18 ono. Also various large garden pots, offers. Tel 07806 431728. (1904) HSL Linton Petite dual rise & recline chair in wine colour, excellent condition £600 ono. Ring 07883 970603. (1900) Well rotted horse manure (no straw), five bags £10. Free local delivery. Ring Ken 01924 409540/ 07922 186721 (1889) HOMEWARE China tea service, white with gold trim, as new. Includes 5 side plates, 6 salad plates, 6 cups and saucers, milk jug and sugar bowl; 25 pieces in all £20 ono. Tel 01274 876814. (1911) HOUSEHOLD Comfort Quest inflatable double mat-

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tress, new, still boxed, including pump £20. Tel 07766 394629. (1931) New lightweight bedroom type commode, £25 ono. Tel 01274 876814 (Gomersal). (1911) KITCHEN Platinum Prestige premium 24-piece BBQ tools in aluminium case £20 new. Tel 07766 394629. (1931) Fridge freezer, cost £140 Argos 06/14. As new, A-star, 89 litre/29 litre £50. Buyer collects, tel 07786 404627. (1929) MISCELLANEOUS Eight bales of meadow hay £3 per bale. Tel 01274 874851. (1917) MUSICAL Four Spanish guitars, £25 each ono. Tel 01924 402931 (1918) TOOLS/DIY Timber, 2 metre lengths, 4 x 1, 20 pieces £20. Tel Batley 01924 472043. (1902) WANTED WANTED – petrol lawnmower, working or in need of attention, must be inexpensive or free. Phone Graham 01924 493938. (1915) WANTED – wringer/ mangle. Tel 01274 876814. (1914)

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CRICKET

Gomersal keep pace with fancied former CYL clubs By Mike Popplewell Cricket Correspondent sport@thepressnews.co.uk

WHEN THE merger between the Bradford League and the Central Yorkshire League was finalised there were big expectations of Methley, Townville and Wrenthorpe – the perennial giants of CYL cricket. Now just six games into the 2016 Championship season we, not surprisingly, find all three in the top four of section B. But, what is perhaps a little more unexpected is that Gomersal are right there in the mix in third place, albeit 28 points behind 100 per cent side Townville but only two points behind second-placed Methley. There is a big test ahead for Graham Hilton’s side at Wrenthorpe tomorrow (Sat) but they will be full of confidence following the manner in which his Jack Seddon inspired team dispatched local rivals Hartshead Moor in their last outing at Oxford Road. It was slow going at first, with runs coming at under two an over and wickets falling, as they crept to 55-3 as the half-way stage approached. Jon Boynton produced a hardearned 58 and Adam Greenwood produced a typically gritty perform-

Jack Seddon hit seven sixes for Gomersal in a fabulous performance against Harsthead Moor ance to contribute 37 to a 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but the fall of Greenwood heralded the introduction of Seddon – and that’s when the fireworks began. In his 35-ball innings Seddon hit five fours and seven sixes to close on 72 not out. So nonchalant was

his treatment of the Moor attack, his last six, off the last ball of the innings, saw him walking off the field before the ball had even reached the boundary. Gomersal had taken their total to 260-6 off their 50 overs prompting Moor keeper Craig Field, to remark,

Mike Popplewell

with regard to Seddon: “It’s a good job he didn’t get in earlier, they would have got 460!” Field subsequently opened the innings for Moor and carried his bat for a top-scoring 85 but with Jimmy Russell picking up 4-39 in 12 overs the outcome was never in

doubt. The visitors closed on 184-9 as Gomersal ran out winners by 76 runs and now face a visit from leaders Townville tomorrow. Hopton Mills coasted to an eightwicket win over Spen Victoria in the division’s other derby game last week while in Championship A there seems to be no stopping Batley, who go into tomorrow’s derby game at old CYL rivals Liversedge in top spot. In their last game Batley were eight-wicket winners at Idle after Aqsad Ali (3-14) and Muhammed Hafeez (3-9) helped bowl out the home side for 51. Liversedge were also winners in their game at Saltaire after they successfully chased down the home side’s total of 157-9 with three wickets standing. Key man for the Roberttown Lane men was skipper Stephen Lane who took 6-35 with his off spin. There was a welcome first win of the season for Birstall at Keighley, as Nick Kaye’s unbeaten 80 helped them home with one wicket and 10 balls to spare, and Richard Whitehurst (36 not out) saw Ossett chalk up a seven-wicket win at Hunslet Nelson. Tomorrow Birstall are at home to Yeadon while Ossett entertain Baildon. Meanwhile in the Conference Crossbank Methodists are at home to Gildersome and Heckmondwike & Carlinghow are at East Leeds.

Hanging Heaton and Cleckheaton prepare for battle HANGING HEATON and Cleckheaton meet at Bennett Lane tomorrow (Sat) in what could be the match of the day in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League top flight, despite both finding themselves on the wrong end of shock Bank Holiday Monday results. Both clubs went into Monday’s games having closed the gap on leaders Pudsey St Lawrence with outstanding wins at home to Pudsey Congs and

Woodlands respectively. Joe Fraser and Ishy Dawood led Hanging Heaton to 267-6 against Pudsey Congs, winning by 35 runs as former Yorkshire paceman Davis Stiff took 5-54, but the visit to lowly East Bierley saw them let the game slip after dominating the early stages. Bierley, without former England one day international Gavin Hamilton, had slumped to 76-6 when Mathew Lumb was joined by

Legend Walwyn in over-60s rep side BRADFORD League legend Murphy Walwyn, who began his career at East Bierley 45 years ago, has long kept his age a secret but selection for the England over 60s has at least narrowed it down. Walwyn has completed almost 15,000 runs in the Bradford League and though most of those were with Bierley he has also played for Woodlands and Gomersal in a career in which additional success with the ball has been a feature. He has twice taken all 10 wickets in an innings – a feat which has only otherwise been achieved by SF Barnes and Yorkshire’s Sandy Jaques. Although normally a second team player these days, a rare first team appearance for East Bierley recently resulted in a knee injury but, though currently sidelined, Walwyn expects to be back playing soon and is in line for a trip to Australia with the England over 60 side in November.

Tom Ormondroyd but the seventh wicket pair added 68 in 39 minutes before Ormondroyd was lbw to Muhammed Rameez for 29. Lumb went on to make what proved a match best 41 not out, as his side closed on 155-9, and then took 4-37 to leave the visitors on the back foot at 41-6. Immy Dawood hit 26 to revive Hanging Heaton’s hopes but Awais Ejaz took 37 in 11 balls to seal a 57-run win with 27 overs to spare.

Cleckheaton began the weekend with an outstanding 79-run win over Woodlands at Moorend, which featured a sensational unbroken 224run partnership between Chris Holliday (151) and Muhammed Khan (107) in only 96 minutes. But Monday’s game, at home to a promoted Scholes side still looking for their first win, looked a formality for Cleck as they raced to 135. Holliday was their third man out for 41 but

Mohammed Khan kept up the momentum with 71 off 76 balls before being last out. The problem was he rapidly ran out of partners in the middle of the innings as Scholes skipper James Stansfield took 4-49 in 15 overs to leave Cleckheaton all out for 226 in 48.4 overs. Scholes batted steadily right through the innings and the failure to bat out their overs ultimately proved Cleckheaton’s undoing as Rizwan Ahmed (81 not out)

struck the winning runs with only two balls remaining of the extra over they had been given. It is likely to be another tough encounter for Scholes at the other promoted side, Morley, tomorrow but they must have got some muchneeded confidence from the win at Cleckheaton. Meanwhile East Bierley will undoubtedly feel better about themselves too as they prepare to take on Pudsey St Lawrence.

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE EXTRA

Stags lack consistency in Premier Division Yorkshire Men’s League Premier NORLAND SHARKS MIRFIELD STAGS

28 22

at Sirius Academy Sports Ground A SECOND-HALF fightback proved in vain as an injuryhit Mirfield Stags suffered a disappointing 28-22 defeat at the hands of Norland Sharks in the Yorkshire Men’s League Premier Division. Another slow start saw Mirfield go 18-0 down inside the opening quarter. Richard Silverwood’s men battled back after half-time and pushed their Hull-based opponents all the way during the latter stages of the round five contest. But in an error-strewn performance Mirfield fell short of the mark and were made to pay for completion rates

either side of the interval, as Norland clung on to claim victory. It took two minutes for the hosting Sharks to get their teeth into the Stags, opening the scoring through Liam East, who intercepted a wild pass before racing 40 metres to touch down. Warren Smithies and Stuart Crooks added further Norland tries in quick succession and Andy Goodwin was on target with all three conversion attempts, leaving Mirfield with a mountain to climb. Reece Spurr made a break on the stroke of half-time, laying the platform for a try he would later score, which certainly stemmed the home side’s flow. But mistakes were aplenty early in the second half and the Stags paid the price, as Norland extended their lead to 22-4. Mirfield hit back shortly after and looked set to eventually overtake their opponents, only for another wayward pass to fall directly into the path of a Norland play-

er. And the East Yorkshire outfit took their chances, making it 28-10. With less than nine minutes remaining, Mirfield forced a tense finish as Phil Shotton and prop Alex Dawson crashed over for tries in quick succession. And the visitors had a chance to steal a point in the dying seconds, only for another error to cost Silverwood’s Stags dear. Mirfield, who now sit eighth in the table following their third loss of the season, host Beverley Braves tomorrow (Sat, 2.30pm).

DEWSBURY BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS: TUESDAY MAY 24: 1 J Paxton and D Hannam; 2 C Walker and G

Bragg; 3 M Loveridge and G Bloom; 4 J Bragg and A Cooper.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

Sharks need improvements to avoid drop NCL Division One FEATHERSTONE LIONS

SHAW CROSS SHARKS

at Mill Pond Stadium

Thornhill Trojans players celebrate their National Cup triumph in front of their supporters

National Cup joy for Trojans’ history makers BARLA National Cup Final THORNHILL TROJANS 17 MYTON WARRIORS

at Big Fellas Stadium THORNHILL TROJANS’ memorable season continued after they clinched their first-ever BARLA National Cup with a thrilling 17-14 win over National Conference League Division One side Myton Warriors. The Trojans took a large following to Featherstone’s Big Fellas Stadium and they weren’t disappointed. The NCL Division Two outfit took the lead through Danny Ratcliffe who latched on to a Jake Wilson pass to cross over near the posts. The opening try of the final was converted by Sam Ratcliffe. Thornhill did suffer a blow when Liam Morley’s match ended prematurely after he took an elbow to the chest, but replacement Luke Haigh quickly got up to the speed of play, and when he was on the receiving end of a high tackle Sam Ratcliffe kicked the penalty goal to give his

side an eight-point lead. But Myton showed their potential and got right back into the game with a try from winger Lee James. Thornhill showed spirit throughout the contest, however, responding quickly with their second try of the final. Haigh was the provider for Sam Ratcliffe to touch down for an unconverted try in the corner. Moments later and Thornhill missed a glorious chance to gain a strong foothold in the match. A clever Danny Ratcliffe kick made its way to James Craven but the ball bounced off his chest and the try scoring opportunity broke down. And on the stroke of half-time the Trojans suffered a setback when Myton’s Lee James went over for his second try to make the second period too close to call. After Ash James converted the try the Trojans’ advantage was cut to two points. Thornhill coach James Ratcliffe opted to keep his players out on the pitch at half-time in a bid to prevent his side from getting carried away with the occasion. The move appeared to have

worked when the Trojans crossed the whitewash early in the second period, but the effort was ruled out for a knock-on. In a tense affair not much happened in the second half, until Lee James completed his hat-trick to give the Warriors the lead for the first time in the final, with time running out for the Trojans. But James Ratcliffe’s men battled hard in the last 10 minutes to salvage a desperate situation. James Craven made a vital break to gain Thornhill valuable yards and when the Overthorpe Park side forced Myton to drop out from under their own posts it allowed Wilson to make a promising run down the centre of the field. Subsequently the ball found its way to George Stott, who powered his way over to regain the lead for his side. With just a two-point margin for error Thornhill knew the game was still anyone’s, but, when Danny Ratcliffe was successful with a drop goal attempt in the dying minutes the Trojans new they had made history and would lift the National Cup trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

Send your sports reports, news and photos to Joe Link at joe@thepressnews.co.uk

Andrew Byram

MATCH STATS: THORNHILL TROJANS 1. James Craven 6 2. George Woodcock 6 3. Liam Green 6 4. George Stott 7 5. Sam Ratcliffe 8 6. Liam Morley 6 7. Danny Ratcliffe 8 8. Lee Smith 7 9. Josh Clough 7 10. Anthony Harris 6 11. Rob Kelly 7 12. Jake Wilson 7 13. Jake Ratcliffe 6 SUBS: 14. Luke Haigh 7 15. Jake Hickling 6 16. Joss Ratcliffe 6 17. Gareth Love 6 MYTON WARRIORS 1. Ryan Marrazza 6 2. Anthony Wheeldon 6 3. Ryan Walker 6 4. Jordan Precious 6 5. Lee James 9 6. Ash James 7 7. Kris Walker 7 8. Richard Dunham 6 9. Wes Newton 6 10. Lee Fewlass 7 11. Nick Halstead 6 12. Rory Neilson 7 13. James Jennison 6 SUBS: 14. Liam Ward 5 15. Joe Dewsbury 5 16. James Johnson 5 17. Stuart Oades 5 THORNHILL TROJANS Tries: George Stott, Sam Ratcliffe, Danny Ratcliffe. Goals: Sam Ratcliffe 2/3 Drop goals: Danny Ratcliffe 1/1

MYTON WARRIORS Tries: Lee James (hat-trick) Goals: Ash James 1/3 Referee: Tony Martin Half-Time: 10-8 Sin Bin: None Sent Off: None Weather: Dry, sunny Man of the Match: Danny Ratcliffe Match rating: 5/5

SHAW CROSS fell to their seventh defeat in 10 games after losing 44-18 against National Conference League Division One rivals Featherstone Lions. Featherstone ran in eight tries in their demolition of the Sharks. Joe Fox scored twice and his all-round performance earned him the man of the match award. Danny Glassell opened the scoring with a secondminute try with Fox doubling the tally eight minutes later with a break away to the try line. Jake Perkins added another and with two Ian Jackson goals the Lions were in command at 16-0. As half-time approached Shaw Cross hit back when good work by Tom Rodgers found Martyn Holland for a try and Ryan Chalkley converted. However, the Lions gained their 16-point lead back with a Davi Garahan try and Jackson conversion. Two minutes into the second period the Sharks debutant Nathan Wright skipped past two players to touch down. But a Josh Hardcastle try kept the Lions plodding along before Will Gledhill’s try and Chalkley goal brought the Sharks back to within eight points. The Sharks couldn’t find a breakthrough, and as the match entered the final quarter it belonged to the home side who ran in three more converted tries. Perkins grabbed his second, as did Fox, with one from Sam Candlin in between for a resounding victory. Shaw Cross find themselves in 12th following the loss and need to bounce back quickly if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle this season. The Sharks’ next league outing is at home to Skirlaugh on Saturday June 11.

JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

Birstall Under-11s put in solid performance against rivals Hunslet

Birstall Victoria Under-11s showed off their new team hoodies prior to kick-off against Hunslet, the club thanked MAVE and Fantastic Media for their sponsorship BIRSTALL Victoria Under-11s took on Hunslet Warriors in a hard-fought thrilling contest. Birstall ran in three first-half tries, with man of steel Brandon Hanson using good skill to evade defenders on his way to the line. Jack Mysak crossed the whitewash for two tries, the first coming from a line break and the second was the end product to a well-worked series of passes. In the second period Birstall remained in try-scoring mood, crossing for two more four-pointers. Verne Capstick used his quick feet to find space and dart for the line before Billy Bentley touched down for his first try in Birstall colours. Thomas Harrison added to Victoria’s points tally with three successful goal attempts. Cohan Burnham was named opposition man of the match, Bentley collected the supporters' star and magic moment honours, Joe Hargreaves bagged the best trainer accolade with Capstick and Harry Avis going home with the attacking contribution and defensive contribution awards respectively.

ThePress

Friday June 3, 2016

KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Batley go third after derby win Kingstone Press Championship

DEWSBURY RAMS

BATLEY BULLDOGS

at Bloomfield Road BATLEY’S James Brown came off the bench to the delight of coach John Kear after his side clinched their second Heavy Woollen derby victory of the season, winning the latest encounter 28-24 at the Summer Bash event. Dewsbury were leading 12-0 and 2012, but Batley hit back to displace Bradford Bulls in third place. “James Brown was magnificent,” enthused Kear. “For the first 15 minutes they battered us but once the interchanges went out there, they changed the momentum. “He (Brown) was instrumental towards our victory. The standard of football wasn’t that great but we won and got two points. “It was a scruffy game and I said to them at half-time ‘you are better than this’. “But sometimes you just have to hang in and find a way to win. “We did that with the penalty and two drop goals which in the end made the difference. “But we have got to make sure next weekend our standard of play is higher than it was this week. “Attitude-wise though, we flipped it around which is a very pleasing thing.” But Rams boss Glenn Morrison admitted his side are being dragged into a relegation scrap after a 10th defeat in 15 league games. And the Aussie coach pulled no punches with his post-game assessment. “Defensively we worked well for each other but our skill level was not good enough,” he admitted. “We completed 58 per cent and you are not going to beat anyone with that percentage. “Their composure, with the people that mattered, was better than ours. “When we got to the right points and ran the right lines, we scored some good tries. But we haven’t been able to put games to bed. “I said to the players before kickoff, ‘the game is on TV, go and show people what we are all about in our skill level and how we play rugby’. “Instead, we have put ourselves in a position where we are looking over our shoulders with the relegation situation.” Dewsbury, now with only one win from their last seven games, made the perfect start as they attempted revenge for a 44-30 defeat by the Bulldogs back in March. Jason Crookes notched the first of his team’s three first-half tries after five minutes, with Paul Sykes tagging on the conversion. Sykes took his personal tally to eight points with a second Rams touchdown eight minutes later and subsequent conversion. Batley needed some inspiration and it came from Cain Southernwood’s kick that allowed Chris Ulugia to open the Bulldogs’ account. Penalties and handling errors ensured the quality of the action was disappointing. And coupled with a low crowd, it wasn’t a great advert for the Summer Bash experience.

BOXING

O’Regan strikes gold in Scotland CORY O’REGAN won a gold medal in the Great Britain Elite Three Nations tournament in Dunfermline. The Heckmondwike boxer won two bouts in two days against Scotland’s Josh Sandford and Calvin McCord last Friday and Saturday – and in doing so caught the eye of England team manager Martin Webb. His success north of the border, coupled with his strong showing in the

recent English National Championships, could pave the way for the 20-year-old to grab a place in GB Elite’s Podium Potential Squad. Elsewhere Ismail Khan, of KBW boxing gym in Dewsbury, is another local boxer who has impressed in recent months, performing well at the English National Championships and his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed following his invitation to attend an assessment camp with the GB squad.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Trojans search for touch rugby teams THORNHILL Trojans are on the look-out for eight teams to take part in their first-ever over-30s touch rugby nines competition. The teams do not have to be associated with another club and the only requirement for participants is that they are rugby league fans.

The rugby nines event, which gets underway on Friday July 1, has a £1,000 prize fund available for the winners. It costs £20 to enter a team and the competition will last for nine weeks. To find out more call Jake Ratcliffe on 07867 532426.

MATCH STATS: DEWSBURY RAMS

It was all-square when Greg Minikin latched onto a smart kick from Dom Brambani to grab Batley’s second try. Pat Walker kicked the goal to make it 12-12 approaching half-time. Dewsbury hit back before the break as Dale Morton lifted his try tally into double figures for the season with Sykes claiming the assist with an excellent kick. A Sykes penalty five minutes after the re-start suggested the Rams might end their depressing sequence of recent results. But with Brown starting to dominate, the Bulldogs came back into contention. The undisputed man of the match powered over after 49 minutes before Tom Lillycrop added a fourth Batley try after 53 minutes to give Kear’s men a 24-20 advantage. As a rollercoaster ride to match the entertainment on offer at South Shore, the game couldn’t reach such heights. However, Dalton Grant went over with 17 minutes remaining to tie the scores again. Sykes missed the conversion to put the Rams in front for a third time. And that’s as close as they came to even sharing the spoils. Walker landed a 67th-minute penalty from 40 metres before the same player and Dom Brambani dropped goals in the final 10 minutes. The final hooter signalled an outbreak of fisticuffs that could lead to disciplinary repercussions for both clubs. It was a feisty end to a large damp squib of a contest.

1. Josh Guzdek 2. Dale Morton 38. Etu Uaisele 15. Jason Crookes 5. Dalton Grant 6. Paul Sykes 22. Andy Kain 8. Matt Groat 25. Joel Farrell 32. Kyle Trout 4. Shane Grady 11. Rob Spicer 14. Luke Adamson SUBS: 9. Tom Hemingway 13. Aaron Brown 27. Jason Muranka 24. Jack Teanby

6 6 6 6 6 7 6 6 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

BATLEY BULLDOGS 22. Dave Scott 2. Wayne Reittie 30. Greg Minikin 3..Chris Ulugia 5. Shaun Ainscough 6. Cain Southernwood 7. Dom Brambani 8. Keegan Hirst 20. Alistair Leak 15. Adam Gledhill 24. James Harrison 17. Joe Chandler 9. Luke Blake SUBS: 13. Pat Walker 18. Tom Lillycrop 21. James Brown 29. Frankie Mariano

6 7 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 8 8 6

DEWSBURY RAMS Tries: Crookes (4), Sykes (13), Morton (39), Grant (61). Goals: Sykes 4/5.

BATLEY BULLDOGS Tries: Ulugia (19), Minikin (25), Brown (49), Lillycrop (53) Goals: Walker 5/5. Drop Goals: Walker (74), Brambani (80)

Dewsbury players mob Dale Morton after he scored a try, but the Rams’ celebrations were cut short after Batley twice came from behind to claim the bragging rights and Aaron Brown (above left) looks to make something happen for Dewsbury Photos: Steve Horsfall

Referee: T. Grant / Half-Time: 18-12 / Penalties: 10-11 / Sin Bin: None / Sent Off: None / Weather: Sunny / MOTM: James Brown / Attendance: 6,391 / Match Rating: 2/5

Bright future in store at Mount? By Joe Link Sports Reporter joe@thepressnews.co.uk

BATLEY CHAIRMAN Kevin Nicholas believes his side’s ‘tremendous’ season so far is just reward for the effort the club has put in throughout the last eight months. After a disappointing 2015 campaign Nicholas promised fans the club would aim higher – and the Batley chief put money where his mouth is during the off-season, signing experienced players such as Dom Brambani and Pat Walker. Big signings and a new training regime focusing on strength and conditioning, put in place by head coach John Kear, helped Batley climb to the summit of the Championship before a post-Easter blip of four straight defeats. Nevertheless they are now third after their second Heavy Woollen derby win of the season with their sights firmly set on a spot in the top four going into the Super 8s. “We’re the team to catch and it puts us in a commanding position,” said Nicholas. “It would be a terrific achievement to pull it off but the players and coaching staff know there is a lot of hard work still to do and they can’t afford to take their foot of the gas.” A top four place in the Championship would also bring financial benefits to Batley

who, as a part-time club, would appreciate the extra income. And with Matt Diskin taking the reins at Mount Pleasant at the end of the current season it would provide him with a healthier transfer budget. “Matt has already outlined some targets for the off-season and it was that kind of focus and determination that earned him the job ahead of other top candidates,” added Nicholas. “We’ve already signed some contract extensions because we would like to hold onto the strong squad that we already have in order to push on next season and hopefully do even better. “Matt wants us to set the bar high, he is very determined to take the club forward.” Batley host strugglers Oldham on Sunday, but Kear’s men know exactly how dangerous the newly-promoted side can be having lost to the Roughyeds at Bower Fold 28-12 back in April. Nicholas said: “It’s been a goal of the players all season to beat every team in the league at least once and so far they’ve done okay. “They will definitely be wanting revenge against Oldham and a win would keep us on track to achieve something special.” On the injury front Batley don’t have too many concerns. Sean Hesketh will be out following shoulder surgery and Shaun Ainscough is missing with an ankle problem, but Alex Brown is set to return to the side on the wing.

Matt Diskin aims to take Batley forward in 2017

HISTORY MAKERS!

Rams paying price for Reserves focus DEWSBURY boss Glenn Morrison believes the club’s decision to invest in an ill-fated reserves side this season is ‘hurting’ the first team’s chances. The Rams have lost 10 of their 15 Championship matches this term and are currently unable to strengthen their depleted squad because of a lack of funds. Money was pumped into the Rams’ second string who won the Reserves Championship Grand Final in 2015 but, due to a lack of fixtures as some clubs, including Featherstone and Sheffield Eagles, scrapped their second string sides, the Rams too had to follow suit. “We thought the right way to go was to invest in our reserves,” explained Morrison. “But for reasons out of our control it didn’t work out and now we are left in a position where we can’t sign players in order to cover for injuries, unlike Batley for example.” Dewsbury’s fierce Heavy Woollen rivals edged the latest derby encounter at the Summer Bash to go third in the Championship and Morrison’s men face another top four opponent this weekend in the shape of Bradford Bulls, knowing they will need to put a winning run together soon in order to avoid a relegation scrap. “I’m confident in the ability of my squad it’s just a matter of getting bodies back on the field,” said the Aussie coach. “We had Paul Jackson, Tony Tonks, Scott Hale and Ryan Hepworth all out injured watching from the stand. “Then there are individual errors from the players who are fit which have proved really costly in games. “But despite not playing our best we should have beaten Batley, we were leading on more than one occasion and couldn’t hold on. “The players are putting the effort in it’s just a confidence issue with them, but I know with that same level of effort we will come good. We’re not far off.”

Championship table Leigh Centurions London Broncos BATLEY BULLDOGS Bradford Bulls Featherstone Rovers Halifax Swinton Lions Sheffield Eagles DEWSBURY RAMS Whitehaven Oldham Workington Town

Pts

15 15 15 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 14 15

13 12 9 8 9 9 6 5 5 5 4 2

1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 3 5 4 6 6 9 10 10 10 10 13

27 24 19 18 18 18 12 10 10 10 8 4

MAGGOTS ONLY £2 PER PINT Cheapest in the area

Thornhill Trojans players pictured celebrating with the BARLA National Cup after overcoming favourites Myton Warriors in a hard-fought final MATCH REPORT – PAGE 22

JACK PYKE ----------------------------OF ENGLAND