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Mum’s fight for son’s reputation
Friday December 9, 2016
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NEW FEARS OVER A&E DOWNGRADE Questions in Parliament after The Press uncovers the truth about the number of patients diverted from Pinderfields and sent to Dewsbury Hospital QUESTIONS have been asked in Parliament this week after the shocking number of diverts to Dewsbury Hospital’s under-threat A&E department was revealed. Following a Freedom of Information request by The Press, figures from Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust showed that accident and emergency patients were diverted from Pinderfields Hospital to Dewsbury 61 TIMES in the last 12 months. Diversion periods during the last year totalled 373 hours – an average of just over six hours a time. But the longest lasted a staggering 13-and-ahalf hours. The NHS temporarily diverts emergency patients to other hospitals during periods of exceptional
By James Morris News Reporter james@thepressnews.co.uk
demand, and to provide “temporary respite”. With the emergency care at Dewsbury Hospital set to be downgraded in the Spring and serious and life-threatening cases treated at Pinderfields, local politicians have this week demanded answers following the revelations. At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Batley & Spen MP Tracy Brabin used figures provided by The Press’s FOI request to urge the Government to provide support to keep the A&E department at Dewsbury open. In the absence of Prime Minister Theresa May, Leader of the House of Commons David Lidington MP
responded to Ms Brabin, saying that the NHS was “busier than it had been at any point in its history” – but added that it was up to local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to decide on the future of health care in the district. Ms Brabin praised the staff working in hospitals but said that it was
vital that A&E remained open. “The fact that Pinderfields has been so overwhelmed, the equivalent of one in every six days in the past 12 months that they’ve had to send sick people to Dewsbury Hospital will cause concern across Batley & Spen, especially as the most testing winter period is yet to come,” she said.
“I hope the new statistics will give the Trust pause for thought when contemplating whether this is the time to be losing hospital beds and downgrading much-needed A&E services.” Dewsbury & Mirfield MP Paula
Continued on Page 3
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ThePress
Friday December 9, 2016
SHAW MICHAEL On 5 December, of Ossett, aged 69. Husband of Anne. Requiem Mass at St Thomas Moor RC Church, Chickenley, Monday 19 December at 1pm, followed by committal at Dewsbury Crematorium.
Deaths BLOOMFIELD ALAN On 1 December, of Mirfield, aged 79. Husband of Doreen.
Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 15 December at 11.15am. Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296
BOOTH MARTIN PAUL
GREENHOUGH MARILYN BLANCHE
HOLDERNESS KARL
On 27 November, aged 66, of Thornhill. Wife of Tony. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 12 December at 10am.
On 2 December, formerly of Thornhill, aged 67. Funeral enquiries to George Brooke Ltd of Dewsbury. Tel 01924 454476.
BURGOYNE BRIAN
HALLIDAY CLIFFORD
HOYLE ROY ANDREW
On 2 December, of Batley, aged 76. Husband of Brenda. Service at St Thomas’ Church, Batley, Thursday 15 December at 12.30pm, followed by interment in Batley Cemetery.
On 29 November, aged 77, of Mirfield. Husband of Barbara. Service at St John’s Church, Upper Hopton, on Thursday 15 December at 2pm, followed by interment in the churchyard.
On 28 November, aged 42. Husband of Gee. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 15 December at 12.30pm.
BURNLEY MICHAEL On 4 December, aged 81. Service at St John’s Church, Upper Hopton, Mirfield on Wednesday 28 December at 12noon.
HALLORAN JOSEPH On 6 December, aged 86. Funeral enquiries regarding Requiem Mass to be held at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley, to George Brooke Ltd., 01924 454476.
FARRAR COLIN On 25 November, aged 70, of Howden Clough. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 14 December at 10.30am.
HIRST DANIEL On 5 December, aged 62, of Mirfield. Service on Friday 16 December, at Dewsbury Crematorium, at 3.15pm.
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On 30 November, aged 49, of Dewsbury Moor. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 12 December at 3.15pm.
JESSOP BRYAN WILLIAM On 28 November, aged 82, of Soothill. Husband of Irene. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 16 December at 12.30pm.
KILBURN EDWARD On 1 December, aged 74, of Chickenley. Husband of Carol. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 14 December at 12.30pm.
KITSON IAN On 6 December, aged 66, of Birstall. Husband to Barbara. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 19 December at 11.15am.
LOCKWOOD MARIAN (NEE PICKERING) On 2 December, aged 69, of Dewsbury. Wife of Keith. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 15 December at 10.30am.
LONGSTAFF MELVYN On 2 December, of Dewsbury, aged 55 years. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 16 December at 2.15pm.
MALLINSON IDA On 1 December, aged 94, formerly of Mirfield. Wife of the late Wallace. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 15 December at 2.45pm.
MARLOW GEOFF On 1 December, aged 79. Husband to Maureen. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 19 December at 12.30pm.
MUFFITT AUDREY On 28 November, aged 88, of Liversedge. Wife of the late Albert. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 13 December at 1.15pm.
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On 30 November, aged 98, late of Gomersal. Wife of the late Tom. Service at St Mary’s Parish Church, Gomersal, Tuesday 20 December at 1.30pm, followed by interment at Liversedge Cemetery at 2.30pm.
REDFORD NEE WALLER EDITH MARY On 1 December, formerly of Dewsbury, in her 99th year. Wife of the late Ernest. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 14 December at 1.15pm.
RILEY CONSTANCE (CONNIE) On 24 November, aged 85, of Birstall. Wife of the late Geoffrey. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 12 December at 12.30pm.
SHAW NEE WOODCOCK EDITH On 29 November, formerly of Earlsheaton, aged 87. Wife of the late Ernest. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 12 December at 2.45pm.
On 2 December, aged 81, of Westtown. Husband of Audrey. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 14 December at 2pm.
SUMMERS NEE BOOTH HELEN MACDONALD On 2 December, at Hopton Care Cottages, aged 85. Wife of the late Alan. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 16 December at 11.15am.
SUTCLIFFE DOROTHY (DOT) On 29 November, aged 78, of Mirfield. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 12 December at 10.30am.
SUTCLIFFE MAGGIE (NEE BEAUMONT) On 4 December, aged 69, of Gomersal. Wife of John. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 19 December at 1.15pm.
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Got a ThePress story? Friday December 9, 2016 Issue No: 767
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www.thepressnews.co.uk @ThePressLatest /ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: James Morris Sports Reporter: Joe Link Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Sales Executives: Nicola Finch Janet Black Sam Gilbert 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 December 9, 2016
Starring role for Kirklees in Tour
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‘I was victim of sex attack’ Brabin reveals BATLEY & Spen MP Tracy Brabin suffered an attempted rape by a stranger when she was a 20-year-old student, she has revealed. Ms Brabin was speaking in the House of Commons during a debate on violence against women yesterday (Thursday). The former TV actress told MPs she had been “battered” whilst in her second year at university, but that a “community-spirited Indian neighbour further down the road saved me from something much worse”. The attacker was unknown to her and had been prosecuted and sentenced, she said, but for years
By Steve Martyn SOME of the world’s top cyclists will be passing through the district next year during the Tour de Yorkshire. The full route of the three-stage race has been revealed – and North Kirklees will feature on the third and final day. Race organisers Welcome to Yorkshire announced the 490km route at an event attended by local sporting luminaries including Mirfield legend Brian Robinson, 86, who won a stage of the Tour de France in 1955. The third staging of the highly-successful road race will take place from April 28-30. Stage one takes place from Bridlington to Scarborough, the second stage will take riders from Tadcaster to Harrogate, while Kirklees will see the action on the third day stage from Bradford to Fox Valley in Sheffield. After riding through Calderdale the cyclists enter our district at Hartshead Moor and, after crossing the M62, they follow the A643 down Moorside into Cleckheaton town centre. They’ll then tackle Spen Lane up to Gomersal Hill Top, speed down Church Lane, cross Bradford Road Coming to a viewpoint near you ... Stage 3 of next year’s Tour de Yorkshire and race through the centre of Birstall, before swooping down to Birstall Smithies and joining the A62 Cycling-mad Coun Martyn he said. “Kirklees needs to Huddersfield Road. Bolt (Con, Mirfield) said that encourage people to come and Riders will travel up the he hoped the event would be a visit the area and stay around. A62, past White Lee and Six chance to show Kirklees off to “I hope we can use the tour Lane Ends, through the world. to increase participation in Liversedge, Roberttown and “This is the first time we’ve cycling and improve the infraMirfield, past Cooper Bridge had the Tour de Yorkshire and structure to make cycling and into Huddersfield. it’s a really interesting route,” safer for everyone.”
afterwards she would not walk alone and had slept with a knife. She urged the government to do more to combat violence against women. “The point to this story is that even though on the scale of violence against women I was lucky because justice was done, the following few years were hard,” she said. “We need joined-up thinking on this issue. We need to educate young men on consent and respect for women, empower women who are suffering domestic abuse to leave, offering them a safe place to go, and refuse to accept online abuse.”
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‘Guardian tenants’ wanted for Grade II-listed park mansion FANCY a night (or two) at the museum?! Kirklees Council is looking for people to become ‘guardians’ to live in Dewsbury Museum in an effort to maintain it as a new buyer is sought. Guardians will pay as little as £325 per month, including all bills, to live in the Grade II-listed building in Crow Nest Park. The new Friends of Dewsbury Park Mansion group are still exploring the possibility of taking over the running of the building.
They will be hosting a community open day at the mansion tomorrow (Saturday) in what could be the final event of its kind there. Jax Lovelock, spokesperson for the group, said: “The building and museums staff will have moved all the items out of the building by the end of this week and they have allowed the Friends group to have this weekend in the building. “The guardian scheme seems to us to be a ‘needs must’ idea. “Someone living there will
prevent damage and guard against it going to rack and ruin.” Guardians must be 21 or over and working part- or full-time, with no live-in dependents or pets. Costs include an application fee of £130, a deposit of £350 plus ‘rent’ between £325 to £375 per month. The property is unfurnished with a number of rooms and a communal kitchen and bathroom. Tomorrow's fun starts at 12.30pm and features a festive parade and Santa’s grotto.
New fears over Dewsbury A&E downgrade Continued from page 1 Sherriff said she had asked Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to visit the region to see for himself the impact that downgrading Dewsbury A&E would have. “It is deeply worrying that Pinderfields Hospital is often too busy to accommodate patients requiring emergency care,” she said. “With A&E patients currently being diverted to Dewsbury Hospital on an alarmingly fre-
quent basis, questions must be asked about the ability of Pinderfields to cope once the planned downgrade of services at Dewsbury comes into practice. “I’ve raised repeated concerns about the impact of the downgrade of A&E services at our local hospitals and these figures are a clear indication of the problems that may lie ahead.” In a statement, Michelle Lazenby, deputy director of operations division of medi-
cine at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “There are no plans to close the A&E department at Dewsbury Hospital. “This is a key part of our acute care provision and our intent is to ensure that we use services across all sites to ensure we deliver high-quality care. “There will be internal service changes to ensure that this is safe for patients and meets the needs of the local community.”
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ThePress
Letting agents fined £4,000 COUNCIL officials have successfully prosecuted a letting agent for failing to register on a redress scheme. Pick n Move Properties Ltd, on Daisy Hill in Dewsbury, was fined £4,000 at a tribunal for failing to comply with legislation. The matter first arose in June, when a tenant of one of the company’s rented properties complained about its state of disrepair. The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 requires lettings agencies to be members of an approved redress scheme for dealing with complaints in connection with their work. Kirklees Council found that Pick n Move Properties were not registered on a redress scheme and officials served notice on the firm for failing to register. The firm appealed following the notice, but the first tier tribunal found them guilty.
Friday December 9, 2016
Union unveils its new training centre LABOUR and union officials helped launch a new activist centre in Cleckheaton on the site of the former Labour Party HQ. GMB has opened new premises on Cross Crown Street which were officially opened on Saturday by Batley & Spen MP Tracy Brabin and GMB regional secretary, Neil Derrick. Leader of the council David Sheard and councillors Gwen Lowe, Steve Hall and Cathy Scott were also in attendance. The centre will offer a range of training, from fully-funded
adult apprenticeships and NVQ programmes to distance learning courses and has a state-ofthe-art IT suite. It will also offer a resource and support facility for GMB activists, reps and members so they can drop in when the need arises. Ms Brabin said: “With stateof-the-art equipment and programmes of training that fit around work commitments, the GMB has filled a gap in further education. “A venue available to all for campaigning and learning, I
encourage anyone who has ever thought of changing the way things are done, either in their workplace or wider society, to check it out.”
Mr Derrick said: “What a fantastic facility this will be for our members and the people of Cleckheaton and the surrounding area. We’re proud that our
first activist centre has been opened in the Batley and Spen constituency and hope it will be the first of many across the region.”
Divided Kirklees: We aiming to improve, says man in firing line By Staff Reporters THE MAN responsible for community cohesion in Kirklees has insisted the council is working to address problems highlighted in a government report this week. Coun Masood Ahmed, left, hit back at the Casey Review, which claims that Kirklees is one of the most divided areas of the country. Published on Saturday,
Dame Louise Casey’s report, commissioned by then Prime Minister David Cameron, found that Kirklees is one of the worst for integration – giving particular criticism to the region’s schools. Kirklees ranked as the sixth highest area in Britain for segregation in schools, with only Rochdale, Bradford, Haringey, Birmingham and Blackburn faring worse. It also put Kirklees in the top 20 areas of the country for the number of women who speak little or no English – an estimated 6,792. “In Kirklees we know we have more work to do,” said Coun Ahmed (Lab, Dewsbury South). “We have already made significant inroads through our focus on cohesion and our strong partnership approaches across the district. “We also have a long history of communities in Kirklees speaking for themselves and
we will continue to encourage a wider community voice and will use the report to continue the debate about the issues raised.” Coun Ahmed insisted the council was addressing the issues highlighted in the report. He continued: “Kirklees is mentioned in some of the tables in the report – the issue of schools reflecting population is a national one, but something we do not ignore. “We are also working with local groups round the issue of registering schools so we know more of what children are doing in those schools. “And while we acknowledge the issue of women speaking English, we have had our budgets available for this work cut, which means that it is not as easy for us to promote these courses. “We have experienced at least one right-wing demon-
stration per year now for the past four years and our communities have shown great resilience to the negativity, hate and divisive attempts that such events bring.” Dame Casey said it was vital that government supported “a new programme to help improve community cohesion”. She also suggested that the promotion of British laws, history and values within the core curriculum in all schools would help build integration, tolerance, citizenship and resilience in children. Baroness Warsi of Dewsbury criticised the report in a series of tweets. She said: “If you are poor, live in a deprived neigbourhood, don’t have a good education, hold a low-paid job, then integration is a low priority. “The report confuses race, ethnicity, origin and faith and uses them interchangeably.”
Clowning around...
What’s on! DECEMBER
Friday 9th Helliwell’ Singer ‘Jade from 9pm Saturday 17th ger Acoustic Sin ’ n ‘Micky johnso from 9pm Friday 23rd Stompers’ ‘Leeds City from 9pm
CHRISTMAS FAYRE MENU
OVERTHORPE Tenants’ and Residents’ Association will hold its children’s Christmas clown show with the Rapide Brothers at Edge Top Working Men’s Club in Thornhill tomorrow (Sat). More than 50 children and their parents will be attending, with a buffet, tombola and present for each child. The TRA would like to thank Sainsbury’s in Dewsbury for their donation of selection boxes.
Thursday 1st December – Friday 23rd December 2 Courses £17.50 3 Courses £20.50 Burglar left DNA clue on break-in crowbar Children under 10 eat for half price
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TRA members collect their selection boxes from Sainsbury’s staff
A RAVENSTHORPE man with a criminal record of more than 50 offences was jailed for eight months. In his most recent crime, Stephen Kenny stole around £2,000-worth of power tools from a Dewsbury workshop. Leeds Crown Court heard that Kenny, 53, broke into the Calder Textiles building on Thornhill Road on May 1 and,
after using the elevator, forced several doors open. After stealing the tools and causing around £1,000-worth of damage, he left the scene. But the crowbar he used to break into the building was left behind and officers used DNA from it to identify Kenny. The court was told he had been clean from drugs for
three years but had begun using heroin again and had committed the crime to fund his habit. Kenny, of Sackville Street, Ravensthorpe, pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to eight months in custody. Recorder Martin Simpson described Kenny’s record as “appalling”.
ThePress
Friday December 9, 2016
Ram raid ‘joke’ that turned sour By Staff Reporters FOUR men have been jailed after carrying out an audacious ram raid at an electrical store in Dewsbury where one of them worked. James Whitehouse, 26, Mark Phillip Green, 28, Lee Cooke, 32, and Lance Cooke, 27, were jailed for a combined seven-and-a-half years at Leeds Crown Court. The group claimed that the plan first began as a joke when Whitehouse, who worked at Power Electrical on the Ravensthorpe Retail Park, suggested burgling his employers. The Leeds court heard that Whitehouse and Green came up with a plan to target the store but realised they needed a vehicle and more manpower to carry out the raid. A Ford Transit van was stolen by Green and Lance Cooke from outside a shop in Bradford on November 17, 2014, that was to be used as a battering ram. Cooke’s brother Lee was also brought in as an accomplice to help on the day of the robbery. The group then carried out the raid on December 3, 2014, at around 10pm, when they used the
van to damage a perimeter gate before it was reversed into the store’s roller shutter. The burglar alarm was activated by the damage and the alarm monitoring company notified a director, who arrived to discover a washing machine dumped outside as well as a number of items missing. Police traced the van to Whitehouse’s home in Mirfield, where the number plates had been changed. However, the stolen items were discovered inside. Estimates by the store put the damage at around £9,500. They said that it was part of the reason the store re-located away from the retail park. Anastasis Tassou, representing Green, said his client had wanted to get some money together to buy his children Christmas presents. Lance Cooke, of Rawfolds Avenue, Birstall, was jailed for 30 months and Green, of Gordale Close, Batley, was jailed for 24 months after they both admitted stealing the van and burglary. Lee Cooke, of Thurley Road, Bradford was jailed for 21 months and Whitehouse, of Orlando Close, Mirfield, was jailed for 16 months after they both admitted burglary.
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In Brief £125,000 pay-off NORTH KIRKLEES: A director who left Batleybased health contractor Locala received a £125,000 payoff. The unnamed official received the sum in ‘compensation for loss of office’. According to Locala’s annual report for 2015/16, its six executive directors shared £357,000, excluding pension contributions. Chief executive Robert Flack earned £123,000, plus a £16,000 pension contribution. Locala is the largest provider of NHS services outside of hospitals in Kirklees.
Jo Cox cafe plan
Store launches Christmas appeal THE ASDA store in Dewsbury has launched its annual toy appeal for children at Dewsbury and District Hospital. An appeal is also being made for a gift collection which will be donated to the community Christmas lunch to be held at Longcauseway Church on Christmas Day.
The lunch will be held for the homeless, elderly, or anybody who is on their own on December 25. Asda staff are asking for donations of toys, games, toiletries, books, new hats, scarves and gloves or anything which could make a gift for children or adults. Gifts can be dropped off in the store.
BATLEY: A cafe at Batley Railway Station will be named after Jo Cox. The Friends of Batley Station (FOBS) group have been working to transform the 19th century station. The Labour MP had been a keen contributor to and supporter of the regeneration work before her death. To mark this, FOBS are hoping to open a new cafe/tea room in spring of next year. They are currently seeking extra funding to complete the project.
Bonfire drunk jailed
Port auction for Zack TIM WOOD, above, landlord of the Old Colonial pub on Dunbottle Lane, Mirfield, is inviting bids on a 2010 bottle of port, featuring the badge of the Special Air Service, to raise money for five-yearold Zack Barrett, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. People can bid in person up to Christmas Eve, or contact Tim on 01924 496920.
A MAN who threatened safety staff at a charity bonfire in Mirfield has been sent to prison. Andrew Sykes, 38, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court after the incident at Mirfield Showground on November 5. Police were present at the charity event when a member of the public made them aware of Sykes, who was unsteady on his feet close to the fire. When officers
spoke to him, they said they could smell alcohol on his breath. Sykes was asked to leave as he was not permitted to drink alcohol at the event. But he refused and made threats towards the officers, who arrested him after a struggle. Sykes, of Foxroyd Lane, Mirfield, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He was jailed for two weeks.
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Merry Christmas from all the staff at Gomersal Park Hotel
ThePress
6
Friday November 18, 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
Ages of toil and growth ... for THIS? HAVE a theory that it won’t take a meteor strike, incurable virus or nuclear war to erase mankind from planet Earth. It will just require time and Political Correctness. The first marches on inexorably and we’re being swamped by the second. Mankind was a magnificent creation. The fact that I’m writing this and you – yes you, specifically you – are reading it, is down to the most miraculous, heroic chain of genetic coincidences. Whether religious folk prefer to trace it back to Adam and Eve, or others credit the scientific scribblings of men from Darwin to Hawkings, you and I are the living consequences of a stunning sequence of events. Our parents, grandparents and ancestors back through time immemorial, survived whatever wiped out
I
Tyrannosaurus Rex. They crawled, stood, walked and eventually spoke. They traversed deserts, crossed ice bridges, learned how to make fire, to shape metal, grow food – and kill. Because for about 99.9% of his time on the planet, man has been either killing or avoiding it. Food or feeder. Sadly, some still do it for fun. Invasions of Romans, Vikings, Normans, the Wars of the Roses and the great plague; every which kind of feudal or natural catastrophe – our forefathers developed the mental and physical fortitude, resilience, courage and cunning, to eventually produce us. Wow. They worked or bartered for, coped with or cured, the very worst that brutal existence threw at them. They fought and died so that their wives and children had food and shelter. For centuries.
Magnificent, hardy men and women. And thus today we are bigger, healthier, stronger, longer-living and smarter-thanever. What could possibly go wrong, I hear you ask? Here’s what. The Universities of Leeds and Nottingham are having to provide counselling and therapy for distraught lecturers and professors who can’t cope with Brexit. I kid you not. Exactly 100 years ago on the Somme, a generation of British patriots spilled their blood so that one day highly-educated university dons could have a nervous breakdown over losing a vote. Possibly not what those troops had in mind when the dawn whistles blew and they went over the top to face almost certain death. Indeed, the men who survived unimaginable carnage in
K I TC H E N S - B E D R O O M S - B AT H R O O M S
two world wars returned not to homes fit for heroes, but decades more of gruelling, filthy toil, often literally hacking some kind of future for their families out of a coal face or via various other forms of back-breaking endeavour. They suffered in order to scrape something better for the next generation. And within the blink of a millenial eye, we suddenly have a society where fretting, simpering snowflakes who’ve never properly left school, fall apart at the prospect of a functioning UK immigration system, or a change in our free trade arrangements. Good grief. That, my friends, is what we have bred, created. Generation X isn’t superman at all. He’s a feeble wimp who needs to cry more, get in touch with his feminine side and find someone to blame, for anything and everything. I’m all for strong women. I once arm-wrestled a Kiwi lass with a very risqué wager at stake. It was a long time ago, when you could do such wild and frivolous things after rugby had been played and alcohol taken. She won and dragged me off to do my duty. Flash forward 30 years and the bloke would be phoning a rape helpline swiftly followed by the Daily Mail. He wouldn’t
Pvt Frazer – We’re doomed! be able to thumb through the underwear pages of a Littlewoods catalogue without having a breakdown. Someone, somewhere, would have to be blamed and pay compo. While those academics at Leeds and Nottingham are given Prozac and possibly a dummy to suck on, down the road the custodians at Oxford University are being sued for £1 million by a former student who didn’t get a 1st class honours degree. It’s 16 years ago, mind, and Faiz Siddiqui subsequently trained as a lawyer – surprise, surprise – but not getting a ‘first’ has blighted his life. It couldn’t possibly have been his limited abilities. Someone had to have failed him and now must pay. Meanwhile it’s no coincidence that scientists have
deduced that male fertility is on the wane. Sperm counts have halved in the last 50 years. They decline still at two per cent a year apparently. I don’t know if that’s down to something in the water, or the old ‘swimmers’ being constricted by tight undies. Is it related to men being emasculated by the Sisterhood or a soppy modern society that encourages them all to become weeping willows at the first sign of hardship? Either way, it seems the stiff upper lip – and associated organs – is a drooping thing of yesteryear. Remember how old Private Frazer from Dad’s Army used to profess “we’re doomed Captain Mainwaring, doooooooomed!”? He wasn’t referring to the Germans. He was talking about chaps being turned into daffodils. And at the universities of Leeds and Nottingham at least, the poor petals have already wilted. I do hope that tomorrow’s superwomen are minded to keep a couple of fully functioning blokes safely locked away with a fridge full of beer and Sky Sports, for when the rest of malekind has developed a universal and terminal headache.
We won’t forget the Brexit details ESPITE being a convinced Brexiteer, I hope the Supreme Court judges considering legal arguments this week deny the Government appeal.
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Why? Because at least then we’ll cut straight to the chase. If the Supreme Court backs Mrs May, the Remoaners will only take their sulky argument to the European Court of Human Rights. How ironic would that be, given what’s at stake? Better just to let the Commons and Lords affirm the people’s mandate – because if they don’t the repercussions will be swift and mighty. The MPs who defy democracy will face a different electorate next time round; should the Lords play silly beggars, they could be
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sounding the death knell for that most undemocratic of political follies. Meanwhile the pundits I’ve read don’t appear to have rumbled Labour’s game yet. Most of their MPs showed commitment towards the March 31 deadline for invoking Article 50 in Wednesday night’s Commons vote. I fear that is meaningless. My money is on Labour’s faux support melting away the minute the Government unveils a Brexit plan that shows us outside the single market. Then they’ll join the Lib Dems and treasonous SNP clamouring for a second referendum based on ‘details’ they don’t like. They’ll hope the nation forgets those ‘details’ were at the core of THE referendum. The nation won’t.
A farewell to one of life’s good ‘uns E’RE all familiar with the saying that ‘only the good die young’ but it feels like a year when the gods are taking it all a bit too literally. The expression ‘cheeky chappie’ could have been written for Melvin Longstaff, who died in hospital last week after a tragic accident. It should have been the kind of sprained ankle or bumped noggin experience that Mel was having everyone in stitches over in the pub the next day.
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Instead his big, loving family were left bereft at the loss of a bloke I certainly never saw without a grin on his mush. I’m not sure there’s any consolation to be taken at times like this, but in years to come the knowledge that Mel’s donated organs gave a chance of life to five people should comfort those kids and grandkids who doted on him. Dewsbury Moor will be out in force next Friday to bid farewell to one of life’s good ‘uns.
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Friday December 9, 2016
Teacher who touched pupils banned for life By Staff Reporters A MAN who taught at a school in Mirfield has been banned from teaching for life after he was found to have inappropriately touched pupils. Brendan O’Brien was given the ban by the National College of Teaching Leadership (NCTL) panel at a hearing in Coventry. Mr O’Brien was cleared of 17 allegations of sexual assault and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity at Leeds Crown Court in January, 2015. But the panel found that five of the allegations warranted a hearing and found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. Allegations proved against O’Brien included regularly putting his hand on pupils’
knees when such contact was not justified, touching or stroking the legs of two boys and putting his hand on the leg of another boy, close to his groin. Barnsley-based O’Brien, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented, had admitted touching boys when he was a teacher at a school in Mirfield from 2010. In its 7,000-word findings, the NCTL found that in one instance, the physical contact between Mr O’Brien and a boy “was found to have been sexually motivated”. The report said: “The panel considered that Mr O’Brien had not shown insight into his actions, as having admitted that he had touched pupils and had a tactile teaching style he did not recognise that this behaviour was at odds with the statutory safeguarding guidance.
“Mr O’Brien should have shown a greater appreciation of the appropriate boundaries that regulate the teacher/ pupil relationship.” He will not be given the opportunity to have the ban lifted after the report recommended there should be no review period, as is usually the case. Jayne Millions, the NCTL’s head of teacher misconduct, who imposed the ban on behalf of Education Secretary Justine Greening, said: “I note the panel found that Mr O’Brien has not demonstrated any insight into his inappropriate conduct or the impact on the pupils. “Neither has he expressed any remorse for the consequences of his actions. “For the reasons stated above, I support the recommendation that there be no review period.”
Bittersweet finale for museum hit by cuts A MUSEUM is preparing for its final event this weekend before it shuts down. Red House at Gomersal, a victim of Kirklees Council budget cuts, is staging the ‘Red House at Christmas’ event on Sunday (noon-4pm) and admission is free. Jacqueline Ryder, chairman of the Friends of Red House group, said: “This will be a bittersweet occasion for so many
people, but the Friends and staff are determined to make the event one to remember.” The house will be decorated as it might have been in the 1830s, when Charlotte Bronte was a regular visitor. There will be a traditional kissing ball hanging in the hall, while Nonsuch Dulcimers and Honley Brass Band will play throughout the afternoon, before the event concludes with a fire-
works display. There will be a free shuttle bus between Red House and neighbouring Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall, where visitors can enjoy a Christmas craft fair in the visitor centre barn. Red House will close to the public on Wednesday, December 21. Until then, it is open from 11am-4pm Tuesday to Thursday and noon-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
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Friday December 9, 2016
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A foreigner’s perspective on integration Dear Sir, Following comments about immigration on last week’s BBC Question Time programme from Wakefield, I thought it was time someone gave an opinion from a foreigner’s perspective. My parents and grandfather settled here after World War Two, fleeing the Communist regime which had imprisoned both male members of our family and taken over our native Poland. Unfortunately, we did not live near the Polish community in Dewsbury, so our
Why study the ‘soft subjects’ From: Mr KR Dransfield, Mirfield Dear Sir, As a former physics teacher, I just cannot understand why so many young people are studying ‘soft subjects’, such as media studies, sports science and some of the ‘ologies’, on three-year courses at inferior universities. There is a difference between a degree in the above, to one in maths, applied physics, engineering, chemistry or architecture etc, from such as Leeds University, Manchester, Sheffield, Durham etc, to a degree in media studies from Teeside, Central Lancashire, North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby), or Sunderland. The first ones would give a very good job chance at the end of it; the second often leads to a job in a call centre or catering. Both will incur debts of around £30,000-£40,000. One ex-pupil of mine said he would have done the course in a year, never mind three. Many ingredients of success are common focus, determination, endurance and some luck. I know two pupils who left school without a single qualification and are now millionaires. A good book is “What They Don’t Teach You At Harvard Business School”, for budding entrepreneurs. “EDUCATION! EDUCATION! EDUCATION!” was the cry from Tony Blair’s government, partly to keep the dreadful youth
Letter of the Week: Mrs Anna B Briggs (nee Sieroslawski), Dewsbury only contact was confined to Sunday mass, Saturday Polish school, at which mum taught, the odd concert and annual outing. Surrounded by British neighbours, we spoke fluently and were fully literate in the English language. So you would think we were classed as fully integrated? But this was not the case, we were not accepted, merely tolerated, and there were times when we were still
unemployment figures as low as possible. Thousands of youngsters joined the ‘Uni’ generation, no matter what they studied. The sad thing is that many parents couldn’t advise because they couldn’t understand the pros and cons.
No tolerance of criticism From: R Spreadbury, Liversedge Dear Sir, With regard to recent events worldwide, UK-wide and on our doorstep, I have concluded that something creepingly insidious is taking place. This is how criticism is somehow becoming non-PC and unacceptable. This is another unhealthy hidden consequence of social media. The internet spawned ‘Godwin's Law’ (or Godwin’s rule of Hitler analogies), an internet adage asserting that “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler approaches 1”. That is, if an online discussion (regardless of topic or scope) goes on long enough, sooner or later someone will compare someone or something to Hitler. This has spilled out into society in general and in so doing has morphed into making general criticism of anything unacceptable, by the fact that someone will compare someone or something to a range of terms which have now become
‘b****y foreigners’. We played with English children when outside or in school, but their parents did not encourage the formation of closer friendships. We were isolated, having a support system in the form of relatives or the friendship of cousins, but we survived to become strong, well-rounded individuals. Panellists on previous programmes extolled the value of immigrants and how
demonised. For example: Criticism of any aspect of a culture – racist; Criticism of radical feminist ideas – misogynist; Expressing a pride in England and Britishness – fascist; Expressing a desire for independence and national sovereignty – xenophobic; Expressing disquiet over the increasing influence of LGBT values – homophobic; Risque banter between adult males and females – misogynistic, again. If you notice all these terms are most frequently used by leftwing commentators in an attempt to shut down criticism by getting into the collective psyche, that criticism is somehow wrong, and to be stamped out. This zealous censorship has now taken hold with the social media-savvy youth, student unions, Momentum, etc. To this end, socialism has lost its way. We are now left with two choices: 1 Jeremy Corbyn’s reinvented Communist Utopia, where all the above nasty words will no longer need to be used because we will all think and behave the ‘right’ way. 2 What looks like a resurrected New Labour, led by a rehabilitated Toxic Tony (now he has made enough millions from exploiting his Whatsapp contact list of despots). Unless there are some socialists left out there who have the guts to join the Sensible Socialist Party, UKIP should have no problem storming to victory in the next election. Unless of course they are completely useless. Or else it’s socialism RIP.
LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS S Nicholls, discharge conditions 4 (Phase I Desk Study Report), 5 (Phase II Intrusive Site Investigation Report), 6 (Remediation Strategy) on previous permission 2016/90483 for erection of one dwelling and demolition of existing dwelling, 107 Leeds Road, Mirfield. Mr A Loonat, single-storey rear extension and front porch (within a Conservation Area), 13 Whitaker Street, Batley. B Kitchen, single-storey side and rear extension, 6 South View Drive, East Bierley. Dental Care Centre, singlestorey extension, 2-4 Taylor Hall Lane, Mirfield. JC & NS Bentham, demolition of existing rear extension and erection of single-storey rear extension, 41 Spring Bank Drive, Norristhorpe. K Mortimer, two-storey side
extension, 864 Halifax Road, Scholes, Cleckheaton. Harron Homes, discharge of condition 30 (travel plan) on previous permission 2014/90780 for erection of 206 dwellings, formation of community and sports facilities comprising floodlit practice rugby pitch, two floodlit multi-use games areas, public open space, footways/cycleways, car parking and associated landscaping (relocation of MUGAs), land off Owl Lane, Dewsbury. L&D Trapps, single-storey rear extension, two-storey side extension and alterations to garage, 203 Whitechapel Road, Scholes. Mr & Mrs McCavera, twostorey rear extension, 35 Field Head Lane, Birstall. Mr Ali, c/o agent, reserved matters application pursuant to out-
line permission 2014/93991 for erection of two dwellings, adjacent to 163 North Road, Ravensthorpe. Jones Homes, detached dwelling (modified proposal), Plot 21, White Lee Gardens, Batley. Jones Homes, detached dwelling (modified proposal), Plot 22, White Lee Gardens, Batley. J McKaig, two-storey rear extension, 28 Lower Lane, Gomersal. Mr M Brdar, single-storey side extension, 9 Granville Court, Eightlands, Dewsbury. S Kazi, 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 4m, the height of the eaves of
the extension is 3m, 28 Broom Walk, Soothill. C Roberts, single-storey rear extension, 2 Ellison Grove, Birkenshaw. Mr M Habib, the proposal for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 3.9m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.9m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.9m, 24 Ravenshouse Road, Scout Hill. Z Sharif, discharge of conditions 3 (materials), 6 (waste collection), 7 (electric vehicles charging) and 8 (Phase II Intrusive Site Investigation Report) on previous application 2015/90613 for alterations to convert existing club to five flats and erection of one dwelling, 191 North Road, Ravensthorpe.
they enriched British society. The audience would applaud in agreement – yet scratch the surface and the intolerance is still evident. Maybe you disagree with my comments, but first ask yourself would you a) like to live next door to a foreigner; b) invite them into your home; c) allow your children to befriend theirs or d) form a romantic relationship or even marry? If your answer to
I’m worried about Donald
More to the Castro story
From: Robert Cowan, Sandal
From: John Appleyard, Liversedge
Dear Sir, As 2017 draws ever closer, and with it Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the USA, I am left wondering what political shambles and crises may lie ahead for America and the wider world in the New Year. Setting aside Trump’s misogyny, Islamophobia, impulsiveness and propensity to deal in insult – to mention but a few of his shortcomings – I think we have every right to be worried that the next arguably most powerful man on the planet is one who has never held any political office and whose grasp of diplomacy and foreign affairs appears at best to be rudimentary. His inexperience in political protocal and international affairs was starkly illustrated recently when, in accepting a congratulatory phone call from the Taiwanese leader Tsai Ingwen, he apparently broached subjects such as domestic economy and defence matters with her and addressed her as ‘President’. In making this communication, the first between a US President-elect and a Taiwanese leader since diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed in 1979 and thus indicating a possible policy change, Trump has undoubtedly angered mainland China, which regards Taiwan as nothing more than a renegade province to be reunited eventually with the mainland. Indeed, friction between mainland China, known as The People's Republic of China, and Taiwan, whose formal name is The Republic of China, is so great and America’s policy towards the ‘two Chinas’ so intensely scrutinised, that some political pundits believe the likeliest cause of a war between China and America could be some crisis or other involving Taiwan. Whether Trump’s telephone conversation with Tsai Ing-wen turns out to be a mere faux pas or a political blunder of historic proportions, remains to be seen. Either way, it is clear that as he takes on the mantle of US President, Donald Trump will need to surround himself with the finest experts in international relations if he is to avoid further potentially dangerous gaffes.
all or most of the questions is no, then it’s you who are intolerant and have no wish to integrate. The gentleman who made the comment that he and others felt intimidated by the influx of foreign-speaking children and parents who came to his school could so easily lead by example and instead teach his pupils to respect and tolerate others.
Dear Sir, Danny Lockwood (Ed Lines, December 1) tells a small part of the story regarding Castro and Cuba. Before Castro took power, Cuba was run by Fulgencio Batista’s corrupt and dictatorial regime, a centre of Mafia gangsterism and known as ‘the whorehouse of the Caribbean’. Even the US Government stopped providing support for a dictator it feared was going to fall. Castro’s small army which entered Havana in 1959 had the support of all social classes in Cuba, but Castro couldn’t support one class without antagonising the other. He was doomed to failure. On the positive side, he brought about land reform, the provision of a welfare state, health care and an improvement of literacy. Cuba was dominated by US industries and when they refused him the right to sell cheap oil to the Soviet Union, he nationalised them. The US tried many times to have him assassinated and we had the build-up to what became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is the nearest we have ever been to a nuclear war. On the negative side, Castro can be seen as a ruler of a repressive and unequal society, but that has never stopped democracies in the west propping up the brutal Saudi regime and others as they do today. Prince Harry observed a minute’s silence on hearing of Castro’s death, Brits live in Cuba and holiday there…does that make them fascists? I don’t think so, Danny!
Vexed about Council costs From: Mr KS Parkinson, Dewsbury Dear Sir, People are concerned about Kirklees Council’s inability to run the children’s services properly. An independent investigation reported in The Press last week revealed ‘widespread poor practice’. The result? £450,000 of tax-
payers’ money to bring in better staff from outside. Aren’t massive salaries enough to attract sensible, capable staff? If chief executive Adrian Lythgo is on approximately £200,000 per year, and, say, five lesser souls are on £50,000 per year, that’s a grand total of £450,000 – the same as the new expenditure! My knowledge of how councils operate is only what I read, and I hope it stays that way because it makes me very vexed! I do remember though, in my grammar school days, the strugglers in the lower echelons of the class seemed to go after jobs in local government. I wonder why?
Manage the money better From: Arthur Roberts, Dewsbury Dear Sir, Generally it is successive governments, both Labour and Conservative/Lib Dems who bring on most of the problems we have today. Are they ever going to get elementary things right? We keep hearing cries from the NHS and councils that they need more money. Managing the money they get already in a sensible manner would be a good start. Not long ago there were massive adverts in newspapers for politically-correct new jobs with giant salaries, and councils wonder why they are needing more funds. If there were no benefits for people who have come to this ‘soft touch’ country of ours over the last 50 years, and who have hardly ever worked, the huge amounts running into billions would solve a lot of problems. The figure would run into tens of billions which, I’m sure, would give senior citizens (OAPs), who have worked, say over 40 years, double the amount of state pension they get now, and well deserved too!
Have your say on Local Plan From: David Hallas, Birstall Dear Sir, The ‘Publication Draft of the Kirklees Local Plan’ has been published and comments from
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From page 8 the public are invited. Previous consultations have asked for our views on council strategy, especially with regard to the allocation and/or rejection of specific sites. This latest consultation is to invite opinion on whether we think the plan is ‘legally compliant’ and ‘sound’. From a layman’s viewpoint, the legality or otherwise attending specific sites, whilst certainly of great significance, may well result in us getting bogged down in grey areas subject to claim and counter-claim. However, the contention as to whether a particular site allocation is ‘sound’ allows for a much more pragmatic approach to objections, based on the viability, the practicality and the consequences of building on a specific site. Whilst I would certainly encourage input from those with a legal grasp, I’d suggest those of us with serious concerns about the ‘unsound’ aspects focus on those as a means of addressing the relevant requirement of this public stage of the consultation. Living, as I do, in the vicinity of the plan allocated as H761, Raikes Lane, Birstall, my obvious concern relates to this particular project. It should be noted that although this site has been given the provisional goahead, there are no less than six significant reports still to be con-
sidered, not least of which is the problem of access to and from Raikes Lane and the nightmare scenario that would result from a housing complex in the immediate vicinity consisting of 74 homes. From Thursday, December 8, there will be a display relevant to this part of the Plan in the Birstall Library and Community Centre, together with submission forms for your comments. For those driven to distraction by frustrated attempts to post their comments online, here’s how to do it: 1) Google ‘Kirklees Council Local Plan’. 2) Click on ‘Read and comment online on the local plan’. 3) Click on ‘PDLP Allocations and Designations’ (this is the second link down on the list with a green tick). 4) Click on ‘Read and comment on document’. 5) Click on ‘4 Housing Allocations’. 6) From the list, click on ‘4.3 Batley and Spen Sub-Area’ (or whichever area is of concern to you). 7) Scroll halfway down this page to find site H761. 8) At the top right of the site corner of the site description, click on ‘Add Comments’ (if you haven’t commented on this site before, you’ll get a request to register – this takes only a few moments and you’ll receive an immediate acknowledgement, it’s that simple).
9) Complete the form and click 'Send'. Closing date to submit your comments is December 19, 2016. Finally, the site at Raikes Lane is acknowledged as being among those which has inspired the largest number of objections within the Local Plan. If you care about the retention of the rapidly diminishing areas of historical value and aesthetically pleasing green spaces within the boundaries of our small and vulnerable town, then I implore not just those who live adjacent to this site, but the many who will surely be adversely affected in the wider community, to make a last push to prevent this one from disappearing forever.
Patients are being ignored From: Christine Hyde, Dewsbury Dear Sir, If the Government said the jet aircraft you were about to travel on had a weighty engine and needed to lose some parts, you would expect the people removing the bits to be engineers who understood aviation mechanics, not alternative short-haul companies and Joe Public. Not so with the NHS cuts. The ‘engagement’ event in Batley
with the North Kirklees CCG last Wednesday stressed how important the assembled delegates were to coming up with ‘a good plan’. So alternative health service providers and a few members of the public, with whatever prejudices they held, voted on who should get treatment. It is disgraceful that people will be discriminated against because a voter who would have promoted their best interest was struggling with a handkerchief in the five-second window open for the vote. The North Kirklees CCG’s claim that patient voices are listened to is hollow. https://nhspublicvoice.wordpress.com/ shows that NHS England have removed patients’ rights in that respect. It should be experts in that illness, ie sufferers, who decide! But it isn't.
I won’t be going to town From: Di S Gusted, Dewsbury Dear Sir, Re: Kirklees Bonanza Christmas Parking: Oh what joy when I saw what Kirklees had finally done regarding parking in Dewsbury over the festive period. This means I do not have to go to the outlets, or travel to get the last of my Christmas shopping. There is so much in Dewsbury: I can go to M&S and get the last of my Christmas bits and bobs and I can get my new outfit for the big day from the many clothes outlets in the town, amongst the other big shops. I am being a little sarcastic here, of course. There is absolutely nothing in Dewsbury
that would tempt me over this period to even go into town and use the offer of free parking. It is such a shame. There will be lots of merriment I am sure – the people sat in the town square drinking their cans of beer from their plastic carrier bags and hassling people for money as they walk past. We will see what happens in the New Year but I will not be holding my breath! I am surprised they have made such a large gesture, putting them so much out of pocket and putting all those traffic wardens off the streets.
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apparently vanished. She ran around in a decent people carrier car and had no thoughts for taxpayers who were paying for her. Where else in the world could someone land with their seven kiddies and get a large house, benefits, health care and schooling for their brood? Has the government’s plan to pay no child allowances after the second child been dropped, or kicked into the long grass until they’ve dealt with other matters?
A great day From: Pat Crisp, Batley
Do something radical...now! From: Mrs CM Westwood, Cleckheaton Dear Sir, How long are standards being allowed to drop before something radical is done about it? There was a woman on one of the ‘benefits’ programmes who had seven children by four different men. None of the fathers contributed anything; they’d
Dear Sir, What a great day at Heckmondwike Christmas market and lights switch-on. It’s the best of the local towns. Simon Thirkill – well done, it's all your own work, your team worked very hard and we’re proud of you. More businesses in town should get involved, not leave it to one person. It's a community, everybody should work together, not think ‘what can I get out of it for myself?’. Too many people think that way now.
Restaurant’s palm trees set for chop HECKMONDWIKE: An Indian restaurant has been told to remove three illuminated palm trees from its car park after losing a planning appeal. The Shama Restaurant, on Leeds Road at White Lee, applied for retro-
spective planning permission from Kirklees Council for the eye-catching structures. However, this was rejected by the planning inspectorate who described them as “not subtle”.
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Friday December 9, 2016
Girls grill the heavyweights
News In Brief Homes on store site MIRFIELD: New homes will be built in Mirfield once a supermarket re-locates to bigger premises nearby. Local developer Darren Smith Homes have acquired the land in Station Road occupied by Lidl. The German supermarket chain has plans to move to a bigger brownfield site across the road next year. The new store, which was granted planning permission in May, will be around twice the size of the existing one.
PUPILS from Batley Girls’ High School had the chance to grill some of the region’s political and educational heavyweights. Lining up for a Question Timestyle event were Craig Whittaker (Conservative MP for Calder Valley), Baroness Kath Pinnock (Liberal Democrat Life Peer and Kirklees councillor for the Cleckheaton ward), Tracy Brabin (Labour MP for Batley and Spen), Professor Anand Menon (Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College, London), and Hawa Patel (Batley Girls’ student political lead).
Students from year 10 and the school’s sixth form put forward questions on Donald Trump, Brexit, Syria and young people’s mental health. Deputy head David Cooper said: “We believe as a school that this kind of event is vital in order to stimulate genuine political debate and discussion of the major issues we are facing. “The future of our community is in the hands of our young people and we couldn’t have asked for a more interested and well-informed audience.”
Christmas concert
The Question Time panellists with Batley Girls’ deputy head David Cooper, left
THORNHILL: The Hepworth Band will be performing at the Thornhill Parish Church Christmas concert tonight (Friday, 7.30pm). Conductor Mark Peacock will lead two choirs – Major Minors and Cantabile from Wakefield Girls High School, with soprano Bethany Rosamond. Entry is £7 for adults and £6 concessions.
Derek’s Arctic wonderland
Sail to see Santa MIRFIELD: The Safe Anchor Trust will be giving children the chance to visit Father Christmas this weekend. Families can take a boat ride to his grotto from outside the Lidl store on Station Road. The rides will run tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday from 10am-3pm and the cost to see Santa is £7.50, which includes a gift. Parents travel free.
Man denies assault DEWSBURY: A man appeared in court over allegations he assaulted a security guard at Dewsbury and District Hospital. Sebastian Brooke, 35, of Ravens Lodge, Dewsbury, denied head-butting Patrick McKee on November 17 when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court. He will appear before magistrates again on February 3 for his trial.
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By James Morris ONE OF North Kirklees’ bestknown Christmas attractions has returned for its 13th straight year. The outside of Derek Highe’s Mirfield home is transformed into a winter wonderland every December in aid of charity. Families flock to Derek’s house on Robin Royd Lane to witness the spectacle, which raises money for Kirkwood Hospice. The 58-year-old spends six weeks in the run-up to December creating the scene, which this year has an Arctic theme. Hundreds of parents bring their children to marvel at Derek’s creation, with many dropping donations into the collection boxes outside his home. During his 13 years of fundraising for the hospice, Derek has managed to raise £36,000 – but he is hoping to hit another landmark with this year’s display. “It would be great if we could get to £40,000,” said Derek. “When I started doing this I never imagined how big it was going to become and how much it matters to people.
“However, it really would be absolutely nothing without the people who come to see it and donate.” Last year, Derek’s front garden was transformed into a woodlandthemed scene. But this year he opted to bring the Arctic to
Mirfield, and his front garden now features several penguins, a polar bear, Santa Claus and his reindeer. For the first time, Derek has used computers to create a 10minute light show which begins on the hour every night. The lights come on at 4.30pm
and go off at 10pm. Joining Derek’s fundraising this year is Doris Slee, who lives across the road. She will be hosting a festive coffee morning tomorrow (Saturday) from 10.30am-12.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
Round-the-clock care at new bungalows A NEW development of supported living accommodation for people with physical disabilities has opened in Mirfield. The six Knowl Grove bungalows are the result of a partnership between Kirklees Council and Connect Housing and funded through the Government’s CASSH (Care and Specialist Supported Housing) scheme. Roundthe-clock care is provided by communitybased charity United Response. Coun Viv Kendrick, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for adults, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to provide this high-quality accommodation for the people of Kirklees. “A physical disability should not be a barrier to finding a safe and comfortable place to live.”
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Pictured, from left, Richard Parry, strategic director for adults and health at Kirklees Council, residents Nicola Cornally and Kulsum Dalall, Helen Lennon, CEO at Connect Housing and Diane Lightfoot, director of policy and communications at United Response
ThePress
Friday December 9, 2016
Charity’s tribute to teen Adisa By Steve Martyn A TEENAGER from Batley has been recognised for her work in the community. Adisa Pudic, 17, pictured, was commended by the Remembering Srebrenica charity for her work on an event that commemorated the Srebrenica massacre and highlighted Bosnian culture. Adisa won an award for the best communityfocused event, for bringing together more than 60 people, including Christian and Muslim leaders, in Dewsbury to remember what happened in Srebrenica in 1995. Politicians, faith leaders, educators and activists gathered at a ceremony at the Mumtaz Restaurant in Leeds to celebrate the work individuals like Adisa have been doing to remember the atrocities. Remembering Srebrenica chairman
Dr Waqar Azmi OBE said: “For young people like Adisa to bring people of all generations together and emphasise the importance of cohesive communities is really powerful. “In the wake of the terrorist killing of MP Jo Cox there is shock and dismay that hatred can lead to such violent acts, so we must remind everyone of the past and stress the importance of focusing on what they have in common. “We are highlighting the work of unsung heroes whose dedication as volunteers to making their communities safer and stronger is truly humbling.” In 1995, General Ratko Mladiç and his Bosnian Serb forces marched into the town of Srebrenica and systematically murdered 8,372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys. Remembering Srebrenica is the UK organiser of the EU-designated Srebrenica Memorial Day on July 11.
Youth councillors a voice for young people KIRKLEES Youth Council held its first meeting during the recent Kirklees Learning Week and Parliament Week. The council, made up of students from four Kirklees schools, aims to be a voice for young people across the district. Representing North Kirklees on the council are Whitcliffe Mount School (Batley & Spen) and Manor Croft Academy (Dewsbury & Mirfield). Ten students from each of the four schools volunteer to become youth coun-
cillors, who will then attend two days of local democracy training to help them carry out the role. Youth councillors are asked to plan their own projects to look at ways to support young people in Kirklees. The Dewsbury & Mirfield group is currently supporting MP Paula Sheriff to develop a youth voice mechanism for young people, while the Batley & Spen group is working on a project to support the Royal Voluntary Service in memory of Jo Cox.
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News in Brief Balancing the books KIRKLEES: Almost 200 people have attempted to balance Kirklees Council’s budget using an online simulator. Visitors to www.kirkleestalk.org can tackle the £25m funding gap by choosing how much to spend on services and how much to raise from council tax or other charges.
Sports workshop DEWSBURY & MIRFIELD: MP Paula Sherriff has arranged a workshop for local sports organisations to find out more about Sport England’s simplified bidding process for funding. The workshop will be held at Dewsbury Elim Pentecostal Church on Wellington Street from 6pm-8pm on Thursday, January 26.
Judo for juniors Batley & Spen MP Tracy Brabin, right, joined the food drive
Every can helps... CLECKHEATON’S Tesco store has collected more than 100 boxes of food as part of an annual goodwill drive. Staff worked with FareShare, an organisation which sends food destined for waste to charities and community groups, to help customers donate 114 boxes of long-life goods by dropping off tins and other foodstuffs after completing their shopping. These will now be distributed to charities supporting issues such as refugees,
homeless shelters and children’s breakfast clubs. Tesco community champion Melanie Cropper, said: “I can’t believe how generous our customers have been yet again. “We are overwhelmed with the amount we have collected and we would like to thank everyone who has been involved, including our colleagues, the charities and organisations who have volunteered their time – and not forgetting our customers.”
DEWSBURY: A new junior judo class will be starting at Dewsbury Leisure Centre in the new year. The 10-week course is for children aged from five to eight and will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5pm to 6pm, with the first session on January 10. A maximum of 20 places are available. For more information contact Les Tolson on 01924 461420, 07900 597085, or email les26@live.co.uk.
Photo group awards DEWSBURY: The Dewsbury Photographic Group recognised two of their members with awards. The winners of the Taylor Trophy were Tony Pratt (prints section) and Melissa Harvey (images category).
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Outdoor fun at Oakwell IF YOU are looking for ways to contain children’s excitement in the run-up to Christmas Day, Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall might just have the answer. Staff there are running environmental-themed activities out in the fresh air. At Bush Babies on Tuesday December 20, under-fives can make Christmas crafts and enjoy stories and games. The cost of the session, from 10am-11.30am, is £3 per child, including a juice drink. Children must be accompanied. Then at Bushcraft Wednesday on December 21, over-fives will be building a ‘Rudolph’ reindeer. The session, from 10.30am to 12noon, costs £5 per child. Children aged eight and under must be accompanied. Places on both sessions must be booked in advance by calling in to the Visitor Centre shop, next to the car park at the top of Nova Lane in Birstall, or calling 01924 324761.
Friday December 9, 2016
Two years after his death, still grieving mother Deborah Jackson wants readers to know the truth about her son
Speaking out for Jamie
By David Bentley Editor david@thepressnews.co.uk
IT’S as raw today as it was at the time. He’s on my mind constantly. I want people to know that he wasn’t the bad person that some people think he was.” Those are the emotional words of Deborah Jackson as she talks with determination about her son Jamie Lee Barlow, who died in Dewsbury in 2014. Police released a statement at the time that the 32-year-old had died of a heroin overdose – a fact that troubles Deborah to this day. Jamie had been a drug user for several years, but had been ‘clean’ for some time and was turning his life around with the help of his family. On a trip to Dewsbury Market on November 14 2014, when Deborah believes he was due to meet a girl, he collapsed in the market toilets after suffering a massive heart attack. He died of organ failure three days later, in the arms of his mother, surrounded by members of his family. “When Jamie was found he did not have any drug paraphernalia with him or on him, and there was no evidence of a drug overdose,” said Deborah, of Moorside Crescent in Dewsbury Moor. “Jamie had been clean for some time and was doing really well. The lovely nurses in the ICU at Dewsbury couldn’t believe that he’d ever been an addict, because he was spotlessly clean and looked the picture of health, weighing 13-and-ahalf stone. “We were turning a corner and
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Deborah Jackson treasures the last picture taken of her beloved son, Jamie fighting it together. He was always well looked after.” Speaking to The Press on the second anniversary of her
Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? One man’s story of a cultural and social revolution in his home town. Publisher and journalist Danny Lockwood marks June 24th 1989 as the date that Dewsbury changed for ever. His book, first written in 2011 but fully updated with new material in 2015, charts the repeated failure of politicians, police, local and national government to understand, let alone tackle, the widening gulf between communities. By turns funny, tragic, angry and nostalgic, the author points the finger of blame not at a creed or colour, but at a Politically Correct dogma that has failed everyone.
Dedicated & signed copy: £14.95 “Lockwood succeeds in showing that British freedoms are in peril due to a kind of cultural suicide ... The Islamic Republic of Dewsbury is a stark reminder that England (and the west for that matter) has lost the plot”
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son’s funeral, the 56-year-old says she still misses him every day and struggles to comprehend that he’s gone. His room at her home is still as he left it. Deborah, an order picker at UK Greetings in Dewsbury, is comforted by her partner Alan, her friends and the scores of letters and cards she received in the wake of Jamie’s passing, letting her know how highly he was thought of. More than 200 people attended his funeral. A keen church-goer, the former Westborough High School student attended a number of different congregations in the town and made
Puppy rescue News in Brief BIRSTALL: Firefighters rescued a puppy from a flat fire on Wednesday afternoon. A woman was pulled from the property by a passer-by after a blaze broke out on Lowood Lane at 1.30pm. After she was safe outside it was realised that her dog was still in the flat, located above a fish and chip shop. Firefighters from Cleckheaton searched the burning building for the puppy.
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friends wherever he went. “He’d do anything for anybody,” said Deborah. “Everyone was so shocked at his passing. “Reading the letters after his death showed me how he’d touched the lives of so many people through the church and in Dewsbury generally.” Jamie was taking methadone (a prescribed substitute for heroin) under medical supervision and was being supported by staff from Kirklees Lifeline. He’d been complaining of chest pains for a few weeks but, like many men, hadn’t sought medical help. Police linked Jamie’s death
Watch commander Jimmy Johnstone said flames were shooting out of the door and into the eaves of the building when they arrived. One of the officers in breathing apparatus managed to find the dog cowering in a corner and brought it out unscathed. The rescued woman, believed to be in her 20s, was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital. An investigation into the
to two other drug fatalities that had occurred in Dewsbury in quick succession. Local newspapers printed details of the cases, and Deborah believes that people who knew Jamie still think he died of an overdose. “I want people to know that he wasn’t the bad person that some people think he was. I just don’t want people thinking bad of him. “He didn’t die of an overdose, he wasn’t a ‘bag head’. Jamie was a healthy young man who was loved tremendously. My life has changed so much since he left us. I didn’t just lose a son, I lost my best friend too.”
cause of the fire has been launched.
Clarification HECKMONDWIKE: Following a story titled “Facebook stalking charge goes on trial” that ran in The Press last week, we would like to make a clarification. Wesley Bolton met the complainant while she worked at the Egg Box and he was a customer. The two did not work together, as was reported. We apologise for any confusion.
A solid gold hit to raise your spirits THE COMMITMENTS Leeds Grand Theatre Until Saturday December 10 Box office: 0844 848 2700 Review by Janet Black THIS WELL-KNOWN and hugely enjoyable show is full of sweet soul and solid gold, five-star musical magic, with a highly-talented cast who bring joyous singing and dancing to popular songs that have moved and inspired generations.
The Commitments is the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians and friends into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The show has received universal critical acclaim following its London world premiere and was quickly hailed as a smash-hit musical sensation.
With over 20 soul classics performed live on stage including River Deep Mountain High, Mustang Sally, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, it’s lively, full of fun and raises the spirits dramatically. The Commitments is a fantastically feel-good celebration of soul, based on the BAFTA-winning film classic and adapted from the novel by Booker prize-winning author Roddy Doyle himself.
ThePress
Friday December 9, 2016
PARK’S FRIENDS GROUP STAGES CHRISTMAS SWITCH-ON
I’ve run rings round police boast of ‘most wanted’ man By Steve Martyn
MORE than a hundred residents came together for the switch-on of Staincliffe Park’s Christmas lights last Thursday. The third annual switch-on was organised by volunteers from the Friends Of Staincliffe Park group and featured food, craft stalls and singing from a local choir. PICTURE: MIKE CLARK
Kids can party after ‘incredible’ cash-raising sale ORGANISERS of a table top sale at Batley Salvation Army, to raise money for a children’s Christmas party, were staggered after it raised more than £1,000. “It’s incredible. We never expected anything like that amount,” said restaurant manager Jill Gardiner, who put on the event last weekend with store manager Tanya Fahy. The pair decided to stage
the sale when they realised that, because of strained family finances, many local children could miss out on a Christmas party this year. Thirty tables were quickly rented at £10 apiece and a few more were squeezed in as the sale time approached. But organisers were still stunned by the huge numbers of customers who
turned up for the threehour sale and dug deep. They were also delighted by the number of donations made towards the party funds. “We are amazed at the outcome,” said restaurant manager Jill. “The sale was great and we’re sure the party will be also.” “We have a lot of people to thank for making it such a success,” added
store manager Tanya. “That includes the volunteers who worked hard to make it a success, the salespeople, the many people who turned up and the local newspapers for giving us such good publicity.” The children’s Christmas party will take place at the Salvation Army’s Bradford Road base on Saturday December 17, from 3pm to 5pm.
Tracy Brabin, Labour MP for Batley & Spen
Ministers ‘didn’t even blink’ at WASPI concerns T HE GOVERNMENT has moved the goalposts for 4,100 Batley and Spen women by rapidly speeding up the rise in women’s state pension age. As a result many women who thought they were on the brink of retirement had just one year’s notice that they are expected to work five more years before receiving the state pension they have paid into their entire working lives. While equalisation of the state pension age amongst men and women is the right thing to do, this accelerated version has had a devastating impact on many women who were born in the 1950s, some of whom face serious financial hardship as a result. Added to this, it’s simply unacceptable that the Government has failed to communicate changes effectively. Which means to this day I’m receiving letters from and meeting women in disbelief. Since entering Parliament I have repeatedly called on the Government to deliver on its promise to look at transitional arrangements for women but they have failed to engage. As one letter I received from a constituent last week
said, these changes mean she “will have lost over £37,000 which I should have had in state pension”, it’s hard to disagree with her assessment that “It's not right”. It’s not just the financial impact that stings, another Batley lady told me that she feels physically unable to fulfil her job as a care worker in the extra years to come. She had plans to spend her hard-earned retirement supporting her family by looking after her daughter’s children so her daughter could get back to work. With the cost of childcare crippling families her daughter is now facing a dilemma as to whether she can afford to get
back to work. I raised these concerns of local women who face uncertain futures directly with ministers but they didn't even blink. The Government must urgently look at the impact their changes are already having, the distress they are causing and offer meaningful protections to the women who don’t know how they’ll afford to live. It is fundamentally wrong that women feel abandoned by the country they have worked so hard to support. That’s why I’m pleased that when next in power Labour will extend Pension Credit to those who would have expected to retire under the previous timetable; under the Pension Credit Guarantee this is worth up to £155.60 per week to a single pensioner and £237.55 a week to a couple. I encourage all women worried about the impact of the state pension age changes on their futures to contact me or join the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign.
Tracy
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THE ‘most wanted man in Kirklees’ bragged about evading police officers when he appeared in court. Jack Haynes, 21, was arrested at a house in Dewsbury last week by armed police. Officers had issued a public appeal for information on his whereabouts after he had removed a tag monitoring his movements. He appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court flanked by four security guards due to fears he would try to escape. Before he was brought up to the dock, prosecutor Andy Willis informed the court there was an application for Haynes to remain in handcuffs throughout the hearing. “There’s information from police that he is going to escape from custody if given the opportunity,” he said. Batley man Haynes, dubbed ‘the most wanted man in Kirklees’ on social media by Chief Superintendent Steve Cotter, had been fitted with an ankle tracker
tag on October 21 which used GPS to monitor his movements. But the court heard that Haynes went missing on November 11 after he cut his tag in half. Before he did so, he contacted a police sergeant to tell him he was going to remove the tag and go on the run. During the hearing, Haynes continuously interrupted proceedings and at one point asked for a police officer to be removed from the courtroom. He shouted at the officer: “What are you smirking at? I’ve been smiling for the last three weeks, running rings around you.” He was reminded that it was a public courtroom but when advised to face the front of the court to avoid further distractions, he replied: “I can look where I want – it’s a public court.” Haynes, of Bradford Road, Batley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage of the tag. He was sentenced to seven days in custody for this offence, but faces a much longer sentence for breaching licence conditions imposed after previous convictions.
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ThePress
Friday December 9, 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 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14 AN URBAN WALK WITH SOME LOCAL HISTORY Meet at 11am at Dewsbury Town Hall (WF12 8DG, SE247217) 4 miles – moderate Contact: Jim. Tel: 01924 469700 Email: janderegan@hotmail.co.uk
Festive brass band music for just a fiver
Scrooge panto fun for all ages
MIRFIELD Rifle Volunteers are hosting a concert called ‘A Festive Pomp’ at the Old Colonial pub tonight (Fri). The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, has changed venue (it was originally scheduled for St Paul’s Church) due to practical reasons and features Grange Moor Brass Band, who will play military music in the first half and Christmas favourites after the interval. Tickets are £5, which includes a glass of mulled wine or soft drink, available from the Old Colonial on Dunbottle Lane (01924 496920), Ramsdens Butchers and Mirfield Mill Carpets. Mirfield Rifle Volunteers are a community group that support two different charities each year – one service charity and one local charity. All the proceeds will be donated to Christ the King church in Mirfield and the Pilgrim Bandits, a national group who help and inspire wounded soldiers.
ST MARY’S Theatre Group are ready to present their traditional fun-packed bumper Christmas show at St Mary’s Hall in Batley from tonight (Fri). This year the pantomime is ‘A Christmas Carol’ and despite ghosts and a miserable, stingey main character, it’s suitable for children of all ages. Will the combined efforts of four ghosts, two fairies, other members of the cast and the audience persuade mean old Ebenezer Scrooge to mend his stingey ways and be kind and helpful to others?
If he won’t, through the magic of panto, will Santa Claus be able to come and help out and give all the children in the audience a present? Chairman Stephen Walker said: “This year we have another fantastic, great-value show which has something to appeal to everyone. “It has been written by one of our own members, Janet Walker, who has been working flat out to bring it all together. “The supporting music ranges from traditional carols to the ever-popular Christmas pop tunes.
“Yet again we have some very young performers on stage, many of them for the first time. “They put their heart and soul into it and the audiences really appreciate them.” Evening performances are at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday. Matinee performances are at 2.30pm on Saturday and at 1.30pm on Sunday, December 11. Tickets at £5 are now available by calling 01924 478394, contacting St Mary’s Social Club or directly from Batley Resource Centre (opposite the Town Hall) on Commercial Tiny Tim (Michael Anderson) and Bob Cratchit (Arthur Street, Batley. Lockwood) in the St Mary’s panto, ‘A Christmas Carol’
Gareth signs up for date in Cleckheaton
All about handbells SPEN VALLEY Historical Society next meet on Wednesday, December 14, when there is a talk called ‘The History of Handbell Ringers’ by Peter Fawcett. Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm.
Fancy a walk? Why not join the ramblers? ON SATURDAY a dozen walkers from Dewsbury and District Rambling Club set off from Rectory Park in Thornhill and walked down to Mug Mill Farm, then round to Lower and Upper Denby, returning to Rectory Park along Sowood Lane. The seven-mile walk was led by Brenda Ayres. A ‘B’-grade walk is planned for Sunday, December 11, in the Bramhope area. Please meet Stuart Gledhill at Wellington Road car park in Dewsbury at 9am. On Wednesday, December 14, a Christmas ‘D’ walk and lunch has been arranged. Walkers meet at the Manor Golf Club in Drighlington at 10.30am and non-walkers at 12.30pm. Please give names to Margaret Chamberlain on 01924 518138 for the lunch.
Fire HQ car boot sale WEST Yorkshire Fire Service headquarters in Birkenshaw is hosting a car boot sale on Sunday, from 9.30am until 1pm. Gates open to traders at 9am. For more information or to book a pitch contact 01274 682311.
Climb Castle Hill tower...and see Santa CHILDREN can visit Santa when he visits Victoria Tower on Castle Hill, Huddersfield, on December 17 and 18, between 11am and 3pm.
The popular Yule tree will again be on show and in full decoration for this special time of year, which is also the Winter Solstice, when it is time to celebrate and look forward to the coming year. The tower will be open for Christmas on December 17 to 22 and again from December 29 to 31, from 11am to 3pm. The cost of entry is £1.85 for adults, 55p for children and £3.70 for families. Entry is free for Kirklees Passport holders.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17 WATERWAYS, DRUIDS AND A LADY Meet at 10.30am at St Ives lower CP, Bingley (BD16 1AS, SE098390) 7.5 miles – moderate Contact: David Parkinson Tel: 01274 879794 Email: david.parky@tiscali.co.uk
TV’S Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates will be performing at Cleckheaton Town Hall. The Bradford-born singer will be taking a break from his stage work to perform a special set of acoustic music on June 4 next year, at 7.30pm. Since finishing second to Will Young in the first series of Pop Idol, in 2002, he has carved out a very successful career and travelled worldwide. He has sold 3.5 million records in the UK alone, released three albums and had four number one singles. In 2009, Gareth auditioned and
impressed Sir Cameron MackIntosh and accepted the role of Marius in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables. He has since performed a successful Boogie Nights concert tour with the legendary Osmonds and he continues a successful career in musical theatre. In the new year he will be performing in the musical, Footloose, as Willard. Tickets to see Gareth Gates – Live and Acoustic, can be purchased from Kirklees Town Halls online at https://tickets.kirklees. gov.uk or by calling the box office on 01484 225755
BRILLIANT BRASS AND CHORAL Love conquers all as Beauty DELIGHTS IN CHRISTMAS SHOW & The Beast comes to Leeds Review Malcolm Haigh FOR THE NINTH successive year, Hammonds Saltaire Band staged a Christmas concert in Batley, joined once again by the Batley Parish School Singing Group. The attraction was enough to see the Town Hall packed with music lovers and they were not disappointed for the performers presented a wide ranging selection of festive music with an excellent touch. Encouraged by the welcoming conductor Morgan Griffiths – who rates his home town Batley as one of his favourite performing venues – the band displayed tremendous skills on a wide range of brass instruments and left the audience stunned by their indisputable talents. As a whole they were outstanding but that was little wonder when they can count on such talented individuals as Philip Varley on the cornet, Ashley Higgins on
the euphonium and the impeccable European prize-winner Charlotte Horsfield on the trombone. Their amazing individual skills were copied and displayed throughout the evening as the band performed a wide range of delightful numbers, including a range of overtures, some amazing items from musical shows and many heart-churning numbers. Their dominance provided a suitable background for the moving pieces performed by the children from Batley Parish School who, conducted by Rachel Delaney and accompanied by pianist Jean Delaney, won lots of support. Together the band and choir created the delightful atmosphere which encouraged members of the audience to readily join in a number of carols and seasonal numbers in each half. It was great to see and hear this tradition continue with such power and professionalism. Long may it continue.
BE TRANSPORTED to the heart of one of the world’s most famous fairy tales as Northern Ballet’s Beauty & The Beast returns for the first time since its 2011 world première, with performances at Leeds Grand Theatre from December 15 to January 7. A kaleidoscope of colour and haute couture-style costumes, Beauty & the Beast is a treasured classic for the whole family, choreographed by artistic director David Nixon OBE. Set to an infectious score played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia, including music by Saint-Saëns,
Bizet, Poulenc, Glazunov and Debussy, this magical show proves that love conquers all. David Nixon said: ‘Beauty & the Beast is a classic fairy tale of good versus evil, exploring the concept of beauty on the inside and the outside. “This is not an adaptation of the Disney version of the story – it is based on the original tale and will embrace the darker elements as well as the lighter moments.” Tickets can be booked online at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or by calling the Box Office on 0844 848 2700.
ThePress
Friday December 9, 2016
Hear Ann across the BBC radio network
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It’s not a mystery for ‘Lewis’ Turn your unwanted items star Sian Phillips as she reveals into cash £££s the secrets of her success
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DAME Sian Phillips, who stars in ITV 3’s ‘Lewis’ tells me: “By the time I was six years old, I knew I wasn’t going to do any of those things suggested for me. I found the theatre, decided to be an actress, and from that moment on was pretty focused. It’s a tough life, but also very rewarding and I would tell anyone starting out to enjoy it, and above all don’t worry about the critics, as they are sat in the dark, while you’re up there doing it!”
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Ann with Dame Sian Phillips
EXPECT huge ratings as James Norton and Robson Green return for a featurelength episode of ‘Grantchester’ as the unlikely 1950s crime-fighting duo of Rev Sidney Chambers and police Inspector Geordie Keating. Robson tells me: “It’s got everything you want – snow, cosy storyline and a cracking start to the next series. We just hope to become the new Downton Abbey!” ITV are set to spend millions on developing a new longrunning late-night comedy and entertainment show. Insiders tell me that the project, currently titled The Nightly Show, is set to be a daily programme created for the channel’s 10pm slot. The network will move its iconic nightly news programme to a new slot. BBC ‘Bake Off’ fans can look forward to two festive specials featuring the original line-up of Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. Each episode will welcome back four bakers from past series to tackle three Christmas challenges before the show departs for Channel Four. GREAT news for fans of the very funny if slightly risque Mrs Brown’s Boys – and guess what? Some catastrophe doesn’t befall Mrs Brown (Brendan O’Carroll) and her Christmas tree this year. In an attempt to avoid the usual disaster, Mammy refuses to have one. Something else is also amiss, however, as Granddad’s health is a cause of concern... UK TV had such high hopes for Amanda Holden and her new show on the littlewatched Watch channel, ‘I’ve Got Something to Tell You’, in which ordinary people make extraordinary public confessions in the lovely setting of a gorgeous English country retreat. But the show won’t be back, due to ... well, no-one watching it.
Another show that is not faring well for Sky Atlantic is ‘The Young Pope’, a smart satire that’s had critics raving. Hollywood star Jude Law stars as a fictional modernday pontiff who doesn’t like to toe the Vatican line but despite all the hype, it appears that people are not confessing at all to watching it. A second series now seems to need a miracle to happen. CHRIS EVANS’S publishers raced to sign up the shortlived ‘Top Gear’ presenter to write his account of keeping the show on track after Clarkson & Co quit the flagship BBC programme. Now, because of his departure from the show, the planned “tell-all” won’t appear until late in 2017. An insider reveals: “They are not expecting a huge seller.” FORMER UK first lady Samantha Cameron has had her application to trademark her name, leaving her free to launch her long-awaited clothing line, skin care and anything else she thinks her name will help sell. Just like hubby David always said: “You have to help yourself to work.” ROCHELLE HUMES is becoming one of TV’s most indemand presenters. The former Saturdays and S Club 8 singer has helmed shows as diverse as This Morning, Ninja Warrior UK and The Xtra Factor and her latest project, hosting ITV’s The Next Great Magician, has left her spellbound. “I just love magic and honestly I don’t want to know how they do the tricks.” ‘STRICTLY’ judge Bruno Tonioli is about to release a new triple CD called ‘An Italian Romance’. He said: I love opera and Italian music and I wanted to bring it to a wider audience.” Meanwhile, ‘Strictly’ trounced ‘X Factor’ in last week’s ratings war, with FIVE MILLION more viewers. ITV still insist the show is a vital part of their line-up over the winter months, but once
Maycon Pictures
The Voice starts on ITV, Simon Cowell may face his own red buzzer. What does Hollywood legend Jayne Mansfield have in common with Coronation Street? Well, way back in 1960, just before the start of the soap, composer Eric Spear – who wrote the haunting theme tune – wrote and conducted the music for Jayne’s movie “Too Hot to Handle”, which was filmed in London. JUNE BROWN, who plays Dot in ‘EastEnders’, tells me she’s always being asked to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, but says: “I do love the show, but honestly it’s way too much like hard work for me.” ONE TIME MP and former actress Glenda Jackson has won plaudits as King Lear at the Old Vic... but can she now be tempted back to acting full time and on TV? “It would all depend on the role of course,” she says. “I never thought I would be back on stage, so let’s wait and see what happens, but I do like the idea for sure.” THIS year’s final of Strictly Come Dancing will be tinged with sadness, as head judge Len Goodman bows out. But he has been given his own show, ‘Strictly Len Goodman’, to relive the Goodman years from his own perspective. Len tells me: “I am not retiring just yet, but taking things a bit slower and enjoying life a bit more from now on.” THE BBC has commissioned three more series of hit period drama ‘Call the Midwife’, which will be the seventh, eighth and ninth runs. Each series will consist of eight 60minute dramas. Producer Heidi Thomas told me: “I am hugely excited by the prospect of creating three more series. In the 1960s, Britain was a country fizzing with change and challenge, and there is so much rich material.”
NEW Bradford Exchange collection of Marilyn Monroe plates by artist Chris Notarile, in mahogany frames, complete with certificates of authenticity. In good condition £10 each. Tel 07719 954892. (2061) Toshiba 40” LCD digital TV in black. Very good working order and condition with remote control. Bargain £350. Tel 01924 444000. (2062) Dark wood dining table, extending to 6ft plus six chairs, £100 ono. Tel 01924 499643. (2063) Open dark wood book case with three shelves, £20 ono. Tel 01924 499643. (2063) Four drawer, 6ft x 6ft 6” super king size bed (frame with separate to make two single beds), six months old quality mattress. (Free to buyer - DIY headboard, three fitted valanced sheets and mattress cover). Buyer to dismantle and collect £50. Tel 01924 469652. (2064) CHILDREN’S GOODS/TOYS Tonka toys, tipper truck and crane with grab, £26, will split. Tractor/loading shovel, ride-on, suit 4/5 year-old, good quality, German made, £27. Tel Mirfield 01924 492544. (2059) Early Learning Centre baby’s wooden toddle truck with coloured bricks. Excellent condition £10. Tel 01924 407400. (2054) iCandy apple pram. Includes carrycot, pushchair, rain cover. Converts to 3 wheeler. Like new, bargain £135. Tel Gomersal 01274 870164 (2044) A selection of toys for girls and boys (age 3–7 years), good condition. Vacuum cleaner, guitar, boys scooter etc. Great Christmas present (may split), £12.00. Tel 07806 431728. (2039) Mamas & Papas Lumix pram, black with black & white hood, black apron, parasol, rain cover. Only used at Grandma’s. Like new, cost £186, only £50 bargain. Tel 01924 511981. (2020) BEDROOM FURNITURE Dormeo double orthopaedic mattress with memory foam topping. New condition, cost £200, will accept £50. Buyer to collect, Gomersal. Tel 01274 877611. (2049) Double bed base (no mattress), never used, cream damask £25 ono. Tel 01924 609015. (2018) Three sliding wardrobe
doors, 93” x 31” with track, full mirror doors, ready to fit. £50 ONO, buyer to collect. Tel 01924 503021. (2029) CHRISTMAS Approx 7ft spruce hinged Christmas tree, only used once. Cost £90, will accept £30 ono. Tel 01924 478723. (2043) DIY Aluminium extension ladder, 3 mtrs/10ft, 24 rungs in total. Ideal for DIY, £30 ono, buyer to collect. Tel 01924 462494. (2047) New light alloy decorating steps, cost £25, accept £15. Tel 01274 876814 (Gomersal area), can deliver. (2015) DISABILITY/MOBILITY Four-wheel walker (Zimmer) with basket, like new, only used twice. £40.00 ono. Tel 01274 861645. (2040) Black wheelchair with brakes, in working order but needs attention £10. Five mobile phones, no chargers, offers invited. Tel 01924 609015. (2035) ELECTRICAL 2 x 3 light pendant ceiling fittings in pink, £10 each, two matching wall lights £10 each. Tel 07521 540623. (2060) 2 x 3 light chandeliers in glass and brass £10 each. Tel 07521 540623. (2060) Nespresso Magimix coffee machine with separate hostess milk frother, almost new, £40.00. Tel 01924 495640. (2037) 84 traditional bulbs, 40w, 60w, 75w, all new and in boxes, £12.00. Tel 07708 199300. (2032) Tall, white Hotpoint freezer, 7 compartments, 5 of which are drawers. Was used as overflow, no longer required £80 ono. Tel 01924 609015. (2018) FABRIC/FASHION Three-quarter brown faux fur coat. Size 16. Never been worn, was £75, will accept £40. Tel 01924 689891. (2038) Bailey’s ladies sheepskin jacket, size 14+, brown, in excellent condition £12 ono. Tel 01924 609015. (2018) FURNITURE Nest of three triangular, black glass and chrome tables, £10. Tel 07521 540623. (2060) Comfortable three-seater settee and chair, excellent quality from M&S. Westcott chenille hessian, neutral colour £150. Tel 01924 442711. (2055) Shackletons ‘Sherbourne’ two-seater sofa, armchair and large storage footstool in beige. Two years old,
15
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands
Cost per item
Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus excellent condition. £300, buyer to collect. Tel 07703 183220. (2046) Solid oak table, 2 x carver chairs, 6 x chairs, extendable, excellent condition, buyer to collect, £295. Tel 07929 257475. (2031) Stunning vintage, dark wood, traditional side table; 58” (W) x 17”(D) X 31”(H). Large, bulbous legs, one drawer, all deeply carved £199 ono. Tel 01924 609015. (2018) X2 two-seater sofas, as new, in light beige/ cream fabric. First to see will buy. Double bed with pine headboard; washing machine; fridge. Ideal for first home set-up. No sensible offer refused. Ring 01924 407943. Buyer must collect. (2013) GAMES Table-top gaming table, portable in its own carry case. Suitable for poker/ blackjack etc with four hundred plastic chips & dice and cards. All brand new £25. Tel 01274 876814. (2015)
£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11
used 3 times, includes several bottles carpet shampoo. Absolute bargain £50. Tel 01924 476568. Buyer collects. (2011) MISCELLANEOUS Downsizing collection of ceramic pottery, china, pewter tankard, several tea sets etc, all excellent condition, buyers welcome to view and choose. Items from £5.00, would make good Christmas presents, need the space, hence the bargain prices. Mirfield area. Tel: 078761 63070. (2024) Grimston concrete garage 20ft x 9ft with windows and side opening main doors £100. Buyer collects. Tel 07733 999542. (2019) Four-ring gas hob £20; Get you home wheel and tyre for Vauxhall Vectra T115/70 R16 £20; 4 tonne Halfords bottle jack £10, 1 no.3 size copper hammer £5, 1 no. 3 size leather hammer £5. Tel 01924 477563. (2016) Timber 2m lengths 4” x 1”, 20 lengths, £20. Tel 01924 472043. (2009)
GARDEN Ride-on grass cutter 40” cut, double cutters. Vanguard 14hp, £350 ono. Tel 01924 278949. (2053)
MOTORING Motor spares new spacesaver wheel with tyre, buyer to collect, £40.00. Tel 01924 409809. (2041)
Old stone sink, suit garden ornament, £35. Tel 079615 64984. (2050)
Engine oil 4 x 4 litre in plastic container, Castrol GTX 10-4 A3-B3. £10.00 each, buyer to collect. Tel 01924 451024. (2030)
Petrol lawnmower, Power Devil 3.5hp, in good working order. £55, buyer to collect. Thornhill area. Tel: 01924 430088 (2026) HOME ENTERTAINMENT Panasonic TV, 50” plasma TX-P50510B, as new, has been stored a while, £100 with free wall bracket, (no offers). Tel 07599 322227. (2058) Bose Lifestyle DVD home entertainment centre. Very good condition, £325 or nearest cash offer. Tel Martin 01924 629517. (2056) HOUSEHOLD Large yukka plant, 3ft, minimum £35. Tel 07961 564984. (2050)
PET GOODS Dog kennel 3ft x 2ft floor. Weatherproofed, lined, all wood, unused £60. Tel 01924 472043. (2009) SPORTING/FITNESS Gym workout bench, hardly used. Ideal Christmas box, was £100, now £55. Tel Mirfield 01924 498341. (2057) Ridgeback 401GS mountain bike, 18 gears, 18” frame size. Good brakes, excellent condition £40. Tel 01924 407400. (2054)
Tom Gower painting, £40, Tel: 079615 64984 (2050)
Daiwa TDR 16-metre fishinh pole. Includes; 4 top twos (hydros & preston hallows), Power No 2/ Short 3 & 4/cupping kit. All tubed, really good condition, £360. Tel 07773 875472. (2048)
Two Baxi Brazilia balanced flue wall heaters, F5 oak, good condition with installation guide. £150 ONO, cash only. Tel 01924 457399. (2028)
British Eagle Zancara 21” bicycle. Polished aluminium frame, 21 speed, good condition. Approx. 10 years old, £50. Tel 07910 405324. (2051)
80-20 carpet, fawn colour (neutral), excellent condition, 20 foot 2 inch by 12 foot 1 inch. £90 ONO, buyer to collect. Tel: 07908 089283 (2025)
Falcon Futura Cycle, full suspension, 18 gears, suit teenager, £25. Tel 07910 405324. (2051)
De-humidifer Ebac 2650E, good condition, £35, Roberttown area. Tel: 01484 518288 (2022) Vax carpet shampooer, only
WANTED WANTED: Timber to recycle for garden project. Tel 07790 568986. (2052) Wanted: Gas cooker for cash. Will call and collect. Tel 01924 471481. (2042)
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Cleaning
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Double Glazing Changed From As Little As £60
FOCUS: CALDER IN Ultimate Glass Ltd CLEAN CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING SPECIALISTS
Call Tim Riordan on
01924 490241
or 07770 462239 Email: tim@calderclean.co.uk www.calderclean.co.uk
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ULTIMATE GLASS Ltd is one of the leading glass manufacturers in the area – and with our experienced team our reputation goes from strength to strength. With our same-day glazing service there’s no need to panic, we have helped out scores of local people in their hour of need. We cut glass, mirrors, shelves and safety glass at our trade counter in Ravensthorpe. Contact us on 01924 452500 or 07786 191217. At www.ultimateglassltd.com you can take a look at examples of our previous work. Paul Walker, proprietor
Park House, High Road, Dewsbury Health Services NHS advice (urgent but non emergency) Tel 111 Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) Tel 01924 542972. Walk in centre A&E, Dewsbury & District Hospital. Tel 01924 542695
Libraries Kirklees Libraries Tel 01484 414868
Sport/Fitness Centres (KAL – Kirklees Active Leisure) Batley Sports & Tennis Centre Tel 01924 565059 Batley Baths & Recreation Centre Tel 01924 565388 Dewsbury Sports Centre Tel 01924 565254 Spenborough Pool & Fitness Complex Tel 01274 891767 Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre Tel 01274 891019
MPs Batley & Spen – Tracy Brabin Temporary address: Batley Resource Centre, 90 Commercial Street Tel 01924 479082 Dewsbury & Mirfield – Paula Sherriff The Old Dewsbury Reporter Building Tel 01924 565450
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ALARMS, OUTSIDE LIGHTS Electrical Cookers Repaired Supplied & Fitted, No Job Too Small, 35 Years Experience, Same Day Service Available Ring Batley:
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TS FENCING & PROPERTY REPAIRS All type of fencing, gates, decking, flagging & patios etc All types of property repairs, general handyman work.
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Ford Focus Sport (black) '07 plate 86,000 miles 12 months MOT Fully serviced Petrol 1.6L Alloy wheels 5-door hatch
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Any joinery work undertaken UPVC soffits & fascias Decking, windows & doors Kitchen & bedroom fitting Over 28 years experience For a free estimate call 01924 450325 07710 503538
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DENCROFT GARAGES Concrete Garages & Sheds Dismantle & Bases Garage re-vamps Garage Doors
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Friday December 9, 2016 Master Locksmith
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ThePress
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Friday December 9, 2016
HEAVY WOOLLEN SUNDAY LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Woods wins it for Woodkirk Brown both hit hat-tricks for Town with Oliver Rounding (two), Thomas Doran, Niall Raymond and Chris Meeson completing the tally. Nathan Foster scored twice for Birkenshaw, who lie second bottom. AFC Chickenley climbed out of the drop zone as they won 4-1 at Woodman Batley Carr. Sean Housecroft bagged a brace for Chickenley, who had Shaun McDaid and David O’Keefe also on the score sheet. Greg Snowdon hit Woodman’s consolation. In the CHAMPIONSHIP Hanging Heaton Cricket Club took an early lead at Overthorpe Sports Club but the home side hit back through doubles from Lee Brook and Elliot Brooke plus strikes from Sam Sweeney and Kristian Angus to win 6-1. Clifton Rangers won 4-1 at Battyeford to move up to third, despite Nigel Saddington’s goal for the hosts. The Yorkshireman won 10 against fellow strugglers St John Fisher Reserves. In DIVISION ONE Roberttown
WOODKIRK VALLEY progressed to the next round of the West Riding County SUNDAY CUP after Christy Woods hit a double in a 4-2 win over Ventus United, with James Tesseyman and Jonny Downey bagging the others. Wellington Westgate and St John Fisher both won their ties by default as their opponents were unable to field teams. Max Vernon struck for Birstall Cricket Club, but they lost 4-1 against HT Sports. In the COUNTY TROPHY, Linthwaite progressed with an 11-0 win over Old Pond, while Saville Arms won 5-1 at home to Swillington Welfare. Slip Inn Hounds also won, 8-0 away at Shepherds Arms, but Scholes Athletic lost 7-1 against Kirk Deighton Rangers and Westgate 23 went down 4-2 at home to Old Ball. Finally, Clifton Rangers A lost 5-1 at home to Halton. In the Heavy Woollen PREMIER DIVISION Mirfield Town climbed to second place after demolishing Birkenshaw 11-2. Michael Rounding and Adam
Rovers moved up to third place with a 9-0 win over St Ignatius. Andy Filio and Danny Stephenson Both hit the net as FC Liversedge won 2-1 against Deighton WMC whilst Ravenswharfe enjoyed a 2-1 win at Old Bank WMC thanks to goals from Sam Hewitt and Danny Craven. Robert Evans bagged Old Bank’s consolation. Wire Works continue to lead the way in DIVISION TWO after Jordan Greig, Steven Massey and Simon Pell all netted in a 3-0 win over bottom-side Wike Horse. Level on points at the top are Overthorpe Sports Club Reserves, who won 6-4 at home to Snowdon thanks to a James Goodall brace, plus strikes from Michael Hutton, Jamie Parkinson, Lee Davey and Tom Hurst. Snowdon replied through Irfan Ali (two), Atif Basharat and James Heeley. Dewsbury United had a hat-trick from Tom Lund plus strikes from Danny Laidlaw and Connor Wilson to thank for a 5-2 win against Linthwaite Reserves who replied through a Clayton Phillips double.
Jack Allerton heads close for Overthorpe SC against Hanging Heaton CC
BOWLS
NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Liversedge slipping further off the pace NCEL Premier Division LIVERSEDGE FC
1
HANDSWORTH PARRAMORE 4 at Clayborn LIVERSEDGE FC slipped further behind the pace-setters in the NCEL Premier Division after a 4-1 home to defeat to Handsworth Parramore. Now lying seventh after an indifferent run of form, Sedge had new goalkeeper Dayle Coleing making his debut at Clayborn. The home side led after just two minutes when Coleing gathered a cross and launched the ball downfield, releasing Steve Wales, who struck the ball home. Handsworth then drew level when Alex Moxam slotted home despite suspicions of offside.
The visitors went ahead straight after half-time with a volley from Jon Froggatt. Connor Smythe then made it 3-1 on 58 minutes after producing a good finish from the edge of the box. Sedge's Joe Walton saw a header cleared off the line before Parramore swept upfield and Froggatt grabbed his second of the match. Liversedge’s best move of the second half saw Walton again go close to scoring, but it was to no avail and fifth-placed Handsworth took the points. Jonathan Rimmington's side face Maltby Main at home tomorrow (Sat, 3pm) • OSSETT TOWN are fourth in the Evo-Stik League First Division North
Dave Jewitt
after a 2-0 win over Kendal Town. Two second-half goals sealed the points as talisman Danny Frost opened the scoring before Tyrone Gay added a second. On Tuesday night Town's West Riding County Cup third round at Harrogate Railway was called off due to thick fog at Station View. They are back in league action tomorrow (Sat) at Burscough. Second-bottom Ossett Albion had a mixed week, winning 2-1 away at Colne last Saturday before slipping to a 2-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Goole on Tuesday evening. Adam Muller and Rikki Paylor scored Albion's goals on the road at Colne, with Paylor registering the solitary strike against Goole. The Unicorns face Glossop North End at Queen's Terrace tomorrow.
Special awards at Overthorpe night
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Topsy-turvy season continues for Albion By Mike Popplewell Football Correspondent sport@thepressnews.co.uk
MID-TABLE Ossett Albion have a chance to close the gap on the clubs above them in the North East Regional League Southern Division when they entertain fifth-placed Courts City on Sunday. It has been a topsy-turvy season for Albion, with some creditable results interspersed amongst some disastrous setbacks. The cup competitions have been
DEWSBURY BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22 1 G Fishwick and J Tomlinson; 2 J Paxton and D Hannam. TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 29 1 M Loveridge and D Hannam; 2 J Bragg and T Johnson; 3 G Bragg and C Walker.
particularly disappointing, with their recent 8-0 demolition by Bradford City in the Women’s County FA Cup followed by last week’s 7-1 league defeat at the hands of 100 per cent Southern Division leaders Farsley Celtic. Nikki Swift found the net for Albion in that game, while Katie Platts (3), Dee Swales (2) and Olivia Auker (2) scored for Farsley. Having played more games than any other club Albion’s league position is perhaps misleading, for no fewer than four of the bottom five clubs could leapfrog them should they win their games in hand. This season is clearly an improvement on recent years for Albion but there is no room for complacency. As it stands, it looks like any two from three will take the drop from the West Riding County League Premier Division, with both Ossett Town and Battyeford Belles in the mix. In the latest round of games Town lost 4-1 at home to Silsden, not a good
omen ahead of Sunday’s return fixture, while Battyeford crashed 6-0 at home to leaders Leeds Medics and Dentists and with a trip to thirdplaced Tingley Athletic this week there is no sign of any respite. Dewsbury Rangers have offered some bright spots for the district’s teams in Division Two, where they are currently in second place on goal difference – despite a 2-0 defeat against Farsley Celtic’s Development side in their last game. They have an early opportunity to turn that result around when they meet at Dewsbury on Sunday. Ossett Town reserves are still bottom of this division after a 17-1 defeat at home to Clifton Rangers and they will surely not be relishing this week’s return game. In Division Three Lower Hopton remain third after a 2-1 win at winless Kirkstall Crusaders but they are five points adrift of joint leaders Middleton and Ripon City ahead of this week’s return game at home to Kirkstall.
OVERTHORPE Sports Club have held their annual bowls presentation night. Trophies were awarded to the club’s junior team, with captain Emily Wilson taking the trophy for player of the year. There was a special award made to 15-year-old Georgia Jewitt to mark the first female from the club to represent the Yorkshire Juniors County team, while Yorkshire away team manager and club member Alex Wolfenden also received a special award to commemorate a successful first season. A trophy for the Yorkshire Junior League Division Two title was also presented to members of the Heavy Woollen Junior District side. Average award winners were
Geraldine Dickinson, Dave Jewitt, Roy Blackburn, Heather Jewitt, Rob Dunford, Georgia Jewitt, Alex Wolfenden, Rod Clifford and David Wilson. The Spen Valley League First Division Trophy was handed to Darren Ripley alongside the West Riding Pairs Trophy, which was won with Rob Dunford. Other trophy winners were Willie Cleveland – Dave Jewitt, Gerald Ellis Singles – Chris Rose, Mixed Pairs – Liam & Yolande Sykes, Abbi Harris Trophy – Heather Jewitt and Mark Dobson, Member and Guest Michael Nutting and Danny Ratcliffe, Triples - Darren and Charlie Ripley and Rob Dunford. Pictured are members of the Overthorpe Sports junior section.
Send your sports reports, news and photos to Joseph Link at joe@thepressnews.co.uk
ThePress
Friday December 9, 2016
RUGBY UNION
Youthful Cleck side are beaten heavily National League Three North
WIRRAL RUFC 61 CLECKHEATON RUFC 12 at the Memorial Ground CLECKHEATON travelled to Wirral with an injury-hit squad, with no less than seven regular players being sidelined due to injury or other unavailability, including Andy, Matt and Richard Piper, Ollie Depledge, Tom Austin, Jack Bickerdike and Josh Hall. It did however present the opportunity to field a youthfullooking pack, with half the starting eight of Jack Seddon, Luke Pearson, Brad Marsden and Niall Jackson aged 21 or under. Cleckheaton were caught cold from the outset, and while shaking the 90-minute bus journey out of them, Wirral went in for two tries. Both were converted by their man of the match James Annetts and Cleck faced a 14-point deficit with just four minutes played. For the rest of the first half honours were pretty much even, with Cleckheaton exerting pressure and holding plenty of possession in Wirral territory. But handling errors and ruck turnover plagued their efforts. Jake Jagger went very close on his return to first team action but just couldn’t get the ball down as he was bundled into touch. Then against the run of play, Wirral broke from centre field and went in for a long-range effort. Trailing 21-0 at half-time Cleckheaton did not see the task
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No goals shock in Memorial Trophy THE MEMORIAL Trophy tie between the Premier Division’s bottom club and the next-tobottom outfit in Division One surprisingly ended goalless. Dewsbury West Side and top-flight Athletico played out a 0-0 draw, while hosts Savile Utd – who are fourth in the Premier Division – only beat Division One’s bottom-club Howden Clough 3-2, with Jack Scott bagging a brace for the losers. Karim Mahmood scored twice for Saville Utd, Rizwan Ismail added the other. Girlington defeated visitors Norfolk 6-2 thanks to efforts from Adeeb Jawad (2), Mohammed Qasim, Rehan Butt and Adil Tanvir, plus an own goal. Savile Youth won the derby 4-1 at home to Savile Town, while Division One leaders George Healey triumphed 7-1 at Inter Batley, with Luke Newsome scoring four times.
Pennine derby clash HANGING HEATON ARLFC and Ossett Trinity Tigers are preparing to do battle in a top-of-the-table clash in Division Two of the Winter Pennine League tomorrow (Sat, 2pm). Hanging Heaton are a point clear of Ossett ahead of the derby clash, having won seven games this season and last week the leaders were handed a 30-0 walkover against Hollinwood. Meanwhile Ossett overcame Newsome Panthers 28-22 last time out in what was one of their seven victories this season. The Tigers also have three games in hand on Hanging Heaton and could go top with a win tomorrow on home soil.
Girls RL recruitment Try-scorer Ryan Piercy charges through two tacklers against Wirral as beyond them. As it turned out, this was not to be the case as Wirral went in for another six tries, with all but one of them being improved by the boot of Annetts. Cleckheaton conceded some fairly soft tries but the ball did seem to bounce just right for the home team on a number of occasions. The Moorenders did not simply capitulate, though, and kept working. Following a scrum five metres from Wirral’s line Ryan Piercy dived over for a try and Ronan Evans converted. Wirral hit back but Cleckheaton went on the attack
again and stretched the opposition defence from one side of the pitch to the other. The ball was quickly moved back in the direction it originally came and Piercy drew the last man before passing to Marsden for Cleckheaton’s second try. Wirral had the last say and scored a couple more tries from deep in their own half before the referee brought an end to proceedings. While Cleckheaton had a reduced squad, the 18 that did play put the effort in and didn’t stop grafting. Second team regulars Matt Wood and Craig Blackburn rel-
Gerald Christian ished their opportunity for some first team action and Mark Chivers walked away with man of the match for the second week in a row. The next two games are crucial for Cleckheaton as they face two teams below them in the table in Stockport (home) and Morley (away) over the next fortnight. Cleck will be looking to bounce back from defeats by two of the league’s top three sides and secure their cushion over the bottom three clubs before the Christmas period. Due to pre-match activities both games are 3pm starts.
Tempers flare with Tributes to two men seeing red legend ‘Fletch’ Central & North League
WETHERBY 2ND XV
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OSSETT RUFC 2ND XV
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WITH no first team game, Ossett Seconds travelled to Wetherby with the wind in their sails and came away with a win from a game that saw two red cards. Tom Sprott’s side arrived to find that Wetherby only had 14 players and, in the spirit of the Merit leagues, Clinton North volunteered to play for the opposition. The game started with Ossett on the front foot and at the first scrum the visitors, with their newly-formed front row of David Dunn, Matt Fray and Arron Mannering, pushed Wetherby back and gave a platform for Tom Tattersfield to run in the first try. After that Wetherby and Clinton North gave Ossett something to think about and piled the pressure on, which resulted in Wetherby’s first score of the game. After a string of penalties against Ossett Ian Whitehead was shown a yellow card. This gave Wetherby the chance to
exert even more pressure, resulting in their next try which came from a chip over and an unlucky bounce. Half-time arrived, with Clinton North returning to Ossett’s colours and David Dunn chosen to play for Wetherby in the second half. Ossett came out with all guns blazing, and after five minutes the first fight of the game saw a Wetherby player shown the first red card of the game. But Ossett didn’t have the extra man advantage for very long, as with frayed tempers from the previous confrontation it boiled over once again and Mannering was shown the red card. Chris White had to make way for Rob Young so Ossett could keep a front row and prevent uncontested scrums. The scoreline went Ossett’s way in the second half as they turned the screw – as they have done against Modernians and Morley – and managed to stop the hosts scoring until the final play of the game. By then Ossett had built a comfortable margin, having been 12-7 down at the break. The late Wetherby try meant they managed to secure a bonus point, with Ossett taking the full five points.
TRIBUTES have been paid to an Ossett RUFC legend, who died suddenly after getting married in the Caribbean. Dave Fletcher, 62, died on November 25 following a heart attack just days after coming home from Barbados, where he tied the knot with his partner Alison. Former Caphouse mineworker Mr Fletcher captained Ossett’s first team from 1980 to 1983. Playing alongside his brother Martin, ‘Fletch’ took young players who went on to become Ossett veterans such as president Pete Bradshaw, Charlie Walker, Jeremy Broadhead and Sam Drury under his wing. Vice-president Mr Broadhead said: “I knew Dave for 30 years. He lived life to the full. He loved to tell a good yarn. And he was an all-round good boy.” A minute’s silence was observed by both of the club’s teams during their recent matches. A financial director at Technical Control Systems in Morley, Mr Fletcher later joined Denby Grange Cricket Club and every Sunday played with his son-in-law Dean Lister at Woolley Park Golf Club. He is survived by his mother Dorothy, wife Alison, daughter Lindsey and son-in-law Dave, brothers Martin and Steven and their wives Jo and Val.
SHAW Cross Sharks are scouting players for their three girls rugby league sides. Girls rugby league is gaining popularity across the Heavy Woollen district following on from the success of Batley Bulldogs Girls’ trip to Australia last year. Numerous members of the Shaw Cross Girls squad teamed up with Dewsbury Moor Girls to create the successful Yorkshire West Under-16s side that triumphed in an originstyle tournament last weekend after their win over Yorkshire Central. The Sharks run girls teams for under-12s, under-14s and under-16s and are looking for new players. For more information regarding the girls teams contact Steve Weston on 07375 432888, Wayne Hirst 07769 973723 or Andrew Fawkes 07736 049773.
Judo for juniors A NEW junior judo class will be starting at Dewsbury Sports Centre in the new year. The 10-week course is for children aged from five to eight and will be held on a Tuesday evening from 5pm to 6pm. The first session will be held on January 10 and there are a maximum of 20 places available. For more information contact Les Tolson on 01924 461420, 07900 597085 or email les26@live.co.uk.
Win rugby history book DID you know that Dewsbury had a key part to play in the history of rugby union? The town was the setting for Wales’s first-ever triumph over England in the sport and it was hosted by Dewsbury at their former Crown Flatt home. We are currently giving away five books by Thomas Kemp commemorating the famous match. To be in with a chance of winning one just answer this simple question. What is the name of Dewsbury RLFC’s
former home ground? Send your answers to Rugby Competition, The Press, 31 Branch Road, Batley, WF17 5SB or email competitions@ thepressnews.co.uk.
Morro adds Sheriffe to 2017 squad By Joe Link GLENN MORRISON has strengthened his squad ahead of the new season with the signing of prop Jode Sheriffe. The Jamaican international has arrived at the Tetley’s Stadium from League One side Keighley, having made 209 appearances during a 13year career to date. The experienced forward began his career with Halifax where he made 60 appearances and scored 50 tries in a two-year spell. He also played four games and scored three tries in a brief stint with York before eventually reaching the peak of his career at home-town club Bradford Bulls and Harlequins, where he featured in 55 and 38 games respectively. More recently Sheriffe spent time with Keighley playing 19 times and touching down nine tries for the West Yorkshire outfit. He said: “I’d like to thank Morro (Glenn Morrison) for the opportunity. “I’ve heard great things about the club and staff and I’m looking forward to getting started.” Sheriffe teams up with former Keighley colleagues Adam Mitchell and Hamish Barnes ahead of the new campaign and becomes the 24th member Morrison’s squad. The Aussie coach said: “He’s a
quality player and his experience will definitely strengthen our squad. “I was aware that he wanted to make the step up to the Championship and I couldn’t be happier to make that happen for him by bringing him to Dewsbury. “He’s had Super League experience and I’m sure, without the injuries, that he would have made it at that level, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be for him. “I know he trains hard, plays hard and is a real tough nut.” Meanwhile the Rams’ pre-season is in full swing and Morrison put his players through a gruelling training session at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire last weekend. “It was a great exercise for the group and the morale among the players is really high,” he added. “The players worked really hard and gave it their all. It was definitely the toughest week of pre-season that I’ve put them through so far. “I did allow the guys some downtime as well. It was real hard work during the day but they were allowed a beer at night and got to know each other a lot better.” The Rams have also been using Total Fitness Gym in Wakefield for some of their indoor training sessions as the pre-season Boxing Day game away at Batley Bulldogs approaches.
Stars turn out for KBW boxing show DEWSBURY’S KBW gym hosted another sell-out boxing show at the town’s Orchid banqueting suite last Saturday.
Latest Rams recruit Jode Sheriffe Morrison, who has yet to win any of the Boxing Day derbies during his time with Dewsbury, added: “If we play as hard as we have trained, I’m sure the fans will be happy. “The players look forward to the game after a long pre-season and I’m sure most of the new boys will get a run-out.”
DISKIN RELISHING FRIENDLY ENCOUNTERS AFTER a long pre-season Batley Bulldogs boss Matt Diskin is looking forward to seeing his players take to the field in their warm-up games ahead of the new Championship campaign. Diskin will treat the friendlies, including the Boxing Day derby with Heavy Woollen rivals Dewsbury, as a time to experiment and prepare for what is expected to be a tough season in the Championship, but the former Super League star acknowledges the importance of the game to fans. He said: “We have many new systems and process-
es that we will be testing out and then we can look at errors and fine-tune things. “The players are certainly looking forward to getting back out their and playing some rugby. “It’ll be good to blow away the Christmas cobwebs with a competitive game. “I recognise that the Boxing Day derby isn’t just a fixture to fit into the cal-
endar. I’ve been to the Boxing Day derby for the last three years and I understand its importance to the fans. “I know the supporters look forward to it and I want to be able to go out on Boxing Day afternoon and enjoy one or two drinks to celebrate a win.” Adam Gledhill and James Brown will not feature in the Bulldogs’ first pre-season outing.
Both have undergone operations during the offseason and will be out until the New Year. New signing Dane Manning will also miss the clash due to a broken thumb he sustained towards the back end of last season while playing for Halifax. In other news, the first team will wear training shirts commemorating Kevin Nicholas’ 20-year stint as chairman of the club. Fellow director Andrew Winner will also be acknowledged on the 2017 training shirt.
It was KBW’s 10th boxing show in the area, consisting of 10 bouts for boxers from the Headfield Mills-based gym. KBW’s shows have grown in popularity, with turnouts consistently rising. Boxing celebrities such as Commonwealth bronze medallist Haroon Khan, pictured above left, are also now coming to the events. Lewis Benson was the first promising young boxer in action. He joined the club last year and faced his third skills bout at the Orchid. No winner is declared in a skills bout, but Benson dominated his opponent over the three rounds. KBW’s Uzair Kiani also produced a neat display of footwork and fast hands in another enjoyable skills contest. In a third skills bout, KBW’s Harkaran Singh took to the ring for the first time and showed a lot of ability, boxing on the front foot in a convincing display. Meanwhile Fizan Khan lost by unanimous decision to Shaquille Martins from Oliver’s Gym, but Corey Rylah was again in form, dominating his opponent to secure a unanimous decision against Tom Collingwood of the Ingles Boxing Academy. The two main bouts of the night also proved to be a worthwhile wait. In the joint main event Huzaifa Khan faced James Jacques from the Love Boxing Academy. Jacques had recently boxed
in Sweden where he won a gold medal, but it was Khan who got off to an aggressive start from the first bell. Jacques had the height and reach advantage, forcing Khan to get in close and land his shots. For the duration of the first round Jacques was forced on his back foot because of Khan’s power. In the second round Jacques rallied but was checked by Khan, who delivered powerful body shots, before the KBW boxer landed a heavy uppercut, which brought a standing eight count as he almost forced a stoppage in the final session. Jacques battled hard to hear the final bell but it was Huzaifa Khan who deservedly had his hand raised. In the final bout, KBW’s Saif Cheema faced Mark Bebington of the New Era Boxing Academy. Tall Cheema had the rarity of being the shorter opponent and he knew he was in for a tricky clash. As a result Cheema was forced to change his normal boxing style, but both men seemed content to box on the back foot. However Cheema’s quick hands eventually caused Bebington problems as he clinched the first round. Ring craft then helped Cheema keep the upper hand and claim victory by a unanimous decision. Professional boxers Atif Shafique and Haroon Khan were joined by former WBC welterweight World Champion Junior Witter to hand out the trophies on the night, the proceeds of which will go to help refugees stranded in Greece.