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Friday March 11, 2016

MEDICS MISSED FOUR CHANCES TO SAVE BABY GINO

12 MONTHS GUARANTEE

No. 728

50p

Adam Asquith cradles his son Gino, who lived for only three days following his birth at Calderdale Royal Hospital

By David Miller

A GRANDFATHER from Earlsheaton has criticised medics who missed four chances to save the life of a new-born baby.

Graham Ellis, of the Laurels, spoke after a verdict of death by misadventure was given at an inquest into the death of his grandson. Gino Asquith was born at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax on November 9, 2014, but lived for only three days. Gino’s mother Sarah Ellis, of Staincliffe Hall Road, Batley, was previously turned away due to a lack of beds. Coroner Oliver Longstaff ruled that delays were a factor in doctors not realising Sarah and her baby were in trouble. Distraught Graham said: “It was disgusting the things that they should have spotted. “There were four missed opportunities – not big ones, simple things, but they all added up. “This was Sarah’s first child. It had all been planned and she had looked after herself throughout the pregnancy.

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ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

MARGISON CHRISTINA LORRAINE On 3 March, of Hightown, aged 32. Partner of Richard. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 18 March at 1.15pm.

Deaths BAMFORD KENNETH KEN On 2 March, of Gomersal,

aged 87. Husband of the late Margaret. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 16 March at 10.30am.

BROCKLEHURST

MATUSZCZAK BETTY (NEE ELLIS) CASTLE (NEE LIGHTOWLER) MAUREEN

Formerly BATLEY Nee RAMSBOTTOM

On 2 March, aged 75, of Birstall. Wife of George. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 16 March at 12.30pm.

-- • -On 27th February 2016, at Lidgate Lodge, Soothill and formerly of Intake Lane, Birstall, aged 95 years, Margaret, beloved wife of the late William Arthur (Bill) Brocklehurst and formerly of Harry Batley, proud and loving mum of Kathleen, Susan, Geoffrey, Gordon, Diane, Dorothy and the late Roger, very dear motherin-law and friend to Rodney, Pauline, Denise, Les, Kim and the late Barrie, much loved by her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also loved sister of Fred and sister-in-law of Shirley. Funeral service will be held at St Saviours Parish Church, Brownhill on Tuesday 15th March 2016 at 10.15am, followed by committal at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium at 11.15am. Friends please accept this intimation and meet at the Church. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Margaret may be given for the benefit of The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice (Fire Fund).

CROWTHER KATHLEEN

Margaret

On 2 March, aged 62, of Littletown. Wife of John. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 14 March at 10.30am.

DJORDJEVICH VLADIMIR On 26 February, aged 88. Service at St John the Baptist, Serbian Orthodox Church, Halifax, Monday 14 March at 12noon, followed by interment at Thornhill Parish Churchyard.

EARNSHAW FRANK On 3 March, aged 89. Husband of the late Edna. Service at Dewsbury

David Butterfield INDEPENDENT FAMILY

Crematorium, Thursday 17 March at 1.15pm.

EMMITT PERCY On 7 March, aged 90. Funeral enquiries to Cooperative Funeral Care, Heckmondwike, tel 01924 401143.

FIRTH ALEXANDER JAMES JIM On 1 March, aged 89, of Thornhill. Husband of Verene. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 17 March at 12.30pm.

FISHER ALICE On 5 March, aged 91, of Heckmondwike. Wife of the late John. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 16 March at 2.45pm.

HIRST GEORGE On 2 March, aged 87, of Ravensthorpe. Husband of Mary. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 16 March at 1.15pm.

MCLAUGHLIN NEE KNIGHT ROSE ELLEN

TAYLOR NEE IDLE JANET

On 7 March, of Batley, aged 92 years. Wife of the late Maurice. Requiem Mass at St Mary’s RC Church, Batley, Tuesday 22 March at 10am, followed by interment at Batley Cemetery at 11.15am.

NEWSOME JACK On 4 March, aged 95, formerly of Earlsheaton. Husband of the late May. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 17 March at 2pm.

PARKER DENNIS F.C.I.I. On 4 March, of Ossett, aged 85. Husband of Sheila. Service at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Hanging Heaton, Tuesday 15 March at 1.45pm, followed by cremation at Dewsbury Crematorium at 2.45pm.

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On 4 March, of Thornhill, aged 86. Wife of the late Geoffrey. Service at Thornhill Parish Church, Monday 21 March at 1.45pm, followed by committal for family and close friends at Dewsbury Crematorium at 2.45pm.

TOLSON THOMAS GEORGE On 2 March, of Ossett, formerly Earlsheaton, aged 84. Partner of Hazel. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 15 March at 2pm.

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Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: David Miller Sports Reporter: Joe Link Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Sales Executives: Nicola Finch Janet Black Kate Fisher Office Manager: Adele Latham Accounts: Amy Wright 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 March 11, 2016

Early progress in plan to bring hall back to life PLANS for the future use of underthreat Gomersal Public Hall are coming together. Campaigners discussed ideas for the Oxford Road building with umbrella group ‘Locality’ on Wednesday. Proposals include renting out the two downstairs rooms as office space to local firms. Another idea is to split the 35ft-high main hall, with the addition of an extra floor – which could make it more attractive to groups looking to hire the venue. The 35ft-high ceiling is believed to put people off due to fears about likely heating bills. Locality is helping the Save Gomersal Public Hall group put together an asset transfer bid. Kirklees Council wants to sell the premises but before campaigners can take over they need a current damage assessment. Nine years ago, a report by officials showed the hall needed repairs costed at £124,000. This included £54,000 to mend the roof, £43,000 for external doors, walls and windows and £8,000 for electrics. The current cost of renovations will influence the type of business plan that can be put together. It may prove so expensive the group would have to focus initially on remedial repairs and redecoration to keep the building open. Coun Lisa Holmes (Con, Liversedge & Gomersal) said: “The hall is virtually empty during the day. “Part of the problem is it’s not very welcoming and needs decorating. It looks like a timewarp, like something out of the 1970s.” Coun Holmes is a member of the group, which hosts meetings at the West End pub. She added: “The council has spent money, including on a new boiler, but the fabric of the building is in a poor state. “We’re exploring funding options but can’t access grants until we have a business plan.”

Hand grenades and bullets in home arms cache find By Staff Reporters A WOMAN who stored ammunition and home-made grenades has been jailed for three years. Police found 2,000 rounds of ammunition at the home of Heather Exley, 45, on Penn Drive, Liversedge. Also found was a home-made grenade with 30g of high explosive inside a metal canister. There were 10 partly-built hand grenades and 10 detonators modified from commercially-bought initiators. Leeds Crown Court heard there were improvised liquid and high explosives as well. Officers raided her home on April 14, 2014, after concerns were raised by the Post Office about chemicals shipped in the mail. Exley was charged and later admitted 13 offences under the Explosives and Firearms Act. These were 10 charges of having an explosive substance, two of possessing prohibited ammunition and one of possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate. The court was told terrorism was ruled out as a motive and that Exley soley had an interest as a collector. Exley was arrested under her former name of John Exley – she had gender realignment surgery in Thailand while

News in Brief Consultation begins on hospital cuts KIRKLEES: Consultation on controversial hospital cuts begins on Tuesday. Under plans from commissioners, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary would lose its A&E department, leaving Dewsbury District Hospital as the district’s only major emergency centre. Concerns have been raised about the effect this would have on Dewsbury and Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The consultation – called Right Care, Right Time, Right Place – runs until Tuesday, June 21. Those wishing to take part will find full details from launch day at www.rightcaretimeplace.co.uk.

Reunion club BATLEY: A club will be launched on Thursday for former pupils and staff at Batley Girls’ High and related schools. Students can reconnect with old friends and teachers through the Alumnae Society. It covers those who attended Howden Clough, Batley Girls’ Grammar, Foxcroft Girls’ Secondary Modern and Princess Royal Secondary Modern. A free launch event is in school on Thursday March 17 (6pm). All former pupils and staff are welcome. Those wishing to attend can call Iffat Ahmad on 01924 350091 or email iahmad@batleygirls.co.uk for more information.

Pioneer plan backed Home arsenal ... clockwise, from top, ammo, grenades and pistol clips and webbing on bail. Robin Frieze, for Exley, said his client began the transition from a man to a woman about six years ago. She was trusted on bail to return to the UK and has now undergone most of the surgery. Following discussions with the Home Office, it is anticipated Exley will serve her jail term in New Hall prison for women at Flockton. Michael Smith, prosecuting, said Exley had been warned by police as far back as 2012. Judge James Spencer QC

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said: “I’ve read the report that this was something of an obsession you had. “The reason ascribed to it, whether over-compensation for other problems, does not mitigate this. “It’s the potential for harm caused by the possession of such a quantity of such material.”

DEWSBURY: The transformation of Pioneer House into a college campus was backed by councillors. Kirklees Council's Labour cabinet approved the plan from Kirklees College at a meeting in Huddersfield on Tuesday. About 1,000 students could be based at Pioneer House, plus another 1,600 at a new campus on the old Safeway site off Bradford Road.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

News In Brief Probus talks CLECKHEATON: The Probus club hosts talks on a range of subjects over the coming weeks. Meetings are fortnightly on Thursdays (9.45am) at St Paul’s RC Church parish hall, on Dewsbury Road. Talks include: • March 17 - Around the World in 30 days by Melven Cook; • March 31 - Tea by Bob Charles; • April 14 - An Entertainment by Robert Johnson; • April 28 - A Trip Down Memory Lane by Keith Bamber. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For more details, email cleckheatonprobus@outlook.com.

MEDICS MISSED FOUR CHANCES TO SAVE BABY GINO Bogus

‘It’s hard to accept that the delays we faced, and the failure to pick up signs that Gino was in distress, led to his death’ – GRIEVING MUM SARAH ELLIS From Page 1

Car boot sale NORTH KIRKLEES: Rotarians have organised a car boot sale at the Frontier nightclub, Batley, on Monday, March 28 (6am-noon). Pitches are £10 for cars and £15 for vans but no traders.

Festival cancelled BIRSTALL: The Oakwell Music Festival is cancelled this year – but organisers hope to be back in summer 2017. Kate Fisher, one of the organisers, made the announcement on the Gomersal Matters Facebook page in response to a query about tickets. She wrote: “We are having a year off to try and get some grants in place so we can have an even better one in 2017.”

Church fair HANGING HEATON: A fair packed with stalls takes place at the Methodist church in High Street tomorrow (Saturday, 10am3pm). Entry is free.

“She then put herself in the hands of somebody else. We’ve got to accept it but we’ll never forget what happened.” Sarah, 28, had rejected the chance to give birth at Dewsbury District Hospital. Graham said: “She only lives two minutes from there but having heard from friends and seen stories in the media, she decided it wouldn’t be suitable.” Sarah’s ordeal began when she went into labour on November 7 and attended Calderdale Royal Hospital. There were no beds available and she was told to go to the birthing centre at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. After a four-hour wait there, she was sent home on November 8 as her labour was not advanced enough. Later that day Sarah could no longer feel her baby moving and went back to Halifax, where she was admitted to the maternity assessment unit. Over the next six hours she was assessed by six midwives, a registrar and senior house officer. Signs of distress were picked up. Among the symptoms shown by both

mum and baby were abnormal heartbeats. None of this was acted upon and the doctors failed to perform a Caesarean section when they realised the baby had a life-threatening infection. There was another chance to do a Csection an hour later, when the baby was showing problems with his heart. Further delays meant Sarah was not admitted to the adjoining maternity ward until 11.30pm. By the time Gino was delivered by C-section at 2.34am on November 9, he was very poorly and had to be resuscitated twice. Sarah and her partner Adam Asquith were advised to withdraw treatment, and Gino died on November 12. The cause of death was hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (brain damage caused by lack of oxygen). Before the inquest in Bradford, the Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation NHS Trust admitted liability for Gino’s death in a civil case. An investigation by the trust found Sarah’s condition was not escalated to the obstetric team. Communication was not clear between staff, there were delays trans-

ferring Sarah to a delivery room and she was not correctly monitored. Coroner Mr Longstaff did not make any recommendations after hearing the hospital has changed its procedures. These include adding an extra midwife, putting all patients together in one room and advanced training. But he said: “At the very least the delays in Gino being delivered made the chance of him being born alive significantly reduced. “Gino spent five and three-quarter hours at the hospital but it took only 12 minutes, after the decision was made, to perform an emergency Caesarean section.” After the verdict, Sarah said: “Words can’t explain what we’ve been through in losing our first child together in this terrible way. “It’s hard to accept that the delays we faced and the failure to pick up signs that Gino was in distress led to his death. “The investigation into Gino’s death and the care we received from the trust found a number of failures. “We hope these issues will be corrected so other people don’t have to endure what we went through.”

worker’s burglary foiled A CONMAN led a burglary attempt at the home of an elderly Heckmondwike woman. He claimed to be from the water board and said he needed to check the supply after an explosion nearby. The suspect kept the woman occupied, checking and running her taps, while two accomplices mounted a search of her home. It happened at around 3.20pm last Tuesday at a residential complex on Scott Close. The conman was asked for identification but made no attempt to produce any. All three then fled empty-handed. He is a white man, tall, slim and in his 30s. He had a thin face with dark brown stubble and wore a grey woolly hat, a dark donkey jacket and gardeners’ gloves with green palms and yellow backs. Anyone with information can call Det Con Tony Marshall on 101, quoting reference 13160092007.

OBITUARY Mike North

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a Batley man who raised thousands of pounds for charity. Rotarian, hospital radio sports commentator and retired teacher Mike North, 71, died suddenly last month. Mike, of Woodlands Road, raised £6,300 in his year as Rotary Club of Batley president in 2011-12. Cash was split equally among the Martin House Children’s Hospice, the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. The former English teacher ran several marathons, including New York, for Guide Dogs for the Blind. He fundraised for Martin House, in Boston Spa, near Wetherby, for years. Mike commentated on football and rugby league matches for HWD Hospital Radio at Dewsbury District Hospital. And he will be known to a generation of pupils at Heckmondwike Grammar School. He joined the school from the Brooksbank School in Elland, where he co-authored a book celebrating its centenary. Friends remembered a funny, generous man who was always the first to offer his

Always the first to offer his help... Mike North with wife Gillian help. Rotary club secretary Patricia Taylor said: “At one meeting a young man with a sight impairment gave a talk. “He said he was a football fan and Mike immediately offered to take him to a game – and afterwards he said what a great time he had had with Mike. “That was the kind of man he was. He was funny, generous and a good friend.” She joked: “He was also always the first in for lunch at our meetings and the first to the bar!” As well as serving as rotary club president Mike was also the organisation’s PR officer and archivist.

Mike was a keen Huddersfield Town fan who covered their matches and those of Leeds United, Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams for hospital radio. His football co-commentator was musician Stuart Atkins, who performed with all the greats, including Louis Armstrong, at Batley Variety Club. Both shared a love of golf, with Mike a member of Howley Hall and most recently Willow Valley, near Brighouse. He is survived by wife Gillian. His funeral was last Friday at St Patrick’s RC Church in Birstall.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

TV story of bed factory slave shame By Staff Reporters

Slavemaster... Mohammed Rafiq was jailed for 27 months

THE undercover operation which exposed human trafficking in Ravensthorpe is to be revealed tonight (Friday). Investigative reporter Darragh MacIntyre presents a BBC2 TV documentary called Britain’s Secret Slavery Business (10pm). He tells the story of how the charity Hope for Justice helped bring down disgraced bed tycoon Mohammed Rafiq. The anti-slavery group was tipped off about working conditions at Rafiq’s Kozee Sleep premises. Hope for Justice put the Low Mill Lane factory under surveillance and made contact with some of the workers. Eventually, a house in Bradford, where scores of Hungarian men were living, was identified. Eight men fled with the charity’s help, though a first meeting point had to be abandoned due to fears that gangmasters were on to them. They were later rescued from a supermarket car park after hiding at night behind recyling bins and bushes. Rafiq, 60, of Staincliffe, became the first company boss in the UK to be convicted of human trafficking offences. He was jailed last month for two years

Nine years for pervert who preyed on girls A CONVICTED sex offender from Heckmondwike has been jailed for nine years for abusing two schoolgirls. Carl Whitehead, 50, of St James Street, became friends with them through their interest in his pet dog

and then groomed them. Leeds Crown Court heard he topped up the mobile phone of one victim when they visited his home. A text suggested Whitehead had offered them alcohol despite knowing they

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were aged 13 and 14 respectively. He played “truth or dare” with them in which there was kissing, followed by the removal of their clothes and sexual touching by him. Whitehead, who denied four counts of sexual activity with a child, was found guilty by a jury. Kirstie Watson, prosecuting, earlier told the court Whitehead had four previous convictions for sex offences. These were for indecent exposure in 1988, 1989 and 2011, plus gross indecency with a six-year-old child in 1990. Mathew Harding, for Whitehead, said his client found prison difficult due to bullying. Recorder Andrew

Haslam said a friend of Whitehead had warned him about his behaviour and called police, who repeated the warning. He added: “I am satisfied you ignored that advice because you wanted to develop an association with both girls, although you knew they were under 16, for the specific reason of taking sexual advantage of them. “You developed your association with both of these girls on social media such as Facebook and contacted them over their mobile telephones. “You did that solely for the purpose of satisfying your own sexual desires. “I am satisfied you groomed these girls for your own sexual purposes.”

ROTARY CLUB DINNER: The Rotary Club of Batley’s 70th anniversary dinner takes place at Gomersal Park Hotel on Saturday, April 15. In just one campaign, the club raised £30,000 for the town's Salvation Army branch. Other causes they’ve helped include the Older People’s Centre, the Whitfield Centre at Soothill and disabled charity Howlands in Dewsbury. All are welcome to the dinner. For details call club secretary Pat Taylor on 07748 164 447.

and three months, having denied the charges at Leeds Crown Court. One of the victims, who talked to Mr MacIntrye under an assumed name, said he was promised earnings of £1,000 a month. Instead he was paid less than £2 a day, held captive and had threats made against his family if he tried to leave. Men were given some food and tobacco while in some cases passports were confiscated. They slept in dingy, overcrowded houses with mattresses in every room. The buildings were filthy and sometimes rat-infested. At weekends, the men worked for free doing house renovations, painting and gardening from 9am until 7pm. This was after working 15 or 16 hours a day at Kozee Sleep through the week. The victim, known only as “Daniel”, said of his house: “There were 14 sharing one bathroom and one toilet. “All cooking was done in one pot. It was dirty, crowded and it stank. They said they knew where my family lived and they could get hold of them.” Three years after his rescue, Daniel has still not told his family exactly what happened to him due to his shame. The full story also features how Kozee Sleep duped retailers including John Lewis and Next.

News in Brief Church bells set to ring out a new tune MIRFIELD: The installation of new bells at St Mary’s Church began on Monday and is expected to take three weeks. The 10 bells fell silent for the first time in 144 years when they were taken down last April. Six were melted down and recast while four have been re-tuned and they are due to be ringing again after Easter. The project, which cost £87,000 funded through donations, was led by Taylor Bells of Loughborough. Church warden Ruth Edwards said: “I’m very excited and emotional to see them back. “It’s taken three years from the idea of having them recast to raising the money and now having them installed.”

Hospital airlift MIRFIELD: A man was airlifted to hospital last Sunday after falling 20ft onto a wall while trying to cut back a tree. He was pruning near his home on Hepworth Lane when a branch gave way underneath him. The man, in his late 40s, suffered suspected back injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary.

Dead mum named LIVERSEDGE: A woman who was found dead at home last week has been named. Christina Margison, 33, of Eighth Avenue, Windybank, was found by her partner at 7am last Thursday morning. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the motherof-two’s death.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

BACK IN PRINT Now on sale, the updated 2015 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

They need teaching a lesson KNOW quite a lot of teachers who thought that Conservative minister Michael Gove was the Devil incarnate, during his time as Education Secretary. Gove’s cardinal sin was wanting to re-establish traditional educational disciplines and values in our classrooms. Teach kids the three Rs? How dare he. Britain’s classroom revolution is largely a done deal. Our schools are the high altar of political correctness and the few remaining exemplars of the teaching generation many of us remember have either retired or quit in despair. I won’t say ‘fondly remember’ because some of the sods were closet sadists. But boy, they knew how to hold the kids’ attention while forcefeeding them knowledge.

Michael Gove – betrayed We’ve had a police purge of celebrity and ministerial feeler-uppers from the 1970s. How long before someone gets the idea to start dragging old English and Maths

teachers before the beak to answer charges on throwing blackboard rubbers, or traumatising an 11-year-old by humiliating him because his blazer was buttoned up wrong (and yes, I remember that happening at Cardinal Hinsley Grammar School). In one lesson, your tie was checked to see if it was the correct length and physical retribution was common for serial offenders. I never did fathom what that had to do with passing O Levels, and I’m not going to pretend that getting a ruler across your knuckles or a strap across your backside never did you any harm either. But the pendulum has certainly swung too far the other way. Anyway, for my money Michael Gove is by miles the

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best brain in the Conservative party. A rare backbone in a sea of political jellyfish, and David Cameron abandoning Gove when he took on the teaching unions says everything about the man who is Prime Minister and the man who should be. As such it is not surprising that today’s generation of university students seems more intent on re-writing history than studying it or actually making a worthwile contribution to the world. A generation and more of British young people has been brainwashed with leftwing, Brit-hating dogma. You reap what you sow. The recent campaign to topple a statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College Oxford has spawned a followup University of London protest to remove a figure of Queen Victoria. Across the nation’s campuses, privileged, self-regarding prats are doing their best impressions of Stalin in trying to erase the past. Why stop there, kids? Take the sledgehammers to Nelson’s Column while you’re at it. In fact London would look like a demolition site if we destroyed every symbol of empire. Put the bulldozers through Trinity College Cambridge too, because it was built by that murdering philanderer Henry VIII. And if you don’t like conquering empires, grab a shovel and get digging up the

IF I hadn’t been told this portrait was of Diane Abbott MP, I’m not sure I would have guessed. And if I hadn’t been told it cost the taxpayer £11,750, I would have guessed it had been painted by her son. The one the avowed socialist sent to private school. Who presumably was lousy at art. I suspect the artist deliberately made it look like Abbott had just walked off a Jamaican plantation as opposed to out of an Islington wine bar, but what really troubles me is that expanse of naked chest and shoulders. Did the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s old flame really pose topless? If so, I’m surprised the artist didn’t throw up on his palette, because she really, really, is no oil painting. This is apparently Diane Abbott hanging in Westminster – which is an expression I’d consider fondly if used in a slightly different context. I doubt this conceited hypocrite has a problem with so much public money being wasted on her vanity. Her type never do. A1, because what did those Romans ever do for us? This rabble doesn’t even ‘get’ the irony of how their privilege came about. For now, the masters of those universities have invited the students to discuss their issues, while refusing to contemplate removing statues or re-naming buildings (and the little sweethearts probably don’t even realise they’re getting a patronising “there, there children” from the authorities). Thank goodness for that, because the first establishment to succumb to these childish temper tantrums will only encourage more. I know I shouldn’t get so exasperated. This is what students have always done, and usually by their 30s or 40s they’ve experienced enough

of life to realise how immature they were. But still. Britain more than most countries has examined and confronted its past. Trying to judge men of centuries past by today’s juvenile morality is beyond pointless. The few great minds we have today – like Gove, and you really should read his book Celsius 7/7 – know that in order not to repeat history’s mistakes, you have to understand them. That single truism, as much as anything, is why the federal European experiment is doomed. Sadly, these wet-eared students haven’t learned that yet. My fear is that they never will – and may end up teaching my grandkids their softheaded tripe.

One is not at all amused UEEN backs Brexit’. It was only a matter of time and trust The Sun to get there first. Not that there’s a ‘Fleet Street’ any longer, but I’ll bet a dozen national newspaper editors were kicking themselves this week for getting gazumped. I fully expect the paper to get its wrist ineffectually slapped by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation – because whether or not Her Maj made the reported remarks to former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, it could not have constituted ‘backing Brexit’. The darn word hadn’t even been invented when the alleged conversation took place. Convicted on a technicality then, not that anyone gives a hoot. And for what it’s worth, it would be a massive surprise if the Queen wasn’t a Brexiter. I understand why Royal protocol insists HRH remain above the rabble-rousing fray, but this storm in a teacup does raise some titillating thoughts. How long before the Duke of Edinburgh – or Phil the Greek as I prefer to think of him – advocates not just leaving the blighted EU, but firing a couple of salvoes across Germany’s bows just for good measure. Born Philip, Prince of Greece and Denmark

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on the island of Corfu in 1921, it can’t be easy seeing the nation of his birth brought to its knees by bureaucrats in Berlin. Just this week the Germans were wafting another bailout cheque in the Greeks’ faces, teasing them as to just how much more pain they were willing to inflict on their people. It will end in tears. I’m surprised the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, hasn’t waded in already claiming divine guidance on the matter. ‘God Says Stay’ would probably fit well as a Sun headline although things could get a bit tricky if the Pope comes out as a leaver. Getting shut of those pesky CofEs and Anglicans might have some appeal for the head of the Catholic church. And then of course there’s the very real religious influence of the mosque. How will the nation’s imams guide their flock? What’s the betting the leaders of ISIS and al Qaeda throw in their two-pennorth before June 23rd? I imagine they’d be urging the faithful to vote ‘stay’ if only so they can keep a steady stream of extremists flowing back and forth through our porous borders. This whole circus is going to produce some serious fun and games before judgement day.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Parkinson’s sufferer fears nurse shortage By David Miller CARE for patients with Parkinson’s Disease could be at risk due to the lack of a specialist nurse. Sufferer David Honeybell, 71, of New North Road, Heckmondwike, said healthcare provider Locala had hoped to hire a dedicated nurse for the North Kirklees area. But they have been told that health chiefs and Parkinson’s Disease UK do not have funds. Batley-based Locala have asked the charity and the North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to consider alternatives. Retired welder David fears care for him and other

patients could be affected in the meantime. He claimed a previous service, run at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust from Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield ended last year. David sees a consultant once a year, and in between a nurse monitored his condition. Checks could see patients like David referred back to the consultant more often if problems are found. He last saw a specialist nurse six months ago and is concerned the lack of monitoring could mean something is missed. David said: “I’ll certainly have concerns about my care if this situation goes on for much longer. “But you can’t blame the

consultant – God knows how many patients he has on his books.” David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in May, 2008, after problems at work and elsewhere. He said of a church communion event: “I walked like a puppet and was bent in half and had to be held up. “If it wasn’t for the medication I’m on now, I’d be like a blob of jelly on the floor.” In reply to David’s concerns, Rob Bachelor, of Locala, wrote: “...we will not be able to recruit to the position at this point in time... “Our operational manager has asked the two organisations (North Kirklees CCG and PD UK) to consider alternative proposals for the position.”

Six arrests in stolen bikes case POLICE have made arrests in the hunt for motorbikes stolen from a Batley collector. Twenty new or vintage machines belonging to business owner Peter Padgett were taken over Christmas. Mr Padgett co-founded Padgett’s Motorcycles on Bradford Road in 1958 with brother Don. Thieves cut a hole in the side of a storeroom at the side of the firm’s main showroom. On January 27 a Yamaha 100 was found in Tingley, followed by a QJ100 machine in Leeds three days later. Two moto-cross bikes were also recovered at an address in Morley after police obtained a search warrant. They also searched homes in

Tingley, Thorpe and Leeds, making six arrests – a 25-year-old from Tingley, a 28-year-old from Thorpe, a 61-year-old from Morley and men aged 20, 24 and 29 from Leeds. All are on bail pending further enquiries. Searches for the other missing bikes are continuing. Det Con Jim Calpin, of Kirklees CID, said: “Through our investigation into the thefts from Padgett’s we’ve been able to recover a number of motorcycles. We’re pleased that following successful lines of enquiry we have made six arrests over the past week.” Anyone with information can call DC Calpin on 101, quoting reference 13160004253.

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Overwhelmed by generosity of local people Dear Sir, I am writing on behalf of the Chidswell Action Group to say a big thank you to the local community for pulling together in support of our recent campaign to raise enough money to appoint a planning lawyer to represent us in our fight against Kirklees Council and the Church of England’s plans to allocate land for the building of 1,500 new homes and 50 hectares for industry at Chidswell and Shaw Cross. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by local people who made donations at the pre-Christmas weekly street stalls adjacent to Shaw Cross playing fields, by residents who attended the pub quiz held at the Huntsman Inn, which overlooks the proposed site at Chidswell, and by those who gave money privately and via the donation boxes located at various businesses around the area. Amazingly, within three weeks we were able to raise enough money for a lawyer to make a very professional representation setting out reasoned legal arguments as to why what little green belt

Letter of the Week: Mark Eastwood, Chidswell Action Group spokesman and farmland left in the area should be left untouched and preserved for future generations. Your readers might also be interested to know that the Kirklees Council’s Local Plan affects not just Chidswell, but Dewsbury as a whole, with more homes planned in other areas including thousands on green belt in and around Thornhill Lees, which combined with the 1500 at Chidswell, will undoubtedly lead to severe traffic congestion on our already over congested roads, place our children’s health at risk with air pollution and put huge pressure on overstretched services at Dewsbury Hospital.

Paula’s made the effort

Mirfield, Paula is, in my humble opinion, the only MP who is truly making an effort to represent us.

From: Harold Laycock, Mirfield

Wardens back out in force

Dear Sir, Thanks to the intervention of Paula Sherriff, Member of Parliament for Dewsbury and Mirfield, finally after many years of concern work was carried out on repairs to the road surface outside 38 Sunnybank Avenue, Mirfield. Once again with no credit to our local councillor (singular). In all of the 63 years plus since I was eligible to vote at 21, in all of the MPs, Labour and Conservative who have represented Dewsbury and

From: LR Hirst, Northorpe Dear Sir, My thanks for printing my letter regarding the grid locking of Dewsbury on Friday February 19. One sentence of that letter was about there being no police presence, I forgot to say also that there was no presence of traffic wardens either. Lo and behold, on Friday ruary 26 the first time the shop and stall holders had

been able to trade and make some money, who was out in strength in the town centre, our friends the traffic wardens. Whilst getting my products from the fish stall, I noticed one of them checking my blue badge. I asked the question where was he and the rest of the wardens the week before? His answer was they had been told by their bosses to keep a low profile and not interfere. I have no-one to prove this statement, but would not make it up. Is this the conduct that shopkeepers, stall holders and the public expect from council staff? I was shopping on the market between 2pm and 3pm.

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS Price Waste Services Ltd, Cartwright Mills, Watergate Road, Dewsbury, variation condition 13 (burning of waste) on previous permission 2003/90181 for change of use of scrap yard to household waste storage and transfer station. Mr M Usman, 1 Lee Road, Ravensthorpe, dormer to rear. Mr T Kainth, 10 Dewsbury Road, Gomersal, two-storey rear extension. Chickenley Community Centre, Princess Road, Chickenley, erection of fence. Mr I Khan, 25 Spen Valley Road, Ravensthorpe, single and two-storey extension. Mrs Griffiths, Meadowcroft, Briestfield Road, Briestfield, installation of 13 solar panels to roof. M Travis, 8 Kings Drive, Birstall, two-storey side extension and single-storey front and rear. Nyala Investments LLP, The Old Post Office, Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury, part demolition of post office building and formation of 27 self contained flats with associated landscaping and parking (within a Conservation Area). Mars Care & Treats, Oakwell Way, Birstall, demolition of existing security gatehouse and erection of new building with upgraded boundary and site works. B Hussain, 20 Camroyd Street, Dewsbury,

extensions. Mrs Z Sattar, 44 Northstead, Ravensthorpe, extensions and dormer to front. Mr M Hanif, 49 Cemetery Road, Heckmondwike, alterations to convert one dwelling into two flats. Happy Jays Ltd, 4 Carlinghow Hill, Batley, certificate of lawfulness for existing use of premises as day nursery (within a Conservation Area). E Robinson, 992 Bradford Road, Birstall, single-storey rear extension (within a Conservation Area). Riva Homes, Westfield Assessment Centre, 13 Westfields Road, Mirfield, prior notification for proposed demolition of building. H Kara, 37 Victoria Road, Thornhill Lees, certificate of lawfulness for proposed erection of outbuilding. J Calvert, 18 Croftlands, Dewsbury, singlestorey rear extension, formation of side access ramp and alterations. Mr M Bostan, Indian Nights, 29 Wellington Street, Batley, discharge conditions 5 (car parking) and 6 (waste) on previous permission 2015/91689 for conversion of first floor to three flats and erection of external staircase (within a Conservation Area).

R Dalal, 21 Lodge Farm Close, Thornhill, extensions. R Walker, 18 Tichborne Street, Hightown, Liversedge, single-storey front extension. Mr M Shimraz, 18 Kertland Street, Savile Town, two-storey and single-storey extension to rear. Nigel Lunt, John Nelson House, Chapel Lane, Birstall, work to tree(s) within a conservation area. K Bailey, 5 Shirley Square, Gomersal, extensions. C Brown, 190 Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, two-storey front extension. Mr G Khan, 10 The Crescent, Ravensthorpe, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 6m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 2.8m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.8m. Mr M Banaras, 6 Highfield Chase, Dewsbury, the proposal is for single erection of storey rear extension. The extension projects 4.5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.8m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.8m.

For North Kirklees plans and public and traffic notices go to www.thepressnews.co.uk/plans

Yes, we need more houses and businesses, but the amount allocated for Dewsbury is totally disproportionate to the rest of Kirklees and will decimate what little bit of natural environment we have left on the outskirts of our town. That cannot be fair. Although we have presented a very strong case for defeating Kirklees Council’s Local Plan based on its legal soundness, should council leaders ignore the local community who oppose it by disregarding the legal representation sent on their behalf, then we will pursue our case with the independent planning inspector at the next stage, and beyond if

Rule Britannia From: D Hill, Birstall Dear Sir, Re migrants. So Dave has sent our mighty Royal Navy into action. What’s the other boat doing?

We can give it away once From: J Jennings, Dewsbury Dear Sir, There are 10 billion reasons for us to vote against staying in the EU, they are pounds sterling, and it is the approximate nett cost to Britain each year. In days gone by, our traitors were educated at Cambridge universities, now it seems they are educated at Eton. I am surprised that their bed fellows are our local Labour Members of Parliament. It appears our MPs are happy to embrace democracy when it elects them to an elite body, only for them to advocate joining a failing, corrupt and anti-democratic (super?) state. We are told we would be the victims of a trade war in the event of us voting out; ask Alpha Romeo, Audi, BMW, Citroen, DAF, MAN, Fiat, Mercedes, Renault, Scania, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen, Volvo et al, what their response would be if our market was closed to their products; Merkel and Hollande would probably be in internment camps within weeks. In the event of a vote to stay in the EU, the uncertainty is much greater once

necessary. To do this, we will still need the continued financial support of local residents to help pay our legal fees, therefore, we will be arranging more fundraising events and hosting more street stalls in the area during the warmer summer period and whilst the council puts together its final proposals. Any donations, large or small, that your readers and the wider local community can give to our group towards legal fees will provide us with more than just a reasonable chance of defeating the council once and for all.

Brussels controls us. As an old man it is unlikely to have a great effect on me. Giving away our sovereignty can only happen once, but will last forever, and so will the names of the Quislings who support this betrayal. I am convinced that we were much less secure as a nation in 1939 than we are now. Today it would appear that our Eton boys and present Labour MPs would have been raising their right hands in order to keep us ‘secure’. I much prefer the story of our response as a nation and Commonwealth in those days. I still believe that as a people, we prefer freedom and honesty to imagined prosperity and servitude.

It Asda be said they’re great From: Miss Hodge, Dewsbury Dear Sir, May I, through your Forum page, thank the wonderful staff at Asda in Dewsbury. I am a disabled 72-year-old lady, and shopping is very hard for me. The staff at Asda are so helpful and kind, it’s a pleasure to shop there. I do hope the powers that be at Asda realise what lovely staff they employ, and treat them accordingly. Thank you all, you are wonderful.

My reasons for voting ‘leave’ From: Wendy Senior, Dewsbury Dear Sir, I was watching Newsnight on BBC Two and Evan Davis the presenter was speaking to Inga Beale, Lloyds Bank’s CEO, who told him it was their company policy to stay in the European Union along with other companies such as Marks & Spencer and the Virgin Group. I would like to explain what our soldiers went through in two world wars to keep our country free. My dad, Percy Charlesworth, was called up to serve his country in early 1941. He was sent to Scotland for training and was given a long brush as there were no guns available. Six months later he was sent to Libya, where he fought going backwards and forwards from Benghazi to El Alamein for a year. He had to eat his meals from a paper bag because of all the flies in the desert where the soldiers were fighting. They were known as the Desert Rats, the Eighth Army. My dad was a gunner, he was killed aged 34 on November 27 1942 a year after arriving in Libya. I was two and half. My mum received a telegram the week before Christmas 1942 telling her my dad had been killed. There was no funeral, they did not bring soldiers home in those days, so mum never

Continues on page 10

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Continued from page 8 saw his grave – I went a few years ago. The consequences for my mum were that she was now a single woman and had to go to work full time to keep us. She couldn’t pay a small stamp like her friends, she had to pay a full stamp and was also taxed as a single person. She earned £9 and the tax office took £4 because she had a small widow’s pension. I can remember her on Fridays opening her wage

packet, putting money on the side for gas, electric, food and rent. There wasn’t much left. If it had not been for her elder sister helping I don't know what we would have done. Mum hadn’t worked for 13 years after a disastrous home birth. A young Earlsheaton doctor on his first delivery had to choose between my mum or my brother. My brother died, and she had to go back to weaving two looms at our local textile firm, Greenwoods.

My point is, what is going to happen to our country if we stay in the union? Will we be swept into a European country where we have no say over our affairs? Look at the problems we have already – our hospitals are overcrowded and there are not enough doctors or teachers. We must not forget how many more people have stories like mine, of men who lost their lives fighting for our country in two world wars. Is this the way we must lose our liberty?

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Aiming for a squelch-free show A DRAINAGE project is aiming to make Mirfield Show a drier place to be in August. Passers-by at Mirfield Showground might have noticed some major activity on the site – part of the public area is fenced off and large pieces of equipment are at work. It’s a project to improve drainage on the field, which suffers from water retention problems. The field is in very poor condition following the winter rains and the scheme is being carried out on behalf of the Mirfield Agricultural Show Society, who will be paying for all the work.

Jake Hinchliffe from the Show’s volunteer committee, said: “There is land drainage on the site already, but this has become damaged over the years. “Parts of the field are in a poor condition and significant areas are unusable after heavy rain. “This work will improve the general condition and make event planning easier and less stressful. “The field is owned by Kirklees and they have welcomed our efforts to improve the field.” Show chairman Karen Bullivant added: “We have had bumper attendances at our

show recently and we have carried out a number of improvements to the field over the last few years using the income from the show. “This project is by far the largest and most costly we have done. This has been partly helped by a generous donation from Mirfield Town Council for the cost of the marquee on show day. “But most of all, it is the people of Mirfield who come to the show year in year out, enabling us to carry out improvements to this fantastic community asset.” The work is being carried out by Chappelow Sports Turf Ltd.

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News In Brief Stand-in boss NORTH KIRKLEES: Heath commissioners have appointed a temporary chief executive. Richard Parry will take over from Chris Dowse at the North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) when she retires at the end of March. He will retain his current job as director of commissioning, public health and adult social care at Kirklees Council. Mr Parry's role is for 12 months. Over the next year the CCG will seek a permanent appointment.

Friday March 11, 2016

Head and governors out in BBG Academy reshuffle By Staff Reporters

Mayor’s £35,000 DEWSBURY: More than £35,000 has been raised for diabetes charities so far in a Dewsbury councillor Paul Kane’s year as Mayor of Kirklees. The total does not include recent events, including a business networking dinner at Dewsbury Town Hall last night (Thursday). He said: “I’m really proud of the way people have responded. The Asian community in particular has been extremely helpful.”

Projects tracked BATLEY & SPEN: Progress made by community groups which won grants will be tracked at a meeting of the Batley and Spen District Committee at Batley Town Hall on Tuesday (7pm-9pm). Chairman Coun Gwen Lowe (Lab, Batley West) said: “We will reflect on the activity of the district committee and the wonderful volunteers who work hard to improve our neighbourhoods for the benefit of everyone.” New grants applications, committee priorities for the coming year and its ‘Plan of Place’ will also be discussed.

Changing the chemistry... BBG Academy has a new team at the top

Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen www.facebook.com/ThePressNews

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North of Westminster A crisis a decade in the making ANY local children are having to wait more than two years for an autism diagnosis. Nationally the average is more than three and a half years. The scale of the backlog and delays – and the upset and turmoil it causes people – cannot be underestimated. Since meeting with local families and working with the National Autistic Society I have been lobbying for action, and I am delighted that Kirklees’ two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have just announced a plan to clear the backlog locally. But this is a national crisis and a problem that the Government must address. I raised my concerns in a debate this week in Parliament. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people. It affects people in different ways. Some are able to live a substantially – or even a completely – independent life, while others may need a lifetime of specialist support. The diagnosis is a critical milestone. It helps individuals take control of their lives and can unlock access to essential support and services. And it can be just as important for parents, friends and loved ones, enabling them to better understand their child, friend or partner. It is a particular concern that children are having to wait so long. Not only does this place tremendous strain on their whole family but also means that many children are not receiving the early intervention which

could have a big impact in their formative years. In many cases children are being locked out of the services available to them, support which can be life changing. We now know the value and importance of early and fast diagnosis – and yet our system continues to fail so many children and adults. One constituent of mine told me the story of her son – who is very much one of the lucky ones. She wrote to me and she told me about what a blessing his diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome had been. It didn’t just provide access to support and services but it helped everyone, including him, understand why he felt and behaved the way he did. He said he wished he had been diagnosed sooner because, in his words, “I always knew I was different, now I know why.” He is one of the lucky ones because his parents had the ability to pay for a

private diagnosis. The NICE Quality Standard on autism is clear: once referred, people should wait no longer than three months for their first diagnostic appointment. In order for this to happen, both the Government, local authorities and NHS England need to act. A crisis like this is a decade or more in the making but this Government should be judged on how it now addresses it. First, we need a new requirement on NHS England to collect, publish and monitor data on diagnosis waiting times, including data on how many people are known to their GP to have autism. Second, NHS England should ensure that standard ‘waiting times’ on mental health reflect the NICE national guidance that no-one will wait longer than three months between referral and being seen for diagnosis. And finally, the Government must share in this commitment, ensuring that NHS England meets the threemonth target. To help meet this aim, access to an autism diagnosis should be written into the Department of Health’s Mandate to NHS England, which means that they will be held to account on this target and it becomes a priority for them to get right.

Jo Cox • What do you think about Jo Cox’s views? Email forum@thepress news.co.uk and have your say.

A SCHOOL fighting to come out of special measures has appointed a new headteacher and governing body. Jason Kenneally took over BBG Academy in Birkenshaw on February 22, 16 months after the secondary school was rated inadequate. In January, all nine governors left and were replaced by a temporary school improvement board. Among the resignations were chairman Sharon Light and other parents who were instrumental in setting the school up. BBG Academy was championed by Conservative Party activists before the 2010 general election. The school’s founding on the site of the old Birkenshaw Middle was backed by Prime Minister David Cameron and then-Education Secretary Michael Gove. In October, 2014, the school was rated as inadequate and taken over by the Rodillian MultiAcademy Trust. The school has improved since then and letters to parents said changes at the top are to drive the recovery even faster. Mr Kenneally pulled the Featherstone Academy out of special measures over the last two years. Outgoing headteacher Alex Burnham wrote: “BBG Academy is in very safe hands.” He added: “Due to the success of the Rodillian Multi-Academy Trust and its policies we are being asked to support other schools... “Consequently I have been asked to take on a wider role within the trust with a focus on school improvement.” The new governors are chairman Brian Sheldrake, Alan Winn and Jan Bennett. They form a three-person school improvement board in temporary charge until permanent governors are appointed. Former chairman of governors Mrs Light is the wife of Kirklees Council Tory group leader Coun Robert Light. Another governor who stood down was Coun Lisa Holmes (Con, Liversedge and Gomersal). Kirklees Council cabinet member for education Coun Shabir Pandor (Lab, Batley West) said the authority is working with the new regime. He added: “The main thing for us is to make sure the children at the school get the best education and outcomes possible.”

Spoof website merger report fools parents PRANKSTERS on a spoof website claimed the BBG Academy at Birkenshaw was to merge with Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton at the end of the month. This was to create a “super school” on the Whitcliffe site after the Easter holidays. Links to the fake website, said to be a good copy of BBG Academy’s real domain, were spread through social media. The schools worked to get the spoof account taken down by 8.30am on Tuesday – but not before many parents had reportedly seen

it and were fooled into believing it. Headteachers Jason Kenneally at BBG and Jennifer Templar at Whitcliffe said no such merger is taking place. In a joint statement they said: “This clone site is an unauthorised copy of the BBG Academy website. “Both BBG Academy and Whitcliffe Mount School would like to reassure everyone that these assertions are completely false. “BBG Academy is part of the Rodillian Multi-Academy Trust and Whitcliffe Mount remains a local authority-maintained school.”

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Derek’s latest fundraising ends on Highe

‘I’m an idiot’ says jailed drug dealer A DRUG addict from Mirfield admitted he was an “idiot” for dealing in cocaine and mephedrone. Nadeem Rashid, 24, of Sunny Bank Road, was jailed for two years and four months at Leeds Crown Court. He turned to dealing to pay a £3,000 drug debt but was caught after a police raid. Officers who went to his former home in Cleckeaton in September last year found 43.2g of cocaine with a street value of £1,728 and 103g of mephedrone in 124 individual wraps with a combined street value of £1,554. Mephedrone is an amphetamine-like substance with various nicknames such as M-Cat. Digital scales and self-seal bags were discovered in the kitchen, which Rashid claimed were for steroids for personal use. Michael Collins, for Rashid, said: “At that time, he was a cocaineaddicted young man who saw a future that was glamorous and criminal. “He has been disabused of that idea. He knows on reflection he behaved like an idiot.” In jailing Rashid, who admitted possession with intent to supply, Recorder Ben Nolan QC said the cocaine was of high purity.

Derek hands over a cheque for £2,736 to Kirkwood Hospice

CHRISTMAS lights supremo Derek Highe handed over his latest cheque for charity – and his now planning another fundraising effort. Derek, 58, turns his home on Robin Royd Avenue, Mirfield, into a colourful festive feast every year. In December a total of £2,736.28 was raised for Kirkwood Hospice and a cheque was presented this week. Donations came from as far afield as Australia, while £421 was raised at the Capri restaurant in Horbury. It means father-of-two Derek’s efforts have generated more than £30,000 for good causes. Most of that has gone to Kirkwood Hospice, but other charities supported include Cancer Research. Not only is Derek planning this year’s Christmas lights but he is in training

for another annual fundraising event. A keen Huddersfield Town fan, Derek participates in the club’s Pedal for Pounds campaign. In May, supporters will be riding 235 miles from Carlisle to Liverpool and on to Huddersfield in honour of former manager Bill Shankly. Cash raised is for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Championship side’s youth academy. This week Derek cycled 46 miles from and back to Mirfield via Bradford, Holmfirth and Dewsbury. He said of the Christmas lights: “It’s a shame we have to do things like that, but Kirkwood Hospice gets little Government funding. “The reaction of the public is fantastic and it never ceases to amaze me how people come out in their droves.”

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In Brief Museum mission NORTH KIRKLEES: A campaigner is to take the fight to save two museums from closure to parliament. Imelda Marsden, of Mirfield, will raise the future of Oakwell Hall and Red House Museum at an event on Friday, April 22. Both attractions are in the firing line after £1m was cut from the council’s museums budget. Mrs Marsden is due to attend celebrations at the House of Commons marking the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth.

‘Lewd act’ DEWSBURY: A 72-year-old man was arrested after it was claimed he performed a lewd act on a bus. The man, 72, was reportedly seen by a 15-year-old girl on the top deck of the 202 bus as it travelled on Bywell Road at around 11.30am on February 21. The suspect, now out on bail, was also questioned about six incidents in Leeds on February 23. Anyone with information can call Sgt Pat Kenning at on 0113 241 3833, quoting crime no. 13160079331.

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ThePress

News In Brief Teenager crashed after ‘wrong’ drinks DEWSBURY: A teenager crashed her car into a wall after being given stronger drinks than she ordered. Charlotte Peach, 19, of Fieldhead Gardens, believed she drank two glasses of peach schnapps on October 25 last year. But the drinks, given to her by a friend, contained vodka instead – and put her over the drink-drive limit. She was found to have 44mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath after crashing her car at the junction of Leeds Road and Chidswell Lane at around 6am. Peach admitted a charge of driving while over the limit and magistrates in Huddersfield banned her from driving for a year. She also has to pay a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Friday March 11, 2016

Festival aims to be a major tourist magnet

Dog-walker off the leash during curfew CLECKHEATON: A court agreed to vary a court curfew – so a man can take his mum’s dog for a walk. Ryan Parkinson was told to stay indoors at Hartshill Cottage from 8pm to 7am for 13 weeks as part of a community order imposed last year. But when the 21-year-old told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court that his mother had recently had a knee operation, it was agreed to extend the range of Parkinson’s electronic tag so he can take his mum’s Rottweiler for a walk.

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ORGANISERS of the second annual Cleckheaton Literature Festival want the event to become a major tourist destination. The town already has an internationally-renowned folk music jamboree which pulls crowds. Its success, like the Mirfield Agricultural Show, is in appealing to interests no matter where visitors may live. The festival, held over two weeks in April

and May and themed around young people, has the same ambition. A line-up topped by BBC DJ Andy Kershaw has been announced in the hope of attracting visitors from across the district and beyond. Just one of many attractions is a creative writing workshop with children’s author Martyn Bedford. His debut teen novel, Flip, was nominated for a host of awards in 2011. And like Flip, Martyn’s follow-up, Never

Ending, was listed for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. His creative writing class is on Sunday, May 1 (1pm-3pm). Event founder Karen Naylor said: “Our first festival had one full family-friendly day. But this year we are expanding opportunities for young people across the festival with various talks and workshops.” Among the activities are new theatre shows commissioned via Dewsbury-based Creative Scene.

CONFIRMED events for the 2016 Cleckheaton Literature Festival: Thursday April 21 10-12 Ian Pattison - short story workshop 1-3 Clive Dale - children’s story-building class 1-3 Ian Pattison - horror/ fantasy workshop 4-6 Alison Taft - committing the perfect murder: crime writing workshop 7-9 Crime panel with Leigh Russell, Alison Taft and Helen Cadbury Friday April 22 10-12 John Irving-Clarke children’s poetry workshop 1-3 Justina Robson - young adult workshop 4-6 tbc 7-9 Luke Wright (performance poet) - What I Learned from Johnny Bevan Saturday April 23 10-12 Gillian Rogerson self-publishing workshop 1-3 Doctor Who Panel with Mark Wright (other writer/s tbc) 4-6 A Firm of Poets 7-9 tbc

For adults there is a crime writing workshop with author Alison Taft, themed around how to commit the perfect murder. Karen added: “We want to attract people across the generations from the local community and further afield. We are also targeting local writers, as we wish to be known as supporting our own arts community.”

Picture: Best-selling author Joanne Harris at last year’s festival

Sunday April 24 10-12 Ian C Douglas world-building workshop 1-3 Ian C Douglas - young adult workshop 4-6 tbc Thursday April 28 10-12 James Nash - schools poetry event 10-12 Steve Moore - creative writing workshop (structure and introduction to a story’s principal characters) 1-3 Jason Hewitt - author talk (new book Devastation Road) 4-6 Steve Moore - author talk (road to publication, selfpublished book The Washington Adventure) 7-9 tbc Friday April 29 10-12 Jason Hewitt - creative writing workshop (Building characters - 10 practical steps) 1-3 tbc 4-6 Barbara Henderson short fiction masterclass 7-9 tbc Saturday April 30 10-12 Barbara Henderson writing for children

masterclass 10-12 Patricia Duncker masterclass (new book Sophie and the Sibyl) 12-1 Theatre performances The Love Project and Dough 1-3 Alison Lock - author talk (new book Maysun and the Wingfish) 1-3 Patricia Duncker masterclass 3-4 Theatre performances The Love Project & Dough 4-6 Julie Pryke - Telling Tales 7-9 Crime Panel with David Mark and Nick Quantrill (interviewed by James Nash) Sunday May 1 11-12 Horatio Clare - author talk (Aubrey & the Terrible Yoot) 1-3 Martyn Bedford - creative writing workshop 4-6 tbc 7-until-late Andy Kershaw in conversation (Cleckheaton Town Hall) The venue for events is Cleckheaton Library unless stated. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/ cleckheatonliteraturefestival.

Event seeks to raise aspirations AGENCIES join forces in Ravensthorpe today (Friday) in a bid to raise the aspirations of parents. Mothers’ charity Auntie Pam’s and Kirklees Lifeline are among those due to attend the event at Diamond Wood Community Academy (911am) to mark International Women’s Day. There will also be representatives from mental health and domestic violence groups, Kirklees College adult educa-

tion and workers from Kirklees Council’s counterterrorism project, Prevent. There will be craft activities, Mendi, hand massage and refreshments. The Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Paul Kane and Dewsbury & Mirfield MP Paula Sherriff are set to attend. School wellbeing officer Mandy Farrar said: “There may be a lot of poverty in Ravensthorpe but there’s also

a lot of opportunities for families. “If we get it right for them and get them to have aspirations for themselves they’ll have aspirations for their children.” She added: “We’re not afraid to tackle issues that might come up through the Prevent agenda. “We’ll talk about online safety and how to stop children becoming engrossed with dubious websites.”

Friday March 11, 2016

ThePress

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ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

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ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Make your house a home SO, HOW will you be spending your weekend? While the temptation may be to relax after a hard week in the rat race, the truth is that many of us are more likely to be up a ladder with a paintbrush or crouched on the bathroom floor with a tile cutter. Because, while the economic outlook is still a bit challenging for many people in the district, it’s still really all about doing up, not selling up. Extensions, refits, additions, conversions, makeovers, redecoration – the possibilities for your own property are endless. If you can afford it, you could splash out on an additional bathroom or en suite. And if your home feels like it’s bursting at the seams, it might be time to think about adding an extra room. Not only will it give you the space you need, it will also add long-term value to your house. Don’t go down the DIY route if you don’t have to. Employ proper partners and builders, but don’t give them an easy time. Get three quotes for each job and references from previous clients. Follow up by asking how much work each firm has on at the moment. This is a coded message for “How quickly can you get around to me?” Draw up a written agreement regarding how long the project will take and what it will cost. Keep back five per cent for snagging work once the job is done. All of us want to make the most of our living space, and create a home we can be proud of. Every home gets frayed around the edges, so it’s worth taking a step back to see what needs doing both inside

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yourself, have a read of these helpful DIY tips and hints to ensure you get the job done – and most importantly, to a high standard.

Get things level Putting up a shelf is an easy job if done properly. To avoid having to start again once all your books and ornaments start sliding down to one side, make sure you use a spirit level. Establish a level edge by ensuring the bubble sits exactly in the middle of the window then use a pencil to draw a guideline to work by.

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Friday March 11, 2016

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This year’s show will play host to seven top celebs, each an expert to a dedicated home-related sector. Celebrity ambassadors include the likes of Katie Piper, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Gregg Wallace and more! Over 650 top brands and exhibitors will also be present, offering innovative products that you can’t find on the high street. Five lucky winners will each win a pair of tickets to visit this year’s show on a day of their choosing. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this simple question:

Prepare thoroughly

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Vacuum all areas that are to be painted, for example walls and skirting boards so that dust doesn’t have a chance to get in the way of your hard work. It is also a good idea to leave dust sheets down until all paint has thoroughly dried, particularly when using gloss paint.

Protect surfaces beforehand Don’t cut corners during preparation, this will save you time in the long run, especially during the clean-up. So take the time to use masking tape to protect your flooring and the adjoining wall when painting skirting boards.

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The cheapest option isn’t always the best for your basic essentials Buying really cheap paintbrushes can cause you trouble in the long run, as they will have fewer bristles that will result in an untidy finish and youll end up wasting time picking out the moulting bristles from your paintwork.

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Covering stains or watermarks Water-based marks can be tricky to cover up, so take the time to do it properly to stop it continuing to show through. Use oil-based primer paint or spray to seal the stain, once that’s dry you can cover it with any paint or colour of your choice.

Be prepared and think ahead Think about your DIY in the long term. For example. if you’re panelling your bathroom, remember that it is quite likely at some point a leak will occur and the pipes will need to be accessed. So consider having a removable panel or a concealed door for this reason.

Don’t cut corners Be sure to do a job properly to prevent it becoming a regular occurrence. For example, after wet weather a wooden door will swell and stick in its frame. So the quick fix is to plane the wood, but be sure to paint over the exposed edge with oilbased primer, otherwise you’ll end up with having to deal with the same problem every time it rains.

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ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Brighten up your home in spring HERE are some top tips for brightening up your home for spring: De-clutter It’s easy to accumulate a lot of ‘stuff’ in the winter. Surfaces pile up with books and knick-knacks which can make your home feel cosy during the winter months. But when the spring sunshine arrives, it’s a good idea to pack away all your coats, scarves and unnecessary items so that you can head into the season with a clean slate. Flowers Nothing brightens up your home like a big fresh bunch of colourful flowers. As well as looking lovely, they’ll also make

your home smell wonderful so you can put away all those scented candles too. Bright bedding Bring the sunshine in with a nice bright duvet or throw for your bed. It will lift your spirits as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. Paint Giving some rooms a fresh coat of paint will instantly make it feel bigger and cleaner. White is a good choice to keep it cool in the warmer months but there’s no harm in getting creative and playing around with brighter colours.

Artwork Adding some vivid, colourful artwork to your walls will really enliven your living space. Choose pictures that make you happy to put an instant smile on your face. You could even ask your kids to paint you a picture of sunshine or flowers to make it extra special. Mirrors Mirrors help the light to bounce around the room giving the illusion of space. They are especially helpful in rooms with small windows to help really bring the sunshine in. Cushions

Changing up your cushions can be a really quick and easy way of brightening up your home. Choose lighter shades of yellows, greens and blues or pick floral patterns to make you think of sunny skies and blossoming spring gardens Cleaning All this extra daylight is lovely – but it does show up all the dust! Giving your house a good, old traditional spring clean will make you feel refreshed and ready to take on anything. It also means that once you’ve finished you can get outside and enjoy the weather without feeling guilty.

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Friday March 11, 2016

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Friday March 11, 2016

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

EAT, m i n g l e & DRINK The Shepherd’s waiting for you The Shepherd’s Arms, Horbury Review by Janet Black ONE OF the friendliest pubs in Horbury village, husband and wife team Denise and Martin speak fondly of their customers and say they’ve created a real family feeling at The Shepherd’s Arms. Recently refurbished throughout, including a whole new kitchen area, the pub has been charmingly redecorated and has an olde worlde charm with low beams and a warm, inviting atmosphere. There is always lots happening at The Shepherd’s Arms and besides the warm welcome you always receive from Denise, Martin and staff, they have pool, Sky Sports and a Sunday league football team (new members are always welcome). They offer great homecooked food from locallysourced products that are always freshly cooked. The food on offer at The Shepherd’s Arms comes high-

ly recommended, and it’s great value too, with two meals for only £10 through the week. There is a great choice and a daily specials board. Sunday lunch features delicious Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and freshly cooked meat for only £6.95 for adults and £4.95 for kids. They are big, hearty portions, that are very tasty, and it proves great value for

money. A new menu is to be launched in April, but I wonder how the present one can be improved on choice and value! Why not call in any time of the day to relax, chat, drink, eat and just enjoy the atmosphere – and you can bring the dog too! You will find The Shepherd’s Arms has something for everyone.

THE

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If you would like your restaurant, pub, bar, cafe, deli, takeaway or food business featured in our Eat, Drink & Mingle feature, please call Press editor David Bentley on 01924 470296 or email david@thepressnews.co.uk. Let the district know about your exciting new dishes and special offers, or arrange for a Press reviewer to visit!

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ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Ramblers’ corner • FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details SATURDAY MARCH 19 WEDNESDAY MARCH 16 THORNHILL EDGE & CANAL (NK) LUDDITES TRAIL (2) P & C H (NK) Meet 10.30am Meet 11.30am at junction of Mirfield Library WF14 8AN Primrose Lane & Cartwright GR SE 203 197 9 miles (M) Street, BD19 5LS No dogs GR SE 198 25 5 miles (M) Leader: Geoff Leader: Jim Tel: 01422 379921 Tel: 01924 469700

Potent performances

Malcolm Bowman

Veteran’s new show at Hub A NEW exhibition by artist Malcolm Bowman has brought a blaze of colour to Mirfield's Creative Arts Hub. Featuring a large series of small landscape canvases alongside larger abstract and semi-abstract paintings, ‘Australian Aspects and Mediterranean Miniatures’ will be the second exhibition at the Hub by the long-established artist, his last taking place in 2014. Bowman's small oil paintings were executed in his studio from notes and drawings made in his sketchbook on visits to Queensland and the south of Italy. Numbering 28 in total, all have been completed within the last 12 months. Bowman is also presenting a selection of larger paintings, and with each painting purchased is a free glazed print from his ‘Artist and Models’ series – illustrating the painting along with the model. His photography is controversial in nature, featuring as it does nude models photographed in the artist’s studio. However, a more detailed study of the photographs reveals Bowman’s inquisitive and questioning nature. His is a fascinating exploration of a theme which has occupied artists for centuries. The Huddersfield Road gallery is open from 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Friday, and 10am to 3pm on Saturday. Entry to the gallery is free. For further details contact mark@ creativeartshub.org.uk, or ring 01924 492775.

W HA T’ S ON AT

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SUNDAY 13th MARCH

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The Crucible by Dewsbury Arts Group Review by Stuart Marshall LIES, deceit, greed, jealousy; all themes explored in Dewsbury Arts Group production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller at the Artspace. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692,

in which a number of people were executed on the testimony of a group of hysterical girls, was one of the most notorious events in colonial America – the land of the free! There were strong performances from Mark Bailey and Joanna Townend, as husband and wife

John and Elizabeth Proctor, and also Matthew Bailey as Rev John Hale, the eventual voice of reason which falls on deaf ears. There were also a number of fine cameo performances from some of the arts group’s experienced stalwarts which were matched by the young actresses

from the youth section, who were excellent as ‘the screaming banshees of the devil’. Oh, if only they had told the truth! The play runs until tomorrow (Sat) at the Artspace, Lower Peel Street, Dewsbury. For bookings call 01924 465647

Girls’ musical heights By Hafsah Latif, Year 9 Batley Girls’ High School roving reporter BATLEY Girls’ High School presents Wuthering Heights on Thursday March 17, with a matinee at 1.30pm and an evening performance at 7pm. This year the students will entertain the audience with a unique musical adaptation of the classic novel of love, rivalry and revenge by Emily Bronte, inspired by Yorkshire’s local landscape and heritage. The tragic and powerful story of Heathcliff and Catherine is captured in a new and refreshing version and showcases the singing and acting talents of students from all year groups, who have committed many hours of their time to rehearsals. Wuthering Heights has been chosen to coincide with Brontë 200, the Brontë Society’s programme of events celebrating the bicentenaries of the births of the Brontë siblings. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £2 for concessions. For further information and booking contact Emma Rodrigues at office@batleygirls. co.uk or by telephoning 01924 350080.

Matthew’s flare for pastels on display ... at Matthew’s BRIGHOUSE-BASED artist Matthew Evans is set to unveil his first exhibition at Matthew’s Coffee House Gallery in Cleckheaton. Matthew discovered an early flare for art, initially taking inspiration from local surroundings, with a preference for buildings and landscapes. Over the years his reputation as an artist has grown, exhibiting in numerous local shows, some nationals and the international ‘Europastel’ exhibition in Italy and Russia 2002. Matthew said: “I have really enjoyed my career as an artist so far and have met many inspirational people throughout my involvement in various local art societies.

“I am currently joint vice-president of the Huddersfield Art Society and hope this role will enable me to motivate others.” He added: “I am constantly finding new inspiration, particularly in subjects rich in colour, light and texture. “My favourite themes have ranged from atmospheric sunsets to bright floral scenes. I am currently producing many small experimental and spontaneous works in oil, pastel and watercolour.” Matthew’s exhibition, at the coffee shop on Market Street in Cleckheaton town centre, is called Shades of Spring and Summer and will run from March 14 until May 7.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Call the Midwife, it’s star of the show Charlotte Ritchie C ALL THE MIDWIFE star Charlotte Ritchie tells me for the six months of the year she has a 90-minute commute to the set, rising at 5.15am each morning to be at Longcross Studios before 7am. But she is amazed when I ask her if the rumours are true – that the Surrey set is haunted. “I’ve never seen a ghost, but I get this funny feeling there,” she said. “In addition, one of the props people swears that he heard voices in the attic. “I am so spooked that I find myself staring into dark corners on set, almost willing a ghost to come out. I cannot even go to the bathroom on my own!” RICKY WILSON, Paloma Faith and Boy George will not be asked back to The Voice talent show when it transfers to ITV next year. A source at the BBC tells me: “It’s already known by all, but in reality this trio have not pulled in the ratings they had hoped for, and ITV want a fresh all-new show.” RICKY TOMLINSON confirms that The Royle Family will ‘probably’ return later this year. The comic actor, who plays Jim Royle in the living room comedy, explained: “There could possibly be one this year because Caroline is so much better.” DERMOT O’LEARY has landed a primetime cooking show. The 42-year-old is said to have been lined up to present an ITV cooking show entitled ‘Live At The Trattoria’, alongside Gino D’Acampo. Dermot and the celebrity chef – who are good pals in real life – are reportedly filming a pilot for the new series in the upcoming weeks. CLASSIC sitcom Are You Being Served? is due to return to British screens after more than 30 years. The one-off special is set in 1988 and picks up where the comedy last left off, following the misadventures of the retail staff in fictional London department store Grace Brothers. It is due to be filmed soon in front of a studio audience at Media City, Salford, before airing on BBC One later in the year. If a success, a series will follow. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER is making his first foray into UK TV, presenting a new Channel Four show about the world’s most daring stunts. However, will Arnie be back after one series?

TRAINED chef and celebrated cheesemaker Sean Wilson (Coronation Street’s Martin Platt) thinks his character is due a return to the show, with so many old faces turning up again. “To me it would make perfect sense, I mean why not? He and Gail were married for a long Ann with Call The Midwife star Charlotte Ritchie Maycon Pictures time, plus it would be Only the ratings will tell... good to see if he is now a success or not,” Sean tells me. THE BBC has given the green light for a sixth series of the hugely popular crime WE HAVE just had the finale drama Death in Paradise as of the eighth series of it continues to be a big ratBenidorm, but filming on the ings-winner. The series was next series of the ITV comethe third highest-rating UK drama of 2015 and the fourth dy is due to start this month. The recent series of the sitwidest-selling British drama, com, based around the staff having been sold to 237 terand guests at a hotel in the ritories around the world. Spanish holiday resort, averaged 5.8 million viewers per episode. YOU CAN understand after 30 years in a job that you might want to leave, but GRANTCHESTER’S James Sally Dynevor is not ready to Norton tells me he is looking exit Coronation Street yet. at appearing in a stage play Dynevor, who plays Sally soon. “I have appeared in Webster on the ITV soap, quite a bit of TV now, and tells me: “Of course I have feel this is the next step,” he my moments, but then I figsaid. “Of course if the James ure as an actress how lucky Bond role came along then am I to have a regular job of course that may sway my seen by millions that I enjoy, mind...” and I talk myself around again.” TAKE THAT star Gary Barlow is also going to launch a new talent show. A source has revealed former X Factor panellist Gary Barlow has set his sights on making a new BBC Saturday night show that will put him in direct competition with his former boss. I shall have more insider news soon... BILL TURNBULL may have departed BBC Breakfast but he is really keen to point out that in fact he is not retiring, and will be popping up in Songs Of Praise along with a new daytime quiz show. “I keep being told I am about to retire, but I am only 60 and not that well off,” he laughed. EASTENDERS regulars Shane Ritchie and Jessie Wallace will be performing pantomine together for the first time in Robin Hood. Shane is in the title role and Jessie is his beautiful Maid Marion. It is happening in Southampton, naturally in December. Oh yes it is...

FOR 10 years James Martin has been a regular on Saturday morning TV, but the chef has announced he is stepping down as the presenter of BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen. The Yorkshire-born chef tells me: “I think it’s time to try other things, and plus I don’t want people to get too bored of me so, it’s sadness but happiness too.” SHAYNE WARD was very nervous when he won the part of fiery Aidan Connor in Coronation Street last summer. He tells me: “This is the show I always wanted to appear in, and it’s happened, yet it does not make it any less worrying, but I am so enjoying my time here and I hope it’s for a long time too.” IT HAS been 28 years since Kylie Minogue left Neighbours to pursue her pop career, but the legacy of her character Charlene lives on with the arrival of her daughter Madison. Will Kylie follow next with an appearance?

Colourful afternoon of science at Hall YOUNGSTERS are invited to have ‘Fun with Colours’ at a special afternoon of activities at Oakwell Hall on Sunday. The event is in celebration of British Science Week, which promotes science, technology, engineering and maths with a range of engaging events and activities across the country. Oakwell’s event is being supported by Birstall-based PPG Industries, one of the world’s largest suppliers of paints and other industrial coatings, so the theme will be colour and some of the science behind colour.

Fun activities will include colour chemistry demonstrations, a big colour by numbers activity, a look at how our eyes see colour, and how light can be split into different colours. There will also be craft activities including making rainbows, rainbow spiders, mirror image painting, dyeing and marble oil painting. The event, between 12noon and 3pm, is free and is being held in the barn in the Oakwell Visitor Centre at the top of Nutter Lane, Birstall. For more information call 01924 324761.

An Easter treat GOMERSAL Park Hotel is hosting an Easter Sunday carvery and children’s Easter egg hunt. The Moor Lane venue has arranged a three-course lunch, with a special Easter egg hunt taking place in the Cromwell Suite, with lots of clues around for children to find. For more information, see the advert on page four.

A mesmerising new version

By David Bentley Review david@thepressnews.co.uk

HOW DO you make an implausible yet classic story relevant to a modern audience? The Northern Ballet once again show you how with their haunting and dramatic production of Swan Lake at Leeds Grand Theatre. As they’ve demonstrated many times before, this company is not all tutus and tights. Swan Lake is probably the most famous of all classical ballets, but in true Northern Ballet style, the story has been changed somewhat. Don’t panic, there are still enough swans to satisfy the traditionalists! Set at the beginning of the 20th century, a young boy, Anthony, and his brother Steven go for a swim in a lake in the dead of night. Steven disappears, presumed drowned, plunging Anthony into grief and feelings of guilt. Later on in life the older Anthony (Tobias Batley) returns

to the water’s edge, and as he gazes in, a creature rises up into his arms. The swan-like creature, Odette, emerges from the reeds and Anthony is drawn irrevocably to her. Here the ballet takes its most traditional form, with Odette slipping from his grasp and being replaced by many more of the swan-like creatures. On his return to the real world Anthony is attracted to his best friend Simon (Nicola Gervasi), but worried about what this means, he marries Odilia (Ayami Miyata) to please his mother and evade what he really feels. When he can’t fulfil his marital obligations and realises his feelings for his best friend, he finds a new outlet that brings relief. He retreats into the world of the swans that had made such and impression on him, in particular the curious and alluring woman Odette (Martha Leebolt). Artistic director David Nixon has brought a fresh pair of eyes to this version, and it is what the Northern Ballet do so well. Rather than being just a lot of

pretty steps by men in tights and women in tutus, his Swan Lake is real drama. Whilst the purists might complain, this company, along with those like Matthew Bourne’s, are helping to bring dance and inspiration to new audiences. While the love triangle story is one that a modern audience can relate to and really reflects the passion inherent in Tchaikovsky’s music (played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia), there are still the traditional elements and the mythical world of water, where swans can appear as women, is retained. The setting is haunting and mystical, while the ending is really beautiful. The modern twist not only breathes new life into a classic but it cuts through the fairytale and brings a relevance to today’s audiences. It was quite mesmerising. Swan Lake runs until Saturday March 12 (evenings 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm), tickets are priced £10 to £47.50. Box office: 08448 482700 or www.leedsgrandtheatre.com.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

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NEW Bosch electric lawn mower 32, little used, with roller £35. Tel 01924 495473, mobile 07709 859355. (1886) Flymo electric Lawnrake Compact 34 (scarifier), used only once. Cost £65, will accept £35. Tel 01924 495473, mobile 07709 859355. (1886) Wilson Fat Shaft gold clubs, irons and bag. Health reason forces sale, rarely used, good condition £60. Tel 01924 504409. (1887) Dell 13 laptop, working and updated recently £40 ono. Tel 01924 504409. (1887) COLLECTABLES Collectable Edwardian sledge, wooden slaits on cast iron blades, ideal for use as sledge or garden ornament £15 ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1855) Boxed Victorian dolls, porcelain 12” high, with stands. Brand-new, in boxes £6 each ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1823) FABRIC/FASHION/ CLOTHING Two leather jackets, one brown, one black. Size 44 reg, as new £7 each. Tel 01274 876814 (Gomersal) (1870) Ladies double-breasted red coat, size 12, new, not worn £15. Tel 01484 656666. (1856) Vintage wedding dress with train. Very pretty white chiffon and lace. Size 10/12. High neck and flared sleeves. £70 Tel 01924 495675 (1853) Two leather jackets. 44 reg, one black and one brown. Excellent condition. £7 each. Tel 01274 876814 (1844) Ladies coat size 16/18. Fully reversible. Coloured suedette patches and faux fur. £25 ono. Tel 07876 163070 (1845) FURNITURE Stag mahogany minstrel set of drawers, very good condition £22. Tel 07806 431728. (1868) Extendable table and 6 chairs, in dark oak, £150 ono, only two years old, bought from Redbrick Mill. Tel: 01924 467710 (after 5pm) (1881) Stag mahogany Minstrel TV stand with storage, excellent condition £22. Tel 07806 431728. (1882) Two Stag mahogany Minstrel carver dining chairs, never used, £25 the pair. Tel 07806 431728. (1882) Oak finish dinette kitchen table (48” x 30”), with four matching chairs, excellent condition £50. Tel 01924 218361 (evenings only before 9pm). (1879) Shackletons riser chair, mid green with pale beige pattern, in excellent condition; electric mechanism seldom used. Approximately one

Press at 31 Branch Road, Batley WF17 5SB and pay by cash, cheque or debit card (30p surcharge). 3) Post your advert to us at The Press with details of your name and a contact number. Include

year old £600 ono, buyer collects. Tel 07555 586935 after 5pm. (1880) Cot bed, in light oak, bought from Babies R Us. Good condition £65. Tel 07806 431728. (1875) Quality teak pedestal, round dining table, extends to oblong, with four spindle back chairs in padded green with studded seats. All in good condition, £100. Tel 01484 656666. (1856) Two-seater conservatory settee and swivel chair, in beige, with upright table and buffet in wicker. Very good condition, all for £95 ono. Tel 01924 495473. (1874) Three-seater sofa, twoseater sofa and armchair, beige material, good condition £120. Tel 07792 567788, buyer collects. (1867) Orange and cream carpet, good condition, 6yds x 4yds £60. Tel 07792 567788, buyer collects. (1867) Oblong mahogany coffee table, glass topped £15. Tel 07806 431728. (1868) Oak TV stand with storage £25 ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1868) Pine wardrobe two drawers at bottom £40 ono. Tel 01924 494704. (1862) Pine chest of drawers £40 ono. Tel 01924 494704. (1862) Computer table, light oak, good condition £12. Tel 01924 406513. (1859) Smokers’ stand in brass, over 50 years old, in good condition £20. Tel 01484 656666. (1856) King-size brown leather sleigh bed. £75. Tel 01924 464527 (1852) Black recliner electric massage chair. £150. Tel 01274 398891 (1848) Large three-seater and twoseater settee with matching pouffe in leather. Mid-mushroom colour. Extremely well made, good condition. Buyer to collect. £100 ono (Gomersal) Tel 01274 687250 (1849) Five-foot damask bed. Pocket sprung base and mattress with two drawers. Good condition. £50 Tel 01924 464527 (1850) King-size four-drawer bed, with Benson’s Sleepmaster individual pocket sprung censor foam luxury mattress. Unmarked, excellent condition. Cost over £1,000 new, bargain at £150 ono. Sale due to removal. Buyer collects (Mirfield) Tel 07876 163070 (1841) Stunning, ornate, Japanesestyle, lacquered, oval occasional table with six buffets, in dark red wood, with removable glass top, and mother of pearl decorations. £600 ono. Tel 07952 526527 after 2pm. (1831) GARDEN/OUTDOOR Electric rotavator, garden shredder and builder’s bag of

cheque for payment. ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. When your item(s) are sold ring 01924 470296 to cancel. All unsold adverts will stay in the paper for a MAXIMUM OF TWO MONTHS.

PRICE SYSTEM ITEM bands

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus topsoil, £20 each item. Tel 01274 876542 (buyer to collect) (1872) HOUSEHOLD Four single duvets with mattress cosy toppers, £20 for all four. Tel 01924 470866. (1884) Shoe rack (extends), £4. Tel 01924 470866. (1884) Brass standard lamp for sale, with glass shade, £25. Tel 01924 470028 after 6pm. (1836) Crown regency gold leaf china tea set. £10. Tel 01924 464527 (1851) KITCHEN Modern kitchen (still fitted until mid-March). Light cream, custom built, nine wall units, nine floor units. Sensible offers considered. Tel 01924 408171 (message service available). (1877) MOTORING Space saver spare wheel, fits Ford Ka 2009-2016 and Fiat 500 same years. Complete with fitted tray, jack and tools. Used twice, genuine Ford part £50. Tel 01924 505600. (1885) Trailer indespension unit, including 50mm tow hitch and wheel rims £20. Tel 01924 505834. (1878) Pair of steel wheels (five stud), with winter tyres, as new, three months old. Excellent condition. To fit Astra or similar cars. Size 205/60 R16/92H, £100 ono for quick sale; grab yourself a bargain! Tel Michael 07919 257229. (1873) Matching pair of Jebs GTR motorcycle helmets. Very little used. Colour white with mauve and green flashes, show use only, £25 each, prefer to sell as a pair. Tel 01924 451024. (1869) MISCELLANEOUS Professional aluminium photographic case. Absolutely bomb proof. Top tray for camera, filters etc, with large vertical compartments below for flash & large zoom lenses. As new £45. Tel 01924 524201. (1863) 15x – 45x spotting scope with angled eyepiece. Tripod mounting bush. Mint condition £45. Tel 01924 524201. (1863) MOBILITY Rollator walking aid with

NCEL Premier Division LIVERSEDGE FC 3 PONTEFRACT COLL

Cost per item

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11 seat and basket, four wheels and twin brakes; height adjust level. Folds flat for transport, fits behind driver’s seat. As , £45, can deliver. Tel 01924 524201. (1863) SPORTING/ OUTDOOR/FITNESS Nero Sport treadmill with digital readout, speed /timer/calories etc. Good working order, no longer required (joined gym), £80 ono. Tel 01924 439556. (1883) Camping stove and picnic basket, table, gas and kettle £20. Tel 01924 505834. (1878) Genuine USA wooden baseball bat, seen active service in Baltimore and Roberttown Rec. for dogs! £15. Tel 01924 524201. (1863) Wondercore II exercise machine, unused, as new £30 ono. Tel 01924 501770. (1860) Cross trainer/exercise bike, very good for low impact exercises, complete with computer displaying time, speed and calories £80, buyer to collect. Tel 07719 431991. (1858) Set of crown green bowls, black lignoid, 2lb 10oz £20. Tel 07772 910983. (1854) Apollo ladies/girls bike with 18 gears and suspension. New lights etc. Excellent condition. £35. Tel 01274 876814 (1842) TOOLS/DIY Plasplugs manual floor and wall tile cutter, will cut tiles up to 16” square. Used for one job only, £25 no offers. Tel 01924 451024. (1869) Timber, two metre lengths, 4 x 1, 20 pieces £20. Tel Batley 01924 472043. (1838) TOYS, GAMES & CHILDREN’S GOODS Graco child safety car seat, as new condition £15, only used for grandchild. Tel 01924 511296. (1865) Two scooters. £5 both. Tel 07806 431728 (1846) Barbie two-tier dolls house; pulls up for storage £5 ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1823) WANTED Wanted: Small ‘N’ gauge model railway, baseboard, rolling stock, engines etc. Tel Ray 07833 355170. (1864)

at Clayborn HAVING played their first home game since October 31 last year Liversedge can celebrate again after their survival hopes were boosted by a 3-1 triumph over

fellow Northern Counties East League Premier strugglers Pontefract Collieries. James Eyles got the Clayborn side off to a great start with a goal in the 10th minute before doubling his tally shortly after the halfhour mark to make it 2-0. Liversedge then extended their lead further in the second half when Joe Walton netted in the 67th minute. The visitors managed a

consolation goal through Jack Mawson five minutes from time to take some gloss of Sedge’s performance, but the three points will raise their confidence as their battle to avoid the drop continues. The Clayborn side remain bottom but have games in hand on their relegation rivals. Liversedge travel to North Yorkshire where they face Bridlington tomorrow (3pm).

Albion hit for six Town’s cup exit Evo-Stik First Division North LANCASTER CITY OSSETT ALBION

6 1

Integro Doodson League Cup MARINE OSSETT TOWN

1 0

at Clayborn

at the Marine Travel Arena

OSSETT ALBION suffered a 6-1 humiliation in their last outing at Lancaster City in the Evo-Stik First Division North. The bubble appears to have burst at Albion, having finished 2015 in brilliant form, but the turn of the year has seen them slip out of the play-off places. Zach Clark was influential netting four times for Lancaster. His first came in the second minute to put Albion on the back foot early on. Connor Brunt levelled things up for the visitors on 15 minutes and with the game even at the break the three points were anyone’s. But on the hour mark two quick-fire goals took the game away from Albion. Billy Akrigg got his side’s second before Clark notched up his second of the game. Clark was lethal in front of goal and scored in the 66th and 82nd minutes to make it 5-1 before Bobby Langford rounded off the annihilation with the game’s final strike in the 90th minute. Albion look to bounce back against Mossley tomorrow (3pm).

GRANT BLACK suffered his first defeat at the helm of Ossett Town following a narrow 1-0 loss at Marine in the Integro Doodson League Cup. The quarter-final was close throughout with both side’s hoping for a place in the last four. Clear-cut chances were hard to come by and the game looked destined to be goalless until the 79th minute when the hosts scored from the spot through Daniel Mitchley. It was enough to earn the Premier Division outfit a place in the semi-finals. Next up for Town is tomorrow’s First Division North clash against league leaders Warrington Town (3pm).

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Albion earn vital draw OSSETT ALBION collected a vital point in their bid to avoid relegation from the North East Regional League Southern Division when they held Malet Lambert to a 2-2 draw but they remain in bottom spot. Skipper Jo Atkinson hit the Albion goals to boost her side’s confidence ahead of this week’s clash at home to Courts City. Although still bottom Albion have games in hand on their rivals meaning survival is very much in their own hands. Elsewhere in the West Riding County Women’s League Ossett Town’s Premier Division promotion hopes took a huge knock with a 5-3 defeat at Tingley Athletic. The loss leaves Dan Robinson’s Town five points adrift of the leaders. In Division One Battyeford Belles, without a game last week, should increase their lead at the top with a home game against an Ilkley Town side who have won just twice this season. The Belles’ reserves were in action, however, against Brighouse Town Development and played out a 2-2 draw. The Belles went ahead twice through Olivia Hirst but they couldn’t hold out for the win. Division Three saw Dewsbury Rangers continue to press for promotion with a 2-1 win over Crossley. It leaves Rangers just three points behind their visitors this week, Farsley Celtic Development, but with four games in hand. Ossett Town’s Development side have had a week off but now face a daunting task at leaders Wigton Moor.

SPEN VALLEY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Inter Batley edge win to narrow gap on league leaders IN THE Spen Valley Football League only two matches took place due to the snow last weekend. Both games were in the First Division, where Inter Batley edged out Savile Town to go third in the league standings. Abu Samad Patel got the goal that separated the two sides. The defeat leaves Savile Town struggling second from bottom. But in the division’s other game bottom placed West End Park stunned Norfolk to win a nine-goal-thriller 6-3. Matt Softley bagged a hat-trick for West End with goals also coming from Carl Cammish, Danny Clegg and Corey Schofield. Palli (two) and Huzaifa Lunat replied for Norfolk. West End Park remain bottom in the First Division after the win while Norfolk occupy fourth.

DEWSBURY BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS TUESDAY MARCH 1: 1 J Tomlinson and G Fishwick;

2 G Clarke and M Watson; 3 C Walker and G Bragg.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

RUGBY UNION

More away woe for Moorenders National League Three North

SHEFFIELD CLECKHEATON

14 5

at Abbeydale Park CLECKHEATON put up a fight against Sheffield, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to a 14-5 defeat in National League Three North.

George Speight gets round Sheffield Seconds’ defence to touch down for Cleckheaton Kestrels in their 26-19 loss at Moorend Gerald Christian

In a scrappy encounter, which saw six yellow cards brandished by the referee, Sheffield took the lead through Jonny France following a catch and drive from a line out deep in Cleckheaton territory. Jimmy Pearson converted. And whilst trailing the Moorenders found themselves down to 13 players for a period of the game after James Wilson and Mark Chivers were sinbinned within two minutes of

HEAVY WOOLLEN SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mirfield maintain three point margin after nine-goal thriller MIRFIELD TOWN maintained their threepoint lead at the top of the Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier Division after edging out AFC Chickenley 5-4 in a thrilling match. Michael Chadwick hit a brace for Chickenley who also had Simon Moffatt and Tim Clarke on the score sheet. But Mirfield claimed the points thanks to a Dale Wood double, plus strikes from Oliver Rounding, Adam Brown and Jonathan Mitchell. Woodkirk Valley lie in second spot after Christy Woods (brace), James Tesseyman and Ryan Thackray all found the net in a 4-0 win at Mount Pleasant. St John Fisher played their first league game since November and climbed to third place with a 5-1 win over bottom club Overthorpe Sports Club. Paul Hodgson opened the scoring for Overthorpe but Fisher hit back through a Rob Hiscox hat-trick, plus efforts from Matthew Bugg and Stephen Wales. Woodman Batley Carr and Birkenshaw stay fourth and fifth respectively after playing out a lively 5-5 draw. Lee Brook (hat-trick) and Andrew Pickles (two) netted for Woodman

Overthorpe’s Lee Davey lunges for the ball (above) and Ahmed Nana shields the ball from Danny Marshall Dave Jewitt with Dale Wright (four) and Will Gough earning a point for the visitors. The only game in the Championship saw St John Fisher Reserves climb to second place, level on points with leaders Clifton Rangers, after winning 4-3 at bottom side Ravenswharfe. Scott Lightowler hit four goals as Hanging Heaton Cricket Club increased their lead at the top of Division One to 11 points with a convincing 7-0 win at bottom side Birkenshaw Reserves. Tom Secker, Jamie Baulk and James Keen bagged the others. FC Liversedge climbed to fourth after Danny Stocks and Jack Brook scored in a 3-1 win against St Ignatius, who replied through Bunn Darboe. Jason Collinson scored for Batley Celtics but they were beaten 6-1 by Clifton Rangers Reserves, who lie in fifth place. Division Two leaders Old Bank WMC suffered only their second defeat of the season as they lost 2-1 at local Mirfield rivals Saville Arms, who had a double from Saul Lee to thank. Stephen Brown hit Old Bank’s consolation. Overthorpe Sports Club Reserves climbed to fourth place after winning 4-1 at home to Snowdon thanks to a Lee Davey brace, plus goals from Tristan Batley-Kyle and Tom Hirst.

one another. Sheffield capitalised on their numerical advantage and made it 140 shortly afterwards. France and Jimmy Pearson again registering the try and conversion for the hosts. In the second period Cleckheaton played with real determination as they fight a relegation battle. The visitors’ pressure on the Sheffield line finally paid off when Jack Seddon went over for an unconverted try. And with five minutes left Cleckheaton had a penalty 30 metres out which was missed. Had it gone over the Moorenders would have been within six points of Sheffield and collected a bonus point for their efforts. The missed kick could prove costly come the end of the season, but the Moorenders continued to battle to the

very end against Sheffield. It is something they will have to do in every game from now to the end of the season if they are to avoid the drop. Cleckheaton were once again hampered by errors and poor discipline in this contest. They will look to rectify that problem against Lymm tomorrow (3pm), a side who have won their last four games, but in the league’s reverse fixture Lymm only just scraped a victory over Cleckheaton. The Moorenders remain third from bottom after the defeat. Meanwhile the Cleckheaton Kestrels lost to Sheffield Seconds last weekend 26-19 in the Yorkshire Merit League Premiership. The win extends Sheffield’s lead at the top off the table while Cleckheaton occupy sixth place.

RUGBY LEAGUE EXTRA

Carlos takes charge of juniors MIRFIELD Stags have announced the appointment of Paul Carlos as the club’s new head of youth. Carlos, a former Huddersfield Giants Academy coach, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Hillrich Park, having worked in youth and junior rugby throughout his coaching career. The Stags recently revealed plans to form an under-12s side, to complement its rapidly-growing ‘Tots’ section, which provides skills sessions for children aged between three and six. Carlos is set to oversee its introduction, recruiting staff, players and volunteers to

make it all possible for 2016. He said: “In order to make sure of a long and successful future for the Stags, we need to establish a firm foundation from which we can grow. “The introduction of a junior section in these early days for the club is a nononsense call as far as the management team are concerned. “This project is about the players, their parents, their schools, the coaching staff and the community of Mirfield, for whom they are representing. “This area is full of fantastic amateur clubs and we are aspiring to be just as successful alongside them.

“I am excited about the challenge ahead and what we can bring to the local area. “For this to work we have to ensure that we have put all the building blocks in place, success will not just happen. We have to plan for it, with the right staff, resources and support. “We will operate in a professional manner, while ensuring the youngsters involved enjoy a really great time representing Mirfield Stags.” Recruitment is continuing for the club’s under-12s team and a date for the first training session is to be announced in due course.

History book of past success SHAW CROSS Sharks are marking their 70th anniversary by commissioning a book to bring the history of the club bang up to date. It will be the third book the club has produced, but the first to celebrate the whole of their history. The book will be written by London League Publications and will be available this autumn. The club are now on the look-out for former players and fans to get in touch with their stories and pictures in order to contribute to this impressive milestone in the club’s existence. If you have a story or photograph that you think may be of interest to the Sharks, get in touch with Chris

Shaw Cross Sharks 1949/50 team photo Smith on 07985 275213 or email him at smithchris71@btinternet .com. Shaw Cross are also planning a celebration dinner

and a trip to the Super League Grand Final for the junior players. Details for the events will be released in the near future.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

RUGBY LEAGUE

BOXING

Celtic lose in NCL opener

Sykes prepares for Commonwealth title

NCL Division Two

DEWSBURY CELTIC

SADDLEWORTH RANGERS

at Crow Nest Park DEWSBURY Celtic lost their opening game of the 2016 National Conference League Division Two season 18-10. In what was the only fixture in Division Two last weekend Richard Tillotson and Danny Crabtree got the tries for Celtic and Matthew Sheridan kicked one conversion,

but it wasn’t enough to overcome a stronglooking Saddleworth Rangers outfit. The visitors bagged three tries in total through Daniel Bowker, James Whalley and substitute Simon Parrish. Benjamin Whitehead made the difference for the away side by converting all three of his goal attempts. Dewsbury Celtic currently prop up NCL Division Two, but it is very early days. They look to record their first win of the new season on Sunday at Overthorpe Park where they face local rivals Thornhill Trojans, who gained promotion from Division Three in 2015.

Ratcliffe bags hat-trick in Trojans’ Wibsey win

IT HAS been announced Gary Sykes’ upcoming fight with Luke Campbell will be for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title. The bout between Sykes and Campbell was redesignated after the Commonwealth crown was vacated by the Ghanaian boxer Richard Commey. The two Yorkshire fighters will go toe-totoe at the Sheffield Arena on March 26 – and Sykes’ preparations are well underway. The Dewsbury boxer is relishing the chance to shine again on the big stage and has been training in the snow locally, in comparison to Campbell’s luxury camp in Miami. And in spite of being the resounding underdog, Sykes believes he can cause an upset as he thrives off the fact there is no pressure on him to win. Campbell on the other hand suffered a shock defeat to Yvan Mendy last December and he is hoping to get back on track with a win against Sykes. Sykes has been delighted with ticket sales so far and the 32-year-old is expected to take a large following to Sheffield later this month.

JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

Luke Palmer brings the ball forward and veteran Vinny Johnson (below) makes a tackle for Thornhill Pics: Dave Jewitt

Yorkshire Men’s League THORNHILL TROJANS A 48 Dewsbury Celtic’s youngsters proved too strong for Oulton Raiders at a muddy Crow Nest Park

WIBSEY WARRIORS A 22

Celtic’s youth kick off Junior League campaign with a win

at Overthorpe Park THORNHILL Trojans A brushed aside Wibsey Warriors A 48-22 in the group stage of the Yorkshire Men’s League Forty20 Cup. The Trojans performed well and had to work hard for their impressive win. With a mix of youth and experience Thornhill scored early on through Jordan Truelove. George Woodcock added the extras. But the away side responded well and were on level terms once more following Chris Vogel’s try and Brad Wright’s conversion. Sam Ratcliffe finished off a skillful move moments later, however, to give his side a four point lead. The hosts then pulled clear with a fine touchdown from captain Shane Davies. But two missed conversions by the hosts meant Wibsey were still in the game. Vogel was the away side’s best player and posed threats throughout the first period and scored his second try of the game before the

Yorkshire Junior League

DEWSBURY CELTIC U-15

OULTON RAIDERS U-15

at Crow Nest Park interval. Brad Wright converted. But back-to-back tries from Thornhill ended much of the visitors’ resistance before the change of ends. Firstly debutant George Scott touched down before Woodcock put clear daylight between the two sides. Woodcock’s try was converted by Ratcliffe, which gave the home side a 30-12 advantage at the break. The Warriors were given some hope thanks to a converted try from Michael Derrick after the restart.

But a quickfire double saw Truelove complete his hat-trick for Thornhill following his first-half try. In the closing stages Mark Hodgson scored an unconverted try followed by Wibsey’s final touch down of the game by Joe Radcliffe. Man of the Match Ratcliffe then scored his third and final try of the match, which he converted, to round of the Trojans’ comfortable win at Overthorpe Park. Their next group stage match is away at Keighley Albion tomorrow (3pm).

DEWSBURY Celtic Under-15s kick started their Yorkshire Junior League Division Three campaign with a 38-20 win over Oulton Raiders Under-15s. The hosts got off to a fabulous start, taking the lead after just four minutes thanks to a Cameron Berry touchdown. Charlie Heaton added to Celtic’s lead six minutes later when he scored a try which he also converted. Oulton’s indiscipline was costing them and they were punished once again when prop George Bussey barged over from a tap penalty 10 metres out. Heaton converted to give Celtic a 16-0 lead. But five minutes later and the visitors narrowed the deficit with their first try of the game. The conversion was missed. Celtic didn’t panic though and extended their lead

further when Jack Kelly went over following a clever attacking move. The away side did finish the first half strongly, however, scoring a converted try in the corner to make it 20-10. And Oulton found themselves right back in the game six minutes after the restart. They scored under the posts after a series of Celtic errors which made the score 20-16. But Ryan Birch struck back immediately for Celtic before Adam Denton, fresh from the bench, sealed the win for the hosts with a try in the corner. Jacob Carr was then held up over the line minutes later. Lewis Teale’s and Jacob Feiweles’ touchdowns rounded off the win for Celtic, but Oulton managed a consolation try to make it 38-20. Next up for Celtic’s Under-15s is a trip to face Dearne Valley Bulldogs on Sunday aiming to stay top of the Division Three standings. Elsewhere in the under-15s section Shaw Cross Sharks lost 40-10 away at East Leeds in Division One, but their close rivals Dewsbury Moor got off to winning ways with an 18-0 win at Normanton Knights.

ThePress

Friday March 11, 2016

KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Bulldogs climb to the Championship summit Kingstone Press Championship

BATLEY BULLDOGS WORKINGTON TOWN

44 12

Alex Spindler at Mount Pleasant BATLEY BULLDOGS moved to the top of the Championship after making it four wins from five with an ultimately comfortable victory against winless Workington Town. Six unanswered second-half tries saw the Bulldogs jump from fifth into top spot, as other results went their way on another fine afternoon for John Kear’s much-improved side. Phil Veivers’ strugglers, who led at the midway point of the first half and only trailed by two points at the break, crumbled in the second half as the Championship’s early-season surprise package raced away to continue their excellent start to the season. For Kear’s men, Alex Brown came in to make his fourth debut for the club. The winger replaced Joe Chandler, who missed out after suffering a head injury in the eye-catching win at Halifax last weekend. The hosts were in the ascendancy from the moment Town stand-off Carl Forber spilt Pat Walker’s kick-off. But,

MATCH STATS: FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 15. Ian Hardman 2. Kyran Johnson 3. Michael Channing 4. Misi Taulapapa 5. Scott Turner 6. Kyle Briggs 7. Anthony Thackeray 8. Darrell Griffin 1. Danny Craven 10. Andy Bostock 18. Jamie Cording 21. Bradley Tagg 17. Jack Ormondroyd SUBS: 12. John Davies 16. Colton Roche 32. Jordan Baldwinson 23. Andy Ellis

7 7 7 7 7 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 8

as was the theme for the first quarter, the Bulldogs’ attack lacked bite at the crucial moments. And in the 16th minute, the Cumbrians punished the Dogs. Winger Brett Carter broke from deep inside his own half and set up centre Declan Hulme to open the scoring. But within four minutes, the hosts were level. Another Keegan Hirst offload, something that had troubled the visitors all half, set up the charging Cain Southernwood, who dragged himself over next to the posts. By the 27th minute, the West Yorkshire side were in front. Scrum-half Dom Brambani, who got away with what looked like a knock on earlier in the set, launched a kick which was plucked out of the air by Chris Ulugia for his third try of the season. Five minutes before the break, illdiscipline, which haunted Town all afternoon, gifted the hosts with a chance to extend their lead. Substitute Jarrad Stack was sent back to the bench for ten minutes and Walker slotted home the penalty goal to make it 14-6. From the restart, Jarrad Sammut drilled the ball into touch and gave the depleted visitors a chance to strike back before the interval.

Opening try-scorer Hulme duly delivered, returning the favour to Carter by setting him up in the corner. Forber added the difficult extras to reduce the gap to just two points at half-time. Alex Bretherton kicked off the second-half scoring, crashing over within two minutes of the restart. Then, just before the hour mark, Southernwood’s interception deep inside his own half was eventually finished by the impressive James Brown. Brambani set up lively substitute hooker Alistair Leak for the Bulldogs’ fifth try, before half-back partner Southernwood finished an excellent move down the left for this second of the afternoon. The returning Alex Brown completed the scoring in the final moments, acrobatically touching down the outstanding Brambani’s cross kick. Kear was very impressed with his team’s performance on the day and start to the season in general. “The media have made us their darlings at the minute and once you get up there, you’re there to be shot at,” said Kear. “We’re still just five games into a 23round regular season and there’s a lot of work to be done. We’re not getting carried away but it’s a heck of a start.”

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

WORKINGTON TOWN 1. Jack Murphy 2. Sam Forrester 3. Declan Hulme 4. Jason Mossop 5. Brett Carter 6. Carl Forber 28. Jarrad Sammut 8. Kris Coward 9. Graeme Mattinson 21. Oliver Gordon 11. Brett Phillips 16. Perry Whiteley 13. Liam McAvoy SUBS: 10. Marc Shackley 12. Jarrad Stack 15. Karl Olstrom 19. Ryan Verlinden

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

BATLEY BULLDOGS Tries: Southernwood (20, 67), Ulugia (27), Bretherton (42), J. Brown (58), Leak (62), A. Brown (78). Goals: Walker 8/8.

WORKINGTON TOWN Tries: Hulme (16), Carter (38). Goals: Forber 2/2.

Keegan Hirst on the offensive for Batley John Miller, www.memorymill.co.uk

Kingstone Press Championship

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS DEWSBURY RAMS

21 20

Dave Storey at Big Fellas Stadium

7 7 7 8

7 7 7 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 7 7 7 7

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS Tries: Briggs (30), Johnson (39), Taulapapa (44), Turner (53). Goals: Briggs 2/5. Drop Goals: Craven (78).

DEWSBURY RAMS Tries: Guzdek (1), Grady (25), Crookes (49). Goals: Reynolds 4/4. Ref rating: C. Campbell 65/100 / Half-time: 10-14 / Penalties: 11-8 / Sin Bin: None / Sent Off: None / Weather: Cloudy / Man of the Match: Andy Ellis Attendance:1,665.

BATLEY BULLDOGS 22. Dave Scott 2. Wayne Reittie 23. Danny Cowling 3. Chris Ulugia 5. Shaun Ainscough 6. Cain Southernwood 7. Dom Brambani 8. Keegan Hirst 9. Luke Blake 21. James Brown 19. Alex Bretherton 15. Adam Gledhill 13. Pat Walker SUBS: 10. Alex Rowe 18. Tom Lillycrop 20. Alistair Leak 26. Alex Brown

Ref rating: J. Roberts 70/100 / Half-time: 14-12 / Penalties: 13-5 / Sin Bin: Stack (35, holding) / Sent Off: None / Weather: Cold and dry / Man of the Match: Dave Scott (Batley) / Attendance: 658

Rams suffer agonising defeat

DEWSBURY RAMS 1. Josh Guzdek 2. Dale Morton 4. Shane Grady 15. Jason Crookes 5. Dalton Grant 6. Paul Sykes 7. Ben Reynolds 8. Matt Groat 17. Dom Speakman 10. Ryan Hepworth 16. Toby Adamson 12. Scott Hale 13. Aaron Brown SUBS: 18. Tony Tonks 19. Nathan Conroy 14. Luke Adamson 32. Kyle Trout

MATCH STATS:

Dewsbury’s Tony Tonks picked up a knee injury against Featherstone Steve Horsfall

DANNY CRAVEN kicked a match-winning drop goal just two minutes from time as Featherstone recovered from 14-0 down to avenge two home defeats against Dewsbury Rams last season. With the sides locked at 20-20, Craven landed a vital one-pointer from 25-yards out. But the drama still wasn’t over because Rovers were penalised when Jamie Cording blundered by picking up the ball unnecessarily after Dewsbury’s restart failed to go 10 metres. Scrum-half Ben Reynolds had a chance to give the Rams a last-gasp victory with a penalty from half-way, but his attempt fell well short. Rovers coach Jon Sharp was full of praise for hooker Andy Ellis whose 28th-minute introduction on his Featherstone comeback sparked their recovery as they snatched their third straight win. Sharp said: “I was really pleased with the guys who came on from the bench. They all had a big influence on the game, none more so than Andy Ellis. I thought he was great. “Andy has been back training with us for the last two weeks to get him ready to play and today he looked like he had never been away. “His skills were smooth, his decision-making was great, his defence was excellent and he just gave us another dimension. “How we reacted to being 14-0 down is testament to the character, fitness and the togetherness of our group. We showed composure and eventually worked our way back into it.” Meanwhile, Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison had admiration for his players. “I am proud of the boys and with how they played and how they stuck in there,” he said. “It was just a devastating loss when they put in so

much good work. I think we deserved the win. “We should have defended better the last minute before half-time when Featherstone scored. “We gave a penalty away and let them up our end and they scored in the corner. That is what probably cost us game.” The Rams made a dream start with a first minute try when Paul Sykes’ pass was deflected off a player and Josh Guzdek scooped up the ball to score, with Reynolds converting. When Rovers conceded three consecutive penalties, Reynolds then took advantage of an easy kick in front of the posts to put the Rams 80 up. Kyle Briggs almost found a way through from close range and Jack Ormondroyd was held up over the line as Dewsbury did well to survive a spell of Featherstone pressure. Craven then had an effort ruled out before Dewsbury’s Shane Grady weaved his way over and Reynolds goaled to give the Rams a 14-point lead. Ellis lifted Rovers. Within two minutes of going on, the experienced hooker sent in Briggs who converted his own try. Shortly before half-time, Anthony Thackeray and Michael Channing put in Rovers winger Kyran Johnson at the corner to cut the gap to 14-10. Four minutes into the second half, Featherstone levelled when Briggs’s clever pass made the opening for Misi Taulapapa to cross. The game swung back Dewsbury’s way five minutes later, however, Jason Crookes forcing his way over from close range and Reynolds adding a touchline goal. Rovers struck back in the 53rd minute when crisp passing by Briggs, Ian Hardman and Taulapapa sent in Scott Turner for his first Rovers try. Briggs made it 20-20 with a 71st minute penalty goal and Dewsbury’s Sykes and Featherstone’s Thackeray had unsuccessful drop goal attempts before Craven hit the target with his crucial kick.

Unique painting marks Batley’s proud history THE BATLEY Independent Supporters’ Squadbuilder Association (BISSA) are unveiling a painting celebrating the 120year history of Batley Bulldogs. The event will take place in the Ron Earnshaw Lounge this Sunday after the Bulldogs’ top-of-the-Championship clash with Bradford Bulls. The painting, titled ‘Mount Pleasant Mind View’ (pictured left), was produced by Bradford artist Frank Hiley. His work offers a unique look at the historic Mount Pleasant ground, which also features at least one player from every decade of the club’s existence, including the likes of Jeff Grayshon, Barry Eaton and more recently Jonny Campbell. Officials from both clubs will be at the unveiling after the game, including Batley chairman Kevin Nicholas. The spectacle, devised by BISSA members Colin Bottomley and Andrew McVeigh, took six months to organise as Hiley perfected his work using numerous pictures of the famous ground and players. BISSA plan to sell off prints of the painting to raise funds for the Bulldogs. Batley Art Gallery has also expressed interest in loaning the painting from Batley Bulldogs for the wider public to view in the coming months.

Batley lead the way By Joe Link Sports Reporter joe@thepressnews.co.uk

CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Batley Bulldogs face their toughest test of the season so far when they host Bradford Bulls at Mount Pleasant this Sunday. Batley play the unbeaten Bulls and despite the Bulldogs’ strong start to the new campaign, with wins over three of last season’s middle eight qualifiers, they will once again be firm underdogs in this fixture. “Being top of the table this week has been great and it was a nice reward for the effort my players have put in so far this season,” said coach John Kear. “We’ve got to where we are by being underdogs in all but one game so far, so being outsiders against Bradford won’t be an issue for us, we’ll relish the chance to cause another upset.” Bradford will be fresh after their match against Oldham was called off

Wayne Reittie is a doubt for the visit of Bradford last weekend due to the snow. Batley, meanwhile, extended their good run of form with a dominant win over Workington Town. “We’ve become the media darlings as a result of our good form, but in order to keep up that form we have a lot of improving still to do,” insists Kear. “We must keep evolving if we are to achieve something special, which will be a tough ask because I’ve never seen a team play a perfect game of rugby but that is what we’re striving

to achieve. “I expect there to be a high turnout for the Bulls clash because we’re playing some very good rugby at the moment, but I’m sure the guys will cope well with the occasion.” Kear’s only new injury worries are winger Wayne Reittie, who required stitches to a cut lip, and Alex Bretherton who also need stitches on a head wound. Joe Chandler has been cleared to play having suffered concussion against Halifax.

‘History counts for nothing’, insists coach Morrison HAVING played just five games of the new season, Dewsbury Rams’ Championship campaign is reaching an important stage as they travel to the capital looking to bounce back from their cruel loss at Featherstone Rovers last weekend. The Rams have history on their side after overcoming the London Broncos four times last season. Morrison’s men also notched up a win over the former Super League side in a pre-season friendly at the Tetley’s Stadium in January. But in order to earn a repeat result this weekend Morrison has signalled areas for improvement. “We need to see out games better and cut out the mistakes,” said the Rams boss. “We threw the game away against Featherstone, I want the boys to be disappointed after that because they deserved the win and we didn’t get it, but we can’t dwell on the loss. “We didn’t finish sets off and our middles rolled over too easily which was frustrating, so we’ve been working on that this week.” Being disappointed over a one-point loss away at Featherstone is testament to how far the Rams in progressed over recent seasons, and

Jason Muranka has joined Newcastle Thunder on loan Steve Horsfall Dewsbury’s start to the current campaign hasn’t been helped by injuries to key half-backs. “There has been no stability at half-back for us so far,” explained Morrison. “Andy (Kain) missed last week and so we had another new pairing which isn’t ideal. “But the work ethic the guys showed was great and hopefully we’ll get one or two decisions go our way as well.” Dewsbury will be without Jason Muranka, who has joined Newcastle Thunder on a onemonth loan deal, and Tony Tonks is a doubt for the journey south after suffering a knee injury last time out.