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Clothing label clue to identity of body on towpath

Friday March 18, 2016

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No. 729

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53-0

COUNCILLORS THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLET WITH UNANIMOUS CALL FOR DISTRICT HOSPITALS REVIEW

COUNCILLORS have called for the future of district hospital services to be reviewed. A motion backing challenges to separate plans for Dewsbury and Huddersfield was unanimously supported by 53 votes to nil on Wednesday night. There were four abstentions involving health scrutiny committee members who have to stay neu-

By David Miller News Reporter davidmiller@thepressnews.co.uk

tral. But the position of Kirklees Council was made clear – changes to services at both hospitals are unacceptable. Dewsbury Hospital’s A&E department could become a minor injuries unit from as early as September, while A&E at Huddersfield would shut altogether.

Council leader Coun David Sheard wants an all-party working group to set out the authority’s “bottom line”. This would be a strategy for all Kirklees and would involve the suspension of plans to downgrade Dewsbury. He also called for solidarity among communities in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield and said: “I believe every area deserves its own A&E. I don’t want to see a hospital A&E stay open in Huddersfield at the expense of Halifax.

“And I don’t want to see Huddersfield stay open at the expense of Dewsbury, or Dewsbury at the expense of Wakefield or Pontefract. “This motion is not just about Huddersfield. It’s about Dewsbury, Wakefield, Barnsley and everywhere else so we’re not begging off our neighbours.” Coun Sheard and Tory deputy leader Coun David Hall moved and seconded the motion. A unanimous vote was demanded by Coun Hall

and he said: “We can talk, but we also need action. The first step is to back this motion unanimously. The public are demanding action. Let’s not disappoint them tonight.” All those present and eligible to vote, except those on the health scrutiny committee, supported the motion. Councillors not in attendance included Tory leader Coun Robert Light (bereavement) and veteran

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Friday March 18, 2016 Carlinghow. Wife of the late Eric. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 24 March at 11.15am.

KELLEY FLORENCE (FLO) NEE BREHENEY

Deaths BARKER (NEE AMOS) SUSAN MARY On 7 March, aged 69, formerly

of Liversedge. Wife of Chris. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 22 March at 2pm. Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296

On 11 March, formerly of Dewsbury Moor, aged 86. Wife of the late Fred. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 22 March at 10.30am.

BOHANNA JOSEPH

BRACKENBURY NEIL ANDREW

CROPPER ROBERT HENRY ‘BOB’

HORNBY RITA

On 9 March, aged 84. Husband of the late Lilly. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 24 March at 1.15pm.

Aged 55, suddenly by accident on 9 March, in Tenerife. Funeral arrangements to follow.

On 13 March, formerly of Birstall, aged 82. Wife of the late Geoffrey. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 29 March at 10.30am.

BOTTOMLEY BRIAN

BRENTNALL ‘GED’

On 12 March, of Mirfield. Husband of Carol. Service at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, Thursday 24 March at 3pm, followed by private interment in the Churchyard.

On 15th March 2016, at his home in Middlestown, aged 76 years, Brian, loved husband of Josie, much loved dad of Paul, very dear father in law of Esther, treasured grandad of Charlotte and Abigail, beloved brother of Pat, Anne and Paula, a very dear brother-inlaw and uncle. Brian will be received in to Our Lady and St Paulinus RC Church on Monday 28th March 2016 at 6pm. Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday 29th March 2016 at 10am, followed by interment in Middlestown Cemetery at 11.45am. Friends please accept this intimation and meet at the church. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Brian may be placed in the collection provided.

It is with great sadness the committee and players of Dewsbury Moor ARLFC announce the sad passing of one of the dedicated members of the rugby league community. Gerald David Brentnall. A service to celebrate one of life’s true characters will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday 1st April 2016 at 2.45pm. Following the service everyone will be made welcome at the rugby club for refreshments.

Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296

COPLEY ROY WALTER On 11 March, aged 73. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 21 March at 3.15pm.

DRAPER ANNIE On 11 March, formerly of Chickenley, aged 95. Wife of the late Jack. Requiem Mass at St Thomas More RC Church, Chickenley, Friday 1 April at 11.45am, followed by committal and interment at Sugar Lane Cemetery at 1.30pm.

GREEN WALTER On 14 March, aged 81. Husband of the late Beryl. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 23 March at 9.45am.

HOLDSWORTH BARRIE On 5 March, aged 75, of Mirfield. Husband of the late Maureen. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 22 March at 1.15pm.

David Butterfield INDEPENDENT FAMILY

KELLETT IRENE On 13 March, aged 85, of

LANGTHORPE CAROLINE ‘CARRIE’ On 5 March, aged 95, of Healey. Wife of the late Tom. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 23 March at 12.30pm.

INGHAM Keith -- • --

On 8th March 2016 peacefully at Dewsbury and District Hospital after a long illness borne with great dignity, Keith aged 79 years of Mirfield. Loving and sadly missed Husband of Liz, brother in-law of Richard, Janet and Robert also a very good and compassionate friend to all who knew him. Funeral service and committal takes place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday 21st March at 10.30am. Family flowers only by request but donation may be made in lieu if so desired to Kirkwood Hospice a plate will be available at the service for this purpose. Any enquiries please contact Joseph Sheard Funeral Directors, 8 Nettleton Road, Mirfield, WF14 9AA Tel: 01924 492219. Messages of condolence and donations can also be made online at www.josephsheardfuneraldirectors.co.uk Can all friends please meet at the crematorium.

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On 9 March, formerly of Roberttown, aged 87. Wife of the late Jack. Service at Roberttown Parish Church, Tuesday 22 March at 1.15pm, followed by interment at Liversedge Cemetery.

SAGAR JACQUELINE ‘JACKIE’ On 10 March, aged 59, of Windybank. Wife of the late Brian. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 24 March at 12.30pm.

WAIN BERNARD On 14 March, aged 81, of Birstall. Husband of the late Hilda. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 30 March at 11.15am.

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On 12 March, of Dewsbury, aged 84. Wife of Donald. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 24 March at 2pm.

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On 8 March, aged 89, of Gomersal. Wife of the late Arnold. Service at Gomersal Methodist Church, Monday 21 March at 11am, followed by private committal.

On 13 March, formerly of Dewsbury Moor, aged 65. Husband of Jackie. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Thursday 24 March at 9.45am.

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ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

MPs seek public meeting on changes to hospital services A PUBLIC meeting will be held about changes to services at Dewsbury District Hospital after an intervention from MPs. Jo Cox (Lab, Batley and Spen) and Paula Sherriff (Lab, Dewsbury and Mirfield) have received a number of complaints from consitutents about standards of care. Miss Sherriff has spoken in Parliament of how an 84-year-old man’s needs were not being met due to staff shortages. Both MPs met with Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s interim chief executive Martin Barkley last week. They also wrote to health secretary Jeremy Hunt about the prob-

lems they are seeing. Ms Sherriff, who is on the health select committee, secured an

adjournment debate in parliament for Monday about staffing levels at Dewsbury. She said: “Our concerns stem from the information that we, as MPs, receive from patients with complaints, anecdotal information, internal whistle blowers and formal accounts. “These suggest to us that there are some serious problems both within and affecting the trust. It is imperative we get to the bottom of them.” Mrs Cox said: “We continue to have serious concerns about the way the trust is running our hospital. “We are determined to use every

avenue available to us here and in parliament to continue the fight for DDH and make sure those concerns, and the concerns of local people, are addressed.” The MPs are in talks with Mid Yorkshire about when and where the public meeting will be held. A review which could see changes at Dewsbury brought forward is expected to be complete by the end of April. Ms Sherriff added: “Our constituents remain extremely worried about the proposed loss of services at our hospital. “We will continue to hold the trust to account and fight for the best deal for local people.”

53-0: COUNCILLORS’ UNANIMOUS CALL FOR REVIEW From Page 1 Lib Dems Baroness Kath and Andrew Pinnock (prior engagement). The packed Huddersfield Town Hall debate was billed as an extraordinary meeting of the full council. Labour councillors Darren O’Donovan, Cathy Scott, Simon Alvy, Nosheen Dad and Karen Rowling, plus Tory Martyn Bolt, all spoke. Coun Bolt (Con, Mirfield) called for a Kirklees-wide public vote to let residents show health chiefs their unhappiness with the changes. Chief executive Adrian Lythgo said that was not possible, having already taken legal advice on the proposal. Coun Rowling (Lab, Dewsbury West) feared efforts may be in vain by claiming health secretary Jeremy Hunt had upheld 29 consecutive previous decisions. Coun Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) said: “When the downgrade of Dewsbury was approved it was partly because Huddersfield would pick up some of the cases. Now we face a situation where 430,000 people will have to travel outside the area for emergency care for themselves and their loved ones.” Several coun-

cillors called for the existing hospital trusts to be abolished and replaced by a Kirklees one. Coun Hall added the area is damned by its geography and previous decisions to split health trusts across council boundaries. He asked: “How different would it be if Halifax was in a trust with Bradford, or Dewsbury with Huddersfield?” The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust runs Dewsbury, Pinderfields and Pontefract, while the Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation NHS Trust is in charge of Huddersfield. There were 12 public speakers, all of whom gained unanimous applause from councillors afterwards, against convention. They included North Kirklees health campaigners Trish Foley and Christine Hyde. Meanwhile, Natalie Radcliffe, regional organiser for the trade union, Unison, told the council how community care in North Kirklees is struggling to get off the ground. Batley health organisation Locala has a £238m contract for services intended to keep patients away from A&E. GPs said they would not let A&E at Dewsbury become a minor injuries unit without a major expansion of community care.

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Missing man fears A RAVENSTHORPE man has been missing from home since last Saturday without his wallet or mobile phone. Daniel France, 38, was last seen in Ravens Avenue around 4pm that day. He is 5ft 9ins tall with short dark brown hair and was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and white and black K Swiss trainers. Stuart Clarke, of the Kirklees Adult Safeguarding Unit, said: “Daniel has left his phone and wallet at home and has not been heard from for a number of days. This is out of character and his family are concerned for his welfare.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Kirklees Adult Safeguarding Unit on 101.

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She said: “With regard to Care Closer to home, staff are leaving Locala in droves. Locala can’t cope and want staff on 24-7 contracts. “The solution would be to employ more staff, but they can’t because they don’t have enough money in the pot.” Dr Thimmegowda, of the Albion Mount Medical Practice in Thornhill, said of Huddersfield: “I’m ashamed that people from the medical profession helped make decisions like this. “They say this is about improving care and the safety of patients. But it isn’t about improving care. It’s about balancing the books. “Four years ago I stood here to oppose the downgrading of Dewsbury hospital. Who would have thought that we’d be back here again? “These proposals will put lives at risk. Learn from what happened in Dewsbury – don’t let this happen to you.”

News in Brief Man charged with ‘I’ll kill 29’ threat DEWSBURY: An Iraqi man allegedly threatened to shoot dead 29 people and then himself at the office of Paula Sherriff MP. Jasem Saeed, 38, of Nelson Street, is accused of an incident at the Labour MP’s constituency office in the former Reporter building. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard he went there after being denied a passport and became aggressive when talking to staff member Julie Ward. Saeed claimed he was going to get an AK47 rifle, that he had 30 rounds and would shoot dead 29 people, followed by himself. He made no plea to a charge of making threats to kill and was remanded in custody for a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, April 8.

Hospital interim boss NORTH KIRKLEES: The health trust which runs Dewsbury Hospital has a new interim chief executive. Martin Barkley has moved to Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust from mental health body Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. His arrival, under review every six months, will allow current chief executive Stephen Eames to spend more time on secondment as an interim boss for a trust in Cumbria. Mid Yorkshire chairman Jules Preston said: “Martin will be spending more time with the trust from April 1 and will start full time from May 1 2016.” In a weblog post in February, Mr Barkley wrote that Mr Eames will be on loan in Cumbria “for a couple of years”. He added: “This will be a big change for me as it is some 30 years since I last worked in acute hospitals!”

New Netto store BATLEY: Work on a Netto store at Blakeridge Mills is due to begin in the summer after the scheme won backing from councillors. The store is expected to create 44 jobs.

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

News In Brief Man accused of Asda attempted murder

CAN YOU FILL IN THE GAPS IN THIS PICTURE FROM THE PAST? CAN you fill in a few gaps in this latest of our occasional trips back in time, this time to 1943/44? A youthful Batley RLFC great John Etty (back, second left) is one of the clues we have from notes on the back of this photo. The board in front of the winners of the Oldroyd Trophy for the under-21 section of a seven-a-side league indicates that the team is Savile Town RFC. John played for Yorkshire, a British Empire XIII and was an England reserve during his time at Batley. He went on to play for Oldham and Wakefield during an illustrious career when he was

DEWSBURY: A man is accused of attempted murder after an incident at Asda last Friday. Wayne Walshaw, 44, of Mountain Crescent, Thornhill, is also charged with possessing a weapon in a public place. He appeared before magistrates in Leeds last Saturday and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Friday, April 8. It follows an alleged attack at Asda on Mill Street West in Dewsbury at around 12.30am last Friday. A man, 46, was taken to hospital but later discharged, having said to have sustained injuries to his throat from a knife.

Fire kids ‘at risk’ GOMERSAL: Children are putting themselves at risk by setting a derelict building a fire. That was the warning after tyres inside an old garage on Quarry Road were torched at around 3.50pm last Sunday. Colin Brown, watch commander at Cleckheaton Fire Station, said: “It’s been derelict for years and is full of debris and rubbish. We think children got in and they set a large pile of tyres alight which gave off the smoke. “There are holes in the fence, which is how they are getting in, and we appeal to parents to urge their children to stay well away from old buildings like this which are potentially highly dangerous.”

one of only five players to have won ‘All Six Cups’ – the Challenge Cup, RL Championship, Yorkshire Cup and League, plus Lancashire Cup and League. Other names we think are correct are John Kilburn (front, first left), Arthur Powles (captain) and George Greaves (standing, far right) who may be the coach or manager. If you can tell us anything more about the team members, or where the photo was taken, call The Press newsroom on 01924 471339, or email us on news@thepress news.co.uk.

Who changed councillors’ letter and sparked a row? By Staff Reporters

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ELECTION season is looming – and already the battle in Dewsbury East has turned murky. A row erupted over a “political” letter which may have been

changed without consent from a councillor. It was in reply to a mailshot around Eastborough from Tory candidate Mark Eastwood, warning that parking permits currently set at £15 a year could soar.

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A letter which seemed to be from the ward’s three Labour councillors refuted the claims. It went through Kirklees Council’s postal system on official council letterheads detailing the authority’s parking permit policy. Coun Paul Kane (Lab), who faces Mr Eastwood at May’s election, agreed to a draft version. The letter was sent to officials for approval but Coun Kane claimed it was changed later to include Mr Eastwood’s name. That technically means a “political” campaign message was mailed at public expense. Coun Kane asked council chief executive Adrian Lythgo to investigate after insisting the letter he agreed to made no

Mark Eastwood such reference. The other councillors are cabinet member for housing Coun Cathy Scott and Coun Eric Firth. Mayor of Kirklees Coun Kane said: “I approved a letter to go out and it was changed without my notice. “We all approved it and the letter was given to officials. It was then changed, but I’m not in a position to know who changed it.” Council rules state the postal system can only be used for ward or casework matters.

Coun Scott claimed Mr Eastwood’s letter said parking permits could rise to up to £265 a year. Coun Scott said: “It wasn’t my intention to make anything political out of it because I didn’t see it as a political issue. “We were trying to correct misinformation by quoting council policy to put the correct message out. “To say the council could charge up to £265 a year for parking permits is misleading and to me it’s frightening for residents.” Mr Eastwood added of his mailshot: “Eastborough is one of the poorest areas of Dewsbury. “The councillors said there are no plans to put the charge up – but that’s not the same as a firm guarantee.”

Chief executive rules out probe COUNCIL boss Adrian Lythgo will not be probing the Dewsbury East “political” letter any further. He had already investigated a complaint from Tory election candidate Mark Eastwood. This led to a reminder to councillors stating what information can and cannot be included in a letter sent on behalf of the authority. Coun Paul Kane wanted further checks after claiming the letter was changed after he agreed a draft. And Mr Eastwood has submitted a freedom of information request for all correspondence relating to the matter. A council spokesman said: “We received the initial complaint and it was dealt with. The chief executive is not undertaking any further investigation.”

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reimbursed TAXPAYERS have been reimbursed for a “political” letter sent using public money. But Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) resisted calls for an apology when challenged in a council debate. The matter was raised at a recent cabinet meeting by Tory councillor John Taylor, who asked about “politicking on the ratepayer”. Cabinet member for housing Coun Scott said: “I’m not going to have this made into a political view. “The letter, as I’ve stated before, was

sent out in good faith in no way to distress anybody. “It was sent in response to a letter sent out by another person, a potential candidate.” She added: “I didn’t use the council’s stationery for it to be used in any political view. “When it was highlighted to me I wasn’t aware that what I’d done could be cast as that. “The postage was repaid so I don’t see why any apology was made. The council apologised on their part.”

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

Canal towpath body mystery Top brass join talks on THE death of a man whose body was found in Ravensthorpe is being treated as unexplained. A member of the public made the grim discovery in woods near the canal off Low Mill Lane around 9.15am on Monday. Forensic tests are still being carried out but police believe the body may have been there for some time. It is said to be of a white man aged from 30 to 50 who was between 5ft 9in and 6ft 1in tall.

He was wearing a “No Fear” short-sleeved t-shirt and chino-style shorts with a palm tree design (pictured). Det Chief Inspector Mark Swift of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry team, said: “Our investigation is at an early stage. Our priority is identifying the victim, with the death presently being treated as unexplained. I appeal to anyone who recognises the clothing, or who has any information, no matter how

small or insignificant it may seem, to come forward." The body was found at a spot only accessible by a canal towpath serving several firms. The exact location was to the rear of the Arthur Brook Scrapyard on the industrial estate. There is no link with missing Dewsbury man Daniel France, who vanished last weekend. Anyone with any information can call the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101, quoting 309 of the 14/3.

BATLEY DOES OPERA!

PREVENTING a repeat of the fered millions of pounds of damage Boxing Day floods in Mirfield is and residents wouldn’t still be in the subject of a public meeting trauma trying to replace housenext week. hold belongings." Officials from the Environment Questions should be sent in Agency, the Canal and Rivers advance to martyn.bolt@kirklees. Trust and Kirklees Council are due gov.uk so agencies can give to attend the debate at St Paul’s answers on the night. Church on Thursday (7pm), organised by Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, ■ MIRFIELD Bedding firm John Cotton has given £3,000 to help Mirfield). footballers at flood-hit Battyeford Coun Bolt said: “The Kirklees Flood Risk Management Strategy Sporting Club to help sort out and improve flood from 2013 is already proving inad- pitches defences. equate and out of date.” He will put a motion forward at a full council meeting on Wednesday calling for a revised policy. The Mirfield meeting will identify who is responsible for what aspects of flood prevention and what measures can be taken. One idea, for a study into a flood relief channel to take water away from Mirfield, will be mooted again. Coun Bolt said he We can provide insurance for first floated the idea Shops, Offices, Pubs, Take Aways, to the Environment Agency in 2007, but it Restaurants, Hotels, Property was rejected. Owners and Many More.... He said: "If the study had been carIt takes just 6 simple steps. ried out we would Visit have had a proposal ready for funding bids or call and known the effect for more information on water levels. 704 Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, WF13 3HU Businesses would Brian Thornhill & Son Insurance Brokers are Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority then have not suf-

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By Steve Martyn ATLEY AND OPERA. Not two words that naturally go together, but on Tuesday (March 22) a cast of over 100 local performers will join professionals on stage at the Central Methodist Church for Batley Does Opera. The evening of music, song and dance has been inspired by Donizetti’s light-hearted opera The Elixir Of Love, which will be performed in a shortened form by singers from Opera North as part of the programme. The project is a partnership between North Kirklees arts initiative Creative Scene, Opera North and Batley Business Association. Association chairman Andrew Marsden came up with the idea as part of his role as a ‘SceneMaker’ – volunteers who work with Creative Scene to develop arts projects in the community. Since its launch, Batley Does Opera has attracted the involvement of Batley Community Choir, the Sarah Taylor School of Dance, Acorn Productions and Carlinghow Princess Royal and Batley Parish schools. Participants range in age from 12 to 65. As well as attending singing and drama workshops with Opera North, those taking part were given the chance to attend the company’s recent production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore at the Grand Theatre in Leeds. Said Creative Scene’s Rebecca Legg: “What these participants have accomplished in such a short amount of time is truly remarkable. “From singers to dancers to schoolchildren, all have been so enthusiastic to try something new. I hope people come out to enjoy what is sure to be a fantastic evening.” Tickets (£5 each, family ticket £15) are available from www.ticketsource. co.uk/creativescene.

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ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

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

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Dramatic times across the valleys T’S ALL been about the telly in the Lockwood house lately, with Mrs L announcing quite suddenly last Sunday night that I have a rival for her affections. Clearly Tom Hiddleston, the heartthrob star of The Night Manager, doesn’t know he’s been born (in fact he probably hadn’t been born the last time I was the subject of Mrs L’s affections, but there you go). I tried not to break down in tears, especially as I was on the verge of also declaring my own amorous intentions towards Tom’s co-star Elizabeth Debicki. I was pondering the logistical problems because Ms Debicki is nearly 6ft 3ins tall. I’d deduced that the foldaway buffet down the side of the fridge could come in handy when, wouldn’t you know it, the pair of them were going bonky-bonky like

The brilliant Sarah Lancashire a couple of good ‘uns, and both me and the missus were left sulking. Thwarted. Still, how refreshing to be able to praise the BBC for a cracking piece of high quality drama. If there is one

slightly unconvincing element of The Night Manager it’s that secret service supersleuth Olivia Colman has a broader Yorkshire accent than a Barnsley binman. As if MI6 would ever recruit someone who can’t even speak English, let alone Russian and Mandarin! As Castleford rugby league legend and sometime match commentator Mick Morgan would no doubt remark, “Ah carn’t speyk!” There could be a ready explanation, however. It’s quite possible that Olivia Colman mistakenly wandered over from the adjacent BBC sound-stage where they were recording the equally brilliant series Happy Valley. True, it has a death rate right up there with Midsomer Murders, and while Chief Insp Barnaby and his Cotswolds crew pro-

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vide some marvellous marketing for that beautiful district – despite bodies being carted off by the wagonload – Happy Valley’s effect on house prices in Hebden Bridge might not be so positive. While we Tykes have revelled in the earthy and authentic dialogue, it seems viewers south of Sheffield have required sub-titles. Lipreaders have struggled. And quite apart from the fact that there appears to be a prostitute on every other street corner, the name ‘Happy Valley’ apparently has its roots in the police’s nickname for the area due to the streets being awash with drugs. Lovely. Still, the downbeat image isn’t confined to Calderdale. The last two working girls murdered in the script were reported to be from Mirfield and Dewsbury. I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I can’t imagine a Dewsbury streetwalker having a clue which bus to get to Sowerby Bridge. And as for call girls in Mirfield? I expect Coun Martyn Bolt has already been onto the BBC’s Director General lodging a complaint. Still, excellent stuff again Auntie Beeb, and Tuesday night’s Happy Valley finale was a cracker. That air-headed former Coronation Street barmaid Raquel is a quite brilliant actress. RIME and punishment, reference to which brings us to last Friday’s BBC documentary by Darragh Macintyre “exposing the reality of modern-day slavery and exploitation in Britain”. Mrs L had the remote control (I know, I know, sometimes I’m too generous for my own good). “Do you want to watch this?” she said, and then gave me what is familiarly called ‘an old fashioned look’ when I replied, “No, it will just be about Dewsbury, Kozee Sleep and John Lewis and Next buying dodgy beds”. Actually, with having been abroad, I hadn’t known that’s exactly what the programme was about. So she pressed

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Naked truth of Ozzy’s budget UILTY as charged m’lud. Back in the 1980s I was a serial offender. We hadn’t coined the phrase ‘budgie smugglers’ but I admit parading figurehugging swimwear on beaches from Newquay to New South Wales. Today, however? I might be the same weight and waist, but I’d expect the Jimmy Savile patrol to bodily drag me off the front at Brid or Filey if I ponced about wearing just an oversized spandex hanky. Just not right. Which brings us to Wednesday’s Budget. ‘Gravy on your dumplings, ma’am?’ Why don’t the same fashion virtues apply to ladies of a certain age? Listen, if George Osborne told me the sun was cracking the flags I’d reach for a brolly. If he turned up at the kiddies’ Christmas party as Santa, you’d need to check they still had their pocket money as they left with their 10-bob’s-worth of tat. As such I’m not buying the tax breaks for small business or the headline-grabbing token gesture of a sugar levy. It will take days, weeks to unravel and expose the nefarious money-grabbing detail behind Wednesday’s stage-managed circus act. What was definitely below the belt however was seating the semi-naked car crash that was Home Secretary Theresa May beside Osborne as he gave the Budget. Talk about diversionary tactics! It was one of those embarrassing moments where you know you should avert your eyes but just can’t. Below the belt? Theresa’s top wotsits probably would have been below her belt had she let those puppies swing. Instead she’d scraped and gathered them, looking like a couple of failed suet dumplings, into a push-up something-or-other. We wouldn’t expect Jeremy Corbyn to shovel his ancient scrotum into a mankini in order to distract us from a John McDonnell financial statement, would we? So why put us off our food with that peacock-like parade (after the peacock had been run over by a ride-on lawnmower). Sugar tax? Just keep showing the kiddies photos of Theresa’s over-exposed ta-tas and they’ll be throwing up until they’re wafer thin, George.

play and sure enough, there was our green and pleasant valley, the Kozee Sleep factory and its disgraced boss Mohammed Rafiq. I suppose it was a ‘shocking’ story. Shocking in that Macintyre might as well have just read out stories from The Press from the past two years. Do you think I should send the BBC a bill for plagiarism? Sure enough there was a Kirklees police inspector bigging it up, despite the local plods generally avoiding what was going on at Kozee

I HAD to chuckle at the tiff over the double career of Manchester University professor Nick Goddard, who stars as ‘Old Nick’ in a huge number of pornographic movies, which apparently people can access via the t’interweb. (Fancy that, what will they think of next? I thought it was just for the rugby results and Wikipedia!) I was quite titillated by the lady guest on Radio 2 who said Nick had fallen on his sword, thinking that must really have hurt and what position was the old fool attempting – but apparently she meant that he’d resigned from uni. It poses an interesting moral dilemma I sup-

Sleep – and still is, across the valley – like the plague. They scuttle out from behind their Huddersfield desks to grab a bit of the glory only after the regional big boys have had to roll into town to deal with a problem. Still, naughty boy Kozee Sleep boss Mohammed Rafiq is now safely bedded down in a jail cell. So, Kirklees police, can we be assured that you’re all over the questionable activities of some of the area’s other entrepreneurs? You know who I mean.

pose, because making naughty pictures isn’t illegal – up to a point, which Prof Goddard hasn’t been accused of crossing. Apparently he makes clean dirty movies. Would I employ someone with such a sideline? By way of answer, I’ll refer to my recent interview process with three potential advertising execs, one with an Oxford degree, the second a Cambridge graduate, and the third a highly experienced salesperson. Who got the job? The one with the huge hoagies, of course! (There’s only one tiny little thing preventing me from having a second job in the ‘entertainment’ industry. You guessed it – my lousy jokes).

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

Sherriff ‘won’t share a t i a o g n i v T a a v N ern e h T platform with extremists’ MIRFIELD

By Staff Reporters MP PAULA SHERRIFF said she will not “share a platform with extremists” after pulling out of a Dewsbury fundraiser. The Labour MP had been billed as guest speaker at an event called A Gazan Cry – Voices for Palestine. But the Saturday April 30 event at the Orchid Banqueting Suite on Wesley Place offers “segregated” facilities for women. On top of that, controversial cleric Shaikh Sulaiman Ghani is listed as master of ceremonies. He has reportedly described women as “subservient” and that homosexuality is “unnatural”. And on Channel 4 in 2007 he said: “Any countries that entrust their affairs (into) the hands of women will not be

successful.” The fundraising event is for the construction of an orphanage and medical centre in Palestine, a region Miss Sherriff saw on a parliamentary trip last year. A leaflet advertised “segregated facilities for sisters”, who were invited to call a separate telephone number for tickets. A spokesman for Miss Sherriff, who has described herself on Twitter as a feminist, said: “Paula Sherriff withdrew from attending this

event as soon as she became aware of the details. “She has made clear to its organisers that she will not share a platform with extremists. “She is strongly of the view that there is no place for extremism or segregation of any kind.” Afzal Patel, one of the organisers, said the event will not be segregated but that “some women prefer to sit separately”. Aleks Lukic, of UKIP, said: “Paula Sherriff’s refusal to support segregation should be commended.” Mr Lukic, of Moorend, Dewsbury, is chairman of the party’s Dewsbury, Batley and Spen branch. He added: “All of Dewsbury’s councillors should publicly back her position. We can’t encourage such archaic treatment of women in our town.”

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raise funds for an orphanage and medical centre. Mohammed Sadiq Patel, who identifies himself online as a solicitor and partner at Ikram Butt and Associates, posted on Twitter: “So why did not the Dewsbury MP kick up a fuss last time she attended the same event?” He then became embroiled in exchanges with other Twitter users who had praised Miss Sherriff for pulling out of A Gazan Cry. A spokeswoman for the MP said: “The event last year was a different event with different speakers, so there is no comparison to be drawn there.”

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MP accused of double standards PAULA SHERRIFF was accused of double standards over not attending a fundraiser due to the segregation of women. She went to a similar event at the Orchid Banqueting Suite, apparently with the same guest speaker listed, in January 2015. Billed as An Evening with George Galloway, Shaikh Sulaiman Ghani was listed and a leaflet stated segregation facilities would be available. Shaikh Sulaiman Ghani is due to speak at an event called A Gazan Cry – Voices from Palestine next month. Both were organised by the same charity to

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Friday March 18, 2016

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Radio debate raised some worrying points Dear Sir, Off the back of your coverage of the closure of the Oxford Grange care home I was invited last Sunday to participate in a Radio 5 Live programme investigating what was described as the looming crisis in care home provision. I thought it important to bring some of the points made during the programme to the attention of your readers and to pose a question to our local councillors and MPs as to what they intend to do about this crisis. Some of the highlights (if they can be called this) were: • Demand will soon outstrip the availability of care home places; • The major impact will be in the north of England; • Last year more beds closed then opened in England;

Ballot battle From: Name and Address Supplied Dear Sir, Upon being selected in November as the Labour Party candidate for Dewsbury West, Mussarat Pervaiz told people one thing: “I will start campaigning tomorrow”. To date, five months on, and despite living in her prospective ward, I have not seen or heard from her. The conclusion I draw, therefore, is two-fold: either a) she has done no campaigning at all; or b) she has concentrated her campaigning in those areas where she knows she will be more readily welcomed and more easily understood. As a betting man, I know where I would be staking my money. This area already has an incumbent who doesn’t live here and regularly misses key meetings. I hope Ms Pervaiz won’t be following in his footsteps, but

Letter of the Week: Stephen Walker, Batley • 2,500 places in England may disappear before the end of this summer; • Major impact on residents because of closure and subsequent moves; • Maintaining the elderly in their homes is not sufficiently resourced; • Small care homes (30 beds or less) will close because they lack economies of scale;

the early signs are not promising. Yours, as a concerned voter.

NHS - get heard From: David Honeybell, Heckmondwike Dear Sir, Perhaps it’s time we all took a step back and gave some thought as to what we want, (A) for ourselves, (B) for our local area and (C) for the country as a whole. The one organisation that has a thread running through all three items, is our NHS. I am the last person to say the Labour Party is perfect, far from it, but in 2010, despite being under the control of Gordon Brown, our NHS was in the best condition it had been in for years. Waiting times were at their shortest, great for ourselves. The maternity department had 24/7 consultant-led cover, and we had an A&E with a team of doctors and nurses led by a consultant at Dewsbury

District Hospital, great for the local area. And if you were ill away from home, the same high standards were being provided nationwide. Sad to say, since 2010 our NHS has gone downhill as fast as firstly the coalition government, and now the Tory government can drive it down. The health and social care budgets have been slashed. This has not been done by accident. It’s a deliberate policy by the Tories to run down our NHS, until when they call in the private health providers, it will seem like privatisation is the best thing that could happen, and our NHS will be lost forever. Please don’t allow the Tories to put profit before patients. If we don’t keep our NHS publically funded and administered we will have nothing. If you feel strongly about saving our NHS, then make your voice heard. Write to the Prime Minister, write to the Chancellor, write to the Health Secretary and write to your MP.

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS J Ryan, 10 apartments, 58 Low Road, Dewsbury Moor. FQW Designs, discharge conditions 2 (plans), 3 (facing/roofing materials), 5 (garage/parking), 6 (construction traffic), 7 (landscape) on previous permission 2007/93012 for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of four dwellings, 11 Cambridge Road, Birstall. S Nicholls, one dwelling and demolition of existing dwelling, 107 Leeds Road, Mirfield. J Kennett, discharge conditions 4 (walls/fences), 7 (drainage), 10 (site, access, building levels) on previous permission 2015/92913 for erection of detached dwelling, rear of 51 Fall Lane, Hartshead. Plantation Group, four detached dwellings (within the curtilage of a Listed Building within a Conservation Area), Oldfield Nook, 171 Scholes Lane, Scholes. Mr & Mrs I Bobat, partial demolition of existing bungalow and erection of extensions to form twostorey dwelling (within a Conservation Area), 15 York Road, Upper Batley. C Brooksbank, single-storey extension and detached garage, 35 Fall Lane, Hartshead. Mr & Mrs L Cross, single-storey side extension, 85 Mountain Road, Thornhill. Arriva Bus and Coach Ltd, installation of two nonilluminated signs, Arriva Lodge Garage, Whitehall Road West, Hunsworth, Cleckheaton. N Yaqoob, demolition of two-storey rear extension and erection of two-storey rear extension, porch to front and detached garage, 108 Healds Road, Dewsbury. Rhodes Builders, discharge of conditions 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 on previous permission

number 2013/91321 for alterations to existing outbuildings/agricultural buildings to form two dwellings and erection of two detached dwellings (within Conservation Area), land adjacent to West Lane and Oxford Road, Gomersal. Mr F Hussain, first floor rear extension, dormers to front and rear, and roof extension to form gable, 1 The Crescent, Ravensthorpe. M Hafeez, front and rear dormers, 8 Mavis Street, Scout Hill. F Adam, alterations to integral garage to form living accommodation, 8 Granville Court, Eightlands, Dewsbury. Mr S Shokat, two-storey extension to side and rear, single-storey front extension and erection of outbuilding, 10 Selbourne Avenue, Savile Town. L Jarrett, first floor extension to existing bungalow to form two-storey dwelling and erection of singlestorey front, side, and rear extensions, 27 Moorland Drive, Birkenshaw. Mr I Ali, front, side and rear extensions, 12 Selbourne Avenue, Savile Town. Kirklees Council PRP, prior notification for demolition of buildings, St John’s Hall & Scout HQ, Church Street, Cleckheaton. Mr I Malik, the proposal is for erection of a singlestorey rear extension. The extension projects 6m 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 2.7m, 166 Ealand Road, Batley. J Wilson, single-storey side extension, 255 Huddersfield Road, Roberttown. B Hussain, single-storey extension, 13 Hill Top Estate, Heckmondwike.

M Chatburn, erection of detached garage, 20 Clumber Drive, Gomersal. Miss AP Hussain, single-storey rear extension, 16 Fern Close, Soothill. Mrs S Mulla, single-storey rear extension and attached garage, 34 Kertland Street, Savile Town. D Smith, discharge conditions 7 (risk assessments), 20 (acoustics), 21 (boundaries) on previous permission 2015/92480 for erection of three terraced dwellings with associated parking to front, adjacent to 171 Raikes Lane, Birstall. P Jackson, two-storey rear and single-storey side extension, detached garage and formation of dropped crossing, Quebec Cottage, Whitley Road, Whitley. M Horne, single-storey front and rear extensions, 9 Clough Lane, Hightown. Greene King PLC, installation of flood prevention and waterproofing measures, alterations to window heights, The Ship Inn, Steanard Lane, Mirfield. Barclays Bank PLC, Listed Building Consent for Installation of self service account opening device (SSAO) (within a Conservation Area), Crackenedge Lane, Dewsbury. Patricia Berry, work to TPO(s) 91/90, The Orchard, 3A Carlton Road, Liversedge. Kirklees Council (Forestry), works to protected tree(s) via a highway notice, 28 Over Hall Park, Mirfield. Mr & Mrs Taylor, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 8m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.98m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.65m, 34 Church Lane, Mirfield.

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• Population trends will demand more provision; • 80 per cent of current residents suffer from some form of dementia or are physically frail; • Major impact on bed blocking; • Most new care homes are being built in the more affluent south, where residents can pay over £1,000 per week and are not If it takes a riot to make Cameron, Osborne and Hunt to take notice, then we have to riot.

Bangers bash From: Tim Wood, The Old Colonial, Mirfield Dear Sir, On Saturday March 19 the Old Colonial Pub in Mirfield will be the host, once more, for the local branch of the RNLI, who are conducting a fundraising annual pub quiz. The evening is aptly named SOS night, or Supper of Sausages, as that is what is for supper; Haigh’s Farm Shop have kindly donated the sausages, and we shall be converting them into various supper dishes. The cost of the tickets is £5, the quiz usually starts at about 8.15pm or so. You can ring me to book tickets on 01924 496220, or just turn up, it is always a good laugh. Also, the Mirfield Rifle Volunteers will be drawing our Easter raffle just prior to the quiz commencing, with 10 good prizes to be had, so, please, if you want to enter the raffle, come on down. Please don’t make the excuse ‘We’re stopping at home to watch the Six Nations’; we’re showing that too. Please come and support two worthy causes; you will be made very welcome.

Flytipping woe From: Debra Oliver, Ravensthorpe Dear Sir, I have been a resident in Ravensthorpe for 49 years, but I am ashamed to say this. Household rubbish, mattresses and other items are just dumped by people who fly tip. Kirklees Council come and remove the rubbish, but in a couple of days it’s just as bad. The problem is this is costing the council a lot of money to remove the rubbish; so why can’t they put CCTV in the area where people fly tip, and prosecute and fine them for doing this? This would save tax payers money, and earn extra revenue for the council. Fly tipping in Ravensthorpe

reliant on council funding – reinforcing the north/south divide and the gap between the poor and wealthy; • In Kirklees 258 places were lost last year alone; • About 90 per cent of care home places in the north are purchased (commissioned) by councils as compared to 20 per cent in the south; • There is an ageing stock of care homes which are increasingly not fit for purpose; • Increased difficulty in meeting needs of people with dementia/Alzheimer’s. I think you would agree it didn’t make for pleasant listening and the description of a looming crisis was perhaps an understatement. This is likely to have a major impact in our community and needs action now.

has been going on for a couple of years, and the problem is causing rats and a foul smell. The areas involved are Myrtle Avenue, North Road and Garden Street. CCTV would catch them and make them think twice if they were to be fined, making Ravensthorpe a much better place.

Repairs needed From: G Robinson, Mirfield Dear Sir, In the town centre of Mirfield the Union flag proudly flies in the March breeze, perched on top of the onceproud council chambers, built in 1903. This well-made building has survived all the 20th century could throw at it; storms, snow, two world wars and traffic erosion of the 21st century. It’s now standing with its window frames rotting and now tinned up, not such a proud site for the home of civic pride in Mirfield. So, what’s gone wrong? Kirklees as a council have a responsibility to repair all council-occupied buildings to a reasonable standard; with regards to the town council building, they have failed to do so. Mirfield Town Council have an option to transfer the building to themselves, as an asset, but not in its current state of repair. Kirklees Council, on the other hand, say they can have it but must maintain it themselves; no mention of Kirklees repairing it first. So, the political see-saw, finger pointing and playground political posturing goes on and on. In order for the council buildings to be self-sustaining, the offices need to be let to businesses; in order for businesses to rent offices, the building needs to be repaired. By whom, that is the big question? Once repaired, the letting and leasing of the offices would have to be administered by the town council, presumably. Last year, Coun Kathleen Taylor was pictured in front of the building, bristling with bulldog tenacity to keep the building. A couple of months later Coun James Taylor wrote an

appealing letter to the newspaper explaining that the damp conditions were having a dramatic effect on their health. A few weeks later the building was boarded up, the Warmington-on-Sea Platoon in Dad’s Army could have managed this lamentable episode of urban history with more aplomb for both sides. What was Captain Mainwaring’s famous catchphrase? There is a sign as you enter Mirfield through the Liversedge passport control area. It says ‘Welcome to Mirfield, First Fairtrade Town in Kirklees’. There should be an addition to the posting, ‘Soon to be twinned with Damascus’.

Debate debacle From: Christine Hyde, Dewsbury Dear Sir, On March 11 the most important bill in recent years was allowed only 17 minutes of Parliamentary time. The National Health Service Bill presented by Caroline Lucas MP was almost completely filibustered out. “If enough Labour MPs had turned up it might have been possible to stop the Tory MPs talking, by putting a closure motion. When this was pointed out by Caroline Lucas, the shared smirks on the faces of the silent Heidi Alexander, Labour shadow health minister and the junior health minister Ben Gummer, gave the game away. The Tories didn’t want a proper NHS debate, neither did Labour’s health team and together they made sure it didn’t happen”. So said Peter Roderick, observer. Jo Cox MP said she had constituency business, so wasn’t there. Paula Sherriff was talking to MYHT and the CCGs, like putting a plaster on an amputation. So she wasn’t there. The only way they can show they really act on the concerns of their constituents is to turn up for the rescheduled debate on April 22 to debate and vote for the National Health Service Bill. Nobody wants a US-style NHS. All we have to do is give people permission to say so publicly.

Continued on page 9

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

Continued from page 9

Forum’s support From: Mike Shucksmith, Mirfield (In response to recent letters commenting on the demise of the Old Bank Local Area Forum) Dear Sir, The failure of the Old Bank Local Area Forum was not due to the lack of support of local council officers or our local councillors. Not only did council officers support the forum and get it established, it helped with grant applications and representatives were in attendance to provide professional help, support and advice. Whenever requested it we gained a council officer at the meeting. We were also supported by the local NPT. Highways also reviewed the issues outside the Old Bank Co-op regarding traffic, parking and the disabled bays. Unfortunately, what we have was the best we could get given the options. In my opinion, the failing of the forum was the lack of support from the local community. People dropping in to make verbal representation of the issues, but then expecting others to solve them. Individuals were then not willing to help others in their time of need and simply we never saw them again – like the issues over Kiln Avenue – we worked with KMC to solve the problems/gain help with the drainage and then that area of the community never attended again. Indeed I returned a £500 grant to KMC which was to further forum activities for which I could not muster any community member assistance. The forum agreed that we should apply for the funds, but when it came to

delivering the project no one was interested. This was the same for the Mirfield In Bloom project. I spent a lot of time undertaking chair, treasurer, and secretary roles and the like, serving other people’s problems and co-ordinating attendances of suitably experience KMC reps at the meetings and this lack of community support made me rethink whether the forum was wanted or viable. It was of my opinion that local people did not want the forum as a media to engage the local council and councillors and hence the move to dissolution which is now completed. I do not blame KMC or its representatives for this dissolution at all, if local people wanted the forum to exist to the betterment of the community, then they should have stood tall and represented themselves at the meetings providing their support. A forum cannot survive on one or two people attending meetings and only one member on the committee being expected to do its work. NB: Harold Laycock was a hardened campaigner and did attend meetings. He was a meeting stalwart, but we needed many more like him.

Let’s vote to leave From: Donald Slater, via email Dear Sir, ‘Appeasement’. This was David Cameron waving his triumphant paper negotiations, claiming major benefits for the United Kingdom on his return from his EU negotiations. Cameron reminds me of Prime Minister Chamberlain on his return from Nazi Germany in 1938 also waving a piece of paper claiming ‘peace in our time! We were at war with Germany within months of that pronouncement, the sec-

ond time in the 20th century. Now, unfortunately, Germany has won the third war in Europe, ‘The Financial War’. Germany now controls the purse strings of Europe completely. When Mrs. Merkel speaks the EU does. Examine the dire financial state of say Ireland, Spain, Portugal and the most obvious one, Greece. I suspect most of the Eastern European countries are or will be in a similar financial state. Something which we never get told about. Membership of the European Union of these countries was a pot of gold dangled under their noses. Who could or would resist? Recipient countries spent money like no tomorrow thinking the good times were here to stay. Sadly it did not last, but they have stayed in the EU thinking another pot of gold will magically appear and very likely too frightened to leave with the huge debts the EU would demand repayment of. Sadly, a large percentage of these ‘pots of gold’ were funded from the very large payments we make every day to the EU coffers. All these countries, especially Greece have now endured years of misery with no end in sight. With austerity imposed and supervised directly by the EU they now have no control of their own country whatsoever. Remember also, when France and Ireland voted in referendums against the wishes of the EU they were told to vote again and get the correct answer, which of course they did! Will they tell us to vote again? Cameron has produced nothing of substance; the little grudgingly granted will disappear quickly into the mists of time if we stay in this false empire. We would be in a minority and would be outvoted on every issue as dictated by the dominant country, Germany. To try and scare the people of this country predicting doom and destruction is a very sad reflection of our main miserable political parties. Vote to stay in this unholy union and you will condemn future generations to little more than servitude and indignity and a total loss of sovereignty of our own country with no prospect of leaving.

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News In Brief

Dinner raises £1,800 NORTH KIRKLEES: More than £1,800 was raised at Mayor of Kirklees Coun Paul Kane’s business networking dinner at Dewsbury Town Hall last Thursday night. Aimed at encouraging investment in Kirklees and raising funds for Diabetes Care, Coun Kane’s chosen cause for his year in office, the event was hosted by the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson, and featured speakers including Sir John Harman and Kirklees Council director of place Jacqui Gedman. The district's two MPs, Jo Cox and Paula Sherriff, were guests, alongside local business leaders. A raffle was held for prizes which included tea for two at the Houses of Parliament.

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Council accused of ‘silo mentality’ over flytipping By David Miller COUNCIL chiefs were accused of having a “silo mentality” over the issue of flytipping. The claim was made after fridges, freezers and asbestos were dumped near the railway line in Mirfield. Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield) called for a new £20 waste removal charge to be reviewed. He believes the fee and other changes are leading to more cases of flytipping. Soil, rubble and plasterboard are among the things that can no longer be taken to household waste sites. It is part of a £1.2m cut to the street

cleaning and refuse collection service made by the council. A half-mile stretch off Hurst Lane is a mess – and comes only weeks after flytipping concerns were raised in Gomersal. Coun Bolt’s call was rebuffed and he said: “There seems to be a silo mentality from the cabinet. “If the policy doesn’t work, you either need to go back to the old system or put in place further enforcement against flytipping. “Even their own colleagues are raising concerns about flytipping, but they won’t agree to a review.” Coun Bolt, a former cabinet

member for environment, said an old railway siding in Mirfield is being targeted. He is working with groups including Network Rail and the police to get the area cleaned up. He added: “Clearly the isolated location of the site and the open access means that flytippers have circulated this information. “We need immediate action to stop access and consider future monitoring and policing. “I saw signs of fires, possibly from burning wire casings, and I’m worried that this could also lead to wire theft from the railway.”

Tory policy ‘based on fairy dust and magic beans’ CHARGING for waste removal is about priorities amid budget cuts, council leader David Sheard has said. The Labour stalwart weighed into a flytipping row by pointing out that Kirklees has lost £165m in Government funding so far. Rising demand for social care puts even more strain on already tight council coffers. Coun Sheard (Lab, Heckmondwike) said that his cabinet are not blind to issues like flytipping but have to make tough choices. He said: “I am sorry, as everyone is, Conservatives excepted, that the council is shrinking. Many of the council

services we have been rightly proud of are being taken away. The government has cut £165m so far from our budget at a time when the demand for social care is increasing.” He challenged Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield) on where cash should be spent and extra charges levied to make up some of the shortfall. “If the choice is helping one of our elderly neighbours to live a full and safe life as long as possible in their own home, as opposed to providing a free rubbish collection to many who can afford it, then I will choose social care every time,” Coun Sheard said. He also took a swipe at

Kirklees Tories generally, by claiming it is them who are blinkered to the council’s financial plight. “The Conservatives locally seem to be developing a strange policy based on fairy dust and magic beans. The only way the council can increase its income is through development, yet the Conservatives, Coun Bolt in particular, oppose every development. “They also oppose every cut the council makes and claim they are as a result of the council’s actions, rather than the Chancellor looking to make money to pay for his bribes to the well-off.”

POLICE BOSS’S VISIT

HATE crime, forced marriage and honourbased violence in Ravensthorpe is being tackled. The Gems Project at the community centre on Garden Street has received a £5,250 grant from crime commissioner Mark BurnsWilliamson, who visited the centre to see how the cash is being spent. The 38-week project, aimed at children and young people aged eight to 19, features five-hour sessions on Saturdays dealing with hate crime, alcohol, drugs, anti-social behaviour, forced marriage and honour violence. Abdul Aslam said the centre, set up 17 years ago, also has a 110-place nursery on site. He said: “We also

provide support to young people with a range of activities such as homework support, diversionary initiatives and health awareness. Activities include exercise, sexual and emotional health and awareness around staying safe and safeguarding.” Mr Burns-Williamson said: “It was great to visit the project and see how they are spending their money from the grant to the benefit of local people.” He added the money which funds these grants is recovered from criminals by police and prosecutors. The next round of bids for grants of up to £5,000 opened on Monday. See www.westyorkshirepcc.gov.uk for details.

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Friday March 18, 2016

Thief was paid £50 to return stolen phone A THIEF was paid £50 to return a mobile phone he’d stolen from a disabled man in Batley. Sufyaan Abed, 35, of Follingworth Road, Soothill, had taken the £500 phone from his victim on Oxford Street, Batley, in October last year. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard the man has a degenerative disorder which affects his mobility and speech and he needs the device to communicate. The phone was returned to him after a DJ made an appeal on social media. But Abed had already sold it and the DJ had to pay £50 to him to get it back. Then the victim had to recompense the DJ. Abed admitted theft and will be sentenced later at Leeds Crown Court.

Expedition pupils are having a ball

News in Brief Knifeman’s gloom DEWSBURY: Police prevented a man down on his luck from harming himself with a knife. Officers went to the home of Christopher Benson on School Crescent after concerns were raised by his ex-girlfriend. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard a knife was found in the 30-year-old’s trouser pocket. He admitted possessing a bladed weapon and was given a community order featuring six months of alcohol treatment. Benson had suffered problems including a house burglary, failing eyesight and separation from his partner. Simon Lindley, mitigating, said: “All of this got on top of him and the only person he’s threatened in all this is himself.”

Having a ball ... the Heckmondwike Grammar School students looking glam at the charity bash they organised

By David Miller A CHARITY ball organised to get Heckmondwike Grammar pupils to Sri Lanka raised nearly £7,000. Eighteen youngsters hope to go there for a World Challenge expedition in July next year. Improving access to clean water, teaching English and building schools will be some of the problems they’ll tackle. The cost is £3,000 each – so they got together six months ago to raise funds collectively. Pupils, who range in age from Year 10 to sixth-formers, have created

their own charity to help get them there. The Sri Lanka Community Expedition Project was formed with pupils Joe Kelly, Ben Ward and Sadie Greaves as trustees. On March 5 a bash was held for about 200 guests, including family, friends and sponsors at the Holiday Inn in Brighouse. Ticket sales plus raffles and an auction took the total raised on the night to £6,752.51. It took the overall tally to more than £10,500 – about a fifth of the £54,000 needed. Joe, 17, of Roberttown, said: “The

months of stress were worth it because we pulled it off. “It was very rewarding to see a room full of supporters dancing and having so much fun together for a great cause.” Skills learned, such as managing tight budgets and teamwork, will be useful in Sri Lanka. Joe, studying for three AS Levels and three A-Levels having joined from Spen Valley High School, said: "As students we learned so much from this experience. “That’ll help in Sri Lanka because we want to improve the lives of others and also improve ourselves.”

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Jail term activated RAVENSTHORPE: A woman was jailed for failing to attend drug treatment as part of a suspended prison sentence. Georgina Marshall, 30, of The Crescent, was given a 12-week suspended jail term in August last year for theft from a person. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard she did not attend Lifeline appointments on February 8 and 10. District Judge Michael Fanning activated the prison term after hearing from a probation officer that Marshall had a “couldn’t care less” attitude.

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Friday March 18, 2016

Artist’s illustrated history of ‘Robin Hood’ estate aids work of hospice By David Miller ARTIST Richard Gawthorpe tells the story of Robin Hood’s connection to Mirfield in his latest charity endeavour. Richard, of Northorpe, has included more than a dozen prints of his paintings of the Kirklees Estate near Cooper Bridge in a booklet for Kirkwood Hospice. Each is accompanied by meticulouslyresearched text recounting the site’s history. A settlement there dates

back centuries and it was at Kirklees Priory in 1247 that Robin Hood is said to have met his end. Richard was commissioned last year by the private estate’s owners for a series of paintings. Some of these were turned into his annual Christmas card collection, which over 22 years has raised more than £300,000 for the hospice. Richard, a retired teacher who is colour-blind, said: “The story of Robin Hood always fascinated me. It was only when I was in my

In Brief

early teens that I realised there is a connection between his legend and the Kirklees Estate.” Richard charts the estate’s history, including farms and monasteries, going back over 1,000 years. It is said Robin was related to the estate’s prioress and had sought sanctuary there but met his demise at the hands of three nuns. Richard said: “It seems likely the three nuns bled Robin to death to access more land.

“But many accounts are now impossible to prove after such a long time and the lack of hard evidence.” The booklet coincides with an exhibition of Richard’s work at Tolson Museum in Huddersfield from Wednesday, March 23, to the end of July. Copies can be bought from the museum, Kirkwood Hospice shops or from Richard on 01924 519281. The Press has a limited number of copies available at 31, Branch Road, Batley.

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Burglar who stole treasured photos tried to kill himself A BURGLAR who broke into a couple’s home in Mirfield later tried to kill himself in a flat fire. Jordan Lowther, 23, took a computer containing pictures of a family’s dead son from an address at Four Acres on November 17 last year. A month later he set a fire at the housing association flat where he lived on Heron Close in Ravensthorpe.

Leeds Crown Court heard Lowther was depressed and wanted to kill himself, but changed his mind and called for help. Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said the net had already been closing in on Lowther. During the burglary he cut himself and trailed blood throughout the Mirfield property while making an untidy search after smashing a glass window pane.

Lowther was traced through DNA but tried to take his own life in the flat fire before he was tracked down. Damage to the flat was estimated at £12,000 and Lowther was frank with police about what he had done. Last June Lowther was also given a two-year suspended sentence for a burglary at his uncle’s home. Peter Byrne, for Lowther,

said his client had not intended to cause the loss of treasured family photographs. Lowther, who had tried to commit suicide before, had written to neighbours apologising to them. Since being in custody his mental state had improved and he is addressing his drug misuse. He was jailed for four-anda-half years after he admitted burglary and arson.

MIRFIELD: The case against two care workers alleged to have neglected an elderly woman has been dropped. Jemma Powell, 27, of Greenside Estate, and Danielle Colley, 24, of Lees Hall Road, Thornhill Lees, were due to stand trial in Huddersfield accused of ill-treating or willfully neglecting a woman in Mirfield in August last year. DEWSBURY: World famous Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band present their Marching into Spring concert at the Town Hall tomorrow (7.15pm). Tickets (£14 and £12) are available at town hall box offices, Huddersfield Central Library, or from www.kirklees. gov.uk/townhalls. CLECKHEATON: Stalls are available for a coffee morning and bake sale, in aid of Breast Cancer Now, at Howard Park Community School, St Peg Lane, on Sunday, April 17 (9.30am-noon). To book a stall, email sparkleforhope @gmail.com.

Friday March 18, 2016

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

Heart-swap girl’s dad and sister tackle Three Peaks THE family of a Mirfield heart transplant patient is tackling a sponsored walk in the Yorkshire Dales. Andrew and Lucie Whitworth, the father and sister of 11-year-old Laura, have taken part in Heart Research UK’s Yorkshire Dales challenge for the past two years – and the family will be taking part in the 20th anniversary Three Peaks Challenge on June 18. Andrew, 47, walked part of the charity’s Valleys Walk below Pen-y-ghent last year with 13-year-old Lucie, before completing the 25-mile Three Peaks walk, which climbs Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Laura had a heart transplant in 2007, when she was two, after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease where

Heart-swap girl Laura, above, and right, dad Andrew and sister Lucie. the heart is enlarged. She was airlifted to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and linked up to a mechanical heart device until a donor heart was transplanted. Andrew said: “We have really enjoyed our Three Peaks experience. It is a fan-

tastic day out for the family and an enjoyable challenge for any walker. “And the more awareness we can raise for heart research the better.” For more information, go to www.heartresearch.org.uk/ events/three-peaks-valleyswalk, or call 0113 234 7474.

Fabulous range of choice at 1st 4 Windows Advertising Feature 1ST 4 WINDOWS’ recently-opened showroom on Bradford Road, Batley is an eye-opener of a place to visit – so much choice for proud home-lovers. Besides offering a fabulous choice of windows, conservatories and kitchens, the selection of doors on offer is amazing, with so many different styles and colours to choose from. 1st 4 Windows specialise in composite doors and have one of the largest selections in the area. There

are great choices of hi-spec designs in lovely colours. There are also special offers every month and it’s well worth calling in on a regular basis to check out just what is available. 1st 4 Windows is a small family business with an experienced, fully qualified workforce and offers a caring, helpful service with practical advice. Their reputation matters to them and quality is assured. They are trusted traders in West Yorkshire and have all the right qualifications and accreditations required to

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ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

Smiles all round T’S never fun being in hospital – especially for children and even more so during the Easter school holidays. That’s why The Press, with the help of all the businesses who have taken adverts and sponsored eggs on these four pages, is determined to bring a bit of cheer.

With the support of Asda, we will be taking dozens of eggs and other goodies to the children’s unit at Dewsbury District Hospital next week. Thanks to all those who helped and look out for pictures of our visit in forthcoming editions of The Press.

Staff, patients and representatives from The Press and Asda at Dewsbury District Hospital’s children’s unit, Easter 2015

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

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Friday March 18, 2016

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ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

EAT, & DRINK

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Treating you like Royalty... A MUCH-LOVED pub is rewarding customers with a new loyalty scheme. The Royal Oak, on Owl Lane in Ossett, has launched a ‘Royalty Card’ for diners and drinkers who want a little bit extra. The card gives members up to 10 per cent back in points for every pound they spend, plus many more rewards and benefits. Membership is straightforward and costs £2.50, but the card comes pre-loaded with £5’s worth of points. You collect 10 points for every £1 spent on food and drink. A hundred points are worth £1 to spend at The Royal Oak, which means that for every £10 spent, members get £1 back in points. The Royal Oak is also offering double points until the end of April when someone spends £40 or more on one bill. Members can top up their card with cash to spend at The Royal Oak – and until the end

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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of March the team are rewarding members with an extra 25 per cent – so for every £10 they top up they will get £12.50 to spend. Other benefits currently include two free side orders when purchasing two grills on a Friday or Saturday. All wine is priced at £10 a bottle Tuesday to Thursday

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ThePress

Friday March 18, 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 APRIL 2 SATURDAY MARCH 19 PUGNEYS COUNTRY PARK (NK) THORNHILL EDGE & CANAL (NK) Meet at 10.30am at The Ship Inn, Meet at 10.30am at Horbury Bridge, WF4 5PR Mirfield Library, WF14 8AN GR SE 280 179 10 miles (M) GR SE 203 197 9 miles (M) No hills, only one stile, no dogs No dogs Leader: Geoff Leader: Geoff Tel: 01422 379921 Tel: 01422 379921

Group’s big event A SUPPORT group is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with a special event at Healey Community Centre tomorrow (Sat). The Yorkshire Down Syndrome Group has organised activities from 12pm to 3pm and all are welcome to join in the fun, while helping to raise awareness. Events include a children’s disco, comedy magic, balloon modelling, face painting, bubbles and party food. The event is free but raffle tickets will be on sale and various hot and cold refreshments will be available at the community centre on West Park Road, Healey. The group’s aim is to bring families who have children with Down Syndrome together through fun and games. It also aims to provide a hub of support where families can share experiences and help each other. For more information visit www.facebook.com/YorkshireDownSyndromeGroup or see @YorksDSG on Twitter.

Exciting new plans Q TRINITY Drama Group are holding an open special AGM on March 31 at Trinity Methodist Church in Mirfield (7.15pm). The group would like to invite all members past, present and new to come along to find out about their exciting new plans for the coming year. Refreshments will be available afterwards.

A CURIOUS EVENT AT RED HOUSE’S BARN TO HELP celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth, the Friends of Red House Museum in Gomersal are hosting a presentation about ‘Kirklees Curiosities’ tomorrow (Sat). The presentation is being given by Linda Smith and Carol Hardy, who have set up a website dedicated to curious objects. They have been researching local connections to Charlotte

Brontë and have turned up interesting curiosities about Charlotte’s father Patrick and her friends Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor. Mary and her family lived at Red House in the 1830s and inspired characters and locations in Charlotte’s novel ‘Shirley’. Linda and Carol will also be asking for help in discovering more curiosities in the Gomersal and Spen Valley area. Jacqueline Ryder, chairman of

MIRFIELD: A martial arts group will raise money for Sport Relief by attempting a 24-hour session tomorrow (Sat). A dozen members of the Shoufukan Dojo will start practicing the martial art of Takenouchi-ryu Bitchuden from 11am at Mirfield Community Centre. The youngest participant is aged 10 and the oldest is in their 50s, and the aim is to always have at least one pair training throughout the marathon attempt. The session will be open to the public between 12noon and 10pm and again from 9am to 11am on Sunday morning. Donations can be made on the day, or through http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/shoufukandojo.

the Friends of Red House, said: “The Friends of Red House are very grateful to Linda and Carol for giving their presentation at Red House. “It is appropriate that we are having this event at a place that was so well known to Charlotte Brontë and as part of the Brontë 200 celebrations. “I am sure people will find the presentation fascinating, and many will know interesting titbits to add to Linda and Carol’s

website.” The talk, which will take place in the Barn at Red House, starts at 2pm. Admission is £3 (£2 for Friends of Red House members) and includes light refreshments. There is no need to book, but please note that access is via stairs only. For more information contact Red House Museum, on Oxford Road in Gomersal on 01274 335056.

Get thissen darn to’t town hall on Monday A COUPLE who have the unusual talent of being able to use Yorkshire dialect to bring all kinds of stories and situations to life will be demonstrating their speciality at next Monday’s meeting of Batley History Group. Alan and Carol Walker who met 62 years ago on the outskirts of the old Gaiety Ballroom in Commercial Street, Batley, have since developed their dialect talent and undoubtedly will be using some of it to help them celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary in August. With three children, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren some people might think the couple would have no spare time to follow pastimes seriously. But they have both run two Dewsbury 10Ks for charity and have performed for several years with the Yorkshire Dance group. Earlsheaton-born Carol has been involved in the U3A Yorkshire Dialect Group for many

years and about nine years ago managed to persuade Staincliffe-born husband Alan to join her in dialect presentations. Initially they surprised Yorkshire people by “doing it for nowt” but since deciding to charge for their talents they have been booked in various parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire and, so far, have raised over £5,000 which has been donated to the NSPCC. During the past nine years both Carol and Alan have competed for the Arthur Kinder Trophy at the Mrs Sunderland Festival’s dialect-reading competition, which is held each February in Huddersfield Town Hall. Carol has previously won the competition twice and this year came third while Alan racked up his fourth success. The history group meeting starts at 7.30pm and there are free refreshments from 7pm. Both members and visitors are welcome, with members paying £2 and visitors £4.

It’ll drive you insaaaaane... The Rocky Horror Show Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Box Office: 01274 432000 Review by Adele Latham IT’S BACK! The Rocky Horror Show – I could barely contain myself, and I wasn’t disappointed. In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tyre during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. Narrated by Norman Pace, (one half of 90s comedy duo Hale & Pace), the audience are transported into the virtual world of Frank-NFurter and his equally warped assistants Rif Raf, Magenta and Columbia.

As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, where Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named Rocky.

Bursting at the seams with timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet, and of course, the pelvicthrusting Time Warp, Richard O’Brien’s

Rocky Horror Show is a non-stop party. This is the boldest bash of them all, so sharpen those stilettos and get ready for the biggest bash in town!

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Ann calls in at 10 Downing Street for more entertainment

How to advertise... There are THREE ways to place your advert: 1) Ring Adele on 01924 470296 (9.30am-4.30pm). Have your advert ready and you can pay by debit card (30p surcharge). 2) Come into the offices of The

NEW Beige upholstered swivel chair, very good condition £40. Tel 01924 495473/ 07709 859355. (1888)

Ann Montini outside 10 Downing Street in central London HIS wonderful job with The Press gets you all kind of invites – and here I am at the worldfamous black door of 10 Downing Street. Myself and others were invited to a reception celebrating the best of British entertainment. The big question everyone asks is what’s it like inside the famous building? Well, it’s glamorous and far bigger than you can imagine, but what a treat to be given such a tour...

LES DENNIS will be in Coronation Street for another year, the actor has said. Les, who plays Michael Rodwell, confirmed that he’s signed up to Corrie for another 12 months. He is currently on a break to star in a stage show in Liverpool. LOOK out for Jason Manford, who is now far removed from his stand-up comedy roots and hosting a game show called Bring Me Sunshine, which sees competing couples fight to win their dream holiday, testing their general knowledge, memory, and how well they actually know each other. Sounds great, do you agree? OLIVER FARNWORTH, who played Belgian refugee Florian Dupont in Mr Selfridge, is nowplaying Gavin in Coronation Street and tells me: “I was originally going to play Callum in the show, but then they offered me the Gavin role, so considering where Callum ended up I think I was lucky...” NATALIE CASSIDY, who plays Sonia in EastEnders, has no plans to release any more keep fit DVDs after shedding weight. She said: “I enjoyed them, but the pressure to remain the same once the DVD is out is hard and the press can be so cruel when you add a few pounds, which is also something to think about.” HAYLEY TAMADDON didn’t want to leave Corrie last year, but now she’s singing and dancing for joy in the touring version of the musi-

cal Chicago. “I’ve signed up for six months which will take me up to mid-summer. That works very well for me. I feel a year would be too long because then I wouldn’t be able to do any TV work,” she said. DERMOT O’LEARY and Gino D’Acampo are piloting a live entertainment show for ITV in which they will open their own Italian restaurant. Many fans, though, will note that Dermot did in fact open his own fish restaurants in Brighton two years ago. Both failed and have since closed down – not looking great for the TV show, is it? JAMES NORTON, who plays vicar Sidney Chambers in 1950s detective series Grantchester, is doing his bit for tourism in Cambridgeshire, where the show is filmed. Thanks to the appeal of the series, coachloads are now arriving every weekend to take in the official Grantchester tour. EMMERDALE’S Emma Atkins tells me: “Charity’s out of prison and ready to pick up where she left off – making everyone’s lives hell. I love the fact she has learned no lessons from her time in prison, and is effectively back to what she does best, being very annoying.” THE MOP-HEADED supersleuth Jonathan Creek is heading back to BBC One. Stage magician Jonathan will be back for a one-off episode, which will be shot this summer as Alan Davis confirms he is reprising the role that made him famous. However he told me he wears a wig on the show as “my hair is not that curly in real life now.” THE Carry On film franchise is to be revived. There have been a number of previous attempts to resurrect the series, which started with 1958’s Carry On Sergeant and finished with the muchderided Carry On Columbus in 1992 – but all have fallen through. However Carry On Films Limited claim the new

Maycon Pictures

project is “100 per cent happening”, with the film due to be released in 2017. CHANNEL Four game show Deal or No Deal is likely to come to an end, with multiple sources indicating the latest series of the long-running format is set to be its last. Hosted by Noel Edmonds, the show has been declining in ratings for the last few months. Noel, though, is as ever hopeful of a reprieve. ONE-TIME Coronation Street actor Michael Ball is to host this year’s Olivier Awards which are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, and will be held at London’s Royal Opera House on April 3. He tells me: “I would love a return now that Sally is still there, but it was over 30 years ago, you know.” THE GREAT British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc shared some behind-the-scenes gossip from the BBC series, telling me that co-host Sue Perkins and judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood have a Eurovision party together every year. “We all love the daftness of the show but turn it into a riot of fun, with scoreboards and everything. It’s become a yearly event now,” she said. THIS July marks 50 years since England won the World Cup in 1966, and ITV has commissioned a new threepart drama about the football team’s captain Bobby Moore. An ITV source tells me: “It’s an obvious drama, and one that will connect with everyone who loved football, and of course, who remembers this historic event.” JO JOYNER, who played Tanya Branning in EastEnders, will play a character who arrives in Mount Pleasant as a bolt out of the blue. “She’s a woman who’ll set tongues wagging and curtains twitching and I’m really excited to be joining the cast of Mount Pleasant,” says Jo.

Glass topped wicker coffee table, 26” square x 21” high, as new £40. Tel 01924 495473/ 07709 859355. (1888) Well rotted horse manure (no straw), five bags £10. Free local delivery. Ring Ken 01924 409540/ 07922 186721 (1889) COLLECTABLES Collectable Edwardian sledge, wooden slaits on cast iron blades, ideal for use as sledge or garden ornament £15 ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1855) ELECTRONICS Dell 13 laptop, working and updated recently £40 ono. Tel 01924 504409. (1887) 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) 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.

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

Approximately one year old £600 ono, buyer collects. Tel 07555 586935 after 5pm. (1880) Cot bed, in light oak, bought from Babies R Us. Good condition £55 ONO. 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) 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) GARDEN/OUTDOOR Electric rotavator, garden shredder and builder’s bag of 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) KITCHEN Modern kitchen (still fitted until mid-March). Light cream, custom built, nine wall units, nine floor units. Sensible offers considered. Tel 01924 408171

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.

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Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus (message service available). (1877) MOTORING 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 seat and basket, four wheels and twin brakes; height adjust level. Folds flat for transport, fits behind driver’s seat. As new, £45, can deliver. Tel 01924 524201. (1863) SPORTING/ OUTDOOR/ FITNESS Wilson Fat Shaft golf clubs, irons and bag. Health reason forces

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£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11 sale, rarely used, good condition £60. Tel 01924 504409. (1887) 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) 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) TOYS, GAMES & CHILDREN’S GOODS Graco child safety car seat, as new condition £15, only used for grandchild. Tel 01924 511296. (1865) WANTED Wanted: Small ‘N’ gauge model railway, baseboard, rolling stock, engines etc. Tel Ray 07833 355170. (1864)

ThePress

News in Brief Pub’s real ale award CLECKHEATON: A pub has won an award from real ale fans – just six months after it re-opened. The Rose and Crown on Westgate was named pub of the season by the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Heavy Woollen branch. It re-opened last September after an 18-month refit that included the creation of a micro brewery. The transformation is the brainchild of Andy Gascoigne, who relocated the micro brewery from his other premises in Haworth. CAMRA branch chairman Andy Kassube said: “The pub has quickly grown an excellent reputation for real ale and quickly established itself at the heart of the community. “It is a pub where people are encouraged to sit and talk as there is no jukebox or TV sports channels.”

TV show cash for Alan HECKMONDWIKE: A man landed a cash payout and discovered a previously unknown family history thanks to a TV show. Alan Beevers, 56, was one of 35 beneficiaries who shared in the £116,000 estate left by Doreen Storey when she died in February, 2012. Doreen, of Roberttown, had no known relatives but experts acting for the BBC series Heir Hunters tracked them down. Courier firm boss Alan, a father-of-two, received £1,800 and he said: “It was completely unexpected.” During the investigation, Alan was told he had a great uncle, Alvin Storey, who was killed aged just 19 at Ypres in the First World War. Alan said: “I now have a family tree and a history I'd always wanted to research but never had the time.”

Friday March 18, 2016

MP fights on for tampon tax cut CHANCELLOR George Osborne is not moving fast enough to remove a tax on tampons. That is the view of Dewsbury & Mirfield MP Paula Sherriff after Mr Osborne presented his eighth budget on Wednesday. Miss Sherriff wants VAT removed but found European legislation in the way. Brussels has now proposed changes and Miss Sherriff believes the Chancellor can move ahead with plans. She said: “Periods are a

fact of life, not a luxury, and they shouldn’t be taxed as such. "We have heard from food banks that some women are forced to use socks because they cannot afford to buy proper sanitary protection.” In October, Miss Sherriff proposed axing the levy in a Finance Bill amendment which was defeated by 305 votes to 287. She added: “After years of campaigning, the Government finally wrote to the European Commission.

“But now they are set to propose changes to the rules, the Chancellor has no excuse for not setting out his own timetable. “He should have used the budget to say he would take full advantage of any change and scrap the tax as soon as possible, but instead we were left disappointed. “I intend to table another amendment to the Finance Bill and expect to obtain strong cross-party support. The case for abolition is now overwhelming.”

Projects win bag levy cash

Early morning assault on walker

THREE North Kirklees projects are to share £30,000 from the 5p shopping bag levy collected by Tesco. The Friends of West End Park group in Cleckheaton will receive £12,000 and Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall £10,000. A third scheme, the clean-up of canal towpaths in Mirfield, gets £8,000 from the Bags of Help fund. Shoppers at Tesco voted for their favourite causes – with more to benefit when nominations open again next month. Caroline Silke, head of community at the retail giant, said: “We can’t wait to see the money being put to use bringing these projects to life.”

A MAN was assaulted in Dewsbury’s Caulms Wood area while out walking his dog last Sunday. The victim, 19, was approached by three men between 7pm and 7.30pm and later found a small puncture wound on his body. All the assailants were described as Asian. One was in his early 20s, stocky and had a dark hooded top. The other two were in their late teens, of average build and were also wearing dark hooded tops. Anyone with information can call DC Simon Thomas at Kirklees CID on 101, quoting reference 13160111054.

Support for EU ‘Leave’ backers THE LOCAL campaign to vote to leave the European Union was launched last Saturday as part of a national day of action by the ‘Vote Leave’ group. The campaign in the Dewsbury & Mirfield and Batley & Spen constituencies is being led by former Dewsbury South Conservative councillor Jonathan Scott. He said: “The response from the people of Dewsbury and Batley on Saturday was really positive about the UK being able to control its own borders and make its own free trade agreements outside of the EU. “These were very important issues to the people we spoke to. There was genuine outrage at David Cameron and the Remain camp, who are trying to scare the British people into remaining in the EU by talking our country down and making exaggerated claims and threats about what might happen if we chose to leave the EU. “We have been attracting support from all the different political parties and what is more, we are speaking to many people who have actually never voted before or have not voted for years, but have said they will be voting to leave on June 23. “Over the coming weeks and months, we will be out campaigning and making the positive case for the UK to leave the EU and for us to take control of our own country once again.”

Friday March 18, 2016

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

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Friday March 18, 2016

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ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Liversedge eye a great escape NCEL Premier Division LIVERSEDGE FC ATHERSLEY RECREATION

2 0

at Clayborn LIVERSEDGE have given their survival prospects in the Northern Counties East League Premier another boost following a dominant 2-0 win over Athersley Recreation. Benny Igiehon gave the Clayborn

side the lead in the 29th minute before Vaughan Redford sealed the win with a goal eight minutes from time. This win followed an impressive 11 draw away at high-flyers Bridlington Town. Anthony Hilton gave the away side the lead on 10 minutes but just before the half hour mark Chris Adams levelled for Town. Liversedge, who remain bottom with games in hand on their rivals, continue their survival quest tomorrow (3pm) with a trip to face

Maltby Main. Elsewhere Liversedge have been boosted by the news that they will receive a £5,000 grant to pay for pitch repairs. The money will be used to help prevent waterlogging and a repeat of the severe fixture congestion which has occurred as a result of a four-month spell of home game postponements due to the heavy rainfall. The money, provided by carmaker Hyundai, could end what has been one of Liversedge’s most turbulent periods in their 106-year history.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Albion climb closer to safety OSSETT ALBION took a huge leap toward safety in the North East Regional League Southern Division with a 3-1 win over Courts City and are in good spirits ahead of Sunday’s clash at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Player of the Match Anna Taylor provided the assists for leading scorer Nikki Swift’s double for Ossett and Swift then set up sub Jenna Wraith for a third as Albion’s win lifted them three places to leave them two points off the bottom with games in hand on all their rivals. With only six points separating the top seven in the West Riding League Premier Division, every game for the title challengers is crucial and none more so than Sunday’s clash at Brighouse Athletic for Ossett Town. Neither side was in action last week but with only one point sepa-

rating the two sides they will both have one eye on the first v second clash, between Tingley and Altofts, in what looks like being a crucial week in the title race. It is the same in Division One where Battyeford Belles, needing just 13 points from six games, took a huge step toward the title despite their game with Ilkley Town being called off. The Belles are seven points clear of the chasing pack going into Sunday’s game at home to bottom club Oulton, but only one point separates the next four teams as a second-place finish is beginning to look the best any of them could hope for – and even that could depend on the clash between Bradford City A and Hebden Royd. In their last game City drew 2-2 with second-placed Leeds Medics

SPEN VALLEY LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Athletico and Palestino fail to make ground on leaders IN THE Spen Valley Football League Premier Division’s second and third placed sides battled it out to close the gap on the league leaders Girlington. Neither Athletico or Palestino were satisfied with the 1-1 draw and saw the result as a missed opportunity. White Abbey Road edged out strugglers Savile United 1-0 thanks to a Mohammed Ali strike. Girlington extended their lead at the top after beating Hartshead 4-2. Shoaib Javed netted a brace with Atif Shehzad and Danyal Dar scoring the others for Girlington. In reply Hartshead scored through Stephen Smith and Brendan Folan. Hightown Jets lost out to Vision FC 5-3. Nathan Clarke scored twice and Daniel Deakin once but it wasn’t enough as Vision scored thanks to Louis Clayburn, Chris Ben, Liam Hartley, Ryan Lloyd and Chris Bower. In the division’s final game Idle thumped Savile Youth 7-1. Adrian Rhodes’ hat-trick, Andrew

Wood’s brace an Aaron Irving strike and an own goal rounded of the scoring for Idle. Youth got on the scoresheet thanks to an own goal. In the First Division leaders Dewsbury West Side annihilated Howden Clough 10-0. Atif Basharat netted an incredible eight goals, James Hartley completed a brace. Smokin Aces earned a 5-2 win over West End Park thanks to goals from Shakeel Pandor (two), Mohammed Navsaka (two) and Mohammed Loonat. In reply West End netted through Matty Softley and Milo Hooley. Meanwhile Inter Batley scraped a 2-1 win over Norfolk. Raees Lorgat and Yusuf Dadiwala got the goals for Inter and Usaifa scored for Norfolk. And in the Spen Valley Memorial Trophy Mount Pleasant won 2-1 against Savile Town. Abdurraheem Mayat and Adam Chibda with the goals. In reply Sirak Akbar scored for Town.

and Dentists and with the Belles looking likely winners, along with third-placed Silsden at Republica, the result of the City game with Hebden will impact on either side’s chances of a late title challenge. In Division Two Battyeford Belles reserves are at Bradford side Tyersal needing a win to avoid finishing in the bottom two. Meanwhile in Division Three Dewsbury Rangers are still in with a shout of second place after a goalless draw with current secondplaced side Farsley Celtic Development, but much will depend on the outcome of the double-header this week at home to Clifton. Ossett Town reserves, who lost 4-1 at 100 per cent leaders Wigton Moor in their last game, take on Silsden Development.

COMMUNITY EVENT

Albion suffer heavy defeat in last four of West Riding Cup West Riding County Cup BRADFORD PA

OSSETT ALBION

at Horsfall Stadium OSSETT Albion’s West Riding County Cup dream was ended following a 6-2 semi-final defeat at the hands of Bradford Park Avenue on Monday night. Albion raced into a two-goal lead through Danny South and Rob Bordman. But Bradford were back on level terms by half-time thanks to Richard Marshall and Lamin Colley. Bradford then took the lead shortly after the restart when Colley netted his second of

the game. Injuries forced Albion boss Richard Tracey into making changes and Bradford scored three more through Michael Potts, Callum Terrell and Colley who completed his hat-trick to round off a comfortable win. But Albion had better luck when they hosted Mossley last Saturday, winning 4-3 in First Division North. Connor Brunt, Scott Kerr, Dominic Riordan and Nicholas Matthews got the goals for the hosts. In reply Mossley scored through Thomas Pratt, David Short and Andrew Keogh. Albion play host to Brighouse Town tomorrow (3pm) as they look to regain a play-off spot in the league. They currently sit seventh.

Late Town goal secures a point First Division North OSSETT TOWN

PRESCOT CABLES

at 4G Voice and Data Stadium DAVID BROWN salvaged a point for Ossett Town with an 84th-minute strike which earned the Reds a 1-1 draw at home to Prescot Cables in the Evo-Stik First Division North. The Tuesday-night draw came after last Saturday’s 2-1

defeat away at Warrington Town. Danny Frost fired the visitors in front, but two quick-fire goals either side of the halfhour mark from Gerard Kinsella and Ciaran Kilheeney was enough to earn Warrington all three points. Town travel to face fourth placed Glossop North End tomorrow (3pm) where the Reds will be looking to put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

CYCLE SPEEDWAY

Heckmondwike edged out Bulldogs and by Hull in season’s opener Batley CC to host community sports events BATLEY Cricket Club and Batley Bulldogs have joined forces to host a ‘Communities United’ event on Sunday, March 27. The thrilling day of sporting activities will include quick cricket, tag rugby, indoor events, arts and crafts stalls and a Batley heritage showcase, with events taking place at both clubs throughout the day. Food will also be available for those who turn out. The event is free to attend and will start at noon and finish at 4pm. If you are interested or want to find out more about the event contact Nisar Mayet on 07966 350940, Jon Humpleby on 07808 055022 or alternatively Ahmed Daud on 07912 86018. You can also email n i s a r. m a y e t @ k i r k l e e s . g o v. u k , jon@batleybulldogs.co.uk or ahmed.daud16@hotmail.com.

HECKMONDWIKE Cycle Speedway Club returned to the track for the first time this season with a tough match away at Hull. Polish ace Pawel Idziorek made a welcome return to action, as did Jake Wood after the pair missed most of last season’s action due to work commitments. Newcomer Thomas Kent showed that he has gained the skill of his father Darren by scoring well in his first match and going unbeaten in a challenge match. At the interval Heckmondwike were 43 to 37 up, but ultimately lost out in the sec-

ond half and Hull edged it 79-71. Heckmondwike’s next match is this Sunday (2pm) at Firth Park. The hosts will take on Manchester side Astley & Tyldesley. Club nights are Wednesdays from 7.30pm until 9pm and now include indoor training facilities. If you would like to get involved or want to know more about racing or training, contact Justin Naylor on 07799 367370 or email jusycom@yahoo.co.uk.

WOMEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE

MP Jo Cox finds 2016 home venue for Bulldogs’ girls THIS Saturday will see Batley Bulldogs Girls return to competitive action following their tour of Australia last autumn. The 2016 season will see the girls play their first home game of the season at Upper Batley High School following a

deal brokered by Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox. The deal allows the

team to make use of the school’s pitch for all of their 2016 home fixtures.

DEWSBURY BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS Tuesday March 8: 1 J Roberts and M Loveridge;

2 A Cooper and J Lodge; 3 G Fishwick and J Tomlinson.

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

RUGBY UNION

RUGBY LEAGUE EXTRA Andy Piper touches down under a pile of bodies Gerald Christian

Stags tighten grip at top of Championship Pennine Lge Championship

MIRFIELD STAGS

NEW EARSWICK AB 32 at Hillrich Park

Cleck RU steal unlikely victory National League Three North

CLECKHEATON

LYMM

at Moorend CLECKHEATON RUFC made home advantage count with a late try to seal a valuable 25-18 win over Lymm in National League Three North. A new-look Moorenders team, which included Danny Vento and Josh Hall, showed good spirit against a Lymm side that had won four games in a row. It was the hosts who went ahead after five minutes through Vento. The conversion drifted wide. Lymm ran confidently with the ball but the hosts’ defence stood firm with good tackling from Paul Turner, Ryan

Piercy and Richard Piper. Midway through the first half the sides exchanged penalties. Richard McEvoy got Lymm’s effort while Ronan Evans obliged for the home side. And on the stroke of half-time Evans struck a second penalty goal to give his side an 11-3 lead. Cleckheaton stuck to their game plan, which starved the visitors of possession. But with 30 minutes left the away side sparked into life. Within the space of three minutes McEvoy and Mark Wells touched down for Lymm. McEvoy converted one of them and the away side found themselves 15-11 in front. The lead was extended thanks to a penalty goal. But despite going seven points behind the hosts dug deep and pulled

off a remarkable comeback in the closing stages. Andy Piper touched down following a trademark catch-and-drive from a line-out. Evans converted. With the teams tied it made for an exciting finish to the game and a 40metre drop goal by Cleckheaton drifted narrowly wide. And following the 22-metre restart an ambitious long pass across the back line was plucked out of the air by Evans, who needed no second chances to score a try which sealed the win for the home side following the conversion. Cleckheaton lie 12th in the league, just a point behind Huddersfield YMCA directly above them. The Moorenders travel to Stockport tomorrow (3pm) hoping to improve their away form and return with a win to keep their survival hopes alive.

A LAST-GASP Lewis Martin try capped a great fightback as Mirfield Stags overcame New Earswick All Blacks 34-32 at Hillrich Park. Martin’s effort, which came just 90 seconds from the full-time whistle, was improved by the impeccably-reliable boot of Ross Hayden, whose goal proved the match-winning moment. Mirfield were 12 points up inside the opening quarter of an hour, but found themselves trailing at the interval as the visiting All Blacks battled back. As the hour mark passed the Stags looked set to suffer a second-successive loss, as their York-based opponents powered into a 10-point lead. But Mirfield’s heroics proved the difference late on in what proved a memorable afternoon of Pennine League Championship action. The Stags started strongly, collecting their own kick-off and piling on the pressure. It took less than three minutes for the deadlock to be broken through Oliver Rounding and Hayden was on target with the conversion, making it 6-0. Mirfield’s advantage was doubled soon after when Mikey Batty bundled over from close range, Hayden again converted.

However, New Earswick responded superbly, scoring a trio of quick-fire tries to take a lead which they held until after the break. Martin opened his scoring account on 46 minutes, making the most of increasing pressure on the All Blacks’ line to help Mirfield move level at 1818 as Hayden added the extras. New Earswick hit straight back, however, before being reduced to 12 men after the referee brandished a yellow card. Batty replied for the Stags, touching down his second try of the game, but it wasn’t enough to inspire his side. The All Blacks kicked a penalty goal and scored another converted try to move eight points clear of Mirfield. New Earswick dealt the Stags what seemed a final blow six minutes from time, taking advantage of another penalty to make it 32-22. But their latest setback fired Mirfield into life and Rounding crossed for his second touchdown. Hayden converted. Four points adrift with 78 minutes played, the Stags still required a minor miracle. And half-back Martin delivered, scoring to level the tie. It then fell to Hayden to ensure Mirfield took maximum points from the day’s play. He too delivered to send Hillrich Park into raptures as the Stags tightened their grip on top spot. The two sides face each other again tomorrow (2.30pm) in the league, this time at the home of New Earswick.

Rugby league mourns death of Ged Brentnall Stevan Morton

HEAVY WOOLLEN SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Big win puts Woodkirk Valley top WOODKIRK VALLEY climbed to the summit of the Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier Division after Christy Woods bagged four goals in a 7-2 win at Oakwell Motel. Jonny Downey, James Tesseyman and Simon Poole hit the others, with Jonny Beverley firing both goals for Oakwell, who remain in seventh place. Nick Robinson scored for Millbridge WMC but they lost 2-1 at Woodman Batley Carr who move up to third. Joel Farrar netted both goals as fifth-placed Birkenshaw won 2-0at lowly Mount Pleasant. Overthorpe Sports Club won only their second league game of the season, edging out AFC Chickenley 4-3. Tim Clarke, Michael Chadwick and Jack Smith put Chickenley in charge, but the visitors hit back through Sam Sweeney (brace), Lewis Ward and Jordan Angus. The top two sides in the Championship met, with Navigation emerging as the new leaders after goals from Sam Raymond and Rob McCall saw them win 2-1 against Clifton Rangers.

Heckmondwike Sports Club lie in fourth place following a 5-3 win at Town Rangers thanks to George Porter (two), Robin Knight, Joe Armour and Dominic Hinchliffe. Hartshead won 4-0 at lowly Birstall St Patricks, whilst Ravenswharfe enjoyed their first league win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Deighton WMC thanks to goals from Sam Hewitt, Salem Iqbal and Matthew Hepworth. The Yorkshireman moved to within touching distance of the top of Division One with a 6-1 win over Scholes Athletic. They remain eight points behind leaders Hanging Heaton Cricket Club but have significantly three games in hand. Battyeford lie third after they won 3-2 at home to Batley Celtics who had Oliver Mitchell and Brad Jackson on the scoresheet. Jordan Bales hit both goals for bottom side Punch Bowl, but they lost 4-2 at Clifton Rangers Reserves. Birkenshaw Reserves climbed off the foot of the table after goals from Dave Harrison and

Liam Roe saw them win 2-0 against St Ignatius. In Division Two, Old Bank WMC moved eleven points clear at the top following a 3-1 win at Field Head thanks to a Robert Evans brace plus a strike from Josh Cooke. Batley Irish Nash lie second, though they were held to a 2-2 draw by Snowdon despite goals from Jordan Ledgard and Tom Yarnold. Patrick Davies and James Damen scored for third placed Saville Arms in a dour 2-1 win at Overthorpe Sports Club Reserves, who replied through Lee Davey. Rose of York climbed to fourth place after Andrew Asquith (two), Dean Vernon, Luke Fozzard and Taylor Biggins all found the net in a 5-0win over Six Lane Ends. Finally, bottom side Shire lost again, this tome losing 9-0 against Clifton Rangers A. St John Fisher booked a place in the Heavy Woollen Challenge Cup final after Irfane Khan (two) and Rob Bordman scored in a 3-1 win over Mirfield Town, for whom Gibril Bojang replied.

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

LOCAL rugby league stalwart Ged Brentnall sadly passed away last weekend. The 67-year-old, who lived in Earlsheaton, was the open age secretary at Dewsbury Moor ARLFC and had worked closely with Thornhill Trojans throughout his life as both a player and committee member. He also played for Batley RLFC during the 1980s. Ged was a familiar face at Dewsbury Moor’s rugby matches and would compile reports to send to the local press. When he didn’t attend last Saturday’s games, concerns were raised. It is believed that he died of pneumonia. Dewsbury Moor chairman Pete Charlesworth, said: “Ged lived for rugby

league. The game’s community was his family and when he didn’t turn up to the games last Saturday we were all worried, it was totally out of character for him. “He will be dearly missed by everyone at our club and he will be irreplaceable.” Tributes have been paid from across the RL community, and a Thornhill Trojans statement said: “Rest in peace Ged and many many thanks for all the hard work you did for Thornhill and the game of rugby league itself.” Ged’s funeral will take place on Friday April 1 (2.45pm) at Dewsbury Crematorium and all are welcome. There will be a celebration of Ged’s life at Dewsbury Moor ARLFC following the service, and again everyone is invited to attend.

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

RUGBY LEAGUE

Trojans win local derby NCL Division Two

THORNHILL TROJANS DEWSBURY CELTIC

NCL Division One

SHAW CROSS SHARKS

EAST LEEDS

at Leeds Road SHAW CROSS SHARKS lost their opening game of the 2016 National Conference League Division One campaign 26-12 at home to East Leeds.

26 6

The Sharks have missed opportunities to blame for the defeat in a match which saw them dominate for large periods without turning that dominance into points. Shaw Cross did go ahead on 15 minutes through Will Poching. The hosts almost extended their lead shortly afterwards but Joseph Halloran stumbled on his way to the line. The home side were then punished for the missed chance when the scores were levelled. In an entertaining encounter the Sharks almost struck back straight away, but Andrew Tillitson was tackled inches short of the whitewash. But the away side inflicted a sucker punch on their rivals by taking the lead with a try just before half-time. After the interval both teams upped their

at Overthorpe Park THORNHILL TROJANS kick-started their life in National Conference League Division Two with a 26-6 win over local rivals Dewsbury Celtic. There was a big turnout for this fiery encounter and the game started in an explosive manner. Brothers Danny and Sam Ratcliffe both had to be disciplined. Danny Ratcliffe was shown a red card for a head-butt while his brother Sam was sin-binned for punching, both inside five minutes. But despite being down to 11 men early on the Trojans opened the scoring with a try from Mindaugas Bendikas. Andrew Bates converted. Bendikas thought he had doubled his try tally shortly afterwards but a forward pass meant the referee ruled out the touchdown. But in the lead-up to half-time Scott Dyson was on the end of a crunching tackle which handed his side a penalty. Bates converted to extend the hosts’ lead to 8-0 at the break. And shortly after the restart Bendikas’ speed proved too difficult to handle for Celtic as the winger went over for his second try. Bates was accurate with the boot once more from between the sticks. Celtic hit back on 48 minutes, however. Former Dewsbury Rams player Jamaine Akaidere bagged a try for the visitors. Josh Knowles added the extras to give his side renewed hope in the contest. But the Trojans were comfortable and looked set to extend their lead in the closing stages.

Shaw Cross defeated at home in season opener

Thornhill’s George Stott was hit hard by a Dewsbury Celtic tackler Dave Jewitt Ben Kendall went close but it was Ryan Fenton who sealed the win with his first try of the season, Bates goaled. A high tackle allowed Bates to kick another penalty before Jake Wilson scored the final try of the match to round off an impressive first win in Division Two for the Trojans. But the game was marred by a severe hand injury suffered by Luke Haigh and the red card shown to Danny Ratcliffe, who may receive further punishment from the league. Next up for Thornhill is a trip to face Blackbrook tomorrow (2.30pm). Meanwhile Celtic have the weekend off from league action as their wait for a win continues.

intensity and the next points looked set to be crucial in what was an even contest. It was the away side who got the next score with a try in the corner. The conversion gave East Leeds a 12-point advantage. James Davies reduced the Sharks’ deficit with a try but it wasn’t enough. Five minutes later the determined East Leeds side regained their 12-point lead. And the away side would have scored again soon after was it not for a last-ditch tackle from Andrew Flowers. The hosts looked for avenues back into the game and they were boosted by the fact that Leeds were reduced to 12 men due to a yellow card being shown. Shaw Cross couldn’t capitalise, however. The final pass wasn’t there for the home side and time ran out for them to find a way back into the match. The Sharks look to bounce back against Thatto Heath Crusaders at Leeds Road tomorrow (2.30pm). Elsewhere, BARLA GB Under-23s are preparing for their tour of Jamaica with a game against Dewsbury Rams Reserves at Shaw Cross on Sunday (1.30pm). The BARLA squad will consist of young talent from the Sharks and other local amateur sides across the district.

Maroons have a day to forget in disappointing NCL opener NCL Division Three

RYLANDS SHARKS

DEWSBURY MOOR

at The Pavillion IN NATIONAL Conference League Division Three Dewsbury Moor Maroons were heavily beaten 56-6 away at Rylands Sharks. Gavin Conroy and Luke Walker both

scored a hat-trick of tries. Conroy’s first two came inside the first 10 minutes. Jamie Clarke added another try on 15 minutes and the Sharks were 300 up by half-time after tries by man of the match Nick Braide, Walker and Luke Gilloolly. An Alex Jeffs try saw Moor get points on the board, but further tries from Conroy, Lewis, Walker and Braide completed a fine win. The Maroons are bottom of the table after the heavy opening-day defeat.

JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

Celtic secure back-to-back victories IN THE Yorkshire Junior League Dewsbury Celtic Under-15s beat Dearne Valley Bulldogs 38-18 on the road to remain top of Division Three. Celtic have struggled against their South Yorkshire rivals in the past but this time they returned home with maximum points. Lewis Teale got the Green and Whites’ first try. This was followed by touchdowns from Conor Appleyard (two), Cameron Berry, Jacob Feiweles and a second try from Teale. Charlie Heaton was reliable with the boot to help Celtic clinch their second win in as many outings this season. Meanwhile, Moor’s Under-14s overcame Shaw Cross Sharks Under-14s. Jay Haywood-Scriven (four) scored the opening try for the Maroons before Connor Charlesworth (two), Brad Llewelyn, Adam Kirby, Tom Berry, Josh Inwood and Alex Hirst got the tries to seal a big win for the Carr Lane outfit. Brad Frost and Jonathan Diskin kicked the conversions. Moor’s Under-10s also won in their last outing 26-16 against Castleford. Tom Lay, Joe Maloney (hat-trick), Lucas Sheard (two) got the tries for the hosts. Thornhill Trojans Under-13s played a tough Crigglestone All Blacks side last week-

end. It was an entertaining game thanks to good play from the Trojans’ Josh Topps, who scored a try along with Thomas Hiscocks. Scott Naylor, Josh Stanley, Dillon Kilgalonshaw, Noah Ellis, Ben Moorhouse, Brandon Hargreaves, Jake Buckley, Kurt Hodgson, Kaylem Widdop, Tom Darley, Sam Fozzard and Zak Harrod all played well throughout. Trojans Under-11s scored seven tries in their first game of the year to overpower Huddersfield St Josephs. Player of the match Frazer Cass scored two tries, as did Regan Lofthouse. Louie Creaser, Jake Redmond and Charlie Key also went over. Meanwhile, Trojans Under-11s Warriors are on the look out for new players. Contact Rachel on 07745 722347 to find out more. Thornhill Trojans Under-10s made a strong start to the new season by beating Siddal. Despite going behind the Trojans’ youngsters fought back thanks to touchdowns from Toby Lumb, Tom Metcalfe, William Frain and Harvey Roberts. The Under-8s also excelled for the Trojans. Harley Rock scored 11 tries in a morning of rugby that consisted of three 10-minute games involving both Shaw Cross Reds and Batley Boys. Frankie Firth wasn’t far behind scoring 10

tries, Archie Barclay crossed over five times and Alex Harrison bagged a hat-trick. Other tries came from Seth Harkin (six), Benjamin Conn (five), Hedley Harris (five), Kian Kellett (two) and Joe Wood. But the Sharks’ Under-8s walked away with two wins from the day’s rugby. Dillon Charlton, Bailey Woods, Jack Stephenson, Phoebe Wilson and Francis Appleyard all played well. Elsewhere, Batley Boys Under-11s fought back to beat Stanley Rangers. Man of the match Daniel Goodlad got one try with Noah Jones and Charlie Schofield getting the others. Kai Gurevitch added a conversion. Jones, Gurevitch and Callum Smith shared the coaches’ award, Kamran Wilby bagged the most improved trophy and Anthony Newsome-Brennan took home the spectators’ man of the match trophy. Callum McNaughton received the opposition man of the match gong. And against Hunslet Warriors, Birstall Victoria Under-11s totalled 13 tries. Verne Capstick impressed winning the supporters’ star, opponents’ player and trainer of the week awards. Jamie Richardson (attacking contribution), Jack Mysak (defensive contribution), Joe Hargreaves (magic moment) and Cohan

Burnham (man of steel) also received accolades. And finally Victoria’s Under-8s played a double-header against Dewsbury Moor and Emley. Lewis Firth, Jack Pickles and Harley Aston all tackled brilliantly. Tries came from Charlie Orr, Harley Trapps, Alfie Watson (two), Max Grinhaff (six), Harrison Stevens (hat-trick), Archie Walker (five), Harley Aston (two) and Jack Kirkaldy (hat-trick).

Dewsbury Celtic U-15 take on Dearne Valley (above) and Verne Capstick touches down for Birstall Victoria U-11s

ThePress

Friday March 18, 2016

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

7 7 7 8 8 9 7 9 7 7 8 7 7 7 7 7 8

Bulldogs show spirit to earn impressive point Kingstone Press Championship

BRADFORD BULLS 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: Ulugia (17), Scott (21), Hirst (66), A Brown (76). Goals: Walker 4/5

BRADFORD BULLS Tries: Caro (7), Ferguson (31), Pitts (38, 50). Goals: Addy 4/4 Ref rating: Ben Thaler / Halftime: 12-18 / Penalties: 9-7 / Sin Bin: None / Sent Off: None / Weather: Sunny / Man of the Match: Keegan Hirst (Bulldogs) / Attendance: 2,742

BATLEY BULLDOGS

BRADFORD BULLS

at Mount Pleasant JOHN KEAR was ecstatic while James Lowes felt robbed after Batley continued their stunning start to the season by coming from 24-12 behind to draw a breathtaking encounter with the very final kick. The Bulldogs’ biggest crowd of the season savoured a see-saw game which could have gone either way, then looked like it was heading Bradford’s before a late rally and controversial last-minute Pat Walker penalty ensured the sides were level. Walker’s kick appeared to miss to the right, but the Bradford players appeared stunned as the tough judges raised their flags. “It was a fantastic occasion,” announced Kear as a previously packed Fox’s Biscuits Stadium slowly emptied. “It’s great when there’s a crowd like this here generating a fabulous atmosphere and these are the sort of games you want to play in.” Batley stay second and have now faced all of last year’s top four in their first six matches, without being beaten by any of them. Meanwhile the Bulls, with a game in

Chris Ulugia breaks away against his former club hand, remain unbeaten in fourth place with three wins and two draws. Batley welcomed back Joe Chandler after concussion prevented him playing in the previous week’s success over Workington. Steve Crossley and Paul Clough made their first appearances of the season for Bradford, who had Matty Blythe in place of groin injury victim Adrian Purtell. The Bulls were also without Adam Sidlow (broken hand) and Tom Olbison (ill). Omari Caro opened the scoring for the visitors with Danny Addy landing the first of his four conversions.

John Miller, Memory Mill Photograpy

But Batley, playing down their famous slope, hit back with tries from on-loan Bulls centre Chris Ulugia and Dave Scott, the second score set up by another ex-Bulls player Cain Southernwood and the result of a thrilling break from Ulugia. Now it was Bradford’s turn to assume superiority with tries from Dale Ferguson and Jay Pitts (two), either side of half time, seemingly giving them a seemingly winning cushion. But Kear’s class of 2016 is built of stern stuff and they battled back. Alistair Leak was held up before inspirational skipper Keegan Hirst

pounced when a spiralling Southernwood kick bounced free and Walker’s third successful conversion narrowed the deficit to just six points. A tense final 14 minutes followed and when Alex Rowe collected another Southernwood bomb then, several pairs of hands later, Alex Brown dived over in the corner, it left Walker with the opportunity to tie the scores. But the Batley loose forward, having kicked 11 straight goals in the previous eight days, narrowly failed to add the extras and, as the clock ticked down towards zero, the points looked to be heading to Odsal. However, just as the hooter was about to sound, referee Ben Thaler, in consultation with his touch-judge, awarded a penalty for a ‘grapple tackle’. Walker then redeemed himself with a successful kick from over 35 metres out in controversial circumstances as the ball appeared to swing wide of the uprights and much was said on the matter following the full-time hooter, though it stands and Batley remain within reach of pole position in the Kingstone Press Championship. “It was a justified penalty and I felt the official showed some bottle by awarding it,” stressed Kear. Bulls boss James Lowes was predictably less happy, saying: “I could probably show you a hundred similar tackles that go unpenalised. Why choose this one with just seconds to go?”

Rams lose out in capital after a gutsy battle against the Broncos Kingstone Press Championship

LONDON BRONCOS DEWSBURY RAMS

22 18

at Trailfinders Sports Club DEWSBURY RAMS were seen off by in-form London Broncos 22-18 in another narrow defeat which meant the capital club went top of the Championship. The visitors started much the better of the teams and thought they had taken the lead after 11 minutes – but the referee ruled Luke Adamson’s effort offside as he ran on to a Paul Sykes chip. Four minutes later, Dalton Grant finished off in the left corner, thanks to two involvements from Brad Delaney, who also converted from the touchline. The Broncos’ equalising score was all about the skills of Rhys Williams. He stopped sharply near the touchline 30 metres out, fended off two tacklers, jinked past a third and then rolled over between two more Rams to ground the ball. The Rams showed fine defensive skills in repelling many London attacks and when Joe Keyes threw a careless interception, the Rams went downfield aided by a penalty. Three tackles later, Jason Crookes went over near to the left touchline and Delaney restored his side’s six-point advantage. Williams scored his second try just before half-time, set up by a long pass from Elliot Kear, but Wes Naiqama failed to improve this try. Early in the second half, Dewsbury’s Sykes and London’s Mark Ioane failed to ground the ball when over the line, so the score remained unchanged for almost all of the third quarter. Then, in the 58th minute, Will Barthau gave London their first lead. He chipped into space and was the quick-

est to react to the bouncing ball, grounding near to the back of the in-goal area. When Matt Garside crashed over from five metres out with 13 minutes remaining, and Naiqama added his third conversion, London’s lead was 10 points and they seemed to be in the comfort zone. But that changed when Naiqama was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Tobi Adamson, seen by the touchjudge. The Rams reacted badly to the challenge, but the only player to be carded was the Broncos captain. A quick Dewsbury score would have made for a very tense final few minutes but, by the time Kyle Trout touched down a kick from Delaney in the right corner and Sykes kicked a magnificent pressure conversion, there were barely 90 seconds remaining. Forced to play desperation rugby for their final attacking set, Dewsbury threw one hopeful pass too many and Grant could only watch it sail into touch. London coach Andrew Henderson said: “I thought we were disappointing with the ball, it was probably the worst performance of the season. We weren’t willing to play the tough stuff early on. It probably led to the errors we made. “But I can’t take anything away from the defensive effort. It was great. We really worked hard together, especially when we were down to 12 men. The defence have us the last three games. “If we are going to achieve what we want to achieve, we have to be better with the ball.” Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison said: “This mirrored last week’s game. We started well, but then our game management let us down. We should have gone in at half-time six points up, not only two. I am proud of the effort the boys put in, but we really should have won against both Featherstone last week and London. “London tested our inexperienced players and it meant that others had to come over to cover them and that created overlaps. But, in the same circumstances, I would have done the same as London did.”

Glenn Morrison is left to ponder after his side’s second narrow defeat in as many weeks. Steve Horsfall

MATCH STATS: LONDON BRONCOS 32. Elliot Kear 2. Rhys Williams 1. Ben Hellewell 4. Wes Naiqama 5. Iliess Macani 7. William Barthau 19. Joe Keyes 8. Nick Slyney 9. James Cunningham 16. Mark Ioane 11. Daniel Harrison 12. Matt Garside 15. Jack Bussey SUBS: 10. Eddie Battye 18. Jamie Thackray 14. Andy Ackers 22. Matt Davis

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

DEWSBURY RAMS 1. Josh Guzdek 2. Dale Morton 15. Jason Crookes 4. Shane Grady 5. Dalton Grant 26. James Delaney 6. Paul Sykes 8. Matt Groat 17. Dom Speakman 16. Toby Adamson 14. Luke Adamson 25. Joel Farrell 13. Aaron Brown SUBS: 3. Karl Pryce 24. Jack Teanby 31. Ryan Wright 32. Karl Trout

6 7 6 6 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 6 7 5 6 6 7

LONDON BRONCOS Tries: Williams (21, 37), Barthau (58), Garside (67). Goals: Naiqama 3/4.

DEWSBURY RAMS Tries: Grant (15), Crookes (33), Trout (78). Goals: Delaney 1/2, Sykes 1/1. Ref rating: C Kendall / Halftime: 10-12 / Penalties: 8-9 / Sin Bin: Naiqama (London) / Sent Off: None / Weather: Mild and sunny / Man of the match: Williams / Attendance: 512

Kear will leave Batley for Cats By Joe Link Sports Reporter joe@thepressnews.co.uk

BATLEY BULLDOGS boss John Kear will leave the Mount Pleasant club at the end of the season to join Wakefield Trinity Wildcats as head of rugby in 2017. Kear, who was head coach at Wakefield from 2006 to 2011 before joining the Bulldogs five seasons ago, will take up the role above newly-named Wildcats head coach Chris Chester, who replaces Brian Smith after he left the club last month. The news has come at time when the Bulldogs are currently enjoying the strongest start to a season in recent memory, which has seen them go unbeaten against the league’s top four in 2015, including an impressive 2424 draw against Bradford Bulls last Sunday – which was watched by Wakefield chairman Michael Carter. “It’s a great honour to be asked to go back to Wakefield and I’m looking forward to the challenge it will bring and also seeing some familiar faces,” said Kear. “I will look to bring some stability and improvement across the whole football department. “But at the moment my loyalties are firmly with Batley. “We’ve had a brilliant start to

the season and I want to see that through. “Wakefield wanted me to join them now, along with Chris Chester, but I wasn’t prepared to do that, we have the chance to achieve something historic this season and I’m going to put all of my effort into making that happen.” Batley take on Whitehaven at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium tomorrow (Sat) in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup and Bulldogs chairman Kevin Nicholas believes the squad have not been affected by the news. “My biggest worry was that all the hard work John and the players put in over pre-season would unravel following the news, but I’ve spoke to him and the senior players and they have insisted that they are all happy and will continue to work towards achieving something great this year starting with a win over Whitehaven,” said Nicholas. “It will be a shame to see John leave us at the end of the year, he’s done a good job and he will be tough to replace, but there is a long time between now and then and as a club we have a lot of other things to concentrate on. “It is important to point out that John hasn’t broken any contract in accepting Wakefield’s offer. Our agreement before this season was that John would stay until the end of 2016.”

John Kear will join Wakefield Trinity Wildcats as head of rugby in 2017

Rams look to cut out errors WITH THE new season less than two months old injury concerns are already mounting for Dewsbury Rams boss Glenn Morrison as they prepare to take on undefeated Bradford Bulls in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup tonight (Fri, 8pm). The Rams have narrowly lost out at Featherstone Rovers and London Broncos in their last two outings without playing their best rugby – but that is a reason to remain confident and Morrison believes his side are not far away. “Injuries have forced me into changes all season and we’ve struggled for continuity,” said Morrison, who was linked with the head coach’s job at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, which went to Chris Chester. “We’ve had so many half-back pairings it’s been impossible for any of them to gel.

“But we can’t solely put our defeats down to injuries and rotation, our game management hasn’t been great, we’ve given away needless points at crucial times in our last two games and it’s proved very costly. “Hopefully we’ll get some players back soon because we have a busy Easter schedule against strong full-time teams so it won’t be easy for us, it’s not really a level playing field given we can only train twice a week.” Injuries have forced Morrison into playing some of last year’s reserves squad, including half-back Brad Delaney, who was targeted by the Broncos last weekend. “He played his best but he learned a lot against London,” said Morrison. “He needed protection from some of the other guys and didn’t get it.

“But he’s young and will get better, I can’t blame London for their tactics in targeting him, I’d have probably done the same.” Scott Hale and Joel Farrell are big doubts for the visit of Bradford tonight with shoulder injuries. Tony Tonks and Ryan Hepworth are also doubts with knee problems. Meanwhile tickets are still available for tonight’s game and they can be purchased between 10am and 5pm today from the club office. After that you can buy tickets for the main seated stand from the club shop after 6pm. Supporters can also purchase South Stand tickets from a specially designated turnstile after 6pm outside the stand, but debit and credit card payments can not be accepted when buying tickets from the turnstile.

Joel Farrell is a doubt for the Bradford clash with a shoulder injury Steve Horsfall

Bulldogs aiming for Challenge Cup run BATLEY BULLDOGS are preparing for their fourth-round Challenge Cup tie against Whitehaven tomorrow (Sat) buoyed by their excellent second-half performance which saw them snatch a point against Bradford Bulls last Sunday at a packed Mount Pleasant. The turnout for the Whitehaven clash may not be as large but Kear is demanding the same level of intensity from his players. “We worked really hard against Bradford and we did well in the second half to get something out of the game,” said Kear. “It’s knock-out rugby and there have already been a few shocks in the earlier rounds this year so we will have to play well. “I obviously can’t guarantee a cup run this year but I can guarantee a good performance and that’s what I’ll be expecting to see against Whitehaven.” Kear would like to see his side improve defensively against Whitehaven, having witnessed his men concede three tries through the middle against Bradford. The Bulldogs coach has wanted his squad to evolve and gradually improve throughout the season, but admits they could have done better at the back against the Bulls. “We aim to improve all over the pitch every game, it’s not easy but it’s something to work towards every week,” said Kear. “I think a couple of Bradford tries were definitely preventable and conceding them ultimately cost us the victory. “I can’t be too critical though, psychologically we were excellent and never gave up believing we could get something out of the game, even at 24-12 down, despite not playing to our absolute potential.” • AFTER the Bradford game Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton pulled the first pint in Batley’s new Vinnie’s Bar, situated in the Ron Earnshaw Lounge. The bar project has been funded and managed by Vinnie Kerr of Kerr Interiors, with help from his son Ben Kerr of Decor by Design. Meanwhile former Bulldogs player Lee Kerr of electrical firm K2 has become the club’s latest big sponsor and his company’s signage debuted at the Bulls game.

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