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Winter bites back

Friday March 2, 2018

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No. 831

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Binns death duo get 13 years

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RIVERSIDE ROAD RAGE Development debated at inquiry

By Staff Reporters AS MANY AS 2,000 homes could be built on green belt land without the need for a new road, according to council officials.

Discussing proposals for the Dewsbury Riverside housing scheme at a public inquiry in Batley this week, highway officials said the first batch of homes – out of the 4,000 planned in total for the site – could go ahead on the open space between Mirfield and Ravensthorpe.

Campaigners raised concerns that the already-congested nearby A644 Huddersfield Road would be further impacted if the scheme was given the nod.

The road through Ravensthorpe is often gridlocked at peak times, particularly around the gyratory.

Developers Miller Homes, who are spearheading the project, said they have allocated £20million to go towards building a new road and bridge over the rail line on to the site.

But highways officer Tim Lawrence is yet to be convinced that building a road is the best plan, saying that the council needed to conduct a traffic survey first.

Miller Homes already has permission to go ahead with 120 houses off Ravensthorpe Road at the edge of the 160-hectare site.

While Mr Lawrence stated that improvements would be needed in the long term, it was still to be decided whether that would mean a new road or simply upgrades to the existing A644.

He said: “Work we have done shows a road would be beneficial to

the public as congestion relief. But £20m is a lot to spend just providing a link road to a site.

“We’re protecting the public purse to make sure there’s value for money and it’s not just benefiting the developer.”

The Dewsbury Riverside project is part of Kirklees Council’s Local Plan, which is currently being discussed at a public inquiry headed by a government inspector.

Officials and campaigners attended sessions at Batley Town Hall this week to debate the 15-year development masterplan, which outlines proposals to build 33,000 new homes across the district, with many of the earmarked sites being either green belt or agricultural land.

The council’s road plans have

The controversial development would take up 160 hectares of green fields between Dewsbury and Mirfield – and traffic congestion is a major issue

Continued on page 2

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ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

Riverside homes may not need new road From page one

Deaths ARMSTEAD MICHAEL On February 19, at Pinderfields Hospital, of Batley Hall Nursing Home, formerly of Dewsbury, aged 77, son of the late Gwendolen and James.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 8 at 10.30am.

BRAY HILDA On February 17, peacefully at home, aged 90, wife of the late Ronnie.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 8 at 12.30pm.

BRAY (NEE MAUGHAN) WINIFRED On February 19, aged 92, wife of Reg. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 9 at 12.30pm.

COWLING (NEE DUFTON) EVELYN On February 21, peacefully in hospital, of Liversedge, formerly of

Hanging Heaton, aged 94, wife of the late Kenneth.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 12 at 10.30am.

CROISDALE SHERIDAN On February 26, at home, of Thornhill Lees, aged 78, husband of Joan.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 8 at 10am.

HALL RICHARD On February 16, suddenly, of Hanging Heaton, aged 67, husband of Susan.

Funeral service will be held at St Paul’s Church, Hanging Heaton, on Tuesday March 13 at 10.30am.

HIRST GEOFFREY On February 20, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home, of Cleckheaton, aged 77, husband of Barbara.

Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 7 at 2pm.

KELL J.P GLADYS On February 18, peacefully at home, of Cleckheaton, aged 92, mother of Christine and Wendy. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 9 at 10.30am.

MAIN (NEE TREVORROW) DORIS On February 17, in hospital, of Meadow Green Lodge, Heckmondwike, formerly of Batley Carr, aged 88, wife of the late Leslie. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 12 at 12.30pm.

MARSHALL (NEE GRIFFITHS) IVY On February 21, in hospital, of Batley, aged 85, wife of Terence. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 14 at 2.45pm.

Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 12 at 2pm.

SHAW CYNTHIA JOAN On February 3, at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, aged 85, wife of the late Douglas.

Memorial service will be held at St John’s Church, Upper Hopton, on Thursday March 15 at 1.30pm, followed by funeral service at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium at 2.45pm.

TAYLOR DAVID On February 23, at Kirkwood Hospice, of Liversedge, aged 57, husband of Linda. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday March 13 at 1.15pm.

WATSON WILLIAM HALL On February 23, peacefully at home, aged 93, husband of Betty. Funeral service will be held at St Saviour’s Church, Brownhill, on Thursday March 8 at 1pm.

WIDDOP (NEE PARSONS) VAL On February 22, peacefully at home, of Chickenley, aged 70, wife of the late Trevor. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Friday March 9 at 2pm.

WOOD JOE On February 19, suddenly in hospital, of Scout Hill, aged 85, husband of the late Sheila. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday March 6 at 2.45pm.

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Hazelgrave said: “We do not expect to improve on this position.

Every year we are set challenging targets and do our best to meet them.”

Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff said: “Patient safety is already being compromised, with many of our hospitals operating day to day at unsafe staffing levels and unless the government step in with the vital funds it is only going to worsen.”

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A LIVERSEDGE man has been given unconditional bail until his trial after being accused of wielding a samurai sword at a group of children.

Sean Aykroyd, of Well Street, Littletown, denies charges of assault by beating, using threatening behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

Kirklees magistrates heard that the 31-year-old was drunk when he told a group of 10-14 year-olds to go away as they were gathered near the Obediah Brooke pub on Bradford Road, Cleckheaton.

He is then accused of hitting one of the girls on the foot with a pint glass before leaving and returning with a brown box which contained the sword.

Aykroyd allegedly shouted to the group that he was going to get them while running towards them.

He was granted unconditional bail until a trial at Leeds Crown Court on March 27.

THE HOSPITAL trust which runs Dewsbury and District Hospital is set to be more than £20million in the red by the end of the year.

The news comes after a winter crisis which meant extra wards had to open and agency staff were called in to deal with the demand.

The Mid Yorkshire NHS Hospital Trust is also losing out on millions of pounds in NHS funding linked to strict performance targets.

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On February 13, at Pinderfields Hospital, of Heckmondwike, aged 85, husband of Mary. Funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 14 at 11.15am.

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been a sticking point for community group Save Mirfield’s chairman Cheryl Tyler, who said at the inquiry that the A644 would only get even more gridlocked than it already is if the homes plan was to go ahead.

Tony Rivero of Network Rail added that there should also be some cash put aside to improve Ravensthorpe Railway Station.

Save Mirfield’s planning consultant Charlotte McKay claimed there were more suitable sites

available to build on than the countryside between Mirfield and Dewsbury.

Despite being called ‘Dewsbury Riverside’, around 500 of the planned new homes would be built over the ward boundary in Mirfield.

Proposals to build 1,500 houses in the Chidswell area of Dewsbury and allocate 35 hectares of industrial land for development in the area were also discussed at the town hall this week.

Proudly caring for families for 60 years

DEWSBURY Conservative Association chairman Mark Eastwood has announced he will be standing again in this year’s local elections.

Mr Eastwood, who first stood in 2011, has been selected by local Tories to represent them in Dewsbury East, going up against incumbent councillor Cathy Scott (Lab) and independent candidate Aleks Lukic.

Mr Eastwood spearheads the Chidswell Action Group, which is fighting against the proposed development of farmland and green space in the ward, and was heavily involved in the Vote Leave campaign in 2016.

He said: “I’m proud to have represented the overwhelming majority of residents in Dewsbury East, vehemently opposed to Labour’s Local Plan for the area and I shall continue to fight on their behalf to try and ensure that the ancient woodland and precious countryside currently at risk remains protected from the threat of unwarranted development for future generations.”

The Tory campaigner has lived in Dewsbury East for the last 10 years and says that he has a “deep understanding of problems affecting local residents”.

KIRKLEES: The council is holding its fourth annual Kirklees Autism Show next month.

The event aims to raise awareness of autism and to put people in touch with organisations that can help.

There will be the opportunity to speak to professionals and find out more about things that are important to people on the autism spectrum – including employment, transition, housing, activities, diagnosis and education.

Around 40 stalls of information will be set up, as well as speakers educating the room about autism. It is being held at the Textile Centre of Excellence in Huddersfield on Wednesday April 18 from 10am to 3pm.

For more information visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/autism.

ThePress Friday March 2, 2018 Issue No: 831

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ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

13 years each for Jonny’s killers

By Staff Reporters A GANG of eight men have been locked up for more than 30 years after a fight in a pub car park led to the death of a Thornhill man.

Jonathan Binns was killed when 20-year-old Jaelan Herlt ploughed into him in his Ford Fiesta, encouraged by passenger Khaleem Harris.

Mr Binns, 32, suffered “unsurvivable” injuries when the car hit him outside The Scarborough pub on The Town, Thornhill, on February 17 last year, following a violent disturbance.

After a six-week trial, Herlt, of Derwent Road, Dewsbury, and 20-year-old Harris, of North Road, Dewsbury, were acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Bradford Crown Court.

The pair were jailed for 13 years each on Friday after the Honourable Justice Goss heard emotional impact statements from members of Mr Binns’ family.

His father, David Binns, described how “that night just seemed to go on and on” after he had arrived at the scene to see his son “in a pool of blood”.

He said: “I will never be able to hold or talk to my son ever again.”

Mr Binns’ sister added: “Jonny’s death has put a great strain on my close family. He will never see his son grow up.”

Leeds United fan Mr Binns, of Ings Crescent in Thornhill, left behind a now four-yearold son, and his former partner Nicola Hargreaves said she had to explain to him that “daddy had become a star in the sky”.

She said: “No parent should have to say those words to their child.” She

explained that their son now gets excited every time he sees a star, saying “it’s daddy”.

The violence started when Harris’s younger brother Kamrren, then 17, of The Town, punched pub-goer Luke Carter in the face whilst wearing a knuckleduster.

He broke Mr Carter’s jaw and was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm, violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon and was jailed for 27 months.

A fight broke out and Herlt and Harris claimed they only entered the car park to try and help Harris’s brother Kamrren.

They drove off after hitting Mr Binns and abandoned the car down a dead-end road near Rectory Park.

A third Harris brother, Kallum, of Ashfield, Thornhill Lees, was convicted of violent disorder and sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders institution.

Jonathan Newby, 21, of Lees Hall Road, Thornhill Lees, was found guilty of violent disorder and possessing a baton or a cosh and was jailed for 15 months, alongside 19-year-old Ryan Scaife, of Partridge Crescent, Thornhill, who was locked up for 12 months for violent disorder.

Both Reece Hinchcliffe, 19, of Doubting Road, Thornhill, and a 17-year-old youth received eight-month sentences for the same offence.

Ashley Longstaff, 20, of Lees Hall Road, and Thomas Chapman, 19, of Edge View, Thornhill, were acquitted of violent disorder.

Det Chief Insp Stuart Spencer, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who led the investigation, said:

are not operating.

“All other services are expected to have delays.

Please check our app and social channels as the situation will change and when we can safely operate services we will.”

Kirklees Council’s severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) is currently in place to help homeless people in the cold temperatures.

The policy offers rough sleepers a warm bed for the night to help prevent deaths on the streets.

Kirklees spread 1,100 tonnes of grit on the district’s main roads on Wednesday alone – and have used over 15,000 tonnes so far this winter.

Priority routes were treated three times on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hospital chiefs have also warned patients to make sensible decisions about travelling to hospital for their appointment.

Trudie Davies, chief operat-

DEWSBURY: The family of murdered schoolboy Steven Mullins are meeting with the Justice Secretary on Tuesday to discuss the authorities’ handling of the case.

Steven was attacked and killed by Richard Mortimer in Caulms Wood as he was on his way home from Birkdale High School in November 1982.

Mortimer served 34 years in prison and was released into accommodation thought to be in Leeds in December – but the family were only made aware of his release days afterwards.

Justice Secretary David Gauke agreed to meet the family after Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff raised the case in Parliament, saying how “so many of their questions” had been left unanswered.

The family will travel to London on Tuesday to meet with Mr Gauke, accompanied by Paula Sherriff’s office manager Karen Rowling.

Forget snow, trains are on strike too

“We welcome the sentences passed down to these men today. Their cowardly and violent actions on that evening resulted in Jonathan receiving fatal injuries after being deliberately run over by a car.”

He added: “My thoughts are with Jonathan’s family who have not only lost their loved one but have been put through the ordeal of the trial of these people. I hope today’s sentence goes some way to help them grieve knowing that justice has been served for the people responsible for his death.”

Mr Binns’ family said in a statement following the sentencing: “It has been a long journey and although nothing will bring Jonathan back, we thank the jury for closing this chapter and delivering justice.”

Shock horror! Snow = chaos ALMOST all of the district’s schools were closed yesterday (Thursday) as snow and ice wreaked havoc for staff, parents and pupils.

School closures began on Wednesday with only a handful open across North Kirklees, but heavier snowfall and plummeting temperatures overnight meant that none opened their doors to students on Thursday – apart from Manor Croft Academy which was open for year 11 exams.

Large numbers of bus services were also cancelled because of the snowy conditions on the roads.

Yesterday all Heckmondwike services were suspended, except for the 268/268a, and Dewsbury services only tackled the main roads.

It is expected there will be a limited number of buses running over the weekend.

A spokesman for Arriva Yorkshire said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused but due to snow and icy conditions, a number of services

News In Brief Mullins family to see Justice Minister

ing officer at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said they were doing all they could to continue running services for patients.

She said: “If you can get in safely you will be seen.

However, if you think it is not safe to travel then all we ask is you give us a call and let us know you will not be attending.

“We will do our best to book you another appointment as soon as we can. Please call us on 01924 541169 if you would like to cancel your appointment.”

The Arctic conditions are set to continue for several days, with temperatures not due to get much above freezing before Sunday.

Meanwhile Kirklees has announced that all sports fixtures on council fields this weekend have been postponed.

Pretty as a picture – see some of our snow photos online at www.thepressnews.co.uk

Much-loved Jonny Binns (above), and from top right, brothers Kamrren and Khaleem Harris, plus Jaelan Herlt

NORTH KIRKLEES: People are asked to check train timetables before they set off tomorrow (Saturday) as Northern Rail strikes could disrupt journeys.

Only 44 per cent of the usual services will be running between 7am and 7pm, with buses being arranged to make up for the lack of trains.

Users of Dewsbury, Ravensthorpe, Batley and Mirfield stations are advised to think ahead if they are intending to travel.

Regional director at Northern Rail, Sharon Keith, said: “We have planned carefully to provide the best possible rail and rail replacement services for our customers.”

The strike is only taking place on Saturday, normal service will be resumed on Sunday.

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ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

News In Brief Driver ‘drank in back of the police car’ RAVENSTHORPE: A man has denied drinkdriving, claiming he had carried on drinking while in the back of a police car.

Vanil Burman was stopped by police when he pulled into a BP petrol station on Leeds Road and was asked to do a breath test.

The 40-year-old was recorded as having 47 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal driving limit is 35mcg.

Burman, of Huddersfield Road in Ravensthorpe, denies charges of driving while over the prescribed limit and using a vehicle without insurance, saying he was drinking from a small bottle in the back of the car which caused him to be over the limit.

His trial will take place at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on June 4.

Locala grants call NORTH KIRKLEES: The organisation which runs community nursing in Kirklees is inviting local groups and charities to apply for grants for projects.

Locala gives up to £5,000 away, twice a year, to local community, not-for-profit and charity groups in grants of between £100 and £1,000.

Locala board chairman Diane McKerracher said: “Our Community Fund gives us the opportunity to be directly involved with some great projects that support the health and wellbeing of local people.”

The deadline for applications is this Monday, March 5. To apply, see www.locala. org.uk/about-us/locala-community-fund.

BATLEY: MP Tracy Brabin is hosting a oneday festival to mark International Women’s Day and the Vote 100 celebrations at Batley Older People’s Centre tomorrow (Saturday) between 10am and 8pm.

There will speeches and presentations, and be food and drink will be available. The event ends with a screening of the award-winning film Suffragette.

Gotcha – face of ‘burglar’ A MAN who threw a large stone at a patio window trying to break into a house was captured on CCTV. Police have released images of the man involved in the attempted burglary on Beckett Road, Dewsbury, on Monday February 12.

The suspect went to the

back of the house between 2pm and 2.15pm but was unsuccessful. The owner was home and called the police and shouted at the suspect who fled.

It was the second incident in 10 days on the same road, with another attempted breakin last Wednesday. Two panes

of glass were broken while the homeowner was upstairs, but no one gained entry.

The man in the second incident is described as a white male, 5ft 10ins, medium build, wearing a blue hooded top and grey bottoms. The police can be contacted on 101 quoting crime number 13180087358.

Safe targeted in merchant raid

By Zoe Shackleton THIEVES stole a safe containing cash and caused extensive damage in a raid at Cleckheaton’s ATA Builder’s Merchants.

They broke into the Bradford Road premises at around midnight last Friday by snapping a padlock on the gates.

A spokesman for ATA said: “It’s the first time in 21 years that this has happened. As we are open to the public we could have had the culprits in at any time before the burglary. They’ve come prepared and targeted us.

“So we now have the expense of not only repairing the damage caused but also to upgrade the current security to prevent future attempts.

“Once it’s been done once, it makes you feel vulnerable to

being a target again.”

He said the thieves smashed through the door after getting through a security gate and cut wires to various electricity outlets, as well as creating a mess.

It is believed the suspects fled in a Silver Subaru Forester with CCTV showing them heading towards Balme Road.

Footage is being reviewed by police.

A crime scene team managed to take fingerprints, while customers helped staff repair the doors and locks.

The ATA spokesman added: “We are staying positive that these people will be found as the police have got some good

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“The safe didn’t contain a great amount of cash but did contain a lot of paperwork that, although of no use to anyone else, would save us a lot of time if we were able to recover.”

A police spokesman said the safe was put into the boot of the vehicle which drove off with the boot open (see below).

Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting crime number 13180091986.

The merchants are also offering a cash reward.

Harry and Look North gang start trek in Birstall BBC Look North presenters will be pulling their famous red sofa around the district to raise money for Sport Relief. Amy Garcia, Harry Gration and weatherman Paul Hudson are transporting the adapted sofa, on wheels, across Yorkshire covering 100 miles and 50 des-

tinations in eight days to raise vital funds as well as celebrating their 50th anniversary.

They start in Birstall on March 15 and will visit Heckmondwike, Batley and Dewsbury before reaching Ossett and then going on to other Yorkshire towns and cities.

Brothers in arms can rest in peace THE headstone of two soldiers buried at Whitechapel Church has been changed after an engraving error was spotted.

Brothers Frank and Roland (pictured) Hartley are buried in the same grave at the Cleckheaton church.

Roland, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was killed on September 7, 1917 at the age of 32, and Frank, of the Durham Light Infantry, died of war injuries two years later aged 21. The mistake showed Frank’s death as 1917.

The Spenborough branch of the Royal British Legion referred the error to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who have replaced it. Branch chairman Eddie Morton said: “It is very unusual for two brothers to be buried in the same Commonwealth War Grave, and we are very pleased that this error has been corrected.

“There are two other World War I graves at Whitechapel for Pte S Butterworth, who died on September 16, 1916, and Pte R Barstow, who died December 13, 1916, and we are grateful that the church maintains them all.” The original headstone was replaced in 2011 because it had eroded, which was when the mistake took place.

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ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

Seven-day burial solution

By Staff Reporters BURIALS could soon take place seven days a week, if new proposals are given the go-ahead by officials.

Kirklees cabinet members will discuss plans at a meeting next week which also include increasing prices but retaining free services for under-18s.

Under current legislation, burial services in the district take place on six days.

But that could soon change, with Sunday burials being proposed as well as adjusting service times and having a specific number of time slots each day.

The new proposals come after a period of engagement with funeral directors, faith groups and individuals which ended at the beginning of December.

There was controversy from religious groups as the council wanted to hike fees for out-ofhours and Friday afternoon buri-

Coun Shabir Pandor – structure that’s fair to everyone als. Islamic cultural commitments see Muslims bury their dead as soon as possible, similar to the Jewish faith, so cheaper ‘off-peak’ times would not be viable.

The Muslim Burial Council of North Kirklees launched a petition questioning the morality of the burial fee changes.

Under the new plans, out-ofhours and Saturday cremations will still be charged at a premium of roughly double. From April,

burial services will increase by £118 to £1,933 which is the average of other West Yorkshire authorities.

Weekday cremation charges will rise by inflation, with a standard 45-minute service going up to £713.

Coun Shabir Pandor, deputy leader of the council, said: “We have worked hard to find a charging structure that reflects the costs of the service we are offering with people’s ability to pay.

“By moving to a West Yorkshire average for burials, we are at the right level compared to our neighbours, and we have managed to create a service

delivery model that works for all faiths and those of no faith.

“We had some important principles that we have held throughout – that services should be free to those under 18 for example – and we have retained that when other local authorities are moving away from that principle.

“A seven-day service, with time slots available at the weekend, alongside a more efficient booking system, means we will offer a comprehensive service.

“I believe my colleagues will be able to back this at the Cabinet meeting, and we have committed to continue engaging with interested groups in the future to ensure we stay fit for purpose.”

Kirklees’ Bereavement Services provide around 3,000 cremations, 500 full burials and 130 burials of ashes each year.

Cremations cover their own costs and are not subsidised from other funds, but burial services currently lose money.

Hire car hit and run

News In Brief Race charge denied HECKMONDWIKE: A teenager has appeared in court accused of racially abusing a shopkeeper.

Luke Haddlesey, 19, allegedly said to the man: “I’ve joined the Army – I’ll be killing you lot soon” when he asked him to move his car on December 5 last year. Kirklees magistrates heard that the victim thought Haddlesey, of Westgate in Heckmondwike, was talking about his Muslim ethnicity.

Haddlesey denies using racially-aggravated threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and will appear back in court on June 28.

Going extra mile MIRFIELD: A mother of five who founded the local Whole Autism Family charity is running the London marathon to raise funds for the National Autistic Society (NAS).

Anne-Marie Kilgallon, of Mirfield, has two boys on the autistic spectrum and set up the charity in 2014 to help families living with autistic children.

Now she will be taking to the streets of the capital on April 22 to help raise awareness of autism both locally and nationally, as well as donating all the proceeds to the NAS. You can donate to Anne-Marie’s cause by visiting www.virginmoneygiving.com.

Women striking out

A BMW driver crashed into another vehicle and propelled it into a wall before fleeing the scene. Police attended the collision on School Street in Chickenley late on Saturday night.

It is believed the vehicle involved was a hire car and two men in it then left the scene in another car that was following them.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating following a collision on School Street, Chickenley, shortly after 10.45pm on Saturday February 24.

“A BMW M4 was in collision with a Vauxhall Astra and a garden gate and wall, causing extensive damage. The driver left the scene of the collision.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision or the events surrounding it is asked to call WYP via 101, quoting crime reference 13180093138.”

DEWSBURY: The anniversary of Britain’s first women-led strike, in Dewsbury during February and March 1875, is being celebrated at the Town Hall next week.

MP Paula Sherriff will be talking about the changing experience of women in public life, and Dr Melanie Reynolds will give a short lecture about the impact of the Dewsbury and Batley women’s weavers strike on shaping the women’s movement.

It runs from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday March 8 (International Women’s Day) at Dewsbury Town Hall, and food and drinks will be available from 5pm.

‘Ripper’ magistrate dies at 92 A HIGHLY respected Cleckheaton magistrate has died at the age of 92.

Gladys Kell was renowned as a firm-but-fair justice of the peace for 30 years, and was also a long-serving councillor.

Mrs Kell, who lived in Cleckheaton, was also deputy mayor on the former Spenborough Council before it became part of Kirklees in 1974.

The mother-of-two made history as she was the first person to remand Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe in custody in 1981 as chair of the bench when he appeared

before magistrates in Dewsbury.

At the age of 14, during the war, she worked at British Belting and Asbestos (BBA) based at St Peg Mills in Cleckheaton, sewing the joins in the bands for cigarette machines.

Up until 2015, Mrs Kell and her former colleagues would meet every decade in Cleckheaton, and their friendship as ‘Da BBA girls’ lasted almost 70 years.

She met her late husband Cyril at BBA and made more than 40 trips on the Orient Express, as well as being a

Ex is accused of stone attacks A 33-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court accused of assaulting and harassing his former partner.

Mark Roberts allegedly threw stones and tin cans at his ex-girlfriend as she walked to Dewsbury Railway Station, before hitting her in the face. He is also accused of hitting her back with a stone and throwing a brick through a window at her home.

Roberts, of Wellington Walk in Dewsbury, pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault, criminal damage and harassment, and claimed he did not know who the victim was.

Prosecutor Andy Wills said the couple split up in November having been in an on/off relationship for two years and the offences took place between December and February.

Roberts is also accused of throwing another rock or small stone at her on January 5, and shouting at her in the street.

He allegedly went to her home on February 11 and threw a brick through the window while demanding some of his belongings back. Roberts was remanded in custody until his trial on April 4.

5

member of Cleckheaton Ladies Luncheon Club. Mrs Kell was also a founder member of Kirkwood Hospice and once spent a night in the cells to raise funds for the charity.

She spoke out in 2010 against the closure of Dewsbury and Batley magistrates’ courts and Dewsbury County Court.

She died peacefully at her home in Cleckheaton on February 18 and a funeral service will be held at Dewsbury Crematorium on Friday March 9 at 10.30am and afterwards at Healds Hall Hotel, Liversedge.

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ThePress

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Friday March 2, 2018

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Updated edition.

Reserve a copy on 01924 470296 or call in at our office, 31 Branch Road, Batley

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Police need to be honest on priorities EST Yorkshire Police are on the hunt for ‘agents’ apparently, although I’m not sure they’d have been much use to me last Thursday, when I was chasing a bunch of masked teenage scrotes through Batley town centre.

They’d been up to no good on the roof of Batley Parish Church – in broad daylight – and were hovering round a churchyard bench with a couple of girl hangers-on when I turned up and asked them to smile for my camera.

Cue a fun few minutes of chase and abuse. Hey ho. A question – what kind of parents allow their kids to dress in the ASBO uniform of hoodies, baseball caps and scarves that cover all but their eyes? Daft question really – it was half term, so out of sight was out of mind and someone else’s (everyone else’s) problem.

Anyway, the police ‘agent’

W

No smile for the camera? Church vandals were suddenly shy...

would have been less than useless to me, because the force is recruiting ‘Customer Contact Centre Agents’ for their Wakefield HQ. Key skills include being able to say “tut, tut” and “there, there” before giving out a crime reference number for your insurance claim.

The ability to post pithy comments on Twitter and Facebook is an advantage

because that seems to be the new frontline of law enforcement. At 9.33pm on Sunday the police Facebooked: “We are working extremely hard to tackle issues surrounding Anti-Social Behaviour in Dewsbury Town centre (it should be lower case ‘t’). We will not tollerate (sic) this behaviour and are taking positive action.”

There’s an assurance that

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officers are patrolling and an appeal to call 101 with any information. It concludes: “Thank you and rest assured we are proactively dealing with all reported incidents.”

I think that’s most dispiriting of all, because it’s not reassuring and we know they’re not (although in fairness one FB post had three officers walking round the deserted town centre on Wednesday!)

I can only think the police don’t bother following other social media accounts, because one serial Batley criminal has been repeatedly identified on Facebook – including photos, caught in the act – and he’s still walking round, bold as brass.

That dangerous Birstall motorbike gang creating mayhem last week? One brave citizen followed a bunch of them to a property in Cambridge Road and reported it to police.

Response? Need you ask?

I get the tight budgets thing. I just don’t accept that the police are being honest with us.

Someone reports seeing a gun in a vehicle, as happened a few weeks ago, and enough armed officers to stage a military coup appeared in Halifax Road in minutes, seemingly out of thin air.

So is this modern policing?

Every fit, macho officer gets to play anti-terror cop while the wusses are given a hi-vis PCSO jacket and get to walk

T’S BEEN a bit cold this week with all the ensuing banter.

Southerners stay home from work, northerners put on their big coat; footballers told not to travel unless absolutely necessary – rugby players, training as usual at 7pm.

It’s no use bemoaning the fact that Britain grinds to a pathetic halt every time the winter weather turns – shock horror – wintry! We’ve managed to breed hardship and coping mechanisms out of the modern generation.

What, put on wellies and a duffel coat and snowball fight your way the three miles to school? Are you having a giraffe? You’ll be telling fairy tales about shuffling through the snow down a cold ginnel and parking your arse on an outside toilet next (and that

was still me, my mum and sister as recently as 1977!)

I was briefly angry at the headteacher threatening to exclude kids who so much as touched the snow, citing health and safety. But do you know what? In the event of a snowball giving a kid a black eye, the same parents moaning about draconian schools having no sense of fun, would be straight onto the phone to a lawyer to get a claim in – and goodbye headteacher.

The problem is top to bottom, back to front, the pathetic society we’ve created.

Our transport infrastructure simply isn’t built to cope, so make understanding front and rear wheel drive cars and dealing with skidding part of the driving test – and then hope for the best.

PS: I’m going sledging...

round in pairs, careful to avoid problem areas?

Because actually, that’s how it feels to a lot of people.

No one in their right mind wanders round Dewsbury town centre after dark – it’s bad enough in daytime – but a dedicated town centre officer, like we had for so long and so successfully with PC Colin Sykes, can’t exactly break the bank.

There’s what seems like an epidemic of crime against vehicles and property, many areas feel like they’ve been surrendered to all manner of despicables, and the best that Chief Supt Steve Cotter can

manage is to tweet his congratulations to Det Chief Insp Fiona Gaffney.

Who’s she? The senior officer responsible for fighting crime in Kirklees since you ask.

Has she banged-up some master villains? Not quite.

She and her hubby got silver medals in the World Indoor Rowing Championships in America (and I do hope it was on holiday time and not the public dollar).

Still, it should come in handy if a robber tries to make a getaway across Batley Park lake in a rowing boat…

I

You can’t Trump USA madness M Y DAUGHTER is studying education at university and may or may not go into teaching when she graduates. She’s keeping her options open. Smart girl.

Her degree involves a broad range of interesting modules and assignments, though none so far have involved stripping down an AK47, or using a 9mm Glock to blow a lunatic’s head off as he sprays the playground with machine gun fire. She’s a gentle soul. There was no debate between childcare or joining the SAS – but I guess teaching in the USA is out.

I never cease to be amazed at the monumental idiocy of Donald Trump. For a draftdodging coward who got a doctor’s note for ‘bad feet’ to avoid military service in Vietnam, his assertion that he’d have run into the latest US high school massacre and taken on the gunman with his bare hands is beyond parody.

Really Donald? In that case you’ll find a large proportion of the civilised world wish you really had been the heroic Johnny on the spot.

Wonder where you’ve seen him before?

Meet Don Ramdo

(And I’m sure it would have been the biggest presidential funeral ever. The greatestest.

The most cryingest. And the Mexicans or someone would have had to pay for it....)

Trump’s total blindspot to how ridiculous he looks and sounds is cringeingly worrying.

My fake news sensors are pretty well attuned to BS and they went off like an air raid siren when I read that Trump repealed an attempt by Barack Obama to prevent people with mental health problems from buying guns. Fake news if ever you saw it, surely?

Apparently not, but on this occasion it seems Fanta-man

had no choice. The American Civil Liberties Union – their equivalent of our left-wing luvvies – intervened on the behalf of lunatics, saying it infringed their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Yup, the USA’s human rights snowflakes fighting for the right of the certifiably mentally unwell to possess the means to massacre children. And we wonder why they have a problem?

Trump must think matronly geography teachers relax after school not by baking an apple pie, but loosing off a few clips from an Uzi in the back yard.

But here’s the thing: if trained police and security officers panicked and froze in the horrific moment, what would be the prospects of a maths or history teacher suddenly trying to channel their inner Clint Eastwood? Lord help us.

At least when I went to Cardinal Hinsley Grammar School, resident tyrant Mr Canning only had a board rubber to launch at your head.

Imagine him with a Colt 45 under his academic gown in the middle of a bad day...

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

A Royal retirement

News In Brief Swearing thief has sentence increased

By Zoe Shackleton

BIRSTALL: A man who stole tools from Screwfix on Gelderd Road was removed from a courtroom after swearing at magistrates.

Stephen Proctor, 44, stole £102-worth of tools just one week after receiving a 16-week suspended jail term for theft and possession of cannabis.

He said: “It’s all f*****g garbage, I need to get help not get sent to prison.”

Magistrates added an extra four weeks to his suspended jail term, and activated it so he will spend five months behind bars.

Proctor, of Bierley House Avenue in Bradford, will have to pay a £115 victim surcharge when he gets out.

A MARRIED couple who have worked together at Dewsbury & District Hospital for almost 30 years are retiring together later this month.

Steve and Lesley Royal will end their services to the hospital on Friday March 16.

Steve, who is now 64, started his career on September 20 1989 as a driver, transporting supplies and medical equipment between local hospitals before becoming a stores clerk, while Lesley then joined three years later in February 1992 as a general secretary in pathology.

After three years she moved on to become a full-time medical secretary in the haematology department, where she has been ever since.

The Dewsbury-based couple were introduced through their colleagues and went on their first date during a lunch break – and they haven’t looked back since, having been married for over 23 years.

Steve said: “We’ve both really enjoyed our time at Dewsbury Hospital. I’m really going to miss the stores team. We’ve always pulled together and got through every change and challenge.

They are a great team and I will miss the camaraderie.”

Lesley, 57, added: “I would recommend the Trust to anyone, I’ve enjoyed my career and worked with some extremely dedicated colleagues across all departments over the years.”

The pair are kick-starting their retirement with a Mediterranean cruise in May before booking another holiday abroad after that.

They also plan to spend more time with their family, gardening, reading and countryside walks with their son’s dog Ernie.

Martin Barkley, chief executive at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Steve and Lesley have given loyal and dedicated service for many years and will be missed very much by their friends and colleagues across the Trust.

“We would like to wish them both well for a long and happy retirement and thank them for their contribution to Dewsbury & District Hospital.”

7

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ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

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We will work together to keep our library open I write regarding the potential closure of our library in Birstall.

We as a community would be very sad to see it go and feel very strongly about trying our best to save it.

It is most definitely the hub of the village, with lots of groups gathering there to meet.

It provides a safe haven for older people to sit and pass the time, whilst making them feel part of a growing community and in good company helping them feel less lonely and isolated.

Also, to the mothers of small children who may not have access to the learning and reading facilities the library provides a quiet safe place for them to be allowed

Stories with a local link From: Peter Moreland, Heckmondwike BBC TV’s Father Brown stories are now watched in 232 countries!

Your readers might be interested to learn that the original stories were written

by GK Chesterton, who based the priest detective on his great friend Father John O’Connor, the parish priest at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Heckmondwike.

Chesterton also wrote two poems about Heckmondwike.

Independent voice for ward From: Aleks Lukic, Dewsbury Borough Independent Candidate for Dewsbury East Over the last few weeks I have distributed thousands

Letter of the Week: Natalie Tai, chairperson of Birstall Chamber of Trade to enrich their children’s lives through reading.

They may also feel isolated in the home and can come out to meet new people and use this invaluable facility.

As trader myself I feel I speak for the majority in saying that Birstall library is a key factor in bringing foot fall into the village.

of surveys in the Dewsbury East ward and so far received over 400 returns. Local residents have highlighted the failures of both the Conservative Government and the Labour Party in Kirklees.

The Labour and Conservative candidates for Dewsbury East have chosen to respond to these damning results with personal attacks against me, many of which are unfounded.

I will be standing for Kirklees Council as a Dewsbury Borough Independent so that I can help to address residents’ concerns, putting the town first rather than political parties.

My home is in Dewsbury, I have a record of supporting local causes in Dewsbury East and I have campaigned for Dewsbury to have its own council.

I also campaigned heavily in Dewsbury East during the EU referendum campaign.

It is the decision of local residents who they would like to elect as their council-

lor. I know many people have virtually given up on Dewsbury, but I stand ready to serve and if elected I will do my utmost to turn things around.

If anyone else in our district would like my help standing as a local independent at these elections, please do get in touch with me at Aleks@AleksLukic.co.uk or 07944 196000 (evenings/weekends).

Survey was not scientific From: Garry Kitchin, Batley I write in response to last week’s story about Aleks Lukic’s survey of Dewsbury East.

This was of interest to me as I know Aleks through both of us being around Kirklees local politics over the years.

While we probably don’t agree on many political issues, Aleks has demonstrated an independent ethic to politics, something that local politics badly needs.

It allows people to pay their bills, council tax and water rates etc, then they inevitably go for a look around the village to complete their daily tasks and pick up a few things from the local shops.

It has never been more important to shop locally in order to keep the communities thriving, providing jobs for local people in these shops and a buzz Aleks is also clear about what he believes and is willing to stand up and be counted.

Standing as an independent candidate in a General Election is a brave decision.

I am also somewhat a student of psephology, and was interested in how he came to his conclusions, based on his survey.

For a survey to be legitimate it has to be representative of the population it is supposed to represent.

That means it should include a similar proportion of men, women, people aged 18-24 and other demographic features, that live in the ward.

It could be weighted politically too, for example ensuring that the voting pattern of those responding matches how Dewsbury East electors actually vote.

There is no apparent weighting of any kind with this survey.

In addition, the survey asked leading questions, such as “Do you believe that uncontrolled immigration

around the place.

We have worked hard to keep our village looking beautiful thanks to Birstall In Bloom and other groups including the Birstall Chamber of Trade.

We feel if the library closed it would jeopardise all we have worked for, potentially leaving people isolated, lonely and vulnerable.

We all pay our council tax and business rates and expect that the money is spent wisely!

How can it come to drastic cuts to valuable resources that keep a community thriving to balance the books?

It is not acceptable and we will all work together to keep it open.

and population growth is putting too much pressure on services in Dewsbury?”

Any reputable polling organisation would avoid questions written this way.

It’s great to see candidates engaging with their electorate.

However, if surveys are not performed and analysed correctly, their findings are worthless or even highly misleading.

As a piece of work to generate much-needed publicity for the forthcoming election, where Aleks will be out-spent and out-gunned by Labour and the Conservatives, he needs all the publicity he can manage.

However, an unkind word for such media output as this would perhaps be propaganda.

Of course, all of his rivals in May will do exactly the same.

However, it is near certain that this survey does not represent the views of all of the voters in Dewsbury East.

I think it highlights views of the 326 people who

responded, who mostly likely would already share the wellknown views which Aleks has held for some time.

Aleks is a very intelligent man, so I think when he said “This may not be a scientific study” he surely agrees with me.

Corbyn story was fake news From: John Appleyard, Liversedge I was pleased to read Danny Lockwood’s observations in last week’s Press which said ‘Jo’s family’s dignity continues to shine’ and I share his support for the Leadbeater family and the way they conduct themselves in what Kim has called a rollercoaster 20 months.

However, Danny won’t be surprised that I disagree with him over Jeremy Corbyn, a man who led Labour to its best general election result since 1945, he

Continued on page 10

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O Khan, detached outbuilding, 47 Park Drive, Mirfield.

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B Jowett, demolition of existing garage and erection of single-storey extension and integral garage with dormer extension above, 2 Lower Lane, Gomersal.

C Blakeley, C/O Agent, outline application for erection of detached bungalow, land adjacent to 57 Timothy Lane, Upper Batley.

J Mitchell, certificate of lawfulness for proposed erection of singlestorey rear extension, 41 Croftlands, Hanging Heaton.

J Dean, extensions and alterations to former public house to form dwelling, Rising Sun Inn, Scholes Lane, Cleckheaton.

Mr & Mrs Barker, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 5m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.45m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.4m, 12 Royd Avenue, Heckmondwike.

I Ingamells & H Jessop, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension. The extension projects 3.6m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 3.7m, the height of the eaves of the extension is 2.5m, 117 Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton.

S Hussain, variation condition 2 (plans) on previous permission 2016/94304 for erection of detached dwelling with detached garage, land opposite to 38 Upper George Street, Heckmondwike.

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Graham Venables, dead or dangerous tree, Gardeners House, Briestfield Road, Briestfield.

M Zakaria Daji, single-storey front and rear extensions, 41 Woodfield Avenue, Staincliffe.

Think and act positively From: Jenny Tomlinson Walsh, Friends of Mirfield Library The Friends of Mirfield Library continue to campaign strongly throughout the library services public consultation period and, with the help of local paint manufacturer PPG Architectural Coatings, we’re facing the future very positively.

Wearing a clean coat of paint as its 2018 ‘battle dress’, Mirfield Library

faces the future with a bright, clean community room and a smile.

Some 22 Kirklees libraries are at risk of closure or having their services reduced.

The public consultation period into the provision of library services closes on April 2 – it’s vital that as many Mirfield residents as possible collect a consultation document from the library or go online

www.kirklees.gov.uk/librariesC and make their feelings known.

If we don’t think and act positively to protect our library then we’ll lose it, and with it all the support the library service provides to Mirfield residents.

Thanks to PPG for their community spirit and generosity providing supplies and to the volunteers who gave up their Sundays for painting and have made such a difference.

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

Peers here to help

News In Brief Town Hall gin fest

A NEW support group in Batley launched last week to help people with mental health conditions.

National charity PeerTalk is behind the initiative and the group is led by local, trained volunteers.

Rosa Trelfa, PeerTalk project director, said: “The strength of these peer support groups lies in the fact that the support offered comes from others who have experience of depression, who understand, who will not judge and who can offer help from their own experience.

“At PeerTalk we recognise the need to share, to create the space where people will be heard and accepted and know that it’s okay not to be okay.”

The group meets on Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 3pm at the community room at All Saints Church on Stocks Lane and people can just turn up.

More information can be found at www.peertalk. org.uk/index.php/support-groups.

A safe space to talk ... the new PeerTalk support group in Batley

DEWSBURY: A festival for gin-lovers is coming to the Town Hall next weekend.

There will be 100 different gins, tonic and garnish combinations to try. The £15 ticket price includes a classical fish bowl gin glass as well as supper. Half measure tasters will also be available to sip.

Tickets for next Saturday are all sold out, but there are some left for the Friday, running from 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Visit www.ginjamboree.co.uk.

Rambling around

Pooches pouch prizes

By Zoe Shackleton

Winner Mikey and owner Martyn

A 21-WEEK-OLD puppy took top spot in MP Tracy Brabin’s inaugural dog of the year competition.

The Batley & Spen MP launched the competition after her chocolate labrador Rocky won the Westminster prize last year. She wanted to celebrate the benefits that owning a dog has on physical and mental health.

Top dog was Mikey, a labrador/springer spaniel cross who lives

with owners Joanne Todd and her partner Martyn Robinson.

Joanne, who lives in Heckmondwike, said: “He is important to myself and my partner as we have struggled to start a family of our own and have suffered a number of miscarriages in the last few years. He has brought a spring back to our step and a love we never thought was possible to achieve.”

In second place was 11-year-old collie/greyhound cross Tara, who

joined her family from the Dog’s Trust in 2013.

Owner Katie Todd said: “She came to live with us at a very low point in my life. I had suffered a stroke which had totally knocked my self-confidence and I realised that I was not invincible.

“Having Tara gave me something to care about and something to love.”

Taking bronze was Merlin – an Irish redsetter owned by Batley Parish Church’s Rev Martin Naylor.

He said: “He is a much-loved family member, a great companion and is hugely beneficial for mental wellbeing and physical health. He can smell tears and will bound up the stairs and try to lick them off your cheek.”

Ms Brabin said: “Picking three winners was a difficult task as all those who entered had lovely stories to tell, but in the end we had to be ruthless!”

See more doggy photos at www.thepressnews.co.uk

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KIRKLEES: A group of 26 Dewsbury and District Ramblers went on a wet and muddy walk on Wednesday from Slaithwaite by the Huddersfield New Canal.

On Sunday, a small gang of nine ramblers left Addingham and walked along the Dales Way to Ling Chapel Storiths and Haw Pike.

For upcoming walks, on Sunday (March 4) from Marsden, meet at Wellington Road car park at 9am. Wednesday will be part of the centenary walk and ramblers are meeting at Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park, at 10.30am.

Kids bearing fruit BATLEY: Local schoolchildren are helping to spruce up Wilton Park by planting trees in a new orchard.

People can sponsor the trees once planted at the park on Bradford Road, and they will even get half the fruit it produces each year. The rest will be shared out to schools, community groups and Batley food bank.

Organiser Craig Munns said: “The idea is to help the community and make people more invested in the park.”

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Friday March 2, 2018

Extra From page 8 may not be popular with Danny but he and his policies were popular with millions of the electorate.

Corbyn is correct to warn the media about their fake news stories and their undemocratic approach to debate.

There is little freedom of speech in a world where those with most money can shout the loudest through our media institutions.

Government ministers and those deemed ‘respectable’ dominate the news bulletins.

Allegations that Corbyn was a spy are laughable. The same was said of former leader Michael Foot, who successfully sued the newspaper that claimed he was.

There were similar accusations that Bob Geldof’s 1985 Live Aid concert was organised by the Czech secret police. All baloney, it is unacceptable journalism.

The good thing about our local media is that they concentrate on reporting news, unlike some our dwindling national newspapers who try to create news where there isn’t a story.

Politicians need to work together for us From: Mr G Dennis, Birstall Having previously raised my concerns about the capability of the current Conservative-led government to negotiate an acceptable phase two post-Brexit trade deal for the UK, I am further dismayed today to witness the latest utterances from Jeremy Corbyn.

He may be the leader of the Labour Party, but in my opinion he is an ex-trade unionist collaborating with a bunch of extreme leftwing colleagues who are determined to hijack the Conservatives.

He is not alone, the SNP under Nicola Sturgeon continue to undermine the UK government.

I repeat that the people have voted to leave the EU. For goodness’ sake please stop this senseless political point-scoring and unite as a responsible government that includes all political parties and negotiate a decent deal for the whole of the UK.

Should we change the NHS funding model?

From: Diana Lauder, Wakefield The latest suggestion to be posed by some MPs, interviewers on radio and TV and journalists, is that we need to consider another way of funding the NHS. The mantra is that everything else has changed, so why after 70 years since its introduction by Aneurin Bevan, should the NHS not also be subject to change?

At any moment of difficulty for the NHS, these people take the opportunity to suggest that other countries somehow do it better.

The examples most commonly quoted include France, Germany and more recently, Australia.

These countries all spend considerably more of their GDP and much more per head of population than the UK now does.

The attraction of these other models of healthcare that excites the likes of the

Murdoch press is the fact that these countries make extensive use of private providers, paid for through collective health insurance funds.

Most of the hospitals, like the small private hospitals in England, have fewer beds and deliver a limited range of elective services, leaving all the complex, risky and costly care to the public sector – much like the model Jeremy Hunt is imposing here by default.

In France there are complex systems to reimburse fees paid upfront for treatment.

In Germany workers pay approximately 15 per cent of salary into one of 130 separate insurance funds.

In Australia, government subsidies are used to direct people into private health insurance despite public hospitals being more efficient.

Critics point out that up to 12 times more healthcare could be delivered in Australia if the private sector subsidies had been spent on expanding public sector care.

The Australian private sector profits by caring essentially for a working well and relatively young population while those with serious health needs are often unable to afford private insurance cover. They are left instead with access to a much less wellresourced public sector.

Our NHS system, funded through general taxation, has the most efficient and fairest means of raising the necessary money for healthcare.

The problem comes when a government decides to allocate insufficient funding and imposes bureaucratic private market reforms.

These reforms fragment the system and divert the money that should be used for frontline care into shareholder and company profits.

It is costing billions of pounds to run the market, monies having to be spent on management consultants, accountants and lawyers, to name but a few – all an unnecessary waste.

Since its inception in 1948, funding for the NHS has risen by per cent annually. This has been to cover the rise in population, the development of new drugs (including the cost of bringing them to market) and new high technological treatment and diagnostics.

Since 2010 this annual rise has been capped at just over one per cent, so a three per cent

drop year on year in real terms.

It is not difficult to see that this is actually underfunding. This underfunding has led to the current crisis in our hospitals to the degree that blanket cancellation of elective surgery in January, along with ongoing rationing, has been necessary.

The effect of this of course is that those who can afford to pay will do, while others have to wait or go without.

We do not need another system of funding.

What we need is for the historic per cent per annum increase to be restored to bring us in line, once again, with that enjoyed by most EU and other wealthy countries, and as we had prior to 2010.

For more information about NHS reforms go to www.healthcampaignstogether.com.

It weren’t like this in my day...

From: R Spreadbury, Liversedge When I were a lad in primary school and it snowed, we used to struggle to school just to make slides as long as the playground.

Those that couldn’t or wouldn’t slide avoided them.

Now on the prediction of inclement weather, schools are closed, trains are cancelled just in case, and any accident on a motorway results in it being closed for hours.

I’m sure all this started with the advent of the Health and Safety Act. A prime example of a good idea hijacked. This time by claims lawyers.

So now, all of our industry and institutions spend an inordinate amount of time riskassessing everything, producing policies, and ensuring there is a robust paper trail, which will hold up in court, to justify every decision and action.

And the powers that be wonder why the UK has an abysmal productivity record.

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Friday March 2, 2018

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ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

Officials act Local historian Mike Popplewell looks at the people and on plight of places that have shaped the history of the district... homeless HOUSING chief Cathy Scott has welcomed the government’s new Homelessness Reduction Act and says Kirklees Council is thinking up new ways to tackle homelessness in the district.

The Act places new legal duties on councils to intervene at an earlier stage to prevent homelessness.

It also puts a duty of care on the wider public sector including prisons, job centres, and the NHS, to help those at risk and refer them to a housing authority.

Coun Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) said: “We welcome the introduction of this Act and the additional support it will bring for some of the most vulnerable people in Kirklees.

“We are considering a ‘housing first’ approach which means that those in need will be given safe accommodation first, regardless of their situation, with additional support then identified and provided to address any health or social issues.

“We will continue to work with Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) and our partners as we develop our approach to ‘housing first’, providing innovative and meaningful solutions to better address homelessness.”

Some questions answered?

AST week we looked at the strange case of Lady Ada Firth and the questions raised by a report of her death in March 1869.

L

The report was a little vague at times and it appears that there were many questions raised, and subsequent rumours circulating at the time, but further research has enabled us to find some answers.

Access to the British Newspaper Library and reports found there gave a much clearer picture of events – in addition there was crucial medical background information available.

Last week’s headline asked ‘What happened to Lady Ada’.

Well, perhaps we can now clear up some of those questions that were posed.

Lady Ada had been on a break with her husband, Sir Charles Firth, and they were staying with friends at the Devonshire Arms Hotel near Bolton Abbey when, after a disagreement with her husband and displaying some annoyance over breakfast, she went for a walk on her own.

The party never saw her again, but after dragging the river the police found her body the following day.

The initial report appeared to suggest some indifference from Sir Charles, and the use

of the word ‘told’ instead of ‘asked’ when he wanted her to stay with him instead of going with their friends to Skipton seemed significant.

It was perhaps typical of society’s attitude toward women in the pre-Suffragette era. It was almost 50 years before women were given the vote, but what information we had on Charles suggested an opinionated and not particularly understanding man.

Following her funeral and burial at St Mary’s Church, Gomersal, where she was in regular attendance, the subsequent letter to the editor of a regional newspaper seems to have poured oil on some troubled waters: “Sir, as rumour is at present with all sorts of tales, likely and unlikely, probable and improbable, as the sad accident that befell the late Lady Firth, would you allow me to state the following authentic facts of this most melancholy case?”

The letter was written by Scots-born Heckmondwike doctor John C Ellis, who took the drastic step of betraying the confidentiality oath to which all are held in the medical profession to put the record straight, allay the gossip, and protect the Firth family name.

According to Dr Ellis, Lady Firth had been suffering for three years with “one of the

most painful neuralgic affections it was ever my fortune to attend” (probably trigeminal neuralgia) and though various specialists were consulted only partial relief had been achieved before further complications arose.

The new condition was referred to as ‘vertigo syncope’

by Dr Ellis – basically fainting fits. Such episodes can result from experiencing chronic pain.

Dr Ellis explained that these could occur without warning and the collapse from loss of consciousness was immediate.

He was convinced that Lady Firth must have had one of these faints whilst walking along the path alongside the river and slipped or rolled into the water.

At the inquest her body was

The mitigating letter to a newspaper in 1869 said to have been found facedown.

One of the other issue Dr Ellis wanted to address was any questions over the relationship between Lady Firth and Sir Charles. His decision to bring this up certainly implies that there must have been rumours about their relationship.

“I can truly affirm,” wrote Dr Ellis, “that no two persons joined together by the holy tie of matrimony ever lived on earth more affectionate and more endeared to each other than the late Lady Firth and Sir Charles.”

At a distance of almost 150

years it is very difficult to contradict someone who appeared to know the couple quite intimately. But, Dr Ellis’s views were presumably coloured by the social norms of the time and it is hard to believe that either Sir Charles or his wife would have given a public indication of problems even if there were any.

The report of the inquest in the Bradford Observer did give a more comprehensive account of events than the Heckmondwike paper and Sir Charles was presented in a better light.

In any event, the stained glass memorial window in Gomersal Church was an elaborate, and not inexpensive, way of showing his feelings for his late wife.

As his distant cousin Mary Skinner, a descendant of his brother Thomas, has said: “Not much is known about Sir Charles”, but recent research has shown that he had a history of erratic spending and the memorial window could have just as easily been an indication of that as it was heartfelt.

Lady Ada was laid to rest in St Mary’s churchyard, in Gomersal, but there was to be little rest for Sir Charles in the years that followed.

More of which we will look at next week.

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

BUFFET RESTAURANT

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BUFFET £12.95 OPEN 7 DAYS

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Friday March 2, 2018

Keeeeeeeeep dancing!

Peggy and Hilda still going strong

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Jonny dances out of Albert Square and into the West End, via Strictly Ballroom JONNY LABEY is bestknown for playing Paul Coker in EastEnders, joining the cast in 2015 as the grandson of Les and Pam Coker. But now he has landed a starring role alongside Will Young in the new mega West End smash Strictly Ballroom. Jonny, who also won the ITV show ‘Dance’, told me: “I can’t believe my luck as this is one of my alltime favourite movies too.

So to be in this and appearing in the West End also is amazing. I want everyone to come and see it, we open on March 29.”

Peggy (L) and Hilda (R) dance weekly at St Mary’s Parochial Hall in Batley TWO NONAGENARIANS are not letting their age get in the way of dancing.

Hilda Brice, 95, and Peggy Denny, 96, quickstep their way to St Mary’s Parochial Hall in Batley every Tuesday and Thursday without fail.

The duo have been waltzing together for four years since Peggy’s husband passed away, and always take part in the sequence and ballroom dancing as well as the afternoon tea dance at the social club, which is attended by around seven other couples.

They both get a taxi each week from their homes in Cleckheaton, while also attending a dance class at the Holy Trinity church in Batley Carr once a month.

Peggy said: “It keeps us fit and we get to see our friends. It’s better than sitting and watching TV!” The pair explained how they have danced all their lives, with Peggy starting at the age of six.

Both Peggy and Hilda said it keeps them active and feeling young – and they don’t plan on stopping any time soon, taking part in everything from a waltz to a foxtrot.

It is thought they could be among the oldest dancers in the country, having attended the social club’s danceathons for around 40 years.

Hilda said: “We used to come with our husbands but now we do it together.”

Postie’s fundraising honour A MIRFIELD postwoman is up for a Yorkshire Choice Award for her fundraising efforts over the past year.

Kelly Williams completed 26 marathons in 26 days last summer in a bid to raise £60,000 to fund treatment for a severely-ill friend.

Kelly, who grew up and went to school in Mirfield, has now been nominated in the local fundraiser of the year category at the awards, which take place in April.

The 40-year-old has now raised around £24,000 which will go towards funding stem cell treatment for her Argentinian friend, Marisol

Gonzalez, who contracted Lyme disease following a tick bite in the UK. The exhausting task was part of a wider campaign that Kelly (right) set up called #spreadalittlesunshine where she encourages people to take part in an act of kindness each day.

It’s for her efforts that she has been recognised for an award, but faces tough competition against the likes of Lizzie Jones – the widow of rugby league player Danny Jones who died after a cardiac arrest in 2015. You can vote for Kelly at www.yorkshirechoice awards.co.uk/votehere.

Members of the group claim it is the third-most used in Kirklees, behind Dewsbury and Huddersfield.

They said the number of people using it far exceeds the 56,000 library card holders Kirklees used to measure its footfall.

Mohamed Saloo, a member of the group, said many others use the facilities to read newspapers, explore the art gallery and children’s library.

Thousands of people have reportedly already signed the petition and the friends group say they will keep fighting to

DID you know that Coronation Street legend Betty Driver first auditioned for the role of Hilda Ogden in 1964, before being persuaded instead to go for the role of Betty Williams – a role she’d play for 42 years? To this day her picture appears regularly on the screen in the famous Rovers Return pub.

STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole has been offered a book deal after the axe from the show – but he won’t confirm if it’s a tell-all book or simply one reflecting on his life in dance to date.

He did tell a friend though that: “It still hurts and will further when the new series starts later in the year.”

Signature bid for library friends CAMPAIGNERS fighting against the closure of Batley Library are hoping to get 10,000 signatures on a petition to try and save the building.

The library on Market Place is at risk following a £1.8million cut to the Kirklees Council budget.

The latest reductions will see the service having to operate within a budget of just £2.2million a year – meaning the 24 libraries across Kirklees are likely to be severely affected.

The Friends of Batley Library group have launched a petition so that council chiefs can see how widely it is used.

ALAN CARR looks set to host a Les Dawson tribute show. The one-off special will mark 25 years since the comic’s death in June 1993.

Daughter Charlotte Dawson said: “We’re in talks now and hoping to get lots of people involved.” As yet no channel is confirmed to air the show.

protect the iconic building.

Mr Saloo said: “The last petition we ran got to over 10,000 names and although that was over a much longer period of time we’d like to surpass that.”

They are holding a petition signing event at the Tesco superstore on Bradford Road, Batley, on Saturday March 10. A council consultation is online for people to have their say on library services at www.kirklees.gov.uk/libraryconsultation.

Copies of the group’s petition are available to sign in The Press office on Branch Road, Batley.

WITHOUT a doubt best known for playing Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street, Wendi Peters’ extensive stage career includes productions of Oh! What A Lovely War and White Christmas. She is now starring in Ronald Harwood’s comedy Quartet which is currently running at the Everyman Cheltenham before embarking on a UK tour.

FORMER TV reporter and now MP Austin Mitchell was a regular on Calendar way back in the 70s. He tells me that he still gets stopped by people in the area to remind him of that fact and added: “I think the TV was far more powerful, plus the news was also vibrant and not so watered down when you look back at it.”

Jonny Labey and Ann Montini

© Maycon Pictures

COMING soon to the BBC – yet another talent show, this time called The Greatest Dancer. The dance judge will be former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, but the show will be produced by Syco Productions, which of course is owned by Simon Cowell, who is hopeful that the BBC may just take more of his shows now ITV are cutting back on the X Factor...

SURANNE JONES has sent Coronation Street fans into a frenzy by revealing she’d consider returning to the famous cobbles for a charity special. Suranne played soap favourite Karen McDonald for four years.

She told me “It’s a fun sketch, but I could never go back full time as I am way too busy, but I do miss the show obviously.”

FORMER Hollyoaks star James Sutton tells me: “I was in Australia on holiday last year and actually rang Neighbours to see if I could be in the background of a couple of scenes... John Paul in Erinsborough! It didn’t happen in the end, unfortunately.” ExCoronation Street actor Ryan Thomas was far luckier though, and is now appearing in the soap.

WITH Alan Carr’s Chatty Man show getting the axe from Channel Four, the channel is now developing a new chat show which would be fronted

by Jimmy Carr. The currently untitled format would see audience members asking the questions. Jimmy, who never fails to laugh at his own jokes, commented that he was “excited by the prospect”.

WEST END and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall is to return to Chicago the Musical at London’s Phoenix Theatre to play the role of Matron Mama Morton.

Joining her is the previously announced Cuba Gooding Jr as lawyer Billy Flynn. The show is currently scheduled for a one-year run beginning on March 26.

STRICTLY’S Kevin Clifton tells me that he has no idea if he will be invited back to the show this year, like all the others. “It’s a waiting game for sure, I would love to go back but it’s not down to me at all. Hopefully they will read this and sign me up again,” he added.

THE Sabrina the Teenage Witch reboot has found its Aunt Hilda in the form of UK Office star Lucy Davis. Davis played Dawn to Martin Freeman’s Tim in the original UK version of the hit comedy, and popped up in the Wonder Woman film last year. She is also comedian Jasper Carrot’s daughter...

EAMMON HOLMES and Ruth Langsford will front new Channel Five consumer entertainment show Do The Right Thing. The husband and wife duo will be joined by ex-MP Ann Widdecombe, radio presenter Roman Kemp, and TV presenter Michael Underwood for the new series. Eammon told me: “It’s That’s Life for a whole new generation and very exciting.”

Friday March 2, 2018

ThePress

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Friday March 2, 2018

Ramblers’ corner FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details SATURDAY MARCH 3 4-NIL Starts at 10.30am at car park behind Dewsbury Sports Centre (WF12 8EN, SE246216) 8 miles – moderate Contact: Eddie and Andrea 01924 470091

MONDAY MARCH 5 BLUE HILLS OF BIRKENSHAW Starts at 1pm at Oakwell Hall top car park (WF17 9LG, SE217271) No dogs please 6 miles – moderate Contact: Kathleen 01924 471473 kathleenoshea5@aol.com

Thank you for the music SMASH-HIT tribute show Thank You For The Music returns to Cleckheaton Town Hall tomorrow (Sat, 7.30pm) bringing all of ABBA’s hits to the stage.

The hugely-popular show combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes and dazzling performances by a cast that’ll have you thanking ABBA for the music again and again.

With record-breaking movies, smash-hit West End musicals, chart-topping albums and singles, ABBA’s legacy now lives on in concert with this all-new show. Tickets are £22.50, for details visit https://tickets. kirklees.gov.uk or call 01484 225755.

Kev’s in town A RUGBY league legend will be at the newly-refurbished Brooklands Bar to watch one of the biggest games of the season later this month.

Former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield MBE will join fans at the Bradford Road bar to watch St Helens take on the Rhinos on Friday March 16.

Sinfield will be there from 6pm, with the game kicking off at 7.45pm, and there will be a chance to have your photo taken or memorabilia signed by the man himself.

Mohair meeting SPEN VALLEY Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday, March 14, when there is a talk titled ‘The Story Of Mohair’ by John Clay. Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm.

The cost is £2 per meeting for members, £4 for guests and membership is £10 per year.

For more information email scooper@thecoopers online.org.uk.

Good food for the sole BRACE yourself for an immersive love story performed in a pub, set to a soundtrack of Northern Soul and served with a fish and chip supper.

Performing in unusual spaces as part of a national tour, this fun production of Chip Shop Chips is coming to three real ale pubs in Dewsbury, Mirfield and Cleckheaton this month with a play, quiz and supper all rolled into one.

In a bid to attract audiences who don’t normally go to the theatre – as well as those that do – arts organisation Creative Scene is working with the Box of Tricks

WHAT’S ON AT The

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theatre company to present a northern ‘sole’ love story, set in a local chippy.

In ‘Chip Shop Chips’ the audience learns about the grand reopening of Booth and Sons Fish and Chip Shop.

Eric has returned home more than 40 years after he left, and it’s time for a fresh start.

But old flame Christine has other ideas.

Transported back to a time of chippy teas and Northern Soul, there’s unfinished business for the old lovers.

Watching teenage love stumble as hapless Lee makes a pass at the beautiful

Jasmine, is it all just history repeating itself?

This is theatre, but not as you know it: dinner, quiz and a show all in one.

Focusing on love at different ages and celebrating our beloved dish, the performances are part of a national

tour which runs until April 21.

The heart warming story is written by Becky Prestwich and the performers are Julie Edwards (Christine), Jessica Forrest of Hollyoaks fame (Jasmine), Mark Newsome (Lee) and Josh Moran (Eric).

Chip Shop Chips is at the Navigation Tavern in Mirfield on Tuesday March 13; The Leggers Inn, Dewsbury on Wednesday March 14 and Mill Valley Brewery in Cleckheaton on Thursday March 15.

All start at 7.30pm.

Landlord Joel Graham, of The Leggers Inn, said: “It is

good to see a performance in a place you are not expecting it. We are looking forward to hosting Chip Shop Chips in our function room for regulars and newcomers alike.”

Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out – they must be booked in advance as food has to be ordered from a local chippy.

Suitable for over-18s, the show lasts for two hours with an interval.

Tickets priced £8 include a fish and chip supper, and vegetarian options are available.

To book and for more information visit www. creativescene. org.uk.

Oh happy day! Sister Act Live Choir sings in Leeds CLASSIC musical comedy Sister Act is the latest film to receive the ‘live cinema’ treatment, with a screening accompanied by a choir and live band taking place at Leeds Town Hall tomorrow night (Sat).

Film fans have been clamouring for popups and live cinema experiences in recent years as audiences look for new, innovative ways to enjoy the films they know and love.

And now Sister Act fans will be immersed in a new cinematic, musical experience.

Sister Act Live Choir boasts a full choir and band, as they accompany the on-screen nuns with live performances of songs from the film’s original soundtrack.

The show has had two successful sold-out runs in London in autumn 2016 and April 2017. Founder Dele Aro said: “We were delighted to see the shows connect such a large diverse group of people, to share in a unique experience and create new memories around a much-loved film.”

Premiered in 1992, Sister Act tells the story of Vegas lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (played by Whoopi Goldberg), who after witnessing a murder at the hands of her boyfriend has to enter witness protection to avoid a similar fate.

She turns to the one place that she hopes he will never look – a convent.

Disguised as a nun, Deloris woefully tries to adopt her new lifestyle and after several false starts, she finally finds her voice at the heart of the church choir.

Choir director Lovedale Harrison: “Whether you’re a Sister Act fan or not, the

soundtrack is amazing and the nuns sing with so much soul.

“I Will Follow Him is my favourite song, it has what I call the ‘feels’.”

Sister Act Live Choir includes live performances of original film soundtrack favourites such as ‘Hail Holy Queen’, ‘My Guy (My God)’ and ‘I Will Follow Him’.

It features the Uplifted Voices choir, who have performed on BBC Gospel Proms and provided backing choirs for the live shows on ITV’s The Voice, Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor.

Tickets for the show at Leeds Town Hall are priced £18-£25 and are available from the box office on 0113 3760318, or email boxoffice@leeds.gov.uk.

For more information visit www.sister actlivechoir.com.

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

Marketplace Classified Turn your unwanted items

into cash £££s

1) Ring Angela on 01924 470296 (9.30am-4.30pm). Have your advert ready and you can pay by debit card (30p surcharge).

2) Call into the office at 31 Branch Road, Batley WF17 5SB and pay by cash, cheque or debit card (30p surcharge).

3) Post your advert and include your name and a contact number, along with cheque for payment.

ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words.

(We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in Marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

NEW Howden Joinery 700 worktop jig with pegs, in superb condition, £30. Tel Mr Smith 01924 441978 (Batley) (2102) Round dining table & 4 chairs, good condition £50. Tel 01924 470866. (2103) Class cabinet 6ft high £20. Tel 01924 470866. (2103) Low table 2ft sq, glass top in white £10. Tel 01924 470866. (2103) Complete bedroom unit includes two wardrobes and 4 top boxes £85 ono. Tel 01924 470866.

(2103) CHILDREN’S GOODS /TOYS Boys’ BMX style bike, (Terrain model), 20” wheels with stunt pegs, as new £45. Tel 07961 842563/ 01924 501325 (Liversedge/ Roberttown). (2273) Girls’ BMX style bike, white/green, 5 gears, 18” wheels, as new £35. Tel 07961 842563/ 01924 501325 (Liversedge/ Roberttown). (2273) Girls’ 3-wheel scooter, pink/white, with front brake. Good condition £30. Tel 079618 42563/ 01924 501325 (Liversedge/ Roberttown). (2273) DIY

Steel up-and-over garage door within steel frame. As new, with all hardware. Door 6’5” wide x 6’11” high with frame 6’11” wide x 7’3” high, £100 ono.

Tel 07756 164491.

(2092) Strong, folding 4-step ladder with platform, £15. Tel 01924 479647.

(2272) ELECTRICAL Dyson DC33 vacuum cleaner. Light use, excellent condition, £50. Tel 01924 476050.

(2098) Bosch cylinder vacuum cleaner, model Terrossa, 1800 watt.

Like new £25. Tel 01924 689074. (2095) Panasonic portable colour television, in excellent condition, with remote control.

Ideal for child’s bedroom etc. Can deliver locally, £20. Tel 01924 471758. (2086) FASHION/ CLOTHING Two pairs of jeggings, brand new (with labels), size 24, short leg, 1 blue denim, 1 black £5 each. Tel 01924 504009. (2097) Ladies reversible coat with hood, size 12.

Creamy white, suede effect one side, leopard print fur the other side. Cost new £150, sell for £60. Tel 01924 468069. (2089)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

ITEM bands

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus

Cost per item

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

et, wool and cashmere, size 12/14 £30.

Tel 01924 468069.

(2089)

can be texted/emailed on request. Tel 07752 325842 (to collect from Mirfield) (2101)

Girls’ faux fur coat in cream, from Next. Suit 7-8 yr old, as new, £35. Tel 07961 842563/ 01924 501325 (Liversedge/ Roberttown). (2273)

Shackleton chair, beige/ brown moquette material. 18 months old, £150 ono.

Tel 01924 504009.

(2097)

Girls’ leopard print ankle strap shoes (River Island), size 2, never worn £10.

Tel 07961 842563/ 01924 501325 (Liversedge/ Roberttown). (2273) FURNITURE Two cream double wardrobes with matching two chests of drawers plus two bedside cabinets, in good condition. Buyer collects, offers around £50. Tel 07938 563197.

(2099) Large Italian inlaid dining room table with 4 chairs + 2 carvers, plus matching corner unit in excellent condition, £200 no offers.

Tel 01924 503500.

(2100) Traditional, beige chenille-type fabric, threepiece suite (inc recliner chair) – excellent condition. Bought from Middlestown Furnishings for £1800, will accept £250 for quick sale. Photo can be texted/emailed on request. Tel 07752 325842 (to collect from Mirfield) (2101)

Red, short ladies jackSingle bed with firm mattress and sliding drawer in base.

Complete with solid antique pine headboard. Guest bed, so only used a handful of times, £50. Photo can be texted/emailed on request. Tel 07752 325842 (to collect from Mirfield) (2101) Oak effect, drop-leaf dining table with four chairs – covered in a cream material.

Excellent condition, bargain at £60. Photo can be texted/emailed on request. Tel 07752 325842 (to collect from Mirfield) (2101) Nest of three, dark wood tables with glass inlay tops. Excellent condition £20. Photo

Three piece suite in brown fabric, 3 seater + 2 seater + chair, excellent condition, bargain at £75. Tel 01924 476596. (2096) Stripped pine console table with drawer, 3 ft high x 3ft long x 1 ft wide £25. Tel 01924 479647. (2272) MISCELLANEOUS Fish tank, 64 litres, includes pump, filter & ornaments, £50. Tel 01924 504009. (2097) Aqua One 550 fish tank, corner unit, holds 78 litres. Includes pump, light & heater.

Bargain at £80. Tel 07816 132472. (2081) Two large-size suitcases, purple, as new, £30 the pair. Tel 01924 478721. (2083) MOBILITY Lightweight, portable, folding access ramp, suitable for mobility scooter or wheelchair.

4ft long, never used, still boxed, as new £55. Buyer collects. Tel 01924 405185.

(Liversedge area) (2090) MUSICAL Brunswick acoustic guitar and case, in excellent condition, £75 ono. Tel 01924 462351. (2082) PETCARE Wrought iron pet bed, new, 2ft x 2 1/2 ft £7.

Tel 01924 479647.

(2272) PLANTS Large aspidistras in pots, £10 each. Tel 07508 834666. (2094) SPORT/FITNESS/ OUTDOORS Hi-Pro folding snooker/pool table, red baize. 2 full sets balls, 2 cues, scorecard, 6ft x 3ft, in excellent condition £65. Tel 07961 842563/ 01924 501325 (Liversedge/ Roberttown). (2273)

17

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Car Boot Sale The Area’s Biggest and Best Car Boot Sale every Sunday at Dewsbury Rams, Owl Lane, Dewsbury OPEN AS USUAL DURING GROUND DEVELOPMENT WORK Price £12 per car, opens at 6.00am, ring 01924 465489 for further details

Care At Home

MALCOLM’S AERIAL SHOP

80 Town Street, Earlsheaton, WF12 8JL

• SKY TRAINED AUTHORISED ENGINEERS • AERIAL / SKY 2ND ROOM £39 • TELEVISION / PC & LAPTOP REPAIRS Open 7 Days until 8pm - Est 20yrs

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-------------------------------ONE STOP GLASS --------------------------------

Showroom open to public & trade Check out our online visual kitchen splashback colour tool Unit 5 Staincliffe Trade Centre, Halifax Road, Staincliffe, Dewsbury, WF13 4AP

Tel: 01924 792781 Fax: 01924 900493 www.onestopglassltd.co.uk Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm, Sat 8am-12pm

Bespoke Kitchens

Let Us Design & Create Your Perfect Kitchen 2 Bleak Street, Gomersal, BD19 4RD Studio: 01274 873359 Mob: 07887 995705 imagine@createbespokekitchens.co.uk www.createbespokekitchens.co.uk

Butchers

Your Local Quality Butcher

5kg Chicken £25 2.5kg Chicken £13 See instore for more details 128 Huddersfield Rd, Mirfield

T: 01924 492185

GARLANDS Residential & Dementia Care Home

Providing 24-hour Care, Respite & Day Care

COMPASSIONATE PERSONALISED CARE AT HOME

27 Church Street, Heckmondwike 01924 404122

Flexible homecare to meet individual needs

Carpet & Flooring

For more details Tel: 01924 403450

Bespoke Glass

SUPPLIERS OFALL BESPOKE GLASS PRODUCTS

Care Homes

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SHOP AT HOME SERVICE We can bring the samples to you!

Carpets, vinyls, laminates, solid wood and all flooring accessories CHOOSE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME We will not be beaten on price & service.

Fitter with 30+ years experience.

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07719 012018

birkenshawflooring.co.uk

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18

ThePress

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Dining Out

• 35 years experience

50% Off all rugs in stock

• Expert fitting service provided

Full house deals

from £399

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Computing

YOU PAY Computer Problems?

HOW MUCH Sick of Cowboys?

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• No Repair, No Charge • No call out charge • We repair on site

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BUFFET RESTAURANT

BYO DRINK FREE CORKAGE BUFFET £12.95 SPECIALIST IN LARGE GROUP BOOKINGS OPEN 7 DAYS T: 01274 681545 74 Westgate Hill St, Tong, Bradford BD4 0SB Electrical

E.J.GREENWOOD Curtains, Blinds, Wallpapers & Accessories

VERTICAL BLINDS

DRIVEWAYS & PATIO SPECIALISTS

3 FOR

£89

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GUARANTEE

18-22 Market St, Cleckheaton T: 01274 851151

Tel: 0800 046 1502

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Days Out/ Excursions

Decorators

Electrical

DECORATORS

ANYTHING ELECTRICAL

Paul Grayshon Interior & Exterior Decorators FREE ESTIMATES Insurance work undertaken BATLEY BULLDOGS Don’t miss your local team away Call Us!

www.stationcoaches.co.uk

Tel: 01924 477844 / 01924 443822 Mob: 07702 373315

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Financial Services

BLUEHILLS FARM SHOP & PLAY BARN FRIDAY NIGHT DISCO! 4pm-6pm

PLAY BARN OPEN 7 DAYS

• Shop at home service

• Open 6 days per week

Farm Shops

GROOVY MOVIES! Music & Dancing Every Wed & Friday 10.30am

Make your house a home...

Beautiful carpets from County Carpets

• Samples brought to your home without obligation

Friday March 2, 2018

07973 959968

ALARMS, OUTSIDE LIGHTS Electrical Cookers Repaired Supplied & Fitted, No Job Too Small, 35 Years Experience, Same Day Service Available Ring Batley:

0113 285 4563 or 07801 063911

Fencing

TS FENCING & PROPERTY REPAIRS All type of fencing, gates, decking, flagging & patios etc All types of property repairs, general handyman work.

Any Odd Jobs Big or Small

Call Tony 07939 018428

01924 402578

Northern Domestics Repairs to most makes of domestic appliances.

Competitive rates Tel: 01924 467472

BIRTHDAY PARTIES OUR SPECIALITY

01924 470296

from £295 PENSIONERS DISCOUNT AVAILABLE All major debit/credit cards available

01924 850141 07836 723821 Gardening

All aspects of tree surgery 07889 859297 0113 285 2204

Fires and Fireplaces to suit all budgets!

FLAMES FIREPLACES Commercial Park, Horbury Bridge, Wakefield, WF4 5NW OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 9.30 - 5.00 Sat 10.00 - 5.00

T: 01924 277308

The only name in fireplaces

www.flamesofwakefield.co.uk

Flat Roof

FLAT ROOF PROBLEMS?

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HGV Tuition

Obtain your HGV or PCV Licence With Ease Use The Professionals Over 30 Years Experience All Aspects Of Driving

Tel: 01274 686211 www.atkinslgv.net

Home Improvements

KITCHENS & BEDROOMS Makeovers, Facelifts, Revamps, Repairs, Alterations

Free quotes 01924 506616 www.kitchenbedroom.co.uk

Fibre Firm Ltd

• GRP ROOF SPECIALISTS • GARAGES • DORMERS • BALCONIES • NEW ROOFS & REPAIRS

KITCHENS - BEDROOMS - BATHROOMS

Wormald Interiors does it all.

Why call 10 trades when you can call one?

Do you qualify for no VAT? Contact us to find out

01924 650935 07850 786270 info@fibrefirm.co.uk www.fibrefirm.co.uk Furniture

Funeral Directors

01924 441494

FIND US ONLINE

www.wormaldinteriors.com email: wormaldinteriors@btconnect.com Visit Us At:

152 Leeds Road, Heckmondwike, WF16 9BJ

Opening Times:

David Butterfield

SPEN FENCING

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remote supply only

www.rdforestry.com info@rdforestry.com

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YOU PAY HOW MUCH TO ADVERTISE?

UP+OVER DOORS fitted, repairs,

Fireplaces

INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS

01274 874095 07454 132548

Tel: 0333 456 0333

Birkenshaw BD11 2DU T: 01274 682007

Fencing

All types of fencing and gates supplied & fitted Repair work undertaken

Are you managing your money in a way that improves your life?

Call us today for a free investment and pension review

Garage Doors

For more information call

01274 852 885 CLECKHEATON

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday Closed

House & Home

Joiner

Birstall Mill Carpets Keith Thackray JOINERY & Beds Loft conversion specialist 359 Bradford Road, Batley, WF17 5PH

HUGE SELECTION OF CARPETS, SOFAS SUITES, BEDS & MATTRESSES

Tel: 01924 440600

01924 420894

www.shackletonsltd.co.uk

934 Bradford Road, Birstall, Batley, WF17 9PH

Any joinery work undertaken Kitchens supplied & fitted or fitted only Decking, windows & doors Kitchen & bedroom fitting Over 28 years experience For a free estimate call 01924 901762 07710 503538

ONLY 1 MILE FROM M62, JUNCTION 27

Garages

DENCROFT GARAGES Concrete Garages & Sheds Dismantle & Bases Garage re-vamps Garage Doors 230 Bradford Rd, Batley Tel: 01924 461996 dencroftgarages.co.uk

www.birstallmillcarpets.co.uk Master Locksmith

HARFORD’S SECURITY LTD NELSON STREET, DEWSBURY, WF13 1NA

TEL: 01924 467269 FAX: 01924 430800 MASTER LOCKSMITHS ACCESS CONTROL INTRUDER ALARM INSTALLERS WEBSITE: www.harfordssecurity.co.uk

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Friday March 2, 2018

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Mobile Valeting

Elite Mobile Valeting Services Elite Mobile Valeting Services

Director: Jason

4theelitevalet@gmail.com

New Home

BUILDERS OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES www.noblehomes.co.uk

Plasterer

TIM PRYKE PLASTERING No Job Too Small Quality Workmanship!

Free Quotes Telephone

01924 492272 07765 542409

Pubs and Clubs

CALLING ALL LANDLORDS

GOMERSAL CRICKET CLUB

We specialise in all aspects of property repairs & maintenance 30 years’ experience Competitive rates from housing associations to private landlords

25 yrs experience

• Cars • Caravans • Motorhomes • Vans • Carpets & Upholstery • Driveways • UPVC Windows 07717 805900

Property Maintenance

Motor Care

CARS • BIKES • VANS CALL: 01924 497069

Unit 1, Station Business Park, Back Station Road, Mirfield, WF14 8QF

Find us on

Car body repairs Imperial Motor Company 107 Bradford Road, Dewsbury Tel: 01924 461607 or 07860 754984

Call Andy

07976 752780 or email

andrew-walsh@sky.com

BRUNSWICK GLAZING & MAINTENANCE

FREE • 80-100 FUNCTION people ROOM HIRE • Kitchen use available • DJs, Bands, Entertainment organised • Low drinks prices

Tel: 01274 874100 / 07422 510043

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01924 406941 07850 786270 WWW.FURNESSROOFING.CO.UK EMAIL: MARK@FURNESSROOFING.CO.UK

Pointing, guttering and general maintenance work ALL INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN

07901 750921 • 01924 485168

TOP CLASS TURNS • BINGO - SNOOKER

This Fri ★ Mar 2nd (POETRY,PROSE & MUSIC)

TALKING ZEBRAS

★ ★

RAISING FUNDS FOR YORKSHIRE AIR ABULANCE

BINGO Starts 9pm EVERY SUNDAY

PROM, PAGEANT SIX LANE & EVENING WEAR ENDS WORLD LEADING DESIGNER DRESSES FROM THE UK AND USA 31 Low Lane, Birstall WF17 9EY

Tel: 01924 473892 www.misselegance.co.uk info@misselegance.co.uk

Public House

WILKINSON BROS

Snooker & Pool Table All Sky & BT Sport

LAGER & BITTER FROM ONLY £2.40 A PINT

House Clearance Specialists

Professional Service Fully Insured Low Cost Onsite Storage Available

01924 267433

Open 12 noon - 12 midnight

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146 Leeds Road Heckmondwike 01924 402764

• Copper • Brass • Lead • Aluminium and all types of cable (01924) 469409 14 Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury, WF13 3PH

L

SIMPSON DENNIS

01924 497776 Mobile 07768 298739 Approved by leading insurance companies

01924 469633 07790 548393

www.simpsondennis-roofing.co.uk

www.ecoheatingyorkshire.co.uk

11556

REPAIRS OR RENEWAL Seamless Aluminium, Cast Iron, Wood, Plastic All roofing work New roof repairs Insurance work undertaken Plus all flat roofing

Tel Mirfield

Any gas appliance serviced £45+VAT then £15+VAT for each of others.

Combi boilers fitted with For All 7 year guarantee Your Heating Choose Experience & Plumbing T: 01924 666669 Needs M: 0758 1552797 36 Greenacres Drive, Birstall, WF17 9RA

JUST

GUTTERING

ALLAN BELK

Mob: 07880 581977 Tel: 01924 468148 Roofing & property repairs, chimneys lowered, new roofs, strip and re-fix flat roofing.

Free estimates.

All work guaranteed

Call KEVIN FLYNN

LAWRENCE HARVEY / ROOFIX BUILDING & PROPERTY SERVICES • ROOFING • gutters • pointing • TILING • FENCING ETC Free Estimates

07788 850824

M

I

T

E

D

MINI • MIDI • HALF BUILDERS • BUILDERS

01924 494964 / 07860 711948

www.tigerskiphire.co.uk THE STONE YARD, BACK STATION ROAD, MIRFIELD, WF14 8NL

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Rite Choice Windows are looking to recruit committed, hard working & enthusiastic individuals for the following vacancies;

• Qualified Window Fitter • Qualified Fabricator of Windows & Doors • Trainee Window Fitter • Trainee Fabricator

To Let

Travel Insurance

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From £60 p.w incl bills DSS welcome 07740991421

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Roofing

All roof repairs. Insurance work Re-roofing, lead and chimney work – Reduction for OAPs All work guaranteed, free estimates Established 25 years

CHECK FOR CARBON MONOXIDE

I

Applications to send CV via email to markparker049@googlemail.com

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Plumbing & Heating

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Removals/Storage

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FOR YOUR PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

Scrap Metal

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT

One of the area’s friendliest clubs.

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

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• New Roofs • Flat Roofs • GRP • Chimney Stacks • Gutters, Pointing • Fascia and Soffits • Insurance Work • Leadwork • Velux Windows

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joIN US AT THE

★

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19

In Focus

FULLY COMPREHENSIVE TOP QUALITY COVER • Single trip cover now with NO AGE LIMIT • Annual multi-trip cover maximum age 86 • Air Ambulance get you home service • 24-hour customer support telephone numbers • FREE medical screening service AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY THE FCA CONDITIONS APPLY PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS

0116 272 0500

ThePress

Classified 20

Quality furniture needed Free pick up Clothes & homeware, Musical instruments, Also volunteers required for Mirfield shop (training given)

SCRAP CARS & VANS WANTED Cash paid & free collection Open 7 days a week

07743 134616

Call 01924 489085

S.D Metals Recycling

Wanted

Wedding Services

House Clearances No Job Too Small

Quality WATCHES BOUGHT Foreign Currency All available currencies bought & sold Cheques Cashed All cheques considered CALL ANDREW ON

Idyllic countryside wedding venue Licensed for Civil Ceromonies HOLIDAY INN

LEEDS - BRADFORD

07980 767167

THE PASTURES, TONG LANE, BRADFORD, BD4 0RP 0113 285 9303 www.hileedsbradford.co.uk

Windows & Fittings

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Come and visit our online showroom at: www. yorkshirewindows.co.uk

Tel: 0800 043 4536

Conservatories and so much more

Unit 10 Woodroyd Mills Cleckheaton 01274 874800

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HOME SECURE Est 1990 WINDOW MAINTENANCE We replace Glass | Locks | Handles | Hinges | Faulty Door Mechanisms and Much More!

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Public Notices

Wanted

URGENT APPEAL

Friday March 2, 2018

01924 452500 Double Glazing Manufacturers SAME DAY GLAZING Unit 2 Queens Mill, Queen Street, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, WF13 3BT www.ultimateglassltd.com

Public Notices

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

RUGBY UNION

Cleck fight back to claim first win since December North East One CLECKHEATON RUFC BRADFORD AND BINGLEY

27 19

CLECKHEATON overturned a 12-point deficit as they came from behind to defeat rivals Bradford and Bingley and win their first game since the turn of the year.

The victory saw Cleck jump two places in the league table and they now sit comfortably in mid-table with any slight relegation worries almost forgotten.

Thiu Barnard returned to the side along with Luke Pearson, who had been out of action since Boxing Day. Andy Piper and Mikey Hayward were forced to miss out while James Wilson returned and Tim Mobbs was included for his debut.

The Spen Valley men had to contest with former Toronto Wolfpack star, Fuifui Moimoi, who has been a regular feature for the Bees since his departure from professional rugby league.

Moimoi helped to create the first try of the game when he steamrolled up the centre of the field, scattering the Cleck defence.

From the ruck scrum-half Dan Jeffrey strolled over for a try between the sticks.

The visitors soon scored again as they pounced on a loose ball that was knocked on

by Cleckheaton.

The ball was moved from one side of the field to the other before finding its way to James Morton who dashed over out wide.

However, the Moorenders kept their focus and captain Matt Piper led by example as he

TRY TIME: James Wilson is tackled after touching down for Cleckheaton powered past Moimoi and put Wilson over for the try. Mike Swetman converted and then added a penalty goal to reduce the deficit to two points.

Piper should have put Cleck in front but he let his excitement get the better of him as he dropped the ball over the line.

The skipper made amends for his error as he tapped a penalty and threw a pass out to Grant Fitzsimmons to blitz over in the corner.

The Moorenders showed great determination in the second 40 as Bradford and Bingley struggled to get out of their own half.

Joey Carley put in a stand-out hit on Moimoi to stop a possible break and man of the match Jack Bickerdike was terrier-like in defence.

Cleckheaton extended their lead with another penalty from Swetman as the visitors

PHOTO: Gerald Christian

were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes.

The Cleck number 10 then attempted a drop goal which cannoned off the post, but added another penalty soon after.

Bradford and Bingley continued to infringe and were punished by the boot of Swetman as he kicked another two penalties.

With the game in injury time Cleck’s Paul Turner was sin-binned for over exuberantly congratulating a Bees player for knocking on near to the line.

Bradford and Bingley held the ball in the maul and drove over for a consolation try.

If the weather allows, tomorrow afternoon Cleckheaton welcome West Hartlepool to Moorend.

The club will be holding a breast cancer charity event which includes the team playing in a specially-commissioned pink kit.

21

FOOTBALL Sedge pay penalty NCEL Premier Division LIVERSEDGE FC

1

BARTON TOWN

3

LIVERSEDGE lost their second consecutive league game as they surrendered a 1-0 advantage against Barton Town.

It proved a bizarre game with four penalties awarded, three of which were scored, including two in two minutes from Barton early in the second half.

Sedge took an early lead at Clayborn on Saturday through a Rhys Davies penalty.

Davies and Joe Walton both had chances to extend the lead but failed to convert.

The hosts almost conceded on the stroke of half-time as Barton were awarded a penalty but saw their effort well saved by the Sedge keeper.

Liversedge then fell behind early in the second half as Barton were awarded two penalties before the 50-minute mark.

Ashley Lattimore converted both spot kicks to put Barton ahead.

Barton caught Sedge on the break with Jamie Goddard providing the finish to seal the points for the away side.

Elsewhere, Sedge have signed Glyn Cotton from division high-flyers Pontefract Collieries.

Lower Hopton lose LOWER HOPTON’S promotion ambitions took a knock this week when they surrendered their unbeaten record in the West Riding Women’s League with a 2-0 home defeat to third-placed Ripon City.

Ripon are still four points behind leaders Hopton, having played a game more, but second-placed Middleton are level on points and while Hopton have a blank week Middleton play their game in hand at Skipton Town.

One team in danger of dropping out of the First Division are Dewsbury Rangers, who are watching their season go from bad to worse. In their last outing they crashed 15-0 at home to Farsley Celtic Reserves.

The Ossett Town Development side are the only district side with a scheduled fixture this week, when they are due to go to Premier Division strugglers Wetherby Athletic for a League Shield tie. But given the current weather conditions it is hard to see any fixtures going ahead this weekend.

22

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

RUGBY LEAGUE

Boys’ cup dream ended

Hanging Heaton into next round

Challenge Cup, Third Round

Pennine League Cup

NORMANTON KNIGHTS

18

BATLEY BOYS

0

HALTED: Batley Boys’ run in the Challenge Cup came to an end on Saturday

HANGING HEATON GREETLAND ALL ROUNDERS

BATLEY BOYS’ magnificent Challenge Cup run came to an end as they were outclassed by Normanton Knights on Saturday.

The hosts started the game the strongest but were kept out by strong tackling from Gavin Davies, Aaron James, Ryan Crossley, Josh O’Sullivan and Lewis Hardy.

However, the pressure from the NCL Premier Division side proved too much as Thomas Alexander crossed on 15 minutes.

Josh Whitehead, Damon Fletcher, Josh Ritcher and Josh Scruton all stepped up with try-saving tackles but were powerless as the Knights went in for a second.

Connor Taylor stole the ball one-on-one

before grounding to double his side’s lead.

Lee Hammond put Normanton further in front as he pounced on a grubber kick and grounded in-goal.

Batley built some pressure but were left to

rue a number of errors as they failed to find the tryline. Normanton sealed their place in the next round with another try before Davies and Knights player Ash Haynes were sinbinned in two separate incidents.

Celtic fightback in vain Moor unbeaten in 15 heading into campaign NCL Division Three EASTMOOR DRAGONS DEWSBURY CELTIC

20

14

DEWSBURY CELTIC started their NCL campaign with defeat at Eastmoor Dragons.

There were encouraging signs for Celtic who staged a secondhalf fightback but couldn’t do enough to overturn the deficit.

A hat-trick of tries from Dragons’ Ady Mulcahy proved to be the difference between the sides.

A Joe Burns try on 14 minutes broke the deadlock before Mulcahy landed the first of his treble three minutes later.

Celtic hit back almost immediately to reduce the arrears to 8-6 with a Paul Foulstone converted effort.

A converted try either side of the break saw Eastmoor take a

20-6 lead before Celtic clawed their way back to within six points.

Danny Thomas added a try on the hour before Adrian Dunford went in for another with 11 minutes to go.

Soon after, Michael Firth (Dragons) and George Senior (Celtic) were sin-binned for punching.

Celtic were due to host Beverley at Crow Nest Park tomorrow, but the game has been postponed due to snowy weather.

In other news, the club have confirmed that a total of £1,400 was raised at the Ben Restall Memorial Festival.

The event was held in memory of Celtic youngster Ben Restall, who died aged 17 following a battle with bone cancer in December 2015. It is the third year the event has run, with over £3,000 raised for the Friends in Deed charity since 2016.

Pre-season Friendly DEWSBURY MOOR BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL

24 6

DEWSBURY MOOR stretched their winning run to 15 games in all competitions as they produced a stunning victory over Bradford Dudley Hill.

It was the Maroons’ final game of pre-season, having already defeated Dewsbury Celtic and Ince Rose Bridge.

The game started fiercely with Dudley Hill, who play a division above Moor, throwing everything at a youthful Moor side.

However, it was the hosts who went over for the first try as Cameron Bruce took the ball to the line before finding Conner Gavaghan.

Gavaghan made no mistake as he spun out of the tackle and stretched out to score next to the posts.

Moor continued to press and soon scored their second as Jacob Flathers gathered a crossfield kick to dive over in the corner.

On the hour mark the Maroons went three converted tries in front as Dom Horn barged over from close range.

Dudley Hill refused to give in and got their reward with a try of their own following a small period of pressure.

Tom Kaye made sure of the win for Moor as he capped a strong performance.

The Maroons were due to kick off their NCL campaign tomorrow afternoon at home to West Bowling, before the snow arrived.

Trojans bow out of BARLA National Cup BARLA National Cup THORNHILL TROJANS WEST HULL

14 24

THORNHILL TROJANS exited this year’s BARLA National Cup as they failed to overcome NCL Premier Division side West Hull.

It was a disappointing afternoon for those who turned out to watch the Trojans, with only a mini revival in the second half giving the home support something to cheer.

Thornhill were without the suspended Tom Gledhill but did welcome back Danny Ratcliffe and Ryan Fenton.

The Trojans were their own worst enemy as they made a number of errors while in possession of the ball.

West Hull made the most of the hosts’ errors and were clinical when close to the Trojans’ line.

The away side opened the scoring thanks to a strong effort from Oscar Ellerington.

West Hull had been held up by some deter-

mined Trojans defence but from the resulting play the ball Ellerington powered through the tackles to open the scoring.

Thornhill looked to have hit back as an attack created by Will Gledhill resulted in Joss Ratcliffe going over.

But the celebrations were abruptly ended as the referee waved the try away for a forward pass.

West Hull led 6-0 at the break and soon increased their lead as scrum-half Scott Partis went over for a try.

Partis then scored his

second as he chased his own kick and gathered with ease to dot down between the posts.

Thornhill responded well and got on the scoreboard when Fenton crashed onto a pass and showed great strength to force his way over the whitewash.

The Trojans were now in the ascendancy and reduced the deficit further as Ratcliffe broke on half way and raced clear to dot down.

However, the Trojans fightback was soon quelled as West Hull’s

Ryan Wilson made a run to the line, leaving Thornhill defenders scattered on the turf, and charged over for the try.

Thornhill’s fate was sealed moments later as Ratcliffe fumbled a kick that was pounced upon by West Hull.

Louis Crowther finished the move with his first score of the game, Partis converted only his second goal of the afternoon.

Gledhill added a consolation for the Trojans as he squeezed over for a try late on.

FOOTBALL

Ossett battle with 10 men to bag crucial win EVO-STIK North

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED OSSETT TOWN

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TEN-MAN Ossett Town secured a muchneeded win against 18th-placed Ramsbottom United on Saturday afternoon.

The result moves Town level on points

with Droylsden in 10th, however Ossett remain 13th as there are currently four teams locked on 41 points.

Nicky Boshell had the first chance of the half but his shot from the edge of the box was straight at the Ramsbottom keeper.

Jason Yates then had an opportunity but he also put his shot directly in the goalkeeper’s hands.

In the 43rd minute Ossett were reduced to 10 men as Kane Bingley was shown a second yellow card for standing over the ball at a Ramsbottom free kick.

Town were forced to defend for the majority of the second half and almost conceded but for a superb stop by Leigh Overton.

Yates then put Ossett ahead as he

flicked the ball into the net following Charlie Freeman’s header across the face of the goal.

Freeman made sure of the points for Town as he latched onto Yates’ header and volleyed home from eight yards to double the lead.

Ossett are due to be back in action tomorrow against Tadcaster Albion (3pm) if conditions allow.

26 16

HANGING HEATON made it through to the next round of the Pennine League Cup with a hardfought win over Greetland All Rounders.

The visitors charged into a 10-0 lead with only seven minutes on the clock, with questions being asked of the hosts’ right-edge defence.

The home side tightened up and 10 minutes later should have reduced the deficit. William Brook used his footwork to split the defence and ran 50 metres only to drop the ball while attempting to ground it.

Adam Johnson did get Hanging Heaton on the scoresheet as he burst through several tackles and raced 40 metres to score under the posts.

Five minutes later the home side drew level as Anthony Fallas crashed over.

However, Ryan Hardwick was then sent to the sin-bin for a punch in the scrum and Greetland took advantage of the extra man, going over for their third of the afternoon.

Both sides started the second half with a high intensity with a number of big hits in the opening 10 minutes.

Hanging Heaton drew level once again as Terry Maun slipped through several tackles and stretched out to plant the ball down over the line.

Simeon Torr then put the home side in front for the first time as he also forced his way through the tacklers before dotting down.

Greetland almost found a reply but were kept out by some superb Hanging Heaton defence.

Maun tried to make sure of the win with a drop goal but his attempt was way off the mark.

Hanging Heaton added two penalties to extend their lead to 10 points and make sure they maintained their unbeaten run.

HEAVY WOOLLEN FOOTBALL

Navigation go clear in Prem NAVIGATION stretched their lead at the top of the Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier Division to seven points after goals from Sam Raymond and Lee Bennett saw them win 2-1 at bottom-side AFC Chickenley who replied through a Tim Clarke strike.

Mirfield Town climbed up to third spot after winning 4-0 at home to Roberttown Rovers thanks to a Tom Hague brace, plus goals from Chris Meeson and Kyle Walton.

The top two sides in the Championship met and it was second-placed Mount Pleasant who ended up thrashing leaders Deighton WMC 8-1, a result that sees Mount move level on points at the top.

Old Bank WMC lie third, a point behind the top two, after Michael Rounding and Sam Womersley netted in a 2-0 win at Ravenswharfe.

Wire Works lie in fifth place following a 6-3 win over Scholes Athletic thanks to doubles from Ben Roach and Daniel Smith plus strikes from Dom Harris and Matthew Cumiskey.

Bottom side Overthorpe Sports Club raced into an early lead at Hanging Heaton Cricket Club through Lee Davey and Corey Schofield, but the hosts hit back to win 9-2 thanks to a Tom Ramsden brace plus efforts from Sam Hetherington, Ryan Rylah, Joe Pygott, Dave Hall, Adam Jordan, Jordan Burland and Rob Mallender.

Division One leaders Battyeford suffered a shock defeat at mid-table Birstall St Patricks as Kieran Cooper hit a brace in a 2-0 victory.

Snowdon closed the gap at the top to three points after winning 7-0 at Wike Horse.

Irfan Ali led the way with a double, supported by strikes from James Heeley, Atif Basharat, Jameel Sair, Nathan Lister and Arron Kennedy.

Bunn Darboe netted for St Ignatius but they went down 2-1 to Clifton Rangers Reserves, while Clifton Rangers Athletic earned their first points of the season with a 3-2 win at Inter Batley.

Send your news and photos to: sport@thepressnews.co.uk

ThePress

Friday March 2, 2018

23

BETFRED CHAMPIONSHIP

Solid Rams win again Betfred Championship

DEWSBURY RAMS SWINTON LIONS

20 0

at Tetley’s Stadium DEWSBURY Rams made it three from four with a hard-fought win over Swinton Lions.

The hosts crossed for a try in the first half and added two more in the second half, while keeping a clean sheet for the first time this season.

Despite losing their second match, Dewsbury have conceded just 36 points in four matches so far in 2018.

Both sides were scratchy during the opening quarter and try-scoring opportunities were difficult to come by, despite relatively favourable conditions.

Rob Worrincy went close for Dewsbury in the first 10 minutes, but the touch judge ruled that he was held just short.

Jared Simpson was on the end of the play on the next tackle, but he was forced into touch.

The Lions were workmanlike in their approach but their indiscipline throughout the opening 40 meant they spent the majority of the half on the back foot.

The Rams took the lead in the 25th minute when Rob Spicer burst onto a Michael Knowles drop-off pass and showed good fotwork to round fullback Gabriel Fell and score under the posts.

Sykes added a simple conversion and he punished the visitors’ indiscipline by adding two penalty goals before half-time, giving the hosts a 10point cushion at the break.

The Rams made the perfect start to

MATCH STATS BATLEY: Dave Scott 8 Wayne Reittie 8 Danny Cowling 7 Jason Crookes 7 Shaun Ainscough 7 Patch Walker 7 Dom Brambani 8 Adam Gledhill 7 Alistair Leak 7 Alex Rowe 7 Dane Manning 8 Brad Day 9 Tom Holland 7 Subs: Tom Hemingway 7, Joe Chandler 6, Michael Ward 8, James Brown 8.

Tries: Day (13, 44), Manning (22), Reittie (31), Scott (49, 56).

Goals: Walker 4/6.

BARROW: Ryan Fieldhouse Shane Toal Jarrad Stack Declan Hulme Brett Carter Jamie Dallimore Karl Ashall Ryan Duffy Dean Parata Alec Susino Daniel Morrow Brad Crellin Martin Aspinwall Subs: Nathan Mossop 6, Joseph Bullock 7, Thomas Walker 7, Glen Riley 7.

Tries: Fieldhouse (6), Susino (10).

Goals: Dallimore 2/2.

Referee: G Dolan Half-time: 16-12 Penalties: 11-13 Sin Bin: Chandler (punching), Parata (punching) Sent Off: None Weather: Sunny but cold Man of the Match: Brad Day (Batley) Attendance: 657 Match Rating: 4/5.

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

the second half and they extended their lead when Aaron Brown latched on to Sykes’ grubber kick. Sykes once again added the goal to make it it 16-0.

Swinton went close to getting off the mark in the 52nd minute when Liam Forsyth received a pass on the left touchline, but he placed a foot in touch as he attempted to score.

Knowles’ bullet pass to the wing almost put Worrincy over for the Rams’ third try, but the winger was unable to gather.

As the game approached the final 20 minutes it was Dewsbury who continued to dominate territory, while the Lions struggled to make it out of their own half.

Prop Jode Sheriffe made it over under the posts, but desperate defence prevented him from getting the ball down.

Swinton moved the ball at pace early in the tackle count and were able to break the line on more than one occasion in the second half.

But scrambling home defence put paid to their hopes of clawing their way back into the game.

The Rams killed the game as a contest on 69 minutes, when Macauley Hallett showed good pace to round two defenders on the left wing and dive over in the corner.

Sykes was wide with the goal, but was at the heart of the Rams’ defence as they ensured the scoreboard remained at zero for Stuart Littler’s side.

“I thought Matty English and Toby Everett were the big difference in taking us forward,” said Rams boss Neil Kelly.

“Rugby league is a simple game, you have to beat them up the middle first, before you start to play your good football.”

MATCH STATS DEWSBURY: Josh Guzdek Rob Worrincy James Glover Macauley Hallett Jared Simpson Paul Sykes Michael Knowles Jode Sheriffe Robbie Ward Jack Teanby Jordan Crowther Rob Spicer Aaron Brown Subs: Dom Speakman Lucas Walshaw Matty English Toby Everett

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

Tries: Spicer (25), Brown (47), Hallett (69).

Goals: Sykes 4/5.

SWINTON: Gabriel Fell Mike Butt Chris Hankinson George Tyson Liam Forsyth Josh Woods Jack Hansen Andy Bracek Luke Waterworth Kyle Shelford Rhodri Lloyd Matty Sarsfield Gavin Bennion Subs: Josh Barlow Hayden Hansen Mark Nicholson Connor Taylor

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

Tries: None.

Goals: None.

EASY DOES IT: Rob Spicer dives over to score for Dewsbury on Sunday

Referee: J. Roberts Half-time: 10-0 Penalties: 8-5 Sin Bin: None Sent Off: None Weather: Cold, dry and sunny Man of the Match: Rob Spicer (Dewsbury) Attendance: 961 Match Rating: 2/5.

Bulldogs halt Raiders’ charge Betfred Championship

BATLEY BULLDOGS BARROW RAIDERS

32 12

Ben McKenna at The Fox’s Biscuits Stadium BATLEY BULLDOGS secured their second win of the season but were made to work hard by tenacious opponents.

Barrow will rue Alec Susino’s knockon midway through the first half that would have put them 18-6 ahead at a key stage of the contest.

The Raiders couldn’t keep Batley out and three minutes later the Bulldogs drew level and never looked back.

From the kick-off, Barrow started the brightest and should have gone ahead inside two minutes.

The visitors broke down the middle and the ball came to Daniel Morrow, but he couldn’t keep hold of it and knocked on with the field at his mercy.

Four minutes later the hosts did take their chance as Susino was released through the centre and he drew the fullback and found Ryan Fieldhouse who went over for the opening try of the game.

The Raiders continued to dominate the early stages and doubled their lead on the 10-minute mark.

A flat pass across the face of the posts was gathered by Susino and he barged over for a try underneath the sticks.

From the restart Batley won the ball back as Patch Walker’s kick bounced before going dead, earning a goal-line drop-out.

Brad Day got the Bulldogs on the scoresheet as he received the ball on the left and burst through a gap, run-

AT THE DOUBLE: Brad Day scored either side of half-time as Batley beat Barrow ning over the top of his man before stretching out and grounding.

Then came the moment for Susino to grab his second as he got himself over the line. But he couldn’t put the ball down as he knocked-on next to the posts.

Dane Manning brought Batley level after Alistair Leak flung the ball to the forward and he found a gap and stretched out for Batley’s second.

On the half-hour, Batley went ahead for the first time thanks to a try from winger Wayne Reittie.

On the last tackle, Dom Brambani put in a perfectly-weighted high kick to the corner for Reittie, and he leaped superbly to out jump Brett Carter and gathered before dotting down in the corner.

A strong flurry at the start of the second half from Batley put the game

beyond the Raiders.

With 44 minutes on the clock Day extended Batley’s lead with a brilliant individual effort.

The ball was moved across the line and Day gathered on the left before running 30 metres in field, weaving around several tacklers, and diving over between the posts.

Just over five minutes later the hosts went further in front after great work from Reittie, Walker and James Brown.

Reittie powered his way through the Barrow defence from inside his own half to move the Bulldogs 40 metres.

The ball was then moved to Walker and he slipped the tackles before being brought down.

From the resulting play the ball Brown received possession and popped a pass to the on-running Dave Scott, who glided through a huge gap to score.

Scott scored the final try, and his second, of the afternoon just shy of the hour mark as he joined the attacking line on the left and ducked underneath tacklers before darting over in the corner.

Jason Crookes and Alex Rowe had chances to extend the hosts’ lead but they both knocked-on while attempting to put the ball down.

Barrow had a chance to reduce the deficit but Jarrad Stack’s try was ruled out for offside.

The final five minutes of the game was littered with indiscipline and with less than a minute to go Batley’s Joe Chandler and Barrow’s Dean Parata were sin-binned for punching.

Neither card had any major effect as the hooter sounded seconds later to mark the win for Batley.

Cup draw brings Leigh to Batley

By Ben McKenna BATLEY boss Matt Diskin believes the Bulldogs’ clash with Leigh in the Challenge Cup will be the tie of the round.

Diskin’s men will take on the Centurions at Mount Pleasant in an all-Championship clash on the weekend of March 17 and 18 – and he reckons it should be selected for live TV coverage.

“For anybody looking at it, it is the tie of the round and it should make for great television viewing,” said Diskin.

“Leigh are a big team, they have not started the season how they probably would have liked.

“They beat us at their place, the scoreline was convincing but I don’t think the actual game was.

“We were unlucky in some departments but we would like to think we could give them a game at Mount Pleasant.

“It is not just Leigh, we feel we can beat anyone who comes to Mount Pleasant. If we are playing in the Challenge Cup at home we are going to be confident.

“We are looking forward to it, from a financial point of view it is good so I think it is a really good draw.”

It appears unlikely but weather permitting, Batley host Halifax this Sunday as they look to secure their third win of the campaign.

Diskin is expecting a hard-fought game but sees the clash as a way of measuring how far his team have come.

“I am expecting a really tough com-

COMEBACK: Dave Scott scored twice as Batley came from behind to beat Barrow on Sunday Report p23

petition, it will be a really good test to see where we are at the moment,” he added.

“We got a good win against Barrow when we weren’t really in our stride, there is still room for improvement.

“Halifax are a quality side, Castleford are looking after them in regards to dual-reg.

“We are hoping for a real quality game, let’s just hope the weather clears up a bit and it allows both teams to play.”

The Bulldogs chief was pleased with how his team responded after falling behind against the Raiders

last weekend.

But Diskin is confident that his side still have more improvement in them.

He said: “We started really slow which was disappointing as we made some fundamental defensive errors, which is something we need to address.

“But when you look past those I thought we played some really good rugby and the score could have been a lot higher.

“The encouraging thing is that we have started well but there is still plenty of room for improvement.”

Kelly ready for huge test as the Rams hit Barrow DEWSBURY RAMS head coach Neil Kelly has said his side will need to “fight for everything” when they visit Barrow on Sunday.

The Rams make the first of two trips to Cumbria after they were drawn away to Whitehaven in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup on Tuesday, with that tie to be played on Sunday March 18.

With Barrow yet to lose a game at home this year, after drawing with Toronto and beating Leigh, Kelly is not taking anything for granted.

However, the Rams boss has been pleased by how his players have started the season.

“I think every time you go up to Cumbria, and this will ring true in the cup game as well, you have got to expect a tough game and you have got to fight for everything you get,” said Kelly.

“They have taken three points out of four from the two most fancied sides in this competition.

“They have got off to a great start at home.

“I am very pleased with how we have started, anybody who has watched us can see the big positives.

“We are not the finished object and we don’t claim to be and I’m sure we will have darker times this year at some point with injuries.

“But if you had said to me you will win three out of your first four I would have accepted that.

“We are pleased but the good thing is we don’t spend much time looking back, we are looking forward and putting the three wins in the locker and focusing on

Barrow.”

Kelly feels that the defensive displays from his players will stand them in good stead for the season.

Dewsbury have only conceded 36 points in their opening four games – 10 points fewer than the number they had conceded after one game last year.

“I am pleased with the players’ commitment to the defence in the last few minutes against Swinton,” he added.

“They were camped on our line, similar to Rochdale last Monday, and both times we defended well even though the result was in the bag.

“The determination and the desire was there to stop them from scoring and that is going to stand us in good stead and could win us a game later in the year.

“We are also really pleased with the increased gate, I think we had over 900 at the game last week.

“That is not lost on the players, they appreciate the support and if we can get it above 1,000 and rising that would be superb.”

Bulldogs supporters to embark on expedition all the way to Barrow SIX MEMBERS from the Batley Bulldogs Independent Away Travel group will be trekking 105 miles up to Barrow.

Nick Sowerby, Mick Binks, Mick Gothard, Steve Curnin, Hanif Akudia and Ben Thirkill will take on the fourday expedition in advance of the Bulldogs’ away game against Barrow Raiders on May 5.

The group will be raising

money for Breast Cancer Care, in alignment with the Pink Weekend run annually

by Batley Bulldogs.

The group will be able to take in places such as Skipton, Ingleton and Ulverston along the way.

The Bulldogs supporters will also be getting the ultimate survival experience when they camp and cook their own food each night along the way.

“We’re very excited about the walk, it’s in respect of an amazing cause and for something that means a lot to me personally,” said Nick Sowerby.

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so by going to justgiving.com/ fundraising/nick-sowerby2.

You can also find more about Bulldogs Independent Away Travel by visiting the WILD ‘DOGS: Members of the Batley Bulldogs Independent Away Travel group with chairman Kevin Nicholas group’s Facebook page.

Tel: 01924 492457 Fax: 01924 480466

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