The press 29th january by Yorkshire Web

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Friday January 29, 2016

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No. 722

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Services slashed, jobs axed and a council tax whammy... and if you think that’s bad...

THERE’S WORSE TO COME By David Miller EVEN more council cuts, job losses and tax rises have been proposed – and budget figures show it will only get worse next year. Roads, street cleaning, dog wardens, youth offending teams, museums, public buildings and efforts to combat extremism are all in the firing line as local government budgets are slashed. Kirklees Council’s Labour cabinet is due to discuss the impact at a meeting on Tuesday. Tory opposition leader Coun Robert Light this week accused the ruling Labour group of

doing nothing for years – so the cuts needed now are worse than they might have been. His claims opened up a row with council leader Coun David Sheard about outsourcing some services to private firms. It comes after the authority was told in December that it would get £50m less than expected up to the year 2020. That is on top of the £34m of savings the council has to make over the same period. Some £84m has to be found in total, and while the 2016-17 financial year looks bad, 2017-18 could be even worse. In that year the whole £8.5m early intervention budget for families needing a social work assessment is proposed for the axe.

Continued on Page 2

Kirklees top guns turn fire on each other Conservative leader Robert Light:

Council leader David Sheard:

“We knew in 2008 the council would have to radically change the way it delivers services. “In the last six years they’ve done nothing and now the council has to make cuts that will really hurt. “And it doesn’t help that Coun Sheard would rather see a service close than let somebody else run it. “I think that’s fundamentally wrong.”

“If we don’t have any money so we have to stop doing something, how do we pay for outsourcing? “Many council services are already outsourced, such as nearly all social care, but we still have to pay for it. “We also share services with other partners, such as other councils and the NHS. “We assess each case on its merits.”

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Huge budget cuts are still to come Continued from Page 1 Deaths AKEROYD MARY (FORMERLY FORD) On 14 January, aged

87, formerly of Gomersal. Wife of the late Ronald Ford and the late Clifford Akeroyd. Service at

Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 5 February at 12.30pm. BARRACLOUGH JACK On 25 January, aged 82, of Cleckheaton. Husband of Jessie. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Wednesday 10 February at 11.15am. BISHOP DAVID IAN (Bishops Bakery, Birstall) On 24 January, of Gomersal. Funeral enquiries to Michael Wright & Son Funeral Directors, tel: 01274 871092. CONYERS NEE PYRAH IRENE On 19 January, aged

91, of Mirfield. Wife of the late George. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Tuesday 2 February at 2.45pm. DEAN DOUGIE On 23 January, aged 63. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Friday 5 February at 2pm. FOSTER ALBERT On 20 January, aged

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91, of Heckmondwike, husband of the late Florence. Service at the Salvation Army on Monday 1 February at 2pm, followed by committal at Dewsbury Crematorium at 3.15pm. HAWKINS NEE FOTHERGILL FORMERLY PEARSON AND RHODES OLIVE On 19 January, aged 75. Wife of the late Jack. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 8 February at 11.15am. LODGE DAVID JOHN On 18 January, aged 72. Service at Dewsbury Crematorium, Monday 1 February at 10.30am.

David Butterfield INDEPENDENT FAMILY

Figures show the council will also run out of cash reserves by then, so the effect could be even greater. Cuts this year and in 2016-17 were offset by using £12m and £15.7m from reserves. Even so, changes to watch out for in the year from April include: ■ Streetscene (littering, flytipping etc) spending down by £744,000; ■ Council share of cost for Police Community Support Officers withdrawn to save £629,000; ■ Kirklees Music School loses nearly all its £319,000 budget; ■ Connexions careers service cut by £283,000. Previously agreed changes to libraries and services such as grass cutting will also come into force. Also coming is a likely 3.95 per cent council tax hike which will add about £1 a week to the average bill – but council leader Sheard said the rise will not offset the planned cuts. He said: “Most of it pays the extra cost of social care due to the Living Wage, a move that shifted costs to local government from central government.” Coun Sheard added they lobbied the Government for extra money

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but claimed ministers “don’t listen”. He believes they are attacking councils and said: “It’s ‘ideological’ in that they don’t believe in public services. “The rich don’t need them – or so they think – so they don’t want to pay for them. “Some big decisions will have to be made but the really big changes will come to services the public don’t notice, like social care.” In 2017-18, the entire £4.297m Young People’s Service budget, which runs youth clubs and summer activities, will disappear. The whole £579,000 budget for assessing the needs of disabled children will also be withdrawn. Over the next two years, half of the £6m Supporting Families fund goes – £2m in 2016-17 and £1m in 2017-18. It covers areas such as vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and victims of domestic violence who need emergency accommodation. And having shed 1,400 jobs from 2010 to last year, another 1,000 posts are to go up to 2020.

Legend dies BATLEY: One of Batley RLFC’s legends has died at the age of 92. George Palmer, who played in the second row, appeared for the Gallant Youths in the 1952 Yorkshire Cup final when they were beaten 18-8 by Huddersfield at Headingley. Mr Palmer won his only cap for England the year before in 1951, when he represented his country against Other Nationalities.

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Police Head’s verdict on 11 years at top school: officer I’m so proud, I have to punched in Mac pinch myself to make fracas sure it’s real By David Miller

McDonald’s in Heckmondwike Picture Mike Clark

HEADTEACHER Mike Cook is bowing out with Heckmondwike Grammar School top of the class. Mr Cook, 55, retires at the end of the current academic year after 11 years at the High Street secondary. Last week, Heckmondwike Grammar came top in Kirklees for both GCSE and A-Level results. Figures showed 98 per cent of pupils achieved the benchmark of five GCSE passes at A* to C including English and Maths. Father of two Mr Cook joined the school as deputy head from Batley Grammar in 2005. He took over the top job in 2010 on the same day as it became one of the first 32 ‘converter academies’ in England. Mr Cook says he takes such pride in his job that sometimes he has to “pinch” himself to make sure it is real. He added: “It really does feel like a privilege to serve students who have such won-

A POLICE officer was punched in the face while dealing with yobs plaguing the McDonald’s restaurant in Heckmondwike last Saturday. The PCSO needed hospital treatment for a black eye after police arrived to tackle a gang causing trouble in and around the Northgate branch. It is claimed thugs have been coming into Heckmondwike from neighbouring towns for some time. In the latest incident a 15year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and attemped damage. He was released on bail. Sgt David Whiteley, of the Batley and Spen NPT, said: “Officers were called to Northgate, Heckmondwike, at 8.24pm on Saturday to reports of a number of youths committing anti-social behaviour. “Officers attended and then went to speak to those alleged to have been involved in the incident. “As this was happening a PCSO was hit in the face and left with a facial injury. He was taken to hospital. “Police officers and Police Community Support Officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols in the area to reassure people that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.” A McDonald’s spokesman said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees is a top priority for our restaurant teams. “We take antisocial behaviour very seriously and work hard to address any such instances. “Our restaurant team in Heckmondwike is looking to work with the police to prevent future incidents. “We are also assisting police with their enquiries following the incident last OPEN Saturday evening.”

derful attributes and staff who are astonishingly capable.” Mr Cook played down his role and said: “The success of the school is down to others, not me. “My job is to provide the conditions that allow others to do their job with the right accommodation, policies and sense of ambition. “You’ve also got to watch the horizon to pick up any possible expectations for the school.” Heckmondwike Grammar is a member of the Dewsbury Learning Trust, which includes Westborough High School. Mr Cook plans to indulge his passions for travel and walking as well as spend more time with his wife Ann and their two grown-up children. He added: “I’m proud to have been able to make a contribution, but I’m only really a custodian of a long-standing and very stable institution. “My successor will be coming to a school with high standards and a culture of big ambition.”

“It really does feel like a privilege to serve students who have such wonderful attributes and staff who are astonishingly capable.”

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News in Brief House raiders flee with gold jewellery DEWSBURY: An Asian couple in their 50s were threatened by robbers who stole gold jewellery from their home. Raiders forced the back door of a property on Falcon Road, Savile Town, just after 9pm last Saturday. The suspects were three or four white men wearing hoodies. It is believed they used a vehicle and it may have been seen driving around the area prior to the incident. A series of similar raids across the area in November saw a mob of angry residents take to the streets of Ravensthorpe. Anyone with information about the latest incident can call Det Insp George Bardell at Kirklees CID on 101.

Drugs charge MIRFIELD: A man appeared in court accused of possessing crack cocaine and mephedrone with intent to supply. Nadeem Rashid, 24, of Sunny Bank Road, is alleged to have committed the offence in the Cleckheaton area on September 17. Co-defendant Larisa Wilkinson, 26, of Wakefield, faces the same charge and also one of possessing criminal property in the form of banknotes. Magistrates in Huddersfield sent the case to Leeds Crown Court, where they are due to appear on Thursday, February 18.

Aerial photo focus BATLEY: Probus Club members will be put in the picture about an unusual type of photography on Tuesday. Eric Houlder will give a talk about infrared colour aerial photography at the Older People’s Centre on Upper Commercial Street (10am).

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

News In Brief Netto store plan BATLEY: Retailer Netto has applied for a store which could help transform the rest of the Blakeridge Mills site. The premises, which would have parking for 100 cars, would be built on land at Cemetery Road, off Mayman Lane. Some of the mill site has already been converted into flats by local developer Richard Binks. Another 181 apartments are planned. Consultation ends on Monday, February 15. See planning application number 2016/62/90137/E on the council website for details.

New flats approved GOMERSAL: Plans to turn a former factory blighted by vandals into flats have been approved. The Maccess building on Spen Lane will be demolished to make way for two buildings containing 36 apartments. Last June arsonists torched the factory, which has since been fenced off to keep vandals out.

Group urges a stand against ‘fascists and racists’ A COUNTER RALLY to the rightwing Britain First group which is marching through Dewsbury tomorrow (Saturday) is thought to be called We Are Dewsbury – A Celebration of Unity. Details on Facebook stated that the event, at 1pm on Longcauseway, is organised by Kirklees Unite Against Fascism and the Huddersfield TUC. An online flyer suggested it is also supported by the Pakistan

By David Miller

CLECKHEATON: The freshest local produce is available at the next farmers' market on Saturday, February 6 in the St John’s car park (9am-1pm).

DEWSBURY is open for business as normal tomorrow (Saturday) – though shoppers have been warned to steer clear of two demonstrations. Britain First are in town from 1pm and there will also be a counter protest by anti-racism campaigners. This is believed to involve a group called Humanity Not Hate, who will be at the library end of Longcauseway from 1pm to 4pm. Britain First will congregate at the railway station for a march which will begin at 2pm. This will be via Bond Street, Northgate and Crackenedge Lane for a rally in front of the town hall. It will last until 3.15pm, after which they will return to the rail-

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A different flyer on the Facebook page of anti-racism campaigner Ashleigh Shaw suggested MP Paula Sherriff (Lab, Dewsbury and Mirfield) could make an appearance. Her picture is alongside that of Ms Shaw and Lee Jasper, once an equalities adviser to former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. In a statement posted on Facebook at around 10.45am

yesterday (Thurs), Ms Shaw, who appears to be a campaigner from Crewe, Cheshire, wrote: “The uneducated bigots that are Britain First are arriving in Dewsbury on Saturday. “The good people of Dewsbury have extended an invitation to join them in a celebration of unity. “I am honoured to have been invited to speak on the day. So please join us to show Britain First do not speak for Britain.”

Town ‘open for business’ during protestors’ march

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and Kashmir Welfare Association of Batley. A message on Facebook from the organisers said: “We urge members of the local and neighbouring communities and further afield to come and show their support by standing up against fascists and racists such as Britain First and others who seek to divide our communities. “All participants are urged to remain peaceful at all times.”

way station and leave at 3.30pm. Police are thought to have used the Public Order Act to enforce the route after Britain First said they would flout arrangements without such an order. A police spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police has been working with Kirklees Council to balance the rights of everyone, including the community, businesses, traders and those demonstrating. “It’s important to note that if any roads close, they will re-open as quickly as possible. We are anticipating minutes and not hours. West Yorks-

hire Police is extremely experienced at managing such protests. We will work closely with Kirklees Council on the day to ensure that the community is kept safe and people can carry on their business in as normal a way as possible. “The best way to ensure the day passes peacefully is to stay away from the protest sites, unless you are directly involved.” Not much is known about Humanity Not Hate, though an online post by someone called Charlie Louisa May stated: “Britain First are targeting Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, for a ‘Day of Action’, calling the town a

‘nest of Islamism’. “I would like to call on my friends, and all conscious people of the UK able to get there, to join us in a counter protest to show this group of hate-mongering racists that we are humanity, and humanity is far, far more powerful than their hate. “Please invite your friends, and their friends, and all people who are willing to stand together and refuse to be divided. Plans of action to follow!” Last Saturday, youth group Kumon Y’all held an event outside the town hall promoting community spirit. About 35 volunteers sold cupcakes, samosas and sweets and erected placards reading ‘love thy neighbour’ and ‘peace begins with a smile’. Project leader Farook Yunus said: “We work hard to try to bring different communities together. It was a really good day and we feel we got our message across.”

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Councillors seek talks with Hunt ... AN all-party delegation of councillors will seek a meeting with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt over the fate of hospital services. The A&E department in Dewsbury is set to be reduced to a minor injuries unit, while the one in Huddersfield could be closed entirely. The four party leaders on Kirklees Council agreed a joint motion on the issue at a full council meeting last Wednesday. It opposes any plan to leave the entire district, with a population of 420,000, without a full A&E department. Part of the motion said an all-party group should meet with Mr Hunt to express the views of residents. It was agreed by council leader Coun David Sheard (Lab), Coun Robert Light (Con), Coun Nicola Turner (Lib Dem) and Coun Andew Cooper (Green). The motion replaced an initial one made by

the Tories on the same issue, which was withdrawn. That said Kirklees should “use all measures available to resist any changes to hospital services in both Dewsbury and Huddersfield”. The new motion said in part: “...due to decisions being taken in isolation about services offered at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and at Dewsbury District Hospital, services could be affected and that some specialities may not be available in any part of Kirklees.” It also proposed an extraordinary meeting of the council to discuss changes to the NHS. And it added that clinical commissioning groups should “ensure that consultation on the changes that are proposed for hospital services in Kirklees are given maximum publicity and that consultation encompasses the widest possible range of residents.”

... and MPs win minister’s pledge TALKS were held about cuts at Dewsbury District Hospital as claims emerged of more problems at Pinderfields. Labour MPs Paula Sherriff and Jo Cox met Tory health minister Ben Gummer on Wednesday night. They did so amid rumours that patients at A&E in Pinderfields were being diverted to Dewsbury and that an overspill ward at the Wakefield site was full. Ms Sherriff (Dewsbury and Mirfield) and Mrs Cox (Batley and Spen) raised changes to A&E here. The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust wants to

bring forward to September this year plans to reduce A&E to a minor injuries unit. Issues raised included: ■ The community care system which is aimed at reducing demand for A&E is still in its infancy; ■ The retirement of North Kirklees CCG chief executive Chris Dowse; ■ Mid Yorkshire boss Stephen Eames dividing his time with another trust; ■ The impact of A&E closing at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary; ■ Transport, including the effect on ambulances. Ms Sherriff said: “The min-

ister listened to all the concerns Jo and I raised. “He promised to convene a further meeting with us and the leaders of the trust so he can visit and assess for himself what is happening with this reconfiguration and ensure there is no adverse impact on our constituents.” Mrs Cox said: “This meeting gave us the chance to raise our concerns about many aspects of the reconfiguration. “If the downgrade fails we want assurances from the minister that he will step in and this meeting suggests we have taken the first steps towards achieving that.”

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Serial robber who knifed Co-op store boss is jailed SHOP RAIDERS SNATCH CASH AND CIGS

News in Brief Women’s cancer risk NORTH KIRKLEES: Women could be at risk of cervical cancer by not having smear tests. NHS data shows a variation in the number of women aged 25 to 64 who have had the procedure in the last five years. Figures ranged from 91.2 per cent at York House Surgery in Gomersal to only 53 per cent at West Park Surgery on Healds Road in Dewsbury. Others included 77.4 per cent at Mirfield Health Centre and 72.3 per cent at the Albion Street Surgery in Heckmondwike.

Boy, 15, hit by van BATLEY: A 15-year-old-boy suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a van on Blakeridge Lane last Friday at around 6.35pm. A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene. He is now on bail. Witnesses can call police on 101, quoting log 1261 of Friday, January 22.

Jailed...Mark Hendry, left, and Phillip Mason

By Staff Reporters A SERIAL robber who stabbed a shop manager in Dewsbury has been jailed for 10 years. Mark Hendry, 27, of no fixed abode, also faces five years on extended licence after his release due to his risk to the public. It follows a raid by two men on the Cooperative store on Brunswick Street, Westborough on June 1 last year. Leeds Crown Court heard Hendry and his accomplice Phillip Mason, 40, of Halifax, escaped with about £670. Before that, Hendry, armed with a knife, struggled with store manager Robert Stephenson. Mr Stephenson suffered a two-inch stab wound to his thigh which needed surgery in hospital next day. As he slumped to the floor, Mr Stephenson was stamped on and kicked in the back by Hendry. Meanwhile Mason grabbed cash and cigarettes before the pair fled. Both were later arrested at an address in Dewsbury. On June 9, Hendry went to the Lifeline drugs counselling

service in Dewsbury, where he became unwell. While being treated for breathing difficulties, a small steak knife was found in his waistband. Hendry admitted wounding Mr Stephenson with intent, possessing an offensive weapon and having a bladed article. He also asked for 26 other offences, including burglary, theft and robbery, to be taken into consideration. Anastasis Tassou, for Hendry, said drugs were at the root of his offending at that time. He told the court his client is now drug-free and this would reduce his risk for the future on release. Mason admitted robbery and being in breach of suspended jail sentences for burglary. He asked for 65 other offences, including burglary, theft and criminal damage, to be taken into consideration. Mason received 64 months for the robbery, plus 16 months consecutively from his suspended prison terms, for a total of six years and eight months.

Crash victim named DEWSBURY: A man who died when his car was in collision with a lorry has been named. Harry Baldwin, 78, of Wakefield, suffered serious injuries in the crash on Leeds Road at around 2.35pm on January 8. The incident, which involved a gold DAF lorry, happened near the junction with Quarry Road. Police are still appealing for witnesses to call the major collision enquiry team on 101.

Farhan News in Staincliffe Road, Dewsbury, where the masked raiders struck MASKED raiders theatened a trader in Dewsbury with a knife as they stole cash and cigarettes from Farhan News on Staincliffe Road last Thursday at around 7pm. Two men, one armed with a kitchen knife, rushed in and demanded the contents of the till. The robber tipped cash from the till and cigarettes into an Asda ‘bag for life’ before both left the shop with the bag and turned left onto Staincliffe Road. One suspect is described as about 5ft 9in tall and stocky; he wore a black hooded top or coat with the hood pulled over his face. A scarf was tied around his lower face. He may have been wearing gloves, spoke with a local accent and was probably white. His accomplice is of similar height and build and also had a scarf around the lower half of his face and a hoodie with the top pulled up. Witnesses can call DC Andy Clayton at Kirklees CID on 101, quoting log 13160029968.

Warsi urges new look for mosques NEW mosques should not have minarets and ought instead to be “quintessentially English”, according to Dewsbury-born peer Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. She is to launch a national contest to design a new type of mosque after claiming that many of those built in Britain are ugly and often do not fit into the landscape. Baroness Warsi says minarets are redundant as calls to prayer are now typically made by loudspeaker. She said: “There is a saying that Islam is

like a river that takes the colour from the bed over which it flows, the bed being the country in which it is found. Here, the river of Islam flows over an English river bed and so it should reflect its colour.” She added: “The need for a minaret, when someone had to go up and shout loudly from a high place to call people to prayers, and be heard from a long way away, is not relevant in the UK. “I would love to see a wonderful, quintessentially English-designed mosque.”

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Friday January 29, 2016

BACK IN PRINT Now on sale, the updated 2015 edition. Reserve a copy in office hours on 01924 470296, order via www.thepressnews.co.uk or call in at our office, 31 Branch Road, Batley

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Danny Lockwood

Wives deliver benefits of all kinds MAN has to have his eye on opportunities to turn a few quid in these uncertain financial times. I think I’m on to a winner. Should the newspaper/ book writing gig go belly up, and Locky’s Dewsbury Tours hit the wall, I’m just going to get married again. And again. And even again. In fact once you get past a couple of wives, it can become a cottage industry – the extra benefits pay for an exotic foreign holiday, you go bag another bride, so on and so forth. You’d need a bit more than a cottage to house them all after a while, but Kirklees Council has a great track record in that department. What, am I getting a divorce from Mrs L? Don’t talk daft man. Who do you think makes all the money in the

Is my clean shirt ironed yet darling...? Lockwood household anyway? But just think about it – under the new universal tax credit system, polygamous households (where blokes with more than one wifey) are set to have it large.

Currently a couple on benefits get £114.85 a week with only £41 each for the 2nd or 3rd wife (and no, I’m not kidding. I thought you went to jail for that as well). Under the new system they’re set to pocket £500 a month for the couple, with £318 for each ‘spare’ missus. Sign me up! Now, I know what you’re thinking – Mrs L would never wear that! But hold your cotton picking horses a minute. You think she likes washing and ironing? Pushing a vac round? (Not that she does anyway …. ssshhhh!) This way, there could be a wife for each domestic chore – and even one spare to walk the dog in winter! As for the dreaded prospect of me trying to lift the marital nightie … I expect Wife No.1 might even hand-pick a young good-looking one for

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me, if I mind my Ps and Qs. What’s more, apparently they do as they’re told (which might take the most getting used to). There would be a price to pay, naturally. I’d have to marry my newbies in one of the 50 countries where it’s legal – like the Middle East, Pakistan, Uganda, Zambia – in order for it to be accepted in the UK. Legal it is, though, to my great surprise. It’s true, you would have to swap religions, but that could be a long-term strategy for getting along with the neighbours anyway. And imagine how many ways you could play your get-out-of-jail-free card – the Koran. It’s a money-spinning winner all round, I’m telling you!

Churchill – our greatest leader CAN I recommend a book for anyone interested in politics and the history of Europe? I’m not a fan of Boris Johnson MP, Mayor of London. I wouldn’t trust him to run a bath, let alone the country, however his biography of Winston Churchill is an excellent study of the great man and an incisive analysis of the UK and Europe of both yesteryear and today. The Brit-hating liberal left choke on their bile when they have to acknowledge the bulwark presence of Churchill, beyond all others, in ensur-

T WAS something of a badge of honour for The Press to get a very public thumbs-down from the Britain First advance-guard which came here a fortnight ago to try to stir up a bit of trouble, ahead of their Dewsbury rally tomorrow (Saturday). My message to them is the same as it was to the English Defence League, when they first came – why here and what for, if not to cause trouble? If they wanted to protest against Kirklees Council or police for years of appeasement and community vandalism, fine. Huddersfield Road’s that way lads – see ya. Better still, just stay on the train another stop. Because you won’t find anyone round here who can make a blind bit of difference. In fact, why not march down Whitehall and give your speeches at the end of 10 Downing Street or outside the Houses of Parliament. They’re the people you need to convince. I support the right to march, congregate and protest, with freedom of speech paramount. I was even quietly impressed by the stringent ‘rules’ Britain First imposes on its supporters at such protests (at least according to its website – we’ll see how that turns out in reality). It’s just that Dewsbury is a struggling town that needs all the help it can get, not more trouble, turmoil and bad publicity.

ing they have the freedom to express it. They prefer to portray his (many) failings and try to parcel him in with the ‘evil’ empire of pre-war Britain. Johnson doesn’t gloss over those, far from it. But Winston Churchill was a socialist innovator, a political visionary, and if you want to understand the chaotic world today you could do worse than read Churchill’s thoughts of a century ago.

This is Australia (and NZ) calling I EXPECT there will be a slightly different tone to next week’s column. As you read this, I should

be somewhere between Dubai and New Zealand, via visits to Perth and Sydney. Mrs L keeps going on at me to write more light-hearted stuff – so my next book will be about a quest to discover the ‘soul’ of rugby, although that by its very nature will include plenty of violence, bad language and even public nudity. And as I explained to her when booking my 16-day trip, if you’re going to write a book, you need to do thorough research. I almost kept a straight face. Funnily enough, hers was anything but. Anyway, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. We artists have a duty to our craft. G’day for now…

Holy moly – it’s a bearded Dick Moderate, tolerant people – of ICK Chartres is clearly a any religion – don’t judge so pious and well-meaning harshly simply because of someman. You’d hope so, being one’s appearance (unless of the Bishop of London. course it involves exposed chests He has also clearly been doing and short skirts, in which case too much bobbing for apples in they condemn while enjoying the the baptismal font at St Paul’s – as in being wet behind the ears. view). The hard-liners however? That, or like many of his naïve brethren, he’s been inhabiting Wakey-wakey Dick. Planet Zog for the past 20 years. The only thing a Christian What I suspect he hasn’t been beard does, judging by recent doing, is preaching to a Christian religious experience, is threaten flock anywhere beyond the narrow to snag up a sharpened carving Bishop of London confines of western Europe (or knife. And if the Christian hand of Richard Chartres western London), otherwise he friendship is brandishing a Bible might not have come out with the rubbish to a hard-line Islamist, then the fool might contained in his latest sermon. want to have 999 on speed-dial. Bishop Richard (sorry but I used the shortJust out of interest Bishop, what exactly is form ‘Dick’ for ironic effect) has praised two a vicar with a deliberately cultivated beard east London CofE ministers for growing fulsupposed to represent to Muslims? some beards, advising other clerics to follow I can only think of two possibilities – firstly their lead in order to ingratiate themselves that it represents further Anglo/Christian surwith hard-line Islamists on their episcopal render, in which case why not go the whole patches. hog and have vicars carry prayer mats and Why do I say ‘hard-line’ Islamists? fast during Ramadan. Because moderate Muslims couldn’t preThat, or it’s an attempt to woo Muslims to sumably care less whether a vicar/priest the Church’s supposedly enlightened path. wears a beard, ponytail, or even his wife’s And if that’s the plan they’ll need bodyfrillies under his cassock. guards, not beards.

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Friday January 29, 2016

Gran sees off abuser who blocked drive By Steve Martyn A PENSIONER claims she was racially abused in Thornhill by a driver blocking a driveway. Imelda Marsden, 69, asked him to move from outside her daughter’s home on Highfield Mount around 3.20pm last Tuesday. The Asian man was alleged to have wound his window down and said: “White b*tch, don’t knock on my window.” Shocked Imelda knocked again and retorted: “It’s the

white b*tch here – I hope you’re not in a stolen car or uninsured because I’m calling the police to get you moved.” At that the driver, in a large red “flash” car, was said to have shot off down the road. Imelda, of Mirfield, was visiting her grandchildren at the time. Her daughter Catherine had gone on foot to collect six-yearold Daisy from Thornhill Junior and Infants School. They were then due to go by car to Dewsbury but the red vehicle was blocking Catherine’s driveway.

The incident is said to be the latest of many in which driveways and bus stops in the area, including on Frank Lane, are blocked. Imelda’s knees were shaking afterwards – but the driver she challenged may have got as much of a fright. Imelda said: “You should’ve seen the look on his face. I bet nobody’s ever talked to him like that before, and he shot off like the clappers. “Catherine told me I shouldn’t have done it because he could have got out and hit me.”

Crackdown on school parking pests A CRACKDOWN is planned on motorists who block people’s driveways near schools in Thornhill. The action follows claims of repeated problems around Highfield Mount and Frank Lane. Last Tuesday, pensioner Imelda Marsden said she was racially abused when she asked a driver to move. A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said: “The council can and will send out our Civil Enforcement Officers into residential areas around schools to assist with illegal parking. “However, as with the majority of schools across Kirklees, these types of situations are all too common. “The council and the police can only help with these problems if parents begin to take responsibility for their actions and schools advocate good practice around careful and considerate parking.” She added: “The council is limited in what it can

do to influence traffic movement and congestion around schools. “Any additional traffic regulations or schemes could have an adverse effect on residents in the area. “However, the council and our partner Sustrans have in the past worked with the schools in this area to help them encourage parents to consider alternative methods of transport between home and school. “Using sustainable alternatives like cycling, walking and public transport would reduce car usage, and in turn parking problems and road congestion. “However, both parents and the schools need to buy into these options for them to be effective.” Anyone who experiences racial abuse should call police on 101. Reports of hate crimes can also be made to www. kirklees.gov.uk/report ahatecrime.

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A family’s thank you to well-wishers Dear Sir, The family of former Batley West councillor Peter O’Neill would like to thank the people of Batley, and of the wider Kirklees area, for their condolences, prayers and support on the death of our beloved husband and father. We would like to thank everyone who attended the funeral and celebration of Peter’s life. We calculated that we had more than 350 people of all backgrounds at his funeral at St Mary’s Catholic Church,

Express train nightmare

Letter of the Week: From the family of Peter O’Neill – his wife, Mrs Gillian O’Neill, daughters Coun Marielle O’Neill and Mrs Dawn Ronaszeki and son, Mr Sean O’Neill, of Batley which is a testament to his years of hard work on behalf of the local community and the respect in which he was held. Peter would have been pleased that there were so many people there from all walks of life and of different faiths and no faith.

if it becomes knowledge, someone may get on to councillors and stop this happening.

From: ‘Dr Beeching’ Dear Sir, I just wanted to let your readers know that come May 2017, rail services from Huddersfield to Leeds, currently operated by Northern Rail, are to be thwarted by the fact that Trans-Pennine Express wish to run six trains per hour. The only way to do this is to sacrifice the stopping service to Leeds. The plan is to stop the express trains at intermediate stations in a skip-stop pattern, which means that one train may stop at Mirfield but not Batley, and another will stop at Ravensthorpe but not Cottingley etc. This may be good for those travelling to Leeds or Huddersfield, but will be a nightmare for those wanting to go from one station to another. Plus, huge volumes joining at Mirfield at peak times, would not be accommodated on an already busy express train. Just imagine if you’re that passenger who can’t get on and the next express does not stop at Batley or your chosen destination! I thought it best to bring this story to the attention of readers rather than get a huge shock in 2017, in the hope that

Baroness’s ‘vanity project’ From: Bill Ducksworth, the Ring O’Feathers Bar Dear Sir, I wish our own Sayeeda Warsi, below, would come down to my local and explain to the good ratepayers of the district her latest PR stunt to re-launch her political career once again. The unelected Mrs Warsi was catapulted to higher office, up the greasy pole system, when the Tory party decided to play its trump ‘ace’ card. Once the sweet sugar dumpling, so the song goes, of the Conservatives’ new thinking, after Thatcher was backstabbed out of office, Mrs Warsi did well, a Baroness in record time, but no-one can record what for! The latest stunt involves getting up enough steam to have

We would like to thank everyone for their support, condolences, cards, and donations. If you would like to donate to his chosen charities in his memory please email marielle.o’neill@ kirklees.gov.uk. They are three worthy local causes and one worthy cause

a debate about how mosques should be built in this country without minarets – she would “love to see a wonderful, quintessentially English-designed mosque”. The point is, people locally have been saying this for the last 30 years – why build mosques to an architectural scheme that is out of keeping with local structures? We’re not daft lass and neither are you. We wouldn’t expect the worshippers at the mosques to remove the minaret domes to make them look like mill chimneys, nor would we expect you to encourage people to Friday prayer wearing flat caps and clogs. What this is all about, in our opinion, is about you and your own vanity project when you launch the Baroness Warsi Foundation later this year, to promote religious freedom and women’s rights. I just wonder if you were taught history at school; google Emily Pankhurst and the suffragette movement for starters. Your idea of religious places fitting in with local heritage has always happened: the Wesleyan chapel on North Road has been a place of Islamic worship for years with architecture still intact. The White Hart at Thornhill Lees, a centre for Islamic studies, the Station Hotel and the Ravensthorpe Hotel are all madrassas or Islamic institutions. How much more quintessen-

PLANNING APPLICATIONS Luigi’s - c/o agent, Punch Bowl, 136 Westgate, Cleckheaton, porch, external extractor unit and chimney and change of use of first floor living accommodation to ancillary service space (part retrospective). Lidl UK Gmbh Ltd & SJS (3) Ltd, former works, Station Road, Mirfield, demolition of all existing buildings and erection of Class And1 food store with associated parking, access, servicing and landscaping. Lidl UK Gmbh Ltd & SJS (3) Ltd, former works, Station Road, Mirfield, erection of illuminated signs. J Etchells, 12 Brewerton Lane, Dewsbury Moor, single-storey extension to the front. Mr & Mrs A Longbottom, Croft

House Farm, Whitley Road, Whitley, formation of a menage. Mr & Mrs R Turner, 9 Cheviot Way, Upper Hopton, extensions. M Zameer, 71 Pioneer Street, Thornhill Lees, two-storey side and rear extension. S Brook, 44 Clare Road, Cleckheaton, two-storey rear extension. Myles Schofield, 8 Priory Way, Mirfield, certificate of lawfulness for proposed single-storey rear extension. Paul Simpson, 15 Mitchell Avenue, Dewsbury, use of premises to operate one taxi. Ossett Brewery, The Black Bull, 37 Halifax Road, Millbridge, Liversedge, extension. Sohail Farooq, 90 Ravensthorpe Road, Thornhill Lees, two-storey

side and single-storey rear extensions and porch to front. Netto Ltd and Indigo Planning Ltd, land at Cemetery Road/Mayman Lane, Batley, planning permission for erection of foodstore, formation of car parking and associated access, servicing and landscaping; and outline permission for erection of family pub/restaurant (within a Conservation Area). Mr & Mrs N Davies, 70 Croftlands, Hanging Heaton, conservatory. Mileta Sports, Spen Vale Works, Spen Vale Street, Heckmondwike, change of use of warehouse to offices with covered walkway. S Pickles, 35 Whitehall Road East, Birkenshaw, orangery.

S Yoosoof, 43 Gladwin Street, Batley, single and two-storey extension to front, side and rear. Hopton Estates Ltd, 5A Woodbottom, Hagg Lane, Lower Hopton, removal of condition 12 on previous planning permission 2014/90273 for alterations to convert existing barn to two dwellings. Shabbir Hussain, 7 Aspen Grove, Dewsbury, work to TPO(s) 06/92. Mr S Poor, 14 Ratcliffe Mills, Forge Lane, Thornhill Lees, alterations and change of use from car garage to hand car wash. Anthea Murphy, 28 Magnolias, Birstall, work to TPO(s) 64/93. Mr Adnan Ausic, 18 Teasel Close, Hightown, work to TPO(s) 35/91.

in Vietnam: Destitute Asylum Seekers (Huddersfield), Kirklees Faiths Forum, St Mary’s Church Roof Appeal and Mai Tam Orphanage (Vietnam). There is also an online memorial here: https://www. funeralzone.co.uk/ obituaries/13819?branded.

tially English do you want? If you are really serious about building integrating into local heritage, let’s start a bit before that, with your idea of religious freedoms for Asian Muslim women. It would be the quintessential gesture for your foundation to start a debate and movement for banning the burkha. Your foundation’s launch date is spring this year. Please don’t make it April 1 – the local newspapers always carry far more realistic stories at this time of year.

Say ‘no’ to devo deception From: Christine Hyde, Dewsbury Dear Sir, A Good Governance Institute representative was at the extraordinary meeting of the North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group governing body on Wednesday, January 20. Now that the Health and Social Care Act has removed health provision from democratic control, the representative was there to give ‘corporate legitimacy’ to discussions on appointing a replacement person for the chief accountable officer, who leaves at the end of March. The representative made the recommendation that the North Kirklees CCG should appoint an interim person jointly with the local authority. This was a shock. It was clear she had not spoken to patients. I do not know of any authority less trusted amongst the public in North Kirklees than the LA, with its history of plunder and closures. While the CCG did not wholeheartedly accept the recommendation, it is an indication of the ‘direction of travel’ towards the devolution of control of health services to a ‘council’. Say ‘no’ to devo deception. Say ‘yes’ to the NHS Bill, to return health services to Parliamentary democratic control. It is an outrage that dentistry in Dewsbury is now pro-

Peter O’Neill ... well-respected

vided by a third world charity. Yet we cannot vote out NHS England, who are responsible for this shameful outcome. Nor will we be able to influence the health spend in a devolved West Yorkshire. NHS England have already set up the structures to prevent it.

All welcome in our churches From: June Nimmons, Liversedge Dear Sir, I read your paper with interest for the first time last Friday, when it was put through my letter box – and would say it won’t be the last time! I found the articles all of interest, but on reading the article on page 5 re ‘British First activists’, I was a little concerned at the misconception given by the councillor when he said, and I quote, “There was a feeling... because of the entrance being a bit like a church, in that you would need to be invited.” This may have been a wrong turn of phrase but, as a practicing Anglican, I found this a little disturbing as everyone is welcome in our churches without having to be invited.

‘Full house’ at health centre From: Mrs BM Senior, Mirfield Dear Sir, On reading the letter in The Press recently, about Mirfield Health Centre, I did agree with some of the points, but she is not the only one who may have had to wait outside at 7.30am; I have also stood outside at 8.15am, for when they open at 8.30am, to get an appointment – and I got one, even though I had to go home and return later. They now start at 8am. They have a full team of doctors and nurse practitioners and, with one lady retiring in March, there will be a further three additional staff. You can now have ECGs

and scans done at the health centre, instead of going to Dewsbury, Pontefract or Pinderfields – that in itself is a bonus. We also have blood nurses and nurses for other needs, and there are five people answering the phones; it may, on occasions, take a while for the phones to be answered but, at least, there is someone at the end of them. We all have our grumbles about the health service, who doesn’t? We are not the only health service at Mirfield to experience problems regarding appointments – Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike also have the same problems. My friend at Dewsbury couldn’t get an appointment for four weeks due to a shortage of GPs; we are lucky to have a ‘full house’ at Mirfield, and Dr Pieske and partners have all worked very hard for the people of Mirfield. If people can’t make their appointment, please ring and let them know – they can pass the appointment to someone else.

Open door cue to leave the EU From: Graham Turner, Gomersal Dear Sir, While the ‘Emley EU voter’ (last week’s Forum) only pays £17 to the EU from their tax contribution, the rest of the country’s taxpayers contribute £350m a week to the EU. The EU do an excellent job providing funding for projects all around the country, but let’s not kid ourselves, it comes from the money we pay in. One of my main concerns over our membership of the EU is the open door policy, over which we have no control. According to the Office for National Statistics, 636,000 immigrants arrived in Britain in the year to June 2015, while 300,000 emigrants left the UK over the same period, leaving 336,000 net migration in that year. In the past, it was 25,000 to

Continued on page 9

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Paula Sherriff, MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield

Continued from page 8 50,000 a year, which we managed ok; it has now become unmanageable. Time to leave the EU.

Hospitals blow for Kirklees From: Name & address supplied Dear Sir, Letter to Jo Cox As MP for Batley and Spen, with regard to the loss of A&E and consultant-led maternity care from Dewsbury Hospital, are you also aware that Huddersfield is also due to lose its A&E services and their consultant-led maternity care has already been moved to Calderdale? Is it seriously acceptable for the whole of Kirklees to have no consultant-led maternity care and A&E services? How many other local authorities have been downgraded in this way, and how many people have died due to these dangerous changes? Women in labour, without access to a car, are not going to be able to afford taxi fares to other hospitals way out of the area from where they live, and they are not deemed suitable to have an ambulance.

I couldn’t have afforded a £30-£40 fare to Pinderfields from Cleckheaton as I was considered high risk following a c-section first time around, and many taxi drivers are not happy to take women in labour, due to the obvious risks, and also damage to the car from amniotic fluid, and possibly blood. My daughter has recently seen our GP, who stated that if her symptoms got worse she must go to A&E immediately; without access to a car, yes, I can get a taxi to Dewsbury, but I can’t afford a taxi to Pinderfields and would have to wait for the hospital bus from Dewsbury District Hospital if we were told to go to Pinderfields. I was rushed to Pinderfields for kidney problems a few years ago after these services were moved there from Dewsbury, and I had no visitors as it was not only too far to travel, but a very awkward location to get to by public transport.

The hearse and the coughing... From: John Walshaw, Earlsheaton Dear Sir, Obviously the corn is

growing as winter draws on! I was told this story many years ago by an old chap who worked at Dewsbury Cemetery. Long before they used motor cars and still used horses, it could be rather hazardous, to say the least, driving a horse-drawn hearse up and down the local hills. On this particular day, wind and rain was making it a rather thankless task, not least because the horseman had a very bad cold and wasn’t really concentrating. The noise he was making with his hacking was unsettling the horse and the final straw came when a tree at the side of the road fell in front of them as they were going down Webster Hill. With that, the horse bolted and he fell off, to leave the contraption bouncing and rocking and swaying down the hill. At that time there were some shops at the side, including a chemist’s, and the chap, quick-thinking, despite all the commotion and his cold, dashed in and shouted, “Can you give me something to stop my coughing?” I was assured this was a true story – honest!

Continued on page 10

‘Politically speaking’ Plans to scrap A&Es in Kirklees are just terrifying VERY happy (if a little belated) new year to you all. The new year brought bad news to us with regard to health provision in our area. First came the news that the Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust plans to bring forward the downgrade of Dewsbury & District Hospital, closely followed last week by the news that the Calderdale and Greater Huddersfield CCGs are going out to public consultation over plans to close the A&E department at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. These plans would see the whole of Kirklees without full accident and emergency provision, which is completely unacceptable. Kirklees has a population of over 420,000 and to think that every one of those people would have to travel out of the borough to access vital emergency care is, quite frankly, terrifying. The Dewsbury constituency lies between both Huddersfield and Dewsbury hospitals, which means that the effects of the closures and downgrades will

be felt most strongly in our area. I have made my feelings known to the Trust and the CCGs and I will be fighting against all these proposals at every level. I had a meeting this week with my MP colleagues in the area to discuss how we could work together and I will be meeting with the health chiefs in the coming days. This isn’t an issue I will be lying down over and I’m sure you’ll be hearing plenty more

about it in the coming weeks. I was heartened to hear that Kirklees Council passed a motion recently to work together to fight the closure of Huddersfield A&E and, to date, there are over 30,000 signatures on a government petition. Please spare a minute to sign this petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/118690. If we can get this petition to over 100,000 it will add further weight to mine and my colleagues’ calls for a debate on this issue in parliament. If anyone has a story to tell with regard to either of the hospitals that would add further weight to this fight, please contact my office at The Old Dewsbury Reporter Building, 17 Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HF, by email to paula@paulasherriff.org.uk, or on 01924 565450.

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

ThePress

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Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated... From: Tim Wood, ‘Young’ Colonial, Mirfield Dear Sir, Have you ever had one of those weekends that start off great and then end up not quite like what you ever expected? Last Friday I had a bit of a runny nose and a dry, tickly cough, nothing too serious; a quick powder and a hot toddy soon got it going away. The pub was busy and the beer launch for Britain’s latest brewery, ‘Mill Valley’ at Liversedge, was progressing rather well. At about 9.30pm a steady stream of customers, whom I haven’t seen for a while, called in, bought a drink and 20 minutes later got up, bid me goodnight and left the premises. From 10.30pm onwards the ’phone never stopped ringing; I answered in my usual cheery voice and it was mainly people asking if I was open tomorrow for food, or was I closing for the weekend. Strange, I thought, lots of enquiries for weekend food. After closing on Friday, the ’phone rang a couple more times, again people making enquiries about the availability of food. Saturday morning I answered the ’phone to random parties, all making faltering enquiries for vacancies, but no confirmed bookings; a bit odd, I thought. Just a bit after 2pm, Jimmy Walker, our carpet fitter, arrived

and looked shocked to see me. He said, “did you know everyone in Mirfield’s got you ‘boxed up’?”. “What?” I said. The penny hadn’t dropped. “There’s a strong rumour going around that you’re dead!” Then the penny dropped! All the discreet phone calls, fleeting visits by goodwill gloaters, and the rest. I don’t know how the rumour started but it carried on all weekend; I had expired on three separate days, to three different fates: on Friday, I was out walking the dog and fell in the canal and drowned; on Saturday I had collapsed sweeping the pub car park; and on Saturday night I had one too many and fell head-first down the cellar steps (it’s a roll-in cellar, by the way). Sunday was a great day, with people coming in just to see if the rumour was true. I don’t know whether they expected to find me laid out on the long saddle with 50 pence pieces over my eyes, or what, but they kept coming, bless ’em. It is quite a sobering thought being known to be a bucket-kicker but clearly still pulling pints. One of the lads rang me up and said he’d heard I’d got tickets for the next David Bowie concert! The crack and the banter continued all weekend, and the origins of the rumour remain shrouded and muffled by the licensed trade’s jungle drums. Yes, it is true that one of my chums has tried to arrange a wake for me this Saturday night – and I hope I will be back behind my own bar. So for now, it’s business as usual... by the way, have you tried our pies? You’ll never get better.

Table footy fest in Hecky HECKMONDWIKE was the unlikely setting for an international sporting tournament this week when players from France, Italy, England, Scotland and Ireland came together to compete in the First Call Gas 2016 Yorkshire Open International Subbuteo Tournament at Heckmondwike Table Tennis Club. The English Subbuteo Association takes it seriously enough to have applied for the game or sport to be included in the Olympics in 1992. But while the game or sport discussion will no doubt run and run, the participants stand still and flick the little figures with their fingers in an approximation of, in this case, an Association Football match. The game was invented in 1947

and is in its eighth decade of production. Yorkshire Phoenix are the district’s only club and are based at the table tennis club in Heckmondwike. There can be few football fans who have not played the game at one time or another, but for those taking part in this week’s tournament it is a serious business. Heckmondwike’s Russ Harker, from the Yorkshire Phoenix Club, took part in the Seniors competition but he failed to make it out of the group stages after losing two out of three games. The overall winners were Dave Pawsey (London and Essex United) in the seniors, Kye Arnold (Kent Invicta TFC) in the under-15s section and Steve Bennett (Dundee United TFC) in the veterans category.

Cox on poverty

Ushiwear Celebrates Best Quarter Ever Yorkshire clothing brand Ushiwear has kicked off the New Year in style; announcing its best quarter ever for the final three months of 2015 both in store and online sales, as well as revealing a three-fold increase in store sales from the previous quarter. Established in 2008 by husband and wife duo Neil and Jilly Kapusi, Ushiwear produces a range of clothing and accessories for men, women and children - all hand printed from its store and studio in Mirfield. Over the years the company has amassed a loyal customer base; not only in its home town of Yorkshire but with customers as far afield as Australia and the United States. Attributing its recent success to the company’s focus on driving customer awareness through a dedicated marketing and social media campaign, founder Jilly Kapusi, said: “The past six months have been a game changer for Ushiwear. We re-launched our website in August and put a lot of time into our PR, marketing and social media strategy. “We also appointed talented up-and-coming local designer Harriet McHugh to join the team. “It’s safe to say we have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received, particularly in the months up to Christmas, and it’s wonderful to see our brand grow from strength to strength and gain such loyal customers on the way. “The year ahead is looking pretty busy too, and we have lots of exciting initiatives and events already in the diary, we are also hoping to reveal further plans for expansion in the coming months so watch this space!” Ushiwear’s busy schedule will see them visit the Scottish cycling running and outdoor pursuits show in March, the All Wales Boat Show in June and many more events over the next 12 months.

BATLEY & SPEN MP Jo Cox contributed to a debate in Parliament on child poverty this week. The debate in Westminster Hall was secured by Bootle MP Peter Dowd. Mrs Cox (Lab) said: “In my constituency, one-third of children in Batley live in poverty, which is heartbreaking and shocking for the many hard-working families there.” She argued that it is “simply not credible to tackle child poverty without acknowledging the worst issue, a lack of money.” “For the Government to attempt to abolish that target is simply reprehensible,” she added, making reference to the defeat the previous evening in the House of Lords when the Government attempted to abolish income-related child poverty targets. Mrs Cox also encouraged the Government to listen to a range of experts, the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, and the public, who feel that the Government should report annually on income-related aspects of child poverty. “While I acknowledge that child poverty is a complex issue, the income dimension is such a key part of it that it is not credible to ignore it,” she said. The figures are from the Campaign to End Child Poverty. The rate of child poverty in Batley East is almost 35 per cent and almost 32 per cent in Batley West. In Heckmondwike it is 27 per cent. All three are above both the national average and the average for Kirklees. Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton and Liversedge and Gomersal all have rates lower than the national average – 21.60, 19.92 and 24.11 respectively.

Governing Body Meeting To be held in public on Wednesday 3rd February, 9.00am – 12.30pm Dewsbury Town Hall An opportunity to listen to the Governing Body. Questions can be sent in advance by emailing ask@northkirkleesccg.nhs.uk, which will be answered at the start of the meeting. Verbal questions relating to the agenda will be answered at the end of the meeting.

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

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In front of Fuzzy Lemon Self Storage - Next to Funny Onion Café

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

CLUB PATRONS DIG DEEP IN MEMORY OF TRAGIC PC MARK PATRONS at Morton House Club in Thornhill Lees have raised more than £1,000 for charity. Yorkshire Air Ambulance officials attended Morton House’s regular Friday karaoke evening to present a certificate in recognition of the club’s achievement in raising £1,000 in

memory of PC Mark Goodlad, who was killed when his patrol car was hit on the hard shoulder of the M1 in 2011. PC Goodlad’s brother, Andy, was backed by his wife Cath to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who gave treatment to PC Goodlad

BRIGHOUSE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB VALENTINE DANCE Saturday 13th February

and flew him to Pinderfields Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Morton House Club raised money by holding a raffle, bucket collection, collecting donations from local businesses and a special charity night which was attended by one of

Whether you are new to Scottish dancing or an experienced dancer, you will be welcome to our club. Come along and join our friendly club with members of all ages. You don’t need experience or a partner to take part in our weekly dance meetings. Open night every 2nd Saturday of the month many dancers come from other clubs as well as our own. We meet every Thursday at 7.30pm at Waring Green Community Centre, Brighouse, HD6 2AX We look forward to seeing you at the Community Centre!

For further info call Pat on 01484 685072 www.scottishdancingbrighouse.org

Cheque mates ... from left, Andy Goodlad, Kerry Garner, Bob Smith and John Haigh Picture: Dave Jewitt

‘It was just like coming home’ By Steve Martyn

7.30-11pm, tickets £6 inc. supper This is a ‘walk through’ dance, every dance is walked, ideal for beginners or less confident dancers

the Yorkshire Air Ambulance pilots. In an emotional speech, Andy thanked the committee, stewards, bar staff and members of the club for their efforts.

HEALTH bosses have launched a recruitment drive to bring nurses who have left the profession back to Dewsbury District Hospital. The NHS has a shortage of experienced Band Five nurses, which the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust says is caused by reduced training opportunities at universities and perceived problems such as stress, lack of career development and too much bureaucracy. But acting chief nurse David Melia believes that the Mid Yorkshire Trust – which runs Dewsbury Hospital – has made posi-

Anne’s verdict on returning to nursing in the NHS ... now hospital bosses hope to persuade others to come back tive changes and that 2016 is the year to come home to NHS nursing. “Our trust listened to the reasons why people had left nursing and has made many important changes,” he said. “NHS nurses can now access better career development, a sound pension, a full nurse induction and innovative education programme, plus training. “Most of all, they have the camaraderie of their colleagues and are doing what many of them believe is their true voca-

tion – caring for people and helping them to heal.” Dewsbury nurse Anne Sykes has recently returned to the NHS and says “it was just like coming home”. Anne trained at the old Dewsbury School of Nursing in the mid-1980s and went on to work at care homes and in private healthcare. Whilst working with a BUPA rehabilitation unit she made regular trips to Pinderfields Hospital – and decided it was time to return to the NHS.

Back home... Anne Sykes “I thought there was more to a career in nursing than working in a care home,” said Anne, who now prepares patients for planned surgery on Ward 15 at Dewsbury Hospital.

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“My new job fits around looking after my children and it just felt like the right time to come back.” Anne believes her time away has brought her new skills and more life experience and added: “It’s really great to be back amongst my colleagues. “I actually see people I know from when I was last here, which is nice – even though we’ve all got a bit older!” The trust is running an open day for returning nurses at Dewsbury Hospital’s Oakwell Centre on Thursday, February 4 (9am-8pm). For more details call 01924 546154 or email recruitment@midyorks. nhs.uk.

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Churches team up to raise £1,000 PARISHIONERS in Cleckheaton have raised more than £1,000 for disabled people in the town. The cash is for residents of Kenmore House on Whitcliffe Road and has been collected over the last year. A cheque for £1,013.50 was presented at a service at St Paul’s RC Church. Residents of Kenmore House, which is run by the Leonard Cheshire charity,

Having a laugh ... from left, Janey Wilson, Jeanette Fulford and Audrey Johnson at the service at St Paul’s Church attended the service. Churches Together in Cleckheaton, which comprises St Paul’s plus the three Anglican churches and the

Methodist church, raised the funds. The cheque was handed over by Margaret Couch, warden of St John the Evangelist Church.

Care home residents at risk from falls, watchdog reports By Staff Reporters CARE home residents in Gomersal could be at risk from preventable falls, inspectors found. Holme House on Oxford Road was found to require improvement in three out of five categories assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). These were for being safe, effective and responsive. The other two categories, for caring and being well led, were rated as good. Falls were logged on individual records but there was no system for reviewing pat-

terns within a service – so opportunities to reduce risk could be missed. Also, evacuation plans in case of the fire alarm sounding were not easily available for staff, a breach of the Health and Social Care Act. For these and other reasons, Holme House was rated as needing improvement in the safety category. The CQC made an unannounced visit on October 5 last year and a follow-up check on October 14. It followed a previous visit on September 1, when registered provider Milelands Ltd was found not to be meeting regulations.

There was concern about respecting and involving service users, supporting workers, monitoring the quality of provision and record keeping. The return visits a month later were to see if improvements at the 68-bed care home had been made. Records of staff training were better, while residents were found to be well cared for. The home has had an experienced manager in post for five years who knows residents and staff well. Unannounced night checks and audits of care plans included details of action taken.

ThePress

News In Brief Addict’s shop thefts DEWSBURY MOOR: A drug addict shoplifter admitted a string of thefts to feed her habit. Andrea Kelsall, 30, of Gledhill Terrace, stole men’s deodorants and body sprays worth £90 from Boots in Dewsbury on December 6. Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard she also took food worth £50 from a Nisa Local store in the town on January 3. Kelsall asked for three other shop thefts to be taken into account. The court heard she had battled an addiction to heroin and other Class A drugs for the last eight years. She received a community order with a 28day curfew and drug rehabilitation and was told to pay £100 compensation plus a £60 victim surcharge.

Healthy Eating? Venison Lean Sausage Now stocking everything Turkey including Mince, Sausages, Burgers, Turkey Breast & Turkey Legs 128 Huddersfield Road, Mirfield Telephone: 01924 492185

Friday January 29, 2016

Baby-feeding advice and support for mums MUMS are supporting other mums in Dewsbury with the launch of an infant feeding initiative. Locala Community Partnerships, which provides NHS community healthcare, has trained volunteers to launch its 11th Baby Bistro, based at Dewsbury Moor and Scout Hill Children’s Centre. The bistro – which takes place from 10am to noon every Tuesday – is run by trained volunteers who have all breast-fed their babies, to offer mums help with all aspects of breastor bottle-feeding and weaning. In a relaxed social setting, mums receive free support and advice from

other women who have experienced the same problems and can provide useful tips. They also get the chance to make friends with other local parents and help develop their

babies’ social skills. Heidi Curry, Locala’s volunteer services manager, said: “It’s all about mums giving other mums support because they are the ones who truly understand their

problems. “To become a peer supporter, the women will have breast-fed their babies and are able to pass on their experiences to help support new mums in a relaxed social setting. “We hope mums in Dewsbury will make use of the new Baby Bistro and will feel free to drop in on the weekly sessions whenever they like.” For further information about all Locala’s Baby Bistros, Baby Cafes and health visitor clinics, visit www.locala.org.uk/ your-healthcare/infant-feeding.

New supermarket plan ‘better for local traders’ By David Miller A NEW supermarket in Mirfield would be less likely to hit traders than previous proposals, a councillor said. Consultation on Lidl’s plans for the derelict former Veolia Water site on Station Road ends on Saturday, February 13. Mayor of Mirfield Coun Vivien Lees-Hamilton believes the scheme is bet-

ter than one proposed by Asda. The 2,641sq m store would have no franchises and, though twice the size of the current premises further up Station Road, would be limited to 1,600 staple items. Coun Lees-Hamilton said: “I’m sure it will be better news for the high street than Asda. “The move seems mainly to increase their stock, which I understand has

been a problem.” She added: “I know people said the land should be used for a new doctors’ surgery but neither Kirklees nor the town council own the land. “And we also can’t force Lidl to sell their existing site to the doctors if they don’t want to.” The store would create up to 20 full- and part-time jobs and have 150 parking spaces. Lidl consulted the town

council and also ran a public information event at Trinity Methodist Church. Coun Lees-Hamilton said: “Lidl got all their ducks lined up in a row in terms of their consultation. “But you can never tell what might happen with the Kirklees planning committee. “I wouldn’t want to speak for them because you never know – something last minute might come up.”

Costumes now in stock for children and adults

‘Barn’ tips for young artists AN ‘Art in the Barn’ exhibition at Red House Museum in Gomersal features workshops for youngsters. The event’s focus is on displays by those aged 14 to 21 in full time education. It runs until Wednesday, February 10. Younger children can also get involved tomorrow (Saturday) with workshops from 1pm-3pm. There is life drawing featuring two models in period costume for those aged 10 and above and drawing with wire for children aged eight to 14. The cost is £3.50 with materials provided. To book call 01274 335056 or 07773 212763. On Sunday (2pm3pm), art students can learn how to market themselves in the digital age. Artist Helaina Sharpley will discuss website and social media for self-promotion and selling. The cost is £2.50. Booking is essential. Call the museum on 01274 335056 or 07773 212763.

Prices starting from £8 for costumes and £1 for accessories

Friday January 29, 2016

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

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In front of Fuzzy Lemon Self Storage - Next to Funny Onion Café

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

National spotlight on Egyptian relics – from Batley BATLEY’S Bagshaw Museum is lending some of its star objects to a major new exhibition in London. Beyond Beauty: Transforming the Body in Ancient Egypt, opens at Two Temple Place on the banks of the Thames from tomorrow (Saturday). The exhibition places a national spotlight on objects gathered from different collections around the UK, many reunited for the first time since their discovery. Stunning funeral masks are among the objects travelling to London from Bagshaw Museum in Wilton Park. Egyptologist Dr Margaret Serpico from the University of London’s Petrie Museum is co-ordinating the display. She visited Bagshaw Museum several times to work with curator Katina Bill. Dr Serpico’s research has provided new insights into Kirklees’ collection of artefacts, much of which came from excavations at the important site of Abydos. Dr Serpico said: “The archive is very important as it contributes to knowledge of excavations by noted

Egyptologist Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie. “I was impressed by the objects, a number of which are quite rare – for example the Ptolemaic cartonnage mummy head cover and openwork decoration. “I was also impressed by Bagshaw Museum’s displays and the effort made to put so much of the collection on display for the public to study and enjoy.” Many of the artefacts on display in London come from the same archaeological excavations and will be seen together collectively for the first time since their discovery by pioneering Victorian Egyptologists. Egyptian collections came to Kirklees in the early 20th century via the Egypt Exploration Fund. The exhibition includes the fascinating stories of how such objects reached their current UK homes, supported by original archival material. Two Temple Place, the venue for the exhibition – which runs until April 24 – is a spectacular neo-Gothic mansion.

“I was impressed by the objects, a number of which are quite rare – for example the mummy head cover and openwork decoration (pictured) – and by Bagshaw Museum’s displays and the effort made to put so much of the collection on display for the public to study and enjoy...” – EGYPTOLOGIST DR MARGARET SERPICO

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Prom experts have expanded further Advertising Spotlight FASHION show is part of the grand opening of an expanded Birstall prom dress shop tomorrow (Saturday). The event, from 1pm, celebrates an amazing transformation for Miss Elegance on Low Lane. Just eight months ago, owner Clare Ellarby lost most of her stock to burglars on the eve of numerous school proms. Since then the mother of three and her husband Darren, of Gomersal, have made a huge investment. Not only did they replace the dresses with an even bigger range but they expanded into bridal wear and next door as well. The new premises has a massage room, beauty parlour and hair salon for complete pampering. And the shop offers packages for other occasions, such as holidays and girls’ nights out. Dresses are from the exclusive Envious Couture range – and Miss Elegance is one of the few stockists locally of the upmarket US brand. Clare said: “It took a while to get back on our feet again after what happened but the hard work’s been worth it. “Girls want everything now for their proms and with a bigger shop we can offer them even more. “Already in January we’ve tripled the amount of business that we did this time last year and that’s a good sign.” Customers come from as far as Kettlethorpe, Leeds and Manchester as well as locally. Pupils from Batley Grammar, Heckmondwike Grammar and St John Fisher RC Academy in Dewsbury are among the regulars.

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And Clare offers a guarantee: no two girls, no matter if they are at different schools, will ever get the same dress, not even in another colour. She added: “I missed out in my time at school so I want to make sure girls have the best experience possible.” Tomorrow’s fashion show features dresses modelled by beauty pageant stars Atlanta McBride and Apollonia Llewellyn. The in-store event features live entertainment from singer Samual Hoyle plus complimentary nibbles and drinks and £50 off orders taken on the day. Miss Elegance is at 29 Low Lane, Birstall, and is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday (7pm on Thursdays). Prom dress consultations are also available on Sundays by appointment. See www.misselegance.co.uk or email info@misselegance.co.uk for more details.

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Chem Scaffolding Limited Smithies Mill, 883-887 Bradford Road, Batley, WF17 8NN Phone: 01924 474 384 Fax: 01924 420 199 Email: info@chemscaffolding.co.uk Web: www.chemscaffolding.co.uk

Providing excellent service since 2006 Expertise in all aspects of scaffolding Small & Large Projects Fast, Reliable Service & Competitive Rates Based in Batley, West Yorkshire we currently work throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Midlands and the North East. We offer a fast and reliable service at competitive rates. Our friendly and helpful staff are always available to offer expert guidance and discuss your needs. Allowing us to provide the solution that is right for you. Here at Chem Scaffolding, Health and Safety is paramount. All of our competent staff are fully trained and receive ongoing training. So that our clients can be sure the works will be carried out in a professional and safe manner. Our Products and Services Include: ✓ Hire and erection of tube and fitting scaffolds ✓ Temporary roof ✓ Chemical Plant specialist ✓ Protection fans. monarflex and debris netting ✓ Lift shaft scaffolding ✓ Haki staircases ✓ System scaffolds ✓ Confined space working ✓ 24hr service 7 days a week ✓ Labour only service ✓ Scaffold design service

Chem Scaffolding Limited has been providing an excellent service since it was established in 2006. We have expertise in all aspects of scaffolding which enables us to undertake both small and large projects.

Friday January 29, 2016

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Snuggle up and get cosy N THE depths of winter, our homes become havens that shelter us from the blustery, chilly, rainy weather outdoors. Creating a cosy atmosphere is key to achieving that warm and comforting feeling that greets you as you walk through the door after a long day. It’s important to remember that our homes aren’t just for looking at, they’re for living in, and we should put just as much time and effort into creating a space we love as we do in making it look great. Here are some tips that will ensure you’re able to create a stylish feel that encourages you to snuggle up and get cosy...

1: Layer up Nothing says cosy like snuggling under a blanket in front of the fire with your favourite film on the TV. Adding layers to various pieces of furniture around a room automatically invites you to get comfortable and settle down for the evening. A chunky

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Little things mean a lot... OMANTICS will have February 14 already circled in their diaries, but for those of us who sometimes need a nudge in the right direction Valentine’s Day is only just over a fortnight away.

For most people, this may seem like more than enough time to put some thought into how to best to show that special someone how much they care, be it with flowers, chocolates, a cosy meal or whatever takes their fancy. Perhaps you’ve got it all figured out already. Maybe you’ve planned a wonderful evening where your partner will be wined and dined and at the end of the evening...well that’s up to you! But to help the more forgetful among us avoid the cold shoulder from our loved ones, here at The Press we are trying to inspire our readers (and ourselves!) with ideas to make the day extra special. As already mentioned, wining and dining is one of the best, and more popular, ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day together, as a candle-lit dinner at either a restaurant or at home goes a long way to showing how much you care. An intimate meal at home tends to work even more, if you’re willing to pull out all the stops by cooking their favourite dish and setting a candlelit table with soft lights and music. However, if your Casanova culinary skills

are more of a turn-off than an aphrodisiac, your best bet may be to take them to a restaurant. There are plenty of restaurants across North Kirklees which cater for all tastes, so you’re bound to find the perfect place. Even so, restaurants will be at their busiest for the night in question so you are urged to

book early, unless fish and chips are more your thing. Perhaps you want to give your partner a more lasting token of your love, in which case jewellery may be the answer. A bracelet, necklace or earrings will provoke thoughts and feelings about you every time they are worn by a loved one.

A ring would also make a great symbol of your affection, but for those of us in the early stages of a relationship these might best be avoided to prevent a few wires getting crossed! Flowers and chocolates are always the quick-fix answer but are never unappreciated. This doesn’t mean thought shouldn’t go into it – a bag of jelly babies and a bunch of daffodils doesn’t usually do the trick. Perhaps your chosen one has a favourite sweet or favourite flowers? Ten minutes hunting in the High Street could make all the difference. For that special touch you may want the flowers delivered so they will need to be ordered early. And for those of you who really want to splash out perhaps spending a weekend together at a hotel or a health spa could help you to relax together and grow to appreciate each other more. All of these gestures are sure to be appreciated and make your loved one feel exactly that. But don’t forget the simple things. A card telling them just how much you love them can work as many wonders as a meal, flowers or chocolates. Have fun on February 14, and remember: Love is not meant to be given and received on just Valentine’s Day. You should practice it every single day of the year!

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Show that you MOST of us would agree with George Eliot’s words, “I like not only to be loved, but also to be told I am loved.” Valentine’s Day is the occasion when you can experience both, so here are some creative ways to tell your partner “I love you”... • On small pieces of paper, write down every kind of kiss that you can think of (examples: passionate, on the cheek, etc.). Then fill an inexpensive red felt bag with your “kisses” and give it to your other half. Ask them to pull several pieces of paper from the felt bag, and then give your sweetheart whatever kind of kiss is described.

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• Take your beloved on a scavenger hunt. Ask him/her to answer riddles to find the clues to items that you placed somewhere around town. The last item should give instructions that lead to your Valentine’s Day activities. • Give your missus a dozen roses. On each stem attach a note for a future date—to do something that she would enjoy (example: Go to the symphony). • If possible, go on a date with your partner to a restaurant that you enjoyed when you first met. After you order your meal, take some time to write down favourite memories from the past year, then share your lists. • If you are separated across the miles, send a care package filled with things that are red. • Make a meal with symbols of love. Examples: Write I love you with string beans, make a sweet dessert in the shape of a heart... • Write a poem for your partner and frame it. • On individual note cards, write why you

thecuttingrooms A friendly and experienced team of Stylists offering all aspects of Ladies and Gents hairstyling

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Valentine’s at To help you celebrate this years Valentine’s Day, we here at Massimo have come up with two fantastic evenings for you and your loved one. Enjoy an intimate 3 course meal for 2 from our specially selected menu including delicious dishes especially designed to share. Or if you would like to completely relax and give your loved one a Valentine’s, they will never forget, which can be booked on then why not take advantage of for just either Saturday or Sunday our overnight package at a time to suit for only with bed and breakfast, £60 per couple and our Massimo per person (Deposit required at time of booking) per night 3 course meal Our romantic

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

care...

Search on for devoted couple MECCA BINGO in Dewsbury are on the search to find a couple who have truly stood the test of time. The club on Railway Street are hoping to find the longest-married couple in Dewsbury so they can be given a special treat by Mecca Bingo and ensure that this year’s Valentine’s Day is a remarkable and memorable occasion. The lucky couple will be treated to an exclusive and fun-packed evening and will receive flowers and a bottle of champagne all in celebration of their long-

standing love and devotion to one another. Graeme Ewart, general manager at Mecca Dewsbury, said: “Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year and an important day to spend with that special person in your life, so we thought why not invite them into our club to receive a special gift and provide everything they need for a great night out together. “Bingo brings people together and we know that some of our members have

been together for many decades so it’ll be fantastic to award them or other longstanding couples from Dewsbury with a special celebration.” To enter the search to be crowned as the longest married couple in Dewsbury, take a photocopy of your marriage certificate to the front desk at Mecca Dewsbury or alternatively email it to prmecca@havas.com. The search is open until Monday February 8 and your name and contact details must be included on your submission.

love them and insert the cards in a small photo album. • Make a special “14 Reasons I Love You” Valentine’s Day breakfast for your sweetheart. On his/her plate, leave a letter or card listing 14 reasons that you love your partner.

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ThePress

FISH & CHIP SHOP MENU Fish ..............................................£3.00 Fish and Chips ...........................£4.40 Small Fish & Chips.....................£2.50 Large Special Fish .....................£4.20 Fish Bites (5) & Chips ................£3.50 Fish Butty....................................£3.60 Chip Butty ...................................£1.60 Fish Cake ....................................£1.70 Potato Scallop ...............................60p Jumbo Sausage..........................£1.00 Mushy Peas .........................60p/£1.00 Beans ...................................60p/£1.00 Curry.....................................60p/£1.00 Gravy ....................................60p/£1.00 SOMETHING DIFFERENT Steamed Salmon Fillet, seasoned with Cajun or Piri-Piri, served on a bed of Salad................................£6.50 Dressed Bridlington Crab Salad ....... .....................................................£6.50 Calamari Salad............................£4.50 Whitby Scampi (8) & Chips .......£3.70 Posh Fish Finger Sandwich on Hand Cut bread with Best Butter........£3.00

Friday January 29, 2016

BOX MEALS (All served with chips)

Chicken Bites (10) ......................£3.70 SF Chicken Strips (7) .................£4.50 Chicken fillet Burger ..................£4.50 Chicken fillet Pitta ......................£4.50 Chicken fillet Wrap .....................£4.50 Calamari Wrap ............................£4.00 Pie, Chips & Gravy .....................£4.50 KIDS MEALS (served with Chips, Cup Drink & lollipop)

Fish Bites (3), Jumbo Sausage Chicken Bites (5) ........................£2.30

PLUS MUCH MORE! Opening times Monday – 4pm till 7pm, Wednesday & Thursday – 4pm till 8pm Friday – 11:30am till 1:30pm & 4pm till 8pm Saturday – 11:30am till 1:30pm & 4pm till 7pm Closed Sunday & Tuesday

Telephone orders are always welcome on 01924 499257 Delivery is available Wednesday to Saturday

EAT, & mingle DRINK So much to tempt food lovers to The Pear Tree PERFECT for every occasion, The Pear Tree in Mirfield offers diners and drinkers a warm and friendly welcome that’s well-known across the district. The relaxed bar area is complemented by a 32-seat restaurant, where head chef Alex and his team use local produce as much as possible, and there’s a special board that changes weekly. A lunch menu is on offer every day and delicious Sunday lunches are available, with two courses for £9.50 and three courses for £12.50. For beer lovers The Pear Tree is Cask Marque accredited and offers two regular real ales, along with regularly rotated guest ales from local breweries. The well-known riverside beer garden always proves a

popular draw when the weather is clement, and a big screen shows all the live sporting action in the bar area. An Early Bird menu, with 20 per cent off selected starters, main courses and desserts, is served from 12pm until 2pm and 5pm until 7pm from Monday to Wednesday, and from 12pm to 7pm on Thursdays. On Sunday

February 7 The Pear Tree is also taking part in the ‘World’s Biggest Pub Quiz’, an event which raises money for local charities as well as trying to break the world record for the largest multivenue pub quiz (for more details see the advert below). For bookings call 0 1 9 2 4 491360.

DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR EATERY?

Grandad Bill’s, 26 Calder Road, Mirfield, WF14 8PJ

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

259 Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, WF14 9DL thepeartreemirfield@gmail.com

01924 491 360 * Delightful new Winter Menu available * Cask Marque accredited real ales * Wide range of wines and spirits * Variety of speciality Whiskeys, Malts Taking place to raise money for local charities & trying to break the world record for the & Cognacs largest multi-venue pub quiz. All money raised for Kirkwood Hospice. £1 entry fee ALL THE * Free 24 hour moorings available FUN STARTS * Dogs welcome Quiz supper (for a donation) AT 7PM * Children welcome Raffle tickets only £1 available from the bar now – winning tickets drawn during quiz. Lots of great prizes donated from local businesses include: * Big screen for showing Sports £75 voucher for a cut and colour at Anthony Fellows Hair Salon & Clinic The first quiz question must be asked

the r fo y r a u r b Fe 7 y a d n Su Join us on

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at 7.30pm, in order to synchronise with A cut and finish at Vibe Hair Design the other venues taking part. A cut and blow dry at Morris & Rose People may also text to donate by sending A makeover worth £30, including eyelashes, by Jessica Houldsworth PTWY70 £3 to 70070 to donate £3. hair & make up artist. If you require any more information Voucher to use at Perfection Nail & Beauty about the event please let me know. Vouchers to use at Georgi’s Unisex Tanning and Beauty Salon http://worldsbiggestquiz.pubaid.com/ £20 voucher to be used on any treatment from Beauty by Francesca Plus many A TIGI hair product hamper more prizes on A month’s supply if IASO Detox and Weightloss tea HOME COOKED

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

KELLY & CHRIS Extend a warm welcome to one of our area’s most well loved hostelries

Our friendly, welcoming bar has a selection of Real Ales, Lagers and Beers, and a traditional friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy good times in good company.

Valentine’s Day LUNCHTIME MENU AVAILABLE

Available from Tuesday

Mon–Wed 12noon–8.30pm, Thurs–Sat 12noon–9pm, Sunday 12noon–8pm.

The new Travellers Rest

Full menu & special seniors menu available all day every day

Platinum menu

Weekdays Tuesday-Friday 12-3pm 2 COURSES £7.95 3 COURSES £9.95 Join us on Saturday 6th February from 8.30pm 2ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION “Live Music”

VALENTINE'S MENU

2 courses £59.95 per couple 3 courses £69.95 per couple - FREE Bottle of prosecco Please see our website for all our menus

www.travellersrestmirfield.co.uk 252 Hopton Ln, Mirfield, WF14 8EJ Telephone 01924 493898

Come and join us on FRI 12TH FEB & SAT 13TH FEB for

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SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY MENU 3 Courses & Bottle Of Wine For 2 people £49.95

Separate bar menu offered

5pm through to 9pm

SUNDAY LUNCH MENU 12–4PM Full menu served 4pm–8pm

STEAK NIGHT EVERY THURSDAY

Mon-Sat 12–6.30pm

QUIZ NIGHT EVERY 2ND TUESDAY 8PM START

Full normal menu also available

Rollover cash prize

The Dusty Miller - Mirfield, 47 Dunbottle Lane, WF14 9JJ info@thedustymillermirfield.co.uk www.thedustymillermirfield.co.uk TEL 01924 490178

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Ramblers’ corner • FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details MONDAY FEBRUARY 1 SATURDAY JANUARY 30 OAKWELL IN WINTER (NK) GILDERSOME MOOR & MORE (NK) Meet 1pm top car park Oakwell Meet 10.30am at Moorland Road Hall WF17 9LG near Drighlington Library GR SE 217 270 4 miles (M) BD11 1JZ Notes: No dogs – litter pick GR SE 7.7 miles (M) Leader: Kathleen O’Shea Leader: Norma Tel: 01924 471473 Tel: 01274 685343

PROCLAIMERS SET FOR GRAND SHOW

You can go to the ball... VISITORS can step into their favourite stories at Bagshaw Museum on Saturday, February 13, as they explore the world of magical clothes – the Red Riding hood, cloaks of invisibility, seven league boots and, of course, the legendary glass slippers. This should be a treat for fans of glitz and glamour as visitors can explore the enchanting history of the Princess dress, from Cinderella’s ball gown to Princess Diana and Disney. There will be replica gowns and original historical items in the History Wardrobe’s presentation and a dazzling fairy godmother will dress Cinderella for all the glory of an 18th century ball. The presentation starts at 2pm and will last approximately two hours. Tickets (£12.50) are available from Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park, Batley on 01924 324765.

Art fair date CALLING all artists! The Yorkshire Art Fair 2016 has moved to Cleckheaton Town Hall and will be held on Saturday, April 16. If you are interested in taking a stand or would like further information, call Ann on 07946 548046 or email info@yorkshireart fair.com.

THE PROCLAIMERS – Craig and Charlie Reid – are heading to Leeds Grand Theatre on Sunday, June 12 with their blend of pop, folk, new wave and punk and classics such as Sunshine on Leith, (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles, Letter From America, I’m On My Way, Life With You and Let’s Get Married. Tickets (£32.50) went on sale this week and can be booked online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or at the box office (0113 297 7007).

Accordionist’s return visit £6 per person

Meeting Uncle Albert & Friends

ACCORDIONIST Paul Chamberlain will return to Dewsbury Town Hall on Wednesday, February 10 (12.30pm) with a programme including virtuoso music from Russia, Argentina and France.

Chamberlain is recognised as one of the finest players in the country and his concerts have taken him to Russia, Finland and the USA. Lunches will be available from 11.30am and tickets (£5.50, concessions £4) can be booked on 01484 223200 or at www.kirklees townhalls.co.uk.

FFORTS to encourage even more people to enjoy Batley Library will be made next week when Yorkshire writer Stephen Wade will use it as a base to divulge more jokes, tall tales and readings from his fictional village of Gawpham. Entitled Meeting Uncle Albert and Friends, the meeting next Wednesday evening (February 3) is being staged by Kirklees Library Services with support from the Friends of Batley Library and aims to increase the number of attractions in the Market Place building. Stephen was born in Leeds, educated at universities in Leeds and Wales and taught in further and higher education schools for many years. He has written more than 50 books, many of them non-fiction, and particularly enjoys delving into the past of Gawpham, the fictional village he knew, he says, when he was “but a bairn”. Simon Roadnight, chairman of Batley Friends, said the staging of the event is extremely timely as February 6 is National Libraries Day. The friends group will stage their own meeting at 6pm in the library and the talk – for which there is charge of £2 – will follow at 7pm. It is hoped that the event will be well supported but seats can be booked in advance by telephoning the library service on 01484 221000.

Fun and frolics with a pantomime favourite AN invitation has gone out to panto-goers to prepare for a few hours of fun and frolics as Dick Whittington visits Mirfield on his way to seek fame, fortune and streets paved with gold in London. For more than 60 years, St Mary’s Parish Centre on Church Lane has provided the venue for the annual Mirfield Team Parish pantomime. This year the energetic and enthusiastic cast and chorus will be taking to the stage during the first week in February, when

Dick Whittington, together with his feline friend, will lead the battle against the evil of King Rat and his accomplice, Evil Esmerelda. Curtain-up is at 7.15pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday February 3-5, with two performances on Saturday February 6 (1pm and 5.30pm). Tickets are £6 with £4 concessions and a single price of £4 at the Wednesday show. For ticket enquiries, call Pat Wilding on 01924 498290.

Dance night BRIGHOUSE Scottish Country Dance Club stages its open night dance on Saturday, February 13. Whether you are new to Scottish dancing or an experienced dancer, you will be welcome at the friendly club, which has members of all ages. You don’t need experience or a partner to take part in their weekly dance meetings. Open night is every second Saturday of the month, when many dancers come from other clubs and there is also a weekly meeting at Waring Green Community Centre, Brighouse, HD6 2AX, every Thursday at 7.30pm. Call Pat on 01484 685072 for details.

Glam disco ROBERTTOWN Community Centre is hosting a 70s glam rock disco from 7.30pm tomorrow night (Saturday). Tickets (£6) are available from Buckles Butchers on Roberttown Lane. Bring your own food and drink – fancy dress is optional and there is a prize for the best outfit.

Panto dates ROBERTTOWN Players’ Sleeping Beauty pantomime will be performed from Tuesday, February 16, to Saturday, February 20, at the community centre on Church Road. Tickets (£6; £5 for under-16s) are available from Buckles Butchers.

Rod tribute TRIBUTE act Rock Stewart, voted the best sound-alike by Rod Stewart himself, is back at Millbridge WMC tomorrow (Saturday). For more information call 01924 402696. DEWSBURY MINSTER CHURCH DIARY 9am every day: Morning prayers in the St Paulinus Chapel. Refectory Coffee Shop: Open 9.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Saturday for full breakfasts, lunchtime menus and special dishes. Friday January 29: 1.30pm-6.30pm International Women’s Day event in the Town Hall. Sunday January 31: 10.30am Morning Worship; 6.30pm Team Service of Holy Communion. Friday February 5: 7pm ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. Silent films at Dewsbury Minster with live organ improvisation by Jonathan Eyre. Tickets £5 on the door.

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Hear Ann across the BBC radio network

Darren has his Day in the Celebrity Big Brother house SINGER and actor Darren Day tells me he went to the celebrity Big Brother house simply “to remind people I am a reformed character and more so to remind them what I do, which is to entertain and hopefully enjoy my shows.” He added: “I think my reputation is a bit bad but yet people do far worse things and seem to keep in the spotlight. I thought this show was a good idea to redress this.” SOAP actor Dean Gaffney tells me: “The fuss made over Robbie’s return to EastEnders was so nice. I think he is well liked as a character and who knows he may turn up again – after all, he is only in Milton Keynes and could easily return. But it’s up to the writers what happens next.” EMMERDALE ex Chelsea Halfpenny tells about a return to Casualty and missing life in the Dales. “I am doing my first-ever panto and loving it, so who knows there could be more,” she said. “I would love to return to Casualty and yes, I miss Emmerdale. But Amy is not killed off, so it could happen, but now with no Val I’m not sure how I would fit in.” THE creator of ITV’s thriller series Jekyll and Hyde, Charlie Higson, says the network has axed the show after one series. He tells me: “It’s a shame as we were blasted from the start, yet we did not pick the time slot, or the day, but we had some great feedback from the start. Who knows, it may return on another channel.” THE VOICE is back on our screens but Boy George tells me he finds he is always shocked when he spins around in the famous chair. “It just proves the voice does not always match the face and that is what is great about the show really, the full element of surprise,” he said. CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD has said fellow Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff is ‘feisty’ after she entered the Big Brother house. “She is not the same as you see on the dance floor that is for sure, and I think that may shock quite a few people who start to watch her in the show.” YEARS of dancing have taken their toll on Strictly judge Darcey Bussell and she has revealed she needs a hip replacement at the age of 46. She reveals: “It’s not something you think about when starting out or young, but it happens and now I am dealing with it. Craig Revel

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

NEW Vacuum cleaner, Dirt Devil, lightweight, upright, as new, with user guide book £20. Tel 01484 656666. (1857) Double heated underblanket, four heat levels, extra foot warmth, machine washable, new, still in bag £10. Tel 01484 656666. (1857)

Ann Montini and Darren Day Horwood has the edge though – he has two new hips!” KRIS MARSHALL reckons that Death In Paradise is just the kind of drama people want to watch during the cold winter months. “It’s like a holiday show with all the trappings, plus you get to see a murder or two and get to solve them too, but in the end the scenery is the key to the success of the show,” he said. HOLLY WILLOUGHBY was the FHM final cover girl, but what fans may not know is that the ITV show which documented the final magazine was made by her husband Dan Baldwin for ITV – meaning many fans think she was not the first and final choice but part of the deal. ALAN PARTRIDGE actor Steve Coogan may want to keep out of discount shops. His latest hyped book is in there, along with many others which have failed to sell over the festive period. A source tells me: “The publishers paid out a huge advance at the time and hoped for great sales but it did not happen.” THE cast of the new Absolutely Fabulous film, including Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Kate Moss, are just hopeful fans support the film the way they did the TV show. A source tells me: “Jennifer is worried after the huge flop of her Spice Girls musical.” FORMER X Factor host Dermot O’Leary has suddenly closed the doors at his seafood restaurant Fishy Fishy in Brighton. The reason is simple – fans never saw him there, so people stopped eating there and takings plunged. He has no plans to open any further outlets. JAMES NORTON, who recently became a favourite TV pin-

Maycon Pictures

up’ while playing the role of Prince Andrei in BBC One’s adaptation of War and Peace, tells me he is bemused by his hoards of fans liking his looks. “I think the return of the posh boy is in vogue again,” he said. BRITISH actor Hugh Laurie is to play the title role in a US drama called Chance following his award-winning appearance in Fox Network’s House. Laurie will play a forensic neuropsychiatrist in the thriller, which is being produced for streaming service Hulu. GEMMA ATKINSON told Emmerdale bosses she didn’t want Carly in skimpy clothes. She said: “I wanted Carly to be a bit more of a tomboy and ready to fix a tractor or something, as I had already done those roles in Hollyoaks and so forth. They agreed and now she is a great fixture in the show.” POPULAR comedy drama Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes, is set to return next year for its eighth and final series. A source reveals: “It was a bit of a shock when ITV decided to end the show but we hope to go out on a high, and leave the fans wanting more.” CORONATION STREET’S Simon Gregson has revealed that he will definitely be returning to the cobbles from April or May this year. GAME OF THRONES star Charles Dance reveals why he ‘pretends to be aristocratic’: “It helps pay the bills actually, because if you’re from a working class background it’s a lot harder to get the type of roles that I like to play. This way it works out rather well.” EMMERDALE actor Chris Bisson, who plays Jay in the soap, tells me he loves his bad boy character. “I think they are the best parts to play to be honest,” he says.

Bed settee, metal action. Opens out to double bed, in blue, excellent condition £200. Tel 01484 656666. (1857) Cross trainer/exercise bike, very good for low impact exercises, complete with computer displaying time, speed and calories £80, buyer to collect. Tel 07719 431991. (1858) Computer table, light oak, good condition £12. Tel 01924 406513. (1859) Wondercore II exercise machine, unused, as new £30 ono. Tel 01924 501770. (1860) COLLECTABLES Collectable Edwardian sledge, wooden slaits on cast iron blades, ideal for use as sledge or garden ornament £15 ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1855) Boxed Victorian dolls, porcelain 12” high, with stands. Brand-new, in boxes £6 each ono. Tel 07806 431728. (1823) ELECTRICAL Russell Hobbs bread maker with all the instructions, used twice £20. Tel 01484 656666. (1856) Epson Stylus SX425 3in-1 printer/ scanner/ copier. Wi-fi, boxed, very good condition £25. Mirfield 01924 491306. (1827) FABRIC/ FASHION/ CLOTHING Ladies double-breasted red coat, size 12, new, not worn £20. Tel 01484 656666. (1856)

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

reg, one black and one brown. Excellent condition. £7 each. Tel 01274 876814 (1844) Ladies coat size 16/18. Fully reversible. Coloured suedette patches and faux fur. £25 ono. Tel 07876 163070 (1845) Ladies sheepskin jacket, size 12, light brown, VGC, cost over £200, too small now, bargain at £30. Tel 07786 404627. (1819) FURNITURE Mahogany, round dining table, extends to oblong, and four chairs all in good condition £200. Tel 01484 656666. (1856) Smokers stand in brass, over 50 years old, in good condition £20. Tel 01484 656666. (1856) Quality dark green leather, winged armchair, never used, excellent condition £50. Tel 07806 431728. (1855) King-size brown leather sleigh bed. £75. Tel 01924 464527 (1852) Black recliner electric massage chair. £150. Tel 01274 398891 (1848) Large three-seater and two-seater settee with matching pouffe in leather. Mid-mushroom colour. Very well made, good condition. Buyer to collect, very heavy. £199 ono (Gomersal) Tel 01274 687250 (1849) Five-foot damask bed. Pocket sprung base and mattress with two drawers. Good condition. £50 Tel 01924 464527 (1850) King-size four-drawer bed, with Benson’s Sleepmaster individual pocket sprung censor foam luxury mattress. Unmarked, excellent condition. Cost over £1,000 new, bargain at £150 ono. Sale due to removal. Buyer collects (Mirfield) Tel 07876 163070 (1841)

Vintage wedding dress with train. Very pretty white chiffon and lace. Size 10/12. High neck and flared sleeves. £70 Tel 01924 495675 (1853)

Stunning, ornate, Japanese-style, lacquered, oval occasional table with six buffets, in dark red wood, with removable glass top, and mother of pearl decorations. £600 ono. Tel 07952 526527 after 2pm. (1831)

Two leather jackets. 44

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

PRICE SYSTEM ITEM bands

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus chaise longue, with gold and pink fringing. Never used, bargain at £50. Buyer collects. Tel 07979 794161. (1832) Four ladder-back pine dining chairs with seat covers and table. Excellent condition, like new £60 ono. Tel 01924 485972. (1824) Three-piece suite comprising three-seater settee and two man & lady recliner chairs, in very good condition, will sell separately, offers invited. Tel 01924 465808. (1825) Sofa bed in light blue/ grey. Metal action, full mattress, as new. Cost £1,000 will accept £550. Buyer collects. Tel 01924 423376. (1817) Metal computer trolley, silver with sliding shelf for keyboard. (H) 78cm x (W) 70cm x (D) 55cm. Ex-Argos, excellent condition £20. Tel 01924 461639. (1818) GARDEN Well-rotted horse manure (no straw), five bags £10. Free local delivery. Ring Ken 01924 409540/ 07922 186721. (1814) HOUSEHOLD Brass standard lamp for sale, with glass shade, £25. Tel 01924 470028 after 6pm. (1836) Crown regency gold leaf china tea set. £10. Tel 01924 464527 (1851) MOBILITY DMA red mobility scooter, excellent working order, will fit in car boot, £90. Tel 01924 609015. (1840) SPORTING/ OUTDOOR/ FITNESS Set of crown green bowls, black lignoid, 2lb 10oz £20. Tel 07772

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Friday January 29, 2016

Bulldogs aim for big gains in 2016 By Joe Link

Tom Thackray (left), pictured with John Kear, on his arrival at Batley

Sports Reporter joe@thepressnews.co.uk

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FOLLOWING a 2015 Championship campaign when Batley didn’t quite hit the heights they were aiming for, John Kear has strengthened his Bulldogs squad considerably ahead of the new season, which gets underway when they host big-spenders Leigh Centurions at Mount Pleasant Sunday February 7. Batley finished ninth in the regular season last year and were a huge 18 points behind fourth-placed Halifax and 11 points behind local rivals Dewsbury Rams in sixth. A mixture of bad luck and careless mistakes resulted in Batley suffering several narrow defeats last season. Injuries in the halves were also an issue, but chairman Kevin Nicholas has stumped up extra cash during the off-season in order for Kear to strengthen and be more ambitious with his signings. All-in-all the Mount Pleasant outfit have welcomed eight new players to the club, three of which arrived from Mark Aston’s Sheffield Eagles. Dom Brambani and Pat Walker will provide strength in depth in the halves, and hooker James Davey will also be a useful addition. Other signings include Doncaster duo David Scott and Danny Cowling, James Harrison and loan signing Chris Ulugia both from Bradford Bulls and Zack McComb from Huddersfield Giants. But 11 players left the

Bulldogs during the off-season, including Ayden Faal who joined Hunslet and Scott Leatherbarrow who linked up with Andrew Henderson’s London Broncos on a two-year contract. Tom Thackray is another familiar face who has exited the Mount to join Swinton Lions on a one-year deal, along with Anthony Nicholson. The new signings have appeared to settle in well and have gelled quickly since their arrival. The Bulldogs have had two outings in preseason so far, beating Dewsbury Rams at the Tetley’s Stadium to claim another Roy Powell

Trophy and then overpowering League One outfit North Wales Crusaders last weekend. “On the whole I’m very happy with my squad at the minute,” said Kear. “Of course there are still things we need to work on before the Championship season begins and we only have just over a week before we host Leigh, so we will have to make sure we make next week count. “We have made some big signings, not quite on the scale of the likes of Leigh, but we will do our best. “Our aims remain the same, to improve on last year and hopefully finish in the top six.”

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Keegan Hirst is looking forward to continuing his captaincy of Batley Bulldogs in 2016 John Miller, www.memorymill.co.uk

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

BATLEY BULLDOGS 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES 2015 Championship: Ninth place Super 8s: Fifth in Championship Shield Coach: John Kear Sunday February 7 Sunday February 14 Sunday February 21 Sunday February 28 Sunday March 6 Sunday March 13 Friday March 25 Monday March 28 Sunday Aprilil 3 Sunday April 10 Sunday April 24 Sunday May 1 Sunday May 15 Sunday May 22 Sunday May 29 Sunday Junee 5 Friday June 10 Sunday June 19 Sunday June 26 Saturday July 2 Sunday July 10 Sunday July 17 Sunday July 24

Leigh Centurions (H) Featherstone Rovers (A) Sheffield Eagles (H) Halifax (A) Workington Town (H) Bradford Bulls (H) Dewsbury Rams (A) Whitehaven (H) Oldham (A) London Broncos (A) Swinton Lions (H) Leigh Centurions (A) Halifax (H) Workington Town (A) Dewsbury Rams (Summer Bash) Oldham (H) Sheffield Eagles (A) Bradford Bulls (A) Dewsbury Rams (H) Whitehaven (A) Featherstone Rovers (H) London Broncos (H) Swinton Lions (A)

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Tel: 01924 470062 Web: www.batleybulldogs.co.uk Email: info@batleybulldogs.co.uk Twitter: @BatleyRLFC Facebook: BatleyBulldogsRLFC

DEWSBURY RAMS 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES 2015 Championship: Sixth place Super 8s: Second in Championship Shield Coach: Glenn Morrison Sunday February 7 Sunday February 14 Sunday February 21 Sunday February 28 Sunday March 6 Saturday March 12 Friday March 25 Monday March 28 Sunday April 3 Sunday April 10 Sunday April 24 Friday April 29 Saturday May 14 Sunday May 22 Sunday May 29 Sunday June 5 Sunday June 12 Sunday June 19 Sunday June 26 Sunday July 3 Sunday July 10 Sunday July 17 Sunday July 24

Swinton Lions (A) Workington Town (H) Oldham (A) Whitehaven (H) Featherstone Rovers (A) London Broncos (A) Batley Bulldogs (H) Sheffield Eagles (H) Leigh Centurions (H) Bradford Bulls (H) Halifax (A) Sheffield Eagles (A) Whitehaven (A) Featherstone Rovers (H) Batley Bulldogs (Summer Bash) Bradford Bulls (A) Oldham (H) Halifax (H) Batley Bulldogs (A) London Broncos (H) Workington Town (A) Swinton Lions (H) Leigh Centurions (A)

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Ground: The Tetley’s Stadium Tel: 01924 465489 Web: www.dewsburyrams.co.uk Email: info@dewsburyrams.co.uk Twitter: @DewsburyRams Facebook: Dewsbury Rams

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

Matt Groat’s excited over Rams future WITH THE start of the 2016 Championship season just over a week away Dewsbury Rams’ new signing Matt Groat can’t wait for the action to get underway, having settled in at the Owl Lane club quickly since arriving last September. Groat burst onto the rugby league scene in 2011 for Wests Tigers in the NRL, a club he made 17 appearances for down under. The 23-year-old prop’s career didn’t take off as some had expected, but it didn’t stop Super League clubs circling when the Australian left Doncaster at the end of last season. “While I was at Doncaster and Glenn (Morrison) first showed interest in me everyone said I should join the Rams, people only had good things to say about the club,” said Groat. “I think Glenn is a great coach and when he spoke to me he explained his aims for the club and the direction he wants to take it. “And since joining everyone at the club has really welcomed me with open arms, they’ve gone above and beyond to make sure I settled in okay and I really appreciate that.” Groat, who works as a personal trainer at Dewsbury Sports Centre outside of playing rugby league, admits he has no excuse not to be match fit for the start of the new season. “It’s been a really difficult pre-season, but it’s been fair,” said Groat. “I feel in good shape and hope to stay injury-free so I can have a really successful season with the Rams, I just can’t wait to get out there and for the league campaign to start. “But before I can get game time I need to impress Glenn enough so that I can get a first team place.” Since the end of the 2015 campaign, which saw Dewsbury narrowly miss out on a spot in the Championship Shield Grand Final, Morrison has strengthened his squad by bringing 11 new faces to the Tetley’s Stadium, one of which is newly-appointed co-captain Paul Sykes from Featherstone, someone who Groat admires and thinks is the right kind of player to take the team forward. “Paul (Sykes) is a quality player and very skillful, I’m sure he’ll make a great captain because he’s a natural leader on the field. “He’s got a vast amount of experience having played full-time rugby for the majority of his career and I know I can learn a lot from

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Creative Crafts Matt Groat in action against St Helens in a recent pre-season friendly Steve Horsfall him as well as others in the team. “The squad is gelling well and we’re confident at the moment that we can improve on last season and hopefully reach the Championship Shield Final. That will be our aim, it won’t be easy because there is a lot of tough competition out there, but on our day, as a team, we know we can achieve it. “The friendly against St Helens was a good example of what we’re about, we didn’t play our best rugby but we showed potential. We moved the ball well at times and even when we went behind in the second half we never gave up and those are good qualities to have.” In the meantime, away from rugby, Groat is keeping busy working on his fitness at Dewsbury’s T3 Training gym and has also been conducting circuit training sessions with Shaw Cross Sharks. “I like to keep busy and love to keep fit which benefits me massively in both my jobs so it’s a win-win situation. “It will also help me to achieve a personal goal of staying injury-free, obviously there’s an element of luck involved but staying fit and strong can help prevent injury and also speed up recovery times.” Groat is available to play against London Broncos at the Tetley’s Stadium this weekend and will be working hard next week to secure a spot in Morrison’s squad which travels to face Swinton on Sunday February 7.

Wishing Dewsbury Rams all the best for the 2016 season

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ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

RUGBY UNION

JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

Moorenders boost their survival hopes

Stags launch junior rugby league in Mirfield

National League Three North

BURNAGE CLECKHEATON

21 45

at Varley Park CLECKHEATON RUFC scored six tries and picked up an impressive five league points from their 45-21 win over Burnage in National League Three North on the first anniversary of former club president Alan Bentley’s death. It was a vital win for Cleckheaton in their bid to climb out of the relegation zone against the only side below them in the league standings. Michael Piper got the scoring underway for the visitors on Varley Park’s 3G pitch. However the first try of the game went to Burnage, who benefited from the irregular bounce of the ball on such a firm surface. And a successful penalty attempt a few minutes later put the hosts into an 8-3 lead. But Cleckheaton’s pack battled hard and Burnage’s lead did not last long. Jack Seddon went crashing over the line for the Moorenders’ first try of the game but the conversion was missed. And following a line-out in the hosts’ 22 James Crowther and Luke Pearson combined well which led to a Ronan Evans try for the Moorenders as he earned

bragging rights over his brother who plays for Burnage. But before the interval Cleckheaton’s lead was cut to just four points following a penalty which was conceded by Andy Piper. Matt Piper got the away side off to the best possible start in the second half after powering his way over the line in the corner. Burnage added a penalty goal to stay with reach of their fellow relegation strugglers, but Cleckheaton responded with two of their own via the boot of Evans. Richard Piper secured his side the win when he went over for Cleckheaton’s bonus point try to give the away side a 33-14 lead. To Burnage’s credit they never gave up and mustered up a try under the sticks to reduce their deficit to 33-21. A further two touchdowns went Cleckheaton’s way through James Wilson and Matt Piper before the final whistle. Evans converted one and hit the posts with the other to round off a dominant 45-21 victory. Cleckheaton should take confidence from their first away win of the season as they look to climb to safety in National League Three North. They continue with that task tomorrow (2.15pm) when they host fourth-placed Hull.

MIRFIELD STAGS have announced the beginning of a brand-new Tots Rugby section within the club. It is the first time children in Mirfield have had the chance to play rugby league in their home town. Training sessions will occur on Saturdays and the first will take place on February 13 (10-11am). Youngsters must be aged between three and six. Places are limited and parents are advised to book places at the training session by emailing info@mirfield stags.co.uk or calling 07885 894329. Boys and girls of all abilities are welcome and the first training session will culminate in the launch of the Mirfield Stags Under-7s for 2017 and beyond.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Town’s ladies earn big point Cleckheaton dominated line-outs against fellow National League Three North strugglers Burnage Gerald Christian

HEAVY WOOLLEN FOOTBALL

OSSETT TROUBLES Millbridge’s Sherman bags hat-trick in emphatic victory CONTINUE Yorkshire Division Four

YORK RAILWAY INSTITUTE

OSSETT RUFC

at New Lane OSSETT RUFC slipped to ninth in Yorkshire Division Four following a slender 13-10 defeat away at York Railway Institute. Ossett had the chance to pull valuable points back on the teams above them but the pressure told and Ossett missed out, falling to their third defeat on the bounce. It was a hard-fought game which both sides deserved to take something from but It was York who climbed to fifth after the win. Ossett will hope to dust themselves down in time for their next match against second-placed Hessle.

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

AFTER a long break due to both the weather and the holiday festivities, the Heavy Woollen Sunday League swung back into action last weekend. In the Premier Division Birkenshaw won 3-2 at home to second-placed Mirfield Town thanks to strikes from Dale Wright, Ben Smith and Phil Bell. Mirfield replied through Gibril Bojang and Niall Raymond in a result that sees Birkenshaw rise to sixth place. Luke Sherman fired a hat-trick as Millbridge WMC won 4-1 at Mount Pleasant. Matt Durkin bagged the other with Mohammed Patel replying for Mount. Andrew Pickles hit a brace as fourth-placed Woodman Batley Carr beat third-placed Woodkirk Valley 32. Jonny Walton completed their scoring, with Jack Darrington and Stephen Day replying for Woodkirk. Overthorpe Sports Club won their first league game of the season with a 2-1 win over Oakwell Motel. Andy Bates scored twice in the first half to put the home side in control, but Jay Elliott pulled one back late in the game, in which Overthorpe’s veteran keeper John Hiscocks was outstanding.

Navigation lead the Championship by four points after they won 5-1 at Ravenswharfe thanks to a double from Lamin Bojang, plus strikes from Rob McCall, Lee Bennett and Daniel Stephenson. Bottom side Ravenswharfe replied through Danny Creavan. Clifton Rangers lie second after they won 7-2 at Town Rangers. Dominic Simpson, Connor Kirkby, Connor Gissing, George Gavaghan and Charlie Frear all scored as thirdplaced St John Fisher Reserves won 5-3 at Birstall St Patricks, who replied through an Alex Howdle brace and a Tom Williams strike. Sam Buswell hit the only goal of the game as Marsh climbed to fifth place with a 1-0 win at Hartshead. In Division One Hanging Heaton Cricket Club are five points clear after their 7-0 win at Batley Celtics thanks to a hat-trick from Scott

Lightowler, a double from Tom Ramadan, plus goals from Chris Goodair and James Keen. Battyeford moved up to third after Joe Green hit four goals in a 7-4 win over Scholes Athletic. Andy Feeney (two) and Jamie Brannan hit the others, with Scholes replying through doubles from Gavin Jones and Jonny Irvine. FC Liversedge drop to fourth place after drawing 2-2 with Clifton Rangers Reserves thanks to goals from Danny Fawcett and Chris Trott. Old Bank WMC lead Division Two by six points after winning 7-1 at Six Lane Ends. Stephen Browne nabbed a hat-trick for Old Bank who also had Robert Evans (two), Tom Frizzell and Joshua Cooke on target. Batley Irish Nash are in second spot following a 6-1 win at Clifton Rangers A. Elliott Williams hit a brace for Nash, who also had Lee Ryan, Tom Yarnold, Jason Campbell and David O’Keefe on target. Clifton replied through Wazeem Javed. Munir Majeed hit a hat-trick for Snowdon in a 7-0 win over Overthorpe Sports Club Reserves. Irfan Ali collected a brace for Snowdon who also had Shakeel Pandor and a Martin Firth own goal on the scoresheet.

OSSETT ALBION’S scheduled game at home to North East Regional League leaders Farsley Celtic on Wednesday night was yet another postponement in a disruptive season for clubs in the district. This latest setback, as a result of fresh rainfall, does not bode well for Sunday’s West Riding County Women’s Cup quarter final tie at home to FA Women’s Premier League outfit Guiseley Vixens. The remaining ties in the competition are Farsley Celtic v Bradford City (holders), Brayton Belles v Leeds Ladies, and Brighouse Town v Tingley Athletic Reserves. West Riding Women’s League Premier Division leaders Ossett Town are without a game this week but emphasised their titlechallenging credentials with a well-deserved 2-2 draw with fellow challengers Altofts in their last game. On an unsurprisingly heavy pitch Caroline Omboyi gave Town the lead and though the visitors levelled Danielle Sidebottom restored the lead before the break with a goal scored direct from a corner. Four minutes before the end of normal time Altofts grabbed a vital equaliser but in the third minute of added time Chloe Holt came close to snatching all three points for Town. In the First Division Battyeford Belles drew level at the top with Bradford City A after a 2-0 win at Leeds side Republica International. Ossett Town’s Development side were also in action and though player shortage meant playing one recognised keeper outfield, they put up a good display in their Third Division game at Boroughbridge before going down 2-1. Ashlea Cunningham was the Town scorer and she is back in action with her side at Clifton Rangers on Sunday. Third-placed Dewsbury Rangers hope to return to action on Sunday, after their latest postponement, and it promises to be hard going as they are at home to 100 per cent leaders Wigton Moor.

DEWSBURY BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS TUESDAY JANUARY 19: 1 W and J Davies; 2 J Paxton and D Hannam;

3 J Tomlinson and G Fishwick; 4 A Cooper and J Bragg.

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL

RUGBY LEAGUE

Albion’s promotion dream suffers blow after another defeat

Trojans in draw for second round

Evo-Stik First Division North OSSETT ALBION 0 NORTHWICH VICTORIA at Queens Terrace

IT IS now three consecutive defeats for Richard Tracey’s Ossett Albion side after they lost 3-0 at home to Northwich Victoria in the Evo-Stik First Division North. The game was evenly balanced after the first 20 minutes until the visitors broke the deadlock through Brian Summerskill following a good move down the right. Victoria upped the game further after going ahead and sensed Albion were not on top form. The away side doubled their lead on 31 minutes when a through ball found Richie Bennett who had no problem between Brett Souter in the Albion goal. Albion weren’t at the races in this game and didn’t muster a shot on goal until the 45th minute. It came from Rob Bordman but his shot was straight at Mason Springthorpe in the Northwich goal. In the second half Albion were slow out of the blocks and Northwich quickly ended any hopes the hosts had of getting

BARLA National Cup

OSSETT TOWN at Shawe View

OSSETT TOWN were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by a strong Trafford side in the Evo-Stik First Division North. Trafford started with intent and almost went ahead inside five minutes when Mitch Duggan beat the Town defence but his shot went wide of Chris Backhouse’s goal. Backhouse was called upon again shortly afterwards, Duggan’s pass played in Chris McDonagh but the Trafford striker saw his shot saved brilliantly by Backhouse. Town seemed to be constantly on the back foot throughout the first half, but Graham Nicholas’ men looked to have weathered the storm. But they suffered a setback when Tyrone Gay had to be replaced in the 41st minute due to a severe knee injury which required hospital treatment. Joseph Ojo came on as Gay’s replacement. In the second half Fernando Moke, on his return as a Town player, and David Brown tried to create chances for the away side, but Cameron Lyn’s subsequent cross from the left wing came to

MORLEY BOROUGH

at Overthorpe Park THORNHILL TROJANS kick started their 2016 campaign with an impressive 36-12 win over Pennine Premier Division side Morley Borough in the first round of the BARLA National Cup.

Albion’s Danny South

Adam Hirst

something out of this game. In the 47th minute Iain Howard fired an accurate low strike past Souter from the edge of the box which crept just inside a post. Albion had no reply to Victoria’s strength and speed of play and were second best throughout in this contest. The defeat leaves Ossett in fourth but they have played several game more than Burscough and Spennymoor Town directly below them. Northwich meanwhile can go top if they win their games in hand on league leaders Warrington Town. Next up for Albion is a trip to face Droylsden.

Town in desperate need of league win Evo-Stik First Division North TRAFFORD 4

THORNHILL TROJANS

nothing. Backhouse was called up again ad Trafford piled the pressure on a struggling Town defence but the visitors did manage to create a good chance which fell to Brown on 58 minutes, but his shot was well saved by Trafford keeper Russ Saunders. After the hour mark the Reds tired and the hosts began to dominate. In the 65th minute a low cross from McDonagh was turned into the net by Jack Dorney. Town brought on Mark Simpson in response but he had little impact on the outcome of the game. In the 73rd minute Aaron Burns doubled the hosts advantage to take the game away from Ossett. Town attacked but couldn’t create any good chances and on the break Trafford picked off the North Division struggler with a further two goals. McDonagh netted in the 84th minute and substitute Sam Noar rounded of the scoring with a headed goal from a corner in time added on. The Reds remain 20th following the defeat, but Nicholas’ men are now just two points clear of the relegation zone after Harrogate’s goalless draw against Radcliffe Borough at the weekend edged them a point closer to safety. Town host Clitheroe tomorrow (3pm).

It was a fiery encounter which saw fights break out twice in the opening 10 minutes but referee Nigel Derbyshire did well to keep control of proceedings. When the game began to settle down some good rugby was being played but it was Thornhill who broke the deadlock through full-back Mindaugas Bendikas on 17 minutes. Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Shortly afterwards Jake Wilson extended Trojans’ advantage with a try of his own. Sam Ratcliffe was again accurate with the boot. But Morley refused to back down despite their poor start to the game. Their efforts were rewarded with a try from stand-off Gaz Croft who bagged himself a try. His touchdown was converted by Daz Foster. Thornhill did get back on the front foot to score another first half try through Lee Smith, but the conversion attempt was missed. And despite dominating for large portions of the first half Thornhill found themselves with a slender fourpoint advantage after Morley’s Croft touched down for a try. Forster added the conversion to make it 16-12. But in the second half the hosts dominated. They extended their lead shortly after the restart through Danny Ratcliffe, who sold the Morley

defence a wonderful dummy on his way to the line. And when Morley were penalised for holding down Thornhill’s Dale Brooke capitalised on the next passage of play with a try of his own. In the closing stages Bendikas scored his second try of the game and this time Sam Ratcliffe converted. And on the brink of the full-time whistle Luke Haigh touched down for a try, which Sam Ratcliffe converted, to round off a dominant win over their experienced rivals. Trojans can now look forward to a round two tie on February 6. Tomorrow sees the Trojans travel to face Hull Dockers in the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup (2pm). Coach travel to the game is now full and fans with coach tickets are told to arrive at 11.15am for a departure before 11.30am from Overthorpe Park.

YOUTH RUGBY LEAGUE

Sharks second best Birstall BARLA Yorkshire Cup Final SHAW CROSS U-16 EAST HULL U16 at South Leeds Stadium

10 32

SHAW CROSS SHARKS Under-16s lost out 32-10 to East Hull in their BARLA Yorkshire Cup final. But despite the one-sided scoreline the Sharks youngsters put in a valiant display at South Leeds Stadium. After conceding an early try the Sharks responded well and hit back with a try of their own from Jack Duggan. Josh Pinder goaled to level the scores in the final. But missed chances to go ahead after

levelling the scores proved costly for Shaw Cross. They were punished when Hull touched down to give themselves a 14-6 half-time lead. George Stones impressed in the final thanks to his good tackling and covering as did Darren Cass and Tom Ashton. But it wasn’t enough to prevent Hull from extending their advantage. Pinder did show why he has been picked to play for the England youth squad after he skillfully broke through the Hull defence to score a fine try to narrow the scores at 20-10. But league champions East Hull finished strongly in the closing stages of the contest to round off a comfortable 32-10 win and lift the silverware.

Boys lift silverware BARLA Yorkshire Cup Final BATLEY BOYS U-12 KIPPAX WELFARE U-12 at South Leeds Stadium

20 18

BATLEY BOYS Under-12s overcame Kippax 20-18 in a thrilling BARLA Yorkshire Cup final. Batley almost went ahead early on but captain Bailey Aldridge was brought down close to the line. Batley continued to pressure the Kippax defence in the opening exchanges but the Boys were dealt a hammer blow when against the run of play Kippax touched down for a try in the corner. And with an almost identical try minutes later Kippax doubled their lead. The game was end to end and Batley were next to score through Levi Edwards who touched down under the posts. The score remained 8-4 at half-

time as both sides tightened up their defences as the first period progressed. But shortly after the interval Batley drew level with a second try for Edwards under the posts. Kippax heads went down despite Batley missing the conversion once again, but Edwards was in fine form and completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards with a converted try to put his side ahead for the first time. But Welfare bounced back strongly with two quick fire tries in the corner, one of which was converted, to make it 18-14 in Kippax’s favour. From the resulting kick-off Kippax were again putting pressure on the Batley defence but the Boys responded brilliantly through Edwards, who bagged his fourth try of the game late on. Aldridge added the extras to edge his side in front at 20-18. The Batley Boys held out in the final few minutes to clinch an historic win in a final which saw Edwards named man of the match for his four-try-haul.

Victoria kids showcase their talents BIRSTALL VICTORIA UNDER-11S fielded two teams in the Leeds Rhinos Foundation five-a-side touch rugby competition. The Birstall Victoria A team won all four of their matches, showcasing some brilliant skill along the way. Birstall’s B team meanwhile won one, drew two and lost one. The Victoria coaching staff were very impressed with the competition and the benefits it has had on their players. The teams Birstall fielded were made up of Harry Avis, Thomas Harrison, Cameron Stevens, Jack Mysak, Joe Hargreaves, Verne Capstick, Cohan Burnham, Harry Townsend, Aaron Kitchen and Brandon Hanson. The event proved to be a useful run-out for the youngsters who are currently preparing for the start of their 2016 Yorkshire Junior League season which kicks off in March.

Birstall Victoria players celebrate their winter five-a-side touch rugby competition success

ThePress

Friday January 29, 2016

RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH STATS: BATLEY BULLDOGS 31. Jonathan Tinker 2. Wayne Reittie 25. Zack McComb 23. Danny Cowling 22. Dave Scott 13. Pat Walker 7. Dom Brambani 15. Adam Gledhill 9. Luke Blake 8. Keegan Hirst 24. James Harrison 19. Alex Bretherton 17. Joe Chandler SUBS: 1. James Craven 2. Shaun Ainscough 4. Shaun Squires 3. Chris Ulugia 6. Cain Southernwood 18. Tom Lillicrop 20. Alistair Leak 21. James Brown 12. Sam Scott

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

Kear’s Bulldogs show reasons for optimism

6 6 6 6 7 8 8 6 6

Pre-season friendly

BATLEY BULLDOGS 36 NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 18 Michael Higginbottom at Mount Pleasant JOHN KEAR highlighted plenty of positive signs as Championship Batley avenged last year’s surprise pre-season defeat against League 1 North Wales, but conceded there was still work to do in the before they could claim to be ‘Leigh ready’.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 1. Tommy Johnson 2. Scott Turner 32. Earl Hurst 29. Mitch Cox 5. Rob Massam 30. Ryan Smith 7. Jamie Dallimore 8. Johnny Walker 14. Karl Ashall 16. Joe Burke 22. Alex Thompson 31. Luke Warburton 34. Danny Jones

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

SUBS: 12. Tommy Holland 35. Frank Halton 13. Danny Rasool 9. Andrew Oakden 26. Jack Hansen 3. Adam Sander 15. Lee Hudson 11. Elliot Liku

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

BATLEY BULLDOGS Tries: Cowling (23), Leak (39), Squires (42), Southernwood (44), Ulugia (59), D Scott (79). Goals: Walker 2/2, Brambani 4/4.

DEWSBURY RAMS Tries: Burke (9), Johnson (51), Rasool (73). Goals: Johnson 3/3. Ref: Dave Merrick / HT: 12-6 / Pens: 6-5 / Sin Bin: Dave Scott (Batley, 73, late challenge) / Sent Off: None / Man of the Match: Alistair Leak (Batley) / Attendance: 384.

Chris Ulugia in action for Batley against North Wales Crusaders John Miller Memory Mill Photography www.memorymill.co.uk

The Bulldogs ran in six tries to three in what transpired to be each club’s first hit-out of 2016 and Kear, whose side has one more warm-up against Hunslet this Sunday before the unenviable task of commencing their league campaign against the big spending Centurions, said: “We look as if we can score points but I want us to look like not conceding as many. “The three tries we conceded were pretty soft, the first, a kick, is your full-back’s job to tidy up, and the other two were edge defence wrong decisions which we shouldn’t be making. “But we have two weeks to get ready, we have progressed but we are not Leigh ready yet.” The Crusaders came across the Pennines prior to last season, conquering their higher division opponents 3020 and, 12 months on, with almost a dozen new faces in their squad, started as if they fancied a repeat. Batley, adding Joe Chandler, Luke Blake, Chris Ulugia and debutant James Harrison – son of former Bulldogs boss Karl - to the side which beat Dewsbury on Boxing Day, made much of the early running, but the vis-

itors went ahead with their first attack when Ryan Smith’s kick bounced for Joe Burke to touch down. Crusaders’ 2015 top scorer Tommy Johnson landed the first of two goals before Danny Cowling squeezed over in the corner and Pat Walker levelled the score with a fine touchline conversion. The diminutive cheerleaders acrobatically climbed on each others shoulders and raised their boards to spell ‘T-Y-R’ – some work needed there too! Just before half-time, the Bulldogs edged ahead when James Brown went close and the ever-industrious Alistair Leak was quickly in place to dive over from dummy half. As Kear shuffled his players and brought most of his expected starting line-up together for the start of the second half, Shaun Squires carried Leak’s pass over with his first touch of the ball and almost immediately Leak then created the chance for Sam Scott to put Cain Southernwood through for the Bulldogs’ fourth try. An incisive run from Mitch Cox enabled the supporting Johnson to stem the tide with a converted try, but Ulugia, with a diagonal dart following some quick handling, and Dave Scott, in the final minute, added further scores for the Bulldogs. The Welsh side refused to wilt and continued to compete manfully, with Ryan Smith opening the hosts up once more for Danny Rasool to score, Jamie Dallimore this time converting. For Batley, Dominic Brambani finished with four second half conversions after Pat Walker landed two before the break.

YOUTH RUGBY LEAGUE

Moor earn solid win Celtic youngsters win BARLA Yorkshire over tough Wortley Cup final in fine style Pennine League Div Four East

WORTLEY DRAGONS DEWSBURY MOOR

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at Dragons Lair DEWSBURY MOOR climbed the Pennine League Division Four East table after beating Wortley Dragons 24-14 away from home. Moor appear to have stumbled upon a winning mix of youth and experience as they overpowered their Leeds rivals in a game which threatened to boil over in the second half in what was a bad-tempered affair. But a youthful Maroons side, led by the experienced Chris Mortimer, Bartley O’Brian and Simon Whiteley, got off to a great start in the first half. A period of dominance resulted in Moor opening the scoring from a Cain Crotty touchdown. Cameron Adleigh goaled to give Moor a 6-0 lead.

Shortly afterwards the visitors doubled their tally thanks to an O’Brian try and Adleigh’s conversion. A momentary lapse in concentration from a rare attack from Wortley resulted in them scoring a try in the first half but the conversion was missed. Moor kept their heads up however and responded well by going down the other end and scoring their third try this time finished off by scrum-half Archie Bruce who latched onto an Adleigh chip over the Dragons’ defence to complete a well-worked move. Adleigh goaled. And before the break Bruce had time to double his tally for the game. Adleigh again accurate with the boot, which gave the away side an impressive 24-4 half-time lead. It proved a big enough lead for Moor to hold without adding further points to their tally. With downhill advantage in the

second half the home side had the upper hand. The Dragons bombarded the Moor defence with a strong kicking game, but the Maroons remained organised and defended well as a unit on the whole. But despite that Wortley did manage two tries and a conversion to narrow the score to 24-14 but Moor held on for a well-worked victory. The victory leapfrogs Dewsbury Moor above Wortley into fourth. Both teams are tied on eight points but the Maroons have a better goal difference and have played two game less than their Leeds counterparts. Next up for Moor’s Pennine League side is a trip to face Leeds Underdogs. And on Sunday (11.30am) Moor’s Under-18s play in the BARLA Yorkshire Cup Final against Skirlaugh at South Leeds Stadium where they hope to replicate the success of other local teams.

BARLA Yorkshire Cup Final

DEWSBURY CELTIC U-17 20 STANNINGLEY U-17 4 at South Leeds Stadium DEWSBURY CELTIC Under-17s clinched the BARLA Yorkshire Cup with a dominant 20-4 win over Stanningley. Brad Saville opened the scoring when he darted over the line for a try. Owen Smith converted. This was followed by another Celtic try scored by Smith, who touched down after completing a length of the pitch run for an unconverted try. Towards the end of the first half Stanningley started to pressurise the Celtic defence but their efforts came to nothing.

The second half began as the first ended with Stanningley on the front foot. But on the break Celtic scored a fine try through George Senior in the corner. Stanningley mustered an unconverted try shortly afterwards but they had too much work to do, and five minutes from time Joe Walton dived over the line to round of the scoring for Celtic in a fine performance for the Westtown outfit. Reece Borbely’s hard work earned him the man of the match award in what was a comfortable win for Dewsbury Celtic. Fittingly the parents of Ben Restall collected the trophy following their son’s passing. He was a member of the squad until his death last month.

INSIDE: Special focus on new Championship RL season p36-39

‘A step in the right direction’, says Kear By Joe Link Sports Reporter joe@thepressnews.co.uk

AFTER realising his team still needs to make substantial improvements ahead of their Championship opener against Leigh Centurions, Batley Bulldogs boss John Kear has been severely hampered in training this week due to the weather. Last Saturday’s friendly win over League One side North Wales Crusaders showed what Batley are capable of, but also demonstrated that they are a little rusty. “We lacked consistency and that is something we need to work on if we are to get off to a good start in the Championship this year,” said Kear. “As a group we learned a lot from the North Wales game but at 24-6 up we became sloppy and conceded needless points, something we need to improve quickly ahead of the Leigh game.” Ahead of the final warm-up game against Hunslet Hawks this Sunday Kear hoped to have been able to iron out some of their weaknesses that arose against North Wales. “In training we wanted to do some ball

work but the persistent wind hampered our session on Monday,” added Kear. “We have worked hard but training could have gone smoother. We have also been doing some structural work this week which should improve us for the Hunslet game.” Kear has now seen all his players out on the field in at least one warm-up game as he insisted all his players would get a run out in at least two matches. Only the injured Sean Hesketh has missed out. Brad Day is a doubt but is hoped to be fit enough to feature against Hunslet. A good pre-season campaign is vital for Batley as they prepare to face fulltime teams with bigger budgets in 2016, leading some critics to suggest that the Championship is no longer a fair fight. “It will be tough that’s for sure,” said Kear. “But we all knew the rules before we started so we can’t complain too much. “Obviously here at Batley we can’t compete with some teams in terms of spending but I feel we have recruited well and strengthened the squad considerably this off-season. “Bigger budgets mean better players and full-time teams obviously get more time to prepare for games, but we do very well with what we have here.”

Glenn Morrison demands a quick start to the 2016 Championship season from his Rams squad Steve Horsfall

Dave Scott was sin-binned against North Wales – something Batley can’t afford against Leigh Centurions John Miller, www.memorymill.co.uk

KEY PLAYERS ON BRINK OF DEWSBURY RAMS RETURN DEWSBURY RAMS boss Glenn Morrison is preparing his side for their final preseason outing as they welcome the London Broncos to Owl Lane on Sunday, before the Championship campaign kicks off with a trip to face newly promoted Swinton Lions a week later. The Swinton match is followed by games against Workington Town, Oldham and Whitehaven. This means the Rams have avoided teams who are realistically aiming for a top four finish in 2016, but Morrison believes that is not necessarily a positive. “Sometimes playing the top teams early is a good thing, they might not quite be up to full speed and that could mean on our day we would probably

get something out of the game,” said Morrison. “But as the weeks progress they obviously develop improve and gain confidence and by the time we meet them this season they’ll probably be at their best. “And knowing that makes it even more important for us to get off to a positive start. “We’re going to have get off to a good start, be sharp and be on our game otherwise we’ll have to be playing catch-up against really strong teams.” Morrison has been boosted by the news that new signings Tony Tonks and Ben Reynolds are on the brink of returning to action, along with second

row Scott Hale. The trio will face late fitness tests ahead of the Broncos clash in the hope they can play and prove to Morrison that they deserve a first team place when the season gets underway. Elsewhere, Swinton have altered the venue of the Rams’ Championship opener on Sunday February 7 (3pm). The Swinton v Dewsbury game was supposed to take place at Sedgley Park, but the Lions have failed to make the required improvements to their ground in order for it to meet the RFL’s minimum stadium standards for the Championship. This means the game will now take place at Salford Red Devils’ AJ Bell Stadium.