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ONE PAPER ... ALL THE NEWS from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Mirfield, Liversedge, Birstall, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton & Spen Valley

Friday March 8, 2019

No. 884

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Adama Sah, an Italian citizen, is visiting Dewsbury. He was walking through the town’s Crow Nest Park, ‘minding his own business’, when he was set upon by three men. One of the attackers slashed his face with a knife, scarring him for life. Now, no wonder, he’s....

SCARED TO LEAVE THE HOUSE Adama was slashed across the chin

By Zoë Shackleton News Reporter zoe@thepressnews.co.uk

A YOUNG man who was slashed across the face with a knife in a Dewsbury park is scared to go out of the house alone since the attack, according to his brother-in-law.

Michael Ramsden spoke to The Press following the vicious assault on 18year-old Adama Sah in Crow Nest Park last Tuesday.

Gambian-born Adama, who is visiting his sister – Michael’s wife – in Dewsbury Moor, was “minding his own business” walking through the

park at around 6pm when he was attacked from behind by a group of three male youths.

A description of the attackers is yet to be issued by police.

Adama has been living in Italy – he’s an Italian citizen – and Michael said: “He’s very very quiet and shy, he doesn’t speak to anybody unless they speak to him.

“All he says is that they were behind him walking and caught up to him.

“One said to him ‘are you alright mate?’ and then he turned round and they attacked him.

“He saw one of the lads slash out with the knife and he was then on the floor and they were kicking him.

“He managed to get up and run away, they were chasing him, but

The teen was treated overnight in hospital they gave up and he came straight home.”

Michael said Adama came to the door dripping with blood from a huge

gash on his chin. Michael dialled 999 straight away before he and his wife, Isa Tou, took Adama to Dewsbury and District Hospital.

He was then transferred to Pinderfields Hospital, where his cut was stitched. He is now recovering at Michael and Isa’s Dewsbury Moor home.

Michael said: “In a way, he was lucky it didn’t catch him a but further down on his neck.

“He hasn’t been out of the house since, only with me on Saturday.”

Adama is yet to make a formal statement. He has been in the country since December and is due to head back to Italy in May, but Michael said police want him to stay for as long as their investigations take.

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A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault in Crow Nest Park on Tuesday, February 26.

“Officers were called at around 6.21pm, when the victim was approached by three suspects who assaulted him.

“The victim sustained facial injuries, including a laceration to his chin which required hospital treatment.

“Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime reference 13190104924.”

The attack came as the government came under increased scrutiny

Continued on Page 2

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ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

Knife attack in Crow Nest Park Continued from page one

Deaths

22 at 1.15pm.

BROOK PETER KEDRIC

HELLIWELL NIGEL PAUL

Former director of Bom Engineering Ltd. On February 28, at Avery Mews Care Home, Heckmondwike, of Mirfield, aged 84, husband of Ann. Funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Tuesday March 26 at 2pm.

On February 15, at Pinderfields Hospital, of Cleckheaton, aged 60, husband of Susan.

Funeral service will take place at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Liversedge, on Monday March 11 at 2.30pm.

CRAWSHAW (NEE NEWSOME) JOSIE

On February 26, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home, Thornhill, formerly of Dewsbury, aged 92, wife of the late Ron. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday March 19 at 9.30am.

On February 16, peacefully at Croft House Care Home, Ossett, after a long illness, aged 90, wife of the late Ted. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 20 at 9.30am.

HALEY KATHLEEN MURIEL On February 12, at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, of Mirfield, aged 92, wife of the late Brian. Funeral service will take place at Trinity Methodist Church, Mirfield, on Friday March

LONEY TERRENCE PETER

NISILL DAVID JOHN

On February 13, at Moor Park House Care Home, Preston, formerly of Batley, aged 71, father of Trevor. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday March 27 at 12.30pm.

On February 19, in hospital, aged 65, partner of Michelle. Funeral service will take place at Thornhill Parish Church on Thursday March 14 at 1pm.

Place your family notices by calling 01924 470296

MALONEY John Francis

ILLINGWORTH INGRID LIA HELGA

On Tuesday, February 19th Peacefully at Manor Croft Nursing Home, Surrounded by his family and of Dewsbury Aged 72 years.

John, much loved husband of Colette, loving dad of Julia, Francis and the late Maria, a wonderful grandad and dear brother of Maureen.

John will be received into St Paulinus Church, Dewsbury on Monday, March 25th at 6.00pm.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 26th at 11.00am followed by cremation.

Donations in memory of John for the benefit of Manor Croft Residents Fund may be made on leaving the Church or sent to: Eric F. Box Funeral Directors, Bradford Road, Dewsbury, WF13 2EW. Tel: 01924 465402 R.I.P

JONES RAYMOND On March 1, peacefully after a short illness at Manorcroft, Earlsheaton, aged 71, son of the late Irene and Spencer.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday April 4 at 12.30pm.

Telephone 01924 472178

MARSHALL (NEE LISTER) PATRICIA ‘PAT’

BOLLANDS (BIRSTALL)

On February 25, peacefully at Fieldhead Court Nursing Home, Thornhill, of Thornhill Lees, aged 76, wife of the late Alan.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Wednesday April 3 at 12.30pm.

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SMITHSON (FORMERLY JUDGE) (NEE TRAINER) LUCY PATRICIA

fully at Fieldhead Park Care Home, of Mirfield, aged 103, wife of the late Rowland. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday March 25 at 9.30am.

and the late George.

Funeral service will take place at St John’s Church, Cleckheaton, on Monday March 18 at 12.30pm.

WALKER (FORMERLY DIXON) (NEE PHELPS) IRENE

On February 22, peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital, of Batley, aged 76, husband of Yvonne.

Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Thursday March 21 at 10.30am.

On February 23, in Ashcroft Nursing Home, Cleckheaton, aged 97, wife of the late Ronald

WIGHTMAN JOHN

Acknowledgement

WATSON Margaret

David, Caroline and George would like to convey their most grateful thanks to all relatives, many friends, neighbours and former business associates for the kind expressions of sympathy, flowers, cards and generous donations for the benefit of Dementia UK and The Priestley Care Home received following the sad loss of Margaret.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Eden Court, Birkenshaw for their care of Margaret in the last few days and special thanks to all the staff of the Priestley Care Home, Birstall for their care and friendship over the last 2 years To Fr Eamonn Hegarty for his visit, prayers and comfort at this sad time to Helen and staff of George Brooke Ltd., for their support with the funeral arrangements.

Finally, a note of thanks to everyone who attended the service this was much appreciated.

On February 26, peace-

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LOCAL election candidates from both Batley wards have been invited to tell residents about their plans at a public event next month.

The Batley Irish Democratic League Club was due to host a question-and-answer evening with MP Tracy Brabin, but officials have been unable to arrange it because of her parliamentary commitments.

Instead, organisers at the ‘Nash’ are giving council candidates for Batley West and East the chance to take the floor and inform residents what they have planned for the community if they were to be elected.

It’s also a chance for members of the public to ask the candidates questions.

A post on the Nash’s Facebook page read: “This is an open invitation to all candidates and the public to come and ask questions.”

It added: “The interest in the Batley West seat particularly is something that hasn’t been seen for a long time and members have expressed an interest in forming their own views via listening to what the candidates have to say and what they stand for.”

The event takes place at the club, on Churchfield Terrace, on Thursday April 4 at 7.30pm.

The Nash has asked for candidates who wish to attend to message them so they can update the public to let them know who will be attending.

A POPULAR pub in Dewsbury town centre has been put up for sale and is set to close.

The Time Piece, a branch of Wetherspoon on Northgate, will trade as normal until a buyer is found.

The pub employs 24 staff, but Wetherspoon bosses say they’ll try and transfer them to nearby premises.

A spokesman for the pub company said: “We can confirm that The Time Piece in Dewsbury has been put up for sale.

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The Nash set to host election event

Wetherspoons in Dewsbury to close

On February 25, peacefully in hospital, of Hanging Heaton, aged 85, mum of the late Michael. Funeral service will take place at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Tuesday April 2 at 11.30am. In her memory, please wear a touch of lilac.

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following a significant spike in knife crime across the country.

Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff: “I’m shocked and saddened by the horrific knife attack on a young man in Crow Nest Park last week which will be distressing for the whole community.

“The recent spike in knife crime around the country has been described by one police and crime commissioner as a ‘national emergency’ and comes as new NHS data released on Monday reflects a 93 per cent increase in the number of young people targeted by knives.

“We’re 21,000 police officers down since 2010 and youth services have been the victim of savage cuts.

“It’s disgraceful that the Prime Minster has had her head in the sand and her cabinet can’t agree on their policy over this desperately important issue.”

31 Branch Road Batley West Yorkshire WF17 5SB Tel: 01924 470296 Fax: 01924 472561

www.thepressnews.co.uk @ThePressLatest /ThePressNews Publisher: Danny Lockwood Editor: David Bentley Reporter: Zoë Shackleton Sports Reporter: Stephen Ibbetson Graphic Designer: Craig Moore Sales Manager: Lucy Tissiman Key Account Manager: Jo Gilbert Senior Sales Executive: Janet Black Office Manager: Angela Hall

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In the first instance, contact the editor, otherwise we will be happy to give details of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

If you notice a factual inaccuracy, please email news@thepressnews.co.uk.

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“We totally understand that our loyal customers and staff will be disappointed with this decision. “ H o w e v e r , Wetherspoon, does on occasion put some of its pubs for sale. It is a commercial decision taken by the company after long consideration.

“The pub will continue to trade as normal until a buyer is found.

“We have told our staff that if the pub is sold and they do not transfer to the purchaser, then we would look to redeploy our employees at other Wetherspoon pubs in the region.”

The chain pub hit the news earlier this year when a car crashed into the front of the building.

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

Woman held after student dies in crash

By Staff Reporters A WOMAN has been arrested after a man died when his car crashed into a ditch in Thornhill Lees.

Asad Hussain, a 22-year-old university student from Ravensthorpe, was driving on Forge Lane on Sunday when his silver Honda Civic came off the road.

Asad, who studied law at Birmingham University, was pronounced dead at the scene just after 12.50pm.

It is believed he was travelling home from a gym session.

The 23-year-old female was travelling in a second vehicle and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Forge Lane was closed in both directions late into the evening.

Coun Mussarat Pervaiz (Dewsbury West) was a close member of the dead man’s family.

She said: “His father is Ajib Hussain and his mother is Asia.

“They had three sons and

two daughters and Asad was the eldest.

“I understand he was in the car with his sister, Aroosa, and they were on their way back home after visiting a local gym.

“He was such a bright young lad and there are not enough words to say how we are all feeling at the moment.

All his friends are out crying in the street.

“His mother is originally from Birmingham and they have family down there, so it made sense for him to study there.

“He was a very kind-hearted young man and was raising money to do charity work in countries where poverty is extreme and was going to go out and dig some wells with his friends.

“The family were due to fly out to Pakistan next week for a wedding but instead they will be attending their son’s funeral service at the mosque on North Road, Ravensthorpe.”

West Yorkshire Police Inspector Darren Brown said: “At 12.53pm on Sunday,

March 3, police were called to a report of a vehicle which had come off the road and into a ditch at Forge Lane, Dewsbury.

“The vehicle was a silver Honda Civic. On police arrival, the 22-year-old male driver of the Civic was found to be deceased.

“A 20-year-old female passenger was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with minor injuries.

“A 23-year-old woman from a second vehicle has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The female is in custody.

“Police enquiries are continuing and we are appealing for witnesses to contact us on 101, quoting log no. 840 of March 3.”

A group of Asad’s friends have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to build a mosque in his memory.

They’ve already raised £1,800 towards a target of £6,000.

To donate, visit https://bit.ly/2XIatDh.

Picture: Najam Sheikh

3

News In Brief Security guards who beat dad avoid jail BATLEY: Security guards who assaulted a dad in front of his young son outside a burger restaurant in Batley have avoided jail.

Nadeem Yasin was queuing with his son outside Frankie’s Burgers on Bradford Road for a meet-and-greet event with Dubai-based YouTube personalities Mo Vlogs and Money Kicks on June 24 last year.

Huzaifa Khan, his brother Adnan Khan and Uwais Lakha punched and kicked the 38-yearold victim after he had been dragged to the ground.

A video clip of the incident was shared widely on social media and Frankie’s issued a statement saying that the trio were only employed temporarily for the event.

The two Khan brothers, of Wormalds View, Thornhill Lees, and Lakha, of Sefton Rise, Thornhill Lees, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, where they pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

They were all given 12-month community orders and will have to complete 40 hours of unpaid work. They must also pay the victim £50 each in compensation.

Drugs found in crash car after police chase

The car driven by Asad Hussain came to rest in a ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene

BIRSTALL: Two men were arrested in Birstall on Wednesday night following a police chase which ended in a car crash near the Pizza Hut car park. Officers found a large cache of class A drugs in the vehicle.

The smash happened at around 7.15pm and the driver of the silver Volkswagen Golf involved is believed to be unhurt.

A police spokesman said: “Last night, police stopped a car in Birstall as part of an arrest warrant. The car was stopped near the Pizza Hut car park in Birstall and two male occupants were arrested on drugs offences.

“A significant amount of class A drugs were seized from the car.”

Garlands Residential & Dementia VACANCIES Care Home AVAILABLE Life-savers... from left, Lynda Lyons of Birstall Central Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (BCTRA), Collette Hemingway, landlady of The Scotland pub, and Sandra and Ernest Free and Margaret Gill (all BCTRA)

Generous donations foot village’s bill for life-saving defibrillators

By Zoe Shackleton COMMUNITY-SPIRITED folk in Birstall have raised enough money for two more defibrillators in the village – with the help of a generous £1,000 donation from one resident.

Last summer, customers at The Scotland pub on Bradford Road raised funds to have a defibrillator fitted outside the premises in memory of one of their fellow regulars, Paul Brook.

Now more residents have come forward to put money in the pot for another two – one to be fitted at Birstall Library and the other at Birstall Cricket Club in Howden

Clough.

A donation of £600 from the Birstall Central Tenants’ and Residents’ Association was added to further fundraising efforts by customers and staff at The Scotland for the second defibrillator.

Then came a donation from local businessman Peter Kirby, who had seen the pub’s efforts on social media.

He got in touch with pub landlady Collette Hemingway to ask how much was needed for a third defibrillator – and he handed over the remaining £1,000.

Peter, who lives in Birstall and had a heart attack a few years ago, wanted to get one of

the life-saving machines installed in Howden Clough, where he grew up. He said: “It’s a big area of elderly people. I just thought, if we get one up there it’ll be bound to save someone’s life at some point. It’s for a great cause.

“I heard The Scotland were going for a third defibrillator, and I thought ‘let’s make it happen’. So I got in touch with Collette and gave her the rest of the money.”

Birstall Chamber of Trade vice chairman David Exley says his group are putting cash towards the running costs of the defibrillators and he is fitting them free of charge in the next few weeks.

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4

ThePress

News In Brief Armed robbers grab cash from bandits BATLEY: Armed robbers targeted a pub in Batley early last Friday morning and made off with cash from gambling machines.

The group of men, armed with crowbars, entered the Union Rooms Wetherspoons pub on Hick Lane at around 6.45am and threatened staff before fleeing.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said: “Staff are thankfully all okay but were shaken by the incident. The pub has since re-opened following investigations by the police.”

A police spokesman confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Kirklees CID via 101, referencing police log 2039 of March 1.

Third Age open day NORTH KIRKLEES: The Dewsbury and District Third Age group is holding an open day in the barn at Oakwell Hall on Sunday (March 10, noon-4pm) for anyone interested in joining the group.

The group is a charity aimed at over-50s who live in North Kirklees and the surrounding area. There are around 700 members who enjoy various classes from art and drawing to table tennis. For more information, visit www. dewsburydistrict3age.co.uk.

Man threw glass MIRFIELD: A man admitted throwing a glass bottle in a nightclub which injured a woman.

Joel Shaw, 21, of Westway, Mirfield, also broke a window and damaged a bar stool at the TBC club in Batley on August 4 last year, before damaging a police officer’s body-cam.

He pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to one count of unlawful wounding and three counts of damaging property and will be sentenced on March 26.

Please find Gwen...

NORTH KIRKLEES: A woman from Batley Carr is hoping to find a couple in the district before her birthday party in July.

Pat Yarnold wants to get in touch with Gwen and Paul Bragg. She used to work with Gwen at Soothill Manor before it closed down.

Anyone who might know the couple should ring The Press office on 01924 420296.

www.facebook.com/ThePressNews

Friday March 8, 2019

Fly-tippers collected rubbish for free and dumped it... now their van is on the tip!

TWO fly-tippers who operated a service collecting and disposing of people’s waste for free have been fined for dumping rubbish.

Nathan Wilson, 24, of Norman Drive, Mirfield, and Luke Wilkinson, 30, of Wormalds View, Thornhill Lees, were found guilty of two offences of fly-tipping.

The pair ran a service on Facebook called ‘Non Stop Removals’, offering to collect and get rid of people’s waste for free.

They used a red Mercedes Sprinter van to dump piles of rubbish, including sofas, mattresses

and household waste, at Ouzelwell Lane, Dewsbury and Liley Lane, Grange Moor.

Both must pay £585 in costs and charges. Wilson was ordered to carry out 36 hours at an attendance centre and Wilkinson was given a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work.

The van used to commit the offences was seized and destroyed by Kirklees Council.

Coun Naheed Mather, the council’s cabinet member for communities and environment, said: “We

won’t stand for such selfish behaviour and those who think it’s acceptable to dump rubbish in Kirklees will pay the price.

“Fly-tipping not only blights the appearance of our communities, it also comes at a cost to the taxpayer every time we have to clear it up.

“This is why we have a zero tolerances approach to such behaviour and destroying the vehicle used in this case sends out that message loud and clear.”

To report fly-tipping, go to www.kirklees.gov.uk.

Coun Naheed Mather at the tip with the fly-tippers’ van

Opposition councillors fume over Local Plan vote Tories: We were the victims of orchestrated political censorship

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter A FULL-BLOWN political row has erupted around the chaotic adoption of Kirklees Council’s controversial Local Plan.

Opposition Tories who believe they were effectively gagged from speaking at last Wednesday evening’s debate suspect they were victims of “orchestrated political censorship”.

They are calling on Kirklees chief executive Jacqui Gedman to explain why key elements of the discussion are missing from the council’s minutes.

There was pandemonium in the council chamber when Labour councillor Gulfam Asif suddenly called for the Local Plan to be put to the vote.

He was seconded by

Coun Carole Pattison (Lab, Greenhead).

But both Conservatives and Lib Dems argued that the debate should continue, as many ward members had not been given an opportunity to speak.

There followed chaotic scenes during which Mayor Gwen Lowe (Lab, Batley West), struggled to maintain decorum and council officers faced a challenge over whether the matter had been discussed sufficiently.

Now the council has come under fire for publishing minutes that some councillors claim are not a true record of the meeting.

Among those fighting for clarity is Coun Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield), who has complained to Ms Gedman following the uproarious exchange in

Huddersfield Town Hall.

“Coun Asif’s motion is not recorded in the minutes and, due to (Labour’s) poor behaviour, the member who seconded it is not recorded or heard on the webcast. Who was it?” asked Coun Bolt, who called the vote “a debacle”.

“Did the Leader [council leader Shabir Pandor] second the ‘chop’ motion, as it is not clear who did it on the webcast.

“If so, it is clearly an orchestrated political censorship of debate.”

He added: “I vehemently disagree with censorship.

“I also dispute the Mayor’s assertion that there had been sufficient debate as so few members had spoken and many wards had not had one speaker.

“The minutes are incor-

rect and published. It is unclear to the public who voted, and indeed who didn’t vote at all.”

A webcast of the meeting shows multiple attempts to take the recorded vote, which Coun Bolt described as “a farce”.

He said the “top table”, which included Ms Gedman and Julie Muscroft, service director (legal, governance and commissioning) had refused to accept members voting by responding to their names, which he said was a “legitimate right”.

He was backed by party colleague Coun Richard Smith (Con, Kirkburton), who has also written to Ms Gedman to express “deep concern”.

He described the vote to close the meeting early “an absolute affront to the dem-

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Given the Labour group’s majority, there was little doubt that the Local Plan would be adopted.

But fewer than a third of councillors were allowed to debate the issue before the “extraordinary” meeting of full council was cut short.

The move was described as “an appalling abuse of power” by Conservatives, with Labour accused of “bullyboy tactics” by Lib Dems.

The Local Plan was passed by a 33-23 vote, with three abstentions.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “Some concerns have been raised in relation to the Full Council meeting on February 27 and these are being dealt with in line with the correct council procedures.”

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Friday March 8, 2019

Kirklees wins crucial cash for homeless

Council leader celebrates ‘a monumental milestone’

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter

By Tony Earnshaw Local Democracy Reporter

KIRKLEES Council is one of three authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber sharing almost £370,000 of government cash earmarked for the homeless.

Councils can use the money to help people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to secure their own tenancy – such as paying deposits and the first month’s rent.

The money is part of a £100m Government strategy aimed at ending rough sleeping for good. It will be split between Kirklees, Barnsley and Bradford.

Kirklees’ share is around £120,000, which will be used to help vulnerable people make a home in properties they might otherwise not have been able to access and will focus on up to 400 households.

Local authorities can also bid for a share of up to £26m of ‘Rapid Rehousing Pathway’ funding for 2019/20, to pay for schemes that help those sleeping rough and struggling with mental health problems or substance abuse.

Meanwhile, government ministers are to meet mortgage providers, landlord associations and tenant groups, in the hope of clamping down on letting adverts which potentially discriminate against would-be tenants, with a view to stopping them altogether.

THE ADOPTION of Kirklees Council’s Local Plan has been described as “a monumental milestone” by council leader Shabir Pandor.

Coun Pandor (Lab, Batley West) took to video to celebrate the final stage in the planning blueprint’s journey and praised councillors and officers for achieving what no other authority in West Yorkshire has so far managed.

In a piece to camera filmed by the council’s PR team he said: “What this plan means is that we can now start to invest in our infrastructure and start a period of renewal.”

His comments were echoed

by Wakefield-based town planning consultant Adrian Spawforth, whose company has worked with the council

Artist’s impression of part of the vast Riverside development

and developer Miller Homes on the massive Dewsbury Riverside housing plan.

Around 4,000 homes are earmarked for the south Dewsbury site, which also spills over the border into Mirfield.

On social media Mr Spawforth wrote: “Fantastic news! We are delighted to see that the Kirklees Local Plan has been adopted with Dewsbury Riverside at South

Dewsbury being a significant Green Belt release and one of the region’s largest housing allocations.

“This exciting and important strategic development will provide c.4,000 new homes alongside a range of facilities which will provide significant community benefits and regeneration for Dewsbury.”

An order from the government, the Local Plan

MP’s constituency clean-up DEWSBURY MP Paula Sherriff has arranged a number of litterpicks around her constituency in support of this year’s Great British Spring Clean.

The national campaign is organised by Keep Britain Tidy and runs from Friday, March 22, to Tuesday, April 23.

Up to half-a-million people are expected to take part up and down the country, includ-

ing hundreds from North Kirklees.

Miss Sherriff said: “I’m calling on my fabulous constituents to come out and be ‘part of the pick’ with me on Saturday, March 30.

“I’ll be holding four litterpicks – in Mirfield, Dewsbury, Kirkburton and Denby Dale.”

For information, email on paula@paulasherriff.org.uk.”

includes 31,000 homes, many of which will have to be built within the green belt as there is insufficient nongreen belt land in the borough.

The Dewsbury Riverside site, between Mirfield and Ravensthorpe, will be created by Edinburgh-based housebuilder Miller Homes.

The 395-acre (160 hectare) site on fields and woodland represents the biggest housing estate in Kirklees in decades and equates to almost the size of a village like Honley.

It could create a whole new community, including three new schools, shops, a community centre, a health centre and some kind of woodland park.

Access roads would be built from Mirfield, Ravensthorpe and Thornhill Lees, effectively connecting the three areas together.

News In Brief Academy rated ‘good’ THORNHILL: Overthorpe C of E Academy has been rated “good” in all aspects by education officials.

Ofsted said the school on Edge Top Road in Thornhill “is improving rapidly” since the appointment of headteacher Matt Birkett.

The report said: “Together with competent senior leaders and governors, he has determinedly set the direction to improve pupils’ education and achievement.”

It also said “the quality of teaching and learning is strong” and “pupils are polite and wellmannered”.

But it urged the school to “improve pupils’ attendance, especially of disadvantaged pupils and those who are persistently absent”.

Trip to Narnia BATLEY: Pupils at Batley Girls’ High School are putting on a performance of the CS Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, on Thursday, March 28 at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Call 01924 350080 for ticket information.

NHS insight PROBUS: The next Thornhill Probus Club meeting is next Thursday (March 14).

Jeff Jacklin will give a talk on “Life in the NHS” at Thornhill Social Club on Overthorpe Road from 10am.

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Restoring honesty and democracy WONDER how the director and officer class of Kirklees Council sleep easy at night; how they salve their consciences of episodes like the gross abuse of democratic process they witnessed last week.

I

The cynical silencing of council chamber debate on the most controversial piece of business since Kirklees was founded in 1974 – on April 1, appropriately – by Labour boss Shabir Pandor and his stooge Gulfam Asif, and shamefully rubberstamped by the hapless Mayor Gwen Lowe, must surely have made chief executive Jacqui Gedman’s skin crawl.

No? Ms Gedman and her executive team really have gone native (pun fully intended) in enforcing third world, race-riven politics? It seems so.

Take your pick of topics

during Pandor’s disgraceful introduction to political leadership.

Sixty mostly Huddersfield men convicted or charged of mass rape-gang activities, with 55 from Dewsbury and Batley waiting in the wings?

‘Don’t look at us’ was the reaction of the long-serving Batley West councillor. ‘We’re not even discussing it – shove it to one side for someone else to deal with,’ was essentially his reaction.

At least we know why that serial cultural appeaser Adrian Lythgo – Gedman’s predecessor – jumped ship when he did.

But Pandor then went on the full race-card offensive when the halal scandal broke, smearing fine, upstanding citizens with his cheap and nasty slurs by way of once more trying to silence legitimate public concern.

And now this.

It was no surprise that Dewsbury South member Gulfam Asif was Pandor’s henchman on the night.

Asif is now in his third political incarnation having been elected a Tory, before smartly jumping ship to Labour then disappearing into the electoral wilderness for a while.

Suffice to reference one particularly laughable contribution of his as a councillor, explaining away a drugs gangs battle on the streets of Savile Town.

There was blood, snot and broken bodies which he ascribed to righteous local youths trying to keep their neighbourhood free from the taint of outsider drugs dealers.

Course it was, Gulfam.

I don’t know if there was a nod or a wink from his party boss Shabir Pandor signalling him to jump in and silence

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GUESS I need to answer the question raised by reader Paul Midgley in today’s Forum, given that I found myself unexpectedly in the media limelight at a recent public protest outside the BBC’s Media City HQ in Salford.

I’m certainly not a “cannibal from Amazonia” (sic) Paul, so I guess “a creature from outer space” will have to do. Certainly to the BBC’s top investigative (very much now discredited) journalist John Sweeney, a bloke born in Ravensthorpe and raised in Thornhill probably ticks that box.

I appeared on BBC Two’s Newsnight several times last year and after the first one, Sweeney came into the Green Room at Broadcasting House in London to share a beer.

I thought he seemed a decent chap, but then I thought the BBC was honest and impartial.

I was clearly wrong on both counts.

Sweeney has been heading up a Panorama investigation into the ‘colourful’ Tommy Robinson, but Robinson found out and turned the tables.

Sweeney and the extremist Hope Not Hate group seemingly tried to blackmail two of Robinson’s former staff before Sweeney spent £220 of your money on a boozy lunch, trying to get another ex-employee to dish the dirt – but the young woman was filming and recording the encounter.

Robinson then showed his own documentary, Panodrama, to a crowd of 8,000 at Media City. It makes for fascinating viewing (nearly 1.4 million views on YouTube – just google Panodrama).

As part of the counter punch it featured all

I

last week’s hot debate on the hugely divisive Local Plan, or perhaps they’d already agreed a suitable time to let members vent before shutting it down.

Readers will have seen what we call a ‘byline’ on stories in The Press by Tony Earnshaw, Local Democracy Reporter.

Tony is a highly-regarded journalist who is centrally funded to provide stories to regional newspapers and we’re delighted to have his services.

When he says he has never witnessed anything like last Wednesday night’s disgrace in 30 years, you know how bad things have got.

So, what to do?

In terms of the Local Plan there’s little to do, except maintain local opposition and hope to build the fight from within, which means via the ballot box.

But what is happening in this district, and indeed around the United Kingdom and specifically England, is far, far bigger than Kirklees Labour building their Shariatown project on the banks of the River Calder.

From Brexit betrayal to the race politics of local authorities like this, we’re in an existential fight for this nation’s soul. It’s that big.

And if you take the battle on folks – as Heavy Woollen Independents Paul Halloran and Aleks Lukic intend to at the local elections in May –

John Sweeney Wikipedia

sorts of cringing Sweeney indiscretions, one of which was saying he and a mate went into the BBC’s Green Room to gawp at the white, working class Lockwood, just as you would “a cannibal from Amazonia, or a creature from outer space.”

Nice.

Sweeney had a mutual BBC acquaintance phone me last week to say he was mocking the Beeb, not me – yeah right – and she also asked on behalf of Panorama’s producers if I’d contribute to what they’d apparently dubbed their ‘Tommy take-down’.

I’ve no idea what they think I could contribute anyway, but after recent experiences I’d eat my own face before trusting the BBC to so much as tell me the right time.

I gave her my ‘succinct’ reply, which she said she’d translate into BBC-speak for them, though I’d rather she didn’t. We creatures from outer space can have quite a way with Anglo Saxon profanities.

you’d better be prepared for the racial smears and the ‘far right’ insinuations of Labour’s rabid left attack dogs within Antifa and Momentum.

I fully understand that committed, long-serving Labour men and women will be concerned, angered even, by my broad-brush statements denigrating their onceproud party.

Hey, I grew up voting for proper local Labour stalwarts like Alf Ramsden, Marjorie Fisher and Jack Brooke and I believe they would spin in their graves at what has become of the movement they devoted their lives to, and the towns and communities they served.

What we are witnessing now is a rump of soft-touch Labour councillors happy to ride the coattails of cynical manipulators like Pandor.

The largely ethnic vote has built them what seems an unassailable power base across the district, behind which they can hide their inconvenient shame at scandals like young white girls being groomed, raped and trafficked, or non-Muslim British schoolchildren being deceived into eating meat slaughtered by barbaric means, in order to shove the fundamentalist agenda literally down their throats.

That takes us back to the Kirklees officer class, which for decades now has colluded in covering up electoral and

financial fraud – and been allowed to absolve itself of guilt, almost unbelievably – because the endemic fear of causing offence to Muslim communities is their go-to get out of jail free card. It stinks.

Don’t think for a moment that intellectually-limited individuals like Council leader Shabir Pandor direct or manage the Kirklees executive, at least not in the manner you imagine, or which I believe they should.

It’s the other way round – and right now they all pee in the same pot.

To combat the institutionalised failings of this organisation you require elected members of resolve, integrity and more importantly, real courage.

More than that, you need an electorate that can see beyond narrow party affiliations and recognise the need to drain this swamp.

That means following the ethnic-vote suit, getting off your backsides and uniting to elect people like Paul Halloran and Aleks Lukic.

It’s embarrassing in this age of the risible mantra of ‘community cohesion’ that people should be railroaded by the establishment into voting along ethnic lines in order to restore honesty and democracy – but we didn’t start this divisive game.

Only you can do it folks, and if you’re as disturbed by what’s going on as many people are, you will.

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

Share your opinions on £14m centre

By Zoe Shackleton RESIDENTS are being asked to share their views on plans for a new multimillion pound sports complex in the Spen Valley.

The £14m leisure centre is to be constructed on the site of the current Spenborough Pool in Liversedge, replacing its ageing facilities and those lost when Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre was knocked down in 2016.

Outline plans – including a new two-storey leisure centre, an eight-

lane 25m pool, a five-lane 20m activity pool, fitness suite, exercise and cycling studios – were approved by Kirklees Council’s cabinet in August last year.

Some £13.25m for the centre will be provided by Kirklees Council, with the remaining £750,000 provided by Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL).

Spenborough Pool, on Bradford Road, was opened in 1969 and is well used but the pool’s concrete structure is on an ‘at risk’ register due to an ageing water tank that could leak.

News In Brief Man killed in fall from M62 bridge

Dates and times for public engagement sessions are: Spenborough Pool, March 18-20 Monday 18, 4.30pm-6.30pm Tuesday 19, 4.30pm6.30pm Wednesday 20, 10am-12pm Heckmondwike Library, March 21-25 Over the past few months, the council and KAL have been working with community groups and others who will use the centre to make sure their feedback helps shape the plans.

Thursday 21, 3pm-5pm Monday 25, 10am-12pm Cleckheaton Library, March 26-28 Tuesday 26, 10am-12pm Tuesday 28, 3pm-5pm Mirfield Library, March 30-April 1 Saturday 30, 10am-12pm Monday 1, 1pm-3pm It’s now over to the public, with a number of dropin sessions organised to give residents the opportunity to view and comment on the plans.

The sessions will run between Monday, March

18, and Monday, April 1.

Following the two-week consultation, planning permission for the building will be sought.

Coun Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “It’s great to see the plans for this fantastic new centre. They really bring it to life.

“Whilst we have already consulted with a number of interested parties, the public engagement sessions are a great opportunity for local residents to look and feed back with their comments.”

Sergeant wins top national police award Families’ school delight A DEWSBURY police sergeant has been named Response Officer of the Year at a national awards ceremony.

Sgt Kierston Knott won the accolade at Tuesday’s Local Policing Conference, which celebrates police work around the country.

The Response Officer of the Year category recognises the skills, tenacity, courage and professionalism of response police officers.

Sgt Knott has the dual role of managing the

Dewsbury Neighbourhood Policing Team and also leading the North Kirklees Neighbourhood Proactive Team.

She has excelled in her

role and been described by top brass as a “truly outstanding officer”, with excellent leadership skills and quick thinking.

Notably, the North Kirklees Proactive Team recently located, arrested and charged a male suspect for the abduction of a four-yearold girl, as well as identifying him as the suspect in some unrelated assaults.

Sgt Knott said: “It was an honour to be nominated for this award and even more of a surprise to have won.”

ALMOST 96 per cent of families in Kirklees have been successfully matched to one of their preferred secondary schools.

Last Friday marked national offer day for secondary school places around the country, and 95.3 per cent of year seven applicants in Kirklees were celebrating being allocated a place at one of the schools stated as a preference on their application.

Over 5,500 children will be starting secondary

school in Kirklees in 2019, with 5,154 transferring from primary school to year seven and 350 moving into year nine from a middle school.

While the majority of parents in Kirklees were happy, 250 children didn’t secure a place at any of their three preferred schools.

Any parents who are unhappy with their offer can contact Kirklees Pupil Admissions on 01484 225007.

HARTSHEAD: A man who died after falling from a bridge over the M62 motorway near to Hartshead Moor Services has been named as Paul Robinson, 64, of Manor Street, Bradford.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at 2.04am on Wednesday, March 6, to reports of a concern for safety on the M62 near to Hartshead Moor.

“Emergency services attended and found a male deceased under the motorway bridge.

Road closures were in place until 6.19am whilst the scene was examined.

“It is not believed there are suspicious circumstances and a file has been passed to the coroner.”

Your chance to win a new Apple iPad KIRKLEES: The council is giving away three more iPads as part of their campaign to encourage more people to sign up for a My Kirklees Account.

Over half of householders in Kirklees are now using My Kirklees Account, where they have online access to a range of council services – but officials want even more people to sign up. Anyone who registers for an account before midnight on Tuesday, April 30, and links it to a council tax, rent or benefits account, as well as signing up for paperless billing, will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a new Apple iPad. Register at https://my.kirklees. gov.uk.

Cemetery clean-up BATLEY: The Cemetery Support Group is holding a litter-pick to tidy up the site before Mother’s Day. Volunteers meet at 9.30am tomorrow (Saturday) at the right-hand chapel on Cemetery Road and refreshments will be served after the tidy-up finishes at noon.

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Half-truths, urban myths and prejudice Following the controversial vote at Huddersfield Town Hall last week, where approval for a traveller site was made at the back of the Junction 27 Retail Park, a petition was quickly launched to try to stop the site being developed.

Thankfully, in my lifetime many of the old prejudices that I remember from the 1970s are just an historical footnote.

Sadly, prejudice against travellers remains as strong as ever.

Reading the comments about this potential traveller site on the petition and elsewhere was

Doom-mongers are wrong From: Colin Walshaw, Scholes “One way or another we will all die, probably at 0900 hours on March 30, gasping in agony … huge mutant fire-eating lobsters will invade the country as a result of Brexit … there will be no Mars Bars … flaming chunks of satellites will fall on our heads and kill us ... planes

Letter of the Week: Garry Kitchin, Batley depressing: “Horrible people.”

“We don’t want them! It’s as simple as that! They are detrimental to civilised society, and anybody with an ounce of common sense will know this!”

“This is not an appropriate place

can fly no further than Manchester … your homes will be worthless. There will be nothing to eat. And no lavatory rolls. But as there will be nothing to eat, we won’t need them.”

But seriously...

In the last few months of the Brexit negotiations it would seem we have repeatedly heard all the scare stories surrounding ‘just-in-time’ supply chains, and the scourge which Brexit will bring to big business.

Every day there seems to be

to put travellers. They lower house prices, break into houses and steal pets and anything not tied down.”

“Crime rates are one of the highest in the region already and evidence that some of this is from the existing traveller site nearby.”

a new story suggesting the UK would descend into misery and starvation should the current order be disrupted in any way.

Somehow leaving the economic institution of the EU will leave our business completely crippled.

This is what the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and other selfinterested big business groups are peddling to us.

Just like they told us the UK would fall into the economic abyss if we did not join the

Paula Sherriff, MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield

‘Politically speaking’ We need to ensure help is available AST week as part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, I was pleased to have the chance to provide the Shadow Mental Health response to a discussion on this important issue.

According to charity Beat, around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder.

Yet too often eating disorders are shrouded in stigma, so it was good to have an opportunity to both improve awareness and explore ways that we can better support those who are suffering.

We need to reduce the barriers to people seeking help in the first place and then make sure that the help is readily available.

The government’s commitment that by 2020, 95 per cent of children and young people referred with an eating disorder will be seen within one month – or one week if it is diagnosed as urgent – is very welcome.

But with 2020 now only just around the corner I am concerned that this will not be achieved or, even worse, that it will become another ‘fudge’ of figures whereby a patient gets a first appointment within the timescale, but any follow-up and effective treatment plans are still many months after referral.

What’s more, whilst this is all well and good for children and young people, there are still no clear plans for adults with eating disorders.

One local young woman, whose family have contacted me, was diag-

L

nosed with an eating disorder at 16 years old.

Due to the severity of her illness she was admitted to hospital for a lengthy stretch.

On release from hospital she was attending fortnightly appointments with an eating disorder specialist.

As her recovery was going well, my constituent decided that she would like to take up the offer of a university place in Manchester – seeing this as a positive step in her healing and a way of getting on with her life.

The local NHS trust that delivers mental health services in my area informed her that she would have to transfer over to Manchester’s adult services.

Neither my constituent nor her family thought too much about this, as it wasn’t raised in such a way that they could foresee any issues.

However, five months on and my constituent is still waiting for the handover to be completed and, sadly,

has suffered a serious relapse.

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident.

There are no specific waiting time targets for adult eating disorders and, with poorly-funded mental health services, many over-stretched mental health trusts are not able to put the necessary resources into these vital services.

As a result, treatment availability has become a hideous postcode lottery, with service access and levels of funding spent varying widely from one area to the next.

There is much to do to make sure that frontline eating disorder services are there to support people who need them.

Early diagnosis and fast access to the right treatments will help prevent people getting more unwell, save the NHS money, prevent hospital admission and save lives. This is what I’ll keep pressing for in Parliament.

As always, if there’s anything I can do to help you or your family on this issue, or any other, please don’t hesitate to contact my constituency office.

You can call 01924 565450, email, paula@paulasherriff.org.uk or write to Paula Sherriff MP, The Old Dewsbury Reporter Building, 17 Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HQ.

Paula

Half-truths, urban myths, lies and prejudice.

There are criminals among all groups in society, and travellers are no different.

Sure, some have probably caused anti-social behaviour (just like many of the teenagers who live on the Wilton Estate, smashing bus shelters, burning bins and tearing up the park on illegal motorbikes).

However, to tar the whole community with the same brush is nothing more than prejudice based on crude, out-dated stereo-

Euro back in 1992 – they were wrong then and they are wrong now.

In reality only five per cent of UK businesses trade with the EU. It is also true that many of these are large multinational companies which dominate bodies such as the CBI, have huge war chests which allow them to hire PR and lobbying firms to get their stories and agendas across to Government departments.

As a result, a World Trade Organisation ‘No Deal’ Brexit would in fact leave the majority of British businesses unaffected.

However, what we are seeing portrayed at the moment is, in fact, the lobbying of a few large and established businesses who don’t want to go through the process of changing how they trade with EU member states.

In their minds this is more important than the basic principles of what is best for Brexit Britain, such as taking back control of our sovereignty, not MPs, and protecting British workers.

What seems to have been forgotten or is ignored by much of the broadcast and some of the print media, is the existence of ‘just-in-time’ supply chains outside the EU. This is not a new phenomenon, they already exist across the world where there is not a supranational federalist body.

In order to supply the UK with all it needs, and trade with the rest of the world, we do not need to be inside this political EU ‘federalist’ project.

While there could be concerns if all supply lines to the UK were cut, and goods took days to cross borders, no-one is suggesting this is what will actually happen after Brexit.

Even the mayor of Calais the man responsible for the running of the port, has said that even in the situation of ‘No Deal’ lorries and cars will continue across the border as they do now.

In the event of a WTO ‘No Deal’ Brexit, the UK would be able to enter into Article 24 protocol of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

This states two countries – or members – can enter a special status, meaning current trade laws and tariffs would be applied for a reasonable amount of time, while new trade agreements are negotiat-

types.

If anyone described Muslims, Jews, Christians, or any other group with comments like the above, they would be utterly condemned far and wide for them, and possibly face prosecution.

However, it appears that travellers don’t seem to count. It seems anything is fair game when it comes to unpleasant and abusive comments aimed at travellers.

I really hope this petition fails, and Kirklees Council make decisions based on facts, not lies, distortions and general abuse.

ed. The WTO have already indicated they would be receptive to such an arrangement. This is, of course, barely mentioned by the media or big businesses currently benefitting by our EU membership.

We must be allowed to leave the EU properly – not tied into the restrictions of the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement, or even worse, the ‘Malthouse Compromise’ which would tie us into the transition period for three years instead of Mrs May’s two.

We would still be expected to pay huge sums of money to the EU, despite not being a member and, according to the House of Lords European Union Committee ruling as published on March 4 2017, having no legal obligation to do so.

We would also have to preserve the current level of trade tariffs, and would have no freedom to sign new trade deals with the rest of the world. This is the very opposite of ‘Taking Back Control’.

There is a whole real world outside the EU, and not simply a self-interested federalist project across the English Channel, seemingly determined to drain us of every penny they can get their hands on, only to give little in return.

Listening to both sides From: Paul Midgley, via email On Saturday February 23, I made a train journey to ‘the dark side’ in more ways than one...

I travelled to a Tommy Robinson rally in Lancashire.

A pleasant enough sunny trip from Mirfield Station to Manchester via train and then a slightly squeaky tram out to the massive Media City BBC buildings at Salford.

I’m a great believer in freedom of speech and having been shocked by what I had read in Tommy’s book ‘Enemy Of The State’ I was interested to hear what he said with regard to the BBC and his alleged slander by them.

I generally listen to both sides of any story and fact check it to come to some understanding of where the truth lies.

Tommy Robinson was saying

he believed the BBC were part of ‘The Establishment’ and/or ‘The Elite’ and were telling lies to discredit him.

At Media City, right outside the BBC, Tommy had erected a large stadium TV screen to show a film he had made to the assembled thousands who had traveled from all over the country.

These people seemed normal enough, couples, families, with some groups of lads treating the day like a Saturday Ale Trail out to Marsden (maybe they missed their stop).

With me having a general attitude of support for the underdog and the Davids over the Goliaths of this world, I felt it important to give Tommy Robinson the chance to put his case.

The film documentary he showed was about an hour long and called ‘Panodrama’, a simple search will find it on YouTube.

It was highly entertaining, principally because it turned the tables on the BBC’s Panorama, who were trying to do an exposé on Tommy Robinson with secret filming, but ended up having their preparations secretly filmed by Tommy Robinson’s friends.

The famously shouty Panorama reporter John Sweeney was then shown his own drunken attempts at getting a young lady ‘informer’ drunk (on over £200 of BBC expenses) while he appeared to make some racist, homophobic, and snobbish comments.

One of which was about The Press publisher and commentator Danny Lockwood!

The rally was peaceful and good-natured and my conversations with police officers on the way home revealed that there was no trouble and no arrests.

This was a pleasant surprise given previous reporting of ‘Tommy Robinson’ events over the years.

Last Friday I collected my copy of The Press with great anticipation and immediately turned to the Ed Lines page.

I was disappointed when I didn’t find Danny’s explanation of why as a white working class male he was neither a ‘cannibal’ or ‘a creature from outer space.’

Come on Danny, watch the ‘Panodrama’ film and do tell, are you cannibal or alien to the BBC elite?

ThePress

Friday March 1, 2019

Plan for a travellers’ site ‘will drive business away’

By David Bentley CONSERVATIVE councillors in Birstall say proposals to build a permanent travellers’ site close to the Junction 27 retail park will drive businesses away from the area.

The site, off Bankwood Way, forms part of Kirklees Council’s Local Plan, a development blueprint which was controversially adopted last week.

The land is close to the Showcase Cinema and the Centre 27 Business Park and could potentially host 20 caravan pitches for travellers to use.

Firms including the parent companies of both Showcase Cinema and the business park contested the idea during a public inquiry into the Local Plan.

Councillors Liz Smaje and Mark Thompson (Con, Birstall & Birkenshaw) also objected when the plan was approved at last week’s full council meeting.

There was uproar on social media in the days leading up to the official debate when some Birstall residents discovered the travellers’ site could be

built close to their homes and businesses.

A petition that in part asks Kirklees officials to revoke the decision has attracted almost 5,000 signatures since last Friday.

Other areas in North Kirklees identified by council planning officials but not chosen to host the site included plots near Laurel Drive in Batley; Raikes Lane in Birstall; Dale Lane in Heckmondwike; Windy Bank Lane in Hightown; Lees Hall Road in Thornhill Lees and Woodsome Drive in Mirfield.

The land at Bankwood Way is very close to Kirklees’ border with Leeds and is just a few minutes’ drive away from the only permanent travellers’ site in Leeds, at

The site near the Showcase Cinema, top right, earmarked for a travellers’ park Cottingley Springs, off the A62 Gelderd Road. Coun Smaje said this week: “Labour sought to justify thousands of new houses, blocked roads, oversubscribed schools and strained medical services on the grounds that they would encourage business and create prosperity for the whole borough.

No caravans but bags of rubbish A GROUP of travellers who set up camp in a Batley town centre car park have vacated the site – but left a large amount of rubbish.

Local environmental campaigner Paul Young spoke of his annoyance at the mess after he and a team of volunteers cleared up the New Way site just last year. He said he would report the issue to Kirklees.

Caravans arrived at the car park, behind the library and the RAFA club, almost two weeks ago and left on Wednesday following legal action from the council.

“That will not happen.

Junction 27 in Birstall contributes more business rates than all but one area in the whole of Kirklees.

“It generates more inward consumer spending than anywhere else, including Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

“The allocation of this land as a travellers’ site does not make any sense at all.

“By doing so, the Labour administration has completely ignored business and residents alike. This will drive businesses away.

“No case has been made for locating a site in Birstall, especially as one of the Leeds sites is just over two miles away and local Conservatives will fight any application that

may come forward.”

Coun Peter McBride, cabinet member for economy, said: “As part of the (Local Plan), we’re required by the Government to deliver provision for mixed and balanced communities and to allocate land to meet all housing needs.

This includes the needs of travellers.

“After careful consideration by the council and a government planning inspector, (Bankwood Way) is seen to be a suitable and appropriate site.

“However, full planning permission would first need to be sought, offering the public and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on any potential scheme.”

News In Brief Norristhorpe nursery rated ‘outstanding’ LIVERSEDGE: A nursery in Norristhorpe is celebrating being rated “outstanding” by Ofsted.

Inspectors visited Norristhorpe Playgroup, at the United Reformed Church, last month and found that it had improved from its previous “good” rating in 2016.

Ofsted’s report said: “The manager and staff are fully committed to providing the very best for all children.

“Staff are well qualified, passionate about their roles and extremely motivated.

“Children's behaviour is impeccable.

Staff are excellent role models and positively promote children’s good behaviour.”

Legend’s funeral NORTH KIRKLEES: The funeral details of former rugby league legend John Maloney have been confirmed.

A service will take place at St Paulinus RC Church, Dewsbury, on Tuesday, March 26 at 11am.

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News In Brief Man arrested after police car chase DEWSBURY: A man was arrested after crashing at a busy junction following a car chase with police through Dewsbury on Sunday morning.

The 31-year-old was chased by officers down School Lane before crashing at the junction with Heckmondwike Road.

A police spokesman said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and assault. He was released under investigation.”

Appeal for relatives DEWSBURY: Coroner’s officers are appealing for information to trace the relatives of John McManus, who has died aged 61.

Mr McManus, also known as Mac, died in Dewsbury on February 27. Officers believe he was from the Glasgow area and may have had a brother and sister, as well as two nieces, living in the Huddersfield area.

Anyone with information should call coroner’s officer Lynsey Atkinson (01274 373715).

Cadets at camp NORTH KIRKLEES: Sixteen air cadets from Mirfield, Batley and Dewsbury squadrons attended a residential camp at the Royal Air Force air cadets’ regional activity centre.

A flying training instructor showed them a Tucano aircraft used to train prospective jet pilots. They also trained on flight simulators and learned about combat flying.

Helping homeless NORTH KIRKLEES: The Batley Homeless Project, which helps homeless and vulnerable people, is holding a coffee morning and bake sale at their new premises on Bond Street, Dewsbury, on Saturday, March 30 (10.30am2.30pm).

Friday March 8, 2019

Farm estate plan for 127 new homes

By Staff Reporters UP TO 127 homes could be built on former green belt land in Birkenshaw.

Landowner Carlton Ives has submitted an outline planning application to turn the site at his Blue Hills Farm estate into residential dwellings.

The 3.5-hectare plot of land, off Whitehall Road West, has been reallocated from green belt to residential use following the formal adoption of Kirklees’ Local Plan last week.

A spokesman said: “The plan incorporates 39 oneand two-bedroomed apartments, together with 88 one-, two-, three- and fourbedroomed dwellings, 26 of which will be affordable homes incorporating six wheelchair-accessible bungalows.

“Discussions, designs and application details had already been formulated in conjunction with Kirklees as part of the pre-application process, which were received favourably by planning officers, subject to final details.”

The site neighbours Blue Hills Farm and is close to the M62 motorway and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters. It is bisected by overhead power lines.

Access to the development would be from an existing roundabout on

MP seeks crackdown on private parking firms DEWSBURY MP Paula Sherriff has called on the government to crack down on private parking firms.

She raised her concerns in Parliament after being contacted by a number of residents who have been unwittingly caught out and issued with large fines.

Questionable practices include hard-to-read signs, fines for entering a car park for a few seconds or being held up in a queue to get out, plus parking notices which mimic a police ticket or court document, or threats to use bailiffs to repossess cars.

Whitehall Road created for the nearby Whitehall 26 business park.

A public right of way would have to be diverted along the edge of the site for the scheme to go ahead.

Plans also include having an electric vehicle charging point at each home.

A design and access statement said: “The proposed apartments utilise the slope of the site to provide three levels of apartments broken down into two sections, with undercroft car parking to the rear to minimise the potential impact of the parking requirements.”

The planning application can be viewed on the Kirklees Council website, and residents have until Tuesday, March 26 to comment on the plans.

Miss Sherriff raised the issue with the Leader of the House of Commons and asked for a debate on how to tighten up legislation.

The minister said she was sympathetic and had challenged similar charges on behalf of her constituents.

A Private Member’s Bill that would introduce a code of practice for private car parks is currently pass-

Enjoying some curling and pancake making are Stanley Dorr, Holly Sheen (Sport Works), Kevin Walton, Mandy Ross, Nigel Parkinson, Maureen Sheard, Pam Long and Brenda Sunderland.

Centre members get active MEMBERS of a community centre in Dewsbury have been getting active by taking part in sporting sessions.

Sport Works – an organisation which provides sport and education services to local communities – has teamed up with the people at Howlands to provide weekly classes for adults with physical and mental disabilities.

Howlands is a charity providing care and support

to adults living with such disabilities through artbased activities.

They won funding from Sport England, which will help them provide activities such as chairobics, boccia, curling and mini-Olympics at the centre on School Street every Friday (1pm3pm) until the end of the year.

Contact Deborah Hall on 01924 463693 or email howlandcentre@aol.com for more information.

ing through parliament. It has gained widespread support but the effectiveness of the legislation will depend on the toughness of the code and how it is enforced.

Miss Sherriff added: “Unscrupulous private car parks are making a quick profit out of local people. It is wrong that drivers are being put through mental anguish due to the shocking practices of these

rogue companies. There has long been concern at the sharp practices used by private parking companies and my constituency staff and I do all we can to help local people who tell me they have been wrongly charged.

“Extortionate fines, poor signage, unreasonable terms and aggressive demands for payment are indefensible and should be outlawed.”

Law firm on the move Advertising Feature DEWSBURY’S best-known law firm, Jordans Solicitors, is on the move.

Established in the town in 1949 and now celebrating its 70th year, Jordans is moving 400 yards down Wellington Road from its offices in Neil Jordan House to number 7A. The new office opens on Monday (March 4) and will be located next door to another firm of Dewsbury professionals, Walter Dawson & Sons Accountants.

The move comes at a time when the legal services sector is undergoing change and progressive firms like Jordans look to reflect those changes in the services they offer to a discerning public, remaining committed to the communities in which they have always worked.

Jordans’ professionalism is evidenced by its attainment of the Law Society’s Lexcel Quality Mark, which is given to solicitors meeting the highest case management and customer care standards.

The firm is also a member of the Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme, as well as belonging to the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and Family Law Panels.

Perhaps the best evidence of the quality of Jordans’ legal services is provided by testimonials from satisfied clients, some of which can be seen on Jordans’ website at www.jordanssolicitors.co.uk.

One of the many testimoni-

Jordans managing partner Christine Sands

als reads: “All I can say is you did an amazing job and kept me informed and at ease. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

– from a criminal injuries compensation authority client.

Said Jordans managing partner, Christine Sands: “We will be sad to leave Neil Jordan House, which was opened by Lord King of British Airways fame in 1992 and is named after our founder and probably Dewsbury’s best-known solicitor, Neil Jordan, but the time is right to move to more modern premises where we can provide even better services for our clients in Dewsbury.

“It is a privilege to manage the firm Neil Jordan founded. He was a ground-breaking solicitor and a wartime hero, as he was one of the UK’s first bomb disposal experts of the Second World War. He was invalided out of the services after a German bomb went off close to him.

“We continue to follow his example in continuing to offer the very best legal services for our clients in areas as diverse as family law and mediation, wills and probate, personal injury claims including abuse cases, company and commercial property law, employment issues, professional negligence and criminal defence.

“This move has been prompted by our continued growth, such that we also have offices in Wakefield, North Leeds and Selby. The law never stands still and here at Jordans we are committed to making sure that everyone in the firm – partners, solicitors, paralegals and administrative staff – are fully trained and able to respond to the legal needs of our clients.

“We now look forward to welcoming those clients both new and old at our new offices at 7A Wellington Road, Dewsbury, from March 4.”

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

Parish priest Gordon Newton with Spen Valley AMA president Arif Ahmad

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News In Brief Open day could be a regular occurrence NORTH KIRKLEES: Over 100 people from different backgrounds and religions joined together to learn more about Islam at an open day last week.

Volunteers at the Daril Ilm Mosque in Thornhill Lees extended an open invite to local residents as part of the nationwide Visit My Mosque Day on Sunday (March 3).

Organiser Sheikh Irfan Soni said: “It was really good … It’s something we’d like to put on more regularly and help other mosques do the same.”

www.facebook.com/ThePressNews

Good neighbours SIX LANE ENDS THE Spen Valley branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association held their first open day at the Baitul Atta Mosque in Staincliffe.

More than 30 local residents attended the event which was held as part of the nationwide Visit My Mosque Day initiative to help pro-

mote understanding, unity and tolerance between Muslim communities and their neighbours.

Spen Valley Ahmadiyya Muslim Association president Arif Ahmad said he was delighted that so many guests had taken time to visit the mosque, on Garnett Street.

“The feedback from the guests was very positive as they were given a tour of the mosque and watched the Ahmadiyya Muslims pray,” he said.

“Questions from the guests were encouraged and refreshments were served to all who attended.”

Grand milestone for hospice lotto THE KIRKWOOD Hospice Lottery has hit a huge milestone in reaching its 1,000th draw.

Lottery manager Dawn Walker, who is from Mirfield, had the honour of drawing the lottery for an historic 1,000th time last Friday.

Dawn has worked as the lottery manager for nearly two decades, first launching ‘The 2000 Club’ lottery in January, 2000. Since then the lottery membership has risen from 1,000 players to 12,200 in 2019. In that

time, weekly players have helped raise over £5.2million for patient care at the hospice.

“Things have a changed a lot over the years,” said Dawn of her time with the hospice.

“When the 2000 Club was launched, we had around 1,000 members. We now have over 12,000 so it’s completely different today. The job is huge!

To think all that time ago that we would be sat here today having raised over £5million for

Kirkwood would have seemed crazy.”

The Kirkwood Lottery is an integral part of the charity’s fundraising efforts. Last year saw regular players raise £684,266 to care for people in Kirklees affected by any life-limiting illness.

Players can win £1,000 in cash prizes every week, including a £750 jackpot – and it costs as little as £4.34 a month. Visit www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk/ lottery to join.

IF THE THOUGHT of completely refitting your kitchen seems impossible at the moment due to time and money constraints, you may want to consider the benefits of simply replacing your kitchen doors, plinths, drawer fronts and accessories.

This simple job can transform your kitchen from an old and tired looking room, into something sleek and modern which you will be proud to show off.

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We can also create bespoke, personalised kitchen doors that are customised to fit your specific needs; from the colouring to the finer details.

Furthermore, there are numerous advantages to our service, such as: • Less Money - Our service can save you up to 50 per cent in comparison to that of a fully refitted kitchen.

• Less Time - A Dream Doors door swap can be installed in only a couple of days.

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From your initial contact with Dream Doors you will have full confidence in our ability to not only provide excellent products and services but have your mind opened to the opportunities of what we can do in the kitchen space provided.

Perhaps you have mobility restrictions and need a kitchen adapted to your exact needs?

This is no problem for us as we are specialists in this area of expertise.

Managing director of Dream Doors, Richard will personally visit you at home to discuss your requirements and take any measurements.

Your choices and ideas will be listened to in detail and samples shown to you, helping you to visualise your new kitchen.

You may also wish to visit our showroom where you can see sample kitchens, before and after client photos and get a feel for our exquisite craftsmanship.

From this point we will provide a full and detailed quotation to you and discuss availability.

If you are looking to update your kitchen this new year, then we welcome your enquiries.

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Friday March 8, 2019

News In Brief Wage increase for council apprentices KIRKLEES Council looks set to increase wages for apprentices.

The council will later this month consider its annual Pay Policy, which includes an increase in the hourly rate of pay for apprentices from the current £3.70-£7.70 for Year 1 and £4.20-£8.21 in Year 2.

Changes will be introduced from April 1 and will be paid to all apprentices regardless of their age.

Coun Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “As a council we’re committed to making sure Kirklees is a place where everyone can succeed and reach their potential and apprenticeships are a fantastic way of doing that. So it’s only right that we make sure it pays fairly.

“As well as paying our apprentices fairly, we also provide significant investment in developing them to be the best citizens they can be. Our unique personal development programme helps apprentices to develop, stretch and reflect on their thinking and skills so that they can make a rich contribution to wider society as citizens of Kirklees as well as being able to build a successful career.

“I would encourage our young people to strongly consider an apprenticeship as an option. The university or higher education route is not the right path for everyone and the high quality apprenticeships we offer, in a large number of different professions, are a fantastic alternative.”

To learn more about apprenticeships, visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/apprenticeships/b ecoming-an-apprentice.aspx.

First responders plea NORTH KIRKLEES: Yorkshire Ambulance Service is calling for new volunteers to become Community First Responders (CFRs) in Dewsbury, Batley and Ossett.

CFRs attend medical emergencies in their community and provide vital care, comfort and reassurance in the moments before an ambulance arrives. They are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and carry an automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen, as well as basic first aid equipment.

No previous medical experience is required.

To find out more, email jamie.yasresponder@gmail.com.

Throughout 2019 local historian Mike Popplewell will be searching through his newspaper collection from the 1920s and 30s for some of the biggest headlines from home and abroad – while also taking a look at stories making the news in our own district. Readers are welcome to provide feedback if any of these features are remembered personally, or you can recall being told them by an earlier generation.

Local trailblazers in the quest for equality HIS SERIES of articles, focusing on life between the wars, has noted some of the remarkable developments in our society during the 1920s and, on this International Women’s Day, it is fitting that we take a look again at the issue of votes for women.

T

The film ‘Suffragette’ was shown on TV last week, and the end credits noted the dates that countries around the world gave women the right to vote.

In Britain’s case equal rights for both men and women aged 21 came in 1928 with the passing of the Representation of the People Act. With the likes of Elizabeth Peacock, Ann Taylor, Paula Sherriff, Tracy Brabin and the late Jo Cox, we have come to accept women MPs as a ‘norm’ in North Kirklees.

But when Baroness Lockwood of Dewsbury was born the hundreds of thousands of women in Britain under 30 who had kept the wheels of industry turning throughout the Great War were still denied the vote.

Betty, now aged 95, never became an MP but she was a Labour activist, campaigning for equal opportunities, and sat in the House of Lords until her retirement in 2017.

Having been part of a team caring for a relative of hers, in one of the district’s care homes, I had the privilege of meeting Betty and, despite her elevated position in society as a peer, she was as down to earth and totally approachable as you would expect from her working class background and egalitarian philosophy.

This Betty was only four years old when the Representation of the People Act was

Baroness Betty Boothroyd

passed, but the changing society prepared the way for her later political involvement, as it did for another of the district’s famous Bettys, one Baroness Boothroyd of Sandwell in the West Midlands.

Betty Boothroyd was the daughter of a textile worker and rose to prominence, having turned her back on life as a professional dancer with the famous Tiller Girls, by becoming the first, and so far only, female Speaker of the House of Commons, having served as an MP in West Bromwich.

The newly-passed Act was only 15 months old when Betty Boothroyd was born in October 1929, but the inclusion, four months earlier, of women aged 21-29 in the voting process had helped Ramsey MacDonald return to power as a Labour Prime Minister in a hung Parliament.

It was the inclusion of the newly-enfranchised women that gave this poll the sobriquet of the ‘Flappers Election’, which begs the

Elizabeth Peacock question of just how much equality the women had actually gained.

Just how was the word ‘Flapper’ generally used? Was it in the form of a disguised insult, ‘A fashionable young woman intent on enjoying herself and flouting conventional standards of behaviour’, or a compliment, ‘a fashionable young woman, especially one showing independent behaviour’.

Both are dictionary explanations, but either way it does seem a little sexist, by today’s standards, to name a serious political occasion after the dress and lifestyle of the nation’s young women.

After all, Ramsey MacDonald’s first Labour Government in 1924 didn’t come about as a result of a ‘Flat Cap and Clogs Election’ - or any such like depiction of the working class male voters.

But this was certainly a start, a step forward for women in their ongoing quest for equality.

Jenny’s running marathon for great cause

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AN EARLSHEATON mum is donning her running shoes to take on the London Marathon next month in aid of charity.

Jenny Cooper says she’s ‘far from a veteran runner’ – but signed up for the 26-mile challenge to raise money for Daniel Yorath House, a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) service.

The 31-year-old has a young toddler and is coupling marathon training with her job as an occupational therapist.

Her last running challenge was a ‘couch to 5k’ last year.

Jenny said: “I’ve never imagined myself to be a runner, so imagine my

surprise when at my work’s 10-year anniversary bash I merrily rocked up to Hayley (Wicker-Bradbury, fundraising manager at BIRT) to offer my services as one of their runners for the London Marathon.

“Imagine my even greater surprise when I was chosen to run as one of their coveted six charity places.

However, I think I have such a worthy cause to do it for.”

Daniel Yorath House is a specialist neurobehavioural rehabilitation centre in Leeds for people with acquired brain injuries.

To sponsor Jenny, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jenny-cooper13.

LATEST PLANNING APPLICATIONS S Rossiter, single-storey front extension, 11 Lyndale Mews, Dewsbury.

Mr & Mrs Evans, single-storey front extension, raised decking to rear and alterations, 21 Highmoor Lane, Hartshead Moor.

Mr & Mrs Makin, re-use footprint of former warehouse for secure external storage, Greenhill Mills, Grange Road, Batley.

Mr Ives, outline application for the erection of up to 127 dwellings, with details of access, land at Blue Hills Farm, Whitehall Road West, Birkenshaw.

R Bham, front, side and rear extensions, 10 Ebury Close, Batley.

A Scargill, two-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension and rear dormer, 19 Staincliffe Road, Dewsbury.

L Brown, change of use from carpet showroom to nursery/out of

school club, 21-23a Leeds Road, Liversedge.

Accept Properties Ltd, change of use and alterations to convert 1st and 2nd floors to 4 apartments and alterations to elevations at ground floor level, 2 Oldfield Lane, Heckmondwike.

Mr & Mrs S Hussain, singlestorey extensions to side and rear and increasing size of existing dormer window, 3 Byron Grove, Dewsbury Moor.

Thornfield Development, variation conditions 2 (plans), 3 (materials) and 10 (boundaries) on previous permission 2015/93238 for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 5 detached dwellings with associated site works, 40 Prospect Lane, Birkenshaw.

M Spencer, demolition of existing bungalow and erection of detached dwelling, The Bungalow, 294B

Soothill Lane, Soothill.

CDS (Superstores International) Ltd, formation of mezzanine floor for retail sales, storage and ancillary cafe, Unit 1, Birstall Shopping Park, Holden Ing Way, Birstall.

D Lawrie, erection of agricultural building, Wilson House Farm, Briestfield Road, Dewsbury.

D Sage, two-storey side and single-storey front and rear extension, 14 Kirk Close, Chickenley.

A Hainsworth, detached dwelling, adjacent to 28 Cornmill Lane, Liversedge.

A Ijaz, two-storey side and single and two-storey rear extension, 17 Hill Top Estate, Heckmondwike.

L Adams, the proposal is for erection of single-storey rear extension.

The extension projects 4m beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse. The maximum height of the extension is 4m, the

height of the eaves of the extension is 2.6m, 2 South View Drive, East Bierley.

Mr & Mrs S Lowthian, two-storey rear extension, 287 Huddersfield Road, Scout Hill.

I Hussain, single-storey rear extension and detached garden room, 48 New North Road, Heckmondwike.

WHP Wilkinson Helsby, telecommunication notification for the prior approval of details for the upgrade of telecommunications apparatus, Latham Poultry Farm, Latham Lane, Gomersal.

R Girling, variation condition 2 (plans and specifications) on previous permission 2018/91778 for demolition of existing buildings, erection of two detached dwellings and extension of existing vehicular access, 63 Gomersal Lane, Gomersal.

Friday March 8, 2019

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Friday March 8, 2019

Ramblers’ corner FORTHCOMING walks with the North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers – non-members are always welcome. Please call the walk leader for more details.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13 FROM HARTSHEAD Meet at 11am at Hartshead Parish Church (WF15 8EU, SE178233) 4 miles – moderate Contact: Jim 01924 469700 janderegan@hotmail.co.uk

Writing and tai chi at Hall

Mercury rising SPEN VALLEY Historical Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday March 13, when David Thornton will give a talk on the Life of Edward Baines – Mr Mercury 1774-1849.

Meetings are held in the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, starting at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7.15pm.

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

FOR THOSE who enjoy writing and the great outdoors, Oakwell Hall Country Park is the place to be on Sunday March 17.

Les Hughes, a former journalist and lecturer at Leeds University, is running a creative writing session that will use the country park and its gardens as inspiration to put pen to paper.

“I’ll try to get folks to find ideas, moods and keywords sparked by being outside in the wonderful setting of Oakwell Hall Park and gardens and weave them into prose or poetry.

“Whether we work as a group or individuals will depend on levels of skill, confidence and experience,” explained Les. The creative writing will be in a relaxed setting around a campfire. Participants are asked to bring a notepad and pen to write down their thoughts. The session will be from 2pm to 4pm and costs £5 per person. Call 01924 324761.

Then, the following week, Les Hughes is also offering an opportunity to find out more about the popular activity of tai chi with an introduction session at Oakwell on Sunday March 24.

Oakwell’s two-hour session is being run by tai chi practitioner Les Hughes who will introduce participants to the philosophy of tai chi, some basic exercises and meditation before moving onto the 24-movement Yang style of tai chi.

The session will be from 10am to 12noon on the rear lawn of Oakwell Hall. The cost is £5 per person. Places must be booked in advance at the Visitor Centre shop or by calling 01924 324761.

Hepworth walk RAMBLERS: Dewsbury and District Ramblers enjoyed two walks in the past week, one on Saturday through the nearby village of Netherton and the following day from Cononley to Cowling Hill and Lothersdale.

Ramblers are invited to meet Margaret Mitchell at Link Road tomorrow (Saturday, 9.30am) for a walk in Hepworth.

Swinging YOU can dance the night away at Millbridge WMC, with music from Eddie Martell and the Ronnie Bottomley Quartet on the third Tuesday of every month.

You can listen and dance to songs from the swing era and the Great American Songbook.

The music at Millbridge club, on Bennett Street in Liversedge, starts at 8.15pm on Tuesday, March 19, and admission is £3.50.

Call 01924 402696 for more details.

SATURDAY MARCH 16 WAIT AND SEE Meet at 10.30am at Farnley Hall Park, Hall Lane, Leeds (LS12 5HA, SE247323) 8 miles – moderate Contact: Eddie and Andrea 01924 470091

Discover secrets Plenty going on behind the scenes YOU CAN take a peep behind the scenes at Bagshaw Museum in Batley this weekend and discover everything there is to know about the stunning Victorian Gothic mansion.

Guided tours at 1pm and 2.30pm on Sunday will reveal more about the

story of how it started life as a family home, became an unwanted building and was then saved by the local council and turned into a much-loved museum.

And they will explain why the building has had three different names since being built in the 1870s.

The tours last approximately 45

Overcoming inhibitions – and two left feet – to step out in style with Players HECKMONDWIKE Players are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year and, to mark the occasion, are staging the hit comedy ‘Stepping Out’ by Richard Harris.

• Get your local event featured on our Life and Leisure page by emailing news@ thepressnews.co.uk •

The popular play follows the endeavours of a group of enthusiastic, but not particularly talented, amateurs trying to overcome their inhibitions and two left feet, by joining tap dance classes in the local village hall.

Mavis, a former professional chorus girl (played in the film version by Liza Minelli), tries her hardest to teach the bumbling amateurs the routines for an upcoming production.

Along the way, however, there are several minor dramas to be addressed.

Heckmondwike Players will perform Stepping Out at the Comrades Club on Regent Street from Wednesday March 20 until Saturday March 23. Tickets priced £9 (£7 concessions) are available from members, by calling 07816 284841 or online at www.ticket source.co.uk/heckmondwike players.

minutes and are family-friendly. They are free and places can be booked on the day at the museum’s reception desk.

The next tours will be on Sunday April 7, also at 1pm and 2.30pm.

For more information contact Bagshaw Museum in Wilton Park on 01924 324765.

BATLEY Older People’s Centre has a number of activities planned next week.

On Monday (March 11), there is the popular Movement and Games group at the centre on Upper Commercial Street (10.30am-noon).

On Wednesday there’s a Speaker’s Corner meeting, and this month’s talk is on local transport with Erica Ward from West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The event runs from 12.30pm to 2pm – bring a packed lunch.

On Thursday, the Lunch Club meets from 11.30pm to 1pm – pre-booking is essential.

For details on any activities call 01924 446100.

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

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Friday March 8, 2019

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Friday March 8, 2019

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Public Notices

19

20

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

Marketplace Stars launch new campaign CYCLE SPEEDWAY

Turn your unwanted items

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

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

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

ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. (We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in Marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

NEW Brother Industrial sewing machine on new flatbed table.

Good working condition, £200 ono.

Tel 07510 323053 (after 3pm). (2359) Indoor small rabbit/guinea pig cage, includes feeding dishes and bedroom. Size 100cm L x 50cm W x 33cm H. £10. Tel 01924 468509.

(2360) Faux leather chaise longue, beige colour. Like new, £50. Tel 01924 453932.

(2361) Reliant Robin spare parts for sale. Various items from clutch cables to gearboxes, starters, doors, bumpers etc. Tel 07414 297858 for more details.

(2362) 1970s/80s teak HMV radio/stereogram. 54ins L x 19ins W x 23ins H. As new, £40 ono.

Tel 01924 518776.

(2363) ANIMAL GOODS Western saddle, cob size. Black leather with suede seat.

Hardly used.

Complete with saddle pad, £50. Tel 07758 609661. (2358) DIY Mono super 140watt stick welder plus some rods, £30 ono.

Tel 01924 430088.

(2343)

Metal tool box, red with keys. Four drawers. Full of engineering tools, £110 ono. Tel 01924 430088. (2343) FURNITURE Nest of three tables, dark wood. Good condition, £10. Tel 07548 798908. (2354) CD rack, dark wood.

Takes approx 80 CDs. 42 inches high.

Very good condition, £5. Tel 07548 798908. (2354) All wood table with centre leaf, 47” L x 95” W x 30” H, £75.

Tel 01484 656666.

(2352) Leather three-seater reclining sofa.

Burgundy colour.

Very good condition, £150. Tel 01484 656666. (2352) Mahogany inlaid dining table, £25 ono.

Tel 01924 402931.

(2342) HOUSEHOLD New portable gas heater on wheels.

Size 720mm x 420mm x 330mm.

Includes hose and connectors for propane and butane gas. Three heat settings. £55 ovno. Tel 07925 944885. (2351) Dehumidifier for sale. Good condition £55. Tel 07816 132472. (2345) KITCHEN/DINING George Foreman grilling machine. Like new, hardly used, £10. Tel 01924

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ITEM bands

Cost per item

Up to £7: £8 - £25: £26 - £50 £51- £100 £101-£200 £201-£500 £501-£1450 £1,451 plus 477122. (2356) Royal Doulton set of four display plates featuring different cats.

With certificate of authenticity. Make a lovely gift, £25. Tel 07925 127198. (2350) Kenwood Mixer (small) with liquidiser and other tools, (£90 in Argos) sell £40 ono. Tel 01924 430088 (2343).

MOBILITY Four-wheel Rollator disability aid, never used. Cost £95, will accept £40. Tel 07931 003053. (2357) Disability aid – raised toilet seat with safety handles.

As new, cost £50, will accept £20.

Tel 07931 003053.

(2357) Disability aid – kidney-shaped over armchair dining table. As new, cost £120, will accept £50. Tel 07931 003053. (2357) Eden Mobility scoot-

£1 £2 £3 £4 £5 £7 £9 £11

er, red with chrome bumper. Anti tip wheels, swivel seat for easy getting on/off.

Battery replaced 2018 but little used.

Excellent condition.

Cost over £1,500, will accept £650. Tel 01274 871098. (2349) MUSICAL Reynolds USA good quality tenor trombone, in original quality case with Reynolds logo.

Serial no 237455.

The gold lacquer shows signs of normal wear which does not affect the playing.

No plate loss on inner slide legs, comes with original mouthpiece no 3. £120. Tel 01924 477016. (2355) Small violin and bow in case, £25. Tel 01924 402931. (2353) PET GOODS Pets at Home rabbit playpen. Use inside or out, 35 inch x 20 inch, £6.

Tel 07925 127198.

(2350)

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

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

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

ADVERTS must be no longer than 50 words. (We cannot accept the following items: Motor vehicles, caravans, livestock. All listings will stay in Marketplace for a maximum of two months. If you wish to amend your listing, or cancel when sold, contact or call 01924 470296.

GET ACTIVE: Laura Watson, Justin Naylor, Aafaq Butt, Coun Vivienne Kendrick, Coun Steve Hall, Rehanna Tailor, Margaret Sheard, Ian Johnson, Frank Auffret, David Helmsley (kneeling) at the launch TWO FORMER world champions were on hand to help launch Heckmondwike Cycle Speedway Club’s ‘Get Active’ recruitment campaign last weekend.

Laura Watson and David Helmsley, who have both won many top honours including world titles, were at the Firth Park track in support of Kirklees councillors and officials to launch the ‘Try it, Like it, Do it’ project.

The scheme is all part of Kirklees Council’s drive to encourage people of all ages to take up an active and healthy lifestyle.

As part of the initiative, and aimed at providing opportunities for both younger people and adults to get into sport, Heckmondwike Cycle

Speedway Club will be running free coaching sessions each Saturday morning from April 6.

Sessions for youngsters from the age of seven to 16 are from 10.30am until 11.30am, followed by sessions open to everyone over 16 from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Participants will receive full coaching in all aspects of the sport including fitness training.

Club administrator Justin Naylor explained: “We are delighted to be part of the Kirklees project. We can offer great opportunities to anyone wishing to get into competition.

“Cycle speedway is a great family sport where mum, dad and the kids can all take part and it leads to a healthier

lifestyle.

“We have riders of all ages up to almost 70 years who successfully compete at various levels all over the country.”

The Club’s loan bikes and helmets are available for use but participants should wear suitable clothing including long sleeved tops, long trouser bottoms, gloves and trainers.

To get involved, contact Justin Naylor on 07799 367370 or email jusycom@yahoo.co.uk, or just turn up at a Saturday morning session at Firth Park (WF16 OHH).

Further details of training sessions, events and details of the club can be found in Heckmondwike Cycle Speedway’s Facebook group.

RACING PREVIEW WITH MIKE SMITH

Family favourite for Imperial Cup EXT WEEK’S Cheltenham festival casts a lengthening shadow over this weekend’s action and many punters will be keeping their powder dry for Prestbury Park.

A big field handicap that is often won by an outsider typifies the fare on offer and tomorrow’s (Saturday) Imperial Cup looks another open contest. Only one favourite has gone in during the last 10 years but joint market leader MONSIEUR LECOQ looks well treated off a mark of 132.

That’s 10lb higher than when last seen on the track but still allows him to race off a nice light weight and he must have a huge chance as a 5/1 shot with Carrigill’s. His two wins this season have come on soft and heavy ground so this week’s rain will suit, and his trainer Jane Williams landed a big handicap hurdle at Kempton at the end of last month with Erick Le Rouge.

The regular offer of a bonus – doubled last year to £100,000 by Matchbook – for any horse winning the Imperial Cup and following up at Cheltenham, always attracts a competitive field. David Pipe and Tom Scudamore will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of their illustrious fathers with EXTRA MAG. Exactly 30 years ago, Travel Mystery landed this race for Martin Pipe and Peter Scudamore and the horse needs to win to run in the Martin Pipe next week. An intriguing omen.

FIRST LINK was my nap last

N

week but never made it to the track.

She shaped as though further was needed when mid-div over 7f on her handicap debut and consequently found 6f against her when fifth last time. She’s two from two since, relishing the step up to a mile on her last start and I’m sticking with her to land the hat-trick this afternoon (Friday) in Lingfield’s 2.10.

Looking ahead to Cheltenham, I fail to see how CLANS DES OBEAUX is joint favourite for the Gold Cup on the back of four defeats from four runs at Prestbury Park and a best performance of sixth of 15 in a

Triumph Hurdle. He is a bridle horse who finds nothing when the going gets tough and will again be found out by the punishing hill. If you are a layer on the exchanges this looks too good to miss. In a wide open contest my money will be with KEMBOY. I’m equally surprised that Ruby Walsh tops the bookies lists to be top jockey at the festival. Apart from BENIE DES DIEUX in the Mares’ Hurdle Walsh doesn’t seem to have many clear cut opportunities especially as Paul Townend will have more than his fair share of rides for a smaller than usual Willie Mullins’ string. Davy Russell (11/2) and Barry Geraghty at 7/2 make more appeal.

For a race that is frenetic and littered with horses who have fallen, been brought down or experienced trouble in running, novices have a surprisingly good record in the Grand Annual and I really like Alan King’s BALLYWOOD. Second-best to Dynamite Dollars by only three-anda-half lengths last time out at Donny, his jumping could be the key, and if he can stay up with the pace he’s a massive plus for me at Cheltenham next week.

CARRIGILL’S NAP: (money back as a free bet if finishes outside top 4): EXTRA MAG, Saturday, Sandown, 2.25.

AUGUR’S BEST BET: FIRST LINK (e/w), Saturday, Lingfield, 2.10.

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

21

FOOTBALL

United back on track Raw on the spot

to send Sedge into semi-finals

HEADS UP: Karl Jones nods in United’s PHOTO: John Hirst opening goal

NCEL League Cup

LIVERSEDGE FC HALLAM FC

Evo-Stik East Division

STAMFORD OSSETT UNITED

0 2

OSSETT UNITED returned to winning ways with an impressive victory away at Stamford.

They remain just a point outside the play-off places after an early goal from Karl Jones and a very late one from Tom Greaves wrapped up the win in a scrappy game.

Jones was one of two changes to the starting lineup from the previous week’s home defeat to Morpeth, with captain Alex McQuade also returning following a threematch suspension.

Stamford saw a goal disal-

lowed early on when Ryan Seal had the ball in the net following a Jack Gurney cross, only to see the flag go up for offside.

Jones was denied a tap-in by good defending but scored from the resulting corner, heading in Chris Chantler’s delivery off the crossbar for a ninth-minute lead.

Seal was the main threat for the hosts but James Knowles made a crucial block shortly after the goal to deny, and he missed the target before half-time as United went in with the lead.

The visitors started the second half well, with Greaves inches from tapping in a dangerous ball into the box by Aidan Chippendale.

Corey Gregory’s effort smashed the bar on the hour

mark, and United always looked the more likely to score the next goal.

There were worrying moments in injury-time when Stamford appealed for a handball from Tyrone Gay, but play was waved on and Ossett sealed the match in the 96th minute as Greaves fired in.

The one downside was a red card for defender James Burke in the aftermath of that goal, for his involvement in the ensuing disagreement between the two sets of players.

United return to Ingfield tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) to face relegationthreatened AFC Mansfield, with whom they drew 1-1 away in October’s reverse fixture.

HEAVY WOOLLEN FOOTBALL

Snowdon reach Trophy final SNOWDON are through to the final of the Heavy Woollen Challenge Trophy after edging out Battyeford in a penalty shoot-out.

Joel Mason put Battyeford in front from the spot before Snowdon equalised with a deflected shot, and Snowdon went on to triumph 42 on penalties.

They will play the winners of the other semi-final between Birstall Cricket Club and Clifton Rangers Reserves, who meet this Sunday (kick-off 11am) at Overthorpe Sports Club.

Elsewhere, Mirfield Town failed to close the gap on Heavy Woollen Sunday League Premier Division leaders Deighton WMC as they lost 1-0 at home to Linthwaite last weekend.

The gap remains five points, although Mirfield do still have one game in hand.

Wellington Westgate enjoyed a 5-2 win over Clifton Rangers thanks to doubles from Calum McLachlan and Jaron Edwards, plus a strike from Wayne Shooter.

Championship leaders Mount Pleasant suffered their first loss of the season as they went down 2-0 at second-placed Birstall Cricket Club, who had Kyle Walker and Gary Foley on target.

Ravenswharfe climbed to fourth place after Ben Smith hit four goals in a 6-1 win over Clifton Rangers Reserves, Duane Fascione and Steve Smith bagging the others.

Iza Tunkara and Andy Hill both hit braces as St Ignatius won 4-3 at home to Clifton Rangers Athletic, who replied through Kieran Gallagher, Martin Wagstaff and an own goal.

BOXING

Second win for O’Regan HECKMONDWIKE boxer Cory O’Regan secured his second professional win at the Elland Road Banqueting Suite last weekend by defeating Naheem Chaudhry.

He was due to face Lee Williams in his second professional bout, but a late change of opponent saw him take on Blackburn fighter Chaudhry instead.

The 2016 ABA finalist secured a routine points win over Adam Bannister in his pro debut in December, and followed that up with

another comfortable victory in Leeds.

O’Regan took all four rounds with a 40-36 points win, and was rarely troubled by a journeyman opponent who has only won once in 39 fights and kept a close guard throughout.

O’Regan is set for his third pro bout on May 5.

Meanwhile, Purge Boxing’s Ismail Khan also secured his second professional win at the show with a points victory over Ukranian Dmytro Kostenko.

3 2

LIVERSEDGE reached the semi-finals of the NCEL League Cup with a dramatic win over Hallam FC in extra time at Clayborn on Tuesday night.

Hallam, who are chasing promotion in the division below Sedge, twice responded to Danny Farrar goals to force another 30 minutes of action.

However, Alfie Raw stuck away a penalty at the end of the first period of extra time and the home side held on to reach the last four of the competition.

Hallam started brightly but could only create half chances early on, and they were punished in the 21st minute when Farrar scored his first of the game against the run of play.

It took just three minutes for the visitors to respond, with Kieran Watson glancing his header in at the near post from a corner to square things up.

Liversedge came very close to a half-time lead when a fizzing shot rattled the crossbar, and they began the second half as the stronger side as well.

Hallam were getting their chances as well though, with Sam Smith heading over the bar before the assistant referee then denied them the lead for offside after the ball had been put in.

Five minutes later, a wellworked move was finished by a great hit by Farrar for his double, beating goalkeeper Andrew Snaith to his left from the edge of the penalty area.

Again Liversedge’s lead wasn’t to last for long though, as an even better strike from Tom Wilson in

the 83rd minute meant that extra time would be required.

As the game became increasingly heated, the crucial moment came when Tom Roebuck handled the ball in the box and was shown a second yellow card.

Raw converted from the spot, and Sedge held on against their 10-man opponents to win the tie.

Liversedge return to Clayborn tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) to face Barton Town in the league.

First league win in four NCEL Premier Division

GOOLE LIVERSEDGE FC

0 2

LIVERSEDGE picked up a first league win in four matches with victory away at a struggling Goole side.

They had been beaten by the East Yorkshire outfit on home turf less than two weeks ago, but Alfie Raw’s early penalty and Emile Sinclair’s late finish ensured it was a different story this time.

It took only eight minutes for the first goal to come, with Raw converting from the spot after Rhys Davies had been brought down in the box.

Danny Farrar then headed a Sinclair cross wide as Sedge pushed for a second in an impressive start.

With the wind behind them Goole began to dominate, although they struggled to find the target with chances and when they did they found Ed Wilzynski dependable in the Liversedge goal.

They could even have gone 2-0 up at the break when Joe Walton was given a free header, but he put it over the crossbar.

There were few chances for either side for the majority of a scrappy second half, with Farrar seeing a half chance comfortably saved and Davies and Walton both missing the target.

Goole threw everything at them in the final minutes in search of an equaliser, but they were caught on the break in the second minute of added time as Sinclair finished to seal the win.

HOCKEY Slazenger firsts hit for six at Wakefield Men’s 1st 1-6 Wakefield 2nd SLAZENGER’S first team were away to Wakefield last weekend in what turned out to be ‘one of those games’.

Short of several key players, Slazenger were quickly two down due to some poor defending and by halftime Wakefield’s youth had extended that lead to five and Slazenger were well and truly out of it by all measures.

The second half brought a little more spirit from Slaz, including a goal for Gunning, but this did little to dispel a pedestrian performance.

Men’s 2nd 8-2 Sheffield Hallam 6th THE MEN’S second team hosted Sheffield Hallam 6th at Southfields and it wasn’t long before Asad Baig smashed the ball in from close range to grab his first of four, while stand-in captain Ian Hedges netted two more to put the team 3-0 up at half-time.

The second half continued the same way, with Ben Jackson beating four players and slipping it past the goalie before Baig scored three more goals in typically powerful fashion, around two Sheffield goals.

Men’s 5th 7-1 Chapeltown 4th Men’s 5th 0-4 Adel 5th Ladies’ 1st’s 0-1 Sheffield Uni Bankers THE LADIES’ first team travelled to

GREAT WIN: Slazenger Ladies’ third team defeated Barnsley firsts Sheffield to play University Bankers for their last away fixture of the season.

Based on their league positions Bankers were clear favourites, but Slaz were determined to make them work for it.

A single goal scored midway through the first half separated the sides at the end as Slaz were unable to find the back of the net, but keeping the score down to one represented a great all-round performance. Next week Slaz play host to Rotherham in what will be another tough game for the Ladies.

Ladies 2nd 0-7 Sheffield Uni Bankers SLAZENGER had a tough afternoon against Sheffield Bankers, trailing 2-0 at the break and conceding another shortly afterwards before four more

goals left a heavy scoreline.

Ladies 3rd 3-1 Barnsley 1st SLAZENGER were ready for this home match against Barnsley and did not disappoint with a great victory.

Barnsley started strongly but couldn’t find a way through strong defence, and Caro Schofield made her mark in the D with a solid strike to put Slaz 1-0 up. Skilful ball distribution from midfield between Mia Davis, Ellie McWilliams, Schofield and Maisie Davis gave them a 2-0 lead before half-time.

They kept pushing and Mia Davis quickly secured a third goal, before Barnsley grew into the game and broke through in the end for a consolation.

Ladies 4th 0-4 Huddersfield 1st

22

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

Trojans suffer nightmare start NCL Premier Division

THORNHILL TROJANS WEST HULL

10 28

A NIGHTMARE start condemned Thornhill Trojans to defeat on their return to the NCL Premier Division.

West Hull ran riot in the opening 20 minutes with four quick-fire tries establishing a 22-0 lead, and the Trojans seemed to have no answer to the visitors’ pace and support play in the opening exchanges.

However, the longer the game went on, the more the Trojans proved that they were capable of holding their own as they prevented the visitors from scoring a try in the second half.

Thornhill welcomed Joel Gibson back into the side for this game and he scored a try and collected the official man of the match award.

Ben Kendall also stood out in this testing game along with second-row Jake Wilson.

But it was the dominant opening to this game by West Hull that proved to be the post-match talking point.

A kick towards the posts by Harry Tyson-Wilson was pounced upon by Ian Kerman to score a try which Ryan Wilson converted. Scott Partis then intercepted a pass inside Thornhill’s half of the field and raced 80m to score an unconverted try.

The scoring continued when Jack Wilson stepped around a Thornhill defender and made space to score in the corner, and a missed tackle in West Hull’s half allowed the visitors to break clear again with Jack Watts in support to go over for a try to finish the move.

The harsh reality of life in the Premier Division was there for all to see but, trailing by 22 points, the Trojans showed spirit to put on a fightback and give their supporters hope for the rest of the season.

The defence was tightened and at one point a try looked to have been scored by substitute Tom Gledhill, but he was penalised for a double movement.

In the second half the Trojans showed real fighting spirit and gave the visitors something to think about as they ran the ball with purpose.

With the second half only a

NO WAY THORUGH: Ben Kendall carries the ball for Thornhill minute old, Joel Gibson stepped away and raced away to score a try between the posts, which he converted himself.

The only downside to the Trojans’ second-half performance was the number of penalties which they conceded in kickable positions. An obstruction close to the posts presented Ryan Wilson the opportunity to kick a penalty goal.

Matthew Tebb was then sinbinned for a cannonball tackle, and Jack Wilson kicked another goal

PHOTO: Dave Jewitt

from the penalty as West Hull edged towards securing the win.

Jake Wilson’s determined running finally brought him some reward when he proved unstoppable to go over for a try, and a final penalty goal from Ryan Wilson sailed between the uprights as the referee blew for full time.

There were many positives to take away from Thornhill’s second half showing and, with a few tweaks, their first top-flight victory shouldn’t be far way.

Late agony for unfortunate Maroons Perfect Shaw Cross start NCL Division One

DEWSBURY MOOR 22 STANNINGLEY 23 DEWSBURY MOOR were unable to secure a winning start to their NCL Division One campaign after a dramatic finish.

They were evenlymatched with fellow-promoted side Stanningley and went into the final few minutes at 22-22, but a disallowed try and subsequent drop-goal saw them finish with nothing.

Maroons coach Danny Maun thought they should have come away with the win, but highlighted his side’s sloppy start.

“I think the first 10 minutes cost us. We were outstanding after that,” he said. “(In the) first 10 minutes Stanningley came out really aggressively and gave us a bit of a lesson in how to

play the game, and then in the last 70 minutes we were the better team.

“The lads were outstanding, I couldn’t fault their effort. The little lapses of concentration cost us in the end. We scored a try to win the game in the last minute and the referee disallowed it, and I thought it was a try. They go to the other side of the field and get a drop goal.

“I think a draw would have been a fair result.

There were two good teams on show, I thought they both played some good stuff and credit to Stanningley.”

The visitors took a rapid 12-0 lead, with Aiden Scully and Thomas Kent both touching down and Liam Copland converting both tries.

Moor hit back in impressive fashion and led by the break thanks to three tries.

Jermaine Davis registered their first try of the

season to bring them back into it, and then Archie Bruce and Sam Thornton both added scores with Bradley Foster twice converting for a 16-12 advantage at the interval.

Another slow start caught the home side out in the second half with Copland levelling things with a try two minutes after the restart.

Stanningley retook the lead on 65 minutes with a Jack Sykes try and Copland conversion, but the sides were back on level terms with 10 minutes to go as Thornton grabbed his second try of the game and Foster tagged on the two points.

There was still time for plenty of drama though, as the referee intervened at one end as Moor claimed a winning try and Stanningley came downfield, where Niall Murphy landed the winning one-pointer in a cruel blow.

NCL Division Two

SHAW CROSS CLOCK FACE

24 20

SHAW CROSS SHARKS got their NCL Division Two campaign off to the perfect start with a win over Clock Face Miners.

It was Clock Face who scored first of the match, gaining good position and slipping Luke Leyden into the corner for the first of his three tries.

The Sharks were getting into good positions but couldn’t find a way through until the 26th minute, when Owen Lumb made a great break through the line and the impressive Andrew Tillotson was in support to touch down. Shaun Squires converted to make it 6-6.

Matthew West then came close, but they were over again seconds later as the ball went left and Elliott Richardson played a brilliant pass over for Thomas Stuckey to score.

Shaw Cross deserved a half-time lead but it wasn’t to be as Karle Hunt went over on the right in the final seconds, with Ian Webster converting to edge them in front.

A rousing half-time speech from new boss Mark Barlow did the trick though, and the Sharks scored twice in the first eight minutes of the second half.

The first came after a great offload from Richardson allowed Callum Barker and Stuckey to carry upfield before Squires’s long pass found Joe Halloran in the corner.

Leyden was then sent to the sin bin for a trip, and the 12-man defence was beaten by great work from Lumb to shrug off his man to run in for the try. Both were converted by Squires for a 22-12 lead.

Clock Face made things nervy when a good passing move to the right edge was finished again by Leyden to narrow the gap to six, before a Squires penalty brought some respite.

They were kept on their toes in the final moments after Leyden completed his hat-trick following an inventive offload from Shaun Costello.

With Clock Face down to 12 again after Ian Webster’s yellow card, the Sharks hung on. They return to action tomorrow (Saturday, 2.30pm) with a trip to Ince Rose Bridge.

Celtic’s first win NCL Division Three

DEWSBURY CELTIC HUNSLET WARRIORS

22 6

DEWSBURY CELTIC earned their first points of the campaign with a win over Hunslet Warriors.

It was a tighter game then the scoreline might suggest though, with victory only sealed thanks to two tries in the final 10 minutes.

Hunslet had scored the game’s first try, when Josh McLelland raced 75 metres for a try off a Daryl Gaunt kick which Gaunt then converted.

Celtic led 10-6 at the break with tries from Billy Yarrow and Matty Ginnelly, as man of the match George Senior landed one conversion.

Ethan Ferry of Celtic and Warriors’ Ben Gale were given 10 minutes in the bin late in the first half for running in.

It remained a four-point game until 10 minutes before the end when Celtic extended their lead with a Dominic Senior interception.

Yarrow then crossed for his second try with two minutes to go and Senior landed both conversions.

Celtic are on the road this Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) as they travel to Waterhead Warriors.

Indiscipline costs Boys NCL Division Three

HUNSLET WARRIORS WOOLSTON ROVERS

2 10

BATLEY BOYS suffered a second defeat from two in the NCL as Woolston Rovers spoiled the party in front of a crowd of 274 at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.

It was a low-scoring and ill-disciplined affair, with the Boys receiving five yellow cards and one red but failing to cross the try-line.

They had Ben Hardacre sin-binned twice for dissent and retaliation while Matt Sheridan went for dissent, Josh Scrutton on the back of a team warning, and Rob Garforth for kicking the ball away. Ryan Crossley was sent off in the final minute for punching.

Woolston’s Harry Files took the man of the match but also ended up doing 10 minutes for pushing.

It was a Files try on 12 minutes which opened the scoring in this game, and Aaron Barber landed the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

The Boys hit back with an Adam Bingham penalty before a Christian Taylor try on halftime made it 10-2 at the break.

There were no points scored in the entire second half, as a very scrappy game went away from the home side.

The Boys will look to pick up their first NCL win on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) when they visit Eastmoor Dragons.

RUGBY UNION

Refreshed Cleck find top form for crucial win North One East

POCKLINGTON 14 CLECKHEATON RUFC 47 CLECKHEATON turned on the style to secure a crucial win with arguably their best performance of the season.

They came into the game on the back of a six-match losing run, but the intensity shown in training following a week off from the action saw them in great shape for an excellent victory.

Paul Turner returned to the front row and Jack Bickerdike resumed at scrum-half after injury, while Ollie Depledge moved to cen-

tre and enjoyed an impressive game.

On a breezy day, Cleckheaton played with the wind and the slope in their favour in the first half and opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Dale Breakwell struck a penalty goal from 35m out.

At the restart Jack Seddon was taken out in the air and Pocklington flanker Sayer was shown a yellow card.

Breakwell’s trusty boot then doubled Cleck’s lead to 6-0 on the half hour mark.

The advantage was shortlived, as Pocklington this time gained possession from the restart, although it appeared once more as if

Seddon had been knocked off the ball in the air.

Pocklington’s forwards were not dwelling on that though and rumbled up field before scrum-half Rees crashed over under the posts for a converted try and the lead.

As half-time approached, Cleck got their first try of the game. Good work by skipper Matt Piper and Depledge put Danny Booth clear to score near the corner, and Breakwell added the goal from the touchline for a 13-7 lead at the interval.

The game took a dramatic turn early in the second half when Pocklington’s Marcus Britland was dismissed for a stamping incident.

The

resulting penalty was kicked

by Breakwell and Cleck were now 16-7 up.

Cleckheaton were keeping the pressure on and looking to play some very nice rugby.

A line out and rolling maul, expertly controlled by Niall Jackson, took play to five metres from the Pocklington line where, after Bickerdike was held up, Turner plunged over the line for his first try of the season. Breakwell improved the score and Cleckheaton were opening up a decent lead.

Midway through the second period Breakwell added to his personal points tally with his first try for Cleckheaton after good work

by the pack, and the same player converted to bring Cleck’s advantage to 30-7.

Pocklington got a consolation try on 68 minutes via lock forward Fothergill, but Cleckheaton were not about to allow the home side any glimmer of hope.

Danny Booth went in for his 11th try of the season with a smart grubber kick which he regathered to crash over in the corner. Breakwell added another penalty as the game drew into its last five minutes but Cleckheaton saved the best moment of the game until last.

Man of the match Seddon topped off an awesome performance when he gathered

the ball from the restart and broke through the defensive line. He passed the ball to Mikey Hayward who found Josh Plunkett in support, who in turn provided a return pass to Seddon.

The No8 dived over the line to score Cleckheaton’s fifth try of the game and his ninth of the season.

This was a spectacular end to a fantastic team performance and shows that hard work in midweek can really set the tone for the weekend.

They will want to back that up and further ease any relegation fears when they host Driffield tomorrow (Saturday, kick-off 3pm) at Moorend.

ThePress

Friday March 8, 2019

23

RUGBY LEAGUE

Valiant Rams thwarted late on Betfred Championship

DEWSBURY RAMS TORONTO WOLFPACK

17 22

at Tetley’s Stadium TORONTO escaped with two valuable competition points despite a heroic effort from Dewsbury Rams.

The Wolfpack scored three quickfire tries in the final quarter to turn defeat into victory after the Rams had established what appeared to be a winning advantage in the second half.

The Rams led at the break through Michael Knowles’s try, while Paul Sykes’s six goals dotted throughout the contest kept the hosts ticking over to what was so nearly a famous victory.

But poor decisions at crucial moments cost the fatigued Rams a victory few would have begrudged them.

On the back of a penalty, Andy Ackers was inches away from putting the Wolfpack in front in the first minute.

Sam Day responded for the Rams with a chip and chase on the last, but he was unable to gather.

Luke Hooley was shaken up following a big hit from Darcy Lussick after he’d taken a quick tap.

But the full-back recovered, and following back-to-back penalties the Rams held the lead after Sykes hammered over a penalty goal.

The visitors’ hopes weren’t helped when Jon Wilkin was withdrawn with an eye injury that he didn’t recover from.

The fired-up hosts continued to apply pressure, though the Wolfpack went close to adding the first try when Adam Higson chipped ahead.

But the ball ran dead and instead the

MATCH STATS SHEFFIELD EAGLES: Josh Guzdek 7 Ryan Millar 8 James Glover 8 Jason Crookes 7 Ben Blackmore 7 Pat Walker 8 Anthony Thackeray 7 Brad Knowles 7 James Davey 7 Matt James 7 Joel Farrell 9 Oliver Davies 7 Aaron Brown 7 Subs: Corey Makelim 7 Blake Broadbent 7 Sonny Esslemont 6 Paddy Burns 8 Tries: Glover (31), Thackeray (40), Broadbent (47), Farrel (52), Davies (55), Blackmore (60, 65), Burns (79).

Goals: Walker 6/8.

BATLEY BULLDOGS: Dave Scott Wayne Reittie Sam Wood Sam Smeaton Lewis Galbraith Louis Jouffret Dom Brambani Adam Gledhill Alistair Leak Tom Lillycrop Jack Downs Dane Manning Paul Brearley Subs: Tom Hemingway James Brown Toby Everett Michael Ward Tries: Wood (3), Downs (20), Smeaton (77).

Goals: Scott 2/4.

Referee: N Bennett Half-time: 12-10 Penalties: 7-8 Man of the match: Joel Farrell (Sheffield) Attendance: 791

7 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 7 6 7 5 7 6 6 7 6

Rams pressed, forcing a drop-out with some enthusiastic defending, and then doubling their lead through the boot of Sykes.

And it got even better for Dewsbury in the 21st minute, when Knowles showed incredible courage to get a hand to Sykes’s grubber kick under the posts.

The conversion made it 10-0 and the Rams forced the drop-out after a Toronto error in their kick-off return.

Sykes then missed the chance to make it 12-0 when a penalty attempt from distance dropped short.

Incredibly, the Rams almost went further in front following a break through midfield from Rob Worrincy. Day carted the ball upfield on the next tackle, but possession was lost as the hosts chanced their arm.

Toronto probed desperately in search of a try, but Ackers again knocked on close to the home try line. The Wolfpack eventually got off the mark when Higson dived over in the corner following a quick left-to-right play.

Gareth O’Brien was unable to convert, and Knowles’s drop-goal attempt came back off the post, which meant the Rams retained a six-point advantage at the break.

Toronto’s indiscipline continued into the early stages of the second half and Sykes added another penalty goal to stretch Dewsbury’s lead.

And the Rams hung in there as the minutes ticked over into the fourth quarter of the contest, holding their visitors at bay with a superb defensive effort.

Sykes’s fifth and sixth goals of the afternoon edged the Rams closer to what they thought would be a famous victory.

The veteran half-back also hammered

over a drop-goal to hand the hosts a 13point advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

But Ryan Brierley connected with O’Brien’s grubber to put the ‘Pack back in it.

O’Brien’s goal made it 17-10 and, agonisingly for the hosts, Sykes sent his restart out on the full.

Moments later, Dale Morton knocked on after a messy play the ball close to his line.

The visitors poured forward and quickly crossed again when Blake Wallace twisted over. O’Brien’s goal took Toronto to within a point.

No stopping Sykes yet!

DEWSBURY RAMS captain Paul Sykes says that he will keep on playing as long as he can with his home-town club.

The 37-year-old is in his fourth season with the Rams, following an extensive career which has taken in the likes of Bradford and London as well as Great Britain and England caps.

The half-back says that he is still enjoying his rugby and has no plans to finish just yet.

“I feel alright and as long as I feel alright and I’m still enjoying it I’ll keep on playing,” Sykes said.

“It’s my hometown club and I’ve been here a few years now so I’m starting to become part of the fixtures and fittings. I’m enjoying it here and as long as I’m enjoying it I’ll carry on playing.”

He says that he is happy to pass on what guidance he can to the young squad that Lee Greenwood has assembled at Dewsbury in the off-season. “(I offer) bit more experience and a bit more guidance. I try to offer some of the boys what I’ve done in my past to help them progress in the team.”

Sykes put in another supreme performance

Flying Eagles punish sloppy Bulldogs display Betfred Championship

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 44 BATLEY BULLDOGS 16 Stephen Ibbetson at Olympic Legacy Park

BATLEY felt the full force of a resurgent Sheffield as the Eagles continued their perfect start to the season with a rampant second-half showing.

The away side led in the opening half an hour but two quick tries edged Sheffield in front at the break, and from there they didn’t look back as they demonstrated their playoff credentials with a ruthless performance after the break.

Sheffield made one change from the side that defeated Bradford two weeks previously with hooker James Davey, one of four players in the team who played for the Bulldogs last season, returning for Greg Burns.

Meanwhile there were three changes for Batley from their win over Rochdale, as Louis Jouffret, Michael Ward and Paul Brearley all came back into the line-up.

It was the Bulldogs who made the perfect start on the back of an early penalty. They came forward and from dummy half Alistair Leak found Jouffret to the right, and the Frenchman slipped Sam Wood into the right corner.

Dave Scott wasn’t able to

The full-back scythed over shortly after to put the visitors in front for the first time and his conversion made it 17-22.

Things turned heated in the closing stages as Dewsbury sought a way back into the game. Lussick was sin-binned for a high tackle and Daniel Igbinedion also saw yellow for retaliating. The hosts were then reduced to 11 moments later when Chris Annakin was sent off for spitting.

The resulting penalty relieved intense pressure on the Toronto line and the visitors had enough in the tank to see out the win.

convert that, but he had another chance to make it 6-0 when the Eagles conceded a penalty in front of the posts and the full-back slotted over.

Both sides were reduced to 12 men in the 18th minute when the two sets of players rushed in to settle their differences and the number 11s – Sheffield’s Brad Knowles and Batley’s Dane Manning – were both shown yellow cards.

It was the visitors who were able to take advantage of the extra space two minutes later.

Wood kicked forward and Wayne Reittie put in a determined chase, doing enough to prevent any Sheffield defender from picking up the ball at their toes and leaving Jack Downs with a simple touchdown.

Only when the full complement of players were restored did Sheffield begin to really threaten, and they scored their first try when Pat Walker sent a flat pass to James Glover to charge over. Walker added the extras against his former side.

The Eagles stayed on the front foot with Joel Farrell driving over but losing the ball as he tried to ground under pressure, and they went over again in the final seconds of the half as Anthony Thackeray sold the defender a dummy and ran over, with Walker converting for a 12-10 lead.

Sheffield continued where

they had left off after the break. Jason Crookes broke down the right and Ben Blackmore furthered the charge outside him before kicking back infield, where the bounce evaded Scott and Blake Broadbent touched down.

The pressure continued with a drop out and a penalty, and after carrying into a strong position the Eagles had Farrell running a good line to charge over and score a deserved try.

The second rower was running rampant and when he broke through the line again moments later, the only way that Manning could bring him to a halt was with a high tackle that saw him sent to the sideline for a second time in the match.

Following the penalty Oliver Davies slipped out a tackle to go over, with Walker making it 30-10.

More punishment came with two quick tries for winger Blackmore.

Josh Guzdek slipped him in for the first after a sweeping left-to-right move, and similar play did the job again after a stunning break downfield by Glover.

Sam Smeaton did go over on the left in the final few minutes but it was too little and much too late, and from the restart the Bulldogs missed the ball and Burns ran in unopposed to score and compile their misery.

last weekend against Toronto, leading the team around the park effectively and registering six goals and a drop goal.

It wasn’t enough to get the win though as the Wolfpack staged a late fightback, and Sykes acknowledges that they need to be able to see games out more effectively.

“We put so much effort in and we feel like we should have come away with something, but they’re a quality outfit and can score tries from anywhere. We put a huge dig in and the boys are disappointed really,” he said.

A five-minute spell was enough to see the game turned around, but it was a superb performance from the Rams in the first hour.

“Looking at the completion rate, it was probably about 100% in the first half. We’ve just got to learn to put games to bed when we get in front, and that’s what we’ll focus on in training for the games to come.

“We’ve just got to learn how to manage it, and that’s my job and the coach’s job and everybody else in the team, to pull together and see games out, especially when you’re playing against a top-quality outfit like Toronto.”

MATCH STATS DEWSBURY RAMS: Luke Hooley Rob Worrincy Lucas Walshaw Adam Ryder Dale Morton Paul Sykes Michael Knowles Chris Annakin Sam Day Tom Garratt Samy Kibula Owen Harrison Kyle Trout Subs: Robbie Ward Daniel Igbinedion Callum Field Jordan Andrade Tries: Knowles (21).

Goals: Sykes 6/7.

Drop Goals: Sykes (64).

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

TORONTO WOLFPACK: Gareth O’Brien 8 Adam Higson 7 Nick Rawsthorne 6 Ricky Leutele 7 Matty Russell 6 Blake Wallace 7 Josh McCrone 6 Adam Sidlow 7 Andy Ackers 8 Darcy Lussick 7 Andrew Dixon 7 Tom Olbison 7 Jon Wilkin 6 Subs: Bob Beswick 8 Anthony Mullally 8 Ryan Brierley 8 Gadwin Springer 7 Tries: Higson (34), Brierley (67), Wallace (69).

Goals: O’Brien 3/4.

Referee: M Mannifield Half-time: 10-4 Penalties: 11-8 Sin Bin: Lussick (75, high tackle), Igbinedion (75, fighting) Sent Off: Annakin (76, spitting) Man of the match: Rob Worrincy (Dewsbury) Attendance: 1,251

Rams need ‘mentality change’ - Greenwood LEE GREENWOOD believes that his Dewsbury Rams side need “a big mentality change” to make sure that they keep hold of leads.

His Rams side led 17-4 against Toronto Wolfpack last weekend but saw three tries in the space of five minutes turn the game on its head.

It came following a similar capitulation in their opening game against York, and they only came away with a point at Barrow after a late try.

They earned plenty of plaudits for their efforts in pushing the Championship favourites all the way, but Greenwood demanded more.

“I should be proud of their efforts but I’m not, I’m really disappointed that they haven’t gone on and won it,” he reflected after the game.

“It’s really disappointing that we put ourselves into that position and then that lead was wiped out so quickly and so easily.

“It’s the same conversation that we had after round one when we were in control against York. (We) concede one and the energy that the other team get and we lose is incredible.

“There’s a big mentality change that I need to bring in to this club in general; even with the supporters you could feel it as well.

“So we all need to work together a little bit, because there will be a lot of times when we’re in the lead and we concede a try, it’s rugby. You’ve got to be a lot better and not just fall into a massive hole. We beat ourselves.

“Praise and effort doesn’t get you points. It’s a professional sport and that’s what we’re all about.”

“We’re not here for pats on the back.

That’s not what I’m about and it doesn’t keep you in this division either. We’re on

BIG CHANGE: Lee Greenwood three points when we should be on eight.”

Dewsbury travel to Halifax this Sunday (kick-off 3pm) to face a side unbeaten in regular Championship games on their own turf in over a year.

Fax have been pushed close in recent weeks by Batley and Swinton, but Greenwood says that his team will have to react better to get anything from that game.

“It won’t be every week that we get ourselves into a winning position, and we need to start chasing games,” he said. “Every week is different. We’ve got to learn that when we’re in that position, we need to be a lot better.

“You don’t get 80 minutes of it all in your favour, but you’ve got to react when you’re under the pump.

“From Halifax this week, it might be from the first whistle. We’ve got to get better at reacting and getting out of that patch a lot quicker.”

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Returning Finn aims to make an impact

By Stephen Ibbetson Sports Reporter sport@thepressnews.co.uk

LIAM FINN hopes that his experience will help Dewsbury Rams after his return to the club was announced this week.

The half-back has departed Newcastle Thunder and signed for the Rams, with whom he enjoyed a four-year spell almost a decade ago.

After leaving for a second spell at Featherstone Rovers he made his Super League break with Castleford Tigers and then Wakefield Trinity, where he now has a coaching role.

He signed for Newcastle Thunder for 2019, but was forced into a rethink after the departure of coach Jason Payne after only two games of the new campaign.

Finn will be with the Rams until the end of the 2020 season.

His links with Dewsbury’s coaching brothers Lee and Gareth Greenwood helped him decide on a return.

“There was obviously a lot of travelling involved. The circumstances changed up there,” he said.

“I signed to play for Payney and he got two games’ grace, and after that when Payney left I had to give it some serious thought.

“I was just deciding what to do after speaking to my family. I was

speaking to other people that I’m friends with, and one of them happens to be Lee’s brother.

“I came down here and when that happened they got in touch and said ‘do you want to come and play for us?’

“I’ve obviously been there before and I really enjoyed my time at Dewsbury. I don’t live far away so I thought that was a good opportunity.”

In 2009 he was part of the ‘Invincibles’ side that won every game in the third tier, and he says that was the highlight of his previous spell with the Rams.

“Most of the time I enjoyed it.

It wasn’t the easiest time in my career playing-wise,” he said.

“The first year was pretty tough, we had a really experienced team and I was really young. There were some really good blokes in there and some who were difficult to be around, but it was a good learning curve.

“And then (we had) a couple of years in the Championship and then the last year we won League One and we went unbeaten that season. That’s a good memory.

“I had four years (afterwards) at Featherstone and I never thought I’d play in Super League, but I was fortunate to get that chance and hopefully I proved myself at that level for four or five seasons. That’s an achievement I’m really proud of.”

Asked how much longer he’ll be playing for, the 35-year-old

LOOK WHO’S BACK: Liam Finn has re-joined the Rams from Newcastle Thunder said: “I’ve got no idea!

“I’ll just try to get used to the lads at Dewsbury and how they want to play, and hopefully have a positive input and help the team improve. That’s my only thought at this moment in time.”

His experience will be important in leading Dewsbury’s young side, and from watching last week’s close defeat to Toronto, Finn sees plenty of potential.

“I watched the game on TV on Sunday and they looked exactly how I thought. They’ve got a tough team, it looks like they’re working hard for each other and there are some good lads in there who are digging in when it gets

tough,” he said.

“They’re obviously a pretty new group after being put together a bit hastily, so they look like everything I expect them to look like at the moment.

“Hopefully we can keep improving in the league and start picking off a few wins, turning the competing side of it into a few more wins.”

Rams chairman Mark Sawyer said: “We are delighted to have Liam Finn back at the club, and we would like to place on record our thanks to Newcastle Thunder and especially their chairman Mick Hogan for his dealing in the transfer.”

Dewsbury Moor ready for big Challenge Cup tie COACH Danny Maun says that this weekend’s Challenge Cup third round tie will be a “big occasion” for Dewsbury Moor.

They travel to West Hull on Sunday (kick-off 2.30pm), having dispatched Skirlaugh and East Leeds to make it to this round of the competition.

The Maroons avoided the semi-professional League One clubs in this round but still face very challenging opposition in last year’s NCL Premier Division Grand Finalists.

West Hull have beaten the Royal Navy and Bentley to make the third round, and defeated Thornhill Trojans in their league opener last weekend.

“I know we’ve got West Hull away but I still think we can get a win,” said Maun.

“I watched them in the first round of the cup against the Navy. They’re a good side

and they beat Thornhill at the weekend, but we’ve got some players back from last week’s game and we should be going there full strength this week.

“It’s big for the club. It’s the proper rules, we’ve only got eight interchanges, so it’s getting serious.

“The lads are excited for the challenge, and we’ll have a fair few supporters over by the sounds of it so it’ll be a decent following.

“I know the local lads who come watch us are hiring a minibus and we’ve got a coachload going as well, we got the biggest bus we can possibly get. So it’s going to be a good day and I hope they get something out of it.

“It’s been brilliant, the Challenge Cup this year. (It’s our) first time in the comp for

a number of years and we’ve got to round three, which is a big achievement.

“To go on and possibly draw a Super League or Championship team would be the pinnacle for a lot of lads in this team.

There are a lot of kids who have been in the scholarship scheme who might have a point to prove, and some of the old lads who might not get a chance to play in the Challenge Cup again.”

The game has been moved to Sunday as West Hull play in the BARLA National Cup quarter-finals the day before, but Maun doesn’t expect to face a weakened a side.

He said: “I don’t read too much into it as I know they’ll have a big squad anyway, so we’ve got to go there and get ready for the best version of West Hull and we’ll see what happens.”

Bulldogs are not delivering, says Diskin BATLEY BULLDOGS coach Matt Diskin has admitted that his side “isn’t delivering” as they look to recover from a disappointing start to the season.

They approached the campaign with high hopes after finishing 2018 on a six-match winning run and enjoying good pre-season performances.

However they have picked up just one win from their opening five games, and they fell to a heavy 44-16 defeat at Sheffield Eagles last Friday.

They return to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) to welcome Bradford Bulls, who have lost three on the bounce themselves.

Diskin admits that there is plenty of work to do and little time left to do it in if they want to recover their season.

“We’ll go away and reflect, watch the game a dozen times and try and find the areas to improve, but we’ve got to do it sooner rather than later,” he said.

“We had a really positive pre-season, we recruited exceptionally well and I think we’ve got a talented squad that isn’t delivering at the moment, and we need to make sure that they do.”

Diskin was left frustrated after the Sheffield game as the opposition turned on the heat and blew the Bulldogs away.

“In the first 20 minutes I thought we were really good, controlled the game and started really well,” he reflected.

“After that we were exceptionally poor and we didn’t deserve anything on that next 60 minutes. We made Sheffield look exceptionally good and we were very poor.

“Their back three, (Ryan) Millar, (Ben) Blackmore and (Josh) Guzdek, have played exceptionally well all year. First 20 minutes we handled that really well, but after that they were too quick for us around the ruck area and the game got too quick, to the point where we made them look like world-beaters.

“We’ve worked on trying to correct it but obviously not hard enough. We previewed those three, but we obviously didn’t work hard enough so we’ll get back to it and work even harder to correct some of the wrongs.

“It’s not as easy as we thought it would be. We feel like we’re making some real progress and we show glimpses of that, but it’s one step forwards and two steps back for us at the moment.

“With that, I’ve still got plenty of confidence and I’ve never lacked confidence in the quality of the squad that we’ve got.

“If you look at the team on paper we’ve got a very strong side, and at the moment it’s not working for us.

But we’ll keep working hard away from the playing field and eventually it will click for us.”